Ink ejecting apparatus and ink container

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ink jet apparatus and an ink container of an ink jet printer. In the embodiment, the ink jet device comprises a main body part for installing the ink container, the main body part is provided with a printing head, an ink suction needle and a fluid channel for connecting the printing head and the ink suction needle, and a sponge body is arranged in the fluid channel; the ink suction needle comprises a first air guide channel and an ink suction channel which are communicated with an ink container and the fluid channel, the lower end of the first air guide channel is higher than the lower end of the ink suction channel, and the sponge body is arranged to be in contact with and cover the ink suction channel of the ink suction needle; the sponge body can filter / adsorb impurities in the ink so as to reduce or prevent the impurities in the ink from precipitating and caking in the fluid channel to influence the printing quality.

Description

[0001] This utility model claims priority to a prior Chinese application with an application date of September 28, 2023, an invention name of “Ink Jet Device and Ink Container” and an application number of CN2023226646236. All contents of the prior application are fully cited in this application. Technical Field

[0002] The utility model relates to the field of inkjet printing equipment; more specifically, to an ink container installed in the inkjet printing equipment and an ink jetting device for performing ink jetting. Background Art

[0003] An inkjet printer is usually equipped with an ink ejection device (such as a carriage), which is equipped with a print head, an ink suction needle, and a fluid channel connecting the print head and the ink suction needle. The ink container (such as an ink cartridge) can be detachably mounted on the ink ejection device for ink supply. The ink suction needle can be inserted into the ink outlet of the ink container and extract ink from the ink storage cavity of the ink cartridge. After the ink suction needle sucks out the ink in the ink cartridge, the ink enters the print head through the fluid channel, and the print head ejects the ink onto the printing medium (such as paper).

[0004] In the prior art, the cross-section of the fluid channel is generally set to be very small and the flow channel is slender. After a certain period of use, impurities in the ink are likely to precipitate and agglomerate in the fluid channel, affecting the circulation of the ink, easily causing printing defects or even making it impossible to complete ink jet printing. Utility Model Content

[0005] The first aspect of the present application provides an ink jet device, including a main body on which an ink container is installed, the main body being provided with a print head, an ink absorbing needle, a fluid channel connecting the print head and the ink absorbing needle, and a sponge being provided in the fluid channel; the ink absorbing needle including a first air guide channel and an ink absorbing channel connecting the ink container and the fluid channel, the lower end of the first air guide channel being higher than the lower end of the ink absorbing channel, and the sponge being configured to contact and cover the ink absorbing channel of the ink absorbing needle.

[0006] In the above technical solution, the sponge can filter / absorb impurities in the ink to reduce or avoid the phenomenon of impurities in the ink settling and agglomerating in the fluid channel, thereby improving the printing quality.

[0007] Furthermore, the sponge is made of sprayed fleece or fiber cotton.

[0008] Furthermore, the lower end of the first air guiding channel is spaced apart from the spongy body.

[0009] Furthermore, the main body is provided with a second air guide channel connected to the fluid channel; the upper end of the first air guide channel is higher than the upper end of the ink absorption channel.

[0010] Furthermore, the upper end of the second air guide channel is communicated with the top of the fluid channel.

[0011] The second aspect of the present invention discloses an ink container suitable for the above-mentioned ink jet device. The ink container itself does not have an air inlet channel or air inlet connecting the inside and outside of the ink container. The ink container includes a box body made of non-flexible material.

[0012] In the above technical solution, since the ink cartridge no longer has an air inlet channel or air inlet connecting the inside and outside of the ink container, there is no need to set a negative pressure maintaining member (such as a porous sponge or check valve in the prior art) in the ink container to maintain the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber, which greatly reduces the production cost of the ink container.

[0013] Furthermore, it includes a plurality of ink storage chambers, and a plurality of connecting holes are provided on the partition walls between the ink storage chambers, and at least part of the plurality of connecting holes are located at different heights.

[0014] In the above technical solution, at least part of the connecting holes are located at different heights, so that the ink in the high liquid level ink storage chamber can be replenished to the ink storage chamber on the low liquid level side in time, ensuring a stable and continuous supply of ink and preventing the occurrence of printing line breakage problems.

[0015] In order to more clearly illustrate the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific implementation methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an ink jetting device according to an embodiment from a first perspective;

[0017] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of the ink jet device according to the embodiment from a second perspective;

[0018] Figure 3 is a schematic top view of the structure of the ink jet device in the embodiment;

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 AA cross-sectional view;

[0020] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the ink jet device in the embodiment with the ink absorbing component removed;

[0021] Figure 6 is a schematic top view of the ink jet device in the embodiment with the ink absorbing assembly removed;

[0022] Figure 7 2 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the ink absorbing assembly in the embodiment;

[0023] Figure 8 1 is a schematic top view of the ink absorbing assembly in the embodiment;

[0024] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 AA section view

[0025] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the ink container in the embodiment;

[0026] Figure 11 2 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional cross-sectional structure of an ink container in an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In the following description, many specific details are explained in combination with the embodiments to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, it should be understood that the following embodiments and detailed descriptions are only for illustrative purposes and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0028] like Figure 1-6 As shown, the ink jetting device of the embodiment includes a main body 10 on which an ink container 20 is installed. The main body 10 can be installed with one ink container 20 (for example, a black inkjet printer) or multiple ink containers 20 (for example, a color inkjet printer). In this embodiment, it is described as being able to install four ink containers 20.

[0029] Optionally, the main body 10 is provided with a receiving groove 14 for mounting the ink container 20, and the ink container 20 is removably mounted in the receiving groove 14. The ink container 20 can also be mounted to the main body 10 in other ways, and the mounting structure of the ink container 20 is not limited in this application.

[0030] The main body 10 of the inkjet device is equipped with a printhead 11 for ejecting ink onto a print medium, an ink wick 12 that can be inserted into an ink container 20, and a fluid channel 13 connecting the printhead 11 and the ink wick 12. The ink wicks 12 are arranged one-to-one with each ink container 20. In this embodiment, the main body 10 is equipped with four ink wicks 12a-12d and four fluid channels 13a-13d corresponding to four ink containers 20. Each of the four fluid channels 13a-13d has an ink outlet 131, allowing the ink in the four ink containers 20 to be supplied to the printhead 11. The multiple fluid channels 13 can be symmetrically arranged, for example, with fluid channels 13a and 13d arranged symmetrically, and fluid channels 13b and 13c arranged symmetrically.

[0031] Multiple ink absorbing needles 12 can be mounted on the same cover plate 123 and integrally formed with the cover plate 123. The cover plate 123 can form the top wall of the fluid channel 13. Preferably, the outer wall of the ink absorbing needle 12 is cylindrical. When the ink absorbing needle 12 is inserted into the ink outlet of the ink container 20, the sealing plug used to seal the ink outlet can closely contact the cylindrical outer wall of the ink absorbing needle 12, achieving an effective seal.

[0032] A sponge 15 may be provided in the fluid channel 13, and the sponge 15 may filter / absorb impurities in the ink. Preferably, the sponge 15 is made of velvet cloth or fiber cotton. The sponge 15 made of this material has the advantages of many gaps, a fluffy structure, and good wrinkle resistance. It also has a unique capillary structure and ultrafine fibers, which can increase the number and surface area of fibers per unit volume, thereby having excellent filtration and oil absorption properties. The sponge 15 can be fixed by a positioning structure 151 provided in the fluid channel 13. Furthermore, the sponge 15 is configured to contact and cover the ink absorption channel 121 of the ink absorption needle 12 to achieve a better filtering / absorption effect.

[0033] Normally, the inkjet aperture of the print head 11 is very small, and the ink will be absorbed by the print head due to capillary phenomena, and has a tendency to flow out of the print head 11, while the sponge 15 can generate negative pressure on the ink in the fluid channel 13, thereby preventing the ink from flowing out of the print head 11. In the embodiment, since the sponge 15 provided in the fluid channel 13 can maintain the negative pressure state in the fluid channel 13, the fluid channel 13 can be set to be relatively short, and the cross-sectional area can be made larger, and the amount of ink stored in the fluid channel 13 can also be greater. Accordingly, the ink in the fluid channel 13 is not easy to dry up, and the defect of broken wires is not easy to occur during the printing process. Furthermore, the provision of the sponge 15 is also conducive to maintaining the stability of the negative pressure inside the ink container 20.

[0034] The ink storage chamber of the ink container 20 generally generates a negative pressure. In some embodiments, the ink container 20 may be provided with an air inlet channel, similar to conventional techniques, to connect the ink storage chamber to the outside atmosphere. A sponge may be provided on the air inlet channel to maintain the negative pressure within the ink storage chamber. Alternatively, a negative pressure valve structure may be provided on the ink container to ensure that the ink storage chamber generates a negative pressure relative to atmospheric pressure.

[0035] As an improvement, Figure 7-9As shown, the ink suction needle 12 is provided with a first air guide channel 122 connecting the ink container 20 and the fluid channel 13, and the main body 10 is provided with a second air guide channel 16 connected to the fluid channel 13. The external atmosphere can enter the ink storage chamber of the ink container 20 through the second air guide channel 16, the fluid channel 13 and the first air guide channel 122. In this improved embodiment, as mentioned above, since the sponge 15 can play a role in maintaining negative pressure in the fluid channel 13, it can inhibit the ink in the fluid channel 13 from flowing out of the second air guide channel 16. It should be noted that, although not preferred, in the improved embodiment, the sponge 15 can be omitted from the fluid channel 13, which also does not affect the external atmosphere from entering the ink container 20 through the second air guide channel 16 and the first air guide channel 122.

[0036] It should be noted that the second air-guiding channel 16 can be arranged to communicate with any position of the fluid channel 13, as long as the fluid channel 13 can be connected to the atmosphere. Preferably, the second air-guiding channel 16 is connected to the top of the fluid channel 13, that is, connected to the top surface of the fluid channel 13 or a position on the side near the top surface.

[0037] In the embodiment, Figure 7-9 As shown, the second air guide channel 16 is provided on the cover plate 123 serving as the top wall of the fluid channel 13. Preferably, the second air guide channel 16 is a stepped hole, wherein the cross-sectional area of the upper air inlet is smaller than the cross-sectional area of one end of the lower air outlet (the opening connected to the fluid channel 13), so as to suppress the outflow of ink from the second air guide channel 16.

[0038] Preferably, the outer adjacent surface 1231 connected to the upper opening of the second air-guiding channel 16 can be configured to be inclined toward the upper opening of the second air-guiding channel 16 to facilitate the backflow of ink flowing out of the air-guiding channel 16 into the fluid channel 13. Furthermore, an ink absorbing component can be provided at the upper opening of the second air-guiding channel 16. The ink absorbing component can be provided near the ink outlet of the ink container 20 on the cover plate 123.

[0039] Preferably, the inner adjacent surface 1232 of the cover plate 123 where the first air guide channel 122 and the second air guide channel 16 are connected can be set to be inclined toward the lower opening of the first air guide channel 122 and / or the second air guide channel 16, so as to facilitate the discharge of air in the fluid channel 13 into the ink container 20 or the outside.

[0040] The first air-guiding channel 122 can be a through-hole with any cross-sectional shape, such as circular or elliptical. A circular through-hole is preferred, as this facilitates the entry of gas into the ink container 20. In an improved embodiment, external gas can enter the ink container 20 through the first air-guiding channel 122, eliminating the need for an air inlet hole in the ink container 20 as in the prior art. The ink suction channel 122 can be a through-hole with any cross-sectional shape, such as circular, elliptical, or crescent. A crescent-shaped through-hole is preferred to maintain the outer shape of the ink suction needle 12 while maximizing the cross-sectional area of the ink suction channel 122.

[0041] Preferably, Figure 7 As shown, the upper end of the first air guide channel 122 is higher than the upper end of the ink suction channel 121. Thus, the first air guide channel 122 enters the interior of the ink container 20 before the ink suction channel 121, allowing the interior of the ink container 20 to be connected to the atmosphere first. This prevents the ink container 20 from experiencing a sudden increase in pressure when the ink suction needle 12 is inserted, which could cause ink to spray out.

[0042] Furthermore, the upper end of the ink-absorbing needle 12 is a pointed structure, and the first air guide channel 122 extends upward to the upper end of the ink-absorbing needle 12; specifically, Figure 4 The first air channel 122 opens at an angle relative to the extension direction of the ink absorbing needle 12, with a slope that increases toward the center of the ink absorbing needle. The pointed tip structure not only increases the opening area of the first air channel 122, increasing air flow, but also helps disrupt the balance of liquid surface tension, promoting ink droplet flow.

[0043] Preferably, Figure 9 As shown, the lower end of the first air guide channel 122 is higher than the lower end of the ink absorption channel 121. More preferably, as shown in FIG. Figure 4 and Figure 9 As shown, the lower end of the first air channel 122 is spaced apart from the sponge 15. During the printing process, the amount of ink in the fluid channel 13 and its liquid level change dynamically. As the printing process progresses, the ink in the fluid channel 13 is first consumed, causing the liquid level to drop. External air can then enter the upper space of the fluid channel 13 through the second air channel 16, and then enter the interior of the ink container 20 through the first air channel 122, thereby maintaining the stability of the negative pressure within the ink container 20. This allows ink within the ink container 20 to enter the fluid channel 13 until the fluid channel 13 is filled with ink and the space between the first air channel 122 and the second air channel 16 is cut off. At this point, the ink container 20 cannot be replenished with air, and the ink within it stops entering the fluid channel 13. This cycle continues, achieving a stable ink supply. Furthermore, the lower end of the first air channel 122 can be in contact with and covered by the sponge 15, or it can be free of contact with the sponge 15.

[0044] like Figure 10-11As shown, the ink container 20 of the embodiment includes a housing 21 defining an ink storage chamber 22 therein. A positioning protrusion 24 may be provided on at least one sidewall (e.g., the rear sidewall) of the housing 21. When the ink container 20 is mounted on the main body 10, the positioning protrusion 24 can be inserted into a positioning groove 141 on the corresponding sidewall of the receiving groove 14 to retain the ink container 20. Using the positioning protrusion 24 to position the ink container 20 facilitates increasing the capacity of the ink container 20. Furthermore, an elastic snap 25 may be provided on the sidewall (e.g., the front sidewall) of the housing 21 opposite the positioning protrusion 24. The elastic snap 25 can form a snap fit with the main body 10 to secure the ink container 20.

[0045] Furthermore, the ink container 20 itself does not have an air inlet channel or air inlet connecting the interior and exterior of the ink container 20. The ink container 20 includes a housing 21 made of a non-flexible material. Optionally, the housing 21 can be made of conventional plastics, such as polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS), etc. This configuration eliminates the need for a negative pressure maintaining member (such as a porous sponge or check valve in conventional technology) within the ink container 20 to maintain negative pressure in the ink storage chamber, significantly reducing the production cost of the ink container.

[0046] The box body 21 may be provided with a gripping portion 26 for facilitating gripping of the ink container 20. The gripping portion 26 may be disposed above the positioning protrusion 24. The gripping portion 26 may be protruding or recessed from the surface of the box body 21. Furthermore, the gripping portion 26 may include protrusions or recesses of multiple shapes and / or sizes. Multiple protrusions or recesses of different shapes and / or sizes may be combined to identify ink containers 20 of different colors / specifications.

[0047] The bottom wall of the box body 21 is provided with an ink outlet 23 that communicates with the ink storage chamber 22. The ink outlet 23 can be sealed by a sealing plug. The ink container 20 can be provided with one or more interconnected ink storage chambers, which is not limited in this application. In the case of multiple ink storage chambers, the partition wall between the ink storage chambers can be provided with multiple connecting holes, at least some of which are located at different heights. This allows ink in the ink storage chamber with a higher liquid level to be promptly replenished to the ink storage chamber on the side with a lower liquid level, ensuring a stable and continuous supply of ink and preventing printing line disconnections.

[0048] In a specific embodiment, Figure 11As shown, a first connecting hole 221 and a second connecting hole 222 are provided on the partition wall 22a between adjacent ink storage chambers 22 in the ink container 20, and the second connecting hole 222 is arranged at the bottom of the ink storage chamber 22 so that the ink in the ink storage chamber 22 can be fully utilized; the first connecting hole 221 is arranged above the second connecting hole 222, which can replenish air to the ink storage chamber 22 with higher ink earlier, preventing the liquid level difference between adjacent ink storage chambers 22 from being too large, and the ink in the ink storage chamber 22 on the high liquid level side cannot be replenished to the ink storage chamber 22 on the low liquid level side in time, thereby ensuring a stable and continuous supply of ink during printing operations and preventing the occurrence of printing line breakage problems.

[0049] Furthermore, a sealing ball may be provided in the ink storage chamber 22 to further seal the ink outlet 23. The sealing ball is connected to an elastic element such as a spring and can press the ink outlet 23 under the action of the elastic element. Figure 11 As shown, a support structure 28 is provided above the ink outlet 23 for positioning and supporting the elastic element. The support structure 28 can be a rib structure, for example, using two intersecting inverted U-shaped brackets to achieve better structural stability. In this embodiment, the support structure 28 also helps to reduce ink sloshing above the ink outlet 23 to a certain extent, thereby reducing the generation of bubbles caused by ink sloshing. The inner seal assembly consisting of the sealing ball and elastic element can also be installed using other structures, which is not limited by this application. For example, the inner seal assembly can be an elastic rubber plug commonly used in the prior art.

[0050] When the ink container 20 is mounted on the main body 10, the ink absorbing needle 12 overcomes the force of the elastic element and pushes the sealing ball upward to enter the ink storage chamber 22. The tip of the ink absorbing needle 12 contacts the sealing ball, preventing the sealing ball from sealing the ink absorbing channel 121 and the first air guide channel 122. When the ink container 20 is removed from the main body 10, the ink absorbing needle 12 is withdrawn from the ink outlet 23. The sealing ball, under the action of the elastic element, presses against the ink outlet 23, maintaining the seal and preventing ink leakage.

[0051] In some embodiments, the ink container 20 may be provided with a chip that stores information related to the ink container 20 or a detectable mark that represents information related to the ink container 20 (such as a QR code, bar code, or other types of detectable marks). The chip or detectable mark can be set on any surface of the ink container 20 as long as it can establish a signal connection with the printing device or can be detected by the printing device.

[0052] The signal connection between the chip and the printing device can be achieved through electrical connection or wireless communication. In an optional embodiment, the chip includes a separate RF chip and a chip body. There is no physical electrical signal connection between the two, but rather a connection via wireless communication. The RF chip includes a first substrate, multiple contacts disposed on the first substrate, and a radio frequency tag. The multiple contacts are configured to electrically contact the contact pins of the printing device to establish a communication connection between the chip and the printing device. The radio frequency tag is configured to establish a wireless connection with the chip body.

[0053] Furthermore, the chip body includes a second substrate and a reader and a memory arranged on the second substrate. The memory stores information of the ink container 20, and the reader is also electrically connected to the memory. After the contact portion is electrically connected to the contact pin, the tag transmits an electromagnetic wave signal to the chip body. The reader exchanges information with the memory based on the received electromagnetic wave signal, and the reader sends the information back to the tag in the form of electromagnetic waves. In this chip, the radio frequency chip and the chip body are not in contact, and the risk of short circuit between the components inside the chip can be effectively reduced. It is understandable that the positions of the radio frequency chip and the chip body can also be interchanged, and the radio frequency tag can adopt either an active tag or a passive tag.

[0054] In some embodiments, the ink container 20 may be provided with a detection portion for feeding back the remaining ink amount, and the detection portion can be detected by a detection mechanism of the printing device to determine the remaining ink amount. Figure 11 As shown, the detected portion may be a prism 27 provided on the bottom wall of the ink container 20; accordingly, as shown in FIG. Figure 1 As shown, a through hole 142 that allows light signals to pass through can be provided on the bottom wall of the accommodating groove 14 at a position corresponding to the prism 27 , so that the prism 27 can be detected by a detection mechanism of the printing device.

[0055] It should be noted that, unless there are any contradictions or exclusions, the different embodiments disclosed above can be quoted, referenced or combined with each other, and the technical features / components of different embodiments can also be combined and / or replaced with each other.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described above through embodiments, it should be understood that the above embodiments are only used to exemplarily describe the feasible implementation plans of the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. That is, any replacement or change made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the present invention should also be covered by the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An inkjet device comprising a main body on which an ink container is mounted, the main body being provided with a print head, an ink absorbing needle, and a fluid channel connecting the print head and the ink absorbing needle; characterized in that: A sponge is provided in the fluid channel; the ink-absorbing needle includes a first air guide channel and an ink absorption channel connected to the ink container and the fluid channel, the lower end of the first air guide channel is higher than the lower end of the ink absorption channel, and the sponge is configured to contact and cover the ink absorption channel of the ink-absorbing needle.

2. The ink jet device according to claim 1, wherein: The sponge is made of sprayed fleece or fiber cotton.

3. The ink jet device according to claim 1, wherein: The lower end of the first air guide channel is spaced apart from the sponge.

4. The ink jet device according to claim 1, wherein: The main body is provided with a second air guide channel connected with the fluid channel; the upper end of the first air guide channel is higher than the upper end of the ink absorption channel.

5. The ink jet device according to claim 4, wherein: The upper end of the second air guide channel is communicated with the top of the fluid channel.

6. An ink container for use in the ink jet device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The ink container itself does not have an air inlet passage or an air inlet communicating with the inside and outside of the ink container, and the ink container includes a box body made of a non-flexible material.

7. An ink container according to claim 6, characterized in that: The box body includes an ink outlet and a plurality of ink storage cavities. A plurality of communication holes are provided on the partition wall between the ink storage cavities. At least a part of the plurality of communication holes are located at different heights.

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