KR100916920B1 - Ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an ink cartridge capable of continuously filling ink in an ink cartridge. The ink cartridge of the present invention is accommodated in the housing, the ink inlet is formed on the upper surface, the ink outlet is formed on the lower frame; And a membrane housed in the housing, the perimeter of which is supported by the frame, the ink reservoir being formed in the inner space. In addition, the membrane penetrates the upper portion of the housing and is coupled to the ink inlet and the membrane, and when the pressure of the seal between the inside of the housing and the outside of the frame is lower than the pressure outside the housing, the membrane expands in the outward direction of the housing. A first check valve configured to open and close the membrane by contracting inwardly of the ink reservoir when the pressure of the seal is higher than the pressure outside the housing; And a second check valve coupled to the ink outlet and the lower surface of the frame, the second check valve being closed when the membrane is expanded and opening when the membrane is contracted.

Membrane, perforated plate, positive pressure, negative pressure, first check valve, second check valve

Description

Ink cartridge {INK CARTRIDGE}

The present invention relates to an ink cartridge, and more particularly, to an ink cartridge capable of automatically injecting and discharging ink into an ink reservoir by using a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the housing.

In general, industrial inkjet equipment has to print continuously for a long time. Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus capable of continuously supplying ink to the inkjet head of a printer. The ink supply apparatus used conventionally has a sound pressure control system and a water level control system. In addition, there is a cartridge method in which a cartridge containing a proper amount of ink is used up and discarded, or the ink is recharged.

However, the cartridge method requires continuous charging of the cartridge each time the ink is exhausted, but it is not easy to refill the ink cartridge. In addition, even when the ink is injected into the ink cartridge there is a problem that the ink is not injected into the print head even after the ink is injected because the air pressure is not properly adjusted in the cartridge.

In addition, the sound pressure control method cannot be used for volatile ink, and the water level control method requires a space for installing the ink bottle when the number of heads of the inkjet printer increases, which causes a problem of wasting space.

Therefore, the present invention is derived to solve the above-described problems, in one embodiment of the present invention by using the pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the housing containing the ink reservoir is automatically injected and discharged ink to the ink reservoir. It is an object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge that can be made.

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention is accommodated in the housing, the ink inlet is formed on the upper surface, the ink outlet is formed on the lower surface; And a membrane housed in the housing, the perimeter of which is supported by the frame, the ink reservoir being formed in the inner space. In addition, the membrane penetrates the upper portion of the housing and is coupled to the ink inlet and the membrane, and when the pressure of the seal between the inside of the housing and the outside of the frame is lower than the pressure outside the housing, the membrane expands in the outward direction of the housing. A first check valve configured to open and close the membrane by contracting inwardly of the ink reservoir when the pressure of the seal is higher than the pressure outside the housing; And a second check valve coupled to the ink outlet and the lower surface of the frame, the second check valve being closed when the membrane is expanded and opening when the membrane is contracted.

At this time, it may further include a perforated plate supported around the frame disposed inside the housing surrounding the outer surface of the membrane. The apparatus may further include a pressure control unit connected to the pipe disposed on the housing to control the pressure of the sealing unit, and the pressure control valve may be further installed on the pipe to block the gas or the fluid flowing into the pressure control unit. Can be.

The frame may include a plate-shaped first frame coupled to an open surface of the housing to seal the housing, a first side of a stick shape disposed at a central portion of the first frame in a direction parallel to the first frame, A second frame including a second side extending from the edge of the first side and disposed in a direction perpendicular to the first frame, and a third side extending from the edge of the second side and arranged in a direction parallel to the first frame; It may include.

The membrane may be made of an elastic thin film, and the elastic thin film may be a rubber thin film or a polymer thin film. The first check valve may be connected to an ink supply port, and the second check valve may be connected to a print head.

The present invention can automatically inject and discharge ink into the ink reservoir by using a pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the housing including the ink reservoir. Accordingly, the ink cartridge can be continuously filled with ink, and the ink can be automatically discharged to the print head.

1 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1 and 2, the ink cartridge 100 may include a frame 140, a membrane 112, a first check valve 120 having a housing 110, an ink inlet 141, and an outlet 142. The second check valve 130 is included. In addition, the ink cartridge 100 further includes a perforated plate 113 and a pressure controller 160 surrounding the membrane 112.

The housing 110 is an element constituting the outer shape of the ink cartridge 100 and is formed as a tetrahedron having one surface open. The frame 140, the membrane 112, and the perforated plate 113 are disposed in the housing 140.

The frame 140 is coupled to an open surface of the housing 110 to form a plate-shaped first frame 143 for sealing the housing 110 and a second frame accommodated in the housing 110 to support the membrane 112. 144 is included.

The first frame 143 is coupled to the open surface of the housing 110. Accordingly, the inside of the housing 110 is sealed. A sealing member such as, for example, an O-ring is disposed between the first frame 143 coupled with the housing 110 to seal the inside of the housing 110.

The second frame 144 is disposed inside the housing 110 to support the membrane 112. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second frame 144 extends from the edge of the first side and the first side of the stick shape disposed on the first frame 143 in a direction parallel to the first frame 143. A second side disposed in a direction perpendicular to the first frame 143 and a third side extending from an edge of the second side and arranged in a direction parallel to the first frame 143. Accordingly, the second frame 144 is formed in a "c" shape.

Membrane 112 is housed inside housing 110. In this case, the outer surface of the membrane 112 is spaced apart from the inner surface of the housing 110 to form a space between the second frame 144 and the housing 110. In this embodiment, such a space is referred to as a closed part 115.

In the present invention, by adjusting the sealing unit 115 to a pressure lower or higher than the pressure outside the housing 110 to adjust the ink inflow amount and the ink discharge amount of the ink reservoir 111. More specifically, when the seal 115 is lower than the pressure outside the housing 110, the membrane 112 is expanded to open the first check valve 120. Accordingly, the ink flows into the ink reservoir 111. That is, when the sealing unit 115 is lower than the pressure outside the housing 110, a pressure difference occurs between the ink storing unit 111 and the sealing unit 115 inside the housing 110. When a pressure difference between the ink reservoir 111 and the seal 115 occurs, the volume of the gas or fluid in the ink reservoir 111, which is high in pressure, is expanded. Accordingly, the membrane 112 disposed outside the ink reservoir 111 is expanded in the outward direction of the housing 110. In addition, when the volume of the membrane 112 is expanded, the pressure inside the ink reservoir 111 is lower than the pressure set in advance so that the pressure inside the ink supply port 170 is lower. Accordingly, the first check valve 120 is lowered into the housing 110 and the first check valve 120 is opened.

On the contrary, when the sealing unit 115 is higher than the pressure outside the housing 110, the membrane 112 is contracted to open the second check valve 130. Accordingly, the ink is discharged to the outside of the ink reservoir 111. That is, when the sealing part 115 is higher than the pressure outside the housing 110, the sealing part 115 in which the pressure is high is contracted. As a result, the membrane 112 is contracted inwardly into the ink reservoir 111. In addition, when the membrane 112 is contracted, the pressure inside the ink reservoir 111 may be higher than the pressure set in advance, and thus higher than the pressure inside the ink supply port 170. Accordingly, the second check valve 130 installed to move only outside the housing 110 is moved to open the second check valve 130.

As described above, in this embodiment, the pressure of the sealing unit 115 is adjusted to allow ink to flow into the ink storage unit 110 in a state where air contact is blocked.

The membrane 112 is coupled to the circumference of the second frame 144 to form an ink storage 111 that stores ink in an internal space. The perforated plate 113 is coupled to the second frame 144 by a fastening band 114 and a fastening screw. That is, the fastening band 114 is fitted around the perforated plate 113, a plurality of holes formed in the periphery of the perforated plate 113, holes formed in the front of the second frame 144, and a plurality of fastening bands 114 formed in the fastening band 114. A fastening screw is coupled to the hole to couple the perforated plate 113 and the second frame 144 to each other. In addition, the membrane 112 may be formed of rubber or polymer, which is an elastic thin film, and may be deformed according to the pressure of the seal 115. That is, the membrane 112 is expanded or contracted by the pressure difference inside and outside the housing 110. For example, the membrane 112 expands when the pressure of the closure 110 is adjusted to a negative pressure (negative pressure) lower than the pressure outside the housing 110. In addition, when the pressure of the seal 110 is adjusted to a positive pressure higher than the pressure outside the housing 110 (positive pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure), the membrane 112 is contracted.

The perforated plate 113 is coupled to the front and rear surfaces of the second frame 144. The perforated plate 113 is formed to surround the membrane 112 on the outside of the membrane 112. The perforated plate 113 restricts the membrane 112 from expanding beyond the inner area of the perforated plate 113. For example, when a negative pressure is formed in the seal 115 between the inside of the housing 110 and the outside of the frame 140, the membrane 112 is expanded, and the perforated plate 113 is disposed outside the membrane 112. Limiting expansion of the membrane 112 beyond the inner area of the perforated plate 113. That is, the perforated plate 113 continuously lowers the sound pressure set in the sealing part 115 or prevents the membrane 112 from expanding beyond the inner area of the perforated plate 113 even when the negative pressure is maintained for a long time. Accordingly, in the present exemplary embodiment, the maximum filling amount of the ink may be limited without additional electric signals such as a sensor for sensing the amount of ink stored in the ink storage 111. In addition, a plurality of holes are formed in the perforated plate 113 to facilitate the movement of gas and fluid present in the housing 110.

An ink inlet 141 is formed on an upper surface of the second frame 144 to introduce ink into the ink storage 111. In addition, an ink discharge port 142 for discharging ink to the outside of the ink storage unit 111 is formed on the lower surfaces of the first frame 143 and the second frame 144. As described above, an ink inlet 141 and an ink outlet 142 are formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the frame 140 to allow ink to flow into the ink storage 111 or to ink outside the ink storage 111. Can be discharged.

The first check valve 120 is formed on the upper surface of the housing 110 to allow the ink flowing from the ink supply port 170 to flow into or out of the ink reservoir 111. The first check valve 120 penetrates the upper surface of the housing 110 and is coupled to the ink inlet 141. The first check valve 120 is opened and closed according to the pressure of the seal 115. For example, the first check valve 120 is closed when the membrane 112 is contracted. Thus, the ink is prevented from flowing back to the ink inlet 141. In addition, when the membrane 112 is expanded, the first check valve 120 is opened. That is, when the membrane 112 is expanded, the pressure inside the membrane 112 appears to be lower than the pressure of the ink supply port 170. Accordingly, the first check valve 120 is lowered so that ink flows into the ink inlet 141. In addition, even when the pressure in the membrane 112 is higher than the pressure in the ink supply port 170, the first check valve 120 is installed in a structure that does not rise, and does not move upward. That is, the check valve 120 is installed to have a structure that opens only to the ink reservoir 111. Accordingly, when the membrane 112 is contracted, the first check valve 120 is opened to prevent the ink from flowing back to the backflow ink supply port 170.

The second check valve 130 is installed in the groove 131 formed in the first frame 143. At this time, the second check valve 130 is installed in a structure that opens only to the outside of the groove 131, that is, the outside of the housing 110. The second check valve 130 is closed when the membrane 112 is expanded when the pressure of the seal 115 is lower than the pressure outside the housing 110. On the contrary, when the pressure of the closure 115 is higher than the pressure outside the housing 110, the second check valve 130 is contracted and opened.

The pressure control unit 160 for adjusting the pressure of the sealing unit 115 is disposed outside the housing 110. The pressure controller 160 is coupled to the housing 110 by piping. For example, the pressure controller 160 may adjust the pressure of the sealing unit 115 by the compressed air supplied from the compressor. In addition, the pressure isolating valve 150 is installed in the pipe, the pressure supplied to the sealing unit 115 may be adjusted. In addition, when the ink cartridge 100 and the pressure control unit 160 are separated, the pressure shutoff valve 150 may close the pressure shutoff valve 150 to prevent oxygen from flowing into the sealing unit 115. .

3A and 3B are plan views illustrating the operation of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B, the ink cartridge 100 flows out of the ink storage unit 111 and the ink flowing into the ink storage unit 111 according to the pressure difference between the exterior of the housing 110 and the sealing unit 115. You can check the relationship of the ejected ink.

First, referring to FIG. 3A, in order to introduce ink into the ink reservoir 111, the pressure of the seal 115 is adjusted to a negative pressure that is lower than the pressure outside the housing 110. When the pressure of the seal 115 is adjusted to negative pressure, the membrane 112 is expanded. When the membrane 112 is expanded, the first check valve 120 is opened and the second check valve 130 is closed.

Accordingly, the ink stored in the ink supply port 170 flows into the ink reservoir 111 through the ink inlet 141. At this time, the second check valve 130 is closed to prevent the ink from being discharged to the second check valve 130.

On the contrary, referring to FIG. 3B, in order to discharge the ink stored in the ink storage unit 111, the pressure of the sealing unit 115 is adjusted to a positive pressure that is higher than the pressure outside the housing 110. When the pressure of the seal 115 is adjusted to a positive pressure, the membrane 112 is contracted. When the membrane 112 is contracted, the first check valve 120 is closed and the second check valve 130 is opened.

Accordingly, the ink stored in the ink reservoir 111 is discharged (forced injection) to the print head through the ink discharge port 142. At this time, the first check valve 110 is closed to prevent the ink stored in the ink storage 111 from flowing back to the ink supply port 170.

As described above, the ink cartridge 100 according to the present invention does not contact ink with air, and the pressure of the sealing unit 115 is adjusted to a positive pressure and a negative pressure so that ink is continuously supplied to the print head to prevent evaporation of highly volatile ink. can do. In addition, as the ink is prevented from being evaporated, it can be applied to fabrication of a large number of inkjet printers without changing the physical properties of the ink.

4A to 4C are driving flowcharts of the pressure shutoff valve according to the pressure control unit of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A, in order to fill the ink with the ink storage unit 111 and to supply the ink stored in the ink storage unit 111 to the print head, the pressure control unit 160 and the housing 110 are coupled using a pipe. Let's do it. Thereafter, the pressure shutoff valve 150 formed in the pipe is opened to adjust the pressure of the sealing part 115 to a positive pressure or a negative pressure.

Referring to FIG. 4B, when the pressure of the seal 115 is adjusted to positive or negative pressure, the pressure shutoff valve 150 is closed.

Referring to FIG. 4C, the pressure controller 160 is separated from the housing 110. As such, when the pressure control unit 160 and the housing 110 are separated, the pressure shutoff valve 150 is blocked to prevent the air from flowing into the housing 110. Accordingly, the pressure inside the housing 110 is kept constant. In addition, when the pressure inside the housing 110 is kept constant, the ink stored in the ink reservoir 111 is not discharged to the ink outlet 142.

As described above, the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed through the detailed description and the drawings. The terms are used only for the purpose of describing the present invention and are not used to limit the scope of the present invention as defined in the meaning or claims. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible from this. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the technical spirit of the appended claims.

1 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an exploded perspective view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3A and 3B are plan views illustrating the operation of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 4a to 4c is a drive flow diagram of the pressure shutoff valve according to the pressure control of the present invention.

♣ Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawing ♣

 110 housing 112 membrane

 113: perforated plate 120: first check valve

 130: second check valve 140: frame

 150: pressure shutoff valve 160: pressure control unit

Claims (8)

A frame accommodated in the housing, an ink inlet is formed on an upper surface thereof, and an ink outlet is formed on a lower surface thereof; A membrane accommodated in the housing and having a periphery supported by the frame to form an ink reservoir in an inner space; The membrane penetrates the upper portion of the housing and is coupled to the ink inlet and the membrane, and when the pressure of the seal between the inside of the housing and the outside of the frame is lower than the pressure outside the housing, the membrane expands and opens toward the outside of the housing. A first check valve configured to contract and close the membrane in the inward direction of the ink reservoir when the pressure of the seal is higher than the pressure outside the housing; And A second check valve coupled to the ink outlet and the lower surface of the frame, the second check valve being closed when the membrane is expanded and opening when the membrane is contracted; Ink cartridge comprising a. The ink cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a perforated plate supported around a frame disposed inside the housing and surrounding an outer surface of the membrane. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a pressure control unit connected to a pipe disposed above the housing to adjust the pressure of the seal. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the pipe is further provided with a pressure control valve for blocking gas or fluid flowing into the pressure controller. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame A plate-shaped first frame coupled to an open surface of the housing to seal the housing; And A stick-shaped first side disposed in the center of the first frame in a direction parallel to the first frame, a second side extending from an edge of the first side and arranged in a direction perpendicular to the first frame, A second frame extending from an edge and having a third side arranged in a direction parallel to the first frame; Ink cartridge comprising a. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is made of an elastic thin film, and the elastic thin film is a rubber thin film or a polymer thin film. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein said first check valve is connected with an ink supply port. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second check valve is connected to a print head.

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