Ink box

Abstract

The invention provides an ink box detachably mounted to imaging equipment, the ink box comprises a box body, a surface cover and an air guide component, an ink cavity used for containing ink is formed between the box body and the surface cover, and the air guide component is used for communicating the ink cavity with the atmosphere; the ink box further comprises an ink outlet part and a second sealing piece, the ink outlet part is communicated with the box body, the ink outlet part is provided with an ink outlet used for supplying ink in the ink cavity to the outside of the ink box, the air guide port is adjacent to the ink outlet, and the second sealing piece seals the ink outlet and the air guide port at the same time. The air guide component comprises a third sealing piece located in the air guide cavity, the third sealing piece is arranged to be an inflatable piece, when the inflatable piece abuts against the inner wall of the air guide cavity, communication between the ink cavity and the atmosphere is cut off, and the third sealing piece is in a sealed state; in the process that the ink suction needle penetrates through the second sealing piece to enter the ink outlet part, the inflatable piece can be punctured, and the third sealing piece is converted into a sealing releasing state from a sealing state. The risk that the ink box leaks from the air guide hole can be reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of inkjet imaging, and in particular to an ink cartridge for an inkjet imaging device. Background Art

[0002] The ink cartridge includes an ink chamber for storing ink, and an ink outlet for supplying ink to the outside of the ink cartridge. The ink outlet is communicated with the ink chamber; the ink cartridge is further provided with an air vent, a gas flow channel, a seal, and a sponge. The air vent is used to communicate the gas flow channel with the atmosphere. The gas flow channel is used to communicate the air vent with the ink chamber. The seal is used to seal the ink outlet. The sponge can be used to absorb the ink overflowing from the air vent to prevent the ink from leaking to the outside of the ink cartridge.

[0003] There is a conventional ink cartridge, the air vent of which is arranged on one side of the ink outlet. Before use, both the air vent and the ink outlet are sealed by a seal; when the ink cartridge is installed in an inkjet imaging device, an ink suction needle on the inkjet imaging device pierces the seal and combines with the ink outlet. At the same time, the air vent forms a gas communication with the atmosphere through the gap between the pierced seal and the ink suction needle.

[0004] During the transportation of the above ink cartridge, even if the air vent is not communicated with the atmosphere, there is a certain probability that the ink in the ink chamber will incorrectly penetrate into the gas flow channel and the air vent due to capillary action. When the ink cartridge is installed, the ink is likely to leak from the air vent through the gap between the pierced seal and the ink suction needle, causing pollution. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The ink cartridge provided by the present invention can at least solve at least one of the above technical problems. The specific solution is as follows:

[0006] An ink cartridge is detachably installed in an imaging device provided with an ink suction needle. The ink cartridge includes a cartridge body, a face cover, and a gas guiding member. An ink chamber for accommodating ink is formed between the cartridge body and the face cover. The gas guiding member is used to communicate the ink chamber with the atmosphere. The gas guiding member includes a gas guiding port, a gas guiding chamber, and a first communication portion. The gas guiding port is used to communicate the gas guiding chamber with the atmosphere. The gas guiding chamber is used to form a flow path for the atmosphere to flow into the ink chamber. The first communication portion is used to communicate the ink chamber with the gas guiding chamber. The ink cartridge further includes an ink outlet portion and a second seal. The ink outlet portion communicates with the cartridge body. The ink outlet portion is provided with an ink outlet for supplying the ink in the ink chamber to the outside of the ink cartridge. The gas guiding port is adjacent to the ink outlet. The second seal seals the ink outlet and the gas guiding port at the same time. The gas guiding member includes a third seal located in the gas guiding chamber. The third seal is configured as an inflatable member. When the inflatable member abuts against the inner wall of the gas guiding chamber, the communication between the ink chamber and the atmosphere is blocked, and the third seal is in a sealed state. During the process that the ink suction needle penetrates through the second seal and enters the ink outlet portion, the inflatable member can be punctured, and the third seal is converted from the sealed state to the unsealed state. With such a configuration, the gas guiding member in the present invention is further provided with a third seal that can be converted between a sealed state and an unsealed state. Before the ink cartridge is used, the third seal is always in the sealed state, disconnecting the communication between the ink chamber and the atmosphere. In this way, even if the second seal is accidentally opened, ink backflow to the ink outlet can be prevented.

[0007] Further, the cross-section of the contact portion between the gas guiding chamber and the third seal is circular.

[0008] Further, the gas guiding chamber includes a first sub-gas guiding chamber and a second sub-gas guiding chamber that communicate with each other. The first sub-gas guiding chamber communicates with the accommodating chamber, and the second sub-gas guiding chamber communicates with the ink chamber through the first communication portion.

[0009] Further, the diameter of the second sub-gas guiding chamber is greater than the diameter of the first sub-gas guiding chamber, and the third seal seals at least one of the first sub-gas guiding chamber and the second sub-gas guiding chamber.

[0010] Further, the cross-sections of both the first sub-gas guiding chamber and the second sub-gas guiding chamber are circular.

[0011] Further, the third seal includes a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion. The first sealing portion is used to abut against the first sub-gas guiding chamber to seal the first sub-gas guiding chamber, and the second sealing portion is used to abut against the second sub-gas guiding chamber to seal the second sub-gas guiding chamber.

[0012] Further, the cross-sections of both the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are circular.

[0013] Further, in the natural state, the diameter of the first sealing portion is greater than or equal to the diameter of the first sub-gas guiding chamber, and the diameter of the second sealing portion is greater than or equal to the diameter of the second sub-gas guiding chamber.

[0014] Further, the third seal further includes an acting portion, and along the up-down direction, the axis of the first seal coincides with the acting portion.

[0015] Further, a first partition plate is provided between the ink chamber and the air guide chamber, the first communication portion is provided on the first partition plate, and the first communication portion is cut along a direction perpendicular to the gas flow path formed by the first communication portion, and there is no fold angle in the cut surface. Description of the Drawings

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge and the ink cartridge installation portion according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the ink cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the face cover hidden.

[0019] Figure 3B is the ink cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the face cover hidden, along Figure 1 the schematic diagram after sectioning along the AA direction in

[0020] Figure 3C is a schematic diagram in which the first communication portion of the ink cartridge according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is set in a "U" shape.

[0021] Figure 4A is the schematic diagram after sectioning the ink cartridge along the AA direction when the third seal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is in a sealed state. Figure 1 in

[0022] Figure 4B is the schematic diagram after sectioning the ink cartridge along the AA direction when the third seal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is in a state of unsealing. Figure 1 in

[0023] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the third seal and the fixing member according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0024] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention with the face cover hidden.

[0025] Figure 7 is the schematic diagram after sectioning the ink cartridge along the AA direction when the third seal according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention is in a sealed state. Figure 1 in Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0026] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0027] The imaging device includes an ink cartridge mounting portion 200, to which the ink cartridge 100 can be detachably mounted. An ink suction needle 210 for sucking ink from the ink cartridge 100 is provided in the ink cartridge mounting portion 200.

[0028] For ease of understanding and description, hereinafter, when the ink cartridge 100 is placed in the mounted posture, the direction of gravity of the ink cartridge 100 is downward, and the opposite direction is upward; the imaging device also has the same direction as the ink cartridge 100.

[0029] As Figure 1 shown, the ink cartridge 100 includes a cartridge body 10, an ink outlet portion 20, and a face cover 50. An ink chamber 11 for storing ink is formed between the cartridge body 10 and the face cover 50. The cartridge body 10 and the ink outlet portion 20 communicate with each other. The ink outlet portion 20 is used to supply the ink in the ink chamber 11 to the outside of the ink cartridge 100. The cartridge body 10 and the ink outlet portion 20 are combined and communicate with each other.

[0030] In some embodiments, in the up-down direction, the cartridge body 10 is located above the ink outlet portion 20. Along the up-down direction, the cartridge body 10 and the face cover 50 are detachably combined.

[0031] In some embodiments, the ink outlet portion 20 and the cartridge body 10 are arranged in a direction intersecting the up-down direction.

[0032] In some embodiments, the ink outlet portion 20 and the cartridge body 10 are arranged in a direction intersecting the front-back direction.

[0033] The ink outlet portion 20 includes an ink outlet 21, a first seal 22, and a receiving cavity 23 formed between the ink outlet 21 and the first seal 22. The ink in the ink chamber 11 is supplied to the outside of the ink cartridge 100 through the ink outlet 21. The first seal 22 is used to prevent the ink in the ink chamber 11 from leaking. The receiving cavity 23 communicates with the atmosphere through the ink outlet 21. The receiving cavity 23 also has a first side wall 231.

[0034] The ink cartridge 100 further includes a second seal 24. Before the ink cartridge 100 is used, the second seal 24 is used to seal the ink outlet 21 so that the receiving cavity 23 does not communicate with the atmosphere.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first seal 22 is provided as a sealing silica gel.

[0036] During the process of mounting the ink cartridge 100 to the ink cartridge mounting portion 200, the ink suction needle 210 passes through the first seal 22 and the second seal 24 and is combined with the ink outlet portion 20 so that the ink can be supplied to the imaging device through the ink suction needle 210.

[0037] [Example 1]

[0038] As Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the ink cartridge 100 further includes an air guiding member 30. The air guiding member 30 is used to connect the ink chamber 11 and the atmosphere. The air guiding member 30 includes an air guiding port 31, an air guiding chamber 32, and a first connecting portion 33. The air guiding port 31 is used to connect the air guiding chamber 32 and the accommodating chamber 23. The air guiding port 31 is disposed adjacent to the ink outlet 21. Specifically, the air guiding port 31 is disposed on the first sidewall 231. The second seal 24 seals the air guiding port 31 and the ink outlet 21 at the same time. When the second seal 24 is punctured by the ink suction needle 210, the accommodating chamber 23 and the air guiding port 31 are connected to the atmosphere at the same time; the air guiding chamber 32 is used to form a flow path for the atmosphere to flow into the ink chamber, so that the atmosphere can enter the ink chamber 11. As Figure 3B shown in the figure, the atmosphere reaches the ink chamber 11 via the gas flow path indicated by the arrow in the figure; the first connecting portion 33 is used to connect the ink chamber 11 and the air guiding chamber 32.

[0039] There is a first partition plate 40 between the air guiding chamber 32 and the ink chamber 11. The first connecting portion 33 is disposed on the first partition plate 40. When the first connecting portion 33 is cut along the direction perpendicular to the gas flow path formed by the first connecting portion 33, there is no fold angle in the cut surface; in the up and down direction, the first connecting portion 33 is not exposed through the upper surface of the first partition plate 40, and the first connecting portion 33 does not come into contact with the face cover 50. The first connecting portion 33 arranged in this way can effectively suppress the capillary phenomenon generated on the first connecting portion 33, and further reduce the possibility of ink overflowing from the ink chamber 11 to the air guiding chamber 32.

[0040] The ink cartridge 100 further includes a negative pressure generating member 60 disposed in the air guiding chamber 32. The negative pressure generating member 60 is used to control the flow rate of the atmosphere, so that a negative pressure is maintained in the ink chamber 11.

[0041] In some embodiments, the first connecting portion 33 is set as a round hole.

[0042] In some embodiments, in the up and down direction, the first connecting portion 33 is disposed at the upper end of the first partition plate 40.

[0043] In some embodiments, the negative pressure generating member 60 is set as a sponge.

[0044] In some embodiments, as Figure 2 and Figure 3AAs shown, the air guide cavity 32 can be set as a plurality of interconnected cavities. At this time, the negative pressure generating member 60 is arranged in the cavity closest to the ink cavity 11, so as to more effectively generate negative pressure in the ink cavity 11 and more effectively absorb the ink flowing from the ink cavity 11 to the air guide cavity 32. For example, the air guide cavity 32 may include a first cavity 321, a second cavity 322, and a third cavity 323. The first cavity 321 communicates with the accommodation cavity 23 through an air guide port 31. The second cavity 322 is used to connect the first cavity 321 and the third cavity 323. The third cavity 323 communicates with the ink cavity 11 through a first connection part 33. The negative pressure generating member 60 is arranged in the third cavity 323.

[0045] As Figure 3A and 3B As shown, there is a second partition plate 324 between the first cavity 321 and the second cavity 322. A second connection part 326 is arranged on the second partition plate 324. The second connection part 326 is used to connect the first cavity 321 and the second cavity 322. There is a third partition plate 325 between the second cavity 322 and the third cavity 323. A third connection part 327 is arranged on the third partition plate 325. The third connection part 327 is used to connect the second cavity 322 and the third cavity 323.

[0046] Among the first connection part 33, the second connection part 326, and the third connection part 327, when the corresponding connection part is cut along the vertical direction of the gas flow path formed by each connection part, there is no fold angle in the cut surface. In the up and down direction, at least the first connection part 33 is not exposed through the upper surface of the first partition plate 40.

[0047] In some embodiments, at least one of the first connection part 33, the second connection part 326, and the third connection part 327 can also be set as an ellipse or a "U" shape. The connection part between the adjacent side walls forming each connection part is set as a curved surface. This can reduce the risk of capillary phenomenon on the corresponding connection part. For example, as Figure 3C shown, the first connection part 33 is set as a "U" shape, and the connection part M between the adjacent side walls is a curved surface.

[0048] When the negative pressure generating member 60 is set as a sponge, if the negative pressure generating member 60 directly covers / abuts on the third connection part 327, the third connection part 327 will generate a capillary force on the ink adsorbed on the negative pressure generating member 60, making the ink on the negative pressure generating member 60 tend to flow towards the third connection part 327. Therefore, in some embodiments, the negative pressure generating member 60 may not fill the internal space of the third cavity 323. At this time, the third connection part 327 is no longer covered / abutted by the negative pressure generating member 60. In the up and down direction, an accommodation space can be formed between the lowermost end of the negative pressure generating member 60 and the bottom wall of the third cavity 323. Such a setting

[0049] In a first aspect, the ink on the negative pressure generating member 60 does not directly contact the third communication portion 327, which can avoid the capillary force exerted by the third communication portion 327 on the negative pressure generating member 60.

[0050] In a second aspect, even after the negative pressure generating member 60 adsorbs ink until saturation, some ink can detach from the negative pressure generating member 60 and slowly flow towards the air guide port 31. However, the accommodating space can hold this part of the ink, preventing the ink from flowing towards the air guide port 31.

[0051] In a third aspect, there is usually also a part of air in the accommodating space, and the air can block the liquid connection between the ink on the negative pressure generating member 60 and the third communication portion 327, thereby weakening the capillary force.

[0052] [Embodiment 2]

[0053] This embodiment only describes the differences from Embodiment 1, but the gas flow path for the atmosphere to enter the ink chamber 11 is the same.

[0054] In this example, the ink cartridge 100 is further provided with a third seal 70, and the third seal 70 is movably arranged in the air guide chamber 32, as Figure 4A and 4B shown. The third seal 70 can be switched between a sealed state and an unsealed state. In the sealed state, the flow path in the air guide chamber 32 is disconnected by the third seal 70, and the ink chamber 11 cannot communicate with the atmosphere; in the unsealed state, the flow path in the air guide chamber 32 is not disconnected by the third seal 70 and is in a connected state, and the ink chamber 11 can communicate with the atmosphere.

[0055] As Figure 5 shown, the air guide member 30 is further provided with a portion to be acted on 35, and the portion to be acted on 35 is located in the air guide chamber 32. The third seal 70 can move relative to the portion to be acted on 35; the portion to be acted on 35 is provided with a second through hole 351 with a minimum inner diameter of W5, and the second through hole 351 extends in the vertical direction. Through the second through hole 351, the third seal 70 can move in the vertical direction. When the third seal 70 is in the sealed state, the third seal abuts against the inner wall of the second through hole 351. When the third seal 70 is in the unsealed state, the third seal 70 disengages from abutting against the inner wall of the second through hole 351.

[0056] In some embodiments, the portion to be acted on 35 is fixedly arranged in the air guide chamber 32. The portion to be acted on 35 is fixed in the air guide chamber 32 by interference fit with the inner wall of the air guide chamber 32, or the portion to be acted on 35 and the inner wall of the air guide chamber 32 are fixed in the air guide chamber 32 by means of clamping / fitting.

[0057] In some embodiments, the component 35 to be actuated is provided as a rubber ring.

[0058] As Figure 5 shown, the third seal 70 includes an actuating portion 71 and a sealing portion 72 which are connected to each other. The actuating portion 71 is used to cooperate with the ink suction needle 210. During the process that the ink suction needle 210 passes through the second seal 24 and enters the ink outlet portion 20 / the accommodating cavity 23, the actuating portion 71 moves upward relative to the cartridge body 10 under the action of the ink suction needle 210, and the sealing portion 72 is driven by the actuating portion 71 to move upward, and the third seal 70 is converted from the sealed state to the unsealed state.

[0059] Specifically, the actuating portion 71 includes a main body 711 and a cooperating portion 712. The main body 711 is used to connect to the sealing portion 72, and the cooperating portion 712 is used to cooperate with the ink suction needle 210. The cooperating portion 712 extends from the main body 723 towards the accommodating cavity 23. After the third seal 70 is installed on the cartridge body 10, at least a part of the cooperating portion 712 enters the accommodating cavity 23. In the up-down direction, the cooperating portion 712 is located above the ink outlet 21.

[0060] The sealing portion 72 is used to cooperate with the component 35 to be actuated and move relative to the component 35 to be actuated under the drive of the actuating portion 71, so that the third seal 70 is converted between the sealed state and the unsealed state; the sealing portion 72 is provided with a first part 721 and a second part 722 with different outer diameters, and their outer diameters are W1 and W2 respectively, W1 > W2. In the up-down direction, the first part 721 and the second part 722 are arranged in sequence. The outer diameter W1 of the first part 721 is equal to or slightly smaller than the minimum inner diameter W5 of the second through hole 351, and the outer diameter W2 of the second part 722 is smaller than the minimum inner diameter W5 of the second through hole 351.

[0061] In the direction intersecting with the movement direction of the actuating portion 71, when the first part 721 abuts against the inner wall of the second through hole 351, the third seal 70 can be in the sealed state, and when the second part 722 faces the inner wall of the second through hole 351, the third seal 70 can be in the unsealed state.

[0062] Before the ink cartridge 100 is used, the third seal 70 is in the sealed state; as the ink cartridge 100 is installed towards the imaging device along the installation direction, the ink suction needle 210 passes through the second seal 24 and enters the accommodating cavity 23, and the third seal 70 moves upward under the action of the ink suction needle 210. The third seal 70 moves from the sealed state to the unsealed state, and the atmosphere passes through the gap between the second part 722 and the component 35 to be actuated, and the ink chamber 11 is communicated with the atmosphere.

[0063] In some embodiments, the cartridge body 10 is further provided with a bearing portion 34 for bearing a workpiece 35 to be acted on. The bearing portion 34 is fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the air guide cavity 32. A first through hole 341 with an inner diameter of W4 is arranged on the bearing portion 34. When observed in the up-down direction, a part of the first through hole 341 coincides with a part of the second through hole 351. Through the first through hole 341 and the second through hole 351, the third seal 34 can move in the up-down direction.

[0064] In some embodiments, the bearing portion 34 extends from the inner wall of the air guide cavity 32 toward the center of the air guide cavity 32.

[0065] In some embodiments, the first communication portion 33 can also be arranged in the structure of the first embodiment.

[0066] In this embodiment, during the movement of the ink suction needle 210, the third seal 70 is converted from the sealed state to the unsealed state and remains in the unsealed state until the ink cartridge 100 is removed from the ink cartridge mounting portion 200. The third seal 70 can be converted from the unsealed state to the sealed state. In some embodiments, the third seal 70 is arranged as a one-way valve, and the one-way valve can also move relative to the cartridge body 10. During the use of the ink cartridge 100, according to the pressure change in the ink chamber 11, the third seal 70 can be converted between the unsealed state and the sealed state. Thus, in the two methods, the first method can more stably ensure the communication between the ink chamber 11 and the atmosphere, and the flow path of the air guide cavity 32 will not be closed due to the influence of the environment. In the existing ink cartridges, the second seal 24 may be accidentally opened, resulting in the backflow of ink to the ink outlet 41 and overflow. However, for the ink cartridge 100 involved in this embodiment, a third seal 70 that can be converted between the sealed state and the unsealed state is arranged in the air guide cavity 32. Before the ink cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device, the third seal 70 is always in the sealed state. Even if the second seal 24 is accidentally opened, the backflow of ink to the ink outlet 41 can be prevented.

[0067] [Embodiment Three]

[0068] This embodiment only describes the differences from the first embodiment, but the gas flow path for the atmosphere to enter the ink chamber 11 is the same.

[0069] As Figure 6 shown, in this embodiment, the air guide member 30 further includes an intermediate member 80. The intermediate member 80 is located on the flow path of the atmosphere flowing to the ink chamber 11, and the intermediate member 80 is in contact with the inner wall of the air guide cavity 32. Thus, the ink flowing back from the ink chamber 11 to the air guide cavity 32 via the first communication portion 33 will be blocked by the intermediate member 80 and will not enter the negative pressure generating member 60.

[0070] The fourth communication part 81 is provided on the middle piece 80. The fourth communication part 81 is set as a through hole extending in the up and down direction, which is used to allow the atmosphere and ink to pass through. The atmosphere can reach the ink chamber 11 through the negative pressure generating part 60 and the fourth communication part 81. A part of the ink flowing back from the ink chamber 11 can be absorbed by the negative pressure generating part 60 through the fourth communication part 81. In this embodiment, the middle piece 80 can slow down the speed at which the negative pressure generating part 60 adsorbs ink, so as to reduce the possibility of ink flowing back from the ink chamber 11 to the air guide chamber 32.

[0071] In some embodiments, in the up and down direction, the middle piece 80 is fixedly arranged above the negative pressure generating part 60.

[0072] In some embodiments, the middle piece 80 is made of silica gel.

[0073] In some embodiments, through the mutual extrusion between the middle piece 80 and the air guide chamber 32, the middle piece 80 can be fixed in the air guide chamber 32. At this time, the atmosphere and ink can only pass through the fourth communication part 81.

[0074] In some embodiments, the air guide chamber 32 is set to be cylindrical, and the middle piece 80 is also set to be annular.

[0075] In some embodiments, the first communication part 33 can also be set to the structure of the first embodiment.

[0076] [Embodiment Four]

[0077] This embodiment only describes the differences from the second embodiment, but the gas flow path for the atmosphere to enter the ink chamber 11 is the same.

[0078] As Figure 7 shown, in this embodiment, the third seal 70 can also be converted from the sealed state to the unsealed state. In the sealed state, the flow path in the air guide chamber 32 is disconnected by the third seal 70, and the ink chamber 11 cannot communicate with the atmosphere; in the unsealed state, the flow path in the air guide chamber 32 is not disconnected by the third seal 70 and is in a connected state, and the ink chamber 11 can communicate with the atmosphere.

[0079] As Figure 7As shown, the third seal 70 is fixedly arranged in the air guide cavity 32 and is set as an inflatable member. When the inflatable member abuts against the inner wall of the air guide cavity 32, the communication between the ink chamber 11 and the atmosphere is blocked, and the flow path in the air guide cavity 32 is disconnected by the third seal 70. At this time, the third seal 70 is in a sealed state; in the up and down direction, a part of the inflatable member is located on the movement path of the ink suction needle 210, so that when the ink suction needle 210 passes through the second seal 24 and enters the ink outlet part 20, the inflatable member can be punctured, and thus, the third seal 70 changes from the sealed state to the unsealed state.

[0080] As described above, the third seal 70 in this embodiment is set as an inflatable member. Before the ink cartridge 100 is used, the third seal 70 can block the communication between the ink chamber 11 and the atmosphere; during the installation of the ink cartridge 100, the third seal 70 does not need to move in the air guide cavity 32 and can also change from the sealed state to the unsealed state, so that it is more convenient to connect the air guide cavity 32 with the atmosphere.

[0081] Further, the cross-section of the contact portion between the air guide cavity 32 and the third seal 70 is circular; for example, when the third seal 70 abuts against the air guide cavity 32 in the front-rear direction / left-right direction, the cross-section of the air guide cavity 32 in the front-rear direction / left-right direction is a circle; for another example, when the third seal 70 abuts against the air guide cavity 32 in the up and down direction, the air guide cavity 32 is in the up and down direction. With such a setting, the airtightness between the third seal 70 and the air guide cavity 32 can be improved.

[0082] Further, the air guide cavity 32 includes a first sub-air guide cavity 3201 and a second sub-air guide cavity 3202 that are connected to each other. The first sub-air guide cavity 3201 is connected to the accommodation cavity 23, and the second sub-air guide cavity 3202 is connected to the ink chamber 11 through a first communication portion 33. Among them, the diameter of the second sub-air guide cavity 3202 is larger than the diameter of the first sub-air guide cavity 3202, and the third seal seals at least one of the first sub-air guide cavity 3201 and the second sub-air guide cavity 3202.

[0083] Preferably, the cross-sections of the first sub-air guide cavity 3201 and the second sub-air guide cavity 3202 are both circular.

[0084] Furthermore, the third sealing member 70 includes a first sealing portion 7001 and a second sealing portion 7002, the first sealing portion 7001 being used to abut against the first sub-air-guiding cavity 3201 to seal the first sub-air-guiding cavity, and the second sealing portion 7002 being used to abut against the second sub-air-guiding cavity 3202 to seal the second sub-air-guiding cavity; to be specific, in a natural state, the cross-sections of the first sealing portion 7001 and the second sealing portion 7002 are both circular, more specifically, in a natural state, the diameter of the first sealing portion 7001 is greater than or equal to the diameter of the first sub-air-guiding cavity 3201, and the diameter of the second sealing portion 7002 is greater than or equal to the diameter of the second sub-air-guiding cavity 3202.

[0085] Furthermore, the third sealing member 70 further includes an action portion 71 , and along the vertical direction, the axis of the first sealing member 22 coincides with the action portion 71 ; with this arrangement, when the ink cartridge is installed, the ink suction needle 210 can more reliably pierce the third sealing member 70 .

[0086] [Beneficial Effects]

[0087] The ink cartridge 100 provided by the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0088] In the first aspect, the present invention is provided with a first connecting portion 33 on a first partition plate 40 located between the ink chamber 11 and the air guide chamber 32. The first connecting portion 33 is cut along a direction perpendicular to the gas flow path formed by the first connecting portion 33, and there is no corner in the cut surface. This can reduce the risk of capillary phenomenon on the first connecting portion 33, thereby reducing the possibility of ink overflowing from the ink chamber 11 to the air guide chamber 32.

[0089] Secondly, the air-guiding component 30 in the present invention is also provided with a third seal 70 that can be switched between a sealed state and an unsealed state. Before the ink cartridge 100 is used, the third seal 70 is always in a sealed state, disconnecting the ink chamber 11 from the atmosphere. In this way, even if the second seal 24 is accidentally opened, it can prevent the ink from flowing back to the ink outlet 41.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, removably mounted in an imaging device equipped with an ink absorber, comprising a cartridge body, a cover, and an air guide member. An ink chamber for containing ink is formed between the cartridge body and the cover, and the air guide member is used to connect the ink chamber to the atmosphere. The air guide member includes an air guide port, an air guide cavity, and a first connecting portion. The air guide port is used to connect the air guide cavity with the atmosphere. The air guide cavity is used to form a flow path for the atmosphere to flow to the ink cavity. The first connecting portion is used to connect the ink cavity and the air guide cavity. The ink cartridge further includes an ink outlet portion and a second sealing member, the ink outlet portion and the cartridge body being in communication with each other, the ink outlet portion being provided with an ink outlet port for supplying ink in the ink chamber to the outside of the ink cartridge, the air guide port being provided adjacent to the ink outlet port, and the second sealing member sealing both the ink outlet port and the air guide port; It is characterized in that The air guide component includes a third seal located in the air guide cavity, which is configured as an inflatable part. When the inflatable part abuts against the inner wall of the air guide cavity, the connection between the ink cavity and the atmosphere is cut off, and the third seal is in a sealed state; in the process of the ink suction needle passing through the second seal and entering the ink outlet part, the inflatable part can be punctured, and the third seal is converted from the sealed state to the unsealed state.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, The cross section of the junction between the air guide cavity and the third sealing member is circular.

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air guiding cavity includes a first sub-air guiding cavity and a second sub-air guiding cavity which are connected to each other. The first sub-air guiding cavity is connected to the accommodating cavity, and the second sub-air guiding cavity is connected to the ink cavity through a first connecting portion.

4. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that, The diameter of the second sub-gas guiding cavity is greater than the diameter of the first sub-gas guiding cavity, and the third sealing member seals at least one of the first sub-gas guiding cavity and the second sub-gas guiding cavity.

5. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cross sections of the first sub-gas guiding cavity and the second sub-gas guiding cavity are both circular.

6. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, The third sealing member includes a first sealing portion and a second sealing portion. The first sealing portion is used to abut against the first sub-gas guide cavity to seal the first sub-gas guide cavity. The second sealing portion is used to abut against the second sub-gas guide cavity to seal the second sub-gas guide cavity.

7. The ink cartridge according to claim 6, wherein, The first sealing portion and the second sealing portion both have circular cross sections.

8. The ink cartridge according to claim 6, wherein In a natural state, the diameter of the first sealing portion is greater than or equal to the diameter of the first sub-air-guiding cavity, and the diameter of the second sealing portion is greater than or equal to the diameter of the second sub-air-guiding cavity.

9. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein, The third sealing member further includes an acting portion, and along the up-down direction, the axis of the first sealing member coincides with the acting portion.

10. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, A first partition plate is provided between the ink chamber and the air guide chamber, and the first connecting portion is provided on the first partition plate. When the first connecting portion is cut in a direction perpendicular to the gas flow path formed with the first connecting portion, there is no corner in the cut surface.

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