Fluid cartridge

[0001] Fluid cartridges are replaceable components for a suitable fluid ejection system. A commonly used fluid cartridge is an ink cartridge. A common system for ejecting fluid is a printer. In general, two types of ink cartridges can be distinguished. The first type is a cartridge integrated with the printhead, the printhead being part of the cartridge. The second type is a separate ink cartridge. The ink cartridge connects to the printer socket. The slot and the ink cartridges have appropriate interfaces that lead the ink from the cartridge to the print head for printing. The ink cartridge and slot may, in addition to the ink interface, also include an air interface, a locking interface, an electrical interface, and an alignment interface. The air interface supplies air to and from the cartridge, mainly to control the pressure inside the cartridge. The locking interface ensures that the correct cartridge is inserted into the correct cartridge slot. The alignment interface ensures that the interfaces are well arranged to connect them. The electrical interface sends electrical signals between the printer's control circuit and the ink cartridge. Signals may depend on the specifications of the cartridge.

[0002] Usually, an additional locking latch is still provided to maintain substantially pneumatically and hydraulically tight connections between the insert and the seat. This additional latch should also maintain the electrical connection. A known locking technique involves the use of a bow that holds the insert tightly in its seat. Another known locking technique uses a flexible hook that engages in the notch and holds the insert tightly in the socket.

[0003] Known locking mechanisms usually take up a lot of space in the printer.

In addition, considerable strength may be needed to block. In some cases, the insert is placed at an angle and then rotated back to its normal position so that the interfaces connect to each other. This usually requires bending of the connection elements, which means that there is a likelihood of incorrect interface connections, leakage, and physical wear or damage.

[0004] European Patent Application Publication No. 1348562 A2 discloses a cartridge with an integrated print head and a corresponding socket. The socket is equipped with a hinged catch arm and a catch for blocking the insert. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0168481 A1 describes a cartridge equipped with a tray that slides into the base. European Patent Application Publication No. EP1122078 A2 discloses an replaceable ink container having a flow connector, locking function, and a latch fixing the ink container in the socket. US Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0013753 A1 discloses an ink container equipped with an alignment hole, bolting hole, air interface, and ink interface made in the lid. Nest

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The container to be housed therein is equipped with a locking arm hinged on a rotary hinge which encloses the container in order to lock it in the socket. British Patent Application Publication No. GB ​​2316657 A discloses an ink cartridge having leading ribs made on opposite sides for guiding the ink outlet to the printer's ink inlet. European Patent No. 1798046 B1 discloses an ink cartridge having a fastening system in the bottom wall to hold the cartridge in a fixed position and positioning holes in the front wall for proper transverse orientation of the cartridge.

Brief Description of the Drawings [0005] To illustrate the problem, some embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying schematic figures, wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic of one embodiment of a fluid ejection system in a front view; Fig. 2 is a diagram of one embodiment of the fluid ejection system of Fig. 1 in a side view; in Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of part of one embodiment of a fluid ejection system with a fluid cartridge in an unconnected state; Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a slot construction element for an ink cartridge in a front view; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a fluid cartridge; Fig. 6 is another perspective view of an embodiment of the fluid cartridge of Fig. 5, clearly showing the guide groove and latch groove; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a portion of the fluid ejection system of Fig. 3, in which the fluid cartridge is connected to the seat arrangement of the cartridge; Fig. 8 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a method of connecting a fluid cartridge to a seating arrangement; in Fig. 9 a block diagram of another embodiment of a method of connecting and disconnecting a fluid cartridge with respect to the seating arrangement is shown; Fig. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view from below of one embodiment of a fluid cartridge and a fluid cartridge slot in the first stage of installing a fluid cartridge, with the illustration of the ratchet arrangement being shown as translucent; in Fig. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view, from below, of an embodiment of the fluid cartridge and the fluid cartridge socket of Fig. 10 in a second stage of installation of the fluid cartridge, with the illustration of the ratchet arrangement being shown as translucent; Fig. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view from below of an embodiment of the fluid cartridge and the fluid cartridge seats of Fig. 10 and Fig. 11 in the third stage of installation of the fluid cartridge, wherein for illustrative purposes the ratchet arrangement is shown as translucent; Fig. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view from below of an embodiment of the fluid cartridge and the fluid cartridge seats of Figs. 10-12 in the final stage of installing the fluid cartridge, with the ratchet arrangement being illustrative as a translucent ; in Fig. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view from below of an embodiment of the fluid cartridge and the fluid cartridge seats of Figs. 10-13 in the first stage of disconnecting the fluid cartridge, with the illustration showing the pawl arrangement as translucent; in Fig. 15

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EP 2 633 997 B1 is a schematic cross-sectional view, from below, of an embodiment of the fluid cartridge and the fluid cartridge socket of Figs. 10-14 in a second stage of disconnection of the fluid cartridge, with the illustration of the ratchet arrangement being translucent .

Detailed description [0006] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the attached figures. The embodiments shown in the descriptions and figures should be considered as illustrative only and not as limiting to the specific embodiment or element described. Many embodiments can be inferred from the present description and figures by means of modifications, combinations or changes of some elements. In addition, it may be understood that one skilled in the art can deduce other embodiments or elements that are not literally disclosed on the basis of the description and figures.

[0007] References to three-dimensional space having X, Y and Z axes may appear herein. The only dimensional direction of insertion and removal of the insert 3 is parallel to the Y axis. The Y axis is also called the straight Y axis.

[0008] Figures 1 and 2 show a fluid ejection system 1. Fluid ejection system 1 includes a fluid ejection device 2 and fluid cartridges 3. The fluid ejection device may be a printer. The printer may be an inkjet printer, e.g., a thermal inkjet printer, a piezoelectric inkjet printer or a continuous inkjet printer. The fluid ejection device 2 has one or more socket arrangements 4 for receiving and replacing one or several corresponding fluid cartridges 3. Each cartridge 3 in the same fluid ejection device 2 may contain a different fluid. If the fluid ejection device 2 is a printer, the fluid in each of the cartridges 3 may be ink of a specific color, e.g. cyan (magenta), magenta, yellow, black or gray. The cartridges 3 are arranged so that they can be replaced with respect to the corresponding slot 4.

[0009] The sockets 4 are arranged to connect the cartridges 3 to the printhead 5. The fluid supply system 6 is intended to take fluid from the respective cartridges 3 and supply this fluid to the printhead 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the sockets 4 and cartridges 3, after installation, they are misaligned. The print head 5 may be a page width head (PWA) or a scanning head. The socket 4 is constructed to establish a fluid interface between the cartridge 3 and the printhead 5 by the fluid supply system 6. During printing, the printing medium 7 is located under the printhead 5. In other embodiments (not illustrated), the sockets 4 and cartridges 3, after installation, they are arranged on the scan axis. In further embodiments, the cartridge 3 has an integrated printhead, the volume of fluid and the head being integrated in one cartridge intended to be placed in the slot 4.

[0010] The ink ejection device 2 is equipped with a control circuit 8 and a memory 9.

The fluid cartridge 3 is equipped with an electrical circuit of the cartridge 10, containing, for example, the memory of the cartridge 11. The control circuit 8 is constructed to retrieve data from the electrical circuit of the cartridge

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EP 2 633 997 B1

10. The data contain some of the cartridge characteristics, for example product specification, fluid type specification or fluid quantity specification.

[0011] Fig. 3 shows the seat 4 and the fluid cartridge 3 in a position just after insertion.

After insertion (Fig. 7), all interfaces of the socket 4 and the fluid cartridge 3 are interconnected. The socket 4 may have an elongated hole in which the insert 3 is inserted. Part of the socket 4 can be made in such a way as to guide the insert 3 to connect to the guide 17 directing movement along the straight Y. The arrow A indicates the direction of movement when placing the insert 3 along a straight one-dimensional Y line represented by the Y axis. When the ink cartridge joins the guide 17, its movement during insertion is practically limited to movement along the straight Y. Basically, there is virtually no movement along the Z and X axes because there is virtually no rotational movement of the cartridge 3 when inserting and removing along the guide. 17. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a certain degree of slack, margin of tolerance when joining together the elements of the cartridge 3 and the seat 4, such as the guide 17, is acceptable here. In one embodiment, the deviation margin is approximately 3 millimeters or less in a direction perpendicular to the straight Y and about 3 ° or less about the straight Y or Z axis, or Y axis. These margins may still provide a secure connection of the insert 3 to the socket 4.

[0012] The socket 4 has two fluid interfaces. Fluid interfaces include one first fluid stick 12 and one second fluid stick 12. The first fluid may be a printing fluid, e.g., ink. The second fluid may be gas, e.g. air. The sticks 12, 13 are positioned to establish a fluid connection to the corresponding first and second fluid interface of the cartridge. The first and second fluid interface of the cartridge may include first and second keys 14, 15, respectively. Sticks 12, 13 have central axes C1, C2, respectively, which are parallel to the Y axis. In one embodiment (not shown), socket 4 has only one fluid interface, for example a stick. In another embodiment (not shown), socket 4 has more than two such fluid interfaces.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first fluid stick 12 is an ink stick.

The first fluid stick 12 has a relatively small diameter at the outlet 16. The first fluid stick 12 has an elongated shape. The first fluid pin 12 has the shape of a truncated cone. The first fluid stick 12 may be made of molded plastic. The seat 14 has a guide 17 for guiding the insert 3 in the one-dimensional Y direction during insertion and removal. The guide 17 may be longer than the first fluid stick 12 or at least similar in length to properly position the stick 12 in the corresponding groove 14 and to prevent the stick 12 from breaking or bending when inserting or removing the cartridge. Due to this, the stick 12 can be made of relatively cheap molded plastics.

[0014] In one embodiment, the second fluid stick 13 is a gas interface for controlling the pressure inside the cartridge 3. This gas may be ambient air. In another embodiment, the second fluid stick 13 is arranged to engage the second groove of the shaped fluid interface 15, which in turn can connect to the pressure bag inside the cartridge 3. The second fluid stick 13 is elongated. The second fluid stick 13 has the shape of a truncated cone. The second fluid stick 13 may be made of molded plastic.

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EP 2 633 997 B1

The guide 17 may be longer than the second fluid stick 13 or at least similar in length to correctly place the second fluid stick 13 in the corresponding second fluid interface 15 and to prevent the second fluid stick 13 from breaking or bending when inserting or removing the cartridge. Due to this, the stick 13 can be made of relatively cheap molded plastics.

[0015] The guide 17 or the corresponding lead interface restricts the insertion and removal of the insert 3 to one dimension. This makes it possible to make relatively long and deep interfaces 12, 13 and 14, 15 respectively. The respective sticks 12, 13 can be at least 5 millimeters long or at least 10 millimeters long. The corresponding keys 14, 15 may be at least about 3 millimeters deep or at least about 5 millimeters or at least about 10 millimeters deep.

[0016] In one embodiment, the socket 4 comprises a connector arrangement 18 for interconnecting the control circuit 8 of the fluid ejection device 2 with the electric circuit of the cartridge 19. Fig. 3 shows the rear surface of the connector circuit 18. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the circuit connectors 18 on the plane formed by the X axis and the Z axis. The circumference of the connector 18 has connector electrodes 20. The electrodes may extend along the line P approximately parallel to the axis Z, perpendicular to the line Y. When the cartridge 3 is inserted or removed along the straight Y, the electrical circuit of the cartridge 19 moves along the electrodes 20 until they connect. The circumference of the connector 18 is arranged to connect laterally to the electrical circuit of the insert 19 in direction B transverse to the straight line Y. In the figures, the transverse direction B is parallel to the axis X. When the insert 3 is in the assembled condition, the connector circuit 18 and the circumference the electric insert 19 run side by side, looking in the direction of movement along the straight Y. In the illustrated embodiment, the electrodes 20 are contact pins. The connector electrodes 20 are arranged so that they can move in the transverse direction B. The electrodes 20 may have flexible arms that are tilted towards the electrical circuit of the cartridge 19 to establish an electrical connection. When inserting the cartridge 3, the electrodes 20 are pushed backwards through the electric circuit 19. When inserting the cartridge, the electrodes of the connector 20 may slide on the electrical circuit of the cartridge 19 until the cartridge 3 is locked in the slot 4 and the electrodes 20 form a proper connection with the corresponding electrical circuit of the cartridge 19. At the same time, the flexible arms press the electrodes 20 against the electrical circuit 19 for better quality electrical connection. When the cartridge 3 is removed again, the electrodes 20 again move forward due to the resistance force.

[0017] The fluid ejection device 2 may have at least two different interlocking interfaces for sockets 22. In one embodiment, each of the sockets 4 is provided with one specific interlocking interface for sockets 22 which differs from the other interfaces 22 in other sockets 4 The interlocking interface of socket 22 corresponds to a particular color ink, e.g. cyan, magenta, yellow or black. In one embodiment, the fluid ejection device 2 has a separate interlocking interface 22 for each specific ink cartridge 3. In one embodiment, the fluid ejection device 2 has four seats 2 with four respective interlocking interfaces 22, each

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EP 2 633 997 B1 corresponds to a fluid cartridge 3 of a particular color having a corresponding locking interface of the cartridge 24.

[0018] The fluid ejection device 2 has sockets 4 equipped with interfaces for interlocking sockets 22 arranged in such a way as to allow insertion of a cartridge 3 having a matching interlocking interface of cartridge 24 and preventing the insertion of fluid cartridges 3 that are not equipped with matching interfacing interfaces of the cartridge 24. For example, the first locking interface of the socket 22 has a first notch 23 or a notch. The matching first locking interface of the insert 24 of the corresponding insert 3 has a matching inverse notch or notch 25, which when inserting the insert is not blocked by the first locking interface of the socket 22, but is blocked when the insert is placed in other sockets with different socket interfaces 22. Similarly, the other inserts 3 have a second, third, fourth or further subsequent locking interface of the insert 24 that does not match the first locking interface of the socket 22. A different second, third, fourth or further subsequent locking interface of the socket does not match the first locking interface of the insert 24. Locking interfaces 22, 24 prevent you from using the wrong ink cartridge 3 in the slots 4.

[0019] The locking interface 22 of the socket 4 may be located next to the circumference of the connector 18.

The corresponding locking interface 24 of the cartridge 3 may be located next to the electrical circuit of the cartridge 19. If the locking interfaces 22, 24 match, they can be connected laterally in such a way that the circuits 18, 19 can be pressed together and connect with each other . If the locking interfaces 22, 24 do not match, an electrical connection will not be established. On the other hand, the connection between the connector circuit 18 and the electrical circuit of the insert 19 does not occur if the interfaces interlock do not match. On the other hand, the correct connection between the interconnecting circuits 18, 19 is supported by the respective interlocking interfaces 22, 24 of socket 4 and insert 3 respectively.

[0020] The guide 17 is constructed to guide the respective fluid cartridge 3 along a straight line Y. The guide 17 is constructed to grip the appropriate guide interface of the cartridge 3, for example, the guide groove 21. The guide 17 has a rail that runs parallel to Y axis. The guide 17 is longer than any of the sticks 13 to guarantee the correct positioning of the sticks 12, 13 in their respective seats 14, 15. This can contribute to good interconnection without leaks and can prevent deformation of pins 12, 13. The guide 17 may have a T-shaped rail to grip the corresponding leading groove 21 of the cartridge 3. The T-shaped rail prevents rotation of the cartridge 3 along a straight line move Y, and also around the other X, Z axes.

The seat 4 has a ratchet mechanism 26 for locking the insert 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the ratchet mechanism consists of a latch 27, constructed to slide along the corresponding groove of the latch 28 of the cartridge 3 from the closed to the open position. The pawl 27 can be placed in the bottom of the seat 4 to grip the bottom 34 of the cartridge 3. The ratchet mechanism 26 may consist of a pawl axis 29 and a rotatable arm 29B to allow the pawl 27 to move between a closed and open position by rotating about the axis of the L tab. In the drawing, the rotation axis L is perpendicular to the straight line Y, parallel to the Z axis. IN

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In one embodiment, the pawl 27 is rotated on the rotation axis L to return to the initial position after removing the insert 3 and to grip the respective walls of the latch groove.

[0022] In one embodiment, the pawl 27 has a pin. In the closed position, the latch 27 grips the corresponding latch lock 30 of the cartridge 3. In the open position, the latch 27 does not hold the latch lock 30 so that the cartridge 3 can be removed from the seat 4. The latch 27 can be on the upper surface of the pivot arm 29B. When the insert 3 is in its deployed state, the pawl 27 is in the groove of the pawl 28, while the axis of rotation 29 and arm 29B are below the bottom wall 34 of the cartridge 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the pawl mechanism 26 includes a pawl stop 29C to limit the latch movement 27. In one embodiment, the pawl stop 29C is designed to grip the rotatable pawl arm 29B and restrict its movement. When the insert 3 is in the mounted condition, the latch stop 29C extends under the insert 3.

[0023] The insert seat 4 has an ejector 31. Fig. 3 shows the ejector 31 in an uncompressed state after removal or prior to insertion of the insert 3. Each insert socket 4 has an ejector 31. The ejector 31 is directed in a direction parallel to the straight line Y. The ejector 31 may include a spring or other elastic element, e.g. an elastomer element. The spring may be a spiral spring. When the fluid cartridge 3 is inserted and latched, the leading end 44 of the ejector 31 rests against the front wall 33 of the cartridge 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the central axis C2 of the spring is identical to the central axis C2 of the second fluid stick 13. The second fluid stick 13 is located inside the spring. The spiral spring is attached to the base 32 of the second fluid stick 13. The ejector spring size is selected such that in the uncompressed state of the spiral spring (Fig. 3) the cartridge 3 can be removed manually.

[0024] The ejector 31 is constructed in such a way as to push the insert 3 out of the socket 4. After insertion and locking, the insert 3 is held in the socket 4 by the pawl 27, while squeezing the ejector 31. The pawl 27 can move from the closed position to the open position due to further pushing the insert 3 in the opposite direction to the compressed ejector 31 along a straight line Y, which will be further explained below. In the open position, the latch 27 releases the insert 3 and the ejector 31 expands to eject the insert 3 away from the seat 4 along a straight line Y.

[0025] Figs. 5 and 6 show one embodiment of a fluid cartridge in a perspective view. Fig. 5 clearly shows the front surface 33, while Fig. 6 shows the bottom surface 35 more clearly. In the illustrated embodiments, the fluid, electrical and locking interfaces are located on the front surface 33. Lead interface, pawl groove 28 and pawl lock 30 are located on the bottom surface 35.

[0026] The fluid interfaces of the cartridge 3 include the first fluid interface of the cartridge for the first fluid and the second fluid interface of the cartridge for the second fluid. In one embodiment, the first fluid is a printing fluid, such as ink, and the second fluid is a gas, such as air. In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second fluid interfaces of the cartridge may include first and second keys 14, 15, respectively, arranged to receive and carry

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The fluid from or to the respective sticks 12, 13, respectively. The first groove 14 can be connected to the inside of the insert 3. The printed groove 15 can be connected to the pressure bag inside the insert 3.

[0027] The depth of the groove 14, 15, respectively, is approximately the same as, or shorter than, the length of the guide 17 or the leading groove 21 to receive the appropriate stick 12, 13 after the insert has been gripped by the guide 17 to ensure proper alignment with respect to of the corresponding stick 12, 13. The central axes C1, C2 of the keys 14, 15 are parallel to the straight line Y. When the insert 3 is inserted, the central axes C1, C2 of the keys 14, 15 are approximately the same as the central axes C1, C2 of the corresponding fluid interfaces of the socket 12, 13.

[0028] The insert 3 may have an ejector alignment interface 36 on the front surface

33. In one embodiment, the ejector alignment interface 36 is located near or around one of the fluid interfaces of the cartridge, which in the illustrated embodiment are in the form of keys 14, 15. In the illustrated embodiment, the ejector alignment interface 36 is located around the second key 15 the same central axis C2 as the second key 15, and when the insert 3 is installed, the same central axis C2 as the second stick 13. In the illustrated example, the ejector alignment interface 36 includes a ring, for example, a bulge or flange around the second key 15 to embrace the inner perimeter of the leading end 44 of the spring-shaped ejector to align and hold the ejector 31 in place while gripping the cartridge 3. [0029] The first the groove 14 has a sealing ring 37 for receiving the first stick 12. The sealing ring 37 is made of a resilient material, for example an elastomeric material, to enclose the first fluid pin 12 in a manner at least substantially hydraulically tight when the first stick 12 is attached. As will be further explained below, during insertion or removal of the cartridge, the stick 12 is pressed deeper inside the first groove 14 than it is in the position in which the stick 12 is connected for printing. Therefore, the sealing ring 37 is made so as to allow further deformation to allow further pressing of the first stick 12. The inner diameter of the sealing ring 37 is such that it hydraulically tightly closes the first stick 12 from the narrow part of the tapered stick 12 to a wider Hello. For example, the smallest diameter of the stick cone 12 may be about 2.0 and the widest diameter about 2.3 mm. In other embodiments, the smallest diameter of the stick cone 12 may be about 1.5 and the widest diameter about 3.5 mm or less. Of course, further embodiments may have smaller or larger diameters, respectively.

[0030] The sealing ring 37 is made to fluidly seal the first stick 12 over a substantial portion of the length of the first stick 12. In one embodiment, the inner diameter of the sealing ring is about 1.2 millimeters. Depending on the diameter of the stick 12, the inner diameter of the sealing ring 37 in other embodiments can be from about 0.6 to about 3.0 millimeters. The inner diameter of the sealing ring 37 may increase while maintaining the fluid seal performance when the stick 12 moves through the sealing ring, for example by at least about 0.3 millimeters or in another embodiment by at least about 0.6 millimeters,

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Or in another embodiment by at least about 1.6 millimeters. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing ring 37 has an inlet 37B for leveling the first stick 12 during fitting. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing ring 37 has bulges 37C, positioned to prevent the sealing ring 37 from sticking to the adjacent opposing surface, for example during placement or during production.

[0031] The insert 3 has an electric circuit 19 (Fig. 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the electrical circuit is recessed with respect to the front surface 33, so that the electrical connection with the connector 18 is established only after the other interfaces have been connected. In one embodiment, this may prevent the printer from receiving electrical signals until fluid interfaces 12, 14, 13 and 15 are connected. Such electrical signals sometimes cause the printer head 5 or cartridge 3 to actuate, which can be prevented by some embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] The electrical circuit of the cartridge 19 is arranged to connect laterally when placed in the slot 4. When the cartridge is inserted, the connector circuit 18 extends at least partially into the cartridge 3. For example, the electrical circuit of the cartridge 19 has electrodes 38 protruding in one a plane approximately perpendicular to the front surface 33 of the insert 3 and parallel to the insertion plane or the plane formed by the Z and Y axes. In one embodiment, the electrodes 38 of the electrical circuit of the cartridge 18 protrude along the PP line, which is approximately parallel to the Z axis or front surface 33 in the installation position of the cartridge 3. Line

The PP runs behind the front surface 33. The electrodes 38 of the cartridge electrical circuit 19 are positioned to engage the corresponding electrodes 20 of the connector circuit 18. The line PP that runs through the pads 38 of the cartridge 3 is parallel to the line P (Fig. 4), which runs through the electrodes 20 of the connector circuit 18 when the cartridge 3 is installed. When the cartridge is installed, the connector circuit 18 passes, at least partially, through the front wall 33 of the cartridge 3 and behind it to connect to the electrical circuit of the cartridge 18. In one embodiment, the cartridge 3 has a locking interface of the cartridge 24 to prevent it from being inserted into slot 4 having a non-matching locking interface 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking interface of the insert 24 has a notch 25. In other embodiments, the locking interface of the insert 24 may have a projection, and in yet other embodiments, it may have both. The locking interface of the insert 24 is made so as to block further pressing of the insert 3 if the locking interface of the socket 22 is not compatible with it. The locking interface of the insert 24 is designed to block the placement of the connector circuit 18 in the insert 3 if the locking interface of the socket 22 is not compatible with it, so that it will not be possible to establish an electrical connection with the electrical circuit of the insert 19. Locking interfaces 22, 24 may be made so as to provide additional alignment of the insert 3 with respect to the seat 4, in addition to the guide 17, for example preventing rotation about a straight line of movement Y. In addition, if the locking interfaces 22, 24 of the seat 4 and the insert 3 match, the locking interfaces 22, 23 can be connected due to their corresponding shape, so that the circuits 18, 19 will be properly interconnected.

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[0034] In some embodiments, the cartridges 3 are not provided with locking interfaces 24 so that the cartridges 3 can fit into any of the seats 4 of the fluid ejection device 1 and the circuits 18, 19 connect to each other, independently of socket locking interface 24.

[0035] The insert 3 has a lead interface designed to cooperate with the slot guide 17 of the socket 4. In the illustrated embodiment, the lead interface has a lead groove 21. The lead interface is made to guide the insert 3 along a straight line Y to connect the interfaces. The lead interface may have a contact surface with the guide that runs parallel to the straight line Y.

[0036] The guide groove 21 is made to contact the guide 17. The guide groove 21 can be made to grip the corresponding T-shaped guide rail 17. In the illustrated embodiment, the leading groove 21 has a T-shaped notch. The guide groove 21 has collars 39 gripping the T-shaped guide rail wings 17. The guide groove 21 may have a tapered entrance 40 for easier placement of the T-shaped guide rail 17 in it. The flanges 39 may taper near the entrance 40. The guide groove 21 may also have a guide lock 45.

[0037] The lower surface 35 of the cartridge 3 further includes a latch groove 28. The lead groove 21 and the latch groove 28 may form one integral notch in the bottom surface 35 of the cartridge 3. The bottom surface 35 may be made entirely of molded plastic.

[0038] The insert 3 has a latch groove 28 and a latch lock 30. The latch groove 28 is made to guide the latch 27 relative to the latch lock 30. When the latch 27 snaps on the latch lock 30, the insert 3 is stably installed. The latch lock position 30 may determine the position of the cartridge interfaces relative to the socket interfaces along a straight line Y.

[0039] The latch groove 21 has a closing groove 28A and an opening groove 28B. The closing groove 28A may be completely or partially different from the opening groove 28B. The pawl lock 30 is located between the closing groove 28A and the opening groove 28B, so that the pawl 27 is guided on one side 28A of the pawl lock 30 when installing the cartridge and on the opposite side 28B when removing it. When inserting the insert, the pawl 27 is guided through the closing groove 28A. The closing groove 28A may have a latch lead surface 46 and a latch lock 30 to guide the latch 27 to the right side of the latch lock 30. The lead groove 28A may further have a latch lead wall 47 at the end of the lead groove 28A. The guide wall of pawl 47 is made so as to receive pawl 27 at the end of guide groove 28A and direct pawl 27 to latch lock 30. The pawl lock 30 has a pawl lock wall 49 and a pawl bracket 50. The pawl guide wall 47 is designed to guide the pawl 27 toward the closed position with the pawl lock wall 49 (Fig. 13). The bracket 50 has a protrusion in the wall of the lock 49 to prevent the latch 27 from sliding off the wall of the latch lock 49. In the closed position, the latch 27 catches the bracket 50. In the closed position, the ejector 31 is compressed and presses against the insert 3, whereby the pawl lock 30 is pressed against the pawl 27.

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[0040] Furthermore, the opening groove 28B has a pawl diversion wall 48. The pawl diversion wall 48 is made to receive the pawl 27 when the pawl lock 30 and the pawl groove 28A are pushed inward and guide the pawl 27 to the groove 28B to push the pawl lock out of the gripping position. When ejecting, the pawl 27 passes the opposite side of the pawl lock 30, compared to installing the cartridge. Pawl diversion wall 48 can be made at the end of pawl groove 28. When pawl 27 is in the open position, ejector 31 pushes out cartridge 3 so that it can be removed manually.

[0041] In one embodiment, the pawl groove 28 has projections providing acoustic or tactile feedback. The pawl 27 can be oriented on the axis of rotation L. The pawl 27 can slide on the walls of the lead groove when the pawl 27 passes along the lead groove 28. For example, one or more walls of the latch lead groove may have one or more feedback lugs, e.g., projections that will guarantee acoustic or tactile feedback when the latch 27 moves in the latch groove 28. The feedback lugs may be located near the wall leading pawl 47, from where pawl 27 will move to the closed position if the cartridge 3 is released. By obtaining acoustic or tactile feedback, the user knows that the cartridge 3 can now be released, and that it is locked in the slot 4. Another feedback tab can be made close to the latch redirection wall 48 to mark the release of the cartridge 3.

[0042] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of parts of the fluid ejection system 1, where the fluid cartridge 3 and the seat 4 are connected. The ejector 31 is compressed and presses the latch lock 30 of the cartridge against the latch 27. The cartridge 3 is further held in place by a guide 17. Sticks 12, 13 are deeply located in their respective seats 14, 15 to transfer suitable fluids between the cartridge 3 and the device to ejecting fluid 2. The electrodes 20, 38 of the connector circuit 18 and the electric circuit of the cartridge 19, respectively, connect laterally to each other. For example, the electrodes 20, 38 connect to each other along a P or PP line that is parallel to the Z axis or in a plane that is parallel to the plane formed by the X and Y axes. Because the electrical circuit of the cartridge 19 is recessed with respect to the front surface 33 of the cartridge 3, the connector circuit 18 and the electrical circuit of the cartridge 19 connect to each other within the outer circumference of the cartridge 3, behind the front wall 33. When the cartridge is installed, the connector circuit 18 reaches at least partially inside the insert 3. In one embodiment, the connection between the connector circuit 18 and the electrical circuit of the insert 19 is established after or next to the locking interface 24 in the insert 3.

[0043] In one embodiment, the pad 3 has at least a finger hook 51 to facilitate and signal manual operation of the pad 3, for example when inserting or removing a pad 3. The finger hook 51 may be an inwardly curved one or more ribs, notch etc. or a combination thereof. The finger catch can be provided on the upper surface 53 of the cartridge 3 and near the rear surface 34. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, when the insert 3 is in its deployed state, the socket 4 largely covers the finger hook 51. When extended, the finger hook 51 is visible and can be easily grasped to remove the insert 3.

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[0044] In one embodiment, the pad 3 has a pressure surface with a finger 52 to indicate that the pad 3 needs to be pushed into the slot 4 to lock and unlock the cartridge 3. The pressure surface with the finger 52 can be inwardly directed curvature, one or more ribs, notch etc. or a combination thereof. The pressure surface with finger 52 is made on the rear wall 34. When the insert 3 is in its folded state, the back surface 34 and the pressure surface with the finger 52 are visible outside the seat 4. Although the pressure surface of the finger 52 can have a predetermined position on the rear surface 34, one aspect of some embodiments of the present invention is that the cartridge 3 can be pushed anywhere in the rear surface 33 for proper interface interfaces because the guide 17 guides the insert 3 along a straight line Y, regardless of the specific pressure location and angle of inclination.

[0045] Fig. 8 shows one embodiment of a method of connecting a fluid cartridge 3 to a socket arrangement 4 in the form of a block diagram. In the first stage 800 of this method, the fluid cartridge 3 is placed in the slot 4. The movement is limited to one dimension, which means that the cartridge 3 is moved along a straight line Y as indicated in step 810. At the end of the movement in one dimension, a flow connection is established between the cartridge 3 and the fluid ejection device 2. In step 820, the pawl 27 is moved to the closed position by movement along a straight line Y. The pawl 27 maintains the flow enabling connection. Steps 810 and 820 can occur simultaneously. At step 830, fluid may flow through the combined fluid interfaces, for example to eject fluid.

[0046] Fig. 9 shows another embodiment of a method for connecting a fluid cartridge 3 to a socket arrangement 4 in the form of a block diagram. Figures 10-15 show the sequential positions of the cartridge 3 with respect to the latch system 26 corresponding to some of the steps 900-914 in Fig. 9.

[0047] At step 900, the fluid cartridge 3 is manually placed in the slot 4. Fig. 10 corresponds to step 900 and shows the location of the cartridge 3 relative to the seat 4 and the pawl arrangement. In the next step 901, the guide groove 21 engages with the guide 17. When the cartridge 3 is further pushed into the seat 4, the guide 17 guides the cartridge 3 along the straight line Y towards the ejector 31. In the next step 902, the latch 27 comes into contact with the latch groove 28 . The pawl 27 is guided along the closing groove 28A as shown in Fig. 11. The pivot arm 29B rotates about the axis of rotation L (Fig. 3) to allow the pawl 27 to be guided through the walls of the closing groove 28A. At step 903, the ejector 31 comes into contact with the front surface 33 of the cartridge and is compressed. The ejector 33 may come into contact with the ring 36 that has been made around the keyway on the second stick 15. The described steps 901 - 903 can be performed simultaneously.

[0048] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 9-15, the insert 3 and the socket 4 have matching bolting interfaces 22, 24. In step 904 fluid interfaces 12, 13, 14, 15 are interconnected with each other and the interfaces 22, 24 24 slots 4 and insert 3 match. Matching interfaces 22, 24 allow the electrical circuit of the cartridge 19 and the interface 18 to be interconnected. After the bolt adjustment, in step 905, an electrical connection is established between circuits 18, 19. The control circuit 8 receives the corresponding signal at

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EP 2 633 997 B1 to establish an electrical connection. The established electrical connection indicates that the flow connections have also been established.

[0049] At step 906, the user pushes the cartridge 3 until tactile or acoustic feedback is obtained. For example, pawl 27 contacts the end of the pawl groove 28 or guide bar locks 45 contacts the guide 17, or the ejector 33 cannot be further compressed. On the appropriate Fig. 12 the pawl 27 is shown to contact the end of the pawl groove 28, in this embodiment the pawl 27 comes into contact with the pawl guide wall 47 to bring the pawl 27 in the closed position after releasing the pressure. At step 907, the user releases pressure on the cartridge 3. At step 908, the ejector 31 expands, pushing the cartridge 33 backwards until the latch 27 comes into contact with the latch lock 30. As can be seen in the corresponding Fig. 13, the latch 27 holds the cartridge 3, leaning against the latch lock wall 49. The latch 27 is held in place by the bracket 50. Steps 904 and 905 for adjusting the bolt and establishing the electrical connection, and steps 906 - 908 for locking the latch can proceed more or less simultaneously.

[0050] If the insert 3 is not pushed in correctly, fluid or electrical interfaces may not connect properly. In this case, pawl 27 may not reach into the pawl guide wall 47 and will not reach the closed position. In such a situation, the cartridge 3 will be automatically pushed out through the ejector 31 before an electrical or flow connection is established.

[0051] At step 909, the fluid ejection system 1 prints, drawing the first fluid from the cartridge 3 through the first fluid interfaces 12, 14. After printing, for example, when the cartridge 3 is substantially empty, the cartridge 3 can be pushed for replacement. At step 910, the user pushes the cartridge 3 towards the ejector. By pushing the insert 3, the latch 27 may come into contact with the latch diversion wall 48. In the next step 911, the pawl 27 is moved to the open position, for example by means of the pawl diversion wall 48 (Fig. 14). In the open position, the cartridge 3 is no longer held by the latch 27. In step 912, the user can release pressure on the cartridge 3. In step 913, the ejector 31 expands, ejecting the cartridge 3 (Fig. 15). Ejection of the cartridge is possible because the cartridge 3 is no longer held (Fig. 15). At step 914, the user removes the insert 3 from the socket 4.

[0052] As described, the cartridge 3 may have a first fluid interface 12, a second fluid interface 13, an electrical interface 19, an ejector alignment interface 36 and / or a locking interface 24 which are arranged on the front surface. The guide interface is made in the bottom surface 35 and has a key 40 near the front surface 33. Therefore, the interfaces are made to connect near the front surface 33 of the cartridge 3. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking interface 24 and the electrical interface 19 are located near the upper surface 53, the second fluid interface 15 and the ejector alignment interface 36 are located near the center of the front surface 33 and the first fluid interface 14 and the latch key 40 are located in the near the bottom surface 35. The interfaces are relatively evenly distributed on the front surface 33, providing a relatively uniform distribution of the connecting forces of the interfaces concerned and a relatively low overall connecting force, e.g. about

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Newtons or less. In the pawl and guide mechanisms of the fluid ejection device 1, there is no need to deform parts of the pawl or guide. Just a relatively light and simple pressure is enough to securely lock. In addition, the guide 17 allows the user to apply pressure anywhere on the back surface 34 of the cartridge 3 to establish all connections in one direction Y.

[0053] The cartridge 3 and the socket 4 can be relatively narrow, taking up only a small space in the printer. The path of the insert also takes up relatively little space because it is a straight line Y. In addition, the insert 3 can be released by the same pushing movement in the same Y direction. If the insert 3 is not properly connected, e.g. fluid or electric, cartridge 3 will be automatically ejected through the ejector 31.

[0054] The above description should not be taken as exhaustive or limiting the invention to the described embodiments. One skilled in the art can deduce and implement other variants of the described embodiments while implementing the claimed invention by analyzing the figures, the present description and the appended claims. In some embodiments, mechanical inversion of the illustrated embodiments may be used. For example, the latch groove 28 can be made in the seat 4, while the latch mechanism 26 can be made on the cartridge 3. The first and second fluid interface of the cartridge 3 may have sticks, while the corresponding first and second fluid interface of the socket may have grooves.

[0055] The singular does not exclude the plural and reference to a specific number of elements does not exclude the possibility of including more elements. A single system can fulfill the functions of several elements presented in the description and vice versa, several elements can perform the function of one system.

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EP 2 633 997 B1