EP3978255A1 - Flüssigkeitskartusche - Google Patents

Flüssigkeitskartusche Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3978255A1
EP3978255A1 EP21209370.2A EP21209370A EP3978255A1 EP 3978255 A1 EP3978255 A1 EP 3978255A1 EP 21209370 A EP21209370 A EP 21209370A EP 3978255 A1 EP3978255 A1 EP 3978255A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
light
liquid
cartridge
ink cartridge
ink
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP21209370.2A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP3978255B1 (de
Inventor
Naoya Okazaki
Tetsuro Kobayashi
Hiroaki Takahashi
Kosuke Nukui
Akihito Ono
Mikio Hirano
Suguru Tomoguchi
Yutao Wang
Tomohiro Kanbe
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Brother Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Brother Industries Ltd filed Critical Brother Industries Ltd
Priority to EP21209370.2A priority Critical patent/EP3978255B1/de
Publication of EP3978255A1 publication Critical patent/EP3978255A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP3978255B1 publication Critical patent/EP3978255B1/de
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17513—Inner structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
    • B41J2/17523—Ink connection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17553—Outer structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
    • B41J2002/17573—Ink level or ink residue control using optical means for ink level indication
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
    • B41J2002/17576—Ink level or ink residue control using a floater for ink level indication

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a liquid cartridge.
  • ink jet recording apparatuses known in the prior art record an image on a recording medium by expelling ink retained in an ink container from a nozzle.
  • Some ink jet recording apparatuses are structured so that each time ink is exhausted, a new ink cartridge can be attached.
  • Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2014-19130 discloses a cartridge that can be removably attached to a cartridge attaching unit.
  • the cartridge has a circuit board that is configured to be electrically connected to a contact mechanism provided in the cartridge attaching unit. The presence of ink in the cartridge can be detected optically.
  • Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2013-49165 discloses an ink cartridge that can be removably attached to a cartridge attaching unit.
  • the ink cartridge has a rotating member. When the rotating member engages the cartridge attaching unit, the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge attaching unit and is held in the attached state.
  • the ink cartridge has a detection portion used to optically detect the amount of remaining ink. With the ink cartridge attached to the cartridge attaching unit, the detection portion is detected by an optical sensor provided in the cartridge attaching unit.
  • the ink cartridge has an integrated circuit (IC) board in which information about the ink cartridge has been stored. When the ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge attaching unit, the IC board is electrically connected to contacts provided in the cartridge attaching unit.
  • IC integrated circuit
  • the cartridge having a circuit board and the ink cartridge having an IC board which have been described above, are problematic in that when the cartridge or ink cartridge is attached to the cartridge attaching unit or detached from it, the circuit board or the IC board slides on the contacts of the cartridge attaching unit and the conductive member of the circuit board or the IC board is cut away and shavings are thereby generated. If these shavings adhere to the optical sensor or to a portion detected by the sensor, detection by the sensor may become inaccurate.
  • the present invention addresses the above situation with the object of providing a liquid cartridge that less affects detection of a state of liquid stored in the liquid cartridge even if shavings are generated from a circuit board. This object is achieved by the liquid cartridge having the features of claim 1.
  • the present invention is further developed as defined in the dependent claims.
  • a liquid cartridge comprising a front surface, an upper surface facing an upward direction when the liquid cartridge is installed in a liquid consuming apparatus, a liquid outlet portion facing a first direction at the front surface, a circuit board disposed on the upper surface, and a liquid detection portion for detecting a state of liquid stored in the liquid cartridge wherein the liquid detection portion comprises a light access portion configured to be accessed with light traveling from a first point toward a second point, wherein the light access portion is disposed above the circuit board in the upward direction.
  • shavings generated from the circuit board are hard to adhere to the light access portion, and even if shavings are generated from the circuit board, detection at the light access portion is less affected.
  • the circuit board may be displaced from the light access portion in the first direction.
  • the light access portion does not pass through a region in which shavings are generated from the circuit board, so shavings are harder to adhere to the light access portion.
  • the light access portion comprises a first side surface and a second side surface, wherein each of the first side surface and the second side surface extends in the first direction, and intersects the upper surface.
  • a state of the liquid in the liquid cartridge can be detected through the first side surface and second side surface.
  • a dimension of the first side surface in the upward direction may be smaller than a dimension of the first side surface in the first direction
  • a dimension of the second side surface of the light access portion in the upward direction may be smaller than a dimension of the second side surface of the light access portion in the first direction
  • any one of the liquid cartridges described above may comprise an intervening wall disposed between the circuit board and the light access portion, and the intervening wall includes a particular surface extending in a second direction which intersects the first direction and the upward direction.
  • the intervening wall can block a route through which shavings generated from the circuit board move to the light access portion.
  • a dimension of the particular surface of the intervening wall in the second direction may be longer than a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface of the light access portion in the second direction.
  • the intervening wall can block the route through which shavings generated from the circuit board move to the light access portion more.
  • a dimension of the intervening wall in the first direction may be longer than a dimension of the intervening wall in the second direction.
  • the intervening wall may be disposed closer to the light access portion than to the circuit board in the first direction.
  • the liquid detecting portion may be configured to change a state of the light passing from the first point toward the second point and accessing the light access portion according to an amount of the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge.
  • the amount of the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge can be detected.
  • the light access portion may be configured to allow the light traveling from the first point toward the second point to pass therethrough
  • the liquid detection portion may comprise a light attenuating portion, a portion of which is configured to be positioned in the light accessing portion, wherein the portion of the light attenuating portion is configured to change a state of the light passing through the light access portion depending on whether or not an amount of the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge is less than a particular amount.
  • the entirety of the light attenuating portion may attenuate light, or at least the portion of the light attenuating portion may attenuate light and the other portions of the light attenuating portion may not attenuate light.
  • the portion of the light attenuating portion may be disposed above the circuit board when the amount of the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge is greater than or equal to the particular amount. This makes it harder for shavings to reach the height at which the light passes through the light detection portion for the detection of the amount of the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge.
  • the intervening wall may extend upward in the upward direction beyond the portion of the light attenuating portion when the amount of the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge is greater than or equal to the particular amount.
  • This placement of the intervening wall makes it hard for shavings generated from the circuit board to reach a position at which the portion of the light attenuating portion is detected by the sensor.
  • the liquid cartridge may be provided with a recess displaced from the circuit board in the third direction opposite to the first direction.
  • a center of the circuit board may be disposed closer to the second side surface than to the first side surface.
  • the possibility that the shavings reach the second side face is lower than the possibility that the shavings reach the first side surface.
  • the liquid cartridge may comprise a chamber configured to store the liquid therein, wherein the light attenuating portion may be a sensor arm configured to rotate about an axis in the chamber, and when the sensor arm rotates, the portion of the sensor arm changes the state of the light passing through the light access portion.
  • the light attenuating portion may be a sensor arm configured to rotate about an axis in the chamber, and when the sensor arm rotates, the portion of the sensor arm changes the state of the light passing through the light access portion.
  • the light access portion may be made of a transparent material, defines an internal space continuous with the chamber, and protrudes in the upward direction with respect to the upper surface.
  • the liquid cartridge may comprise a main body which defines the chamber and a cover which covers the main body, and wherein the light access portion may be disposed on the main body, and protrudes to an exterior of the cover through an opening formed through the cover.
  • the circuit board may be overlapped with the liquid outlet portion when viewed in the upward direction. This enables the liquid cartridge to be designed so that a distance between the circuit board and the light access portion is prolonged.
  • the liquid cartridge may comprise a positioning surface configured to restrict movement of the liquid cartridge in the upward direction and a downward direction, and the positioning surface is disposed above the liquid outlet portion in the upward direction and disposed below the circuit board in the upward direction.
  • the circuit board is accurately positioned to the contacts in the downward direction and upward direction.
  • the liquid cartridge may be configured to be inserted into a cartridge attaching unit of the liquid consuming apparatus in the first direction against force directed in a third direction opposite to the first direction and thereby to be attached to the cartridge attaching unit in an attached state, and wherein the liquid cartridge may comprise a locking surface disposed at the upper surface and displaced from the light access portion in the third direction and configured to contact a locking portion of the liquid consuming apparatus in the third direction, wherein the light access portion may be displaced from the circuit board in the third direction.
  • the positional precision of the circuit board, which is disposed at the front end in the first direction, is high, so the circuit board is reliably connected to the contacts.
  • the locking face disposed at the back end in the first direction can easily perform an operation for locking and unlocking, that is, can easily rotate around the center of rotation. A range over which the liquid cartridge is rotated for locking and unlocking can also be reduced.
  • the liquid cartridge may be configured to rotate between a first orientation and the second orientation, wherein the locking surface is configured to contact the locking portion toward the third direction in the first orientation, and the locking surface is disposed below the locking portion in the second orientation.
  • the light access portion may be disposed closer to the locking surface in the first direction than to the circuit board in the first direction. This enables the liquid cartridge to be designed so that the distance between the circuit board and the light access portion is prolonged.
  • a upper edge of the light access portion may be disposed closer to the locking surface than the circuit board in the upward direction. This enables the internal space of the liquid cartridge to be easily assured.
  • the liquid detection portion may comprise a prism disposed below the circuit board, wherein the prism is configured to reflect light according to the amount of the liquid stored in the liquid cartridge, and wherein the light access portion is configured to reflect light traveling from the first point toward the prism or reflect the light reflected at the prism toward the second point.
  • a dimension of the circuit board in the first direction may be smaller than a dimension of the circuit board in a direction perpendicular to the first direction and the upward direction.
  • the circuit board may comprise a plurality of electrical interfaces spaced apart and aligned in the direction, and facing the upward direction.
  • the light access portion may be configured to be accessed with the light traveling from the first point toward the second point in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and the upward direction.
  • the light access portion may be disposed at the upper surface.
  • the liquid detection portion may comprise a first light attenuating portion.
  • the liquid cartridge may comprise a second light attenuating portion above the circuit board.
  • the circuit board may be displaced from the liquid outlet portion in the upward direction for a first distance, and the light access portion displaced from the liquid outlet portion in the upward direction by a second distance which is larger than the first distance.
  • liquid cartridge according to the present invention even if shavings are generated from the circuit board, detection of a state of liquid stored in the liquid cartridgeis less affected.
  • a direction in which an ink cartridge 30 is inserted into a cartridge attaching unit 110 will be defined as an insertion direction (an example of a first direction) 51, and a direction opposite to the insertion direction 51, that is, a direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge attaching unit 110, will be defined as a removal direction (an example of a third direction) 52.
  • the insertion direction 51 and removal direction 52 are horizontal, this is not a limitation; the insertion direction 51 and removal direction 52 may not be horizontal.
  • the direction of force of gravity will be defined as a downward direction 53, a direction opposite to the direction of force of gravity will be defined as an upward direction 54.
  • Directions orthogonal to the insertion direction 51 and downward direction 53 will be defined as a right direction 55 and a left direction 56 (an example of a second direction).
  • a direction extending to the right will be defined in the right direction 55 and a direction extending to the left will be the left direction 56.
  • the insertion direction 51 may be referred to as a forward direction 57 and the removal direction 52 may be referred to as a backward direction 58.
  • the printer 10 records an image by selectively expelling ink droplets to a recording sheet according to an inkjet recording method.
  • the printer 10 (an example of a liquid consuming apparatus) includes a recording head 21, an ink supply unit 100, and an ink tube 20 that interconnects the recording head 21 and ink supply unit 100.
  • the ink supply unit 100 includes the cartridge attaching unit 110 (an example of an attaching unit).
  • the cartridge attaching unit 110 In the cartridge attaching unit 110, the ink cartridge 30 (an example of a liquid cartridge) can be attached.
  • the cartridge attaching unit 110 has an opening 112 in its one face. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching unit 110 through the opening 112 in the insertion direction 51 and is removed from the cartridge attaching unit 110 in the removal direction 52.
  • Ink (an example of a liquid) that can be used in the printer 10 is retained in the ink cartridge 30.
  • the ink cartridge 30 and recording head 21 are interconnected with the ink tube 20.
  • a sub-tank 28 is provided in the recording head 21.
  • the sub-tank 28 temporarily retains ink to be supplied through the ink tube 20.
  • the recording head 21 selectively expels, from nozzles 29, ink supplied from the sub-tank 28, according to an inkjet recording method.
  • a driving voltage is selectively applied from a head control circuit board provided in the recording head 21 to each piezoelectric device 29A provided in correspondence to one nozzle 29.
  • the printer 10 includes a feed tray 15, a supply roller 23, a convey roller pair 25, a platen 26, a discharge roller pair 27, and a discharge tray 16.
  • a recording sheet is supplied by the supply roller 23 from the feed tray 15 to a conveying path 24, after which the recording sheet is conveyed by the convey roller pair 25 onto the platen 26.
  • the recording head 21 selectively expels ink to the recording sheet that passes on the platen 26. Thus, an image is recorded on the recording sheet.
  • the recording sheet is discharged by the discharge roller pair 27 to the discharge tray 16 disposed at the downstream end of the conveying path 24.
  • the ink supply unit 100 is provided in the printer 10.
  • the ink supply unit 100 supplies ink to the recording head 21 included in the printer 10.
  • the ink supply unit 100 has the cartridge attaching unit 110 to which the ink cartridge 30 can be attached.
  • Fig. 1 illustrates a state in which the ink cartridge 30 has been attached to the cartridge attaching unit 110, that is, in a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is in the attached orientation (first orientation and supply orientation).
  • the cartridge attaching unit 110 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30, which correspond to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, in a case 101.
  • the cartridge attaching unit 110 includes an ink needle 102, a sensor 103, four contacts 106, a slider 107, and a locking portion 145 for each ink cartridge 30, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 7 .
  • the case 101 which covers the cartridge attaching unit 110, has a box-like shape that has a top face that defines the top of the internal space of the case 101, a bottom face that defines the bottom, a rear face that links the top and bottom together, and the opening 112, which is formed at a position at which the opening 112 faces the rear face in the insertion direction 51 and removal direction 52 and can be exposed to the surface of the user interface of the printer 10, the user facing the surface when the user uses the printer 10.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101 and removed from it through the opening 112. When the upper edge and lower edge of the ink cartridge 30 are inserted into guide grooves 109 formed in the top face and bottom face, the ink cartridge 30 is guided in the insertion direction 51 and removal direction 52 in Fig. 7 .
  • three plates 104 which partition the internal space into four spaces, which are elongated vertically. One ink cartridge 30 is accommodated in each of these spaces partitioned by the plates 104.
  • the ink needle (an example of a liquid supply tube) 102 which is made of a tubular resin, is provided at a lower portion of the rear face of the case 101.
  • the ink needle 102 is disposed at a position, on the rear face of the case 101, at which the ink needle 102 corresponds to a ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attaching unit 110.
  • the ink needle 102 protrudes from the rear face of the case 101 in the removal direction 52.
  • a cylindrical guide 105 is provided around the ink needle 102.
  • the guide 105 protrudes from the rear face of the case 101 in the removal direction 52. The end of the protrusion is open.
  • the ink needle 102 is disposed at the center of the guide 105.
  • the guide 105 is shaped so that the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 advances inwardly.
  • the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 enters the guide 105 (see Fig. 10 ).
  • the ink needle 102 is inserted into an ink supply opening 71 formed in the ink supply portion 34.
  • an ink supply valve 70 in the ink supply portion 34 is opened.
  • the ink needle 102 and ink supply portion 34 are linked together.
  • ink retained in a retaining chamber 36 formed in the ink cartridge 30 flows into the ink tube 20 connected to the ink needle 102 through the internal space of a cylindrical wall 73 formed in the ink supply portion 34 and the internal space of the ink needle 102.
  • the end of the ink needle 102 may be flat or pointed.
  • An opening 111 is formed below the lower face of the lower guide groove 109 in the case 101 and at a position near the rear face so as to extend in the insertion direction 51 (or removal direction 52).
  • a slider 107 is provided in the opening 111.
  • the slider 107 protrudes upwardly through the opening 111 from below the lower face of the lower guide groove 109.
  • the slider 107 engages a guide rail 113 provided at a lower portion of the case 101, and can move in the opening 111 in the insertion direction 51 and removal direction 52, along the guide rail 113.
  • An extension spring 114 is extended between the slider 107 and the case 101. When the slider 107 is pulled, the extension spring 114 generates a biased force in the removal direction 52.
  • the slider 107 In a state in which an external force is not applied to the slider 107, therefore, the slider 107 is positioned at the end of the guide rail 113 in the removal direction 52. When an external force is applied to the slider 107 at that position in the insertion direction 51, the slider 107 can move in the opening 111 in the insertion direction 51 along the guide rail 113.
  • a second protrusion 86 formed on the ink cartridge 30 advances in the insertion direction 51 along the lower guide groove 109 and comes into contact with the slider 107 (see Fig. 8 ).
  • the ink cartridge 30 is pushed against the second protrusion 86, causing the slider 107 to move in the insertion direction 51 against the biased force of the extension spring 114.
  • the slider 107 gives a biased force to the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52.
  • the slider 107 and extension spring 114 are an example of a biasing member.
  • the locking portion 145 extends in the left direction 56 and right direction 55 of the case 101 in the vicinity of the top face of the case 101 and in the vicinity of the opening 112.
  • the locking portion 145 is a rod-like member extending in the left direction 56 and right direction 55.
  • the locking portion 145 is, for example, a metal cylinder. Both ends of the locking portion 145 in the left direction 56 and right direction 55 are secured to walls that define both ends of the case 101 in the left direction 56 and right direction 55. Therefore, the locking portion 145 does not relatively rotate with respect to the case 101, nor does it cause other relative motion.
  • the locking portion 145 extends in the left direction 56 and right direction 55 across the four spaces in which four ink cartridges 30 can be accommodated. In each space in which the ink cartridge 30 is accommodated, a space is present around the locking portion 145. Therefore, the ink cartridge 30 can access the locking portion 145 toward the upward direction 54 or removal direction 52.
  • the locking portion 145 holds the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attaching unit 110 at the attached position.
  • the ink cartridge 30 engages the locking portion 145.
  • the locking portion 145 holds the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge attaching unit 110 against a force with which the slider 107 presses the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52 and a force with which a coiled spring 78 provided in the ink cartridge 30 presses the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52.
  • each contact 106 is formed with a conductive and elastic material; the contact 106 is deformable in the upward direction 54.
  • Four sets of four contacts 106 are provided in correspondence to four ink cartridges 30 that can be accommodated in the case 101. There is no limitation on the number of contacts 106 and the number of electrodes 65; any number of contacts 106 and any number of electrodes 65 can be used.
  • Each contact 106 is electrically connected to a computational unit with an electric circuit intervening between them.
  • the computational unit includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), and a random-access memory (RAM).
  • the computational unit may be configured as a control unit for the printer 10.
  • a voltage Vc is applied to the electrode 65, the electrode 65 is grounded, or electric power is supplied to the electrode 65. Due the electrical connection between the contact 106 and its corresponding electrode 65, it is possible to access data stored in an integrated circuit (IC) in the ink cartridge 30. An output from the electric circuit is entered into the computational unit.
  • IC integrated circuit
  • a rod 125 is provided on the rear face of the case 101 at a position above the ink needle 102.
  • the rod 125 protrudes from the rear face of the case 101 in the removal direction 52.
  • the cross-section of the rod 125 in a direction orthogonal to the removal direction 52 has an inverted U shape like an upper half of a cylindrical shape.
  • a rib protrudes upwardly from the topmost position of the rod 125 in the removal direction 52.
  • a sensor 103 is provided on the top face of the case 101.
  • the sensor 103 has a light emitting portion and a photosensitive portion.
  • the light emitting portion is disposed to the right of the photosensitive portion in the right direction 55 or to the left of it in the left direction 56 with a space between them.
  • a light access portion 62 provided in the ink cartridge 30 is located between the light emitting portion and the photosensitive portion.
  • the light emitting portion and photosensitive portion are oppositely disposed in a state in which, between them, the light access portion 62 in the ink cartridge 30 inserted into the cartridge attaching unit 110 is placed.
  • the sensor 103 outputs a different detection signal depending on whether light emitted from the light emitting portion has been received by the photosensitive portion.
  • the sensor 103 When, for example, the photosensitive portion could not receive light emitted from the light emitting portion (that is, the light receiving intensity of the photosensitive portion is lower than a predetermined intensity), the sensor 103 outputs a low-level signal, the signal level of which is lower than a threshold level.
  • the sensor 103 When the photosensitive portion could receive light emitted from the light emitting portion (that is, the light receiving intensity of the photosensitive portion is equal to or higher than the predetermined intensity), the sensor 103 outputs a high-level signal, the signal level of which is equal to or higher than the threshold level.
  • a positioning member 108 extends above the guide 105 and below the rod 125 in the left direction 56 and right direction 55 of the case 101.
  • the positioning member 108 protrudes from the rear face of the case 101 in the removal direction 52.
  • the dimension of the positioning member 108 by which it protrudes from the rear face of the case 101 in the removal direction 52 is smaller than the dimension of the guide 105 by which it protrudes from the rear face of the case 101 in the removal direction 52.
  • the upper face 115 of the positioning member 108 is in contact with the lower face 89 of a first protrusion 85 in the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attaching unit 110.
  • the ink cartridge 30 illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B to Fig. 6 is a vessel in which ink is retained.
  • a space formed in the ink cartridge 30 is the retaining chamber (an example of a liquid retaining chamber) 36.
  • the retaining chamber 36 is formed with an internal frame 35 placed in a rear cover 31 and a front cover 32, which form the outside shape of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the internal frame 35 is an example of a main body.
  • the rear cover 31, front cover 32, and internal frame 35 are an example of a case.
  • the orientation of the ink cartridge 30 illustrated in Figs. 3A and 3B to Fig. 6 and Figs. 15A and 15B is an orientation taken when the ink cartridge 30 is in the attached orientation (first orientation).
  • the ink cartridge 30 has a front face 140, a rear face 41, upper faces 39 and 141, and lower faces 42 and 142, as described later.
  • a direction extending from the rear face 41 toward the front face 140 matches the insertion direction 51 and forward direction 57
  • a direction extending from the front face 140 toward the rear face 41 matches the removal direction 52
  • a direction extending from the upper faces 39 and 141 toward the lower faces 42 and 142 matches the downward direction 53
  • a direction extending from the lower faces 42 and 142 toward the upper surfaces 39 and 141 matches the upward direction 54.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is formed with the rear cover 31, which has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, the front cover 32, which includes the front surface 140, and the internal frame 35, which defines the retaining chamber 36.
  • the rear cover 31 and front cover 32 are combined together, forming the outside shape of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the internal frame 35 is placed inside the combined rear cover 31 and front cover 32.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is flat as a whole; the dimension in the right direction 55 and left direction 56 is small, and the dimension in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54 and the dimension in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58 are larger than the dimension in the right direction 55 and left direction 56.
  • the front surface 140 is a surface, of the front cover 32, that faces in the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57) when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching unit 110.
  • the rear surface 41 is a surface, of the rear cover 31, that faces the removal direction 52 (58) when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching unit 110. That is, the rear surface 41 is disposed opposite to the front surface 140 of the front cover 32 with the retaining chamber 36 intervening between them.
  • the rear cover 31 is formed like a box with side surfaces 37 and 38, which are mutually spaced apart in the right direction 55 and left direction 56, the upper surface 39 facing in the upward direction 54, and the lower surface 42 facing in the downward direction 53, the upper surface 39 and lower surface 42 extending from the rear surface 41 in the insertion direction 51.
  • the rear cover 31 has an opening facing in the forward direction 57.
  • the internal frame 35 is inserted into the rear cover 31 through the opening. That is, the rear cover 31 covers the rear of the internal frame 35. With the internal frame 35 inserted, the lower surface 42 is disposed opposite to the upper surface 39 with the retaining chamber 36 intervening between them.
  • the rear surface 41 has an upper portion 41U and a lower portion 41L.
  • the upper portion 41U is positioned above the lower portion 41L in the upward direction 54.
  • the lower portion 41L is positioned below the upper portion 41U in the downward direction 53. In other words, the lower portion 41L is positioned from the upper portion 41U in the forward direction 57.
  • Both the upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L are a flat surface; they cross each other, but they are not orthogonal to each other.
  • the lower portion 41L is inclined with respect to the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54 so that as the lower portion 41L approaches the lower surface 42, the lower portion 41L approaches the front surface 140.
  • a sheet is pasted to the upper portion 41U, as illustrated in Fig. 15B , to indicate PUSH or another character string, a symbol such as an arrow, a figure indicating a push with a finger, or the like.
  • a protrusion 43 is formed on the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31.
  • the protrusion 43 extends in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58 from the center of the upper surface 39 in the right direction 55 and left direction 56.
  • a surface, of the protrusion 43, that faces in the backward direction 58 is a locking surface 151.
  • the locking surface 151 extends in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54. With the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attaching unit 110, the locking surface 151 can be brought into contact with the locking portion 145 in the removal direction 52.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is held in the cartridge attaching unit 110 against a force with which the ink cartridge 30 is biased by the extension spring 114 through the slider 107 and a force with which the ink cartridge 30 is biased by the coiled spring 78.
  • a reinforcing surface 152 extends that crosses the locking surface 151 so as to be continued to the end of the locking surface 151 in the right direction 55.
  • a reinforcing surface 153 extends that crosses the locking surface 151 so as to be continued to the end of the locking surface 151 in the left direction 56.
  • the reinforcing surface 152 extends in the forward direction 57 so as to form an acute angle with respect to a virtual surface that includes the locking surface 151 and extends in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54 and in the right direction 55.
  • the reinforcing surface 153 extends in the forward direction 57 so as to form an acute angle with respect to a virtual surface that includes the locking surface 151 and extends in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54 and in the left direction 56.
  • the strength of the protrusion 43 is increased, reducing the risk of damage to the locking surface 151. Since the reinforcing surfaces 152 and 153 do not extend beyond the locking surface 151 in the backward direction 58, they do not come into contact with the locking portion 145. Even if the locking surface 151 slides on the locking portion 145, therefore, the presence of the reinforcing surfaces 152 and 153 do not increase sliding resistance.
  • a horizontal surface 154 is provided so as to be continued to the locking surface 151 and extends from the locking surface 151 in the forward direction 57.
  • the horizontal surface 154 extends in the right direction 55 and left direction 56 and in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58.
  • An inclined surface 155 is provided so as to be continued to the horizontal surface 154 and extends from the horizontal surface 154 in the forward direction 57.
  • the inclined surface 155 faces in the upward direction 54 and in the forward direction 57. Therefore, the inclined surface 155 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53, and also visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the backward direction 58.
  • the locking surface 151 is continued to the inclined surface 155 through the horizontal surface 154, a boundary between the locking surface 151 and the horizontal surface 154 does not become a pointed convex shape.
  • the locking portion 145 is smoothly guided by the inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154 beyond the locking surface 151 in the backward direction 58 while the locking portion 145 is in contact with the inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154.
  • a reinforcing surface 156 extends that crosses the locking surface 151 so as to be continued to the end of the inclined surface 155 in the right direction 55.
  • a reinforcing surface 157 extends that crosses the locking surface 151 so as to be continued to the end of the inclined surface 155 in the left direction 56.
  • the reinforcing surface 156 extends in the downward direction 53 so as to form an acute angle with respect to a virtual surface that includes the inclined surface 155 and extends in the right direction 55.
  • the reinforcing surface 157 extends in the downward direction 53 so as to form an acute angle with respect to a virtual surface that includes the inclined surface 155 and extends in the left direction 56.
  • the strength of the protrusion 43 is increased, reducing the risk of damage to the inclined surface 155. Since the reinforcing surfaces 156 and 157 do not extend beyond the inclined surface 155 in the upward direction 54, they do not come into contact with the locking portion 145. Therefore, the presence of the reinforcing surfaces 156 and 157 do not increase sliding resistance during the sliding of the inclined surface 155 on the locking portion 145.
  • a manipulation portion 90 is provided and displaced from the locking surface 151 in the backward direction 58.
  • a sub-upper surface 91 is formed below other portions of the upper surface 39 in the downward direction 53.
  • the manipulation portion 90 is disposed above the sub-upper surface 91 with a space between them.
  • the manipulation portion 90 is shaped like a flat plate so that the manipulation portion 90 protrudes beyond the protrusion 43 in the upward direction 54 from the vicinity of a boundary between the sub-upper surface 91 and other portions of the upper surface 39 and is then bent diagonally in the backward direction 58 and in the downward direction 53.
  • a rib 94 is provided between the manipulation portion 90 and the sub-upper surface 91; the rib 94 is continued to the manipulation portion 90 and sub-upper surface 91 and extends in the backward direction 58. As illustrated in Fig. 15 , the dimension of the rib 94 in the right direction 55 and left direction 56 is smaller than the sizes of the manipulation portion 90 and sub-upper surface 91 in the right direction 55 and left direction 56.
  • the manipulation portion 90 has a manipulation surface 92 that faces in the upward direction 54 and in the backward direction 58.
  • the manipulation surface 92 and sub-upper surface 91 are disposed at the same position in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58. In other words, when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53, the manipulation surface 92 and sub-upper surface 91 are is disposed at the same position.
  • the manipulation surface 92 has a plurality of protrusions, which are, for example, a plurality of ridges 93 that extend in the right direction 55 and left direction 56, and are mutually spaced apart in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58. Due to the ridges 93 working as a plurality of protrusions, the user can easily recognize the manipulation surface 92. In addition, when the user manipulates the manipulation surface 92 with a finger, the finger does not easily slide on the manipulation surface 92.
  • the manipulation surface 92 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53, and also visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the forward direction 57.
  • the manipulation surface 92 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in a direction proceeding from the upper surface 39 toward the lower surface 42, and also visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from a direction proceeding from the rear surface 41 toward the front surface 140.
  • the manipulation surface 92 is manipulated by the user when the user takes out the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attaching unit 110.
  • the manipulation portion 90 is secured to the rear cover 31 by, for example, being molded together with the rear cover 31, so the manipulation portion 90 does not relatively rotate with respect to the rear cover 31, nor does it cause other relative motion. Therefore, a force given by the user to the manipulation surface 92 is transmitted to the rear cover 31 as is, without changing the direction. In this embodiment, the manipulation portion 90 does not also relatively rotate with respect to the internal frame 35 and retaining chamber 36, nor does it cause other relative motion.
  • the front cover 32 is formed like a box that has side surfaces 143 and 144, which extend from the front surface 140 in the backward direction 58 and are mutually spaced apart in the right direction 55 and left direction 56 and also has the upper surface 141 and lower surface 142, which extend from the front surface 140 in the backward direction 58 and are mutually spaced apart in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54.
  • the front cover 32 has an opening facing in the backward direction 58.
  • the internal frame 35 is inserted into the front cover 32 through the opening. That is, the front cover 32 covers a front, of the internal frame 35, that is not covered by the rear cover 31.
  • the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32 forms the upper surface of the ink cartridge 30 together with the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31, and the lower surface 142 of the front cover 32 forms the lower surface of the ink cartridge 30 together with the lower surface 42 of the rear cover 31.
  • the lower surface 142 of the front cover 32 extends in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58, and the lower surface 42 of the rear cover 31 is inclined in the downward direction 53 and in the backward direction 58.
  • the side surfaces 143 and 144 of the front cover 32 form the side surfaces of the ink cartridge 30 together with the side surfaces 37 and 38 of the rear cover 31.
  • the front surface 140 of the front cover 32, the front surface 140 forming the front surface of the ink cartridge 30, and the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31, the rear surface 41 forming the rear surface of the ink cartridge 30, are mutually spaced apart in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58.
  • the front surface, rear surface, upper surface, lower surface, and side surfaces of the ink cartridge 30 each are not necessarily a single plane.
  • the front surface is a surface that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 placed in the first orientation is viewed in the backward direction 58 and the front surface is positioned displaced from the center of the ink cartridge 30 placed in the first orientation in the forward direction 57;
  • the rear surface is a surface that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 placed in the first orientation is viewed in the forward direction 57 and the rear surface is displaced from the center of the ink cartridge 30 placed in the first orientation in the backward direction 58;
  • the upper surface is a surface that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 placed in the first orientation is viewed in the downward direction 53 and the upper surface is displaced from the center of the ink cartridge 30 placed in the first orientation in the upward direction 54;
  • the lower surface is a surface that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 placed in the first orientation is viewed in the upward direction 54 and the lower surface is displaced from the center of the ink cartridge 30 placed in the first orientation in the downward direction 53.
  • the upper surface 39 which is part of the rear cover 31, is positioned above the upper surface 141, which is part of the front cover 32, this is not a limitation; the upper surfaces 141 and 39 may be at the same position in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54.
  • the recess 96 which is recessed in the backward direction 58, is formed at an upper portion of the front surface 140 of the front cover 32. With the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attaching unit 110, the rod 125 enters the recess 96. Therefore, the cross-section of the recess 96 in a direction orthogonal to the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the cross-section of the rod 125.
  • the recess 96 extends from the front surface 140 in the backward direction 58.
  • Two recesses 99 which are recessed from the upper surface 141 in the downward direction 53, are displaced from the IC board 64 in the backward direction 58.
  • One of the recesses 99 extends from the IC board 64 in the right direction 55, and the other extends from the IC board 64 in the left direction 56.
  • the rod 125 enters a space defined by the recess 96.
  • a hole 97 which passes through the front cover 32 in the backward direction 58, is formed at a lower portion of the front surface 140 of the front cover 32.
  • the hole 97 is a hole through which the ink supply portion 34 in the internal frame 35 is exposed to the outside. Therefore, the hole 97 is formed so as to correspond to the position, dimensions, and shape of the ink supply portion 34 in the internal frame 35.
  • the first protrusion 85 and second protrusion 86 are formed on the front surface 140 of the front cover 32.
  • the first protrusion 85 protrudes from the upper end of the front cover 32 in the forward direction 57.
  • the recess 96 is formed at the end of the first protrusion 85.
  • the end of the first protrusion 85 forms part of the front surface 140.
  • the lower surface 89 of the first protrusion 85 is positioned between the IC board 64 and the ink supply portion 34 in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54. With the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attaching unit 110, the lower surface 89 is in contact with the upper surface 115 of the positioning member 108 in the cartridge attaching unit 110.
  • the lower surface 89 is equivalent to a positioning surface.
  • the second protrusion 86 protrudes from the front surface 140 in the forward direction 57 at the lower end of the front surface 140 of the front cover 32, that is, below the ink supply portion 34.
  • a recess 87 which is open in the forward direction 57 and in the downward direction 53, is formed in the lower surface of the second protrusion 86. Part of the recess 87 protrudes from the lower surface 142 of the front cover 32 in the downward direction 53.
  • the slider 107 enters the recess 87 of the second protrusion 86 and comes into contact with it.
  • a hole 98 (an example of an opening), which passes through the front cover 32 in the downward direction 53, is formed in the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32.
  • the hole 98 is a hole through which the light access portion 62 in the internal frame 35 is exposed to the outside. Therefore, the hole 98 is formed so as to correspond to the position, dimensions, and shape of the light access portion 62 in the internal frame 35.
  • an opening (hole 98) is formed in the front cover 32 so as to expose the light access portion 62 in the internal frame 35 from the upper surface 141
  • an opening through which the light access portion 62 is exposed may be formed in only one of the front cover 32 and rear cover 31 or may be formed in both the front cover 32 and the rear cover 31.
  • the hole 98 is formed so that a portion behind the light access portion 62 is covered with the rear cover 31, the hole 98 may be formed so that the whole of the light access portion 62 is exposed.
  • the IC board 64 is disposed on the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32 and above the first protrusion 85, that is, above the ink supply portion 34.
  • the IC board 64 is electrically connected to the four contacts 106 (see Fig. 2 ) aligned in the right direction 55 and left direction 56 in the middle of the ink cartridge 30 being attached to the cartridge attaching unit 110. In a state as well in which the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attaching unit 110, the IC board 64 is electrically connected to the contacts 106.
  • a dimension of the circuit board 64 in the first direction 51 is smaller than a dimension of the circuit board 64 in left direction 56 and the right direction 55.
  • the IC which is a semiconductor integrated circuit, stores information about the ink cartridge 30 such as a lot number, a date and time of manufacturing, and data indicating ink colors and other information in such a way that the information can be read.
  • the electrodes 65 are electrically connected to the IC. Each electrode 65 extends in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58. The four electrodes 65 are mutually spaced apart in the right direction 55 and left direction 56. Each electrode 65 is exposed to the upper surface of the IC board 64 so as to be accessed.
  • the electrode 65 is an example of an electric interface.
  • the internal frame 35 is annularly structured with a pair of end surfaces open in the right direction 55 and left direction 56.
  • the pair of open end surfaces of the internal frame 35 are sealed with films (not illustrated), forming the retaining chamber 36 in which ink can be retained.
  • a front surface 40 which defines the retaining chamber 36, faces the rear surface of the front surface 140 of the front cover 32 when the internal frame 35 is inserted into the front cover 32.
  • the ink supply portion 34 (an example of a liquid outflow unit) is disposed below the front surface 40.
  • the ink supply portion 34 is disposed at a lower portion of the front surface 140 so as to protrude beyond the front surface 40 of the internal frame 35 in the forward direction 57.
  • the ink supply portion 34 has a cylindrical outside shape and protrudes toward the outside through the hole 97 formed in the front surface 140 of the front cover 32.
  • the ink supply portion 34 has the cylindrical wall 73 in a cylindrical shape having an internal space and also has a sealing member 76 and a cap 79, which are attached to the cylindrical wall 73.
  • the cylindrical wall 73 extends from the interior of the retaining chamber 36 to the outside.
  • the end of the cylindrical wall 73 in the removal direction 52 is open in the retaining chamber 36.
  • the end of the cylindrical wall 73 in the insertion direction 51 is open to the outside of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the cylindrical wall 73 communicates with the retaining chamber 36 and the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the internal space. That is, the ink supply portion 34 supplies ink retained in the retaining chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73.
  • the sealing member 76 and cap 79 are attached to the end of the cylindrical wall 73 in the insertion direction 51.
  • a valve body 77 and the coiled spring 78 are accommodated in the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73.
  • the valve body 77 and coiled spring 78 are used to selectively switch the state of the ink supply portion 34 between a state in which ink flows from the retaining chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73 (see Fig. 11 ) and a state in which ink does not flow from the retaining chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73 (see Fig. 6 ).
  • the ink supply opening 71 which is a through hole formed at the center of the sealing member 76, is opened and closed.
  • the coiled spring 78 biases the valve body 77 in the forward direction 57. In a state in which an external force is not applied, therefore, the valve body 77 closes the ink supply opening 71 in the sealing member 76.
  • the sealing member 76 is disposed at the end of the cylindrical wall 73.
  • the sealing member 76 is a discoid member having a through hole at the center.
  • the sealing member 76 is made of, for example, an elastic material such as a rubber material or an elastomer.
  • the through hole which extends in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58 at the center of the sealing member 76, forms a cylindrical internal surface, forming the ink supply opening 71.
  • the inner diameter of the ink supply opening 71 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink needle 102. Due to the cap 79 fitted to the outside of the cylindrical wall 73, the sealing member 76 is in contact with the end of the cylindrical wall 73 in a liquid-tight manner.
  • the ink needle 102 When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching unit 110 in a state in which the valve body 77 closes the ink supply opening 71, the ink needle 102 enters the ink supply opening 71.
  • the outer circumferential surface of the ink needle 102 comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface, which defines the ink supply opening 71, in a liquid-tight manner while the ink needle 102 elastically deforms the sealing member 76.
  • the end of the ink needle 102 passes through the sealing member 76 and enters the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73, the end comes into contact with the valve body 77.
  • the ink needle 102 causes the valve body 77 to move in the backward direction 58 against the biased force of the coiled spring 78. This enables ink retained in the retaining chamber 36 to flow to the end of the ink needle 102 through the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73.
  • ink flows from the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73 through a through hole formed in the end of the ink needle 102 to the internal space of the ink needle 102.
  • ink retained in the retaining chamber 36 can flow out to the outside through the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73 and the ink needle 102.
  • the valve body 77 which closes the ink supply opening 71, is not necessarily provided in the ink supply portion 34.
  • the ink supply opening 71 may be blocked with a film or the like, in which case when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching unit 110, the ink needle 102 breaks the film and the end of the ink needle 102 thereby enters the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73 through the ink supply opening 71.
  • the ink supply opening 71 may be closed due to the elasticity of the sealing member 76, in which case only when the ink needle 102 is inserted, the ink supply opening 71 is expanded by being pressed by the ink needle 102.
  • the ink cartridge 30 has a liquid level detecting portion 60( an example of a liquid detection portion).
  • the liquid level detecting portion 60 has a light access portion 62 and a sensor arm 59 (an example of light attenuating portion).
  • the internal frame 35 has the light access portion 62, which extends from the upper surface in the upward direction 54.
  • the light access portion 62 is a protrusion that defines its internal space continued to the retaining chamber 36.
  • the light access portion 62 is translucent, enabling light to pass through the light access portion62 in the right direction 55 and left direction 56. In other words, the light access portion 62 is configured to be accessed with light traveling from the light emitting portion in the sensor 103 of the printer 10 toward the photosensitive portion.
  • the light access portion 62 has side surfaces 66 and 67 (examples of a first side surface and a second side surface) expanding in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54 and in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58.
  • a distance of the side surface 66 and 67 is smaller than a dimension of the side surface 66 and 67 in the right direction 55 and left direction 56.
  • a dimension of the side surface 66 and 67 in the upward direction 54 is smaller than the distance of the side surface 66 and 67 in the right direction 55 and left direction 56.
  • the light access portion 62 is exposed to the outside through the hole 98 in the front cover 32.
  • the side surfaces 66 and 67 extend above the upper surface 141 in the upward direction 54 through the hole 98 in the front cover 32. Therefore, the side surfaces 66 and 67 cross the upper surface 141.
  • a sensor arm 59 (an example of a light attenuating portion) is provided in the retaining chamber 36 in the internal frame 35.
  • the sensor arm 59 is supported by a rotation axis 61 extending in the right direction 55 and left direction 56 and is rotatable around the rotation axis 61.
  • the sensor arm 59 has a float 63.
  • the float 63 has a smaller specific gravity than ink retained in the retaining chamber 36. In the retaining chamber 36, therefore, the float 63 generates a buoyant force while the float 63 is in the ink.
  • the sensor arm 59 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 6 due to the buoyant force of the float 63.
  • Portion 68 of the sensor arm 59 has entered the interior of the light access portion 62. When the portion 68 of the sensor arm 59 comes into contact with a wall that defines the end of the light access portion 62 in the forward direction 57, the orientation of the sensor arm 59 is maintained.
  • the ink detection portion 60 While in this state (an example of a first state), the ink detection portion 60 change a state of the light passing from the emitter to the photosensitive portion.
  • the portion 68 of the sensor arm 59 cuts off light that is emitted from the sensor 103 and would otherwise propagate through the light access portion 62 in the right direction 55 or left direction 56, and performs other processing on the light.
  • the portion 68 of the sensor arm 59 reduces the intensity of light, which is intended to exit from the other of the right surface and left surface of the light access portion 62 and reach the photosensitive portion, blow the predetermined intensity (at which the light is transmitted), for example, to zero.
  • the portion 68 of the sensor arm 59 may completely cut off the light so that it does not propagate in the right direction 55 or left direction 56, may partially absorb the light, may attenuate the light, may bend a direction in which the light propagates, or may totally reflects the light for changing the state of the light passing from the emitter to the photosensitive portion.
  • the portion 68 of the sensor arm 59 moves through the internal space in the light access portion 62 substantially in the backward direction 58 and reaches the end of the internal space in the light access portion 62 in the backward direction 58, deviating the portion 68 from a light path that extends from the light emitting portion in the sensor 103 to its light receiving section.
  • this state (an example of a second state)
  • light intended to propagate from one of the right surface and left surface of the light access portion 62 to the other can pass through the internal space of the light access portion 62 in this embodiment, and the intensity of light that will reach the photosensitive portion in the sensor 103 is equal to or higher than the predetermined intensity (at which the light is transmitted).
  • an intervening wall 80 is provided on the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32; the intervening wall 80 is displaced from the IC board 64 in the backward direction 58 and displaced from the hole 98 in the forward direction 57.
  • the intervening wall 80 protrudes from the upper surface 141 in the upward direction 54.
  • the intervening wall 80 has a front surface 81 and a rear surface 82, which expand in the right direction 55 and left direction 56, side surfaces 83 and 84, which expand in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58, and an upper surface 88.
  • a dimension D1 see Fig.
  • the intervening wall 80 has a thin-plate shape in which the dimension in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58 is larger than the dimension in the right direction 55 and left direction 56.
  • the side surface 83 and 84 reduces the intensity of light, which is intended to exit from the other of the side surface and of the intervening wall 80 and reach the photosensitive portion, blow the predetermined intensity (at which the light is transmitted), for example, to zero. That is, the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge attaching unit is detected by intervening wall 80 which is configured to cut off or attenuate the light from emitter toward the photosensitive portion.
  • the IC board 64 is disposed displaced from the light access portion 62 in the insertion direction 51 (forward direction 57).
  • the IC board 64 is disposed closer to the side surface 143 positioned in the right direction 55 than to the side surface 144 positioned in the left direction 56.
  • the center of the IC board 64 is disposed closer to the side surface 66 of the light access portion 62 than to its side surface 67 in the left direction 56.
  • the light emitting portion in the sensor 103 faces the side surface 67, and the photosensitive portion in the sensor 103 faces the side surface 66.
  • the IC board 64 When viewed in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54, the IC board 64 is disposed at the same position as the ink supply portion 34. In other words, at least a part of the IC board 64 is overlapped with the ink supply portion 34 in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54.
  • the intervening wall 80 is disposed above the IC board 64 in the upward direction 54. In the backward direction 58, the intervening wall 80 is disposed closer to the light access portion 62 than the IC board 64 than is. The intervening wall 80 extends upwardly beyond the upper end of the sensor arm 59, which is in contact with the wall that defines the end of the light access portion 62 in the forward direction 57.
  • the dimension of the rear surface 82 of the intervening wall 80 in the right direction and the left direction is longer than a distance between the side surface 66 and the side surface 67 of the light access portion 62.
  • the light access portion 62 is displaced from the IC board 64 in the removal direction 52 (displaced from the IC board 64 in the backward direction 58).
  • the light access portion 62 is disposed above the IC board 64 in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54.
  • the internal space of the liquid level detecting portion is dispose above the electrode 65 of the IC board 64.
  • the IC board 64 is displaced from the liquid outlet portion 34 in the upward direction 54 by a first distance
  • the light access portion 62 displaced from the liquid outlet portion 34 in the upward direction 54 by a second distance which is larger than the first distance.
  • an area of the light access portion 62 which the light from the light emitting portion pass through the light access portion 62 in the right direction 55 and left direction 56 is positioned above the electrode 65 of the IC board.
  • the locking surface 151 is displaced from the light access portion 62 in the removal direction 52 (displaced from the light access portion 62 in the backward direction 58).
  • the light access portion 62 is disposed closer to the locking surface 151 than the IC board 64 is.
  • the upper end of the light access portion 62 in the upward direction 54 is closer to the locking surface 151 than the IC board 64 is. That is, in the upward direction 54, the upper end of the locking surface 151, the upper end of the light access portion 62, and the upper surface of the IC board 64 are disposed at higher positions in this order.
  • the dimension of the locking surface 151 in this embodiment in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54 is smaller than the dimension of the light access portion 62 in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54. Since, however, the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31 is positioned above the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32, the upper end of the locking surface 151 is positioned above the upper surface of the light access portion 62.
  • the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31 and the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32 are disposed at the same position in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54, when the dimension of the locking surface 151 in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54 is made to be larger than the dimension of the light access portion 62 in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54, the upper end of the locking surface 151 is positioned above the upper end of the light access portion 62.
  • the lower surface 89 is positioned above the ink supply portion 34 in the upward direction 54 and below the IC board 64 in the downward direction 53.
  • valve body 77 closes the ink supply opening 71 in the sealing member 76. This blocks a flow of ink from the retaining chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101 through the opening 112 in the cartridge attaching unit 110.
  • the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 is positioned from the lower portion 41L in the removal direction 52, that is, closer to the user, so the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge attaching unit 110 in the insertion direction 51 while pressing the upper portion 41U.
  • the user is prompted to push the upper portion 41U because a sheet pasted to the upper portion 41U indicates PUSH or another character string, a symbol such as an arrow, or a figure indicating a push with a finger, or the like, as described above.
  • the second protrusion 86 is disposed at a lower portion of the front cover 32.
  • the recess 87 in the second protrusion 86 in the front cover 32 comes into contact with the slider 107.
  • the user is pushing the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 of the ink cartridge 30.
  • This causes the ink cartridge 30 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 8 , centered around a contact between the slider 107 and the recess 87 in the second protrusion 86. Due to this rotation, the lower surface 142 of the front cover 32 moves apart from the lower surface of the lower guide groove 109, and an upper portion of the ink cartridge 30 comes into contact with the upper guide groove 109.
  • the cap 79 in the ink supply portion 34 starts to enter the guide 105.
  • the recess 96 in the front cover 32 faces the rod 125, and the rod 125 starts to enter the recess 96.
  • the upper surface 115 of the positioning member 108 in the cartridge attaching unit 110 starts to enter a space between the first protrusion 85 on the ink cartridge 30 and the ink supply portion 34.
  • the cap 79 in the ink supply portion 34 enters the guide 105 and the ink needle 102 enters the ink supply opening 71, causing the valve body 77 to move apart from the sealing member 76 against the biased force of the coiled spring 78.
  • the biased force of the coiled spring 78 is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52.
  • the upper surface 115 of the positioning member 108 in the cartridge attaching unit 110 comes into contact with the lower surface 89 of the first protrusion 85 on the front cover 32 and supports the front cover 32 from below.
  • the contacts 106 are elastically deformed upwardly and the electrodes 65 are thereby electrically connected to their corresponding contacts 106.
  • the upper surface 115 of the positioning member 108 supports the front cover 32 from below, so the IC board 64 is accurately positioned to the contacts 106 in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54.
  • the contacts 106 slide on their corresponding electrodes 65. Due to the sliding of the contacts 106 on their corresponding electrodes 65, shavings may be generated from the electrodes 65.
  • the protrusion 43 on the rear cover 31 reaches the locking portion 145 and the inclined surface 155 slides on the locking portion 145.
  • moment of rotation is exerted on the ink cartridge 30 in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 10 . Due to a contact between the inclined surface 155 and the locking portion 145, however, the ink cartridge 30 rotates in the clockwise direction in Fig.
  • the orientation of the ink cartridge 30 illustrated in Fig. 10 is referred to as a second orientation.
  • the locking surface 151 of the protrusion 43 is positioned below the locking portion 145. While the ink cartridge 30 is in the second orientation, the center of the rotation described above and the IC board 64 are at the same position in the insertion direction 51. Therefore, the biased force applied to the IC board 64 by the contacts 106 does not work as moment with which the ink cartridge 30 is rotated or is only extremely small moment. While the ink cartridge 30 is in the second orientation, the lower surface 42 of the front cover 32 is in contact with or near the lower surface of the lower guide groove 109, so, in this embodiment, the lower surface 42 of the front cover 32 is horizontal. While the ink cartridge 30 is in the second orientation, the lower portion 41L of the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 extends from the upper portion 41U in the insertion direction 51.
  • the inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154 of the protrusion 43 on the rear cover 31 are positioned closer to the rear surface of the case 101 than the locking portion 145 is. Since moment of rotation has been applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 11 as a result of the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 being pressed in the insertion direction 51 by the user, the inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154 are separated from the locking portion 145. Therefore, the ink cartridge 30 rotates in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 11 , centered around the center of the ink supply opening 71, in the sealing member 76, in which the ink needle 102 has been inserted.
  • the orientation of the ink cartridge 30 illustrated in Fig. 11 is referred to as the first orientation.
  • the locking surface 151 faces the locking portion 145 in the removal direction 52.
  • the rear cover 31 comes into contact with the locking portion 145. Due to a shock generated in this contact, the user recognizes that the pressing of the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 has been completed. If the user cancels the pressing of the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51, the ink cartridge 30 moves in the removal direction 52 due to the biased force of the coiled spring 78 and the biased force of the extension spring 114 exerted through the slider 107.
  • the locking surface 151 faces the locking portion 145 in the removal direction 52, so when the ink cartridge 30 is slightly moved in the removal direction 52, the locking surface 151 comes into contact with the locking portion 145. Therefore, the ink cartridge 30 remains in the first orientation, restricting movement in the removal direction 52. That is, the ink cartridge 30 is in a state in which the ink cartridge 30 has been positioned in the cartridge attaching unit 110 and has been completely attached to it.
  • the IC board 64 is disposed on the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32, that is, above ink supply opening 71. Even if, therefore, ink in the retaining chamber 36 flows out of the ink supply opening 71 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching unit 110 or is removed from it, the ink that has flowed out is hard to adhere to the IC board 64. With the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attaching unit 110, the retaining chamber 36 in the ink cartridge 30 is preferably open to the atmosphere.
  • an air path formed in the ink cartridge 30 may communicate with the outside, that is, may be made to be open to the outside, as the ink supply valve 70 moves after the ink needle 102 has been inserted into the ink supply opening 71.
  • an air path formed in the ink cartridge 30 may be sealed with, for example, a tape against the atmosphere. Then, the user may remove the tape to make the retaining chamber 36 open to the atmosphere through the air path before attaching the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge attaching unit 110.
  • the force of gravity applied to the ink cartridge 30 will be denoted G; the biased force of the extension spring 114 and the biased force of the coiled spring 78 with which the ink cartridge 30 placed in the first orientation is biased in the removal direction 52 will be denoted F; a distance in the insertion direction 51 between the center M of gravity of the ink cartridge 30 placed in the second orientation and the center O of rotation will be denoted L; a distance, along the upward direction 54 orthogonal to the insertion direction 51, from the lower end of the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 of the ink cartridge 30 placed in the second orientation to a plane extending from the center O of rotation will be defined as a height H. Then, the following equation holds. Baised force F ⁇ height H > force G of gravity ⁇ distance L
  • the product of the force G of gravity and the distance L is equivalent to the size of moment with which the ink cartridge 30 is rotated in the clockwise direction in Fig. 12 .
  • the user When the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge attaching unit 110 in the insertion direction 51, the user needs to press the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 with a force larger than at least the biased force F. That is, if a force with which the user presses the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 is denoted U, the force U needs to be larger than the biased force F.
  • the biased force F is equal to the force U. Therefore, when the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge attaching unit 110, the force U equivalent to at least the biased force F is exerted on the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51.
  • the biased force of the extension spring 114 also works as moment with which the ink cartridge 30 is rotated counterclockwise. Even if there is no biased force of the extension spring 114, it will be appreciated that counterclockwise moment is exerted on the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching unit 110.
  • the ink cartridge 30 changes from the second orientation to the first orientation due to moment in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 12 .
  • the upper end of the locking surface 151 is positioned outwardly beyond a virtual arc C, the center of which is the center O of rotation, the virtual arc C passing the locking portion 145.
  • the lower end of the locking surface 151 is positioned inside the virtual arc C.
  • the lower end of the locking surface 151 is more inward in the virtual arc C, that is, closer to the center O of rotation, than the upper end of the locking surface 151 is. Therefore, due to the biased force exerted in the removal direction 52, the locking portion 145 slides toward the lower end of the locking surface 151.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is rotated so as to be placed in the first orientation.
  • the lower portion 41L of the ink cartridge 30 placed in the second orientation crosses a first virtual plane P1 orthogonal to the insertion direction 51 (orthogonal to the drawing sheet of Fig. 13 ) at an angle of ⁇ .
  • the length of a normal extending from the center O of rotation toward a second virtual plane P2 orthogonal to the lower portion 41L (orthogonal to the drawing sheet of Fig. 13 ) at the lower end of the lower portion 41L will be denoted N.
  • the product of the force G of gravity and the distance L is equivalent to the size of moment with which the ink cartridge 30 is rotated in the clockwise direction in Fig. 12 , as in the equation described above.
  • the user presses the manipulation surface 92 downwardly.
  • the manipulation surface 92 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53, and also visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the forward direction 57 (insertion direction 51).
  • the manipulation surface 92 faces in the upward direction 54 and in the removal direction 52. Therefore, when the user manipulates the manipulation surface 92 to remove the ink cartridge 30 positioned in the cartridge attaching unit 110, a force is exerted on the ink cartridge 30 in the downward direction 53 and in the insertion direction 51.
  • the locking surface 151 is separated from the locking portion 145. Due to a force exerted in the downward direction 53, the ink cartridge 30 is rotated from the first orientation to the second orientation. A force that the user applies to the manipulation surface 92 to rotate the ink cartridge 30 from the first orientation to the second orientation is reduced when compared with a case in which the ink cartridge 30 is rotated from the first orientation to the second orientation while the locking surface 151 causes a slide with the locking portion 145.
  • the locking surface 151 is positioned below the locking portion 145. Then, the ink cartridge 30 is moved in the cartridge attaching unit 110 in the removal direction 52 by the biased force of the extension spring 114 and coiled spring 78. In the process of the removal of the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge attaching unit 110, when the ink cartridge 30 is moved in the removal direction 52 while the contacts 106 remain electrically connected to their corresponding electrodes 65, the contacts 106 slide on their corresponding electrodes 65. Due to the sliding of the contacts 106 on their corresponding electrodes 65, shavings may be generated from the electrodes 65.
  • the biased force that has been exerted on the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52 is eliminated, so an inertial force exerted on the ink cartridge 30 disappears and the movement of the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52 is terminated.
  • at least the rear cover 31 of the ink cartridge 30 is positioned outwardly beyond the opening 112 in the case 101 of the cartridge attaching unit 110, so the user can hold the rear cover 31 and can take out the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge attaching unit 110.
  • the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the attachment orientation, the light access portion 62 of the liquid level detection portion 60 is disposed above the IC board 64 in the upward direction 54. Therefore, shavings generated from the IC board 64 due to sliding with the contacts 106 are hard to adhere to the light access portion 62, and even if shavings are generated from the IC board 64, detection by the light access portion 62 is less affected.
  • the IC board 64 is disposed more forward than the light access portion 62 in the insertion direction 51, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attaching unit 110 or is removed from it, the light access portion 62 does not pass through a portion at which shavings are generated from the IC board 64, that is, the vicinity of the contacts 106, so shavings are harder to adhere to the light access portion 62.
  • the light access portion 62 Since the light access portion 62 has the side surfaces 66 and 67, a state of the amount of ink remaining in the retaining chamber 36 can be detected through the side surfaces 66 and 67.
  • the dimension of the side surface 66 in the upward direction 54 is smaller than the dimension of the side surface 66 in the insertion direction 51, and a dimension of the side surface 67 of the light access portion 62 in the upward direction 54 is smaller than a dimension of the side surface 67 of the light access portion 62 in the insertion direction 51, the dimension of the light access portion 62 in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54 is reduced.
  • the intervening wall 80 is disposed between the IC board 64 and the light access portion 62, the intervening wall 80 restricts a route through which shavings generated from the IC board 64 move to the light access portion 62.
  • the intervening wall 80 can restrict the route through which shavings generated from the IC board 64 move to the light access portion 62 more.
  • the dimension of the intervening wall 80 in the forward direction 57 and backward direction 58 is larger than its dimension in the right direction 55 and left direction 56, the distance from the IC board 64 to the light access portion 62 is prolonged. This makes it harder for shavings to reach the light access portion 62.
  • the intervening wall 80 is disposed closer to the light access portion 62 than the IC board 64 is, shavings generated from the IC board 64 can be easily restricted by the intervening wall 80.
  • the liquid level detection portion 60 is configured to change a state of the light passing from the first point toward the second point and accessing the light access portion 62 according to an amount of the liquid stored in the ink cartridge 30, the amount of the liquid stored in the ink cartridge 30 can be detected.
  • the liquid detection portion 60 further comprises a sensor arm 59, a portion 68 of which is configured to be positioned in the light accessing portion 62, wherein the portion 68 of the light attenuating portion 59 is configured to change a state of the light passing through the light access portion 62 depending on whether or not an amount of the liquid stored in the ink cartridge 30 is less than a particular amount, the amount of the liquid stored in the ink cartridge 30 can be detected based on the state of the light through the light access portion 62 with the position of the sensor arm 59.
  • the portion 68 of the sensor arm 59 is disposed above the circuit board 64 when the amount of the liquid stored in the cartridge 30 is greater than or equal to the particular amount. This makes it harder for shavings to reach the height at which the light passes through the light detection portion 62 for the detection of the amount of the liquid stored in the cartridge 30.
  • the intervening wall 80 extends upwardly beyond the sensor arm 59, which is in contact with the wall that defines the end of the light access portion 62 in the forward direction 57, the intervening wall 80 is positioned between the IC board 64 and the sensor arm 59. This placement of the intervening wall 80 makes it hard for shavings generated from the IC board 64 to reach a position at which the sensor arm 59 is detected by the sensor 103.
  • the recess 99 Since, on the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32, the recess 99 is displaced from the IC board 64 in the removal direction 52, shavings generated from the IC board 64 stay in the recess 99. This makes it hard for the shavings to scatter.
  • the center of the IC board 64 is disposed closer to the side surface 66 of the light access portion 62 than to the side surface 67.
  • the light emitting portion in the sensor 103 faces the side surface 67, and the photosensitive portion in the sensor 103 faces the side surface 66, as described above.
  • a distance over which shavings generated from the IC board 64 move to the side surface 67 is longer than a distance over which the shavings move to the side surface 66.
  • Light emitted from the light emitting portion in the sensor 103 has been diffused more greatly when the light exits the side surface 66 of the light access portion 62 than when the light enters the side surface 67 of the light access portion 62.
  • the possibility of the movement of the shavings to the side surface 66 is lower than the possibility of the movement of the shavings to the side surface 67. On the side surface 66, therefore, even if the shavings have moved to the light access portion 62, a detection result of the sensor 103 is less affected.
  • the rotation axis 61 of the sensor arm 59 is overlapped with the light access portion 62. Therefore, a portion, of the light access portion 62, that is used for rotation of the sensor arm 59 is reduced in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54. Therefore, the dimension of the IC board 64 in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54 is reduced. As a result, the internal space in the light access portion 62 can be saved.
  • the IC board 64 When viewed in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54, the IC board 64 is overlapped with the ink supply portion 34. This enables the ink cartridge 30 to be designed so that a distance between the IC board 64 and the light access portion 62 is prolonged.
  • IC board 64 is accurately positioned to the contacts 106 in the downward direction 53 and upward direction 54.
  • the light access portion 62 is displaced from the IC board 64 in the removal direction 52, and the locking surface 151 is displaced from the light access portion 62 in the removal direction 52. Therefore, when the circuit board 64, the light access portion 62, and the locking surface 151 intersect a virtual plane which is parallel with the insertion direction 51 and the upward direction 54, the dimension of the ink cartridge 30 in a direction orthogonal to the insertion direction 51 can be reduced.
  • the positional precision of the IC board 64 which is disposed at the front end in the insertion direction 51, is high, so the IC board 64 is reliably connected to the contacts 106.
  • the locking surface 151 disposed at the back end in the insertion direction 51 can easily perform an operation for locking and unlocking, that is, can easily rotate around the center O of rotation. A range over which the ink cartridge 30 is rotated for locking and unlocking can also be reduced.
  • the light access portion 62 is disposed closer to the locking surface 151 than the IC board 64 is. This enables the ink cartridge 30 to be designed so that the distance between the IC board 64 and the light access portion 62 is prolonged. Thus, it is possible to assure a large space for a member used to change the states of the ink supply portion 34 and light access portion 62, such as, for example, the sensor arm 59.
  • the light access portion 62 Since, in the upward direction 54, the upper end of the light access portion 62 is closer to the locking surface 151 than the IC board 64 is, the light access portion 62 can be disposed at a high position as much as possible, enabling the internal space of the retaining chamber 36 to be easily assured.
  • the ink cartridge 30 comprise the portion of the sensor arm 59 as the first light attenuating portion and the intervening wall 80 as the second light attenuating portion, and the first light attenuating portion and the second light attenuating portion are disposed above the circuit board 64.
  • This enables the sensor for detecting the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 and the sensor 103 for detecting the state of the liquid in the ink cartridge 30 to be disposed at an upper area of the cartridge attaching unit 110. It enables the both sensors to be disposed on the same electrical circuit board. Having a common electrical circuit board contributes to cost and space reduction compared to a situation in which two electrical circuit boards are provided for the two sensors respectively.
  • a change in the passing state in which light passes through the light access portion 62 may be achieved by using other than the sensor arm 59.
  • attenuation of light as a change in a state in which light passes through a light access portion 62 may be achieved by using a light attenuating portion that is movable due to a change in the liquid level in a liquid retaining chamber or by using a side surface of the light attenuating portion to completely block light.
  • the light attenuating portion may absorb part of light, may refract the light, or may totally reflect the light to attenuate the light. Another method may be used. The user may visually check the liquid level detecting portion to grasp the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid retaining chamber.
  • the liquid level detecting portion may include a light guide path as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-313447 .
  • the incidence part 67 or emission part 68 in the publication is equivalent to the light access portion.
  • the liquid level detection portion may comprise a reflecting member and a prism. That is, the light access portion may be used as a reflecting member which reflects light traveling from the first point toward the second point and accessing the light access portion 62.
  • Figs. 16A and 16B are a perspective view of the vicinity of a liquid detection portion in an ink cartridge; the cross-section of a portion ahead of a reflecting member 800 is illustrated. Although not illustrated in Figs.
  • an IC board is provided on the upper surface 414 of the ink cartridge and ahead of the reflecting member 800 and the reflecting member 800 is disposed behind and above the IC board as part of the light access portion.
  • the reflecting member 800 is provided at a distance above the upper surface 414 of the ink cartridge.
  • the reflecting member 800 has reflecting portions 801 and 802 that are formed with, for example, an aluminum foil and can thereby reflect light.
  • the upper surface 414 is made of a member through which light can pass.
  • a prism 390 is formed at the upper end of the retaining chamber 36. The prism 390 is disposed below the circuit board 64.
  • the prism 390 is configured to reflect light according to the amount of the liquid stored in the cartridge 30, and the reflecting member 800 is configured to reflect light traveling from the emitting portion toward the prism (390A) or reflect the light at the prism (390B) toward the photosensitive portion.
  • the retaining chamber 36 is fully filled with ink.
  • ink When ink is in contact with the faces 390A and 390B of the prism 390, which face the retaining chamber 36, light (indicated by a dashed line in Fig. 16B ) emitted from the light emitting portion in the sensor 103 in the right direction 55 is reflected in the downward direction 53 on the reflecting portion 801, passes through the surface 390A of the prism 390, and enters the retaining chamber 36. If ink in the retaining chamber 36 is reduced and is not in contact with the surfaces 390A or 390B of the prism 390, as illustrated in Fig.
  • the light which has been emitted from the light emitting portion in the sensor 103 and reflected in the downward direction 53 on the reflecting portion 801, is reflected in the right direction 55 on the surface 390A of the prism 390, propagates in the prism 390, is reflected in the upward direction 54 on the surface 390B, and reaches the reflecting portion 802.
  • the light reflected on the reflecting portion 802 reaches the photosensitive portion in the sensor 103.
  • the intensity of light received by the sensor 103 varies depending on the amount of ink remaining in the retaining chamber 36, so a decrease in the amount of remaining ink can be detected on the basis of a detection signal from the sensor 103.
  • the reflecting portions 801 and 802 are provided above the IC board, it is possible to prevent shavings generated from the IC board from adhering to the reflecting portions 801 and 802.
  • a light access portion can be defined as follows. Assuming that there are a position A and a position B aligned in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. When light, e.g., visible light or infrared light traveling in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56 is emitted from the position A, the light reaches the positon B with an intensity of I. When the light access portion is positioned between the position A and the position B and the amount of liquid stored in the chamber 36 is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount, the light emitted from the position A and traveling in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56 reaches one of a right side surface and a left side surface of the light access portion.
  • the light emitting portion of the sensor 103 is placed at the position A, and the light receiving portion (photosensitive portion) of the sensor 103 is placed at the position B.
  • the collector current value of the phototransistor is C when the phototransistor receives light with the intensity of I.
  • the light access portion is positioned between the position A and the position B and the amount of liquid stored in the chamber 36 is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount, the light emitted from the position A and traveling in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56 reaches one of the right side surface and the left side surface of the light access portion.
  • the side surface 66 corresponds to the right side surface of the light access portion
  • the side surface 67 corresponds to the left side surface of the light access portion
  • the maximum dimension of the light access portion in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 (in the embodiment described above, the maximum distance between the side surface 66 and the side surface 67 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56) is less than the maximum dimension of the ink cartridge 30 (in the embodiment described above, the maximum distance between the side surface 143 or 37 and the side surface 144 or 38 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56).
  • the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion (photosensitive portion) of the sensor 103 can be placed close to each other, and therefore the accuracy of the detection of the amount of liquid becomes higher.
  • the light access portion intersects the light traveling in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56 while the electrode 65 is accessed in the downward direction 53 which is perpendicular to the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. Therefore, if the electrode 65 is accessed by the contact 106 in the downward direction 53 and the ink cartridge 30 should changes its orientation, the ink cartridge 30 changes its orientation in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, but not in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. Therefore, when the electrode 65 is accessed, an angle at which the light intersects the light access portion does not change. If the angle at which the light intersects the light access portion changed, such a change would affect the detection of the amount of liquid. Nevertheless, because the direction in which the light travels is perpendicular to the direction in which the electrode 65 is accessed, the angle at which the light intersects the light access portion does not change, and influence on the detection of the amount of liquid is reduced.
  • the cartridge attaching unit 110 may lack the slider 107 and extension spring 114, and only the coiled spring 78 in the ink supply portion 34 may be used to bias the ink cartridge 30 inserted into the cartridge attaching unit 110 in the removal direction 52.
  • the IC board 64 and locking surface 151 have been disposed on different covers, front cover 32 and rear cover 31, in the embodiment described above, the IC board 64 and locking surface 151 may be disposed on the same cover member.
  • the rear surface 82 of the intervening wall 80 has Y-shaped portion and the Y-shaped rear surface 82 covers a front part of the light access portion 62
  • the rear surface 82 of the intervening wall may have I-shaped portion, not Y-shaped portion.
  • the dimension of the intervening wall 80 in the left direction and the right direction may be smaller than the distance of the side surface 66 and 67 of the light access portion.
  • a preprocessing liquid expelled to a recoding sheet during printing before ink is expelled may be retained in the liquid cartridge.
  • water used to clean the recording head 21 may be retained in the liquid cartridge.

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EP21209370.2A 2015-07-01 2015-07-01 Flüssigkeitskartusche Active EP3978255B1 (de)

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EP20169427.0A EP3702162B1 (de) 2015-07-01 2015-07-01 Flüssigkeitskartusche
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JP2005313447A (ja) 2004-04-28 2005-11-10 Seiko Epson Corp 液体貯留部材、及び、液体消費装置
JP2010023458A (ja) * 2008-07-24 2010-02-04 Canon Inc インクタンクおよびインクジェット記録システム
US20110234658A1 (en) * 2010-03-25 2011-09-29 Seiko Epson Corporation Liquid container and liquid ejecting system
JP2013049165A (ja) 2011-08-30 2013-03-14 Brother Industries Ltd 印刷流体カートリッジ及び記録装置
EP2607082A1 (de) * 2011-12-22 2013-06-26 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Druckflüssigkeitspatrone, Druckvorrichtung und Verwendung der Druckflüssigkeitspatrone
JP2014019130A (ja) 2012-07-23 2014-02-03 Seiko Epson Corp カートリッジ

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JP2005313447A (ja) 2004-04-28 2005-11-10 Seiko Epson Corp 液体貯留部材、及び、液体消費装置
JP2010023458A (ja) * 2008-07-24 2010-02-04 Canon Inc インクタンクおよびインクジェット記録システム
US20110234658A1 (en) * 2010-03-25 2011-09-29 Seiko Epson Corporation Liquid container and liquid ejecting system
JP2013049165A (ja) 2011-08-30 2013-03-14 Brother Industries Ltd 印刷流体カートリッジ及び記録装置
EP2607082A1 (de) * 2011-12-22 2013-06-26 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Druckflüssigkeitspatrone, Druckvorrichtung und Verwendung der Druckflüssigkeitspatrone
JP2014019130A (ja) 2012-07-23 2014-02-03 Seiko Epson Corp カートリッジ

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EP3702162B1 (de) 2021-11-24
EP3978255B1 (de) 2024-05-29
ES2787036T3 (es) 2020-10-14
EP3112164B1 (de) 2018-10-24
EP3702162A1 (de) 2020-09-02
PL3112164T3 (pl) 2019-07-31
EP3112164A1 (de) 2017-01-04
EP3453534B1 (de) 2020-04-15
ES2693527T3 (es) 2018-12-12
ES2900591T3 (es) 2022-03-17
EP3453534A1 (de) 2019-03-13

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