EP1122077B1 - Auswechselbarer Tintenbehälter in einem Tintenstrahldrucksystem - Google Patents

Auswechselbarer Tintenbehälter in einem Tintenstrahldrucksystem Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1122077B1
EP1122077B1 EP01300874A EP01300874A EP1122077B1 EP 1122077 B1 EP1122077 B1 EP 1122077B1 EP 01300874 A EP01300874 A EP 01300874A EP 01300874 A EP01300874 A EP 01300874A EP 1122077 B1 EP1122077 B1 EP 1122077B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink container
receiving station
replaceable ink
ink
replaceable
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP01300874A
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English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1122077A3 (de
EP1122077A2 (de
Inventor
Dale King
Scott D. Sturgeon
David C. Johnson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
HP Inc
Original Assignee
Hewlett Packard Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US09/496,169 external-priority patent/US6508547B2/en
Application filed by Hewlett Packard Co filed Critical Hewlett Packard Co
Publication of EP1122077A2 publication Critical patent/EP1122077A2/de
Publication of EP1122077A3 publication Critical patent/EP1122077A3/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1122077B1 publication Critical patent/EP1122077B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to ink containers for providing ink to inkjet printers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for inserting and removing ink containers from a receiving station within an inkjet printer.
  • Inkjet printers frequently make use of an inkjet printhead mounted within a carriage that is moved relative to a print media, such as paper.
  • a control system activates the printhead to deposit or eject ink droplets onto the print media to form images and text.
  • Ink is provided to the printhead by a supply of ink that is either integral with the printhead, as in the case of a disposable print cartridge, or by a supply of ink that is replaceable separate from the printhead.
  • ink supply that is carried with the carriage.
  • This ink supply has been formed integral with the printhead, whereupon the entire printhead and ink supply are replaced when ink is exhausted.
  • the ink supply can be carried with the carriage and be separately replaceable from the printhead.
  • the ink supply is replaced when exhausted.
  • the printhead is then replaced at the end of printhead life. Regardless of where the ink supply is located within the printing system, it is critical that the ink supply provides a reliable supply of ink to the inkjet printhead.
  • inkjet printing systems that make use of replaceable ink containers that are easy to install and remove.
  • the installation of the ink container should produce reliable fluidic connection to the printer.
  • These ink containers should be relatively easy to manufacture, thereby tending to reduce the ink supply cost. Reduction of the ink supply cost tends to reduce the per page printing costs of the printing system.
  • these ink containers should bc compact and configured to be inserted into the inkjet printing system to maintain a relatively small overall height of the printing system allowing a low profile printing system.
  • EP 0 829 363 A2 discloses an ink container, containing different inks for recording, detachably mountable in an opening of an ink container holder.
  • the ink container includes a claw-like projection for engagement with a first hole provided in an inner surface of the opening adjacent one end thereof; a latch claw for engagement with a second hole provided in an inner surface of the opening adjacent the other end thereof, the latch claw being provided on a latch lever resiliently supported on the ink container; a projection corresponding to a guiding member provided on an inside of each of side walls of the container holder, which side walls connect the one end and the other end of the ink container holder, the projection being provided on each lateral side at a front portion in a mounting direction of the ink container; wherein the ink container is mounted in the ink container holder by rotating the ink container after being guided by the guiding members; a plurality of ink supply ports in a bottom surface, wherein at least one portion between two of the ink supply ports is provided with a groove
  • US-A-5,841,453 discloses an ink jetting apparatus including an ink container which contains an ink therein and has an ink outlet through which the ink container supplies the ink, an ink-jetting head which jets the ink supplied from the ink container, and a head holder which supports the ink-jetting head and which includes a connecting device connecting between the ink-jetting head and the ink outlet of the ink container detachably attached to the head holder, the ink container including at least one first engageable portion provided in a head-side portion thereof which is connectable to the ink-jetting head by the connecting device of the head holder, the ink outlet being provided in the head-side portion, the head holder including at least one second engageable portion which is engageable with the first engageable portion of the ink container, respective shapes and positions of the first and second engageable portions being predetermined such that the ink container is rotatable relative to the head holder about the engaged first and second engageable portions, so that the ink container is attachable to
  • EP 0 847 866 A2 relates to an ink-supply tank for an ink-jet type recording unit which comprises an unitary ink tank housing formed as a single disposable unit and adapted for mounting in and removal from the recording unit, said ink-supply tank being formed with at least one ink-supply section having an ink-supply delivery port, and at least one positioning member projecting from an edge of one wall of said ink tank housing, said positioning member being engageable with a first part of the recording unit at least when said ink tank housing is mounting in and removing from the recording unit.
  • EP 0 879 703 A2 discloses an ink container for containing ink to be supplied to an ink jet head to which the ink container is detachably mountable, includes an ink supply port for supplying the ink to the ink jet head; an air vent for fluid communication with ambience; a claw-like projection provided on a first side of the ink container; a latching lever provided on a second side opposite from the ink container, the latching lever being resiliently supported on the ink container and having a latching claw.
  • the inkjet printing system has a receiving station mounted to a scanning carriage.
  • the receiving station has a fluid inlet and a pair of guide rails extending along either side of the fluid inlet.
  • the replaceable ink container includes a fluid outlet configured for connection to the fluid inlet associated with the receiving station.
  • a pair of outwardly extending guide rail engagement features are so disposed and arranged on the replaceable ink container for engagement with each of the pair of guide rails to guide the replaceable ink container in both horizontal and vertical directions into the receiving station.
  • the pair of outwardly extending guide rail engagement features and the pair of guide rails cooperate to align the fluid outlet with the fluid inlet to establish fluid communication between the ink container and the receiving station.
  • Another aspect of the present invention is the guide features associated with the receiving station guide, the replaceable ink container first in a linear motion inwardly toward a backwall of the receiving station then in both an inward and downward motion toward the backwall and downwardly into the receiving station.
  • Yet another aspect of the present invention is a plurality of electrical contacts electrically connected to an electrical storage device.
  • the ink container guide features are so disposed and arranged to engage the receiving station guide features to guide the replaceable ink container in first a linear direction toward a backwall then in a direction toward both the backwall and a bottom surface of the receiving station.
  • the guide features on the ink container cooperate with the guide features associated with the receiving station to align the fluid outlet with the fluid inlet and to align the plurality of electrical contacts on the replaceable ink container with the plurality of electrical contacts on the replaceable ink container to establish both electrical and fluid connection between the ink container and the receiving station.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a printing system 10 shown with its cover open, that includes at least one replaceable ink container 12 that is installed in a receiving station 14. With the replaceable ink container 12 properly installed into the receiving portion 14, ink is provided from the replaceable ink container 12 to at least one inkjet printhead 16.
  • the inkjet printhead 16 is responsive to activation signals from a printer portion 18 to deposit ink on print media. As ink is ejected from the printhead 16, the printhead 16 is replenished with ink from the ink container 12.
  • the replaceable ink container 12, receiving station 14, and inkjet printhead 16 are each part of a scanning carriage that is moved relative to a print media 22 to accomplish printing.
  • the printer portion 18 includes a media tray for receiving the print media 22. As the print media 22 is stepped through a print zone, the scanning carriage 20 moves the printhead 16 relative to the print media 22: The printer portion 18 selectively activates the printhead 16 to deposit ink on print media 22 to thereby accomplish printing.
  • the scanning carriage 20 is moved through the print zone on a scanning mechanism which includes a slide rod 26 on which the scanning carriage 20 slides as the scanning carriage 20 moves through a scan axis.
  • a positioning means (not shown) is used for precisely positioning the scanning carriage 20.
  • a paper advance mechanism (not shown) is used to step the print media 22 through the print zone as the scanning carriage 20 is moved along the scan axis.
  • Electrical signals are provided to the scanning carriage 20 for selectively activating the printhead 16 by means of an electrical link such as a ribbon cable 28.
  • An important aspect of the present invention is the method and apparatus for inserting the ink container 12 into the receiving station 14 such that the ink container 12 forms proper fluidic and electrical interconnect with the printer portion 18. It is essential that both proper fluidic and electrical connection be established between the ink container 12 and the printer portion 18.
  • the fluidic interconnection allows a supply of ink within the replaceable ink container 12 to be fluidically coupled to the printhead 16 for providing a source of ink to the printhead 16.
  • the electrical interconnection allows information to be passed between the replaceable ink container 12 and the printer portion 18.
  • Information passed between the replaceable ink container 12 and the printer portion 18 includes, for example, information related to the compatibility of replaceable ink container with printer portion 18 and operation status information such as ink level information.
  • the method and apparatus of the present invention depict those features which allow the replaceable ink container 12 to be inserted into the receiving station 14 in such a manner that reliable electrical and fluidic connection is established between the replaceable ink container 12 and the receiving station 14.
  • the method and apparatus of the present invention allows for the insertion and removal of the replaceable printing component 12 from the printer portion 18 in a reliable fashion while allowing the overall height of the printer portion 18, represented by dimension designated as "h" in Fig. 1 to be a relatively small dimension, thereby providing a relatively low profile printing system 10. It is important that the printing system 10 have a low profile to provide a more compact printing system as well as to allow the printer portion to be used in a variety of printing applications.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the scanning carriage 20 showing a pair of replaceable ink containers 12 properly installed in the receiving station 14.
  • An inkjet printhead 16 is in fluid communication with the receiving station 14.
  • the inkjet printing system 10 shown in Fig. I includes a tri-color ink container containing three separate ink colors and a second ink container containing a single ink color.
  • the tri-color ink container contains cyan, magenta, and yellow inks
  • the single color ink container contains black ink for accomplishing four-color printing.
  • the replaceable ink containers 12 can be partitioned differently to contain fewer than three ink colors or more than three ink colors if more are required. For example, in the case of high fidelity printing, frequently six or more colors are used to accomplish printing.
  • the receiving station 14 shown in Fig. 2 is shown fluidically coupled to a single printhead 16 for simplicity.
  • four inkjet printheads 16 are each fluidically coupled to the receiving station 14.
  • each of the four printheads are fluidically coupled to each of the four colored inks contained in the replaceable ink containers.
  • the cyan, magenta, yellow and black printheads 16 are each coupled to their corresponding cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink supplies, respectively.
  • Other configurations which make use of fewer printheads than four are also possible.
  • the printhead 16 can be configured to print more than one ink color by properly partitioning the printhead 16 to allow a first ink color to be provided to a first group of ink nozzles and a second ink color to be provided to a second group of ink nozzles, with the second group of ink nozzles different from the first group.
  • a single printhead 16 can be used to print more than one ink color allowing fewer than four printheads 16 to accomplish four-color printing.
  • the fluidic path between each of the replaceable ink containers 12 and the printhead 16 will be discussed in more detail with respect to Fig. 3.
  • Each of the replaceable ink containers 12 include a latch 30 for securing the replaceable ink container 12 to the receiving station 14.
  • the receiving station 14 in the preferred embodiment includes a set of keys 32 that interact with corresponding keying features (not shown) on the replaceable ink container 12.
  • the keying features on the replaceable ink container 12 interact with the keys 32 on the receiving station 14 to ensure that the replaceable ink container 12 is compatible with the receiving station 14.
  • Fig. 3 is a side plan view of the scanning carriage portion 20 shown in Fig. 2.
  • the scanning carriage portion 20 includes the ink container 12 shown properly installed into the receiving station 14, thereby establishing fluid communication between the replaceable ink container 12 and the printhead 16.
  • the replaceable ink container 12 includes a reservoir portion 34 for containing one or more quantities of ink.
  • the tri-color replaceable ink container 12 has three separate ink containment reservoirs, each containing ink of a different color.
  • the monochrome replaceable ink container 12 is a single ink reservoir 34 for containing ink of a single color.
  • the reservoir 34 has a capillary storage member (not shown) disposed therein.
  • the capillary storage member is a porous member having sufficient capillarity to retain ink to prevent ink leakage from the reservoir 34 during insertion and removal of the ink container 12 from the printing system 10. This capillary force must be sufficiently great to prevent ink leakage from the ink reservoir 34 over a wide variety of environmental conditions such as temperature and pressure changes.
  • the capillarity of the capillary member is sufficient to retain ink within the ink reservoir 34 for all orientations of the ink reservoir as well as a reasonable amount of shock and vibration the ink container may experience during normal handling.
  • the preferred capillary storage member is a network of heat bonded polymer fibers described in US Patent 6,460,985 entitled "Ink Reservoir for an Inkjet Printer" filed on October 29, 1999, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
  • the ink container 12 is fluidically coupled to the printhead 16 by way of fluid interconnect 36.
  • ink is ejected from the ejection portion 38 producing a negative gauge pressure, sometimes referred to as backpressure, within the printhead 16.
  • This negative gauge pressure within the printhead 16 is sufficient to overcome the capillary force, retaining within the capillary member disposed within the ink reservoir 34.
  • Ink Is drawn by this backpressure from the replaceable ink container 12 to the printhead 16. In this manner, the printhead 16 is replenished with ink provided by the replaceable ink container 12.
  • the fluid interconnect 36 is preferably an upstanding ink pipe that extends upwardly into the ink container 12 and downwardly to the inkjet printhead 16.
  • the fluid interconnect 36 is shown greatly simplified in Fig. 3.
  • the fluid interconnect 36 is a manifold that allows for offset in the positioning of the printheads 16 along the scan axis, thereby allowing the printhead 16 to be placed offset from the corresponding replaceable ink container 12.
  • the fluid interconnect 36 extends into the reservoir 34 to compress the capillary member, thereby forming a region of increased capillarity adjacent the fluid interconnect 36. This region of increased capillarity tends to draw ink toward the fluid interconnect 36, thereby allowing ink to flow through the fluid interconnect 36 to the printhead 16.
  • the ink container 12 be properly positioned within the receiving station 14 such that proper compression of the capillary member is accomplished when the ink container 12 is inserted into the receiving station. Proper compression of the capillary member is necessary to establish a reliable flow of ink from the ink container 12 to the printhead 16.
  • the replaceable ink container 12 further includes a guide feature 40, an engagement feature 42, a handle 44 and a latch feature 30 that allow the ink container 12 to be inserted into the receiving station 14 to achieve reliable fluid interconnection with the printhead 16 as well as form reliable electrical interconnection between the replaceable ink container 12 and the scanning carriage 20 as will be discussed with respect to Figs. 7a-7c and 8a-8b.
  • the receiving station 14 includes a guide rail 46, an engagement feature 48 and a latch engagement feature 50.
  • the guide rail 46 cooperates with the guide rail engagement feature 40 and the replaceable ink container 12 to guide the ink container 12 into the receiving station 14.
  • the engagement feature 42 associated with the replaceable ink container engages the engagement feature 48 associated with the receiving station 14, securing a front end or a leading end of the replaceable ink container 12 to the receiving station 14.
  • the ink container 12 is then pressed downward to compress a spring biasing member 52 associated with the receiving station 14 until a latch engagement feature 50 associated with the receiving station 14 engages a hook feature 54 associated with the latch member 30 to secure a back end or trailing end of the ink container 12 to the receiving station 14. It is the cooperation of the features on the ink container 12 with the features associated with the receiving station 14 that allow proper insertion and functional interfacing between the replaceable ink container 12 and the receiving station 14.
  • the receiving station 14 will now be discussed in more detail with respect to Fig. 4.
  • Fig. 4 is a front perspective view of the ink receiving station 14 shown in isolation.
  • the receiving station 14 shown in Fig. 4 includes a monochrome bay 56 for receiving an ink container 12 containing a single ink color and a tri-color bay 58 for receiving an ink container having three separate ink colors contained therein.
  • the monochrome bay 56 receives a replaceable ink container 12 containing black ink
  • the tri-color bay receives a replaceable ink container containing cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, each partitioned into a separate reservoir within the ink container 12.
  • the receiving station 14 as well as the replaceable ink container 12 can have other arrangements of bays 56 and 58 for receiving ink containers containing different numbers of distinct inks contained therein.
  • the number of receiving bays 56 and 58 for the receiving station 14 can be fewer or greater than two.
  • a receiving station 14 can have four separate bays for receiving four separate monochrome ink containers 12 with each ink container containing a separate ink color to accomplish four-color printing.
  • Each bay 56 and 58 of the receiving station 14 includes an aperture 60 for receiving the upright fluid interconnect 36 that extends therethrough.
  • the fluid interconnect 36 is a fluid inlet for ink to exit a corresponding fluid outlet associated with the ink container 12.
  • An electrical interconnect 62 is also included in each receiving bay 56 and 58.
  • the electrical interconnect 62 includes a plurality of electrical contacts 64.
  • the electrical contacts are an arrangement of four spring-loaded electrical contacts with proper installation of the replaceable ink container 12 into the corresponding bay of the receiving station 14. Proper engagement with each of the electrical connectors 62 and fluid interconnects 36 must be established in a reliable manner.
  • the engagement features 48 are disposed on either side of the electrical interconnect 62.
  • a biasing means 52 such as a leaf spring is disposed within the receiving station 14.
  • the leaf spring 52 provides a biasing force which tends to urge the ink container 12 upward from a bottom surface 68 of the receiving station 14.
  • the leaf spring aids in the latching of the ink container 12 to the receiving station 14 as well as aiding the removal of the ink container 12 from the receiving station as will be discussed with respect to Figs. 8 and 9.
  • Figs. 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d show front plan, side plan, back plan, and bottom plan views, respectively, of the replaceable ink container 12 ofthe present invention.
  • the replaceable ink container 12 includes a pair of outwardly projecting guide rail engagement features 40.
  • each of these guide rail engagement features extend outwardly in a direction orthogonal to upright side 70 of the replaceable ink container 12.
  • the engagement features 42 extend outwardly from a front surface or leading edge of the ink container 72.
  • the engagement features 42 are disposed on either side of an electrical interface 74 and are disposed toward a bottom surface 76 of the replaceable ink container 12.
  • the electrical interface 74 includes a plurality of electrical contacts 78, with each of the electrical contacts 78 electrically connected to an electrical storage device 80.
  • the trailing end 82 of the replaceable ink container 12 includes the latch feature 30 having an engagement hook 54.
  • the latch feature 30 is formed of a resilient material which allows the latch feature to extend outwardly from the trailing end thereby extending the engagement feature outwardly toward the corresponding engagement feature associated with the receiving station 14. As will be discussed as the latch member 30 is compressed inwardly toward the trailing end 82, the latch member exerts a biasing force outwardly in order to ensure the engagement feature 54 remains in engagement with the corresponding engagement feature 50 associated with the receiving station 14 to secure the ink container 12 into the receiving station 14.
  • the replaceable ink container 12 also includes keys 84 disposed on the trailing end of the replaceable ink container 12.
  • the keys are preferably disposed on either side of the latch 30 toward the bottom surface 76 of the replaceable ink container 12.
  • the keys 84, together with keying features 32 on the receiving station 14, interact to ensure the ink container 12 is inserted in the correct bay 56 and 58 in the receiving station 14.
  • the keys 84 and the keying features 32 ensure that the replaceable ink container 12 contains ink that is compatible both in color and in chemistry or compatability with the corresponding receiving bay 56 and 58 within the receiving station 14.
  • the handle portion 44 disposed on a top surface 86 at the trailing edge 82 of the replaceable ink container 12.
  • the handle 44 allows the ink container 12 to be grasped at the trailing edge 82 while inserted into the appropriate bay of the receiving station 14.
  • the ink container 12 includes apertures 88 disposed on the bottom surface 76 of the replaceable ink container 12.
  • the apertures 88 allow the fluid interconnect 36 to extend through the reservoir 34 to engage the capillary member disposed therein.
  • there are three fluid outlets 88 with each fluid outlet corresponding to a different ink color.
  • each of three fluid interconnects 36 extend into each of the fluid outlets 88 to provide fluid communication between each ink chamber and the corresponding print head for that ink color.
  • Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a monochrome ink container positioned for insertion into the monochrome bay 56 in the receiving station 14 shown in Fig. 4.
  • the monochrome ink container shown in Fig. 6 is similar to the tri-color ink container shown in Figs. 5a through 5d except that only a single fluid outlet 88 is provided in the bottom surface 76.
  • the monochrome replaceable ink container 12 contains a single ink color and therefore receives only a single corresponding fluid interconnect 36 for providing ink from the ink container 12 to the corresponding printhead.
  • Fig. 7a, 7b, and 7c is a sequence of figures to illustrate the technique of the present invention for inserting the replaceable ink container 12 into the receiving station 14 to form reliable electrical and fluidic connections with the receiving station 14.
  • Fig. 7a shows the ink container 12 partially inserted into the receiving station 14.
  • the ink container 12 is inserted into the receiving station 14 by grasping the handle portion 44 and inserting the ink container into the receiving station with the leading edge or leading face 72 first.
  • the outwardly extending guide members 40 on the ink container engage each of the pair of guide rails 46.
  • the guide rails 46 guide the ink container 12 in a horizontal or linear motion toward the back wall 66 of the receiving station 14.
  • the guide rails 46 then guide the replaceable ink container in both a horizontal direction toward the back wall 66 and a vertical direction toward the bottom surface of the receiving station 14 such that the engagement feature 42 on the ink container 12 is received by a corresponding engagement feature 48 on the back wall 66 of the receiving station 14 as shown in Fig. 7b.
  • the insertion of the ink container 12 requires only an insertion force to urge the ink container linearly along the guide rail 46.
  • the gravitational force acting on the ink container 12 tends to cause the ink container to follow the guide rails 46 as the guide rails extend in a downward direction to allow engagement of engagement features 42 and 48.
  • the guide rail engagement features 40 are preferably gently rounded surfaces to slide freely along the guide rails 46.
  • Fig. 7b shows the ink container 12 inserted into the receiving station 14 such that the engagement feature 42 is in engagement with the engagement feature 48 associated with the receiving station 14.
  • a downward force is applied to the ink container 12 as represented by arrows 90 to compress the leaf spring 52 and to urge the trailing end 82 of the ink container 12 downwardly toward the bottom surface 68 of the receiving station 14.
  • the keys 84 must properly correspond to the keying feature 32 on the receiving station 14. If the keys 84 on the ink container 12 do not correspond to the keying features 32, the keying system will prevent further insertion of the ink container 12 into the receiving station 14.
  • This keying system made up of keys 84 and the keying features 32 prevent ink containers that are not compatible with the receiving station 14 be prevented from further insertion into the receiving station 14.
  • the ink container 12 can have an incompatible color which can result in color mixing, thereby reducing the output print quality.
  • the keys 84 on the ink container 12 and the keying features 32 on the receiving station 14 allow for the complete insertion of the proper ink container 12 into the proper receiving station 14.
  • the downward force applied to the trailing end 82 of the ink container 12 causes the ink container 12 to pivot about a pivot axis compressing the leaf spring 52, thereby moving the trailing edge 82 of the ink container 12 toward the bottom surface 68 of the receiving station 14.
  • the resilient latch 30 is compressed slightly inward toward the trailing edge 82 of the ink container 12.
  • the engagement feature 54 on the latch 30 engages with a corresponding engagement feature 50 on the receiving station 14 to secure the ink container 12 to the receiving station 14 as shown in Fig. 7c.
  • the fluid interconnect 36 extends into the reservoir 34 to compress the capillary member, thereby forming a region of increased capillarity adjacent the fluid interconnect 36.
  • This region of increased capillarity tends to draw ink toward the fluid interconnect 36, thereby allowing ink to flow through the fluid interconnect 36 to the printhead 16.
  • the ink container 12 when inserted into the receiving station 14 is oriented in a gravitational frame of reference so that a gravitational force acts on ink within the ink container 12 tending to draw ink toward the bottom surface 76 of the ink container 12.
  • ink within the ink container 12 is drawn to the bottom surface 76 where this ink is drawn toward the fluid interconnect 36 by capillary attraction thereby tending to reduce or minimize stranding of ink within the ink container 12.
  • Figs 8a and 8b illustrate a position in the insertion process described with respect to Figs. 7a, 7b and 7c wherein the leading edge 72 of the ink container 12 is positioned over the fluid interconnect 36.
  • Fig. 8a depicts a side view with Fig. 8b showing an end view. It can be seen from Figs. 8a and 8b that the guide feature 40 must be positioned on the ink container 12 low enough toward the bottom surface 76 of the ink container 12 such that the leading edge 72 of the ink container does not collide the fluid interconnect 36 during insertion. Another constraint on the positioning of the guide member 40 is that the guide member 40 must be positioned sufficiently close to the top surface 86 of the ink container 12 to insure that the engagement feature 42 properly engages with the corresponding engagement feature 42 on the receiving station 14.
  • outwardly extending guide members 40 on the ink container must extend outward sufficiently far to engage the guide rails 46.
  • the outwardly extending guide members 40 should not extend too far outward such that the guide members 40 engage the upright sides in the receiving station 14, producing interference which produces friction and binding which resists insertion of the ink container 12 into the receiving station 14.
  • Figs. 9a, 9b, and 9c illustrate the technique for removing the ink container 12 from the receiving station 14.
  • the technique for removing the ink container 12 of the present invention begins with the release ofthe engagement feature from the corresponding engagement feature 50 on the receiving station 14 by urging the latch 30 toward the trailing surface 82. Once the trailing edge of the ink container 12 is released, the spring 52 urges the trailing edge of the ink container upward as shown in Fig. 9b.
  • the ink container 12 can be grasped by handle 44 to retrieve the ink container 12 in a direction opposite the insertion direction.
  • the guide member 40 follows the guide rails 46 to lift the ink container, thereby preventing interference between the fluid interconnect 36 and the fluid outlet on the bottom surface of the ink container 12.
  • the ink container 12 of the present invention is configured to engage and interact with the receiving station 14 to guide the ink container 12 into the receiving station and for a reliable fluid and electrical connection with the receiving station 14.
  • the technique of the present invention allows this insertion process to be relatively simple and easy to prevent improper insertion of the ink container 12.
  • the customer grasps the ink container 12 by the handle portion 44 and slides the ink container 12 horizontally into the receiving station 14.
  • the guide rails 46 and guide features 40 cooperate to properly guide the ink container 12 into the receiving station 14.
  • the ink container 12 is pressed downwardly to latch the ink container 12 and achieve operational interconnection both electrically and fluidically between the ink container 12 and the receiving station 14.

Claims (17)

  1. Eine Vorrichtung zum Liefern von Tinte an ein Tintenstrahldrucksystem, wobei die Vorrichtung einen austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) und eine Aufnahmestation (14) umfasst, die an einem beweglichen Wagen (20) des Tintenstrahldrucksystems befestigt sind,
    wobei die Aufnahmestation (14) eine Mehrzahl von entsprechenden elektrischen Kontakten (62), einen Fluideinlass (36) und ein Paar von Führungsschienen (46) umfasst, die sich entlang jeder Seite des Fluideinlasses (36) erstrecken; und
    wobei der austauschbare Tintenbehälter folgende Merkmale umfasst:
    ein Gehäuse mit einer Vorderkante (72) und einer Hinterkante (82) relativ zu einer Einfügungsrichtung des austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) in die Aufnahmestation (14), und einer Unteroberfläche (76);
    einen Fluidauslass (88), der auf der Unteroberfläche (76) definiert ist und konfiguriert ist für eine Verbindung mit dem Fluideinlass (36), der der Aufnahmestation (14) zugeordnet ist;
    eine Mehrzahl von elektrischen Kontakten (74), die auf der Vorderkante (72) des austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) angeordnet sind und konfiguriert sind für eine Verbindung mit der Mehrzahl von entsprechenden elektrischen Kontakten (62), die auf der Aufnahmestation (14) angeordnet sind; und
    ein Paar von sich nach außen erstreckenden Führungsschieneneingriffnahmemerkmalen (40), wobei jedes des Paars von Führungsschieneneingriffnahmemerkmalen (40) angebracht und angeordnet ist für eine Eingriffnahme mit jeder des Paars von Führungsschienen (46),
    wobei das Paar von Führungsschienen (46) gebildet ist, um den austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) in die Aufnahmestation (14) zu führen, zuerst nur in einer horizontalen Richtung, dann sowohl in der horizontalen Richtung als auch in einer vertikalen Richtung, und schließlich in der horizontalen Richtung, um den Fluidauslass (88) mit dem Fluideinlass (36) auszurichten, um eine Fluidkommunikation zwischen dem Tintenbehälter (12) und der Aufnahmestation (14) herzustellen, und um jeden der Mehrzahl von elektrischen Kontakten (74) des austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) mit jedem der Mehrzahl von elektrischen Kontakten (62) auszurichten, die auf der Aufnahmestation (14) angeordnet sind, um eine elektrische Kommunikation zwischen dem Tintenbehälter (12) und der Aufnahmestation (14) herzustellen.
  2. Die Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der das Paar von sich nach außen erstreckenden Führungsschieneneingriffnahmemerkmalen (40) sich orthogonal von einer Oberfläche des austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) erstreckt.
  3. Die Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der die Aufnahmestation (14) ein Eingriffnahmemerkmal (48) aufweist,
    wobei die Vorderkante (72) des austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) zumindest ein Eingriffnahmemerkmal (42) umfasst, und wobei das Paar von sich nach außen erstreckenden Führungsschieneneingriffnahmemerkmalen (40) ausreichend niedrig auf dem austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) positioniert ist, um eine Kollision zwischen dem austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) und dem Fluideinlass (36) während der Einfügung zu verhindern, und das Paar von sich nach außen erstreckenden Führungsschieneneingriffnahmemerkmalen (40) ausreichend hoch auf dem austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) positioniert ist, um sicherzustellen, dass zumindest ein Eingriffnahmemerkmal (42), das auf der Vorderkante (72) angeordnet ist, ordnungsgemäß Eingriff nimmt mit einem Eingriffnahmemerkmal (48), das der Aufnahmestation (14) zugeordnet ist.
  4. Die Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 3, bei der das Eingriffnahmemerkmal ein Hakenmerkmal ist, das sich von der Vorderkante (72) nach außen erstreckt.
  5. Die Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der sich das Paar von sich nach außen erstreckenden Führungsschieneneingriffnahmemerkmalen (40) in einer Richtung orthogonal zu der Einfügungsrichtung erstreckt.
  6. Die Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der die Aufnahmestation (14) entsprechende Eingriffnahmemerkmale (48) und ein entsprechendes Verriegelungsmerkmal (50) umfasst, und wobei der austauschbare Tintenbehälter (14) ferner folgende Merkmale umfasst:
    ein Eingriffnahmemerkmal (42), das auf der Vorderkante (72) angeordnet ist, wobei das Eingriffnahmemerkmal (42) konfiguriert ist, um entsprechende Eingriffnahmemerkmale (48), die der Aufnahmestation (14) zugeordnet sind, in Eingriff zu nehmen; und
    ein Verriegelungsmerkmal (54), das auf der Hinterkante (82) angeordnet ist, wobei das Verriegelungsmerkmal (54) konfiguriert ist, um ein entsprechendes Verriegelungsmerkmal (50) auf der Aufnahmestation (14) in Eingriff zu nehmen, um den austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) an der Aufnahmestation (14) zu befestigen.
  7. Die Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 6, bei der die Einfügung des austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) in die Aufnahmestation (14) das Eingriffnahmemerkmal (42) auf dem austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) mit dem Eingriffnahmemerkmal (48) auf der Aufnahmestation (14) in Eingriff bringt, wobei, wenn das Eingriffnahmemerkmal (42) auf dem austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) mit den entsprechenden Eingriffnahmemerkmalen (48) auf der Aufnahmestation (14) in Eingriff ist, der austauschbare Tintenbehälter (12) um eine Schwenkachse geschwenkt wird, um das Verriegelungsmerkmal (54) mit dem entsprechenden Verriegelungsmerkmal (50) auf der Aufnahmestation (14) in Eingriff zu bringen.
  8. Die Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 6, bei der die Aufnahmestation (14) eine Feder (52) umfasst zum Vorspannen der Hinterkante (82) des austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) in einer Richtung weg von der Aufnahmestation (14).
  9. Die Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 6, bei der die Aufnahmestation (14) eine Feder (52) umfasst zum Vorspannen der Hinterkante (82) des austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) in einer Richtung weg von der Aufnahmestation (14), und wobei das Verriegelungsmerkmal (54) auf dem austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) konfiguriert ist, so dass, wenn dasselbe mit dem entsprechenden Verriegelungsmerkmal (50) auf der Aufnahmestation (14) in Eingriff ist, das Verriegelungsmerkmal (54) die Federvorspannung überwindet, um den austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) an der Aufnahmestation (14) zu befestigen.
  10. Die Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der die horizontale Richtung in einer Richtung orthogonal zu der Bewegungsachse ist, und die vertikale Richtung orthogonal zu der horizontalen Richtung ist.
  11. Die Vorrichtung gemäß Anspruch 1, bei der die Mehrzahl von elektrischen Kontakten (74), die auf der Vorderkante (72) des austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) angeordnet ist, elektrisch verbunden ist mit einer elektrischen Speichervorrichtung (80).
  12. Ein Tintenstrahldrucksystem mit einem beweglichen Wagen (20), wobei das Tintenstrahldrucksystem eine Vorrichtung gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11 umfasst.
  13. Ein Verfahren zum Einfügen eines austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) in eine Aufnahmestation (14) eines Tintenstrahldrucksystems (10), wobei die Aufnahmestation (14) auf einem beweglichen Wagen (20) angeordnet ist, und fluidisch gekoppelt ist mit einem Tintenausstoßabschnitt (38), der darauf befestigt ist, wobei das Verfahren zum Einfügen des Tintenbehälters (12) folgende Schritte umfasst:
    Ineingriffnehmen eines Paars von sich nach außen erstreckenden Führungsschieneneingriffnahmemerkmalen (40) auf dem Tintenbehälter (12) mit jeder eines Paars von Führungsschienen (46) auf der Aufnahmestation (14); und
    Drücken des Tintenbehälters (12) zu der Aufnahmestation (14) hin, wobei jede des Paars von Führungsschienen (46) den austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) nur linear zu einer Rückwand (66) der Aufnahmestation (14) hin führt, dann nach unten zu einer Unteroberfläche (68) der Aufnahmestation (14) hin, und schließlich linear zu der Rückwand (66) der Aufnahmestation (14) hin, um einen Fluidauslass (88) auf dem austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) mit einem Fluideinlass (36) nahe der Unteroberfläche (68) der Aufnahmestation (14) auszurichten, um eine Fluidkommunikation zwischen dem Tintenbehälter (12) und der Aufnahmestation (14) herzustellen, und um jeden einer Mehrzahl von elektrischen Kontakten (74), die auf einer Vorderkante (72) des austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) angeordnet sind, der im Allgemeinen orthogonal zu der Unteroberfläche (76) ist, mit jedem einer Mehrzahl von entsprechenden elektrischen Kontakten (62) auszurichten, die auf der Rückwand (66) der Aufnahmestation (14) angeordnet sind, um eine elektrische Kommunikation zwischen dem Tintenbehälter (12) und der Aufnahmestation (14) herzustellen.
  14. Das Verfahren zum Einfügen eines Tintenbehälters (12) in eine Aufnahmestation (14) gemäß Anspruch 12, das ferner das Ineingriffnehmen eines Hakenmerkmals auf der Vorderkante (72) des austauschbaren Behälters (12) mit einem Hakeneingriffnahmemerkmal nahe zu der Rückwand (66) der Aufnahmestation (14) umfasst.
  15. Das Verfahren zum Einfügen eines Tintenbehälters (12) in eine Aufnahmestation (14) gemäß Anspruch 13, die ferner das Drücken einer Hinterkante (82) des austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) zu der Unteroberfläche (66) hin umfasst, das Zusammendrücken einer Vorspannungsfeder (52), und das Ineingriffnehmen eines Verriegelungsabschnitts (54), der auf dem austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) angeordnet ist, mit einem Verriegelungseingriffnahmeabschnitt (50), der auf der Aufnahmestation (14) angeordnet ist, um den austauschbaren Tintenbehälter (12) an der Aufnahmestation (14) zu befestigen.
  16. Das Verfahren zum Einfügen eines Tintenbehälters (12) in eine Aufnahmestation (14) gemäß Anspruch 12, wobei das Verfahren vor dem Ineingriffnehmen eines Paars von sich nach außen erstreckenden Führungsschieneneingriffnahmemerkmalen (40) mit jedem des Paars von Führungsschieneneingriffnahmemerkmalen (46) ferner folgende Schritte umfasst:
    Positionieren des Tintenbehälters (12) nahe zu der Aufnahmestation (14), um ein Paar von sich nach außen erstreckenden Führungsschieneneingriffnahmemerkmalen (40) mit jedem des Paars von Führungsschieneneingriffnahmemerkmalen (46) auszurichten.
  17. Das Verfahren zum Einfügen eines Tintenbehälters (12) in eine Aufnahmestation (14) gemäß Anspruch 12, bei dem die Mehrzahl von elektrischen Kontakten (74), die auf der Vorderkante (72) des austauschbaren Tintenbehälters (12) angeordnet ist, elektrisch verbunden ist mit einer elektrischen Speichervorrichtung (80).
EP01300874A 2000-01-31 2001-01-31 Auswechselbarer Tintenbehälter in einem Tintenstrahldrucksystem Expired - Lifetime EP1122077B1 (de)

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JP3624950B2 (ja) * 2002-11-26 2005-03-02 セイコーエプソン株式会社 インクカートリッジ
DE60314776T2 (de) 2002-11-26 2008-04-10 Seiko Epson Corp. Tintenpatrone und Identifikationselement
US7789500B2 (en) 2006-12-21 2010-09-07 Eastman Kodak Company Printing device fluid reservoir chassis with alignment features
US8651643B2 (en) 2010-10-22 2014-02-18 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Fluid cartridge
US9132649B2 (en) 2012-04-27 2015-09-15 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Removable guide element
JP6950228B2 (ja) 2017-03-27 2021-10-13 ブラザー工業株式会社 液体カートリッジ及びシステム
US10493765B2 (en) 2017-03-27 2019-12-03 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid cartridge capable of reducing leakage of liquid from liquid storage chamber
ES2771525T3 (es) * 2017-07-31 2020-07-06 Brother Ind Ltd Cartucho de líquido y sistema para el mismo

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EP0885729B1 (de) * 1994-08-24 2002-04-17 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Tintenbehälter für Tintenstrahldrucker, Halter für den Behälter, Druckwagen für den Halter und Tintenstrahldrucker
JP2801149B2 (ja) * 1994-08-24 1998-09-21 キヤノン株式会社 インクタンクおよびインクタンクホルダ
DE69529348T2 (de) * 1994-11-02 2003-10-30 Seiko Epson Corp Tintenzufuhrbehälter für eine Tintenstrahlaufzeichnungseinheit
JP3232203B2 (ja) * 1994-12-27 2001-11-26 ブラザー工業株式会社 インク噴射装置
JP3248831B2 (ja) * 1995-06-29 2002-01-21 ブラザー工業株式会社 インクカートリッジの取付け構造
JP3295339B2 (ja) * 1996-08-30 2002-06-24 キヤノン株式会社 インクタンク、ホルダー、インクジェットカートリッジおよびキャップ
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KR100676032B1 (ko) 2007-01-29
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