Chip assembly and ink cartridge assembly

Abstract

This invention provides a chip assembly and an ink cartridge assembly, relating to the field of printing technology. The chip assembly includes a substrate divided into multiple contact areas; each contact area includes a storage element and multiple direct-contact terminals, all of which are electrically connected to the storage element; the multiple contact areas include a first contact area and a second contact area. By dividing the substrate into multiple contact areas, including a first contact area and a second contact area, and by having a direct-contact power terminal in the first contact area transmit a power signal to the storage elements in the remaining contact areas (excluding the first contact area), and a direct-contact ground terminal in the second contact area transmit a ground signal to the storage elements in the remaining contact areas (excluding the second contact area), the stability and security of communication between the chip assembly of the ink cartridge assembly and the stylus of the image forming apparatus can be ensured, guaranteeing the normal operation of the image forming apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of printing technology, and more particularly to a chip assembly and ink cartridge assembly. Background Technology

[0002] Printers and other image forming devices are common office equipment, providing convenience for modern offices. These devices contain replaceable ink cartridges filled with ink. Each cartridge has a chip that stores information such as ink type, cartridge manufacturing date, number of pages printed, cartridge serial number, and remaining ink level.

[0003] In the prior art, the mounting section of the image forming apparatus can mount multiple ink cartridges, each of which has a different type of ink, and the power supply terminal and grounding terminal of the chip in each ink cartridge are electrically connected to the corresponding contact pin on the mounting section.

[0004] However, during the installation of multiple ink cartridges into the mounting section of the image forming apparatus, the contact pins may be accidentally bent due to improper installation or deformation failure of the contact pins after prolonged use. This can cause unstable contact between the power or ground terminal of a certain ink cartridge's chip and the corresponding contact pin, thereby affecting the normal operation of the image forming apparatus. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a chip assembly and ink cartridge assembly to solve the problem that during the installation of multiple ink cartridges into the mounting section of an image forming apparatus, the contact pins may be accidentally bent due to improper installation or deformation failure of the contact pins after prolonged use, resulting in unstable contact between the power terminal or ground terminal of the chip of a certain ink cartridge and the corresponding contact pin, thereby affecting the normal use of the image forming apparatus.

[0006] On one hand, embodiments of the present invention provide a chip assembly, including a substrate, the substrate being divided into a plurality of contact areas;

[0007] Each of the plurality of contact areas includes a storage element and a plurality of direct contact terminals, the plurality of direct contact terminals being electrically connected to the storage element, and the plurality of direct contact terminals of each contact area being used to electrically connect to a contact pin corresponding to each ink cartridge body of the ink cartridge group in the image forming apparatus.

[0008] The plurality of contact areas include a first contact area, and the plurality of direct contact terminals in the first contact area include direct contact power terminals, which are used to transmit power signals to the storage elements of the remaining contact areas other than the first contact area.

[0009] The plurality of contact areas include a second contact area, and the plurality of direct contact terminals in the second contact area include a direct contact ground terminal, which is used to transmit a ground signal to the storage element of the remaining contact areas other than the second contact area.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the number of direct-contact terminals in two adjacent contact areas is the same; or...

[0011] The number of direct contact terminals in one of two adjacent contact areas is less than the number of direct contact terminals in the other contact area.

[0012] In one possible implementation, each of the contact areas includes an auxiliary contact area, which is electrically connected to the storage element of the corresponding contact area;

[0013] The auxiliary contact area includes an auxiliary contact power supply section and / or an auxiliary contact grounding section. The direct contact power supply terminal of the first contact area is electrically connected to the auxiliary contact power supply section of the remaining contact areas other than the first contact area through the storage element of the first contact area. The direct contact grounding terminal of the second contact area is electrically connected to the auxiliary contact grounding section of the remaining contact areas other than the second contact area through the storage element of the second contact area.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the number of auxiliary power supply portions in the remaining contact areas other than the first contact area is the same, and the number of auxiliary grounding portions in the remaining contact areas other than the second contact area is the same.

[0015] In one possible implementation, a coupling member is provided between the two contact areas, the coupling member being used to transmit a power signal emitted by the storage element of the first contact area to the storage element of the other contact areas (excluding the first contact area) through the auxiliary power supply portion of the other contact areas (excluding the first contact area), and to transmit a ground signal emitted by the storage element of the second contact area to the storage element of the other contact areas (excluding the second contact area) through the auxiliary ground portion of the other contact areas (excluding the second contact area).

[0016] In one possible implementation, in the thickness direction of the chip assembly, the projection of at least one of the direct contact terminals of the contact area at least partially overlaps with the projection of the auxiliary contact area of ​​the contact area.

[0017] In one possible implementation, a plurality of the direct contact terminals of each of the contact areas are exposed on the surface of the substrate, and the auxiliary contact area of ​​each of the contact areas is disposed inside the substrate.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the number of contact areas is greater than two.

[0019] On the other hand, embodiments of the present invention provide an ink cartridge assembly, including a body and a chip assembly as described above;

[0020] The main body includes multiple ink cartridge bodies, and the chip assembly is detachably mounted on one of the main bodies. The chip assembly includes multiple contact areas, and each of the multiple contact areas corresponds to one of the multiple ink cartridge bodies.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the body further includes at least one connector, and the plurality of ink cartridge bodies are arranged sequentially along the width direction of the ink cartridge group. Each ink cartridge body includes a housing, and at least one connector connects the housings of two adjacent ink cartridge bodies.

[0022] This invention provides a chip assembly and a cartridge assembly, including a substrate divided into multiple contact areas. Each contact area includes a storage element and multiple direct contact terminals, all electrically connected to the storage element. The multiple direct contact terminals in each contact area are used to electrically connect to a contact pin corresponding to each cartridge body in an image forming apparatus. The multiple contact areas include a first contact area, where the multiple direct contact terminals include direct contact power terminals for transmitting power signals to the storage elements in the remaining contact areas (excluding the first contact area). The multiple contact areas also include a second contact area, where the multiple direct contact terminals include direct contact ground terminals for transmitting ground signals to the storage elements in the remaining contact areas (excluding the second contact area). By dividing the substrate into multiple contact areas, including a first contact area and a second contact area, the direct-contact power terminal of the first contact area transmits power signals to the storage elements of the other contact areas, and the direct-contact ground terminal of the second contact area transmits ground signals to the storage elements of the other contact areas. This eliminates the need for direct-contact power terminals and direct-contact ground terminals on the contact areas other than the first and second contact areas. Consequently, the contact areas on the cartridge body corresponding to accidentally bent styluses do not need direct-contact power terminals or direct-contact ground terminals. Furthermore, the contact areas on the cartridge body corresponding to direct-contact power terminals or direct-contact ground terminals that have experienced terminal wear or oxidation failure do not need direct-contact power terminals or direct-contact ground terminals. This enables stable communication between the chip assembly of the cartridge group and the styluses of the image forming apparatus, improves the stability and safety of the chip assembly of the cartridge group, and ensures the normal operation of the image forming apparatus. By eliminating the need for direct power terminals in contact areas other than the first contact area and direct ground terminals in contact areas other than the second contact area, the direct power terminals and direct ground terminals of the chip assembly are arranged in different contact areas, effectively isolating them. This can prevent ink droplets or conductive impurities from adhering to the direct power terminals and direct ground terminals during use, or from short circuits caused by other reasons, thus avoiding the risk of the chip assembly being burned out. Attached Figure Description

[0023] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an image forming apparatus provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the ink cartridge assembly in the image;

[0026] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the main body of the ink cartridge assembly;

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A first-view schematic diagram of a chip component;

[0028] Figure 5 for Figure 4 A second-view schematic diagram of the chip components in the image;

[0029] Figure 6 for Figure 3 A first-view schematic diagram of another chip component in the process;

[0030] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A second-view schematic diagram of the chip components in the image;

[0031] Figure 8 for Figure 4 The circuit diagram of the chip components and the main chip in the circuit;

[0032] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ink cartridge assembly according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A first-view schematic diagram of a chip component;

[0034] Figure 11 for Figure 10 A second-view schematic diagram of the chip components in the image;

[0035] Figure 12 for Figure 9 A first-view schematic diagram of another chip component in the process;

[0036] Figure 13 for Figure 12 A second-view schematic diagram of the chip components in the image;

[0037] Figure 14 for Figure 10 The circuit diagram of the chip components and the main chip.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0039] 100-Chip assembly; 10-Substrate; 101-Storage element; 102-Direct contact power terminal; 103-Direct contact ground terminal; 104-Direct contact data terminal; 105-Direct contact reset terminal; 106-Direct contact clock terminal; 107-Auxiliary contact power supply section; 108-Auxiliary contact ground section; 109-First direct contact detection terminal; 110-Second direct contact detection terminal; 111-First direct contact high voltage terminal; 112-Second direct contact high voltage terminal; 113-First engaging section; 11-First contact area; 12-Second contact area; 13-Third contact area; 14-Fourth contact area; 20-Coupling component; 201-Second engaging section; 200-Cartridge assembly; 210-Inner cartridge; 22 0 - Housing assembly; 221 - First mating part; 222 - Resettling cavity; 223 - Connector; 2231 - Second mating part; 300 - Mounting part; 310 - Contact pin assembly; 311 - Separating rib; 320 - Contact assembly; 321 - Data contact; 322 - Reset contact; 323 - Clock contact; 324 - Power contact; 325 - Ground contact; 3211 - Data line; 3221 - Reset line; 3231 - Clock line; 324a - Power line; 324b - Second auxiliary line; 324c - Third auxiliary line; 324d - Fifth auxiliary line; 325a - First auxiliary line; 325b - Ground line; 325c - Fourth auxiliary line; 325d - Sixth auxiliary line. Detailed Implementation

[0040] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0041] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. 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.

[0042] 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, an electrical connection, or a connection that allows communication between the components; 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] As described in the background art, during the process of installing multiple ink cartridges into the mounting section of the image forming apparatus, the contact pins may be accidentally bent due to improper installation or deformation failure of the contact pins after prolonged use. This can cause unstable contact between the power supply terminal or ground terminal of a certain ink cartridge's chip and the corresponding contact pin, thereby affecting the normal use of the image forming apparatus.

[0046] To address the aforementioned problems, embodiments of the present invention provide a chip assembly and a cartridge assembly, including a substrate divided into multiple contact areas. Each contact area includes a storage element and multiple direct-contact terminals, which are electrically connected to the storage element. The multiple contact areas include a first contact area and a second contact area. The direct-contact power terminal of the first contact area transmits a power signal to the storage element in the other contact areas (excluding the first contact area), and the direct-contact ground terminal of the second contact area transmits a ground signal to the storage element in the other contact areas (excluding the second contact area). This eliminates the need for direct-contact power terminals and direct-contact ground terminals in the other contact areas (excluding the first contact area). Consequently, the contact area on the cartridge body corresponding to an accidentally bent stylus does not need to have a direct-contact power terminal or a direct-contact ground terminal, thereby enabling stable communication between the chip assembly of the cartridge assembly and the stylus of the image forming apparatus, improving the stability of the chip assembly in use, and ensuring the normal operation of the image forming apparatus.

[0047] The chip assembly and ink cartridge assembly provided in the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0048] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a chip assembly 100, including a substrate 10, which is divided into a plurality of contact areas; each of the plurality of contact areas includes a storage element 101 and a plurality of direct contact terminals, which are electrically connected to the storage element 101, and the plurality of direct contact terminals in each contact area are used to electrically connect to a contact pin corresponding to each ink cartridge body of an ink cartridge assembly 200 in an image forming apparatus.

[0049] The multiple contact areas include a first contact area 11, and the first contact area 11 has multiple direct contact terminals including a direct contact power terminal 102. The direct contact power terminal 102 is used to transmit power signals to the storage elements 101 of the other contact areas besides the first contact area 11.

[0050] The multiple contact areas include a second contact area 12, and the second contact area 12 has multiple direct contact terminals including a direct contact ground terminal 103, which is used to transmit a ground signal to the storage element 101 of the other contact areas besides the second contact area 12.

[0051] Among them, such as Figure 4 As shown, the length direction of the chip assembly 100 is the X-axis direction, the width direction of the chip assembly 100 is the Y-axis direction, and the thickness direction of the chip assembly 100 is the Z-axis direction. The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are perpendicular to each other.

[0052] Multiple contact areas are arranged sequentially along the length of the chip assembly 100, and the specific order of the multiple contact areas along the length of the chip assembly 100 is not specified.

[0053] like Figure 2 As shown, each ink cartridge body corresponds to a contact area, which can be understood as each inner cartridge 210 corresponding to a contact area. The contact area can be understood as part of the substrate 10.

[0054] The number of contact areas can be two. In other methods, the number of contact areas can also be greater than two. Specifically, the number of contact areas can be set to three, four, five or more. In this embodiment, the number of contact areas is not limited.

[0055] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the storage element 101 and multiple direct contact terminals in each contact area can be located on both sides of the substrate 10 in the thickness direction of the chip assembly 100.

[0056] The number of direct contact terminals in the first contact area 11 is the same as the number of direct contact terminals in the second contact area 12.

[0057] The first contact area 11 can be any one of the other contact areas besides the second contact area 12, and the second contact area 12 can be any one of the other contact areas besides the first contact area 11.

[0058] In some examples, the contact areas of the substrate 10 other than the first contact area 11 may not have direct contact power terminals 102. That is, the contact areas of the substrate 10 other than the first contact area 11 do not have direct contact power terminals 102 for transmitting power signals via styluses in the image forming apparatus. The direct contact power terminals 102 of the first contact area 11 can contact the styluses for transmitting power signals in the image forming apparatus. The direct contact power terminals 102 of the first contact area 11 can transmit power signals to the storage elements 101 in the contact areas other than the first contact area 11. This ensures that the contact areas of the substrate 10 other than the first contact area 11 can still receive power even without the direct contact power terminals 102. Source signal; the contact areas of the substrate 10 other than the second contact area 12 may not have a direct contact ground terminal 103. That is to say, the contact areas of the substrate 10 other than the second contact area 12 do not have a direct contact ground terminal 103 for contacting the stylus in the image forming apparatus for transmitting ground signals. The direct contact ground terminal 103 of the second contact area 12 can contact the stylus in the image forming apparatus for transmitting ground signals. The direct contact ground terminal 103 of the second contact area 12 can transmit ground signals to the storage element 101 of the contact areas other than the second contact area 12. This ensures that the contact areas of the substrate 10 other than the second contact area 12 can still obtain ground signals even without a direct contact ground terminal 103.

[0059] This invention provides a chip assembly 100, comprising multiple contact areas including a first contact area 11 and a second contact area 12. The first contact area 11 has a direct-contact power terminal 102 that contacts a contact pin in an image forming apparatus for transmitting power signals and receives the transmitted power signal. This power signal is then transmitted via the direct-contact power terminal 102 to a storage element 101 located in the first contact area 11. The storage element 101 also transmits power signals to storage elements 101 in the other contact areas besides the first contact area 11. The second contact area 12 has a direct-contact ground terminal 103 that contacts a contact pin in the image forming apparatus for transmitting ground signals and receives the transmitted ground signal. This ground signal is then transmitted via the direct-contact ground terminal 103 to a storage element 101 located in the second contact area 12. The storage element 101 also transmits power signals to storage elements 101 in the other contact areas besides the second contact area 12. The storage element 101 in the remaining contact area transmits a ground signal, which means that the contact areas other than the first contact area 11 do not need to be provided with direct power supply terminals 102, and the contact areas other than the second contact area 12 do not need to be provided with direct grounding terminals 103. This means that the contact areas on the cartridge body corresponding to accidentally bent styluses do not need to be provided with direct power supply terminals 102 or direct grounding terminals 103. It also means that the contact areas on the cartridge body corresponding to direct power supply terminals 102 that have terminal wear or oxidation failure problems do not need to be provided with direct power supply terminals, and the contact areas on the cartridge body corresponding to direct grounding terminals 103 that have terminal wear or oxidation failure problems do not need to be provided with direct grounding terminals. This enables stable communication between the chip assembly 100 of the cartridge group and the styluses of the image forming apparatus, and improves the stability of the chip assembly of the cartridge group.

[0060] By eliminating the need for direct-contact power terminals 102 in contact areas other than the first contact area 11 and direct-contact ground terminals 103 in contact areas other than the second contact area 12, the direct-contact power terminals 102 and direct-contact ground terminals 103 of the chip assembly 100 are arranged in different contact areas, effectively isolating the direct-contact power terminals 102 and direct-contact ground terminals 103. This effectively prevents ink droplets or conductive impurities from adhering to the direct-contact power terminals 102 and direct-contact ground terminals 103 during use, or from short circuits caused by other reasons, thereby preventing the chip assembly 100 from burning out and improving the safety of using the chip assembly of the ink cartridge group.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the number of direct contact terminals in two adjacent contact areas is the same; or, the number of direct contact terminals in one of the two adjacent contact areas is less than the number of direct contact terminals in the other contact area.

[0062] In some examples, such as Figure 4 and Figure 5As shown, when the substrate 10 is divided into two contact areas, the two contact areas are divided into a first contact area 11 and a second contact area 12. The number of direct contact terminals in the first contact area 11 is the same as the number of direct contact terminals in the second contact area 12. The first contact area 11 does not have a direct contact ground terminal 103, and the second contact area 12 does not have a direct contact power terminal 102.

[0063] In other examples, such as Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, when the substrate 10 is divided into four contact areas, the four contact areas are a first contact area 11, a second contact area 12, a third contact area 13, and a fourth contact area 14. In the length direction of the chip assembly 100, the third contact area 13 and the fourth contact area 14 are located between the first contact area 11 and the second contact area 12. The third contact area 13 and the fourth contact area 14 are adjacent. The number of direct contact terminals in each of the third contact area 13 and the fourth contact area 14 is one less than the number of direct contact terminals in the first contact area 11. The number of direct contact terminals in the first contact area 11 is the same as the number of direct contact terminals in the second contact area 12. The number of direct contact terminals in each of the third contact area 13 and the fourth contact area 14 is one less than the number of direct contact terminals in the second contact area 12. The first contact area 11 is configured to be adjacent to either the third contact area 13 or the fourth contact area 14. Specifically, when the first contact area 11 is adjacent to the third contact area 13, the second contact area 12 is adjacent to the fourth contact area 14, and when the first contact area 11 is adjacent to the fourth contact area 14, the second contact area 12 is adjacent to the third contact area 13.

[0064] In one possible implementation, each contact area includes an auxiliary contact area, which is electrically connected to the storage element 101 of the corresponding contact area. The auxiliary contact area includes an auxiliary power supply section 107 and / or an auxiliary grounding section 108. The direct power supply terminal 102 of the first contact area 11 is electrically connected to the auxiliary power supply sections 107 of the remaining contact areas excluding the first contact area 11. The direct grounding terminal 103 of the second contact area 12 is electrically connected to the auxiliary grounding sections 108 of the remaining contact areas excluding the second contact area 12. It should be noted that, as... Figure 8 As shown, the first contact area 11 displays the auxiliary grounding part 108, and the second contact area 12 displays the auxiliary power supply part 107.

[0065] In this system, multiple direct contact terminals of each contact area are exposed on the surface of the substrate 10, and the auxiliary contact area of ​​each contact area is disposed inside the substrate 10. It can be understood that multiple direct contact terminals and auxiliary contact areas are provided with multiple layers of isolation layers, multiple direct contact terminals are exposed outside the isolation layers, and the auxiliary contact areas are covered by the isolation layers. The multiple isolation layers are formed by screen printing.

[0066] like Figure 8As shown, the auxiliary contact area of ​​the second contact area 12 may include an auxiliary contact power supply section 107; as Figure 8 As shown, the auxiliary contact area of ​​the first contact area 11 may include an auxiliary contact grounding portion 108; as Figure 14 As shown, the auxiliary contact areas of the third contact area 13 and the fourth contact area 14 can each include an auxiliary contact power supply part 107 and an auxiliary contact grounding part 108.

[0067] The auxiliary power supply section 107 and the auxiliary grounding section 108 are located inside the substrate 10. In order to avoid short circuit between the power signal and the ground signal, the auxiliary power supply section 107 and the auxiliary grounding section 108 can be insulated and isolated.

[0068] The direct power terminal 102 of the first contact area 11 is electrically connected to the auxiliary power supply section 107 of the other contact areas besides the first contact area 11 through the storage element 101 of the first contact area 11. Specifically, the direct power terminal 102 of the first contact area 11 contacts the stylus in the image forming apparatus for transmitting power signals and receives the power signals transmitted therefrom. The power signals are then transmitted to the storage element 101 provided in the first contact area 11 via the direct power terminal 102. The storage element 101 can be electrically connected to the auxiliary power supply section 107 of the other contact areas besides the first contact area 11, so that the storage element 101 besides the first contact area 11 can obtain power signals. This ensures that the other contact areas of the substrate 10 besides the first contact area 11 can still obtain power signals even without the direct power terminal 102.

[0069] The direct grounding terminal 103 of the second contact area 12 is electrically connected to the auxiliary grounding portion 108 of the other contact areas besides the second contact area 12 through the storage element 101 of the second contact area 12. The direct grounding terminal 103 of the second contact area 12 contacts the stylus in the image forming apparatus for transmitting grounding signals and receives the grounding signal transmitted therefrom. The grounding signal is then transmitted to the storage element 101 provided in the second contact area 12 via the direct grounding terminal 103. The storage element 101 can be electrically connected to the auxiliary grounding portion 108 of the other contact areas besides the second contact area 12, so that the storage element 101 of the other contact areas besides the second contact area 12 can obtain a grounding signal. This ensures that the other contact areas of the substrate 10 besides the second contact area 12 can still obtain a grounding signal even without the direct grounding terminal 103.

[0070] In one possible implementation, in the thickness direction of the chip assembly 100, the projection of at least one direct contact terminal of the contact area at least partially overlaps with the projection of the auxiliary contact area of ​​the contact area. It is understood that, in the thickness direction of the chip assembly 100, the projection of at least one direct contact terminal of any contact area of ​​the substrate 10 at least partially overlaps with the projection of the auxiliary contact area of ​​that contact area. This arrangement reduces the area of ​​the plane containing the direct contact terminals of the contact area of ​​the substrate 10, thereby reducing the area of ​​the substrate 10 and lowering its manufacturing cost.

[0071] In one possible implementation, the number of auxiliary power supply portions 107 in the remaining contact areas other than the first contact area 11 is the same, and the number of auxiliary grounding portions 108 in the remaining contact areas other than the second contact area 12 is the same.

[0072] Among them, such as Figure 14 As shown, the remaining contact areas besides the first contact area 11 include the second contact area 12, the third contact area 13, and the fourth contact area 14. The number of auxiliary contact power supply parts 107 in the second contact area 12, the third contact area 13, and the fourth contact area 14 is one. The remaining contact areas besides the second contact area 12 include the first contact area 11, the third contact area 13, and the fourth contact area 14. The number of auxiliary contact grounding parts 108 in the first contact area 11, the third contact area 13, and the fourth contact area 14 is one.

[0073] In one possible implementation, such as Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the two contact areas are connected by a coupling member 20. The coupling member 20 is used to transmit the power signal emitted by the storage element 101 of the first contact area 11 to the storage element 101 of the other contact areas excluding the first contact area 11 through the auxiliary contact power supply part 107 of the other contact areas excluding the first contact area 11, and to transmit the ground signal emitted by the storage element 101 of the second contact area 12 to the storage element 101 of the other contact areas excluding the second contact area 12 through the auxiliary contact ground part 108 of the other contact areas excluding the second contact area 12. Specifically, the coupling member 20 can transmit the power signal emitted by the storage element 101 having a first contact area 11 with a direct contact power terminal 102 to the storage element 101 electrically connected thereto through the auxiliary contact power supply section 107 provided in the remaining contact areas other than the first contact area 11. It can also transmit the ground signal emitted by the storage element 101 having a second contact area 12 with a direct contact ground terminal 103 to the storage element 101 electrically connected thereto through the auxiliary contact ground section 108 provided in the remaining contact areas other than the second contact area 12.

[0074] In this embodiment, a coupling element 20 is provided between any two adjacent contact areas of the substrate 10.

[0075] The coupling element 20 may be made of a flexible printed circuit (FPC), ribbon cable, wire or other conductive material. To improve the safety of the chip assembly 100, the outer surface of the coupling element 20 needs to be insulated.

[0076] In some examples, the coupling element 20 includes a first conductive element and a second conductive element. The first conductive element is used to transmit the power signal emitted by the storage element 101 in the first contact area 11 to the storage element 101 in the other contact areas excluding the first contact area 11 through the auxiliary contact power supply section 107 in the other contact areas excluding the first contact area 11. Specifically, the first conductive element transmits the power signal emitted by the storage element 101 in the first contact area 11, which has a direct contact power terminal 102, to the storage element 101 in the other contact areas excluding the first contact area 11 through the auxiliary contact power supply section 107 provided in the other contact areas excluding the first contact area 11. The connected storage element 101 transmits the ground signal emitted by the storage element 101 in the second contact area 12 through the auxiliary grounding part 108 in the other contact areas besides the second contact area 12 to the storage element 101 in the other contact areas besides the second contact area 12. Specifically, the second conductive member transmits the ground signal emitted by the storage element 101 in the second contact area 12, which has a direct grounding terminal 103, to the storage element 101 electrically connected to it through the auxiliary grounding part 108 provided in the other contact areas besides the second contact area 12.

[0077] In one possible implementation, the substrate 10 is divided into two contact areas, namely a first contact area 11 and a second contact area 12, each of which includes 4 direct contact terminals or 8 direct contact terminals.

[0078] When the substrate 10 is divided into two contact areas, the chip assembly 100 includes a coupling member 20.

[0079] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, when both the first contact area 11 and the second contact area 12 include four direct contact terminals, the first contact area 11 includes a direct contact power terminal 102, a direct contact data terminal 104, a direct contact reset terminal 105, and a direct contact clock terminal 106, and the second contact area 12 includes a direct contact ground terminal 103, a direct contact data terminal 104, a direct contact reset terminal 105, and a direct contact clock terminal 106.

[0080] like Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, when both the first contact area 11 and the second contact area 12 include 8 direct contact terminals, the first contact area 11 includes, in addition to the direct contact power terminal 102, a direct contact data terminal 104, a direct contact reset terminal 105, a direct contact clock terminal 106, a first direct contact detection terminal 109, a second direct contact detection terminal 110, a first direct contact high voltage terminal 111, and a second direct contact high voltage terminal 112.

[0081] It should be noted that the direct-touch data terminal 104 is used for sending or receiving data signals; the direct-touch reset terminal 105 is used for resetting the data inside the storage element 101; the direct-touch clock terminal 106 is used for receiving clock signals; the first direct-touch detection terminal 109 is used to detect whether there is a short circuit on the chip, specifically, whether there is a short circuit between the first direct-touch detection terminal 109 and the first direct-touch high-voltage terminal 111; the second direct-touch detection terminal 110 is used to detect whether there is a short circuit on the chip, specifically, whether there is a short circuit between the second direct-touch detection terminal 110 and the second direct-touch high-voltage terminal 112; the first direct-touch high-voltage terminal 111 is the terminal to which a high voltage is applied, which is a voltage higher than the operating voltage of the storage element 101; the second direct-touch high-voltage terminal 112 is the terminal to which a high voltage is applied, which is a voltage higher than the operating voltage of the storage element 101.

[0082] like Figure 1 and Figure 8 As shown, a main chip (not shown) is located on the rear side of the stylus assembly 310 of the mounting section 300 of the image forming apparatus. Each stylus in the stylus assembly 310 is electrically connected to a contact on the main chip on the side facing away from the ink cartridge assembly. The direct contact terminal of each contact area of ​​the chip assembly 100 is electrically connected to the side of each stylus in the stylus assembly 310 facing the ink cartridge assembly. That is, each contact area of ​​the chip assembly 100 communicates with the main chip in the image forming apparatus through the stylus assembly 310. Each contact area of ​​the chip assembly 100 corresponds to one stylus assembly 310, and each stylus assembly 310 corresponds to one contact group 320 of a main control chip.

[0083] In some examples, such as Figure 8 As shown, the main chip includes four contact groups 320, each contact group including a data contact 321, a reset contact 322, a clock contact 323, a power contact 324, and a ground contact 325; as Figures 1 to 4As shown, the mounting part of the image forming apparatus can mount two ink cartridge groups 200. Each ink cartridge group 200 includes two ink cartridge bodies and a chip assembly 100. The chip assembly 100 includes two contact areas, namely a first contact area 11 and a second contact area 12. The first contact area 11 and the second contact area 12 are detachably mounted on the two ink cartridge bodies. Both the first contact area 11 and the second contact area 12 include four direct contact terminals. The first contact area 11 corresponds to a contact group. The direct contact data terminal 104 of the first contact area 11 is electrically connected to the data contact 321 of a contact group through the data line 3211. The direct contact reset terminal 105 of the first contact area 11 is electrically connected to the reset contact 322 of a contact group through the reset line 3221. The direct contact clock terminal 106 of the first contact area 11 is electrically connected to the clock contact 323 of a contact group through the clock line 3231. The direct contact power terminal 102 of the first contact area 11 is electrically connected to the power contact 324 through the power line 324a. The first contact area 11 does not have a direct contact ground terminal 103. The first contact area 11 is not electrically connected to the ground contact 325 of the corresponding contact group. The auxiliary contact grounding part 108 of the first contact area 11 is electrically connected to the direct contact ground terminal 103 of the second contact area 12 through the first auxiliary line 325a. The second contact area 12 corresponds to a contact group. The direct contact data terminal 104 of the second contact area 12 is electrically connected to the data contact 321 of a contact group via data line 3211. The direct contact reset terminal 105 of the second contact area 12 is electrically connected to the reset contact 322 of a contact group via reset line 3221. The direct contact clock terminal 106 of the second contact area 12 is electrically connected to the clock contact 323 of a contact group via clock line 3231. The second contact area 12 does not have a direct contact power terminal 102. The second contact area 12 is not electrically connected to the power contact 324 of the corresponding contact group. The auxiliary contact power supply part 107 of the second contact area 12 is electrically connected to the direct contact power terminal 102 of the first contact area 11 via second auxiliary line 324b. The direct contact ground terminal 103 of the second contact area 12 is electrically connected to the ground contact 325 via ground line 325b.

[0084] It should be noted that the data contact 321 of each contact group can send and receive data signals; the reset contact 322 of each contact group can send a reset signal; the clock contact 323 of each contact group can send a clock signal that alternates between high and low levels at a predetermined period; the power contact 324 of each contact group can send a power signal; and the ground contact 325 of each contact group can send a ground signal.

[0085] In one possible implementation, the substrate 10 is divided into four contact areas, namely a first contact area 11, a second contact area 12, a third contact area 13, and a fourth contact area 14.

[0086] The first contact area 11 and the second contact area 12 each include 4 direct contact terminals, and the third contact area 13 and the fourth contact area 14 each include 3 direct contact terminals; or, the first contact area 11 and the second contact area 12 each include 8 direct contact terminals, and the third contact area 13 and the fourth contact area 14 each include 7 direct contact terminals.

[0087] Among them, such as Figure 10 and Figure 11 As shown, when the first contact area 11 and the second contact area 12 each include 4 direct contact terminals, and the third contact area 13 and the fourth contact area 14 each include 3 direct contact terminals, the first contact area 11 includes a direct contact power terminal 102, a direct contact data terminal 104, a direct contact reset terminal 105, and a direct contact clock terminal 106. The second contact area 12 includes a direct contact ground terminal 103, a direct contact data terminal 104, a direct contact reset terminal 105, and a direct contact clock terminal 106. The third contact area 13 and the fourth contact area 14 each include a direct contact data terminal 104, a direct contact reset terminal 105, and a direct contact clock terminal 106.

[0088] like Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, when the first contact area 11 and the second contact area 12 each include 8 direct contact terminals, and the third contact area 13 and the fourth contact area 14 each include 7 direct contact terminals, the first contact area 11 includes, in addition to the direct contact power terminal 102, a direct contact data terminal 104, a direct contact reset terminal 105, a direct contact clock terminal 106, a first direct contact detection terminal 109, a second direct contact detection terminal 110, a first direct contact high voltage terminal 111, and a second direct contact high voltage terminal 112. The third contact area 13 and the fourth contact area 14 each include the direct contact data terminal 104, the direct contact reset terminal 105, the direct contact clock terminal 106, the first direct contact detection terminal 109, the second direct contact detection terminal 110, the first direct contact high voltage terminal 111, and the second direct contact high voltage terminal 112.

[0089] In some examples, such as Figure 14 As shown, the main chip includes four contact groups 320, each contact group including a data contact 321, a reset contact 322, a clock contact 323, a power contact 324, and a ground contact 325; as Figures 9 to 11As shown, the mounting section of the image forming apparatus can mount an ink cartridge assembly 200. The ink cartridge assembly 200 includes four ink cartridge bodies and a chip assembly 100. The chip assembly 100 includes four contact areas, namely a first contact area 11, a second contact area 12, a third contact area 13, and a fourth contact area 14. The outer shells of the four ink cartridge bodies are connected by connectors 223 to form an outer shell assembly 220. The chip assembly 100 is detachably mounted on the outer shell assembly 220. The first contact area 11, the second contact area 12, the third contact area 13, and the fourth contact area 14 correspond one-to-one with the four ink cartridge bodies. The first contact area 11 and the second contact area 12 each include four direct contact terminals, and the third contact area 13 and the fourth contact area 14 each include three direct contact terminals. The first contact area 11 corresponds to a contact group. The direct contact data terminal 104 of the first contact area 11 is electrically connected to the data contact 321 of a contact group through the data line 3211. The direct contact reset terminal 105 of the first contact area 11 is electrically connected to the reset contact 322 of a contact group through the reset line 3221. The direct contact clock terminal 106 of the first contact area 11 is electrically connected to the clock contact 323 of a contact group through the clock line 3231. The direct contact power terminal 102 of the first contact area 11 is electrically connected to the power contact 324 through the power line 324a. The first contact area 11 does not have a direct contact ground terminal 103. The first contact area 11 is not electrically connected to the ground contact 325 of the corresponding contact group. The auxiliary contact grounding part 108 of the first contact area 11 is electrically connected to the direct contact ground terminal 103 of the second contact area 12 through the first auxiliary line 325a. The second contact area 12 corresponds to a contact group. The direct contact data terminal 104 of the second contact area 12 is electrically connected to the data contact 321 of a contact group through the data line 3211. The direct contact reset terminal 105 of the second contact area 12 is electrically connected to the reset contact 322 of a contact group through the reset line 3221. The direct contact clock terminal 106 of the second contact area 12 is electrically connected to the clock contact 323 of a contact group through the clock line 3231. The second contact area 12 does not have a direct contact power terminal 102. The second contact area 12 is not electrically connected to the power contact 324 of the corresponding contact group. The auxiliary contact power supply part 107 of the second contact area 12 is electrically connected to the direct contact power terminal 102 of the first contact area 11 through the second auxiliary line 324b. The direct contact ground terminal 103 of the second contact area 12 is electrically connected to the ground contact 325 through the ground line 325b.The third contact area 13 corresponds to a contact group. The direct-contact data terminal 104 of the third contact area 13 is electrically connected to the data contact 321 of the contact group via data line 3211. The direct-contact reset terminal 105 of the third contact area 13 is electrically connected to the reset contact 322 of the contact group via reset line 3221. The direct-contact clock terminal 106 of the third contact area 13 is electrically connected to the clock contact 323 of the contact group via clock line 3231. The third contact area 13 does not have a direct-contact power terminal 102. The contact area 13 is not electrically connected to the power contact 324 of the corresponding contact group. The auxiliary power supply part 107 of the third contact area 13 is electrically connected to the direct power supply terminal 102 of the first contact area 11 through the third auxiliary line 324c. The third contact area 13 does not have a direct grounding terminal 103. The third contact area 13 is not electrically connected to the grounding contact 325 of the corresponding contact group. The auxiliary grounding part 108 of the third contact area 13 is electrically connected to the direct grounding terminal 103 of the second contact area 12 through the fourth auxiliary line 325c. The fourth contact area 14 corresponds to a contact group. The direct-contact data terminal 104 of the fourth contact area 14 is electrically connected to the data contact 321 of the contact group via data line 3211. The direct-contact reset terminal 105 of the fourth contact area 14 is electrically connected to the reset contact 322 of the contact group via reset line 3221. The direct-contact clock terminal 106 of the fourth contact area 14 is electrically connected to the clock contact 323 of the contact group via clock line 3231. The fourth contact area 14 does not have a direct-contact power terminal 102. Contact area 13 is not electrically connected to the power contact 324 of the corresponding contact group. The auxiliary power supply part 107 of the fourth contact area 14 is electrically connected to the direct power supply terminal 102 of the first contact area 11 via the fifth auxiliary line 324d. The fourth contact area 14 does not have a direct grounding terminal 103. The fourth contact area 14 is not electrically connected to the grounding contact 325 of the corresponding contact group. The auxiliary grounding part 108 of the fourth contact area 14 is electrically connected to the direct grounding terminal 103 of the second contact area 12 via the sixth auxiliary line 325d.

[0090] This invention provides an ink cartridge assembly 200, including a body and a chip assembly 100; the body includes multiple ink cartridge bodies, and the chip assembly 100 is detachably mounted on the body. The chip assembly 100 includes multiple contact areas, and the multiple contact areas correspond one-to-one with the multiple ink cartridge bodies.

[0091] The chip component 100 in this embodiment has the same structure as the chip component 100 provided in Embodiment 1 above, and can bring the same or similar technical effects. It will not be described in detail here, but can be referred to the description of the above embodiments.

[0092] In one possible implementation, such as Figure 3As shown, the main body also includes at least one connector 223. Multiple ink cartridge bodies are arranged sequentially along the width direction of the ink cartridge group. Each ink cartridge body includes a shell, and at least one connector 223 connects the shells of two adjacent ink cartridge bodies.

[0093] The length direction of the ink cartridge group is the Z-axis direction, which is the same as the thickness direction of the chip assembly 100. The width direction of the ink cartridge group is the X-axis direction, which is the same as the length direction of the chip assembly 100. The height direction of the ink cartridge group is the Y-axis direction, which is the same as the width direction of the chip assembly 100.

[0094] Each ink cartridge body includes an inner liner 210, each ink cartridge body has a mounting cavity 222, the inner liner 210 of each ink cartridge body is detachably installed in the corresponding mounting cavity 222, the inner liner 210 can hold ink, and the ink color of each inner liner 210 of the ink cartridge group 200 is different from each other.

[0095] like Figure 2 As shown, the ink cartridge assembly 200 includes two ink cartridge bodies, that is, the ink cartridge assembly 200 includes two inner cartridges 210. In other embodiments, such as Figure 9 As shown, the ink cartridge assembly 200 includes 4 ink cartridge bodies, that is to say, the ink cartridge assembly 200 includes 4 inner cartridges 210.

[0096] like Figure 3 As shown, all the outer shells of the ink cartridge assembly 200 are connected by connectors 223 to form an outer shell assembly 220.

[0097] The specific position of the connector 223 on the outer shell of two adjacent ink cartridge bodies is not specified here, as long as it can connect the outer shells of the two adjacent ink cartridge bodies together. The specific number of connectors 223 on the outer shells of two adjacent ink cartridge bodies is not specified here. The connection method between the connector 223 and the outer shells of the two adjacent ink cartridge bodies includes, but is not limited to, at least one of snap-fit, welding, and bonding.

[0098] In some examples, such as Figure 3 As shown, there is one connector 223 on the outer shell of each of the two adjacent ink cartridge bodies. The connector 223 is located on the front side of the outer shell of the two adjacent ink cartridge bodies in the length direction of the ink cartridge group, and the connection method between the connector 223 and the outer shell of the two adjacent ink cartridge bodies is snap-fit. Figures 3 to 5As shown, each contact area of ​​the chip assembly 100 has a first engaging portion 113, and the outer shell of each ink cartridge body has a mounting position on the front side of the ink cartridge assembly along its length. The mounting position has a first mating portion 221, and the first engaging portion 113 of each contact area is engaged with the first mating portion 221. The coupling member 20 of the chip assembly 100 has a second engaging portion 201, and the connector 223 has a second mating portion 2231, and the second engaging portion 201 is engaged with the second mating portion 2231. Figure 1 As shown, a partition rib 311 is provided between two adjacent stylus assemblies 310 of the image forming apparatus mounting section 300. Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, in the length direction of the ink cartridge assembly, the side of the connector 223 on the -Z axis is closer to the inner liner 210 than the side of the chip assembly 100 on the -Z axis. This arrangement avoids the partition rib 311 provided between two adjacent stylus assemblies 310 during the process of installing the ink cartridge assembly into the mounting part 300 of the image forming apparatus.

[0099] In some examples, the first engaging portion 113 can be a through hole, and the first mating portion 221 can be a protrusion; the second engaging portion 201 can be a through hole, and the second mating portion 2231 can be a protrusion.

[0100] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit it. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the above embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the above embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A chip assembly, characterized in that, Includes a substrate, which is divided into multiple contact areas; Each of the plurality of contact areas includes a storage element and a plurality of direct contact terminals, the plurality of direct contact terminals being electrically connected to the storage element, and the plurality of direct contact terminals of each contact area being used to electrically connect to a contact pin corresponding to each ink cartridge body of the ink cartridge group in the image forming apparatus. The plurality of contact areas include a first contact area, and the plurality of direct contact terminals in the first contact area include direct contact power terminals, which are used to transmit power signals to the storage elements of the remaining contact areas other than the first contact area. The plurality of contact areas include a second contact area, and the plurality of direct contact terminals in the second contact area include a direct contact ground terminal, which is used to transmit a ground signal to the storage element of the remaining contact areas other than the second contact area.

2. The chip assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that, The number of direct-contact terminals in two adjacent contact areas is the same; or, The number of direct contact terminals in one of two adjacent contact areas is less than the number of direct contact terminals in the other contact area.

3. The chip assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the contact areas includes an auxiliary contact area, which is electrically connected to the storage element of the corresponding contact area; The auxiliary contact area includes an auxiliary contact power supply section and / or an auxiliary contact grounding section. The direct contact power supply terminal of the first contact area is electrically connected to the auxiliary contact power supply section of the remaining contact areas other than the first contact area through the storage element of the first contact area. The direct contact grounding terminal of the second contact area is electrically connected to the auxiliary contact grounding section of the remaining contact areas other than the second contact area through the storage element of the second contact area.

4. The chip assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, The number of auxiliary power supply portions in the remaining contact areas other than the first contact area is the same, and the number of auxiliary grounding portions in the remaining contact areas other than the second contact area is the same.

5. The chip assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that, A coupling member is provided between the two contact areas. The coupling member is used to transmit the power signal emitted by the storage element of the first contact area to the storage element of the other contact areas (excluding the first contact area) through the auxiliary power supply part of the other contact areas (excluding the first contact area), and to transmit the ground signal emitted by the storage element of the second contact area to the storage element of the other contact areas (excluding the second contact area) through the auxiliary grounding part of the other contact areas (excluding the second contact area).

6. The chip assembly according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that, Each of the contact areas has a plurality of direct contact terminals exposed on the surface of the substrate, and each of the contact areas has an auxiliary contact area disposed inside the substrate.

7. The chip assembly according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the thickness direction of the chip assembly, the projection of at least one of the direct contact terminals of the contact area at least partially overlaps with the projection of the auxiliary contact area of ​​the contact area.

8. The chip assembly according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The number of contact areas is greater than 2.

9. An ink cartridge assembly, characterized in that, Includes the body and the chip assembly as described in any one of claims 1-8; The main body includes multiple ink cartridge bodies, and the chip assembly is detachably mounted on the main body. The chip assembly includes multiple contact areas, and each of the multiple contact areas corresponds to one of the multiple ink cartridge bodies.

10. The ink cartridge assembly according to claim 9, characterized in that, The main body also includes at least one connector, and the plurality of ink cartridge bodies are arranged sequentially along the width direction of the ink cartridge group. Each ink cartridge body includes a shell, and at least one connector connects the shells of two adjacent ink cartridge bodies.

Images