KR20040101578A - Ink refill method of ink cartridge and device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An ink charge method of an ink cartridge and a device thereof are provided to quickly reduce the pressure of the ink cartridge and to fill the ink cartridge with ink by removing internal air from the ink cartridge and charging ink with vacuum pressure. CONSTITUTION: A hole of an ink cartridge is combined with an outlet(20) of a cylinder(1) to seal the outlet of the cylinder in an ink charge method of the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge and the cylinder are placed to arrange a piston rod(40) connected to a piston(30) upward, and internal air from the ink cartridge is removed by moving the piston backward in pulling the piston rod. External force to the piston rod is removed after finishing reducing pressure of the ink cartridge, and ink is charged from the cylinder to the ink cartridge with vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge.

Description

Ink refill method of ink cartridge and its mechanism

The present invention relates to a method and mechanism for ink filling of an ink cartridge, and more particularly, to an ink filling method and mechanism for ink cartridges capable of performing pressure reduction and filling of ink cartridges quickly, simply and reliably. .

In general, ink cartridges used in inkjet printers are discarded after one use or filled with ink to be reused.

In general, the ink cartridge may include a body having at least one ink storage compartment formed therein and an ink supply port for supplying ink to the head of the printer at one lower end thereof, and being fused and fixed to an upper end of the body to the ink reservoir. It has a lid formed with an air inlet through which an air inlet and an ink inlet for injecting ink can communicate.

In addition, a porous sponge is inserted into the ink reservoir of the body constituting the ink cartridge so as to absorb and hold ink, and the sponge may not be selectively inserted according to the model of the printer manufacturer.

Various types of methods and apparatuses for refilling and refilling ink in a conventional ink cartridge having such a configuration are widely known.

However, the method and apparatus are often complex or expensive to enable reliable ink filling. Therefore, it is difficult for a user to directly charge and use an ink cartridge.

In addition, in the case of a conventional ink filling method and apparatus which allows ink filling to be performed by a simple structure, bubbles are generated inside the ink cartridge so that printing may not be performed properly, or a large amount of ink is discharged to the outside during the filling process. It lowered the charging efficiency and had a problem such as dirty hands and clothes.

The present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the object is to remove the internal air of the ink cartridge to the outside and to fill the ink by the internal vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge formed at this time to reduce the pressure and filling operation of the ink cartridge SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge filling method and a mechanism thereof which can be performed quickly, simply and reliably.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing the ink filling mechanism according to the present invention as a whole;

2 is a right cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing in detail the handle aid of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is a sectional configuration diagram showing a modification of the ink filling mechanism of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a schematic view showing a seal, which is one of the seals of the present invention and the ink cartridge portion to which the seal is mounted;

Fig. 6 is a schematic block diagram showing a state in which the ink filling mechanism of the present invention is mounted on an ink cartridge.

7 and 8 illustrate the operation of the present invention.

※ Explanation of symbols about main part of drawing ※

1, 1A: cylinder 2: ink

3A: Ink Supply Port 3: Ink Cartridge

10 body 12 piston driveway

20A: Auxiliary Exit 20, 20 ': Exit

22, 22A: groove 40: piston rod

50: handle aid 52: fitting

54: straight portion 56: connection portion

60: body support 70: airtight

72, 74: insertion hole 76: connector

H: hole

As a technical configuration for achieving the above object, the present invention is a method for filling ink in an ink cartridge having one or more holes connecting the inside and the outside, the outlet of the cylinder filled with ink in the holes of the ink cartridge To maintain the airtightness, and position the ink cartridge and the cylinder so that the piston rod provided in the cylinder faces upwards, and then apply an external force in the direction of pulling the piston rod to reverse the piston connected thereto to the inside of the ink cartridge. Depressurizing the air and removing the external force applied to the piston rod after the depressurizing step is completed, thereby filling the ink of the cylinder into the ink cartridge by the vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge. By providing an ink filling method.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that it further comprises a step of closing a hole other than one hole in which the pressure reduction and filling is to be performed, when two or more holes of the ink cartridge are formed.

Further, in the depressurization step, the backward distance of the piston is set so that the volume of the vacuum space inside the cylinder formed by the backward of the piston is set in the range of 1 to 2 times the volume of the ink to be filled into the ink cartridge. do.

In addition, the present invention is an ink filling mechanism configured to fill ink into an ink cartridge having one or more holes that connect the inside and the outside of the bone, wherein the piston, the piston rod connected to the piston, and the piston are airtight. A piston running path which is accommodated so as to be retained and movable and formed so that the volume of the vacuum space formed by the backward of the piston is 1 to 2 times larger than the volume of the ink to be filled in the ink cartridge, and the piston running so that the fluid can be moved. And a cylinder consisting of a body having an outlet connected to the furnace and coupled to maintain airtightness in the hole of the ink cartridge.

In addition, the present invention, the fitting portion is mounted to the body, the straight portion is connected to the fitting portion is formed long in the direction in which the body extends, and the connecting portion located in the backward path of the piston rod by connecting the straight portion to each other It characterized in that it further comprises a handle aid.

In addition, the body is characterized in that it is provided with a pair of body supporters symmetrical and parallel to each other around the outlet on the outside of the portion where the outlet is formed.

In addition, when two or more holes of the ink cartridge are formed, it is characterized in that it further comprises a sealing means for sealing a hole other than one hole to be decompressed and filled.

And, the sealing means is characterized in that the polyethylene foam tape.

In addition, the sealing means is an air inlet is inserted into the ink inlet of the ink cartridge, the opening is formed in the center through the hole, the air inlet inserted into the air communication port of the ink cartridge, and the air inlet consisting of a connector for connecting the insertion hole to each other It features.

In addition, the closure is characterized in that formed of rubber or plastic.

In addition, the outlet of the cylinder is characterized in that at least one groove is formed at the end thereof.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a sectional configuration diagram showing the ink filling mechanism according to the present invention as a whole, and Fig. 2 is a right sectional view of Fig. 1 showing a cylinder filled with ink therein.

The cylinder (1) has a cylindrical, more preferably hollow cylindrical body 10, the outlet 20 is formed at one end of the body 10 narrower inner diameter and outer diameter. In addition, at the end of the outlet 20, one or more grooves 22 are formed radially to form air and an ink flow path when the outlet 20 is in close contact with the valve of the ink cartridge as will be described later. .

It is preferable that the body 10 is integrally provided with a pair of body supports 60 having a plate shape which is symmetrical and parallel to each other around the outlet 20 on the outside of the portion where the outlet 20 is formed. Bar, the distance between the body support 60 is set so that the edge portion formed by the ink supply port of the ink cartridge is in close contact between the body support 60, which is the outlet of the ink filling mechanism ( 20) is inserted into the ink supply port of the ink cartridge so that the edge formed by the ink supply port of the ink cartridge is in close contact with the body support 60 so as to be in close contact with the ink filling mechanism and the ink cartridge. Improves the stability of ink filling by preventing shaking.

In addition, the inside of the body 10 is formed with a piston runway 12 of a square or circular cross section connecting the end formed with the outlet 20 and the other end, the piston runway 12 is a piston 30 ) Is housed in such a way as to remain confidential. At this time, the material of the piston 30 is preferably made of rubber having elasticity to be movable while maintaining a state in close contact with the piston running path (12).

In addition, one end of the piston rod 40 is connected to the piston 30, and the other end of the piston rod 40 is extended to protrude to the outside of the body 10. Preferably, the end of the piston rod 40 protruding to the outside of the body 10 to form a flange-shaped handle 42 is configured to facilitate the external force when the piston rod 40 is reversed .

In addition, a line 32 is formed on the surface of the piston 30 in a color distinguished from other parts, and the body 10 corresponds to the line 32 at a predetermined interval or a predetermined position along the longitudinal direction. The marker 14 is formed. Preferably, the marker 14 includes a portion that can indicate the level of ink filled in the interior of the body 10 and a portion that can indicate how much air has been removed when removing the air from the ink cartridge. It is good to be formed.

In addition, the ink filling mechanism of the present invention is configured such that the handle aid 50 is further mounted to the body 10 to assist the operation of pulling the handle 42 to reverse the piston 30. Preferably, the auxiliary tool mounting hole 16 parallel to each other is formed at the end of the handle 42 side of the body 10, the auxiliary tool mounting hole 16 is mounted to the auxiliary tool mounting hole (50).

The handle aid 50 is composed of a structure in which a round bar having an appropriate size of mechanical strength is bent to have a predetermined shape, as shown in more detail in FIG. A fitting portion 52 having a diameter that can be fitted to the ball 16, a straight portion 54 formed in a long direction in the direction in which the body 10 extends while being connected to the fitting portion 52, and the straight portion ( 54 has a connecting portion 56 that connects each other. In particular, the connection portion 56 may have a shape substantially parallel to the handle 42 by having a '??' shape positioned in the path of the handle 42.

4 is a cross-sectional configuration diagram showing a modification of FIG. 1, showing that an auxiliary outlet 20A is attached to the outlet 20 'of the cylinder 1A.

The outlet 20 ′ may have a groove 22, as shown in FIG. 1, or may have a flat end.

In addition, the auxiliary outlet 20A having one end fitted to the end of the outlet 20 'has a through hole 24 penetrated in the longitudinal direction, and the outline formed by the outside of the auxiliary outlet 20A is an ink. It is formed so that airtightness can be maintained when it is inserted into the hole of the ink cartridge to be filled, for example, the ink supply port.

In addition, at the end of the auxiliary outlet 20A, at least one groove 22A radially formed to form air and an ink flow path when the end of the auxiliary outlet 20A is in close contact with a valve mounted to the ink supply port. Is formed.

Of course, on the outside of the auxiliary outlet 20A, a pair of body supports 60A having symmetrical and parallel plate shapes with respect to the outlet 20A are integrally provided.

In addition, the present invention further has a sealing means, such as polyethylene foam tape (not shown), for sealing another hole other than one hole to be decompressed and filled when two or more holes of the ink cartridge are formed.

As another example of the sealing means, a sealing opening 70 formed of a plastic or rubber material such as polyethylene or polypropylene may be provided as shown in FIG. 5, and the sealing opening 70 may include an ink injection opening ( An injection hole insertion hole 72 fitted in 3B and having a hole H formed at the center thereof, a communication hole insertion hole 74 fitted into the air communication hole 3C of the ink cartridge, and the insertion holes 72 and 74. It consists of a connector (76) connecting each other. In addition, the hole H of the injection hole insertion hole 72 is sealed by a tape (not shown) as necessary.

In addition, the end of the outlet 20 or the auxiliary outlet 20A of the cylinder 1 should be sealed with a separate cap so that ink is not exposed to the outside air and supplied to the consumer.

A method of filling ink in an ink cartridge using the apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described.

First, an ink cartridge for filling ink and a cylinder 1A, which is the apparatus of the present invention, are prepared, and the ink cartridge is fitted such that the outlet 20 or the auxiliary outlet 20A of the present invention can be fitted while being kept tight. At least one hole, for example an ink supply port. And the ink is filled in the inside of the prepared cylinder 1A in the state that air does not enter. In addition, although a separate hole for mounting the cylinder of the present invention can be formed in the ink cartridge, this is not preferable because the ink cartridge is broken or foreign matter enters the inside of the ink cartridge in the process of forming the hole.

Subsequently, the step of mounting the cylinder 1A, which is the apparatus of the present invention, to the prepared ink cartridge is performed, and Fig. 6 shows that the cylinder 1A, which is the apparatus of the present invention, is provided at the ink supply port 3A of the ink cartridge 3; It looks fitted.

That is, the cap (not shown) attached to the end of the auxiliary outlet 20A is removed, and the auxiliary outlet 20A is fitted into the ink supply port 3A of the ink cartridge 3 so as to maintain airtightness.

Subsequently, the ink cartridge 3 and the cylinder 1A are positioned so that the piston rod 40 provided in the cylinder 1A faces upward. Of course, after the ink cartridge 3 is positioned so that the ink supply port 3A of the ink cartridge 3 faces upward, the auxiliary outlet 20A of the cylinder 1A is inserted into the ink supply port 3A. It is a good idea not to be complicated.

Subsequently, when an external force is applied in the direction of pulling the piston rod 40 as shown in Fig. 7, the piston connected to the piston rod 40 is reversed, i.e., the internal air of the ink cartridge is raised to the ink supply port 3A, It is discharged to the inside of the body 10 through the auxiliary outlet 20A and the outlet 20 '. At the same time, the inside of the ink cartridge is depressurized. At this time, since the air discharged into the body 10 rises toward the piston 30, only the ink 2 exists near the outlet 20 '.

Then, the depressurization of the ink cartridge is such that the backward distance of the piston 30 is greater than the volume of the ink to be filled into the interior of the ink cartridge in which the volume of the vacuum space inside the cylinder formed by the backward of the piston 30 is greater than 2; It is preferable to make it to the range smaller than twice. More preferably, the pressure is reduced to about 1.5 times.

Subsequently, when the external force applied to the piston rod 40 is removed after the depressurization step is completed, as shown in FIG. 8, the ink filled in the body 10 is transferred into the ink cartridge by the vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge. Is filled, whereby the piston 30 is slowly lowered.

Of course, when a sufficient amount of ink is filled into the ink cartridge, the lowering of the piston 30 stops, and at this time, a small amount of ink remaining in the interior of the body 10, more precisely, at the lower side of the outlet 20 '. It is desirable in that it prevents air from entering the ink cartridge.

And, when two or more holes of the ink cartridge are formed, it is necessary to seal another hole other than one hole in which pressure reduction and filling are to be performed.

Then, when the filling operation of the ink is completed, the cylinder 1A of the present invention may be separated from the ink cartridge, and the ink cartridge may be mounted on the printer for use.

As described above, according to the ink filling method and mechanism of the ink cartridge according to the present invention, after depressurizing the inside of the ink cartridge which draws out the internal air of the ink cartridge to the outside by one cylinder in which ink is filled and prepared, the ink cartridge It has an excellent effect that the ink filling operation is performed quickly in a simple way of filling the ink by the internal vacuum pressure of the.

In addition, the unnecessary air present in the interior of the ink cartridge is sufficiently removed to have an effect of excellent printing quality.

Claims (11)

In the method for filling ink in an ink cartridge having one or more holes connecting the inside and the outside, Engaging the exit of the cylinder filled with ink in the hole of the ink cartridge to maintain airtightness; Positioning the ink cartridge and the cylinder so that the piston rod provided at the cylinder faces upwards, and then depressurizing the piston connected to the piston rod to draw the internal air of the ink cartridge by applying an external force in the pulling direction of the piston rod; And removing the external force applied to the piston rod after the decompression step is completed, thereby filling the ink of the cylinder into the ink cartridge by the vacuum pressure of the ink cartridge. The ink filling method of claim 1, further comprising closing a hole other than one hole to be decompressed and filled when two or more holes of the ink cartridge are formed. The retracting distance of the piston in the depressurization step is such that the volume of the vacuum space inside the cylinder formed by the retraction of the piston is in the range of 1 to 2 times the volume of the ink to be filled into the ink cartridge. Ink charging method of an ink cartridge, characterized in that set. An ink filling mechanism configured to fill ink in an ink cartridge having at least one hole connecting an inner and an outer thereof, The volume of the piston 30, the piston rod 40 connected to the piston 30, and the volume of the vacuum space received by the piston 30 to be movable in a gastight manner and formed by the reverse of the piston are stored in the ink cartridge. A piston runway 12 formed to be 1 to 2 times larger than a volume of ink to be filled, and connected to the piston runway 12 to allow fluid movement, and coupled to maintain airtightness in a hole of the ink cartridge. Ink filling mechanism of an ink cartridge, characterized in that it comprises a cylinder consisting of a body (10) having an outlet. The method of claim 4, wherein the fitting portion 52 mounted to the body 10, the straight portion 54 connected to the fitting portion 52 and formed long in the direction in which the body 10 extends, and the straight line And a handle assisting means (50) consisting of a connecting portion (56) located in a backward path of said piston rod (40) by connecting portions (54) to each other. 5. The ink of the ink cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the body (10) is provided with a pair of body supports (60) which are symmetrical and parallel to each other around the outlet on the outside of the portion where the outlet is formed. Filling appliance. 5. The ink filling mechanism of an ink cartridge according to claim 4, further comprising sealing means for sealing a hole other than one hole to be decompressed and filled when two or more holes of the ink cartridge are formed. . 8. The ink filling mechanism of an ink cartridge according to claim 7, wherein said sealing means is polyethylene foam tape. 8. The air inlet according to claim 7, wherein the sealing means is inserted into the ink inlet (3B) of the ink cartridge and communicates with the air inlet (72C) of the ink cartridge, and the inlet insertion hole (72) with a hole (H) formed in the center thereof. The ink filling mechanism of the ink cartridge, characterized in that the sealing port (70) consisting of a sphere insertion port (74) and a connector (76) for connecting the insertion hole (72, 74) to each other. 8. The ink filling mechanism of an ink cartridge according to claim 7, wherein the seal (70) is made of rubber or plastic. The ink filling mechanism of an ink cartridge according to claim 4, wherein at least one groove is formed at an end of the outlet of the cylinder.