Connector for supplying fluid to a print system

Systems and methods for connector for supplying fluid to a print system. One system is an apparatus that includes a fluid supply station of a printer with a connector to couple with a fluid source for supplying fluid to at least one printhead of the printer. The connector includes an interface having a body with an end surface that corresponds with a face of a nozzle of the fluid source. The connector also includes an inlet protruding from the end surface and configured to enter an opening of the nozzle for receiving the fluid from the fluid source. The connector further includes communication circuitry disposed on the end surface and configured to establish a connection with corresponding communication circuitry disposed on the face of the nozzle of the fluid source when the inlet enters the opening of the nozzle and the end surface and the nozzle face align.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of printing systems, and in particular, to a connector for supplying fluid to a print system.

BACKGROUND

Businesses or other entities having a need for volume printing typically use a production printer capable of printing hundreds of pages per minute. During printing, droplets of liquid ink are precisely ejected onto a print medium by rows of small nozzles located on each printhead. For proper print operation, each printhead has a reliable supply of ink supplied to its chamber.

Production inkjet printers typically make use of an ink container that is separated from the movement of printheads during printer operation. When the ink container is exhausted, it is removed and replaced with a new ink container. However, if the ink container is improperly seated in the printer, air may be introduced into the ink distribution channels, resulting in many hours of downtime of the printer to clean leaks and clear the channels.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein provide for a connector for ink supply in a print system. One embodiment is an apparatus that includes an ink supply station of a printer. The ink supply station includes a connector to couple with an ink container for supplying ink to at least one printhead of the printer. The connector includes an interface having a body with an end surface that corresponds with a face of a nozzle of the fluid source. The connector also includes an inlet protruding from the end surface and configured to enter an opening of the nozzle for receiving the fluid from the fluid source. The connector further includes communication circuitry disposed on the end surface and configured to establish a connection with corresponding communication circuitry disposed on the face of the nozzle of the fluid source when the inlet enters the opening of the nozzle and the end surface and the nozzle face align.

In a further embodiment, the apparatus includes a processor configured to analyze the connection, and to validate the fluid source based on the connection. In still a further embodiment, the apparatus includes a blocking mechanism communicatively coupled to the processor and configured to move to a first position to prevent the interface from retracting into the connector, and to move to a second position to allow the interface to retract into the connector. In response to a determination that the fluid source is valid, the processor is configured to direct the blocking mechanism to move to the second position to allow the interface to retract into the base of the connector so that the inlet contacts a valve in the nozzle and receives the fluid from the fluid source.

In yet a further embodiment, when the blocking mechanism is in the first position: the interface protrudes from a base of the connector in a forward horizontal direction, the inlet protrudes from the end surface in the forward horizontal direction for a first length, and the blocking mechanism is disposed in the base behind the interface to prevent the interface from retracting into the base along a path in a reverse horizontal direction. When the blocking mechanism is in the second position: the interface is able to retract into the base in the reverse horizontal direction, the inlet protrudes from the end surface in the forward horizontal direction for a second length that is longer than the first length by an amount that corresponds with an amount of retraction of the interface into the base, and the blocking mechanism is positioned in a vertical direction away from the path to allow the interface to retract into the base in the reverse horizontal direction.

Another embodiment is a fluid connector that includes a tubular body configured to slide with respect to a fixed base, and a blocking mechanism configured to move between a first position in the base behind the tubular body to prevent the tubular body from sliding, and a second position that allows the tubular body to slide into the base. The fluid connector also includes an end on one side of the tubular body, and an inlet extending from the end and configured to enter a nozzle of a fluid source for receiving fluid into the fluid connector. The fluid connector further includes communication circuitry disposed on the end around the inlet and configured to connect to corresponding communication circuitry disposed on an opposing surface of the fluid source; and a processor coupled to the communication circuitry and configured to direct movement of the blocking mechanism based on the connection.

The above summary provides a basic understanding of some aspects of the specification. This summary is not an extensive overview of the specification. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the specification nor to delineate any scope of particular embodiments of the specification, or any scope of the claims. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of the specification in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later. Other exemplary embodiments (e.g., methods and computer-readable media relating to the foregoing embodiments) may be described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates an exemplary continuous-forms printing system100. Printing system100includes production printer110, which is configured to apply ink onto a web120of continuous-form print media (e.g., paper). As used herein, the word “ink” is used to refer to any suitable marking fluid (e.g., aqueous inks, oil-based paints, etc.). Printer110may comprise an inkjet printer that applies colored inks, such as Cyan (C), Magenta (M), Yellow (Y), Key (K) black, white, or colorless inks. One or more rollers130position web120as it travels through printing system100. Printing system100may also include downstream devices such as a dryer140to dry ink applied to web120.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of a printer110in an exemplary embodiment. Printer110includes ink supply station210, ink distribution system220, printheads230, and controller240. Ink supply station210is configured to receive external supplies of ink and may comprise a stationary fixture of printer110. Ink supply station210may include one or more ink bays212-218configured to transport a particular type or container of ink such as a cartridge or bag of ink into printer110. Ink distribution system220is operable to transport ink from ink supply station210to one or more printheads230. Ink distribution system220may also transport other types of fluids in printer110, such as overcoat fluids, undercoat fluids, cleaning fluids, etc. Ink distribution system220may comprise flexible tubes, valves, pumps, etc. Printheads230are operable to eject ink onto media120for image formation. Controller240is any system or device operable to manage the supply of ink from ink supply station210to printheads230by directing one or more components of ink distribution system220.

FIG. 3illustrates an ink bay212for receiving an ink supply bag in an exemplary embodiment. Ink bay212includes a housing310operable to support an external supply of ink, such as ink supply bag330. Ink bay212also includes a fluid connector320operable to couple with a nozzle340of an ink supply bag330(or other types of fluid sources) for transferring fluid into printer110. Fluid connector320includes a base322, an inlet324, and an outlet326. Base322is stationary with respect to housing310or ink bay212and may be detachably coupled or fixed thereto. Inlet324protrudes from base322into housing310and is operable to receive ink from a nozzle340of ink supply bag330. Outlet326protrudes from base322in the opposite direction and is operable to transport the ink to printheads230via ink distribution system220.

FIG. 4illustrates an ink bay for receiving an ink supply bag in another exemplary embodiment. As shown inFIGS. 3 and 4, ink bay212includes electrical contacts352and ink supply bag330includes electrical pads350. Electrical contacts352and electrical pads350may have corresponding physical configurations so that an electrical connection is formed when the electrical contacts352and electrical pads350are aligned. Electrical contacts340, and/or circuitry communicatively coupled thereto, may analyze the electrical connection to determine whether electrical pads350are properly aligned and/or to identify a property of ink supply bag330. For example, electrical contacts352may determine a type of ink in ink supply bag330based on an electrical continuity of electrical pads350that identify the type of ink when electrical contacts352and electrical pads350align.

InFIG. 4, ink supply bag330is shown seated in housing310such that electrical pads350contact or align with electrical contacts352. Furthermore, inlet324of fluid connector320enters nozzle340of ink supply bag330to contact a valve332of ink supply bag330to allow ink to flow from ink supply bag330, through fluid connector320, and to one or more printheads230via ink distribution system220. In previous systems, electrical contacts352are disposed in ink bay212separately from fluid connector320. That is, electrical pads350are typically located at a bottom corner of ink supply bag330, or other areas apart from nozzle340, and therefore electrical contacts352are disposed at a corresponding location in housing310of ink bay212. In these configurations, electrical contacts352may confirm alignment with electrical contacts350even though there is not a proper connection between fluid connector320and nozzle340(e.g., due to bending of ink supply bag330and/or nozzle340). An improperly coupled fluid connector320and nozzle340may allow air to be introduced into ink distribution system220, which may result in hours of printer downtime to clean leaks and clear the channels of ink distribution system220. Furthermore, since electrical contacts352/electrical pads350and inlet324/valve332may connect simultaneously, there may be a risk of contaminating connector320and/or fluid distribution system220with the wrong type of fluid or ink.

Fluid connector320is therefore enhanced to ensure proper connection with ink supply bag330or other types of fluid sources.FIG. 5illustrates a perspective view of a fluid connector320in an exemplary embodiment. Fluid connector320is enhanced to electronically confirm proper alignment and/or coupling with a fluid source. Fluid connector320includes interface510which comprises a body having at least one surface that includes communication circuitry550. Communication circuitry550may include or be communicatively coupled with processor560configured to analyze a connection between communication circuitry550and a corresponding fluid source nozzle.

FIG. 6illustrates a perspective view of a nozzle of a fluid source in an exemplary embodiment. Nozzle340may belong to ink supply bag330or any other type of fluid source and is enhanced to include communication circuitry650that correspond with communication circuitry550on interface510. In one embodiment, communication circuitry550/650may each comprise one or more traces of conductive material disposed on respective surfaces of interface510and nozzle340in a corresponding physical formation or corresponding dimensions that contact and/or align to form an electrical connection. In another embodiment, communication circuitry550/650may each comprise near field communication (NFC) devices, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, disposed on respective surfaces of interface510and nozzle340in a corresponding physical formation to establish a communication connection when communication circuitry550/650are in close proximity, contact, and/or alignment.

Fluid connector320and nozzle340may generally comprise corresponding physical features which enable coupling between fluid connector320and nozzle340. As used herein, a coupling between fluid connector320and nozzle340refers to any type of physical connection that forms an airtight or substantially airtight seal around the area where fluid is transferred from nozzle340to fluid connector320. For example, when fluid connector320is coupled with nozzle340of ink supply bag330, ink may travel from the nozzle340through a hollow conduit in fluid connector320that extends through inlet324, base322, and outlet326without air being introduced into the flow of ink.

In general, the seal which couples nozzle340and fluid connector320and the connection between communication circuitry550/650may be formed in relative close proximity to one another. This proximity may enable processor560to accurately confirm whether nozzle340is properly aligned and/or coupled with fluid connector320based on the connection between communication circuitry550/650. Thus, the proximity of the established connection and the established seal may help reduce or eliminate the possibility of air entering into the flow of fluid from nozzle340to fluid connector320.

In one embodiment, communication circuitry550/650may be disposed on respective surfaces which are inside the seal formed when fluid connector320and nozzle340couple. The connection of communication circuitry550/650may be considered inside the seal or the point of coupling when the connection occurs in an airtight or substantially airtight environment as a result of the coupling. As such, processor560may confirm coupling of nozzle340to fluid connector320based on the connection since the physical configuration of fluid connector320and nozzle340ensures the formation of the seal occurs before or substantially simultaneous with the formation of the electrical connection.

For example, in addition to including communication circuitry550/650, respectively, an end surface of interface510and nozzle face602may have a corresponding features that forms a seal when fluid connector320and nozzle340couple. The respective end surfaces may comprise flat, circular surfaces at the end of tubular bodies. Communication circuitry650on an end surface of nozzle340(e.g., nozzle face602) may contact and/or come within close proximity to communication circuitry550on a corresponding end surface of interface510. Additionally, end surfaces of interface510and nozzle face602may comprise corresponding physical features or materials operable to form a seal at the outer portions of respective end surfaces and around the electrical connection. As such, as nozzle340is pushed or otherwise coupled onto fluid connector320in the horizontal direction, a seal may be formed at the outer portions of the respective ends, and simultaneously or soon thereafter as nozzle340continues to be pushed, communication circuitry550and communication circuitry650establish a connection inside the seal.

Alternatively, interface510and/or nozzle340may have alternative shapes (e.g., non-circular ends, non-tubular bodies, etc.) or surface types (e.g., non-flat end surfaces) which correspond with one another to contact, align, or form a seal. For example, the body of interface510may overlap with the body of nozzle340, or vice versa, in the horizontal direction to form a seal at the overlapping portion. Or, nozzle340may include a material that forms a seal with base322. As such, nozzle340may be pushed onto fluid connector320to form a seal between respective bodies, and simultaneously or soon thereafter as nozzle340continues to be pushed, communication circuitry550and communication circuitry650contact or come within close proximity to form an electrical connection at the respective ends inside the seal.

In another embodiment, the connection between communication circuitry550and electrical pads550is formed outside the seal that is formed when fluid connector320and nozzle340couple. As such, processor560may be configured to confirm alignment of nozzle340to fluid connector320based on the connection. Here, the corresponding physical configuration of fluid connector320and nozzle340may ensure that the respective positions are in alignment such that the formation of the seal is established or impending.

For example, an end surface of interface510and nozzle face602may include communication circuitry550and communication circuitry650, respectively, which contact and/or come within close proximity to establish a connection. Additionally, inlet324may extend from the end surface of interface510and may be configured to enter spout610of nozzle340to form a seal. The seal may be formed at the point where inlet324contacts a valve in spout610operable to dispense fluid. Alternatively or additionally, the seal may be formed between inlet324and a surface or material within spout610, such as a rubber o-ring. In any case, the connection may form outside the formation of the seal. Additionally, the connection may be formed before, substantially simultaneous with, or after the formation of the seal.

Processor560may be configured to detect and/or validate the connection between communication circuitry550/650to confirm proper orientation, contact, alignment, and/or coupling of fluid connector320and nozzle340. As used herein, the connection may refer to an electrical connection established by contact and/or alignment of conductive material or to a communication connection established by communication devices arranged within close proximity, in contact, and/or in alignment. If the fluid source may be of any orientation when coupled to fluid connector320, communication circuitry550/650may be disposed on respective surfaces in an annular formation, such as one or more corresponding concentric circles. Thus, communication circuitry550may encircle inlet324and communication circuitry650may encircle spout610and the connection may confirm proper alignment and/or coupling of interface510and nozzle340regardless as to any respective orientation.

Alternatively, if the fluid source or nozzle340is to have a particular orientation when coupled to fluid connector320, communication circuitry550/650may have a corresponding keyed configuration, such as corresponding non-circular shapes or designs. Thus, for this example, communication circuitry550and communication circuitry650may surround inlet324and spout610, respectively, in a broken pattern or non-circular shape such that the connection may confirm proper alignment and/or coupling of interface510and nozzle340at a desired orientation, and confirm improper alignment and/or coupling of interface510and nozzle340when not aligned and/or coupled at the desired orientation.

Processor560may be additionally configured to validate a fluid source based on the connection. For example, processor560may be configured to receive or retrieve information related to a property of a coupled fluid source based on, or in response to, establishing a connection between communication circuitry550/650. Processor560may also be coupled to one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs), a graphical user interface (GUI), or other type of indicator of printer110, ink supply station210, or ink bay212to indicate to a user whether the connection is valid and/or whether the fluid source is valid. For example, processor560may determine that an ink bag in ink bay212is the incorrect color of ink for that ink bay212and direct a display that notifies an operator that the ink bag is invalid.

In one embodiment, processor560may be configured to determine a type of fluid associated with the fluid source (e.g., a type of ink in ink supply bag330) based on an electrical continuity of communication circuitry650that identifies the type of fluid belonging to the fluid source when communication circuitry550/650contact and/or align. Processor560may further determine whether the fluid source is valid based on the identification of the fluid source. In another embodiment, communication circuitry550may comprise an RFID device, such as an active RFID transceiver and communication circuitry650may comprise a corresponding RFID device, such as a passive RFID tag. Communication circuitry550may be configured to detect and/or power circuitry650as well as receive/retrieve data therefrom when the devices are within a threshold distance from one another. Furthermore, communication circuitry550may validate the fluid source based on the establishment of communication and/or the received information.

Alternatively or additionally, communication circuitry550may be configured to collect and update information related to the fluid transfer between the fluid source and fluid connector320. For example, the electrical connection or the communication connection between communication circuitry550/650may form a communication channel operable to transmit data related to fluid transfer, such as fluid type, amount fluid received/transmitted, serial number, lot number, etc. Additional examples of fluid transfer information include, but is not limited to, amount of ink remaining in the ink container, consumptions rates, time records of installation and/or removal of the ink container based on when the electrical connection is formed/broken, etc. Processor560and/or communication circuitry550/650may be communicatively coupled to memory from which data related to fluid transfer may be exchanged and/or stored.

In an alternative embodiment, radio frequency identification devices located at corresponding locations of ink bay212and a fluid container, such as fluid supply bag330, may be communicatively coupled with processor560, communication circuitry550, communication circuitry650, and/or memory, and may be configured to exchange data in response an electrical connection formed between communication circuitry550and communication circuitry650. For example, an RFID read/write device attached to ink supply bag330may store information regarding the supply of ink, and an RFID read/write device disposed on or in ink supply station210or an ink bay212.

To further reduce the possibility of contaminating fluid connector320and/or ink distribution system220with the wrong type of fluid, fluid connector320may be further enhanced to prevent fluid connector320from receiving fluid from a fluid source based on a determination that the electrical connection and/or the fluid source is invalid. Alternatively or additionally, fluid connector320may prevent nozzle340from coupling to fluid connector320based on a determination that the electrical connection and/or the fluid source is invalid.

FIG. 7illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fluid source and a fluid connector in the process of aligning in an exemplary embodiment. During the process of aligning and/or coupling, fluid connector320and/or nozzle340may be moved closer with respect to one another in what is referred to herein as a horizontal direction for purposes of discussion. Base322may be stationary with respect to the horizontal direction (e.g., fixed or coupled with respect to housing310or ink bay212). Prior to alignment and/or coupling of fluid connector320and nozzle340, interface510may protrude from base322in what is referred to as a forward horizontal direction. Additionally, inlet324may protrude from an end surface of interface510for a length in the forward horizontal direction. Thus, in the process of aligning and/or coupling, inlet324may enter opening of spout610prior to formation of a connection between communication circuitry550/650as shown inFIG. 7.

Fluid connector320may additionally include a blocking mechanism710which is any system, device, or apparatus operable to prevent fluid connector320from receiving ink from a fluid source (e.g., ink supply bag330). Furthermore, processor560(not shown inFIGS. 7-9) may be configured to direct movement of the blocking mechanism710based on a validation of the connection and/or fluid source. For example, processor560may be communicatively coupled to a movement mechanism (e.g., a mechanical, electrical, and/or electromechanical system or device) to direct movement of blocking mechanism710which comprises a physical object or interference that is movable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position.

In the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 7-9, interface510is configured to move, or retract, into base322in the horizontal direction, and blocking mechanism710is an object that is configured to interfere with the retraction of interface510. Before a connection between communication circuitry550/650is established, blocking mechanism710may be positioned in base322behind interface510in a blocking position to prevent retraction of interface510into base322in a reverse horizontal direction.

As nozzle340and/or fluid connector320continue to move together in the horizontal direction, alignment and/or coupling of nozzle340and fluid connector320may occur.FIG. 8illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fluid source and a fluid connector aligned and/or coupled in an exemplary embodiment. Processor560may detect the connection between communication circuitry550/650when the fluid source (e.g., ink supply bag330) and fluid connector320align and/or couple. Processor560may further analyze the connection to determine whether the fluid source is valid or invalid. For example, in response to establishing the connection between communication circuitry550/650, processor560may receive information regarding the fluid source and use that information to validate or invalidate the fluid source.

In the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 7-9, when blocking mechanism710is in the blocking position, a body of interface510extends or protrudes from base322. Additionally, inlet324comprises a body length that further extends from the end surface of the extended interface510for a first length that is shorter than the length for contacting the fluid dispensing mechanism in nozzle340, which in this example is formed by valve332and spring334. Alternatively or additionally, inlet324may comprise a body length such that its protrusion length from an extended interface510is shorter than the length for coupling inside spout610. Thus, processor560may validate the connection and/or fluid source before inlet324is able to receive fluid from and/or couple with the fluid source to prevent fluid contamination.

In response to a determination that the connection and/or fluid source is invalid, processor560may direct an appropriate notification to a user. Processor560may also be configured to direct blocking mechanism710to remain and/or return to the blocking position in response to a determination that the connection and/or fluid source is invalid or in response that to a determination that the connection is not established or has been broken.

In response to a determination that the connection and/or fluid source is valid, processor560may direct blocking mechanism710to move to a position that allows retraction of interface510. Alternatively or additionally, processor560may notify a user that the connection and/or fluid source is valid such that blocking mechanism710may be moved manually to a non-blocking position. When in the non-blocking position, blocking mechanism710is clear of the horizontal sliding path of interface510. For instance, blocking mechanism710may be removed from base322or moved vertically in base322to allow retraction of interface510into base322.

FIG. 9illustrates a cross-sectional view of a fluid connector receiving fluid from a fluid source in an exemplary embodiment. With blocking mechanism710removed from the horizontal sliding path of interface510, nozzle340may be pushed in the horizontal direction to cause interface510to retract into base322. Processor560may direct a notification to indicate that refraction of interface510is allowed in response to validation and/or movement of blocking mechanism710to a non-blocking position.

In the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 7-9, inlet324may be fixed or stationary in fluid connector320with respect to the horizontal direction such that the protrusion length of inlet324from interface510is increased by an amount the corresponds with the amount of retraction of interface510into base322. Thus, as interface510retracts, inlet324may travel further down a length of spout610and eventually contact valve332to compress spring334or otherwise contact the dispensing mechanism of the fluid source to receive the fluid. In other words, the conduit of nozzle340may generally have a corresponding length which allows inlet324to contact its fluid dispensing mechanism for ink flow when interface510is in the retracted position. Fluid connector320may thus, for example, confirm proper connection to ink supply bag330as well as validate its ink type before allowing any ink flow to occur.

It will be appreciated that various extended/retracted positions of interface510are possible, depending on the respective lengths of inlet324, interface510, conduit of spout610to valve332, and nozzle340. For example, interface510may retract to be substantially flush with base322when blocking mechanism710is removed from the blocking position or may retract an alternative length with respect to base322. Additionally, blocking mechanism710may also be configured to prevent ink from flowing from the fluid source to fluid connector320in alternative configurations. For example, processor560may direct blocking mechanism710to open/close the channel of fluid connector320that receives fluid from the fluid source based on the validation. Alternatively or additionally, blocking mechanism710may prevent inlet324from receiving ink from ink supply bag330with a mechanism in ink bay212external to fluid connector320. Further, blocking mechanism710may comprise other types of interference that prevent/allow retraction of interface510such as magnetic interference.

Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of the inventive concepts is not limited to those specific embodiments. The scope of the inventive concepts is defined by the following claims and any equivalents thereof.