CN102615984A - Ink box - Google Patents
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- CN102615984A CN102615984A CN2011100360338A CN201110036033A CN102615984A CN 102615984 A CN102615984 A CN 102615984A CN 2011100360338 A CN2011100360338 A CN 2011100360338A CN 201110036033 A CN201110036033 A CN 201110036033A CN 102615984 A CN102615984 A CN 102615984A
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Abstract
The invention provides an ink box which comprises an ink storage portion and an ink outlet pipe. An ink outlet path is defined in the ink outlet pipe. The ink outlet path is configured to be in fluid communication with the ink storage portion and is configured to allow ink to flow through the ink outlet pipe in an ink flow direction. The ink box also includes a first valve, a second valve and a detector. The second valve comprises: a valve seat; a movable valve member which is disposed at the ink outlet pipe and is configured to selectively move between a first position and a second position; and a biasing member which is disposed at the ink outlet pipe and is configured to bias the movable valve member in the ink flow direction. The detector is disposed outside the ink outlet pipe and is configured to selectively output a first signal and a second signal. The detector is configured to output the first signal when the movable valve member is in the first position and to output the second signal when the movable valve member is in the second position. The ink box can ensure the formation of a liquid ink path which extends from a liquid ink box to a main unit of a recording device.
Description
Technical field
The present invention relates to a kind of print cartridge.
Background technology
A kind of recording equipment, the recording equipment of for example in JP-A-8-80618, describing has master unit and the print cartridge that is constructed to be installed to master unit.This recording equipment has and is used to make recording equipment to confirm the sensor of print cartridge to the installation of the master unit of recording equipment.Particularly; When print cartridge is installed to the mounting portion of master unit of recording equipment; The lip-deep a pair of resistor that is arranged on print cartridge forms with the pair of electrodes that is arranged on the installation portion office respectively and contacts; This pair of electrodes is electrically connected via this a pair of resistor each other thus, and this makes it possible to confirm that print cartridge is installed in the mounting portion.
Yet though can confirm the installation of print cartridge to the mounting portion according to the detection of the electrical connection between electrode, whether the hollow tube of being not sure of master unit has been inserted in the black outlet pathway of print cartridge fully.Correspondingly, be not sure of from the black path that print cartridge extends to master unit and whether form.
Summary of the invention
Therefore, needs have been produced for the print cartridge of these and other shortcomings that have overcome correlation technique.Technological merit of the present invention is, whether the hollow tube of confirming master unit has been inserted in the black outlet pathway of print cartridge is possible.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a kind of print cartridge is provided, comprises: black storage area, said black storage area is constructed to store ink in said black storage area; The China ink outlet, said black outlet limits black outlet pathway in said black outlet, be constructed to be communicated with said black storage area fluid, and be constructed to allow China ink on black flow direction, to flow through said black outlet; First valve comprises seal member, and said seal member is arranged on said black outlet place, and is constructed to strain and heavily is shaped optionally to open and close said first valve respectively; Second valve, said second valve are arranged between said first valve and the said black storage area, and said second valve comprises: valve seat; Removable valve member; Said removable valve member is arranged on said black outlet place; And be constructed to optionally between the primary importance and the second place, move, at said primary importance place, said removable valve member contacts said valve seat to close said second valve; At said second place place; Said removable valve member does not contact said valve seat, thus said second valve open, wherein said removable valve member is constructed on said black flow direction, move to said primary importance from the said second place; And biasing member, said biasing member is arranged on said black outlet place, and is constructed to the said removable valve member of bias voltage on said black flow direction; And detector; Said detector is arranged on the outside of said black outlet; And be constructed to optionally export first signal and secondary signal; Wherein said detector is constructed to when said removable valve member is in the said primary importance, export said first signal, when said removable valve member is in the said second place, exports said secondary signal, thereby said secondary signal is represented said second valve and opened.
Utilize this structure,, can confirm that it still is in the said second place that said removable valve member is in the said primary importance through optionally exporting the detector of first signal and secondary signal.Correspondingly, can guarantee to form the black path that extends to the master unit of recording equipment from print cartridge.
According to following detailed description of the present invention and accompanying drawing, for those of ordinary skills, other purposes, feature and advantage will be tangible.
Description of drawings
Needs and purpose feature and advantage thereof in order more fully to understand the present invention, to satisfy thus combine accompanying drawing that reference is carried out in following explanation now.
Fig. 1 is the perspective view that comprises according to the ink-jet printer of the print cartridge of first embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 2 is the summary side elevation of internal structure of the ink-jet printer of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 A and 3B are the perspective views of maintenance unit of the ink-jet printer of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 A is the partial side view of the ink-jet printer of Fig. 1 to 4C, illustrates to add the cap operation.
Fig. 5 is the perspective view according to the print cartridge of first embodiment of the invention.
Fig. 6 is the top view of internal structure of the print cartridge of Fig. 5.
Fig. 7 A and 7B are the local horizontal cross sectional view of the print cartridge of Fig. 5, and wherein each in first valve and second valve is under the closed condition in Fig. 7 A, and each in first valve and second valve is under the open mode in Fig. 7 B.
Fig. 8 is the block diagram of electrical construction of the ink-jet printer of Fig. 1.
Fig. 9 A and 9B are the top views of print cartridge of local horizontal cross sectional view and Fig. 5 of mounting portion, and wherein print cartridge is not installed in the mounting portion as yet in Fig. 9 A, and print cartridge is installed in the mounting portion fully in Fig. 9 B.
Figure 10 be according to first embodiment of the invention at print cartridge to the control flow chart between the installation period of mounting portion.
Figure 11 is the block diagram according to the electrical construction of the ink-jet printer of second embodiment of the invention.
Figure 12 be according to second embodiment of the invention at print cartridge to the control flow chart between the installation period of mounting portion.
Figure 13 is the local horizontal cross sectional view according to the print cartridge of third embodiment of the invention.
Figure 14 be according to fourth embodiment of the invention at print cartridge to the control flow chart between the installation period of mounting portion.
Figure 15 A and 15B are the local horizontal cross sectional view according to the print cartridge of the 3rd variant embodiment; Wherein each in first valve and second valve is under the closed condition in Figure 15 A, and each in first valve and second valve is under the open mode in Figure 15 B.
Figure 16 A and 16B are the local horizontal cross sectional view according to the print cartridge of the 4th variant embodiment, and wherein first valve is under the closed condition in Figure 16 A, and first valve is under the open mode in Figure 16 B.
Figure 17 A and 17B are the local horizontal cross sectional view according to the print cartridge of the 5th variant embodiment; Wherein each in first valve and second valve is under the closed condition in Figure 17 A, and each in first valve and second valve is under the open mode in Figure 17 B.
The specific embodiment
Through be appreciated that embodiments of the invention and their feature and advantage with reference to figure 1-17B, same numeral is used to same, corresponding part in different figure.
With reference to Fig. 1 and 2, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, ink-jet printer 1 comprises master unit and the print cartridge 40 that is constructed to be installed to master unit, and the master unit of ink-jet printer 1 comprises the outer cover 1a with basic rectangular shape.Outer cover 1a has three opening 10d, 10b and 10c that in one of its outside end face that vertically extends, form. Opening 10d, 10b and 10c vertically aim at from the top with this order.The master unit of ink-jet printer 1 comprises door 1d and the 1c that is assembled to respectively among opening 10d and the 10c, and among door 1d and the 1c each is constructed to the horizontal axis pivot around its lower end.When thereby door 1d and 1c pivot when being opened and closed, opening 10d and 10c are capped respectively and expose.The master unit of ink-jet printer 1 comprises the sheet feeding unit 1b that is inserted among the opening 10b.Sheet material discharge unit 11 is arranged on the place, top of outer cover 1a.Door 1d is configured to along principal direction in the face of supply unit 21 (see figure 2)s.
With reference to figure 2, the inside of the outer cover 1a of ink-jet printer 1 is divided into three space G1, G2 and G3 from the top along vertical direction with the order of space G1, G2 and G3.Four ink guns 2, maintenance unit 30 and supply units 21 place space G1, and four ink guns 2 be constructed to discharge respectively have carmetta, the China ink of cyan, yellow and black.Sheet feeding unit 1b places space G2.Four print cartridges 40 place space G3.
In four ink guns 2 each is extended along principal direction, and four ink guns 2 are arranged along auxiliary direction.Four ink guns 2 are supported by outer cover 1a through framework 3.Each ink gun 2 along the size of principal direction greater than the size of sheet material P along principal direction.Ink-jet printer 1 is alleged line printer.Framework 3 is constructed to vertically moved by the elevator mechanism (not shown) among the outer cover 1a.Elevator mechanism is constructed to move framework 3, thereby under the control of controller 100, ink gun 2 moves at print position (position shown in Figure 2) with between the retracted position above the print position (seeing Fig. 4 A).
Each ink gun 2 has hierarchy, and this hierarchy comprises: the path unit (not shown) forms the black path that comprises pressure chamber in said path unit; With the actuating unit (not shown) that places on the path unit.The China ink that this actuating unit is constructed in pressure chamber is optionally exerted pressure.The basal surface of each ink gun 2 has the surperficial 2a of discharging, is formed for discharging a plurality of discharge nozzle (not shown) of China ink at the surperficial 2a of discharging place.Each ink gun 2 is connected with the flexible pipe (not shown), makes the inside of ink gun 2 be communicated with the inner track fluid of flexible pipe.Each flexible pipe is connected to mounting portion 150, makes the inner track of flexible pipe be communicated with (seeing Fig. 6 A and 6B) with black feed lines 154 fluids that in mounting portion 150, form.
As among Fig. 2 by shown in the thick arrow, in outer cover 1a, form the sheet material transport path that 1b extends towards sheet material discharge unit 11 from the sheet feeding unit, along sheet material transport path feeding sheets P.Sheet feeding unit 1b comprises sheet feeding pallet 23 and sheet feeding roller 25, and sheet feeding roller 25 is attached to the sheet feeding pallet 23 that is constructed to store many sheet material P.Sheet feeding roller 25 is constructed to advance to be given in the uppermost sheet material P in the sheet feeding pallet 23 through being driven by the sheet feeding motor (not shown) by controller 100 controls.When being directed part 27a and 27b guiding and being fed roller to 26 crampings, the sheet material P that goes out from 25 feedings of sheet feeding roller is sent to supply unit 21.
With reference to figure 2, supply unit 21 comprise two the band rollers 6 with 7 and around the band roller 6 and 7 windings conveyer belt for no reason 8.Band roller 7 is driven rollers, is constructed to when the axle of band roller 7 is driven by the conveying motor (not shown) by controller 100 control, and band roller 7 rotates along the clockwise direction among Fig. 2.Band roller 6 is driven vollers, is constructed to along with rotation operation that cause, conveyer belt 8 the rotation of the clockwise direction in Fig. 2 together by band roller 7.
The outer surface 8a of conveyer belt 8 has carried out silicone treated, thereby has cementing property.On the sheet material transport path, nip roll 4 places band roller 6 tops, and conveyer belt 8 is clipped between nip roll 4 and the band roller 6.Nip roll 4 is constructed to the outer surface 8a extruding sheet material P that the 1b feeding goes out from the sheet feeding unit for conveyer belt 8.The sheet material that is extruded for outer surface 8a utilizes the cementing property of outer surface 8a and is maintained on the outer surface 8a, and is carried by the right side in Fig. 2.
On the sheet material transport path, separating plate 5 places band roller 7 tops, and conveyer belt 8 is clipped between separating plate 5 and the band roller 7.Separating plate 5 is constructed to separate the sheet material P on the outer surface 8a that remains on conveyer belt 8 from outer surface 8a.Separated sheet material P is being directed part 29a and 29b guiding and is being transferred during to 28 crampings by two feed rolls, and is discharged into discharge unit 11 from the opening 12 that forms through outer cover 1a.Each feed rolls is driven by the feeding motor (not shown) by controller 100 controls a roller in 28.
In four print cartridges 40, the print cartridge 40 storage black ink at the leftmost position place in Fig. 2, and, have higher size along auxiliary direction when comparing with other three print cartridges 40.Compare at three print cartridges 40 of print cartridge 40 and other at leftmost position place and to have higher black capacity.Other three print cartridges 40 have identical black capacity, and store carmetta, cyan and yellow ink respectively.
When four print cartridges 40 are installed among the outer cover 1a; The inside of the China ink bag 42 (describing afterwards) of each print cartridge 40 is communicated with black feed lines 154 (seeing Fig. 9 A and 9B) fluid; Corresponding one internal fluid communication in China ink feed lines 154 and the ink gun 2 makes that the China ink of storage can be supplied to ink gun 2 in China ink bag 42.Maintenance unit 30 comprises and is used under the control of controller 100 with the pressure mode China ink being fed into the pump (not shown) of ink gun 2 from print cartridge 40, and pump is connected respectively to the flexible pipe between ink gun 2 and mounting portion 150.
When print cartridge 40 is changed in expectation, open a 1c and remove print cartridge 40 via opening 10c, and new print cartridge 4 is installed among the outer cover 1a via opening 10c from outer cover 1a.In this embodiment, print cartridge 40 is constructed to be installed to respectively among the outer cover 1a, but in another embodiment, can on single box pallet, load four print cartridges 40 being integrally formed the unit, and this unit can be installed among the outer cover 1a.
With reference to figure 2, maintenance unit 30 is arranged between four ink guns 2 and the supply unit 21, and if be set for wrong China ink discharging generation, eliminate wrong China ink discharging from ink gun 2.Maintenance unit 30 comprises: along auxiliary direction with four plate shape parts 32 waiting that space interval is provided with and fixing and be constructed to cover four cap bodies 31 of the discharging surface 2a of ink gun 2 on plate shape parts 32.
With reference to figure 3A, each cap body 31 along the size of principal direction greater than the size of each cap body 31 along auxiliary direction.Similarly, though be not shown specifically, each discharge surperficial 2a along the size of principal direction greater than the size of each cap body 31 along auxiliary direction.Cap body 31 by elastomeric material for example rubber process, have therein the recess and this recess that form and upwards open.Under original state, these four cap bodies 31 are arranged at the upper reaches of corresponding ink gun 2 respectively along throughput direction.Particularly; The cap body 31 (the most left cap body 31 of Fig. 2) that in four all cap bodies 32, is arranged in upstream side is arranged at the upper reaches that are arranged in the ink gun 2 (the most left ink gun 2 of Fig. 2) at upstream side place at all ink guns 2, and its excess-three cap body 31 places respectively between the ink gun 2 along throughput direction.Four cap bodies 31 are constructed to along with moving of maintenance unit 30 moved along vertical direction and horizontal direction with respect to corresponding ink gun 2 respectively.
With reference to figure 3A, maintenance unit 30 comprises a pair of inner frame of clamping with holding plate shape parts 32 33.In this a pair of inner frame 33 each comprises bight 33a protruding upward at its place, two ends along auxiliary direction.A bight 33a of each inner frame 33 comprises the pinion 34 that is fixed to the axle of the CD-ROM drive motor (not shown) of being controlled by controller 100, thereby engages with the tooth bar 35 that extends along auxiliary direction (throughput direction).Fig. 3 A is illustrated in the only pinion 34 that is positioned at the nearside place among Fig. 3 A.
With reference to figure 3B, the external frame 36 that maintenance unit 30 comprises on the periphery that is arranged on this a pair of inner frame 33 and part is surrounded a pair of inner frame 33.Tooth bar 35 is fixed on the inner surface of external frame 36.Fixing pinion 37 is arranged on the external frame 36 on the axle of the CD-ROM drive motor (not shown) that will be controlled by controller 100, thereby meshes with the tooth bar that extends along vertical direction 38.Tooth bar 38 is supported by outer cover 1a.
Utilize this structure, when two pinions 34 under the control of controller 100 during rotation synchronously, this a pair of inner frame 33 moves along auxiliary direction.And the rotation of the pinion 37 under the control of controller 100 makes external frame 36 move along vertical direction.
In initial position shown in Figure 2; Maintenance unit 30 be positioned such that between plate shape parts 32 three opening 39a forming along vertical direction in the face of three surperficial 2a of discharging, and discharge surperficial 2a along vertical direction in the face of another at the opening 39b that between the plate shape parts 32 of downstream part and bight 33a, forms along throughput direction.When begin from this original state to utilize cap body 31 cover the surperficial 2a of discharging add the cap operation time, as shown in Fig. 4 A, ink gun 2 is moved to retracted position by elevator mechanism from print position.
Subsequently, this a pair of inner frame 33 moves until cap body 31 respectively along vertical direction in the face of the surperficial 2a of discharging, as shown in Fig. 4 B to the downstream of throughput direction.Subsequently, external frame 36 is raise along vertical direction, and cap body 31 is by towards the surperficial 2a extruding of discharging thus, thereby covers respectively and discharge surperficial 2a adding cap position cap body 31, as shown in Fig. 4 C.When maintenance unit 30 during with ink gun 3 reverse moving, cap body 31 returns initial position from adding the cap position, and ink gun 2 returns print position from retracted position.
With reference to figure 5 to 8, print cartridge 40 will be described.In Fig. 8, the supply of electric power circuit is drawn into thick line, and signal line is drawn into fine rule.Print cartridge 40 comprises: the outer cover 41 with basic rectangular shape; Place in the outer cover 41, as the China ink bag 42 of an example of black storage area; Be connected to the black outlet 43 of China ink bag 42 at one end; First valve 50 and second valve 60.China ink bag 42 is constructed to the storing therein China ink.
With reference to figure 6, the inside of outer cover 41 is divided into two chamber 41a and 41b along first direction, and its China and Mexico's bag 42 places the chamber 41a greater than chamber 41b.China ink outlet 43 places chamber 41b.As stated; Size compared by three print cartridges 40 of print cartridge 40 and other that are used to store black ink and black capacity is bigger; But difference is, chamber 41a and the China ink bag 42 of print cartridge 40 that is used to store black ink is only along second direction those chambers and China ink bag greater than other three print cartridges 40.Therefore, four print cartridges 40 have structure much at one, so will describe for print cartridge 40 only.
With reference to figure 6 to 7B, China ink bag 42 is connected to coupling part 42a, makes the China ink of storage in China ink bag 42 can be supplied to the outside of China ink bag 42 through coupling part 42.China ink outlet 43 comprises: pipe 44, and for example column tube 44, and pipe 44 is connected to coupling part 42a at its first end place; With pipe 45, for example column tube 45, and pipe 45 is assembled in second end (left end among Fig. 7 A and the 7B) of pipe 44.China ink outlet 43 has the black outlet pathway 43a that forms therein.More specifically, pipe 45 first end is assembled in the pipe 44, but manages the outside that 45 second end is positioned at pipe 44.China ink outlet 43 promptly manages 44 and 45 along the first direction extension, and the black outlet pathway 43a that is therefore limited black outlet 43 extends along first direction.China ink outlet pathway 43a is constructed at its first end place via coupling part 42a and the internal fluid communication of China ink bag 42, and is communicated with the external fluid of print cartridge 40 at its second end place.In this embodiment, each is all processed pipe 44 and 45 by for example transparent or translucent semi-transparent resin, thus detector for example optical sensor 66 (afterwards describe) can detect valve member 62 (description afterwards).
With reference to figure 5 and 8, contact 91 is arranged on the outer surface of flange 47.Contact 91 aligns along second direction and black exhaust openings 46a (describing afterwards).Contact 91 is electrically connected with optical sensor 66.In variant embodiment, contact 91 can place any position, as long as contact 91 is not positioned under the black exhaust openings 46a when print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150.Be configured to not be positioned under the black exhaust openings 46a because be used to transmit the contact 91 of signal, so can prevent to be attached to contact 91 from the China ink that black exhaust openings 46a drips.
With reference to figure 5,6 and 8, outer cover 41 comprise leave flange 47 towards the shoulder surface of China ink bag 42 location 41c.Shoulder surface 41c and flange 47 extend abreast, that is, extend along second direction and third direction.Electric power inputting portion 92 is arranged on the 41c of shoulder surface.Contact 91 along second direction between electric power inputting portion 92 and black exhaust openings 46a.Electric power inputting portion 92 is further left black exhaust openings 46a location along auxiliary direction than contact 91.And as shown in figure 8 wherein, electric power inputting portion 92 is electrically connected to optical sensor 66.Electric power inputting portion 92 is constructed to when electric power inputting portion 92 is electrically connected to electric power output 162 (describing afterwards) to optical sensor 66 supply electric power.In variant embodiment, as long as electric power inputting portion 92 is not positioned under the black exhaust openings 46a when print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150, electric power inputting portion 92 can place any position.Electric power inputting portion 92 has the recess that forms therein, and said recess is constructed to admit electric power output 162.
Be configured to not be positioned under the black exhaust openings 46a because be used for the electric power inputting portion 92 of transferring electric power, so can prevent to be attached to electric power inputting portion 92 from the China ink that black exhaust openings 46a drips.And, because electric power inputting portion 92 is further left black exhaust openings 46a location than contact 91,, China ink so easily do not take place so adhering to more.This can prevent electric power inputting portion 92 short circuits and destroy optical sensor 66.And; Because electric power inputting portion 92 is arranged on the 41c of shoulder surface; And between electric power inputting portion 92 and black exhaust openings 46a, have distance along first direction, so the distance between electric power inputting portion 92 and black exhaust openings 46a is not only along second direction but also increase along first direction.Correspondingly, can further reduce China ink and adhere to electric power inputting portion 92.
With reference to figure 7A and 7B, the black outlet pathway 43a place that first valve 50 places the pipe 45 black outlet 43 to limit.First valve 50 comprises seal member 51, and seal member 51 is elastomeric elements, the opening of the black outlet pathway 43a that the inner surface that is arranged in black outlet pathway 43a and contact tube 45 forms with the second end place that is closed in black outlet pathway 43a.First valve 50 comprises: spherical member 52, spherical member 52 place the black outlet pathway 43a that is limited pipe 45, as first valve member; With helical spring 53, helical spring 53 places the black outlet pathway 43a that is limited pipe 45, as first biasing member.In the diameter of the diameter of spherical member 52 and helical spring 53 each is all less than the diameter the pipe 45 black outlet pathway 43a that limit.Lid 46 is attached to second end of pipe 45, makes seal member 51 not get loose from managing 45.Form black exhaust openings 46a through lid 46.
The internal diameter of annular protrusion 51b is slightly less than the diameter of spherical member 52.When spherical member 52 contact annular protrusion 51b, be able to prevent via the fluid connection of opening 51a between the outside of black outlet pathway 43a and print cartridge 40.When spherical member 52 contact sweep 51c, also be able to prevent via the fluid connection of opening 51a between black outlet pathway 43a and print cartridge 40.In other words, when spherical member 52 contact annular protrusion 51b and/or sweep 51c, first valve 50 is constructed to prevent that the China ink among the black outlet pathway 43a from flowing via first valve 50.And, in seal member 51, form opening 51a and allow to be easy to more to insert hollow tube 153 through seal member 51.In addition, can avoid such a case: seal member 51 is cut by hollow tube 153 and is scraped when hollow tube 153 is inserted in the seal member 51 or is drawn out seal member 51, and chip is invaded among the inner space 153a of hollow tube 153.Can reduce and cut this chip of scraping from seal member 51 and invade the risk the inside of ink gun 2.
With reference to figure 7B, when hollow tube 153 is inserted among the opening 51a via black exhaust openings 46a, moves with sweep 51c and separate with annular protrusion 51b thereby the tip of hollow tube 153 and spherical member 52 forms contact and spherical member 52.When this takes place; The state of first valve 50 is changed into open mode from closed condition, and in off position, first valve 50 prevents that the China ink among the black outlet pathway 43a from flowing via first valve 50; In open mode, first valve 50 allows the China ink among the black outlet pathway 43a to flow via first valve 50.Hollow tube 153 has the opening 153b through its formation, and the inner space 153a of hollow tube 153 is via the external communications of opening 153b and hollow tube 153.When first valve 50 is in open mode following time, the opening 153b of hollow tube 153 through opening 51a, makes the inner space 153a of hollow tube 153 and black outlet pathway 43a be interconnected via opening 153b.When hollow tube 153 moves when being drawn out opening 51a, spherical member 52 is because the bias voltage of helical spring 53 and moving towards annular protrusion 51b.When spherical member 52 contacted with annular protrusion 51b formation, the state of first valve 50 was changed into closed condition from open mode.When hollow tube 153 is moved further when being drawn out opening 51a, spherical member 52 forms tight the contact with sweep 51c.Correspondingly, first valve 50 is constructed to according to the insertion of hollow tube 153 and removes and optionally be under open mode and the closed condition.Because first valve 50 comprises the helical spring 53 towards seal member 51 bias voltage spherical members 52,, the structure of first valve 50 leaks from first valve 50 so being simplified and can preventing China ink.
With reference to figure 7A and 7B, second valve 60 is arranged on black outlet pathway 43a place, and is arranged between China ink bag 42 and first valve 50.Second valve 60 comprises: valve seat 61; Valve member 62 as second valve member; Helical spring 63 with the conduct that places black outlet pathway 43a second biasing member.Pipe 44 comprises along first direction and protrudes into the annular protrusion 44a the black outlet pathway 43a in pipe 44 pars intermedia office from managing 44 inner surface.Valve seat 61 by elastomeric material for example rubber etc. process, and comprise the annular protrusion 44a that is clipped in pipe 44 and manage the flange 61a between 45 the terrace part 45a.Valve seat 61 has the opening 61b through its formation, and opening 61b extends along first direction in the pars intermedia office of valve seat 61, makes the inside of pipe 44 and the inside of pipe 45 be interconnected to form black outlet pathway 43a.Valve member 62 places the black outlet pathway 43a that is limited pipe 44 with helical spring 63, and each diameter less than the black outlet pathway 43a that is limited pipe 44 in the diameter of the diameter of valve member 62 and helical spring 63.
One end of helical spring 63 contacts with valve member 62, and the other end of helical spring 63 contacts with coupling part 42a.Helical spring 63 is constructed to consistently towards valve seat 61 and seal member 51 bias valve parts 62.Valve member 62 be constructed to when valve member 62 contact valve seats 61 around the part of opening 61b the time, prevent that the China ink among the black outlet pathway 43a from flowing via second valve 60, make the biasing force strain of said part through helical spring 63 of valve seat 61.When this took place, valve member 62 was under the closed condition, and in pipe 44 inside with manage fluid between 45 the inside and be communicated with and be able to prevent.Because helical spring 63 is constructed to towards seal member 51 bias valve parts 62; And because first valve 50 and second valve 60 are that seal member 51, spherical member 52, helical spring 53, valve seat 61, valve member 62 and helical spring 63 are aimed on single straight line along first direction; So when hollow tube 153 is inserted into seal member 51 neutralization when being drawn out seal member 51 along first direction/principal direction, first valve 50 and second valve 60 can be opened and closed.Second valve 60 can utilize simple structure to process, thereby reduces the opening/closing fault of second valve 60.In this embodiment, helical spring 63 is used as biasing member, but as long as valve member 62 can be used the biasing member except helical spring by towards valve seat 61 bias voltages.
With reference to figure 7B, be inserted through after seal member 51 and first valve 50 become open mode at hollow tube 153, spherical member 52 forms with the tip of extruder member 70 and contacts.When hollow tube 153 was further inserted, extruder member 70 moved with valve member 62, and valve member 62 is removed from valve seat 61.Correspondingly, the state of second valve 60 is changed into wherein the open mode that second valve 60 allows the China ink the black outlet pathway 43a to flow via second valve 60 from closed condition.When this took place, the inside of the inside of the pipe 44 of black outlet pathway 43a and pipe 45 formed fluid and is communicated with, and made that the China ink of storage flows among the inner space 153a of hollow tube 153 in China ink bag 42.When hollow tube 153 was drawn out seal member 51, valve member 62 moved towards valve seat 61 owing to the bias voltage of helical spring 63 with extruder member 70, and valve member 62 closely contacts with valve seat 61 formation.Correspondingly, the state of second valve 60 is changed into closed condition from open mode.Therefore; Second valve 60 also is constructed to optionally be in open mode and closed condition, and in open mode, second valve 60 allows the China ink among the black outlet pathway 43a to flow via second valve 60; In off position, second valve 60 prevents that the China ink among the black outlet pathway 43a from flowing via second valve 60.
The optical sensor 66 that is electrically connected to contact 91 is arranged among the chamber 41b of outer cover 41.In another embodiment of the present invention, optical sensor 66 can be arranged among the black outlet pathway 43a.In yet another embodiment of the present invention, optical sensor 66 can be integrally formed with another part of pipe 45 or print cartridge 40 along black outlet pathway 43a.Optical sensor 66 is to be constructed under the situation that does not contact object in the precalculated position scope place detect and have or do not exist reflected by objects type of detection optical pickocff.In one embodiment of the invention, optical sensor 66 can be aimed at at least a portion of valve seat 61.Optical sensor 66 is configured to be in closed condition following time along the second end of second direction in the face of valve member 62 when second valve 60; As shown in Fig. 7 A; And it is, as shown in fig. 7b when second valve 60 is in open mode following time along the second end of second direction in the face of valve member 62.In one embodiment of the invention, valve member 62 moves to open mode along first direction from closed condition.Like this,, valve member 62 equates along the distance along second direction between the distance of second direction and valve member 62 when valve member 62 is in open mode and the optical sensor 66 between valve member 62 and the optical sensor 66 when being in closed condition.Optical sensor 66 comprises light emission part and light receiving unit, and minute surface that can reflection ray forms on the second end of valve member 62 at least.When optical sensor 66 during in the face of valve member 62, the light of partly launching from light emission is reflected and reflection ray is received in light acceptance division office at the minute surface of valve member 62.Thus, optical sensor 66 output expression light receiving units are receiving the signal (being known as " detection signal A " hereinafter) of light.With reference to figure 8, this detection signal A is via contact 91 and 161 and be transferred to the controller 100 of the master unit of ink-jet printer 1.On the other hand, when optical sensor 66 was not faced valve member 62, the light of partly launching from light emission was not reflected at the minute surface of valve member 62, is not received in light acceptance division office thereby there is any light.Thus, optical sensor 66 output expression light receiving units are not at the signal (being known as " detection signal B " hereinafter) that receives light.This detection signal B is via contact 91 and 161 and be transferred to the controller 100 of the master unit of ink-jet printer 1.More specifically, optical sensor 66 is constructed to the intensity output analog voltage signal according to the light that receives in light acceptance division office.If output voltage is greater than threshold voltage, then controller 100 is identified as detection signal A with it, and if output voltage be less than or equal to threshold voltage (comprising when voltage is zero), then controller 100 is identified as detection signal B with it.Alternately; When optical sensor 66 is constructed to intensity when the light that receives in light acceptance division office greater than threshold intensity as detection signal A output data signal, and when the intensity of the light that receives in light acceptance division office is less than or equal to threshold intensity when being zero (comprise when intensity) export another data signal as detection signal B.Controller 100 is constructed to confirm that based on the signal that controller 100 receives it still is under the closed condition that second valve is in open mode.In this embodiment; When reception expression light receiving unit is receiving the detection signal A of light; Controller 100 confirms that second valve 60 is under the closed condition; And receiving expression light receiving unit not when receiving the detection signal B of light, controller 100 confirms that second valve 60 is under the open mode.In one embodiment of the invention, when second valve 60 is in closed condition, valve member 62 can be basically and the centrally aligned of optical sensor 66, and be in open mode when second valve 60, and valve member 62 can be not and the centrally aligned of optical sensor 66.Optical sensor 66 is not limited to reflection type of detection sensor; And in another embodiment; Optical sensor 66 can be to comprise the light emission part that faces with each other and the light transmission type of detection optical pickocff of light receiving unit, and can detect in light emission partly and between the light receiving unit whether have object.
With reference to figure 8 to 9B, the master unit of ink-jet printer 1 comprises four mounting portions 150 of arranging along auxiliary direction, and print cartridge 40 is installed on four mounting portions 150 respectively.Because mounting portion 150 has essentially identical structure, so will describe a mounting portion.
With reference to figure 9A and 9B, mounting portion 150 has the recess 151 that forms therein, and recess 151 has the shape corresponding to the profile of print cartridge 40.Lengthwise object for example hollow tube 153 is arranged on the foundation 151a place of qualification recess 151 along the end of auxiliary direction.China ink feed lines 154 forms in foundation 151a.Contact 161 is electrically connected to controller 100, and is used for also being arranged on foundation 551a from the electric power output 162 of the electric power source 110 (see figure 8) output powers of the master unit of ink-jet printer 1.
Hollow tube 153 extends along principal direction, and when print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150, places the position corresponding to opening 51a.Hollow tube 153 has therein the inner space 153a that forms, is communicated with black feed lines 154 fluids, and has the external communications (seeing Fig. 7 A and 7B) with permission inner space 153a and hollow tube 153 near the opening 153b of its tip through its formation.Be inserted into when making in the seal member 51 that opening 153b gets into the black outlet pathway 43a that is limited pipe 45 through opening 51a when print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150 and hollow tube 153, the inner space 153a of hollow tube 153 and black outlet pathway 43a form the fluid connection via opening 153b.When print cartridge 40 150 is removed and hollow tube 153 when being drawn out seal member 51 and making that opening 153b gets into opening 51a from the mounting portion, the fluid between the inner space of hollow tube 153 153a and black outlet pathway 43a is communicated with and is blocked.Even if the inner space 153a of hollow tube 153 is communicated with black outlet pathway 43a via opening 153b, the China ink of storage does not flow among the 153a of inner space yet in China ink bag 42, becomes open mode until second valve 60.Be not lead to the path that the quilt of atmosphere seals basically from the path that the opening 153b of hollow tube 153 extends to the discharge nozzle of ink gun 2.Therefore, China ink forms the possibility that contacts with air and reduces, and can suppress the increase of black viscosity.
Contact 161 aligns along auxiliary direction and hollow tube 153, and when print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150, places the position corresponding to the contact 91 of print cartridge 40.Contact 161 is the rod-shaped member of extending along principal direction, and is slidably supported.Contact 161 along principal direction by the spring (not shown) from the outside bias voltage of foundation 151a, the instantaneous contact 91 that is electrically connected to when being installed to mounting portion 150 before hollow tube 153 is inserted in the seal member 51 with convenient print cartridge 40.In other words, before first valve 50 became open mode, contact 161 was electrically connected to contact 91.In other words, contact 161 be electrically connected to contact 91 until when print cartridge 40 by 150 hollow tubes 153 when removing are completely pulled out of seal member 51 from the mounting portion.
The sensor 170 that is connected to controller 100 is arranged in the recess 150 and in mounting portion 150, has and do not exist outer cover 41 to detect.Sensor 170 is to be constructed to detect the mechanical switch that whether has object through forming to contact with object, and comprises by the outer cover from sensor 170 and be biased into the test section 171 the recess 151.Contact and test section 171 when overcoming biasing force and getting into the outer cover of sensor 170 when test section 171 and outer cover 41 forms, sensor 170 representes that to controller 100 outputs test sections 171 have got into the signal (being known as " detection signal C " hereinafter) in the outer cover of sensor 170.When print cartridge 40 150 is removed and test section 171 when no longer contacting with outer cover 41 from the mounting portion; The outer cover of test section 171 separating sensors 170, and sensor 170 is represented test sections 171 signal of the outer cover of separating sensor 170 (being known as " detection signal D " hereinafter) to controller 100 outputs.Controller 100 is constructed to confirm based on the signal that controller 100 receives whether print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150.In this embodiment; When receiving expression test section 171 and got into the detection signal C of outer cover of sensor 170; Controller 100 confirms that print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150 or print cartridge 40 almost is installed to mounting portion 150 fully; And receiving expression test section 171 during the detection signal D of the outer cover of separating sensor 170, controller 100 confirms that print cartridges 40 are not installed to mounting portion 150.Sensor 170 is not limited to mechanical switch.In another embodiment, sensor 170 can be an optical pickocff.
With reference to figure 2 and 8, buzzer 13 is arranged among the outer cover 1a.Buzzer 13 is controlled by controller 100, and is constructed to launch polytype sound, can notify the user thus, for example " print cartridge 40 is not by correct installation " and " ready-to-print " or the like.
When expectation is installed to mounting portion 150 with print cartridge 40, opens a 1c, and print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150.With reference to Figure 10, in step 1 (S1), controller 100 is confirmed print cartridges 40, and whether 150 installation begins to the mounting portion.Whether receive detection signal C and make this and confirm based on controller 100.As stated, when the test section 171 of sensor 170 and outer cover 41 form when contact, change into detection signal C from detection signal D from the signal that sensor 170 is exported.When controller 100 does not receive detection signal C but when in fact receiving detection signal D from sensor 170, controller 100 is confirmed to install and is not begun as yet and wait for (repeating S1).When controller 100 when sensor 170 receives detection signal C, controller 100 confirms that installations begin, and flow process advances to step 2 (S2).
In step 2, controller 100 confirms that originally self-controllers 100 receive detection signal C and work that to be self-controller 100 confirm that at S1 installation has begun to play controller 100 and originally when optical sensor 66 receives detection signal B, binding hours has been installed and whether expires.Originally receive time that detection signal C passes based on self-controller 100 at S1 and whether surpassed the installation binding hours of storing in storage area 120 (see figure 8)s at the master unit of ink-jet printer 1, confirm and make this.Surpassed the installation binding hours if confirm the time of passing, then flow process advances to step 3 (S3).Controller 100 is controlled buzzer 13 then and is used to the sound notification user " print cartridge correctly is not installed to the mounting portion " from buzzer 13.On the other hand, if the time that passes surpasses binding hours is not installed, then flow process advances to step 4 (S4).For example, if second valve that is installed in of extruder member 70 fracture or print cartridge 40 stops before becoming open mode if the tip of hollow tube 153 fractures, then valve member 62 can not move.In this situation, this flow process arrives step 3 (S3).
In step 4, controller 100 confirms whether second valve 60 is under the open mode.Whether receive detection signal B and make this and confirm based on controller 100.As stated, when valve member 62 moves when making that optical sensor 66 and valve member 62 no longer face with each other, the detection signal A from optical sensor 66 outputs changes into detection signal B.If controller 100 receives detection signal A and confirms that second valve 60 is under the closed condition; Then flow process is returned step 2; And if controller 100 receives detection signal B and definite second valve 60 is under the open mode, then flow process advances to step 5 (S5).
Become open mode until second valve 60 from the time when beginning from sensor 170 output detection signal C, following situation takes place.At first; Begin from sensor 170 after controller 100 output detection signal C and before hollow tube 153 begins to be inserted into opening 51a during; Contact 91 is electrically connected with contact 161, and the contact 163 of electric power output 162 is electrically connected with electric power inputting portion 92.Correspondingly, optical sensor 66 is electrically connected with controller 100, make controller 100 can receive from the signal of optical sensor 66 outputs, and electric power is supplied to optical sensor 66.Subsequently; When hollow tube 153 is inserted among the opening 51a; The tip of hollow tube 153 and spherical member 52 form contact and spherical member 52 mobile towards second valve 60 (in Fig. 7 A and 7B to the right); Make spherical member 52 separate with annular protrusion 51b, and the state of first valve 50 is changed into open mode from closed condition with sweep 51c.Subsequently, the tip of spherical member 52 and extruder member 70 form contact and extruder member 70, spherical member 52 and valve member 62 mobile towards coupling part 42a (in Fig. 7 A and 7B to the right).Valve member 62 is separated from each other with valve seat 61, and the state of second valve 60 is changed into open mode from closed condition.Therefore, when second valve 60 becomes open mode, during contact 91 and contact 161 are in and electrically contact, make controller 100 can receive from the detection signal B of optical sensor 66 outputs.Confirm in step 4 whether second valve 60 is under the open mode so comprise also whether definite hollow tube 153 is correctly inserted in the print cartridge 40.In other words; Utilize optical sensor 66 through detecting valve member 62 and whether being in precalculated position scope (valve member 62 is apart from the position range of valve seat 61 greater than preset distance) and whether indirect detection hollow tube 153 is in the preposition scope in black outlet pathway 43a; Therefore whether controller 100 can confirm hollow tube 153 by among the black outlet pathway 43a of correct insertion, can guarantee that from print cartridge 40 to ink-jet printer 1 master unit for example 150 has correctly formed black path to the mounting portion.
In step 5 (S5), controller 100 control buzzers 13 are with the sound from buzzer 13 emission expressions " ready-to-print ".Therefore, the installation of print cartridge 40.
When the China ink of storage in print cartridge 40 when being used up, open the door 1c of ink-jet printer 1 and print cartridge 40 150 is removed from the mounting portion.When thereby print cartridge 40 is moved when being removed, spherical member 52, valve member 62 and extruder member 70 are because the biasing force of helical spring 53 and 63 and mobile together towards seal member 51 (in Fig. 7 A and 7B left) when being in contact with one another.In other words, spherical member 52, valve member 62 and extruder member 70 move along the direction in the opposite direction that they move when being inserted in the seal member 51 when hollow tube 153.When valve member 62 and valve seat 61 forms when contact, the state of second valve 60 is changed into closed condition from open mode, and China ink stops from China ink bag 42 the mobile of inner space 153a to hollow tube 153.At this moment, the signal that outputs to controller 100 from optical sensor 66 is changed into detection signal A from detection signal B, and controller 100 confirms that second valve 60 is under the closed condition.
Subsequently, only spherical member 52 moves with hollow tube 153, makes spherical member 52 separate with the tip of extruder member 70.Spherical member 52 forms with sweep 51c with annular protrusion 51b then and contacts, and makes the state of the valve 50 of winning change into closed condition from open mode.Therefore, be drawn out the motion of seal member 51 according to hollow tube 153, the state of each in first valve 50 and second valve 60 is changed into closed condition from open mode.After second valve 60 became closed condition, first valve 50 became closed condition.
Be moved further and after hollow tube 153 is completely pulled out of seal member 51, be cut off at print cartridge 40 in contact between contact 91 and the contact 161 and the contact between electric power inputting portion 92 and contact 163.When outer cover 41 separates with test section 171 and during 171 separating sensors 170 of test section, from sensor 170 to controller 100 output detection signal D.Correspondingly, controller 100 can confirm that print cartridge 40 has removed from the mounting portion.In this way, old print cartridge 40 105 is removed from the mounting portion, and new print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 105.
Use description to make and refresh the method for print cartridge 40.When print cartridge 40 was able to make, outer cover 41 at first was manufactured into and is divided into two, and parts for example China ink bag 42 and black outlet 43 be assembled into outer cover 41 the first half in, as shown in figure 6.The second half of outer cover 41 is coupled to the first half of outer cover 41 then.Then, the China ink of scheduled volume is injected into via black outlet pathway 43a in the China ink bag 42.Therefore, the manufacturing of print cartridge 40 is accomplished.
In variant embodiment, be able to assembling to its injection parts except outer cover 41 China ink, print cartridge 40.Then, assembled components is attached in the outer cover 40.
When used print cartridge 40 was refreshed, at first, China ink bag 42, black outlet 43 or the like were cleaned.Then, the China ink of scheduled volume is injected in the China ink bag 42.Therefore, print cartridge 40 refreshes completion.
As stated; According to first embodiment; When print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150; Spherical member 52 and movable part (extruder member 70 with valve member 62) be owing to the insertion of hollow tube 153 is moved, and can confirm whether valve member 62 is under the open mode according to the detection of optical sensor 66, can also confirm whether hollow tube 153 is correctly inserted in the print cartridge 40.In other words, detect movable part through optical sensor 66 and whether be in the precalculated position, can confirm that whether hollow tube 153 is by among the black outlet pathway 43a of suitable insertion.Correspondingly, the master unit that can guarantee to extend to ink-jet printer 1 from print cartridge 40 for example to the mounting portion 150 black path by correct formation.
For example, if the tip of hollow tube 153 fractures, then hollow tube 153 can not movement of valve parts 62 when print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150, and therefore China ink can not be supplied to ink gun 2 when carrying out printing.In this situation, print fault will take place.However, in this situation, confirmed hollow tube 153, and notified (S3) mistake not by among the black outlet pathway 43a of suitable insertion.Therefore, can avoid print fault.As another example, when the user stopped the installation of print cartridge 40, China ink can not be supplied to ink gun 2 when carrying out printing after hollow tube 153 is inserted in the seal member 51 and before hollow tube 153 beginning movement of valve parts 62.In this situation, print fault will take place.However, in this situation, confirmed hollow tube 153, and notified (S3) mistake not by among the black outlet pathway 43a of suitable insertion.Therefore, can avoid print fault.As another example; Move to after valve member 62 begins to move but at valve member 62 and enough to lift off a seat 61 position before when the user stops the installation of print cartridge 40; Since too little and when carry out printing, possibly not obtain sufficient black flow rate in the gap between valve member 62 and the valve seat 61, so print fault possibly take place.However, in this situation, confirmed hollow tube 153, and mistake has been notified not by among the black outlet pathway 43a of suitable insertion.Therefore, can avoid print fault.
Provide the helical spring 63 towards seal member 51 bias valve parts 62 to make it possible to the accurately valve member 62 of location through being moved by hollow tube 153 extruding, the detection that utilizes optical sensor 66 thus can be more accurate.
Because movable part plays the effect of valve member 62, so the opening/closing that whether 1 main body has for example correctly formed the black Path Determination and second valve 60 to the mounting portion from print cartridge 40 to ink-jet printer can be realized simultaneously.Therefore, can reduce the overall cost of making ink-jet printer 1.
And, owing to first valve 50 is able to provide, so can carry out the sealing of China ink in print cartridge 40 more reliably.
In first variant embodiment, extruder member 70 is not and valve member 62 all-in-one-pieces, but with spherical member 52 all-in-one-pieces.In second variant embodiment, extruder member 70 neither is integral also with spherical member 52 and is not integral with valve member 62, but between spherical member 52 and valve member 62.Utilize these variant embodiment can obtain and advantage identical in first embodiment equally.In addition, in first embodiment and first and second variant embodiment, optical sensor 66 can detect spherical member 52 rather than valve member 62.Utilize this layout can to make whether confirming of hollow tube 153 equally by correct insertion.
In the 3rd variant embodiment; With reference to figure 15A and 15B; First valve 50 comprises seal member 450; The elastomeric element of the opening of the seal member 450 black outlet pathway 43a that to be inner surfaces of being arranged in black outlet pathway 43a and contact tube 45 form with the second end place that is closed in black outlet pathway 43a, and first valve 50 does not comprise spherical member and helical spring.Do not form opening through seal member 450.In this variant embodiment, when comparing with first and second variant embodiment, can reduce part count with first embodiment.Comprise the wide diameter part 471 of extending from the outer surface at the tip of extruder member 470 according to the extruder member 470 of the 3rd variant embodiment.Wide diameter part 471 has the diameter of the internal diameter that is slightly less than pipe 45.Correspondingly, with reference to figure 15B, the tip of extruder member 470 and hollow tube 153 forms with stable manner and contacts.Seal member 450 be by with first embodiment in seal member 51 identical materials process.
In the 3rd variant embodiment; When hollow tube 153 is inserted in the seal member 450 for the first time; When hollow tube 153 process seal members 450; As the seal member 450 of first valve become open mode (when advancing when surpassing the right-hand member of the seal member 450 in Figure 15 A and 15B in the tip of hollow tube 153, hollow tube 153 puncture through seal parts 450, thereby make seal member 450 strains; Be that compression seal parts 450 pass through to allow hollow tube 153, and do not remove any part of seal member 450.Shown in Figure 15 A and 15B, the strain of seal member 450 can be transformed into open mode with first valve).Yet; In case hollow tube 153 be drawn out seal member 450 and then hollow tube 153 be inserted into once more in the seal member 450; (when advancing when surpassing the left end of the seal member 450 in Figure 15 A and 15B in the tip of hollow tube 153) just becomes open mode as the seal member 450 of first valve when the tip of hollow tube 153 is inserted in the seal member 450.More specifically, when inserting hollow tube 153 through seal member 450 for the first time, formed opening through seal member 450, seal member 450 becomes open mode thus.When hollow tube 153 is drawn out seal member 450; The opening that forms through seal member 450 is closed by the elastic force of seal member 450; And seal member 450 becomes closed condition and (heavily is shaped with sealing by the hole of piercing through generation of hollow tube 153 through seal member 450 elasticity thus; The opening that passes seal member 450 formation is closed, thereby convert first valve to closed condition).When hollow tube 153 is inserted in the seal member 450 once more, opened the opening of the seal member 450 of having closed through the tip of inserting hollow tube 153 therein, seal member 450 becomes open mode thus.
With reference to figure 15A; Because when hollow tube 153 is inserted in the seal member 450, between the tip of seal member 450 and extruder member 470, do not form the gap along first direction; So after the seal member 450 as first valve became open mode, second valve 60 became open mode.
When hollow tube 153 is in the black outlet pathway 43a and valve 450 and 60 when being in state under the open mode and being drawn out seal member 450 from hollow tube 153; Second valve 60 at first becomes closed condition; When hollow tube 153 was completely pulled out of seal member 450, seal member 450 became closed condition then.
In the 3rd variant embodiment,, hollow tube 153 between the tip of seal member 450 and extruder member 470, do not form the gap when being inserted in the seal member 450.Yet, in another embodiment, when hollow tube 153 is inserted in the seal member 450, between the tip of seal member 450 and extruder member 470, can not have any gap.In other words, when hollow tube 153 is not inserted in the seal member 450, during the tip of seal member 450 and extruder member 470 can be in consistently and contact.In this case, when hollow tube 153 and extruder member 470 forms when contacting, be under the open mode, and further inserted hollow tube 153 from this state and cause that second valve 60 becomes open mode as the seal member 450 of first valve.When hollow tube 153 was drawn out seal member 450, after second valve 60 became closed condition, seal member 450 became closed condition.
And in the 4th variant embodiment, with reference to figure 16A and 16B, print cartridge 40 does not comprise second valve 60, but comprises the movable part 662 that moves along with in black outlet pathway 43a, inserting hollow tube 153, to substitute second valve 60.More specifically, print cartridge 40 does not comprise valve seat 61 and valve member 62, but comprises movable part 662.Movable part 662 by helical spring 63 bias voltages with contact annular protrusion 44a.Extruder member 70 be connected to movable part 662 and with movable part 662 one, be similar to first embodiment.When hollow tube 153 is inserted into when becoming open mode through the seal member 51 and first valve 50, spherical member 52 forms with the tip of extruder member 70 and contacts.When hollow tube 153 was further inserted, extruder member 70 moved with movable part 662, and movable part 662 moves away annular protrusion 44a.Movable part 662 has the opening 662a that passes its formation along first direction.Allow China ink to pass opening 662a, have nothing to do and whether contact annular protrusion 44a with movable part 662.Thus movable part 662 allow China ink through and with the location independent of movable part 662, and do not prevent that China ink from passing through.In this case, in step 4 (S4), what controller 100 was made confirms whether do not correspond to second valve 60 is in confirming under the open mode, but whether has correctly been inserted confirming in the print cartridge 40 corresponding to hollow tube 153.And movable part 662 preferably is constructed to when the motion of movable part 662 is restricted in the preset range along the biased parts bias voltage of the direction opposite with the direction of insertion of hollow tube 153.Optical sensor 66 is constructed to detect the position of this movable part 662, and indirect detection is inserted into the position of the hollow tube 153 among the black outlet pathway 43a thus.Because second valve 60 is not set in this variant embodiment, so first valve 50 possibly require higher reliability to alleviate ink leakage.In the 4th variant embodiment, for example, if hollow tube 153 is fractureed by the foundation from it, then hollow tube 153 may not be inserted in first valve 50 when print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150, and therefore first valve 50 possibly not become open mode.When this took place, China ink can not be supplied to ink gun 2 when carrying out printing, and print fault will take place.Yet, in this situation, confirmed hollow tube 153, and notified (S3) mistake not by among the black outlet pathway 43a of suitable insertion.Therefore, can avoid print fault.For another embodiment, if the tip of hollow tube 153 is fractureed, then seal member 51 can be damaged in the fracture tip of hollow tube 153 when print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150.In this situation, China ink can leak from the seal member 51 that damages.Yet, in this situation, confirmed hollow tube 153, and notified (S3) mistake not by among the black outlet pathway 43a of suitable insertion.Correspondingly, the user can notice hollow tube 153 fractures, therefore can before taking place, avoid because the ink leakage that the hollow tube 153 of fracture causes.
In above-mentioned first embodiment and first to the 4th variant embodiment, optical sensor 66 is constructed to through detecting that movable part (extruder member 70 and valve member 62) is positioned at the preposition scope and indirect detection hollow tube 153 is in the preposition scope at black outlet pathway 43a.Yet with reference to figure 17A and 17B, according to the 5th variant embodiment, optical sensor 566 is constructed to directly detect hollow tube 153 and in black outlet pathway 43a, is in the preposition scope.Optical sensor 566 is to comprise the light emission part 566a that faces with each other via black outlet 43 and the light transmission type of detection optical pickocff of light receiving unit 566b, and is constructed to detect hollow tube 153 and whether in black outlet pathway 43a, is positioned at the preposition scope.With reference to figure 17A, when hollow tube 153 is not inserted in the seal member 51, from the light black outlet pathway 43a of process and the arrival light receiving unit 566b of light emission part 566a emission.Therefore, the intensity of the light that receives at light receiving unit 566b place is greater than threshold value, and optical sensor 566 transmission detection signal A.With reference to figure 17B; When hollow tube 153 is inserted in the seal member 51 and arrives the position among the black outlet pathway 43a between light emission part 566a and light receiving unit 566b, blocked by hollow tube 153 at least in part from the light of light emission part 566a emission.Therefore, the intensity of the light that receives at light receiving unit 566b place is less than or equal to threshold value, and optical sensor 566 transmission detection signal B.In this case, in step 4 (S4), what controller 100 was made confirms whether do not correspond to second valve 60 is in confirming under the open mode, but whether has correctly been inserted confirming in the print cartridge 40 corresponding to hollow tube 153.
In the 5th variant embodiment, for example, if hollow tube 153 fractures from its foundation, then hollow tube 153 may not be inserted in first valve 50 when print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150, and therefore first valve 50 possibly not become open mode.When this took place, China ink can not be supplied to ink gun 2 when carrying out printing, and print fault will take place.Yet, in this situation, confirmed hollow tube 153, and notified (S3) mistake not by among the black outlet pathway 43a of suitable insertion.Therefore, can avoid print fault.For another embodiment, if the tip of hollow tube 153 is fractureed, then seal member 51 possibly damaged in the fracture tip of hollow tube 153 when print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150.In this situation, China ink can leak from damaging seal member 51.Yet, in this situation, confirmed hollow tube 153, and notified (S3) mistake not by among the black outlet pathway 43a of suitable insertion.Correspondingly, the user can notice hollow tube 153 fractures, therefore can before taking place, avoid because the ink leakage that the hollow tube 153 of fracture causes.
In the 6th variant embodiment, use magnetic sensor instead of optical sensor 66.In this embodiment, second valve member 62 comprises magnet, and magnetic sensor comprises Hall element.When second valve member 62 was faced sensor, the magnetic flux density at the Hall element place was high, and sensor output detection signal A.When second valve member 62 was not faced sensor, the magnetic flux density at the Hall element place was low, and sensor output detection signal B.
In the 7th variant embodiment, hollow tube 153 can move with respect to mounting portion 150.When print cartridge 40 is not installed to mounting portion 150, in the hollow tube 153 withdrawal foundation 150A.When print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150; And when controller 100 was confirmed electric power output 162 with electric power inputting portion 92 electrical connections and contact 161 and 91 electrical connections, controller 100 control actuator (not shown) shifted out foundation 150A with among the black outlet pathway 43a that is inserted into print cartridge 40 with hollow tube 153.
With reference to Figure 11 and 12,, comprise controller 90 and the storage area 125 that is connected to controller 90 according to the print cartridge 240 of second embodiment of the invention except the member of the print cartridge 40 of first embodiment.Note with first embodiment in those members member identical or of equal value will represent and will omit its explanation by identical Reference numeral.
With reference to Figure 11, the controller 90 that is arranged on print cartridge 240 is electrically connected to contact 91.And controller 90 is electrically connected to electric power inputting portion 92.When electric power inputting portion 92 was electrically connected to electric power output 162, electric power was supplied to controller 90 and optical sensor 66.Optical sensor 66 according to this second embodiment is not directly connected to contact 91, but is connected to controller 90.Correspondingly, optical sensor 66 is to controller 90 output detection signal A and detection signal B.Controller 90 transmits detection signal A and the detection signal B that receives from optical sensor 66 via contact 91 and 161 controllers 100 to ink-jet printer 1 then.
Attach and say one, when print cartridge 240 was installed to mounting portion 150, China ink possibly leak from the discharge nozzle of corresponding ink gun 2.When print cartridge 240 when 150 installation and print cartridge 240 stop to move to the mounting portion, China ink possibly utilize its inertia still in China ink bag 42, to move.China ink this motion in China ink bag 42 can cause pressure oscillation in China ink, and this pressure oscillation can be transferred to the China ink in the ink gun 2 and can China ink be released from discharge nozzle.The China ink amount of leaking from discharge nozzle depends on that print cartridge 240 is installed to the speed of mounting portion 150 and the amount of the China ink of storage print cartridge 240.
Storage area 125 is stored in data shown in the following form 1.Form 1 illustrates the China ink amount that the maintenance unit 30 that when print cartridge 240 is installed to mounting portion 150, whether exists through being used for ink gun 2 is carried out the needs safeguarded and leaked from the discharge nozzle of ink gun 2.Particularly, show the needs safeguarded and the amount of ink leakage carried out that whether exist to T3 and four black weight range V1 to V4 corresponding to three time range T1.For the example of time range T1 to T3; Time range T1 is to the scope (0 second≤T1＜0.5 second) less than 0.5 second from 0 second; Time range T2 is to the scope (0.5 second≤T2＜1.5 seconds) less than 1.5 seconds from 0.5 second; And time range T3 be from 1.5 seconds to less than 2.5 seconds scope (1.5 seconds≤T3＜2.5 seconds), said scope is located adjacent one another.And; For the example of black weight range V1 to V4; China ink weight range V1 is to (0ml≤V1＜500ml), black weight range V2 are to (500ml≤V2＜700ml), black weight range V3 are to less than 800 milliliters scope (700ml≤V3＜800ml) from 700 milliliters less than 700 milliliters scope from 500 milliliters less than 500 milliliters scope from 0 milliliter; And black weight range V4 is to (800ml≤V4＜1000ml), said scope is located adjacent one another less than 1000 milliliters scope from 800 milliliters.
If the China ink amount of storage falls in the scope of V1 in the print cartridge 240 in being installed in mounting portion 150; And if the set-up time fall into time range T1 in arbitrary scope of T3, then storage area 125 storage representations do not have ink leakage and safeguard unnecessary data.Set-up time is that time when 150 installation begins to the mounting portion when print cartridge 240 is to when the state of second valve 60 period of the time when closed condition is changed into open mode.
And, if the China ink amount of storage falls in the scope of V2 in the print cartridge 240 in being installed in mounting portion 150, and if the set-up time fall in the time range T1 data that are necessary for about 0ml and maintenance of storage area 125 storage representation ink leakages then.If the China ink amount of storage falls in the scope of V2 in the print cartridge 240 in being installed in mounting portion 150; And if the set-up time fall in arbitrary scope of time range T2 and T3, then storage area 125 storage representations do not have ink leakage and safeguard unnecessary data.In other words, possibly there is slight ink leakage (but it can be 0ml) in storage area 125 storage representations when the set-up time is lower than 0.5 second (scheduled time), and are necessary the data safeguarded.
And; If the China ink amount of storage falls in the scope of V3 in the print cartridge 240 in being installed in mounting portion 150; And if the set-up time fall in the time range T1, then there is small ink leakage (for example, approximately 1ml) in storage area 125 storage representations and safeguards the data that are necessary.If in the print cartridge 240 in being installed in mounting portion 150 storage the China ink amount fall in the scope of V3, and if the set-up time fall in the time range T2, then storage area 125 storage representations exist the ink leakage of about 0ml and the data that maintenance is necessary.If in the print cartridge 240 in being installed in mounting portion 150 storage the China ink amount fall in the scope of V3, and if the set-up time fall in the time range T3, then storage area 125 storage representations do not have ink leakage and safeguard unnecessary data.In other words, when the China ink amount of storage in print cartridge 240 falls in the scope of V3, if being lower than 1.5 seconds (scheduled time), the set-up time safeguards to be necessary, and if time range is greater than or equal to 1.5 seconds then maintenance is unnecessary.
And; If the China ink amount of storage falls in the scope of V4 in the print cartridge 240 in being installed in mounting portion 150; And if the set-up time fall in the time range T1, then storage area 125 storage representations exist small volume of ink to leak (for example, approximately 3ml) and safeguard the data that are necessary.If the China ink amount of storage falls in the scope of V4 in the print cartridge 240 in being installed in mounting portion 150, and if the set-up time fall in the time range T2 storage area 125 storage representations data that exist small ink leakage and maintenance to be necessary then.If in the print cartridge 240 in being installed in mounting portion 150 storage the China ink amount fall in the scope of V4, and if the set-up time fall in the time range T3, then storage area 125 storage representations exist the ink leakage of about 0ml and the data that maintenance is necessary.In addition, if the set-up time be greater than or equal to 2.5 seconds (scheduled time), and if in the print cartridge in being installed in mounting portion 150 240 storage the China ink amount less than 1000ml, then storage area 125 storage representations do not have ink leakage and safeguard unnecessary data.
Therefore, for black weight range V1 each in the V4, whether storage area 125 storage representations are necessary to carry out the data of the scheduled time (0 second, 0.5 second, 1.5 seconds or 2.5 seconds) on the border (threshold value) of maintenance as expression.In other words, for black 0 second the scheduled time of weight range V1 storage, for black 0.5 second the scheduled time of weight range V2 storage, for black 1.5 seconds the scheduled time of weight range V3 storage, and for black 2.5 seconds the scheduled time of weight range V4 storage.These scheduled times are long more, and are then high more to the China ink amount that V4 representes by black weight range V1.
And storage area 125 comprises the flash memory that can be write again by controller 90 or external equipment (controller 100 etc.), and the data of the storage representation China ink amount of in print cartridge 240, storing.Correspondingly, through deducting from China ink amount, can in storage area 125, write again by controller 100 through printing the China ink amount that China ink amount that consumes and the China ink amount of passing through consumed cleaning obtain at the print cartridge 240 of writing instantaneous storage before again.In addition, storage area 125 is the store ink leakage rate also, thereby can when writing the China ink amount again, proofread and correct the China ink amount.In other words, controller 90 can be write the China ink amount that has also deducted the ink leakage amount when print cartridge 240 is installed to mounting portion 150 from it again.Correspondingly, storage area 125 can accurately be stored in the current amount of the China ink of storage in the print cartridge 240.
When used print cartridge 240 was refreshed, the amount that is injected into the China ink in the print cartridge 240 can be more than the amount that perhaps is less than the China ink of when originally print cartridge 240 is able to make, in print cartridge 240, storing.In this situation, represent that the data of black injection volume can easily be write again.And, because storage area 125 is set to print cartridge 240, so can reduce the memory capacity of storage area 120 of the master unit of ink-jet printer 1.
With reference to Figure 12, when expectation is installed to mounting portion 150 with print cartridge 240, to arrive step H3 to the identical mode execution in step H1 of step 4 with the step 1 of above-mentioned first embodiment.In step H4, controller 100 confirms whether second valve 60 is under the open mode.Whether receiving detection signal B according to controller 100 makes this and confirms.As stated, make optical sensor 66 and valve member 62 no longer in the face of each other the time when valve member 62 moves, the detection signal A from optical sensor 66 outputs changes into detection signal B.If controller 100 receives detection signal A and confirms that second valve 60 is under the closed condition, then flow process is returned step H2, and if controller 100 receives detection signal B and definite second valve 60 is under the open mode, and then flow process advances to step H5.Similar in first embodiment, whether definite hollow tube 153 that also comprises that whether second valve 60 is under the open mode in step H4 has correctly been inserted confirming in the print cartridge 240.
Become open mode until second valve 60 from the time when beginning, following situation takes place from sensor 170 output detection signal C.At first; Begin from sensor 170 after controller 100 output detection signal C and before hollow tube 153 begins to be inserted into opening 51a during; Contact 91 is electrically connected with contact 161, and the contact 163 of electric power output 162 is electrically connected with electric power inputting portion 92.Correspondingly, two controllers 90 and 100 are electrically connected, and make two controllers 90 and 100 can exchange signal each other, and electric power also is supplied to controller 90 and optical sensor 66.And when contact 91 was connected with contact 161, expression controller 100 confirmed that the time data signal that the time (originally controller 100 receives the time of detection signal C from sensor 170) that begins is installed is outputed to controller 90 by slave controller 100.Subsequently; When hollow tube 153 is inserted among the opening 51a; The tip of hollow tube 153 and spherical member 52 form contact and spherical member 52 mobile towards second valve 60 (in Fig. 7 A and 7B to the right); Make spherical member 52 separate with annular protrusion 51b, and the state of first valve 50 is changed into open mode from closed condition with sweep 51c.Subsequently, the tip of spherical member 52 and extruder member 70 forms and contact, and spherical member 52, extruder member 70 and valve member 62 are mobile towards coupling part 42a (in Fig. 7 A and 7B to the right).Valve member 62 is separated from each other with valve seat 61 then, and the state of second valve 60 is changed into open mode from closed condition.Therefore, when second valve 60 became open mode, contact 91 was electrically connected with contact 161, makes controller 100 can receive the detection signal B of slave controller 90 outputs.
Then; In step H5, controller 90 calculate know at the time data that can be transferred to controller 90 according to slave controller 100, when print cartridge 240 when the installation of mounting portion 150 is able to begin time (originally controller 100 receives the time of detection signal C from sensor 170) and when controller 90 set-up time between the time when optical sensor 66 receives detection signal B originally.In step H6, controller 90 reads in the storage area 125 data shown in the data that are illustrated in the current China ink amount of storage in the print cartridge 240 and the form 1 of storage.Then, in step H7, controller 90 confirms in step 6, whether to have read the data in the storage area 125.Can not be read into if in storage area 125, store any data and correspondingly do not have any data, then slave controller 90 is to controller 100 output error signals, and flow process advances to step H8.In step 8, the controller 100 control buzzers 13 that received rub-out signal notify the user in storage area 125, to exist unusually.On the other hand, if confirm that in step 7 controller 90 successfully reads in the data of storage area 125, then flow process advances to step H9.
In step H9; Controller 90 confirms that the set-up time of in step 5, calculating falls into time range T1 in which scope of T3; And confirm that which of V4 be the China ink amount of in step H7, reading in fall into black weight range V1 in, and confirm whether to be necessary this moment to carry out and safeguard for print cartridge 240.In other words, for the black weight range (V1 is to one of V4) corresponding to the amount China ink of storage in print cartridge 240, the scheduled time that whether is lower than the border (threshold value) whether expression need safeguard for the set-up time (T1 is to one of T3) makes definite.
If controller 90 is confirmed need not carry out maintenance, then flow process advances to step H12.
If controller 90 is confirmed to need to carry out to safeguard that then flow process advances to step H10, and controller 90 begins to safeguard with request to controller 100 output signals.Then, controller 100 is at first controlled elevator mechanism, makes ink gun 2 move to retracted position (seeing Fig. 4 A) from print position.Then, controller 100 control CD-ROM drive motors move to and discharge the position (seeing Fig. 4 B) that end face 2a faces with cap body 31.Controller 100 is controlled CD-ROM drive motor then and is being added cap position positioning cap body 31 near discharging end face 2a.
Then, the period that controller 100 driving pumps are predetermined, and black to ink gun 2 feedings with the pressure mode from print cartridge 240.Correspondingly, in cap body 31, removed the China ink of scheduled volume from ink gun 2.Subsequently, controller 100 control CD-ROM drive motors return cap body 31 to initial position from removing the position.At this moment, controller 100 can be controlled at the Wiping mechanism (not shown) that comprises in the maintenance unit 30 for example wiper (not shown) and the CD-ROM drive motor (not shown) that is used to drive wiper, thereby wiping is because clear operation is attached to the China ink that discharges end face 2a.Controller 100 is controlled elevator mechanism then ink gun 2 is returned print position from retracted position.Therefore, safeguard end.When safeguarding end, controller 100 output notice controllers 90 are safeguarded the signal that finishes.
Then, in step H11, controller 90 writes on the data of the China ink amount of storage in the storage area 125 again.Particularly, be that roughly 0ml, small quantity are perhaps made definite on a small quantity at first for the ink leakage amount.Then, utilize through China ink amount and deduct the China ink amount that numerical value that the ink leakage amount of having confirmed and the China ink amount that clear operation, consumes obtain writes on the China ink of storage in the storage area 125 again from current storage.The China ink amount that in clear operation, consumes is not limited to concrete scheduled volume, but can consider for example temperature etc. and suitably being regulated of environmental condition, and in this situation, the China ink amount that controller 100 needs notification controller 90 in clear operation, to consume.After this, flow process advances to step H12.
Then, in step H13, controller 90 is to controller 100 output signals, and expression can be carried out printing.The controller 100 that has received this signal control then buzzer 13 from buzzer 13 emission sound to notify the user " ready-to-print ".Therefore, the installation of print cartridge 240.In another embodiment, in step H11, writing black amount again can carry out after step H12 and before printing is able to carry out.
In ink-jet printer 1 according to this second embodiment; Except above-mentioned steps H10 and H11, controller 100 or controller 90 are constructed to through deducting the China ink amount that after print cartridge 240 has been installed to mounting portion 150, a printing, has consumed and write the China ink amount again from being able to the instantaneous China ink amount before of carrying out in operation.Correspondingly; 150 removed and be installed to once more mounting portion 150 even if remain the print cartridge 240 of the China ink of specified quantitative therein from the mounting portion, also only can be lower than situation corresponding to scheduled time of residue China ink amount (falling into V1 in one of V4) for ink gun 2 execution maintenances in the set-up time (falling into T1 to one of T3 in) of calculating by controller 90.Correspondingly, unnecessary maintenance can be able to avoid.
With with identical mode in above-mentioned first embodiment, when the China ink of storage in print cartridge 40 when being used up, open the door 1c of ink-jet printer 1 and print cartridge 240 150 removed from the mounting portion.When thereby print cartridge 240 is moved when being removed, spherical member 52, valve member 62 and extruder member 70 are because the biasing force of helical spring 53 and 63 and mobile towards seal member 51 (in Fig. 7 A and 7B left) when being in contact with one another.When valve member 62 and valve seat 61 forms when contact, the state of second valve 60 is changed into closed condition from open mode, and China ink stops from China ink bag 42 the mobile of inner space 153a to hollow tube 153.At this moment, the signal that outputs to controller 90 from optical sensor 66 is changed into detection signal A from detection signal B, and controller 90 confirms that second valve 60 is under the closed condition.
Subsequently, only spherical member 52 makes spherical member 52 separate with the tip of extruder member 70 along with hollow tube 153 moves together.Spherical member 52 forms with sweep 51c with annular protrusion 51b then and contacts, and makes the state of the valve 50 of winning change into closed condition from open mode.Therefore, be drawn out the motion of seal member 51 according to hollow tube 153, the state of each in first valve 50 and second valve 60 is changed into closed condition from open mode.First valve 50 becomes closed condition after second valve 60 becomes closed condition.
Be moved further and after hollow tube 153 is completely pulled out of seal member 51, be cut off at print cartridge 240 in contact between contact 91 and the contact 161 and the contact between electric power inputting portion 92 and contact 163.When outer cover 41 separates with test section 171 and during 171 separating sensors 170 of test section, detection signal D outputs to controller 100 from sensor 170.Correspondingly, controller 100 can confirm that print cartridge 240 150 removes from the mounting portion.In this way, old print cartridge 240 105 is removed from the mounting portion, and new print cartridge 240 is installed to mounting portion 105.
Use description to make and refresh the method for print cartridge 240.When print cartridge 240 was able to make, outer cover 41 at first was manufactured into and is divided into two, and parts for example China ink bag 42 and black outlet 43 be assembled into outer cover 41 the first half in.The second half of outer cover 41 is coupled to the first half of outer cover 41 then.Then, the China ink of scheduled volume is injected into via black outlet pathway 43a in the China ink bag 42.In addition, data shown in the form 1 are stored in the storage area 125 of print cartridge 240 with the data of the China ink amount of representing to have injected.Therefore, the manufacturing of print cartridge 240 is accomplished.
In variant embodiment, be able to assembling to its injection parts except outer cover 41 China ink, print cartridge 240.Then, assembled components is attached in the outer cover 240.Subsequently, tentation data is stored in the storage area 125.
When used print cartridge 40 was refreshed, at first, China ink bag 42, black outlet 43 or the like were cleaned.Then, the China ink of scheduled volume is injected in the China ink bag 42.Then, utilize the data of the China ink amount that expression injected to substitute the data of the China ink amount of storage in the storage area 125 of print cartridge 240.Therefore, print cartridge 40 refreshes completion.
As stated; According to this second embodiment; When print cartridge 240 is installed to mounting portion 150; Spherical member 52 and movable part (extruder member 70 with valve member 62) be owing to the insertion of hollow tube 153 is moved, and can confirm whether valve member 62 is under the open mode according to the detection of optical sensor 66, can also confirm whether hollow tube 153 is correctly inserted in the print cartridge 240.Correspondingly, can obtain and advantage identical in first embodiment.
And in the ink-jet printer 1 according to this second embodiment, when print cartridge 240 was installed to mounting portion 150, controller 90 calculated the set-up time.When the position that originally sensor 170 detects the print cartridge 240 of print cartridge 240 is defined as position that primary importance, second valve 60 become the print cartridge 240 of open mode when being defined as the second place, be substantially invariable along the distance of installation direction between the primary importance and the second place.Primary importance can also be defined as through test section 171 and the contact between the outer cover 41 at sensor 170 and always change into position detection signal C, print cartridge 240 from the detection signal D that detects part 171 from the signal of sensor 170 outputs.The second place can also be defined as when optical sensor 66 from changing into position detection signal B, print cartridge 240 from the signal of optical sensor 66 outputs from detection signal A when not moving with respect to valve member 62 in the face of the state of valve member 62 in the face of the state of valve member 62.Therefore, through the time of calculating print cartridge 240 movement requirement between the primary importance and the second place, can know how print cartridge 240 quilts are installed to mounting portion 150 apace as the set-up time.When print cartridge 240 by so that speed is installed slowly, the set-up time is long, and the pressure oscillation that in China ink, produces when mounted is little.On the other hand, when print cartridge 240 by so that speed is installed fast, the set-up time is short, and pressure oscillation when mounted is high.Whether whether the set-up time that calculates be lower than promptly need carry out based on the scheduled time of data shown in the form 1 is safeguarded by controller 90 and confirms.Correspondingly, when print cartridge 240 by when being installed to mounting portion 150 at a high speed, can carry out the maintenance of ink gun 2, discharging thus in advance prevents to make a mistake at ink gun 2 places.
And; Storage area 125 is used as the scheduled time of safeguarding the border (threshold value) that whether is necessary for each black weight range V1 to the V4 storage, can only be lower than corresponding to relevant black weight range V1 in the set-up time that controller 90 has calculated in the situation of the scheduled time of V4, to carry out maintenance for ink gun 2.Correspondingly, can avoid unnecessary maintenance.And the scheduled time that is used as border (threshold value) is long more, then high more to the China ink amount that V4 representes by black weight range V1.Correspondingly, can confirm whether the maintenance of ink gun 2 is necessary, and can further prevent mistake discharging better at ink gun 2 places with high accuracy.
And; In print cartridge 240 according to this second embodiment; Maintenance unit 30 is arranged on the master unit of ink gun 1 with the controller 100 of control maintenance unit 30, if make the set-up time be lower than the scheduled time of storage in storage area 125, then the maintenance of ink gun 2 can be able to carry out.Correspondingly, can prevent to discharge in the mistake at ink gun 2 places.And, being used for refreshing method according to the print cartridge 240 of this second embodiment, the print cartridge 240 of enjoying above-mentioned advantage can be able to refresh.
In the variant embodiment of second embodiment, the position that sensor 170 is provided with makes: when the state of first valve 50 time when closed condition is changed into open mode, sensor 170 can detect outer cover 41.In this case, the detection signal C that outputs to controller 100 from sensor 170 representes that first valve 50 is under the open mode, and from the detection signal D that sensor 170 outputs to controller 100 closed condition of first valve 50 is shown.And, in this variant embodiment, for example, make that annular protrusion 51b is longer along first direction, thereby when print cartridge 240 was installed to mounting portion 150, first valve 50 became open mode after second valve 60 becomes open mode.In this situation, the set-up time be when the state of first valve 50 when closed condition is changed into open mode time and when the state of second valve 60 period between the time when closed condition is changed into open mode.Therefore, can obtain and identical in a second embodiment advantage.
With reference to Figure 13, comprise that according to the print cartridge 340 of present embodiment the 3rd embodiment pipe 244 is to substitute pipe 44.Be that at the pipe 244 and the difference of managing between 44 compare with pipe 44, along first direction, the part of the assembling pipe 45 of pipe 244 is longer.Correspondingly, compare with first embodiment, the more part of pipe 45 is arranged in pipe 44, makes black exhaust openings 46a more near flange 47 location (comparison diagram 7A and 7B and Figure 13).Being constructed to inspected object exists perhaps non-existent optical sensor 266 contiguous first valves 50 ground to place outer cover 41.For example reflect the type of detection optical pickocff and comprise the light emission part and the light receiving unit that can be used to optical sensor 266.At least on a part of spherical member 52, form can reflection ray minute surface.Other structures identical with in first and second embodiment, and correspondingly will represent and will omit it to specify by identical Reference numeral.
Optical sensor 266 is connected to controller 90 and electric power inputting portion 92.With reference to Figure 13, optical sensor 266 is configured to: when annular protrusion 51b contacts with spherical member 52,, and when annular protrusion 51b separates with spherical member 52, face spherical member 52 in the face of spherical member 52, as by the two point dash line shown in Figure 13.When optical sensor 266 was faced spherical member 52, optical sensor 266 output expression light receiving units were receiving the signal (being known as " detection signal E " hereinafter) of light.On the other hand, when optical sensor 266 was not faced spherical member 52, optical sensor 266 output expression light receiving units were not at the signal (being known as " detection signal F " hereinafter) that receives light.These signals are transferred to the controller 100 of the master unit of ink-jet printer 1 via controller 90, and controller 100 these signals of reception, and correspondingly can confirm the open mode and the closed condition of first valve 50.In this embodiment; When controller 100 reception expression light receiving units are receiving the detection signal E of light; Controller 100 confirms that first valve 50 is under the open mode; And represent the light receiving unit not when receiving the detection signal F of light when controller 100 receives, controller 100 confirms that first valves 50 are under the closed condition.
When print cartridge 340 is installed to mounting portion 150, at first, to arrive step H4 with identical in a second embodiment mode execution in step H1.The contact 163 of contact 91 and contact 161 and electric power output 162 was electrically connected before first valve 50 becomes open mode with electric power inputting portion 92; Make two controllers 90 and 100 be electrically connected and can exchange signal each other, and electric power also is supplied to controller 90 and optical sensor 66 and 266.In the variant embodiment of the 3rd embodiment; In step H2, controller 100 can confirm that originally self-controller 100 receives detection signal E from optical sensor 266 and to controller 100 originally binding hours is installed when optical sensor 66 receives detection signal B and whether expires.In the situation of this variant embodiment, the installation binding hours of storage is different from the installation binding hours of first and second embodiment in storage area 120.In addition, in the situation of this variant embodiment, binding hours is installed is stored in the storage area 125, and controller 90 can be carried out the processing in step H2.And controller 90 can confirm in step H4 whether second valve 60 is under the open mode.In this case, the detection signal B that representes the open mode of second valve 60 does not need slave controller 90 to output to controller 100.
Then, in step H5, controller 90 calculates when controller 90 time when optical sensor 266 receives detection signal E and when controller 90 set-up time between the time when optical sensor 66 receives detection signal B originally originally.Subsequently, to arrive step H13 with identical in a second embodiment mode execution in step H6.Because originally the time that is used to calculate the set-up time changed into when controller 90 time (state of first valve 50 is changed into the time of open mode from closed condition) when optical sensor 266 receives detection signal E originally from the time that sensor 170 receives detection signal C from controller 100 in a second embodiment, thereby data shown in the form 1 should correspondingly be different from the data of second embodiment.
When the China ink of storage in print cartridge 340 when being used up, with identical mode in above-mentioned first and second embodiment, open the door 1c of ink-jet printer 1 and print cartridge 240 150 removed from the mounting portion.When thereby print cartridge 340 is moved when being removed, spherical member 52, valve member 62 and extruder member 70 are because the biasing force of helical spring 53 and 63 and when being in contact with one another, moving towards seal member 51 (in Figure 13 left).In other words, spherical member 52, extruder member 70 and valve member 62 move along the direction of inserting among the black outlet pathway 43a with hollow tube 153 in the opposite direction.When valve member 62 and valve seat 61 forms when contacting; The state of second valve 60 is changed into closed condition from open mode; And the signal that outputs to controller 90 from optical sensor 66 is changed into detection signal A from detection signal B, and controller 90 confirms that second valve 60 is under the closed condition.Subsequently; When spherical member 52 contacts with annular protrusion 51b formation; Promptly; When the state of first valve 50 when open mode is changed into closed condition, the signal that outputs to controller 90 from optical sensor 266 is changed into detection signal F from detection signal E, and controller 90 confirms that first valves 50 are under the closed condition.
Be moved further and after hollow tube 153 is completely pulled out of seal member 51, be cut off at print cartridge 340 in contact between contact 91 and the contact 161 and the contact between electric power inputting portion 92 and contact 163.When outer cover 41 separates with test section 171 and during 171 separating sensors 170 of test section, detection signal D outputs to controller 100 from sensor 170.Correspondingly, controller 100 can confirm that print cartridge 340 150 is removed from the mounting portion.In this way, old print cartridge 340 105 is removed from the mounting portion, and new print cartridge 340 is installed to mounting portion 105.
As stated, as in first and second embodiment, according to the 3rd embodiment, when print cartridge 340 was installed to mounting portion 150, whether hollow tube 153 has correctly been inserted can be able in the print cartridge 340 confirm.Correspondingly, can obtain and advantage identical in first and second embodiment.
In the ink-jet printer 1 according to the 3rd embodiment, when print cartridge 340 was installed to mounting portion 150, controller 90 calculated the set-up time and need to determine whether to carry out and safeguards.Correspondingly, can obtain and identical in a second embodiment advantage.And; Be provided with and be used to detect the optical sensor 266 that first valve 50 does not exist and exists in the pre-position; Therefore as compare and can accurately calculate the set-up time with second embodiment and controller 90 calculates and originally is being in the time of the detection signal B under the open mode from optical sensor 66 output expressions second valve 60 and originally is being in the set-up time between time of the detection signal E under the open mode from optical sensor 266 output expressions first valve 50.This is shorter because of being used to calculate the distance that set-up time, print cartridge 340 move.If displacement is shorter, it is littler that then the user is installed to print cartridge 340 influence of velocity variations of mounting portion 150, and correspondingly the set-up time is able to accurate calculating.In the 3rd embodiment, because be used to calculate the set-up time, so sensor 170 can be set in mounting portion 150 from the signal of optical sensor 66 and 266 outputs.
In the variant embodiment of the 3rd embodiment, make that annular protrusion 51b is longer along first direction, make that after second valve 60 became open mode, first valve 50 became open mode when print cartridge 340 is installed to mounting portion 150.Equally in this case, the set-up time is originally to be in the time of the detection signal B under the open mode from optical sensor 66 output expression second valve 60 and originally export from optical sensor 266 and to represent that first valve 50 is in the period between time of the detection signal E under the open mode.Therefore, can obtain and advantage identical in the 3rd embodiment.
In the variant embodiment of the second or the 3rd embodiment, substitute controller 90, controller 100 can be carried out the process of being carried out by controller 90.More specifically, controller 100 can substitute the process of controller 90 execution in step H5 to H7 and step H9 to H11.In this case, controller 90 is not to be arranged at print cartridge 240 or 340.Equally in this case, can obtain and identical advantage in the second and the 3rd embodiment.
In another variant embodiment of the second or the 3rd embodiment, substitute print cartridge 240 or 340, the master unit of ink-jet printer 1 can comprise storage area 125.And according to the specification (model) of the master unit of the ink-jet printer 1 that print cartridge 240 or 340 are installed, storage area 125 can be stored the different scheduled times (as the time on the border (threshold value) that whether need safeguard).Particularly; If extend to the length in path of discharge nozzle of ink gun 2 from hollow tube 153 longer than datum length; Then shorter than the benchmark scheduled time respectively scheduled time can be stored in the storage area 125; And if the path of discharge nozzle that extends to ink gun 2 from hollow tube 153 is shorter than datum length, then longer than the benchmark scheduled time respectively scheduled time can be stored in the storage area 125.And the scheduled time can depend on the meniscus rather than the path of bearing pressure.Particularly; If the diameter of the discharge nozzle of ink gun 2 is greater than reference diameter (meniscus that bears pressure bears pressure less than reference); Then shorter than the benchmark scheduled time respectively scheduled time can be stored in the storage area 125; And if the diameter of the discharge nozzle of ink gun 2 is less than reference diameter, then longer than the benchmark scheduled time respectively scheduled time can be stored in the storage area 125.The selection of the benchmark scheduled time and the scheduled time is taken in for the specification of the master unit of employed ink-jet printer 1 by controller 100 and carries out.In addition, according to the specification of the master unit of the ink-jet printer 1 that print cartridge 240 or 340 are installed, storage area 125 can be stored different ink leakage amounts.
In another variant embodiment of the second or the 3rd embodiment, substitute print cartridge 240 or 340, the master unit of ink-jet printer 1 can comprise storage area 125.And storage area 125 can store the coefficient that scheduled time of in storage area 125, having stored multiplies each other with it respectively according to the specification (model) of the master unit of the ink-jet printer 1 that print cartridge 240 or 340 are installed.Particularly; If extend to the path of discharge nozzle of ink gun 2 from hollow tube 153 longer than datum length; Cause that then the scheduled time coefficient shorter than the benchmark scheduled time can be stored in the storage area 125; And if path is shorter than datum length, cause that then the scheduled time coefficient longer than the benchmark scheduled time can be stored in the storage area 125.And this coefficient can depend on the meniscus rather than the path of bearing pressure.Particularly; If the diameter of the discharge nozzle of ink gun 2 is greater than reference diameter; Cause that then the scheduled time coefficient shorter than the benchmark scheduled time can be stored in the storage area 125; And if the diameter of the discharge nozzle of ink gun 2 causes then that less than reference diameter the scheduled time coefficient longer than the benchmark scheduled time can be stored in the storage area 125.The benchmark scheduled time and coefficient selection are taken in for the specification of the master unit of employed ink-jet printer 1 by controller 100 and carry out.In addition, according to the specification of the master unit of the ink-jet printer 1 that print cartridge 240 or 340 are installed, storage area 125 can be stored different ink leakage amounts.
With reference to Figure 14, with describing when print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 150 by the process of carrying out according to the controller 100 of fourth embodiment of the invention.Notice that the member identical or of equal value with those members in first embodiment will be represented and will be omitted its explanation by identical Reference numeral.
When expectation was installed to mounting portion 150 with print cartridge 40, in step Y1, controller 100 is confirmed print cartridges 40, and whether 150 installation began to the mounting portion.This is confirmed to be based on controller 100 and whether receives that detection signal C makes.As stated, when the test section 171 of sensor 170 and outer cover 41 form when contact, change into detection signal C from detection signal D from the signal that sensor 170 is exported.When controller 100 does not receive detection signal C but when receiving detection signal D from sensor 170, controller 100 is confirmed to install and is not begun as yet and wait for (repeating Y1).When controller 100 when sensor 170 receives detection signal C, controller 100 confirms that installations begin, and flow process advances to step Y2.
In step Y2, controller 100 confirms that originally self-controller 100 receives detection signal C, that is, whether self-controller 100 is confirmed to install the installation binding hours that has begun at Y1 and expired.Whether originally receive time that detection signal C passes based on self-controller 100 at Y1 has surpassed the installation binding hours of storing in storage area 120 (see figure 8)s at the master unit of ink-jet printer 1 and makes this and confirm.Surpassed the installation binding hours if confirm the time of passing, then flow process advances to step Y3.Controller 100 is controlled buzzer 13 then and is used to the sound notification user " print cartridge correctly is not installed to the mounting portion " from buzzer 13.On the other hand, if the time that passes surpasses binding hours is not installed, then flow process advances to step Y4.
In step Y4, controller 100 confirms whether second valve 60 is under the closed condition.Whether receive detection signal A and make this and confirm based on controller 100.If controller 100 receives detection signal A and confirms that second valve 60 is under the closed condition, then advance to step Y5.If controller 100 does not receive detection signal A and do not confirm that second valve 60 is under the closed condition, then flow process is returned step Y2.
In step Y5, controller 100 confirms whether second valve 60 is under the open mode.Whether receiving detection signal B based on controller 100 makes this and confirms.As stated, when valve member 62 moves, thereby optical sensor 66 and valve member 62 no longer in the face of each other the time, the detection signal A from optical sensor 66 outputs changes into detection signal B.If controller 100 does not receive detection signal B (still receiving detection signal A) and does not confirm that second valve 60 is under the open mode; Then flow process advances to step Y6; And if controller 100 receives detection signal B and definite second valve 60 is under the open mode, then flow process advances to step Y7.
In step Y6, be similar to step Y2, controller 100 confirms that originally self-controller 100 receives detection signal C, that is, whether self-controller 100 is confirmed to install the installation binding hours that has begun at Y1 and is expired.Surpassed the installation binding hours if confirm the time of passing, then flow process advances to step Y3.Controller 100 is controlled buzzer 13 then and is used to the sound notification user " print cartridge correctly is not installed to the mounting portion " from buzzer 13.On the other hand, if the time that passes surpasses binding hours is not installed, then flow process is returned step Y5.
Become open mode until second valve 60 from the time when beginning from sensor 170 output detection signal C, following situation takes place.At first; Begin from sensor 170 after controller 100 output detection signal C and before hollow tube 153 begins to be inserted into opening 51a during; Contact 91 is electrically connected with contact 161, and the contact 163 of electric power output 162 is electrically connected with electric power inputting portion 92.Correspondingly, optical sensor 66 is electrically connected with controller 100, make controller 100 can receive from the signal of optical sensor 66 outputs, and electric power is supplied to optical sensor 66.Subsequently; When hollow tube 153 is inserted among the opening 51a; The tip of hollow tube 153 and spherical member 52 form contact and spherical member 52 mobile towards second valve 60 (in Fig. 7 A and 7B to the right); Make spherical member 52 separate with annular protrusion 51b, and the state of first valve 50 is changed into open mode from closed condition with sweep 51c.Subsequently, the tip of spherical member 52 and extruder member 70 forms and contact, and extruder member 70, spherical member 52 and valve member 62 are mobile towards coupling part 42a (in Fig. 7 A and 7B to the right).Valve member 62 is separated from each other with valve seat 61, and the state of second valve 60 is changed into open mode from closed condition.Therefore, when second valve 60 became open mode, contact 91 electrically contacted with contact 161, made controller 100 can receive from the detection signal B of optical sensor 66 outputs.Whether second valve 60 is under the open mode really determining cause this also comprises and confirms whether hollow tube 153 is correctly inserted in the print cartridge 40 in step Y5.In other words; Through optical sensor 66 through detecting valve member 62 and whether being in preposition scope (valve member 62 is greater than the position range apart from the preset distance of valve seat 61) and whether indirect detection hollow tube 153 is in the preposition scope in black outlet pathway 43a; Therefore whether controller 100 can confirm hollow tube 153 by among the black outlet pathway 43a of correct insertion, and can guarantee that from print cartridge 40 to ink-jet printer 1 master unit for example 150 has correctly formed black path to the mounting portion.
In step Y7, controller 100 control buzzers 13 are from the sound of buzzer 13 emission expressions " ready-to-print ".Therefore, the installation of print cartridge 40.
When the China ink of storage in print cartridge 40 when being used up, open the door 1c of ink-jet printer 1 and print cartridge 40 150 is removed from the mounting portion.When thereby print cartridge 40 is moved when being removed, spherical member 52, valve member 62 and extruder member 70 are because the biasing force of helical spring 53 and 63 and mobile together towards seal member 51 (in Fig. 7 A and 7B left) when being in contact with one another.In other words, spherical member 52, valve member 62 and extruder member 70 move along the direction in the opposite direction that they move when being inserted in the seal member 51 when hollow tube 153.When valve member 62 and valve seat 61 forms when contact, the state of second valve 60 is changed into closed condition from open mode, and China ink stops from China ink bag 42 the mobile of inner space 153a to hollow tube 153.At this moment, the signal that outputs to controller 100 from optical sensor 66 is changed into detection signal A from detection signal B, and controller 100 confirms that second valve 60 is under the closed condition.
Subsequently, only spherical member 52 moves with hollow tube 153, makes spherical member 52 separate with the tip of extruder member 70.Spherical member 52 forms with sweep 51c with annular protrusion 51b then and contacts, and makes the state of the valve 50 of winning change into closed condition from open mode.Therefore, be drawn out the motion of seal member 51 according to hollow tube 153, the state of each in first valve 50 and second valve 60 is changed into closed condition from open mode.After second valve 60 became closed condition, first valve 50 became closed condition.
Be moved further and after hollow tube 153 is completely pulled out of seal member 51, be cut off at print cartridge 40 in contact between contact 91 and the contact 161 and the contact between electric power inputting portion 92 and contact 163.When outer cover 41 separates with test section 171 and during 171 separating sensors 170 of test section, from sensor 170 to controller 100 output detection signal D.Correspondingly, controller 100 can confirm that print cartridge 40 has removed from the mounting portion.In this way, old print cartridge 40 105 is removed from the mounting portion, and new print cartridge 40 is installed to mounting portion 105.
In any one variant embodiment in the above-described embodiments, display can be set substituting buzzer 13 on outer cover 1a, thus substitute sound on display display image to notify the user.And buzzer and display can use together.
In above-mentioned first to the 4th embodiment; Electric power is supplied to the member that is arranged in the print cartridge for example optical sensor 66 and 266, controller 90 etc. when print cartridge is installed to mounting portion 150; But in variant embodiment, print cartridge comprises that the battery that substitutes electric power inputting portion 92 for example optionally begins and stops from the mechanical switch of battery to these member supply electric power with being constructed to control.In this case, mechanical switch makes it possible to supply electric power from battery to member through when print cartridge is installed to mounting portion 150, forming to contact with the wall surface of the recess 151 of mounting portion 150.When mechanical switch when wall shift is opened, the supply of electric power from the battery to the member stops.And mechanical switch is supplied electric power from battery to member when preferably being constructed to when electric power inputting portion 92 is electrically connected with electric power output 162.Therefore, can obtain and identical advantage in first to the 3rd embodiment.
Though being constructed to detect the sensor that the lengthwise object is in the precalculated position scope in the above-described embodiments is optical pickocff or magnetic sensor, sensor can be electric switch, electric resistance sensor or be used to realize any other device detection functionality, that the technical staff is known.
Though combined various example structure and schematic embodiment to describe the present invention, it will be understood to those of skill in the art that other variations and the modification that under the prerequisite that does not depart from scope of the present invention, can make said structure and embodiment.Consider the practice of specification or disclosed invention here, those skilled in the art will know other structures and embodiment.Under the situation that true scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims, expectation specification and described example are schematic.
Claims (15)
1. print cartridge comprises:
The China ink storage area, said black storage area is constructed to store ink in said black storage area;
The China ink outlet, said black outlet limits black outlet pathway in said black outlet, be constructed to be communicated with said black storage area fluid, and be constructed to allow China ink on black flow direction, to flow through said black outlet;
First valve comprises seal member, and said seal member is arranged on said black outlet place, and is constructed to strain and heavily is shaped optionally to open and close said first valve respectively;
Second valve, said second valve are arranged between said first valve and the said black storage area, and said second valve comprises:
Valve seat;
Removable valve member; Said removable valve member is arranged on said black outlet place; And be constructed to optionally between the primary importance and the second place, move, at said primary importance place, said removable valve member contacts said valve seat to close said second valve; At said second place place; Said removable valve member does not contact said valve seat, thus said second valve open, wherein said removable valve member is constructed on said black flow direction, move to said primary importance from the said second place; With
Biasing member, said biasing member are arranged on said black outlet place, and are constructed to the said removable valve member of bias voltage on said black flow direction; With
Detector; Said detector is arranged on the outside of said black outlet; And be constructed to optionally export first signal and secondary signal; Wherein said detector is constructed to when said removable valve member is in the said primary importance, export said first signal, when said removable valve member is in the said second place, exports said secondary signal, thereby said secondary signal is represented said second valve and opened.
2. print cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said removable valve member are constructed to slide along the inwall of said black outlet.
3. print cartridge according to claim 2, wherein said removable valve member has cylindrical shape, and said black outlet has the hollow cylindrical shape.
4. print cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said first signal has the signal strength signal intensity higher than said secondary signal.
5. print cartridge according to claim 4, wherein said first signal is corresponding to high voltage signal, and said secondary signal is corresponding to low voltage signal.
6. print cartridge according to claim 1 further comprises the contact, and wherein said detector is electrically connected to said contact.
7. print cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said detector comprises photosensitive detector, said photosensitive detector is constructed to be based on the light intensity that said photosensitive detector place receives and optionally exports said first signal and said secondary signal.
8. print cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said detector comprises magnetic detector, said magnetic detector is constructed to optionally export said first signal and said secondary signal based on magnetic flux density.
9. print cartridge according to claim 8, wherein said magnetic detector comprises Hall element.
10. print cartridge according to claim 8, wherein said removable valve member comprises interactive portion, said interactive portion be constructed to said magnetic detector magnetic interaction to change the magnetic flux density of said magnetic detector.
11. print cartridge according to claim 1 further comprises:
Storage area, said storage area are constructed to store and the corresponding first storage data of at least one characteristic of said print cartridge.
12. print cartridge according to claim 11, the wherein said first storage data are corresponding to remaining China ink amount in said black storage area.
13. print cartridge according to claim 1; Wherein said black outlet pathway is constructed to receive the lengthwise object that is inserted from the outside of said print cartridge the said black outlet pathway, and said removable valve member is constructed to through being pushed by said lengthwise object by said lengthwise movement of objects.
14. a printer comprises:
According to any one the described print cartridge in the claim 1 to 13; With
Lengthwise object, said lengthwise object are constructed to be inserted in the said black outlet pathway of said print cartridge.
15. printer according to claim 14, wherein said lengthwise object is a hollow tube, and said hollow tube is constructed to outside that the China ink of in said black storage area, storing is extracted said print cartridge.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN2011100360338A CN102615984A (en) | 2011-02-01 | 2011-02-01 | Ink box |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN2011100360338A CN102615984A (en) | 2011-02-01 | 2011-02-01 | Ink box |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN102615984A true CN102615984A (en) | 2012-08-01 |
Family
ID=46556344
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN2011100360338A Pending CN102615984A (en) | 2011-02-01 | 2011-02-01 | Ink box |
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| CN (1) | CN102615984A (en) |
Cited By (1)
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| CN104417070A (en) * | 2013-09-11 | 2015-03-18 | 珠海纳思达企业管理有限公司 | Ink cartridge for inkjet printer |
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Application publication date: 20120801 |