Pressure balance valve and ink box

Abstract

The utility model discloses a pressure balance valve and ink box relates to ink supply device technical field, the pressure balance valve includes the bonnet, valve seat and elastic valve membrane, the bonnet is provided with the valve hole, the valve seat and bonnet cooperate to form the valve cavity, the valve seat is also provided with the first vent hole, the elastic valve membrane is arranged in the valve cavity, and the elastic valve membrane is provided with the first vent hole. The elastic valve membrane is arranged in the valve cavity to divide the valve cavity into a first cavity and a second cavity, the valve hole and the first exhaust hole are communicated with the first cavity and the second cavity respectively, an air gap is further formed in the elastic valve membrane, when the elastic valve membrane is in an initial state, the air gap is closed, and when the elastic valve membrane is in a first pressure relief state and a second pressure relief state, the air gap is unfolded. The pressure balance valve not only can adapt to the condition that the negative pressure in the ink box is increased (ink is reduced), but also can adapt to the condition that the positive pressure in the ink box is increased (ink is filled), so that different working conditions of the ink box are met, and the smoothness of the ink box in the normal use and ink filling process is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of ink supply devices, in particular to a pressure balance valve and an ink cartridge. Background Art

[0002] Inkjet printing devices are generally provided with detachable ink cartridges, which are mainly responsible for storing and providing ink to the print head of the inkjet printing device so as to form text and images on printing media such as paper.

[0003] As the ink in the ink cartridge decreases or increases, the pressure in the ink cartridge will also change accordingly. The pressure difference between the ink cartridge and the external atmosphere will affect the smoothness of the ink discharge from the ink cartridge. Usually, the internal pressure of the ink cartridge is controlled by a multi-check valve. As the ink is consumed, the negative pressure in the ink cartridge increases, and the external atmospheric pressure exerts pressure on the check valve, causing the valve body to open, allowing the outside air to enter the ink cartridge to adjust the negative pressure.

[0004] However, the above valve body structure cannot adapt to the situation of refilling ink into the ink cartridge. During the ink filling process, the positive pressure inside the ink cartridge increases and the gas can only be discharged from the ink filling port, thereby affecting the smoothness of the ink filling process, reducing the ink filling efficiency, and affecting the user experience. Utility Model Content

[0005] The purpose of the embodiments of the utility model is to provide a pressure balancing valve, which can solve the above-mentioned problems existing in the prior art.

[0006] In order to achieve the above purpose, the utility model adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] In a first aspect, a pressure balancing valve is provided, which is applied to an ink cartridge, comprising:

[0008] A valve cover having a valve hole;

[0009] A valve seat, which cooperates with the valve cover to form a valve cavity, and the valve seat is further provided with a first exhaust hole, wherein an end of the first exhaust hole away from the valve cavity is used to communicate with the interior of the ink cartridge;

[0010] an elastic valve membrane, arranged in the valve cavity to separate the valve cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber, the valve hole and the first exhaust hole are respectively connected to the first chamber and the second chamber, and an air gap is also arranged on the elastic valve membrane;

[0011] The elastic valve membrane is located in the valve cavity and can undergo elastic deformation between an initial state, a first pressure relief state and a second pressure relief state. When the elastic valve membrane is in the initial state, the air gap is closed. When the elastic valve membrane is in the first pressure relief state and the second pressure relief state, the air gap is expanded.

[0012] As an alternative embodiment, a second exhaust hole is further formed in the valve cover. The second exhaust hole and the valve hole are spaced apart on the valve cover, and the second exhaust hole communicates with the first chamber;

[0013] The second exhaust hole is provided with a movable plug. The movable plug can move relative to the second exhaust hole between a blocking position and a releasing position. When the movable plug is in the blocking position, the second exhaust hole closes the first chamber and the second chamber. When the movable plug is in the releasing position, the first chamber and the second chamber communicate with each other through the second exhaust hole; and

[0014] When the elastic valve film is in the initial state or the first pressure relief state, the movable plug is in the blocking position. When the elastic valve film is in the second pressure relief state, the movable plug is in the releasing position.

[0015] As an alternative embodiment, the movable plug includes:

[0016] A plug body, the size of the plug body is larger than the size of the second exhaust hole, and the plug body is arranged outside the end of the second exhaust hole away from the first chamber;

[0017] A guide rod, connected to the plug body and movably passing through the second exhaust hole;

[0018] The plug body and the guide rod are connected by a transition section, and the transition section gradually narrows from one end of the plug body towards the guide rod.

[0019] As an alternative embodiment, the valve hole is configured to only allow air to flow into the first chamber.

[0020] As an alternative embodiment, the edge of the elastic valve film is hermetically connected to the valve cover.

[0021] As an alternative embodiment, the valve cover and the valve seat are in interference fit;

[0022] A first limiting structure and a second limiting structure are further arranged between the valve cover and the valve seat. The first limiting structure is configured to restrict the circumferential rotation of the valve cover on the valve seat, and the second limiting structure is configured to restrict the height of the valve cover covering the valve seat.

[0023] As an alternative embodiment, the elastic valve film is arranged as a circular diaphragm.

[0024] In a second aspect, a cartridge is provided, including:

[0025] An ink cartridge body, inside which an ink storage chamber and an ink supply chamber are formed and communicated through an opening, and an ink supply hole and an air inlet hole are spacedly formed on the ink cartridge body, the ink supply hole being connected to the ink supply chamber;

[0026] A pressure - applying valve, disposed at a position of the ink cartridge body corresponding to the ink storage chamber, the pressure - applying valve being connected to the air inlet hole and used for applying pressure to the ink storage chamber when air enters through the air inlet hole;

[0027] The pressure - balance valve as described in the first aspect is disposed at a position of the ink cartridge body corresponding to the ink storage chamber.

[0028] As an optional implementation manner, an air passage is concavely formed on the surface of the ink cartridge body, one end of the air passage is communicated with the first chamber through the valve hole, and a ventilation hole communicated with the other end of the air passage is further formed on the ink cartridge body;

[0029] A sealing sticker is attached to the surface of the ink cartridge where the air passage is formed.

[0030] As an optional implementation manner, a ventilation groove is concavely formed on the valve cover, the valve hole is formed at the bottom of the groove of the air passage, and one end of the air passage is communicated with the ventilation groove;

[0031] The sealing sticker is pasted on the valve cover to block the notch of the ventilation groove.

[0032] The beneficial effects of the present utility model are as follows: By arranging an elastic valve film in the valve cavity formed by the valve cover and the valve seat, the pressure - balance valve divides the valve cavity into a first chamber connected to the ink cartridge and a second chamber connected to the outside atmosphere by the valve film. When the pressure inside the ink cartridge is balanced with the outside atmosphere, the elastic valve film is in an initial state and the air gap is closed, thereby maintaining the stable state of the ink cartridge and ensuring its normal use;

[0033] In the case of a pressure difference between the inside of the ink cartridge and the outside atmosphere, the elastic valve film will deform from the initial state to the first pressure - relief state or the second pressure - relief state under the action of pressure, and the air gap will be opened in the first pressure - relief state and the second pressure - relief state, so that the air pressure inside the ink cartridge is balanced with the outside atmospheric pressure. Moreover, because the elastic valve film can deform in the directions of the first chamber and the second chamber along with the pressure difference, therefore, this pressure - balance valve can not only adapt to the situation where the negative pressure inside the ink cartridge increases (ink decreases), but also adapt to the situation where the positive pressure inside the ink cartridge increases (ink is refilled), so as to meet different working conditions of the ink cartridge, and also ensure the smoothness during the normal use and ink refilling process of the ink cartridge, and ensure that users have a good use experience. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the drawings and embodiments.

[0035] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the overall structure of the ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 Exploded view of the ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 One of the cross-sectional views of the assembled state of the pressure balance valve and the ink cartridge body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 4 Two of the cross-sectional views of the assembled state of the pressure balance valve and the ink cartridge body according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0039] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the internal structure of the ink cartridge body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] In the figure: 10, valve cover; 11, valve hole; 12, second exhaust hole; 13, first chamber; 14, movable plug; 141, plug body; 142, guide rod; 143, transition section; 15, ventilation groove; 16, transition channel; 20, valve seat; 21, first exhaust hole; 22, second chamber; 30, elastic valve membrane; 40, ink cartridge body; 41, ink storage chamber; 42, ink supply chamber; 43, ink supply hole; 44, air inlet hole; 45, air passage; 46, ventilation hole; 47, filling port; 471, sealing hole cover; 48, partition; 50, pressure application valve; 60, first limiting structure; 70, second limiting structure. Detailed implementation manners

[0041] In order to make the technical problems solved by the present invention, the technical solutions adopted and the achieved technical effects clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, rather than all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0042] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined and limited, the terms "connected", "connected", "fixed" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it may be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral body; it may be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it may be directly connected or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium, and it may be the communication inside two elements or the interaction relationship between two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific situations.

[0043] In the present utility model, unless otherwise clearly specified and defined, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the direct contact between the first and second features, or may include the situation where the first and second features are not in direct contact but in contact through additional features therebetween. Moreover, the first feature being "above", "over" and "on top of" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is higher than that of the second feature. The first feature being "below", "beneath" and "underneath" the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or merely indicates that the horizontal height of the first feature is lower than that of the second feature.

[0044] An inkjet printing device is a device that forms images and texts by jetting liquid ink onto printing media such as paper. In order to achieve the final inkjet printing, the inkjet printing device is generally provided with a detachable ink cartridge. The ink cartridge is used in the inkjet printing device to store printing ink and supply ink to the print head of the inkjet printing device.

[0045] As can be seen from the background art, as the ink in the ink cartridge decreases or increases, the pressure in the ink cartridge will also change accordingly. The air pressure difference generated between the ink cartridge and the external atmosphere will affect the smoothness of the ink discharging from the ink cartridge (the imbalance of the internal and external air pressures may cause problems such as the ink not being ejected normally or the print head being blocked). Usually, the method of controlling the internal pressure of the ink cartridge generally adopts multiple one-way valves. As the ink is consumed, the negative pressure in the ink cartridge increases, and the external atmospheric pressure exerts pressure on the one-way valve, causing the valve body to open, and the external air enters the ink cartridge interior to adjust the negative pressure.

[0046] However, the above valve body structure cannot adapt to the situation of refilling ink into the ink cartridge. During the ink refilling process, the positive pressure in the ink cartridge increases and the gas can only be discharged from the ink refilling port, thus affecting the smoothness during the ink refilling process, reducing the ink refilling efficiency, and affecting the user experience.

[0047] In view of this, the present embodiment provides a pressure balance valve, which can be specifically applied to the ink cartridge of an inkjet printing device. The pressure balance valve solves a series of problems such as poor ink discharging and refilling smoothness of the ink cartridge by providing an elastic valve film 30 in the valve cavity and providing a space for the elastic valve film 30 to elastically deform in different directions so that the pressure balance valve can adapt to the situations of different air pressure differences between the interior of the ink cartridge and the external atmosphere.

[0048] Please refer to the appendix Figures 1 - 4 , the pressure balance valve includes:

[0049] Valve cover 10, the valve cover 10 is usually arranged at the top of the pressure balance valve, used to close the valve body and protect internal parts (such as valve seat 20, valve film, etc.). There is a valve hole 11 on the valve cover 10, and the valve hole 11 runs through the opposite sides of the valve cover 10, so that in the application scenario of the ink cartridge for this pressure balance valve, the valve cavity formed inside the valve body can communicate with the outside atmosphere of the ink cartridge through the valve hole 11. When there is a change in air pressure difference between the inside of the ink cartridge and the outside atmosphere, the valve hole 11 can balance the air pressure inside the ink cartridge by allowing air to enter and exit.

[0050] It should be understood that in the application of the pressure balance valve, the valve cover 10 can serve as an interface for installing or adjusting internal components of the valve body and provide support for corresponding components.

[0051] Valve seat 20, the valve seat 20 serves as the support main body of this pressure balance valve. It cooperates with the valve cover 10 to form a valve cavity. Among them, the structures at the cooperation part between the valve seat 20 and the valve cover 10 are matched, so that when the valve cover 10 is covered on the valve seat 20, an airtight fit can be maintained between the two, avoiding leakage of air in the valve cavity through the gap between the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20, and at the same time, ensuring that the air from the outside atmosphere does not enter the valve cavity through the gap between the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20.

[0052] It can be understood that the shape of the sealing surface formed at the cooperation part between the valve seat 20 and the valve cover 10 can be a plane, a conical surface, a spherical surface, etc., to ensure their close fit.

[0053] In addition, the formation of the valve cavity can include but is not limited to the following structural forms:

[0054] First, a valve groove is recessed on the valve seat 20. The valve cover 10 is covered on the valve seat 20 to close the valve groove, so that the valve groove forms a relatively sealed cavity (valve cavity) structure.

[0055] Second, a valve groove is recessed on the valve cover 10. By covering the valve cover 10 on the valve seat 20, the valve seat 20 closes the valve groove, and the valve groove forms a relatively sealed cavity (valve cavity) structure.

[0056] Third, valve grooves with mutually adapted structures are recessed on both the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20. By covering the valve cover 10 on the valve seat 20, the valve grooves located on the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20 respectively cooperate to form a relatively closed cavity (valve cavity) structure.

[0057] On the basis of the above, the valve seat 20 is further provided with a first exhaust hole 21, the valve hole 11 and the first exhaust hole 21 are both connected to the valve cavity, the valve hole 11 is used to connect the valve cavity with the external atmosphere of the pressure balance valve, and the end of the first exhaust hole 21 away from the valve cavity is used to connect the inside of the ink cartridge. It should be noted that in the application of the pressure balance valve in the ink cartridge, in order to adapt to the design requirements of connecting the inside of the ink cartridge with the external atmosphere, the valve seat 20 is used to be installed on the ink cartridge, so that the inside of the ink cartridge and the external atmosphere are connected to the first exhaust hole 21 in turn through the valve hole 11.

[0058] The valve seat 20 and the ink cartridge body 40 can be manufactured by an integrated molding process (such as injection molding, blow molding, 3D printing, etc.), or can be manufactured by separate processing and combined through subsequent assembly processes (such as snap-fitting, bonding, welding, etc.).

[0059] The elastic valve membrane 30 has the ability to sense pressure changes and produce corresponding deformations. In the pressure balancing valve, the elastic valve membrane 30 is arranged in the valve cavity so that the valve cavity is divided into two relatively independent cavities under the action of the diaphragm, namely the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22. After the elastic valve membrane 30 senses the pressure changes and produces corresponding deformations, the opening and closing of the pressure balancing valve is controlled by the elastic valve membrane 30, so that the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22 are blocked and independent of each other or connected to each other when the elastic valve membrane 30 is in different states.

[0060] Specifically, the valve hole 11 and the first exhaust hole 21 are connected to the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22 respectively. In the application scenario of the ink cartridge, the first chamber 13 is connected to the external atmosphere of the ink cartridge through the valve hole 11, and the second chamber 22 is connected to the inside of the ink cartridge through the first exhaust hole 21. That is to say, the connection and closure between the inside of the ink cartridge (such as the ink storage chamber 41 mentioned later in this article) and the external atmosphere of the ink cartridge can be controlled by the elastic valve membrane 30, and the connection and closure between the two depends on the air pressure difference between the inside of the ink cartridge and the external atmosphere of the ink cartridge (the pressure difference between the inside of the ink cartridge and the external atmosphere of the ink cartridge).

[0061] It should be noted that in order to allow the elastic valve membrane 30 to deform accordingly according to pressure changes, the elastic valve membrane 30 can be made of a material with elastic reset properties, including but not limited to nitrile rubber (NBR), fluororubber (FKM), silicone rubber (Si), and natural rubber (NR).

[0062] Continuing with the above embodiment, an air gap (not shown) is further provided on the elastic valve membrane 30. The elastic valve membrane 30 is located in the valve cavity and can be elastically deformed between an initial state, a first pressure relief state and a second pressure relief state according to different air pressure differences.

[0063] Specifically, when the elastic valve film 30 (also known as the diaphragm) is not affected by the air pressure difference (when there is no air pressure difference between the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22, or the air pressure difference between the two spaces is less than the preset value), the elastic valve film 30 is in its initial state. In this state, the elastic valve film 30 can also be understood as being in an unpressurized state, and the air slit (or channel) on it remains closed due to the elasticity of the valve film. This ensures that when there is no external pressure, gas will not leak through the air slit, and the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22 remain in an independent partitioned state. When the elastic valve film 30 is affected by the air pressure difference (when the air pressure difference between the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22 is greater than the preset value), the elastic valve film 30 is acted upon by the pressure from the first chamber 13 or the second chamber 22, and then undergoes elastic deformation and is in the first pressure relief state or the second pressure relief state. In the first pressure relief state and the second pressure relief state of the elastic valve film 30, the air slit located on it is unfolded, allowing gas to pass through the air slit of the elastic valve film 30, thereby achieving the balance of the air pressure difference between the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22. After the air pressure difference between the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22 is balanced or nearly balanced, the air pressure difference between the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22 resumes being less than the preset value, causing the elastic valve film 30 to elastically reset from the first pressure relief state or the second pressure relief state to the initial state to close again, isolating the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22, maintaining the mutual independence between the inside of the ink cartridge and the external environment of the ink cartridge, thereby keeping the ink cartridge state stable and ensuring its normal use.

[0064] The pressure balance valve of this embodiment divides the valve cavity into the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22 through the elastic valve film 30, enabling the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22 to respectively provide corresponding spaces on opposite sides of the elastic valve film 30 where elastic deformation can occur. In this way, whether the pressure in the first chamber 13 is greater than the pressure in the second chamber 22 or the pressure in the second chamber 22 is greater than the pressure in the first chamber 13, the elastic valve film 30 can deform in the direction close to the second chamber 22 or the first chamber 13 to play a role in balancing different air pressure differences.

[0065] For ease of understanding, in this embodiment, the first pressure relief state of the elastic valve film 30 is understood as the state where the pressure in the first chamber 13 is greater than the pressure in the second chamber 22, causing the elastic valve film 30 to deform in the direction of the second chamber 22 and the air slit to unfold; the second pressure relief state is understood as the state where the pressure in the second chamber 22 is greater than the pressure in the first chamber 13, causing the elastic valve film 30 to deform in the direction of the first chamber 13 and the air slit to unfold.

[0066] Based on the above understanding, in the application of the pressure balance valve provided in this embodiment to the ink cartridge, as the inkjet printing device is used, the ink in the ink cartridge gradually decreases. That is, the vacuum space in the ink cartridge will increase accordingly, resulting in a negative pressure inside the ink cartridge. The atmospheric pressure outside the ink cartridge is greater than that inside the ink cartridge. At this time, the elastic valve film 30 will deform from the initial state to the first pressure relief state, and a gas slit will be opened in the first pressure relief state, so that the outside air of the ink cartridge can enter the ink cartridge through the opened gas slit, so as to balance the air pressure inside the ink cartridge with the atmospheric pressure outside, ensuring that the ink can be normally released from the ink cartridge. During the process of refilling the ink cartridge with ink, the ink in the ink cartridge gradually increases, and the air in the ink cartridge is compressed, resulting in a positive pressure inside the ink cartridge. This will cause the ink output during the use of the ink cartridge to be greater than the printing requirement. At this time, the elastic valve film 30 will deform from the initial state to the second pressure relief state, and a gas slit will be opened in the second pressure relief state, so that the air inside the ink cartridge can be discharged from the ink cartridge through the opened gas slit, so as to balance the air pressure inside the ink cartridge with the atmospheric pressure outside, ensuring that the ink cartridge can normally release ink during subsequent normal use. This pressure balance valve can not only adapt to the situation of increased negative pressure (decreased ink) inside the ink cartridge, but also adapt to the situation of increased positive pressure (ink refilling) inside the ink cartridge to meet different working conditions of the ink cartridge, and also ensure the smoothness during the normal use and ink refilling process of the ink cartridge, ensuring that users have a good experience.

[0067] By using the elastic valve film 30 as the control unit for opening and closing the pressure balance valve, the airtightness between the ink cartridge and the atmospheric pressure outside can be ensured, effectively preventing the leakage of air or ink. Moreover, due to the good elastic performance of the elastic valve film 30, the degree of deformation of the elastic valve film 30 and the size of the opened gas slit are usually proportional to the pressure difference between the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22. Therefore, the elastic valve film 30 can also more accurately and quickly balance and adjust the pressure difference between the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22 to ensure that the ink cartridge can be normally used under different conditions.

[0068] It is worth mentioning that there is no strict limitation on the gas slit structure opened on the elastic valve film 30 in this embodiment. It can be but is not limited to a linear gas slit, a cross-shaped gas slit, a star-shaped gas slit, etc., as long as it can meet different functions and play corresponding roles under the above different conditions.

[0069] Please continue to refer to the appendix Figures 1 - 4 As a further embodiment, a second exhaust hole 12 is also opened on the valve cover 10. The second exhaust hole 12 and the valve hole 11 are spaced apart on the valve cover 10, and the second exhaust hole 12 communicates with the first chamber 13. That is, both the valve hole 11 and the second exhaust hole 12 penetrate through opposite sides of the valve cover 10 and are both communicated with the first chamber 13 and the atmospheric pressure outside the pressure balance valve.

[0070] In the application scenario of the ink cartridge, the second exhaust hole 12 only serves to exhaust the gas in the first chamber 13 to the external environment of the pressure balance valve. That is, when the external atmospheric pressure is greater than the internal air pressure of the ink cartridge, the pressure balance valve only sucks the external ambient air into the first chamber 13 through the valve hole 11, and the second exhaust hole 12 does not provide this function. It only allows the air in the first chamber 13 to be quickly discharged when the internal air pressure of the ink cartridge is greater than the external atmospheric pressure and the air in the second chamber 22 enters the first chamber 13, so as to quickly reduce the internal pressure of the ink cartridge and avoid ink leakage.

[0071] In order to provide only one-way gas flow, the second exhaust hole 12 is provided with a movable plug 14, which can move between a blocking position and a release position relative to the second exhaust hole 12. When the movable plug 14 is in the blocking position, the second exhaust hole 12 closes the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22, and when the movable plug 14 is in the release position, the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22 are connected through the second exhaust hole 12.

[0072] Correspondingly, when the elastic valve membrane 30 is in the initial state or the first pressure relief state (the pressure of the first chamber 13 is greater than the pressure of the second chamber 22), the active plug 14 is in the blocking position, so that the air outside the ink cartridge can only enter the first chamber 13 through the valve hole 11, control the air flow rate entering the first chamber 13, reduce the impact of the air on the ink inside the ink cartridge, and ensure the stability of the internal state of the ink cartridge. When the elastic valve membrane 30 is in the second pressure relief state, the active plug 14 is in the release position, so that the compressed air inside the ink cartridge can be quickly discharged from the ink cartridge, so as to avoid the ink inside the ink cartridge from leaking out of the ink cartridge through the ink supply hole 43 and the air inlet hole 44.

[0073] In one embodiment, a corresponding limiting structure may be provided between the active plug 14 and other components in the pressure balancing valve to constrain the active plug 14 in the second exhaust hole 12. For example, the active plug 14 may be connected to the elastic valve membrane 30, so that the active plug 14 forms a connection relationship with the elastic valve membrane 30 under the constraint of the second exhaust hole 12, so that it is not easy to separate from the pressure balancing valve, and the state of the active plug 14 can also change with the state of the elastic valve membrane 30, so as to achieve the purpose of adapting the state of the active plug 14 to the state of the elastic valve membrane 30. Alternatively, when the pressure balancing valve is applied to the ink cartridge, a limiting structure for limiting the active plug 14 from separating from the valve cover 10 may be provided on the ink cartridge, and this embodiment will not be further limited to this.

[0074] Please continue to refer to the attached Figures 1 - 4As a specific implementation of the structure of the movable plug 14 , the movable plug 14 includes a plug body 141 and a guide rod 142 .

[0075] Specifically, the plug body 141, as the main part of the movable plug 14, needs to have a size larger than that of the second exhaust hole 12. For example, when the second exhaust hole 12 is a circular through hole, the outer diameter of the plug body 141 is set to be larger than the aperture of the second exhaust hole 12, so that the plug body 141 cannot pass through the second exhaust hole 12, and can be blocked by the edge of the second exhaust hole 12 when close to the second exhaust hole 12, which not only plays the role of sealing the second exhaust hole 12, but also realizes the constraint of the movable plug 14 in a certain movable direction.

[0076] In this embodiment, the movable plug 14 is specifically arranged on the side of the valve cover 10 away from the first chamber 13, that is, when the elastic valve membrane 30 is in the first pressure relief state (the elastic valve membrane 30 is deformed toward the second chamber 22), the pressure in the first chamber 13 is greater than that in the second chamber 22, and the movable plug 14 is also maintained in the blocking position where the plug body 141 blocks the second exhaust hole 12, ensuring that in the first pressure relief state, the pressure balance valve only sucks air into the first chamber 13 through the valve hole 11. In the second pressure relief state (the elastic valve membrane 30 is deformed toward the first chamber 13), the pressure in the second chamber 22 is greater than that in the first chamber 13, and the movable plug 14 is also lifted up under the corresponding pressure or the action of the elastic valve membrane 30 and other components, so that the plug body 141 is separated from the second exhaust hole 12 and is in the release position, so that the air in the second chamber 22 can be quickly discharged from the pressure balance valve through the second exhaust hole 12 after entering and exiting the first chamber 13 through the air gap.

[0077] The guide rod 142 is connected to the plug body 141 and can be movably connected to the second exhaust hole 12, and is used to cooperate with the second exhaust hole 12 to control the movement direction of the plug body 141 between the blocking position and the release position, to prevent the plug body 141 from deviating from the movement trajectory between the above two positions and affecting its airtight performance in the blocking position.

[0078] Furthermore, the plug body 141 is connected to the guide rod 142 by a transition section 143, and the transition section 143 gradually narrows from one end of the plug body 141 toward the guide rod 142, so that the movable plug 14 can be partially inserted into the second exhaust hole 12 in a wedging manner through the transition slope when in the blocked position. The contact area with the second exhaust hole 12 is increased by the transition slope, thereby improving the matching strength between the plug body 141 and the second exhaust hole 12 and the airtightness between them.

[0079] In one embodiment, the pressure balance valve may also be configured such that the valve orifice 11 is a one-way through-hole that only allows air to flow from the external environment of the valve cover 10 into the first chamber 13. In this way, when the elastic valve membrane 30 is in the second pressure relief state and the movable plug 14 is correspondingly in the release position, after the air in the second chamber 22 flows into the first chamber 13 through the air gap, it can only be discharged outside the pressure balance valve through the second exhaust hole 12. The valve orifice 11 and the second exhaust hole 12 respectively perform the functions of air intake and exhaust, enabling the pressure balance valve to adapt to the specific requirements of corresponding products in the specific applications of certain models of ink cartridges.

[0080] In one embodiment, the elastic valve membrane 30 is disposed on the valve cover 10 and is hermetically connected to the bottom of the valve cover 10 (the side of the valve cover 10 located inside the valve cavity) through the edge of the elastic valve membrane 30. This allows the elastic valve membrane 30 to be installed on the valve cover 10 during the processing of the valve cover 10, reducing the overall process difficulty of the pressure balance valve. At the same time, the elastic valve membrane 30 can be disassembled from the valve seat 20 together with the valve cover 10, facilitating the improvement of the disassembly and assembly efficiency of the pressure balance valve. After the valve cover 10 is opened, it is not necessary to remove the elastic valve membrane 30 from the valve seat 20, facilitating the maintenance of the valve seat 20. Also, after operations such as maintenance of the pressure balance valve, the airtight performance of the elastic valve membrane 30 and the overall pressure balance valve is maintained.

[0081] In the above-described setting method, the connection method between the edge of the elastic valve membrane 30 and the valve cover 10 can be, but is not limited to, adhesive bonding, ultrasonic welding, etc.

[0082] In order to ensure that the valve cavity can be divided into the first chamber 13 and the second chamber 22 by the elastic valve membrane 30 in the above-described setting method, when the elastic valve membrane 30 is in the initial state, the elastic valve membrane 30 protrudes towards the valve seat 20 to ensure that there is a space between the elastic valve membrane 30 and the valve cover 10 for forming the first chamber 13, and also enables the elastic valve membrane 30 to have the function of elastically deforming towards the first chamber 13 to the second pressure relief state.

[0083] It should be understood that since the pressure balance valve is not a vulnerable part in the application scenario of the ink cartridge, and therefore, the situation where the valve cover 10 needs to be disassembled from the valve seat 20 for cleaning, maintenance, etc. is relatively rare. In one embodiment, please continue to refer to the appendix Figures 1 - 4 , the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20 are assembled by an interference fit method to ensure the assembly strength of the valve cover 10 on the valve seat 20.

[0084] Exemplarily, a limiting step is provided at the position where the valve seat 20 surrounds the valve cavity. While the valve cover 10 is covered on the valve cavity, by being clamped on the limiting step, the bottom side surface of the valve cover 10 can be restricted by the limiting step in terms of its installation depth. At the same time, the valve cover 10 can also be tightly wedged with the side surface of the limiting step through its outer peripheral surface, so that the fit between the valve cover 10 and the valve cavity has a certain airtightness, which can prevent gas in the valve cavity from leaking through the gap between the valve seat 20 and the valve cover 10. At the same time, it also reduces the influence of air pressure on the valve cover 10, reduces the risk of the valve cover 10 falling off, and ensures that the ink cartridge can stably provide the ink supply function.

[0085] Further, a first limiting structure 60 and a second limiting structure 70 are also provided between the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20. The first limiting structure 60 is configured to restrict the circumferential rotation of the valve cover 10 on the valve seat 20, and the second limiting structure 70 is configured to restrict the height of the valve cover 10 covered on the valve seat 20. Here, the second limiting structure 70 can also be understood as a part of the above-mentioned step structure.

[0086] It should be noted that the definition of the circumferential direction of the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20 is the direction in which the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20 surround the valve cavity. When the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20 rotate relative to each other circumferentially, the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20 may gradually deviate from the airtight fit state with the circumferential play between the two, ultimately resulting in leakage of the valve cavity, leading to the failure of the pressure balance valve, or may also cause displacement of the detachable position between the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20, increasing the disassembly difficulty of the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20. The height direction of the valve cover 10 is consistent with the disassembly and assembly direction of the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20, that is, the second limiting structure 70 can define the relative height position between the valve cover 10 and the valve seat 20 when the valve cover 10 is assembled on the valve seat 20, so as to ensure the size of the valve cavity defined between the two to meet the process requirements of the pressure balance valve.

[0087] It should be understood that both the first limiting structure 60 and the second limiting structure 70 can adopt relatively commonly used limiting structures in current mechanical design. For example, the first limiting structure 60 can be a limiting convex block protruding from the outer peripheral part of the valve cover 10 and a limiting groove recessed on the side of the valve cover 10 located in the valve cavity; the second limiting structure 70 can be composed of the bottom of the valve cover 10 and a limiting platform protruding from the side of the valve seat 20 in the valve cavity. The limiting structure described in this embodiment is not strictly limited.

[0088] In one embodiment, the elastic valve membrane 30 is set as a circular membrane, and the air slit is arranged in the middle of the elastic valve membrane 30 and the air slit is set to pass through the center of the elastic valve membrane 30. Thus, when the elastic valve membrane 30 is elastically deformed under pressure, the force on each valve membrane piece separated by the air slit is uniform, which helps to reduce the stress concentration phenomenon, and the air slit can stably unfold and close, maintaining the sealing performance and flow control accuracy of the pressure balance valve.

[0089] In addition, the contact area between the circular elastic valve film 30 and the valve seat 20 or the valve cover 10 is relatively large, and the contact shape is circular, which is conducive to forming a tighter seal between the elastic valve film 30 and the valve seat 20 or the valve cover 10, effectively preventing medium leakage and improving the sealing performance of the valve.

[0090] Please refer to the attached Figures 1 - 5 , this embodiment also provides an ink cartridge. This ink cartridge is applied to the pressure balance valve provided in any of the above embodiments. On this basis, the ink cartridge further includes an ink cartridge body 40. An ink storage chamber 41 and an ink supply chamber 42 that communicate through an opening are formed inside the ink cartridge body 40. Both the ink storage chamber 41 and the ink supply chamber 42 are used for storing ink. In addition, an ink supply hole 43 and an air inlet hole 44 are spaced apart on the ink cartridge body 40, and the ink supply hole 43 is connected to the ink supply chamber 42. In the application of an inkjet printing device, the ink supply hole 43 is used to be in liquid communication with the ink flow channel in the print head (not shown) to deliver the ink in the ink cartridge body 40 to the ink flow channel through the ink supply hole 43, and then to the inside of the print head, so as to extrude the ink from the nozzles of the print head. The air inlet hole 44 is used to be connected to the pump of the print head. The pump delivers gas to the inside of the ink cartridge body 40 through the air inlet hole 44, thereby increasing the pressure inside the ink cartridge body 40, and finally causing the ink to be extruded from the ink supply hole 43.

[0091] In one embodiment, the ink storage chamber 41 and the ink supply chamber 42 inside the ink cartridge body 40 can be separated by a partition plate 48 provided inside the ink cartridge body 40, and the ink storage chamber 41 and the ink supply chamber 42 can be communicated by opening an opening penetrating through opposite sides of the partition plate 48.

[0092] Continuing with the above embodiment, the ink cartridge further includes a pressure - applying valve 50. The pressure - applying valve 50 is provided at a position of the ink cartridge body 40 corresponding to the ink storage chamber 41. The pressure - applying valve 50 is connected to the air inlet hole 44 and is used to apply pressure to the ink storage chamber 41 when air enters through the air inlet hole 44. When there is ink stored in the ink storage chamber 41, air enters the pressure - applying valve 50 from the air inlet, causing the pressure - applying valve 50 to be pressured and squeeze the space of the ink storage chamber 41. At this time, the space of the ink storage chamber 41 is squeezed and the internal pressure increases. Then, the pressure is transmitted to the ink in the ink supply chamber 42 through the opening between the ink storage chamber 41 and the ink supply chamber 42, and finally the ink can be extruded from the ink supply chamber 42 through the ink supply port.

[0093] Furthermore, an air channel 45 is concavely provided on the surface of the ink cartridge body 40. One end of the air channel 45 communicates with the first chamber 13 through a valve hole 11, and the ink cartridge body 40 is also provided with a ventilation hole 46 communicating with the other end of the air channel 45.

[0094] In one embodiment, based on the above-described embodiment, the side surface of the ink cartridge where the air passage 45 is formed is adjacent to and angled with the side surface of the ink cartridge where the ventilation hole 46 is provided, or is provided on any two different side surfaces of the ink cartridge, so as to meet the requirements of different models of inkjet printing devices. That is, the end of the air passage 45 communicating with the ventilation hole 46 needs to be provided inside the ink cartridge body 40. Of course, the air passage 45 can also be provided entirely along the surface of the ink cartridge body 40 to extend to the ventilation hole 46 on the other side surface of the ink cartridge body 40.

[0095] In addition, this embodiment is not limited to the above solution. In some embodiments, the air passage 45 and the ventilation hole 46 can also be provided on the same side surface of the ink cartridge body 40.

[0096] Forming the air passage 45 on the surface of the ink cartridge body 40 can effectively reduce the overall size of the ink cartridge body 40 and is also convenient for later cleaning and maintenance. In order to prevent gas from leaking from the open air passage 45, a sealing sticker (not shown in the figure) is attached to the surface of the ink cartridge where the air passage 45 is formed, ensuring the sealing of the air passage 45 and the compact structure of the ink cartridge body 40 at a relatively low cost.

[0097] On the above basis, a ventilation groove 15 is further recessed on the top of the valve cover 10 (the side of the valve cover 10 facing away from the valve cavity). The valve hole 11 is formed at the bottom of the groove of the air passage 45. One end of the air passage 45 communicates with the ventilation groove 15 to be connected to the valve hole 11 through the ventilation groove 15, reducing the requirement for the assembly accuracy of the valve hole 11 and the air passage 45. As long as the air passage 45 can be connected to the ventilation groove 15, the air between the valve hole 11 and the air passage 45 can be transported through the ventilation groove 15, avoiding the situation where the valve hole 11 and the air passage 45 cannot be accurately connected due to assembly errors and other factors when the valve cover 10 is installed on the ink cartridge body 40.

[0098] Moreover, in the above-described embodiment where the second exhaust hole 12 is provided, the second exhaust hole 12 and the air passage 45 can also be connected through the ventilation groove 15. In this way, it is avoided that the ink cartridge body 40 needs to form another air passage 45 for connecting with the second exhaust hole 12, reducing the processing cost while ensuring the connection between the second exhaust hole 12 and the air passage 45.

[0099] Similarly, a sealing sticker is pasted on the valve cover 10 to block the notch of the ventilation groove 15. A transition passage 16 is recessed at the notch of the valve cover 10 where the ventilation groove 15 is located. Since the transition passage 16 is recessed on the valve cover 10, it is not blocked by the sealing sticker at this place. Its two opposite ends are respectively connected to the ventilation groove 15 and the air passage 45, ensuring the communication between the valve hole 11, the second exhaust hole 12, and the air passage 45.

[0100] In the above-mentioned embodiment in which a movable plug 14 is also provided, the sticker can also play a role in blocking the movable plug 14 to prevent the plug body 141 from being separated from the valve cover 10 .

[0101] In addition, in order to allow the ink cartridge to have the function of filling ink, a filling port 47 connected to the ink storage cavity 41 is also opened on the ink cartridge body 40. The filling port 47 is provided with a sealing hole cover 471 in daily use.

[0102] In summary, the ink cartridge adopts the pressure balancing valve provided by the above-mentioned embodiment, so that during the use of the ink cartridge and the process of filling with ink, the pressure balancing valve can elastically deform between the first pressure relief state and the second pressure relief state to maintain the pressure balance between the inside of the ink cartridge body 40 and the external atmosphere. While ensuring the normal use of the ink cartridge, it also avoids the situation where the ink cartridge has low filling smoothness and ink leakage from the ink supply hole 43 when filling with ink, thereby improving the user experience and extending the service life of the ink cartridge.

[0103] In the description of this article, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", etc., and other directions or positional relationships are only for the convenience of description and simplification of operation, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific direction, be constructed and operated in a specific direction, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation of the present invention. In addition, the terms "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish in the description and have no special meaning.

[0104] In the description of this specification, the description with reference to the terms "an embodiment", "example", etc. means that the specific features, structures, materials or characteristics described in conjunction with the embodiment or example are included in at least one embodiment or example of the utility model. In this specification, the schematic representation of the above terms does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example.

[0105] In addition, it should be understood that although this specification is described according to implementation methods, not every implementation method contains only one independent technical solution. This narrative method of the specification is only for the sake of clarity. Those skilled in the art should regard the specification as a whole. The technical solutions in each embodiment may also be appropriately combined to form other implementation methods that can be understood by those skilled in the art.

[0106] The technical principle of the present invention is described above in combination with specific embodiments. These descriptions are only for explaining the principle of the present invention and cannot be interpreted as limiting the protection scope of the present invention in any way. Based on the explanations here, technicians in this field can think of other specific implementation methods of the present invention without creative work, and these methods will fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pressure balance valve, applied to an ink cartridge, characterized in that, include: A valve cover (10) is provided with a valve hole (11); A valve seat (20) cooperates with the valve cover (10) to form a valve cavity, and the valve seat (20) is also provided with a first exhaust hole (21), wherein an end of the first exhaust hole (21) away from the valve cavity is used to communicate with the interior of the ink cartridge; an elastic valve membrane (30) disposed in the valve cavity to separate the valve cavity into a first chamber (13) and a second chamber (22); the valve hole (11) and the first exhaust hole (21) are respectively connected to the first chamber (13) and the second chamber (22); and an air gap is also disposed on the elastic valve membrane (30); The elastic valve membrane (30) is located in the valve cavity and can undergo elastic deformation between an initial state, a first pressure relief state, and a second pressure relief state. When the elastic valve membrane (30) is in the initial state, the air gap is closed. When the elastic valve membrane (30) is in the first pressure relief state and the second pressure relief state, the air gap is expanded.

2. The pressure balance valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve cover (10) is further provided with a second exhaust hole (12), the second exhaust hole (12) being arranged on the valve cover (10) at a distance from the valve hole (11), and the second exhaust hole (12) is connected to the first chamber (13); The second exhaust hole (12) is provided with a movable plug (14), and the movable plug (14) can move between a blocking position and a release position relative to the second exhaust hole (12); when the movable plug (14) is in the blocking position, the second exhaust hole (12) closes the first chamber (13) and the second chamber (22); when the movable plug (14) is in the release position, the first chamber (13) and the second chamber (22) are connected through the second exhaust hole (12); and When the elastic valve membrane (30) is in the initial state or the first pressure relief state, the movable plug (14) is in the blocking position; when the elastic valve membrane (30) is in the second pressure relief state, the movable plug (14) is in the releasing position.

3. The pressure balance valve according to claim 2, wherein The movable plug (14) comprises: a plug body (141), wherein the size of the plug body (141) is larger than the size of the second exhaust hole (12), and the plug body (141) is arranged outside the second exhaust hole (12) at an end away from the first chamber (13); A guide rod (142) connected to the plug body (141) and movably connected to the second exhaust hole (12); The plug body (141) is connected to the guide rod (142) via a transition section (143), and the transition section (143) gradually narrows from one end of the plug body (141) toward the guide rod (142).

4. The pressure balance valve according to claim 3, characterized in that, The valve hole (11) is configured to allow only air to flow into the first chamber (13).

5. The pressure balance valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The edge of the elastic valve membrane (30) is airtightly connected to the valve cover (10).

6. The pressure balance valve according to claim 1, characterized in that, The valve cover (10) and the valve seat (20) are interference fit; A first limiting structure (60) and a second limiting structure (70) are further provided between the valve cover (10) and the valve seat (20). The first limiting structure (60) is configured to restrict the circumferential rotation of the valve cover (10) on the valve seat (20), and the second limiting structure (70) is configured to restrict the height at which the valve cover (10) covers the valve seat (20).

7. The pressure balance valve according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that The elastic valve membrane (30) is provided as a circular membrane.

8. An ink cartridge, characterized in that, Comprising: An ink cartridge body (40) having an ink storage chamber (41) and an ink supply chamber (42) formed therein and communicating through an opening. The ink cartridge body (40) is further provided with spaced ink supply holes (43) and air inlet holes (44), and the ink supply holes (43) are connected to the ink supply chamber (42). A pressure - applying valve (50) is disposed at a position of the ink cartridge body (40) corresponding to the ink storage chamber (41). The pressure - applying valve (50) is connected to the air inlet hole (44) and is configured to apply pressure to the ink storage chamber (41) when air enters through the air inlet hole (44). The pressure - balancing valve according to any one of claims 1 - 7 is disposed at a position of the ink cartridge body (40) corresponding to the ink storage chamber (41).

9. The ink cartridge according to claim 8, wherein, An air passage (45) is recessed on the surface of the ink cartridge body (40). One end of the air passage (45) communicates with the first chamber (13) through the valve hole (11), and the ink cartridge body (40) is further provided with a ventilation hole (46) communicating with the other end of the air passage (45). A sealing sticker is attached to the surface of the ink cartridge body (40) where the air passage (45) is provided.

10. The ink cartridge according to claim 9, characterized in that, The valve cover (10) is recessed with a ventilation groove (15), the valve hole (11) is opened at the bottom of the air passage (45), and one end of the air passage (45) communicates with the ventilation groove (15). The sealing sticker is pasted on the valve cover (10) to block the opening of the ventilation groove (15).

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