ES2512816T5 - Printing fluid cartridge, printing apparatus, and use of the printing fluid cartridge - Google Patents

Description

DESCRIPTION

Printing Fluid Cartridge, Printing Apparatus, and Use of the Printing Fluid Cartridge Background of the Invention

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a printing fluid cartridge configured to be mounted on a cartridge mounting portion, and to a printing apparatus including said printing fluid cartridge.

2. Description of Related Art

A known image printing apparatus, described in Patent Application Publication No. JP 2009-132098A, is configured to print an image on a recording paper sheet. Known image recording apparatus has an ink jet recording head and is configured to selectively eject ink droplets by nozzles of the recording head onto the recording paper sheet. The ink droplets fall onto the recording paper sheet and thereby a desired image is printed on the recording paper sheet. The known image recording apparatus has an ink cartridge, and the ink cartridge is configured to store ink to be supplied to the recording head. The ink cartridge is configured to be mounted and removed from a mounting portion provided in the known image recording apparatus.

Another known ink cartridge, disclosed in Patent Application Publication No. JP 2000-37880, has an electronic component such as a memory module for storing data about ink cartridge information, for example, ink color. ink, ink ingredients, amount of ink remaining, maintenance status, etc. When the ink cartridge is mounted on a mounting portion, the memory module contacts and is electrically connected to electrical contacts provided on the mounting portion, such that data stored in the memory module can be read.

Summary of the invention

However, if no electrical connection is established between the memory module and the contacts, or if the data stored in the memory module is corrupted or the data is not read for any reason, even when the ink cartridge containing a sufficient amount cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion, the ink cartridge cannot be used because the data cannot be read. When this occurs, the user has to use a new ink cartridge and the ink stored in the unused ink cartridge is wasted.

EP 1547783 A2 describes a printing fluid cartridge configured to be mounted on a cartridge mounting portion including an optical sensor and at least one contact, the printing fluid cartridge includes at least one electrical interface configured to allow electrical access to a integrated circuit disposed in the printing fluid cartridge and configured to electrically connect with the at least one contact; wherein the printing fluid cartridge is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in an insertion direction in a vertical position, and the printing fluid cartridge in the vertical position has a width in a width direction, a height in a height direction, and a depth in a depth direction, where the width direction, the height direction and the depth direction are perpendicular to each other. The printing fluid cartridge includes a prism that is not configured to be inserted between a light emitter and a light receiver of the optical sensor and to be detected by the optical sensor. Therefore, there is a need for a printing fluid cartridge and printing apparatus, which overcomes these and other drawbacks in the related art. A technical advantage of the present invention is that a printing fluid cartridge can be used even when no electrical connection is established between an electrical interface of the printing fluid cartridge and a contact or no data is read via the electrical interface.

According to the present invention, a printing fluid cartridge is described in claim 1.

With this configuration, since the printing fluid cartridge includes the light attenuation portion configured to be detected by the optical sensor independent of the at least one electrical interface, even though it does not establish an electrical connection between the at least one electrical interface and at least one contact or no data is read by the at least one electrical interface, it can be determined that the printing fluid cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion based on information obtained from the light attenuation portion. Therefore, the printing fluid cartridge can be used even if the electrical connection between the at least one electrical interface and at least one contact is not established or data is not read by the at least one electrical interface.

Other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the needs it meets, and its objects, features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a printer including a cartridge mounting portion and an ink cartridge, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge.

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge.

Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cartridge mounting portion and the ink cartridge.

Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion.

Fig. 7 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion and the ink cartridge during mounting of the ink cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion.

Fig. 8 is another vertical partial cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion and the ink cartridge during mounting of the ink cartridge in the cartridge mounting portion, in which the ink cartridge is inserted further from the position represented in figure 7 .

Fig. 9 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion and the ink cartridge, in which the mounting of the ink cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion has been completed. Fig. 10A is a side view of an ink cartridge according to a modified embodiment.

Fig. 10B is a front view of the ink cartridge of Fig. 10A.

Fig. 11A is a side view of an ink cartridge according to another modified embodiment.

Figure 11B is a front view of the ink cartridge of Figure 11A.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

Embodiments of the present invention, and its features and advantages, can be understood with reference to Figures 1-11B, like numerals being used for like parts throughout the various drawings.

[Printer 10]

Referring to Fig. 1, a printing apparatus, for example, a printer 10 is an ink jet printer configured to print an image on a recording paper sheet by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto the recording paper sheet. The printer 10 includes an ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge mounting portion 110. The cartridge mounting portion 110 is configured to mount a printing fluid cartridge therein, for example. example, an ink cartridge 30. The cartridge mounting portion 110 has an opening 112 and the interior of the cartridge mounting portion 110 is exposed to the exterior of the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112. The ink cartridge ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112, such that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be removed from cartridge mounting portion 110 through opening 112.

The ink cartridge 30 is configured to store ink, which is used by the printer 10. The printer 10 includes a print head 21 and an ink tube 20. The ink cartridge 30 and the print head 21 are connected by fluid via the ink tube 20 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. The print head 21 includes a sub-tank 28. The sub-tank 28 is configured to temporarily store ink supplied via the ink tube. 20 from ink cartridge 30. Print head 21 includes nozzles 29 and is configured to selectively eject ink supplied from secondary reservoir 28 through nozzles 29.

The printer 10 includes a paper feed tray 15, a paper feed roller 23, a pair of transport rollers 25, a roller 26, a pair of discharge rollers 22, and a discharge tray 16. a transport path 24 from the paper feed tray 15 to the discharge tray 16 by means of the pair of transport rollers 25, the roller 26, and the pair of discharge rollers 22. The paper feed roller 23 is configured to feed a recording paper sheet from the paper feed tray 15 to the conveying path 24. The pair of conveying rollers 25 is configured to convey the recording paper sheet fed from the paper feed tray 15 onto the roller 26. The print head 21 is configured to selectively eject ink onto the recording paper sheet passing over roller 26. Consequently, an image is printed on the recording paper sheet. l printing. The recording paper sheet that has passed over the roller 26 is discharged by the pair of discharge rollers 22 to the paper discharge tray 16 arranged on the downmost side of the transport path 24.

[Ink cartridge 30]

Referring to Figures 2 to 5, the ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 in an insertion/extraction direction 50, while the ink cartridge 30 is in a vertical position. , as shown in FIG. 2, with an upper face of the ink cartridge 30 facing upwards and a lower face of the ink cartridge 30 facing downwards. The insertion/extraction direction 50 extends in a horizontal direction. The ink cartridge 30 is in the upright position when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the mounted position. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in an insertion direction 56 and to be removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 in an extraction direction 55. The insertion/extraction direction 50 is a combination of the insertion direction 56 and the removal direction 55. The insertion direction 56 extends in a horizontal direction and the removal direction 55 extends in a horizontal direction. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the vertical position, a height direction (up-down direction) 52 corresponds to the gravitational direction (vertical direction). In another embodiment, the insertion/extraction direction 50 may not exactly extend in a horizontal direction, but may extend in a direction that intersects a horizontal direction and the gravitational direction (vertical direction).

The ink cartridge 30 has a substantially parallelepiped shape and includes a main body 31 and a bracket 90. The main body 31 and the bracket 90 form the exterior of the ink cartridge 30. The ink cartridge 30 is a reservoir configured to store ink . The ink cartridge 30 includes an ink chamber 36, which is a space formed inside the ink cartridge 30. More specifically, the main body 31 includes the ink chamber 36 formed therein, for example, the main body 31 includes an inner frame 35, and the ink chamber 36 is formed in the inner frame 35. The ink cartridge 30 has a width in a width direction (left-right direction) 51, a height in a height (up-down direction) 52, and a depth in a depth direction (front-back direction) 53. The width direction (left-right direction) 51, the height direction (up- down) 52, and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 are perpendicular to each other. The width of the ink cartridge 30 is less than the height and depth of the ink cartridge 30. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position (vertical position), the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is parallel to a horizontal plane, the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 is also parallel to the horizontal plane, and the height direction (up-down direction) 52 is parallel to the gravitational direction (vertical direction). When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted/removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 is parallel to the insertion/removal direction 50, and the width direction (direction left-right) 51 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52 are perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50. The height direction (up-down direction) 52 is parallel to an upward direction and a downward direction and is a combination of the upward direction and the downward direction.

The ink cartridge 30 includes a front wall 40 and a rear wall 42 opposite the front wall 40 with respect to the insertion direction 56. The front wall 40 is positioned on a front side of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the insertion direction. 56 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. More specifically, the front wall 40 faces the insertion direction 56, in other words, the front wall 40 faces the insertion direction 56, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The rear wall 42 is placed on a rear side of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the insertion direction 56 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. More specifically, the rear wall 42 faces the extraction direction 55, in other words, the rear wall 42 faces the extraction direction 55, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 are aligned in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. The front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 are aligned in the insertion/extraction direction 50 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 includes sidewalls 37, 38, each of which extends in the direction of insertion/extraction 50 and is connected to the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42. The side walls 37 and 38 are aligned in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The ink cartridge 30 includes a top wall 39 connected to upper ends of front wall 40, rear wall 42, and side walls 37 and 38. Ink cartridge 30 includes a lower wall 41 connected to lower ends of front wall 40, rear wall 42, and side walls 37, 38. The upper wall 39 and the lower wall 41 are aligned in the height direction (up-down direction) 52. An outer face of the front wall 40 is a front face of the ink cartridge 30, and an outer face of the rear wall 42 is a rear face of the ink cartridge 30. Therefore, the front face of the ink cartridge 30 faces the insertion direction 56 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the upright position, and the rear face of the ink cartridge 30 faces the drawing direction 55 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the upright position. In addition, the front face of the ink cartridge 30 faces an end face of the cartridge mounting portion 110, as can be seen in Figs. 7 to 9, the end face forming its right end side in these figures. An outer face of the upper wall 39 is an upper face of the ink cartridge 30, and an outer face of the bottom wall 31 is a bottom face of the ink cartridge 30. Therefore, the top face of the ink cartridge 30 faces in the upward direction when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 at the bottom. vertical position, and the lower face of the ink cartridge 30 faces in the downward direction when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the vertical position. The upper face is connected to upper ends of the front face and the rear face, and the lower face is connected to lower ends of the front face and the rear face. Similarly, the outer faces of the side walls 37, 38 are side faces of the ink cartridge 30.

In this embodiment, the bracket 90 includes the front wall 40, a side wall portion 37, a side wall portion 38, an upper wall portion 39, and a lower wall portion 41, and the main body. 31 includes rear wall 42, other side wall portion 37, other side wall portion 38, other top wall portion 39, and other bottom portion 41. Therefore, the bracket 90 includes the front face of the ink cartridge 30, a portion of the upper face of the ink cartridge 30, a portion of the lower face of the ink cartridge 30, and portions of the side faces of the ink cartridge 30, and the body main 31 includes the rear face of the ink cartridge 30, the other portion of the upper face of the ink cartridge 30, the other portion of the lower face of the ink cartridge 30, and the other portions of the side faces of the ink cartridge 30.

[Main body 31]

Referring to Figs. 2 to 4, the main body 31 includes a detecting portion 33 at a middle portion of the main body 31 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The detecting portion 33 is placed on a front wall 40 side of the main body 31. More specifically, the detecting portion 33 is placed on a front face of the main body 31, and the front face of the main body 31 faces the insertion direction 56, in In other words, it faces the insertion direction 56 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The bracket 90 includes a first projection 85 that includes a detection portion, for example, a rib 88. The first projection 85 includes a forward end with respect to the insertion direction 56. The rib 88 includes a forward end with respect to the insertion direction 56. The bracket 90 includes a second projection 86. The second or projection 86 includes a forward end with respect to the direction of insertion 56. Bracket 90 includes another sensing portion 89. Sensing portion 33 is positioned further rearward than the forward end of the first projection 85, the forward end of the rib 88, the front end of the second projection 86, and the detecting portion 89 with respect to the insertion direction 56. The detecting portion 33 has a box shape having an opening facing the ink chamber 36, so such that the interior of sensing portion 36 is in fluid communication with ink chamber 36. Sensing portion 33 includes a pair of walls made of a translucent, e.g., transparent or semi-transparent, resin configured to let ink into the ink chamber. light, eg, visible or infrared light, traveling in a direction perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction passes through. In this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50 is the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The detection portion 33 is exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 by an opening 95 formed through of the bracket 90 on a front wall 40 side of the bracket 90. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, an optical sensor 114 (see Fig. 6) emits light in the direction perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50. The detecting portion 33 can allow light emitted by the optical sensor 114 and reaching the detecting portion 33 via the opening 95 to pass through.

The detection portion wall pair 33 is aligned in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, and a space is formed between the detection portion wall pair 33. The ink stored in the ink chamber 36 can reach this space. Referring to Fig. 4, the main body 31 includes a sensor arm 60 disposed in the ink chamber 36. The sensor arm 60 includes an arm body 61 which extends mainly in the depth direction (forward-to-bottom direction). rear) 53, an indicator 62 placed at one end of the arm body 61, and a float 63 placed at the other end of the arm body 61. The indicator 62 is placed in the space formed between the pair of walls of the arm portion. sensor 33. The main body 31 includes a support shaft 64 extending in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, and the sensor arm 60 is supported by the support shaft 64, in such a way that the Sensor arm 60 can pivot about support axis 64. Sensor arm 60 is configured to pivot based on the amount of ink stored in ink chamber 36, and thus indicator 62 is configured to pivot based on the amount of ink stored in ink chamber 36. to the amount of tin It is stored in ink chamber 36. Sensor arm 60 is configured to move between an upper position and a lower position. When the sensor arm 60 is in the upper position, the indicator 62 is placed on an upper side of the detection portion 33 with respect to the gravitational direction (vertical direction). When the sensor arm 60 is in the lower position, the indicator 62 is placed on a lower side of the detection portion 33 with respect to the gravitational direction. Figure 4 illustrates the sensor arm 60 placed in the lower position when the ink chamber 36 stores a predetermined amount of ink or more.

When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the detection portion 33 is positioned between a light emitter and a light receiver of the optical sensor 114, which are aligned in a horizontal direction (the direction of the width or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the direction of insertion/extraction 50, and the detection portion 33 is configured to change its state between a first state and a second state. When the detecting portion 33 is in the first state, the detecting portion 33 allows light, emitted by the light emitter of the optical sensor 114 and traveling in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction). 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50, pass through it. When the detection portion 33 is in the second state, the detection portion 33 dims the light. More specifically, when the detection portion 33 is in the first state and the light reaches one side of the detection portion 33 in the direction (width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50, a predetermined amount or more of the light exits from the other side of the detection portion 33 in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50 and reaches the receiver of the optical sensor 114. When the detecting portion 33 is in the second state and the light arrives at a side of the detecting portion 33 in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50, the amount of light coming out from the other side of the detecting portion 33 and reaching the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 is less than the predetermined amount, for example, zero. When the sensor arm 60 is in the upper position, the detection portion 33 is in the first state allowing light to pass through. When the sensor arm 60 is in the lower position, the detection portion 33 is in the second state to dim the light. The light attenuation is produced by the indicator 62 which completely prevents light from passing through in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50, by the indicator 62 that absorbs a certain amount of light, by indicator 62 that deflects light, by indicator 62 that totally reflects light, etc. As such, the amount (intensity) of the light reaching the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 depends on the state of the detection portion 33. By detecting the state of the detection portion 33 with the optical sensor 114, it is determined whether the ink chamber 36 contains the predetermined amount of ink or more.

In another embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 may not include the sensor arm 60, and therefore the indicator 62 may not be placed on the detection portion 33. In such a case, when the detection portion 33 stores ink, the detection portion 33 can dim the light. When the detection portion 33 does not store ink, the detection portion 33 can allow light to pass through. More specifically, when the detecting portion 33 does not store ink and the light reaches one side of the detecting portion 33 in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50, the predetermined amount or more of the light can come out from the other side of the detection portion 33 in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50 and arrives at the light receiver of the optical sensor 114. When the detecting portion 33 stores ink and the light reaches one side of the detecting portion 33 in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the direction 50, the amount of light coming out from the other side of the detecting portion 33 and reaching the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 is less than the predetermined amount, for example, zero. Light attenuation can be caused by the ink absorbing a certain amount of light. In another embodiment, the detection portion 33 may include a flexible film that forms a space therein. When ink is stored in the space formed by the flexible film, the flexible film bulges. The ink cartridge 30 may include a pivotable lever that contacts the flexible film, and the lever can dim the light completely by preventing light from passing through it in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50, absorbing a certain amount of the light, deflecting the light, totally reflecting the light, etc. When the ink leaves the space formed by the flexible film and the flexible film shrinks, the lever contacting the flexible film can move to a position where the lever no longer dims the light. In another embodiment, the detection portion 33 includes a prism-shaped structure. In such a case, when the ink contacts the prism-shaped structure, the prism-shaped structure may reflect light in such a way that the light does not reach the light receiver of the optical sensor 114. When the ink does not contact the prism-shaped structure As a prism, the prism-shaped structure can reflect light in such a way that the light reaches the light receiver of the optical sensor 114.

The main body 31 has an air communication opening 32 on the front wall 40 side of the main body 31 above the detection portion 33. More specifically, the air communication opening 32 is placed on the front face of the main body 31 looking in the insertion direction 56. The air communication opening 32 has been formed through a wall defining the ink chamber 36 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. An air layer formed in the ink chamber 36 and the atmosphere outside the ink chamber 36 can be brought into fluid communication via the air communication opening 32. The air communication opening 32 is positioned between the front portion of the bracket 90 and the rear wall 42 of the main body 31. The bracket 90 has a circular opening 96 formed through a wall of the first projection 85 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, and l The air communication opening 32 is accessible through the opening 96 from outside the ink cartridge 30 in the drawing direction 55.

The main body 31 includes an air communication valve 73 configured to selectively open and close the air communication port 32. When the air communication port 32 is open, the pressure in the ink chamber 36 maintained at negative pressure is equal to atmospheric pressure. In another embodiment, the air communication opening 32 may not be placed on the front wall 40 side of the main body 31 and may be placed anywhere as long as the inside and outside of the ink chamber 36 can be connected. put in fluid communication. In another embodiment, ink cartridge 30 may be configured for use in printer 10 with ink chamber 36 maintained under negative pressure. In such a case, the ink cartridge 30 may not have the air communication opening 32.

The main body 31 includes a printing fluid supply portion, for example, an ink supply portion 34 on the front wall 40 side of the main body 31 below the detection portion 33. More specifically, the supply portion 34 has been placed on the front face of the main body 31 facing the insertion direction 56. The ink supply portion 34 has been placed on a lower portion of the front face of the main body 31, that is, in a bottom wall 41 side of the front face of the main body 31. The bracket 90 has a circular opening 97 formed through the front wall 40 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. The ink supply portion 34 has a cylindrical shape and extends through the opening 97 of the front wall 40 in the insertion/extraction direction 50. Therefore, the ink supply portion 34 is placed on the front wall 34. front d 40. The ink supply portion 34 has an ink supply opening 71 formed at the distal end of the ink supply portion 34.

An ink path 72 is formed in the ink supply portion 34. The ink path 72 extends from the ink supply opening 71 to the ink chamber 36 in the depth direction (front-back direction). 53. The main body 31 includes an ink supply valve 70 configured to selectively open and close the ink supply port 71. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, a tube of ink supply is inserted. 122 disposed on the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the ink supply opening 71 and pushes the ink supply valve 70 such that the ink supply opening 71 opens. When this occurs, ink exits ink chamber 36 into ink tube 122 via ink path 72 in insertion direction 56.

In another embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 may not include the ink supply valve 70. In such a case, the ink supply opening 71 may be covered and closed with a film. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink tube 122 can pass through the film, so that the ink supply port 71 opens.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the main body 31 includes a hook hook 43 on a bottom wall side 41 and the front wall side 40 of the main body 31. The hook hook 43 extends forward in the direction depth (front-rear direction) 53 from a lower portion of the front face of the main body 31. The front end of the hook hook 43 includes two projections extending outward in opposite directions in the width direction (direction left-right) 51. A notch has been formed in the latch hook 43. The notch is placed in a middle portion of the latch hook 43 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. With this notch, the The latch hook 43 is configured to elastically deform so that its dimension in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 decreases when the bracket 90 and the main body 31 are assembled. The projections at the front end of the latch hook 43 are they expand back to normal and are positioned in elongated openings 91, 92 formed through the bracket 90, respectively, and contact interior surfaces of the walls defining the elongated openings 91, 92, respectively, in such a way as to complete the mounting.

The main body 31 includes an engaging portion 45 positioned at one side of the upper wall 39 of the ink cartridge 30. More specifically, the engaging portion 45 is positioned at a middle portion of the upper wall 39 with respect to the direction of rotation. depth (front-rear direction) 53. The engaging portion 45 extends upwardly from the top wall 39 and away from the ink chamber 36 and includes an engaging surface 46 extending in the width direction (direction left-right) 51 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The engagement surface 46 faces backward with respect to the insertion direction 56, in other words, it faces the removal direction 55, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. In another embodiment, the engaging surface 46 may not extend vertically from the top wall 39, but may be inclined with respect to the direction height adjustment (up-down direction) 52, and may face backward with respect to the insertion direction 56, in other words, face the removal direction 55, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the portion cartridge mounting portion 110. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the engaging surface 46 contacts an engaging member 145 of the cartridge mounting portion 110, and receives an external force. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted and held in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 is pushed in the drawing direction 55, and thus, the engaging surface 46 pushes the latching member. engagement 145 in the withdrawal direction 55. As a consequence, the engagement surface 46 receives a reaction force from the engagement element 145 in the insertion direction 56.

The main body 31 includes a pivot member 80 positioned on an upper side of the main body 31 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and on a rear wall 42 side of the main body 31. More specifically , the pivot member 80 is positioned at a rear portion of the wall 39. Pivot member 80 has a curved flat plate shape and its longest dimension extends in a direction substantially parallel to the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. Pivot member 80 includes a shaft 83 at its curved tip. The curved tip is positioned at a middle portion of the pivot member 80 with respect to the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. The shaft 83 extends in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. Shaft 83 is supported by the other portion of main body 31 at a position spaced from latching surface 46 towards rear wall 42, such that pivot member 80 can pivot about shaft 83. Pivot member 80 includes a front end portion 81 and a rear end portion 82. The front end portion 81 extends from the axis 83 towards the engagement surface 46. The rear end portion 82 extends from the axis 83 towards the rear wall 42. .

When no external force is applied to the pivot member 80, the pivot member 80 is positioned such that the leading end portion 81 is positioned furthest from the top wall 39, that is, the leading end portion 81 is at the upper position relative to the upper wall 39, due to its own weight, that is, the rear end portion 82 is heavier than the forward end portion 81. When the pivot member 80 is in this position, the rear end portion 82 The leading end portion 81 may extend outwardly beyond an upper end of any other portion of the main body 31, i.e., here the upper end of the latch portion 45. In another embodiment, the leading end portion 81 may not extend. extend out beyond the upper end of any other main body portion 31 and may be positioned further in than the upper end of the other main body portion 31, i.e. positioned below from the upper end of the other main body portion 31. When the front end portion 81 is pushed down, the pivot member 80 pivots in the clockwise direction in Fig. 4 against its own weight. When the pivot member 80 pivots in the clockwise direction as far as possible, the leading end portion 81 is positioned below an upper end of the engaging surface 46. In another embodiment, the pivot member 80 may be formed integrally with the other main body portion 31. In another embodiment, the pivot member 80 may be biased by a spring in the clockwise direction. In such a case, when the rear end portion 82 is pushed down, the pivot member 80 pivots in the counterclockwise direction against the biasing force of the spring.

As mentioned above, the main body 31 includes the side wall portions 37, 38. Each of the side wall portions 37, 38 extends from the rear wall 42 to a middle portion of the main body 31 with respect to the rear wall. to the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. Each of the side wall portions 37, 38 includes a flat plate portion, and a tapered portion in front of the flat plate portion with respect to the depth direction. depth (front-rear direction) 53. More specifically, each flat plate portion includes a flat outer surface extending in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the height direction (up-rear direction). down) 52 and a flat inner surface extending in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The tapered portion includes and e a flat outer surface extending in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and an inclined inner surface 47 or 48 extending in an inclined direction in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and extending in the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The side wall portion 37 includes the sloped inner surface 47 and the side wall portion 38 includes the inclined inner surface 48. When the bracket 90 is not mounted to the main body 31 before mounting the ink cartridge 30, a front portion of the inner frame 35 defining the ink chamber 36 is not covered by the portions of the side walls 37, 38 and is exposed.

[Corbel 90]

The bracket 90 is mounted on the main body 31. The bracket 90 covers a front portion of the main body 31 extending from around the inner inclined surfaces 47, 48 to the front face of the main body 31 facing in the direction of insertion. 56. More specifically, the bracket 90 covers the front face of the main body 31, the side wall 37 side of the front portion of the main body 31, the side wall 38 side of the front portion of the main body 31, the side of upper wall 39 of the front portion of the main body 31, and the lower wall 41 side of the front portion of the main body 31. In other words, the bracket 90 covers the front face of the main body 31, an upper face, an upper face. bottom, and side faces of the front portion of the main body 31.

As described above, bracket 90 includes side wall portions 37, 38. Side wall portions 37, 38 have elongated openings 91, 92 formed therethrough, respectively. Elongated openings 91, 92 are positioned in bottom wall sides 41 of side wall portions 37, 38, respectively. In other words, the elongated openings 91, 92 are positioned at the lower portions of the side wall portions 37, 38. Each of the elongated openings 91, 92 has a predetermined dimension in the height direction (direction from above). -below) 52 reasonably longer than the respective dimensions of the latch hook forward end projections 43 in order to provide substantial vertical clearance in said direction. The projections of the front end of the hook hook 43 are placed in the elongated openings 91, 92, respectively, and contact interior surfaces of the walls defining the elongated openings 91, 92, respectively. If an attempt is made to remove the bracket 90 from the main body 31 by pulling the bracket 90 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, the projections on the front end of the hook hook 43 catch on the inner surfaces of the walls defining the elongated openings 91, 92, so that the bracket 90 cannot be removed from the main body 31. The dimension of each of the protrusions of the front end of the hook hook 43 in the height direction (up-down direction) down) 52 is less than the dimension of each of the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The side wall portions 37, 38 include end portions 93, 94 in its rear wall side 42, respectively. The end portions 93, 94 extend in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and are covered by the tapered portions of the side wall portions 37, 38 of the main body 31, respectively. The end portions 93, 94 face the inner sloped surfaces 47, 48 of the tapered portions, respectively, that is, the end portions 93, 94 overlap the inner sloped surfaces 47, 48 in the width direction (clockwise direction). -right) 51. The bracket 90 is configured for movement relative to the main body 31 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 within a range defined by the dimension of the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height direction. height (up-down direction) 52 by allowing the projections on the front end of the latch hook 43 to slide into the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52. In other words , there is a space between each of the hook hook front end protrusions 43 and one end of a corresponding opening of the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height direction (upward direction). up-down) 52, such that the bracket 90 can slide on the main body 31 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52. When the bracket 90 moves relative to the main body 31, the portions end caps 93, 94 of bracket 90 slide on inner sloped surfaces 47, 48, respectively. In other words, the inclined inner surfaces 47, 48 function as guides when the bracket 90 moves relative to the main body 31. The bracket 90 is supported by an upper surface of the front portion of the main body 31 below in a normal state. .

The bracket 90 has the opening 95 formed therethrough in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The opening 95 has been placed on the front wall 40 side of the bracket 90 in a middle portion of the bracket 90 with respect to the height direction (left-right direction) 52. In this embodiment, the opening 95 has a rectangular shape, but it can have any other suitable shape according to the modified embodiments. The opening 95 has dimensions and size corresponding to the detecting portion 33 of the main body 31 and is at a position corresponding to the detecting portion 33, such that the detecting portion 33 is exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 by the opening 95 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. A portion of the bracket 90 defining the opening 95 includes the detecting portion 89 extending in the height direction (up-down direction) 52, and a support portion 79 extending from the lower end of the detection portion 89 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 toward the main body 31 and configured to support the detection portion 33 below . When the bracket 90 is supported by the upper surface of the main body front portion 31 below, there is a gap between the detecting portion 33 and the supporting portion 79. When the bracket 90 moves in the upward direction relative to the main body 31, the supporting portion 79 contacts a lower end of the detecting portion 33. The range within which the bracket 90 moves relative to the main body 31 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 can be defined by the dimension of the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 allowing the protrusions on the front end of the latch hook 43 to slide into the elongated openings 91, 92 at the height direction (up-down direction) 52 o may be defined by the space between the detecting portion 33 and the supporting portion 79 formed when the bracket 90 is supported by the super surface ior of the front portion of the main body 31 below.

The bracket 90 has the opening 96 formed through a wall of the first projection 85 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, and the opening 96 is placed on an upper projection, that is, the first projection 85 with respect to to the height direction 52. In this embodiment, the opening 96 has a circular shape, but any other shapes are also possible according to the modified embodiments. The opening 96 has a dimension and size corresponding to the air communication opening 32 of the main body 31 and is in a position corresponding to the air communication opening 32, such that the air communication opening 32 is accessible to through the opening 96 from the outside of the ink cartridge 30 in the drawing direction 55.

The bracket 90 has the opening 97 formed through the front wall 40 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, and the opening 97 has been placed at a lower portion of the front wall 40 with respect to the depth direction. height 52. In this embodiment, the opening 97 has a circular shape but any other shapes are also possible according to the modified embodiments. The opening 97 has a dimension and size corresponding to the ink supply portion 34 of the main body 31 and is at a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 34, such that the ink supply portion 34 extends to through the opening 37 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53.

Bracket 90 includes first projection 85 and second projection 86 on front wall 40. First projection 85 extends from the upper end of front wall 40 in the direction of insertion 56 away from rear wall 42. The width of the first projection 85 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is the same as the width of the front wall 40 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. In another embodiment, the width of the first projection 85 may be smaller than the width of the front wall 40. The front end of the first projection 85 has been placed further forward than the ink supply opening 71 formed at the distal end of the ink supply portion 34 in the direction insert 56 away from the rear wall 42. The first projection 85 has a recess, for example, a groove 87 formed in a middle portion of the first projection 85 with respect to the width direction (left direction). d-right) 52. Slot 87 extends in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53. Slot 87 opens forward in the insertion direction 56 and opens upward in the height direction ( up-down direction) 52. Both sides of the slot 87 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 are defined and closed by a pair of surfaces of the first protrusion 85 (side walls of the slot 87) , and the bottom of the slot 87 is defined and closed by a surface of the first projection 85. The cross section of the slot 87 taken along the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the direction of the width (left-right direction) 51 is rectangular but other cross sections are also possible according to the modified embodiments.

The first projection 85 includes the rib 88 disposed in a middle portion of the groove 87 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The rib 88 extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The rib 88 extends in the upward direction from the surface of the first projection 85 that defines the bottom of the slot 87. The rib 88 extends from the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 in the depth direction 53 or the insertion direction 56. The rib 88 has been placed at or adjacent to a boundary between the top wall 39 and the front wall 40. Each of the surfaces sides of rib 88 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52 parallel next to his surfaces of the first projection 85 that define both sides of the groove 87 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The surfaces of the first projection 85 that define both sides of the groove 87 with respect to the direction of the width (left-right direction) 51 are opposite the side surfaces of the rib 88 in the width (left-right direction) direction 52, respectively. Rib 88 is configured to attenuate light, eg, visible or infrared light, traveling in a direction perpendicular to insertion/extraction direction 50. In this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to insertion/extraction direction 50 is the width direction (left-right direction) 51. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rib 88 is positioned between a light emitter and a light receiver of a sensor optic 116, which are aligned in a horizontal direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50. The rib 88 is configured to attenuate the light, which is emitted by the light emitter of the optical sensor 116 and advances in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50. When the light reaches one side of the rib 88 in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50, the amount of light exiting the other side of the rib 88 and reaching the light receiver of the optical sensor 116 is less than a predetermined amount, eg zero. In other words, rib 88 is configured to attenuate the amount or intensity of light to a level sufficient to be detected by optical sensor 116. Light attenuation is caused by rib 88 completely preventing light from passing through. therethrough in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50, by the rib 88 which absorbs a certain amount of light, by the rib 88 which deflects the light, by rib 88 which totally reflects light, etc. As such, rib 88 can be detected by optical sensor 116. The dimension of rib 88 from front wall 40 to the forward end of rib 88 in the direction of insertion 56 away from rear wall 42 varies from cartridge type to cartridge. ink cartridge 30 to another type of ink cartridge 30. Different types of ink cartridges 30 may include different colors of ink, different ink ingredients such as dye and pigment, different initial amounts of ink stored in ink chamber 36 , etc.

In another embodiment, the first projection 85 may have a recess 87 formed therein. The recess 87 may be forwardly open in the insertion direction 56, upwardly open in the height direction (top-down direction) 52, and open on one side or both sides of the first projection 85 in the width direction. (left-right direction) 51, ie at least one of the side walls of the slot 87 can be omitted. When both sidewalls of slot 87 are omitted, rib 88 protrudes only from the platform provided by first projection 85. In this modified embodiment and the embodiment described above, rib 88 may also take on a guiding function with respect to any moving parts arranged in the cartridge mounting portion 110, a function that could also be performed by the side walls of the slot 87 in the embodiment detailed above.

The second projection 86 extends from the lower end of the front wall 40 in the insertion direction 56 away from the rear wall 42. The second projection 86 has been positioned below the ink supply portion 34. The width of the second projection 86 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is the same as the width of the front wall 40 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. In another In this embodiment, the width of the second projection 86 may be smaller than the width of the front wall 40. The front end of the second projection 86 is positioned further forward than the ink supply opening 71 formed at the distal end of the ink portion. ink supply 34 in the direction of insertion 56 away from the rear wall 42. The dimension of the second projection 86 from the front wall 40 to the forward end of the second projection 86 in the direction of insertion 56 away from the rear wall 42 varies from one type of ink cartridge 30 to another type of ink cartridge 30. Different types of ink cartridges 30 may include different colors of ink, different ink ingredients such as dye and pigment, different initial amounts of ink stored in the ink chamber 36, etc. In this embodiment, the second projection 86 is indirectly detected by an optical sensor 117 (see Fig. 1). In another embodiment, the second projection 86 can be directly detected by the optical sensor 117.

The bracket 90 includes the detection portion 89 at or adjacent to the front wall 40 between the first projection 85 and the second projection 86 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The detection portion 89 is has been positioned further forward than the detection portion 33 in the insertion direction 56 away from the rear wall 42. The detection portion 33 and the detection portion 89 are aligned in the insertion direction 56. The width of the detection portion detection portion 33 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is the same as the width of the detection portion 33 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, but other larger or smaller widths are also possible according to the modified embodiments. The detection portion 89 is configured to attenuate light, for example, visible or infrared light, traveling in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50 passing through its through. More specifically, during mounting of the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the detection portion 89 passes between the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 114. When this occurs, the detection portion 89 attenuates the light, which is emitted by the light emitter of the optical sensor 114 and advances in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50. When the light arrives to one side of the detection portion 89 in the direction (the width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50, the amount of light coming out from the other side of the detection portion 89 and reaching the optical sensor light receiver 114 is less than the predetermined amount, eg, zero. In other words, the detection portion 89 is configured to attenuate the amount or intensity of light to a level sufficient to be detected by the optical sensor 114. The light attenuation is caused by the detection portion 89 which completely prevents the light passes through it in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50, by the detecting portion 89 that absorbs a certain amount of the light, by the portion detection portion 89 that deflects light, by detection portion 89 that totally reflects light, etc. As such, detection portion 89 can be detected by optical sensor 114.

There is a gap between the detecting portion 89 and the detecting portion 33 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. During the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the light, which is emitted by the light emitter of the optical sensor 114 and travels in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50, passes through the gap and reaches the light receiver. light from optical sensor 114. The amount of light leaving the range and reaching the light receiver of optical sensor 114 is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount. The dimension of the detecting portion 89 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 varies from one type of the ink cartridge 30 to another type of the ink cartridge 30. Different types of the ink cartridges 30 may include different ink colors, different ink ingredients such as dye and pigment, different initial amounts of ink stored in the ink chamber 36, and so on.

The front end of the first projection 85, the front end of the second projection 86, and the detection portion 89 are positioned further forward than the detection portion 33 with respect to the insertion direction 56. In other words, the detection portion 33 is positioned further back than the front end of the first projection 85, the front end of the second projection 86, and the detecting portion 89 with respect to the insertion direction 56. Each of the detecting portion 33 and the opening of ink supply 71 has been placed between the first projection 85 and the second projection 86 with respect to the height direction 52.

The ink cartridge 30 includes a guide portion 65 on the top wall 39. The guide portion 65 is a pair of ribs extending upwardly on the top wall 39 and extending in the depth direction (forward direction). -rear) 53. The guide portion 65 extends over the bracket 90 and the main body 31. The width of the guide portion 65 between the outer surfaces of the ribs in the width direction (left-right direction) is less than the width of the ink cartridge 30 between the outer surfaces of the side walls 37, 38 of the main body 31 and the bracket 90 in the width direction (left-right direction). The inner gap of the guide portion 65 between the inner surfaces of the ribs in the widthwise direction (left-right direction) is larger than the width of the engaging element 145 in the widthwise direction (left-right direction). ). The guide portion 65 includes an insertion direction forward end 56. The guide portion 65 is positioned between the groove 87 of the first projection 85 and the rear wall 42. More specifically, the guide portion 65 is positioned behind of the slot 87 with respect to the insertion direction 56.

The ink cartridge 30 includes a guide portion 66 on the bottom wall 41. The guide portion 66 is a downwardly extending protrusion of the bottom wall 41 and extending in the depth direction (front-back direction). ) 53. The guide portion 66 extends over the bracket 90 and the main body 31. The width of the guide portion 66 between the outer surfaces of the guide portion 66 in the width direction (left-right direction) is less than the width of the ink cartridge 30 between the outer surfaces of the side walls 37, 38 of the main body 31 and the bracket 90 in the width direction (left-right direction). When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the guide portions 65, 66 are inserted into the guide grooves 109 of the cartridge mounting portion 110.

The ink cartridge 30 includes an IC plate 74 disposed on the bracket 90 between the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65. The IC plate 74 is placed between the groove 87 of the first projection 85 and the rear wall 42 and between the guide portion latch 45 and the front wall 40. The PCB 74 is placed on the top wall 39 side of the ink cartridge 30 between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42. The PCB 74 is placed further back than the wall face 40 and the slot 87 with respect to the insertion direction 56. The IC plate 74 and the ink supply opening 71 are mutually offset with respect to the insertion direction 56. More specifically, the IC plate 74 is placed more towards back than the ink supply opening 71 with respect to the insertion direction 56.

The bracket 90 includes a platform 67 on which the IC plate 74 is placed. The platform 67 is placed between the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65. The platform 67 is a flat surface that extends in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, and extending in the insertion/extraction direction 50 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position (vertical position). A plane in which the platform 67 extends, that is, a plane that extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51, intersects a plane in which the engaging surface 46 is extended, that is, a plane extending in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51. In this embodiment, the plane in the The platform extends is perpendicular to the plane in which the latching surface 46 extends. The IC plate 74 includes a substantially flat top surface that extends in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the the depth (front-rear direction) 53. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position (vertical position), the top surface of the IC board 74 extends horizontally and faces upward. A plane in which the upper surface of the PCB 74 extends, that is, a plane which extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51 , intersects the plane in which the engaging surface 46 extends, that is, a plane that extends in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51 In this embodiment, the plane in which the upper surface of IC plate 74 extends is perpendicular to the plane in which the latching surface 46 extends. Since the platform 67 is positioned further forward than the latching surface 46 relative to insertion direction 56, IC plate 74 is positioned further forward than engagement surface 46 relative to insertion direction 56. IC plate 74 is positioned above (higher than) rib 88 and the groove 87 of the first projection 85 with resp ect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. In other words, the IC plate 74 is placed further outward, with respect to the vertical direction or the height direction (52), than the rib 88 and the slot 87. The IC plate 74 is placed above (higher than) at least a portion of the latch portion 45 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. In other words, the IC board 74 is positioned further outward, with respect to the vertical direction or the height direction (52), than at least a portion of the latch portion 45. The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes three contacts 106 aligned in the direction (width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50. During mounting of the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the IC board 74 contacts and is electrically connected to the three contacts 106 (see Figure 6). When the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 has been completed, the IC board 74 still contacts and is electrically connected to the three contacts 106.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, IC board 74 includes an IC (not shown), and electrical interfaces, for example, an active electrode 75, a ground electrode 76, and a signal electrode 77. The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit and stores data about the information of the ink cartridge 30, for example, the lot number of the ink cartridge 30, the manufacturing date of the ink cartridge 30, the color of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 etc When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the data stored in the IC can be read by the printer 10.

Each of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 is electrically connected to the IC. Each of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. The active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are aligned and spaced apart from each other in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The ground electrode 76 is positioned between the active electrode 75 and the signal electrode 77. The PCB 74 has a width in the direction of the width (left-right direction) 51 and the rib 88 of the first projection 85 has a width in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, and the width of the IC plate 74 is larger than the width of the rib 88. Each of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 has a width in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, and the width of each of the active electrode the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 is larger than the width of the rib 88 The center of the IC plate 74 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the center of the rib 88 of the first projection 85 in the width direction (left-right direction) are placed in a plane that is parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53. Therefore, the IC plate 74 and the rib 88 intersect the plane that is parallel to the direction height (up-down direction) 52 and depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. In other words, the IC plate 74 and rib 88 are not deflected in the width direction (left-right direction). 51. More specifically, the center of the ground electrode ra 76 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the center of the rib 88 is placed in the plane that is parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction ( front-rear direction) 53. In other words, the center of the ground electrode 76 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the center of the rib 88 are not deviated in the width direction (left-right direction). right) 51. Therefore, the ground electrode 76 and the rib 88 intersect the plane that is parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 In other words, the ground electrode 76 and the rib 86 are not deflected in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The active electrode 75, the ground electrode 53, the signal electrode 77, and the rib 88 are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane that is parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. The engagement surface 46, the IC plate 74, and the slot 87 intersect the plane that is parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-to-back direction) 53. In other words, the engaging surface 46, the IC plate 74, and the slot 87 are not offset in any direction. the width direction (left-right direction) 51. More specifically, the engaging surface 46, the ground electrode 76, and the slot 87 intersect the plane that is parallel to the height direction (up-down direction). ) 52 and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53, the engaging surface 46, the active electrode 75, and the groove 87 intersect another plane that is parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front direction-t squeegee) 53, and the engaging surface 46, the signal electrode 77, and the groove 87 intersect another plane that is parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front direction). -rear) 53. In other words, the engaging surface 46, each of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77, and the groove 87 are not deviated in the width direction (left direction). -right) 51. During mounting of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 contact and are electrically connected to the three contacts 106 (see figure 6), respectively. When the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 still contact and are electrically connected to the three contacts 106, respectively.

The engagement surface 46, the IC plate 74, and the groove 87 are exposed upward with respect to the height direction 52 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 on the upper wall 39 side of the ink cartridge 30. The electrode active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are exposed upwardly to the outside of ink cartridge 30 on the upper surface of IC board 74, such that active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are accessible from above when ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position. In other words, the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are accessible in the downward direction that is perpendicular to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the insertion/extraction direction 50. Latching surface 46 is accessible from above when ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position. In other words, the engagement surface 46 is accessible in the downward direction that is perpendicular to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the insertion/extraction direction 50.

The pair of ribs of the guide portion 65 extends beyond the IC plate 74 upwards and forwards in the direction of insertion 56. In other words, the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65 extends outwardly further. beyond the IC board 74. The bracket 90 includes a ramp 49 connecting the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65. The ramp 49 is positioned between the slot 87 of the first boss 85 and the rear wall 42 and between the IC board 74 and the front wall 40. The ramp 49 has been placed between the slot 87 of the first projection 85 (ie, the upper end of the front wall 40) and the IC plate 74. The ramp 49 is inclined downward with respect to the insertion direction 56, such that a front portion of the ramp 49 is positioned lower than a rear portion of the ramp 49. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted and/or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the hooking element 145 slides on the ramp 49.

A recess 78 is formed between the hook portion 45 and the bracket 90 at a boundary between the hook portion 45 and the bracket 90 in an upper portion of the ink cartridge 30. When the main body 31 and the bracket 90 are placed relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110, respectively, as described later, there is no level difference between the engaging portion 45 and the bracket 90 in the height direction (up-down direction) 50 in both sides of the recess 78. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the latch member 145 is not caught in the recess 78.

In this embodiment, the bracket 90 covers the front face of the main body 31, the side wall 37 side of the front portion of the main body 31, the side wall 38 side of the front portion of the main body 31, the side wall 37 side 39 of the front portion of the main body 31, and the bottom wall side 41 of the front portion of the main body 31. However, the bracket 90 may cover the front portion of the main body 31 differently. Referring to Figures 10A and 10B, in a modified embodiment, the bracket 90 may not cover the side wall 37 side of the front portion of the main body 31. Referring to Figures 11A and 11B, in another modified embodiment, the bracket 90 may not cover the bottom wall 41 side of the main body front portion 31.

[Putting ink into ink cartridge 30]

After the main body 31 and the bracket 90 are assembled, the ink cartridge 30 is placed with the front wall 40 facing upward. The ink supply valve 70 and the air communication valve 73 are then pushed into the ink chamber 36, so that the ink supply port 71 and the air communication port 32 open. The interior of the ink chamber 36 is thus accessible from outside the ink chamber 36. Subsequently, ink is introduced into the interior of the ink chamber 36 from outside the ink chamber 36 through the ink supply opening 71 while that air escapes from inside the ink chamber 36 to outside the ink chamber 36 through the air communication opening 32. The ink supply valve 70 and the air communication valve 73 then move to their respective positions. originals, so that the ink supply opening 71 and the air communication opening 32 are closed. In another embodiment, only one of the ink supply valve 70 and the air communication valve 73 can be pushed into the ink chamber 36, so that the corresponding opening of the ink supply opening 71 and the opening air communication port 32 opens. The interior of the ink chamber 36 is thus accessible from outside the ink chamber 36. Subsequently, ink is introduced into the interior of the ink chamber 36 from outside the ink chamber 36 via the ink supply opening 71 or the air communication opening 32 while the air escapes from the inside of the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink chamber 36 through the ink supply opening 71 or the air communication opening 32. Since it only opens one of the ink supply opening 71 and the air communication opening 32, it may take a longer time to fill the ink chamber 36 with ink compared to the method described above in which both the ink supply opening 71 and the air communication opening 32 are opened. as the air communication opening 32. The ink supply valve 70 or the air communication valve 73 is then moved to its original position, so that the ink supply opening 71 or the opening to air communication 32 is closed.

When the ink cartridge 30 has been refilled, an opening may be formed through at least one of the front wall 40, the rear wall 42, the top wall 39, the bottom wall 41, the side wall 37, and the wall side 38, such that the interior of the ink chamber 36 is accessible from outside the ink chamber 36 through the opening. The ink supply opening 71 and/or the air communication opening 32 can be further opened. Subsequently, ink is introduced into the interior of the ink chamber 36 from outside the ink chamber 36 through the opening formed through the wall of the ink cartridge 30 while air escapes from the interior of the ink chamber 36 to the exterior. of the ink chamber 36 through the opening and/or through the ink supply opening 71 and/or the air communication opening 32 if they are open. And then, the opening formed through the wall of the ink cartridge 30 is closed with a cap, a curable adhesive, a tape, etc., and the ink supply opening 71 and/or the air communication opening 32 it closes if it was opened before.

[Ink Supply Device 100]

Referring to Fig. 1, the printer 10 includes the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 is configured to supply ink to the printhead 21. The ink supply device 100 includes the mounting portion of cartridge 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. In Fig. 1, the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Cartridge mounting portion 110]

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a case 101, and the case 101 has an opening 112 formed through one face of the case 101. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted or removed from case 101 through opening 112. Case 101 has slot 109 formed in an upper surface defining the upper end of the interior space of case 101 and also has slot 109 formed in a lower surface defining the lower end of the inner space of the case 101. The grooves 109 extend in the insertion/extraction direction 50. The ink cartridge 30 is guided in the insertion/extraction direction 50 with the guide portion 65 inserted into the groove 109 formed on the upper surface of the case 101 and the guide groove 66 inserted into the groove 109 formed on the lower surface of the case 101. The case 101 is configured to receive four ink cartridges 30 that store ink cyan, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, respectively.

The box 101 includes three partition plates 102 extending in the vertical direction and the insertion/extraction direction 50. The three partition plates 102 divide the interior space of the box 101 into four spaces.

The four ink cartridges 30 are configured to be mounted in the four spaces, respectively.

Referring to Fig. 6, the case 101 includes an end surface opposite the opening 112 in the insertion/extraction direction 50. The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a connection portion 103 disposed on a lower portion of the surface. of the case end 101 at a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the case 101. In this embodiment, four connection portions 103 are provided for the four ink cartridges 30 that can be mounted. in box 101.

The connection portion 103 includes a printing fluid supply tube, for example, the ink tube 122, and a holding portion 121. The ink tube 122 is a cylindrical tube made of a synthetic resin. The ink tube 122 is connected to the ink tube 20 on the outside of the case 101. The ink tube 20 connected to the ink tube 20 extends to the print head 21 to supply ink to the print head 21. The ink tube 20 ink 20 is not illustrated in figure 5 and 6.

The holding portion 121 has a cylindrical shape. The ink tube 122 is placed in the center of the holding portion 121. Referring to Fig. 9, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink supply portion 34 is inserted on the holding portion 121. When this takes place, the ink supply portion 34 is positioned relative to the holding portion 121 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 by an outer surface of the ink supply portion 34 that contacts an inner surface of the holding portion 121. When the ink supply portion 34 is inserted into the holding portion 121, the ink tube 122 is inserted into the ink supply opening 71. This allows ink stored in ink chamber 36 to flow into ink tube 122.

Referring to Fig. 6, cartridge mounting portion 110 includes sensor unit 104 above connection portion 103. Sensor unit 104 includes plate 113 and optical sensor 114 mounted on plate 113. More specifically, the sensor unit 104 includes a plate 113 and four optical sensors 114 mounted on the single plate 113, corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be mounted in the box 101.

As described above, the optical sensor 114 includes the light emitter, eg, a light emitting diode, and the light receiver, eg, a phototransistor. The light emitter and the light receiver are housed in a housing, and the housing extends from the plate 113 in the insertion/removal direction 50 toward the opening 112. The housing is substantially U-shaped when viewed from above. The light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 are aligned in a horizontal direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50 with a space formed therebetween. The light emitter is configured to emit light, eg, infrared or visible light, towards the light receiver in the horizontal direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50 , and the light receiver is configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitter. Detection portion 33 and detection portion 89 may be inserted in the space between the light emitter and the light receiver. The optical sensor 114 is configured to detect the change in the amount (intensity) of light when the detection portion 33 or the detection portion 89 enters an optical path (detection point) formed between the light emitter and the receiver. of light. The optical sensor 114 is electrically connected to a controller (described later) of the printer 10, and when the optical sensor 114 detects the detection portion 33 or the detection portion 89, a signal sent from the optical sensor 114 to the controller changes. . Referring to Fig. 6, the cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a sensor unit 105 positioned on the top surface of the case 101 adjacent to the end surface of the case 101. The sensor unit 105 includes a plate 115 and the sensor sensor unit 116 mounted on the plate 115. More specifically, the sensor unit 105 includes a plate 115 and four optical sensors 116 mounted on the single plate 115, corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be mounted on the box 101.

As described above, the optical sensor 116 includes the light emitter, eg, a light emitting diode, and the light receiver, eg, a phototransistor. The light emitter and the light receiver are housed in a housing, and the housing extends from the plate 115 downward in the vertical direction. The housing is substantially U-shaped upside down as viewed in the insertion/removal direction 50.

The light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 116 are aligned in the horizontal direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50 with a space formed therebetween. The light emitter is configured to emit light, eg, infrared or visible light, towards the light receiver in the horizontal direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50 , and the light receiver is configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitter. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rib 88 of the first projection 85 is inserted into the space between the light emitter and the light receiver. Optical sensor 116 is configured to detect the change in the amount (intensity) of light when rib 88 enters an optical path (detection point) formed between the light emitter and the light receiver. Optical sensor 116 is electrically connected to printer controller 10, and when optical sensor 116 detects rib 88, a signal sent from optical sensor 116 to the controller changes. Based on the signal change, the controller can determine whether the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. In other words, the rib 88 is configured to provide information about the presence of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 by attenuating the optical sensor light 116.

The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes electrical contacts 106 positioned on the top surface of the case 101 between the end surface of the case 101 and the opening 112. Three contacts 106 are arranged and aligned in the direction (width or width direction). left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50. Three contacts 106 are arranged at positions corresponding to the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, the signal electrode 77 of the ink cartridge 30. The contacts 106 have electrical conductivity and resilience. The contacts 106 are configured to elastically deform in the upward direction when they are pushed down. Four sets of three contacts 106 are provided, corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be mounted in the case 101.

Printer 10 includes the controller, and contacts 106 are electrically connected to the controller via an electrical circuit. The controller may include a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. When the active electrode 75 contacts and is electrically connected to a corresponding contact of the contacts 106, a voltage Vc is applied to the active electrode 75. When the ground electrode 76 contacts and is electrically connected to a corresponding contact of the contacts 106, the ground electrode 76 is grounded. When the active electrode 75 and the ground electrode 76 contact and are electrically connected to the corresponding contacts 106, respectively, power is supplied to the IC. When signal electrode 77 contacts and is electrically connected to a corresponding one of contacts 106, data stored in the IC is accessible. The electrical circuit outputs are input to the controller.

Referring to Fig. 1, the case 101 has a gap 130 formed at the lower end of the end surface of the case 101. The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a slider 135 disposed in the space 130. Four sliders are provided. 135 corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be mounted in the box 101. The space 130 is contiguous with the inner space of the box 101. The slider 135 is configured to move in the space 130 in the insertion/extraction direction 50. The slider 135 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The slider 135 is positioned in the line of travel of the second projection 86 of the ink cartridge 30 and is configured to contact the second projection 86.

Cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a coil spring 139 disposed in space 130. Coil spring 139 is configured to bias slider 135 toward opening 112, that is, in the withdrawal direction 55. When coil spring 139 is at a normal length, that is, when no external force is applied to the slider 135, the slider 135 is placed on an opening side 112 of the space 130. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101, the second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 contacts the slider 135 and pushes the slider 135 in the insertion direction 56. When this occurs, the coil spring 139 contracts and the slider 135 slides in the insertion direction 56. The coil spring 139 in a contracted state pushes the ink cartridge 30 in the drawing direction 55 by the slider 135.

The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes the optical sensor 117 in an upper portion of the space 130. Four optical sensors 117 corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be mounted in the case 101 are provided. In other words, the four optical sensors 117 corresponding to the four sliders 135. The four optical sensors 117 are aligned in the direction (width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/extraction direction 50. The optical sensor 117 has the same structure as the optical sensor 116.

When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the case 101, the slider 135 is pushed into a space between a light emitter and a light receiver of the optical sensor 117. The optical sensor 117 is configured to detect the change in the amount (intensity) of light when the slider 135 enters an optical path (detection point) formed between the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 117. The optical sensor 117 is electrically connected to the printer controller 10, and when the optical sensor 117 detects the slider 135, a signal sent from the optical sensor 117 to the controller changes. Slider 135, coil spring 139, and optical sensor 117 are not illustrated in Figures 6 through 9.

In the cartridge mounting portion 110, the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114 is placed further back than the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116 and the detection point (optical path) of the sensor optic 117 in the insertion direction 56.

Referring to Fig. 6, the cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a rod 125 on the end surface of the case 101. The position of the rod 125 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 corresponds to the position of the air communication valve 73 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. Four pins 125 corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be mounted in the case 101. The rod 125 has a cylindrical shape and extends from the end surface of the case 101 in the insertion/extraction direction 50 toward the opening 112. During cartridge mounting ink 30 in lot cartridge mounting assembly 110, the rod 125 is inserted through the opening 96 of the bracket 90, and the distal end of the rod 125 contacts the air communication valve 73. The air communication valve 73 is pushed by the rod 125, in such a way that the air communication opening 32 opens. An outer surface of the rod 125 contacts an inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96, and thereby the bracket 90 is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the height direction (height direction). up-down) 52.

Referring to Fig. 6, the cartridge mounting portion 110 includes the latch member 145 positioned on an upper portion of the case 101. The latch member 145 is configured to retain the ink cartridge 30 in the mounted position. Latching element 145 is positioned adjacent the upper end of opening 112. Latching element 145 is positioned between opening 112 and contacts 106. Contacts 106 and latching element 145 each intersect a plane that is parallel to the insertion/extraction direction 50 and the vertical (gravitational) direction. In other words, each of the contacts 106 and the latching member 145 are not deflected in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. Four latching members 145 corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 are provided. can mount on box 101.

The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a shaft 147 positioned adjacent the upper end of the opening 112. The shaft 147 is mounted on the case 101 and extends in the direction (width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the width direction. 50. Shaft 147 extends through an end of latching member 145 adjacent opening 112, in other words, a rear end of latching member 145 with respect to insertion direction 56. The member latching element 145 is supported by axis 147 such that latching element 145 can pivot about axis 147 selectively toward and away from the interior space of case 101. Latching element 145 includes a latching end 146 opposite the end of the latch member 145 through which the shaft 147 extends. In other words, the latch end 146 is positioned at a forward end of the latch member 145 with respect to or to the insertion direction 56. The latching end 146 is configured to contact the latching portion 45 of the ink cartridge 30. By the contact between the latching end 146 and the latching surface 46 of the latching portion 45, the ink cartridge 30 is held in the mounted position in case 101 against the urging force of slider 135. When latching end 146 contacts latching surface 46, latching end 146 extends substantially in the direction of rotation. width (left-right direction) 51 and height direction (up-down direction) 52. Latch member 145 is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the latching element 145 is in the locked position, the latching end 146 can contact the latching portion 45. When the latching element 145 is in the unlocked position, the latching end 146 cannot contact the latching portion. hitch 45.

Latching element 145 includes a sliding surface 148 that extends from latching end 146 toward axis 147. When latching end 146 contacts latching surface 46, sliding surface 148 extends substantially in the direction of rotation. width (left-right direction) 51 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. The sliding surface 148 has a width in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, such that the surface slider 148 contacts and slides on the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 at the same time that the ink cartridge 30 is inserted and/or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

Latch member 145 is configured to pivot downward due to its own weight or biased by a spring (not shown). When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the latch end 146 that contacts the latch portion 45 is positioned above the forward end portion 81 of the pivot member 80. When the end portion striker 81 moves upward and pushes latch end 146 upward, latch member 145 pivots upward about axis 147 from the locked position to the unlocked position. The movable range of the latch member 145 is limited, such that the latch member 145 does not pivot down beyond the locked position.

[Mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110]

With reference to Figures 7 to 9, it is described how the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110. In Figures 7 to 9, the cartridge mounting portion 110 is illustrated in cross section, but only an upper wall side portion 39 of the ink cartridge 30 is illustrated in cross section.

As described above, since the bracket 90 is supported by the upper surface of the front portion of the main body 31 below, the bracket 90 is movable in the upward direction relative to the main body 31 before mounting the cartridge. ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. Referring to FIG. 7, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 56, the guide portions 65, 66 of the cartridge ink cartridges 30 are inserted into the grooves 109 of the case 101, and thereby the ink cartridge 30 is positioned approximately relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to slide towards the end surface of the case 101 while the guide portions 65, 66 are inserted into the slots 109.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101, the front end of the first projection 85 contacts the sliding surface 148 of the engaging member 145. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further , the sliding surface 148 moves up the first projection 85 and ramp 49. When this occurs, the latch element 145 pivots upwards in the counterclockwise direction in Figure 7 from the locked position to the unlocked position. . When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further, the sliding surface 148 of the latch member 145 slides on the ramp 49 and IC plate 74 and passes over the recess 78. When the sliding surface 148 slides on the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77, dust is cleaned from the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77.

Referring to Fig. 1, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101, the second projection 86 contacts the slider 135. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted, the slider 135 is pushed in the insertion direction 56 against the biasing force of the coil spring 139 to the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 117. When the optical sensor 117 detects the slider 135, the signal sent from the optical sensor 117 to the controller changes from a high level signal to a high level signal. a low level signal.

Referring to Fig. 8, after the second protrusion 86 starts to push the slider 135, the detection portion 89 enters the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114. When the optical sensor 114 detects the portion of detection 89, the signal sent from the optical sensor 114 to the controller changes from a high level signal to a low level signal.

Referring to Fig. 8, after the detection portion 89 enters the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114, the rib 88 of the first projection 85 enters the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116. When the optical sensor 116 detects the nerve 88, the signal sent from the optical sensor 116 to the controller changes from a high level signal to a low level signal. After the detection portion 89 passes the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114, the interval between the detection portion 89 and the detection portion 33 passes the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114. When this occurs, the signal sent from the optical sensor 114 to the controller changes from the low level signal to the high level signal. And then, when the detection portion 33 enters the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114, the signal sent from the optical sensor 114 to the controller changes from the high level signal to the low level signal if the arm sensor 60 is in the lower position.

If the detection portion 89 is longer in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 in one type of the ink cartridge 30, the detection portion 89 is still at the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114 when the rib 88 starts to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, and therefore, the signal sent from the optical sensor 114 is the low level signal at the time the signal sent from the optical sensor 116 switches from the high level signal to the low level signal. If the detection portion 89 is shorter in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 in another type of the ink cartridge 30, the detection portion 89 is no longer at the detection point (optical path) of the sensor. optical sensor 114 when the rib 88 starts to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, and therefore, the signal sent from the optical sensor 114 is the high level signal at the time the signal sent from optical sensor 116 switches from the high level signal to the low level signal. In other words, rib 88 and detection portion 89 are configured to provide information about the type of ink cartridge 30 by attenuating light from optical sensor 116 and optical sensor 114.

If the second protrusion 86 is longer in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 in one type of the ink cartridge 30, the slider 135 is already at the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 117 when the rib 88 starts to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, and therefore, the signal sent from the optical sensor 117 is the low level signal at the time the signal sent from the optical sensor 116 changes from the high level signal to the low level signal. If the second protrusion 86 is shorter in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 in another type of the ink cartridge 30, the slider 135 is still not at the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 117 when the rib 88 starts to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, and therefore, the signal sent from the optical sensor 117 is the high level signal at the time the signal sent from the optical sensor 116 changes from the high level signal to the low level signal. In other words, rib 88 and second projection 86 are configured to provide information about the type of ink cartridge 30 by attenuating light from optical sensor 116 and optical sensor 117.

Referring to Fig. 8, during the introduction of the ink cartridge 30 into the case 101, the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the holding portion 121 and the ink tube 122 is inserted into the ink supply opening 71. When this takes place, the ink supply portion 34 is positioned relative to the holding portion 121 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 by the outer surface of the ink supply portion 34 that contacts the inner surface of the holding portion 121, that is, the main body 31 is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The ink supply valve 70 is pushed by the ink tube 122, so that the ink supply port 71 opens. The ink tube 122 has an ink introduction opening formed at its distal end, and the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 flows into the ink tube 122 through the ink introduction opening in the insertion direction 56.

Referring to Fig. 8, during insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the case 101, the rod 125 enters the opening 96 of the bracket 90. The bracket 90 is movable in the upward direction relative to the main body 31. As the rod 125 enters the opening 96, an upper portion of the outer surface of the rod 125 contacts an upper portion of the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96, and pushes the bracket 90 upward, so so that the bracket 90 slides on the main body 31 in the upward direction. The bracket 90 cannot move in the downward direction relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 because the upper portion of the outer surface of the rod 125 contacts the upper portion of the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 which defines the opening 96 below. Referring to Fig. 9, the rod 125 contacts and pushes the air communication valve 73. The air communication valve 73 moves away from the air communication opening 32, so that air flows into the ink chamber. 36 through the air communication opening 32.

Meanwhile, referring to Figs. 8 and 9, the contacts 106 contact the ramp 49 of the bracket 90. Since the ramp 49 inclines upward when the contact 106 moves toward the rear wall 42 of the ink cartridge 30 and since the bracket 90 cannot move in the downward direction with the upper portion of the outer surface of the rod 125 contacting the upper portion of the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96, the contacts 106 they are elastically deformed in the upward direction as the contacts 106 slide on the ramp 49 and PCB 74. The elastically deformed contacts 106 push the PCB 74 in the downward direction. When contacts 106 reach IC board 74, bracket 90 is positioned relative to cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to height direction (up-down direction) 52 by contacts 106 and rod 125 inserting the bracket 90 above and below, respectively.

When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further toward the end surface of the case 101, referring to Fig. 9, the contacts 106 contact and are electrically connected to the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, the signal electrode 77 of IC plate 74, respectively. When the ink cartridge mount 30 reaches the mounted position, the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 still contact and are electrically connected to the three contacts 106, respectively.

When the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounted position, the engaging surface 46 of the engaging portion 45 of the ink cartridge 30 has passed the engaging end 146 of the engaging member 145 in the insertion direction 56. The member The latching member 145 pivots in the clockwise direction in Fig. 9 to the locking position, and the latching end 146 contacts the latching surface 46. With this contact between the latching element 145 and the latching portion 45, the ink cartridge 30 is held in the mounted position against the biasing force of the coil spring 139. In other words, the ink cartridge 30 is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the insertion/extraction direction 50. As such, the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is complete.

When the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the main body 31 is positioned with the ink supply portion 34 inserted into the holding portion 121 and the ink tube 122 inserted into the ink supply opening 71, and the bracket 90 is placed sandwiched by the contacts 106 and the rod 125 at a position between the extremes of its movable range.

When the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the forward end portion 81 of the pivot member 80 is positioned below the latching end 146 of the latching member 145. The rear end portion 82 of the pivot member 80 is positioned away from the top wall 39. Based on the output signal level of the optical sensor 116, the controller determines whether the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. In In other words, rib 88 is configured to provide information about the presence of ink cartridge 30 in cartridge mounting portion 110 by attenuating light from optical sensor 116. Based on the level of the output signal from optical sensor 114 and/or based on the level of the output signal from the optical sensor 117 at the time the signal sent from the optical sensor 116 changes from the high level signal to the low level signal, the controller determines the type of the ink cartridge 30. In other words, the rib 88, and the detection portion 89 or the second projection 86 are configured to provide information about the type of the ink cartridge 30 by attenuating the light from the optical sensor 116 and the optical sensor 114 or the optical sensor 117. By periodically checking the level of the output signal from the optical sensor 114, the controller determines the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36, that is, it determines whether the ink chamber 36 stores the default amount of ink or more. In other words, the detection portion 33 is configured to indicate the presence or absence of ink within the ink chamber 36 by dimming or not dimming the light from the optical sensor 114. Based on the data read from the IC board 74, the information of the ink cartridge 30, for example, the lot number of the ink cartridge 30, the manufacturing date of the ink cartridge 30, the color of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30, and so on, are determined.

In another embodiment, the bracket 90 may be movable in the downward direction relative to the main body 31 in the initial position before mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110. In such a case, the bracket 90 is supported by static friction between the end portions 93, 94 of the bracket 90 and the inclined inner surfaces 47, 48 of the main body 31. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101 and the rod 125 is inserted into the opening 96 of bracket 90, the outer surface of rod 125 may not contact the inner surface 98 of bracket 90 that defines opening 96 initially. When ink cartridge 30 is further inserted, contacts 106 contact ramp 49 and IC board 74 and push down on bracket 90 such that the upper portion of the outer surface of rod 125 contacts the upper portion of the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96. When the contacts 106 reach the PCB 74, the bracket 90 is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the height direction (direction up-down) 52 by the contacts 106 and the rod 125 inserting the bracket 90 above and below, respectively.

The time profile of the events that occur during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 is described in more detail here. When the insertion begins, the sliding surface 148 of the engaging portion 145 begins to slide on the IC plate 74. The second projection 86 then contacts the slider 135 and begins to push the slider 135. The detection portion 89 begins to enter at the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114. The rib 88 then begins to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116. The rod 125 then contacts the air communication valve 73 and begins to push the air communication valve 73. Then, the contacts 106 start to contact the PCB 74. The gap between the detection portion 89 and the detection portion 33 then starts to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114. The ink tube 122 then contacts the ink supply valve 70 and starts to push the ink supply valve 70. The detection portion 33 then starts to come into the detection point (optical path) of optical sensor 114. Engagement end 146 then contacts engagement surface 46.

After completing the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the printer 10 starts printing. When the printer 10 runs out of ink stored in the ink chamber 36, the used ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, and a new ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110]

When it is desired to remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the user pushes the rear end portion 82 of the pivot member 80 downward. Consequently, the forward end portion 81 of the pivot member 80 moves upward and away from the top wall 39. As this occurs, the latch member 145 is pushed upward by the forward end portion 81 of the pivot member. pivot 80, and the latching end 146 of the latching element 145 is moved to a position above the latching surface 46, that is, to a position spaced from the latching surface 46. As such, the latching element 145 is moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the ink cartridge 30 is released from the state held by the latch member 145.

When the latching end 146 is separated from the latching surface 46, an external force applied to the ink cartridge 30 for example, the biasing force of the coil spring 139 moves the ink cartridge 30 in the drawing direction 55. However , since the user's finger still contacts the downwardly pushed rear end portion 82 of the pivot member 80, the ink cartridge 30 moving in the drawing direction 55 is stopped by the user. The biasing force of coil spring 139 is received by the user's finger via pivot member 80.

When the user moves the finger in the drawing direction 55, the ink cartridge 30 moves following the finger, pushed by the slider 135 and the coil spring 139. When this occurs, the IC board 74 arranged on the bracket 90 is removed. released from the downward pushing force of the contacts 106 of the cartridge mounting portion 110. While the ink cartridge 30 moves in the removal direction 55 following the user's finger, the sliding surface 148 of the engaging 145 passes over recess 78 and slides on IC plate 74 and ramp 49. As sliding surface 148 slides on active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77, dust is cleaned from the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77. After sliding on the ramp 49, the sliding surface 148 passes over the groove 87. When this takes place, the dust cleaned by the sliding surface 1 48 falls into the slot 87. Accordingly, the probability of dust falling down and adhering to a portion of the ink supply portion 34 surrounding the ink supply opening 71 is reduced.

Meanwhile, the outer surface of the rod 125 is separated from the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96, such that the bracket 90 moves downward relative to the main body 31 to the initial position in the that the bracket 90 is supported by the upper surface of the front portion of the main body 31. The ink tube 122 is ejected from the ink supply portion 34. As such, the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the mounting portion 110 cartridge.

[Advantage]

In this embodiment, since the ink cartridge 30 includes the detection portion 89 and the rib 88 configured to be detected by the independent optical sensors 114, 116 on the PCB 74, even if the electrical connection between the PCB 74 and contacts 106 or IC data is not read by signal electrode 77, it can be determined that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the printer 10 based on the information obtained from the detecting portion 89 and the rib 88. Therefore, the ink cartridge 30 can be used even if the electrical connection between the IC board 74 and the contacts 106 is not established or the IC data is not read by the signal electrode 77.

In this embodiment, since the light emitted from the optical sensor 114, 116 travels in the direction (width direction, left-right direction) perpendicular to the insertion direction 50, the detecting portion 89 and the rib 88 can enter at the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114, 116 in the insertion direction 50 at the desired times. Furthermore, since the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are accessible in the downward direction perpendicular to the insertion direction 50 and the direction in which the light travels, although the contacts 106 access the electrode active 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 in the downward direction, so that the ink cartridge 30, or its parts, moves in the downward direction, such displacement does not affect the times in that the detection portion 89 and the rib 88 enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114, 116 in the insertion direction 56. This is because the times are determined by the movement of the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 56, and are not determined by the downward movement of the ink cartridge 30. Generally speaking, when events occur in directions perpendicular to one another, such events may be independent events. compliant and cannot be mutually affected.

In this embodiment, since the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are positioned between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42, the pushing force of the slider 135 and the coil spring 139 in the pull direction 55 is not directly received by active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77. Therefore, the probability of excessive load being applied to active electrode 75, ground electrode is reduced. 76 and the signal electrode 77. In addition, the probability of ink leaking from the ink supply portion 34 and the active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 being contaminated with ink is reduced.

If the IC board 74 is placed on the front wall 40 facing the insertion direction 56, the contact between the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 and the contacts 106 may be unstable because the cartridge ink 30 is pushed in the extraction direction 55, that is, a direction in which the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are separated from the contacts 106. Accordingly, in such a case, the deformation range of the contacts 106 and the resilience of the contacts 106 would have to be larger in order to ensure the contact between the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 and the contacts 106 even when the active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 move away from contacts 106 by the pushing force pushing ink cartridge 30. However, the larger deformation range and higher resilience of contacts 1 06 could apply a large thrust force to active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77, that is, excessive load could be applied to active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77. Furthermore, if the IC board 74 is placed on the front wall 40, the ink that has leaked from the ink supply portion 34 may reach the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 and cause a short circuit between them. the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77.

In this embodiment, since the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 and the engaging portion 45 are arranged on the same side, for example, the top wall 39 side, of the ink cartridge 30 , the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are placed adjacent to the latching portion 45. Since the latching portion 45 determines the position of the ink cartridge 30 relative to the ink cartridge mounting portion cartridge 110 with respect to the insertion/extraction direction 50 when the latching portion 45 contacts the latching element 145, the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77, which are placed next to the latching portion. latch 45, can be positioned exactly relative to the contacts 106 with respect to the insertion/extraction direction 50.

In this embodiment, since the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are positioned further forward than the engaging surface 46 with respect to the insertion direction 56, and the engaging surface 46 and each one of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 intersect the respective plane which is parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53, the latching member 145 slides on the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 during the introduction of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110. Dust is thus cleaned from the ink cartridge. active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 and the probability that the electrical connection between active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 and contacts 106 will be unstable is reduced. and.

In this embodiment, the active electrode 75, ground electrode 76, and signal electrode 77 are positioned above at least a portion of the latching surface 46 of the latching portion 45. Since the latching element 145 is configured to pivot down due to its own weight or is pushed by a spring, the dust present on the active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 can be cleaned by the latching element 145 with a stronger downward force. intense. Also, the movable range of the latch member 145 is limited, so that the latch member 145 does not pivot down beyond the locked position. If the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 were placed below the latching surface 46, the latching element 145 could not contact the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode. 77. The position of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 above at least a portion of the engagement surface 46 thus facilitates the cleaning function of the engagement element 145.

In this embodiment, since the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are positioned further back than the ink supply opening 71 of the ink supply portion 34 with respect to the insertion direction 56, although the dust present on the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 is cleaned when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted and/or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the probability that such powder adheres to the portion of the ink supply portion 34 surrounding the ink supply opening 71. Therefore, the probability of the ink being contaminated with powder is reduced.

In this embodiment, since the recess, for example, the slot 87 is positioned further forward than the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 with respect to the insertion direction 56, the slot 87 and each of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 intersect the respective plane which is parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-back direction ) 53, and the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are placed above the groove 87, the dust cleaned from the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 falls to the groove 87. Accordingly, the probability of dust falling and adhering to the portion of the ink supply portion 34 surrounding the ink supply opening 71 is reduced.

In this embodiment, since the ink supply portion 34 is placed on the front wall 40 and the active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are placed on the top wall 39, the probability of ink splashed from the ink supply portion 34 reaches the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 and contaminates them.

In this embodiment, since the bracket 90 can be moved relative to the main body 31 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52, the bracket 90 and the main body 31 can be positioned independently relative to the portion mounting bracket 110 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. Therefore, the elements provided on the bracket 90, for example, the IC plate 74, the rib 88, and the detecting portion 89 , and the elements arranged on the main body 31, for example, the ink supply portion 34, can be positioned independently relative to the corresponding elements arranged on the cartridge mounting portion 110, for example, the contacts 106, the optical sensors 114, 116 and the ink tube 122.

Since the ink cartridge 30 is assembled from a plurality of elements, the dimensional tolerance of each element generally has to be small, which requires high accuracy in designing and manufacturing each element. If the dimensional tolerance of each element is relatively large, the accumulated dimensional error of the ink cartridge 30 is generally large. In such a case, the ink tube 122 may not be inserted into the ink supply port 71 and may contact the distal end of the ink supply portion 34 and break, the contacts 106 may contact the PCB 74 with high pressure and may be broken, conversely the contacts 106 may not contact the PCB 74, or the rib 88 and detection portion 89 may not enter between the light emitter and light receiver of the optical sensor 114, 116. However In this embodiment, since the bracket 90 can be moved relative to the main body 31, the bracket 90 and the main body 31 can be independently positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the items arranged on the bracket 90 , for example, IC plate 74, rib 88, and detecting portion 89, and elements provided on main body 31, for example, ink supply portion 34, can be positioned independently relative to elementscorresponding disposed on the cartridge mounting portion 110, eg, the contacts 106, the optical sensors 114, 116, and the ink tube 122, with moderate dimensional tolerances of the elements.

In this embodiment, since the width of each of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 is greater than the width of the rib 88, in other words, the width of the rib 88 is less than the width of each of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77, the rib 88 is suitable for non-contact detection performed by the optical sensor 116 while the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are suitable for physical contact with contacts 106.

In another embodiment, the second projection 86 may include a rib, which is similar to the rib 88 of the first projection 85, and the optical sensor 117 may be configured to directly detect the rib of the second projection 86.

In another embodiment, the range within which the bracket 90 moves relative to the main body 31 may be determined by a known structure, for example, guide grooves formed in the main body 31 or the bracket 90, other than the elongated openings 91, 92 or the detection portion 33 and the support portion 79. In addition, the movement of the bracket 90 may be guided by a known structure, for example, guide rails formed on the main body 31 or the bracket 90, other than of the inclined interior surfaces 47, 48. In another embodiment, the interior surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96 may not contact the exterior surface of the rod 125 to move the bracket 90 relative to the main body 31. In such a In this case, the bracket 90 may include a surface that extends in a direction that intersects the insertion/extraction direction 50 on the upper face or the lower face, and when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the surface can contact and slide on a projection provided on the cartridge mounting portion 110, such that the bracket 90 moves relative to the main body 31.

In another embodiment, the cartridge mounting portion 110 may not include the slider 135, the coil spring 139, and the optical sensor 117. In such a case, the ink cartridge 30 may be pushed in the removal direction 55 by springs coupled to the ink supply valve 70 and/or the air communication valve 73.

In another embodiment, the IC may not be located on the same board as active electrode 75, ground electrode 75, and signal electrode 77. For example, the IC may be disposed on or adjacent to rear wall 42 and may be wiring to the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 75 and the signal electrode 77 which are arranged on or next to the top wall 39.

In another embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 may not include the bracket 90 and detection portion 89, or the rib 88 and IC plate 74 may be provided on the main body 31.

In another embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 may not include the bracket 90, and the detection portion 89, rib 88, and IC plate 74 may be provided on the main body 31.

Although the invention has been described in connection with various exemplary structures and illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other variations and modifications may be made to the structures and embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention. Other structures and embodiments will be understood by those skilled in the art from a consideration of the specification or practice of the invention described herein. The specification and examples described are intended to be illustrative only and the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.

Claims (20)

1. A printing fluid cartridge (30) configured to be mounted on a cartridge mounting portion (110) including an optical sensor (114, 116) and at least one contact (106), the printing fluid cartridge including ( 30): at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) configured to allow electrical access to an integrated circuit disposed in the printing fluid cartridge and configured to electrically connect with the at least one contact; Y a light attenuating portion (33, 88, 89) configured to be inserted between a light emitter and a light receiver of the optical sensor and to be detected by the optical sensor; wherein the printing fluid cartridge (30) is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in an insertion direction (56) in a vertical position, and the printing fluid cartridge (30) in the upright position has a width in a width direction (51), a height in a height direction (52), and a depth in a depth direction (53) , where the width direction (51), the height direction (52) and the depth direction (53) are perpendicular to each other, the depth direction (53) is parallel with the insertion direction ( 56), the insertion direction (56) extends in the horizontal direction and the height direction (52) corresponds to the gravitational direction, wherein the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) and the light attenuation portion (88) are disposed on a single side of the printing fluid cartridge (30), and a width of the light attenuating portion (88) in the width direction (51) is less than a width of the electrical interface (75, 76, 77) in the width direction (51). 2. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 1, further comprising: a chamber (36) configured to store printing fluid; Y a printing fluid supply portion (34) configured to supply printing fluid from inside the chamber (36) to outside the chamber (36). 3. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 2, wherein the printing fluid cartridge (30) is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in an insertion direction (56) in a vertical position, and the printing fluid cartridge (30) further includes: a front face facing the insertion direction (56) when the printing fluid cartridge (30) is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion, where the printing fluid supply portion (34) is placed on the front face ; Y a rear face positioned opposite the front face with respect to the insertion direction (56) and facing a removal direction (55) opposite to the insertion direction (56) when the printing fluid cartridge (30) is inserted in the cartridge mounting portion, where the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) is positioned between the front face and the rear face with respect to the direction of insertion (56). 4. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 3, further or alternatively including the light attenuation portion which is a detection portion (33) configured to indicate the presence or absence of printing fluid therein. of the chamber (36), the detecting portion being placed on the front face, where the detecting portion (33) is disposed, in the vertical position of the printing fluid cartridge (30), above the fluid supply portion. printing fluid (34) in a height direction (52) perpendicular to the insertion direction (56). 5. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the printing fluid cartridge (30) is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in an insertion direction (56) in a vertical position, and the printing fluid cartridge (30) in the vertical position has a width in a width direction (51), a height in a height direction (52), and a depth in a height direction (52). the depth (53), where the width direction (51), the height direction (52) and the depth direction (53) are perpendicular to each other and the depth direction (53) is parallel to the insertion direction (56), where when the printing fluid cartridge (30) is in the vertical position, the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) is positioned above the printing fluid supply portion (34) with respect to the height direction (52). 6. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the light attenuating portion (33, 88, 89) extends in the insertion direction (56). 7. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light attenuating portion (88) is positioned further forward than the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) with with respect to the depth direction (53) and the insertion direction (56). 8. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 7, wherein the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77 ⁾ is positioned further than the light attenuation portion (88) with respect to the direction of the height (52). 9. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 8, further including a top face extending between the front face and the back face, wherein the top face faces upward in the height direction (52) when the printing fluid cartridge (30) is in the upright position, and the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) and light attenuating portion (88) are positioned on or adjacent to the top face of the cartridge of printing fluid (30). 10. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 8, wherein the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) and the light attenuation portion (88) are positioned such that the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) and the light attenuation portion (88) intersect a plane that is parallel to the height direction (52) and the depth direction (53). The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 1, wherein the printing fluid cartridge (30) is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in an insertion direction (56) in a vertical position, and the printing fluid cartridge (30) in the upright position has a width in a width direction (51), a height in a height direction (52), and a depth in a depth direction (53). , where the width direction (51), the height direction (52), and the depth direction (53) are perpendicular to each other and the depth direction (53) is parallel to the insertion direction (56), where the light attenuation portion (33, 88, 89) is configured to attenuate light traveling in the width direction (51), and the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) it is accessible in the height direction (52). 12. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 1 or 11, wherein the printing fluid cartridge (30) is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in an insertion direction (56) at a position vertical, and the printing fluid cartridge (30) in the vertical position has a width in a width direction (51), a height in a height direction (52), and a depth in a depth direction (53), where the width direction (51), the height direction (52) and the depth direction (53) are perpendicular to each other and the depth direction (53) is parallel to the direction insert (56), and wherein the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) includes a first electrical interface (75), a second electrical interface (76), and a third electrical interface (77) aligned and spaced apart. from another in the width direction (51), where the second electrical interface (76) is placed ada between the first electrical interface (75) and the third electrical interface (77), and the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) and the light attenuation portion (33, 88, 89) are so positioned such that the second electrical interface (76) and the light attenuating portion (33, 88, 89) intersect a plane that is parallel to the height direction (52) and the depth direction (53). 13. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 12, wherein the center of the second electrical interface (76) with respect to the width direction (51) and the center of the light attenuation portion (33 , 88, 89) with respect to the width direction (51) are placed in the plane that is parallel to the height direction (52) and the depth direction (53). 14. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 13, wherein the light attenuating portion (88) has a width in the width direction (51) and the second electrical interface (76) has a width in the width direction (51), and the width of the light attenuation portion (88) is smaller than the width of the second electrical interface (76). 15. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of any of claims 1 and 14, wherein the light attenuating portion (88) is configured to provide information regarding the presence of the printing fluid cartridge (30) in the cartridge mounting portion attenuating light from the optical sensor. 16. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of any of claims 1 and 15, wherein the light attenuating portion (88, 89) is configured to provide information regarding a type of the printing fluid cartridge (30) attenuating light from the optical sensor. 17. A printing apparatus (10) including: the printing fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 16; Y a cartridge mounting portion (110) on which the printing fluid cartridge (30) is configured to mount, the cartridge mounting portion (110) including: at least one contact (106) configured to electrically connect with the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77); Y an optical sensor (114, 116) configured to detect the light attenuation portion (33, 88, 89). 18. Use of the printing fluid cartridge (30) of any of claims 1 to 16, wherein the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) is electrically connected to the at least one contact and the attenuation portion light sources (33, 88, 89) attenuate light emitted by the light emitter of the optical sensor. 19. Use of the printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 18, such that the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) contacts the at least one contact during mounting of the printing fluid cartridge (30). ) on the cartridge mounting portion. 20. Use of the printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 18 or 19, wherein, during mounting of the printing fluid cartridge in the cartridge mounting portion (110), the at least one electrical interface ( 75, 76, 77) contacts the at least one contact only after the light dimming portion (88, 89) has started to dim the light.