Ink Cartridge and Inkjet Printing Device

Abstract

The present invention discloses an ink cartridge and a printing device. The ink cartridge includes a housing, and an ink storage chamber and an ink supply chamber are provided in the housing. The ink supply chamber includes a first chamber, a second chamber and a partition plate. The first chamber includes a first channel and a second channel separated by the partition plate; one end of the first channel forms a first opening on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber, and the first channel is communicated with the ink storage chamber through the first opening; one end of the second channel forms a second opening on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber, and the second channel is communicated with the ink storage chamber through the second opening; the other end of the first channel and the other end of the second channel are communicated through the second chamber. A partition plate is provided in the narrow ink supply chamber to increase the wall attachment effect of the fluid, which helps with gas-liquid separation, and also realizes that the ink supply chamber has a dual-channel structure. Ink flows into the ink supply chamber from the channel with a greater ink gravity among the first channel or the second channel, and gas is discharged from the other channel from the ink supply chamber and flows back to the ink storage chamber, effectively preventing bubbles from accumulating in the ink supply chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of printing consumables, and in particular, to an ink cartridge and a printing device having the ink cartridge. Background Art

[0002] In the field of printing consumables, as a commonly used consumable of a printing device, an ink cartridge is usually designed as an independent accessory and sold separately from the printer. The independently designed and sold ink cartridge has three basic functions: storing liquid ink, supplying ink to the printing device, and adapting to the printing device. A user installs the ink cartridge onto the printing device, and an ink extractor of the printing device inserts through an ink outlet of the ink cartridge into the interior of the ink cartridge to suck ink.

[0003] However, since air can be dissolved in ink under the influence of pressure and temperature, during the manufacturing and use processes of the ink cartridge, it is difficult to completely separate the ink stored inside from air, and the air that is difficult to separate is dissolved in the ink and exists in the form of bubbles. When the bubbles in the ink enter a relatively slender ink supply chamber or ink extractor, bubble aggregation may occur, which greatly hinders the ink flow and even causes an air lock phenomenon, that is, the pressure generated by the ink and the suction force generated by the ink extractor are absorbed by the bubbles with variable volume, which may lead to ink supply failure.

[0004] Currently, in order to avoid bubble aggregation, there are two major improvement measures for the ink cartridge. The first is to add a one-way valve. The one-way valve has two working states: locking the ink in the ink supply chamber and replenishing the ink to the ink supply chamber. Its working state is determined by the pressure difference on both sides of the valve of the one-way valve, and this pressure difference is related to components such as the valve body, spring, diaphragm, and the suction force of the ink extractor in the printing device. Therefore, the assembly complexity and precision requirements of the one-way valve directly affect the production efficiency, and the components of the one-way valve directly affect the production cost, which has the problems of high cost and high complexity. The second is to ensure an appropriate amount of ink is supplied to the print head through the characteristics of materials such as a sponge, and the capillary action of the sponge is used to achieve the air-liquid exchange function. When the volume of the sponge immersed in the ink is small, the sponge that is more likely to be saturated will lose the capillary action and cannot play the role of lifting the ink. For a sponge with a larger volume, the capillary action is more obvious, but it will occupy a larger volume of the ink storage chamber, which will affect the ink supply effect during high-speed printing and even cause ink breakage. Although this has a low cost, it has the problems of a low ink storage chamber capacity and insufficient ink supply. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention aims to at least solve one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, the present invention provides an ink cartridge that can prevent bubbles from aggregating in the ink supply chamber.

[0006] The present invention also provides a printing device having the above ink cartridge.

[0007] The ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention includes a housing, in which an ink storage chamber and an ink supply chamber are provided. The ink supply chamber is connected to the ink storage chamber, and the ink supply chamber is provided with an ink outlet, which is located on a side of the ink supply chamber away from the ink storage chamber. The ink supply chamber includes a first chamber, a second chamber and a partition plate. The first chamber includes a first channel and a second channel separated by the partition plate; one end of the first channel forms a first opening on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber, and the first channel is connected to the ink storage chamber through the first opening; one end of the second channel forms a second opening on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber, and the second channel is connected to the ink storage chamber through the second opening; the other end of the first channel and the other end of the second channel are connected through the second chamber.

[0008] The ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: By providing a partition plate in the first chamber of the ink supply chamber to form a first channel and a second channel, the ends of the two channels are connected. The partition plate can not only increase the wall surface, thereby increasing the wall attachment effect of the fluid and contributing to gas-liquid separation, but also realizes that the ink supply chamber has a dual-channel structure. The fluid pressures applied to the openings of the two channels by the ink are different. The ink flows into the ink supply chamber from the channel with a larger fluid pressure among the first channel and the second channel, and the gas is discharged from the other channel into the ink supply chamber and flows back to the ink storage chamber, effectively preventing air bubbles from aggregating in the ink supply chamber. Compared with the setting of the one-way valve in the prior art, the setting of the partition plate in this application reduces the processing cost, material cost and assembly complexity.

[0009] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the area of the first opening is larger than the area of the second opening.

[0010] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first opening is lower than the second opening.

[0011] According to some embodiments of the present invention, both the second opening and the first opening are on the same side of the centroid of the ink storage chamber, and the distance from the centroid to the first opening is less than the distance from the centroid to the second opening.

[0012] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the first channel has a first step portion.

[0013] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the inner wall surface of the first channel has a first inclined surface that slopes downward toward the ink outlet, and the normal line of the first inclined surface extends in a direction close to the ink storage chamber.

[0014] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the inner wall surface of the second channel has a second inclined surface that slopes upward toward the second opening, and the normal line of the second inclined surface extends in a direction away from the ink storage chamber.

[0015] According to some embodiments of the present invention, a limiting convex part is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the ink supply chamber. The limiting convex part is located below the partition plate and adjacent to the ink outlet, and there is a predetermined interval between the limiting convex part and the partition plate.

[0016] According to some embodiments of the present invention, the partition plate has a partition part and an extension part. The extension part extends from the bottom wall of the partition part along the axial direction of the ink supply chamber towards the ink outlet.

[0017] A printing device according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the present invention includes the ink cartridge according to the above-mentioned first aspect embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The printing device according to the embodiment of the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects: By adopting the above-mentioned ink cartridge, bubbles are effectively prevented from aggregating in the ink supply chamber of the ink cartridge. At the same time, the processing cost, material cost and assembly complexity are reduced.

[0019] Additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will be given in part in the following description, become apparent in part from the following description, or be understood through the practice of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and be readily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein:

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 is Figure 1 a schematic structural view of another perspective of the ink cartridge without a face cover shown in

[0023] Figure 3 is Figure 2 a partial enlarged view at A in

[0024] Figure 4 is Figure 2 a schematic perspective view of a second cross-section of the ink cartridge shown in

[0025] Figure 5 is Figure 4 a partial enlarged view at B in

[0026] Figure 6 is Figure 2 a schematic perspective view of a third cross-section of the ink cartridge shown in

[0027] Figure 7 is Figure 6 a partial enlarged view at C in

[0028] Figure 8It is a schematic cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the ink cartridge of the present invention.

[0029] Reference numerals:

[0030] Ink cartridge 10;

[0031] Shell 100, ink storage chamber 110, ink supply chamber 120, ink outlet 121, partition plate 130, partition portion 131, extension portion 132, first channel 140, first step portion 141, first inclined surface 142, first opening 143, second channel 150, second inclined surface 151, second opening 152, limiting convex portion 160;

[0032] Face cover 200, seal 300. Detailed implementation manners

[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are only examples for implementing the present invention; it should be understood that the embodiments can be appropriately changed without departing from the intended scope of the present invention. In the following description, the gravity direction after the ink cartridge 10 is installed in the machine will be defined as the downward direction, and the direction opposite to the gravity direction will be defined as the upward direction. It should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "axial", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be construed as a limitation on the present invention.

[0034] Refer to Figures 1 to 7 , according to the ink cartridge 10 of the embodiment of the present invention, it includes a plastic shell 100, a face cover 200 and a seal 300. The shell 100 is generally in a cuboid structure. An ink storage chamber 110 generally in a cuboid structure and an ink supply chamber 120 generally in a cylindrical structure are provided in the shell 100. The ink supply chamber 120 is located below the ink storage chamber 110, that is, the ink supply chamber 120 is formed on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 110 and communicates with the ink storage chamber 110. The bottom wall area of the ink storage chamber 110 is larger than the top wall area of the ink supply chamber 120, ensuring that the ink enters the ink supply chamber 120 with a smaller volume from the ink storage chamber 110 with a larger volume under the action of its own gravity and fills the ink supply chamber 120. The face cover 200 is sealingly covered on the top opening of the ink storage chamber 110. For example, the face cover 200 is sealingly welded to the shell 100. The seal 300 is installed at the ink outlet 121 of the ink supply chamber 120, so that the shell 100, the face cover 200 and the seal 300 together make the ink cartridge 10 form a sealed container, which is convenient for transporting and storing ink.

[0035] It should be noted that the housing 100 and the ink storage chamber 110 can also be of other shapes, such as a cube or a cylinder, and specific limitations are not made here.

[0036] Referring to Figures 3 to 5 , the ink supply chamber 120 includes a first chamber close to the ink storage chamber 110, a second chamber close to the ink outlet 121, and a partition plate 130 extending from the top wall of the ink supply chamber 120 towards the ink outlet 121. The partition plate 130 divides the first chamber of the ink supply chamber 120 into a first channel 140 and a second channel 150. The first channel 140 and the second channel 150 extend from the top wall of the ink supply chamber 120 towards the ink outlet 121. The first channel 140 forms a first opening 143 on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 110, and the second channel 150 forms a second opening 152 on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 110. The ink supply chamber 120 is connected to the ink storage chamber 110 through the first opening 143 and the second opening 152. The bottom ends of the first channel 140 and the second channel 150 are connected and communicated below the partition plate 130. In other words, the first channel 140 and the second channel 150 are communicated through the second chamber. The bottom end of the first channel 140 has a preset interval distance from the ink outlet 121, and the bottom end of the second channel 150 has a preset interval distance from the ink outlet 121.

[0037] When the ink cartridge 10 is loaded into the printer, the ink cartridge 10 is adjusted to a posture with the ink outlet 121 facing downwards, so that the ink in the ink storage chamber 110 enters the ink supply chamber 120 under the action of its own gravity. The first chamber of the ink supply chamber 120 is connected to the ink storage chamber 110, and the second chamber of the ink supply chamber 120 is communicated with the ink pick-up device of the printer. On the one hand, the partition plate 130 in the first chamber of the ink supply chamber 120 can increase the wall surface of the ink supply chamber 120, that is, the wall surface area of the ink supply chamber 120 is increased, thereby increasing the wall attachment effect of the fluid and contributing to gas-liquid separation. On the other hand, the partition plate 130 realizes that the ink supply chamber 120 has a double-channel structure. When the gravity of the ink in the ink storage chamber 110 applied to the first opening 143 and the second opening 152 (i.e., the fluid pressure received at the opening) is different, the ink in the ink storage chamber 110 flows into the ink supply chamber 120 from the channel with the greater gravity among the first channel 140 or the second channel 150, and the gas is discharged from the other channel out of the ink supply chamber 120 and flows back to the ink storage chamber 110, effectively preventing air bubbles from aggregating in the ink supply chamber 120 and effectively avoiding the occurrence of air plug phenomenon.

[0038] Compared with the setting of the one-way valve in the prior art, the present application sets the partition plate 130 in the narrow ink supply chamber 120, which is easier to implement in mold manufacturing and injection molding, reducing the processing cost, material cost and assembly complexity; compared with the setting of the sponge in the prior art, the ink storage capacity is high and the ink supply is continuous.

[0039] Such as Figure 3As shown, in an embodiment provided by the present invention, the first opening 143 formed by the first channel 140 on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 110 has a first area S1, and the second opening 152 formed by the second channel 150 on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 110 has a second area S2. The first area S1 is different from the second area S2, so that the forces exerted by the ink in the ink storage chamber 110 on the first opening 143 and the second opening 152 are different. In this embodiment, the first area S1 is larger than the second area S2. Since the fluid pressure F at the opening of the channel = pressure p * force-receiving area S, when the first area S1 is larger than the second area S2, the liquid pressure F1 at the first opening 143 will be greater than the liquid pressure F2 at the second opening 152, which is conducive to the ink in the ink storage chamber 110 flowing into the ink supply chamber 120 through the first channel 140 with a larger top opening area, and the gas discharging from the ink supply chamber 120 through the second channel 150 with a smaller top opening area, thereby better preventing bubbles from aggregating in the ink supply chamber 120.

[0040] As Figure 8 shown, according to another embodiment provided by the present invention, the first opening 143 is lower than the second opening 152. Then, when the ink cartridge 10 is installed, the first opening 143 formed by the first channel 140 on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 110 has a first depth h1 from the ink liquid level in the ink storage chamber 110, and the second opening 152 formed by the second channel 150 on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 110 has a second depth h2 from the ink liquid level in the ink storage chamber 110. The first depth h1 is different from the second depth h2, so that the forces exerted by the ink in the ink storage chamber 110 on the first opening 143 and the second opening 152 are different. In this embodiment, the first depth h1 is greater than the second depth h2. The fluid pressure p at the opening of the channel = fluid density ρ * gravitational acceleration g * fluid depth H, where H is the height from the position where the pressure is required to the liquid level. When the depth h1 at the first opening 143 is greater than the depth h2 at the second opening 152, the fluid pressure at the first opening 143 is relatively greater than that at the second opening 152, which is conducive to the ink in the ink storage chamber 110 flowing into the ink supply chamber 120 through the first channel 140, and the gas discharging from the ink supply chamber 120 through the second channel 150, which can better prevent bubbles from aggregating in the ink supply chamber 120.

[0041] According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 4 , both the second opening 152 and the first opening 143 are on the same side of the centroid of the ink storage chamber 110, and the distance from the centroid to the first opening 143 is less than the distance from the centroid to the second opening 152, which is conducive to the ink in the ink storage chamber 110 flowing into the ink supply chamber 120 through the first channel 140. It can be understood that at least two-thirds of the volume of the ink storage chamber 110 and the first channel 140 are on the same side of the partition plate 130, which is conducive to the ink in the ink storage chamber 110 flowing into the ink supply chamber 120 through the first channel 140.

[0042] According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 5 , the inner wall surface of the first channel 140 has a first step portion 141, the step surface of the first step portion 141 is located below the first opening 143, and the flow-through cross-section of the first channel 140 narrows at the first step portion 141. In other words, the flow-through cross-section of the first channel 140 at the first step portion 141 is smaller than the flow-through cross-section of the first opening 143. In this embodiment, the step surface of the first step portion 141 is parallel to the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 110. The first step portion 141 is conducive to the ink in the ink storage chamber 110 flowing into the ink supply chamber 120 through the first channel 140, and also increases the wall surface of the first channel 140, expanding the fluid wall attachment effect and contributing to gas-liquid separation.

[0043] According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 3 and Figure 5 , the inner wall surface of the first channel 140 has a first inclined surface 142 that slopes downward toward the ink outlet 121 of the ink supply chamber 120, and the normal line of the first inclined surface 142 extends in the direction close to the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 110. In this embodiment, the first inclined surface 142 is connected to the first step portion 141. Of course, in other embodiments, the first inclined surface 142 can be directly connected to the first opening 143. The first inclined surface 142 not only causes a jet phenomenon during the process of the ink flowing from the ink storage chamber 110 into the ink supply chamber 120, but also ensures that the ink better adheres to the wall surface, avoiding the formation of air cavities. In addition, the first inclined surface 142 is conducive to the ink or air flowing in and out of the ink supply chamber 120 more smoothly, increasing the length of the wall surface of the first channel 140, enabling the ink to have a longer flow distance, and expanding the fluid wall attachment effect.

[0044] According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 5 , a limiting convex portion 160 is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the ink supply chamber 120. The limiting convex portion 160 is located below the partition plate 130 and adjacent to the ink outlet 121, and there is a predetermined interval between the two. The limiting convex portion 160 is used to limit components (such as the seal 300 or the check valve (i.e., the one-way valve)), preventing the components from moving toward the double channel under the action of an external force. Specifically, the limiting convex portion 160 is a second step, and the second step is located below the second channel 150, with a simple structure and convenient processing. It should be noted that the limiting convex portion 160 can also be a rib.

[0045] According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 5 , the partition plate 130 has a partition portion 131 and two extension portions 132. The two extension portions 132 extend from the bottom wall of the partition portion 131 along the axial direction of the ink supply chamber 120 toward the ink outlet 121 of the ink supply chamber 120. The two extension portions 132 are respectively located on both sides of the partition portion 131. Through the extension portions 132, the wall surface is increased, and the fluid wall attachment effect is expanded.

[0046] In Figures 1 to 5 In the illustrated embodiment, the first chamber and the second chamber are arranged one above the other with the horizontal plane where the bottom wall of the partition portion 131 of the partition plate 130 is located as the boundary. Specifically, the first chamber is the upper chamber of the ink supply chamber 120, and the second chamber is the lower chamber of the ink supply chamber 120. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the first chamber and the second chamber can also be arranged one in front of the other with the plane where the end of the partition plate 130 is located as the boundary. Specifically, the ink supply chamber 120 can also be divided into a front chamber and a rear chamber. The rear chamber communicates with the ink storage chamber 110, and the front chamber communicates with the ink picker. The ink outlet of the ink supply chamber 120 is located on the bottom wall of the front chamber. Inside the rear chamber, there is a horizontally arranged partition plate 130. The partition plate 130 divides the rear chamber of the ink supply chamber 120 into a first channel 140 and a second channel 150. The first channel 140 is located below the second channel 150. The opening at the leading end of the first channel 140 is called the first opening 143, and the opening at the leading end of the second channel 150 is called the second opening 152. Both the first opening 143 and the second opening 152 are connected to the ink storage chamber 110. The trailing end of the first channel 140 and the trailing end of the second channel 150 are connected to each other.

[0047] It should be noted that the partition plate 130 can be horizontally arranged, vertically arranged, or inclined. There is no specific limitation here, as long as the partition plate 130 can divide the part of the ink supply chamber 120 connected to the ink storage chamber 110 (i.e., the first chamber mentioned above) to form two channels.

[0048] According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, both the housing 100 and the partition plate 130 are plastic parts and are integrally formed by injection molding. The processing is simple, the cost is low, and the structural strength of the housing 100 is high.

[0049] According to some specific embodiments of the present invention, referring to Figure 3 , the inner wall surface of the second channel 150 has a second inclined surface 151 that slopes upward toward the second opening 152. The normal line of the second inclined surface 151 extends in a direction away from the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 110. The second inclined surface 151 is beneficial for ink or air to enter and exit the ink supply chamber 120 more smoothly, increases the length of the wall surface of the second channel 150, enables the fluid to have a longer flow distance, and expands the fluid wall attachment effect.

[0050] The printing device according to the second aspect embodiment of the present invention includes the ink cartridge 10 according to any one of the above first aspect embodiments of the present invention.

[0051] By adopting the above-mentioned ink cartridge 10, it effectively prevents air bubbles from aggregating in the ink supply chamber 120 of the ink cartridge 10, and at the same time reduces the processing cost, material cost, and assembly complexity of the ink cartridge.

[0052] In the description of this specification, the descriptions referring to terms such as "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "schematic embodiments", "examples", "specific examples", or "some examples", etc. mean that the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with the embodiment or example are included in at least two embodiments or examples of the present invention. In this specification, the schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Moreover, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

[0053] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions, and variations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, comprising a housing, wherein an ink storage chamber and an ink supply chamber are provided in the housing, the ink supply chamber is connected to the ink storage chamber, an ink outlet is provided in the ink supply chamber, and the ink outlet is located on a side of the ink supply chamber away from the ink storage chamber, and is characterized in that, The ink supply chamber includes a first chamber, a second chamber, and a partition plate. The first chamber includes a first channel and a second channel separated by the partition plate. One end of the first channel forms a first opening on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber, and the first channel communicates with the ink storage chamber through the first opening. One end of the second channel forms a second opening on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber, and the second channel communicates with the ink storage chamber through the second opening. The other end of the first channel and the other end of the second channel communicate with each other through the second chamber. The first opening and the second opening are located in the same ink storage chamber, and the ink storage chamber has only one chamber. The inner wall surface of the first channel has a first inclined surface that slopes downward toward the ink outlet, and the normal line of the first inclined surface extends in a direction close to the ink storage chamber.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The area of the first opening is larger than the area of the second opening.

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The first opening is lower than the second opening.

4. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, wherein Both the second opening and the first opening are located on the same side of the centroid of the ink storage chamber, and the distance from the centroid to the first opening is less than the distance from the centroid to the second opening.

5. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first channel has a first step portion.

6. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The inner wall surface of the second channel has a second inclined surface that slopes upward toward the second opening, and the normal line of the second inclined surface extends in a direction away from the ink storage chamber.

7. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, A limiting convex portion is provided on the inner peripheral wall of the ink supply chamber. The limiting convex portion is located below the partition plate and adjacent to the ink outlet, and there is a predetermined interval between the limiting convex portion and the partition plate.

8. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The partition plate has a partition portion and an extension portion. The extension portion extends from the bottom wall of the partition portion toward the ink outlet along the axial direction of the ink supply chamber.

9. A printing device, comprising the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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