Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US6966638?dq=7,007,239
Timestamp: 2015-04-28 05:24:40
Document Index: 527669869

Matched Legal Cases: ['art.\n2', 'art.\n34', 'arts 63', 'art 66', 'art 65', 'art 65', 'art 62', 'art 66', 'art 64', 'art 38', 'art 65', 'art 65', 'art 62', 'art 62', 'art 62', 'art 62', 'art 62', 'art 62', 'art 65', 'art 65']

Patent US6966638 - Ink cartridge and assembling method of atmospheric open valve in ink cartridge - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsAn ink cartridge has a container main body [2] having a through hole [60] for making an ink storage chamber and an atmospheric open chamber [501] to communicate with each other, and an atmospheric open valve [601] having a valve body [65] capable of opening and closing the through hole [60] of the container...http://www.google.com/patents/US6966638?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6966638 - Ink cartridge and assembling method of atmospheric open valve in ink cartridgeAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS6966638 B2Publication typeGrantApplication numberUS 10/147,325Publication dateNov 22, 2005Filing dateMay 17, 2002Priority dateMay 17, 2001Fee statusPaidAlso published asCN1193887C, CN1386641A, CN1605467A, CN2595567Y, CN100471676C, DE60221182D1, DE60221182T2, EP1258358A1, EP1258358B1, US20030007043Publication number10147325, 147325, US 6966638 B2, US 6966638B2, US-B2-6966638, US6966638 B2, US6966638B2InventorsMutsuhiko Ota, Yukiharu Suda, Hisashi Koike, Satoshi Shinada, Michinari Tsukahara, Hisashi MiyazawaOriginal AssigneeSeiko Epson CorporationExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManPatent Citations (11), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (5), Classifications (17), Legal Events (3) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetInk cartridge and assembling method of atmospheric open valve in ink cartridge
US 6966638 B2Abstract
An ink cartridge has a container main body [2] having a through hole [60] for making an ink storage chamber and an atmospheric open chamber [501] to communicate with each other, and an atmospheric open valve [601] having a valve body [65] capable of opening and closing the through hole [60] of the container main body [2] and an elastic member [62] capable of pressing the valve body [65] in a closed direction. In an assembling structure of the atmospheric open valve [601] in the atmospheric open chamber [501], the valve body [65] is placed at such a position blocking the opening of the through hole [60], the elastic member [62] is positioned in the atmospheric open chamber [501] as a bend piece shaped like < is expanded, and the elastic member [62] in the positioned state presses at one end part the valve body [65] in the closed direction and is fixed at an opposite end part to the inside of the atmospheric open chamber [501]. Images(11) Claims(82)
1. An ink cartridge detachably mounted on a recording apparatus, the ink cartridge comprising:
a cartridge main body having an atmospheric communication hole for communicating an ink storage chamber and an atmospheric open chamber with each other; and
an atmospheric open valve having a valve body capable of opening and closing the atmospheric communication hole of said cartridge main body, and
a plate spring disposed on the cartridge main body, and capable of pressing the valve body in a closed direction, wherein:
the plate spring presses, at one end part, the valve body in the closed direction, and is fixed, at an opposite end part.
2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the plate spring is made of a bent piece.
3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the valve body includes a valve part contacting the one end part of the plate spring and selectively opening and closing the atmospheric open valve, and a projecting part extending from the valve part and being movable inserted into the atmospheric communication hole.
4. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the valve part further includes a sealing part that defines a sealing surface of the valve part opposing the atmospheric communication hole that is made of relatively soft material.
5. The ink cartridge of claim 4, wherein the sealing part of the valve part is made of an elastic material.
6. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plate spring extends in a direction in which the ink cartridge is attached to the recording apparatus.
7. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein an intermediary part of the plate spring, between the one end part and opposite end part, is fixed to the inside of the atmospheric open chamber.
8. The ink cartridge of claim 7, wherein the plate spring at the one end part has a notch, and at he intermediary part has a through hole, wherein the notch is fixed to a first projection inside of the atmospheric chamber and the through hole is fixed to a second protection inside of the atmospheric chamber.
9. The ink cartridge of claim 8, wherein the first projection and the second projection extend in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the atmospheric communication hole.
10. The ink cartridge of claim 9, wherein a movement of the one end part of the plate spring is guided by the intermediary part of the plate spring fixed to the second protection.
a movable arm member that presses the valve body in an open direction.
12. The ink cartridge of claim 11, wherein the movable arm member and the plate spring are substantially parallel to each other.
13. The ink cartridge of claim 11, wherein the movable arm presses the valve body in the open direction in conjunction with an attaching of the ink cartridge to a recording apparatus.
14. The ink cartridge of claim 13, further comprising a valve storage chamber adapted to receive an operation rod of the recording apparatus, wherein the movable arm presses the valve body in the open direction, in response to the operation rod, when attaching the ink cartridge to the recording apparatus.
15. The ink cartridge of claim 14, wherein the operation rod abuts the movable arm, when attaching the ink cartridge to the recording apparatus.
16. The ink cartridge of claim 13, wherein if the ink cartridge is withdrawn from the recording apparatus, the movable arm is elastically restored in a position whereby the valve body closes the atmospheric communication hole.
17. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plate spring maintains the valve body in the closed state when the ink cartridge is not mounted on the recording apparatus.
18. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plate spring is disposed within an inside of the atmospheric open chamber.
19. The ink cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:
a circuit board that includes a storage device for storing data.
20. The ink cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:
an identification device for determining, before an ink supply needle on a recording apparatus communicates with an ink supply port of the ink cartridge, whether the ink cartridge is compatible with the recording apparatus.
21. The ink cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:
a member having a first end attached to the cartridge main body and a second end which presses the valve body to open the atmospheric communication hole.
22. The ink cartridge of claim 1, further comprising:
an elastically deformable film attached to the cartridge main body and defining, between the elastic deformable film and the atmospheric communication hole, a space communicating with the ink storage chamber.
23. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the valve body is movable in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the ink cartridge is mounted to the recording apparatus.
24. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the plate spring presses the valve body in a direction from the atmospheric open chamber to the ink storage chamber.
a plate spring made of a bent piece and capable of pressing the valve body in a closed direction, wherein:
the valve body is disposed at such a position as to close an opening of the atmospheric communication hole;
the plate spring is developed to be positioned in place in the atmospheric open chamber; and
in a state of positioning the plate spring in place, the plate spring presses, at a contact end part, the valve body in the closed direction, and is fixed, at an opposite end part, to an inside of the atmospheric open chamber.
26. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 25, wherein:
a chamber wall of the atmospheric open chamber is formed with two convex parts projecting in a direction parallel to an axial direction of the atmospheric communication hole;
the convex parts are inserted into the plate spring;
movement of the contact end part of the plate spring is regulated by a first inserted end part of the first convex part close to the valve body; and
a second inserted end part of the second convex part distant from the valve body is crushed under pressure to fix the opposite end part of the plate spring.
27. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 26, wherein a crush position of the second inserted end part is positioned in order to reduce a spring effective length of the plate spring.
28. An assembling method for an ink cartridge comprising:
a cartridge main body having an atmospheric communication hole for communicating an ink storage chamber and an atmospheric open chamber with each other;
an atmospheric open valve having a valve body capable of opening and closing the atmospheric communication hole of the cartridge main body, and
a plate spring made of a bent piece and capable of pressing the valve body in a closed direction,
wherein a method of assembling the atmospheric open valve in the atmospheric communication hole;
applying a necessary force to the plate spring so that the valve body is pressed in the closed direction, thereby positioning the plate spring in place in the atmospheric open chamber; and
fixing an end part of the plate spring, opposite from a pressing end part of the plate spring, onto an inside of the atmospheric open chamber.
29. The assembling method of the atmospheric open valve as claimed in claim 28, wherein in fixing the end part of the plate spring, a convex part is formed on a chamber wall defining the atmospheric open chamber and is inserted into the end part of the plate spring, wherein the convex part is partially crushed under pressure of air at room temperature.
30. The assembling method of the atmospheric open valve as claimed in claim 28 or 29, wherein a crest of a bent part of the plate spring or a proximity thereof is depressed by the necessary force.
31. The assembling method of the atmospheric open valve as claimed in claim 30, further comprises the step of:
measuring the necessary force applied to the crest of the bent part or the proximity thereof.
32. The assembling method of the atmospheric open valve as claimed in claim 30 or 31, wherein the crest of the bent part or the proximity thereof is depressed so that the plate spring is made horizontal.
33. An ink cartridge comprising:
an atmospheric open valve having a valve body capable of opening and closing the atmospheric communication hole of said cartridge main body;
a member having a first end attached to the cartridge main body and a second end which presses the valve body to open the atmospheric communication hole; and
an elastic member capable of pressing the valve body in a closed direction, wherein the elastic member presses, at one end part, the valve body in the closed direction, and is fixed, at an opposite end part.
34. The ink cartridge of claim 33, wherein the elastic member is disposed within an inside of the atmospheric open chamber.
35. The ink cartridge of claim 33, further comprising:
36. The ink cartridge of claim 33, wherein the valve body is movable in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the ink cartridge is mounted to a recording apparatus.
37. The ink cartridge of claim 33, wherein the elastic member presses the valve body in a direction from the atmospheric open chamber to the ink storage chamber.
an elastically deformable film attached to the cartridge main body and defining, between the elastic deformable film and the atmospheric communication hole, a space communicating with the ink storage chamber; and
39. The ink cartridge of claim 38, wherein the elastic member is disposed within an inside of the atmospheric open chamber.
40. The ink cartridge of claim 38, wherein the valve body is movable in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the ink cartridge is mounted to a recording apparatus.
41. The ink cartridge of claim 38, wherein the elastic member presses the valve body in a direction from the atmospheric open chamber to the ink storage chamber.
42. An ink cartridge comprising:
an atmospheric open valve having a valve body capable of opening and closing the atmospheric communication hole of said cartridge main body, wherein the valve body is movable in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the ink cartridge is mounted to a recording apparatus; and
43. The ink cartridge of claim 42, wherein the elastic member is disposed within an inside of the atmospheric open chamber.
44. The ink cartridge of claim 42, wherein the elastic member presses the valve body in a direction from the atmospheric open chamber to the ink storage chamber.
45. An ink cartridge comprising:
a cartridge main body having an atmospheric communication hole for communicating an ink storage chamber and atmospheric open chamber each other;
an atmospheric open valve having a valve body capable of opening and closing the atmospheric communication hole of said cartridge main body; and
an elastic member capable of pressing the valve body in a closed direction, wherein the elastic member presses, at one end part, the valve body in the closed direction, and is fixed, at an opposite end part, and
wherein the elastic member presses the valve body in a direction from the atmospheric open chamber to the ink storage chamber.
46. The ink cartridge of claim 45, wherein the elastic member is disposed within an inside of the atmospheric chamber.
a valve member that opens and closes an atmospheric communication hole;
an elastic member that presses the valve member in a closed direction
wherein an intermediary portion of the elastic member, between a first end portion and a second end portion of the elastic member, is connected to a main body of the ink cartridge.
48. The ink cartridge of claim 47, wherein the elastic member presses the valve body in a direction from an atmospheric open chamber to an ink storage chamber.
49. The ink cartridge of claim 48, wherein the elastic member is disposed within the atmospheric open chamber.
50. The ink cartridge of claim 49, wherein a first end portion of the elastic member presses the valve member in the closed direction and a second end portion of the elastic member is connected to the main body of the ink cartridge.
51. The ink cartridge of claim 47, wherein a movable arm presses the valve member in an open direction in conjunction with an attaching of the ink cartridge to a recording apparatus.
52. The ink cartridge of claim 47, wherein the movable arm member and the elastic member are substantially parallel to each other.
53. The ink cartridge of claim 47, wherein the elastic member is made of a bent piece that bends to a substantially flat piece when closing the valve member.
54. The ink cartridge of claim 47, wherein the valve member is movable in a direction perpendicular to a direction in which the ink cartridge is mounted to a recording apparatus.
55. The ink cartridge of claim 47, wherein the atmospheric communication hole providing communication between an ink storage chamber and an open chamber.
56. The ink cartridge of claim 47, further comprising:
a film attached to the main body of the ink cartridge and defining, between the film and the atmospheric communication hole, a space.
57. The ink cartridge of claim 56, wherein the space communicates with an ink storage chamber.
58. The ink cartridge of claim 47, wherein the valve member is movable in a direction perpendicular in which the ink cartridge is mounted to a recording apparatus.
59. A printing system comprising:
a valve member that opens and closes a communication hole, the communication hole providing communication between a storage chamber and an atmospheric open chamber;
an elastic member that presses the valve member in a closed direction; and
a movable arm member that presses the valve member in an open direction.
60. An assembling method for an ink cartridge comprising:
a valve member that opens and closes a communication hole, the communication hole providing communication between an ink storage chamber and an atmospheric chamber;
a movable arm member that presses the valve member in an open direction,
wherein a method of assembling the valve member in the atmospheric chamber comprises the steps of:
positioning the valve member in a position close to the communication hole;
determining a necessary force to be directed to a portion of the elastic member so that a first end portion of the elastic member presses the valve member in the closed direction; and
attaching the elastic member within the atmospheric chamber.
61. The assembling method of the valve member in the atmospheric chamber of claim 60, the attaching further comprises the steps of:
wherein the elastic member comprising a notch at a second end portion of the elastic member;
inserting the notch of the elastic member into a first wall defining the atmospheric chamber;
crushing the first wall to fix the second end portion of the elastic member, wherein said crushing is caused by exposure to air at room temperature.
62. The assembling method of the valve member in the atmospheric chamber of claim 60, the determining further comprises the steps of:
wherein the elastic member is made of a bent piece;
exposing a predetermined force to a crest part of the bent part or a proximity thereof until the elastic member is made flat.
63. An ink cartridge, comprising:
a first though hole that at least indirectly connects a first chamber to a second chamber, wherein the first chamber stores ink;
a valve that selectively opens and seals the first through hole; and
an operation member that is pressed by a protruding member of an ink jet recording apparatus, such that the operational member opens the valve,
wherein the first through hole is at least indirectly coupled an atmosphere,
wherein, when the ink flows from the first chamber and through the first through hole, the ink accumulates in the second chamber, and
wherein the valve opens the first through hole by moving in a direction that is different that a direction that the protruding member travels when pressing the operation member.
64. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 63, wherein the valve comprises:
a first part that is contained in the first through hole; and
a second part that selectively abuts against a peripheral opening of the first through hole to selectively seal the first through hole.
65. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 64, wherein the first part of the valve is cylindrically-shaped.
66. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 64, wherein the first part of the valve extends completely through the first through hole when the valve seals the first through hole.
67. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 64, further comprising:
a third chamber fluidly connected between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the second part of the valve is disposed within the second chamber.
68. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 67, further comprising a second through hole that at least indirectly connects the third chamber to the first chamber.
69. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 68,
wherein the first through hole and the second through hole at least indirectly connect the first chamber to the atmosphere.
70. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 64, further comprising as elastic member that abuts against the second part of the valve to urge the second part of the valve towards the peripheral opening of the first through hole.
71. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 70, wherein the elastic member is a spring.
72. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 63, wherein the second chamber is at least partially defined by a deformable film.
73. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 72, wherein the link cartridge comprises a rigid main body, and
wherein the second chamber is at least partially defined by the rigid main body.
74. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 63, wherein the first through hole is disposed above a floor of the second chamber when the ink cartridge is installed in a printer.
75. An ink cartridge, comprising:
an ink chamber that stores ink;
an ink supply port from which the ink stored in the ink chamber can flow out;
a through hole connecting a first chamber and a second chamber;
a valve that is biased to normally seal the through hole; and
a deformable film,
wherein, when the deformable film is deformed, the valve is moved to open the through hole so that an atmosphere communication passage is formed from the ink chamber to an atmosphere via the first and the second chambers without going through the ink supply port.
76. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 75, wherein the valve comprises:
a first part that extends from the first chamber, through the through hole, and into the second chamber; and
a second part that is disposed in the first chamber and that abuts against an opening periphery of the through hole to seal the through hole.
77. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 76, wherein, when the deformable film is deformed, the film urges the first part of the valve in a direction from the second chamber to the first chamber such that the second part of the valve is separated from the opening periphery of the hole to open the through hole.
78. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 75, wherein the deformable film is acted on by a force that is transferred to the valve so that the valve is moved to open the through hole.
79. An ink cartridge, comprising:
wherein, when the deformable film is deformed, the valve is moved to open the through hole,
wherein the valve comprises a first part that extends into the through hole, and
wherein, when the deformable film is deformed, the first part is urged in a direction such that the valve opens the through hole.
80. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 79, wherein the deformable film is acted on by a force that is transferred to the valve so that the valve is moved to open the through hole.
81. An ink cartridge comprising:
an operation member that presses the valve member in an open direction,
wherein when the operation member is pressed by a protruding member of an ink jet recording apparatus, the valve member opens the communication hole against pressing force of the elastic member, and
wherein the valve member opens the first through hole by moving in a direction that is different than a direction that the protruding member travels when pressing the operation member.
82. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 81, wherein the operation member includes a movable arm member.
This invention relates to an ink cartridge for supplying ink to a head of a record apparatus, and an assembling method of an atmospheric open valve in the ink cartridge.
Such an ink cartridge comprises an atmospheric open valve constructed by: a valve body capable of opening and closing an atmospheric communication hole to make an ink storage chamber and an atmospheric open chamber communicate with each other; and an elastic member capable of pressing the valve body in a closed direction.
As the ink cartridge is mounted to a record apparatus, the atmospheric open valve is opened, whereby the ink storage chamber is made to communicate with the atmospheric side, and on the other hand, as the ink cartridge is detached, the atmospheric open valves is closed, whereby communication between the ink storage chamber and the atmospheric side is shut off.
However, in the assembling structure of the atmospheric open valve in this kind of ink cartridge, the valve body is urged simply by fixing one end part of the elastic member to the inside of the atmospheric open chamber. Therefore, in designing the ink cartridge, the fixing position of the elastic member, etc., needs to be sufficiently considered for determining the urging force of the elastic member. Consequently, the number of design items increases, and design of the ink cartridge is complicated; this is a problem.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an ink cartridge and an assembling structure and method of an atmospheric open valve in the ink cartridge, which make it possible to decrease the number of design items and therefore simplify the ink cartridge design.
To the end, according to the invention, there is provided an ink cartridge comprising a cartridge main body having an atmospheric communication hole for communicating an ink storage chamber and an atmospheric open chamber with each other; and an atmospheric open valve having a valve body capable of opening and closing the atmospheric communication hole of the cartridge main body, and an elastic member made of a bent piece, preferably shaped like �<�, and capable of pressing the valve body in a closed direction, wherein the elastic member presses at one end part the valve body in the closed direction and is fixed at an opposite end part to the inside of the atmospheric open chamber.
According to the invention, there is provided an ink cartridge comprising a cartridge main body having an atmospheric communication hole for communicating an ink storage chamber and an atmospheric open chamber with each other; and an atmospheric open valve having a valve body capable of opening and closing the atmospheric communication hole of the cartridge main body, and an elastic member made of a bent piece, preferably shaped like �<�, and capable of pressing the valve body in a closed direction, wherein the valve body is placed at such a position as to close an opening of the atmospheric communication hole, the elastic member is developed and positioned in the atmospheric open chamber, and in the positioned state, the elastic member presses at one end part the valve body in the closed direction and is fixed at an opposite end part to the inside of the atmospheric open chamber.
Because of such a structure, at the time when the atmospheric open valve is assembled, the force urging the valve body by the elastic member is determined.
Therefore, the need for considering the fixing position of the elastic member, etc., at the design time as in the related art is eliminated, so that the number of design items can be decreased and the ink cartridge design can be simplified.
It is desirable that the chamber wall of the atmospheric open chamber is formed with two convex parts projecting in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the atmospheric communication hole, that the convex parts are inserted into the elastic member, that the movement of the one end part of the elastic member is regulated by the insertion end part close to the valve body, and that the insertion end part distant from the valve body is crushed to fix the opposite end part of the elastic member.
Since the ink cartridge is thus configured, the atmospheric open valve is assembled by closing the atmospheric communication hole by the valve body and then inserting the two convex parts into the elastic member, and crushing the insertion end part distant from the valve body for fixing the elastic member.
It is desirable that the crush position of the insertion end part is such a position lessening the spring effective length of the elastic member.
Since the ink cartridge is thus configured, the spring force of the elastic member is enlarged and the force sealing the atmospheric communication hole by the valve body is increased.
On the other hand, according to the invention, there is provided, the assembling method applicable to an ink cartridge comprising a cartridge main body having an atmospheric communication hole for communicating an ink storage chamber and an atmospheric open chamber with each other; and an atmospheric open valve having a valve body capable of opening and closing the atmospheric communication hole of the cartridge main body and an elastic member made of a bent piece, preferably shaped like �<�, and capable of pressing the valve body in a closed direction. The assembling method is an assembling method of the atmospheric open valve in the atmospheric open chamber, and comprises the steps of, to assemble the atmospheric open valve, placing the valve body at such a position as to close an opening of the atmospheric communication hole; developing the elastic member with the valve body pressed in the closed direction, thereby positioning the elastic member in the atmospheric open chamber; and then fixing an end part of the elastic member, opposite from the pressing end part of the elastic member, to the inside of the atmospheric open chamber.
According to such a method, when the atmospheric open valve is assembled, the force urging the valve body by the elastic member is determined.
Therefore, the need for considering the fixing position of the elastic member, etc., at the design time as in the related art is eliminated, so that the number of design items can be decreased and an ink cartridge easily designed can be provided.
It is desirable that to fix the elastic member, a convex part formed on a chamber wall of the atmospheric open chamber and preliminarily inserted into the elastic member is partially crushed under pressure and at room temperature.
According to such a method, the crush force is given to the convex part, and therefore the elastic member can be fixed to the inside of the atmospheric open chamber without deformation of the elastic member.
Further, it is desirable that the crest of the bent part or the proximity thereof is depressed to develop the elastic member.
According to such a method, the seal force for pressing the atmospheric open valve is increased.
Here, it is desirable that while the depressing force of the elastic member is measured, the crest of the bent part or the proximity thereof is depressed and/or that the crest of the bent part or the proximity thereof is depressed until the elastic member is made horizontal.
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese patent application Nos. 2001-147418 (filed on May 17, 2001), 2001-262038 (filed on Aug. 30, 2001), 2001-264179 (filed on Aug. 31, 2001), 2001-220340 (filed on Jul. 19, 2001), and 2001-220354 (filed on Jul. 19, 2001), which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.
FIG. 9 is a front view to show the connection state of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention to a cartridge holder; and
FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b) are a plan view and a sectional view to describe the assembling structure (method) of an atmospheric open valve in the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention.
Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there are shown preferred embodiments of an ink cartridge and assembling structure and method of an atmospheric open valve in the ink cartridge incorporating the invention.
To begin with, the ink cartridge and the assembling structure of the atmospheric open valve will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view to show the whole of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b) are perspective views to show the appearance of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views showing the internal structure of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention as viewed from upward and downward in a slanting direction. FIGS. 5 and 6 are a front view and a rear view to show the internal structure of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional views to show a negative pressure generation system storage chamber and a valve storage chamber (assembling structure of atmospheric open valve) of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention. FIG. 9 is a front view to show the connection state of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention to a cartridge holder. FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b) are a plan view and a sectional view to describe the assembling structure of the atmospheric open valve in the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention.
Retention members 5 and 6 that can be attached to and detached from a cartridge holder are provided integrally on the upper sides of the container main body 2. A circuit board (IC board) 7 is disposed below one retention member 5 as shown in FIG. 2( a), and a valve storage chamber 8 is disposed below the other retention member 6 as shown in FIGS. 2( a) and 2(b).
A through hole 60 as an atmospheric communication hole opened and closed by the opening and closing operation of an atmospheric open valve 601 is made in a chamber wall 8 a of the valve storage chamber 8 (atmospheric open chamber 501), as shown in FIG. 8. Convex parts 63 and 64 projecting in a direction parallel to the axial direction of the through hole 60 are formed integrally on the chamber wall 8 a. The operation arm 66 is placed on one opening side of the through hole 60, and the atmospheric open valve 601 is placed on the other opening side of the through hole 60. The operation arm 66 has an operation part 66 b for pressing a pressurization film (elastically deformable film) 61, and is placed projecting in an upward slanting direction into the path of the valve operation rod 70 and is fixed to the container main body 2 through a rotation supporting point 66 a. The pressurization film 61 is attached to the chamber wall 8 a so as to block the through hole 60, and the whole of the pressurization film 61 is formed of an elastic seal member of rubber, etc. The internal space formed between the pressurization film 61 and the opening peripheral margin of the through hole 60 is opened to a through hole 67 communicating with the first ink storage chamber (ink tank chamber) 11 (both are shown in FIG. 5).
The atmospheric open valve 601 has a valve body 65 capable of opening and closing the through hole 60, and an elastic member 62 capable of pressing the valve body 65 in a closed direction, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10( a) and 10(b). The valve body 65 has a cylinder part 65 a inserted into the through hole 60, and a valve part 65 b capable of being pressed into contact with the opening peripheral margin of the through hole 60 in a closed valve state. The whole of the valve body 65 is formed of an elastic material, such as an elastomer, etc. The elastic member 62 has, at its end portions, a notch 62 a and a through hole 62 b into which the projections (convex parts) 63 and 64 are respectively inserted, and is formed of a plate spring that can be positioned in the atmospheric open chamber 501 as a bend piece (bend part 62 c) shaped like �<�, made of stainless steel, etc., for example, is developed. The movement of the end part of the elastic member 62 close to the valve body 65 is regulated by the projection 64, so that the elastic member 62 presses and urges the valve body 65 when the elastic member 62 is positioned in place. The end part distant from the valve body 65 is fixed by crushing (deforming) the insertion end part of the projection 63 (a part of the projection 63). The crushed position on the projection 63 is so selected as to reduce the spring effective length of the elastic member 62 in order to enlarge the spring force (press urging force) of the elastic member 62 and enhance the force sealing the through hole 60 by the valve body 65.
Next, the ink flow passage system and the air flow passage system in the container main body 2 will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.
According to the configuration, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted to the cartridge holder 71 as shown in FIG. 9, the valve operation rod 70 of the cartridge holder 71 abuts the operation arm 66 shown in FIG. 8 for moving the convex part 66 b (pressurization film 61) to the valve body side. Accordingly, the valve body 65 is separated from the opening peripheral margin of the through hole 60 against the elastic urging force of the elastic member 62, while being guided by the convex part 64, and the first ink storage chamber 11 shown in FIG. 5 is opened to the recess part 38 (atmosphere) shown in FIG. 6 through the through holes 67, 60, and 46, the groove 45, the through hole 44, the area 43, the through hole 41, etc. The valve body 201 in the ink supply port 4 is opened by insertion of the ink supply needles 72.
Next, an assembling method of the atmospheric open valve in the ink cartridge according to the embodiment will be discussed with reference to FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b).
To begin with, as shown in FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b), the cylinder part 65 a is inserted in the through hole 60, and the valve part 65 b is brought into contact with the opening peripheral margin of the through hole 60, whereby the valve body 65 is disposed within the atmospheric open chamber 501.
Next, the projection 63 is inserted into the notch 62 a of the elastic member 62, and the projection 64 is inserted into the through hole 62 b, so that the elastic member 62 in the bent form like �<� is held on the chamber wall 8 a of the valve storage chamber 8 (atmospheric open chamber 501) and the valve body 65, as indicated by the two-dotted chain line in FIGS. 10( a) and 10(b).
Depressing pressure P is given to the bend part 62 c of the elastic member 62 indicated by the two-dotted lines in FIG. 10( b) to develop the elastic member 62 into the plane state (so as to be made horizontal) while pressing the valve body 65 in the closed direction as shown by the solid line in FIG. 10( b). Under the positioning or the elastic member 62 to the projections 63 and 64 in this fashion, a part of the projection 63 is crushed at room temperature to fix the elastic member 62 within the atmospheric open chamber 501. At this time, if the projection 63 is crushed, while the crest of the bend part 62 c is depressed and held, a large elastic force from the elastic member 62 acts on the atmospheric open valve 601, and the force sealing the through hole 60 by the atmospheric open valve 601 can be increased.
Preferably, the depressing pressure onto the crest of the bend part 62 c is set to be a predetermined depressing pressure (100 g or more) and the crest of the bend part 62 c is depressed until the elastic member 62 is made horizontal. In the description made above, the crest of the bend part 62 c is depressed, but the proximity of the crest of the bend part 62 c (predetermined range) may be depressed.
According to this method, when the atmospheric open valve 601 is assembled, the force urging the valve body 65 by the elastic member 62 is determined.
Therefore, in the embodiment, the need for considering the fixing position of the elastic member, etc., at the design time as in the related art is eliminated, so that the number of design items can be decreased and an ink cartridge 1 easily designed can be obtained.
In the embodiment, in fixing the elastic member 62, the projection 63 is inserted into the notch 62 a and a part of the insertion end part is crushed at room temperature. Accordingly, the elastic member 62 can be prevented from becoming deformed.
In addition, as shown, for example, in FIG. 10( b), the valve body 65 preferably has a sealing part 65 c that defines a sealing surface of the valve part 65 b opposing the through hole 60 and that is made of relatively soft material (elastic material) such as an elastomer.
As seen in the description made above, according to the ink cartridge and the assembling method of the atmospheric open valve in the ink cartridge according to the invention, the number of design items can be decreased and therefore the ink cartridge design can be simplified.
Patent CitationsCited PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS5040002 *Mar 16, 1990Aug 13, 1991Hewlett-Packard CompanyRegulator for ink-jet pensUS5801737 *Feb 10, 1997Sep 1, 1998Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk container with internal air pressure adjustmentUS6390611 *Aug 14, 2000May 21, 2002Seiko Epson CorporationInk jet recording apparatus, sub-tank unit adapted thereto, and ink droplet ejection capability recovery methodUS6536885 *Feb 1, 2001Mar 25, 2003Canon Kabushiki KaishaInk-transport system, ink-replacement method, ink-jet printing apparatus, and ink-supply systemUS6585358 *Feb 16, 2001Jul 1, 2003Seiko Epson CorporationInk cartridge for ink jet recording apparatus, connection unit and ink jet recording apparatusEP0709207A2Oct 26, 1995May 1, 1996Seiko Epson CorporationInk cartridge for ink jet printerEP1016533A1Jul 15, 1999Jul 5, 2000Seiko Epson CorporationInk jet recorder and ink feeding unit suitable for the recorderEP1055520A1Feb 12, 1999Nov 29, 2000Seiko Epson CorporationInk jet recorder, sub-tank unit suitable therefor, and method of recovering ink droplet discharging capabilityJPH0664181A Title not availableJPH11129492A * Title not availableWO2000003877A1Jul 15, 1999Jan 27, 2000Hisashi MiyazawaInk jet recorder and ink feeding unit suitable for the recorder* Cited by examinerNon-Patent CitationsReference1Japanese Abstract No. 03016738, dated Jan. 24, 1991.2Japanese Abstract No. 04187448, dated Jul. 6, 1992.Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7513613 *Mar 31, 2006Apr 7, 2009Seiko Epson CorporationLiquid container and liquid filling methodUS7575308Dec 18, 2006Aug 18, 2009Seiko Epson CorporationLiquid ejection apparatusUS7775650Feb 25, 2009Aug 17, 2010Seiko Epson CorporationLiquid container and liquid filling methodUS8070272Jun 16, 2005Dec 6, 2011Seiko Epson CorporationLiquid container adapted to be mounted on a carriage to reciprocate together with a liquid ejecting headUS8162447Jul 27, 2009Apr 24, 2012Seiko Epson CorporationLiquid ejection apparatus* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification347/86International ClassificationB41J2/175Cooperative ClassificationB41J2/17513, B41J2/17556, B41J2/17596, B41J2/17553, B41J2/17509, B41J2/1752, B41J2/17563, B41J2/1755European ClassificationB41J2/175C8, B41J2/175C7M, B41J2/175C9, B41J2/175P, B41J2/175C1A, B41J2/175C2, B41J2/175C3Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionMar 8, 2013FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 8Apr 22, 2009FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4Sep 19, 2002ASAssignmentOwner name: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION, JAPANFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:OTA, MUTSUHIKO;SUDA, YUKIHARU;KOIKE, HISASHI;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:013307/0280;SIGNING DATES FROM 20020730 TO 20020827RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services