JP4915515B2 - Liquid ejector - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus.

  A typical example of a liquid ejecting apparatus that includes a liquid ejecting head capable of ejecting liquid and ejects various liquids from the ejecting head includes, for example, ink for recording paper or the like as an ejection target (recording medium) An image recording apparatus such as an ink jet printer that performs recording by discharging and landing droplets can be used.

  As this type of liquid ejecting apparatus, various types have been developed that use cartridge-type liquid storage members that can be easily put on the market and handled easily. For example, ink jet printers (hereinafter simply referred to as printers) that use ink cartridges that enclose liquid ink are widely used. In this configuration, the ink cartridge is installed in the cartridge mounting portion, and the ink introduction needle (liquid introduction columnar body) is inserted into the ink cartridge, whereby the ink perforated on the tip (taper portion) side of the ink introduction needle. Ink in the ink cartridge is introduced to a recording head, which is a kind of liquid ejecting head, through an introduction hole (liquid introduction hole) (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  13 and 14 are cross-sectional views showing the insertion of the ink introduction needle of the ink jet printer according to the prior art into the needle insertion opening of the ink cartridge. As shown in FIG. 13A, the ink cartridge 107 has an ink storage chamber (not shown) that stores ink, and a needle insertion port 144 that is an ink outlet. The needle insertion port 144 communicates with the ink storage chamber through the opening 166 and serves as a flow path for supplying ink in the ink storage chamber to the ink introduction needle 121 inserted into the needle insertion port 144. On the other hand, the ink introduction needle 121 ruptures the sealing film 146 of the needle insertion port 144 of the ink cartridge 107 with the needle-like protrusion 123 and presses the valve body 160 through the through hole 168 of the seal member 145. . When the valve body 160 is pressed, the ink in the ink storage chamber flows into the ink introduction path 138 inside the ink introduction needle 121 through the ink introduction hole 124 formed in the ink introduction needle 121. The ink 161 flowing into the ink introduction path 138 is supplied to the recording head via the head flow path 137.

JP 2006-069168 A

  However, with the ink introduction needle 121 configured as described above, the ink remains inside the sealing film 146 when the ink cartridge 107 is removed from the printer. FIG. 13B shows a state when the ink cartridge 107 starts to be removed from the printer. As shown in the drawing, since the valve body 160 closes the through hole 168 of the seal member 145, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 107 does not flow into the ink introduction needle 121. However, ink remains between the outer peripheral surface of the ink introduction needle 121 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 147. Most of the remaining ink flows into the ink introduction path 138 through the ink introduction hole 124. However, as shown in FIG. 14, the ink cartridge 107 is removed from the printer, and the ink introduction needle 121 is inserted into the needle insertion port 144. Some ink remains still inside the sealing film 146 even when taken out from.

  As described above, when the ink cartridge 107 is removed from the printer while the ink remains in the needle insertion port 144 of the ink cartridge 107, the remaining ink gradually increases in viscosity and becomes granular. Then, when the ink cartridge 107 is reattached to the printer, the granulated ink may enter the ink introduction path 138 from the ink introduction hole 124 of the ink introduction needle 121. When such granulated ink is mixed into the ink introduction path 138, clogging occurs in the ink flow path to the recording head such as the head flow path 137, which causes ink ejection failure. Further, the ink remaining in the needle insertion opening 144 of the ink cartridge 107 may cause contamination of each part of the printer and the outside of the printer.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid outlet provided in the liquid storage member when the liquid introduction columnar body inserted into the liquid storage member is removed. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid ejecting apparatus that can suppress the remaining of the liquid.

An aspect of the present invention that solves the above-described object includes a liquid storage member mounting portion that includes a liquid storage chamber that stores liquid and a liquid storage member that has a liquid outlet and is detachably mounted, and the mounted liquid A liquid introduction columnar body that introduces liquid in the liquid storage member into a liquid flow channel inside from a liquid introduction hole while being inserted in the outlet of the storage member, and liquid introduced from the liquid introduction columnar body. A liquid ejecting head capable of discharging from the nozzle opening by the operation of the pressure generating means, and the outlet port can receive the cylindrical body communicating with the ink storage chamber of the liquid storage member and the liquid introduction columnar body A seal member having a through hole and blocking the liquid between an outer peripheral surface of the liquid introduction columnar body and an inner surface of the cylindrical body, and a passage of the seal member from the ink storage chamber side of the cylindrical body. Select hole And a sealing member that seals an opening serving as an inlet of the liquid introduction columnar body of the cylindrical body, and the liquid storage member is mounted on the liquid storage member. In the state of being attached to the part, the liquid is introduced by pressing the valve body, and is formed in a region closer to the tip than the region in contact with the seal member on the outer peripheral surface of the liquid introduction columnar body. and have a recess, the recess is a liquid-jet apparatus characterized by being provided at the base end side than the liquid introduction hole of the liquid introducing columnar body.

  In this aspect, in a state where the liquid storage member is mounted on the liquid storage member mounting portion, the liquid introduction columnar body is inserted into the liquid outlet provided in the liquid storage member, and the liquid inside the liquid storage member is liquid. It flows into the introduction columnar body. At this time, a space is formed between the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical body at the outlet of the liquid storage member and the outer peripheral surface of the liquid introduction columnar body, and the liquid flows into this space. When the liquid storage member is removed from the liquid storage member mounting portion from this state, the liquid introduction columnar body is pulled out from the liquid outlet. At this time, the concave portion provided on the outer surface of the liquid introduction columnar body functions as a liquid storage region, and the liquid flowing into the space is also stored in the concave portion. In this state, when the liquid introduction columnar body is pulled out from the liquid outlet, the liquid stored in the recess is discharged to the outside of the liquid outlet. That is, more liquid that has flowed into the space can be discharged to the outside, and this prevents the liquid from remaining inside the sealing member at the outlet. Accordingly, even when the removed liquid storage member is mounted on the liquid storage member mounting portion again, it is possible to avoid mixing the liquid that has been granulated by remaining in the outflow port into the liquid introduction columnar body. As a result, the liquid flow path to the liquid ejecting head is not clogged, and the liquid ejection characteristics can be maintained well.

  Here, the sealing member at the outlet of the liquid storage member is broken along one direction, and the concave portion of the liquid introduction columnar body extends along the axial direction and It is preferable that the sealing member is configured so as to correspond to the breaking line when the sealing member breaks. According to this, the recessed part is comprised corresponding to the break line at the time of a sealing member fracture | rupture. That is, the recess is provided in a region of the outer surface of the liquid introduction columnar body where the opening edge of the broken sealing member does not slide. For this reason, the liquid easily flows into the recess. As a result, the liquid can be more reliably suppressed from remaining inside the sealing member at the outlet.

  Further, the recess of the liquid introduction columnar body is more distal than a region of the liquid introduction columnar body in contact with the seal member when the liquid introduction columnar body is pulled out from the outlet of the liquid storage member. It is preferable that a space formed between the outer peripheral surface of the region on the side and the inner surface of the cylindrical body of the outlet is formed to communicate with the outside of the outlet. According to this, a recessed part becomes a flow path which connects a space part and the space outside the outflow port of a liquid storage member, and the liquid with which the space part was filled can be efficiently discharged | emitted outside the outflow port.

The liquid introduction columnar body includes a needle-like protrusion having a tapered portion that gradually increases in diameter from the distal end toward the proximal end, and a cylindrical straight line formed linearly and continuously on the needle-like protrusion. possess a part, the liquid introduction hole is formed in the needle-like projections, the recesses are preferably formed in the straight portion. According to this, when the liquid storage member is mounted, the liquid introduction columnar body easily breaks the sealing member.

<Embodiment 1>
The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the embodiments described below, various limitations are made as preferred specific examples of the present invention. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following description unless otherwise specified. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. In this embodiment, an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter referred to as a printer) which is a typical liquid ejecting apparatus will be described as an example.

  1 is a schematic perspective view of a printer represented by an ink jet recording apparatus, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the recording head, FIG. 3 is a plan view of the recording head, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the recording head, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the recording head.

  First, a schematic configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus (a type of liquid ejecting apparatus, hereinafter referred to as a printer) equipped with a recording head will be described with reference to FIG. The illustrated printer 1 is a device that records an image or the like by ejecting ink droplets onto the surface of a recording medium (ejection target) 2 such as recording paper. The printer 1 includes a recording head 3, a carriage 4 to which the recording head 3 is attached, a carriage moving mechanism 5 that reciprocates the carriage 4 in the main scanning direction, and a recording medium 2 in the sub-scanning direction (in the main scanning direction). A paper feed mechanism 6 and the like for feeding in a direction orthogonal to each other are provided. Here, the ink is a kind of liquid in the present invention, and is stored in the ink cartridge 7 (a kind of liquid storage member). The ink cartridge 7 is detachably attached to the carriage 4 of the recording head 3.

  The carriage moving mechanism 5 includes a timing belt 8. The timing belt 8 is driven by a pulse motor 9 such as a DC motor. Therefore, when the pulse motor 9 is operated, the carriage 4 is guided by the guide rod 10 installed on the printer 1 and reciprocates in the main scanning direction (width direction of the recording medium 2).

  A capping mechanism 12 is disposed at a home position that is a non-recording area of the printer 1. The capping mechanism 12 has a tray-like cap member 12 ′ that can come into contact with the nozzle forming surface of the recording head 3. In the capping mechanism 12, the space in the cap member 12 'functions as a sealing void, and the nozzle opening 14 (see FIG. 5) of the recording head 3 faces the nozzle forming surface in the sealing void. It is configured to be in close contact. Further, a pump unit 13 is connected to the capping mechanism 12, and the inside of the sealed empty space can be made negative pressure by the operation of the pump unit 13. When the pump unit 13 is operated in close contact with the nozzle forming surface and the inside of the sealing empty portion (sealed space) is made negative pressure, the ink and bubbles in the recording head 3 are sucked from the nozzle openings 14 to cap the cap member. It is adapted to be discharged into the 12 'sealing space. That is, the capping mechanism 12 is configured to perform a cleaning operation for forcibly sucking and discharging ink and bubbles in the recording head 3 (in the ink flow path). In this cleaning operation, the pump unit 13 is operated in a state where the cap member 12 ′ is in close contact with the nozzle forming surface, and an ink flow having a flow rate several times that in a normal recording operation is generated in the ink flow path (ink introduction path 38). The air bubbles generated in the above-described enlarged diameter portion 52 are put on this ink flow, and are pressed against the upper surface (upstream side) of the filter 19 to move to the downstream side. The ink is discharged from the nozzle opening 14 to the outside of the recording head 3 through a series of ink flow paths.

  Next, the configuration of the recording head 3 will be described. The illustrated recording head 3 is generally composed of an introduction needle unit 15, a head case 16, a flow path unit 17, a vibrator unit 18, and the like.

  The introduction needle unit 15 is made of, for example, synthetic resin, and as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of cartridge mounting portions 15 ′ (a kind of liquid storage member mounting portion) are provided on the upper surface thereof. Each cartridge mounting portion 15 ′ has an ink introduction needle 21 (corresponding to a liquid introduction columnar body in the present invention) with a filter 19 for filtering ink in the ink flow path interposed therebetween, and the tip protrudes upward. Each is attached in the state of letting. In addition, an ink cartridge 7 storing various inks is mounted on these cartridge mounting portions 15 '. When the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 15 ′, the ink introduction needle 21 is inserted into the ink cartridge 7. As a result, the ink storage space inside the ink cartridge 7 and the ink flow path inside the recording head 3 communicate with each other through the ink introduction hole 24 (see FIG. 9) drilled at the tip of the ink introduction needle 21. 7 is introduced into the recording head 3 through the ink introduction hole 24. Details of the ink cartridge 7 and the ink introduction needle 21 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a circuit board 25 is attached between the lower surface of the introduction needle unit 15 on the opposite side to the cartridge mounting portion 15 ′ and the upper surface of the head case 16. The circuit board 25 includes, for example, a circuit pattern for supplying a drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator 26 (see FIG. 5), a connector for connection to the printer 1 main body side, and the like. The circuit board 25 is attached to the introduction needle unit 15 via a sheet member 27 that functions as a packing.

  The head case 16 is a hollow box-shaped member for housing the vibrator unit 18 having the piezoelectric vibrator 26. Inside the head case 16, an accommodation space 28 (see FIG. 5) that can accommodate the transducer unit 18 is formed. The vibrator unit 18 is housed in the housing space 28 and fixed to the inner peripheral surface of the housing space 28 by bonding or the like. A flow path unit 17 is fixed to the front end surface of the head case 16 opposite to the mounting surface of the introduction needle unit 15 with an adhesive or the like. In the flow path unit 17, the nozzle plate 30 is disposed on one surface side of the flow path formation substrate 29 with the flow path formation substrate 29 interposed therebetween, and the vibration plate 31 is disposed on the other side opposite to the nozzle plate 30. It is manufactured by joining and integrating with an adhesive or the like in a state of being arranged and laminated on the surface side.

  The nozzle plate 30 is a member made of, for example, a thin plate made of stainless steel, and fine nozzle openings 14 are formed in a row at a pitch corresponding to the dot formation density of the printer 1 in the nozzle plate 30. The head cover 32 is made of, for example, a metal thin plate member, and is attached to the distal end portion of the head case 16 so as to surround the peripheral edge portion from the outside of the nozzle plate 30. The head cover 32 has a function of protecting the flow path unit 17 and the tip of the head case 16 and preventing the nozzle plate 30 from being charged.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the flow path forming substrate 29 joined to the nozzle plate 30 includes an empty portion that becomes the common ink chamber 33, a communication portion that becomes the ink supply port 34, and an empty portion that becomes the pressure chamber 35. A plurality of plate-like members formed in correspondence with the respective nozzle openings 14 in a state of being partitioned by. The flow path forming substrate 29 is produced, for example, by etching a silicon wafer. The pressure chamber 35 is formed as a long and narrow chamber in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the nozzle openings 14 are arranged (nozzle row direction). The common ink chamber 33 is connected to the ink introduction path 38 (the liquid flow path of the liquid flow path) via a head flow path 37 (a kind of liquid flow path) formed through the height direction of the head case 16. A chamber that communicates with the ink cartridge 7 and into which ink stored in the ink cartridge 7 is introduced. The ink introduced into the common ink chamber 33 is supplied to each pressure chamber 35 through the ink supply port 34.

  The vibration plate 31 bonded to the other surface of the flow path forming substrate 29 opposite to the nozzle plate 30 is a double structure composite in which an elastic film is laminated on a metal support plate such as stainless steel. It is a board material. An island 40 for joining the tip of the free end of the piezoelectric vibrator 26 is formed in a portion corresponding to the pressure chamber 35 of the vibration plate 31, and this portion functions as a diaphragm portion. Further, the diaphragm 31 seals one opening surface of the empty portion that becomes the common ink chamber 33, and also functions as a compliance portion. Only the elastic film is used for the portion functioning as the compliance portion.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the vibrator unit 18 includes a piezoelectric vibrator group 41 as pressure generating means, a fixed plate 42 to which the piezoelectric vibrator group 41 is joined, and a circuit board on the piezoelectric vibrator group 41. 25, a flexible cable (not shown) for supplying a drive signal from 25, and the like. The piezoelectric vibrator group 41 of the present embodiment includes a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators 26 arranged in a comb shape. Each piezoelectric vibrator 26 has a fixed end joined to the fixed plate 42, and a free end protruding outside the front end surface of the fixed plate 42. That is, each piezoelectric vibrator 26 is mounted on the fixed plate 42 in a so-called cantilever state. The fixing plate 42 that supports each piezoelectric vibrator 26 is made of stainless steel having a thickness of about 1 mm, for example. In addition to the piezoelectric vibrator, an electrostatic actuator, a magnetostrictive element, a heating element, or the like can be used as the pressure generating means.

  In the recording head 3, when the piezoelectric vibrator 26 is expanded and contracted in the longitudinal direction of the element, the island 40 moves in a direction toward or away from the pressure chamber 35. As a result, the volume of the pressure chamber 35 changes, and the pressure in the ink in the pressure chamber 35 varies. An ink droplet (a kind of droplet) is ejected from the nozzle opening 14 by this pressure fluctuation.

  Next, the ink cartridge 7 will be described. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the ink cartridge, FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the needle insertion port of the ink cartridge, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the valve body of the ink cartridge.

  The ink cartridge 7 functions as a kind of the liquid storage member of the present invention and is a member that stores ink supplied to the recording head 3. The printer 1 of the present embodiment can eject eight types of ink, specifically, eight colors of yellow, magenta, cyan, matte black, photo black, red, blue, and gloss optimizer (clear). The recording head 3 is mounted with a total of eight ink cartridges 7 storing each ink individually.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 7, the bottom surface of each ink cartridge 7 is provided with a needle insertion port 44 (ink outlet) into which the ink introduction needle 21 is inserted. An external opening 64 is formed on the side of the needle insertion port 44 facing the ink introduction needle 21, and an internal opening 66 is formed on the opposite side. Via the internal opening 66, the needle insertion port 44 communicates with an ink storage chamber (not shown) in which ink of the ink cartridge 7 is stored. More specifically, the needle insertion port 44 communicates with the ink storage chamber via the internal opening 66 of the ink cartridge 7 and also has a cylindrical portion 47 (cylindrical body) through which the ink introduction needle 21 is inserted, and the ink introduction needle 21. And a seal member 45 that blocks ink between the outer peripheral surface of the ink introduction needle 21 and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 47, and a valve body that closes the through hole 68 from the inside of the ink cartridge 7. 60 and a sealing film 46 which is a kind of sealing member that seals the external opening 64 serving as the inlet of the ink introduction needle 21 of the cylindrical portion 47.

  The seal member 45 is press-fitted into the needle insertion port 44, and a through hole 68 capable of receiving the ink introduction needle 21 is formed at the center thereof. Further, a convex portion 70 is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the seal member 45, and this convex portion 70 engages with a concave portion 72 formed in the cylindrical portion 47 of the needle insertion port 44 so that the seal member 45 is a cylindrical portion. It is fixed in 47. The seal member 45 and the tube portion 47 of the needle insertion port 44 are liquid-tightly coupled to each other by the convex portion 70 of the seal member 45 and the recess portion 72 formed in the tube portion 47, and the ink is connected to the outer peripheral portion of the seal member 45. Leakage from the space between the cylindrical portion 47 of the needle insertion port 44 is prevented.

  The seal member 45 is made of a rubber material such as silicon rubber, chloroprene rubber, butyl rubber, ethylene / propylene rubber, or nitrile rubber, or an elastic material such as an elastomer material. In addition, a smooth surface layer coated with silicone resin, fluorine resin, or the like as necessary is provided in a region where the ink introduction needle 21 is in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the seal member 45 in order to smoothly insert the ink introduction needle 21. Is formed.

  A first taper portion 74 and a second taper portion 76 that extend in a taper shape from the outer opening 64 toward the inner opening 66 in the inner peripheral portion of the seal member 45 and guide the ink introduction needle 21, and the ink introduction needle 21 and a cylindrical fitting portion 78 that is fitted to 21 are formed. Further, a flange portion 82 having a diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the ink introduction needle is formed on the inner opening 66 side of the seal member 45 to provide an ink flow path. The collar 82 is expanded by the insertion of the ink introduction needle 21 and is fitted in a liquid-tight manner around the ink introduction needle 21.

  An ink guide chamber 86 is formed between the seal member 45 fixed to the cylindrical portion 47 of the needle insertion port 44 and the internal opening 66, and the valve body 60 is accommodated therein. The ink guide chamber 86 has a cylindrical guide portion 88 that engages with a part of the valve body 60 and guides the valve body 60 so as to be movable substantially perpendicular to the seal member 45. A through hole is formed in the guide portion 88. The valve body 60 is constantly urged toward the seal member 45 by the compression spring 62 to selectively seal the ink flow path of the seal member 45.

  FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the valve body 60. The valve body 60 includes a valve body portion 90 that elastically contacts the surface of the seal member 45 on the ink storage chamber side, and when the valve body is accommodated in the ink guide chamber 86, the valve body portion 90 becomes the seal member 45 of the needle insertion port 44. And a guide member 92 that guides the guide member 92 so as to be movable substantially vertically. The valve body 90 urges the valve body 60 to elastically contact the seal member 45 and the flat sealing portion 94 that seals ink from the ink storage chamber when the valve body 90 elastically contacts the seal member 45. A spring holding portion 96 for holding the spring to be moved, and an ink flow path 98 for allowing ink from the ink storage chamber to pass when the valve body portion 90 is pressed by the ink introduction needle 21 of the recording apparatus and separated from the seal member 45. , Have. Here, the ink flow path 98 is formed by cutting off the sealing portion 94. The guide member 92 has a shaft 100 connected to the valve body 90 and a retaining portion 102 formed on the free end side of the shaft 100. The retaining portion 102 is sized to move within the guide portion 88 of the ink guiding chamber 86 and has a diameter larger than that of the through hole.

  Returning to FIG. 7, the retaining portion 102 of the valve body 60 engages with a guide portion 88 provided in the ink guide chamber 86 to guide the valve body portion 90 so as to be movable substantially vertically with respect to the seal member 45. .

  By the way, the so-called piezo-type recording head 3 mechanically expands the pressure generating chamber by a piezoelectric vibrator or the like to supply ink therein, and compresses the ink to discharge ink droplets. In such an ink cartridge used for the recording head 3, if bubbles are generated in the pressure generation chamber of the recording head 3, the ink cannot be sufficiently pressurized. Therefore, the bubbles are dissolved in the ink during ink production. Need to disappear.

  Therefore, in this case, ink is injected into the ink cartridge in a state where the ink storage chamber is depressurized to a maximum of minus 1 atmosphere (6033 kg / square meter) with respect to the atmospheric pressure in the manufacturing process. Therefore, the spring 62 is set to have a resilient pressure so that the valve body 60 can be kept in a state of being elastically contacted with the seal member 45 even in a state where the ink storage chamber is decompressed.

  The internal opening 66 formed on the ink storage chamber side of the cylindrical portion 47 of the needle insertion port 44 has a larger area than the ink guide chamber 86 in which the valve body 60 is accommodated. Therefore, the flow resistance is reduced, and a sufficient amount of liquid ink can be supplied to the ink introduction needle 21. A filter 104 is provided between the internal opening 66 and the ink storage chamber. Therefore, even if dust or the like is mixed in the ink in the ink storage chamber, it is removed by the filter 104 and is not supplied to the recording head 3. Furthermore, since the filter 104 is substantially the same size as the internal opening 66, it has the advantage that the flow resistance is reduced and clogging is less likely to occur.

  The sealing film 46 is a seal for preventing leakage and evaporation of ink stored inside when the ink cartridge 7 is not used. For example, the sealing film 46 is thin (for example, PP (thickness: about 39 μm) PP ( A resin film such as polypropylene is preferably used, and is broken by the ink introduction needle 21 when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted, as will be described later. Since the sealing film 46 is formed by being rolled in the rolling direction Y (see FIG. 9A), the direction perpendicular to the rolling direction Y (hereinafter referred to as the “breaking direction X”) is referred to during the mounting (see FIG. 9). It is easy to break along (a))). That is, the shape of the rupture portion when the sealing film 46 is ruptured is not a circular shape but a shape that is longer in the rupture direction X than in the rolling direction Y. In addition, this sealing film 46 is not limited to what was formed by rolling, The direction in which it is easy to tear should just be prescribed | regulated. For example, a sealing film that is half-cut in one direction may be used.

  Next, the ink introduction needle 21 will be described. 9A and 9B are diagrams for explaining the configuration of the ink introduction needle. FIG. 9A is a plan view of the needle insertion port of the ink cartridge, FIG. 9B is a plan view of the ink introduction needle, and FIG. It is sectional drawing. As shown in FIGS. 9B and 9C, the ink introduction needle 21 which is an example of the liquid introduction columnar body inserted into the ink cartridge 7 has an ink introduction path 38 (a kind of liquid flow path) inside. A hollow needle formed, a needle-like protrusion 23 having a tapered portion 48 that gradually increases in diameter from the distal end toward the proximal end side, and a cylindrical shape formed linearly and continuously on the needle-like protrusion 23 Of the straight portion 51 and a skirt-shaped enlarged diameter portion 52 formed in a state where the diameter gradually increases from the lower end of the straight portion 51 toward the downstream side thereof. An ink introduction hole 24 (a kind of liquid introduction hole in the present invention) that communicates between the external space and the ink introduction path 38 is formed. The ink introduction needle 21 is attached to the introduction needle unit 15 by, for example, ultrasonic welding in a state where the lower end opening of the enlarged diameter portion 52 faces the filter 19 (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Thereby, the ink introduction path 38 of the ink introduction needle 21 and the head flow path 37 on the head case 16 side communicate with each other in a liquid-tight state, and the area of the lower end opening of the enlarged diameter portion 52 is disposed immediately below the filter 19. It is the area of the effective filtration surface. The ink introduction path 38 and the head flow path 37 function as a liquid flow path in the present invention.

  The straight portion 51 is a hollow cylindrical member inserted into the ink cartridge 7, and the conical needle-like protrusion 23 formed at the tip portion of the straight portion 51 removes the sealing film 46 when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted. It is configured to be easily broken and inserted into the needle insertion port 44. Further, two groove portions 54 (concave portions) are extended along the axial direction on the outer peripheral surface of the straight portion 51 of the ink introduction needle 21, and are positioned on the break line along the break direction X of the sealing film 46. It corresponds. For example, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9B, the groove portion 54 is provided so that the opening of one groove portion 54 is on the left side and the opening of the other groove portion 54 is on the right side in plan view. Accordingly, as described above, the sealing film 46 breaks long in the breaking direction X, so that a gap is secured between the opening edge of the broken sealing film 46 and the region where the groove portion 54 of the straight portion 51 is provided. Is done. That is, the groove 54 is provided at a position that does not slide on the opening edge of the sealing film 46.

  Next, the mounting of the ink cartridge 7 to the cartridge mounting portion 15 'will be described. 10 and 11 are cross-sectional views for explaining the mounting of the ink cartridge to the ink introduction needle (cartridge mounting portion).

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the ink introduction needle 21 is erected upward in the cartridge mounting portion 15 ′ in the present embodiment. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 15 ′, as shown in FIG. 10A, the ink cartridge 7 is placed above the cartridge mounting portion 15 ′ with the needle insertion port 44 facing downward. Push down from the bottom. By this pushing, the sealing film 46 of the needle insertion port 44 is bent and comes into close contact with the outer surface on the tip side of the ink introduction needle 21, that is, the outer surface of the tapered portion 48 of the needle-like protrusion 23. When the ink cartridge 7 is pushed down to the ink introduction needle 21 side to some extent from this state, the ink introduction needle 21 breaks the sealing film 46 at the needle-like protrusion 23 as shown in FIG. At this time, the sealing film 46 is ruptured along the breaking direction X (the left-right direction in FIG. 10B) by the needle-like protrusions 23. As shown in FIG. 11, the ink cartridge 7 is further pushed into the cartridge mounting portion 15 ′, the straight portion 51 of the ink introduction needle 21 is fitted into the fitting portion 78 of the seal member 45, and the needle-like protrusion After the portion 23 has penetrated the collar portion 82 of the seal member 45, the valve body 60 is pushed open. As a result, the ink storage chamber of the ink cartridge 7 and the ink introduction passage 38 (ink passage) are communicated through the ink introduction hole 24, and ink is introduced to the pressure chamber 35 side of the recording head 3.

  At this time, there is a space 110 between the outer peripheral surface on the tip side of the region where the seal member 45 of the ink introduction needle 21 contacts and the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 47 of the needle insertion port 44 of the ink cartridge 7. Is formed. The space 110 is filled with ink from the ink storage chamber of the ink cartridge 7. In addition, the inside of the groove portion 54 provided in the ink introduction needle 21 is also filled with ink.

  Further, the groove portion 54 is formed on the distal end side of the region where the seal member 45 on the outer peripheral surface of the straight portion 51 of the ink introduction needle 21 is in contact. For this reason, the seal member 45 can be in close contact with the outer peripheral surface of the straight portion 51 in a liquid-tight state, and ink is prevented from leaking below the seal member 45.

  The series of steps for mounting the ink cartridge 7 to the ink introduction needle 21 as described above is performed once with the exception of the ink introduction needle 21 breaking the sealing film 46 at the needle-like protrusion 23. The same applies when removing and remounting.

  Next, the removal of the ink cartridge 7 from the cartridge mounting portion 15 'will be described. FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating removal of the ink cartridge from the ink introduction needle (cartridge mounting portion). 12A shows a state after the ink cartridge 7 starts to be removed from the state shown in FIG. 11, and FIG. 12B shows a state where the ink cartridge has been completely removed. At this time, before the ink cartridge 7 is removed (see FIG. 11), the seal member 45 is in close contact with the outer surface of the straight portion 51 of the ink introduction needle 21. Is in contact with the region of the outer surface of the straight portion 51 where the groove portion 54 is provided. That is, the seal member 45 cannot be in close contact with the outer surface in a liquid-tight state. In this state, the groove portion 54 serves as an ink flow path that connects the space portion 110 and the space outside the needle insertion port 44 of the ink cartridge 7, and the ink in the space portion 110 passes through the groove portion 54. 44 discharged outside. And it is suppressed that ink remains inside the sealing film 46 of the needle insertion port 44 as shown in FIG.12 (b). Accordingly, even when the removed ink cartridge 7 is remounted in the cartridge mounting portion 15 ′, it is possible to avoid mixing the ink that has been granulated and remains in the needle insertion port 44 into the ink introduction needle 21. Can do. As a result, the ink ejection characteristics leading to the recording head 3 are not clogged, and the ink ejection characteristics can be maintained satisfactorily.

  In addition, since the groove part 54 is provided in the area | region where the opening edge part of the sealing film 46 does not slide-contact among the outer surfaces of the ink introduction needle | hook 21, as mentioned above, in the state shown in FIG.12 (b), Ink in the space 110 is likely to flow out of the needle insertion port 44 of the ink cartridge 7 through the groove 54.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, the groove portion 54 functions as a flow path for the ink filled in the space portion 110, but also functions as a temporary ink storage region. That is, when the ink introduction needle 21 is pulled out from the needle insertion port 44 while the groove portion 54 is still filled with ink, more ink in the space 110 can be discharged to the outside of the needle insertion port 44. it can.

  On the other hand, the valve body 60 that has been pressed by the needle-like protrusion 23 of the ink introduction needle 21 closes the through hole 68 of the seal member 45. As a result, the groove 54 serves as an ink flow path, and the ink is discharged from the ink storage chamber of the ink cartridge 7 even though the ink in the space 110 is discharged to the outside of the needle insertion port 44. 110 can be prevented from being added to the ink, and ink in the space 110 can be efficiently discharged. In the state shown in FIG. 12B, the valve body 60 does not necessarily have to close the through hole 68 of the seal member 45. This is because the efficiency of discharging the ink in the space 110 is slightly lowered, but the ink introduction needle 21 is normally pulled out quickly, so that the time during which the valve body 60 does not block the through hole 68 is very short.

  Further, the outer surface of the ink introduction needle 21 is preferably one having high wettability. This is because the ink filled in the space 110 is easily transmitted through the groove 54.

  In addition, although the groove part 54 was extended in the straight part 51 of the ink introduction needle | hook 21 along the axis | shaft, the shape of the groove part 54 is not limited to this. Since there is a groove on the outer peripheral surface of the straight portion 51 of the ink introduction needle 21, for example, the groove may be provided along the circumferential direction of the straight portion 51 of the ink introduction needle 21. Moreover, it is not limited to an elongate shape like a groove part, The recessed part of arbitrary shapes can also be provided in the outer peripheral surface of the straight part 51 of the ink introduction needle | hook 21. FIG.

  Further, although the breaking direction X is defined for the sealing film 46 of the needle insertion port 44 of the ink cartridge 7, the sealing film having such a breaking direction is not necessarily used. Also in this case, the groove portion 54 of the ink introduction needle 21 functions as a temporary storage region of the ink when the ink introduction needle 21 is pulled out from the needle insertion port 44, and a space portion in the needle insertion port 44. It also functions as a flow path for discharging the ink filled in 110 to the outside of the needle insertion port 44.

<Other embodiments>
In the first embodiment, the ink introduction needle 21 having a tapered tip is described as the liquid introduction columnar body, but the shape is not limited to such a shape. The liquid introduction columnar body may have any shape as long as it can break the sealing film 46 of the ink cartridge 7 and be inserted through the needle insertion port 44 to introduce the ink in the ink cartridge 7 into the ink introduction path 38. For example, the ink introduction needle may be formed in a planar shape whose tip is in surface contact with the sealing film.

  Further, the present invention is not limited to the on-carriage type in which the ink cartridge 7 is mounted on the carriage 4 as in the above-described embodiments, and the ink cartridge 7 is a cartridge holder (a kind of liquid storage member mounting portion) on the housing side of the printer 1. And an off-carriage type that supplies ink to the recording head 3 through an ink supply tube. That is, the configuration in each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to the ink introduction needle attached to the cartridge holder of the off-carriage type.

  The above has been described by taking the printer 1 as a kind of liquid ejecting apparatus as an example, but the present invention can also be applied to other liquid ejecting apparatuses having a liquid introduction needle. For example, a display manufacturing apparatus that manufactures color filters such as liquid crystal displays, an electrode manufacturing apparatus that forms electrodes such as organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays and FEDs (field emission displays), and chips that manufacture biochips (biochemical elements) The present invention can also be applied to a manufacturing apparatus and a micropipette that supplies an accurate amount of a very small amount of sample solution.

It is a schematic perspective view explaining the structure of a printer. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a recording head. FIG. 3 is a plan view illustrating a configuration of a recording head. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an internal structure of a recording head. FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a main part for explaining the internal structure of the recording head. It is a perspective view explaining the structure of an ink cartridge. It is sectional drawing of the needle insertion port of an ink cartridge. It is a perspective view of the valve body of an ink cartridge. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a needle insertion port and an ink introduction needle, and a cross-sectional view of the ink introduction needle. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge when attached to an ink introduction needle. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge when attached to an ink introduction needle. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge when removed from the ink introduction needle. It is sectional drawing which shows insertion to the needle insertion port of the ink introduction needle | hook concerning a prior art. It is sectional drawing which shows insertion to the needle insertion port of the ink introduction needle | hook concerning a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Printer, 2 Recording medium, 3 Recording head, 4 Carriage, 5 Carriage moving mechanism, 6 Paper feed mechanism, 7 Ink cartridge, 8 Timing belt, 9 Pulse motor, 10 Guide rod, 12 Capping mechanism, 12 'Cap member, 13 Pump unit, 14 nozzle opening, 15 introduction needle unit, 15 ′ cartridge mounting part, 16 head case, 17 flow path unit, 18 transducer unit, 19 filter, 21 ink introduction needle, 23 needle-like protrusion, 24 ink introduction hole , 25 circuit board, 26 piezoelectric vibrator, 27 sheet member, 28 accommodating space, 29 flow path forming substrate, 30 nozzle plate, 31 vibration plate, 32 head cover, 33 common ink chamber, 34 ink supply port, 35 Force chamber, 37 head flow path, 38 ink introduction path, 40 island part, 41 piezoelectric vibrator group, 42 fixing plate, 44 needle insertion port, 45 sealing member, 46 sealing film, 47 cylinder part, 48 taper part, 51 Straight part, 52 Expanded part, 54 Groove part, 60 Valve body, 110 Space part, X Breaking direction

Claims (4)

A liquid storage member mounting portion that has a liquid storage chamber for storing the liquid and is detachably mounted with a liquid storage member having an outlet of the liquid;
A liquid introduction columnar body that introduces the liquid in the liquid storage member into the internal liquid flow path from the liquid introduction hole in a state of being inserted into the outlet of the liquid storage member that is mounted;
A liquid ejection head capable of ejecting the liquid introduced from the liquid introduction columnar body from the nozzle opening by the operation of the pressure generating means;
The outlet has a cylindrical body that communicates with the ink storage chamber of the liquid storage member, a through hole that can receive the liquid introduction columnar body, and an outer peripheral surface of the liquid introduction columnar body and the cylindrical body. A sealing member that blocks the liquid from the inner surface; a valve body that selectively closes a through hole of the sealing member from the ink storage chamber side of the cylindrical body; and the liquid introduction columnar body of the cylindrical body And a sealing member that seals the opening serving as the entrance of
In the state in which the liquid storage member is mounted on the liquid storage member mounting portion, the liquid introduction columnar body introduces the liquid by pressing the valve body, and the seal on the outer peripheral surface of the liquid introduction columnar body than the area that is in contact with the member have a recess formed in the region of the distal end side,
The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the recess is provided closer to a base end side than the liquid introduction hole of the liquid introduction columnar body . The sealing member at the outlet of the liquid storage member is broken along one direction,
2. The liquid jet according to claim 1, wherein the concave portion of the liquid introduction columnar body is configured to extend along the axial direction and correspond to a breaking line when the sealing member breaks. apparatus.   The concave portion of the liquid introduction columnar body is located on the tip side of the region where the liquid introduction columnar body is in contact with the seal member when the liquid introduction columnar body is pulled out from the outlet of the liquid storage member. The space part formed between the outer peripheral surface of an area | region and the inner surface of the said cylindrical body of the said outflow port is formed so that it may connect with the said outflow port exterior, The Claim 1 or Claim 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. The liquid ejecting apparatus described. The liquid-introducing columnar body includes a needle-like projection having a tapered portion that gradually increases in diameter from the distal end toward the proximal end, and a cylindrical straight portion formed linearly and continuously with the needle-like projection. I have a,
The liquid introduction hole is formed in the needle-like protrusion,
The recess, the liquid ejecting apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it is formed in the straight portion.