Ink box

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ink box detachably installed on imaging equipment provided with a combination unit. The combination unit comprises an ink receiving piece, a forced pushing piece, a positioning piece and a main assembly side terminal which are sequentially arranged from bottom to top. The ink box comprises a shell, an ink cavity capable of containing ink is formed in the shell, and the shell is provided with a front surface facing forwards in the installation direction of the ink box; the ink outlet part is provided with an ink outlet exposed from the front surface and is used for being combined with an ink receiving piece so as to discharge the ink in the ink cavity; a positioning portion exposed from the front surface for accommodating at least a portion of the positioning member, and a chip having an electrical contact portion exposed from the front surface for electrical contact with the main component side terminal; the vacant part is opened towards the installation direction of the ink box, and the forced pushing piece is opposite to the vacant part in the installation direction of the ink box; according to the technical scheme, the problem that the chip and the main assembly side terminal are damaged due to over-limit collision caused by over-high mounting speed of the ink box due to the fact that the forced pushing piece generates elastic fatigue can be prevented.

Description

[0001] This utility model claims priority to the prior application filed by the present applicant with the Patent Office of China with application number 202323160895.9, application date November 22, 2023, and invention name “Ink Cartridge”; the prior application filed by the present applicant with the Patent Office of China with application number 202420949741.3, application date April 30, 2024, and invention name “Ink Cartridge”; and the prior application filed by the present applicant with the Patent Office of China with application number 202421386623.2, application date June 17, 2024, and invention name “Ink Cartridge”. All contents of the said prior applications are cross-referenced in this application. Technical Field

[0002] The utility model relates to the technical field of inkjet imaging, in particular to an ink cartridge detachably installed in an inkjet imaging device. Background Art

[0003] An ink cartridge is a container used to supply ink to an inkjet imaging device (referred to as "imaging device"). It generally includes a shell and an ink outlet provided on the shell. The ink outlet is used to supply the ink contained in the shell to the imaging device. In order to enable the imaging device to obtain various parameter information of the ink cartridge, a chip storing the various parameter information has been installed in the ink cartridge.

[0004] Figure 1 : is a three-dimensional diagram of the combination unit applicable to the ink cartridge involved in the utility model, such as Figure 1 As shown, the ink cartridge 1 can be installed into the coupling unit 59 in the imaging device. Along the installation direction of the ink cartridge 1, the front of the ink cartridge is provided with a tube insertion portion (ink outlet portion) 8, a force receiving portion 23, an air inlet portion 27, a positioning mechanism 6 and a chip 4. The coupling unit 59 is provided with a pin 51, an ink receiving part 52, a positioning part 53, a main component side terminal 55, a positioning wall 56 and a pushing part 57. An installation cavity that can accommodate the ink cartridge 1 is formed between every two positioning walls 56.

[0005] When the ink cartridge 1 reaches the predetermined installation position, the ink receiving member 52 is inserted into the ink outlet portion 8 to receive ink; the chip 4 contacts the main component side terminal 55 to establish a communication connection between the ink cartridge 1 and the imaging device; the positioning member 53 is combined with the positioning mechanism 6, specifically, the positioning member 53 is set as a positioning shaft, the positioning mechanism 6 is set as a positioning hole, and the positioning shaft is inserted into the positioning hole to position the ink cartridge 1; the pushing member 57 abuts against the force receiving portion 53 and undergoes elastic deformation, so that the pushing member 57 applies a reaction force to the ink cartridge 1 in the opposite direction of the installation, so that the ink cartridge 1 can be detached from the installation cavity; the pin 51 punctures the sealing membrane used to seal the air inlet portion 27, and then the air inlet portion 27 opens.

[0006] Generally, the pushing member 57 is configured as a compression spring, and the pin 51 is a needle-shaped body surrounded by the compression spring 57. During long-term use of the imaging device, the compression spring 57 may experience elastic fatigue, resulting in a decrease in its elastic force, which may lead to the following technical problems:

[0007] 1. During the installation of the ink cartridge 1, the reaction force applied by the compression spring 57 may be too small, causing the ink cartridge 1 to be installed too quickly, which in turn causes the chip 4 to collide with the main assembly-side terminal 55 beyond the limit and be damaged;

[0008] 2. The rapid installation speed of the ink cartridge 1 causes the relative positions of the ink receiving member 52 and the ink outlet portion 8 to shift, resulting in installation jams. Utility Model Content

[0009] The ink cartridge provided by the present invention can solve at least one of the above technical problems, and the specific solution is:

[0010] An ink cartridge is detachably mounted on an imaging device provided with a coupling unit, wherein the coupling unit includes an ink receiving member, a pushing member, a positioning member and a main component side terminal arranged in sequence from bottom to top; the ink cartridge includes a shell body formed with an ink cavity for accommodating ink, and the shell body has a front surface facing forward along the installation direction of the ink cartridge; an ink outlet portion having an ink outlet port exposed from the front surface, which is used to couple with the ink receiving member to discharge the ink in the ink cavity; a positioning mechanism exposed from the front surface, which is used to accommodate at least a portion of the positioning member; a chip having an electrical contact portion exposed from the front surface, which is used to electrically contact the main component side terminal; a vacant portion, which is open toward the installation direction of the ink cartridge, and the pushing member is opposite to the vacant portion along the installation direction of the ink cartridge.

[0011] When the ink cartridge reaches a predetermined installation position, the pushing member is accommodated by the vacant portion and does not contact the housing.

[0012] Preferably, the ink cartridge further includes a valve assembly and an air-guiding structure for connecting the atmosphere and the ink chamber, wherein the valve assembly is used to force the ink cartridge in a direction opposite to the installation direction of the ink cartridge, and at least a portion of the valve assembly can move between a first position for closing the air-guiding structure and a second position for opening the air-guiding structure; the air-guiding structure includes an air-guiding cavity connected to the fluid of the ink chamber; in the first position, the air-guiding cavity is not connected to the atmosphere, and in the second position, the air-guiding cavity is connected to the atmosphere.

[0013] In some embodiments, the installation direction of the ink cartridge is the +x direction, and the disassembly direction is the -x direction; the positioning mechanism has an opening facing the +x direction, the positioning member enters from the opening, and is used to abut against at least a portion of the valve assembly, so that at least a portion of the valve assembly moves from the first position to the second position.

[0014] In some embodiments, the ink cartridge further comprises a fourth sealing member for sealing the opening. As the ink cartridge is installed, the positioning member pierces / penetrates the fourth sealing member. As the ink cartridge continues to be installed, the positioning member abuts against the valve assembly.

[0015] In some embodiments, the shell includes a main shell and a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from the main shell toward the ink cartridge installation direction, the electrical contact portion is arranged on the first protrusion, the ink outlet is arranged on the second protrusion, and the vacant portion is located between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

[0016] In some embodiments, the opening is provided on the first protrusion or the second protrusion.

[0017] In some embodiments, the front surface includes a first front surface, a third front surface, and a second front surface arranged in sequence from top to bottom, the electrical contact portion is exposed from the first front surface, the ink outlet is exposed from the second front surface, and along the installation direction of the ink cartridge, the third front surface is located behind the first front surface / second front surface.

[0018] In some embodiments, the opening is disposed on the first surface or the second surface.

[0019] In some embodiments, the housing has a center line along a vertical direction intersecting the ink cartridge installation direction, and at least a portion of the housing pushed by the valve assembly is located between the electrical contact portion and the center line of the ink cartridge. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional diagram of a coupling unit applicable to the ink cartridge involved in the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2A and Figure 2B It is a three-dimensional diagram of the ink cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present utility model.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present invention, cut along a cutting plane passing through the center line of the ink outlet portion and parallel to the z direction.

[0023] Figure 4A and Figure 4B They are respectively cross-sectional views of the air inlet portion of the ink cartridge involved in the first embodiment of the present invention before and after being opened, and the valve assembly is cut by the cutting plane.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge involved in the second embodiment of the present invention, cut along a cutting plane passing through the center line of the ink outlet portion and parallel to the z direction.

[0025] Figure 6This is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge involved in the third embodiment of the present invention, cut along a cutting plane passing through the center line of the ink outlet portion and parallel to the z direction.

[0026] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the ink cartridge installation portion in the imaging device.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a plan view of an ink cartridge according to the present invention after being installed in an ink cartridge installation portion and observed along the -z direction.

[0028] Figure 9 This is an exploded view of some components of the ink cartridge involved in Example 5 of the present utility model.

[0029] Figure 10 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the locking assembly of the ink cartridge involved in the fifth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0030] Figure 11 The ink cartridge of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is locked in the ink cartridge installation portion. Figure 8 Stereoscopic image after sectioning along the AA direction.

[0031] Figure 12 The ink cartridge of the fifth embodiment of the present invention is locked in the ink cartridge installation portion. Figure 8 The plan view after cutting along the AA direction.

[0032] Figure 13 After an ink cartridge according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is unlocked from the ink cartridge installation portion, Figure 8 Stereoscopic image after sectioning along the AA direction.

[0033] Figure 14 This is an exploded view of some components of the ink cartridge involved in Example 6 of the present utility model.

[0034] Figure 15 The ink cartridge of the sixth embodiment of the present invention is locked in the ink cartridge installation portion. Figure 8 Stereoscopic image after sectioning along the AA direction.

[0035] Figure 16 The ink cartridge of the sixth embodiment of the present invention is unlocked from the ink cartridge installation portion and is moved along the Figure 8 Stereoscopic image after sectioning along the AA direction.

[0036] Figure 17 This is an exploded view of some components of the ink cartridge involved in Example 7 of the present utility model.

[0037] Figure 18 The ink cartridge of the seventh embodiment of the present invention is locked in the ink cartridge installation portion. Figure 8 Stereoscopic image after sectioning along the AA direction.

[0038] Figure 19 After an ink cartridge according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention is unlocked from the ink cartridge installation portion, Figure 8 Stereoscopic image after sectioning along the AA direction.

[0039] Figure 20A and Figure 20B This is a partial exploded view of the ink cartridge involved in the eighth embodiment of the present utility model.

[0040] Figure 20C This is a plan view of the ink cartridge according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention observed along the y direction after the first sealing member is hidden.

[0041] Figure 21A It is a plan view of the one-way valve involved in Example 8 of the present utility model observed along the y direction.

[0042] Figure 21B It is along Figure 21A A cross-sectional view of the one-way valve involved in Example 8 of the present invention is cut along the BB direction.

[0043] Figure 21C This is an exploded view of the one-way valve involved in Example 8 of the present utility model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The embodiments of the present utility model are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0045] For ease of understanding and description, in the following text, the installation direction of the ink cartridge 100 is the +x direction / front, the disassembly direction is the -x direction / back, the gravity direction of the ink cartridge 100 is the -z direction / downward, and the opposite is the +z direction / upward. When observing in the +x direction, the +z direction points to the top of the line of sight, the left side of the line of sight is the +y direction / left, and the right side of the line of sight is the -y direction / right. The combining unit 59 provided in the imaging device will be directly referenced below, and the combining unit 59 also has the various directions defined above. The ink receiving member 52 and the positioning member 53 both extend toward the -x direction, and the main component side terminal 55 is also set to face the -x direction. The ink receiving member 52, the pushing member 57, the positioning member 53 and the main component side terminal 55 are arranged in sequence from bottom to top along the +z direction, and the pin 51 is a needle-shaped body surrounded by the forced pushing member 57.

[0046] [Example 1]

[0047] The ink cartridge 100 is detachably mounted on an imaging device provided with the coupling unit 59, and the ink cartridge 100 includes a shell 10, a chip 20, a positioning mechanism 30 and an ink outlet portion 40, wherein the shell 10 includes a main shell 10a in which an ink chamber 10c for accommodating ink is formed, the ink chamber 10c is used to accommodate ink, the ink outlet portion 40 is fluidically connected to the ink chamber 10c, and is used to discharge the ink outward, the chip 20 has an electrical contact portion 21 for forming an electrical contact with the main component side terminal 55, the positioning mechanism 30 is used to accommodate at least a portion of the positioning member 53, or in other words, the space formed by the positioning mechanism 30 is used to accommodate at least a portion of the positioning member 53, the ink outlet portion 40, the positioning mechanism 30 and the chip 20 are arranged in sequence from bottom to top along the +z direction, the ink outlet portion 40 has an ink outlet port 41 facing the +x direction, the ink outlet portion 40 is used to be combined with the ink receiving member 52, the positioning mechanism 30 is used to be combined with the positioning member 53, and the chip 20 is used to form an electrical contact with the main component side terminal.

[0048] like Figure 2A As shown, the housing 10 further includes a first protrusion / first pivot portion 101 and a second protrusion / second pivot portion 102 protruding from the main housing 10a toward the +x direction, wherein the chip 20 / electrical contact portion 21 and the positioning mechanism 30 are arranged on the first pivot portion 101, and the ink outlet portion 40 is arranged on the second pivot portion 102. Along the z direction, a vacant portion 12 is formed between the first pivot portion 101 and the second pivot portion 102; the first pivot portion 101 and the second pivot portion 102 can be formed integrally with the main housing 10a or separately, but in general, the first pivot portion 101 and the second pivot portion 102 are both formed as part of the housing 10, and along the installation direction of the ink cartridge 100, the housing 10 has There is a front surface 11 facing the +x direction. According to the arrangement of the first pivot part 101 and the second pivot part 102, the front surface 11 includes a first front surface 11a formed on the first pivot part 101 and facing the +x direction, a second front surface 11b formed on the second pivot part 102 and facing the +x direction, and a third front surface 11c located between the first front surface 11a and the second front surface 11b along the z direction. The third front surface 11c can be either a surface of the main shell 10a facing the +x direction or a surface of a component additionally installed in the vacant part 12 facing the +x direction. Along the z direction, the first front surface 11a, the third front surface 11c and the second front surface 11b are arranged in sequence.

[0049] In some embodiments, the positioning mechanism 30 is configured to include a positioning cavity 32 open toward the +x direction, that is, the positioning cavity 32 has an opening 35 facing the +x direction; the vacant portion 12 is open toward the +x direction of the ink cartridge / the installation direction of the ink cartridge, and the chip 20 also includes a storage portion 22 for storing various parameter information of the ink cartridge, the electrical contact portion 21 and the storage portion 22 are electrically connected, at least the electrical contact portion 21 is exposed from the first front surface 11a, and the positioning mechanism 30 is exposed from the front surface 11, specifically, the positioning cavity 32 is exposed from the first front surface 11a; in some embodiments, the opening 35 is provided on the first front surface 11a, the positioning cavity 32 is exposed from the first front surface 11a, and the ink outlet portion 40 / ink outlet 41 is exposed from the second front surface 11b.

[0050] like Figure 2B and Figure 3 As shown, the positioning mechanism 30 is formed as a cylindrical body 31, and the ink cartridge 100 also includes an air-guiding structure for connecting the atmosphere and the ink chamber 10c. The air-guiding structure includes an air inlet portion 34, an air-guiding cavity 33 for fluid communication with the ink chamber 10c, and an air inlet channel 36 formed between the air inlet portion 34 and the air-guiding cavity 33. The external atmosphere can enter the air-guiding cavity 33 through the air inlet channel 36 and then enter the ink chamber 10c. In practice, the positioning mechanism 30 can either overlap with at least a portion of the air inlet portion 34 or be set independently of the air inlet portion 34, as long as the air-guiding structure can be opened or closed by the valve assembly 6 described below. Obviously, the overlapping arrangement of the positioning mechanism 30 with at least a portion of the air inlet portion 34 is more conducive to simplifying the structure of the ink cartridge 100. At this time, the positioning cavity 32 will become part of the air inlet channel 36. This structure will be used as an example for explanation below.

[0051] like Figure 3 As shown, the filter element 10d is arranged on the fluid communication path between the air guide cavity 33 and the ink cavity 10c. Preferably, the filter element 10d is arranged as a sponge. On the one hand, impurities in the air entering the ink cavity 10c from the air guide cavity 33 can be filtered out by the sponge 10d. On the other hand, the ink flowing back from the ink cavity 10c to the air guide cavity 33 can be absorbed by the sponge 10d without leakage. More preferably, the air guide cavity 33 is arranged to be open in the y direction. In this way, the fluid communication path between the air guide cavity 33 and the ink cavity 10c is easier to set, as shown in FIG. Figure 2B As shown, the air guide cavity 33 is open toward the +y direction, and the ink cartridge 100 also includes a first seal 13 for sealing the air guide cavity 33 and a second seal 14 for sealing the ink outlet 41. The first seal 13 and the second seal 14 can be set as a sealing film, a rubber plug, etc. Before using the ink cartridge 100, the user needs to remove the second seal 14, or pass through the second seal 14 through the ink receiving part 52 to enter the ink outlet part 40.

[0052] like Figure 4A and Figure 4BAs shown, the ink cartridge 100 further includes a valve assembly 6 movably arranged in the air inlet channel 36 and a communicating portion 37 arranged between the positioning mechanism 30 and the air guide cavity 33, the communicating portion 37 having a communicating channel 371, and thus the communicating channel 371 also forms a part of the air inlet channel 36, that is, the air inlet channel 36 includes the positioning cavity 32 and the communicating channel 371; at least a portion of the valve assembly 6 is accommodated by the positioning cavity 32; the valve assembly 6 is configured such that, as the ink cartridge 100 is installed toward the imaging device, the valve assembly 6 opens the communicating portion 37 / air inlet channel 36, so that the external atmosphere can enter the ink cavity 10c through the positioning mechanism 30, the communicating portion 37 and the air guide cavity 33 in sequence; as the ink cartridge 100 is disassembled / removed from the imaging device, the valve assembly 6 closes the air inlet portion 34, so that the external atmosphere cannot enter the ink cavity 10c, that is, at least a portion of the valve assembly 6 can be in a first position (such as the position of ... Figure 4A ) and the second position of the opening connecting portion 37 / intake passage 36 / air guide structure (as shown Figure 4B In other words, at least a portion of the valve assembly 6 can be moved between the first position (as shown) so that the air guide cavity 33 is not connected to the atmosphere. Figure 4A ) and a second position (as shown) that allows the air guide cavity 33 to communicate with the atmosphere. Figure 4B That is, the positioning mechanism 30 is provided with a space (such as the positioning cavity 32 mentioned above) for at least a part of the valve assembly 6 to move.

[0053] The valve assembly 6 includes a valve body 61, a reset member 62 and a third sealing member 63. The valve body 61 is used to abut against the positioning member 53 and move from the first position to the second position. The reset member 62 is used to force the valve body 61 to move from the second position to the first position, so that the valve body 61 can move back and forth along the x direction in the air inlet channel 36; the valve body 61 includes a limiting portion 613, an intermediate portion 612 and a force-bearing portion 611 arranged in sequence along the +x direction / the installation direction of the ink cartridge, wherein the force-bearing portion 611 is used to receive external force, the limiting portion 613 is in the air guide cavity 33, and is used to abut against the main shell 10a, and the reset member 62 is configured as a compression spring sleeved inside or outside the intermediate portion 612, one end of the compression spring 62 abuts against the force-bearing portion 611, and the other end abuts against the main shell 10a.

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, along the z direction / up and down direction, the housing 10 has a middle line L, where the reset member 62 abuts against the main housing 10a, or in other words, the main housing 10a / housing 10a is pushed by the reset member 62. The forced push portion 10e (as shown in FIG. Figure 4A At least a portion of the ink cartridge (as shown) is located between the electrical contact portion 21 and the center line L (the center line of the ink cartridge).

[0055] In some embodiments, along a direction perpendicular to the x-direction, the maximum dimension of the connecting channel 371 is smaller than the maximum dimension of the positioning cavity 32, and the maximum dimension of the middle portion 612 is smaller than the dimension of the connecting channel 371. In this way, the valve body 61 can move smoothly in the connecting channel 371, and the third sealing member 63 is arranged around the outer surface of the middle portion 612. In the first position, the reset member 62 applies a reset force along the +x direction to the valve body 61, and the third sealing member 63 also contacts the inner wall of the connecting portion 37 to close the air intake portion 34 / air intake channel 36. In the second position, the third sealing member 63 does not contact the inner wall of the connecting portion 37 and opens the air intake portion 34 / air intake channel 36.

[0056] The middle portion 612 has a shape that matches the connecting channel 371. For example, the air inlet portion 34 and the middle portion 612 are both configured as columns, cones, etc. When the connecting portion 37 and the middle portion 612 are cut along a plane parallel to the y direction, the cut surface is circular or square. Preferably, the connecting portion 37 and the middle portion 612 are both configured as cylinders.

[0057] As the ink cartridge 100 is installed toward the coupling unit 59 along the +x direction, the positioning member 53 begins to enter the positioning cavity 32 from the opening 35 and contacts the force-bearing portion 611. The pushing member 57 is opposite to the vacant portion 12. As the ink cartridge 100 continues to be installed, the positioning member 53 abuts against the force-bearing portion 611 and applies a force to the force-bearing portion 611. This force overcomes the elastic force (reset force) of the reset member 62, causing the valve body 61 to drive the third sealing member 63 to move toward the -x direction. When the ink cartridge 100 reaches the predetermined installation position, the electrical contact portion 2 1 is in electrical contact with the main assembly side terminal 55, the ink receiving member 52 passes through the ink outlet 41 and enters the ink outlet portion 40, at least a portion of the pushing member 57 enters the vacant portion 12, the positioning member 53 and the force-bearing portion 611 are maintained in an abutting state, the valve body 61 is in the first position, and the restoring member 62 is elastically deformed to generate a pushing force / restoring force. The restoring member has a tendency to push the ink cartridge 100 in the -x direction, but the ink cartridge 100 is locked to the imaging device by a locking mechanism provided therein, so that the ink cartridge 100 is retained in the installation cavity.

[0058] As described above, the maximum size of the middle portion 612 is smaller than the size of the communication channel 371. Therefore, the communication channel 371 cannot be sealed by the middle portion 612, but contacts the inner wall of the communication portion 37 through the third sealing member 63. The air intake channel 36 cannot communicate with the atmosphere and the air guide cavity 33. Figure 4B As shown, when the valve body 61 is abutted by the positioning member 53 and moves toward the -x direction until the third sealing member 63 is out of contact with the inner wall of the connecting portion 37, that is, the valve body 61 moves from the first position to the second position, the air intake channel 36 is connected to the air guide cavity 33, and the external atmosphere can enter the air guide cavity 33 through the air intake channel 36.

[0059] When the locking mechanism is unlocked, the reset member 62 releases the pushing force, and the ink cartridge 100 is pushed toward the -x direction. At the same time, the valve body 61 moves toward the +x direction, causing the third sealing member 63 to return to the state of contact with the inner wall 341 of the air inlet portion, that is, the valve body 61 returns from the second position to the first position.

[0060] In some embodiments, the positioning mechanism 30 can also be configured as a guide portion including at least a portion of the guide valve assembly 6. Accordingly, the valve assembly 6 is provided with a guided portion for cooperating with the guide portion. For example, the guide portion is configured as a guide protrusion, and a guide groove that can cooperate with the guide protrusion is provided on the valve body 61, or the guide portion is configured as a guide groove, and the guided portion is configured as a guide protrusion.

[0061] In some embodiments, the third seal 63 can also be set on the limiting portion 613. In the first position, the third seal 63 closes the air intake portion 34 / air intake channel 36 by contacting the inner wall of the connecting portion 37 or contacting the side wall of the shell 10 / main shell 10a. In the second position, the third seal 63 does not contact the inner wall of the connecting portion 37 or is out of contact with the side wall of the shell 10 / main shell 10a to open the air intake portion 34 / air intake channel 36; that is, the third seal 63 can be set on at least one of the middle portion 612 and the limiting portion 613.

[0062] In some embodiments, the third seal 63 can also be omitted. In the first position, the air intake portion 34 / air intake channel 36 is closed by the limiting portion 613 contacting the interior of the connecting portion 37 or contacting the side wall of the shell 10 / main shell 10a. In the second position, the air intake portion 34 / air intake channel 36 is opened by the limiting portion 613 not contacting the inner wall of the connecting portion 37 or being out of contact with the side wall of the shell 10 / main shell 10a.

[0063] [Example 2]

[0064] In this embodiment, Figure 5The ink cartridge 100 further includes a fourth sealing member 15 for sealing the opening 35. The fourth sealing member 15 can be either a sealing membrane installed in the opening 35 or a sealing plug installed in the air inlet passage 36. Along the installation direction, the air inlet passage 36 has a front opening 36a at the downstream end and a rear opening 36b at the upstream end. The front opening 36a serves as the opening 35, while the rear opening 36b communicates with the air guide cavity 33. The ink cartridge 100 also includes the aforementioned valve assembly 6. Before the ink cartridge 100 is installed, the air inlet passage 36 is sealed by the fourth sealing member 15 and prevented from communicating with the atmosphere. As the ink cartridge 100 is installed, the positioning member 53 first pierces / passes through the fourth sealing member 15 and then enters the air inlet passage 36. As the ink cartridge 100 continues to be installed, the positioning member 53 abuts against the valve assembly 6 / valve body 61, allowing the air inlet passage 36 to communicate with the atmosphere.

[0065] In one implementation of this embodiment, the third seal 63 is not required to be provided in the valve assembly 6. When the fourth seal 15 is punctured / penetrated by the positioning member 53, the external atmosphere can enter the air inlet channel 36 through the position where the fourth seal 15 is punctured / penetrated, and then enter the air guide cavity 33 through the air inlet channel 36, and finally reach the ink cavity 10c. In this implementation, the valve assembly 6 will only play the role of applying a forced thrust to the ink cartridge 100.

[0066] In another implementation of this embodiment, the third seal 63 is still provided in the valve assembly 6. When the fourth seal 15 is punctured / penetrated by the positioning member 53 and the positioning member 53 pushes the valve body 61 from the first position to the second position, the external atmosphere can enter the air inlet channel 36 through the position where the fourth seal 15 is punctured / penetrated, and then enter the air guide cavity 33 through the air inlet channel 36, and finally reach the ink cavity 10c. In this implementation, the valve assembly 6 will have the same function as in Example 1. Before the ink cartridge 100 is installed, the air inlet channel 36 is sealed by the fourth seal 15 and the valve assembly 6 at the same time. This method is conducive to preventing the fourth seal 15 from being accidentally punctured / penetrated by foreign objects and accidentally opened, thereby causing the air inlet channel 36 to be connected to the external atmosphere.

[0067] [Example 3]

[0068] In this embodiment, the fourth sealing member 15 is used to seal the rear opening 36b. Before the ink cartridge 100 is installed, the valve assembly 6 / valve body 61 is located in the first position, and the air inlet channel 36 is not connected to the external atmosphere. As the ink cartridge 100 is installed, the valve body 61 is forced by the positioning member 53 to move toward the -x direction. At the same time, the valve body 61 / restriction portion 613 also punctures / penetrates the fourth sealing member 15.

[0069] Similar to the second embodiment, when the third seal 63 is not provided in the valve assembly 6 in this embodiment, once the valve body 61 punctures / penetrates the fourth seal 15, the air guide cavity 33 is connected with the external atmosphere, and the valve assembly 6 will only play the role of applying a forced thrust to the ink cartridge 100; when the third seal 63 is provided in the valve assembly 6 in this embodiment, the connection between the air guide cavity 33 and the external atmosphere will be achieved after the valve body 61 punctures / penetrates the fourth seal 15 and the third seal 63 is out of contact with the inner wall of the connecting portion 37, which can also prevent the fourth seal 15 from being accidentally opened, causing the air guide cavity 33 to be connected with the external atmosphere.

[0070] In some embodiments, the air inlet portion 34 is further provided with an anti-detachment portion 341 for preventing the valve assembly 6 from detaching. Specifically, the anti-detachment portion 341 is provided near the front opening 36 a.

[0071] [Example 4]

[0072] The air inlet portion 34 and the positioning mechanism 30 in this embodiment are arranged independently of each other. Specifically, the air inlet portion 34 and the ink outlet portion 40 are arranged adjacent to each other, and an air inlet channel 36 is still formed between the air inlet portion 34 and the air guide cavity 33. The valve mechanism 6 arranged in the positioning mechanism 30 can still be abutted by the positioning member 53 and move between the first position and the second position; the second sealing member 14 seals the air inlet portion 34 and the ink outlet portion 40 at the same time. During the installation process of the ink cartridge 100, the ink receiving member 52 punctures / passes through the second sealing member 14. At the same time as the ink receiving member 52 enters the ink outlet portion 40, the air inlet channel 36 is also connected to the external atmosphere.

[0073] In a variation of this embodiment, the positioning mechanism 30 may also be provided on the second pivot portion 102 . In this case, the opening 35 will be located on the second front surface 11 b , and the positioning cavity 32 will be exposed from the second front surface 11 b .

[0074] [Deformation method]

[0075] In one deformation mode, the force-bearing portion 611 has a first force-bearing portion and a second force-bearing portion that abut against the positioning member 53 and the pin 51 respectively. During the installation of the ink cartridge 100, the force acting on the valve body 61 in the -x direction will come from the positioning member 53 and the pin 51. That is to say, the force-bearing portion 611 is generally U-shaped on the side facing the coupling unit 59. Specifically, the abutment of the first force-bearing portion with the positioning member 53 and the abutment of the second force-bearing portion with the pin 51 can be carried out simultaneously or successively. Preferably, the second force-bearing portion does not abut against the pushing member 57. This deformation structure can reduce the reaction force on the positioning member 53, thereby reducing the risk of the positioning member 53 breaking.

[0076] [Example 5]

[0077] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the imaging device includes a cartridge mounting portion 70, in which at least a portion of the coupling unit 59 is accommodated; the cartridge mounting portion 70 includes a locking rod 71, an upper cover 72 and a lower plate 73, and a mounting cavity 74 for accommodating the ink cartridge 100 is formed between the upper cover 72 and the lower plate 73, and a first through hole 75 for cooperating with the locking rod 71 is provided on the upper cover 72, and the first through hole 75 has a first side wall 751 facing the +x direction and a second side wall 752 facing the -x direction. In the x direction, the first side wall 751 is closer to the -x direction than the second side wall 752, and the second side wall 752 is located in the +x direction of the first side wall 751.

[0078] The locking lever 71 is located above the upper cover 72 and includes a first portion 711, a second portion 712, and a third portion 713 connecting the first portion 711 and the second portion 712. The locking lever 71 is pivotable about the third portion 713, with the first portion 711 located in the +x direction relative to the second portion 712. The first portion 711 is configured to abut against the second side wall 752 to lock the ink cartridge 100 in the ink cartridge mounting portion 70. The second portion 712 can, under the action of an external force, cause the first portion 711 to move upward, ultimately disengaging the first portion 711 from the second side wall 752.

[0079] (Structure of the locking assembly)

[0080] like Figure 9 and Figure 10 As shown, the ink cartridge 100 also includes a locking assembly 80, which includes a connecting member, an acting portion 812 and an operating portion 85. The connecting member is configured as a lever. In the front-to-back direction, the acting portion 812 and the operating portion 85 are located at both ends of the connecting member, and the acting portion 812 is located in front of the operating portion 85. The acting portion 812 is used to abut against the first side wall 751 so that the ink cartridge 100 is locked in the ink cartridge installation portion 70. The operating portion 85 is used to disengage the acting portion 812 from the abutment with the first side wall 751, thereby ultimately unlocking the ink cartridge 100.

[0081] The connecting member includes a first acting member 81, a second acting member 82 and a connecting portion 84. The first acting member 81 is located in front of the second acting member 82, and the first acting member 81 and the second acting member 82 are connected by the connecting portion 84; optionally, the connecting portion 84 includes at least a portion of the first acting member 81 and at least a portion of the second acting member 82.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first acting member 81 , the second acting member 82 and the connecting portion 84 may also be provided separately. In this case, the connecting portion 84 is provided independently of the first acting member 81 and the second acting member 82 .

[0083] The first action member 81 includes a first main body 811, and the action portion 812 is configured as a hook-shaped body connected to the first main body 811. Optionally, the action portion 812 is located at the front end of the first action member 81 / first main body 811. Preferably, the action portion 812 extends upward from the first main body 811 to form the hook-shaped body. Specifically, the action portion 812 first extends upward and then extends backward to form the hook-shaped body, or the action portion 812 is then recessed toward the front.

[0084] In some embodiments, the action portion 812 may not be configured as a hook-shaped body, and the action portion 812 only extends upward.

[0085] The second operating member 82 includes a second main body 821 , and the operating portion 85 is connected to the second main body 821 . Optionally, the operating portion 85 is located at the rear end of the second operating member 82 / second main body 821 . Preferably, the operating portion 85 is located above the second main body 821 in the up and down direction.

[0086] The ink cartridge 100 also includes a mating portion, which includes at least a second mating portion 815 arranged in the locking assembly 80 and extending in the left and right directions. Specifically, at least one second mating portion 815 is provided on the first main body 811. Optionally, the second mating portion 815 protrudes from the first main body 811 toward the left and / or right side, and the first action member 81 can be regarded as a lever pivoted with the second mating portion 815 as a fulcrum; preferably, the second mating portion 815 can also serve as a first supporting portion to support the first main body 811.

[0087] The mating portion also includes at least one third mating portion 824 arranged on the second main body 821. Optionally, the third mating portion 824 protrudes from the second main body 821 toward the left and / or toward the right. The second action member 82 can be regarded as a lever pivoted with the third mating portion 824 as a fulcrum. Preferably, the third mating portion 824 can also serve as a second supporting portion to support the second main body 821.

[0088] Optionally, the first acting member 81 further includes a first coupling portion 814 , which is formed by extending backward from the first main body 811 . Preferably, the first coupling portion 814 is located at the rear end of the first main body 811 .

[0089] Optionally, the second acting member 82 also includes a second coupling portion 822, which extends forward from the second main body 811, and the first coupling portion 814 and the second coupling portion 822 are interconnected. The second coupling portion 822 can guide the first coupling portion 814 so that the locking assembly 80 can move in the front and rear directions. Preferably, the second coupling portion 822 is located at the front end of the second main body 821.

[0090] The connecting portion 84 includes at least one first engaged portion 813 and at least one first engaging portion 823. The first engaging portion 823 engages with the first engaged portion 813 through an axial hole to achieve the purpose of the second combining portion 822 guiding the first combining portion 814. The first engaged portion 813 is arranged on the first combining portion 814, that is, the first engaged portion 813 protrudes from the first combining portion 814 toward the left and / or toward the right. Preferably, the first engaged portion 813 is located at the rear end of the first combining portion 814; the first engaging portion 823 is arranged on the second combining portion 822, and the first engaging portion 823 is arranged to be a hole formed on the second main body 821. Preferably, the first engaging portion 823 is located at the front end of the second combining portion 822.

[0091] Optionally, the first mating portion 823 is set to a groove or a through hole. Further, when viewed in the left-right direction, the first mating portion 823 is set to an elliptical shape, and in the front-to-back direction, the first mated portion 813 moves within the first mating portion 823; preferably, the second acting member 82 is provided with two second combining portions 822, and in the left-right direction, the first combining portion 814 is located between the two second combining portions 822.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first coupling portion 814 and the second coupling portion 822 may be interchanged, that is, the first coupling portion 814 guides the second coupling portion 822 .

[0093] (Structure of the housing)

[0094] The shell 10 includes an upper side plate 10a1 located above the ink chamber 10c. Optionally, the ink cartridge 100 also includes a sub-shell 10b, which is located between the upper side plate 10a1 and the ink chamber 10c. The sub-shell 10b is provided with a bottom plate 10b1, and at least a portion of the locking assembly 80 is located in a cavity 10b2 formed between the upper side plate 10a1 and the sub-shell 10b; the sub-shell 10b and the main shell 10a can be arranged as one piece or separately.

[0095] In some embodiments, the ink cartridge 100 may not be provided with the sub-shell 10b, and the cavity 10b2 is directly formed between the upper side plate 10a1 and the ink chamber 10c.

[0096] Optionally, the locking assembly 80 further includes a retaining member 83, which is located between the actuating rod and the main housing 10a. Generally, the retaining member 83 is configured as an elastic member; the upper side plate 10a1 is provided with a second through hole 10a2 connected to the cavity 10b2. Optionally, the second actuating member 82 and the retaining member 83 can be exposed upward through the second through hole 10a2.

[0097] Optionally, at least one second engaged portion 10a3 and at least one third engaged portion 10a4 extending downward are provided on the upper side plate 10a1, and the second engaged portion 10a3 is located in front of the third engaged portion 10a4.

[0098] Optionally, the sub-shell 10b is also provided with at least one fourth mated portion 10b3 and at least one fifth mated portion 10b4, and the fourth mated portion 10b3 and the fifth mated portion 10b4 are arranged as grooves facing the opening of the cavity 10b2, and the fourth mated portion 10b3 is located in front of the fifth mated portion 10b4; the second mated portion 10a3 is used to be combined with the fourth mated portion 10b3, and a receiving space is formed therebetween, and the receiving space is used to allow the second mating portion 815 to move therein; the third mating portion 10a4 is used to be combined with the fifth mating portion 10b4, and a receiving space is formed therebetween, and the receiving space is used to allow the third mating portion 824 to move therein; optionally, at least a portion of the second mated portion 10a3 is accommodated in the fourth mated portion 10b3, and at least a portion of the third mated portion 10a4 is accommodated in the fourth mated portion 10b4.

[0099] Specifically, the second engaged portion 10a3 is combined with the fourth engaged portion 10b3 to be used to engage with the second engaging portion 815, and the third engaged portion 10a4 is combined with the fifth engaged portion 10b4 to be used to engage with the third engaging portion 824. In the front-to-back direction, the second engaging portion 815 can move within the second engaged portion 10a3 and the fourth engaged portion 10b3, and the third engaging portion 824 can move within the third engaged portion 10a4 and the fifth engaged portion 10b4. Preferably, the second engaged portion 10a3 and the second engaging portion 10a4 are arranged in an arc shape. Such an arrangement of the second engaged portion 10a3 and the third engaged portion 10a4 can control the movement distance of the second engaging portion 815 and the third engaging portion 824 in the front-to-back direction, thereby preventing the locking assembly 80 from falling off.

[0100] In some embodiments, the first matching portion 823 , the second matching portion 815 , and the third matching portion 824 are configured to be cylindrical and extend in the left-right direction.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first mating portion 823 and the first mated portion 813 , the second mating portion 815 and the second mated portion 10a3 , and the third mating portion 824 and the third mated portion 10a4 may be interchangeably arranged.

[0102] In some embodiments, the second mating portion 815 and the fourth mated portion 10b3 , and the third mating portion 824 and the fifth mated portion 10b4 may be interchanged.

[0103] In some embodiments, the second fitted portion 10a3 and the fourth fitted portion 10b3, and the third fitted portion 10a4 and the fifth fitted portion 10b4 may be interchanged.

[0104] In some embodiments, the ink cartridge 100 is provided with one of the second engaged portion 10a3 and the fourth engaged portion 10b3, and the ink cartridge 100 is provided with one of the third engaged portion 10a4 and the fifth engaged portion 10b4.

[0105] In some embodiments, when viewed from the left and right directions, the first mating portion 823, the second mating portion 815, and the third mating portion 824 can also be set to be non-circular, or the first mated portion 813, the second mated portion 10a3, the third mated portion 10a4, the fourth mated portion 10b3, and the fifth mated portion 10b4 can also be set to be non-circular.

[0106] (Locking and unlocking process of ink cartridge)

[0107] like Figure 11 、 Figure 12 and Figure 13 As shown, after the ink cartridge 100 is installed in the ink cartridge installation portion 70 along the installation direction, under the action of the retaining member 83, the operating portion 85 pushes up the second portion 712 of the locking lever 71, and the first portion 711 of the locking lever 71 moves downward into the first through hole 75. Along the front-to-back direction, the first portion 711 abuts against the second side wall 752. At the same time, the action portion 812 of the locking assembly 80 moves upward into the first through hole 75 and abuts against the first side wall 751. That is, along the x direction, the first portion 711 abuts against the second side wall 751. The first portion 711 abuts against the second side wall 752, and the action portion 812 abuts against the first side wall 751, so that under the joint action of the first portion 711 of the locking rod 71 and the action portion 812 of the locking assembly 80, the ink cartridge 100 is locked in the ink cartridge mounting portion 70; preferably, in the installation direction of the ink cartridge 100, the first side wall 751, the action portion 812, the first portion 711 and the second side wall 752 are arranged in sequence and squeezed against each other, so that the ink cartridge 100 can be more stably locked in the ink cartridge mounting portion 70.

[0108] When the ink cartridge 100 needs to be removed from the ink cartridge installation portion 70, the operator presses the second portion 712 of the locking lever 71 downward, the first portion 711 moves upward and no longer squeezes the acting portion 812, the second portion 712 squeezes the operating portion 85 downward, the second acting member 82 pivots around the rotation direction K, the second acting member 82 guides the first acting member 81 to pivot around the direction opposite to the rotation direction K, specifically, the portion behind the second combination 822 of the second acting member 82 moves downward, the portion in front of the second combination 822 moves upward, the second combining portion 822 guides the first combining portion 814, the portion behind the second matching portion 815 of the first acting member 81 is driven to move upward, the portion in front of the second matching portion 815 moves downward, the acting portion 812 disengages from the first side wall 751, and the ink cartridge 100 is unlocked. At this time, the retaining member 83 is configured as a compression spring.

[0109] (Deformation method)

[0110] In some embodiments, a transmission part may be further provided between the first acting member 81 and the second acting member 82 to change the direction of force transmission. Such a setting can provide greater freedom for the position setting of the operating part 85 .

[0111] [Example 6]

[0112] This embodiment only describes the differences from the fifth embodiment; the locking assembly 80 in the fifth embodiment adopts a double-lever structure, and the first and second operating members 81 and 82 in the locking assembly 80 are both configured as levers. In this embodiment, the locking assembly 80 adopts a single-lever structure.

[0113] like Figure 14 、 Figure 15 and Figure 16 As shown, in this embodiment, the first acting member 81 and the second acting member 82 are arranged integrally, and the connecting member is provided with a downwardly recessed recessed portion 841. In the connecting member, the size of the position corresponding to the recessed portion 841 in the up and down directions is smaller than the size of the first acting member 81 in the up and down directions and the size of the second acting member 82 in the up and down directions. The position corresponding to the recessed portion 841 can be regarded as the connecting portion 84, or in other words, the recessed portion 841 is located above the connecting portion 84. In this way, the connecting portion 84 can move in the up and down directions, that is, the connecting portion 84 can undergo elastic deformation.

[0114] In this embodiment, the locking and unlocking process may refer to the fifth embodiment.

[0115] In some embodiments, the connecting portion 84 and the first and second active members 81 and 82 are made of different materials. Preferably, the material used for the connecting portion 84 makes it easier for the connecting portion 84 to move in the up and down directions, so that the locking assembly 80 is more labor-saving during use. At this time, the locking assembly 80 is formed by secondary injection molding.

[0116] [Example 7]

[0117] This embodiment only describes the differences from the sixth embodiment.

[0118] like Figure 17 、 Figure 18 and Figure 19 As shown, in this embodiment, the retaining member 83 is integrally provided with the second acting member 82, and the retaining member 83 is provided as an elastic sheet / elastic arm / cantilever. Optionally, one end of the retaining member 83 is connected to the bottom plate 10b1 of the sub-shell 10b.

[0119] [Embodiment 8]

[0120] like Figure 20A and Figure 20B As shown, in this embodiment, the shell 10 includes a face cover 10f combined with the main shell 10a, and the ink cavity 10c is formed between the main shell 10a and the face cover 10f; before the ink cartridge 100 is used, the ink outlet 41 and the air inlet portion 34 are sealed by the second sealing member 14 at the same time. As the ink cartridge 100 is installed, the ink receiving member 52 passes through the second sealing member 14 and enters the ink outlet portion 40 through the ink outlet 41. At this time, the air inlet portion 34 is opened, and the atmosphere can enter the air inlet portion 34. The air inlet channel 36 connects the air inlet portion 34 and the air guide cavity 33. The atmosphere entering the air inlet portion 34 will pass through the air inlet channel 36 and the air guide cavity 33 in sequence, and finally enter the ink cavity 10c.

[0121] Continue as Figure 20A As shown, the ink cartridge 100 also includes a negative pressure generating member, which is at least used to control the speed at which ink flows to the ink outlet portion 40, so that a negative pressure is maintained in the ink chamber 10c. The negative pressure generating member is located on the atmospheric flow path from the atmosphere to the ink chamber 10c. Therefore, the negative pressure generating member is also used to control the connection and disconnection of the atmospheric flow path from the air inlet portion 34 / air inlet channel 36 to the ink chamber 10c.

[0122] The negative pressure generating element is set as a one-way valve 91, through which the atmosphere can reach the air guide chamber 33 from the air inlet channel 36 via the one-way valve 91, and the ink in the ink chamber 10c cannot reach the air inlet channel 36 from the air guide chamber 33 via the one-way valve 91.

[0123] like Figure 20AAs shown, the negative pressure generating component is located in the main shell 10a and is exposed through the side of the main shell 10a facing the -y direction. The negative pressure generating component and the air intake channel 36 are sealed by the first sealing component 13 at the same time, which facilitates the installation of the negative pressure generating component and the formation of the air intake channel 36. In other words, the first sealing component 13 is also one of the components of the negative pressure generating component and the air intake channel 36.

[0124] Specifically, such as Figure 21A 、 Figure 21B and Figure 21C As shown, the one-way valve 91 includes a third main body 92, an action member 93, a valve core 94 and a valve seat 96 connected in sequence along the y direction, the third main body 92 is provided with a first communicating chamber 921, the valve core 94 is provided with a first communicating hole 941, and the valve seat 96 is provided with a second communicating chamber 961. Through the first communicating hole 941, the first communicating chamber 921 and the second communicating chamber 961 can be switched between connected and disconnected; the first communicating chamber 921 is used to communicate with the ink chamber 33, one end of the action member 93 is connected to the third main body 92, and the other end of the action member 93 is connected to the valve core 94, the action member 93 is set as an elastic member, and the valve core 94 and the action member 93 jointly control the opening and closing of the one-way valve 91. By controlling the movement of the valve core 94 in the y direction, the other end of the valve core 94 can be in contact with or out of contact with the valve seat 96. When the valve core 94 is in contact with the valve seat 96, the first connecting chamber 921 and the second connecting chamber 961 are disconnected, the one-way valve 91 is closed, and the atmosphere cannot enter the air guide chamber 33; as the ink in the ink chamber 10c is received by the ink receiving member 52, negative pressure is gradually generated in the ink chamber 10c. When the pressure generated by the negative pressure is greater than the elastic force of the acting member 93, the valve core 94 is out of contact with the valve seat 96, and the second connecting chamber 961 is connected to the first connecting hole 941. Then, the second connecting chamber 961 is connected to the first connecting chamber 921, the one-way valve 91 is opened, and the atmosphere can enter the air guide chamber 33.

[0125] like Figure 20B As shown, the ink cartridge 100 also includes a buffer chamber 110 that is connected to the ink outlet portion 40 and the ink chamber 10c. The buffer chamber 110 is used to hold ink. During the use of the ink cartridge 100, the buffer chamber 110 can continuously supply ink to the ink outlet portion 40 to ensure that the ink receiving component 52 can obtain ink in a timely manner.

[0126] The buffer chamber 110 is further provided with a process opening 111 facing −z and a side cover 112 for sealing the process opening 111 . During the production process of the ink cartridge 100 , the process opening 111 is provided to facilitate the separation of the ink cartridge 100 from the mold.

[0127] like Figure 20A 、 Figure 20B and Figure 20CAs shown, at least a portion of the one-way valve 91 is located in the -x direction of the buffer chamber 110. At the same time, at least a portion of the one-way valve 91 is located in the -x direction of the reset member 62. In this embodiment, the reset member 62 provides a force for the ink cartridge 100 to move toward -x, so that the ink cartridge 100 has a tendency to move toward -x. When the ink cartridge 100 needs to be removed, the ink cartridge 100 can be removed more quickly. In addition, as mentioned above, along the z direction, a vacant portion 12 is formed between the first pivot portion 101 and the second pivot portion 102. Along the x direction, the one-way valve 91 is located outside the range M defined by the vacant portion 12 in the z direction. Such a configuration of the one-way valve 91 has the following beneficial effects:

[0128] First, when the ink cartridge 100 is already provided with at least the ink outlet 40, the air inlet 34, the positioning mechanism 30, and the chip 20 at the +x direction end, the one-way valve 91 can avoid interference with the already provided components. At the same time, it can also make better use of the space in the ink cartridge 100 and make the layout of the ink cartridge 100 more reasonable.

[0129] Second, compared with the buffer chamber 110 and the vacant portion 12 , the one-way valve 91 is arranged closer to the ink chamber 10 c . When the air pressure in the ink chamber 10 c changes, the one-way valve 91 can respond more quickly to prevent the ink from flowing toward the air inlet portion 34 .

[0130] In some embodiments, the one-way valve 91 also includes a fifth seal 95, which is used to seal the gap between the one-way valve 91 and the main shell 10a, so that the atmosphere can only enter the air guide cavity 33 through the second connecting cavity 961, the first connecting hole 941 and the first connecting cavity 921.

[0131] In some embodiments, the one-way valve 91 can also be used to control the connection and disconnection of the ink flow path from the ink chamber 10c to the ink outlet 41. At this time, the one-way valve 91 is set on the flow path of the ink to the ink outlet 41.

[0132] [Beneficial Effects]

[0133] 1. A vacant portion 12 is provided in the ink cartridge 100. When the ink cartridge 100 is installed, the vacant portion 12 is opposite to the pushing member 57 along the x direction. Along the -x direction, the third front surface 11c forms the bottom surface of the vacant portion 12, and the third front surface 11c is located in the -x direction / behind the first front surface 11a / the second front surface 11b. When the ink cartridge 100 reaches the predetermined installation position, the pushing member 57 is accommodated by the vacant portion 12 and does not contact the pushing member 57 with the third front surface 11c. In this way, the pushing member 57 does not produce The ink cartridge 100 is elastically deformed, and the pushing force for the ink cartridge 100 to move in the -x direction comes from the valve assembly 6, and the valve assembly 6 can be replaced as the ink cartridge 100 is replaced. Even if the imaging device is used for a long time, the pushing member 57 set as a compression spring will not produce elastic fatigue. When the user installs the ink cartridge 100, the ink cartridge 100 will not be installed too quickly, causing the chip 20 / electrical contact part 21 to collide with the main component side terminal 55 beyond the limit and be damaged, that is, the impact on the chip 20 can be reduced.

[0134] In some embodiments, the third front surface 11c can also be configured so that during the installation of the ink cartridge 100, the pushing member 57 abuts against the third front surface 11c and undergoes elastic deformation. However, compared to the elastic deformation of the pushing member 57 when the third front surface 11c is configured to be flush with the first front surface 11a / the second front surface 11b, the elastic deformation of the pushing member 57 in this embodiment is smaller, which can also prevent the pushing member 57 from generating elastic fatigue, thereby preventing the installation speed of the ink cartridge 100 from being too fast, resulting in the chip 20 / the electrical contact portion 21 and the main component side terminal 55 from colliding beyond the limit and being damaged, that is, the impact on the chip 20 can be reduced.

[0135] 2. The provision of the vacant portion 12 will also enable the positioning member 53 to enter the positioning cavity 32 earlier during the installation process of the ink cartridge 100 than at least one of the moments when the third front surface 11c begins to contact the pushing member 57 (if any), the moment when the electrical contact portion 21 forms electrical contact with the main component side terminal 55, and the moment when the ink receiving member 52 enters the ink outlet portion 40. Therefore, the ink cartridge 100 can be pre-positioned so that it has a stable movement trajectory, thereby ensuring that the third front surface 11c and the pushing member 57, the ink receiving member 52 and the ink outlet portion 40, and the main component side terminal 55 and the electrical contact portion 21 are aligned.

[0136] On the contrary, during the process of removing the ink cartridge 100, compared with the moment when the third front surface 11c begins to disengage from the pushing member 57 (if any), the moment when the electrical contact portion 21 disengages from the main component side terminal 55, and the moment when the ink receiving member 52 disengages from the ink outlet portion 40, the positioning member 53 is the last to disengage from the positioning cavity 32, so that the ink cartridge 100 has a stable movement trajectory.

[0137] 3. The existing ink cartridge 100 is additionally provided with an air guide hole, and the air guide hole is sealed by an independent sealing film. Before using the ink cartridge 100, the user needs to manually tear off the independent sealing film. This design is extremely unfriendly to users who use the ink cartridge for the first time. Users often forget to tear off the sealing film before installing the ink cartridge 100. Compared with the existing design, the above embodiments can realize the communication between the air guide cavity 33 and the external atmosphere during the installation process of the ink cartridge 100, thereby providing a better user experience.

[0138] 4. In the existing structure that uses a sealing film to seal the air inlet channel 342, when the sealing film is punctured by a puncture member (such as the above-mentioned valve body 61), the sealing film may still be attached to the puncture member at the punctured part, thereby causing the air inlet channel 342 to still be unable to communicate with the external atmosphere, or the air inlet channel 342 is not smoothly connected with the external atmosphere; in Example 1, the air inlet channel 342 can be sealed by a third sealing member 63 that is formed as a non-sealing film. As long as the third sealing member 63 is out of contact with the inner wall 341 of the air inlet portion, the external atmosphere can smoothly enter the air guide cavity 33 through the air inlet channel 342.

[0139] 5. In the above embodiment, the air inlet channel 342 and the ink outlet portion 40 are not coaxially arranged. In this way, the structure inside the ink outlet portion 40 can be simplified. Even if the air inlet channel 342 and the ink outlet portion 40 are arranged adjacent to each other as described in Example 4, the structural complexity of the ink outlet portion 40 will not be increased.

[0140] 6. The valve body 61 further includes a matching portion 614 provided on the force-bearing portion 611 . Along the +x direction, the matching portion 614 is located at the end of the force-bearing portion 611 . The matching portion 614 can match with the positioning member 53 to prevent the positioning member 53 from being damaged.

[0141] 7. At least a portion of the positioning member 53 is accommodated by the positioning mechanism 30 , which can prevent the positioning member 53 from breaking.

[0142] 8. As described above, the valve assembly 6 exerts a force in the -x direction on the housing 10 / main housing 10a. By placing at least a portion of the valve assembly 6 between the electrical contact portion 21 and the center line L, and more specifically, placing at least a portion of the forced pushing portion between the electrical contact portion 21 and the center line L, the force causes the ink cartridge 10 to rotate clockwise (e.g., Figure 3 When the ink cartridge needs to be removed, the electrical contact portion 21 and the contact pin will be out of contact more quickly, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the chip 20.

[0143] 9. The negative pressure generating member of the present invention is configured as a one-way valve 91. Compared with the existing sponge, the one-way valve 91 is less affected by changes in the external environment of the ink cartridge 100 and is more capable of stably controlling the flow rate of the atmosphere. In this way, a negative pressure state can always be maintained in the ink chamber 10c, and the possibility of ink leakage through the ink outlet portion 40 is reduced.

[0144] 10. A filter element 10d (sponge) can also be installed in the ink cartridge 100. In this case, the negative pressure generating element will include both the filter element 10d and the one-way valve 91. In this way, under the joint action of the one-way valve 91 and the filter element 10d, the negative pressure in the ink chamber 10c can always be maintained, further reducing the possibility of ink leaking out of the ink cartridge 100 through the ink outlet 41.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge detachably mounted on an imaging device having a coupling unit, wherein the coupling unit comprises an ink receiving member, a pushing member, a positioning member, and a main assembly side terminal arranged in order from bottom to top; characterized in that: Ink cartridge includes, The housing is formed with an ink chamber for accommodating ink, and the housing has a front surface facing forward along the installation direction of the ink cartridge; an ink outlet portion having an ink outlet exposed from the front surface and configured to be coupled to the ink receiving member to discharge ink from the ink chamber; a positioning mechanism, exposed from the front surface, for receiving at least a portion of the positioning member, a chip having an electrical contact portion exposed from the front surface, the electrical contact portion being configured to electrically contact the main assembly-side terminal; The vacant portion is open toward the installation direction of the ink cartridge, and the pushing member is opposite to the vacant portion along the installation direction of the ink cartridge.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein When the ink cartridge reaches a predetermined installation position, the pushing member is received by the vacant portion and the pushing member is out of contact with the housing.

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The ink cartridge further includes a valve assembly and an air guide structure for connecting the atmosphere and the ink chamber, wherein the valve assembly is configured to force the ink cartridge in a direction opposite to an installation direction of the ink cartridge, and at least a portion of the valve assembly is movable between a first position closing the air guide structure and a second position opening the air guide structure. The air guide structure includes an air guide cavity in fluid communication with the ink cavity; In the first position, the air guide cavity is not connected to the atmosphere, and in the second position, the air guide cavity is connected to the atmosphere.

4. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, wherein The installation direction of the ink cartridge is the +x direction, and the disassembly direction is the -x direction; the positioning mechanism has an opening facing the +x direction, the positioning member enters from the opening, and is used to abut against at least a portion of the valve assembly, so that at least a portion of the valve assembly moves from the first position to the second position.

5. The ink cartridge according to claim 4, wherein: The ink cartridge further comprises a fourth sealing member for sealing the opening. As the ink cartridge is installed, the positioning member pierces / penetrates the fourth sealing member. As the ink cartridge continues to be installed, the positioning member abuts against the valve assembly.

6. The ink cartridge according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The shell includes a main shell and a first protrusion and a second protrusion protruding from the main shell toward the ink cartridge installation direction. The electrical contact part is arranged on the first protrusion, the ink outlet is arranged on the second protrusion, and the vacant part is located between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.

7. The ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: The opening is provided on the first protrusion or the second protrusion.

8. The ink cartridge according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The front surface includes a first front surface, a third front surface and a second front surface arranged in sequence from top to bottom, the electrical contact portion is exposed from the first front surface, the ink outlet is exposed from the second front surface, and along the installation direction of the ink cartridge, the third front surface is located behind the first front surface / second front surface.

9. The ink cartridge according to claim 8, wherein The opening is provided on the first surface or the second surface.

10. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein The housing has a center line along a vertical direction intersecting with the installation direction of the ink cartridge, and at least a portion of the housing that is pushed by the valve assembly is located between the electrical contact portion and the center line of the ink cartridge.

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