ES2732325T3 - Liquid consumption device including a liquid cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid consuming apparatus (10) including a liquid cartridge (30) configured to be inserted into said liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction (51, 57) along a horizontal direction against a directed thrust force in a second direction (52, 58) opposite to the first direction, and be installed thereby in the liquid consuming apparatus, including: a liquid chamber (36) configured to store liquid; a front face (140) facing the first direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming apparatus; a liquid supply part (34) positioned on the front face and configured to allow insertion of a liquid supply tube of the liquid consumption apparatus therein; a sealing element (76) positioned in the liquid supply portion and having a liquid supply opening formed therethrough, wherein the sealing element is configured to contact an outer surface of the liquid supply tube by deforming it elastically time when the liquid supply tube is inserted through the liquid supply opening; an upper face (39, 141) facing an upward direction (54) when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming apparatus; a locking surface (151) configured to contact a locking portion of the liquid consuming apparatus in the second direction; and a rear face (41) facing the second direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming apparatus, where the liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center (O) which is a center of the liquid supply opening, when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consumption apparatus and the liquid supply tube is inserted through the liquid supply opening, where the liquid cartridge is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, where when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, the locking surface contacts the locking part in the second direction and the movement of the liquid cartridge relative to the liquid consuming apparatus in the second direction is restricted, and the rear face includes a first part (41L) and a second part (41U) positioned more in the upward direction than the first part, where the first part was part includes a part positioned more in the downward direction than the pivot center, and the first part is positioned more in the first direction than the second part, characterized in that the locking surface (151) is positioned on the upper face; and when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, the locking surface is positioned more in a downward direction than the locking portion, where the downward direction (53) is the gravitational direction; The liquid cartridge (30) further includes an electrical interface (65) positioned on the upper face and configured to contact a contact provided on the liquid consuming apparatus when the liquid cartridge is in both the first and second positions. in the liquid consuming apparatus, where when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, a pivot center position along the first direction and an electrical interface position along the first direction overlap when less partially.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Liquid consumption device including a liquid cartridge

Background of the invention

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid consumption apparatus including a liquid cartridge, a method of inserting the liquid cartridge into a cartridge mounting portion of the liquid consumption apparatus, and to the use of the liquid consumption apparatus .

2. Description of the related technique

A known inkjet recording apparatus is configured to register an image in a medium by ejecting ink stored in an ink cartridge from nozzles on the medium. When the ink runs out, the ink cartridge is replaced.

A known apparatus, such as that described in US Patent No. 5,949,459, has a deposit receiving station configured to receive an ink deposit, and the deposit receiving station has retention elements. The ink tank has the corresponding retention elements. When the ink tank is inserted in the deposit receiving station, the ink deposit retention elements engage the corresponding retention elements of the container receiving part, and therefore the ink deposit is locked in the receiving station. Deposit receipt against spring thrust forces.

In the known apparatus, the ink tank has to pivot from a position in which the ink tank retention elements do not engage the corresponding retention elements of the container receiving part to a position in which the retention elements of the ink reservoir, the corresponding elements of the container receiving part engage, so that the ink reservoir is locked against the spring pushing forces. Therefore, the user has to intentionally apply a force to the rear face of the ink tank in a direction (horizontal direction) contrary to the direction in which the springs push the ink tank, and in a direction (downward direction ) which intersects the direction in which the springs push the ink tank, so that the ink tank can pivot and the retention elements can engage the corresponding retention elements.

Since the springs push a lower part of the front face of the ink tank, if the user pushes an upper part (indicated by an arrow in Patent Number 5,949,459) of the rear face of the ink tank, the ink tank pivots upward around a point where the springs push the ink tank. Therefore, the user has to intentionally make the ink tank pivot down after pushing the ink tank in the horizontal direction. US 5949459 A describes a liquid consumption apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1. Another liquid consumption apparatus is known from EP 2607082 A1.

Summary of the Invention

Therefore, a liquid consumption apparatus is needed that overcomes these and other drawbacks of the related technique. A technical advantage of the present invention is that a liquid cartridge can be easily locked in a liquid consumption apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consumption apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against a pushing force directed in a second direction opposite to the first direction. , and to be mounted for it in the liquid consumption apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes: a liquid chamber configured to store liquid; a front face facing the first direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted in the liquid consumption apparatus; a liquid supply part placed on the front face and configured to be able to introduce a liquid supply tube of the liquid consumption apparatus into it; a sealing element placed in the liquid supply part and having a liquid supply opening formed therethrough, where the sealing element is configured to contact an outer surface of the liquid supply tube while being elastically deformed when the liquid supply tube is inserted through the liquid supply opening; an upper face facing upwards when the liquid cartridge is inserted in the liquid consumption apparatus; a blocking surface placed on the upper face and configured to contact a blocking part of the liquid consumption apparatus in the second direction; and a rear face facing the second direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted in the liquid consumption apparatus, where the liquid cartridge is configured to pivot around a pivot center that is a center of the liquid supply opening , when the liquid cartridge is inserted in the liquid consumption apparatus and the liquid supply tube is inserted through the liquid supply opening, where the liquid cartridge is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, where when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, the blocking surface contacts the blocking part in the second direction and the movement of the liquid cartridge in relation to the liquid consumption apparatus in the second direction is restricted, and where when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, the blocking surface is placed more in a downward direction than the blocking part, and the rear face includes a first part and a second part placed more in the upward direction than the first part, where the first part includes a part placed more in the downward direction than the pivot center, and the first part is placed more in the first direction than the second part.

With this configuration, since the first part is placed more in the first direction than the second part when the liquid cartridge is inserted in the liquid consumption apparatus, the user tends to push the second part, which is placed closer to the user, and does not tend to push the first part. When the second part is pushed, a moment of force is applied to the liquid cartridge in the liquid consumption apparatus, such that the liquid cartridge pivots around the pivot center from the second position to the first position. The blocking surface of the liquid cartridge in the first position contacts the blocking part in the second direction, and the movement of the liquid cartridge in relation to the liquid consumption apparatus in the second direction is restricted, i.e. the cartridge of liquid is blocked in the liquid consumption apparatus. The user can easily insert and lock the liquid cartridge in the liquid consumption apparatus.

Optionally, the second part includes a letter or symbol above, and the letter or symbol indicates that the second part is supposed to be pushed.

With this setting, the user is instructed to push the second part.

Optionally, the following condition is satisfied: FH> GL. G is the magnitude of a gravitational force acting on the liquid cartridge, F is the magnitude of the pushing force that pushes the liquid cartridge in the second direction when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, L is the distance between the center of gravity of the liquid cartridge and the pivot center along the first direction when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, and H is the height from a lower end of the second part of the pivot center a along the upward direction perpendicular to the first direction when the liquid cartridge is in the second position.

With this configuration, the moment of force generated by the second part that is pushed and causes the liquid cartridge to pivot from the second position to the first position is larger than the moment of force generated by the gravitational force acting on the cartridge of liquid and causes the liquid cartridge to pivot from the first position to the second position.

Optionally, the first part is a plane that intersects a virtual first plane at an angle of degrees when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, and the first virtual plane is perpendicular to the first direction. The following condition is satisfied: (Fcosa) N> GL. N is the length of a perpendicular line that extends from the pivot center to a virtual second plane that is perpendicular to the first part and intersects a lower end of the first part.

With this configuration, although the first part is pushed, the moment of force generated by the first part that is pushed and causes the liquid cartridge to pivot from the second position to the first position is larger than the moment of force generated by the gravitational force that acts on the liquid cartridge and causes the liquid cartridge to pivot from the first position to the second position.

Optionally, the liquid cartridge further includes a receiving part configured to receive the pushing force directed in the second direction, where the receiving part is positioned more in the downward direction than the liquid supply part when the liquid cartridge is in The second position.

With this configuration, a moment of additional force is applied to the liquid cartridge, causing the liquid cartridge to pivot from the second position to the first position.

Optionally, the receiving part is configured to receive the pushing force of a pushing element arranged in the liquid consumption apparatus.

According to the invention, the liquid cartridge further includes an electrical interface placed on the upper face and configured to contact a contact disposed in the liquid consumption apparatus when the liquid cartridge is both in the first position and in the second position in the liquid consumption apparatus, where when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, a pivot center position along the first direction and a position of the electrical interface along the first direction overlap at least partially . With this configuration, the magnitude of a moment of force generated by a force of contact thrust and applied to the liquid cartridge is zero or very small.

Optionally, the liquid cartridge further includes an operating surface placed on the upper face and placed more in the second direction than the blocking surface.

With this configuration, since the operating surface is positioned farther from the pivot center than the locking surface, when the user tries to release the liquid cartridge from the first position, the user can easily operate the operating surface to make the liquid cartridge pivots from the first position to the second position.

The operating surface looks in the upward direction and the second direction.

With this configuration, when the user operates the operating surface to release the liquid cartridge from the first position, the user's force is directed towards the downward direction and the first direction. Due to the force directed in the first direction, the blocking surface separates from the blocking part. Due to the force directed in the downward direction, the liquid cartridge pivots from the first position to the second position. Therefore, compared to a situation in which the liquid cartridge pivots from the first position to the second position while the blocking surface slides in the blocking part, the force to be applied to the operating surface to Making the liquid cartridge pivot from the first position to the second position is smaller, and the user can easily release the liquid cartridge.

Optionally, the operating surface does not move relative to the liquid chamber.

With this configuration, a force applied to the operating surface is transmitted directly to the liquid cartridge without changing its direction.

Optionally, the upper face includes a secondary upper face placed more in the third direction than the operating surface, the operating surface and the secondary upper face overlap at least partially in the third direction, and a space has been formed between the surface of operation and the secondary upper face in the third direction.

With this configuration, the operating surface is recognizable by the user.

Optionally, the operating surface includes multiple elongated projections.

With this configuration, the operating surface is recognizable by the user, and the operating surface does not slide when the user operates the operating surface with the finger.

Optionally, when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, an upper end of the blocking surface is placed outside a virtual circle and a lower end of the blocking surface is placed inside the virtual circle, where the virtual circle has a center at the pivot center and intersects the blocking part.

With this configuration, when the pushing force is applied to the liquid cartridge in the extraction direction while the blocking surface contacts the blocking part, the blocking part slides on the blocking surface towards the lower end of the blocking surface .

Optionally, the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consumption apparatus box, and the blocking surface is configured to contact the blocking part that does not move relative to the box.

With this configuration, the liquid cartridge pivots to be locked by the blocking part that does not move relative to the case.

Optionally, a liquid consumption apparatus includes: said liquid cartridge; and a cartridge mounting part, where the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting part in the first direction against the pushing force directed in the second direction, and to be mounted thereon in the part of cartridge assembly, and the cartridge assembly part includes: the liquid supply tube configured to be introduced into the liquid supply part; and the blocking part configured to contact the blocking surface.

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 part and an ink cartridge, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the cartridge mounting part.

Figure 3A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, viewed from the front and from above.

Figure 3B is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, viewed from the front and from below.

Figure 4A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, viewed from behind and from above.

Figure 4B is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, viewed from behind and from below.

Figure 5 is a side view of the ink cartridge.

Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge, which represents the inside of the ink cartridge.

Figure 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and the cartridge assembly part, in which the ink cartridge has begun to enter the cartridge assembly part.

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting part, in which a second projection contacts a slide.

Figure 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting part, in which an ink supply part has begun to enter a guide part, and a rod has begun to enter a recess of a front cover.

Figure 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting part, in which an ink supply tube is inserted through an ink supply opening of the ink supply part.

Figure 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and the cartridge assembly part, in which the ink cartridge is locked in the cartridge assembly part.

Figure 12 is a side view of the ink cartridge in the second position, in which a force is applied to an upper part of a rear face.

Figure 13 is a side view of the ink cartridge in the second position, in which a force is applied to a lower part of a rear face.

Figure 14 is a side view of the ink cartridge in the first position, in which a virtual circle is depicted.

Figure 15A is a plan view of the ink cartridge seen in a downward direction.

Figure 15B is a rear view of the ink cartridge seen in a forward direction.

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 1-15B, using analogous numbers for corresponding analogous parts in the various drawings.

In the following embodiments, an ink cartridge 30 is inserted into a cartridge assembly part 110 in an insertion direction 51, as an example of a first direction, and the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the assembly part of cartridge 110 in an extraction direction 52, as an example of a second direction, which is contrary to the insertion direction 51. In the following embodiments, the insertion direction 51 is a horizontal direction, and the extraction direction 52 also It is a horizontal direction. However, in another embodiment, the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 may not be a horizontal direction. In the following embodiments, a downward direction 53 is the gravitational direction, and an upward direction 54 is an opposite direction to the gravitational direction. In addition, a right direction 55 is perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 and the downward direction 53, and a left direction 56 is contrary to the direction right 55 and perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 and the downward direction 53. More specifically, the right direction 55 extends to the right and the left direction 56 extends to the left when the ink cartridge 30 is seen in the direction extraction 52 when the ink cartridge 30 is in a mounted position, as an example of a first position. The mounted position is a position occupied by the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 has been inserted in the cartridge mounting part 110 to a mounted position and is locked in the cartridge mounting part 110. In addition, the address of insertion 51 is also called a forward direction 57, and the removal direction 52 is also called the backward direction 58.

[Printer 10]

With reference to Figure 1, a liquid consumption apparatus, for example, a printer 10 is an inkjet printer configured to register an image on a sheet of recording paper by selectively ejecting ink droplets on the sheet of paper. registry. The printer 10 includes a liquid consumption part, for example, a registration head 21, an ink supply device 100, and an ink tube 20 connecting the registration head 21 and the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 includes the cartridge assembly part 110. The cartridge assembly part 110 is configured to be able to mount a liquid cartridge therein, for example, the ink cartridge 30. The cartridge assembly part 110 has an opening 112 and the inside of the cartridge mounting part 110 is exposed to the outside of the cartridge mounting part 110 by the opening 112. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110 by opening 112 in the insertion direction 51, and to be removed from the cartridge mounting part 110 by opening 112 in the removal direction 52.

The ink cartridge 30 is configured to store ink, as an example of liquid, which is used by the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are fluidly connected by the ink tube 20 when the ink has been completed. mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110. The registration head 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 registration head 21 includes nozzles 29 and is configured to selectively eject ink supplied from the secondary reservoir 28 through the nozzles 29. More specifically, the registration head 21 includes a head control plate (not shown) and piezoelectric actuators 29A corresponding to the nozzles 29, and the head control board is configured to selectively apply voltage and activation of piezoelectric actuators 29A. As such, the ink is ejected by 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 27, and a discharge tray 16. The travel path Transport 24 is formed 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 27. The paper feed roller 23 is configured to feed a sheet of registration paper from the paper feed tray 15 to the transport path 24. The pair of transport rollers 25 is configured to transport the sheet of registration paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 onto the roller 26 The recording head 21 is configured to selectively eject ink on the sheet of registration paper that passes over the roller 26. Accordingly, an image is registered in the ho Ha of registration paper. The sheet of recording paper that has passed over the roller 26 is discharged by the pair of unloading rollers 27 to the paper unloading tray 16 disposed on the lower side of the transport path 24.

[100 ink supply device]

With reference to Figure 1, the printer 10 includes the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 is configured to supply ink to the registration head 21. The ink supply device 100 includes the mounting part of cartridge 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. In Figure 1, the assembly of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, in other words, the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position (first position).

[Cartridge assembly part 110]

With reference to Figures 2 and 7, the cartridge mounting portion 110 is configured to receive four ink cartridges 30 that store cyan, magenta, yellow and black inks, respectively. The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a box 101, and four ink supply tubes 102, four sensors 103, four sets of four contacts 106, four slides 107, and four rods 125, corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30, respectively. The cartridge mounting part 110 also includes a blocking part 145. A common blocking part 145 is used for the four ink cartridges 30. The number of the ink cartridges 30 is not limited to four. For example, in another embodiment, the cartridge mounting portion 110 may be configured to receive only one ink cartridge 30, six ink cartridges 30 or eight ink cartridges 30.

[Box 101]

The box 101 is box-shaped and creates the outer shape of the cartridge mounting part 110. The box 101 has an interior space formed therein. The box 101 includes an upper part that defines the upper end of the interior space, a lower part that defines the lower end of the interior space, and an end surface connected to the upper part and the lower part. The box 101 has the opening 112 formed in front of the end surface in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The opening 112 may be exposed to the outside of the printer 10 through a user interface surface of the printer 10. The user interface surface is a surface that the user looks at and touches when the user uses the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into the box 101 and taken out of it through the opening 112. Each of the top and bottom of the case 101 has a guide slot 109 formed therein, and the guide slot 109 extends in the insertion direction 51 of the opening 112. When the cartridge of ink 30 is inserted and removed from the box 101, an upper end part of the ink cartridge 30 is in the guide slot 109 of the upper part of the box 101, and a lower end part of the ink cartridge 30 is in the r guide width 109 of the lower part of the case 101, such that the movement of the ink cartridge 30 is guided in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The box 101 includes three plates 104 extending in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53, and the three plates 104 divide the interior space of the box 101 into four vertically elongated spaces. Each of the four spaces receives the corresponding cartridge from the ink cartridges 30.

[Ink Supply Tube 102]

With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 7, the ink supply tube 102 is made of synthetic resin and is placed in a lower part of the end surface of the case 101 in a position corresponding to an ink supply part 34 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink supply tube 102 extends from the end surface of the case 101 in the extraction direction 52.

A cylindrical guide part 105 is arranged surrounding the ink supply tube 102. The guide part 105 extends from the end surface of the box 101 in the extraction direction 52, and has an interior space that opens in the distal end of the guide part 105. The ink supply tube 102 is placed in the center of the interior space of the guide part 105. The guide part 105 has a shape such that it can receive the ink supply part 34 of the ink cartridge 30 in the interior space of the guide portion 105.

With reference to Figure 10, during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting part 110 in the insertion direction 51, that is, while the ink cartridge 30 moves towards the mounted position, the supply part ink cartridge 34 of the ink cartridge 30 enters the inner space of the guide portion 105. When the ink cartridge is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 51, the ink supply tube 102 it is inserted through an ink supply opening 71 formed in the ink supply part 34. When this occurs, a valve 77 disposed in the ink supply part 34 moves to open the ink supply opening 71 As a result, the ink supply tube 102 and the ink supply part 34 are connected to each other. The ink stored in an ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 flows to the ink tube 20 connected to the ink supply tube 102 through an interior space of a cylindrical wall 73 of the ink supply part 34 and an interior space of the ink supply tube 102. The ink supply tube 102 may have a flat end surface or pointed end.

[Slider 107]

With reference to FIGS. 7 to 11, the lower part of the case 101 includes a lower groove wall defining the lower end of the guide groove 109. The lower groove wall has an opening 111 formed therethrough in the direction upward 54 and downward direction 53 in a position adjacent to the end surface of the case 101, and the opening 111 extends in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The slide 107 is placed in the opening 111. The slide 107 extends from a space under the bottom groove wall to a space above the bottom groove wall through the opening 111. The housing 101 includes a guide rail 113 that extends in the direction of insert 51 and the extraction direction 52, and the slide 107 is configured to slide in the guide rail 113 in the insertion direction 51 and the extraction direction 52 in the opening 111. A traction spring n 114 is connected to the housing 101 at one end and to slider 107 at the other end. The pulling spring 114 pulls the slide 107 in the extraction direction 52. Therefore, when an external force is not applied to the slide 107, the slide 107 is positioned at the end of the guide rail 113 in the direction of extraction 52. When an external force is applied to the slide 107 in the insertion direction 51, the slide 107 moves from the end of the guide rail 113 in the insertion direction 51 along the guide rail 113 in the opening 111.

With reference to Figure 8, during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting part 110 in the insertion direction 51, that is, while the ink cartridge 30 moves towards the mounted position, a second projection 86 of the ink cartridge 30 moves in the guide slot 109 in the insertion direction 51 and contacts the slide 107. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 51, the second projection 86 pushes the slide 107 in the insertion direction 51, and the slide 107 moves in the insertion direction 51 against a pushing force of the traction spring 114. The second projection 86 of the ink cartridge 30 receives the pushing force in the second direction 52 of the slide 107. The slide 107 and the Traction spring 114 is an example of a thrust element.

[Lock Part 145]

With reference to Figures 2 and 7, the blocking part 145 is positioned adjacent to the upper part of the box 101 and the opening 112. The blocking part 145 has an elongated shape and extends in the left direction 56 and the direction right 55 in the case 101. For example, the blocking part 145 is a circular metal cylinder. The locking part 145 has a left end in the left direction 56 and a right end in the right direction 55, and the case 101 has a left end wall defining the end of the interior space of the case 101 in the left direction 56 and a right end wall defining the end of the interior space of the box 101 in the right direction 55. The left end of the locking part 145 is fixed on the left end wall of the box 101, and the right end of the blocking part 145 is fixed on the right end wall of the box 101. The blocking part 145 does not move relative to the box 101, for example, does not pivot relative to the box 101. The blocking part 145 it extends over the four spaces in which the four cartridges 30 can be mounted, respectively. A space has been formed around the blocking part 145 in each of the four spaces. Therefore, the blocking part 145 is accessible in the upward direction 54 and in the removal direction 52.

The blocking part 145 is used to lock the ink cartridge 30 in the mounted position when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting part 110. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110 and pivots to the mounted position as an example of the first position, the ink cartridge 30 contacts the blocking part 145 in the extraction direction 52, and the blocking part 145 blocks or retains the ink cartridge 30 against force of pushing the slide 107, pushing force that pushes the ink cartridge 30 in the extraction direction 52, and against a pushing force of a helical spring 78 of the ink cartridge 30, pushing force that also pushes the ink cartridge ink 30 in the extraction direction 52.

[Contacts 106]

With reference to Figures 2 and 7, the four contacts 106 are positioned adjacent to the top of the case 101 and the end surface of the case 101. Although not shown in the drawings, the four contacts 106 are aligned with each other. another and spaced from each other in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55. The arrangement of the four contacts 106 corresponds to the arrangement of four electrodes 65 of the ink cartridge 30. Each contact 106 is made of a material having electrical conductivity and elasticity and can be elastically deformed in the upward direction 54. Four sets of four contacts 106, corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30, respectively, are arranged. The number of contacts 106 in a set is not limited to four, but may be two, three or more than four, and the number of electrodes 65 of an ink cartridge 30 is not limited to four, but may be two, Three or more than four.

Each contact 106 is electrically connected to an arithmetic unit (not shown) of the printer 10 by an electrical circuit. The arithmetic unit can include a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM and can be used as a controller to control the operations of the printer 10. When contacts 106 and corresponding electrodes 65 contact, voltage can be applied to one of the electrodes 65 from the printer 10, or one of the electrodes 65 can be grounded. When the contacts 106 and corresponding electrodes 65 contact, the data stored in an IC of the ink cartridge 30 is accessible from the printer 10, and the data can be transmitted to the arithmetic unit via the electrical circuit of the printer 10.

[Rod 125]

With reference to Figures 2 and 7, the rod 125 is placed on the end surface of the case 101 above the ink supply tube 102. The rod 125 extends from the end surface in the extraction direction 52. The rod 125 has a cross-sectional shape taken along a plane perpendicular to the extraction direction 52, and the cross-sectional shape of rod 125 is substantially an inverted U-shape, analogously to an upper half of a circle. The rod 125 has a rib that extends from the top of the U-shaped part, and the rib extends in the extraction direction 52. The rod 125 is inserted into a recess 96 formed in the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, that is, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position.

[Sensor 103]

With reference to Figures 2 and 7, the sensor 103 is placed in the upper part of the box 101. The sensor 103 includes a light emitting part and a light receiving part. The light receiving part is spaced from the light emitting part in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56. The light emitting part and the light receiving part face each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. When mounting of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting part 110 has been completed, a detection part 62 of the ink cartridge 30 is placed between the light emitting part and the light receiving part.

The light emitting part of the sensor 103 is configured to emit light, for example, visible or infrared light. The sensor 103 is configured to send different signals based on whether or not the light receiving part receives the light emitted by the light emitting part. If the light receiving part does not receive the light emitted by the light emitting part, that is, if the intensity of the light received by the light receiving part is less than a threshold value, the sensor 103 sends a signal low level, that is, a signal whose level is less than a threshold level. On the other hand, if the light receiving part receives the light emitted by the light emitting part, that is, the intensity of the light received by the light receiving part is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the sensor sends a high level signal, that is, a signal whose level is greater than or equal to the threshold level.

[Ink cartridge 30]

With reference to Figures 3 to 6, the ink cartridge 30 is a reservoir configured to store ink. The ink cartridge 30 has an interior space formed therein, and the interior space is the ink chamber 36, as an example of a liquid chamber, configured to store ink, as an example of liquid. The ink cartridge 30 includes an inner frame 35, a rear cover 31, and a front cover 32. The rear cover 31 and the front cover 32 are mounted on each other, and the inner frame 35 is enclosed by the rear cover 31 and the front cover 32. The rear cover 31 and the front cover 32 form the outer shape of the ink cartridge 30. The ink chamber 36 is formed in the inner frame 35. In another embodiment, the ink cartridge 35 may not have the inner frame 35, and the back cover 31 and the front cover 32 can define the ink chamber 36.

The position of the ink cartridge 30 shown in Figures 3 to 6 and 15 is the mounted position, as an example of the first position. As described below, the ink cartridge 30 includes a front face 140, a rear face 41, an upper face 39, 141 and a lower face 42, 142, as outer faces of the ink cartridge 30. When the ink cartridge 30 assumes the position shown in Figures 3 to 6 and 15, the direction extending from the rear face 41 to the front face 140 coincides with the insertion direction 51 and the forward direction 57, the direction extending from the front face 140 to the rear face 41 coincides with the extraction direction 52 and the rearward direction 58, the direction extending from the upper face 39, 141 to the lower face 42, 142 coincides with the downward direction 53, the direction extending from the lower face 42, 142 to the upper face 39, 141 coincides with the upward direction 54. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted and mounted in the cartridge mounting part 110, the front face 140 mi ra in the insertion direction 51 and the forward direction 57, the rear face 41 looks in the extraction direction 52 and the rearward direction 58, the lower face 42, 142 looks in the downward direction 53, and the upper face 39, 141 looks in the upward direction 54.

With reference to Figures 3 to 6, the ink cartridge 30 has a width dimension along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, a height dimension along the downward direction 53 and the direction towards top 54, a depth dimension along the forward direction 57 and the backward direction 58. The width dimension is smaller than each of the height dimension and the depth dimension. The front cover 32 includes the front face 140, which faces in the insertion direction 51 and the forward direction 57 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, and the rear cover 31 includes the rear face 41, which faces in the extraction direction 52 and the rearward direction 58 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the cartridge mounting part 110. The ink chamber 36 is positioned between the front face 140 and the rear face 41 .

[Back cover 31]

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the rear cover 31 has a box shape having side faces 37, 38 spaced apart from each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, the upper face 39 and the lower face 42 spaced from one another in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, and the rear face 41. The lateral faces 37, 38 face in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, respectively, the upper face 39 looks in the direction upward 54, and the lower face 42 looks in the downward direction 53. The lateral faces 37, 38, the upper face 39 and the lower face 42 extend from the rear face 41 in the insertion direction 51 and the direction towards front 57, and the inner space of the back cover 31 is open towards the insertion direction 51 and the forward direction 57. The inner frame 35 is inserted into the inner space of the back cover 31 by the opening, i.e. c Rear cover 31 covers a rear part of the inner frame 35. The ink chamber 36 is positioned between the upper face 39 and the lower face 42.

The rear face 41 includes an upper part 41U, as an example of a second part, and a lower part 41L, as an example of a first part. The upper part 41U is positioned above the lower part 41L, that is, the upper part 41 is placed more in the upward direction 54 than the lower part 41L. In other words, the lower part 41L is placed under the upper part 41U, that is, the lower part 41L is placed more in the downward direction 53 than the upper part 41U. The bottom 41L is placed more forward than the upper part 41U, that is, the lower part 41L is placed more in the forward direction 57 than the upper part 41U. In this embodiment, each of the upper part 41U and the lower part 41L is a plane, that is, a flat surface. The upper part 41U and the lower part 41L intersect with each other forming an angle between them, an angle that is not a right angle. The lower part 41L is inclined in relation to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, such that the lower part 41L is closer to the front face 140 when approaching the lower face 42, that is, the lower part 41L is closer to the front face 140 in a position closer to the lower face 42. With reference to Figure 15B, the upper part 41U includes a letter or symbol on top, and the letter or symbol indicates that it is assumed that the upper part 41U has to be pushed. For example, the upper part 41U includes letters "PUSH" on top, so that a user can push the upper part 41U when the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge assembly part 110. An example of the symbol may be a arrow or an image of a finger.

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the rear cover 31 includes a projection 43 extending from the upper face 39. The projection 43 is positioned approximately in the center of the upper face 39 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 , and extends in the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57) and the extraction direction 52 (the rearward direction 58). The protrusion 43 includes a locking surface 151 that faces in the extraction direction 52 (the backward direction 58). The blocking surface 151 extends in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53. The blocking surface 151 is configured to contact the blocking part 145 of the cartridge mounting part 110 in the removal direction 52 when the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting part 110. By contacting the blocking surface 151 the blocking part 145 in the removal direction 52, the ink cartridge 30 is locked or retained in the cartridge mounting part 110 against the pushing force of the traction spring 114 transmitted by the slide 107 and the pushing force of the coil spring 78.

The protrusion 43 includes reinforcing surfaces 152, 153. The reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 are continuous and extend from the right end and the left end of the locking surface 151 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, respectively. The reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 extend from a virtual plane towards the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57), forming acute angles between the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 and the virtual plane, respectively, virtual plane that includes the locking surface 151 and extends in the downward direction 53, the upward direction 53, the right direction 55, and the left direction 56. The reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 reinforce the strength and stiffness of the projection 43, and, therefore, the probability of the blocking surface 151 being damaged is reduced. Since the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 do not extend further back than the blocking surface 151, that is, the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 do not extend more in the backward direction 58 than the blocking surface 151, the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 cannot contact the blocking part 145 of the cartridge mounting part 110. Therefore, if the blocking surface 145 slides in the blocking part 145, the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 cannot increase slip resistance.

The protrusion 43 includes a horizontal surface 154 positioned at the front of the blocking surface 151, that is, placed more in the forward direction 57 than the blocking surface 151. The horizontal surface 154 is continuous with the blocking surface 151 The horizontal surface 154 extends in the right direction 55, the left direction 56, the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58. The projection 43 includes an inclined surface 155 in front of the horizontal surface 154, that is, placed more in the forward direction 57 than the horizontal surface 154. The inclined surface 155 is continuous with the horizontal surface 154. The inclined surface 155 looks in the upward direction 54 and the forward direction 57. Therefore, the inclined surface 155 it is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is seen in the downward direction 53 and is visible when the ink cartridge is seen in the rearward direction ás 58. Since the horizontal plane 154 is positioned between the blocking surface 154 and the inclined surface 155, the blocking surface 151 and the inclined surface 155 do not intersect with each other at an acute angle. During the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting part 110, the locking part 145 of the cartridge mounting part 145 slides on the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 and is therefore gently guided to a position further back than the locking surface 151, that is, one more position in the backward direction 58 than the locking surface 151.

The protrusion 43 includes reinforcing surfaces 156, 157. The reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 are continuous and extend from the right end and the left end of the inclined surface 155 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, respectively. The reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 extend from a virtual plane towards the downward direction 53 forming acute angles between the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 and the virtual plane, respectively, virtual plane that includes the inclined surface 155 and extends in the right direction 55 and left direction 56. The reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 reinforce the strength and stiffness of the projection 43, and therefore the probability of the inclined surface 155 being damaged is reduced. Since the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 do not extend more upwards than the inclined surface 155, that is, the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 do not extend more in the upward direction 54 than the inclined surface 155, the surfaces of reinforcement 156, 157 cannot contact the blocking part 145 of the cartridge mounting part 110. Therefore, if the inclined surface 155 slides in the blocking part 145, the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 cannot increase the resistance to slip.

The rear cover 31 includes an operation part 90 on the upper face 39, and the operation part 90 is positioned further back than the blocking surface 151, that is, placed more in the rearward direction 58 than the blocking surface 151. The upper face 39 includes a secondary upper face 91 placed at the rear end of the upper face 39. The secondary upper face 91 is positioned below the rest of the upper face 39, that is, the secondary upper face 91 is placed more in the downward direction 53 than the rest of the upper face 39. The operation part 90 is placed above the secondary upper face 91, that is, the operation part 90 is positioned more in the upward direction 54 than the face upper secondary 91, with a space formed in between. The operation part 90 extends in the upward direction 54 beyond the projection 43 from a position adjacent to the boundary between the secondary upper face 91 and the rest of the upper face 39, and then extends obliquely downward, that is, in the backward direction 58 and the downward direction 53. The rear cover 31 includes a rib 94 that extends between the operating part 90 and the secondary upper face 91. The rib 94 is continuous with the operating part 90 and the secondary upper face 91. The rib 94 also extends in the backward direction 58. With reference to Figure 15B, each of the rib 94, the operating part 90, and the secondary upper face 91 has a dimension along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and the dimension of the rib 94 is smaller than each of the dimension of the operating part 90 and the dimension of the secondary upper face 91 along the right direction check 55 and left 56.

The operating part 90 includes an operating surface 92 that faces in the upward direction 54 and the rearward direction 58. The position of the operating surface 92 and the position of the secondary upper face 91 along the direction toward front 57 and back direction 58 overlap at least partially. In other words, the operating surface 92 and the secondary upper face 91 overlap at least partially in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. In other words, at least a part of the operating surface 92 is aligned with at least a part of the secondary upper face 91 in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. The operating surface 92 includes multiple protrusions, that is, multiple elongate protrusions 93, each of which extends in the direction right 55 and left direction 56. The elongated projections 93 are spaced apart from each other in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58. With the elongated projections 93, the user can recognize the operating surface 92, and the surface of Operation 92 does not slide when the user operates the operating surface 92 with his finger.

With reference to Figures 15A and 15B, the operating surface 92 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is seen in the downward direction 53 and when the ink cartridge 30 is seen in the forward direction 57 and the insertion direction 51. In other words, the operating surface is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is seen in the direction that extends from the upper face 39 towards the lower face 42 and when the ink cartridge 30 is seen in the direction that it is extends from the rear face 41 towards the front face 140. The operating surface 92 is a surface that the user operates to unlock or release the ink cartridge 30 from the locked state in the cartridge mounting part 110. The operating part 90 is fixed to the rear cover 31, for example, the operation part 90 is integrally molded with the rear cover 31, and therefore the operation part 90 does not move relative to the rear cover 31, for example, it does not pivot relative to the rear cover 31. Therefore, the force applied to the operating surface 92 by the user is transmitted directly to the rear cover 31, without changing its direction. In this embodiment, the operating part 90 also does not move relative to the inner frame 35 or the ink chamber 36, for example, does not pivot relative to the inner frame 35 or the ink chamber 36.

At least a part of the operating surface 92 protrudes more in the upward direction 54 than the blocking surface 151.

[Front cover 32]

With reference to Figures 3 and 4, the front cover 32 is in the form of a box having lateral faces 143, 144 spaced apart from each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, the upper face 141 and the lower face 142 spaced one on the other side in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, and the front face 140. The lateral faces 143, 144 face in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, respectively, the upper face 141 looks in the direction towards above 54, and the lower face 142 looks in the downward direction 53. The lateral faces 143, 144, the upper face 141 and the lower face 142 extend from the front face 140 in the extraction direction 52 and the backward direction 58, and the inner space of the front cover 32 is open towards the removal direction 52 and the rearward direction 58. The inner frame 35 is inserted into the inner space of the front cover 32 by the opening tura. The front cover 32 covers a front part of the inner frame 35, which is not covered by the rear cover 31. The ink chamber 36 is positioned between the upper face 141 and the lower face 142.

The upper face 141 of the front cover 32 and the upper face 39 of the rear cover 31 constitute the upper face of the ink cartridge 30. The lower face 142 of the front cover 32 and the lower face 42 of the rear cover 31 constitute the lower face of the ink cartridge 30. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position (first position), the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 extends in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58 , and the lower face 42 of the rear cover 31 looks in the downward direction 53 and the rearward direction 58. The lower face 42 is inclined relative to the lower face 142. In this embodiment, each of the lower face 42 and the lower face 142 is a plane, that is, a flat surface. The side faces 143, 144 of the front cover 32 and the side faces 37, 38 of the back cover 31 constitute the side faces of the ink cartridge 30. The front face 140 of the front cover 32 constitutes the front face of the ink cartridge 30, and the rear face 41 of the rear cover 31 constitutes the rear face of the ink cartridge 30. The front face 140 and the rear face 41 are spaced apart from each other in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58.

It may not be necessary for each of the front face, the back face, the top face, the bottom face and the side faces of the ink cartridge 30 to form a single flat surface. The front face of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 in the first position is seen in the backward direction 58 and is positioned further forward than the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the first position with respect to the forward direction 57 and the backward direction 58, that is, it is positioned more in the forward direction 57 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the first position with respect to the forward direction 57 and the direction back 58. The rear face of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is visible when the ink cartridge in the first position is seen in the forward direction 57 and is positioned further back than the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the first position with respect to the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58, that is, is positioned more in the rearward direction 58 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the first position with respect to the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58. The upper face of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 in the first position is seen in the downward direction 53 and is placed above the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, that is, it is positioned more in the upward direction 54 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the direction toward down 53 and the upward direction 54. The bottom face of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 in the first position is seen in the upward direction 54 and is positioned below the center of the ink cartridge. ink 30 with respect to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, that is, it is placed more in the downward direction 53 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the direction ha cia down 53 and the upward direction 54. One of the side faces of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 in the first position is seen in the left direction 56 and is positioned to the right of the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, that is, it is placed more in the right direction 55 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 The other side of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is visible when the ink cartridge 30 in the first position is seen in the right direction 55 and is positioned to the left of the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to to the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, that is, it is positioned more in the left direction 56 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.

The front cover 32 has the recess 96 formed in an upper part of the front face 140. The recess 96 extends from the front face 140 in the rearward direction 58. The recess 96 is configured to receive the rod 125 when the cartridge ink 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. The recess 96 has a cross-sectional shape taken along a plane perpendicular to the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58, and the cross-sectional shape of the recess 96 corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the rod 125.

The front cover 32 has an opening 97 formed through a lower part of the front face 140 in the rearward direction 58. The opening 97 is configured so that the ink supply part 34 can extend therethrough when the inner frame 35 is inserted in the front cover 32, such that the ink supply part 34 is placed outside the front cover 32. The position, dimension and shape of the opening 97 correspond to those of the supply part of ink 34.

The front cover 32 includes a first projection 85 and the second projection 86 placed on the front face 140. The first projection 85 extends in the forward direction 57 at the upper end of the front cover 32. The recess 96 is formed in the distal end of the first projection 57 facing in the forward direction 57. The distal end of the first projection 57 facing in the forward direction 57 is a part of the front face 140.

The second projection 86 extends in the forward direction 57 at the lower end of the front cover 32. The second projection 86 is located below the ink supply portion 34, that is, placed more in the downward direction 53 than the ink supply part 34. The projection 86 has a recess 87 formed in its lower face, and the recess 87 opens in the forward direction 57 and the downward direction 53. A part of the second projection 86 defining the recess 87 extends beyond the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 in the downward direction 53. During the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the slider 107 enters the recess 87 and contacts the part of the second projection 86 defining the recess 87. The second projection 86 is an example of a receiving part.

The front cover 32 has an opening 98 formed through the upper face 141 in the downward direction 53. The opening 98 is configured to allow a portion of the detection part 62 to extend therethrough when the inner frame 35 is inserted in the front cover 32, such that the detection part 62 be placed outside the front cover 32. The position, dimension and shape of the opening 98 correspond to those of the part of the detection part 62.

The ink cartridge 30 includes an IC plate 64 placed on the upper face 141 of the front cover 32 above the first projection 85 and the ink supply portion 34, that is, more in the upward direction 54 than the first projection 85 and the ink supply portion 34. The IC plate 64 includes four electrodes 65 formed thereon. The four electrodes 65 are exposed and look in the upward direction 54. Each electrode 65 is an example of an electrical interface. The four electrodes 65 are aligned and spaced from each other in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55. Each electrode 65 is elongated in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58. The IC plate 64 also includes an IC (circuit integrated, not shown), and the four electrodes 65 are electrically connected to the IC. The IC stores information about ink cartridge 30, such as the batch number, date of manufacture, ink color, etc. The information can be read from outside.

During the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge assembly part 100 and also when the assembly of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge assembly part 100 has been completed, the four electrodes 65 contact the four contacts 106 of the part cartridge assembly 110.

[Inner frame 35]

Although not shown in the drawings in detail, the inner frame 35 includes a loop or annular wall, and the inner space surrounded by the wall opens in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 at the right and left ends of the inner frame 35, respectively. Films (not shown) are mounted on the right and left ends of the inner frame 35, such that the inner space of the inner frame 35 is closed, and the inner space is the ink chamber 36 configured to store ink. The inner frame 35 includes a front face 40, and the ink supply portion 34 is placed on the front face 40. The front face 40 of the inner frame 35 is positioned adjacent to the front face 140 of the front cover 32, when the Inner frame 35 is inserted in front cover 32.

[Ink Supply Part 34]

Referring to FIG. 6, the ink supply portion 34 extends from the front face 40 of the inner frame 35 in the forward direction 57 to the outside of the front cover 32 through the opening 97 formed through the face front 140 of the front cover 32. The ink supply portion 34 has a circular cylindrical outer shape. The ink supply portion 34 includes the cylindrical wall 73 having a cylindrical circular shape having an interior space, a sealing element 76 and a cap 79. The sealing element 76 and the cap 79 are mounted on the cylindrical wall 73 .

The cylindrical wall 73 extends from the inside of the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink chamber 36. The interior space of the cylindrical wall 73 opens to the ink chamber 36 at the rear end of the cylindrical wall 73. The interior space of the cylindrical wall 73 opens to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 at the front end of the cylindrical wall 73. Communication between the ink chamber 36 and the exterior of the ink cartridge 30 is allowed by the interior space of the cylindrical wall 73. The ink supply part 34 is configured to supply ink stored in the ink chamber 36 outside the ink cartridge 30 through the interior space of the cylindrical wall 73. The sealing element 76 and the cap 79 are mounted on the front end of the cylindrical wall 73.

The ink supply part 34 includes the valve 77 and the coil spring 78 placed in the interior space of the cylindrical wall 73. The valve 77 and the coil spring 78 are configured to switch the status of the ink supply portion 34 between a state in which ink can flow out of the ink chamber 30 through the interior space of the cylindrical wall 73 outside the ink cartridge 30 (see Figure 11) and a state in which ink is prevented from leaving the space inside the cylindrical wall 73 outside the ink cartridge 30 (see Figure 6). The valve 77 is configured to move in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58 to selectively open and close the ink supply opening 71 formed through the center of the sealing element 76. The coil spring 78 is configured to push the valve 77 in the forward direction 57 (the insertion direction 51), such that the valve 77 contacts the sealing element 76 and closes the ink supply opening 71 when an external force is not applied to the valve 77 .

The sealing element 76 is positioned at the front end of the cylindrical wall 73. The sealing element 76 has substantially a disk shape having the ink supply opening 71 formed therethrough in the forward direction 57 and the direction back 58 (insertion direction 51 and removal direction 52). The sealing element 76 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, elastomer, etc. The diameter of the ink supply opening 71 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink supply tube 102. The sealing element 76 fluidly contacts the leading end of the cylindrical wall 73 at the same time as it is pushed by the cap 79 that is mounted thereon, and covers the outside of the cylindrical wall 73.

Before inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the valve 77 closes the ink supply opening 71. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the supply tube of ink 102 enters the ink supply opening 71. When this takes place, the inner surface of the sealing element 76 defining the ink supply opening 71 fluidly contacts the outer surface of the ink supply tube ink 102 while the sealing element 76 is elastically deformed by the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further, the end of the ink supply tube 102 passes through the opening of ink supply 71 and contact valve 77. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further, the ink supply tube 102 pushes and moves the valve 77 in the backward direction 58 against the pushing force of the helical spring 78. When this occurs, ink can flow from the ink chamber 36 to the ink supply tube 102 through the interior space of the cylindrical wall 73. Although not shown in the drawings, the ink supply tube 102 has an opening at the end of the ink supply tube 102 or adjacent thereto, and the opening extends from the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102 to the interior space of the ink supply tube 102 The ink flows from the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73 to the inner space of the ink supply tube 102 through the opening of the ink supply tube 102. The ink flows from the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the interior space of the cylindrical wall 73 and the interior space of the ink supply tube 102.

The ink supply part 34 may not necessarily include the valve 77 and the coil spring 78. For example, in another embodiment, the ink supply opening 71 may be closed with a film. In such an embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110, the ink supply tube 102 penetrates through the film and passes through the ink supply opening 71, in such a manner that the end of the ink supply tube 102 be placed in the interior space of the cylindrical wall 73. In another embodiment, the ink supply opening 71 can be closed by the elasticity of the sealing element 76. In such an embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102 pushes the inner surface of the sealing element 76 that defines the ink supply opening 71 radially, and thereby opens the ink supply opening 71.

[Detection part 62]

Referring to Figure 6, the inner frame 35 includes the detection part 62 extending from the upper face of the inner frame 35 in the upward direction 54. The detection part 62 is a projection that has a continuous interior space with the ink chamber 36. The detection part 62 is configured to allow light to pass through it in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The detection part 62 extends through the opening 98 of the front cover 32 outside the ink cartridge 30.

Referring to Figure 6, the ink cartridge 30 includes a sensing element 59 placed in the ink chamber 36. The inner frame 35 includes a pivot shaft 61 extending in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and the detection element 59 is supported by the pivot axis 61, such that the detection element 59 can pivot about the pivot axis 61.

The detection part 59 includes a float 63, and the float 63 has a specific gravity that is less than the specific gravity of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36. When the float 63 is submerged in ink stored in the ink chamber 36, the buoyancy force acts on the float 63. When the ink chamber 36 is almost full of ink, the sensing element 59 pivots to the left in Figure 6 due to the buoyancy force acting on the float 63. A part of the detection element 59 is placed in the interior space of the detection part 62 and contacts the wall of the detection part 62 defining the front end of the detection part 62, such that the detection element 59 do not pivot further in the left direction. When the detection element 59 is in this position, the part of the detection element 59 blocks the light of the sensor 103 passing through the detection part 62 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. More specifically, since the part of the sensing element 59 blocks the light, when the light emitted by the light emitting part of the sensor 103 reaches one of the right side and the left face of the detection part 62, the intensity of the light exiting on the other side of the right side and the left side of the detection part 62 and which reaches the light receiving part of the sensor 103 is less than the threshold value, for example, zero. The part of the detection element 59 can completely prevent the light from passing through it in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, can partially absorb the light, can alter the light path or fully reflect the light.

When ink is consumed from the ink chamber 36, the ink surface in the ink chamber 36 decreases and an upper part of the float 63 is exposed with respect to the ink surface. When the ink surface decreases further, float 63 moves down, following the decreasing ink surface. When this takes place, the detection element 59 pivots to the right in Figure 6, and the part of the detection element 59 in the interior space of the detection part 62 exits the optical path that extends between the emission part of light and the light receiving part of the sensor 103. When this occurs, the light of the sensor 103 is no longer blocked by the part of the sensing element 59, and the intensity of the light received by the light receiving part of the Sensor 103 is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

With reference to Figure 5, the distance D1 from the blocking surface 151 (more specifically, the most forward part of the blocking surface 151) to the front face 140 (more specifically, the most forward part of the front face 140) in the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57) is larger than the distance D2 from the blocking surface 151 (more specifically, the rearmost part of the blocking surface 151) to the rear face 41 (more specifically, the rearmost part of the upper part 41U of the rear face 41) in the extraction direction 52 (the rearward direction 58). The distance D1 is less than a distance D3 from the operating surface 92 (more specifically, the most forward part of the operating surface 92) to the front face 140 (more specifically, the most front part of the front face 140) in the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57). The distance D4 from the upper part 41U (more specifically, the lower part of the upper part 41U) to the lower face 42 (more specifically, the upper part of the lower face 42) in the downward direction 53 is larger than the distance D5 from the lower part 41L (more specifically, the lower part of the lower part 41L) to the lower face 42 (more specifically, the upper part of the lower face 42) in the downward direction 53. In this embodiment, the D5 distance is zero. The distance D6 from the upper part 41U (more specifically, the most forward part of the upper part 41U) to the front face 140 (more specifically, the most forward part of the front face 140) in the insertion direction 51 (the direction forward 57) is larger than the distance D7 from the bottom 41L (more specifically, the frontmost part of the bottom 41L) to the front face 140 (more specifically, the most forward part of the front face 140) in the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57). The lower part 41L includes a part positioned between a central axis 72 of the ink supply opening 71 of the sealing element 76 and the lower face 42 in the downward direction 53. The central axis 72 of the ink supply opening 71 intersects the center of the ink supply opening 71 and extends in the direction in which the ink supply opening 71 penetrates through the sealing element 76, that is, in the forward direction 57 and the backward direction 58 in this embodiment. The center of the ink supply opening 71 is the center of at least a part of the ink supply opening 71, and the inner surface of the sealing element 76 defining at least a part of the ink supply opening 71 contacts the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102 when the ink supply tube 102 is inserted through the ink supply opening 71. For example, if the inner surface of the sealing element 76 defining the supply opening Ink 71 has a first inner surface and a second inner surface, and the first inner surface contacts the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102 while the second inner surface does not, the center of the ink supply opening 71 it is the center of a part of the ink supply opening 71 defined by the first inner surface, but not by the second inner surface. If the entire inner surface of the sealing element 76 contacts the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102, the center of the ink supply opening 71 is the center of the entire ink supply opening 71.

[Inserting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting part 110]

Referring to Figure 6, before inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting part 110, the valve 77 closes the ink supply opening 71. The flow of ink from the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the cartridge of ink 30 is blocked.

Referring to Figure 7, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101 by the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting part 110. The upper part 41U of the rear face 41 of the rear cover 31 is positioned further back that the lower part 41L of the rear face 41, that is, is positioned more in the rearward direction 58 than the lower part 41L of the rear face 41. Therefore, the upper part 41U is positioned closer to the user than the lower part 41L, and the user tends to push the upper part 41U to insert the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 in the cartridge mounting part 110. In addition, since the upper part 41U includes the letter or symbol which indicates that the upper part 41U is supposed to be pushed, the user is instructed to push the upper part 41U. A lower part of the front cover 32 is placed in the guide groove 109 of the lower part of the case 101. More specifically, the part of the second projection 86 defining the recess 87 and extending beyond the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 contacts the bottom groove wall of the guide groove 109, and a rear part of the bottom face 142 of the front cover 32 also contacts the bottom groove wall of the guide groove 109. Therefore, a front part of the front cover 32 is slightly raised.

Referring to Figure 8, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110, the slider 107 enters the recess 87 and contacts the second projection 86 of the ink cartridge 30. Since the user pushes the upper part 41U of the rear face 41 of the ink cartridge 30, the ink cartridge 30 pivots to the left in Figure 8 around the point of contact between the slide 107 and the second projection 86. When this occurs, the face lower 142 of the front cover 32 moves away from the lower slot wall of the guide slot 109 from the bottom of the case 101, and an upper part of the ink cartridge 30 is closer to the guide slot 109 of the top of the box 101.

Referring to Figure 9, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 51 against the pushing force of the traction spring 114 that pushes the slide 107 in the removal direction 52, the cap 79 of the ink supply part 34 begins to enter the guide part 105, and the rod 125 begins to enter the recess 96.

Referring to Figure 10, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 51 against the pushing force of the traction spring 114 that pushes the slider 107 in the removal direction 52, the ink supply tube 102 enters the ink supply opening 71 and pushes the valve 77 away from the sealing element 76 against the pushing force of the coil spring 78. The pushing force of the pulling spring 114 is applied to the ink cartridge 30 by the slide 107 in the extraction direction 52, and the thrust force of the helical spring 78 is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the extraction direction 52.

The rod 125 in the recess 96 supports the front cover 32 below. The IC plate 64 reaches a position below the contacts 106, and the electrodes 65 contact the corresponding contacts 106, respectively, while elastically deforming the contacts 106 in the upward direction 54. When this occurs, the IC plate 64 is pushed in the downward direction 53 by the elastically deformed contacts 106, but the IC plate 64 is supported below by the rod 125. Therefore, the electrodes 65 are positioned exactly in relation to the contacts 106 in the direction toward top 54 and the direction down 53. However, the rod 125 may not necessarily support the front cover 32.

With reference to FIG. 10, the projection 43 of the rear cover 31 reaches the blocking part 145, and the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 slide in the blocking part 145. Although a moment of force is applied towards the left to the ink cartridge 30 because the user pushes the upper part 41U of the rear face 41 in the insertion direction 51, the sliding contact between the inclined surface 155 and the blocking part 145 causes the ink cartridge 30 to pivot towards the right around a pivot center O which is the center of the ink supply opening 71 through which the ink supply tube 102 is inserted, that is, the center of an ink supply tube part 102, part that contacts the inner surface of the sealing element 76 defining the ink supply opening 71. The position of the ink cartridge 30 in Figure 10 is an example of a second position.

When the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, the blocking surface 151 of the protrusion 43 is positioned below the blocking part 145, that is, it is positioned more in the downward direction 53 than the blocking part 145. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, the position of the pivot center O and the positions of the electrodes 65 along the insertion direction 51 and the extraction direction 52 at least partially overlap. Therefore, the magnitude of a moment of force generated by the pushing force of the contacts 106 that push down the electrodes 65 and applied to the ink cartridge 30 is zero or very small. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, the bottom face 42 of the back cover 31 contacts or approaches the bottom groove wall of the guide slot 109 of the bottom of the case 101. In this embodiment, When the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, the lower face 42 extends in a horizontal plane. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, the lower part 41L of the rear face 41 is positioned further forward than the upper part 41U of the rear face 41, that is, it is placed more in the insertion direction 51 than the top 41U.

Referring to FIG. 11, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 51 against the pushing force of the pulling spring 114 that pushes the slide 107 in the removal direction 52 and against the pushing force of the coil spring 78, the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 are placed more in the insertion direction 51 than the locking part 145. Since the moment of force to the left, which is generated by the user pushing the upper part 41U of the rear face 41 in the insertion direction 51, is applied to the ink cartridge 30, when the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 do not contact the blocking part 145, the ink cartridge 30 pivots to the left around the center pivot O which is the center of the ink supply opening 71 through which the ink supply tube 102 is inserted.

When the ink cartridge 30 pivots to the left, the blocking surface 151 reaches a position where the blocking surface 151 and the blocking part 145 face each other in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 In addition, when the ink cartridge 30 pivots to the left, the back cover 31 contacts the blocking part 145. When this occurs, the impact of the contact indicates to the user that the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 has been completed. When the user stops pushing the ink cartridge 30, the ink cartridge 30 is moved in the extraction direction 52 by the pushing force of the traction spring 114 applied by the slide 107 and the pushing force of the helical spring 78. When this occurs, the blocking surface 151 contacts the blocking part 145 in the extraction direction 52 and the movement of the ink cartridge 30 relative to the cartridge mounting part 110 in the extraction direction 52 is restricted, as is depicted in figure 11. The position of the ink cartridge 30 in figure 11 is an example of the first position. This completes the assembly of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is locked or held in the cartridge mounting portion 110 with the locking surface 151 that contacts the locking portion 145 in the extraction direction 52 against the pushing force of the pulling spring 114 and the pushing force of the coil spring 78 in the pulling direction 52.

In the following paragraphs, the pivoting movement of the ink cartridge 30 from the second position to the first position is described in more detail.

With reference to Figure 12, the following condition is satisfied:

FH> GL.

G is the magnitude of the gravitational force acting on the ink cartridge 30. F is the magnitude of the pushing force of the traction spring 114 and the helical spring 78 that pushes the ink cartridge 30 in the extraction direction 52 when The ink cartridge 30 is in the first position. L is the distance between the center of gravity M of the ink cartridge 30 and the pivot center O along the insertion direction 51 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position. H is the height of the lower end of the upper part 41U of the rear face 41 from the pivot center O along the upward direction 54 which is perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position.

When the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the user has to push the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 with a force whose magnitude U is larger than the magnitude F of the force in the extraction direction 52. In other words, the following condition must be met: F <U. In addition, the user pushes the upper part 41U of the rear face 41, that is, pushes a part above the lower end of the top 41U. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110, a force is applied to the part above the lower end of the upper part 41U of the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51, whose magnitude U is larger than the magnitude F of the thrust force. Since the upper part 41U is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, a moment of force is applied to the left to the ink cartridge 30, the magnitude of which is at least larger than the product FH. On the other hand, a moment of force is applied to the right, which is generated by gravitational force, to the ink cartridge, whose magnitude is the GL product.

Since the condition FH> GL described above is met, the moment of general force applied to the ink cartridge 30 is directed to the left when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. Therefore, when the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 finish sliding in the blocking part 145 and are separated from the blocking part 145 in the insertion direction 51, the moment of force to the left causes the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the second position to the first position.

The magnitude G of the gravitational force acting on the ink cartridge 30 varies depending on the amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30. However, if the condition ^f H> GL is met when a new ink cartridge is inserted 30 having an initial amount of ink, the condition is also met when a used ink cartridge 30 whose ink quantity is relatively low is inserted. That is because the GL product is smaller as the amount of ink is reduced while the FH product does not change.

In addition, since the second projection 86 of the ink cartridge 30 receives the pushing force of the traction spring 114 by the slide 107 below the pivot center O, the pushing force of the traction spring 114 also generates a moment of additional force making the ink cartridge 30 pivot to the left. However, even if the moment of force generated by the pulling spring 114 did not apply to the ink cartridge 30, the moment of general force applied to the ink cartridge 30 would still be directed to the left.

Referring to Fig. 14, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first position, the upper end of the blocking surface 151 is positioned outside a virtual circle C, and the lower end of the blocking surface 151 is placed inside of the virtual circle C. The virtual circle C has its center at the pivot center O and intersects the blocking part 145. Therefore, when the pushing force is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the extraction direction 52 while the blocking surface 151 contacts the blocking part 145, the blocking part 145 slides on the blocking surface 151 towards the lower end of the blocking surface 151. That is, the ink cartridge 30 pivots further to the left when the part lock 145 and lock surface 151 contact.

With reference to Figure 13, the user can push the bottom 41L of the rear face 41 instead of the top part 41U of the rear face 41 when the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. However, since the following condition is satisfied, the ink cartridge 30 can pivot to the left in Figure 13:

(Fcosa) N> GL.

The lower part 41L is a plane that intersects a virtual first plane P1 at an angle of degrees when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, and the virtual first plane P1 is perpendicular to the insertion direction 51. N is the length of a perpendicular line that extends from the pivot center O to a second virtual plane P2 that is perpendicular to the lower part 41L and intersects the lower end of the lower part 41L.

When the user pushes the lower part 41L in the insertion direction 51 with a force whose magnitude is greater than the magnitude F of the pushing force, a moment of force to the left is applied to the ink cartridge 30, whose magnitude is at less larger than the product (Fcosa) N. Since the condition (Nose) N> GL described above is met, the moment of general force applied to the ink cartridge 30 is directed to the left even when the user pushes the bottom 41L in the insertion direction 51.

When the user wishes to remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the user pushes down the operating surface 92. With reference to Figures 15A and 15B, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first position , the operating surface 92 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is seen in the downward direction 53 and is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is seen in the forward direction 57 (the insertion direction 51). In other words, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first position, the operating surface 92 looks in the upward direction 54 and the backward direction 58 (the extraction direction 52). Therefore, when the user pushes the operating surface 92 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first position to release the ink cartridge 30, the user's force is directed in the downward direction 53 and the forward direction 57 (insertion address 51). Due to the force directed towards the forward direction 57 (the insertion direction 51), the blocking surface 151 is separated from the blocking part 145. Due to the force directed towards the downward direction 53, the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first position to the second position. Therefore, in comparison to a situation in which the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first position to the second position while the blocking surface 151 slides in the blocking part 145, the force necessary to apply to the operating surface 92 to make the ink cartridge 30 pivot from the first position to the second position is smaller, and the user can easily release the ink cartridge 30.

When the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first position to the second position, the blocking surface 151 is placed under the blocking part 145, that is, it is placed more in the downward direction 53 than the blocking part 145. The pushing force of the pulling spring 114 and the coil spring 78 moves the ink cartridge 30 in the extraction direction 52. When the ink cartridge 30 is separated from the slide 107, the pushing force is no longer applied to the cartridge of ink 30, and the ink cartridge 30 stops moving in the extraction direction 52. When this takes place, at least the back cover 31 of the ink cartridge 30 is placed outside the box 101, the user can take the cartridge of ink 30 of the cartridge mounting part 110.

[Advantage]

According to the embodiment described above, since the lower part 41L of the rear face 41 of the rear cover 31 is placed more in the insertion direction 51 than the upper part 41U of the rear face 41 of the rear cover 31 when the cartridge Ink 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110, the user tends to push the upper part 41U, which is placed closer to the user, and does not tend to push the lower part 41L. When the upper part 41U is pushed, a moment of force is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting part 110, such that the ink cartridge 30 pivots around the pivot center from the second position to the first position. The blocking surface 151 of the ink cartridge 30 in the first position contacts the blocking part 145 in the extraction direction 52 and the movement of the ink cartridge 30 relative to the cartridge mounting part 110 in the extraction direction 52 is restricted, that is, the ink cartridge 30 is locked in the cartridge mounting part 110. The user can easily insert and lock the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110.

Since the upper part 41U of the rear face 41 includes the letter or symbol indicating that the upper part 41U is supposed to be pushed, the user is instructed to push the upper part 41U.

Since the condition FH> GL is met, the moment of force generated by the upper part 41U of the rear face 41 that is pushed and causes the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the second position to the first position is larger than a moment of force generated by the gravitational force acting on the ink cartridge 30 and causes the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the first position to the second position.

Since the condition (Nipple) N> GL is fulfilled, although the lower part 41L of the rear face 41 is pushed, the moment of force generated by the lower part 41L of the rear face 41 which is pushed and causes the cartridge Ink 30 pivots from the second position to the first position is larger than the moment of force generated by the gravitational force acting on the ink cartridge 30 and causes the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the first position to the second position.

Since the second projection 86 is positioned more in the downward direction 53 than the ink supply part 34 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, and the second projection 86 receives the pushing force of the traction spring 114 by means of the slide 107, a moment of additional force is applied to the ink cartridge 30, causing the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the second position to the first position.

Since the position of the pivot center O and the positions of the electrodes 65 along the insertion direction 51 overlap at least partially when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, the The magnitude of a moment of force generated by the pushing force of the contacts 106 and applied to the ink cartridge 30 is zero or very small.

Since the operating surface 92 is positioned farther from the pivot center O than the locking surface 151, the user can easily operate the operating surface 92 to make the ink cartridge 30 pivot from the first position to the second position. .

Since the operating surface 92 looks in the upward direction 54 and the removal direction 52 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first position, when the user operates the operating surface 92 to release the ink cartridge 30 from the First, the user's force is directed towards the downward direction 53 and the insertion direction 51. Due to the force directed towards the insertion direction 51, the blocking surface 151 is separated from the blocking part 145. Due to the force directed towards the downward direction 53, the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first position to the second position. Therefore, compared to a situation in which the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first position to the second position while the blocking surface 151 slides in the blocking part 145, the force to be applied to the surface of operation 92 to make the ink cartridge 30 pivot from the first position to the second position is smaller, and the user can easily release the ink cartridge 30.

Since the upper end of the blocking surface 151 is positioned outside the virtual circle C and the lower end of the blocking surface 151 is placed within the virtual circle C when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first position, when the force The thrust is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the extraction direction 52, the blocking part 145 slides on the blocking surface 151 towards the lower end of the blocking surface 151.

Since the position of the operating surface 92 along the insertion direction 51 and the position of the secondary upper face 91 along the insertion direction 51 at least partially overlap, or the operating surface 92 and the secondary upper face 91 overlaps at least partially in the downward direction 53, and a space has formed between the operating surface 92 and the secondary upper face 91, the operating surface 92 is recognizable by the user.

Since at least a portion of the operating surface 92 protrudes more in the upward direction 54 than the blocking surface 151, even when the ink cartridge 30 falls with the upper face 39, 141 facing in the downward direction 53, The blocking surface 151 may be protected by at least a portion of the operating surface 92 and cannot be damaged.

[Modified Embodiments]

In the embodiment described above, the upper part 41U and the lower part 41L of the rear face 41 are continuous. However, the upper part 41U and the lower part 41L of the rear face 41 may not necessarily be continuous. For example, in another embodiment, the rear face 41 may include a part that extends in the forward direction 57 or the rearward direction 58 between the upper part 41U and the lower part 41L. Furthermore, each of the upper part 41U and the lower part 41L may not necessarily be a plane, that is, a flat surface, but may be a curved surface or a spherical surface in another embodiment.

In the embodiment described above, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, the upper part 41U of the rear face 41 is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction 51. The upper part 41U may not be perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 in another embodiment. The upper part 41U and the lower part 41L may not necessarily be recognizable as two different parts, but may be formed as a single plane or a single curved surface in another embodiment.

As described in the above-described embodiment, if the upper part 41U of the rear face 41 is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, the force necessary to insert the ink cartridge 30 in the direction of insertion 51 against the thrust force is less. In addition, the volume of the interior space of the back cover 31 is larger, and therefore the volume of the ink chamber 36 is larger. If the upper part 41U and the lower part 41L are formed as two different parts, it is expected that the user tends to push the upper part 41U when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110.

In the embodiment described above, the cartridge mounting portion 110 includes the slide 107 and the traction spring 114, but the slider 107 and the traction spring 114 are optional. For example, in another embodiment, the cartridge mounting part 110 may not include the slide 107 and the traction spring 114, and only the coil spring 78 of the ink supply part 34 can apply the thrust force to the cartridge ink 30 in the extraction direction 52 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110.

In the embodiment described above, the ink is an example of a liquid. However, the liquid is not limited to ink. For example, the liquid can be pretreatment liquid that is ejected on the sheet of paper before ejecting ink when printing. In addition, the liquid may be water to be used to wash the recording head 21.

Claims (16)

1. A liquid consumption apparatus (10) including a liquid cartridge (30) configured to be introduced into said liquid consumption apparatus in a first direction (51, 57) along a horizontal direction against a force of thrust directed in a second direction (52, 58) contrary to the first direction, and therefore be installed in the liquid consumption apparatus, including: a liquid chamber (36) configured to store liquid; a front face (140) facing the first direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted in the liquid consumption apparatus; a liquid supply part (34) placed on the front face and configured to allow the insertion of a liquid supply tube of the liquid consumption apparatus therein; a sealing element (76) placed in the liquid supply part and having a liquid supply opening formed therethrough, where the sealing element is configured to contact an outer surface of the liquid supply tube deforming thereto Elastic time when the liquid supply tube is inserted through the liquid supply opening; an upper face (39, 141) oriented in an upward direction (54) when the liquid cartridge is inserted in the liquid consumption apparatus; a blocking surface (151) configured to contact a blocking part of the liquid consumption apparatus in the second direction; Y a rear face (41) facing the second direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted in the liquid consumption apparatus, where the liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center (O) that is a center of the liquid supply opening, when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consumption apparatus and the supply tube of liquid is inserted through the liquid supply opening, where the liquid cartridge is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, where when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, the blocking surface contacts the part of blocking in the second direction and the movement of the liquid cartridge in relation to the liquid consumption apparatus in the second direction is restricted, and the rear face includes a first part (41L) and a second part (41U) placed more in the direction upwards than the first part, where the first part includes a part placed more in the downward direction than the pivot center, and the first part e it is placed more in the first direction than the second part, characterized in that the blocking surface (151) is placed on the upper face; Y when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, the blocking surface is placed more in a downward direction than the blocking part, where the downward direction (53) is the gravitational direction; The liquid cartridge (30) further includes an electrical interface (65) placed on the upper face and configured to contact a contact disposed in the liquid consumption apparatus when the liquid cartridge is both in the first position and in the second position in the liquid consumption apparatus, where when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, a pivot center position along the first direction and a position of the electrical interface along the first direction overlap the less partially. 2. The liquid consumption apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second part includes a letter or symbol on top, and the letter or symbol indicates that the second part is supposed to be pushed. 3. The liquid consumption apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the following condition is satisfied: FH> GL, where G is a magnitude of a gravitational force acting on the liquid cartridge at least when the liquid chamber is completely filled with the liquid or when the liquid in the liquid chamber has been consumed, F is a magnitude of the thrust force which pushes the liquid cartridge in the second direction when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, L is a distance between the center of gravity of the liquid cartridge and the pivot center along the first direction when the cartridge of liquid is in the second position, and H is a height of a lower end of the second part from the pivot center along the upward direction perpendicular to the first direction when the liquid cartridge is in the second position. 4. The liquid consumption apparatus of claim 3, wherein the first part is a plane that intersects a virtual first plane at an angle of degrees when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, and the first virtual plane is perpendicular to the first address, and where the following condition is satisfied: (Fcosa) N> GL, where N is a length of a perpendicular line that extends from the pivot center to a virtual second plane that is perpendicular to the first part and intersects a lower end of the first part. 5. The liquid consumption apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a receiving part (86) configured to receive the pushing force directed in the second direction, where the receiving part is placed more in the downward direction than the liquid supply part when the liquid cartridge is in the second position. 6. The liquid consumption apparatus of claim 5, wherein the receiving part is configured to receive the pushing force of a pushing element disposed in the liquid consumption apparatus. 7. The liquid consumption apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, further including an operating surface (92) placed on the upper face and positioned more in the second direction than the blocking surface. 8. The liquid consumption apparatus of claim 7, wherein the operating surface faces in the upward direction and the second direction. 9. The liquid consumption apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the operating surface does not move relative to the liquid chamber. 10. The liquid consumption apparatus of any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the upper face includes a secondary upper face (91) positioned more in the downward direction than the operating surface when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, the operating surface and the secondary upper face overlap at least partially in the downward direction, and a space is formed between the operating surface and the secondary upper face in the downward direction. 11. The liquid consumption apparatus of any one of claims 7 to 10, the operating surface includes multiple elongate projections (93). 12. The liquid consumption apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, an upper end of the locking surface is placed outside a virtual circle and a lower end of the Locking surface is placed inside the virtual circle, where the virtual circle has a center at the pivot center and intersects the locking part. 13. The liquid consumption apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consumption apparatus case, and the blocking surface is configured to contact the blocking part that It does not move relative to the box. 14. The liquid consumption apparatus (10) of any one of claims 1 to 13; and further including a cartridge mounting part (110), where the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting part in the first direction against the pushing force directed in the second direction, and to be installed by this in the cartridge assembly part, and the cartridge assembly part includes: the liquid supply tube (102) configured to be introduced into the liquid supply part; and the blocking part (145) configured to contact the blocking surface (151). 15. A method of inserting a liquid cartridge (30) into a cartridge mounting part of a liquid consumption apparatus, wherein the liquid consumption apparatus and the liquid cartridge (30) are defined according to any one of the claims 1 to 13, where the liquid cartridge is pivoted from the second position to the first position when the liquid cartridge (30) is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion of the liquid consumption apparatus. 16. Use of a liquid consumption apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, where the liquid cartridge is pivoted from the second position to the first position when the liquid cartridge (30) is inserted into a cartridge mounting part of the liquid consumption apparatus.