Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02394719 2002-06-18
INK CONTAINER FOR RELYABLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTl'ON
WITH A RECEI'V~TO STATION
BACKGROUND OF THE X1~TVENTION
The present invention relates to ink containers for providing ink to inkjet
printers. IVIore specifically, the present invention relates to an ink
container that
is configured for insertion into a receiving station within an inisjet
printing
system to establish reliable electrical connection therewith.
lnkjet printers frequently make use of an inkjet printhead mounted withrin
a carriage that is moved relative to a print media, such as paper. As the
printhead is moved relative to the print media, a control system activates the
printhead to deposit or eject ink droplets onto the print media to form images
and
text. Ink is provided to the printliead by a supply of ink that is either
integral
with the printhead; as in the case of a disposable print cartridge, or by a
supply of
ink that is replaceable separate from the printhead.
One type of previously used printing system makes use of the ink supply
that is carried with the carriage. This ink supply has been formed integral
with
the printhead, whereupon the entire printhead and ink supply are replaced when
ink is exhausted. Alternatively, the ink supply can be carried with the
carriage
and be separately replaceable from the printhead. For the case where the ink
supply is separately replaceable, the ink supply is replaced wk~en exhausted.
The
printhead is then replaced at the end of printhead life. Regardless of where
the
ink supply is located within the printing system, it is critical that the iz~k
supply
provide a reliable supply of ink to,thc inkjct printhead.
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CA 02394719 2002-06-18
One type of ink supply is disclosed in Euro ean.Patent A lieatio ~ 0 551
p PP
752 A2 which is directed to controlling recording head information in an
inkjet
recording apparatus. The recording apparatus includes a recording head.
aitached
to a head base plate. An ink tank comprising a tack case having an ink su ply
hole is attachable to the head base plate. An engagement feature is disposed
on
the tank case and is configured for engagement with a corresponding engagement
feature of the head base plate. Electrical transmission paths allow inform ~
tion to
be transferred from the ink tank to the recording head. Another type of inlc
supply is disclosed in European Patent Application 0 590 669 A1 wtuch as
directed to az~ apparatus for mounting an inkjet cartridge to a printing
system.
The cartridge includes a front wall having an electrical connector including
electrical terrninals. The electrical terminals of the cartridge front wall
are
adapted to engage electrical terminals of an electrical connector of a
cartridge
support means. The cartridge support means includes shoe portions adapated to
receive foot protions on a base wall of the cartridge to aliga the electrical
terminals of the cartridge with the electrical terminals of the support means_
1a
AMENDED SHEET
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CA 02394719 2006-02-20
There is an ever present need for inkjet printing systems that make use of
replaceable ink containers that are easy to install and remove. The
installation of
the ink container should produce reliable functional connection to the
printer.
These ink containers should be relatively easy to manufacture, thereby tending
to
reduce the ink supply cost. Reduction of the ink supply cost tends to reduce
the
per page printing cost of the printing system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the present invention is a replaceable ink container for
providing ink to an inkjet printing system. The replaceable ink container
includes
an engagement feature disposed on the leading edge and configured for
engagement with corresponding engagement features associated with the inkjet
printing system. The engagement features define a pivot axis about which the
replaceable ink container pivots during insertion into the inkjet printing
system.
Also included with the replaceable ink container is a plurality of electrical
contacts disposed on a leading edge relative to an insertion direction. The
plurality of electrical contacts are disposed on the replaceable ink container
below
the pivot axis so that pivoting the replaceable ink container about the pivot
axis
during insertion causes the plurality of electrical contacts on the ink
container to
move toward corresponding electrical contacts associated with the printing
system
to establish electrical interconnection therebetween.
Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
replaceable ink container for providing ink to an inkjet printing system, the
replaceable ink container comprising:
an ink container housing having a leading end surface, defined relative to
a direction of insertion of the ink container housing into the printing
system, and a
side surface having at least one fluid outlet, the ink container housing
including:
an engagement feature disposed on the leading end surface, the
engagement features defining a pivot axis about which the ink container
housing
pivots during insertion of the ink container housing into the printing system;
and
2
CA 02394719 2006-02-20
a plurality of electrical contacts disposed on the leading end
surface of the ink container housing at least partially between the pivot axis
and
the side surface so that pivoting the ink container housing about the pivot
axis
during insertion causes the plurality of electrical contacts on the ink
container
housing to move toward corresponding electrical contacts associated with the
printing system to establish an electrical interconnection therebetween.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a
method for achieving reliable electrical connection between a carriage-mounted
replaceable ink container and a receiving station, the method comprising:
providing a replaceable ink container having a leading end surface,
defined relative to a direction of insertion of the ink container into the
receiving
station, the leading end surface having disposed thereon an engagement feature
and at least one electrical contact;
positioning the replaceable ink container at least partially within the
receiving station such that the engagement feature on the replaceable ink
container engages a corresponding engagement feature associated with the
receiving station to define a pivot axis; and
pivoting the replaceable ink container about the pivot axis to move the at
least one electrical contact of the replaceable ink container along an arc to
engage
and electrically couple with at least one electrical contact associated with
the
receiving station.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described more fully
with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is one exemplary embodiment of an ink jet printing system of the
present invention shown with a cover opened to show a plurality of replaceable
ink containers of the present invention.
2a
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Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of the inkjet printing system shown in
Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a greatly enlarged perspective view of a portion of a scanning
carriage showing the replaceable ink containers of the present invention
positioned in a receiving station that provides fluid communication between
the
replaceable ink containers and one or more printheads.
Fig. 4 is a side plan view of a portion of the scanning carriage showing
guiding and latching features associated with each of the replaceable ink
container and the receiving station for securing the replaceable ink
container,
thereby allowing fluid communication with the printhead.
Fig. 5 is a receiving station shown in isolation for receiving one or more
replaceable ink containers of the present invention.
Figs. 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d are isometric views of a three-color replaceable
ink container of the present invention shown in isolation.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a single color replaceable ink container of
the present invention.
Fig. 8 is a top plan view of an electrical storage device that is electrically
connected to a plurality of electrical contacts.
Fig. 9a, 9b, and 9c depict the method of the present invention for
inserting the replaceable ink container into the supply station.
Fig. 10 is a greatly enlarged plan view of a leading edge of the
replaceable ink container shown in Fig. 6a shown with a pivot axis shown in
dashed lines.
Fig. 11 a and 11 b are greatly enlarged representations showing the
pivoting of the replaceable ink container about the pivot axis during
insertion of
the replaceable ink container into the supply station.
Fig. 12 is a top plan representation of the ink container installed in the
supply station to establish electrical connection between the ink container
and
the supply station.
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CA 02394719 2002-06-18
Fig. 13a and 13b depict tho passage of the replaceable ink container over
an upstanding fluid inlet on the receiving station viewed from a side view and
an
end view, respectively.
Figs. 14a; 14b and 14c depict a method of the present invention for
removing the replaceable ink Container from the receiving station.
~ETAa.ED ~TSCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED 1i 11'~i0)a~ENT
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one exemplary embodiment of a printing
systan 10 shown with its cover open; that includes at least one replaceable
ink
container x2 that is installed in a receiving station 14: With the replaceable
ink
container 1Z properly instahed into the receiving portion 14, ink is provided
from
the replaceable ink container 12 to at least one inkjet printhead 16. The
inkjet
printhead 16 is responsive to activation signals from a printer portion 18 to
deposit ink on print media: As ink is ejected from the printhead 16, the
printhead 16 is replenished with ink from the ink container 12. In one
preferred
embodiment the replaceable ink container 12, receiving station I4, and inkjet
printhead 16 are each part of a scanning carriage that is moved relative to a
print
media 22 to accomplish printing. The printer portion 18 includes a media tray
24
for receiving the print media 22. As the print media 22 is stepped through a
print
zone, the scanning carriage ZO moves the printhead 16 relative to the print
media
22. The printer portion 18 selectively activates the printhead 16 to deposit
ink on
print media 22 to thereby accomplish printing.
The scatuting carriage 20 is moved through the print zono on a scanning
mechanism wluch includes a slide rod 26 on which the scanning carriage 20
slides as the scanning carriage 20 moves through a scan axis. A positioning
mEans (not shown) is used for precisely positioning the scanning carriage 20_
In
addition, a paper advance mechanism (not shown) is used to step the print
media
22 through the print zone as the scanning carriage 20 is moved along the scan
axis. Electrical signals are provided to the scanning carriage 20 for
selectively
4
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activating the printhead 16 by means of an electrical link such as a ribbon
cable
28.
An important aspect of the present invention is the method and apparatus
for inserting the ink container 12 into the receiving station 14 such that the
ink
container 12 forms proper fluidic and electrical interconnect with the printer
portion 18. It is essential that both proper fluidic and electrical connection
be
established between the ink container 12 and the printer portion 18. The
fluidic
interconnection allows a supply of ink within the replaceable ink container 12
to
be fluidically coupled to the printhead 16 for providing a source of ink to
the
printhead 16. The electrical interconnection allows information to be passed
between the replaceable ink container 12 and the printer portion 18.
Information
passed between the replaceable ink container 12 and the printer portion 18 can
include information related to the compatibility of replaceable ink container
12
with printer portion 18 and operation status information such as the ink level
information, to name some examples.
The method and apparatus of the present invention, as will be discussed
with respect to Figs. 2 through 14 depict those features which allow the
replaceable ink container 12 to be inserted into the receiving station 14 in
such a
manner that reliable electrical and fluidic connection is established between
the
replaceable ink container 12 and the receiving station 14. In addition, the
method and apparatus of the present invention allows for the insertion and
removal of the replaceable printing component 12 from the printer portion 18
in
a reliable fashion while allowing the overall height of the printer portion
18,
represented by dimension designated as "h" in Fig. 1 to be a relatively small
dimension, thereby providing a relatively low profile printing system 10. It
is
important that the printing system 10 have a low profile to provide a more
compact printing system as well as to allow the printer portion to be used in
a
variety of printing applications.
Fig. 2 is a simplified schematic representation of the inkjet printing
system 10 of the present invention shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is simplified to
illustrate a single printhead 16 connected to a single ink container 12.
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The inkjet printing system 10 of the present invention includes the printer
portion 18 and the ink container 12, which is configured to be received by the
printer portion 18. The printer portion 18 includes the inkjet printhead 16
and a
controller 29. With the ink container 12 properly inserted into the printer
portion
18, an electrical and fluidic coupling is established between the ink
container 12
and the printer portion 18. The fluidic coupling allows ink stored within the
ink
container 12 to be provided to the printhead 16. The electrical coupling
allows
information to be passed between an electrical storage device 80 disposed on
the
ink container 12 and the printer portion 18. The exchange of information
between the ink container 12 and the printer portion 18 is to ensure the
operation
of the printer portion 18 is compatible with the ink contained within the
replaceable ink container 12 thereby achieving high print quality and reliable
operation of the printing system 10.
The controller 29, among other things, controls the transfer of
1 S information between the printer portion 18 and the replaceable ink
container 12.
In addition, the controller 29 controls the transfer of information between
the
printhead 16 and the controller 29 for activating the printhead to selectively
deposit ink on print media. In addition, the controller 29 controls the
relative
movement of the printhead 16 and print media. The controller 29 performs
additional functions such as controlling the transfer of information between
the
printing system 10 and a host device such as a host computer (not shown).
In order to ensure the printing system 10 provides high quality images on
print media, it is necessary that the operation of the controller 29 account
for the
particular replaceable ink container 12 installed within the printer portion
18.
The controller 29 utilizes the parameters that are provided by the electrical
storage device 80 to account for the particular replaceable ink container 12
installed in the printer portion 18 to ensure reliable operation and high
quality
print images.
Among the parameters, for example, that can be stored in the electrical
storage device 80 associated with the replaceable ink container 12 can include
the following: a date code associated with the replaceable ink container 12, a
6
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date code of initial insertion of the ink container 12, system coefficients,
ink type
and ink color, ink container size, printer model number or identification
number
and cartridge usage information, just to name a few.
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the scanning carriage 20
showing a pair of replaceable ink containers 12 properly installed in the
receiving station 14. An inkjet printhead 16 is in fluid communication with
the
receiving station 14. In the preferred embodiment, the inkjet printing system
10
shown in Fig. 1 includes a tri-color ink container containing three separate
ink
colors and a second ink container containing a single ink color. In this
preferred
embodiment, the tri-color ink container contains cyan, magenta, and yellow
inks,
and the single color ink container contains black ink for accomplishing four-
color printing. The replaceable ink containers 12 can be partitioned
differently
to contain fewer than three ink colors or more than three ink colors if more
are
required. For example, in the case of high fidelity printing, frequently six
or
more colors are used to accomplish printing.
The scanning carnage portion 20 shown in Fig. 3 is shown fluidically
coupled to a single printhead 16 for simplicity. In the preferred embodiment,
four inkjet printheads 16 are each fluidically coupled to the receiving
station 14.
In this preferred embodiment, each of the four printheads are fluidically
coupled
to each of the four colored inks contained in the replaceable ink containers.
Thus, the cyan, magenta, yellow and black printheads 16 are each coupled to
their corresponding cyan, magenta, yellow and black ink supplies,
respectively.
Other configurations which make use of fewer printheads than four are also
possible. For example, the printhead 16 can be configured to print more than
one ink color by properly partitioning the printhead 16 to allow a first ink
color
to be provided to a first group of ink nozzles and a second ink color to be
provided to a second group of ink nozzles, with the second group of ink
nozzles
different from the first group. In this manner, a single printhead 16 can be
used
to print more than one ink color allowing fewer than four printheads 16 to
accomplish four-color printing. The fluidic path between each of the
replaceable
7
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ink containers 12 and the printhead 16 will be discussed in more detail with
respect to Fig. 4.
Each of the replaceable ink containers 12 include a latch 30 for securing
the replaceable ink container 12 to the receiving station 14. The receiving
S station 14 in the preferred embodiment includes a set of keys 32 that
interact
with corresponding keying features (not shown) on the replaceable ink
container
12. The keying features on the replaceable ink container 12 interact with the
keys 32 on the receiving station 14 to ensure that the replaceable ink
container 12
is compatible with the receiving station 14.
Fig. 4 is a side plan view of the scanning carriage portion 20 shown in
Fig. 2. The scanning carriage portion 20 includes the ink container 12 shown
properly installed into the receiving station 14, thereby establishing fluid
communication between the replaceable ink container 12 and the printhead 16.
The replaceable ink container 12 includes a reservoir portion 34 for
1 S containing one or more quantities of ink. In the preferred embodiment, the
tri-
color replaceable ink container 12 has three separate ink containment
reservoirs,
each containing ink of a different color. In this preferred embodiment, the
monochrome replaceable ink container 12 is a single ink reservoir 34 for
containing ink of a single color.
In the preferred embodiment, the reservoir 34 has a capillary storage
member (not shown) disposed therein. The capillary storage member is a porous
member having sufficient capillarity to retain ink to prevent ink leakage from
the
reservoir 34 during insertion and removal of the ink container 12 from the
printing system 10. This capillary force must be sufficiently great to prevent
ink
leakage from the ink reservoir 34 over a wide variety of environmental
conditions such as temperature and pressure changes. In addition, the
capillarity
of the capillary member is sufficient to retain ink within the ink reservoir
34 for
all orientations of the ink reservoir as well as a reasonable amount of shock
and
vibration the ink container may experience during normal handling. The
preferred capillary storage member is a network of heat bonded polymer fibers
described in US Patent Application entitled "Ink Reservoir for an Inkjet
Printer"
8
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attorney docket 10991407 filed on October 29, 1999, serial number 09/430,400,
assigned to the assignee of the present invention and incorporated herein by
reference.
Once the ink container 12 is properly installed into the receiving station
14, the ink container 12 is fluidically coupled to the printhead 16 by way of
fluid
interconnect 36. Upon activation of the printhead 16, ink is ejected from the
ejection portion 38 producing a negative gauge pressure, sometimes referred to
as backpressure, within the printhead 16. This negative gauge pressure within
the printhead 16 is sufficient to overcome the capillary force resulting from
the
capillary member disposed within the ink reservoir 34. Ink is drawn by this
backpressure from the replaceable ink container 12 to the printhead 16. In
this
manner, the printhead 16 is replenished with ink provided by the replaceable
ink
container 12.
The fluid interconnect 36 is preferably an upstanding ink pipe that
extends upwardly into the ink container 12 and downwardly to the inkjet
printhead 16. The fluid interconnect 36 is shown greatly simplified in Fig. 4.
In
the preferred embodiment, the fluid interconnect 36 is a manifold that allows
for
offset in the positioning of the printheads 16 along the scan axis, thereby
allowing the printhead 16 to be placed offset from the corresponding
replaceable
ink container 12. In the preferred embodiment, the fluid interconnect 36
extends
into the reservoir 34 to compress the capillary member, thereby forming a
region
of increased capillarity adjacent the fluid interconnect 36. This region of
increased capillarity tends to draw ink toward the fluid interconnect 36,
thereby
allowing ink to flow through the fluid interconnect 36 to the printhead 16. As
will be discussed, it is crucial that the ink container 12 be properly
positioned
within the receiving station 14 such that proper compression of the capillary
member is accomplished when the ink container 12 is inserted into the
receiving
station. Proper compression of the capillary member is necessary to establish
a
reliable flow of ink from the ink container 12 to the printhead 16.
The replaceable ink container 12 further includes a guide feature 40, an
engagement feature 42, a handle 44 and a latch feature 30 that allow the ink
9
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
CA 02394719 2002-06-18
container 12 to be inserted into the receiving station 14 to achieve reliable
fluid
interconnection with the printhead 16 as well as foam reliable electrical
interconnection between the replaceable ink container 12 and the scanning
carriage 20 as will be discussed with respect to Figs. 9a through 9c and 10a
through 10b. .
The~receiving station 14 iincludes a guide rail 46, an engagement feature
48 and a latch engagement feature 50. The guide rail 46 cooperates with the
guide rail engagement feature 40 and the replaceable ink container 12 to guide
the ink container 12 into the receiving station 14. Once the replaceable ink
container 12 is fully inserted into the receiving station 14, the engagement
feature 42 associated with the replaceable ink container engages the
engagement
feature 48 associated with the receiving station 14, securing a front end or a
leading end of the replaceable ink container 12 to the receiving station 14.
The
ink container 12 is then pressed downward to compress a spring biasing member
52 associated with the receiving station 14 until a latch engagement feature
50
associated with the receiving station 14 engages a hook feature 54 associated
with the latch member 30 to secure a back end or trailing end of the ink
container
12 to the receiving station 14. It is the cooperation of the features an the
ink
container 12 with the features associated with the receiving station 14 that
allow
ZO proper insertion and functional interfacing between the replaceable at~k
container .
y 2 and the receiving station 14. The receiving station 14 will now be
discussed
in morE detail with respect to Fig_ 5.
Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of the ink receiving station 14 shown in
isolation. The receiving station 14 shown in Fig. 5 includes a monochromE bay
56 for receiving an ink container 12 containing a single ink color and a tri-
color
bay 58 for receiving an ink container having three separate ink colors
contained
therein. lzi this preferred embodiment, the monochrome bay 56 receives a
replaceable ink container 12 containing black ink, and the tri-color bay
receives a
replaceable ink container containing cyan, magenta, and yellow inks, each
partitioned into a separate reservoir within the ink container 12. The
receiving
station 14 as well as the replaceable iir~c container 12 can have other
1.0
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arrangements of bays 56 and 58 for receiving ink containers containing
different
numbers of distinct inks contained therein. In addition, the number of
receiving
bays 56 and 58 for the receiving station 14 can be fewer or greater than two.
For
example, a receiving station 14 can have four separate bays for receiving four
separate monochrome ink containers 12 with each ink container containing a
separate ink color to accomplish four-color printing.
Each bay 56 and 58 of the receiving station 14 includes an aperture 60 for
receiving each of the upright fluid interconnects 36 that extends
therethrough.
The fluid interconnect 36 is a fluid inlet for ink to exit a corresponding
fluid
outlet associated with the ink container 12. An electrical interconnect 62 is
also
included in each receiving bay 56 and 58. The electrical interconnect 62
includes a plurality of electrical contacts 64. In the preferred embodiment,
the
electrical contacts 64 are an arrangement of four spring-loaded electrical
contacts
with proper installation of the replaceable ink container 12 into the
corresponding bay of the receiving station 14. Proper engagement with each of
the electrical connectors 62 and fluid interconnects 36 must be established in
a
reliable manner.
The guide rails 46 disposed on either side of the fluid interconnects
within each bay 56 and 58 engage the corresponding guide feature 40 on either
side of the ink container 12 to guide the ink container into the receiving
station.
When the ink container 12 is fully inserted into the receiving station 14, the
engagement features 48 disposed on a back wall 66 of the receiving station 14
engage the corresponding engagement features 42 shown in Fig. 3 on the ink
container 12. The engagement features 48 are disposed on either side of the
electrical interconnect 62. A biasing means 52 such as a leaf spring is
disposed
within the receiving station 14. The leaf spring 52 provides a biasing force
that
tends to urge the ink container 12 upward from a bottom surface 68 of the
receiving station 14. The leaf spring aids in the latching of the ink
container 12
to the receiving station 14 as well as aiding the removal of the ink container
12
from the receiving station as will be discussed with respect to Figs. 10 and
11.
11
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
CA 02394719 2002-06-18
Figs. 6a, 6b, 6c, and 6d show front plan, side plan, back plan, and bottom
plan views, respectively, of the replaceable ink container 12 of the present
invention. As shown in Fig. 6a, the replaceable ink container 12 includes a
pair
of outwardly projecting guide rail engagement features 40. In the preferred
embodiment, each of these guide rail engagement features 40 extend outwardly
in a direction orthogonal to upright side 70 of the replaceable ink container
12.
The engagement features 4Z extend outwardly from a front surface or leading
edge 72 of the ink container 12. The engagement features 42 are disposed on
either side of an electzical interFaee 74 and are disposed toward a bottom
surface
. 7b'of the replaceable izik container 12. The electrical interface 74
includes a
plurality of electrical contacts 78, with each of the electrical contacts 78
electrically connected to an electrical storage device 80.
Opposite the leading end 72 is a trailing end 82 shown in Fig_ tic. The
trailing end 82 of the replaceable ink container 12 includes the latch feature
30
having an engagement hook 54. The latch feature 30 is formed of a resilient
material which allows the latch feature to extend outwardly from the trailing
end
thereby extending the engagement feature outwardly toward the corresponding
engagement feature associated with the receiving station 14. As the latch
member 30 is compressed inwardly toward the trailing end 82, the latch member
exerts a biasing force outwardly in order to ensure the engagement feature 54
remains in engagement with the corresponding engagement feature 50 associated
with tho receiving station 14 to secure the ink container 12 into the
receiving
station 14.
The replaceable ink container 12 also includes keys 84 disposed on the
trading end of the replaceable ink container 12. The keys are preferably
disposed
on either side of the latch 30 toward the bottom surface 76 of the replaceable
ink
container 12. The keys 84, together with keying features 32 on the receiving
station 14, interact to ensure the iz~k cvz~tainer 12 is inserted in the
correct bay 5b
and 58 in the receiving station 14. In addition, the keys 84 and the keying
features 32 ensure that the replaceable ink container 12 contains ink that is
12
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compatible both in color and in chemistry or compatibility with the
corresponding receiving bay 56 and 58 within the receiving station 14.
The handle portion 44 disposed on a top surface 86 at the trailing edge 82
of the replaceable ink container 12. The handle portion 44 allows the ink
container 12 to be grasped at the trailing edge 82 while inserted into the
appropriate bay of the receiving station 14. Positioning the handle portion
above
apertures 88 tends to reduce the opportunity for the customer to get ink on
their
hands while inserting the ink container 12 into the receiving station 14. In
addition, the handle portion 44 is disposed on the reservoir 34 opposite the
electrical contacts 78 to reduce or eliminate handling of the electrical
contacts 78
during insertion of the ink container 12 into the receiving station 14. This
handling by a human hand can contaminate the electrical contacts.
Contamination of the electrical contact with salts and oils frequently found
in
human skin can result in an unreliable or high resistance electrical
connection
between the ink container 12 and the printer portion 18.
The ink container 12 includes apertures 88 disposed on the bottom
surface 76 of the replaceable ink container 12. The apertures 88 allow the
fluid
interconnect 36 to extend through the reservoir 34 to engage the capillary
member disposed therein. In the case of the tri-color replaceable ink
container
12, there are three fluid outlets 88, with each fluid outlet corresponding to
a
different ink color. In the case of the tri-color chamber, each of three fluid
interconnects 36 extend into each of the fluid outlets 88 to provide fluid
communication between each ink chamber and the corresponding print head for
that ink color.
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a monochrome ink container positioned for
insertion into the monochrome bay 56 in the receiving station 14 shown in Fig.
5. The monochrome ink container shown in Fig. 7 is similar to the tri-color
ink
container shown in Figs. 6a through 6d except that only a single fluid outlet
88 is
provided in the bottom surface 76. The monochrome replaceable ink container
12 contains a single ink color and therefore receives only a single
corresponding
13
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
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fluid interconnect 36 for providing ink from the ink container 12 to the
corresponding printhead.
Fig. 8 is a greatly enlarged view of the electrical storage device 80 and
electrical contacts 78. In one preferred embodiment, the electrical storage
device
80 and the electrical contacts are mounted on a substrate 85. Each of the
electrical contacts 78 is electrically connected to the electrical storage
device 80.
Each of the electrical contacts 78 is electrically isolated from each other by
the
substrate 85. In one preferred embodiment, the electrical storage device 80 is
a
semiconductor memory that is mounted to the substrate 85. In the preferred
embodiment, the substrate 85 is adhesively bonded to the ink container 12.
In one preferred embodiment, there are four electrical contacts 78
representing contacts for power and ground connections as well as clock and
data
connections. Insertion of the replaceable ink container 12 into the printing
portion 18 establishes electrical connection between the electrical contacts
64 on
the receiving station 14 and the electrical contacts 78 on the replaceable ink
container 12. With power and ground applied to the electrical storage device
80,
data is transferred between the printing portion 18 and the replaceable ink
container 12 at a rate established by the clock signal. It is critical that
electrical
connection between the printer portion 18 and the replaceable ink container 12
formed by electrical contacts 64 and 78, respectively, be low resistance
connections to ensure reliable data transfer. If the electrical contacts 64
and 78
fail to provide a low resistance connection, then data may not be properly
transferred, or the data may be corrupted or inaccurate. Therefore, it is
critical
that reliable, low resistance connection is made between the ink container 12
and
the printing portion 18 to ensure proper operation of the printing system 10.
One
aspect of the present invention to establish reliable electrical connection
between
the ink container 12 and the printing portion 18 is discussed in more detail
in
Figs 10, 11 a and 11 b.
Fig. 9a, 9b, and 9c is a sequence of figures to illustrate the technique of
the present invention for inserting the replaceable ink container 12 into the
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receiving station 14 to form reliable electrical and fluidic connections with
the
receiving station 14.
Fig. 9a shows the ink container 12 partially inserted into the receiving
station 14. In the preferred embodiment, the ink container 12 is inserted into
the
receiving station 14 by grasping the handle portion 44 and inserting the ink
container into the receiving station 14 with the leading edge or leading face
72
first. As the leading edge 72 enters the receiving station 14 the outwardly
extending guide members 40 on the ink container engage each of the pair of
guide rails 46. The guide rails 46 guide the ink container 12 in a horizontal
or
linear motion toward the back wall 66 of the receiving station 14. The guide
rails 46 then guide the replaceable ink container in both a horizontal
direction
toward the back wall 66 and a vertical direction toward the bottom surface of
the
receiving station 14 such that the engagement feature 42 on the ink container
12
is received by a corresponding engagement feature 48 on the back wall 66 of
the
receiving station 14 as shown in Fig. 9b. The insertion of the ink container
12
requires only an insertion force to urge the ink container linearly along the
guide
rail 46. The gravitational force acting on the ink container 12 tends to cause
the
ink container to follow the guide rails 46 as the guide rails extend in a
downward
direction to allow engagement of engagement features 42 and 48. The guide rail
engagement features 40 are preferably gently rounded surfaces to slide freely
along the guide rails 46.
Fig. 9b shows the ink container 12 inserted into the receiving station 14
such that the engagement feature 42 is in engagement with the engagement
feature 48 associated with the receiving station l4. A downward force is
applied
to the ink container 12 as represented by arrows 90 to compress the leaf
spring
52 and to urge the trailing end 82 of the ink container 12 downwardly toward
the
bottom surface 68 of the receiving station 14. The keys 84 must properly
correspond to the keying feature 32 on the receiving station 14. If the keys
84 on
the ink container 12 do not correspond to the keying features 32, the keying
system will prevent further insertion of the ink container 12 into the
receiving
station 14. This keying system made up of keys 84 and the keying features 32
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prevent ink containers that are not compatible with the receiving station 14
from
further insertion into the receiving station 14. Further insertion of the ink
container 12 into the receiving station 14 could result in contact of the
fluid
interconnect 36 with the capillary member within the ink container 12, thereby
contaminating the fluid interconnect 36 with incompatible ink. Incompatible
ink
mixing in the fluid interconnect 36 can result in precipitation which can
damage
the printhead 16. In addition to inks of incompatible chemistries, the ink
container can have an incompatible color which can result in color mixing,
thereby reducing the output print quality.
The keys 84 on the ink container 12 and the keying features 32 on the
receiving station 14 allow for the complete insertion of the proper ink
container
12 into the proper receiving station 14. The downward force applied to the
trailing end 82 of the ink container 12 causes the ink container 12 to pivot
about
a pivot axis compressing the leaf spring 52, thereby moving the trailing edge
82
1 S of the ink container 12 toward the bottom surface 68 of the receiving
station 14.
As the ink container 12 is urged downward into the receiving station 14, the
resilient latch 30 is compressed slightly inward toward the trailing edge 82
of the
ink container 12. Once the ink container 12 is urged downward sufficiently
far,
the engagement feature 54 on the latch 30 engages with a corresponding
engagement feature 50 on the receiving station 14 to secure the ink container
12
to the receiving station 14 as shown in Fig. 9c.
With the ink container 12 properly secured in the receiving station 14 as
shown in Fig. 9c the fluid interconnect 36 extends into the reservoir 34 to
compress the capillary member, thereby forming a region of increased
capillarity
adjacent the fluid interconnect 36. This region of increased capillarity tends
to
draw ink toward the fluid interconnect 36, thereby allowing ink to flow
through
the fluid interconnect 36 to the printhead 16. In the preferred embodiment,
the
ink container 12 when inserted into the receiving station 14 is oriented in a
gravitational frame of reference so that a gravitational force acts on ink
within
the ink container 12 tending to draw ink toward the bottom surface 76 of the
ink
container 12. Thus ink within the ink container 12 is drawn to the bottom
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CA 02394719 2002-06-18
surface 76 where this ink is drawn toward the fluid interconnect 3G by
capillary
attraction thereby tending to reduce or minimize stranding of ink within the
ink
container 12.
Fi,g.10 shows a front plan view of the replaceable xnk container 12 of the
present invention. The front plan vievii or leading edge 72 of the ink
container 12
includes the engagement features 42 disposed toward the bottom surface 76 of
the leading edge 72 of the ink container 12. In the preferred embodiment, tl~e
engagement feature 42 is a pair of engagement features disposed on opposite
sides of the leading edge 72 of the ink container 12. As discussed previously
14 with respect to the insertion sequence for the ink contavneT 12 into the
receiving
station 14 shovv~n in Figs. 9a, 9b, and 9c, once partially inserted the ink
container
12 is pivoted about a pivot axis 92 to fully insert the ink container 12 into
the
receiving station 14.
The pivot axis 92 is shown in p'ig. 10 and is disposed proximate the
engagement features 42. The pivot axis is defined by the engag~ment features
42
on the ink container 12 which interact with corresponding engagement features
48 disposed on the back wall 66 of tlae supply station 14. Once the ink
container
12 is partially inserted into the receiving station 14 as shown in pig. 9b,
the
downward force as represented by arrows 90 to fully insert the ink container
12
into the rcceiwirrg station 14, results in the pivoting of the ink container
12 about
the pivot axis 92. The engagement features 42 engage the corresponding
engagement features 48 on the receiving station to trap the leading edge 72 of
the
ink container 12. This trapping of the leading edge 42 prevents upward motion
of the leading edge 72 as the downward force 90 is applied to the trailing
edge 82
of the ink container 12 producing a pivot motion about the pivot axis 92_
Tf, for example, the engagement features 42 on the ink container 12 did
not properly engage the engagement features 48 on the receiving station 14,
then
as the downward force 90 were applied at the trailing 82 of the ink container
12,
the leading edge 7Z of the ink container would rise upward due to the
engagement of the fluid interconnect 36 extending into the apertures 88 and
engaging the capillary member vsrithin the reservoir 34 and urging the leading
1.7
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edge 72 upwards as the trailing edge 82 is urged downward by the downward
force 90. Therefore, it is essential that the engagement features 42 properly
engage the corresponding engagement features 48 on the receiving station 14 to
properly pivot the ink container 12 about the pivot axis 92 during insertion
of the
ink container 12 into the receiving station 14. It is both the engagement
features
42 and their engagement with the corresponding engagement features on the
receiving station 14 that defines the pivot axis 92.
The ink container 12 as shown in Fig. 10 also includes a plurality of
electrical contacts 78, each of which is electrically connected to the
electrical
storage device 80 all of which are mounted on the substrate 85. The substrate
85
is in turn disposed on the leading edge 72 of the ink container 12. It is
important
that the electrical contacts 78 be disposed at least partially between the
pivot axis
92 and the bottom surface 76 of the ink container 12. As will be discussed
with
respect to Figs. 1 la and 1 1b, it is the positioning of the electrical
contacts 78
below the pivot axis 92 that allows the electrical contacts 78 to move forward
during the pivoting of the ink container 12 that allows proper electrical
engagement between the ink container 12 and the receiving station 14.
Figs. l la and 1 1b are simplified representations of the pivoting of the ink
container 12 into the receiving station 14 as shown previously in Figs. 9b and
9c.
Figs. 1 la and 1 1b are greatly simplified to better illustrate the
positioning of the
electrical contacts 78 on the ink container 12 and how this positioning during
the
pivoting of the ink container 12 about the pivot axis 92 ensures proper
engagement of the electrical contacts 78 on the ink container 12 with the
electrical contacts 64 on the receiving station 14.
Fig. l la and 1 1b are side plan views of the ink container 12 and receiving
station 14 shown greatly enlarged and partially broken away. The pivot axis 92
is represented by a circle having a cross centered thereon. The pivot axis 92
is a
point on the ink container about which the ink container 12 pivots during the
insertion of the ink container 12 into the receiving station 14. It should be
noted
that both the engagement features 42 associated with the ink container 12 and
the
engagement feature 48 associated with the receiving station 14 are not shown
to
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better illustrate the electrical engagement between the ink container 12 and
the
receiving station 14. Fig. 11 a represents partial insertion of the ink
container 12
into the receiving station 14 as shown previously in Fig. 9b. A downward force
is then applied to the trailing end of the ink container 12 to pivot the ink
container about the pivot axis 92. As the ink container 12 is pivoted about
the
pivot axis 92, portions on the leading edge 72 above the pivot axis move away
from the back wall 66 of the receiving station 14. Conversely, portions of the
leading edge 72 below the pivot axis 92, or between the pivot axis 92 and the
bottom surface 76 of the ink container 12 move toward the back wall 66 of the
receiving station 14. It is the positioning of the electrical contacts 78
below the
pivot axis 92 that allows the electrical contacts to be moved in an arc toward
the
electrical contacts 64 on the electrical connector 62 to achieve electrical
contacts
between the ink container 12 and the receiving station 14.
Fig. l 1b shows the ink container 12 fully inserted into the receiving
station 14. It can be seen that as the ink container 12 pivots in an arc about
the
pivot axis 92, the electrical contacts 78 move in an arc toward the electrical
contacts 64 associated with the receiving station 14. As the electrical
contacts 78
engage the corresponding electrical contacts 64, operational or electrical
connection is established between the ink container 12 and the receiving
station
14. In the preferred embodiment, the electrical contacts 64 associated with
the
receiving station 14 are spring-biased and therefore compress or retract
slightly
as the electrical contacts 78 engage the electrical contacts 64. The use of
spring-
biased electrical contacts 64 on the receiving station 14 aids in achieving
more
reliable electrical contact and allows for greater tolerance variation in both
the
ink container 12 and receiving station 14.
Fig. 12 is a simplified top plan view of the ink container 12 installed
within the receiving station 14. Fig. 12 is intended to illustrate how
electrical
interconnection between the ink container 12 and receiving station 14 is
achieved
and is not drawn to scale. In the preferred embodiment, the receiving station
14
includes the electrical interconnect 62 having a plurality of spring-loaded
electrical contacts 64.
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10991406-2
The ink container 1Z includes a plurality of electrical contacts 78
disposed thereon. The ink container 12 is configured such that when; inserted
into the receiving station I4, each o~ttae plurality of electrical contacts 78
engages each ofthe plurality of spring-biased electrical contacts 64 on the
receiving station 14. The electrieai contacts 64 are slightly compressed so
that
each of the electrical contacts are biased against each of the electrical
contacts 78
associated with the ink container such that a reliable electrical
interconnection is
established bctwac~a the ink container 12 and the receiving station 14. This
electrical interconnection between the ink container 12 and the receiving
station
I4, allows information to be transferred between the electrical storage device
80
disposed on the ink container 12 and the controller Z9 disposed in the printer
portion 1.8 shown in Fig. 2.
Figs. 13a and 13b illustrate a position in the insertion process described
with respect to Figs_ 9a, 9b and 9e wherein the leading edge 72 of the ink
container 12 is positioned over the fluid interconnect 36. Fig. 13a depicts a
side
view with Fig. 13b showing an end view. It can be seen from Figs. 13a and 13b
that the guide feature 40 must be positioned on the ink container 12 low
enough
toward the bottom surface 76 of the ink container 12 such that the leading
edge
72 of the ink container does not collide with the fluid interconnect 36 doting
insertion. Another constraint on the positioning of the guide member 40 is
that
the guide member 40 must be positioned suffaciently close to the top surface
$6
of the ink container 12 to insure that the engagement feature 42 properly
engages
with the corresponding engagement feature 48 on the receiving station 14.
rn addition, the outwardly extending guide members 40 on the ink
container must extend outward suffciently far to engage the guide rails 46.
However, the vutwardty extending guide members 40 should not extend too far
outward such that the guide members 40 engage the upright sides in the
receiving station 14, producing interference which produces Friction and
binding
which resists insertion of the ink container 12 into the receiving station 14.
Figs. 14a, 14b, and 14c illustrate the technique for removing the ink
container 12 from the receiving station 14. The technique for removing the ink
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container 12 of the present invention begins with the release of the
engagement
feature from the corresponding engagement feature 50 on the receiving station
14
by urging the latch 30 toward the trailing surface 82. Once the trailing edge
of
the ink container 12 is released, the spring 52 urges the trailing edge of the
ink
container upward as shown in Fig. 14b. The ink container 12 can be grasped by
handle 44 to retrieve the ink container 12 in a direction opposite the
insertion
direction. As the ink container 12 is withdrawn from the receiving station 14,
the guide member 40 follows the guide rails 46 to lift the ink container,
thereby
preventing interference between the fluid interconnect 36 and the fluid outlet
on
the bottom surface of the ink container 12.
The ink container 12 of the present invention is configured to engage and
interact with the receiving station 14 to guide the ink container 12 into the
receiving station and for a reliable fluid and electrical connection with the
receiving station 14. The technique of the present invention allows this
insertion
process to be relatively simple and easy to prevent improper insertion of the
ink
container 12. The customer grasps the ink container 12 by the handle portion
44
and slides the ink container 12 horizontally into the receiving station 14.
The
guide rails 46 and guide features 40 cooperate to properly guide the ink
container
12 into the receiving station 14. The ink container 12 is pressed downwardly
to
latch the ink container 12 and achieve operational interconnection both
electrically and fluidically between the ink container 12 and the receiving
station
14.
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