Ink supply apparatus for wet electrophotographic printer

The This invention relates to an ink supplying device (ink supply device) for a Wet electrophotographic printer according to the preamble of claim 1.

in the developed a general, an electrophotographic printer wet electrostatic latent image, which is photosensitive to a Medium is generated, such as a photosensitive belt, using a developing liquid of a predetermined Color and transfers the developed Image on paper, whereby the desired Image is printed.

at a conventional The ink supply device for a conventional electrophotographic wet printer is an ink cartridge as a supply source removably mounted in a printer main body to the ink or supplying ink to a developing unit. Therefore, it is necessary that the ink cartridge is used in a place from which the ink cartridge can be easily removed. Furthermore, it is Problem is that the ink supply path between the developer unit and the ink cartridge is relatively long normally. furthermore are functional parts such as an agitator, a non-dripping valve, an air hole and fitting / detaching means provided in the ink cartridge, so that the replacement of the entire Ink cartridge increases the cost.

A such an ink supply apparatus is already known from the publication <patcit><text>EP 0523 915 B1</text></patcit> known. These The ink supply device comprises a tank, a removable refill, to ink to fill in a tank and a color identification device installation (replenisher, Key and keyway), so that only ink of a predetermined color to the corresponding color tank supplied from the refill bottle can. In such a multi-color system, however, are several installation sections for the respective tanks necessary is.

Out the publication <patcit><text>EP 0778 148 A1</text></patcit> is a system for refill cartridges known wherein several refill cartridges in a plurality of laterally juxtaposed installation sections are installed, the ink of the refill cartridges directly to the print head is passed. This system has the disadvantage that the Nachfülltintenkartuschen, inter alia agitator etc. have, if they are empty, have to be replaced in the housing.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an ink supply device provide, at which the ink cartridges of for replenishing Ink does not have to be taken out and which, moreover, are easy to use, compact and easy to manufacture.

These Object is achieved by the features recited in claim 1 dissolved.

advantageous Embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

The Invention will be based in the drawing, exemplary embodiments explained in more detail. It shows:

<figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> a perspective view an ink supply device for an electrophotographic printer according to an embodiment wet the present invention;

<figref idrefs="S15">2</figref> a perspective view of the bottom of the refill cartridge from that in the in <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> shown The ink supply device is used;

<figref idrefs="S16">3</figref> a perspective view an ink supply device for an electrophotographic wet printer according to another embodiment of the present invention;

<figref idrefs="S17">4</figref> a vertical section showing an example of an ink cartridge in the ink supply device according to the present Invention is used;

<figref idrefs="S17">5</figref> to <figref idrefs="S18">7</figref> Vertical sectional views showing examples of a refill cartridge, The present at the ink supply device according to the invention is used.

According to the present Invention, an ink cartridge for storing ink supplied to a developing unit to be, and a refill cartridge to the ink cartridge installed separately for supplying ink, Only the refill cartridge replaced when ink is consumed is.

Under Referring to <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> and <figref idrefs="S15">2</figref> an ink supply device an electrophotographic printer according to a second embodiment, wet of the present invention will be described.

at this embodiment is a Installati&lt;?page 3?&gt;onsabschnitt <figref>110</figref>, The plurality of grooves <figref>143</figref> to the Inserting each refill <figref>130</figref> according to the Color, into the outer surface of a housing <figref>101</figref> provided. In detail, a projection <figref>141</figref> each at a different Place each refill <figref>130</figref> provided and is associated with the groove <figref>143</figref> coupled according to the color.

at this embodiment can several refill cartridges <figref>130</figref> in an installation portion <figref>110</figref> according to the color be employed to the ink cartridge with ink of the desired refill.

furthermore , each refill <figref>130</figref> on outlet hole <figref>131</figref> on which per se according to the color is different locations, and a first valve element <figref>151</figref> in the discharge hole <figref>131</figref> provided.

Several second valve elements <figref>155a</figref>. <figref>155b</figref>. <figref>155c</figref> and <figref>155d</figref>. one for each color, with the first valve elements <figref>151</figref> coupled to be, are at the bottom of the installation section <figref>110</figref> arranged. The second valve elements <figref>155a</figref> to <figref>155d</figref> will therefore selectively with the first valve elements <figref>151</figref> coupled, which according to the color at different positions each arranged refill are, so that ink ink cartridges <figref>120a</figref>. <figref>120b</figref>. <figref>120c</figref> and <figref>120d</figref> over several paths <figref>159a</figref>. <figref>159b</figref>. <figref>159c</figref> and <figref>159d</figref> is supplied.

at this embodiment are the plurality of second valve members <figref>155a</figref> to <figref>155d</figref>. each the discharge hole <figref>131</figref> and the first valve element <figref>151</figref> of the refill <figref>130</figref> for a predetermined color correspond, according to the color in an installation section <figref>110</figref> appropriate, whereby the space utilization efficiency is increased.

A The ink supply device for an electrophotographic printer according to another embodiment Wet the present invention is in <figref idrefs="S16">3</figref> shown.

As in the embodiment according to <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref> several refill cartridges <figref>230</figref> for each color in an installation portion <figref>210</figref> used, which in a housing <figref>201</figref> scheduled is.

A The ink supply device comprises a first valve element <figref>251</figref> on, in the outlet hole (not shown) of the refill cartridge <figref>230</figref> used is a rotating plate <figref>257</figref>Which rotatably at the bottom of installation section <figref>210</figref> is provided, a drive motor <figref>259</figref> to the Driving the rotating plate <figref>257</figref>And a plurality of second valve members <figref>255</figref>. extending to the rotating plate <figref>257</figref> . are

A Color identification / installation device <figref>240</figref> at this embodiment includes a display device <figref>241</figref> , which on the refill cartridge <figref>230</figref> arranged is to specify the color of the ink in the refill cartridge <figref>230</figref> is included, and an in the installation section <figref>210</figref> mounted sensor <figref>243</figref>, Namely the display device <figref>241</figref> opposite. When the refill cartridge <figref>230</figref> in the installation section <figref>210</figref> is used, this represents the sensor <figref>243</figref> the display device <figref>241</figref> firmly, so as to identify the color of the ink in the refill cartridge <figref>130</figref> contain is.

On Signal from the sensor <figref>243</figref> according to the detection is delivered, control is transferred (not shown) to a, and the controller rotates the turntable <figref>257</figref> by appropriate Operation of the drive motor <figref>259</figref> so that the second valve element <figref>255</figref>. which in the rotary plate <figref>257</figref> located, with the corresponding first valve element <figref>251</figref> the refill cartridge <figref>230</figref> coupled becomes.

Therefore can in the refill cartridge <figref>230</figref> contained Ink (not shown) on the ink cartridge path <figref>258</figref> supplied will.

A Ink cartridge at the ink supply device according to the present Invention is provided, in <figref idrefs="S17">4</figref> shown. According to <figref idrefs="S17">4</figref> , the ink cartridge <figref>20</figref> on Ink cartridge housing <figref>20a</figref> With an air outlet <figref>25</figref> , and with a lid <figref>27</figref> to open or Conclude the Luftauslassloches <figref>25</figref>,

The Ink cartridge housing <figref>20a</figref> contains ink, the above the inlet hole <figref>21</figref> of the refill cartridge <figref>30</figref> supplied (see Fig. <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref>), And sends the ink on the developer unit <figref>60</figref> (S. <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref>) about the supply hole <figref>23</figref>, Furthermore, the cover is<figref>27</figref> correspondingly the internal pressure of the ink cartridge housing <figref>20a</figref> opened or closed. If ink from the refill cartridge<figref>30</figref> supplied is, the cover is <figref>27</figref> opened so that air from the ink cartridge housing <figref>20a</figref> about the air outlet <figref>25</figref> is ejected. After the feed is finished ink, closes the lid <figref>27</figref> the air outlet <figref>25</figref> by its own weight or elastic restoring force.

As out <figref idrefs="S17">5</figref> stating which the refill cartridge <figref>30</figref> shows, is an air inlet hole <figref>32</figref> on a Nachfüllkartuschengehäuse <figref>30a</figref> provided that contains ink, having a predetermined color, and is the air inlet hole <figref>32</figref> by a lid <figref>33</figref> closed tight.

in the individual flows, when the lid <figref>33</figref> will be accepted until the refill cartridge <figref>30</figref>&lt;?page 4?&gt;in the installation section <figref>10</figref> was used (s. <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref>) In which Nachfüllkartuschengehäuse <figref>30a</figref> contained Ink in the ink cartridge <figref>20</figref> via the first and second valve element <figref>51</figref> and <figref>55</figref> and the path <figref>59</figref>,

Other examples for the refill cartridge are in the <figref idrefs="S18">6</figref> and <figref idrefs="S18">7</figref> shown. Here are the same or corresponding components with the same or corresponding Reference numerals.

According to <figref idrefs="S18">6</figref> includes a piston <figref>34</figref> and a piston rod <figref>35</figref> provided in a refill cartridge <figref>30 '</figref> contained Ink quickly the ink cartridge <figref>20</figref> (S. <figref idrefs="S14">1</figref>) Feed. The piston<figref>34</figref> slidably within a Nachfüllkartuschengehäuses <figref>30b</figref> appropriate, and the rod <figref>35</figref> is connected to the piston <figref>34</figref> about the Nachfüllkartuschengehäuse <figref>30b</figref> connected. Therefore, the rod <figref>35</figref> pressed so that the piston <figref>34</figref> the in the Nachfüllkartuschengehäuse <figref>30b</figref> contained Ink is pressurized, whereby ink rapidly through the outlet hole <figref>31</figref> supplied becomes.

A in <figref idrefs="S18">7</figref> refill cartridge shown <figref>30 ''</figref> has a Nachfüllkartuschengehäuse <figref>30c</figref> on which the shape of a bellows, has contained in the housing wherein ink over the outlet hole <figref>31</figref> is ejected when the bellows by External pressure compressed becomes. Here, an air outlet hole, and a lid is not required, so that the construction of the refill cartridge is simplified, and ink is injected rapidly. alternative this, the refill cartridge <figref>30 ''</figref> consist of a flexible material.

If in the ink supply device according to the present invention the ink is consumed is, is only the refill cartridge exchanged, while the ink cartridge, the functional parts as For example, an agitator, a non-dripping valve, an air vent and an attachment / detachment device having, on the printer main body is secured, thereby reducing the cost for the replacement of parts reduced will.

There the replacement of ink cartridges is not required, about that , the ink cartridge in a position suitable for the printing position within the housing of the main housing are attached, what flexibility makes the installation of the ink cartridge.