Ink box

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ink box which is detachably mounted in a mounting cavity of printing equipment, the ink box is provided with a box body, the box body comprises a body and a surface cover, the surface cover is arranged on the outer side of the body, the body is provided with an ink storage cavity, and the top surface of the surface cover is provided with a matching structure acting with the mounting cavity. In the invention, for different printers, the shapes of the ink cartridges matched with the different printers are slightly different, and the production cost of the ink cartridges can be reduced by uniformly producing the body and assembling the surface covers matched with different printer equipment on the body. Wherein the surface cover is matched with a mounting cavity of the printer through a matching structure on the top surface of the surface cover.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application. The application number of the original application is 202420642453.3, the original application date is March 29, 2024, and the entire content of the original application is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the technical field of printing consumables, and particularly to an ink cartridge. Background Art

[0003] The ink cartridge is installed in the installation cavity of the printer and used to provide ink for the printer. Since different printers models have different structures in the installation cavity, the structures on the ink cartridge adapted to the installation cavity also need to be changed accordingly, resulting in poor versatility of the ink cartridge for printers and relatively high costs. Utility Model Content

[0004] This application provides an ink cartridge, which is used to solve the technical problem of poor versatility of the ink cartridge for printers, resulting in relatively high costs.

[0005] An ink cartridge provided by an embodiment of this application is detachably installed in the installation cavity of a printing device, and the ink cartridge has:

[0006] A cartridge body, the cartridge body includes a main body and a face cover, the face cover is arranged outside the main body, the main body is provided with an ink storage cavity, and the top surface of the face cover is provided with a fitting structure for interacting with the installation cavity.

[0007] In a possible design, the fitting structure includes a chip.

[0008] In a possible design, the fitting structure further includes a handle.

[0009] In a possible design, the fitting structure further includes a light-shielding portion, and the light-shielding portion is made of a light-impermeable material.

[0010] In a possible design, the main body is further provided with an ink outlet nozzle for supplying ink. Along the height direction of the ink cartridge, the ink outlet nozzle is located below the chip, and the chip is located below the handle.

[0011] In a possible design, along the height direction of the ink cartridge, the highest point of the handle is higher than the light-shielding portion, and at least a part of the light-shielding portion is higher than the chip.

[0012] In a possible design, the handle can rotate relative to the cartridge body around a rotation point, so that the handle has a first state and a second state; the highest point of the handle in the first state is higher than the highest point of the handle in the second state.

[0013] In a possible design, the handle has a protrusion, and the protrusion is used to contact the positioning shaft in the installation cavity, and the positioning shaft drives the handle to change from the first state to the second state;

[0014] The protrusion is provided with a guide surface and a limit surface, the guide surface is used to make the positioning shaft move along it, and the limit surface is used to abut against the positioning shaft.

[0015] In a possible design, a clamping column is provided on one side of the face cover that contacts the body, and a clamping groove is provided on the body. The clamping column can extend into the clamping groove to achieve clamping of the body and the face cover.

[0016] In a possible design, the top surface of the cover and / or the top surface of the main body constitute the top surface of the box body.

[0017] In the present application, for different printers, the shapes of the ink cartridges adapted thereto may be slightly different. By uniformly producing the main body and assembling the cover adapted to different printer devices on the main body, the production cost of the ink cartridge can be reduced. The cover is adapted to the installation cavity of the printer through the matching structure on its top surface.

[0018] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary only and are not restrictive of the present application. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of the ink cartridge provided in this application in a specific embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of the middle A area;

[0021] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A front view of the middle ink cartridge;

[0022] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Rear view of the middle cartridge;

[0023] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A top view of the middle ink cartridge;

[0024] Figure 6 for Figure 1 Bottom view of the middle ink cartridge;

[0025] Figure 7 for Figure 1 Left side view of the middle ink cartridge;

[0026] Figure 8 for Figure 1Right view of the middle ink cartridge;

[0027] Figure 9 is Figure 1 Exploded view of part of the structure of the middle ink cartridge;

[0028] Figure 10 is Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of the middle face cover;

[0029] Figure 11 is Figure 9 Schematic diagram of the structure of the engaging groove on the middle body and the engaging post on the face cover in cooperation;

[0030] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the structure of the ink cartridge provided by the present application in another specific embodiment;

[0031] Figure 13 is Figure 12 Partial enlarged view of area B in the middle;

[0032] Figure 14 is Figure 12 Schematic diagram of the structure of the ink cartridge in the middle being loaded into the printer.

[0033] Reference numerals:

[0034] a - top surface; b - bottom surface; c - front surface; d - rear surface;

[0035] 1 - cartridge body;

[0036] 11 - body;

[0037] 111 - engaging groove;

[0038] 12 - face cover;

[0039] 121 - empty groove part;

[0040] 122 - engaging post;

[0041] 2 - handle;

[0042] 21 - protruding part;

[0043] 211 - guiding surface;

[0044] 212 - limiting surface;

[0045] 22 - boss;

[0046] 23 - rib;

[0047] 3 - chip;

[0048] 41 - light - shielding part;

[0049] 42 - light - transmitting area;

[0050] 5 - connecting part;

[0051] 6 - ink outlet nozzle;

[0052] 7 - installation cavity;

[0053] 8 - positioning shaft.

[0054] The accompanying drawings here are incorporated into the specification and form a part of this specification, showing embodiments consistent with this application, and are used together with the specification to explain the principles of this application. Detailed implementation manners

[0055] For a better understanding of the technical solutions of this application, the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0056] It should be clear that the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in this application without creative efforts belong to the scope protected by this application.

[0057] The terms used in the embodiments of this application are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit this application. The singular forms of "a", "the", and "said" used in the embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0058] It should be understood that the term " / and" used herein is only a relational description of associated objects, indicating that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B may represent: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. In addition, the character " / " herein generally represents an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0059] It should be noted that the orientation terms such as "upper", "lower", "left", and "right" described in the embodiments of this application are described from the angles shown in the accompanying drawings, and should not be construed as a limitation on the embodiments of this application. In addition, in the context, it should also be understood that when it is mentioned that one element is connected "above" or "below" another element, it can not only be directly connected "above" or "below" another element, but also be indirectly connected "above" or "below" another element through an intermediate element.

[0060] This application provides an ink cartridge that is detachably installed in the installation cavity 7 of a printing device. As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the ink cartridge has: a cartridge body 1, a handle 2, and a chip 3.

[0061] Figures 3 - 8The schematic diagrams of the ink cartridge at different angles are shown, as Figures 3 - 8 shown, the cartridge body 1 is generally rectangular parallelepiped-shaped, having a front surface c, a rear surface d, a top surface a, a bottom surface b, a left surface and a right surface. The top surface a points in the direction opposite to the gravity direction in the ink cartridge installation direction. The front surface c, the rear surface d, the top surface a, the bottom surface b, the left surface and the right surface are connected to each other to form a structure of the cartridge body 1 in the shape of a generally rectangular parallelepiped. There is an ink storage cavity for storing ink inside the cartridge body 1.

[0062] To better illustrate the ink cartridge, a three-dimensional rectangular coordinate system XYZ axis is established. The height direction of the ink cartridge is defined as the Z-axis direction, the length direction of the ink cartridge is defined as the X-axis direction, and the width direction of the ink cartridge is defined as the Y-axis direction. Among them, the direction from the bottom surface b to the top surface a is the +Z-axis direction, the direction from the rear surface d to the front surface c is the +X-axis direction, and the direction from the right surface to the left surface is the +Y-axis direction. When the Z-axis direction coincides with the gravity direction, the cartridge body 1 is in the installation state, that is, the cartridge body 1 is installed into the installation cavity 7 in an upright posture. The +X-axis direction is also the installation direction of the ink cartridge, and the -X-axis direction is the removal direction of the ink cartridge.

[0063] The handle 2 is arranged on the top surface a. The handle 2 can rotate relative to the cartridge body 1. The chip 3 is arranged on the top surface a. Along the height direction Z of the ink cartridge, the chip 3 is lower than the rotation point of the handle 2.

[0064] In this embodiment, as Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, both the handle 2 and the chip 3 are arranged on the top surface a of the cartridge body 1. Along the height direction Z of the ink cartridge, the chip 3 is lower than the rotation point of the handle 2, so that when the ink cartridge is impacted by the outside world, the handle 2 is impacted prior to the chip 3, thereby making the chip 3 not easily damaged and reducing the maintenance cost when the ink cartridge is damaged. At the same time, since the handle 2 can rotate relative to the cartridge body 1, the rotation of the handle 2 can also absorb and offset a part of the impact, improving the impact resistance of the ink cartridge.

[0065] Specifically, as Figure 2 shown, the handle 2 has a first state and a second state. The handle 2 can rotate relative to the cartridge body 1 around the rotation point so that the handle 2 can be switched between the first state and the second state; the highest point of the handle 2 in the first state is higher than the highest point of the handle 2 in the second state.

[0066] During the process of the handle 2 rotating from the first state to the second state, the handle 2 approaches the cartridge body 1; during the process of the handle 2 rotating from the second state to the first state, the handle 2 moves away from the cartridge body 1.

[0067] Optionally, the handle 2 and the cartridge body 1 are directly connected. The handle 2 is switched between the first state and the second state by its own elasticity or by arranging elastic members and other structures. It can be understood that the handle 2 can also be non-contact connected to the top surface a, that is, the handle 2 is not fixed to the top surface a.

[0068] More specifically, Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 14 As shown, the handle 2 has a protrusion 21, and the protrusion 21 is used to contact the positioning shaft 8 in the installation cavity 7, and the positioning shaft 8 drives the handle 2 to change from the first state to the second state. The protrusion 21 is provided with a guide surface 211 and a limit surface 212, the guide surface 211 is used to make the positioning shaft 8 move along it, and the limit surface 212 is used to abut against the positioning shaft 8.

[0069] During the process of installing the ink cartridge into the installation cavity 7, the handle 2 is first in the first state. After the positioning shaft 8 contacts the guide surface 211 on the protrusion 21, the positioning shaft 8 slides along the protrusion 21 and forces the handle 2 to rotate downward to the second state. After the protrusion 21 is disengaged from the positioning shaft 8, the handle 2 rotates upward and returns to the first state. At this time, the positioning shaft 8 contacts the limit surface 212, thereby limiting the ink cartridge from falling off from the installation cavity 7.

[0070] When the ink cartridge needs to be taken out of the installation cavity 7, the operator can press the handle 2 to separate the handle 2 from the positioning shaft 8, thereby releasing the positioning shaft 8 from limiting the ink cartridge. The handle 2 is provided with a plurality of convex ribs 23, which can increase the friction between the operator's fingers and the handle 2, thereby facilitating the operator to operate the handle 2.

[0071] Further, such as Figure 2 As shown, a connection portion 5 is provided on the top surface a, and the handle 2 is connected to the top surface a through the connection portion 5, and the rotation point is located at one end of the handle 2 close to the connection portion 5. The handle 2 is installed on the side of the connection portion 5, and the connection portion 5 and the handle 2 have a certain elasticity, so that the handle 2 can rotate relative to the connection portion 5 when a force is applied, and return to the first state when no force is applied.

[0072] Furthermore, Figure 3 and Figure 5 As shown, along the height direction Z of the ink cartridge, the projection of the handle 2 on the top surface a does not protrude beyond the rear surface d, so the arrangement of the handle 2 will not increase the volume of the ink cartridge too much, and at the same time the rear surface d can also protect the handle 2 to a certain extent.

[0073] Optional, such as Figure 2 As shown, a boss 22 is provided on the surface of the handle 2 facing the box body 1 , and the box body 1 has a hollow groove 121 , which is provided on the top surface a. When the handle 2 is in the second state, the boss 22 extends into the hollow groove 121 .

[0074] like Figure 2As shown, the empty slot portion 121 is located on the top surface a near the rear surface d. The empty slot portion 121 increases the movement space and deformation ability of the handle 2, thereby increasing the impact resistance of the ink cartridge.

[0075] The boss 22 protrudes from the surface of the handle 2 facing the cartridge body 1. When the handle 2 changes from the first state to the second state, the boss 22 moves towards the cartridge body 1. On the one hand, the elastic boss 22 has minimal impact on the cartridge body 1. On the other hand, the contact position of the boss 22 with the top surface a is relatively far from the ink storage cavity, so that the impact of the boss 22 on the cartridge body 1 is not likely to cause the ink in the ink storage cavity to shake. In addition, when the ink cartridge is inserted into the installation cavity 7, the empty slot portion 121 can cooperate with the structure on the printer.

[0076] In a specific embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, the ink cartridge has a light-shielding portion 41 fixedly provided on the top surface a. The light-shielding portion 41 is made of a light-impermeable material; along the height direction Z of the ink cartridge, the highest point of the handle 2 is higher than the light-shielding portion 41, and at least part of the light-shielding portion 41 is higher than the chip 3. When the ink cartridge is subjected to an external impact, the handle 2 can protect the light-shielding portion 41 and the chip 3 from damage.

[0077] In this embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, along the direction from the front surface c to the rear surface d, the chip 3, the light-shielding portion 41, the connecting portion 5, and the handle 2 are sequentially arranged on the top surface a. Along the height direction Z of the ink cartridge, when the handle 2 is in the first state, the highest point is higher than the light-shielding portion 41, and at least part of the light-shielding portion 41 is higher than the chip 3. Thus, when the ink cartridge is subjected to an external impact and the handle 2 is damaged, the light-shielding portion 41 can continue to absorb and offset part of the impact, reducing the probability of damage to the chip 3, and thereby reducing the maintenance cost when the ink cartridge is damaged.

[0078] Specifically, a light emitter and a light receiver are provided in the installation cavity 7. The light emitter can emit light, and the light receiver can receive light. During the process of inserting the ink cartridge into the installation cavity 7, the light-shielding portion 41 blocks the light emitted by the light emitter, so that the light receiver cannot receive light, and the printer detects the installation state of the ink cartridge.

[0079] In the prior art, the installation detection portion on the ink cartridge is provided with a float whose light-shielding state can change according to the ink remaining amount in the ink storage cavity. During the installation of the ink cartridge, the user shakes the ink cartridge, the ink in the cartridge shakes, and the float will also shake with the shaking of the ink. The shaking of the float may affect the accuracy of the installation detection.

[0080] In this application, the light-shielding portion 41 is fixedly provided on the top surface a. The light-shielding portion 41 does not move with the consumption and shaking of the ink in the ink storage cavity. Therefore, the installation state of the ink cartridge detected by the cooperation of the printer and the light-shielding portion 41 is relatively accurate, thereby improving the accuracy of the ink cartridge installation detection.

[0081] Further, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 13 , there are two light-shielding portions 41, and a light-transmitting area 42 is formed between the two light-shielding portions 41.

[0082] The light emitted by the light emitter can pass through the light-transmitting area 42. Since the light-transmitting area 42 is located between the two light-shielding portions 41, when the ink cartridge is inserted into the installation cavity 7, the light receiver first cannot receive light within a short period of time, then briefly receives light, and finally cannot receive light for a long time, indicating that the ink cartridge is installed in place.

[0083] Optionally, as shown in Figure 3 , the light-transmitting area 42 can be a depression between the two light-shielding portions 41.

[0084] Optionally, as shown in Figure 13 , the light-transmitting area 42 can be provided with a light-transmitting material.

[0085] In a specific embodiment, as shown in Figure 9 , the cartridge body 1 includes a main body 11 and a face cover 12. The face cover 12 is sleeved outside the main body 11. The main body 11 is provided with an ink storage cavity, and the face cover 12 is provided with a chip 3, a handle 2, and a light-shielding portion 41.

[0086] In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9 , for different printers, the shapes of the ink cartridges adapted to them will be slightly different. By uniformly producing the main body 11 and assembling face covers 12 adapted to different printer devices for the main body 11, the production cost of the ink cartridge can be reduced. The top surface of the face cover 12 is provided with a matching structure for the installation cavity 7, and the matching structure includes a chip 3, a handle 2, and a light-shielding portion 41.

[0087] Specifically, as shown in Figure 10 and Figure 11 , the side of the face cover 12 for contacting the main body 11 is provided with a clamping post 122, and the main body 11 is provided with a clamping groove 111. The clamping post 122 can extend into the clamping groove 111 to realize the clamping of the main body 11 and the face cover 12, making it difficult for the main body 11 and the face cover 12 to separate.

[0088] More specifically, the top surface of the face cover 12 and / or the top surface of the main body 11 constitute the top surface a of the cartridge body 1, that is, a part of the top surface a of the cartridge body 1 is constituted by the top surface of the face cover 12, and the other part is constituted by the top surface of the main body 11. It can be understood that the top surface a of the cartridge body 1 can also be completely constituted by the top surface of the face cover 12, or completely constituted by the top surface of the main body 11.

[0089] Further, only the structure for storing and supplying ink is provided on the main body 11, and other functional structures for implementing cartridge installation detection and signal detection are provided on the face cover 12, thereby greatly improving the adaptability of the main body 11.

[0090] As Figure 14 shown, the ink cartridge further has an ink outlet nozzle 6. There is an ink needle in the installation cavity 7. The ink outlet nozzle 6 communicates with the ink storage cavity. When the ink cartridge is loaded into the installation cavity, the ink needle is inserted into the ink outlet nozzle 6 so that the ink in the ink storage cavity can be supplied to the printer.

[0091] Specifically, the ink outlet nozzle 6 is provided on the front surface c of the cartridge body 1. Along the height direction Z of the ink cartridge, the ink outlet nozzle 6 is located below the chip 3 and the handle 2.

[0092] The above are only the preferred embodiments of the present application and are not intended to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application can have various changes and modifications. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application shall be included in the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, detachably mounted in a mounting cavity (7) of a printing device, characterized in that: The ink cartridge has: A box body (1), the box body (1) comprises a main body (11) and a surface cover (12), the surface cover (12) is arranged on the outer side of the main body (11), the main body (11) is provided with an ink storage cavity, and the top surface of the surface cover (12) is provided with a matching structure that acts with the installation cavity (7).

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The matching structure comprises a chip (3).

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that: The matching structure also includes a handle (2).

4. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The matching structure further comprises a light shielding portion (41), and the light shielding portion (41) is made of a light-proof material.

5. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The body (11) is also provided with an ink outlet nozzle (6) for supplying ink, and along the height direction (Z) of the ink cartridge, the ink outlet nozzle (6) is located below the chip (3), and the chip (3) is located below the handle (2).

6. The ink cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that: Along the height direction (Z) of the ink cartridge, the highest point of the handle (2) is higher than the light shielding portion (41), and at least a portion of the light shielding portion (41) is higher than the chip (3).

7. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The handle (2) can rotate relative to the box body (1) around a rotation point, so that the handle (2) has a first state and a second state; The highest point of the handle (2) when it is in the first state is higher than the highest point of the handle (2) when it is in the second state.

8. The ink cartridge according to claim 7, characterized in that: The handle (2) has a protrusion (21), and the protrusion (21) is used to contact a positioning shaft (8) in the installation cavity (7), and the positioning shaft (8) drives the handle (2) to change from a first state to a second state; The protruding portion (21) is provided with a guide surface (211) and a limiting surface (212); the guide surface (211) is used to enable the positioning shaft (8) to move along it, and the limiting surface (212) is used to abut against the positioning shaft (8).

9. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: A clamping column (122) is provided on the side of the surface cover (12) in contact with the body (11), and a clamping groove (111) is provided on the body (11). The clamping column (122) can extend into the clamping groove (111) to achieve clamping of the body (11) and the surface cover (12).

10. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The top surface of the cover (12) and / or the top surface of the main body (11) constitute the top surface (a) of the box body (1).

Images