JPH11320904A - Ink jet recording apparatus and ink tank mounted on the apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To improve the positional accuracy of a connecting portion between an ink tank and an ink tank unit with a relatively simple configuration to increase the reliability of the connection. SOLUTION: A first reference surface 27c orthogonal to a mounting direction of the ink tank for fixing the first protrusion 2 of the ink tank 1, and an ink for fixing the second protrusion 3 of the ink tank. A second reference surface 27b parallel to the mounting direction of the tank, a click member 94 for urging the second protrusion on the second reference surface, and a second member which can be respectively connected to the first and second protrusions. First and second coupling needles, and a moving means for moving the coupling needle to a predetermined position in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction of the ink tank and parallel to the first and second reference planes,
Of the second reference surface 27b and the click member 9
4. The recording apparatus, wherein the mounting of the ink tank is completed at a position surrounded by (4).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for connecting ink tanks in a liquid discharge recording apparatus which performs recording by discharging a liquid such as ink, an ink jet recording apparatus, and an ink tank used in the apparatus. A method of connecting an ink tank having a plurality of connecting portions in a liquid discharge recording device used in an ink jet printing system consuming ink, an ink jet recording device, and a large capacity having a plurality of connecting portions with a recording device mounted on the device Related to an ink tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An ink tank (liquid container) used in an ink jet recording apparatus is detachably attached to an ink tank unit which is an ink tank accommodating portion of the recording apparatus in order to facilitate replacement when ink is consumed. Have been. The ink tank is provided with an ink supply port that is plugged with a rubber stopper, etc., to prevent ink leakage etc. when there is a single unit, and the ink tank unit has a hollow needle etc. at the connection with the ink tank By connecting to the ink supply port of the ink tank, the ink can be supplied from the ink tank.

The specific structure of an ink tank unit for mounting the ink tank having such a structure in an ink jet recording apparatus, and a method of connecting the ink tanks are as follows.
For example, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 01-141750, the ink supply port of the ink tank is provided in the front of the insertion direction with respect to the ink tank unit, the direction in which the ink tank is mounted on the ink tank unit, and the direction of the ink tank. It is known that the connection direction between the ink supply port and the ink supply path of the ink jet recording apparatus is the same. In such connection between the ink tank unit and the ink tank, the positioning of the ink tank to the unit and the insertion of the hollow needle into the ink supply port are performed in one action.

The direction in which the ink tank is inserted into the ink tank unit varies depending on the shape and size of the ink tank, but may be horizontally inserted as described in JP-A-01-141750, or may be inserted as described in JP-A-09-076525. In some cases, the insertion direction of the needle is opposite to the insertion direction of the ink tank.

[0005]

However, in a large-sized ink jet recording apparatus having a high print duty and consuming a large amount of ink, the ink storage amount is preferably 200 cc or more, more preferably A large capacity ink tank of 500 cc or more is often used.

However, when the size of the container is increased,
Also with respect to mounting with the ink tank unit, the following specific problems associated with the increase in the size of the container occur.

That is, since the above-mentioned container is large in size, if the positioning position for mounting on the recording apparatus is provided at a position distant from the connecting portion, in order to realize reliable connection, the container must be mounted. Accurate manufacturing is required. In particular, to prevent leakage of ink, the air communication port is sealed with a rubber stopper like the ink supply port, and when attached to the recording device, a hollow needle is pierced into the rubber stopper like the ink supply port. Therefore, in a case where communication with the outside is enabled, the number of connection points between the ink tank and the recording device increases to a plurality of positions, and this requirement is further increased.

When the direction of insertion of the needle and the direction of insertion of the ink tank are opposite, the connection between the needle and the ink supply port may be made if the ink tank is fixed at a predetermined position. Since extra force is applied to the connecting portion in a state where the connection is not reliably performed, there is a possibility that ink leaks from the connecting portion, or in the worst case, the connecting portion is broken such as a bent needle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem from a viewpoint different from the related art, so that when there are a plurality of coupling portions between an ink tank and an ink jet recording apparatus, the ink tank can be relatively simply constructed. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus and an ink tank which can improve the positional accuracy of a connecting portion of an ink tank unit and improve the reliability of the connection.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, an ink jet recording apparatus according to the present invention comprises an ink tank having first and second protrusions for supplying a liquid to the outside which are provided on the same surface. In an ink jet recording apparatus which is freely mounted and performs recording using ink contained in the ink tank, a first direction orthogonal to a mounting direction of the ink tank for fixing a first projecting portion of the ink tank. A reference plane and a second parallel to the mounting direction of the ink tank for fixing the second protrusion of the ink tank.
A reference member, a click member for urging the second protrusion to the second reference surface, first and second coupling needles respectively connectable to the first and second protrusions, Moving means for moving the first and second coupling needles to a predetermined position in a direction perpendicular to the mounting direction of the ink tank to the ink jet recording apparatus and in parallel with the first and second reference planes, Attachment of the ink tank to the recording device is completed at a position where the first protrusion is surrounded by the second reference surface and the click member.

According to the above-described ink jet recording apparatus,
Since the mounting direction of the ink tank and the moving direction of the ink supply needle by the moving means are orthogonal to each other, the ink supply needle is not affected by the ink supply needle in the insertion direction of the ink tank where the position of the ink tank is easily shifted. In addition to being more reliable, it is possible to arrange the connection portion with the outside of the ink tank at the top, so that ink leakage and the like can be effectively prevented. In addition, since the positioning is performed by the protruding portion which is the connecting portion with the recording apparatus, the accuracy of a part of the tank called the protruding portion is improved, so that the position of the connecting portion between the ink tank and the ink tank unit can be improved regardless of the accuracy of the entire tank. The accuracy can be improved to increase the reliability of the connection. When the mounting of the ink tank to the recording device is completed at a position where the first protrusion is surrounded by the second reference surface and the click member, the mounting direction side peculiar to the enlarged ink tank is completed. The rattling can be suppressed in the vicinity of the protruding portion involved in the coupling, so that the reliability of the coupling can be further improved.

Although the problems of the present invention can be solved by the above-described ink jet recording apparatus, the following advantages can be obtained as more preferable conditions by satisfying the following conditions.

One of the more preferable conditions is that the moving means is provided with an urging means for urging the ink tank in a direction in which the ink tank is inserted. Can be urged, and more reliable mounting can be realized.

[0014] Further, there is provided a movement preventing means for preventing the movement of the first and second ink supply needles by the moving means until the ink tank is mounted on the moving means of the needle. Since the ink tank is released upon completion of attachment to the recording apparatus, the coupling between the ink tank and the recording apparatus is performed by inserting a needle after the positioning of the coupling portion is completely performed. In addition, it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the connecting portion between the ink tank and the ink tank unit to increase the reliability of the connection, and to make the user aware that the connection has been performed.

[0015] Furthermore, before the first protrusion comes into contact with the first reference surface, an erroneous mounting preventing means for preventing erroneous mounting of the ink tank is provided, so that an ink tank other than a predetermined ink tank is inserted. It is possible to avoid danger to the user due to a malfunction in such a case.

Further, the present invention provides an ink tank used in the above-mentioned ink jet recording apparatus.

An ink tank according to the present invention is an ink tank detachably mountable to the above-mentioned ink jet recording apparatus, wherein the ink tank has first and second projections for connecting to the first and second coupling needles, respectively. And an ink storage section for storing ink, wherein the first and second protrusions are provided on the same surface facing the bottom surface.

As a more preferable configuration of the above-mentioned ink tank, in the ink jet recording apparatus using a plurality of colors, the longitudinal direction of the ink tank coincides with the insertion direction of the ink tank into the ink jet recording apparatus. An ink tank that does not waste space can be provided.

Further, since the size of the first protrusion is smaller than the size of the second protrusion, a click feeling when the click member presses the second protrusion is reduced by the first protrusion. The position can be raised for the user, and the user can easily detect that the positioning has been performed.

In particular, the heights of the first and second projections are equal, the second projection is cylindrical, and the first projection is formed by concentrically stacking two cylinders having different diameters. The diameter of the cylinder of the first protrusion on the ink storage section side is equal to the diameter of the cylinder of the second protrusion, and the diameter of the cylinder on the side of the first protrusion connected to the ink supply needle is changed. By making the size smaller, it is possible to suppress the play in the insertion direction and to realize more secure connection.

Further, by providing an erroneous mounting preventing member for preventing erroneous mounting in front of the projecting portion of the ink tank in the insertion direction, erroneous mounting is prevented by positioning the tank before positioning. Mounting can be more reliably prevented.

The “ink” in the present invention is defined as
It is a general term for liquids ejected from an ink jet recording head, and includes, for example, a printability improving liquid such as a treatment liquid used to improve the permeability of ink to recording paper.

[0023]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of an ink jet recording apparatus in which the ink tank unit of the present invention can be mounted and one mode of an ink supply path common to each embodiment will be described.
This will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of an ink jet recording apparatus, which is an embodiment of a liquid discharge recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied. FIG. 2 shows a liquid replenishment system used in the liquid discharge recording apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic explanatory view showing one example. In addition, it goes without saying that the main tank unit and the ink tank of the present invention described below are not limited to this embodiment, but can be applied to other forms.

As shown in FIG. 1, a head carriage 104 and a supply carriage 105 are slidably fitted in the direction of arrow A on two main scanning rails 107 arranged in parallel with each other. An ejection head unit 101 that ejects ink based on a recording signal is mounted on the head carriage 104.

The ejection head unit 101 has a plurality of nozzles arranged for each color corresponding to six colors of ink of dark cyan, light cyan, dark magenta, light magenta, yellow and black. Each nozzle is provided with an electrothermal converter for generating thermal energy for ink ejection. Ink is supplied into the ejection head unit 101 by capillary action at the nozzle, and the ink is supplied to the ejection head unit 10.
Surface where one nozzle is open (hereinafter referred to as “nozzle surface”)
To form a meniscus and keep the nozzle filled.
The ejection head unit 101 is covered with a head cover 106 together with a driving substrate for driving the ejection head unit 101. The drive board of the ejection head unit 101 is connected via a flat cable 113 to a board box 114 that houses a control board for controlling the operation of the entire printing apparatus.

On the other hand, a sub-tank 103 for supplying ink to the ejection head unit 101 is mounted on the supply carriage 105. The inside of the sub tank 103 is divided into six chambers corresponding to the respective color inks, and each chamber is connected to the corresponding ejection head unit 101 by a resin tube. Further, below the sub tank 103, a sub tank 1
Six main tanks 102 containing ink to be supplied to 02
Are held in an ink tank unit 120 described later. In FIG. 1, the detailed structure of the ink tank unit is omitted.

The main tank 102 has a larger capacity than the sub-tank 103.
ink m ³ can be accommodated. Each main tank 10
Reference numeral 2 also corresponds to each color ink, and is connected to each chamber of the sub tank 103 by a resin tube. As a result, the ink contained in the main tank 102 is supplied to the sub tank 103 and held in the sub tank 103, and is further supplied from the sub tank 103 to the ejection head unit 101.

Head carriage 104 and supply carriage 1
05 is coupled to the timing belt, and the main scanning motor 108 rotates the timing belt, thereby performing reciprocal scanning in the direction of arrow A. A platen 109 is provided at a position facing the nozzle of the ejection head unit 101. The recording paper 115 is transported on the platen 109 in the direction of arrow B. The conveyance of the recording paper 115 is performed intermittently at a predetermined pitch for each scan of the carriage, during which the ejection head unit
Recording is performed by discharging ink from 101.

In the scanning area of the ejection head unit 101,
In addition, outside the recording area on the recording paper 115, the ejection head 101
A head recovery system 110 for maintaining good ink ejection characteristics is disposed to face the ejection head unit 101.
The head recovery system 110 has a cap 117 for capping the ejection head unit 101, and a blade 111 for cleaning the nozzle surface of the ejection head unit 101. The position of the ejection head unit 101 when the ejection head unit 107 faces the cap 117 is called a home position.

Next, an embodiment of an ink path between the main tank and the discharge head of the liquid discharge recording apparatus shown in FIG. 1 and a detailed configuration in the path will be described with reference to FIG. As described above, the ink jet recording apparatus of the present embodiment uses inks of a plurality of colors, and ink paths are provided for each color. However, since each ink path is the same, FIG. Shows a path for one color ink.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main tank 202 and the sub tank 203 are connected by a main tube 226. At the end of the main tube 226 connected to the main tank 202, a hollow needle (not shown) such as an injection needle is provided and connected to a rubber stopper 228 of the main tank. The main tank is opened to the atmosphere by inserting an atmosphere opening pipe 232, and the ink in the main tank can be led to the outside by a tube 229 provided in a rubber stopper 228.

The other end of the main tube 226 is the sub tank 2
03, and at the tip, a sub tank 203
A filter 225 for preventing foreign matter from flowing into the inside is attached. The tip of the main tube 226 on the side inserted into the sub tank 203 is located at a position lower than the height shown in FIG. The main tube 226 is provided with a one-way valve 227 that opens only when the ink flows from the main tank 202 to the sub tank 203, thereby preventing the ink from flowing back from the sub tank 203 to the main tank 202. Further, a negative pressure generating pump 219 is provided between the check valve and the sub tank.

The sub-tank 203 has a remaining ink detecting sensor 223 composed of three electrode needles a, b and c inserted from the upper end of the sub-tank 203 in order to detect the remaining amount of ink in the sub-tank 203. Is provided. Of the electrode needles a, b, c, two electrode needles a, b are respectively inserted with their tips up to the height shown by (E), and the remaining electrode needles c are up to the height shown by (F). Has been inserted. Then, a low-voltage current is applied to each of the electrode needles a, b, and c to detect conduction between the electrode needles a, b, and c via the ink, thereby detecting the amount of ink in the sub tank 203. . Specifically, if the level of the ink surface is lower than the height of (E), there is no electrical connection between the electrode needle a and the electrode needle b. Ink is supplied from 202 to the sub tank 203. If the liquid level of the ink is higher than the height of (F), conduction is established between the electrode needle a and the electrode needle c.
The supply of ink to is stopped.

An air communication hole 224 is provided above the sub tank 203 at a position higher than the height indicated by (F).

The bottom of the sub tank 203 and the discharge head 201 are connected by a sub tube 234. Therefore, the supply of the ink from the sub tank 203 to the ejection head unit 201 is performed by a capillary phenomenon at the nozzle of the ejection head unit 201. In the present embodiment, the ejection head unit 201 is
The height a from the position shown in (E) to the nozzle surface of the discharge head unit 201 is 50 mm, and the height a from the position shown in (F) to the discharge head unit 20.
By arranging at a position where the height b to 1 nozzle surface is 10 mm, the ink of the ejection head unit 201 forms a meniscus on the nozzle surface and keeps the nozzle filled.

On the other hand, the subtube 234 is positioned lower than the height shown in FIG.
And connected to.

A cap 217 for capping the ejection head 201 is connected to a waste ink tank 221 by a suction tube 218. A suction pump 222 is provided in the suction tube 218.By driving the suction pump 222 with the discharge head unit 201 capped by the cap 217, the ink in the discharge head unit 201 is sucked by the cap 217. Is stored in the waste ink tank 221 via the suction tube 218.

The suction pump 218 and the negative pressure generating pump 219 are tube pumps, and are driven by pump motors 222 and 220, respectively.

In such a configuration, the liquid replenishment operation is performed together with the recording operation. First, printing (recording) is performed on recording paper by discharging ink from the discharge head based on a recording signal while repeating reciprocal scanning and pitch feeding of the recording paper with the discharge head unit 201. At this time, the suction pump 218
And the negative pressure generating pump 219 is stopped.

With the recording on the recording paper, the sub-tank 203
When the ink inside the sub-tank 203 is consumed and the liquid level of the ink in the sub-tank 203 becomes lower than the height indicated by (E), there is no electrical connection between the electrode needle a and the electrode needle b of the ink remaining amount detection sensor 223. And it is detected that the remaining amount of ink in the sub-tank has decreased.

When this is detected, the recording on the recording paper on which recording is being performed at that time is temporarily stopped, the ejection head 201 is returned to the home position, and the cap 217 caps the ejection head. I do. Thereafter, when the negative pressure generating pump 219 is driven, the sub tank 203 is refilled with ink in the main tank 202.

At this time, since the ejection head is capped, ink does not return from the ejection head 201 to the sub-tank 203. When the ink in the main tank 202 is supplied to the sub tank 203, the main tube 226
Foreign matter is filtered by the filter 225 attached to the tip of the filter. Then, when the ink in the main tank 202 runs out, it is replaced with a new main tank.

Next, an ink tank unit (main tank unit) accommodating an ink tank (main tank) of a liquid discharge recording apparatus and a main tank accommodated therein, which are features of the present invention, will be described in the following three embodiments. This will be described with reference to FIG.

(First Embodiment) FIGS. 3 to 7 show an ink tank unit (main tank unit) for accommodating an ink tank (main tank) of a liquid ejection recording apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and an accommodating unit. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a main tank.

First, the ink tank mounted on the ink tank unit of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b).
This will be described with reference to the three-dimensional perspective view shown in FIG. In FIG.
FIG. 3A is a three-dimensional perspective view when a connection portion of a main tank unit to be described later with a needle is on the upper surface (in use posture), and FIG. 3B is a three-dimensional perspective view for explaining the bottom surface of the ink tank.

The main tank 1 can directly store a liquid such as ink inside the rigid housing 11, and introduces air into the housing on a surface facing the bottom surface where the erroneous mounting preventing member 9 is provided. Cap 2 as a first protruding portion having an air communication port 12 for carrying out, and a second cap 3 as a second protruding portion having an ink supply port 13 for leading out liquid inside the housing to the outside. , And an erroneous mounting prevention member 9 is provided on the bottom surface. Here, the ink supply port and the atmosphere communication port are provided on the surface facing the bottom surface, and the needle of the main tank unit described later is inserted from above, so that even if uncertainty is performed at the time of connection, Ink does not leak from the joints and does not stain the main tank unit.

The air communication port 12 and the ink supply port 13 are sealed by rubber stoppers (not shown) in the first cap and the second cap, respectively, as projections, and the liquid inside leaks to the outside carelessly. Not to be. Note that FIG.
Although not shown above, the ink supply port is provided with a tube 14 extending in the housing to the vicinity of the bottom (see FIG. 15B), and even in the posture shown in FIG.
By being connected to the ink supply port and being sucked from the outside, the liquid stored in the housing can be led out.

The first cap 2 and the second cap 3 are provided on the same surface facing the bottom surface, and the first cap 2 and the second cap 3
The end on the cap side, that is, the front end in the insertion direction of the main tank, which will be described later, constitutes a lock release section 4 as a means for releasing a lock member of the main tank unit. By providing the lock member releasing means in front of the main tank, the lock member of the main tank unit is provided in a place where the user cannot easily access, and erroneous mounting is detected before the release of the lock member in the ink tank insertion operation described later. Can be easily realized.

In this embodiment, the first cap and the second cap are used.
The shape of the cap is the same substantially cylindrical shape, the arrangement is
When viewed from the insertion direction of the main tank, the first cap and the second cap are arranged so that the central axes of the first cap and the second cap substantially coincide with each other, and the first cap comes to the front. The height of the second cap is substantially equal to the height of the first cap.

An inclined surface higher than the height of the end surface of the opening of each cap is provided on the second cap side (rear side in the insertion direction) of the surface facing the bottom surface. A cap protecting rib 5 for preventing breakage is provided.

The upper end (the rear end in the insertion direction) of the inclined surface has a vertical surface portion 6 for fixing the main tank to the lever of the main tank unit. The vertical surface portion 6 is a surface substantially orthogonal to the bottom surface, and is parallel to the columnar portions of the first cap and the second cap. The lower end of the vertical surface portion extends slightly below the columnar portions of the first and second caps, and the upper end extends above the openings of the first and second caps.

Below the vertical surface portion, there are provided a handle portion 7 and a hooking hole 8 projecting from the vertical surface portion through through holes penetrating the housing, respectively, for carrying or removing the tank from the main tank unit. In this case, the handling of the user is improved. In this embodiment, the handle and the hook hole are formed of a hollow body that communicates with the inside of the housing capable of storing the ink, and these can be filled with liquid. Can be increased.

Further, the erroneous mounting prevention member 9 provided on the bottom surface
Are provided with two rows of pawls 10 as erroneous mounting prevention members, and unnecessary parts of the pawls are cut out to prevent erroneous mounting in the main tank unit. The erroneous mounting prevention member is provided at an end in the front of the tank in the insertion direction.

Next, an ink tank unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention in which the ink tank shown in FIG. 3 is mounted will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the entire main tank unit of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front view of the main tank unit 20.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory side sectional view. In addition, the main part of the structure of the main tank shown in FIG. 5 is shown in FIG.
7A and 7B are a sectional view and a BB sectional view, respectively.
(B).

The ink tank unit (main tank unit) 20 of the present embodiment accommodates one or more main tanks 1 (here, six are accommodated). A bottom plate 21 is provided at the bottom of the housing of the main tank unit 20, and an upper plate 24 is provided at the top of the main tank unit 20, and both ends thereof are connected by a left chassis 22 and a right chassis 23. Between the bottom plate 21 and the top plate 24, a center plate 25 is provided between the left chassis 22 and the right chassis 23 to increase the rigidity of the housing together with a rear chassis 32 described later.

26 is a lower guide for guiding the bottom of the main tank 1, and 27 is an upper guide for guiding the upper part. Tank urging springs 28 and 29 are provided on the right side of the concave portion of the lower guide 26 in which the main tank is stored, and press the main tank 1 to the left to position the lower portion of the main tank 1. Adjacent main tank storage sections are partitioned by a front guide 30 so that an operator can
When you insert the, you can see at a glance where to insert.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a tank lock lever, which is used to engrave, print, or apply symbols, characters, numbers, etc. for identifying ink colors.
It is provided by means such as sticking a seal. In this embodiment, letters A to F are printed. Similarly, the corresponding main tank 1 is also provided with letters A to F so that the operator can see at a glance where to insert the main tank of which color. The tank lock lever 31 is lifted up in a state where the main tank 1 is not stored, but after the main tank 1 is inserted, the operator pushes down and locks so that the main tank 1 is not pulled out. be able to.

The tank lock lever 31 mainly comprises a lever grip 33 operated by an operator and a lever body 34. The tank lock lever 31 is supported rotatably about a lever shaft 36 provided on the lever support member 35. The lever support member 35 is a central plate 25
It is fixed to. Lever grip 3 of lever body 34
A tension spring 38 is provided between an end 34a opposite to the side 3 and a spring hook 37 provided between the left chassis 22 and the right chassis 23. Therefore, the tank lock lever 31 is constantly urged clockwise about the lever shaft 36, and is held in a state where the tank lock lever 31 abuts against the butting portion 30a of the front guide when the main tank 1 is not inserted.

Reference numerals 41 and 42 denote tubular and needles each having a thin and sharp tip. The needle 41 is an ink supply needle provided for sucking up ink in the main tank 1, and the needle 42 is provided in the main tank 1 to the atmosphere. It is an air communication needle used for communication. The needles 41 and 42 are held by a needle holder 43, and the needle holder 43 is movable along cylindrical guide shafts 44 and 45 implanted in the center plate 25.

A pair of pins 46 and rollers 47 rotatable outside the pins 46 are provided on both sides of the needle holder 43. The rollers 47 are fitted into bearing members 49 provided on both sides of the lever body 34. ing. With this configuration, by pushing down the tank lock lever 31, the needle holder 4
3 and the needles 41 and 42 can be lowered.

The needles 41 and 42 are bent into an L-shape in the needle holder 43 and are connected to the tubes 61 and 62 by rubber needle joints 60, respectively. The tube 61 is shown in FIG.
When applied to the ink supply path shown in (1), a check valve 63 for preventing backflow of ink from the sub tank side,
It is connected to a sub tank via a tube 64. A pump for feeding ink is provided in the middle of the tube 64, as described in FIG. The tube 62 is crawled to the rear of the rear chassis 32, and the tube end is open to the atmosphere. Therefore, when the pump is operated, the check valve 63 opens, and the ink in the main tank 1 is sent to the sub-tank, and the tube 62
Air is supplied into the main tank 1 through the main tank 1.

In the center of the main tank storage portion of the lower guide 26, an inclined groove 65 extends from the entrance of the main tank to the back side.
And an ink absorber 66 connected to the main tank 1 in the direction in which the main tanks 1 are arranged. The ink absorber 66 is adapted to absorb at least one main tank of ink, so that even if the main tank 1 is damaged and ink leaks, the ink does not overflow outside the unit. The angle of the inclined groove 65 is set to 1.5 ° in this embodiment so that the leaked ink quickly flows toward the absorber 66.

Numeral 67 denotes an erroneous identification prevention member. When the main tank of a color other than the color to be stored is inserted, the unremoved nail 10 shown in FIG. Since the operator can only insert halfway, the operator is aware of the incorrect insertion.

Reference numeral 72 denotes a lever lock member which is swingably supported around a support shaft 73 and is urged clockwise by a torsion spring 74. When the main tank 1 is not stored, the lever lock member 72 is held in a state where the abutting portion 72a abuts on the center plate 25 (see FIG. 6), and the lever lock member 72 is held.
The upper end 72b of the lever body 34 has an opening 34b
Penetrates. Therefore, if the tank rock lever 31 is to be pushed down in this state, the bent portion 34c of the lever body 34 hits the shoulder 72c of the lever lock member 72, and the tank rock lever 31 does not lower any more.

A detection plate 75 is supported rotatably about a support shaft 76 and is urged counterclockwise by a torsion spring 77. The contact portion 75a of the detection plate 75 is provided with the holder pin 7 implanted in the needle holder 43.
8, when the needle holder 43 descends and descends to a predetermined lowermost position, the needle holder 43 rotates counterclockwise, and the protruding portion 75b pushes the detecting portion 79a of the microswitch 79, and the needle 41,
42 is detected as moving to a predetermined position.

Numeral 81 denotes an absorber for wiping the ink adhered to the needle 41 when the needle 41 is pulled out of the main tank 1, and is held by an absorber holder 82. Reference numeral 83 denotes a convex member provided on the lever main body 34, which engages with a concave member 84 fixed to the center plate 25. Convex member 83 and concave member 8
4 are both made of a material having a spring property such as polyacetal or polypropylene, and are engaged when the tank lock lever 31 is depressed.
Can be held, and the engagement can be released by pulling up with a predetermined force or more. A leaf spring 85, a roller 86, and a rotating shaft 8 as urging means for the tank are provided on the lever body.
7 are provided. One end of the leaf spring 85 is fixed to the lever grip 33, and the other end is provided with an idler roller 86 and a rotating shaft 87.

The stopper 91 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 92 implanted upward from the center plate 25, and is urged counterclockwise by a torsion spring 93 (see FIG. 7A). ). When the main tank 1 is not stored, the stopper 91 is located just below the leg 43a of the needle holder 43, so that the needle holder 43 cannot be further lowered.

Reference numeral 94 denotes a click member which is rotatable about a rotation shaft 95 planted below the center plate 25, and is urged clockwise by a compression spring 96 (seventh).
Fig. (B).

Next, the mounting operation when the ink tank of FIG. 3 is mounted on the main tank unit shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 8 to 15 are explanatory views for explaining step by step the method of connecting the ink tank and the ink tank unit according to the present invention.

First, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9A and 9B, the main tank 1 is divided into an upper guide 27 and a lower guide 26.
9A in the state of being guided in the direction J. FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing the ink tank and the ink tank unit when insertion of the ink tank is started, and FIGS. 9A and 9B are planes orthogonal to the plane of the sectional view. It is the principal part sectional drawing seen from the upper surface and the bottom surface direction when it cut | disconnected, respectively.

The main tank 1 inserted in the J direction is attached to the lower guide 26 by a tank urging spring 28, and the reference surface 15 provided on the lower guide 26 and the upper guide 27 is provided.
And the position of the main tank 1 with respect to the ink tank unit 20 in the K direction (the direction orthogonal to the ink tank insertion direction in FIG. 9A) is determined. That is, by pressing the ink tank against the reference surface, it is possible to prevent the ink tank from swinging in the K direction during the attachment / detachment operation and after the attachment is completed.

When the main tank 1 is further inserted into the main tank unit 20, the erroneous mounting preventing member (claw) at the bottom of the main tank 1 is moved to the bottom plate of the main tank unit 20, as shown in FIG. It passes through the vicinity of the identification error mounting member 67 attached to the plate 21.

Here, the ink tank having the erroneous mounting prevention member in which the claw corresponding to the projection of the erroneous identification mounting preventing member 67 is cut out can pass through. The tank cannot be inserted any further. Here, in this embodiment, since the mounting position is different depending on the ink color, even if the user overlooks the identification label, the ink tank containing the ink of another color is mounted by mistake. It is not to be done.

The main tank unit according to the present invention passes through the vicinity of the erroneous identification prevention member 67 after being brought into contact with the reference surface. Therefore, the main tank unit in the K direction shown in FIG. When the main tank is inserted into the corresponding portion of the main tank unit in a normal combination, the incorrect identification prevention member does not malfunction.

When the main tank 1 is further inserted into the main tank unit 20, the lock release section 4 of the main tank 1 is brought into contact with a lever lock member 72 provided on the main tank unit 20 as shown in FIG. Be in touch. The lock release part contacts the lever lock member,
FIGS. 10 and 11 show the ink tank and the main tank unit when the lock is released, and FIGS. 12 and 13 show a state where the ink tank is completely inserted. 10 and 12 are side sectional views showing the ink tank and the ink tank unit. In addition, in FIGS. 11 and 13, (a) and (b) are AA and BB cross-sectional views of FIG. 10, respectively.

After the lock release section 4 comes into contact with the tank abutment section 72d of the lever lock member 72, when the main tank 1 is further inserted deep, the lock release section 4 pushes the lever lock member 72, and As a result, the lever lock member 72 rotates counterclockwise around the support shaft 73 to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. Then, the shoulder (lock portion) 72c of the lever lock member 72 separates from the bent portion (reception portion) 34c provided on the lever main body 34, and comes to a position corresponding to the opening 34b. The lock of the lever body 34 is released.

As described above, by releasing the lock lever as the first needle movement preventing means by inserting the tank, it is possible to remove an object other than the tank without forcing the user to perform an extra operation other than the tank inserting operation. Malfunction when inserted can be prevented. Therefore, even if the user inadvertently puts his hand in the main tank unit, the hand will not hurt his hand.

By releasing the lock lever at the tip of the tank, the position of the lock lever can be provided not only in a place where the user cannot easily reach, but also for preventing erroneous mounting before releasing the lock lever. Incorrect mounting detection can be performed. In the present embodiment, the side surface of the tank is brought into contact with the reference surface, and furthermore, even if the lever is pressed down until the mis-mounting prevention member confirms the mis-mounting, the first lever is prohibited. Since the means for preventing the movement of the needle is released, a tank of a different type is not accidentally mounted.

When the main tank 1 is further inserted into the main tank unit 20, as shown in FIG. 11A, the second cap 3 of the main tank 1 is moved to the vicinity (L) of the tip of the click member 94. Abut and click member 94 to M
Rotate counterclockwise in the direction. As a result, the second cap 3 and the projection (O) of the click member 94 come into contact with each other. At this time, the compression spring 96 is compressed and generates a force to rotate the click member 94 in the N direction (clockwise), and the click member generates resistance against insertion of the ink tank. However, since the click member 94 has a substantially arc shape, if the click member 94 is further inserted and the contact position between the click member and the second cap is moved backward in the insertion direction, the click member 94 clicks from a certain position. The member rotates clockwise and acts in a direction to facilitate insertion of the ink tank. Then, finally, the first cap 2 is placed on the lateral abutting surface 27 as the second reference surface of the upper guide 27.
b and the vertical abutting surface 27c as a first reference surface, and the second cap abuts against the lateral abutting surface 27b of the upper guide 27, thereby positioning the upper portion of the main tank (FIG. 13). (A)). As described above, in the large container, the positioning accuracy can be improved by positioning the coupling portion by the cap. In addition, the user can easily detect this change as a click feeling, so that it can be confirmed that the insertion has been reliably performed.

Before the insertion of the ink tank is promoted by the rotation of the click member, FIG.
As shown in (1), the stopper 91 is rotatably supported by a rotation shaft 92 provided on the center plate 25, and is urged in the P direction by a torsion spring 93. Therefore, even if the lock by the lever lock member is released, the needle holder 43 cannot be further lowered as described with reference to FIG. 7 to protect the needles.

Here, the second cap of the main tank 1 is moved by the click member 94 to the main tank unit 20.
(That is, the rotation of the click member promotes the insertion of the ink tank).
As a result, as shown in FIG. 13B, the first cap of the main tank 1 pushes the tongue 204 of the stopper 91, and the stopper 91 rotates the rotating shaft 92 in the Q direction shown in FIG. It rotates as a moving center.

As a result, the stopper 91 is provided at the R and S portions.
Disappears. Since holes are provided below the R and S portions of the center plate 25, the stopper 91
It does not hinder the lowering of the third leg 43a. In this way, the rotation of the stopper 91 unlocks the needle holder 43, and the needle holder 43
It is possible to pass through the holes of the R part and the S part.

Therefore, if the user has a click feeling, the second
Since the lock of the needle holder as the means for preventing the movement of the needle is released, the connecting operation of the needle described later can be performed with confidence. In order for the click feeling of the click member to also serve as the release of the second needle movement prevention means, as described in the present embodiment, before the state where the insertion of the ink tank is promoted by the rotation of the click member is promoted. It is desirable that the unlocking operation of the needle holder is not performed.

The main tank unit 2 of the main tank 1
FIG. 12 is a side view showing a state where the insertion operation to the zero is completed. In this state, the insertion operation of the main tank 1 is completed, and the stopper 91 locks the needle holder 43,
Two locks of the lock by the lever lock member 72 with respect to the rotation of the lever body 34 about the lever shaft 36 as the rotation center are released.

In this embodiment, the needle holder is locked by a lever lock member 72 as a first needle movement preventing means and a stopper member 91 as a second needle movement preventing means. Therefore, even if the user accidentally inserts a hand or the like into the main tank unit and releases the lever lock member and attempts to push down the lever, at the same time, no injury is caused by the needle provided in the needle holder, The needle can be protected when a foreign object is inserted into the main tank unit. When only one needle movement preventing means is provided, it is desirable to perform the operation near the needle insertion position, as in the stopper member 91 of the present embodiment, in order to realize reliable insertion. Also, by providing the needle movement preventing means at two places as in the present embodiment,
Since one release means does not have to be near the insertion position of the needle, the strength of the release means can be increased.

When the positioning of the ink tank by the cap is completed, the first cap as the first projecting portion is surrounded by the click member and the lateral reference surface 27b as shown in FIG. The gap between the first cap and the click member is indicated by aa. Therefore, even if the user attempts to move the main tank 1 in the bb direction shown in FIG. 13A against the urging force of the tank urging spring 28 (not shown) by the user, the main tank 1 moves only by the gap shown by aa. By reducing the size of aa by the shape of the click member, the amount of movement of the main tank 1 in the bb direction can be regulated, and stable coupling can be realized.

After the positioning of the ink tank by the cap is reliably performed, the main tank is fixed and held by pushing down the lever, and the ink tank is connected to an ink supply path (not shown).

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 are side sectional views of the main tank and the main tank unit showing the operation of pushing down the lever in time series.

When the tank lock lever 31 is depressed,
The needle holder 43 descends along the guide shafts 44 and 45 and the needle 4
1,42 also falls. At this time, the lever lock member 72
Is rotated counterclockwise around the support shaft 73 by the upper part of the main tank 1, and the shoulder 72c is
Since the lever lock member 72 comes to the position corresponding to b, the lever lock member 72 does not hinder the pushing down of the tank lock lever 31.
When the tank lock lever 31 is further depressed from the position shown in FIG. 14, the bent portion 34c pushes the lever lock member 72 to rotate the lever lock member 72 further counterclockwise.

In the position shown in FIG. 14, the roller 86 comes to a position in contact with the upper part of the vertical surface 6 of the main tank 1. When the tank lock lever 31 is pushed down, the main tank 1
Is positioned slightly forward without being inserted to the end (for example, a position during the tank retracting operation by the click member), the roller 86 as the urging means is rotated by the leaf spring 85 while the main tank 1 is rotated. , The needles 41 and 42 are not inserted while the main tank is not at a predetermined position. of course,
The roller 86 is disposed at the lower end of the lock lever so that the position of the main tank 1 is corrected before the hands 41 and 42 contact the first cap 2 and the second cap 3, respectively.
The upper end of the vertical surface portion is disposed above the columnar portions of the two cap members.

When the tank lever 31 is further pushed down from the position shown in FIG.
Of the rubber supply port (not shown) of the ink supply port and the atmosphere communication port. FIG. 15 is a view showing a state in which the tank lock lever 31 is pushed down to the end. When the tank lock lever 31 is pushed down to the end, the convex member 83 and the concave member 84 are engaged, and the tank lock lever 31 is pressed.
Is held at this position against the urging force of the tension spring 38. At this time, the detection plate 75 in contact with the holder pin 78 of the needle holder 43 rotates counterclockwise about the support shaft 76 as the needle holder 43 descends, and
Comes to the lowest position, that is, when the hands 41 and 42 reach the lowest position, the protruding portion 75b presses the detecting portion 79a of the microswitch 79. This micro switch 7
9 is connected to, for example, a drive circuit of the pump, and only when the micro switch 79 is pressed, that is, when the needles 41 and 42 are lowered to a predetermined position, the pump operates and ink can be sucked from the main tank. Become.

At this time, the roller of the lock lever is
As shown in FIG. 5, the end portion of the vertical surface portion is fixed at a position equivalent to the position of the pillar surface of the two caps or slightly below the direction of gravity. When the tank is urged in the insertion direction as in the present embodiment, a moment may be generated by the urging force with the column surface of the cap being the positioning position of the tank as a fulcrum. At this time, in the cross-sectional views shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the counterclockwise moment can be received by the bottom plate of the tank holder. is there. However, in the present embodiment, by adopting the above configuration, an upward moment is not generated, so that a positional shift does not occur.

It should be noted that there may be one detection mechanism using the above-described microswitch 79 corresponding to each main tank 1, but detection is performed only when all six tank levers 31 are lowered. You may do so. For example, a configuration is adopted in which the detection plates 75 in FIG. 14 are partially connected and six sheets are integrated. The protruding portion 75b of the detection plate 75 integrated with the six plates
At only one location, and only one microswitch 79.

If the tank lock lever 31 is raised at any one position, the detection plate 75 does not rotate, and the micro switch 79 is not pressed. Only when the last tank lock lever 31 is lowered to the lowest position, the protruding portion 75b pushes the micro switch 79,
It is detected that all tank lock levers 31 have been lowered to the lowest position. With such a configuration, the number of parts can be significantly reduced, which leads to cost reduction and effective use of space.

The roller 8 of the tank lock lever 31
6, the rotary shaft 87 may be omitted, and the main tank 1 may be directly urged by the leaf spring 85.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 16A shows a three-dimensional perspective view of an ink tank to which the present invention can be applied as a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16B shows a main tank unit. FIG. In the present embodiment, the shape of the first cap portion as the first protrusion of the ink tank is different from that of the first embodiment, and the main tank unit also has a first reference surface corresponding to the first protrusion. And a second reference plane. Therefore, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

The ink tank 301 of this embodiment is similar to that of FIG.
As shown in (a), a first cap 302 is provided as a first protrusion made of a cylinder having a smaller diameter than the second cap 3 as a second protrusion. 1st cap and 2nd
The height with the cap is the same as in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16B, the shape of the upper guide portion 327 of the main tank unit is changed so that the first reference surface 327c contacts the first cap, and Contact portion 327b that contacts the second cap with respect to the second reference surface that contacts
And a contact portion 327d that contacts the first cap. By doing so, both movable areas in the bb direction of the first cap can be set to cc shown in FIG. 16B.

In this embodiment, compared to the first embodiment,
The first cap is smaller than the second cap. Therefore, when the ink tank 301 is inserted, the click member 394 does not perform a click operation on the first cap but can perform a click operation only on the second cap. As a result, the user can more easily confirm that the tank has been positioned at the predetermined position by one click operation. Also, as with the first embodiment, by reducing the movable amount cc by the shape of the click member, it is possible to regulate the movable amount and realize stable coupling.

(Third Embodiment) FIG. 17 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17A shows a three-dimensional perspective view of an ink tank to which the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 17B shows a main tank unit. FIG. In this embodiment, as compared with the first and second embodiments, the shape of the first cap portion as the first protrusion of the ink tank is made different, and the main tank unit also has the first protrusion corresponding to the first protrusion. And a second reference plane. Therefore, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The ink tank 401 of this embodiment is similar to the ink tank 401 shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the cylinder 402 having the same diameter as the cylinder 402a having a smaller diameter than the second cap 3 as the second protrusion.
b as a first projecting portion which is concentrically arranged.
A cap 402 is provided. The heights of the first cap and the second cap are the same as in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 17B, the upper guide portion 427 of the main tank unit has a first reference surface 427c and a second reference surface 427b which comes into contact with the second cap. By doing so, both the movable regions in the bb direction of the first cap can be set to dd shown in FIG. 16B. In the present embodiment, the click member 494 has an end portion 49 in the height direction.
4a, only a portion corresponding to the cylinder 402a is provided. In the arm portion 494b, the cylinders 402a and 402b are provided.
Are provided in portions corresponding to both. Therefore, the first
When the cap passes through the end 494a, the click member does not perform a click operation.

In this embodiment, similar to the above-described second embodiment,
When the ink tank 401 is inserted, the click member 494 does not perform a click operation on the first cap, and
By performing the click operation only on the cap, the user can more easily confirm that the tank has been positioned at the predetermined position by one click operation.
Further, in the present embodiment, the movable amount dd is the distance between the arm portion of the click member and the cylinder 402a of the first cap, and thus can be reduced similarly to the first embodiment.
Therefore, it is possible to regulate the amount of movement and realize stable coupling.

(Fourth Embodiment) FIGS. 18 and 19 show an ink tank according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 18A and 18B are explanatory views for explaining an ink tank according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18A is a three-dimensional perspective view when the connection portion of the main tank unit to the needle is on the upper side (posture in use). And (b) is a three-dimensional perspective view for explaining the bottom portion of the ink tank.

This embodiment is different from the third embodiment in that
The shape of the bottom surface and the top surface (the surface on which the first and second protrusions are provided) of the ink tank and the arrangement of the erroneous mounting prevention member are different.

The upper surface 5 of the ink tank 501 of this embodiment
09 is a flat portion 509a, 509b, 50 having a step.
9c, a first projection 502 having an air communication port 512 and a second projection 503 having an ink supply port 513 are provided on a flat portion 509a farthest from the bottom surface when joined to the ink tank. ing. Flat part 509
a, and is one step lower than the flat part 509a.
b, the second erroneous mounting prevention portions 510c and 510d are provided, and are further lower than the flat portion 509b, and the first flat portion 509c which is the front end in the mounting direction with respect to the ink tank unit is provided with the first Erroneous mounting prevention parts 510a and 51
0b is provided.

The first erroneous mounting preventing portion provided at the front end in the insertion direction of the ink tank has a claw portion 510.
A protection wall 510a is provided parallel to the longitudinal direction of the ink tank (the mounting direction of the ink tank to the ink tank unit) so as to protect the claw portion at four places. Prevents incorrect mounting of units. In the present embodiment, it is possible to cope with four types of ink tanks by removing three claws out of the four claws of the first erroneous mounting prevention portion. The second erroneous mounting prevention portion is provided with a claw portion 510d and a protection wall 510c, similarly to the first erroneous mounting portion described above. In the present embodiment, the claw portions of the second erroneous mounting prevention portion are provided at six places in two rows, and a total of three claws are removed from the six portions to correspond to 20 types of ink tanks. In the present embodiment, 80 types (20 × 4) of ink tank types can be supported by the combination of the erroneous mounting prevention portions. However, the number of the claw portions of the erroneous mounting prevention portion is limited to the above-described number. It can be freely selected according to the required quantity of the required tank type.

The flat portion 509b and the flat portion 5
18A is lower than the flat portion 509a in the state shown in FIG. 18A, but the side surfaces of the flat portion 509b and the flat portion 509c of this embodiment have side walls 519 having substantially the same height as the flat portion 509a. Is formed. Incorrect mounting prevention part 5
10a, 510b, 510c and 510d are respectively shown in FIG.
In the state shown in FIG. 8 (a), since the ink tank is formed at the same height or lower than the side wall, even if the operator accidentally drops the ink tank, the first and second erroneous mountings are performed. The prevention portion is protected by the side wall 519.

Since the first erroneous mounting prevention portion is formed on a surface one step lower than the second erroneous mounting prevention portion, the first erroneous mounting prevention portion is provided on the ink tank unit side for identifying the second erroneous mounting prevention portion. The convex shape of the identification member does not interfere with the first erroneous mounting prevention portion. Further, since the second erroneous mounting prevention portion is provided on a surface one step lower than the first protrusion and the second protrusion, the reference surface of the ink tank unit for positioning and coupling of the ink tank and the like are provided. The coupling part does not interfere with the second erroneous mounting prevention part. Therefore, the ink tank can be inserted smoothly and the space in the height direction of the ink tank can be efficiently used.
Identification of many types of ink tanks without increasing the width direction (the direction orthogonal to the direction of ink tank insertion)
That is, it is possible to identify a difference between colors and a difference in a recording device to be mounted. In this embodiment, the erroneous mounting prevention unit is provided in two stages. However, if the types of ink tanks to be identified are small, only one stage may be provided.

Next, the shape of the bottom surface of this embodiment will be described.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18 (b), the bottom surface is provided with protrusions 511a, 511b, 514, and a reinforcing rib 508 having a smaller protrusion amount than the protrusions. Here, the protrusions 511a and 511b are
4 is provided in the vicinity of the opposing surface and the protrusion 514 is
In the central part, which is equally spaced from the opposing surface of the side part,
It is provided at the front end in the insertion direction of the ink tank.
The reinforcing ribs 508 are located at the center of the center portion, which is spaced from the opposing surface of the side surface by an equal distance, from the protrusion 514 to the protrusions 511a, 511.
11b extends to the vicinity of the position where it is provided.

Since the ink tank of this embodiment is manufactured by blow molding, the central portion 514c of the projection 514 is recessed with respect to the projections 514a and 514b so that burrs during molding do not remain on the projections. In. However, 51
Since the distance between 4a and 514b is shorter than the distance between 511a and 511b, it can be treated as one protrusion 514.

Here, in the ink tank of the present invention, FIG.
As shown in the top view of the ink tank of FIG. 9A, a region of the top surface facing a region (forming a triangle) inside a line connecting the three projections 514, 511a, and 511b includes:
An atmosphere communication port 512 and an ink supply port 513 are provided. In particular, in the case of the present embodiment, the protrusion 514 is provided at the center of the center portion, which is separated from the opposing surface of the side surface by the same distance, at the front end in the insertion direction of the ink tank. Cutting plane passing through the middle line (Fig. 19
(Shown by a dashed line in (a)) except for the erroneous mounting prevention portion. Then, the atmosphere communication port 512 and the ink supply port 513 have their center portions on this cut surface.

Further, the ink tank of the present embodiment can also store ink in the handle portion. Regardless of whether or not ink is stored, the ink tank in the use position shown in FIG. The center of gravity of the tank is shown in FIG.
It is located in a region formed by three projections shown in FIG.

Since the ink tank of this embodiment is manufactured by blow molding, as shown by the dotted line in the side view of FIG. The inner surface of the housing has a shape corresponding to the outer surface, except for the unit and the ink supply port. In the case of the present embodiment, an inclined surface is formed in a region of the bottom surface where the handle and the reinforcing rib are provided, and the protrusion 5
The vicinity of the region where 11a and 511b are provided is the bottom surface.

As shown in FIG. 19B, a tube 51 extending to the vicinity of the bottom in the housing is provided in the ink supply port.
18 is provided, and even in the posture shown in FIG. 18A, by being connected to the ink supply port and being sucked from the outside, the liquid stored in the housing is reliably drawn out to the outside,
It is possible to reduce the remaining ink.

Next, an ink tank unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 20 is an explanatory view of a main part of the main tank unit of this embodiment, FIGS. 21 and 22 are explanatory views for explaining prevention of erroneous mounting of the ink tank and the ink tank unit, and FIGS.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for describing a modification of the ink tank unit. FIG. 21A and FIG. 21C show T in FIG.
21 (b), FIG. 22, FIG. 23 (a) and FIG. 23 (b) are U-U cross sections in FIG.

The ink tank unit of this embodiment has a first identification member having a convex shape as shown in FIG. 551 is a second identification member 552 having a convex shape shown in FIG.
And a point that a foot 72d of the lever lock member 72 described above is provided.

In the ink tank unit of this embodiment, of the above-described ink tanks, three portions of the claw portion 510d corresponding to the first identification member 551 and one of the claw portions 510b corresponding to the second identification member 552 are provided. In this case, only the ink tanks having the claw portions 510b corresponding to the foot portions 72d of the lever lock member 72 and the second, third, and fifth claw portions 510d from the left end are allowed to enter. I have.

Therefore, when the main tank 501 is inserted, the foot 72d of the lever lock member 72 is pushed by the remaining claw 510b, and as a result, the lever lock member 72
Rotates counterclockwise around the support shaft 73 to the position shown by the dotted line in FIG. Then, the shoulder (lock portion) 72c of the lever lock member 72 separates from the bent portion (reception portion) 34c provided on the lever main body, and comes to a position corresponding to the opening 34b. The lock of the main body 34 is released, and the lever 34 can be lowered.

If the main tank having the claw portions 510b and 510d at the positions corresponding to the first and second identification members is erroneously inserted, the claw portion 510b is moved to the first identification member 501 or the second identification member. Since it collides with the identification member 502 and cannot be inserted to the end, it can be seen that the insertion is erroneous. In the case of the main tank 501 in which all the claws 510b and 510d are deleted, the main tank 501 can be inserted to the end, but since the lever lock member 72 does not rotate,
The lever 34 is not accidentally lowered.

In this embodiment, the provision of two erroneous mounting preventing members makes it possible to prevent erroneous mounting of various types of main tanks. Further, the lever lock member 7 is provided by the claw portion 510b.
By rotating the lever 2 to release the lock of the lever body 34, there is an effect that the erroneous mounting of the main tank can be more reliably avoided.

In the above description, the case where the foot 72d of the lever lock member 72 is located at the position corresponding to the leftmost claw 510b has been described, but may naturally be located at another position. FIG. 22 shows a case where the third claw portion 510b is located at a position corresponding to the third claw portion 510b from the left.

However, as described above, the lever lock member 72
Is moved, a large number of components around the lever lock member 72 must be changed accordingly. Since there are four types of positions of the lever lock member 72 in this example, four types of peripheral parts are required in accordance with the positions. In order to avoid a sudden increase in the number of parts, the lever lock member may be divided into two parts, a common part 572 and feet 573 and 574, as shown in FIGS. When the foot is moved to another position, if the foot 574 is attached instead of the foot 573 as shown in FIG. 23B, the common portion 572 of the lever lock member does not need to be moved, Can be shared.

Here, in the above embodiment, the region (3) inside the line connecting the three projections 514, 511a, 511b
Since the air communication port 512 and the ink supply port 513 are provided in a region of the upper surface portion facing (forming a square shape), the insertion force generated when the needles 41 and 42 are inserted is reduced in the entire bottom surface. The three protrusions 511a and 511 described above.
b and 514. Therefore, the deformation of the ink tank at the time of inserting the needle into the ink tank unit described above can be minimized, and the insertion of the needle is not easily affected by the variation of the ink tank product. Bending can be further prevented.

In particular, in the case of this embodiment, the protrusion 514 is provided at the center of the center portion, which is separated from the opposing surface of the side surface by the same distance, at the front end in the ink tank insertion direction. The cut surface 514 is symmetrical with respect to the cut surface passing through the middle line (indicated by the dashed line in FIG. 19A) except for the erroneous mounting prevention portion. And the atmosphere communication port 51
2 and the ink supply port 513 have a central portion on the cut surface. With such an arrangement, the stability at the time of coupling the ink tanks is further improved.

Note that the positions of the ink supply port and the air communication port may be located on a region opposed to the above-described protrusion region.
It may be in a region facing the line. In the case of this embodiment, the protrusion 511 is provided near the area facing the ink supply port.
Since a and 511b are provided symmetrically, the force received at the time of coupling can be more stably received.

Further, in this embodiment, since the reinforcing ribs 508 are provided, when the insertion force due to the insertion of the needle is received by the projections, the mutual positions of the projections are prevented from being changed by deformation, and the ink is prevented from being changed. At the time of insertion of the tank into the ink tank unit, it is possible to prevent a mounting error due to the protrusion being caught.

[0131]

As described above, according to the tank unit and the ink tank of the present invention, since the mounting direction of the ink tank is orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink supply needle, the position of the ink tank is easily shifted. Since the ink supply needle is not affected with respect to the insertion direction of the tank,
In addition to making the connection more reliable, it is also possible to arrange a connection portion with the outside of the ink tank at the upper portion, so that ink leakage and the like can be effectively prevented.

Further, since the positioning is performed by the protruding portion which is a connecting portion with the recording apparatus, the accuracy of a portion of the tank, ie, the protruding portion, is improved, so that the accuracy is improved regardless of the accuracy of the entire tank.
It is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the connection portion between the ink tank and the ink tank unit, thereby improving the reliability of the connection.

When the mounting of the ink tank to the recording apparatus is completed at a position where the first protrusion is surrounded by the second reference plane and the click member, the mounting direction side peculiar to the large-sized ink tank is completed. The rattling can be suppressed in the vicinity of the protruding portion involved in the coupling, so that the reliability of the coupling can be further improved.

Further, since the urging means for urging the needle moving means in the insertion direction of the ink tank is provided, it is possible to urge the first projecting portion to the first reference plane. Reliable mounting can be realized.

Further, a movement preventing means for preventing the movement of the first and second ink supply needles by the moving means until the ink tank is mounted on the needle moving means is provided.
The movement prevention means is released when the ink tank is completely mounted on the recording device, so that the ink tank and the recording device are connected by inserting the needle after the positioning of the connecting portion is completely performed. Therefore, it is possible to improve the positional accuracy of the connecting portion between the ink tank and the ink tank unit to increase the reliability of the connection, and to make the user aware that the connection has been performed.

Further, by providing an erroneous mounting prevention means for preventing erroneous mounting of the ink tank before the first projection comes into contact with the first reference surface, a malfunction when an ink tank other than a predetermined one is inserted is provided. Danger to the user due to this can be avoided.

Further, according to the ink tank of the present invention, since the longitudinal direction of the ink tank coincides with the insertion direction of the ink tank into the ink jet recording apparatus, the space of the ink jet recording apparatus using a plurality of colors can be reduced. It is possible to provide a waste ink tank.

Since the size of the first protrusion is smaller than the size of the second protrusion, the second protrusion by the click member is provided.
The click feeling at the time of pressing the projecting portion can be enhanced as compared with the first projecting portion, and the user can easily detect that the positioning has been performed.

In the present invention, the connecting portion is provided with two ink supply ports and the air communication port. However, in the connecting method and the recording apparatus of the present invention, the number of connecting portions is not limited to this. Alternatively, three or more ink tanks may be provided depending on the structure of the ink tank.

Further, the number of ink tanks stored in the main tank unit may be plural as in this embodiment, or may be one.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an ink jet recording apparatus, which is an embodiment of a liquid ejection recording apparatus to which the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic explanatory view showing an example of a liquid replenishment system used in the liquid ejection recording apparatus of FIG.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of the ink tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a main tank unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention on which the ink tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be mounted;

FIG. 5 is an explanatory side sectional view of a main tank unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention on which the ink tank according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be mounted;

FIG. 6 is a side sectional view for explaining a main part of a main tank unit on which the ink tank of the present invention shown in FIG. 5 can be mounted.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing A of a main tank unit capable of mounting the ink tank of the present invention shown in FIG.
It is -A sectional drawing and BB sectional drawing.

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view showing the ink tank and the ink tank unit of the first embodiment when the insertion of the ink tank of the first embodiment of the present invention is started.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are explanatory views showing the ink tank and the ink tank unit of the first embodiment when insertion of the ink tank of the first embodiment of the present invention is started, respectively.

FIG. 10 is a side sectional view showing the ink tank and the ink tank unit when the ink tank of the first embodiment of the present invention is inserted into the ink tank unit of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are explanatory views showing the ink tank and the ink tank unit when the ink tank of the first embodiment of the present invention is inserted into the ink tank unit of the first embodiment, respectively. is there.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing the ink tank and the ink tank unit when the ink tank of the first embodiment of the present invention is inserted into the ink tank unit of the first embodiment.

FIGS. 13 (a) and (b) are explanatory views showing the ink tank and the ink tank unit when the ink tank of the first embodiment of the present invention is inserted into the ink tank unit of the first embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a side cross-sectional view of the main tank and the main tank unit of the first embodiment showing the operation of pressing down the lever.

FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view of the main tank and the main tank unit of the first embodiment showing the operation of pressing down the lever.

16A is a three-dimensional perspective view of an ink tank according to a second embodiment to which the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 16B is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a main tank unit according to the second embodiment.

17A is a three-dimensional perspective view of an ink tank according to a third embodiment to which the present invention can be applied, and FIG. 17B is an explanatory diagram of a main part of a main tank unit according to the third embodiment.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are three-dimensional perspective views illustrating an ink tank according to a fourth embodiment to which the present invention is applicable.

FIG. 19A is a top view of an ink tank according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 19B is a side view of the ink tank according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is an explanatory view of a main part of an ink tank unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 21 (a) to 21 (c) show the fourth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram for describing prevention of incorrect mounting of the ink tank and the ink tank unit according to the embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram for describing prevention of erroneous mounting of an ink tank and an ink tank unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a modification of the ink tank unit according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 301, 401 Main tank 2, 302, 402 First cap 3 Second cap 9 Incorrect attachment prevention member 12 Atmospheric communication hole 13 Ink supply port 20 Main tank unit 34 Lever 72 Lever lock member 94, 294, 394 Click member 100 Inkjet recording device 101 ejection head unit

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Osamu Sato 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Kyota Miyazaki 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (11)

[Claims] An ink tank having first and second protrusions for supplying a liquid to the outside on the same surface is detachably mounted, and recording is performed using ink contained in the ink tank. In the ink jet recording apparatus, a first reference surface orthogonal to a mounting direction of the ink tank for fixing a first protrusion of the ink tank, and a first reference surface for fixing a second protrusion of the ink tank. A second reference plane parallel to the mounting direction of the ink tank; a click member for urging the second protrusion on the second reference plane; and a first and second protrusion respectively connectable to the first and second protrusions. First and second coupling needles, and the first and second coupling needles are perpendicular to the mounting direction of the ink tank to the ink jet recording apparatus and parallel to the first and second reference planes to a predetermined position. Moving hand to move If the provided ink jet recording apparatus characterized by mounting is completed to the recording apparatus of the ink tank at a position where the first protrusion is surrounded by the said click member and the second reference plane. 2. An ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said moving means is provided with an urging means for urging said ink tank in an insertion direction of said ink tank. 3. A movement prevention means for preventing the movement of the first and second ink supply needles by the movement means until the ink tank is mounted on the movement means of the needle. 3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ink tank is released when the mounting of the ink tank on the recording apparatus is completed. 4. An erroneous mounting preventing means for preventing erroneous mounting of the ink tank before the first projection comes into contact with the first reference surface.
The inkjet recording device according to any one of the above. 5. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the means for releasing the movement preventing means is an erroneous mounting prevention unit corresponding to the erroneous mounting preventing means provided in the ink tank. 6. An ink tank unit having a plurality of said ink tanks mounted thereon, and said movement preventing means is released when all ink tanks in said ink tank unit are completely mounted. Item 3
3. The ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1. 7. An ink tank removably mountable on the ink jet recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second coupling needles are respectively connected to the first and second coupling needles. An ink tank comprising: a protruding portion; and an ink storage portion for storing ink, wherein the first and second protruding portions are provided on a same surface facing a bottom surface. 8. The ink tank according to claim 7, wherein a longitudinal direction of the ink tank coincides with a direction in which the ink tank is inserted into the ink jet recording apparatus. 9. The ink tank according to claim 7, wherein the size of the first protrusion is smaller than the size of the second protrusion. 10. The first and second protrusions have the same height, the second protrusion has a cylindrical shape, and the first protrusion has a shape in which two cylinders having different diameters are stacked concentrically. The diameter of the cylinder of the first protrusion on the ink storage unit side is equal to the diameter of the cylinder of the second protrusion, and the diameter of the cylinder on the connection side of the first protrusion with the ink supply needle. 10. The ink tank according to claim 7, wherein the ink tank is smaller than the ink tank. 11. An erroneous mounting prevention member for preventing erroneous mounting is provided forward of the protrusion of the ink tank in the insertion direction.
The ink tank according to any one of the above.