An ink jet recording apparatus wherein a sub-tank mounted on a carriage is replenished with ink from an ink cartridge as a main tank by the action of pressurized air from an air pressurizing pump. The ink jet recording apparatus is provided with means for opening an air flow passage from the air pressurizing pump to the ink cartridge into the atmosphere as a cover member of a cartridge holder is opened when the ink cartridge is attached or detached. The recording apparatus has an on-off valve unit for maintaining pressure on the air flow passage in a predetermined range and drive means capable of forcibly opening the on-off valve unit for releasing a pressurization state, for example, when the operation power of the recording apparatus stops. The recording apparatus further includes a diaphragm displaced upon reception of air pressure on the air flow passage and output generation means for generating a control signal based on the displacement amount of the diaphragm, and driving the air pressurizing pump is controlled by the control signal generated by the output generation means.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus, and in particular to an ink jet recording apparatus wherein pressurized air generated by an air pressurizing pump is applied to a main tank serving as an ink cartridge storing ink, and a record head mounted on a carriage is replenished with ink from the main tank by the action of the pressurized air.
2. Description of the Related Art
An ink-jet recording apparatus produces comparatively low noise during printing operation and can form small dots at high density. Hence, the ink-jet recording apparatus has recently been used in a number of printing applications, including color printing.
Such an ink-jet recording apparatus is usually equipped with an ink-jet recording head which is mounted on a carriage and moved in the widthwise direction of recording paper, and paper feed means for moving the recording paper in the direction orthogonal to the traveling direction of the recording head. On the basis of print data, ink droplets are ejected from the recording head, thus recording the data on the recording paper.
The recording head is mounted on the carriage, and is capable of ejecting ink droplets of, for example, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta. Accordingly, the ink-jet recording apparatus enables full-color printing by changing the proportions of ink types, as well as effecting text printing with black ink.
Incidentally, in order to effect a comparatively-high volume of printing, a recording apparatus of this type supplied for, for example, an office or business purpose, requires use of high-volume ink cartridges. To this end, there has been provided a recording apparatus, in which main tanks serving as ink cartridges are fitted to a cartridge holder provided, for example, to an apparatus main body.
In the recording apparatus, sub-tanks are disposed on the carriage having the recording head, and the respective sub-tanks are replenished with ink from corresponding main tanks by way of ink supply tubes. The sub-tanks, in turn, supply ink to the recording head.
Recently, growing demand exists for a large-size recording apparatus capable of effecting printing on larger-size paper, in which a carriage travels a longer scan distance. In order to improve throughput of such a recording apparatus, a larger number of nozzles are provided in a recording head.
Further, demand exists for a recording apparatus which sequentially supplies ink to the respective sub-tanks mounted on the carriage from corresponding main tanks while performing printing operation, in order to improve throughput, and which stably supplies ink from the respective sub-tanks to the recording head.
In such a recording apparatus, since the ink supply tubes must be proved for connection between the main tanks and the sub-tanks on the carriage to correspond to the types of ink, and since the carriage travels over a longer scan distance, the lengths of respective ink supply tubes inevitably increase.
Further, as mentioned above, a larger number of nozzles are provided in the recording head. Hence, such a recording apparatus encounters a technical problem of deficient ink supply to the sub-tanks because the recording head consumes a large quantity of ink, and an increase in the dynamic pressure (i.e., pressure loss) of ink is likely to occur within each of the ink supply tubes interconnecting the ink cartridges and the sub-tanks.
As one measure to prevent this technical problem, there may be employed, for example, a construction in which air pressure is applied to the main tanks to forcibly inducing ink flows from the main tanks to the sub-tanks under air pressure.
An ink jet recording apparatus constructed as descried above involves the following several problems to be solved:
First, in the construction for pressurizing the main tank, an air pressurizing pump is necessary for applying pressurized air to the main tank. A pressure regulating function capable of constantly applying stable air pressure to the main tank is required.
Second, an atmosphere release function is required for releasing the air pressure from the main tank during non-operated state in which power for the recording head is turned off, in order to eliminate, for example, a problem of inducing ink leakage from the main tank.
Third, in the construction for pressurizing the main tank, the air pressurizing pump should be driven all the time when power for the recording apparatus is turned on, in order to stably apply the pressurized air to the main tank and to assure proper operation of the ink supply system of this type.
However, in a case where the air pressurizing pump is driven all the time, there arise problems of noise produced by the air pressurizing pump, and durability of the air pressurizing pump. Therefore, another problem of cost increase associated with a countermeasure for these problems is also encountered.
Accordingly, a preferable approach required is to intermittently drive the pressurizing pump so that in the air pressure for each main tank is appropriately maintained within a tolerable range.
Fourth, a pressure detector is required for detecting air pressure given to each main tank. In this case, the following control can be adopted: If the air pressure detected by the pressure detector is equal to or less than a predetermined pressure value, the pressurizing pump is driven, and if the air pressure exceeds the predetermined pressure value, driving the pressurizing pump is stopped.
However, this control causes the following operation. That is, for example, as ink in the main tank is consumed even slightly based on the print operation, etc., the pressure detector detects a pressure value equal to or less than the predetermined value and the pressurizing pump is driven, and as the pressurizing pump is driven for a short period, the pressure detector detects a pressure value exceeding the predetermined value and the driving of the pressurizing pump is stopped.
This operation, in which the pressurizing pump is intermittently driven and stopped, is repeated thus repeated at extremely short time intervals. Therefore, a user may have a doubt that the recording apparatus malfunctions.
Fifth, a simple application of the above-mentioned construction causes another problem. Since pressurized air is applied to the ink cartridge forming the main tank detachably mounted to a cartridge holder, a careless removal of the ink cartridge from the cartridge holder causes ink to gush or splash out by the action of the pressurized air, thereby soiling the surrounding areas.
Since an outer shell member forming the ink cartridge receives the action of the pressurized air and is expanded in some degree, it is difficult to remove the ink cartridge from the cartridge holder. If the ink cartridge is removed forcibly, both the ink cartridge and the cartridge holder, particularly, an ink replenishment connection plug, etc., to which both the ink cartridge and the cartridge holder are connected, are deformed, causing damage to both the ink cartridge and the cartridge holder.
The sixth problem is as follows: Ink supplied from the main tank to the sub-tank in the ink jet recording apparatus of the above construction has a temperature depending property in which viscosity of ink is changed depending on environmental temperature; the viscosity is high at low temperature and is lowered as the temperature is increased.
Therefore, the velocity of ink replenishment flow from the main tank to the sub-tank has such a temperature depending property that the velocity is higher as the temperature is higher.
In the recording apparatus adopting the configuration wherein the sub-tank is replenished with ink from the main tank as described above, It is desired that the ink replenishment flow velocity from the main tank to the sub-tank should fall within a given range independently of the environmental temperature.
In this case, to suppress change in the ink replenishment flow velocity caused by change in the environmental temperature within a predetermined range, a control system is required to change the setup pressure of the pressurized air applied to the main tank in response to the temperature change.
It is therefore a first object of the invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus adopting a configuration wherein pressurized air is applied to an ink cartridge forming a main tank for sending ink to a sub-tank and an ink jet recording apparatus comprising an air pressuring pump for applying pressurized air to the main tank to provide a pressure regulating function capable of always applying stable air pressure to the main tank.
It is a second object of the invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus comprising an atmosphere release function capable of forcibly air pressure applied to a main tank while using a pressure regulating function capable of managing the air pressure applied to the main tank in a given range and further provide an on-off valve unit which serves as both the pressure regulating function and the atmosphere release function and can be adopted preferably for this kind of ink jet recording apparatus.
It is a third object of the invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus wherein air pressure applied from a pressurizing pump to a main tank is detected and driving the pressurizing pump can be controlled by a control signal based on the pressure detection value for always managing the air pressure applied to the main tank in an appropriate range.
It is a fourth object of the invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus wherein the air pressure applied to a main tank can always be managed in an appropriate range while the frequent drive operation of a pressurizing pump is suppressed.
It is a fifth object of the invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus adopting a configuration wherein pressurized air is applied to an ink cartridge forming a main tank for sending ink to a sub-tank, wherein when the ink cartridge is drawn out from a cartridge holder, the problem of ink leakage, etc., caused by the action of the pressurized air as mentioned above can be circumvented.
It is a sixth object of the invention to provide an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a pressure detector provided with a function capable of maintaining the change amount of the flow velocity of ink sent out from a main tank in a predetermined range if the environmental temperature is changed.
To accomplish the first object of the invention, according to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a record head being mounted on a carriage and reciprocated in a width direction of record paper and a sub-tank being mounted on the carriage together with the record head for receiving replenishment with ink via an ink replenishment passage from an ink cartridge forming a main tank and supplying ink to the record head, wherein air pressure generated by an air pressurizing pump is applied to the ink cartridge and the sub-tank is replenished with ink from the ink cartridge by the action of the air pressure, wherein a pressure regulation valve being opened upon reception of a predetermined or more air pressure for maintaining the air pressure in a predetermined range and a pressure detector for receiving the air pressure and detecting a pressure state are placed on an air flow passage from the air pressurizing pump to the ink cartridge and driving the air pressurizing pump is controlled based on output of the pressure detector.
Next, according to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a record head being mounted on a carriage and reciprocated in a width direction of record paper and a sub-tank being mounted on the carriage together with the record head for receiving replenishment with ink via an ink replenishment passage from a main tank and supplying ink to the record head, wherein air pressure generated by an air pressurizing pump is applied to the main tank and the sub-tank is replenished with ink from the main tank by the action of the air pressure, and having an on-off valve unit comprising a valve member being placed on an air flow passage from the air pressurizing pump to the main tank and opened under a given or more air pressure for maintaining the air pressure in the air flow passage in a predetermined range and drive means capable of forcibly opening the valve member in the on-off valve unit, thereby releasing the pressurization state of the air pressurizing pump.
In this case, the ink replenishment passage from the main tank to the sub-tank preferably is implemented as a flexible ink replenishment tube.
Preferably, an ink replenishment valve is placed on the ink replenishment passage between the main tank and the sub-tank and is opened or closed by a control signal generated by ink amount detection means for detecting the amount of ink in the sub-tank.
It is desirable that the main tank should have an outer shell formed in a hermetic state and store an ink pack formed of a flexible material in which ink is sealed and that the air pressure generated by the air pressurizing pump should be applied to space formed by an outer shell component of the ink cartridge and the ink pack.
Further, it is desirable that a plurality of main tanks for sealing inks ejected through the record head should be provided and that air pressure generated by one air pressurizing pump should be applied each of the main tanks.
In a preferred embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention described above, a drive shaft capable of moving the valve member is placed in the on-off valve unit and is driven by the drive means, whereby the valve member is opened.
In a preferred embodiment, the drive force of the drive means is transmitted to a drive lever rotated via a support shaft and is transmitted via the drive lever to the drive shaft in the on-off valve unit. An electromagnetic plunger can be adopted preferably as the drive means.
In this case, preferably the valve member in the on-off valve unit is opened by the drive force of the electromagnetic plunger generated when the electromagnetic plunger is energized, thereby releasing the pressurization state.
Further, in a preferred embodiment, the drive force of the electromagnetic plunger acts on one end part of a drive lever rotated via a support shaft, a spring member for urging in an opposite direction to the rotation direction of the drive lever in the drive state of the electromagnetic plunger is placed at an opposite end part of the drive lever, and a drive shaft in the on-off valve unit is joined between the one end part of the drive lever and the support shaft and opens the valve member in the on-off valve unit by the urging force of the spring member when the electromagnetic plunger is non-energized, thereby releasing the pressurization state.
On the other hand, a ventilation hole for communicating with the atmosphere can be made in the on-off valve unit and be closed by the elastic force of the valve member for maintaining a closed valve state.
The on-off valve unit can also be formed with a ventilation hole for communicating with the atmosphere and comprise a spring member for urging the valve member toward the ventilation hole and the ventilation hole can also be closed by the urging force of the spring member for maintaining a closed valve state.
Further, the on-off valve unit may be formed with a ventilation hole for communicating with the atmosphere and comprise a spring member for urging the valve member toward the ventilation hole and the ventilation hole may be closed by the elastic force of the valve member and the urging force of the spring member for maintaining a closed valve state. In this case, a diaphragm valve can be adopted preferably as the valve member.
In a preferred embodiment, the diaphragm valve has a peripheral portion clamped in a joint part of an upper case and a lower case forming an outer shell of the on-off valve unit, either of the upper and lower cases and the diaphragm valve form an air chamber in a hermetic state, and the diaphragm valve opens or closes a ventilation hole made so as to communicate with the air chamber.
According to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the second aspect of the invention, air pressure generated by the pressuring pump is applied to the main tank, so that the sub-tank can be replenished with necessary and sufficient ink from the main tank.
The on-off valve unit is placed on the air flow passage from the pressurizing pump to the main tank and the valve member installed in the on-off valve unit serves as both the pressure regulating function of opening the valve under the predetermined air pressure or more and the atmosphere release function of forcibly opening the valve upon reception of the drive force of the drive means.
Therefore, the air pressure in the appropriate range is always applied to each main tank by the pressure regulating function during the operation of the recording apparatus, whereby each sub-tank can be stably replenished with ink from each main tank.
The atmosphere release function can be used to release the air pressure to the main tank, for example, in the pause mode in which operation power supply is not input to the recording apparatus, thereby making it possible to circumvent the problem of inducing ink leakage from the main tank in the pause mode of the recording apparatus.
Further, the valve member in the on-off valve unit serves as both the pressure regulating function and the atmosphere release function, so that the occupation volume in the recording apparatus can be lessened and in addition, the product costs can be decreased as compared with the configuration wherein the pressure regulating function and the atmosphere release function are provided separately.
Next, according to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus wherein pressurized air generated by an air pressurizing pump is applied to a main tank storing ink and a record head mounted on a carriage is replenished with ink from the main tank by the action of the pressurized air, wherein a pressure detector for detecting pressure of the pressurized air is placed on an air flow passage between the air pressurizing pump and the main tank and driving the air pressurizing pump is controlled based on a control signal generated according to the pressure detected by the pressure detector, the pressure detector comprising a diaphragm being displaced upon reception of the air pressure of the pressurized air and output generation means for generating a control signal based on the displacement amount of the diaphragm.
In this case, preferably the main tank has an outer shell formed in a hermetic state and stores an ink pack formed of a flexible material in which ink is sealed and wherein the pressurized air generated by the air pressurizing pump is applied to a pressure chamber formed by an outer shell component of the main tank and the ink pack.
Preferably, a sub-tank mounted on the carriage is replenished with ink via an ink replenishment passage from the main tank and ink is supplied from the sub-tank to the record head mounted on the carriage.
In addition, it is desirable that the ink replenishment passage from the main tank to the sub-tank should be implemented as a flexible ink replenishment tube.
In a preferred embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention described above, the output generation means comprises a moving member made to advance or retreat by replacement of the diaphragm and a photosensor made up of a light source and a light receiving element placed so as to cross a move path of the moving member and generates the control signal based on output of the light receiving element forming a part of the photosensor.
In another preferred embodiment, the output generation means comprises a moving member made to advance or retreat by replacement of the diaphragm and a photosensor made up of a light source for projecting light onto a move path of the moving member and a light receiving element for receiving reflected light of the light source based on a move of the moving member and generates the control signal based on output of the light receiving element forming a part of the photosensor.
Although any of the forms of the ink jet recording apparatus described above is adopted, the following configuration can be adopted preferably: The diaphragm is formed of an elastic material and the moving member is made to advance or retreat based on replacement of the diaphragm depending on balance of the air pressure received by the diaphragm and the restoration force of the diaphragm.
In this case, it is desirable that the moving member should be formed with a step part for preventing the diaphragm from being excessively displaced by the air pressure. The following configuration can also be adopted: The ink jet recording apparatus further comprises a spring member for urging in a restoration direction of the diaphragm wherein the moving member is made to advance or retreat based on replacement of the diaphragm depending on balance of the air pressure received by the diaphragm, the restoration force of the diaphragm, and the urging force of the spring member.
It is desirable that the ink jet recording apparatus should further comprise a stopper member for receiving the urging force of the spring member and blocking excessive displacement of the diaphragm.
The moving member can be molded integrally with the diaphragm.
On the other hand, the diaphragm preferably is formed of rubber. The diaphragm may be formed of rubber and a cloth.
Although any of the forms of the ink jet recording apparatus described above is adopted, it is desirable that the diaphragm should be placed so as to close an opening part of a case, whereby a space portion for receiving the air pressure from the air pressurizing pump is formed in the case, and that the case should be formed with a pressurized air introduction connection tube for introducing the pressurized air from the air pressurizing pump into the space portion and a plurality of pressurized air distribution connection tubes for distributing the pressurized air to each main tank from the space portion.
According to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the third aspect of the invention, pressurized air generated by the pressuring pump is applied to the main tank, so that the record head mounted on the carriage can be replenished with a necessary and sufficient amount of ink by the action of the air pressure.
The pressure detector placed on the air flow passage between the air pressurizing pump and the main tank monitors the pressurization state to the main tank and the pressurizing pump is controlled so as to be driven intermittently by the control signal generated by the pressure detector.
In this case, the pressure detector comprises the diaphragm displaced upon reception of the air pressure of the pressurized air and the output generation means generates the control signal for controlling driving the pressurizing pump based on the displacement amount of the diaphragm.
The output generation means comprises the moving member made to advance or retreat by replacement of the diaphragm and the photosensor detects the move state of the moving member, whereby the control signal for controlling driving the pressurizing pump is generated.
Therefore, the pressure detector is formed according to the comparatively simple configuration of the diaphragm and the photosensor and thus can be realized at comparative low costs,
Since the pressurizing pump is intermittently driven by the control signal generated by the pressure detector, it is also made possible to solve problems of occurrence of noise and durability caused by driving the pressurizing pump all the time.
To accomplish the above-mentioned object of the invention, according to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus wherein pressurized air generated by an air pressurizing pump is applied to a main tank storing ink and ink is supplied from the main tank to a record head mounted on a carriage by the action of the pressurized air, comprising a pressure detector being placed on an air flow passage between the air pressurizing pump and the main tank for detecting pressure of the pressurized air and control means for driving the air pressurizing pump if the pressure detection value provided by the pressure detector does not reach a predetermined pressure value, and stopping driving the air pressurizing pump after the expiration of a predetermined time if the pressure detection value provided by the pressure detector reaches the predetermined pressure value.
In this case, preferably the ink jet recording apparatus further comprises a pressure release valve being opened for regulating pressure if the pressure in the air flow passage between the air pressurizing pump and the main tank is a pressure higher than the predetermined pressure detected by the pressure detector, wherein if the pressure detection value provided by the pressure detector reaches the predetermined pressure value, the control means stops driving the air pressurizing pump after the expiration of the time for the pressure release valve to be opened.
The control means comprising the configuration described above is preferably used with the ink jet recording apparatus wherein a sub-tank mounted on the carriage is replenished with ink via an ink replenishment passage from the main tank and ink is supplied from the sub-tank to the record head mounted on the carriage.
In addition, it is desirable that the ink replenishment passage from the main tank to the sub-tank should be implemented as a flexible ink replenishment tube. In this case, preferably the main tank has an outer shell formed in a hermetic state and stores an ink pack formed of a flexible material in which ink is sealed and the pressurized air generated by the air pressurizing pump is applied to a pressure chamber formed by an outer shell component of the main tank and the ink pack.
The pressure detector in the ink jet recording apparatus having the configuration described above preferably comprises a diaphragm being displaced upon reception of the air pressure of the pressurized air and output generation means for generating a control signal based on the displacement amount of the diaphragm.
In a preferred embodiment, the output generation means comprises a moving member made to advance or retreat by replacement of the diaphragm and a photosensor made up of a light source and a light receiving element placed so as to cross a move path of the moving member and generates the control signal based on output of the light receiving element forming a part of the photosensor.
In another preferred embodiment, the output generation means comprises a moving member made to advance or retreat by replacement of the diaphragm and a photosensor made up of a light source for projecting light onto a move path of the moving member and a light receiving element for receiving reflected light of the light source based on a move of the moving member and generates the control signal based on output of the light receiving element forming a part of the photosensor.
In any forms of the ink jet recording apparatus described above, the following configuration can be adopted: The diaphragm is formed of an elastic material and the moving member is made to advance or retreat based on replacement of the diaphragm depending on balance of the air pressure received by the diaphragm and the restoration force of the diaphragm.
Further, the following configuration can also be adopted effectively: The moving member is formed with a step part for preventing the diaphragm from being excessively displaced by the air pressure.
The following configuration can also be adopted: The ink jet recording apparatus further comprises a spring member for urging in a restoration direction of the diaphragm wherein the moving member is made to advance or retreat based on replacement of the diaphragm depending on balance of the air pressure received by the diaphragm, the restoration force of the diaphragm, and the urging force of the spring member.
In this case, it is desirable that the ink jet recording apparatus should further comprise a stopper member for receiving the urging force of the spring member and blocking excessive displacement of the diaphragm. On the other hand, the diaphragm preferably is formed of rubber. The diaphragm may be formed of rubber and a cloth.
It is desirable that the diaphragm should be placed so as to close an opening part of a case, whereby a space portion for receiving the air pressure from the air pressurizing pump is formed in the case, and that the case should be formed with a pressurized air introduction connection tube for introducing the pressurized air from the air pressurizing pump into the space portion and a plurality of pressurized air distribution connection tubes for distributing the pressurized air to each main tank from the space portion.
According to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention described above, pressurized air generated by the pressuring pump is applied to the main tank, so that the sub-tank mounted on the carriage can be replenished with a necessary and sufficient amount of ink by the action of the air pressure.
The pressure detector placed on the air flow passage between the air pressurizing pump and the main tank monitors the pressurization state to the main tank and driving the pressurizing pump is controlled by the control signal generated by the pressure detector.
In this case, if the pressure detection value provided by the pressure detector does not reach the predetermined pressure value, the air pressurizing pump is driven. If the pressure detection value provided by the pressure detector reaches the predetermined pressure value, driving the air pressurizing pump is stopped after the expiration of the predetermined time.
In the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fourth aspect of the invention, driving the air pressurizing pump is continued for the predetermined time still after the pressure detector detects the predetermined pressure being reached, so that necessary and sufficient pressurized air is accumulated on the air flow passage from the pressurizing pump to the main tank.
When the accumulated pressurized air falls below the level detected by the pressure detector as ink is consumed, the air pressurizing pump is again driven.
In another preferred form, the ink jet recording apparatus comprises the pressure release valve being opened for regulating pressure if a pressure higher than the predetermined pressure detected by the pressure detector is received if the pressure detection value of the pressure detector reaches the predetermined pressure value, and using the function of the pressure release valve, driving the air pressurizing pump is stopped after the expiration of the time for the pressure release valve to be opened.
According to the form, necessary and sufficient pressurized air is accumulated on the air flow passage from the pressurizing pump to the main tank and in this state, the pressure release valve is opened and a constant pressure is held on the air flow passage from the pressurizing pump to the main tank regardless of driving the pressurizing pump.
When the accumulated pressurized air falls below the level detected by the pressure detector as ink is consumed, the air pressurizing pump is again driven.
In this case, the problem of applying excessive pressure to the main tank can be circumvented by the action of the pressure release valve, and the reliability of the operation of this kind of ink jet recording apparatus can be guaranteed.
Therefore, in any configurations described above, necessary and sufficient pressurized air is accumulated on the air flow passage from the pressurizing pump to the main tank and thus considerable time is required by the time the pressurized air falls below the level detected by the pressure detector and the problem of the frequently repetitive operation of driving and stopping the pressurizing pump can be solved.
To accomplish the fifth object of the invention, according to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus comprising a record head being mounted on a carriage and reciprocated in a width direction of record paper and a sub-tank being mounted on the carriage together with the record head for receiving replenishment with ink via an ink replenishment passage from an ink cartridge forming a main tank and supplying ink to the record head, wherein air pressure generated by an air pressurizing pump is applied to the ink cartridge and the sub-tank is replenished with ink from the ink cartridge by the action of the air pressure, wherein a cartridge holder loaded with the ink cartridge detachably is provided with a cover member opened for attaching or detaching the ink cartridge and atmosphere release means for opening an air flow passage from the air pressurizing pump to the ink cartridge into the atmosphere as the cover member is opened is provided.
In this case, preferable the ink replenishment passage from the ink cartridge to the sub-tank is implemented as a flexible ink replenishment tube.
Preferably, the ink cartridge has an outer shell formed in a hermetic state and stores an ink pack formed of a flexible material in which ink is sealed and the air pressure generated by the air pressurizing pump is applied to space formed by an outer shell component of the ink cartridge and the ink pack.
In a preferred embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the invention, an ink replenishment valve is placed on the ink replenishment passage between the ink cartridge and the sub-tank and is opened or closed by a control signal generated by ink amount detection means for detecting the amount of ink in the sub-tank.
It is desirable that the cartridge holder should be loaded detachably with a plurality of ink cartridges for sealing inks ejected through the record head and air pressure generated by one air pressurizing pump should be applied via the air flow passage to each of the ink cartridges with which the cartridge holder is loaded.
On the other hand, preferably the cartridge holder comprises an electric switch for detecting the cover member being open and an on-off valve unit implementing the atmosphere release means is opened with the operation of the electric switch.
In this case, a diaphragm valve is placed in the on-off valve unit and is opened or closed by drive means driven with the operation of the electric switch. In this case, further the drive means preferably is implemented as an electromagnetic plunger.
In a preferred embodiment, the drive force of the electromagnetic plunger acts on one end part of a drive lever rotated via a support shaft, a spring member for urging in an opposite direction to the rotation direction of the drive lever in the drive state of the electromagnetic plunger is placed at an opposite end part of the drive lever, and a drive shaft for supporting the diaphragm valve in the on-off valve unit is joined between the one end part of the drive lever and the support shaft and opens the diaphragm valve by the urging force of the spring member when the electromagnetic plunger is non-energized.
In addition, it is desirable that in the recording apparatus having the configuration described above, the atmosphere release means should also serve as a pressure regulating valve for releasing pressure when the air pressure pressurized by the air pressurizing pump reaches a predetermined or more pressure for maintaining the air pressure applied to the ink cartridge in a predetermined range.
Further, it is desirable that in the recording apparatus having the configuration described above, driving the air pressurizing pump should be stopped in association with opening of the cover member put on the cartridge holder.
According to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the fifth aspect of the invention described above, the air pressure generated by the air pressurizing pump is applied to the ink cartridge, so that the sub-tank mounted on the carriage can be replenished with necessary and sufficient ink from the ink cartridge.
The atmosphere release means placed on the air flow passage from the pressurizing pump to the ink cartridge releases the pressurized air into the atmosphere in association with the operation of the cover member opened when the ink cartridge is attached or detached.
Therefore, when the ink cartridge placed in the cartridge holder, to which pressurized air is applied, is drawn out from the cartridge holder, application of the pressurized air to the ink cartridge is reliably released.
Thus, the problem of accidentally blowing out ink by the action of the remaining pressurized air in the ink cartridge when the cartridge is drawn out from the holder can be circumvented.
The outer shell member of the ink cartridge a little expanded upon reception of the action of the pressurized air with the ink cartridge placed in the cartridge holder is also restored to the original shape as the cover member is opened, so that drawing out the ink cartridge from the holder can be facilitated, and the problem of damage to both the cartridge and the holder in the drawing-out operation can also be circumvented
According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided an ink jet recording apparatus wherein pressurized air generated by an air pressurizing pump is applied to a main tank storing ink and a record head mounted on a carriage is replenished with ink from the main tank by the action of the pressurized air and wherein a pressure detector comprising a diaphragm being displaced upon reception of the pressurized air and signal generation means for generating a pressure sense signal based on the displacement amount of the diaphragm is placed on an air flow passage between the air pressurizing pump and the main tank, wherein the diaphragm is formed of a material having hardness changed so as to become high in a low temperature state and low in a high temperature state and wherein driving the air pressurizing pump is controlled based on the pressure sense signal generated by the signal generation means.
The diaphragm may be formed of a material having a volume changed so as to contract in a low temperature state and expand in a high temperature state and driving the air pressurizing pump can also be controlled based on the pressure sense signal generated by the signal generation means.
Further, a moving member for mechanically joining the diaphragm and the signal generation means can also be formed of a material having a size in a moving direction changed so as to contract in a low temperature state and expand in a high temperature state and driving the air pressurizing pump can also be controlled based on the pressure sense signal generated by the signal generation means.
In this case, it is desirable that the temperature dependency characteristic of the value of pressure to generate the pressure sense signal by the signal generation means should be almost equal to the temperature dependency characteristic in the viscosity of ink with which the record head is replenished from the main tank.
It is desirable that the temperature dependency characteristic of the value of pressure to generate the pressure sense signal by the signal generation means should be almost equal to the temperature dependency characteristic in the pressure loss on a replenishment passage of ink with which the record head is replenished from the main tank.
Preferably, a sub-tank mounted on the carriage is replenished with ink via an ink replenishment passage from the main tank and ink is supplied from the sub-tank to the record head mounted on the carriage.
In addition, the ink replenishment passage from the main tank to the sub-tank is implemented as a flexible ink replenishment tube.
In a preferred embodiment of the ink jet recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the invention, the signal generation means comprises a moving member made to advance or retreat by replacement of the diaphragm and a photosensor made up of a light source and a light receiving element placed so as to cross a move path of the moving member and generates the pressure sense signal based on output of the light receiving element forming a part of the photosensor.
In another preferred embodiment, the signal generation means comprises a moving member made to advance or retreat by replacement of the diaphragm and a photosensor made up of a light source for projecting light onto a move path of the moving member and a light receiving element for receiving reflected light of the light source based on a move of the moving member and generates the pressure sense signal based on output of the light receiving element forming a part of the photosensor.
In any forms of the ink jet recording apparatus described above, the following configuration can be adopted: The diaphragm is formed of an elastic material and the moving member is made to advance or retreat based on replacement of the diaphragm depending on balance of the air pressure received by the diaphragm and the restoration force of the diaphragm.
It is desirable that the moving member should be formed with a step part for preventing the diaphragm from being excessively displaced by the air pressure.
The following configuration can also be adopted: The ink jet recording apparatus further comprises a spring member for urging in a restoration direction of the diaphragm wherein the moving member is made to advance or retreat based on replacement of the diaphragm depending on balance of the air pressure received by the diaphragm, the restoration force of the diaphragm, and the urging force of the spring member.
It is desirable that the ink jet recording apparatus should further comprise a stopper member for receiving the urging force of the spring member and blocking excessive displacement of the diaphragm.
On the other hand, preferably the diaphragm is formed of rubber. The diaphragm may be formed of rubber and a cloth. In this case, it is desirable that the rubber should be NBR and have a rubber hardness of 40 to 60 degrees.
According to the ink jet recording apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the invention described above, the following problem can be circumvented: As the ink velocity is changed when the environmental temperature is changed, the flow velocity of the ink with which the sub-tank is replenished from the main tank becomes low in a low temperature state and is increased as the temperature is raised.
That is, as first means, the diaphragm contained in the pressure detector is formed of a material having hardness changed so as to become high in a low temperature state and low in a high temperature state.
Thus, driving the moving member as the diaphragm is displaced is suppressed in the low temperature state, so that the value of pressure when the photosensor detects the move state of the moving member becomes high. Therefore, driving the air pressurizing pump is continued, thereby increasing the flow velocity of ink with which the sub-tank is replenished from the main tank
On the other hand, driving the moving member as the diaphragm is displaced is promoted in the high temperature state, and the value of pressure when the photosensor detects the move state of the moving member becomes low. Therefore, driving the air pressurizing pump is stopped at an early stage, thereby decreasing the flow velocity of ink with which the sub-tank is replenished from the main tank.
As second means, the diaphragm contained in the pressure detector is formed of a material having a volume changed so as to contract in a low temperature state and expand in a high temperature state, whereby in the low temperature state, the diaphragm contracts and substantially the moving member is shifted away from the sense area of the photosensor, so that the value of pressure when the photosensor detects the move state of the moving member becomes high.
Therefore, driving the air pressurizing pump is continued, thereby increasing the flow velocity of ink with which the sub-tank is replenished from the main tank.
On the other hand, in the high temperature state, the diaphragm expands and substantially the moving member is shifted toward the sense area of the photosensor, so that the value of pressure when the photosensor detects the move state of the moving member becomes low. Therefore, driving the air pressurizing pump is stopped at an early stage, thereby decreasing the flow velocity of ink with which the sub-tank is replenished from the main tank.
Further, as third means, the moving member for mechanically joining the diaphragm and the signal generation means is formed of a material having the size in the moving direction changed so as to contract in a low temperature state and expand in a high temperature state, whereby in the low temperature state, the moving member contracts and substantially the tip of the moving member is shifted away from the sense area of the photosensor, so that the value of pressure when the photosensor detects the move state of the moving member becomes high.
Therefore, driving the air pressurizing pump is continued, thereby increasing the flow velocity of ink with which the sub-tank is replenished from the main tank.
On the other hand, in the high temperature state, the moving member expands and substantially the tip of the moving member is shifted toward the sense area of the photosensor, so that the value of pressure when the photosensor detects the move state of the moving member becomes low. Therefore, driving the air pressurizing pump is stopped at an early stage, thereby decreasing the flow velocity of ink with which the sub-tank is replenished from the main tank.
The pressure detector having the function described above is adopted, whereby the change amount of the flow velocity of the ink with which the sub-tank is replenished from the main tank can be maintained in the predetermined range if the environmental temperature is changed.
The above-described function can be provided according to the comparatively simple configuration of the diaphragm and the photosensor and thus can be realized at comparatively low costs.
The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese patent application Nos.
2000-12460 (filed on Jan. 21, 2000),
2000-24417 (filed on Feb. 1, 2000),
2000-24421 (filed on Feb. 1, 2000),
2000-69692 (filed on Mar. 14, 2000), and
2000-189520 (filed on Jun. 23, 2000),
which are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.


Integrated circuits with integrated memory devices and high capacitors, and methods for fabricating such integrated circuits are provided. An exemplary method for fabricating an integrated circuit includes forming, from a lower conductive layer, a lower memory interconnect and a lower capacitor interconnects over a substrate. The method further includes forming a conductive memory via coupled to the lower memory interconnect and a conductive capacitor vias coupled to the lower capacitor interconnect. Also, the method includes forming a memory structure over the memory via and forming a capacitor dielectric layer over the memory structure and over the capacitor via. Further, the method includes forming, from an upper conductive layer, an upper memory interconnect coupled to the memory structure and an upper capacitor interconnects over the capacitor dielectric layer over the capacitor via. The capacitor via, capacitor dielectric layer, and upper capacitor interconnects form the high capacitor.

Passive components such as capacitors are used extensively in integrated circuit design, such as for radio-frequency (RF) and mixed-signal applications, including bypassing, interstage coupling, and in resonant circuits and filters. With a desire for higher-levels of integration to achieve reduction in cost associated with integrated circuit fabrication processes, there is an effort to economize each step of the integrated circuit fabrication process to the greatest extent possible, while maintaining the highest degree of quality and functionality as possible.
Metal on metal (MOM) and poly on poly (POP) capacitors attain very precise capacitance values in analog circuits. A benefit of MOM and POP capacitors is that they are able to achieve a high capacitance value for a small area. MOM capacitors are commonly formed on a silicon substrate by depositing a first metal layer of titanium (Ti), followed by the deposition of a titanium nitride (TiN) layer, which serves as one of the capacitor's electrodes. A capacitor dielectric material is then deposited over the TiN. Following the deposition of the capacitor dielectric layer, a metal, which serves as the other capacitor's electrode, is deposited over the dielectric layer. The various layer are then patterned and etched to form the desired capacitor structure. Often these MOM and POP capacitors will be formed within an opening in a dielectric material.
A drawback of MOM and POP capacitors is the number of processing steps used to form such capacitors. Conventional processing for these structures requires additional mask-steps during the manufacturing process, which directly translates into added cost. With each processing step, the manufacturing cost of the integrated circuit increases, and due to the competitive market that exists in the integrated circuit fabrication industry, any additional cost is highly undesirable.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide integrated circuits with improved capacitors that provide accurate capacitance values and high capacitance values per unit area, but that are capable of being manufactured using the least number of processing steps possible and thereby, saving manufacturing costs. Further, it is desirable to integrate such capacitors in integrated circuits with memory structures. It is also desirable to provide methods for fabricating integrated circuits with integrated memory structures and capacitors that are less expensive and less time consuming than current methods. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

Integrated circuits with integrated memory structures and capacitors and methods for fabricating the same


A handheld inkjet printer is disclosed. The printer has a housing, a printhead fixedly mounted in the housing, and a capping device mounted external to the housing. The capping device has an arm, a capping leg extending transversely from the arm and an elastomeric pad affixed to the capping leg and in capping engagement with the printhead. The arm has a resilient portion deformable towards the housing upon receipt of a force. The housing defines a fulcrum with the arm and the leg being positioned on opposite sides of the fulcrum. Deformation of the arm towards the housing causes displacement of the capping leg, which in turn causes the elastomeric pad to move out of capping engagement with the printhead.

Prior art drop-on-demand printers incorporate a supply of print media and employ a print media feed mechanism to transport the print media past the printhead or printheads to effect printing onto the print media. An application entitled "Manually Moveable Printer with Speed Sensor" discloses a portable, hand-held drop-on-demand inkjet printer having a fixed printhead. The printer can print an image onto a sheet external to the printer by passing the casing of the printer over and across the print media as the nozzles of the printhead eject ink.
During non-use periods of the printer, a capping device seals the printhead from the surrounding atmosphere to prevent evaporation of ink and the consequential blockage of the nozzles.
The present application is directed to specific capping arrangements for portable printers.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A seating unit is provided with a glider linkage and a powered reclining mechanism, supported on a pedestal base. The glider linkage allows the seating unit to move to and fro in a gliding motion when the seating unit is in the closed position. The powered reclining mechanism allows independent operation of the footrest and back recline, utilizing a two-motor design. As the seating unit moves from the closed position to the TV position, with the footrest extended, a locking linkage prevents the glider linkage from moving. Additionally, the locking of the glider linkage provides at least a portion of the change in pitch of the seat. The recliner linkage provides the remaining portion of the change in pitch of the seat as the mechanism moves from the closed to the TV position. Because the back recline is independent from the footrest extension, the back can be at least partially reclined even when the seating unit is in the closed position.

The present invention relates broadly to motion furniture and motion furniture mechanisms. More particularly, the present invention relates to a glider and reclining mechanism for use on a chair, supported by a pedestal, and a chair incorporating such a mechanism.
Mechanisms for seating units known as gliders and recliners are available. But, in these seating units, the mechanism of the chair is typically a square steel base. The sides or arms of these seating units hide this base, but the overall appearance of the chair is quite substantial and not appealing to all consumers. Additionally, the mechanisms on these known gliders typically extend the footrest and recline the back in a coordinated fashion. If these seating units are motorized, typically one motor is used to extend the footrest and recline the back.
It would be advantageous to be able to offer consumers a glider seating unit with arms supported above the floor to provide a more modern, sleek appearance. In moving from a closed position to a TV position (with the back substantially upright and the footrest extended), it would be advantageous to achieve some level of seat pitch change, such that the seat tilts downwardly from front to back. This position has been found to be more comfortable for a majority of users. Additionally, it would be advantageous to provide a powered mechanism in which the footrest and the back recline can be independently operated.

Pedestal glider and recliner chair and mechanism


The drying method performs drying the honeycomb formed article by such an arrangement that superheated steam or mixed gas of steam and hot air, temperature and humidity of which is regulated so that wet-bulb temperature thereof becomes 70° C. or higher, is made to pass through the cells of the honeycomb formed article. The drying apparatus includes a steam supply unit that supplies the superheated steam, a buffer chamber that aligns the superheated steam supplied from the steam supply unit, an upper chamber disposed above the buffer chamber to locate the honeycomb formed article, and a hood unit that recovers the superheated steam which has passed through the honeycomb formed article.

A honeycomb structure is widely used for catalyst carrier, various types of filter and the like. Recently, the honeycomb structure attracts attention as a diesel particulate filter (DPF) for trapping particulate matter emitted from diesel engines.
Generally, a principal component of the honeycomb structure is ceramics in many cases. To fabricate such a honeycomb structure, firstly water and various additives such as binder are added to raw material of ceramics to prepare kneaded clay, then a formed article with a shape of honeycomb (honeycomb formed article) is made through extrusion forming. After drying the honeycomb formed article, this honeycomb formed article is fired and then fabrication of the honeycomb structure can be achieved.
As drying methods of the honeycomb formed article, an dielectric drying method, which uses high frequency energy generated by current between electrodes provided upper and lower part of the honeycomb formed article, and a hot air drying method, which performs drying through introducing hot air generated by gas burner and the like, are well known. However in these days, in place of or in addition to these drying methods, a drying method utilizing microwaves (microwaves drying method), which has advantages of quick drying speed and the like (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 to 3) has been adopted.
However, such microwave drying method has had difficulty in drying the whole honeycomb formed article in a uniform speed, due to delayed drying in the upper and lower end portion or in the peripheral portion of the honeycomb formed article compared with other portion in drying process. The honeycomb formed article shrinks when water evaporates whereby when drying speed is not uniform, defects such as deformation and breakage tend to happen easily. Moreover, thinning of partition wall (rib) to separate cells has been progressed and the thinner the partition wall of the honeycomb formed article is, the more easily deformation of the honeycomb formed article occurs. Consequently, uniformalizing of drying speed has especially become to be an important object recently.
Patent Document 1: JP-R 2002-283329
Patent Document 2: JP-A 2002-283330
Patent Document 3: WO 2005/023503 Pamphlet

Method of drying honeycomb article, and drying apparatus therefor


A display panel, a production method and a display device thereof. The display panel includes: a flexible circuit board, a touch layer, a cover plate, and an auxiliary transparent layer disposed close to the cover plate; the flexible circuit board is connected to the touch layer, a first sealant is provided at a boundary position between the touch layer and the flexible circuit board and is located on a side of the flexible circuit board facing the cover; a distance between a surface of the auxiliary transparent layer facing the cover plate and the cover plate is not greater than a distance between a surface of the first sealant facing the cover plate and the cover plate.

With the gradual development of display device technology, flexible display panels have been gradually applied to wearable devices, such as smart watches, wrist phones, etc.
The display panel includes a flexible circuit board, and a cover plate, a polarizer, a touch layer and a display layer that are stacked in sequence; one end of the flexible circuit board is connected with a control device, and the other end of the flexible circuit board is connected with the touch layer to realize the touch control of the display device. During production, the display layer, the touch layer and the polarizer are formed at first, and then the flexible circuit board is connected to the touch layer; in order to prevent the outside air from contacting with the touch layer, a solid sealant is usually attached to a boundary position between the touch layer and the flexible circuit board, then the cover plate is attached to the polarizer.
However, a volume of the solid sealant is relatively large, and after the solid sealant is attached, a top surface of the solid sealant away from the touch layer is closer to the cover plate than a top surface of the polarizer away from the touch layer; when the cover plate is installed, the solid sealant first contacts with the cover plate, and cracks are likely to occur between the solid sealant and the touch layer after the solid sealant being stressed, resulting in the sealing failure of the touch layer.

Display panel, production method and display device thereof

Kunshan New Flat Panel Display Technology Center Co., Ltd.

KunShan Go-Visionox Opto-Electronics Co., Ltd.


A process for reducing die drool during extrusion of highly filled polymeric resins for production of jacketing insulation for wire and cable by incorporating into the surface of the die in contact with said resin a compound which decreases the adhesiveness between the polymeric resin and the die surface, said compound being employed in an amount sufficient to reduce die drool.

As used herein, the term "die drool" means the accumulation of polymeric or mostly polymeric material at the external die surface adjacent to the polymer exiting the die. Such build-up causes the surface of the polymer composition exiting the die to have increased roughness. Portions of the material build-up may re-attach itself to the extrudate causing upsets or poor product. The phenomenon is also described in the publication entitled, "Die Drool--What Causes It; How to Avoid It" by Imrich Klein from "Plastics World"--May, 1981.
The term "filled polymeric resin" means any solid additives which are incorporated in the resin prior to extrusion. These can include carbon black, calcium carbonate, silica, hydrated aluminum and other additives normally added in the production of jacketing insulation for wire and cable products.
The term "highly filled polymeric resin" differentiates polymer systems of low volumetric loading from those of high volumetric loading. In particular, high volumetric loading of fillers are associated with a marked decrease in extensibility of the molten polymer system. Extensibility is the strain at break under a defined rate of extension and temperature. The strain can be estimated in an engineering measure as L/L.sub.0, where L is the length at break and L.sub.0 is the initial length of the deforming section. In general, the volumetric loading of a highly filled polymer system is greater than 10%, preferably greater than 15% to as high as 40% for most thermoplastic systems. The purpose of working at such high levels is to incorporate the properties of the filler into the polymeric system. One such purpose is to obtain flame retardancy not normally found in the polymer resin. Another reason may be to increase the modulus or toughness of the polymer resin. An economic reason may be to simply decrease cost at little or no loss in properties.
The use of the measure, "a marked decrease in extensibility of the molten polymer system" can be used as a relevant working definition of high loadings. This allows one to separate the specific mechanism of die drool associated with high filler loadings independent of the type of filler used. A simple test is to stretch the filled molten polymer at rates and at temperatures corresponding to the particular extrusion operation of concern. If the strain at break is less than about 3 or 4, then the material is relatively brittle compared to lower filler loadings which would yield a ductile response and not fail at strains less than about 10.

Reduction in die drool in filled resins and product improvement

Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics Technology Corporation


A flexible tubular jumping rope or section of a jumping hoop is shown partly filled with a fluid and particles which reflect or refract light floating in the fluid. The fluid in combination with the transparent tubing forms an attractive and novel jumping device.. A rigid center section is also provided of a light transmitting plastic which contains a fluid and light refracting or reflecting particles. The center section creates an attractive appearance and adds interest to the device.. Different embodiments of bearings or rotary connections between end caps or handles and the flexible loop center section or jump rope are also disclosed.. A sleeve surrounding a rigid center section, which permits rotation between the sleeve and the center rigid section is shown. The sleeve is gripped by the user's hand and the center rod rotates within the sleeve as the jumping hoop rotates around the user.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is in the field of toys and exercise devices known generally as jump ropes or jump sticks. In one embodiment these devices include a flexible rope which is held in the user's hands separately. In another embodiment there is a rigid center section or pole to which the ends of the rope are mounted, and the device is operated by manipulating the rigid center section.
2. Prior Art
Use of jump ropes and jump ropes having rigid center sections are well known in the art as illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,958,802 (Horton), 4,082,226 (Elkins), 4,192,501 (Peoples), 4,315,623 (Granderson), 4,618,142 (Joseph), 4,496,146 (Jackemeyer), 3,633,925 (Deese), 3,064,972 (Feinn), 3,061,307 (Burr), 104,674 (Whitehead), 169,625 (Crandall) 3,466,032 (Thornton), 3,118,666 (Fitch), 4,733,861 (Plunkett), and 4,094,502 (Cook).
Also known in the art are jumping rope devices wherein water flows through the center of a tube to propel the tube or jump rope device. Patents describing this type of arrangement are U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,107,916 (Cooper), 3,481,600 (Lang et al), and 4,124,206 (Price).
The art also includes different means for attaching jump ropes or jump loops to handles. These patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,517,931 (Kalish), 4,136,866 (Bouvier), 4,375,886 (Muys), 4,563,002 (Jardine), 4,489,934 (Miller), 4,529,193 (Kuhnsmann), 259,440 (Turnbull) and 4,776,585 (Maleyko et al).
Maleyko et al '585 shows the use of washer like bearings mounted within a handle. Turnbull U.S. Pat. No. 259,440 shows the use of a pair of washers which retain a metallic hoop placed along a center rod.
A product known as "skip stick" manufactured by Worlds of Wonder, Inc., Freemont, Calif. 94538, is a central tube stick having a solid plastic rope attached to caps at the end of the tube stick. The attachment to the caps permits rotary motion of the plastic rope with respect to the hand-held tube stick. The hand-held stick includes grips which fit around the stick and not on the stick end. These handles, however, are a sponge rubber-like material and do not permit rotation between the grip and the jump stick. The plastic rope is held in end caps by means of a metallic loop which is S-shaped through which the plastic rope passes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,502, Cook, shows the use of an exercise device having a rigid frame, and where there is a rotatable handle 15 into which a rod 12 is inserted. There is radial movement between the handle 15 and the rod 12.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,192,501, Peoples, shows an electric jump rope where the rope is connected to a shaft 26 which is rotatable within a tube 24. The tube 24 comprises the jumping handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 259,440, Turnbull, mentioned above, also shows a skipping hoop where the flexible portion A turns with respect to a center portion CBD, and hence teaches the use of a center grip which rotates with respect to a rod L which holds the rope A.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,061,307, Burr shows a motorized jump rope where the rope drive shaft 19 extends within a handle 10 and rotates with respect to the belt 10 and inside a housing 15 fixed to the belt.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,623, Granderson, mentioned above, shows a jumping hoop apparatus which includes two spools 20 and 22 which permit rotation of the rod 12 with respect to the hands at spools 20 and 22.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,082,266, Elkins, mentioned above, shows a power jump rope device wherein a handle 13 permits rotation of a shaft 29 within the handle. Therefore, the handle 13 may be held in the hands of the user while the shaft 29 spins with bearings 35.


Disclosed is a nanowire bundle array. Particularly, the nanowire bundle array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of nanowire assemblies arranged therein. Each of the nanowire assemblies includes nanowires, a surface of at least a portion of which is coated with a thin metal film and the widths between the nanowires gradually decrease from one end to another end.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a nanowire bundle array, a membrane including the same, a method of manufacturing the membrane, and a steam generator using the membrane, and more particularly to a nanowire bundle array for efficiently generating steam by converting light from a broad solar spectrum into heat, a membrane including the same, a method of manufacturing the membrane, and a steam generator using the membrane.
2. Description of the Related Art
Solar energy collected to produce steam can be used in many fields including solar energy conversion devices for water purification or sterilization, power plants, and water desalination plants.
By increasing the efficiency of steam generation from sunlight, the performances of systems such as the aforementioned water purification devices, solar power plants, and water desalination plants can be generally increased. As elements that can be considered to efficiently generate steam using sunlight, there are sufficient absorption of solar spectrum, insulation against heat generated by heating water, efficient escape of generated steam bubbles, etc.
Meanwhile, it has been known that, upon localized surface plasmon resonance heating, lights of metal nanoshells or nanoparticles are not reflected and the lights are trapped, whereby heating is carried out.
Conventionally, the geometrical structures of surface plasmons have been suitably designed to increase the efficiency of resonance light absorption. However, one problem of such a surface plasmon resonance heating method is that an absorption band is narrow due to resonance characteristics of surface plasmons.

Nanowire bundle array, membrane including the same, method of manufacturing the membrane, and steam generator using the membrane

INDUSTRY-ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, YONSEI UNIVERSITY


A routing method in an ad hoc network formed by a plurality of mobile terminals includes receiving, at a mobile terminal forming part of the ad hoc network, a packet generated by an adjacent terminal, and determining, at the mobile terminal, whether to relay the received packet or not, based on presence or absence of a record of packet relaying by the adjacent terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a routing method in an ad hoc network formed by a plurality of mobile terminals, and mobile terminals for implementing the routing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
A method in an ad hoc network for identifying an uncooperative terminal and excluding the identified uncooperative terminal, thereby avoiding being affected by the uncooperative terminal has been known.
Here, an uncooperative terminal means a selfish user's mobile terminal which does not relay packets generated by other mobile terminals but transmits packets generated by itself, or a malicious user's mobile terminal which intentionally discards packets generated by other mobile terminals.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, an example of a conventional method for avoiding being affected by an uncooperative terminal in an ad hoc network will be described.
With FIG. 1, an example of using a "watchdog technique" for monitoring every packet in radio-wave-reaching areas, utilizing radio characteristics, in an ad hoc network formed by a plurality of mobile terminals #A to #F will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, in step S1001, the mobile terminals #A to #F forming the ad hoc network monitor every packet in their respective radio-wave-reaching areas #A to #F.
In step S1002, when a mobile terminal detects an uncooperative terminal, it reports information on the uncooperative terminal throughout the ad hoc network.
In step S1003, all the mobile terminals in the ad hoc network share the reported information on the uncooperative terminal, and exclude the uncooperative terminal from the ad hoc network.
The conventional method, however, identifies an uncooperative terminal and excludes the identified uncooperative terminal from the ad hoc network, thereby, thereafter, to avoid being affected by the uncooperative terminal.
That is, the conventional method excludes an uncooperative terminal after identifying it, thus having the problem that it allows selfish communication of the uncooperative terminal (is affected by the uncooperative terminal) before exclusion.
Also, the conventional method has the problem that since a plurality of mobile terminals forming an ad hoc network need to monitor every packet in their respective radio-wave-reaching areas, a processing load is increased.
Also, the conventional method has the problem that since information on an uncooperative terminal is propagated throughout an ad hoc network, a network load is increased.
In addition, since information on an uncooperative terminal is shared and processed by all the mobile terminals in an ad hoc network, there is the problem of increased processing areas.


A switching power supply (30) receives an AC voltage at a primary side of a transformer (36) and converts it to a regulated DC output voltage at the secondary side of the transformer (36). The switching power supply (30) includes a voltage regulation compensation circuit (52) to monitor the transformers primary side providing a reference signal V.sub.REF related to the transformers secondary side. Signal V.sub.COMP is a current reference signal representative of the primary side inductor current flowing through the emitter of a power transistor (38). V.sub.COMP is fed into a sample and hold circuit (70) and amplified to a DC level proportional to the peak level of the inductor current of the power transistor (38). The output of the sample and hold circuit (70) is fed to two inputs of a multiplier circuit (82) where the output thereof is a square of the two inputs fed to a k-factor circuit (83).

The present invention relates in general to electronic circuits and, more particularly, to switching power supplies which convert an AC signal to a regulated DC signal.
A DC voltage is typically derived from an AC power source, e.g. by plugging a power supply into a wall socket. The AC voltage available at the wall socket is converted to a DC bulk voltage by a full-wave rectifier diode bridge. The DC bulk voltage is further converted to a regulated DC output voltage by a switching power supply.
The switching power supply uses a transformer, or an inductor depending on the configuration, as an energy transfer element. For example, a flyback-type power supply has a power switching transistor coupled to one side of the primary winding of a transformer. The power transistor turns on and off as determined by a regulator circuit to alternately store energy in the magnetic field of the transformer and transfer the stored energy to the secondary winding. The secondary winding of the transformer develops an output voltage across a shunt capacitor coupled across the secondary winding as a function of the energy transfer. The voltage across the capacitor provides the DC output voltage of the switching power supply.
The DC output voltage increases and decreases with the applied load. An increasing load decreases the DC output voltage and a decreasing load increases the DC output voltage. In most prior art applications, the DC output voltage, or a representation thereof from the secondary side of the transformer, is fed back to the regulator circuit so the switching power supply can compensate for load variation. As the load increases, the DC output voltage decreases causing the regulator to leave the power transistor on for a longer period of time to store more energy in the magnetic field. The additional energy is transferred to the secondary winding during the off time of the power transistor to supply the increased load and re-establish the DC output voltage. As the load decreases, the DC output voltage increases which causes the regulator to leave the power transistor on for a shorter period of time to store less energy in the magnetic field. The reduced energy transfer to the secondary winding during the off time of the power transistor causes the power supply to adjust to the decreased load and reduce the DC output voltage back to its steady-state value.
FIG. 1 illustrates prior art switching power supply 10 that receives an AC line voltage and converts it to a regulated DC operating voltage. Specifically, an AC line voltage is converted to a DC bulk voltage by the full-wave rectifier diode bridge 12. Capacitor 14 filters the DC bulk voltage, and the primary winding of transformer 16 receives the DC bulk voltage. Regulator 18 modulates an inductor current through the primary winding of transformer 16 to control the amount of energy stored in the magnetic field of transformer 16. The energy stored in the magnetic field is transferred to the secondary winding where capacitor 20 is coupled across the secondary winding to develop a DC output voltage (V.sub.OUT). Diode 22 and photo-detection transistor 24 act together to optically couple feedback information from reference and error amplifier 23 to regulator circuit 18 to regulate V.sub.OUT of switching power supply 30.
Most switching power supplys have a feedback mechanism on the secondary side of the transformer. The feedback mechanism provides a feedback signal to a regulator circuit to regulate the output voltage of the switching power supply. The feedback mechanism is typically comprised of optical devices, and a reference and error amplifier installed to the secondary side of the transformer. A need exist for a switching power supply which uses only primary side information to regulate the output thereby reducing secondary side feedback devices. The invention disclosed herein will address the above problems.

Circuit and method for a switching power supply with primary side transformer sensing


A two-way radio frequency lighting control system comprises a master control including a plurality of manual actuators, and a plurality of dimmers, in which the number of dimmers does not exceed the number of manual actuators. After the lighting control system is installed in an intended end user location, and prior to the first time the lighting control system is energized in the intended end user location, each of the manual actuators is operative to affect the status of one, and only one, of the plurality of dimmers. A turn key lighting control system in which there is a one-to-one correspondence of manual actuators to dimmers is thereby provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, generally, to remote control systems, and, more particularly, to a pre-programmed radio frequency (RF) control system and method for controlling one or more lighting controls.
2. Description of the Related Art
Systems for controlling an electrical device by remote control are known. For example, prior art systems and methods control the status of electrical devices such as electric lamps, from a remote location via communication links, including radio frequency links, power line carrier links or infrared links. Status information regarding the electrical devices (e.g., on, off and intensity level) is typically transmitted between specially adapted lighting control devices and at least one master control unit. At least one repeater device may also be provided to help ensure reliable communications between the master control unit and the control devices for the respective electrical devices. The repeater may be required when a control device is unable to receive control signals transmitted directly from the master control unit, and, typically, employs a repeater sequence for helping to ensure that each receiver receives those signals intended for it.
Although the present invention is directed particularly to lighting controls, the present invention can be applied to communication signals relating to the control of status of other kinds of devices, such as, for example, fan motors and motorized window treatments.
Referring now to the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, there is shown in FIG. 1 a prior art arrangement of a system 100 for remote control of electrical devices. The example prior art system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes configurable devices that are manufactured by the assignee of the present patent application and commercially known as the RadioRA® lighting control system. The RadioRA® lighting control system is described in greater detail in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,905,442, issued May 18, 1999, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING AND DETERMINING THE STATUS OF ELECTRICAL DEVICES FROM REMOTE LOCATIONS, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
As shown in FIG. 1, the hardware devices include a master control unit 102, two control devices 104, a repeater 106, a car visor control 108 that may be mounted on an automobile's sun visor, and two electrical devices 110, e.g., lamps. The devices 102, 104, 106 and 108 transmit radio frequency signals 112, which can include control information and instructions regarding the respective electrical devices 110.
In the prior art system 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, the control devices 104 are coupled to electrical devices 110 by wire connections, such as, for example, building wiring for providing power to electrical devices. Each control device 104 includes a communications and control circuit 114 that comprises a radio frequency transmitter/receiver 116 and an antenna 118 for transmitting/receiving the radio frequency signals 112. The communications and control circuit 114 further includes a controller 120 for adjusting the status of the attached electrical device 110. The transmitter/receiver 116 receives the radio frequency signals via the antenna 118 and transmits a status radio frequency signal with information regarding the status of the controller 120 (which indirectly reflects the status of the connected electrical device 110). The controller 120 adjusts the status of the electrical device in response to the control information. Each control device 104 further includes button(s) 122 and dimmer control(s) 124, which are further operable to allow manual adjustment of the connected electrical device 110.
The master control unit 102 includes at least one actuator 126, at least one status indicator 128, a transmitter/receiver 116, and an antenna 118. The actuators 126 enable a user to control the electrical devices 110 remotely. The status indicators 128 indicate the status of the electrical devices 110. The transmitter/receiver 116 and the antenna 118 are operable for transmitting a radio frequency signal 112 having the control information therein to control the status of the electrical devices 110, as well as for receiving status information from the control devices 104.
The master control unit 102 can take several forms. For example, the master control unit 102 can be formed as a tabletop master, which plugs into an electrical outlet and includes a conventional antenna for transmitting and receiving signals. In another form, the master control unit 102 mounts on a wall, and is sized such that the master control unit 102 fits within the confines of a standard electrical wall box. In either form, the master control unit 102 includes a plurality of controls, each associated with a particular control device or a plurality of control devices. In the prior art, the user must program the association of the electrical control devices to a particular actuator 126 on the master control unit. Further, prior art master control units 102 must be programmed in order to provide functions allowing all control devices 104 to turn on or off substantially simultaneously.
The repeater 106 may receive radio frequency signals 112 (including status information and instructions) from the master control unit 102 and, thereafter, transmit radio frequency signals 112 to the control devices 104. Further, the repeater 106 may receive radio frequency signals 112 from the control devices 104 and, thereafter, transmit them to the master control unit 102.
The car visor control 108 provides a convenient and remotely usable interface to transmit radio frequency signals 112 to the master control unit 102, and may be disposed in a vehicle, for example, on a vehicle's interior sun visor. The buttons 130 are provided for remotely activating the master control unit 102. For example, the car visor control 108 can be used to cause a lighting scene to turn on/off, or may be operated to turn the electrical devices 110 on/off via the master control unit 102.
Thus, the master control unit 102 is operable to generate radio frequency signals, which are transmitted to and received by the control devices 104, such as light dimmers, and/or the repeater 106. The control devices 104 use the information received in the radio frequency signals 112 to control the connected electrical devices 110 to a desired intensity. The control devices 104 preferably transmit radio frequency signals 112 via antennas 118 to the master control unit 102 (or to the master control unit 102 via the repeater 106) in order to indicate the status of the control devices 104 (and thus, the connected electrical devices 110). Using the respective devices, a combination of lighting controls in different or the same rooms of a structure, for example, can be instructed to turn on/off, thereby creating a lighting "scene" according to a user's desire.
Lighting control devices 104 preferably fit into standard electrical wall boxes. The antenna 118, which comprises a part of each control device 104, is sized so as to fit within the standard electrical wall box or at least within the area defined by the faceplate for the opening of a standard electrical wall box.
Thus, systems that provide two-way transmission/reception communications to allow the reception of signals to operate remotely an electric lamp or other electrical device as well as the transmission of signals to enable a control device 104 to transmit information regarding the status of an affected electrical device 110 to a remote location are known.
Although the prior art remote systems function to integrate with prior art switches and to provide remote control of electrical devices, various shortcomings and inconveniences exist which negatively impact the consumer and the market. Examples of such shortcomings are described below.
In one notable example, prior art remote control systems, such as described above, place a technical requirement on the user (or the installer) to set up and configure the master control unit 102, control devices 104, and repeater 106. After a prior art remote electrical device control system is purchased and wired to an existing electrical system, a user must configure the system to enjoy the respective functionality thereof. For example, a user must activate repeater(s) 106, control devices 104 (including dimmer controls) and master control unit 102 before a prior art remote control system can be used. After the system is activated, the master control unit 102 is typically programmed so that, for example, one or more master control unit 102 buttons can control a light or group of lights. Furthermore, each control device 104 must be configured to correspond with respective buttons on master control unit 102. Other functionality provided by prior art remote control systems that must be programmed and/or configured by a user include: assigning dimmers, switches, and sensor units to specific room buttons; setting light levels and lighting scene selection for specific room buttons; assigning dimmers, switches and sensors to scene buttons; programming a button of a master control unit 102 to turn all electrical devices on and off; copying button programming; erasing button programming; adding auxiliary repeaters; adding controls; activating switch closure interfaces; assigning dimmers, switches and/or sensor devices to input channels; and setting light levels and/or scene selection for input channels.
The programming/configuration requirements placed on a user of prior art remote control systems are considered fairly complex, and in order to assist the user with configuration and programming, prior art systems may be distributed with a hand-written programming worksheet to be used by the user to set up or change the configuration of a system. For example, a user writes, in a worksheet, descriptions of associations of the respective devices, as well as the various functionality provided by respective buttons provided on the devices. Accordingly, the user refers to the hand-written worksheet in order to effect changes to the system, and/or for troubleshooting purposes.
It is believed by the inventors that configuring prior art remote control systems can be tedious, complicated, and time-consuming, particularly for members of the residential retail market. Many consumers find prior art remote control systems simply too complicated to install and configure, and, accordingly, do not invest in remote control systems, notwithstanding the convenience and enjoyment such systems ultimately provide. Furthermore, changes to handwritten worksheets may be hard to make, such as when a system is modified or components replaced. Also, handwritten worksheets can get lost or damaged (e.g., liquids spilled thereon), which further complicates the ability for a user, particularly a residential consumer, to use and enjoy prior art remote control systems.
Another shortcoming of prior art remote control systems regards defining a unique address to prevent interference with neighboring systems. When, for example, two neighbors that live within a pre-defined transmission range purchase prior art remote control systems, each neighbor may adversely affect the status of the other's electrical devices. A user's lights may turn on, off, dim, and brighten each time the neighbor operates his system. Accordingly, prior art remote control systems require users to define a unique "house" or system address by supplying a bit address in the range of 0-255. Once defined, a prior art remote control system can broadcast radio frequency signals with the assurance that no neighboring system will receive and respond to the transmissions. Unfortunately, configuring the system with a unique house address is an additional technical burden placed on the user, and represents another shortcoming of the prior art.
Yet another shortcoming of prior art remote control systems regards the amount and frequency of information that is transmitted from the control device 104 to the master control unit 102, especially while the user affects the status of the electrical device 110 using a dimmer. For example, using a prior art remote control system, a user adjusts the brightness of a light via a dimmer. In the prior art, while adjustments are made to the status of an electric light (e.g., dimming the light), information regarding the status of the light is transmitted to the master control unit 102, even if the user has not completed adjusting the brightness level of the light. Thus, for example, as a user decreases, increases, and then again decreases the brightness of the light while determining the precise setting he desires, information is repeatedly transmitted to the master control unit 102 after each adjustment. Prior art systems that repeatedly transmit information from the control device 104 to the master control unit 102 prior to a user completing adjustments to the status of the electrical device 110 are inefficient.
Yet another shortcoming of prior art remote control systems regards control devices 104 comprising dimmer controls. In prior art radio frequency remote control systems, dimmers are typically provided with rocker switches or other kinds of switching mechanisms. Unfortunately, a rocker switch does not provide the same degree of control as a slider control. Therefore, it is considered by the inventors that an additional shortcoming of prior art remote control systems, particularly with respect to radio frequency remote controls, is that dimmers are not provided with slider controls.


An apparatus for attaching a spout having a flange to a preformed hole in an open-ended container. The apparatus comprises of an applicator system and a mandrel. The applicator system is able to translate a linear motion to an arc motion. The mandrel is attached to the applicator system. The mandrel is adapted to releasably engage the spout.

This invention relates to machinery for manufacturing containers, and in particular to machinery for attaching reclosable spouts to containers such as paperboard cartons or flexible packaging used for holding liquids, solids and the like.
A common and useful type of container is the paperboard carton having a gabled top. Examples of such cartons include the everyday milk and juice cartons. In recent years, these cartons have been used for numerous other products, including foods, beverages and detergents. These cartons are typically coated or laminated with a heat-sealable plastic, which is used by manufacturers to seal the cartons.
In the past, the contents of these cartons are dispensed by ripping open the gable top and unfolding a pourable spout. Once the carton is ripped open, it cannot be tightly resealed. To address this problem, cartons have been devised with reclosable spouts. These spouts are also referred to in the field as fitments, closures and caps. For convenience, they are referred to in this Application as simply "spouts".
A conventional spout is opened and closed by means of a removable cap, snap, hatch or the like. In the case of a capped spout, a person using the carton removes the cap to dispense the contents of the carton (typically a beverage). Because the carton has not been torn open, the contents can be tightly resealed.
Cartons having reclosable spouts are typically manufactured with automated machinery (often referred to as "packaging machinery") which forms the carton from a flat piece (or "blank") of paperboard or other suitable material. After the carton has been partially formed (but not filled or sealed), the reclosable spout is attached. A typical spout consists of a plastic tubular cylinder having a mounting flange at one end and a threaded, removable cap (or other conventional closure) at the other. The spout is mounted from inside the carton through a preformed hole formed in the paperboard blank so that the capped-end extends outward, while the flange abuts the interior side of the carton wall. The flange is then ultrasonically welded to the wall of the carton. Examples of these types of containers and spouts are provided by U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,562, issued on Oct. 23, 1990 to Gordon, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,425, issued on Jul. 22, 1986 to Bachner.
The component of packaging machinery which attaches spouts to cartons is often referred to as an "applicator" or an "applicator machine". U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,669, issued on Feb. 11, 1997 to Moody et al., discloses an applicator machine having an arm that picks up a spout and pivots inside the open end of a carton to line up the spout with a preformed hole in the carton. The arm is then moved transversely to insert the spout through the hole in the carton. This type of applicator machine requires two separate distinct motions to move the spout from the location it was picked up by the arm to the location where the spout is inserted through the hole of the carton: one motion to pivot the arm inside the open end of the carton to line up the spout with the hole of the carton and another motion to move the spout transversely to insert the spout through the hole. To accomplish the two separate distinct motions, this type of applicator machine typically requires two air cylinders. U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,319 to Moody, U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,524 to Annehed and U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,504 to Glacomelli similarly disclose multiple distinct motions to move the spout from the location where spout was picked up to the location where the spout is inserted through the hole of the carton.