Expansion ink box of ink-jet printer

Abstract

The utility model discloses a capacity expansion ink cartridge of an ink-jet printer. The capacity expansion ink cartridge comprises an ink cartridge shell, a main ink storage cavity, a cavity, a jack and a capacity expansion cabin. A main ink storage cavity and a cavity are formed in the ink box shell, and the cavity is communicated with the main ink storage cavity through an insertion opening and can contain the expansion cabin. The expansion cabin is of a hollow structure and is communicated with the main ink storage cavity through an insertion nozzle, and a sealing ring is arranged at the insertion nozzle to ensure sealing performance and prevent ink leakage. The capacity expansion cabin and the cavity are stably locked through cooperation of the clamping blocks and the clamping holes, and it is ensured that the capacity expansion cabin is firmly fixed in the using process. The utility model aims to provide a modularized pluggable capacity expansion structure, so that more efficient space utilization and larger ink storage capacity are realized, the use cost is reduced, and the printing continuity and efficiency are improved. The ink storage capacity of the ink box is enlarged, the use efficiency of the ink box is effectively improved, the replacement period is prolonged, and the requirements of users for high-quality and low-cost printing are met.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the field of inkjet printer accessories, in particular to an expanded ink cartridge for an inkjet printer. Background Art

[0002] Against the backdrop of the growing demand for digital office and home printing, inkjet printing technology has become a widely used printing method due to its excellent print quality and relatively low cost. As an indispensable consumable in inkjet printing equipment, the structural design of ink cartridges has a direct impact on printing results, usage costs, and user experience. Traditional inkjet printer cartridges typically consist of an ink storage chamber and a cavity located on one side. The ink storage chamber is used to store ink and is connected to the printer nozzle through an ink supply port, providing a continuous supply of ink for the printing process. A flexible airbag is usually provided within the ink storage chamber, which dynamically adjusts the internal air pressure to ensure smooth ink output during printing. During the printing process, ink flows from the ink storage chamber to the nozzle under pressure, forming tiny ink droplets that are sprayed onto the paper. As the ink is consumed, the airbag gradually expands to maintain negative pressure balance, ensuring a continuous and stable ink supply.

[0003] However, with the continuous advancement of printing technology and increasing user demands, the limitations of traditional ink cartridges have become increasingly apparent. First, the cavity occupies a significant portion of the cartridge's internal volume, resulting in underutilization of the cartridge's overall space and a significant reduction in actual ink storage capacity. This wasted space directly reduces cartridge efficiency, limits the cartridge's ink capacity, and ultimately leads to lower page yields. For frequent printers, the need to frequently replace cartridges not only increases costs but also compromises printing continuity and efficiency.

[0004] Secondly, the cavity design limits the possibility of high-capacity ink cartridges. In the modern inkjet printing industry, which pursues higher performance and lower operating costs, this structural design has been unable to meet the market demand for more compact and efficient ink cartridges.

[0005] Therefore, although the traditional ink cartridge structure has certain advantages in early inkjet printing technology, in the current market environment, its design has been difficult to adapt to users' demand for high performance, high output and low-cost printing, and urgently needs further improvement and optimization. Utility Model Content

[0006] The purpose of the utility model is to provide an expanded ink cartridge for an inkjet printer that utilizes space more efficiently, increases ink storage capacity, reduces usage costs, and thereby improves printing continuity and efficiency, thereby meeting users' needs for high-quality, low-cost printing.

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention adopts the following scheme: an expanded ink cartridge for an inkjet printer, comprising:

[0008] An ink cartridge housing, wherein an ink supply port is provided at the front end of the ink cartridge housing;

[0009] A main ink storage chamber is located in the ink cartridge housing and is connected to the ink supply port;

[0010] a cavity, also located in the ink cartridge housing and arranged adjacent to the main ink storage cavity via a partition;

[0011] a socket extending through the partition to connect the cavity with the main ink storage cavity;

[0012] The expansion cabin has a hollow structure inside and is inserted into the cavity;

[0013] The plug nozzle is arranged at the front end of the expansion chamber and can be inserted into the plug port to connect the expansion chamber with the main ink storage chamber.

[0014] This solution inserts an expansion chamber into the cavity, connecting it to the main ink reservoir via a nozzle. This effectively utilizes the internal space of the ink cartridge and significantly increases the ink storage capacity. This solves the problem of low ink storage capacity in traditional ink cartridges, thereby extending printing duration, reducing the frequency of cartridge replacements, and lowering operating costs. Furthermore, the modular design of the expansion chamber enables flexible expansion of the cartridge.

[0015] As a further embodiment of the present invention, the rear end and at least one sidewall of the cavity are open, and the expansion chamber is inserted into the cavity from the rear end. A locking structure is provided between the cavity and the expansion chamber for locking the expansion chamber within the cavity. The open cavity structure facilitates insertion of the expansion chamber from the rear end, simplifies the assembly process of the expansion chamber, and improves user convenience.

[0016] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the locking structure includes latching holes provided on the upper and lower walls of the cavity adjacent to the open sidewalls, and raised latching blocks provided on the upper and lower sides of the expansion chamber. These latching blocks are designed to snap into the corresponding latching holes after the expansion chamber is inserted into the cavity. The mechanical locking between the latching blocks and the latching holes ensures that the expansion chamber is firmly fixed after insertion, preventing it from loosening or falling out due to vibration or movement during printing, thereby improving the structural stability of the ink cartridge and the reliability of ink supply.

[0017] As a further solution of the present invention, a guiding slope is provided on one side of the card block facing the direction of insertion into the cavity, so as to facilitate the smooth insertion and precise positioning of the expansion compartment, thereby further optimizing the user experience during the installation process.

[0018] As a further feature of the present invention, an annular groove is provided at the connection between the nozzle and the expansion chamber, and an annular sealing ring is nested within the groove. The sealing ring ensures airtightness at the connection between the expansion chamber and the main ink reservoir, effectively preventing ink leakage and ensuring a stable supply of ink.

[0019] As a preferred solution of the present invention, the nozzle is in a tubular cone shape, and a connecting hole is passed through the center of the nozzle.

[0020] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the socket is covered with a flexible sealing film. When the expansion chamber is not inserted, the flexible sealing film prevents ink from leaking from the socket, improving the safety of ink cartridge transportation and storage, and avoiding contamination and waste. The tapered plug makes it easier to puncture the flexible sealing film.

[0021] As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the front end of the plug is detachably provided with a sealing plug or a sealing film that can seal the communication hole. When the expansion chamber is not in use, the communication hole is sealed by the sealing plug or the sealing film, providing multiple sealing protections.

[0022] As an optimal solution of the present invention, the cavity is in the shape of "𠃍", and the front end top of the expansion cabin is provided with an extension portion extending forward, and the interior of the extension portion is hollow and can be connected with the inner cavity of the expansion cabin, further increasing the effective ink storage space of the ink cartridge.

[0023] In summary, the beneficial effects of the present invention compared to the prior art are as follows: the present invention adopts a modular design of a main ink storage chamber and a plug-in expansion chamber, and by plugging and locking the expansion chamber into the cavity, efficient use of the internal space of the ink cartridge is achieved, which significantly improves the ink storage capacity, reduces the number of times users frequently replace ink cartridges, reduces the cost of use, and improves the continuity and efficiency of printing. Multiple seals are achieved between the expansion chamber and the main ink storage chamber through the nozzle, annular sealing ring and flexible sealing film, which effectively prevents ink leakage, ensures the stability and safety of the ink supply system, and further improves the reliability of printing. The design of the tapered nozzle and the connecting hole optimizes the flow path of the ink, ensures smooth ink supply, and meets the needs of long-term, large-scale printing. Overall, this solution has significant advantages in increasing ink storage capacity, reducing use costs, improving printing efficiency and product safety, and can better meet users' needs for efficient, low-cost, and high-quality printing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Figure 1 A view of the internal structure of a traditional ink cartridge.

[0025] Figure 2 It is a three-dimensional view of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 3It is a cross-sectional view of the present invention and an enlarged view of a local area in the figure.

[0027] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Magnified view of point A in the middle.

[0028] Figure 5 This is one of the exploded views of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 This is the second exploded view of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 7 This is an exploded view of the utility model after section.

[0031] Explanation of the accompanying reference numerals: 1. Ink cartridge housing; 2. Ink supply port; 3. Main ink storage chamber; 4. Cavity; 5. Socket; 6. Expansion compartment; 7. Plug; 8. Locking structure; 9. Annular sealing ring; 41. Partition; 61. Extension portion; 71. Annular groove; 72. Connecting hole; 81. Clamping hole; 82. Clamping block; 83. Guide slope. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The following detailed description provides various embodiments or examples for implementing the present invention. These are, of course, merely examples and are not intended to be limiting. Furthermore, repeated reference numerals, such as repeated numbers and / or letters, may be used in different embodiments. Such repetition is for simplicity and clarity in describing the present invention and does not imply a specific relationship between the various embodiments and / or configurations discussed.

[0033] In addition, spatially related terms may be used, such as "below," "lower side," "from the inside out," "above," "upper side," and similar terms. These terms are used to facilitate the description of the relationship between one element or feature and another element or feature in the drawings. These spatially related terms include different orientations of the device in use or operation, as well as the orientations described in the drawings. The device may be turned to different orientations, rotated 90 degrees or other orientations, and the spatially related adjectives used therein may also be interpreted in the same way. Therefore, they cannot be understood as limiting the present invention. The terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of such features.

[0034] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments: Figure 1The figure shows the internal structure of a traditional ink cartridge, including an ink cartridge housing 1, and an ink supply port 2 for connecting to the nozzle of the printer is provided at the front end of the ink cartridge housing 1. A main ink storage cavity 3 connected to the ink supply port 2 is provided in the ink cartridge housing 1. A cavity 4 is provided in the ink cartridge housing 1 on one side of the main ink storage cavity 3, and the cavity 4 is in the shape of "𠃍". The main ink storage cavity 3 and the cavity 4 are divided into two independent spaces by a partition 41. Since the cavity 2 inside the traditional ink cartridge is not fully utilized, the ink storage capacity is low, and users need to frequently replace the ink cartridge, which increases the cost of use and the complexity of operation, and affects the printing quality and efficiency. Therefore, in order to effectively increase the ink storage capacity of the ink cartridge, reduce the cost of use, and improve the continuity and efficiency of printing, the original ink cartridge can be transformed into an expanded ink cartridge through a series of processing steps and the addition of an expansion structure, so as to more efficiently utilize the internal space of the ink cartridge. The details are as follows:

[0035] like Figures 2 to 7 The illustrated expanded ink cartridge for an inkjet printer begins with a modification of the traditional ink cartridge housing. The original ink cartridge housing 1 is machined using a milling tool. Specifically, the tail end and one side wall of the cartridge housing 1 are milled away, leaving this portion open. Next, two spaced-apart sockets 5 are opened on the partition 41 between the cavity 4 and the main ink storage chamber 3. These sockets 5 connect the main ink storage chamber 3 with the cavity 4. After the sockets 5 are opened, a flexible sealing film (not shown) is applied to the sockets 5 to seal the main ink storage chamber 3 for easier transport and storage. Next, latch holes 81 are opened on the upper and lower outer walls of the cartridge housing 1 at the tail end of the cavity. After processing is completed, a hollow expansion chamber 6 is inserted into the open portion of the cavity 4. The front end of the expansion chamber 6 has two plugs 7 that can be inserted into corresponding sockets 5. Once the expansion chamber 6 is fully inserted into the cavity 4, the plugs 7 connect the expansion chamber 6 with the inner cavity of the main ink storage chamber 3. Furthermore, a forward-extending extension 61 is provided at the top of the front end of the expansion chamber 6. The interior of the extension 61 is hollow and connects to the inner cavity of the expansion chamber 6. The design of the extension 61 not only increases the effective ink storage space of the expansion chamber 6, but also facilitates the fixing of the expansion chamber 6.

[0036] Among them, such as Figure 3 、 Figure 6 and Figure 7As shown, the nozzle 7 is in the shape of a tubular cone, with a connecting hole 72 passing through the center of the nozzle 7, and a sealing plug or sealing film (not shown in the figure) that can close the connecting hole 72 is detachably provided at the front end of the nozzle 7. This is convenient for preventing the flow of ink when the expansion chamber 6 is not connected to the main ink storage chamber 3, especially during transportation or storage, to avoid contamination of the equipment or impact on installation due to ink overflow. The conical nozzle 7 can easily puncture the flexible sealing film covering the socket 5. In order to prevent ink leakage when the expansion chamber 6 is connected to the main ink storage chamber 3, an annular groove 71 is provided at the connection position between the nozzle 7 and the expansion chamber 6, and an annular sealing ring 9 is nested in the annular groove 71 to ensure that the connection between the expansion chamber 6 and the main ink storage chamber 3 is airtight, effectively preventing ink leakage and ensuring a stable supply of ink.

[0037] In addition, the expansion chamber 6 may become loose or fall off during use, affecting the reliability and stability of the ink cartridge. Figures 2 to 7 As shown, a locking structure 8 is provided between the cavity 4 and the expansion chamber 6, for locking the expansion chamber 6 within the cavity 4. Specifically, the locking structure 8 includes raised blocks 82 on the upper and lower sides of the expansion chamber 6. After the expansion chamber 6 is inserted into the cavity 4, the blocks 82 on the upper and lower sides cooperate with the holes 81 on the inner wall of the cavity 4, so that after the expansion chamber 6 is inserted into place, the blocks 82 automatically snap into the holes 81, forming a stable mechanical lock. During this process, in order to facilitate the smooth insertion of the expansion chamber 6 into the cavity 4 and the precise positioning of the block 82 into the hole 81, a guide bevel 83 is also designed at the front end of the block 82. The guide bevel 83 can guide the block 82 smoothly into the hole 81.

[0038] Through the above series of transformation steps, this utility model successfully upgrades traditional ink cartridges into expanded-capacity cartridges, expanding the ink storage space, reducing the need for users to frequently replace ink cartridges, improving the continuity and efficiency of printing operations, and reducing long-term use costs. This structural transformation not only improves the practicality of the ink cartridge, but also significantly optimizes ink utilization, making it more suitable for modern high-efficiency, low-cost printing needs.

[0039] The above shows and describes the basic principles and main features of the present invention and the advantages of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The above embodiments and descriptions are only for illustrative purposes. Various changes and improvements may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such changes and improvements fall within the scope of the present invention. The scope of protection claimed in the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An inkjet printer expansion cartridge, characterized in that: include: An ink cartridge housing (1), wherein an ink supply port (2) is provided at the front end of the ink cartridge housing (1); A main ink storage chamber (3) is located in the ink cartridge housing (1) and is connected to the ink supply port (2); The cavity (4) is also located in the ink cartridge housing (1) and is arranged adjacent to the main ink storage cavity (3) via a partition (41); The socket (5) is connected to the partition (41) to connect the cavity (4) with the main ink storage cavity (3); The expansion chamber (6) has a hollow structure and is inserted into the cavity (4); The plug nozzle (7) is arranged at the front end of the expansion chamber (6) and can be inserted into the socket (5) to connect the expansion chamber (6) with the main ink storage chamber (3).

2. The ink cartridge for an inkjet printer according to claim 1, wherein: The rear end and at least one side wall of the cavity (4) are both open, and the expansion chamber (6) is inserted into the cavity (4) from the rear end of the cavity (4). A locking structure (8) is provided between the cavity (4) and the expansion chamber (6) for locking the expansion chamber (6) in the cavity (4).

3. The ink cartridge for an inkjet printer according to claim 2, wherein: The locking structure (8) comprises latch holes (81) respectively provided on upper and lower side walls of the cavity (4) adjacent to the open side wall, and protruding latch blocks (82) respectively provided on upper and lower sides of the expansion chamber (6). The latch blocks (82) are used to latch into corresponding latch holes (81) after the expansion chamber (6) is inserted into the cavity (4).

4. The ink cartridge for an inkjet printer according to claim 3, wherein: A guiding inclined surface (83) is provided on each side of the clamping block (82) facing the direction of insertion into the cavity (4).

5. The ink cartridge for inkjet printer according to claim 1, characterized in that: An annular groove (71) is provided at the connection position between the plug nozzle (7) and the expansion chamber (6), and an annular sealing ring (9) is nested in the annular groove (71).

6. The ink cartridge for inkjet printer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The nozzle (7) is in a tubular cone shape, and a connecting hole (72) is passed through the center of the nozzle (7).

7. The ink cartridge for an inkjet printer according to claim 6, wherein: The socket (5) is covered with a flexible sealing film.

8. The ink cartridge for an inkjet printer according to claim 7, characterized in that: The front end of the nozzle (7) is detachably provided with a sealing plug or a sealing film capable of closing the communicating hole (72).

9. An extended ink cartridge for an inkjet printer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The cavity (4) is in a "𠃍" shape, and an extension portion (61) extending forward is provided at the top of the front end of the expansion chamber (6). The interior of the extension portion (61) is hollow and can communicate with the inner cavity of the expansion chamber (6).

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