An ink cartridge

Abstract

The application discloses an ink cartridge which is detachably installed into an installation part of a printer, the installation part comprises a clamping mechanism, the clamping mechanism comprises a support part and a rotating part hinged to the support part, the rotating part is provided with an abutting part matched with the ink cartridge, the ink cartridge comprises a shell, the shell is provided with a bottom wall and a rear wall located on the side opposite to the first direction, and the shell further comprises a clamping member protrudingly arranged on the rear wall; the clamping member is used for cooperating with the clamping mechanism to limit the movement of the ink cartridge in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; the abutting part is protrudingly arranged on the side of the rotating part close to the ink cartridge and abuts against the rear wall; the clamping member comprises a rear abutting part connected with the rear wall, and in the second direction, the abutting part is located between the rear abutting part and the end of the bottom wall opposite to the first direction. According to the scheme of the application, the clamping member arranged on the rear wall of the shell away from the bottom wall is clamped with the clamping mechanism, external force received from the clamping mechanism can act on the area of the shell away from the bottom wall, so that the fragmentation or damage of the area near the bottom wall of the shell is prevented.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printer technology, and more particularly to an ink cartridge. Background Technology

[0002] There is a type of inkjet printer where the mounting part for configuring ink cartridges has a main frame and a support component that can rotate relative to the main frame. The corresponding original ink cartridge needs to be horizontally inserted into the support component and then the ink cartridge and the support component are pressed down to rotate so that the ink cartridge engages with the supply part on the main frame. Before rotation, the rotation lock of the support component relative to the main frame needs to be released by the unlocking part on the ink cartridge. After installation, the ink cartridge is in a downward tilted position at the operating end and needs to be locked by the locking part on the ink cartridge and the locking part on the main frame.

[0003] The aforementioned locking part is a groove located on the rear side wall of the ink cartridge casing in the insertion direction, which is located near the bottom wall of the casing. The unlocking part, positioning recess, and ink outlet on the casing are all located on the bottom wall of the casing and near this groove. Therefore, the stress situation in the corresponding area of ​​the casing is extremely complex, which can easily cause excessive local stress concentration in the casing, leading to cracking or damage. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention, an ink cartridge is provided, detachably mounted to a mounting portion of a printer. The mounting portion includes a locking mechanism comprising a support portion and a rotating member hinged to the support portion. The rotating member has an abutment portion that engages with the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge includes a housing having a bottom wall and a rear wall located on a side opposite to a first direction, the bottom wall intersecting the rear wall. The housing further includes a locking member protruding from the rear wall. The locking member engages with the locking mechanism to restrict movement of the ink cartridge in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction.

[0005] The abutting portion protrudes from the rotating member on the side near the ink cartridge and abuts against the rear wall. The engaging member includes a rear connecting portion connected to the rear wall. In the second direction, the abutting portion is located between the rear connecting portion and the end of the bottom wall opposite to the first direction.

[0006] The ink cartridge is placed in the mounting portion along a linear insertion direction, wherein the first direction is the insertion direction and the second direction is perpendicular to the bottom wall.

[0007] In some embodiments, the housing includes an ink reservoir and an adapter mounted on the ink reservoir, the ink reservoir being located on a second direction side of the adapter, and the bottom wall and rear wall being located on the adapter.

[0008] In some embodiments, in the first direction, the abutting portion at least partially overlaps with the adapter, the bracket portion is at least partially located on the opposite side of the adapter in the first direction, and the engaging member abuts against the first direction side of the rotating member and / or the bracket portion.

[0009] In some embodiments, the engaging member is an elastic component that can deform in a second direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the bracket portion has a first latching portion on the side near the ink cartridge, and the engaging member has a first engaging portion, the first engaging portion abutting against the first latching portion.

[0011] In some embodiments, the abutting portion has a second engaging portion on the side near the ink cartridge, and the engaging member has a second engaging portion, the second engaging portion abutting against the second engaging portion.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first engaging portion is located on the second direction side of the second engaging portion, the first engaging portion is a first groove, the second engaging portion is a second groove, the second groove is open on the second direction side, the first engaging portion abuts against the top wall of the first groove, and the second engaging portion abuts against the bottom wall of the second groove.

[0013] In some embodiments, the engaging member includes an intersecting upper arm and a lower arm, the upper arm extending obliquely relative to a first direction, the upper end of the upper arm being connected to the rear wall, the lower arm being connected to the lower end of the upper arm, the rear connection being the upper end of the upper arm, the first engaging portion being the lower end of the upper arm, and the second engaging portion being the end of the lower arm opposite to the second direction.

[0014] In some embodiments, the rotating member has an inclined abutment surface on the side near the ink cartridge, and the lower support arm has an abutment section that abuts against the inclined abutment surface on the side opposite to the first direction.

[0015] In some embodiments, the second snap-fit ​​portion is located on the second direction side of the rotating shaft of the rotating member.

[0016] In some embodiments, the engaging member is integrally formed with the adapter or is detachably disposed on the adapter.

[0017] In some embodiments, the bottom wall is provided with an assembly structure that mates with the mounting part. The mounting part further includes a supply part, a positioning protrusion, and a rotary locking member. The assembly structure includes a guide part that mates with the supply part, a positioning recess that mates with the positioning protrusion, and an unlocking part that mates with the rotary locking member.

[0018] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: The present invention uses a locking member located on the rear wall of the housing away from the bottom wall to engage with a locking mechanism. The external force received by the locking mechanism can act on the area of ​​the housing away from the bottom wall, thereby preventing the area near the bottom wall of the housing from cracking or breaking. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an existing ink cartridge installation method;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an existing ink cartridge.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a partial sectional view of the mounting section in the prior art;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge installation process in the prior art, showing its interaction with the mounting section.

[0023] Figure 5 A partial sectional view of the ink cartridge in the prior art, showing its fit with the mounting section when installed.

[0024] Figure 6 This is a structural schematic diagram of the locking mechanism of the installation section in the prior art;

[0025] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 8 for Figure 7 Enlarged view of a portion of point A in the middle;

[0027] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the engaging mechanism according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the rotating component according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 11 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge in the first embodiment of the present invention, showing its engagement with the locking mechanism when the cartridge is installed in place.

[0030] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the engaging mechanism according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 13 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge in embodiment two of the present invention when it is installed in place and engages with the locking mechanism;

[0032] Figure 14 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 15This is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0035] It should be noted that the terms "first," "second," etc., are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, "a plurality of" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0036] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "fixation," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0037] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "over," and "on top" of the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0038] In the above description, the terms "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0039] The following is a brief description of the mounting section of a printer corresponding to the ink cartridge provided by the present invention in the prior art, as well as the installation method of the existing ink cartridge 10 (i.e., the original ink cartridge 10).

[0040] To better explain the mounting section and various components of the ink cartridge, such as Figure 1 A three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system is established, with the Z-axis representing the vertical direction. The +Z-axis direction is the direction of the plumb bob (gravity direction), also known as the inverse second direction, and the -Z-axis direction is also known as the second direction. The X-axis and Y-axis represent the directions along the horizontal plane, and the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are orthogonal to each other.

[0041] like Figure 1 , Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the mounting part 20 has a box-shaped frame 21, a support member 22, a rotating shaft 23, a supply part 24, a force-applying member 25, a positioning protrusion 26, a rotating locking member 27, and a locking mechanism. The frame 21 has an insertion port 211 at the -Y axis end. The ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the frame 21 through the insertion port 211. The installation process of the ink cartridge 10 includes a translation operation that moves in the horizontal direction, that is, the ink cartridge moves from the insertion port 211 toward the inner side (+Y axis side) of the frame 21. At this time, the moving direction of the ink cartridge 10 is the insertion direction of the mounting part 20, which is the +Y axis direction. The +Y axis direction is also called the first direction, and the -Y axis direction is also called the reverse first direction.

[0042] like Figure 2 , Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, the ink cartridge 10 includes a housing with a bottom wall 121 and a rear wall 122 located on the side opposite to the first direction (-Y axis direction side), and the bottom wall 121 intersects the rear wall 122. More preferably, the housing includes an ink reservoir 11 and an adapter 12 mounted on the ink reservoir 11. The ink reservoir 11 is located on the second direction side (+Z axis direction side) of the adapter 12, and both the bottom wall 121 and the rear wall 122 are located on the adapter 12, with the second direction perpendicular to the bottom wall 121. The bottom wall 121 of the housing is provided with an assembly structure, which includes a guide portion 13, a positioning recess 14, and an unlocking portion 15. The rear wall 122 of the housing is provided with a locking portion 16, which is a groove provided on the rear wall 122. This groove is located near the bottom wall 121, and the unlocking portion 15, the positioning recess 14, and the guide portion 13 are all located near this groove.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the support member 22 includes a guide path 22a extending linearly along a direction intersecting the vertical direction (+Z-axis direction). The guide path 22a extends along the insertion direction (Y-axis direction). The support member 22 has a front end region (-Y-axis end) where the beginning of the guide path 22a is located and a base end region (+Y-axis end) where the end of the guide path 22a is located. The base end region of the support member 22 and the rotation shaft 23 are disposed on the inside of the frame 21 (i.e., away from the insertion port 211). The support member 22 may also have a base plate 221 and two side ribs 222, which are respectively disposed at both ends of the base plate 221 in the width direction (X-axis direction). The base plate 221 and the two side ribs 222 enclose a mounting groove for carrying the ink cartridge. The front end region (-Y axis end) of the base plate 221 has a notch to allow the assembly structure of the ink cartridge 10 mounted on the support component 22 to be exposed through the notch and to allow the components on the mounting part 20 that mate with the assembly structure to pass through the notch, facilitating the mating of the components on the mounting part 20 with the assembly structure. The notch can be a strip-shaped notch extending along the +Y axis direction, through which the assembly structure (including the outlet part 13, the positioning recess 14, and the unlocking part 15) is exposed; alternatively, multiple notches can be provided on the base plate 221, corresponding to the outlet part 13, the positioning recess 14, and the unlocking part 15, respectively. In the X-axis direction, the width of the notch is smaller than the width of the base plate 221.

[0044] like Figure 1 As shown, the rotating shaft 23 has an axis that intersects both the vertical direction (+Z-axis direction) and the guide path 22a (Y-axis direction) and is disposed at the base end region (+Y-axis end) of the support member 22. The axis of the rotating shaft 23 extends along the X-axis direction. The support member 22 is rotatably disposed within the frame 21 about the rotating shaft 23, and the support member 22 can guide the ink cartridge to the guide position along the guide path 22a (…). Figure 1 The connection point between the ink cartridge and the liquid inlet section 24 (represented by a single-dot dash) is shown in the image. Figure 1 Rotation between (represented by double-dotted lines in the middle).

[0045] like Figure 1 As shown, a force-applying component 25 is installed between the frame 21 and the support component 22. The force-applying component 25 provides a force to move the support component 22 from the connected position to the guided position. The force-applying component 25 is, for example, a coil spring. In the initial state where the ink cartridge is not in the mounting portion 20, the support component 22 is positioned in the guided position by the force applied by the force-applying component 25.

[0046] like Figure 1 , Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the supply unit 24 is positioned below the support member 22 (on the +Z axis side). When the support member 22 is in the connected position, the supply unit 24 is connected to the ink cartridge 10. The supply unit 24 can also be configured in an inclined position relative to the guide path 22a. More specifically, the supply unit 24 can also be configured with its front end (upper end) positioned closer to the insertion port 211 in the Y-axis direction than its base end (lower end). For example, the centerline of the supply unit 24 can form an angle greater than 0° and less than 15° relative to the vertical direction (+Z axis direction).

[0047] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the positioning protrusion 26 is provided on the frame 21 and is located near the supply section 24. The positioning protrusion 26 is located on the side opposite to the first direction (-Y axis direction side) of the supply section 24. The positioning protrusion 26 positions the ink cartridge 10 by engaging with the positioning recess 14 on the ink cartridge 10 located at the connection position. By placing the positioning protrusion 26 near the supply section 24, the positional accuracy of the supply section 24 and the ink cartridge outlet section 13 is improved. The positioning protrusion 26 can extend in a direction that is approximately parallel to the supply section 24.

[0048] like Figures 3 to 5 As shown, the rotating locking member 27 is hinged on the frame 21. The rotating locking member 27 is located on the opposite side of the positioning protrusion 26 (i.e., the -Y axis direction side). In the initial state, the upper part of the rotating locking member 27 abuts against the leaf spring 271, and the bottom of the rotating locking member 27 abuts against the blocking part 212 on the frame 21 to prevent the front end area (-Y axis end) of the support member 22 from rotating downward.

[0049] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, the engaging mechanism is located on the side opposite to the first direction (-Y axis direction side) of the support member 22. The engaging mechanism includes a bracket portion 281 fixed to the frame 21 and a rotating member 282 hinged to the bracket portion 281. Figures 4 to 6 Only a portion of the rotating part 282 is shown in the image, but Figures 4 to 6 Rotating component 282 in the middle and attached below Figures 9 to 13The rotating member 282 shown has the same structure. The engaging mechanism is used to restrict the movement of the ink cartridge 10 in the second direction. The rotating member 282 has an engaging part 2821 on the side near the ink cartridge 10 (+Y axis direction side). The engaging part 2821 is a protruding structure that can engage with the engaged part 16 (groove) on the ink cartridge 10 to restrict the movement of the ink cartridge 10 in the second direction. The ink cartridge 10 is fixed in the mounting part 20. The rotating member 282 can rotate between an engaged position (the position where the engaging part 2821 engages with the engaged part 16) and a disengaged position (the position where the engaging part 2821 is separated from the engaged part 16). The rotation axis of the rotating member 282 extends along the X-axis direction.

[0050] like Figure 6 As shown, an operating part 2822 is provided on the -Y axis side of the rotating member 282. Applying a force in the opposite direction (+Z axis direction) to the operating part 2822 can move the rotating member 282 from the engaged position to the disengaged position. The operating part 2822 can be a rod-shaped member that extends approximately along the -Y axis direction.

[0051] like Figure 6 As shown, the engaging mechanism also includes a reset member 283, which can be an elastic member (e.g., a compression spring). The reset member 283 is disposed between the rotating member 282 and the support portion 281. The reset member 283 can exert a force on the rotating member 282 from the disengaged position to the engaged position. This force can stably engage the engaging portion 2821 with the engaged portion 16 and prevent disengagement.

[0052] When the ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the mounting part 20 along the first direction and placed on the support member 22, during the pushing process, the unlocking part 15 on the ink cartridge 10 contacts the upper part of the rotating locking member 27 and drives the rotating locking member 27 to rotate so that its bottom passes around the blocking part 212, thereby releasing the rotation lock of the support member. At this time, the leaf spring 271 that abuts against the upper part of the rotating locking member 27 is compressed and deformed, and then the ink cartridge 10 is pressed down so that it rotates downward with the support member 22, so that the supply part and the outlet part 13, the positioning protrusion 26 and the positioning recess 14, and the engaging part 2821 and the engaged part 16 are engaged.

[0053] When the ink cartridge 10 is removed, a pressing force along the +Z axis is applied to the operating part 2822, causing the rotating part 282 to rotate. The engaging part 2821 disengages from the engaging part 16, and the ink cartridge 10 can be removed from the mounting part 20. The supporting part 22 rotates back to its original position under the force of the force-applying part 25. The rotating locking part 27 rotates back to abut against the blocking part 212 under the action of the leaf spring 271. The rotating part 282 rotates back to the engaging position under the action of the resetting part 283.

[0054] Since the positions of the output part 13, unlocking part 15 and positioning recess 14 on the ink cartridge 10 are very close to the locked part 16, the stress situation in the corresponding area of ​​the outer shell is extremely complex, which can easily cause excessive local stress concentration in the outer shell and lead to cracking or damage.

[0055] Example 1

[0056] To address this issue, this embodiment provides an ink cartridge 10a. The ink cartridge 10a has most of the same structure as the aforementioned ink cartridge 10, and the following description focuses only on the differences.

[0057] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, in this embodiment, the housing of the ink cartridge 10a further includes a locking member 17 protruding from the rear wall 122, which is used to cooperate with the locking mechanism of the mounting part 20. Specifically, the locking member 17 is connected to the rear wall 122 of the adapter 12, and the locking member 17 includes a rear connecting portion 171 connected to the rear wall 122. The locking member 17 is an elastic member that can deform in a second direction, and the locking member 17 is integrally formed on the adapter 12. The engaging member 17 includes an intersecting upper arm 172 and a lower arm 173. The upper arm 172 extends obliquely relative to the first direction. The upper end of the upper arm 172 is connected to the rear wall 122. The upper end is the aforementioned rear connection 171. The lower end of the upper arm 172 is located on the +Z axis side and the -Y axis side of the upper end. The lower arm 173 is connected to the lower end of the upper arm 172. The lower arm 173 extends obliquely from the -Z and -Y axis sides to the +Z and +Y axis sides.

[0058] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, in this embodiment, the engaging mechanism includes a support portion 281 and a rotating member 282. The rotating member 282 has a protruding abutment portion 284 on the side near the ink cartridge (+Y axis direction side) that abuts against the rear wall 122 (that is, the engaging portion 2821 on the rotating member 282 of the original ink cartridge 10 engages with the engaged portion 16 of the original ink cartridge 10). In the second direction (+Z axis direction), the abutment portion 284 is located between the rear connecting portion 171 and the end of the bottom wall 121 opposite to the first direction (that is, the -Y axis end of the bottom wall 121). The abutment portion 284 can be used as a reference for the position of the original ink cartridge 10 being engaged 16 (groove). The rear part 171 of the engaging member 17 is located above the abutment portion 284, which allows the external force received from the engaging mechanism to act on the upper area near the engaged portion 16, away from the bottom wall 121 of the housing, thereby preventing the area near the bottom wall 121 of the housing from cracking or breaking due to excessive local stress concentration.

[0059] See Figure 11In the first direction (+Y axis direction), the abutment portion 284 at least partially overlaps with the adapter 12, the bracket portion 281 is at least partially located on the side opposite to the first direction (-Y axis direction side) of the adapter 12, and the engaging member 17 abuts against the first direction side (+Y axis direction side) of the bracket portion 281.

[0060] like Figure 9 and Figure 11 As shown, in this embodiment, the bracket portion 281 has a first engaging portion 2811 on the side (+Y axis direction side) near the ink cartridge, and the engaging member 17 has a first engaging portion 174 that abuts against the first engaging portion 2811. Specifically, the first engaging portion 2811 is the first groove 2811a on the +Y axis direction side of the bracket portion 281, and the first engaging portion 2811 is located on the second direction side (-Z axis direction side) of the abutment portion 284. The first engaging portion 174 is the lower end of the upper support arm 172, and the first engaging portion 174 abuts against the top wall of the first groove 2811a, thereby restricting the movement of the ink cartridge 10a in the second direction and fixing the ink cartridge 10a in the mounting portion 20.

[0061] Furthermore, such as Figures 9 to 11 As shown, the engaging member 17 also has a second engaging portion 175, which is the end of the lower support arm 173 in the opposite direction (+Z axis end). The abutment portion 284 has a second engaging portion 2841 on the side near the ink cartridge 10a. The second engaging portion 2841 is located on the second direction side (-Z axis side) of the rotating shaft 2825 (rotation axis) of the rotating member 282. The second engaging portion 2841 is a second groove, which is open on the second direction side (-Z axis side). The second engaging portion 175 is engaged into the second groove and abuts against the bottom wall of the second groove. The abutment between the second engaging portion 175 and the second engaging portion 2841 strengthens the cooperation between the engaging member 17 and the engaging mechanism, but it does not play a significant role in restricting the engagement of the ink cartridge 10a. The movement of the ink cartridge 10a in the second direction is mainly restricted by the cooperation of the first engaging portion 174 and the first engaging portion 2841. In some other embodiments, the second latching part 2841 may not be provided on the abutting part 284, and the end of the lower support arm 173 in the opposite direction may be suspended, that is, it does not abut against the abutting part 284.

[0062] In this embodiment, the engaging member 17 may include two elastic arms, each having an upper support arm 172 and a lower support arm 173. The lower end of the upper support arm 172 of both elastic arms is a first engaging portion 174. The two elastic arms are spaced apart in the X-axis direction, and when viewed along the X-axis direction, the two elastic arms can be completely overlapped. There may be only one first engaging portion 2811 (first groove 2811a). The first engaging portions 174 of both elastic arms engage with the top wall of the same first groove 2811a, as long as the width of the first groove 2811a in the X-axis direction can match the width of the two elastic arms in the X-axis direction. Alternatively, there may be two first grooves 2811a, with the first engaging portion 174 of each elastic arm abutting against one first groove 2811a. The number of elastic arms and first grooves 2811a may also be more or less.

[0063] Furthermore, such as Figures 8 to 10 As shown, the rotating member 282 has an inclined abutment surface 2823 on the side near the ink cartridge 10a (+Y axis direction side), and the lower support arm 173 has an abutment section 1731. The abutment section 1731 is located near the second direction end of the lower support arm 173. The inclination of the abutment section 1731 can be consistent with the inclination of the inclined abutment surface 2823. When the first engaging part 174 abuts against the first engaging part 2811, the abutment section 1731 abuts against the inclined abutment surface 2823 on the opposite first direction side (-Y axis direction side), which can also play a role in strengthening the cooperation between the engaging member 17 and the engaging mechanism.

[0064] Furthermore, such as Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the rotating component 282 has a front support arm 2824 on the side near the ink cartridge 10a (+Y axis direction side). There are two front support arms 2824, both extending along a first direction. The two front support arms 2824 are spaced apart in the X-axis direction and are located on opposite sides of the abutment portion 284 in the X-axis direction. The front support arms 2824 are located on the side of the abutment portion 284 opposite to the second direction (+Z axis direction side). The width of the front support arm 2824 defined on the outer side of the X-axis is basically matched with the width of the ink cartridge 10a. In the installed state, the front support arm 2824 is located on the lower side of the base plate 221 of the support component 22. It can contact the base plate 221 or not. When the ink cartridge 10a is unlocked, the rotating component 282 is rotated by force, and the front support arm 2824 can abut against the base plate 221 of the support component 22 and indirectly push the ink cartridge 10a to disengage the locking component 17 from the locking mechanism.

[0065] The installation method (both are translation and rotation modes) and unlocking method (unlocking the ink cartridge by applying force to the rotating member 282 to make it rotate) of the ink cartridge 10a in this embodiment are the same as those of the original ink cartridge 10. In the installed state, the locking member 17 deforms in the second direction. The first locking part 174 abuts against the top wall of the first locking part 2811 (first groove 2811a) on the bracket part 281, and the second locking part 175 abuts against the second locking part 2841 on the abutting part 284, thereby locking and fixing the ink cartridge 10a in the mounting part 20. When the ink cartridge 10a is removed, a pressing force along the +Z axis is applied to the operating part 2822 to rotate the rotating part 282. The locking member 17 returns to its original shape, and the first locking part 174 and the second locking part 175 both move in the opposite direction to the first and second directions, thereby disengaging from the locking mechanism. At the same time, the two front support arms 2824 of the rotating part 282 abut against the base plate 221 of the support member 22, indirectly pushing the ink cartridge 10a to move and helping the locking member 17 to disengage from the locking mechanism.

[0066] Example 2

[0067] This embodiment provides another ink cartridge 10b, which differs from the first embodiment in that the engagement position of the first engaging part 174 is different, that is, the position of the first engaging part 2811 is different.

[0068] In this embodiment, the first snap-fit ​​portion 2811 is not the first groove 2811a, but the top wall of the bracket portion 281 on the side of the first groove 2811a (one or both sides in the width direction, i.e., the +X axis direction side and / or the -X axis direction side). The top wall of the bracket portion 281 includes a first wall 285 and a second wall 286 located on both sides of the first wall 285. The first wall 285 is located on the side opposite to the second direction of the second wall 286. The first groove 2811a is located in the middle of the first wall 285.

[0069] like Figure 12 As shown, in this embodiment, the first engaging portion 2811b can be the inner side of the first wall 285, that is, the first engaging portion 174 engages with the inner side of the first wall 285 on one or both sides of the first groove 2811a.

[0070] As a variation of this embodiment, such as Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, the first engaging part 2811c is the inner side of the second wall 286, and the first engaging part 174 engages with the inner side of the second wall 286 on one or both sides of the first wall 285.

[0071] As another variation of this embodiment, the first engaging portion is the inner side of the first wall 285 and the second wall 286, that is, the first engaging portion 174 engages simultaneously with the inner side of the first wall 285 and the second wall 286.

[0072] The other structures of the ink cartridge 10b in this embodiment are the same as those in Embodiment 1, and will not be described again here.

[0073] Example 3

[0074] This embodiment provides another ink cartridge 10c, which differs from the first embodiment in that the engaging member 17 is detachably mounted on the adapter 12.

[0075] like Figure 14 and Figure 15 As shown, in this embodiment, the rear wall 122 is provided with a through hole, and the inner side of the rear wall 122 is provided with a joint portion 1221. The joint portion 1221 is located on the side opposite to the second direction of the through hole. The joint portion 1221 may be a joint protrusion provided on the inner side of the rear wall 122.

[0076] like Figure 15 As shown, in this embodiment, the engaging member 17 is a deformable elastic component and an independent component. The rear part 171a of the engaging member 17 is a hook-shaped structure. At least a portion of the rear part 171a can extend into the rear wall 122 through the through hole and hook onto the joint 1221, thereby detachably installing the engaging member 17 onto the rear wall 122 of the adapter 12.

[0077] Alternatively, the engaging component 17 can be a metal part, or it can be installed on the rear wall 122 by means of snapping, pasting, welding, etc.

[0078] The other structures of the locking component 17 and the ink cartridge 10c are the same as in Embodiment 1, and will not be described again here.

[0079] The above descriptions are merely some embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the inventive concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, detachably mounted to a mounting portion of a printer, the mounting portion including a locking mechanism, the locking mechanism including a bracket portion and a rotating member hinged to the bracket portion, the rotating member having an abutment portion that mates with the ink cartridge, characterized in that, The ink cartridge includes a housing, the housing having a bottom wall and a rear wall located on the side opposite to the first direction, the bottom wall intersecting the rear wall, the housing also including a locking member protruding from the rear wall, the locking member being used to cooperate with a locking mechanism to restrict the movement of the ink cartridge in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction; The abutting portion protrudes from the rotating member on the side near the ink cartridge and abuts against the rear wall. The engaging member includes a rear connecting portion connected to the rear wall. In the second direction, the abutting portion is located between the rear connecting portion and the end of the bottom wall opposite to the first direction. The ink cartridge is placed in the mounting part along a linear insertion direction, wherein the first direction is the insertion direction and the second direction is perpendicular to the bottom wall; The engaging component has a first engaging portion, and the bracket portion has a first engaging portion on the side near the ink cartridge, wherein the first engaging portion abuts against the first engaging portion; The engaging member has a second engaging portion, and the abutting portion has a second engaging portion on the side near the ink cartridge, wherein the second engaging portion abuts against the second engaging portion.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The housing includes an ink reservoir and an adapter mounted on the ink reservoir. The ink reservoir is located on the second direction side of the adapter, and the bottom wall and the rear wall are both located on the adapter.

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, In the first direction, the abutting portion at least partially overlaps with the adapter, the bracket portion at least partially lies on the side of the adapter opposite to the first direction, and the engaging member abuts against the first direction side of the rotating member and / or the bracket portion.

4. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The engaging member is an elastic component that can deform in the second direction.

5. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first engaging portion is located on the second direction side of the second engaging portion. The first engaging portion is a first groove, and the second engaging portion is a second groove. The second groove is open on the second direction side. The first engaging portion abuts against the top wall of the first groove, and the second engaging portion abuts against the bottom wall of the second groove.

6. The ink cartridge according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that, The engaging member includes an intersecting upper arm and a lower arm. The upper arm extends obliquely relative to a first direction. The upper end of the upper arm is connected to the rear wall. The lower arm is connected to the lower end of the upper arm. The rear connection is the upper end of the upper arm. The first engaging part is the lower end of the upper arm. The second engaging part is the end of the lower arm opposite to the second direction.

7. The ink cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that, The rotating component has an inclined abutment surface on the side near the ink cartridge, and the lower support arm has an abutment section, which abuts against the inclined abutment surface on the side opposite to the first direction.

8. The ink cartridge according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that, The second snap-fit ​​portion is located on the second direction side of the rotating shaft of the rotating member.

9. The ink cartridge according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The engaging component is integrally formed with the adapter or is detachably disposed on the adapter.

10. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3 and 5, characterized in that, The bottom wall is provided with an assembly structure that mates with the mounting part. The mounting part further includes a supply part, a positioning protrusion, and a rotary locking member. The assembly structure includes a guide part that mates with the supply part, a positioning recess that mates with the positioning protrusion, and an unlocking part that mates with the rotary locking member.

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