RU2407643C1 - Ink cartrdige, set of ink cartridges and system of ink cartridge definition - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: printing industry.

SUBSTANCE: ink cartridge includes section of the first signal blocking, section of the second signal blocking and section of the third signal blocking. Section of the first signal blocking is either able to prevent passing of the first signal through it or to change path of the first signal passing, when the section of the first signal blocking receives the first signal, the section of the second signal blocking is either able to prevent passing of the second signal through it, or to change path of the second signal passing, when section of the second signal blocking receives the second signal, and section of the third signal blocking is able to either prevent passing of the second signal through it or to change path of the second signal passing, when section of the third signal blocking receives the second signal.

EFFECT: invention makes it possible to accurately define information on ink cartridge without regard to speed of cartridge installation by user into typing device and without regard to the fact whether the cartridge has been inserted and partially removed from typing device prior to its final installation.

13 cl, 32 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an ink cartridge, a set of ink cartridges, and an ink cartridge detection system.

State of the art

A known recording device, such as an inkjet recording device, includes an inkjet recording head and an installation portion on which a known ink cartridge is mounted. When the known ink cartridge is installed in the installation portion, the known recording device is configured to dispense ink from a plurality of nozzles for recording an image on a sheet of paper.

Another known recording device includes a carriage capable of receiving another known ink cartridge. This known recording device is configured to determine the type of ink cartridge by measuring the intensity of light reflected by the ink cartridge. When moving the carriage and the ink cartridge, the intensity of the reflected light is measured by the sensor of the recording device, and, based on the intensity, the type of ink cartridge is determined. Such a known recording device is described, for example, in US 2005/0024454 A1.

Another known recording device includes an installation portion that is separated from the carriage, and this known recording device is configured to determine the type of another known ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is installed on the installation portion. In particular, when the ink cartridge is installed in the installation portion, the recording device detects the presence or absence of the signal blocking portion of the ink cartridge, and the type of ink cartridge is determined based on the presence or absence of the signal blocking portion. Such a known recording device is described, for example, in US 2005/0195225 A1. However, in this known recording device, the speed at which different users install the ink cartridge in the installation portion can vary from user to user so that the recording device can make different determinations from user to user. For example, if the speed at which the user installs the ink cartridge in the installation area is greater than the predetermined speed, or if the user starts to insert the ink cartridge in the installation area, and then partially ejects the ink cartridge before fully inserting the ink cartridge in the installation area, the sensor may record inaccurate information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus, there is a need for an ink cartridge, a set of ink cartridges, and an ink cartridge detection system that overcome these and other disadvantages of the prior art. The technical advantage of the present invention is that the configuration of the ink cartridge allows the recording device to accurately determine information associated with the ink cartridge, regardless of the speed at which the user installs the ink cartridge in the recording device, and regardless of whether the user starts to insert the ink cartridge into recording device, and then partially pulling out the ink cartridge before fully inserting the ink cartridge into the recording device ist.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ink cartridge comprises a block of a first signal, a block of a second signal and a block of a third signal. The blocking section of the first signal is configured to either prevent the passage of the first signal through it, or to change the path of the first signal when the blocking section of the first signal receives the first signal, and the blocking section of the second signal is configured to either prevent the second signal from passing through it, or change the path of the second signal when the blocking section of the second signal receives the second signal. In addition, the blocking section of the third signal is configured to either impede the passage of the second signal through it, or to change the path of the second signal when the blocking section of the third signal receives the second signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ink cartridge kit comprises first and second ink cartridges. The blocking section of the second signal of the first ink cartridge has a thickness that allows you to prevent the passage of the second signal through it, or change the path of the second signal at a time when the blocking section of the first signal initially prevents the passage of the first signal through it or changes the path of the first signal. The blocking section of the second signal of the second ink cartridge has a thickness that allows not to impede the passage of the second signal through it, or not to change the path of the second signal at a time when the blocking section of the first signal initially prevents the passage of the first signal through it or changes the path of the first signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the ink cartridge determination system comprises an ink cartridge and a recording device. The recording device includes a cartridge mounting portion configured to install an ink cartridge, a first sensor located on the cartridge mounting portion and comprising a first signal transmitting element capable of transmitting a first signal, and a first signal receiving element configured to receive a first signal, and a second sensor located on the installation site of the cartridge and containing the transmission element of the second signal, configured to transmit the second signal, and the receiving element torogo signal, configured to receive a second signal, and a determiner. The blocking section of the first signal is configured to either impede the passage of the first signal through it, or to change the path of the first signal, at least during installation of the ink cartridge on the installation site of the cartridge. The intensity of the first signal received by the first signal receiving element, when the first signal is blocked while passing through the blocking section of the first signal, or the path of the first signal is changed by the blocking section of the first signal, differs from the intensity of the first signal received by the first signal receiving element when the first signal is not blocked when passing through the blocking section of the first signal, or the path of the first signal is not changed by the blocking section of the first signal. The blocking area of the second signal can either prevent the second signal from passing through it, or change the path of the second signal during installation of the ink cartridge on the installation site of the cartridge. The blocking section of the third signal can either prevent the second signal from passing through it, or change the path of the second signal when the installation of the ink cartridge on the installation site of the cartridge is completed. The intensity of the second signal received by the receiving element of the second signal, when the second signal is blocked while passing through the blocking section of the second signal, or the blocking section of the third signal, or the path of the second signal is changed by the blocking section of the second signal or blocking section of the third signal, is different from the intensity of the second signal, received by the receiving element of the second signal, when the second signal is not impeded when passing through the blocking section of the second signal or block section of the third signal, or the path of the second signal is not changed by the blocking section of the second signal or the blocking section of the third signal. The determinant is configured to determine information associated with the ink cartridge based on the intensity of the second signal received by the reception element of the second signal, at a time when the intensity of the first signal received by the reception element of the first signal initially changes during installation of the ink cartridge on the installation site cartridge. In addition, the determinant may be configured to determine the amount of ink in the ink chamber based on the intensity of the second signal received by the second signal receiving element when the installation of the ink cartridge in the cartridge mounting portion is completed.

These configurations allow you to accurately determine the information associated with the ink cartridge. In addition, you can determine the amount of ink in the ink chamber. Other objects, features and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to a person skilled in the art from the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the needs met with its help, as well as its objectives, features and advantages, we will refer to the following description given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of a recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 (a) and 2 (b) are perspective views of an ink cartridge in which the movable part is in the second position and in the first position, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 (c) and 2 (d) are perspective views of an ink cartridge in which the movable part is in the second position and in the first position, respectively, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 (a) and 3 (b) are side views of the ink cartridge shown in figure 2 (a) and 2 (b), respectively.

Figure 3 (c) and 3 (d) are side views of the ink cartridge shown in figure 2 (c) and 2 (d), respectively.

4 (a) and 4 (b) are a front view and a rear view of the main body of the ink cartridge shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b).

FIG. 5 is a side view of the main body shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).

6 is a sectional view taken along the line VI-VI in figure 4 (a).

Fig.7 is a partial, enlarged sectional view in front of the housing shown in Fig.4 (a) and 4 (b).

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in Fig. 2 (a).

Fig.9 is a sectional view taken along the line IX-IX in Fig.2 (b).

10 (a) and 10 (b) are enlarged sectional views of the upper section and the lower section, respectively, of the main body shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).

11 (a) and 11 (b) are perspective and side views, respectively, of a moving part according to another embodiment of the present invention.

12 is a vertical sectional view of a cartridge mounting portion of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge mounted on a cartridge mounting portion shown in FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge mounted on a cartridge mounting portion shown in FIG. 12, in which the shutter lever of the recording device is in an open position.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion shown in FIG. 12, in which the shutter lever of the recording device is in the closed position.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a main controller of a recording device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

17 (a) and 17 (b) are illustrative timing diagrams of a sensor signal output from a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor, respectively, of a recording device when the first ink cartridge is installed in the cartridge mounting portion.

17 (c) and 17 (d) are illustrative timing diagrams of a sensor signal output from a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor, respectively, of a recording device when a second ink cartridge is installed in the cartridge mounting portion.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a procedure carried out by a host controller of a recording apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a packaging device comprising the ink cartridge shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b) enclosed in a packaging member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge installed in a cartridge mounting portion according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Fig.21 is a view in section of an ink cartridge removed from the installation site of the cartridge shown in Fig.20.

FIGS. 22 (a) and 22 (b) are side views of the ink cartridge shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), respectively.

Legend

10 - ink cartridge

10 '- ink cartridge

20 - main body

21 - movable part

22 - covering part

23 - coil spring

24 - coil spring

72 - signal blocking section

80 - air intake section

90 - ink supply area

100 - ink camera

140 - translucent area

189 - signal blocking section

191 - signal blocking section

199 - signal blocking section

200 - main controller

230 - optical sensor

235 - optical sensor

250 - recording device

276 - cartridge installation area

1276 - cartridge installation area

Preferred Embodiments

Embodiments of the present invention, their features and technical advantages can be understood from figures 1-22 (b), equipped with an end-to-end notation.

1 shows a recording device 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The recording device 250 includes a paper feed device 252, a transfer device 253, a recording unit 254, and a cartridge mounting portion 276. A paper feed tray 257 is provided at the bottom of the recorder 250, and sheets of paper located on the paper feed tray 257 are fed, one after the other, to path 259 of the paper feed device 252.

The transfer device 253 is located on the path 259 and contains a first pair of transfer rollers 261 and a second pair of transfer rollers 262. A pair of transfer rollers 261 is located on the input side of the recording unit 254 in the paper transfer direction, and a pair of transfer rollers 262 is located on the output side in the paper transfer direction.

The sheet of paper entering path 259 is transferred to the backup roller 264 by a pair of transfer rollers 261, and the recording unit 254 is located above the backup roller 264. The image is recorded on a sheet of paper passing over the backup roller 264, the recording unit 254, after which the paper is ejected a paper ejection tray 258 located at the output end of the path 259 by a pair of transfer rollers 262.

The recording unit 254 includes a carriage 266 and a recording head 272 installed in the carriage 266. The recording head 272 contains an auxiliary container 268 and a head control board 270, and a nozzle assembly 274 is formed in it. The carriage 266 is slidably supported by the supporting guide and configured so that slide in a direction vertical to the plane of the paper in figure 1. The auxiliary container 268 is configured to accommodate ink supplied to the nozzles 274. When image signals arrive on the head control board 270, ink is ejected from the nozzles 274 onto a sheet of paper based on the image signals. The recording device 250 includes a main controller 200 (shown in FIG. 16) for controlling the recording device 250, and image signals are output from the main controller 200 and supplied to the head control board 270.

The ink cartridge 10 is configured to be mounted on the cartridge installation portion 276. The cartridge installation portion 276 comprises a plurality of housings 280, each of which is capable of receiving a corresponding ink cartridge 10. For example, the cartridge installation portion 276 contains four housings 280, and each housing 280 corresponds to an ink cartridge containing a separate ink color. The ink cartridge 10 is configured to be installed on and removed from the cartridge installation portion 276. The ink cartridge 10 comprises a main body 20, and the main body 20 comprises an ink chamber 100 configured to receive ink, and ink is supplied from the ink chamber 100 to the recording head 272 through an ink tube 278.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, two different ink cartridges can have different ink capacities or can hold different initial amounts of ink, and can hold the same color ink, for example black ink. For example, the first ink cartridge 10 and the second ink cartridge 10 'have different ink capacities or store different initial amounts of ink, and ink of the same color is stored. In addition, the recording device 250 is configured so that the ink cartridges 10 and 10 'are installed in the same casing 280 of the cartridge installation portion 276. The recording device 250 is configured to determine what type of ink cartridge is mounted on the casing 280.

Referring to FIGS. 2 (a), 2 (b), 3 (a), 3 (b), and 4-10 (b), the ink cartridge 10 has a substantially flat hexagonal shape. The width of the ink cartridge indicated by arrow 31 is relatively small, and each of the height of the ink cartridge 10 indicated by arrow 32 and the depth of the ink cartridge 10 indicated by arrow 33 is larger than the width of the ink cartridge 10.

The ink cartridge 10 includes a housing, for example, a main body 20, a movable part 21, a covering part 22, and at least one coil spring, for example, a pair of coil springs 23 and 24. The main body 20 comprises an ink chamber 100 for receiving ink. The movable part 21 and the cover part 22 enclose the main body 20. Each of the main body 20, the movable part 21 and the cover part 22 is formed of a polymeric material, such as nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene and other combinations thereof.

The ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the recording device in the direction indicated by arrow 30 in a vertical state. The front portion 20a of the main body is enclosed in the movable part 21, and the rear portion 20b of the main body 20 is enclosed in the covering part 22. Accordingly, according to this embodiment of the present invention, the front portion 20a is protected by the movable part 21, and the rear portion 20b is protected by the covering part 22.

The movable part 21 is configured to slide in the depth direction indicated by arrow 33 with respect to the main body 20. The movable part 21 is configured to move relative to the main body 20. In particular, the movable part 21 is configured to move between the first position, shown in FIGS. 2 (b) and 9 when the movable part 21 is in a position farthest from the front side 41 of the main body, and the second position shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 8 when the movable part 21 is in the position closest to the front side 41. When the movable part 21 is in the first position, at least a portion of the movable part 21 is located further from the front side 41 than the ink supply portion 90 is located from the front side 41. According to an embodiment, when the force a predetermined amount exceeding the shear force of the coil springs 23 and 24 is applied to the movable part 21 and, thus, the movable part 21 moves from the first position to the second position, the rod 84 of the air inlet portion 80 to the contact t with the movable part 21 and is pressed by the movable part 21, and the ink supply portion 90 exits from the inside of the movable part 21 to extend outside the movable part 21. When a force of a predetermined amount is released from the movable part 21 and, thus, the movable part 21 then moves from the second position to the first position, the rod 84 is separated from the movable part 21, and the ink supply portion 90 returns to the inside of the movable part 21. The entire movable part 21 is configured to substantially move in the first at the same time direction relative to the main body 20 when the coil springs 23 and 24 are stretched and the entire movable part 21 is configured to substantially simultaneously move in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the coil springs 23 and 24 are compressed. Each of the first direction and the second direction is substantially parallel to each of the direction of extension and direction of compression of the coil springs 23 and 24. According to another embodiment, described in detail below and shown in FIGS. 2 (c), 2 (d), 3 ( c) and 3 (d), an opening 180 'can be formed in the front wall 161 of the movable part 21 near and flush with the air intake portion 80 so that the printer component can exert force on the rod 84 instead of the moving part 21 exert force on the rod 84.

The main body 20 has a substantially flat hexagonal shape. When the ink cartridge 10 is installed on the installation area of the recording device, the main body 20 is in a vertical state. The main body 20 comprises a front side 41, a rear side 42, an upper side 43, and a lower side 44. The main body 20 also includes a pair of opposite sides 45 and 46, and each of the sides 45 and 46 is connected to the front side 41, the rear side 42, the upper side 43, and the lower side 44. Each of the side sides 45 and 46 has a surface area that exceeds the surface area of each of the front side 41, the back side 42, the upper side 43, and the lower side 44.

The main body 20 comprises a frame 50, a tab 70, an air inlet portion 80, and an ink supply portion 90. In addition, the lateral side 45 or the lateral side 46, or both of them contain a film, for example a light transmitting film. In particular, the film is welded to the frame 50, whereby the frame 50 is sealed with a film, indicating an ink chamber 100 there. The frame 50 is formed of light-transmitting polymeric material, i.e. a transparent or translucent polymeric material, for example polyacetal, nylon, polyethylene or polypropylene, and combinations thereof, so that light can pass through it, and the frame 50 is formed by injection molding. The frame 50 is stiff enough so that the shape of the frame 50 does not change in the directions of tension and compression of the coil springs 23 and 24 when the coil springs 23 and 24 are stretched and compressed.

The frame 50 comprises an outer peripheral wall 51 and a plurality of inner walls 52. The inner walls 52 are located inside the outer peripheral wall 51. The outer peripheral wall 51 and the inner walls 52 are integral and designate the frame 50. The outer peripheral wall 51 and the inner walls 52 extend from the left side 45 to the right side 46 of the main body 20. The outer peripheral wall 51 has an annular shape extending along the front side 41, the upper side 43, the rear side 42 and the lower side 44, and forms a space inside. Accordingly, the hole 57a is formed on the left side 45 of the frame 50, and the hole 57b is formed on the right side 46.

The films are welded to the sides 45 and 46 of the frame 50, respectively, by ultrasonic welding, and the aperture 57a and the aperture 57b are covered with respective films, so that the space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 51 and the films forms an ink chamber 100. Alternatively, the films can be eliminated and the frame 50 may be a parallelepiped-shaped container, whereby an ink chamber 100 is formed within the frame 50.

The inner walls 52 are located in a space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 51, and the films are welded to the outer edge portions of the inner walls 52 on the sides of the sides 45 and 46. Accordingly, this prevents the film from sagging. Furthermore, when the movable part 21 and the covering part 22 are deformed in the direction of the main body 20, the inner walls 52 prevent deformation of the moving part 21 and the covering part 22. Correspondingly, damage to the main body 20 and the films is prevented.

An ink supply channel 150 is formed in the rear side 42 of the frame 50. An essentially cylindrical hole is formed in the ink input channel 150, which extends from the rear side 42 to the ink chamber 100, and the ink input channel 150 is in fluid communication with the inside part of the ink chamber 100. Through the ink supply passage 150, ink can be introduced into the interior of the ink chamber 100 in the manufacture of the ink cartridge 10. After the ink chamber 100 is filled with ink, the ink supply passage 150 is closed by eniya plug in the channel 150 to enter ink.

The light transmitting portion 140 is located on the front side 41 of the frame 50 and extends from the ink chamber 100. The amount of ink contained in the ink chamber is optically or visually detected through the light transmitting portion 140. The light transmitting portion 140 is integral with the frame 50 and is formed from the same material. as the frame 50, for example, the light transmitting portion 140 is formed of a light transmitting polymer material so that light can pass through it.

The light transmitting portion 140 protrudes outward from the central portion of the front side 41 of the main body 20 in a direction opposite to the ink chamber 100. The light transmitting portion 140 is divided by five rectangular walls and has the shape of a substantially hollow box. For example, the light transmitting portion 140 is divided by a front wall 140a, a pair of side walls 140b, an upper wall 140c, and a lower wall 140d. The front wall 140a extends parallel to the front side 41 and is a predetermined distance from the front side 41. A pair of side walls 140b is connected to the front side 41 and the front wall 140a, the upper wall 140c is connected to the upper ends of the front wall 140a and the side walls 140b, and the lower wall 140d is connected to the lower ends of the front wall 140a and side walls 140b. In addition, the width of the front wall 140a is smaller than the width of the front side 41.

The light transmitting portion 140 is configured so that it can be located between the light emitting element (not shown) and the light receiving element (not shown) of the optical sensor (not shown), for example, a photo chopper mounted on the recording device. The light emitted by the light emitting element passes through the side walls 140b and is received by the light receiving element.

The light transmitting portion 140 has an inner space 142 formed therein, which is indicated by a front wall 140a, side walls 140b, an upper wall 140c and a lower wall 140d. There is no wall located between the inner space 142 and the ink chamber 100, and the inner space 142 is configured to be in fluid communication with the inner part of the ink chamber 100. The signal blocking portion 72 of the presser foot 70 is configured to selectively enter the inner space 142 and exit it based on the amount of ink in the ink chamber 100.

Foot 70 is used to detect the amount of ink contained in the ink chamber 100. Foot 70 comprises a signal blocking portion 72 at one end thereof and a floating portion 73 at its other end. The tab 70 is rotatably supported on a rib 74 extending vertically from the center along the width of the outer peripheral wall 51. The specific gravity of the floating portion 73 is less than the specific gravity of the ink contained in the ink chamber 100. A cavity is formed in the floating portion 73 and it floats in fluid, whereby the floating portion 73 moves up and down based on the amount of ink in the ink chamber 100, and the tab 70 rotates based on the movement of the floating portion 73. The rib 74 is located on the outer peripheral walls e 51 near a corner of the front side 41 and bottom side 44. Referring to Figure 6 the rib 74 comprises a supporting portion 77 configured to support the leg 70 pivotally.

Referring to FIGS. 4 (a) -6, the tab 70 is positioned such that the signal blocking portion 72 is located in the inner space 142 when a sufficient amount of ink is contained in the ink chamber 100. For example, the signal blocking portion 72 is in contact with the bottom wall 140d of the light transmitting portion 140 to maintain the signal blocking portion 72 in the interior of the light transmitting portion 142. In addition, when the amount of ink in the ink chamber 100 is less than the predetermined amount of ink, the floating portion 73 moves down, and the signal blocking portion 72 moves from the inner space 142. Therefore, whether enough ink remains in the ink chamber 100 is detected by observation. whether the signal blocking section 72 is located in the inner space 142. For example, an optical sensor, in particular a photo interrupter, is used to determine whether the signal blocking section 72 is located and in the inner space.

7, the air inlet section 80 comprises a cylindrical valve storage chamber 55 formed in the front side 41 above the light transmission portion 140. The valve storage chamber 55 is open outside the main body 20 at its end 82. The valve storage chamber 55 extends in the depth direction the main body 20 and is in fluid communication with the inside of the ink chamber 100 at its other end.

The air inlet section 80 also includes a valve mechanism for selectively opening and closing a path extending from the end 82 of the valve storage chamber 55 to the inside of the ink chamber 100. For example, the air inlet section 80 includes a valve member 87, a spring 86, a sealing member 83 and a cap 85. The valve member 87 is configured to slide in the depth direction of the main body 20 in the valve storage chamber 55. The valve element 87 comprises a cap 88 and a stem 84. A cap 85 is attached to the outer edge of the end 82 of the valve storage chamber 55, the sealing part 83 being located between them. Through holes are formed in the cap 85 and the sealing part 83. When the cap 85 and the sealing part 83 are attached to the outer edge of the end 82, the air passage channel 81 is formed through holes, and the inner and the outer parts of the valve storage chamber 55 are in fluid communication through the air passage channel 81. The rod 84 is inserted into the air passage channel 81, and the diameter of the rod 84 is smaller than the diameter of the air passage channel 81, whereby a gap allowing air to flow is formed between the rod 84 and the inner walls of the air passage channel 81. The rod 84 protrudes outward from the center of the cover 88 through the channel 81 for passing air.

When the valve element 87 slides in the chamber 55 for receiving the valve, the cover 88 slides between the position in which the cover 88 is in contact with the sealing part 83 and the position in which the cover 88 is separated from the sealing part 83. When the cover 88 is in contact with the sealing part 83, the air passage channel 81 is closed, and when the cover 88 is separated from the sealing part 83, the air passage channel 81 is open.

In the valve storage chamber 55, the spring 86 moves or biases the valve element 87 in the direction of closing the path from the inside of the valve storage chamber 55 to the valve storage chamber 55, thereby forcing the cover part 88 to contact the sealing part 83. When the stem 84 is pressed against to the chamber 55 for storing the valve, the cover 88 of the valve element 87 is separated from the sealing part 83, counteracting the driving force of the spring 86. Accordingly, the path passing from the inside of the chamber 55 for storing the valve to the outside of the chamber 55 for XP neniya valve is opened and communication is established between the interior of the ink chamber 100 and the outside of the main body portion 20 via the air inlet 80. When air flows into and out of the ink chamber 100 through the air inlet portion 80, the pressure inside the ink chamber 100 is equalized to the external pressure.

7, the ink supply portion 90 comprises a cylindrical valve storage chamber 54 formed in the front side 41 under the light transmitting portion 140, and the valve storage chamber 54 is open outside the main body at its end 92. The valve storage chamber 54 extends in the depth direction the main body 20 and is in fluid communication with the inside of the ink chamber 100 at its other end.

The ink supply section 90 also includes a valve mechanism for selectively opening and closing the ink channel extending from the end 92 of the valve storage chamber 54 to the inside of the ink chamber 100. The ink supply section 90 includes a valve member 97, a spring 96, a sealing member 93 and a cap 95 .

A cap 95 is attached to the outer edge of the end 92 of the valve storage chamber 54, the sealing part 93 being located between them. Through holes are formed in the cap 95 and the sealing part 93. When the cap 95 and the sealing part 93 are attached to the outer edge of the end 92 of the valve storage chamber 54, the through holes form an ink supply passage 91, and an ink supply passage 91 connects the inside and the outside of the valve storage chamber 54. The tube is inserted into the ink supply passage 91 when the ink cartridge 10 is installed in the cartridge installation portion 276.

In the valve storage chamber 54, the spring 96 moves or biases the valve element 97 toward the closing of the ink channel, as a result of which the valve element 97 contacts the sealing part 93 and the communication between the inside of the ink chamber 100 and the outside of the main body 20 is blocked. When the tube is inserted into the ink supply passage 91, the tube pushes the valve member 97, and the valve member 97 is separated from the sealing part 93, counteracting the driving force of the spring 96, and the ink supply passage 91 is opened. Accordingly, communication is established between the inner part of the ink chamber 100 and the outer part of the main body 20 through the ink supply portion 90, and ink in the ink chamber 100 flows through a tube to the recording device 250.

A recessed portion 59 is formed on the upper side 43 of the frame 50, and a recessed portion 60 is formed on the lower side 44 of the frame 50. The recessed sections 59 and 60 engage with protruding strips 210 and 211 (shown in FIG. 8), respectively formed on the inner the surface of the covering part 22, when the rear portion 20b of the main body 20 is covered with the covering part 22. The protruding strip 210 is fitted to the recess portion 59, and the protruding strip 211 is fitted to the recess portion 60 to ensure reliable adhesion between the rear portion 20b and the cover part 22.

6, a spring storage chamber 110 is formed on the front side 41 above the valve storage chamber 55, and a spring storage chamber 111 is formed on the front side 41 under the valve storage chamber 54. The spring storage chambers 110 and 111 are essentially cylindrical chambers extending from the front side 41 to the ink chamber 100, whereby at least the rear portions of the spring storage chambers 110 and 111 respectively form part of the front side 41. According to FIG. .8 coil springs 23 and 24 are located in chambers 110 and 111 for storing the spring, respectively. For example, each of the coil springs 23 and 24 is attached to the front side 41 at one end and attached to the movable part 21 at the other end. In particular, the coil springs 23 and 24 are connected to the front side 41 and the movable part 21 by direct contact between the coil springs 23 and 24 and the front side 41 and the movable part 21 or by indirect contact between the coil springs 23 and 24 and the front side 41 and the movable detail 21, i.e. using at least one other element located between the coil springs 23 and 24 and the front side 41 and the movable part 21. The coil springs 23 and 24 are configured to elastically move the movable part 21 from the front side 41 by applying a shear force to the movable part 21. In addition, in order to stably and uniformly move the movable part 21, the spring storage chamber 110 and the spring storage chamber 111 are sufficiently separated from each other in the height direction of the main body 20, for example p are located near the opposite ends of the front side 41 in the direction of height. In other words, the coil spring 23 is located closer to the upper end of the front side 41 than to the lower end of the front side 41, and the coil spring 24 is located closer to the lower end of the front side 41 than to the upper end of the front side 41.

A support part 115 is formed at the front end of the upper side 43 of the frame 50. The support part 115 supports the movable part 21, whereby the movable part 21 slides relative to the main body 20, and the support part 115 limits the sliding range of the movable part 21. The movable part 21 is slidingly supported at two points of the support part 115 and the support part 116, described below. The support part 115 is integral with the frame 50. The support part 115 comprises a first portion 118 extending vertically upward from the upper side 43, a second portion 119 extending from the upper end of the first portion 118 in the insertion direction 30 parallel to the upper side 43, and the hook portion 120 formed at the front end of the second portion 119 and extending upward. A gap 122 is formed between the second portion 119 and the upper side 43, which allows the second portion 119 to bend in the height direction of the main body 20.

The support part 116 has substantially the same shape as the support part 115 and is located on the front end of the lower side 44 of the frame 50. The support part 116 is integral with the frame 50 and comprises a first portion 124 extending vertically downward from the lower side 44 , a second portion 125 extending from the end of the first portion 124 in the insertion direction 30 parallel to the bottom side 44, and a hook portion 126 formed at the front end of the second portion 125 and extending downward.

FIGS. 2 (a) -3 (b) and FIGS. 8-10 (b) show a movable part 21 and a covering part 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cover part 22 has the shape of a container and is able to accommodate the rear portion 20b of the main body 20. The cover part 22 has a flat shape corresponding to the outer shape of the rear portion 20b. The covering part 22 comprises a rear wall 212 facing and covering the rear side 42 of the main body 20, an upper wall 213 facing and covering the upper side 43 of the main body 20, a lower wall 214 facing and covering the lower side 44 of the main body 20, left a wall 215 facing and covering the left side 45 of the main body 20, and a right wall 216 facing and covering the right side 46 of the main body 20. Walls 212-216 indicate the space between them that can accommodate the rear portion 20b. According to an embodiment, part of the upper wall 213 of the covering part 22 and part of the upper side 43 of the main body 20 form a locking recess 1000 between them. According to another embodiment, the locking recess may be formed on the upper side 43 of the main body 20, or may be formed in the upper wall 213 of the covering part 22.

The protruding strips 210 and 211 are located on the inner surface of the covering part 22 near the opening of the covering part 22. The protruding strips 210 and 211 are in positions corresponding to the recessed sections 59 and 60. The protruding strip 210 is fitted to a recess portion 59 formed on the upper side 43 of the main body 20, and the protruding strip 211 is fitted to a recess portion 60 formed on the lower side 44 of the main body 20. Accordingly, the main body 20 and the cover piece 22 are securely articulated.

The movable part 21 has the shape of a container and is able to accommodate the front portion 20a of the main body 20. The movable part 21 has a flat shape corresponding to the external shape of the front portion 20a. The movable part 21 comprises a front wall 161 facing the front side 41 of the main body 20, an upper wall 163 covering the upper side 43 of the main body 20, a lower wall 164 covering the lower side 44 of the main body 20, a left wall 165 covering the left side 45 of the main the housing 20, and the right wall 166 covering the right side 46 of the main body 20. Walls 163-166 indicate the space between them, which is able to accommodate the front section 20a.

The left wall 165 and the right wall 166 extend from the front wall 161 in the depth direction of the main body 20 and cover the left side 45 and the right side 46 of the main body 20. Thus, when sliding the movable part 21, the left wall 165 and the right wall 166 act as guide surfaces for the left side 45 and the right side 46, which allows the movable part 21 to slide smoothly.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, at least a portion of the movable part 21 has substantially the same color as the color of the ink contained in the ink chamber 100, therefore, the movable part 21 easily indicates the color of the ink to the user.

The movable part 21 includes a signal blocking device 185, a signal blocking device 186, a cutout 187 formed therein, support rails 168 and 169, guide grooves 171 and 172, a pressing portion 174 and an opening 180 formed therein.

According to FIGS. 2 (a) -3 (b), a cutout 187 is formed in the center of the front wall 161, and the cutout 187 is configured to open the light transmission portion 140 outward when the movable part 21 is in the second position, so that at least part of the light transmitting portion 140 passes through the cutout 187 when the movable part 21 is in the second position. For example, a cutout 187 is formed by removing rectangular portions from the front wall 161 and the side walls 165 and 166 facing the front wall 140a and the side walls 140b of the light transmission portion 140. The cutout 187 extends from the front wall 161 against the insertion direction 30. When the ink cartridge 10 is installed in the cartridge mounting portion 276 (shown in FIG. 12), the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the optical sensor 230 (shown in FIG. 12) are located on both sides of the cutout 187. Thus, the light emitted by the light emitting element passes through the cutout 187, and the side wall 140b of the light transmitting portion 140 is irradiated with light.

The signal blocking device 185 comprises a signal blocking section 189 protruding from the front wall 161 in the insertion direction 30. The signal blocking section 189 extends above the notch 187 in a vertical direction on the front wall 161. The signal blocking section 189 has a plate shape and the space 190 is formed behind signal blocking section 189. The ends of the signal blocking section 189 in the width direction and the notch 187 form rectangular openings in the side walls 165 and 166, respectively.

12, the signal blocking portion 189 is configured to enter the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 276 during installation of the ink cartridge 10 to the mounting portion of the cartridge 276. The signal blocking portion 189 is formed of a polymer material, which does not allow light to pass through it or changes the path of light propagating through it. For example, the signal blocking portion 189 can be formed from a polymer material including black pigment. Alternatively, the signal blocking portion 189 may be a prism formed from a transparent polymeric material. The signal blocking device 186 is configured to enter the optical path 236 of the optical sensor 235 provided in the cartridge installation portion 276 during the installation of the ink cartridge 10 to the cartridge mounting portion 276. The signal blocking device 186 is formed of a polymeric material that does not allow light to pass through it or changes the path of light passing through it. 2 (a) -3 (b), the signal blocking device 186 is located at or near the far end of the upper wall 163, and the signal blocking device 186 protrudes from the front wall 161. The signal blocking device 186 comprises a signal blocking portion 191 for example, a rib portion, and a pair of grooves 192 are formed on opposite sides of the signal blocking portion 191. Signal blocking section 191 enters into optical path 236 of optical sensor 235. Signal blocking section 191, signal blocking section 189 and ink supply section 90 intersect a first plane, for example, a plane that is parallel to arrow 32 and arrow 33 in FIG. 2 (a) -2 (d), and the signal blocking section 189 and the signal blocking section 72 intersect a second plane that is perpendicular to the first plane, for example, a plane that is parallel to arrow 31 and arrow 33 in FIG. 2 (a) -2 (d), when in the ink chamber 100 contains enough ernil and the signal blocking portion 72 is located in the inner space 142. With this configuration, easy to carry out the following procedure determining the type of the ink cartridge.

The protruding portion 181 is located at or near the lower end of the front wall 161 and protrudes from the front wall 161. The distal ends of the protruding portion 181 and the signal blocking device 186 are in contact with the innermost wall surface of the cartridge mounting portion 176 when the ink cartridge 10 is installed in the mounting portion 276 cartridge.

The support rail 168 is able to support the coil spring 23, and the support rail 169 is able to support the coil spring 24. The support racks 168 and 169 are located on the surface of the front wall 161 facing the front side 41 of the main body 20. The support rail 168 is in a position corresponding to the chamber 110 for storing the spring, and the support rail 169 is in a position corresponding to the chamber 111 for storing the spring.

10 (a) and 10 (b), the support rails 168 and 169 extend from the surface of the front wall 161 in the depth direction of the main body 20. When the front portion 20a of the main body 20 is inserted into the movable part 21 in a state in which the coil spring 23 stored in the spring storage chamber 110, and the coil spring 24 is stored in the spring storage chamber 111, the support rail 168 is inserted into the cylindrical spring 23, and the support rail 169 is inserted into the cylindrical spring 24. Accordingly, the coil springs 23 and 24 are supported laths 168 and 169 respectively. The direction of tension and compression of the coil springs 23 and 24 is limited by the depth direction of the main body 20.

The coil springs 23 and 24 are compression coil springs, i.e. the coil springs 23 and 24 are compressed and contained in the spring storage chambers 110 and 111 when the front portion 20a is inserted into the movable part 21. Thus, the coil springs 23 and 24 move or displace the movable part 21 in the direction from the front side 41 of the main body 20 regardless of the position of the movable part 21.

According to FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), a guide groove 171 is formed in the upper wall 163, and the cross-sectional shape of the guide groove 171 is a substantially inverted letter U. According to FIG. 10 (a), the support part 115 is inserted into the guide groove 171, and the protruding strip 182 extends from the lower surface of the upper wall 163 to the inside of the guide groove 171. Thus, the guide groove 171 is partially tapering by the protruding strip 182. The guide groove 172 is formed in the bottom wall 164, and the shape of the guide groove 172 in pop The cross section is essentially the letter U. According to FIG. 10 (b), the support member 116 is inserted into the guide groove 172, and the protruding strip 183 extends from the upper surface of the lower wall 164 to the inside of the guide groove 172. Thus, the guide groove 172 is partially tapering by the protruding strip 183.

When the front portion 20a of the main body 20 is inserted into the movable part 21, the support part 115 enters into the guide groove 171, and the support part 116 enters into the guide groove 172. When the support part 115 enters the guide groove 171, the protruding strip 182 and the hook portion 120 are in contact with a friend. Then, when the support part 115 is inserted even further, the support part 115 is bent to the gap 122, and the hook portion 120 is lifted above the protruding strip 182, while the bevel 182a of the protruding strip 182 and the bevel 120a of the hook portion 120 slide along each other. After the hook portion 120 is lifted above the protruding strip 182, the movable part 21 and the main body 20 are not disengaged, since the hook portion 120 is received by the protruding strip 182 when trying to disconnect. The support member 116 also fits into the guide groove 172.

When the front portion 20a enters the movable part 21, the movable part 21 is moved away from the front side 41 by the coil springs 23 and 24. Thus, until an external force acts on the movable part 21, the movable part 21 remains in the first position (shown in FIG. 2 (b) and 9) corresponding to the largest distance of the movable part 21 from the front side 41 of the main body 20. The movable part 21 remains in the first position due to the contact between the protruding strip 182 and the hook portion 120 and the contact between the protruding strip 183 and the yoke portion 126. On the other hand, when external force is applied to the front side of the movable part 21, the movable part 21 slides from the first position to the second position (shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 8) corresponding to the smallest distance of the movable part 21 to the front side 41 of the main body 20.

According to Figs. 8 and 9, the pressing portion 174 is located on the surface of the front wall 161 facing the front side 41 of the main body 20. The pressing portion 174 is in a position corresponding to the rod 84 of the air intake section 80. The pressing portion 174 is separated from the distal end of the rod 84 when the movable part 21 is in the first position, and the pressing portion 174 comes into contact with the distal end of the rod 84, while the movable part 21 slides from the first position to the second position. Then, when the movable part 21 continues to slide to the second position, the rod 84 is pushed towards the ink chamber 100 to open the air passage channel 81.

A hole 180 is formed in the front wall 161 at a position near the lower end of the front wall 161 and is formed at a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 90. The diameter of the hole 180 is larger than the diameter of the cap 95 of the ink supply portion 90, which allows the cap 95 to enter and pass through the hole 180. When the movable part 21 is in the first position, the entire ink supply portion 90 is located in the movable part 21, so that the entire portion 90, the ink supply is cut from the hole 180. When the movable part 21 moves from the first position to the second position, at least a portion of the ink supply portion 90 moves into and then passes through the hole 180, protruding from the front wall 161. Referring to FIG. 2 (a), 2 (b), 3 (a) and 3 (b), according to an embodiment of the present invention, the air inlet section 80 is covered with a front wall 161, so that the air inlet section 80 does not open the outer part of the ink cartridge 10. According to this embodiment the implementation of the relatively small air holes (not indicated, but shown in Fig.2 (a) and 2 (b)) are formed in the front wall 161, allowing to suck air into the section 80 of the air intake. However, according to FIGS. 2 (c), 2 (d), 3 (c) and 3 (d), an opening 180 'can be formed in the front wall 161 near and flush with the inlet portion 80. According to this embodiment, when movable part 21 is in the first position, the entire air inlet portion 80 is located in the movable part 21, whereby the entire air inlet portion 80 is cut out from the hole 180. When the movable part 21 moves from the first position to the second position, the air inlet portion remains entirely in the movable part 21, however, the air intake portion moves closer e to the opening 180 '. According to this embodiment, air is sucked into the ink chamber 100 when the printer component is in contact and applies force to the rod 84 of the air inlet portion 80 through the opening 180 '.

According to FIGS. 11 (a) and 11 (b), according to an embodiment of the present invention, the ink cartridge 10 can be replaced by the ink cartridge 10 ′. In particular, in the ink cartridge 10 ', the signal blocking device 185 is replaced by a signal blocking device 195, which has a different shape than the signal blocking device 185. The signal blocking device 195 comprises a signal blocking section 199 protruding from the front wall 161. The signal blocking section 199 extends above the notch 187 in a vertical direction on the front wall 161. The signal blocking section 199 comprises a front wall and a pair of side walls 198 at both ends in the direction width. The side walls 198 extend from the front wall of the signal blocking portion 199 to the front wall 161 of the movable part 21. The side walls 198 and cutouts 187 form rectangular holes in the side walls 165 and 166. The signal blocking portion 199 is able to enter the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 276, during the installation of the ink cartridge 10 in the cartridge mounting portion 276. The signal blocking section 199 is formed of a polymer material that does not allow light to pass through it or changes the path of light passing through it. Signal blocking section 191, signal blocking section 199 and ink supply section 90 intersect a first plane, for example, a plane that is parallel to arrow 32 and arrow 33 in FIG. 2 (a) -2 (d), and signal blocking section 199 and blocking section 72 a second plane, which is perpendicular to the first plane, for example, a plane that is parallel to arrow 31 and arrow 33 in FIG. 2 (a) -2 (d), when enough ink is contained in the ink chamber 100, and the signal blocking portion 72 is located in interior space 142. With this configuration, it is easy to carry out the procedure for determining the type of ink cartridge described below.

12, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the cartridge mounting portion 276 comprises a combination of, for example, four casings 280 corresponding to different colors, for example cyan, raspberry, yellow and black, arranged in parallel in the width direction. Each casing 280 comprises a casing body 281 and a locking lever 283. The casing body 281 includes a storage chamber 282 capable of selectively storing the ink cartridge 10 and 10 ', and an opening 284 is formed in the front side of the casing body 281. The casing 280 is configured to install an ink cartridge 10 and 10 'in the casing body 281 and to remove it from there through the opening 284.

The optical sensor 230 and the optical sensor 235 are located on the closed end side of the storage chamber 282. The optical sensor 230 is located on the wall surface 286, which forms the closed end of the storage chamber 282. The optical sensor 230 is configured to (a) detect the type of ink cartridge 10 and 10 'mounted on the casing 280; and (b) detect when the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 10 and 10 'becomes less than or equal to a predetermined amount of ink, for example, an amount of ink sufficient to transmit an image to a recording medium. For example, the optical sensor 230 comprises a photo interrupter including a light emitting element and a light receiving element. An optical sensor 230 is connected to the main controller 200, and electrical signals output from the light receiving element are supplied to the main controller 200. The optical path 231 is formed between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the optical sensor 230. The type of the ink cartridge is determined by the output signal of the optical sensor 230, which corresponds to the intensity of the received light when the device 185 for blocking the signal or the device 195 for blocking the signal enters the optical path 231.

The optical sensor 235 is located on the inner side of the wall surface 287, which forms the upper part of the casing body 281. The optical sensor 235 is configured to detect whether the signal blocking portion 191 of the signal blocking apparatus 186 is in a predetermined position so as to determine if an ink cartridge 10 and 10 ′ is installed. For example, the optical sensor 235 comprises a photo interrupter comprising a light emitting element and a light receiving element. The optical sensor 235 is connected to the main controller 200, and the electrical signals output from the light receiving element are supplied to the main controller 200. When the light is blocked by the signal blocking section 191 on the optical path 236 of the optical sensor 235, the light intensity received by the light receiving element is substantially instantaneous declining.

The connecting portion 285 is located on the lower portion of the wall surface 286 and is capable of connecting to the ink supply passage 91. The connecting portion 285 protrudes from the wall surface 286 to the inside of the storage chamber 282. A through hole 288 is formed in the connecting portion 285, and an ink tube 278 is inserted into the through hole 288. The through hole 288 is formed at a position corresponding to the ink supply passage 91. A tube is provided on the inside of the connecting portion 285, and when the ink cartridge 10 is installed in the casing 280, the tube is inserted into the ink supply passage 91, whereby the ink supply passage 91 and the connecting portion 285 are connected to each other.

The contact portion 240 is located on the upper portion of the wall surface 286, and the contact portion 241 is located on the lower portion of the wall surface 286. When the ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the casing 280, the contact portion 240 is in contact with the distal end of the signal blocking device 186, and the contact portion 241 is in contact with the distal end of the protruding portion 181.

The locking lever 283 is configured to selectively open and close the opening 284, and securely fix the ink cartridge 10 and 10 'in the storage chamber 282. The locking lever 283 is supported at one end to be able to rotate around an axis 290 at the upper edge of the hole 284. The locking lever 283 comprises a working portion 293 and a tooth 294. The working portion 293 is located on the outer surface 297 of the locking lever 283 near the other end of the locking lever, and a tooth 294 is located at the other end of the locking lever 283. A groove 299 is formed on the lower edge of the hole 284 and is capable of gripping the tooth 294.

FIGS. 2 (a), 2 (b), 8, and 13-15 show the process of installing or inserting the ink cartridge 10 into the casing 280. When the ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the chamber 282 for storing the casing 280, the signal blocking portion 189 of the device 185 for blocking the signal first enters the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230. Then, when the ink cartridge 10 enters even more into the camera 282 to accommodate, section 191 of the signal blocking device 186 for blocking the signal enters the optical path 236 of the optical sensor 235. At a time when blocking section 191 si Nala enters the optical path 236, the signal blocking portion 189 passes through the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230, and light emitted from the light emitting element passes through the space 190 behind the signal blocking portion 189.

When the ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the closed end of the storage chamber 282, the far end of the signal blocking device 186 is in contact with the contact portion 240, and the far end of the protruding portion 181 is in contact with the contact portion 241. At this point, the cutout 187 enters the optical path 231.

When the locking lever 283 is rotated in the closing direction of the hole 284, the inner surface 296 of the locking lever 283 is in contact with the rear wall of the cover part 22 and presses on the ink cartridge 10 in the direction of insertion. At this moment, the coil springs 23 and 24 are compressed. Accordingly, the main body 20 moves in the insertion direction in a state in which the movable part 21 is stationary, and the main body 20 moves to the movable part 21.

When the main body 20 moves even further in the introduction direction, the ink supply passage 91 is connected to the connecting portion 285, and the light transmitting portion 140 enters the cutout 187 and the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230.

When the locking lever 283 is fully locked and the tooth 294 is engaged with the groove 299, the locking lever 283 is locked relative to the hole 284, and the hole 284 is closed by the locking lever 283. At this point, the main body 20 of the ink cartridge 10 receives the driving force of the coil springs 23 and 24, and the rear the wall of the covering part 22 is pressed against the inner surface 296 of the locking lever 283.

16, the main controller 200 controls the operation of the recording device 250. The main controller 200 is a microcomputer comprising a central processing unit (CPU) 201, read-only memory (ROM) 202, random access memory (RAM) 203, and an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) 204 and Specialized Integrated Circuit (ASIC) 205.

The ROM 202 stores a program used by the CPU 201 to control the corresponding operations of the recording device 250, and a program for determining the type of ink cartridge 10 and 10 '. RAM 203 is a random access memory or working memory for temporary storage of relevant data used by the CPU 201 to execute programs. EEPROM 204 stores settings, flags, etc., which should be retained even after a power outage.

1 and 16, the head control board 270, the optical sensor 230, and the optical sensor 235 are connected to the ASIC 205. An executive circuit (not shown) for driving the respective rollers of the paper feed device 252 and the transfer device 253, an input unit for inputting a print command etc. to the recording device 250 and a display device for displaying information related to the recording device 250 are also connected to the ASIC 205.

The head control board 270 controls the recording head 272 based on signals, for example, a control signal and an image signal from the ASIC 205. Accordingly, ink is selectively ejected at predetermined times from the nozzle 274 of the recording head 272.

The optical sensor 230 outputs the sensor signals based on the light intensity received by the light receiving element. For example, analog electrical signals, in particular voltage signals or current signals, are output from the optical sensor 230 based on the light intensity received by the light receiving element. The sensor signal output from the optical sensor 230 is supplied to the main controller 200, and the main controller 200 determines that the sensor signal is a high level signal when the electrical level, for example, a voltage value or a current value, of the sensor signal is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, and determines that the sensor signal is a low level signal when the electric level is less than a threshold value. For example, it is determined that the sensor signal is a low level signal when the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230 is blocked, and that the sensor signal is a high level signal when the optical path 231 is not blocked. The intensity of the light received by the light-receiving element may be zero when the light emitted by the light-emitting element is blocked, or the light path changes.

The optical sensor 235 functions in essentially the same way as the optical sensor 230 and outputs the sensor signals based on the light intensity received by the light receiving element.

17 (a) and 17 (b) illustrate illustrative temporal signal level profiles for sensor signals output from the optical sensor 230 and the optical sensor 235 during installation of the ink cartridge 10, and FIGS. 17 (c) and 17 (d ) illustrative temporal profiles of signal levels for sensor signals output from the optical sensor 230 and the optical sensor 235 during the installation of the ink cartridge 10 'are presented.

17 (a) and 17 (c), the time profile of the signal level for the sensor signal output from the optical sensor 235 when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the casing 280 is the same as the time profile of the signal level for the sensor signal output from the optical sensor 235, when the ink cartridge 10 'is mounted on the casing 280. In particular, when the signal blocking portion 191 enters the optical path 236 of the optical sensor 235 and blocks or changes the light path, the signal level changes from high to low at time T1. On the main controller 200, this change of signal level from high to low is used as a trigger signal in the process of determining the type of ink cartridge.

17 (b), when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the casing 280, the signal blocking portion 189 enters the optical path 231 and blocks or changes the path of light at time T0. At this point, the signal level for the sensor signal output from the optical sensor 230 changes from high to low. Since the signal blocking portion 189 is a flat plate, the time interval during which the light is blocked or its path changes is relatively small. The signal blocking section 189 passes through the optical path 231, and the space 190 enters the optical path after the time T0 and until the time T1. Thus, at time T1, the signal level of the optical sensor 230 is restored from low to high.

Then, when the ink cartridge 10 enters even more, the cutout 187 enters the optical path 231, and when the ink cartridge 10 is completely mounted on the casing 280, the light transmission portion 140 enters the optical path 231 through the cutout 187 between the time T2 and the moment T3. In this state, the position of the signal blocking portion 72 is recorded. 17 (b), the signal level when the signal blocking portion 72 is on the optical path 231 is represented by a solid line (low level), and the signal level when the signal blocking portion 72 is outside the optical path 231 is represented by a dashed line (high level )

17 (d), when the ink cartridge 10 ′ is mounted on the casing 280, the signal blocking portion 199 also enters the optical path 231, blocking the light or changing the path of the light at time T0. At this point, the signal level for the sensor signal output from the optical sensor 230 changes from high to low. Since the signal blocking section 199 has side walls 198, the time interval during which the light is blocked or changed by the signal blocking section 199 is longer than the time interval during which the light is blocked or changed by the signal blocking section 189. In particular, at time T1, the side walls 198 are still on the optical path 231. Thus, at time T1, the signal level for the sensor signal output from the optical sensor 230 is kept low.

Then, when the ink cartridge 10 'enters even more, at time T2, the side walls 198 pass through the optical path 231, and the notch 187 enters the optical path 231. At this point, the signal level of the optical sensor 230 is restored from low to high. Then, when the ink cartridge 10 'is fully mounted on the casing 280, the light transmitting portion 140 enters the optical path 231 through the cutout 187 at the time between the time T2 and the moment T3. In this state, the position of the signal blocking portion 72 can be determined. 17 (d), the signal level when the signal blocking section 72 is on the optical path 231 is represented by a solid line (low level), and the signal level when the signal blocking section 72 is outside the optical path 231 is represented by a dashed line (high level )

The main controller 200 determines the type of ink cartridge based on the time profiles of the optical sensor 230 and the optical sensor 235.

On Fig shows the procedure for determining whether the installed ink cartridge ink cartridge 10 or ink cartridge 10 '. In step S1, the main controller 200 determines whether the signal blocking portion 189 or 199 has entered the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230, for example, it is determined whether the signal level for the sensor signal output from the optical sensor 230 has changed from high to low. When the main controller 200 determines that the signal blocking portion 189 or 199 has entered the optical path 231, step S2 is performed. Step S2 is not performed until the main controller 200 determines that the signal blocking section 189 or 199 has entered the optical path 231.

In step S2, the main controller 200 determines whether the signal blocking portion 191 has entered the optical path 236, for example, it is determined whether the signal level of the optical sensor 235 has changed from high to low, which corresponds to detection of a trigger signal. When a trigger signal is detected in step S2, the main controller 200 determines in step S3 whether the signal level is high or low for the sensor signal output from the optical sensor 230 at time T1 when the trigger signal is detected. For example, when the signal level at time T1 is high, the main controller 200 determines that an ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the casing 280, and when the signal level at time T1 is low, the main controller determines that an ink cartridge 10 'is inserted into the casing 280 .

When it is determined in step S3 that the signal level for the sensor signal output from the optical sensor 230 is high, in step S4, a bit flag indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 is set in a register, for example, a CPU register 201. If the bit a flag indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 ′ has been set previously, a bit flag indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 ′ is cleared, and a bit flag is set indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the ink cartridge 10. On the other hand, when it is determined that the signal level of the sensor output from the optical sensor 230 is low, in step S5, a bit flag indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 ', is installed in the register. If a bit flag indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 has been set previously, a bit flag indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 is cleared, and a bit flag indicating that the installed ink cartridge corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 is set. '. If a bit flag is set, a recording device 250 or an information processing device, such as a personal computer connected to a recording device 250, displays which of the ink cartridges 10 and 10 'is inserted based on the flag.

If the signal level of the optical sensor 235 changes from low to high, the determination process may start again. In addition, the determination process can be performed when the locking lever 283 is open, and the determination process can be completed when the locking lever 283 is closed.

The type of the ink cartridge 10 and 10 'is determined based on the signal level for the sensor signal output from the optical sensor 230 at time T1 when a trigger signal is detected. Thus, the configuration of the ink cartridge 10 and 10 'allows the recording device 250 to accurately determine the type of ink cartridge 10 or 10' regardless of the speed at which the user installs the ink cartridge 10 or 10 'in the printer, and regardless of whether the user starts to insert the ink cartridge cartridge into the printer, and then partially ejects the ink cartridge before fully inserting the ink cartridge into the printer.

The above process is configured to distinguish between two types of ink cartridge 10 and 10 ', however, it is possible to distinguish between three or more types of ink cartridge. In addition, it allows you to distinguish between an ink cartridge containing black ink and an ink cartridge containing ink of a color other than black, and also allows you to distinguish between an ink cartridge containing pigment ink and an ink cartridge containing dye ink.

19 shows a packaging device 230 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The packaging device 230 comprises an ink cartridge, for example an ink cartridge 10 (or 10 '), and a packaging part 231. An ink cartridge 10 is disposed within the packaging part 231. The ink cartridge 10 is transported and sold in the packaging device 230.

The inside of the ink chamber 100 is depressurized to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, for example, by using a vacuum pump to reduce the amount of air dissolved in the ink in the ink chamber 100. The inside of the packaging part 231 is also depressurized to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, for example, using a vacuum pump to prevent air from entering the ink chamber 100 through films covering the sides 45 and 46.

The packaging part 231 is impervious to liquid, but has some permeability to gas. Thus, air can enter the packaging part 231 when the packaging device 230 remains unused for an extended period of time. However, if there is a depressurized space inside the packaging part 231, the inside of the packing part 231 is maintained in a stable depressurized state for an extended period of time.

The device 230 for packaging is made as follows. The ink cartridge 10 is placed inside the packaging part 231 in a state in which the movable part 21 is held in the first (extended) position shown in FIG. 2 (b). While maintaining this state, the pressure inside the packaging part 231 is reduced to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, and the packaging part 231 is sealed. Since the ink cartridge 10 is thus housed in the packaging part 231, a sealed space of a predetermined capacity is formed between the front side 41 of the main body 20 and the front wall 161 of the movable part 21 inside the packaging part 231. Thus, the inside of the packaging part 231 is maintained in a sealed state in over a long period of time.

However, if the inside of the packaging part 231 is depressurized too much, the pressure drop between atmospheric pressure and the pressure in the inside of the packaging part 231 may increase so much that a relatively large force acts on the ink cartridge 10. In this case, if the depressurized space is formed between the front side 41 of the main body 20 and the front wall 161 of the movable part 21, the movable part 21 may be deformed inward and may not return to its original shape. Thus, according to another embodiment of the present invention, the ink cartridge 10 ′ may be placed in the packaging part 231 in a state in which the movable part 21 is held in the second (retracted) position shown in FIG. 2 (c). When the movable part 21 is in the second position, the depressurized space between the front side 41 of the main body 20 and the front wall 161 of the movable part 21 is relatively small, and thus, deformation of the movable part 21 can be prevented. The size of the packaging device 230 is also reduced. Since the pressurized space does exist, despite the fact that it is relatively small, the inside of the packaging part 231 is maintained in a stable evacuated state for a sufficient period of time.

20 and 21 show a cartridge mounting portion 1276 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The cartridge mounting portion 1276 comprises a locking lever 1283 instead of a locking lever 283 of the cartridge mounting portion 276. The locking lever 283 comprises a first section 1291, a second section 1292 and a pivot section 1290 between the first section 1291 and the second section 1292. The pivot section 1290 is supported on the upper section of the casing 280 near the opening 284, as a result of which the locking lever 1283 pivots around the pivot section 1290. The first a portion 1291 extends from the pivot portion to the outside of the casing 280, and a second portion 1292 extends from the pivot portion 1290 to the storage chamber 282. The first portion 1291 is located above the second portion 1292, since the weight of the first portion 1291 is less than the weight of the second portion 1292. Referring to FIG. 20, when the ink cartridge 10 is installed in the cartridge mounting portion 1276, a portion of the second portion 1292 is in contact with a portion of the fixing recess 1000. The main the housing 20 of the ink cartridge 10 receives the driving force of the coil springs 23 and 24 to the hole 284. However, since part of the second section 1292 is in contact with part of the locking recess 1000 to hold the main body 20 in the casing 280, counter Subject to the driving force of the coil springs 23 and 24, the ink cartridge 10 remains in the casing 280.

When the user intends to remove the ink cartridge 10 from the cartridge installation portion 1276, the user exerts a downward force on the end portion of the first portion 1291. Then, the locking lever 1283 rotates around the rotary portion 1290, as shown in FIG. 21, and the second portion 1292 moves up and is separated from the fixing recess 1000. Thus, the coil springs 23 and 24 are stretched, and the ink cartridge 10 is partially ejected from the cartridge installation portion 1276. The user then grabs the rear portion of the ink cartridge 10 and removes the ink cartridge 10 from the cartridge installation portion 1276. Thus, the ink cartridge is easily removed from the cartridge installation portion 1276. In addition, since the ink cartridge 10 is not itself configured to hold the movable part 21 in the second position, the movable part 21 freely moves from the second position to the first position when the second portion 1292 is separated from the fixing recess 1000, and thus , the ink cartridge 10 is partially ejected from the cartridge installation portion 1276.

22 (a) and 22 (b), the distance D1 between the signal blocking portion 191 and the signal blocking portion 189 of the ink cartridge 10 or between the signal blocking portion 191 and the signal blocking portion 199 of the ink cartridge 10 ′ in the height direction indicated by arrow 32, ranges from 32 millimeters to 35 millimeters. The distance D2 between the front end of the signal blocking section 191 and the front end of the signal blocking section 189 of the ink cartridge 10 or between the front end of the signal blocking section 191 and the front end of the signal blocking section 199 of the ink cartridge 10 'in the depth direction indicated by arrow 33 is 4, 7 millimeters to 7.6 millimeters. In other words, the front end of the signal blocking section 191 is 7.6 millimeters or less in front of the front end of the signal blocking section 189 or 199 in the depth direction, or the front end of the signal blocking section 191 is 4.7 millimeters or less behind the front end of the section 189 or 199 blocking the signal in the depth direction.

It should be understood that the term "signal blocking" as used herein includes not only decreasing the signal intensity to zero, but also decreasing it to a sufficiently low level that allows detecting a signal blocking region. In this regard, although it is preferable that the signal is delayed by 100% when passing through the signal blocking section, a decrease in intensity during passage is permissible so that a decrease in intensity can be detected.

Although the invention has been described in connection with illustrative embodiments, those skilled in the art may suggest other variations and modifications of the above illustrative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the disclosure or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It should be understood that the description of the invention and the examples given are intended only to illustrate the invention, while the true scope of the invention is indicated in the following claims.

Industrial application

An ink cartridge, an ink cartridge kit, and an ink cartridge detection system of the present invention are widely used in the home and office.

Claims (13)

1. An ink cartridge containing a blocking section of the first signal, a blocking section of the second signal and a blocking section of the third signal, wherein the blocking section of the first signal is configured to either impede the passage of the first signal through it, or to change the path of the first signal when the blocking section of the first the signal receives the first signal, the blocking section of the second signal is configured to either impede the passage of the second signal through it, or change the put passing the second signal when the second signal blocking portion receives the second signal and the third signal blocking portion is configured to either prevent the second signal passing therethrough or alter the path of the second signal when the third signal blocking portion receives the second signal. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, having a width in the width direction, a height in the height direction and a depth in the depth direction, each of the height and depth being greater than the width, the distance between the blocking section of the first signal and the blocking section of the second signal is 32 up to 35 mm in the height direction, and the first signal blocking section is 7.6 mm or less in front of the second signal blocking section in the depth direction, or the first signal blocking section is 4.7 mm or less behind the block section ovki second signal in the depth direction. 3. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the third signal blocking portion is configured to move relative to each of the first signal blocking portion and the second signal blocking portion. 4. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, in which the blocking section of the first signal and the blocking section of the second signal are configured to move relative to the blocking section of the third signal. 5. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, in which the blocking section of the third signal is configured to move relative to each of the blocking section of the first signal and the blocking section of the second signal, and the blocking section of the first signal and the blocking section of the second signal are configured to move relative to the blocking section of the third signal. 6. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, in which the blocking section of the first signal is stationary relative to the blocking section of the second signal. 7. The ink cartridge according to claim 3, further comprising an ink chamber configured to receive ink, and a translucent portion in which the inner space is formed, wherein the inner space of the translucent portion is capable of being in fluid communication with the inside of the ink chamber, and the portion The third signal blocking is located in the inner space of the translucent section. 8. The ink cartridge according to claim 4, further comprising a casing having at least a portion of the ink chamber indicated therein, the ink chamber being configured to accommodate ink, and a third signal blocking portion is located in the casing; a movable part configured to move relative to the casing, the movable part comprising a blocking section of a first signal and a blocking section of a second signal; and at least one elastic part, the first end of which is attached to the casing, and the second end of which is attached to the movable part. 9. The ink cartridge of claim 8, in which at least one elastic part connects the casing to the movable part. 10. The ink cartridge according to claim 9, in which at least one elastic part comprises a first elastic part and a second elastic part, which are stretched and compressed in the same direction relative to each other. 11. A set of ink cartridges containing the first and second ink cartridges according to claim 1, in which
the blocking section of the second signal of the first ink cartridge has a thickness that allows you to prevent the passage of the second signal through it, or change the path of the second signal at a point in time when the blocking section of the first signal initially prevents the passage of the first signal through it or changes the path of the first signal, and
the blocking section of the second signal of the second ink cartridge has a thickness that allows not to impede the passage of the second signal through it, or not to change the path of the second signal at a time when the blocking section of the first signal initially prevents the passage of the first signal through it or changes the path of the first signal. 12. The system for determining an ink cartridge containing an ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10 or a set of ink cartridges according to claim 11, and
a recording device comprising
a cartridge installation portion configured to install an ink cartridge,
a first sensor located on the cartridge mounting portion and comprising a first signal transmitting element configured to transmit a first signal, and a first signal receiving element capable of receiving a first signal, wherein the blocking section of the first signal can either prevent the first signal from passing through it, or change the path of the first signal, at least during the installation of the ink cartridge on the installation site of the cartridge, and the intensity of the first signal received by the reception volume of the first signal, when the first signal is blocked while passing through the blocking section of the first signal, or the path of the first signal is changed by the blocking section of the first signal, differs from the intensity of the first signal received by the receiving element of the first signal when the first signal is not blocked when passing through the blocking section the first signal, or the path of the first signal is not changed by the blocking section of the first signal,
a second sensor located on the cartridge mounting portion and containing a second signal transmitting element capable of transmitting a second signal, and a second signal receiving element capable of receiving a second signal, wherein the second signal blocking section can either prevent the second signal from passing through it or change the path of the second the signal during the installation of the ink cartridge on the installation site of the cartridge, and the blocking area of the third signal can either interfere with the passage of the second signal through it, or change the path of the second signal when the installation of the ink cartridge on the installation site of the cartridge is completed, and the intensity of the second signal received by the receiving element of the second signal, when the second signal is blocked when passing through the blocking section of the second signal or blocking section of the third signal, or the path the passage of the second signal is changed by the blocking section of the second signal or the blocking section of the third signal, different from the intensity of the second signal received the second signal receiving element, when the second signal is not impeded when passing through the blocking section of the second signal, or the path of the second signal is not changed by the blocking section of the second signal or the blocking section of the third signal, and
a determiner capable of determining information associated with the ink cartridge based on the intensity of the second signal received by the second signal receiving element at a time when the intensity of the first signal received by the first signal receiving element initially changes during installation of the ink cartridge in the cartridge mounting portion. 13. The ink cartridge determination system of claim 12, wherein the determinant is further able to determine the amount of ink in the ink chamber based on the intensity of the second signal received by the second signal receiving element when the installation of the ink cartridge at the cartridge mounting portion is completed.

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