Ink cartridge and ink cartridge member

Abstract

An ink cartridge (10) that is detachably mounted on an image forming device having a frame body, the ink cartridge includes a case (101) that forms an ink cavity (101i), an ink discharge section (102) formed by protruding from the lower wall of the case, an air inlet (101i4) provided in the case, and an operating device (17) attached to the case, the ink discharge section facing the bottom plate (22) of the frame body is used to discharge ink to the outside, the air inlet is in communication with the atmosphere, and the operating device is used to insert the ink cartridge into the interior of the case. The ink cartridge includes a lock assembly (17c) for locking the ink cartridge to the ink cartridge receiving portion, and an unlock assembly, the unlock assembly including a force receiving part (17a) for receiving an external acting force, a force transmitting part (17b) for transmitting the acting force to the unlocking part, and an unlocking part (17g), and the external acting force causes at least one of the force receiving part, the force transmitting part, and the unlocking part to move in the z direction, and the unlocking part to move the lock assembly in the x direction, thereby releasing the lock on the ink cartridge. This ink cartridge can improve usability for users.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of inkjet image formation, and more particularly to an ink cartridge that is detachably mounted on an inkjet image forming device and an ink cartridge member including the ink cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] An ink cartridge is a container that can supply ink to inkjet image forming equipment (hereinafter referred to as "image forming equipment"). In the process of installing an ink cartridge in the image forming equipment, the ink discharge part of the ink cartridge must be accurately connected to the ink receiving part of the image forming equipment, and the ink in the ink cartridge is supplied to the image forming equipment via the ink discharge part and the ink receiving part.

[0003]

[0003] A conventional ink cartridge has connecting parts on both sides (first and second sides) of its length, which are used to connect the ink cartridge to the image forming equipment so that the ink cartridge is positioned on the image forming equipment. An ink discharge part is provided adjacent to one side (first side) of the length, and is rotatable around a rotation point adjacent to the second side when the ink cartridge is installed. Furthermore, the connecting part on the second side connects with the image forming equipment, and the ink discharge part connects with the ink receiving part. Obviously, a shorter stroke of the ink discharge part during the rotation of the ink cartridge is more advantageous in preventing the ink cartridge from shifting, allowing the ink discharge part to connect with the ink receiving part accurately, and allowing the connecting part on the second side to connect with the image forming equipment more quickly. Therefore, how to improve the user experience and increase the design flexibility of each part in the ink cartridge are also issues that need to be considered. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Therefore, in order to solve at least one of the above technical problems, the present invention provides an ink cartridge that employs the following technical means.

[0005] An ink cartridge that is detachably mounted to image forming equipment having a frame body, the frame body including a bottom plate having a through hole, side plates arranged around the bottom plate, and a limiting member movably mounted to one of the side plates, the limiting member including two limiting plates arranged opposite to each other in the y direction, the ink cartridge including a case that forms an ink cavity, an ink discharge portion formed by protruding from a lower wall of the case, an air inlet provided in the case, and an operating device attached to the case, the ink discharge portion faces the bottom plate and is used to discharge ink to the outside, the air inlet communicates with the atmosphere, the height direction of the ink cartridge is the z direction, the lower wall faces the -z direction of the ink cartridge, and the -z direction the direction opposite to the +z direction is the +z direction, the length direction of the ink cartridge is the x direction, the width direction of the ink cartridge is the y direction, and the x direction, y direction, and z direction intersect, the operating device includes a lock assembly for locking the ink cartridge in the ink cartridge accommodating part, and an unlocking assembly, the unlocking assembly includes a force receiving part for receiving an external acting force, a force transmitting part for transmitting the acting force to the unlocking part, and an unlocking part, and the external acting force causes at least one of the force receiving part, force transmitting part, and unlocking part to move in the z direction, and the unlocking part to move the locking assembly in the x direction to release the lock on the ink cartridge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1A] 2 is a diagram showing the ink cartridge assembly of the present invention and the ink cartridge receiving unit of the image forming equipment separated from each other; FIG. [Figure 1B] 3 is a perspective view of a first limiting element in the ink cartridge receiving section of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the ink cartridge storage section as viewed in the −z direction. [Figure 3A] 1 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge equipped with an operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 3B] 1 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge equipped with an operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is an exploded perspective view of an operating device and an ink cartridge case according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5A] 1 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge case according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5B] 1 is a perspective view of an unlocking assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 5C] 3B is a side view of an ink cartridge equipped with an operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention after being installed and coupled to an image forming apparatus, taken along the AA direction in FIG. 3A and viewed from the +x direction to the -x direction. [Figure 6] 10 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge equipped with an operating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge equipped with an operating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, taken along the line BB in FIG. 6 after the ink cartridge is installed in an image forming apparatus. [Figure 8] 7 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge equipped with an operating device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, taken along the CC direction in FIG. 6 after the ink cartridge is installed in an image forming apparatus. [Figure 9] 10 is an exploded perspective view of an ink cartridge equipped with an operating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge equipped with an operating device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 10 is an exploded schematic view of some components of an ink cartridge assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a protective part in an ink cartridge assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 10 is a plan view of the ink cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the -x direction after the ink cartridge member covers the protective part. FIG. [Figure 15A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an operating device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15B] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an operating device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 10 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge after the ink cartridge assembly according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention has concealed the protective component; FIG. [Figure 17] 11B is a perspective view taken along the direction indicated by EE in FIG. 11A. [Figure 18] 11B is a perspective view taken along the direction indicated by FF in FIG. 11A. [Figure 19] 10 is a perspective view of the ink cavity of an ink cartridge member according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 20] 11B is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge member according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention taken along the direction indicated by EE in FIG. 11A. [Figure 21] 10 is an exploded schematic view of some parts of an ink cartridge assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a protective part in an ink cartridge assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23A] 11B is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge member according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention taken along the direction indicated by FF in FIG. 11A. [Figure 23B] 11B is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge member according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention, taken along the direction indicated by FF in FIG. 11A after the ink cartridge has been attached to the ink cartridge accommodating portion. [Figure 24] 10 is an exploded schematic view of some parts of an ink cartridge in an ink cartridge assembly according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25A]11B is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge member according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention taken along the direction indicated by FF in FIG. 11A. [Figure 25B] 11B is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge member according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention, taken along the direction indicated by FF in FIG. 11A after the ink cartridge has been attached to the ink cartridge accommodating portion. [Figure 26] 10 is an exploded schematic view of some components of an ink cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] FIG. 13 is a side view of an ink cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the y direction. [Figure 28A] 11B is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge member according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention taken along the direction indicated by FF in FIG. 11A. [Figure 28B] 11B is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge member according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention, taken along the direction indicated by FF in FIG. 11A after the ink cartridge has been attached to the ink cartridge accommodating portion. [Figure 29] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 30] 13 is a side view of the ink cartridge according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention, viewed from the y direction. FIG. [Figure 31A] 13 is a schematic view of the cartridge of the ninth embodiment of the present invention when it is attached to the cartridge accommodating section, viewed from the y direction. FIG. [Figure 31B] 10 is a schematic diagram of an ink cartridge provided with a conventional guided protrusion, as viewed from the y direction when being attached toward an ink cartridge accommodating section. FIG. [Figure 32] 13 is an exploded schematic view of some components of an ink cartridge according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 33] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the mounting components of the ink cartridge according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 34] 11B is a perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention, taken along the direction indicated by FF in FIG. 11A before installation. [Figure 35A]11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the direction indicated by FF in FIG. 11A after the ink cartridge according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention has been locked in the image forming equipment. [Figure 35B] 11B is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention taken along the line FF in FIG. 11A after the ink cartridge has been unlocked. [Figure 36] 12 is an exploded schematic view of some components of an ink cartridge according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 37] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the mounting components of the ink cartridge according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 38] 11B is a cross-sectional view taken along the direction indicated by FF in FIG. 11A after the ink cartridge according to the eleventh embodiment of the present invention has been locked in the image forming equipment. [Figure 39] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge case according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention, with the cover and main body separated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] <Image forming equipment> The ink cartridge accommodating section 20 is provided in the image forming equipment and includes a frame body, a first limiting element 23 and a second limiting element 24 located on the frame body. The frame body includes a bottom plate 22 and side plates 21 arranged around the bottom plate. The frame body is surrounded by the side plates 21 and the bottom plate 22 to form an open ink cartridge accommodating space that can accommodate a plurality of ink cartridges. The ink cartridge accommodating space is divided into a plurality of limiting cavities 25 by a plurality of partition elements 26 provided at intervals. Each limiting cavity 25 is provided with an ink receiving portion 28 for receiving ink discharged from the ink cartridge 10. Each limiting cavity 25 has a dimension s1 along the width direction of the ink cartridge 10. The first limiting element 23 and the second limiting element 24 are respectively provided on two opposing side plates. The first limiting element 23 is a lever movably attached to one of the side plates, and the second limiting element 24 is a hole / groove provided in the other side plate.

[0008] The side plate 21 includes a first side plate 21a and a second side plate 21b arranged opposite each other, and a third side plate 21c and a fourth side plate 21d arranged opposite each other, wherein the first limiting component 23 is a rod movably attached to the first side plate 21a, the second limiting component 24 is a limiting hole / groove provided in the second side plate 21b, the second side plate 21b has an inner wall 21b1 facing the ink cartridge accommodating space, and the second limiting component 24 penetrates the inner wall 21b1 (described later) along the -x direction, and a guide surface 261 inclined toward the bottom plate 22 is provided on the side of the partition component 26 closer to the second side plate 21b, and the ink cartridge accommodating section 20 further includes a rib plate 27 provided within the ink cartridge accommodating space, the rib plate 27 being located on the frame body.

[0009] The lever 23 is rotatable around an axis 23c and includes a first part 23a and a second part 23b located on either side of the axis 23c, with a force receiving portion 231 on one side of the first part 23a that receives a force applied by the user and a positioning groove 232 and a biasing portion 233 on the other side of the first part 23a, and the second part 23b includes two limiting plates 23b1 arranged opposite each other in the y direction and a connecting plate 23b2 located between the two limiting plates, with the biasing portion 233 adjacent to the connecting plate 23b2.

[0010] A plurality of ink cartridges 10 form an ink cartridge assembly that can be accommodated in an ink cartridge accommodating section, and each ink cartridge 10 has the same general configuration. The bottom plate 22 is provided with a plurality of pairs of through holes 221 for allowing light rays to pass through, each pair of through holes 221 corresponding to one ink cartridge, and each pair of through holes 221 is closer to the first limiting part 23 than the second limiting part 24, and one of each pair of through holes 221 allows light rays to enter from the image forming equipment to the ink cartridges, and the other through hole 221 allows light rays to enter from the ink cartridges to the image forming equipment.

[0011] The through hole 221 has two opposite sides in the x direction and two opposite sides in the y direction, and the ink cartridge 10 may be arranged to be coupled to at least one of the two opposite sides in the x direction, or may be arranged to be coupled to at least one of the two opposite sides in the y direction. The specific configuration of the ink cartridge and the coupling method with the frame body will be described in detail in each of the following embodiments.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 2, the plurality of rib plates 27 are arranged along the y direction (described later), and the space between each pair of rib plates 27 corresponds to the position limiting cavity 25. Along the x direction, the rib plate 27 is located between the lever 23 and the through hole 221. During and after the ink cartridge 10 is installed, part of the ink cartridge 10 can enter the space between the two rib plates 27, and along the y direction, part of the ink cartridge 10 abuts against the rib plate 27.

[0013] In the following embodiment, the ink cartridge 10 has one end connected to the second limiting part 24 and the other end connected to the pair of through holes 221 to be locked into the ink cartridge accommodating section 20, and the following description will take one of these ink cartridges as an example.

[0014] <Ink cartridges> [Overall structure of ink cartridge] 3A and 3B are perspective views of an ink cartridge equipped with an operating device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] The ink cartridge 10 includes a case 101, a second connecting part 12, an ink discharge part 102, and a chip assembly 103. An ink cavity 101i for containing ink is formed inside the case 101. The second connecting part 12 is connected to the case 101 and to the second restricting part 24. The ink discharge part 102 protrudes from the case 101 and discharges the ink contained in the case 101 to the outside. The chip assembly 103 is attached to the case 101 and makes electrical contact with contact pins provided on the image forming equipment / frame to establish a communication connection between the ink cartridge and the image forming equipment.

[0016] To clarify the following description, the length direction of ink cartridge 10 is defined as the x direction, the width direction as the y direction, and the height direction as the z direction, based on the orientation in which ink cartridge 10 is attached. Case 101 has a first side wall (front wall) 101a and a second side wall (rear wall) 101b that are provided opposite each other along the x direction. Case 101 has a third side wall (upper wall) 101c and a fourth side wall (lower wall) 101d that are provided opposite each other along the z direction. Case 101 has a fifth side wall (left side wall) 101f and a sixth side wall 101g that are provided opposite each other along the y direction (as shown in FIG. 5C). The x direction, y direction, and z direction intersect with each other. Preferably, the x-direction, y-direction, and z-direction are perpendicular to each other, the ink cartridge 10 is mounted along the -z direction and removed along the +z direction, the second connecting part 12 protrudes from the second side wall 101b, and the ink ejection part 102 protrudes from the fourth side wall 101d and faces the bottom plate 22, and along the x-direction, the ink ejection part 102 is closer to the second connecting part 12 / second side wall 101b than to the first side wall 101a, and the outermost surfaces of the first side wall 101a to the sixth side wall 101g are not a single plane but are continuous surfaces that can change depending on the configuration of the ink cartridge, and the surfaces may face the front, rear, left, right, upward, and downward directions.

[0017] The direction from the second side wall 101b to the first side wall 101a is the +x direction / forward and conversely the -x direction / rearward, the direction from the sixth side wall to the fifth side wall 101f is the -y direction / rightward and conversely the +y direction / leftward, and the direction from the fourth side wall 101d to the third side wall 101c is the +z direction / upward and conversely the -z direction / downward, so that the second coupling part 12 protrudes in the -x direction and the ink ejection part 102 protrudes in the -z direction. Correspondingly, for the first limiting part 23, the first portion 23a is located in the +z direction / above of the second portion 23b, and the positioning groove 232 and the urging part 233 are both located in the +z direction / above of the axis 23c.

[0018] Furthermore, the ink cartridge 10 further includes a first connecting part 11 protruding forward from the first side wall 101a, and when the ink cartridge 10 is installed, the first connecting part 11 is connected to the first limiting part 23, thereby positioning the ink cartridge 10 in the y direction; specifically, the first connecting part 11 enters between the two limiting plates 23b1 and is restricted by abutting against the two limiting plates 23b1 along the y direction.

[0019] Preferably, the left side surface of the left wall 101f and the right side surface of the right wall 101g are both flat, and the dimension of the case 101 along the y direction is s2, i.e., the distance between the left side surface of the left wall 101f and the right side surface of the right wall 101g is s2, satisfying s1≧s2, so that the ink cartridge 10 can be smoothly installed in the position limiting cavity 25.

[0020] Furthermore, since the third sidewall 101c is longer than the fourth sidewall 101d along the +x direction and the second sidewall 101b is longer than the first sidewall 101a along the -z direction, a sidewall (seventh sidewall) 101e inclined in the +x and -z directions is formed at the intersection of the first sidewall 101a and the fourth sidewall 101d, at least a part of the chip assembly 103 is located on the seventh sidewall 101e, and a chip 104 having multiple contact portions is attached to the chip assembly 103, with at least the multiple contact portions located in a position facing the seventh sidewall 101e. Preferably, the chip assembly 103 further includes a positioning plate 105 facing the seventh side wall 101e, which can provide a wider fit for the chip 104, and at least the plurality of contact portions are located on the positioning plate 105, which may be an independent part of the case 101 or may be integrally formed with the case 101. If the positioning plate 105 is integrally formed with the case 101, depending on the design of the chip 104, the positioning plate 105 may be arranged to protrude from the surface of the case 101 / seventh side wall 101e, may be recessed from the surface of the case 101 / seventh side wall 101e, or may be part of the case 101 / seventh side wall 101e.

[0021] In some embodiments, along the x-direction, the lengths of the third sidewall 101c and the fourth sidewall 101d are approximately the same, and the case 101 may not have the seventh sidewall 101e, in which case the chip assembly 103 may be positioned at any position on the case 101 according to design needs.

[0022] As described above, when the ink cartridge 10 is attached to the ink cartridge receiving portion 20, the second connecting part 12 is connected to the second limiting part 24, so that the rear of the ink cartridge is limited in the z direction, and the first connecting part 11 is connected to the first limiting part 23, so that the left and right sides of the ink cartridge are limited in the y direction. Furthermore, the ink cartridge 10 further includes an operating device 17 that is connected to the pair of through holes 221. Specifically, the operating device 17 passes through the through holes 221 and abuts on the surface of the bottom plate 22 in the -z direction. Since the operating device 17 is connected to the case 101, the front of the ink cartridge is also limited in the x direction. Finally, the ink cartridge 10 is stably positioned in the ink cartridge accommodating section 20, and the pair of through holes 221 have a first side edge 221a, a second side edge 221b, a third side edge 221c, and a fourth side edge 221d (shown in Figure 5C) in the direction from +y to -y, in that order, the first side edge 221a and the second side edge 221b are arranged opposite each other in one of the through holes 221, and the third side edge 221c and the fourth side edge 221d are arranged opposite each other in the other through hole 221, and the operating device 17 engages with any one or two of the first side edge 221a, the second side edge 221b, the third side edge 221c, and the fourth side edge 221d.

[0023] [Operation device] The operating device 17 according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the operating device 17 is configured to be coupled to the case 101, regardless of whether the locking assembly 17c of the operating device 17 is integrally formed with the case 101.

[0024] Example 1 3A and 3B, the operating device 17 includes a lock assembly 17c that is coupled with the through-hole 221 to lock the ink cartridge 10, and an unlock assembly that unlocks the ink cartridge 10. At least a portion of the lock assembly 17c is formed as an engagement tool that protrudes downward from the lower side wall 101d and includes a resilient arm 17c1 and an engagement portion 17c2 provided on the resilient arm 17c1, and the engagement portion 17c2 has an engagement surface that faces the +z direction.

[0025] Preferably, the lock assembly 17c includes a pair of elastic arms 17c1 spaced apart in the y direction and an engagement portion 17c2 provided on each elastic arm 17c1, wherein a spacing space 17c3 is formed between the two elastic arms 17c1, and the two engagement portions 17c2 have the same configuration.

[0026] The elastic arm 17c1 only needs to be connected to the case 101, and there is no need to limit whether the two are integrated or not. If the elastic arm 17c1 and the case 101 are formed separately, the two can be connected using a spline fitting, shaft hole fitting, welding, adhesive, or other method.

[0027] (Unlock Assembly) The unlocking assembly includes a force receiving component 17a and a force transmitting component 17b coupled to each other, the force receiving component 17a receiving an external force and the force transmitting component 17b transmitting the force to the locking assembly 17c, thereby unlocking the ink cartridge 10 locked by the locking assembly 17c. In this embodiment, the force receiving component 17a is located above the upper wall 101c and is provided as a plate-like component that is rotatable about an axis relative to the case 101, and has an upper surface 171 facing upward and a lower surface 172 facing downward, with the lower surface 172 facing the upper wall 101c.

[0028] <Force receiving parts> The force receiving part 17a includes a force receiving portion 17a1, a connecting portion 17a2, and a rotating portion 17a3, and the force receiving portion 17a1 extends beyond the front wall 101a along the x direction, and correspondingly, the upper surface 171 and the lower surface 172 also extend beyond the front wall 101a, allowing the user to apply an acting force to the force receiving portion 17a1 when installing and removing the ink cartridge. As shown in the figure, the force receiving portion 17a1 has an upper force receiving surface 17ac and a lower force receiving surface 17ad arranged opposite each other in the z direction, and preferably, the upper force receiving surface 17ac is flush with the upper surface 171, and the lower force receiving surface 17ad is flush with the lower surface 172, and therefore the upper force receiving surface 17ac is considered to be part of the upper surface 171, and the lower force receiving surface 17ad is considered to be part of the lower surface 172.

[0029] During the process of installing the ink cartridge, the user applies downward pressure to the upper force-receiving surface 17ac, causing the lock assembly 17c to lock the ink cartridge 10; during the process of removing the ink cartridge, the user applies upward thrust to the lower force-receiving surface 17ad, causing the lock release assembly to unlock the lock assembly 17c. In this way, during the process of installing and removing the ink cartridge, none of the user's hands apply direct force to the case 101, which improves the integrity and design freedom of the case 101 and is also advantageous in preventing the user's hands from being contaminated by ink adhering to the case 101.

[0030] In this embodiment, the rotation axis L of the force-receiving part 17a is arranged parallel to the y-direction, so that during the unlocking process, the force-receiving part 17a moves in the z-direction and transmits the acting force to the force-transmitting part 17b via the coupling surface 17a5, causing the force-transmitting part 17b to also move in the z-direction, and further, as the force-transmitting part 17b moves, the lock assembly 17c is unlocked.

[0031] <Force transmission parts> The force transmission part 17b extends generally in the z direction and includes an intermediate part 17f which is a rod, and a coupled part 17e and an unlocking part 17g located at both ends of the intermediate part 17f, and the coupled part 17e is a groove provided at the end of the rod in the +z direction.

[0032] The unlocking part 17g includes an unlocking body 17g1 connected to the rod 17f and an unlocking hole 17g2 that penetrates the unlocking body 17g1 along the z direction. The elastic arm 17c1 is inserted into the unlocking hole 17g2, and the unlocking part 17g moves in the z direction along with the force transmitting part 17b. The unlocking body 17g1 moves the two elastic arms 17c1 toward or away from each other to unlock the ink cartridge 10, and the unlocking hole 17g2 moves in the y direction. Along the y direction, each unlock hole 17g2 has two action surfaces that are arranged opposite each other, and the two action surfaces that are located outermost in the y direction are first action surfaces 17g3, and the action surface that faces the first action surfaces 17g3 is second action surfaces 17g4. Therefore, of the two first action surfaces 17g3, one faces the -y direction and the other faces the +y direction, and similarly, of the two second action surfaces 17g4, one faces the -y direction and the other faces the +y direction.

[0033] (Locking and unlocking process) As described above, when the ink cartridge 10 is installed, the second connecting part 12 and the second limiting part 24 are first connected, and then the front of the ink cartridge 10 is pressed, for example, by the user pressing the upper force receiving surface 17ac or the upper surface 171, causing the entire ink cartridge 10 to rotate downward around the connection point between the second connecting part 12 and the second limiting part, causing the first connecting part 11 to enter between the two limiting plates 23c1 of the lever, and when the locking assembly 17c begins to contact the bottom plate 22, the elastic arm 17c1 elastically deforms in the y direction, and the engaging part 17c2 enters the through hole 221 until the engaging surface engages with the -z direction surface of the bottom plate, that is, the engaging part 17c2 moves from the first position / disengagement position to the second position / engagement position, completing the locking of the ink cartridge 10.

[0034] Furthermore, when the ink cartridge 10 is installed, the force receiving portion 17a is first lifted, then the second connecting part 12 is connected to the second limiting part 24, and then the upper force receiving surface 17ac or the upper surface 171 is pressed to rotate the entire ink cartridge around the connecting point between the second connecting part 12 and the second limiting part, and when the locking assembly 17c contacts the bottom plate 22, the elastic arm 17c1, due to its own plasticity, causes the engaging portion 17c2 to enter the through hole 221 until the engaging surface is connected to the -z direction surface of the bottom plate.

[0035] When it is necessary to remove the ink cartridge 10, the user applies an upward / +z direction acting force to the lower force receiving surface 17ad, and the force receiving part 17a begins to rotate / swing upward relative to the case 101 around the rotation axis L. The acting force is transmitted to the force transmitting part 17b by the connecting part 17a2 and the connected part 17e, which are connected to each other. Furthermore, the force transmitting part 17b also moves in the +z direction, and the unlocking body 17g1 begins to apply an acting force to the unlocking protrusion 17c4 along the y direction, and the elastic arm 17c1 is again elastically deformed in the y direction. When the ink cartridge 10 is installed, the direction in which the elastic arm 17c1 elastically deforms is opposite to the direction in which the elastic arm 17c1 elastically deforms, the engagement surface disengages from the -z direction surface of the bottom plate, and the engagement portion 17c2 disengages from the through-hole 221; that is, the engagement portion 17c2 moves from the second position / engagement position to the first position / disengagement position, and as the user lifts the front portion of the ink cartridge 10, the second connecting part 12 and the second regulating part 24 also disengage, and the ink cartridge 10 is unlocked.

[0036] As can be seen from the above description, during the installation and removal process of the ink cartridge 10, the lock assembly 17c / engagement portion 17c2 moves between the first position and the second position along the y direction, and therefore the lock assembly 17c engages with the image forming equipment / ink cartridge receiving portion 20 / bottom plate 22 in the y direction, thereby locking the ink cartridge 10. It can be understood that the rotation axis L of the force receiving part 17a should not be limited to a direction parallel to the y direction, but the rotation axis L may be installed parallel to the x direction, or the rotation axis L may intersect with the z direction. Preferably, the rotation axis L is located in the xy plane but is not parallel to the x and y directions, as long as the force receiving part 17a / force transmitting part 17b can move in the z direction.

[0037] Furthermore, when the engaging portion 17c2 is in the first position, the force receiving portion 17a1 may be located close to the upper wall 101c or far from the upper wall 101c. In the above embodiment, along the y direction, the connection position between connecting portion 17a2 and connectable portion 17e and force receiving portion 17a1 are located on the same side of rotation axis L, therefore the direction of movement of connectable portion 17e is the same as the direction of movement of force receiving portion 17a1, i.e., when force receiving portion 17a1 is pushed up by the user, connectable portion 17e also moves upward, and engaging portion 17c2 moves from the second position to the first position; along the y direction, when the connection position between connecting portion 17a2 and connectable portion 17e and force receiving portion 17a2 are located on both sides of rotation axis L, respectively, the direction of movement of connectable portion 17e is opposite to the direction of movement of force receiving portion 17a1, i.e., when force receiving portion 17a1 is pushed up by the user, connectable portion 17e moves downward, and engaging portion 17c2 moves from the first position to the second position.

[0038] The operating device 17 has the following beneficial effects:

[0039] (1) When the ink cartridge 10 is attached in the -z direction and the force-receiving component 17a is provided above the upper wall 101c, the user applies a pressing force or thrust to the force-receiving component 17a from a larger space.

[0040] (2) The force receiving component 17a and the force transmitting component 17b are arranged to be movable in the z-direction, and similarly, the force receiving component 17a and the force transmitting component 17b also have a larger movement space, so that the force receiving component 17a and the force transmitting component 17b have a greater degree of design freedom.

[0041] (3) Since the force-receiving part 17a is rotatable relative to the case 101 around the axis of rotation, the force-receiving portion 17a1 located in front of the front wall 101a can also function as a handle for the ink cartridge 10, and during the process of installing and removing the ink cartridge 10, the force-receiving portion 17a1 is used to receive the force applied by the user.

[0042] Example 2 In this embodiment, the lock assembly 17c is a metal fitting formed separately from the case 101, and as shown in FIG. 8, the lock assembly 17c comprises a base 17c0, an elastic arm 17c1 formed extending from the base 17c0, and an engagement portion 17c2 protruding from the elastic arm 17c1, and the elastic arm 17c1 is formed as a metal piece.

[0043] The ink cartridge in this embodiment further includes a detection component 18 that protrudes into the ink cavity 101i. The detection component 18 is used to detect the remaining amount of ink. Preferably, the detection component 18 is implemented as a prism. After the ink cartridge 10 is installed, the prism 18 faces the through-hole 221. In this manner, light emitted from a light-emitting component in the image forming equipment enters the prism 18 through one of the through-holes 221, and light emitted from inside the ink cartridge 10 is received by a light-receiving component in the image forming equipment through the other through-hole 221. For this reason, the engagement portion 17c2 is located closer to the front wall 101a than the prism 18 along the x-direction. In other words, the engagement portion 17c2 is located in front of the optical path / prism 18.

[0044] Example 3 In this embodiment, the unlocking assembly 17m is provided as a swinging part that can swing around an axis L17 parallel to the y direction, the case 101 includes a main case 101r and a mounting part 101m that are coupled to each other, the ink cavity 101i is located within the main case 101r, and the swinging part 17m is movably mounted within a movable cavity 10k between the main case 101r and the mounting part 101m, and along the x direction, the movable cavity 10k is disposed adjacent to the ink cavity 101i, specifically, the movable cavity 10k is located in the +x direction / forward of the ink cavity 101i, and during the assembling process of the ink cartridge 10, the swinging part 17m is attached first, and then the mounting part 101m is attached, thereby making it easier to assemble the ink cartridge 10, and in the operating device 17, at least a part of the unlocking assembly 17m is positioned in the movable cavity 10k and protected.

[0045] In some embodiments, the mounting part 101m may be omitted, and the swinging part 17m may be directly exposed to the outside, simplifying the overall structure of the ink cartridge.

[0046] The movable cavity 10k opens toward the +x direction / forward and the +z direction / upward, and therefore the oscillating part 17m is exposed from the front and above the movable cavity 10k, and at least a portion of the lock assembly 17c is still formed extending downward from the lower wall 101d of the case 101, and the lock assembly 17c of this embodiment can adopt the configuration of any of the above embodiments.

[0047] Along the x-direction, the sidewall located at the end of the mounting part 101m in the +x-direction is considered to be the first sidewall / front sidewall 101a of the case 101, and the first connecting part 11 protrudes from the first sidewall 101a towards the front / +x-direction; along the z-direction, the sidewall located above the contact part of the chip 104 / in the +z-direction and facing the +x-direction and -z-directions of the first connecting part 11 is considered to be the seventh sidewall / inclined sidewall 101e of the case 101; correspondingly, the sidewall 101a1 located at the end of the +x-direction of the main case 101r is considered to be the seventh sidewall / inclined sidewall 101e of the case 101. The side walls facing the +x and -z directions are considered to be sub-front walls 101a1 of the case 101, and the sub-front walls 101a1 face the front wall 101a and are located on the main case 101r. The side walls facing the +x and -z directions are considered to be sub-inclined side walls 101e1 of the case 101, and the sub-inclined side walls 101e1 face the inclined side walls 101e. The movable cavity 10k is located between the front wall 101a and the front wall 101a and between the sub-inclined side walls 101e and the inclined side walls 101e. The movable cavity 10k opens downward in the -z direction, and the oscillating part 17m protrudes from the opening. In some embodiments, the inclined side walls 101e may not necessarily be provided, and in this case, the movable cavity 10k is located between the sub-front wall 101a and the front wall 101a.

[0048] The oscillating part 17m includes the force receiving part 17a and the force transmitting part 17b, the force receiving part 17a receives an external force, and the force transmitting part 17b releases the locking of the ink cartridge 10 by the locking assembly 17c after receiving the force. As shown in FIG. 9, the force transmitting part 17b includes an intermediate part 17f and a coupled part 17e and an unlocking part 17g located at both ends of the intermediate part 17f. The coupled part 17e couples with the force receiving part 17a, and the unlocking part 17g interacts with the locking assembly 17c, thereby releasing the locking of the ink cartridge 10 by the locking assembly 17c.

[0049] Preferably, the force receiving part 17a and the force transmitting part 17b are formed integrally, which effectively simplifies the configuration of the oscillating part 17m, eliminates the assembly process between the coupled part 17e and the force receiving part 17a, and reduces the space occupied by the oscillating part 17m. The unlocking part 17g in the force transmitting part 17b may be formed integrally with the intermediate part 17f or may be formed separately.

[0050] The force receiving part 17a exposed from above can be pressed from above by the user to install the ink cartridge 10, and the force receiving part 17a exposed from the front can have a thrust applied from the front by the user, or can receive an acting force from the lever 23 to unlock the ink cartridge 10. Preferably, the force receiving part 17a extends beyond the front wall 101a, and the part of the force receiving part 17a that exceeds the front wall 101a is the force receiving portion 17a1, and it can be seen that the force receiving part 17a in this embodiment also has the function of the receiving part described in Example 1.

[0051] Furthermore, the ink cartridge 10 further includes an elastic component 17k for returning the oscillating component 17m to its original position. The elastic component 17k is provided between the main case 101r and the receiving component 17a and is intended to urge the receiving component 17a in the +x direction. This keeps the receiving component 17a above the front wall 101a, allowing the user to easily apply the force required to unlock the receiving component 17a. After the force applied to the receiving component 17a is released, the elastic component 17k can quickly return the oscillating component 17m to its original position.

[0052] Possibly, the lock assembly 17c may have only one resilient arm 17c1 and an engaging portion 17c2 protruding from the resilient arm 17c1.

[0053] As described above, when an acting force is applied to the oscillating element 17m, the force-receiving element 17a moves in the z direction, and the unlocking element 17g also moves in the z direction. Overall, the oscillating element 17m functions as a lever. According to the principle of the lever, as the rotation axis L17 moves closer to the force-receiving element 17a in the z direction, the oscillating element 17m functions as a third-order lever. However, when the force-receiving element 17a moves the same distance in the z direction, the unlocking element 17g can achieve a longer movement distance in the z direction. Therefore, the position of the rotation axis L17 can be adjusted according to the overall design needs of the ink cartridge 10.

[0054] The oscillating part 17m described in this embodiment can move in both the x and z directions, and compared to conventional technical solutions that are designed only for movement in the x direction, the space required for the oscillating part 17m in the x direction is smaller, which is advantageous for improving the capacity of the ink cavity 101i.

[0055] In some embodiments, the operating device is integrally formed, i.e., the unlocking assembly and the locking assembly 17c are integrally formed, and when the ink cartridge 10 needs to be removed, the unlocking assembly moves the entire ink cartridge upward and further unlocks the ink cartridge 10 by the locking assembly 17c.

[0056] As described above, at least a portion of the unlocking assembly is configured to be movable in the z-direction. This method not only makes full use of the space in the +z direction of the ink cartridge 10, allowing for greater freedom in the design of the unlocking assembly, but also reduces the space in the ink cavity 101i occupied by the unlocking assembly, improving the ink capacity of the ink cavity 101i. This design is advantageous for improving user convenience without changing the user's usage habits.

[0057] Generally, after a factory completes the production of an ink cartridge 10, it is necessary to attach a protective component to the ink cartridge 10 to prevent the ink cartridge 10 from being hit or pressed by the outside during transportation or packaging, thereby preventing the operating device 17 from being deformed or broken. The combination of the ink cartridge 10 and the protective component is called an ink cartridge component 100, and the ink cartridge component 100 will be described below. The ink cartridge 10 in the following embodiment may adopt the configuration of the above embodiment or the configuration of the following embodiment.

[0058] Example 4 (Case configuration) The main case 101r includes a body 101x and a face cover 101y, and the ink cavity 101i is located between the body 101x and the face cover 101y, with the upper part of the face cover 101y forming the upper side wall 101c. Furthermore, the main case 101r further includes a partition plate 101t provided in the ink cavity 101i, and the partition plate 101t divides the ink cavity 101i along the x direction into a sponge cavity 101i1 located in the -x direction / rear of the partition plate and an ink storage cavity 101i2 located in the +x direction / front of the partition plate, and along the z direction, the sponge cavity 101i1 and the ink discharge section 102 face each other and communicate with each other, and a sponge 108 as a negative pressure generating component is attached to the sponge cavity 101i1, and the sponge cavity 101i1 and the ink storage cavity 101i2 communicate with each other via communication ports 101t1 / 101t2 described below, and in this way, the ink in the ink storage cavity 101i2 is supplied to the sponge cavity 101i1.

[0059] In order to maintain a stable pressure inside the ink cartridge 10 during the operation of the image forming equipment, the main case 101r further includes an air guide assembly for communicating the ink cavity 101i with the atmosphere. Specifically, the air guide assembly includes an air inlet 101i4 (as shown in FIG. 16), an air guide cavity 101i3, a first air guide port 101c1, and a second air guide port 101c2. The air inlet 101i4 directly communicates with the atmosphere. Specifically, the air inlet 101i4 may be provided at any position on the main case 101r according to design needs. Preferably, the air inlet 101i4 is provided on the lower wall 101d, and the air inlet 101i4 is provided adjacent to the ink discharge portion 102 along the x direction. The air guide cavity 101i3 extends along the z direction, the first air guide port 101c1 connects the second air guide port 101c2 and the sponge cavity 101i1, and the air guide cavity 101i3 has one end connected to the air intake port 101i4 and the other end connected to the second air guide port 101c2. In this way, outside air enters the sponge cavity 101i1 through the air intake port 101i4, the air guide cavity 101i3, the second air guide port 101c2 and the first air guide port 101c1.

[0060] Preferably, a protrusion 101i5 is formed in the air guide cavity 101i3, and the air inlet 101i4 passes through the protrusion 101i5 in the z direction. Therefore, in the air guide cavity 101i3, the protrusion 101i5 makes the upper end (end in the +z direction) of the air inlet 101i4 higher than the bottom end of the air guide cavity 101i3. Even if ink enters the air guide cavity 101i3 from the first air guide port 101c1 and the second air guide port 101c2, this does not affect the entry of outside air into the air guide cavity 101i3 through the air inlet 101i4, and ink will not overflow from the air guide cavity 101i3 to the outside of the ink cartridge, polluting the environment.

[0061] Along the x direction, the air guide cavity 101i3 is located close to the partition plate 101t, and thus the partition plate 101t serves as a part of the air guide cavity 101i3, reducing the space occupied by the air guide cavity 101i3 and favoring the improvement of the ink capacity of the ink cavity 101i; alternatively, the air guide cavity 101i3 is not close to either the first sub-front wall 101a1 or the rear wall 101b, and correspondingly, along the x direction, the air inlet 101i4 has the same position as the air guide cavity 101i3; the beneficial effects of such a design will be described below.

[0062] The first air guide port 101c1 and the second air guide port 101c2 may be provided as through holes penetrating the upper wall 101c in the z direction, or as blind holes provided in the upper wall 101c, as long as the first air guide port 101c1 and the second air guide port 101c2 are fluidly connected, and when the first air guide port 101c1 and the second air guide port 101c2 are provided as through holes, the ink cartridge 10 further includes a sealing part 106 that covers the first air guide port 101c1 and the second air guide port 101c2. Furthermore, the face cover 101y further includes a pressing protrusion 101c3 that protrudes from the upper wall 101c toward the ink cavity. When the face cover 101y is attached, the pressing protrusion 101c3 presses the sponge 108, thereby forming an isolated space (as shown in Figures 17 and 18) between the sponge 108 and the first air guide port 101c1. The isolated space prevents air from smoothly entering the sponge 108 due to the close contact between the sponge 108 and the side of the upper wall 101c facing the ink cavity. The isolated space can also prevent capillary action from occurring, so that when the air pressure inside and outside the ink cavity 101i changes, the ink absorbed by the sponge 108 does not flow out from the first air guide port 101c1 or the gap between the face cover 101y and the main body 101x.

[0063] In order to replenish the ink in the ink storage cavity 101i2 into the sponge cavity 101i1, the partition plate 101t is further provided with a first communication port 101t1 and a second communication port 101t2, both of which are used to connect the sponge cavity 101i1 and the ink storage cavity 101i2, and along the z direction, the first communication port 101t1 is located in the +z direction / above the second communication port 101t2. When the image forming equipment is operating, the ink in the sponge cavity 101i1 is consumed first, and when the ink in the sponge cavity 101i1 is consumed until it is lower than the first communication port 101t1, the air that has entered the sponge 108 can enter the ink storage cavity 101i2 through the first communication port 101t1, so that gas-liquid exchange can occur between the sponge cavity 101i1 and the ink storage cavity 101i2. As can be understood from this, the first communication port 101t1 and the second communication port 101t2 may be integrated into a single communication port, and when the ink in the sponge cavity 101i1 drops to the uppermost end (end in the +z direction) of the communication port, gas-liquid exchange begins between the sponge cavity 101i1 and the ink storage cavity 101i2.

[0064] When the ink in the sponge cavity 101i1 is absorbed by the sponge 108 and the amount of ink in the sponge 108 reaches its maximum, i.e., when the sponge 108 is saturated, the surface tension of the ink creates a seal between the sponge 108 and the side walls (left side wall 101g, right side wall 101f, right side wall 101b and partition plate 101t) that form the sponge cavity. As a result, the air that has entered the sponge cavity 101i1 or is located within the sponge cavity 101i1 cannot enter the ink storage cavity 101i2 through the first communication port 101t1. Ultimately, the ink supply to the image forming equipment from the ink cartridge 10 may not be fast enough, resulting in a "disconnection" phenomenon.

[0065] 20, a gap forming portion 101t3 is further provided on the surface 101t0 of the partition plate 101t facing the sponge cavity 101i1, and the gap forming portion 101t3 prevents the saturated sponge 108 from coming into close contact with the partition plate 101t, thereby allowing air in the sponge 108 to enter the ink storage cavity 101i2 through the first communication port 101t1. Specifically, the gap forming portion 101t3 is a recessed groove or a protrusion provided on the partition plate 101t, and it is sufficient if it can form a gap between the sponge 108 and the surface 101t0.

[0066] Preferably, the gap-forming portion 101t3 communicates with the first communication port 101t1, so that air in the sponge 108 can directly enter the first communication port 101t1 through the gap formed by the gap-forming portion 101t3. It can be understood that if the gap-forming portion 101t3 is the protrusion, the space between the protrusion and the surface 101t0, based on the highest point of the protrusion (i.e., the point farthest from the partition plate 101t), forms a recessed groove through which air can flow. More preferably, the gap-forming portion 101t3 extends beyond the sponge adjacent to the partition plate 101t, so that air entering the sponge cavity 101i1 can directly enter the first communication port 101t1 through the gap formed by the gap-forming portion 101t3. It can be understood that the gap-forming portion 101t3 may be provided on other side walls forming the sponge cavity 101i1.

[0067] To enable the ink cartridge 10 to return to its original position after the operating device 17 has completed the unlocking, the ink cartridge 10 further includes a return part coupled to the lock assembly or the unlocking assembly, for example, an elastic part provided between the unlocking assembly and the first sub-front wall 101a1, or an elastic part provided between the unlocking assembly and the front wall 101a. This embodiment further provides a resetting component to reduce the number of components of the ink cartridge 10. As shown in FIG. 12, the unlocking assembly further includes a cantilever / elastic component 17p (one embodiment of a resetting component for resetting the operating device 17) integrally formed with the intermediate portion 17f. The cantilever 17p serves as a resetting component, with one end connected to the intermediate portion 17f and the other end floating. When the unlocking assembly rotates around the rotation axis L17 to perform an unlocking operation, the cantilever 17p abuts against the mounting component 101m or the seventh side wall 101e and elastically deforms. When the force-receiving component 17a no longer receives the force, the cantilever 17p releases its elastic force to reset the unlocking assembly. In some embodiments, the cantilever 17p may be connected to other components of the unlocking assembly, for example, the cantilever 17p is connected to the force-receiving component 17a or the cantilever 17p is connected to the unlocking component 17g.

[0068] [Protection parts] The ink cartridge member 100 includes an ink cartridge 10 and a protective part 19 that are detachably coupled to each other. The protective part 19 includes a protective body 19a and a sealing assembly 19b that are coupled to each other. The sealing assembly 19b is carried on the protective body 19a and connected to a first protective part 191 described below. When the protective part 19 is coupled to the case 101, the sealing assembly 19b is used to seal at least the ink discharge part 102. If an air inlet 101i4 is provided adjacent to the ink discharge part 102, the sealing assembly 19b is also used to seal the air inlet 101i4. In this way, when a user opens the protective part 19, the ink discharge part 102 and the air inlet 101i4 can be opened simultaneously, preventing the ink cartridge from being unable to supply ink if the user does not open the air inlet 101i4. As shown in the figure, the sealing assembly 19b is made of an elastic material, for example, elastic rubber, silicone rubber, or other elastic material, and includes an ink discharge part sealing part 193 for sealing the ink discharge part 102 and an air inlet sealing part 194 for sealing the air inlet 101i4, and preferably, the sealing assembly 19b is formed as a single unit.

[0069] In some embodiments, the protective part 19 further includes a retaining assembly 196 provided on the first protective part 191, which limits / protects the locking assembly 17c at least in the y direction and prevents the locking assembly 17c from being elastically deformed or broken due to a collision during transportation of the ink cartridge member 100; specifically, the retaining assembly 196 abuts against the elastic arm 17c1 and / or the engagement portion 17c2 of the locking assembly 17c in the y direction.

[0070] As can be seen from this, the retaining assembly 196 may be considered a type of protective component, and when the retaining assembly 196 is installed so as not to expose the lock assembly 17c / engagement portion 17c2 in the z direction, the retaining assembly 196 further restricts / protects the lock assembly 17c in the z direction, and when the retaining assembly 196 is installed so as to expose the lock assembly 17c / engagement portion 17c2 in the z direction, the elastic arm 17c1 / engagement portion 17c2 does not exceed the protective body bottom surface 19a1 / first protective component bottom surface 1911 (as shown in FIG. 8) along the z direction, so that the engagement portion 17c2 can be protected by the retaining assembly 196, and the protective body bottom surface 19a1 / first protective component bottom surface 1911 is the bottom surface of the protective component 19.

[0071] The holding assembly 196 includes a first holding portion 1961, which enters the partition space 17c3 and abuts against the elastic arms 17c1 to prevent the two elastic arms 17c1 from approaching each other and being deformed.

[0072] [Other explanations] Conventional ink cartridges also have protective components, and the conventional protective components can also seal the ink outlet and the air inlet simultaneously. However, the air inlet is located in the -x direction of the ink outlet, and the conventional protective component is coupled to the second coupling component 12, which is also located in the -x direction of the ink outlet. Therefore, along the x direction, the conventional air inlet is located between the second coupling component 12 and the ink outlet. When a user installs the protective component, the air inlet is sealed before the protective component is coupled to the second coupling component 12. During the coupling process between the protective component and the second coupling component 12, which occurs after the air inlet is sealed, the sealing of the air inlet is susceptible to the force applied to the protective component by the user, and there is a possibility that the sealing of the air inlet will fail or the sealing results will not meet the specified requirements.

[0073] As described above, in this embodiment, along the x direction, the air guide cavity 101i3 and the air inlet 101i4 communicating with the air guide cavity 101i3 are not adjacent to either the front wall 101a or the rear wall 101b, but are located between the sponge cavity 101i1 and the ink storage cavity 101i2, and preferably, the air inlet 101i4 is located in the +x direction / forward of the ink discharge portion 102.

[0074] Example 5 In the above embodiment, when the ink cartridge 10 is attached to the image forming equipment, the user applies a thrust force in the +z direction to the lower surface 172 of the force-receiving part, thereby rotating the unlocking assembly around the rotation axis L17, causing the force-receiving part 17a to move upward, and at the same time, the unlocking assembly 17g to move downward to unlock the locking assembly 17c.

[0075] As the force-receiving part 17a moves upward, the force-receiving part 17a or the middle part 17f gradually approaches the upper wall 101c. To avoid interference between the force-receiving part 17a or the middle part 17f and the upper wall 101c, in this modified embodiment, the coupled part 17e between the force-receiving part 17a and the middle part 17f is formed in an arc shape, and there is a gap t between the coupled part 17e and the upper wall 101c along the x direction.

[0076] When viewed from the perspective shown in Figure 8, the coupled portion 17e is formed as an arc-shaped convex portion protruding toward the +z direction and the -x direction, and in some embodiments, the coupled portion 17e may be provided as an arc-shaped concave portion recessed toward the -z direction and the +x direction, and such a design is advantageous in preventing interference between the unlocking assembly and the upper wall 101c when the force-receiving part 17a moves upward.

[0077] Example 6 In this embodiment, the case 101 still includes a main case 101r and a mounting part 101m coupled to each other, a movable cavity 10k is formed between the main case 101r and the mounting part 101m, at least a portion of the operating device 17 is located within the movable cavity 10k, and the operating device 17 is installed to be coupled with the through-hole 221 of the image forming equipment along the x-direction.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 21 , in some embodiments where the engagement portion 17c2 of the locking assembly 17c extends from the resilient arm 17c1 along the -x direction, the first coupling part 11 is positioned such that it abuts against the two limiting plates 23b1 in the y direction before the locking assembly 17c / engagement portion 17c2 engages with the through-hole 221 during the installation of the ink cartridge 10. This allows the first coupling part 11 to serve as a predetermined positioning element for the ink cartridge 10. During the subsequent installation of the ink cartridge 10, the first coupling part 11 abuts against and is guided by the two limiting plates 23b1, thereby accurately controlling the movement trajectory of the engagement portion 17c2 and preventing breakage due to misalignment of the engagement portion 17c2 with the through-hole 221.

[0079] In some embodiments, during the installation of the ink cartridge 10, the first coupling part 11 further contacts the connecting plate 23b2 along the x direction, and therefore the lever 23 rotates along the direction indicated by M in FIG. 23B, with the first part 23a rotating toward the -x direction and the second part 23b rotating toward the +x direction. When the ink cartridge 10 and the ink cartridge accommodating part 20 are completely coupled together, the engaging part 17c2 is coupled to the surface of the bottom plate 22 in the -z direction along the x direction, and the lever 23 is then rotated along the direction indicated by M in FIG. 11 and presses the first connecting part 11 downward / -z direction, the lower surface 172 of the receiving part faces the lever top surface 23d, and the ink cartridge 10 is stably attached to the ink cartridge accommodating part 20, preferably along the z direction, the lower surface 172 of the receiving part abuts against the lever top surface 23d, so that the ink cartridge 10 is not only stably accommodated in the ink cartridge accommodating part 20, but also the receiving part 17 can receive the thrust of the lever 23 more quickly when the ink cartridge 10 needs to be removed.

[0080] When it is necessary to remove the ink cartridge 10, the user continues to push the first part 23a along the direction indicated by M, and the first part 23a further applies a thrust to the lower surface 172 of the force-receiving part, causing the operating device 17 to rotate counterclockwise in Figure 36B around the rotation axis 17b1, causing the engagement part 17c2 to disengage from its engagement with the -z direction surface of the bottom plate 22, and causing the ink cartridge 10 to disengage from its engagement with the ink cartridge accommodating section 20.

[0081] In some embodiments, the force receiving part 17a extends beyond the first restricting part 23 along the x direction, and as shown in FIG. 23B, when the user removes the ink cartridge 10, a thrust force in the +z direction can be directly applied to the force receiving part 17a, causing the operating device 17 to rotate counterclockwise in the figure, thereby unlocking the ink cartridge 10.

[0082] In some embodiments, the cantilever 17p is provided with an abutment protrusion 17p1. Specifically, the abutment protrusion 17p1 protrudes toward the seventh side wall 101e. When the operating device 17 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 23B , the abutment protrusion 17p1 abuts against the seventh side wall 101e, elastically deforming the cantilever 17p. When the user stops pressing the first portion 23a, the cantilever 17p releases its elastic force, and the operating device 17 returns to its original position. The provision of the abutment protrusion 17p1 reduces the contact area between the cantilever 17p and the seventh side wall 101e, thereby concentrating the stress on the cantilever 17p and allowing the cantilever 17p to generate a larger elastic force, thereby allowing the operating device 17 to return to its original position more easily.

[0083] Example 7 The engaging portion 17c2 in this embodiment remains coupled with the through-hole 221 in the x direction, but compared to the sixth embodiment, the engaging portion 17c2 in this embodiment extends from the elastic arm 17c1 in the +x direction.

[0084] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the part for returning the operating device 17 is an elastic part 17k (another embodiment of a returning part for returning the operating device 17) connected to the operating device 17, and the elastic part 17k is used to bias at least a part of the operating device 17 in the +x direction. For example, the elastic part 17k is a compression spring / rubber or the like provided between the main case 101r and the operating device 17, or the elastic part 17k is a tension spring or the like provided between the operating device 17 and the mounting part 101m.

[0085] In this embodiment, no opening is formed along the z direction at the location where the first protective part 191 and the engaging part 17c2 face each other, thereby protecting the elastic arm 17c1 / engaging part 17c2 from being exposed in the -z direction from the first protective part 191.

[0086] As shown in FIG. 25B, when the ink cartridge 10 is attached to the ink cartridge holding portion 20, the engaging portion 17c2 is coupled to the surface of the through-hole 221 in the -z direction, and the lever top surface 23d faces the lower surface 172 of the force-receiving component along the z direction. The lever 23 presses the first connecting component 11 in the -z direction, and the first connecting component 11 abuts against the two limiting plates 23b1 in the y direction. Therefore, the ink cartridge 10 can be stably attached to the ink cartridge holding portion 20. In this embodiment, the operating device 17 / Lock assembly 17c is arranged to be movable along the x direction, and preferably, the movement direction of operating device 17 / lock assembly 17c is parallel to the x direction. As shown in FIG. 24, case 101 is provided with an elongated hole 10p that can be coupled to rotation shaft 17b1, and when operating device 17 is subjected to an acting force in the x direction, rotation shaft 17b1 is guided by elongated hole 10p to control the movement trajectory of operating device 17. Preferably, the positions of elongated hole 10p and rotation shaft 17b1 are interchangeable, and rotation shaft 17b1 is referred to as the moving part, and elongated hole 10p is referred to as the movement-limiting part.

[0087] In this embodiment, the force receiving component 17a may extend beyond the first restricting component 23, and the ink cartridge 10 can be unlocked by directly applying a thrust in the -x direction to the force receiving component 17a.

[0088] As shown in Figure 24, the ink cartridge 10 in this embodiment further includes a guide part 101p provided on the mounting part 101m, and the guide part 101p is formed to protrude from the mounting part 101m. During the installation process of the ink cartridge 10, the guide part 101p abuts against the rib plate 27 along the y direction, guiding the ink cartridge 10 and determining its movement trajectory, so that the engagement part 17c2 will not be unable to align with the through hole 221 and will not be broken. Preferably, the two guide parts 101p are plate-shaped and are distributed at intervals along the y direction, and as the ink cartridge 10 is installed, each guide part 101p abuts against one rib plate 27 in the y direction.

[0089] As described above, when the first connecting part 11 is provided, during the installation process of the ink cartridge 10, the first connecting part 11 comes into contact with the limiting plate 23b1 in the y direction earlier than the engagement portion 17c2 engages with the through hole 221. In other words, the first connecting part 11 is guided by the limiting plate 23b1, thereby guiding the engagement portion 17c2, and furthermore, the engagement portion 17c2 is accurately engaged with the through hole 221.

[0090] Similarly, when guide component 101p is provided, during the installation process of ink cartridge 10, contact between guide component 101p and rib plate 27 in the y direction occurs earlier than engagement between engagement portion 17c2 and through hole 221. In other words, guide component 101p is guided by rib plate 27, thereby guiding engagement portion 17c2 and enabling accurate engagement of engagement portion 17c2 with through hole 221. As can be seen from this, providing at least one of first connecting component 11 and guide component 101p can achieve accurate guidance of engagement between engagement portion 17c2 and through hole 221. Therefore, guide component 101p may be considered a type of connecting component, and first connecting component 11 and guide component 101p may be collectively referred to as an installation guide mechanism for ink cartridge 10.

[0091] In some embodiments, the guide part 101p and the first connecting part 11 may be installed simultaneously, and during the installation process of the ink cartridge 10, whether the guide part 101p first contacts the rib plate 27 in the y direction or the first connecting part 11 first contacts the limiting plate 23b1 in the y direction, the shaking of the ink cartridge 10 in the y direction can be effectively suppressed and accurate connection between the engagement part 17c2 and the through hole 221 can be ensured.

[0092] Example 8 In this embodiment, the engagement portion 17c2 of the lock assembly 17c is formed to protrude from the elastic arm 17c1 in the +x direction, and the lock assembly 17c is configured to move in the x direction. As shown in FIG. 26, an elastic part 17k serving as a return part is provided between the main case 101r and the operating device 17, and further, an elastic part 17k is provided between the main case 101r and the lock assembly 17c.

[0093] As shown in FIG. 27, after the ink cartridge 10 is assembled, a movable gap s is formed between the first buckle 17c71 and the second buckle 101m2 along the x direction.

[0094] As shown in Figure 28B, when the ink cartridge 10 is attached to the ink cartridge storage section 20, the elastic force of the elastic part 17k keeps the engagement part 17c2 attached to the -z direction surface of the through hole 221, and along the z direction, the top surface 23d of the lever faces the bottom surface 172 of the force receiving part, and the first connecting part 11 abuts against the two limiting plates 23b1 in the y direction. Preferably, the lever presses the first connecting part 11 in the -z direction, so that the ink cartridge 10 is stably attached to the ink cartridge storage section 20.

[0095] 27 or 28A, the force receiving part 17a and the force transmitting part 17b rotate counterclockwise around the axis L17, and a force conversion mechanism is installed in the force transmitting part 17b or between the force transmitting part 17b and the lock assembly 17c, whereby the direction of the thrust applied by the user is converted into the -x direction, and the lock assembly 17c slides in the -x direction to compress the elastic part 17k, and finally the engagement part 17c2 disengages from the through hole 221, thereby unlocking the ink cartridge 10.

[0096] As in the above embodiment, the force receiving part 17a in this embodiment may extend beyond the first limiting part 23; in this way, when the user applies force directly to the force receiving part 17a, there is no need to be limited by the rotation angle of the lever 23; therefore, even if the rotation angle of the lever 23 is small, the ink cartridge 10 can be smoothly unlocked.

[0097] In the present invention, at least the lock assembly 17c is installed to slide along the x direction, and compared to a method in which the lock assembly 17c rotates around the axis L17 together with the force transmission part 17b, the slidingly installed lock assembly 17c can more stably connect the ink cartridge 10 and the ink cartridge receiving part 20.

[0098] Regardless of whether the lock assembly 17c and the force transmission part 17b are formed integrally, if the engagement part 17c is arranged to protrude from the elastic part 17c1 in the -x direction and the lock assembly 17c is rotatable around the axis L17 together with the force transmission part 17b, after the ink cartridge 10 is attached to the ink cartridge accommodating part 20, the contact pin abuts against the chip 104 and applies a thrust force to the chip 104 that moves the contact pin away from the contact pin, and the thrust force tends to rotate the ink cartridge 10 in the direction indicated by M in Figure 23B, and correspondingly, the engagement part 17c2 also tends to disengage from its engagement with the -z direction surface of the through hole 221.

[0099] When the lock assembly 17c is installed to slide in the x direction, even if the ink cartridge 10 has a tendency to rotate in the direction indicated by M in FIG. 23B, the lock assembly 17c is not affected by the force transmission component 17b, and therefore the lock assembly 17c continues to maintain a stable coupling with the -z direction surface of the through hole 221.

[0100] Example 9 Based on the ink cartridge 10 having the configuration described in the above embodiment, in this embodiment, a configuration for smoothly attaching the ink cartridge 10 will be further described.

[0101] As shown in Figure 29, the ink discharge portion 102 protrudes from the case 101 in the -z direction. Specifically, the ink discharge portion 102 protrudes downward from the lower wall 101d and includes an extension 1021 connected to the case 101 and an ink discharge port 1022 provided in the extension 1021. Ink is discharged to the outside through the ink discharge port 1022. A plane passing through the center line LM of the ink discharge port 1022 and perpendicular to the y direction is set as a reference plane. The extension 1021 has a first surface 1023 facing the +y direction. The terminal surface / right surface 101g1 of the right side wall 101g is farther from the reference plane than the first surface 1023.

[0102] Furthermore, the right side wall 101g further has a second surface 101g2 that is closer to the reference plane than the right surface 101g1, and the second surface 101g2 is flush with the first surface 1023. The ink cartridge 10 further includes a guided portion 101w protruding in the +y direction from the second surface 101g2, and along the y direction, the guided portion 101w is located between the right surface 101g1 and the first surface 1023, and along the z direction, the guided portion 101w extends without exceeding the lower wall 101d or the extension 1021, and as shown in Figure 30, the -z direction end of the guided portion 101w does not coincide with the -z direction end of the lower wall 101d and / or the extension 1021, and a portion of the second surface 101g2 is located between the -z direction end of the guided portion 101w and the lower wall 101d, and a portion of the first surface 1023 is located between the -z direction end of the guided portion 101w and the -z direction end of the extension 1021.

[0103] In some embodiments, along the y direction, the surface of the extension body 1021 facing the first surface 1023 is flush with the left side surface of the left side wall 101f, and the guided portion 101w is provided only on the +y direction side / right side of the ink cartridge 10.

[0104] When the user installs the ink cartridge 10 in the ink cartridge accommodating section 20 at the angle shown in Figure 31A, the guided portion 101w faces the partition part 26 along the y direction, and at this time, the -x direction end of the ink cartridge 10 is restricted in the y direction by the partition part 26, possible shaking of the ink cartridge 10 is suppressed, the first connecting part 11 can accurately enter between the two limiting plates 23b1 and / or the guide part 101p can accurately enter between the two rib plates 27, and finally, the engaging part 17c2 can be accurately aligned with the through hole 221 to achieve coupling with the -z direction surface of the through hole, effectively reducing the risk of damage caused by the elastic arm 17c1 / engaging part 17c2 not being aligned with the through hole 221.

[0105] Furthermore, a guided surface inclined relative to the reference plane is provided in the -z direction of the guided portion 101w, and as shown in Figure 30, straight lines d1 and d2 parallel to the z direction are created through the +x direction end and -x direction end of the extension 1021, respectively, and an ink discharge area Q is formed between the straight lines d1 and d2, and preferably the guided surface extends at least to the ink discharge area Q.

[0106] Along the x direction, the guided surfaces include a first guided surface 101w1 and a second guided surface 101w2 located in the ink discharge area Q, and the first guided surface 101w1 is located in the +x direction of the second guided surface 101w2. Preferably, the inclination angle of the first guided surface 101w1 with respect to the reference plane is greater than the inclination angle of the second guided surface 101w2 with respect to the reference plane.

[0107] When the ink cartridge 10 is installed in the ink cartridge receiving portion 20, the guided surface serves to guide the ink cartridge 10 toward the corresponding limiting cavity 25, preventing the guided portion 101w from interfering with the partitioning component 26 and affecting the installation of the ink cartridge 10. As shown in FIG. 31A , the second guided surface 101w2 first contacts the partitioning component 26 in the y direction to guide the ink cartridge 10. When the inclination angle of the second guided surface 101w2 is set smaller than the inclination angle of the first guided surface 101w1, the ink cartridge 10 is smoothly guided into the corresponding position limiting cavity 25, the ink discharge portion 102 can be accurately coupled with the ink receiving portion 28, and the engagement portion 17c2 can be aligned with the through-hole 221.

[0108] Furthermore, the guided surface further includes a third guided surface 101w3 located in the -x direction of the ink discharge area Q, and when the ink cartridge 10 is installed in an orientation where the inclination angle with respect to the +x direction is greater than the inclination angle shown in Figure 31A (as shown in Figure 31B), the third guided surface 101w3 can also serve to guide the ink cartridge 10 toward the corresponding position limiting cavity 25.

[0109] As shown in FIG. 29, the guided portion 101w further has a third surface 101g3 facing the +y direction, and the third surface 101g3 is located between the right-side surface 101g1 and the second surface 101g2 along the y direction. The ink cartridge 10 further includes a guided protrusion 109 provided on the third surface 101g3. Therefore, the guided protrusion 109 is located in the +y direction of the guided portion 101w. The guided protrusion 109 may be connected to either the second surface 101g2 or the third surface 101g3, and may be formed to extend downward / in the -z direction from a step formed between the right-side surface 101g1 and the third surface 101g3. Overall, at the angle shown in FIG. 30, Compared to when the guided protrusion 109 is located on the -x-direction side of the ink discharge area Q, the guided protrusion 109 in this embodiment is located in the ink discharge area Q, and the displacement reached when the second engaging part 12 is coupled to the second regulating part 24 and the displacement reached when the ink discharge portion 102 is coupled to the ink receiving portion 28 can both be reduced, thereby ensuring that the ink cartridge 10 is installed accurately and improving the installation speed of the ink cartridge 10. Along the x-direction, the guided protrusion 109 is located on the -x-direction side of LM, or in the ink discharge area Q, the guided protrusion 109 is located closer to the second coupling part 12.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 31A , during the installation process of the ink cartridge 10, the guided protrusion 109 abuts against the partition part 26 in the z direction, and at this time, the ink cartridge 10 is supported by the partition part 26 and positioned in the z direction. Accordingly, the second connecting part 12 and the ink discharge part 102 are also positioned in the z direction. The distance in the z direction between the second connecting part 12 and the second limiting part 24 is determined along the z direction. The distance in the z direction between the second connecting part 12 and the second limiting part 24 is h1, and the distance in the z direction between the ink discharge part 102 and the ink receiving part 28 is h2. When the guided protrusion 109 is provided on the −x direction side of the ink discharge area Q, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 1B, when the guided protrusion 109 abuts against the partition part 26 in the z direction, the second connecting part 12 and the ink discharge part 102 are also positioned in the z direction, but the distance h1' between the second connecting part 12 and the second limiting part 24 and the distance h2' between the ink discharge part 102 and the ink receiving part 28 are greater than h1 and h2, respectively. Thus, in the ink cartridge 10 of this embodiment, the displacement of the second connecting part 12 and the ink discharge part 102 in the z direction is reduced during the installation process, allowing the second connecting part 24 to connect with the second limiting part 24 more quickly, and the ink discharge part 102 to connect with the ink receiving part 28 more quickly and more accurately.

[0111] When the user applies a force in the -z direction to the +x side of the ink cartridge 10, the entire ink cartridge 10 rotates counterclockwise around the contact point between the guided protrusion 109 and the guide surface 261 as a fulcrum, and the third surface 101g3 begins to contact the partition member 26 in the y direction. At this time, the position of at least the ink discharge portion 102 in the ink cartridge 10 is limited in the y direction, and the movement trajectory of the ink cartridge 10 becomes more accurate. When the first connecting member 11 contacts the two limiting plates 23b1 in the y direction, the ink cartridge 10 is basically positioned in the y direction, and the ink cartridge 10 moves forward along the x direction. The first connecting part 11 is positioned by abutment between the two limiting plates 23b1, and at the rear, it is positioned by abutment between the third surface 101g3 and the partition part 26. At the same time, the second connecting part 12 gradually moves toward the +z direction / upward and is connected to the second limiting part 24, avoiding the ink cartridge 10 from being unable to be installed due to abutment with the inner wall 21b1. Finally, the ink cartridge 10 is accurately installed in the position limiting cavity 25, the ink discharge part 102 is accurately connected to the ink receiving part 28, the engaging part 17c2 accurately enters the through hole 221, and further, the engaging part 17c2 is connected to the -z direction surface of the through hole 221.

[0112] In some other embodiments, the guided portion 101w may be provided on the -y side / left side of the ink cartridge 10, similarly serving to guide the ink cartridge 10 and prevent the engaging portion 17c2 from being broken during the installation process of the ink cartridge 10. In some other embodiments, the guided portion 101w may be provided simultaneously on the +y side / left side and the -y side / right side of the ink cartridge 10. In other words, since the guided portion 101w is provided on both sides of the ink cartridge 10 along the y direction, the ink cartridge 10 is more accurately guided toward the position limiting cavity 25, the ink discharge portion 102 is accurately coupled with the ink receiving portion 28, and the engaging portion 17c2 accurately enters the through-hole 221 without being broken.

[0113] As described above, the ink cartridge 10 and the protective part 19 are removably coupled, and along the x direction, the lower part, at least a part of the front, and at least a part of the rear of the ink cartridge 10 are all protected by the protective part 19, and the operating device 17 located inside the ink cartridge 10 is effectively protected by the protective part 19, which can prevent the ink cartridge member 100 from colliding with the operating device 17 and breaking during transportation.

[0114] Example 10 The unlocking assembly and the locking assembly 17c are still formed separately, and the unlocking assembly includes a force-receiving part 17a and a force-transmitting part 17b connected to each other; preferably, the unlocking assembly is formed integrally, and the unlocking assembly is rotatable around the rotation axis L17, and the locking assembly 17c is movable along the x-direction, and during the rotation of the unlocking assembly, the locking of the ink cartridge 10 by the locking assembly 17c is released; more preferably, the locking assembly 17c is slidable along the x-direction.

[0115] Lock assembly 17c includes base 17c0, elastic arm 17c1 extending from base 17c0, and engagement portion 17c2 protruding from elastic arm 17c1. Two elastic arms 17c1 are provided spaced apart in the y direction, and a spacing space 17c3 is formed between the two elastic arms 17c1. Accordingly, two engagement portions 17c2 are also provided spaced apart in the y direction. Lock assembly 17c is connected to case 101 via base 17c0, and engagement portion 17c2 is formed extending from elastic arm 17c1 in the x direction. According to the above embodiment, engagement portion 17c2 may be formed extending in either the +x direction or the -x direction. Below, an example will be described in which engagement portion 17c2 is formed extending in the +x direction.

[0116] The unlocking assembly further includes a first moving part 101u and a second moving part 101v provided on the force transmission part 17b, the case 101 is provided with a first movement limiting part 10p that can be coupled to the first moving part 101u, the case 101 and / or the lock assembly 17c is provided with a second movement limiting part 17h that can be coupled to the second moving part 101v, and one of the coupling between the first moving part 101u and the first movement limiting part 10p and the coupling between the second moving part 101v and the second movement limiting part 17h enables the operating device 17 to rotate around the rotation axis L17, and the other coupling limits the movement trajectory of the operating device 17.

[0117] Preferably, the combination of the second moving part 101v and the second movement limiting part 17h allows the operating device 17 / unlocking assembly to rotate around the rotation axis L17, and the combination of the first moving part 101u and the first movement limiting part 10p limits the movement trajectory of the operating device 17 / unlocking assembly, so that as the unlocking assembly rotates, the ink cartridge 10 is unlocked by the locking assembly 17c.

[0118] Furthermore, the operating device 17 further includes a push part 17r that is movable together with the force transmission part 17b. When the force transmission part 17b rotates, the push part 17r pushes the lock assembly 17c, causing the lock assembly 17c to move along the x-direction, thereby realizing the lock assembly 17c to unlock the ink cartridge 10. The push part 17r can be considered a type of unlocking part.

[0119] Preferably, the push part 17r is a protrusion connected to the force transmission part 17b, and in some embodiments the push part 17r is fixedly connected to the force transmission part 17b, and more preferably the push part 17r is integrally formed with the force transmission part 17b.

[0120] Furthermore, the operating device 17 further includes a guide protrusion 17c8 provided on the base 17c0, and as shown in Figure 32, the two guide protrusions 17c8 are arranged at an interval along the y direction, and a guide groove 17c9 is formed between them, so that before the unlocking assembly receives an acting force, the push part 17r is positioned in the guide groove 17c9, and when the unlocking assembly receives an acting force, the guide groove 17c9 effectively controls the movement trajectory of the push part 17r.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 33, the mounting part 101m is further provided with a combination groove 101m3 for engaging with the position-limited boss 17c7 and a front limiting portion 101m4 for coupling with the second moving part 101v. Since the combination groove 101m3 does not penetrate the combination part main body 101m1 along the y direction, the position-limited boss 17c7 is not exposed after the operating device 17 is assembled, which can improve the overall design of the ink cartridge 10. In some embodiments, the combination groove 101m3 may be arranged to penetrate the combination part main body 101m1 along the y direction. In this case, the combination groove 101m3 is formed as an engagement hole.

[0122] As shown in FIG. 35A, when the ink cartridge 10 is attached to the image forming equipment, the elastic action of the elastic part 17k causes the engaging part 17c2 to be coupled to the bottom plate 22 in the +x direction of the through-hole 22. At this time, the engaging part 17c2 is located at the engaging position / second position, and the guide groove 17c9 faces the push part 17r along the x direction. Preferably, the guide groove 17c9 abuts against the push part 17r. When the lower surface 172 of the force receiving part 17a receives a thrust in the M direction in FIG. 35A, the lock release assembly The lock assembly 17c rotates around the rotation axis L17 to the position shown in Figure 35B, and during this rotation process, the push part 17r applies a thrust in the -x direction to the guide groove 17c9, causing the entire lock assembly 17c to move in the -x direction. Due to the interlocking action between the position limiting boss 17c7 and the interlocking groove 101m3, the entire lock assembly 17c slides in a direction parallel to the x direction, the elastic part 17k is elastically deformed, and the engaging part 17c2 gradually disengages from the connection with the bottom plate 22 and reaches the disengagement position / first position.

[0123] When the thrust applied to the lower surface 172 is canceled, the elastic part 17k releases its elastic force, and the lock assembly 17c moves again in the +x direction. At the same time, the guide groove 17c9 pushes the push part 17r, causing the unlocking part to rotate again in the opposite direction to the above rotation direction around the rotation axis L17, and finally, the operating device 17 returns to its original position.

[0124] In some embodiments, the sub-lower wall 101d2 is further provided with an avoidance portion 101d3, and when the unlocking assembly rotates in the direction indicated by M around the rotation axis L17, the push part 17r can be accommodated in the avoidance portion 101d3, as shown in FIG. 35B. This configuration not only prevents interference between the push part 17r and the sub-lower wall 101d2 and makes the rotation of the unlocking assembly smoother, but also allows the unlocking assembly to obtain a larger rotation angle, which increases the distance that the locking assembly 17c moves in the -x direction and is advantageous in ensuring that the engagement portion 17c2 is released from its engagement with the bottom plate 22.

[0125] The above describes a method in which the engagement portion 17c extends in the +x direction, the unlocking part receives a thrust in the direction indicated by M in Figure 35A and rotates in the direction indicated by M, and a thrust in the -x direction is applied to the lock assembly 17c, thereby disengaging the engagement portion 17c from its connection with the bottom plate 22. However, in other embodiments, the engagement portion 17c may extend in the -x direction, and in this case, the elastic part 17k is provided as a tension spring, and the unlocking assembly may receive a thrust in the opposite direction to the direction shown in Figure 35A and rotate in the opposite direction to the direction indicated by M, and when the unlocking assembly moves, the unlocking assembly applies a thrust in the +x direction to the lock assembly 17c, thereby disengaging the engagement portion 17c from its connection with the bottom plate 22.

[0126] In a preferred embodiment, the upper / +z end of the lock assembly 17c abuts against the sub-lower wall 101d2, which allows the lock assembly 17c to move more smoothly in the x direction.

[0127] Example 11 Based on the above embodiment, this embodiment continues to further improve the configuration of the operating device 17 and the configuration of the protective component 19. The same parts as those in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. The following description will focus on the configurations that are different from those in the above embodiment.

[0128] As shown in Figures 36 and 37, the force transmission part 17b is provided with a first moving part 101u and a second moving part 101v, and the mounting part 101m is provided with a long hole 10p for mating with the first moving part 101u and a rotation support groove 101m5 for mating with the second moving part 101v. The mating of the second moving part 101v with the rotation support groove 101m5 enables the force transmission part 17b to rotate around the second moving part 101v, and the mating of the first moving part 101u with the long hole 10p determines the trajectory along which the force transmission part 17b rotates around the second moving part 101v.

[0129] The lock assembly 17c in this embodiment still includes a base 17c0, an elastic arm 17c1 extending from the base 17c0, and an engagement portion 17c2 provided on the elastic arm 17c1. The lock assembly 17c is still configured so that when the unlocking assembly applies an acting force to the lock assembly 17c, the lock assembly 17c moves along the x-direction to unlock. An elastic part 17k is provided between the lock assembly 17c and the main case 101r, and the action of the elastic part 17k keeps the lock assembly 17c in a state in which the ink cartridge is locked. Specifically, the engagement portion 17c2 of the lock assembly 17c passes through the through-hole 221 and abuts against the surface of the bottom plate facing the -z direction.

[0130] In order to make the unlocking process of the operating device 17 smoother, the lock assembly 17c further includes a first position-limited boss 17c7 and a second position-limited boss 17c12 provided on the base 17c0. The first position-limiting boss 17c7 and the second position-limiting boss 17c12 both extend along the x-direction and are used to mate with the first matching groove 101m3 and the second matching groove 101m4 provided on the mounting part 101m and extending along the x-direction, respectively. The first position-limiting boss 17c7 and the second position-limiting boss 17c12 are spaced apart along the z-direction. In this way, the matching between the first position-limiting boss 17c7 and the first matching groove 101m3 and the matching between the second position-limiting boss 17c12 and the second matching groove 101m4 allows the lock assembly 17c to move more smoothly in the x-direction, and the engagement portion 17c2 and the bottom plate 22 to disengage more smoothly from abutment.

[0131] The lock assembly 17c further includes a pressed portion 17c10 connected to the base 17c0, and the force transmitting part 17b is further provided with a push part 17r for contacting the pressed portion 17c10. Correspondingly, the main case 101r is also provided with the avoidance part 101d3. The avoidance part 101d3 in this embodiment opens in the +x direction so that the pressed portion 17c10 enters the avoidance part 101d3. Furthermore, the surface of the base 17c0 facing the force transmitting part 17b (pressed surface 17c11) is inclined with respect to the x direction and is provided so as to face the +x direction and the -z direction. Correspondingly, force transmission part 17b has a pressing surface 17b3 that matches with pressed surface 17c11. When the unlocking assembly pushes lock assembly 17c to move along the x-direction, pressing surface 17b3 applies an acting force to pressed surface 17c11 and acts to support pressed surface 17c11, thereby making the movement trajectory of lock assembly 17c more stable. Preferably, pressing surface 17b3 and pressed surface 17c11 are both formed on arcuate surfaces, which is advantageous for ensuring that the unlocking assembly smoothly transmits the acting force to lock assembly 17c.

[0132] As shown in FIG. 38, a plurality of cavities are formed in the main case 101r, including a sponge cavity 101i1, an ink storage cavity 101i2, a refill cavity 101i6, and a gas introduction cavity (not shown), and a sponge 108 is attached to the sponge cavity 101i1. The configurations and relative positions of the sponge cavity 101i1, the ink storage cavity 101i2, and the gas introduction cavity are the same as those in the above embodiment, and in the process of the ink cartridge 10 supplying ink to the outside, the air flow path in the ink cartridge 10 may also be the same as that in the above embodiment, and the description will be omitted here. The refill cavity 101i6 is located behind / in the -x direction of the sponge cavity 101i1, and the refill cavity 101i6 is adjacent to the sponge cavity 101i1. The ink storage cavity 101i2 located in front of / in the +x direction of the sponge cavity 101i1 is called the first ink storage cavity, and the refill cavity 101i6 located behind / in the -x direction of the sponge cavity 101i1 is called the second ink storage cavity because they are fluidically connected to each other and are used to replenish the ink stored therein to the sponge cavity 101i1. Both the first ink storage cavity and the second ink storage cavity are fluidically connected to the sponge cavity. This arrangement is advantageous for increasing the ink storage capacity of the ink cartridge 10 while reducing the remaining ink amount of the ink cartridge 10, and prevents ink moving away from the sponge cavity 101i1 in the x direction from being wasted because it cannot reach the sponge cavity 101i1.

[0133] The protective component 19 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 36 and 38. As shown in the figures, the protective component 19 according to this embodiment includes a protective main body 19a and a sealing assembly 19b that are coupled to each other. The protective main body 19a is coupled to the lower and rear side of the case 101, and the sealing assembly 19b simultaneously seals the ink discharge portion 102 and the air intake port 101i4 as the protective main body 19a is coupled to the case.

[0134] The protective body 10a includes a first protective part 191, a third protective part 195 connected to the first protective part 191, and an extension part 199. After the protective part 19 is attached to the ink cartridge, the first protective part 191 is located below the case 101, the third protective part 195 is located behind the case 101, and the extension part 199 enters the gap space 17c3, so the extension part 199 may be considered as a kind of holding part.

[0135] In some embodiments, the third protective part 195 is further provided with a connecting hole 1951 that connects with the second connecting part 12, thereby allowing the third protective part 195 to protect the rear of the case 101.

[0136] In some embodiments, the first protective part 191 further has a support protrusion 1913 that abuts against the lower wall 101d, and after the protective part 19 is attached to the ink cartridge, the support protrusion 1913 abuts against the bottom surface 1911 of the first protective part, causing the protective part 19 to be subjected to pressure in the downward / -z direction, and this pressure causes the second connecting part 12 to abut against the connecting hole 1951 in the z direction.

[0137] In some embodiments, the case 101 is further provided with a cartridge side coupling portion 101z having a configuration similar to the above-mentioned third coupling portion 101s, and correspondingly, the first protective part 191 is further provided with a protective part side coupling portion 1912 that couples with the cartridge side coupling portion 101z. Preferably, the two cartridge side coupling portions 101z are provided on both sides of the case 101 in the y direction, and the coupling between the second coupling part 12 and the coupling hole 1951 and the coupling between the cartridge side coupling portion 101z and the protective part side coupling portion 1912 can achieve a stable coupling between the protective part 19 and the case 101, and can also effectively ensure the sealing performance of the sealing assembly 19b for the ink discharge portion 102 and the air intake port 101i4.

[0138] Example 12 As described above, the ink cavity 101i includes a sponge cavity 101i1 and an ink storage cavity 101i2 that are connected to each other, the sponge cavity 101i1 faces / communicates with the ink discharge portion 102, and the ink cartridge 10 is connected to the outside atmosphere through an air guide assembly; further, as described in Example 11, the ink cavity 101i further includes a refill cavity 101i6 that communicates with the sponge cavity 101i1, and along the x direction, the refill cavity 101i6 and the ink storage cavity 101i2 are located on both sides of the sponge cavity 101i1, respectively.

[0139] In one embodiment, the air guide assembly may include the air inlet 101i4, the air guide cavity 101i3, the first air guide port 101c1, and the second air guide port 101c2 as described above, wherein the air inlet 101i4 is provided in the lower wall 101d, and along the x direction, the air inlet 101i4 is provided adjacent to the ink discharge portion 102, and the first air guide port 101c1 and the second air guide port 101c2 are provided , are provided in the face cover 101y, and the first air guide port 101c1 faces / communicates with the sponge cavity 101i1, and the second air guide port 110c2 faces / communicates with the air guide cavity 101i3, and thus outside air enters the sponge cavity 101i1 through the air intake port 101i4, the air guide cavity 101i3, the second air guide port 101c2 and the first air guide port 101c1.

[0140] This modification is possible, and the air intake port 101i4 may be provided in at least one of the left wall 101f, the right wall 101g, the front wall 101a, and the rear wall 101b instead of the lower wall 101d, as long as atmospheric air can enter the air guide cavity 101i3 through the air intake port 101i4.

[0141] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 39, the air guide assembly only includes a third air guide port 101c4 provided in the face cover 101y, said third air guide port 101c4 facing / communicating with the sponge cavity 101i1, and in this way, outside air can directly enter the sponge cavity 101i1 through the third air guide port 101c4.

[0142] In this embodiment, the air intake port 101i4 provided in the lower wall 101d and the air guide cavity 101i3 communicating with the air intake port 101i4 are still retained, and thus ink cartridge manufacturers can manufacture ink cartridges with different air guide configurations based on the configuration of the face cover 101y.

[0143] Specifically, when only the third gas guide port 101c4 is provided in the face cover 101y, the main body 101x and the face cover 101y are joined together to form a first type ink cartridge, the third gas guide port 101c4 is sealed by the sealing part 106, and the air inlet 101i4 located at one end of the gas guide cavity 101i3 is sealed, and / or the other end of the gas guide cavity 101i3 is sealed opposite to a position in the face cover 101y where no gas inlet port is provided, and the user can Before use, the sealing part 106 is manually removed / cut / stripped to open the third gas guide port 101c4, but the gas guide cavity 101i3 and / or the air inlet 101i4 are still sealed. Therefore, when the ink cartridge is used, the third gas guide port 101c4 is unsealed and communicates with the atmosphere, and outside air is replenished into the ink cavity 101i through the third gas guide port 101c4. The gas guide cavity 101i3 is always sealed, and the air inlet 101i4 does not need to be restricted but is always open or sealed.

[0144] When the face cover 101y is provided with the first air guide port 101c1 and the second air guide port 101c2, the main body 101x and the face cover 101y are combined together to form a second type of ink cartridge, and the first air guide port 101c1 and the second air guide port 101c2 are still sealed by the sealing part 106, the second air guide port 101c2 is connected to the other end of the air guide cavity 101i3, and the air inlet 101i4 located at one end of the air guide cavity 101i3 is connected to the air inlet It may be sealed by a sealing part 194, or may be sealed by a sealing part independent of the protective part 19. Before a user uses the ink cartridge 10, the air intake port 101i4 is opened to connect the air guide cavity 101i3 to the outside air. Therefore, when the ink cartridge is used, the air intake port 101i4 is unsealed and opened, and outside air is replenished into the ink cavity 101i through the air intake port 101i4, the air guide cavity 101i3, the second air guide port 101c2 and the first air guide port 101c1.

[0145] As can be seen from the above, the main body 101x having the above configuration has excellent versatility, and when the number of main bodies 101x supplied is greater than the number of predetermined face covers, the main bodies 101x that exceed the number of predetermined face covers can still be combined with other face covers to form an ink cartridge, and finally, the main body 101x can be fully utilized, and at the same time, the first type of ink cartridge and the second type of ink cartridge only differ in the configuration of the air guide assembly, and there is no difference between the two and the image forming equipment in terms of the combination configuration, ink volume, etc., so users can use either one normally.

[0146] Furthermore, in the first type ink cartridge, at least one of an inner welding wire 101c6 and an outer welding wire 101c5 is further provided along the circumferential direction of the third air guide port 101c4 or on the surface of the third side wall 101c, and the inner welding wire 101c6 is closer to the third air guide port 101c4 than the outer welding wire 101c5, and preferably provided with a gap between the inner welding wire 101c6 and the outer welding wire 101c5. In this way, when the sealing part 106 is welded to the third side wall 101c, the molten welding wire is uniformly distributed around the third air guide port 101c4, and finally, the periphery of the third air guide port 101c4 is well sealed.

[0147] Furthermore, the inner welding wire 101c6 is formed as a cylindrical protrusion around the entire circumference of the third air guide port 101c4, and the outer welding wire 101c5 is provided as multiple regular or irregular protrusions spaced apart around the entire circumference of the third air guide port 101c4, which not only ensures good sealing of the third air guide port 101c4 by the inner welding wire 101c6, but also reduces the amount of outer welding wire 101c5 used.

[0148] As described above, the operating device 17 of the present invention is installed so that the force-receiving part 17a of the operating device 17 receives an acting force in the +z direction or the -z direction, thereby realizing the unlocking of the ink cartridge 10 by the locking assembly 17c of the operating device 17. The operating device 17 not only reduces the space occupied by the ink cavity 101i, but also ensures the smooth completion of the ink cartridge unlocking operation.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge that is detachably attached to an image forming device having a frame body, the frame body including a bottom plate having a through hole, side plates disposed around the bottom plate, and a limiting member movably attached to one of the side plates, the limiting member including two limiting plates disposed opposite each other in the y direction; The ink cartridge includes a case that defines an ink cavity, an ink discharge section formed to protrude from a lower wall of the case, an air inlet provided in the case, and an operating device attached to the case, the ink discharge section facing the bottom plate being used to discharge ink to the outside, the air inlet communicating with the atmosphere, The height direction of the ink cartridge is the z direction, the lower wall faces the −z direction of the ink cartridge, the direction opposite to the −z direction is the +z direction, the length direction of the ink cartridge is the x direction, the width direction of the ink cartridge is the y direction, and the x direction, y direction and z direction intersect, In an ink cartridge, the operating device includes a lock assembly for locking the ink cartridge in the ink cartridge accommodating portion, and an unlock assembly, the unlock assembly including a force receiving part for receiving an external acting force, a force transmitting part for transmitting the acting force to the unlocking part, and an unlocking part, An external force causes at least one of the force receiving part, the force transmitting part, and the unlocking part to move in the z direction, and the unlocking part causes the lock assembly to move in the x direction to unlock the ink cartridge. An ink cartridge characterized by:

2. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the lock assembly includes a resilient arm and an engaging portion extending in the x direction from the resilient arm for coupling with the −z direction surface of the bottom plate.

3. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the force-receiving part is rotatable about a rotation axis that intersects with the z-direction of the ink cartridge, and further moves the force-transmitting part in the z-direction of the ink cartridge.

4. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the force-receiving part is rotatable about a rotation axis that intersects with the z-direction of the ink cartridge, and the force-transmitting part moves the unlocking part in the x-direction of the ink cartridge.

5. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the lock assembly is a metal fitting formed separately from the case.

6. 3. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, further comprising a detection component provided in the ink cavity for detecting the remaining amount of ink, the engagement portion being located in front of the detection component.

7. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the case has opposing first and second side walls along the x direction, the ink discharge portion is closer to the second side wall, and the ink cartridge further includes a coupling part protruding from the first side wall, and during the installation process of the ink cartridge, the coupling part is used to abut against the limiting plate in the y direction.

8. 8. The ink cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the case includes a main case and a mounting part coupled to each other, the main case forming an ink cavity for accommodating ink, and the coupling part is located on the mounting part.

9. The ink cartridge according to claim 8, wherein the frame body further includes a plurality of rib plates spaced apart along the y direction, the ink cartridge further includes a guide part provided on the mounting part, and during the ink cartridge installation process, the guide part abuts against the rib plates along the y direction.

10. 8. The ink cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the force-receiving part extends beyond the first side wall.

11. 9. The ink cartridge of claim 8, wherein the main case further includes a partition plate disposed within the ink cavity, the partition plate dividing the ink cavity along the x direction into a sponge cavity located on the -x direction of the partition plate and an ink storage cavity located on the +x direction of the partition plate, the negative pressure generating component being mounted within the sponge cavity, and the sponge cavity facing the ink discharge portion.

12. The ink cartridge according to claim 11, wherein the main case includes a body and a face cover, the ink cavity is located between the main case and the face cover, the ink cartridge further includes an air guide cavity communicating with the air inlet, and depending on the configuration of the face cover, the air guide cavity communicates with the ink cavity or the air guide cavity is sealed by the face cover.

13. 13. The ink cartridge according to claim 12, further comprising a first air guide port and a second air guide port provided in the face cover, the first air guide port communicating with the second air guide port and the sponge cavity, one end of the air guide cavity communicating with the air intake port and the other end communicating with the second air guide port, and the first air guide port and the second air guide port being sealed by a sealing part.

14. The ink cartridge according to claim 12, further comprising a third air guide port provided in the face cover, the third air guide port communicating with the sponge cavity, and the air guide cavity being sealed opposite a position on the face cover where no air guide port is provided.

15. 13. The ink cartridge according to claim 12, wherein the air guide cavity is provided adjacent to the partition plate.

16. 13. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 12, wherein the air guide cavity is located between the sponge cavity and the ink storage cavity along the x direction.

17. The ink cartridge according to claim 11, wherein a spacing portion is provided on the surface of the partition plate facing the sponge cavity, and the spacing portion is used to avoid close contact between the negative pressure generating component and the partition plate when saturated.

18. 18. The ink cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the spacing portion is a recessed groove or a protrusion provided on the partition plate.

19. 18. The ink cartridge according to claim 17, wherein the partition plate further comprises a communication hole for communicating the sponge cavity with the ink storage cavity, and the space forming portion communicates with the communication hole.

20. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the force transmitting part includes an intermediate part and a coupled part and an unlocking part located at both ends of the intermediate part, the coupled part being used to couple with the force receiving part, and the unlocking part being used to unlock the lock assembly, and the coupled part being arc-shaped.

21. 9. The ink cartridge according to claim 8, further comprising an elastic member provided between the main case and the operating device for biasing at least a portion of the operating device in the +x direction.

22. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the unlocking part is a push part that is movable together with the force transmitting part, and when the force transmitting part rotates, the push part pushes the locking assembly, moving the locking assembly along the x direction to unlock it.

23. the ink discharge portion includes an extension connected to the case and an ink discharge port provided in the extension, and the case has end surfaces located on both sides in the y direction, with a plane passing through a center line of the ink discharge port and perpendicular to the y direction as a reference plane; 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge further has a second surface closer to the reference surface than the end surface, and a guided portion protruding in the y direction from the second surface, the guided portion guiding the ink cartridge during the ink cartridge installation process.

24. An ink cartridge as described in claim 23, characterized in that a guided surface inclined with respect to a reference plane is provided in the -z direction of the guided portion, and straight lines d1 and d2 parallel to the z direction are created through the +x direction end and -x direction end of the extension body, respectively, and an ink discharge area Q is formed between the straight lines d1 and d2, and the guided surface extends at least in the ink discharge area Q.

25. 25. The ink cartridge according to claim 24, wherein an ink cartridge accommodating space is formed by being surrounded by side plates and a bottom plate, the ink cartridge accommodating space is divided into a plurality of position limiting cavities by a plurality of partition members arranged at intervals, each position limiting cavity accommodating one ink cartridge, the guided portion further has a third surface facing the y direction, the ink cartridge further includes a guided protrusion arranged on the third surface, the guided protrusion abuts against the partition members in the z direction during the ink cartridge installation process, and the guided protrusion is located in the ink discharge area Q.

26. An ink cartridge member, A protective part that protects an operating device and is detachably coupled to an ink cartridge, and the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 25. An ink cartridge member characterized by:

27. 27. The ink cartridge member according to claim 26, wherein the protective part includes a protective body and a sealing assembly coupled to each other, the protective body being coupled to the lower and rear of the case, and the sealing assembly simultaneously sealing the ink discharge port and the air inlet port when the protective body is coupled to the case.

28. The ink cartridge member described in claim 27, characterized in that two elastic arms are provided spaced apart in the y direction of the ink cartridge, the protective body includes a first protective part, a third protective part and an extension part respectively connected to the first protective part, and after the protective parts are attached to the ink cartridge, the first protective part is located below the case, the third protective part is located behind the case, and the extension part is located between the two elastic arms.

29. 29. An ink cartridge member according to claim 28, wherein the first protection part is provided with a support protrusion that abuts against the lower wall.

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