EP2808169A2 - Adapter device for a printer - Google Patents

Abstract

An adapter device (1) which can be inserted into a cartridge receptacle of a printer and which is designed to receive an ink cartridge (20). The adapter device (1) comprises a substantially flat base element (2) which extends in the direction of insertion (E) and transversely in the height direction (H) and of the at least in its upper or lower region, a wall part (3) from the surface extension laterally protrudes. On the at least one wall part (3) or on the base element (2) an actuating slide (5) is longitudinally displaceably mounted in the insertion direction (E), which at its front end in the insertion direction a thrust finger (6) and in its rear region an actuating piece (7) includes. In this case, the push finger (6) in the insertion direction forward on the base element (2) also pushed out and the actuating piece (7) has a rearwardly directed actuating surface (8) extending in the area between the wall part (3) and base body (2 ).

Description

The present invention relates to an adapter device which is insertable into a cartridge receptacle of a printer and which is adapted to receive an ink cartridge (consumable cartridge for a printer).

In the prior art, printers are known in a variety of different embodiments. For the supply of consumables usually exchangeable consumables containers are used in inkjet printers, these are so-called ink cartridges or short cartridges. These are used to operate in corresponding cartridge receptacles of the printer so that the ink outlet port of the ink cartridge is connected to an ink supply port of the printer.

Ink cartridges have at least one ink chamber, which is formed of several walls mostly substantially box-shaped. For use, the ink cartridge is inserted in the insertion direction - from back to front - in the cartridge receptacle of the printer, which is formed like a shaft and adapted to the shape of the ink cartridge. In this case, the Tintenauslassöffnung is connected to the front in the insertion direction front wall and when inserted to the arranged at the end of the shaft-like receptacle ink supply port of the printer.

An inkjet printer with cartridge holders, in the ink cartridges are inserted horizontally in the insertion direction from back to front, is in the EP 2 397 330 B1 described. A special feature of this type of printer is that at the end of a cartridge receptacle each have a further opening or depression is formed, in which an actuating part of an electrical switch is arranged sunk. The actuating member is displaceable in the insertion direction and actuates the switch when it is pushed deep into said opening.

The printer will only start operating when the electrical switches in all cartridge receptacles are pressed. For this purpose, each original cartridge of the Druckerherstllers a in the insertion direction forward on the Tintenauslassöffnung projecting projection, a so-called detection section. If a cartridge is inserted into the cartridge receptacle, the projection strikes the actuating part from behind and pushes it forward, so that the electrical switch is actuated. This releases the printer for operation.

In the mentioned EP 2 397 330 B1 It is proposed that the projection on the cartridge should serve as a kind of key with which certain information regarding the type of cartridge should be transmitted to the printer. For example, different types of cartridges may differ in the length of the protrusion, with a printer type activated only by a particular type of cartridge having a precisely corresponding protrusion.

The advantage of such a printer and cartridge design is that different types of cartridges can already be customized by the length of the protrusion for compatibility with a particular type of printer. A major disadvantage, however, is that for each printer type with respect to all other features to be suitable, only by the length of the projection distinctive cartridges produced and kept ready. This leads to a correspondingly high manufacturing and storage costs.

In view of this problem, the present invention is based on the motivation to provide a solution by means of which the manufacturing and storage costs for cartridges that can be used in different printer types can be reduced.

To solve the above-described problem, an adapter device is proposed according to the invention, which is insertable into a cartridge receptacle of a printer and which is adapted to receive an ink cartridge (consumable cartridge for a printer), which adapter device comprises a substantially flat base member extending in the insertion direction (from the back towards the front) and transversely thereto in the height direction (from bottom to top) and of which projects at least in its upper or lower region (longitudinal edge) a wall portion of the surface extension laterally (from left to right, thus transversely to the longitudinal extent and height extent) on a wall portion or on the base element, an actuating slide is mounted longitudinally displaceable in the insertion direction, which comprises at its front end in the insertion direction (forward) (power transmission) thrust finger and in its rear portion an actuating piece, wherein the thrust finger in the insertion direction forward over the Base element is also pushed out and the actuating piece has a rearwardly directed actuating surface which extends into the region between the wall part and the base body.

The adapter device according to the invention, adapter for short, can be inserted into the cartridge receptacle of a printer and fixed therein. The inventive construction of a flat base body, which may be plate-shaped or frame-shaped, and in the upper and / or lower side laterally formed wall portions forms practically a laterally open "U" - or "L" profile. The main body extends along the lateral boundary of the cartridge receiving space in the printer, the wall parts protruding from the main body at least partially against the upper and / or lower inside of the cartridge receptacle of the printer. This design ensures that an inventive adapter similar to an original cartridge from the back to the front (in insertion) can be inserted into the cartridge holder of a printer and that subsequently inserted a cartridge as usual in the insertion direction forward in the cartridge receptacle with the adapter device therein can be. In the inserted state, the main body of the adapter rests against the side of the cartridge, and the wall parts projecting laterally from the main body are located above or below the cartridge.

In the inserted state of the adapter device, the thrust finger of the actuating slide is in the insertion direction in front of the actuating part of the electrical switch, which is located in an opening or depression at the end of the cartridge receptacle. Will now a cartridge in the direction of insertion of Inserted into the rear of the cartridge receptacle with the adapter located therein, the cartridge pushes with its front against the actuating surface formed on the actuating piece of the actuating slide rear. Upon further insertion of the cartridge, the actuating slide is pushed forward, so that the push finger abuts against the actuating part of the switch and moves it into the switching position. This activates the switch on the printer. The actuating slide practically takes over the function of the projection attached to each cartridge in the individualized original cartridges, or in other words the actuating slide forms a mechanical extension of the actuating part of the switch, which now projects rearwardly into the cartridge receiving space of the printer. As a result, for a printer equipped with an adapter according to the invention, cartridges without a projection can be used.

For the intended use of the printer, it is equivalent whether a specially adapted for the printer type cartridge type is used, or whether initially an inventive adapter used and then cartridges are used without a projection. This has the particular advantage that no different cartridges with different length projections more produced and kept, but only a universally applicable cartridge type without a projection that can be adapted thanks to the adapter according to the invention to different printer types. As a result, the manufacturing and storage costs are reduced.

The main body may be plate-shaped or frame-shaped. The plate or the frame can be made relatively thin, so that the available in the cartridge receptacle cartridge receiving space is reduced only very slightly.

A special feature of the invention is that the outer sides of the base body and / or the wall parts have fastening means which can be brought into engagement with holding devices in the cartridge receptacle of the printer. Specifically, for this purpose, the adapter device is designed according to an original cartridge originally intended for a specific type of printer, For example, externally provided with fastening means such as guide means, rails, grooves, projections, locking means or the like, which correspond as in an original cartridge with corresponding counterparts in the cartridge receptacle. As a result, an inventive adapter can just as easily be used in a printer as a designated original cartridge.

In a preferred embodiment, the base body or the wall parts have a movable locking element, which has a locking projection extending transversely to the insertion direction outwardly projecting locking projection, which is engageable with a corresponding locking recess in the cartridge receptacle in holding engagement, and the locking element in a release position inwardly is movable, so that the locking projection is releasable from the locking recess, wherein the movement of the locking element is blocked from the inside. The blocking of the locking element in the locking position can be effected in that the actuating slide is supported with a contact surface from the inside against the locking element when the actuating slide is pushed in the direction of insertion forward. In this position, the locking element can not be brought into the release position. However, the adapter can only be inserted into or removed from a cartridge receptacle when the locking element is brought into the release position. Conversely, it is not possible to insert or remove the adapter from a printer when the locking element is in the locking position. It follows that the locking element can only be moved when no cartridge cooperates with the adapter, i. Accordingly, the adapter can only be inserted or removed from a cartridge receptacle if it is handled individually and independently of a cartridge. It is not possible to first assemble the adapter and a cartridge and then insert them into the printer in combination. It is likewise not possible to remove an adapter located in a cartridge receptacle together with a cartridge inserted therein together from the cartridge receptacle.

In practice, the adapter must first be inserted into the printer and fixed in the cartridge receptacle. Only then can a cartridge be used. Conveniently, the adapter remains in the printer when the cartridge is empty and is exchanged for a filled cartridge. The advantage is that as long as the adapter is in the printer, universally applicable cartridges can be used without individualized projection.

It is particularly advantageous that a sliding guide is formed on the main body or a wall part, in which the actuating slide is displaceably mounted in the insertion direction. The sliding guide comprises, for example, one or more elongate openings, depressions and / or profiles (rails) which interact in a form-fitting manner with the actuating slide.

Preferably, the actuating slide is captively fixed to the sliding guide. For example, the actuating slide may have undercut positive locking elements, which are locked under elastic deformation in corresponding counter-profiles on the base body, so that the actuating slide remains in normal use with the adapter.

Preferably, the base body with the wall parts and the actuating slide are designed as plastic injection molded parts. As a result, the adapter according to the invention can be made in an accurate fit and efficient.

Fig.1

eine erfindungsgemäße Adaptereinrichtung (Adapter) in Löseposition in perspektivischer Ansicht,

Fig.2

eine erfindungsgemäße Adaptereinrichtung (Adapter) in Verriegelungsposition in perspektivischer Ansicht

Fig.3

eine Tintenkartusche vor dem Einsetzen außerhalb einer Adaptereinrichtung gemäß Fig.1

Fig.4

eine Tintenkartusche eingesetzt in eine erfindungsgemäße Adaptereinrichtung gemäß Fig.2.

Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings. In detail show:

Fig.1

an inventive adapter device (adapter) in release position in perspective view,

Fig.2

an inventive adapter device (adapter) in the locked position in perspective view

Figure 3

an ink cartridge before insertion outside an adapter device according to Fig.1

Figure 4

an ink cartridge inserted into an inventive adapter device according to Fig.2 ,

The pictures in Fig.1 and 2 show an adapter device according to the invention, also referred to as adapter for short, which is provided with the reference numeral 1.

The adapter 1 comprises a flat, plate-shaped base element 2, which extends in the insertion direction E, which is indicated by an arrow, and transversely to the height direction H, which is also indicated by an arrow.

In the lower region, along the lower edge of the base element 2, a lower wall part 3 extends laterally out of the surface extension, that is, toward the viewer in the perspective shown. In the connection region between the wall part 3 and the base body 2, a longitudinal groove 4 running longitudinally in the insertion direction is formed on the side facing away from the observer. Viewed from the edge of the longitudinal groove, the wall part 3 has a width B such that it fits into a cartridge receptacle of a printer, not shown, like an original cartridge, in a form-fitting manner, ie. can be inserted with little side play in the insertion direction E.

On the wall part 3, an actuating slide 5 is longitudinally slidably mounted in the insertion direction E, the in Fig.1 in withdrawn to the rear release position and in Fig.2 is shown in forward pushed locking position. At its front end, the actuating slide 5 has a forwardly projecting thrust finger 6 and in its rear region an actuating piece 7 with a rearwardly directed actuating surface 8.

The actuating slide 5 is held captive on the wall part 3 in a sliding guide formed by projections 9 and 10 and an opening in the direction of insertion E 11, which only in the in Fig.2 shown locking position is visible.

At the front end, the wall part 3, a fastening means 12 in the form of a downwardly projecting projection 12. Due to the elasticity of the plastic material used, the projection 12 with the front wall part 3 in the release position ( Fig.1 ) to spring up, which is in Fig.1 with the little, up directed arrow is indicated. The spring travel is limited upwards by the underside of the actuating slide 7 and corresponds approximately to the downwardly projecting height of the projection 12. Thus, said projection 12 can be moved so far up that it is flush in the height direction with respect to the remaining underside of the wall part 3 sunk. In this position, the adapter 1 can be inserted into a cartridge receptacle until the projection 12 engages in a locking recess or opening in the underside of the cartridge receptacle, ie snaps back into its relaxed position.

Is the actuating slide 7 as in Fig.2 pushed forward, formed on its underside contact surface 13 is substantially free of play above the projection 12. This can not be moved resiliently upwards, the adapter 1 is thus blocked in the locking position in the cartridge receptacle. Consequently, an adapter 1 in the In Fig.2 Locking position shown plugged into a cartridge receptacle still be pulled out of it.

In the upper region of the base member 2, an upper wall portion 14 is mounted, which projects laterally on the viewer and in its front region has a fastening means 15 which is dimensioned so that it can be inserted with little lateral play in a cartridge receptacle. Furthermore, the major part of the fastening means 15 is designed as a ramp-shaped Entrastfläche which rises in the insertion direction forward. The ramp shape means that the adapter 1 can usually be removed from a cartridge receptacle, not shown, opposite to the insertion direction, without having to actuate the conventional cartridge-side lever locking. For when removing the adapter 1, the Entrastfläche so abuts the end facing the Hebelverrastung that this is pushed by sliding along on the ramp-shaped Entrastfläche up in its Entrastposition and thus releases the adapter for removal.

The adapter 1 has by the base member 2 with the upper and lower wall parts 14, 3 practically the shape of a viewer towards open U-profile. This U-profile is in the direction of insertion front and rear also open, so that, if the adapter 1 is located in a cartridge receptacle of a printer, an ink cartridge 20 can be inserted or plugged in the direction of insertion from back to front in the profile. This is in Figure 3 shown.

The ink cartridge 20 (cartridge) has on its front side an ink port 21 and a rearwardly offset forwardly facing front surface 22. The overall height of the cartridge 20 is sized to fit between the wall portions 3 and 14.

When inserting the cartridge 20 first meets with its front surface 22 in the direction of insertion E on the actuating surface 8 on the actuating piece 7 of the release position ( Fig.1 As a result, upon further insertion of the cartridge 20, the actuating slide 5 is pushed forward relative to the adapter 1 until the cartridge 20 abuts against the fastening means 15 of the upper wall part 14 with the upper region of its front face 22 and the in Figure 4 shown end position is reached.

In the in Figure 4 illustrated position, the adapter 1 is in the locked position as in Fig.1 , This means, on the one hand, that the thrust finger 6 protrudes far forward and actuates a switch mounted inside the printer. On the other hand, the lower fastener, the projection 12, is blocked from moving upwardly by the operating slide 5, which engages the above-mentioned locking recess in the printer, so that the adapter 1, together with the cartridge 20 inserted, is locked in the cartridge receptacle of a printer. The adapter 1 can only be removed from the printer again when the cartridge 20 has been withdrawn in the opposite direction to the direction of insertion.

The particular advantage of the invention is that a cartridge 20 can get along a substantially flat front surface 22 without special actuation projections or the like.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Adapter device / adapter

2

basic element

3

wall part

4

longitudinal groove

5

operating slide

6

thrust finger

7

operating pieces

8th

actuating surface

9

Projection (sliding guide)

10

Projection (sliding guide)

11

Opening (sliding guide)

12

Projection (locking element = fastening means)

13

contact area

14

wall part

15

fastener

20

cartridge

21

ink port

22

front surface

e

insertion direction

H

height direction

B

Width of the wall part 3

Claims (9)

Adapter device (1) which can be inserted into a cartridge receptacle of a printer and which is designed to receive an ink cartridge (20), which adapter device (1) comprises a substantially flat base element (2) extending in the insertion direction (E) and transversely thereto extends in the height direction (H) and of the at least in its upper or lower portion a wall portion (3) protrudes laterally from the surface extension, wherein on the at least one wall part (3) or on the base element (2) an actuating slide (5) in the insertion direction ( E) is mounted longitudinally displaceable, which comprises at its front end in the insertion direction a thrust finger (6) and in its rear region an actuating piece (7), wherein the thrust finger (6) in the insertion direction forward beyond the base element (2) also pushed out and the actuating member (7) has a rearwardly directed actuating surface (8), the erstre in the area between the wall part (3) and the base body (2) ckt. Adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body (2) is plate-shaped or frame-shaped. Adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer sides of the base body (2) and / or the wall parts (3, 14) fastening means (12, 15) which can be brought into engagement with holding means in the cartridge receiving a printer. Adapter device according to claim 3, characterized in that fastening means (12, 15) are arranged on the outside of the main body (2) or the side walls (3). Adapter device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the base body (2) or the wall parts (3) have a movable locking element which has a locking projection (12) which protrudes outwards in the locking position transversely to the direction of insertion and which has a locking element corresponding locking recess in the cartridge receptacle can be brought into holding engagement, and the locking element can be moved inwards into a release position, so that the locking projection (12) can be released from the locking recess, wherein the movement of the locking element can be blocked from the inside. Adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the actuating slide (7) with a contact surface (13) from the inside against the locking element (12) is supported when the actuating slide (7) is pushed in the direction of insertion forward. Adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the base body (2) or a wall part (3) a sliding guide (9, 10, 11) is formed, in which the actuating slide (7) is mounted displaceably in the insertion direction. Adapter device according to claim 7, characterized in that the actuating slide (7) is captively fixed to the sliding guide (9, 10, 11). Adapter device according to claim 1, characterized in that the base body (2) with the wall parts (3, 14) and the actuating slide (7) are designed as plastic injection-molded parts.

Images