CN113733756B

CN113733756B - Ink cartridge filling apparatus and ink cartridge filling method

Info

Publication number: CN113733756B
Application number: CN202111166207.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈伟健
Original assignee: Zhuhai Ninestar Management Co Ltd
Current assignee: Zhuhai Ninestar Management Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-09-30
Filing date: 2021-09-30
Publication date: 2023-04-11
Anticipated expiration: 2041-09-30
Also published as: CN113733756A

Abstract

The invention provides an ink box filling device and an ink box filling method, comprising a body and an operating piece; the body is provided with an ink storage cavity and a first channel, and the ink storage cavity is communicated with the outer side of the body; the first port of the first channel penetrates through the outer wall surface of the body, the operating piece extends into the first channel through the first port and is in sealing contact with the first channel, and the operating piece can move relative to the first channel; when the ink box is arranged on the body, the ink injection port is communicated with the ink storage cavity, and the ink outlet port is communicated with the second port of the first channel; the first channel is internally provided with a first hole which can be opened and closed, and the first hole is used for being opened when the operating part extends out of the first channel; a second hole which can be opened and closed is arranged between the first passage and the ink storage cavity, the second hole is arranged between the first hole and the operating part, the second hole is communicated with the first passage, and the second hole is used for being opened when the operating part extends into the first passage. The ink box filling device and the ink box filling method provided by the invention can recycle the ink into the ink storage cavity.

Description

Ink cartridge filling apparatus and ink cartridge filling method

Technical Field

The invention relates to the technical field of ink box filling, in particular to an ink box filling device and an ink box filling method.

Background

Inkjet printers are commonly used printing devices, and are provided with ink cartridges for supplying ink. In order to improve the utilization efficiency of the ink box, when the ink in the ink box is exhausted, the ink can be filled into the ink box through the ink box filling device.

In the prior art, the ink cartridge filling device has a body and a vacuum assembly, wherein an ink storage cavity is arranged in the body and used for storing ink, and the ink storage cavity is communicated with the atmosphere. The vacuum assembly comprises a cylinder and a piston, wherein the piston extends into the cylinder and is in sealing contact with the inner wall surface of the cylinder. When the ink box is arranged on the ink box filling device, the opening end of the cylinder body is communicated with the ink outlet of the ink box, and the ink injection port of the ink box is communicated with the body. When the piston extends out of the cylinder body, the pressure in the ink box is reduced, and the ink in the ink storage cavity can enter the ink box through the ink injection port under the action of pressure difference so as to realize the injection of the ink into the ink box.

In the ink box filling process, the ink outlet can discharge part of ink, and the part of ink can enter the cylinder body and is difficult to recycle.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above problems, embodiments of the present invention provide an ink cartridge filling apparatus and an ink cartridge filling method, which can achieve ink recovery.

In order to achieve the above object, the embodiments of the present invention provide the following technical solutions:

a first aspect of embodiments of the present invention provides an ink cartridge filling apparatus for filling an ink cartridge with ink, the ink cartridge having an ink inlet and an ink outlet, the ink cartridge filling apparatus including an ink cartridge filling apparatus including a body, an operating member; the body is provided with an ink storage cavity and a first channel, and the ink storage cavity is communicated with the outer side of the body; the first port of the first channel penetrates through the outer wall surface of the body, the operating piece extends into the first channel through the first port and is in sealing contact with the first channel, and the operating piece can move relative to the first channel; when the ink box is arranged on the body, the ink injection port is communicated with the ink storage cavity, and the ink outlet port is communicated with the second port of the first channel; the first channel is internally provided with a first hole which can be opened and closed, and the first hole is used for being opened when the operating piece extends out of the first channel; an openable and closable second hole is arranged between the first channel and the ink storage cavity, the second hole is arranged between the first hole and the operating part, the second hole is communicated with the first channel, and the second hole is used for being opened when the operating part extends into the first channel.

In some embodiments, a partition wall is disposed within the ink storage chamber, the partition wall surrounding a portion of the first passage, the partition wall extending through the outer wall of the body and forming the first port, and the second hole being disposed on the partition wall.

In some embodiments, the ink cartridge filling device further includes a first blocking assembly located in the ink storage cavity, the first blocking assembly includes a first elastic member and a first blocking member, two ends of the first elastic member are respectively connected to the inner wall surface of the ink storage cavity and the first blocking member, and the first blocking member can be abutted against the partition wall under the elastic force of the first elastic member to close the second hole.

In some embodiments, the first blocking element comprises a first supporting portion and a first elastic sealing portion, the first elastic sealing portion is attached to a side of the first supporting portion, the side of the first supporting portion faces away from the first elastic element, and the first elastic sealing portion is used for covering the second hole under the elastic force of the first elastic element.

In some embodiments, the height of the divider wall is less than the height of the remainder of the first channel.

In some embodiments, the ink cartridge filling apparatus further includes a first elastic sealing member having a first through hole formed therethrough; when the ink box is installed on the body, the first elastic sealing element is clamped between the end face of the second port and the end face of the ink outlet of the ink box, and the first through hole is communicated with the ink outlet and the second port.

In some embodiments, an end of the first channel near the first port is provided with an observation window, and the observation window penetrates through the outer wall surface of the body; the cartridge filling apparatus is further provided with a transparent closure member which covers the viewing window.

In some embodiments, the volume of the ink reservoir is less than or equal to the ink reservoir volume of the ink bottle.

In some embodiments, the body comprises a base and a lid; the ink storage cavity is arranged on the base, the base is also provided with an installation groove with an opening at the top end, the installation groove is used for installing an ink box, and a separation structure between the ink storage cavity and the installation groove is provided with a communication hole; when the ink box is arranged on the body, the communicating hole is opposite to the ink injecting port, and the ink outlet is exposed at the notch of the mounting groove; the first channel comprises a fixed section and a movable section, the fixed section is arranged on the base, and the movable section is arranged on the sealing cover; when the sealing cover is connected with the base, the fixed section is communicated with the movable section, and one end of the movable section, which is far away from the fixed section, is communicated with the ink outlet.

In some embodiments, the ink cartridge filling device further includes an ink guide tube, one end of the ink guide tube is connected to an inner wall surface of the ink storage cavity, an inner cavity of the ink guide tube is communicated with the communication hole, and an ink guide gap is formed between the other end of the ink guide tube and a bottom wall of the ink storage cavity.

In some embodiments, the ink cartridge filling apparatus further comprises a second elastic sealing member, the second elastic sealing member being provided with a second through hole therethrough; when the ink box is installed on the body, the second elastic sealing element is clamped between the end face of the communicating hole and the end face of the ink injection port of the ink box, and the second communicating hole is communicated with the communicating hole and the ink injection port.

In some embodiments, the body is provided with a communication channel, the communication channel is communicated with the inner side and the outer side of the ink storage cavity, and the communication channel is further provided with a filter piece.

In some embodiments, the ink cartridge filling apparatus further includes a second blocking assembly, the second blocking assembly includes a second elastic member and a second blocking member, two ends of the second elastic member are respectively connected to the inner wall surface of the first passage and the second blocking member, and the second blocking member can be abutted against the end surface of the first hole under the elastic force of the second elastic member to close the first hole.

In some embodiments, the second obturating member comprises a second support portion and a second resilient sealing portion; the second elastic sealing part is attached to one side, away from the second elastic piece, of the second supporting part and used for covering the first hole under the elastic force action of the second elastic piece.

A second aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides an ink cartridge filling method, including: installing an ink box, wherein an ink injection port of the ink box is communicated with an ink storage cavity of an ink box filling device, and an ink outlet of the ink box is communicated with a first channel of the ink box filling device; the drawing operation piece is pulled, the first hole is opened, the gas pressure in the inner cavity of the ink box is reduced, and the ink in the ink storage cavity is filled into the ink box; the second hole is closed, and the ink discharged from the ink outlet of the ink box is guided into the first channel; when the operating part is pushed, the first hole is closed, the second hole is opened, and the ink led into the first channel is recycled to the ink storage cavity through the second hole.

Compared with the prior art, the ink box filling device and the ink box filling method provided by the embodiment of the invention have the following advantages:

the user can firstly install the ink box on the ink box filling device, at the moment, the ink outlet of the ink box is communicated with the second port of the first channel, and the operating part is in sealing contact with one end of the first port of the first channel, so that the inner cavity of the ink box and the first channel are communicated with each other and are sealed cavities.

At the moment, when the operating part extends out of the first channel, the volume of the sealed cavity is increased, the pressure in the sealed cavity is reduced, the first hole is opened, the second hole is closed, ink in the ink storage cavity can enter the ink box under the action of air pressure difference, so that the ink can be filled into the ink box, and the ink flowing out from the ink outlet can flow to one side, close to the operating part, of the first hole through the first hole.

When the operating part extends into the first channel, the volume of the sealed cavity is reduced, the pressure in the sealed cavity is increased, the first hole is closed, the second hole is opened, at the moment, the part of the first channel, which is positioned between the first hole and the operating part, is communicated with the ink storage cavity through the second hole, and ink positioned in the part of the cavity can be recycled to the ink storage cavity through the second hole.

In addition to the technical problems, technical features constituting technical aspects, and advantages brought by the technical features of the technical aspects, which are solved by the embodiments of the present invention described above, other technical problems, technical features included in technical aspects, and advantages brought by the technical features, which can be solved by the ink cartridge filling apparatus and the ink cartridge filling method provided by the embodiments of the present invention, will be further described in detail in the detailed description.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly described below, and it is obvious that the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present invention, and those skilled in the art can also obtain other drawings according to the drawings without creative efforts.

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of an ink cartridge filling apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a first schematic exploded view of the ink cartridge filling apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a second exploded view of the ink cartridge refilling device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the ink cartridge filling apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 isbase:Sub>A cross-sectional view A-A of the ink cartridge filling apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a partial schematic view of portion B of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a partial schematic view of portion C of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along D-D of the ink cartridge filling apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 9 is a partial schematic view of section E of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of the ink cartridge filling apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view along F-F of the ink cartridge filling apparatus of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a partial schematic view of portion G of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a first schematic structural diagram of the base shown in FIG. 1;

fig. 14 is a schematic structural view of the seat body in fig. 13;

fig. 15 is a schematic structural view of a portion H in fig. 14.

Reference numerals:

10: a body;

11: an ink storage chamber; 12: a first channel; 121: a fixed section; 122: an active segment; 123: a step surface; 124: a fixed part; 13: a first hole; 14: a second hole; 15: a partition wall; 16: an observation window; 17: mounting grooves; 18: a communicating hole; 19: a communication channel;

10a: a base; 10a1: a base body; 10a2: a bottom cover; 10b: sealing the cover;

20: an operating member;

30: a first plugging component; 31: a first elastic member; 32: a first blocking member;

40: a first resilient seal member; 41: a first through hole;

50: a closure;

60: an ink guide tube;

70: a second resilient seal member; 71: a second through hole;

80: a second plugging component; 81: a second elastic member; 82: a second blocking member;

90: an ink cartridge.

Detailed Description

In order to make the aforementioned objects, features and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention more comprehensible, embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that the described embodiments are merely a few embodiments of the invention, and not all embodiments. All other embodiments, which can be obtained by a person skilled in the art without inventive step based on the embodiments of the present invention, are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

In the prior art, an ink cartridge is provided with an ink outlet for supplying ink to a printer, and a part of ink is usually retained on the ink outlet. Therefore, when the ink box is filled with ink in a vacuumizing mode, part of ink reserved on the ink outlet can enter the vacuumized vacuum assembly. If the ink box is full of ink, the ink will enter the vacuum assembly through the ink outlet. Then, the ink discharged through the ink outlet is difficult to recycle.

In view of this, embodiments of the present disclosure provide an ink cartridge filling apparatus and an ink cartridge filling method, in which an ink storage chamber and a first channel are arranged in the ink cartridge filling apparatus, and the ink storage chamber is connected with the outside. The ink storage cavity is communicated with the first channel through a second hole which can be opened and closed, and a first hole which can be opened and closed is also arranged in the first channel. An operating part is arranged in the first channel, the first hole is opened and the second hole is closed when the operating part extends out of the first channel, and ink in the ink storage cavity can enter the ink box under the action of air pressure difference so as to fill the ink into the ink box. At this time, a part of the ink discharged through the ink outlet may enter the first channel. When the operating part stretches into the first channel, the first hole is closed, the second hole is opened, and ink in the first channel can be recycled to the ink storage cavity through the second hole.

Referring to fig. 1 to 5, the present embodiment provides an ink cartridge filling apparatus for filling an ink cartridge 90 with ink, the ink cartridge 90 having an ink inlet (not shown) and an ink outlet (not shown), the ink cartridge 90 being used for supplying ink to an inkjet printer. The ink cartridge 90 is hollow inside and is used for storing ink, the ink cartridge 90 is provided with an ink outlet, and the ink inlet and the ink outlet can be communicated with the inner side and the outer side of the ink cartridge 90.

The ink cartridge filling apparatus includes an ink cartridge filling apparatus including a body 10 and an operating member 20. The body 10 is provided with an ink storage cavity 11, the ink storage cavity 11 is used for storing ink, and the ink storage cavity 11 is communicated with the outer side of the body 10. Thus, the gas pressure in the ink storage chamber 11 is relatively constant, and the gas pressure in the ink storage chamber 11 is the atmospheric pressure.

The body 10 is further provided with a first channel 12 inside, a first port of the first channel 12 penetrates through the outer wall surface of the body 10, and the operating element 20 extends into the first channel 12 through the first port and is in sealing contact with the first channel 12. Wherein, the position of operating part 20 and the contact of first passageway 12 internal wall face can set up the sealing washer, and the material of sealing washer can be rubber, silica gel etc to avoid leaking gas between operating part 20 and first passageway 12.

The portion of the operating member 20 located outside the first channel 12 can be held by a user to move the operating member 20 relative to the first channel 12.

The ink cartridge filling apparatus also has a mounting portion for fixing the ink cartridge 90. For example, the safety portion may be a fixing notch (not shown) formed on the body 10.

In some embodiments, the body 10 includes a base 10a and a cover 10b; the ink storage cavity 11 is arranged on the base 10a, the base 10a is further provided with a mounting groove 17 with an open top end, the mounting groove 17 is used for mounting the ink cartridge 90, and when the ink cartridge 90 is mounted on the body 10, the cover 10b is fixed at the notch position of the mounting groove 17. At this time, the ink cartridge 90 can be press-fitted into the mounting groove 17 through the cap 10 b.

The base 10a may be integrally formed. In some embodiments, the base 10a may also be a split structure, for example, the base 10a includes a base body 10a1 and a bottom cover 10a2, a cover 10b and the bottom cover 10a2 are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the base body 10a1, and the base body 10a1 and the bottom cover 10a2 enclose the ink storage cavity 11.

The ink storage cavity 11 and the mounting groove 17 are isolated from each other, and a separation structure is arranged between the ink storage cavity 11 and the mounting groove 17. In some embodiments, referring to fig. 5-7, the partition structure is provided with a communication hole 18. Thus, when the ink cartridge 90 is mounted on the body 10, the communication hole 18 is opposed to the ink supply port so that the ink supply port communicates with the ink storage chamber 11, and the ink discharge port communicates with the second port of the first passage 12. That is, the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 can be filled into the ink cartridge 90 through the communication hole 18 and the ink filling port.

At this time, the ink outlet may be provided at a different position of the ink cartridge 90. In some embodiments, the ink outlet is exposed at the notch of the mounting groove 17. Correspondingly, the first channel 12 includes a fixed section 121 and a movable section 122, the fixed section 121 is disposed on the base 10a, and the movable section 122 is disposed on the cover 10b; when the cover 10b is connected to the base 10a, the fixed section 121 and the movable section 122 are communicated with each other, and one end of the movable section 122 far from the fixed section 121 is communicated with the ink outlet. Thus, the inner chamber of the ink cartridge 90 and the first passage 12 communicate with each other and constitute a sealed chamber.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 5 to 15, an openable and closable first hole 13 is formed in the first channel 12, and the first hole 13 is configured to be opened when the operating element 20 extends out of the first channel 12; an openable and closable second hole 14 is provided between the first passage 12 and the ink storage chamber 11, the second hole 14 is provided between the first hole 13 and the operating member 20, the second hole 14 communicates with the first passage 12, and the second hole 14 is configured to open when the operating member 20 extends into the first passage 12.

For convenience of description, the sealed chamber formed after the inner chamber of the ink cartridge 90 communicates with the first channel 12 may be referred to as a first chamber. The portion of the first cavity between the first hole 13 and the operation member 20 is a second cavity, i.e., the second cavity is a portion of the first cavity. Wherein, in the natural state, the first hole 13 and the second hole 14 are both in the closed state.

Referring to fig. 6, 7, 12 and 15, when the operating element 20 extends out of the first passage 12, the volume of the second cavity increases, the gas pressure in the second cavity decreases, and a pressure difference is formed between two sides of the first hole 13, so that the first hole 13 is opened. And because the inner cavity of the ink box 90 is communicated with the first channel 12, air in the inner cavity of the ink box 90 partially enters the second cavity, so that the air pressure in the ink box 90 is reduced. Wherein the double hollow arrows in the figure indicate the flow paths of the gas.

Since the ink reservoir 11 communicates with the atmosphere, the gas pressure in the ink reservoir 11 is atmospheric pressure. That is, the gas pressure in the inner cavity of the ink cartridge 90 is less than the gas pressure in the ink storage cavity 11, and the ink in the ink storage cavity 11 can enter the ink cartridge 90 through the communication hole 18 and the ink injection port under the action of the pressure difference (as shown by the hollow diamond arrow in fig. 7), so as to fill the ink cartridge 90 with the ink.

It will be appreciated that during filling of the ink cartridge 90 with ink, a portion of the ink retained at the ink outlet of the ink cartridge 90 will fall into the second chamber via the first channel 12. And when the ink cartridge 90 is filled, a portion of the ink discharged through the ink outlet also falls into the second chamber through the first channel 12.

To facilitate the discharge of a portion of the ink via the ink outlet, the second hole 14 is provided at a position of the first passage 12 between the first hole 13 and the operating member 20, that is, the second hole 14 is provided at the second cavity position.

It will be appreciated that the location of the first passage 12 between the first aperture 13 and the operating member 20 includes the location of the first aperture 13. That is, the first and

second holes

13 and 14 may be arranged side by side (not shown).

Referring to fig. 9, 12 and 15, when the operating element 20 extends into the first passage 12, the first hole 13 is in a closed state, the volume of the second chamber decreases, and the gas pressure in the second chamber increases. And as the gas pressure of the second cavity increases, the second hole 14 is opened, and the operating element 20 extrudes the ink in the second cavity into the ink storage cavity 11, so as to recover the ink. Wherein the double solid arrows in the figure indicate the recovery path of the ink.

Wherein, the first hole 13 is closed, the inner cavity of the ink box 90 is isolated from the second cavity, and the gas pressure of the second cavity does not influence the gas pressure of the inner cavity of the ink box 90. That is, at this time, the gas pressure in the inner chamber of the ink cartridge 90 is maintained at a relatively constant state, and the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 does not enter the ink cartridge 90.

Thus, the ink cartridge 90 can be filled with ink when the operating element 20 extends out of the first passage 12, and a part of the ink discharged from the ink cartridge 90 can be recovered when the operating element 20 extends into the first passage 12. That is, after the operation member 20 completes one drawing operation, the ink cartridge 90 is filled with ink and the ink is recovered.

If the operating element 20 is pulled once, the inner cavity of the ink cartridge 90 is not filled completely, and the operating element 20 can be pulled many times, which is convenient to operate.

Wherein the ink reservoir 11 and the first passage 12 may be arranged in parallel. In some embodiments, a partition wall 15 is provided in the ink storage chamber 11, the partition wall 15 encloses a portion of the first passage 12, the partition wall 15 penetrates the outer wall surface of the body 10 and forms a first port, and the second hole 14 is provided in the partition wall 15.

Thus, the partition wall 15 is located inside the ink storage chamber 11, and the second hole 14 is formed in the partition wall 15. When the ink is recovered, the ink can directly enter the ink storage cavity 11 through the second hole 14, the flow path of the ink during recovery is small, and the ink loss is small.

Wherein, a convex stroke limiting part can be arranged in the first channel 12 to limit the operation element 20. For example, the end face of the first hole 13 may constitute the stroke limiter. Of course, during the operation member 20 is pulled by the user, the stroke of the operation member 20 may be less than or equal to the distance between the stroke limiting portion and the first port.

It will be appreciated that the bottom wall of the partition wall 15 opposite the first port may constitute a travel limit for the operating member 20 due to the angle between the first and second sections.

Then, when the first holes 13 and the second holes 14 are provided in parallel, the first holes 13 and the second holes 14 may be both provided on the bottom wall (not shown) of the partition wall 15, or the first holes 13 and the second holes 14 may be both provided on the end (not shown) of the partition wall 15 near the bottom wall.

In some embodiments, the cartridge filling apparatus may include a first one-way valve (not shown) on which the second aperture 14 is located.

In some embodiments, the ink cartridge filling apparatus further includes a first blocking assembly 30 located in the ink storage chamber 11, the first blocking assembly 30 includes a first elastic member 31 and a first blocking member 32, two ends of the first elastic member 31 are respectively connected to the inner wall surface of the ink storage chamber 11 and the first blocking member 32, and the first blocking member 32 can be abutted against the partition wall 15 under the elastic force of the first elastic member 31 to close the second hole 14.

The first elastic member 31 may be a spring, such as a compression spring, and the first blocking member 32 may be pressed against the partition wall 15 under the elastic force of the first elastic member 31. I.e. the second hole 14 is closed by mutual engagement between the first block piece 32 and the partition wall 15.

When the operating element 20 extends into the first passage 12, the first hole 13 is closed, the gas pressure of the second cavity starts to increase, the gas pressure difference between the two sides of the second hole 14 increases, and when the gas pressure difference between the two sides of the second hole 14 is greater than the elastic force of the second elastic element 81 (when the liquid level of the ink is less than the height of the second hole 14), or the gas pressure difference between the two sides of the second hole 14 is greater than the sum of the elastic force of the second elastic element 81 and the liquid pressure of the ink (when the liquid level of the ink is greater than the height of the second hole 14), the first elastic element 31 is compressed under pressure and drives the first blocking element 32 to separate from the partition wall 15, so that the second cavity and the ink storage cavity 11 are communicated with each other, and thus, the ink in the second cavity can be recovered to the ink storage cavity 11 through the second hole 14.

In order to improve the sealing property when the second hole 14 is closed, so that the ink is filled into the ink cartridge 90, the shape of the first blocking piece 32 may be adapted to the shape of the partition wall 15. For example, when the side wall of the partition wall 15 at the position where the second hole 14 is provided is of a flat plate structure, the first blocking piece 32 is of a flat plate structure.

Optionally, in order to prevent the first elastic element 31 from being deflected during the stretching process of the first blocking element 32, a first guide groove (not shown) may be disposed in the ink storage chamber 11, the first elastic element 31 is located in the first guide groove, the first guide groove is open, and the first blocking element 32 is disposed outside the first guide groove.

In some embodiments, the first blocking member 32 may be an elastic member, such that when the first blocking member 32 is pressed against the partition wall 15, the first blocking member 32 may be deformed and close the second hole 14, and the second hole 14 may be sealed better.

In some embodiments, the first blocking element 32 may be a composite structure, in particular, the first blocking element 32 includes a first supporting portion (not shown) and a first elastic sealing portion (not shown) attached to a side of the first supporting portion facing away from the first elastic element 31, the first elastic sealing portion being configured to cover the second hole 14 under an elastic force of the first elastic element 31.

The first support portion may be a plate-shaped structural member, and may be a flat plate or an arc plate depending on the shape of the partition wall 15 where the second hole 14 is provided. Thus, when the first closing member 32 is pressed against the partition wall 15, the first elastic sealing portion and the partition wall 15 are attached to each other well.

The area of the first elastic sealing portion is larger than that of the second hole 14, and the first elastic sealing portion has elasticity and can be made of rubber, silica gel and the like. Thus, when the first blocking piece 32 is pressed against the partition wall 15, the first elastic sealing part can be compressed and squeezed between the first supporting part and the wall surface of the partition wall 15, the first elastic sealing part covers and closes the second hole 14, and the closing performance of the second hole 14 is good.

In some embodiments, the height of the dividing wall 15 is less than the height of the remainder of the first channel 12. For convenience of description, the rest of the first passage 12 constitutes a first section in which the first hole 13 is disposed, the area enclosed by the partition wall 15 constitutes a second section, and the portion of the first section located near the partition wall 15 of the first hole 13 and the second section together constitute the second cavity; the first section is positioned above the second section, and the second section is communicated with the lower end of the first section.

Wherein, an included angle is formed between the extending direction of the first section and the extending direction of the second section. Illustratively, the direction of extension of the first segment and the direction of extension of the second segment are perpendicular to each other (as shown in fig. 5). And the first section is positioned above the second section, so that after the ink discharged from the ink outlet enters the first section, the ink can fall into the second section under the action of self gravity, namely, the ink is easily introduced into the second cavity.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 4 to 6, the ink cartridge filling apparatus further includes a first elastic sealing member 40, wherein the first elastic sealing member 40 is provided with a first through hole 41 therethrough; when the ink cartridge 90 is mounted on the main body 10, the first elastic sealing element 40 is clamped between the end surface of the second port and the end surface of the ink outlet of the ink cartridge 90, and the first through hole 41 communicates the ink outlet and the second port.

The first elastic sealing element 40 may be a sheet-shaped structural member, and the material thereof may be rubber, silicone, or the like. When the ink cartridge 90 is mounted on the body 10, the first elastic sealing member 40 may be compressed and pressed between the end surface of the ink outlet and the end surface of the second port.

Thus, sealing is formed between the end surface of the ink outlet and the first elastic sealing member 40, and between the first elastic sealing member 40 and the end surface of the second port. The ink discharged through the ink outlet may enter the first channel 12 through the ink outlet, the first through hole 41, and the second port in sequence, so as to prevent ink leakage between the ink cartridge 90 and the first channel 12.

To facilitate the ink circulation, the aperture of the second port may be greater than or equal to the aperture of the first through hole 41, and the aperture of the first through hole 41 may be greater than the aperture of the ink outlet (not shown).

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 4 to 6, an end of the first channel 12 close to the first port is provided with an observation window 16, and the observation window 16 penetrates through an outer wall surface of the body 10; the cartridge filling apparatus is further provided with a transparent closure 50, the closure 50 covering the viewing window 16.

In this way, when the ink cartridge 90 is filled with ink using the ink cartridge filling apparatus, the ink outlet can be exposed to the user's view, so that it is possible to determine whether or not ink is discharged through the ink outlet.

For example, during the process of filling the ink cartridge 90 with ink by drawing the operating element 20, a part of the ink remaining at the ink outlet first enters the first passage 12 until the ink remaining at the ink outlet is exhausted.

And the user pulls the operating element 20 several times to fill the ink in the ink cartridge 90, and the ink can be discharged into the first channel 12 through the ink outlet. In this way, the user can determine that the ink cartridge 90 is filled with ink by observing the secondary ink discharge from the ink outlet.

In some embodiments, the volume of ink reservoir 11 is less than or equal to the ink reservoir volume of ink cartridge 90. Thus, it can be determined that the ink cartridge 90 is full after the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 is filled. At this time, when the ink cartridge 90 is filled, no ink is discharged from the ink outlet.

Wherein the difference between the volume of the ink storage chamber 11 and the ink storage volume of the ink cartridge 90 may be 5mm to 10mm.

In order to facilitate the user to determine whether the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 is empty, a liquid level scale line may be disposed at a position of the body 10 corresponding to the ink storage chamber 11 for indicating a current liquid level of the ink storage chamber 11.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 4 to 7, the ink cartridge filling apparatus further includes an ink guide tube 60, one end of the ink guide tube 60 is connected to an inner wall surface of the ink storage chamber 11, an inner cavity of the ink guide tube 60 is communicated with the communication hole 18, and an ink guide gap is formed between the other end of the ink guide tube 60 and a bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 11.

It can be understood that when the liquid level of the ink is lowered to the lower side of the port of the ink guiding tube 60, the ink is separated from the ink guiding tube 60, the ink cannot enter the ink box 90 through the ink guiding tube 60, and the ink in the ink storage chamber 11 cannot enter the ink box 90 through the ink filling port during the extension and retraction of the operating element 20. Therefore, the ink guiding gap can be smaller to facilitate the injection of more ink into the ink cartridge 90.

The size of the ink guide gap can be 1mm-3mm, the ink guide gap is small, in the ink filling process, the port of the ink guide tube 60 can be immersed in the ink all the time, and the ink injection port of the ink box 90 is subjected to liquid sealing through the ink all the time.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 4 to 7, the ink cartridge filling apparatus further includes a second elastic sealing member 70, wherein the second elastic sealing member 70 is provided with a second through hole 71 therethrough; when the ink cartridge 90 is mounted on the main body 10, the second elastic sealing member 70 is interposed between the end surface of the communication hole 18 and the end surface of the ink injection port of the ink cartridge 90, and the second communication hole 71 communicates the communication hole 18 and the ink injection port.

The second elastic sealing element 70 may be made of rubber, silicone, or the like. When the ink cartridge 90 is mounted on the body 10, the second elastic sealing member 70 may be compressed and pressed between the end surface of the ink injection port and the end surface of the communication hole 18.

Thus, the end surfaces of the ink supply ports and the second elastic seal 70 and the end surfaces of the second elastic seal 70 and the communication hole 18 are sealed. The ink in the ink storage chamber 11 can enter the ink box 90 through the ink guide tube 60, the communication hole 18, the second communication hole 71 and the ink filling port in sequence, so as to avoid ink leakage between the ink box 90 and the ink storage chamber 11.

To facilitate the ink circulation, the second through hole 71 may have a larger diameter than the ink injection port, and the second through hole 71 may have a larger diameter than the communication hole 18 (not shown).

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 1 to 3 and fig. 8, a communication channel 19 is disposed on the body 10, and the communication channel 19 communicates with the inner side and the outer side of the ink storage cavity 11, so that the ink storage cavity 11 can be always communicated with the atmosphere, and the air pressure in the ink storage cavity 11 is relatively stable, that is, the air pressure in the ink storage cavity 11 is the atmospheric pressure.

The arrangement of the communication passage 19 may be one, two (as shown in fig. 1 to 3) or more, and the present embodiment is not limited.

In order to prevent foreign matter such as dust from entering the ink storage chamber 11 via the communication passage 19, the communication passage 19 may be small in size, for example, the inner diameter of the communication passage 19 may be 5mm to 10mm. Alternatively, a filter member (not shown) may be provided at the communication passage 19 to trap foreign matter at the filter member.

The filter can be a non-woven fabric filter, a metal mesh filter, etc. The size of the filtration pore of the filtration piece can be set according to the requirement.

The ink cartridge filling device may include a second check valve (not shown) on which the first hole 13 is formed. Alternatively, referring to fig. 5 and 7, the inner diameters of the first passage 12 at different positions may be different, that is, the first passage 12 has a step-through-hole structure, and the first passage 12 has a step surface 123. Thus, the first hole 13 may be located on the step surface 123.

In some embodiments, the ink cartridge filling apparatus further includes a second blocking assembly 80, the second blocking assembly 80 includes a second elastic member 81 and a second blocking member 82, two ends of the second elastic member 81 are respectively connected to the inner wall surface of the first passage 12 and the second blocking member 82, and the second blocking member 82 can be pressed against the end surface of the first hole 13 under the elastic force of the second elastic member 81 to close the first hole 13.

A convex fixing portion 124 may be disposed on an inner wall surface of the first channel 12 for fixing the second blocking assembly 80, and a flow gap is formed between the fixing portion 124 and the inner wall surface of the first channel 12 for flowing the discharged ink.

The second elastic member 81 may be a spring, such as a compression spring, so that, in a natural state, the second blocking member 82 may be pressed against the step surface 123 under the elastic force of the first elastic member 31 to close the first hole 13 by the mutual fit between the second blocking member 82 and the step surface 123.

And when the operating member 20 extends out of the first passage 12, the gas pressure in the second chamber starts to decrease, the pressure difference between both sides of the first hole 13 becomes larger, and when the gas pressure difference between both sides of the first hole 13 is greater than the elastic force of the second elastic member 81, the second elastic member 81 is compressed under pressure and drives the second blocking member 82 to separate from the step surface 123, so that both sides of the step surface 123 communicate with each other and the gas pressure in the inner chamber of the ink cartridge 90 is reduced.

To improve the sealing property when the first hole 13 is closed, the shape of the second blocking member 82 may be adapted to the shape of the step surface 123. For example, when the step surface 123 is a flat surface, the second blocking member 82 has a flat plate structure.

Optionally, in order to prevent the second blocking piece 82 from being inclined in the stretching process of the second elastic piece 81, a second guide groove (not shown) may be disposed in the first channel 12, the second elastic piece 81 is located in the second guide groove, the second guide groove is open, and the second blocking piece 82 is disposed outside the first guide groove.

The second blocking member 82 may be an elastic member, so that when the second blocking member 82 is pressed against the step surface 123, the second blocking member 82 may be deformed and block the first hole 13, and the sealing property of the first hole 13 is good.

In some embodiments, the second closure 82 may also be a composite structure, in particular, the second closure 82 comprises a second support portion (not shown) and a second resilient sealing portion (not shown); the second elastic sealing portion is attached to a side of the second support portion away from the second elastic member 81, and the second elastic sealing portion is used for covering the first hole 13 under the elastic force action of the second elastic member 81.

The second supporting portion is a plate-shaped structural member, and may be a flat plate or an arc plate according to the shape of the step surface 123. Thus, when the second elastic sealing portion abuts against the step surface 123, the second elastic sealing portion can be attached to the step surface 123 well.

The area of the second elastic sealing part is larger than that of the first hole 13, and the second elastic sealing part has elasticity and can be made of rubber, silica gel and the like. Therefore, when the second elastic sealing portion abuts against the step surface 123, the second elastic sealing portion can be compressed and squeezed between the second supporting portion and the step surface 123, the second elastic sealing portion covers and closes the first hole 13, and the first hole 13 is better in sealing performance.

The present embodiment provides an ink cartridge filling method applied to the above ink cartridge filling apparatus, the ink cartridge filling method comprising installing an ink cartridge 90, placing the ink cartridge 90 in the installation groove 17 of the base 10a by a user, and attaching the cover 10b to the base 10a to cover the notch of the installation groove 17 with the cover 10 b.

At this time, the ink inlet of the ink cartridge 90 communicates with the ink storage chamber 11 of the ink cartridge filling device, and the ink outlet of the ink cartridge 90 communicates with the first passage of the ink cartridge filling device.

Then, the user can pull the operation element 20 to move the operation element 20 toward the side extending out of the first passage 12, and at this time, the volume of the second chamber becomes larger, the gas pressure of the second chamber becomes smaller, a pressure difference is formed between both sides of the first hole 13, and the first hole 13 is opened. Because the inner cavity of the ink box 90 is communicated with the first channel 12, part of air in the inner cavity of the ink box 90 enters the second cavity, so that the gas pressure in the inner cavity of the ink box 90 is reduced, and because the ink storage cavity 11 is communicated with the atmosphere, the gas pressure in the ink storage cavity 11 is the atmospheric pressure. That is, the gas pressure in the inner cavity of the ink cartridge 90 is less than the gas pressure in the ink storage cavity 11, and the ink in the ink storage cavity 11 can be filled into the ink cartridge 90 under the action of the pressure difference, that is, the ink is filled into the ink cartridge 90.

And during the ink filling process of the ink cartridge 90, the second hole 14 is closed, and the ink discharged through the ink outlet of the ink cartridge 90 is introduced into the first channel 12, and specifically, the ink can be introduced into the second chamber.

To achieve ink recycling, the user can push the operating element 20 to move the operating element 20 toward the side extending into the first channel 12, at which time the first hole 13 is closed, the volume of the second chamber becomes smaller, and the gas pressure of the second chamber becomes higher. And as the gas pressure of the second cavity increases, the second hole 14 is opened, and the operating element 20 recovers the ink introduced into the first channel 12 into the ink storage cavity 11 through the second hole 14, i.e. the recovery of the ink is realized.

Thus, the ink cartridge 90 can be filled with ink by drawing the operating member 20 while guiding the ink discharged from the ink outlet of the ink cartridge 90 into the second chamber. By pushing the operating member 20, the ink discharged from the ink outlet of the ink cartridge 90 can be recovered into the ink storage chamber.

That is, the ink cartridge 90 can be refilled and ink can be recovered by one reciprocating movement of the operation member, and the user can select the reciprocating movement times of the operation member 20 as needed.

The embodiments or implementation modes in the present specification are described in a progressive manner, each embodiment focuses on differences from other embodiments, and the same and similar parts among the embodiments may be referred to each other.

In the description of the present specification, reference to the description of the terms "one embodiment", "some embodiments", "an illustrative embodiment", "an example", "a specific example", or "some examples", etc., means that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, schematic representations of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and not to limit the same; while the invention has been described in detail and with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that: the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may still be modified, or some or all of the technical features may be equivalently replaced; and the modifications or the substitutions do not make the essence of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ink cartridge filling device for filling an ink cartridge with ink, the ink cartridge having an ink inlet and an ink outlet, the ink cartridge filling device comprising a body, an operating member;

the body is provided with an ink storage cavity and a first channel, and the ink storage cavity is communicated with the outer side of the body; the first port of the first channel penetrates through the outer wall surface of the body, the operating part extends into the first channel through the first port and is in sealing contact with the first channel, and the operating part can move relative to the first channel; when the ink box is arranged on the body, the ink injection port is communicated with the ink storage cavity, and the ink outlet port is communicated with the second port of the first channel;

an openable and closable first hole is formed in the first channel and is used for being opened when the operating piece extends out of the first channel; an openable and closable second hole is formed between the first channel and the ink storage cavity, the second hole is formed between the first hole and the operating part, the second hole is communicated with the first channel, and the second hole is opened when the operating part extends into the first channel;

a partition wall is arranged in the ink storage cavity, a part of the first channel is enclosed by the partition wall, the partition wall penetrates through the outer wall surface of the body and forms the first port, and the second hole is formed in the partition wall.

2. The ink bottle filling apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first blocking assembly located within said ink reservoir;

the first blocking assembly comprises a first elastic piece and a first blocking piece, two ends of the first elastic piece are respectively connected with the inner wall surface of the ink storage cavity and the first blocking piece, and the first blocking piece can be abutted against the partition wall under the action of elastic force of the first elastic piece so as to close the second hole.

3. The ink cartridge filling apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first blocking member includes a first supporting portion and a first elastic sealing portion, the first elastic sealing portion is attached to a side of the first supporting portion facing away from the first elastic member, and the first elastic sealing portion is configured to cover the second hole under an elastic force of the first elastic member.

4. The ink cartridge filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a height of said partition wall is smaller than a height of the remaining portion of said first passage.

5. The ink cartridge filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a first elastic sealing member provided with a first through hole therethrough;

when the ink box is installed on the body, the first elastic sealing element is clamped between the end face of the second port and the end face of the ink outlet of the ink box, and the first through hole is communicated with the ink outlet and the second port.

6. The ink cartridge filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an end of said first passage adjacent to said first port is provided with a viewing window which penetrates an outer wall surface of said body;

the cartridge filling apparatus is further provided with a transparent closure which covers the viewing window.

7. The ink cartridge filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said body comprises a base and a cover;

the ink storage cavity is arranged on the base, the base is also provided with an installation groove with an opening at the top end, the installation groove is used for installing the ink box, and a separation structure between the ink storage cavity and the installation groove is provided with a communication hole; when the ink box is installed on the body, the communication hole is opposite to the ink injection port, and the ink outlet is exposed at the notch of the installation groove;

the first channel comprises a fixed section and a movable section, the fixed section is arranged on the base, and the movable section is arranged on the sealing cover; when the sealing cover is connected with the base, the fixed section is communicated with the movable section, and one end of the movable section, which is far away from the fixed section, is communicated with the ink outlet.

8. The ink cartridge filling apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an ink guide tube, wherein one end of the ink guide tube is connected to an inner wall surface of the ink storage chamber, an inner cavity of the ink guide tube is communicated with the communication hole, and an ink guide gap is formed between the other end of the ink guide tube and a bottom wall of the ink storage chamber.

9. The ink bottle filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a communication passage is provided in said body, said communication passage communicating with both sides of said ink reservoir, and a filter member is provided at said communication passage.

10. The ink cartridge filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second blocking member, wherein the second blocking member includes a second elastic member and a second blocking member, both ends of the second elastic member are respectively connected to the inner wall surface of the first passage and the second blocking member, and the second blocking member is capable of abutting against the end surface of the first hole under an elastic force of the second elastic member to close the first hole.

11. The ink cartridge filling apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the second blocking member includes a second supporting portion and a second elastic sealing portion; the second elastic sealing part is attached to one side, deviating from the second elastic piece, of the second supporting part, and the second elastic sealing part is used for covering the first hole under the action of elastic force of the second elastic piece.

12. A cartridge filling method applied to the cartridge filling apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, the cartridge filling method comprising:

installing an ink box, wherein an ink injection port of the ink box is communicated with an ink storage cavity of an ink box filling device, and an ink outlet of the ink box is communicated with a first channel of the ink box filling device;

the drawing operation piece is opened, the first hole is opened, the gas pressure in the inner cavity of the ink box is reduced, and the ink in the ink storage cavity is filled into the ink box; the second hole is closed, and the ink discharged from the ink outlet of the ink box is guided into the first channel;

when the operating part is pushed, the first hole is closed, the second hole is opened, and the ink guided into the first channel is recycled into the ink storage cavity through the second hole.