CN211808460U - Ink-injection cylinder, ink tank and ink-jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides an ink filling cylinder, an ink tank and an ink jet printer. The ink refill cartridge is used to inject ink into the ink tank, and the ink refill cartridge has a body portion extending in the longitudinal direction. The body portion has a first end and a second end longitudinally opposite the first end. The body portion includes a first flow path pipe and a second flow path pipe; the first flow path pipe extends longitudinally and has a first opening, a second opening, and a first flow path formed between the first opening and the second opening, the first The distance from the opening to the first end is smaller than the distance from the second opening to the first end; the second flow path tube extends in the longitudinal direction and has a third opening, a fourth opening, and a first opening formed between the third opening and the fourth opening. Two flow paths, the distance from the third opening to the first end is smaller than the distance from the fourth opening to the first end, and the distance from the fourth opening to the first end is smaller than the distance from the second opening to the first end; the first flow path pipe also has The side opening communicates with the first flow path and is longitudinally disposed between the first opening and the second opening.

Description

Refill Cartridges, Ink Tanks and Inkjet Printers

technical field

The utility model relates to the technical field of printing equipment, in particular to an ink refilling cylinder, an ink tank and an ink jet printer.

Background technique

Generally, ink jet printers perform printing by ejecting ink from a recording unit to a recording medium (eg, printing paper).

FIG. 1 schematically shows an example of a known inkjet printer 1 . In the following, for the convenience of description, the direction of the inkjet printer 1 facing the user is defined as "front" and the opposite direction is defined as "rear" based on the position of the user when the inkjet printer 1 is used. Instead, the user's left-hand side is defined as "left", and the user's right-hand side is defined as "right".

As shown in FIG. 1 , the inkjet printer 1 includes a printer body 2 and four ink tanks 10 provided on one side (eg, the front side) of the printer body 2 . The printer body 2 includes a frame portion 3 in which four ink tanks 10 are disposed. One of the ink tanks 10 is disposed on the left front portion of the frame portion 3 , and the other three ink tanks 10 are disposed side by side on the right front portion of the frame portion 3 . The ink tank 10 accommodates ink to be supplied to the recording section 9 . The ink tank 10 at the front on the left can hold black ink, and the three ink tanks 10 on the front on the right can hold cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, respectively, so that the printing content of the inkjet printer 1 is richer. color. Ink can typically be filled into the ink tank 10 through an ink bottle (not shown) containing the ink.

As shown in FIG. 2 , the ink tank 10 mainly includes an ink tank body 30 and an ink filling cylinder 20. The ink filling cylinder 20 and the ink tank body 30 are detachably connected. For example, the ink filling cylinder 120 can be fastened to the ink tank body through a buckle. 130.

The ink tank body 30 mainly includes an ink storage chamber 31 , an ink filling part 33 , an ink supply part 35 and an air communication part 36 . Specifically, the ink tank body 30 may be composed of a resin frame 19 and a film 39. The resin frame 19 may be molded from a resin material by an injection molding process, and the film 39 covers one side (eg, the left side) of the resin frame 19. The resin frame 19 is provided with several cavities having inner spaces for forming such as the ink storage chamber 31 and the like. These cavities have lateral openings (eg openings open to the left). The cover film 39 is connected to the resin frame 19 by a connection such as bonding or the like to cover the side opening, so that both the resin frame 19 and the cover film 39 can jointly form the ink storage chamber 31 and the like. The ink filling portion 33 , the ink supply portion 35 and the air communication portion 36 are all provided in the resin frame 19 .

The ink storage chamber 31 is used to accommodate ink to be supplied to the recording section 9 . The ink filling part 33 is located at the top of the ink storage chamber 31 and has an ink filling port 32 . The ink can be injected into the ink tank body 30 through the ink filling port 32 to be accommodated in the ink storage chamber 31 . The ink supply portion 35 is located above the ink storage chamber 31 and serves to supply the ink in the ink storage chamber 31 to the recording portion 9 . The atmosphere communication portion 36 is located at a lower position of the ink tank body 30, and includes an atmosphere communication port 37 that allows the ink storage chamber 31 to communicate with the atmosphere.

As shown in FIG. 3 , the ink cartridge 20 has a body portion 21 extending in the longitudinal direction. The body portion 21 includes a first flow path pipe 40 and a second flow path pipe 50 extending in the longitudinal direction. The first flow path pipe 40 has a first opening 41 , a second opening 42 , and a first flow path 43 formed between the first opening 41 and the second opening 42 . The second flow path pipe 50 has a third opening 51 , a fourth opening 52 , and a second flow path 53 formed between the third opening 51 and the fourth opening 52 . The ink filling cartridge 20 may extend through the ink filling port 32 of the ink tank body 30 and be mounted on the ink tank body 30 such that the first opening 41 and the third opening 51 are located above the top of the ink filling port 32, and the second opening 42 and the fourth opening 52 are located in the ink storage chamber 31 and spaced apart from the bottom wall of the ink storage chamber 31 .

Referring back to FIG. 2 , after the ink refilling cartridge 20 is installed on the ink tank body 30 , the bottle mouth of the ink bottle can be inserted into the ink refilling portion 33 of the ink tank main body 30 to cover the top end of the ink refilling cartridge 20 . In this way, the ink in the ink bottle can enter the first flow path 43 or the second flow path 53 through the first opening 41 or the third opening 51 , and then enter the ink storage chamber 31 through the second opening 42 or the fourth opening 52 . Meanwhile, the air in the ink storage chamber 31 can enter the ink bottle through the other one of the first flow path 43 and the second flow path 53 . In this case, the flow of ink and air occurs simultaneously in the two flow paths, respectively, resulting in "gas-liquid replacement".

When either the flow of ink or the flow of air is stopped, the gas-liquid replacement process is stopped. Ideally, when the ink in the ink storage chamber 31 is full (the ink level reaches or is higher than the two openings in the ink storage chamber 31 of the ink filling cylinder 20) or when the ink in the ink bottle is completely injected into the ink storage chamber 31 , the ink filling process stops.

The applicant has found that, during actual use, the ink tank 10 shown in FIG. 2 is prone to temporarily stop during the ink replenishment process. That is, only a small part of the ink is injected into the ink tank body 30 from the ink bottle, there is still ink in the ink bottle when the replenishment is temporarily stopped, and a large space in the ink storage chamber 31 is still not filled with ink. The applicant speculates that, during the ink replenishment process, the ink forms a meniscus in the first flow path and the second flow path of the ink cartridge 20, which hinders the further flow of the ink.

Therefore, it is necessary to propose an ink cartridge, an ink tank and an ink jet printer to at least partially solve the above problems existing in the prior art.

Utility model content

A series of concepts in simplified form have been introduced in the Summary of the Invention, which are described in further detail in the Detailed Description. The utility model content part of the present utility model is not intended to attempt to limit the key features and necessary technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor does it mean to attempt to determine the protection scope of the claimed technical solution.

In order to at least partially solve the above problems, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ink refilling cartridge for refilling ink into an ink tank having an ink refilling port, the ink refilling cartridge having a body extending in a longitudinal direction a body portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the longitudinal direction, the body portion comprising:

a first flow path tube extending in the longitudinal direction and having a first opening, a second opening, and a first flow path formed between the first opening and the second opening, the The distance from the first opening to the first end is less than the distance from the second opening to the first end; and

A second flow path tube extending in the longitudinal direction and having a third opening, a fourth opening, and a second flow path formed between the third opening and the fourth opening , the distance from the third opening to the first end is smaller than the distance from the fourth opening to the first end, and the distance from the fourth opening to the first end is smaller than the distance from the second opening to the first end the distance from the first end;

Wherein, the first flow path pipe further has a side opening, the side opening communicates with the first flow path, and is disposed between the first opening and the second opening along the longitudinal direction.

According to the ink refilling cartridge of the present invention, by setting the side opening on the first flow path pipe, the air pressure in the first flow path and the ink tank body can be balanced, the gas-liquid replacement in the first flow path and the ink tank body can be accelerated, and the air pressure in the first flow path and the ink tank body can be reduced. It is possible to form a meniscus at the second opening during the ink filling process, so as to avoid the phenomenon of temporary stop during the ink replenishing process.

Optionally, the side opening is disposed between the second opening and the fourth opening along the longitudinal direction.

According to this solution, the possibility of forming a meniscus at the second opening during the ink filling process can be further reduced, so that the phenomenon of temporary stop during the ink replenishing process can be avoided.

Optionally, the distance from the side opening to the first end is equal to the distance from the fourth opening to the first end.

According to this solution, the possibility of forming a meniscus at the second opening during the ink filling process can be further reduced, so that the phenomenon of temporary stop during the ink replenishing process can be avoided.

Optionally, the shape of the side opening on the outer surface of the first flow tube is closed and includes at least two endpoints.

According to the present solution, the structure of the ink refilling cartridge can be simple, the manufacture is convenient, and the production cost can be reduced.

Optionally, the first flow path pipe includes a curved wall portion, the curved wall portion extends along the longitudinal direction, and a cross-section of an outer surface of the curved wall portion on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is a curved surface , the side opening is provided on the curved wall.

According to this solution, the volume of the first flow path can be increased, the flow rate of ink passing through can be increased, and the replenishment speed can be accelerated, thereby reducing the possibility of a temporary stop phenomenon during the ink replenishment process.

Optionally, the body portion further includes an extension portion extending outward from the outer surface of the first flow path tube around the side opening, the extension portion having a fifth opening and formed in the A third flow path between the fifth opening and the side opening.

According to this solution, the ink can be prevented from flowing out from the side opening, so that the gas in the first flow path flows outward from the third flow path through the side opening, so as to speed up the gas-liquid replacement speed in the first flow path and the ink tank body, Reduces the possibility of forming a meniscus in the first flow path during priming.

Optionally, the fifth opening is disposed between the side opening and the first end along the longitudinal direction.

According to this aspect, the outflow of ink from the side opening can be further prevented.

Optionally, the cross-sectional shape of the third flow path on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is closed and includes at least two endpoints.

According to this solution, the possibility of ink forming a meniscus in the third flow path can be reduced, so that the gas-liquid replacement speed in the first flow path and the ink tank can be accelerated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, an ink tank is provided for use in an inkjet printer, the inkjet printer includes a recording portion, and the ink tank includes:

An ink tank body, the ink tank body includes:

an ink storage chamber for accommodating ink to be supplied to the recording portion; and

An ink filling port, the ink filling port communicates with the ink storage chamber; and

The ink cartridge according to any one of the above first aspects, the ink cartridge extends through the ink injection port, the first opening and the third opening are both located outside the ink storage chamber , the first flow path communicates with the ink storage chamber through the second opening, and the second flow path communicates with the ink storage chamber through the fourth opening.

According to the ink tank of the present invention, by arranging the side opening on the first flow path pipe of the ink filling cylinder, the air pressure in the first flow path and the ink tank body can be balanced, and the gas-liquid replacement in the first flow path and the ink tank body can be accelerated. , reducing the possibility of forming a meniscus at the second opening during the ink filling process, so as to avoid the phenomenon of temporary stop during the ink replenishing process.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inkjet printer including a recording section and the ink tank according to the above-mentioned second aspect.

According to the ink jet printer of the present invention, by setting the side opening on the first flow path pipe of the ink filling cylinder of the ink tank, the air pressure in the first flow path and the ink tank body can be balanced, and the pressure in the first flow path and the ink tank body can be accelerated. The gas-liquid replacement reduces the possibility of forming a meniscus at the second opening during the ink filling process, thereby avoiding the phenomenon of temporary stop during the ink replenishing process.

Description of drawings

The above and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent and easier to understand from the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a schematic perspective view of an existing inkjet printer, which is also used to illustrate the external structure of the inkjet printer according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the stereoscopic assembly schematic diagram of the ink tank of the existing inkjet printer;

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge along the line A-A in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the ink filling cylinder of the ink tank according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge along the line B-B in FIG. 4;

6 is a perspective assembly view of the ink tank according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

7 is a schematic perspective view of an ink refilling cylinder of an ink tank according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge along the line C-C in FIG. 7 .

Description of reference numbers:

1/100: Inkjet Printer

2/102: Printer body

3/103: Frame Department

9/109: Records Department

10/110: Ink Tanks

19/119 Resin Frame

20/120/220: Ink Cartridge

21/121/221: Main body

23/123/223: First End

24/124/224: second end

30/130: Ink tank body

31/131: Ink Reservoir

32/132: Ink port

33/133: Inking Section

35/135: Ink Supply Department

36/136: Atmospheric Communication Section

37/137: Atmospheric connection port

39/139: Lamination

40/140/240: First flow tube

41/141/241: First Opening

42/142/242: Second opening

43/143/243: First flow path

50/150/250: Second flow tube

51/151/251: Third opening

52/152/252: Fourth Opening

53/153/253: Second flow path

122/222: Installation Department

181/281: side opening

182/282: Curved Walls

283: Extensions

284: Fifth Opening

286: Third flow path

187: Straight Wall

L: Portrait orientation

P11/P12/P21/P22: Endpoints

Detailed ways

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, in order to avoid confusion with the embodiments of the present invention, some technical features known in the art are not described.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower" and similar expressions used herein are only for the purpose of illustration and not for limitation.

Herein, ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" referenced in this application are merely identifications and do not have any other meaning, such as a specific order, and the like. Also, for example, the term "first element" does not by itself imply the presence of a "second element," nor does the term "second element" by itself imply the presence of a "first element."

The inkjet printer according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. The inkjet printer according to the present invention has substantially the same configuration as the inkjet printer 1 according to the background art. In addition to the printing function, the inkjet printer of the utility model can also have various functions such as an image scanner function, a facsimile function, and a copying function. Regarding the printing function, there may be a double-sided image recording function of recording images on both sides of the recording medium. Of course, whether or not it has functions other than the printing function is arbitrary.

first embodiment

1 and FIGS. 4 to 6 schematically illustrate an ink cartridge 120, an ink tank 110 and an inkjet printer 100 according to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the inkjet printer 100 includes a printer body 102 and an ink tank 110 .

The printer body 102 is generally in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The printer body 102 is provided with a paper feed cassette for supplying the recording medium and a paper output cassette for discharging the recording medium. The printer body 102 is further provided with a recording unit 109 including, for example, a plurality of nozzles, and the recording unit 109 can eject ink to a recording medium. An operation panel may also be provided on the upper surface of the printer body 102, and the operation panel is provided with display parts for displaying various information and setting contents, and operation keys for performing various operations or inputting the setting contents. In some embodiments, the display part may not be provided, but only some operation keys may be provided, and these operation keys may be provided at appropriate positions of the printer body 102, for example, on the front surface.

The inkjet printer 100 preferably includes four ink tanks 110 , one of which is provided on the left front of the printer body 102 , which is usually used to hold black ink, and the other three ink tanks 110 are provided on the right side of the printer body 102 The front, from left to right, accommodates three color inks of cyan, magenta, and yellow, respectively, so that the inkjet printer 100 can record color images using inks of four colors of black, cyan, magenta, and yellow. Of course, it can be understood that other numbers of ink tanks 110 may also be provided according to actual needs, and the ink tanks 110 may also be provided at other positions on the printer body 102 . In addition, according to actual needs, the ink tank 110 can be fixedly installed to the printer body 102 , or can be configured to be detachably installed to the printer body 102 .

The ink tank 110 according to the first embodiment has substantially the same configuration as the ink tank 10 according to the background art, wherein structures having similar functions are given similar reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the ink tank 110 mainly includes an ink tank body 130 and an ink filling cylinder 120 . The ink filling cylinder 120 is detachably connected to the ink tank body 130 and is used to inject ink into the ink tank body 130 . The ink tank body 130 mainly includes an ink storage chamber 131 , an ink filling port 132 , an ink filling portion 133 , an ink supply portion 135 , an air communication portion 136 and an air communication port 137 . The inkjet printer 100 may also include an atmosphere communication pipe (not shown). The opening at one end of the air communication pipe is connected to the air communication portion 136 , and the opening at the other end of the air communication pipe is provided in the vicinity of the ink filling portion 133 . The large air communication portion 136 communicates with the outside of the ink tank body 130 through the opening at the other end of the large air communication pipe. The ink tank body 130 may be composed of two parts, the resin frame 119 and the coating film 139 . The ink storage chamber 131 is used for accommodating ink to be supplied to the recording part 109 , and the ink filling port 132 communicates with the ink storage chamber 131 . In this embodiment, the ink filling port 132 is located on the upper surface of the ink filling portion 133 . The ink tank body 130 according to the first embodiment has substantially the same structure as the ink tank body 30 in the background art, and for the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions are omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the ink cartridge 120 has a body portion 121 extending in the longitudinal direction L. As shown in FIGS. The body portion 121 has a first end 123 and a second end 124 opposite the first end 123 in the longitudinal direction L. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the longitudinal direction L is arranged along the vertical direction, and the first end 123 is arranged above the second end 124 . Specifically, the first end 123 may be defined as the uppermost end of the ink cartridge 120 , and the second end 124 may be defined as the lowermost end of the ink cartridge 120 .

The body portion 121 includes a first flow tube 140 and a second flow tube 150 . In the present embodiment, the first flow tube 140 and the second flow tube 150 are arranged side by side, and the second flow tube 150 is arranged at an upper position of the first flow tube 140 . The first flow pipe 140 may be a liquid flow pipe, and the second flow pipe 150 may be a gas flow pipe. Preferably, the first flow pipe 140 and the second flow pipe 150 are integrally formed. Of course, as required, the first flow pipe 140 and the second flow pipe 150 may also be provided separately.

The first flow path pipe 140 extends in the longitudinal direction L, and has a first opening 141, a second opening 142, and a first flow path 143 formed between the first opening 141 and the second opening 142, the first opening 141 to the first end The distance 123 is smaller than the distance from the second opening 142 to the first end 123 . Specifically, the first flow path 143 may extend substantially along the longitudinal direction L, and the first opening 141 is located on the upper surface of the first flow path pipe 140 , and the second opening 142 is located on the lower surface of the first flow path pipe 140 .

The second flow path pipe 150 extends in the longitudinal direction L, and has a third opening 151, a fourth opening 152, and a second flow path 153 formed between the third opening 151 and the fourth opening 152, the third opening 151 to the The distance from one end 123 is smaller than the distance from the fourth opening 152 to the first end 123 , and the distance from the fourth opening 152 to the first end 123 is smaller than the distance from the second opening 142 to the first end 123 . Specifically, the second flow path 153 may extend substantially along the longitudinal direction L, and the third opening 151 is located on the upper surface of the second flow path pipe 150, the fourth opening 152 is located on the lower surface of the second flow path pipe 150, and the fourth The height of the opening 152 is higher than that of the second opening 142 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , the ink cartridge 120 further includes a mounting portion 122 integrally formed with the body portion 121 , and the ink cartridge 120 is fixed to the ink tank body 130 through the mounting portion 122 . The mounting portion 122 is disposed on the outer side of the body portion 121 , and may be configured as a snap-fit structure to be snap-fitted to the ink tank body 130 . FIG. 4 exemplarily shows two mounting parts 122 , which are provided at the same height position of the body part 121 and are provided at a predetermined distance. Those skilled in the art can understand that the number of the mounting portions 122 is not limited to this embodiment, and the number of the mounting portions 122 may be one or more than two, for example, three, as required.

As shown in FIG. 6 , the ink filling cylinder 120 extends through the ink filling opening 132 , so that the first end 123 of the main body 121 is located above the ink filling opening 132 , and the second end 124 of the main body 121 enters the ink storage chamber 131 , and the mounting portion 122 extends into the ink storage chamber 131 and is clamped to the ink tank body 130 . Therefore, both the first opening 141 and the third opening 151 are located outside the ink storage chamber 131 , the first flow path 143 communicates with the ink storage chamber 131 through the second opening 142 , and the second flow path 153 communicates with the ink storage chamber through the fourth opening 152 131 Connected.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the first flow path pipe 140 further has a side opening 181 that communicates with the first flow path 143 and is disposed between the first opening 141 and the second opening 142 along the longitudinal direction L , that is, the height of the side opening 181 is higher than the second opening 142 and lower than the first opening 141 . In this way, the air pressure in the first flow path 143 and the ink tank body 130 can be balanced, the gas-liquid replacement in the first flow path 143 and the ink tank 110 can be accelerated, and the formation of a meniscus at the second opening 142 during the ink filling process can be reduced. possible to avoid temporary stoppage during ink replenishment.

Preferably, the side opening 181 is disposed between the second opening 142 and the fourth opening 152 along the longitudinal direction L, that is, the height of the side opening 181 is higher than the second opening 142 and lower than the fourth opening 152 . Optionally, the distance from the side opening 181 to the first end 123 is equal to the distance from the fourth opening to the first end 123 .

Preferably, the shape of the side opening 181 on the outer surface of the first flow pipe 140 is closed and includes at least two endpoints, for example, the shape of the side opening 181 may be a semicircle or a polygon. Since the end points of the side openings 181 can destroy the surface of the bubbles or droplets formed at the side openings 181 , the bubbles or droplets cannot maintain their own state and rupture, so as to reduce the formation of a meniscus at the side openings 181 . possibility.

Specifically, the first flow path pipe 140 includes a curved wall portion 182 extending along the longitudinal direction L, and a cross-section of the outer surface of the curved wall portion 182 on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L is a curved surface. That is, the outer surface of the curved wall portion 182 has a curved cross-section on the horizontal plane. This arrangement can increase the volume of the first flow path 143 to increase the flow rate of ink passing through. In the embodiment, the side openings 181 are formed on the curved wall portion 182 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the shape of the side opening 181 on the outer surface of the first flow pipe 140 is a closed semicircle, and includes two end points, namely, the end point P11 and the end point P12.

The first flow path tube 140 may further include a straight wall portion 187 extending in the longitudinal direction L. As shown in FIG. The straight wall portion 187 may be substantially flat. The curved wall portion 182 and the straight wall portion 187 are connected to surround the first flow path 143 . The second flow path pipe 150 is provided so as to be connected to the straight wall portion 187 .

Second Embodiment

FIGS. 7 and 8 schematically show an ink cartridge 220 of an ink tank of an inkjet printer according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and the ink cartridge 220 according to the second embodiment has the same characteristics as those according to the first embodiment. The ink cartridges 220 are of substantially the same construction, wherein structures with similar functions are given similar reference numerals.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the ink cartridge 220 also includes a body portion 221 extending in the longitudinal direction L and a mounting portion 222 integrally formed with the body portion. The body portion 121 also has a first end 223 and a second end 224 opposite the first end 223 in the longitudinal direction L, and also includes a first flow tube 240 and a second flow tube 250 . The first flow pipe 240 also has a first opening 241, a second opening 242, and a first flow path 243 formed between the first opening 241 and the second opening 242, and also has the first opening 241 and the first opening 241 and the second opening 242 in the longitudinal direction L. Side openings 281 between the second openings 242 . The second flow path pipe 250 also has a third opening 251 , a fourth opening 252 , and a second flow path 253 formed between the third opening 251 and the fourth opening 252 .

Different from the first embodiment, the body portion 221 of the ink cartridge 220 further includes an extension portion 283 . The extension portion 283 extends outwardly from the outer surface of the first flow path tube 240 around the side opening 281 , and the extension portion 283 has a fifth opening 284 and a third flow path 286 formed between the fifth opening 284 and the side opening 281 . The extension portion 283 may be configured to extend obliquely upward from the first flow path tube 240 . In this embodiment, the fifth opening 284 is located on the upper surface of the extension portion 283 . The fifth opening 284 is provided in the longitudinal direction L between the side opening 281 and the first end 223 . That is, the height of the fifth opening 284 is higher than that of the side opening 281 and lower than the height of the first end 223 .

Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of the third flow path 286 on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L is closed and includes at least two end points. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the third flow path 286 on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L may be a semicircle, a polygon, or the like. In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the third flow path 286 on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L is a closed semicircle, and includes two end points, namely the end point P21 and the end point P22.

According to the ink refilling cartridge of the present invention, by setting the side opening on the first flow path pipe, the air pressure in the first flow path and the ink tank body can be balanced, the gas-liquid replacement in the first flow path and the ink tank body can be accelerated, and the air pressure in the first flow path and the ink tank body can be reduced. It is possible to form a meniscus at the second opening during the ink filling process, so as to avoid the phenomenon that the ink replenishment process temporarily stops.

Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field of the present invention. The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific implementations, and are not intended to limit the present invention. Terms such as "component" appearing herein can refer to either a single part or a combination of parts. Terms such as "installed", "provided" and the like appearing herein can mean either the direct attachment of one component to another component or the attachment of one component to another component through an intermediate piece. A feature described herein in one embodiment may be used in another embodiment alone or in combination with other features, unless the feature is not applicable in the other embodiment or stated otherwise.

The present invention has been described by the above-mentioned embodiments, but it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are only for the purpose of illustration and description, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the scope of the described embodiments. In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and more variations and modifications can also be made according to the teachings of the present invention, which all fall within the scope of the present invention. within the scope of protection.

Claims (10)

1. An ink cartridge for injecting ink into an ink tank having an ink injection port, the ink cartridge having a body portion extending in a longitudinal direction, the body portion having a first end and a second end opposite the first end in the longitudinal direction, the body portion comprising:

a first flow path pipe extending in the longitudinal direction and having a first opening, a second opening, and a first flow path formed between the first opening and the second opening, a distance from the first opening to the first end being smaller than a distance from the second opening to the first end; and

a second flow path tube extending in the longitudinal direction and having a third opening, a fourth opening, and a second flow path formed between the third opening and the fourth opening, a distance from the third opening to the first end being smaller than a distance from the fourth opening to the first end being smaller than a distance from the second opening to the first end;

wherein the first flow path tube further has a side opening that communicates with the first flow path and is disposed between the first opening and the second opening in the longitudinal direction.

2. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the side opening is disposed between the second opening and the fourth opening along the longitudinal direction.

3. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein a distance from the side opening to the first end is equal to a distance from the fourth opening to the first end.

4. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the side opening is closed in shape on an outer surface of the first flow path tube and includes at least two end points.

5. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the first flow path tube includes a curved wall portion that extends in the longitudinal direction, and a cross section of an outer surface of the curved wall portion on a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is curved, the side opening being provided on the curved wall portion.

6. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the body portion further includes an extension extending outwardly from an outer surface of the first flow tube around the side opening, the extension having a fifth opening and a third flow path formed between the fifth opening and the side opening.

7. The ink cartridge of claim 6, wherein the fifth opening is disposed between the side opening and the first end along the longitudinal direction.

8. The ink cartridge of claim 6, wherein the third flow path is closed in cross-sectional shape in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction and includes at least two end points.

9. An ink tank for an ink jet printer including a recording portion, characterized by comprising:

an ink tank body, the ink tank body comprising:

an ink reservoir for containing ink to be supplied to the recording portion; and

an ink injection port in communication with the ink reservoir; and

the ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, extending through the ink injection port, the first opening and the third opening each being located outside the ink reservoir, the first flow path communicating with the ink reservoir through the second opening, the second flow path communicating with the ink reservoir through the fourth opening.

10. An ink jet printer characterized by comprising a recording portion and the ink tank according to claim 9.

Images