CN101058259B

CN101058259B - Ink box and a set of ink box

Info

Publication number: CN101058259B
Application number: CN2007100916978A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 高木淳宏; 佐佐木丰纪
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2004-03-04
Filing date: 2005-03-03
Publication date: 2010-09-29
Anticipated expiration: 2025-03-03
Also published as: CN101058259A; JP4453400B2; CN101058258A; JP2005246781A; CN100551706C

Abstract

An ink cartridge includes a first detection portion positioned on the cartridge so as to be detectable by a detector of an image forming apparatus when the ink cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus and a second detection portion positioned on the cartridge so as to be detectable by the detector during installation and removal of the ink cartridge into/from the image forming apparatus. The second detection portion is positioned apart from the first detection portion toward a surface of the ink cartridge that is first inserted into the image forming apparatus during installation of the ink cartridge in the image forming apparatus.

Description

Print cartridge and print cartridge group

The explanation of dividing an application

The application is to be that March 3, application number in 2005 are 200510051797.9 and denomination of invention dividing an application for the Chinese invention patent application of " print cartridge and ink-jet printer " applying date.

Technical field

The present invention relates to hold the print cartridge of China ink and the ink-jet printer that uses this print cartridge.

Background technology

Known a kind of ink-jet printer that the print cartridge that holds China ink has been installed on it comprises the residue China ink amount acquisition sensor of surveying residue China ink amount in the print cartridge.For example Fig. 2 of Japan Patent No.2960614 has disclosed a kind of such sensor, and it uses optical pickocff, comprises radiative optical transmitting set and receives the optical receiver that sends and pass the light of transparent print cartridge from optical transmitting set.

In the ink-jet printer that comprises the optical pickocff that is used for surveying print cartridge residue China ink amount, the residue China ink amount that optical pickocff may detect in the print cartridge mistakenly is less, even when also not being installed to print cartridge on the ink-jet printer.When the print cartridge that contains small volume of ink when printer takes off, residue China ink amount acquisition sensor can not detect print cartridge and remove from ink-jet printer.Because ink-jet printer can not determine whether print cartridge has been installed on the printer, and printer just various maloperations may occur, as ink-jet etc.In order to address this problem, except remaining China ink amount acquisition sensor, can also provide one to survey print cartridge and whether be installed to sensor on the ink-jet printer, can increase cost like this.

Summary of the invention

Whether therefore, one aspect of the present invention provides a kind of print cartridge and a kind of ink-jet printer, wherein can be installed on the ink-jet printer with residue China ink amount and the print cartridge that a detector is surveyed in the print cartridge.

Print cartridge can comprise first probe portion, it is positioned at and makes on the print cartridge that the detector of imaging device can be surveyed first probe portion when print cartridge is installed in the imaging device, also comprise second probe portion, it be positioned at make on the print cartridge print cartridge is installed in the imaging device or when imaging device takes off detector can survey second probe portion.Second probe portion can be positioned at the position that separates with first probe portion towards surface of print cartridge, and wherein this surface is meant a surface that at first is inserted in the imaging device in the process that print cartridge is installed in the imaging device.

After the installation print cartridge was finished, detector can be surveyed first probe portion, thereby surveyed the residue China ink amount in the print cartridge.Whether in the process of print cartridge that installs or removes, detector can be surveyed second probe portion, be installed in the imaging device thereby detect print cartridge.Therefore, can whether be installed in the imaging device with residue China ink amount and the print cartridge that an independent detector is surveyed in the print cartridge.Because second probe portion can be positioned at the position that separates with first probe portion towards surface that print cartridge at first inserts imaging device, after installation, detector can not detect second probe portion.

The material that can make it to arrive the light receiving part of detector with the light that the light radiating portion that can hinder detector sends forms first probe portion and second probe portion.So can use non-contact type detector detection residue China ink amount (it changes in time owing to consumption) and definite print cartridge whether to be installed in the imaging device.

Print cartridge can comprise a cartridge body that can hold China ink.Cartridge body can be formed by the material with light transmission to small part.First probe portion can be a shadow shield, and it is formed by lighttight substantially material.Shadow shield can be arranged in the cartridge body movably, thereby changes the position along with the variation of cartridge body China and Mexico amount.Because first probe portion can be the shadow shield that allows light to pass, and it is placed on and makes it move along with the variation of residue China ink amount in the cartridge body in the cartridge body, so just can detect because the consumption of China ink and time dependent residue China ink is measured.Because second probe portion can be positioned at along print cartridge the position that separates with first probe portion on the direction of print cartridge is being installed, therefore only on a predetermined direction, be installed to print cartridge in the imaging device or when from imaging device, taking off print cartridge detector just can detect second probe portion.After end was installed, detector just can only detect first probe portion.So can simplify the operation of installing and taking off print cartridge by the complex operations of avoiding surveying second probe portion with detector.The operation of print cartridge has become simply owing to install or remove, and just can avoid that intensity may rupture owing to contacting with the print cartridge mounting portion than print cartridge remainder second probe portion low, that come out in installation process.

Print cartridge may further include the cartridge body that can hold China ink and covers cartridge body at first inserts that end in the imaging device in the process that print cartridge is installed in the imaging device cap.Second probe portion can be from the outwardly directed extension of the side surface of cap.Extension can be light tight substantially.In this structure, second probe portion can form the simple relatively extension of structure.

In comprising the print cartridge group of first and second print cartridges, the first maximum black capacity of first print cartridge can be different with the second maximum black capacity of second print cartridge.The shape of the extension of first print cartridge can be different with the shape of the extension of second print cartridge.An imaging device may can hold two or more print cartridges.In such embodiments, the maximum black capacity of first print cartridge can be greater than the maximum black capacity of second print cartridge.First print cartridge and second print cartridge can comprise difform extension (as second extension).Therefore, detector survey extension on first print cartridge mode can with survey second print cartridge on the mode of extension different.So just can use extension to assign to determine the maximum black capacity of mounted print cartridge.In addition, according to the maximum black capacity of the print cartridge that detects, can export to the China ink of the residue in print cartridge amount as peripheral hardwares such as personal computers.

Print cartridge can comprise cartridge body and the cap as the parts that separate.Therefore, when cartridge body and cap are separately parts, can provide cap with the difformity that specification was determined of concrete imaging device.

Print cartridge may further include a lid that covers at least a portion extension.So just can avoid when being installed in the imaging device or from imaging device, taking off, damaging extension to print cartridge.

In each exemplary embodiment, imaging device can comprise: a print cartridge mounting portion, and it can install print cartridge; A detector, when print cartridge was installed in the imaging device, detector can be surveyed first probe portion, print cartridge is installed in the imaging device or print cartridge from the process that imaging device takes off, detector can be surveyed second probe portion; With a control device, it is measured according to the residue China ink that detector calculates in the print cartridge the detection of first probe portion, whether detects second probe portion according to detector and determines whether print cartridge is installed in the print cartridge mounting portion.

Control device can be measured according to the residue China ink that detector calculates in the print cartridge the detection of first probe portion.Whether control device can also detect second probe portion according to detector is determined whether print cartridge is installed in the print cartridge mounting portion.Therefore not necessarily to be provided with respectively and survey the detector whether print cartridge is installed in the detector in the print cartridge mounting portion and surveys residue China ink amount in the print cartridge.Such structure can reduce production cost.

Print cartridge may further include: an ink container, and it can hold China ink; An ink-feed channel, the China ink in the ink container can be provided to the position of ink container outside selectively by ink-feed channel, and when print cartridge is installed in the imaging device, thereby ink-feed channel can cooperate with tube connector China ink is offered printhead in the imaging device; One first extension, it is located on the outer wall of print cartridge, and first extension extends on the direction that China ink is provided to the ink container external position along this outer wall; With one second extension, it is located on the outer wall of print cartridge, and second extension extends on the direction that China ink is provided to the ink container external position along this outer wall, and forms with lighttight substantially material.First probe portion can be located in first extension movably.Second probe portion can comprise second extension.At least a portion first extension can be positioned on the print cartridge, thereby it places between the light radiating portion and light receiving part of the correlation sensor that is located at imaging device when print cartridge is installed in the imaging device.Thereby at least a portion second extension can be positioned on the print cartridge and print cartridge is being installed to the imaging device neutralization when taking off from imaging device, and it passes between light radiating portion and light receiving part.

A kind of ink-jet printer can comprise: one can ink-jet on recording medium printhead; With a print cartridge mounting portion that print cartridge can be installed; Correlation sensor with light radiating portion and light receiving part; With the tube connector that the China ink in the print cartridge is offered printhead.The print cartridge mounting portion can be configured such that: in the process that print cartridge is installed in the ink-jet printer, second extension is passing between light radiating portion and light receiving part before first extension; When print cartridge was installed in the ink-jet printer, at least a portion first extension placed between light radiating portion and the light receiving part, and at least a portion tube connector and ink-feed channel are combined together; And print cartridge from the process that ink-jet printer takes off, after first extension was removed from the position between light radiating portion and the light receiving part, second extension passed between light radiating portion and light receiving part.

After the print cartridge installation process was finished, the residue China ink that the correlation sensor can utilize first extension to survey in the print cartridge was measured.When print cartridge being installed on imaging device or the ink-jet printer or when imaging device or ink-jet printer took off, the correlation sensor can detect second extension through the correlation sensor.Therefore, utilize a correlation sensor can survey whether print cartridge is installed on imaging device or the ink-jet printer and print cartridge in residue China ink amount.

First probe portion can form and move in first extension inside according to the China ink amount in the ink container with lighttight substantially material.Utilize this structure, use the correlation sensor can detect residue China ink amount in the ink container of print cartridge reliably.

Print cartridge can comprise second outer wall with the parallel placement of described outer wall.First extension can only be formed on the described outer wall.Such structure can avoid print cartridge to be installed in the imaging device improperly so that print cartridge has asymmetric shape.

Print cartridge may further include a first rib and a second rib, and they are positioned at the extension of winning is placed between first rib and the second rib.When being installed to print cartridge on the imaging device, rib can play the effect of guiding piece.So just can avoid a print cartridge to be installed in the imaging device improperly once more.

First width of first extension and second width of second extension can be less than the distances between light radiating portion and the light receiving part.Utilize this structure, just can be easy to realize installing and taking off print cartridge.

The width of second extension can be less than the width of first extension.Second extension can be lighttight substantially sheet member.First extension can be greater than second length of second extension on the direction vertical with the direction that China ink is provided to the ink container external position in first length on the direction vertical with the direction that China ink is provided to the ink container external position.Utilize this structure, second extension can pass the correlation sensor at an easy rate.Can carry out at an easy rate like this and install and take off print cartridge.

Ink-feed channel can be provided with valve member, and when ink-feed channel and tube connector were combined together, valve member was opened ink-feed channel.Utilize this structure, can avoid that China ink leaks out when using print cartridge from ink-feed channel.

Description of drawings

Describe embodiments of the invention below with reference to accompanying drawing, wherein represent similar elements with similar Reference numeral, in the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 schematically shows the general survey of ink-jet printer according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 A is the plane of print cartridge;

Fig. 2 B is the left side view of print cartridge;

Fig. 2 C is the bottom view of print cartridge;

Fig. 3 is the bottom perspective view of print cartridge;

Fig. 4 is the cutaway view of print cartridge along Fig. 2 B center line IV-IV;

Fig. 5 A is the cutaway view of ink supply valve, shown in the ink supply valve be in closed condition;

Fig. 5 B is the cutaway view of ink supply valve, shown in the ink supply valve be in open mode;

Fig. 6 is the perspective view of the ink supply valve shown in Fig. 5 A and the 5B;

Fig. 7 is the cutaway view of print cartridge along Fig. 4 center line VII-VII;

Fig. 8 is a flow chart, shows to survey print cartridge and whether be installed to process on the ink-jet printer;

Fig. 9 A is the left side view of big print cartridge;

Fig. 9 B is the bottom perspective view of big print cartridge;

Figure 10 is a flow chart, shows to survey print cartridge and whether be installed to process on the ink-jet printer; With

Figure 11 is the bottom perspective view according to improved print cartridge of the present invention.

The specific embodiment

Describe first embodiment of the present invention below in detail.Can spray the China ink of four kinds of colors according to the color inkjet printer 1 of this embodiment.As shown in Figure 1, color inkjet printer 1 comprises printhead 2, four print cartridges 3, four retainers 4, balladeur train 5, conveying mechanism 6, cleaning device 7 and control device 8.Printhead 2 has to paper P goes up the nozzle 2a that sprays cyan (C), yellow (Y), carmetta (M) and four kinds of colors of ink of black (K).(3c 3d) comprises a kind of in four kinds of colors of ink to each print cartridge of four print cartridges 3 for 3a, 3b.As each retainers of four retainers 4 of cartridge holder (4a, 4b, 4c, 4d) mounted thereto each print cartridge 3.Print cartridge 3 along with Fig. 1 in be installed in respectively on the retainer 4 from the top to the parallel vertical direction of bottom direction.Balladeur train 5 on perpendicular to the direction of Fig. 1 paper along guide rail 9 linear reciprocation mobile print heads 2.Conveying mechanism 6 is perpendicular to the moving direction of printhead 2 be parallel to conveyance of sheets P on the direction of ink discharging surface.The China ink of cleaning device 7 suction air or high viscosity from printhead 2.Control device 8 is carried out the integral body control to ink-jet printer 1.

In ink-jet printer 1, when balladeur train 5 moved back and forth printhead 2 on the direction perpendicular to Fig. 1 paper, conveying mechanism 6 is conveyance of sheets P on the left and right directions of Fig. 1.Along with moving of printhead 2, China ink is from being installed in print cartridge 3 on the retainer 4 offers printhead 2 by supply pipe 10 nozzle 2a.China ink is ejected on the paper P from nozzle 2a, prints thereby carry out on paper P.

Cleaning device 7 comprise can near and away from the cleaning cap 11 of the ink discharging surface of printhead 2 so that cover or expose ink discharging surface, and comprise the suction pump 59 of suction China ink from nozzle 2a.When printhead 2 was positioned at printhead 2 and can carries out outside the print area of printing on paper P, cleaning device 7 can aspirate the air that comprises in the printhead 2 or evaporate the higher China ink of viscosity that causes owing to water from printhead 2.

Four retainers 4 (4a-4d) are in line.The print cartridge 3a-3d that contains cyan, yellow, carmetta and black ink is installed in respectively on four retainer 4a-4d.

Ink supply pipe 12 and air guiding tube 13 lay respectively at the corresponding position of the ink supply valve 21 of retainer 4 bottoms and print cartridge 3 and air pilot valve 22.Retainer 4 is provided with the optical pickocff 14 (correlation sensor) of surveying residue China ink amount in the print cartridge 3.Sensor 14 has light radiating portion 14a and light receiving part 14b, and they are substantially disposed in identical height, thereby a part of print cartridge 3 is placed between them.In order to determine the residue China ink amount in the print cartridge 3, sensor 14 is surveyed the chopping mechanism 23 that is located in the print cartridge 3 and whether has been covered the light that sends from light radiating portion 14a.Result of detection outputs to control device 8.

Describe print cartridge 3 below in detail.Print cartridge 3a-3d has essentially identical structure.

Shown in Fig. 2 to 4, print cartridge 3 comprises the cartridge body 20 that wherein contains China ink, open or close from cartridge body 20 to the ink supply valve 21 of the ink-feed channel of printhead 2 ink supply, open or close air introduce the air guide path of cartridge body 20 air pilot valve 22, hinder from the light radiating portion 14a of sensor 14 being used for of sending survey print cartridge 3 residue China ink amounts light chopping mechanism 23 and cover the cap 24 of print cartridge 3 bottoms.

Cartridge body 20 is formed by the synthetic resin with light transmission.As shown in Figure 4, cartridge body 20 and partition wall 30 whole formation of roughly extending in the horizontal direction.Partition wall 30 is divided into black chamber (ink container) 31 that is arranged on partition wall 30 tops and the

valve chamber

32,33 that is arranged on partition wall 30 bottoms to the inside of cartridge body 20.Be filled with a kind of China ink of color in the China ink chamber 31.Valve

chamber

32,33 holds ink supply valve 21 and air pilot valve 22 respectively.In valve chamber 32, formed the outside of ink-feed channel with print cartridge 3 that the China ink in the black chamber 31 is led.In ink-feed channel, shown in Fig. 5 B, China ink flows downward from black chamber 31.Shown in Fig. 2 B and 2C, protruding slightly and extension 34 downward extension is formed on the sidewall of print cartridge 3, and it forms the position roughly at the core about print cartridge 3 short transverses.The shadow shield 60 of chopping mechanism 23 is placed in the inner space of extension 34.After print cartridge 3 was installed on the retainer 4, as shown in Figure 7, extension 34 was between light radiating portion 14a and light receiving part 14b.The width of extension 34 is less than the distance between light radiating portion 14a and the light receiving part 14b, thereby predetermined distance is provided between extension 34 and light radiating portion 14a/ light receiving part 14b.Formed at print cartridge 3 on the side edge edge of extension 34, be provided with a pair of rib 55 with respect to horizontal direction, they are parallel to extension 34 extends, thereby extension 34 is placed on this between the rib 55.Formed tapering part on rib 55, when being installed to print cartridge 3 on the retainer 4, tapering part guides the sidewall of retainer 4 on the other side.Welded cap spare 35 on the top of cartridge body 20.Cap spare 35 is closed the black chamber 31 in the cartridge body 20.

Be used for the black hole 36 of filling that China ink is charged in the empty black chamber 31 of print cartridge 3 is arranged between the valve chamber 32,33.The stopper 37 that is formed by synthetic rubber is assembled to and fills in the black hole 36.In Fig. 4, fill the upper end in black hole 36 and be communicated with black chamber 31 in the cartridge body 20.By inserting the stopper 37 fill in the black hole 36 China ink charged into black chamber 31 filling the tattooing needle (not shown).

The cylindrical part 38 that extends is at the place, top and partition wall 30 whole formation of the valve chamber 32 that holds ink supply valve 21 downwards.Placing film portion 39 in the lower end of cylindrical part 38, it hinders the communication passage that is formed in the cylindrical part 38.The

cylindrical part

40,41 of Yan Shening is at the place, top and partition wall 30 whole formation of the valve chamber 33 that holds air pilot valve 22 up and down.Placing film portion 42 in the lower end of downside cylindrical part 41, it hinders the communication passage that is formed in the cylindrical part 40,41.Placement cylindrical parts 43 on cylindrical part 40, it extends to the upper end of black chamber 31.

Shown in Fig. 4,5A and 5B, ink supply valve 21 comprises valve casing 45 and valve body 46, and valve casing 45 can form the substantial cylindrical shape by for example synthetic rubber, and has elasticity, and valve body 46 forms and is contained in the valve casing 45 by synthetic resin etc.Place pushing part 47, valve seat 48 and bonding part 49 successively from the upside (from a side of black chamber 31) of Fig. 5 A and 5B, they and valve casing 45 integral body form.

The upper surface of the following end in contact valve seat 48 of valve body 46 (from black chamber 31 nearer an end).Valve seat 48 is formed with through hole 48a, and it vertically extends at the axial region place of valve seat 48.Formed bullport 49a on bonding part 49, it is communicated with through hole 48a and extends downwards.Bullport 49a broadens towards the downside of Fig. 5 A and 5B, makes the diameter of bullport 49a downside greater than its upside diameter.Form cannelure 49b to center on bullport 49a.The wall that defines bullport 49a is easy to strain on the direction of bullport 49a diameter broadening.Therefore, when ink supply pipe 12 inserted bullport 49a, ink supply pipe 12 can closely contact each other with bullport 49a, thereby can avoid China ink to reveal.When even ink supply pipe 12 inserts bullport 49a improperly or at a certain angle, the wall energy that defines bullport 49a is enough is out of shape on the direction of bullport 49a diameter broadening, thereby makes ink supply pipe 12 be assembled among the bullport 49a.

Pushing part 47 comprises it being columniform sidewall 47a and extension 47b substantially, sidewall 47a extends to black chamber 31 from the outer surface of valve seat 48, thus whole upper end the extending radially inwardly that forms from sidewall 47a of extension 47b and sidewall 47a in pushing part 47.The bottom surface of extension 47b contacts with valve body 46.Utilize the elasticity of sidewall 47a and extension 47b to push away valve body 46 downwards.Formed opening 47c on the inboard of extension 47b, it allows integrally formed sidewall 47a and extension 47b to be easy to strain.

As Fig. 5 A, shown in the 5B and 6, valve body 46 comprises the bottom 50 that contacts with valve seat 48, from the bottom 50 periphery 31 that extend to black chamber, be roughly columniform body wall 51 and from the bottom 50 approximate centre part stretch out to such an extent that puncture part 52 to black chamber 31 than body wall 51 high films.

On the downside of the bottom 50 of facing valve seat 48, formed the annular extension 50a that stretches out to valve seat 48.Pushing part 47 is pushed valve body 46 to valve seat 48.Shown in Fig. 5 A, utilize tight contact of annular extension 50a and valve seat 48 upper surfaces, valve body 46 is closed the through hole 48a of valve seat 48.Therefore just closed ink-feed channel.Formed a plurality of communication passage 53 on the part in the bottom 50 of the inboard of body wall 51 again simultaneously in the outside of annular extension 50a, they are formed on the position of the peripheral five equilibrium of bottom 50.For example, in the present embodiment, eight communication passage 53 on bottom 50, have been formed.

Shown in Fig. 5 A, 5B and 6, film punctures part 52 and comprises four plate 52a-52d, and they are put together with cross roughly in plane.Film punctures the approximate centre part that part 52 is positioned at bottom 50.Between adjacent plate 52a-52d, be provided with the groove 54 that extends in vertical direction.Film punctures part 52 and protrudes upward through the opening 47c that is formed on the 47b inboard, extension.As shown in Figure 4, it is more lower slightly than film portion 39 that film punctures the most advanced and sophisticated residing position of part 52.

Shown in Fig. 5 B, when being installed to print cartridge 3 on the retainer 4, the ink supply pipe 12 that is located on the retainer 4 inserts bullport 49a, and the pushing force of pushing part 47 is just resisted valve body 46 rises in the tip of ink supply pipe 12 like this.Therefore, valve body 46 moves up when making pushing part 47 be out of shape, thereby the annular extension 50a of valve body 46 lifts off a seat 48.The film of the valve body 46 that at this moment, moves up punctures its tip of part 52 usefulness and punctures film portion 39.Therefore, shown in Figure 4 and 5 B, the China ink in the black chamber 31 flows into valve chamber 32 through the communication passage that is formed in the cylindrical part 38.China ink flows into the communication passage 53 and process ink supply pipe 12 toward print head 2 of valve body 46 then.At this moment valve chamber 32 plays the effect of ink-feed channel and occurs flowing from the downward China ink of black chamber 31 in valve chamber 32.

Air pilot valve 22 comprises valve casing 45 and the valve body 46 that is contained in the valve casing 45.Air pilot valve 22 has essentially identical structure with ink supply valve 21.Promptly push the part 47 downward valve bodies 46 that promote and closely contact, make valve body 46 close through hole 48a with the valve seat 48 of valve casing 45.When print cartridge 3 was installed on the retainer 4, air guiding tube 13 inserted the bullport 49a that is formed in the valve casing 45.Be similar to ink supply valve 21, the valve body 46 of air pilot valve 22 moves up, and film punctures the film portion 42 that part 52 punctures cylindrical part 41.Thereby air flows into valve chamber 33 through the communication passage 53 of valve body 46 from air guiding tube 13.Air is introduced the top of black chamber 31 through the inner passage of

cylindrical part

40,41 and cylindrical parts 43.

As shown in Figure 4, chopping mechanism 23 is placed on the bottom of black chamber 31.Chopping mechanism 23 comprises light tight type shadow shield 60, light can not pass shadow shield 60, also comprise hollow float 61, connect the connector 62 of shadow shield 60 and float 61, and be placed on the upper surface of partition wall 30 and the support member 63 of support connecting piece 62 rotationally.Connector 62 is provided with shadow shield 60 at the one end, is provided with float 61 at its other end.Place connector 62 and make its winding pivot point on support member 63 in the vertical plane that is parallel to Fig. 4 paper.

Shadow shield 60 is the sheet member with predetermined area, and it is placed in the vertical surface parallel with the paper of Fig. 4.When print cartridge 3 was installed on the retainer 4, the light radiating portion 14a and the light receiving part 14b that are located at the sensor 14 on the retainer 4 were in essentially identical height with the extension 34 that is formed on cartridge body 20 sidewalls.When shadow shield 60 was arranged in the inner space of extension 34, shadow shield 60 hindered and sends and pass the wall of transparent cartridge body 20 and the light of the China ink the black chamber 31 from light radiating portion 14a.Float 61 is roughly cylindrical, and its inside is full of air.The proportion of whole float 61 is less than the proportion of the China ink in the black chamber 31.

The big and float 61 that is located at connector 62 1 ends of remaining China ink amount is fully under the states in China ink in black chamber 31, because float 61 is because buoyancy is floating, shown in the solid line among Fig. 4, the shadow shield 60 that is located at connector 62 other ends is arranged in the position that extension 34 hinders the light that light radiating portion 14a send.

Under the state that remaining China ink amount reduces and a part of float 61 comes out from the residing horizontal plane of black chamber 31 China and Mexico in black chamber 31, diminish owing to impose on the buoyancy of float 61, float 61 moves down.Therefore, shown in the chain-dotted line among Fig. 4, shadow shield 60 moves to the position above the extension 34, does not hinder direct light from light radiating portion 14a at this position shadow shield 60.Therefore, pass extension 34 from the direct light of light radiating portion 14a with roughly straight light path, and receive by light receiving part 14b with light transmission.The residue China ink amount that just detects in the black chamber 31 of sensor 14 is less like this.

Different with cartridge body 20, the material that cap 24 usefulness do not have light transmission forms.Shown in Fig. 2 A to 4, cap 24 for example utilizes that ultra-sonic welded is fixed on the cartridge body 20, covers the bottom of cartridge body 20 simultaneously.Formed circular extension 65 at the bottom of cap 24 and ink supply valve 21 and air pilot valve 22 corresponding positions.In the time of on being placed on print cartridge 3 as desk,, being bonded at the port of ink supply valve 21 or air pilot valve 22 or near the China ink the bullport 49a and adhering on the desk with regard to unlikely owing to have circular extension 65.

Cap 24 has rib shape extension 66, and it is formed on the sidewall of cap 24, is positioned at the same side mutually with extension 34 on being formed on cartridge body 20.Extension 66 vertically extends on the direction that China ink flows out.Shown in Fig. 2 B and 4, extension 66 and be placed on shadow shield 60 (on the direction that China ink flows out or print cartridge 3 be installed on the direction of retainer 4) placement spaced a predetermined distance from each other in vertical direction in the inner space of extension 34 of cartridge body 20, wherein extension 66 is in the position lower than shadow shield 60.In other words, extension 66 is placed on the position that (towards a surface of print cartridge 3, print cartridge 3 is being installed in the process of cartridge holder 4, at first insert in the cartridge holder 4 on this surface) and shadow shield 60 are separated towards the front side of print cartridge installation direction.When print cartridge 3 was installed on the retainer 4, extension 66 was placed on the light radiating portion 14a and the low position of light receiving part 14b of ratio sensor 14.As shown in Figure 7, in the top view of print cartridge 3, extension 66 places the position between light radiating portion 14a and the light receiving part 14b.The width of extension 66 is littler than the width of extension 34.The outreach of extension 66 is shorter than the outreach of extension 34.

Only print cartridge 3 is installed on the retainer 4 or print cartridge 3 when retainer 4 takes off, extension 66 is just from passing between light radiating portion 14a and the light receiving part 14b to hinder the light that light radiating portion 14a sends.Therefore sensor 14 detects extension 66 in installation process.Finish under the status of processes that print cartridge 3 is installed on the retainer 4, sensor 14 is surveyed less than extension 66, but detects the shadow shield 60 that is placed in the extension 34.More particularly, when print cartridge 3 is installed or print cartridge 3 when retainer 4 takes off, sensor 14 detects extension 66.Therefore whether control device 8 is determined print cartridge 3 and is installed on the retainer 4.Have only when installing or removing print cartridge 3 in one direction, sensor 14 just detects extension 66.Therefore, the complex operations of sensor 14 detection extensions 66 is just unnecessary.In addition, when print cartridge 3 is installed on the retainer 4, can also avoid intensity extension 66 lower, that come out to rupture owing to for example contacting with retainer 4.

Cap 24 is the parts that separate with cartridge body 20.Therefore the shape of the cap 24 of print cartridge 3 can change according to the different size of ink-jet printer 1.For example, as shown in Figure 3, distolateral about on extension 66 widths each, vertically the rib 67 of Yan Shening is formed on the cap 24 of print cartridge 3.Owing to have rib 67, on retainer 4, formed the groove (not shown) that cooperates with rib 67.There are 3 of the print cartridges of rib 67 to be installed on the ink-jet printer 1 that matches with this cap 24 on the cap 24.By changing shape, quantity and the position of rib 67, can realize the multiple various combination between cartridge body 20 and the cap 24.Therefore, the print cartridge 3 with special requirement can be installed on the ink-jet printer 1 that the specification of its specification and print cartridge 3 matches.

Control device 8 is described below.The various operations of control device 8 control ink-jet printers 1 are as from the nozzle 2a ink-jet of printhead 2, print the back and arrange paper etc. to printhead 2 paper feedings and finishing with printhead 2.Control device 8 comprises central processing unit (CPU), read-only storage (ROM), random access memory (RAM), Electrically Erasable Read Only Memory nonvolatile memory, input/output interface and buses such as (EEPROM), data of using in the program carried out of ROM storage CPU and the program wherein, RAM is temporary transient storage data when performing a programme.As shown in Figure 1, control device 8 is according to unit or device from the various signal controlling ink-jet printers 1 of the peripheral hardware input of personal computer (PC) 82, as printhead 2, the motor of conveying mechanism 6 that drives balladeur train 5 and the suction pump 59 of cleaning device 7 etc.

Control device 8 plays the function of print cartridge detector 80, and whether it is installed on the retainer 4 according to the acquisition of signal print cartridge 3 from sensor 14 outputs, also plays the function of residue China ink amount calculator 81, promptly calculates the residue China ink amount in the black chamber 31.

Below with reference to the operation of the flow chart description of Fig. 8 to print cartridge detector 80 and residue China ink amount calculator 81.

Under the state that ink-jet printer 1 is opened, if sensor 14 does not detect the extension 66 (S10:NO) that is located on the cap 24, flow process advances to the S 14 that carries out residue China ink amount computational process so.If sensor 14 detects extension 66 (S10:YES), flow process advances to S11, judges whether that in this step sensor 14 detects that print cartridge 3 has been installed on the retainer 4 before the extension 66 in step S10.Print cartridge 3 has been installed to (S11:YES) on the retainer 4 before the extension 66 if detect at sensor 14, has removed and such information is stored in the control device 8 from retainer 4 with regard to judging print cartridge 3 at S12 so.Because needn't calculate residue China ink amount, flow process is just returned beginning.

Print cartridge 3 is not installed to (S11:NO) on the retainer 4 before the extension 66 if detect at sensor 14, just judges print cartridge 3 at step S13 so and has been installed on the retainer 4, and such information is stored in the control device 8.Flow process advances to S14 and goes to carry out residue China ink amount computational process then.

In residue China ink amount computational process S14, when the China ink amount of the residue in the black chamber 31 abundance and sensor 14 detect the shadow shield 60 of chopping mechanism 23, according to the maximum black capacity of print cartridge 3 and print cartridge 3 be installed on the retainer 4 back altogether the ink droplet number of ejection estimate that the residue China ink in the black chamber 31 measures.When less and sensor 14 does not detect the shadow shield 60 of chopping mechanism 23 when the China ink amount of the residue in the black chamber 31, just survey less than the residue China ink amounts of 60 that times of shadow shield and survey the residue China ink that the ink droplet sum less than shadow shield 60 ejections calculates the black chamber 31 more accurately from sensor 14 and measure according to sensor 14.The information of calculating in step S14 relevant with residue China ink amount is delivered to PC82 and flow process is returned START at step S15.

Whether be installed on the retainer 4 and the information of ejection ink droplet sum is stored in as in the nonvolatile memories such as EEPROM about print cartridge 3, so that keep these information closing ink-jet printer 1 back.

In the above-described embodiment, use a sensor 14 can detect print cartridge 3 whether be installed on the retainer 4 and black chamber 31 in these states of residue China ink amount.Sensor 14 is surveyed the position that shadow shield 60 moves with residue China ink amount in the black chamber 31.Residue China ink amount that shadow shield detects for 60 that times can not be detected according to sensor 14 and residue China ink amount in the black chamber 31 can be accurately calculated.

34 of extensions are formed on the sidewall of print cartridge 3, and this makes that print cartridge 3 is asymmetric.Therefore just can avoid print cartridge 3 to be installed to improperly on the retainer 4.

When being installed to print cartridge 3 on the retainer 4, rib 55 plays the effect of guiding piece, is used for guiding the opposing sidewalls of retainer 4.Therefore, can correctly be installed to print cartridge 3 on the retainer 4.

Between extension 34 and light radiating portion 14a/ light receiving part 14b, kept predetermined distance, so just can be installed to print cartridge 3 on the retainer 4 or at an easy rate and take off from retainer 4.

The width of extension 66 is littler than the width of extension 34.The outreach of extension 66 is shorter than the outreach of extension 34.Therefore can be installed to print cartridge 3 on the retainer 4 or at an easy rate and take off from retainer 4.

Print cartridge 3 is provided with the ink supply valve of opening 21 when ink supply pipe 12 is inserted print cartridges 3, so just can avoid that China ink leaks out when being installed on the retainer 4 to print cartridge 3 from ink supply pipe 12.

In the above-described embodiment, when connector 62 with inking chamber 31 in the black quantitative changeization of residue and when mobile, shadow shield 60 moves thereupon.But, also can mobile shade 60 on the float that swims on the China ink by shadow shield 60 is directly connected to.

Extension 34 is formed on the sidewall of print cartridge 3.But, can on the opposing sidewalls of print cartridge 3, form another extension that has basic identical shape with extension 34.In this case, no matter preferably whether print cartridge 3 is towards rightabout, print cartridge 3 can both correctly be installed on the retainer 4.

Can cancel the rib 55 that plays the guiding piece function.

When print cartridge 3 is installed on the retainer 4, between extension 34 and light radiating portion 14a/ light receiving part 14b, kept preset distance.But, can place extension 34 and make it closely to contact with light receiving part 14b with light radiating portion 14a.

The width of extension 66 is littler than the width of extension 34.The outreach of extension 66 is shorter than the outreach of extension 34.As long as extension 66 can pass, can change the shape of extension 66 between light radiating portion 14a and light receiving part 14b.For example, extension 66 can have identical width with extension 34 or have the width wideer than extension 34.Extension 66 can have identical outreach with extension 34 or have the outreach longer than the outreach of extension 34.

In this embodiment, along the bearing of trend that is formed on the extension 34 on the cartridge body 20, rib shape extension 66 is formed on the sidewall of cap 24.But whether ink-jet printer 1 can use different modes to survey print cartridge 3 and be installed on the retainer 4, and need not be confined to use extension 66.For example on cartridge body 20 or cap 24, the shading piece of thin plate formation can be provided along the bearing of trend of extension 34, like this when being installed to print cartridge 3 on the retainer 4, sensor 14 detected this shading piece before detecting extension 34, print cartridge 3 sensor 14 when retainer 4 takes off is also being detected this shading piece.The material of shading piece can be any lighttight material.Can be with the fixing shading piece of common mode, as thermal weld or bonding etc.

In valve chamber 32, be provided with ink supply valve 21.But, can ink supply valve 21 be placed in the valve chamber 32, but come seal valve chamber 32 with elastic component or seal.In this case, when print cartridge 3 was installed on the retainer 4, ink supply pipe 12 can insert elastic component or seal.

Second embodiment is described below.Note representing similar elements with similar Reference numeral here.The print cartridge 3a-3d that first embodiment is incorporated into line description has essentially identical structure and capacity.Second embodiment will be described in conjunction with the print cartridge 3a-3c of color ink and the print cartridge 3d ' of the black ink with capacity bigger than print cartridge 3a-3c.Owing to compare with cyan, yellow or carmetta China ink, use black ink more continually, so bigger possibly print cartridge 3d '.Print cartridge 3d ' is another greatly if often do not use ink-jet printer 1 directly is installed on the retainer 4, and a large amount of China inks among the print cartridge 3d ' will be in not user mode for a long time so, and this can cause the quality of China ink to descend.Therefore the ink-jet printer 1 according to second embodiment is configured such that retainer 4d shown in Figure 1 can install print cartridge 3d or the big print cartridge 3d ' (Fig. 9 A and 9B) that has same capability with print cartridge 3a-3c selectively thereon.

Shown in Fig. 9 A and 9B, big print cartridge 3d ' comprises cartridge body 70 and covers the cap 71 of cartridge body 70 bottoms.Extension 76 is formed on the cap 71.Extension 76 has the shape that is roughly fork-shaped, has probe portion 76a, the 76b of alignment in vertical

direction.Probe portion

76a, 76b do not have light transmission.When the print cartridge 3d less capacity is installed on the retainer 4 or when retainer 4 takes off, 66 of extensions stop that light that light radiating portion 14a sends once.When a big print cartridge 3d ' being installed on the retainer 4 or when retainer 4 took off, probe portion 76a, the 76b of extension 76 stopped the light that light radiating portion 14a sends for twice.Just can to survey print cartridge 3d has been installed on the retainer 4 still be 3d ' to the number of times (detecting the number of times of extension 66,76) that is blocked of the light that sends according to light radiating portion 14a of control device 8 like this.

Below with reference to the flow chart description of Figure 10 when

removably print cartridge

3d, 3d ' being installed to retainer 4d performed operation of print cartridge detector 80 and residue China ink amount calculator 81 when going up.

Under the state that ink-jet printer 1 is opened, if sensor 14 does not detect the extension 66,76 (S110:NO) that is located on the cap 24, flow process advances to the S116 that carries out residue China ink amount computational process so.If sensor 14 detects extension 66,76 (S110:YES), flow process advances to S111, judges whether that in this

step print cartridge

3d, 3d ' have been installed on the retainer 4 before sensor 14 detects

extension

66,76 in step S110.

If print cartridge

3d, 3d ' have been installed to (S111:YES) on the retainer 4 before sensor 14 detects

extension

66,76, just

judge print cartridge

3d, 3d ' at S112 so and removed, and such information is stored in the control device 8 from retainer 4.Because needn't calculate residue China ink amount, flow process is just returned beginning.

If

print cartridge

3d, 3d ' are not installed to (S111:NO) on the retainer 4 before sensor 14 detects

extension

66,76, and detect extension 66 once (S113:YES), just judge little print cartridge 3d at S114 so and be installed on the retainer 4d, and such information is stored in the control device 8.Flow process advances to S116 and goes to carry out residue China ink amount computational process then.If

print cartridge

3d, 3d ' are not installed to (S111:NO) on the retainer 4d before sensor 14 detects

extension

66,76, and detect extension 76 twice, promptly detect

probe portion

76a, 76b (S113:NO), just judge big print cartridge 3d ' at S115 so and be installed on the retainer 4, and such information is stored in the control device 8.Flow process advances to S116 and goes to carry out residue China ink amount computational process then.

In residue China ink amount computational process S116, when the China ink amount of the residue in the black chamber 31 abundance and sensor 14 detect the shadow shield 60 of chopping mechanism 23, according to the maximum black capacity (the maximum black capacity of

print cartridge

3d and 3d ' is different) of

print cartridge

3d, 3d ' and

print cartridge

3d, 3d ' be installed on the retainer 4 back altogether the ink droplet number of ejection estimate that the residue China ink in the black chamber 31 measures.When less and sensor 14 does not detect the shadow shield 60 of chopping mechanism 23 when the China ink amount of the residue in the black chamber 31, just survey less than the residue China ink amounts of 60 that times of shadow shield and survey the residue China ink that the ink droplet sum less than shadow shield 60 ejections calculates the black chamber 31 more accurately from sensor 14 and measure according to sensor 14.The information of calculating in step S116 relevant with residue China ink amount is delivered to PC82 and flow process is returned beginning at step S117.

Go up that to have installed be that

print cartridge

3d or 3d ' are installed to that retainer 4d goes up and the information of ejection ink droplet number is stored in as in the nonvolatile memories such as EEPROM so if whether be installed to retainer 4d, so that keep these information closing ink-jet printer 1 back about

print cartridge

3d, 3d '.

Print cartridge 3 and ink-jet printer 1 according to second embodiment will reach following effect.

Be formed on the light tight extension 66,76 on the cap 24 and be placed on shadow shield 60 in extension 34 inner spaces along the installation direction setting of print cartridge 3.Extension 66,76 residing positions are than shadow shield 60 low (front side of print cartridge 3 installation directions promptly towards a surface of print cartridge 3, is being installed to print cartridge 3 in the process of cartridge holder 4, and at first insert in the cartridge holder 4 on this surface).Therefore, only when print cartridge 3 is installed on the retainer 4 or when retainer 4 is removed, the sensor 14 of surveying residue China ink amount just detects extension 66,76, and if print cartridge detector 80 can determine whether print cartridge 3 is installed on the retainer 4 and has installed so and on the retainer 4 print cartridge 3d or 3d ' have been installed.Therefore, if whether be installed on the retainer 4 and installed and print cartridge 3d has been installed so or the detector of 3d ' needn't be provided with respectively with sensor 14 as surveying print cartridge 3.So just avoid increasing production cost.Have only when being installed to print cartridge 3 on the retainer 4 in one direction or when retainer 4 is removed sensor 14 just detect extension 66,76.Therefore, the complex operations of sensor 14 detection extensions 66,76 is just unnecessary.In addition, when print cartridge 3 is installed on the retainer 4, can also avoid intensity extension 66,76 lower, that come out for example to rupture owing to contacting with retainer 4.

The little print cartridge 3d and the big print cartridge 3d ' that contain black ink have

extension

66,76 respectively, and their shape differs from one another.Can determine whether

print cartridge

3d, 3d ' are installed to retainer 4d and go up and installed

print cartridge

3d or 3d ' if therefore utilize

extension

66,76 print cartridge detectors 80.Be installed to the print cartridge 3d on the retainer 4d, the type of 3d ' according to what print cartridge detector 80 detected, residue China ink amount calculator 81 accurately calculates the residue China ink amount in the print cartridge 3.

Improvement according to second embodiment is described below.

(1) in order print cartridge 3 to be installed on the retainer 4 or to avoid

damaging extension

66,76 when retainer 4 to be removed, print cartridge 3 can have a cover piece and cover at least a portion extension 66,76.As shown in figure 11, comprise cartridge body 91 and cap 92, be formed with extension 93 on the cap 92 according to the improved print cartridge 90 of second embodiment.On cartridge body 91, be provided with the lid that is roughly the rectangle column 94 that vertically extends.Lid 94 covers the top of extension 93 or the top insertion of extension 93 covers 94.Therefore in print cartridge 90, lid 94 is protected extensions 93.So, even extension 93 contacts with retainer 4 when being installed to print cartridge 90 on the retainer 4, also unlikely damage extension 93.Can cover extension 93 to get up fully with the light-permeable cover piece.So just can further avoid damaging extension 93.

(2) can wholely form

cartridge body

20,70,91 and

cap

24,71,92.Therefore just can reduce the part count that print cartridge 3,90 uses.In addition, can also remove

cap

24,71,92 is connected to this assembling process on the

cartridge body

20,70,91, thereby can avoid increasing production cost.

(3) survey the optical pickocff 14 that the sensor that remains the China ink amount in the print cartridge 3,90 is not limited to output signal, it is corresponding whether this signal and the direct light that light radiating portion 14a sends arrive light receiving part 14b, and light receiving part 14b links to each other with almost straight light path with light radiating portion 14a.For example, can adopt a kind of like this optical pickocff of output signal, whether this signal and light receiving part receive light that the light radiating portion sends and that reflect on the surface that is detected part corresponding.In this case, the light path of the almost straight light that sends from the light radiating portion parts that can be had a predetermined reflectance factor temporarily hinder.Indirect light relevant with reflectance factor, that reflect from parts incides light receiving part.

For example, being used for surveying the

extension

66,76,93 whether print cartridge 3,90 be installed on the retainer 4 can form with the light-proof material with predetermined reflectance factor.Can arrange that optical pickocff makes it the attaching/detaching approach associated with print cartridge 3,90, whether the optical pickocff basis receives reverberation is come output signal, thereby make that when removably being installed on the retainer 4 light receiving part receives the indirect light that the light radiating portion sends and reflect with predetermined light intensity on

extension

66,76,93 to print cartridge 3,90.So just can reach the effect that is similar to second embodiment.In addition, a part of

cap

24,71,92 can have predetermined reflectance factor.In this case, the light radiating portion and the light receiving part of optical pickocff can not be disposed opposite to each other, and probe portion can have the structure that hinders light path.

Similar with the

extension

66,76,93 with predetermined reflectance factor, the structure of shadow shield 60 also can have predetermined reflectance factor.In addition, can utilize the difference between the reflectance factor of light-permeable wall of China ink and

cartridge body

20,70,91 to reflect indirect light, and not use shadow shield 60.More particularly, under the situation of the wall of China ink

contact cartridge body

20,70,91, light receiving part can receive the indirect light that goes out from the boundary reflection between the wall of China ink and

cartridge body

20,70,91.Under the situation that China ink is used up, light passes the wall of

cartridge body

20,70,91, so light receiving part can not receive light.Therefore, can make it to have relative simple structure to the detector set whether detector of surveying residue China ink amount in the print cartridge 3,90 and detection print cartridge 3,90 are installed on the ink-jet printer 1 altogether.Also can use contact type sensor to replace non-contact type optical pickocff 14,

(4) print cartridge 3 is installed on the retainer 4 or from retainer 4 along a direction and takes off.The present invention also can be applied on a kind of like this print cartridge, this print cartridge takes off by at mobile print cartridge on two or more directions print cartridge being installed on the retainer 4 or from retainer 4, for example, can at first move down print cartridge, move horizontally print cartridge subsequently again.

Although described embodiments of the invention in detail, one skilled in the art will realize that and to make many possible improvement and change in these embodiments.

Claims

1. print cartridge comprises:

First probe portion, this first probe portion is positioned on the print cartridge, makes that the detector of imaging device can be surveyed first probe portion when print cartridge is installed in the imaging device; With

Second probe portion, this second probe portion is positioned on the print cartridge, only makes can to survey second probe portion print cartridge being installed to imaging device neutralization detector from the process that imaging device takes off;

Wherein first probe portion and second probe portion align along the first direction that print cartridge inserts in the imaging device.

2. print cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light that sends with the light radiating portion that can the hinder detector material that makes it to arrive the light receiving part of detector forms first probe portion and second probe portion.

3. print cartridge as claimed in claim 1 further comprises the cartridge body that can hold China ink, and cartridge body to small part is formed by the material with light transmission;

Wherein:

First probe portion is a shadow shield; And

Shadow shield is arranged in the cartridge body movably, thereby changes the position in response to the variation of cartridge body China and Mexico amount.

4. print cartridge as claimed in claim 3 further comprises the cap of an end that covers cartridge body;

Wherein second probe portion is arranged on this cap.

5. print cartridge as claimed in claim 4, second probe portion has shading characteristic.

6. print cartridge as claimed in claim 1 further comprises cartridge body that can hold China ink and the cap that covers an end of cartridge body;

Wherein second probe portion is arranged on this cap.

7. as claim 5 or 6 described print cartridges, wherein, described cartridge body and described cap are members separately.

8. print cartridge as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

First probe portion is arranged on the print cartridge, thereby first probe portion is between the light radiating portion and light receiving part of detector when print cartridge is installed in the imaging device; And

Second probe portion is arranged on the print cartridge, thereby second probe portion passes between light radiating portion and the light receiving part in the process that print cartridge is installed in the imaging device.

9. print cartridge as claimed in claim 3, wherein, described cartridge body comprises the extension that stretches out from the outer wall of cartridge body, wherein shadow shield is arranged in the described extension movably, thereby changes the position in response to the variation of the China ink amount in described cartridge body.

10. print cartridge as claimed in claim 9, wherein, first length of described extension on the second direction vertical with described first direction is greater than second length of described second probe portion on described second direction.

11. print cartridge as claimed in claim 9 further comprises movable link, this movable link is arranged in the described cartridge body, thereby changes the position in response to the variation of the China ink amount in described cartridge body, wherein

Described movable link comprises described shadow shield and float;

Described shadow shield is arranged on the first end place of described movable link, and described float is arranged on described movable link and the described first end second opposed end place; And

Described movable link is supported on the position between described shadow shield and the described float pivotally.

12. a print cartridge group comprises first print cartridge and second print cartridge, wherein said first print cartridge and described second print cartridge are print cartridges according to claim 1, wherein:

The first black capacity of first print cartridge is different with the second black capacity of second print cartridge; And

The number of second probe portion of first print cartridge is different with the number of second probe portion of second print cartridge.