Ink refilling device and printer

Abstract

This application is applicable to the technical field of printers, and provides an ink-return device, including: a first ink-return member, which includes a first ink-return cavity and a first ink-return hole communicating the first ink-return cavity and an ink storage cavity; a second ink-return member, which includes a second ink-return cavity and a second ink-return hole communicating the second ink-return cavity and the ink storage cavity; the second ink-return member is sleeved on the first ink-return member and the first ink-return member is accommodated in the second ink-return cavity; the second ink-return member further includes a third ink-return hole, the third ink-return hole communicates the second ink-return cavity and the ink storage cavity, and in the extending direction of the second ink-return member, the third ink-return hole is higher than the second ink-return hole. This application can adjust the ink-return flow rate based on the total amount of ink, and when the height of the ink reaches the ink-return height of the third ink-return hole, the ink can flow back to the inkjet printer through the first ink-return cavity from the third ink-return hole, and can achieve rapid backflow in the case of a high ink-return flow rate, which helps to improve the ink-return efficiency of the printer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of printers, and particularly relates to an ink return device and a printer. Background Art

[0002] An inkjet printer is a common printing device that sprays ink in tiny droplets onto paper through one or more nozzles to achieve printing. This printing technology can precisely control the spraying time and position of each nozzle according to instructions transmitted by a computer, thereby producing high-quality text and images. Therefore, inkjet printers are widely used in homes, offices, and professional printing fields.

[0003] During the printing process, to ensure the continuity of printing, the ink supply pipeline between the ink storage container and the nozzle is usually filled with ink. When printing ends, the inkjet printer needs to recycle the ink in the pipeline back to the ink storage container to prevent the ink from staying in the nozzle and pipeline for a long time and drying out and blocking due to high temperature or air contact.

[0004] In related technologies, an ink return pipeline is usually provided in the nozzle area of an inkjet printer. When ink return is required, the ink is recycled from a small hole in the middle of the ink return pipeline to the ink storage container through negative pressure. Although this ink return method can recycle the ink to the ink storage system, the ink return flow rate of the ink return pipeline is very small and fixed, and it is impossible to adjust the ink return flow rate according to the total amount of ink, resulting in low ink return efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The embodiments of this application provide an ink return device and a printer, which can solve the technical problem that in related technologies, the ink return flow rate of the ink return pipeline is very small and fixed, and it is impossible to adjust the ink return flow rate according to the total amount of ink, resulting in low ink return efficiency.

[0006] The first aspect of the embodiments of this application provides an ink return device applied to an inkjet printer. The inkjet printer includes an ink storage chamber and a nozzle connected to the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber. The ink return device includes:

[0007] A first ink return member, which includes a first ink return chamber and a first ink return hole communicating the first ink return chamber and the ink storage chamber;

[0008] A second ink return member, which includes a second ink return chamber and a second ink return hole communicating the second ink return chamber and the ink storage chamber;

[0009] Wherein, the second ink return member is sleeved on the first ink return member and the first ink return member is accommodated in the second ink return chamber;

[0010] The second ink returning member further includes a third ink returning hole, which communicates with the second ink returning cavity and the ink storage cavity. In the extending direction of the second ink returning member, the third ink returning hole is higher than the second ink returning hole.

[0011] In some embodiments, the first ink returning member includes a main body portion and a connecting portion connected to the main body portion. The main body portion includes a first end close to the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity and a second end far from the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity. The first ink returning hole is located at the first end of the main body portion, the connecting portion is located at the second end of the main body portion, and the second ink returning member is connected to the connecting portion of the first ink returning member.

[0012] In some embodiments, in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the second ink returning member, at least a part of the third ink returning hole does not coincide with the connecting portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, there are a plurality of third ink returning holes, which are arranged at intervals on the circumferential outer surface of the second ink returning member.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first ink returning member further includes a fourth ink returning hole, which is located at the first end of the main body portion and communicates with the first ink returning hole and the first ink returning cavity.

[0015] In some embodiments, there is a gap between the main body portion and the second ink returning cavity.

[0016] In some embodiments, the diameter of the first ink returning hole is larger than the diameter of the second ink returning hole.

[0017] The second aspect of the embodiments of the present application provides a printer, including the ink returning device in any one of the above.

[0018] In some embodiments, the ink storage cavity includes a first ink storage sub-cavity and a second ink storage sub-cavity that communicate with each other. In the extending direction of the second ink returning member, the second ink storage sub-cavity is higher than the first ink storage sub-cavity;

[0019] The first ink returning hole and the second ink returning hole are located in the first ink storage sub-cavity;

[0020] The third ink returning hole is located in the second ink storage sub-cavity.

[0021] In some embodiments, the printer includes a plurality of nozzles, which are arranged in an array on the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity, and the ink returning device is located at the central position of the plurality of nozzles.

[0022] Implementing the ink return device and printer provided by the embodiments of the present application has the following beneficial effects: By sleeving the second ink return member provided with a third ink return hole around the periphery of the first ink return member, when the ink return flow rate is low, the height of the ink in the ink storage cavity does not reach the ink return height of the third ink return hole, and the ink flows into the first ink return cavity through the first ink return hole and the second ink return hole at the bottom, and then flows back to the inkjet printer through the first ink return cavity, so that the smooth return of the ink can be realized under the condition of low ink return flow rate. Through the high-position design of the third ink return hole, the ink return flow rate can be automatically adjusted according to the change of the total ink return amount, that is, when the total amount of ink is large, the height of the ink in the ink storage cavity reaches the ink return height of the third ink return hole, and the ink can flow into the bottom of the second ink return cavity from the third ink return hole, and then flow through the first ink return hole into the first ink return cavity from the second ink return cavity, and finally flow back to the inkjet printer through the first ink return cavity, so that the rapid return under the condition of high ink return flow rate can be realized, which helps to improve the ink return efficiency of the printer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required for use in the embodiments or related technical descriptions. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present application. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0024] Figure 1 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the ink return device provided by an embodiment of the present application when installed on an inkjet printer;

[0025] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ink return device provided by an embodiment of the present application when installed on an inkjet printer;

[0026] Figure 3 FIG. is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ink return device provided by another embodiment of the present application when installed on an inkjet printer;

[0027] Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the ink return device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the ink return device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 6 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the ink return device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 7 FIG. is a schematic structural diagram of the ink return device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 8It is a top view schematic diagram of an ink returning device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0032] The embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, where the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are intended to explain the present application, and should not be construed as a limitation of the present application.

[0033] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by terms such as "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. It is only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation of the present application.

[0034] In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used for descriptive purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the quantity of the indicated technical features. Thus, features defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features. In the description of the present application, "a plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0035] In the present application, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, terms such as "installed", "connected", "connected to", "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or integrated; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the internal communication of two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0036] During the printing process of an inkjet printer, in order to ensure that the ink at the nozzle is sufficient to perform the printing operation, the ink volume in the ink storage cavity is usually sufficient. When the printing is completed, it is necessary to recover the ink in the ink storage cavity to prevent the ink at the nozzle from drying up and blocking the nozzle.

[0037] In the design process of an inkjet printer, the ink return technology is a key design issue for improving printing efficiency and extending the service life of the inkjet printer and the nozzles. Conventional ink return pipelines are usually slender, with a very small ink return flow rate, and the ink return flow rate is fixed. To improve the ink return efficiency and adjust the ink return flow rate according to the total amount of ink, the aperture of the existing ink return pipeline is usually enlarged, or the number of ink return pipelines is increased. The ink is refluxed through multiple parallel ink return pipelines. At the same time, the power of the ink return pump is also increased and other means are used to improve the speed and efficiency of ink reflux. All these methods require adding ink return pipelines or replacing the ink return pump with a larger power, resulting in a sharp increase in the ink return cost of the inkjet printer.

[0038] Therefore, the applicant proposes an ink return device and a printer with high ink return efficiency, adjustable ink return flow rate according to the total ink return amount, and low cost.

[0039] Please refer to Figures 1 to 8 , the embodiment of the present application provides an ink return device 100 installed at the position of the nozzle 300 of an inkjet printer. The ink return device 100 is applied to an inkjet printer. The inkjet printer includes an ink storage cavity 200 and a nozzle 300 connected to the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity 200. The ink storage cavity 200 is a cavity located above the nozzle 300 for storing the ink required for printing. The ink return device 100 includes a first ink return member 10 and a second ink return member 20.

[0040] As Figures 2 to 6 shown, the first ink return member 10 is a hollow rod-shaped, columnar and other structures. The first ink return member 10 includes a first ink return cavity 11 and a first ink return hole 12 communicating the first ink return cavity 11 and the ink storage cavity 200. The first ink return hole 12 is configured as a through-hole structure. In the state where the ink return device 100 is installed in the printer, the first ink return member 10 is inserted into the ink storage cavity 200 of the inkjet printer, and the first ink return hole 12 is located at the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity 200. The ink in the ink storage cavity 200 can enter the first ink return cavity 11 through the first ink return hole 12 and then flow back to the ink supply system of the inkjet printer through the first ink return cavity 11. Optionally, the position of the first ink return hole 12 is higher than the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity 200 to facilitate the ink to flow into the first ink return hole 12.

[0041] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, one end of the first ink return member 10 is inserted into the ink storage cavity 200 above the nozzle 300, and the other end of the first ink return member 10 is connected to the negative pressure device of the inkjet printer. The ink in the ink storage cavity 200 is sucked into the first ink return cavity 11 from the first ink return hole 12 through negative pressure and finally returns to the ink supply system of the inkjet printer through the pipeline.

[0042] As Figures 2 to 6As shown, the second ink return member 20 has a hollow rod-shaped, columnar or other structure. The second ink return member 20 includes a second ink return cavity 21 and a second ink return hole 22 that communicates the second ink return cavity 21 and the ink storage cavity 200. The second ink return hole 22 is configured as a through-hole structure. The second ink return member 20 is sleeved on the first ink return member 10 and the first ink return member 10 is received in the second ink return cavity 21. The second ink return hole 22 communicates with the first ink return hole 12. Preferably, in the extending direction of the ink return device 100, the first ink return hole 12 is directly opposite to the second ink return hole 22.

[0043] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, in the state where the ink return device 100 is installed in the inkjet printer, the second ink return member 20 is sleeved on the first ink return member 10 and the two are inserted into the ink storage cavity 200. The second ink return hole 22 is located at the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity 200. The ink in the ink storage cavity 200 can flow through the second ink return hole 22 and the first ink return hole 12 in sequence to enter the first ink return cavity 11, and then flow back to the ink supply system of the inkjet printer through the first ink return cavity 11. Optionally, the position of the second ink return hole 22 is higher than the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity 200 to facilitate the ink to flow into the second ink return hole 22.

[0044] The second ink return member 20 further includes a third ink return hole 23 that communicates the second ink return cavity 21 and the ink storage cavity 200. Here, the shape of the third ink return hole 23 is not specifically limited and can be a round hole, a square hole or other shapes, as long as it can communicate the second ink return cavity 21 and the outside. In the extending direction of the second ink return member 20, the third ink return hole 23 is higher than the second ink return hole 22. Specifically, the second ink return hole 22 is located at one end of the second ink return member 20 close to the nozzle 300, and the third ink return hole 23 is located at the end of the second ink return member 20 away from the nozzle 300.

[0045] During the ink return process of the inkjet printer, when the total amount of ink return is relatively low and the height of the ink in the ink storage cavity 200 is lower than the third ink return hole 23, as Figure 2 shown, the ink flows from the ink storage cavity 200 through the second ink return hole 22 and the first ink return hole 12, enters the first ink return cavity 11, and flows through the first ink return cavity 11 to be recycled to the ink supply system of the inkjet printer. At this time, the ink return flow rate of the ink return device 100 is the ink flow rate flowing into the first ink return cavity 11 through the second ink return hole 22. When the total amount of ink return is relatively high and the height of the ink in the ink storage cavity 200 is higher than the third ink return hole 23, as Figure 3As shown, a part of the ink in the ink storage chamber 200 flows through the bottom of the ink return device 100, through the second ink return hole 22 and the first ink return hole 12, and enters the first ink return chamber 11. At the same time, another part of the ink flows into the second ink return chamber 21 through the third ink return hole 23, flows from the top of the second ink return chamber 21 to the bottom of the second ink return chamber 21, enters the first ink return hole 12 through the second ink return hole 22 at the bottom of the second ink return chamber 21, and then flows into the first ink return chamber 11 through the first ink return hole 12. Finally, it is negatively pressured and refluxed to the ink supply system of the inkjet printer at one end of the ink return device 100. At this time, the ink return flow rate includes the sum of the ink flow rate flowing into the first ink return chamber 11 through the third ink return hole 23 and the ink flow rate flowing into the first ink return chamber 11 through the second ink return hole 22. The ink return flow rate is greater than the ink return flow rate corresponding to the height of the ink in the ink storage chamber 200 being lower than the third ink return hole 23. When the height of the ink in the ink storage chamber 200 decreases from higher than the third ink return hole 23 to lower than the height of the third ink return hole 23, the ink enters the first ink return chamber 11 separately from the second ink return hole 22 and the first ink return hole 12 again, and flows through the first ink return chamber 11 and is recycled to the ink supply system of the inkjet printer.

[0046] The ink return device 100 provided in the embodiment of the present application sleeved the second ink return member 20 provided with the third ink return hole 23 around the periphery of the first ink return member 10. When the ink return flow rate is low, the height of the ink in the ink storage chamber 200 does not reach the ink return height of the third ink return hole 23, and the ink flows into the first ink return chamber 11 through the first ink return hole 12 and the second ink return hole 22 at the bottom, and then flows through the first ink return chamber 11 and back to the inkjet printer, so that smooth ink reflux can be achieved under the condition of low ink return flow rate. Through the high-position design of the third ink return hole 23, the ink return flow rate can be automatically adjusted according to the change of the total ink return amount, that is, when the total amount of ink is large, the height of the ink in the ink storage chamber 200 reaches the ink return height of the third ink return hole 23, and the ink can flow into the bottom of the second ink return chamber 21 through the third ink return hole 23, then flow through the first ink return hole 12 from the second ink return chamber 21 into the first ink return chamber 11, and finally flow through the first ink return chamber 11 and back to the inkjet printer, which can achieve rapid reflux under the condition of high ink return flow rate and help improve the ink return efficiency of the printer.

[0047] As Figures 4 to 7As shown, in some embodiments, the first ink return member 10 includes a main body portion 13 and a connecting portion 14 connected to the main body portion 13. The main body portion 13 is the main part of the first ink return member 10. The main body portion 13 includes a first end 131 close to the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity 200 and a second end 132 far from the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity 200. That is, the first end 131 of the main body portion 13 is the end of the main body portion 13 close to the nozzle 300, and the second end 132 of the main body portion 13 is the end of the main body portion 13 far from the nozzle 300. The first ink return hole 12 is located at the first end 131 of the main body portion 13, and the connecting portion 14 is located at the second end 132 of the main body portion 13.

[0048] The connecting portion 14 is the part of the first ink return member 10 connected to the second ink return member 20. The connecting portion 14 can be separately provided from the main body portion 13 or integrally formed. The contour dimension of the connecting portion 14 is larger than the connecting dimension of the main body portion 13. For example, when both the connecting portion 14 and the main body portion 13 are columnar structures, the outer diameter of the connecting portion 14 is larger than the outer diameter of the main body portion 13 to facilitate the connection of the second ink return member 20.

[0049] The second ink return member 20 can be movably sleeved on the connecting portion 14 of the first ink return member 10 or fixedly connected to the first ink return member 10 relatively. For example, the connecting portion 14 and the second ink return member 20 can be fixedly connected by welding, gluing, etc., or detachably fixedly connected by threaded connection, snap connection, etc., or connected by interference fit. Optionally, in order to prevent ink from leaking from the connection position between the first ink return member 10 and the second ink return member 20, a sealing member such as a sealing ring can be provided between the second ink return member 20 and the connecting portion 14, or protrusions can be provided along the circumferential outer surface of the connecting portion 14 or the circumferential inner surface of the second ink return member 20 to achieve sealing between the two. When the ink in the ink storage cavity 200 flows from the second ink return hole 22 into the first ink return hole 12 and enters the first ink return cavity 11, or flows from the third ink return hole 23 into the second ink return cavity 21 and then flows from the second ink return cavity 21 into the first ink return cavity 11, the ink will not leak from the connecting portion 14, ensuring the stability of the ink return process.

[0050] By adopting the above technical solution, the connecting portion 14 is provided on the first ink return member 10 to be connected to the second ink return member 20, which can limit the relative position of the first ink return member 10 and the second ink return member 20 and contribute to improving the stability of ink return.

[0051] The area of the second ink return member 20 connected to the connecting portion 14 is located at the end of the second ink return member 20 far from the nozzle 300, and the third ink return member can also be provided at this end. As Figure 7As shown, in order to avoid interference between the third ink return hole 23 and the connecting portion 14 of the first ink return member 10, and to prevent the connecting portion 14 from obstructing the ink flow in the third ink return hole 23, at least a part of the third ink return hole 23 does not coincide with the connecting portion 14 in a direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the second ink return member 20. That is, when the second ink return member 20 is configured as a columnar structure, in the radial direction of the second ink return member 20, there is a part of the third ink return hole 23 that does not coincide with the connecting portion 14, so that the ink in the ink storage cavity 200 can flow through this non - coincident area into the second ink return cavity 21 through the third ink return hole 23.

[0052] In some embodiments, there are multiple third ink return holes 23, and the multiple third ink return holes 23 are spaced apart on the circumferential outer surface of the second ink return member 20. As Figures 2 to 7 shown, four evenly - spaced third ink return holes 23 are provided on the circumferential surface of the second ink return member 20.

[0053] By adopting the above - mentioned technical solution, the ink in the ink storage cavity 200 can flow into the second ink storage cavity 200 from multiple positions symmetric in the circumferential direction, which helps to improve the efficiency and stability of ink recovery.

[0054] Optionally, in the extending direction of the second ink return member 20, that is, in the axial direction of the second ink return member 20, multiple evenly - spaced third ink return holes 23 can also be provided. The multiple third ink return holes 23 are located at different heights, and it is possible to further refine and adjust the ink return flow rate of the ink return device 100 based on the total amount of ink in the ink storage cavity 200.

[0055] As Figure 2 、 Figure 3 、 Figure 5 and Figure 6 shown, in some embodiments, the first ink return member 10 further includes a fourth ink return hole 15. The fourth ink return hole 15 is located at the first end 131 of the main body portion 13, and the fourth ink return hole 15 is communicated with the first ink return hole 12 and the first ink return cavity 11.

[0056] The fourth ink return hole 15 is a through - hole structure. The fourth ink return hole 15 is provided at the position where the side wall and the bottom wall of the first end 131 of the main body portion 13 intersect, and the fourth ink return hole 15 is communicated with the first ink return hole 12. In the state where the second ink return member 20 is sleeved on the first ink return member 10, the fourth ink return hole 15 is also accommodated in the second ink return cavity 21.

[0057] Optionally, the mutually - communicated first ink return hole 12 and fourth ink return hole 15 make the first end 131 of the first ink return member 10 in an open state.

[0058] Optionally, the number of the fourth ink return holes 15 on the first ink return member 10 is adapted to the number of the third ink return holes 23 on the second ink return member 20. For example, the number of the fourth ink return holes 15 is the same as the number of the third ink return holes 23.

[0059] Optionally, when the second ink return member 20 is sleeved on the first ink return member 10, in the axial direction of the first ink return member 10 and the second ink return member 20, the positions of the third ink return holes 23 and the fourth ink return holes 15 are adapted. For example, the position of the third ink return holes 23 is aligned with the position of the fourth ink return holes 15.

[0060] As Figure 3 shown, when the total amount of ink returned is relatively large, in the ink storage cavity 200 of the inkjet printer, the ink entering the second ink return cavity 21 from the third ink return holes 23 can enter the first ink return cavity 11 through the fourth ink return holes 15, which can realize the rapid recovery of the ink, reduce the situation that the ink return is not timely due to the relatively small aperture of the first ink return holes 12, and help improve the efficiency of ink return.

[0061] As Figure 2 、 Figure 3 and Figure 7 shown, in some embodiments, there is a gap between the main body portion 13 and the second ink return cavity 21.

[0062] Optionally, the outer diameter of the main body portion 13 is smaller than the outer diameter of the connecting portion 14. The outer diameter of the connecting portion 14 of the first ink return member 10 is equal to the inner diameter of the second ink return cavity 21 of the second ink return member 20, or there is an interference fit between them. The inner diameter of the second ink return member 20 is larger than the outer diameter of the main body portion 13. When the second ink return member 20 is connected to the connecting portion 14 of the first ink return member 10, there is a gap between the main body portion 13 of the first ink return member 10 and the cavity wall of the second ink return cavity 21 of the second ink return member 20.

[0063] As Figure 3 shown, when the total amount of ink is relatively large, the ink flowing into from the third ink return holes 23 can flow from the position of the third ink return holes 23, flow through the gap between the main body portion 13 and the second ink return cavity 21 to the bottom wall of the second ink return cavity 21, that is, flow to the first end 131 of the main body portion 13 of the first ink return member 10, and flow into the first ink return cavity 11 through the fourth ink return holes 15 and / or the first ink return holes 12 at the position of the first end 131 of the main body portion 13, and flow back to the ink supply system of the inkjet printer through the first ink return cavity 11.

[0064] As Figure 8 shown, in some embodiments, the diameter of the first ink return holes 12 is larger than the diameter of the second ink return holes 22.

[0065] Here, when the total amount of ink returned is relatively large, the aperture of the first ink return hole 12 being larger than that of the second ink return hole 22 can ensure that the first ink return hole 12 can simultaneously meet the ink return flow requirements of both the second ink return hole 22 and the third ink return hole 23, enabling rapid ink recovery and helping to improve the ink return efficiency.

[0066] In a second aspect of the embodiments of the present application, a printer is provided, including the ink return device 100 in any of the above. When the ink return flow is low, the height of the ink in the ink storage chamber 200 does not reach the ink return height of the third ink return hole 23. The ink flows into the first ink return chamber 11 through the first ink return hole 12 and the second ink return hole 22 at the bottom, and then flows back to the ink supply system of the inkjet printer through the first ink return chamber 11, enabling smooth ink return in the case of low ink return flow. Through the high-position design of the third ink return hole 23, the ink return flow can be automatically adjusted according to the change in the total amount of ink returned. That is, when the total amount of ink is large, the height of the ink in the ink storage chamber 200 reaches the ink return height of the third ink return hole 23. The ink can flow into the bottom of the second ink return chamber 21 through the third ink return hole 23, then flow through the second ink return chamber 21 and enter the first ink return chamber 11 through the first ink return hole 12, and finally flow back to the inkjet printer through the first ink return chamber 11, enabling rapid return in the case of high ink return flow and helping to improve the ink return efficiency of the printer.

[0067] As Figures 1 to 3 shown, in some embodiments, the ink storage chamber 200 includes a first ink storage sub-chamber 201 and a second ink storage sub-chamber 203 that are interconnected. In the extending direction of the second ink return member 20, the second ink storage sub-chamber 203 is higher than the first ink storage sub-chamber 201. The first ink return hole 12 and the second ink return hole 22 are located in the first ink storage sub-chamber 201, and the third ink return hole 23 is located in the second ink storage sub-chamber 203.

[0068] A connecting portion 202 for connecting the two is provided between the first ink storage sub-chamber 201 and the second ink storage sub-chamber 203. The ink return device 100 extends from the second ink storage sub-chamber 203 through the connecting portion 202 to the first ink storage sub-chamber 201. Specifically, the second ink return member 20 extends from the second ink storage sub-chamber 203 through the connecting portion 202 to the first ink storage sub-chamber 201. The size of the connecting portion 202 is larger than the outer diameter size of the second ink return member 20, and there is a gap between the connecting portion 202 and the second ink return member 20.

[0069] During the ink return process, when the height of the ink is higher than the first ink return hole 12 and the second ink return hole 22 but lower than the third ink return hole 23 (for example, the ink is only located in the first ink storage sub-chamber 201, the communication part 202 and the second ink storage sub-chamber 203 does not contain ink; or, the ink fills the first ink storage sub-chamber 201 and part of the communication part 202, and the second ink storage sub-chamber 203 does not contain ink; or the ink fills the first ink storage sub-chamber 201 and the communication part 202 and the height of the ink in the second ink storage sub-chamber 203 is lower than the height of the third ink return hole 23), as Figure 2 shown, the ink passes through the second ink return hole 22 of the second ink return member 20 located in the bottom area of the first ink storage sub-chamber 201 and the first ink return hole 12 of the first ink return member 10 to enter the first ink return chamber 11, and is recovered from the first ink return chamber 11 to the ink supply system of the inkjet printer. When the height of the ink is higher than the third ink return hole 23 (for example, the ink fills the first ink storage sub-chamber 201 and the communication part 202, and the height of the ink in the second ink storage sub-chamber 203 is higher than the third ink return hole 23), as Figure 3 shown, the ink enters the first ink return sub-chamber and flows back to the ink supply system of the inkjet printer through the following two paths: passing through the second ink return hole 22 of the second ink return member 20 located in the bottom area of the first ink storage sub-chamber 201 and the first ink return hole 12 of the first ink return member 10 to enter the first ink return chamber 11, and being recovered from the first ink return chamber 11 to the ink supply system of the inkjet printer; passing through the third ink return hole 23 of the second ink return member 20, flowing into the bottom of the second ink return chamber 21, and then entering the first ink return chamber 11 through the first ink return hole 12 and / or the fourth ink return hole 15, and being recovered from the first ink return chamber 11 to the ink supply system of the inkjet printer.

[0070] As Figure 2 and Figure 3 shown, in some embodiments, the printer includes a plurality of nozzles 300, and the plurality of nozzles 300 are arranged in an array on the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 200, and the ink return device 100 is located at the central position of the plurality of nozzles 300.

[0071] A plurality of nozzles 300 are evenly spaced on the bottom of the ink storage chamber 200, and the ink return device 100 is arranged at the central position of the ink storage chamber 200, so that the forces received by the ink at positions with the same distance from the ink return device 100 are more uniform, which helps the smooth and stable ink return process.

[0072] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application, and are not intended to limit the present application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, and improvements made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A ink-return device, applied to an inkjet printer, the inkjet printer comprising an ink storage chamber and a nozzle connected to the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber, characterized in that, The ink-returning device includes: A first ink-returning member, which includes a first ink-returning cavity and a first ink-returning hole that connects the first ink-returning cavity and the ink storage cavity; A second ink-returning member, which includes a second ink-returning cavity and a second ink-returning hole that connects the second ink-returning cavity and the ink storage cavity; Wherein, the second ink-returning member is sleeved on the first ink-returning member and the first ink-returning member is accommodated in the second ink-returning cavity; The second ink-returning member further includes a third ink-returning hole that connects the second ink-returning cavity and the ink storage cavity. In the extending direction of the second ink-returning member, the third ink-returning hole is higher than the second ink-returning hole.

2. The ink-return device according to claim 1, wherein The first ink-returning member includes a main body portion and a connecting portion connected to the main body portion. The main body portion includes a first end close to the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity and a second end far from the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity. The first ink-returning hole is located at the first end of the main body portion, the connecting portion is located at the second end of the main body portion, and the second ink-returning member is connected to the connecting portion of the first ink-returning member.

3. The ink refilling device according to claim 2, wherein, In the direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the second ink-returning member, at least a part of the third ink-returning hole does not coincide with the connecting portion.

4. The ink-return device according to claim 3, characterized in that There are multiple third ink-returning holes, and the multiple third ink-returning holes are spaced on the circumferential outer surface of the second ink-returning member.

5. The ink return device according to claim 2, characterized in that The first ink-returning member further includes a fourth ink-returning hole, which is located at the first end of the main body portion, and the fourth ink-returning hole communicates with the first ink-returning hole and the first ink-returning cavity.

6. The ink-return device according to claim 2, characterized in that, There is a gap between the main body portion and the second ink-returning cavity.

7. The ink returning device according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The diameter of the first ink-returning hole is larger than the diameter of the second ink-returning hole.

8. A printer, characterized in that, The printer includes the ink-returning device according to any one of claims 1-7.

9. The printer according to claim 8, characterized in that, The ink storage cavity includes a first ink storage sub-cavity and a second ink storage sub-cavity that communicate with each other. In the extending direction of the second ink-returning member, the second ink storage sub-cavity is higher than the first ink storage sub-cavity; The first ink-returning hole and the second ink-returning hole are located in the first ink storage sub-cavity; The third ink-returning hole is located in the second ink storage sub-cavity.

10. The printer according to claim 9, characterized in that, The printer includes a plurality of the nozzles, and the plurality of nozzles are arranged in an array on the bottom wall of the ink storage cavity. The ink-returning device is located at the central position of the plurality of nozzles.

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