Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
2o~~9s4
-1 -
INK CARTRIDGE AND INK JET APPARATUS
USABLE WITH INK CARTRIDGE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART
The present invention..relates to an ink
cartridge and an ink jet apparatus usable with the ink
cartridge detachably mountable to the ink jet
apparatus.
Various recording systems are known to effect
recording on paper, OHP (overhead projector) sheet,
cloth or another recording material. The recording
systems include a wire dot type, a heat-sensitive type,
a heat transfer type, an ink jet type, for example.
Among these systems, the ink jet type is recently
particularly noted because of its low running cost and
quietness. In the ink jet recording system, an ink
container (ink supply source) is made detachably
mountable to the main assembly of the recording
apparatus by manipulation of the operator to facilitate
replenishment of the ink necessitated by consumption of
the ink by the recording operation.
In this type, when the i:nk container is
mounted into the main assembly of the recording
apparatus, a hollow needle projected from the main
assembly pierces in a bag of the :ink container to
establish communication between the main assembly and
the ink supply system. This necessitates provision of
~O~I~64
-2-
the hollow needle of the main assembly in the ink
container setting position. Therefore, the needle is
contaminated with the ink. Therefore, a cover is
provided adjacent the ink container setting position to
prevent the operators hand from direct access to the
needle during the maintenance operation or the like.
Means are provided to permit the cover to open only
when the ink container is inserted. Actually, however,
the cover is easily opened by the operator's hand
contacting the latching portion. If the means is so
constructed to provide difficulty in the opening, the
structure is complicated with the result of higher cost
and larger space.
The prior art will be described.
U.S. Patent No. 4,074,284 issued on February
14, 1978 discloses an ink supply ;system wherein a seal
of the main assembly is pushed down by a leading side
of the ink cartridge 12, and the :ink cartridge is
mounted into the main assembly. :By doing so, a needle
of the main assembly enters the ink cartridge 12, thus
establishing communication between the ink bladder of
the ink cartridge and the ink supply system of the main
assembly. Then, the print head ins supplied with the
ink from the ink cartridge. This system involves the
liability that the needle is easily exposed when the
operator contacts the seal in the maintenance operation
or the like. Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model
~ 2051964
-3-
Application No. 180734/1986 (Application No.
62973/1985) discloses an ink jet recording apparatus
wherein a lack of the main assembly is moved by the
leading edge of the ink cartridge 2, or the locking
member of the main assembly is retracted by the leading
edge of the ink cartridge 2 to release a movable member
13 or a bubble adjacent the ink cartridge inlet so as
to permit loading of the ink cartridge to the main
assembly. By doing so, the hollow needle of the main
assembly enters the ink cartridge, so that the ink can
be supplied. This system also involves the liability
that when the operator contacts t:he lack or the locking
member, the needle is easily exposed.
On the other hand, there is known ink
cartridge prior art.
U.S. Patent No. 4,119,034 issued on October
10, 1978 discloses an ink supply :reservoir which is
detachably mountable to the main assembly and which
comprises integral flexible ink container and residual
ink collection chamber.
U.S. Patent 4,695,824 issued on September 22,
1987 discloses an ink storage apparatus which is
detachably mountable to the main assembly and which
comprises integral flexible ink container and residual
ink absorbing material. The four edges of a face of
the ink cassette case in communication with tubes are
projected.
-4-
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the
present invention to provide an ink cartridge and an
ink jet recording apparatus usable with the ink
cartridge, wherein the ink cartridge is advantageous in
not requiring large space.
It is another object of the present invention
to provide an ink cartridge and an ink jet recording
apparatus usable with the ink cartridge having a
projection on a face having an ink outlet portion.
It is another object of the present invention
to provide an ink cartridge and an ink jet recording
apparatus usable with the ink cartridge wherein a
projection is provided for permitting retraction of a
protection cover, when the ink cartridge is mounted
into the main assembly of the recording apparatus.
It is a further object of the present
invention to provide an ink cartridge and an ink jet
recording apparatus usable with the ink cartridge
wherein the ink cartridge has a projection for
preventing the ink cartridge stably stand while its ink
output portion being faced down.
It is a further object of the present
invention to provide an ink cartridge and an ink jet
recording apparatus usable with an ink cartridge
wherein the ink cartridge has a projection for
preventing the ink outlet portion is prevented from
2~51~6~
-5-
contacting a table when it stands or it is caused to
stand on the table.
It is a yet further object of the present
invention to provide an ink cartridge and an ink jet
recording apparatus usable with the ink cartridge of
low cost.
These and other objects, features and
advantages of the present invention will become more
apparent upon a consideration of the following
description of the preferred embodiments of the present
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet
recording apparatus according to .an embodiment of the
present invention without its top cover.
Figures 2A and 2B are a ;perspective and a
partial sectional view of a structure of an ink
cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet recording
apparatus.
Figure 3 is a sectional view of an ink
cartridge according to an embodiment of the present
invention.
Figure 4 is a perspective view illustrating
interconnection between the ink cartridge and the main
assembly of the recording apparatus.
2p~1964
-6-
Figure 5 illustrates the positional relation
of the connection.
Figures 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E illustrate
inconveniences arising when the positional relation in
this embodiment is not used.
Figures 7A and 7B are partial enlarged view of
an ink cartridge and the positional relation in an
improved modification of Figures 4 and 5 arrangement.
Figures 8A and 8B are a block,diagram of a
control system used with the structure of Figure 7 and
a flow chart showing the sequential operations thereof.
Figure 9 is a bottom view of the ink cartridge
inserting portion.
Figures 10A, 10B and 11 are sectional views of
an ink cartridge inserting portion.
Figure 12 is a perspective view of an ink
cartridge.
Figure 13 shows an ink cartridge wherein it
stand on a table.
Figure 14 is a perspective view of an ink
cartridge having a pulling seal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFEIf~RED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to the accompanying drawings the
preferred embodiments of the present inventions will be
described.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ink jet
2Q~~~6~
recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention wherein a coves- of the apparatus has
been removed. The ink jet recording apparatus
comprises a recording head 1 in t:he form of a chip and
a carriage 2 for mounting the recording head 1 thereon
and for scanningly moving the rec;ording head along a
recording material (a sheet of paper). The carriage 2
is provided, as will be described) in detail
hereinafter, a supporting member for detachably
mounting the recording head 1 and) a cover member (chain
lines) for protecting a base plate which constitute a
part of the recording head 1 and on which a head driver
circuit or the like is printed.
The recording head 1 has 64 ejection outlets
at its end surface, and the ejection outlets
communicates with the respective ink passages. Behind
the ink passages, a common liquid) chamber is provided
to supply the respective liquid passages with the ink.
Each of the ink passages corresponding to each of 64
ejection outlets, an electrotherm.al transducer for
generating thermal energy contrib~utable to ejecting
droplets of the ink through the ejection outlet and
electrode wiring for supplying electric power to the
electrothermal transducers.
The electrothermal transducer and the
electrode wiring are formed on the base plate made of
silicon or the like through film forming processes. By
y. 2~~~~~4
_8_
laminating partition walls and top plate or the like
made of resin or glass material, on the base plate, the
ejection outlets, the ink passages and the common ink
chambers are constituted. Further behind on the
recording head 1, driving circuit. is formed in the form
of a print to drive the electrothermal transducers in
accordance with the recording signals.
The carriage 2 is provided with a connector
base 12 through a connector 9 at a position behind the
recording head 1 mounting position. The connector base
plate 12 is provided with a connector 9 for connection
with the recording head 1 and a connector for
connection with a flexible cable connected with a
control circuit of a main assembly control system 400
(Figure 8A). The connector base plate 12 has
capacitors and resistors or the like which function to
compensate voltage drop through the flexible cable and
to prevent introduction of noise. The connector base
plate 12 is supported on a sliding member, as will be
described hereinafter and slides together with the
opening and closing motion of the cover member so that
the connector 9 is brought into contact with the
contact of the recording head 1.
The carriage 2 is engaged with a guiding shaft
3 through the engaging portion 2a for sliding and
rotational movement. The guiding shaft 3 extends over
a range longer than the width of 'the recording sheet 6
2~51a~~
_9_
in the direction perpendicular to the direction of the
recording material feeding. The carriage 2 is
connected with a part of a belt (not shown) stretched
in a direction parallel with the guiding shaft 3. When
the belt is driven by a carriage motor (not shown), the
carriage 2 moves along the guiding shaft 3 in the
scanning manner. The carriage 2 and the recording head
1 rotates along the guiding shafi~ 3 by the weights
thereof. The weights are also e:Efective to urge a
sheet confining plate 8 which will be described
hereinafter, through a sliding member 17 which is
provided on the carriage 2 and slides on the sheet
confining plate. Thus, the recording head 1 is spaced
from the recording sheet 6 with a predetermined
clearance therebetween irrespective of the thickness of
the recording sheet 6.
The recording sheet 6 which is automatically
fed out of a sheet feeding casseiae (not shown) or
manually fed out, is fed into the main assembly of the
recording apparatus through a sheet inlet 7 constituted
by an upper paper guide 7a and a lower paper guide 7b.
The upper paper guide 7a has an extension constituting
the curved sheet confining plate 8. The sheet
confining plate 8 urges the recording sheet 6 to a
platen roller 5. The material i:> so selected that the
friction resulting between the street confining plate 8
and the recording sheet 6 under t:he urging force is
20519fi4
-lo-
smaller than the friction between the sheet feeding
roller 5 and the recording sheet 6. The lower paper
guide 7b extends to a position where the sheet confining
plate 8 is in parallel with the platen roller 5.
The recording sheet 6 :is supplied through the
sheet inlet 7 and is fed upwardly together with the
rotation of the sheet feeding roller 28 line by line. At
this time, the recording sheet 6 slides on a plate-like
platen 7 while the interval between the recording head 1
and the recording sheet 6 is maintained at a
predetermined level by the sheet. confining plate 8 and
the platen 7. A pinch roller 2f is pressed on a
periphery of the sheet feeding roller 5 by the resiliency
of a leaf spring 29a.
The recording head 1, during its scanning
movement, ejects or discharges i.nk droplets to the
recording zone of the recording sheet faced thereto, thus
effecting the recording operation for one line. By
repeating the recording operation and the subsequent
sheet feeding operation by one line, character, the
characters, the images or the like are recorded. The
recording sheet 6 now having they recorded image or the
like is discharged onto the discharge tray (not shown) by
discharging roller 4 and spurs 9:OA and 40B disposed above
the sheet conveying passage. Five pairs of spurs 40A and
40B are provided for five pairs of discharging
-1 1 -
rollers 4. Between the spurs, a spur cleaner are
disposed. In Figure 1, the member for supporting the
spur cleaner and the spur cleaner are omitted. The
spur 40A presses the recording sheet 6 to the
discharging roller 4, and the spur 40B confines the
conveying direction of the recording sheet 6 in
cooperation with the platen 7. '.rhe discharging roller
4 is rotated so as to have a peripheral speed larger
than that of the sheet feeding roller 5, so that the
recording zone of the recording sheet 6 is stretched
upwardly, by which the recording sheet 6 is prevented
from being away from the platen ;~, thus assuring the
proper recording operation in the, recording zone.
Adjacent a home position which is continuous
with the scanning zone of the recording head 1, various
structures for effecting ejection recovery for the
recording head 1 are provided. The structure includes
a blade 26 for removing droplets, dust or the like on
the ejection side surface having the ejection outlets
by a wiping action, an absorbing member 25 for removing
the droplets on the ejection side' surface by
absorption, and a cap for capping the ejection side
surface to sealing the ejection side surface, effecting
idle ink ejection and sucking the: ink. They are
supported integrally on a supporting member 14 which is
movable toward and away from the recording head 1
moving zone, so as to carry out t:he respective
2~5~.~~4
-1 2-
operations at proper times. The ink sucking operation
using the cap 13 is carried out with a pump 24 which is
communicating with the gap 13 through a hollow portion
of the movable supporting member 14 and a tube. When
the recording head is capped by 'the cap 13, a hole
formed in a cap arm 17 mounted on a side surface of the
cap supporting member is engaged with a projection of
the carriage 2 so that the recording head 1 is
prevented from backward rotation, thus,assuring the
capping of the cap 13 for the ejection side surface.
The rotational driving :Force of the feed motor
21 is.used to rotate the sheet feeding roller 5, the
discharging roller 4 and operates the ejection recovery
mechanism, more particularly, the' movement of the cap
13, the blade 26 and the absorbing member 25 and the
pump '24. The rotational driving force of the feed
motor 21 mounted on the frame of the main assembly is
first transmitted to a transmission and switching gear
train 19. In the gear train 19, the selective
switching is effected by movement: of an unshown
selecting gear operable in assoc9_ation with the
scanning movement of the recording head 1, the movement
to the home position or the ejection recovery position
and the stoppage thereat. The rotations of the gears
in the gear train 19 is transmitted to the sheet
discharging roller 4 and the sheet feeding roller 5 via
an intermediate gear 20. It is also transmitted to the
-1 3-
integral cap 13 or the like by way of a cam 16 and also
transmitted to the pump 24 via pump gear 22 and a pump
cam 23.
The ink is supplied to the recording head 1
from the ink cartridge 27 mounted on the main assembly
of the recording apparatus through a flexible tube 100
(Figures 1, 2 and 4) which can follow the movement of
the carriage 2. More particularly, the ink is supplied
to the recording head 1 from the ink cartridge 27
through a tube 100 connecting the hollow needle 314 and
the recording head 1. The position of the carriage 2
is detected by counting the number of steps actuated by
the carriage motor (not shown) with the reference
position provided by interrelation between a home
position sensor 11 of the carriage 2 and a home
position detecting flag 31 adjacent an end of the
moving zone of the carriage 2. 'These operations are
controlled by the controller 400 (Figure 8A) of the
main assembly.
The description will be described as to the
mounting portion 30 to which the ink cartridge 27 is
mounted, and also the description will be made as to
the ink cartridge.
Figures 2A and 2B show i:he mounting portion 30
for the ink cartridge. In FigurE~ 2A, designated by a
reference numeral 302 is an ink <:artridge inserting
portion for receiving the ink cartridge 27. A contact
X051964
-14-
holder 304 functions to hold leaf spring contacts 306A
and 306B functioning as a means for reading information
provided on the ink cartridge 27. By engagement between
a latching portion 308 and the inserting portion 302, it
is combined into the inserting portion 302. Figure 2A
shows the state before the holder 304 is combined with
the inserting portion 302. A connector 312 functions to
connect the contacts 306a and 30~6b with the controller
400 of the main assembly.
A hollow needle 314 pig=_rces an ink containing
bladder and has three holes 316 for receiving the ink, at
its end. To the other end of the needle 314, an ink
supply tube 100 is connected, and the other end of the
tube 100 is connected to the conunon ink chamber in the
head chip 110 of the recording head 1. An ink remaining
amount detecting means may be disposed at a proper part
in the ink supply system.
A residual ink receiving pipe 318 enters the
ink cartridge 27 through an opening 350 (Figure 4) or
exterior of the cartridge 27 anct feeds the residual ink
to the ink absorbing material 39:4. The residual ink is
produced by the refreshing process from the ink supply
system or the common ink chamber or by the ink ejection
recovery processing.
A click 320 functions to fix the ink cartridge
27, and it is provided at each :>ide of the inserting
portion 302. As shown in Figure' 2B, an engaging portion
322 of the click 320 flexes by its flexibility
_ 2051964
-15-
upon engagement with the side surface of the cartridge 27
when it is inserted, so that the insertion of the
cartridge 27 is permitted. When a recess 322 of the
cartridge 27 reaches the position where the click 320 is
disposed, the engaging portion 322 restores by its
elasticity, by which the click 320 engages into the
recess 322. Thus, the cartridge 27 is fixed in place.
Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the ink cartridge
27 will be described.
It comprises a flexible ink bladder 340 for
containing the supply of the ink: and is provided with a
plug 342 made of rubber or the like. The ink bladder 340
is hermetically sealed from ambience by the plug 342.
When the ink cartridge 27 is mounted into the mounting
portion 30 of the main assembly, the needle 314 of the
main assembly pierces into the plug 342 to a sufficient
degree, by which the ink communication is established.
An annular ring 342b protects the rubber plug 342. The
ink cartridge 27 also comprises an ink absorbing material
344 for absorbing the residual _Lnk. The ink absorbing
material 344 is disposed between the ink bladder 340 and
the bottom surface 27b of the case 27a of the cartridge
27 so as to cover substantially the entire bottom surface
27b. As shown in Figure 4, a p<~rt thereof extends
substantially vertically at the rear side of
the opening 305. Thus, the ink introduced from
the main assembly through the residual ink pipe
t
2Q~1~64
-16-
318 is assuredly distributed over substantially the
entirety of the bottom surface 27b.
Figure 4 illustrates the connection between
the ink cartridge 27 and the mama assembly. A wiring
pattern 346 on the ink cartridge 27 functions to
connect the contacts 306A and 306B. By the electric
connection or non-connection between the contact 306A
and 306B, the controller 400 of ithe main assembly
detects whether the ink cartridge 27 is mounted or not.
The pattern may have a resistancE~ depending on the
color or density or the like of ithe ink stored in the
ink cartridge 27. Then, the coni:roller 400 is also
informed of the characteristics.
When the ink cartridge :?7 is inserted into the
main assembly of the recording apparatus, it passes by
an inserting position (1) where t:he ink communication
is established by the insertion of the needle 314
through the plug 342 to place the' holes 316 in the ink
bladder 340, an inserting position (2) wherein the
contacts 306A and 306B are connecaed by the wiring
pattern 346 with each other, and an inserting position
(3) in which the click 320 is in engagement with the
recess 332 to fix the ink cartridge 27. Various
dimensions and positional relations are determined so
that the inserting positions come: in this order. When
the operator inserts the cartridge 27 into the
apparatus, the needle 314 first pierces in the ink
2~~~ 9fi4
-1 7-
bladder 340. When the cartridge 27 is further inserted
into the main assembly, the contacts 306A and 306B are
brought into electric contact through the resistance
pattern 346. When the cartridge 27 is further
inserted, the click 320 is brought into engagement with
the recess 332, so that the cartridge 27 is fixed in
place in the mounting portion 30 in the main assembly.
In this embodiment, the ink cartridge 27 accommodates
the residual ink, and therefore, it is. desirable that
the residual ink pipe 318 is brought into the ink
cartridge 27 at the inserting po:~ition (1).
Figure 5 shows the above:-described positional
relations. In Figure 5, the ink cartridge 27 finally
abuts the part of the main assembly at the inserting
position (4). Therefore, the range between the
position (3) and position (4), i~~ the movable range in
which the cartridge 24 is movable: by the play of the
engagement between the click 320 and the recess 332, or
the range through which the cartridge 27 is movable
after the engagement between the click 320 and the
recess 332 and until its abut the: back end of the main
assembly.
Figure 6 illustrates the inconveniences when
the above positional relations are not satisfied. In
the positional relation shown in Figure 6A, even if the
cartridge is properly fixed, the information on the
characteristics of the cartridge is not read by the
~~~~~64
-18-
contact 306A and 306B, and therefore, the controller
400 of the main assembly does not: correctly
discriminate the insertion of the: ink cartridge. With
the positional relation shown in Figure 6B, the
contacts are established prior to the communication of
the ink established. The controller 400 will
erroneously discriminate the completion of the
cartridge insertion and can start a certain operation.
If this occurs, the air may be introduced into the ink
supply system by the needle 314. This also applies to
the case of Figure 6C. In addition, if the operator
stops the inserting operation because of the clicking
sound produced, the ink communication is not
established.
With the positional relations shown in Figures
6D and 6E, the needle 314 is not correctly inserted
even though the cartridge is properly fixed. Or, the
electric connection between the contacts will not be
stabilized.
If the positional relations shown in Figure 5
are used, the ink communication, the electric
connection between the contacts a:nd the cartridge
fixing occur in this order when t:he cartridge is
inserted. Therefore, what is required for the operator
is to confirm the cartridge fixing on the basis of the
click sound. Even if the controller 400 starts the
operation immediately in response to the establishment
2~~~~~4
-1 9-
of the electric connection, no a'_Lr is introduced into
the ink supply system. In addition, even if the
cartridge 27 is removed during the operation of the
controller 400, the controller 400 is able to detect
the event before the ink communi<:ation is destroyed.
Therefore, no inconveniences arise if the operation is
stopped in response thereto.
Figure 7A shows a structure of a further
improved apparatus. In this embodiment, the wiring
pattern is divided into two parts. The front pattern
346A with respect to the cartridge inserting direction
is allotted the function of establishing electric
connection between the contact 306A and 306B, and the
rear pattern 346B is allotted of representing ink color
and density or the like by changing the resistance.
Figure 7B shows a range in which the ink
communication is established, a range in which the
electric connection is established between the contact
306A and 306B through the pattern 346A, a range in
which they are contacted only through the pattern 346B,
and a range in which the cartridgre is properly fixed.
A position (1) is a limit position for the ink
communication, a position (3) is a limit position for
fixing the cartridge 27, and a position (4) is a
cartridge 27 abutment position. A position (2A) is a
trailing side limit position (with respect to the
cartridge inserting direction) for the electric
-20-
connection between the contact 306A and 306B through
the pattern 346A. A position (273) is a trailing limit
position in which the contact 306A and 306B are away
from the pattern 346A, and they are contacted only with
the pattern 346B so that the resistance of the pattern
346B is readable. Here, the position (2B) is
preferably the same as or in the neighborhood of the
position (3), and particularly in the neighborhood of
the position (3) where the click 320 is not engaged
with the recess 332, and therefore, the cartridge 27 is
easily retracted.
Because of the positional relations shown in
. Figure 7B, the same advantageous effects as in the case
of Figure 5 are provided. With ithis embodiment, the
further advantages are provided when the following
operation is carried out.
Figure 8A shows the major part of the control
system. It comprises a controller 400. It may be in
the form of a microcomputer comprising a CPU for
controlling the process shown in Figure 8B and for
controlling the entirety of the apparatus, ROM storing
the program or the like for the process and working
RAM. Designated by a reference numeral 410 is a
detector for detecting the resistance between the
contacts 306A and 306B. When thE~ resistance is zero,
it indicates that the pattern 346A short-circuits the
contacts. If it is the infinity,, it indicates that the
~- 2~~~.~~~
-21 -
ink cartridge 27 is not mounted. When the resistance
has a predetermined level, the fact indicates that the
ink cartridge 27 is properly mounted in place in the
mounting portion 30. Designated by a reference numeral
420 is an information part having a display for a
message and/or sound producing means. Reference I
designates stopping signal for various parts.
Figures 8B shows an example of the operational
steps of this embodiment. This operation may be
started when the main switch is actuated, when the ink
cartridge 27 is exchanged or at proper timing during
the recording.
When the process is started, the resistance is
read at step S1. If it is the infinity, it is
discriminated that the cartridge 27 is not mounted.
Therefore, the operation proceeds to step S3 where the
operations of various parts are maintained at rest. At
step S5, the operator is promoted to insert the
cartridge 27 into the recording apparatus.
If the resistance is zero, it is discriminated
that the cartridge 27 is easily retracted. Therefore,
the operation proceeds to step S7, where the operations
of various parts are stopped. Subsequently, at step
S9, the operator is promoted to assuredly set the
cartridge 27.
If the resistance has a predetermined level,
the cartridge 27 has already been assuredly fixed. The
-22-
information (ink color or the like) of the cartridge,
indicated by the resistance, is head, and the setting
operations corresponding to the information are carried
out at step 511.
If the click 320 and the: recess 332 are not
engaged despite the operator inse=rts the cartridge 27
into the apparatus, or when the engagement is released
for some reason or another, the retention of the
cartridge is not sufficient, therefore, the cartridge
is easily released. In such an occasion, the contact
306A and 306B are electrically connected by the pattern
346A, and therefore, the controller 400 is unable to
read the information inherent to the cartridge 27. In
this embodiment, the controller 400 is capable of
recognizing such the situation, amd stops the
operation, and thereafter, the proper insertion of the
cartridge 27 is promoted to the operator. In this
manner, the liability that the cartridge 27 is released
against intention can be notifief. to the operator
beforehand.
In this embodiment, the cartridge and the
inserting position may have another structure if the
above described positional relations relating to the
ink communication, the cartridge information reading
and the cartridge retention, are assured. For example,
the retention of the cartridge is not limited to that
by the click and the recess structure. The leading of
-23-
the information inherent to the ink cartridge is not
limited to the electric one. It may be an optical one.
In the foregoing embodiment, the residual ink is
introduced into the cartridge, bout the cartridge may
have only the function of ink supply.
In this embodiment, a cover 401 is provided at
the inlet portion of the inserting or mounting portion
30 so as to prevent the operator's finger or other
foreign matters from contacting the ink receiving
needle 314 in the maintenance opE~ration or the like.
The cover 401 is prevented from opening except for the
cartridge 27 insertion time.
Referring to Figures 9 -- 11, the structure
will be described. Figure 9 is a bottom view of the
inserting portion and correspond:. to the view taken
along lines a in Figure 2. Figure 10 is a sectional
view taken along a line vertical to the ink cartridge
inserting direction. Figure 10A shows the situation
when the ink cartridge 27 is not mounted, and Figure
10B shows the situation when it is mounted. Figure 11
is a sectional view taken along a line parallel with
the ink cartridge inserting direction.
The cover 401 is disposed so as to block the
cartridge inserting path it is made of a metal plate
having a thickness of 0.8 mm, for example. It has an
area substantially equal to the sectional area of the
ink cartridge. Therefore, when t:he cartridge inserting
-24-
path 33 is blocked by the cover 401, it does not
provide enough space for permitting insertion of the
operator's finger or other foreign matters beyond the
cover 401. Therefore, the needle: 314 and/or the
S residual ink pipe 318 are protected from them. The
cover 401 is rotatable about a recess 403 in the
sealing of the mounting portion ?.0 with which a hook
404 of the cover.
When the cartridge 27 is inserted, the cover
401 is urged upwardly by the insertion of the cartridge
27 and rotates about the recess 403 until it is
contacted to the sealing to permit the insertion of the
cartridge 27. When the cartridge 27 is not in the
inserting portion, a pawl 406a of a stopper 406 is
projected into the rotational movement range of the
cover 401, so that the cover 401 is prevented from
opening by the pawl 406a. Thus, the cover 401 blocks
the cartridge insertion path 33 and also prevents the
introduction of foreign matters beyond the cover 401.
Further below the pawl 406a of the stopper 406, there
is an inclined portion 406b below a bottom end of the
cover 401.
When the cover 401 is at the closing position,
the top portion S of the tapered portion 406b is
further inside of the cover 401. Therefore. the
tapered portion 406b is kept from the operator's finger
or the like. The stopper 406 has a pin 406c at its
.._ 2~~~~6~
-25-
upper position, and the pin 406c is supported in a
bearing 407 of the mounting portion. An upper end of a
spring 406d integral with the stopper 406 is engaged
with a frame 410 of the main assembly so as to urge the
stopper 406 to the cartridge mounting portion. When a
projection 405a of the cartridge 27 pushes the tapered
portion 406b, the stopper 406b rotates in the
retracting direction from the cartridge insertion path
33 about the pin 406c against thE~ spring force by the
spring 406d, by which the pawl 4C16a is released from
the cover 401, thus permitting opening of the cover
401. In other words, the cover 401 is permitted to
retract from the cartridge insertion path 33. The
cartridge 27 has a projection 405a on a front surface
405 (leading side with respect to the cartridge
inserting direction) at a position corresponding to the
tapered portion 406b of the stopper 406 upon insertion
of the cartridge.
When the cartridge 27 is'. inserted into the
inserting path 33, the projection 405a is faced to the
tapered portion 406b. Therefore, when the cartridge is
in the process of being inserted, the projection 405a
enters the gap between the cover 401 and the frame 408
beyond the cover 401 until it contacts the tapered
portion 406b of the stopper 406. When the cartridge
405 is further inserted, the projection 405 lowers the
tapered portion 406b so as to retract the tapered
W..
-26-
portion 406b away from the inseri~ion path 33, until the
pawl 406a of the stopper 406 is released from the cover
401. Then, the cover 401 is permitted to retract away
from the insertion path, thus permitting further
insertion of the cartridge 27. Thereafter, the front
side 405 of the cartridge 27 abuta directly the cover
406, by which the cover 401 is raised by the cartridge
27.
The relations between the projection 405a of
the cartridge 27 and the front side 405 of the
cartridge and between the cover 9:01 and the stopper
406, are as follows:
(1) The projection 406a lowers the tapered surface
406b of the stopper 406;
(2) The pawl 406a of the stopper is released from
the cover 401; and
(3) The front side 405 of th.e cartridge 27 raises
the cover 401.
Then, as described hereinbefore, the needle
314 and the residual ink pipe 318 are introduced
through the plug 342 and the opening 350 of the
cartridge 27. Then, the ink communication with
established, and the presence of the cartridge is
detected, with the cartridge prepared for receiving the
residual ink. In addition, the cartridge 27 is fixed
or retained in place in the mounting portion 30 by the
engagement between the click 320 .and the cartridge
-27-
recess 332.
The inside plate 409 of the mounting portion
is provided with a whole 408 (Figure 9) for receiving
the projection 405a of the cartridge. As described
hereinbefore, the stopper 406 is normally urged in the
direction of locking the cover 401 by the contact of
the spring 406d to a part of the main assembly.
In this embodiment, the clearance between the
cover 401 and the frame 408 is approximately 4 mm when
the cover 401 is at its closing position, and the top S
of the tapered surface 406b of the stopper 406 is at a
position approximately 3 mm away from the cover 401
toward the inside. The height of the projection 405a
of the cartridge 27 is approximately 2 mm from the
bottom surface, and the length thereof is approximately
2 mm. With this sizes, it is not possible to release
the stopper 406 by the operator's finger without
intention. Therefore, the cover 401 is not opened
against the intention in the maintenance operation or
the like.
The projection of the cartridge and the
latching of the main assembly is not limitedly provided
to the lower side, but it may be disposed at the
lateral side or the like, as required by the structure
of the main assembly. They may be provided at the
opposite sides.
Referring to Figure 12, t:he dimensions of the
-28-
ink jet cartridge 27 are as follows: 1: 109 mm: 2;
79.6 mm: 3; 25.5 mm: 4: 14 mm: 5; 6 mm: 6; 42.8 mm: 7;
20.8 mm: 8; 12.5 mm: 9; 17.5 mm: 10; 13.4 mm: 11; 7 mm:
12; 6 mm: 13; 12 mm: 14 and 15; 6 mm: 16; 4 mm: 17; 2.5
mm: 18; 10 mm: 19 and 20; 6 mm: 21; 2 mm: 22; 4.5 mm:
23; 3 mm:
An inclined surface 500 at each of the left
and right top of the cartridge 27 is provided for
preventing erroneous insertion.
More particularly, when the operator
erroneously tried to insert the cartridge 27 upside-
down into the mounting or inserting portion 30, the top
27c (Figure 3) of the leading side of the cartridge
case 27a abuts the limiting plate 32 of the main
assembly (Figures 1, 10A and 10B), so that the loading
of the cartridge 27 is prevented. When the cartridge
27 is correctly inserted, the inclined surface 500 is
effective to escape from the limiting plate 32, so that
the cartridge 27 is permitted to be further inserted.
The configuration at the top end of the cartridge case
27a is not limited to the inclined or tapered surface
but may be changed in accordance with the shape of the
limiting plate.
As shown in Figure 12, a pulling seal 35 is
bonded on the top of the ink cartridge 27. The seal 35
is bent and is extended to the rear side 27c of the
cartridge case 27a. An end thereof constitutes a
... 2~5.~95~
-29-
tongue 35a covering a projection 27d on the rear side
27c. When the cartridge 27 is to be taken out of the
main assembly, the tongue 35a is peeled off the case
27a, and the cartridge is pulled out by the pulling
seal 35a.
The ink cartridge in th:LS embodiment is
provided with the projection 405a at the side having
the plug 342 and/or the opening 350. Therefore, the
following advantageous effects are provided.
(1) The erroneous loading can be prevented
beforehand. When the cartridge :is loaded, the
projection at the predetermined position opens a
protection cover. The cover opens only when the ink
cartridge is inserted. ThereforE:, even if the operator
erroneously tries to load a different kind of
cartridge, the cover does not open, thus preventing
erroneous loading of the cartridge.
(2) The amounting operation is easier. In this
embodiment, the direction of the projection is the same
as the ink cartridge inserting direction, and
therefore, the operator can easily judge the inserting
direction from the configuration of the ink cartridge.
Therefore, the operator quickly understood the
inserting direction without difficulty.
(3) Contamination by the ink. can be prevented.
This is because usually, the operator does not try to
put the ink cartridge so that the projection contacts
~0~~~6.4
-30-
the table or the like. The plug or the opening which
may be contaminated with the ink are not contacted to
the table or the like. Because of the dimensions of
the ink cartridge described here:inbefore, if the
operator places the ink cartridges 27 so that it stands
with the rubber plug 342 (or opening 342a) side facing
down, or even if the operator tries to do so, the plug
342 or the opening 305 does not <:ontact the surface 600
of the table or the like. Thus, the table or the like
is prevented from being contaminated with the ink.
Whether the ink cartridge stands or can not
stands in that manner is dependent on the thickness of
the projection or the configuration thereof. The
present invention is intended to cover both cases.
(4) The mechanism for opening and closing the
cover is simplified, and the size: thereof is minimized.
In this embodiment, the cover opening and
closing mechanism is engageable with the projection of
the cartridge, and therefore, it requires only small
additional space, and the structure is simple.
The present invention is particularly suitably
usable in an ink jet recording head and recording
apparatus wherein thermal energy by an electrothermal
transducer, laser beam or the like is used to cause a
change of state of the ink to eject or discharge the
ink. This is because the high density of the picture
elements and the high resolution of the recording are
2~~~~6~
-31 -
possible.
The typical structure and the operational
principle are preferably the ones disclosed in U.S.
Patent Nos. 4,723,129 and 4,740,796. The principle and
structure are applicable to a so--called on-demand type
recording system and a continuou:~ type recording
system. Particularly, however, it is suitable for the
on-demand type because the principle is such that at
least one driving signal is applied to an
electrothermal transducer disposed on a liquid (ink)
retaining sheet or liquid passage:, the driving signal
being enough to provide such a quick temperature rise
beyond a departure from nucleation boiling point, by
which the thermal energy is provided by the
electrothermal transducer to produce film boiling on
the heating portion of the recording head, whereby a
bubble can be formed in the liquid (ink) corresponding
to each of the driving signals. By the production,
development and contraction of the the bubble, the
liquid (ink) is ejected through an ejection outlet to
produce at least one droplet. The driving signal is
preferably in the form of a pulse, because the
development and contraction of the bubble can be
effected instantaneously, and therefore, the liquid
(ink) is ejected with quick response. The driving
signal in the form of the pulse is preferably such as
disclosed in U.S. Patents Nos. 4,463,359 and 4,345,262.
2~~~~~~
-32-
In addition, the temperature increasing rate of the
heating surface is preferably such as disclosed in U.S.
Patent No. 4,313,124.
The structure of the recording head may be as
shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,558,333 and 4,459,600
wherein the heating portion is disposed at a bent
portion, as well as the structures of the combination of
the ejection outlet, liquid passage and the
electrothermal transducer as disclosed in the above-
mentioned patents. In addition, the present invention
is applicable to the structure disclosed in Japanese
Laid-Open Patent Application No. 123670/1984 wherein a
common slit is used as the ejection outlet for plural
electrothermal transducers, and to the structure
disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.
138461/1984 wherein an opening for absorbing pressure
wave of the thermal energy is formed corresponding to
the ejecting portion. This is because the present
invention is effective to perform the recording
operation with certainty and at high efficiency
irrespective of the type of the recording head.
The present invention is effectively
applicable to a so-called full-li a type recording head
having a length corresponding to 'the maximum recording
width. Such a recording head may comprise a single
recording head and plural recording head combined to
cover the maximum width.
2~~~.~6~
-33-
In addition, the present. invention is
applicable to a serial type recording head wherein the
recording head is fixed on the main assembly, to a
replaceable chip type recording read which is connected
electrically with the main apparatus and can be
supplied with the ink when it is mounted in the main
assembly, or to a cartridge type recording head having
an integral ink container.
The provisions of the recovery means and/or
the auxiliary means for the preliminary operation are
preferable, because they can further stabilize the
effects of the present invention. As for such means,
there are capping means for the recording head,
cleaning means therefor, pressing' or sucking means,
preliminary heating means which may be the
electrothermal transducer, an additional heating
element or a combination thereof. Also, means for
effecting preliminary ejection (not for the recording
operation) can stabilize the recording operation.
As regards the variation of the recording head
mountable, it may be a single corresponding to a single
color ink, or may be plural corresponding to the
plurality of ink materials having different recording
color or density. The present invention is effectively
applicable to an apparatus having at least one of a
monochromatic mode mainly with black, a multi-color
mode with different color ink materials and/or a full-
w._
-34-
color mode using the mixture of t:he colors, which may
be an integrally formed recording unit or a combination
of plural recording heads.
Furthermore, in the foregoing embodiment, the
ink has been liquid. It may be, however, an ink
material which is solidified below the room temperature
but liquefied at the room temperature. Since the ink
is controlled within the temperature not lower than 30
°C and not higher than 70 °C to stabilize the viscosity
of the ink to provide the stabilized ejection in usual
recording apparatus of this type, the ink may be such
that it is liquid within the temperature range when the
recording signal is the present invention is applicable
to other types of ink. In one of them, the temperature
rise due to the thermal energy is positively prevented
by consuming it for the state change of the ink from
the solid state to the liquid state. Another ink
material is solidified when it is left, to prevent the
evaporation of the ink. In either of the cases, the
application of the recording signal producing thermal
energy, the ink is liquefied, and the liquefied ink may
be ejected. Another ink material may start to be
solidified at the time when it re;~ches the recording
material. The present invention :is also applicable to
such an ink material as is liquefied by the application
of the thermal energy. Such an ink material may be
retained as a liquid or solid material in through holes
-35-
or recesses formed in a porous sheet as disclosed in
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 56847/1979
and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No.
71260/1985. The sheet is faced to the electrothermal
transducers. The most effective one for the ink
materials described above is the film boiling system.
The ink jet recording apparatus may be used as
an output terminal of an information processing
apparatus such as computer or the. like, as a copying
apparatus combined with an image reader or the like, or
as a facsimile machine having information sending and
receiving functions.
As described in the foregoing, according to
the present invention, the small and simple structure
is enough to prevent the erroneous mounting of the ink
cartridge and from the contamination with the ink.
While the invention has been described with
reference to the structures disclosed herein, it is not
confined to the details set forth and this application
is intended to cover such modifications or changes as
may come within the purposes of the improvements or the
scope of the following claims.
