Ink box

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ink cartridge for an ink jet printer. In some embodiments, the ink box comprises a box body internally provided with an ink storage cavity, the bottom surface of the box body is provided with an ink outlet and an air inlet, the air inlet is communicated with the side wall of the ink outlet, and the front side surface of the box body is provided with a chip assembly; in the length direction of the ink box, the air inlet is formed between the chip assembly and the ink outlet. A baffle assembly extending downwards from the top of the ink storage cavity is arranged in the ink storage cavity and comprises a plurality of baffles, and the size of the baffles in the height direction of the ink box is at least half of the height of the ink storage cavity. The baffle assembly can effectively reduce generation of bubbles in the ink storage cavity.

Description

[0001] This utility model claims priority to a prior Chinese application with an application date of September 20, 2023, an invention name of “Ink Cartridge” and an application number of 202322570887.5. All contents of the prior application are fully cited in this application. Technical Field

[0002] The utility model relates to an ink cartridge used in inkjet printing equipment. Background Art

[0003] Ink cartridges are typically removably mounted to the mounting portion of an inkjet printer to supply the printer with ink for printing. In previous technologies, the air inlet and ink outlet of an ink cartridge were typically located on different surfaces of the cartridge body, with a sealing film attached to the air inlet to prevent ink from escaping during transportation. This air inlet arrangement has several drawbacks: Firstly, the user needs to remove the sealing film upon first use, which is inconvenient; secondly, it increases the number of steps and costs involved in the cartridge production process.

[0004] To prevent ink leakage during use, the ink reservoir is often maintained at a negative pressure (relative to atmospheric pressure). This is particularly important when removing the cartridge, i.e., when the ink supply needle on the mounting assembly is released from the sealing plug in the ink outlet. Furthermore, to enable ink jetting to different locations on the print media, the cartridge mounting assembly of an inkjet printer moves rapidly during printing, causing the ink in the cartridge to vigorously swirl and generate bubbles. Once these bubbles enter the ink supply needle along with the ink, they can cause the inkjet printer's printhead to inhale air, resulting in print line breakage. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present application provides an ink cartridge comprising a cartridge body having an ink storage chamber therein; an ink outlet and an air inlet provided on the bottom surface of the cartridge body, the air inlet communicating with the side wall of the ink outlet; and a chip assembly provided on the front side surface of the cartridge body; the air inlet disposed between the chip assembly and the ink outlet along the length of the cartridge; and a baffle assembly extending downward from the top of the ink storage chamber, the baffle assembly comprising a plurality of baffles, the baffles being at least half the height of the ink storage chamber along the height direction of the cartridge. The baffle assembly can reduce ink sloshing during cartridge movement, thereby reducing the generation of bubbles and thereby improving print quality.

[0006] Furthermore, a floating member is provided in the ink storage chamber and floats on the surface of the ink, wherein the floating member can reduce ink shaking when the ink cartridge is moved, thereby reducing the generation of bubbles and improving the printing quality.

[0007] Furthermore, the floating member includes a main body and a retaining portion connected below the main body, and the length of the retaining portion is greater than the width of the ink storage cavity.

[0008] Furthermore, part of the baffles in the baffle assembly is arranged above the ink outlet.

[0009] Furthermore, the chip assembly includes a chip and a conductive member, the chip is provided with a non-ground terminal, and the conductive member is provided with a ground terminal located beside the chip and electrically connected to the chip.

[0010] Furthermore, taking a plane passing through the central axis of the ink outlet and parallel to the length direction of the ink cartridge as a reference plane, the non-grounding terminal and the grounding terminal are asymmetrically distributed relative to the reference plane.

[0011] Furthermore, a plane passing through the central axis of the ink outlet and parallel to the length direction of the ink cartridge is used as a reference plane, and the non-ground terminal is located on one side of the reference plane.

[0012] Furthermore, a plane passing through the central axis of the ink outlet and parallel to the length direction of the ink cartridge is used as a reference plane, and the air inlet is located on any side of the reference plane or passes through the reference plane.

[0013] Furthermore, the baffle assembly includes a plurality of baffles parallel to the width direction of the ink cartridge, and the plurality of baffles are spaced apart in the length direction of the ink cartridge.

[0014] Furthermore, the baffle assembly includes a plurality of baffles parallel to the width direction of the ink cartridge, and the plurality of baffles are arranged in groups of two at intervals in the length direction of the ink cartridge.

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

[0016] Figure 1 is a first overall structural diagram of the ink cartridge in Example 1;

[0017] Figure 2 is an exploded view of the ink cartridge in Example 1;

[0018] Figure 3 is a second overall structural diagram of the ink cartridge in Example 1;

[0019] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the ink cartridge in Example 1;

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 AA section view;

[0021] Figure 6 is a diagram of the installation structure of the chip assembly in Example 1;

[0022] Figure 7 is an exploded view of the chip assembly in Example 1;

[0023] Figure 8 is a front view of the ink cartridge in Example 1;

[0024] Figure 9 is an exploded view of the ink cartridge in Example 2;

[0025] Figure 10 is a bottom view of the ink cartridge in Example 2;

[0026] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 BB cross-sectional view;

[0027] Figure 12 yes Figure 10 AA section view;

[0028] Figure 13 is an exploded view of the ink cartridge in Example 3;

[0029] Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge along the length direction in Example 3;

[0030] Figures 15a-15c Schematic diagram of the structure of different baffles in Example 3;

[0031] Figure 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge along the length direction in Example 4;

[0032] Figure 17 It is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of the ink cartridge along the length direction of the modified embodiment 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] In the following description, many specific details are explained in combination with the embodiments to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, it should be understood that the following embodiments and detailed descriptions are only for illustrative purposes and do not limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] like Figure 1 and 2As shown, the ink cartridge of Example 1 includes a cartridge body 10 and a chip assembly 20 disposed on the cartridge body 10. The cartridge body 10 may include a shell 11 and a top cover 12. The top cover 12 is connected to the shell 11 and closes the top opening of the shell 11, thereby forming a cavity inside the cartridge body 10. The cartridge body 10 may also adopt other structural forms to form the internal cavity, and this application is not limited thereto.

[0036] The chip assembly 20 can be disposed on the front side 10a of the cartridge body 10, for example, near the bottom 10b of the cartridge body 10. Furthermore, an elastic fastener 111 can be disposed on the front side 10a above the chip assembly 20. The elastic fastener 111 can secure the ink cartridge to the mounting portion of the inkjet printer.

[0037] In this embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, the chip assembly 20 includes a chip 21 and a conductive member 22. The chip 21 is mounted on the front side 10a of the box body 10, for example, by bonding or welding the front side 10a. The conductive member 22 does not support the chip 21. The chip 21 can also be fixed to the front side 10a of the box body 10 using other methods, which are not limited in this application.

[0038] Chip 21 includes a substrate 211, a memory module (not shown), and non-ground terminals 212. Non-ground terminals 212 are located on the front surface of substrate 211 and are electrically connected to the memory module. Substrate 211 is provided with a first positioning slot 214 and a second positioning slot 215, which can be located on the upper and lower sides of substrate 211, respectively. The front side 10a is provided with a first positioning post 10a3 that engages with the first positioning slot 214 and a second positioning post 10a2 that engages with the second positioning slot 215 to locate the substrate 211 on the front side 10a.

[0039] The number of non-ground terminals 212 can be multiple, for example four, including a data terminal, a reset terminal, a clock terminal, and a power terminal. When the ink cartridge is installed in the mounting portion of an inkjet printer, the data terminal electrically contacts the data contact pin on the printer, the reset terminal electrically contacts the reset contact pin on the printer, the clock terminal electrically contacts the clock contact pin on the printer, and the power terminal electrically contacts the power contact pin on the printer. The positions of the data terminal, reset terminal, clock terminal, and power terminal can be set according to the positions of the corresponding contact pins in the inkjet printer, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0040] The front side 10a is provided with a mounting groove 10a1, within which a conductive member 22 is disposed. The conductive member 22 comprises a first conductive portion 221 and a second conductive portion 222. The first conductive portion 221 is disposed on the back surface of the substrate 211 and at least partially overlaps the substrate 211. The second conductive portion 222 is exposed from the side of the substrate 211 and forms a grounding terminal 223. The surfaces of the grounding terminal 223 and the non-grounding terminal 212 can lie in the same vertical plane or in different vertical planes (i.e., spaced apart in the front-to-back direction). When the ink cartridge is installed in the mounting portion of an inkjet printer, the grounding terminal electrically contacts the printer's grounding pin.

[0041] like Figure 7 As shown, the back side of the substrate 211 is provided with a third conductive portion 213 electrically connected to the storage module. The third conductive portion 213 can be ring-shaped, but is not limited thereto. The third conductive portion 213 and the first conductive portion 221 can be electrically connected via an elastic member 23, so that the ground terminal 223 is electrically connected to the storage module of the chip 21. The elastic member 23 can be a conductive spring sleeved on the second positioning column 10a2, with its two ends elastically contacting the third conductive portion 213 and the first conductive portion 221 respectively; optionally, the elastic member 23 can also be a conductive spring. In addition, the elastic member 23 can also be directly integrally formed with the conductive member 22 to constitute a part of the conductive member 22. The conductive member 22 is in electrical contact with the chip 21 through the elastic member 23, which can ensure the stability of the electrical connection between the conductive member 22 and the chip 21. As a variation of Example 1, the first conductive portion 221 of the conductive member 22 may also be configured to directly contact the third conductive portion 213 of the substrate 211 to form an electrical connection; for example, the first conductive portion 221 may contain an elastic conductive portion that contacts the third conductive portion 213, or the first conductive portion 221 itself forms an elastic conductive portion that contacts the third conductive portion 213.

[0042] like Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the bottom surface 10b of the box body 10 is provided with an ink outlet 13, and a sealing plug 131 is provided in the ink outlet 13; the ink outlet 13 can be provided on the bottom surface 10b at a position close to the front side surface 10a. Figure 4 As shown, the bottom surface 10 b of the box body 10 is further provided with an air inlet 14 , which is connected to the side wall of the ink outlet 13 . For example, an air guide groove 132 connected to the air inlet 14 is provided on the side wall of the ink outlet 13 .

[0043] like Figure 2As shown, the ink outlet 13 can be sealed by a sealing film 133, which can also seal the air guide groove 132, thereby blocking the air inlet 14 from communicating with the outside air. This eliminates the need for a separate sealing film for the air inlet 14, thereby reducing the ink cartridge manufacturing process and cost. When the ink cartridge is installed in the mounting portion of the inkjet printer, the ink supply needle of the mounting portion pierces the sealing film 133 and the sealing plug 131, allowing ink to enter the ink supply needle from the ink outlet 13. After the sealing film 133 is pierced, the air inlet 14 can communicate with the outside air through the air guide groove 132, eliminating the need for the user to remove the sealing film 133, thereby facilitating user use.

[0044] Furthermore, if Figure 3 and 4 As shown, the air inlet 14 is located on the side of the ink outlet 13 near the front side 10a, that is, in the longitudinal direction (front-to-back direction) of the ink cartridge, the air inlet 14 is arranged between the chip assembly 20 and the ink outlet 13. With this arrangement, when the ink cartridge is positioned with the front side 10a facing upward for assembly of the chip assembly 20, the liquid level in the ink cartridge will be lower than the height of the air inlet 14, making it difficult for ink to enter the air passage of the air inlet 14, thereby preventing the air passage from being blocked by ink and affecting the operation of the ink cartridge.

[0045] Combine Figure 2 and 5 As shown, the internal cavity of the cartridge body 10 is divided into an air-guiding cavity 31, a separation cavity 32, and an ink storage cavity 33, which are sequentially connected. The air inlet 14 is connected to the air-guiding cavity 31, and the ink storage cavity 33 is connected to the ink outlet 13. Furthermore, the ink storage cavity 33 can be divided into a first ink storage cavity 33a and a second ink storage cavity 33b, which are interconnected, by a partition 331 having a connecting hole 332. The volume of the second ink storage cavity 33b is smaller than that of the first ink storage cavity 33a, and the ink outlet 13 can be connected to the second ink storage cavity 33b. The ink storage cavity 33 can also have a single cavity structure. A partition 312 is provided within the air-guiding cavity 31. The partition 312 is located between the air inlet 14 and the connecting hole 311. The connecting hole 311 connects the air-guiding cavity 31 and the separation cavity 32. That is, gas entering the air-guiding cavity 31 from the air inlet 14 flows first upward and then downward into the separation cavity 32. The partition 312 can also block the ink that enters the air guide cavity 31 from the separation cavity 32 from entering the air inlet 14, thereby preventing ink leakage and pollution.

[0046] In Example 1, Figure 8As shown, with a plane passing through the central axis of the ink outlet 13 and parallel to the length of the ink cartridge as a reference plane Rp, the non-ground terminal 212 is located on one side of the reference plane Rp (e.g., the left side), and the ground terminal 223 is located on the other side of the reference plane Rp (e.g., the right side). The non-ground terminal 212 and the ground terminal 213 are asymmetrically arranged relative to the reference plane Rp. The air inlet 14 can be located on either side of the reference plane Rp where the non-ground terminal 212 is located, or on the side where the ground terminal 223 is located. The air inlet 14 can also be arranged to pass through the reference plane Rp, that is, a portion of the air inlet 14 is located on one side of the reference plane Rp and a portion is located on the other side of the reference plane Rp.

[0047] Furthermore, the bottom surface 10b of the box body 10 is further provided with a prism 15, which extends into the ink storage cavity 33 and is used to detect the remaining ink in the ink storage cavity 33. The structure of the prism 15 and the ink remaining detection principle can refer to the existing technology and will not be described in detail. Figure 4 As shown, when the ink outlet 13 is arranged at the center position in the width direction (left-right direction) of the box body, the reference plane Rp passes through the middle position of the prism 15.

[0048] Example 2

[0049] In Example 2, Figures 9-12 As shown, the interior of the box body 10 is provided with an air guide chamber 31, a separation chamber 32, and an ink storage chamber 33 that are connected in sequence. The air guide chamber 31 is connected to the air inlet 14 provided on the box body 10. In Example 2, the air inlet 14 of the box body 10 can be provided on the bottom surface of the box body 10 together with the ink outlet 13, as in Example 1, but is not limited thereto. The front side 10a of the box body 10 can be provided with a chip 20b. The chip 20b can be a nine-terminal chip, and the grounding terminal and non-grounding terminal of the chip 20b are both provided on the chip substrate. As an alternative to the chip 20b, the front side 10a of the box body 10 in Example 2 can also be provided with a chip assembly 20, as in Example 1.

[0050] like Figure 11 As shown, a communication hole 311 is provided between the air guiding chamber 31 and the separation chamber 32. The communication hole 311 (second communication hole) can be located at the bottom of the air guiding chamber 31 and the separation chamber 32. A partition 312 is provided in the air guiding chamber 31 between the air inlet 14 and the communication hole 311. The gas entering the air guiding chamber 31 from the air inlet 14 flows into the separation chamber 32 in an upward and then downward flow path.

[0051] The ink storage cavity 33 may be a single cavity structure, or may include a first ink storage cavity 33a and a second ink storage cavity 33b separated from each other. Figure 12As shown, the separation chamber 32 can be connected to the second ink storage chamber 33b. A sponge 34 is provided in the separation chamber 32, and the sponge 34 can be provided at the bottom of the separation chamber 32; the connecting hole 321 (first connecting hole) between the ink storage chamber 33 and the separation chamber 32 is located at the upper part of the sponge 34, and the sponge 34 completely covers the connecting hole 321. The connecting hole 311 is located below the connecting hole 321 and at the lower part of the sponge 34; the connecting hole 311 may be covered by the sponge 34 or not; preferably, the connecting hole 311 is also covered by the sponge 34. When the gas passes through the sponge 34 from bottom to top and enters the ink storage chamber 33, only a very small amount of ink in the sponge 34 is squeezed into the ink storage chamber 33, so that a relatively high negative pressure environment can be formed in the ink storage chamber 33 to better prevent ink leakage from the ink cartridge.

[0052] Different from Example 1, if the connecting hole 321 between the separation chamber 32 and the ink storage chamber 33 is set below the sponge 34 and the connecting hole 311 between the air guide chamber 31 and the separation chamber 32 is set above the sponge 34, the ink in the ink storage chamber 33 will enter the space in the separation chamber 32 located below the sponge 34. When the gas passes through the sponge 34 and enters the ink storage chamber 33, the ink in the separation chamber 32 located below the sponge 34 will flow back into the ink storage chamber 33 under the action of air pressure, which will reduce the negative pressure in the ink storage chamber 33 to a greater extent, which is not conducive to forming a relatively high negative pressure environment in the ink storage chamber 33, and ink leakage is likely to occur.

[0053] Example 3

[0054] As described in the background technology section, in some cases, the mounting portion of the inkjet printing device will drag the ink cartridge to move quickly during the printing process to spray ink at different positions on the printing medium. At this time, the ink in the ink storage chamber will shake violently and generate bubbles. Once the bubbles enter the ink supply needle with the ink, the printer nozzle will cause the print line to be broken due to the inhalation of air.

[0055] In response to the above problems, Figure 13 and 14 As shown, in Example 3, a baffle assembly is disposed within the ink storage chamber 33, comprising a plurality of baffles 123. The ink storage chamber 33 may have a single cavity structure, or it may be divided into a first ink storage chamber 33a and a second ink storage chamber 33b that communicate with each other. When the ink storage chamber 33 is divided into the first ink storage chamber 33a and the second ink storage chamber 33b, the baffles 123 may be disposed within either the first ink storage chamber 33a or the second ink storage chamber 33b. More preferably, the baffles 123 are disposed within both the first ink storage chamber 33a and the second ink storage chamber 33b.

[0056] Furthermore, the baffle 123 can be disposed on the top cover 12 of the ink cartridge, or on the left and / or right side walls of the housing 11, or on the partition 331 separating the first ink storage chamber 33a from the second ink storage chamber 33b. Preferably, the baffle 123 is disposed on the top cover 12 and is integrally formed with the top cover 12. The baffle 123 may be provided with holes.

[0057] The baffle 123 extends downward from the top of the ink storage chamber 33 and can be inserted into the ink (with the initial ink level as a reference) to reduce ink sloshing and bubble generation during ink cartridge movement, thereby improving print quality. The shapes, structures, and sizes of the multiple baffles 123 can be the same or different. Preferably, the baffle 123's height in the ink cartridge direction is at least half the height of the ink storage chamber 33. Preferably, the baffle 123 is configured to prevent ink sloshing in both the width and length directions of the ink cartridge.

[0058] Optional, such as Figure 13 As shown, the baffle assembly includes a plurality of baffles 123 parallel to the width direction of the ink cartridge, and the plurality of baffles 123 are spaced apart in the length direction of the ink cartridge.

[0059] Optional, such as Figure 15a As shown, the baffle assembly includes a plurality of baffles 123 parallel to the length direction of the ink cartridge, and the plurality of baffles 123 in the baffle assembly are spaced apart in the width direction and the length direction of the ink cartridge.

[0060] Optional, such as Figure 15b As shown, the multiple baffles 123 in the baffle assembly form a predetermined angle with the length direction or width direction of the ink cartridge, and the multiple baffles 123 are arranged at intervals in the length direction of the ink cartridge.

[0061] Optional, such as Figure 15c As shown, the baffle assembly includes a plurality of baffles 123 spaced apart along the length direction of the ink cartridge, and the baffles 123 include a first baffle 123a and a second baffle 123b that cross or are perpendicular to each other.

[0062] Furthermore, the different baffles 123 described above may be used in combination.

[0063] Example 4

[0064] like Figure 16As shown, in Example 4, a floating member 40 is provided within the ink storage chamber 33, with at least a portion of the floating member 40 floating above the surface of the ink. The ink storage chamber 33 can have a single cavity structure or can be divided into a first ink storage chamber 33a and a second ink storage chamber 33b that communicate with each other. When the ink storage chamber 33 is divided into the first ink storage chamber 33a and the second ink storage chamber 33b, the floating member 40 can be provided in either the first ink storage chamber 33a or the second ink storage chamber 33b, or in both the first ink storage chamber 33a and the second ink storage chamber 33b.

[0065] The floating member 40 can be made of a material with a lower density than the ink, allowing it to float on the surface of the ink. Alternatively, a sealed cavity can be formed within the floating member 40, allowing it to float on the surface of the ink. The floating member 40 floating on the ink surface can also reduce ink sloshing during ink cartridge movement, thereby reducing the formation of bubbles and the likelihood of air entering the ink supply needle, thereby avoiding or reducing defects such as print line breakage caused by air ingestion in the inkjet printer nozzle. In some embodiments of the present invention, the ink reservoir 33 can be equipped with both the floating member 40 and the baffle assembly described in the aforementioned embodiment 3.

[0066] As a variation of Example 4, Figure 17 As shown, the floating member 40 may include a main body 41 and a retaining portion 42 disposed at the bottom of the main body 41. The retaining portion 42 is immersed in the ink, while the main body 41 at least partially floats on the surface of the ink. The main body 41 and retaining portion 42 may be integral or separate structures, and the retaining portion 42 may be heavier than the main body 41. Preferably, the length of the retaining portion 42 in the height direction (vertical direction) of the ink cartridge is greater than the width of the ink reservoir 33, thereby preventing the floating member 40 from tipping over.

[0067] It should be noted that, unless there are any contradictions or exclusions, the different embodiments disclosed above can be quoted, referenced or combined with each other, and the technical features / components of different embodiments can also be combined and / or replaced with each other.

[0068] Although the present invention has been described above through embodiments, it should be understood that the above embodiments are only used to exemplarily describe the feasible implementation plans of the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention. That is, any replacement or change made by those skilled in the art in accordance with the present invention should also be covered by the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge comprising a cartridge body having an ink storage chamber therein, characterized in that: An ink outlet and an air inlet are provided on the bottom surface of the box body, the air inlet is communicated with the side wall of the ink outlet, and a chip assembly is provided on the front side surface of the box body; in the length direction of the ink cartridge, the air inlet is arranged between the chip assembly and the ink outlet; a baffle assembly is provided in the ink storage cavity extending downward from the top thereof, the baffle assembly includes a plurality of baffles, and the size of the baffle in the height direction of the ink cartridge is at least half of the height of the ink storage cavity.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: A floating part floating on the ink surface is provided in the ink storage cavity.

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, wherein: The floating member includes a main body and a holding portion connected below the main body, and the length of the holding portion is greater than the width of the ink storage cavity.

4. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: Part of the baffles in the baffle assembly is arranged above the ink outlet.

5. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The chip assembly includes a chip and a conductive member. The chip is provided with a non-ground terminal, and the conductive member is provided with a ground terminal located beside the chip and electrically connected to the chip.

6. The ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: A plane passing through the central axis of the ink outlet and parallel to the length direction of the ink cartridge is used as a reference plane, and the non-grounding terminal and the grounding terminal are asymmetrically distributed relative to the reference plane.

7. The ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein: A plane passing through the central axis of the ink outlet and parallel to the length direction of the ink cartridge is used as a reference plane, and the non-grounding terminal is located on one side of the reference plane.

8. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: A plane passing through the central axis of the ink outlet and parallel to the length direction of the ink cartridge is used as a reference plane, and the air inlet is located on any side of the reference plane or passes through the reference plane.

9. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The baffle assembly includes a plurality of baffles parallel to the width direction of the ink cartridge, and the plurality of baffles are arranged at intervals in the length direction of the ink cartridge.

10. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein: The baffle assembly includes a plurality of baffles parallel to the width direction of the ink cartridge, and the plurality of baffles are arranged in groups of two at intervals in the length direction of the ink cartridge.

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