JPS6311152B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an inkjet printer, and more particularly to an ink supply structure.

Since inkjet printers are processed using liquid ink, which has developed rapidly in recent years, they have the disadvantage that printing performance and quality vary significantly depending on the printing position. Therefore, a method was devised in which fibers are placed inside the ink tank and the flow of ink inside the ink tank is corrected by capillary action and surface tension, thereby correcting the deterioration of characteristics due to printing posture.

The conventional method will be explained with reference to FIG. Ink 5 is supplied to the inkjet printer 1 from an ink tank 3 via an ink supply pipe 2. At this time, the fibers 4 are stored in the ink tank 3, and the ink between each fiber is caused by a surface tension phenomenon.Air is inputted from the air intake port 7 into the gap 8 from which the ink has been sucked out. In this case, if the suction force of the inkjet printer 1 is strong and there are no bubbles or air pockets in the ink supply tube 2, the ink 5 in the ink tank 3 will be sucked toward the ink supply tube 2 side, but if there is no suction force, the ink 5 will be sucked into the ink supply tube 2 side. Due to tension 6, ink cannot be supplied sufficiently. Furthermore, if the level of the ink 5 in the ink tank 3 is lower than the nozzle of the inkjet printer 1, the ink will run out.

The purpose of the present invention is to use the ink without waste by collecting the ink in the ink tank to the ink supply pipe side, and also to send air bubbles in the ink tank to the gap side in the ink tank.
The goal is to eliminate ink ejection errors.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The inkjet printer 1 is connected to an ink tank 9 via an ink supply pipe 2.
This ink tank is a replaceable ink tank, and has a different shape from the ink tank 3 described in FIG. 1, in that the inner diameter becomes narrower as it approaches the ink supply pipe 2 side. This ink tank 9 is filled with one type of fiber 4, and since there are no breaks or seams, the density of the fibers increases continuously as it approaches the supply pipe 2 side. With this method, the characteristics of capillary tubes can be fully utilized, and even if there is a gap on the ink supply tube side, ink will gather in one direction in the narrow direction of the ink path through the dense surrounding fibers only due to capillary action. Therefore, the ink in the ink tank 9 is collected on the ink supply pipe side, and the ink can be used without waste. In our experiments, the ink was completely absorbed by the fibers after use, and the ink content was a few percent of the ink content before use.
I had become used to it. In addition, air bubbles in the ink tank 9 are also brought out, which is very effective for devices in which the ink tank is moved up and down with respect to the nozzle.
Ink tanks can also be manufactured by simply placing the connected fibers into a tube that is tapered on one end, making it possible to automate mass production. Although the air intake 7 that supplies air to the gap 8 after ink consumption is located on the opposite side of the ink supply pipe in this explanation, it may also be located close to the ink supply pipe 2 with the lid 10 closed when not in use. ing.

As described above, according to the present invention, the ink in the ink tank can be collected at the ink supply port by making the shape of the ink tank narrower toward the ink supply port and by packing long fibers in the ink flow direction. The effect is great.

In addition, due to the balance between capillarity and surface tension,
Even if positive or negative pressure is applied to the ink jet head, ink will not naturally flow out from the nozzle, making it ideal for portable device printers.

When manufacturing an ink tank, the simplification of the structure makes it an easy-to-manufacture device, which is highly profitable in terms of cost.

Furthermore, by providing a cover over the air intake port, drying of the ink can be suppressed and ink can be supplied in a constant state at all times.

As described above, according to the present invention, an ink tank is seamlessly filled with one type of fiber, and the inner diameter of the ink tank is adjusted so that the density of the fibers increases continuously as it approaches the ink supply pipe. By being formed gradually thinner towards the
The ink flow path is not interrupted and the ink can be moved smoothly without any stagnation. In this way, the ink in the ink tank is gathered toward the ink supply pipe, so that a stable supply of ink is always provided to the ink jet head. Furthermore, since the fiber density inside the ink tank increases as it approaches the ink supply pipe side, air bubbles generated inside the ink tank can be sent out to the void side inside the ink tank, and a special air bubble removal method is also used. This makes it possible to prevent ink from being ejected incorrectly due to air bubbles in the ink jet head without using any additional members.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows an example of a conventional system, in which 1... an inkjet printer, 2... an ink supply pipe,
3... Ink tank, 4... Fiber, 5... Ink, 6... Surface tension, 7... Air intake, 8
...Void. FIG. 2 shows an embodiment according to the present invention, 9...an ink tank, 10...a lid.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an inkjet printer that prints on recording paper by flying ink droplets using an inkjet head that is supplied with ink via an ink supply pipe from an ink tank filled with fibers, the ink tank has only one type. The inner diameter of the ink tank is formed to be gradually narrower toward the ink supply pipe so that the fibers are seamlessly filled and the density of the fibers increases continuously as it approaches the ink supply pipe. Inkjet printer with special features.