Ink box

Abstract

The utility model discloses an ink box which comprises a box body capable of storing ink, the thickness direction of the box body is the left-right direction, and the left-right direction is crossed with the front-back direction; the box cover is detachably mounted on the box body; the ink box further comprises a first shielding part and a second shielding part which are arranged in a split mode, the first shielding part is used for shielding the light path of the light detection part in the left-right direction, and the second shielding part is used for shielding the light path of the light detection part in the left-right direction. One of the first shielding part and the second shielding part is arranged on the box body, and the other one of the first shielding part and the second shielding part is arranged on the box cover. After the ink box is normally installed in the ink-jet printer, the second shielding part can shield the light path of the detection light all the time, it is guaranteed that the ink utilization rate of the ink box is higher, the structure is simple, and installation detection and assembly of the ink box are facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of inkjet imaging, in particular to an ink cartridge installed in an inkjet printer. Background Art

[0002] The prior art discloses an inkjet printer cartridge comprising an ink reservoir, an insertion detection unit, and a liquid level detection unit. The liquid level detection unit comprises an optical access unit and a sensor arm, which is disposed within the ink reservoir and is rotatable about an axis. When the ink reservoir is substantially full of ink, the sensor arm is located within the optical access unit, blocking light. When the ink in the reservoir is gradually depleted to a certain level, the sensor arm rotates, allowing light to pass through the optical access unit. In other words, the prior art utilizes the rotation of a float to detect ink depletion, a physical method of detection. However, when the viscosity of the ink is too low, the resistance to the float's rotation is reduced, causing the sensor arm to rotate prematurely, allowing light to pass through the optical access unit. This affects the accuracy of ink depletion detection, often resulting in an inkjet printer displaying an ink depletion signal when there is still a significant amount of ink in the cartridge, resulting in wasted ink. Furthermore, the sensor wall and other devices disposed within the ink reservoir occupy the volume of the ink storage, thereby reducing the ink storage capacity of the cartridge. Moreover, the insertion detection portion and the liquid level detection portion are separately provided on different parts, resulting in a complex structure and being disadvantageous for the assembly of the ink cartridge. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a new ink cartridge, which is mainly achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0004] An ink cartridge is detachably mounted in an inkjet printer having a light detection unit, wherein the ink cartridge can be mounted in the inkjet printer from back to front in a front-to-back direction, and the ink cartridge comprises:

[0005] a box body capable of storing ink, wherein a thickness direction of the box body is a left-right direction, and the left-right direction intersects the front-back direction;

[0006] a box cover, detachably mounted on the box body;

[0007] The ink cartridge also includes a first shielding portion and a second shielding portion that are separately arranged, the first shielding portion is used to shield the light path of the light detection portion in the left and right directions, and the second shielding portion is used to shield the light path of the light detection portion in the left and right directions; one of the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is arranged on the box body, and the other of the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is arranged on the box cover.

[0008] Furthermore, one of the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is integrally formed with the box body, and the other of the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is integrally formed with the box cover.

[0009] Furthermore, at least one of the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is provided separately from the box body and the box cover.

[0010] Furthermore, the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion are both separately provided from the box body and the box cover.

[0011] Furthermore, in the front-to-back direction, at least a portion of the second shielding portion is disposed at a rear end of the first shielding portion.

[0012] Furthermore, the first shielding portion is provided on the box cover, and the second shielding portion is provided on the box body.

[0013] Furthermore, the second shielding portion includes a main body portion made of a light-transmitting material and a light-proof portion made of a light-proof material, and the light-proof portion is attached to the main body portion.

[0014] Furthermore, the light-proof portion is constructed as a film.

[0015] Furthermore, in the front-to-back direction, a through hole extending in the left-to-right direction is provided between the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion.

[0016] Furthermore, the first shielding portion is fixedly arranged on the box body, and the second shielding portion is fixedly arranged on the box cover.

[0017] The utility model provides an ink cartridge, which is provided with a first shielding part and a second shielding part. After the ink cartridge is normally installed in the inkjet printer, the second shielding part will always block the optical path of the detection light, avoiding that when the viscosity of the ink is too low, the obstruction to the rotation of the float is reduced, causing the sensor arm to rotate in advance to allow the light to pass through the optical access part, thereby ensuring a higher ink utilization rate of the ink cartridge, and the structure is simple, which is conducive to the installation detection of the ink cartridge, the stability of the ink cartridge installed in the inkjet printer, and the assembly of the ink cartridge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an ink cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model from a certain angle;

[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model from another angle;

[0020] Figure 3 This is another angled schematic diagram of the ink cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 4 This is another angled schematic diagram of the ink cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 5 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the ink cartridge in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0023] Figure 6 In the embodiment 1 of the present invention Figure 5 A partial enlarged schematic diagram;

[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the process of installing the ink cartridge into the inkjet printer in Example 1 of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic structural diagram of the ink cartridge in Example 1 of the present invention being installed in place in the inkjet printer;

[0026] Figure 9 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the ink cartridge in Example 2 of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of an ink cartridge in Example 2 of the present utility model from a certain angle;

[0028] Figure 11 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the ink cartridge in Example 3 of the present utility model;

[0029] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of an ink cartridge in Example 3 of the present utility model from a certain angle;

[0030] Figure 13 This is an exploded schematic diagram of the ink cartridge in Example 4 of the present utility model;

[0031] Figure 14 This is a schematic diagram of an ink cartridge in Example 4 of the present utility model from a certain angle.

[0032] Serial number identification of the accompanying drawings: 1, 201, 301, 401—first blocking part; 2, 202, 302, 402—second blocking part; 3, 203, 303, 403—box body; 4—front wall; 5—rear wall; 6—top wall; 7—bottom wall; 8—side wall; 9—ink outlet tube; 10—ink outlet port; 11—chip; 12—chip rack; 13—light detection part; 14, 4014—connecting plate; 15—inkjet printer; 16—electrical contact surface; 17—ink inlet needle; 18, 4018—through hole; 19—first electrical contact surface; 20—second electrical contact surface; 21—third electrical contact surface; 22—fourth electrical contact surface; 23, 2023, 3023, 4023—box cover. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] To make the purpose, technical solution, and technical effects of the embodiments of the present invention more clearly apparent, the technical solution of the ink cartridge of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiment is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, not the only embodiment. Other embodiments derived by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are also within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of an ink cartridge provided in Example 1 of the present invention at a certain angle. The ink cartridge is configured to be detachably installed in an inkjet printer 15 along a back-to-front direction and maintain a vertical state (the vertical state is also the installation state of the ink cartridge). The present invention stipulates that the direction in which the ink cartridge is installed and removed from the inkjet printer 15 is the front-to-back direction, and the up-down direction intersects with the front-to-back direction. From the up-down direction, the side where the chip 11 is located is the upper side of the ink cartridge, and the side close to the ink outlet 10 is the lower side of the ink cartridge. The directions perpendicular to the front-to-back direction and the up-down direction are the left-to-right direction.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the ink cartridge includes a cartridge body 3 and a cartridge cover 23. The ink cartridge is generally rectangular in shape and has a front wall 4 at the front end of the cartridge, a rear wall 5 at the rear end, a top wall 6 at the upper end, a bottom wall 7 at the lower end, and a pair of side walls 8 at the left and right ends. The side walls 8 include a left side wall and a right side wall. The front wall 4 and rear wall 5 are arranged opposite each other in the front-to-back direction, the top wall 6 and bottom wall 7 are arranged opposite each other in the vertical direction, and the left side wall and right side wall are arranged opposite each other in the left-to-right direction. The top wall 6 and bottom wall 7 are respectively connected to the front wall 4, rear wall 5, and the pair of side walls 8. The front wall 4, rear wall 5, top wall 6, bottom wall 7, and pair of side walls 8 collectively enclose an ink container for holding ink used as a printing material.

[0037] like Figure 1 and Figure 7As shown, an ink outlet tube 9 is provided at the lower side of the front wall 4 of the cartridge body 3. The ink outlet tube 9 is a hollow circular tube extending outward from the front wall 4 of the cartridge body 3. A joint is formed where the ink outlet tube 9 meets the front wall 4. The extended distal end (i.e., free end) of the ink outlet tube 9 has an ink outlet port 10. The ink outlet tube 9 connects the ink container of the cartridge body 3 with the exterior of the cartridge body 3. When the ink cartridge is installed in an inkjet printer 15, an ink inlet needle 17 in the inkjet printer 15 can be inserted into the ink outlet port 10. Ink is supplied to the inkjet printer 15 for printing via the ink outlet tube 9, the ink outlet port 10, and the ink inlet needle 17. In the vertical direction, a first shielding portion 1 and a second shielding portion 2 (described in detail below) are located above the ink outlet port 10. In the front-to-back direction, the first shielding portion 1 and the second shielding portion 2 are located behind the ink outlet port 10. Furthermore, a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction of the ink cartridge and passing through the central axis of the ink outlet tube 9 passes through the first shielding portion 1.

[0038] like Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, the ink cartridge also includes a chip 11 and a chip holder 12 recessed inward from the outer surface of the cartridge body 3. The chip 11 can be mounted in the recess of the chip holder 12. The chip 11 is positioned in front of the first and second shielding portions 1 and 2 in the front-to-back direction and below the first and second shielding portions 1 and 2 in the top-to-bottom direction. Specifically, the chip 11 includes an electrical contact surface 16 that can electrically contact the electrical contacts in the inkjet printer 15 and a storage unit that stores information related to the ink cartridge, such as the model number and the maximum number of pages the cartridge can print. The electrical contact surface is positioned on the top wall 6 at the front upper end of the cartridge body 3 and is arranged to face upward from the ink cartridge to allow the electrical contacts located above to make electrical contact with the electrical contact surface. The electrical contact surface 16 includes a first electrical contact surface 19, a second electrical contact surface 20, a third electrical contact surface 21, and a fourth electrical contact surface 22. The first electrical contact surface 19, the second electrical contact surface 20, the third electrical contact surface 21, and the fourth electrical contact surface 22 are arranged parallel to and spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction on the upper surface of the electrical contact surface 16. In the left-right direction, the width of the first shielding portion 1 and the width of the second shielding portion 2 are both wider than the width of any electrical contact surface of the chip, ensuring that the first shielding portion 1 and the second shielding portion 2 can abut against the gap between the light detection portion 13, preventing the ink cartridge from rocking left and right in the inkjet printer 15 while in use, and further ensuring the stability of the ink cartridge when installed in the inkjet printer 15.

[0039] like Figure 6As shown, the ink cartridge includes a first shielding portion 1, a second shielding portion 2, and a connecting plate 14 fixed to the top wall 6 of the cartridge cover 23. A through hole 18 is provided between the first shielding portion 1 and the second shielding portion 2 in the front-to-back direction. The through hole 18 extends through the cartridge in the left-to-right direction. The first shielding portion 1, the second shielding portion 2, and the connecting plate 14, except for the through hole 18, are solid, ensuring the strength of the first and second shielding portions 1 and 2. The through hole 18 is a rectangular parallelepiped hole, and its length in the vertical direction is longer than its length in the front-to-back direction. The first and second shielding portions 1 and 2 are integral ribs made of opaque material that protrude upward from the top wall 6. The opacity of the material can block or change the optical path of light emitted by the light detection portion 13. In the front-to-back direction, the first shielding portion 1 is in front of the through hole 18, while the second shielding portion 2 and the connecting plate 14 are behind the through hole 18. In the left-to-right direction, the first shielding portion 1 is further to the left than the second shielding portion 2. In the up-down direction, part of the structure of the connecting plate 14 is directly above the through hole 18, and the height of the upper surface of the first shielding part 1 is consistent with the height of the upper surface of the second shielding part 2. Among them, the connecting plate 14 is an integral rib made of opaque material protruding upward from the top wall 6. The connecting plate 14 has a bent structure, and the connecting plate 14 connects the first shielding part 1 and the second shielding part 2 in the front-to-back direction, ensuring the connection stability of the first shielding part 1 and the second shielding part 2. Projected from top to bottom, the first shielding part 1 and the connecting plate 14 intersect with each other, and the second shielding part 2 and the connecting plate 14 intersect with each other. The first shielding part 1 and the second shielding part 2 are parallel to each other and arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. A chamfer is set at the connection between the front end and the upper end of the first shielding part 1. The function of the chamfer is to remove the sharp parts at the corners of the parts and provide good guidance, thereby improving the safety of the parts and facilitating the assembly of the ink cartridge into the inkjet printer 15.

[0040] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the process of installing the ink cartridge into the inkjet printer 15 in Example 1 of the present utility model. Figure 8This is a schematic diagram of the structure in which the ink cartridge is installed in the inkjet printer 15 and is installed in place in Example 1 of the present invention. The first shielding portion 1 is used to detect the installation status of the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is inserted into or removed from the inkjet printer 15 along the front-to-back direction, wherein the first shielding portion 1 and the second shielding portion 2 are used to block or change the path of the detection light from the first point to the second point, and the inkjet printer 15 detects whether the ink cartridge is installed in the inkjet printer 15 based on the change in the detection light state between the first point and the second point. When the ink cartridge is installed in the inkjet printer 15, the second shielding portion 2 will always block or change the detection light between the first point and the second point. This avoids the situation where the viscosity of the ink is too low and the obstruction to the rotation of the float is reduced, causing the sensor arm to rotate in advance to allow the light to pass through the optical access portion, thereby ensuring a higher ink usage rate of the ink cartridge. The present application may implement ink depletion detection in other ways, for example, through the ink level information stored in the chip 11. For example, the inkjet printer 15 may record a low ink level interval. As long as the ink level information of the chip 11 is consumed to the ink level interval, the ink depletion detection may be normally prompted without the need to prompt the ink depletion through a signal change of the light detection unit 13.

[0041] Example 1 of the present invention provides an ink cartridge, which has a first shielding part, a second shielding part and a connecting plate integrally arranged on the box cover, and a through hole structure between the first shielding part and the second shielding part. Only one set of molds is needed for integral molding during manufacturing, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.

[0042] Example 2

[0043] Next, we will combine Figure 9 and Figure 10 The second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The same parts as those in the first embodiment will not be described in detail in this embodiment. The difference is that the first shielding portion 201 and the second shielding portion 202 in this embodiment are separate components, with the first shielding portion 201 being located on the lid 2023 and the second shielding portion 202 being located on the box body 203. Since the box body 203 is typically made of a translucent material, the second shielding portion 202 can be made of either the same translucent material as the box body 203 and having an opaque film applied to the main surface of the second shielding portion 202, or an opaque material such as a dark plastic material. Furthermore, when the box body 203 and the lid 2023 are engaged in the left-right direction, a gap exists between the first shielding portion 201 and the second shielding portion 202 in the front-to-back direction, and the first shielding portion 201 is positioned further forward than the second shielding portion 202 in the front-to-back direction. The second embodiment of the present invention eliminates the connecting plate and the through hole, has a simple structure, and is easy to assemble.

[0044] Example 3

[0045] Next, we will combine Figure 11 and Figure 12 The third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The parts identical to those in the first embodiment will not be repeated in this embodiment. The difference is that the first shielding portion 301 and the second shielding portion 302 in this third embodiment are separate components, with the first shielding portion 301 being located on the box body 303 and the second shielding portion 302 being located on the lid 3023. Since the box body 303 is typically made of a transparent plate, the first shielding portion 301 can be made of the same translucent material as the box body 303 with an opaque film applied to its surface, or it can be made of an opaque plate. Furthermore, when the box body 303 and the lid 3023 are engaged in the left-right direction, a gap exists between the first shielding portion 301 and the second shielding portion 302 in the front-to-back direction, with the first shielding portion 301 being positioned further forward than the second shielding portion 302 in the front-to-back direction. The third embodiment of the present invention eliminates the connecting plate and through-holes, resulting in a simple structure and ease of assembly.

[0046] Example 4

[0047] Next, we will combine Figure 13 and Figure 14 The fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. The same parts as those in the first embodiment will not be described in detail in this embodiment. The difference is that the first shielding portion 401, the second shielding portion 402, and the connecting plate 4014 in this fourth embodiment are integrally arranged on the cartridge body 403. Since the cartridge body 403 is typically made of a transparent plate, the first shielding portion 401, the second shielding portion 402, and the connecting plate 4014 can be made of the same transparent plate material as the cartridge body 403 with an opaque film applied to the surface, or they can be made of an opaque plate material. The fourth embodiment of the present invention integrally arranges the first shielding portion 401, the second shielding portion 402, and the connecting plate 4014 on the cartridge body 403. This allows for manufacturing of the cartridge using only one set of molds for integral molding, reducing the manufacturing cost of the ink cartridge.

[0048] Example 5

[0049] Next, Example 5 of the present invention will be introduced. The similarities with the ink cartridges in the above-mentioned Examples 1-4 will not be repeated in this embodiment. The difference is that at least one of the first shielding part and the second shielding part is configured to be detachably fixed to the box body or the box cover. Preferably, the first shielding part and the second shielding part can be independently and detachably mounted on the box body or the box cover. By adopting such a detachable and fixed first shielding part or second shielding part, the two can be easily replaced quickly and at low cost, avoiding the situation where the first shielding part and the second shielding part integrally provided with the box body or the box cover need to be replaced as a whole after being damaged by external force, which will greatly increase the replacement cost.

[0050] The utility model provides an ink cartridge, comprising a first shielding portion and a second shielding portion. The first shielding portion is made of a solid opaque material, and the second shielding portion is made of either a solid opaque material or a translucent material with an opaque film attached thereto. When the ink cartridge is normally installed in an inkjet printer, the second shielding portion will always block the optical path of the detection light, thereby preventing the sensor arm from rotating prematurely to allow light to pass through the optical access portion due to the reduced obstruction to the rotation of the float when the viscosity of the ink is too low. This ensures a higher ink usage rate of the ink cartridge, and the utility model has a simple structure, which is beneficial to the installation and detection of the ink cartridge, the stability of the ink cartridge installed in the inkjet printer, and the assembly of the ink cartridge.

[0051] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments can still be modified, or some of the technical features thereof can be replaced by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge that is detachably mounted in an inkjet printer having a light detection unit, wherein the ink cartridge can be mounted in the inkjet printer from back to front in a front-to-back direction, the ink cartridge comprising: a box body capable of storing ink, wherein a thickness direction of the box body is a left-right direction, and the left-right direction intersects the front-back direction; a box cover, detachably mounted on the box body; It is characterized in that the ink cartridge also includes a first shielding portion and a second shielding portion which are separately arranged, the first shielding portion is used to shield the light path of the light detection portion in the left and right directions, and the second shielding portion is used to shield the light path of the light detection portion in the left and right directions; one of the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is arranged on the box body, and the other of the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is arranged on the box cover.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein One of the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is integrally formed with the box body, and the other of the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is integrally formed with the box cover.

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein At least one of the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion is provided separately from the box body and the box cover.

4. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, wherein The first shielding portion and the second shielding portion are both separately provided from the box body and the box cover.

5. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein At least a portion of the second shielding portion is provided at a rear end of the first shielding portion in the front-rear direction.

6. The ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: The first shielding portion is arranged on the box cover, and the second shielding portion is arranged on the box body.

7. The ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: The second shielding portion includes a main body portion made of a light-transmitting material and a light-proof portion made of a light-proof material, and the light-proof portion is attached to the main body portion.

8. The ink cartridge according to claim 7, wherein: The light-impermeable portion is configured as a film.

9. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein In the front-to-rear direction, a through hole extending in the left-to-right direction is provided between the first shielding portion and the second shielding portion.

10. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The first shielding portion is fixedly arranged on the box body, and the second shielding portion is fixedly arranged on the box cover.

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