The application is to be dividing an application of on October 22nd, 2010 and the application 201080069743.4 that is called " fluid box " applying date.
The specific embodiment
In the following detailed description, with reference to accompanying drawing.Embodiment in described explanation and accompanying drawing is considered to be illustrative, and does not think to be limited to described specific embodiment or element.From following explanation and/or accompanying drawing by modification, the combination of some element or change and can obtain a plurality of embodiment.In addition, will also be appreciated that may be concrete disclosed other embodiment or element can be obtained from this explanation and accompanying drawing by those skilled in the art.
In this is described, can be with reference to the three dimensions that comprises X, Y and Z axis.The one dimension of box 3 inserts and discharges direction and is parallel to Y-axis.Y-axis is also referred to as straight line Y.
Fig. 1 and 2 shows fluid injection system 1.Fluid injection system 1 comprises fluid ejection apparatus 2 and fluid box 3.Fluid ejection apparatus 2 can comprise printer.Printer can be ink-jet printer, for example hot ink-jet, piezoelectric ink jet or continous inkjet printers.Fluid ejection apparatus 2 comprises one or more reception structures 4, for receiving and exchange one or more corresponding fluid boxes 3.Each box 3 of same fluid ejection apparatus 2 can comprise different fluid.If fluid ejection apparatus 2 is printers, the fluid in each box 3 can comprise the China ink of particular color, for example cyan, reddish violet, yellow, black and/or grey so.Box 3 is arranged to respect to corresponding reception structure 4 exchanges.
Receiving structure 4 is arranged to box 3 to be connected to printhead 5.Fluid supply apparatus 6 is arranged to receive fluid from corresponding box 3, and fluid is flowed to printhead 5.In the embodiment shown, receive structure 4 and box 3 off-axis setting when mounted.Printhead 5 can comprise page width array head (PWA) or scanning and printing head.Receiving structure 4 is arranged to set up between box 3 and printhead 5 by the fluid interface of fluid supply apparatus 6.During printing, print media 7 is extended below printhead 5.(not shown), receives structure 4 and box 3 and is arranged in scan axis when mounted in other embodiments.In other embodiments, box 3 comprises monoblock type printhead, and wherein, fluid displacement and printhead are formed integral in a box feeding mechanism, to be connected to, receives structure 4.
Fluid ejection apparatus 2 is provided with control circuit 8 and memory 9.Fluid box 3 is provided with box circuit 10, for example, comprise box memory 11.Control circuit 8 is arranged to obtain data from box circuit 10.Data comprise some box characteristic, for example product performance, fluid type characteristic and/or amount of fluid characteristic.
Fig. 3 shows and receives structure 4 and the position of fluid box 3 before or after just installing.When (Fig. 7) is installed, receive the total interface interconnection of structure 4 and fluid box 3.Receive the slit opening that structure 4 can comprise that box 3 inserts.A part for reception structure 4 can be arranged to guide box 3 and be connected with guiding piece 17, to move along straight line Y.Arrow A represents that box 3 is represented by Y-axis along one dimension straight line Y() insertion move.Once fluid box 3 engages with guiding piece 17, it inserts to move and is substantially limited in moving along straight line Y.In principle, along guiding piece 17, inserting and between expulsive stage, along Z and X-axis, there is no movement and there is no the in rotary moving of box 3.Yet technical staff will understand, can allow at box 3 and for example receive structure 4(, guiding piece 17) interface material in a certain amount of gap, surplus or tolerance.In one embodiment, off-axis surplus is about 3 millimeters or less in the direction perpendicular to straight line Y, and is about 3 ° or less around straight line Y or Z axis or X-axis.These surpluses still can allow box 3 to be suitably connected to and receive structure 4.
Receive structure 4 and comprise two fluid interfaces.Fluid interface comprises a first fluid pen 12 and a second fluid pen 13.First fluid can be printing-fluid, for example China ink.Second fluid can be gas, for example air.Pen 12,13 is arranged to set up fluid with corresponding the first and second box fluid interfaces and is connected.The first and second box fluid interfaces can comprise respectively the first and second sockets 14,15.Pen 12,13 has respectively central axis C 1, the C2 that is parallel to Y-axis.(not shown), receives structure 4 and only has a fluid interface, for example pen in one embodiment.(not shown), receives structure 4 and has more than two such fluid interfaces in another embodiment.
In an embodiment, first fluid pen 12 comprises writing brush.First fluid pen 12 has relatively little diameter at its mouth 16 places.First fluid pen 12 has longitudinal shape.First fluid pen 12 has frustoconical shape.First fluid pen 12 can be made by molded plastics.Receive structure 4 and comprise guiding piece 17, for box 3 being guided to Y along one-dimensional square when inserting and discharge.Guiding piece 17 can be longer than first fluid pen 12 or at least have about equal length, so that pen 12 suitably inserts in respective socket 14, and prevents pen 12 fractures or crooked when inserting or discharge.This allows pen 12 to be made by relatively cheap molded plastics.
In an embodiment, second fluid pen 13 comprises gas interface, for controlling the pressure of the internal capacity of fluid box 3.Gas can comprise surrounding air.In other embodiments, second fluid pen 13 is arranged to be connected to the pressure bag in the internal capacity that the second socket-shaped fluid interface 15, the second socket-shaped fluid interfaces 15 can be connected to box 3 then.Second fluid pen 13 has longitudinal shape.Second fluid pen 13 has frustoconical shape.Second fluid pen 13 can be made by molded plastics.Guiding piece 17 can be longer than second fluid pen 13 or at least have about equal length, so that second fluid pen 13 suitably inserts in corresponding second fluid interface 15, and prevents second fluid pen 13 fractures or crooked when inserting or discharge.This allows pen 13 to be made by relatively cheap molded plastics.
Guiding piece 17 and/or corresponding guiding interface are by the insertion of box 3 and discharge mobile restriction at one dimension.This allows relatively to grow and dark the corresponding interface 12,13 and 14,15.Corresponding pen 12,13 can have the length of at least 5 millimeters or at least 10 millimeters.Respective socket 14,15 can have the degree of depth of at least about 3 millimeters or at least about 5 millimeters or about 10 millimeters.
In an embodiment, receive structure 4 and comprise connector circuit 18, for the control circuit of fluid ejection apparatus 28 and box circuit 19 are interconnected.In Fig. 3, show the rear side of connector circuit 18.In Fig. 4, the embodiment of connector circuit 18 has been shown in the plane being formed by X and Z axis.Connector circuit 18 comprises connector electrode 20.Electrode 20 can be along being approximately parallel to Z axis and extending perpendicular to the line P of straight line Y.When box 3 inserts or discharges along straight line Y, box circuit 19 moves along electrode 20, until they connect.Connector circuit 18 is arranged in the direction B horizontal with respect to straight line Y and is laterally connected to box circuit 19.In the accompanying drawings, horizontal direction B is parallel to X-axis.In the installation situation of box 3, connector circuit 18 and box circuit 19 extend each other adjacently, from the moving direction along straight line Y, can find out.In the embodiment shown, electrode 20 comprises pin.Connector electrode 20 is arranged to move with horizontal direction B.Electrode 20 can comprise the elastic component towards box circuit 19 bias voltages, to be electrically connected to.During box 3 inserts, electrode 20 promotes backward by box circuit 19.During inserting, connector electrode 20 can slide on box circuit 19, until box 3 is locked in reception structure 4 and electrode 20 is set up suitable contact with corresponding box circuit 19.Meanwhile, elastic component promotes electrode 20 against circuit 19, to be better electrically connected to.When box 3 is discharged again, electrode 20 is because elastic force outwards moves again.
Fluid ejection apparatus 2 can comprise at least two different keyed jointing interfaces 22 that receive.In an embodiment, each receives structure 4 and is provided with a specific reception keyed jointing interface 22 different from other reception keyed jointing interface 22 of other reception structure 4.Receive keyed jointing interface 22 corresponding to specific ink color, for example cyan, reddish violet, yellow or black.In an embodiment, fluid ejection apparatus 2 comprises the specific reception keyed jointing interface 22 for each particular fluid box 3.In an embodiment, fluid ejection apparatus 2 comprises and receives structures 2 with four of four corresponding reception keyed jointing interfaces 22, and each is corresponding with the fluid box 3 of particular color with corresponding box keyed jointing interface 24.
Fluid ejection apparatus 2 comprises and receives structure 4, receives structure 4 and has the reception keyed jointing interface 22 of being arranged to allow to be connected to the box 3 with coupling keyed jointing interface 24, and prevent and be provided with the not fluid box 3 of matching box keyed jointing interface 24 and be connected.For example, the first reception keyed jointing interface 22 comprises the first recess 23 or otch.The coupling first box keyed jointing interface 24 of corresponding box 3 comprises corresponding recess or the interface 25 be inverted, and it can't help the first reception keyed jointing interface 22 and blocks during inserting, but in insertion, have that other receives keyed jointing interface 22 other receive structure in time get clogged.Similarly, other box 3 have with the first reception keyed jointing interface 22 unmatched second, third, the 4th and/or other box keyed jointing interface 24.Other second, third, the 4th and/or receive in addition keyed jointing interface and do not mate with the first box keyed jointing interface 24.The black color that keyed jointing interface 22,24 prevents corresponding box 3 and receives structure 4 is not mated.
The keyed jointing interface 22 that receives structure 4 can arrange by adjacent connector circuit 19.The corresponding keys connection interface 24 of box 3 can arrange by adjacent box circuit 19.If keyed jointing interface 22,24 couplings, they can side direction engage, thereby circuit 18,19 can be pressed contact.If keyed jointing interface 22,24 does not mate, may not set up and electrically contact.On the one hand, if keyed jointing interface does not mate, between connector circuit 18 and box circuit 19, do not electrically contact.On the other hand, the corresponding keyed jointing interface 22,24 of reception structure 4 and box 3 contributes to the suitable contact between interconnection circuit 18,19.
Guiding piece 17 is arranged to corresponding fluid box 3 to guide along straight line Y.Guiding piece 17 is arranged to engage with the corresponding guiding interface of box 3, and for example guide rail 21.Guiding piece 17 comprises the track that is parallel to Y-axis extension.Guiding piece 17 is longer than each pen 13, to guarantee that pen 12,13 suitably aligns with respective socket 14,15.This can provide the good interconnection of not leaking and can prevent pen 12,13 distortion.Guiding piece 17 can comprise T shape track, for the corresponding guide rail 21 with box 3, engages.T shape track prevents that box 3 from rotating around mobile straight line Y and around other axle X, Z.
Receive structure 4 and comprise that breech lock arranges 26, for lock box 3.In the embodiment shown, breech lock arranges 26 and comprises breech lock 27, and breech lock 27 is arranged to be guided between the locking and unlocking position by the corresponding breech lock track 28 of box 3.Breech lock 27 can be arranged in the bottom that receives structure 4, for the bottom 35 with box 3, engages.Breech lock arranges 26 can comprise breech lock pivot 29 and pivotal arm 29B, moves, by around pivot axis L pivotable with latch enable 27 between the locking and unlocking position.In the accompanying drawings, pivot axis L, perpendicular to straight line Y, is parallel to Z axis.In an embodiment, breech lock 27 is around pivot axis L bias voltage, thereby returns to starting position after box 3 is discharged, thereby engages with corresponding breech lock rail walls.
In an embodiment, breech lock 27 comprises pin.In latched position, breech lock 27 engages with the corresponding breech lock stop part 30 of box 3.At unlocked position, breech lock 27 departs from from breech lock stop part 30, thereby box 3 can discharge from receiving structure 4.Breech lock 27 can stretch out on pivotal arm 29B top.In the installation situation of box 3, breech lock 27 stretches out in breech lock track 28, and pivot 29 and pivotal arm 29B stretch out below the bottom 34 of box 3 simultaneously.In the embodiment shown, breech lock arranges 26 and comprises the breech lock border 29C that moves of restriction breech lock 27.In an embodiment, breech lock border 29C is arranged to engage and limit with breech lock pivotal arm 29B the movement of breech lock pivotal arm 29B.In the insertion situation of box 3, breech lock border 29C extends below box 3.
Box receives structure 4 and comprises catapult-launching gear 31.Fig. 3 shows catapult-launching gear 31 after box 3 is discharged or before inserting in uncompressed state.Each receives structure 4 and comprises catapult-launching gear 31.Catapult-launching gear 31 is to be parallel to the direction bias voltage of straight line Y.Catapult-launching gear 31 can comprise spring or other flexible member, for example elastomer element.Spring can comprise helical spring.When fluid box 3 insertions and breech lock, the leading section 44 of catapult-launching gear 31 engages with the front surface 33 of box 3.In the embodiment shown, the central axis C 2 of spring equals the central axis C 2 of second fluid pen 13.Second fluid pen 13 extends in spring.Helical spring is attached to the base portion 32 of second fluid pen 13.The size of catapult-launching gear spring makes in helical spring not compressed state (Fig. 3), and box 3 can be taken out by hand.
Catapult-launching gear 31 is arranged to box 3 to release and receive structure 4.Installing and locked condition, box 3 is remained on and is received in structure 4 by breech lock 27, simultaneously compression ejection apparatus 31.Breech lock 27 can further be promoted box 3 and guide to unlocked position from latched position along straight line Y by the power of opposing compression ejection apparatus 31, as further discussed below.At unlocked position, breech lock 27 discharges boxes 3, and catapult-launching gear 31 goes compression, thus along straight line Y to leave the direction delivery cassette 3 that receives structure 4.
Fig. 5 and 6 has illustrated the embodiment of fluid box 3 with perspective view.Fig. 5 clearly show that front surface 33, and Fig. 6 clearly show that basal surface 35.In the embodiment shown, fluid, electric and keyed jointing interface are arranged on front surface 33.Guiding interface, breech lock track 28 and breech lock stop part 30 are arranged on basal surface 35.
The fluid interface of box 3 comprises for the first box fluid interface of first fluid with for the second box fluid interface of second fluid.In an embodiment, first fluid comprises printing-fluid or liquid, and for example black, second fluid comprises gas, for example air.In the embodiment shown, the first and second box fluid interfaces comprise respectively the first and second sockets 14,15, be arranged to receive respectively corresponding pen 12,13 and Fluid Transport is come and gone to pen 12,13.The first socket 14 can be connected to the internal capacity of box 3.The second socket 15 can be connected to the pressure bag in the internal capacity of box 3.
The degree of depth of respective socket 14,15 approximates greatly or is shorter than the length of guiding piece 17 or guide rail 21, to receive corresponding pen 12,13 after box 3 engages with guiding piece 17, suitably aligns guaranteeing with corresponding pen 12,13.Central axis C 1, the C2 of socket 14,15 are parallel to straight line Y.In the installation situation of box 3, the central axis C 1 of socket 14,15, C2 are approximately identical with central axis C 1, the C2 of corresponding reception fluid interface 12,13.
Box 3 can be included in the catapult-launching gear alignment interface 36 on front surface 33.In an embodiment, catapult-launching gear alignment interface 36 is arranged near in box fluid interface (being set in the embodiment shown socket 14,15) and/or around.In the embodiment shown, catapult-launching gear alignment interface 36 arranges around the second socket 15, has the central axis C 2 identical with the second socket 15, and in the insertion situation of box 3, has and second 13 identical central axis C 2.In the example shown, catapult-launching gear alignment interface 36 comprises ring, for example, with around second spine of socket 15 or the shape of flange, for the inner rim of the leading section 44 with spring shape catapult-launching gear 31, engage, for aliging when engaging with box 3 and keeping catapult-launching gear 31 to put in place.
The first socket 14 comprises sealing ring 37, for receiving the first stroke 12.Sealing ring 37 comprises elastomeric material, and elastomeric material for example does not fluidly encapsulate first fluid pen 12 at least substantially thoroughly during with connection state at the first stroke 12.As further discussed below, inserting and the discharge stage, the position that pen 12 is connected for printing with pen 12 is compared and is further inwardly inserted in the first socket 14.Thereby sealing ring 37 is arranged to allow further distortion, to allow this further insertion of the first stroke 12.The interior diameter of sealing ring 37 makes its saturating the first stroke 12 that fluidly do not encapsulate divide until wider part from the narrow portion of the conical by its shape of pen 12.For example, pen 12 can have about 2.0 minimum diameter and the maximum gauge of about 2.3 millimeters along conical by its shape.In other embodiments, pen 12 can have at least about 1.5 minimum diameter and/or about 3.5 millimeters or less maximum gauge along the conical by its shape of pen 12.Other embodiment can have respectively less and/or larger diameter.
Sealing ring 37 is arranged to thoroughly fluidly not encapsulate the first stroke 12 along the major part of the length of the first stroke 12.In an embodiment, the interior diameter of sealing ring 37 is approximately 1.2 millimeters.Depend on pen 12 diameter, in other embodiments, the interior diameter of sealing ring 37 can about 0.6 and about 3.0 millimeters between.When pen 12 slides through sealing ring 37, the interior diameter of sealing ring 37 can stretch, keep its fluid-tight pen encapsulation characteristic, for example at least about 0.3 millimeter or at least about 0.6 millimeter or at least about 1.6 millimeters in other embodiments in other embodiments simultaneously.In the embodiment shown, sealing ring 37 comprises that taper receives mouth 37B, for the first stroke 12 that aligns when inserting.In the embodiment shown, sealing ring 37 comprises projection 37C, is arranged to prevent that sealing ring 37 from sticking on relative composition surface, for example be inserted in receive structure in time and/or during fabrication.
Box 3 comprises circuit 19(Fig. 3).In the embodiment shown, circuit 19 is recessed with respect to front surface 33, thus only electrically contacting at foundation and connector circuit 18 after other interface connects.In an embodiment, this can prevent that printer receives the signal of telecommunication before fluid interface 12,14,13,15 connects.This signal of telecommunication sometimes triggers printer and activates printhead 5 and/or box 3, and this can prevent by some embodiment of the present disclosure.
Box circuit 19 is arranged in and inserts side direction connection while receiving in structure 4.At connection state, connector circuit 18 is at least in part in the interior extension of box 3.For example, box circuit 19 is included in the electrode 38 extending in a plane, and this plane is approximately perpendicular to the front surface 33 of box 3, and is parallel to direction of insertion, and/or is the plane being formed by Z axis and Y-axis.In an embodiment, in the installation site of box 3, the electrode 38 of box circuit 18 extends along the line PP that is approximately parallel to Z axis and/or front surface 33.Line PP extends below at front surface 33.The electrode 38 of box circuit 19 is arranged to be connected to the counter electrode 20 of connector circuit 18.In the installation situation of box 3, the line PP that extends through the electrode 38 of box 3 is parallel to line P(Fig. 4 of the electrode 20 that extends through connector circuit 18).In installation situation, connector circuit 38 extends through at least partly the front surface 33 of box 3 or extends after the front surface 33 of box 3, for being connected with box circuit 18.
In an embodiment, box 3 comprises box keyed jointing interface 24, for preventing from being connected to, is provided with the reception structure 4 of not mating keyed jointing interface 22.In the embodiment shown, box keyed jointing interface 24 comprises otch 25.In other embodiments, box keyed jointing interface 24 can comprise projection, in a further embodiment, can comprise both.If box keyed jointing interface 24 is arranged to receive keyed jointing interface 22, do not mate, stop the further insertion of box 3.If box keyed jointing interface 24 is arranged to receive keyed jointing interface 22, do not mate, stop that connector circuit 18 inserts in box 3, thereby will lose efficacy with being electrically connected to of box circuit 19.
Keyed jointing interface 22,24 can be arranged to provide box 3 with respect to the additional alignment that receives structure 4 except guiding piece 17, for example, prevent around mobile straight line Y rotation.In addition, if receive keyed jointing interface 22,24 couplings of structure 4 and box 3, keyed jointing interface 22,23 can be because its correspondingly-shaped engages, thereby circuit 18,19 suitably interconnects.
In certain embodiments, box 3 is not provided with keyed jointing interface 24, thereby box 3 can mate with any reception structure 4 of fluid ejection apparatus 1, and circuit 18,19 interconnection, and irrelevant with reception keyed jointing interface 24.
Box 3 comprises guiding interface, for cooperating with the guiding piece 17 that receives structure 4.In the embodiment shown, guiding interface comprises guide rail 21.Guiding interface is provided for along straight line Y guide box 3, to connect described interface.Guiding interface can have the guide engagement surface that is parallel to described straight line Y extension.
Guide rail 21 is provided for engaging with guiding piece 17.Guide rail 21 can be arranged to guide corresponding T shape rail guide 17.In the embodiment shown, guide rail 21 comprises t shaped incision.Guide rail 21 comprises flange 39, for the alar part 17B(Fig. 3 at T shape rail guide 17) below joint.Guide rail 21 can comprise tapered opening 40, is beneficial to easily receive T shape rail guide 17.Flange 39 can be tapered near opening 40.Guide rail 21 can also comprise guiding stop part 45.
The bottom 35 of box 3 also comprises breech lock track 28.Guide rail 21 and breech lock track 28 can be included in a whole otch in the bottom 35 of box 3.Bottom 35 can comprise bulk molding compound shape.
Box 3 comprises breech lock track 28 and breech lock stop part 30.Breech lock track 28 is arranged to breech lock 27 to move with respect to breech lock stop part 30.Once breech lock 27 engages with breech lock stop part 30, box 3 is just limited.Pod interface can be determined with respect to receiving the position of structure interface along straight line Y in the position of breech lock stop part 30.
Breech lock track 21 comprises locking track 28A and release track 28B.Locking track 28A can be different wholly or in part from release track 28B.Breech lock stop part 30 is arranged between locking track 28A and release track 28B, thereby breech lock 27 guides on a side 28A of breech lock stop part 30 during inserting, and on the 28B of opposite flank, guides when discharging.When inserting, breech lock 27 is guided by locking track 28A.Locking track 28A can comprise the breech lock guiding surface 46 of breech lock stop part 30, for breech lock 27 is guided on the correct side of breech lock stop part 30.Locking track 28A can also comprise breech lock guiding wall 47 at the end of locking track 28A.The end that breech lock guiding wall 47 is arranged in locking track 28A receives breech lock 27 and breech lock 27 is guided to breech lock stop part 30.Breech lock stop part 30 comprises breech lock stop wall 49 and breech lock bearing 50.Breech lock guiding wall 47 be arranged to guide breech lock 27 to breech lock stop wall 49 engage latched position (Figure 13).Bearing 50 is included in the projection in stop wall 49, for preventing the breech lock 27 breech lock stop wall 49 that slips away.In latched position, breech lock 27 engages with bearing 50.In latched position, catapult-launching gear 31 is compressed and promote box 3, thereby breech lock stop part 30 is by backup breech lock 27.
In addition, release track 28B comprises breech lock changed course wall 48.Breech lock changed course wall 48 is arranged in and when breech lock stop part 30 and breech lock track 28A inwardly promote, receives breech lock 27 and guiding breech lock 27 to release track 28B, for discharging breech lock backstop bonding station.When discharging, breech lock 27 is through the side relative with respect to insertion of breech lock stop part 30.Breech lock changed course wall 48 can be arranged on the end of breech lock track 28.Once breech lock 27 is in the unlocked position, catapult-launching gear 31 delivery cassettes 3, thus it can manually be taken out.
In an embodiment, breech lock track 28 comprises the sense of hearing and/or tactile feedback member.Breech lock 27 can be around its pivot axis L bias voltage.Breech lock 27 can slide against breech lock rail walls, and breech lock 27 is advanced by breech lock track 28 simultaneously.For example, one or more breech lock rail walls can comprise one or more feedback means, for example, protrude, so that the sense of hearing and/or tactile feedback to be provided when breech lock 27 is advanced in breech lock track 28.Feedback means can be arranged near breech lock guiding wall 47, from breech lock 27 here, when box 3 is released, will move to latched position.When receiving the sense of hearing and/or tactile feedback, user can know that box 3 can discharge and lock onto reception structure 4.Another feedback means can be arranged near breech lock changed course wall 48, is used to indicate the release of box 3.
Fig. 7 shows the cross section of a part for fluid injection system 1, and wherein, fluid box 3 is connected with reception structure 4.Catapult-launching gear 31 is compressed and by box breech lock stop part 30 backup breech locks 27.Box 3 further keeps putting in place by guiding piece 17.Pen 12,13 major parts are in respective socket 14,15 interior extensions, for carry corresponding fluids between box 3 and fluid ejection apparatus 2.
Respective electrode 20, the 38 side direction interconnection of connector circuit 18 and box circuit 19.For example, electrode 20,38 edges are parallel to Z axis and/or line P or PP in the plane that is parallel to the plane being formed by Y-axis and Z axis interconnect.Because box circuit 19 is recessed with respect to the front surface 33 of box 3, thereby connector circuit 18 and box circuit 19 interconnect in the neighboring of box 3, after front surface 33.In installation situation, connector circuit 18 is at least in part in the interior extension of box 3.In an embodiment, between connector circuit 18 and box circuit 19 be connected to the inherent box keyed jointing of box 3 interface 24 below and/or adjacent box keyed jointing interface 24 is set up.
In an embodiment, box 3 comprises at least one finger engagement surface 51, is beneficial to the manual manipulation with indication box 3, for example, when inserting or taking out box 3.Finger engagement surface 51 can comprise or combination in the portion of curving inwardly, one or more flank, otch etc.Finger engagement surface 51 can be arranged on the top surface 53 of box 3, near rear surface 34.Shown in embodiment, in the installation situation of box 3, receive the most of finger engagement surface 51 that covers of structure 4 as shown.After discharging, finger engagement surface 51 is visible and freely engage, to take out box 3.
In an embodiment, box 3 comprises finger push surface 52, with indication box 3, need to be pushed to and receive in structure 4, for the locking and unlocking of box 3.Finger push surface 52 can comprise or combination in the portion of curving inwardly, one or more flank, otch etc.Finger push surface 52 is arranged in rear surface 34.In the installation situation of box 3, rear surface 34 and finger push surface 52 are outside visible in reception structure 4.Although finger push surface 52 can have precalculated position on rear surface 34, but the aspect of some embodiment of the present disclosure is, box 3 can promote on any position of rear surface 33, so that the suitable connection of interface, because guiding piece 17 can be along straight line Y guide box 3, and with specific promotion position or tilt irrelevant.
Fig. 8 shows the embodiment that fluid box 3 is connected to the method that receives structure 4 with flow chart.In the first stage 800 of this method, fluid box 3 is inserted into and receives in structure 4.Mobile be limited in one dimension, that is, box 3 moves along straight line Y, is represented by the stage 810.When one-dimensional movement finishes, between box 3 and fluid ejection apparatus 2, set up fluid and connect.In the stage 820, breech lock 27 is by moving and be directed to latched position along straight line Y.Breech lock 27 keeps fluid to connect.Stage 810 and 820 can occur simultaneously.In the stage 830, fluid can flow through and connect fluid interface, for example, for Fluid injection.
Fig. 9 shows another embodiment that fluid box 3 is connected to the method that receives structure 4 with flow chart.Figure 10-15 illustrate box 3 26 ordinal position are set with respect to breech lock, corresponding with some in the stage 900-914 of Fig. 9.
In the stage 900, box 3 is manually inserted into and receives in structure 4.Figure 10, corresponding to the stage 900, wherein, illustrates box with respect to receiving structure 4 and breech lock 26 position is set.In next stage 901, guide rail 21 engages with guiding piece 17.By box 3 is further pushed to, receive in structure 4, guiding piece 17 is the direction guide box 3 at catapult-launching gear 31 along straight line Y.In another stage 902, breech lock 27 engages with breech lock track 28.Breech lock 27 is along locking track 28A guiding, as shown in figure 11.Pivotal arm 29B is around pivot axis L(Fig. 3) pivotable, the wall guided with latch enable 27 by locking track 28A.In the stage 903, catapult-launching gear 31 engages with the front surface 33 of box and is compressed.Catapult-launching gear 31 can be arranged on second receiver socket 15 ring 36 around and engage.Described stage 901-903 can carry out simultaneously.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9-15, box 3 and reception structure 4 have coupling keyed jointing interface 22,24.In the stage 904, keyed jointing interface 22,24 couplings of fluid interface 12,13,14,15 interconnection and reception structure 4 and box 3.Coupling keyed jointing interface 22,24 allows box circuit 19 and connector circuit 18 interconnection.After keyed jointing coupling, in the stage 905, set up the electrical connection between circuit 18,19.Control circuit 8 receives sets up the respective signal being electrically connected to.The electrical connection of setting up means that also setting up fluid connects.
In the stage 906, user inwardly promotes box 3, until receive sense of touch and/or audio feedback.For example, breech lock 27 engages and/or guides stop part 45 to engage with the end of guiding piece 17 with the end 47 of breech lock track 28 and/or catapult-launching gear 33 can not further compress.In corresponding Figure 12, show breech lock 27 and engage with the end of breech lock track 28, in this embodiment, breech lock 27 engages with breech lock guiding wall 47, breech lock 27 is directed to latched position when discharging.In the stage 907, user is by manual releasing box 3.In the stage 908, catapult-launching gear 31 goes compression, promotes backward box 33, until breech lock 27 engages with breech lock stop part 30.From corresponding Figure 13, can find out, breech lock 27 is by engaging and keep box 3 with breech lock stop wall 49.Breech lock 27 keeps putting in place by bearing 50.Keyed jointing coupling and the stage 904 being electrically connected to and 905 and the stage 906-908 of breech lock locking can carry out approximately simultaneously.
As compartmentalized box for holding assorted fruits and candies 3 does not correctly promote, fluid and/or other interface may suitably not connect so.In this case, breech lock 27 may not arrive breech lock guiding wall 47 and not arrive latched position.So, to set up before any electric and/or fluid connects, box 3 will automatically be released by catapult-launching gear 31.
In the stage 909, fluid injection system 1 is printed by means of obtaining first fluid from box 3 by first fluid interface 12,14.After printing, for example, when box 3 basic overhead, box 3 can be discharged from, to change.In the stage 910, user promotes box 3 with the direction of catapult-launching gear 31.By promoting box 3, breech lock 27 can engage with the breech lock wall 48 that alters course.In next stage 911, breech lock 27 is for example by the breech lock wall 48(Figure 14 that alters course) be directed to unlocked position.At unlocked position, box 3 is no longer kept by breech lock 27.In the stage 912, user can manually discharge box 3.In the stage 913, catapult-launching gear 31 goes compression, thereby delivery cassette 3(is Figure 15).Discharge is because box 3 is no longer held (Figure 15) possibility that becomes.In the stage 914, user takes out box 3 to receive structure 4.
As described in, box 3 can comprise first fluid interface 12, second fluid interface 13, electric interfaces 19, catapult-launching gear alignment interface 36 and/or keyed jointing interface 24, it is arranged in front surface 33.Guiding interface is arranged in basal surface 35, has the opening 40 of reception near front surface 33.Thereby described interface is arranged near the joint of front surface 33 of box 3.In the embodiment shown, keyed jointing interface 24 and electric interfaces 19 are arranged near top surface 53, second fluid interface 15 and catapult-launching gear alignment interface 36 are arranged near the centre of front surface 33, and first fluid interface 14 and guiding piece receive opening 40 and be arranged near basal surface 35.Described interface distributes relatively equably on front surface 33, thereby being relatively uniformly distributed of connection power of the corresponding interface is provided, and relatively low total connection power, for example about 14 newton or less.In the breech lock and guide of fluid injection system 1, do not need the distortion of breech lock or leader.Relatively light and simple promotion is enough to set up positive lock.In addition, guiding piece 17 allows to promote on any position of user on the rear surface 34 of box 3, to set up all connections at a direction Y.
Box 3 and receive structure 4 can relative thin, thereby only take the little volume of printer.Box tracks also takies relatively little space, because it comprises straight line Y.In addition, box 3 can be used identical promotion campaign to discharge at equidirectional Y.For example, as compartmentalized box for holding assorted fruits and candies 3 is not suitably connected (, on fluid and/or on electric), box 3 is automatically released by catapult-launching gear 31 so.
Above-mentioned explanation is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to disclosed embodiment.By studying accompanying drawing, disclosure and appended claims carefully, when putting into practice claimed invention, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that and implement other variation of disclosed embodiment.In certain embodiments, machinery is put upside down and can be applied with respect to illustrated embodiment.For example, breech lock track 28 can be arranged on and receive in structure 4, and breech lock arranges 26 and can be arranged in box 3.The first and second fluid interfaces of box 3 can comprise pen, and correspondence first and second fluid interfaces of reception structure 4 can comprise socket.
Indefinite article " one " is not got rid of a plurality of, does not get rid of and has the more possibility of multicomponent with reference to the element of some simultaneously.Individual unit can be realized the multinomial function of recording in disclosure, and vice versa: the multinomial function that can realize a unit.
In claims, the simple fact is, some measured value of recording in mutually different dependent claims the combination that does not mean that these measured values can not advantageously be used.In the situation that not departing from the scope of the invention, can carry out a plurality of possibilities, equivalent, variation and combination.