CN217073787U - Ink box - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model provides an ink box, which comprises a box body capable of containing ink and a locking piece movably arranged in the box body, wherein the locking piece comprises an operation part, an action part and a connecting part which are combined with each other, the connecting part comprises a first connecting part and a second connecting part which are combined with each other, the first connecting part extends along the front-back direction and is positioned below the ink box, and the second connecting part extends along the up-down direction and is positioned behind the ink box; the operating part is positioned at the tail end of the second connecting part far away from the first connecting part, and the acting part is positioned at the tail end of the first connecting part far away from the second connecting part; the utility model discloses a set up the operating portion of locking piece in the rear side upper end of ink horn, separately with the effect portion, accord with user's operation custom, can improve user operation's convenience, promote user's satisfaction, set up the effect portion of locking piece simultaneously and be close to the position of ink outlet at the lower extreme of ink horn, the effect portion is not at the coplanar with ink outlet, when improving the gas tightness of ink horn, also can not cause the interference to ink outlet.

Description

Ink box

Technical Field

The utility model relates to an inkjet formation of image field especially relates to an ink horn that detachably installed in inkjet imaging device.

Background

An ink cartridge for supplying ink to an inkjet image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as "apparatus"), the ink cartridge being detachably mounted to the apparatus, the ink cartridge including a housing and an ink outlet combined with the housing, the housing being capable of accommodating the ink, the ink outlet being located at a front end of the ink cartridge for supplying the ink to the apparatus, the ink cartridge further including a locking member mounted at an upper end of the housing, the locking member being capable of locking the ink cartridge after the ink cartridge is mounted to the apparatus to prevent the ink cartridge from being withdrawn or not being mounted in place, and a problem of poor airtightness may occur between the ink outlet and the apparatus after the ink cartridge is mounted to the apparatus due to the locking member being located away from the ink outlet.

For solving above technical problem, there is an ink horn among the prior art, the locking piece is installed in the bottom of ink horn, the locking piece includes the operating portion and the block portion that combine each other, block portion and equipment butt to make the ink horn locking, the user leaves equipment through pressing down the operating portion so that block portion, the ink horn unblock.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

Because the operating portion is in the bottom of ink horn among the prior art, be not conform to the design rule, the user probably with the ink horn flip-chip in the installation, is difficult to find the operating portion fast moreover and presses the operation dismantling the in-process, consequently this kind of structure ink horn has the design and instructs fuzzy, inconvenient, the relatively poor technical problem of flexibility.

The utility model provides an ink box to solve the inconvenient technical problem of operation, concrete scheme is:

the ink box is detachably mounted to the ink-jet imaging equipment and comprises a box body capable of containing ink and a locking piece movably mounted in the box body, wherein the locking piece comprises an operation part, an action part and a connecting part which are combined with each other, the connecting part comprises a first connecting part and a second connecting part which are combined with each other, the first connecting part extends along the front-back direction and is positioned below the ink box, and the second connecting part extends along the up-down direction and is positioned behind the ink box; the operating portion is located at a distal end of the second connecting portion away from the first connecting portion, and the acting portion is located at a distal end of the first connecting portion away from the second connecting portion, and is combined with the inkjet image forming apparatus when the ink cartridge is mounted.

The ink box also comprises an ink outlet positioned in front of the ink box, the ink box is installed forwards, and the acting part and the ink outlet are not on the same plane.

At least one of the first connecting part and the second connecting part can rotate.

The ink box also comprises an elastic piece movably arranged in the ink box and an opening part positioned below the ink box, one end of the elastic piece is abutted against the box body, the other end of the elastic piece is abutted against the connecting part, and under the action of the elastic force of the elastic piece, the acting part extends out of the opening part.

The ink cartridge further includes a stopper member coupled to the locking member, the stopper member limiting a movement range of the locking member/guiding the locking member to move.

The ink box is provided with the installation department, first connecting portion are provided with by the installation department, the installation department with by installation department clearance fit, first connecting portion can rotate around the installation department.

The ink box further comprises a limiting part arranged at the rear, and the limiting part is in clearance fit with the second connecting part.

The ink box further comprises a hollow part arranged at the rear, the hollow part extends along the vertical direction, the hollow part is sequentially provided with a first opening, a second opening, a third opening and a fourth opening from top to bottom, and one part of the locking piece penetrates through the hollow part.

The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion form a body, a groove is formed in the tail end, close to the second connecting portion, of the first connecting portion, and the tail end, close to the first connecting portion, of the second connecting portion abuts against the groove.

The ink box further comprises a guiding part arranged at the rear, a first baffle and a second baffle which are separated from each other are extended from the box body to the direction far away from the box body in the left-right direction, and the guiding part is positioned between the first baffle and the second baffle.

The locking piece still includes first plug and the second plug be connected with the operation portion, the ink horn still includes first slot and the second slot of relative setting in the left and right sides direction, first plug and first slot cooperation, the second plug and the cooperation of second slot, the operation portion can rotate around first plug and second plug.

The ink box further comprises a first limiting device arranged in the front-back direction and a second limiting device arranged in the up-down direction, the first connecting portion is installed on the first limiting device, and the second connecting portion is installed on the second limiting device.

The ink box is provided with an installation part, the second connecting part is provided with an installed part, the installation part is in clearance fit with the installed part, and the second connecting part can rotate around the installation part.

The ink box further comprises a clamping device acting with the acting part, the clamping device comprises a fixing part, an elastic column, an elastic piece, a sliding part and a clamping part which are sequentially arranged in the up-down direction, the fixing part and the elastic column are integrally formed, the elastic piece is movably sleeved on the elastic column, one end of the elastic piece is abutted to the fixing part, the other end of the elastic piece is abutted to the sliding part, and the sliding part and the clamping part can move in the up-down direction along the elastic column.

As above, the utility model relates to an ink horn sets up the operating portion of locking piece in the rear side upper end of ink horn, and is part with the effect portion, accords with user's operation custom, can improve user operation's convenience, promotes user's satisfaction, sets up the effect portion of locking piece in the position that the lower extreme of ink horn is close to the ink outlet simultaneously, and the effect portion is not in same plane with the ink outlet, when improving the gas tightness of ink horn, also can not cause the interference to the ink outlet.

Drawings

Fig. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a partially exploded view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from left to right, with the cover member hidden.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge case according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge locking member according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 8 is a schematic view of the ink cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from left to right, with the lid member hidden.

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge case according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge cover according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge locking member according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 12 is a schematic view of the ink cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention, as viewed from the left to the right, with the lid member hidden.

Fig. 13A is a schematic view of the state of the locking device of the ink cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention when unlocked.

Fig. 13B is a schematic view showing a state of the locking device of the ink cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention when locked.

Detailed Description

[ EXAMPLES one ]

Fig. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 3 is a partially exploded view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, fig. 4 is a perspective view of a cover member of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 5 is a schematic view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, when viewed from left to right, after the cover member is hidden in the ink cartridge.

For convenience of description, the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge 100 is defined as the front-rear direction, the width direction of the ink cartridge 100 is defined as the left-right direction, the height direction of the ink cartridge 100 is defined as the up-down direction, the front of the ink cartridge 100 is the mounting direction, and the rear of the ink cartridge 100 is the dismounting direction, based on the state of the ink cartridge 100 when mounted.

As shown in fig. 1 to 5, the ink cartridge 100 includes a cover member 10 and a cartridge body 20 coupled to each other, and an ink outlet 21 formed integrally with the cartridge body 20, the cartridge body 20 being provided therein with an ink chamber 22, the ink chamber 22 being available for storing ink, the ink outlet 21 being located in front of the ink cartridge 100 for abutting against an ink suction needle in the apparatus to supply ink to the apparatus. The ink cartridge 100 is further provided with an air vent (not shown) which enables the atmosphere to communicate with the inside of the ink cartridge 100 when an ink suction needle in the apparatus sucks ink after the ink cartridge 100 is mounted to the apparatus, thereby keeping the pressure inside the ink cartridge 100 balanced.

The ink cartridge 100 further includes an opening 30 and a mounting portion 23 disposed below the ink cartridge 100, a locking member 40 movably mounted therein, and an elastic member 80, wherein the locking member 40 is protruded from the opening 30 to be coupled to the apparatus, the mounting portion 23 is engaged with the locking member 40 to allow the locking member 40 to be mounted, the elastic member 80 is used to allow the locking member 40 to be protruded from the opening 30, the opening 30 is located in front of the mounting portion 23 in a front-rear direction, and the locking member 40 is protruded from the opening 30, so that the locking member 40 is closer to the ink outlet 21, which is more advantageous to ensure airtightness of the ink cartridge 100. In the present embodiment, the mounting portion 23 is a protrusion extending from the case 20 in a direction close to the cover 10, and the cover 10 is provided with a groove 11 at a side close to the case 20, and the groove 11 is capable of being engaged with the mounting portion 23. In other embodiments, the mounting portion 23 is provided on the cover 10 and the recess 11 is provided on the case 20. Alternatively, the mounting portion 23 is a through hole/groove provided in the case 20.

The ink cartridge 100 further includes a stopper member (not shown) provided therein for limiting a movement range of the locking member in the longitudinal direction/front-rear direction and the width direction/left-right direction or guiding the locking member to move.

After the ink cartridge 100 is mounted to the apparatus, the locking member 40 abuts against the apparatus, so that the ink cartridge 100 can be fixed to the apparatus, and the ink cartridge 100 is prevented from being removed from the apparatus or being mounted out of position and becoming unusable. The locking member 40 includes an operation portion 41, an action portion 42, and a connection portion 43 coupled to each other, the connection portion 43 is configured to connect the operation portion 41 and the action portion 42, the connection portion 43 includes a first connection portion 431 and a second connection portion 432 that interact with each other, at least one of the first connection portion 431 and the second connection portion 432 is rotatable, the first connection portion 431 extends in a length direction/a front-rear direction of the ink cartridge 100 and is located below the ink cartridge 100, and the second connection portion 432 extends in a height direction/an up-down direction of the ink cartridge and is located behind the ink cartridge 100. In the present embodiment, the first connection portion 431 and the second connection portion 432 are integrally formed, so that the structure is simple and the production is convenient. In other embodiments, the first connection portion 431 and the second connection portion 432 are formed separately.

The operation part 41 is arranged at the end of the second connection part 432 near the upper part of the ink cartridge 100, namely, the operation part 41 is arranged at the end of the second connection part 432 far away from the first connection part 431, and the operation part 41 is used for unlocking the locking member 40 by a user; the rib 411 is arranged at the upper end of the operation part 41, so that the friction force between the hand of a user and the operation part 41 can be increased, and the unlocking operation is more convenient and faster; the operation portion 41 is a rectangular parallelepiped, a square, a cylinder, or another shape with rounded corners, and is not limited herein. The acting part 42 is located at the end of the first connecting part 431 close to the front of the ink cartridge 100, namely, the acting part 42 is located at the end of the first connecting part 431 far away from the second connecting part 432, the acting part 42 extends downwards from the first connecting part 431 in the direction far away from the box body 20, and the acting part 42 can be abutted with the acted part in the device, so that the ink cartridge 100 is locked.

In the height direction/up-down direction, the operation portion 41 and the action portion 42 are respectively located at two ends of the ink cartridge 100, the operation portion 41 is located at the rear end of the ink cartridge 100 and is close to the upper end, so that the installation and the disassembly of a user are convenient, the action portion 42 is located at the lower end of the ink cartridge 100 and is not in the same plane with the ink outlet 21, so that the interference to the ink outlet is avoided, and the action portion 42 is close to the ink outlet 21 at the same time, so that the air tightness of the ink cartridge 100 can be maintained.

The locking member 40 further includes a mounted portion 44 penetrating the first connecting portion 431, the mounted portion 44 is used for matching with the mounting portion 23, the first connecting portion 431/the locking member 40 can rotate around the mounting portion 23, so that the connecting portion 43/the locking member 40 is mounted in the ink cartridge 100, the inner diameter of the mounted portion 44 is larger than the outer diameter of the mounting portion 23, and the flexibility of the structure of the locking member 40 can be enhanced through the clearance matching of the mounted portion 44 and the mounting portion 23. Alternatively, the mounted portion 44 is a projection provided on the first connecting portion 431, and the mounting portion 23 is a through hole/groove.

The locking member 40 further includes a column 45 extending from the first connection portion 431 to a side close to the case 20, and the elastic member 80 is sleeved on the column 45 to prevent the elastic member 80 from displacing during the expansion and contraction process; one end of the elastic member 80 abuts against the case 20 and the other end abuts against the locking member 40, and the acting portion 42 is extended from the opening portion 30 while being held by the elastic force of the elastic member 80; the elastic member 80 may be a member having elasticity such as a spring/torsion spring/rubber.

The ink cartridge 100 further includes a position limiting portion 24 disposed at the rear of the cartridge body 100, and in this embodiment, the position limiting member is the position limiting portion 24, and the position limiting portion 24 is used to be combined with the second connecting portion 432. The limiting part 24 comprises two parts which are oppositely arranged and are respectively arranged on the cover member 10 and the box body 20, the limiting part 24 on the cover member 10 comprises a first limiting part 241 and a second limiting part 241 which are combined with each other, and the limiting part 24 on the box body 20 comprises a third limiting part 243 and a fourth limiting part 244 which are combined with each other; the first and third stopper portions 241 and 243 extend in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction to limit the range of movement of the second connecting portion 432 in the left-right direction, and the second and fourth stopper portions 242 and 244 extend in the up-down direction and the left-right direction to limit the range of movement of the second connecting portion 432 in the front-rear direction. The second connecting portion 432 is in clearance fit with the limiting portion 24, so that the second connecting portion 432 can move more flexibly.

When the ink cartridge 100 is mounted to the apparatus, the acting portion 42 is held by the elastic force of the elastic member 80 to protrude out of the opening portion 30 and abut against the acted portion in the apparatus, so that the locking member 40 rotates about the mounting portion 23, and the column 45 is moved away from the cartridge body 20, with the ink cartridge 100 in the locked state.

When the ink cartridge 100 needs to be taken out, the operation portion 41 is pressed, so that the second connection portion 432 drives the first connection portion 431 to rotate around the installation portion 23, the acting portion 42 is lifted to be away from the acted portion and retract into the opening portion 30, the elastic member 80 is compressed, and the ink cartridge 100 is in an unlocked state.

When the operating portion 41 is pressed, the second connecting portion 432 may rotate in a direction away from the case 20 about the connecting portion of the first connecting portion 431 and the second connecting portion 432, or may move downward in an up-down direction, and then, a pressing force is applied to the first connecting portion 431.

[ example two ]

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge case according to a second embodiment of the present invention, fig. 7 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge locking member according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 8 is a schematic view of the ink cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention, when viewed from left to right, after the cover member is hidden in the ink cartridge.

The difference between the present embodiment and the first embodiment is that, in the present embodiment, the position-limiting portion 24 is eliminated from the box body 20, and the hollow portion 25 is disposed behind the box body 20, and the structure of the locking element 50 in the present embodiment is different from that of the locking element 40 in the first embodiment, specifically as follows:

as shown in fig. 6 to 8, a hollow portion 25 is disposed behind the box body 20, in this embodiment, the limiting member is the hollow portion 25, the hollow portion 25 extends in the height direction/up-down direction, the hollow portion 25 is sequentially provided with a first opening 251, a second opening 252, a third opening 253, and a fourth opening 254 from top to bottom, and a part of the locking member 50 can penetrate through the hollow portion 25, so that the process is simple and the cost can be saved.

The locking member 50 includes an operation portion 51, an action portion 52, and a connection portion 53 combined with each other, the connection portion 53 is used to connect the operation portion 51 and the action portion 52, the connection portion 53 includes a first connection portion 531 and a second connection portion 532 interacting with each other, at least one of the first connection portion 531 and the second connection portion 532 is rotatable, the first connection portion 531 extends in a length direction/front-rear direction of the ink cartridge 100 and is located below the ink cartridge 100, and the second connection portion 532 extends in a height direction/up-down direction of the ink cartridge and is located behind the ink cartridge 100. The first connection portion 531 and the second connection portion 532 may be integrally/separately formed, when the first connection portion 531 and the second connection portion 532 are separately formed, the first connection portion 531 is provided with a groove 5311 at the other end opposite to the action portion 52, the groove 5311 is recessed from one side of the first connection portion 531 facing the second connection portion 532 toward a direction away from the second connection portion 532, the groove 5311 is used for combining with the second connection portion 532, and the structure is simple and convenient to assemble; the second connecting portion 532 passes through the first opening 251, the second opening 252, the third opening 253, and the fourth opening 254 in sequence to abut against the groove 5311, the second connecting portion 532 is movable in the hollow portion 25 in the up-down direction, and the end 5321 of the second connecting portion 532 near the first connecting portion 531 abuts against the groove 5311 to control the movement of the first connecting portion 531.

In other embodiments, the hollow portion 25 has a groove-like structure facing the cover 10, the cover 10 has an avoidance opening or an avoidance groove at a position corresponding to the hollow portion 25, and when the first connection portion 531 and the second connection portion 532 are formed separately, the second connection portion 532 can be directly mounted to the hollow portion 25 from left to right from the ink cartridge 100 in a case where the cover 10 is mounted to the cartridge body 10, which can simplify the assembly process and improve the assembly efficiency.

The operating part 51 is arranged at the end of the second connecting part 532 close to the upper side of the ink cartridge 100, namely, the operating part 51 is arranged at the tail end of the second connecting part 532 far from the first connecting part 531, and the operating part 51 is used for unlocking the locking piece 50 by a user; the acting part 52 is located at the end of the first connecting part 531 near the front of the ink cartridge 100, i.e. the acting part 52 is located at the end of the first connecting part 531 far from the second connecting part 532, the acting part 52 extends downwards from the first connecting part 531 to the direction far from the box body 20, and the acting part 52 can be abutted with the acted part in the device, so as to realize the locking of the ink cartridge 100.

In the height direction/up-down direction, the operation part 51 and the action part 52 are respectively located at two ends of the ink cartridge 100, the operation part 51 is located at the rear end of the ink cartridge 100 and is close to the upper end, so that the installation and the disassembly of a user are convenient, the action part 52 is located at the lower end of the ink cartridge 100 and is not in the same plane with the ink outlet 21, so that the interference to the ink outlet is avoided, and the action part 52 is close to the ink outlet 21 at the same time, so that the air tightness of the ink cartridge 100 can be maintained.

The locking member 50 further includes a mounted portion 54 extending through the first connecting portion 531, the mounted portion 54 is adapted to engage with the mounting portion 23, the first connecting portion 531/locking member 50 is rotatable about the mounting portion 23 to allow the connecting portion 53/locking member 50 to be mounted in the ink cartridge 100, the inner diameter of the mounted portion 54 is greater than the outer diameter of the mounting portion 53, and the mounting portion 54 is in clearance fit with the mounting portion 23 to enhance the flexibility of the structure of the locking member 50. Alternatively, the mounted portion 54 is a protrusion provided at the first connecting portion 531, and the mounting portion 23 is a through hole/groove.

The locking member 50 further includes a column 55 extending from the first connecting portion 531 to a side close to the case 20, and the elastic member 80 is sleeved on the column 55 to prevent the elastic member 80 from shifting during the expansion and contraction process; one end of the elastic member 80 abuts against the case 20 and the other end abuts against the lock member 50, and the action portion 52 is held and extended from the opening portion 30 by the elastic force of the elastic member 80; the elastic member 80 may be a member having elasticity such as a spring/torsion spring/rubber.

When the ink cartridge 100 is mounted to the apparatus, the acting portion 52 is held by the elastic force of the elastic member 80 to protrude out of the opening portion 30 and abut against the acted portion in the apparatus, so that the locking member 50 rotates about the mounting portion 23, and the column 55 moves away from the cartridge body 20, with the ink cartridge 100 in the locked state.

When the ink cartridge 100 needs to be taken out, the operating portion 51 is pressed, so that the second connecting portion 532 moves downward, the second connecting portion 532 pushes the first connecting portion 531 to rotate around the mounting portion 23, the acting portion 52 is lifted away from the acted portion and retracts into the opening portion 30, the elastic member 80 is compressed, and the ink cartridge 100 is in an unlocked state.

[ EXAMPLE III ]

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge case according to a third embodiment of the present invention, fig. 10 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge cover according to a third embodiment of the present invention, fig. 11 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge locking member according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and fig. 12 is a schematic view of an ink cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention, when viewed from left to right, after the cover is hidden in the ink cartridge.

The difference between the present embodiment and the second embodiment is that, in the present embodiment, the hollow portion 25 is eliminated from the case 20, and the guiding portion 26 is disposed behind the case 20, and the structure of the locking member 60 in the present embodiment is different from that of the locking member 50 in the second embodiment, specifically as follows:

as shown in fig. 9 to 12, a guide portion 26 is provided at the rear of the case 20, in this embodiment, the position limiting member is the guide portion 26, a first blocking plate 261 and a second blocking plate 262 separated from each other in the left-right direction extend from the case 20 in a direction away from the case 20, the first blocking plate 261 and the second blocking plate 262 have a plate shape and form an opening at the rear of the case 20, and the guide portion 26 is located between the first blocking plate 261 and the second blocking plate 262 to receive at least a portion of the locking member 60 and guide the locking member 60 to move in the up-down direction.

The latch 60 includes an operation portion 61, an action portion 62, and a connection portion 63 coupled to each other, the connection portion 63 is used to connect the operation portion 61 and the action portion 62, the connection portion 63 includes a first connection portion 631 and a second connection portion 632 that interact with each other, at least one of the first connection portion 631 and the second connection portion 632 is rotatable, the first connection portion 631 extends in a length direction/a front-rear direction of the ink cartridge 100 and is located below the ink cartridge 100, the second connection portion 632 extends in a height direction/an up-down direction of the ink cartridge and is located behind the ink cartridge 100, and the second connection portion 632 is movable along the guide portion 26 in the height direction/the up-down direction; the first connection part 631 and the second connection part 632 may be integrally/separately formed.

The operating part 61 is disposed at an end of the second connecting part 632 near the upper side of the ink cartridge 100, that is, the operating part 61 is located at an end of the second connecting part 632 far from the first connecting part 631, and the operating part 61 is used for a user to unlock the lock 60; the acting part 62 is located at the end of the first connecting part 631 near the front of the ink cartridge 100, i.e. the acting part 62 is located at the end of the first connecting part 631 far from the second connecting part 632, the acting part 62 extends downwards from the first connecting part 631 in the direction far from the cartridge body 20, and the acting part 62 can abut against the acted part in the device, so as to lock the ink cartridge 100.

In the height direction/up-down direction, the operation part 61 and the action part 62 are respectively located at two ends of the ink cartridge 100, the operation part 61 is located at the rear end of the ink cartridge 100 and is close to the upper end, so that the installation and the disassembly of a user are convenient, the action part 62 is located at the lower end of the ink cartridge 100 and is not in the same plane with the ink outlet 21, so that the interference to the ink outlet is avoided, and the action part 62 is close to the ink outlet 21 at the same time, so that the air tightness of the ink cartridge 100 can be kept.

The ink cartridge 100 further includes a first slot 12 and a second slot 27 oppositely disposed in the left-right direction, the first slot 12 being disposed on the cover member 10, the second slot 27 being disposed on the cartridge body 20, the first slot 12 and the second slot 27 being for engagement with the locking member 60.

The locking member 60 further includes a first plug 65 and a second plug 66 connected to the operation portion 61, the first plug 65 and the second plug 66 may be integrally formed and extend in the width direction/left-right direction, the first plug 65 and the second plug 66 may be separately formed, the first plug 65 abuts against the first slot 12, the second plug 66 abuts against the second slot 27, and the first plug 65 and the second plug 66 may rotate in the first slot 12 and the second slot 27, that is, the operation portion 61 may rotate around the first plug 65 and the second plug 66, and when the operation portion 61 moves in the height direction/up-down direction, this structure may be used to restrict the movement of the second connection portion 632 in the width direction/left-right direction, and is simple in structure and convenient to produce.

The locking member 60 further includes a mounted portion 64 penetrating the first connecting portion 631, the mounted portion 64 being adapted to engage with the mounting portion 23, the first connecting portion 631/locking member 60 being rotatable about the mounting portion 23 to allow the connecting portion 63 to be mounted in the ink cartridge 100, the mounted portion 64 having an inner diameter larger than an outer diameter of the mounting portion 63, and the mounting portion 64 being adapted to engage with the mounting portion 23 with a clearance therebetween, thereby enhancing the flexibility of the structure of the locking member 60. Alternatively, the mounted portion 64 is a projection provided at the first connecting portion 631, and the mounting portion 23 is a through hole/groove.

One end of the elastic member 80 abuts on the case 20 and the other end abuts on the lock member 60, and the operating portion 62 is extended from the opening 30 while being held by the elastic force of the elastic member 80.

When the ink cartridge 100 is mounted to the apparatus, the acting portion 62 is held by the elastic force of the elastic member 80 to protrude out of the opening portion 30 and abut against the acted portion in the apparatus, so that the locking member 60 rotates about the mounting portion 23, and the acting portion 62 is away from the cartridge body 20, with the ink cartridge 100 in the locked state.

When the ink cartridge 100 needs to be taken out, the operating portion 61 is pressed to rotate, so that the second connecting portion 632 moves downward, the second connecting portion 632 pushes the first connecting portion 631 to rotate around the mounting portion 23, the acting portion 62 is lifted away from the acted portion and retracts into the opening portion 30, the elastic member 80 is compressed, and the ink cartridge 100 is in an unlocked state.

[ EXAMPLE IV ]

Fig. 13A is a schematic state diagram of the locking device of the ink cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention when unlocked, and fig. 13B is a schematic state diagram of the locking device of the ink cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention when locked.

The difference between the present embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiment is that in the present embodiment, the position-limiting portion 24, the hollow portion 25 and the guiding portion 26 are eliminated from the box body 20, and the structure of the locking member 70 in the present embodiment is different from that in the above-mentioned embodiment, which is as follows:

as shown in fig. 13A and 13B, the ink cartridge 100 includes a first stopper 28 disposed in the longitudinal direction/the front-back direction and a second stopper 29 disposed in the height direction/the up-down direction, in this embodiment, the stopper members are the first stopper 28 and the second stopper 29, the first stopper 28 is located below the ink cartridge 100, the second stopper 29 is located behind the ink cartridge 100, and the first stopper 28 and the second stopper 29 are used to limit the movement of the locking member 70 in the longitudinal direction/the front-back direction and the height direction/the up-down direction.

The locking member 70 includes an operation portion 71, an action portion 72, and a connection portion 74, the connection portion 74 is used to connect the operation portion 71 and the action portion 72, the connection portion 74 includes a first connection portion 741 and a second connection portion 742 that interact with each other, at least one of the first connection portion 741 and the second connection portion 742 is rotatable, the first connection portion 741 extends along a length direction/a front-rear direction of the ink cartridge 100 and is located below the ink cartridge 100, the first connection portion 741 is mounted to the first position limiting device 28, the second connection portion 742 extends along a height direction/a top-bottom direction of the ink cartridge and is located behind the ink cartridge 100, and the second connection portion 742 is mounted to the second position limiting device 29; the second link 742 is provided with a mounted part 73 in a penetrating manner, the ink cartridge 100 is provided with a mounting part (not marked), the mounted part 73 is used for being matched with the mounting part, the second link 742/the locking piece 70 can rotate around the mounting part, the inner diameter of the mounted part 73 is larger than the outer diameter of the mounting part, and the flexibility of the structure of the locking piece 70 can be enhanced through the clearance fit between the mounted part 73 and the mounting part. Alternatively, the mounted portion 73 is a protrusion provided on the second connection portion 742, and the mounting portion is a through hole/groove.

The first connection portion 741 and the second connection portion 742 may be integrally/separately formed, when the first connection portion 741 and the second connection portion 742 are separately formed, a groove 7411 is provided at a rear end of the first connection portion 741, a rear end 7421 of the second connection portion 742 abuts against the groove 7411, and when the operation portion 71 is pressed, the second connection portion 742 is rotatable around the mounting portion and drives the first connection portion 741 to move forward in the front-rear direction.

The operation part 71 is arranged at the end of the second connection part 742 close to the upper side of the ink cartridge 100, namely the operation part 71 is arranged at the end of the second connection part 742 far away from the first connection part 741, and the operation part 71 is used for unlocking the locking piece 70 by a user; the acting portion 72 is located at the front end of the first connecting portion 741 and is inclined upward, that is, the acting portion 72 is located at the end of the first connecting portion 741 away from the second connecting portion 742, and the acting portion 72 is used for acting with the engaging portion 78 to lock/unlock the ink cartridge 100.

In the height direction/up-down direction, the operation part 71 and the action part 72 are respectively positioned at two ends of the ink box 100, the operation part 71 is positioned at the rear end part of the ink box 100 and is close to the upper end part, so that the installation and the disassembly of a user are convenient, the action part 72 is positioned at the lower end part of the ink box 100 and is not in the same plane with the ink outlet 21, so that the interference to the ink outlet is avoided, and the action part 72 is simultaneously close to the ink outlet 21, so that the air tightness of the ink box 100 can be kept.

The locking member 70 further comprises a clamping device (not labeled) acting with the acting part 72, the clamping device comprises a fixing part 75, an elastic column 76 and an elastic part 77 which are sequentially arranged in the height direction/up-down direction, the fixing part 75 and the elastic column 76 are integrally formed, the process is simple, the production is convenient, the elastic part 77 can be movably sleeved on the elastic column 76, one end of the elastic part 77 is abutted against the fixing part 75, and the movement range of the elastic part 77 can be limited; the clamping device also comprises a sliding part 78 and a clamping part 79 which are integrally formed, the sliding part 78 and the clamping part 79 can move up and down along the elastic column 76, the other end of the elastic piece 77 is abutted against the sliding part 78, the diameter of the elastic piece 77 is larger than the diameter of the elastic column 76 and smaller than the maximum diameter of the fixing part 75 and the sliding part 78, and the elastic piece 77 is prevented from falling off so as to keep good elasticity; when the sliding portion 78 abuts against the action portion 72 and the first connecting portion 741 moves forward, the sliding portion 78 moves upward to drive the engaging portion 79 to move upward and retract into the opening 30, and at this time, the elastic member 77 is compressed, and the ink cartridge 100 is in an unlocked state; in other embodiments, the sliding portion 78 may be a through hole penetrating the engaging portion 79.

When the ink cartridge 100 is attached to the apparatus, the engaging portion 79 is held by the elastic force of the elastic member 77 to extend out of the opening portion 30 and abut against the operated portion in the apparatus, and the ink cartridge 100 is in the locked state.

When the ink cartridge 100 needs to be taken out, the operation portion 71 is pressed, the second connection portion 742 rotates around the mounting portion and pushes the first connection portion 741 to move forward, the action portion 72 abuts against the sliding portion 78 and drives the engaging portion 79 to move upward, the engaging portion 79 retracts into the opening portion 30, the elastic member 77 is compressed, and the ink cartridge 100 is in an unlocked state.

The utility model adopts the above technical scheme, set up the operating portion of locking piece in the rear side upper end of ink horn, part with the effect portion, accord with user's operation custom, can improve user operation's convenience, promote user's satisfaction, set up the effect portion of locking piece simultaneously and be close to the position of ink outlet at the lower extreme of ink horn, the effect portion is not in same plane with ink outlet, when improving the gas tightness of ink horn, also can not cause the interference to ink outlet.

Claims (14)

1. An ink cartridge detachably mountable to an inkjet image forming apparatus, including a cartridge body capable of containing ink, a locking member movably mounted in the cartridge body, the locking member including an operation portion, an action portion and a connection portion which are combined with each other,

the connecting part comprises a first connecting part and a second connecting part which are combined with each other, the first connecting part extends along the front-back direction and is positioned below the ink box, and the second connecting part extends along the up-down direction and is positioned behind the ink box;

the operating portion is located at a distal end of the second connecting portion away from the first connecting portion, and the acting portion is located at a distal end of the first connecting portion away from the second connecting portion, and is combined with the inkjet image forming apparatus when the ink cartridge is mounted.

2. The ink container as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an ink outlet port located at a front of the ink container, wherein the ink container is forwardly mounted, and the acting portion is not in the same plane as the ink outlet port.

3. The ink cartridge as in claim 1, wherein at least one of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion is rotatable.

4. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 3, further comprising an elastic member movably provided therein, and an opening portion located below the ink cartridge, wherein one end of the elastic member abuts the cartridge body and the other end abuts the connection portion, and the action portion protrudes from the opening portion under an elastic force of the elastic member.

5. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a stopper member coupled to the locking member, the stopper member limiting a movement range of the locking member/guiding the movement of the locking member.

6. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 4, wherein the ink cartridge is provided with a mounting portion, the first connecting portion is provided with a mounted portion, the mounting portion is in clearance fit with the mounted portion, and the first connecting portion is rotatable about the mounting portion.

7. The ink cartridge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a stopper portion provided at a rear side, the stopper portion being in clearance fit with the second connecting portion.

8. The ink cartridge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a hollow portion provided at a rear side, the hollow portion extending in a vertical direction, the hollow portion being provided with a first opening, a second opening, a third opening, and a fourth opening in this order from top to bottom, and a part of the locking member being provided so as to penetrate the hollow portion.

9. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first connection portion and the second connection portion are formed, the first connection portion is provided with a recess near a distal end of the second connection portion, and the second connection portion abuts against the recess near the distal end of the first connection portion.

10. The ink cartridge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a guide portion provided at a rear portion, wherein a first shutter and a second shutter which are separated from each other extend in a left-right direction from the cartridge body in a direction away from the cartridge body, the guide portion being located between the first shutter and the second shutter.

11. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 10, wherein the locking member further comprises a first plug and a second plug connected to the operation part, the ink cartridge further comprises a first insertion groove and a second insertion groove oppositely arranged in a left-right direction, the first plug is engaged with the first insertion groove, the second plug is engaged with the second insertion groove, and the operation part is rotatable around the first plug and the second plug.

12. The ink cartridge as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a first stopper provided in a front-rear direction and a second stopper provided in a vertical direction, wherein the first connecting part is attached to the first stopper and the second connecting part is attached to the second stopper.

13. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 12, wherein the ink cartridge is provided with a mounting portion, the second connecting portion is provided with a mounted portion, the mounting portion is in clearance fit with the mounted portion, and the second connecting portion is rotatable about the mounting portion.

14. The ink cartridge as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a locking device for engaging with the action portion, wherein the locking device comprises a fixing portion, an elastic post, an elastic member, a sliding portion and a locking portion sequentially arranged in an up-down direction, the fixing portion is integrally formed with the elastic post, the elastic member is movably sleeved on the elastic post, one end of the elastic member abuts against the fixing portion, the other end of the elastic member abuts against the sliding portion, and the sliding portion and the locking portion are movable in the up-down direction along the elastic post.

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