Ink cartridge and printing system

Abstract

The present invention proposes an ink cartridge and a printing system, which relate to the field of printer components and control technology. The ink cartridge comprises: a shell, a chamber for accommodating ink in the shell; the shell is provided with an air port and a liquid port respectively connected to the chamber; the chamber is provided with an elastic oxygen-isolating member for blocking the contact between ink and gas, and the elastic oxygen-isolating member divides the chamber into an air pressure chamber and a liquid storage chamber isolated from each other; wherein the air pressure chamber is connected to the air port, and the liquid storage chamber is connected to the liquid port, and the pressure changes in the respective chambers are transmitted between the air pressure chamber and the liquid storage chamber through the deformation of the elastic oxygen-isolating member. The ink cartridge divides the originally integrated chamber into an air pressure chamber and a liquid storage chamber independent of each other by the elastic oxygen-isolating member, which effectively blocks the contact between the control gas and the ink, and will not cause any impact on the ink in the liquid storage chamber even in the case of shaking.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of printer components and control technology, and in particular relates to an ink cartridge and a printing system. Background Art

[0002] With the continuous advancement of printed electronics technology, conductive fluids represented by liquid metal have emerged, making it possible to print wires to make liquid metal flexible electronic circuits. This has not only changed the traditional PCB hard electronic circuit manufacturing model, but also greatly reduced the time and cost of electronic circuit manufacturing. Liquid metal printing technology has unique advantages in the rapid manufacturing of flexible circuits, PCB printed circuit boards, antennas and other electronic devices, and has a very broad application prospect.

[0003] The existing ink cartridge control mainly uses air as the negative pressure control gas in the ink cartridge to maintain the stable ink discharge of the liquid metal ink in the ink cartridge under the action of negative pressure. However, since liquid metal can easily undergo oxidation reaction with air, thereby producing oxide impurities, it not only consumes the normal ink content, but also has a certain degree of impact on the ink discharge efficiency and printing effect; especially when the ink cartridge shakes, it will cause the contact surface between the liquid metal and the air, thereby leading to the formation of excessive oxides, aggravating the deterioration of the ink and easily causing ink discharge blockage. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of this, an object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge to solve the problem in the prior art that the liquid metal ink is easily deteriorated and easily causes ink outlet blockage during use.

[0005] In some illustrative embodiments, the ink cartridge comprises: a shell, and a chamber for accommodating ink in the shell; the shell is respectively provided with an air port and a liquid port connected to the chamber; the chamber is provided with an elastic oxygen-isolating member for blocking the contact between ink and gas, and the elastic oxygen-isolating member divides the chamber into an air pressure chamber and a liquid storage chamber isolated from each other; wherein the air pressure chamber is connected to the air port, and the liquid storage chamber is connected to the liquid port, and the pressure changes in the respective chambers are transmitted between the air pressure chamber and the liquid storage chamber through the deformation of the elastic oxygen-isolating member.

[0006] In some optional embodiments, the shell is provided with an opening connected to the liquid storage chamber; the opening is at least used to discharge the gas in the liquid storage chamber when filling ink.

[0007] In some optional embodiments, the chamber has an assembly structure for fixing the elastic oxygen barrier.

[0008] In some optional embodiments, the assembly structure includes a groove that forms an interference fit with the edge of the elastic oxygen barrier.

[0009] In some optional embodiments, the assembly structure includes a baffle isolating a specified position in the chamber.

[0010] In some optional embodiments, the baffle has an extension section that limits the deformation shape of the elastic oxygen barrier; the extension section has at least one through hole that allows ink to pass through.

[0011] In some optional embodiments, the connection between the side wall and the bottom surface of the chamber adopts an arc-shaped structure that facilitates the approach of the elastic oxygen barrier.

[0012] In some optional embodiments, a print head is provided at the liquid port position.

[0013] The present invention proposes an ink cartridge, which uses an elastic oxygen-isolating member to separate an originally integrated chamber into a mutually independent air pressure chamber and a liquid storage chamber, effectively blocking the contact between the control gas and the ink, and even in the case of shaking, the ink in the liquid storage chamber will not be affected. On the other hand, the elastic deformation ability of the elastic oxygen-isolating member itself is used to transmit the pressure changes of the two chambers, ensuring the normal discharge of the ink. Therefore, the ink cartridge can effectively reduce the formation of impurities in the ink cartridge, ensure the normal discharge of the ink and a good printing effect.

[0014] On the other hand, another object of the present invention is to provide a printing system to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0015] In some illustrative embodiments, the printing system includes: the ink cartridge described in any one of the above, and an air control system; the air control system provides an output end for controlling air pressure that is connected to an air port of the ink cartridge.

[0016] In some optional embodiments, the gas control system includes: a gas pipeline; a negative pressure component connected to the gas pipeline through a first solenoid valve; a positive pressure component connected to the gas pipeline through a second solenoid valve; a pressure relief component connected to the gas pipeline through a third solenoid valve; one end of the gas pipeline serves as an output end of the gas control system for outputting control air pressure to the outside, and is connected to the gas port of the ink cartridge.

[0017] The present invention proposes a printing system, which not only has an ink cartridge that can effectively reduce the formation of impurities in the ink cartridge and ensure normal ink discharge and good printing effects, but also prevents the problem that the ink cartridge cannot rely on the original negative pressure system to achieve a good ink discharge effect from beginning to end due to the presence of an elastic oxygen-isolating component by adding an air control system with a positive pressure component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ;

[0019] Figure 2 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ;

[0020] Figure 3 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 3 ;

[0021] Figure 4 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 4 ;

[0022] Figure 5 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 5 ;

[0023] Figure 6 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 6 ;

[0024] Figure 7 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 7 ;

[0025] Figure 8 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 8 ;

[0026] Fig. 9 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 9 ;

[0027] Fig.10 A schematic diagram of the structure of a printing system in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Fig.11 is another structural schematic diagram of a printing system in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Fig.12 Schematic diagram of the structure of the gas control system in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The following description and the accompanying drawings fully illustrate specific embodiments of the present invention so that those skilled in the art can practice them. Other embodiments may include structural, logical, electrical, process and other changes. The examples represent possible variations only. Unless explicitly required, separate components and functions are optional, and the order of operation may vary. Parts and features of some embodiments may be included in or replace parts and features of other embodiments. The scope of the embodiments of the present invention includes the entire scope of the claims, and all available equivalents of the claims. In this article, these embodiments of the present invention may be represented individually or collectively by the term "invention", which is merely for convenience, and if more than one invention is disclosed in fact, it is not intended to automatically limit the scope of the application to any single invention or inventive concept.

[0031] It should be noted that the various technical features in the embodiments of the present invention can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0032] The present invention provides an ink cartridge, specifically, as Figure 1-10 As shown, Figure 1 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 1 ; Figure 2 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 2 ; Figure 3 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 3 ; Figure 4 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 4 ; Figure 5 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 5 ; Figure 6 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 6 ; Figure 7 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 7 ; Figure 8 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 8 ; Fig. 9 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 9 ; Fig.10 The structure of the ink cartridge in the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. Figure 10The ink cartridge 100 comprises: a shell 101 and an elastic oxygen-isolating member 102; the shell 100 has a chamber 103 for accommodating ink 200, and the shell 100 is provided with an air port 104 and a liquid port 105 communicating with the chamber 103; the elastic oxygen-isolating member 102 is located in the chamber 103, and divides the chamber 103 into an air pressure chamber 106 and a liquid storage chamber 107 which are sealed and isolated from each other; wherein the air pressure chamber 106 is communicated with the air port 104, and the liquid storage chamber 107 is communicated with the liquid port 105, and the air pressure chamber 106 and the liquid storage chamber 107 transmit the pressure changes in their respective chambers through the deformation of the elastic oxygen-isolating member 102.

[0033] When the chamber 103 is under an overall negative pressure state, when the negative pressure in the air pressure chamber 106 is greater than the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 107, the elastic oxygen insulation member 102 is deformed toward the air pressure chamber 106, causing the space of the air pressure chamber 106 to become smaller, while the space of the liquid storage chamber 107 to become larger; when the negative pressure in the air pressure chamber 106 is less than the negative pressure in the liquid storage chamber 107, the elastic oxygen insulation member 102 is deformed toward the liquid storage chamber 107, causing the space of the air pressure chamber 106 to become larger, while the space of the liquid storage chamber 107 to become smaller.

[0034] When the chamber 103 is under an overall positive pressure state, when the positive pressure in the air pressure chamber 106 is greater than the positive pressure in the liquid storage chamber 107, the elastic oxygen isolation member 102 is deformed toward the liquid storage chamber 107, causing the space of the air pressure chamber 106 to become larger, while the space of the liquid storage chamber 107 becomes smaller; when the positive pressure in the air pressure chamber 106 is less than the positive pressure in the liquid storage chamber 107, the elastic oxygen isolation member 102 is deformed toward the air pressure chamber 106, causing the space of the air pressure chamber 106 to become smaller, while the space of the liquid storage chamber 107 becomes larger.

[0035] In another example, after the ink 200 flows out of the liquid port 107 of the ink cartridge 100 , the liquid level in the liquid storage chamber 107 drops, causing the air pressure in the liquid storage chamber 107 to decrease, driving the elastic oxygen barrier 102 to deform toward the liquid storage chamber 107 in contact with the liquid surface of the ink 200 .

[0036] The present invention proposes an ink cartridge, which uses an elastic oxygen-isolating member to separate an originally integrated chamber into a mutually independent air pressure chamber and a liquid storage chamber, effectively blocking the contact between the control gas and the ink, and even in the case of shaking, the ink in the liquid storage chamber will not be affected. On the other hand, the elastic deformation ability of the elastic oxygen-isolating member itself is used to transmit the pressure changes of the two chambers, ensuring the normal discharge of the ink. Therefore, the ink cartridge can effectively reduce the formation of impurities in the ink cartridge, ensure the normal discharge of the ink and a good printing effect.

[0037] The "gas port", "liquid port", "opening" and the like in the embodiment of the present invention can be opened / closed by means of an electric control valve and / or a cap, etc., to meet the various state requirements of the ink cartridge 100 during assembly, ink filling, transportation, printing, disassembly, etc. For example, during transportation, the "gas port", "liquid port", "opening" on the ink cartridge 100 can be closed to achieve isolation between the inside and outside of the ink cartridge.

[0038] like Figure 2-3 In some embodiments, the elastic oxygen barrier 102 can be disposed in the chamber 103 at any angle, so that the chamber 103 forms two parts separated by upper and lower parts, or two parts separated by left and right parts, or the chamber 103 is separated by a certain angle with respect to the horizontal direction or the vertical direction. The elastic oxygen barrier 102 can be an elastic oxygen barrier film or an airbag, for example, a film / airbag made of an elastic material with good airtightness.

[0039] In some embodiments, the gas port 104 and the liquid port 105 can be arranged at any different positions on the housing 101. Due to the barrier of the elastic oxygen-isolating member 102, there will be no mutual influence between the gas port 104 and the liquid port 105. Even if the liquid port 105 is arranged at the upper part of the housing 101, the positive pressure in the air pressure chamber 106 can be increased, and the elastic oxygen-isolating member 102 can be deformed toward the liquid storage chamber 107, so that the ink 200 in the liquid storage chamber 107 is squeezed by the elastic oxygen-isolating member 102 and flows out from the liquid port 105 at the upper part of the housing 101. Preferably, the liquid port 105 is arranged at the bottom of the housing 101, which is easier for the ink 200 to flow out and be stably controlled.

[0040] like Figure 4-6 In some embodiments, the housing 101 may be assembled from at least two parts, such as an upper housing 101a and a lower housing 101b, or a left housing 101c and a right housing 101d, so as to facilitate the installation of the elastic oxygen barrier 102 in the housing 101. When assembling the housing 101, attention should be paid to the airtight sealing of the joints to prevent air leakage and liquid seepage.

[0041] In the ink filling method 1 (a) of the ink cartridge 101, the housing 101 is assembled by splicing the upper housing 101a and the lower housing 101b. When filling the ink, the liquid port 105 is first closed, and the ink 200 is poured through the opening above the lower housing 101b. Then, the upper housing 101a with the elastic oxygen barrier 102 is assembled on the upper part of the lower housing 101b. The elastic oxygen barrier 102 can also be assembled on the upper part of the lower housing 101b, so the elastic oxygen barrier 102 can be assembled before the upper housing 101a is assembled.

[0042] In the ink filling method 1 (b) of the ink cartridge 101, the housing 101 is assembled by splicing the upper housing 101a and the lower housing 101b, and the liquid port 105 is provided at the bottom of the lower housing 101b. The ink is filled from bottom to top through the liquid port 105. When the ink is filled to a specified liquid level, the upper housing 101a with the elastic oxygen barrier 102 assembled thereon is assembled on the upper part of the lower housing 101b. The elastic oxygen barrier 102 can also be assembled on the upper part of the lower housing 101b, so the elastic oxygen barrier 102 can be assembled before the upper housing 101a is assembled.

[0043] The ink is filled from bottom to top. For inks that easily react with air (such as liquid metal), it will not cause excessive reactants to appear in the ink, but only form a thin layer of oxide film (such as gallium oxide) on the highest liquid surface of the ink. Due to the formation of the oxide film, more liquid is prevented from contacting with the air during ink filling.

[0044] When the ink cartridge 101 is assembled by joining the left and right shells, the elastic oxygen barrier 102 can be assembled first to form a closed cavity for the liquid storage chamber 107 , and then the liquid port 105 is directed upwards to fill the ink, and the waste gas is discharged from the liquid port 105 .

[0045] like Figure 7-9 In some embodiments, the housing 101 is provided with an opening 108 connected to the liquid storage chamber 107; the opening 108 is at least used to discharge the gas in the liquid storage chamber 107 when filling ink. In this embodiment, the housing 101 can be spliced ​​before filling ink. The height of the opening 108 should be higher than the highest liquid level of the ink 200 in the liquid storage chamber 107. Preferably, the opening 108 is located at the uppermost part of the liquid storage chamber 107, and the liquid port 105 is located at the bottom of the housing 101.

[0046] In the second ink filling method (a) of the ink 200 in the ink cartridge 101, when filling the assembled shell 101 with ink, the liquid port 105 can be closed and the ink can be filled from top to bottom through the opening 108, and the original gas in the liquid storage chamber 107 can also be discharged through the opening 108, thereby achieving sufficient discharge of the gas.

[0047] In the second ink filling method (b) of the ink 200 in the ink cartridge 101 , when filling the assembled housing 101 with ink, the ink is filled from bottom to top through the liquid port 105 , and the opening 108 discharges the gas in the liquid storage chamber 107 .

[0048] After the ink filling method 2 (a) or the ink filling method 2 (b) is completed, the opening 108 is closed.

[0049] like Figure 8-9In some embodiments, the chamber 103 has an assembly structure for fixing the elastic oxygen barrier 102. Preferably, the assembly structure may include a slot 109 that forms an interference fit with the edge of the elastic oxygen barrier 102 and / or a baffle 110 that isolates a specified position in the chamber 103.

[0050] Preferably, the baffle 110 has an extension section 111 for limiting the deformation of the elastic oxygen barrier 102 ; the extension section 111 has at least one through hole 112 for allowing the ink 200 to pass through.

[0051] In some embodiments, the connection between the side wall and the bottom surface of the chamber 103 adopts an arc-shaped structure to facilitate the elastic oxygen barrier 102 to approach.

[0052] In some embodiments, a print head 300 is disposed at the position of the liquid port 105. The print head 300 may be a direct writing print head, an inkjet print head or other ink outlet structures.

[0053] In some embodiments, a breathable film 113 covering the air port is disposed on the air port, so that foreign matter can enter the chamber 103 .

[0054] On the other hand, another object of the present invention is to provide a printing system to solve the technical problems existing in the prior art.

[0055] like Figure 10-11 , Fig.10 A schematic structural diagram of a printing system in an embodiment of the present invention is shown (the elastic oxygen barrier is not deformed). Fig.11 A schematic structural diagram of a printing system in an embodiment of the present invention is shown (elastic oxygen barrier is deformed). In some illustrative embodiments, the printing system comprises: an ink cartridge 100 as described in any one of the above items, and an air control system 400; the air control system 400 provides an output end for controlling air pressure connected to the air port 104 of the ink cartridge 100.

[0056] like Fig.12 In some embodiments, the gas control system 400 includes: a gas pipeline 401; a negative pressure component 402, connected to the gas pipeline 401 through a first solenoid valve 403; a positive pressure component 404, connected to the gas pipeline 401 through a second solenoid valve 405; a pressure relief component 406, connected to the gas pipeline 401 through a third solenoid valve 407; one end of the gas pipeline 401 serves as an output end of the gas control system 400 for outputting control air pressure to the outside, and is connected to the gas port 104 of the ink cartridge 100.

[0057] The negative pressure component 402 is used to output negative pressure, and a negative pressure air pump can be used; the positive pressure component 404 is used to output positive pressure, and a positive pressure air pump can be used; the pressure relief component is used to balance the air pressure in the air pressure chamber 105 with the external air pressure, and a throttling silencer valve can be used.

[0058] In some embodiments, the gas control system 400 may further include a pressure stabilizing chamber 408 connected to the gas pipeline 401 to prevent air flow disturbances in the gas pressure control system 400 and the ink cartridge 100 connected to the gas pressure control system 400, thereby activating a buffering effect.

[0059] The printing system in the embodiment of the present invention initially discharges ink mainly by combining negative pressure and ink's own weight. After the ink cartridge 100 is filled with ink and connected to the air control system 400, the negative pressure component 402 is opened (at this time, the positive pressure component 404 and the pressure relief component 406 are closed), so that the air pressure chamber 106 of the ink cartridge 100 is at a certain degree of negative pressure, so that the ink 200 is discharged in a predetermined state, and the negative pressure component 402 is closed.

[0060] During the continuous ink discharge process of the ink cartridge 100, the liquid level of the ink 200 in the liquid storage chamber 107 gradually decreases, driving the elastic oxygen-isolating film 102 to deform toward the liquid storage chamber 107 in conformity with the liquid surface of the ink 200, resulting in the enlargement of the space of the air pressure chamber 106, causing the negative pressure to increase. At this time, the negative pressure of the air pressure chamber 106 is reduced by the pressure relief component 406, so that the air pressure in the chamber 102 is maintained within a predetermined range, achieving stable ink discharge. In the process, the air pressure in the air pressure chamber 106 can be stably controlled by the cooperation of the negative pressure component 402 and the pressure relief component 406.

[0061] In some embodiments, during the process of the elastic oxygen barrier 102 gradually deforming along with the liquid level, due to the limitation of the elastic capacity of the elastic oxygen barrier 102 made of certain materials, the negative pressure in the air pressure chamber 106 is reduced and is no longer sufficient to support the continued deformation of the elastic oxygen barrier 102. At this time, this defect can be compensated by starting the positive pressure component 404 to drive the elastic oxygen barrier 102 to continue to deform and squeeze toward the liquid storage chamber 107, thereby controlling the positive pressure to drive the ink 200 to discharge stably.

[0062] When the elastic oxygen barrier 102 is deformed, it first deforms from the center position and then drives its surroundings. When the deformation reaches a certain degree, the center of the elastic oxygen barrier 102 will first contact the bottom surface of the chamber 102, and the surroundings of the chamber 102 can still form a channel for the ink. Until a certain moment, the elastic oxygen barrier 102 completely approaches the bottom of the chamber 102 and completely discharges all the ink or as much of the ink as possible.

[0063] The present invention proposes a printing system, which not only has an ink cartridge that can effectively reduce the formation of impurities in the ink cartridge and ensure normal ink discharge and good printing effects, but also prevents the problem that the ink cartridge cannot rely on the original negative pressure system to achieve a good ink discharge effect from beginning to end due to the presence of an elastic oxygen-isolating component by adding an air control system with a positive pressure component.

[0064] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithmic steps described in conjunction with the embodiments herein can all be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination thereof. In order to clearly illustrate the interchangeability between hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are generally described above around their functions. Whether such functions are implemented as hardware or software depends on specific applications and the design constraints imposed on the entire system. A skilled person can implement the described functions in an alternative manner for each specific application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as departing from the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, It is characterized in that include: A shell, a chamber for accommodating ink in the shell; the shell is respectively provided with an air port and a liquid port connected to the chamber; the chamber is provided with an elastic oxygen-isolating member for blocking the contact between ink and gas, and the elastic oxygen-isolating member divides the chamber into an air pressure chamber and a liquid storage chamber isolated from each other; wherein the air pressure chamber is connected to the air port, and the liquid storage chamber is connected to the liquid port, and the pressure changes in the respective cavities between the air pressure chamber and the liquid storage chamber are transmitted through the deformation of the elastic oxygen-isolating member, and the liquid port is located at the bottom of the shell, and is not the projection position of the center of the elastic oxygen-isolating member on the bottom surface of the liquid storage chamber; the shell is provided with an opening connected to the liquid storage chamber, and the opening height is higher than the highest liquid level of the ink in the liquid storage chamber; the opening is at least used to discharge the gas in the liquid storage chamber when the ink is filled from bottom to top through the liquid port; The chamber has an assembly structure for fixing the elastic oxygen-isolating member, the assembly structure includes a baffle plate isolating a designated position in the chamber, the baffle plate has an extension section for limiting the deformation of the elastic oxygen-isolating member; the extension section has at least one through hole for allowing ink to pass through; The connection between the side wall and the bottom surface of the chamber adopts an arc-shaped structure that facilitates the elastic oxygen barrier to approach; The assembly structure includes a clamping groove that forms an interference fit with the edge of the elastic oxygen insulation component.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, It is characterized in that A print head is arranged at the position of the liquid port.

3. A printing system, It is characterized in that include: The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 2, and the gas control system; The air control system provides an output end for controlling air pressure, which is communicated with the air port of the ink cartridge.

4. The printing system according to claim 3, It is characterized in that The gas control system comprises: Gas pipelines; A negative pressure component is connected to the gas pipeline through a first solenoid valve; a positive pressure component, connected to the gas pipeline through a second solenoid valve; a pressure relief component, connected to the gas pipeline via a third solenoid valve; One end of the gas pipeline is used as an output end of the gas control system for outputting control air pressure to the outside, and is connected to the gas port of the ink cartridge.

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