Imaging box and imaging equipment

Abstract

This application provides an imaging cartridge and imaging device. The imaging cartridge is removably mounted within the imaging device, and the imaging device is provided with a locking structure. The imaging cartridge comprises a housing containing imaging media; and sidewalls of the housing are provided with a snap-fit ​​structure, at least part of which is easily damaged. The imaging cartridge and imaging device provided herein can prevent the recycling of original imaging cartridges, avoid the use of inferior consumables as genuine products, and improve printing quality.

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of printing technology, and in particular to an imaging box and an imaging device. [Background Technology]

[0002] At the end of their useful life, existing printing consumables are often refilled with toner by unauthorized vendors and released back into the market. However, the inconsistent quality of toner produced by unauthorized vendors can lead to reduced printing quality and even damage to the printer. To prevent consumables from being recycled by unauthorized vendors and passed off as genuine, the current method involves using a chip installed in the consumable to record usage information. If the information recorded in the chip does not meet the printer's requirements, the consumable is disabled. However, the data in the chip can be easily repaired or replaced with a third-party chip, allowing the consumable to continue to be used after being refilled with toner by an unauthorized vendor.

[0003] Therefore, how to prevent original printing consumables from being recycled and ensure printing quality is an urgent problem that needs to be solved. [Summary of the invention]

[0004] The present application provides an imaging cartridge and an imaging device, which can prevent the original imaging cartridge from being recycled, avoid inferior consumables from being passed off as good ones, and improve printing quality.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention provides an imaging cartridge that is detachably mounted in an imaging device, wherein a locking structure is provided in the imaging device, and the imaging cartridge comprises:

[0006] a box body, wherein the imaging medium is accommodated in the box body;

[0007] The side wall of the box body is provided with a snap-fit ​​structure, which is used to snap-fit ​​the locking structure, and at least a part of the snap-fit ​​structure is a fragile structure.

[0008] In some embodiments, the locking structure further includes a groove and a tooth-like structure formed along the side wall of the box body and recessed toward the interior of the box body. The tooth-like structure is disposed in the groove, and an edge of the groove is a fragile structure.

[0009] In some embodiments, the engaging structure includes tooth-like structures sequentially arranged along the installation direction, and the tooth-like structures are easily damaged structures.

[0010] In some embodiments, the toothed structure includes a first abutting surface and a second engaging surface, and an angle between the first abutting surface and the side wall of the box body is smaller than an angle between the second engaging surface and the side wall of the box body.

[0011] In a second aspect, the present invention provides an imaging device, comprising: an imaging cartridge mounting portion and a processor, wherein the imaging cartridge mounting portion is used for detachably mounting the imaging cartridge according to the first aspect;

[0012] A locking structure is provided in the imaging box mounting portion, the locking structure is in communication with the processor, and the locking structure is engaged with the engaging structure of the imaging box;

[0013] The locking structure has a switchable locking state and an unlocking state;

[0014] When the processor controls the locking structure to be in a locked state, the imaging box is disassembled so that at least part of the engaging structure is damaged.

[0015] In some embodiments, the imaging box mounting portion is provided with an axial hole along the mounting direction, and the locking structure includes:

[0016] A rotating shaft, one end of which is rotatably mounted in the shaft hole;

[0017] a clamping assembly, the clamping assembly being sleeved on the rotating shaft and being used for clamping and connecting the clamping structure; and a reset member, the reset member being sleeved on the rotating shaft;

[0018] When the processor controls the locking structure to be in an unlocked state, the reset member drives the clamping assembly to disengage from the clamping structure.

[0019] In some embodiments, the clamping assembly includes:

[0020] A sleeve, the sleeve being sleeved on the rotating shaft and having a reset member installation notch;

[0021] a limiting piece, the limiting piece being installed on the outer wall of the sleeve along the extension direction of the sleeve, the limiting piece being used to engage with the tooth structure of the engaging structure; and

[0022] A rotating handle is connected to one end of the sleeve.

[0023] In some embodiments, when the processor controls the locking structure to be in a locked state, the rotating handle cannot rotate; when the processor controls the locking structure to be in an unlocked state, the rotating handle rotates and causes the limiting plate to rotate until it disengages from the tooth structure.

[0024] In some embodiments, the reset member is a torsion spring, the main body of the torsion spring is sleeved on the rotating shaft and located in the reset member installation notch, and the two free ends of the torsion spring are in contact with the limiting piece.

[0025] In some embodiments, the imaging box mounting portion is provided with a slide rail, and the imaging box is provided with a limiting structure. The imaging box is mounted on the slide rail through the limiting structure and can move along the slide rail until the locking structure is engaged with the engaging structure.

[0026] After adopting the above technical solution, the beneficial effects are:

[0027] The imaging cartridge and imaging device provided in this embodiment have a latching structure on the side wall of the imaging cartridge body, which is used to latch onto the locking structure of the imaging device. The latching structure includes a tooth-like structure arranged in sequence along the installation direction, and at least a portion of the latching structure is easily damaged. When the imaging cartridge is removed from the imaging device, interference between the locking structure and the latching structure may damage the latching structure, making the damaged imaging cartridge difficult to reuse. Even if the cartridge body is repaired, obvious signs of repair will remain. This prevents the original imaging cartridge from being refilled with printing consumables by unauthorized manufacturers and continued to be used, preventing inferior consumables from being passed off as genuine products, thereby improving printing quality.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0028] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the imaging box provided in this application;

[0030] Figure 2 A schematic cross-sectional view of the engaging structure of the imaging cartridge provided in this application;

[0031] Figure 3 A schematic structural diagram of the locking structure of the imaging device provided in this application;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the locking structure of the imaging device provided in this application. [Specific implementation method]

[0033] In order to better understand the technical solution of the present invention, the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] It should be understood that the embodiments described are only a portion of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by persons of ordinary skill in the art without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] The terms used in the embodiments of the present application are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present application. The singular forms "a," "an," "the," and "the" used in the embodiments of the present application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0036] It should be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein is merely a description of an association between associated objects, indicating that three possible relationships exist. For example, A "and / or" B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone. Furthermore, the character " / " in this document indicates that the associated objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0037] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the imaging box provided in this application; Figure 1 As shown, the present application provides an imaging box 1, which is detachably arranged in an imaging device, wherein a locking structure 20 is provided in the imaging device, and the imaging box 1 includes:

[0038] a box body 10, wherein the box body 10 contains an imaging medium;

[0039] The side wall 11 of the box body 10 is provided with a snap-fit ​​structure 12 . The snap-fit ​​structure 12 includes tooth-shaped structures 121 sequentially arranged along the installation direction, and at least a portion of the snap-fit ​​structure 12 is a fragile structure.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, a latching structure is provided on the side wall of the imaging cartridge body, which is used to latch onto the locking structure of the imaging device. The latching structure includes tooth-like structures arranged sequentially along the installation direction, and at least a portion of the latching structure is easily damaged. When the imaging cartridge is removed from the imaging device, interference between the locking structure and the latching structure may damage the portion of the latching structure, making the damaged imaging cartridge difficult to reuse. This prevents the original imaging cartridge from being refilled with printing consumables by unauthorized manufacturers and then continued to be used, preventing inferior consumables from being passed off as genuine products, thereby improving print quality.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the box body 10 includes two side walls 11 arranged opposite to each other along a first direction, two end walls 13 arranged opposite to each other along a second direction, and a top wall and a bottom wall arranged opposite to each other along a third direction. The first direction, the second direction, and the third direction intersect with each other in pairs, and preferably, the first direction, the second direction, and the third direction are perpendicular to each other.

[0042] The cartridge body 10 has a housing for accommodating print media. Correspondingly, one of the end walls 13 is provided with a print media outlet, which communicates with the housing. For example, the print media may be toner, ink, or the like, though this is not a limitation. When the imaging cartridge 1 is installed in an imaging device, the print media outlet can be plugged into the device's ink supply mechanism, allowing the print media within the cartridge to enter the device, thereby enabling the device to perform imaging operations.

[0043] In some embodiments, the imaging cartridge further includes a chip mounting portion and a chip body 14, with the chip body 14 mounted within the chip mounting portion. For example, the chip mounting portion may be a mounting slot, a mounting position, or the like. Generally, the chip body 14 is fixedly mounted within the chip mounting portion. To prevent the imaging cartridge from being reused by unauthorized vendors, the chip body 14 is non-removable. Specifically, the chip body 14 can be mounted on any wall of the imaging cartridge, as long as the chip body can contact the chip contact structure in the imaging device.

[0044] Furthermore, the side wall 11 of the box body 10 is provided with a snap-fit ​​structure 12 , which includes tooth-shaped structures 121 sequentially arranged along the installation direction, and at least a portion of the snap-fit ​​structure 12 is a fragile structure.

[0045] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 As shown, the cross-section of the tooth-like structure 121 can be a triangle, a right-angled trapezoid, a crescent, etc., which is not limited here, as long as the tooth-like structure 121 can be engaged with the locking structure in the imaging device.

[0046] In some specific embodiments, the tooth-like structure has a triangular cross-section, and the tooth-like structure 121 includes a first abutting surface 121a and a second engaging surface 121b. The angle between the first abutting surface 121a and the side wall 11 of the box body is smaller than the angle between the second engaging surface 121b and the side wall 11 of the box body. It is understood that when the imaging cartridge is installed into the imaging device along the installation direction, the locking structure in the imaging device can slide along the first abutting surface. When the imaging cartridge is moved to a preset position, the locking structure can engage with the second engaging surface 121b of the engaging structure. When the imaging cartridge needs to be removed from the imaging device, the locking structure and the engaging structure are engaged, and the tooth-like structure can be easily damaged when the imaging cartridge is removed in the direction opposite to the installation direction.

[0047] In some embodiments, the engaging structure 12 includes a groove 122 formed along the sidewall 11 of the case body 10 and recessed into the interior of the case body. The toothed structure 121 is disposed within the groove 122, and the edges of the groove are fragile. It is understood that when the imaging cartridge is installed into the imaging device along the installation direction, the locking structure in the imaging device can slide along the first abutting surface until the locking structure abuts and engages with the wall of the groove of the imaging cartridge. When the imaging cartridge needs to be removed from the imaging device, the wall of the groove can be easily damaged when the imaging cartridge is removed in the direction opposite to the installation direction.

[0048] In some embodiments, the material of the fragile structure can be polyethylene plastic. Since the force required to disassemble the imaging box is greater than the force required to install the imaging box, the fragile structure will be damaged due to the interference of the locking structure in the imaging device, and the box body will be destroyed when the imaging box is forcibly disassembled, making it impossible for the imaging box to be simply filled with consumables and used again, thereby avoiding the impact of poor quality printing consumables on the customer's printing effect.

[0049] In some embodiments, the imaging device includes but is not limited to a printer, a copier, a fax machine, a scanner, and a multifunction device that integrates printing, copying, faxing, scanning and other functions into one, and its function is to print images or text on an imaging medium.

[0050] The imaging device is usually equipped with an ink level detection structure, a locking structure and a chip contact structure. When the imaging box is installed in the imaging device, the locking structure can cooperate with the locking structure to fix the position of the imaging box in the printer. The ink level detection structure can detect the capacity of the printing medium stored in the box body, and the chip can abut against the chip contact structure to realize electrical communication between the imaging box and the imaging device.

[0051] In this embodiment, the imaging device includes an imaging cartridge mounting portion and a processor. The imaging cartridge mounting portion is used to detachably mount the imaging cartridge. Specifically, a locking structure 20 is provided within the imaging cartridge mounting portion. The locking structure 20 engages with the engaging structure 12 of the imaging cartridge. The locking structure 20 has a switchable locked and unlocked state. When the processor controls the locking structure 20 to be in the locked state, the imaging cartridge 1 is disassembled, thereby damaging at least a portion of the engaging structure 12.

[0052] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the locking structure provided in an embodiment of the present application. Figure 4 The schematic diagram of the decomposition structure of the locking structure provided in the embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the locking structure 20 includes a rotating shaft 21, a clamping assembly 22, and a reset member 23. One end of the rotating shaft 21 is rotatably mounted within the axial hole of the imaging cartridge mounting portion. The clamping assembly 22 and the reset member 23 are both sleeved on the rotating shaft 21. The clamping assembly 22 is used to engage with the locking structure 12.

[0053] In some embodiments, the rotating shaft 21 is cylindrical, and the imaging cartridge mounting portion has an axial hole that mates with the rotating shaft 21, allowing the rotating shaft to rotate axially. For example, when the locking structure 20 is in the locked state, the rotating shaft 21 cannot rotate; conversely, when the locking structure 20 is in the unlocked state, rotating the rotating shaft 21 clockwise can maintain or release engagement with the engaging structure.

[0054] In some embodiments, the clamping assembly 22 includes a sleeve 221 , a limiting piece 222 , and a rotating handle 223 , wherein the sleeve 221 is sleeved on the rotating shaft 21 .

[0055] Specifically, the sleeve is cylindrical and can be made of plastic. To facilitate installation of the reset member 23, the sleeve 221 is provided with a reset member mounting notch 221a. To enhance the overall stability of the locking structure 20, the reset member mounting notch 221a is located in the middle of the sleeve 221. During assembly of the locking structure 20, the reset member 23 can be first installed in the mounting notch 221a of the sleeve 221, and then the rotating shaft 21 can be passed through the sleeve 221 and the reset member 23 in sequence.

[0056] In some embodiments, the reset member 23 is a torsion spring, the main body of which is sleeved on the rotating shaft 21 and located within the reset member mounting notch 221a, with the two free ends of the torsion spring abutting against the limiting plate 222. Specifically, the through hole of the torsion spring main body is coaxially arranged with the through hole of the sleeve 221, and the two are sleeved together on the rotating shaft 21. When the locking structure switches from the unlocked state to the locked state, the rotating shaft cannot rotate. At this time, the two free ends of the torsion spring abut against the limiting plate 222, and the torsion spring generates a compressive force. When the locking structure switches from the locked state to the unlocked state, the rotating shaft can rotate, and under the torsion force of the torsion spring, the limiting plate 222 is more likely to rotate and disengage from the engaging structure 12.

[0057] In some embodiments, the installation direction of the imaging box is perpendicular to the axial direction of the rotating shaft.

[0058] In some embodiments, a limiting piece 222 is mounted on the outer wall of the sleeve 221 along the extension direction of the sleeve 221. The limiting piece 222 is used to engage the tooth structure 121 of the engaging structure 12. The width of the limiting piece 222 is greater than the width of the tooth structure, which can ensure that the limiting piece 222 can be stuck between any two tooth structures to achieve engagement.

[0059] In some embodiments, the limiting piece 222 and the sleeve 221 are integrally formed, that is, the rotation of the sleeve 221 will drive the limiting piece 222 to rotate.

[0060] Furthermore, the rotating handle 223 is connected to one end of the sleeve 221, specifically, connected to one end of the sleeve 221 away from the shaft hole of the imaging box mounting portion, and the rotating handle 223 can be rotated by the user.

[0061] In some embodiments, the imaging box mounting portion is provided with a slide rail, and the imaging box is provided with a limiting structure. The imaging box is mounted on the slide rail through the limiting structure and can move along the slide rail until the locking structure is engaged with the engaging structure.

[0062] When installing the imaging cartridge into the imaging device, the imaging cartridge is first placed onto the slide rail. Due to the restraining action of the imaging cartridge's restraining structure, the imaging cartridge can only move in the installation direction until the restraining piece of the locking structure engages with the engaging structure. Specifically, the engagement between the restraining piece of the locking structure and the toothed structure of the engaging structure allows the imaging cartridge to move only in the installation direction toward the interior of the imaging device, thereby ensuring that the imaging cartridge is securely installed in the imaging device and prevents it from shaking or falling out. Furthermore, the presence of a torsion spring in the locking structure exerts a force on the restraining piece, ensuring that the restraining piece remains engaged with the toothed structure of the imaging cartridge.

[0063] In this embodiment, the processor controls the locking structure to switch from an unlocked state to a locked state, or from a locked state to an unlocked state.

[0064] Specifically, when the processor controls the locking structure 20 to be in a locked state, the rotating handle 223 cannot rotate; the limiting piece 222 remains in an engaged state with the locking structure 12. If the imaging box is forcibly removed, the limiting piece 222 in the locking structure 20 will not interfere with the imaging box when it is removed. The strength of the limiting piece is higher than the strength of the fragile structure, and the fragile structure of the imaging box will be damaged.

[0065] When the processor controls the locking structure 20 to be in the unlocked state, the rotating handle 223 can rotate and cause the limiting piece 222 to rotate until it disengages from the toothed structure 121, thereby releasing the engagement, so that the imaging box can be removed in the opposite direction of the installation direction; in this case, since the limiting piece has been separated from the engaging structure, the imaging box will not be interfered with by the limiting piece when it is taken out, and the fragile structure of the engaging structure of the imaging box will not be damaged.

[0066] In some embodiments, when the processor recognizes that the imaging cartridge meets a preset condition, the processor controls the locking structure to switch from an unlocked state to a locked state. Specifically, the locking structure is in communication with the imaging device.

[0067] In some embodiments, the preset condition includes at least one of a first preset condition, a second preset condition, and a third preset condition. Specifically, the first preset condition is that the processor determines that the current imaging cartridge is a non-original imaging cartridge. It is understandable that when the chip on the non-original imaging cartridge communicates with the imaging device, it cannot pass the chip authentication, and the current imaging cartridge is determined to be a non-original imaging cartridge. The second preset condition is that the processor determines that the amount of printing media in the imaging cartridge is lower than a first preset value. It is understandable that if the printing media, such as ink, is less than 5 mL, or toner is less than 5 g, the imaging cartridge needs to be replaced. In order to prevent unauthorized manufacturers from refilling the printing media and continuing to use it, the locking structure is adjusted to a locked state, so that the fragile structure can be destroyed when the imaging cartridge is removed, thereby preventing inferior consumables from being passed off as good ones and improving printing quality.

[0068] The third preset condition is that the processor determines that the number of installations of the imaging box exceeds the second preset value, and the repeated installation exceeds the upper limit, the processor will control the locking structure to switch from the unlocked state to the locked state. Then, when the user takes out the imaging box, the locking structure of the side wall of the imaging box will be destroyed, and the imaging box will not be able to be installed and used again.

[0069] In the present application, a locking structure with a switchable state is used to engage the engaging structure of the imaging box; when the imaging box is removed from the imaging device, the locking structure interferes with the engaging structure, causing part of the engaging structure to be damaged. The damaged imaging box is difficult to reuse, which can prevent the original imaging box from being refilled with printing consumables by unauthorized manufacturers and then continued to be used. Even if the consumable box is subsequently repaired, there will be obvious signs of repair, which can prevent inferior consumables from being passed off as good ones and improve printing quality.

[0070] To limit the present invention, any modification, equivalent substitution, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An imaging box, detachably mounted in an imaging device, characterized in that: The imaging device is provided with a locking structure, and the imaging box comprises: a box body, wherein the imaging medium is accommodated in the box body; The side wall of the box body is provided with a snap-fit ​​structure, and the snap-fit ​​structure is used to snap-fit ​​the locking structure; The engaging structure includes a groove formed along the side wall of the box body and recessed toward the inside of the box body, and a tooth-shaped structure, wherein the tooth-shaped structure is arranged in the groove, and the edge of the groove is a fragile structure; or The engaging structure includes tooth-shaped structures arranged in sequence along the installation direction, and the tooth-shaped structures are easily damaged structures.

2. The imaging cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The tooth structure includes a first abutting surface and a second engaging surface, and an included angle between the first abutting surface and the side wall of the box body is smaller than an included angle between the second engaging surface and the side wall of the box body.

3. An imaging device, characterized in that The imaging device comprises: an imaging cartridge mounting portion and a processor, wherein the imaging cartridge mounting portion is used for detachably mounting the imaging cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 2; A locking structure is provided in the imaging box mounting portion, the locking structure is in communication with the processor, and the locking structure is engaged with the engaging structure of the imaging box; The locking structure has a switchable locking state and an unlocking state; When the processor controls the locking structure to be in a locked state, the imaging box is disassembled so that at least part of the engaging structure is damaged.

4. The imaging device according to claim 3, wherein The imaging box mounting portion is provided with an axial hole along the mounting direction, and the locking structure includes: A rotating shaft, one end of which is rotatably mounted in the shaft hole; a clamping assembly, the clamping assembly being sleeved on the rotating shaft and being used for clamping and connecting with the clamping structure; and A reset member, the reset member being sleeved on the rotating shaft; When the processor controls the locking structure to be in an unlocked state, the reset member drives the clamping assembly to disengage from the clamping structure.

5. The imaging device according to claim 4, wherein The clamping assembly comprises: A sleeve, the sleeve being sleeved on the rotating shaft and having a reset member installation notch; a limiting piece, the limiting piece being installed on the outer wall of the sleeve along the extension direction of the sleeve, the limiting piece being used to engage with the tooth structure of the engaging structure; and A rotating handle is connected to one end of the sleeve.

6. The imaging device according to claim 5, wherein When the processor controls the locking structure to be in a locked state, the rotating handle cannot rotate; when the processor controls the locking structure to be in an unlocked state, the rotating handle rotates and causes the limiting piece to rotate until it disengages from the tooth structure.

7. The imaging device according to claim 6, wherein The reset member is a torsion spring, the main body of the torsion spring is sleeved on the rotating shaft and located in the reset member installation notch, and the two free ends of the torsion spring are in contact with the limiting piece.

8. The imaging device according to any one of claims 3 to 7, characterized in that: The imaging box mounting portion is provided with a slide rail, and a limiting structure is provided at the bottom of the imaging box. The imaging box is mounted on the slide rail through the limiting structure and can move along the slide rail until the locking structure is engaged with the engaging structure.

Images