Recording head unit

• US 6,634,742 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2001
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Iijima, Takayuki, Okubo, Katsuhiro, Akahane, Fujio, Owaki, Hiroshige
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo, Anh T. N.
• Application Number:
  US09/794,156
• Publication Number:
  US 20010030676A1
• Time in Patent Office: 965 Days
• Field of Search: 347/65, 347/66, 347/68, 347/69, 347/70, 347/86, 347/87, 347/92, 347/93, 210/435, 210/444, 210/454
• US Class Current: 347/93
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection

Abstract

Ink flow paths are formed that corresponds in number to the ink chambers of a mounted ink cartridge, to supply ink from the ink chambers to a recording head. These ink flow paths are constituted by first communication paths (59, 60), which communicate with the ink outlets of corresponding ink chambers, second communication paths (61, 67), which communicate with the corresponding ink inlets of the recording head, and convergent flow paths (65), which connect the first and the second communication paths and converge as they approach the recording head. Filters (56) are located in the second communication paths.

Claims

1. A recording unit comprising:

a cartridge holder adapted to replaceably mount at least one ink cartridge defining a plurality of ink chambers;

a recording head, for ejecting ink in response to activation of a pressure generating element;

a plurality of ink flow paths through which ink in the ink chambers is supplied to the recording head, respectively, each of the ink flow paths including a first communication path communicated with an ink outlet of the corresponding ink chamber, a second communication path communicated with a corresponding ink inlet of the recording head, and a convergent flow path communicating the first communication path with the second communication path, convergent flow paths being arranged to converge toward the recording head; and

a filter respectively disposed in each of second communication paths;

wherein the filter is disposed in only an opening portion of the second communication path connected with an end of the convergent flow path.

2. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the convergent flow paths is downwardly inclined from the corresponding first communication path to the second corresponding communication path.

3. A recording head unit according to claim 2, wherein ceiling faces of the convergent flow paths incline upward from the second communication paths to the first communication paths.

4. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein each of the convergent flow paths extends horizontally.

5. A recording head unit according to claim 4, wherein the convergent flow paths are formed in a convergent flow path unit in the form of a plate.

6. A recording head unit according to claim 5, wherein the convergent flow path unit includes a flow path grooved plate having a plurality of flow path grooves for forming the convergent flow paths, and a lid plate for closing openings of the flow path grooves.

7. A recording head unit according to claim 6, wherein a first communication portion provided with the first communication paths is integral with the lid plate.

8. A recording head unit according to claim 7, wherein the first communication portion is constituted by ink supply needles that are inserted into the at least one ink cartridge to supply ink from the ink chambers.

9. A recording head unit according to claim 6, wherein protrusions are formed, on joining face of the lid plate to the flow path grooved plate, that are narrower than widths of the openings of the flow path grooves and lower than depths of the flow path grooves;

and wherein, when the lid plate and the flow path grooved plate are joined together in a state that the protrusions are fitted to the flow path grooves, gaps are defined between side walls of the protrusions and inner walls of the flow path grooves.

10. A recording head unit according to claim 6, wherein the second communication paths are formed in the flow path groove plate, and filter holders, for holding the filters, are positioned at the upstream ends of the second communication paths.

11. A recording head unit according to claim 6, wherein the lid plate has flexible portions at least partially sealing the flow path grooves, and each of the flexible portions is elastically deformable by-pressure change in the ink flowing along the corresponding convergent flow path.

12. A recording head unit according to claim 5, wherein the convergent flow path unit comprises an opening plate, in which through holes that serve as the convergent flow paths are formed in the direction of the thickness of the convergent flow path unit, an upper lid plate, for sealing upper openings of the through holes, and a lower lid plate, for sealing lower openings of the through holes.

13. A recording head unit according to claim 12, wherein a first communication portion provided with the first communication paths, is an integral with the upper lid plate.

14. A recording head unit according to claim 12, wherein the second communication paths are formed in the lower lid plate, and filter holders, for holding the filters, are located at upstream ends of the second communication paths.

15. A recording head unit according to claim 5, wherein the convergent flow path unit includes an upper flow path grooved plate, in which upper flow path grooves are formed to constitute upper portions of the convergent flow paths, and a lower flow path grooved plate, in which lower flow path grooves are formed to constitute lower portions of the convergent flow paths.

16. A recording head unit according to claim 15, wherein the second communication paths are formed in the lower flow path grooved plate, and filter holders, for holding the filters, are positioned at upstream ends of the second communication paths.

17. A recording head unit according to claim 5, wherein at least one of plates that constitute the convergent flow path unit is formed of a transparent or semi-transparent material.

18. A recording head unit according to claim 5, wherein plates constituting the convergent flow path unit are joined together by an adhesive.

19. A recording head unit according to claim 18, wherein the adhesive flows easily, and recessed portions in which excessive adhesive can be accommodated are formed around adhered areas.

20. A recording head unit according to claims 5, wherein plates that constitute the convergent flow path unit are joined together by ultrasonic welding.

21. A recording head unit according to claim 5, wherein plates constituting the convergent flow path unit are joined together by thermal welding.

22. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein, portions of the second communication units, downstream of the filters, are decreased in diameter toward a downstream side to present a funnel shape.

23. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein air bubble holding spaces, in which air bubbles are to be retained, are formed in intermediate portions of the ink flow paths.

24. A recording head unit according to claim 23, wherein the air bubble holding spaces include first air bubble holding spaces formed by partially increasing the diameters of the first communication paths.

25. A recording head unit according to claim 23, wherein the air bubble holding spaces include second air bubble holding spaces formed by partially increasing the diameters of the ink flow paths, the second air bubble holding spaces being adjacent to an upstream of the filters.

26. A recording head unit according to claim 23, wherein the air bubble holding spaces include first air bubble holding spaces, formed by partially increasing the diameters of the first communication paths, and second air bubble holding spaces, formed by partially increasing the diameters of ink flow paths, the second air bubble holding spaces being adjacent to and upstream of the filters;

and wherein the volume of each of the first air bubble holding spaces is greater than the volume of each of the second air bubble holding spaces.

27. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein the filters are located at intermediate portions of the second communication paths;

and wherein portions of the second communication paths, upstream of the filters, are increased in diameter as the portions approach the filters.

28. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein different types of ink are stored in the ink chambers;

and wherein the ink flow paths are respectively formed for the different types of ink.

29. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein the convergent flow paths have the same length.

30. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein the recording head includes:

nozzle openings, through which ink droplets are to be ejected; and

pressure generation chambers communicated with the nozzle openings,

wherein ink pressure in a desired one of the pressure generation chambers is changed by the pressure to eject the ink droplets through the corresponding nozzle opening, and

wherein piezoelectric vibrators, which can vary the volumes of the respective pressure generation chambers, are employed as the pressure generating element.

31. A recording head unit according to claim 30, wherein the piezoelectric vibrators are piezoelectric vibrators of a vertical vibration mode.

32. A recording head unit according to claims 1, further comprising:

nozzle openings, through which ink droplets are ejected; and

pressure generation chambers communicated with the nozzle openings,

wherein ink pressure in a desired one of the pressure generation chambers is changed by the pressure generating element to eject the ink droplets through the corresponding nozzle opening, and

wherein heat generation devices that can generate air bubbles in the respective pressure generation chambers are employed as the pressure generating element.

33. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein the filter is disposed so as to be continuous and flush with a bottom face of the second communication path.

34. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein the first communication path and the second communication path are arranged so as to shift each other in a direction in which the convergent flow path extends;

wherein the filter is not disposed in the first communication path, and

wherein the filter is disposed in only the second communication path.

35. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein the filter is disposed in the second communication path, and

wherein a portion of the second communication path, upstream of the filter is increased in a diameter as the portion toward the filter.

36. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein the filter is not overlapped with the first communication path as viewed in a direction in which the first communication path extends.

37. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein the first communication path and the second communication path are arranged so as to shift each other in a direction in which the convergent flow path extends.

38. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein the convergent flow path is extended in a horizontal direction.

39. A recording head unit according to claim 1, wherein the first communication path and the second communication path are extended in a substantially same direction.

40. A recording head unit comprising:

a cartridge holder adapted to replaceably mount at least one ink cartridge defining a plurality of ink chambers;

a recording head for ejecting ink in response to activation of a pressure generating element;

a plurality of ink flow paths through which ink in the ink chambers is supplied to the recording head, respectively, each of the ink flow paths including a first communication path communicated with an ink outlet of the corresponding ink chamber, a second communication path communicated with a corresponding ink inlet of the recording head, and a convergent flow path communicating the first communication path with the second communication path, convergent flow paths being arranged to converge toward the recording head; and

a filter respectively disposed in each of second communication paths,

wherein the filter is disposed on a position in the second communication path lower than a bottom of the convergent flow path extended in a substantially horizontal direction.

41. A recording head unit according to claim 40, wherein the first opening portion is provided between the first communication path and the convergent flow path;

wherein a second opening portion is provided between the convergent flow path and the second communication path; and

wherein the filter is disposed downstream of the second opening portion.

42. A recording head unit according to claim 40, wherein the filter is disposed so as to be continuous and flush with a bottom face of the second communication path.

43. A recording head unit according to claim 40, wherein the first communication path and the second communication path are arranged so as to shift each other in a direction in which the convergent flow path extends;

wherein the filter is not disposed in the first communication path; and

wherein the filter is disposed in only the second communication path.

44. A recording head unit according claim 40, wherein the filter is disposed in only an opening portion of the second communication path connected with an end of the convergent flow path.

45. A recording head unit according to claim 40, wherein the filter is disposed in the second communication path;

and

wherein a portion of the second communication path, upstream of the filter, is increased in a diameter as the portion toward the filter.

46. A recording head unit according to claim 40, wherein the filter is not overlapped with the first communication path as viewed in a direction in which the first communication path extends.

47. A recording head unit according to claim 40, wherein the convergent path extends from the first opening portion and terminates at the second opening portion.

48. A recording head unit according to claim 40, wherein the first opening portion is offset for the second opening portion in a direction in which the convergent flow path extends.

49. A recording head unit according to claim 40, wherein the first communication path and the second communication path are arranged so as to shift each other in a direction in which the convergent flow path extends.

50. A recording head unit according to claim 40, wherein the first communication path and the second communication path are extended in a substantially same direction.