A printer and an ink cartridge positioning structure thereof

Abstract

The utility model discloses a printer and ink box positioning structure, and ink box positioning structure includes box body, lid and sealing assembly, the top of box body is connected to the lid cover combination, is equipped with a plurality of through -holes on the lid, and the ink adding mouth of ink box is exposed in the through -hole, sealing assembly includes movable element and the plugging element of connecting in movable element, and movable element is movably connected to the box body or lid, can take down the ink cover on ink box after first installation good ink box, and make movable element along the first direction activity, make the plugging element block the ink adding mouth of ink box, to realize the sealed preservation of ink in ink box, when the ink in ink box is used up, make movable element along the second direction activity, and the plugging element is separated from the ink adding mouth, at this moment can supplement the ink in ink box through the ink adding mouth.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of printer technology, specifically to a printer and its ink cartridge positioning structure. Background Technology

[0002] Heat transfer printers require multiple colors of ink during the printing process. The ink is typically stored in ink cartridges and connected to the print head for supply. Because multiple colors are needed, multiple ink cartridges must be installed within the printer. This is usually achieved through a cartridge positioning mechanism. This mechanism generally includes a cartridge body and a cover. Multiple cartridges are installed inside the cartridge body and secured by the cover. In traditional technology, when the ink in a cartridge is depleted, the cover needs to be opened to replace it. Later printers have ink refill ports on the cartridges, with caps to seal the ink. When the ink is depleted, the cap can be opened to add the appropriate color ink through the refill port without removing the entire cartridge for replacement. However, ink caps are generally threaded caps, which require turning to open and close, making them inconvenient for consumers. When removing the ink cap, it is often necessary to store it on a table or other place, and the ink cap inevitably gets stained with ink. Therefore, storing the ink cap can easily lead to ink contamination of the table or other places. In addition, the ink cap is a round cap, which is easy to fall off if you are not careful, easily attracting dust and contaminating the ink. It is also easy to lose, causing inconvenience to consumers. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to provide an ink cartridge positioning structure that makes it easy for consumers to open and close the ink filling port of the ink cartridge, and can avoid pollution and inconvenience caused by the storage, falling or loss of the ink cap.

[0004] To solve the above problems, the technical solution adopted by this utility model is as follows: an ink cartridge positioning structure, including a cartridge body, a cover body, and a sealing assembly, wherein the cartridge body is used to position and place the ink cartridge; the cover body is connected to the top of the cartridge body, and the cover body has multiple through holes, through which the ink filling port of the ink cartridge is exposed; the sealing assembly includes a movable member and a sealing member connected to the movable member, the movable member being movably connected to the cartridge body or the cover body; when the movable member moves in a first direction, it can drive the sealing member to block the ink filling port of the ink cartridge; when the movable member moves in a second direction, it can drive the sealing member to disengage from the ink filling port of the ink cartridge.

[0005] Compared to existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: This ink cartridge positioning structure has a movable component movably connected to the cartridge body or cover. After the ink cartridge is initially installed, the ink cap can be removed, and the movable component moves in a first direction, causing the sealing component to block the ink filling port, thus achieving sealed preservation of the ink inside the cartridge. When the ink in the cartridge is depleted, the movable component moves in a second direction, opening the ink filling port, allowing ink to be added. After refilling, the movable component moves again in the first direction, causing the sealing component to reseal the ink filling port. This ink cartridge positioning structure uses a movable component to drive the sealing component to achieve the sealing and opening of the ink filling port, which is convenient for consumers. The sealing component is connected to the cartridge body or cover via the movable component, eliminating the need for consumers to store it separately, and avoiding the contamination and inconvenience caused by the storage, falling, or loss of the ink cap in existing technologies.

[0006] In the above-described ink cartridge positioning structure, the movable component is rotatably connected to the cartridge body or the cover body. The first direction is the direction in which the movable component rotates toward the ink filling port, and the second direction is the opposite direction of the first direction.

[0007] In the above-mentioned ink cartridge positioning structure, the cartridge body or the cover body is provided with a rotating shaft, the first end of the movable part is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft through an elastic buckle, and the sealing part is connected to the second end of the movable part.

[0008] In the aforementioned ink cartridge positioning structure, the free end of the movable component is provided with a handle.

[0009] In the aforementioned cartridge positioning structure, the sealing element is detachably connected to the movable element.

[0010] In the above-mentioned ink cartridge positioning structure, the sealing member includes a sealing part and a locking part. The locking part is connected to the top of the sealing part. The movable member has a through groove that allows the locking part to pass through. After passing through the through groove, the locking part can rotate relative to the movable member to offset from the through groove and engage with the movable member.

[0011] In the above-mentioned ink cartridge positioning structure, the sealing part and the locking part are integrally formed. After the locking part passes through the groove, the sealing part can drive the locking part to rotate relative to the moving part.

[0012] In the above-mentioned ink cartridge positioning structure, the upper part of the sealing part is provided with a snap-fit ​​part, and the movable part is provided with a slot. When the sealing part drives the locking part to rotate relative to the movable part, the snap-fit ​​part can be snapped into the slot.

[0013] In the above-mentioned ink cartridge positioning structure, the side of the slot is provided with a stop.

[0014] This utility model also provides a printer that includes the above-mentioned ink cartridge positioning structure. Since the printer adopts the above-mentioned ink cartridge positioning structure, it has at least all the beneficial effects that the above-mentioned ink cartridge positioning structure can bring.

[0015] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge positioning structure according to an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 2 for Figure 1 An exploded view of the structure shown; Figure 3 One of the schematic diagrams of the sealing assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 4 for Figure 3 An exploded view of the structure shown; Figure 5 This is a second schematic diagram of the sealing assembly according to an embodiment of the present utility model; Figure 6 for Figure 5 An exploded view of the structure shown; in, Figure 3 and Figure 5 These are schematic diagrams of the sealing assembly from different perspectives.

[0017] Explanation of icon numbers: 100 Carton body, 110 Positioning cavity, 200 Cover body, 210 Through hole, 220 Rotating shaft, 300 Sealing assembly, 310 Moving part, 311 Elastic buckle, 312 Handle, 313 Through groove, 314 Slot, 315 Stop part, 320 Sealing part, 321 Sealing part, 322 Locking part, 323 Snap-fit ​​part, 400 Ink cartridge, 410 Ink filling port, 420 Positioning post, 421 Ink inlet. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below, with reference to Figures 1 to 6 An embodiment of this utility model provides an ink cartridge positioning structure, including a cartridge body 100, a cover body 200, and a sealing component 300.

[0019] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2The cartridge body 100 has a positioning cavity 110 inside for positioning and placing ink cartridges 400. The positioning cavity 110 can be a single, integral cavity for holding multiple ink cartridges 400, or it can be divided into several cavities, each for positioning and placing one ink cartridge 400. After the ink cartridge 400 is placed into the positioning cavity 110, the cover 200 closes and connects to the top of the cartridge body 100, locking and positioning the ink cartridge 400 in conjunction with the cartridge body 100. The cover 200 has multiple through holes 210. After the cover 200 closes and connects to the top of the cartridge body 100, the ink filling port 410 of the ink cartridge 400 is exposed in the through holes 210. The ink filling port 410 can be higher or lower than the through holes 210, as long as an external ink filling device can be inserted into the ink filling port 410 for ink filling. Preferably, the position is higher than the through hole 210, that is, the ink filling port 410 protrudes from the through hole 210 to facilitate the insertion of the external ink filling component. The ink filling port 410 of the ink cartridge 400 has a positioning post 420 to facilitate docking with the external ink refill bottle. The positioning post 420 and the side wall of the ink filling port 410 are connected by a hollow structure, which can not only realize the connection between the positioning post 420 and the side wall of the ink filling port 410, but also form multiple ink inlets 421. At the same time, multiple ink inlets 421 are also opened on the top and side of the positioning post 420, which can speed up the ink filling speed.

[0020] Furthermore, the sealing assembly 300 includes a movable member 310 and a sealing member 320 connected to the movable member 310. The movable member 310 is movably connected to the cartridge body 100 or the cover 200. When the movable member 310 moves in a first direction, it can drive the sealing member 320 to seal the ink filling port 410 of the ink cartridge 400. When the movable member 310 moves in a second direction, it can drive the sealing member 320 to disengage from the ink filling port 410 of the ink cartridge 400. It is understood that the movable member 310 can be movably connected to either the cartridge body 100 or the cover 200. The movable connection can be a simple rotational connection or a connection through other transmission structures, as long as it can drive the sealing member 320 to seal or disengage from the ink filling port 410.

[0021] The ink cartridge positioning structure has a movable component 310 movably connected to the cartridge body 100 or the cover 200. After the ink cartridge 400 is initially installed, the ink cover on the ink cartridge 400 can be removed, and the movable component 310 can be moved in the first direction, so that the sealing component 320 seals the ink filling port 410 of the ink cartridge 400 to achieve sealed preservation of the ink in the ink cartridge 400. When the ink in the ink cartridge 400 is used up, the movable component 310 can be moved in the second direction to open the ink filling port 410 of the ink cartridge 400. At this time, ink can be added to the ink cartridge 400 through the ink filling port 410. After the ink is added, the movable component 310 can be moved in the first direction again, so that the sealing component 320 seals the ink filling port 410 of the ink cartridge 400 again. The positioning structure of this ink cartridge uses a movable part 310 to drive the sealing part 320 to seal and open the ink filling port 410, which is convenient for consumers to operate. The sealing part 320 is connected to the cartridge body 100 or the cover body 200 through the movable part 310, so consumers do not need to store it separately, avoiding the pollution and inconvenience caused by the storage, falling or loss of the ink cover in the prior art.

[0022] Reference Figure 1 and Figure 2 In some embodiments, the movable member 310 is rotatably connected to the housing 100 or the cover 200, with a first direction being the direction in which the movable member 310 rotates toward the ink filling port 410, and a second direction being the opposite of the first direction. Figure 1 and Figure 2In the structure shown, the movable component 310 is rotatably connected to the cover 200. The figure shows multiple ink cartridges 400 and multiple sealing assemblies 300. The sealing components 320 within the multiple sealing assemblies 300 are in different states. For example, on the far left, the sealing component 320 is sealed to the ink filling port 410; on the far right, the sealing component 320 is detached from the ink filling port 410. Continuing to rotate the movable component 310 in the second direction completely exposes the ink filling port 410 for subsequent ink filling. When the movable component 310 is rotatably connected to the cartridge body 100 or the cover 200, the cartridge body 100 or the cover 200 is provided with a rotating shaft 220. The first end of the movable component 310 is rotatably connected to the rotating shaft 220 via an elastic buckle 311, and the sealing component 320 is connected to the second end of the movable component 310. The elastic buckle 311 has the ability to deform under external force. During assembly, external force can be applied to snap the elastic buckle 311 into the rotating shaft 220. After assembly, when no external force is applied, the movable part 310 will not disengage from the rotating shaft 220 nor rotate relative to the rotating shaft 220, thus maintaining its current state. When subjected to external force, the movable part 310 can rotate relative to the rotating shaft 220, thereby causing the sealing part 320 to seal or disengage from the ink filling port 410. Further, the movable part 310 is a movable piece, and the sealing part 320 is a plug. To facilitate the consumer's application of force to rotate the movable part 310, a handle 312 is also provided at the free end of the movable part 310. Preferably, the movable part 310 is rotatably connected to the cover 200, allowing it to be closer to the ink filling port 410. When the movable part 310 rotates in the first direction, the sealing part 320 can be inserted into the ink filling port 410 from top to bottom.

[0023] Furthermore, referring to Figures 3 to 6The sealing element 320 is detachably connected to the movable element 310. The sealing element 320 and the movable element 310 are generally made of different materials. The movable element 310 is supported by a relatively hard metal, alloy, or hard plastic, while the sealing element 320 uses a deformable structure such as a rubber stopper. When the sealing element 320 contacts the ink inlet 410, the movable element 310 continues to press down, causing the sealing element 320 to deform and conform to the shape of the ink inlet 410. With continued pressing, once the movable element 310 is fully depressed, the sealing element 320 perfectly seals the ink inlet 410. The sealing element 320 and the movable element 310 are manufactured separately, and then the sealing element 320 is assembled onto the movable element 310. Furthermore, the sealing component 320 includes a sealing part 321 and a locking part 322. The sealing part 321 is a plug that can be inserted into the ink filling port 410 to block the ink filling port 410. The locking part 322 is a rod structure that is connected to the top of the sealing part 321. The movable component 310 has a through groove 313 that allows the locking part 322 to pass through. After the locking part 322 passes through the through groove 313, it can rotate relative to the movable component 310 to offset from the through groove 313 and engage with the movable component 310. It is understandable that the sealing part 321 and the locking part 322 can be integrally formed. In this case, rotating the sealing part 321 can drive the locking part 322 to rotate together, so that the locking part 322 is misaligned with the through groove 313. Alternatively, the sealing part 321 and the locking part 322 can be separately set, with the locking part 322 rotatably connected to the top of the sealing part 321. In this case, the locking part 322 can be directly rotated to misalign it with the through groove 313.

[0024] In some embodiments, the sealing part 321 and the locking part 322 are integrally formed. After the locking part 322 passes through the groove 313, the sealing part 321 can drive the locking part 322 to rotate relative to the movable member 310. In these embodiments, the upper part of the sealing part 321 is provided with a snap-fit ​​part 323, and the movable member 310 is provided with a slot 314. When the sealing part 321 drives the locking part 322 to rotate relative to the movable member 310, the snap-fit ​​part 323 can be snapped into the slot 314, making the connection between the sealing member 320 and the movable member 310 more stable and reliable. Furthermore, the side of the slot 314 is provided with a stop part 315. When the sealing part 321 rotates to a certain position, the snap-fit ​​part 323 will touch the stop part 315 on the side of the slot 314, which means that the sealing member 320 has been installed in place.

[0025] An embodiment of this utility model also provides a printer, including the above-described ink cartridge positioning structure. Since the printer adopts the above-described ink cartridge positioning structure, it has at least all the beneficial effects that the above-described ink cartridge positioning structure can bring.

[0026] It should be noted that in the description of this utility model, any descriptions of orientation, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., indicating orientation or positional relationships, are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed or operated in a specific orientation, and should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

[0027] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "more than" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If "first" or "second" is mentioned, it is only for distinguishing technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the order of the indicated technical features.

[0028] In the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly defined, terms such as "setting," "installation," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly, and those skilled in the art can reasonably determine the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model in conjunction with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0029] The above embodiments are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of this utility model. Any non-substantial changes and substitutions made by those skilled in the art based on this utility model shall fall within the scope of protection claimed by this utility model.

Claims

1. A cartridge positioning structure, characterized in that, include: The housing (100) is used to position and place the ink cartridge (400). A cover (200) is attached to the top of the housing (100). The cover (200) has multiple through holes (210), through which the ink filling port (410) of the ink cartridge (400) is exposed. The sealing assembly (300) includes a movable part (310) and a plug (320) connected to the movable part (310), the movable part (310) being movably connected to the housing (100) or the cover (200). When the movable part (310) moves along the first direction, it can drive the blocking part (320) to block the ink filling port (410) of the ink cartridge (400). When the movable part (310) moves in the second direction, it can drive the sealing part (320) to disengage from the ink filling port (410) of the ink cartridge (400).

2. The ink cartridge positioning structure according to claim 1, characterized in that, The movable part (310) is rotatably connected to the box body (100) or the cover body (200), the first direction is the direction in which the movable part (310) rotates toward the ink filling port (410), and the second direction is the opposite direction of the first direction.

3. The ink cartridge positioning structure according to claim 2, characterized in that, The box body (100) or the cover body (200) is provided with a pivot (220), the first end of the movable part (310) is rotatably connected to the pivot (220) through an elastic buckle (311), and the sealing part (320) is connected to the second end of the movable part (310).

4. The ink cartridge positioning structure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The free end of the movable part (310) is provided with a handle (312).

5. The ink cartridge positioning structure according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The sealing element (320) is detachably connected to the movable element (310).

6. The ink cartridge positioning structure according to claim 5, characterized in that, The sealing member (320) includes a sealing part (321) and a locking part (322). The locking part (322) is connected to the top of the sealing part (321). The movable member (310) has a through groove (313) through which the locking part (322) can pass. After the locking part (322) passes through the through groove (313), it can rotate relative to the movable member (310) to be offset from the through groove (313) and engaged on the movable member (310).

7. The ink cartridge positioning structure according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sealing part (321) and the locking part (322) are integrally formed. After the locking part (322) passes through the through groove (313), the sealing part (321) can drive the locking part (322) to rotate relative to the movable part (310).

8. The ink cartridge positioning structure according to claim 7, characterized in that, The upper part of the sealing part (321) is provided with a snap-fit ​​part (323), and the movable part (310) is provided with a slot (314). When the sealing part (321) drives the locking part (322) to rotate relative to the movable part (310), the snap-fit ​​part (323) can be snapped into the slot (314).

9. The ink cartridge positioning structure according to claim 8, characterized in that, The side of the slot (314) is provided with a stop (315).

10. A printer, characterized in that, Includes the cartridge positioning structure as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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