Ink cartridges and inkjet printers

Abstract

The present invention provides an ink cartridge and an inkjet printer. The ink cartridge includes a shell, an ink containing chamber, a deformable chamber, an ink outlet, an air charging port, an air guide port, a one-way valve, a valve chamber and a buffer channel. The ink containing chamber and the deformable chamber are both arranged in the shell. The ink outlet is connected to the ink containing chamber, the ink containing chamber is connected to the external atmosphere through the air guide port, and the air charging port is connected to the deformable chamber. The one-way valve is a hollow sphere made of elastic material. The one-way valve is installed on the air guide port and is located in the valve chamber, and the valve chamber is connected to the ink containing chamber through the buffer channel. An air guide hole is provided on the one-way valve, and the air guide hole is opened only when the negative pressure in the ink containing chamber reaches an opening threshold. The ink cartridge has a simple structure and can improve the bubble removal efficiency in the print head.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of printing consumables, in particular to an ink cartridge and an inkjet printer. Background Art

[0002] The European patent document with the publication number EP2010392B1 discloses an ink cartridge, which includes a deformable cavity located in an ink storage cavity, the deformable cavity is formed by a flexible film, and a gas charging port connected to a pump of a printer is provided on the side wall of the ink cartridge, and the gas charging port is communicated with the deformable cavity. When printing starts, the pump pressurizes the deformable cavity through the gas charging port under the action of a controller, and the deformable cavity expands, causing the ink in the ink storage cavity to be squeezed out from the ink supply port, and the ink flows into the print head, thereby discharging the air accumulated in the print head to remove the bubbles in the print head.

[0003] However, since the deformable cavity is accommodated in the middle of the ink storage cavity, when the deformable cavity is pressurized, the ink in the ink storage cavity diffuses to the surroundings, and only a small amount of ink is discharged through the ink supply port, so the pump is required to pressurize the deformable cavity multiple times.

[0004] The patent document with the announcement number CN203157372U discloses an ink cartridge, which includes a one-way valve, which includes a valve chamber arranged on a housing, a spring located in the valve chamber, a deformable elastic component, a valve cover and other parts. There are too many parts, and it is difficult to ensure the sealing during assembly. In addition, due to the presence of the partition, the ink cartridge will have the following problems during use: when the airbag expands, the liquid is compressed instantly. Since the one-way valve is closed, and the partition prevents the flow of liquid between two adjacent ink storage chambers, the pressure of the liquid will act on the housing, causing cracks to appear at the welding point between the cover and the housing, thereby causing the ink cartridge to rupture and leak ink. At the same time, the liquid will squeeze the airbag, causing the airbag to be ruptured due to excessive force instantly. Therefore, the ink cartridge structure has high requirements for welding technology, high processing difficulty, and the welding point is easy to rupture, resulting in high processing costs and other problems. Summary of the invention

[0005] The main object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge which has a simple structure and can improve the efficiency of removing bubbles in a print head.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer equipped with the above-mentioned ink cartridge.

[0007] In order to achieve the above main purpose, the present invention provides an ink cartridge, including a shell, an ink holding chamber, a deformable chamber, an ink outlet, an air charging port and an air guide port, the ink holding chamber and the deformable chamber are both arranged in the shell, the ink outlet, the air charging port and the air guide port are all arranged on the side wall of the shell, the ink outlet is connected with the ink holding chamber, the ink holding chamber is connected with the external atmosphere through the air guide port, and the air charging port is connected with the deformable chamber. The ink cartridge also includes a one-way valve, a valve chamber and a buffer channel. The one-way valve is a hollow sphere made of elastic material. The one-way valve is installed on the air guide port and is located in the valve chamber, and the valve chamber is connected with the ink holding chamber through the buffer channel. An air guide hole is provided on the one-way valve, and the air guide hole is opened only when the negative pressure in the ink holding chamber reaches an opening threshold.

[0008] It can be seen from the above scheme that before printing starts, the pump of the printer inflates the deformable cavity from the inflation port, the deformable cavity expands, the one-way valve ball is in a contracted state, the air guide hole is closed, the one-way valve is in a closed state, the pressure in the ink holding cavity increases, and the ink flows from the ink outlet to the print head and from the inlet of the buffer channel into the buffer channel. After the ink flows to the print head, the pump stops working, the deformable cavity shrinks, the gas in the deformable cavity is discharged through the inflation port, and a certain negative pressure is maintained in the ink holding cavity, thereby attracting bubbles in the print head into the ink cartridge to remove the bubbles in the print head.

[0009] During printing, the pump does not work and the ink in the ink holding chamber is continuously consumed, causing the negative pressure in the ink holding chamber to gradually increase. When the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the one-way valve is higher than the threshold, the one-way valve ball is affected by the external air pressure and expands, causing the air holes on the ball to open, and the external air enters the ink holding chamber from the air holes. The air pressure in the ink holding chamber is balanced with the external air pressure, and the ink in the buffer channel flows back into the ink holding chamber.

[0010] The ink cartridge of the present invention utilizes the contraction of the deformable cavity and the change of the air pressure in the ink cartridge caused by the consumption of ink in the ink cartridge to open the air guide hole on the one-way valve ball, realize the air replenishment in the ink cartridge, and achieve the balance of the air pressure inside and outside the ink cartridge. At the same time, a buffer channel is used to effectively prevent ink from entering the valve cavity and prevent ink leakage. The ink cartridge has a simple structure. When the pump of the printer inflates the deformable cavity, the air guide hole of the one-way valve ball is closed, the pressure in the ink holding cavity is increased, and the bubble removal efficiency in the print head is improved.

[0011] A preferred solution is that the shell includes a front wall and a top wall, the ink outlet is located at the lower part of the front wall, the air filling port is located on the front wall and arranged above the ink outlet, and the air guide port is located on the top wall.

[0012] A further solution is that a first arcuate wall and a second arcuate wall are arranged at intervals between the ink containing cavity and the valve cavity, and the top wall and the first arcuate wall enclose the valve cavity.

[0013] It can be seen that the first arc-shaped wall matches the contour of the one-way valve ball when it is expanded, thereby improving the space utilization inside the ink cartridge.

[0014] A further solution is that the buffer channel includes an arc segment, a first vertical segment, a first horizontal segment, a second vertical segment and a second horizontal segment that are connected in sequence, and the first arc wall and the second arc wall form an arc segment. The shell also includes a bottom wall and a rear wall, and the ink holding chamber is also provided with a first vertical wall, a first horizontal wall, a second vertical wall and a second horizontal wall. The first vertical wall is arranged close to the rear wall, and the first vertical wall and the rear wall form a first vertical segment. The first horizontal wall is arranged close to the bottom wall, and the first horizontal wall and the bottom wall form a first horizontal segment. The second vertical wall and the front wall form a second vertical segment, and the second horizontal wall and the top wall form a second horizontal segment. The end of the second horizontal segment is connected to the valve cavity, and the outlet of the buffer channel is located at the end of the second horizontal segment.

[0015] A further solution is that the entrance of the buffer channel is located at the top of the second arc-shaped wall.

[0016] It can be seen that when the printer's pump inflates the deformable cavity, the pressure in the ink holding cavity increases, and the ink enters the buffer channel from the entrance of the buffer channel. The entrance of the buffer channel is set at the top of the second arc-shaped wall, which can minimize the amount of ink entering the buffer channel.

[0017] A preferred solution is that the one-way valve is a balloon.

[0018] It can be seen that the structure is simple and the cost is low.

[0019] A preferred solution is that the ink cartridge further includes a piston and a reset member. An annular protrusion is further provided in the housing and protrudes from the right wall of the housing into the housing. The piston can move along the extension direction of the annular protrusion. The right wall of the housing, the annular protrusion and the piston form a deformable cavity. The restoring force of the reset member forces the piston to move toward the right wall of the housing.

[0020] It can be seen that when the pump inflates the deformable cavity, the piston overcomes the force of the reset member and moves away from the right wall of the housing, and the deformable cavity expands. When the pump no longer inflates the deformable cavity, the piston moves under the restoring force of the reset member, the volume of the deformable cavity decreases, and the deformable cavity is in a contracted state. During the printing process, the deformable cavity also maintains a contracted state.

[0021] A further solution is that the reset element is a spring.

[0022] A preferred solution is that the ink cartridge also includes an elastic membrane and a reset member, and an annular protrusion protruding from the right wall of the shell into the shell is also provided in the shell, the elastic membrane is arranged at one end of the annular protrusion, the right wall of the shell, the annular protrusion and the elastic membrane form a deformable cavity, the reset member is located in the deformable cavity, the two ends of the reset member are respectively connected to the shell and the elastic membrane, and the restoring force of the reset member forces the elastic membrane to move toward the right wall of the shell.

[0023] It can be seen that when the pump inflates the deformable cavity, the elastic membrane overcomes the force of the reset member and moves away from the right wall of the housing, and the deformable cavity expands. When the pump no longer inflates the deformable cavity, the elastic membrane moves under the restoring force of the reset member, the volume of the deformable cavity decreases, and the deformable cavity is in a contracted state.

[0024] To achieve the other purpose mentioned above, the present invention provides an inkjet printer, including a main body, on which an ink cartridge installation position is provided, and the ink cartridge is detachably installed on the ink cartridge installation position. The inkjet printer also includes a pump that can be connected to the ink cartridge and inflate and pressurize the ink cartridge, and the pump inflates the deformable cavity through the inflation port. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the internal structure of the first embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Rear view of.

[0027] Figure 3 It is a structural diagram of the first embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention in the first state.

[0028] Figure 4 It is a structural diagram of the first embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention in the second state.

[0029] Figure 5 It is a structural exploded view of the second embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention.

[0030] The present invention is further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] Ink cartridge and inkjet printer first embodiment

[0032] The inkjet printer of this embodiment includes a main body, on which an ink cartridge installation position is arranged, on which the ink cartridge is detachably installed, and the inkjet printer also includes a pump that can be connected to the ink cartridge and inflate and pressurize the ink cartridge.

[0033] See also Figure 1The ink cartridge includes a housing 1, an ink containing chamber 2, a deformable chamber 3, an ink outlet 4, an air charging port 5, an air guide port 6, an elastic membrane (not shown), a reset member 7, a one-way valve 8, a valve chamber 80 and a buffer channel 9. The ink containing chamber 2 and the deformable chamber 3 are both arranged in the housing 1. The housing 1 includes a front wall 11, a top wall 12, a rear wall 13, a bottom wall 14 and a right wall 15. The ink outlet 4 is located at the lower part of the front wall 11. The air charging port 5 is located on the front wall 11 and is arranged above the ink outlet 4. The air guide port 6 is located on the top wall 12. The ink outlet 4 is connected to the ink containing chamber 2, and the ink containing chamber 2 is connected to the external atmosphere through the air guide port 6. The air charging port 5 is connected to the deformable chamber 3, and the pump charges the deformable chamber 3 through the air charging port 5. The one-way valve 8 is a hollow sphere made of elastic material. Preferably, the one-way valve 8 is a balloon.

[0034] The balloon 8 is located in the valve cavity 80, and a mounting column with a hollow structure inside is installed on the air guide port 6. The balloon mouth of the balloon 8 is fixed on the mounting column, and the inside of the balloon is connected to the external atmosphere through the mounting column. The valve cavity 80 is connected to the ink holding cavity 2 through the buffer channel 9. A plurality of air guide holes 81 are provided on the ball wall of the balloon, and the balloon 8 can switch between a closed state and an open state. The air guide holes 81 have an opening threshold, and the air guide holes 81 are only opened when the negative pressure in the ink holding cavity 2 reaches the opening threshold. When the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the balloon 8 is lower than the opening threshold, or when the pressure in the ink holding cavity 2 is higher than the pressure of the external environment, the balloon 8 is in a contracted state, the air guide holes 81 are closed, and the balloon 8 is closed. When the negative pressure in the ink holding cavity 2 reaches the opening threshold, the balloon 8 is in an expanded state, the air guide holes 81 are opened, and the balloon 8 is opened.

[0035] A first arcuate wall 82 and a second arcuate wall 83 are arranged between the ink containing chamber 2 and the valve chamber 80 , and the top wall 12 and the first arcuate wall 82 enclose the valve chamber 80 .

[0036] The buffer channel 9 includes an arc segment 91, a first vertical segment 92, a first horizontal segment 93, a connecting segment 97, a second vertical segment 94, and a second horizontal segment 95 which are connected and communicated in sequence. The first arc wall 82 and the second arc wall 83 form an arc segment 91. The ink containing chamber 2 is also provided with a first vertical wall 21, a first horizontal wall 22, a second vertical wall 23, and a second horizontal wall 24. The first vertical wall 21 is arranged close to the rear wall 13, and the first vertical wall 21 and the rear wall 13 form a first vertical segment 92. The first horizontal wall 22 is arranged close to the bottom wall 14, and the first horizontal wall 22 and the bottom wall 14 form a first horizontal segment 93. The second vertical wall 23 and the front wall 11 form a second vertical segment 94, and the second horizontal wall 24 and the top wall 12 form a second horizontal segment 95. The end of the second horizontal section 95 is connected to the valve cavity 80, the outlet 96 of the buffer channel 9 is located at the end of the second horizontal section 95, and the inlet 90 of the buffer channel 9 is located at the top of the second arc-shaped wall 83. Figure 2As shown, the connecting section 97 is located on the side of the right wall 15 opposite to the ink containing chamber 2, that is, the connecting section 97 is located on the outer surface of the right wall 15. The connecting section 97 is a curved section, and the buffer channel 9 is arranged along the contour of the housing 1, which can greatly increase the length of the buffer channel 9, thereby preventing ink from entering the valve chamber 80 from the buffer channel and preventing ink leakage.

[0037] Each horizontal wall described in this embodiment refers to a wall extending generally in the horizontal direction, and each horizontal wall may also be a curved wall extending in the horizontal direction; each vertical wall refers to a wall extending generally in the vertical direction, and each vertical wall may also be a curved wall extending in the vertical direction. Each vertical segment refers to a segment extending generally in the vertical direction, and each vertical segment may also be a curved segment extending in the vertical direction; each horizontal segment refers to a segment extending generally in the horizontal direction, and each horizontal segment may also be a curved segment extending in the horizontal direction.

[0038] The housing 1 is also provided with an annular protrusion 16 protruding from the right wall 15 of the housing 1 into the housing 1, and the elastic membrane is provided at one end of the annular protrusion 16. The right wall 15 of the housing 1, the annular protrusion 16 and the elastic membrane form a deformable cavity 3. The reset member 7 is located in the deformable cavity 3, and the two ends of the reset member 7 are respectively connected to the housing 1 and the elastic membrane, and the restoring force of the reset member 7 forces the elastic membrane to move toward the right wall 15 of the housing 1. Preferably, the reset member 7 is a spring.

[0039] See also Figure 3 Before printing starts, the pump of the printer inflates the deformable cavity 3 from the inflation port 5, and the deformable cavity 3 expands. At this time, the pressure in the ink holding cavity 2 increases, the balloon is in a contracted state, the air guide hole 81 on the balloon is closed, and the balloon 8 is in a closed state. As the pressure in the ink holding cavity 2 increases, the ink flows from the ink outlet 4 to the print head under the action of pressure, and at the same time, part of the ink flows into the buffer channel 9 from the inlet 90 of the buffer channel 9. After the ink flows to the print head, the pump stops working, the deformable cavity 3 contracts, and the gas in the deformable cavity 3 is discharged through the inflation port 5. A certain negative pressure is maintained in the ink holding cavity 2, thereby attracting the bubbles in the print head to the ink cartridge to remove the bubbles in the print head.

[0040] See also Figure 4 During printing, the pump does not work, and the ink in the ink holding chamber 2 is continuously consumed, causing the negative pressure in the ink holding chamber 2 to gradually increase. When the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the balloon 8 is higher than the threshold value, the balloon 8 is affected by the external air pressure and expands, causing the air guide hole 81 thereon to open, and the external air enters the ink holding chamber 2 from the air guide hole 81. The air pressure in the ink holding chamber 2 is balanced with the external air pressure, and the ink in the buffer channel 9 flows back into the ink holding chamber 2.

[0041] The ink cartridge of the present invention utilizes the contraction of the deformable cavity and the change of the air pressure in the ink cartridge due to the consumption of ink in the ink cartridge to open the air guide hole on the one-way valve ball, realize the air replenishment in the ink cartridge, and achieve the balance of the air pressure inside and outside the ink cartridge. At the same time, a buffer channel is used to effectively prevent ink from entering the valve cavity and prevent ink leakage. The ink cartridge has a simple structure, few parts, easy assembly, and low cost. When the pump of the printer inflates the deformable cavity, the air guide hole of the one-way valve ball is closed, the pressure in the ink holding cavity is increased, and the bubble removal efficiency in the print head is improved.

[0042] Ink cartridge and inkjet printer second embodiment

[0043] As an explanation of the second embodiment of the ink cartridge and the inkjet printer of the present invention, only the differences from the first embodiment of the ink cartridge and the inkjet printer described above will be explained below.

[0044] See also Figure 5 The deformable cavity 230 of this embodiment is surrounded by the right wall 231 of the housing, the annular protrusion 232 and the piston 233. The piston 233 cooperates with the inner peripheral wall of the annular protrusion 232 and can move along the extension direction of the annular protrusion 232. The restoring force of the reset member 234 forces the piston 233 to move toward the right wall 231 of the housing. The piston 233 is made of elastic material such as rubber.

[0045] The ink cartridge further includes a limiting member 235 , which is fixedly mounted on one end of the annular protrusion 232 opposite to the right wall 231 of the housing. Both ends of the reset member 234 abut against the piston 233 and the limiting member 235 , respectively.

[0046] In addition, the one-way valve can also be a sphere made of latex or rubber and can expand and contract. The deformable cavity can also be a flexible bag made of flexible material. The extension direction of the buffer channel can also be changed according to actual needs. The number and arrangement of the air guide holes on the balloon can also be changed according to actual needs. The annular protrusion can also extend to the left wall of the shell and be adjacent to the left wall or fixedly connected by bonding or welding. The above changes can also achieve the purpose of the present invention.

[0047] Finally, it should be emphasized that the above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention may have various changes and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc. made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, comprising a shell, an ink containing chamber, a deformable chamber, an ink outlet, an air charging port and an air guide port, wherein the ink containing chamber and the deformable chamber are both arranged in the shell, the ink outlet, the air charging port and the air guide port are all arranged on the side wall of the shell, the ink outlet is communicated with the ink containing chamber, the ink containing chamber is communicated with the external atmosphere through the air guide port, and the air charging port is communicated with the deformable chamber; Features: The ink cartridge also includes a one-way valve, a valve chamber and a buffer channel; The one-way valve is a hollow sphere made of elastic material; The one-way valve is installed on the air guide port and is located in the valve cavity, and the valve cavity is connected with the ink containing cavity through the buffer channel; The one-way valve is provided with an air guide hole, and the air guide hole is opened only when the negative pressure in the ink containing chamber reaches an opening threshold; The housing comprises a front wall, a top wall and a right wall, the ink outlet is located at the lower part of the front wall, the air filling port is located on the front wall and arranged above the ink outlet, and the air guide port is located on the top wall; A first arc-shaped wall and a second arc-shaped wall are arranged between the ink containing cavity and the valve cavity, and the top wall and the first arc-shaped wall enclose the valve cavity; The buffer channel comprises an arc segment, a first vertical segment, a first horizontal segment, a connecting segment, a second vertical segment and a second horizontal segment which are connected in sequence, and the first arc wall and the second arc wall form the arc segment; The housing further comprises a bottom wall and a rear wall, and the ink containing chamber is further provided with a first vertical wall, a first horizontal wall, a second vertical wall and a second horizontal wall, wherein the first vertical wall is arranged close to the rear wall, and the first vertical wall and the rear wall form the first vertical section, and the first horizontal wall is arranged close to the bottom wall, and the first horizontal wall and the bottom wall form the first horizontal section; The second vertical wall and the front wall form the second vertical section, and the second horizontal wall and the top wall form the second horizontal section; The end of the second horizontal section is connected to the valve cavity, and the outlet of the buffer channel is located at the end of the second horizontal section; The connecting section is located on a side of the right wall opposite to the ink containing cavity.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The entrance of the buffer channel is located at the top end of the second arc-shaped wall.

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The one-way valve is a balloon.

4. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The ink cartridge also includes a piston and a reset member; The shell is also provided with an annular protrusion protruding from the right wall of the shell into the shell, and the piston can move along the extension direction of the annular protrusion, and the right wall of the shell, the annular protrusion and the piston surround the deformable cavity; The restoring force of the return member forces the piston to move toward the right wall of the housing.

5. The ink cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that: The reset element is a spring.

6. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The ink cartridge also includes an elastic membrane and a reset member. The shell is also provided with an annular protrusion protruding from the right wall of the shell into the shell. The elastic membrane is arranged at one end of the annular protrusion. The right wall of the shell, the annular protrusion and the elastic membrane form the deformable cavity. The reset member is located in the deformable cavity. The two ends of the reset member are respectively connected to the shell and the elastic membrane. The restoring force of the reset member forces the elastic membrane to move toward the right wall of the shell.

7. An inkjet printer, comprising a host, wherein the host is provided with an ink cartridge installation position, and the ink cartridge is detachably installed on the ink cartridge installation position, and the inkjet printer also comprises a pump that can be connected to the ink cartridge and inflate and pressurize the ink cartridge, characterized in that: The ink cartridge is the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the pump inflates the deformable chamber through the inflation port.

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