TWI895927B - Expandable inkjet device with large ink supply amount - Google Patents

Abstract

An expandable inkjet device with large ink supply amount is diaclosed and includes an inkjet cartridge, a connection component and an ink supply cartridge. The inkjet cartridge includes a frame, a pressure adjusting mechanism, two ink films and two covers. The frame includes a gas opening and an ink supply channel. The gas opening and the ink supply channel penetrate and in communication with the interior of the frame, respectively. The inkjet cartridge includes an inkjet chip. The ink supply channel of the inkjet cartridge is in communication with the ink supply channel of the ink supply cartridge by the connection component. The inkjet cartridge provides a large amount of ink, and the pressure adjusting mechanism keeps the pressure inside the inkjet cartridge in specific balance, so that ink is ejected by the inkjet chip during ink supply process, and ink is not leaked when ink is not supplied.

Description

Inkjet device with large ink volume and extended ink supply

The present invention relates to an inkjet device with a large-capacity expanded ink supply. More specifically, it addresses the problem of insufficient ink supply by improving the ink supply cartridge structure, thereby enhancing the inkjet cartridge's ability to provide a large-capacity expanded ink supply.

The present invention relates to inkjet printers for applications requiring precise ink jetting, such as printed circuit board layout. In such printers, the ink storage component is typically maintained at a pressure below atmospheric pressure or at a negative pressure so that the ink does not leak or drip from the nozzles of the inkjet wafer. Various types of ink storage elements can be used, such as storage cartridges and membranes, including refillable ink storage cartridges mounted on a movable printer carriage, disposable replaceable cartridges mounted on the printer carriage, and remote or off-board ink storage assemblies from which ink is pumped to the print head via a conduit. In refillable or disposable ink cartridges on a printer, a polymer foam is typically provided in the cartridge so that the capillary action of the foam will prevent the ink from dripping from the print head. The type of polymer foam typically used for this purpose is non-biodegradable, creating an environmental problem every time a previously used ink cartridge is discarded. Furthermore, the use of industrial foam in ink cartridges limits the cartridge's operating pressure range, and such polymer foams often leave chemical residues that are incompatible or react adversely with printer inks. Consequently, the relatively long conduits used to transport ink from the backpressure regulator to the inkjet die's orifices cannot accommodate varying print pressure ranges.

However, while prior technologies, such as U.S. Patent Publication No. US5541632A, dated July 30, 1996, which discloses the structure and manufacturing method of a back-pressure regulating mechanism, and U.S. Patent Publication No. US6000791A, dated December 14, 1999, which discloses the structure and manufacturing method of a back-pressure regulating mechanism, have significantly improved ink supply efficiency, given the increasing demand in current technology and the market for reducing ink cartridge size or increasing ink supply volume, further improving the structure of inkjet cartridges with back-pressure regulating mechanisms based on traditional technologies to increase ink delivery capacity and reduce ink cartridge thickness remains an ongoing challenge. Furthermore, while the external ink storage assembly's increased ink supply and efficiency require corresponding improvements, the structure of the external ink storage assembly itself also requires significant refinement. This is primarily due to the different internal stresses within the ink cartridge and the external ink storage assembly. This can prevent the ink within the ink storage assembly from being fully supplied to the ink cartridge, resulting in intermittent ink supply. Therefore, based on the current market, existing ink cartridges with back-pressure adjustment mechanisms still have significant room for improvement.

The primary purpose of this invention is to provide an inkjet device with a large-capacity, expanded ink supply. To prevent insufficient ink supply from the ink cartridge, the ink supply process is unable to adapt to the negative pressure within the ink cartridge and supply cartridge, which affects the ink supply transmission process and the ink supply volume. The device utilizes an inkjet cartridge and supply cartridge each with a back-pressure adjustment mechanism. This maintains a certain internal pressure balance within the cartridge and supply cartridge, allowing the inkjet chip to smoothly supply ink to the nozzles when heated and preventing leakage when not in use. This further improves the conventional inkjet cartridge structure to achieve continuous, large-capacity, expanded ink supply, further enhancing the inkjet cartridge's inkjet efficiency and ink supply volume.

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the present invention provides an inkjet cartridge with an expanded back-pressure regulating mechanism, comprising: an inkjet cartridge including an inkjet chip, a frame, a back-pressure regulating mechanism, two sets of ink membranes, and two sets of outer covers. The inkjet chip is disposed outside the frame and has a plurality of nozzles connected to the interior of the frame to spray ink under heat control. The back-pressure regulating mechanism is disposed inside the frame, and the two sets of ink membranes are sealed in the outer covers. The two sides of the frame are formed to form an internal space of the frame to seal and accommodate an ink, and the two sets of the outer shell cover are sealed on the two sides of the frame to cover the two sets of the ink membrane to form the ink cartridge, wherein the frame is provided with an air hole and at least one ink supply channel respectively penetrating and connected to the interior of the frame, and the ink supply channel is used to inject the ink and store it in the interior of the frame; at least one ink supply cartridge has a frame, a back pressure adjustment mechanism, two sets of ink membranes and two sets of outer shell covers The back pressure regulating mechanism is disposed inside the frame, two sets of ink membranes are sealed on both sides of the frame to form a space inside the frame to seal and accommodate the ink, and two sets of outer shell covers are sealed on both sides of the frame to cover the two sets of ink membranes to form the ink supply cartridge, wherein the frame is provided with at least one ink supply passage that passes through and connects to the interior of the frame, and the ink supply passage is used to inject the ink and store it inside the frame; wherein the spray The ink supply channel of the ink cartridge is connected to the ink supply channel of the ink supply cartridge via a connecting assembly, enabling the inkjet cartridge to form a large-volume expanded ink supply. When the inkjet chip of the inkjet cartridge is heated, the back-pressure adjustment mechanism of the inkjet cartridge, the air hole, and the back-pressure adjustment mechanism of the ink supply cartridge are adjusted to maintain a certain internal pressure balance, allowing the inkjet chip and the nozzle to smoothly supply and eject ink, and prevent leakage when the ink is not being supplied.

To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an inkjet device with a large ink volume expansion ink supply, wherein the ink supply channels of a plurality of ink supply cartridges are interconnected through a connecting assembly to form a specific serial connection for a large ink volume expansion ink supply.

1: Ink cartridge

11: Inkjet Wafer

11a: Blowhole

12, 21: Frame

13, 22: Back pressure adjustment mechanism

13a, 22a: Side panels

13b, 22b: Bow spring

14, 23: Ink film

15, 24: Outer shell cover

16: Stoma

17, 25: Ink supply channel

2: Supply ink cartridges

3: Bolt cover

4: Connecting components

Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge of the present invention.

Figure 1B is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge of the present invention.

Figure 1C is a schematic diagram of a partial longitudinal section of the ink cartridge of the present invention.

Figure 1D is a schematic cross-sectional view of a partial section of the ink cartridge of the present invention.

Figure 2A is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge supply of the present invention.

Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of the disassembled ink cartridge of the present invention.

Figure 2C is a schematic diagram of a partial longitudinal section of the ink supply cartridge of the present invention.

Figure 2D is a schematic cross-sectional view of a partial section of the ink supply cartridge of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the connection between the ink cartridge and the ink supply cartridge of the present invention.

Embodiments that embody the features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description. It should be understood that the present invention is capable of various modifications in different aspects without departing from the scope of the present invention, and that the descriptions and illustrations herein are intended to be illustrative in nature and not to limit the present invention.

Please refer to Figures 1A and 1B. The structure of the inkjet cartridge 1 is composed of a frame 12, a back pressure regulating mechanism 13, an ink film 14 and an outer cover 15. The outside of the frame 12 is provided with an inkjet chip 11, and the inkjet chip 11 has a plurality of nozzles 11a. The back pressure regulating mechanism 13 and the ink film 14 are provided inside the frame 12. The two sides of the frame 12 can be sealed with the ink film 14 to form an internal space of the frame 12 that can be sealed to accommodate ink. The outer cover 15 is sealed on both sides of the frame 12 to shield the ink film 14 to form the structure of the inkjet cartridge 1. The nozzle 11a is provided on the outside of the frame 12. 1a is connected to the interior of the frame 12. The ink jet chip 11 is heated and controlled to eject ink. It has air holes 16 and ink supply channels 17 that penetrate the interior of the frame 12. Ink can be injected into the ink supply channel 17 to store ink within the interior of the frame 12. When ink is not being injected into the ink supply channel 17, a cap 3 can be installed to seal it and prevent ink leakage. In this embodiment of the present invention, there are two sets of ink membranes 14 and outer cover 15, one air hole 16 and one cap 3, and at least one ink supply channel 17, but the number is not limited to this.

As shown in FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D , the back pressure adjustment mechanism 13 comprises a side plate 13a and a bow spring 13b. The side plate 13a is made of a rectangular sheet with a circular arc and a specific material and a traditional process. The bow spring 13b is made of a specific material and a traditional process. The process is, for example, stainless steel metal cutting and integral molding, bonding, snap assembly and welding. The bow spring 13b is fixed to the center position of the side plate 13a. 3b can control the extension and compression of side plates 13a. This controlled extension and compression of side plates 13a transmits a force to ink membrane 14, allowing the internal pressure of the ink storage space within frame 12 to be adjusted to maintain a certain internal pressure balance via back pressure adjustment mechanism 13 and air holes 16. In this embodiment of the present invention, there are two sets of side plates 13a. Both side plates 13a and bow spring 13b are made of stainless steel by cutting and welding. The number and manufacturing process are not limited to this.

Please refer to Figure 2A and Figure 2B. The structure of the ink supply cartridge 2 is composed of a frame 21, a back pressure regulating mechanism 22, an ink membrane 23 and an outer cover 24. The back pressure regulating mechanism 22 and the ink membrane 23 are arranged inside the frame 21. The two sides of the frame 21 can be sealed with the ink membrane 23 to form an internal space of the frame 21 that can be sealed to accommodate ink. The outer cover 24 is sealed on both sides of the frame 21 to shield the ink membrane 23 to form a supply The ink cartridge 2 has an air hole 16 and an ink supply channel 25 extending through the interior of the frame 21. Ink can be injected into the ink supply channel 25, allowing the interior of the frame 21 to store ink. When the ink supply channel 25 is not filled with ink, a latch 3 can be installed to seal it and prevent ink leakage. In this embodiment of the present invention, there are two sets of ink membranes 23 and outer cover 24, and at least one ink supply channel 17, but the number is not limited to this.

Please refer to Figures 2C and 2D. The structure of the back pressure adjustment mechanism 22 is composed of a side plate 22a and a bow spring 22b. The side plate 22a is made of a rectangular sheet with a circular arc and a specific material and a traditional process. The bow spring 22b is made of a specific material and a traditional process. The process of the side plate 22a and the bow spring 22b is, for example, stainless steel metal cutting and integral molding, bonding, snap assembly and welding. The bow spring 22b is fixed to the center of the side plate 22a. Position, bow spring 22b can extend or compress control side plate 22a. The controlled extension and compression of side plate 22a transmits a force to ink membrane 23, allowing the internal pressure of the ink storage space within frame 21 to be adjusted via back pressure adjustment mechanism 22 and air hole 16 to maintain a certain internal pressure balance. In this embodiment of the present invention, there are two sets of side plates 22a. Both side plates 22a and bow spring 22b are made of stainless steel by cutting and welding. The number and manufacturing process are not limited to this.

Please refer to Figure 3. This case provides a structure of an inkjet device with a large ink volume and extended ink supply. The ink supply channel 17 of the inkjet cartridge 1 and the ink supply channel 25 of the inkjet cartridge 2 are connected through a connecting assembly 4. The connecting assembly 4 is a conduit. When the inkjet chip 11 is heated and controlled, the internal ink stored in the frames 12 and 21 of the inkjet cartridge 1 and the ink supply cartridge 2 is guided to flow through the ink supply channels 17 and 25. The internal pressure is kept level by adjusting the back pressure adjustment mechanism 13 and 22 and the air hole 16. Balanced ink flow ensures smooth ink delivery to the multiple nozzles 11a. When the inkjet chip 11 is not under heat control, the ink supply channels 17 and 25 are connected by the aforementioned connecting assembly 4, preventing ink leakage from the multiple nozzles 11a. Furthermore, the connecting assembly 4 can be used to connect at least one ink supply channel 25 of one ink cartridge 2 with at least one ink supply channel 25 of another ink cartridge 2, forming a specific serial ink supply arrangement. The ink supply arrangements include horizontal serial arrangement and vertical serial arrangement.

In summary, the present invention provides an inkjet device with a large-capacity, expanded ink supply. This device solves the problems of smooth ink supply when the inkjet cartridge's inkjet chip is thermally controlled, while preventing leakage, dripping, and insufficient ink supply when thermally uncontrolled. A back-pressure adjustment mechanism maintains a constant internal pressure balance within the inkjet cartridge and the supply cartridge's housing. Through a connecting assembly, the inkjet cartridge achieves a large-capacity, expanded ink supply. By interconnecting the supply cartridges, the ink supply can be multiplied. This further multiplying the ink supply, this inkjet device assembly structure with a large-capacity, expanded ink supply, is highly productive.

1: Ink cartridge 11a: Nozzle 13, 22: Back pressure adjustment mechanism 16: Air hole 17, 25: Ink supply channel 2: Ink supply cartridge 3: Bolt cap 4: Connector assembly

Claims (7)

An inkjet device with a large ink volume and extended ink supply comprises: An inkjet cartridge comprising an inkjet chip, a frame, a backpressure regulating mechanism, two sets of ink membranes, and two sets of outer covers. The inkjet chip is disposed outside the frame and has a plurality of nozzles communicating with the interior of the frame. The frame is heated to control the ejection of ink through the nozzles. The backpressure regulating mechanism is disposed within the frame, and the two sets of ink membranes are sealed to two sides of the frame. The interior of the frame is sealed to accommodate the ink. Two sets of outer covers are sealed on both sides of the frame and cover the two sets of ink membranes to form the ink cartridge. The frame is provided with an air hole and at least one ink supply channel. The air hole and the at least one ink supply channel respectively penetrate the interior of the frame, and the ink is injected through the ink supply channel and stored within the frame; and At least one ink supply cartridge comprises a frame, a back-pressure adjustment mechanism, two sets of ink membranes, and two sets of outer covers. The back-pressure adjustment mechanism is disposed within the frame. The two sets of ink membranes are sealed to two sides of the frame to seal the interior of the frame, allowing the frame to contain the ink. The two sets of outer covers are sealed to two sides of the frame and shield the two sets of ink membranes to form the ink supply cartridge. The frame is provided with the at least one ink supply channel, which passes through the at least one ink supply channel and communicates with the interior of the frame. The ink is injected through the ink supply channel and stored within the frame. The ink supply channel of the inkjet cartridge is connected to the ink supply channel of the ink supply cartridge via a connecting assembly, enabling the inkjet cartridge to form a large-volume expanded ink supply. When the inkjet chip of the inkjet cartridge is heated, the back-pressure adjustment mechanism of the inkjet cartridge, the air hole, and the back-pressure adjustment mechanism of the ink supply cartridge are adjusted to maintain a certain internal pressure balance, allowing the inkjet chip's nozzles to eject ink and preventing leakage when ink is not being supplied. An inkjet device with a large ink volume expansion ink supply as described in claim 1, wherein the ink supply channel of the inkjet cartridge and the ink supply channel of the supply ink cartridge are each provided with a bolt cover to seal and prevent the ink from leaking when they are not connected. As described in claim 1, the inkjet device with a large ink volume and extended ink supply, wherein the back pressure adjustment mechanism of the inkjet cartridge and the ink supply cartridge respectively has two sets of side plates and a bow spring, and the bow spring is fixed between the two sets of side plates, causing the two sets of side plates to expand and contract when pressurized, allowing the internal pressure of the ink inside the frame of the inkjet cartridge and the ink supply cartridge to be adjusted. The inkjet device with large ink volume expansion ink supply as described in claim 1, wherein the ink supply channels of multiple ink supply cartridges form a specific serial connection large ink volume expansion ink supply method through the connecting component. An inkjet device with a large amount of ink expansion supply as described in claim 4, wherein the specific serial large amount of ink expansion supply method is a row of longitudinal serial arrangement. An inkjet device with a large ink volume expansion ink supply as described in claim 4, wherein the specific serial large ink volume expansion ink supply method is a row of horizontal serial arrangement. An inkjet device with a large ink volume expansion ink supply as described in claim 1 or 4, wherein the connecting component is a conduit.