ink cartridge

Abstract

The present application relates to a cartridge detachably mounted to an image forming apparatus, the cartridge comprising: a cartridge body formed with an ink accommodating portion for accommodating ink; an ink outlet communicating with the ink accommodating portion; an ink storage chamber formed in the ink accommodating portion for storing ink; an ink outlet chamber formed in the ink accommodating portion and communicating with the ink outlet; a filter located between the ink storage chamber and the ink outlet chamber; and an ink filling passage communicating with the ink outlet chamber for replenishing the cartridge with ink, wherein the ink passing through the ink filling passage does not pass through the filter before entering the ink outlet chamber, which can avoid the cartridge from breaking down when the image forming apparatus is imaging.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of inkjet imaging technology, and more particularly to an ink cartridge that can be detachably installed in an inkjet imaging device. Background Technology

[0002] An ink cartridge is a container that holds ink and can be detachably installed into an inkjet imaging device (hereinafter referred to as "imaging device"). The ink in the cartridge is discharged through the ink outlet. When the ink in the cartridge is used up, the user needs to replace it with a new cartridge.

[0003] From the perspective of reducing user costs, it is preferable that users can refill the ink cartridge themselves after the ink in the cartridge is used up. The existing method of refilling ink is that the user connects the ink refill container to the ink cartridge and pours the ink from the ink refill container into the ink cartridge. However, this ink filling method may cause air to accumulate near the ink outlet, resulting in air bubbles in the ink discharged from the ink outlet, causing defects such as broken lines on the imaging medium. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above, the present invention provides an ink cartridge employing the following technical solution, specifically:

[0005] An ink cartridge includes: a cartridge body having an ink reservoir for holding ink; an ink outlet communicating with the ink reservoir; an ink storage chamber formed in the ink reservoir for storing ink; an ink outlet chamber formed in the ink reservoir and communicating with the ink outlet; a filter located between the ink storage chamber and the ink outlet chamber; and an ink filling channel communicating with the ink outlet chamber for replenishing ink to the ink cartridge, wherein ink passing through the ink filling channel does not pass through the filter before entering the ink outlet chamber.

[0006] In some implementations, the ink cartridge is detachably mounted to the imaging device, with the ink outlet facing downwards and one end of the ink filling channel extending below the filter element when the ink cartridge is being imaged in the imaging device.

[0007] In some implementations, one end of the ink injection channel extends closer to the ink outlet than the filter element.

[0008] In some embodiments, when the ink cartridge is imaged in the imaging device in the vertical direction, the ink outlet faces downwards, and the portion of the ink filling channel located in the ink reservoir does not overlap with the filter.

[0009] In some implementations, the ink injection channel is integrally formed with the cartridge body.

[0010] In some embodiments, the ink cartridge is replenished with ink via an ink refill container. The cartridge body includes a first housing and a second housing joined together, with an ink reservoir located between the first housing and the second housing. The ink filling channel includes a first channel disposed in the first housing and a second channel disposed in the second housing, wherein the second channel is for communicating with the atmosphere and allows at least a portion of the ink refill container to pass through, and one end of the first channel is in communication with an ink outlet chamber.

[0011] In some implementations, the first channel and the second channel are configured to be interconnected.

[0012] In some embodiments, a barrier is provided in the first or second channel. When the ink refill container communicates with the first channel through the barrier, the first and second channels are isolated by the barrier and are in a disconnected state.

[0013] In some embodiments, the ink container is divided into multiple non-communicating ink chambers, each ink chamber is provided with a filter element, and each ink chamber is further divided into an ink storage chamber and an ink dispensing chamber by the filter element therein; wherein the number of ink filling channels is the same as the number of ink chambers.

[0014] In some embodiments, the plurality of ink channels are arranged in the same ink chamber.

[0015] By adopting the above technical solution, when replenishing ink cartridges, the ink outlet chamber is always filled with ink first, and the air in the ink outlet chamber can be squeezed into the ink storage chamber, thereby effectively preventing the occurrence of line breakage problems during the imaging process. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1A and Figure 1B This is a perspective view of the ink cartridge involved in this invention.

[0017] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of some components of the ink cartridge involved in the present invention.

[0018] Figure 3A It is along Figure 1A A cross-sectional view after being cut along the AA direction.

[0019] Figure 3B It is along Figure 1A A three-dimensional view after being sectioned along the BB direction.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a perspective view of another ink cartridge involved in this invention.

[0021] Figure 5 It is along Figure 4 A three-dimensional view after being sectioned along the CC direction. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] [Overall structure of the ink cartridge]

[0024] The ink cartridge 100 can be detachably installed into the imaging device. Overall, the ink cartridge 100 includes a cartridge body C and an ink outlet 15 disposed on the cartridge body C. Figure 1A and Figure 1B As shown, the housing C includes a first housing 1 and a second housing 2 that are joined together, with an ink reservoir 10 formed between them for holding ink. The first housing 1 is provided with an ink outlet 15 that communicates with the ink reservoir 10. The ink is discharged through the ink outlet 15 to be supplied to the imaging device.

[0025] Furthermore, the ink cartridge 100 also includes a chip (not shown) for establishing a communication connection with an imaging device. The chip has a cartridge-side terminal for electrical connection with a device-side terminal in the imaging device. The ink cartridge 100 has adjacent first surface 11 and second surface 12, wherein the cartridge-side terminal is supported by the first surface 11 and the ink outlet 15 is exposed from the second surface 12. In this invention, taking the posture of the ink cartridge 100 when imaging in the imaging device as a reference, the second surface 12 is defined as facing downward, and the direction opposite to downward is defined as upward. The first surface 11 is defined as facing forward, and the direction opposite to forward is defined as rearward. At the same time, the direction intersecting with the front-back direction and the up-down direction is defined as the left-right direction. When viewed along the direction from back to front, the left side of the line of sight is the left side of the ink cartridge 100, and the right side of the line of sight is the right side of the ink cartridge 100.

[0026] In some embodiments, the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are configured to be joined in the vertical direction, for example, the first housing 1 is located above the second housing 2.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are configured to be joined in the front-to-back direction, for example, the first housing 1 is located behind the second housing 2.

[0028] In some embodiments, the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are configured to be joined in the left-right direction, for example, the first housing 1 is located to the left of the second housing 2.

[0029] The following description uses the example of the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 being joined together in the vertical direction, with the first housing 1 located above the second housing 2.

[0030] Example 1

[0031] like Figure 2As shown, the ink reservoir 10 is divided into multiple non-communicating ink chambers. For example, the ink reservoir 10 is divided into a first ink chamber 10a, a second ink chamber 10b, and a third ink chamber 10c. The ink color stored in the first ink chamber 10a, the ink color stored in the second ink chamber 10b, and the ink color stored in the third ink chamber 10c are different. Each ink chamber corresponds to an ink outlet. Figure 1B As shown, the ink cartridge 100 is provided with a first ink outlet 15a communicating with the first ink chamber 10a, a second ink outlet 15b communicating with the second ink chamber 10b, and a third ink outlet 15c communicating with the third ink chamber 10c.

[0032] Furthermore, the ink cartridge 100 also includes an ink outlet space 14 communicating with the ink outlet 15, such as... Figure 1B As shown, the ink outlet space 14 is recessed from the second surface 12 toward the ink container 10. Therefore, the ink outlet space 14 has a bottom surface 141 that is closer to the ink container 10 than the second surface 12, and the ink outlet 15 is provided on the bottom surface 141.

[0033] Furthermore, the second housing 2 includes a housing body 20 and an air vent 21 disposed on the housing body 20. The air vent 21 communicates with the ink container 10. In this way, the air pressure in the ink container 10 can be kept in balance with the atmospheric pressure through the air vent 21, and the ink in the ink container 10 can flow out smoothly through the ink outlet 15. When the ink container 10 is divided into the above three ink chambers, three air vents 21 are also provided, namely a first air vent 21a communicating with the first ink chamber 10a, a second air vent 21b communicating with the second ink chamber 10b, and a third air vent 21c communicating with the third ink chamber 10c.

[0034] Furthermore, such as Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3BAs shown, the ink cartridge 100 also includes a filter mounting portion 16 disposed in the ink receiving portion 10. The filter mounting portion 16 is used to carry a filter (not shown). The filter divides the ink receiving portion 10 into an ink storage chamber and an ink outlet chamber, and is used to filter impurities in the ink to prevent impurities from entering the ink outlet 15. That is, the filter is located between the ink storage chamber and the ink outlet chamber. The ink storage chamber is used to store ink, and the ink outlet chamber is connected to the ink outlet 15. Specifically, a first filter mounting portion 16a is provided in the first ink chamber 10a. The first filter mounted on the first filter mounting portion 16a divides the first ink chamber 10a into a first ink storage chamber 10a1 and a first ink outlet chamber 10a2. The second ink chamber 1 The second ink chamber 10b is provided with a second filter mounting part 16b. The second filter mounted on the second filter mounting part 16b divides the second ink chamber 10b into a second ink storage chamber 10b1 and a second ink outlet chamber 10b2. The third ink chamber 10c is provided with a third filter mounting part. The third filter mounted on the third filter mounting part divides the third ink chamber 10c into a third ink storage chamber 10c1 and a third ink outlet chamber 10c2. The first ink storage chamber 10a1, the second ink storage chamber 10b1 and the third ink storage chamber 10c1 are separated from each other and are not connected. The first ink outlet chamber 10a2, the second ink outlet chamber 10b2 and the third ink outlet chamber 10c2 are also separated from each other and are all connected to the ink outlet space 14.

[0035] (Ink Injection Channel)

[0036] Furthermore, the ink cartridge 100 also includes an ink filling channel 3, which is connected to the ink outlet cavity. Specifically, the ink filling channel 3 connects the outside of the ink cartridge 100 (e.g., the atmosphere) and the ink outlet cavity. Through the ink filling channel 3, the ink replenishment container is allowed to replenish ink to the ink cartridge 100 / ink container 10. In this invention, the ink passing through the ink filling channel 3 does not pass through a filter before entering the ink outlet cavity.

[0037] Preferably, the ink injection channel 3 is disposed in the ink receiving section 10.

[0038] like Figure 2 As shown, the ink injection channel 3 includes a first channel (main channel) 31 disposed in the first housing 1 and a second channel (connection port) 32 disposed in the second housing 2, wherein the first channel 31 and the second channel 32 are interconnected, and the second channel 32 is also used to communicate with the atmosphere; as shown Figure 2 , Figure 3A and Figure 3B As shown, the ink cartridge 100 also includes a channel seal 34 for sealing the second channel 32, the second channel 32 penetrates the housing body 20, the first end of the first channel 31 is connected to the second channel 32, and the second end of the first channel 31 is connected to the ink outlet cavity.

[0039] Specifically, the ink cartridge 100 includes multiple ink filling channels, the number of which is the same as the number of ink chambers. As described above, when there are three ink chambers, there are also three ink filling channels: a first ink filling channel for filling the first ink receiving portion 10a, a second ink filling channel for filling the second ink receiving portion 10b, and a third ink filling channel for filling the third ink receiving portion 10c. The first ink filling channel includes a first main channel 31a disposed in the first housing 1 and a first connecting port 32a disposed in the second housing 2. The first end 31a1 of the first main channel 31a communicates with the first connecting port 32a, and the second end 31a2 of the first main channel 31a communicates with the first ink outlet chamber 10a2. Thus, as... Figure 3A As shown in the ink flow direction d1, the ink can sequentially enter the first ink outlet cavity 10a2 through the first connecting port 32a, the first end 31a1 of the first main channel, the middle part 31a0 of the first main channel, and the second end 31a2 of the first main channel; the second ink injection channel includes a second main channel 31b disposed in the first housing 1 and a second connecting port 32b disposed in the second housing 2. The first end 31b1 of the second main channel 31b is connected to the second connecting port 32b, and the second end 31b2 of the second main channel 31b is connected to the second ink outlet cavity 10b2. Thus, as... Figure 3A As shown in the ink flow direction d2, the ink can sequentially enter the second ink outlet cavity 10b2 through the second connecting port 32b, the first end 31b1 of the second main channel, the middle part 31b0 of the second main channel, and the second end 31b2 of the second main channel; the third ink injection channel includes a third main channel 31c disposed in the first housing 1 and a third connecting port 32c disposed in the second housing 2. The first end 31c1 of the third main channel 31c is connected to the third connecting port 32c, and the second end 31c2 of the third main channel 31c is connected to the third ink outlet cavity 10c2. Thus, as... Figure 3A As shown in the ink flow direction d3, the ink can sequentially enter the third ink outlet cavity 10c2 through the third connecting port 32c, the first end of the third main channel 31c1, the middle part of the third main channel 31c0, and the second end of the third main channel 31c2.

[0040] The first end 31a1 and the second end 31a2 of the first main channel are located at the two ends of the middle part 31a0 of the first main channel, the first end 31b1 and the second end 31b2 of the second main channel are located at the two ends of the middle part 31b0 of the second main channel, and the first end 31c1 and the second end 31c2 of the third main channel are located at the two ends of the middle part 31c0 of the third main channel.

[0041] (Ink filling process)

[0042] When the ink in the ink cartridge 100 is used up, the user only needs to open the channel seal 34 and connect the ink refill container to the connecting port 32 to refill the ink into the ink container 10. As described above, the ink in the ink refill container will directly enter the ink outlet chamber through the main channel 31. After the ink outlet chamber is full, the ink will pass through the filter and reach the ink storage chamber. After the ink filling is completed, the connecting port 32 can be sealed with the channel seal 34.

[0043] In the ink filling channel 3 of the present invention, the ink flowing out of the ink replenishment container can directly reach the ink outlet chamber, or in other words, the ink can directly reach below the filter element. In the vertical direction, one end of the ink filling channel 3 extends to the bottom of the filter element / filter element mounting part 16. Therefore, one end of the ink filling channel 3 extends closer to the ink outlet 15 than the filter element / filter element mounting part 16. It can be seen that the ink does not need to pass through the filter element to reach the ink outlet chamber. The ink outlet chamber is first filled with ink, which allows the air originally located in the ink outlet chamber to be squeezed by the ink entering it and pass through the filter element to reach the ink storage chamber. When the ink storage chamber is also injected with a predetermined amount of ink, the air entering the ink storage chamber will be above the ink liquid surface in the ink storage chamber.

[0044] (Other notes)

[0045] In some implementations, the middle portion of the three ink channels can be located in the same ink chamber, such as... Figure 2 As shown, at least a portion of the middle portion 31a0 of the first ink channel, at least a portion of the middle portion 31b0 of the second ink channel, and at least a portion of the middle portion 31c0 of the third ink channel are all disposed in the first ink cavity 10a, so that the volume of the second ink cavity 10b and the third ink cavity 10c will not be occupied.

[0046] In some embodiments, the middle portions 31a0, 31b0, and 31c0 of the first ink channel are arranged side by side. Correspondingly, the first connecting port 32a, the second connecting port 32b, and the third connecting port 32c on the second housing 2 can also be arranged side by side, which not only makes it easier for users to quickly identify each connecting port, but also makes it easier for users to concentrate on ink filling.

[0047] In some embodiments, depending on the length of each ink channel or design requirements, one or two of the middle portions of the first ink channel 31a0, the second ink channel 31b0, and the third ink channel 31c0 may be located in a different ink cavity than the middle portions of other ink channels. For example, the middle portions of the first and second ink channels 31b0 may be located in the same ink cavity, while the middle portion of the third ink channel 31c0 may be located in another ink cavity.

[0048] In some embodiments, the middle portion 31a0 of the first ink channel, the middle portion 31b0 of the second ink channel, and the middle portion 31c0 of the third ink channel may be respectively disposed in different ink cavities.

[0049] Preferably, the middle portions 31a0, 31b0, and 31c0 of the first ink injection channel are all integrally formed with the housing C, such as... Figure 2 As shown, when the middle part 31a0 of the first ink channel, the middle part 31b0 of the second ink channel, and the middle part 31c0 of the third ink channel are all disposed in the first housing 1, the middle parts 31a0, 31b0, and 31c0 of the first ink channel are all integrally formed with the first housing 1.

[0050] Preferably, before ink filling begins, the ink outlet 15 is sealed by an ink outlet sealer, so that although the ink outlet chamber is connected to the ink outlet 15, the ink entering the ink outlet chamber will not flow out of the ink outlet 15.

[0051] In some embodiments, the ink cartridge 100 also includes an ink retainer installed in the ink storage chamber. The ink retainer contacts the filter in the vertical direction. Therefore, during the imaging process of the imaging device, the ink in the ink retainer can pass through the filter and reach the ink outlet chamber evenly. Preferably, the ink retainer is a sponge. When the ink in the ink cartridge 100 is used up and the user refills the ink cartridge 100, the ink entering the ink outlet chamber can be absorbed by the ink retainer, thereby realizing that the ink quickly enters the ink storage chamber from the ink outlet chamber.

[0052] In some embodiments, along the left-right direction, the first ink outlet cavity 10a2 is located between the second ink outlet cavity 10b2 and the third ink outlet cavity 10c2; the middle portion 31a0 of the first ink injection channel is located between the middle portion 31b0 of the second ink injection channel and the middle portion 31c0 of the third ink injection channel; and the first ink outlet 15a is located between the second ink outlet 15b and the third ink outlet 15c. Furthermore, along the left-right direction, the second ink outlet 15b is closer to the first ink outlet 15a than the second ink outlet cavity 10b2, and the third ink outlet 15c is closer to the first ink outlet 15a than the third ink outlet cavity 10c2. Therefore, the middle portion 31a0 of the first ink injection channel and the first ink outlet 15a can be linearly connected, while the middle portion 31b0 of the second ink injection channel and the second ink outlet 15b, as well as the middle portion 31c0 of the third ink injection channel and the third ink outlet 15c, cannot form a linear connection. Figure 1A and Figure 2As shown, the ink cartridge 100 also includes a filling part 13 detachably connected to the cartridge body C. The filling part 13 can enter the second ink outlet chamber 10b2 and the third ink outlet chamber 10c2, and is not completely filled. Therefore, the ink flowing out from the second end 31b2 of the second main channel can be buffered by the filling part 13 before flowing towards the second ink outlet 15b, and the ink flowing out from the second end 31c2 of the main channel can be buffered by the filling part 13 before flowing towards the third ink outlet 15c. This design can prevent the ink flow rate from being too fast, which would cause the air in the ink outlet chamber to not be discharged in time.

[0053] In some embodiments, the first channel 31 and the second channel 32 are disconnected before the user replenishes ink / fills ink cartridge 100. When the user replenishes ink cartridge 100, the first channel 31 and the second channel 32 are connected to each other. For example, a barrier is provided in the first channel 31 or the second channel 32 to prevent impurities or dust from falling into the ink outlet chamber through the ink filling channel 3 before the user replenishes ink cartridge 100. The user can open the barrier using the ink replenishment container to connect the first channel 31 and the second channel 32. The barrier can be, for example, a sealing film.

[0054] As can be seen, the first channel 31 and the second channel 32 are configured to be interconnected. The interconnectedness includes the case where the first channel 31 and the second channel 32 are directly connected, and also includes the case where the barrier is set in the first channel 31 or the second channel 32. When the user replenishes ink for the ink cartridge 100, the barrier is opened, so that the first channel 31 and the second channel 32 are interconnected.

[0055] In some embodiments, the barrier can also be configured such that when the ink refill container connects to the first channel 31 via the barrier, the barrier still keeps the first channel 31 and the second channel 32 disconnected, as long as the ink refill container can connect to the first channel 31. At this time, the second channel 32 is formed as a channel that allows at least a portion of the ink refill container to pass through, and the first channel 31 and the second channel 32 remain in a non-connected state. The barrier can be, for example, a rubber block. When the ink needle in the ink refill container pierces the rubber and connects the ink refill container to the first channel 31, the rubber block still keeps the first channel 31 and the second channel 32 disconnected.

[0056] Implementation 2

[0057] The ink cartridge involved in this embodiment has a basically the same structure as the ink cartridge 100 involved in Embodiment 1. The difference is that the ink cartridge in this embodiment contains only one color of ink. Therefore, the ink cartridge and its components in this embodiment will use the same names and numbers as in Embodiment 1.

[0058] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the ink cartridge 100 includes a cartridge body C and an ink outlet 15 disposed on the cartridge body C. The cartridge body C includes a first housing 1 and a second housing 2 that are joined together. An ink receiving portion 10 is formed between the first housing 1 and the second housing 2. The ink outlet 15 communicates with the ink receiving portion 10, so that the ink in the ink receiving portion 10 can be discharged through the ink outlet 15.

[0059] Furthermore, the ink cartridge 100 also includes a filter mounting portion 16 disposed in the ink receiving portion 10. The filter (not shown) mounted on the filter mounting portion 16 divides the ink receiving portion 10 into an ink storage chamber 101 and an ink dispensing chamber 102. That is, the filter is located between the ink storage chamber 101 and the ink dispensing chamber 102.

[0060] The ink cartridge 100 also includes an ink filling channel 3, which connects the outside of the ink cartridge 100 (e.g., the atmosphere) to the ink outlet chamber 102. Therefore, the user can directly replenish the ink outlet chamber 102 through the ink filling channel 3. Then, the ink flows back from the ink outlet chamber 102 through the filter into the ink storage chamber 101. As described above, this structure can not only effectively expel the air in the ink outlet chamber 102, but also ensure that the ink outlet chamber 102 is filled with ink when the ink cartridge 100 is first used, thereby effectively preventing the occurrence of line breakage defects.

[0061] Furthermore, the ink filling channel 3 includes a first channel (main channel) 31 disposed in the first housing 1 and a second channel (connection port) 32 disposed in the second housing 2. The first channel 31 and the second channel 32 are interconnected, and the second channel 32 is also used to communicate with the atmosphere. The second channel 32 penetrates the housing body 20. The first end 311 of the first channel 31 is connected to the second channel 32, and the second end 312 of the first channel 31 is connected to the ink outlet 102. In the vertical direction, the second end 312 of the first channel 31 is located below the filter element / filter element mounting part 16, or in other words, the second end 312 of the first channel 31 is closer to the ink outlet 15 than the filter element / filter element mounting part 16. At least a portion of the middle part 310 of the first channel is located in the ink receiving part 10, and the middle part 310 of the main channel is not directly connected to the ink receiving part 10. The first end 311 and the second end 312 of the first channel 31 are located at both ends of the middle part 310 of the first channel.

[0062] [Beneficial Effects]

[0063] 1. Through the ink filling channel 3, users can directly inject ink into the ink outlet chamber located below the filter element. This not only ensures high ink filling efficiency, but also ensures that the ink entering the ink outlet chamber will first flow towards the ink outlet 15. This ensures that the ink cartridge 100 always has ink at the ink outlet 15 when it is first used, and there will be no problem of line breakage.

[0064] 2. As described in Article 1, after the ink outlet cavity is filled with ink, the ink will flow back into the ink storage cavity through the filter. Then, the air that originally existed in the ink outlet cavity will be squeezed into the ink storage cavity by the ink and eventually move above the liquid surface in the ink storage cavity. In this way, the risk of air mixing into the ink flowing out of the ink outlet 15 can be greatly reduced.

[0065] 3. In the vertical direction, at least the portion of the ink filling channel 3 located in the ink receiving part 10 (e.g., the first channel 31) does not overlap with the filter element / filter element mounting part 16. Not only can the second end 312 of the first channel 31 communicate with the ink outlet cavity, but it can also effectively prevent the user from damaging the filter element during the process of adding ink to the ink cartridge 100.

[0066] 4. The ink filling channel 3 is integrally formed with the cartridge body C, which eliminates the need for the installation step of the ink filling channel 3. Although part of the ink filling channel 3 is located in the ink cavity, there is no need to open a receiving part on the ink holder to accommodate the ink filling channel 3. Therefore, the ink filling channel 3 will not affect the integrity of the ink holder, and the function of the ink holder will not be affected.

[0067] 5. In Article 4, the first channel is integrally formed with the first housing 1, and the second channel is integrally formed with the second housing 2. Since both the first housing 1 and the second housing 2 are molded, the relative positions of the first channel and the second channel can be pre-positioned, so that ink will not leak from the first channel and the second channel. Even if there is a gap between the first channel and the second channel, the user can allow the ink refill container to enter the second channel before starting to fill the ink. The first channel only serves to allow the ink refill container to pass through. That is to say, the ink flowing out of the ink refill container will flow directly into the second channel, or even directly into the ink outlet chamber.

[0068] 6. Users can also replenish ink into the ink cartridge 100 through an additional guide. This guide passes at least through the connection between the first channel and the second channel, or in other words, the guide passes at least through the area between the first end of the first channel and the first end of the second channel. In this way, the first channel / first end of the first channel and the second channel do not need to be opposite each other in the vertical direction. Or, even if the position of the first channel / first end of the first channel in the first housing 1 deviates from the predetermined position and the position of the second channel in the second housing 2 deviates from the predetermined position, the user can still successfully replenish ink through this guide.

[0069] The guide can be a component independent of the cartridge C, or the guide can be an accessory of the ink cartridge 100. When the user needs to add ink to the ink cartridge 100, the guide can be inserted into the ink filling channel 3 after opening the channel seal. Alternatively, the guide can be pre-installed in the ink cartridge 100, and the user can directly add ink after opening the channel seal.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, characterized in that, The ink cartridge includes: The box body has an ink reservoir for holding ink; The ink outlet is connected to the ink reservoir. An ink storage cavity, formed within an ink reservoir, is used to store ink. The ink outlet cavity is formed in the ink container and is connected to the ink outlet. The filter element is located between the ink storage chamber and the ink outlet chamber; The ink filling channel connects to the ink outlet chamber and is used to replenish ink to the ink cartridge. The ink passing through the ink filling channel does not pass through the filter before entering the ink outlet chamber.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ink cartridge is detachably installed into the imaging device. When the ink cartridge is used for imaging, the ink outlet faces downwards, and one end of the ink filling channel extends to the bottom of the filter.

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, One end of the ink filling channel extends closer to the ink outlet than the filter element.

4. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the vertical direction, when the ink cartridge is imaged in the imaging device, the ink outlet faces downwards, and the ink filling channel, at least the portion in the ink container, does not overlap with the filter.

5. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ink filling channel is integrated with the cartridge body.

6. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ink cartridge is refilled with ink via an ink refill container. The cartridge body includes a first housing and a second housing that are joined together, with the ink reservoir located between the first housing and the second housing. The ink filling channel includes a first channel disposed in the first housing and a second channel disposed in the second housing, wherein the second channel is used to communicate with the atmosphere and allow at least a portion of the ink replenishment container to pass through, and one end of the first channel is connected to the ink outlet chamber.

7. The ink cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first and second channels are configured to be interconnected.

8. The ink cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that, A barrier is provided in the first or second channel. When the ink refill container connects to the first channel through the barrier, the first and second channels are isolated by the barrier and are in a disconnected state.

9. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The ink container is divided into multiple non-connected ink chambers, each ink chamber is equipped with a filter element, and each ink chamber is further divided into an ink storage chamber and an ink outlet chamber by the filter element. The number of ink injection channels is the same as the number of ink chambers.

10. The ink cartridge according to claim 9, characterized in that, The multiple ink injection channels are arranged in the same ink chamber.

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