CN102001229A

CN102001229A - Ink cartridge, ink cartridge set and ink cartridge determination system

Info

Publication number: CN102001229A
Application number: CN2010102874007A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 服部信吾; 中村宙健
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2007-03-28
Filing date: 2007-12-20
Publication date: 2011-04-06
Anticipated expiration: 2027-12-20
Also published as: MY149796A; RU2407644C1; WO2008117882A1; AU2008235816A1; CA2678998C; CA2679914C; CN102350880A; RU2415022C1; NZ578999A; WO2008123479A1; RU2407643C1; AU2008230343B2; CN101954795A; CN102350880B; CA2679913A1; CN101885272A; CN101885272B; AU2008235817A1; CA2679913C; CN102350879A

Abstract

The invention relates to an ink cartridge, an ink cartridge set and an ink cartridge determination system. The ink cartridge includes a first signal blocking portion, a second signal blocking portion, and a third signal blocking portion. The first signal blocking portion is configured to either prevent a first signal from passing therethrough or to alter a path of the first signal when the first signal blocking portion receives the first signal, the second signal blocking portion is configured to either prevent a second signal from passing therethrough or to alter a path of 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 from passing therethrough or to alter a path of the second signal when the third signal blocking portion receives the second signal.

Description

Print cartridge, print cartridge group and print cartridge are determined system

The application is be on December 20th, 2007, denomination of invention the applying date for " print cartridge, print cartridge group and print cartridge are determined system " and application number be dividing an application of 200710159946.2 Chinese invention patent application.

Technical field

The present invention relates generally to print cartridge, print cartridge group and print cartridge and determines system.

Background technology

Known recording equipment for example ink jet recording device comprises that ink jet print head and known print cartridge are mounted to the mounting portion on it.When known print cartridge was mounted to the mounting portion, known recording equipment was configured to distribute ink from a plurality of nozzles, with document image on paper.

Another kind of known recording equipment comprises the balladeur train that is configured to hold the known print cartridge of another kind.This known recording equipment is configured to determine toner cartridge type by detecting by the print cartridge intensity of light reflected.When balladeur train and print cartridge motion, measure catoptrical intensity by the sensor of recording equipment, and, determine toner cartridge type according to this intensity.This known recording equipment has for example been described in US2005/0024454A1.

Also have another kind of known recording equipment to comprise the mounting portion of separating, and this known recording equipment is configured to determine the type of the print cartridge that another kind is known when print cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion with balladeur train.Specifically, when print cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion, recording equipment detect print cartridge the signal stop portions existence or do not exist, and according to the existence of signal stop portions or there is not definite toner cartridge type.This known recording equipment has for example been described in US2005/0195225A1.Yet in this known recording equipment, each user is mounted to the speed of mounting portion with print cartridge may be different and different along with the user, thereby recording equipment can obtain different definite results for different user.For example, if the user is mounted to the speed of mounting portion greater than predetermined speed with print cartridge, if perhaps the user begins print cartridge is inserted in the mounting portion, partly removed print cartridge then before finally being inserted into print cartridge in the mounting portion fully, then sensor may detect inaccurate information.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, print cartridge, print cartridge group and the print cartridge that need overcome these and other shortcoming of prior art determined system.Technological merit of the present invention is, the structure of print cartridge allows recording equipment to determine the information relevant with print cartridge exactly, and with the user that the speed that print cartridge is mounted to printer is irrelevant, and need not consider the user whether begin with print cartridge be inserted in the printer, part is removed print cartridge before finally being inserted into print cartridge in the printer fully then.

According to embodiment of the present invention, print cartridge comprises the first signal stop portions, secondary signal stop portions and the 3rd signal stop portions.The first signal stop portions is configured to prevent that first signal from passing the first signal stop portions or changing the path of first signal when the first signal stop portions receives first signal, and the secondary signal stop portions is configured to prevent that secondary signal from passing the secondary signal stop portions or changing the path of secondary signal when the secondary signal stop portions receives secondary signal.And the 3rd signal stop portions is configured to prevent that secondary signal from passing the 3rd signal stop portions or changing the path of secondary signal when the 3rd signal stop portions receives secondary signal.

According to embodiment of the present invention, the print cartridge group comprises first print cartridge and second print cartridge.The secondary signal stop portions of first print cartridge has following thickness, this thickness is configured to when the first signal stop portions begins to prevent that first signal from passing the first signal stop portions or changing the path of first signal, prevents that secondary signal from passing the secondary signal stop portions or changing the path of secondary signal.The secondary signal stop portions of second print cartridge has following thickness, this thickness is configured to when the first signal stop portions begins to prevent that first signal from passing the first signal stop portions or changing the path of first signal, does not prevent that secondary signal from passing the secondary signal stop portions or changing the path of secondary signal.

According to embodiment of the present invention, print cartridge determines that system comprises: print cartridge or print cartridge group; And recording equipment, this recording equipment comprises the box mounting portion that is configured to install print cartridge; First sensor, this first sensor is arranged in the box mounting portion, and comprises first signal receiving element that is configured to launch the first signal radiated element of first signal and is configured to receive first signal; Second sensor, this second sensor is arranged in the box mounting portion, and comprises the secondary signal receiving element that is configured to launch the secondary signal radiated element of secondary signal and is configured to receive secondary signal; And determiner.The first signal stop portions is configured to prevent at least that first signal from passing the first signal stop portions or changing the path of first signal during print cartridge is mounted to the box mounting portion.The intensity of first signal that is received by first signal receiving element when preventing that first signal from passing the first signal stop portions or changing the path of first signal by the first signal stop portions is different from following intensity, i.e. the intensity of first signal that is received by first signal receiving element when preventing that not first signal from passing the first signal stop portions or not changing the path of first signal by the first signal stop portions.The secondary signal stop portions is configured to prevent that secondary signal from passing the secondary signal stop portions or changing the path of secondary signal during print cartridge is mounted to the box mounting portion.The 3rd signal stop portions is configured to prevent that secondary signal from passing the 3rd signal stop portions or changing the path of secondary signal when print cartridge is mounted to the box mounting portion finishing.The intensity of the secondary signal that is received by the secondary signal receiving element when preventing that secondary signal from passing secondary signal stop portions or the 3rd signal stop portions or changing the path of secondary signal by secondary signal stop portions or the 3rd signal stop portions is different from following intensity, i.e. the intensity of the secondary signal that is received by the secondary signal receiving element when preventing that not secondary signal from passing secondary signal stop portions or the 3rd signal stop portions or changing the path of secondary signal by secondary signal stop portions or the 3rd signal stop portions.Determiner is configured to during print cartridge is mounted to the box mounting portion when the intensity of first signal that is received by first signal receiving element begins to change, and determines the information relevant with print cartridge according to the intensity of the secondary signal that is received by the secondary signal receiving element.And determiner can be configured to finish when print cartridge is mounted to the box mounting portion, determines quantity of ink in the ink chamber according to the intensity of the secondary signal that is received by the secondary signal receiving element.

Adopt these structures, determine the information relevant exactly with print cartridge.In addition, can determine quantity of ink in the ink chamber.

By the explanation of following preferred embodiment with reference to accompanying drawing, other purpose of embodiment of the present invention, feature and advantage will be conspicuous to those of ordinary skills.

Description of drawings

Demand that satisfies and purpose of the present invention, feature and advantage for a more complete understanding of the present invention, thus are referring now to the following explanation that provides in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is the cross-sectional illustraton of model of recording equipment according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b) are the perspective view of print cartridge according to embodiments of the present invention, and wherein movable link is in the second place and primary importance respectively.

Fig. 2 (c) and 2 (d) are the perspective view of print cartridge according to another embodiment of the invention, and wherein movable link is in the second place and primary importance respectively.

Fig. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are respectively the side view of the print cartridge of Fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b).

Fig. 3 (c) and 3 (d) are respectively the side view of the print cartridge of Fig. 2 (c) and 2 (d).

Fig. 4 (a) and 4 (b) are the front surface perspective view and the rear surface perspective view of the toner cartridge main body of Fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b).

Fig. 5 is the side view of the main body of Fig. 4 (a) and 4 (b).

The sectional elevation of Fig. 6 for cutting open along the VI-VI line of Fig. 4 (a).

Fig. 7 is that the front surface sectional elevation is amplified in the part of the main body of Fig. 4 (a) and 4 (b).

The sectional elevation of Fig. 8 for cutting open along the VIII-VIII line of Fig. 2 (a).

The sectional elevation of Fig. 9 for cutting open along the IX-IX line of Fig. 2 (b).

Figure 10 (a) and 10 (b) are respectively the amplification sectional elevation of upper and lower of the main body of Fig. 4 (a) and 4 (b).

Figure 11 (a) and 11 (b) are respectively the perspective view and the side view of movable link according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 12 is the vertical sectional elevation of the box mounting portion of recording equipment according to embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 13 is the sectional elevation of print cartridge that is mounted to the box mounting portion of Figure 12.

Figure 14 is the sectional elevation of print cartridge that is mounted to the box mounting portion of Figure 12, during wherein the check lock lever of recording equipment is shown in an open position.

Figure 15 is the sectional elevation of print cartridge that is mounted to the box mounting portion of Figure 12, wherein the check lock lever of recording equipment in the closed position in.

Figure 16 is the block diagram of the master controller of recording equipment according to embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 17 (a) and 17 (b) are respectively when first print cartridge is mounted to the box mounting portion from the exemplary sequential chart of the sensor signal of first optical pickocff of recording equipment and the output of second optical pickocff.

Figure 17 (c) and 17 (d) are respectively when second print cartridge is mounted to the box mounting portion from the exemplary sequential chart of the sensor signal of first optical pickocff of recording equipment and the output of second optical pickocff.

Figure 18 is the flow chart of the program carried out by the master controller of recording equipment according to embodiments of the present invention.

Figure 19 is the perspective view of the packing arrangement of the print cartridge that comprises Fig. 2 (a) of being enclosed in the packaging element and 2 (b) of another embodiment according to the present invention.

Figure 20 is the sectional elevation of the print cartridge that is mounted to the box mounting portion according to another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 21 is the sectional elevation from the print cartridge of the box mounting portion ejection of Figure 20.

The specific embodiment

Be appreciated that embodiment of the present invention and feature and technological merit by reference Fig. 1-2 1, use identical label for the identical appropriate section in each accompanying drawing.

With reference to Fig. 1, recording equipment 250 is according to embodiments of the present invention described.This recording equipment 250 comprises paper carrier 252, conveying device 253, record cell 254 and box mounting portion 276.Sheet feed tray 257 is located at the place, bottom of recording equipment 250, and the plurality of sheets of paper that will be positioned on the sheet feed tray 257 by paper carrier 252 is fed to passage 259 with opening.

Conveying device 253 is arranged in this passage 259, and comprises first pair of conveying roller 261 and second pair of conveying roller 262.The first pair of conveying roller 261 is positioned at the upstream side of record cell 254 along defeated paper direction, and second pair of conveying roller 262 is positioned at the downstream along defeated paper direction.

The paper that is fed to passage 259 is carried towards pressing plate 264 by first pair of conveying roller 261, and record cell 254 is positioned at the top of pressing plate 264.By record cell 254 document image on, and paper is discharged on row's paper disc 258 on the downstream that is positioned at passage 259 by second pair of conveying roller 262 then just by the paper above the pressing plate 264.

Record cell 254 comprises balladeur train 266 and is mounted to the record head 272 of this balladeur train 266.Record head 272 comprises a sub-container 268 and a control panel 270, and has a plurality of nozzles 274 that are formed on wherein.Balladeur train 266 is supported slidably by supporting track, and is configured to slide along the direction vertical with the paper of Fig. 1.Sub-container 268 is configured to store the ink of waiting to be supplied to nozzle 274.To a control panel 270 supply image signals the time, ink is discharged towards paper from nozzle 274 according to this picture signal.Recording equipment 250 comprises the master controller 200 (shown in Figure 16) that is used to control recording equipment 250, and a control panel 270 is exported and be supplied to picture signal from master controller 200.

Print cartridge 10 is configured to be mounted to box mounting portion 276.Box mounting portion 276 comprises a plurality of shells 280, and each shell all is configured to hold therein corresponding print cartridge 10.For example, box mounting portion 276 comprises four shells 280, and each shell 280 is corresponding to the print cartridge of the ink that includes different colours.Print cartridge 10 is configured to be mounted to

box mounting portion

276 and 276 dismountings from the box mounting portion.Print cartridge 10 comprises main body 20, and this main body 20 comprises the ink chamber 100 that is configured to store therein ink, and ink is supplied to record head 272 from ink chamber 100 via ink barrel 278.

In embodiments of the invention, two different print cartridges can have different ink capacities, perhaps can store the ink of different amounts, and can store the ink of same color, for example black ink.For example, first print cartridge 10 and second print cartridge 10 ' have the inks of different ink capacities or the different amounts of storage, and the ink of storage same color.And recording equipment 250 is configured such that print cartridge 10 and 10 ' the be mounted to same enclosure 280 of box mounting portion 276.Recording equipment 250 is configured to determine which kind of print cartridge is mounted to shell 280.

With reference to Fig. 2 (a), 2 (b), 3 (a), 3 (b) and 4-10 (b), print cartridge 10 has flat basically hexahedral shape.Print cartridge width by arrow 31 expression is shorter, and by the height of the print cartridge 10 of arrow 32 expressions and by the degree of depth of the print cartridge 10 of arrow 33 expressions each all greater than the width of print cartridge 10.

Print cartridge 10 comprises for example shell, movable link 21, cover component 22 and at least one helical spring of main body 20, for example a pair of helical spring 23 and 24.Main body 20 comprises the ink chamber 100 that is used to store ink.Movable link 21 and cover component 22 are enclosed in main body 20 wherein.Each is all formed main body 20, movable link 21 and cover component 22 by resin material, for example nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene etc. with and combination.

Print cartridge 10 is inserted in the recording equipment under upright state along the direction by arrow 30 expressions.The anterior 20a of main body is surrounded by movable link 21, and the rear portion 20b of main body 20 is surrounded by cover component 22.Therefore, in this embodiment of the present invention, anterior 20a is by movable link 21 protections, and rear portion 20b is by cover component 22 protections.

Movable link 21 is configured to slide along the depth direction by arrow 33 expressions with respect to main body 20.Movable link 21 is configured to respect to main body 20 motions.Specifically, movable link 21 is configured to move between the primary importance and the second place, this primary importance is as Fig. 2 (b) with shown in 9, wherein movable link 21 is in its front surface 41 position farthest from main body, this second place is as Fig. 2 (a) with shown in 8, and wherein movable link 21 is in it from the nearest position of front surface 41.When movable link 21 was in the primary importance place, at least a portion of movable link 21 was compared from front surface 41 farther with ink guide part 90.In one embodiment, will be applied to greater than the power of the pre-sizing of the biasing force of

helical spring

23 and 24 movable link 21 and thus movable link 21 when primary importance moves to the second place, the bar 84 contact movable links 21 of induction part 80, and pushed by movable link 21, and ink guide part 90 appears to extend to movable link 21 outsides from movable link 21 inside.Removing the power of pre-sizing from movable link 21 and movable link 21 is subsequently when the second place moves to primary importance thus, bar 84 separates with movable link 21, and ink guide part 90 turns back to movable link 21 inside.Whole movable link 21 is configured to move simultaneously along first direction basically with respect to main body 20 when

helical spring

23 and 24 expansions, and whole movable link 21 is configured to move simultaneously basically along the second direction opposite with first direction when

helical spring

23 and 24 shrinks.Each direction in first direction and the second direction and the propagation direction of

helical spring

23 and 24 and each direction in the shrinkage direction are substantially parallel.Be discussed in more detail below and in another embodiment that Fig. 2 (c), 2 (d), 3 (c) and 3 (d) illustrate, opening 180 ' can be adjacent and form with antetheca 161 that induction part 80 runs through movable link 21 with aiming at induction part 80, thereby the parts of printer can apply power to bar 84, rather than movable link 21 applies power to bar 84.

Main body 20 has flat basically hexahedral shape.When print cartridge 10 was mounted to the mounting portion of recording equipment, main body 20 was in vertical state.Main body 20 comprises front surface 41, rear surface 42, end face 43 and bottom surface 44.Main body 20 also comprises a pair of side 45 respect to one another and 46, and side 45 with 46 each all link to each other with front surface 41, rear surface 42, end face 43 and bottom surface 44.Side 45 and 46 each surface area are all greater than each surface area of front surface 41, rear surface 42, end face 43 and bottom surface 44.

Main body 20 comprises framework 50, arm 70, induction part 80 and ink guide part 90.And side 45 or side 46 or both comprise film, for example light transmission film.Specifically, this film is soldered to framework 50, makes framework 50 by diaphragm seal, to limit ink chamber 100 therein.Framework 50 is formed by the light-transmissive resin material, promptly transparent or semitransparent resin material, and for example polyacetal resin, nylon, polyethylene or polypropylene and its combination, thus allow light to pass, and framework 50 forms by injection molding.Framework 50 has enough rigidity, thereby the shape of framework 50 can not change along the expansion and the shrinkage direction of

helical spring

23 and 24 when

helical spring

23 and 24 expansions and contraction.

Framework 50 comprises periphery wall 51 and a plurality of inwall 52.Inwall 52 is positioned at periphery wall 51.Periphery wall 51 and inwall 52 are one, and define framework 50.Periphery wall 51 and inwall 52 extend to the right flank 46 of main body 20 from left surface 45.Periphery wall 51 has the annular shape of extending along front surface 41, end face 43, rear surface 42 and bottom surface 44, and forms the space in inside.Therefore, on the left surface 45 of framework 50, formed opening 57a, and on right flank 46, be formed with opening 57b.

This film is soldered to the side 45 and 46 of framework 50 respectively by ultrasonic bonding, and opening 57a and opening 57b cover by corresponding film, thereby the space that is centered on by periphery wall 51 and film forms ink chamber 100.Alternatively, described film can save, and framework 50 can have the parallelepiped container shape, thereby framework 50 defines ink chamber 100 therein.

Inwall 52 is positioned at the space that is centered on by periphery wall 51, and described film is soldered to the outer edge part of inwall 52 on side 45 and 46 sides.Therefore, prevented that film is lax.And during towards main body 20 distortion, the distortion of movable link 21 and cover component 22 is limited by inwall 52 at movable link 21 and cover component 22.Therefore, prevented damage to main body 20 and film.

In the rear surface 42 of framework 50, be formed with and lead China ink mouth 150.Lead China ink mouthfuls 150 and have the cylindrical hole basically that is formed on wherein, 42 extend towards ink chamber 100 from the rear surface in this hole, and lead the internal fluid communication of China ink mouthfuls 150 and ink chamber 100.Leading China ink mouthfuls 150 is configured to when making print cartridge 10 to lead China ink mouthfuls 150 by this ink is imported to ink chamber 100 inside.After ink chamber 100 is full of ink, closes this in the China ink mouthfuls 150 and lead China ink mouthfuls 150 by stopper being arranged on lead.

Light transmission part 140 is positioned at front surface 41 places of framework 50, and extends from ink chamber 100.By this light transmission part 140 with optical mode or visual means detection of stored the quantity of ink in ink chamber.Light transmission part 140 becomes one with framework 50, and by forming with framework 50 identical materials, for example light transmission part 140 is formed by the light-transmissive resin material, therefrom passes to allow light.

Light transmission part 140 is outwards outstanding along the direction opposite with ink chamber 100 from the middle body of the front surface 41 of main body 20.Light transmission part 140 is separated by five rectangular wall, and has the box-formed shape of hollow basically.For example, light transmission part 140 is separated by antetheca 140a, pair of sidewalls 140b, roof 140c and diapire 140d.Antetheca 140a is parallel to front surface 41 and extends, and separates preset distance with front surface 41.That oppose side wall 140b is connected to front surface 41 and antetheca 140a, and roof 140c is connected to the top of antetheca 140a and sidewall 140b, and diapire 140d is connected to the bottom of antetheca 140a and sidewall 140b.And the width of antetheca 140a is less than the width of front surface 41.

Light transmission part 140 is configured to be clipped between the light-emitting component (not shown) and light receiving element (not shown) of the optical pickocff (not shown) that is mounted to recording equipment, and this optical pickocff is photo interrupter for example.The light that is sent by light-emitting component passes sidewall 140b, and is received by light receiving element.

Light transmission part 140 has the inner space 142 that is formed on wherein, and this inner space 142 is limited by antetheca 140a, sidewall 140b, roof 140c and diapire 140d.Do not have wall between inner space 142 and ink chamber 100, and inner space 142 is configured to the internal fluid communication with ink chamber 100.The signal stop portions 72 of arm 70 is configured to optionally enter inner space 142 and shift out from this inner space 142 according to the quantity of ink in the ink chamber 100.

Arm 70 is used for the quantity of ink of detection of stored in ink chamber 100.Arm 70 comprises signal stop portions 72 that is positioned at one end place and the float part 73 that is positioned at its other end place.Arm 70 is supported on the rib 74 that vertically extends from the lateral center of periphery wall 51 pivotly.The proportion of float part 73 is less than the ink proportion that is stored in the ink chamber 100.Float part 73 has the hollow bulb that is formed on wherein, and swims on the liquid, thus float part 73 move up and down according to the quantity of ink in the ink chamber 100, and arm 70 pivots according to the motion of float part 73.Rib 74 is positioned at periphery wall 51 places near the bight of front surface 41 and bottom surface 44.With reference to Fig. 6, rib 74 comprises and is configured to the support section 77 of support arm 70 pivotly.

With reference to Fig. 4 (a)-6, signal stop portions 72 was arranged in inner space 142 when arm 70 was configured such that the proper ink that stores q.s in ink chamber 100.For example, the diapire 140d of signal stop portions 72 contact light transmission parts 140 is to maintain signal stop portions 72 in the inner space 142 of light transmission part.And when the quantity of ink in the ink chamber 100 was less than predetermined quantity of ink, float part 73 moved downward, and inner space 142 is left in 72 motions of signal stop portions.Therefore, whether be positioned at inner space 142, detect the ink that whether still remains q.s in the ink chamber 100 by monitor signal stop portions 72.For example, for example using, the optical pickocff of photo interrupter comes monitor signal stop portions 72 whether to be positioned at the inner space.

With reference to Fig. 7, induction part 80 comprises the cylinder valve storage chamber 55 in the front surface 41 that is formed on 140 tops, light transmission part.This valve storage chamber 55 is opened to the outside of main body 20 at its 82 places, end.Valve storage chamber 55 extends along the depth direction of main body 20, and at its another place, end the internal fluid communication with ink chamber 100.

Induction part 80 also comprises the valve system of the passage that is used for optionally opening and closing the inside that extends to ink chamber 100 from the end 82 of valve storage chamber 55.For example, induction part 80 comprises valve element 87, spring 86, containment member 83 and blocks a shot 85.Valve element 87 is configured in valve storage chamber 55 to slide along the depth direction of main body 20.Valve element 87 comprises and covers 88 and bar 84.Block 85 is mounted on the outer rim of end 82 of valve storage chamber 55, thereby containment member 83 is clipped between them.Block 85 and containment member 83 have the through hole that passes its formation.When being mounted to the outer rim of end 82, form blow vent 81 by this through hole, and the inside and outside of valve storage chamber 55 is communicated with at block 85 and containment member 83 via blow vent 81 fluids.Bar 84 is inserted in the blow vent 81, and the diameter of bar 84 is less than the diameter of blow vent 81, thereby forms the gap that allows air to flow between the inwall of bar 84 and blow vent 81.Bar 84 is outwards outstanding by blow vent 81 from covering 88 central authorities.

When valve element 87 slides in valve storage chamber 55, lid 88 the position of lid 88 contact containment members 83 and cover 88 with position that containment member 83 separates between slide.During containment members 83, blow vent 81 is closed in lid 88 contacts, and when lid 88 separated with containment member 83, blow vent 81 was opened.

In valve storage chamber 55, spring 86 makes thus and covers member 88 contact containment members 83 along the direction pushing or the bias valve element 87 of the passage of closing the outside that extends to valve storage chamber 55 from the inside of valve storage chamber 55.When bar 84 was pressed to valve storage chamber 55, the lid 88 of valve element 87 overcame the pushing force of spring 86 and separates with containment member 83.Therefore, the passage that extends to the outside of valve storage chamber 55 from the inside of valve storage chamber 55 is opened, and has set up between the outside of the inside of ink chamber 100 and main body 20 connection via induction part 80.Flow to via induction part 80 and flow out ink chamber 100 by air, the internal pressure of ink chamber 100 equates with ambient pressure.

With reference to Fig. 7, ink guide part 90 comprises the cylinder valve storage chamber 54 in the front surface 41 that is formed on 140 belows, light transmission part, and valve storage chamber 54 is opened to the main body outside at its 92 places, end.Valve storage chamber 54 extends along the depth direction of main body 20, and in the internal fluid communication of its other end place and ink chamber 100.

Ink guide part 90 also comprises the valve system of the ink channel that is used for optionally opening and closing the inside that extends ink chamber 100 from the end 92 of valve storage chamber 54.Ink guide part 90 comprises valve element 97, spring 96, containment member 93 and blocks a shot 95.

Block 95 is mounted to the outer rim of the end 92 of valve storage chamber 54, thereby containment member 93 is clipped between them.Block 95 and containment member 93 have the through hole that passes its formation.When block 95 and containment member 93 are mounted to the outer rim of end 92 of valve storage chamber 54, form ink supply port 91 by this through hole, and ink supply port 91 makes the inside and outside connection of valve storage chamber 54.When print cartridge 10 is mounted to box mounting portion 276, pipe is inserted in the ink supply port 91.

In valve storage chamber 54, spring 96 is along direction pushing of closing ink channel or bias valve element 97, makes valve element 97 contact containment members 93, and prevented the connection between the outside of the inside of ink chamber 100 and main body 20.When pipe being inserted in the ink supply port 91, pipe pushing valve element 97, and valve element 97 overcomes the pushing force of spring 96 and separates with containment member 93, and ink supply port 91 is opened.Therefore, set up between the outside of the inside of ink chamber 100 and main body 20 connection, and given recording equipment 250 with the ink feed in the ink chamber 100 by pipe via ink guide part 90.

In the end face 43 of framework 50, be formed with recessed portion 59, and in the bottom surface 44 of framework 50, be formed with recessed portion 60.When the rear portion 20b by cover component 22 main body covered 20, recessed

portion

59 and 60 respectively with the inner surface that is formed on cover component 22 on outstandingly be with 210 and 211 to engage (shown in Figure 8).Give prominence to and be with 210 to be assembled to recessed portion 59, and give prominence to and be with 211 to be assembled to recessed portion 60, thereby between rear portion 20b and cover component 22, provide firm joint.

With reference to Fig. 6, spring storage chamber 110 is formed in the front surface 41 of valve storage chamber 55 tops, and spring storage chamber 111 is formed in the front surface 41 of valve storage chamber 54 belows.Spring storage chamber 110 and 111 is the cylindrical chamber basically of extending towards ink chamber 100 from front surface 41, thereby spring storage chamber 110 and 111 rear portion define a part of front surface 41 respectively at least.With reference to Fig. 8, helical spring 23 and 24 lays respectively in valve storage chamber 110 and 111.For example, helical spring 23 and 24 each all be connected to front surface 41 at one end, and be connected to movable link 21 at other end place.Specifically, by helical spring 23 and 24 with front surface 41 and movable link 21 between direct the contact, perhaps by helical spring 23 and 24 and front surface 41 and movable link 21 between mediate contact, promptly helical spring 23 and 24 and front surface 41 and movable link 21 between be provided with at least one other element, helical spring 23 and 24 is connected to front surface 41 and movable link 21.Helical spring 23 and 24 is configured to by applying biasing force to movable link 21 movable link 21 flexibly be pushed away front surface 41.And in order to stablize, to push movable link 21 equably, spring storage chamber 110 separates along the short transverse of main body 20 mutually fully with spring storage chamber 111, for example is positioned at front surface 41 near the opposite end of short transverse.In other words, helical spring 23 is positioned at the position of comparing more close top with the bottom of front surface 41, and helical spring 24 is positioned at the position of comparing more close bottom with the top of front surface 41.

Supporting member 115 is formed on the front end place of the end face 43 of framework 50.Supporting member 115 supports movable link 21, thereby movable link 21 slides with respect to main body 20, and supporting member 115 has limited the sliding scale of movable link 21.Movable link 21 is supported on slidably at 2 by supporting member 115 and supporting member described later 116 and locates.Supporting member 115 becomes one with framework 50.Supporting member 115 comprises from the first 118 that end face 43 extends straight up, the second portion 119 that extends along the direction of insertion 30 parallel with end face 43 from the top of first 118 and front end and the upwardly extending hook portion 120 that is formed on second portion 119.Be formed with gap 122 between second portion 119 and end face 43, this allows the short transverse bending of second portion 119 along main body 20.

Supporting member 116 has the shape substantially the same with supporting member 115, and is positioned at the front end place of the bottom surface 44 of framework 50.Supporting member 116 becomes one with framework 50, and comprise from the bottom surface 44 firsts 124 of extending straight down, the second portion 125 that extends along the direction of insertion 30 parallel from the end of first 124 and the front end that is formed on second portion 125 and the hook portion 126 that extends downwards with bottom surface 44.

With reference to Fig. 2 (a)-3 (b) and Fig. 8-10 (b), movable link 21 and cover component 22 are according to embodiments of the present invention described.Cover component 22 has container shapes, and is configured to the rear portion 20b of main body 20 is contained in wherein.Cover component 22 has the flat pattern corresponding with the profile of rear portion 20b.Cover component 22 comprise in the face of and the rear wall 212 of main body covered 20 rear surface 42, in the face of and the roof 213 of main body covered 20 end face 43, in the face of and the diapire 214 of main body covered 20 bottom surface 44, in the face of and the left wall 215 of main body covered 20 left surface 45 and in the face of and the right wall 216 of main body covered 20 right flank 46.Wall 212-216 is limited with the space therein, and this spatial configuration becomes to hold rear portion 20b.In one embodiment, a part of end face 43 of a part of roof 213 of cover component 22 and main body 20 defines latch recess 1000 between them.In another embodiment, latch recess can be formed in the end face 43 of main body 20, perhaps can be formed in the roof 213 of cover component 22.

Give prominence to and be positioned on the inner surface of cover component 22 near the opening of cover component 22 with 210 and 211.Give prominence to and be positioned at and recessed

portion

59 and 60 corresponding positions with 210 and 211.Outstanding with 210 recessed portions 59 that are assembled in the end face 43 that is formed on main body 20, outstanding with 211 recessed portions 60 that are assembled in the bottom surface 44 that is formed on main body 20.Therefore, main body 20 and cover component 22 firmly engage.

Movable link 21 has container shapes, and is configured to the anterior 20a of main body 20 is contained in wherein.Movable link 21 has the flat pattern corresponding with the profile of anterior 20a.Movable link 21 comprises the left wall 165 of diapire 164, main body covered 20 left surface 45 of roof 163, main body covered 20 the bottom surface 44 of antetheca 161 in the face of the front surface 41 of main body 20, main body covered 20 end face 43 and the right wall 166 of main body covered 20 right flank 46.Wall 163-166 is limited with the space therein, and this spatial configuration becomes to hold anterior 20a.

Left side wall 165 and right wall 166 extend from antetheca 161 along the depth direction of main body 20, and main body covered 20 left surface 45 and right flank 46.Therefore, when movable link 21 slided, left wall 165 and right wall 166 were as the guide surface of left surface 45 and right flank 46, thereby movable link 21 slides smoothly.

In embodiments of the invention, at least a portion movable link 21 have be stored in ink chamber 100 in the substantially the same color of color of ink, thereby movable link 21 easily is shown to the user with ink color.

Movable link 21 comprises signal retention device 185, signal retention device 186, passes the otch 187 of its formation,

support bar

168 and 169,

chute

171 and 172, pressures partially 174 and passes the opening 180 of its formation.

With reference to Fig. 2 (a)-3 (b), otch 187 is formed on the centre of antetheca 161, and otch 187 is configured to when movable link 21 is in the second place light transmission part 140 is exposed to the outside, thereby at least a portion light transmission part 140 extends through otch 187 when movable link 21 is in the second place.For example, assign to form otch 187 by removing rectangular portion from antetheca 161 and

sidewall

165 and 166, thereby in the face of the antetheca 140a and the sidewall 140b of light transmission part 140.Otch 187 30 extends back from antetheca 161 along direction of insertion.When print cartridge 10 is mounted to box mounting portion 276 (shown in Figure 12), the light-emitting component and the light receiving element of optical pickocff 230 (shown in Figure 12) clip otch 187.Therefore, the light that sends from light-emitting component passes otch 187, and the sidewall 140b of light transmission part 140 is penetrated by illumination.

Signal retention device 185 comprises the 30 signal stop portions 189 of giving prominence to from antetheca 161 along direction of insertion.This signal stop portions 189 on the antetheca 161 along the vertical direction bridge joint above otch 187.Signal stop portions 189 is tabular, and is formed with space 190 in signal stop portions 189 back.Signal stop portions 189 forms rectangular aperture respectively along the end and the otch 187 of width in

sidewall

165 and 166.

With reference to Figure 12, signal stop portions 189 is configured to enter during print cartridge 10 is mounted to box mounting portion 276 in the light path 231 of the optical pickocff 230 that is located on the box mounting portion 276.Signal stop portions 189 is formed by the resin material that does not allow light therefrom to pass or to change the propagation path of the light that therefrom passes.For example, signal stop portions 189 can be formed by the resin material that comprises black pigment.Perhaps, signal stop portions 189 can be the prism that is formed by transparent resin material.Signal retention device 186 is configured to enter during print cartridge 10 is mounted to box mounting portion 276 in the light path 236 of the optical pickocff 235 that is located on the box mounting portion 276.Signal retention device 186 is formed by the resin material that does not allow light therefrom to pass or to change the path of the light that therefrom passes.With reference to Fig. 2 (a)-3 (b), signal retention device 186 is positioned near the far-end or this far-end of roof 163, and signal retention device 186 to leave antetheca 161 from antetheca 161 outstanding.Signal retention device 186 comprises signal stop portions 191, rib part for example, and on the opposite flank of signal stop portions 191, be formed with a pair of groove 192.Signal stop portions 191 is inserted in the light path 236 of optical pickocff 235.When the ink that stores q.s in the ink chamber 100 and signal stop portions 72 are arranged in inner space 142, signal stop portions 191, signal stop portions 189 and ink guide part 90 and first Plane intersects, this first plane for example is arrow 32 plane parallel with 33 with Fig. 2 (a)-2 (d), and signal stop portions 189 and signal stop portions 72 and second Plane intersects, this second plane is vertical with first plane, and this second plane for example is the plane parallel with the arrow 31 of Fig. 2 (a)-2 (d) and arrow 33.Adopt this structure, will be used for determining the aftermentioned program of toner cartridge type easily.

Ledge 181 is positioned near the lower end or this lower end of antetheca 161, and it is outstanding to leave antetheca 161.When print cartridge 10 was mounted to box mounting portion 276, the far-end of ledge 181 and signal retention device 186 contacted the inner most wall of box mounting portion 176.

Support bar 168 is configured to support helix spring 23, and support bar 169 is configured to support helix spring 24.

Support bar

168 and 169 is positioned on the surface in the face of the front surface 41 of main body 20 of antetheca 161.Support bar 168 is in the position corresponding with spring storage chamber 110, and support bar 169 is in the position corresponding with spring storage chamber 111.

With reference to Figure 10 (a) and 10 (b), the depth direction along main body 20 extends

support bar

168 and 169 from the surface of antetheca 161.When be stored in the spring storage chamber 110 at helical spring 23 and helical spring 24 is stored under the state in the spring storage chamber 111, when being inserted into the anterior 20a of main body 20 in the movable link 21, support bar 168 is inserted in the helical spring 23, and support bar 169 is inserted in the helical spring 24.Therefore,

helical spring

23 and 24 is supported by

support bar

168 and 169 respectively.The depth direction that

helical spring

23 and 24 expansion and shrinkage direction are restricted to main body 20.

Helical spring

23 and 24 is a compression helical spring, and promptly when being inserted into anterior 20a in the movable link 21,

helical spring

23 and 24 compresses and is stored in spring storage chamber 110 and 111.Therefore,

helical spring

23 and 24 is along pushing of the directions of the front surface 41 that leaves main body 20 or bias voltage movable links 21, and with the location independent of movable link 21.

With reference to Fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b), chute 171 is formed in the roof 163, and the shape of cross section of chute 171 is essentially inverted U-shaped.With reference to Figure 10 (a), supporting member 115 is inserted in the chute 171, and gives prominence to 182 and extend towards the inside of chute 171 from the bottom surface of roof 163.Therefore, chute 171 is owing to outstandingly be with 182 and part narrows down.Chute 172 is formed in the diapire 164, and the shape of cross section of chute 172 is essentially U-shaped.Shown in Figure 10 (b), supporting member 116 is inserted in the chute 172, and gives prominence to 183 end faces from diapire 164 and extend towards the inside of chute 172.Therefore, chute 172 is owing to outstandingly be with 183 and part narrows down.

During the anterior 20a of main body 20 was inserted in the movable link 21, supporting member 115 was inserted in the chute 171, and supporting member 116 is inserted in the chute 172.When supporting member 115 is inserted in the chute 171, outstanding be with 182 and hook portion 120 be in contact with one another.Then, when supporting member 115 was further inserted, supporting member 115 is 122 bendings towards the gap, and when outstanding inclined-plane 120a with 182 inclined-plane 182a and hook portion 120 slides on each other, and hook portion 120 gets over outstandingly is with 182.When hook portion 120 has got over outstandingly when being with 182 1 times, then movable link 21 and main body 20 can not break away from, because hook portion 120 is highlighted and is with 182 to receive when attempting to remove.Supporting member 116 also is inserted in the chute 172 according to identical mode.

When being inserted into anterior 20a in the movable link 21, movable link 21 is pushed away front surface 41 by helical spring 23 and 24.Therefore, unless apply external force to movable link 21, otherwise movable link 21 will remain on movable link 21 from the front surface 41 of main body 20 farthest apart from corresponding first location (at Fig. 2 (b) with shown in 9) in.Movable link 21 by outstanding with 182 and hook portion 120 between contact and outstanding with 183 and hook portion 126 between contact remain in the primary importance.On the other hand, when the front surface to movable link 21 applies external force, movable link 21 from primary importance slide into movable link 21 from the nearest corresponding second place (at Fig. 2 (a) with shown in 8) of distance of the front surface 41 of main body 20.

With reference to Fig. 8 and 9, pressures partially 174 is positioned on the surface in the face of the front surface 41 of main body 20 of antetheca 161.Pressures partially 174 is in the position corresponding with the bar 84 of induction part 80.When movable link 21 is in primary importance, the distal portion of pressures partially 174 and bar 84 from, and pressures partially 174 begins to contact with the far-end of bar 84 when movable link 21 slides from primary importance towards the second place.Then, further when the second place is slided, push bar 84 to ink chamber 100, at movable link 21 to open blow vent 81.

Opening 180 passes antetheca 161 and forms in the position of the lower end of adjacent front wall 161, and is formed on the position corresponding with ink guide part 90.The diameter of opening 180 is greater than the diameter of the block 95 of ink guide part 90,95 is inserted in the opening 180 and by this opening 180 thereby block a shot.When movable link 21 was in primary importance, whole ink guide part 90 was positioned at movable link 21, thereby whole ink guide part 90 is recessed from opening 180.When primary importance moved to the second place, at least a portion ink guide part 90 moved to opening 180 and passes opening 180 then at movable link 21, with outstanding from antetheca 161.With reference to Fig. 2 (a), 2 (b), 3 (a) and 3 (b), in embodiments of the invention, induction part 80 is covered by antetheca 161, thereby induction part 80 is not exposed to print cartridge 10 outsides.In this embodiment, in antetheca 161, be formed with less pore (illustrate at Fig. 2 (a) and 2 (b), but do not have label), can be drawn in the induction part 80 to allow air.Yet, with reference to 2 (c), 2 (d), 3 (c) and 3 (d), can be adjacent by antetheca 161 formation and induction part 80 and the opening 180 aimed at '.In this embodiment, when movable link 21 was in primary importance, whole induction part 80 was positioned at movable link 21, thereby whole induction part 80 is recessed from opening 180.When primary importance moved to the second place, induction part is whole to remain in the movable link 21 at movable link 21, but the induction part motion for close more opening 180 '.In this embodiment, when the parts of printer applied power via the bar 84 of opening 180 ' contact induction part 80 and to it, air was inhaled in the ink chamber 100.

With reference to Figure 11 (a) and 11 (b), in embodiments of the invention, print cartridge 10 can be by print cartridge 10 ' replacement.Specifically, print cartridge 10 ' in, signal retention device 185 is replaced by signal retention device 195, this signal retention device 195 has the shape different with signal retention device 185.Signal retention device 195 comprises the signal stop portions 199 of giving prominence to from antetheca 161.Signal stop portions 199 on the antetheca 161 along the vertical direction bridge joint above otch 187.Signal stop portions 199 comprises antetheca and is positioned at along the pair of sidewalls 198 at the place, two ends of width.Sidewall 198 extends to the antetheca 161 of movable link 21 from the antetheca of signal stop portions 199.Sidewall 198 and otch 187 form rectangular aperture in sidewall 165 and 166.Signal stop portions 199 is configured to enter during print cartridge 10 is mounted to box mounting portion 276 in the light path 231 of the optical pickocff 230 that is located on the box mounting portion 276.Signal stop portions 199 is formed by the resin material that does not allow light therefrom to pass or to change the path of the light that therefrom passes.When the ink that stores q.s in the ink chamber 100 and signal stop portions 72 are arranged in inner space 142, signal stop portions 191, signal stop portions 199 and ink guide part 90 and first Plane intersects, this first plane for example is the plane parallel with the arrow 32 of Fig. 2 (a)-2 (d) and arrow 33, and signal stop portions 199 and the signal stop portions 72 and second Plane intersects perpendicular to first plane, this second plane for example are the plane parallel with the arrow 31 of Fig. 2 (a)-2 (d) and arrow 33.Adopt this structure, will be used for determining the aftermentioned program of toner cartridge type easily.

With reference to Figure 12, according to embodiment of the present invention, box mounting portion 276 comprises for example a plurality of shells 280 of four, and described shell 280 is arranged in parallel and corresponding with the different colours of for example cyan, magenta, yellow and black along width.Each shell 280 comprises housing 281 and check lock lever 283.Housing 281 comprise be configured to optionally to store therein print cartridge 10 and 10 ' storage chamber 282, and the front side that opening 284 passes housing 281 forms.Housing 280 is configured to allow print cartridge 10 and 10 ' be mounted on the housing 281 and remove via opening 284 from housing 281.

Optical pickocff 230 and optical pickocff 235 be positioned at the sealing of storage chamber 282 distolateral on.Optical pickocff 230 is positioned at wall 286 places of the blind end that forms storage chamber 282.Optical pickocff 230 is configured to: (a) detect the

print cartridge

10 and 10 be mounted to housing 280 ' type; And (b) detect print cartridge 10 and 10 ' in quantity of ink whether be less than or equal to predetermined quantity of ink, for example be enough on recording medium, provide the quantity of ink of image.For example, optical pickocff 230 comprises the photo interrupter with light-emitting component and light receiving element.Optical pickocff 230 is connected to master controller 200, and is supplied to master controller 200 from the signal of telecommunication of light receiving element output.Light path 231 is formed between the light-emitting component and light receiving element of optical pickocff 230.When signal retention device 185 or signal retention device 195 are inserted in the light path 231, determine toner cartridge type by the output signal that the light intensity with being received of optical pickocff 230 is corresponding.

Optical pickocff 235 is positioned at the place, inboard of the wall 287 at the top that forms housing 281.Whether the signal stop portions 191 that optical pickocff 235 is configured to detection signal retention device 186 is positioned at the pre-position, thus determine whether to be equipped with

print cartridge

10 and 10 '.For example, optical pickocff 235 comprises the photo interrupter with light-emitting component and light receiving element.This optical pickocff 235 is connected to master controller 200, and is supplied to master controller 200 from the signal of telecommunication of light receiving element output.When being stopped by signal stop portions 191 in the light path 236 of light at optical pickocff 235, reduce basically by moment for the light intensity that is received by light receiving element.

Coupling part 285 is positioned at the place, bottom of wall 286, and is configured to be connected to ink supply port 91.Coupling part 285 from wall 286 towards storage chamber 282 inside outstanding.Through hole 288 passes coupling part 285 and forms, and ink barrel 278 is inserted in the through hole 288.Through hole 288 is formed on the position corresponding with ink supply port 91.On the inboard of coupling part 285, be provided with pipe, and when being installed in print cartridge 10 in the shell 280, pipe is inserted in the ink supply port 91, thereby ink supply port 91 and coupling part 285 interconnect.

Contact portion 240 is positioned at the place, top of wall 286, and contact portion 241 is positioned at the place, bottom of wall 286.When being inserted into print cartridge 10 in the shell 280, the far-end of contact portion 240 activation signal retention devices 186, and the far-end of contact portion 241 contact ledges 181.

Check lock lever 283 is configured to optionally open and close opening 284, and reliably with print cartridge 10 and 10 ' be fixed in the storage chamber 282.Check lock lever 283 is supported at one end, so that can be around axis 290 in the rotation of the upper limb place of opening 284.Check lock lever 283 comprises operation part 293 and pawl 294.Operation part 293 is positioned near outer surface 297 places of the check lock lever 283 the other end of check lock lever, and pawl 294 is positioned at the other end place of check lock lever 283.Lower edge at opening 284 is formed with groove 299, and this groove 299 is configured to engage this pawl 294.

With reference to Fig. 2 (a), 2 (b), 8 and 13-15, describe and be used for shell 280 was installed or be inserted into to print cartridge 10 process.In the time of in the storage chamber 282 that print cartridge 10 is inserted into shell 280, the signal stop portions 189 of signal retention device 185 at first enters in the light path 231 of optical pickocff 230.Then, when further being inserted into print cartridge 10 in the storage chamber 282, the signal stop portions 191 of signal retention device 186 enters in the light path 236 of optical pickocff 235.When signal stop portions 191 entered into light path 236, signal stop portions 189 had been passed the light path 231 of optical pickocff 230, and passed the space 190 that is positioned at signal stop portions 189 back from the light that light-emitting component sends.

When print cartridge 10 was inserted into the blind end of storage chamber 282, the far-end of signal retention device 186 contacted this contact portion 240, and the far-end of ledge 181 contacts this contact portion 241.At this moment, otch 187 has entered into light path 231.

At check lock lever 283 along direction when rotation of closing opening 284, the rear wall of the inner surface 296 contact cover components 22 of check lock lever 283, and push print cartridge 10 along direction of insertion.At this moment,

helical spring

23 and 24 is compressed.Therefore, movable link 21 be static and main body 20 under the state of movable link 21 motions, main body 20 is moved along direction of insertion.

When direction of insertion was further moved, ink supply port 91 was connected to coupling part 285 in main body 20, and light transmission part 140 enters into otch 187, and entered in the light path 231 of optical pickocff 230.

Close fully and pawl 294 when engaging with groove 299 at check lock lever 283, check lock lever 283 is with respect to opening 284 lockings, and opening 284 is closed by check lock lever 283.At this moment, the main body 20 of print cartridge 10 is subjected to the pushing force of

helical spring

23 and 24, and the rear wall of cover component 22 is pressed against on the inner surface 296 of check lock lever 283.

With reference to Figure 16, the operation of master controller 200 control recording equipments 250.Master controller 200 is a microcomputer, and it comprises CPU (CPU) 201, read-only storage (ROM) 202, random-access memory (ram) 203, erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) 204 and the special IC (ASIC) 205 write.

The corresponding operating of recording equipment 250 is controlled in ROM202 storage by being used for of using of CPU201 program and being used for distinguish print cartridge 10 and 10 ' the program of type.RAM203 is used for the corresponding data of this program is carried out in temporary transient storage by being used for of using of CPU201 storage area or working region.Even the EEPROM204 setting value that also storage is to be kept after dump, sign etc.

With reference to Fig. 1 and 16, a control panel 270, optical pickocff 230 and optical pickocff 235 are connected to ASIC205.Be used to drive the paper carrier 252 and the respective rollers of conveying device 253 the drive circuit (not shown), be used for that print command etc. inputed to the input block of recording equipment 250 and be used to show that the display unit of the information relevant with recording equipment 250 also is connected to ASIC205.

Control panel 270 is according to for example control signal and picture signal are controlled record head 272 from the signal of ASIC205 supply.Therefore, optionally discharge ink from the nozzle 274 of record head 272 with predetermined timing.

Optical pickocff 230 is according to the light intensity output sensor signal that is received by light receiving element.For example, according to the light intensity that receives by light receiving element, from optical pickocff 230 output analog electrical signal, for example voltage signal or current signals.To be supplied to master controller 200 from the sensor signal of optical pickocff 230 outputs, and master controller 200 determines that this sensor signal is a high level signal at the level of sensor signal when for example magnitude of voltage or current value are more than or equal to predetermined threshold, and determines that this sensor signal is a low level signal at level during less than this threshold value.For example, determine that when the light path 231 of optical pickocff 230 is blocked sensor signal is a low level signal, and determine that when light path 231 is not blocked sensor signal is a high level signal.The light that sends when light-emitting component is blocked or when being changed direction, the light intensity that is received by light receiving element can be zero.

Optical pickocff 235 is according to the mode effect substantially the same with optical pickocff 230, and comes output sensor signal according to the light intensity that is received by light receiving element.

With reference to Figure 17 (a) and 17 (b), be described between the installation period of print cartridge 10 from the exemplary time graph of the signal level of the sensor signal of optical pickocff 230 and optical pickocff 235 outputs, and with reference to Figure 17 (c) and 17 (d), be described in print cartridge 10 ' installation period between from the exemplary time graph of the signal level of the sensor signal of optical pickocff 230 and optical pickocff 235 outputs.

Shown in Figure 17 (a) and 17 (c), identical from the time graph of the signal level of the sensor signal of optical pickocff 235 output when print cartridge 10 is mounted to shell 280 with time graph in the signal level of the sensor signal that print cartridge 10 ' when being mounted to shell 280 is exported from optical pickocff 235.Specifically, enter into the light path 236 of optical pickocff 235 and stop or when changing the path of light in signal stop portions 191, signal level is low at moment T1 place from hypermutation.In master controller 200, the signal level this change triggering signal that acts in the process of determining toner cartridge type from high to low.

With reference to Figure 17 (b), when print cartridge 10 is mounted to shell 280, enters light path 231 and stop or change the path of light in moment T0 place signal stop portions 189.At this moment, the signal level from the sensor signal of optical pickocff 230 output is low from hypermutation.Because signal stop portions 189 is dull and stereotyped, so light is blocked or the reformed duration of its path is shorter.After moment T0 and before moment T1, signal stop portions 189 is passed light path 231, and space 190 enters light path.Therefore, at moment T1 place, the signal level of optical pickocff 230 is from the low height that returns to.

Subsequently, when further inserting print cartridge 10, otch 187 enters light path 231, and when print cartridge 10 was mounted to shell 280 fully, light transmission part 140 was at moment T2 and enter light path 231 via otch 187 between the T3 constantly.Under this state, the position of detection signal stop portions 72.In Figure 17 (b), the signal level when signal stop portions 72 is in the light path 231 is by solid line (low level) expression, and the signal level when signal stop portions 72 is left light path 231 is represented by dotted line (high level).

With reference to Figure 17 (d), with print cartridge 10 ' when being mounted to shell 280, also enter into light path 231, thereby stop light or change the path of light in moment T0 place signal stop portions 199.At this moment, the signal level from the sensor signal of optical pickocff 230 output is low from hypermutation.Because signal stop portions 199 has sidewall 198, so light lasting longer than the duration that light is stopped or changes by signal stop portions 189 of being stopped or change by signal stop portions 199.Specifically, at moment T1 place, sidewall 198 still is arranged in light path 231.Therefore, at moment T1 place, remain under the low state from the signal level of the sensor signal of optical pickocff 230 output.

Subsequently, further inserting 10 ' time of print cartridge, at moment T2 place, sidewall 198 passes through light path 231, and otch 187 enters light path 231.At this moment, the signal level of optical pickocff 230 is from the low height that returns to.Then, with print cartridge 10 ' when being mounted to shell 280 fully, light transmission part 140 is at moment T2 and the moment between the T3 enters light path 231 via otch 187 constantly.Under this state, can detect the position of signal stop portions 72.In Figure 17 (d), the signal level when signal stop portions 72 is in the light path 231 is by solid line (low level) expression, and the signal level when signal stop portions 72 is left light path 231 is represented by dotted line (high level).

Toner cartridge type is determined according to the time graph of optical pickocff 230 and optical pickocff 235 by master controller 200.

With reference to Figure 18, describe be used for determining the print cartridge of being installed be print cartridge 10 or print cartridge 10 ' process.In step S1, master controller 200 is determined

signal stop portions

189 or 199 light paths 231 that whether entered optical pickocff 230, for example, determines whether from the signal level of the sensor signal of optical pickocff 230 outputs be low from hypermutation.When master controller 200 determines that signal stop

portions

189 or 199 has entered light path 231, carry out step S2.That is to say, determine that up to master controller 200

signal stop portions

189 or 199 has entered light path 231, just carry out this step S2.

In step S2, master controller 200 determines whether signal stop portions 191 has entered light path 236, for example, determines whether the signal level of optical pickocff 235 has been low from hypermutation, and this is corresponding to detecting triggering signal.When detecting triggering signal in step S2, in step S3, master controller 200 determines that at the moment T1 place of detecting triggering signal the signal level of the sensor signal exported from optical pickocff 230 is high or low.For example, when the signal level at moment T1 when being high, then master controller 200 determines that print cartridges 10 are inserted in the shell 280, and when the level at moment T1 place be when hanging down, then master controller is determined print cartridge 10 ' be inserted in the shell 280.

When to determine from the signal level of the sensor signal of optical pickocff 230 outputs in step S3 be high, in step S4, print cartridge that expression is installed and print cartridge 10 corresponding bit flags were set on the register of the register of CPU201 for example.If preestablished print cartridge and print cartridge 10 ' corresponding bit flag that expression is installed, then will represent the print cartridge and print cartridge 10 ' corresponding bit flag removing installed, and print cartridge and the print cartridge 10 corresponding bit flags installed are represented in setting.On the other hand, determining from the signal level of the sensor signal of optical pickocff 230 outputs when low, in step S5, print cartridge and the print cartridge 10 ' corresponding bit flag will expression installed are set on the register.If preestablished print cartridge and print cartridge 10 corresponding bit flags that expression is installed, then will represent the print cartridge and print cartridge 10 corresponding bit flags removings installed, and print cartridge and the print cartridge 10 ' corresponding bit flag installed represented in setting.If set this bit flag, then recording equipment 250 or for example personal computer the messaging device that is connected with recording equipment 250 according to this sign demonstrate inserted print cartridge 10 and 10 ' in which.

If the signal level of optical pickocff 235 becomes height from low, then deterministic process can be restarted.And deterministic process can be carried out when check lock lever 283 is opened, and deterministic process can finish when check lock lever 283 cuts out.

At the moment T1 place of detecting triggering signal according to the signal level of the sensor signal of exporting from optical pickocff 230 determine print cartridge 10 and 10 ' type.Therefore, print cartridge 10 and 10 ' structure allow recording equipment 250 determine exactly print cartridge 10 or 10 ' type, and the speed of print cartridge 10 or 10 ' be mounted to printer is irrelevant, and need not consider whether the user begins that print cartridge was inserted in the printer then before finally being inserted into print cartridge in the printer fully part and remove print cartridge with the user.

Said process be configured at two types print cartridge 10 and 10 ' between distinguish, still, also can distinguish three kinds or more kinds of print cartridge.And, can distinguish the print cartridge that black ink is housed and the print cartridge of the color inks except black ink is housed, and can distinguish print cartridge that pigment ink is housed and the print cartridge that type of dye ink is housed.

With reference to Figure 19, the packing device 230 according to embodiment of the present invention is described.Packing device 230 comprises: print cartridge, for example print cartridge 10 (or 10 '); With packaging element 231.Print cartridge 10 is contained in the inside of packaging element 231.Print cartridge 10 transports in packing device 230 and sells.

For example by vavuum pump with the inner pressure relief of ink chamber 100 to less than atmospheric pressure, be dissolved in the air capacity in the ink of ink chamber 100 with reduction.Also for example by vavuum pump with the inner pressure relief of packaging element 231 to less than atmospheric pressure, enter ink chamber 100 to prevent air by the film that is covered with side 45 and 46.

Packaging element 231 is liquid-tight, but has certain gas permeability.Therefore, keep in longer a period of time when not using at packing device 230, air can enter into the inside of packaging element 231.Yet if having pressure reduction space in the inside of packaging element 231, the inside of packaging element 231 maintained under the stable decompression state in longer a period of time.

Make packing device 230 according to following mode.Remain at movable link 21 under the state of first (extension) position shown in Fig. 2 (b), print cartridge 10 is contained in the inside of packaging element 231.When keeping this state, the pressure in the inside of packaging element 231 is reduced to less than atmospheric pressure, and with packaging element 231 sealings.Because print cartridge 10 is contained in the packaging element 231 by this way, so in the inside of packaging element 231, between the antetheca 161 of the front surface 41 of main body 20 and movable link 21, form the pressure reduction space of predetermined volumes.Therefore, the inside of packaging element 231 is maintained decompression state in longer a period of time.

Yet if the inner pressure relief of packaging element 231 is too big, the pressure differential between atmospheric pressure and packaging element 231 pressure inside can become so big, thereby acts on bigger power on print cartridge 10.In this case, if form this pressure reduction space between the antetheca 161 of the front surface 41 of main body 20 and movable link 21, then movable link 21 may and may not can return to original-shape to internal strain.Therefore, in another embodiment of the invention, remaining under the state of second (contraction) position shown in Fig. 2 (c) at movable link 21 can be with print cartridge 10 ' be contained in the packaging element 231.When movable link 21 was in second place place, the pressure reduction space between the antetheca 161 of the front surface 41 of main body 20 and movable link 21 was less, therefore, can prevent the distortion of movable link 21.Also reduced the size of packing device 230.Because although pressure reduction space is less, this pressure reduction space still exists, so the inside of packaging element 231 is reasonably remaining under the stable decompression state in the time period.

With reference to Figure 20 and 21, box mounting portion 1276 is according to another embodiment of the invention described.Box mounting portion 1276 comprises the check lock lever 1283 of the check lock lever 283 that replaces box mounting portion 276.Check lock lever 1283 comprises first 1291, second portion 1292 and the pivot section 1290 between first 1291 and second portion 1292.Pivot section 1290 is supported on the place, top of shell 280 near opening 284, thereby check lock lever 1283 pivots around pivot section 1290.First 1291 extends to the outside of shell 280 from pivot section, and second portion 1292 extends to storage chamber 282 from pivot section 1290.First 1291 is positioned at the top of second portion 1292, because the weight of first 1291 is less than the weight of second portion 1292.As shown in figure 20, when print cartridge 10 is installed in the box mounting portion 1276, the part of the part of second portion 1292 contact latch recess 1000.The main body 20 of print cartridge 10 receives

helical spring

23 and 24 thrusts towards opening 284.Yet, because the described part of the described part contact latch recess 1000 of second portion 1292 remains on main body 20 in the shell 280 with the thrust that overcomes

helical spring

23 and 24, so print cartridge 10 remains in the shell 280.

When the user attempted print cartridge 10 removed from box mounting portion 1276, the user applied downward force to the end of first 1291.Check lock lever 1283 pivots around pivot section 1290 then, and as shown in figure 21, and second portion 1292 moves upward and separate with latch recess 1000.Therefore,

helical spring

23 and 24 expansions, and print cartridge 10 part from box mounting portion 1276 ejects.The user catches the rear portion of print cartridge 10 then, and print cartridge 10 is removed from box mounting portion 1276.Therefore, easily print cartridge is removed from box mounting portion 1276.And, because print cartridge 10 is configured to itself movable link 21 is not remained in the second place, so when second portion 1292 separated with latch recess 1000, movable link 21 freely moved to primary importance from the second place, print cartridge 10 ejects from box mounting portion 1276 parts thus.

Though describe the present invention in conjunction with exemplary, what those skilled in the art will appreciate that is can make other variation and modification to above-mentioned exemplary without departing from the present invention.By considering specification or practical application of the present invention disclosed herein, other embodiment is conspicuous to those of ordinary skills.Specification and described embodiment only are considered to example of the present invention, and true scope of the present invention is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A ink cartridge comprising:

a first signal blocking portion;

the second signal blocking portion; and

A third signal blocking portion, wherein the first signal blocking portion is configured to prevent the first signal from passing through the first signal blocking portion or change the path of the first signal when the first signal blocking portion receives the first signal, and the second signal blocking portion The portion is configured to prevent the second signal from passing through the second signal blocking portion or to change the path of the second signal when the second signal blocking portion receives the second signal, and the third signal blocking portion is configured to receive the second signal when the third signal blocking portion receives the second signal. The second signal prevents the second signal from passing through the third signal blocking part or changes the path of the second signal.

2. The ink cartridge of 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.

3. The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first signal blocking portion and the second signal blocking portion are configured to move relative to the third signal blocking portion.

4. The ink cartridge of claim 2, further comprising a housing having at least a portion of an ink chamber defined therein, wherein the ink chamber is configured to store ink, and the third signal blocking portion is located within the housing, And configured to move according to the amount of ink in the ink chamber.

5. The ink cartridge of claim 3, further comprising:

a housing having at least a portion of an ink chamber defined therein, wherein the ink chamber is configured to store ink, and the third signal blocking portion is located within the housing;

a movable member configured to move relative to the housing, wherein the movable member includes the first signal blocking portion and the second signal blocking portion; and

At least one elastic member having a first end connected to the housing and a second end connected to the movable member.

6. An ink cartridge set comprising a first ink cartridge and a second ink cartridge, the first ink cartridge and the second ink cartridge being the ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein:

The second signal blocking portion of the first cartridge has a thickness configured to prevent the second signal from passing through when the first signal blocking portion begins to prevent the first signal from passing through the first signal blocking portion or changes the path of the first signal blocking part of or rerouting the second signal by the second signal; and

The second signal blocking portion of the second ink cartridge has a thickness configured to not prevent the second signal from passing through when the first signal blocking portion begins to prevent the first signal from passing through the first signal blocking portion or changes the path of the first signal. Pass the second signal blocking part or change the path of the second signal.

7. An ink cartridge determination system, the ink cartridge determination system comprising:

The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1-5 or the ink cartridge set according to claim 6; and

recording equipment,

The recording device is configured as a cartridge mounting portion for mounting an ink cartridge;

The first sensor is located in the cartridge mounting portion and includes a first signal emitting element configured to emit the first signal and a first signal receiving element configured to receive the first signal, wherein the first signal The blocking portion is configured to prevent the first signal from passing through the first signal blocking portion or change the path of the first signal at least during the installation of the ink cartridge to the cartridge installation portion, wherein the first signal is prevented from passing through the first signal blocking portion or passing through the first signal blocking portion. The strength of the first signal received by the first signal receiving element when the signal blocking portion changes the path of the first signal is different from that without preventing the first signal from passing through the first signal blocking portion or without passing through the first signal blocking portion the strength of the first signal received by the first signal receiving element while changing the path of the first signal;

The second sensor is located in the cartridge mounting portion and includes a second signal emitting element configured to emit the second signal and a second signal receiving element configured to receive the second signal, wherein the second signal The blocking portion is configured to prevent the second signal from passing through the second signal blocking portion or to change the path of the second signal during mounting of the ink cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion, and the third signal blocking portion is configured to complete mounting of the ink cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion preventing the second signal from passing through the third signal blocking portion or changing the path of the second signal, wherein preventing the second signal from passing through the second signal blocking portion or the third signal blocking portion or passing through the second signal blocking portion or the third blocking portion The strength of the second signal received by the second signal receiving element when the path of the second signal is changed is different from that without preventing the second signal from passing through the second signal blocking portion or the third signal blocking portion or passing through the second signal blocking portion. The strength of the second signal received by the second signal receiving element when the signal blocking portion or the third signal blocking portion changes the path of the second signal; and

A determiner configured to determine based on the intensity of the second signal received by the second signal receiving element when the intensity of the first signal received by the first signal receiving element starts to change during mounting of the ink cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion. Information related to ink cartridges.

8. The ink cartridge determination system according to claim 7 , wherein the determiner is further configured to determine the ink chamber according to the strength of the second signal received by the second signal receiving element when the ink cartridge is installed to the cartridge installation portion after completion. the amount of ink in the