Ink cartridge

Abstract

An ink cartridge (10), detachably mounted in an imaging device (1) provided with locking mechanisms (2n2) and accommodating parts (2e). The ink cartridge is mounted forwardly to the imaging device; each locking mechanism comprises a movable space (2n0), a device-side elastic member (2n3), and a device-side movable member (4); and each accommodating part is used for accommodating the ink cartridge and can rotate around an accommodating part rotating shaft (2s) arranged in front of the accommodating part. The ink cartridge comprises a housing (11) accommodating ink and a locked mechanism (5) movably connected to the housing; the locked mechanism is provided with a locked member (52) moving between a locked position and an unlocked position, and the device-side movable member has a first position and a second position. In the locked position, the locked member is locked by the locking mechanism, the ink cartridge is locked in a predetermined mounting position, and the device-side movable member is located at the first position; and in the unlocked position, the locked member is unlocked, and the device-side movable member is located at the second position. The technical solution can improve the stability of locking the ink cartridge.

Description

ink cartridge Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of inkjet imaging, and in particular to an ink cartridge detachably installed in an imaging device. Background Art

[0002] An ink cartridge is a type of ink cartridge used in imaging devices such as inkjet printers. After the user installs the ink cartridge to the predetermined installation position of the imaging device, the ink cartridge is combined with the corresponding part of the imaging device through a locking mechanism provided therein, thereby locking the ink cartridge in the imaging device. In this way, the ink cartridge can stably supply ink to the imaging device.

[0003] There is an existing ink cartridge, which has a groove serving as a locking mechanism at its rear end in the longitudinal direction. A retractable locking mechanism is provided in the imaging device. During the installation process of the ink cartridge, the locking mechanism is pressed and retracted by the ink cartridge. When the ink cartridge reaches a predetermined installation position, the locking mechanism extends and abuts against the groove, thereby locking the ink cartridge in the imaging device.

[0004] Due to the size of the ink cartridge and the need to release the locking mechanism from the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is removed, the depth of the groove is limited, which results in the ink cartridge not being stably locked in the imaging device.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of this, the present invention provides an ink cartridge adopting the following technical solution to improve the stability of the ink cartridge being locked. The specific solution is:

[0007] The ink cartridge is detachably installed in an imaging device provided with a locking mechanism and a accommodating portion, and the ink cartridge is installed forward to the imaging device, the locking mechanism comprising an active space open forward formed by a plurality of side walls, an elastic member on the device side, and an active member on the device side, the active member on the device side abutting against the elastic member on the device side and being movable in the active space; the accommodating portion is used to accommodate the ink cartridge and is rotatable around a rotating shaft of the accommodating portion provided in front of the accommodating portion; the ink cartridge is first installed forward to the accommodating portion, and then the ink cartridge and the accommodating portion are rotated downward together around the rotating shaft of the accommodating portion until the ink cartridge reaches a predetermined installation position; the ink cartridge comprises a shell for accommodating ink and a movable A locking mechanism is movable and combined with the shell, the locking mechanism has a locked part that can move between a locked position and an unlocked position, the device side movable part has a first position and a second position, under the elastic force of the device side elastic part, the device side movable part is located in the first position, when the device side movable part receives downward pressure, the device side movable part moves from the first position to the second position; in the locked position, the locked part is locked with the locking mechanism, the ink cartridge is in a predetermined installation position and is locked, and the device side movable part is located in the first position; in the unlocked position, the locked part is unlocked, and the device side movable part is located in the second position.

[0008] The multiple side walls include a first side wall, a second side wall and a third side wall, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are arranged opposite to each other in the up and down directions, the third side wall connects the first side wall and the second side wall, the two third side walls are arranged opposite to each other in the left and right directions, and the activity space is located between the first side wall, the second side wall and the two third side walls; the first side wall has a first locking surface facing the activity space, and the locked piece has a locked portion; in the locked position, the locked portion enters the activity space, and the locked portion is opposite to the first locking surface in the up and down directions.

[0009] An ink cartridge is detachably mounted in an imaging device provided with a locking mechanism and a accommodating portion, and the ink cartridge is mounted forward to the imaging device, wherein the locking mechanism includes a forward-opening movable space formed by a plurality of side walls; the accommodating portion is used to accommodate the ink cartridge and is rotatable around a accommodating portion rotation axis provided in front of the ink cartridge; the ink cartridge includes: a shell for accommodating ink; a locked member configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked member is locked to the locking mechanism in the locked position and is unlocked in the unlocked position; and an intermediate member is movably arranged relative to the shell, wherein the intermediate member forces the locked member to move from the locked position to the unlocked position under the action of an external force. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] FIG1A is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to the present invention and an imaging device to which it is applicable, separated from each other.

[0011] FIG1B is a perspective view of the interior of a main assembly of an imaging device to which the ink cartridge according to the present invention is applicable.

[0012] FIG1C is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction in FIG1B after the ink cartridge according to the present invention is installed in the imaging device.

[0013] FIG1D is a perspective view of a locking device in an imaging device to which the ink cartridge according to the present invention is applicable.

[0014] FIG. 1E is an exploded view of the device-side movable member in the locking device after being separated from the locking frame in the locking device.

[0015] FIG1F is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG1D .

[0016] FIG2 is a perspective view of the cartridge body and the adapter of the ink cartridge according to the present invention after being decomposed.

[0017] FIG3 is an exploded view of the adapter and the locking mechanism of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention after being separated.

[0018] FIG4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction after the locked mechanism and the locking mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention are combined.

[0019] FIG. 4B is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion R1 in FIG. 4A .

[0020] FIG. 4C is a side view of FIG. 4A as viewed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0021] FIG5A is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction after the locked mechanism and the locking mechanism according to the first embodiment of the present invention are disengaged.

[0022] FIG5B is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion R2 in FIG5A .

[0023] FIG. 5C is a side view of FIG. 5A as viewed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0024] FIG6 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG7A is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction after the locked mechanism and the locking mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention are combined.

[0026] FIG. 7B is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion R3 in FIG. 7A .

[0027] FIG. 7C is a side view of FIG. 7A as viewed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0028] FIG8A is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction after the locked mechanism and the locking mechanism according to the second embodiment of the present invention are disengaged.

[0029] FIG8B is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion R4 in FIG8A .

[0030] FIG. 8C is a side view of FIG. 8A as viewed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0031] FIG9 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] FIG10A is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction after the locked mechanism and the locking mechanism according to the third embodiment of the present invention are combined.

[0033] FIG10B is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion R5 in FIG10A .

[0034] FIG. 10C is a side view of FIG. 10A as viewed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0035] FIG11A is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction after the locked mechanism and the locking mechanism according to the third embodiment of the present invention are disengaged.

[0036] FIG11B is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion R6 in FIG11A .

[0037] FIG. 11C is a side view of FIG. 11A as viewed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0038] FIG12 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] FIG13A is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction after the locked mechanism and the locking mechanism according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention are combined.

[0040] FIG13B is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion R7 in FIG13A .

[0041] FIG. 13C is a side view of FIG. 13A as viewed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0042] FIG14A is a cross-sectional view taken along the AA direction after the locked mechanism and the locking mechanism according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention are disengaged.

[0043] FIG14B is an enlarged schematic diagram of a portion R8 in FIG14A .

[0044] FIG. 14C is a side view of FIG. 14A as viewed from left to right in the left-right direction.

[0045] FIG15 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0046] FIG16A is a three-dimensional diagram of the locked mechanism and the locking mechanism according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention after being combined.

[0047] FIG. 16B is a side view of FIG. 16A as viewed from front to rear in the front-to-rear direction.

[0048] FIG17A is a perspective view of the locked mechanism and the locking mechanism after being disengaged according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 17B is a side view of FIG. 17A as viewed from front to rear in the front-to-rear direction.

[0050] FIG18 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] FIG19A is a perspective view of a locked mechanism and a locking mechanism according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention after being combined.

[0052] FIG. 19B is a side view of FIG. 19A as viewed from front to rear in the front-to-rear direction.

[0053] FIG20A is a perspective view of a locked mechanism and a locking mechanism after being disengaged according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 20B is a side view of FIG. 20A as viewed from front to rear along the front-to-rear direction.

[0055] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of the exploded view of the ink cartridge and the mounting components in the imaging device involved in Example 7 of the present invention.

[0056] FIG22A is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention after it is combined with the mounting member in the imaging device and before the ink cartridge is locked.

[0057] FIG22B is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention after it is combined with the mounting member in the imaging device and the ink cartridge is locked.

[0058] Figure 23 is a three-dimensional diagram of the ink cartridge involved in Example 8 of the present invention.

[0059] Figure 24A is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge involved in Example 8 of the present invention after it is combined with the mounting component in the imaging device and before the ink cartridge is locked.

[0060] Figure 24B is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge involved in the eighth embodiment of the present invention after it is combined with the mounting component in the imaging device and the ink cartridge is locked.

[0061] Figure 25 is a three-dimensional diagram of the ink cartridge involved in Example 9 of the present invention when combined with the locking device in the imaging device.

[0062] Figure 26 is a side view of the ink cartridge involved in Example 9 of the present invention observed along the left-right direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] Typically, the container for holding ink can be a regular or irregular polygonal body formed by injection molding or blow molding, or a bag-shaped body formed of a flexible material or a component that receives a bag-shaped body. Before describing the ink cartridge, it is necessary to describe the imaging device to which the ink cartridge is applicable.

[0065] (Imaging equipment)

[0066] As shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 1C, the imaging device 1 has a device main component 2 and a door cover 3 movably combined with the device main component 2, the door cover 3 including a cover body 3a, a pressing portion 3b provided on the cover body 3a, and a rotating portion 3c provided on the cover body 3a, the door cover 3 rotates around the rotation axis L by the rotating portion 3c to move between opening and closing, when the door cover 3 rotates in the direction indicated by CD3 in Figure 1C, the door cover 3 is closed, and when the door cover 3 rotates in the direction indicated by CD2 in Figure 1C, the door cover 3 is opened.

[0067] The rotation axis L extends in the left-right direction, and the imaging device 1 has a front, rear, top, bottom, left and right as shown in the figure, wherein the front is opposite to the rear, the top is opposite to the bottom, the left is opposite to the right, and the front-to-back direction, the up-down direction and the left-to-right direction all intersect. Preferably, the front-to-back direction, the up-down direction and the left-to-right direction are perpendicular to each other. Generally, an opening 2q allowing the installation and removal of the ink cartridge 10 is formed above or at the rear of the imaging device, and when the door cover 3 is closed, the opening 2q is covered by the door cover 3.

[0068] Hereinafter, description will be made assuming that the opening 2q is formed at the rear and the user uses the imaging apparatus in a standing forward posture.

[0069] The main component 2 of the device includes an upper side plate 2a located at the top, a lower side plate 2b located at the bottom, a left side plate 2c located on the left, a right side plate 2d located on the right and a front side plate 2p located in the front. The upper side plate 2a, the lower side plate 2b, the left side plate 2c, the right side plate 2d and the front side plate 2p enclose a main component space 2z with an opening at the rear. The ink cartridge 10 is installed to the imaging device from the opening 2q of the main component 2 of the device along the front-to-back direction. In order to facilitate the observation of the internal structure of the main component 2 of the device, the left side plate 2c is cut off. A plurality of partitions 2f distributed at intervals along the left-right direction divide the main component space 2z into a plurality of accommodating portions 2e for accommodating the ink cartridges 10. Each partition 2f is provided with at least one guide protrusion 2f1 for guiding the ink cartridge during installation and removal.

[0070] Each accommodating portion 2e is provided with a bottom plate 2m which can rotate around the accommodating portion rotation axis 2s in the directions indicated by CD2 and CD3 in FIG1C, and each accommodating portion 2e also includes an electrical contact portion 2k, an ink-absorbing needle 2g, a positioning member 2h and a pushing member 2i arranged in sequence from front to back, wherein the partition 2f is arranged on the bottom plate 2m, the electrical contact portion 2k is arranged to be able to move with the bottom plate 2m, and a compression spring is also provided in front of the electrical contact portion 2k, so that the electrical contact portion 2k moves in the front and rear directions relative to the bottom plate 2m, and the ink-absorbing needle 2g, the positioning member 2h and the pushing member 2i can pass through the bottom plate 2m to reach the top of the bottom plate 2m.

[0071] Furthermore, each accommodating portion 2e also includes a front pop-up member (not shown) arranged in the front and a rear pop-up member arranged in the rear, wherein the front pop-up member is located above the bottom plate 2m and the rear pop-up member is located below the bottom plate 2m. When the ink cartridge 10 is installed forward, both the front pop-up member and the rear pop-up member are elastically deformed. When the ink cartridge 10 is unlocked, the rear pop-up member forces the bottom plate 2m to drive the ink cartridge 10 to rotate upward around the accommodating portion rotation axis 2s in the direction indicated by CD3 in Figure 1C, and the front pop-up member releases the elastic force to cause the ink cartridge 10 to exit backward.

[0072] Along the front-to-back direction, the main component 2 of the device also includes a locking device 2n located behind the accommodating portion 2e. When the ink cartridge 10 reaches the predetermined installation position of the imaging device, the locking device 2n is used to lock the ink cartridge 10. Along the up-down direction, the imaging device is also provided with a deceleration device 2j and an elastic member 2m1 located below the mounting member / accommodating portion 2e. The deceleration device 2j is used to prevent the ink cartridge 10 from returning to its original position too quickly and causing ink dripping, etc. The elastic member 2m1 is preferably a compression spring, and the elastic member 2m1 is used to rotate the mounting member / accommodating portion 2e together with the ink cartridge 10 upward along the direction indicated by CD3.

[0073] The electrical contact portion 2k is located in front of the ink absorbent needle 2g, and the locking device 2n is located behind the ink absorbent needle 2g. The ink absorbent needle 2g is used to receive the ink supplied by the ink cartridge 10, and the center line C2 of the ink absorbent needle 2g is not parallel to the up and down direction, that is, the center line C2 is inclined relative to the up and down direction. The positioning member 2h is used to position and guide the ink cartridge 10 during the installation and removal of the ink cartridge 10 to ensure that the ink cartridge 10 can move along a predetermined path. When the ink cartridge 10 reaches the predetermined installation position, the positioning member 2h also limits the ink cartridge 10 in the front and back directions. As shown in Figure 1C, a downwardly open positioning groove 11k is provided in the ink cartridge 10, and the positioning groove 11k is used to accommodate the positioning member 2h; the pushing member 2i is used to lock the bottom plate 2m. When the pushing member 2i is pushed forward, the locking of the bottom plate 2m by the pushing member 2i is released. At this time, the bottom plate 2m can rotate around the accommodating portion rotation axis 2s in the direction indicated by CD2 or CD3.

[0074] As shown in Figures 1D, 1E and 1F, the locking device 2n includes a locking frame 2n1 and a plurality of locking mechanisms 2n2 with the same structure arranged in the locking frame 2n1, each locking mechanism 2n2 corresponds to an ink cartridge 10, and the locking frame 2n1 has an upper limiting plate 2n11 and a lower limiting plate 2n14 arranged opposite to each other in the upper and lower directions, and a rear limiting plate 2n12 located at the rear, and the rear limiting plate 2n12 connects the upper limiting plate 2n11 and the lower limiting plate 2n14. The plurality of locking mechanisms 2n2 are arranged along the left and right directions in a locking space 2n7 open to the front formed by the upper limiting plate 2n11, the lower limiting plate 2n14 and the rear limiting plate 2n12. The following description takes one of the locking mechanisms 2n2 as an example.

[0075] The locking mechanism 2n2 includes a forward-opening active space 2n0 formed by a plurality of side walls, an equipment-side elastic part 2n3 and an equipment-side movable part 4. The equipment-side elastic part 2n3 and the equipment-side movable part 4 are both arranged in the active space 2n0, and the equipment-side movable part 4 abuts against the equipment-side elastic part 2n3 and can move in the active space 2n0.

[0076] The multiple side walls include a first side wall 2n4, a second side wall 2n8 and a third side wall 2n5, wherein the first side wall 2n4 and the second side wall 2n8 are arranged opposite to each other in the up-down direction, the third side wall 2n5 connects the first side wall 2n4 and the second side wall 2n8, the two third side walls 2n5 are arranged opposite to each other in the left-right direction, and the activity space 2n0 is located between the first side wall 2n4, the second side wall 2n8 and the two third side walls 2n5; in a preferred structure, the first side wall 2n4 is a part of the upper limiting plate 2n11, the second side wall 2n8 is a part of the lower limiting plate 2n14, and a part of the rear limiting plate 2n12 serves as a locking member. The fourth side wall of the mechanism 2n2, the first side wall 2n4, the second side wall 2n8 and the third side wall 2n5 are all connected to the fourth side wall, and the device-side elastic part 2n3 is set as a compression spring, one end of which abuts against the fourth side wall, and the other end abuts against the device-side movable part 4; the fourth side wall is also provided with a through hole 2n13, and a part of the device-side movable part 4 passes through the through hole 2n13 to reach the rear of the fourth side wall. Therefore, a part of the device-side movable part 4 is located in the active space 2n0, and the other part is located outside the active space 2n0. Specifically, the part of the device-side movable part 4 outside the active space 2n0 is located behind the fourth side wall.

[0077] In each locking mechanism 2n2, two first side walls 2n4 are spaced apart, and a connecting rib 2n6 connects the two first side walls 2n4. Each first side wall 2n4 has a first locking surface 2n41 facing downward (active space 2n0); the third side wall 2n5 includes a left vertical plate 2n52, a right vertical plate 2n51, an upper vertical plate 2n53 and a lower vertical plate 2n54, wherein the left vertical plate 2n52 and the right vertical plate 2n51 are spaced apart in the left and right directions and are both connected to the fourth side wall 2n53. The wall 2n4 is connected, so that the fourth side wall 2n4, the left vertical plate 2n52, the right vertical plate 2n51 and the upper vertical plate 2n53 enclose an upper locking space 2n55 open to the front, and the left vertical plate 2n2, the right vertical plate 2n51, the upper vertical plate 2n53 and the lower vertical plate 2n54 enclose a lower locking space 2n56 open to the front, that is, the upper locking space 2n55 and the lower locking space 2n56 are arranged in the upper and lower directions and are separated by the upper vertical plate 2n53.

[0078] The movable part 4 on the device side includes a movable part body 41 and a pressed plate 42 and a lifting arm 43 both connected to the movable part body 41. Along the front-to-back direction, the lifting arm 43 is located in front of the active space 2n0. At least a portion of the lifting arm 43 and at least a portion of the pressed plate 42 are respectively located on the front and rear sides of the movable part body 41. The two lifting arms 43 are spaced apart in the left-right direction, and each lifting arm 43 has a lifting surface 431 facing upward. Furthermore, the movable part 4 on the device side also includes a movable part rotating portion 44 connected to the movable part body 41. The locking mechanism 2n2 also includes It includes a movable part support plate 2n58 arranged in the movable space 2n0 and a rotating part mounting groove 2n59 arranged on the movable part support plate 2n58, and the movable part rotating part 44 is installed in cooperation with the rotating part mounting groove 2n59, so that the device side movable part 4 can rotate around the rotation axis L4 passing through the movable part rotating part 44 in the left and right directions; the two movable part support plates 2n58 are arranged at intervals, and the through hole 2n13 is located between the two movable part support plates 2n58, and along the up and down directions, the device side elastic part 2n3 abuts against the fourth side wall above the movable part support plate 2n58.

[0079] Furthermore, the movable part 4 on the device side also includes a movable part extension portion 45 extending from the movable part main body 41, a limited protrusion 463 arranged on the movable part extension portion 45, and a protrusion 46, wherein the protrusion 46 has a protrusion inclined surface (hereinafter referred to as "inclined surface") 462 parallel to the left and right directions and inclined relative to the up and down directions, and a protrusion bottom surface 461 adjacent to the inclined surface 462.

[0080] As shown in Figure 1F, under the elastic force of the device-side elastic part 2n3, the device-side movable part 4 is located in the first position, the bottom surface 461 of the protrusion faces downward, and the limiting protrusion 463 abuts against the connecting rib 2n6. Therefore, the tendency of the device-side movable part 4 to rotate around the rotation axis L4 in the direction opposite to the direction indicated by r3 is stopped. When the pressed plate 42 is subjected to downward pressure, the device-side movable part 4 rotates as a whole around the rotation axis L4 in the direction indicated by r3 to the second position.

[0081] (ink cartridge)

[0082] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the ink cartridge 10 also has the above-mentioned front, rear, top, bottom, left and right, among which the dimension in the front-to-back direction is the largest, the dimension in the up-down direction is the second, and the dimension in the left-to-right direction is the smallest. The ink cartridge 10 is installed forward in the front-to-back direction to the accommodating portion 2e (imaging device 1) in an upright posture (to be described below). Then, the user presses the upper rear portion of the ink cartridge 10, so that the ink cartridge 10 and the accommodating portion bottom plate 2m rotate downward around the accommodating portion rotation axis 2s along the direction indicated by CD2 in Figure 1C. Finally, the ink cartridge 10 reaches the predetermined installation position of the imaging device.

[0083] The ink cartridge 10 includes a shell 11 for containing ink and an ink outlet portion 16 arranged below the shell 11. Ink is discharged through the ink outlet portion 16. When the ink cartridge 10 is in an upright position, the ink outlet portion 16 faces downward, and the center line C3 of the ink outlet portion 16 is parallel to the up and down directions; in the process of the ink cartridge 10 and the bottom plate 2m rotating downward, the ink outlet portion 16 gradually combines with the ink suction needle 2g, and the center line C3 of the ink outlet portion 16 gradually coincides with the center line C2 of the ink suction needle 2g.

[0084] The shell 11 includes an upper shell 108 and a lower shell 109 connected to each other, and the ink outlet part 16 is arranged in the lower shell 109. Among the upper shell 108 and the lower shell 109, at least the upper shell 108 is used to hold ink. Along the front-to-back direction, the size of the upper shell 108 is larger than that of the lower shell 109, or in other words, the rear end of the upper shell 108 is located behind the rear end of the lower shell 109. The shell 11 has an upper surface 11a located above, a lower surface 11b located below, a left surface 11e located on the left, a right surface 11f located on the right, a front surface 11c located in the front and a rear surface 11d located in the rear. A portion of the lower surface 11b is located in the lower shell 109, and the other portion is located in the upper shell 108. A portion of the rear surface 11d is located in the upper shell 108, and the other portion is located in the lower shell 109. Therefore, the lower surface 11b includes a main lower surface 11b1 located below the lower shell 109 and a sub-lower surface 11b2 located below the upper shell 108. The rear surface 11d includes a main rear surface 11d1 located behind the upper shell 108 and a sub-rear surface 11d2 located behind the lower shell 109. That is to say, any surface facing downward can be regarded as the lower surface of the shell 11, and any surface facing rearward can be regarded as the rear surface of the shell 11.

[0085] Furthermore, the housing 11 further includes a chip mounting portion 11 y located between the front surface 11 c and the lower surface 11 b , wherein the chip mounting portion 11 y has a chip mounting surface inclined relative to both the front surface 11 c and the lower surface 11 b .

[0086] In some embodiments, the shell 11 can also be configured as a box body 101 and an adapter 102 that are combined with each other. The box body 101 and the adapter 102 are formed separately, and there is no restriction on the formation method of the two. For example, the box body 101 and the adapter 102 can be formed by injection molding or blow molding. For a box body 101 with a larger ink capacity, the box body 101 formed by blow molding is more conducive to ensuring the structural stability of the box body 101, but the technical solution involved in the present invention does not impose any restrictions on the manufacturing form of the box body 101 and the adapter 102.

[0087] The adapter 102 is provided with at least one guided portion for cooperating with the guide protrusion 2f1 on the partition 2f, so that the shell 11 can be smoothly installed and removed. As shown in Figure 3, a first guided portion 102g is provided in front of the adapter 102, and a second guided portion 102h is provided at the rear of the adapter 102; when the shell 11 is not provided with the adapter 102, the guided portion will be directly provided on the shell 11.

[0088] The adapter 102 is also provided with an unlocking protrusion 102i. Along the front-to-back direction, the unlocking protrusion 102i is provided at the rear of the adapter 102. When the ink cartridge 10 is installed forward into the accommodating portion 2e, the unlocking protrusion 102i squeezes the pushing member 2i, causing the pushing member 2i to move forward, thereby releasing the locking of the pushing member 2i on the bottom plate 2m. Subsequently, the ink cartridge 10 can be rotated downward together with the bottom plate 2m.

[0089] The box body 101 also has an upper box body surface 101a facing upward, a lower box body surface 101b facing downward, a front box body surface 101c facing forward and a rear box body surface 101d facing backward, and the ink outlet 101z is arranged on the lower box body surface 101b; the adapter 102 is at least capable of adapting to the lower shell 109, and the adapter 102 also has an adapter lower surface 102b facing downward, the ink outlet portion 16 is arranged on the adapter 102 and exposed downward from the adapter lower surface 102b; the chip mounting portion 11y can also be arranged on the adapter 102.

[0090] When the box body 101 is combined with the adapter 102, the lower surface 101b of the box body will be blocked by the adapter 102. At this time, at least the front surface 101c of the box body can be regarded as the front surface 11c of the shell 11, and at least the rear surface 101d of the box body can be regarded as the rear surface 11d of the shell 11, and the ink outlet 101z is opposite to the ink outlet part 16.

[0091] Furthermore, the ink cartridge 10 also includes a locking mechanism 5 combined with the shell 11. When the ink cartridge 10 reaches the predetermined installation position, the locking mechanism 2n2 locks the locked mechanism 5, so that the ink cartridge 10 can be stably maintained in the predetermined installation position. When the ink cartridge 10 needs to be removed, the user unlocks the locked mechanism 5 by operating the locking mechanism 2n2.

[0092] [Example 1]

[0093] FIG3 shows a structure in which the locked mechanism 5 is movably provided on the adapter 102 , but it should be understood that the locked mechanism 5 can also be movably provided on the box body 101 , that is, the locked mechanism 5 is movably provided on the shell 11 .

[0094] As shown in Figure 3, the adapter 102 is provided with a accommodating space 102f for accommodating the locked mechanism 5. The locked mechanism 5 involved in this embodiment includes a first reset member 51 and a locked member 52. The locked member 52 is combined with the shell 11 and is used to lock with the locking mechanism 2n2, so that the ink cartridge 10 is locked. The first reset member 51 is used to force the locked member 52 to move toward a locking position in which it can be locked with the locking mechanism 2n2, that is, the locked member 52 can move between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the locked member 52 is locked with the locking mechanism 2n2, and the device-side movable member 4 is located in the first position. In the unlocked position, the locked member 52 is unlocked, and the device-side movable member 4 is located in the second position.

[0095] The locked member 52 includes a base 521, a locked portion 522 connected to the base 521, and a forced pushing portion 523. In one embodiment, the first return member 51 is configured as a compression spring, one end of the compression spring abuts against the shell 11 / adapter 102, and the other end abuts against the locked member 52 (base 521). In another embodiment, the first return member 51 can also be configured as a tension spring, one end of the tension spring is connected to the shell 11 / adapter 102, and the other end is connected to the locked member 52 (base 521).

[0096] The forced pushing portion 523 is configured as a plate-shaped body connected to the base 521 . A contact surface 526 for contacting the lifting arm 43 is further provided on the plate-shaped body. The contact surface 526 is configured as an inclined surface inclined relative to the up-down direction.

[0097] In some embodiments, the locked member 52 also includes a locking member guide portion 524 provided on the plate-like body. By means of the locking member guide portion 524, the movement trajectory of the locked member 52 can be precisely controlled. For example, through the locking member guide portion 524, the locked member is set to move in the front-to-back direction, or in the up-and-down direction. Specifically, the locked member 52 moves linearly in the front-to-back direction or in the up-and-down direction.

[0098] In some embodiments, the locked member 52 further includes a limiting portion 527 provided on the plate-like body. By utilizing the limiting portion 527, when the locking mechanism 2n2 and the locked mechanism 5 are locked with each other, the relative position of the lifting arm 43 and the abutment surface 526 can be precisely controlled.

[0099] In some embodiments, the locked member 52 also includes a first auxiliary surface 525 provided on the base 521, and the first auxiliary surface 525 is configured as an inclined surface inclined relative to the up and down directions. On the one hand, the first auxiliary surface 525 can prevent the locked member 52 from interfering with the locking mechanism 2n2. On the other hand, when the movable member 4 on the device side rotates along the rotation direction r3, the first auxiliary surface 525 can receive the thrust from the inclined surface 462 in the movable member 4 on the device side and accelerate the movement of the locked member 52 from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[0100] When the ink cartridge 10 rotates downward together with the bottom plate 2m, the rear elastic member is elastically deformed, and the locked portion 522 begins to abut against the first side wall 2n4, forcing the first return member 51 to be elastically deformed. At the same time, the locked portion 522 retracts into the housing 11 / adapter 102. Overall, the locked member 52 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. When the locked portion 522 passes over the first side wall 2n4, the first return member 51 releases the return force, and the locked member 52 moves from the unlocked position to the locked position. In the locked position, The locking portion 522 enters the locking space 2n7. Specifically, the locked portion 522 enters the active space 2n0 and reaches below the first locking surface 2n41. As shown in Figures 4A, 4B and 4C, the locked portion 522 is opposite to the first locking surface 2n41 in the up and down directions. Preferably, the locked portion 522 abuts against the first locking surface 2n41 in the up and down directions. In this way, the upward movement tendency of the ink cartridge 10 can be stopped; the first auxiliary surface 525 is opposite to or abuts against the inclined surface 462, and the lifting arm 43 is opposite to or abuts against the abutting surface 526.

[0101] As shown in Figures 5A, 5B and 5C, when the ink cartridge 10 needs to be removed, the user presses the pressed plate 42 downward, and the movable part 4 on the device side begins to rotate around the rotation axis L4 in the direction shown by r3 in Figure 4C, and the lifting arm 43 abuts the abutment surface 526, thereby forcing the locked part 52 to overcome the elastic force of the first reset part 51 and move forward until the locked part 522 and the first locking surface 2n41 are no longer opposite to each other in the up and down directions, or in other words, until the locking part 522 and the first locking surface 2n41 are disengaged from each other in the up and down directions, and the locked part 52 reaches the unlocked position. Subsequently, the bottom plate 2m gradually rotates upward around the accommodating part rotation axis 2s in the direction shown by CD3 in Figure 1C under the action of the elastic force released by the rear elastic part. At the same time, the ink cartridge 10 is also driven by the bottom plate 2m to rotate upward, so that the user can easily remove the ink cartridge 10.

[0102] During the removal process of the ink cartridge 10, as the movable part 4 on the device side rotates, the inclined surface 462 can also abut against the first auxiliary surface 525. In this way, the first auxiliary surface 525 will also be subjected to the lifting force from the inclined surface 462, thereby forcing the locked part 52 to disengage from the locking mechanism 2n2 faster.

[0103] [Example 2]

[0104] In this embodiment, the locked member 52 is configured to rotate around a rotation axis L52 extending in the left-right direction. The locked mechanism 5 also includes an intermediate member 6 for abutting against the locked member 52. The intermediate member 6 is movably arranged relative to the shell 11. As shown in Figure 6, the locked member 52 includes a base 521, a locked portion 522, a locked member rotating portion 528 and a transmission member 529. The locked portion 522 is connected to the base 521 for locking with the locking mechanism 2n2. The transmission member 529 is connected to the base 521 for transmitting unlocking force and reset force to the base 521, thereby forcing the locked member 52 to rotate around the locked member rotating portion 528 to achieve locking of the locked portion 522 with the locking mechanism 2n2 and unlocking of the locked portion 522 with the locking mechanism 2n2.

[0105] Continuing with Figure 6, the locked member 52 also includes a retaining portion 5211 connected to the base 521, which is used to maintain the locked member 52 in an abutting position, so that when the ink cartridge 10 rotates downward with the bottom plate 2m, the locked member 52 / the locked portion 522 can abut against the locking mechanism 2n2 and rotate in a predetermined direction, thereby achieving the locking of the locked member 52 and the locking mechanism 2n2; the transmission member 529 extends from the base 521 to form a cantilever shape, the first reset member 51 abuts against the transmission member 529 above the transmission member 529, and the intermediate member 6 abuts against the transmission member 29 below the transmission member 529, so that the transmission member 529 is clamped by the first reset member 51 and the intermediate member 6. In some embodiments, the first reset member 51 can also be set as a tension spring. At this time, the first reset member 51 and the intermediate member 6 can be set on the same side of the transmission member 529.

[0106] The intermediate part 6 includes an intermediate part main body 61 and a force-bearing part 62 and a limited part 63 connected to the intermediate part main body 61. The force-bearing part 62 is also used to abut against the lifting arm 43, thereby forcing the locking part 52 to rotate around the rotation axis L52, and the limited part 63 is used to prevent the intermediate part 6 from falling off from the ink cartridge 10.

[0107] As shown in Figures 7A, 7B and 7C, the locking portion 522 is opposite to or in contact with the first locking surface 2n41 in the up and down directions, the first reset member 51 presses the transmission member 529, and the locked member 52 has a tendency to rotate in the opposite direction of the rotation direction r4 in Figure 7C. The locked mechanism 5 is locked with the locking mechanism 2n2, the lifting arm 43 is opposite to or in contact with the force-bearing portion 62, the locking member 52 is in the locked locking position, and the movable member 4 on the device side is in the first position.

[0108] When the ink cartridge 10 needs to be removed, the user presses the pressed plate 42, and the device-side movable part 4 rotates around the rotation axis L4 in the direction indicated by r3 in FIG7C , and the lifting arm 43 abuts against the force-bearing part 62 to push the intermediate part 6 to move upward, and then the intermediate part 6 pushes the transmission part 529, and the transmission part 529 drives the base 521 to rotate around the rotation axis L52 in the direction indicated by the rotation direction r4 in FIG7C ; as shown in FIG8A , FIG8B and FIG8C , the locking part 522 is disengaged from the abutment with the first locking surface 2n41, that is, the locked part 52 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the device-side movable part 4 moves from the first position to the second position, and the first reset part 51 and the device-side elastic part 2n3 are both elastically deformed. When the user no longer presses the pressed plate 42, the first reset part 51 and the device-side elastic part 2n3 release the elastic force, and the locking part 52 and the device-side movable part 4 are reset.

[0109] Similar to the first embodiment, the locked member 52 can also be provided with the above-mentioned first auxiliary surface 525. When the locked member 52 is locked, the first auxiliary surface 525 is opposite to the inclined surface 462. During the process of unlocking the locked member 52, the first auxiliary surface 525 will be subjected to the lifting force from the inclined surface 462, thereby forcing the locked member 52 to disengage from the locking mechanism 2n2 faster.

[0110] [Example 3]

[0111] Similar to the second embodiment, the middle member 6 in this embodiment is configured to rotate about the rotation axis L6. However, unlike the second embodiment, the unlocking of the locked member 52 in this embodiment is no longer performed via the device-side movable member 4, but rather via the middle member 6. As shown in FIG9 , the middle member 6 includes a middle member rotating portion 64, a middle member body 61 connected to the middle member rotating portion 64, and a force-bearing portion 62. The force-bearing portion 62 is located behind the housing 11 and is used to receive external forces (such as a user's pressing force). At the same time, the middle member 6 is connected to the housing 11 via the middle member rotating portion 64. Therefore, the middle member rotating portion 64 can also be regarded as the restricted portion 63.

[0112] As shown in Figure 9, the transmission member 529 in this embodiment is fixedly connected to the base 521, and the transmission member 529 also forms an inclined squeezed surface 5291. Accordingly, the middle member body 61 of the middle member 6 is provided with a force transmission portion 611 for abutting against the squeezed surface 5291; the first reset member 51 directly abuts against the base 521, for forcing the locked member 52 to rotate in the opposite direction of the direction indicated by r4 in Figure 9. At the same time, the base 521 is also provided with the retaining portion 5211.

[0113] As shown in Figures 10A, 10B and 10C, the locked portion 522 is opposite to or abuts the first locking surface 2n41 in the up and down directions, the first return member 51 presses the base 521, and the locked member 52 has a tendency to rotate in the opposite direction of the rotation direction r4 shown in Figure 10C, and the locked mechanism 5 and the locking mechanism 2n2 are locked.

[0114] When the ink cartridge 10 needs to be removed, the user presses the force-bearing portion 62, and the intermediate piece 6 rotates around the rotation axis L6 in the direction indicated by r5 in FIG10C . The intermediate piece body 61 brings the force transmission portion 611 to squeeze the squeezed surface 5921, thereby forcing the locked piece 52 to overcome the elastic force of the first reset piece 51 and rotate in the direction indicated by r4 in FIG10C . As shown in FIG11A , FIG11B and FIG11C , the locking portion 522 is disengaged from the abutment with the first locking surface 2n41, that is, the locked piece 52 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the first reset piece 51 undergoes elastic deformation. When the user no longer presses the force-bearing portion 62, the first reset piece 51 releases the elastic force, and the locking piece 52 is reset.

[0115] [Example 4]

[0116] Similar to the third embodiment, the locked member 52 in this embodiment is also configured to be unlocked by rotating along the rotation direction r4, and the unlocking of the locked member 52 in this embodiment is no longer through the device-side movable member 4, but through the intermediate member 6. As shown in Figure 12, the middle piece 6 includes an middle piece body 61, a force-bearing part 62 and a second reset piece 65. The middle piece body 61 is configured to be movable in the up and down directions. The force-bearing part 62 protrudes backward from the middle piece body 61. The second reset piece 65 abuts against the middle piece body 61 or the force-bearing part 62. The ink cartridge 10 also includes an abutment part 113 extending backward from the shell 11. The second reset piece 65 is a sheet body or a compression spring arranged between the middle piece 61 and one of the force-bearing part 62 and the abutment part 113. The middle piece body 61 is also provided with a force transmission part 611. In this embodiment, the force transmission part 611 is a rack. Accordingly, the locked piece 52 is also provided with a locked piece rotating part 528 connected to the base 521 and a transmission piece 529 arranged on the locked piece rotating part 528. The transmission piece 529 is at least one tooth for engaging with the rack 611; it is feasible that the tooth 529 and the rack 611 can also be interchangeable.

[0117] As shown in Figures 13A, 13B and 13C, the locked portion 522 is opposite to or abuts the first locking surface 2n41 in the up and down directions, the first return member 51 presses the base 521, and the locked member 52 has a tendency to rotate in the opposite direction of the rotation direction r4 shown in Figure 13C, and the locked mechanism 5 and the locking mechanism 2n2 are locked.

[0118] When the ink cartridge 10 needs to be taken out, the user simultaneously grasps the abutting portion 113 and the force-receiving portion 62. By applying a grasping force to the force-receiving portion 62, the middle member main body 61 is driven to translate upward. The second restoring member 65 undergoes elastic deformation, and the engagement of the rack 611 and the tooth 529 forces the locked member rotating portion 528 to drive the locked member 52 to rotate in the direction shown by r4 in FIG. 13C against the elastic force of the first restoring member 51; as shown in FIGS. 14A, 14B, and 14C, the locking portion 522 disengages from the first locking surface 2n41, that is, the locked member 52 reaches the unlocked position, and both the first restoring member 51 and the second restoring member 65 undergo elastic deformation. When the user no longer grasps the force-receiving portion 62, both the first restoring member 51 and the second restoring member 65 release their elastic forces, and the locking member 52 is reset.

[0119] In this embodiment, both the abutting portion 113 and the force-receiving portion 62 extend rearward in the rear direction of the housing 11. Therefore, the abutting portion 113 and the force-receiving portion 62 can also serve as handles for the ink cartridge 10, facilitating the user to perform installation and disassembly operations on the ink cartridge 10.

[0120] [Embodiment Five]

[0121] In this embodiment, the locked member 52 is provided with a first elastic arm 52a and a second elastic arm 52b that are symmetrically arranged in the left-right direction. The structures of the first elastic arm 52a and the second elastic arm 52b are the same, and the two are combined to form a "ji" - shaped component. Under the concept of this embodiment, only one of the first elastic arm 52a and the second elastic arm 52b can also be provided. However, regardless of the number of elastic arms provided, each elastic arm has a tendency to open in the left-right direction.

[0122] Each elastic arm includes a base portion 521 and a locked portion 522 connected to the base portion 521. The middle member 6 includes a middle member main body 61 and a force-receiving portion 62 connected to the middle member main body 61. The middle member main body 61 abuts against the base portion 521. The force-receiving portion 62 includes a first portion 62a, a second portion 62b, and a third portion 62c that are connected in sequence. At least the first portion 62a is located behind the housing 11. At least a part of the second portion 62b is movably disposed below the sub-lower surface 11b2. The third portion 62c connects the second portion 62b and the middle member main body 61. Therefore, the second portion 62b can also be regarded as the limited portion 63.

[0123] As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, the locked portion 522 reaches the lower surface (second locking surface) 432 of the lifting arm 43. Although the device-side movable member 4 has a tendency to rotate in the direction shown by r3 around the rotation axis L4 in FIG. 1F, under the elastic force of the device-side elastic member 2n3, the locked portion 522 can be locked / held on the lower surface 432 of the lifting arm 43. In this way, the locked member 52 is locked.

[0124] When the ink cartridge 10 needs to be removed, as shown in Figures 17A and 17B, the user pushes the first part 62a forward, and through the second part 62b and the third part 62c, the middle piece body 61 also moves forward. In order to make the elastic arm 52a / 52b elastically deform, for example, an inclined surface is set on the side of the middle piece body 61 opposite to the base 521. In this way, as the elastic arm 52a / 52b elastically deforms, the locked part 522 disengages from the abutment with the second locking surface 432, and the locked piece 52 is unlocked; in another embodiment, the side of the middle piece body 61 opposite to the base 521 may not need to be provided with an inclined surface, but the elastic arm itself has the tendency to open in the left and right directions. When the middle piece body 61 squeezes the elastic arm, the locked part 522 disengages from the abutment with the second locking surface 432.

[0125] When the user no longer pushes the first part 62a, the elastic arm 52a / 52b releases the elastic force, and while the locked part 52 is reset, it also pushes the middle part 6 backward to reset it. It can be seen that the second reset part in this embodiment can also be omitted, and the unlocking process of the locked part 52 does not require the rotation of the movable part 4 on the device side to be realized.

[0126] [Example 6]

[0127] Similar to the fifth embodiment, the intermediate member 6 in this embodiment is still configured to move in a translational manner, thereby releasing the lock of the locked member 52 , but the intermediate member 6 in this embodiment moves in the up-down direction rather than the front-back direction.

[0128] As shown in Figure 18, the middle piece 6 still includes a middle piece main body 61 and a force-bearing part 62 connected to the middle piece main body 61, the middle piece main body 61 abuts against the base 521, and the force-bearing part 62 includes a first part 62a, a second part 62b and a third part 62c connected in sequence, at least the first part 62a is located behind the shell 11, and at least a part of the second part 62b is movably arranged below the sub-lower surface 11b2, and the third part 62c connects the second part 62b and the middle piece main body 61, so the second part 62b can also be regarded as the limited part 63.

[0129] Preferably, the locked member 52 in this embodiment is also configured as a first elastic arm 52a and a second elastic arm 52b arranged opposite to each other in the left and right directions, and at least one of the two elastic arms has a tendency to gradually open in the left and right directions from top to bottom. As shown in Figures 19A and 19B, the locked portion 522 reaches the bottom of the lifting arm 43, and the locked portion 522 abuts against the second locking surface 432, and the locked member 52 is locked.

[0130] When the ink cartridge 10 needs to be removed, as shown in Figures 20A and 20B, the user pushes the first part 62a downward, and through the second part 62b and the third part 62c, the middle part body 61 also moves downward. With the elastic deformation of the elastic arm 52a / 52b, the locked part 522 disengages from the abutment with the second locking surface 432, and the locked part 52 is unlocked.

[0131] When the user no longer pushes the first part 62a, the elastic arms 52a / 52b release the elastic force, and while the locked part 52 is reset, it also pushes the middle part 6 upward to reset it. It can be seen that the second reset part in this embodiment can also be omitted, and the unlocking process of the locked part 52 does not require the rotation of the movable part 4 on the device side to be realized.

[0132] [Other Notes]

[0133] The above embodiment focuses on describing that the locked portion 522 abuts against the first locking surface 2n41 or the second locking surface 432 in the locking mechanism 2n2 to achieve the locking of the ink cartridge 10. However, it can be understood that the locked portion 522 can also enter at least one of the upper locking space 2n55 and the lower locking space 2n56 in the locking mechanism 2n2 to achieve the locking of the ink cartridge 10.

[0134] Compared with the locking mechanism described in the background technology, which is combined with the groove set at the rear end of the ink cartridge, in the present invention, any one of the first locking surface 2n41, the second locking surface 432, the upper locking space 2n55 and the lower locking space 2n56 has a deeper combination depth (the dimension in the front-to-back direction) than the groove, so that the ink cartridge 10 can be more stably locked in the imaging device; further, the locking mechanism in the background technology is set to be retractable, while the first locking surface 2n41, the upper locking space 2n55 and the lower locking space 2n56 in the present invention are all immovable. It can be seen that the ink cartridge 10 involved in the present invention can be more stably locked in the imaging device.

[0135] [Example 7]

[0136] As shown in Figure 21, in this embodiment, the adapter 102 has an adapter lower surface 102b facing downward. Preferably, the adapter lower surface 102b includes an adapter main lower surface 102b1 located at the rear end of the adapter 102 and an adapter sub-lower surface 102b2 located at the front end of the adapter 102; in the up-down direction, the adapter sub-lower surface 102b2 is closer to the box body 101, and the adapter main lower surface 102b1 is located below the adapter sub-lower surface 102b2, that is, the adapter main lower surface 102b1 protrudes downward relative to the adapter sub-lower surface 102b2 to form a protrusion 102c, and in the front-to-back direction, the adapter main lower surface 102b1 is located behind the adapter sub-lower surface 102b2; compared with the ink cartridge in the prior art, the front end portion of the protrusion 102c is equivalent to being cut off, that is, the adapter lower surface 102b does not require additional molding material to form a accommodating recess for avoiding the deceleration device 2j. In this way, under the condition of meeting the usage requirements, the ink cartridge 10 requires less molding material (such as rubber), thereby reducing production costs. Furthermore, the ink outlet portion 16 is exposed downward from the adapter main lower surface 102b1.

[0137] The ink cartridge 10 also includes at least one protrusion arranged at the front end, preferably a protrusion 102n1. Furthermore, the protrusion 102n1 is arranged at the front end of the sub-lower surface 102b2 of the adapter, and no groove structure (accommodating recess) is formed between the protrusion 102n1 and the protrusion 102c. Furthermore, the lower surface of the protrusion 102n1 is in the same plane as the main lower surface 102b1 of the adapter.

[0138] As shown in Figures 22A and 22B, when the ink cartridge 10 is not locked by the locking device 2n, under the action of the elastic member 2m1, the mounting member / housing portion 2e is rotated upward in the direction indicated by CD2 and lifted; when the rear end of the ink cartridge 10 is pushed downward, the ink cartridge 10 and the mounting member / housing portion 2e are rotated downward in the direction indicated by CD3, and at the same time, the elastic member 2m1 is compressed until the ink cartridge 10 reaches the predetermined installation position and is locked by the locking device 2n; the mounting member / housing portion 2e is rotated downward so that the deceleration device 2j passes through the through groove provided in the bottom plate 2m of the mounting member / housing portion 2e, and in the front-to-back direction, at least a portion of the deceleration device 2j overlaps with the protrusion 102n1, and at the same time, in the up-down direction, the lower surface of the protrusion 102n1 is in the same plane as the main lower surface 102b1 of the adapter, so that the ink cartridge 10 can remain stable when combined with the mounting member / housing portion 2e, thereby ensuring the stability of the electrical connection between the chip and the electrical contact pins.

[0139] It should be noted that the specific structure of the protrusion 102n1 is not limited here, as long as the protrusion 102n1 is located at the front end of the lower side of the ink cartridge 10 and can ensure the stability of the ink cartridge 10 when installed.

[0140] [Embodiment 8]

[0141] On the basis of the seventh embodiment, the difference from the seventh embodiment is that in this embodiment, at least two protrusions are staggeredly provided on the main lower surface 11b1 of the adapter 102, as follows:

[0142] As shown in Figures 23, 24A and 24B, in this embodiment, preferably, the adapter sub-lower surface 102b2 of the adapter 102 is provided with a first protrusion 102n1 and a second protrusion 102n2. When viewed in the front-to-back direction, the first protrusion 102n1 and the second protrusion 102n2 do not overlap. That is, in the left-to-right direction, the first protrusion 102n1 and the second protrusion 102n2 are staggered. When viewed in the left-to-right direction, the first protrusion 102n1 and the second protrusion 102n2 do not overlap, and no groove structure is formed between the first protrusion 102n1 and the second protrusion 102n2. More preferably, in the front-to-back direction, One of the first protrusion 102n1 and the second protrusion 102n2 is arranged at the front end of the adapter sub-lower surface 102b2, and the other of the first protrusion 102n1 and the second protrusion 102n2 is arranged at the rear end of the adapter sub-lower surface 102b2. Specifically, the other of the first protrusion 102n1 and the second protrusion 102n2 is adjacent to the protrusion 102c; in the up and down directions, the lower surface of the first protrusion 102n1 and the lower surface of the second protrusion 102n2 are both in the same plane with the main lower surface 102b1 of the adapter, so that the ink cartridge 10 can remain stable when combined with the mounting member / accommodation portion 2e.

[0143] [Example 9]

[0144] As shown in Figures 25 and 26, in this embodiment, the upper surface / top surface 11a includes a main surface 11a4 and a second operating surface 11a5, and at least a portion of the main surface 11a4 and at least a portion of the second operating surface 11a5 are located in the same plane. Unlike the seventh and eighth embodiments, in this embodiment, the upper surface / top surface 11a is preferably an inclined plane. Specifically, as shown in the figure, a dotted line Y1 is drawn along a direction parallel to the front-to-back direction. In the up-down direction, the distance from the upper surface / top surface 11a to the dotted line Y1 gradually increases from front to back. In other words, when observed from left to right along the left-right direction, an angle Q1 is formed between the upper surface / top surface 11a and the dotted line Y1, or, with the lower surface 11b parallel to the front-to-back direction as a reference, in the up-down direction, the distance from the upper surface / top surface 11a to the lower surface 11b gradually decreases from front to back.

[0145] In some embodiments, the upper surface / top surface 11a is preferably a plane inclined in another direction. Specifically, with the lower surface 11b parallel to the front-to-back direction as a reference, the distance from the upper surface / top surface 11a to the lower surface 11b gradually increases from front to back in the up-down direction.

[0146] In this embodiment, an action portion 11g may also be provided at one end of the ink cartridge 10. Specifically, the action portion 11g is provided on the rear surface / first operating surface 11d. When the ink cartridge 10 reaches the mounting member / accommodating portion 2e in the forward direction, the ink cartridge 10 is rotated downward in the direction indicated by CD2 (as shown in FIG. 1C ) by operating the action portion 11g. Finally, the ink cartridge 10 reaches the predetermined installation position. At this time, the ink outlet portion 16 is combined with the ink absorption needle.

[0147] In some embodiments, the action portion 11g is configured as a rope or a ring. When the ink cartridge 10 reaches the installation member / accommodation portion 2e, the rope or ring is pulled until the ink cartridge 10 is locked with the locking device 2n, and the installation of the ink cartridge 10 is completed.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge is detachably mounted in an imaging device provided with a locking mechanism and a housing, the ink cartridge being mounted forwardly to the imaging device, the locking mechanism comprising an activity space open forwardly formed by a plurality of side walls, an apparatus side elastic member and an apparatus side movable member, the apparatus side movable member abutting against the apparatus side elastic member and being movable in the activity space; the housing is used to accommodate the ink cartridge and is rotatable about a housing rotation axis provided in front of the housing; The ink cartridge is first installed forwardly into the receiving portion, and then the ink cartridge and the receiving portion are rotated downwardly around the rotating axis of the receiving portion until the ink cartridge reaches a predetermined installation position; The ink cartridge comprises a shell for containing ink and a locked mechanism movably combined with the shell, the locked mechanism having a locked member that can move between a locked position and an unlocked position, the device side movable member having a first position and a second position, under the elastic force of the device side elastic member, the device side movable member is located at the first position, and when the device side movable member receives downward pressure, the device side movable member moves from the first position to the second position; characterized in that, In the locked position, the locked member is locked with the locking mechanism, the ink cartridge is locked in a predetermined installation position, and the movable member on the device side is located in the first position; In the unlocked position, the locked member is unlocked and the movable member on the device side is located at the second position.

2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of side walls include a first side wall, a second side wall and a third side wall, wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are arranged opposite to each other in the up-down direction, the third side wall connects the first side wall and the second side wall, the two third side walls are arranged opposite to each other in the left-right direction, and the activity space is located between the first side wall, the second side wall and the two third side walls; The first side wall has a first locking surface facing the activity space, and the locked piece has a locked portion; In the locking position, the locked portion enters the movable space, and the locked portion is opposite to the first locking surface in the up-down direction.

3. The ink cartridge according to claim 2, characterized in that: The movable part on the equipment side includes a movable part body, a pressed plate, a lifting arm and a movable part rotating part, the pressed plate, the lifting arm and the movable part rotating part are all connected to the movable part body, and at least a part of the lifting arm and at least a part of the pressed plate are respectively located at the front and rear sides of the movable part body; When the pressed plate receives downward pressure, the movable member on the device side rotates around the movable member rotating portion, and the lifting arm forces the locked member to reach the unlocked position.

4. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The locked member is configured to move in the front-rear direction.

5. The ink cartridge according to claim 4, characterized in that: The locked part includes a base, a forced pushing part and a locking part guide part. The forced pushing part and the locked part are both connected to the base. The locking part guide part is arranged on the forced pushing part. The locking part guide part is used to control the movement trajectory of the locked part.

6. The ink cartridge according to claim 5, characterized in that: The locked member also includes an abutment surface arranged on the forced pushing portion, and the lifting arm abuts against the abutment surface, thereby forcing the locked member to move until the locked portion and the first locking surface are no longer opposite to each other in the up and down directions.

7. The ink cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that: The contact surface is inclined with respect to the up-down direction.

8. The ink cartridge according to claim 6, characterized in that: The locked member further comprises a limiting portion arranged on the forced pushing portion, and when the locking mechanism and the locked mechanism are locked with each other, the limiting portion is used to control the relative position of the lifting arm and the abutting surface.

9. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, characterized in that: The locked member is provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction.

10. The ink cartridge according to claim 9, characterized in that: The locked member comprises a base, a locked portion, a locked member rotating portion and a transmission member; The locked portion is connected to the base portion and is used to be locked with the locking mechanism; The transmission member is connected to the base and is used for transmitting an unlocking force to the base, forcing the locked member to rotate around the rotating portion of the locked member to achieve unlocking of the locked member and the locking mechanism.

11. The ink cartridge according to claim 10, characterized in that: The transmission member is extended from the base to be cantilevered.

12. The ink cartridge according to claim 10, characterized in that: The locked mechanism also includes an intermediate piece that is movable relative to the shell, and after the intermediate piece abuts against the lifting arm, it pushes the transmission piece, forcing the locked piece to move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

13. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 5-8, 10-12, characterized in that: The locked member further comprises an auxiliary surface provided at the base, and the device-side movable member has an inclined surface inclined relative to the up-down direction; In the locked position, the auxiliary surface is in relative or abutment with the inclined surface, and the lifting arm is in relative or abutment with the abutment surface.

14. An ink cartridge, detachably mounted in an imaging device provided with a locking mechanism and a housing, the ink cartridge being mounted forwardly to the imaging device, the locking mechanism comprising a forwardly open movable space formed by a plurality of side walls; the housing is used to accommodate the ink cartridge and is rotatable about a housing rotation axis provided in front of the housing; characterized in that: The cartridge includes: A housing for containing ink; A locked member is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, wherein the locked member is locked with the locking mechanism in the locked position and is unlocked in the unlocked position; The middle piece is movably arranged relative to the housing, and the middle piece forces the locked piece to move from the locked position to the unlocked position under the action of an external force.

15. The ink cartridge according to claim 14, characterized in that: The locked member is provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction.

16. The ink cartridge according to claim 15, characterized in that: The intermediate member is provided to be rotatable about a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction.

17. The ink cartridge according to claim 15, characterized in that: The middle piece is arranged to be movable in a vertical direction.

18. The ink cartridge according to claim 17, characterized in that: The middle piece includes a middle piece body, a force-bearing portion, and a second restoring piece. The middle piece body is arranged to be movable in a vertical direction. The force-bearing portion is formed by protruding backward from the middle piece body. The second restoring piece abuts against the middle piece body or the force-bearing portion. The locked member comprises a base, a locked portion, a locked member rotating portion and a transmission member, wherein the locked portion and the locked member rotating portion are both connected to the base, and the transmission member is arranged on the locked member rotating portion; The intermediate component body is provided with a force transmission part. When the force-bearing part receives an external force, the second reset component undergoes elastic deformation, and the force transmission part engages with the transmission component to force the rotating part of the locked component to drive the locked component to rotate, and the locked component moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

19. The ink cartridge according to claim 17, characterized in that: The ink cartridge further comprises an abutment portion extending rearwardly from the shell body, and the second reset member is a sheet-like body or a compression spring arranged between the abutment portion and one of the intermediate member and the force-bearing portion.

20. The ink cartridge according to claim 17, characterized in that: One of the force transmission part and the transmission member is a rack, and the other of the force transmission part and the transmission member is at least one tooth for meshing with the rack.

21. The ink cartridge according to claim 14, characterized in that: The locked member is configured as at least one elastic arm having a tendency to open in the left-right direction.

22. The ink cartridge according to claim 21, characterized in that The middle piece is arranged to translate in the front-rear direction or the up-down direction.

23. The ink cartridge according to claim 22, characterized in that The locking mechanism also includes a device-side movable member movably disposed in the movable space; The movable part on the equipment side has a lifting arm located in front of the movable space, and in the locked position, the locked part reaches below the lifting arm.

24. The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1-12, 14-23, characterized in that: The ink cartridge further includes an ink outlet portion disposed below the housing, the ink outlet portion being used to supply ink to the imaging device; The housing is configured as a box body and an adapter combined with each other, the box body is used to contain ink, the adapter has an adapter lower surface facing downward, the adapter lower surface includes an adapter main lower surface and an adapter sub-lower surface adjacent to each other in the front-to-back direction, and the ink outlet is exposed downward from the adapter main lower surface; In the front-to-back direction, the main lower surface of the adapter is located behind the sub-lower surface of the adapter, and the main lower surface of the adapter and the sub-lower surface of the adapter are not in the same plane.

25. The ink cartridge according to claim 24, characterized in that The main lower surface of the adapter protrudes downward relative to the sub-lower surface of the adapter to form a protrusion.

26. The ink cartridge according to claim 25, characterized in that A protrusion is arranged at the front end of the adapter, the lower surface of the protrusion is in the same plane as the main lower surface of the adapter, and in the front-to-back direction, the protrusion is located in front of the main lower surface of the adapter.

27. The ink cartridge according to claim 26, characterized in that The imaging device further comprises a deceleration device disposed below the accommodating portion, the deceleration device being used to prevent the ink cartridge from being reset upward too quickly to cause ink dripping; When the ink cartridge is locked, at least a portion of the speed reduction device overlaps with the projection in the front-rear direction.

28. The ink cartridge according to claim 25, characterized in that The adapter includes a first protrusion and a second protrusion, and when viewed along the front-to-back direction, the first protrusion and the second protrusion do not overlap.

29. The ink cartridge according to claim 28, characterized in that In the front-to-back direction, one of the first protrusion and the second protrusion is arranged at the front end of the lower surface of the adapter, and the other is arranged at the rear end of the lower surface of the adapter.

30. The ink cartridge according to claim 28, characterized in that The lower surface of the first protrusion and the lower surface of the second protrusion are both in the same plane as the main lower surface of the adapter.

Images