JP4129742B2 - Liquid container and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liquid container for storing a liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus and a method for manufacturing the same.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A typical example of a conventional liquid consuming apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid droplets from an ejecting head. A typical example of the liquid ejecting apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus that includes an ink jet recording head for image recording. There is. As other liquid ejecting apparatuses, for example, an apparatus having a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an electrode material (conductive paste) used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display, a surface emitting display (FED), etc. ) An apparatus equipped with an ejection head, an apparatus equipped with a bioorganic matter ejection head used for biochip production, an apparatus equipped with a sample ejection head as a precision pipette, and the like.
[0003]
An ink jet recording apparatus, which is a typical example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, is used for many printing including color printing in recent years because noise during printing is relatively low and small dots can be formed with high density. .
[0004]
As a liquid supply method for a liquid consuming device typified by an ink jet recording apparatus, there is a method of supplying a liquid from a liquid container storing the liquid to the liquid consuming device. In this system, the liquid container is configured as a cartridge configured to be detachable from the liquid consuming device so that the user can easily replace the liquid container when the liquid in the liquid container is consumed. It is common.
[0005]
As a conventional example of such a cartridge-type liquid container, the liquid in the liquid container is pressurized by sending compressed air into the liquid container, and the liquid in the liquid container is sent out of the cartridge using this pressure. Then, there is a type that supplies liquid consumption devices. By pressurizing the liquid in the liquid container and supplying it to the liquid consuming device in this way, for example, when the liquid ejecting unit in the liquid consuming device is higher than the position of the liquid container, or the flow path from the liquid container to the liquid ejecting unit Even when the resistance is high, the liquid can be stably supplied from the liquid container to the liquid ejection unit.
[0006]
Patent Document 1 listed below describes an ink cartridge of a type that sends compressed air to an internal flexible bag and an ink jet printer to which the ink cartridge is mounted, and a pressure sensor is connected to a pressure pump for pressurizing air. ing. Ink supply is controlled by controlling the pressure pump in accordance with the output of the pressure sensor.
[0007]
As described above, in the ink cartridge and the ink jet printer described in Patent Document 1, the ink supply is controlled based on the operation of the pressure pump. For this reason, for example, even when the ink cartridge is not properly mounted on the ink jet printer, and the ink is not supplied to the ink jet printer even though the pressure pump is operating, the operation of the pressure pump is not performed. As long as the pressure sensor detects this, it is mistaken that ink is being supplied.
[0008]
Therefore, in a liquid container configured so that the liquid inside the container is sent to the outside when the pressurized fluid is sent into the liquid container, is the liquid inside the container actually pressurized by the pressurized fluid? There is a need for a liquid container that can determine whether or not. As a liquid container having such a determination function, a liquid container of a type in which a liquid storage chamber is formed by sticking a flexible film to a rigid case member has been proposed (Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-154991).
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
US Pat. No. 6,290,343 [Patent Document 2]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-45736
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of a liquid container of the type in which a flexible film is attached to the rigid case member described above, there is a problem that it is difficult to fill the liquid into the liquid container.
[0011]
That is, for example, when an ink container is constituted by a flexible bag like the ink bag pack disclosed in Patent Document 2, after filling the ink, the film members that have formed the ink injection port are arranged together. The ink filling operation can be completed by pressure sealing.
[0012]
On the other hand, in the case of a liquid container in which a flexible film is attached to a rigid case member, the liquid inlet is formed in the rigid case member, and the liquid inlet is pressure-sealed after filling with the liquid. Can not do it.
[0013]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and provides a liquid container and a manufacturing method thereof that are easy to manufacture in a liquid container of a type in which a part of a liquid storage chamber is formed by a rigid member. The purpose is to do.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a case member in which a liquid storage chamber filled with a liquid is formed in a method for manufacturing a liquid container for storing a liquid supplied to a liquid consuming device. In the process, the case member includes a liquid injection port for injecting a liquid into the case member, a liquid injection path connecting the liquid injection port and the liquid storage chamber, and the liquid storage chamber And a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to be supplied to the liquid consumption device from the liquid container, and a partition wall for closing the liquid injection path is provided in the liquid injection path. A part of the wall surface forming the liquid storage chamber and a part of the wall surface forming the liquid injection path are made of a flexible film, and the flexible film is a top surface of the partition wall. Provided to cover And a case member providing step that is not joined to the top surface of the partition wall, and a liquid is injected from the liquid inlet into the liquid injection path, and between the top surface of the partition wall and the flexible film. After the liquid injection step of allowing the liquid to flow into the liquid storage chamber through the gap formed in the liquid and the filling of the liquid into the liquid storage chamber is completed, the flexible film is attached to the partition wall And a flow path closing step for closing the liquid flow path by joining to the top surface of the liquid crystal.
[0015]
Preferably, the top surface of the partition wall of the case member provided in the case member providing step is a protrusion for forming a gap between the flexible film and the top surface of the partition wall. In the flow channel closing step, the convex portion is melted to weld the flexible film to the top surface of the partition wall.
[0016]
Preferably, after the case member providing step is completed and before the liquid injection step is started, the liquid injection port is closed and the fluid in the liquid storage chamber and the liquid injection path is discharged from the liquid delivery port. And a fluid discharging step.
[0017]
Moreover, Preferably, the said flexible film is joined to the said convex part formed in the top surface of the said partition wall of the said case member provided in the said case member provision process.
[0018]
Preferably, the method further includes a suction / discharge step of sucking and discharging the liquid existing between the liquid inlet and the partition wall after the flow path closing step.
[0019]
Preferably, the method further includes an inlet closing step of closing the liquid inlet after the suction / discharge step is completed.
[0020]
Preferably, the liquid container is configured such that when a pressurized fluid is sent into the liquid container, the liquid inside is pressurized and sent out from the liquid delivery port.
[0021]
Preferably, the method further includes a detection means mounting step of mounting a detection means whose output signal changes according to a change in pressure of the liquid inside the liquid container.
[0022]
Preferably, the liquid storage chamber is configured to decrease in volume under the pressure of a pressurized fluid, and the liquid container is formed inside the liquid container and communicates with the liquid storage chamber. A sensor chamber, further comprising: a sensor chamber in which a pressure of a pressurized fluid applied to the liquid inside the liquid storage chamber is transmitted to the liquid inside the sensor chamber via the liquid; The signal changes according to the pressure change of the liquid inside the sensor chamber.
[0023]
Preferably, the sensor chamber is configured such that the volume thereof changes in accordance with a change in pressure of the liquid inside the sensor chamber, and an output signal of the detection unit changes in accordance with a change in volume of the sensor chamber. .
[0024]
Preferably, the liquid consuming device is an ink jet recording device, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge that is detachably attached to the ink jet recording device.
[0025]
In order to solve the above problems, the present invention includes a case member in which a liquid storage chamber filled with a liquid is formed in a liquid container for storing a liquid to be supplied to a liquid consuming device, and the case member includes: A liquid inlet for injecting a liquid into the case member, a liquid injection path connecting the liquid inlet and the liquid storage chamber, and a liquid that communicates with the liquid storage chamber and is supplied to the liquid consuming device. A liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid from the liquid container, and a partition wall for closing the liquid injection path is provided in the liquid injection path, and a wall of the liquid storage chamber is formed. A part and a part of the wall surface forming the liquid injection path are made of a flexible film, and the flexible film is provided so as to cover a top surface of the partition wall, Flexible film is said In a state where it is not joined to the top surface of the cut wall, liquid is injected into the liquid injection path from the liquid injection port, and through a gap formed between the top surface of the partition wall and the flexible film. The flexible film is bonded to the top surface of the partition wall after the liquid is allowed to flow into the liquid storage chamber and the filling of the liquid into the liquid storage chamber is completed.
[0026]
Preferably, a gap is formed between the flexible film and the top surface of the partition wall on the top surface of the partition wall of the case member when the liquid storage chamber is filled with liquid. A convex portion is formed, and the flexible film is welded to the top surface of the partition wall while melting the convex portion after the filling of the liquid into the liquid storage chamber is completed.
[0027]
Preferably, the liquid existing between the liquid inlet and the partition wall at the time when the filling of the liquid into the liquid storage chamber is completed is sucked and discharged from the liquid inlet.
[0028]
Preferably, the liquid inlet is closed by welding a seal member.
[0029]
Preferably, the liquid container is configured such that when a pressurized fluid is sent into the liquid container, the liquid inside is pressurized and sent out from the liquid delivery port.
[0030]
Preferably, the apparatus further includes detection means for changing an output signal in accordance with a change in pressure of the liquid inside the liquid container.
[0031]
Preferably, the liquid storage chamber is configured to decrease in volume under the pressure of a pressurized fluid, and the liquid container is formed inside the liquid container and communicates with the liquid storage chamber. A sensor chamber, further comprising: a sensor chamber in which a pressure of a pressurized fluid applied to the liquid inside the liquid storage chamber is transmitted to the liquid inside the sensor chamber via the liquid; The signal changes according to the pressure change of the liquid inside the sensor chamber.
[0032]
Preferably, the sensor chamber is configured such that the volume thereof changes in accordance with a change in pressure of the liquid inside the sensor chamber, and an output signal of the detection unit changes in accordance with a change in volume of the sensor chamber. .
[0033]
Preferably, the liquid consuming device is an ink jet recording device, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge that is detachably attached to the ink jet recording device.
[0034]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, as an embodiment of a liquid container and a manufacturing method thereof according to the present invention, an ink cartridge for an ink jet recording apparatus and a manufacturing method thereof will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0035]
1 and 2 are views showing the appearance of the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, FIGS. 3 and 4 are exploded perspective views of the ink cartridge 1, and FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 1 and its exploded view. FIG.
[0036]
The ink cartridge 1 has a container body 2, and the container body 2 includes a first case member 2A, a second case member 2B, and a third case member 2C. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of heat caulking ribs 3 are formed on the peripheral edge portion of the second case member 2B, and these heat caulking ribs 3 are formed on the first case member 2A and the third case member 2C. Inserted into the plurality of through-holes 4, 5, and heat caulked. Accordingly, the first case member 2A is sandwiched between the second case member 2B and the third case member 2C, and these three case members 2A, 2B, and 2C are integrated.
[0037]
As shown in FIG. 1C, the container body 2 is provided with an ink delivery port 6 for delivering the ink inside the container body 2 to the outside. As can be seen from FIGS. 3 and 4, the ink outlet 6 is formed in the first case member 2 </ b> A.
[0038]
A compressed air introduction port 7 for introducing compressed air into the container body 2 is formed on the same surface as the surface on which the ink delivery port 6 is formed. The compressed air introduction port 7 is formed in the second case member 2B.
[0039]
Further, an ink injection port 8 for filling ink when the ink cartridge 1 is manufactured is formed on the same surface as the surface on which the ink delivery port 6 is formed. The ink injection port 8 is formed in the first case member 2A. The ink injection port 8 is closed by welding the seal member 50.
[0040]
Further, an erroneous attachment prevention block 9 is provided at one corner of the container body 2 including the same surface as the surface on which the ink delivery port 6, the compressed air introduction port 7, and the ink injection port 8 are formed. This erroneous mounting prevention block 9 is designed to prevent the ink cartridge 1 of the correct ink type from being mounted correctly at a predetermined position when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus. A shape other than the cartridge 1 is provided so that it cannot be mounted.
[0041]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a bottom film 10 is provided between the first case member 2A and the third case member 2C. The bottom film 10 liquid-tightly seals the openings on the bottom surface side of the ink chamber through holes 11 and the sensor chamber through holes 12 formed in the first case member 2A.
[0042]
Between the first case member 2A and the second case member 2B, a flexible ink chamber film 13A, a flexible sensor chamber film 13B, and a flexible pressure chamber film 14 are provided. Is provided. The ink chamber film 13A and the sensor chamber film 13B are integrally formed of a single film. The ink chamber film 13A and the sensor chamber film 13B liquid-tightly seal the openings on the upper surface side of the ink chamber through holes 11 and the sensor chamber through holes 12 formed in the first case member 2A. . Further, the pressurizing chamber film 14 hermetically seals the opening of the pressurizing chamber recess 15 formed in the second case member 2B.
[0043]
Next, the detection means 16 disposed inside the ink cartridge 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0044]
The detection means 16 has an output signal that changes in accordance with a change in the pressure of the ink in the container body 2 that changes depending on whether or not the pressure of the compressed air is actually applied.
[0045]
The detection means 16 includes a spring seat member 17 having an outer diameter shape that can be movably inserted into the sensor chamber through-hole 12 formed in the first case member 2A. Through the through hole 17a, the guide projection 18 formed on the second case member 2B is movably mounted. A compression spring 19 is provided between the spring seat member 17 and the second case member 2B, and the spring seat member 17 is urged away from the second case member 2B by the spring force of the compression spring 19. Yes.
[0046]
The detecting means 16 includes a contact type switch 20 that opens and closes by the pressure actually applied to the ink in the container body 2 from the compressed air. The contact-type switch 20 includes a movable side terminal 20A that is displaced by the pressure actually applied from the compressed air to the ink in the container body 2, and a fixed side terminal 20B that is disposed to face the movable side terminal 20A. .
[0047]
An IC substrate 21 is disposed adjacent to the contact switch 20 on the inner wall surface of the second case member 2B, and the IC substrate 21 is fixed by heat caulking with a fixing rib 22. The IC substrate 21 has each contact 23 with which the movable side terminal 20A and the fixed side terminal 20B come into contact, and each of the movable side terminal 20A and the fixed side terminal 20B formed of a leaf spring member has each contact point by the spring force. 23.
[0048]
Further, the IC substrate 21 includes an antenna member 24, and information is transmitted in a non-contact (wireless) manner between the ink jet recording apparatus and the IC substrate 21 by the antenna member 24.
[0049]
The compressed air inlet 7 formed in the second case member 2 </ b> B communicates with the pressurizing chamber recess 15 via the air flow path 25.
[0050]
Moreover, in FIG. 6, the code | symbol 26 shows a film welding part, The film 14 for pressurization chambers is airtightly joined to this film welding part 26. FIG.
[0051]
A pressurizing unit is configured by the second case member 2B, the detection means 16, the pressurizing chamber film 14, and the like.
[0052]
9 and 10 are enlarged perspective views of the first case member 2A. As shown in FIG. 9, the first case member 2A has a fixing hole 27 for fixing the erroneous mounting prevention block 9. As shown in FIG. It has been drilled. As shown in FIG. 10, a seal rubber 28 is attached to the ink delivery port 6, and a valve body 29 is inserted inside the ink delivery port 6.
[0053]
Further, a filter 30 and a check valve 31 are provided in the middle of the passage connecting the ink delivery port 6 and the sensor chamber through-hole 12. In addition, the ink injection port 8 formed in the first case member 2 </ b> A communicates with the ink chamber through-hole 11 through the ink injection path 32. The ink chamber through-hole 11 and the sensor chamber through-hole 12 communicate with each other through a narrow communication path 35.
[0054]
In FIG. 9, reference numerals 33A and 33B denote film welds, and the ink chamber film 13A and the sensor chamber film 13B are liquid-tightly joined to the film weld 33A and the film weld 33B, respectively.
[0055]
In FIG. 10, reference numerals 36 </ b> A and 36 </ b> B denote film welds, and the bottom film 10 is liquid-tightly joined to the film welds 36 </ b> A and 36 </ b> B.
[0056]
In FIG. 10, reference numeral 34 denotes a seal portion. The function of the seal portion 34 will be described later.
[0057]
A tank unit is configured by the first case member 2A, the ink chamber film 13A, the sensor chamber film 13B, and the like.
[0058]
FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating a state where the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus 100. As shown in FIG. 11, the compressed air from the pressure pump 101 of the ink jet recording apparatus 100 is introduced into the ink cartridge 1 through the compressed air introduction port 7. As a result, ink is delivered from the ink delivery port 6 of the ink cartridge 1 and supplied to the recording head 102 of the ink jet recording apparatus 100. By supplying compressed air from the ink jet recording apparatus 100, the ink cartridge 1 can be reduced in size and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.
[0059]
An antenna 103 is also provided on the ink jet recording apparatus 100 side adjacent to the antenna 24 provided inside the ink cartridge 24. The output signal of the detection means 16 provided inside the ink cartridge 1 is transmitted from the antenna 24 in the ink cartridge 1 to the antenna 103 on the ink jet recording apparatus 100 side without contact. The detection signal of the detection means 16 received by the antenna 103 is sent to the control unit 104 of the ink jet recording apparatus 100. The control unit 104 controls the driving mechanism 105 such as the pressure pump 101, the recording head 102, and the carriage.
[0060]
The IC substrate 21 provided inside the ink cartridge 1 has a function of storing information related to the ink in the ink cartridge 1, and the antenna 24 on the ink cartridge 1 side to the antenna on the ink jet recording apparatus 100 side. Information about the ink stored in the IC substrate 21 is transmitted to the signal 103 together with the detection signal of the detection means 16. As information stored in the IC substrate 21, for example, there is information regarding the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1.
[0061]
In this embodiment, the output signal of the detection means 16 is transmitted to the ink jet recording apparatus 100 by a non-contact method using the antennas 24 and 103. However, the electrical contact provided in the ink cartridge 1 and the ink jet recording apparatus are used. A signal may be transmitted by a contact method in which an electrical contact provided on the 100 side is brought into contact.
[0062]
Next, the detection operation of the detection means 16 including the contact type switch 20 will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0063]
FIGS. 12A, 12 </ b> B, and 12 </ b> C are cross-sectional views schematically showing the ink cartridge 1 in order to explain the detection operation of the detection unit 16. As can be seen from FIG. 12, the inside of the container main body 2 of the ink cartridge 1 includes an ink storage chamber 40 that stores ink, an ink pressurization chamber 41 that is formed above the ink storage chamber 40, and an ink storage chamber 40. A sensor chamber 42 provided in the middle of the flow path connecting the ink delivery port 6 is formed.
[0064]
Part of the wall forming the ink storage chamber 40 is made of a flexible ink chamber film 13A, and part of the wall forming the sensor chamber 42 is made of a flexible sensor chamber film 13B. A part of the wall forming the chamber 41 is made of a flexible pressure chamber film 14.
[0065]
Since the ink pressurizing chamber 41 is hermetically sealed by the pressurizing chamber film 14, the compressed air introduced into the ink cartridge 1 is placed in the space 43 in which the spring seat member 17, the compression spring 19, and the like are disposed. Air pressure is not transmitted.
[0066]
FIG. 12A and FIG. 13A show a state where the ink storage chamber 40 is sufficiently filled with ink and the compressed air is not introduced into the ink pressurizing chamber 41. In this state, no pressure is transmitted from the ink pressurizing chamber 41 to the sensor chamber 42 because no pressure of compressed air is applied to the ink in the ink storage chamber 40. Accordingly, the spring seat member 17 is pressed against the bottom surface of the inner wall of the container body 2 by the spring force of the compression spring 19, and in this state, as shown in FIG. 13 (a), the movable side terminal 20A of the contact type switch 20 and The fixed terminal 20B is in contact. That is, in this state, the contact switch 20 is in an on state (conductive state).
[0067]
FIGS. 12B and 13B show the ink pressurizing chamber from the compressed air inlet 7 by the pressurizing pump 101 in the ink cartridge 1 in which the ink storage chamber 40 is sufficiently filled with ink. 41 shows a state of being introduced inside 41.
[0068]
As shown in FIGS. 12B and 13B, the pressure chamber film 14 is pushed and deformed by the pressure of the compressed air introduced into the ink pressure chamber 41 toward the ink storage chamber 40. The deformation of the pressurizing chamber film 14 causes the ink chamber film 13 </ b> A to be pushed and deformed toward the ink storage chamber 40. As a result, the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is pressurized, and the pressurized ink flows into the sensor chamber 42 via the communication path 35.
[0069]
The sensor chamber film 13 </ b> B is deformed upward by the pressure of the ink flowing into the sensor chamber 42, and the spring seat member 17 is pushed up against the spring force of the compression spring 19. Then, as can be seen from FIG. 13B, the movable side terminal 20 </ b> A of the contact switch 20 is pushed up by the pushed-up spring seat member 17. As a result, the movable terminal 20A and the fixed terminal 20B are separated from each other to be in a non-contact state, and the contact switch 20 is turned off (non-conductive state).
[0070]
That is, when the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is pressurized by compressed air and the pressure of the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 and the sensor chamber 42 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the contact type switch 20 is turned off. It becomes a state.
[0071]
In the present embodiment, the spring seat member 17 that is displaced against the spring force of the compression spring 19 due to the increase in the volume of the sensor chamber 42 has reached the limit point (upper limit position) of the displaceable range. The movable side terminal 20A is sometimes displaced in contact with the movable side terminal 20A.
[0072]
As the ink is consumed in the ink jet recording apparatus 100, the amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 decreases, and the volume of the ink storage chamber 40 gradually decreases. At this time, if the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the pressure of the compressed air applied to the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is transmitted to the ink in the sensor chamber 42 via the ink. . Therefore, in this state, the state in which the spring seat member 17 is pushed up to the upper limit position against the spring force of the compression spring 19 is maintained, and the contact-type switch 20 is maintained in the OFF state.
[0073]
When the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is further consumed and there is almost no ink in the ink storage chamber 40 as shown in FIG. 12C, the pressure of the compressed air is transmitted to the ink in the sensor chamber 42. It will not be done. Then, as the ink in the sensor chamber 42 is consumed, the spring seat member 17 descends, and the pushed-up state of the movable side terminal 20A by the spring seat member 17 is released as shown in FIG. 20A comes into contact with the fixed terminal 20B, and the contact switch 20 is switched from the off state to the on state.
[0074]
That is, when the pressure of the compressed air is not transmitted to the ink in the container body 2 and the pressure of the ink in the container body 2 is less than a predetermined value, the contact switch 20 is turned off.
[0075]
In the present embodiment, the movable-side terminal 20A is pushed up by the raised spring seat member 17 so that the contact switch 20 is switched from the on state (conducting state) to the off state (non-conducting state). As a modification, the arrangement of the movable side terminal 20A and the fixed side terminal 20B is reversed upside down, and in the non-pressurized state, the movable side terminal 20A and the fixed side terminal 20B are brought into a non-contact state so as to be pressurized. The movable side terminal 20 </ b> A may be pushed up by the spring seat member 17 that is sometimes lifted to contact the fixed side terminal 20 </ b> B.
[0076]
FIG. 14 shows the ink supply pressure that changes as the ink in the ink cartridge 1 is consumed, and the horizontal axis represents the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1. Here, the “ink supply pressure” is the pressure of ink delivered from the ink delivery port 6 of the ink cartridge 1.
[0077]
When the ink in the ink cartridge 1 is full (initial state), the pressure P1 of the compressed air becomes the ink supply pressure as it is. The ink supply pressure is maintained at the pressure P1 of the compressed air as long as the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.
[0078]
When the ink remaining amount in the ink storage chamber 40 falls below a predetermined value (in this embodiment, the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is almost exhausted), the pressure of the compressed air is changed to the ink in the ink cartridge 1. Will not be transmitted. In this state, the ink supply pressure is determined by the spring force of the compression spring 19.
[0079]
That is, at the time when the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is reduced to a predetermined value, that is, at the time of ink near end (N / E), the maximum spring pressure P2− by the compression spring 19 that is compressed to the maximum. MAX is the ink supply pressure.
[0080]
As the ink consumption in the sensor chamber 42 progresses, the compression amount of the compression spring 19 decreases, and the spring pressure decreases to the spring pressure P2-MIN when the spring seat member 17 reaches the inner bottom surface of the container body 2. . At this time, no ink remains in the sensor chamber 42, and the ink cartridge 1 is in an ink end (I / E) state.
[0081]
Note that the pressure P3 in FIG. 14 indicates the pressure loss in the ink flow path from the ink cartridge 1 to the recording head 102. By setting the minimum spring pressure P2-MIN of the compression spring 19 to be larger than the pressure loss P3 in the ink flow path, the ink in the sensor chamber 42 can be used up.
[0082]
FIG. 15 is a table showing how the output signal of the detection means 16 changes depending on the presence / absence of ink and the operation / stop of the pressure pump. Note that “with ink” in FIG. 15 indicates that the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, and “no ink” indicates that the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is a predetermined value. Indicates less than.
[0083]
As can be seen from FIG. 15, when the pressure pump 101 is operating in the presence of ink, the detection means 16 is in an OFF state (non-conductive state). On the other hand, even when the pressurizing pump 101 is operating, the detection means 16 is in an ON state (conducting state) when no ink is present. When the pressurizing pump 101 is stopped, the detection unit 16 is turned on regardless of the presence or absence of ink in the ink storage chamber 40.
[0084]
In the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, by using the operation characteristics of the detection unit 16 described above, the ink cartridge 1 is not properly attached to the ink jet recording apparatus 100 (such as insufficient insertion) as described below. Or a failure of the detecting means 16 can be detected.
[0085]
That is, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (for example, when a new ink cartridge 1 is mounted), the detection unit 16 does not turn off even when the pressure pump 101 is operated. In some cases, the mounting failure of the ink cartridge 1 or the failure of the detecting means 16 is considered. In this case, for example, a message prompting the user to confirm the mounting state of the ink cartridge 1 is displayed. In addition, when the detection unit 16 is OFF even though the pressurization pump 101 is in a stopped state, it is determined that the detection unit 16 has failed.
[0086]
Next, a method for manufacturing the ink cartridge 1 described above, particularly a method for filling ink in the ink storage chamber 40, will be described with reference to FIG.
[0087]
First, in the case member providing step, the first case member 2A before being joined to the second case member 2B and the third case member 2C is provided. In the first case member 2A, the ink chamber film 13A and the sensor chamber film 13B are adhered to the film welded portions 33A and 33B on one surface thereof, and the bottom film 10 is adhered to the film welded portions 36A and 36B on the other surface. Is in a welded state.
[0088]
As shown in FIG. 16A, the seal portion 34 provided in the middle of the ink injection path 32 (see FIG. 10) of the first case member 2A includes a partition wall 34a for closing the ink injection path 32, It is comprised from the convex part 34c for gap | interval formation formed in the top surface 34b of the partition wall 34a.
[0089]
In the first case member 2A provided in the case member providing step, the gap forming convex portion 34c formed on the top surface 34b of the partition wall 34a causes a gap between the top surface 34b of the partition wall 34a and the bottom film 10. A gap is formed. That is, at this time, the bottom film 10 is not joined to the top surface 34b of the partition wall 34a, but is joined only to the top of the gap forming convex portion 34c. The bottom film 10 is bonded to the top surface of the convex portion 32a that constitutes a part of the wall surface of the ink injection path 32.
[0090]
Next, in the fluid discharge step, the ink injection port 8 is temporarily closed and an exhaust unit is connected to the ink delivery port 6 to discharge the air inside the ink storage chamber 40 and the ink injection path 32 and reduce the pressure.
[0091]
Next, in the ink injection step, ink is injected from the ink injection port 8 into the ink injection path 32. Then, the ink injected into the ink injection path 32 flows into the ink storage chamber 40 through a gap formed between the top surface 34 b of the partition wall 34 a and the bottom film 10.
[0092]
After the ink filling into the ink storage chamber 40 is completed, the bottom film 10 is joined to the top surface 34b of the partition wall 34a to close the ink flow path in the flow path closing step. In this flow path closing step, as shown in FIG. 16 (b), the bottom film 10 is removed while melting the gap forming convex portion 34c formed on the top surface 34b of the partition wall 34a by the heating and pressurizing means. It welds to the top surface 34b of the partition wall 34a.
[0093]
Next, in the suction / discharge step, the ink existing in the ink injection path 32 between the ink injection port 8 and the partition wall 34 a is sucked and discharged from the ink injection port 8.
[0094]
Thereafter, in the injection port closing step, the seal member 50 is welded to the ink injection port 8 and closed.
[0095]
As described above, the ink between the ink inlet 8 and the partition wall 34a is sucked and discharged, and the ink can be reused to prevent wasteful disposal of the ink.
[0096]
Further, since there is no ink between the ink inlet 8 and the partition wall 34a, ink leakage from the ink inlet 8 can be prevented, and a feeling of remaining ink can be generated in the used ink cartridge 1. Nor.
[0097]
Furthermore, by closing the ink injection port 8 by welding the seal member 50, it is possible to reliably prevent ink leakage from the ink injection port 8.
[0098]
Then, as described above, after the ink storage chamber 40 of the first case member 2A is filled with ink, the first case member 2A, the second case member 2B, and the third case member 2C are joined.
[0099]
As described above, in the ink cartridge 1 and the manufacturing method thereof according to the present embodiment, the partition wall 34 a is provided in the ink injection path 32 that connects the ink injection port 8 and the ink storage chamber 40, and the ink is stored in the ink storage chamber 40. When filling, the ink is circulated through the gap between the bottom film 10 and the top surface 34b of the partition wall 34a, and the bottom film 10 is joined to the top surface 34b of the partition wall 34a after ink filling. Even when the ink storage chamber 40 is formed by a rigid member such as the first case member 2A and a flexible member such as the ink chamber film 13A, it is easy to fill the ink storage chamber 40 with ink. In addition, the ink flow path used for ink filling can be reliably sealed after ink filling.
[0100]
Further, by forming the gap forming convex part 34 c on the top surface of the partition wall 34, it is possible to ensure a gap between the top surface 34 b of the partition wall 34 a and the bottom film 10 during ink filling. In addition, when the ink storage chamber 40 and the ink injection path 32 are depressurized prior to ink filling, the ink injection path 32 in the portion between the partition wall 34a and the ink injection port 8 can be reliably depressurized. .
[0101]
Further, since the first case member 2A is made of a material suitable for welding the film material in order to weld the ink chamber film 13A and the sensor chamber film 13B, the partition wall 34a is formed of the first case member 2A. Even when integrally formed as a part, the bottom film 10 can be welded to the top surface 34b of the partition wall 34a without any trouble.
[0102]
Further, since ink is filled using the ink inlet 8 and the ink outlet 6 formed in the first case member 2A, the ink cartridge is directed from the top to the bottom like an ink cartridge made of a flexible bag. Therefore, it is not necessary to inject ink, and the degree of freedom in the ink injection direction when ink is filled is high. For this reason, when the bottom film 10 is welded to the top surface 34b of the partition wall 34a after ink filling, the ink cartridge 1 is disposed so that the movement of the heat-pressing means for welding is downward (gravity direction). As compared with the case where the heating and pressurizing means for welding is moved in the horizontal direction as in the case of a flexible bag cartridge, the welding operation becomes easier.
[0103]
Further, in the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, the detection means 16 is operated by the pressure actually applied from the compressed air to the ink in the ink storage chamber 40, so that the ink is sent from the ink cartridge 1 Presence / absence can be determined with certainty.
[0104]
In addition, in the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, when the ink in the ink storage chamber 40 is almost exhausted and the sensor chamber 42 is filled with ink, that is, the ink near end (N / E) is reached. Can be detected. For this reason, it is possible to avoid a situation where the recording paper is wasted due to ink end (I / E) during printing.
[0105]
In the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, the amount of ink that can be supplied from the ink near end (N / E) time to the ink end (I / E) time is the same as that at the ink near end (N / E) time. It depends on the amount of ink in the sensor chamber 42. Since the ink amount in the sensor chamber 42 at the time of ink near end (N / E) is determined at the design stage, the ink end (I / I) is stored by storing this ink amount in the IC substrate 21 of the ink cartridge 1. It becomes possible to accurately determine the time point E). For this reason, although ink is still remaining in the ink cartridge 1, the ink end (I / E) is determined and the ink is wasted, or conversely, the ink end (I / E), it is possible to avoid a situation in which it is mistakenly recognized that sufficient ink is still left and the recording paper is wasted due to ink end (I / E) during printing. .
[0106]
Further, the amount of ink consumed from the time when the ink is full to the time when the ink near end (N / E) is determined at the design stage, and by storing this ink amount in the IC substrate 21 of the ink cartridge 1, When the ink near end (N / E) is reached, the information regarding the unit weight of the ink droplets can be corrected based on the number of ink droplet ejections performed so far. Thereby, it is possible to increase the accuracy of the calculation of the ink consumption after the ink near end (N / E), and the time point of the ink end (I / E) can be determined more accurately.
[0107]
Further, in the present embodiment, a signal for detecting whether or not the ink in the ink cartridge 1 is pressurized by compressed air, and the time point when the ink remaining amount in the ink cartridge 1 becomes near end (N / E). Since the signal for detecting the same is the same signal output from the detection means 16, the mechanism for detection can be simplified.
[0108]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the partition wall is provided in the liquid injection path that connects the liquid inlet and the liquid storage chamber, and when the liquid storage chamber is filled with the liquid, the flexible film and the partition wall Since the liquid is circulated through the gap between the top surface and the flexible film is joined to the top surface of the partition wall after the liquid is filled, a part of the liquid storage chamber is made as rigid as the case member. Even in the case of being formed by a member, the liquid can be easily filled into the liquid storage chamber, and the liquid flow path used for filling the liquid can be reliably sealed after the liquid is filled.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a view showing the appearance of an ink cartridge as an embodiment of a liquid container according to the present invention, where (a) is a plan view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a front view, and (d). Is a rear view.
2A is a bottom view of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is a side view thereof.
3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1, with FIG. 3 turned upside down.
5A is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 5B is an exploded view of FIG.
6 is a perspective view showing a pressure unit of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
7 is a plan view showing a pressure unit of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
8 is an exploded perspective view showing a pressure unit of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
9 is a perspective view showing a tank unit of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
10 is a perspective view showing a tank unit of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1, and is a diagram in which FIG. 9 is turned upside down. FIG.
11 is a block diagram showing a state in which the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1 is mounted on an ink jet recording apparatus.
12 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing an ink cartridge in order to explain the detection operation of the detection means of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 12 (a) is a diagram in which the ink storage chamber is sufficiently filled with ink. And the compressed air is not introduced into the ink pressurizing chamber, and (b) is a state in which the compressed air is introduced into the ink pressurizing chamber with respect to the ink cartridge in which the ink storage chamber is sufficiently filled with ink. (C) shows a state in which almost no ink is present in the ink storage chamber.
13 (a), (b), and (c) are enlarged views of the detection means of FIGS. 12 (a), (b), and (c), respectively.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing ink supply pressure that changes with consumption of ink in the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1;
15 is a diagram showing how the output signal of the detection unit changes depending on the presence / absence of ink and the operation / stop of the pressure pump in the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
16A shows a state where a gap is formed between the top surface of the partition wall and the bottom film when the ink cartridge 1 is filled with ink, and FIG. 16B shows the top of the partition wall after ink filling. The surface and the bottom film are joined and the flow path is closed.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 2 Container main body 2A 1st case member 2B 2nd case member 2C 3rd case member 6 Ink delivery port 7 Compressed air introduction port 8 Ink injection port 9 Incorrect mounting prevention block 10 Bottom film 13A Ink chamber film 13B Sensor chamber Film 14 Pressurizing chamber film 16 Detection means 17 Spring seat member 19 Compression spring 20 Contact type switch 20A Movable side terminal 20B Fixed side terminal 21 IC substrate 24 Antenna 32a Convex part 34 constituting a part of the wall surface of the ink injection path Seal portion 34a Partition wall 34b Top surface 34c of partition wall Gap forming convex portion 40 Ink storage chamber 41 Ink pressurizing chamber 42 Sensor chamber

Claims (6)

In a method for manufacturing a liquid container for storing a liquid supplied to a liquid consuming device,
A step of providing a case member in which a liquid storage chamber filled with liquid is formed, wherein the case member includes a liquid inlet for injecting liquid into the case member, and the liquid inlet. A liquid injection path that communicates with the liquid storage chamber, and a liquid delivery port that communicates with the liquid storage chamber and delivers liquid supplied to the liquid consuming device from the liquid container. In the middle of the injection path, a partition wall that partitions the liquid injection path into the liquid inlet side and the liquid storage chamber side is provided, and a part of the wall surface forming the liquid storage chamber and the liquid injection path And a part of the wall surface that is formed of a flexible film, the flexible film being provided so as to cover the top surface of the partition wall and being joined to the top surface of the partition wall No case member providing process,
Injecting liquid from the liquid injection port into the liquid injection path, and allowing the liquid to flow into the liquid storage chamber through a gap formed between the top surface of the partition wall and the flexible film, A liquid injection process;
A flow path closing step of closing the liquid flow path by joining the flexible film to the top surface of the partition wall after filling the liquid into the liquid storage chamber;
A convex portion for forming the gap is formed between the flexible film and the top surface of the partition wall on the top surface of the partition wall of the case member provided in the case member providing step. And
In the channel closing step, the convex film is melted and the flexible film is welded to the top surface of the partition wall.
A method for producing a liquid container.   After the case member providing step is completed and before the liquid injection step is started, the liquid injection port is temporarily closed and the fluid inside the liquid storage chamber and the liquid injection path is discharged from the liquid delivery port, The method for producing a liquid container according to claim 1, further comprising a fluid discharging step of opening the liquid inlet after an appropriate time.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the flexible film is bonded to the convex portion formed on the top surface of the partition wall of the case member provided in the case member providing step. Method.   4. The suction and discharge process according to claim 1, further comprising a suction and discharge step of sucking and discharging the liquid existing between the liquid inlet and the partition wall from the liquid inlet after the flow path closing step. Liquid container manufacturing method.   The liquid container manufacturing method according to claim 4, further comprising an inlet closing step of closing the liquid inlet after the suction / discharge step. The liquid consuming device is an ink jet recording device,
The method of manufacturing a liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid container is an ink cartridge that is detachably attached to the ink jet recording apparatus.

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