EP1287997B1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: EP1287997B1
Application number: EP02079823A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Winthrop D. Childers; Michael L. Bullock; Eric L. Gasvoda; Norman E. Pawlowski, Jr.; Ovidui A. Talpos
Original assignee: Hewlett Packard Co
Current assignee: HP Inc
Priority date: 1997-06-04
Filing date: 1998-05-11
Publication date: 2006-04-05
Anticipated expiration: 2018-05-11
Also published as: EP1219448B1; CN1112994C; ES2191304T3; EP1219448A3; DE69834143D1; DE69833983D1; ES2257504T3; EP1293347A2; DE69812950T2; JP2002513340A; DE69833054T2; DE69833054D1; DE69833983T2; CN1259086A; ES2257507T3; EP1287998B1; DE69834142T2; ES2257508T3; EP0994779B1; EP1293347B1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates in general to ink-jet printing systems and, more particularly, to ink-jet printing systems which makes use of an ink supply cartridge that includes a memory device for exchanging information with the ink-jet printing system.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

One type of prior art ink-jet printing system or printing system has a printhead mounted to a carriage which is moved back and forth over print media, such as paper. As the printhead passes over appropriate locations on the print media, a control system activates the printhead to eject ink drop onto the print media and form desired images and characters. To work properly, such printing systems must have a reliable supply of ink for the printhead.
One category of ink-jet printing system uses an ink supply that is mounted to and moves with the carriage. In some types, the ink supply is replaceable separately from the printhead. In others, the printhead and ink supply together form an integral unit that is replaced as a unit once the ink in the ink supply is depleted. One such ink supply replaceable separately from the printhead is disclosed in European Patent Application 0 440 261 A2. European Patent Application 0 440 261 A2 discloses an ink jet recording apparatus having a replaceable ink cartridge. The replaceable ink cartridge includes an ink cassette insertable into an adapter. The ink cartridge defined by the adapter and ink cassette is insertable into a cartridge guide of the recording apparatus. Sidewalls of the adapter of the ink cartridge include rails that engage guides of the cartridge guide to accurately position the ink cartridge within the cartridge guide. The ink cartridge includes a capping member and information medium contacts for engaging a hollow needle and corresponding connecting pins of the recording apparatus, respectively.
Another category of printing system, referred to as an "off-axis" printing system, uses ink supplies which are not located on the carriage. One type replenishes the printhead intermittently. The printhead will travel to a stationary reservoir periodically for replenishment. Parent application serial number 09/034,874 to this application, entitled"Ink Delivery System Adapter", describes another printing system wherein the printhead is fluidically coupled to a replaceable ink supply or container via a conduit such as a flexible tube. This allows the printhead to be continuously replenished during a printing operation.
In a parent application to this application, a replaceable off-axis supply is described which has a memory device mounted to the housing. When installed into the printing system, an electrical connection between the printing system and the memory device is established. This electrical connection allows for the exchange of information between the printing system electronics and the memory. The memory device stores information which is utilized by the printing system electronics to ensure high print quality. This information is provided to the printing system electronics automatically when the cartridge is mounted to the printing system. The exchange of information assures compatibility of the cartridge with the printing system.
The stored information further prevents the use of the ink supply after it is depleted of ink. Operating a printing system when the reservoir has been depleted of ink can destroy the printhead. The memory devices concerned with this application are updated with data concerning the amount of ink left in the reservoir as it is being used. When a new cartridge is installed, the printing system will read information from the memory device indicative of the reservoir volume. During usage, the printing system estimates ink usage and updates the memory device to indicate how much ink is left in the cartridge. When the ink is substantially depleted, this type of memory device can store data indicative of an out-of-ink condition. When substantially depleted of ink, these cartridges are typically discarded and a new cartridge along with a new memory device is installed.
Previously used ink containers have fixed volumes of deliverable ink that have been provided for printing systems based generally on ink usage rate requirements of a particular user. However, printing systems users have a wide variety of ink usage rates which may change over time. For ink-jet printing system users who require relatively high ink usage rates, ink containers having these volumes require a relatively high ink container replacement rate. This can be especially disruptive for print jobs which are left to run overnight. Extended continuous use of printing systems causes ink containers to run out of ink during a print job. If the printing system does not shut dovm during an "ink out" condition, the printhead or the printing system itself may be permanently damaged.
For printing system users who require lower volumes of ink, a different set of problems is encountered if the ink volume is too large. The ink may surpass its shelf life prior to being utilized. Larger ink containers are more expensive and bulkier than smaller cartridges and may be cost prohibitive to small volume users. Thus, a need exists for providing adaptive ink supplies for the ink cartridge described in the parent application, so that ink containers having a variety of ink volumes may be utilized. The adaptive ink supplies should be still able to provide to the printing system the benefits of the memory device of the original equipment ink cartridge.
EP-A-0610965 discloses an ink cartridge interchangeably provided for an ink jet recording apparatus provided with a recording head for causing the discharge of ink to thereby effect the recording of an image, and containing the ink therein and effecting the supply of the ink in conformity with the discharge of the ink is characterized by the provision of a medium provided with information for controlling the driving conditions of the recording head.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a combination of a printing system having a receptacle for receiving the first ink cartridge, the receptacle containing an interconnect platform, a printing system electrical connector which protrudes from the platform, has at least two sides, and has an end containing a plurality of protruding resilient electrical contacts protruding from the end, the electrical contacts including two pairs of volume sensing contacts, a controller which exchanges information with a first memory device mounted to the first ink cartridge concerning ink in the first ink cartridge, an ink supply sleeve protruding from the platform and surrounding a hollow needle fluidically connected to a printhead, the first ink cartridge having a pair of inductive coils for sensing ink quantity therein, each of the inductive coils adapted to be electrically connected to one of the pairs of the volume sensing contacts when the first ink cartridge is installed in the receptacle; and
an adaptive ink supply for use in lieu of a first ink cartridge comprising:

an ink reservoir containing a replacement ink;
a fluid outlet in fluid communication with the ink reservoir which is sized to be received by the ink supply sleeve and to receive the hollow needle;
an adapter connector having a base and a plurality of electrical contact pads mounted to the base for engaging the electrical contacts of the printing system electrical connector;
a source of signals electrically connected to the contact pads of the adapter connector for exchanging information with the controller, and
a circuit connecting at least one of the pairs of the volume sensing contacts to each other for enabling a continuity check to be made by the controller once the adapter connector is connected to printing system electrical contacts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a schematic drawing of a printing system having an original equipment ink delivery system.
Figure 2 is an isometric view of a printing system utilizing the printing system of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is an end isometric view of an ink container of the printing system of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a side view of the ink container of Figure 3.
Figure 5 is a partial enlarged proximal end view of the ink container of Figure 3.
Figure 6 is a sectional side view of the ink container of Figure 3 taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 5.
Figure 7 is a partial enlarged isometric view of a portion of the printing system of Figure 2, showing the ink container receptacles.
Figure 8 is an enlarged partial isometric and cut away view of the printing system of Figure 2 taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7.
Figure 9 is an enlarged isometric view of an interface portion of the printing system of Figure 2.
Figure 10A is a partial sectional view of the interface portion of the printing system which is shown in Figure 9 taken along the line 10A-10A of Figure 9 and showing also a partial sectional view of the ink container installed.
Figure 10B is an enlarged view of the printing system of Figure 10A, taken along the line 10B-10B of Figure 10A.
Figure 11A is a partially exploded isometric view of the ink container of Figures 10A, 10B, as shown from the distal end.
Figure 11B is a partially exploded isometric view of the ink container of Figures 10A, 10B, as shown from the proximal end.
Figure 12 is a further exploded isometric view of the ink container of Figures 10A, 10B.
Figure 13 is an enlarged side view showing the inductive fluid level sensors for the ink container of Figures 10A, 10B, shown detached from the ink container.
Figure 14 is a sectional view of the ink container of Figures 10A, 10B, with the proximal cap removed.
Figure 15 is a side view of a first embodiment of an adaptive ink delivery system constructed in accordance with this invention.
Figure 16 is a side view of another embodiment of an adaptive ink delivery system constructed in accordance with this invention
Figure 17 is a side view of another embodiment of an adaptive ink delivery system constructed in accordance with this invention.
Figure 18 is a side view of another embodiment of an adaptive ink delivery system constructed in accordance with this invention.
Figure 19 is a side view of another embodiment of an adaptive ink delivery system constructed in accordance with this invention.
Figure 20 is a side view of another embodiment of an adaptive ink delivery system constructed in accordance with this invention.
Figure 21 is an enlarged proximal end view of an ink container showing another embodiment of the electrical contacts.
Figure 22 is an enlarged sectional view of the ink container of Figure 21 shown in alignment with the electrical interconnect portion.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Although the present invention comprises adapters and methods for altering the volume of ink and the corresponding informational requirements supplied to a printing system, the invention may be more clearly understood with a thorough discussion of the printing system and original equipment ink container.
Referring to Figure 1, aprinting system 10 having anink container 12, aprinthead 14 and a source of pressurized gas, such as acompressor 16, is shown.Compressor 16 is connected toink container 12 with aconduit 18. A markingfluid 19 such as ink is provided byink container 12 toprinthead 14 by aconduit 20.Ink container 12 includes afluid reservoir 22 for containingink 19, anouter shell 24, and achassis 26. In the preferred embodiment,chassis 26 includesair inlet 28 configured for connection toconduit 18 for pressurizing theouter shell 24 with air. Afluid outlet 30 is also included in thechassis 26. Thefluid outlet 30 is configured for connection to theconduit 20 for providing a connection between thefluid reservoir 22 andfluid conduit 20.
In the preferred embodiment, thefluid reservoir 22 is formed from a flexible material such that pressurization ofouter shell 24 produces a pressurized flow of ink from thefluid reservoir 22 through theconduit 20 to theprinthead 14. The use of a pressurized source of ink in thefluid reservoir 22 allows for a relatively high fluid flow rate from thefluid reservoir 22 to theprinthead 14. The use of high flow rates or high rates of ink delivery to the printhead make it possible for high throughput printing by theprinting system 10.
Theink container 12 also includes a plurality of electrical contacts, as will be discussed in more detail subsequently. The electrical contacts provide electrical connection between theink container 12 and printing system control electronics orcontroller 32. The printingsystem control electronics 32 controlvarious printing system 10 functions such as, but not limited to,printhead 14 activation to dispense ink and activatepump 16 to pressurize theink container 12.Ink container 12 includes aninformation storage device 34 and inkvolume sensing circuitry 36. In a preferred embodiment, inkvolume sensing circuitry 36 includes twocircuits 36 as will be described in more detail with respect to Figs. 12 and 13. Theinformation storage device 34 provides information to the printingsystem control electronics 32 such asink container 12 volume and ink characteristics. The inkvolume sensing circuitry 36 provides signals relating to current ink volume inink container 12 to the printingsystem control electronics 32.
Figure 2 depicts one embodiment ofprinting system 10 shown in perspective.Printing system 10 includes aprinting frame 38 constructed for containingseveral ink containers 12 simultaneously. The embodiment shown in Figure 2 has foursimilar ink containers 12. In this embodiment, each ink container contains a different ink color so that four color printing is available including: cyan, yellow, magenta and black ink.Printing system frame 38 has acontrol panel 40 for controlling operation ofprinting system 10 and amedia slot 42 from which paper is ejected.
Referring also to Figure 1, asink 19 in eachink container 12 is exhausted,container 12 is replaced with anew ink container 12 containing a new supply of ink. In addition,ink containers 12 may be removed from theprinting system frame 38 for reasons other than an out of ink condition such as changing inks for an application requiring different ink properties or for use on different media. It is important that thereplacement ink container 12 form reliable fluidic and electronic connections with theprinting system frame 38 so that printingsystem 10 performs reliably.
Figures 3 and 4 depict an originalequipment ink container 12 having anouter shell 24 which contains the fluid reservoir 22 (Fig. 1) for containingink 19.Outer shell 24 has a leadingcap 50 secured on a leading end and a trailingcap 52 on secured on a trailing end, relative to a direction of insertion for theink container 12 into theprinting system frame 38. Leadingcap 50 has anaperture 44 on its leading end through whichair inlet 28 andfluid outlet 30 from reservoir 22 (Fig. 1) protrude.Reservoir chassis 26 has an end or base which abuts leadingcap 50 so thatair inlet 28 andfluid outlet 30 protrude throughaperture 44.Aperture 44 is surrounded by awall 45, placingaperture 44 within a recess.Air inlet 28 andfluid outlet 30 are configured for connection tocompressor 16 andprinthead 14, respectively, (Fig. 1) onceink container 12 is properly inserted into theprinting system frame 38.Air inlet 28 andfluid outlet 30 will be discussed in more detail subsequently.
Leadingcap 50 also has anotheraperture 46 which is located within the recess defined by awall 45. The base or end ofchassis 26 is also exposed toaperture 46. A plurality of flatelectrical contact pads 54 are disposed onreservoir chassis 26 and positioned withinaperture 46 for providing electrical connection between circuitry associated with theink container 12 and printingsystem control electronics 32. Contactpads 54 are rectangular and located in a straight row. Four of thecontact pads 54 are electrically connected toinformation storage device 34 and four are electrically interconnected to inkvolume sensing circuitry 36 as discussed with respect to Figure 1. In a preferred embodiment,information storage device 34 is a semiconductor memory device and the inkvolume sensing circuitry 36 comprises an inductive sensing device.Wall 45 helps protectinformation storage device 34 andcontact pads 54 from mechanical damage. In addition,wall 45 helps minimize inadvertent finger contact withcontact pads 54. Contactpads 54 will be discussed in more detail with respect to Figure 5.
In a preferred embodiment,ink container 12 includes one or more keying and guiding features 58 and 60 disposed on opposite sides of leadingcap 50 ofcontainer 12. Keying and guiding features 58 and 60 protrude outward from sides ofcontainer 12 to work in conjunction with corresponding keying and guiding features on the printing system frame 38 (Fig. 2) to assist in aligning and guiding theink container 12 during insertion of theink container 12 into theprinting system frame 38. Keying and guiding features 58 and 60 also provide a keying function to insure thatink containers 12 having proper ink parameters, such as proper color and ink type, are inserted into a given slotprinting system frame 38.
Alatch feature 62 is provided on one side of trailingcap 52.Latch feature 62 works in conjunction with corresponding latching portions on the printing system portion to secure theink container 12 within theprinting system frame 38 so that interconnects such as pressurized air, fluidic and electrical are accomplished in a reliable manner.Latch feature 62 is a molded tang which extends downwardly relative to a gravitational frame of reference.Ink container 12 as shown in Figure 4 is positioned for insertion into a printing system frame 38 (Fig. 2) along the Z-axis of coordinatesystem 64. In this orientation gravitational forces on theink container 12 are along the Y-axis.
Figure 5 depicts an enlarged view ofelectrical contact pads 54. Anupstanding guide member 72 is mounted tochassis 26adjacent contact pads 54.Electrical contact pads 54 include two pairs ofcontact pads 78, each pair being electrically connected to one of thevolume sensing circuits 36, discussed with respect to Figure 1. The four-contact pads 80 spaced between each pair ofpads 78 are electrically connected to theinformation storage device 34. Each pair of volumesensing contact pads 78 is located on an outer side of the row ofcontact pads 54. Contactpads 78 are part of a flexible circuit 82 (Fig. 13) which is mounted to thechassis 26 byfasteners 84. The fourintermediate contacts 80 located between the pairs ofvolume sensing contacts 78 are metal conductive layers disposed on anonconductive substrate 86 such as epoxy and fiberglass.Memory device 34 is also mounted onsubstrate 86 and is connected by conductive traces (not shown) formed insubstrate 86.Memory device 34 is shown encapsulated by a protective coating such as epoxy. A backside ofsubstrate 86,opposite contacts 80, is bonded by adhesive or attached to thechassis 26 byfasteners 84.
It can be seen from Figure 6 that theguide member 72 extends along a Z-axis in coordinatesystem 64.Guide member 72 has a pointed, tapered distal end.Guide member 72 provides an important guiding function to insure proper electrical connection is accomplished during the insertion ofink container 12 into theprinting system frame 38.
Figure 7 depicts oneink container 12 shown secured within an ink container receptacle or receivingslot 88 of receivingstation 89 within theprinting system frame 38. Ink container indicia 90 may be positioned proximate eachink container receptacle 88. Theink container indicia 90 may be a color swatch or text indicating ink color to assist the user in color matching for inserting theink container 12 in theproper slot 88 within the inkcontainer receiving station 89. As discussed previously, the keying and guiding features 58 and 60 shown in Figures 3 and 4 preventink containers 12 from being installed in thewrong slot 88. Installation of anink container 12 in thewrong receptacle 88 can result in improper color mixing or the mixing of inks of different ink types each of which can result in poor print quality.
Each receivingslot 88 within the inkcontainer receiving station 89 includes keying and guidingslots 92 and latchingportions 94. Keying and guidingslots 92 cooperate with the keying and guiding feature 60 (Fig. 3) to guideink container 12 into the inkcontainer receiving station 88. The keying and guiding slot associated with the keying and guiding feature 58 (Fig. 3) onink container 12 is not shown. Each latchingportion 94 is configured for engaging thecorresponding latch feature 62 on theink container 12. The geometries of keying and guidingslots 92 vary from onereceptacle 88 to the other to assure that ink containers containing proper colors and ink compositions are only installed in the proper receiving receptacles.
Figure 8 shows a single inkcontainer receiving slot 88 within the inkcontainer receiving station 89.Slot 88 includes interconnect portions for interconnecting with theink container 12. In the preferred embodiment these interconnect portions include afluid inlet 98, andair outlet 96 and anelectrical interconnect portion 100. Each of theinterconnects 96, 98, and 100 are positioned on a floatingplatform 102 which is biased by coil springs 101 (Fig. 10A) along the Z-axis toward the installedink container 12.Fluid inlet 98 andair outlet 96 are configured for connection with the correspondingfluid outlet 30 and air inlet 28 (Fig. 3), respectively on theink container 12. Theelectrical interconnect 100 is configured for engagingelectrical contacts 54 on theink container 12.
It is the interaction between the keying and guiding features 58 and 60 associated with theink container 12 and the corresponding keying and guidingslots 92 associated with the inkcontainer receiving station 89 which guide theink container 12 during the insertion such that proper interconnection is accomplished between theink container 12 and theprinting system frame 38. In addition, sidewalls associated with eachslot 88 in the inkcontainer receiving station 89 engage outer surfaces ofink container 12 to assist in guiding and aligningink container 12 during insertion intoslot 88.
Figures 9 and 10A illustrates further details of the floatingplatform 102.Platform 102 is spring biased bycoil springs 101 in a direction opposite the direction of insertion of theink container 12 into the ink container receiving slot 88 (Fig. 10A).Platform 102 is biased towards mechanical restraints (not shown) which limit the motion ofplatform 102 in each of the X, Y, and Z-axes. Therefore,platform 102 has a limited degree of motion in each of the X, Y, and Z-axes of coordinatesystem 64.
Electrical connector 100 is supported by and protrudes fromplatform 102.Electrical connector 100 is generally rectangular, having twolateral sides 107, upper and lower sides, and adistal end 105. A plurality of resilient, spring-biasedelectrical contacts 104 protrude fromend 105.Electrical contacts 104 are thin wire-like members which engage corresponding electrical contacts 54 (Fig. 3) associated withink container 12 to electrically connect an electronic portion ofink container 12 with the printing system control electronics 32 (Fig. 1).Electrical connector 100 has aguide slot 106 on its upper side.Guide slot 106 has opposed converging walls which cooperate to engage guide member 72 (Figs. 5 and 10B).Guide member 72 engagesguide slot 106 to properly aligncontacts 104 withcontact pads 54. Figure 10B showscontact pads 54 properly aligned withelectrical contacts 104.
Referring to Figures 9 and 10A,fluid inlet 98 andair outlet 96 protrude from floatingplatform 102.Fluid inlet 98 includes anink supply sleeve 110 surrounding ahollow needle 108.Needle 108 has a port near its distal end. Acollar 111 sealingly and slidingly engagesneedle 108. Aspring 113 urgescollar 111 toward the distal end, blocking the port.Air outlet 96 includes anair supply sleeve 114 that surrounds ahollow needle 112.
Referring still to Figure 10A,fluid outlet 30 is an outwardly extending cylindrical member having aseptum 122 on its distal end.Septum 122 has a slit for receivingneedle 108. In a preferred embodiment, a check valve comprising aball 124 andspring 126 are located influid outlet 30 to prevent outflow ofink needle 108 is inserted.Ball 124 seats againstseptum 122 and is pushed away fromseptum 122 byneedle 108.Air inlet 28 is also a cylindrical member having aseptum 128 with a slit.
Whenink container 12 is releasably inserted into receivingslot 88, keying and guiding features 58 and 60 provide coarse alignment between the ink container and the receivingslot 88, such that the distal end offluid outlet 30 can properly engage the distal end ofink supply sleeve 110 and such that the distal end ofair inlet 28 can properly engage the distal end ofair supply sleeve 114. Engagement forces between the distal end offluid outlet 30 and theink supply sleeve 110 and between the distal end ofair inlet 28 and theair supply sleeve 114 generate a force that causes the floatingplatform 102 to move into alignment with respect toink container 12 such thatneedle 108 can be received by and hence form a fluid connection withfluid outlet 30. This alignment of floatingplatform 102 also allowsneedle 112 to be received by and form an air connection withair inlet 28.
Whenfluid outlet 30 properly engagesfluid inlet 98, the distal end offluid outlet 30slides collar 111 from a position wherein it seals the port onhollow needle 108 to a position wherein the port onhollow needle 108 is opened. At the same time, the distal end offluid outlet 30 receives thehollow needle 108 providing fluid communication between thehollow needle 108 andfluid outlet 30. It is important thatfluid outlet 30 is sized properly with the distal end having a proper diameter such that it can be received inink supply sleeve 110 and the fluid outlet having sufficient length such that it will properly depresscollar 111 and receive the port on the hollow needle to allow fluid flow fromfluid outlet 30 tohollow needle 108.
The fluidic and air connections described above provide an intermediate accuracy of alignment betweenconnector 100 and the plurality ofcontacts 54 associated withink container 12. This intermediate accuracy is adequate for electrical connection along the y-axis depicted byaxes 64 in Fig. 9. However, this coarse alignment is not accurate enough along the x-axis.Electrical connector 100 is mounted to floatingplatform 102 such that it has a degree of movement along the x-direction. A fine alignment along the x-direction is then provided by at least one guiding member associated withink container 12 that engages theconnector 100. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one guiding member isupstanding member 72 that engages opposed converging walls ofelectrical connector 100.
As shown in Figures 11A, 11B and 14,shell 24 is a generally rectangular member with acylindrical neck 130 on its leading end.Chassis 26 is a circular disk or plug that inserts and seals inneck 130 with the leading side ofchassis 26 flush with the rim ofneck 130.Reservoir 22 is a collapsible reservoir such as a collapsible bag that fits withinshell 24. An opening inreservoir 22 is sealingly joined tochassis 26.Shell 24 is airtight, creating apressure chamber 132 in thespace surrounding reservoir 22.Air inlet 30 leads topressure chamber 132.
Referring to Figure 12,rigid stiffener plates 134 are attached to opposite outer sides ofreservoir 22. The two inductive ink volume sensor coils 36 are formed on opposite legs offlexible circuit 82. Each of thecoils 36 has two leads 138 (Fig. 13) connected to one of the pairs of sensor contacts 78 (Fig. 3). One of thecoils 36 is located on one side ofreservoir 22 while the other is on the opposite side. When connected toprinting system 10, printing system electronics provide a time varying signal to one of thecoils 36. This induces a voltage in theother coil 36 whose magnitude varies as the separation distance betweencoils 36 varies. As ink is used, the opposing side wall portions ofreservoir 22 collapse together, changing the electromagnetic coupling or mutual inductance of the coil pair. This change in coupling is sensed bycontroller 32, which infers an ink level as a result. Additionally,controller 32 also makes a continuity check whenink container 12 is installed by determining if electrical continuity exists between the twocontact pads 78 leading to one of thecoils 36.
Eachink container 12 has unique ink container-related aspects that are represented in the form of data provided byinformation storage device 34. This data is provided fromink container 12 toprinting system 10 viamemory device 34 automatically without requiring the user to reconfigureprinting system 10 for theparticular ink container 12 installed.Memory device 34 has a protected section, a write-once section, and a multiple write/erase section. When thecartridge 12 is first installed inprinting system 10,controller 32 reads ink container information such as the manufacturer identity, part identification, date code of ink supply, system coefficients, service mode and ink supply size.Printing system 10 energizes one ofcoils 36 and reads an initial receiving coil voltage from the other (receiving)coil 36. This initial receiving coil voltage from receivingcoil 36 is indicative of the full state ofink container 12. The printing system control electronics then record a parameter onto the protected portion ofmemory device 34 that is indicative of the initial receiving coil voltage. The printing system control electronics then initiate a write protect feature to assure that the information in the protected portion of memory stays the same.
The write once section is a portion of memory which can be written to bycontroller 32 only one time. The multiple write/erase section can be written to and erased repeatedly. Both of these sections store information concerning current ink quantity. As will be explained below, the coarse bit information is stored in the write once section and the fine bit data is stored in the multiple write/erase section.
Upon insertion ofink container 12 intoprinting system 10,controller 32 reads information frommemory device 34 for controlling various printing functions. For example,controller 32 utilizes information frommemory device 34 to compute an estimate of remaining ink. If the ink remaining is less than a low ink threshold volume, a message is provided to the user indicating such. Further, when a substantial portion of the ink below the threshold volume is consumed,controller 32 can disableprinting system 10 to prevent operation ofprinthead 14 without a supply of ink.Operating printhead 14 without ink can result in reduction of printhead reliability or catastrophic failure ofprinthead 14
In operation,controller 32 reads initial volume information frommemory device 34 associated withink container 12. As ink is used during printing, the ink level is monitored bycontroller 32, andmemory device 34 is updated to contain information relating to remaining ink inink container 12.Controller 32 thereafter monitors the level of deliverable ink inink container 12 viamemory device 34. In a preferred embodiment, data is transferred betweenprinting system 10 andmemory device 34 in serial fashion using a single data line relative to ground.
In a preferred embodiment, the volume information includes the following: (1) initial supply size data in a write protected portion of memory, (2) coarse ink level data stored in write once portion of memory and (3) fine ink level data stored in a write/erase portion of memory. The initial supply size data is indicative of the amount of deliverable ink initially present inink container 12.
The coarse ink level data includes a number of write once bits that each correspond to some fraction of the deliverable ink initially present inink container 12. In a first preferred embodiment, eight coarse ink level bits each correspond to one-eighth of the deliverable ink initially inink container 12. In a second preferred embodiment, to be used in the discussion that follows, seven coarse ink level bits each correspond to one-eighth of the deliverable ink initially present inink container 12 and one coarse ink level bit corresponds to an out-of-ink condition. However, more or less coarse bits can be used, depending on the accuracy desired for a coarse ink level counter.
The fine ink level data is indicative of a fine bit binary number that is proportional to a fraction of one-eighth of the volume of the deliverable ink initially present inink container 12. Thus, the entire range of the fine bit binary number is equivalent to one coarse ink level bit as will be explained in more detail below.
Printing system 10 reads the initial supply size data and calculates the amount or volume of deliverable ink initially present inink container 12. The drop volume ejected by theprinthead 14 is determined by printingsystem 10 by reading parameters and/or performing calculations. Using the initial volume of deliverable ink inink container 12 and the estimated drop volume ofprinthead 14, theprinting system 10 calculates the fraction of the initial deliverable ink volume that each drop represents. This enables theprinting system 10 to monitor the fraction of the initial volume of deliverable ink remaining inink container 12.
While printing,printing system 10 maintains a drop count equal to the number of ink drops that have been ejected byprinthead 14. After printingsystem 10 has printed a small amount, typically one page, it converts the drop count to a number of increments or decrements of the fine bit binary number. This conversion utilizes the fact that the entire range of the fine bit binary number corresponds to one eighth of the initial volume of deliverable ink inink container 12. Each time the fine bit binary number is fully decremented or incremented, theprinting system 10 writes to one of the coarse ink level bits to "latch down" the bit.
Printing system 10 periodically queries the coarse and fine ink level bits to determine the fraction of the initial deliverable ink that is remaining inink container 12.Printing system 10 can then provide a "gas gauge" or other indication to a user ofprinting system 10 that is indicative of the ink level inink container 12. In a preferred embodiment, the printing system provides a "low ink warning" when the sixth coarse ink level bit is set. Also in a preferred embodiment, the printing system sets the eight (last) coarse ink level bit when theink container 12 is substantially depleted of ink. This last coarse ink level bit is referred to as an "ink out" bit. Upon querying the coarse ink level bits, the printing system interprets a "latched down" ink out bit as an "ink out" condition forink container 12.
The volume is sensed by the inductive sensor coils 36 (Fig. 12) only during a second phase of ink usage. During the first phase, both fine and coarse counters of are used. Ink drops are counted and recorded in the fine counter portion ofmemory device 34. Each time the fine counter fully increments or decrements, another coarse counter bit will be set. During the second phase, only the ink level sensor coils 36 are used. The voltage output from the receivingcoil 36 and is compared with the voltage level indicated by the parameter recorded onmemory device 34. A parameter indicative voltage output is recorded on the write/erase portion of memory. Each successive reading is compared with the previous reading as an error checking technique to allow detection of coil malfunction.
At the start of the third phase, the fine counter is reset and used in the same manner as during the first phase. When the final coarse counter bit is set, an "ink out" warning will be indicated to the printing system. The three-phase arrangement is provided because inductive sensor coils 36 are sufficiently accurate only in the second phase.
Inprinting system 10, the transfer of data betweenprinting system 10 andmemory device 34 is in serial fashion on the single data line relative to ground. As explained above, while the ink inink container 12 is being depleted,memory device 34 stores data that is indicative of its initial and current states.Printing system 10updates memory device 34 to indicate the volume of ink remaining. When most or substantially all of the deliverable ink has been depleted,printing system 10 altersmemory device 34 to allowink container 12 to provide an "ink out" signal.Printing system 10 may respond by stopping printing withink container 12. At that point, the user will insert anew ink container 12.
Referring to Figure 15, a first embodiment of an adaptive largevolume ink supply 141 for replacingink container 12 is shown.Ink supply 141 comprises afluid conduit 143 such as a flexible tube that fluidically connects afluid outlet 145 on one end ofconduit 143 to anink reservoir 146 on the other end ofconduit 143.Conduit 143 allowsreservoir 146 to be remotely located fromreceptacle 88 whilefluid outlet 145 is connected toprinting system 10. Locatingreservoir 146 remotely fromreceptacle 88 allowsreservoir 146 to be sized larger than the space constraints ofreceptacle 88 would allow.Fluid outlet 145 functions similarly tofluid outlet 30 discussed with respect to Fig. 12. In a preferred embodiment,fluid outlet 145 contains aseptum 144 and is sized to connect to fluid inlet 98 (Fig. 10B).Hollow needle 108 piercesseptum 144. The opposite end ofconduit 143 is secured toink reservoir 146. In the embodiment shown, air pressure fromair outlet 96 is not utilized to force ink fromreservoir 146.
Ink supply 141 also comprises an electricalink supply circuit 147.Ink supply circuit 147 comprises a flexibleelectrical cable 149 with anadapter connector 151 on one end.Adapter connector 151 is provided for electrically connecting asignal source 155 toelectrical connector 100 ofprinting system 10.Adapter connector 151 is configured to closely receive at least two opposite sides of electrical interconnect 100 (see also Fig. 9) to retainadapter connector 151.Adapter connector 151 may have a guide member similar to guide member 72 (Figs. 5 and 6) which engages guide slot 106 (Fig. 9).
Adapter connector 151 has a plurality offlat contact pads 153 arrayed in a row for engagingelectrical contacts 104 ofconnector 100. In a preferred embodiment, number and spacing ofcontact pads 153 are substantially the same as those described with respect to Figure 5. Even if inductive volume sensing is not employed, preferably at least one pair of contacts would be positioned similar tocontacts 78 in Figure 5 and electrically connected together to enable controller 32 (Fig. 1) to perform a continuity check.
Ink supply circuit 147 is connected to the source ofelectrical signals 155 for supplying enabling information toprinting system 10. Acable 149 enableselectrical signal source 155 to be remote fromreceptacle 88 whileadapter connector 151 is in engagement withcontacts 104 ofprinting system 10. Alternatively, signalsource 155 may be connected tocable 149 with a pluggable connector (not shown).
Electrical signal source 155 may be a memory circuit substantially the same as memory circuit 34 (Fig. 3) of the first embodiment. Alternately, signalsource 155 may be an emulation device, which is an electronic circuit that functions similar tomemory device 34 but may have a substantially different structure. As an emulation device, signalsource 155 may exchange substantially the same type of information with printing system 10 (Fig. 1) asmemory device 34. For example, as an emulation device, signalsource 155 may provide information to controller 32 (Fig. 1) regarding the volume of ink, the type of ink and color whenconnector 151 is connected toelectrical connector 100. These signals may be interpreted bycontroller 32 to be indicative of the initial ink supply size, the coarse ink level and the fine ink level. Each time the signal indicative of the fine ink level reaches an extreme, the coarse ink level signal may be incremented insignal source 155 in response. Thus an emulation device assignal source 155 may function as a duplicate or near duplicate ofmemory device 34. Alternatively, signalsource 155 may be a signal-providing circuit that merely enablesprinting system 10 to operate whenever a new ink supply is provided but does not provide information concerning the volume of ink inreservoir 146 during usage.
In operation,ink supply 141 delivers ink similarly toink container 12. The largevolume ink reservoir 146 is connected tofluid inlet 98 throughconduit 143 andfluid outlet 145. The seal offluid outlet 145 is pierced byneedle 108 offluid inlet 98. Signalsource 155 is connected tosystem connector 100 throughink supply connector 151 andcable 149. Ink is delivered from the ink reservoir while, the remaining volume or other ink parameters are communicated toprinting system 10 throughink supply circuit 147.Conduit 143 andcable 149 allowreservoir 146 and signalsource 155, respectively, to be located remotely from printingsystem 10.
Referring to Fig. 16, a second embodiment of anadaptive ink supply 161 for replacingink container 12 is depicted.Ink supply 161 comprises ahousing 163 with a leading end and a trailing end relative to a direction of installation ofink supply 161 into receptacle 88 (Fig. 8). In this figure, only features that pertain to the invention are shown.Housing 163 is sized to be inserted at least partially into receptacle 88 (Fig. 7).Housing 163 includes anopening 165 at the leading end for allowing the establishment of fluidic and air connections betweenink supply 161 and theprinting system 10. In a preferred embodiment,housing 163 includes keying and aligningfeatures 184 that function similarly to keying and aligningfeatures 58 and 60 discussed with respect toink container 12.
Aflexible ink reservoir 167 located within arigid shell 169 is located insidehousing 163. Anfluid outlet 171 extending fromreservoir 167 engagesfluid inlet 98 and receiveshollow needle 108 therein in a manner similar to that offluid outlet 30 discussed with respect toink container 12. In a preferred embodiment, acheck valve 172 is located betweenreservoir 167 andfluid outlet 171 and is opened byneedle 108 when the needle pierces a seal orseptum 170 influid outlet 171.Shell 169 has an air inlet 173 with aseptum 174 which connects toair outlet 96 and is pierced by thehollow needle 112 therein for delivering pressurized air fromair outlet 96 to the pressure chamber inshell 169 for pressurizingreservoir 167.Fluid outlet 171 and air inlet 173 protrude throughopening 165 inhousing 163. Preferably, a volume sensing circuit comprising inductive coils is also used similar to that shown in Figure 13.
In a preferred embodiment,ink supply 161 includes alatching feature 182 that allowsink supply 161 to be secured inreceptacle 88 to assure a reliable fluidic, air, and electrical connections betweenink supply 161 andprinting system 10. In a preferred embodiment, the latching feature is an inkcontainer latch feature 182 that is attached near the trailing end of shell 169 (as illustrated with respect to Fig. 16) orhousing 163.Latch feature 182 is positioned on a lower side ofink supply 161 relative to a gravitational frame of reference.Latch feature 182 is positioned to engage latching portion 94 (discussed with respect to Figs. 7 and 8) associated withreceptacle 88.Latch feature 182 forms an opening for receiving latchingportion 94.
Ink supply 161 also comprises an electricalink supply circuit 175. In an exemplary embodiment,ink supply circuit 175 comprises a flexibleelectrical cable 177 extending fromelectrical contact pads 179 mounted to a leading end ofhousing 163. Although not shown, an alignment device similar to guide member 72 (Figs. 5 and 6) may protrude from the leading end ofhousing 163 to assure proper alignment betweencontacts pads 179 andcontacts 104 that protrude fromconnector 100. The alignment device generates movement ofconnector 100 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of insertion ofink supply 161 intoprinting system 10 in a manner similar toalignment feature 72 discussed with respect toink container 12. The trailing end ofhousing 163 is open for allowingshell 169 to slide in and out ofhousing 163.Ink supply circuit 175 is provided for electrically coupling a source ofsignals 181 toelectrical connector 100 ofprinting system 10.
Ink supply circuitry 175 also has thesignal source 181 which may be an electrical memory device or an emulator for supplying enabling information toprinting system 10. In an exemplary embodiment, signalsource 181 is mounted to one side ofhousing 163.Housing 163 preferably has keying and guidingfeatures 184 for functioning in a similar manner toitems 58 and 60 (Fig. 3).
An alternative embodiment of the system described with respect to Fig. 16 would include amemory device 34 mounted tohousing 163 in a manner similar to that discussed with respect to Fig. 5.
In operation,ink supply 161 operates similarly toink container 12. Theink reservoir 167 is connected tofluid inlet 98 throughfluid outlet 171.Pressure vessel 169 is connected toair outlet 96 through air inlet 173. Signalsource 181 is coupled tosystem connector 100 through inksupply connector contacts 179 andcable 177. A continuity check will be made bycontroller 32 oncehousing 169 is installed. Preferably this is made through one pair of volume sensing contacts similar to contacts 78 (Fig. 5) and at least one inductive coil similar tocoil 36 shown in Figure 13. Ink is delivered toprinting system 10 as pressurized air flows to shell 169 to apply pressure toreservoir 167. The operating parameters ofink supply 161 may be communicated toprinting system 10 as described above forink supply 141.
Whenink supply 161 is releasably installed intoreceptacle 88 such that fluid, air, and electrical connections are established betweenink supply 161 andprinting system 10, springs 101 are compressed.Springs 101 exert a force onink supply 161 that is directed opposite to the direction of installation. If necessary,ink supply 161 includes at least onelatching feature 184 to that exerts an opposing force directed along the direction of installation.
When ink is depleted fromreservoir 167, there are several options.Reservoir 167 andshell 169 may be removed fromhousing 163 and replaced by another reservoir and shell. Alternately,reservoir 167 may be refilled. In both cases, ifsignal source 181 provides volume information, it will need to be updated in some manner so as to not supply erroneous information to printing system controller 32 (Fig. 1).
A third embodiment of an adaptive ink supply is depicted in Figure 17.Ink supply 191 comprises ahousing 193 having leading and trailing ends relative to a direction of installation ofhousing 193 intoreceptacle 88.Housing 193 includes afluid outlet 195 secured to and protruding from the leading end.Housing 193 contains anink conduit 197 that extends fromoutlet 195 to an ink reservoir (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the reservoir (not shown) is remote fromhousing 193 similar toreservoir 146 in Figure 15. This remote configuration allows the use of ink supplies that would not fit inreceptacle 88.Fluid outlet 195 extends laterally fromhousing 193 and engagesfluid inlet 98 in a manner similar to the function offluid outlet 30 discussed with respect toink container 12.Ink supply 191 has an electricalink supply circuit 199 which may be similar tocircuit 175 discussed with respect to Fig. 16, having a plurality of contacts such asflat contact pads 200 on a leading end ofhousing 193 and connected to asignal source 202 by a plurality of conductive leads.
In a preferred embodiment,ink supply 191 includes alatching feature 196 that allowsink supply 191 to be secured inreceptacle 88 to assure a reliable fluidic and electrical connections betweenink supply 191 andprinting system 10.Latch feature 196 is positioned to engage latchingportion 94 associated withreceptacle 88. Latch feature extends downwardly from a trailing end ofhousing 193 relative to a gravitational frame of reference. Other means of providing a latch feature are possible, including surfaces onhousing 193 that provide a friction betweenhousing 193 and the sides ofreceptacle 88.
In a preferred embodiment,housing 193 also includes keying and aligningfeatures 198 that are preferably similar to the keying and aligningfeatures 58 and 60 discussed with respect to Fig. 3. When housing 193 is releasably inserted intoreceptacle 88, the keying and aligningfeatures 198 provide coarse alignment betweenhousing 193 andreceptacle 88. This allowsfluid outlet 195 to properly engagesleeve 110 associated withfluid inlet 98 to allowneedle 108 to properly align to and be received byfluid outlet 195. The fluidic connection betweenneedle 108 andfluid outlet 195 provides an intermediate level of alignment accuracy betweenconnector 100 andpads 200. An alignment member such asupstanding member 72 is then used to provide fine alignment betweenpads 200 andcontacts 104. This coarse, intermediate, and fine alignment scheme is similar to that discussed forink container 12 with respect to Figs. 10A and 10B.
In operation, whenhousing 193 is inserted into a receptacle 88 (Fig. 7),fluid outlet 195 connects tofluid inlet 98. Signalsource 202 inink supply connector 199 is coupled tosystem connector 100 throughcontact pads 200. In a preferred embodiment, an electrical continuity check is performed as described with respect to Fig. 15. Ink is delivered toprinting system 10 throughfluid outlet 195. Signalsource 202 exchanges information with controller 32 (Fig. 1) as described above.
Whenink supply 191 is releasably installed intoreceptacle 88 such that fluid and electrical connections are established betweenink supply 191 andprinting system 10, springs 101 are compressed.Springs 101 exert a force onink supply 191 that is directed opposite to the direction of installation. If necessary,ink supply 191 includes at least onelatching feature 196 to overcome this force, as discussed earlier.
Figure 18 depicts a fourth embodiment of the invention.Ink supply 201 has anink reservoir 203 with afluid outlet 205 protruding from one end. Volume sensing circuitry such as coils 36 (Fig. 13) can also be employed onreservoir 203. An electricalink supply circuit 207 is employed which may be the similar toink supply circuit 147 ofink supply 141 as described with respect to Figure 15.Ink supply circuit 207 has anelectrical connector 204 which connects to asignal source 211. In operation, ink is metered fromreservoir 203 assignal source 211 electronically exchanges information withcontroller 32 of printing system 10 (Fig. 1). Electrical continuity may be checked as described in connection with Figure 15.Electrical signal source 211 may be similar tomemory device 34 or it may be an emulator that is functionally equivalent to thememory device 34.
A fifth embodiment of an adaptive ink delivery system is shown in Figure 19.Ink supply 211 has anexternal housing 213 that contains anink reservoir 215 that has anfluid outlet 216.Housing 213 has an open trailing end for slidingly receivingreservoir 215. An electricalink supply circuit 217 is mounted tohousing 213 and may be the same asink supply circuit 199, described above in connection with Figure 17.Ink supply circuit 217 hascontact pads 218 mounted to a leading end ofhousing 213 and a signal source 219 mounted to the side ofhousing 213.Ink supply 211 operates similarly toink supply 201 as described with respect to Fig. 18.
An alternative embodiment of the system described with respect to Fig. 19 would include amemory device 34 mounted tohousing 213 in a manner similar to that discussed with respect to Fig. 5.
Whenink supply 211 is releasably installed intoreceptacle 88 such that fluid and electrical connections are established betweenink supply 211 andprinting system 10, springs 101 are compressed.Springs 101 exert a force onink supply 191 that is directed opposite to the direction of installation. If necessary,ink supply 211 includes at least onelatching feature 220 to overcome this force, such as a latch feature located on the trailing end ofhousing 213. In a preferred embodiment,ink supply 211 includes keying and aligning features 222 that function similarly to the keying and aligningfeatures 58 and 60 discussed with respect toink container 12.
Figure 20 depicts anink supply 224 that uses arigid ink reservoir 226.Reservoir 226 has afluid outlet 228 that is configured similar to the fluid outlets previously described for fluidic connection to fluid inlet 98 (Fig. 19). Anink conduit 230 extends intoreservoir 226 and terminates at the bottom with afilter 232.Filter 232 is preferably of a type that will allow the passage of ink intoink tube 230, but block air flow intotube 230. Anair inlet 234 is located next tofluid outlet 228 for reception into air outlet 96 (Fig. 19).Air inlet 234 is connected to anair tube 238 that extends into an upper side ofreservoir 226. A memory or emulator unit andelectrical contact pads 242 are located on a leading edge ofreservoir 226. Contactpads 242 are positioned to engage. printer electrical connector 100 (Fig. 19). A guide member (not shown) such as guide member 72 (Fig. 5) will be employed.
In a preferred embodiment,ink supply 224 includeslatch feature 244 for engaginglatch portion 94 associated withprinting system 10. This latch feature would be similar to and function similarly to thelatch feature 62 described with respect to Figs. 3-10.
In a preferred embodiment,ink supply 224 includes keying and aligningfeatures 246 that would be similar to and function similarly to the keying and aligningfeatures 58 and 60 discussed with respect to Figs. 3-10.
In use,reservoir 226 inserts into receiving slot 88 (Fig. 8), withfluid outlet 228 engagingfluid inlet 98,air inlet 234 engagingair outlet 96, andcontact pads 242 engagingelectrical connector 100. Air pressure is delivered from the printer compressor 16 (Fig. 1). The air pressure is applied to the interior ofreservoir 226 aboveink 240. This pressurizesink 240 that then flows throughfilter 232 andconduit 230 to the printhead 14 (Fig. 1).
Each of the foregoingelectrical circuits 147, 161, 199, 207 and 217 are preferably provided with an alignment or upstanding guide member similar to guide member 72 (Figures 5 and 6).Guide member 72 is located adjacent to the contact pads of the respective electrical connectors for engaging one of the sides ofsupport member 100 to align the contact pads with those ofprinting system 10.
An alternate embodiment forguide member 72 ofink supply connectors 147, 161, 199, 207 and 217 is shown in Figures 21 and 22. Aconnector 221 having a row ofcontact pads 223 for engagingcontacts 104 ofconnector 100 is provided with a pair of spaced-apartalignment members 225. Onealignment member 225 is located adjacent each of theoutermost contact pads 223.Alignment members 225 have inclinedsurfaces 227 for engaging oppositelateral sides 107 ofsupport member 100 for facilitating the joining ofconnectors 100 and 221, and the proper alignment ofcontacts 223 and 104.
The invention has several advantages. Some ink delivery systems described, such as those described with respect to Figs. 15 and 17 allow for large ink reservoirs that cannot be accommodated in receivingslot 88. This allows users who require high usage to replace the ink containers less frequently. On the other hand, systems such as those described with respect to Figs. 15, 16, 18, and 19, allow the ink reservoir portion of the ink supply to be replaced separately from the electronic portion. If desired for lower use rates, a plurality of relatively small reservoir portions can be utilized for each electronic portion.
While the invention has been shown or described in only some of its forms, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible to various changes without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

A combination of a printing system (10) having a receptacle (88) for receiving a first ink cartridge (12), the receptacle (88) containing an interconnect platform (102), a printing system electrical connector (100) which protrudes from the platform (102), has at least two sides, and has an end containing a plurality of protruding resilient electrical contacts (104) protruding from the end, the electrical contacts (104) including two pairs of volume sensing contacts, a controller (32) which exchanges information with a first memory device (34) mounted to the first ink cartridge (12) concerning ink in the first ink cartridge (12), an ink supply sleeve (110) protruding from the platform (102) and surrounding a hollow needle (108) fluidically connected to a printhead (14), the first ink cartridge (12) having a pair of inductive coils (36) for sensing ink quantity therein, each of the inductive coils (36) adapted to be electrically connected to one of the pairs of the volume sensing contacts when the first ink cartridge (12) is installed in the receptacle (88); and
an adaptive ink supply (141) for use in lieu of a first ink cartridge comprising:
an ink reservoir (146) containing a replacement ink;
a fluid outlet (145) in fluid communication with the ink reservoir (146) which is sized to be received by the ink supply sleeve (110) and to receive the hollow needle (108);
an adapter connector (151) having a base and a plurality of electrical contact pads (153) mounted to the base for engaging the electrical contacts (104) of the printing system electrical connector (100);
a source (155) of signals electrically connected to the contact pads (153) of the adapter connector (151) for exchanging information with the controller (32): and
a circuit connecting at least one of the pairs of the volume sensing contacts to each other for enabling a continuity check to be made by the controller (32) once the adapter connector (151) is connected to printing system electrical contacts (104).
The combination of claim 1, wherein the adapter connector (151) comprises a housing which is sized to be inserted at least partially into the receptacle (88), the contact pads (153) being mounted to the housing, the housing having an opening adjacent to the contact pads; and wherein
the ink reservoir (146) along with the fluid outlet (145) are slidably inserted into the housing, with the fluid outlet protruding through the opening.
The combination of claim 1, wherein the adapter connector comprises a housing (193) which is sized to be inserted at least partially into the receptacle (88), the contact pads (200) being mounted to the housing (193); wherein
the fluid outlet (195) is secured to the housing (193); and wherein
the ink reservoir (146) is located exterior of the housing (193) and connected to the fluid outlet (195) by a conduit (197).
The combination of claim 1, wherein the printing system (10) has an air supply sleeve (114) protruding from the platform and a hollow needle (112) surrounded by the air supply sleeve (114) and leading to an air pressure source (16), and wherein the adapter connector further comprises:
a housing (163) which is sized to be inserted at least partially into the receptacle (88), the contact pads (179) being mounted to the housing (163), the housing (163) having an opening (165) adjacent to the contact pads (179);
a shell (169) surrounding at least a portion of the reservoir (167), defining an air pressure chamber between the shell (169) and the reservoir (167);
an air inlet (173) extending from the shell (169) which is sized to connect to the air supply sleeve (114), the air Inlet (173) having an end which is adapted to be pierced by the needle in the air supply sleeve for delivering pressurized air from the air supply sleeve to the pressure chamber for pressurizing the ink reservoir (167); and wherein
the shell (169), the reservoir (167), the fluid outlet (171) and the air inlet (173) are removably inserted into the housing (163), with the fluid outlet (171) and air inlet (173) protruding through the opening (165).
The combination of claim 1, further comprising a flexible conduit (143) connected between the ink reservoir (146) and the fluid outlet (145) to allow the ink reservoir (146) to be remotely located from the receptacle (88) while the fluid outlet (145) is connected to the ink supply sleeve (110).
The combination of claim 1. wherein the adaptive ink supply further comprises at least one guide member (72) which engages at least one of the sides of the printer electrical connector (100) for aligning the contact pads (153) into engagement with the electrical contacts (104).
The combination of claim 6, wherein the contact pads (153) are arranged along a line to define an x-axis direction:
the guide member (72) of the adapter connector (151) is positioned to engage at least one of the sides of the printer electrical connector (100) to provide alignment between the contact pads and the resilient electrical contacts along the x-axis.
The combination of claim 1, wherein the source (155) of signals contains a memory device which has a write portion which is adapted to be updated by the controller (32) to provide an estimate during usage of the quantity of replacement ink in the ink reservoir (146).
The combination of claim 1. wherein the source (155) of signals is connected to the contact pads (153) on the adapter connector (151) by a flexible cable (149) to enable the source of signals to be remotely located from the receptacle (88) while the adapter connector (151) is in engagement with the electrical contacts (104) of the printing system.