Patent Abstract:
The present invention relates to an array-type ink cartridge. The present array-type ink cartridge comprises: a plurality of ink cartridge modules which each have a pair of heads arranged so as to cross each other in the longitudinal direction so that the print width expands; and a fixing plate for fixing the plurality of ink cartridge modules and aligning the fixing position so that the plurality of ink cartridge modules are in an array configuration in the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge modules or the width direction of the ink cartridges. The array-type ink cartridge according to embodiments of the present invention can embody various colors and print widths of various sizes by using a plurality of ink cartridge modules, and can optionally expand the number of ink cartridge modules used according to the characteristics of a printing device.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is the national stage for International Patent Cooperation Treaty Application PCT/KR2015/002971, filed Mar. 26, 2015, which claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0119967, filed Sep. 11, 2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office. The entire contents of said applications are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an array-type ink cartridge, and more particularly, to an array-type ink cartridge that uses a plurality of ink cartridge modules and is capable of increasing the number of ink cartridge modules being used according to characteristics of a print apparatus. 
         [0004]    An ink cartridge is a replaceable component used in a printing apparatus, such as an inkjet printer, and stores ink ejected onto a print medium, such as paper, during printing. The ink cartridge is also referred to as an inkjet cartridge, and has various shapes and sizes based on a print apparatus being used. 
         [0005]    Generally, the ink cartridge includes an ink reservoir having one or more partition walls, and may further include an electronic contact and a chip for communicating with the print apparatus according to manufacturers. 
         [0006]    A Piezo-method, a heating method, a bubble jet method, or the like is used as an ejecting method of the ink cartridge. The Piezo-method is a method of printing as a Piezo-element vibrates according to an electric signal to push ink outside a nozzle. In the Piezo-method, a relatively big nozzle is used since an amount of ink is adjustable by controlling a current flowing time, and has an advantage in graphic outputs since various sizes of ink droplets are generated and thus small droplets are generated when minute expression is required and big droplets are generated for a large area. However, since the nozzle is large, it is relatively difficult to increase the number of nozzles, and the nozzle is blocked easily. 
         [0007]    The heating method and the bubble jet method are similar in that bubbles are generated via heat and ink is ejected according to expansive force of the bubbles, but in the heating method, a heater is provided opposite to a nozzle and in the bubble jet method, a heater is provided below a nozzle. 
         [0008]    The heating method and the bubble jet method have similar overall characteristics. Also, in the heating method and the bubble jet method, the numbers of nozzles are easily increased since structures are simple, and the nozzles are not easily blocked even if air bubbles enter the nozzles since the air bubbles are discharged together with ink. However, since only a certain size of ink droplet is ejected per nozzle, minute expression is difficult, and a print speed is low when a large area needs to be printed. 
         [0009]    However, in a general ink cartridge, sizes of ink droplets and colors of ink are fixed, and thus different ink cartridges are used for print apparatuses being used. 
         [0010]    Also, there is a product that uses an ink cartridge including an array type head corresponding to a width of a print medium such that the ink cartridge does not move back and forth and is fixed and only a print medium is transferred in one direction, but in this case as well, a configuration of the ink cartridge is fixed. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, an ink cartridge which is capable of extending a print width or realizing various colors by using several ink cartridge modules and in which the number of ink cartridge modules being used are arbitrarily increased according to characteristics of a print apparatus needs to be considered. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
       [0012]    One or more embodiments of the present invention provide an array-type ink cartridge which is capable of extending a print width or realizing various colors by using a plurality of ink cartridge modules, and capable of arbitrarily increasing the number of ink cartridge modules being used. 
       Technical Solution 
       [0013]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an array-type ink cartridge including: a plurality of ink cartridge modules each including a pair of heads that are misaligned in a length direction such that a print width extends; and a fixing plate fixing the plurality of ink cartridge modules and aligning fixed locations such that the plurality of ink cartridge modules form an array in a length direction or a width direction of the plurality of ink cartridge modules. 
         [0014]    The array-type ink cartridge may further include a circuit board combined to one side surface of the plurality of ink cartridge modules forming the array, and including a circuit for controlling the plurality of ink cartridge modules forming the array. 
         [0015]    The fixing plate may include a combining hole for fixing the plurality of ink cartridge modules and aligning the fixed locations as a coupling member penetrates through the combining hole, and may include a rib for aligning the fixed locations of the plurality of ink cartridge modules and increasing rigidity with respect to bending or twisting. 
       Advantageous Effects 
       [0016]    According to embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to realize various print widths and various colors according to characteristics of a print apparatus being used by using a plurality of ink cartridge modules. Also, since it is possible to arbitrarily increase the number of ink cartridge modules being used according to the characteristics of the print apparatus being used, wherein the number is increased by using the same ink cartridge modules, manufacturing processes may be simplified and manufacturing costs may be reduced compared to when different ink cartridges are used per print apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]      FIG. 1  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the array-type ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is a view of a fixing plate of  FIG. 2 , 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0021]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the array-type ink cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is a view of a detachable fixing plate and a fixing plate connector of  FIG. 5 , 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a view of an ink cartridge array module and a fixing plate connector, 
           [0024]      FIG. 8  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0025]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the array-type ink cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0026]      FIG. 10  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0027]      FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the array-type ink cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0028]      FIG. 12  is a view of an ink cartridge array module and a fixing plate connector of the array-type ink cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0029]      FIG. 13  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0030]      FIG. 14  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0031]      FIG. 15  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, 
           [0032]      FIG. 16  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, and 
           [0033]      FIG. 17  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Best Mode 
         [0035]    Hereinafter, one or more embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to accompanying drawings. 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the array-type ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 3  is a view of a fixing plate of  FIG. 2 . 
         [0037]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 3 , the array-type ink cartridge  100  may include a first ink cartridge module  120   a , a second ink cartridge module  120   b , a first flexible printed circuit board  130   a , a second flexible printed circuit board  130   b , a circuit board  140 , and a fixing plate  150 . 
         [0038]    The first ink cartridge module  120   a  and the second ink cartridge module  120   b  may each include an ink reservoir for storing ink therein and may each include, at a bottom surface, a pair of heads that are misaligned in a length direction such that a print width extends, thereby ejecting ink through nozzles provided at the heads according to an external control signal. Structures, functions, and shapes of the first ink cartridge module  120   a  and the second ink cartridge module  120   b  are basically the same. 
         [0039]    The first ink cartridge module  120   a  and the second ink cartridge module  120   b  have shapes on the plan view, in which two rectangular shapes are misaligned and closely contact each other in a width direction. Here, a rectangular shape does not only mean a geometrically accurate rectangular shape. For example, even if a shape has four corners that are rounded or are partially somewhat protruded or dented, as long as the shape is considered as a rectangular shape, the shape is ‘rectangular shape’. 
         [0040]    The first and second ink cartridge modules  120   a  and  120   b  may each further include a filter (not shown) for preventing impurities from flowing into the heads or an inlet hole (not shown) that is a passage through which ink that passed through the filter is supplied to the heads. Also, the pair of heads provided at each of the first and second ink cartridge modules  120   a  and  120   b  may be configured to use the same ink reservoir or to use separate ink reservoirs separated according to the heads. 
         [0041]    The first flexible printed circuit board  130   a  is connected to the first ink cartridge module  120   a  on a circuit configuration, and may include a chip related to control of the first ink cartridge module  120   a . Similarly, the second flexible printed circuit board  130   b  is connected to the second ink cartridge module  120   b  on a circuit configuration, and may include a chip related to control of the second ink cartridge module  120   b.    
         [0042]    The circuit board  140  includes a circuit for controlling the first ink cartridge module  120   a  and the second ink cartridge module  120   b . The circuit board  140  may be combined to one side surface of the first and second ink cartridge modules  120   a  and  120   b , which form an array in a length direction, by using a coupling member, such as a screw. 
         [0043]    Also, the first and second flexible printed circuit board  130   a  and  130   b  may be detachably connected to the circuit board  140  via a connector manner. 
         [0044]    The fixing plate  150  fixes the first ink cartridge module  120   a  and the second ink cartridge module  120   b . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the fixing plate  150  includes a rib  151  having a shape corresponding to a stepped portion that is stepped inward at the bottom of the first and second ink cartridge modules  120   a  and  120   b . The rib  151  not only aligns fixed locations such that the first and second ink cartridge modules  120   a  and  120   b  are fixed at certain locations by being combined to the stepped portion formed at the first and second ink cartridge modules  120   a  and  120   b , but also increases rigidity with respect to bending or twisting, thereby facilitating configuration of an array using several ink cartridges. 
         [0045]    The coupling member, such as a screw, is penetrated through the fixing plate  150  to fix the first and second ink cartridge modules  120   a  and  120   b , and the fixing plate  150  includes combining holes  153   a  through  154   d  for aligning the fixed locations such that the first and second ink cartridge modules  120   a  and  120   b  are fixed at the certain locations. Fixing grooves into which the coupling member is inserted are formed at the bottom surfaces of the first and second ink cartridge modules  120   a  and  120   b , correspondingly to locations of the combining holes  153   a  through  153   d.    
         [0046]      FIG. 4  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of the array-type ink cartridge according to the second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 6  is a view of a detachable fixing plate and a fixing plate connector of  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 7  is a view of an ink cartridge array module and a fixing plate connector. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 through 7 , the array-type ink cartridge  200  may include a first ink cartridge module  220   a , a second ink cartridge module  220   b , a first flexible printed circuit board  230   a , a second flexible printed circuit board  230   b , a circuit board  240 , a detachable fixing plate  260 , and a fixing plate connector  270 . 
         [0048]    In the array-type ink cartridge  200  according to the current embodiment, the first ink cartridge module  220   a , the second ink cartridge module  220   b , the first flexible printed circuit board  230   a , the second flexible printed circuit board  230   b , and the circuit board  240  have the same functions and shapes described above in the one or more embodiments. 
         [0049]    However, the current embodiment uses the detachable fixing plate  260  that is detachable from a device while the first and second ink cartridge modules  220   a  and  220   b  are fixed, and the fixing plate connector  270  that fixes the detachable fixing plate  260 . 
         [0050]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the fixing plate connector  270  includes thread grooves  271   a  and  271   b  for screw combination with the detachable fixing plate  260 , and the detachable fixing plate  260  includes combining holes  261   a  and  261   b  through which screws penetrate. 
         [0051]    The fixing plate connector  270  is mounted on a device using the array-type ink cartridge  200 , and as shown in  FIG. 7 , an ink cartridge array module  280 , in which the first and second ink cartridge modules  220   a  and  220   b , the first and second flexible printed circuit boards  230   a  and  230   b , the circuit board  240 , and the detachable fixing plate  260  are combined, may be configured to be detachable from the fixing plate connector  270 . 
         [0052]    Such a structure facilitates replacement of a certain ink cartridge compared to a case in which the array-type ink cartridge  200  is attached to a print apparatus. In other words, a malfunctioning ink cartridge may be replaced by another ink cartridge module while the ink cartridge array module  280  is separated from the print apparatus. 
         [0053]      FIG. 8  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of the array-type ink cartridge according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0054]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the array-type ink cartridge  300  may include a first ink cartridge module  320   a , a second ink cartridge module  320   b , a first flexible printed circuit board  330   a , a second flexible printed circuit board  330   b , a third flexible printed circuit board  335 , a first circuit board  340   a , a second circuit board  340   b , and a fixing plate  355 . 
         [0055]    In the current embodiment, the first ink cartridge module  320   a , the second ink cartridge module  320   b , the first flexible printed circuit board  330   a , and the second flexible printed circuit board  330   b  have the same functions and shapes described above in the one or more embodiments. 
         [0056]    However, in the current embodiment, since the first ink cartridge module  320   a  and the second ink cartridge module  320   b  are arranged in a traverse direction, a shape of the fixing plate  355  differs accordingly. 
         [0057]    Also, by using the two circuit boards  340   a  and  340   b , a circuit for controlling the first ink cartridge module  320   a  is provided on the first circuit board  340   a  and a circuit for controlling the second ink cartridge module  320   b  is provided on the second circuit board  340   b . Also, the third flexible printed circuit board  355  for connecting the first circuit board  340   a  and the second circuit board  340   b  on a circuit configuration is additionally used. 
         [0058]    The array-type ink cartridge  300  having such a shape is usable in an apparatus that requires color printing, by storing different colors of ink in each ink reservoir of the first ink cartridge module  320   a  and the second ink cartridge module  320   b.    
         [0059]      FIG. 10  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 11  is an exploded perspective view of the array-type ink cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.  12  is a view of an ink cartridge array module and a fixing plate connector of the array-type ink cartridge according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0060]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 through 12 , the array-type ink cartridge  400  may include a first ink cartridge module  420   a , a second ink cartridge module  420   b , a first flexible printed circuit board  430   a , a second flexible printed circuit board  430   b , a third flexible printed circuit board  435 , a first circuit board  440   a , a second circuit board  440   b , a detachable fixing plate  465 , and a fixing plate connector  475 . 
         [0061]    In the current embodiment, the first ink cartridge module  420   a , the second ink cartridge module  420   b , the first flexible printed circuit board  430   a , the second flexible printed circuit board  430   b , the third flexible printed circuit board  435 , the first circuit board  440   a , and the second circuit board  440   b  have the same functions and shapes described above in the one or more embodiments. 
         [0062]    However, the current embodiment uses the detachable fixing plate  465  that is detachable from a device while the first and second ink cartridge modules  420   a  and  420   b  are fixed, and the fixing plate connector  475  that fixes the detachable fixing plate  260 . 
         [0063]    Only shapes of the detachable fixing plate  465  and the fixing plate connector  475  are slightly changed according to an arrangement of an ink cartridge module, and the detachable fixing plate  465  and the fixing plate connector  475  basically have the same functions described above with reference to  FIGS. 4 through 7 . 
         [0064]    Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 12 , an ink cartridge array module  480 , in which the first and second ink cartridge modules  420   a  and  420   b , the first and second flexible printed circuit boards  430   a  and  430   b , the third flexible printed circuit board  435 , the first and second circuit boards  440   a  and  440   b , and the detachable fixing plate  260  are combined, may be configured to be detachable from the fixing plate connector  475 . 
         [0065]      FIG. 13  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 14  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 15  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 16  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 17  is a view of an external shape of an array-type ink cartridge according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0066]    As shown in  FIGS. 13 through 17 , an array-type ink cartridge may be extended to array-type ink cartridges  500  and  600  using four cartridge modules, an array-type ink cartridge  700  using six ink cartridge modules, an array-type ink cartridge  800  using eight cartridge modules, and an array-type ink cartridge  900  using twelve ink cartridge modules. 
         [0067]    As such, the number of ink cartridge modules extendable in a length direction or a width direction is not limited, and may be arbitrarily increased according to characteristics of a print apparatus being used. 
         [0068]    Since a desired print width is realized according to extension in a length direction of such an ink cartridge module, a print speed may be increased. Also, when the ink cartridge module is extended in a width direction, ink reservoirs may store ink having colors, such as cyan, magenta, yellow, black, etc., and thus the ink cartridge modules may be used in a color print apparatus. 
         [0069]    Also, since the same ink cartridge modules are used to extend the number, manufacturing processes of the ink cartridge may be simplified and manufacturing costs may be reduced compared to when different ink cartridges are manufactured per print apparatus. 
         [0070]    Meanwhile, the array-type ink cartridge according to the present invention is not limitedly applied to the embodiments described above, and some or all embodiments may be selectively combined for various modification. 
         [0071]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0072]    Embodiments of the present invention may be used in an array-type ink cartridge which uses a plurality of ink cartridge modules and is capable of increasing the number of ink cartridge modules being used according to characteristics of a print apparatus.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1