Automatic ink interconnect between print cartridge and carriage

摘要

In the preferred embodiment, an inkjet printer (10) includes a replaceable print cartridge (50) which is inserted into a scanning carriage (48). An ink tube (36) extends from the scanning carriage to a separate ink supply (34) located within the printer. A fluid interconnect (60) on the print cartridge connects to a fluid interconnect (52) on the carriage when the print cartridge is inserted into the carriage to complete the fluid connection between the external ink supply and the print cartridge. In one embodiment, the fluid interconnection is made between the print cartridge and the ink tube simply by placing the print cartridge into a stall (68) in the scanning carriage. A pressure regulator (248,261,292), which may be internal or external to the print cartridge, regulates the flow of ink from the external ink supply to the print cartridge. The external ink supply may be pressurized or non-pressurized.