JP6730491B2 - Foldable container and sensor - Google Patents

Description

As an example of a fluid ejection system, an inkjet printing system may include a printhead, an ink supply that supplies liquid ink to the printhead, and an electronic controller that controls the printhead. As an example of a fluid ejection device, a printhead ejects drops of ink toward a print medium, such as paper, through a plurality of nozzles or orifices for printing on the print medium. In some examples, the orifices are arranged in at least one row or array and are varied by a suitable sequence of ejection of ink from the orifices as the printhead and print medium move relative to each other. Characters or other images are configured to be printed on the print medium.

It is a block diagram which shows an example of an inkjet printing system. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printhead assembly. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a printhead assembly. It is a figure which shows an example of the foldable container in the inflated state. It is a figure which shows an example of the folding container in a folded state. It is an exploded view showing an example of a sensor assembly. It is a circuit diagram which shows an example of a sensor. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a method of manufacturing a printhead assembly.

[Detailed description]
The following detailed description refers to the drawings, which form a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate, by way of example, various embodiments in which the present disclosure may be practiced. It is to be understood that other examples may be used and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims. The features of the various examples described herein may be partially or wholly combined with one another, unless stated otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an inkjet printing system 100. Inkjet printing system 100 includes a fluid ejection assembly, such as printhead assembly 102, and a fluid supply assembly, such as bulk ink assembly 110. In the illustrated example, the inkjet printing system 100 further includes a carriage assembly 116, a print media transport assembly 118, and an electronic controller 120. Although the following description provides examples of systems and assemblies for handling fluids with respect to inks, the disclosed systems and assemblies are for other liquids and/or toners and fluids other than inks, such as three-dimensional powders. It also applies to handling.

The printhead assembly 102 includes at least one printhead or fluid ejection device that ejects drops of ink or fluid through a plurality of orifices or nozzles 108. In one example, the drops are directed toward a medium, such as print medium 124, for printing on print medium 124. The print medium 124 comprises any type of suitable sheet material such as paper, cardboard, transparencies, mylar, textiles and the like. In one example, the nozzles 108 are arranged in at least one row or array to provide a suitable sequence of ink from the nozzles 108 as the printhead assembly 102 and print medium 124 move relative to each other. The jets are configured to print various characters, symbols, and/or other graphics or images on the print medium 124. The printhead assembly 102 further includes a sensor 104 and a collapsible container 106. The collapsible container 106 supplies ink to the nozzles 108. The sensor 104 detects the amount of ink in the foldable container 106. In one example, the sensor 104, the printhead assembly 102 including the collapsible container 106, and the nozzle 108 are housed together in an inkjet or fluid jet print cartridge or pen.

The bulk ink assembly 110 supplies bulk ink to the collapsible container 106 of the printhead assembly 102 and includes a bulk ink supply 112 for storing the ink. The bulk ink assembly 110 may be separate from the printhead assembly 102. The high volume ink assembly 110 supplies ink to the printhead assembly 102 through an interface connection 113, such as a supply tube and/or valve.

The carriage assembly 116 positions the printhead assembly 102 with respect to the print media transport assembly 118, and the print media transport assembly 118 positions the print media 124 with respect to the printhead assembly 102. As a result, a print zone 126 is defined adjacent the nozzle 108 in the area between the printhead assembly 102 and the print medium 124. In one example, printhead assembly 102 is a scanning printhead assembly 102 and carriage assembly 116 is configured to move printhead assembly 102 with respect to print media transport assembly 118. In another example, the printhead assembly 102 is a non-scanning printhead assembly and the carriage assembly 116 secures the printhead assembly 102 in place relative to the print media transport assembly 124. It is configured.

Electronic controller 120 communicates with printhead assembly 102 over communication path 103, communicates with carriage assembly 116 over communication path 117, and communicates with print media transport assembly 118 over communication path 119. In one example, when the printhead assembly 102 is attached to the carriage assembly 116, the electronic controller 120 and the printhead assembly 102 may communicate with each other through the communication path 101 and through the carriage assembly 116. In one embodiment, the telegraph controller 120 may further communicate with the high volume ink assembly 110 so that a new (or used) ink supply can be detected. The electronic controller 120 may further communicate with the bulk ink assembly 110 to control the refilling of ink from the bulk ink supply 112 to the collapsible container 106.

Electronic controller 120 may include memory for receiving data 128 from a host system, such as a computer, and temporarily storing data 128. The data 128 may be transmitted to the inkjet printing system 100 along an informational transmission path by electronic, infrared, optical or other means. The data 128 represents, for example, a document and/or file to be printed. As such, the data 128 forms a print job for the inkjet printing system 100 and includes at least one print job command and/or command parameter.

In one example, the electronic controller 120 provides control of the printhead assembly 102, such as timing control of the ejection of ink drops from the nozzles 108. Accordingly, the electronic controller 120 defines a pattern of ejected ink drops that form characters, symbols, and/or other graphics or images on the print medium 124. Thus, timing control and jet drop patterns are determined by print job commands and/or command parameters. In one example, the logic drive circuitry forming part of electronic controller 120 is located on printhead assembly 102. In another example, the logic drive circuitry forming part of electronic controller 120 is located outside printhead assembly 102.

The electronic controller 120 may also receive sensor signals from the sensors 104 of the printhead assembly 102. The electronic controller 120 may adjust the amount of ink in the collapsible container 106 and may provide an out-of-ink signal based on the sensor signal. The electronic controller 120 provides a control signal to the high-capacity ink assembly 110 based on the sensor signal, and selectively transfers ink from the high-capacity ink supply unit 112 to the collapsible container 106, thereby causing the collapsible container 106 to have a large volume. The amount of ink may be adjusted.

If the bulk ink supply 112 is effectively empty (ie, the ink flow rate is significantly slower, for example, less than 20% of the maximum flow rate for a given ink extraction process), then the refill rate of the collapsible container 106 is , Will decrease. This decrease in the refill rate of the collapsible container 106 can be detected by the electronic controller 120 based on the sensor signal. In response to detecting the decrease in the refill rate, the electronic controller 120 may generate an out-of-ink signal indicating that the bulk ink supply 112 is effectively empty. In response to an out-of-ink signal, a user of inkjet printing system 100 may be prompted to replace or refill high volume ink supply 112. The printhead assembly 102 may continue printing after the out-of-ink signal is generated until the sensor signal indicates that the collapsible container 106 is also effectively empty.

2A and 2B show an example of the printhead assembly 200. The printhead assembly 200 may provide the printhead assembly 102 illustrated and described above in connection with FIG. The printhead assembly 200 includes a housing 202, a collapsible container 203, and a sensor assembly 208. The housing 202 includes an upper housing part 202a, a lower housing part 202b, a first housing side wall part 202c, and a second housing side wall part 202d facing the first housing side wall part 202c. The upper portions of the housing side wall portions 202c and 202d are attached to the upper housing portion 202a. The bottom portions of the housing side wall portions 202c and 202d are attached to the lower housing portion 202b.

The collapsible container 203 includes a first flexible side wall 206a and a second flexible side wall 206b opposite to the first flexible side wall 206a. The top surface of each flexible sidewall 206a and 206b is attached to the upper housing portion 202a by a connector 204a. The bottom surface of each flexible sidewall 206a and 206b is attached to the lower housing portion 202b by a connector 204b. Flexible sidewalls 206a and 206b may comprise biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET) or other suitable material. When the ink is removed from the collapsible container 203, the flexible side wall 206a and the flexible side wall 206b move toward each other. When ink is added to the collapsible container 203, the flexible side wall 206a and the flexible side wall 206b move away from each other.

In one example, the second flexible sidewall 206b is constrained to limit movement of the second flexible sidewall 206b and the first flexible sidewall 206a is unconstrained. The second flexible sidewall 206b is such that the second flexible sidewall 206b contains little or no extra material between the upper housing portion 202a and the lower housing portion 202b. , May be constrained by a snug fit of the second flexible sidewall 206b between the upper housing portion 202a and the lower housing portion 202b. The first flexible side wall 206a is configured such that the first flexible side wall 206a includes excess material between the upper housing part 202a and the lower housing part 202b. It may be loosely attached to the housing part 202b. Therefore, when ink is added to and/or removed from the collapsible container 203, the first flexible sidewall 206a is much more than the second flexible sidewall 206b. Move a wide range.

The sensor assembly 208 includes a mounting bracket 210, a signal line port 212, and a printed circuit assembly (PCA) 214. In one example, the mounting bracket 210 is L-shaped. The mounting bracket 210 is attached to the upper housing portion 202a outside the housing 202, and is attached to the first housing side wall portion 202c inside the housing 202. The PCA 214 is attached to the mounting bracket 210 and faces the first flexible sidewall 206a of the collapsible container 203. PCA 214 includes a sensor configured to detect the amount of ink in collapsible container 203. PCA 214 is electrically coupled to signal line port 212 for transmitting sensor signals to a controller, such as controller 120 illustrated and described above in connection with FIG.

3A shows an example of the collapsible container 300 in an inflated state, and FIG. 3B shows an example of the collapsible container 300 in a folded state. In one example, the collapsible container 300 may be part of the printhead assembly and provide the collapsible container 203 illustrated and described above in connection with FIGS. 2A and 2B. In another example, collapsible container 300 may be part of a fluid supply assembly for supplying fluid to an output port.

In one example, collapsible container 300 is a spring-loaded bag. The collapsible container 300 includes an upper housing portion 302a, a lower housing portion 302b, a first flexible side wall 306a, a second flexible side wall 306b, and a first flexible side wall 306a and a second flexible side wall 306a. A spring assembly 308 is provided between the flexible side wall 306b. Spring assembly 308 includes a first plate 310a coupled to a second plate 310b by a leaf spring 312.

The upper surface of each flexible sidewall 306a and 306b is attached to the upper housing portion 302a by a connector 304a. The bottom surface of each flexible sidewall 306a and 306b is attached to the lower housing portion 302b by a connector 304b. Flexible sidewalls 306a and 306b may comprise biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate (BoPET) or other suitable material. Spring assembly 308 exerts a constant pressure on flexible sidewalls 306a and 306b for expansion. Removing ink from the collapsible container 300 causes the flexible sidewalls 306a and 306b to collapse together, as shown in FIG. 3B. Upon adding ink to the collapsible container 300, the flexible sidewalls 306a and 306b move apart, as shown in FIG. 3A. Spring assembly 308 maintains sufficient back pressure within collapsible container 300 for proper ejection of ink from the printhead assembly nozzles.

In one example, the second flexible sidewall 306b is constrained to limit movement of the second flexible sidewall 306b and the first flexible sidewall 306a is unconstrained. The second flexible sidewall 306b is such that the second flexible sidewall 306b contains little or no excess material between the upper housing portion 302a and the lower housing portion 302b. , May be constrained by a snug fit of the second flexible sidewall 306b between the upper housing portion 302a and the lower housing portion 302b. The first flexible side wall 306a is configured such that the first flexible side wall 306a includes excess material between the upper housing portion 302a and the lower housing portion 302b. It may be loosely attached to the housing part 302b. Thus, when ink is added to and/or removed from the collapsible container 300, the first flexible sidewall 306a is much more than the second flexible sidewall 206b. Move a wide range.

A sensor 314 mounted on the side wall of the housing (not shown) is configured to sense the position of the first plate 310a of the spring assembly 308 relative to the sensor 314. The sensor 314 provides a signal indicative of the distance 316 (FIG. 3B) between the sensor 314 and the first plate 310a. In one example, the sensor 314 includes a resonant circuit that includes an induction coil for sensing the position of the first plate 310a with respect to the sensor 314. In other examples, the sensor 314 may include other suitable components for sensing the distance between the first plate 310a and the sensor 314. Determining the amount of ink in the foldable container 300, adjusting the amount of ink supplied from the large volume ink supply to the foldable container 300, and determining when the large volume ink supply is effectively empty. For this reason, the sensor signal may be received by a controller, such as the controller 120 illustrated and described above in connection with FIG.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view showing an example of the sensor assembly 400. In one example, the sensor assembly 400 provides the sensor assembly 208 illustrated and described above in connection with FIGS. 2A and 2B. The sensor assembly 400 includes a mounting bracket 402, an adhesive 414, a printed circuit assembly (PCA) 416, and a coverlay material 420.

In one example, the mounting bracket 402 is L-shaped and includes a first portion 404 for insertion into the housing and a second portion mounted at right angles to the first portion 404 to cover the top of the housing. Portion 408 and. In one example, the sensor assembly 400 is attachable to and removable from the housing. The first portion 404, which may include locking tabs 406 for securing the mounting bracket 402 within the housing, pushes the locking tabs 406 toward each other and lifts the mounting bracket 402 out of the housing. Allows the mounting bracket 402 to be removed from the housing. The second portion 408 may include a tab 410 for aligning the mounting bracket 402 with the housing and attaching to the housing.

PCA 416 is attached to first portion 404 of mounting bracket 402 by adhesive 414. Adhesive 414 may be a double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape or other suitable adhesive. PCA 416 includes a sensor (not shown) and connector 418. Connector 418 is electrically coupled to the sensor of PCA 416 and is accessible through opening 412 in mounting bracket 408 to provide a signal line port. Coverlay material 420, such as coverlay tape or other suitable coverlay material, is attached to PCA 416 at a location opposite adhesive 414. The coverlay material 420 electrically insulates the surface of the PCA 416.

FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the sensor 500. In one example, the sensor 500 is part of the PCA 416 illustrated and described above in connection with FIG. Sensor 500 includes a capacitor 504 coupled in parallel with inductive coil 506 between nodes 502a and 502b to provide a resonant circuit. The signal between nodes 502a and 502b provides the sensor signal. In one example, the induction coil 506 is integrated into the PCA printed circuit board. The inductance of the induction coil 506 varies based on the position of the sensor 500 with respect to the plate of the collapsible container spring assembly. Therefore, the sensor 500 can be used to detect the amount of ink or fluid in the collapsible container.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method 600 for manufacturing a printhead assembly, such as printhead assembly 200 illustrated and described above in connection with FIGS. 2A and 2B. At 602, method 600 includes inserting a collapsible container into a housing. The collapsible container includes flexible side walls and a spring assembly disposed between the side walls. At 604, method 600 includes inserting a sensor assembly into the housing at a location between the housing sidewall and the collapsible container flexible sidewall. The sensor assembly includes a sensor for providing a sensor signal indicative of the amount of ink in the collapsible container.

In one example, the spring assembly includes a first plate coupled to a second plate by a leaf spring, the first plate facing the sensor. The sensor detects the distance between the first plate and the second plate. In another example, the collapsible container is manufactured such that the first flexible side wall comprises more material than the second flexible side wall opposite the first flexible side wall. The flexible side wall movement of the second flexible side wall is configured to be less constrained than the movement of the second flexible side wall.

While various embodiments are illustrated and described herein, various alternative and/or equivalent embodiments may be used in place of the illustrated and described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the embodiments described herein. Therefore, the present disclosure is intended to be limited only by the claims and their equivalents.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are listed below.
1. A housing; a nozzle for ejecting ink droplets; a collapsible container provided in the housing for supplying ink to the nozzle, the flexible side wall being between the flexible side wall and the flexible side wall A collapsible container including a spring assembly provided; a sensor assembly coupled to the housing, the sensor assembly including a sensor for providing a sensor signal indicative of the amount of ink in the collapsible container; A printhead assembly, including an assembly.
2. The spring assembly includes a first plate coupled to a second plate by a leaf spring, the first plate facing the sensor, the sensor including the first plate and the sensor. The printhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the printhead assembly senses a distance between.
3. The printhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor inductance varies based on the position of the spring assembly.
4. The printhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a resonant circuit.
5. The movement of the first flexible side wall of the collapsible container is unconstrained and the movement of the second flexible side wall of the collapsible container opposite the first flexible side wall is constrained. The printhead assembly of claim 1, wherein the first flexible sidewall faces the sensor.
6. The sensor assembly includes a printed circuit board including an integrated induction coil, a capacitor coupled in parallel with the induction coil, and a signal line port electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. The printhead assembly described in.
7. The printhead assembly of claim 6, wherein the sensor assembly further includes an L-shaped mounting bracket coupled to the printed circuit board, the mounting bracket coupled to the housing.
8. A fluid supply assembly, a housing; a collapsible container provided within the housing for supplying fluid to an output port, the flexible side wall and a spring provided between the flexible side walls. A collapsible container including an assembly; and a sensor assembly coupled to the housing, the sensor assembly including a sensor for providing a sensor signal indicative of the amount of fluid in the collapsible container. A fluid supply assembly including.
9. The spring assembly includes a first plate coupled to a second plate by a leaf spring, the first plate facing the sensor, the sensor including the first plate and the sensor. 9. The fluid supply assembly according to 8, which senses a distance between.
10. 9. The fluid supply assembly of 8, wherein the sensor inductance changes based on the position of the spring assembly.
11. Movement of the first flexible sidewall of the collapsible container is unconstrained and movement of the second flexible sidewall of the collapsible container opposite the first flexible sidewall is constrained. 9. The fluid supply assembly according to claim 8, wherein the first flexible sidewall faces the sensor.
12. The sensor assembly includes a printed circuit board including an integrated induction coil; a capacitor coupled in parallel with the induction coil; and a signal line port electrically coupled to the printed circuit board. A fluid supply assembly according to claim 1.
13. A method for manufacturing a printhead assembly comprising inserting a collapsible container into a housing, the collapsible container including flexible sidewalls and a spring assembly disposed between the sidewalls. A sensor assembly is inserted into the housing at a position between a housing side wall and the flexible container side wall, the sensor assembly indicating a sensor signal indicative of the amount of ink in the collapsible container. A method comprising providing a sensor for providing.
14. The spring assembly includes a first plate coupled to a second plate by a leaf spring, the first plate facing the sensor, the sensor including the first plate and the sensor. 14. The method according to 13, wherein the distance between and is detected.
15. The collapsible container is manufactured such that the first flexible side wall comprises more material than the second flexible side wall opposite the first flexible side wall, and the first flexible side wall. 14. The method of 13, wherein the flexible sidewall movement is configured to be constrained to a lesser extent than the movement of the second flexible sidewall.

Claims (15)

Housing,
A nozzle for ejecting ink drops,
A collapsible container provided in the housing for supplying ink to the nozzle, the first flexible side wall and a second flexible side wall facing the first flexible side wall. A collapsible container, including a side wall,
A spring assembly provided in the collapsible container between the first flexible side wall and the second flexible side wall, wherein the spring assembly includes: a first plate; look including a second plate coupled, the first and second plates, urged by the first and second said plate spring so that each exerts a pressure against the flexible side wall of the A spring assembly, wherein the first flexible sidewall and the first plate move together in response to an amount of ink in the collapsible container;
A sensor assembly coupled to the housing and including a sensor, the sensor facing the first plate through the first flexible sidewall and configured to accommodate ink within the collapsible container. A sensor assembly that provides a sensor signal indicating a distance between the sensor and the first plate to indicate an amount of the printhead assembly. The printhead assembly of claim 1, wherein movement of the first flexible sidewall is unconstrained and movement of the second flexible sidewall is constrained. The first flexible side wall is loosely mounted between the upper housing part and the lower housing part of the housing, and the second flexible side wall is the upper housing part and the lower housing part of the housing. A printhead assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the printhead assembly is fitted snugly between the parts. The first flexible sidewall is adapted to be bound to the second flexible sidewall such that the movement of the first flexible sidewall is constrained to a lesser extent than the movement of the second flexible sidewall. The printhead assembly of any one of claims 1-3, which comprises more material. The printhead assembly of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the inductance of the sensor varies based on the position of the first plate with respect to the sensor. The printhead assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a resonant circuit. 7. The printhead assembly of any of claims 1-6, wherein the sensor assembly is attachable to and removable from the housing. The sensor assembly is
A printed circuit board including an integrated induction coil;
A capacitor coupled in parallel with the induction coil,
A signal line port electrically coupled to the printed circuit board, the printhead assembly of any one of claims 1-7. The sensor assembly is
The printhead assembly of claim 8, further comprising an L-shaped mounting bracket coupled to the printed circuit board, the mounting bracket coupled to the housing. The printhead assembly of claim 9, wherein the L-shaped mounting bracket includes locking tabs for securing the L-shaped mounting bracket within the housing. Housing,
A collapsible container provided in the housing for supplying fluid to an output port, the container including a first flexible sidewall and a second flexible sidewall opposite the first flexible sidewall. A collapsible container, including a side wall,
A spring assembly provided in the collapsible container between the first flexible side wall and the second flexible side wall, wherein the spring assembly includes: a first plate; look including a second plate coupled, the first and second plates, urged by the first and second said plate spring so that each exerts a pressure against the flexible side wall of the A spring assembly, wherein the first flexible sidewall and the first plate move together in response to an amount of ink in the collapsible container;
A sensor assembly, including a sensor, coupled to the housing, the sensor facing the first plate through the first flexible sidewall , the fluid in the collapsible container. A sensor assembly that provides a sensor signal indicating a distance between the sensor and the first plate to indicate the amount of the fluid supply assembly. 12. The fluid supply assembly of claim 11, wherein movement of the first flexible sidewall is unconstrained and movement of the second flexible sidewall is constrained. The first flexible side wall is loosely mounted between the upper housing part and the lower housing part of the housing, and the second flexible side wall is the upper housing part and the lower housing part of the housing. 13. A fluid supply assembly according to claim 11 or claim 12 fitted snugly between the parts. The first flexible sidewall is adapted to be bound to the second flexible sidewall such that the movement of the first flexible sidewall is constrained to a lesser extent than the movement of the second flexible sidewall. A fluid supply assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising more material. Inductance of the sensor is changed based on the position of the first plate relative to the sensor, the fluid supply assembly according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

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