Ink box

Abstract

The embodiment of the utility model provides an ink box to solve the problem that the ink box may fall out of an ink box container accidentally. The ink box comprises a shell, a locking piece, an elastic element and an unlocking piece. The locking piece is connected with the shell in a sliding fit mode, and the telescopic sliding direction of the locking piece intersects with the installation direction of the ink box. The elastic element is connected with the shell and the locking piece so as to apply acting force to the locking piece, and the acting force enables the locking piece to stretch out relative to the shell in a protruding mode. The unlocking piece is in transmission connection with the locking piece, and the unlocking piece is used for driving the locking piece to retract relative to the shell under the condition that the unlocking piece is operated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of printing equipment, and particularly relates to an ink cartridge. BACKGROUND

[0002] The ink cartridge is a component for storing printing consumables in the printing equipment. The ink cartridge is generally inserted into the ink cartridge accommodating device of the printing equipment in a plug-in manner. The ink cartridge in the related art has the risk of falling out of the ink cartridge accommodating device due to an accident. CONTENT OF THE UTILITY MODEL

[0003] Embodiments of the present application provide an ink cartridge to solve the problem of how to avoid the ink cartridge from falling out of the ink cartridge accommodating device due to an accident.

[0004] To solve the above technical problem, the present application is implemented as follows:

[0005] The ink cartridge provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises a shell, a locking piece, an elastic element and an unlocking piece. The locking piece is in sliding fit connection with the shell. The extension and retraction sliding direction of the locking piece intersects with the installation direction of the ink cartridge. The elastic element is connected with the shell and the locking piece respectively to apply an acting force to the locking piece to make the locking piece protrude out of the shell. The unlocking piece is in transmission connection with the locking piece. The unlocking piece is used to drive the locking piece to retract relative to the shell under operation.

[0006] Optionally, the locking piece comprises a first side portion and a second side portion which are opposite to each other along the extension and retraction sliding direction of the locking piece. The second side portion is located on the side of the first side portion which is away from the shell. The second side portion is provided with an abutting surface which is exposed to the outer surface of the ink cartridge and is opposite to the insertion side portion of the ink cartridge.

[0007] Optionally, the unlocking piece is in sliding fit connection with the shell. The unlocking piece is provided with a first abutting surface. The locking piece is also provided with a second abutting surface. The first abutting surface and the second abutting surface are in abutment. In the sliding direction of the unlocking piece under operation, the distance between at least one of the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface and the first side portion gradually increases.

[0008] Optionally, the side of the unlocking piece which is away from the second abutting surface is provided with an operation portion which is exposed to the outer surface of the side of the ink cartridge which is opposite to the insertion side portion.

[0009] Optionally, the shell is provided with a first stop portion. The unlocking piece is in stop fit with the first stop portion in the direction which is opposite to the sliding direction of the unlocking piece under operation.

[0010] Optionally, the sliding direction of the unlocking member is perpendicular to the extension and retraction sliding direction of the locking member.

[0011] Optionally, the second side portion is further provided with an insertion guide surface, which is located towards the insertion side portion, and gradually decreases in distance from the first side portion in the insertion direction of the ink cartridge.

[0012] Optionally, the lower side of the shell is provided with a downwardly opening groove, and the locking member is in sliding fit with the groove wall of the groove.

[0013] Optionally, the elastic element is arranged between the locking member and the groove bottom, and the locking member is provided with a receiving hole on the side towards the groove bottom, and one end of the elastic element away from the groove bottom is received in the receiving hole.

[0014] Optionally, the ink cartridge is used to be inserted into an ink cartridge accommodating device of a printing device, and the ink cartridge accommodating device is provided with a second stop portion, and the locking member inserted into the ink cartridge accommodating device is in stop fit with the second stop portion in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the ink cartridge.

[0015] The above at least one technical solution adopted by the embodiments of the present application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0016] In the embodiments of the present application, when the ink cartridge is installed in place in the ink cartridge accommodating device, the locking member protrudes out of the shell under the action of the elastic element and moves to the locking position. Thus, the locking member can be in stop fit with the second stop portion on the ink cartridge accommodating device to prevent the ink cartridge from falling out of the ink cartridge accommodating device due to accident.

[0017] In addition, when the ink cartridge needs to be replaced, the locking member can be driven to retract relative to the shell through the unlocking member, so that the locking member moves to the unlocking position. Thus, the locking member is misaligned with the second stop portion, and then the ink cartridge can be taken out of the ink cartridge accommodating device by pulling the ink cartridge.

[0018] Additional aspects and advantages of the present application will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application or in the related art, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments or the related art description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments described in the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can also be obtained without creative labor.

[0020] Figure 1 A schematic view of an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge container according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0021] Figure 2 A front view of an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge container according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 1 A front view of an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge container according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0022] Figure 3 A front view of an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge container according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 2 A sectional view along A-A of an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge container according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0023] Figure 4 A front view of an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge container according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 3 A front view of an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge container according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0024] Figure 5 A front view of an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge container according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 4 A front view of an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge container according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] Figure 6 A schematic view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0026] Figure 7 An exploded schematic view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 8 A schematic view of a locking member, a resilient element and an unlocking member of a first ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 9 A front view of a locking member, a resilient element and an unlocking member according to an embodiment of the present application; Figure 8 A front view of a locking member, a resilient element and an unlocking member according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 10 A schematic view of a second locking member, a resilient element and an unlocking member according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 11 A schematic view of a third locking member, a resilient element and an unlocking member according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 12 A schematic view of a fourth locking member, a resilient element and an unlocking member according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 13 A schematic view of a fifth locking member, a resilient element and an unlocking member according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 14 A schematic view of a sixth locking member, a resilient element and an unlocking member according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 15 A schematic view of an ink cartridge container according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 16 Another schematic view of an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge receptacle provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 17 For Figure 16 A sectional view of the ink cartridge and the ink cartridge receptacle shown in FIG. 2 along a B-B section.

[0037] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0038] 100 - ink cartridge; 100a - insertion side;

[0039] 110 - housing; 111 - first stopper; 112 - groove;

[0040] 120 - lock member; 121 - first side; 122 - second side; 1221 - hooking surface; 1222 - insertion guide surface; 123 - second top surface; 124 - accommodation hole;

[0041] 130 - elastic element;

[0042] 140 - unlocking member; 141 - first top surface; 142 - operation portion;

[0043] 200 - ink cartridge receptacle; 210 - second stopper. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] In order to make the objectives, technical solutions and advantages of the present application clearer, the technical solutions of the present application will be described below in conjunction with specific embodiments of the present application and corresponding drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some of the embodiments of the present application, but not all the embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort should fall within the scope of the present application.

[0045] In the description of the present application, it should be noted that unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "mounting", "connection", "connecting" should be understood in a broad sense, for example, can be fixed connection, can be detachable connection, or integrally connected; can be directly connected, or indirectly connected through an intermediate medium; can be the internal communication of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present application can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0046] In addition, although the terms used in the present application are selected from the commonly known and used terms, some terms mentioned in the specification of the present application can be selected by the applicant according to his or her judgment, and the detailed meanings of which are described in the relevant parts of the description herein.

[0047] Furthermore, this application is required to be understood not only through the actual terms used, but also through the meaning implied by each term.

[0048] The technical solutions provided by the various embodiments of this application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0049] This application provides an ink cartridge. (See reference...) Figures 1 to 14 The ink cartridge 100 provided in this application embodiment includes: a housing 110, a locking member 120, an elastic element 130, and an unlocking member 140.

[0050] For example, the ink cartridge 100 is used to contain ink, and when the ink cartridge 100 is installed in a printing device, the ink cartridge 100 can supply ink to the printing device. It should be noted that with the advancement of technology, other printing consumables may replace ink in the future. Therefore, the ink cartridge 100 provided in this application embodiment is not only used to contain ink, but can also be used to contain other printing consumables.

[0051] For example, the housing 110 can be a plastic part, and the housing 110 has a receiving cavity in which ink can be contained. It should be noted that the structure and working principle of the other devices of the ink cartridge 100, except for the locking member 120, the elastic element 130 and the unlocking member 140, can be referred to the relevant technology, and will not be described in detail here.

[0052] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, the locking member 120 is slidably connected to the housing 110, wherein the telescopic sliding direction of the locking member 120 intersects the installation direction of the ink cartridge 100. Here, "the telescopic sliding direction of the locking member 120 intersects the installation direction of the ink cartridge 100" can be understood as meaning that the telescopic sliding direction of the locking member 120 is not parallel to the installation direction of the ink cartridge 100.

[0053] by Figure 1 For example, if the ink cartridge 100 can be inserted into the ink cartridge holder 200 of the printing device in a front-to-back direction, then the installation direction of the ink cartridge 100 is from back to front. Therefore, exemplarily, the telescopic sliding direction of the locking member 120 can be up-down or left-to-right. Alternatively, the telescopic sliding direction of the locking member 120 can be a direction inclined relative to the front-to-back direction; these are not listed individually here.

[0054] Further, the elastic element 130 is connected to the housing 110 and the locking member 120 respectively, so as to apply an acting force to the locking member 120 to make the locking member 120 protrude relative to the housing 110. In this way, when the ink cartridge 100 is not subjected to an external force, the locking member 120 protrudes relative to the housing 110 under the action of the elastic element 130, and moves to the locking position. Thus, the locking member 120 can be in abutting cooperation with the second stop portion 210 on the ink cartridge accommodating device 200, so as to prevent the ink cartridge 100 from falling out of the ink cartridge accommodating device 200 by accident.

[0055] Further, the unlocking member 140 is in driving connection with the locking member 120, and the unlocking member 140 is used to drive the locking member 120 to retract relative to the housing 110 when subjected to an operation. In this way, when the ink cartridge 100 needs to be replaced, the locking member 120 can be driven to retract relative to the housing 110 through the unlocking member 140, so as to make the locking member 120 move to the unlocking position. Thus, the locking member 120 is misaligned with the second stop portion 210, and then the ink cartridge 100 can be taken out of the ink cartridge accommodating device 200 by pulling the ink cartridge 100. It should be noted that the structure of the ink cartridge accommodating device 200 can refer to the prior art, and will not be described here.

[0056] In this way, in the embodiment of the present application, when the ink cartridge 100 is installed in place in the ink cartridge accommodating device 200, the locking member 120 protrudes relative to the housing 110 under the action of the elastic element 130, and moves to the locking position. Thus, the locking member 120 can be in abutting cooperation with the second stop portion 210 on the ink cartridge accommodating device 200, so as to prevent the ink cartridge 100 from falling out of the ink cartridge accommodating device 200 by accident.

[0057] In addition, when the ink cartridge 100 needs to be replaced, the locking member 120 can be driven to retract relative to the housing 110 through the unlocking member 140, so as to make the locking member 120 move to the unlocking position. Thus, the locking member 120 is misaligned with the second stop portion 210, and then the ink cartridge 100 can be taken out of the ink cartridge accommodating device 200 by pulling the ink cartridge 100.

[0058] Reference Figures 3 to 5 and Figure 9 In some embodiments, the locking member 120 includes a first side portion 121 and a second side portion 122 which are opposite to each other along the telescopic sliding direction of the locking member 120, and the second side portion 122 is located on the side of the first side portion 121 away from the housing 110. The second side portion 122 is provided with an abutting surface 1221 which is exposed to the outer surface of the ink cartridge 100 and is opposite to the insertion side portion 100a of the ink cartridge 100.

[0059] In Figures 3 to 5For example, the extension and retraction sliding direction of the locking member 120 is parallel to the vertical direction. In other words, the locking member 120 extends and retracts along the vertical direction. The locking member 120 is arranged at the lower portion of the housing 110. The first side portion 121 of the locking member 120 is the upper side portion of the locking member 120, and the second side portion 122 of the locking member 120 is the lower side portion of the locking member 120, which is located on the side of the upper side portion of the locking member 120 away from the housing 110.

[0060] The lower side portion of the locking member 120 is provided with an abutting surface 1221 exposed to the lower side of the ink cartridge 100. For example, the abutting surface 1221 is arranged on the left side of the locking member 120. Figures 3 to 5 For example, the insertion side portion 100a of the ink cartridge 100 is located on the left side of the ink cartridge 100. The abutting surface 1221 is away from the left side of the ink cartridge 100. That is, the abutting surface 1221 faces the right side of the ink cartridge 100. In this way, when the abutting surface 1221 facing the right side of the ink cartridge 100 is in abutting cooperation with the second stop portion 210 on the ink cartridge accommodating device 200, the second stop portion 210 can prevent the locking member 120 from moving from left to right, thereby preventing the ink cartridge 100 from falling out of the ink cartridge accommodating device 200 by accident.

[0061] It should be noted that the above example only shows the case where the locking member 120 is arranged at the lower portion of the housing 110, and it can be understood that the locking member 120 can also be arranged at the two sides or the upper portion of the housing 110. As long as the second stop portion 210 is arranged at the position of the ink cartridge accommodating device 200 corresponding to the locking member 120, the second stop portion 210 can prevent the locking member 120 from moving from left to right, thereby preventing the ink cartridge 100 from falling out of the ink cartridge accommodating device 200 by accident.

[0062] For the convenience of those skilled in the art to understand the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application, the following will continue to take the case where the locking member 120 is arranged at the lower portion of the housing 110 as an example to introduce the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present application.

[0063] With reference to Figures 3 to 5 In some embodiments, the unlocking member 140 is in sliding cooperation with the housing 110. The unlocking member 140 is provided with a first top abutting surface 141, and the locking member 120 is further provided with a second top abutting surface 123. The first top abutting surface 141 and the second top abutting surface 123 are in abutting cooperation. In the sliding direction of the unlocking member 140 operated to slide, at least one of the first top abutting surface 141 and the second top abutting surface 123 gradually increases the distance to the first side portion 121.

[0064] It should be noted that the first top abutting surface 141 of the unlocking member 140 refers to the surface of the unlocking member 140 in abutting cooperation with the locking member 120. The second top abutting surface 123 of the locking member 120 refers to the surface of the locking member 120 in abutting cooperation with the unlocking member 140.

[0065] For example, the insertion side portion 100a of the ink cartridge 100 is located on the left side of the ink cartridge 100. The abutting surface 1221 is away from the left side of the ink cartridge 100. That is, the abutting surface 1221 faces the right side of the ink cartridge 100. In this way, when the abutting surface 1221 facing the right side of the ink cartridge 100 is in abutting cooperation with the second stop portion 210 on the ink cartridge accommodating device 200, the second stop portion 210 can prevent the locking member 120 from moving from left to right, thereby preventing the ink cartridge 100 from falling out of the ink cartridge accommodating device 200 by accident. Figures 3 to 5For example, the unlocking component 140 is slidably connected to the housing 110 in the left-right direction. When the unlocking component 140 is operated, it slides from right to left. That is, the sliding direction of the unlocking component 140 when operated is from right to left.

[0066] refer to Figures 3 to 5 or Figure 10 In the direction from right to left, the distance between the first top abutment surface 141 and the first side portion 121 gradually increases. Thus, when the unlocking member 140 is operated and slides from right to left, the unlocking member 140 can "scoop up" the locking member 120, thereby causing the locking member 120 to move upward, and then causing the unlocking member 140 to retract relative to the housing 110.

[0067] refer to Figures 3 to 5 In the direction from right to left, the distance between the second top abutment surface 123 and the first side portion 121 gradually increases. Thus, when the unlocking member 140 is operated and slides from right to left, the unlocking member 140 can push against the second top abutment surface 123, thereby causing the locking member 120 to move upward, and then causing the unlocking member 140 to retract relative to the housing 110.

[0068] refer to Figures 3 to 5 In the direction from right to left, the distance between the first abutment surface 141 and the first side portion 121 gradually increases, and the distance between the second abutment surface 123 and the first side portion 121 gradually increases. Thus, when the unlocking member 140 is operated and slides from right to left, the unlocking member 140 can push against the second abutment surface 123, thereby causing the locking member 120 to move upward, and further causing the unlocking member 140 to retract relative to the housing 110.

[0069] by Figures 11 to 13 Taking the shown orientation as an example, the unlocking component 140 and the housing 110 (not shown) are slidably connected in the left-right direction. When the unlocking component 140 is operated, it slides from left to right. That is, the sliding direction of the unlocking component 140 is from left to right. It should be noted here that, for reference... Figure 8 and Figure 9 In the provided example, the second abutment surface 123 is located on the bottom surface of the locking member 120, while Figures 11 to 13 In the provided example, the second abutment surface 123 is located on the side of the locking member 120.

[0070] refer to Figure 11 In the direction from left to right, the distance between the first top abutment surface 141 and the first side portion 121 gradually increases. Thus, when the unlocking member 140 is operated and slides from left to right, the unlocking member 140 can "push up" the locking member 120, thereby causing the locking member 120 to move upward, and then causing the unlocking member 140 to retract relative to the housing 110.

[0071] It should be noted that the unlocking member 140 is provided with an operation portion 142. Thus, the user can drive the unlocking member 140 to move by driving the operation portion 142. For example, for the example provided, the operation portion 142 can be provided in the shape of a handle. Thus, the unlocking member 140 can be driven to slide from left to right by pulling the handle. Subsequent examples similar thereto will not be described one by one. Figure 11

[0072] Referring to Figure 12 In the direction from left to right, the distance between the second abutting surface 123 and the first side portion 121 gradually increases. In this way, in the case where the unlocking member 140 is operated to slide from left to right, the unlocking member 140 can "lift up" the locking member 120, so that the locking member 120 moves upward, and further, the unlocking member 140 is retracted relative to the housing 110.

[0073] Referring to Figure 13 In the direction from left to right, the distance between the first abutting surface 141 and the first side portion 121 gradually increases, and the distance between the second abutting surface 123 and the first side portion 121 gradually increases. In this way, in the case where the unlocking member 140 is operated to slide from left to right, the unlocking member 140 can "lift up" the locking member 120, so that the locking member 120 moves upward, and further, the unlocking member 140 is retracted relative to the housing 110.

[0074] Further, in the case where the ink cartridge 100 needs to be replaced, the locking member 120 can be driven to retract relative to the housing 110 by operating the unlocking member 140, so that the locking member 120 moves to the unlocked position. Thus, the locking member 120 is misaligned with the second stop portion 210, and further, the ink cartridge 100 can be taken out of the ink cartridge receptacle 200 by pulling the ink cartridge 100.

[0075] Referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the side of the unlocking member 140 away from the second abutting surface 123 is provided with the operation portion 142, and the operation portion 142 is exposed to the outer surface of the side of the ink cartridge 100 away from the insertion side portion 100a. In this way, the user can drive the unlocking member 140 to move by driving the operation portion 142, so as to facilitate the user to replace the ink cartridge 100.

[0076] It should be noted that although Figure 3 and Figure 4 only the case where the operation portion 142 is provided on the rear side of the ink cartridge 100 is shown, it can be understood that the operation portion 142 can be provided on any other region of the ink cartridge 100, as long as it is convenient for the user to operate. For example, the operation portion 142 can also be provided on the lower part of the ink cartridge 100, which will not be listed one by one here. ​

[0077] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the housing 110 is provided with a first stop portion 111, which engages with the first stop portion 111 in a direction opposite to the sliding direction in which the unlocking member 140 is operated to slide.

[0078] by Figure 4 For example, when the unlocking member 140 is operated, the unlocking member 140 slides from right to left. That is, the direction opposite to the sliding direction of the unlocking member 140 is from left to right. In the left-to-right direction, the unlocking member 140 engages with the first stop part 111, thus preventing the unlocking member 140 from accidentally separating from the housing 110.

[0079] refer to Figure 3 and Figure 4 In some embodiments, the sliding direction of the unlocking member 140 is perpendicular to the telescopic sliding direction of the locking member 120. Figure 4 For example, the sliding direction of the unlocking component 140 when operated is vertical, and the sliding direction of the locking component 120 when extended or retracted is left or right.

[0080] It should be noted that in the example above, the locking member 120 is retracted relative to the housing 110 by driving the unlocking member 140 to slide, thereby moving the locking member 120 to the unlocked position. In other embodiments, the unlocking member 140 can also operate in other ways.

[0081] For example, refer to Figure 14 The unlocking member 140 can rotate. For example, the unlocking member 140 is rotatably connected to the housing 110 (not shown), and the unlocking member 140 is drive-connected to the locking member 120. Thus, by driving the unlocking member 140 to rotate, the rotating unlocking member 140 causes the locking member 120 to retract relative to the housing 110, thereby moving the locking member 120 to the unlocked position. Furthermore, the ink cartridge 100 can be removed from the ink cartridge holder 200 by pulling it.

[0082] Specifically, the unlocking member 140 has a strip-shaped hole at one end facing the locking member 120. The locking member 120 has a protrusion that is fitted into the strip-shaped hole. Furthermore, when the unlocking member 140 is driven to rotate, the unlocking member 140 can cause the locking member 120 to retract relative to the housing 110, thereby moving the locking member 120 to the unlocked position. Then, the ink cartridge 100 can be removed from the ink cartridge holder 200 by pulling it.

[0083] refer to Figures 3 to 5 and Figure 9In some embodiments, the second side 122 is further provided with an insertion guide surface 1222. The insertion guide surface 1222 is towards the insertion side 100a, and the distance between the insertion guide surface 1222 and the first side 121 gradually decreases in the insertion direction of the ink cartridge 100.

[0084] Exemplarily, the insertion direction of the ink cartridge 100 is from right to left, and the insertion side 100a is located at the left side of the ink cartridge 100. The insertion guide surface 1222 is provided on the second side 122 of the locking member 120, and the insertion guide surface 1222 is towards the left side of the ink cartridge 100. In the direction from right to left, the distance between the insertion guide surface 1222 and the first side 121 gradually decreases. Figures 3 to 5

[0085] More generally, in combination with the above description, Figure 5 The first side 121 is regarded as a horizontal plane above the insertion guide surface 1222, and the distance between the insertion guide surface 1222 and the first side 121 gradually decreases in the direction from right to left, so that the insertion guide surface 1222 is a left-low right-high curved surface or inclined surface.

[0086] In this way, in the case of inserting the ink cartridge 100 into the ink cartridge holder 200 from right to left, the insertion guide surface 1222 abuts against the ink cartridge holder 200, so that the locking member 120 is retracted relative to the housing 110. Further, after the ink cartridge 100 is installed in place, the locking member 120 is automatically ejected, and further engages with the second stop portion 210 on the ink cartridge holder 200 to prevent the ink cartridge 100 from falling out of the ink cartridge holder 200 due to an accident.

[0087] Of course, in other embodiments, the insertion guide surface 1222 can not be provided. For example, during the installation of the ink cartridge 100, the user can first press the locking member 120 to retract the locking member 120 relative to the housing 110. Further, the user can hold the locking member 120 and insert the ink cartridge 100 into the ink cartridge holder 200. After the locking member 120 abuts against the side wall of the ink cartridge holder 200, the locking member 120 can be released. Further, after the ink cartridge 100 is installed in place, the locking member 120 is automatically ejected, and further engages with the second stop portion 210 on the ink cartridge holder 200 to prevent the ink cartridge 100 from falling out of the ink cartridge holder 200 due to an accident.

[0088] Referring to Figures 3 to 7 In some embodiments, the lower side of the housing 110 is provided with a groove 112 with the notch facing downward, and the locking member 120 is in sliding fit connection with the groove wall of the groove 112. In this way, the locking member 120 can slide in the vertical direction relative to the housing 110 by the sliding fit connection between the locking member 120 and the groove wall of the groove 112, so that the locking member 120 switches between the locked state and the unlocked state.​

[0089] Referring to Figures 3 to 7 In some embodiments, the elastic element 130 is arranged between the locking member 120 and the groove bottom of the groove 112. Exemplarily, the elastic element 130 is a cylindrical spring. Of course, the elastic element 130 can also be any other elastic element, which is not listed one by one here.

[0090] Referring to Figure 5 The side of the locking member 120 facing the groove bottom of the groove 112 is provided with a containing hole 124, and the end of the elastic element 130 away from the groove bottom of the groove 112 is contained in the containing hole 124. In this way, the groove 112 can be used to limit the elastic element 130.

[0091] In some embodiments, the telescopic sliding direction of the locking member 120 is perpendicular to the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 100. For example, taking Figures 3 to 5 as an example, the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 100 is the direction from right to left, and the telescopic sliding direction of the locking member 120 is the vertical direction.

[0092] Referring to Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 15 In some embodiments, the ink cartridge 100 is used to be inserted into an ink cartridge containing device 200 of a printing device. The ink cartridge containing device 200 is provided with a second stop portion 210. In the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the ink cartridge, the locking member 120 inserted into the ink cartridge containing device 200 is in stop cooperation with the second stop portion 210.

[0093] The embodiments of the present application also provide a printing device. Referring to Figures 1 to 5 and Figure 15 The printing device provided by the embodiments of the present application comprises the ink cartridge containing device 200 and any one of the ink cartridges 100 provided by the embodiments of the present application. The ink cartridge containing device 200 is provided with the second stop portion 210, and in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the ink cartridge 100, the locking member 120 inserted into the ink cartridge containing device 200 is in stop cooperation with the second stop portion 210.

[0094] It should be noted that the printing device generally comprises a carriage (also referred to as an ink carriage), and the carriage is used to contain the ink cartridge. Therefore, the ink cartridge containing device 200 can be the carriage of the printing device.

[0095] In this way, in the embodiments of the present application, when the ink cartridge 100 is mounted in place in the ink cartridge containing device 200, the locking member 120 is protruded relative to the shell 110 under the action of the elastic element 130, and is moved to the locking position. Therefore, the locking member 120 can be in stop cooperation with the second stop portion 210 on the ink cartridge containing device 200, so as to prevent the ink cartridge 100 from falling out of the ink cartridge containing device 200 due to an accident.

[0096] In addition, when the ink cartridge 100 needs to be replaced, the locking member 120 can be driven to retract relative to the housing 110 through the unlocking member 140, so that the locking member 120 moves to the unlocked position. Thus, the locking member 120 is misaligned with the second stop portion 210, and then the ink cartridge 100 can be taken out of the ink cartridge accommodating device 200 by pulling the ink cartridge 100.

[0097] Another ink cartridge is provided in the embodiments of the present application. Referring to Figure 16 and Figure 17 Another ink cartridge 100 is provided in the embodiments of the present application, which comprises a housing 110, a locking member 120 and an unlocking member 140. The unlocking member 140 is rotationally connected to the housing 110. The locking member 120 and the unlocking member 140 are integrally connected, so that the locking member 120 rotates around the rotation shaft of the unlocking member 140 relative to the housing 110.

[0098] When the ink cartridge 100 is inserted into the ink cartridge accommodating device 200, the locking member 120 moves downward under the action of gravity and is latched with the second stop portion 210. When the user drives the unlocking member 140 to rotate relative to the housing 110, the locking member 120 moves upward with the unlocking member 140, and then is misaligned with the second stop portion 210, and then the ink cartridge 100 can be taken out of the ink cartridge accommodating device 200 by pulling the ink cartridge 100.

[0099] It should be noted that the relational terms herein such as first and second, and the like, are used solely to distinguish one from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any such actual relationship or order between such entities or actions. Moreover, the terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but can include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0100] Although the embodiments of the present application have been shown and described, it is to be understood that for the purpose of the present application, the embodiments change, modify, replace, and vary in many ways without departing from the principles and spirits of the embodiments of the present application, and the scope of the embodiments of the present application is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge, characterized in that, include: The housing (110), locking element (120), elastic element (130), and unlocking element (140); The locking member (120) is slidably connected to the housing (110), wherein the telescopic sliding direction of the locking member (120) intersects with the installation direction of the ink cartridge; The elastic element (130) is connected to the housing (110) and the locking member (120) respectively, so as to apply a force to the locking member (120) to make the locking member (120) protrude relative to the housing (110); The unlocking member (140) is kinetically connected to the locking member (120), and the unlocking member (140) is used to drive the locking member (120) to retract relative to the housing (110) when operated.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locking member (120) includes a first side (121) and a second side (122) that are opposite to each other along the telescopic sliding direction of the locking member (120), and the second side (122) is located on the side of the first side (121) that is opposite to the housing (110); The second side (122) is provided with a hook surface (1221), which is exposed on the outer surface of the ink cartridge and is opposite to the insertion side (100a) of the ink cartridge.

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The unlocking component (140) is slidably connected to the housing (110). The unlocking component (140) is provided with a first abutting surface (141), and the locking component (120) is also provided with a second abutting surface (123). The first abutting surface (141) abuts against the second abutting surface (123). In the sliding direction along which the unlocking member (140) is operated to slide, the distance between at least one of the first abutment surface (141) and the second abutment surface (123) and the first side portion (121) gradually increases.

4. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that, The unlocking member (140) has an operating part (142) on the side opposite to the second top abutment surface (123), and the operating part (142) is exposed on the outer surface of the cartridge opposite to the insertion side (100a).

5. The ink cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that, The housing (110) is provided with a first stop (111), and the unlocking member (140) is engaged with the first stop (111) in a direction opposite to the sliding direction in which the unlocking member (140) is operated to slide.

6. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that, The sliding direction of the unlocking member (140) is perpendicular to the telescopic sliding direction of the locking member (120).

7. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second side (122) is also provided with an insertion guide surface (1222), which faces the insertion side (100a). In the insertion direction of the ink cartridge, the distance between the insertion guide surface (1222) and the first side (121) gradually decreases.

8. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower side of the housing (110) is provided with a groove (112) with the slot facing downward, and the locking member (120) is slidably connected to the groove wall of the groove (112).

9. The ink cartridge according to claim 8, characterized in that, The elastic element (130) is disposed between the locking member (120) and the bottom of the groove (112); The locking member (120) has a receiving hole (124) on one side facing the bottom of the groove (112), and the end of the elastic element (130) away from the bottom of the groove (112) is received in the receiving hole (124).

10. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ink cartridge is used to be inserted into the ink cartridge holder (200) of the printing device. The ink cartridge holder (200) is provided with a second stop (210). In a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the ink cartridge, the locking member (120) inserted into the ink cartridge holder (200) is engaged with the second stop (210).

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