EP2662218B1 - Ink cartridge for compact ink jet printers - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an ink cartridge for ink jet printers having a housing with a first and second, substantially mutually parallel housing wall.

Inkjet printers are preferred in private and professional use for printing color documents and images. For the majority of these applications space and weight of the printer play a minor role. This does not apply to professions that involve a lot of travel. There is a need for mobile here, d. H. light and small printers, which is not covered by commercially available devices in a satisfactory manner. The currently available mobile printers are either heavy and bulky, have low print quality, or can output only a small number of pages until the contents of the toner cartridges or ink cartridges are exhausted.

Furthermore, there is a desire for scaling down the size of stationary printers to reduce space requirements and expand design options.

In the prior art, a variety of ink cartridges are known ( EP 1541357 ), which are typically intended for mounting on an electrically driven print head of an inkjet printer. In addition, ink cartridges are known which are arranged stationary inside or outside the printer housing. The stationary ink cartridges are connected to the electrically driven print head via ink lines. The ink lines are usually made of flexible hoses made of a polymeric material. In some of the known embodiments, in addition to flexible hoses, the conduits also include rigid segments, such as channels and conduits, disposed within the printer housing or in the wall thereof. The purpose of the stationary ink cartridges is primarily to hold larger volumes of ink so that a large number of pages can be printed without interruption, ie without changing the ink cartridges.

Due to their shape and arrangement in the printer housing, a certain volume of space must be made available for the ink cartridges known in the prior art, and the printer housing accordingly dimensioned. A reduction that is desirable in terms of the shape, design, and footprint of an ink jet printer the printer housing is possible with the known ink cartridges only to a very limited extent and it requires to reduce the ink volume of the ink cartridges considerably, so that with a filling only a small number of prints can be made.

The present invention overcomes the above-described problems of the prior art and provides compact housings for ink jet printing systems and portable computers and ink cartridges suitable therefor. The invention thus opens up new possibilities for the design of inkjet printing systems, without restricting the ink volume and the printing capacity.

berechnet. Beispielsweise wird für einen Würfel mit drei gleichen Kantenlängen ein Wert von K_N = 0,81 erhalten. Der Formfaktor K_N ist unabhängig von der absoluten Größe der jeweiligen Tintenkartusche und hängt lediglich von deren Form, d. h. dem relativen Verhältnis der Kantenlängen L, B, H ab. Die im Stand der Technik bekannten Tintenkartuschen weisen ausnahmslos einen normierten Formfaktor K_N > 0,53 (größer 0,53) auf.The stationary ink cartridges known in the state of the art are without exception designed in such a way that they have an economic or large ratio of volume content V to surface F-also referred to below as compactness or form factor K = V / F. As is well known, a sphere has maximum compactness with a value of K _K = V _K / F _K = (4/3) * π * R ³ / (4 * π * R ² ) = R / 3, where R denotes the spherical radius. For practical application, the spherical shape is not suitable because it allows in contrast to the cuboid shape no space-filling arrangement of several functional elements side by side. The known ink cartridges are substantially cuboid-shaped and have a surface F = 2 * (L * B + L * H + B * H) and a volume V = L * B * H, where L, B and H are the edge lengths of the Denote cuboid. A sphere with the radius R _Q = [3 * L * B * H / (4 * π)] ^1/3 has the same volume as a cuboid with the edge lengths L, B and H. For the compactness or the shape factor K = V / F of ink cartridges with different edge lengths, the respective value is expediently normalized to a sphere of radius R _Q. The normalized and dimensionless form factor K _N is determined according to the relationship $${\mathrm{K}}_{\mathrm{N}}=\mathrm{K}/{\mathrm{K}}_{\mathrm{K}}=\left(\mathrm{V}/\mathrm{F}\right)/\left({\mathrm{R}}_{\mathrm{Q}}/\mathrm{3}\right)={\left(\mathrm{4}\cdot \mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="1"\; label="\pi "\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">\pi </figure-callout>}\right)}^{\mathrm{1}/\mathrm{3}}\cdot {\left(\mathrm{3}\cdot \mathrm{<figure-callout\; id="2"\; label="V"\; filenames="imgf0001.png,imgf0002.png"\; state="\{\{state\}\}">V</figure-callout>}\right)}^{\mathrm{2}/\mathrm{3}}/\mathrm{F}$$

calculated. For example, for a cube with three equal edge lengths, a value of K _N = 0.81 is obtained. The shape factor K _N is independent of the absolute size of the respective ink cartridge and depends only on its shape, ie the relative ratio of the edge lengths L, B, H. The ink cartridges known in the prior art invariably have a normalized form factor K _N > 0.53 (greater than 0.53).

As can be seen from the above explanations in connection with the form factor, the term "volume content" or the letter "V" does not mean the content of ink, but the volume calculated on the basis of the contour enveloping the ink cartridge, which in the case of a cuboid corresponds to the volume Product L · B · H corresponds to length, width and height. In the context of the invention, the term "enveloping contour" means the convex hull of a three-dimensional body, ie the smallest convex set of all points of the three-dimensional real vector space containing all points of the body. If an ink cartridge has a shape deviating from a cuboid, the form factor K _N = (4 · π) ^1/3 · (3 · V) ^2/3 / F is calculated in an analogous manner, wherein for the surface F and the volume V the values determined by the enveloping contour of the respective ink cartridge are to be used. In the event that the ink cartridge has a complex and irregular enveloping contour, known methods and instruments are used to determine the surface and volume, in particular the volumetric displacement of water and the three-dimensional topographical contour measurement by means of a laser scanner, if no CAD- for the respective ink cartridge. Data is available. In the topographical contour measurement of the surface of the ink cartridge, a measurement accuracy or optical resolution of 0.5 to 1.0 mm is sufficient in each of the three spatial directions x, y, z or coordinate axes length, width, height Fine structure of the surface of the ink cartridge is averaged. If necessary, one of the numerous software programs known in the prior art is used for the numerical calculation of the enveloping contour of the ink cartridge. In determining the volume of the ink cartridge by water displacement, it may be necessary to mask concave portions of the ink cartridge with a thin polymer film and seal them watertight to measure the volume of the enveloping contour.

The object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge whose ink receptivity meets the requirements of stationary printing systems and which is suitable for use in very compact mobile inkjet printing systems. In addition, a reusable, suitable for repeated filling with ink ink cartridge is to be provided.

This object is achieved by an ink cartridge having a housing having a normalized shape factor K _N = (4 · π) ^1/3 · (3 · V) ^2/3 / F of less than 0.52, where V is the volume and F denotes the surface of the enveloping contour of the housing.

• das Gehäuse einen normierten Formfaktor von K_N < 0,50, vorzugsweise K_N < 0,46, insbesondere K_N < 0,44 und besonders bevorzugt K_N < 0,42 hat;
• das Gehäuse eine erste und zweite Gehäusewand umfasst, im Wesentlichen parallel zueinander verlaufenden, ein konstanter oder variierender Abstand D zwischen den äußeren Oberflächen der ersten und zweiten Gehäusewand 4 bis 25 mm, vorzugsweise 4 bis 20 mm, insbesondere 4 bis 15 mm und besonders bevorzugt 6 bis 15 mm beträgt und die äußeren Oberflächen der ersten und zweiten Gehäusewand jeweils eine Größe von 150 bis 1200 cm² aufweisen;
• die äußeren Oberflächen der ersten und zweiten Gehäusewand jeweils eine Größe von 150 bis 800 cm², vorzugsweise von 300 bis 700 cm² aufweisen;
• die erste und zweite Gehäusewand im Wesentlichen plan sind;
• die erste Gehäusewand und/oder die zweite Gehäusewand zylinderartig gekrümmt sind;
• dass Schnittkurven der äußeren Oberflächen der ersten und zweiten Gehäusewand mit einer ersten Normalebene und einer hierzu senkrechten zweiten Normalebene eine Länge von 15 bis 50 cm, vorzugsweise 15 bis 40 cm und insbesondere 15 bis 30 cm, respektive eine Länge von 4 bis 20 cm, vorzugsweise 5 bis 15 cm und insbesondere 6 bis 10 cm aufweisen;
• dass die Tintenkartusche Führungen zur Aufnahme in einem Gehäuse eines Tintenstrahldrucksystems aufweist, wobei die Führungen als Nuten und/oder Stege ausgebildet sind;
• dass die Tintenkartusche mit einer lösbaren Kupplung zum Anschluss an eine Tintenleitung eines Tintenstrahldrucksystems ausgerüstet ist;
• dass die Kupplung ein Ventil mit einer Durchführung für Tinte, ein Schließelement, eine Feder und Mittel zum Öffnen einer Kupplung einer Tintenleitung eines Tintenstrahldrucksystems umfasst;
• die Tintenkartusche einen Tintenbeutel umfasst;
• die Tintenkartusche eine mechanische Druckeinrichtung zum Ausüben eines Druckes auf den Tintenbeutel aufweist, wobei die Druckeinrichtung eine oder mehrere Druckfedern und gegebenenfalls einen in der Tintenkartusche verschiebbaren Druckstempel umfasst;
• dass die mindestens eine Druckfeder als einstückige, flächenhaft gekrümmte Blattfeder ausgebildet ist und aus einem polymeren oder metallischen Werkstoff besteht;
• dass das Gehäuse der Tintenkartusche mit einer oder mehreren Öffnungen oder Ventilen zur Be- und Entlüftung des Innenraums der Tintenkartusche ausgerüstet ist;
• der Tintenbeutel aus einem elastischen Matrial, wie beispielsweise Gummi besteht; und/oder
• der Tintenbeutel mit der Kupplung verbunden ist.

Further developments of the ink cartridge according to the invention are characterized in that:

• the housing has a normalized form factor of K _N <0.50, preferably K _N <0.46, in particular K _N <0.44 and particularly preferably K _N <0.42;
• the housing comprises a first and second housing wall, substantially parallel, a constant or varying distance D between the outer surfaces of the first and second housing wall 4 to 25 mm, preferably 4 to 20 mm, in particular 4 to 15 mm and particularly preferably 6 is up to 15 mm and the outer surfaces of the first and second housing wall each have a size of 150 to 1200 cm ² ;
• the outer surfaces of the first and second housing walls each have a size of 150 to 800 cm ² , preferably from 300 to 700 cm ² ;
• the first and second housing walls are substantially planar;
• the first housing wall and / or the second housing wall are curved in a cylinder-like manner;
• that cut curves of the outer surfaces of the first and second housing wall having a first normal plane and a second normal plane perpendicular thereto a length of 15 to 50 cm, preferably 15 to 40 cm and in particular 15 to 30 cm, respectively, a length of 4 to 20 cm, preferably 5 to 15 cm and in particular 6 to 10 cm;
• that the ink cartridge has guides for receiving in a housing of an inkjet printing system, wherein the guides are formed as grooves and / or webs;
• the ink cartridge is equipped with a releasable coupling for connection to an ink conduit of an ink jet printing system;
• that the coupling comprises a valve with an inlet for ink, a closing element, a spring and means for opening a coupling of an ink line of an inkjet printing system;
• the ink cartridge comprises an ink bag;
• the ink cartridge comprises a mechanical pressure device for exerting a pressure on the ink bag, wherein the pressure device comprises one or more compression springs and optionally a pressure piston displaceable in the ink cartridge;
• that the at least one compression spring is formed as a one-piece, sheet-like curved leaf spring and consists of a polymeric or metallic material;
• that the housing of the ink cartridge is equipped with one or more openings or valves for ventilating the interior of the ink cartridge;
• the ink bag is made of an elastic material such as rubber; and or
• the ink bag is connected to the clutch.

For the present invention, the exact dimensions of the ink cartridge, such as length, width and height, are not critical. Rather, the inventive idea is based on an ink cartridge having a shape adapted to the housing of an ink jet printing system or portable computer, while providing ample space for receiving a larger volume of ink. For the purposes of the invention, by the term "mold adapted to the housing of an ink jet printing system or portable computer" is meant an ink cartridge having at least one outer surface substantially congruent with the contour of the ink jet printing system or computer. In particularly expedient embodiments of the invention, the ink cartridge is designed such that it forms part of a housing wall or a complete housing wall of the inkjet printing system or computer.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the ink cartridge, one or two walls of the ink cartridge are formed in the manner of a planar, concavely curved leaf spring which exert on the ink bag a substantially constant pressure.

Since the ink cartridges of the present invention are designed to be very flat in preferred embodiments, one particular aspect of the invention is a pressure generating mechanism which effects or facilitates the transfer of ink into a printhead of an ink jet printer during printing.

Another object of the invention is to provide compact ink jet printing systems, particularly portable printers and mobile computers, as well as multi-function systems that include a scanner and a fax in addition to a printer.

This object is achieved by a housing for ink jet printing systems and portable computers with one or more outer wall elements comprising one or more ink ducts and one or more releasable supports for one or more of the above-described ink cartridges.

• das Wandelement eine erste Wandplatte umfasst;
• das Wandelement eine zweite Wandplatte umfasst, die im Wesentlichen parallel zur ersten Wandplatte angeordnet ist und dass ein konstanter oder variierender Abstand (W) zwischen der ersten und zweiten Wandplatte 6 bis 28 mm, vorzugsweise 6 bis 22 mm, insbesondere 6 bis 17 mm und besonders bevorzugt 8 bis 17 mm beträgt;
• das Wandelement eine oder mehrere Aufnahmen für Tintenkartuschen aufweist, wobei jede der Aufnahmen an einer ersten Seite durch die erste Wandplatte und an einer zweiten gegenüberliegenden Seite durch die zweite Wandplatte begrenzt ist;
• das Wandelement als Rahmenkonstruktion mit Streben und Verbindungselementen ausgebildet ist;
• die Halterungen als Stege, Nuten, Stecker, Buchsen, Haken oder Klemmen ausgebildet sind; und/oder
• das Wandelement schwenkbar oder verschiebbar ist.

Further developments of the housing according to the invention are characterized in that:

• the wall element comprises a first wall plate;
• the wall element comprises a second wall plate which is arranged substantially parallel to the first wall plate and that a constant or varying distance (W) between the first and second wall plate 6 to 28 mm, preferably 6 to 22 mm, in particular 6 to 17 mm and especially preferably 8 to 17 mm;
• the wall element has one or more receptacles for ink cartridges, wherein each of the receptacles is bounded on a first side by the first wall plate and on a second opposite side by the second wall plate;
• the wall element is designed as a frame construction with struts and connecting elements;
• the brackets are designed as webs, grooves, plugs, sockets, hooks or clamps; and or
• the wall element is pivotable or displaceable.

The pivotable or slidable wall member is mechanically coupled by known pivots or guides to the housing and serves as a cover or housing cover which, in the open position, provides access to mechanical and electronic components of the inkjet printing system or computer, such as a printhead or ink lines for maintenance and replacement , When using the computer housing according to the invention, a pivotable wall element or a pivotable cover is provided, which is equipped with a flat screen next to the holders for ink cartridges. When using the inventive Housing for multi-function systems, a pivoting wall element is provided, which serves as a cover for a scanner.

In a further development of the housing according to the invention for inkjet printing systems, the ink ducts are equipped with fluidic couplings for detachable connection to the above-described couplings of the ink cartridges according to the invention. In particular, the ink conduits are formed as flexible hoses of a polymeric material, such as silicone rubber, and connected to a movable printhead of the ink jet printing system. Suitably, the ink conduits may also include rigid conduit segments, such as wall penetrations.

The housing according to the invention is particularly suitable for portable computers used with a portable inkjet printer. Suitably, the housing according to the invention is equipped with one or more detachable mechanical and / or fluidic couplings and optionally with electrical plugs for connection to the portable inkjet printer. When using the housing according to the invention for portable computers, the ink ducts are preferably designed as rigid, tubular passages and equipped with two fluidic couplings for connecting to ink cartridges according to the invention on the one hand and the portable inkjet printer on the other.

Fig. 1a-b

perspektivische Ansichten einer quaderförmigen Tintenkartusche;

Fig. 2

eine zylinderartig gekrümmte Tintenkartusche;

Fig. 3

eine zylinderartig gekrümmte Tintenkartusche und deren Schnitte mit zwei Normalebenen;

Fig. 4a-b

Schnittansichten einer Tintenkartusche mit einem Tintenbeutel und einer druckerzeugenden Blattfeder;

Fig. 5a-d

eine erste Fluidkupplung zum Anschließen einer Tintenkartusche an eine Tintenleitung;

Fig. 6a-d

eine zweite Fluidkupplung;

Fig. 7a-c

perspektivische Ansichten eines Gehäuses für einen Computer oder ein Tintenstrahldrucksystem mit Tintenkartuschen;

Fig. 8a-d

Schnittansichten von Wandelementen eines Gehäuses mit Halterungen für Tintenkartuschen;

Fig. 9a-b

eine Schnittansicht und eine Draufsicht eines Wandelements mit Tintenleitungen und Halterungen für Tintenkartuschen;

Fig. 10

Schnittansichten eines Gehäuses mit Wandelementen mit Tintenleitungen und Halterungen sowie einer Tintenkartusche;

Fig. 11

eine perpektivische Ansicht des Gehäuses und Tintenkartuschen gemäß Fig. 10;

Fig. 12

einen tragbaren Computer mit Tintenkartuschen sowie einen tragbaren Tintenstrahldrucker;

Fig. 13

einen Tintenstrahldrucker mit einer Tintenkartusche; und

Fig. 14a-b

ein Multifunktionssystem mit einem schwenkbaren Deckel mit Tintenkartuschen.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to figures. Show it:

Fig. 1a-b

perspective views of a cuboid ink cartridge;

Fig. 2

a cylinder-like curved ink cartridge;

Fig. 3

a cylinder-like curved ink cartridge and its sections with two normal planes;

Fig. 4a-b

Sectional views of an ink cartridge with an ink bag and a pressure-generating leaf spring;

Fig. 5a-d

a first fluid coupling for connecting an ink cartridge to an ink conduit;

Fig. 6a-d

a second fluid coupling;

Fig. 7a-c

Perspective views of a housing for a computer or an inkjet printing system with ink cartridges;

Fig. 8a-d

Sectional views of wall elements of a housing with holders for ink cartridges;

Fig. 9a-b

a sectional view and a plan view of a wall element with ink ducts and holders for ink cartridges;

Fig. 10

Sectional views of a housing with wall elements with ink lines and holders and an ink cartridge;

Fig. 11

a perspective view of the housing and ink cartridges according to Fig. 10 ;

Fig. 12

a portable computer with ink cartridges and a portable inkjet printer;

Fig. 13

an ink jet printer with an ink cartridge; and

Fig. 14a-b

a multifunction system with a hinged lid with ink cartridges.

In Fig. 1a is a front perspective view of an inventive, substantially cuboid ink cartridge 10 reproduced. The ink cartridge 10 includes a housing having six housing walls, wherein a first housing wall 2 and a second housing wall 3 are substantially parallel to each other at a constant or varying distance D in the range of 4 to 25 mm. The reference character D denotes the distance of the outer surfaces of the housing walls (2, 3) from each other in the direction of the surface normal of the first or the second housing wall (2, 3). The outer surfaces of the first and second housing walls (2, 3) each have a size of 150 to 1200 cm ² , preferably 150 to 800 cm ² and in particular 300 to 700 cm ² .

As stated above, the exact dimensions of the ink cartridge are not essential to the invention. Accordingly, the distance D can optionally be determined in the direction of the surface normal of the first or the second housing wall (2, 3).

Conveniently, a third housing wall 4A and a fourth housing wall 4B of the ink cartridge 10 are each equipped with a guide 1 for receiving and mounting in a portable printer or portable computer. The guides 1 are, for example, as grooves, ridges, ribs or springs with a rectangular, trapezoidal or round Profile or cross-section formed, which add almost completely to a corresponding web or into a groove in the printer or computer housing.

In addition to or instead of grooves, webs, ribs and springs as mechanical brackets and releasable mechanical connectors and / or sockets or clamping connectors and / or clamping bushes are provided, which are known as such in the prior art. The plugs include, for example, an annular member made of a resilient material, such as rubber, whose outer diameter is dimensioned such that the plug is mounted in a very small tolerance radial movement bushing disposed in the housing of an ink jet printing system or computer. In alternative embodiments of the invention, the ink cartridge is equipped with jacks for receiving mating plugs mounted in a housing of an inkjet printing system or computer. In particular, for the purpose of mechanical retention of the ink cartridges, spring plugs and / or spring bushes are provided. Suitable, known in the art spring plug and spring bushings are made of a polymeric or metallic material, are cylindrical in shape and divided by slots in two or more interconnected, elastically deformable segments.

Fig. 1b shows a perspective view of the rear side of the ink cartridge 10 with another housing wall 5B, which is equipped with a fluidic coupling (6, 8) for connection to a coupling of an ink line of an ink jet printer. The coupling (6, 8) can optionally be arranged in one of the other housing walls. Preferably, however, the coupling (6, 8) is arranged in the rear end wall 5B or an opposite front end wall 5A.

Fig. 2 shows a further ink cartridge 20 with a cylinder-like contour. The contour of the ink cartridge 20 may deviate from the ideal cylindrical shape in any way and be formed, for example, elliptical or hyperbolic. The further reference numerals 1, 2, 3, 4B, 5B, 6, 8 and D of Fig. 2 have the same meaning as in the FIGS. 1a and 1b ,

Fig. 3 shows sections of the ink cartridge 20 with two imaginary, normal to each other normal planes 11A and 11B. The normal planes (11A, 11B) intersect the outer surfaces of the first and second housing walls (2, 3) along sectional curves (12A, 12B). The cutting curve 12A has a length of 15 to 50 cm, preferably 15 to 40 cm and in particular 15 to 30 cm. The cutting curve 12B has a length of 4 to 20 cm, preferably 5 to 15 cm and in particular 6 to 10 cm.

Fig. 4a 11 shows in plan view a cross-section of an expedient embodiment of an ink cartridge 10 with a flexible, preferably an elastic ink bag 14. The ink bag 14 is arranged inside the ink cartridge 10 and enclosed by the housing (4A, 4B, 5B) of the ink cartridge 10. Preferably, the ink bag 14 consists of a polymeric, in particular of an elastomeric material. The ink bag 14 has an opening which is fluidly connected tightly to a coupling (6, 8) arranged in the housing wall 5B.

An elastic ink bag 14 is advantageous in that it is under a certain pressure after being filled with ink due to the elastic stretching of its sleeve, thereby promoting the conveyance of the ink to the printhead of an ink jet printer.

Suitably, one of the housing walls (4A, 4B, 5B) is provided with an opening or a valve 17 for aerating and venting the free internal volume of the ink cartridge 10. The free internal volume is limited on the one hand by the housing of the ink cartridge 10 and on the other hand by the ink bag 14.

4b shows a side cross-sectional view of another ink cartridge 10 according to the invention, which comprises at least one means 15 for applying a pressure to the ink bag 14. The at least one means 15 is disposed between one of the walls of the housing of the ink cartridge 10 and the ink bag 14. Preferably, the means 15 is formed as an elastic leaf spring made of a metallic or polymeric material. Alternatively, the means 15 may be formed as an elastic plunger with one or more coil springs and a displaceable in the ink cartridge 10 stamp plate.

The Fig. 5a shows a side sectional view of a first fluidic coupling 6 of the ink cartridges according to the invention and a matching fluidic coupling 7 for an ink jet printer according to the invention. The couplings (7, 8) comprise tubular supports (60, 70) having a cylindrical, rectangular or otherwise shaped cross section, a sliding closure element (61, 62, 63), respectively (71, 72, 73) and springs (64, 74 ), which are preferably formed as helical compression springs. The tubular supports (60, 70) each have at their two ends a first opening and an opposite second opening. The first openings of the tubular support (60, 70) open into the inner volume of an ink cartridge according to the invention, or in an ink line of an ink jet printer according to the invention. Accordingly, the coupling 6 is arranged in a housing wall 5B of an ink cartridge according to the invention.

In the in Fig. 5a shown position, the first opening of the tubular support (60, 70) by the respectively associated closing element (61, 62, 63), respectively (71, 72, 73) is closed. In the Fig. 5a Each of the exemplary closure elements shown comprises a guide element (63, 73) and a cover (61, 71), which are rigidly connected to one another by a strut (62, 72). Optionally, the lids (61, 71) are equipped with ring-like seals (65, 75) which are preferably made of an elastic material such as rubber. The guide elements (63, 73) have fluid passages (66, 76) for ink. The inner sides of the tubular supports (60, 70) are provided with stops (67, 77) for one-sided support of the springs (64, 74). The springs (64, 74) are arranged on the inside of the tubular supports (60, 70) between the stops (67, 77) and the guide elements (63, 73) and are biased to act on the guide elements (63, 67). exert a force towards the opposite second opening of the tubular supports (60, 70) so that the covers (61, 71) are pressed against the edge of the first opening of the tubular supports (60, 70) and seal them in a fluid-tight manner.

Suitably, one or both of the clutches 6 and 7 are provided with an annular seal 69 made of an elastic material such as rubber.

In the in Fig. 5b shown position, the coupling 6 is partially connected to the coupling 7, wherein the closing elements (61, 62, 63), respectively (71, 72, 73) are pressed against each other and depending on the relative rigidity or restoring force of the springs (64, 74 ) one or both of the closing elements (61, 62, 63) and (71, 72, 73) are displaced in the axial direction in the tubular supports 60 and 70 and one or both of the covers 61 and 71 the first openings of the tubular support 60 and Release 70 for the flow of ink.

Fig. 5c shows a position in which the clutches 6 and 7 are positively connected. The tubular supports 60 and 70 are designed such that they mesh accurately and fluid-tightly according to the plug-socket principle, wherein optionally the carrier 60, the can or the plug and vice versa the carrier 70 forms the plug or the box. Furthermore, the closing elements (61, 62, 63) and (71, 72, 73) are dimensioned such that upon complete engagement of the clutches 6 and 7, the gaps between the covers (61, 71) and The first openings of the tubular support 60 and 70 are each sufficiently far, so that ink can flow through without appreciable flow resistance.

Fig. 5d shows a plan view of the guide member 63 and the tubular support 60 of the coupling 6. Preferably, the rohrformige carrier 60 is cylindrical and has a circular cross section. Accordingly, the guide member 63 is also formed like a cylinder, wherein it is not necessary that the outer diameter of the guide member 63 and the inner diameter of the carrier 60 are accurately sized to each other. The primary purpose of the guide element 63 is to align the closing element (61, 62, 63) in the carrier 60 and to ensure a sufficiently good mechanical sliding guide, so that the closing element (61, 62, 63) does not open and close the coupling 6 tilted or tilted in the carrier 60.

80, 90

rohrförmiger Träger;

81, 91

erste Bodenplatte;

85, 95

zweite Bodenplatte;

86, 96

Durchführung für Tinte;

88, 98

Ventilgegenkörper;

99

ringartige Dichtung.

The FIGS. 6a to 6d show further fluidic couplings 8 and 9, which are also provided for use in the ink cartridges according to the invention. The clutches 8 and 9 are based on the same operating principle as the clutches 6 and 7 and comprise spherical closing elements 83 and 93 and springs 84 and 94, which exert a force on the closing elements 83 and 93 in the direction of passages 82 and 92, wherein the passages 82 and 92 duch the closing elements 83 and 93 are closed, unless acting on the closing elements 83 and 93, the spring force opposing force. The further reference numerals of FIGS. 6a to 6d each have the following meanings:

80, 90

tubular carrier;

81, 91

first bottom plate;

85, 95

second bottom plate;

86, 96

Passage for ink;

88, 98

Valve counter body;

99

ring-like seal.

The coupling 6 is arranged in a housing wall 5B of an ink cartridge according to the invention and connected in a fluid-tight manner to an ink reservoir, optionally with an ink bag. With complete engagement of the clutches 8 and 9, as in Fig. 6c are shown, the closing elements 83 and 93 by the respective oppositely arranged valve counter-body 88 and 98 against the force exerted by the springs 84 and 94 force of the bottom plates 81 and 91 are removed, so that the passages 82 and 92 are exposed and ink can flow through it.

For the purpose of producing the couplings 8 and 9, a cylindrical part having a cylinder wall (80, 90) and a bottom (85, 95) is first made of a polymeric or metallic material by means of injection molding, deep drawing, stamping or other conventional methods. Here or in a subsequent method step, a passage (86, 96) is produced in the bottom (85, 95). Subsequently, the spring (84, 94) and the ball (83, 93) on the bottom (85, 95) are arranged and equipped with the valve counter-body (88, 98) and preferably with the passage (82, 92) equipped bottom (81 , 91) inserted into the cylinder wall (80, 90). The bottom (81, 91) is aligned in such a way that the ball (83, 93) accurately closes the passage (82, 92). The passage (82, 92) can optionally also be produced in a further method step after the insertion of the base (81, 91).

Preferably, the inside of the cylinder wall (80, 90) is provided with a circular circumferential radial-symmetrical groove for receiving the bottom (81, 91). The inner diameter of the cylinder wall (80, 90) or the diameter of the cylinder wall (80, 90) enclosed by the cylindrical volume and the circular groove are dimensioned such that the bottom (81, 91) is press-fitted in the circular groove and can be used the bottom (81, 91) - apart from the passage 82 - the space enclosed by the cylinder wall (80, 90) divided into two fluidly sealed areas.

In alternative manufacturing methods for the couplings (8, 9), the edge of the bottom (81, 91) by means of thermal welding, friction welding, ultrasonic welding or gluing with the cylinder wall (80, 90) fluid-tight manner.

Fig. 7a shows a housing 100 for a portable computer or an ink jet printing system according to the invention with a wall element 110 arranged at the bottom of the housing 100. The wall element 110 is bounded on two opposite sides by a first wall plate 112 and a second wall plate 113, the first wall plate 112 having a Housing 100 bounding wall forms. This in Fig. 7 shown wall element 110 comprises four juxtaposed receptacles 111 for ink cartridges 10. The receptacles 111 are preferably separated from each other by perpendicular to the wall plate 112 arranged support walls 114. Fig. 7b shows a perspective view of the Wall element 110 of the Fig. 7a , The upper wall and the front and rear end walls of the housing 100 are in Fig. 7b not shown to give the view of the wall element 110 free. The wall element 110 is equipped with one or more fluid couplings 119 for connecting the ink cartridges 10. The fluid couplings 119 are connected to ink lines 118, wherein in Fig. 7b only a portion of the ink conduits 118 is shown. Depending on the use of the housing 100 for a portable computer or for an ink jet printing system, the ink conduits 118 are formed such that an end of the ink conduits 118 opposite to the fluid coupling 119 at the outside of the rear end wall of the housing 100, respectively Fig. 7b indicated, is disposed inside the housing 100. If the housing 100 for a portable computer - as in Fig. 12 As shown, the ink conduits 118 serve to pass the ink from the ink cartridges 10 to a computer-connectable ink jet printing system. In the case of a housing 100 provided for an ink-jet printing system, the ink conduits 118 serve to transfer the ink from the ink cartridges 10 to a (in Fig. 7b not shown) printhead of the inkjet printing system. Fig. 7c shows a detailed view of the wall element 110 of FIGS. 7a and 7b with supports 117 configured as webs for the ink cartridges 10 and the ink conduits 118 and the fluid couplings 119. The ink cartridges 10 are equipped with guides designed as grooves which are designed to fit the webs 117.

In other expedient embodiments of the invention, the wall element 110 comprises one, two, three, five or six receptacles instead of four receptacles 111 for ink cartridges and is arranged on the top, front, back, left or right side of the housing 100 instead of at the bottom. In particular, wall elements are provided which have only one or two receptacles for ink cartridges and are arranged on a left, right, front or rear side wall of the housing 100.

An aspect which is essential for the invention consists in that the at least one wall element 110 is formed flat and peripherally arranged in the housing 100, so that in the interior of the housing 100 a compact volume with a size of more than 60% by volume, preferably more than 70% by volume, in particular more than 80% by volume or 90% by volume and particularly preferably more than 95% by volume, based on the total volume of the housing 100 for electronic and / or mechanical components, such as a hard disk, a printhead or paper rolls for Available. Here, the total volume of the housing 100, including the at least one wall element 110 defined by the outer dimensions of the housing 110 and the dimensions of the housing 100 enveloping contour. In the context of the invention, the term "enveloping contour" means the convex hull of a three-dimensional body, ie the smallest convex set of all points of the three-dimensional real vector space containing all points of the body.

In the case that the housing 100 has a complex and irregular enveloping contour, known methods and instruments are used to determine its total volume, in particular the volumetric displacement of water and / or the three-dimensional topographical contour measurement by means of a laser scanner, provided that no CAD data is available. In the topographical contour measurement of the housing 100, a measurement accuracy or optical resolution of 0.5 to 1.0 mm is sufficient in each of the three spatial directions x, y, z or coordinate axes length, width, height, so that over a possibly existing fine structure the surface of the housing 100 is averaged. If necessary, one of the numerous software programs known in the prior art is used for the numerical calculation of the enveloping contour of the housing 100.

Another aspect of the invention is the planar design of the at least one wall element 110. Analogous to the ink cartridge according to the invention, the enveloping contour of the at least one wall element 110 has a normalized form factor K _N = (4 · π) ^1/3 · (3 · V ) ^2/3 / F of less than 0.52; preferably less than 0.50; in particular less than 0.46 and particularly preferably less than 0.44, where V denotes the volume and F denotes the surface of the enveloping contour of the wall element 110.

The enveloping contour of the at least one wall element 110 preferably comprises a first and a second surface, which are arranged substantially opposite one another and each have a size of 150 to 1210 cm ² , preferably 150 to 810 cm ² and in particular 300 to 710 cm ² .

In the context of the invention, the term "enveloping contour of the wall element" designates the convex envelope of the wall element, ie the smallest convex set of all points of the three-dimensional real vector space containing all points of the wall element. To determine the enveloping contour of the at least one wall element, one or more of the known methods described above, such as volumetric displacement of water and topographical contour measurement by means of laser scanners, optionally in Connection with CAD data used. If necessary, one of the numerous software programs known in the prior art is used for the numerical calculation of the enveloping contour of the wall element. When determining the volume of the wall element by means of water displacement, concave parts of the wall element are taped with a thin polymer film and sealed watertight to determine the volume of the enveloping contour.

The Fig. 8a to 8d show front sectional views of further inventive wall elements (120, 130, 140, 150) with a first wall plate 112 and optionally a second wall plate 113 and brackets 117 for ink cartridges according to the invention 10. The brackets 117 are preferably formed as webs or grooves with a cross section, except is formed by a small sliding gap to corresponding grooves, respectively webs of the ink cartridges invention exactly matching, so that the brackets 117 engage in the grooves or webs of the ink cartridges or may include this and ensure a detachable, mechanically stable fixation of the ink cartridges.

The first wall plate 112 and, if appropriate, the second wall plate 113 each have a side with a surface area of 150 to 1210 cm ² , preferably 150 to 810 cm ² and in particular 300 to 710 cm ² .

Fig. 9a and 9b show a side sectional view and a plan view of a wall member 160 according to the invention with mechanical supports 117A, ink ducts 118 and a first wall plate 112 and an ink cartridge 10. The in Fig. 9 shown mounts 117A are formed in the manner of known in the art plugs and / or sockets, in particular as a clamping connector or clamping bushes. The plugs and / or sockets are intended to be plugged into suitably shaped sockets, respectively plug of the ink cartridges according to the invention or to accommodate these and to ensure a detachable, mechanically stable fixation of the ink cartridges in the wall element 160.

In the context of the invention, the term "releasable, mechanically stable fixation" denotes a mechanical coupling which prevents unintentional separation of the ink cartridges from the wall element, wherein a minimum force is required for releasing the mechanical coupling, which is the force acting on an ink cartridge filled with ink clearly exceeds. In a further development of the invention, the Mounts be designed as lockable, optionally elastic hooks or clamps, which engage in appropriately shaped recesses or projections of the ink cartridges and vice versa.

Fig. 10 shows a sectional view of another housing 100 according to the invention with wall elements 170 and 180, wherein the wall element 170 is equipped with a clamp designed as a mechanical support 117A and the wall member 180 with a fluid coupling 119 and an ink line 118. Moreover, in Fig. 10 an ink cartridge 10 according to the invention with a trained as a socket or bore guide 117 for receiving the clamping pin 117A, an ink bag 114 and a fluid coupling 6 shown. The fluid coupling 6 is designed to match the fluid coupling 119 arranged in the wall element 180 and serves to connect the interior of the ink cartridge 10 or the ink bag 114 to the ink line 118.

Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the housing 100 according to the Fig. 10 with four ink cartridges 10. That in the Figures 10 and 11 shown housing 100 and the associated ink cartridges 10 are formed such that the ink cartridges 10 form a housing 100 above bounding or top-closing wall. In other expedient embodiments of the invention, the ink cartridges form in a to the in the Figures 10 and 11 illustrated analog arrangement, the housing 100 laterally or bottoming wall.

Fig. 12 shows a portable computer 300 with a housing 310 according to the invention with four receptacles 311 for ink cartridges 10. In addition, in Fig. 12 a portable inkjet printing system or an inkjet printer 320 shown. The ink jet printer 320 is equipped with fluid couplings 330 and an electronic plug 340 for connecting the computer 300. Conveniently, the computer housing 310 and the inkjet printer 320 are also known in, Fig. 12 not shown, mechanical coupling elements equipped.

Fig. 13 1 shows an inkjet printer 200 having a housing 210 according to the invention with a receptacle for an ink cartridge 10 arranged in a side wall.

The FIGS. 14a and 14b show a multifunction system 400 that includes an inkjet printer and a flatbed scanner and optionally a fax machine. An inventive housing of the multifunction system 400 comprises a pivotable Lid 420, which is equipped with one or more receptacles 411 for ink cartridges 10.

Claims (16)

1. Ink cartridge (10, 20) for inkjet printing systems and computers, characterized in that the ink cartridge (10, 20) has a housing with a standardized form factor K_N = (4•π)^1/3•(3•V)^2/3/F of less than 0.52, V denoting the volume and F denoting the surface area of the housing of the ink cartridge (10, 20).
2. Ink cartridge (10, 20) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the housing of the ink cartridge (10, 20) has a standardized form factor of K_N < 0.50, preferably K_N < 0.46 and, in particular, K_N < 0.44.
3. Ink cartridge (10, 20) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the housing of the ink cartridge (10, 20) comprises a first and a second housing wall (2, 3) which run substantially parallel to one another, a constant or varying spacing (D) between the outer surfaces of the first and the second housing wall (2, 3) being from 4 to 25 mm, and the outer surfaces of the first and the second housing wall (2, 3) in each case having a size of from 150 to 1200 cm².
4. Ink cartridge (10) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first and the second housing wall (2, 3) are substantially planar.
5. Ink cartridge (10, 20) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ink cartridge (10, 20) has mechanical holding elements (1) for releasable securing in a housing of an inkjet printing system or computer, the holding elements (1) preferably being configured as grooves, webs, ribs, tongues, plugs and/or sleeves.
6. Ink cartridge (10, 20) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ink cartridge (10, 20) is equipped with a releasable coupling (6, 8) for connection to a coupling (7, 9) of an ink line of an inkjet printing system or computer.
7. Ink cartridge according to Claim 6, characterized in that the coupling (6, 8) comprises a valve with a leadthrough (62; 82) for ink, a closing element (61, 62, 63; 83), a spring (64; 84) and means (61, 62, 63; 88) for opening a coupling (7; 9) of an ink line of an inkjet printing system.
8. Ink cartridge (10, 20) according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the ink cartridge (10, 20) comprises a flexible ink bag (14) which is connected to the coupling (6, 8).
9. Ink cartridge (10, 20) according to Claim 8, characterized in that the ink cartridge (10, 20) has a mechanical pressure device for exerting a pressure on the ink bag (14), the pressure device comprising one or more compression springs (15) and optionally a pressure plunger which can be displaced in the ink cartridge (10, 20).
10. Ink cartridge (10, 20) according to Claim 9, characterized in that the at least one compression spring (15) is configured as a single-piece, laminarly curved leaf spring and is composed of a polymeric or metallic material.
11. Ink cartridge (10, 20) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the housing of the ink cartridge (10, 20) is equipped with one or more openings or valves (17) for aerating and venting the interior of the ink cartridge (10, 20).
12. Housing (100, 210, 310) for an inkjet printing system or a portable computer having one or more outer wall elements (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 420), comprising one or more ink lines (118) and one or more releasable holding devices (117, 117A) for one or more ink cartridges (10) according to one or more of Claims 1 to 11.
13. Housing (100, 210, 310) according to Claim 12, characterized in that the at least one wall element (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 420) comprises a first wall plate (112).
14. Housing (100, 210, 310) according to Claim 13, characterized in that the at least one wall element (110, 120, 420) comprises a second wall plate (113) which is arranged substantially parallel to the first wall plate (112), and in that a constant or varying spacing (W) between the first wall plate (112) and the second wall plate (113) is from 6 to 28 mm, preferably from 6 to 22 mm, in particular from 6 to 17 mm and particularly preferably from 8 to 17 mm.
15. Housing (100, 210, 310) according to Claim 14, characterized in that the at least one wall element (110, 120, 420) has one or more receptacles (111, 311, 411) for ink cartridges (10), each of the receptacles (111, 311, 411) being delimited on one first side by the first wall plate (112) and on a second opposite side by the second wall plate (113); and/or
    the at least one wall element being configured as a frame construction with struts and connecting elements; and/or
    the holding devices (117, 117A) being configured as webs, grooves, plugs, sleeves, hooks or clips; and/or
    the at least one wall element (110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 420) being pivotable or displaceable.
16. Inkjet printing system (200, 400) or computer (300) having a housing according to one or more of Claims 12 to 15.

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