The specific embodiment
Fig. 1 is the perspective view of an example embodiment of a print system 10, shows its lid of opening, and this print system comprises that at least one is installed in a changeable ink box 12 that holds on the platform 14.Hold on the platform 14 along with changeable ink box 12 correctly is installed in, ink is supplied at least one ink jet-print head 16 from changeable ink box 12.The enabling signal of ink jet-print head 16 response printer section 18 and with deposit of ink on print media.When ink during from printhead 16 ejection, printhead 16 obtains ink replenishing from print cartridge 12.In a preferred embodiment of this changeable ink box 12, holding platform 14 and ink jet-print head 16 is various pieces of scanning balladeur train, and the scanning balladeur train moves with respect to print media 22, thereby finishes printing.Printer section 18 comprises that one is used to hold the medium pallet of print media 22.When print media 22 progressively passed through print zone, scanning balladeur train 20 was with respect to print media 22 mobile print heads 16.Printer section 18 starts printhead selectively, so as with deposit of ink on print media 22, thereby finish printing.
Scanning balladeur train 20 moves through print zone on a sweep mechanism, this sweep mechanism comprises a slide bar 26, and scanning balladeur train 20 slides on this slide bar when scanning balladeur train 20 moves through the one scan axis.A positioning element (not shown) is used for accurately location scanning balladeur train 20.In addition, a paper feed mechanism (not shown) is used for making print media 22 progressively pass through print zone when scan axis moves when scanning balladeur train 20.The signal of telecommunication offers scanning balladeur train 20 by electrical connector such as ribbon cable 28, is used for starting selectively printhead 16.
An importance of the present invention is print cartridge 12 to be inserted hold platform 14, so that print cartridge 12 forms the correct fluid and the method and apparatus of electrical interconnection with printer section 18.Between print cartridge 12 and printer section 18, set up correct fluid and electrical connection is absolutely necessary.Fluid interconnection makes and the ink feed fluids coupling printhead 16 in the changeable ink box 12 black source is offered printhead 16.The interconnection of electricity is passed through information between changeable ink box 12 and printer section 18.The information of passing through between changeable ink box 12 and printer section 18 comprises, for example, relates to the information and the health information of the compatibility of changeable ink box and printer section 18, such as ink level information.
Method and apparatus of the present invention, this discusses with reference to Fig. 2 to 9, has described with a kind of at changeable ink box 12 with hold those features of setting up reliable electricity and fluid ways of connecting between the platform 14 and changeable ink box 12 can being inserted hold platform 14.In addition, method and apparatus of the present invention makes changeable ink box 12 insert from printer section 18 and remove in a kind of reliable mode, the total height that makes printer section 18 simultaneously is a less relatively size, this height is represented with dimension mark " h " in Fig. 1, thereby a kind of print system 10 of hanging down type relatively is provided.Importantly, this print system 10 has short profile, thereby a kind of print system of more compact structure is provided, and also makes this printer section can be used for various print applications.
Fig. 2 is the perspective view of the part of scanning balladeur train 20, shows a pair of changeable ink box 12 that holds on the platform 14 that correctly is installed in.One printhead 16 with hold platform 14 fluids and be communicated with.In the preferred embodiment, the ink-jet print system 10 shown in Fig. 1 comprises the Three-colour ink cartridge and second print cartridge that fills a kind of ink color that fill three kinds of different ink colors.In the preferred embodiment, this Three-colour ink cartridge fills cyan, magenta and yellow ink, and should fill black ink by the monochrome print cartridge, prints so that finish four looks.Changeable ink box 12 is subregion differently, with hold than three kinds still less ink color or more many if desired and hold than three kinds of more ink colors.For example, under the situation that high fidelity is printed, usually finish printing with six kinds or more colors.
For simplicity, the platform 14 that holds shown in Fig. 2 is shown fluid and is coupled in a printhead 16.In the preferred embodiment, four ink jet-print heads 16 fluid separately are coupled in this and hold platform 14.In the preferred embodiment, four printheads all separately fluid be coupled in a kind of in the ink of four kinds of colors in the changeable ink box.Like this, cyan, magenta, yellow and black print head 16 are coupled in their corresponding cyans, magenta, yellow and black ink source separately respectively.It also is possible using than four kinds of other printhead configuration still less.For example, printhead 16 can be constructed to be permeable to by to printhead 16 suitably subregion print more than a kind of ink color, make first ink color offer first group of ink nozzle, and second ink color offers second group of ink nozzle, second group of ink nozzle is different from first group.By this way, printhead 16 can be used to print the ink color more than a kind of, makes that being less than four printheads 16 also can finish four looks and print.Fluid path between each changeable ink box 12 and printhead 16 will go through with respect to Fig. 3.
Each changeable ink box 12 comprises that one is fixed on the locking piece 30 that holds on the platform 14 with this changeable ink box 12.Hold platform 14 and comprise one group of key 32 in the preferred embodiment, the corresponding keyed jointing part (not shown) on they and the changeable ink box 12 interacts.Keyed jointing part on the changeable ink box 12 interacts with the key 32 that holds on the platform 14, thereby guarantees that this changeable ink box 12 and this hold platform 14 compatibilities.
Fig. 3 is the side view of scanning balladeur train 20 shown in Figure 2.Correctly be installed in shown in scanning balladeur train part 20 comprises and hold on the platform 14, thereby between changeable ink box 12 and printhead 16, set up the print cartridge 12 that fluid is communicated with.
This changeable ink box 12 comprises a container portions 34, in one or more inks are housed.In the preferred embodiment, three look changeable ink boxes 12 have three Sheng China ink holders that separate, and each fills a kind of ink of different colours.In the preferred embodiment, monochromatic changeable ink box 12 is ink housing tubes 34 that fill a kind of color ink.
In the preferred embodiment, holder 34 has a capillary reservoir part (not shown) that is positioned at wherein.This capillary reservoir part is a porous member, has enough capillarities to keep ink, prevents from print cartridge 12 is being inserted print system 10 or revealing from holder 34 from the process ink inside that print system 10 is removed.This capillary force is must be enough big, so as the environmental condition of broad such as the temperature and pressure excursion in, prevent that ink is from ink housing tube 34 leakages.In addition, the capillarity of this capillary members enough on all orientation of ink housing tube and the vibrations of the fair amount that print cartridge may stand in course of normal operation and when waving, remains on ink in the ink housing tube 34.The net that this preferred capillary reservoir part is a heat seal polymer fiber, it is called that " the storage ink container of ink-jet printer ", proxy records were submitted at October 29 in 10991407,1999, sequence number in name is 09/430400, transfer in assignee of the present invention's the U.S. Patent application and obtain describing, this in conjunction with and reference.
Hold on the platform 14 in case print cartridge 12 correctly is installed in, print cartridge 12 is by fluid interconnection spare 36 and the coupling of printhead 16 fluids.When starting printhead 16, ink produces a negative pressure from spout part 38 ejections in printhead 16, be called back pressure sometimes.This negative pressure in printhead 16 enough overcomes the capillary force that capillary members kept that is positioned at ink housing tube 34.Ink is extracted out from changeable ink box 12 by this back pressure and is arrived printhead 16.In this way, printhead 16 obtains the ink replenishing that changeable ink box 12 is provided.
The ink barrel that fluid interconnection spare 36 is preferably upright, it extends upwardly in the print cartridge 12, extends downwardly into ink jet-print head 16.This fluid interconnection spare 36 illustrates in Fig. 3 very simplifiedly.In the preferred embodiment, fluid interconnection spare 36 is manifolds, allows at printhead 16 along being offset in the scan axis position fixing process, thereby makes printhead 16 and corresponding changeable ink box 12 placed offset.In the preferred embodiment, fluid interconnection spare 36 extends in the holder 34 and the compression capillary members, thereby forms the capillary zone of enhancing of an adjacent fluid cross tie part 36.The zone that this capillarity increases is tending towards ink is taken out to fluid interconnection spare 36, thereby makes the ink fluid interconnection spare 36 of flowing through arrive printheads 16.What discuss is, print cartridge 12 is positioned at correctly that to hold in the platform 14 be crucial, so that the suitable compression of inserting realization capillary members when holding platform when print cartridge 12.For setting up from print cartridge 12 to printhead 16 reliable ink stream, the suitable compression of capillary members is necessary.
Changeable ink box 12 also comprises a leader 40, an engaging piece 42, one handle 44 and a sticking department 30, make print cartridge 12 insert and hold platform 14, acquisition forms with printhead 16 reliable fluid interconnections and between changeable ink box 12 and scanning balladeur train 20 and is electrically connected reliably, and this discusses with reference to Fig. 7 a-7c and Fig. 8 a-8b.
Hold platform 14 and comprise a guide rail 46, an engaging piece 48 and a locking mesh portion 50.This guide rail 46 matches with the guide rail engaging piece 40 of changeable ink box 12, and guiding print cartridge 12 enters and holds platform 14.Hold platform 14 in case changeable ink box 12 inserts fully, the engaging piece 48 of platform 14 is held in 42 engagements of the engaging piece of changeable ink box, the front end of changeable ink box 12 or head end is fixed on holds on the platform 14.Print cartridge 12 presses down then, and the spring-biased member 52 of compressed container platform 14 up to the hook portions 54 of the locking mesh portion 50 engaging lock limiting-members 30 of holding platform 14, is held on the platform 14 and the rear end of print cartridge 12 or tail end be fixed on.Part on the print cartridge 12 and the part of holding platform 14 match just, just realize changeable ink box 12 and the correct insertion held between the platform 14 is connected with function.Discuss in more detail now with reference to Fig. 4 and to hold platform 14.
Fig. 4 is the front perspective view that holds platform 14 with the ink shown in the unpack format.The platform 14 that holds shown in Fig. 4 comprises that a monochromatic layout and that holds the print cartridge 12 that fills a kind of ink color holds three look layouts of the print cartridge 12 that fills three kinds of ink colors.In the preferred embodiment, monochromatic layout 56 holds the changeable ink box 12 that fills black ink, and three look layouts hold a changeable ink box that fills cyan, magenta and yellow ink, and each plants the different holders that the ink subregion is put into print cartridge 12.Hold platform 14 and changeable ink box 12 and can be useful on the layout 56 that holds the print cartridge that fills different numbers, different inks and other configurations of 58.In addition, hold platform 14 the number that holds layout 56 and 58 can less than or greater than 2.For example, holding platform 14 can have four layouts that are used to hold four different monochromatic print cartridges 12 that separate, and each print cartridge fills a kind of different ink color, prints thereby finish four looks.
Each layout 56 and 58 that holds platform 14 comprises a hole 60, is used to hold the upright fluid interconnection spare 36 that extends through.Fluid interconnection spare 36 is fluid inlets that ink leaves the corresponding fluids outlet of print cartridge 12.Electrical interconnection 62 is also included within each to be held in layout 56 and 58.Electrical interconnection 62 comprises one group of electric contact 64.In the preferred embodiment, electric contact is the arrangement of four spring electric contacts, and wherein changeable ink box 12 is correctly installed in holding the corresponding layout of platform 14.Must set up correct engagement with each electrical connector 62 and fluid interconnection spare 36 in a kind of reliable mode.
Be positioned at the respective guide part 40 on guide rail 46 engagement print cartridges 12 both sides of fluid interconnection spare both sides of each layout 56 and 58, the guiding print cartridge enters and holds platform.When print cartridge 12 inserts when holding platform 14 fully, be positioned at corresponding engaging piece 42 engagements shown in the Fig. 3 on the engaging piece 48 that holds on platform 14 rear walls 66 and the print cartridge 12.Engaging piece 48 is positioned at the both sides of electrical interconnection 62.A biasing member 52 is positioned at such as flat spring and holds platform 14.Flat spring 52 produces biasing force, and this power is tending towards upwards promoting print cartridge 12 from the bottom surface 68 that holds platform 14.This flat spring helps print cartridge 12 is locked in and holds on the platform 14 and help print cartridge 12 to remove from holding platform 14, and this discusses with reference to Fig. 8 and 9.
Fig. 5 a, 5b, 5c and 5d show front, side, the back side and the ground plan of changeable ink box 12 of the present invention respectively.Shown in Fig. 5 a, this changeable ink box 12 comprises a pair of outwardly directed guide rail engaging piece 40.In the preferred embodiment, each of these guide rail engaging pieces all stretches out along the direction of upstanding side 70 quadratures of changeable ink box 12.Engaging piece 42 stretches out from the front or the leading edge 72 of print cartridge.Engaging piece 42 is positioned at the both sides of an electrical interface 74 and towards the bottom surface 76 of changeable ink box 12.This electrical interface 74 comprises one group of electric contact 78, and each electric contact 78 is electrically connected with electric power storage parts 80.
Opposite with front end 72 is the rear end 82 shown in Fig. 5 c.The rear end 82 of this changeable ink box 12 comprises the sticking department 30 with an engagement hook 54.Sticking department 30 is made by a kind of elastomeric material, and this makes this sticking department stretch out from tail end, thereby engaging piece is stretched out towards the corresponding engaging piece that holds platform 14.What discuss is that this locking piece 30 is inwardly compressed towards tail end 82, and this Lock Part outwards applies a biasing force, thereby guarantees that engaging piece 54 and the corresponding engaging piece 50 that holds platform 14 keep engagement, are fixed on print cartridge 12 and hold in the platform 14.
This changeable ink box 12 also comprises the key 84 of the rear end that is positioned at changeable ink box 12.These keys preferably be positioned at Lock Part 30 on the both sides of changeable ink box 12 bottom surfaces 76.These keys 84 interact with the keyed jointing part of holding on the platform 14 32, guarantee that print cartridge 12 inserts to hold in the correct layout 56 and 58 of platform 14.In addition, these keys and keyed jointing part 32 guarantee that changeable ink box 12 fills on color and chemical property or compatibility and holds the corresponding ink that holds layout 56 and 58 compatibilities in the platform 14.
In print cartridge 12, also comprise on the end face 86 that is positioned at changeable ink box 12 handle portion 44 at trailing edge 82 places.This handle portion 44 makes can catch print cartridge 12 at trailing edge 82 places when insertion is held in the corresponding layout of platform 14.
At last, this print cartridge 12 comprises the hole 88 that is positioned on changeable ink box 12 bottom surfaces.Hole 88 makes fluid interconnection spare 36 extend through holder 34, and engagement is positioned at capillary members wherein.Under the situation of three look changeable ink boxes 12, three fluid issuings 88 are arranged, the corresponding a kind of different ink color of each fluid issuing.Under the situation in three look chambeies, three fluid interconnection spares 36 extend into fluid outlet 88 separately, thereby at each inking chamber be used for forming fluid between the corresponding printhead of this ink color and be communicated with.
Fig. 6 is the insertion perspective view that holds the monochromatic print cartridge of locating in the monochromatic layout 56 of platform 14 shown in Figure 4.Monochromatic print cartridge shown in Fig. 6 is except only providing on the bottom surface 76 fluid issuing 88, and is identical with the Three-colour ink cartridge shown in Fig. 5 a to 5d.This monochrome changeable ink box 12 fills a kind of ink color, and therefore only holds a corresponding fluid interconnection spare 36, ink is provided for corresponding printhead from print cartridge 12.
Fig. 7 a, 7b and 7c to be explanation with changeable ink box 12 insert in the receiving stations 14 and with hold platform 14 and form the precedence diagram that reliable electricity is connected with fluid.
Fig. 7 a shows part and inserts the print cartridge 12 that holds platform 14.In the preferred embodiment, by catching handle portion 44 and making leading edge or front 72 is inserted at first and with print cartridge and held in the platform, print cartridge 12 inserts and holds platform 14.Along with entering, leading edge 72 holds platform 14, outwardly directed guiding parts 40 these a pair of guide rails 46 of engagement of print cartridge.Guide rail 46 guides print cartridges 12 with level or linear movement towards the rear wall 66 that holds platform 14.Guide rail 46 edges guide changeable ink box towards the horizontal direction of rear wall 66 with towards the vertical direction of holding platform 14 bottom surfaces then, thereby the engaging piece 42 on the print cartridge 12 is received by corresponding engaging piece 48 on the rear wall that holds platform 14 66 shown in Fig. 7 b.The insertion of print cartridge 12 only needs an insertion force edge rail 46 to promote print cartridge linearly.The gravity that acts on the print cartridge 12 is tending towards making print cartridge to advance along guide rail 46, and guide rail extends in a downward direction and engaging piece 42 and 48 is meshed simultaneously.The surface that guide rail engaging piece 40 is preferably circular gradually is so that freely slide along guide rail 46.
Fig. 7 b shows and inserts the print cartridge 12 that holds platform 14, and wherein engaging piece 42 is meshed with the engaging piece 48 that holds platform 14.Apply a downward power shown in arrow 90, for print cartridge 12, compressed tablet spring 52, the rear end 82 that promotes print cartridge 12 towards the bottom surface 68 that holds platform 14 downwards.Key 84 must the correctly corresponding keyed jointing part of holding on the platform 14 32.If the not corresponding keyed jointing part 82 of the key 84 on the print cartridge 12, this key connected system will stop print cartridge 12 further insertions to be held in the platform 14 so.This key connected system that is made of key 84 and keyed jointing part 32 prevents from further not inserted with the print cartridge that holds platform 14 compatibilities to hold platform 14.Print cartridge 12 further inserts and holds platform 14 and will cause fluid interconnection spare 36 and print cartridge 12 interior capillary members to contact, thereby makes incompatible inkiness fluid interconnection spare 36.Incompatible ink mixes with fluid interconnection spare 36 can cause precipitation, and this may damage printhead 16.Except the incompatible ink of chemical property, print cartridge has incompatible color, and this may cause blend of colors, thereby reduces the print quality of output.
Key 84 on the print cartridge 12 and the keyed jointing part of holding on the platform 14 32 allow correct print cartridge 12 to insert correct holding in the platform 14 fully.The downward power that is applied to the rear end 82 of print cartridge 12 makes print cartridge 12 rotate around a pivotal axis, compressed tablet spring 52, thus move the trailing edge 82 of print cartridge 12 towards the bottom surface 68 that holds platform 14.When print cartridge 12 is pushed downwards when holding platform 14, elastic locking spare 30 by slight inwardly towards trailing edge 82 compressions of print cartridge 12.In case it is enough far away that print cartridge 12 is pushed downwards, the engaging piece 54 on the locking piece 30 meshes with the corresponding engaging piece 50 that holds on the platform 14, print cartridge 12 is fixed on holds on the platform 14, shown in Fig. 7 c.
Hold in the platform 14 along with print cartridge 12 correctly is fixed on, shown in Fig. 7 c, fluid interconnection spare 36 extends in the holder 34 and the compression capillary members, thereby forms the capillary zone of enhancing of an adjacent fluid cross tie part 36.The zone that this capillarity increases is tending towards ink is taken out to fluid interconnection spare 36, thereby makes the ink fluid interconnection spare 36 of flowing through arrive printheads 16.In the preferred embodiment, print cartridge 12 is arranged in a gravitational frame of reference when platform 14 is held in insertion, thereby gravity acts on the ink in the print cartridge 12, is tending towards ink is pulled to the bottom surface 76 of print cartridge 12.Therefore, the ink in the print cartridge 12 is pulled to the bottom surface 76 of print cartridge 12, is pulled to fluid interconnection spare 36 at this ink by capillary attraction, thereby is tending towards reducing or minimizing the cutout of ink in the print cartridge 12.
Fig. 8 a and 8b show a position in the insertion process of reference Fig. 7 a, 7b and 7c description, and wherein the leading edge 72 of print cartridge 12 is positioned at fluid interconnection spare 36 tops.Fig. 8 a shows a side view, and Fig. 8 b illustrates an end-view.Can find out that from Fig. 8 a and 8b leader 40 must be positioned on the print cartridge 12 towards enough low place, the bottom surface 76 of print cartridge 12, thereby the leading edge 72 of print cartridge 12 just can not collided fluid interconnection spare 36 during insertion.Another restriction on guide member 40 location is that guide member 40 must be enough near from the end face of print cartridge 12, correctly meshes the corresponding engaging piece 42 that holds on the platform 14 to guarantee engaging piece 42.
In addition, outwardly directed guiding parts 40 must stretch out enough far away and engagement guide rail 46 on the print cartridge 12.Yet outward extending guiding parts 40 should not stretch out far away, so that guiding parts 40 engagement holds the upstanding side of platform 14, produced and interfered, and this interference produces friction and adhesion, hindered print cartridge 12 and inserted and hold in the platform 14.
Fig. 9 a, 9b and 9c show print cartridge 12 from holding the technology that platform 14 is removed.The technology of removing print cartridge of the present invention starts from making engaging piece from holding the release of the corresponding engaging piece on the platform 14 by the 82 urge lock parts 30 towards the back.In case the trailing edge of print cartridge 12 discharges, spring 52 upwards promotes the trailing edge of print cartridge, shown in Fig. 9 b.Can catch the handle 44 of print cartridge 12 and take out print cartridge 12 along the direction opposite with direction of insertion.Along with print cartridge 12 takes out from holding platform 14, guiding parts 40 is before guide rail 46 and then promote print cartridges, thereby avoids interfering between the fluid issuing on fluid interconnection spare 36 and the print cartridge 12.
Print cartridge 12 of the present invention be configured to can with hold platform 14 engagement and interact, guiding print cartridge 12 enters and holds platform, and with hold platform 14 and form reliable fluids and be electrically connected.Technology of the present invention makes this insertion process simple relatively and be easy to prevent the incorrect insertion of print cartridge 12.The user catches the handle portion 44 of print cartridge 12 and print cartridge 12 levels is slipped into and holds platform 14.Guide rail 46 and leader 40 match and correctly guide print cartridge 12 to enter and hold platform 14.Print cartridge 12 is pressed down and locks print cartridge 12, and realizes print cartridge 12 and hold electricity between the platform 14 and the work interconnection of fluid.