CN1286659A

CN1286659A - Ink container refurbishment system

Info

Publication number: CN1286659A
Application number: CN98813852A
Authority: CN
Inventors: W·D·齐尔德斯; M·L·布洛克; 小N·E·帕沃夫斯基; J·L·蒂尔曼
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Co
Current assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
Priority date: 1998-03-04
Filing date: 1998-05-11
Publication date: 2001-03-07
Anticipated expiration: 2018-05-11
Also published as: HK1029775A1; DE69835302D1; KR100516265B1; EP1060081A1; ES2179493T3; DE69808145T2; WO1999044830A1; EP1201441A1; KR20010041526A; JP4210034B2; EP1060081B1; JP2002505212A; ES2263733T3; CN1195630C; DE69808145D1; DE69835302T2; EP1201441B1

Abstract

Alternative methods for refurbishing a single-use ink delivery container for a printing system are described. The refurbishing methods include electrical and mechanical reconfiguration or replacement of original elements on the ink delivery container. Each method utilises an existing ink fluid outlet, electrical connector and an information storage device on the ink delivery container.

Description

Ink container refurbishment system

Technical field

Relate generally to ink-jet print system of the present invention in particular, relates to the renovation of the ink tank of ink-jet print system.

Background technology

A kind of ink-jet printer of the prior art has a printhead that is installed on the frame, and this printhead then on print media, for example on the paper, moves to and fro.During by the suitable position of print media, control device just drives printhead ink droplet is sprayed on the above-mentioned print media, forms needed image and letter at printhead.In order successfully to carry out work, this printer must be supplied ink reliably for printhead.

There is a class ink-jet printer to use the ink supply unit that is installed on the frame and therewith moves.In some type, ink supply unit is to separate with printhead, can change.In other types, printhead and ink supply unit form an assembly together, and when the ink in the ink supply unit used up, whole assembly was changed together.

In the printer of " from shaft type " printing equipment of another kind of being called, adopt the ink supply unit that is not contained on the frame.This is a kind of printing equipment that fills up ink off and on for printhead.Its printhead will run to an actionless holding vessel periodically and remove to fill up ink.At application number be in 09/034,719 the United States Patent (USP) please in another kind of print system has been described, printhead wherein is communicated with a removable ink feeding mechanism or container such as the such pipeline of flexible pipe by one.This just makes above-mentioned printhead can replenish ink continuously in print procedure.

In the application's a original application, described a kind of removable, from the ink tank of shaft type, it has a storage device that is installed in the above-mentioned housing.In the time of in being installed in above-mentioned printing station, just between printer and storage device, setting up and be electrically connected.This being electrically connected can allow exchange message between printer and the storage device.Storage information in storage device, above-mentioned printer then utilize this information to guarantee the high-quality printing.When print cartridge is installed on the above-mentioned printer, just can automatically offer printer to this information.The exchange of this information has guaranteed the interchangeability of print cartridge and printer.

The above-mentioned information that stores has prevented that also the ink in the ink tank from continuing to use this container after using up.Can damage printhead because when the ink in the holding vessel uses up, continue to start printer.The relevant data of quantity of ink in the holding vessel in use can in time be revised and be deposited in to the above-mentioned storage device relevant with the application.When installing a new ink cartridge, printer just can be read the information that indicates storage capacity from above-mentioned storage device.In use, print system is the use amount of estimation of ink, and in time revises storage device, so that allow its indication also retain how many inks in ink cartridge.When the ink of ink tank used up basically, this storage device can be revised the information with indication ink spent condition.To abandon with print cartridge and the memory crossed then.

Summary of the invention

The invention provides the method for the ink transport container that single uses in the various renovation one printing system.This method is included in reshuffling or changing of former electric and mechanical organ on the ink transport container.Each method is all utilized existing ink fluid outlet, electrical cnnector and information-storing device on the ink transport container.

Summary of drawings

Fig. 1 is a kind of schematic diagram with print system of original ink delivery system;

Fig. 2 is that the axle of a printer of the print system of a kind of Fig. 1 of being used for is surveyed view;

Fig. 3 is that the axle of the ink tank of the print system among Fig. 1 is surveyed view;

Fig. 4 is the side view of the ink tank among Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is the end-view after amplify the part of the ink tank among Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is the cross-section side view that the ink tank among Fig. 3 cuts along the 6-6 line of Fig. 5;

The axle that amplify the part of the part of the printer among Fig. 7 Fig. 2 is surveyed view, the storage tank of expression ink tank;

Fig. 8 is that the local axle after the amplification of the 8-8 line of printer in Fig. 7 among Fig. 2 is surveyed view;

Fig. 9 is that the amplification axle of the coupling part of the printer among Fig. 2 is surveyed view;

Figure 10 A is the schematic partial sectional view of the 10A-10A line of coupling part in Fig. 9 of the printer shown in Fig. 9, has wherein also represented the schematic partial sectional view of the ink tank installed;

Figure 10 B is the enlarged drawing of the 10B-10B line of printer in Figure 10 A among Figure 10 A;

Figure 11 A is that the axle after the exploded represented from far-end of the ink tank among Figure 10 A, the 10B is surveyed view;

Figure 11 B is that the axle after the exploded represented from near-end of the ink tank among Figure 10 A, the 10B is surveyed view;

Figure 12 is that the axle after the further decomposition of the ink tank among Figure 10 A, the 10B is surveyed view;

Figure 13 be after the induction type fluid level sensor that is used for the ink tank of Figure 10 A, 10B disassembles from ink tank amplification side view;

Figure 14 is the flow chart of the method for explanation renovation ink tank 12;

Figure 15 is the sectional drawing after the ink tank cover-removing in front among Figure 10 A, the 10B;

Figure 16 is the sectional drawing of the ink tank of Figure 10 A, 10B, and wherein the lid of this front is removed and show the situation that ink tank is filling ink.

Implement best mode of the present invention

Though what the present invention relates to is the method for renovation ink tank, only, can more clearly understand the present invention in that printer and original ink tank that is equipped with are carried out complete explanation.

See also Fig. 1, represented a printing equipment 10 among the figure, it has 12, one printheads 14 of an ink tank and a compressed air source, for example a compressor 16.Compressor 16 is communicated with ink tank 2 by a pipeline 18.Ink tank 12 is a kind of marking fluid 19, and for example ink offers printhead 14 by pipeline 20.Ink tank 12 comprises 22, one shells 24 of fluid reservoir and the base 26 that are used for containing ink 19.In this preferred embodiment, base 26 comprises air intlet 28, and this air intlet links to each other with pipeline 18, so that with air shell 24 is pressurizeed.On above-mentioned base 26, also has a fluid issuing 30.This fluid issuing 30 is communicated with pipeline 20, so that fluid reservoir 22 and fluid line 20 are coupled together.

In the preferred embodiment, fluid reservoir 22 usefulness flexible materials are made, and pass through pipeline 20 flowing to printhead 14 so that the supercharging of shell 24 can produce ink from fluid reservoir 22.The pressure source of the ink of utilization in fluid reservoir 22 can produce from fluid reservoir 22 to printhead 14 the higher fluid flow rate of ratio.And adopt high flow rate, perhaps ink transport can make printing equipment 10 improve it and print speed to the high transfer rate of printhead.

Ink tank 12 also comprises many electric contact points, will describe in detail afterwards this.This electric contact point has formed between the electronic control device 32 of circuit on the ink tank 12 and printing equipment and has been electrically connected.The electronic control device 32 of printing equipment is used to control the function of various printing equipments 10, such as the startup ink-jet of printhead 14 with to start pump 16 be that ink tank 12 pressurizes or the like, but is not to be only limited to these.Ink tank 12 comprises the testing circuit 36 of an information accumulation device 34 and quantity of ink.Above-mentioned information accumulation device 34 provides information to the electronic control device 32 of printing equipment, for example the quantity of ink in the ink tank 12 and the characteristic of ink.The signal of above-mentioned quantity of ink detection circuitry 36 current quantity of ink in the electronic control device 32 of printing equipment provides about ink tank 12.

Fig. 2 represents an embodiment of printing equipment 10 with stereogram.Printing equipment 10 has one to make the printing framework 38 that can hold several ink tanks 12 simultaneously.Embodiment shown in Fig. 2 has four same ink tanks 12. in this embodiment, respectively fills a kind of ink of different colours in each ink tank, so can print four kinds of colors altogether: dark blue, yellow, magenta and black.The framework 38 of printing equipment has the control panel 40 and the medium narrow slit 42 that are used to control the operation of printing equipment 10, and paper is sent out from this narrow slit.

Please see Figure 1 again, when the ink in each ink tank 19 uses up, just change a new ink tank 12 that fills the ink of newly packing into.In addition, also can be because of different other of situation about exhausting with ink former thereby ink tank 12 unloaded down from the framework 38 of printing equipment, for example, needs use ink of different nature because being used for different media.Any is arranged is very important, that is, the ink tank of being changed 12 will be electrically connected reliably with framework 38 formation of printing equipment and form required being connected suitably, so that printing equipment 10 can carry out work reliably.

The ink tank 12 of Fig. 3 and a kind of existing equipment of 4 expressions, it has a shell 24, and the fluid reservoir 22 (Fig. 1) that is used for storage ink 19 is housed in this shell.Shell 24 has the protecgulum 50 and the bonnet 52 that is fixed on the rear end that are fixed on front end, so-called forward and backward be for the direction when inserting the framework 38 of printing equipments with respect to ink tank 12.Protecgulum 50 has a hole 44 at its front end, and air intlet 28 and fluid issuing 30 pass this hole from holding vessel 22 and protrude (Fig. 1).Holding vessel base 26 has the end or the base plate that are pressed on the protecgulum 50, so air intlet 28 and fluid issuing 30 can protrude by hole 44.Hole 44 is surrounded by one wall 45, makes hole 44 be placed in the pit.One in the framework of ink tank 12 correct insertion printing equipments, and air intlet 28 just is connected (Fig. 1) with compressor 16 with printhead 14 respectively with fluid issuing 30.To describe in detail afterwards about air intlet 28 and fluid issuing 30.

Protecgulum 50 also has a hole 46, and the position in this hole is in the groove that wall 45 is surrounded.The base plate of base 26 or end also are exposed in the hole 46.Be provided with many smooth electric contact backing plates 54 on holding vessel base 26, its position is located in the hole 46, so as and the electronic control device 32 of the Circuits System of ink tank 12 collaborative works and printing equipment between form and be electrically connected.Contact backing plate 54 is rectangular, and is arranged in a row as the crow flies.Four contact backing plates 54 are connected with information accumulation device 34 on electric, and other four then are connected with the quantity of ink detection circuitry of describing in Fig. 1 36.In a preferred embodiment, information accumulation device 34 is a kind of semiconductor storages, and quantity of ink detection circuitry 36 then is a kind of induction checkout gear.Wall 45 helps to protect information accumulation device 34 and contacts backing plate 54, makes them not be subjected to mechanical damage.In addition, wall 45 also helps to make finger unexpectedly to reduce to minimum degree with the contact that contacts backing plate 54.Contact backing plate 54 will be described in detail when mentioning Fig. 5.

In a preferred embodiment, ink tank 12 is provided with one or more lockings and guiding

parts

58 and 60 in the both sides of its protecgulum 50.Locking is outwards protruded from the side of container 12 with guiding

parts

58 and 60, with corresponding locking and guiding parts or groove (Fig. 2) associated working on printing equipment framework 38, in the process of the framework 38 that inserts printing equipment, aim at and lead in order to help container 12.The interior ink tank of groove that locking and guiding

parts

58 and 60 also have the printing equipment framework of confirming the insertion assigned position has suitable ink parameter, for example suitable color and the function of ink type.

Side at bonnet 52 is provided with a latch shoulder 62.Corresponding latch part associated working on this latch shoulder 62 and the printing equipment part is fixed on 38 li of the frameworks of printing equipment to ink tank 12, so that compressed air, fluid and electric being connected can be finished in reliable mode.Latch shoulder 62 is a kind of molded tang, and it extends downwards with respect to gravimetric(al) coordinates system.Ink tank 12 residing positions shown in Fig. 4 are to insert the interior position of printing equipment framework 38 (Fig. 2) for the Z axle along coordinate system 64.On this direction, act on gravity on the ink tank 12 along Y-axis.

Fig. 5 represents the enlarged drawing of electric contact backing plate 54.A upright ways 72 has been installed at close contact backing plate 54 places at base 26.Electric contact backing plate 54 comprises two pairs of contact backing plates 78, and each links to each other with the quantity of ink testing circuit 36 shown in Fig. 1 to backing plate.Isolated four contact backing plates 80 are connected with information accumulation device 34 on electric between two pairs of contact backing plates 78.Each detects the position that contacts backing plate 78 all contacts backing plate 54 above-mentioned this row the outside to quantity of ink.Contact backing plate 78 is to be installed in a flexible circuit 82 (seeing Figure 13) on the base plate 56 with securing member 84.Four middle contact backing plates 80 that detect between the contact backing plate 78 at two pairs of quantity of ink are arranged on idioelectric substrate 86, for example the metal conducting layer on the substrate of epoxy resin and glass fibre making.Storage device 34 also is installed on the substrate 86, and is used in the circuit (not shown) connection of the conduction that forms on the substrate 86.Storage device 34 shown in the figure is used layer protective layer, and for example epoxy encapsulation is got up.Boning with binding agent with contacting backing plate 80 opposing backside surface of substrate 86 perhaps is connected on the base 26 with securing member 84.

Can see that from Fig. 6 above-mentioned ways 72 is that the Z axle in the coordinate system 64 extends.Ways 72 has the sharp-pointed far-end of a taper.Ways 72 provides important guide effect, can realize good being electrically connected when guaranteeing that ink tank 12 inserts the framework 38 of printing equipments.Fig. 7 represents to be fixed on the ink tank socket of receiving terminal 89 or accepts ink tank 12 in the slotted hole 88, and above-mentioned receiving terminal is in the framework 38 of printing equipment.The mark 90 of ink tank can be placed on each ink tank socket 88 near.The mark 90 of ink tank can be the tinctorial pattern or the look basis of expression ink color, to help the user the identical ink tank 12 of color is inserted in the slotted hole 88 suitable in the ink tank receiving terminals 89.As mentioned above, locking shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 and guiding

parts

58 and 60 have prevented from ink tank 12 is installed in the wrong slotted hole 88.Ink tank 12 is installed in the wrong socket 88 can causes blend of colors, perhaps dissimilar inks is mixed, that a kind of situation all will cause inferior print quality.

In the ink tank receiving terminal 89 each is accepted slotted hole 88 all locking and guiding elongated slot 92 and lock part 94.Locking and guiding elongated slot 92 and above-mentioned locking and guide elements 60 (see figure 3) collaborative works import ink tank 12 in the ink tank receiving terminal 88.Locking on above-mentioned locking and guiding elongated slot 92 and the ink tank 12 and the expression in the drawings of the situation of guide elements 58 (Fig. 3) collaborative work.Lock part 94 is designed to and can meshes with the corresponding latch feature 62 on the ink tank 12.The geometry of locking in each socket 88 and guiding elongated slot 92 has nothing in common with each other, to guarantee ink tank and to accept compatibility between the socket.

Fig. 8 represents is that an independent ink tank in ink tank receiving terminal 89 is accepted elongated slot 88.Elongated slot 88 has and is used for the coupling part that is connected with ink tank 12.In the preferred embodiment, these coupling parts comprise 98, one air outlet slits 96 of a fluid inlet and an electric connecting member 100.These connectors 96,98 and 100 all are positioned on the floating platform 102, this platform by helical spring 101 (seeing Figure 10 A) along the Z axial compression to mounted ink tank 12.Fluid inlet 98 and air outlet slit 96 be used for be separately positioned on ink tank 12 on corresponding fluid issuing 30 be connected with air intlet 28 (Fig. 3).Above-mentioned electric connecting member 100 is used for being connected with electric contact backing plate 54 on the ink tank 12.

By means of in the locking on the ink tank 12 and guiding

parts

58 and 60 and the corresponding locking of correct insertion process guiding in ink tank receiving terminal 89, that be ink tank and the interaction of guiding elongated slot 92, just can finish being connected of ink tank 12 and printing equipment framework 38.In addition, the sidewall of each elongated slot 88 in ink tank receiving terminal 89 engages with the respective side walls of ink tank 12, so that assist the guiding and the aligning of ink tank 12 in the process of ink tank 12 insertion elongated slots 88.

Fig. 9 and Figure 10 A further illustrate the details of above-mentioned floating platform 102.Platform 102 is accepted the side of elongated slot 88 pressurize in the opposite direction (Figure 10 A) by helical spring 101 towards inserting ink tanks with ink tank 12.So platform 102 is just pressed to mechanical constraint device (not shown), this limiter limits the motion of platform 102 on X, Y and Z axle.Therefore, platform can only carry out the motion of limited extent on X, the Y of coordinate system 64 and Z axle.

Electrical cnnector 100 is by the boss supporting that protrudes from platform 102.Electrical cnnector 100 is generally rectangle, has above 107, one of two sides and below one, and a far-end 105.From far-end 105 protrude many resilient, with spring loaded electrical contact 104.Electrical contact 104 is filamentous assemblies, and they contact with corresponding electrical contact 54 (Fig. 3) on being contained in ink tank 12, is electrically connected so that the electronic control device 32 (Fig. 1) of the electric part of ink tank 12 and printing equipment is formed.Electrical cnnector 100 has a gathering sill 106 at its upper surface.Wall with ways 72 (seeing Fig. 5 and Figure 10 B) convergence collaborative work, relative is arranged on the gathering sill 106.Ways 72 engages with gathering sill 106, so that make contact 104 and contact backing plate 54 and correctly aim at.Figure 10 B has represented contact backing plate 54 and electrical contact 104 correct situations of aiming at.

See also Fig. 9 and Figure 10 A, wherein, fluid inlet 98 and air outlet slit 96 protrude from platform 102.Fluid inlet 98 comprises an ink feed sleeve 110 round a hollow needle 108.Pin 108 has a hole at its far-end.Collar 111 with sealing and slidably mode be enclosed within on the pin 108.A spring 113 forces the collar 111 urged distal, seals above-mentioned hole.Air outlet slit 96 has an air supply sleeve 114 that surrounds a hollow needle 112.

See also Figure 10 A, ink outlet 30 is outward extending circle tube members, at its far-end separator 122 is arranged one.A narrow slit that is used to hold pin 108 is arranged on the separator 122.In a preferred embodiment, in ink outlet 30, be provided with a check valve, to prevent that ink leakage comes out before inserting pin 108 with ball 124 and spring 126.The position of ball 124 faces separator 122, and by pin 108 it is pushed away separator 122.Air intlet 28 also is a circle tube member, has the separator 128 that has a narrow slit together.

As Figure 11 A, 11B and shown in Figure 14, shell 24 is the members that integral body is rectangular, at its front end a columnar neck 130 is arranged.Base 26 is disks that insert and be sealed in the neck 130, and the front of base 26 flushes with the frame of neck 130.Holding vessel 22 is a kind of holding vessels that can shrivel, for example the pocket that can shrivel that is contained in shell 24 inside.Opening and base 26 on the holding vessel 22 are tightly connected.Base 26 defines the chamber that is used for holding vessel 22 together with shell 24 and lid 50,52.Shell 24 is airtight, forms a compression chamber 132 in the space round holding vessel 22.Air intlet 30 communicates with compression chamber 132.See also Figure 12, fixing the stiffener 134 of rigidity on two opposed outer surface of holding vessel 22, the shell 24 of ink tank 12 is sealed to the relative outside of flexible holding vessel 22, thereby plays pressure vessel.During use, holding vessel 22 pressurizations of the pressure of shell 24 to shriveling.

On two of flexible circuit 82 relative pins, form two quantity of ink induction sensor coils 36.Each coil 36 all has two lead-in wires 138 (Figure 13) on the pair of contact that is connected above-mentioned some sensor contact 78 (see figure 3)s.Two coils 36 lay respectively at the relative both sides of holding vessel 22.When they and printing equipment 10 connected, controller 32 just provided a time-varying current signal to one of them coil 36.Time-varying current just induces a voltage on another coil 36, its size is difference with the variation of distance between two coils 36.When using ink, two relative sidewall sections of holding vessel 22 just to pressing together, change the electromagnetic coupled of this a pair of coil or mutual inductance.Controller 32 detects the variation of this coupling, and the result just can derive quantity of ink.In addition, when loading onto ink tank 12, whether controller 32 can also be electrically connected and carry out continuous detection by means of existing between two of the coil contact backing plates of determining in leading to coil 36 54.

Each ink tank 12 all has unique situation relevant with ink tank, and this situation is represented by the data that information accumulation device 34 is provided.This data offer printing equipment 10 by ink tank 12 automatically by storage device 34, do not need the user to reconfigure printing equipment 10 for the specific ink tank of being installed 12.Storage device 34 has a protected part, and write-once part and one repeatedly write/the cancellation part.When ink tank 12 was packed printing equipment 10 into for the first time, controller 32 was just read the information of this ink tank, the identity of manufacturer for example, the identification marker of part, the various constants of device, service mode and ink feed amount.Printing equipment 10 is powered to a coil 36, and reads the voltage of primary reception coil from another (reception) coil 36.This primary reception coil voltage of sending here from receiving coil 36 is the feature of the full up state of ink tank 12.Then, the electronic control device of printing equipment the reference record of the feature of primary reception coil on the protected part of storage device 34.Then, the electronic control device of printing equipment is founded a write protection feature, remains unchanged with the information in the protected part of confirming storage device.

Above-mentioned write-once is partly for can only controlled device 32 writing memory portion once.Above-mentionedly repeatedly write/the cancellation part then can repeatedly write and cancellation.These two parts all store the data relevant with current quantity of ink.Write the data that too much data just can be used to erase previous storage in this section.

When ink tank 12 was inserted printing equipment 10, controller 32 was just read parameter information from storage device 34 various control printing functions.For example, controller 32 can utilize the parameter information of storage device 34 to calculate roughly excess ink.It is less than the threshold value of minimum ink as the surplus of China ink, just will represent that the information of this situation offers the user.In addition, when the quantity of ink in the ink tank 12 was lower than threshold value, controller 32 just can stop the work of printing equipment 10, prevented that printhead 14 from working under the state of ink feed not having.The reliability of printhead 14 work when not having ink can reduction printhead perhaps causes printhead 14 catastrophic damages.

During operation, controller 32 is read original quantity of ink from the storage device 34 that is installed in ink tank 12 information.Along with the print procedure ink inside is used, monitor the reserves of ink by controller 32, storage device 34 then upgrade institute's memory with ink tank 12 in the relevant information of surplus.After this, controller 32 is monitored the quantity of ink that can carry in the ink tank 12 by storage device 34.In a preferred embodiment, utilize the data wire of an independent ground connection, between printing equipment 10 and storage device 34, transmit data in a tandem mode.

In a preferred embodiment; quantity of ink information comprises following content: (1) writes the original supply scale data of protecting in the part at memory; (2) be stored in rough quantity of ink data in the write-once part of memory, and (3) be stored in memory write/remove partly in accurate quantity of ink data.Original supply scale data can be indicated the ink that can carry that was present in originally in the ink tank 12.

Rough quantity of ink data comprise the bit of many write-onces, and each such bit is corresponding with some part of the ink that can carry in being present in ink tank 12 originally.In first preferred embodiment, eight rough quantity of ink bits each be present in ink tank 12 originally in the ink that can carry 1/8th corresponding.In second preferred embodiment that will describe afterwards, seven rough quantity of ink bits each be present in ink tank 12 originally in the ink that can carry 1/8th corresponding, rough quantity of ink bit is corresponding with the condition of using up with ink in addition.But,, also can use more or less rough bit according to the required precision of rough quantity of ink calculator.

Accurately the quantity of ink data are represented by an accurate bit binary number, but it be present in ink tank 12 originally in the delivered ink water yield 1/8th in portion be directly proportional.Therefore, all accurately bit binary number equals a rough quantity of ink bit, and this point will describe in detail below.

Printing equipment 10 is read original supply scale data, and calculates the quantity of ink of carrying that is present in originally in the ink tank 12.The size of the ink droplet that is gushed out by printhead 14 is determined according to parameter by printing equipment 10.The size of the quantity of ink carried of utilization in ink tank 12 and the ink droplet of the printhead 14 that estimates, printing equipment 10 just can calculate the share in the shared former ink delivery amount that begins of each ink droplet.Like this, printing equipment 10 just can be monitored the share that remains in the original quantity of ink of carrying in the ink tank 12.

In print procedure, the ink droplet number that printing equipment 10 is kept equals the ink droplet number that sprayed by printhead 14.After printing equipment 10 prints sub-fraction, one page normally, it just becomes the ink droplet number conversion accurate bit-binary quantity.This conversion using this fact, that is, but 1/8th of the original delivered ink water yield corresponding in whole accurate bit binary number and the ink tank 12.Because each rough ink level bit is in the write-once part of storage device 34, these bits and corresponding ink level value can not change, so accurately bit binary value is carried out once increment or decrement completely at every turn, printing equipment 10 writes and one of setting coarse quantity of ink bit.

Printing equipment 10 is periodically inquired about rough and accurate quantity of ink bit, but to determine to remain in the share of the original ink delivery in the ink tank 12.Then, printing equipment 10 can provide one " gas meter " or other index signals to the user of printing equipment 10, with the quantity of ink in the expression ink tank 12.In a preferred embodiment, when the 6th rough quantity of ink bit was set, above-mentioned printing equipment just sent " low quantity of ink caution signal ".Equally, in a preferred embodiment, when the ink in the ink tank 12 exhausted basically, this printing equipment was just set out the 8th (last) rough quantity of ink bit.This last rough quantity of ink bit is called as " ink is used up " bit.When the rough quantity of ink bit of inquiry, above-mentioned printing equipment is used up bit to the ink of " setting " and is interpreted as " ink is used up " state in the ink tank 12.

Just in the second stage that ink uses, quantity of ink is just detected by induction sensor coil 36 (Figure 12).In the phase I, accurate and rough counter all uses.Precision counter at storage device 34 partly calculates and the recording ink water droplet.When precision counter reaches complete increment or decrement each time, just set the bit of another coarse counter.In second stage, only use quantity of ink sensor coil 36.From receiving coil 36 output voltages, and compare with the represented magnitude of voltage of the parameter in being recorded in storage device 34.Writing/eliminating and note the voltage output value of indication parameter in the part at memory.Follow-up each time reading all compares with original reading, as a kind of error Verification Technology, so that can detect the fault of coil.

In printing equipment 10, the transmission of data is to carry out on the signal data line of ground connection in the mode that is connected in series between printing equipment 10 and the storage device 34.As mentioned above, when the ink in the ink tank 1 was used up, storage device 34 has just stored can indicate its original and data current state.Printing equipment 10 is revised storage device 34, so that its indication amount of ink remaining.Most of or when all exhausting basically, printing equipment 10 just is modified as storage device 34 signal that can allow ink tank 12 that " ink is used up " is provided when the ink that can carry.Printing equipment 10 also can be reacted with the printing that stops with ink tank 12.At this moment, the user can insert a new ink tank 12 or the ink tank of the renovation according to the present invention.

After ink used up, if container 12 is refilled, then this container can be done further use potentially.But 12 of these ink tanks are made single and are used, because before being refilled, the information that is stored in storage device is only represented originally in the holding vessel China and Mexico water yield.If the receptacle filling also is installed on the printer once more, then the data in the storage device 34 still indicate container by the quantity of ink before being refilled.The low quantity of ink warning that this storage device 34 sends is owing to become inaccurate and meaningless to the user.The user will be deprived various benefits and be made memory-aided security.The result makes holding vessel should not be used to refill.The present invention comes a kind of method and apparatus that reuses these ink tanks 12 is described with reference to Figure 14-16.

With reference to Figure 14, there is shown the method that is used to renovate ink tank 12 of the present invention.Step 170 shown in this method starts from promptly provides an ink tank 12 that is drained to the original ink of small part.This ink tank 12 is by being used up the one or more ink jet-print heads 14 of providing ink.Ink offer printhead 14 during, the storage device 34 that links to each other with ink tank 12 just is updated information, to determine the residual ink amount in the ink tank 12.

Shown in step 172, a new black source that is different from original ink is supplied to fluid issuing 30, to refill fluid reservoir 22.When filling ink, fluid reservoir 22 expands, with displacing pressure chamber 132.Be the pressure in the release pressure chamber 132, air is emitted by air intlet 28, shown in step 174.In step 176, storage device 34 quits work, thereby this storage device 34 does not provide the signal of indication emptying state to printing equipment 10.In step 178, provide new indication signal source that increases quantity of ink in fluid reservoir 22.In a preferred embodiment, after refilling step 172, this new signal source the increase that can be used for printing is shown quantity of ink.In step 180, ink tank 12 is reinstalled at last, sets up fluid, air and be electrically connected between this ink tank 12 and printing equipment 10.Fresh ink in the holding vessel 22 that refills is supplied with printhead 14 by pipeline 20 then.In addition, this new signal source also is that the electronic control device 32 of printing equipment is used, and the information of the new ink printed that can provide with step 172 is provided can for the electronic control device 32 of printing equipment.

Now, show the method and apparatus (step 172 of Figure 14 and 174) of understanding filling ink container 12 among the figure referring to Figure 15 and 16.Be renovation ink tank 12, load onto new ink for the storage tank 22 that shrivels.When ink new in the filling, holding vessel 22 expands the air between displacing pressure container 24 and the holding vessel.For avoiding to pressure chamber 132 pressurizations and maximum ink flowrate being arranged, set up 132 air flow paths to pressure vessel 24 outsides from the chamber by air intlet 28.

When ink was introduced into into ink tank 12, seal 124 was shifted to a unsealed position from the sealing station that it contacts with separator 122.The sealing part is to make linear displacement and enter hollow boss 123 at the distal direction that leaves liquid outlet 30.Meanwhile, in this separator, set up an opening or passage by radial displacement separator 122.One of method of setting up opening or passage is to insert just like the hollow pipe of hollow needle and so on by separator 122, makes this hollow pipe with the seal linear displacement and make separator 122 radial displacements.Next between ink source and holding vessel, set up ink stream.Then ink from the passage of black source separator 122, by seal 124, pass boss 123 and flow to holding vessel 22.Flow for strengthening ink, can pressurize ink source.

In order during filling, promptly to remove the air in the pressure chamber 132, in this separator, set up an opening or passage by means of the radial displacement of separator 128.One of method of setting up opening or passage is to insert just like the hollow pipe of hollow needle and so on by separator 128.Next be to set up air stream, make and pass boss 129, flow to the air trapping district by the opening the separator 128 from the air stream of pressure chamber 132.In various selections, this air trapping district can be the atmosphere or a vacuum source of outside.The vacuum source that is applied to pressure chamber will further improve the ink stream when refilling holding vessel 22.

Refer now to Figure 16, show an one exemplary embodiment that refills device of ink tank 12.The used adapter 140 that refills preferably has an into black sleeve 142 and an exhaust sleeve 144.Advance black sleeve 142 and exhaust sleeve 144 for having the tube-like piece that the lower end is opened wide, be used for being inserted in slidably at ink outlet 30 and air intlet 28.Advance black sleeve 142 and have a hollow needle 146 that is positioned at wherein, be provided with an opening 147 at its far-end.One sealing ring 148 engages hermetically with pin 146, and in a closing position, block between opening 147 and the open position shown in Figure 16 and slide.One helical spring 150 is pressed to this closing position with sealing ring 148.One pipeline 152 is linked a holding vessel or pond 156 with pin 146.Preferably a pump 154 is linked in the pipeline 152, with under pressure from pond 156 the pumping ink.

In order to refill, adapter 140 is positioned on ink outlet 30 and the air intlet 28.Pin 147 thrusts the slit in the separator 122, and promotes ball 124 downwards and open check valve.Pin 158 thrusts the slit in the separator 128, and the gas in the pressure chamber 132 is entered in the atmosphere.Start pump 154, with the pumping into like that in the holding vessel 22 as shown by arrows of the ink in the pond 156.The air that is squeezed by the holding vessel volumetric expansion in the pressure chamber 132 enters in the atmosphere by pin 158.In case holding vessel 22 has been filled with, adapter 140 just is removed.

Except refilling of ink, also must renovate (step 176 of Figure 14 and 178) to storage device 34 (Fig. 5), make the benefit that originally provided by memory 34 still exist.The renovation of memory is in more detail at U.S. Patent application No.09/034, is described in 875, is herein incorporated this application for reference.Being positioned at former storage device 34 on the base 26 provides first data signal source of the state of the quantity of ink that shows that ink tank 12 to small part exhausts.As above described in detail, this storage device 34 comprises the rough quantity of ink data that are stored in the write-once part, and this part has been reflected the state that the quantity of ink that reduced or ink are used up by the printing equipment change.Consequently, this ink tank 12 refill the change that causes residual ink amount, and do not change the rough quantity of ink of expression.Thereby this storage device 34 can not provide the information of accurate ink remaining amount, and its reason is because the signal of unsuitable low ink state.In addition, because this filling ink not necessarily has the identical parameters indicated with storage device 34 (as forming factor, resemble density, colouring agent, solvent and additive etc.), so printing equipment 10 may not refill ink to this and carry out suitable compensation, thus can not guarantee high-quality printing.

Be renovation storage device 34, when ink tank 12 is packed into once more, cut off further communication (step 176 of Figure 14) of the data that are pre-existing in this storage device and printing equipment 10.One of method is all data of erasing in this storage device 34.This storage device 34 can be exposed to an energy source such as X ray or electric field and reach this purpose.Energy source can be removed data in the storage device 34 as enough strong words.The holding vessel of ink tank 12 is filled with then.Next storage device 34 can be reprogrammed, to reflect the parameter of this heavy filling ink container 12.When it packed printing equipment 10 into, printing equipment 10 was just to work with this ink tank 12 with the similar mode of former ink tank.

In the method for another renovation, storage device 34 is scrapped and is replaced or replace with a simulator with an essentially identical device.New storage device 34 can be a simulator or the duplicate that is essentially former storage device 34.Simulator is the electronic circuit that is equal to storage device 34 on a kind of function, is used for carrying out information interchange with printing equipment 10.Although it is simulator is equal to it on function, structurally very inequality.The part of simulator can play the function of storage, and the information of the volume, ink type, color etc. of indication holding vessel 22 can also be provided.Do not resemble former storage device 34, this simulator during such as the new ink of supply, is reset by different way.And this simulator can make and manipulable information is provided can for printing equipment 10, and do not consider the actual state in holding vessel 22 ink inside.

The new signal source that resembles simulator or new storage device and so on should be provided with the data that are used for the printing equipment proper handling.This new signal source should be able to be communicated by letter with printing equipment 10 at independent I/O circuit in the mode of serial connection.The data that provided by new signal source will be used to provide the indication of operational quantity of ink by printing equipment 10.

In a kind of renovate method of ink tank 12, first storage device 34 is removed from base 26 (Fig. 5), and substrate 86 can be levered up or remove from base 26 as a unit together with storage device 34 and contact backing plate 80.The one new substrate 86 with new storage device 34 or simulator and contact backing plate 80 can be secured to the same position that keeps original substrate 86, storage device 34 and contact backing plate 80.This new substrate 86 can be tightened up by bolt tool or glue.Needn't remove and be positioned on the flexible circuit 82 and be connected to inductance coil 36.

Perhaps, the substrate 86 that only contains one group of new contact backing plate 80 is installed on the base 26.This new storage device 34 or simulator can be placed in the other place of ink tank 12 or are connected at a distance on the new contact backing plate 80 of this group by lead.

The method of another kind of renovation is to allow original substrate 86, and storage device 34 and contact backing plate 80 still keep original position.New substrate 86 together with new storage device 34 with contact backing plate 80 be glued to former storage device 34 and the contact backing plate 80 the top.The material of substrate 86 is an electric insulation.As a result, it makes and is connected former contact backing plate 80 and former storage device 34 electric traces electric insulations in new contact backing plate 80 and former contact backing plate 80 and the original substrate 86.Former contact backing plate 80 is owing to covered by new substrate 86 and insulation and can not electrically contacting with the contact 104 (Fig. 9) of printing equipment.

In another renovate method, it is motionless that the useful part of former contact backing plate 80 keeps, and realize electrical separation with former storage device 34.In the method, the most handy sharp object such as cutter, thus pass on the direction of substrate 86 and make a kerf laterally striding across contact backing plate 80.Described otch is divided into substrate 86 and keeps and disposable portion, and this reserve part comprises the very most of of contact backing plate 80.Substrate 86 disposable portion contain storage device 34 and adjacent contact backing plate 80 smaller portions.Contacting backing plate 80 parts electric continuous path can be arranged on four terminals that this otch is used for making storage device 34 and substrate 86 remainders.Although the size of the contact backing plate 80 on substrate 86 remainders is littler than former contact backing plate 80, their size is fit to the contact 104 (Fig. 9) of printing equipment matched.

Usually, from base 26, remove the disposable portion of substrate 86, and pull down together with that part of first storage device 34 and contained contact backing plate 80.Then new storage device 34 is installed to be adjacent to the former contact backing plate 80 on the substrate portion that keeps or on, its end gives with the latter and being connected.Other is local rather than in cavity 80 (Fig. 7) also this new storage device 34 can be installed to shell 72, or even away from printing equipment 10, and be wired on the former contact backing plate 80.Perhaps, the contact backing plate 80 on the reserve part of this substrate 80 is connected on some leads that are attached to a remote simulator that is provided with or memory 34.

The present invention has some advantages.The whole bag of tricks of the ink tank that these renovation singles use can be filled with it again, thereby can use several times before being abandoned.By ink tank 12 is carried out electric renovation, make the quantity of ink that refills in the later holding vessel 22 offer printing equipment 10, make printing equipment 10 can monitor the operating position that refills ink.The displacement ink that is used to refill in some cases is different from former ink (as pigment, solvent, additive etc., or different concentration of component) probably, and then this variation can be reflected by new signal source 34.When the ink tank that has new signal source 34 is packed printing equipment 10 into, the situation that this printing equipment 10 also can remind the user to change about ink.It can be the message form that is shown by this printing equipment, or by show on the computer optical screen about the prompting of this class ink or the prompting of former ink.Whether this category information also can indicate in holding vessel 22 ink inside is original known or knockdown.

Though only illustrate and described forms of implementation more of the present invention, the one skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited thereto, and it can be made many modification and not deviate from scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. method that refills a printer ink water receptacle, described container has a can, one is arranged in the flexible storage ink tank of this shell, the one ink outlet that is communicated with this holding vessel fluid, and one with described shell and storage ink tank between the air intlet that is communicated with of space fluid, described method comprises:

(a) an ink joint fluid is engaged to communicatively above-mentioned ink outlet, this ink joint is communicated with a black source fluid;

(b) a pneumatic fitting fluid is engaged to described air intlet communicatively, is communicated with thereby this pneumatic fitting carries out fluid with the space in this shell;

(c), refill this storage ink tank with the ink in black source by the outlet of above-mentioned ink joint and ink; And

(d) air in the space between described shell and the storage ink tank is discharged by described air intlet and pneumatic fitting.

2. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein step (c) comprises that the black source with a pressurization refills this storage ink tank, and step (d) comprises when refilling storage ink tank with ink and releasing air in atmosphere.

3. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein step (d) comprises and applies a vacuum so that ink from black source and course to storage ink tank.

4. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outlet of this ink has the overhanging columnar member with a separator, and described step (a) comprises a hollow tubing conductor received black source and promote this hollow tubing conductor passes this separator.

5. method as claimed in claim 4, wherein said overhanging columnar member contains a seal that is pressed towards described separator, and step (a) also comprises when hollow tubing conductor is urged and passes separator and makes the sealing part with this hollow tubing conductor displacement.

6. method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said air intlet comprise the overhanging columnar member with a separator, and step (b) also comprises passes this separator with a hollow object.

7. method that refills a printer ink water receptacle, described container has a can, one is arranged in the flexible storage ink tank of this shell, the one ink outlet that is communicated with this holding vessel fluid, and one with described shell and storage ink tank between the air intlet that is communicated with of space fluid, described air intlet comprises the overhanging columnar member with a separator, and described method comprises:

(b) make a tube-like piece pass the separator of described air intlet, be communicated with thereby this tube-like piece carries out fluid with the space in this shell;

(c), refill this storage ink tank with the ink in the black source of pressurizeing by the outlet of above-mentioned ink joint and ink; And

(d) air in the space between described shell and the storage ink tank is discharged by described air intlet and tube-like piece, when described storage ink tank was refilled ink, described air was discharged in the atmosphere.

8. method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the outlet of this ink contains one with a check valve that is subjected to the ball of spring bias voltage, and step (a) comprises a pin spare to described ink joint is provided, and with the pin spare of this ink joint with this one-way valve opens.

9. method that refills a printer ink water receptacle, described container has a can, one is arranged in the flexible storage ink tank of this shell, the one ink outlet that is communicated with this holding vessel fluid, and one with described shell and storage ink tank between the air intlet that is communicated with of space fluid, each ink outlet and air intlet have the overhanging columnar member of a band separator, and the ink outlet also has a check valve, and ink tank has one and is connected to the storage device that is contained in the electric contact backing plate on the shell, be used for the information of the ink characteristics of relevant ink tank is passed to printing equipment, described method comprises:

(a) ink conduit is connected on the black source and pushes the separator of this ink conduit, thereby open this check valve and this ink conduit is communicated with black source fluid by the outlet of above-mentioned ink;

(b), use ink that above-mentioned storage ink tank is refilled from this China ink source by ink conduit and outlet;

(c) renovate this storage device, be used for the information of work is offered printing equipment, the latter can be operated.

10. method as claimed in claim 9 also comprises the step that the air in the space that makes between this shell and the storage ink tank disengages.

11. method as claimed in claim 9, wherein step (c) comprising:

Above-mentioned storage device was lost efficacy, make it no longer provide information to printing equipment; And

One electric device and above-mentioned ink tank are electrically connected, are used for providing job information to printer.

12. method as claimed in claim 9, wherein step (c) comprising:

Above-mentioned storage device is levered up and this storage device is removed from ink tank from ink tank, and

One second storage device is secured on this ink tank, so that workable information to be provided to printing equipment.

13. method as claimed in claim 9, wherein step (c) comprises cut-out this storage device and the above-mentioned communication that contacts backing plate, and an electric device is joined with the backing plate that contacts of this storage device, thereby provides workable information to printing equipment.

14. method as claimed in claim 9, wherein step (c) comprises to an insulated substrate and loads onto one second storage device and the second set of contact backing plate, and described substrate is secured to storage device of mentioning and the top that contacts backing plate for the first time.

15. method as claimed in claim 9, wherein step (c) comprises that wiping information all in this storage device also gives this storage device programming again.

16. method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the data of this storage device and printing equipment exchange be with respect to datum line with the serial connection mode on an independent data wire, carry out, wherein said step (c) comprising:

This storage device was lost efficacy, thereby make this storage device no longer exchange data with printing equipment; And

One electric device and this ink tank are electrically connected, when ink tank joins with printing equipment, can on the single bus of described printer, provide data in the mode that is connected in series with respect to datum line.

17. a method of renovating ink tank, described ink tank comprise a fluid issuing with separator, this container also comprises a fluid holding vessel, and described method comprises:

One sealing ball is removed from the inner surface of described separator;

Mo Yuan is connected with fluid issuing; And

Set up from black source, by described sealing ball flowing to fluid reservoir.

18. method as claimed in claim 17, wherein ink tank comprises a pressure chamber that is formed by a shell, and described method also is included in and sets up air stream between described pressure chamber and the shell exterior lateral area.

19. method as claimed in claim 18, wherein ink tank comprises that makes an air intlet that is communicated with between described pressure chamber and the shell exterior lateral area, described method comprise a conduit is connected with described air intlet and set up from pressure chamber, by the air stream of air intlet, to improve the speed that ink flows to described fluid storage jar to this conduit.

20. the ink tank of the renovation in the black printing equipment of disputing that is suitable for packing into, this ink tank comprises:

One surrounds the pressure vessel of an ink feeder, comprises in the described ink feeder to refill ink; And

The signal source that a ink tank when described renovation can make print job carry out when releasably packing printing equipment into.

21. the ink tank of renovation as claimed in claim 20, wherein ink feeder comprises a holding vessel that can shrivel, described pressure vessel limits one and surrounds the pressure chamber of this holding vessel at least a portion that can shrivel, when this holding vessel that can shrivel being refilled operation, described pressure chamber can allow air to discharge.

22. the ink tank of the renovation in the inkjet-printing device that is suitable for releasably packing into also comprises: a holding vessel that holds ink; The outlet of one fluid, this outlet has an inner surface and a seal that is pressed towards this inner surface, mode by described seal is removed from this inner surface when will refilling this fluid issuing connection of Mo Yuanyu, make to refill the ink that black source and course goes out from this and can flow into above-mentioned holding vessel, this holding vessel is refilled thereby finish by the sealing part.

23. the ink tank of renovation as claimed in claim 22 also comprises the signal source that when the ink tank of described renovation releasably inserts printing equipment print job is carried out.