Chip and ink jet printer

Chip and inkjet printer technology field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of inkjet printing, in particular to a chip and an inkjet printer with such a chip.

Background technique

[0002] As a common office equipment, inkjet printers provide great convenience for modern office. Most existing inkjet printers use ink cartridges loaded with ink to form characters or patterns that need to be printed on media such as paper.

[0003] As shown in FIG. 1, an existing inkjet printer has a housing 1, in which a core 2 is provided, and the control circuit of the inkjet printer is provided in the core 2 (in FIG. 1 Invisible), the control circuit includes an integrated circuit that controls the work of the inkjet printer. The control circuit is connected to the computer through a data line and receives printing commands from the computer.

[0004] The movement 2 is also equipped with a print head with multiple nozzles arranged along the auxiliary scanning direction, that is, the paper feeding direction, and the print head is moved by the carriage 3 along the main scanning direction to obtain the desired printing result. On the other hand, the control circuit installed in the movement 2 is also electrically connected to the print head on the carriage 3 through the data cable 4 to provide an ink jet signal to the print head drive circuit.

[0005] A plurality of ink cartridges 10 are detachably installed in the carriage 3, and the structure of each ink cartridge 10 is shown in FIG. 2. The ink cartridge 10 has a casing 11, the casing 11 encloses a cavity for containing ink, an ink outlet 12 is arranged below the cavity, and the ink in the cavity flows from the ink outlet 12 to the print head.

[0006] The bottom of the carriage 3 is provided with an ink supply needle that can be connected to the ink outlet 12 of the ink cartridge 10. When the ink cartridge 10 is installed on the carriage 3, the ink supply needle penetrates the ink outlet 12 of the ink cartridge 10, and the ink flows from the ink outlet. Port 12 enters the print head through the ink supply needle. During printing, the control circuit transmits the printed control information to the carriage 3 through the data cable 4, and controls each nozzle to eject ink to the medium according to the signal requirements.

[0007] An ink cartridge chip 13 is provided on the housing 11 of the ink cartridge 10. The ink cartridge chip 13 has a substrate 14. The outer surface of the substrate 14 is provided with a plurality of electrical contacts 15, and the inner surface of the substrate 14 is provided with electrical contacts 15 Electrically connected electronic modules (not visible in Figure 2). The electronic module has a memory, which stores data related to the ink cartridge 10, such as the production date of the ink cartridge 10, ink color, and the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 10, etc.

[0008] Referring to FIG. 3, an adapter circuit board 5 electrically connected to the control circuit in the movement is provided in the pulley, and a plurality of connection terminals 6 are provided on the surface of the adapter circuit board 5 facing the outside. A terminal frame 7 is provided on the outer side of the transfer circuit board 5, and a plurality of terminals 8, 9 are respectively provided on both sides of the terminal frame 7, wherein the multiple terminals 8 facing the side of the transfer circuit board 5 abut on the connection terminal 6.on, thereby achieving electrical connection between the terminal 8 and the connecting terminal 6.

[0009] After the ink cartridge 10 is installed on the carriage, the electrical contacts 15 on the ink cartridge chip 13 will abut on the terminal 9, thereby achieving electrical connection with the terminal 9. Since the terminals 8, 9 on both sides of the terminal frame 7 are connected in a one-to-one correspondence, the electrical contacts 15 of the cartridge chip 13 are electrically connected to the control circuit in the movement 2 through the terminals 9, 8 and the connecting terminal 6, so as to achieve Data exchange between the electronic module of the chip 13 and the control circuit.

[0010] The plurality of electrical contacts 15 on the ink cartridge chip 13 includes two identification contacts, and the two identification contacts are in electrical communication. After the ink cartridge 10 is installed on the carriage, the inkjet printer will determine whether the terminal abutting the identification contact is connected through the terminals 8 and 9. If it is connected, it means that the ink cartridge 10 is installed correctly and communication is started. If it is not detected that the corresponding terminal is connected, it is determined that the ink cartridge 10

If it is not installed correctly, the printing operation will not be performed.

[0011] After the inkjet printer determines that the ink cartridge 10 is correctly installed, the control circuit communicates with the ink cartridge chip 13. At this time, the integrated circuit inside the control circuit will read the ink remaining amount and other data stored in the electronic module of the ink cartridge chip 13, and determine Whether there is enough ink stored in the ink cartridge 10, if it is found that the ink remaining in the ink cartridge 10 is insufficient, a warning message of insufficient ink remaining is sent to the user to remind the user that a new ink cartridge 10 needs to be replaced.

[0012] The ink cartridge chip 13 is arranged on the ink cartridge 10, which greatly increases the production cost of the ink cartridge 10, and the ink cartridge chip 13 is thrown away after one use, causing environmental pollution.

[0013] Moreover, after the ink in the ink cartridge 10 is exhausted, the housing of the ink cartridge 10 can still be used. If the ink cartridge 10 is thrown away at this time, it will not only cause environmental pollution but also waste. Therefore, after the ink in the ink cartridge 10 is exhausted, the user usually refills the ink cartridge 10 and uses it again. However, since the ink remaining amount stored in the ink cartridge chip 13 is zero, the inkjet printer cannot read the ink remaining amount data. Normal work, causing inconvenience to users.

Summary of the invention

[0014] The main purpose of the present invention is to provide a chip that is convenient for users to use ink cartridges with lower production costs.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to provide an inkjet printer that can use refilling ink cartridges.

[0016] In order to achieve the above-mentioned main purpose, the chip provided by the present invention includes a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The substrate is provided with an electronic module, and the electronic module has a memory, wherein, The first surface is provided with a first electrical contact group, the first electrical contact group is electrically connected to the electronic module, and the second surface is provided with a second electrical contact group, each electrical contact of the second electrical contact group Correspond to each electrical contact of the first electrical contact group.

[0017] It can be seen from the above solution that the chip is installed between the transfer circuit board of the carriage and the terminal frame, and there is no need to install the ink cartridge chip on the ink cartridge, so that the inkjet printer can perform printing every time the data stored on the chip is read. operating. Therefore, the user can use the ink cartridge without a chip to print, that is, use the ink cartridge with a lower production cost, which reduces the user's printing cost.

[0018] A preferred solution is that each electrical contact of the first electrical contact group communicates with a corresponding electrical contact in the first electrical contact group.

[0019] It can be seen that since all the electrical contacts of the two sets of electrical contacts are correspondingly connected, after the ink cartridge is installed on the carriage, the first set of electrical contact sets are connected to a piece of metal on the ink cartridge through the second set of electrical contact sets. The block is electrically connected to determine whether the ink cartridge is installed in place.

[0020] In order to achieve the above-mentioned another object, the inkjet printer provided by the present invention includes a housing, a movement is arranged in the housing, a carriage for installing ink cartridges is arranged on the movement, and an adapter circuit board is arranged on the carriage, and A terminal frame located on the outside of the adapter circuit board, wherein a chip is detachably mounted between the adapter circuit board and the terminal frame, the chip has a substrate, and the substrate has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. One surface is provided with a first electrical contact group abutting on the connecting terminals of the transfer circuit board, and an electronic module electrically connected with the first electrical contact group is also provided on the substrate, and the electronic module has a memory.

[0021] It can be seen from the above solution that a chip is provided between the transfer circuit board of the inkjet printer carriage and the terminal frame, and data such as ink remaining amount is stored on the chip, that is, the inkjet printer does not read the data of the ink cartridge chip when the inkjet printer is working. , But read the data of the chip installed in the sled. In this way, as long as the ink remaining amount data stored in the chip is not zero, the user can use the refilled ink cartridge, avoiding the waste of the ink cartridge, which is beneficial to environmental protection.

[0022] A preferred solution is that the first electrical contact group is provided with two identification contacts, and a switching device is connected between the two identification contacts. In this way, the user puts the switch device in the closed state and installs the ink cartridge on the carriage, and the inkjet printer judges

The two identification contacts are disconnected, and it is judged that the ink cartridge has been installed correctly.

[0023] Another preferred solution is that a second electrical contact group is provided on the second surface, and each electrical contact of the second electrical contact group corresponds to each electrical contact of the first electrical contact group, And the second electrical contact group is connected with the electronic module.

[0024] It can be seen that if two sets of electrical contact sets are provided on the chip, the chip can be mounted between the transfer circuit board of the carriage and the terminal frame on both sides, which facilitates the installation and use of the chip.

Description of the drawings

[0025] FIG. 1 is a structural diagram of an existing inkjet printer.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a structural diagram of an existing ink cartridge.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the corresponding relationship between the existing ink cartridge and the adapter circuit board and the terminal frame.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a front view of the first embodiment of the chip of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the first embodiment of the chip of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a structural diagram of an ink cartridge used in conjunction with the first embodiment of the chip of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the connection between the first embodiment of the chip of the present invention and the transfer circuit board, the ink cartridge and the terminal frame.

[0032] FIG. 8 is an electrical schematic diagram of the second embodiment of the chip of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 9 is an electrical connection diagram of the identification contact and the switching device in the third embodiment of the chip of the present invention.

[0034] The utility model is further described below in conjunction with the drawings and embodiments.

Detailed ways

[0035] Examples of inkjet printers:

[0036] This embodiment has a housing with a movement inside the housing. The movement is provided with a carriage for installing ink cartridges. The carriage is provided with an adapter circuit board and a terminal frame located outside the adapter circuit board. The cartridge is detachable Install into the block.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 7, in this embodiment, a chip 20 is installed between the adapter circuit board 40 and the terminal frame 43, and the chip 20 is detachably inserted into the gap between the adapter circuit board 40 and the terminal frame 43. The adapter circuit board 40 is provided with a plurality of connection terminals 41, and both sides of the terminal frame 43 are provided with a plurality of terminals 44.45, wherein the plurality of terminals 44 face the adapter circuit board 40 and are connected to the plurality of connection terminals 41. In one correspondence, the terminal 45 faces one side of the ink cartridge 30, and the multiple terminals 44 on the side facing the adapter circuit board 40 correspond to the multiple terminals 45 on the side facing the ink cartridge 30, and the corresponding two terminals are electrically connected to each other.

[0038] The first embodiment of the chip:

4 and 5, this embodiment has a substrate 21, the substrate 21 has a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface, where FIG. 4 shows the first surface of the substrate 21, and FIG. 5 The second surface of the substrate 21 is shown.

[0040] A first electrical contact group 22 is provided on the first surface, which includes a plurality of electrical contacts, and the multiple electrical contacts are arranged in two rows. In addition, the first electrical contact group 22 has two identification contacts 23.24, which are respectively located at two ends of the lower row of the first electrical contact group 22. There is also an electronic module 28 on the first surface, which has a memory that stores ink remaining amount, ink cartridge model, ink color and other data related to the ink cartridge. The electronic module 28 is electrically connected to the electrical contacts of the first electrical contact group 22 so that inkjet printing can access the electronic module through the electrical contacts.

[0041] The second surface of the substrate 21 is provided with a second electrical contact group 25, which includes a plurality of electrical contacts arranged in two rows up and down, and each electrical contact in the second electrical contact group 25 is connected to One electrical contact of the first electrical contact group 22 corresponds, and two corresponding electrical contacts are electrically connected. In addition, the two electrical contacts 26.27 at both ends of the lower row of the second electrical contact group 25 are identification contacts.

[0042] The structure of the ink cartridge used in conjunction with this embodiment is shown in FIG. 6, the ink cartridge 30 has a housing 31, and the housing 31 surrounds

A cavity containing ink is formed, and an ink outlet 32 is provided under the cavity. A metal block 33 is provided on one outer wall of the casing 31, and the location of the metal block 33 corresponds to the position of the two identification contacts in the existing ink cartridge chip.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 7, after the chip 20 is inserted into the gap between the transfer circuit board 40 of the carriage and the terminal frame 43 and the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the carriage of the inkjet printer, the first electrical contact group 22 of the chip 20 will reach It is connected to the connecting terminal 41 of the switching circuit board 40, and the second electrical contact group 25 abuts against a plurality of terminals 44 on one side of the terminal frame 43. The terminal 45 on the other side of the terminal frame 43 is connected to the metal block 33 of the ink cartridge 30.

[0044] After the inkjet printer is powered on, it first checks whether the ink cartridge 30 is installed correctly, that is, whether the two identification contacts are short-circuited. At this time, the inkjet printer outputs an electrical signal through the connection terminal 41 on the switching circuit board 40, and the electrical signal passes through the first electrical contact group 22 and the second electrical contact group 25 of the chip 20 to the terminal 44 of the terminal frame 43. , 45. Since the multiple terminals 45 located in the lower row are connected to the metal block 33, the terminals 45 located in the lower row are short-circuited. Therefore, the two identification contacts in the first electrical contact group 22 of the chip 20 are short-circuited, and the inkjet printer determines The ink cartridge 30 is installed in place.

[0045] Then, the inkjet printer sends communication data, such as a command to read data such as ink color, ink cartridge model, and ink remaining amount. After the command is sent to the chip 20, the chip 20 sends out the corresponding data stored in the memory, and the inkjet The printer then obtains the corresponding data to determine whether the ink cartridge model and color correspond to each other, and whether the remaining ink level is zero.

[0046] In this way, there is no need to install a chip on each ink cartridge 30 that is continuously updated, which reduces the cost of the ink cartridge.

[0047] Of course, the electronic module of the chip 20 can also be provided with a program to reset the ink remaining amount data, for example, when the ink remaining amount is lower than a certain set value, the ink remaining amount data is modified to a higher value, Therefore, it is ensured that the ink remaining amount data stored in the chip 20 is never zero, and that the ink cartridge 30 can be filled with ink for multiple times.

[0048] The second embodiment of the chip:

[0049] Referring to FIG. 8, this embodiment has a substrate 51. The first surface of the substrate is provided with a first electrical contact group 52. A plurality of electrical contacts of the first electrical contact group 52 are arranged in two rows up and down. The two electrical contacts 53.54 at both ends of the row are identification contacts, and the two identification electrical contacts 53,54 are short-circuited. The second surface of the substrate 51 is provided with a second electrical contact group 56. The multiple electrical contacts of the second electrical contact group 56 are arranged in two rows up and down, and the two electrical contacts 57.58 at both ends of the lower row are identification contacts. , The two identification contacts 57 and 58 are shorted.

[0050] An electronic module is also provided on the substrate 51, and a microcontroller 59 is provided in the electronic module, and the microcontroller 59 is respectively connected to a plurality of electrical contacts of the two sets of electrical contacts 52 and 56. In addition, the microcontroller 59 determines which group of electrical contact groups is in working state by detecting whether the electrical contacts of the two electrical contact groups 52, 56 have voltage signals.

[0051] There are two sets of ink remaining data stored in the microcontroller 59, respectively corresponding to two sets of electrical contact sets. When the inkjet printer reads the ink remaining data, the microcontroller 59 will contact the current working electrical contacts. One set of ink remaining data corresponding to the group is sent, and another set of ink remaining data is reset at the same time, that is, the ink remaining data is modified to a higher value.

[0052] This embodiment is also installed between the transfer circuit board and the terminal frame of the carriage. After the chip and the ink cartridge are installed on the carriage, the connection relationship between the transfer circuit board, the chip, the terminal frame and the ink cartridge is the same as the first embodiment.

[0053] Since the two electrical contact sets of this embodiment are not connected to each other, the inkjet printer cannot be connected to the terminal frame through the electrical contacts on the chip.

[0054] If the first surface of the chip is mounted toward the transfer circuit board, after the electrical signal of the inkjet printer passes through the connection terminals of the transfer circuit board, it will be transmitted to the first electrical contact group 52 on the first surface of the chip. When the inkjet printer detects whether the ink cartridge is installed in place, it can detect that the two identification contacts 53.54 of the chip are short-circuited, which means that the ink cartridge has been installed in place.

[0055] The microcontroller 59 can determine that the first electrical contact group 52 is a working electrical contact group by detecting that the electrical contacts of the first electrical contact group 52 are charged, and will correspond to the first electrical contact group 52 The ink remaining data is sent out, and it will be connected with the second electrical contact

The ink remaining amount data corresponding to group 55 is reset.

[0056] When the ink remaining data corresponding to the first electrical contact group 52 is zero, the user pulls out the chip and installs it in the trolley backwards, so that the second electrical contact group 55 is connected to the switching circuit board When the terminals abut, the microcontroller 59 uses another set of ink remaining data to communicate with the inkjet printer, and at the same time resets the ink remaining data corresponding to the first electrical contact group 52, so that the chip can be reused multiple times , It also ensures that the refilled ink is used multiple times to avoid waste.

[0057] The third embodiment of the chip:

[0058] This embodiment has a substrate. The substrate has a first surface and a second surface facing away from the first surface. A plurality of electrical contacts are provided on the first surface, two of which are identification contacts. No electrical contacts are provided on the second surface of the substrate, and an electronic module electrically connected to a plurality of electrical contacts is also provided on the substrate, and a memory is provided in the electronic module to store data such as ink remaining amount.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 9, a switch device K is provided between the two identification contacts 1A and 1B. When the chip is installed between the switching circuit board and the terminal frame, the switch device K is placed in the closed state, and the inkjet printer That is, the short circuit between the two identification terminals is detected, the ink cartridge is judged to be installed in place, and the communication operation with the chip is started.

[0060] Of course, the switching device K can also be used as a control signal for resetting the ink remaining data, and the microelectronic module can reset the ink remaining data when receiving the on-off state of the switching device K, which is convenient for multiple uses of the chip.

[0061] This embodiment is also detachably installed between the transfer circuit board and the terminal frame, and the inkjet printer accesses the electronic module of the chip through the connection terminals of the transfer circuit board. In this way, the ink cartridge installed on the carriage does not need to be provided with a chip, and the ink cartridge can be used continuously after refilling the ink, avoiding waste and also beneficial to environmental protection.

[0062] The inkjet printer of the present invention can also use existing ink cartridges, as long as the ink cartridge chip of the existing ink cartridge is removed, or the electrical contacts of the ink cartridge chip are covered with adhesive tape, etc., it can be installed on the carriage, The inkjet printer will not read the data of the cartridge chip.

[0063] Of course, the above-mentioned embodiment is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and there can be more changes in practical application. For example, in the third embodiment, the two identification contacts are directly short-circuited; or, In the case that the inkjet printer does not detect whether the ink cartridge is installed in place, the identification contact may not be provided, or the identification contact may not be short-circuited. These changes can also achieve the purpose of the present invention.

[0064] Finally, it needs to be emphasized that the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and changes such as changes in the shape of the chip and the components of the electronic module should also be included in the protection scope of the claims of the present invention.

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