JP6536267B2 - Liquid supply unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply unit and the like.

  In an inkjet printer, which is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, printing on a print medium is performed by causing an ink, which is an example of a liquid, to be ejected from a print head on a print medium, such as printing paper. Among inkjet printers, one that receives supply of ink from an ink cartridge that is an example of a liquid supply unit is known. For example, there is known a technique in which a lever as an engagement mechanism is provided on a side wall of an ink cartridge (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-147118). In this prior art, when the ink cartridge is mounted in the holder, the lever of the ink cartridge is engaged and fixed to the engaging portion of the holder. At the time of removal, when the user pushes the lever, the engagement between the ink cartridge and the engaging portion is released, and the ink cartridge can be removed from the holder. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a technique of providing a lever as an engagement mechanism on a holder on a carriage of a printing apparatus. In the printing apparatus of Patent Document 2, when the ink cartridge is attached to the holding mechanism, the ink cartridge is engaged with and fixed to the lever. At the time of removal, when the user presses the lever, the engagement between the ink cartridge and the lever is released, and the ink cartridge can be removed from the holding mechanism.

JP 2007-230249 A JP, 2013-141804, A

  However, as the ink cartridge has become smaller, the lever has also become smaller, and it may have been difficult for the user to correctly recognize the position where the lever is pressed or to correctly press the lever. Therefore, it is desired to provide a new engagement mechanism which is not in the prior art.

  The present invention can solve at least the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following modes or application examples.

[Example 1 of application] The liquid introducing part of the liquid ejecting apparatus provided with a first engaged part, a second engaged part, an electrode part having an electrode pin, and a liquid introducing part capable of introducing a liquid A liquid storage unit capable of supplying the liquid, a liquid storage unit capable of storing the liquid; a liquid supply unit capable of supplying the liquid from the liquid storage unit to the liquid introduction unit; A first housing having a first engaging portion engageable with the engaging portion, a terminal portion electrically contactable with the electrode portion, and a second engageable with the second engaged portion A second housing having an engaging portion; and a biasing portion capable of biasing the second housing away from the first housing in a state where the liquid supply unit is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus. When, wherein the first housing has a partition wall extending along said XZ plane, said first engaging portion, said first The second casing has first to fifth partitions, and the first partition and the second partition project from the partition in the case. Of the third partition and the fourth partition face each other along the Y-axis across the fifth partition wall, and the fourth partition wall The liquid supply unit is disposed in the fifth partition of the second case, and the second engagement unit is disposed in the second case. The biasing portion protrudes from the fourth partition wall of the body in the + Y axis direction, and the biasing portion is provided between the partition wall of the first housing and the third partition wall of the second housing. A liquid supply unit characterized in that the first housing and the second housing are urged away from each other along the Y-axis direction .

In this configuration, the engagement state between the first engagement portion and the first engagement portion, the engagement state between the second engagement portion and the second engagement portion, and the electrical connection between the electrode portion and the terminal portion The target contact state can be realized as the biasing member biases the first housing and the second housing away from each other along the Y-axis direction . In addition, the engagement state of the first engagement portion and the first engaged portion, the engagement state of the second engagement portion and the second engaged portion, and the electrical contact between the electrode portion and the terminal portion The state can be released by displacing the second housing in a direction approaching the first housing. Thus, the liquid supply unit can be attached to and detached from the liquid ejecting apparatus by a new engagement mechanism which is not in the prior art.
Application Example 2 In the liquid supply unit described above, when a plane parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis is a YZ plane, the second housing further spreads along the YZ plane, and A first guide portion is provided on the outer surface of the first partition and the second partition of the first housing, and has a pair of partitions facing each other along the X-axis direction. A second guide portion capable of being in contact with the first guide portion is provided on a surface of the pair of partition walls facing the outer surface of the first and second partition walls of the first casing. Liquid supply unit.
In this configuration, when the first guide portion and the second guide portion are in contact with each other, the position of the first housing with respect to the second housing can be stabilized.

Application Example 3 In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the liquid introduction device includes the first engaged portion, the second engaged portion, an electrode portion having an electrode pin, and a liquid introducing portion capable of introducing a liquid. A liquid supply unit capable of supplying the liquid, and a first housing having a first engagement portion engageable with the first engaged portion; a liquid storage portion capable of containing the liquid; A liquid supply portion capable of supplying the liquid from the liquid storage portion to the liquid introduction portion, a terminal portion electrically contactable with the electrode portion, and a second engagement engageable with the second engaged portion A second case having a part, and a biasing part capable of biasing the second case away from the first case in a state where the liquid supply unit is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus; And the first housing has a partition that extends along the XZ plane, and the first engagement portion includes the first housing. The second casing protrudes from the partition wall of the body in the -Y-axis direction, and the second housing has first to fifth partition walls, and the first partition wall and the second partition wall are formed of the fifth partition wall. The partition walls are opposed along the X axis, and the third partition and the fourth partition are opposed along the Y axis through the fifth partition, and the fourth partition is the The liquid supply unit is provided in the fifth partition of the second case, and the second engagement unit is disposed in the second case. Protruding from the fourth partition wall in the + Y axis direction, and the biasing portion is provided between the partition wall of the first housing and the third partition wall of the second housing, A liquid supply unit characterized in that the first housing and the second housing are urged away from each other along the Y-axis direction .

In this configuration, the engagement state between the first engagement portion and the first engagement portion, the engagement state between the second engagement portion and the second engagement portion, and the electrical connection between the electrode portion and the terminal portion The target contact state can be realized as the biasing member biases the first housing and the second housing away from each other along the Y-axis direction . In addition, the engagement state of the first engagement portion and the first engaged portion, the engagement state of the second engagement portion and the second engaged portion, and the electrical contact between the electrode portion and the terminal portion The state can be released by displacing the second housing in a direction approaching the first housing. Thus, the liquid supply unit can be attached to and detached from the liquid ejecting apparatus by a new engagement mechanism which is not in the prior art.

Application Example 4 In the liquid supply unit described above, when a plane parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis is a YZ plane, the first housing further spreads along the YZ plane, and the first housing further extends. A pair of partition walls facing each other along the X-axis direction, the surface of the pair of partition walls of the first housing facing the outer surfaces of the first and second partition walls of the second housing; A first guide portion is provided, and a second guide portion capable of contacting the first guide portion is provided on the outer surfaces of the first partition and the second partition of the second housing. Liquid supply unit.

  In this configuration, when the first guide portion and the second guide portion are in contact with each other, the position of the first housing with respect to the second housing can be stabilized.

[Example 5 of Application] The liquid supply unit described above, wherein the first engaging portion is mounted on the first engaged portion in the Z-axis direction when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus. Allowing the second engaging portion to abut against the second engaged portion in the Z-axis direction in a state in which the liquid supply unit is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus; .

  In this configuration, it is not necessary to provide a lever structure provided in either one of the liquid supply unit and the liquid ejecting apparatus in order to realize the respective engagement states of the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion.

Application Example 6 In the liquid supply unit described above, the first case is an operation unit used to elastically deform the biasing portion to move the position of the first case with respect to the second case. And the operation unit is positioned opposite to the liquid supply unit as viewed from the liquid storage unit in a direction intersecting the Z-axis direction in a state where the liquid supply unit is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus. A liquid supply unit characterized by

  In this configuration, the engagement state between the first engagement portion and the first engagement portion, the engagement state between the second engagement portion and the second engagement portion, and the electrical connection between the electrode portion and the terminal portion It is possible to easily release the contact state.

[Application Example 7 ] In the liquid supply unit described above, the second case is an operation unit used to elastically deform the biasing portion to move the position of the second case with respect to the first case. And the operation unit is positioned on the opposite side of the liquid supply unit as viewed from the liquid storage unit in a direction intersecting the Z-axis direction in a state where the liquid supply unit is mounted on the liquid ejection apparatus. A liquid supply unit characterized by

  In this configuration, the engagement state between the first engagement portion and the first engagement portion, the engagement state between the second engagement portion and the second engagement portion, and the electrical connection between the electrode portion and the terminal portion It is possible to easily release the contact state.

[Application Example 8 ] In the liquid supply unit described above, the first case is used for elastically deforming the biasing portion to move the position of the first case with respect to the second case. A second operation unit having a second operation unit used for elastically deforming the biasing unit to move the position of the second case with respect to the first case; The liquid supply unit according to claim 1, wherein the first operation unit and the second operation unit are provided on the same surface of the outer surface of the liquid supply unit.

  In this configuration, the engagement state between the first engagement portion and the first engagement portion, the engagement state between the second engagement portion and the second engagement portion, and the electrical connection between the electrode portion and the terminal portion It is possible to easily release the contact state.

[Application Example 9 ] The liquid supply unit described above, wherein the first case is used for elastically deforming the biasing portion to move the position of the first case with respect to the second case. A second operation unit having a second operation unit used for elastically deforming the biasing unit to move the position of the second case with respect to the first case; The liquid supply unit according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the first operation part and at least a part of the second operation part have the same height in the Z-axis direction .

  In this configuration, the engagement state between the first engagement portion and the first engagement portion, the engagement state between the second engagement portion and the second engagement portion, and the electrical connection between the electrode portion and the terminal portion It is possible to easily release the contact state.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a liquid ejection system in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a carriage unit and a cartridge in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a carriage unit in the first embodiment. The top view which shows the circuit board in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a carriage unit and a cartridge in the first embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the carriage unit in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the cartridge in the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the cartridge in the first embodiment. The perspective view which shows the storage case in 1st Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the 2nd housing | casing in 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the cartridge in 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the cartridge and carriage unit in 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the cartridge and carriage unit in 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the cartridge and carriage unit in 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the cartridge and carriage unit in 1st Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the cartridge in 2nd Embodiment. The perspective view which shows the structure of the holder in 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. The perspective view which shows the cartridge in 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing of the cartridge in 3rd Embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the cartridge in 3rd Embodiment, and a holder. Sectional drawing which shows the cartridge in 3rd Embodiment, and a holder. Sectional drawing which shows the cartridge in 3rd Embodiment, and a holder. Sectional drawing which shows the cartridge in 3rd Embodiment, and a holder. FIG. 8 is a view for explaining the schematic configuration of a liquid supply unit according to Modification 1;

  Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, taking a liquid injection system as an example. In addition, in each drawing, in order to make the size of the extent which can recognize each composition, the scale of a composition or a member may differ.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid jet system 1 in the present embodiment includes a printer 3 which is an example of a liquid jet apparatus, and a cartridge 5 which is an example of a liquid supply unit. The cartridge 5 can contain an ink, which is an example of a liquid. The ink is not limited to either water-based ink or oil-based ink. It has a constitution in which a solute is dissolved in an aqueous solvent, one having a constitution in which a dispersoid is dispersed in an aqueous dispersion medium, one having a constitution in which a solute is dissolved in an oily solvent, and a constitution in which a dispersoid is dispersed in an oil dispersion medium. It may be any of those. In the liquid jet system 1, printing can be performed on the recording medium P with the ink stored in the cartridge 5. In the printer 3, a paper discharge unit 13 capable of discharging the recording medium P to the outside of the printer 3 is formed. The recording medium P subjected to printing is discharged from the paper discharge unit 13 to the outside of the printer 3.

  Note that in FIG. 1, XYZ axes that are coordinate axes orthogonal to each other are attached. The XYZ axes are attached as necessary to the drawings shown thereafter. In the present embodiment, the state where the printer 3 is disposed on a horizontal plane (XY plane) defined by the X axis and the Y axis is the use state of the printer 3. The Z axis is an axis orthogonal to the horizontal plane. When the printer 3 is in use, the Z-axis direction is vertically upward. Then, when the printer 3 is in use, in FIG. 1, the −Z-axis direction is the vertically downward direction. In each of the X, Y, and Z axes, the direction of the arrow indicates the direction of + (positive), and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow indicates the direction of-(negative).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 3 in the present embodiment includes a conveyance roller 23 and a carriage unit 25. The printer 3 also has a medium transport mechanism (not shown) and a carriage transport mechanism (not shown). The medium transport mechanism transports the recording medium P along the Y-axis direction by the power of a motor (not shown). The carriage transport mechanism transports the carriage unit 25 along the X axis by the power of a motor (not shown). The carriage unit 25 can reciprocate between the first standby position 29A and the second standby position 29B along the X axis by the carriage transport mechanism. In the present embodiment, the movable area of the carriage unit 25 is between the first standby position 29A and the second standby position 29B.

  Here, the direction along the X-axis is not limited to the direction completely parallel to the X-axis, but includes directions inclined due to errors, tolerances, etc. except the direction orthogonal to the X-axis. Similarly, the direction along the Y-axis is not limited to the direction completely parallel to the Y-axis, but includes directions inclined due to errors, tolerances, etc. except the direction orthogonal to the Y-axis. The direction along the Z-axis is not limited to a direction completely parallel to the Z-axis, but includes directions inclined due to errors, tolerances, etc., except the direction orthogonal to the Z-axis. That is, the direction along any axis or plane is not limited to the direction completely parallel to any axis or plane, except for the direction orthogonal to any axis or plane, due to errors, tolerances, etc. Also includes the inclined direction.

  The carriage unit 25 is positioned in the Z-axis direction relative to the conveyance path of the recording medium P. The carriage unit 25 is mounted with a print head described later. The print head faces the conveyance path of the recording medium P in the Z-axis direction more than the conveyance path of the recording medium P. In the liquid jet system 1 having the above configuration, the drive of the medium transport mechanism is controlled by the control unit (not shown), and the recording medium P is transported in the Y-axis direction. At this time, the control unit controls the drive of the carriage transport mechanism to reciprocate the carriage unit 25 along the X axis, and controls the drive of the print head to eject the ink droplet at a predetermined position. By such an operation, dots are formed on the recording medium P, and recording based on recording information such as image data is performed on the recording medium P.

First Embodiment
The carriage unit 25 has a holder 31 as shown in FIG. The X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis in FIG. 2 correspond to the X-axis, the Y-axis and the Z-axis for the liquid jet system 1 shown in FIG. That is, the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis in FIG. 2 mean the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis when the carriage unit 25 is mounted on the liquid jet system 1. Even when the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are attached to the diagrams showing components and units of the liquid ejection system 1 after this, the components and units are mounted on the liquid ejection system 1 It means X axis, Y axis, and Z axis.

  The cartridge 5 is mounted on the holder 31. A recess 43 is formed in the holder 31. The recess 43 is formed to be concave in the −Z axis direction. The cartridge 5 is mounted in the recess 43 of the holder 31. In the present embodiment, the cartridge 5 is configured to be removable from the holder 31. An engagement hole 44 is formed in the holder 31. Further, the cartridge 5 is provided with an engagement convex portion (which will be described later) (not shown) at an end portion in the -Y axis direction. When the cartridge 5 is mounted in the recess 43 of the holder 31, the engagement protrusion of the cartridge 5 engages with the engagement hole 44 of the holder 31.

  The cartridge 5 contains an ink, which is an example of a liquid. In the present embodiment, the plurality of cartridges 5 can be mounted on the holder 31. In the present embodiment, two cartridges 5 can be attached to the holder 31. However, the number of cartridges 5 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. The plural means a number equal to 2 or a number greater than 2.

  At the bottom 45 in the recess 43, two ink introducing parts 49 are provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the holder 31 has a side wall 52 on the opposite side (the Y-axis direction) of the side wall 51 with the two ink introducing portions 49 interposed along the Y-axis. Further, side walls 53 and 54 are provided at respective positions facing each other along the X axis with the two ink introducing portions 49 interposed therebetween. The side wall 53 is located closer to the −X-axis direction than the two ink introduction parts 49. The side wall 54 is located closer to the X-axis direction than the two ink introduction parts 49. The side wall 51, the side wall 52, the side wall 53, and the side wall 54 respectively project from the bottom 45 in the Z-axis direction. The side walls 51 to 54 do not have to be orthogonal to the bottom 45 but may be crossed to the bottom 45. Bottom 45 is surrounded by side wall 51, side wall 52, side wall 53, and side wall 54. Thereby, the recessed part 43 is divided.

  The side wall 52 is provided with two engaged portions 61 and two contact mechanisms 62. The two engaged portions 61 are arranged along the X axis. The two contact mechanisms 62 are aligned along the X axis. The contact mechanism 62 is an example of an electrode unit, and includes a plurality of electrode pins 63. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, each of the two cartridges 5 is provided with a circuit board 64 and an engaging portion 65. In the cartridge 5, the engagement portion 65 is provided at an end in the Y-axis direction. The engagement hole 44 is formed in the side wall 51 of the holder 31.

  The circuit board 64 is electrically connected to a storage device (not shown) such as a non-volatile memory. The contact mechanism 62 shown in FIG. 3 is configured to be electrically connectable to a storage device provided on the circuit board 64 of the cartridge 5. The engaged portion 61 shown in FIG. 3 is configured to be engageable with the engaging portion 65 of the cartridge 5. When the cartridge 5 is attached to the holder 31, the engaging portion 65 of the cartridge 5 engages with the engaged portion 61 of the holder 31.

  Here, the circuit board 64 has a terminal portion 66, as shown in FIG. The circuit board 64 has a plurality of terminals 67. Each of the plurality of terminals 67 has a contact portion 68 which can electrically contact the electrode pin 63 of the contact mechanism 62. A function having a plurality of contact portions 68 capable of being in electrical contact with the electrode pins 63 of the contact mechanism 62 is referred to as a terminal portion 66. The terminal portion 66 may be provided on the substrate. In the present embodiment, at least a part of the plurality of terminals 67 is connected to a storage device (not shown) provided on the circuit board 64. Further, as an example of the plurality of terminals 67, in the present embodiment, a plurality of metal pads are arranged as the terminals 67 on the circuit board 64. Then, in a state where the cartridge 5 is mounted on the holder 31, the storage device provided on the circuit board 64 of the cartridge 5 and the control circuit (not shown) of the printer 3 electrically communicate with each other through the contact mechanism 62. Connected to As a result, various information is exchanged between the storage device provided on the circuit board 64 of the cartridge 5 and the control circuit of the printer 3.

  The carriage unit 25 has a print head 69, as shown in FIG. In the carriage unit 25, the print head 69 is provided in the −Z axis direction of the holder 31. The ink is supplied to the print head 69 from the two cartridges 5 via the ink introducing unit 49 (FIG. 2). The print head 69 ejects the ink supplied from the two cartridges 5 as ink droplets from a nozzle (not shown). As described above, the print head 69 is mounted on the carriage unit 25. Therefore, the print head 69 can be transported along the X axis via the carriage unit 25 by the carriage transport mechanism. Printing is performed on the recording medium P by discharging ink droplets from the print head 69 while changing the relative position of the print head 69 with respect to the recording medium P by the medium conveyance mechanism and the carriage conveyance mechanism.

  In the printer 3, the direction in which the print head 69 is transported via the carriage unit 25 is defined as the X-axis direction and the −X-axis direction, and the direction in which the recording medium P is transported is defined as the Y-axis direction. . The direction orthogonal to both the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction is the Z-axis direction. When the printer 3 is in use, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction are respectively horizontal, and the Z-axis direction is vertically upward. However, in the following description, the Z-axis direction may be described as a direction different (crossed) from the vertical direction.

  The ink introducing portion 49 is provided on the bottom 45 of the holder 31 as shown in FIG. 6 which is a cross-sectional view of the carriage unit 25. 6 shows a cross section when the carriage unit 25 is cut along the YZ plane passing through the ink introduction portion 49. As shown in FIG. The ink introduction unit 49 includes an ink introduction pipe 71, a filter 73, and a seal member 75. The ink introducing pipe 71 is provided at the bottom 45, and protrudes from the bottom 45 in a direction to be convex in the Z-axis direction. A flow passage 77 and a bank portion 78 are formed in the ink introduction pipe 71. The flow passage 77 is a passage for the ink supplied from the cartridge 5 and is provided as an opening penetrating the bottom 45.

  The bank portion 78 is provided at an end of the ink introduction pipe 71 in the Z-axis direction, and protrudes in a direction to be convex in the Z-axis direction. When the bottom 45 is viewed in plan, the bank portion 78 annularly surrounds the flow path 77 inside the recess 43. For this reason, the bank portion 78 has a tubular shape. The opening 79 of the cylindrical bank portion 78 serves as an ink receiving port from the cartridge 5 to the ink introducing portion 49. In the region inside the opening 79 which is the ink receiving port, a region through which the ink can flow into the flow passage 77 through the filter 73 is defined as a liquid inlet. The liquid inlet is a portion of the ink inlet 49 through which the liquid can pass. That is, this is an effective area of the filter 73 that contributes to the ink supply amount.

  In the present embodiment, the direction in which the cylindrical bank portion 78 protrudes, that is, the direction in which the flow passage 77 extends is the Z-axis direction. That is, the central axis of the flow path 77 extends along the Z axis. The filter 73 is provided on the inner side of the bank portion 78, and covers the opening on the concave portion 43 side of the flow path 77 from the concave portion 43 side. The seal member 75 is provided at the bottom 45 and surrounds the bank portion 78 inside the recess 43. Therefore, the above-described liquid inlet is surrounded by the seal member 75. The seal member 75 is made of, for example, an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer.

  The cartridge 5 will be described. The cartridge 5 has a first housing 81 and a second housing 82, as shown in FIG. The first housing 81 has a housing case 83 and a lid case 84. The housing case 83 is provided with two engagement protrusions 85. The lid case 84 is provided with a first operation unit 86. The first operation portion 86 is located in the Z-axis direction of the lid case 84. The first operation portion 86 protrudes from the lid case 84 in the Z-axis direction. The second housing 82 is provided in the Y-axis direction of the first housing 81. A second operation unit 87 is provided in the second housing 82. The second operation unit 87 is located in the Z-axis direction of the second housing 82. The second operation unit 87 protrudes from the second housing 82 in the Z-axis direction. The first operation unit 86 and the second operation unit 87 are opposed to each other along the Y axis. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the cartridge 5 has a biasing member 88 and an ink holding member 89.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the housing case 83 has a container-like shape, and has a recess 96. The storage case 83 has a partition 101, a partition 102, a partition 103, a partition 104, and a partition 105. The partition wall 105 extends along the XY plane. The partition 101 to the partition 104 respectively project from the partition 105 in the Z-axis direction. Note that the partition walls 101 to 104 need not be orthogonal to the partition wall 105, and may be crossed to the partition wall 105. When the partition 105 is viewed in plan in the −Z axis direction, the partition 101 to the partition 104 surround the partition 105. When the partition wall 105 is viewed in plan in the −Z axis direction, the partition wall 101 and the partition wall 102 respectively extend along the Y axis. When the partition wall 105 is viewed in plan in the −Z axis direction, the partition wall 103 and the partition wall 104 extend along the X axis.

  The partition 101 and the partition 102 are opposed to each other along the X axis with the partition 105 interposed therebetween. The partition 101 is located in the X-axis direction more than the partition 102. The partition 103 and the partition 104 are opposed to each other along the Y axis with the partition 105 interposed therebetween. The partition 104 is located in the Y axis direction more than the partition 103. The partition wall 103 intersects with the partition wall 101 and the partition wall 102. The partition 104 also crosses the partition 101 and the partition 102. The recessed part 96 is formed in the storage case 83 by said structure.

  In the accommodation case 83 shown in FIG. 9, the recess 96 is partitioned by the bottom wall 110, the first side wall 111, the second side wall 112, the third side wall 113, and the fourth side wall 114. Each of the first side wall 111 to the fourth side wall 114 constitutes an inner wall of the recess 96 and protrudes from the bottom wall 110 in the Z-axis direction. The first side wall 111 to the fourth side wall 114 do not have to be orthogonal to the bottom wall 110, and may intersect with the bottom wall 110. Further, when the bottom wall 110 is viewed in plan in the −Z axis direction, the first side wall 111 to the fourth side wall 114 surround the bottom wall 110. The recessed part 96 is divided by this. When the bottom wall 110 is viewed in plan, the first side wall 111 and the second side wall 112 respectively extend along the Y axis. Similarly, the third side wall 113 and the fourth side wall 114 extend along the X axis.

  Bottom wall 110 is a part of partition wall 105 and is a wall surface in recess 96. The first side wall 111 is a part of the partition wall 101 and is a wall surface in the recess 96. The second side wall 112 is a part of the partition 102 and is a wall surface in the recess 96. The third side wall 113 is a part of the partition wall 103 and is a wall surface in the recess 96. The fourth side wall 114 is a part of the partition wall 104 and is a wall surface in the recess 96. The bottom wall 110 and the first to fourth side walls 111 to 114 are not limited to flat surfaces, and may include asperities or curved surfaces. Further, in the partition walls 101 to 105, the outer surface of the recess 96 is not limited to a flat surface, and may include asperities or a curved surface.

  An ink supply hole 141 is formed in the partition wall 105. The ink supply hole 141 penetrates the partition wall 105. The ink supply hole 141 formed in the partition wall 105 penetrates between the inside of the recess 96 and the outside of the storage case 83. The ink stored in the recess 96 is discharged from the ink supply hole 141 to the outside of the cartridge 5. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a reference surface 142 surrounding the ink supply hole 141 is provided on the partition wall 105 of the storage case 83. The reference surface 142 is a surface on which the seal member 75 abuts when the cartridge 5 is mounted on the holder 31.

  The ink supply hole 141 is covered by the ink holding member 89 as shown in FIG. The ink holding member 89 is accommodated in the recess 96 (FIG. 9) of the accommodation case 83, and covers the ink supply hole 141 of the accommodation case 83 from the inside of the recess 96. The ink holding member 89 has a property of absorbing ink and holding the absorbed ink. As a material of the ink holding member 89, various materials such as foam, felt, non-woven fabric, etc. may be employed, for example. In the present embodiment, a non-woven fabric is employed as the material of the ink holding member 89.

  The ink is stored in the recess 96 of the storage case 83. In the concave portion 96, the ink is accommodated in a state of being absorbed by the ink holding member 89. A lid case 84 is joined to the housing case 83 as shown in FIG. The lid case 84 is provided in the Z-axis direction of the storage case 83, as shown in FIG. The lid case 84 closes the recess 96 of the housing case 83 from the Z-axis direction side of the housing case 83. In the present embodiment, the lid case 84 is joined to the housing case 83 by welding. As described above, the ink is accommodated in the recess 96 of the accommodation case 83 in a state where the lid case 84 is joined to the accommodation case 83. Therefore, the first housing 81 shown in FIG. 7 has a function as an ink storage portion 147 for storing ink.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the two engagement convex portions 85 of the housing case 83 are provided on the partition wall 103 of the housing case 83. The two engagement protrusions 85 project from the partition wall 103 in the −Y axis direction. The two engagement projections 85 are arranged along the X axis with a gap therebetween. Hereinafter, when the two engagement convex portions 85 are mutually identified, the two engagement convex portions 85 are respectively described as an engagement convex portion 85A and an engagement convex portion 85B. The engagement convex portion 85A is positioned more in the −X-axis direction than the engagement convex portion 85B.

  Further, in the housing case 83, two guide grooves 143 are formed. In the housing case 83, the guide groove 143 is formed in the partition wall 101 and the partition wall 102 (FIG. 9). The two guide grooves 143 are respectively formed along the Y axis. In the following, when the two guide grooves 143 are identified to each other, the two guide grooves 143 are respectively described as a guide groove 143A and a guide groove 143B. The guide groove 143 </ b> A is formed in the partition wall 102 and is formed in a direction in which it is recessed toward the partition wall 101 from the outside of the recess 96. The guide groove 143 </ b> B is formed in the partition wall 101, and is formed to be concave toward the partition wall 102 from the outside of the recess 96. The two guide grooves 143 are formed at positions closer to the lid case 84 than the partition wall 105, as shown in FIG. The guide groove 143 is an example of a first guide portion.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the second housing 82 includes a partition 151, a partition 152, a partition 153, and a partition 154. The partition 151 and the partition 152 are respectively spread along the YZ plane. The partition 151 and the partition 152 are mutually opposed along the X-axis. The partition 151 is located in the X-axis direction relative to the partition 152. A gap is opened between the partition 151 and the partition 152. The partition 153 is expanded along the XZ plane. The partition 153 intersects with the partition 151 and the partition 152. The partition 153 is located in the Y-axis direction of the partition 151 and the partition 152. The partition wall 154 extends along the XY plane. The partition wall 154 intersects the partition wall 151, the partition wall 152, and the partition wall 153. The partition 154 is located in the Z-axis direction of the partition 151, the partition 152, and the partition 153. The second operation unit 87 described above is provided in the partition wall 154. The second operation portion 87 protrudes from the partition wall 154 in the Z-axis direction. Moreover, the engaging part 65 mentioned above is provided in the partition 153, as shown in FIG. The engaging portion 65 protrudes from the partition wall 153 in the Y-axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 10, to-be-guided part 156 is formed in the partition 151 and the partition 152, respectively. The guided portion 156 is an example of a second guide portion. Hereinafter, when the two guided portions 156 are identified to each other, the two guided portions 156 are respectively described as a guided portion 156A and a guided portion 156B. The guided portion 156A is formed at a position facing the partition 151 in the partition 152, and is formed in a direction to be convex from the partition 152 toward the partition 151. The guided portion 156B is formed at a position facing the partition 152 in the partition 151, and is formed to be convex from the partition 151 toward the partition 152.

  The distance along the X axis between the partition 151 and the partition 152 is larger than the width dimension along the X axis of the housing case 83 (FIG. 9). The two guided portions 156 are configured to be engageable with the two guide grooves 143 of the housing case 83. With the above configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the first housing 81 is inserted into the second housing 82 in a state in which the two guided portions 156 are engaged with the two guide grooves 143 of the housing case 83. be able to. In addition, the engaging part 65 mentioned above is provided in the partition 153 of the 2nd housing | casing 82, as shown in FIG. The engaging portion 65 protrudes from the partition wall 153 in the Y-axis direction.

  The biasing member 88 is provided between the housing case 83 and the second housing 82, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, which is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 5, the biasing member 88 is sandwiched by the partition wall 104 of the storage case 83 and the partition wall 153 of the second housing 82. FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 5 taken along the YZ plane. The biasing member 88 generates a biasing force in the direction of moving away the housing case 83 and the second housing 82 from each other. In the present embodiment, the biasing member 88 is constituted by a compression coil spring. However, the configuration of the biasing member 88 is not limited to this, and various springs or elastic materials such as rubber and elastomer can be employed.

  When the cartridge 5 is mounted on the holder 31, the seal member 75 abuts on the reference surface 142 of the cartridge 5, as shown in FIG. At this time, the seal member 75 abuts on the reference surface 142 in a bent state. The seal member 75 abuts on the reference surface 142 in a state of surrounding the ink supply hole 141 from the outside of the ink supply hole 141. As a result, when the ink is supplied from the cartridge 5 to the flow path 77, the ink spilled outside the area surrounded by the bank portion 78 is stopped by the seal member 75. Thus, it is easy to prevent the ink in the cartridge 5 from leaking into the holder 31 in a state where the cartridge 5 is mounted to the holder 31. When the cartridge 5 is mounted on the holder 31, the bank portion 78 abuts on the ink holding member 89. In the present embodiment, when the cartridge 5 is mounted in the holder 31, the bank portion 78 is configured to press the ink holding member 89 inward of the concave portion 96 of the cartridge 5. Thereby, the contact state between the ink holding member 89 and the filter 73 is easily maintained.

  Here, an area of the ink holding member 89 exposed to the outside of the cartridge 5 through the ink supply hole 141 (FIG. 8) is defined as an ink supply port. The ink supply port is an example of a liquid supply port. Further, when the cartridge 5 is attached to the holder 31, the area surrounded by the seal member 75 of the ink introduction unit 49 is defined as the ink supply unit. The ink supply unit is an example of a liquid supply unit. The ink in the cartridge 5 is supplied to the flow path 77 (FIG. 12) of the holder 31 via the ink supply unit.

  A method (mounting method) for mounting the cartridge 5 in the holder 31 will be described. In the mounting method according to the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 13, the entire length of the cartridge 5 along the Y axis is compressed from the state shown in FIG. This is achieved by deflecting (compressing) the biasing member 88. At this time, in the cartridge 5, the entire length of the cartridge 5 can be compressed by pinching the first operation portion 86 and the second operation portion 87 with fingers along the Y axis. At this time, the entire length of the cartridge 5 can be compressed by sandwiching the first operation portion 86 and the second operation portion 87 in directions approaching each other along the Y axis. At this time, the first casing 81 and the second casing 82 mutually extend along the Y axis by the engagement of the guided portion 156 (FIG. 7) of the second casing 82 and the guide groove 143 of the accommodation case 83. Displace in the approaching direction.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 14, the cartridge 5 is inserted into the holder 31 with the cartridge 5 being inclined with respect to the holder 31. At this time, the bottom wall 110 of the cartridge 5 is inclined with respect to the bottom 45 of the holder 31. At this time, the bottom wall 110 is inclined toward the bottom 45 as it approaches the third side wall 113 from the fourth side wall 114 side, that is, as it goes in the −Y axis direction. Then, with the cartridge 5 being inclined with respect to the holder 31, the engagement convex portion 85 is inserted into the engagement hole 44 while bringing the cartridge 5 close to the bottom portion 45. In FIG. 14, the state in which the engaging portion 65 of the cartridge 5 is positioned in the Z-axis direction relative to the engaging portion 171 of the engaged portion 61 of the holder 31 is shown.

  Next, from the state shown in FIG. 14, with the engaging convex portion 85 inserted in the engaging hole 44 as a pivot, the engaging portion 65 is brought closer to the bottom portion 45, that is, the fourth side wall 114 side The cartridge 5 is rotated (turned) so as to be pushed into the recess 43 of the holder 31. Then, the engaging portion 65 is displaced in the −Z axis direction more than the engaging portion 171 of the engaged portion 61. At this time, by releasing the compression of the biasing member 88, the engaging portion 65 engages with the engaging portion 171 of the engaged portion 61 as shown in FIG. The engagement of the engaging portion 65 with the engaging portion 171 of the engaged portion 61 completes the mounting of the cartridge 5 to the holder 31. At this time, since the first casing 81 and the second casing 82 are urged away from each other by the urging member 88, the position of the cartridge 5 in the Y-axis direction is regulated. In the present embodiment, the engaging hole 44 corresponds to the first engaged portion, the engaged portion 61 corresponds to the second engaged portion, and the engaging convex portion 85 corresponds to the first engaging portion. Correspondingly, the engaging portion 65 corresponds to the second engaging portion, and the biasing member 88 corresponds to the biasing portion.

  In the above mounting method, as shown in FIG. 14, the engagement convex portion 85 is inserted into the engagement hole 44 in a state in which the bottom wall 110 of the cartridge 5 is inclined toward the bottom 45 as it goes in the −Y axis direction. A method of insertion is employed. However, the mounting method is not limited to this. As a mounting method, as shown in FIG. 15, the method of inserting the engaging portion 65 into the engaged portion 61 in a state in which the bottom wall 110 of the cartridge 5 is inclined toward the bottom 45 as going in the Y-axis direction It can be adopted. In this method, the cartridge 5 is rotated (turned) in a direction in which the engagement convex portion 85 approaches the engagement hole 44 with the engagement portion 65 inserted in the engaged portion 61 as a pivot. The mounting of the cartridge 5 to the holder 31 is completed.

  In the present embodiment, the engagement state between the engagement portion 65 and the engaged portion 61, the engagement state between the engagement convex portion 85 and the engagement hole 44, and the electrical connection between the contact mechanism 62 and the terminal portion 66. The contact state can be realized by urging the second housing 82 away from the first housing 81 by the urging member 88. Further, the engagement state between the engagement portion 65 and the engaged portion 61, the engagement state between the engagement convex portion 85 and the engagement hole 44, and the electrical contact state between the contact mechanism 62 and the terminal portion 66 The second casing 82 can be released by displacing the second casing 82 in the direction approaching the first casing 81. Thereby, it is possible to attach and detach the cartridge 5 to the printer 3 by a new engagement mechanism which is not in the prior art. As a result, the lever can be omitted from the cartridge 5 and the carriage unit 25. Therefore, the size of the cartridge 5 and the carriage unit 25 as well as the printer 3 can be easily reduced.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the state where the cartridge 5 is attached to the printer 3, the engaging portion 65 abuts on the engaged portion 61 in the Z-axis direction which is a direction intersecting the direction along the reference surface 142. Further, in a state where the cartridge 5 is mounted on the printer 3, the engagement convex portion 85 abuts on the engagement hole 44 in the Z-axis direction which is a direction intersecting the direction along the reference surface 142. This configuration eliminates the need for the lever structure provided in either the cartridge 5 or the printer 3.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first housing 81 includes the first operation unit 86. The first operation portion 86 is used to elastically deform (compress) the biasing member 88 to change the position of the first housing 81 with respect to the second housing 82. When the cartridge 5 is mounted on the printer 3, the first operation portion 86 has the ink supply hole 141 viewed from the recess 96 of the storage case 83 in the Z-axis direction which is a direction intersecting the direction along the reference surface 142. It is located opposite. With this configuration, the engagement state between the engagement portion 65 and the engaged portion 61, the engagement state between the engagement convex portion 85 and the engagement hole 44, and the electrical contact between the contact mechanism 62 and the terminal portion 66. The state can be easily released.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the second housing 82 includes the second operation unit 87. The second operation portion 87 is used to elastically deform (compress) the biasing member 88 to change the position of the second housing 82 with respect to the first housing 81. When the cartridge 5 is mounted on the printer 3, the second operation unit 87 has the ink supply hole 141 viewed from the recess 96 of the storage case 83 in the Z-axis direction which is a direction intersecting the direction along the reference surface 142. It is located opposite. With this configuration, the engagement state between the engagement portion 65 and the engaged portion 61, the engagement state between the engagement convex portion 85 and the engagement hole 44, and the electrical contact between the contact mechanism 62 and the terminal portion 66. The state can be easily released.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the first operation unit 86 and the second operation unit 87 are provided on the same surface of the outer surface of the cartridge 5 in a state where the cartridge 5 is mounted on the printer 3. With this configuration, the engagement state between the engagement portion 65 and the engaged portion 61, the engagement state between the engagement convex portion 85 and the engagement hole 44, and the electrical contact between the contact mechanism 62 and the terminal portion 66. The state can be easily released. Note that the same surface refers to a surface facing in the same direction, and does not mean only a surface that completely matches, but a surface that includes errors and tolerances, a surface that includes asperities, and a surface that includes steps. Etc. are also included.

  Further, in the present embodiment, at least a portion of the first operation portion 86 and at least a portion of the second operation portion 87 intersect the direction along the reference surface 142 in the state where the cartridge 5 is mounted on the printer 3. The heights from the reference surface 142 are equal in the Z-axis direction which is the direction. With this configuration, the engagement state between the engagement portion 65 and the engaged portion 61, the engagement state between the engagement convex portion 85 and the engagement hole 44, and the electrical contact between the contact mechanism 62 and the terminal portion 66. The state can be easily released. Note that “equal” does not mean perfect match only, but is a concept including errors and tolerances.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the state where the cartridge 5 is mounted to the printer 3, the guide groove 143 is provided on the side wall along the Z-axis direction which is a direction intersecting the direction along the reference surface 142 of the first housing 81. A guided portion 156 capable of coming into contact with the guide groove 143 is provided on a side wall along the Z-axis direction which is a direction intersecting the direction along the reference surface 142 of the second housing 82. In this configuration, the contact between the guide groove 143 and the guided portion 156 can stabilize the position of the first housing 81 with respect to the second housing 82. In addition, the relationship of the unevenness of the guide groove 143 and the guided portion 156 may be reversed.

Second Embodiment
In the cartridge 5 in the first embodiment described above, the first housing 81 is configured to store the ink. However, the configuration of the cartridge 5 is not limited to this. As a configuration of the cartridge 5, a configuration in which the second housing 82 houses ink may be adopted. In the cartridge 5, a configuration in which the second housing 82 stores the ink will be described below as a second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and the detailed description will be omitted.

  In the cartridge 5 according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 16, the second housing 82 includes a housing case 172 and a lid case 173. The housing case 172 has an engaging portion 65 and a recess 96. In addition, an ink supply hole 141 is formed in the storage case 172. An ink holding member 89 is accommodated in the recess 96 of the accommodation case 172. The recess 96 of the storage case 172 is closed by the lid case 173. The lid case 173 is formed with a second operation portion 87.

  The first housing 81 is located in the −Y-axis direction of the second housing 82. An engagement convex portion 85 is provided at an end of the first housing 81 in the -Y-axis direction. The biasing member 88 is located in the −Y axis direction of the second housing 82. The biasing member 88 is located between the housing case 172 of the second housing 82 and the first housing 81. The biasing member 88 is sandwiched by the housing case 172 of the second housing 82 and the first housing 81. The mounting method of the cartridge 5 in the second embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, and thus the detailed description is omitted. Also in the second embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

Third Embodiment
The holder 31 and the cartridge 5 in the third embodiment will be described. The configurations of the holder 31 and the cartridge 5 in the third embodiment that have the same functions as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted.

  The holder 31 in the third embodiment has a recess 43, as shown in FIG. The cartridge 5 is mounted in the recess 43 of the holder 31. In the present embodiment, six cartridges 5 can be mounted in the recess 43. In the present embodiment, the six cartridges 5 mounted in the recess 43 are accommodated in the recess 43 with a gap therebetween. In the recess 43, ink introducing portions 49 corresponding to the six cartridges 5 mounted in the recess 43 are provided. That is, in the present embodiment, six ink introducing parts 49 are provided in the holder 31. The six ink introducing parts 49 are arranged in the recess 43 along the X axis. Then, the six cartridges 5 attached to the holder 31 are arranged in the recess 43 along the X axis. Note that FIG. 17 shows a state in which one cartridge 5 is attached to the holder 31.

  Further, the holder 31 is provided with six engaged portions 61 and six engagement holes 44. In the present embodiment, one engaged portion 61 and one engagement hole 44 are provided for each mounting position of the cartridge 5. The six engaged portions 61 are arranged along the X axis. Six engagement holes 44 are also aligned along the X axis.

  The engaged portion 61 is provided between the side wall 52 and the side wall 51 as shown in FIG. 18 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 18 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the holder 31 taken along the YZ plane passing through the ink introduction portion 49. The engaged portion 61 is provided between the side wall 52 and the introduction portion 49. The engaged portion 61 fixes the cartridge 5 mounted on the holder 31. The operator can remove the cartridge 5 from the holder 31 by releasing the fixing of the cartridge 5 by the engaged portion 61. The engagement hole 44 is provided in the side wall 51. The engagement hole 44 penetrates the side wall 51.

  The ink introducing portion 49 is provided at the bottom 45 between the engaged portion 61 and the side wall 51. The ink introduction unit 49 includes an ink introduction pipe 71, a filter 73, and a seal member 75. The ink introducing pipe 71 is provided at the bottom 45, and protrudes from the bottom 45 in a direction to be convex in the Z-axis direction. A flow passage 77 and a bank portion 78 are formed in the ink introduction pipe 71. The flow passage 77 is a passage for the ink supplied from the cartridge 5 and is provided as an opening penetrating the bottom 45.

  The bank portion 78 is provided at an end of the ink introduction pipe 71 in the Z-axis direction, and protrudes in a direction to be convex in the Z-axis direction. When the bottom 45 is viewed in plan, the bank portion 78 annularly surrounds the flow path 77 inside the recess 43. For this reason, the bank portion 78 has a tubular shape. The opening 79 of the cylindrical bank portion 78 serves as an ink receiving port from the cartridge 5 to the ink introducing portion 49. In the region inside the opening 79 which is the ink receiving port, a region through which the ink can flow into the flow passage 77 through the filter 73 is defined as a liquid inlet. The liquid inlet is a portion of the ink inlet 49 through which the liquid can pass. That is, this is an effective area of the filter 73 that contributes to the ink supply amount.

  In the present embodiment, the direction in which the cylindrical bank portion 78 protrudes, that is, the direction in which the flow passage 77 extends is the Z-axis direction. That is, the central axis of the flow path 77 extends along the Z axis. The filter 73 is provided on the inner side of the bank portion 78, and covers the opening on the concave portion 43 side of the flow path 77 from the concave portion 43 side. The seal member 75 is provided at the bottom 45 and surrounds the bank portion 78 inside the recess 43. Therefore, the above-described liquid inlet is surrounded by the seal member 75. The seal member 75 is made of, for example, an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer.

  The cartridge 5 has a first housing 81 and a second housing 82, as shown in FIG. The first housing 81 includes an ink storage portion 147 and an ink supply portion 175. In the cartridge 5 in the third embodiment, the configuration of the ink supply portion 175 and the shapes of the first housing 81 and the second housing 82 are different from those of the cartridge 5 in the first embodiment. Except for these things, the cartridge 5 in the third embodiment has the same configuration as the cartridge 5 in the first embodiment. The cartridge 5 in the third embodiment has the same function as the cartridge 5 in the first embodiment, and the same reference numeral as that of the cartridge 5 in the first embodiment is attached.

  The first housing 81 is provided with an engagement convex portion 85 and a first operation portion 86. In addition, the second housing 82 is provided with a circuit board 64 and an engaging portion 65. Further, as shown in FIG. 20, which is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 5, a biasing member 88 is sandwiched between the first housing 81 and the second housing 82. In FIG. 20, a cross section when the cartridge 5 in the third embodiment is cut along the YZ plane is shown. Supply holes 141 are formed in the first housing 81. The ink supply hole 141 communicates with the inside of the ink storage portion 147 from the outside of the first housing 81. The ink supply hole 141 is covered by the filter 181 from the outside of the first housing 81. As the filter 181, for example, one obtained by forming a through hole in a film material by press processing or the like, a foamed resin, a woven fabric using fibers, or the like can be adopted.

  Further, the first housing 81 is provided with a wall portion 182 surrounding the ink supply hole 141 and the filter 181. The wall portion 182 is provided at an end of the first housing 81 in the −Z axial direction, and protrudes in the −Z axial direction. In the state where the cartridge 5 is mounted in the holder 31, the wall portion 182 abuts on the seal member 75 of the ink introduction portion 49 (FIG. 18). In the present embodiment, the surface on which the wall portion 182 and the seal member 75 abut each other when the cartridge 5 is mounted on the printer 3 is defined as the reference surface 142. That is, in the present embodiment, the surface passing through the end of the wall portion 182 of the cartridge 5 in the −Z axial direction is defined as the reference surface 142.

  The wall portion 182 surrounds the ink supply hole 141 and the filter 181 from the outside of the ink storage portion 147. The ink supply unit 175 has a structure including the ink supply hole 141, the filter 181, and the wall portion 182. Further, a portion of the ink supply unit 175 through which the ink can pass is defined as an ink supply port. The ink supply port is, for example, an effective area of the filter 181 that contributes to the ink supply amount. In the cartridge 5 according to the third embodiment, the ink can be supplied from the ink supply unit 175 to the ink introduction unit 49 by the filter 181 abutting on the filter 73 of the ink introduction unit 49 (FIG. 18).

  The mounting method in the third embodiment will be described. In the mounting method according to the present embodiment, first, as shown in FIG. 21, the entire length of the cartridge 5 along the Y axis is compressed from the state shown in FIG. This is achieved by deflecting (compressing) the biasing member 88. At this time, in the cartridge 5, the entire length of the cartridge 5 can be compressed by pinching the first operation portion 86 and the second operation portion 87 with fingers along the Y axis. At this time, the entire length of the cartridge 5 can be compressed by sandwiching the first operation portion 86 and the second operation portion 87 in directions approaching each other along the Y axis. At this time, the first casing 81 and the second casing 82 mutually extend along the Y axis by the engagement of the guided portion 156 (FIG. 7) of the second casing 82 and the guide groove 143 of the accommodation case 83. Displace in the approaching direction. Also in the third embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the guide groove 143 is formed in the first housing 81, and the guided portion 156 is formed in the second housing 82.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 22, the cartridge 5 is inserted into the holder 31 with the cartridge 5 being inclined with respect to the holder 31. At this time, the bottom wall 110 of the cartridge 5 is inclined with respect to the bottom 45 of the holder 31. At this time, the bottom wall 110 is inclined toward the bottom 45 as it approaches the third side wall 113 from the fourth side wall 114 side, that is, as it goes in the −Y axis direction. Then, with the cartridge 5 being inclined with respect to the holder 31, the engagement convex portion 85 is inserted into the engagement hole 44 while bringing the cartridge 5 close to the bottom portion 45. Note that FIG. 22 shows a state in which the engaging portion 65 of the cartridge 5 is positioned in the Z-axis direction relative to the engaging portion 171 of the engaged portion 61 of the holder 31.

  Next, from the state shown in FIG. 22, with the engaging convex portion 85 inserted in the engaging hole 44 as a pivot, the engaging portion 65 is brought closer to the bottom portion 45, that is, the fourth side wall 114 side is The cartridge 5 is rotated (turned) so as to be pushed into the recess 43 of the holder 31. Then, the engaging portion 65 is displaced in the −Z axis direction more than the engaging portion 171 of the engaged portion 61. At this time, by releasing the compression of the biasing member 88, the engaging portion 65 is engaged with the engaging portion 171 of the engaged portion 61 as shown in FIG. The engagement of the engaging portion 65 with the engaging portion 171 of the engaged portion 61 completes the mounting of the cartridge 5 to the holder 31. At this time, since the first casing 81 and the second casing 82 are urged away from each other by the urging member 88, the position of the cartridge 5 in the Y-axis direction is regulated. In the present embodiment, the engaging hole 44 corresponds to the first engaged portion, the engaged portion 61 corresponds to the second engaged portion, and the engaging convex portion 85 corresponds to the first engaging portion. Correspondingly, the engaging portion 65 corresponds to the second engaging portion, and the biasing member 88 corresponds to the biasing portion.

  In the mounting method described above, as shown in FIG. 22, the engagement convex portion 85 is inserted into the engagement hole 44 in a state in which the bottom wall 110 of the cartridge 5 is inclined toward the bottom 45 as going in the −Y axis direction. A method of insertion is employed. However, the mounting method is not limited to this. As a mounting method, as shown in FIG. 24, also in the method of inserting the engaging portion 65 into the engaged portion 61 in a state in which the bottom wall 110 of the cartridge 5 is inclined toward the bottom 45 as going in the Y axis direction. It can be adopted. In this method, the cartridge 5 is rotated (turned) in a direction in which the engagement convex portion 85 approaches the engagement hole 44 with the engagement portion 65 inserted in the engaged portion 61 as a pivot. The mounting of the cartridge 5 to the holder 31 is completed.

  Also in the third embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment and the second embodiment can be obtained. Further, in the present embodiment, in a state where the cartridge 5 is mounted on the printer 3, the second housing 82 is biased by the biasing member 88 in the direction along the reference surface 142. With this configuration, the engagement state between the engagement portion 65 and the engaged portion 61, the engagement state between the engagement convex portion 85 and the engagement hole 44, and the electrical contact between the contact mechanism 62 and the terminal portion 66. The state can be realized by biasing the second housing 82 in the direction along the reference surface 142 and in the direction away from the first housing 81 by the biasing member 88. Further, the engagement state between the engagement portion 65 and the engaged portion 61, the engagement state between the engagement convex portion 85 and the engagement hole 44, and the electrical contact state between the contact mechanism 62 and the terminal portion 66 The second casing 82 can be released by displacing the second casing 82 in the direction approaching the first casing 81. Thereby, it is possible to attach and detach the cartridge 5 to the printer 3 by a new engagement mechanism which is not in the prior art. As a result, the lever can be omitted from the cartridge 5 and the carriage unit 25. Therefore, the size of the cartridge 5 and the carriage unit 25 as well as the printer 3 can be easily reduced.

Fourth Embodiment
In the cartridge 5 according to the third embodiment described above, a configuration in which the first housing 81 contains ink is adopted. However, the configuration of the cartridge 5 is not limited to this. As a configuration of the cartridge 5, a configuration in which the second housing 82 houses ink may be adopted. In the cartridge 5, a configuration in which the second housing 82 stores the ink will be described below as a fourth embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the same components as those of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the third embodiment, and the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  In the cartridge 5 according to the fourth embodiment, the second housing 82 includes an ink storage portion 147 and an ink supply portion 175. The first housing 81 is located in the −Y-axis direction of the second housing 82. An engagement convex portion 85 is provided at an end of the first housing 81 in the -Y-axis direction. The biasing member 88 is located in the −Y axis direction of the second housing 82. The biasing member 88 is sandwiched by the second housing 82 and the first housing 81. The mounting method of the cartridge 5 in the fourth embodiment is the same as that of the third embodiment, and thus the detailed description will be omitted. Also in the fourth embodiment, the same effects as in the third embodiment can be obtained.

(Modification 1)
The liquid supply unit for supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to the cartridge 5 which is an example of the liquid supply unit. Another example of the liquid supply unit will be described as a first modification. As shown in FIG. 25, the liquid supply unit 401 of the first modification has the above-described cartridge 5, a tank 402, and an ink supply pipe 403. The tank 402 contains the ink to be supplied to the cartridge 5 described above. The ink supply pipe 403 leads the liquid from the tank 402 to the cartridge 5. The ink supply pipe 403 is flexible.

  In the liquid supply unit 401 of the first modification, the cartridge 5 is mounted on the carriage unit 25 (FIG. 2), whereas the tank 402 is provided independently of the carriage unit 25. That is, in the first modification, the tank 402 is not mounted on the carriage unit 25. Therefore, the amount of ink that can be supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus can be increased while reducing the load applied to the carriage unit 25. Furthermore, if the tank 402 can be replenished with new ink, the stop time of the liquid ejecting apparatus due to the ink shortage can be shortened or eliminated.

The present invention is applicable not only to an ink jet printer and its ink cartridge, but also to any printing apparatus (liquid ejection apparatus) that ejects (discharges) a liquid other than ink and its cartridge. For example, the present invention is applicable to various printing apparatuses and cartridges thereof as follows.
(1) Image recording apparatus such as a facsimile machine. (2) A printing apparatus that jets a color material used in the manufacture of a color filter for an image display apparatus such as a liquid crystal display. (3) A printing apparatus that ejects an electrode material used to form an electrode, such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display or a surface emission display (Field Emission Display, FED). (4) A printing apparatus for jetting a liquid containing a bioorganic substance used for producing a biochip. (5) A sample printing apparatus as a precision pipette. (6) Lubricant printing device. (7) Printing apparatus for resin liquid. (8) A printing device that injects lubricating oil at precise points such as watches and cameras at pinpoints. (9) A printing apparatus that ejects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid onto a substrate to form a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) or the like used for an optical communication element or the like. (10) A printing apparatus that sprays an acidic or alkaline etching solution to etch a substrate or the like. (11) A printing apparatus including a liquid ejection head (liquid ejection head) that ejects any other minute amount of droplets.

  The “droplet” refers to the state of the liquid discharged from the printing apparatus, and includes granular, teardrop-like, and threadlike tails. Further, the "liquid" may be any material that can be ejected by the printing apparatus. For example, the “liquid” may be any material in the liquid phase when the substance is in the liquid phase, and is a liquid material in high or low viscosity, sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, Materials in a liquid state such as liquid resin and liquid metal (metal melt) are also included in the “liquid”. Moreover, not only the liquid as one state of the substance, but also those obtained by dissolving, dispersing or mixing particles of functional materials consisting of solid matter such as pigment and metal particles in a solvent are included in the “liquid”. The "liquid" as described above can also be expressed as a "liquid". Typical examples of the liquid and the liquid include the ink and the liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes general aqueous inks and oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid ejection system, 3 ... Printer, 5 ... Cartridge, 13 ... Paper discharge part, 23 ... Conveyance roller, 25 ... Carriage unit, 29A ... 1st standby position, 29B ... 2nd standby position, 31 ... Holder, 43 ... Recess 44, engagement hole 45, bottom 45, ink introduction portion 51, side wall 52, side wall 53, side wall 54, side wall 54, side wall 61, engaged portion 62, contact mechanism 63, electrode pin , 64: circuit board, 65: engaging portion, 66: terminal portion, 67: terminal, 68: contact portion, 69: printing head, 71: ink introduction pipe, 73: filter, 75: sealing member, 77: flow path , 78: bank portion, 79: opening, 81: first housing, 82: second housing, 83: housing case, 84: lid case, 85: engagement projection, 86: first operation portion, 87: Second operation unit, 88: biasing member, 89: ink holding member 96: Recess, 101: Partition, 102: Partition, 103: Partition, 104: Partition, 105: Partition, 110: Bottom wall, 111: First sidewall, 112: Second sidewall, 113: Third sidewall, 114: Fourth 4 side wall, 141: ink supply hole, 142: reference surface, 143, 143A, 143B: guide groove, 147: ink containing portion, 151: partition, 152: partition, 153: partition, 154: partition, 156, 156A, 156B ... guided portion 171 engaging portion 172 accommodating case 173 lid case 175 ink supply portion 181 filter 182 wall portion 401 liquid supply unit 402 tank 403 ink supply Tube, P ... recording medium.

Claims (9)

The liquid is supplied to the liquid introducing portion of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a first engaged portion, a second engaged portion, an electrode portion having an electrode pin, and a liquid introducing portion capable of introducing a liquid Possible liquid supply units,
A liquid storage portion capable of storing the liquid; a liquid supply portion capable of supplying the liquid from the liquid storage portion to the liquid introduction portion; and a first engagement portion capable of engaging with the first engaged portion A first housing having
A second housing having a terminal portion electrically contactable with the electrode portion and a second engaging portion engageable with the second engaged portion;
And a biasing unit capable of biasing the second housing away from the first housing when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus .
Let three axes orthogonal to each other be an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis,
Of the directions along the Y axis, the positive direction is the + Y axis direction, and the negative direction is the −Y axis direction,
When a plane parallel to the X axis and the Z axis is an XZ plane,
The first housing has first to fifth partition walls,
The first partition and the second partition face each other along the X axis across the fifth partition,
The third partition and the fourth partition face each other along the Y-axis with the fifth partition interposed therebetween, and the fourth partition is positioned in the + Y-axis direction relative to the third partition. Yes,
The liquid supply unit is provided to the fifth partition of the first housing,
The first engaging portion protrudes from the third partition of the first housing in the -Y axis direction.
The second housing has a partition that extends along the XZ plane,
The second engagement portion protrudes from the partition wall of the second housing in the + Y axis direction.
The biasing unit is provided between the fourth partition of the first housing and the partition of the second housing, and the first housing and the second housing Biasing away from each other along the axial direction
The
A liquid supply unit characterized by   In the liquid supply unit according to claim 1,
  When a plane parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis is a YZ plane,
  The second housing further includes a pair of partition walls that extend along the YZ plane and face each other along the X axis direction.
  A first guide portion is provided on the outer surface of the first partition of the first housing and the second partition,
  A second guide portion capable of being in contact with the first guide portion is provided on the surface of the pair of partition walls of the second housing, which faces the outer surfaces of the first and second partition walls of the first housing. ,
  A liquid supply unit characterized by The liquid is supplied to the liquid introducing portion of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a first engaged portion, a second engaged portion, an electrode portion having an electrode pin, and a liquid introducing portion capable of introducing a liquid Possible liquid supply units,
A first housing having a first engaging portion engageable with the first engaged portion;
A liquid storage unit capable of storing the liquid; a liquid supply unit capable of supplying the liquid from the liquid storage unit to the liquid introduction unit; a terminal unit capable of making electrical contact with the electrode unit; A second housing having a second engagement portion engageable with the engagement portion;
And a biasing unit capable of biasing the second housing away from the first housing in a state where the liquid supply unit is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus .
Let three axes orthogonal to each other be an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis,
Of the directions along the Y axis, the positive direction is the + Y axis direction, and the negative direction is the −Y axis direction,
When a plane parallel to the X axis and the Z axis is an XZ plane,
The first housing has a partition that extends along the XZ plane,
The first engaging portion protrudes from the partition wall of the first housing in the -Y axis direction.
The second housing has first to fifth partitions, and
The first partition and the second partition face each other along the X axis across the fifth partition,
The third partition and the fourth partition face each other along the Y-axis with the fifth partition interposed therebetween, and the fourth partition is positioned in the + Y-axis direction relative to the third partition. Yes,
The liquid supply unit is provided to the fifth partition of the second housing,
The second engagement portion protrudes from the fourth partition wall of the second housing in the + Y axis direction.
The biasing unit is provided between the partition wall of the first housing and the third partition wall of the second housing, and the first housing and the second housing Biasing away from each other along the axial direction
A liquid supply unit characterized by   In the liquid supply unit according to claim 3,
  When a plane parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis is a YZ plane,
  The first housing further includes a pair of partition walls that extend along the YZ plane and face each other along the X axis direction.
  A first guide portion is provided on a surface of the pair of partition walls of the first housing, which faces the outer surface of the first and second partition walls of the second housing,
  A second guide portion capable of contacting the first guide portion is provided on the outer surface of the first partition wall and the second partition wall of the second housing.
  A liquid supply unit characterized by The liquid supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .
The first engaging portion abuts on the first engaged portion in the Z-axis direction in a state where the liquid supply unit is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus.
The second engaging portion abuts on the second engaged portion in the Z-axis direction when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the liquid ejecting apparatus.
A liquid supply unit characterized by The liquid supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .
The first housing has an operating portion used to elastically deform the biasing portion to move the position of the first housing relative to the second housing.
The operation unit is located on the opposite side of the liquid supply unit as viewed from the liquid storage unit in the Z-axis direction .
A liquid supply unit characterized by The liquid supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .
The second housing has an operating portion used to elastically deform the biasing portion to move the position of the second housing relative to the first housing.
The operation unit is located on the opposite side of the liquid supply unit as viewed from the liquid storage unit in the Z-axis direction .
A liquid supply unit characterized by The liquid supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .
The first housing has a first operation portion used to elastically deform the biasing portion to move the position of the first housing with respect to the second housing,
The second housing has a second operation part used to elastically deform the biasing part and move the position of the second housing relative to the first housing,
The first operation unit and the second operation unit are provided on the same surface of the outer surface of the liquid supply unit.
A liquid supply unit characterized by The liquid supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .
The first housing has a first operation portion used to elastically deform the biasing portion to move the position of the first housing with respect to the second housing,
The second housing has a second operation part used to elastically deform the biasing part and move the position of the second housing relative to the first housing,
At least a portion of the first operation portion and at least a portion of the second operation portion are equal in height in the Z-axis direction ,
A liquid supply unit characterized by

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