ink cartridge

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ink cartridge that can be detachably installed in an inkjet imaging device provided with a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The ink cartridge includes a shell, an ink outlet portion and a detection assembly. The shell forms an ink cavity for accommodating ink, and the ink outlet portion is connected to the ink cavity so that the ink can be discharged through the ink outlet portion; the light receiving element is used to receive light emitted by the light emitting element, and the detection assembly cooperates with the light emitting element and the light receiving element to detect the remaining ink in the ink cavity; the detection assembly includes a movable light shielding element. As the amount of ink in the ink cavity changes, the light shielding element can move between a first position that can shield the light emitted by the light emitting element and a second position that cannot shield the light emitted by the light emitting element. The light emitted by the light emitting element will not be "lost", thereby ensuring that the light receiving element can receive all the light emitted by the light emitting element, thereby avoiding the inkjet imaging device from making a misjudgment of the remaining ink in the ink cavity.

Description

[0001] This invention claims priority to the Chinese invention with application number 202120727450.6 filed by the applicant on April 9, 2021, with the invention name “Ink Cartridge”, the Chinese invention with application number 202120484349.2 filed by the applicant on March 5, 2021, with the invention name “Ink Cartridge”, and the Chinese invention with application number 202122765982.1 filed by the applicant on November 11, 2021, with the invention name “Ink Cartridge”. The contents of the above three priorities are cross-referenced in this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of inkjet imaging, and in particular to an ink cartridge detachably installed in an inkjet printer. Background Art

[0003] An inkjet printer is a commonly used inkjet imaging device, and an ink cartridge is detachably mounted to the inkjet printer to provide ink when the inkjet printer is working. Figure 1 A three-dimensional diagram of an existing ink cartridge is provided, in which the ink cartridge 1 includes a shell 2 for containing ink and a light-transmitting portion 27 extending upward from an upper surface 22 of the shell 2. When the ink cartridge 1 is installed in an inkjet printer, the light-transmitting portion 27 is used to detect the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1.

[0004] Specifically, when the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the inkjet printer, a light emitting part and a light receiving part are respectively provided on the left and right sides of the light transmitting part 27, and the light transmitting part 27 is connected to the ink cavity containing ink. When the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1 is large, the light emitted by the light emitting part cannot pass through the light transmitting part 27, and thus, the light receiving part cannot receive the light, and the inkjet printer believes that there is a large amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge 1; as the inkjet printer works, the ink in the ink cartridge is consumed, and when the ink is consumed to a predetermined value, the light emitted by the light emitting part can reach the light receiving part through the light transmitting part 27, and at this time, the inkjet printer believes that the ink remaining in the ink cartridge 1 is insufficient, and notifies the user to replace the ink cartridge by issuing an alarm.

[0005] As described above, only when the light emitted by the light emitting portion passes through the light-transmitting portion 27 and is received by the light receiving portion, and the light receiving portion receives light of a predetermined intensity, can the inkjet printer determine that the ink level in the ink cartridge 1 is insufficient. However, since the light-transmitting portion 27 is connected to the ink cavity that contains ink in the ink cartridge 1, during use, when ink adheres to the inner wall of the light-transmitting portion 27, it will affect the efficiency of light passing through the light-transmitting portion 27, and may cause the inkjet printer to misjudge the ink level in the ink cartridge 1; even if there is no ink adhered to the inner wall of the light-transmitting portion 27, light will still be "lost" in the process of passing through the light-transmitting portion 27, which may also cause the inkjet printer to misjudge the ink level. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present invention provides an ink cartridge having a light shielding member. As the ink is consumed, the relative position of the light shielding member in the ink cartridge changes, so that the light emitted by the light emitting portion can be fully received by the light receiving portion, thereby ensuring that the inkjet printer can accurately determine the remaining ink level. The specific solution is as follows:

[0007] An ink cartridge is detachably installed in an inkjet imaging device provided with a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The ink cartridge includes a shell, an ink outlet portion and a detection component. The shell forms an ink cavity for accommodating ink. The ink outlet portion is connected to the ink cavity so that the ink can be discharged through the ink outlet portion. The light receiving element is used to receive the light emitted by the light emitting element. The detection component cooperates with the light emitting element and the light receiving element to detect the remaining ink in the ink cavity. The detection component includes a movable light-shielding element. As the amount of ink in the ink cavity changes, the light-shielding element can move between a first position that can block the light emitted by the light emitting element and a second position that cannot block the light emitted by the light emitting element.

[0008] Along the moving direction of the shading member, in the first position, the shading member and the ink outlet portion are at a first distance, and in the second position, the shading member and the ink outlet portion are at a second distance, and the first distance is different from the second distance.

[0009] As a first embodiment, the detection component also includes a deformable member combined with the light-shielding member, the light-shielding member is configured to move along the up and down directions of the ink cartridge, and the deformable member undergoes elastic deformation as the light-shielding member moves; when the ink chamber is filled with ink, the light-shielding member is located in a first position, and when the ink in the ink chamber is consumed to below a predetermined amount, the light-shielding member is located in a second position.

[0010] Based on the above concept, it is achievable that when the light-shielding member is in the first position, the buoyancy of the ink is transmitted to the light-shielding member through the deformable member, and when the light-shielding member is in the second position, the deformable member is compressed by the light-shielding member to undergo elastic deformation, and the light-shielding member is closer to the ink outlet portion; it is also achievable that the detection component further includes a rotating member that can contact the deformable member, and when the light-shielding member is in the first position, the rotating member does not contact the deformable member, and the light-shielding member compresses the deformable member to undergo elastic deformation, and when the light-shielding member is in the second position, the rotating member contacts the deformable member, the light-shielding member is pushed by the rotating member, and the light-shielding member is further away from the ink outlet portion; or, when the light-shielding member is in the first position, the buoyancy of the ink directly acts on the light-shielding member, and the deformable member is forced to undergo elastic deformation by the light-shielding member, and when the light-shielding member is in the second position, the light-shielding member is closer to the ink outlet portion.

[0011] As a second embodiment, the shading member can swing along the front-to-back direction or the left-to-right direction and move between a first position and a second position. When the shading member swings along the left-to-right direction, its rotation axis is parallel to the front-to-back direction; when the shading member swings along the front-to-back direction, its rotation axis is parallel to the left-to-right direction.

[0012] As a third embodiment, the light shading member can slide or roll in the front-to-back direction and move between a first position and a second position. In the second position, the distance between the light shading member and the ink outlet portion in the front-to-back direction is greater than the distance between the light shading member and the ink outlet portion in the first position.

[0013] The detection component also includes a moving part located in the ink chamber, which can move as the amount of ink changes. At least one of the shading part and the moving part is magnetic, and the shading part is located outside the shell and does not contact the ink.

[0014] Preferably, the ink cartridge further comprises a limit frame for limiting the movement trajectory of the light shielding member.

[0015] The moving part is a rotating part that can rotate around a rotating shaft, and the detection assembly further includes a matching part fixedly mounted on the rotating part, and the matching part can interact with the light shielding part through magnetic force;

[0016] Alternatively, the movable part is a rotating part that can rotate around a rotating axis, and the detection component also includes a matching part that is movably mounted on the rotating part, and the matching part can interact with the light-shielding part by magnetic force. At this time, preferably, the ink cartridge also includes an active cavity provided in the ink cavity, and the matching part can roll or slide in the forward and backward directions in the active cavity.

[0017] As described above, the light-shielding member in the detection component is no longer fixed, but is arranged to be movable along a direction intersecting with the direction of travel of the light emitted by the light-emitting member, and the light-shielding member can move between the light-shielding position and the non-light-shielding position according to the change in the amount of ink in the ink chamber. There will be no "loss" of light, thereby ensuring that the light-receiving member can receive all the light emitted by the light-emitting member, avoiding the inkjet imaging device from misjudging the remaining ink in the ink chamber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a conventional ink cartridge.

[0019] Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram of the exploded view of some components of the ink cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ink cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view taken along the vertical direction of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention when installed in an inkjet printer.

[0022] Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present invention is filled with ink.

[0023] Figure 5B This is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention when it is filled with ink and viewed from the front-to-back direction.

[0024] Figure 6A This is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink in the ink cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present invention is consumed to a predetermined value.

[0025] Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the ink in the ink cartridge is consumed to a predetermined value, viewed along the front-to-back direction.

[0026] Figure 7 1 is a schematic diagram of the exploded view of some components of the ink cartridge involved in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8A This is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink cartridge involved in the second embodiment of the present invention is filled with ink.

[0028] Figure 8B This is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention when it is filled with ink and viewed from the front-to-back direction.

[0029] Figure 9A This is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink in the ink cartridge involved in the second embodiment of the present invention is consumed to a predetermined value.

[0030] Figure 9B This is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the ink in the ink cartridge is consumed to a predetermined value, viewed along the front-to-back direction.

[0031] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ink cartridge involved in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 11A This is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink cartridge involved in the third embodiment of the present invention is filled with ink.

[0033] Figure 11B This is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention when it is filled with ink and viewed from the front-to-back direction.

[0034] Figure 12A This is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink in the ink cartridge involved in the third embodiment of the present invention is consumed to a predetermined value.

[0035] Figure 12B This is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention when the ink in the ink cartridge is consumed to a predetermined value, viewed along the front-to-back direction.

[0036] Figure 13 It is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of a detection component in an ink cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] Figure 14A This is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink cartridge involved in the fifth embodiment of the present invention is filled with ink.

[0038] Figure 14B This is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink in the ink cartridge involved in the fifth embodiment of the present invention is consumed to a predetermined value.

[0039] Figure 15 It is a schematic diagram of an exploded view of a detection component in an ink cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 16A This is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink cartridge involved in the sixth embodiment of the present invention is filled with ink.

[0041] Figure 16B This is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink in the ink cartridge involved in the sixth embodiment of the present invention is consumed to a predetermined value. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In the following embodiments, the components for detecting the remaining ink level in the ink cartridge are improved, and thus, except for the remaining ink level detection component, the components identical to those in the background art will be numbered the same.

[0043] To make the description clearer, the ink cartridge 1 is first defined as follows: the installation direction of the ink cartridge 1 is defined as the front-to-back direction, and the ink cartridge 1 is installed forward. Based on the angle of the ink cartridge 1 when it is installed, the upper side of the ink cartridge 1 is the top, the lower side is the bottom, the left side is the left, and the right side is the right; the descriptions of the directions below correspond to the above descriptions.

[0044] Example 1

[0045] [Overall structure of the ink cartridge]

[0046] Figure 2 1 is a schematic diagram of some exploded components of an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ink cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view taken along the vertical direction of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention when installed in an inkjet printer.

[0047] The ink cartridge 1 includes a shell 2 for holding ink, an ink outlet 3, a chip mounting portion 4 and an ink remaining amount detection component (referred to as "detection component") 6. The shell 2 forms an ink cavity 20 for holding ink, and has a front surface 21 located in the front and an upper surface 22 located above; the ink outlet 3 protrudes forward from the front surface 21 near the bottom and is connected to the ink cavity 20 for supplying ink in the ink cavity 20 to the outside; the chip mounting portion 4 is located in front of the front surface 21, and a substrate 41 is installed above the chip mounting portion 4. A plurality of contacts 42 are provided on the substrate 41. When the ink cartridge 1 is installed to the inkjet printer, the contacts 42 contact the contact pins in the inkjet printer, and thus, the ink cartridge 1 establishes a communication connection with the inkjet printer; the detection component 6 is arranged in the up and down direction, and at least a portion of the detection component 6 can move in the up and down direction according to the amount of ink in the ink cavity 20.

[0048] In the up and down direction, the chip mounting portion 4 is located above the ink outlet portion 3. Furthermore, the ink cartridge 1 also includes a sensing member 23 and a boss 24 extending upward from the upper surface 22. During the installation of the ink cartridge 1, the sensing member 23 is used to cooperate with the inkjet printer so that the ink cartridge 1 can be identified by the inkjet printer. A latch 25 and a handle 26 are also provided above the boss 24. When the ink cartridge 1 is installed to a predetermined position of the inkjet printer, the latch 25 is latched by the inkjet printer. Thus, the ink cartridge 1 is positioned in the inkjet printer. When the ink cartridge 1 needs to be taken out, the user pulls the ink cartridge 1 backward by holding the handle 26.

[0049] Furthermore, the housing 2 includes a bottom shell 2a and a cover 2b, which are formed separately. The ink chamber 20 is formed in the bottom shell 2a. The ink cartridge 1 also includes a sealing membrane 5 located between the bottom shell 2a and the cover 2b. The sealing membrane 5 is used to seal the ink chamber 20 in the left-right direction. The cover 2b is connected to the bottom shell 2a in the left-right direction, so that the sealing membrane 5 is located between the cover 2b and the bottom shell 2a. When the bottom shell 2a and the cover 2b are connected, the upper surfaces 22a and 22b of the bottom shell 2a and the cover 2b, respectively, are aligned to form the ink cartridge upper surface 22. The sensor 23, the boss 24, the detection assembly 6, the latch 25, and the handle 26 can be formed on the upper surface 22a of the bottom shell 2a or the upper surface 22b of the cover 2b. Regardless of whether these components are arranged on the bottom shell 2a or the cover 2b, the overall position of these components relative to the upper surface 22 remains unchanged.

[0050] [Detection components]

[0051] The detection component 6 can be arranged on the bottom shell 2a or the cover 2b. The following description will be made by taking the detection component 6 arranged on the bottom shell 2a as an example. As shown in the figure, the detection component 6 includes a light shielding member 61, a guide member 62 and a deformable member 63. The inkjet imaging device is provided with a light emitting member 71 and a light receiving member 72 (such as Figure 5BAs shown in the figure, when the ink cartridge 1 is installed in the inkjet imaging device, the detection component 6 enters between the light emitting element 71 and the light receiving element 72. If the light emitted by the light emitting element 71 cannot be received by the light receiving element 72, the inkjet printer will think that there is a lot of ink in the ink cartridge 1 and the user can use it normally. If the light emitted by the light emitting element 71 can be received by the light receiving element 72, the inkjet printer will think that the ink level in the ink cartridge 1 is insufficient. At this time, the inkjet printer will issue an alarm to inform the user to replace the ink cartridge 1.

[0052] In accordance with the embodiment of the present invention, the light shielding member 61 is movable within the guide member 62. When the amount of ink in the ink chamber 20 is greater than a predetermined value, or in other words, when the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 1 is relatively large, the light shielding member 61 is positioned to block the light emitted by the light emitting member 71. At this point, the light receiving member 72 cannot receive the light emitted by the light emitting member 71. As the ink in the ink chamber 20 is consumed, the light shielding member 61 gradually moves to a position where it no longer blocks the light emitted by the light emitting member 71. At this point, the light receiving member 72 receives the light emitted by the light emitting member 71. Thus, the light shielding member 61 in this embodiment is movable between a light shielding position (first position) in which it blocks the light emitted by the light emitting member 71 and a non-light shielding position (second position) in which it cannot block the light emitted by the light emitting member 71. The non-light shielding position herein means that all light emitted by the light emitting member 71 passes through the light shielding member 61 and is received by the light receiving member 72. In other words, the light emitted by the light emitting member 71 is not lost, thereby ensuring that the inkjet printer accurately determines the remaining ink level.

[0053] According to the amount of ink in the ink chamber 20, the light-shielding member 61 can move in a direction intersecting with the direction of travel of the light L emitted by the light-emitting member 71, specifically, for example, up and down movement in the up and down directions, or forward and backward movement in the front and back directions, or movement in a direction inclined to the plane common to the up and down directions and the front and back directions, that is, movement in a direction inclined to the left and right directions. Regardless of the movement direction of the light shielding member 61, in general, the movement of the light shielding member 61 can be controlled by the amount of ink in the ink chamber 20. It can be understood that the buoyancy direction of the ink on the object located in the ink chamber 20 is vertically upward. Therefore, when the light shielding member 61 chooses to move in the up and down directions, the buoyancy generated by the ink can be directly used to control the light shielding member 61; when the light shielding member 61 chooses not to move in the up and down directions, the light shielding member 61 can be controlled by converting the upward buoyancy generated by the ink into the movement direction selected by the light shielding member 61, that is, when the light shielding member 61 moves in the front and back directions, the light shielding member 61 is controlled by converting the upward buoyancy generated by the ink into the front and back directions; similarly, when the light shielding member 61 moves in a direction inclined to the left and right directions, the light shielding member 61 is controlled by converting the upward buoyancy generated by the ink into a direction inclined to the left and right directions.

[0054] As a basis, the following will describe an embodiment in which the light shielding member 61 moves in the up and down directions. Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the guide member 62 is formed in the ink chamber 20 along the up and down directions, and has a first end 62a located at the top and a second end 62b located at the bottom. Preferably, a guide cavity 620 that can accommodate the shading member 61 is formed inside the guide member 62, and the first end 62a is open, and the second end 62b forms an opening 621. The deformable member 63 is located at the second end 62b and contacts the shading member 61.

[0055] In this embodiment, the opening 621 is sealed, so that the guide cavity 620 is isolated from the ink cavity 20, and the ink in the ink cavity 20 will not leak through the guide cavity 620, that is, the guide cavity 620 is not connected to the ink cavity 20; preferably, the deformable member 63 is an elastic membrane that can be elastically deformed as the amount of ink in the ink cavity 20 changes; the opening 621 is sealed by the elastic membrane 63, and when the shading member 61 is installed to the guide cavity 620, the shading member 61 can be exposed through the first end 62a.

[0056] like Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, the shading member 61 includes a shading portion 611, a connecting portion 612 and a guiding portion 613, which are arranged in sequence from top to bottom. Among the components, at least the shading portion 611 is made of opaque material, or the shading member 61 as a whole is made of translucent material, and the opaque material is attached to the shading member 61, thereby forming a shading portion 611 on the shading member 61, and the shading portion 611 is used to block the light L emitted by the light emitting element 71; the connecting portion 612 connects the shading portion 611 and the guiding portion 613, and along the left and right directions and / or the front and back directions, the size of the guiding portion 613 is larger than the size of the connecting portion 612 and the shading portion 611, and is slightly smaller than the size of the guide cavity 620, so as to ensure that the shading member 61 can move more smoothly in the guide cavity 620, and at the same time, a step surface 614 will be formed above the guide portion 613. As a simplified structure, the connecting portion 612 can be omitted, and the shading portion 611 is directly connected to the guide portion 613. Obviously, when the size of the guide cavity 620 in the up and down directions remains unchanged, the size of the guide portion 613 in the up and down directions will become longer. Therefore, more material is used for the guide portion 613, which leads to an increase in the overall material cost of the shading member 61. Therefore, providing the connecting portion 612 helps to reduce the overall material cost of the shading member 61.

[0057] The inner wall of the guide cavity 620 extends inward to form a limiting protrusion 65, which is used to engage with the stepped surface 614 to limit the upward movement of the light shielding member 61. The lower portion of the guide portion 613 is supported by the elastic membrane 63. Therefore, when the elastic membrane 63 elastically deforms in response to changes in the amount of ink in the ink chamber 20, the light shielding member 61 can move with the elastic deformation of the elastic membrane 63.

[0058] [Testing process]

[0059] Figure 5A This is a schematic diagram of the ink detection component when the ink cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present invention is filled with ink; Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention when it is filled with ink, viewed from the front-to-back direction; Figure 6A 1 is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink in the ink cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present invention is consumed to a predetermined value; Figure 6B This is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention when the ink in the ink cartridge is consumed to a predetermined value, viewed along the front-to-back direction.

[0060] like Figure 5A As shown, when the ink chamber 20 is filled with ink 11, the elastic membrane 63 is completely immersed in the ink 11. When viewed along the front-to-back direction or the left-to-right direction, at least a portion of the light-shielding member 61 overlaps with the ink 11. However, since the guide chamber 620 is not connected to the ink chamber 20, there will be no ink in the guide chamber 620, and the light-shielding member 61 will not be directly affected by the buoyancy of the ink 11. The buoyancy of the ink is applied to the light-shielding member 61 through the elastic membrane 63. As shown in the figure, under the buoyancy of the ink 11, the elastic membrane 63 does not undergo elastic deformation, and the light shielding member 61 is supported by the elastic membrane 63 through the guide portion 613. At this time, the gravity of the light shielding member 61 is balanced by the buoyancy of the ink applied to the light shielding member 61 through the elastic membrane 63, and at least the light shielding portion 611 of the light shielding member 61 is exposed to the outside through the first end 62a; or, along the up and down directions, when the distance between the elastic membrane 63 and the ink liquid level in the ink chamber 20 is large enough, the buoyancy of the ink applied to the light shielding member 61 through the elastic membrane 63 is greater than the gravity of the light shielding member 61. At this time, the elastic membrane 63 is deformed upward under the action of the buoyancy, and accordingly, the light shielding member 61 is also pushed upward. Similarly, at least the light shielding portion 611 of the light shielding member 61 is exposed to the outside through the first end 62a.

[0061] Furthermore, when the ink chamber 20 is filled with ink 11, the light shielding portion 611 is located above the upper surface 22 / substrate 41 along the vertical direction, and the light shielding member 61 is located in the light shielding position, as shown in FIG. Figure 5BAs shown, the light L emitted by the light emitting element 71 is blocked by the light shielding portion 611 and cannot pass through the light shielding portion 61, and the light receiving element 72 will not be able to receive the light L at all; in the up and down directions, the light shielding portion 611 does not exceed the boss 24, and along the front and back directions, the light shielding portion 611 is protected by the boss 24 while preventing the light shielding portion 611 from interfering with the interior of the inkjet printer during the process of the ink cartridge 1 being installed forward along the front and back directions.

[0062] As the ink 11 in the ink chamber 20 is consumed, the buoyancy of the ink 11 on the elastic membrane 63 gradually decreases. Under the gravity of the light shielding member 61, the guide portion 613 begins to press the elastic membrane 63 downward to cause elastic deformation, and the light shielding member 61 moves downward as a whole. Figure 6A As shown, when the ink level is lower than the elastic membrane 63, the elastic membrane 63 and the light shielding member 61 are no longer affected by the buoyancy of the ink 11, and the gravity of the light shielding member 61 acts entirely on the elastic membrane 63. The downward elastic deformation of the elastic membrane 63 reaches a maximum, and the light shielding member 61 stops moving downward. At this time, the light shielding portion 611 no longer blocks the light L. Preferably, the light shielding member 61 completely enters the ink chamber 20, as shown in FIG. Figure 6B As shown, light L emitted by light emitting element 71 passes above light shielding element 61 (light shielding portion 611) and is ultimately received entirely by light receiving element 72. At this point, light shielding element 61 is in the non-shielding position. Compared to the light shielding position, light shielding portion 611 is closer to ink outlet portion 3. In other words, the vertical distance between the top of light shielding element 61 and upper surface 22 / substrate 41 / contact 42 decreases. Therefore, the vertical distance between the top of light shielding element 61 and upper surface 22 / substrate 41 / contact 42 differs between the light shielding position and the non-shielding position. In this embodiment, since light L is not "lost" during its travel, inkjet printing can accurately determine based on the received light L and remind the user to replace the ink cartridge.

[0063] As described above, the elastic membrane 63 produces different elastic changes according to the change in the amount of ink, so that the position of the light-shielding portion 611 relative to the shell 2 changes in the up and down directions, thereby causing the light-shielding portion 611 to be able to move between a position that blocks the light L and a position that does not block the light L, that is, the inkjet printer can send different prompt information to the user according to the different amounts of ink in the ink chamber 20.

[0064] When the ink chamber 20 is filled with ink, under the buoyancy of the ink 11, the light shielding member 61 is supported by the elastic membrane 63 and is in a position that completely blocks the light L. The light L emitted by the light emitting member 71 cannot be received by the light receiving member 72 at all, and the inkjet printer sends a message to the user that there is enough ink in the ink cartridge; as the ink in the ink chamber 20 is gradually consumed, the distance from the elastic membrane 63 to the ink liquid surface gradually decreases in the vertical direction, and the buoyancy of the light shielding member 61 gradually decreases. Under the gravity of the light shielding member 61, the light L emitted by the light emitting member 71 cannot be received by the light receiving member 72 at all. Under the action, the shading member 61 forces the elastic membrane 63 to undergo elastic deformation downward, and the shading member 61 also moves downward synchronously. The light L emitted by the light emitting member 71 is gradually no longer blocked by the shading member 61. In other words, a part of the light L is located above the shading member 61 and is no longer blocked by the shading member 61, and is eventually received by the light receiving member 72, while the other part of the light L is still blocked by the shading member 61. At this time, the inkjet printer can determine the remaining ink in the ink chamber 20 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving member 72.

[0065] Assuming that the amount of light L emitted by the light emitting element 71 is c, when the amount of light received by the light receiving element 72 is zero, the inkjet printer determines that the ink level in the ink chamber 20 is full. When the amount of light received by the light receiving element 72 is c / 2, the inkjet printer determines that the ink level in the ink chamber 20 is half consumed. When the amount of light received by the light receiving element 72 is c, the inkjet printer determines that the ink level in the ink chamber 20 has been consumed. Based on this, it can be seen that the "moment" when the light shielding element 61 reaches the non-shielding position can be adjusted according to needs, and the specific time is There is a greater degree of freedom in design. For example, the ink cartridge manufacturer can adjust parameters such as the size or quality of the light-shielding member 61 so that the light-shielding member 61 reaches the non-light-shielding position when half of the ink volume in the ink chamber 20 remains. The light-shielding member 61 can also be adjusted to reach the non-light-shielding position when a quarter of the ink volume in the ink chamber 20 remains. Furthermore, the light-shielding member 61 can be adjusted so that the light-shielding member 61 reaches the non-light-shielding position when the ink level in the ink chamber 20 is lower than the highest point of the ink outlet portion 3, thereby fully consuming the ink in the ink chamber 20.

[0066] In this embodiment, as the light shielding member 61 moves downward, the light receiving member 72 changes from being completely unable to receive the light L, to gradually being able to receive part of the light L, and finally to being able to receive all of the light L, and the light received by the light receiving member 72 is precisely all of the light emitted from the light emitting member 71 and located above the light shielding member 61. The light that the light receiving member 72 cannot receive is completely blocked by the light shielding member 61, and there will be no "loss" of light in the process of passing through the light-transmitting portion 27 as described in the background technology, resulting in insufficient light received by the light receiving portion. Therefore, using the detection component 6 involved in this embodiment, the inkjet printer can accurately determine the remaining ink in the ink chamber 20 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving member 72, and issue correct indication information to the user.

[0067] Example 2

[0068] Figure 7 1 is a schematic diagram of the exploded view of some components of the ink cartridge involved in the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0069] The difference between this embodiment and the above embodiment lies in the structure of the detection component 6. In this embodiment, the light shielding member 61 gradually moves upward as the ink in the ink chamber 20 is consumed. The following description will focus on the structure of the detection component 6 and its detection process.

[0070] like Figure 7 As shown, in this embodiment, the detection component 6 includes a light-shielding member 61, a guide member 62, a deformable member 63 and a rotating member 64; the light-shielding member 61 includes a light-shielding portion 611, a through hole 615, a connecting portion 612 and a guiding portion 613 arranged in sequence from top to bottom, and the light-shielding portion 611 is adjacent to the through hole 615, or in other words, the through hole 615 is located between the light-shielding portion 611 and the connecting portion 612, and the through hole 615 passes through in the left and right directions, and no "loss" is generated when light passes through the through hole 615; the functions of the connecting portion 612 and the guiding portion 613 are the same as those in the above embodiment and are not repeated here.

[0071] The deformable member 63 is still selected to be an elastic membrane. At the same time, the elastic membrane 63 seals the second end 62b of the guide member 62, so that the guide cavity 620 is not connected to the ink cavity 20. The rotating member 64 is rotatably installed in the ink cavity 20 and is configured to rotate as the amount of ink in the ink cavity 20 changes. Figure 7As shown, the rotating member 64 includes a rotating portion 643 and a first portion 641 and a second portion 642 connected to the rotating portion 643. The rotating portion 643 is a perforated hole. The shell 2 is provided with a rotating shaft 28. The rotating portion 643 is combined with the rotating shaft 28. The second portion 642 rotates around the rotating shaft 28 according to the change of the ink amount in the ink chamber 20, and at the same time drives the first portion 641 to rotate. During the rotation, the first portion 641 moves the shading member 61 from the shading position that blocks the light emitted by the light emitting member 71 to gradually move upward, and reaches the non-shading position that does not block the light emitted by the light emitting member 71. In the shading position, all the light emitted by the light emitting member 71 is blocked by the shading portion 611. In the non-shading position, all the light emitted by the light emitting member 71 is not blocked by the shading portion 611. At this time, all the light is received by the light receiving member 72 through the through hole 615.

[0072] Figure 8A is a schematic diagram of the ink detection component when the ink cartridge involved in the second embodiment of the present invention is filled with ink; Figure 8B is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention when it is filled with ink, viewed from the front-to-back direction; Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink in the ink cartridge involved in the second embodiment of the present invention is consumed to a predetermined value; Figure 9B This is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention when the ink in the ink cartridge is consumed to a predetermined value, viewed along the front-to-back direction.

[0073] like Figure 8A and Figure 8B As shown, the ink chamber 20 is filled with ink 11, and the rotating member 64 is subjected to the upward buoyancy of the ink 11 so that the second portion 642 does not contact the elastic membrane 63 / the light-shielding member 61. The light-shielding member 61 is now in the light-shielding position, and the light L emitted by the light-emitting member 71 is completely blocked by the light-shielding portion 611. In this embodiment, the light-shielding member 61 is preferably made of metal. Therefore, at this time, the light-shielding member 61 overcomes the buoyancy of the ink 11 under the action of its own gravity and forces the elastic membrane 63 to undergo elastic deformation downward.

[0074] As the ink in the ink chamber 20 is consumed, the upward buoyancy of the second portion 642 of the rotating member gradually decreases. Under the action of the second portion 642's own weight, the rotating member 64 as a whole rotates around the rotating shaft 28 in the direction indicated by r, and the first portion 641 of the rotating member gradually approaches the elastic membrane 63. In this embodiment, in order to ensure that the first portion 641 can smoothly push the light shielding member 61 upward, as shown in FIG. Figure 7 As shown, the light shielding member 61 further includes a guide slope 616 provided on the guide portion 613. Figure 8A When the first portion 641 rotates in the r direction as shown, it first engages with the guiding slope 616 and gradually pushes the shading member 61 upward under the guidance of the guiding slope 616, and finally reaches Figure 9A At this time, the first portion 641 abuts against the bottom surface 617 of the guide portion 613, as shown in FIG. Figure 9B As shown, the light L emitted by the light emitting element 71 passes through the through hole 615 and is received by the light receiving portion 72. At this time, the light shielding element 61 is located in the non-light shielding position. Compared with the light shielding position, the light shielding portion 611 at this time is farther away from the ink outlet portion 3, or in other words, the distance between the top of the light shielding element 61 and the upper surface 22 / substrate 41 / contact 42 increases along the up and down directions. It can be seen that in the light shielding position and the non-light shielding position, the distance between the top of the light shielding element 61 and the upper surface 22 / substrate 41 / contact 42 along the up and down directions is different.

[0075] Furthermore, as an improvement of the deformable member 63, as Figure 7 As shown, the deformable member 63 includes an elastic membrane 631 and a pushing protrusion 632 arranged on the elastic membrane 631. The elastic membrane 631 is used to seal the second end opening 621 of the guide member 62. The pushing protrusion 632 is opposite to the guide portion 613 of the shading member 61. When the first part 641 of the rotating member rotates to the bottom of the elastic membrane 63 along the direction shown by r, the first part 641 pushes the elastic membrane 63 so that the pushing protrusion 632 pushes the guide portion 613 upward, thereby the shading member 61 moves upward.

[0076] As the light shielding member 61 gradually moves upward, the light shielding portion 61 gradually moves to above the light emitting member 71, and the through hole 615 gradually reaches a position opposite to the light emitting member 71. All the light emitted by the light emitting member 71 passes through the through hole 615 and is received by the light receiving member 72. Similarly, the amount of light received by the light receiving member 72 in this embodiment also gradually increases from zero until all the light emitted by the light emitting portion 71 is received, and the amount of light received by the light receiving member 72 is not "lost". Therefore, the inkjet printer can accurately determine the remaining ink in the ink chamber 20 based on the amount of light received by the light receiving member 72, and issue correct indication information to the user.

[0077] Example 3

[0078] Figure 10 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ink cartridge involved in the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] The same components as those in the above embodiments will be numbered the same, with the difference being that in this embodiment, the guide cavity 620 is connected to the ink cavity 20, and the deformable member 63 is no longer arranged in the second opening 62b, thereby reducing the difficulty of installing the deformable member 63.

[0080] like Figure 10As shown, the detection component 6 includes a light-shielding member 61, a guide member 62 and a deformable member 63. Under the guidance of the guide member 62, the light-shielding member 61 can move along a direction intersecting the left and right directions between a non-light-shielding position in which it cannot block the light emitted by the light-emitting member 71 and a light-shielding position in which it can block the light emitted by the light-emitting member 71. In the non-light-shielding position, all the light emitted by the light-emitting member 71 is received by the light-receiving member 72 without any "loss".

[0081] Similarly, the guide member 62 in this embodiment extends vertically from the side where the upper surface 22 is located toward the ink chamber 20, and has a first end 62a located at the top and a second end 62b located at the bottom. The second end 62b is connected to the ink chamber 20, and the deformable member 63 is mounted on the first end 62a. Therefore, ink in the ink chamber 20 can enter the guide chamber 620 through the second end 62b. However, because the first end 62a is sealed by the deformable member 63, the ink will not leak from the first end 62a. The light shielding member 61 is movably mounted in the guide chamber 620, and the upper portion of the light shielding member 61 is connected to the deformable member 63, so that the deformable member 63 can move with the light shielding member 61.

[0082] Figure 11A is a schematic diagram of the ink detection component when the ink cartridge involved in the third embodiment of the present invention is filled with ink; Figure 11B is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention when it is filled with ink, viewed from the front-to-back direction; Figure 12A 1 is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink in the ink cartridge involved in the third embodiment of the present invention is consumed to a predetermined value; Figure 12B This is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention when the ink in the ink cartridge is consumed to a predetermined value, viewed along the front-to-back direction.

[0083] When the ink chamber 20 is filled with ink 11, the light shielding member 61 is located at the light shielding position. Under the buoyancy of the ink 11, the light shielding member 61 is pushed upward as a whole. Figure 11A and Figure 11B As shown, the deformable member 63 is pushed upward and deformed by the shading member 61 . At this time, the shading portion 611 protrudes upward beyond the upper surface 22 , and the light emitted by the light emitting member 71 is blocked by the shading portion 611 and cannot be received by the light receiving member 72 .

[0084] As the ink 11 is consumed, the ink level in the ink chamber 20 gradually drops, and the buoyancy of the ink on the light shielding member 61 gradually decreases. Under the combined action of the light shielding member 61's own gravity and the elastic restoring force of the deformable member 63, the light shielding member 61 moves downward as a whole. Figure 12A and Figure 12BAs shown, the light shielding member 61 moves downward to the non-light-shielding position, bringing the light shielding portion 611 closer to the ink outlet 3. In other words, the vertical distance between the upper portion of the light shielding member 61 and the upper surface 22 / substrate 41 / contact 42 decreases. In the light-shielding and non-light-shielding positions, the vertical distance between the upper portion of the light shielding member 61 and the upper surface differs. In this embodiment, light L emitted by the light emitting element 71 passes above the light shielding member 61 and is entirely received by the light receiving element 72. Because there is no "loss" of light L, the inkjet printer can accurately determine the remaining ink level.

[0085] It should be noted that, in Figure 12A and Figure 12B In the non-shielding position shown, the upper portion of the light shielding member 61 is connected to the deformable member 63. Even without the buoyancy of the ink 11, the light shielding member 61 will not fall out of the guide cavity 620. While the second end 62b of the deformable member 63 is located within the ink cavity 20, the deformable member 63 in this embodiment is mounted on the first end 62a of the guide member 62. This first end 62a is located outside the housing 2, making it easier for the deformable member 63 to be mounted to the first end 62a. For example, the two can be quickly joined by welding, gluing, or other methods.

[0086] Alternatively, the detection component 6 in this embodiment can also adopt the structure as described in Example 2, that is, the detection component 6 also includes a rotating member 64. The difference from Example 2 is that the deformable member 63 in this embodiment is connected to the shading member 61, and the deformable member 63 is installed at the first end 62a of the guide member 62.

[0087] Example 4

[0088] The above describes an embodiment in which the shading member 61 moves between the shading position and the non-shading position along the up and down directions. It can be understood that the shading member 61 can also be set to swing along the left and right directions or the front and back directions to achieve movement between the shading position and the non-shading position, that is, the shading member 61 can move in a direction intersecting with the direction of travel of the light L. When the shading member 61 swings along the left and right directions, its rotation axis is parallel to the front and back directions. When the shading member 61 swings along the front and back directions, its rotation axis is parallel to the left and right directions. Regardless of whether the light-shielding member 61 chooses to swing in the left-right direction or in the front-back direction, in the light-shielding position, the light-shielding portion 611 is located outside the shell 2 and in the direction of travel of the light L. At this time, the light emitted by the light-emitting element 71 cannot be received by the light-receiving element 72. In the non-light-shielding position, the light-shielding portion 611 avoids the direction of travel of the light L. At this time, the light-shielding portion 611 can be located closer to the ink outlet portion 3 or farther away from the ink outlet portion 3. Along the up and down directions, the distance between the top of the light-shielding member 61 and the upper surface 22 / substrate 41 / contact 42 is different.

[0089] Specifically, a counterweight is connected to at least one of the front and rear sides or the left and right sides of the light shielding member 61. When the ink chamber 20 is filled with ink, the counterweight does not work due to the buoyancy of the ink, and the light shielding member 61 is located in the light shielding position. When the ink 11 is gradually consumed, the light shielding member 61 will swing toward the side connected to the counterweight, so that the light shielding portion 611 leaves the direction of travel of the light L and reaches the non-light shielding position.

[0090] Example 5

[0091] The above describes an embodiment of using the elastic membrane 63 / 631 to drive the shading member 61 to move between the shading position and the non-light-shielding position. It is achievable that the change in magnetic force between relatively arranged magnetic parts can also be used to drive the shading member 61 to move between the shading position and the non-light-shielding position. For example, when the amount of ink in the ink chamber 20 changes, the magnetic force between the magnetic parts increases or decreases, thereby causing the shading member 61 to move. Specifically, the shading member 61 can move in the up and down directions, as well as in the front and back directions or the left and right directions.

[0092] Figure 13 1 is an exploded view of a detection assembly in an ink cartridge according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. The same structures as those in the above embodiments will not be described in detail, and the same components as those in the above embodiments will be numbered the same.

[0093] In this embodiment, the light shielding member 61 is moved in the front-back direction to realize the conversion between the light shielding position and the non-light shielding position. Figure 13 As shown, the detection component 6 includes a light-shielding member 61 located on the outside of the shell 2 and a movable member located in the ink chamber 20. The movable member can move as the amount of ink changes. At least one of the light-shielding member 61 and the movable member is magnetic, so that the light-shielding member 61 can move along a predetermined trajectory as the movable member moves.

[0094] In this embodiment, the light shielding member 61 itself is a magnetic member. When the light shielding member 61 is in the light shielding position, the light emitted by the light emitting member 71 in the left and right directions will be blocked by the light shielding member 61 and cannot be received by the light receiving member 72; Figure 13 As shown, the light shielding member 61 is in the shape of a circular pancake, and a limit frame 29 is provided above the housing 2. The light shielding member 61 can roll within the limit space 291 within the limit frame 29. Specifically, the light shielding member 61 can be made entirely of magnetic members or only partially of magnetic members, and its movement mode can be sliding in addition to rolling, as long as the light shielding member 61 can block the light emitted by the light emitting member in the light-blocking position and cannot block the light emitted by the light emitting member in the non-light-blocking position.

[0095] Similar to the second embodiment, the movable member in this embodiment is a rotating member 64 that can rotate around the rotating shaft 28. The rotating member 64 includes a rotating portion 643 and a first portion 641 and a second portion 642 connected to the rotating portion. The matching member 66 attracted by the magnetic force of the shading member 61 is fixedly installed in the rotating member 64. In this embodiment, the matching member 66 is a metal that can be attracted by magnetic force. For example, the matching member 66 is made of at least one of the metals such as iron, nickel, and cobalt; in the up and down directions, the first portion 641 is closer to the shading member 61 than the second portion 642. When the amount of ink in the ink chamber 20 changes, the rotating member 64 rotates around the rotating portion 643 as a whole, and the first portion 641 and the second portion 642 both move. Preferably, the matching member 66 is fixedly installed in the first portion 641, which not only allows the shading member 61 to respond more sensitively to the rotation of the rotating member 64 and move, but also reduces the material usage and size of the matching member 66.

[0096] Figure 14A is a schematic diagram of the ink detection component when the ink cartridge involved in the fifth embodiment of the present invention is filled with ink; Figure 14B This is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink in the ink cartridge involved in the fifth embodiment of the present invention is consumed to a predetermined value.

[0097] like Figure 14A As shown, when the ink chamber 20 is filled with ink 11, under the buoyancy of the ink, the rotating member 64 is in Figure 14A As shown in the position, under the action of the magnetic force between the shading member 61 and the matching member 66, the shading member 61 is maintained in the shading position / first position shown in the figure along with the matching member 66. At the same time, the shading member 61 is also restricted in the limiting space 291 by the limiting frame 29.

[0098] As the ink in the ink chamber 20 is consumed, the buoyancy of the ink gradually decreases, and the rotating member 64 rotates around the rotating portion 643. As in the second embodiment, the second portion 642 is set to be heavier than the first portion 641. When the buoyancy of the ink decreases, the rotating member 64 will rotate as a whole toward the rear and lower part of the figure, and the matching member 66 will move generally backward with the first portion 641. Under the action of the magnetic force, the light shielding member 61 rolls backward in the limiting space 291 until it reaches Figure 14B The non-shielding position / second position shown; relative to the light shielding member 61 located at the light shielding position, the light shielding member 61 located at the non-shielding position is further away from the ink outlet portion 3 / substrate 41 / contact 42 in the front-to-back direction.

[0099] On the one hand, the light shielding member 61 is located on the outside of the ink chamber 20, and the light shielding member 61 is isolated from the ink chamber 20 by the side panel where the upper surface 22 of the shell is located. Therefore, the light shielding member 61 will not come into contact with the ink, which not only facilitates the installation of the light shielding member 61, but also does not cause ink to adhere to the light shielding member 61. Regardless of whether the light shielding member 61 is in the light shielding position or the non-light shielding position, when the light emitted by the light emitting member 71 reaches the light shielding member 61, the light will not be reflected or refracted, thereby affecting the detection accuracy of the detection component 6 or causing misjudgment of the inkjet printer.

[0100] On the other hand, the light shielding member 61 is confined in the limiting frame 29 , thereby ensuring that the moving track of the light shielding member 61 does not deviate.

[0101] The shading member 61 can roll along the front-to-back direction in the limit frame 29 along with the matching member 66. As mentioned above, the shading member 61 can also be configured to slide in the limit frame 29. As the position of the matching member 66 changes, the shading member 61 slides along the front-to-back direction in the limit frame 29 under the action of magnetic force.

[0102] Example 6

[0103] Figure 15 1 is an exploded schematic diagram of a detection component in an ink cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 16A is a schematic diagram of the ink detection component when the ink cartridge involved in the sixth embodiment of the present invention is filled with ink; Figure 16B This is a schematic diagram of the state of the ink detection component when the ink in the ink cartridge involved in the sixth embodiment of the present invention is consumed to a predetermined value.

[0104] The difference between this embodiment and the fifth embodiment is that the matching member 66 is also a magnetic member, and therefore, the magnetic force between the shading member 61 and the matching member 66 is more balanced. Similarly, the shading member 61 is also set in the limit frame 29, and moves in the limit space 291 with the movement of the matching member 66, and its movement mode can be rolling or sliding; further, the matching member 66 is also set in the movable cavity 67 located in the ink cavity 20, and its movement mode can be rolling or sliding.

[0105] like Figure 16A As shown, when the ink chamber 20 is filled with ink, the rotating member 64 is in a Figure 16A In the position shown, under the action of the magnetic force between the shading member 61 and the matching member 66, the shading member 61 is maintained in the shading position / first position shown in the figure along with the matching member 66. At the same time, the shading member 61 is also restricted in the limiting space 291 by the limiting frame 29, and the matching member 66 is also restricted in the movable cavity 67.

[0106] like Figure 16BAs shown, as the ink in the ink chamber 20 is consumed, the buoyancy of the ink gradually decreases, and the rotating member 64 rotates around the rotating portion 643 toward the rear and lower part of the figure. Under the restriction of the active chamber 67, the matching member 66 will move backward in the active chamber 67 along the front-to-back direction. Under the action of the magnetic force, the light shielding member 61 rolls backward in the limited space 291 until it reaches Figure 14B Non-shading position / second position shown.

[0107] During the forward and backward movement of the fitting 66, due to the restriction of the movable cavity 67, the movement trajectory of the fitting 66 is more stable, and the magnetic force between the fitting 66 and the shading member 61 can remain relatively stable. Therefore, the movement process of the shading member 61 will be smoother and the detection accuracy will be higher.

[0108] As described above, the detection component 6 involved in the present invention is provided with a light-shielding member 61 that can move between a light-shielding position and a non-light-shielding position. When the ink chamber 20 of the ink cartridge is filled with ink, the light-shielding member 61 is located in the light-shielding position that can block the light emitted by the light-emitting member 71. At this time, all the light is blocked by the light-shielding member 61 and cannot be received by the light-receiving member 72. As the ink in the ink chamber 20 is consumed, the light-shielding member 61 gradually moves to the non-light-shielding position that does not block all the light emitted by the light-emitting member 71. At this time, the light is not blocked by the light-shielding member 61 but is all received by the light-receiving member 72. In other words, the light received by the light-receiving member 72 does not produce "loss". When the ink chamber 20 is filled with ink again, the light-shielding member 61 returns to the light-shielding position again. It can be seen that the ink remaining information fed back to the inkjet printer by the light-receiving member 72 is more real and accurate, and the inkjet printer will not make misjudgments.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, removably mounted in an inkjet imaging device equipped with a light emitting element and a light receiving element, comprises a housing, an ink outlet, and a detection assembly. The housing defines an ink chamber for holding ink, and the ink outlet communicates with the ink chamber, allowing ink to be discharged through the ink outlet. The light receiving element is used to receive the light emitted by the light emitting element, and the detection component cooperates with the light emitting element and the light receiving element to detect the ink remaining amount in the ink chamber; it is characterized in that: The detection assembly includes a movable light shielding member, As the amount of ink in the ink chamber changes, the light shielding member can move between a first position capable of shielding the light emitted by the light emitting member and a second position capable of not shielding the light emitted by the light emitting member; The detection assembly further includes a rotating member located in the ink chamber and a matching member mounted on the rotating member, wherein the rotating member can rotate around a rotating axis as the amount of ink changes. The light shielding member and the matching member are both magnetic, and the matching member can interact with the light shielding member through magnetic force. Along the up and down direction of the ink cartridge, the shading member is located above the ink cavity, and along the front and back direction of the ink cartridge, the ink outlet is located in front of the ink cavity, and the shading member moves along the front and back direction.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein Along the moving direction of the shading member, in the first position, the shading member and the ink outlet portion are at a first distance, and in the second position, the shading member and the ink outlet portion are at a second distance, and the first distance is different from the second distance.

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: When the ink chamber is filled with ink, the light shielding member is located at the first position; when the ink in the ink chamber is consumed to be lower than a predetermined amount, the light shielding member is located at the second position.

4. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The shading member can slide or roll in the front-to-back direction and move between a first position and a second position. In the second position, the distance between the shading member and the ink outlet portion in the front-to-back direction is greater than the distance between the shading member and the ink outlet portion in the first position.

5. The ink cartridge according to claim 4, wherein: The ink cartridge also includes a limit frame for limiting the movement trajectory of the light shielding member.

6. The ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: The matching piece is fixedly mounted on the rotating piece.

7. The ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: The matching member is movably mounted on the rotating member.

8. The ink cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: The ink cartridge further comprises a movable cavity arranged in the ink cavity, and the matching piece can roll or slide in the movable cavity along the front-rear direction.

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