CN204431981U - Ink accomodating unit and ink-jet printer - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to an ink containing unit and an ink jet printer. The ink containing unit includes an ink containing unit body, a cover, an ink supply pipe, a throttle valve and a linkage device. The ink containing unit body is used to contain ink, and is provided with an injection part. The cover is movable between an open position in which the injection part is exposed and a closed position in which the injection part is covered. The throttling valve is arranged on the ink supply pipe, and can be switched between a connected state and a blocked state. In the connected state, the throttle valve allows the ink to flow, and in the blocked state, the throttle valve blocks the flow of ink in the ink supply pipe. The linkage is connected between the throttle valve and the cover, and prevents the cover from moving from the closed position to the open position when the throttle valve is in a blocked state, and allows the cover to move from a closed position to an open position when the throttle valve is in a connected state. The ink containing unit can prevent the recording head from being damaged by turning on the inkjet printer when the throttle valve is in a blocking state.

Description

Ink containment unit and inkjet printer

technical field

The utility model relates to the technical field of printers, in particular to an ink containing unit and an inkjet printer.

Background technique

The inkjet printer prints by ejecting ink from the recording head to the recording medium (such as printing paper), such as the example disclosed in the patent document CN 203567359U.

Generally, an inkjet printer includes an inkjet printer body and an ink containing unit. Wherein the inkjet printer body is provided with a recording head, and the ink containing unit is provided with one or more ink containing parts such as ink tanks for containing ink, and the one or more ink containing parts are placed in the ink containing part container. Herein, for the convenience of description, the ink container and the ink container are collectively referred to as the ink container body. In addition, the ink containing unit further includes a cover slidable relative to the ink containing unit body. When the cover is slid open, an injection part for injecting ink into the ink storage part can be exposed. Before the inkjet printer is used for the first time, and when the ink in the ink container is less than a predetermined amount, ink can be injected into the ink container through the injection portion. An ink supply tube is also provided between the ink containing portion and the recording head to supply ink from the ink containing portion to the recording head.

In addition, in some inkjet printers, a throttling valve is provided on the ink supply pipe to block the supply of ink from the ink containing unit to the recording head under certain circumstances. Promptly disclose a kind of throttling valve in the patent document that authorized announcement number is CN202283818U.

Generally, when an inkjet printer is shipped from the factory, the throttle valve is in a blocking state for blocking ink supply from the ink containing unit to the recording head. First-time users often turn on the inkjet printer directly after opening the cover of the ink storage unit to fill the ink storage portion with ink. Because the throttle valve is in a blocked state, ink is not supplied to the recording head, and the printing task is started directly at this time, which may cause damage to the recording head.

Therefore, it is necessary to propose an ink containing unit and an inkjet printer to solve the problems existing in the prior art.

Utility model content

The utility model provides an ink containing unit. It includes an ink accommodating unit body for accommodating ink and provided with an injection portion for injecting ink; and a cover configured to be capable of a closed position and an open position with respect to the ink accommodating unit body Move between, so that when the cover is in the closed position, the injection part is covered, and when the cover is in the open position, the injection part is exposed; the ink supply tube is used to supply ink from the The ink containing unit body is supplied to the inkjet printer; the throttle valve is arranged on the ink supply pipe and can be switched between a communication state and a blocking state, wherein in the communication state , the throttle valve allows ink to flow in the ink supply pipe, and in the blocking state, the throttle valve blocks the flow of ink in the ink supply pipe; and a linkage device, the linkage device connected between the throttle valve and the cover, and configured to prevent the cover from moving from the closed position to the open position when the throttle valve is in the blocking state. When the throttle valve is in the communication state, the cover is allowed to move from the closed position to the open position.

The ink containing unit according to the present invention is provided with a linkage device between the throttle valve and the cover, so that the operation of the throttle valve is associated with the ink filling operation. The user can open the cover only after the throttle valve is in the communication state, so that it is possible to complete the ink filling operation. Thus, the possibility of damage to the recording head caused by turning on the inkjet printer when the throttle valve is in the blocked state is reduced.

Preferably, the throttle valve includes an operable operating part, when the operating part is in the first position, the throttle valve is in the blocking state, and when the operating part is in the second position, the throttle The flow valve is in the communicating state.

Preferably, the operation part includes a knob. Thus, the operating portion of the throttle valve is realized with a simple structure, and the user can easily operate the throttle valve.

Preferably, the linkage device includes a transmission device and a limit device, the transmission device is used to drive the limit device to move according to the action of the operation part, and the limit device is used to limit the position of the cover. In this way, a linkage device is realized with a simple structure, so that the movement of the limiting device is controlled by the movement of the throttle valve, and further the position of the cover of the ink storage unit is controlled.

Preferably, the transmission device includes a gear that rotates synchronously with the knob, and a rack that meshes with the gear. Therefore, the transmission device is realized with a simple and reliable structure, so that the action of the limiting device is controlled by the action of the throttle valve.

Preferably, the limiting device includes a protruding portion disposed at one end of the rack, and a recessed portion disposed on the cover and adapted to the protruding portion. In this way, the limit device is implemented with a simple and reliable structure, so that the position of the cover of the ink containing unit is controlled through the action of the transmission device.

Preferably, said cover is slidably movable between said open position and said closed position. In this way, the position of the cover can be changed with a simple structure, which is convenient for the user to operate the cover.

According to another aspect of the present utility model, an inkjet printer is provided, which includes any one of the above-mentioned ink containing units.

The inkjet printer according to the present invention is provided with a linkage device between the throttle valve of the ink storage unit and the cover, so that the operation of the throttle valve is associated with the ink filling operation. The user can open the cover only after the throttle valve is in the communication state, so that it is possible to complete the ink filling operation. Thus, the possibility of damage to the recording head caused by turning on the inkjet printer when the throttle valve is in the blocked state is reduced.

Description of drawings

The above and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent and easier to understand from the following description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic view of an inkjet printer equipped with an ink containing unit according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, wherein the cover of the ink containing unit is in a closed position, the throttle valve is in a blocked state, and the ink containing unit is in a state with The state of separation of the main body of the inkjet printer;

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the cover, the knob of the throttle valve and the linkage mechanism in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the inkjet printer in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the inkjet printer in Fig. 1, wherein the cover of the ink containing unit is in an open position, and the throttle valve is in a communicating state;

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the cover, the knob of the throttle valve and the linkage mechanism in Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the inkjet printer in Fig. 4 taken along line B-B.

Explanation of reference signs

100 inkjet printers

110 inkjet printer body

111 Finishing Department

112 Operation buttons

120 ink holding unit

121 Ink containing unit body

122 cover

123 injection port

124 sealing parts

125 loading part

130 throttle valve

131 knob

132 Instruction Department

140 linkage

141 Transmission

142 limit device

143 gears

144 rack

145 protrusion

146 Depression

170 ink supply tube

D1 Front and rear directions

Detailed ways

Preferred embodiments of the present utility model will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for the purpose of illustration only, not limitation.

Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 schematically show the schematic diagrams of the inkjet printer 100 installed with the ink containing unit 120 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in different states respectively. For convenience of expression and determination of directions, mutually orthogonal X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 . Specifically, the positive direction of the Z-axis (direction of anti-gravity) is "up", the negative direction of the Z-axis (direction of gravity) is "down"; the positive direction of the Y-axis (the direction of the inkjet printer 100 toward the user) is " "Front", the negative direction of the Y axis is "Back"; the positive direction of the X axis is "Right", and the negative direction of the X axis is "Left".

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the inkjet printer 100 has a substantially box-shaped appearance and includes an inkjet printer body 110 and an ink containing unit 120 for containing ink. The inkjet printer body 110 includes a paper discharge unit 111 , a paper supply unit (not shown), and a plurality of operation buttons 112 . The paper supply unit is used to supply recording media (for example, printing paper) to the inkjet printer body 110 , and the paper discharge unit 111 is used to discharge the printed recording media. Wherein, for the convenience of operation, the paper feeding unit can be arranged at the rear of the inkjet printer body 110 , and the paper discharge unit 111 can be arranged at the front of the inkjet printer body 110 .

A reciprocating carriage (not shown) may be provided inside the inkjet printer body 110 . A recording head (not shown) formed of a plurality of nozzles capable of recording an image on a recording medium by ejecting ink is mounted on the carriage. The carriage can be driven by a driving structure (not shown), and is guided by guide rails (not shown) to reciprocate above the recording medium.

When the recording medium is placed on the paper supply part and the operation button 112 is selectively operated according to actual needs, the recording medium is fed in from the paper supply part, and the recording medium is reciprocated by the inkjet printer body 110 and the carriage. While being conveyed step by step by a matching paper feeding device (not shown), the recording head ejects ink to the recording medium, thereby printing the image on the surface of the recording medium, and finally the recording medium is discharged from the paper discharge unit 111 .

It should be noted that, in addition to the printing function, the inkjet printer 100 described in the present invention can also have various functions such as image scanner function, fax function, copier function and so on. As a printing function, there is a double-sided image recording function for recording images on both sides of a recording medium. However, it is arbitrary whether there is a function other than the printing function.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , the ink containing unit 120 is disposed on the right side of the inkjet printer body 110 and extends rightward from the right side of the inkjet printer body 110 . It should be understood that although in the illustrated embodiment, the ink containing unit 120 is arranged on the right side of the inkjet printer body 110, according to actual needs, the ink containing unit 120 can be arranged on other parts of the inkjet printer body 110, such as the left side of the inkjet printer body 110. side. In this embodiment, the ink containing unit 120 is detachably connected to the inkjet printer body 110 through a mounting member (not shown). For example, the ink containing unit 120 may be detachably connected to the inkjet printer body 110 through a snap-fit mechanism, a press-fit mechanism, or a threaded fastener. In other embodiments, the ink containing unit can also be fixedly arranged on the inkjet printer body.

Preferably, the ink containing unit 120 includes an ink containing unit body 121 and a cover 122 . Wherein, the ink containing unit body 121 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is provided with four ink containing parts (not shown), such as ink tanks, for containing black, cyan, red and yellow inks respectively. It should be understood that the number of ink containing parts can be set according to actual conditions. For example, one ink containing portion may be included for containing black ink; or other numbers of ink containing portions such as two, three, six, etc. may be included.

The ink storage unit 120 also includes an ink supply tube 170 ′, through which the ink storage portion in the ink storage unit 120 communicates with the recording head provided in the inkjet printer body 110 . Generally, the number of ink supply tubes corresponds to the number of ink containing portions, and are respectively used to supply inks of different colors to the recording heads. In FIG. 1 , the ink containing unit 120 is shown in a state of being separated from the inkjet printer body 110 in order to illustrate the ink supply tube 170 .

An injection port 123 is provided on the ink container, so that the user can inject ink into the interior of the ink container through the injection port 123 when necessary. Usually, when the inkjet printer 100 is shipped from the factory, no ink is contained in the ink container, and the user needs to inject ink into the ink container through the inlet 123 when using it for the first time. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , preferably, a top end of the injection port 123 is detachably mounted with a sealing member 124 (such as a plug) capable of sealing the injection port 123 to prevent the ink in the ink containing portion from leaking and evaporating. In the present invention, the injection port 123 and the sealing member 124 optionally provided on the injection port 123 are collectively referred to as an injection part. Optionally, a mounting portion 125 may also be provided on the ink containing unit body 121, so that after the sealing member 124 is removed from the injection port 123, the sealing member 124 can be placed on the mounting portion 125, so that the sealing member 124 is contaminated The ink is always limited within the scope of the loading part 125, and will not contaminate other parts. FIG. 4 shows a state where the sealing member 124 is placed on the mounting portion. Preferably, the number of the injection port 123, the sealing member 124, and the mounting portion 125 is the same as the number of the ink containing portion.

Preferably, the cover 122 is disposed above the ink containing unit body 121, and is movable between an open position (FIG. 4) and a closed position (FIG. 1). Among them, in the present embodiment, the cover 122 is configured to move between an open position ( FIG. 4 ) and a closed position ( FIG. 1 ) in a slidable manner relative to the ink containing unit body 121 . Specifically, the cover 122 is slidable in the front-rear direction D1 with respect to the ink containing unit body 121 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the cover 122 slides relative to the ink containing unit body 121 in the forward and backward direction to the position where the injection part is exposed (compared to FIG. 1 , the cover 122 is located at a relatively rearward position), and at this time the cover 122 is in the open position; Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1 , the cover 122 slides relative to the ink containing unit body 121 along the front-rear direction D1 to a position covering the injection part (relative to FIG. body 121), at this time the cover 122 is in the closed position. Of course, the cover 122 can also be arranged at other positions of the ink containing unit body 121, and/or be configured to move between the open position and the closed position in other ways (eg, in a reversible way). It should be noted that, in this article, the cover being in the "open position" means that the cover is in a state where the injection part is exposed (so that the sealing member can be removed to inject ink into the injection port), and the cover being in the "closed position" means that the cover is in the covering state. The state of the injection part.

The ink containing unit 120 also includes a throttle valve 130 disposed on the ink supply pipe 170 for allowing and blocking the flow of ink. In some specific occasions (for example, when leaving the factory or during transportation), the throttle valve 130 can be set in a blocking state to stop supplying ink from the ink containing unit 120 to the recording head. In a normal use state of the inkjet printer 100, the throttle valve 130 may be set in a communication state to allow ink to be supplied from the ink containing unit 120 to the recording head. Preferably, the throttle valve 130 includes a blocking portion (not shown) disposed on the ink supply pipe 170 and an operable knob 131 (as an example of an operating portion) disposed on the ink containing unit body 121 . Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , when the indicating portion 132 of the knob 131 points downward (an example of the operation portion being in the first position), the throttle valve 130 is in a blocked state, and the throttle valve 130 is blocked at this time. Circulation of ink in the ink supply tube 170, that is, ink cannot be supplied from the ink containing portion to the print head. As shown in Figures 5 and 6, when the knob 131 is rotated 180° counterclockwise and the indicator 132 points upward (an example of the operating part being in the second position), the throttle valve 130 is in a communication state, and the throttle The valve 130 allows ink to circulate in the ink supply tube 170, that is, allows ink to be supplied from the ink containing portion to the print head. Throttle valve 130 may take any suitable construction known in the art. An example of a throttle valve is disclosed in the patent document with the authorized publication number CN202283818U.

Herein, the "first position" of the operating part refers to the position of the operating part when the throttle valve is in the blocking state, and the "second position" of the operating part refers to the position of the operating part when the throttle valve is in the communicating state. . The first position and the second position of the operating part can adopt a suitable arrangement according to the structure of the throttle valve. For example, in this embodiment, the second position is rotated 180° counterclockwise with respect to the first position. Of course, in other embodiments, other relative rotation angles, such as 90°, can also be used between the first position and the second position of the operating part; or the second position of the operating part can be along a certain Direction (such as up and down) relative displacement occurs.

As mentioned above, opening the inkjet printer 100 when the throttle valve 130 is still in the blocked state can easily cause damage to the recording head, but before the inkjet printer is used for the first time, the throttle valve 130 is generally set to the blocked state. With regard to this problem, the applicant of the present utility model has noticed that although the user may ignore the operation of adjusting the throttle valve 130 from the blocking state to the communicating state when using the printer for the first time, he seldom ignores the operation of the ink containing unit 120. The operation of injecting ink, therefore, the applicant sets a linkage device 140 between the throttle valve 130 of the ink containing unit 120 and the cover 122, so that the operation of the throttle valve 130 is associated with the ink filling operation, and the user only has to make the throttle valve 130 After being in the communication state, the cover 120 can be opened, so that it is possible to complete the ink filling operation. Thus, the possibility of damage to the recording head caused by turning on the inkjet printer when the throttle valve is in the blocked state is reduced.

FIG. 2 , FIG. 3 , FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a preferred structure of the linkage device 140 . Specifically, the linkage device 140 includes a transmission device 141 and a limiting device 142 . Wherein, the transmission device includes a gear 143 that rotates synchronously with the knob 131 of the throttle valve 130 , and a rack 144 that meshes with the gear 143 . Preferably, a fixed protective shell is provided outside the gear 143 and the rack 144 , and the protective shell is provided with an opening to facilitate the meshing of the gear 143 and the rack 144 . The protective housing of the gear 143 and the rack 144 is schematically shown in FIG. 2 , and in FIG. 5 the protective housing of the rack 144 is not shown for clarity. The stopper 142 includes a protruding portion 145 provided on the upper end of the rack 144 and a recessed portion 146 provided on the lower surface of the cover 122 of the ink containing unit 120 and fitted with the protruding portion 145 . In the present embodiment, the protrusion 145 is a member integral with the rack 144 . However, in other embodiments, the protrusions may also be attached to the rack 144 by threaded fasteners, adhesives, or the like.

As shown in Figures 1-3, the cover 122 is in the closed position covering the injection part, the knob 131 of the throttle valve 130 is in the first position (indicating part 132 points downward), and the throttle valve 130 is in a blocking state at this time. The protrusion 145 of the linkage 140 is inserted into the recess 146 of the cover 122 so that the cover 122 cannot be slid rearwardly to expose the injection portion, ie the cover 122 cannot be moved from the closed position to the open position.

As shown in Figures 4-6, when the knob 131 operating the throttle valve 130 rotates 180° counterclockwise, the knob 131 rotates to the second position (indicating part 132 points upward), and the throttle valve 130 is in a communication state. At the same time, the gear 143 rotates 180° counterclockwise synchronously with the knob 131 , and drives the rack 144 and the protrusion 145 disposed on the upper end of the rack 144 to move downward, so that the protrusion 145 gradually disengages from the recess 146 . When the protrusion 145 is completely disengaged from the recess 146, the position of the cover 122 is no longer restricted by the protrusion 145, and the cover 122 can be slid backward to move the cover 122 to the open position to expose the injection part.

In the present invention, the transmission device 141 is used to drive the limit device 142 to move according to the action of the operating part (knob 131 ) of the throttle valve 130 . In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 , the transmission 141 includes an intermeshing gear 143 and a rack 144 arranged to be supported within the ink containing unit 120 . However, it should be understood that the transmission device is not limited to this configuration, and it can also adopt other suitable configurations that can drive the limit device to move according to the action of the operating part of the throttle valve, such as a link mechanism.

In the present invention, the limiting device 142 is used to limit the position of the cover 122 of the ink containing unit 120 . In the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 , the limiting device 142 includes a protrusion 145 and a recess 146 , which are respectively disposed on the rack 144 of the transmission device 141 and the cover 122 of the ink containing unit 120 . However, it should be understood that the limiting device is not limited to this structure, and it can also adopt other suitable structures that can limit the position of the cover of the ink containing unit, such as exchanging the position of the protrusion and the recess, and adopting mutually abutting Stoppers, and the use of hooks and grooves to fit the way, etc.

According to the concept of the present utility model, in some cases, the linkage device may not be provided with a transmission device and a limit device, for example, an electromagnetic switch is used to control the state change of the throttle valve and the cover of the ink storage unit.

To sum up, according to the concept of the present utility model, when the user uses the inkjet printer 100 for the first time, if the throttle valve 130 is in a blocking state, the cover 122 of the ink containing unit 120 cannot be opened for ink filling operation, and only the The cap 122 of the ink storage unit 120 can be opened to perform the ink filling operation only after the throttle valve 130 is switched to the communicating state. Therefore, the user will notice the state of the throttle valve 130 when filling ink for the first time, so as to avoid turning on the inkjet printer 100 to perform printing tasks when the throttle valve 130 is in a blocking state, and avoid damaging the recording head.

Unless otherwise defined, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the technical field of the present invention. The terminology used herein is only for describing specific implementation purposes, and is not intended to limit the utility model. Where terms such as "component" appear herein, they may refer to either a single part or a combination of parts. Terms such as "mounting", "disposing" and the like appearing herein may indicate that one component is directly attached to another component, or may indicate that one component is attached to another component through an intermediary. Features described herein in one embodiment may be applied to another embodiment alone or in combination with other features, unless the feature is not applicable in that other embodiment or stated otherwise.

The present utility model has been described through the above-mentioned embodiments, but it should be understood that the above-mentioned embodiments are only for the purpose of illustration and description, and are not intended to limit the present utility model to the scope of the described embodiments. In addition, those skilled in the art can understand that the utility model is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and more variations and modifications can be made according to the teaching of the utility model, and these variations and modifications all fall within the scope of the utility model. within the scope of protection.

Claims (8)

1. An ink containing unit for an inkjet printer, wherein the ink containing unit comprises: an ink containing unit body, the ink containing unit body is used for containing ink, and is provided with an injection part for injecting ink; a cover configured to move relative to the ink containing unit body between a closed position and an open position such that when the cover is in the closed position, the injection portion is covered, and when the cover is in the When the above-mentioned open position is reached, the injection part is exposed; an ink supply tube for supplying ink from the ink containing unit body to the inkjet printer; a throttle valve, the throttle valve is arranged on the ink supply pipe, and can be switched between a communication state and a blocking state, wherein, in the communication state, the throttle valve allows ink to flow in the ink supply pipe In the blocked state, the throttle valve blocks the flow of ink in the ink supply tube; and a linkage connected between the throttle valve and the cover and configured to prevent movement of the cover from the closed position to the closed position when the throttle valve is in the blocked state The open position allows the cover to move from the closed position to the open position when the throttle valve is in the communicating state. 2. The ink containing unit according to claim 1, wherein: The throttle valve includes an operable operating part. When the operating part is in the first position, the throttle valve is in the blocking state. When the operating part is in the second position, the throttle valve is in the blocking state. The connected state. 3. The ink containing unit according to claim 2, wherein: The operation part includes a knob. 4. The ink containing unit according to claim 3, wherein: The linkage device includes a transmission device and a limit device, the transmission device is used to drive the limit device to move according to the action of the operation part, and the limit device is used to limit the position of the cover. 5. The ink containing unit according to claim 4, wherein: The transmission includes a gear that rotates synchronously with the knob, and a rack that meshes with the gear. 6. The ink containing unit according to claim 5, wherein: The limiting device includes a protruding part arranged at one end of the rack, and a recessed part arranged on the cover and adapted to the protruding part. 7. The ink containing unit according to claim 1, wherein: The cover slides to move between the open position and the closed position. 8. An inkjet printer, characterized by comprising the ink containing unit according to any one of claims 1-7.