ES2523919T3 - Print fluid cartridge, printing apparatus, and use of print fluid cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

A print fluid cartridge (30) configured to be inserted into a cartridge mounting portion (110) in an upright position in an insertion direction (56) against a pushing force exerted in an extraction direction (55) opposite to the insertion direction (56), where the print 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 with the insertion direction (56), where the print fluid cartridge (30) includes: a front face oriented towards the insertion direction (56) when the print fluid cartridge (30) is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion; a rear face placed in front of the front face with respect to the insertion direction (56) and oriented towards the removal direction (55) when the print fluid cartridge (30) is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion; a camera (36) placed between the front and the rear face and configured to store printing fluid; a print fluid supply portion (34) placed on the front face and including a print fluid supply opening (71), where the print fluid supply portion (34) is configured to supply the print fluid from inside the chamber (36) to the outside of the chamber (36) by the printing fluid supply opening (71); at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) placed between the front face and the rear face and configured to electrically connect with at least one contact of the cartridge mounting portion; and a hitch surface (46) configured to contact a hitch element (145) of the cartridge mounting portion, such that the print fluid cartridge (30) is retained in the cartridge mounting portion against the pushing force, where when the print fluid cartridge (30) is in the vertical position, the at least single electrical interface (75, 76, 77) and the engagement surface (46 are configured to access them from the outside of the print fluid cartridge (30) in the height direction (52) and are placed on or adjacent to an upper face of the print fluid cartridge (30) that extends between the front face and the rear face and looks upward in the height direction, the at least single electrical interface (75, 76, 77) is positioned more forward than the engagement surface (46) with respect to the insertion direction (56), and the at least single electrical interface (75, 76, 77) and the engagement surface (46) intersect a plane that is parallel with the insertion direction (56) and the height direction (52); where the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) is placed on top of at least a portion of the engagement surface (46) when the print fluid cartridge (30) is in the vertical position.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Print fluid cartridge, printing apparatus, and use of print fluid cartridge

Background of the invention

1. Field of the invention

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

2. Description of the related technique

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

Another known ink cartridge, described in Patent Application Publication No. JP 2007-266618, has a circuit board that has a semiconductor memory for storing data about ink cartridge information, for example, the color of ink, ink ingredients, amount of ink remaining, maintenance status, etc. The circuit board has electrical interfaces, for example, pads. When the ink cartridge is mounted in a mounting portion, the electrical interfaces are electrically connected to electrical contacts arranged in the mounting portion, such that the data stored in the semiconductor memory can be read.

Summary of the Invention

When dust is adhered to the electrical interfaces, the electrical connection between the electrical interfaces of the ink cartridge and the contacts of the cartridge mounting portion may be unstable, such that the reading of the semiconductor memory date fails.

EP 1 512 536 discloses a print fluid cartridge configured to be inserted into a cartridge mounting portion in an upright position in an insertion direction against a pushing force exerted in an extraction direction opposite the insertion direction, where the Print 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 direction of depth is perpendicular to each other and the direction of height is parallel with the direction of insertion. The print fluid cartridge includes a front face facing the insertion direction when the print fluid cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion; a rear face placed in front of the front face with respect to the insertion direction and oriented towards the removal direction when the print fluid cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion; a camera placed between the front face and the rear face and configured to store print fluid; a print fluid supply portion placed on the front face and including a print fluid supply opening, where the print fluid supply portion is configured to deliver the print fluid from inside the chamber to the outside of the chamber through the printing fluid supply opening; at least one electrical interface placed between the front face and the rear face and configured to be electrically connected with at least one contact of the cartridge mounting portion; and a hitch surface configured to contact a hitch element of the cartridge mounting portion, such that the print fluid cartridge is retained in the cartridge mounting portion against the pushing force, where the at least unique Electrical interface is positioned further forward than the engagement surface with respect to the insertion direction, and the at least one electrical interface and the engagement surface intersect a plane that is parallel with the insertion direction and the width direction.

Therefore, a print fluid cartridge and a printing apparatus are needed, which overcomes these and other drawbacks of the related art. A technical advantage of the present invention is that the probability that the electrical connection between a print fluid cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion via an electrical interface is unstable is reduced.

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

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With this configuration, the hitch element slides on the at least one electrical interface during the introduction of the print fluid cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion. Therefore, the dust from the at least one electrical interface can be cleaned and the probability that the electrical connection between the at least one electrical interface and the at least one contact is unstable is reduced.

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

Brief description of the drawings

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

Figure 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.

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

Figure 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.

Figure 7 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion and the ink cartridge during the assembly of the ink cartridge in the cartridge mounting portion.

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

Figure 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 in the cartridge mounting portion is completed.

Figure 10A is a side view of an ink cartridge, according to a modified embodiment.

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

Figure 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

The embodiments of the present invention, and their features and advantages, can be understood with reference to Figures 1-11B, using analogous numbers for corresponding analogous parts in the various drawings.

[Printer 10]

With reference to Figure 1, a printing apparatus, for example, a printer 10 is an inkjet printer configured to print an image on a sheet of printing paper by selectively ejecting ink droplets on the sheet of printing paper. 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 be able to mount a print fluid cartridge therein, by For example, an ink cartridge 30. The cartridge mounting portion 110 has an opening 112 and the inside of the cartridge mounting portion 110 is exposed to the outside of the cartridge mounting portion 110 by an opening

112. The 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 in the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 by 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

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fluidly connected by the ink tube 20 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. The printhead 21 includes a secondary reservoir 28. The secondary reservoir 28 is configured to temporarily store ink supplied by the ink tube 20 from the ink cartridge 30. The printhead 21 includes nozzles 29 and is configured to selectively eject ink supplied from the secondary reservoir 28 through the 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. It has been formed a transport path 24 from the paper feed tray 15 to the discharge tray 16 by 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 sheet of print paper from the paper feed tray 15 to the transport path 24. The pair of transport rollers 25 is configured to transport the print paper sheet fed from the paper feed tray 15 onto the roller

26. The printhead 21 is configured to selectively eject ink onto the sheet of printing paper that passes over the roller 26. Accordingly, an image is printed on the sheet of printing paper. The sheet of printing paper that has passed over the roller 26 is discharged by the pair of unloading rollers 22 to the paper unloading tray 16 arranged on the lower side of the transport path 24.

[Ink cartridge 30]

With reference 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 / removal direction 50, while the ink cartridge 30 is in an upright position, such as It is shown in Figure 2, with the upper side of the ink cartridge 30 facing up and the lower face of the ink cartridge 30 facing down. The insertion / removal direction 50 extends in a horizontal direction. The ink cartridge 30 is in the upright position when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in 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 removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 in an extraction direction 55. The insertion / removal direction 50 is a combination of the insertion direction 56 and the extraction direction 55. The insertion direction 56 extends in a horizontal direction and the extraction direction 55 extends in a horizontal direction. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the vertical position, the height direction (up-down direction) 52 corresponds to the gravitational direction (vertical direction). In another embodiment, the insertion / removal direction 50 may not extend exactly 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 outside 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 it includes an inner frame 35, and the ink chamber 36 has been formed in the inner frame 35. The ink cartridge 30 has a width in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, a height in the direction of the height (top-down direction) 52, and a depth in a depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. The width direction (left-right direction) 51, the height direction (top-direction) below) 52, and the depth direction (front-rear 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 with a horizontal plane, the direction of depth (front-rear direction) 53 is also parallel with the horizontal plane, and the direction of height (top-down direction) 52 is parallel with 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 with 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 / removal direction 50. The height direction (up-down direction) 52 is parallel with 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 in front of the front wall 40 with respect to the insertion direction 56. The front wall 40 is placed on a front side of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the direction insert 56 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. More specifically, the front wall 40 faces in the insertion direction 56, in other words, the front wall 40 is oriented toward the insertion direction 56, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in 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 in the removal direction 55, in other words, the rear wall 42 is oriented Ada towards the extraction direction 55, when the ink cartridge

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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 / removal direction 50 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 includes side walls 37, 38, each of which extends in the insertion / removal direction 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 an upper wall 39 connected to the ends upper of the front wall 40, the rear wall 42, and the side walls 37 and 38. The ink cartridge 30 includes a bottom wall 41 connected to the lower ends of the front wall 40, the wall rear d 42, and the 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 is oriented towards the insertion direction 56 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the vertical position, and the rear face of the ink cartridge 30 is oriented towards the removal direction 55 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in vertical position In addition, the front face of the ink cartridge 30 is oriented, or looks, at an end face of the cartridge mounting portion 110, as can be seen in Figures 7 to 9, the end face forming its end side. Right 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 lower wall 31 is a lower face of the ink cartridge 30. Therefore, the upper face of the ink cartridge 30 is oriented in the upward direction when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the vertical position, and the bottom face of the ink cartridge 30 is oriented 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 the upper ends of the front face and the rear face, and the lower face is connected to the 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 portion of the side wall 37, a portion of the side wall 38, a portion of the top wall 39, and a portion of the bottom wall 41, and the main body 31 includes the rear wall 42, the other portion of the side wall 37, the other portion of the side wall 38, the other portion of the upper wall 39, and the other portion of the bottom part 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]

With reference to Figures 2 to 4, the main body 31 includes a detection portion 33 in a middle portion of the main body 31 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The detection portion 33 is has been placed on a front wall side 40 of the main body 31. More specifically, the detection portion 33 has been placed on a front face of the main body 31, and the front face of the main body 31 looks in the direction of insertion 56, in other words, it is oriented towards the insertion direction 56, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in 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 leading end with respect to the insertion direction 56. The rib 88 includes a leading end with respect to the insertion direction 56. The bracket 90 incl. a second projection 86. The second projection 86 includes a leading end with respect to the insertion direction 56. The bracket 90 includes another sensing portion 89. The sensing portion 33 has been positioned further back than the leading end of the first projection 85, the front end of the rib 88, the leading end of the second projection 86, and the detection portion 89 with respect to the insertion direction 56. The detection portion 33 has a box shape having an opening that looks at the ink chamber 36, such that the interior of the detection portion 36 is in fluid communication with the ink chamber 36. The detection portion 33 includes a pair of walls made of a translucent resin, for example, transparent or semi-transparent configured to let the light, for example, visible or infrared light, which advances in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50 pass to its t by In this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50 is the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The detection portion 33 is exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through an opening 95 formed through of the bracket 90 on a front wall side 40 of the bracket 90. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, an optical sensor 114 (see Figure 6) emits light in the direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50. The detection portion 33 may allow the light emitted from the optical sensor 114 and to reach the detection portion 33 through the opening 95 to pass therethrough.

The pair of walls of the detection portion 33 is aligned in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, and a space has been formed between the pair of walls of the detection portion 33. The ink stored in the ink chamber 36 can reach this space. With reference to Figure 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 is

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extends mainly in the direction of depth (front-rear direction) 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 on the space formed between the pair of walls of the detection portion 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 axis 64, such that the sensor arm 60 can pivot about the support axis 64. The sensor arm 60 is configured to pivot based on the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36, and therefore the indicator 62 is configured to pivot based on the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36. The sensor arm 60 is configured for movement 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 contains a predetermined amount of ink or more.

When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in 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 left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50, and the detection portion 33 is configured to change its state between a first state and a second state. When the detection portion 33 is in the first state, the detection portion 33 allows the light, emitted from the light emitter of the optical sensor 114 and advancing in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal 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 direction / extraction 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 / removal direction 50 and reaches the optical sensor light receiver 114. When the detection portion 33 is in the second state and the light reaches one side of the detection portion 33 in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular at the insertion / removal direction 50, the amount of light exiting the other side of the detection portion 33 and reaching the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 is less than the predetermined amount Nothing, for example, zero. When the sensor arm 60 is in the upper position, the detection portion 33 is in the first state to let the light pass through it. When the sensor arm 60 is in the lower position, the detection portion 33 is in the second state to dim the light. The attenuation of the light is produced by the indicator 62 which totally prevents the light from passing through it in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50, by the indicator 62 that absorbs a certain amount of light, by indicator 62 that deflects light, by indicator 62 that fully reflects light, etc. As such, the amount (intensity) of the light that reaches 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 in the detection portion 33. In such a case, when the detection portion 33 has ink, the detection portion 33 can dim the light. When the detection portion 33 does not store ink, the detection portion 33 may allow light to pass through it. More specifically, when the detection portion 33 does not store ink and the light reaches one side of the detection portion 33 in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50, the predetermined amount or more of the light can exit 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 / removal direction 50 and reaches the optical sensor light receiver 114. When the detection portion 33 stores ink and the light reaches one side of the detection portion 33 in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the direction of insertion / extraction 50, the amount of light exiting the other side of the detection portion 33 and reaching the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 is less than the predetermined amount, for example eg zero. The attenuation of light can be produced because the ink absorbs a certain amount of light. In another embodiment, the detection portion 33 may include a flexible film that forms a space. When ink is stored in the space formed by the flexible film, the flexible film is bulged. The ink cartridge 30 can include a pivotable lever that contacts the flexible film, and the lever can dim the light completely preventing the light from passing through it in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50, absorbing a certain amount of light, deflecting the light, fully reflecting the light, etc. When the ink leaves the space formed by the flexible film and the flexible film contracts, the lever that contacts 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 such that the light does not reach the light receiver of the optical sensor 114. When the ink does not contact the shaped structure of prism, the prism-shaped structure can reflect light such that the light reaches the sensor light receiver

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optical 114.

The main body 31 has an air communication opening 32 on the front wall side 40 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 through 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 boss 85 in the direction depth (front-rear direction) 53, and the air communication opening 32 is accessible by opening 96 from the outside of the ink cartridge 30 in the extraction direction 55.

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

The main body 31 includes a print fluid supply portion, for example, an ink supply portion 34 on the front wall side 40 of the main body 31 below the detection portion 33. More specifically, the supply portion of ink 34 is placed on the front face of the main body 31 facing the insertion direction 56. The ink supply portion 34 is placed on a lower portion of the front face of the main body 31, that is, on one side bottom wall 41 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 It has a cylindrical shape and extends through the opening 97 of the front wall 40 in the insertion / removal direction 50. Therefore, the ink supply portion 34 it is placed on the front wall 40. The ink supply portion 34 has an ink supply opening 71 formed at the distal end of the ink supply portion 34.

The ink supply portion 34 has an ink path 72 formed therein. The ink path 72 extends from the ink supply opening 71 to the ink chamber 36 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. The main body 31 includes an ink supply valve 70 configured to open and selectively closing the ink supply opening 71. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, an ink tube 122 disposed in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is inserted through the ink opening ink supply 71 and pushes the ink supply valve 70 in such a way that the ink supply opening 71 opens. When this takes place, ink comes out of the ink chamber 36 to the ink tube 122 via the ink path 72 in the 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 in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink tube 122 can pass through and break the film, such that the ink supply opening 71 opens.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the main body 31 includes a hook hook 43 on a lower 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 43 includes two protrusions extending outward in opposite directions in the width direction (direction left-right) 51. A notch has formed on the hook 43. The notch is placed in a middle portion of the 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 notch hook 43 is configured to elastically deform in such a way that its dimension in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 decreases when the bracket 90 and the main body 31 are mounted. The protrusions of the front end of the hook 43 are then expanded back to normal and placed in elongated openings 91, 92 formed through the bracket 90, respectively, and contact the interior surfaces of the walls defining the elongated openings 91, 92, respectively, such that the assembly is completed.

The main body 31 includes a hitch portion 45 placed on an upper wall side 39 of the ink cartridge 30. More specifically, the hitch portion 45 is placed on a middle portion of the upper wall 39 with respect to the direction of the depth (front-rear direction) 53. The hitch portion 45 extends upward from the upper wall 39 and away from the ink chamber 36 and includes a hitch surface

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46 extending in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The engagement surface 46 faces backward with respect to the insertion direction 56, in in other words, look in the removal direction 55, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. In another embodiment, the engagement surface 46 may not extend vertically from the upper wall 39, but may be inclined with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52, and can look back with respect to the insertion direction 56, in other words, look in the extraction direction 55, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the engagement surface 46 contacts a coupling member 145 of the porc Ion assembly cartridge 110, and receives an external force. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted and retained in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 is pushed in the extraction direction 55, and therefore, the engagement surface 46 pushes the hitch 145 in the removal direction 55. As a consequence, the hitch surface 46 receives a reaction force from the hitch element 145 in the insertion direction 56.

The main body 31 includes a pivot element 80 placed on an upper side of the main body 31 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and on a rear wall side 42 of the main body 31. More specifically , the pivot element 80 is placed in a rear portion of the upper wall 39. The pivot element 80 has a curved flat plate shape and its longest dimension extends in a direction substantially parallel with the depth direction (direction front-rear) 53. Pivot element 80 includes an axis 83 at its curved tip. The curved tip is placed in a middle portion of the pivot element 80 with respect to the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. The axis 83 extends in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The axis 83 is supported by the other portion of the main body 31 in a spaced position from the engagement surface 46 towards the rear wall 42, such that the pivot element 80 can pivot about the axis 83. The pivot element 80 includes a front end portion 81 and a rear end portion 82. The front end portion 81 extends from the axis 83 toward 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 element 80, the pivot element 80 is positioned such that the front end portion 81 is positioned further away from the upper wall 39, that is, the front end portion 81 is in 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 front end portion 81. When the pivot element 80 is in this position, the portion leading end 81 may extend out beyond an upper end of any other portion of the main body 31, that is, here the upper end of the hitch portion 45. In another embodiment, the leading end portion 81 may not extend outside beyond the upper end of any other portion of the main body 31 and may be positioned further inward than the upper end of the other portion of the main body 31, is of cir, placed under the upper end of the other portion of the main body 31. When the front end portion 81 is pushed down, the pivot element 80 pivots in the right direction in Figure 4 against its own weight. When the pivot element 80 pivots in the right direction to the extent possible, the leading end portion 81 is placed under an upper end of the engagement surface 46. In another embodiment, the pivot element 80 may be formed. integrally with the other portion of the main body 31. In another embodiment, the pivot element 80 can be pushed by a spring in the right direction. In such a case, when the rear end portion 82 is pushed down, the pivot element 80 pivots in the left direction against the pushing force of the spring.

As mentioned above, the main body 31 includes the portions of the side walls 37, 38. Each of the portions of the side walls 37, 38 extends from the rear wall 42 to a middle portion of the main body 31 with respect to to the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. Each of the portions of the side walls 37, 38 includes a flat plate portion, and a tapered portion at the front of the flat plate portion with respect to the depth direction (front forward direction) 53. More specifically, each of the flat plate portion includes a flat outer surface that extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the height direction ( top-down direction) 52 and an interior flat surface that extends in the direction of depth (front forward direction) 53 and height direction (direction of a top-down) 52. The tapered portion includes a flat outer surface that extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the height direction (top-down direction) 52 and an inclined interior surface 47 or 48 extending in a direction inclined to the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and extending in the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The side wall portion 37 includes the inclined inner surface 47 and the side wall portion 38 includes the inclined inner surface 48. When the bracket 90 is not mounted on 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.

[Bracket 90]

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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 inclined interior 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 side 37 of the front portion of the main body 31, the side wall side 38 of the front portion of the main body 31, the wall side upper 39 of the front portion of the main body 31, and the lower wall side 41 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, a lower face , and the lateral faces of the front portion of the main body 31.

As described above, the bracket 90 includes the portions of the side walls 37, 38. The portions of the side walls 37, 38 have elongated openings 91, 92 formed therethrough, respectively. The elongated openings 91, 92 are placed on lower wall sides 41 of the side wall portions 37, 38, respectively. In other words, the elongated openings 91, 92 are placed in lower portions of the portions of the side walls 37, 38. Each of the elongated openings 91, 92 has a predetermined dimension in the height direction (top direction). below) 52 reasonably longer than the respective dimensions of the projections of the front end of the hook 43 in order to provide a substantial vertical tolerance or clearance in said direction. The protrusions of the front end of the hook 43 are placed in the elongated openings 91, 92, respectively, and contact the 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 direction of depth (front-rear direction) 53, the projections of the front end of the hook 43 engage in the interior surfaces of the walls that define the elongated openings 91, 92, such that the bracket 90 cannot be removed from the main body 31. The size of each of the projections of the front end of the hook 43 in the direction of height (top-direction) below) 52 is smaller than the dimension of each of the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height direction (top-down direction) 52. The portions of the side walls 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 inclined interior surfaces 47, 48 of the tapered portions, respectively, that is, the end portions 93, 94 overlap the inclined interior surfaces 47, 48 in the width direction (left direction -right) 51. The bracket 90 is configured for movement relative to the main body 31 in the height direction (top-down direction) 52 within a range defined by the dimension of the elongated openings 91, 92 in the direction of the height (top-down direction) 52 allowing the projections of the front end of the hook 43 to slide into the elongated openings 91, 92 in the direction of the height (top-down direction) 52. In other terms , there is a space between each of the projections of the front end of the hook 43 and an end of a corresponding opening of the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height direction (dire top-down) 52, so that the bracket 90 can slide in the main body 31 in the height direction (top-bottom direction) 52. When the bracket 90 moves relative to the main body 31, the end portions 93, 94 of the bracket 90 slide on the inclined interior surfaces 47, 48, respectively. In other words, the inclined interior 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 is placed on the front wall side 40 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 can have any other suitable shape according to modified embodiments. The opening 95 has dimensions and size corresponding to the detection portion 33 of the main body 31 and is in a position corresponding to the detection portion 33, such that the detection portion 33 is exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the opening 95 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. A portion of the bracket 90 defining the opening 95 includes the detection portion 89 that extends in the height direction (top-up direction). below) 52, and a support portion 79 extending from the lower end of the detection portion 89 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 towards the main body 31 and configured to support the detection portion 33 under. When the bracket 90 is supported by the upper surface of the front portion of the main body 31 below, there is a gap between the detection portion 33 and the support portion 79. When the bracket 90 moves in the upward direction relative to to the main body 31, the support portion 79 contacts a lower end of the detection 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 which allows the projections of the front end of the hook 43 to slide into the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 or can be defined by the space between the detection portion 33 and the support portion 79 formed when the bracket 90 is supported by the upper surface of the front portion of the main body 31 below.

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The bracket 90 has the opening 96 formed through a wall of the first projection 85 in the direction of depth (front-rear direction) 53, and the opening 96 is placed in an upper projection, that is, the first projection 85 with with respect to the height direction 52. In this embodiment, the opening 96 has a circular shape, but any other shapes are also possible according to 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 by opening 96 from outside the ink cartridge 30 in the extraction 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 is placed in a lower portion of the front wall 40 with respect to the direction of height 52. In this embodiment, the opening 97 has a circular shape, but any other shapes are also possible according to modified embodiments. The opening 97 has a dimension and size corresponding to the ink supply portion 34 of the main body 31 and is in a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 34, such that the ink supply portion 34 extends through the opening 37 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53.

The bracket 90 includes the first projection 85 and the second projection 86 on the front wall 40. The first projection 85 extends from the upper end of the front wall 40 in the insertion direction 56 away from the 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 is positioned further forward than the ink supply opening 71 formed at the distal end of the ink supply portion 34 in the direction of 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 (di left-right direction) 52. Slot 87 extends in the direction of depth (front-rear direction) 53. Slot 87 opens forward in the direction of insertion 56 and opens upward in the direction of height (top-down direction) 52. Both sides of the groove 87 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 are defined and closed by a pair of surfaces of the first projection 85 (side walls of the groove 87 ), and the bottom of the groove 87 is defined and closed by a surface of the first shoulder 85. The cross section of the groove 87 taken along the height direction (top-bottom direction) 52 and the direction of the width (left-right direction) 51 is rectangular, but other cross sections are also possible according to modified embodiments.

The first projection 85 includes the rib 88 arranged 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 (top-down direction) 52. The rib 88 extends in the upward direction from the surface of the first projection 85 defining the bottom of the groove 87. The rib 88 extends from the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 in the direction of depth 53 or the insertion direction 56. The rib 88 is positioned at or adjacent a boundary between the upper wall 39 and the front wall 40. Each of the side surfaces of the 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 (top-down direction) 52 in parallel with the pair of surfaces of the first projection 85 defining both sides of the groove 87 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The surfaces of the first projection 85 defining both sides of the groove 87 with respect to to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 are opposite to the lateral surfaces of the rib 88 in the width direction (left-right direction) 52, respectively. The nerve 88 is configured to dim the light, for example, visible light

or infrared, which advances in a direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50. In this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the insertion / removal 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 placed between a light emitter and a light receiver of an optical sensor 116, which are aligned in a horizontal direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50. The rib 88 is configured to dim the light, which is emitted from 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 / removal direction 50. When the light reaches one side of the nerve 88 in the direction (the direction of the anc hura or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal 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, by example, zero. In other words, the nerve 88 is configured to dim the amount or intensity of light to a level sufficient to be detected by the optical sensor 116. The light attenuation is produced by the nerve 88 that completely prevents the light from entering its passage in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50, by the nerve 88 that absorbs a certain amount of the light, by the nerve 88 that deflects the light, by nerve 88 that fully reflects light, etc. As such, nerve 88 can be detected by the optical sensor

116. The size of the rib 88 from the front wall 40 to the leading end of the rib 88 in the insertion direction 56 away from the back wall 42 varies from one type of the ink cartridge 30 to another type of the ink cartridge

30. Different types of ink cartridges 30 may include different colors of ink, different ingredients of

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ink such as dye and pigment, different initial amounts of ink stored in the ink chamber 36, etc.

In another embodiment, the first projection 85 may have a recess 87 formed therein. The recess 87 may be open forward in the insertion direction 56, open upward 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, that is, at least one of the side walls of the slot 87 can be omitted. When both side walls of the groove 87 are omitted, the rib 88 only protrudes from the platform provided by the first shoulder 85. In this modified embodiment and the embodiment described above, the rib 88 can also acquire 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 is positioned below the ink supply portion

34. The width of the second shoulder 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 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 supply portion 34 in the insertion direction 56 away from the rear wall 42. The dimension of the second projection 86 from the front wall 40 to the front end of the second projection 86 in the insertion direction 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 Figure 1). In another embodiment, the second projection 86 can be detected directly 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 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 89 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 widths greater or smaller according to modified embodiments are also possible . The detection portion 89 is configured to dim the light, for example, the visible or infrared light, which advances in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50 passing through More specifically, during the assembly of the ink cartridge 30 in 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 dims the light, which is emitted from 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 / removal direction 50. When the light arrives on one side of the detection portion 89 in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50, the amount of light exiting the other side of the detection portion 89 and which reaches the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 is less than the predetermined amount, for example, zero. In other words, the detection portion 89 is configured to dim the amount or intensity of light to a level sufficient to be detected by the optical sensor 114. The light attenuation is produced by the detection portion 89 that completely prevents the light passes through it in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50, by the detection portion 89 that absorbs a certain amount of the light, by the portion of detection 89 that deflects the light, by the detection portion 89 that fully reflects the light, etc. As such, the detection portion 89 can be detected by the optical sensor 114.

There is an interval between the detection portion 89 and the detection portion 33 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. During the assembly of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the light, which it is emitted from 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 / removal direction 50, passes through the interval and reaches the receiver of light of the optical sensor 114. The amount of light leaving the range and reaching the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount. The dimension of the detection 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, etc.

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

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projection 85, the leading end of the second projection 86, and the detection portion 89 with respect to the insertion direction 56. Each of the detection portion 33 and the ink supply opening 71 is positioned between the first projection 85 and the second projection 86 with respect to the height 52 direction.

The ink cartridge 30 includes a guide portion 65 in the upper wall 39. The guide portion 65 is a pair of ribs extending upwardly from the upper 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 interval of the guide portion 65 between the inner surfaces of the ribs in the width direction (left-right direction) is larger than the width of the coupling element 145 in the width direction (left-right direction ). The guide portion 65 includes a leading end in the insertion direction 56. The guide portion 65 is positioned between the groove 87 of the first boss 85 and the rear wall 42. More specifically, the guide portion 65 is positioned behind the slot 87 with respect to the insertion direction 56.

The ink cartridge 30 includes a guide portion 66 in the bottom wall 41. The guide portion 66 is a projection extending downward from the bottom wall 41 and extending in the depth direction (front-rear 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) it is smaller 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 guide slots 109 of the cartridge mounting portion 110.

The ink cartridge 30 includes an IC plate 74 disposed in the bracket 90 between the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65. The IC plate 74 is positioned between the groove 87 of the first projection 85 and the rear wall 42 and between the portion hook 45 and the front wall 40. The IC plate 74 is placed on the upper wall side 39 of the ink cartridge 30 between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42. The IC plate 74 is positioned further back than the wall front 40 and 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 positioned 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 arranged. The platform 67 is positioned 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 forward direction) 53, and extending in the insertion / removal direction 50 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position (vertical position). A plane in which 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 the one that extends the engagement surface 46, that is, a plane that extends in the height direction (top-bottom direction) 52 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51. In this embodiment, the plane in which the platform extends is perpendicular to the plane in which the engagement 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 depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position (vertical position), the upper surface of the IC plate 74 extends horizontally and faces up. A plane in which the upper surface of the IC plate 74 extends, that is, a plane that extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51 , intersects the plane in which the hitch surface 46 extends, that is, a plane that extends in the height direction (top-down direction) 52 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51 In this embodiment, the plane in which the upper surface of the plate IC 74 extends is perpendicular to the plane in which the engagement surface 46 extends. Since the platform 67 is positioned further forward than the engagement surface 46 with respect to the insertion direction 56, the IC plate 74 is positioned further forward than the engagement surface 46 with respect to the insertion direction 56. The IC plate 74 is placed on top of (higher than) the rib 88 and slot 87 of the first projection 85 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. In other words, the IC plate 74 is positioned further outwards - with respect to the vertical direction or the height direction (52) -that the rib 88 and the groove 87. The IC plate 74 is placed above (taller than) at least a portion of the hitch portion 45 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. In other words, the IC plate 74 is positioned further outwards - with respect to the vertical direction or the height direction (52) - than at least a portion of the hitch 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 / removal direction 50. During the assembly of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the IC plate 74 contact and the ctricamente the three contacts 106 (see Figure 6). When mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion

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110 has been completed, the IC board 74 still contacts and is electrically connected to the three contacts 106.

With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the IC plate 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 integrated semiconductor circuit and stores data about the information of the ink cartridge 30, for example, the batch number of the ink cartridge 30, the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 30, the color of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 , etc. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in 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 they are aligned and spaced from each other in the width direction (left right direction) 51. The ground electrode 76 is placed between the active electrode 75 and the signal electrode 77. The IC plate 74 has a width in the direction of the width (left-right direction) 51 and the rib 88 of the first shoulder 85 has a width in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, and the width of the plate CI 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 direction of the width (left-right direction) 51, and the width of each of the active electrode 75, the electrode of land 76 and the signal electrode 77 is larger than the width of the nerve 88. The center of the plate CI 74 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the center of the nerve 88 of the first projection 85 in the direction of the width (left-right direction) are placed in a plane that is parallel with the height direction (top-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. Therefore, the IC board 74 and nerve 88 intersect the plane that is parallel with the height direction (top-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. In other words, the IC plate 74 and the nerve 88 are not offset in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. More specifically, the center of the Earth electrode 76 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the center of the nerve 88 are placed in the plane that is parallel with the height direction (top-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front forward direction) 53. In other words, the center of the ground electrode 76 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the center of nerve 88 are not offset in the width direction (left-right direction)

51. Therefore, the ground electrode 76 and the nerve 88 intersect the plane that is parallel with the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. In in other words, the ground electrode 76 and the nerve 86 are not offset in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, the signal electrode 77, and the nerve 88 they are arranged symmetrically with respect to the plane that is parallel with the height direction (top-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. The engagement surface 46, the IC plate 74, and the groove 87 intersect the plane that is parallel with the height direction (top-bottom direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. In other words, the engagement surface 46, the IC plate 74, and slot 87 are not deflected in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. More specifically, the engagement surface 46, the ground electrode 76, and the groove 87 intersect the plane that is parallel with the height direction (top direction- below) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, the hitch surface 46, the active electrode 75, and the groove 87 intersect another plane that is parallel with the height direction (up-down direction ) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, and the engagement surface 46, the signal electrode 77, and the groove 87 intersect another plane that is parallel with the height direction (top direction- below) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. In other words, the engagement surface 46, each of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77, and the slot 87 are not diverted in the direction n of the width (left-right direction) 51. During the assembly 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 assembly of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is complete, 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 plate IC 74, and the slot 87 are exposed upwardly with respect to the height 52 direction to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 on the upper wall side 39 of the ink cartridge 30. The electrode active 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are exposed upwardly to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 on the upper surface of the plate CI 74, such that the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and The signal electrode 77 is accessible from above when the 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 / removal direction 50. The engagement surface 46 is accessible from above when the 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 / removal direction 50.

The pair of ribs of the guide portion 65 extend beyond the IC plate 74 upward and forward in the

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insertion direction 56. In other words, the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65 extend outwardly beyond the plate CI 74. The bracket 90 includes a ramp 49 that connects the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65 The ramp 49 is positioned between the groove 87 of the first projection 85 and the rear wall 42 and between the plate CI 74 and the front wall 40. The ramp 49 is placed between the groove 87 of the first projection 85 (ie, the end upper of the front wall 40) and the plate IC 74. The ramp 49 is inclined downwards 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 hitch element 145 slides on the ramp 49.

A recess 78 has been formed between the hitch portion 45 and the bracket 90 in a boundary between the hitch 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 positioned in relation to the cartridge mounting portion 110, respectively, as described below, there is no difference in level between the hitch 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 engagement 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 side 37 of the front portion of the main body 31, the side wall side 38 of the front portion of the main body 31, the wall side upper 39 of the front portion of the main body 31, and the lower 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. With reference to Figures 10A and 10B, in a modified embodiment, the bracket 90 may not cover the side wall side 37 of the front portion of the main body 31. With reference to Figures 11A and 11B, in another modified embodiment, the bracket 90 may not cover the lower wall side 41 of the front portion of the main body 31.

[Inserting ink into the ink cartridge 30]

After mounting the main body 31 and the bracket 90, the ink cartridge 30 is placed with the front wall 40 facing up. The ink supply valve 70 and the air communication valve 73 are then pushed into the ink chamber 36, such that the ink supply opening 71 and the air communication opening 32 open. The inside of the ink chamber 36 is thus accessible from outside the ink chamber 36. Subsequently, ink is introduced into the ink chamber 36 from outside the ink chamber 36 through the ink supply opening 71 while that the air escapes from the inside of the ink chamber 36 to the outside of 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 positions originals, such 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, such that the corresponding opening of the ink supply opening 71 and the opening Air communication 32 will open. The inside of the ink chamber 36 is thus accessible from outside the ink chamber 36. Subsequently, ink is introduced into the ink chamber 36 from outside the ink chamber 36 through 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 longer to fill the ink chamber 36 with ink compared to the method described above in which both the ink supply opening 71 as the air communication opening 32 opens. The ink supply valve 70 or the air communication valve 73 is then moved to its original position, such that the ink supply opening 71 or the air communication opening 32 is closed.

When the ink cartridge 30 is refilled, an opening can 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 side wall 38, such that the inside 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 opened additionally. Subsequently, ink is introduced into 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 outside. of the ink chamber 36 by the opening and / or by the ink supply opening 71 and / or the air communication opening 32 if it is opened. And then, the opening formed through the wall of the ink cartridge 30 is closed with a plug, curable adhesive, a tape, etc., and the ink supply opening 71 and / or the air communication opening 32 is Close if opened earlier.

[100 ink supply device]

Referring to Figure 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 can be mounted

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30. In Figure 1, the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[110 cartridge mounting portion]

With reference to Figures 5 and 6, the cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a box 101, and the box 101 has the opening 112 formed through a face of the box 101. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted

or removed from the box 101 through the opening 112. The box 101 has the slot 109 formed on an upper surface that defines the upper end of the interior space of the box 101 and also has the slot 109 formed on a lower surface that defines the lower end of the inner space of the box 101. The slots 109 extend in the insertion / removal direction 50. The ink cartridge 30 is guided in the insertion / removal direction 50 with the guide portion 65 inserted in the slot 109 formed on the upper surface of the box 101 and the guide slot 66 inserted in the slot 109 formed on the lower surface of the box 101. The box 101 is configured to receive four ink cartridges 30 containing cyan ink, magenta ink , yellow ink, and black ink, respectively.

The box 101 includes three dividing plates 102 that extend in the vertical direction and the insertion / removal direction 50. The three dividing 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 Figure 6, the case 101 includes an end surface in front of the opening 112 in the insertion / removal direction 50. The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a connection portion 103 disposed in a lower portion of the surface at the end of the box 101 in a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the box 101. In this embodiment, four connection portions 103 are provided for the four ink cartridges 30 that can be assemble 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 outside 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. In the figure 5 and 6, the ink tube 20 is not illustrated.

The clamping portion 121 has a cylindrical shape. The ink tube 122 is placed in the center of the holding portion 121. With reference to Figure 9, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink supply portion 34 is inserted in the holding portion 121. When this occurs, 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 the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 to exit into the ink tube 122.

Referring to Fig. 6, the cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a sensor unit 104 above the connection portion 103. The sensor unit 104 includes a plate 113 and the optical sensor 114 mounted on the 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, for example, a light emitting diode, and the light receiver, for example, 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 towards the opening 112. The housing is substantially U-shaped as seen 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 / removal direction 50 with a space formed therebetween. The light emitter is configured to emit light, for example, 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 / removal direction 50 , and the light receiver is configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitter. The detection portion 33 and the 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 the 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 placed on the upper surface of the box 101 next to the end surface of the box 101. The sensor unit 105 includes a plate 115 and the sensor optical 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 in the box 101.

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As described above, the optical sensor 116 includes the light emitter, for example, a light emitting diode, and the light receiver, for example, 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 has a substantially U-shaped face down as seen 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 / removal direction 50 with a space formed therebetween. The light emitter is configured to emit light, for example, 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 / removal direction 50 , and the light receiver is configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitter. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in 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. The optical sensor 116 is configured to detect the change in the amount (intensity) of the light when the nerve 88 enters an optical path (detection point) formed between the light emitter and the light receiver. The optical sensor 116 is electrically connected to the printer controller 10, and when the optical sensor 116 detects the nerve 88, an output signal from the optical sensor 116 to the controller changes. Based on the signal change, if the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 it can be determined by the controller. 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 dimming the light of the optical sensor 116.

The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes electrical contacts 106 placed on the upper surface of the box 101 between the end surface of the box 101 and the opening 112. Three contacts 106 are arranged and aligned in the direction (width or direction of the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50. Three contacts 106 are arranged in positions corresponding to the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, the signal electrode 77 of the ink cartridge 30. The contacts 106 They have electrical conductivity and resilience. The contacts 106 are configured to be elastically deformed in the upward direction when they are pushed below. 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 by an electrical circuit. The controller can include a CPU, a ROM, a 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 the signal electrode 77 contacts and is electrically connected to a corresponding contact of the contacts 106, the data stored in the IC is accessible. The outputs of the electrical circuit are introduced to the controller.

Referring to Figure 1, the box 101 has a space 130 formed at the lower end of the end surface of the box 101. The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a slide 135 disposed in the space

130. Four slides 135 corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be mounted in the box 101 are provided. The space 130 is contiguous with the interior space of the box 101. The slide 135 is configured for movement in the space 130 in the insertion / removal direction 50. The slider 135 has substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The slide 135 is placed in the travel line of the second projection 86 of the ink cartridge 30 and is configured to contact the second projection 86.

The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a helical spring 139 disposed in the space 130. The helical spring 139 is configured to push the slide 135 towards the opening 112, that is, in the removal direction 55. When the helical spring 139 is at a normal length, that is, when no external force is applied to the slide 135, the slide 135 is placed on an opening side 112 of the space 130. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the case 101, the second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 contacts the slide 135 and pushes the slide 135 in the insertion direction 56. When this occurs, the coil spring 139 contracts and the slide 135 slides in the insertion direction 56. The coil spring 139 in a contracted state pushes the ink cartridge 30 in the extraction direction 55 by the slide 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 box 101 are provided. In other words, the four sensors Optical 117 are provided corresponding to the four slides

135. The four optical sensors 117 are aligned in the direction (width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal 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 and inserted into a space between a light emitter and a light receiver of the optical sensor 117. The optical sensor 117 is configured to

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detecting 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 controller of the printer 10, and when the optical sensor 117 detects the slider 135, a signal sent from the optical sensor 117 to the controller changes. In Figures 6 to 9, the slide 135, the coil spring 139, and the optical sensor 117 are not illustrated.

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

Referring to Figure 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 (top-down direction) 52 corresponds to the position of the air communication valve 73 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. Four rods 125 corresponding to the four are provided 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 box 101 in the insertion / removal direction 50 towards the opening 112. During the assembly of the cartridge of ink 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 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 7 3. The air communication valve 73 is pushed by the rod 125, such 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 therefore the bracket 90 is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the height direction (direction from top to bottom) 52.

Referring to Figure 6, the cartridge mounting portion 110 includes the hitch member 145 placed in an upper portion of the case 101. The hitch member 145 is configured to retain the ink cartridge 30 in the mounted position. The coupling element 145 is positioned adjacent the upper end of the opening 112. The coupling element 145 is positioned between the opening 112 and the contacts 106. Each of the contacts 106 and the coupling element 145 intersects a plane that is parallel with the insertion / removal direction 50 and the vertical (gravitational) direction. In other words, each of the contacts 106 and the coupling element 145 are not offset in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. Four coupling elements 145 corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 are provided. can be mounted in box 101.

The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a shaft 147 positioned adjacent to the upper end of the opening

112. The shaft 147 is mounted in the case 101 and extends in the direction (width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / removal direction 50. The axis 147 extends through one end of the hitch element 145 adjacent to the opening 112, in other words, a rear end of the hitch element 145 with respect to the insertion direction 56. The hitch element 145 is supported by the shaft 147, such that the element of hitch 145 can pivot about axis 147 selectively approaching and moving away from the interior space of the case 101. The hitch element 145 includes a hitch end 146 opposite the end of the hitch element 145 through which the shaft 147 extends. In other words, the hitch end 146 is positioned at a leading end of the hitch member 145 with respect to the insertion direction 56. The hitch end 146 is configured for contacting the hitch portion 45 of the ink cartridge 30. By contact between the hitch end 146 and the hitch surface 46 of the hitch portion 45, the ink cartridge 30 is retained in the position mounted in the case 101 against the pushing force from the slide 135. When the hitch end 146 contacts the hitch surface 46, the hitch end 146 extends substantially in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the direction of the height (top-down direction) 52. The hitch element 145 is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the hitch member 145 is in the locked position, the hitch end 146 can contact the hitch portion

45. When the hitch member 145 is in the unlocked position, the hitch end 146 cannot contact the hitch portion 45.

The engagement element 145 includes a sliding surface 148 extending from the engagement end 146 towards the shaft 147. When the engagement end 146 contacts the engagement surface 46, the sliding surface 148 extends substantially in the direction of the 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 slide 148 contact and slide on the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 at the same time when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted and / or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

The hitch element 145 is configured to pivot down due to its own weight or pushed by a spring (not shown). When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the hitch end 146 that contacts the hitch portion 45 is positioned above the leading end portion 81 of the pivot element 80. When the end portion forward 81 moves up and pushes

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the hitching end 146 upwards, the hitching element 145 pivots upwardly around the axis 147 from the locked position to the unlocked position. The mobile range of the hitch element 145 is limited, such that the hitch element 145 does not pivot down beyond the locked position.

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

Referring to Figures 7 to 9, it is described how the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. In Figures 7 to 9, the cartridge mounting portion 110 is illustrated in cross-section, but only A side portion of the upper wall 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 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110. Referring to Figure 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 of ink 30 are inserted into the slots 109 of the case 101, and therefore 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 (top-down direction) 52. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to slide toward the end surface of the box 101 while the guide portions 65, 66 are inserted into the slots 109.

With reference to Figures 7 and 8, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the case 101, the leading end of the first projection 85 contacts the sliding surface 148 of the engagement element 145. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further , the sliding surface 148 goes up the first projection 85 and the ramp 49. When this takes place, the engagement element 145 pivots upward in the left direction in Figure 7 from the locked position to the unlocked position. . When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted, the sliding surface 148 of the engagement element 145 slides on the ramp 49 and the 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, the dust of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 is cleaned.

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

With reference to Figure 8, after the second projection 86 begins to push the slide 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 Figure 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 through 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 of 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 nerve 88 begins 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 same time as the output signal of the optical sensor 116 changes 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 optical sensor 114 when the nerve 88 begins to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, and therefore, the optical sensor output signal 114 is the high level signal at the same time as the sensor output signal Optical 116 changes from the high level signal to the low level signal. In other words, the rib 88 and the detection portion 89 are configured to provide information about the type of the ink cartridge 30 by dimming the light of the optical sensor 116 and the optical sensor 114.

If the second projection 86 is longer in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 in one type

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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 begins to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, and therefore, The output signal of the optical sensor 117 is the low level signal while the output signal of the optical sensor 116 changes from the high level signal to the low level signal. If the second projection 86 is shorter in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 in another type of the ink cartridge 30, the slider 135 is not yet at the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 117 when the nerve 88 begins to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, and therefore, the output signal of the optical sensor 117 is the high level signal while the output signal of the optical sensor 116 changes from the high level signal to the low level signal. In other words, the rib 88 and the second projection 86 are configured to provide information about the type of the ink cartridge 30 by dimming the light of the optical sensor 116 and the optical sensor 117.

Referring to Figure 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 occurs, the ink supply portion 34 is positioned relative to the holding portion 121 with respect to the height direction (top-down direction) 52 by the outer surface of the the ink supply portion 34 that contacts the inner surface of the clamping portion 121, that is, the main body 31 is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the height direction (top direction (below) 52. The ink supply valve 70 is pushed by the ink tube 122, such that the ink supply opening 71 is opened. The ink tube 122 has an ink introduction opening formed at its distal end, and the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 flows to the ink tube 122 through the ink introduction opening in the insertion direction 56.

With reference to Figure 8, during the introduction 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. When 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 up the bracket 90, such that the bracket 90 slides in 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 defining the opening 96 below. With reference to Figure 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, such that air flows into the ink chamber 36 through the air communication opening 32.

Meanwhile, with reference to figures 8 and 9, the contacts 106 contact the ramp 49 of the bracket 90. Since the ramp 49 is tilted upward when the contact 106 moves towards 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 that contacts the upper portion of the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96, the contacts 106 they deform elastically in the upward direction when the contacts 106 slide on the ramp 49 and the plate IC 74. The elastically deformed contacts 106 push the plate CI 74 in the downward direction. When the contacts 106 reach the IC plate 74, the bracket 90 is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 by the contacts 106 and the rod 125 interspersing bracket 90 above and below, respectively.

When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further towards the end surface of the case 101, with reference to Figure 9, the contacts 106 contact and are electrically connected to the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, the signal electrode 77 of the IC 74 plate, respectively. When the ink cartridge assembly 30 reaches the assembled 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 assembled position, the engagement surface 46 of the engagement portion 45 of the ink cartridge 30 has passed through the engagement end 146 of the attachment member 145 in the insertion direction 56. The element of hitch 145 pivots in the direction to the right in FIG. 9 to the locked position, and the hitch end 146 contacts the hitch surface 46. With this contact between the hitch element 145 and the hitch portion 45, the ink cartridge 30 is retained in the mounted position against the pushing 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 direction of insertion / removal 50. As such, the assembly of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 has been completed.

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

When the ink cartridge 30 is in the position mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the front end portion 81 of the pivot element 80 is positioned below the engagement end 146 of the print element

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hitch 145. The rear end portion 82 of the pivot element 80 is positioned away from the upper wall

39.

Based on the level of the output signal from the optical sensor 116, the controller determines 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 dimming the light of the optical sensor 116. Based on the level of the output signal from the optical sensor 114 and / or based on the level of the output signal from the optical sensor 117 while 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 portion Detection 89 or the second projection 86 are configured to provide information about the type of the ink cartridge 30 by dimming the light of the optical sensor 116 and the optical sensor 114 or the optical sensor 117. By periodically checking the level of the output signal of 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 has the predetermined amount of ink or more. In other words, the detection portion 33 is configured to indicate the presence or absence of ink inside the ink chamber 36 by dimming or not dimming the light of the optical sensor 114. Based on the data read from the IC plate 74, it is determines the information of the ink cartridge 30, for example, the batch number of the ink cartridge 30, the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 30, the color of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30, etc.

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 in 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 interior surfaces 47, 48 of the main body 31. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the case 101 and the rod 125 is inserted into the opening 96 of the bracket 90, the outer surface of the rod 125 may not initially contact the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further, the contacts 106 contact the ramp 49 and the plate CI 74 and push the bracket 90 down, such that 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. When the contacts 106 reach the plate CI 74, the bracket 90 is placed in relation to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 by the contacts 106 and the rod 125 that interleaves the bracket 90 above and below, respectively.

The time profile of the events that take place during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 is described in more detail here. When the insertion is started, the sliding surface 148 of the hitch portion 145 begins to slide on the plate CI 74. The second projection 86 then contacts the slide 135 and begins to push the slide 135. The detection portion 89 then begins to enter 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. The contacts 106 then begin to contact the IC plate 74. The interval between the detection portion 89 and the detection portion 33 then begins to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114. The ink tube 122 then contacts the ink supply valve 70 and begins to push the ink supply valve 70. The detection portion 33 then begins to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114. The hitch end 146 then contacts the hitch surface 46.

After completing the assembly of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the printer 10 starts printing. When the printer 10 exhausts the 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 in the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Removing ink cartridge 30 from cartridge mounting portion 110]

When it is desired to remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the user pushes down the rear end portion 82 of the pivot element 80. Accordingly, the front end portion 81 of the pivot element 80 moves upwards and separates from the upper wall 39. When this takes place, the hitch element 145 is pushed up by the front end portion 81 of the pivot element 80, and the hitch end 146 of the hitch element 145 is moves to a position above the hitch surface 46, that is, to a position separate from the hitch surface 46. As such, the hitch member 145 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the cartridge Ink 30 is released from the holding state by the hitch element 145.

When the engagement end 146 is separated from the engagement surface 46, an external force applied to the ink cartridge 30, for example, the pushing force of the helical spring 139 moves the ink cartridge 30 in the extraction direction 55. No However, since the user's finger still contacts the rear end portion 82 pushed down from the pivot element 80, the ink cartridge 30 that moves in the removal direction 55 is stopped by the user. The user's finger receives the pushing force of the coil spring 139

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by the pivot element 80.

When the user moves the finger in the removal direction 55, the ink cartridge 30 moves along the finger, pushed by the slide 135 and the coil spring 139. When this takes place, the IC plate 74 arranged in the bracket 90 is It releases the downward 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 engagement element 145 passes over the recess 78 and slides on the IC plate 74 and the ramp 49. When the sliding surface 148 slides on the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77, the electrode dust is cleaned active 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77. After sliding on the ramp 49, the sliding surface 148 passes over the slot 87. When this takes place, the dust cleaned by the surface of Sliding 148 falls into slot 87. Accordingly, the probability of dust falling 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 downwardly relative to the main body 31 to the initial position in which 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 of 110 cartridge.

[Advantages]

In this embodiment, since the ink cartridge 30 includes the detection portion 89 and the rib 88 configured to be detected by the optical sensors 114, 116 independent of the IC plate 74, although the electrical connection between the IC plate 74 and the contacts 106 is not established or the data is not read from the IC by means of the 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 detection portion 89 and the nerve 88. Therefore, the ink cartridge 30 can be used even if the electrical connection between the IC plate 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 advances in the direction (width direction, left-right direction) perpendicular to the insertion direction 50, the detection portion 89 and the nerve 88 can enter at the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114, 116 in the insertion direction 50 at the desired times. In addition, 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 advances, although to the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 access the contacts 106 in the downward direction, such that the ink cartridge 30, or parts thereof, moves in the downward direction, said displacement does not affect the times when the detection portion 89 and the nerve 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 cartridge of ink 30 in the insertion direction 56, and are not determined by the downward movement of the ink cartridge 30. In general terms, when events occur in perpendicular directions to each other, such eve These can be independent events 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 thrust force of the slide 135 and the coil spring 139 in the extraction direction 55 is not received directly by the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77. Therefore, the probability of excessive load being applied to the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 is reduced. and the signal electrode 77. In addition, the likelihood of ink leaking from the ink supply portion 34 and that the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are contaminated with ink is reduced.

If the IC plate 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 could 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 move away from the contacts 106. Consequently, in this case, the 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 are separated from contacts 106 by the pushing force that pushes the ink cartridge 30. However, the greater range of deformation and the greater resilience of the contacts 106 could apply a larger thrust force to the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77, that is, excessive load could be applied to the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77. In addition, if the IC plate 74 is placed on the front wall 40, the ink that has escaped from the ink supply portion 34 could reach the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 and produce short circuit between active electrode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77.

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In this embodiment, since the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 and the engagement portion 45 are arranged on the same side, for example, the upper wall side 39, of the ink cartridge 30, the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are placed adjacent to the hitch portion 45. Since the hitch portion 45 determines the position of the ink cartridge 30 relative to the mounting portion of cartridge 110 with respect to the insertion / removal direction 50 when the hitch portion 45 contacts the hitch member 145, the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77, which are placed adjacent to the portion of engagement 45, they can be placed exactly in relation to the contacts 106 with respect to the insertion / removal 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 engagement surface 46 with respect to the insertion direction 56, and the engagement surface 46 and each one of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 intersects the respective plane that is parallel with the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, the hitch element 145 slides on the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 during the introduction of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. Therefore, the dust is cleaned that there is in the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 and the probability of the electrical connection between the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 is reduced and contacts 106 be unstable.

In this embodiment, the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are placed on top of at least a portion of the engagement surface 46 of the engagement portion 45. Since the engagement member 145 is configured to pivot down due to its own weight or pushed by a spring, the dust in the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 can be cleaned by the coupling element 145 with a further downward force strong. In addition, the mobile range of the hitch element 145 is limited, such that the hitch element 145 does not pivot down beyond the locked position. If the active electrode 75, the earth electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 were placed below the engagement surface 46, the engagement element 145 may not contact the active electrode 75, the earth electrode 76 and the electrode signal 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 direction of insertion 56, although the dust in 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 The likelihood of said powder adhering to the portion of the ink supply portion 34 surrounding the ink supply opening 71. Therefore, the probability of the ink becoming contaminated with the powder is reduced.

In this embodiment, since the recess, for example, the slot 87 has been placed more 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 that is parallel with the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (forward direction- rear) 53, and the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are placed above the slot 87, the cleaned dust of the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 falls to the groove 87. Accordingly, the probability of the powder 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 has been placed on the front wall 40 and the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are placed on the upper wall 39, the probability is reduced that the 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 independently positioned relative to the portion of cartridge assembly 110 with respect to the height direction (top-down direction) 52. Therefore, the elements arranged in the bracket 90, for example, the IC plate 74, the rib 88, and the detection portion 89 , and elements arranged in the main body 31, for example, the ink supply portion 34, can be placed independently in relation to the corresponding elements arranged in the cartridge mounting portion 110, for example, the contacts 106, the sensors optical 114, 116, and the ink tube

122.

Since the ink cartridge 30 has been assembled from a plurality of elements, the dimensional tolerance of each element has to be generally small, which requires high accuracy in designing and manufacturing each element. If the dimensional tolerance of each element is relatively large, the cumulative dimensional error

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of the ink cartridge 30 is generally large. In such a case, the ink tube 122 may not be inserted into the ink supply opening 71 and may contact the distal end of the ink supply portion 34 and break, the contacts 106 may contact the IC plate 74 with high pressure and they can break; on the contrary, the contacts 106 may not be able to contact the IC plate 74, or the nerve 88 and the detection portion 89 may not enter between the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 114, 116. In this embodiment However, 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 elements arranged in the bracket 90, for example, the IC plate 74, the rib 88 and the detection portion 89, and the elements disposed in the main body 31, for example, the ink supply portion 34, can be placed independently in relation to corresponding elements arranged in the cartridge mounting portion 110, for example, contacts 106, optical sensors 114, 116, and 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 larger than the width of the nerve 88, in other words, the width of the nerve 88 is smaller 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 contactless detection 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 nerve, which is similar to the nerve 88 of the first projection 85, and the optical sensor 117 may be configured to directly detect the nerve of the second projection 86.

In another embodiment, the range within which the bracket 90 moves relative to the main body 31 can 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 can be guided by a known structure, for example, guide rails formed in the main body 31 or the bracket 90, different of inclined interior surfaces 47, 48.

In another embodiment, the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96 may not contact the outer surface of the rod 125 to move the bracket 90 relative to the main body 31. In such a case, the bracket 90 may include a surface extending in a direction that intersects the insertion / removal direction 50 in the upper face or the lower face, and when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the surface can contact and slide in a projection disposed in 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 slide 135, the coil spring 139 and the optical sensor 117. In such a case, the ink cartridge 30 may be pushed in the extraction direction 55 by springs coupled to ink supply valve 70 and / or air communication valve 73.

In another embodiment, the IC may not be disposed on the same plate on which the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 75 and the signal electrode 77 are arranged. For example, the IC may be placed on or adjacent to the rear wall 42 and may be wired to the active electrode 75, the ground electrode 75 and the signal electrode 77 that are arranged at or adjacent to the upper wall 39.

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

Although the invention has been described in connection with several exemplary structures and illustrative embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that other variations and modifications of the structures and embodiments described above can be made without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. It is intended that the specification and the described examples be merely illustrative and that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims.

Claims (17)

5 fifteen 25 35 Four. Five 55 65 E11195258 11-13-2014 1. A print fluid cartridge (30) configured to be inserted into a cartridge mounting portion (110) in an upright position in an insertion direction (56) against a thrust force exerted in an extraction direction (55) opposite the insertion direction (56), where the print 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 with the insertion direction (56), where The print fluid cartridge (30) includes: a front face facing the insertion direction (56) when the print fluid cartridge (30) is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion; a rear face placed in front of the front face with respect to the insertion direction (56) and oriented towards the removal direction (55) when the print fluid cartridge (30) is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion; a camera (36) placed between the front and the rear face and configured to store printing fluid; a print fluid supply portion (34) placed on the front face and including a print fluid supply opening (71), where the print fluid supply portion (34) is configured to supply the print fluid from inside the chamber (36) to the outside of the chamber (36) by the printing fluid supply opening (71); at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) placed between the front face and the rear face and configured to electrically connect with at least one contact of the cartridge mounting portion; Y a hitch surface (46) configured to contact a hitch element (145) of the cartridge mounting portion, such that the print fluid cartridge (30) is retained in the cartridge mounting portion against force thrust, where when the print fluid cartridge (30) is in the vertical position, the at least single electrical interface (75, 76, 77) and the engagement surface (46 are configured to access them from outside the fluid cartridge print (30) in the direction of height (52) and are placed on or adjacent to an upper face of the print fluid cartridge (30) that extends between the front and the rear face and looks up at the height direction, the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) is positioned further forward than the engagement surface (46) with respect to the insertion direction (56), and the at least one electrical interface ( 75, 76, 77) and the engagement surface (46) intersect a plane that is parallel with the insertion direction (56) and the height direction (52); where the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) is placed on top of at least a portion of the surface d and engage (46) when the print fluid cartridge (30) is in the vertical position.

2.

The print fluid cartridge (30) of claim 1, wherein a plane in which the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) extends intersects a plane in which the engagement surface (46) extends .

3.

The print fluid cartridge (30) of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) has been placed further back than the front face with respect to the insertion direction (56) .

Four.

The print fluid cartridge (30) of claim 3, wherein the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) has been placed further back than the print fluid supply opening (71) with respect to the insertion address

5.

 The print fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 4, further including:

a detection portion (33) configured to indicate the presence or absence of the printing fluid within the chamber (36), the detection portion being placed on the front face; where, in the vertical position, the detection portion (33) is disposed above the printing fluid supply portion (34) in the height direction (52). 6. The print fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) and the engagement surface (46) are exposed upward in the direction of the height (52) to the outside of the print fluid cartridge (30) when the print fluid cartridge (30) is in the vertical position. 24 5 fifteen 25 35 Four. Five 55 65 E11195258 11-13-2014 7. The print fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 6, further including a recess (87) that opens upwards in the height direction (52) when the print fluid cartridge (30) is in the vertical position, where the recess (87) has been placed more forward than the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) with respect to the insertion direction (56), and the recess (87) and the electrical interface (75, 76, 77) intersect the plane that is parallel with the insertion direction (56 ) and the height direction (52), where the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) has been placed above the slot (87) when the print fluid cartridge (30) is in the vertical position .

8.

The print fluid cartridge (30) of claim 7, wherein the recess (87) is a slot (87), and both side sides of the slot (87) are closed with respect to the width direction (51) .

9.

 A printing apparatus (10) including:

the print fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 8; Y a cartridge mounting portion (110) into which the print fluid cartridge (30) is inserted, including the cartridge mounting portion (110): at least one contact (106) configured to connect electrically with the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77); Y a hitch element (145) configured to selectively contact the at least single electrical interface (75, 76, 77) and the hitch surface (46), where when the hitch element (145) contacts the hitch surface (46) , the print fluid cartridge (30) is retained in the cartridge mounting portion (110) against the pushing force. 10. The printing apparatus (10) of claim 9, wherein the engagement element (145) is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position, where when the engagement element (145) is in the locked position, the hitch element (145) contacts the hitch surface (46), and when the hitch element (145) is in the unlocked position, the hitch element (145) contacts the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77).

eleven.

 The printing apparatus (10) of claim 10, wherein the engagement element (145) includes a first surface (146) configured to contact the engagement surface (46) and a second surface (148) configured to contact the at least Single electrical interface (75, 76, 77).

12.

The printing apparatus (10) of any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) includes a plurality of electrical interfaces (75, 76, 77), and the coupling element is configured to contact each of the plurality of electrical interfaces (75, 76, 77).

13.

 Use of the print fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) is contacted with the engagement element during insertion of the fluid cartridge of print (30) on the cartridge mounting portion, and the engagement surface (46) is brought into contact with the engagement element, when the print fluid cartridge (30) is mounted and retained on the mounting portion of cartridge against the pushing force.

14.

Use of the print fluid cartridge (30) of claim 13, wherein the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) contacts the at least one contact during insertion of the print fluid cartridge (30 ) on the cartridge mounting portion.

fifteen.

Use of the print fluid cartridge (30) of claim 15, wherein the contact between the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) and the at least one contact is maintained when the engagement surface (46) contacts the coupling element (145), such that the print fluid cartridge (30) is retained in the cartridge mounting portion against the pushing force.

16.

Use of the print fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the at least one electrical interface (75, 76, 77) is contacted with the engagement element (145) during cartridge removal of printing fluid (30) of the cartridge mounting portion.

17.

 A method of manufacturing a print fluid cartridge (30), including:

a step of providing the print fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 8; a step of providing access to the interior of the chamber (36) from outside the chamber (36); Y 25 E11195258 11-13-2014 a step of introducing printing fluid into the chamber (36) from outside the chamber (36). 26