Control device, mechanism for detecting insufficient ink level, ink cartridge and method for detecting insufficient ink level

Abstract

This application discloses a control device, an ink shortage detection mechanism, an ink cartridge and its ink shortage detection method, the control device is used for controlling a printer, the control device includes a chip and a control unit, the control unit and the chip are electrically connected and / or communicatively connected, the control unit can control the operation state of the chip to control the electrical connection and / or communication connection between the chip and the printer. The ink shortage detection mechanism includes a trigger element and a control device, the trigger element can move according to the change in the ink remaining amount, when the ink in the ink cartridge is low or gone, the trigger element can approach or abut the control unit and control the operation state of the control unit, further controlling the electrical connection and / or communication connection between the chip and the printer to make the printer stop printing, thereby avoiding the waste of paper and the waste of resources in the printer caused by the printer not being able to print normally or always working.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of printing machines, and more particularly to a control device, an ink shortage detection mechanism, an ink cartridge, and a method for detecting a shortage of ink therein. [Background technology]

[0002] Ink cartridges are used to store ink and can be installed in a printer to provide ink to the printer. As a printer is used, the ink in the ink cartridge gradually becomes low, i.e., the amount of ink remaining gradually decreases. If the ink in the ink cartridge becomes low or runs out, the printer will not be able to print normally, printed documents may become unusable, paper will be wasted, and if the printer continues to operate when it is unable to print normally, resources within the printer may be wasted. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] This application discloses a control device, an ink low level detection mechanism, an ink cartridge, and a method for detecting low ink levels in a printer, in order to solve the problem that paper is wasted and resources within the printer are wasted when the ink in an ink cartridge becomes low or runs out. [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the present application adopts the following technical solutions.

[0005] A control device for controlling a printer, comprising a chip and a control unit, the control unit and the chip being electrically connected and / or communicatively connected, and the control unit being capable of controlling the operating state of the chip and controlling the electrical connection and / or communication connection between the chip and the printer.

[0006] Optionally, the control unit is an inductive element, which is electrically and / or communicatively connected to the chip, and which can modify a voltage / current signal according to an external condition and transmit the voltage / current signal to the chip, and when the chip determines that the voltage / current signal reaches a preset condition, the chip enters a low ink operation mode, and further causes the chip to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer, and the printer stops printing.

[0007] Optionally, the control unit is a switching element; When the switching element is turned on, the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip and the printer can be interrupted, causing the printer to stop printing; Alternatively, turning off the switching element can terminate the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip and the printer, causing the printer to stop printing; Alternatively, turning the switching element on or off can control the chip to enter a low ink operating mode, further causing the chip to lose electrical and / or normal communication connections with the printer and the printer to stop printing.

[0008] Optionally, the chip includes at least two connection terminals, the switching element is provided between the two connection terminals, the switching element can make or break the electrical connection between the two connection terminals, and when the two connection terminals are broken, the chip can establish an electrical connection and / or a normal communication connection with the printer, and when the two connection terminals are made conductive, the chip is short-circuited and can stop the electrical connection and / or the normal communication connection with the printer.

[0009] Optionally, the switching element, the chip and the printer are connected in series, and the switching element is provided between the chip and the printer, such that when the switching element is conductive, the chip can establish an electrical connection and / or a normal communication connection with the printer, and when the switching element is turned off, the chip is open and can stop the electrical connection and / or the normal communication connection with the printer.

[0010] Optionally, the chip includes a judgment module, a signal sending terminal and a signal receiving terminal, the inductive element can change the voltage / current signals of the signal sending terminal and the signal receiving terminal according to an external condition, and when the judgment module judges that the voltage / current signals reach a preset condition, the chip enters a low ink operation mode, and the chip stops electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer.

[0011] Optionally, the chip includes a judgment module, a signal sending terminal, and a signal receiving terminal, the switching element can make or break an electrical connection between the signal sending terminal and the signal receiving terminal, and when the switching element makes or breaks the electrical connection between the signal sending terminal and the signal receiving terminal, the judgment module judges that the chip has entered a low ink operating mode, and the chip stops the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer.

[0012] Selectably, the chip entering a low ink operating mode and the chip ceasing electrical and / or normal communication connections with the printer includes at least: Controlling any two connection terminals of the chip to be short-circuited, causing the chip to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer; Controlling the chip to cut off electrical connection between any of its connection terminals and the printer, causing the chip to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer; Controlling the chip to transmit low ink level data to the printer, and after receiving the low ink level data transmitted by the chip, the printer cuts off an electrical connection and / or a normal communication connection with the chip; This includes one of controlling the chip to send incorrect ink cartridge information / data to the printer, causing the printer to report a fault, and cutting off the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the printer.

[0013] an ink low level detection mechanism, comprising a trigger element and the control device as described above; The trigger element can move according to changes in the remaining amount of ink, and when the remaining amount of ink decreases to a first default value, the trigger element can approach or abut the control unit and control the operating state of the control unit.

[0014] Optionally, the control unit is an inductive element, and the trigger element can approach the inductive element, change a voltage / current signal of the inductive element, and transmit the voltage / current signal to the chip, and when the chip determines that the voltage / current signal reaches a preset condition, the chip enters a low ink operation mode, and further causes the chip to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer, and the printer stops printing.

[0015] Optionally, the control unit is a switching element, and when the ink level decreases to a first default value, the trigger element can abut against the switching element to trigger the switching element to be turned on or off.

[0016] Optionally, the switching element includes a switch contact and a conductive member, and the trigger element is a floating member, and when the ink level decreases to a first default value, the floating member can press the conductive member against the switch contact to trigger the switching element to be turned on.

[0017] Optionally, the switching element includes a switch contact and a conductive member, and the trigger element includes a floating member and a connecting member, the floating member can move according to a change in the remaining ink level, the floating member can abut or connect to the connecting member, the floating member moves the connecting member, and when the remaining ink level decreases to a first default value, the connecting member can cut off the conductive member and the switch contact to trigger the switching element to be turned off.

[0018] Optionally, the switching element includes a first contact and a second contact, and the trigger element is a conductive floating member, and when the ink level decreases to a first default value, the conductive floating member can conduct the first contact and the second contact to trigger the switching element to be turned on.

[0019] Optionally, the switching element includes a first contact, a second contact and a conductive member, and the trigger element is a floating member, the floating member can move according to a change in the remaining ink level, the floating member can abut or connect to the conductive member, the floating member moves the conductive member, and when the remaining ink level decreases to a first default value, the conductive member can establish or interrupt conduction between the first contact and the second contact to trigger the switching element to be turned on or off.

[0020] Optionally, the control unit is a switching element, and the switching element is an inductive switching element, and when the remaining ink level decreases to a first default value, the trigger element can move into an induction range of the switching element to trigger the switching element to be turned on or off.

[0021] Optionally, the switching element further includes a signal receiving unit and a controller, the signal receiving unit is used for receiving a signal of the trigger element, and the controller is used for controlling the on or off of the switching element based on the signal of the trigger element.

[0022] Optionally, the switching element is a Hall sensor switching element, a pressure sensor switching element or a position sensor switching element.

[0023] An ink cartridge comprising: a casing and the ink low level detection mechanism; The casing is provided with a cavity for containing ink, the trigger element is provided within the cavity, and the tip is provided on the casing.

[0024] Optionally, a limiting portion is provided within the casing, and the limiting portion can limit the movement of the trigger element when the remaining ink level is greater than a second default value, the second default value being greater than the first default value.

[0025] Optionally, the trigger element is disposed within the cavity and comprises at least a mounting plate is provided within the casing, the mounting plate is provided with a guide hole, the trigger element is a columnar trigger element, the trigger element extends into the guide hole and can be slidably fitted into the guide hole; A guide groove is provided in the casing, and the trigger element is a block-shaped or spherical trigger element, the trigger element is provided in the guide groove, and can be slidably fitted into an inner wall of the guide groove; A guide post is provided within the casing, the trigger element is a sheet-like trigger element, the trigger element is provided with an attachment hole, and the attachment hole can be slidably fitted onto the guide post; A pivot is provided within the casing, the trigger element is a rod-shaped trigger element, and a hinge connection portion is provided on the trigger element, the hinge connection portion having one of shapes capable of being clearance-fitted with the pivot.

[0026] A method for detecting a lack of ink in an ink cartridge, the ink cartridge being the ink cartridge described above, the control unit being an inductive element, The trigger element moves in response to a change in the amount of remaining ink, When the ink level decreases to a first default value, the trigger element triggers a change in the voltage / current signal of the inductive element and transmits the voltage / current signal to the chip, and when the chip determines that the voltage / current signal reaches a preset condition, the chip enters an ink low operation mode, and further causes the chip to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer, and the printer stops printing.

[0027] A method for detecting a shortage of ink remaining in an ink cartridge, the ink cartridge being the ink cartridge described above, the control unit being a switching element, The trigger element moves in response to a change in the amount of remaining ink, When the remaining ink level decreases to a first default value, the trigger element triggers the switching element to turn off or on, and the switching element controls the operating state of the chip to stop the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip and the printer, and the printer stops printing.

[0028] Selectively, the switching element controls the operating state of the chip to terminate the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip and the printer. The switching element is turned on to conduct two connection terminals of the chip, placing the chip in a short-circuit state and terminating the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip and the printer, or the switching element is turned off to place the chip in an open-circuit state and terminating the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip and the printer, or the chip enters a low ink operating mode and terminating the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip and the printer.

[0029] Selectively, the chip entering a low ink operating mode and terminating electrical and / or normal communication connections between the chip and the printer includes at least: Controlling any two connection terminals of the chip to be short-circuited, causing the chip to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer; Controlling the chip to cut off electrical connection between any of its connection terminals and the printer, causing the chip to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer; Controlling the chip to transmit low ink level data to the printer, and after receiving the low ink level data transmitted by the chip, the printer cuts off an electrical connection and / or a normal communication connection with the chip; This includes one of controlling the chip to send incorrect ink cartridge information / data to the printer, causing the printer to report a fault, and cutting off the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the printer. Effect of the Invention

[0030] The technical solutions adopted in this application can achieve the following beneficial effects:

[0031] In the control device, ink shortage detection mechanism, ink cartridge and ink shortage detection method according to the present application, the control device is used for controlling the printer, the control device includes a chip and a control unit, the control unit can control the operation state of the chip to control the electrical connection and / or communication connection between the chip and the printer, the ink shortage detection mechanism includes a trigger element and the above control device, the trigger element can move according to the change in the remaining ink amount, when the remaining ink amount decreases to a first default value, the trigger element can approach or abut the control unit, and the operation state of the control unit can be controlled to stop the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip and the printer. Therefore, when the ink in the ink cartridge is sufficient, the printer can print normally, and when the ink in the ink cartridge is low or empty, the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip and the printer is stopped, so that when the ink in the ink cartridge is low or empty, the printer can stop printing by stopping the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip and the printer, thereby avoiding the waste of paper and the waste of resources in the printer caused by the printer not being able to print normally or always operating.

[0032] The drawings described herein are used to further understand the present application and constitute a part of the present application, and the exemplary embodiments and the description thereof are used to interpret the present application and are not intended to unduly limit the present application. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a control device according to an embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a control device according to another embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a control device according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a control device according to another embodiment of the present application. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a control device according to another embodiment of the present application. [Figure 6] 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present application. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional structure of FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 4 is a flowchart of a method for detecting a shortage of ink remaining in an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] 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 clearly and completely with reference to the specific embodiments and corresponding drawings of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, and are not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments that a person skilled in the art can obtain without making creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0035] The technical solutions disclosed in each embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0036] The present application provides a control device 100, an ink shortage detection mechanism, an ink cartridge, and an ink shortage detection method thereof. Below, the control device 100, the ink shortage detection mechanism, the ink cartridge, and an ink shortage detection method thereof will be described in detail with reference to Figures 1 to 16.

[0037] An embodiment of the present application provides a control device 100, which is used to control a printer 500, and the control device 100 can control the printer 500 to print normally or stop printing, and the control device 100 includes a chip 110 and a control unit, and the chip 110 is connected to the control unit, for example, the control unit and the chip 110 may be electrically connected and / or communicatively connected. The control unit can control the operating state of the chip 110 to control the electrical connection and / or communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500, thereby controlling the printer 500 to print normally or stop printing.

[0038] 1, the control unit may be an inductive element 130, which is electrically and / or communicatively connected to the chip 110, and the inductive element 130 may change a voltage / current signal according to an external condition and transmit the voltage / current signal to the chip 110, and when the chip 110 determines that the voltage / current signal reaches a preset condition, the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500 may be stopped, and the printer 500 will stop printing. The inductive element 130 may be an element for controlling the continuous change of the voltage / current signal, such as a pressure sensor, a sliding resistor, etc., and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the inductive element 130.

[0039] It should also be noted that the phrase "the voltage / current signal reaches a preset condition" in the present application may mean that the voltage / current value reaches a threshold value or that the voltage / current change value reaches a threshold value. The "threshold value" here is a voltage / current value that is preset according to the usage environment of the chip 110. For example, the chip 110 is provided with ink, which is a consumable material, and the consumable material includes an inductive element 130. As the ink, which is a consumable material, is consumed, the inductive element 130 can change the voltage / current signal and transmit the voltage / current signal to the chip 110. When the chip 110 consumes the ink, which is a consumable material, to a certain critical condition, the voltage / current value transmitted to the chip by the inductive element 130 is set as the "threshold value" of the chip, and the critical condition may be the ink, which is a consumable material, running out or missing prints, or other conditions that prevent normal printing. Here, the inductive element 130 can control the operating state of the chip 110 by changing the voltage / current signal between the chip 110 and the inductive element 130. In the present application, the inductive element 130 controls the working state of the chip 110, specifically, the inductive element 130 controls the chip 110 to enter a low ink working mode.

[0040] The chip 110 includes a judgment module 114, a signal sending terminal 111 and a signal receiving terminal 112, and the inductive element 130 can change the voltage / current signal between the signal sending terminal 111 and the signal receiving terminal 112 according to external conditions. Specifically, in this case, when the ink remaining amount is greater than the first default value, the voltage / current signal controlled by the inductive element 130 is higher than the threshold of the chip 110, and as the ink is consumed, the ink remaining amount gradually decreases, and the inductive element 130 controls the voltage / current signal to continuously decrease, and when the judgment module 114 judges that the ink remaining amount decreases to the first default value and the voltage / current signal controlled by the inductive element 130 is lower than the threshold of the chip 110, the chip 110 enters the low ink operating mode, and the chip 110 stops the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500. In addition, the arrows and waveforms shown in FIG. 1 indicate that the signal sending terminal 111 sends a high level signal or a low level signal.

[0041] Alternatively, the chip 110 includes a judgment module 114, a signal sending terminal 111 and a signal receiving terminal 112, and the inductive element 130 can change the voltage / current signal between the signal sending terminal 111 and the signal receiving terminal 112 according to external conditions. Specifically, in this case, when the remaining amount of ink is greater than the first default value, the voltage / current signal controlled by the inductive element 130 is lower than the threshold value of the chip 110. As the ink is consumed, the remaining amount of ink gradually decreases, and the inductive element 130 controls the voltage / current signal to increase continuously. When the judgment module 114 judges that the remaining amount of ink decreases to the first default value and the voltage / current signal controlled by the inductive element 130 is greater / higher than the threshold value of the chip 110, the chip 110 enters the low ink operating mode, and the chip 110 stops the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500.

[0042] The first default value in this specification may be zero, i.e., when the ink level is greater than zero, the printer 500 prints normally, and when the ink level is zero, the printer 500 stops printing. Of course, the first default value may be a value slightly greater than zero, i.e., the printer 500 is controlled to stop printing when the ink is low, rather than controlling the printer 500 to stop printing until the ink is completely depleted. Of course, the first default value may be other values ​​set as needed.

[0043] When the chip 110 enters the low ink operating mode, the chip 110 stops its electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500, which may be by controlling any two connection terminals of the chip 110 to be short-circuited, causing the chip 110 to stop its electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500.

[0044] Optionally, the chip 110 entering the low ink operating mode and the chip 110 ceasing the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500 may be by controlling the chip 110 to cut off the electrical connection between any of its connection terminals 113 and the printer 500, causing the chip 110 to ceasing the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500; Optionally, the chip 110 enters a low ink operating mode, and the chip 110 stops the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500, which may be to control the chip 110 to send low ink data to the printer 500, and the printer 500 cuts off the electrical connection and / or communication connection with the chip 110 after receiving the low ink data sent by the chip 110; Optionally, the chip 110 may enter a low ink operating mode and the chip 110 may stop its electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500, control the chip 110 to send incorrect ink cartridge information / data to the printer 500, cause the printer 500 to report a fault, and further cut off the electrical and / or communication connection between the printer 500.

[0045] Furthermore, the above-mentioned methods by which the chip 110 enters the low ink operating mode and the chip 110 stops its electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500 can be selected according to the structure of the ink cartridge, and two or more methods can also be used in combination.

[0046] In the control device 100 according to the embodiment of the present application, the control device 100 is used to control the printer 500, the control device 100 includes a chip 110 and a control unit, the control unit and the chip 110 are electrically connected and / or communicatively connected, the control unit can control the operating state of the chip 110 to control the electrical connection and / or communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500, and can further control the printer 500 to print normally or stop printing. Therefore, when there is enough ink in the ink cartridge, the control device 100 controls the printer 500 to print normally, and when there is little or no ink in the ink cartridge, the control device 100 controls the printer 500 to stop printing, thereby avoiding the waste of paper and the waste of resources in the printer 500 caused by the printer 500 not being able to print normally or always working when there is little or no ink in the ink cartridge.

[0047] In the embodiment of the present application, a normal communication connection refers to accurate data exchange between the printer 500 and the chip 110 when the printer 500 is printing normally, that is, when there is a normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500, accurate data exchange can be performed between the printer 500 and the chip 110, and the printer 500 can print normally.

[0048] In other embodiments, see Figures 2 to 5, the control unit may be a switching element 120, the switching element 120 is an element for turning a signal on or off, the embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the switching element 120, the switching element 120 has two states of on or off, and the on or off of the switching element 120 can control the operating state of the chip 110 to control the electrical connection and / or communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500, and can further control the printer 500 to print normally or stop printing.

[0049] Here, turning the switching element 120 on or off can control the operating state of the chip 110, which may mean that the switching element 120 directly controls the short-circuiting or opening of the chip 110, or that the switching element 120 controls the chip 110, for example, the chip 110 includes a judgment module 114, and the judgment module 114 of the chip 110 controls the chip 110 to be short-circuited or open-circuited, or to enter a low ink operating mode.

[0050] In one possible embodiment of the present application, turning on the switching element 120 can stop the electrical connection and / or the normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500; for example, referring to FIG. 2, turning on the switching element 120 can short-circuit the chip 110, stopping the electrical connection and / or the normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500.

[0051] Optionally, turning off the switching element 120 can terminate the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500; for example, see FIG. 3, turning off the switching element 120 can open the chip 110, thereby terminating the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500.

[0052] Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, turning the switching element 120 on or off can control the chip 110 to enter a low ink operating mode, further causing the chip 110 to lose electrical and / or normal communication connections with the printer 500.

[0053] Therefore, turning the switching element 120 on or off can control the electrical and / or communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500, and can further control the printer 500 to print normally or stop printing.

[0054] In one case, when the ink level is greater than the first default value, the switching element 120 is turned off, and when the ink level decreases to the first default value, the switching element 120 is turned on. In another case, when the ink level is greater than the first default value, the switching element 120 is turned on, and when the ink level decreases to the first default value, the switching element 120 is turned off.

[0055] 2, the chip 110 includes at least two connection terminals 113, the switching element 120 is disposed between the two connection terminals 113, the switching element 120 can make or break the electrical connection of the two connection terminals 113, when the two connection terminals 113 are broken, the chip 110 can establish an electrical connection and / or a normal communication connection with the printer 500, when the two connection terminals 113 are conductive, the chip 110 is short-circuited and can stop the electrical connection and / or the normal communication connection with the printer 500. In this case, when the remaining ink amount is greater than the first default value, the switching element 120 is turned off, and when the remaining ink amount decreases to the first default value, the switching element 120 is turned on.

[0056] 3, the switching element 120, the chip 110 and the printer 500 are connected in series, and the switching element 120 is disposed between the chip 110 and the printer 500, when the switching element 120 is conductive, the chip 110 can establish an electrical connection and / or a normal communication connection with the printer 500, and when the switching element 120 is turned off, the chip 110 is open and can stop the electrical connection and / or the normal communication connection with the printer 500. In this case, when the remaining ink amount is greater than the first default value, the switching element 120 is turned on, and when the remaining ink amount decreases to the first default value, the switching element 120 is turned off.

[0057] In another possible embodiment of the present application, as shown in Fig. 4, the chip 110 includes a judgment module 114, a signal sending terminal 111 and a signal receiving terminal 112, and the switching element 120 can conduct or cut off the electrical connection between the signal sending terminal 111 and the signal receiving terminal 112, and when the switching element 120 cuts off the electrical connection between the signal sending terminal 111 and the signal receiving terminal 112, the judgment module 114 judges that the chip 110 has entered an ink low operation mode, and the chip 110 stops the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500. In this case, when the ink level is greater than the first default value, the switching element 120 is turned on, and when the ink level decreases to the first default value, the switching element 120 is turned off. Also, the arrows and waveforms shown in Fig. 4 indicate that the signal sending terminal 111 transmits a high level signal or a low level signal.

[0058] Alternatively, the chip 110 includes a judgment module 114, a signal sending terminal 111 and a signal receiving terminal 112, the switching element 120 can make or break the electrical connection between the signal sending terminal 111 and the signal receiving terminal 112, and when the switching element 120 makes the electrical connection between the signal sending terminal 111 and the signal receiving terminal 112, the judgment module 114 judges that the chip 110 has entered a low ink operating mode, and the chip 110 stops the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500. In this case, when the remaining ink level is greater than a first default value, the switching element 120 is turned off, and when the remaining ink level decreases to the first default value, the switching element 120 is turned on.

[0059] The signal transmitting terminal 111 in this specification may be a signal transmitting pin of the chip 110. Of course, as shown in Fig. 5, the signal transmitting terminal 111 may be a ground terminal or a power supply terminal (GND / VDD), where GND can provide a low level signal and VDD can provide a high level signal. Of course, the signal transmitting terminal 111 may be a signal transmitting terminal 111 of a separate signal transmitting element, and transmits a signal through the separate signal transmitting element.

[0060] When the chip 110 enters the low ink operating mode, the chip 110 stops its electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500, which may be by controlling any two connection terminals of the chip 110 to be short-circuited, causing the chip 110 to stop its electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500.

[0061] Optionally, the chip 110 entering the low ink operating mode and the chip 110 ceasing the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500 may be by controlling the chip 110 to cut off the electrical connection between any of its connection terminals 113 and the printer 500, causing the chip 110 to ceasing the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500; Optionally, the chip 110 enters a low ink operating mode, and the chip 110 stops the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500, which may be to control the chip 110 to send low ink data to the printer 500, and the printer 500 cuts off the electrical connection and / or communication connection with the chip 110 after receiving the low ink data sent by the chip 110; Optionally, the chip 110 may enter a low ink operating mode and the chip 110 may stop its electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500, control the chip 110 to send incorrect ink cartridge information / data to the printer 500, cause the printer 500 to report a fault, and further cut off the electrical and / or communication connection between the printer 500.

[0062] Furthermore, the above-mentioned methods by which the chip 110 enters the low ink operating mode and the chip 110 stops its electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500 can be selected according to the structure of the ink cartridge, and two or more methods can also be used in combination.

[0063] In the control device 100 according to the embodiment of the present application, the control device 100 is used to control the printer 500, the control device 100 includes a chip 110 and a control unit, the control unit and the chip 110 are electrically connected and / or communicatively connected, the control unit can control the operating state of the chip 110 to control the electrical connection and / or communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500, and can further control the printer 500 to print normally or stop printing. Therefore, when there is enough ink in the ink cartridge, the control device 100 controls the printer 500 to print normally, and when there is little or no ink in the ink cartridge, the control device 100 controls the printer 500 to stop printing, thereby avoiding the waste of paper and the waste of resources in the printer 500 caused by the printer 500 not being able to print normally or always working when there is little or no ink in the ink cartridge.

[0064] The embodiment of the present application further provides an ink low level detection mechanism, which includes a trigger element and a control device 100, and the control device 100 is the above control device 100.

[0065] The trigger element can move in response to changes in the remaining amount of ink, for example, the trigger element can be structured to float in the ink and can move down as the remaining amount of ink decreases. When the remaining amount of ink decreases to a first default value, the trigger element can approach or abut the control unit to control the operation state of the control unit, and the control device 100 can control the printer 500 to stop printing according to the operation state of the control unit. The operation state of the control unit includes the on / off of the switching element and the voltage / current signal that changes depending on the external conditions of the inductive element 130.

[0066] If the remaining amount of ink is greater than the first default value, that is, if there is a lot of remaining ink, the control device 100 can control the printer 500 via the control unit so that it prints normally.

[0067] Therefore, in the low ink detection mechanism of the embodiment of the present application, when there is sufficient ink in the ink cartridge, the trigger element and control device 100 work together to control the printer 500 to print normally, and when the ink in the ink cartridge is low or gone, the trigger element and control device 100 work together to control the printer 500 to stop printing, thereby avoiding the printer 500 being unable to print normally or constantly operating when the ink in the ink cartridge is low or gone, which would result in wasting paper and wasting resources within the printer 500.

[0068] In one possible embodiment of the present application, the control unit may be an inductive element 130, and the trigger element may approach / contact the inductive element 130 to change the voltage / current signal of the inductive element 130 and transmit the voltage / current signal to the chip 110, and when the judgment module 114 of the chip 110 judges that the voltage / current signal reaches a preset condition, the chip enters an ink low operation mode, and further causes the chip 110 to stop the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500, and the printer 500 stops printing. The inductive element 130 in the present application may be an element for controlling the continuous change of the voltage / current signal, such as a pressure sensor, a sliding resistor, etc., and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the inductive element 130.

[0069] Specifically, this embodiment takes the pressure sensor as an example, with the ink being consumed, the trigger element moves in the direction of gravity and gradually abuts against the pressure sensor, and the pressure sensor controls the voltage / current signal to gradually change based on the gravity applied by the trigger element, and when the ink remaining amount decreases to a first default value, the voltage / current signal controlled by the pressure sensor is lower than the threshold value of the chip 110 and transmits the voltage / current signal to the chip 110. At the same time, the judgment module 114 of the chip 110 judges that the voltage / current signal is lower than the threshold value of the chip 110, and the chip 110 enters an ink low remaining amount operation mode, and further causes the chip 110 to stop the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500, and the printer 500 stops printing. Of course, in other embodiments, when the ink remaining amount decreases to the first default value, the pressure sensor may control the voltage / current signal to be higher than the threshold value of the chip 110 and transmit the voltage / current signal to the chip 110. At the same time, after the judgment module 114 of the chip 110 judges that the voltage / current signal transmitted to the chip 110 is higher than the threshold value of the chip 110, the chip 110 enters into a low ink operation mode, further causing the chip 110 to stop the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500, and the printer 500 stops printing. Here, "the trigger element moving in the direction of gravity and gradually abutting against the pressure sensor" is the "external condition" described in this application.

[0070] In one possible embodiment of the present application, the control unit may be the switching element 120, and when the remaining ink amount is reduced to a first default value, the movement of the trigger element can trigger the switching element 120 to be turned on or off. That is, the movement of the trigger element directly triggers the switching element 120 to be turned on or off, and when the remaining ink amount is reduced to the first default value, the trigger element just moves to a position where it can trigger the switching element 120 to be turned on or off together with the remaining ink amount, thereby directly triggering the switching element 120 to be turned on or off.

[0071] Specifically, the switching element 120 includes a switch contact 121 and a conductive member 122, and when the conductive member 122 is separated from the switch contact 121, the switching element 120 is turned off, and when the conductive member 122 contacts the switch contact 121, the switching element 120 is turned on.

[0072] 6 to 9, the trigger element may be a floating member 210, which moves in response to changes in the remaining amount of ink, specifically, can descend as the remaining amount of ink decreases, and when the remaining amount of ink decreases to a first default value, the floating member 210 can press the conductive member 122 against the switch contact 121 to bring the conductive member 122 into contact with the switch contact 121 and turn on the switching element 120. The floating member 210 may be a structural member capable of floating in ink, such as a floating ball, a floating piece, a floating block, or a floating rod.

[0073] The switching element 120 may be integrated into a flexible substrate (PCB substrate), the switch contact 121 may be a contact on the flexible substrate (PCB substrate), and the floating member 210 moves the conductive member 122 to turn the switching element 120 on or off. This structure allows the switching element 120 to be turned on when there is little or no ink remaining, and has a simple structure and requires few components.

[0074] 11-12, the switching element 120 includes a switch contact 121 and a conductive member 122, the trigger element includes a floating member 210 and a connecting member 220, the floating member 210 can move according to a change in the remaining ink amount, the floating member 210 can abut or connect to the connecting member 220, and the floating member 210 moves the connecting member 220, for example, the floating member 210 may be directly connected to the connecting member 220 to move the connecting member 220, or the floating member 210 may abut against the connecting member 220 to push the connecting member 220 to move it. When the remaining ink amount decreases to a first default value, the connecting member 220 can cut off the conductive member 122 and the switch contact 121. Optionally, one end of the connection member 220 may abut or be connected to the floating member 210, and the other end faces the conductive member 122, and the floating member 210 descends as the remaining ink level decreases, and when the remaining ink level decreases to a first default value, the floating member 210 descends and the other end of the connection member 220 rises, which bounces the conductive member 122 and separates the conductive member 122 from the switch contact 121, thereby turning off the switching element 120. With this structure, it is possible to realize that the switching element 120 is turned off when the remaining ink level is low or zero. The switch contact 121 may be a spring-loaded terminal (POGO pin).

[0075] Optionally, as shown in FIG. 13, the switching element 120 includes a first contact 123 and a second contact 124, and the trigger element is a conductive floating member, which is a member capable of conducting electricity and moving according to the change in the remaining amount of ink, and when the remaining amount of ink decreases to a first default value, the conductive floating member can conduct the first contact 123 and the second contact 124. The conductive floating member moves according to the change in the remaining amount of ink, specifically, it can descend with the decrease in the remaining amount of ink, and when the remaining amount of ink decreases to the first default value, the conductive floating member descends between the first contact 123 and the second contact 124 to conduct the first contact 123 and the second contact 124, thereby turning on the switching element 120. With this structure, it is possible to realize that the switching element 120 is turned on when the remaining amount of ink is low or zero, and the structure is simple and fewer parts are required. The switching element 120 may be integrated on a flexible substrate (PCB substrate), the first contact 123 and the second contact 124 may be contacts on the flexible substrate (PCB substrate), and when the first contact 123 and the second contact 124 are conductive, the switching element 120 is turned on, and when the first contact 123 and the second contact 124 are disconnected, the switching element 120 is turned off. The first contact 123 and the second contact 124 may be spring-loaded terminals (POGO pins).

[0076] 13, the switching element 120 includes a first contact 123, a second contact 124 and a conductive member 122, and the trigger element is a floating member 210, the floating member 210 can move according to the change of the remaining ink amount, the floating member 210 can abut or connect to the conductive member 122, and the floating member 210 moves the conductive member 122, for example, the floating member 210 can be directly connected to the conductive member 122 to move the conductive member 122, or the floating member 210 can abut against the conductive member 122 to push the conductive member 122 to move it. When the remaining ink amount decreases to a first default value, the conductive member 122 can make or break the conduction between the first contact 123 and the second contact 124. The floating member 210 descends as the remaining ink level decreases, and the conductive member 122 can descend or ascend according to the connection manner between the conductive member 122 and the floating member, and when the remaining ink level decreases to a first default value, the conductive member 122 descends to a position where the first contact 123 and the second contact 124 are conductive, thereby turning on the switching element 120, or the conductive member 122 ascends to a position where the first contact 123 and the second contact 124 are disconnected, thereby turning off the switching element 120. With this structure, it is possible to realize that the switching element 120 is turned on or off when the remaining ink level is low or zero. The conductive member 122 may be a metallic conductive member.

[0077] Of course, in other embodiments, the trigger element can be ink directly, and when the ink level is greater than the first default value, the ink can conduct between the first contact 123 and the second contact 124. As the ink level is gradually consumed, the ink continues to descend in the direction of gravity, and when the ink level decreases to the first default value, for example when the ink level is exhausted, i.e. the first default value is zero, the switching element 120 is turned off.

[0078] Or in another embodiment, the trigger element is ink, the ink is conductive and has a certain resistance value by itself, the ink can conduct between the first contact 123 and the second contact 124, when the ink is gradually consumed, the ink continues to descend in the direction of gravity, when the ink continues to decrease, its resistance value changes continuously, in this case, the switching element 120 can be used as the inductive element 130, that is, the ink resistance value changes continuously to change the voltage / current signal transmitted to the chip 110, and at the same time, when the judgment module 114 of the chip 110 judges that the voltage / current signal reaches the preset condition, the chip 110 enters the low ink operation mode, and further causes the chip 110 to stop the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500, so that the printer 500 stops printing. Here, "the ink resistance value changes continuously due to the decrease in the ink amount" is the "external condition" described in this application.

[0079] In one possible embodiment of the embodiment of the present application, the control unit may be a switching element 120, and as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the switching element 120 may be an inductive switching element, and when the remaining amount of ink decreases to a first default value, the trigger element moves into the induction range of the switching element 120 to trigger the on or off of the switching element 120. In other words, the trigger element can control the on or off of the switching element 120 by moving into the induction range of the switching element 120 without directly triggering the switching element 120. This structure allows more freedom in the installation position of the switching element 120, and does not necessarily have to be installed below the trigger element.

[0080] In addition, the switching element 120 further includes a signal receiving unit and a controller, where the signal receiving unit is used for receiving a signal of the trigger element, and the controller is used for controlling the switching element 120 to be on or off according to the signal of the trigger element.

[0081] For example, the switching element 120 may be a Hall sensor switching element, a pressure sensor switching element, or a position sensor switching element. Of course, the switching element 120 is not limited to a Hall sensor switching element, a pressure switching element, or a position sensor switching element, and the embodiments of the present application do not limit the type of the switching element 120. Any element that can realize the on or off of a signal may be included in the scope of the switching element 120.

[0082] When the switching element 120 is a Hall sensor switching element, the trigger element may be a magnetic floating member 210, which can move according to changes in the remaining ink amount, or the floating member 210 is provided with a magnetic member 240, and the magnetic member 240 and the floating member 210 can move according to changes in the remaining ink amount, and when the remaining ink amount decreases to a first default value, the Hall sensor switching element detects the magnetic floating member 210 or the magnetic member 240 and generates a feedback signal, thereby controlling the switching element 120 to be on or off.

[0083] When the switching element 120 is a pressure sensor switching element, the trigger element may be the floating member 210, which can move according to changes in the remaining ink amount, and when the remaining ink amount decreases to a first default value, the pressure sensor switching element detects the pressure of the floating member 210 and generates a feedback signal, thereby controlling the switching element 120 to be on or off.

[0084] When the switching element 120 is a position sensor switching element, the trigger element may be a floating member 210, which can move according to changes in the remaining ink level, and when the remaining ink level decreases to a first default value, the position sensor switching element detects that the floating member 210 has moved to a preset position and generates a feedback signal, thereby controlling the switching element 120 to be on or off.

[0085] In the ink low level detection mechanism of the embodiment of the present application, the trigger element is provided inside the ink cartridge and moves directly according to changes in the ink level, allowing the ink level to be accurately detected in real time. When the ink low level detection mechanism of the embodiment of the present application is adopted, when the ink in the ink cartridge is low or empty, the trigger element can approach or come into contact with the control unit, and the operating state of the control unit can be controlled so that the control device 100 controls the printer 500 to stop printing, thereby avoiding the printer 500 being unable to print normally or constantly operating when the ink in the ink cartridge is low or empty, thereby avoiding the waste of paper and resources within the printer 500.

[0086] 6 to 15, an embodiment of the present application further provides an ink cartridge, which includes a casing 600 and an ink shortage detection mechanism, the ink shortage detection mechanism being the above-mentioned ink shortage detection mechanism, the casing 600 is provided with a cavity 650 for accommodating ink, the trigger element is provided in the cavity 650, the chip 110 is provided in the casing 600, and information about the ink cartridge can also be stored in the chip 110. The casing 600 may include a casing body and a casing cover, the casing body and the casing cover are jointly enclosed as the cavity 650.

[0087] The ink cartridge includes the above-mentioned low ink detection mechanism, and the low ink detection mechanism includes the above-mentioned control device 100. Detection of the remaining ink in the ink cartridge and control of the printer 500 are realized by the low ink detection mechanism, specifically, by the trigger element of the low ink detection mechanism and the control device 100.

[0088] When there is sufficient ink in the ink cartridge, the trigger element and the control device 100 work together to control the printer 500 to print normally, and when the ink in the ink cartridge is low or gone, the trigger element and the control device 100 work together to control the printer 500 to stop printing, thereby avoiding wasting paper and wasting resources within the printer 500 due to the printer 500 being unable to print normally or constantly operating when the ink in the ink cartridge is low or gone.

[0089] Specifically, when the ink in the ink cartridge is low or empty, the trigger element can approach or contact the control unit, and control the operating state of the control unit, and further control the printer 500 to stop printing.

[0090] In the embodiment of the present application, a limiting portion is provided in the casing 600, and the limiting portion can limit the movement of the trigger element when the remaining amount of ink is greater than a second default value, and the second default value is greater than the first default value. When the remaining amount of ink is greater than the second default value, that is, there is a lot of ink in the ink cartridge, and at this time and within a certain period of time thereafter, the ink will not become low or empty, and at this time, the limiting portion can limit the movement of the trigger element to avoid a larger range of movement of the trigger element. The limiting portion may be a part of the casing or a separate member.

[0091] The trigger element is disposed within the cavity 650 and may be disposed within the cavity 650 in a variety of configurations, including, for example, one or more of the following mounting configurations:

[0092] As shown in Figures 7 and 13, a mounting plate 610 is provided in the casing 600, the mounting plate 610 is provided with a guide hole, the trigger element is a columnar trigger element, the trigger element extends into the guide hole and can be slip-fitted into the guide hole, the trigger element can be provided in the cavity 650 through the mounting plate 610, and one of the mounting plates 610 can be used as the above-mentioned limiting part 660, when the trigger element rises to a preset height, the mounting plate 610 can prevent the trigger element from continuing to rise, for example, the trigger element is provided with a step, the dimension of the step is larger than the dimension of the guide hole, when the step and the mounting plate 610 contact each other, the mounting plate 610 can prevent the step from continuing to rise, thereby preventing the trigger element from continuing to rise. The guide hole of the mounting plate 610 can also play the role of a guide during the movement of the trigger element.

[0093] 8 and 11, a guide groove 620 is provided in the casing 600, the trigger element is a block-shaped or spherical trigger element, the trigger element is provided in the guide groove 620, and can be slip-fitted with the side wall of the guide groove 620, the trigger element can be provided in the cavity 650 through the guide groove 620, and a limiting portion 660 can be provided at the top of the guide groove 620, for example, a baffle is provided as the limiting portion 660, or the top wall of the guide groove 620 is used as the limiting portion 660. The side wall of the guide groove 620 can play the role of a guide during the movement of the trigger element.

[0094] 9, a guide post 630 is provided in the casing 600, the trigger element is a sheet-like trigger element, the trigger element is provided with a mounting hole, the mounting hole can be slip-fitted with the guide post 630, the trigger element can be provided in the cavity 650 through the guide post 630, and the guide post 630 may be provided with a protrusion, which serves as a limiting part to prevent the trigger element from continuing to rise when the trigger element rises to a preset height. The guide post 630 can also play the role of a guide during the movement of the trigger element.

[0095] As shown in FIG. 10 , a pivot 640 is provided within the casing 600, and the trigger element is a rod-shaped trigger element, and a hinge connection portion is provided on the trigger element, and the hinge connection portion can be fitted into the pivot 640 with a clearance, so that the trigger element can be provided within the cavity 650 via the pivot 640.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 16, an embodiment of the present application further provides a method for detecting a lack of ink in an ink cartridge, the ink cartridge being the ink cartridge described above.

[0097] If the control unit is an inductive element 130, The trigger element moves in response to changes in the amount of ink remaining. When the ink level decreases to the first default value, the trigger element triggers a change in the voltage / current signal of the inductive element 130 and transmits the voltage / current signal to the chip 110; if the chip 110 determines that the voltage / current signal reaches a preset condition, the chip 110 enters a low ink operating mode, and further causes the chip 110 to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500, and the printer 500 stops printing.

[0098] If the control unit is a switching element 120, The trigger element moves in response to changes in the amount of ink remaining. When the ink level decreases to the first default value, the trigger element triggers the switching element 120 to turn off or on, and the switching element 120 controls the operating state of the chip 110 to stop the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500, thereby controlling the printer 500 to stop printing.

[0099] And when the remaining ink level is greater than the first default value, the trigger element triggers the switching element 120 to be turned off or on, and the switching element 120 controls the operating state of the chip 110 to establish an electrical connection and / or a normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500, so that the printer can print normally.

[0100] In the above-mentioned method for detecting low ink in an ink cartridge, the switching element 120 controls the operating state of the chip 110 to stop the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500, including: the switching element 120 is turned on to conduct the two connection terminals of the chip 110, putting the chip 110 in a short-circuit state and stopping the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500; or the switching element 120 is turned off to put the chip 110 in an open-circuit state and stopping the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500; or the chip 110 enters a low ink operating mode and stops the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500.

[0101] When the chip 110 enters the low ink operating mode and stops the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500, any two connection terminals of the chip 110 may be controlled to be shorted, causing the chip 110 to stop the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500.

[0102] The chip 110 entering the low ink operating mode and terminating the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500 may be to control the chip 110 to cut off the electrical connection between any of its connection terminals and the printer 500, and to cause the chip 110 to terminate the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500; The chip 110 entering the low ink operation mode and stopping the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500 may be to control the chip 110 to send low ink data to the printer 500, and the printer 500 cuts off the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the chip 110 after receiving the low ink data sent by the chip 110; When the chip 110 enters a low ink operating mode and stops the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip 110 and the printer 500, it may control the chip 110 to send incorrect ink cartridge information / data to the printer 500, cause the printer 500 to report a fault, and further block the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the printer 500.

[0103] Furthermore, the above-mentioned methods by which the chip 110 enters the low ink operating mode and the chip 110 stops its electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer 500 can be selected depending on the structure of the ink cartridge, and two or more methods can also be used in combination.

[0104] According to the method for detecting low ink levels in an ink cartridge of an embodiment of the present application, when there is sufficient ink in the ink cartridge, the trigger element, control unit, and chip 110 work together to control the printer 500 to print normally, and when the ink in the ink cartridge is low or gone, the trigger element, control unit, and chip 110 work together to control the printer 500 to stop printing, thereby avoiding the printer 500 being unable to print normally or constantly operating when the ink in the ink cartridge is low or gone, which would result in wasting paper and wasting resources within the printer 500.

[0105] In the above embodiments of the present application, the focus is on describing the differences between each embodiment, and to the extent that the different optimization features of each embodiment are not inconsistent, they can be combined to form a more preferred embodiment, and for the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0106] The above is only an embodiment of the present application, and is not used to limit the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various modifications and changes. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements, etc. made without departing from the spirit and principle of the present application should be included in the protection scope of the present application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0107] 100-control device, 110-chip, 111-signal transmitting terminal, 112-signal receiving terminal, 113-connecting terminal, 114, judgment module, 120-switching element, 121-switch contact, 122-conductive member, 123-first contact, 124-second contact, 130-inductive element, 210-floating member, 220-connecting member, 240-magnetic member, 500-Printer, 600 - casing, 610 - mounting plate, 620 - guide groove, 630 - guide post, 640 - pivot, 650 - cavity, 660 - restriction portion.

Claims

1. A control device (100) for controlling a printer (500), comprising a chip (110) and a control unit, the control unit and the chip (110) being electrically connected and / or communicatively connected, and the control unit being capable of controlling the operating state of the chip (110) and controlling the electrical connection and / or communication connection between the chip (110) and the printer (500).

2. The control device (100) of claim 1, characterized in that the control unit is an inductive element (130), the inductive element (130) is electrically and / or communicatively connected to the chip (110), the inductive element (130) can modify a voltage / current signal according to an external condition and transmit the voltage / current signal to the chip (110), and when the chip (110) determines that the voltage / current signal reaches a preset condition, the chip (110) enters a low ink operation mode, and further causes the chip (110) to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer (500), and the printer (500) stops printing.

3. The control unit is a switching element (120), When the switching element (120) is turned on, the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip (110) and the printer (500) can be interrupted, and the printer (500) will stop printing; Alternatively, turning off the switching element (120) can stop the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip (110) and the printer (500), causing the printer (500) to stop printing; Alternatively, turning the switching element (120) on or off can control the chip (110) to enter a low ink operating mode, further causing the chip (110) to discontinue electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer (500), and causing the printer (500) to stop printing.

4. The control device (100) described in claim 3, characterized in that the chip (110) includes at least two connection terminals, the switching element (120) is provided between the two connection terminals, the switching element (120) is capable of conducting or cutting off the electrical connection between the two connection terminals, and when the two connection terminals are cut off, the chip (110) is capable of establishing an electrical connection and / or a normal communication connection with the printer (500), and when the two connection terminals are conducted, the chip (110) is short-circuited and is capable of stopping the electrical connection and / or the normal communication connection with the printer (500).

5. The control device (100) of claim 3, characterized in that the switching element (120), the chip (110) and the printer (500) are connected in series, and the switching element (120) is provided between the chip (110) and the printer (500), and when the switching element (120) is turned on, the chip (110) can establish an electrical connection and / or a normal communication connection with the printer (500), and when the switching element (120) is turned off, the chip (110) is open and can stop the electrical connection and / or the normal communication connection with the printer (500).

6. The control device (100) of claim 2, characterized in that the chip (110) includes a judgment module (114), a signal transmitting terminal (111) and a signal receiving terminal (112), the inductive element (130) can change the voltage / current signals of the signal transmitting terminal (111) and the signal receiving terminal (112) according to external conditions, and when the judgment module (114) judges that the voltage / current signals reach a preset condition, the chip (110) enters an ink low operation mode, and the chip (110) stops electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer (500).

7. The control device (100) of claim 3, characterized in that the chip (110) includes a judgment module (114), a signal transmitting terminal (111) and a signal receiving terminal (112), the switching element (120) can make or break the electrical connection between the signal transmitting terminal (111) and the signal receiving terminal (112), and when the switching element (120) makes or breaks the electrical connection between the signal transmitting terminal (111) and the signal receiving terminal (112), the judgment module (114) judges that the chip (110) has entered a low ink operating mode, and the chip (110) stops the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer (500).

8. The chip (110) entering a low ink operating mode and the chip (110) ceasing electrical and / or normal communication connections with the printer (500) is at least Controlling any two connection terminals of the chip (110) to short-circuit, causing the chip (110) to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer (500); Controlling the chip (110) to cut off electrical connection between any of its connection terminals and the printer (500), causing the chip (110) to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer (500); Controlling the chip (110) to transmit low ink level data to the printer (500), and after receiving the low ink level data transmitted by the chip (110), the printer (500) cuts off an electrical connection and / or a normal communication connection with the chip (110); The control device (100) of claim 6 or 7, further comprising one of controlling the chip (110) to send erroneous ink cartridge information / data to the printer (500), causing the printer (500) to report a fault, and cutting off electrical and / or normal communication connections between the printer (500).

9. An ink low level detection mechanism, comprising a trigger element and a control device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, An ink low level detection mechanism, characterized in that the trigger element can move in response to changes in the amount of remaining ink, and when the amount of remaining ink decreases to a first default value, the trigger element can approach or abut the control unit and control the operating state of the control unit.

10. The ink low detection mechanism of claim 9, wherein the control unit is an inductive element (130), the trigger element can approach the inductive element (130), change the voltage / current signal of the inductive element (130), and transmit the voltage / current signal to the chip (110), and when the chip (110) determines that the voltage / current signal reaches a preset condition, the chip (110) enters a low ink operation mode, and further causes the chip (110) to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer (500), and the printer (500) stops printing.

11. 10. The ink low level detection mechanism of claim 9, wherein the control unit is a switching element (120), and when the remaining ink level decreases to a first default value, the trigger element can abut against the switching element (120) to trigger the switching element (120) to be turned on or off.

12. 12. The ink low level detection mechanism of claim 11, wherein the switching element (120) includes a switch contact (121) and a conductive member (122), the trigger element is a floating member (210), and when the ink level decreases to a first default value, the floating member (210) can press the conductive member (122) against the switch contact (121) to trigger the switching element (120) to be turned on.

13. 12. The ink low level detection mechanism of claim 11, wherein the switching element (120) includes a switch contact (121) and a conductive member (122), the trigger element includes a floating member (210) and a connecting member (220), the floating member (210) can move in response to a change in the remaining ink level, the floating member (210) can abut or connect to the connecting member (220), the floating member (210) moves the connecting member (220), and when the remaining ink level decreases to a first default value, the connecting member (220) can interrupt the conductive member (122) and the switch contact (121) to trigger the turning off of the switching element (120).

14. 12. The ink low level detection mechanism of claim 11, wherein the switching element (120) includes a first contact (123) and a second contact (124), the trigger element is a conductive floating member, and when the ink level decreases to a first default value, the conductive floating member can conduct the first contact (123) and the second contact (124) to trigger the switching element (120) to be turned on.

15. 12. The ink low level detection mechanism of claim 11, wherein the switching element (120) includes a first contact (123), a second contact (124) and a conductive member (122), the trigger element is a floating member (210), the floating member (210) can move according to a change in the remaining ink level, the floating member (210) can abut or connect to the conductive member (122), the floating member (210) moves the conductive member (122), and when the remaining ink level decreases to a first default value, the conductive member (122) can establish or interrupt conduction between the first contact (123) and the second contact (124) to trigger the switching element (120) to be turned on or off.

16. 10. The ink low level detection mechanism of claim 9, wherein the control unit is a switching element (120), and the switching element (120) is an inductive switching element, and when the ink level decreases to a first default value, the trigger element can move into an induction range of the switching element (120) to trigger the switching element (120) to be turned on or off.

17. The mechanism for detecting low ink level as described in claim 16, characterized in that the switching element (120) further includes a signal receiving unit and a controller, the signal receiving unit is used to receive a signal from the trigger element, and the controller is used to control the on or off of the switching element (120) based on the signal from the trigger element.

18. 17. The low ink detection mechanism of claim 16, wherein the switching element (120) is a Hall sensor switching element, a pressure sensor switching element or a position sensor switching element.

19. An ink cartridge comprising a casing (600) and the ink shortage detection mechanism according to any one of claims 9 to 18, The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the casing (600) is provided with a cavity (650) for containing ink, the trigger element is provided within the cavity (650), and the chip (110) is provided in the casing (600).

20. The ink cartridge of claim 19, characterized in that a limiting portion is provided within the casing (600), and when the remaining amount of ink is greater than a second default value, the limiting portion can limit the movement of the trigger element, and the second default value is greater than the first default value.

21. The trigger element is disposed within the cavity (650) and comprises at least A mounting plate (610) is provided in the casing (600), the mounting plate (610) is provided with a guide hole, the trigger element is a columnar trigger element, the trigger element extends into the guide hole and can be slidably fitted into the guide hole; A guide groove (620) is provided in the casing (600), and the trigger element is a block-shaped or spherical trigger element, the trigger element is provided in the guide groove (620) and can be slidably fitted into the inner wall of the guide groove (620); A guide post (630) is provided in the casing (600), the trigger element is a sheet-shaped trigger element, the trigger element is provided with an attachment hole, and the attachment hole can be slidably fitted into the guide post (630); 20. The ink cartridge of claim 19, wherein a pivot (640) is provided within the casing (600), the trigger element is a rod-shaped trigger element, the trigger element is provided with a hinge connection portion, and the hinge connection portion includes one of shapes that can be gap-fitted with the pivot (640).

22. A method for detecting a lack of ink remaining in an ink cartridge, the ink cartridge being the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 19 to 21, the control unit being an inductive element (130), The trigger element moves in response to a change in the amount of remaining ink, When the remaining ink level decreases to a first default value, the trigger element triggers a change in the voltage / current signal of the inductive element (130) and transmits the voltage / current signal to the chip (110); if the chip (110) determines that the voltage / current signal has reached a preset condition, the chip (110) enters an ink low level operating mode, and further causes the chip (110) to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer (500), and the printer (500) stops printing.

23. A method for detecting a shortage of ink remaining in an ink cartridge, the ink cartridge being the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 19 to 21, the control unit being a switching element (120), The trigger element moves in response to a change in the amount of remaining ink, When the remaining ink level decreases to a first default value, the trigger element triggers the switching element (120) to turn off or on, and the switching element (120) controls the operating state of the chip (110) to stop the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip (110) and the printer (500), and the printer (500) stops printing.

24. The switching element (120) controls the operating state of the chip (110) to stop the electrical connection and / or the normal communication connection between the chip (110) and the printer (500).

24. The method for detecting a low ink level in an ink cartridge according to claim 23, further comprising: turning on the switching element (120) to conduct two connection terminals of the chip (110) and put the chip (110) in a short-circuit state, thereby terminating the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip (110) and the printer (500); or turning off the switching element (120) to put the chip (110) in an open-circuit state, thereby terminating the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip (110) and the printer (500); or the chip (110) entering an ink low level operating mode, thereby terminating the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the chip (110) and the printer (500).

25. The chip (110) entering a low ink operating mode and terminating the electrical and / or normal communication connection between the chip (110) and the printer (500) includes at least: Controlling any two connection terminals of the chip (110) to short-circuit, causing the chip (110) to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer (500); Controlling the chip (110) to cut off electrical connection between any of its connection terminals and the printer (500), causing the chip (110) to stop electrical connection and / or normal communication connection with the printer (500); Controlling the chip (110) to transmit low ink level data to the printer (500), and after receiving the low ink level data transmitted by the chip (110), the printer (500) cuts off an electrical connection and / or a normal communication connection with the chip (110); The method for detecting a low ink level in an ink cartridge as described in claim 22 or 24, characterized in that it includes one of controlling the chip (110) to send incorrect ink cartridge information / data to the printer (500), causing the printer (500) to report a malfunction, and further cutting off the electrical connection and / or normal communication connection between the printer (500).

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