Cartridge, chip unit, regenerated ink cartridge, and method for regenerating an ink cartridge

Abstract

The present application relates to a support, a chip unit, a regenerated ink cartridge and a method for regenerating an ink cartridge, the support for supporting a chip assembly, comprising: a support body, a first baffle and a second baffle connected with the support body; a first limiting part connected with the first baffle; a second limiting part connected with the second baffle, the first limiting part and the second limiting part are arranged in a spaced relationship; at least one protruding part, in the front-rear direction, the size of the front part closer to the first limiting part in the left-right direction is greater than the size of the rear part farther away from the first limiting part in the left-right direction, the size of the rear part farther away from the first limiting part in the up-down direction is greater than the size of the front part closer to the first limiting part in the up-down direction, the size of the left-right ends of the front part closer to the first limiting part in the front-rear direction is smaller than the size of the left-right ends of the rear part farther away from the first limiting part in the front-rear direction, the scheme can enable the chip to be stably installed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of inkjet imaging technology, and more particularly to a regenerable ink cartridge that can be detachably installed in an inkjet imaging device, a chip unit located in the regenerable ink cartridge, a bracket, and a method for regenerating the ink cartridge. Background Technology

[0002] An ink cartridge is a container that can be detachably installed into an imaging device. The ink contained in the cartridge is supplied to the imaging device through an ink outlet. In order for the imaging device to know the model, lifespan and other parameter information of the ink cartridge, the ink cartridge is also equipped with a chip for storing the parameter information. When the ink cartridge is installed into the imaging device, the chip establishes a communication connection with the imaging device.

[0003] Generally, when the ink in an ink cartridge is used up, at least the housing used to hold the ink and / or the chip can still be used. For this purpose, there are methods to produce recycled ink cartridges by recycling empty ink cartridges and refilling the housing with ink.

[0004] To ensure a stable communication connection between the chip and the imaging device, the chip needs to be securely fixed in the ink cartridge. One existing method is to solder the chip to the ink cartridge. While this method can effectively improve the chip's stability, it makes it difficult to remove the chip from the casing. This is because a recycled empty ink cartridge may have a damaged casing, but the chip may still be intact, requiring the chip to be removed from the casing.

[0005] To address this, there are solutions that allow the chip to be completely removed from the empty ink cartridge casing by cutting. However, how to stably install the removed chip into a regenerated ink cartridge is a research and development direction that needs to be considered. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above, the present invention provides a chip unit as described below, the specific solution of which is as follows:

[0007] A support bracket is used to support a chip assembly. The chip assembly includes a base, a first supported portion, a second supported portion, and a restricted portion. The first supported portion, the second supported portion, and the restricted portion are all connected to the base. Along the left-right direction, the first supported portion and the second supported portion are spaced apart and opposite to each other, and both the first supported portion and the second supported portion extend downward from the base, forming a supported space between them. The support bracket includes: a support body; a first baffle and a second baffle, both connected to the support body, and the first baffle and the second baffle are spaced apart and opposite to each other, forming a supported space between them; a first restricted portion, connected to the first baffle, extending from the first baffle towards the second baffle, and the first restricted portion and the support body are spaced apart and opposite to each other; and a second restricted portion, connected to the second baffle, extending from the first... The two baffles extend toward the direction of the first baffle, and the second limiting part and the support body are arranged at a distance from each other. The first limiting part and the second limiting part are also arranged at a distance from each other. In the vertical direction, the first limiting part is higher than the second limiting part. At least one protrusion is provided in the support space and can enter the supported space. In the front-back direction, the front part closer to the first limiting part has a larger left-right dimension than the rear part farther from the first limiting part in the left-right direction. The rear part farther from the first limiting part has a larger vertical dimension than the front part closer to the first limiting part in the vertical direction. The left and right ends of the front part closer to the first limiting part have smaller left and right ends of the rear part farther from the first limiting part in the front-back direction than the left and right ends of the rear part farther from the first limiting part in the front-back direction.

[0008] Alternatively, a support bracket is used to support a chip assembly, the chip assembly including a base, a first supported portion, a second supported portion, and a restricted portion. The first supported portion, the second supported portion, and the restricted portion are all connected to the base. Along the left-right direction, both the first supported portion and the second supported portion extend downwards from the base, and are spaced apart and opposite to each other, forming a supported space between them. The bracket includes: a support body; a first baffle and a second baffle, both connected to the support body, and arranged spaced apart and opposite to each other, forming a supported space between them; a first restricted portion connected to the first baffle, extending from the first baffle towards the second baffle, and arranged spaced apart and opposite to the support body; and a second restricted portion, connected to the second baffle. The baffles are connected and extend from the second baffle towards the first baffle. The second limiting part and the support body are arranged at intervals relative to each other, and the first limiting part and the second limiting part are also arranged at intervals relative to each other. In the vertical direction, the first limiting part is higher than the second limiting part. The first protrusion and the second protrusion are disposed in the support space and can enter the supported space. They are arranged at intervals in the front-back direction. The first protrusion is closer to the first limiting part than the second protrusion. The dimension of the first protrusion in the left-right direction is larger than that of the second protrusion in the left-right direction. The dimension of the second protrusion in the vertical direction is larger than that of the first protrusion in the vertical direction. The dimension of the left and right ends of the first protrusion in the front-back direction is smaller than that of the left and right ends of the second protrusion in the front-back direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the dimension of the second limiting portion extending in the left-right direction is smaller than the dimension of the second baffle extending.

[0010] In some implementations, the left end of the chip assembly does not extend beyond the left end of the support, and the right end of the chip assembly does not extend beyond the right end of the support.

[0011] In some embodiments, the support further includes: a first support portion formed between the left end of the protrusion and the left end of the support body for supporting the first supported portion; and a second support portion formed between the right end of the protrusion and the right end of the support body for supporting the second supported portion.

[0012] The present invention also provides a chip unit, the chip unit including a chip assembly and a support as described above, the chip assembly being supported by the support.

[0013] The present invention also provides a regenerated ink cartridge that can be detachably installed in an imaging device equipped with a stylus. The regenerated ink cartridge includes: a housing for containing ink; a chip unit mounted on the housing, the chip unit including a chip assembly and a bracket as described in any of the foregoing embodiments, the chip assembly being supported by the bracket, the chip assembly being used to form electrical contact with the stylus, thereby enabling the regenerated ink cartridge to establish a communication connection with the imaging device.

[0014] In some implementations, the chip assembly includes: a chip for forming electrical contact with a stylus; and a chip holder for supporting the chip, the chip holder being derived from an original ink cartridge that has been used at least once and subsequently recycled.

[0015] The present invention also provides a method for regenerating ink cartridges, which regenerates original ink cartridges that have been used at least once and recycled to form regenerated ink cartridges. The original ink cartridge includes an original ink cartridge housing and a chip mounted on the original ink cartridge housing. The regeneration method includes the following steps: preparing the housing of the regenerated ink cartridge and a bracket as described in any of the foregoing embodiments; obtaining the chip assembly by cutting the original ink cartridge housing and separating the chip and a portion of the original ink cartridge housing together from the original ink cartridge housing; assembling the chip unit by mounting the chip assembly onto the prepared bracket to form a chip unit; and installing the chip unit by mounting the chip unit onto the prepared housing of the regenerated ink cartridge.

[0016] The casing of the recycled ink cartridge comes from the original ink cartridge casing or is newly manufactured. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the regenerated ink cartridge involved in this invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the regenerated ink cartridge of the present invention after the housing and chip unit are separated.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the support structure in the chip unit involved in this invention.

[0020] Figure 4A It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a chip unit cut along the AA direction.

[0021] Figure 4B It is along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a chip cell cut along the BB direction.

[0022] Figures 5A-5C This is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of mounting a chip assembly to a bracket in the chip unit involved in this invention.

[0023] Figure 6A This is a planar schematic diagram of the chip holder of the present invention when it swings to the right, and the first supported part abuts against the first protrusion.

[0024] Figure 6B It is a planar schematic diagram of the first supported part and the first protrusion when their dimensions are enlarged in the front-to-back direction. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0026] [Basic Structure of an Ink Cartridge]

[0027] like Figure 1 As shown, the ink cartridge 100 includes a housing 1 and an ink outlet 2. The housing 1 is used to contain ink, and the ink outlet 2 is disposed on the housing 1 to discharge ink outward. When the ink cartridge 100 is detachably installed on the imaging device, the ink is supplied to the imaging device through the ink outlet 2.

[0028] Furthermore, the ink cartridge 100 also includes a chip unit 3 installed in the housing 1. The chip unit 3 makes electrical contact with the stylus in the imaging device through an electrical contact portion 61 (described below) disposed therein, thereby enabling the ink cartridge 100 to establish a communication connection with the imaging device.

[0029] According to the inventive concept of the present invention, the chip unit 3 and the ink outlet 2 can both be located on the same side of the housing 1 (e.g., Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown in the figure, the chip unit 3 can also be placed in other positions of the housing 1 according to design requirements, and there are no restrictions here.

[0030] In the following text, an ink cartridge that has been used at least once and recycled is referred to as an original ink cartridge. The original ink cartridge includes an original ink cartridge housing and a chip 6 installed on the original ink cartridge housing. A portion of the chip unit 3 comes from the original ink cartridge housing. Whether the chip unit 3 is used with a new housing or with an original ink cartridge housing, the ink cartridge with the chip unit 3 installed is referred to as a regenerated ink cartridge. The regenerated ink cartridge in this application is also referred to by the number 100. The regenerated ink cartridge 100 includes a housing 1 and an ink dispensing part 2. The housing 1 can be newly manufactured or come from a recycled ink cartridge. The ink dispensing part 2 is disposed on the housing 1 and is used to supply ink to the imaging device. The chip unit 3 is installed on the housing 1.

[0031] [Chip Unit]

[0032] like Figure 2 As shown, the chip unit 3 includes a support 4 and a chip assembly CA that cooperate with each other. The support 4 is used to support the chip assembly CA. The support 4 is connected to the housing 1, so that the chip unit 3 and the housing 1 can be connected. The connection method between the chip unit 3 and the housing 1 is not limited. That is, the chip unit 3 and the housing 1 can be connected in a detachable manner or in a non-detachable manner.

[0033] (Standard)

[0034] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the support 4 includes a support body 40, a first baffle 41, a second baffle 42, a first limiting part 43, and a second limiting part 44. The first baffle 41 and the second baffle 42 are both connected to the support body 40, and the first baffle 41 and the second baffle 42 are arranged opposite each other at intervals, forming a support space 49 between them. The first limiting part 43 is connected to the first baffle 41, and the second limiting part 44 is connected to the second baffle 42. The first limiting part 43 and the second limiting part 44 are arranged opposite each other at intervals, the first limiting part 43 and the support body 40 are arranged opposite each other, and the second limiting part 44 and the support body 40 are arranged opposite each other at intervals. The first limiting part 43 extends from the first baffle 41 toward the second baffle 42, and the second limiting part 44 extends from the second baffle 42 toward the first baffle 41.

[0035] To make the description clearer, the arrangement direction of the first baffle 41 and the second baffle 42 is defined as the front-back direction, the first baffle 41 is located in front of the second baffle 42, the arrangement direction of the first limiting part 43 or the second limiting part 44 with the support body 41 is the up-down direction, the first limiting part 43 and the second limiting part 44 are both located above the support body 41, and the direction that intersects with both the front-back direction and the up-down direction is the left-right direction. Preferably, the front-back direction, the up-down direction and the left-right direction are orthogonal.

[0036] Furthermore, the bracket 4 also includes at least one protrusion disposed in the support space 49, thereby restricting the chip assembly CA in the front-back direction by the first baffle 41 and the second baffle 42, restricting the upper part of the chip assembly CA by the first restricting part 43 and the second restricting part 44, restricting the lower part of the chip assembly CA by the bracket body 40, and restricting the left-right direction of the chip assembly CA. Finally, the chip assembly CA can be stably installed in the support space 49.

[0037] Furthermore, the bracket 4 also includes a connecting portion 45 for connecting to the housing 1. Correspondingly, the housing 1 is provided with a connected portion 11 for connecting to the connecting portion 45. Through the cooperation of the connecting portion 45 and the connected portion 11, the bracket 4 and the housing 1 are connected. The specific connection method between the two can be adhesive bonding, screw connection, snap-fit ​​connection, magnetic connection, interference fit, etc. Figure 2 The connecting portion 45 is shown as a protrusion, and the connected portion 11 is a groove that can be interference-fitted with the protrusion. The protrusion 45 extends downward from the support body 40.

[0038] In some embodiments, multiple protrusions 45 are provided to improve the connection stability between the connecting portion 45 and the connected portion 11.

[0039] In some embodiments, the protrusions 45 are provided in three parts, and correspondingly, the connected parts 11 are also provided in three parts. The principle of triangular stability can be used to make the connecting parts 45 and the connected parts 11 stably connected.

[0040] In some embodiments, when multiple protrusions 45 are provided, the dimensions of each protrusion 45 may also be different.

[0041] In some embodiments, the area where the connected portion 11 is provided can be separated from the housing 1 to form an independent component. In this case, the independent component can also be regarded as part of the chip unit 3. For example, the independent component is called the first support, and the support 4 is called the second support. The first support and the housing 1 can also be connected by the connection method described in this invention.

[0042] In some embodiments, the protrusion 45 and the groove 11 can also be interchanged.

[0043] In some embodiments, the bracket 4 includes a first protrusion 4a and a second protrusion 4b protruding from the bracket body 40. The first protrusion 4a and the second protrusion 4b are arranged at intervals in the front-rear direction. The first protrusion 4a is located in front of the second protrusion 4b, and the first protrusion 4a is spaced apart from the first limiting plate 41, and the second protrusion 4b is spaced apart from the second limiting plate 42.

[0044] In some implementations, such as Figure 4A As shown, along the vertical direction, the height h1 of the first protrusion 4a is less than the height h2 of the second protrusion 4b, or in other words, the uppermost part of the first protrusion 4a is located below the uppermost part of the second protrusion 4b. This design allows the chip assembly CA to be easily installed into the support space 49, which will be explained in detail below.

[0045] In some implementations, such as Figure 4A As shown, along the front-back direction, the size of the first protrusion 4a is smaller than the size of the second protrusion 4b; or, along the front-back direction, the size of the left end of the first protrusion 4a is smaller than the size of the left end of the second protrusion 4b, and / or, the size of the right end of the first protrusion 4a is smaller than the size of the right end of the second protrusion 4b. When both the first protrusion 4a and the second protrusion 4b extend uniformly along the left-right direction, in Figure 4A In the cross-sectional view, the dimensions of the left and right ends of the first protrusion 4a are both w1, and the dimensions of the left and right ends of the second protrusion 4b are both w2, where w1 < w2. This design allows the chip assembly CA to be installed into the support space 49 more easily, as will be explained in detail below.

[0046] In some embodiments, along the left-right direction, the dimensions d1 of the first protrusion 4a and the second protrusion 4b are both smaller than the dimensions of the support body 40. A first support portion 46 is formed between the left end of the first protrusion 4a and the left end of the support body 40, and between the left end of the second protrusion 4b and the left end of the support body 40. The first support portion 46 is used to support the chip assembly CA. In the left-right direction, the left end of the chip assembly CA will not extend beyond the left end of the support body 40, which is beneficial to optimizing the structure of the regenerated ink cartridge 100 and avoiding interference between adjacent regenerated ink cartridges after the regenerated ink cartridge 100 is installed in the imaging device.

[0047] In some implementations, such as Figure 4A As shown, in the vertical direction, the first limiting part 43 is higher than the second limiting part 44, so as to provide rotation space for the chip assembly CA to rotate about the following rotation point P.

[0048] Accordingly, a second support portion 47 is formed in the left-right direction between the right end of the first protrusion 4a and the right end of the support body 40, and between the right end of the second protrusion 4b and the right end of the support body 40. The second support portion 47 is also used to support the chip assembly CA. In the left-right direction, the right end of the chip assembly CA will not extend beyond the right end of the support body 40, which can also avoid interference between two adjacent regenerated ink cartridges.

[0049] It is evident that the formation of at least one of the first support portion 46 and the second support portion 47 can optimize the structure of the regenerated ink cartridge 100.

[0050] (Chip Components)

[0051] like Figure 2 As shown, the chip assembly CA includes a chip socket 5 and a chip 6. The chip 6 is fixedly mounted on the chip socket 5 and has an electrical contact portion 61 for electrical contact with a stylus in an imaging device. The chip socket 5 is derived from the original ink cartridge housing. For example, the chip socket 5 is formed by cutting off a portion of the original ink cartridge housing. In this way, the chip 6, which was originally installed in the original ink cartridge, does not need to be removed. Even if the chip 6 is installed to the original ink cartridge housing by a non-removable method such as soldering, the chip 6 will not be damaged by the above-mentioned cutting method.

[0052] The chip socket 5 includes a socket body 50, a first supported portion 51, a second supported portion 52, and a restricted portion 55. The first supported portion 51, the second supported portion 52, and the restricted portion 55 are all connected to the socket body 50. Along the left-right direction, the first supported portion 51 and the second supported portion 52 both extend downward from the socket body 50 and are spaced apart from each other, forming a supported space 53 between them. The restricted portion 55 can be formed as a protrusion extending from the socket body 50 or as a recess on the socket body 50, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the restricted portion 55 is formed as a protrusion extending rearward from the base 50. In the vertical direction, the restricted portion 55 does not exceed the upper surface of the base 50. Therefore, a restricted space 54 will be formed above the restricted portion 55. When the second restricted portion 44 enters the restricted space 54, the upward movement of the chip holder 5 / base 50 will be stopped by the contact between the restricted portion 55 and the second restricted portion 44. It is possible that the restricted portion 55 and the second restricted portion 44 can also be interchanged. In this case, the restricted space 54 will be formed on the second baffle 42.

[0053] Preferably, in the left-right direction, the first limiting part 43 extends to a dimension comparable to that of the first baffle 41, the limited part 55 extends to a dimension smaller than that of the base 50, and the second limiting part 44 extends to a dimension smaller than that of the second baffle 42. This design ensures that after the chip assembly CA is mounted to the bracket 4, at least the front end 5a of the chip assembly CA (as described below) can be effectively limited.

[0054] The supported space 53 is used to allow the protrusions (first protrusion 4a and second protrusion 4b) to enter, such as Figure 4B As shown, in the left-right direction, the left end of the protrusion will be opposite to the right surface 511 of the first supported part 51, and the right end of the protrusion will be opposite to the left surface 521 of the second supported part 52.

[0055] When the chip assembly CA is mounted to the bracket 4, whether the left end of the protrusion contacts the right surface 511 of the first supported portion 51 in the left-right direction, and whether the right end of the protrusion contacts the left surface 521 of the second supported portion 52, does not constitute a limitation on the concept of the present invention.

[0056] [Installation of Chip Components]

[0057] The following is combined with Figures 5A-5C , Figure 6A and Figure 6B Describe the installation process of mounting the chip assembly onto the bracket.

[0058] Firstly, as Figure 2As shown, the chip assembly CA / chip socket 5 (hereinafter referred to as chip socket 5) has opposing front end 5a and rear end 5b, and a limiting part 55 is provided at the rear end 5b; as Figure 5A As shown, the chip assembly CA is first positioned at an angle relative to the front-to-back direction. At this time, the rear end 5b of the chip holder 5 is higher than the front end 5a. Then, the front end 5a is inserted into the space between the first limiting part 43 and the support body 40, as shown. Figure 5B As shown, when the chip socket 5 contacts the support body 40 at point P, pressing the rear end 5b of the chip socket 5 causes the chip socket 5 to rotate around point P, as shown. Figure 5C As shown, during the rotation of the chip holder 5, the contact point P gradually moves forward.

[0059] like Figure 4A As shown, after the chip assembly CA is mounted to the bracket 4, the second limiting part 44 is located above the limited part 55. To make the limited part 55 reach below the second limiting part 44, the following method can be used:

[0060] The first method involves deforming the first baffle 41 or the second baffle 42 in a direction that moves away from each other in the front-back direction. This method not only requires the installer to apply a large pressing force to the chip holder 5, but may also cause the first baffle 41 or the second baffle 42 to undergo permanent deformation or even break.

[0061] The second method involves swinging the chip holder 5 in the left-right direction. This method does not require applying a large pressing force to the chip holder 5, nor does it require forcing the first baffle 41 or the second baffle 42 to deform. Therefore, this method is preferred. The present invention will be described below using this method as an example.

[0062] Continue as Figure 5B As shown, along the left-right direction, a portion of the first protrusion 4a (such as...) Figure 5B As shown by the dashed line, the chip holder 5 begins to enter the supported space 53. At this time, the first protrusion 4a will restrict the movement of the chip holder 5 in the left and right directions. However, when the width w1 of the first protrusion 4a (i.e., the size of the first protrusion 4a in the front and back directions) is set to be smaller than the width w2 of the second protrusion 4b (i.e., the size of the second protrusion 4b in the front and back directions), or in other words, when the end width of the first protrusion 4a in the left and right directions (i.e., the end size of the first protrusion 4a in the left and right directions) is set to be smaller than the end width of the second protrusion 4b in the left and right directions (i.e., the end size of the second protrusion 4b in the left and right directions), the chip holder 5 will be able to swing easily in the left and right directions.

[0063] like Figure 6AAs shown, taking the first protrusion 4a in this embodiment as a reference, the first supported part 51 swings to the right with the seat 50, and the right surface 511 of the first supported part 51 will abut against the left end of the first protrusion 4a at the contact point Q. At this time, the chip holder 5 swings to the right to the maximum angle a; as Figure 6B As shown, assuming that the size of the first protrusion 4a in the front-back direction increases, or that the size of the left end of the first protrusion 4a in the front-back direction increases, the first protrusion is denoted as 4a'. The first supported part 51 swings to the right with the seat 50, and the right surface 511 of the first supported part 51 will abut against the left end of the first protrusion 4a' at the contact point Q'. At this time, the chip holder 5 swings to the right to the maximum angle b. Obviously, angle a > angle b. Therefore, the smaller the size of the first protrusion 4a in the front-back direction, or the smaller the size of the left and right ends of the first protrusion 4a in the front-back direction along the left-right direction, the greater the angle that the chip holder 5 can swing in the left-right direction. Thus, the restricted part 55 and the second restricted part 44 are more likely to be misaligned. Finally, the chip holder 5 is more likely to completely enter the support space 49.

[0064] As described above, when multiple protrusions are provided, the dimension of each protrusion in the left-right direction gradually decreases from front to back to avoid interference with the swing of the chip holder 5 caused by the protrusion located behind the protrusion closest to the first baffle 41. For example, in the case where the first protrusion 4a and the second protrusion 4b are provided, since the first protrusion 4a is closer to the first baffle 41 than the second protrusion 4b, the dimension of the first protrusion 4a in the left-right direction is greater than the dimension of the second protrusion 4b in the left-right direction. This can avoid interference with the swing of the chip holder 5 caused by the second protrusion 4b, that is, to prevent the chip holder 5 from being unable to reach the maximum swing angle due to interference from the second protrusion 4b.

[0065] Taking the example of a first protrusion 4a and a second protrusion 4b, when the left-right dimension of the first protrusion 4a is larger than that of the second protrusion 4b, the second protrusion 4b will not be able to restrict the chip holder 5 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the height h2 (vertical dimension) of the second protrusion 4b can be greater than the height h1 (vertical dimension) of the first protrusion 4a, so that the second protrusion 4b can abut against the lower surface of the holder 50, or in other words, so that the second protrusion 4b can abut against the top surface of the support space 49. Figure 4AAs shown, the base 50 is held by the second limiting part 44 and the second protrusion 4b. Even if the dimension of the second limiting part 44 extending in the left and right direction is smaller than the dimension of the second baffle 42 extending in the left and right direction, or even if the dimension of the limiting part 55 extending in the left and right direction is smaller than the dimension of the second baffle 42 extending in the left and right direction, the chip base 5 can still be stably supported by the second protrusion 4b.

[0066] like Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4A , Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C As shown, the first baffle 41 is located on the left side of the figure. However, the positions of the first baffle 41 and the second baffle 42 can be interchanged. However, regardless of where the first baffle 41 is located, the first limiting part 43 connected to the first baffle 41 is always higher than the second limiting part 44 connected to the second baffle 42. When the chip holder 5 is installed, one end of the chip holder 5 is always installed into the space between the first limiting part 43 and the bracket body 40 first, and then swings around the contact point P. It can be seen that the relationship between the first protrusion 4a and the second protrusion 4b can also be described as follows: along the front-back direction, the protrusion closer to the first limiting part 43 has a larger left-right dimension than the protrusion farther from the first limiting part 43, and the protrusion farther from the first limiting part 43 has a larger up-down dimension than the protrusion closer to the first limiting part 43.

[0067] [Ink cartridge regeneration method and chip assembly installation method]

[0068] According to the concept of the present invention, the present invention provides the following ink cartridge regeneration method, which uses the regeneration method to form the original ink cartridge into a regenerated ink cartridge, specifically the following method:

[0069] Steps for preparing the housing 1 and bracket 4 of the regenerated ink cartridge;

[0070] The steps to obtain the chip component CA are: cut the original ink cartridge housing and separate the chip 6 and a part of the original ink cartridge housing together from the original ink cartridge housing;

[0071] The step of assembling chip unit 3 is to install chip component CA onto the prepared bracket 4 to form chip unit 3;

[0072] The step of installing chip unit 3 is to install chip unit 3 onto the housing 1 of the prepared regenerated ink cartridge.

[0073] The housing 1 of the recycled ink cartridge can be either from the original ink cartridge or newly manufactured. When the housing 1 of the recycled ink cartridge is from the original ink cartridge, the process also includes a cleaning step and a drying step to clean the original ink cartridge housing.

[0074] In the step of obtaining the chip assembly CA, a portion of the original ink cartridge housing that is cut off is the chip holder 5. This step also includes a step of further processing the chip holder 5 formed by cutting the original ink cartridge housing, such as a step of trimming the burrs of the chip holder 5, a step of cutting the chip holder 5 to form the first supported portion 51 and the second supported portion 52, etc. In a possible implementation, the first supported portion 51 and the second supported portion 52 can also be formed at the same time as cutting the chip holder 5 off the original ink cartridge housing.

[0075] The step of assembling the chip unit 3 can be performed either before the bracket 4 is installed into the housing 1 of the regenerated ink cartridge or after the bracket 4 is installed into the housing 1 of the regenerated ink cartridge.

[0076] According to the above description, the steps for assembling the chip unit 3, or the method for mounting the chip assembly CA to the bracket 4, are as follows:

[0077] In the pre-positioning step, the chip holder 5 is adjusted to be tilted relative to the front and back direction, so that one end of the chip holder 5 is inserted into the support space 49, the space between the first limiting part 43 and the bracket body 40, until the chip holder 5 and the bracket 4 abut at the rotation point P.

[0078] During the pressing step, press the chip holder 5 at the other end that has not entered the support space 49;

[0079] In the swinging step, with the rotation point P as the fulcrum, the chip holder 5 is swung left and right, while continuing to press down on the other end of the chip holder 5 that has not entered the support space 49, until the restricted part 55 reaches the position below the second restricted part 44.

[0080] In the pre-positioning step, regardless of whether the first limiting part 43 is located on the first baffle 41 in front or the second baffle 42 in the rear, one end of the chip holder 5 is always inserted into the space between the first limiting part 43 and the bracket body 40. Through the setting of the above-mentioned protrusion, the chip holder 5 is finally stably positioned on the bracket 4.

[0081] [Beneficial Effects]

[0082] 1. Since the chip holder 5 comes from the original ink cartridge housing, not only can the original ink cartridge housing be reused, but the chip 6 can also be prevented from being damaged.

[0083] 2. When multiple protrusions are provided, the protrusions closer to the first limiting part 43 in the front-back direction have a larger left-right dimension than the protrusions further away from the first limiting part 43 in the left-right direction. This design allows the chip holder 5 to swing to the maximum angle, thereby preventing interference between the limited part 55 and the second limiting part 44.

[0084] 3. When multiple protrusions are provided, the protrusions further away from the first limiting part 43 in the front-back direction have a larger vertical dimension than the protrusions closer to the first limiting part 43 in the vertical direction. This design allows the chip holder 5 / body 50 to be supported by the protrusions further away from the first limiting part 43 at the end away from the first limiting part 43, thereby enabling the chip holder 5 / body 50 to be stably positioned on the bracket 4.

[0085] In addition, since the protrusion closer to the first limiting part 43 is closer to the contact point P than the protrusion farther away from the first limiting part 43, this design can also prevent the swinging chip holder 5 / seat body 50 from interfering with the protrusion closer to the first limiting part 43.

[0086] 4. Combining points 2 and 3 above, when multiple protrusions are provided, the dimensions of the left and right ends of the protrusions closer to the first limiting part 43 in the front-back direction are smaller than those of the left and right ends of the protrusions farther away from the first limiting part 43 in the front-back direction. This design can not only improve the swing angle of the chip holder 5, but also increase the contact area between the protrusions farther away from the first limiting part 43 and the chip holder 5 / base 50, thereby making the chip holder 5 / base 50 more stably positioned on the bracket 4.

[0087] As described above, the bracket 4 can be provided with two protrusions, including the first protrusion 4a and the second protrusion 4b, or more protrusions. Conversely, the protrusion can also be provided with only one, for example, by forming the first protrusion 4a and the second protrusion 4b into one piece. In this case, the first protrusion 4a will form the front part of the protrusion closer to the first limiting part 43, and the second protrusion 4b will form the rear part of the protrusion further away from the first limiting part 43. The dimensions of the front part and the rear part can satisfy the above description in the front-back direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction, and can also produce the above-mentioned beneficial effects.

Claims

1. A support for supporting a chip assembly, the chip assembly comprising a base, a first supported portion, a second supported portion, and a restricted portion, wherein the first supported portion, the second supported portion, and the restricted portion are all connected to the base, and the first supported portion and the second supported portion are spaced apart and opposite to each other in a left-right direction, and both the first supported portion and the second supported portion extend downward from the base, forming a supported space between them; characterized in that, The support includes: Support structure; The first baffle and the second baffle are both connected to the support body, and the first baffle and the second baffle are arranged at intervals relative to each other, forming a support space between them; The first limiting part is connected to the first baffle and extends from the first baffle toward the second baffle, and the first limiting part and the support body are arranged at intervals relative to each other. The second limiting part is connected to the second baffle and extends from the second baffle toward the first baffle. The second limiting part and the support body are arranged at intervals relative to each other, and the first limiting part and the second limiting part are also arranged at intervals relative to each other. In the vertical direction, the first limiting part is higher than the second limiting part. At least one protrusion is provided in the support space and is able to enter the supported space. In the front-rear direction, the front portion closer to the first limiting part has a larger left-right dimension than the rear portion farther from the first limiting part in the left-right direction. The rear portion farther from the first limiting part has a larger up-down dimension than the front portion closer to the first limiting part in the up-down direction. The left and right ends of the front portion closer to the first limiting part have smaller left and right ends of the rear portion farther from the first limiting part in the front-rear direction than the left and right ends of the rear portion farther from the first limiting part in the front-rear direction.

2. A support for supporting a chip assembly, the chip assembly comprising a base, a first supported portion, a second supported portion, and a restricted portion, wherein the first supported portion, the second supported portion, and the restricted portion are all connected to the base. Along the left-right direction, both the first supported portion and the second supported portion extend downward from the base, and are spaced apart and opposite to each other, forming a supported space between them; characterized in that... The support includes: Support structure; The first baffle and the second baffle are both connected to the support body, and the first baffle and the second baffle are arranged at intervals relative to each other, forming a support space between them; The first limiting part is connected to the first baffle and extends from the first baffle toward the second baffle, and the first limiting part and the support body are arranged at intervals relative to each other. The second limiting part is connected to the second baffle and extends from the second baffle toward the first baffle. The second limiting part and the support body are arranged at intervals relative to each other, and the first limiting part and the second limiting part are also arranged at intervals relative to each other. In the vertical direction, the first limiting part is higher than the second limiting part. A first protrusion and a second protrusion are disposed in the supporting space and are able to enter the supported space. They are spaced apart in the front-back direction. The first protrusion is closer to the first limiting part than the second protrusion. The first protrusion is larger in the left-right direction than the second protrusion. The second protrusion is larger in the up-down direction than the first protrusion. The left and right ends of the first protrusion are smaller in the front-back direction than the left and right ends of the second protrusion.

3. The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, Along the left-right direction, the dimension of the extension of the second limiting part is smaller than the dimension of the extension of the second baffle.

4. The stent according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The left end of the chip assembly does not extend beyond the left end of the support body, and the right end of the chip assembly does not extend beyond the right end of the support body.

5. The bracket according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The stent also includes: A first support portion is formed between the left end of the protrusion and the left end of the support body, and is used to support the first supported portion; The second support portion is formed between the right end of the protrusion and the right end of the support body, and is used to support the second supported portion.

6. A chip unit, characterized in that, The chip unit includes a chip assembly and a support as described in any one of claims 1-5, wherein the chip assembly is supported by the support.

7. A regenerated ink cartridge, detachably installable into an imaging device equipped with a stylus, characterized in that, Regenerated ink cartridges include: The casing is used to hold the ink; A chip unit, mounted on a housing, includes a chip assembly and a bracket as described in any one of claims 1-5, the chip assembly being supported by the bracket, the chip assembly being used to form an electrical contact with a stylus, thereby enabling the regenerated ink cartridge to establish a communication connection with the imaging device.

8. The regenerated ink cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that, The chip components include: The chip is used to form an electrical contact with the stylus; A chip holder, used to support a chip, is derived from an original ink cartridge that has been used at least once and then recycled.

9. A method for regenerating ink cartridges, comprising regenerating original ink cartridges that have been used at least once and recycled to form regenerated ink cartridges, wherein the original ink cartridge includes an original ink cartridge housing and a chip mounted on the original ink cartridge housing, characterized in that, The regeneration method includes: The steps of preparing the housing of the regenerated ink cartridge and the bracket as described in any one of claims 1-5; The steps to obtain the chip assembly are: cut the original ink cartridge housing, and separate the chip and a portion of the original ink cartridge housing together from the original ink cartridge housing; The step of assembling a chip unit involves mounting the chip assembly onto a prepared bracket to form a chip unit; The steps for installing the chip unit are to install the chip unit onto the prepared regenerated ink cartridge housing.

10. The method for regenerating an ink cartridge according to claim 9, characterized in that, The casing of a regenerated ink cartridge comes from the original cartridge casing or is newly manufactured.

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