Multi-color ink cartridge

Abstract

The scheme discloses a multi-color ink box in the technical field of printing, which comprises a shell and a plurality of ink boxes of different colors which are detachably connected in the shell, the plurality of ink boxes are on the same circumference, ink outlet holes of the plurality of ink boxes are on the same circumference, the bottom of the shell is uniformly provided with a plurality of connecting holes for connecting ink pipes, the plurality of connecting holes correspond to the plurality of ink outlet holes, and the connecting holes are located directly below the corresponding ink outlet holes. The multi-color ink box can effectively solve the problem that the lengths of ink pipes from ink outlet holes to ink ejection heads are different.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of printing technology, and specifically relates to a multi-color ink cartridge. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of inkjet printing technology, multi-color ink cartridges, as key ink supply components, are crucial for achieving high-quality color printing. Multi-color ink cartridges typically integrate multiple independent ink chambers, each storing different colors of ink, such as the common cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks, to meet the diverse color requirements of color printing.

[0003] Currently, multi-color ink cartridge supply systems generally use ink tubes to connect the ink chambers and printheads. In practical applications, because multiple ink cartridges or ink chambers are arranged side-by-side or in a matrix, the length of each ink tube from the ink outlet to the printhead often varies. This length difference leads to inconsistent ink flow rates within the ink tubes. According to fluid mechanics principles, under the same pressure, ink in longer ink tubes flows slower due to its longer flow path and greater resistance; ink in shorter ink tubes flows faster. When different colored inks arrive at the printhead at different flow rates, the amount of ink ejected by the printhead per unit time will vary. When printing richly colored gradient images, uneven ink supply to each color can cause color deviations and uneven color blocks in color transition areas. Utility Model Content

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a multi-color ink cartridge to solve the problem of inconsistent lengths of the ink tube from the ink outlet to the printhead.

[0005] One type of multi-color ink cartridge in this solution includes a housing and multiple ink cartridges of different colors that are detachably connected inside the housing. The multiple ink cartridges are located on the same circumference, and the ink outlets of the multiple ink cartridges are located on the same circumference. The bottom of the housing has multiple connection holes for connecting ink tubes, and the multiple connection holes correspond to the multiple ink outlets. The connection holes are located directly below the corresponding ink outlets.

[0006] The working principle and beneficial effects of this solution are as follows: When the ink tube is connected between the connector hole and the printhead, since the distance from each ink outlet to the center of the circumference is consistent, and the connector hole is directly below the ink outlet, the printhead can be designed to be positioned directly below the center of the circumference. In this case, the path length from each connector hole to the printhead (i.e., the ink tube length) can remain consistent. Under the same pressure, when ink flows in ink tubes of the same length, it experiences the same resistance, and the flow rate remains consistent, thus ensuring a balanced amount of ink of different colors reaching the printhead per unit time.

[0007] Furthermore, the top of the housing has multiple fixing slots for placing ink cartridges, which are arranged on the same circumference. The bottom of the ink cartridge has a limiting post, and the ink outlet hole is located along the axis of the limiting post, penetrating the limiting post and communicating with the bottom of the ink cartridge. The bottom of the fixing slots has a limiting hole that cooperates with the limiting post. The limiting hole communicates with the connecting hole and is coaxial, with the depth of the limiting hole being less than the length of the limiting post. The fixing slots on the top of the housing and the limiting post at the bottom of the ink cartridge work together to accurately position the ink cartridge, ensuring the coaxiality of the ink outlet hole and the connecting hole after installation. The ink outlet hole being located along the axis of the limiting post, and the limiting hole being coaxial with the connecting hole, allows for a smoother path for ink from the ink cartridge to the connecting hole, reducing ink flow resistance. The depth of the limiting hole being less than the length of the limiting post facilitates the connection between the ink tube and the limiting post.

[0008] Furthermore, a connecting post is provided at the center of the housing, and multiple fixing slots are radially distributed around the connecting post. A cover-shaped groove is provided on the top of the housing, and multiple fixing slots are located within the groove. A fixing cover for opening and closing the top space of the fixing slot is provided within the groove, and the fixing cover is identical in shape to the groove. The fixing cover, in conjunction with the groove, can seal the top space of the fixing slot. This prevents the ink cartridge from detaching from the fixing slot due to shaking during use, and also serves to prevent dust and moisture, protecting the stability of the ink performance, while also making the overall structure more compact and aesthetically pleasing.

[0009] Furthermore, a screw is provided at the center of the fixing cover, and a threaded hole for cooperating with the screw is provided at the center of the connecting post. The cooperation between the screw and the threaded hole makes the installation and removal of the fixing cover more convenient, and the tightness can be adjusted by rotating the fixing cover.

[0010] Furthermore, a limiting block is integrally formed on the side of the connecting column facing the fixing groove, and a limiting groove is provided on the wall of the ink cartridge to cooperate with the limiting block. The cooperation between the limiting block and the limiting groove can circumferentially position the ink cartridge and prevent the ink cartridge from rotating within the fixing groove. This design ensures that the ink outlet of the ink cartridge is always directly above the connecting hole, avoiding misalignment between the ink outlet and the connecting hole due to ink cartridge rotation, further ensuring the consistency of the ink tube length, thereby maintaining a stable ink flow rate.

[0011] Furthermore, the top of the fixing cover has a latching groove for easy installation and removal of the fixing cover.

[0012] Furthermore, the bottom of the fixing cover is equipped with an elastic pad. This elastic pad is compressed when the fixing cover is closed, generating uniform elastic pressure on the top of the ink cartridge. This ensures a tight fit between the ink cartridge and the bottom of the fixing slot, enhancing the sealing effect and reducing the possibility of ink leakage. Simultaneously, the elastic pad buffers the pressure of the fixing cover on the ink cartridge, preventing damage due to excessive pressure. It also accommodates minor dimensional differences that may exist between the tops of different ink cartridges, improving the overall structural adaptability. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a structural schematic diagram of a multicolor ink cartridge according to the present invention.

[0014] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Top view after removing the fixing cover.

[0015] The reference numerals in the accompanying drawings include: housing 1, connecting hole 2, connecting post 3, limiting post 4, ink cartridge 5, fixing cover 6, screw 7, limiting block 8, snap groove 9, groove 10, and threaded hole 11. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The following detailed description illustrates the specific implementation method:

[0017] Example 1 is basically as shown in the appendix. Figures 1-2 As shown: A multi-color ink cartridge 5 includes a housing 1. A connecting post 3 is located at the center of the housing 1. The connecting post 3 is a regular hexagonal prism and has a threaded hole 11 at its center. The top of the housing 1 has six fixing slots for placing the ink cartridge 5. The six fixing slots are radially distributed around the connecting post 3 and are on the same circumference. The bottom of the fixing slots has a limiting hole. The outer bottom of the housing 1 has multiple connecting holes 2, which correspond to the limiting holes. The connecting holes 2 and the limiting holes are connected and coaxial. The diameter of the connecting holes 2 is larger than the diameter of the limiting holes. A limiting block 8 is integrally formed on the side of the connecting post 3 facing the fixing slots. The top of the housing 1 has a cover-shaped groove 10. Multiple fixing slots are located in the groove 10. A fixing cover 6 is connected to the groove 10 to open and close the top space of the fixing slots. The fixing cover 6 has the same shape as the groove 10. The top of the fixing cover 6 has two snap-fit ​​grooves 9. The center of the fixing cover 6 has a screw 7 that cooperates with the threaded hole 11.

[0018] Ink cartridges 5 of different colors are placed in different fixed slots. The bottom of the ink cartridge 5 is provided with a limiting post 4. The limiting post 4 has an ink outlet hole along its axis. The ink outlet hole passes through the limiting post 4 and connects to the bottom of the ink cartridge 5. The six ink outlet holes are located on the same circumference with the connecting post 3 as the center. The depth of the limiting hole is less than the length of the limiting post 4. The wall of the ink cartridge 5 is provided with a limiting groove that works with the limiting block 8.

[0019] The specific implementation process is as follows: When installing the multi-color ink cartridges 5, firstly, place the ink cartridges 5 of different colors into the fixing slots in the grooves 10 at the top of the housing 1, respectively. During placement, it is necessary to ensure that the limiting grooves on the walls of the ink cartridges 5 precisely engage with the limiting blocks 8 on the side of the connecting post 3 facing the fixing slot, thereby achieving circumferential positioning of the ink cartridges 5 and preventing them from rotating within the fixing slots. At the same time, the limiting post 4 at the bottom of the ink cartridges 5 will be inserted into the limiting holes at the bottom of the fixing slots. Since the fixing slots are radially distributed around the connecting post 3 and are on the same circumference, the ink outlet holes of the multiple ink cartridges 5 are also on the same circumference, and the ink outlet holes are coaxial with the limiting holes and the connecting holes 2.

[0020] After all ink cartridges 5 are in place, place the fixing cover 6 into the groove 10. Using the screw 7 at the center of the fixing cover 6 to engage with the threaded hole 11 at the center of the connecting post 3, rotate the fixing cover 6 to gradually tighten it. After tightening, connect the ink inlet end of the ink tube to the insertion connecting hole 2 and the limiting post 4 to ensure that the ink tube is connected to the ink outlet.

[0021] During printing, ink flows from inside ink cartridge 5 through the ink outlet and then into the ink tube. Because the printhead is designed to be directly below the center of the circumference of the multiple ink outlets, and the distance from each connecting hole 2 to this center is consistent, the length of the ink tube connecting each connecting hole 2 to the printhead is the same. Under the same pressure, different colors of ink experience the same resistance when flowing in ink tubes of the same length, maintaining a consistent flow rate. This ensures that the amount of each color ink reaching the printhead per unit time is uniform, effectively avoiding problems such as color deviation and uneven color patches in the printed color transition areas caused by ink volume variations.

[0022] When it is necessary to replace ink cartridge 5, the operator can rotate the fixing cover 6 through the slot 9 to unscrew the screw 7 out of the threaded hole 11. After removing the fixing cover 6, the corresponding ink cartridge 5 can be taken out from the fixing slot. After replacing the new ink cartridge 5, the above installation steps can be followed. The whole process is convenient and efficient.

[0023] The above descriptions are merely embodiments of this utility model, and common knowledge regarding specific structures and characteristics is not elaborated upon here. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the structure of this utility model, and these should also be considered within the scope of protection of this utility model. These modifications will not affect the effectiveness of the implementation of this utility model or the practicality of the patent. The scope of protection claimed in this application shall be determined by the content of its claims, and the specific embodiments described in the specification can be used to interpret the content of the claims.

Claims

1. A multi-color ink cartridge, comprising a housing and multiple ink cartridges of different colors detachably connected within the housing, characterized in that: Multiple ink cartridges are located on the same circumference, and the ink outlets of multiple ink cartridges are located on the same circumference. Multiple connection holes for connecting ink tubes are evenly distributed on the bottom of the housing. Multiple connection holes correspond to multiple ink outlets, and the connection holes are located directly below the corresponding ink outlets.

2. A multi-color ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the housing is provided with multiple fixing slots for placing ink cartridges, and the fixing slots are on the same circumference. The bottom of the ink cartridge is provided with a limiting post, and the ink outlet is located in the axial direction of the limiting post. The ink outlet passes through the limiting post and communicates with the bottom of the ink cartridge. The bottom of the fixing slot is provided with a limiting hole that works with the limiting post. The limiting hole communicates with the connecting hole and is coaxial. The depth of the limiting hole is less than the length of the limiting post.

3. A multi-color ink cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that: A connecting post is provided at the center of the housing, and multiple fixing slots are radially distributed around the connecting post. A cover-shaped groove is provided on the top of the housing, and multiple fixing slots are located in the groove. A fixing cover for opening and closing the top space of the fixing slot is provided in the groove, and the fixing cover is consistent with the shape of the groove.

4. A multi-color ink cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The fixed cover has a screw at its center, and the connecting post has a threaded hole at its center that works with the screw.

5. A multi-color ink cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that: The connecting column has an integrally formed limiting block on the side facing the fixing groove, and the ink cartridge wall is provided with a limiting groove that cooperates with the limiting block.

6. A multi-color ink cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that: The top of the fixed cover has a snap-fit ​​groove.

7. A multi-color ink cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that: The bottom of the fixed cover is equipped with an elastic pad.

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