ES2824805T3 - Liquid cartridge and system that uses it - Google Patents

Abstract

A system comprising a housing part (110) and a liquid cartridge (30, 230, 430, 530, 630, 830) configured to be inserted into the housing part (110) of a printing device (10) in a insertion direction (51) that crosses the direction of gravity (53) and coupled to the housing part (110) in an upright position, the housing part (110) comprising: a support (101) defining an internal space (104) to house the liquid cartridge in an upright position; a contact (132) provided on the bracket (101); a first wall (137) provided on the support (101) and having a first lower end positioned forward in the insertion direction (51) and lower down in the gravity direction (53) with respect to the contact (132) Of the device; and a second wall (136) provided on the support (101) and having a second lower end located rearward in the insertion direction (51) and lower in the gravity direction (53) with respect to the contact (132 ) of the device, the contact (132) of the device being located between the first wall (137) and the second wall (136) in the insertion direction (51), comprising the liquid cartridge (30, 230, 430, 530, 630, 830): a frame (31, 231, 331, 431, 531, 631, 831) comprising: a liquid chamber (32) that stores liquid therein; and a liquid conduit (75A, 875A) extending forwardly in the insertion direction (51) from the liquid chamber; a substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) having a length in the insertion direction (51) greater than a distance between the first wall (137) and the second wall (136) in the direction insertion (51), the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) defining in an upright position an inclined surface (61, 261, 61, 461, 561, 661, 861) that faces upwards and which is inclined with respect to an imaginary first plane (PL1) extending in the insertion direction (51) and a widthwise direction (55, 56) orthogonal to the insertion direction (51) and to the direction of the gravity, characterized in that the liquid cartridge comprises: a contact (65) formed on the inclined surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) of the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663 , 863), the contact (65) of the cartridge being able to be electrically connected with the contact (132) of the device at a contact point (132C) in an upright position; and a memory (66) mounted on the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) and electrically connected to the contact (65) of the cartridge, forming the inclined surface (61, 261, 361, 461 , 561, 661, 861) a first acute angle (α) with respect to the first imaginary plane (PL1), a second imaginary plane (PL2) forming a second acute angle (β) with respect to the first imaginary plane (PL1), forming a third imaginary plane (PL3) a third acute angle (γ;) with respect to the first imaginary plane (PL1), the second imaginary plane (PL2) passing through the contact point (132C) and the second lower end of the second wall (136) and extending in the width direction (55, 56), passing the third imaginary plane (PL3) through the contact point (132C) and the first lower end of the first wall (137) and extending in the direction across (55, 56), the first acute angle (α) being greater than at least one of the second acute angle (β) and the ter cer acute angle (γ).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Liquid cartridge and system that uses it

The present disclosure relates to a liquid cartridge that stores liquid therein, and to a system that includes the liquid cartridge, and a coupling section to which the liquid cartridge can be attached.

A conventional system known in the art includes an ink cartridge and an ink jet engraving apparatus. The ink jet engraving apparatus includes a coupling section and the ink cartridge can be mounted in and removed from the coupling section. The mating section of the ink jet engraving apparatus includes contacts.

A circuit board may be provided in an ink cartridge (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-049164, for example). Memory is mounted on the circuit board to store this information, such as the color and material composition of the ink stored in the cartridge, the residual amount of ink, and other information. There are also shaped electrodes on the circuit board. Electrical connections are formed between the ink cartridge electrodes and the mating section contacts when the ink cartridge is mounted in the mating section, allowing the inkjet engraving apparatus to read the information stored in memory. . CN 204605193 discloses a cartridge with an electronic circuit board mounted on it. Document US 8678573 discloses a printing fluid cartridge including a front side, a rear side, an upper side, a lower side, a tubular fluid supply part on the lower side of the front side, a pivoting member, configured to pivoting about a pivot point and comprising an end portion. The pivot point is located on the upper side and the end part is located on the rear side. The printing fluid cartridge also includes a light dimming part, protruding from the upper side of the front side, which is configured to dim the light, and an electrical interface located between the pivot member and the light dimming part. An upper end of the light attenuation part is located below the electrical interface.

Likewise, to form the electrodes and the like and to mount the memory and the like on a circuit board, the circuit board must have at least a certain size.

As the functionality of circuit boards continues to improve, the number of components that are mounted on circuit boards has increased. For example, components other than memory (batteries, for example) are now mounting on these circuit boards. These additives increase the size of the circuit board. Meanwhile, the walls have been considered a measure to prevent a user from touching the contacts of the mating section. The walls are provided in the mating section of the front and rear sides of the contacts with respect to a direction of insertion of the ink cartridge in the mating section, so as to extend downwardly to a position lower than the contacts. However, the provision of these walls limits the front-back dimension of the circuit board.

In view of the above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a liquid cartridge including a circuit board (substrate) on which electrodes are formed that can be electrically connected to the contacts of the mating section without requiring the circuit board (substrate) to have smaller dimensions, in case the walls to protect the contacts are arranged around the periphery of the contacts. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system equipped with this liquid cartridge.

(1) In order to achieve the above and other objects, according to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a system that includes a liquid cartridge, as defined in appended claim 1.

With this structure, since the substrate has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the imaginary first plane, the liquid cartridge can be inserted into the mating part without interference between the substrate and the first wall and / or the second wall provided. near the contact of the coupling part support. The contact on the substrate of the liquid cartridge can easily come into contact with the contact of the device without interference with the first wall and the second wall provided near the contact of the device. Also, with this structure, since the substrate has an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the imaginary first plane, the liquid cartridge can be inserted into the coupling part without interference between the substrate and the first wall and / or the second wall, even if the length of the substrate in the insertion direction is greater than the distance between the first wall and the second wall in the insertion direction.

Also, the length (dimension) of the substrate in the insertion direction may be greater than the distance between the first wall and the second wall in the insertion direction, which means that the size of the substrate can be enlarged otherwise. In this way, sufficient space can be on the cartridge substrate to form the contact and mount the memory on top.

Furthermore, due to the inclined surface of the substrate, foreign objects deposited on the inclined surface can easily fall from the inclined surface.

(2) In the liquid cartridge according to aspect (1), it is preferable that: the inclined surface defines an upper edge and a lower edge in the upright position; and the cartridge contact is formed on the inclined surface at a position closer to the upper edge than to the lower edge.

With this structure, the cartridge contact can better be positioned to contact the device contact.

(3) In the liquid cartridge according to aspect (1) or aspect (2), preferably, the memory is mounted on the substrate in a lower position than the contact of the cartridge in the upright position.

With this structure, memory is less likely to collide with device contact.

(4) Preferably, the liquid cartridge according to any one of aspects (1) - (3) may further include an electronic component, electrically connected to the memory and configured to supply power to the memory. In this case, preferably, the substrate has an upper end face and a lower end face in an upright position, the electronic component being mounted on the substrate in a position closer to the lower end face than to the upper end face. in an upright position. The electronic component of the disclosure can be any type of electronic component or element that can serve as a means of supplying power to the memory. For example, the electronic component can be a battery or capacitor in a charged state.

In the mated state of the liquid cartridge in the mating part, that is, in a state in which the contact of the cartridge is in contact with the contact of the device, an upper part of the substrate (a part close to the end face top) is located between the first wall and the second wall. Consequently, there is not enough space to mount the electronic component on top of the substrate. However, with the configuration described above, the electronic component is mounted on a lower part of the substrate (a part closer to the lower end face) where there may be sufficient space.

(5) In the liquid cartridge according to aspect (4), preferably, the electronic component is located lower than the memory in the upright position.

This structure can reduce the probability that the electronic component collides with the cartridge contact and that this collision may cause deterioration of the memory functionality electrically connected to the electronic component. Likewise, by arranging the contact of the cartridge, the memory and the electronic component as described above, the wiring for the electrical connection of the contact of the cartridge with the memory and the wiring for the electrical connection of the electronic component with the memory they can be arranged without interference much more easily.

(6) In the liquid cartridge according to aspect (1), preferably, the inclined surface defines an upper edge and a lower edge in an upright position, the upper edge being located towards the front with respect to the lower edge in the direction of insertion.

With this structure, the inclined surface is oriented towards the rear, while the liquid conduit is open towards the front. In this way, liquid leaking from the liquid conduit is less likely to settle on the inclined surface.

(7) Preferably, in the liquid cartridge according to aspect (1), the inclined surface defines an upper edge and a lower edge in an upright position, the upper edge being located behind the lower edge in the insertion direction.

With this structure, the trailing edge of the inclined surface constitutes the upper edge of the inclined surface. Thus, this structure can reduce the possibility that the contact of the device and the inclined surface (ie, a part of the substrate located in front of the trailing edge) collide.

(8) In the liquid cartridge according to any one of the aspects (1) - (7), preferably, the housing part also includes: a third wall, provided in the support and having a third lower end located lower that the contact of the device in the direction of gravity; and a fourth wall, provided on the support and having a fourth lower end located lower than the contact of the device in the direction of gravity, the contact of the device being located between the third wall and the fourth wall in the direction of the width. Preferably, in this case, the substrate has a width in the width direction smaller than a distance between the third wall and the fourth wall in the width direction.

With this structure, the contact on the cartridge substrate can easily come into contact with the contact of the device located between the third wall and the fourth wall in the width direction.

(9) In the liquid cartridge according to any one of the aspects (1) - (8), the length of the substrate in the insertion direction is greater than the width of the substrate in the width direction.

(10) In the liquid cartridge according to any one of aspects (1) - (9), it is further preferable that: the cartridge contact includes a plurality of electrodes formed on the substrate; and that the plurality of electrodes extend in the insertion direction and are arranged in alignment with each other in the widthwise direction in the upright position.

With this structure, since the various electrodes are shaped to be aligned with each other in the widthwise direction, the range over which the electrodes are shaped in the insertion direction can be reduced. Also, the extension of the electrodes in the direction of insertion can reduce the possibility that the electrodes may lose contact with the device contact, even if the position of the liquid cartridge with respect to the direction of insertion within the part The coupling part varies as long as the liquid cartridge is coupled to the coupling part.

(11) In the liquid cartridge according to any one of aspects (1) - (10), preferably, the substrate is a rigid substrate.

(12) Still preferably, in the liquid cartridge according to any one of aspects (1) - (11), the memory is mounted on a surface of the substrate opposite the inclined surface in an upright position.

This structure can prevent the memory from being directly affected by the impact caused by the collisions between the liquid cartridge and the elements of the mating part, which may occur during insertion. of the liquid cartridge in the coupling part.

(13) In the liquid cartridge according to aspect (1), preferably, the frame further includes a support part that supports the substrate to maintain the first acute angle of the inclined surface with respect to the imaginary first plane in an upright position .

With this structure, the framework can reliably support the substrate by maintaining the first acute angle with respect to the imaginary first plane.

(14) Alternatively, in the liquid cartridge according to aspect (1), it is also preferable that: the inclined surface defines an upper edge and a lower edge in an upright position; and the substrate has a thickness in the direction of gravity in the upright position, this thickness being less near the lower edge than near the upper edge in the upright position.

(15) Likewise, the liquid cartridge according to aspect (1) may further include a joining surface configured to join the support. In this case, preferably, the joint surface comes into contact with the support by being pivoted upwards during insertion of the liquid cartridge into the housing part.

With this structure, without adding a complex structure to the liquid cartridge and / or the holder, the cartridge contact can be moved to a position so that the contact contacts the device without coming into contact with the second wall during insertion. of the liquid cartridge in the holder of the coupling part.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram schematically illustrating an internal structure of a printer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cartridge coupling section according to the embodiment;

Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a connector of the cartridge coupling section according to the embodiment;

Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment, taken along a plane INB-IIIB shown in Figure 3A;

Figure 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to the embodiment in an upright position;

Figure 5A is a rear side view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment in the upright position;

Figure 5B is a partially enlarged plan view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment in the upright position;

Fig. 6 is a view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment;

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment, which is being inserted into the cartridge coupling section;

Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment, which is being inserted into the cartridge coupling section, the ink cartridge being in a pivoted position; Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment, coupled to the cartridge coupling section, the ink cartridge being in the upright position;

Fig. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the steps for determining whether the ink cartridge according to the embodiment is coupled to the cartridge coupling section;

Fig. 11 is a flow chart illustrating another way of determining whether the ink cartridge according to the embodiment is coupled to the cartridge coupling section;

Figures 12A through 12D are partially enlarged cross-sectional views illustrating various ink cartridge circuit boards according to a first modification of the embodiment;

Figure 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a second modification of the embodiment;

Figure 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a third modification of the embodiment;

Figure 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a fourth modification; Fig. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a fifth embodiment modification;

Fig. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a sixth embodiment modification;

Fig. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a seventh embodiment modification;

Figure 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a variant of the embodiment; Figure 20 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to another variant of the embodiment; Y

Figure 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a variant of the ink cartridge shown in Figure 20.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present disclosure and modifications and variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention. divulgation.

printer overview 10>

As shown in FIG. 1, a printer 10 according to the embodiment is configured to record images on sheets of paper based on an ink jet engraving method whereby ink droplets are ejected onto the sheets. The printer 10 includes an engraving head 21, a cartridge coupling part 110 and ink tubes 20. The ink cartridges 30 that store the ink to be supplied to the engraving head 21 can be removably coupled to the part. cartridge coupling part 110. The ink tubes 20 connect the recording head 21 to the cartridge coupling part 110. An opening 112 is formed at one end of the cartridge coupling part 110. The ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge coupling section 110 of printer 10 constitute a system of the present disclosure.

The ink cartridges 30 are inserted into the cartridge coupling part 110 through the opening 112 to mate with the cartridge coupling part 110. The ink cartridges 30 are also withdrawn from the cartridge coupling part 110 through of the opening 112. FIG. 1 one of the ink cartridges 30 in its engaged state in the cartridge engaging portion 110, that is, when the ink cartridge 30 has been fully engaged in the cartridge engaging portion 110. Fig. 9 shows the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge coupling part 110 of Fig. 1. That is, Fig. 9 shows the coupled state of the ink cartridge 30.

In the following description, as shown in Fig. 9, a forward direction 51 is defined as a direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge engaging portion 110. Also, a position of the cartridge Ink 30 when forward inserted into and engaged with the cartridge engaging portion 110 is defined as an upright position. Thus, when in the coupled state, the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright position. In Figures 1 and 4 through 9, the ink cartridge 30 is illustrated in its upright position. A backward direction 52 is defined as a direction opposite to the forward direction 51 and is a direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is pulled out of the cartridge engaging portion 110. In the present embodiment, a horizontal direction is defined as a direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity and parallel to the direction of insertion. Both the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 are parallel to the horizontal direction (direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity). The forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 intersect the direction of gravity. Also, a downward direction 53 is defined as the direction of gravity and an upward direction 54 is defined as the direction opposite to the direction of gravity. As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, a rightward direction 55 and a leftward direction 56 are defined as directions orthogonal to the forward direction 51 and the downward direction 53. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright position (the mated state shown in Figure 1), the rightward direction 55 is defined as a direction extending to the right and the leftward direction 56 as a direction extending to the left when the cartridge Ink 30 is viewed from the rear, as illustrated in Figure 5A.

Also, in the following description, the forward direction 51 and the backward direction 52 are collectively called the front-rear direction, the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53 are collectively called the vertical direction, and the Right direction 55 and left direction 56 are collectively referred to as the left-right direction.

In the state that the ink cartridge 30 is fully coupled to the cartridge engaging part 110, the height of the ink cartridge 30 is in the up-down direction; the depth in the front-to-rear direction (that is, in the insertion direction); and the width in the left-right direction (that is, direction in the width direction).

When the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright position, the width direction of the ink cartridge 30 corresponds to the left-right direction, the height direction of the ink cartridge 30 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the depth direction of the ink cartridge. ink cartridge 30 corresponds to the front-rear direction.

While in its upright position, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted forwardly into the cartridge engaging portion 110 through the opening 112 (see Figures 7 and 8) until the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the portion. cartridge coupling 110 (see FIG. 9). The ink cartridge 30 is also pulled rearwardly from the cartridge engaging portion 110 while in its upright position.

Ink cartridge 30 stores ink that printer 10 can use for printing. As shown in Fig. 1, the ink cartridge 30 is connected to the recording head 21 through the ink tube 20 when the ink cartridge 30 is in its engaged state in the cartridge engaging part 110. The recording head Engraving 21 includes secondary reservoirs 28 and nozzles 29. Each of the secondary reservoirs 28 temporarily contains ink that will be supplied through the corresponding ink tube 20. The engraving head 21 ejects the ink supplied from the sub tanks 28 through the nozzles 29 according to an ink jet engraving method. More specifically, the engraving head 21 includes a head control board (not shown) and elements piezoelectric elements 29A that correspond one-to-one with nozzles 29. The head control board selectively applies drive voltages to piezoelectric elements 29A to eject ink from nozzles 29.

The printer 10 also includes a sheet tray 15, a supply roller 23, a transport path 24, a pair of transport rollers 25, a platen 26, a pair of discharge rollers 27, and a discharge tray 16. Supply roller 23 provides each of these sheets from sheet tray 15 to transport path 24, and transport rollers 25 transport the sheet onto platen 26. Engraving head 21 is configured to eject ink onto the plate. sheet as it passes through the plate 26, thus recording an image on the sheet. The discharge rollers 27 receive the sheet that has passed the platen 26 and discharge the sheet into the sheet tray 16 provided at a downstream end of the transport path 24.

<110 Cartridge Coupling Part>

As shown in Figure 2, the cartridge coupling part 110 includes a cartridge holder 101, a cover 111, a cover sensor 118, tubes 102, a shaft 145, reservoirs 103, optical sensors 113, protruding parts 114 and connectors 130.

<Cartridge holder 101>

The cartridge holder 101 shown in Fig. 2 constitutes the shell of the cartridge coupling part 110. The cartridge holder 101 is box-shaped. Inside the cartridge holder 101 an interior space 104 is formed.

As shown in Figure 2, the cartridge holder 101 is provided with an end wall 57, a bottom wall 59, a top wall 58, and a pair of side walls 60. The bottom wall 59 extends rearwardly from one edge. bottom of end wall 57. Top wall 58 extends rearwardly from an top edge of end wall 57 and is spaced vertically from bottom wall 59. Side walls 60 extend rearwardly from respective right and left edges end wall 57. Side wall 60 extending from the right edge of end wall 57 is connected to the right edges of bottom wall 59 and top wall 58, while side wall 60 extending from the end wall 57. extending from the left edge of the end wall 57 is connected to the left edges of the bottom wall 59 and the top wall 58. In this way, the side walls 60 connect the top wall 58 to the bottom wall. rior 59.

Opening 112 is formed at a rear end of cartridge holder 101 to oppose end wall 57 in the front-rear direction. The opening 112 is in communication with the interior space 104 of the cartridge holder 101. A user orients the opening 112 when using the printer 10.

The interior space 104 of the cartridge holder 101 is defined by the end wall 57, the bottom wall 59, the top wall 58, and the side walls 60. The partition walls (not shown) divide the interior space 104 into four compartments. Each of the tubes 102, reservoirs 103, optical sensors 113, protrusions 114, and connectors 130 are provided in each compartment of the divided interior space 104. Note that the number of compartments in the interior space 104 is not limited to four.

<Tubos102>

Tube 102 shown in Figure 2 is a cylindrical shaped element formed from a resin. As shown in Figure 2, the tubes 102 are located at a lower portion of the end wall 57 that constitutes the cartridge holder 101. The tubes 102 protrude further back than the end wall 57 of the cartridge holder 101. A rear end (distal end) and a front end (proximal end) of each tube 102 are open.

Tube 102 has an interior space 102A. A valve 115 and a compression spring 116 are housed in the interior space 102A. By moving it in the front-rear direction, the valve 115 opens and closes an opening 102B formed in the distal end of the tube 102. The compression spring 116 biases the valve 115 back. Thus, when an external force is not being applied to the valve 115 (when the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the cartridge engaging portion 110), the valve 115 closes the opening 102B. Also, when an external force is not being applied to valve 115, a rear end of valve 115 urged by compression spring 116 protrudes rearwardly from opening 102B.

There are notches (not shown) formed in the distal end of a peripheral wall of the tube 102 and, specifically, in a part of the peripheral wall located rearward of a part of the valve 115 that closes the opening 102B, that is, an end valve front 115.

<Axis 145>

As shown in Figure 2, the shaft 145 extends in the left-right direction near the top wall 58 of the cartridge holder 101 and near the opening 112. The shaft 145 is a rod-shaped element that is It extends in the left-right direction through the interior space 104 of the cartridge holder 101. The shaft 145 is a metal rod, for example. The left and right ends of the shaft 145 are attached to the side walls 60 of the cartridge holder 101.

<Deck 111>

As shown in Figure 1, the cover 111 is provided near the opening 112 formed in the cartridge holder 101. The cover 111 may cover the opening 112 or expose the opening 112 to the outside by closing and opening in the cartridge holder 101 The cover 111 is supported on a pivot axis 109 extending in the left-right direction near a portion of the cartridge holder 101 that defines a lower edge of the opening 112. With this construction, the cover 111 can pivot from a closed position (see FIG. 1), to cover the opening 112, to an open position, so that an upper edge of the cover 111 moves forward. When the cover 111 is in the open position, the user can insert the ink cartridges 30 into the cartridge holder 101 through the opening 112 formed in the cartridge holder 101. When the cover 111 is in the closed position, the User cannot insert the ink cartridges 30 into or remove the ink cartridges 30 from the cartridge holder 101.

<Deposits 103>

As shown in Figure 2, the reservoirs 103 are provided at the front of the cartridge holder 101. Each reservoir 103 is box-shaped and can accommodate ink therein. The tank 103 has a top that is open to the outside through an air communication port 124. Consequently, the inside of the tank 103 is open to the atmosphere. The interior space of the reservoir 103 is in communication with the leading end of the corresponding tube 102 through the corresponding ink tube 20. With this arrangement, ink exiting the interior space 102A of the tube 102 accumulates in the reservoir 103. The interior space of the reservoir 103 is also in communication with the engraving head 21 through the corresponding ink tube 20. Consequently, the ink stored inside the reservoir 103 is supplied to the engraving head 21 through the corresponding ink tube 20.

Note that the cartridge coupling portion 110 need not be provided with the reservoirs 103. In this case, the leading ends of the tubes 102 communicate with the engraving head 21 through the ink tubes 20 without passing through. of deposits 103.

<Optical sensors 113>

As shown in Figure 2, the optical sensors 113 are arranged near the top wall 58 of the cartridge holder 101. The optical sensors 113 are located further forward than the axis 145 in the front-rear direction. Each optical sensor 113 includes a light emitting part and a light receiving part. The light-emitting part is arranged to the right or left of the light-receiving part with a gap formed in between. The light-emitting part is configured to emit light towards the light-receiving part in the left-right direction.

Optical sensors 113 are configured to send detection signals to a controller 1 (see Figure 1). The signals differ according to whether the corresponding light-receiving part receives the light emitted from the corresponding light-emitting part. For example, the optical sensor 113 sends a low-level signal to the controller 1 when the light-receiving part cannot receive the light emitted from the light-emitting part (that is, when the received light has a lower intensity than expected). and sends a high level signal to the controller 1 when the light receiving part can receive the light emitted from the light emitting part (that is, when the intensity of the received light is greater than or equal to that intended). Here, the controller 1 is a device for controlling the operations of the printer 10 and is configured as a CPU, a ROM and a RAM, for example.

<Cover sensor 118>

The cover sensor 118 is disposed on the cartridge holder 101, near the upper edge of the opening 112. The cover sensor 118 includes a light emitting part and a light receiving part. When the cover 111 is in the closed position, a part of the cover 111 is arranged in an optical path of light that travels from the light-emitting part towards the light-receiving part, blocking the light from reaching the part. light receiver of the cover sensor 118. Consequently, the cover sensor 118 sends a low-level signal to the controller 1. When the cover 111 is not in the closed position, that is, when the cover 111 is in a separate position From the cover sensor 118, the cover 111 does not interrupt the light traveling from the light-emitting part to the light-receiving part, and the cover sensor 118 sends a high-level signal to the controller 1.

<Protruding Parts 114>

As shown in Figure 2, the protruding parts 114 protrude downward from the top wall 58 of the cartridge holder 101. The protruding parts 114 are disposed rearward of the optical sensors 113 corresponding and towards the axis 145 in the front-rear direction.

<Connectors 130>

As shown in Figures 2 through 3B, each of the connectors 130 includes contacts 132 and a housing 131 that houses the contacts 132.

As shown in Figure 2, a circuit board 133 is attached to the cartridge holder 101 near the top wall 58. The circuit board 133 is located further back than the tubes 102 and optical sensors 113 and further forward. than the shaft 145 and the protruding parts 114. The circuit board 133 is fixed to the cartridge holder 101. The housings 131 of the connectors 130 are fixed to a lower surface of the circuit board 133 by screws, solder or other similar element (not shown). Thus, the connectors 130 are attached to the cartridge holder 101 via the circuit board 133. Note that the connectors 130 need not be attached to the cartridge holder 101. For example, the connectors 130 may removably snap into or, otherwise, engage the bottom surface of the circuit board 133.

As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the housing 131 of each connector 130 has a general rectangular parallelepiped shape. There are grooves 135 formed in the housing 131 from a lower surface 131A to an upper surface 131C. The grooves 135 also pass through a rear surface 131B of the housing 131. Four of the grooves 135 are formed at intervals in the left-right direction. The four slots 135 provide four internal spaces in the housing 131. In each of the four internal spaces there is disposed a single contact 132. Therefore, the connector 130 includes four contacts 132. Note that the number of slots 135 is not limited to four. That is, the number of contacts 132 provided on connector 130 is not limited to four.

Housing 131 supports contacts 132 in corresponding internal spaces formed by slots 135. Contacts 132 are configured by elements that are flexible and electrically conductive. The lower ends 132A of the contacts 132 protrude further downward than the lower surface 131A of the housing 131. The lower ends 132A of the contacts 132 can be elastically deformed upward.

The upper ends 132B of the contacts 132 (see Figure 3B) are mounted on the circuit board 133. Through this construction, the contacts 132 are electrically connected to an electrical circuit mounted on the same circuit board 133. Said of otherwise, electricity can be conducted between contacts 132 and the electrical circuit. This electrical circuit is also electrically connected to controller 1 (see figure 1).

The housing 131 also includes a rear wall 136, a front wall 137, a right wall 138, and a left wall 139. The rear wall 136, the front wall 137, the right wall 138, and the left wall 139 protrude downward from the surface. bottom 131A of housing 131. Thus, the bottom edges of the rear wall 136, the front wall 137, the right wall 138 and the left wall 139 are located lower than the bottom edges of the contacts 132. Note that at least one of the right wall 138 and the left wall 139 can be omitted from the housing 131.

The rear wall 136 is located further back than the lower ends 132A of the contacts 132. The front wall 137 is located further forward than the lower ends 132A of the contacts 132. The rear wall 136 and the front wall 137 are aligned between yes in the front-rear direction. The right wall 138 is located further to the right than the lower ends 132A of the contacts 132 and the left wall 139 is located further to the left than the lower ends 132A of the contacts 132. The right wall 138 and the left wall 139 are aligned with each other in the left-right direction. A front edge of the right wall 138 is connected to a right edge of the front wall 137 and a rear edge of the right wall 138 is connected to a right edge of the rear wall 136. A front edge of the left wall 139 is connected to a left edge of the front wall 137 and a rear edge of the left wall 139 is connected to a left edge of the rear wall 136.

<Ink cartridge 30>

The ink cartridge 30 shown in Figures 4 to 6 is an ink storage container. An ink cartridge 30 is housed in each of the four compartments divided into the interior space 104 of the cartridge holder 101 (see FIG. 2). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the four ink cartridges 30 can be housed in the cartridge coupling part 110. Each of the four ink cartridges 30 corresponds to one of the ink colors: cyan, magenta, yellow. and black. Ink of one of these colors is stored in the corresponding ink cartridge 30. Note that the number of ink cartridges 30 that the cartridge coupling portion 110 can accommodate is not limited to four.

As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the ink cartridge 30 includes a frame 31, a sealing element 76, a protruding part 43, an operating part 90, a projection 67, a protruding part 88, and a circuit board. 64.

<Frame 31>

The frame 31 is configured with a front wall 40, a rear wall 41, an upper wall 39, a lower wall 42, and a pair of side walls 37 and 38. The front wall 40 and the front wall 41 are spaced from each other at the front-rear steering. The upper wall 39 is arranged between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 and extends from an upper edge of the front wall 40 to an upper edge of the rear wall 41. The lower wall 42 is arranged between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 and extends from an upper edge of the front wall 40 to a lower edge of the rear wall 41. The upper wall 39 and the lower wall 42 are spaced from each other in the direction of gravity. Side wall 37 and side wall 38 are spaced from each other in the left-right direction. The peripheral edges of the side walls 37 and 38 are connected to the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the top wall 39 and the bottom wall 42.

In a state that the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright position, a direction from the rear wall 41 to the front wall 40 equals the forward direction 51, a direction from the front wall 40 to the rear wall 41 equals to the backward direction 52, a direction from the upper wall 39 to the lower wall 42 equals the downward direction 53, a direction from the lower wall 42 to the upper wall 39 equals the upward direction 54, a direction from the wall side 38 to side wall 37 corresponds to the direction to the right 55 and a direction from the side wall 37 to the side wall 38 corresponds to the direction to the left 56. Also in this upright position, a front surface 40A of the wall A front 40 is facing forward, a rear surface 41A of the rear wall 41 is facing rear, a rear surface 42A of the rear wall 42 is facing toward the rear. below, an upper surface 39A of the upper wall 39 faces upward, a right surface 37A of the side wall 37 faces the right, and a left surface 38A of the side wall 38 faces the left.

The front wall 40 is configured by a front wall 40B and a front wall 40C located further back than the front wall 40B. That is, a front surface of the front wall 40B and a front surface of the front wall 40C constitute the front surface 40A of the front wall 40.

The bottom wall 42 is configured by a bottom wall 42B and a bottom wall 42C located higher than the bottom wall 42B. A bottom surface of the bottom wall 42B and a bottom surface of the bottom wall 42C constitute the bottom surface 42A of the bottom wall 42. The bottom wall 42C extends continuously rearwardly from a bottom edge of the front wall 40B. The bottom wall 42B and the bottom wall 42C are joined through the front wall 40C. The bottom surface of the bottom wall 42B is an inclined surface that slopes with respect to the front-rear direction, so that its leading edge is lower than its trailing edge.

The rear wall 41 is configured by an upper part 41U and a lower part 41L. The upper part 41U is located above the lower part 41L. The lower part 41L is located further forward than the upper part 41U. Both the upper part 41U and the lower part 41L are flat surfaces. The upper part 41U and the lower part 41L extend in directions that intersect but are not orthogonal to each other. The lower portion 41L slopes with respect to the vertical direction and specifically, it slopes forward from the top to the bottom.

Unless otherwise specified, the ink cartridge 30 will be assumed to be in its upright position in the following description. In other words, the vertical, front-back and left-right directions of the ink cartridge 30 are defined as a function of the ink cartridge 30 in the upright position.

The ink cartridge 30 has a generally flattened shape in which its left-right dimension (width) is less than its front-back dimension (depth), and the front-back dimensions (height and depth) are larger than the left dimension. -right (width).

The ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge holder 101 by inserting the ink cartridge 30 forward through the opening 112 formed in the cartridge holder 101 of the cartridge coupling part 110 and removed from the cartridge holder 101 pulling the ink cartridge 30 back through the opening 112.

As shown in Figure 4, the frame 31 defines within it a storage chamber 32 for storing ink. The storage chamber 32 is located between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41, between the top wall 39 and the bottom wall 42, and between the pair of side walls 37 and 38. In the present embodiment, the storage chamber 32 is defined by a surface of the front wall 40 opposite the front surface 40A (rear surface of the front wall 40), a surface of the rear wall 41 opposite the rear surface 41A (front surface of the rear wall 41), a surface of the upper wall 39 opposite the upper surface 39A (lower surface of the upper wall 39) and a surface of the lower wall 42 opposite the lower surface 42A (upper surface of the lower wall 42).

In the frame 31, at least the rear wall 41 has light transmission capability, so that the level of ink stored in the storage chamber 32 can be seen from the outside.

Frame 31 includes cylinder 75 which protrudes forward from the front surface of front wall 40C. Cylinder 75 is elongated in the front-rear direction. A conduit 75A extending in the front-rear direction is formed within cylinder 75. That is, the direction in which cylinder 75 and conduit 75A extend (front-rear direction) is aligned with the insertion direction of the ink cartridge 30. An opening 75B is formed in a forward end of cylinder 75 and in communication with conduit 75A. Conduit 75A has a rear end in communication with storage chamber 32. That is, conduit 75A is open at its rear end from the front surface of front wall 40C. In other words, conduit 75A is forward open at front wall 40. Thus, conduit 75A penetrates front wall 40.

Conduit 75A houses a valve 79 and a compression spring 80. Valve 79 opens and closes opening 75B by moving in the front-rear direction. Compression spring 80 pushes valve 79 rearward. Thus, when no external force is being applied to valve 79, valve 79 comes into firm contact with sealing member 76 engaged in opening 75B. However, when an external force is applied to valve 79, valve 79 separates from sealing element 76, allowing ink stored in storage chamber 32 to be supplied through conduit 75A and out of the opening. 75B of cylinder 75. Note that a structure for switching the opening and closing of opening 75B is not limited to the configured structure of valve 79. For example, opening 75B can be closed by a seal adhered to cylinder 75.

The air communication port 140 is formed in the upper wall 39 of the frame 31. A seal 141 seals the air communication port 140 before inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mating portion 110. The seal 141 is can peel off from the air communication port 140. By peeling off the seal 141 seals the air communication port 140 before inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge coupling part 110, the storage chamber 32 can have communication with the outside air thanks to the air communication port 140. Note that the communication between the storage chamber 32 and the outside air can be achieved through means other than the detachment of the seal 141. For example, a valve can be provided in the air communication port 140 and this can be used to enable or disable communication between the storage chamber 32 and the outside air.

The front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the top wall 39, the bottom wall 42 and the side walls 37 and 38 may be configured by a plurality of walls in the same way as the front wall 40 of the embodiment, or they may be configured as individual walls like rear wall 41.

Also, the surfaces of the ink cartridge 30 including the front surface 40A of the front wall 40, the rear surface 41A of the rear wall 41, the upper surface 39A of the upper wall 39, the lower surface 42A of the lower wall 42, the right surface 37A of the side wall 37 and the left surface 38a of the side wall 38 need not be shaped as individual flat surfaces.

The front surface 40A of the front wall 40 is a surface of the frame 31 that can be seen when viewing, from the front side, the ink cartridge 30 in its upright position. In accordance with one concept of the present disclosure, a front surface includes: a forwardmost surface of the frame 31 (the front surface 40A); and a surface located in front of an intermediate point of the front-rear direction, between the front-most surface and the rear-most surface of the frame 31 (the rear surface 41A).

The rear surface 41A of the rear wall 41 is a surface of the frame 31 that can be seen when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in its upright position from the rear side. The concept of a rear surface in the present disclosure includes: a rearmost surface of the frame 31 (the rear surface 41A); and a surface located rearward of the intermediate point of the front-rear direction, between the rearmost surface and the most front surface of the frame 31 (the front surface 40A).

The upper surface 39A of the upper wall 39 is a surface of the frame 31 that can be seen when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from above in its upright position. The concept of top surface in the present disclosure includes: an upward most surface of frame 31 (top surface 39A); and a surface above the vertical midpoint between this uppermost surface and a lowermost surface of the frame 31 (the lower surface 42A).

The bottom surface 42A of the bottom wall 42 is a surface of the frame 31 that can be seen when viewing the ink cartridge 30 in its upright position from below. The concept of the bottom surface in the present disclosure includes: the bottommost surface of the frame 31 (the bottom surface 42a); and a surface below the vertical midpoint between this lowermost surface and the uppermost surface of the frame 31 (the upper surface 39A).

The right surface 37A of the side wall 37 is a surface of the frame 31 that can be seen when viewing, from the right side, the ink cartridge 30 in its upright position.

The left surface 38A of the side wall 38 is a surface of the frame 31 that can be seen when viewing, from the left side, the ink cartridge 30 in its upright position.

<Sealing element 76>

The sealing element 76 shown in Figure 4 is configured by an elastic element formed of rubber or a similar material. The sealing element 76 is a ring-shaped element with a circular through hole 76A formed in its center. The through hole 76A has a diameter less than an outer diameter of the tube 102 in the cartridge coupling portion 110 (see FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 4, the sealing element 76 is arranged near the opening 75B of the cylinder 75 so that the through hole 76A is in the same position as the opening 75B in the front-rear direction. The sealing element 76 has an outer diameter greater than the diameter of the opening 75B. Consequently, when sealing element 76 fits into opening 75B, a tight seal is formed between sealing element 76 and cylinder 75 to provide a light tight seal in between.

The sealing element 76 is prevented from coming out of the cylinder 75 through known means. For example, the sealing element 76 can be fixed on the cylinder 75 by interposing the sealing element 76 between the cylinder 75 and a cap (not shown) located on the cylinder 75, or it can be fixed on the cylinder 75 with adhesive.

<Protruding parts 43>

As shown in Fig. 4, the protruding part 43 is formed on a rear portion of the upper surface 39A of the upper wall 39. The protruding part 43 protrudes upward and elongates in the front-rear direction. The protruding part 43 has a rearwardly facing rear end face 151, which serves as the locking surface 151.

The protruding portion 43 also includes a horizontal surface 154 that extends continuously forward from the locking surface 151. The horizontal surface 154 expands in both the left-right and front-to-rear directions. The projecting portion 43 also includes a forward sloping surface 155 that is continuous with the horizontal surface 154. The sloping surface 155 slopes with respect to the front-rear direction and specifically slopes downward toward the rear. lead.

The projecting portion 43 also includes a positioning surface 89. The positioning surface 89 is shaped forward of the inclined surface 155. The positioning surface 89 faces upward.

<Operating part 90>

As shown in Figure 4, the operating part 90 is formed on the top wall 39 in a position rearward from the locking surface 151. The operating part 90 has an operating surface 92. The user operates the operating part 90 to pull rearward of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge holder 101.

<Projection 67>

As shown in FIG. 4, the projection 67 is provided on the front surface 39A of the top wall 39. The projection 67 projects upward from the top surface 39A and elongates in the front-rear direction. Projection 67 is located in front of positioning surface 89. When viewed in the left-right direction, projection 67 is located lower than the virtual plane X, which is the largest of all virtual planes that pass through of the front upper corner of the frame 31 and the protrusion 43.

The light emitted by the optical sensor 113 of the cartridge coupling part 110 (see FIG. 2) strikes the right surface or the left surface of the projection 67. The surface of the projection 67 on which the light falls is referred to as the "light blocking surface". In the present embodiment, the projection 67 is a plate made of a resin material that contains a colored material (black pigment) capable of blocking or absorbing light, for example. As a variant, the material that prevents the passage of light, such as aluminum foil, can be fixed on at least the light blocking surface of the projection 67.

<88 protruding parts>

As shown in FIG. 4, the projecting portion 88 is formed on the upper surface 39A of the upper wall 39, in a position rearward of the projection 67. The projecting portion 88 is positioned ahead of the projecting part 43. A The upper edge (leading edge) of the projecting portion 88 is lower than the upper edge of the projecting portion 43. The projecting portion 88 has a top surface 88A that slopes with relative to a virtual plane PL1 extending in the front-rear and left-right directions. Specifically, the upper surface 88A slopes upward toward the forward side.

Although, in the embodiment, the protruding part 88 (as an example of a substrate retaining part) is integrally formed with the top wall 39, the substrate retaining part may instead be a separate element. For example, the substrate retention portion can be an adapter attached to the top wall 39.

<Circuit board 64>

As shown in FIG. 4, the circuit board 64 (more specifically, its substrate 63) is supported from below by the upper surface 88A of the protrusion 88.

Circuit board 64 includes substrate 63, memory 66, battery 68, and electrodes 65. Circuit board 64 is located rearward of projection 67 and forward of protrusion 43. Circuit board 64 is also located located further rear than the sealing element 76 in the front-rear direction. More specifically, the circuit board 64 is located further rearward than the through hole 76A formed in the sealing element 76. The circuit board 64 is also located below the virtual plane X described above in the vertical direction. Storage chamber 32 is interposed, vertically, between circuit board 64 and bottom surface 42A of bottom wall 42.

The substrate 63 of the circuit board 64 is a rigid substrate made of epoxy glass or a similar material. Circuit board 64 is configured by mounting memory 66 and battery 68 on substrate 63 and forming four electrodes 65 on substrate 63 (see FIG. 5B).

Note that the number of electrodes 65 is determined as a function of the number of contacts 132 in the cartridge coupling portion 110 (see FIG. 2) and is not limited to four. Also, the battery 68 need not be mounted on the circuit board 64.

The substrate 63 has a length in the front-back direction that is greater than its width in the left-right direction. Preferably, the front-back dimension of the substrate 63 is at least twice as large as the left-right dimension, and more preferably at least three times as large as the left-right dimension. Note that the front-back dimension of the substrate 63 can be twice less than the left-right direction or even less than or equal to the left-right dimension.

Specifically, the substrate 63 has a front end face 63A and a rear end face 63B opposite each other in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the front end face 63A also constitutes an upper end face of the substrate 63, while the rear end face 63A also constitutes a lower end face of the substrate 63. As illustrated in Figures 4, 5B and 9, the front-rear dimension of the substrate 63 (a distance between the front end face 63A and the rear end face 63B in the front-rear direction) is greater than a gap formed in the front-rear direction between the front wall 137 and the rear wall 136 of the connector 130 at the cartridge coupling portion 110. Also, as shown in FIG. 5B, the left-right dimension of the substrate 63 is less than a gap in the left-right direction between the wall. right 138 and left wall 139 of connector 130.

As illustrated in Figure 4, the substrate 63 has a first surface 61 (sloped surface) and a second surface 62. The first surface 61 is exposed to the exterior of the ink cartridge 30. The second surface 62 is an opposite surface to the first surface 61.

The substrate 63 is adhered to the upper surface 88A of the protrusion 88 (ie, the upper surface 39A of the upper wall 39) with a photopolymer. However, the circuit board 64 can be adhered to the top surface 88A with an adhesive other than a photopolymer. As another alternative, substrate 63 can be mounted on top surface 88A with other techniques without adhesives, eg, thermal caulking. Note that when thermal caulking is used to mount circuit board 64 on top surface 88A, each of the four corners of circuit board 64 is preferably attached to top surface 88A; that is, each of the front-right corner, the front-left corner, the rear-right corner, and the rear-left corner are in plan view. However, it should be obvious that thermal caulking positions do not have to be limited to these four corners.

Since the upper surface 88A of the protruding part 88 is inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1, so that the upper surface 88A is inclined upwards, towards the front in the front-rear direction, the first surface 61 and the second surface 62 of substrate 63, mounted on top surface 88A, also slopes upward toward the front with respect to the virtual plane PL1. That is, the substrate 63 is inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1, so that the first surface 61 is oriented diagonally up and back. Therefore, a leading edge of the first surface 61 also constitutes an upper edge 61U of the first surface 61, while a trailing edge of the first surface 61 serves as a lower edge 61L thereof. In other words, the upper edge 61U is positioned forward relative to the lower edge 61L. Through In this configuration, the projecting portion 88 maintains the first surface 61 on the substrate 63 at a desired angle of inclination with respect to the virtual plane PL1.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 4, the upper surface 88A of the projecting portion 88 slopes upward toward the front with respect to the virtual plane PL1 and maintains the first surface 61 at an angle of inclination a with respect to the virtual plane. PL1. Here, the angle a formed by the first surface 61 and the virtual plane PL1 is an acute angle that is greater than an acute angle p formed by a virtual plane PL2 and the virtual plane PL1. The virtual plane PL2 is a plane extending in the left-right direction and passing through the parts 132C of the contacts 132 and the lower edge of the rear wall 136. Here, the parts 132C are parts of the contacts 132 which are in contact with the electrodes 65 to be connected thereto (see FIG. 5B) when the ink cartridge 30 is in its engaged state in the cartridge engaging portion 110 (in the state shown in FIG. 9).

A plurality of electrodes (not shown) are formed on the second surface 62 of substrate 63. Memory 66 is located on any one of these electrodes. The battery 68 is located on the electrodes where the memory 66 is not mounted. Thus, the memory 66 and the battery 68 are mounted on the second surface 62 of the substrate 63.

Here, a recess 84 is formed in the upper surface 88A of the protrusion 88 in an area corresponding to the region in which the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted. In other words, the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted. on the second surface 62 they are located in the recess 84.

Here, referring to Figure 4, the shortest distance between the front end face 63A (upper end face) of the substrate 63 and the memory 66 is greater than the shortest distance between the rear end face 63B of the substrate 63 and memory 66. Similarly, the shortest distance between the front end face 63A of the substrate 63 and the battery 68 is also greater than the shortest distance between the front end face 63B of the substrate 63 and the battery 68. In other words, the memory 66 and the battery 68 are mounted closer to the rear end face 63B (bottom end face) of the substrate 63 than to the front end face 63A of the substrate 63. The battery 68 is mounted on a position diagonally down and back from memory 66. That is, battery 68 is located lower than memory 66 in upright position of ink cartridge 30.

The memory 66 stores information related to the ink cartridge 30 that can be read by the controller 1 of the printer 10. The information related to the ink cartridge 30 is data that specifies the batch number, the date of manufacture, the color ink and others. Memory 66 can be semiconductor memory, such as static RAM (SRAM). Note that, if necessary, an integrated circuit (IC) providing a function or functions other than memory can also be mounted on substrate 63.

The electrodes on which the battery 68 is mounted are connected to the electrodes on which the battery 66 is mounted. Thus, the battery 68 is electrically connected to the memory 66, so that the memory 68 can supply electricity to the memory 66.

As shown in Figure 3B, each of the four electrodes 65 corresponds to one of the four contacts 132 in the cartridge mating portion 110. Thus, the number of electrodes 65, equal to the number of contacts 132, it is not limited to four. As shown in Figure 5B, the four electrodes 65 are exposed on the first surface 61 that constitutes the substrate 63, allowing electrical connections. Each electrode 65 is elongated in the front-back direction. Electrodes 65 are arranged parallel to each other and spaced apart in the left-right direction on the upper surface (first surface 61) of substrate 63. Each electrode 65 is electrically connected to memory 66.

The shortest distance between the upper edge 61U of the first surface 61 and the electrodes 65 is shorter than the shortest distance between the lower edge 61L of the first surface 61 and the electrodes 65. In other words, the electrodes 65 are formed on the first surface 61 at a position closer to the upper edge 61U (front end face 63A) than to the lower edge 61L (rear end face 63B). Electrodes 65 are also shaped diagonally upward and forward relative to memory 66 and battery 68.

Battery 68 is a button-shaped battery (button cell) in the present embodiment. Battery 68 is electrically connected to memory 66 and is configured to supply power to memory 66. Upon receipt of the power supply from battery 68, memory 66 (SRAM) may store various data.

Note that a component other than battery 68 may be mounted on substrate 63 to supply power to memory 66. For example, in another example a capacitor in a charged state may be employed as another example of the electronic component supplying power to the battery. memory 66.

<Operations for attaching the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge attachment part 110>

Next, the operations for mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge holder 101 of the cartridge coupling part 110 will be described.

Figure 4 shows the ink cartridge 30 before mounting it to the cartridge coupling part 110. At this time, the seal 141 seals the air communication port 140 so that the storage chamber 32 is not in contact. with the atmosphere. Before mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge coupling portion 110, the user peels off the seal 141, opening the storage chamber 32 to the atmosphere. Furthermore, before mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge coupling part 110, the valve 79 is in contact with the sealing element 76. Consequently, the ink stored in the storage chamber 32 is prevented from flowing out. of the ink cartridge 30 through the through hole 76A.

In the state where the ink cartridge 30 is not coupled to the cartridge coupling part 110, there is no element located between the light emitting part and the light receiving element of the optical sensor 113, allowing the light travels from the light-emitting part to the light-receiving part. At this time, the optical sensor 113 sends a high-level detection signal to the controller 1 (see FIG. 1). Also, before coupling the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge coupling portion 110, the valve 115 closes the opening 102B and the rear end of the valve 115 protrudes rearwardly from the opening 102B.

In order to couple the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge coupling part 110, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted forwardly into the cartridge holder 101 through the opening 112 of the cartridge coupling part 110 (see figure 7). Note that although the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge holder 101 in a similar state to the upright position of the embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 may instead be inserted into the cartridge holder 101 while tilting with relative to the horizontal direction. As shown in Figure 4, the upper part 41U of the rear wall 41 is located further back than the lower part 41L. That is, the upper part 41U is closer to the user than the lower part 41L. Thus, the user pushes forward on the upper part 41U when inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge holder 101.

As the cartridge 30 is inserted forwardly into the cartridge holder 101, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the tube 102 of the cartridge coupling portion 110 is inserted into the conduit 75A of the cylinder 75 through the through hole 76A formed in sealing element 76 (opening 75B). At this time, the outer circumferential surface of the tube 102 comes into firm contact with an inner circumferential surface of the sealing element 76 (the surface that defines the through hole 76A). This configuration not only fixes the position of the cylinder 75 when the ink cartridge 30 is in a coupled state, but also forms a liquid-tight seal between the cylinder 75 and the tube 102 that prevents ink from leaking into the holder. of cartridges 101.

Tube 102 inserted into conduit 75A also contacts and pushes valve 79 rearward. By this action, valve 79 is separated from sealing element 76 against a forward biasing force of compression spring 80.

Also, when the distal end of tube 102 contacts valve 79, valve 79 contacts valve 115 from the rear of the valve and pushes valve 115 forward. Consequently, valve 115 moves forward against the biasing force of compression spring 116. This action allows interior space 102A of tube 102 to communicate with the exterior of tube 102 through opening 102B.

As a result, the ink stored in the storage chamber 32 can flow into the reservoir 103 and the engraving head 21 through the interior space 102A of the tube 102. At this time (in the state shown in Figure 7), the plate Circuit board 64 is not yet in contact with cartridge mating portion 110.

Furthermore, when the ink cartridge 30 is being inserted forward into the cartridge holder 101, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the inclined surface 155 formed in the protruding part 43 of the ink cartridge 30 comes into contact. with axle 145 from the rear. The axis 145 is guided along the inclined surface 155. As the user pushes the upper part 41U of the rear wall 41 forward, torque (rotational movement) is applied on the ink cartridge 30 in a left-hand direction. of Figure 7. However, due to this contact between the inclined surface 155 and the axis 145, the ink cartridge 30 pivots clockwise in Figure 7 against this pair about the center C of the opening 75B in which it is inserts the tube 102. The position of the center C in the ink cartridge 30 depends on the shape of the tube 102 and the shape of the opening 75B, but the center of an area where the outer surface of the tube 102 comes into contact with the inner circumferential surface of the sealing element 76 (the surface defining the through hole 76A) is a hypothetical center of pivot. The position of the ink cartridge 30 at this point (the orientation of the ink cartridge 30 shown in Figure 8) will be referred to as the pivoted position.

By shaping the bottom wall 42 of the frame 31 as an inclined surface that slopes with respect to the front-rear direction, there is a space between the bottom wall 42 and an upper inner surface of the bottom wall 59 of the cartridge holder 101, necessary for this pivoting movement (pivot clockwise).

As the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further forward from the state shown in Figure 7 against the rearward biasing force of compression spring 80, circuit board 64 comes to a position below contacts 132 (see FIG. 8). Due to the pivoting described above, the ink cartridge 30 tilts so that the circuit board 64 moves under the rear wall 136 of the connector 130, which allows the circuit board 64 to pass forward under the wall. rear 136 of the connector 130 until it reaches directly below the contacts 132. Also due to the pivoting above, there is a vertical gap between the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 64 and the contacts 132 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the position. pivoted. In other words, the electrodes 65 are spaced from the contacts 132. Also, the positioning surface 89 reaches below the protruding part 114, but there is a vertical gap between the protruding part 114 and the positioning surface 89 while the cartridge ink 30 is in its pivoted position. In other words, the projecting portion 114 is spaced from the positioning surface 89.

Also, in the state shown in FIG. 8, the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 of the protruding part 43 move to a position further forward than that of the axis 145. When the ink cartridge 30 is in this position pivoted, locking surface 151 lies below shaft 145.

As the user continues to push forward the upper portion 41U of the rear wall 41, torque is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in a clockwise direction of Figure 8. Since the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 leave from being in contact with the shaft 145, the force applied by the user causes the ink cartridge 30 to pivot clockwise in FIG. 8, about the center C, against the rearward biasing force of the compression spring 80. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 reaches the state shown in Fig. 9, the state of the ink cartridge 30 which, at this point, is in the coupled state. In the attached state, the cartridge holder 101 retains the ink cartridge 30 in the interior space 104 in an upright position.

Next, the states of the components of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge coupling part 110 while the ink cartridge 30 is in the coupled state shown in Fig. 9 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 9, the tube 102 of the cartridge coupling portion 110 has advanced into the conduit 75A of the cylinder 75.

By pivoting the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 8 counterclockwise, the positioning surface 89 of the ink cartridge 30 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the projecting portion 114 of the cartridge engaging portion 110 from below. This Contact limits the upward movement of the ink cartridge 30, that is, it limits the ink cartridge 30 pivoting more in a left-hand direction about the center C. Thus, the ink cartridge 30 is positioned vertically in the cartridge holder 101 .

Likewise, by pivoting the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 8 in a counter-clockwise direction, the protruding part 43 moves upward. By this pivotal movement, the locking surface 151 of the ink cartridge 30 faces rearward and faces the axis 145 at the cartridge engaging portion 110 in the front-rear direction. When the user stops pushing the ink cartridge 30 forward, the ink cartridge 30 is moved back by the biasing force of the compression spring 80. However, since the rearward facing locking surface 151 faces the shaft 145, locking surface 151 contacts shaft 145 from its front side as ink cartridge 30 moves rearward (see FIG. 9). In other words, the locking surface 151 is in contact with the front side of the shaft 145 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the coupled state. Thus, the protruding part 43 is attached to the cartridge holder 101. This attachment limits the further rearward movement of the ink cartridge 30, thus positioning the ink cartridge 30 in the front-rear direction in the cartridge holder 101.

As shown in Figure 9, the projection 67 is located between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part of the optical sensor 113. Consequently, the projection 67 blocks the progression of light from the light-emitting part to the light receiving part. That is, the projection 67 is located in the optical path of the light radiated from the light emitting part when the cartridge 30 is in the coupled state. In other words, the optical sensor 113 is positioned so that the light blocking surface of the projection 67 is in the optical path of the light radiated from the light emitting part when the ink cartridge 30 is in the state coupled. At this time, the optical sensor 113 sends a low-level detection signal to the controller 1 (see FIG. 1).

Likewise, as a result of the pivoting of the ink cartridge 30 in a left-hand direction from the state shown in Figure 8, the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 64 come into contact from below with the corresponding contacts 132, elastically deforming upwards. contacts 132 (see Figure 9). Therefore, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the coupled state, the electrodes 65 are electrically connected to the contacts 132 while the contacts 132 are elastically deformed upward. With the four electrodes 65 in contact with the corresponding contacts 132 so that electricity can be conducted between them, a voltage Vc is applied to the electrodes 65, the electrodes 65 are grounded and power is supplied to the electrodes. electrodes 65. Due to this electrical connection between contacts 132 and electrodes 65, memory 66 mounted on circuit board 64 is also electrically connected to controller 1 (see Figure 1). Consequently, controller 1 can access memory 66, allowing data stored in memory 66 to be input to controller 1 (see Figure 1).

When the ink cartridge 30 is in the coupled state in Figure 8, the front wall 137 of the connector 130 is positioned forward with respect to the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 64 and the contacts 132 in the cartridge coupling portion. 110, and the rear wall 136 of the connector 130 is located rearward with respect to the electrodes 65 and the contacts 132. Also, the lower edge of the front wall 137 and the lower edge of the rear wall 136 are located lower than the electrodes 65. With this arrangement, the electrodes 65 and contacts 132 are interposed between the rear wall 136 and the front wall 137 in the front-rear direction when the ink cartridge 30 is in its engaged state. That is, the front wall 137 and the rear wall 136 surround the electrodes 65 and the contacts 132 from their front and rear sides.

Also, a part of the first surface 61 of the substrate 63 to the front side of the rear wall 136 (that is, a front part of the first surface 61) is higher than the bottom edge of the rear wall 136, while a portion of the first surface 61 rearward of the rear wall 136 (ie, a rear portion of the first surface 61) is lower than the rear wall 136. As described above, the acute angle a formed between the first surface 61 and the virtual plane PL1 is greater than the acute angle p formed between the virtual plane PL2 and the virtual plane PL1 (see FIG. 4). Accordingly, of the first surface 61 of the substrate 63, a portion that vertically overlaps the rear wall 136 when the ink cartridge 30 is in its engaged state (when the electrodes 65 are in contact with the contacts 132) is lower than the lower edge of the rear wall 136 and does not come into contact with the rear wall 136. In other words, while the first surface 61 of the substrate 63 and the rear wall 136 are oriented to each other in a non-vertical manner when the ink cartridge 30 is in the engaged state, a gap is formed between the first surface 61 and the rear wall 136.

As shown in Figure 3B, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the attached state, the right wall 138 of the connector 130 is on the right side of the electrodes 65 and the contacts 132, while the left wall 139 of the connector 130 is on the left side of electrodes 65 and contacts 132. Likewise, the lower edges of the right wall 138 and left wall 139 are located lower than the electrodes 65 and contacts 132 when the ink cartridge 30 is in its docked state. With this configuration, the electrodes 65 and contacts 132 are interposed between the right wall 138 and the left wall 139 in the right-left direction when the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached state. That is, right wall 138 and left wall 139 surround electrodes 65 and contacts 132 from their left and right sides.

To remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge holder 101 of the cartridge coupling part 110, the user pushes the operating surface 92 downward. As shown in FIG. 9, the operating surface 92 is obliquely oriented upward and backward when the ink cartridge 30 is in the coupled state. Thus, by operating the operating surface 92, the user applies force to the ink cartridge 30 in a diagonally downward and forward direction. This force pivots the ink cartridge 30 clockwise in Figure 9, causing the positioning surface 89 to separate from the protruding portion 114, as illustrated in Figure 8. Likewise, the locking surface 151 moves to a position lower than the axis 145. In other words, the position of the ink cartridge 30 changes from the upright position to the pivoted position. Consequently, the biasing force of the compression spring 80 moves the ink cartridge 30 back with respect to the cartridge holder 101. By the above operation, the user can remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge coupling part 110. .

<Detection of ink cartridge coupling 30 in cartridge coupling part 110>

Next, with reference to the flowcharts shown in Figs. 10 and 11, operations for detecting when an ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge coupling portion 110 will be described.

The flowcharts of Figures 10 and 11 are configured to start when the user opens the cover 111. That is, the controller 1 is configured to launch the flowchart of Figure 10 or the flowchart of Figure 11 in response to receipt of a high level signal sent from cover sensor 118.

As shown in FIG. 10, in step S10, the controller 1 (see FIG. 1) determines whether the cover 111 is in the closed position. Controller 1 determines that cover 111 is in the closed position when the signal sent from cover sensor 118 changes to a low level signal.

In case the cover 111 is not in the closed position (S10: NO), the controller 1 repeats the determination of step S10 until it is determined that the cover 111 is closed, that is, until the signal sent from the cover sensor 118 switch from high level to low level.

When it is determined that the cover 111 is in the closed position (S10: YES), in step S20 the controller 1 determines whether the memory 66 of the circuit board 64 of the ink cartridge 30 can be accessed, that is, whether controller 1 can read or write memory 66. When contacts 132 are in contact with and electrically connected to electrodes 65 of circuit board 64, controller 1 can access memory 66 of circuit board 64. When contacts 132 are not in contact with electrodes 65 of circuit board 64, controller 1 cannot access memory 66.

If the controller 1 cannot access the memory 66 (S20: NO), in step S30 the controller 1 determines that there is no ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge coupling part 110. In this case, the controller 1 notifies user that no ink cartridge 30 is mounted by displaying a message on the display panel (not shown), provided on the printer chassis 10, and / or by emitting a beep or other sound from a speaker (not shown) .

However, when controller 1 can access circuit board 64 (S20: YES), in step S40 controller 1 determines whether the signal sent from optical sensor 113 to controller 1 is high level or low level. When the projection 67 is located between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part of the optical sensor 113, the optical sensor 113 sends a low-level signal to the controller 1. When the projection 67 is not located between the light-emitting part and the light receiving part of the optical sensor 113, the optical sensor 113 sends a high-level signal to the controller 1.

When the signal sent from the optical sensor 113 to the controller 1 is high level (S40: HIGH), in step S50 the controller 1 determines that there is an abnormal ink cartridge 30 fitted in the cartridge coupling part 110. In this In this case, the controller 1 notifies the user that a faulty ink cartridge 30 is mounted by displaying a message on the display panel (not shown), provided on the printer chassis 10, and / or by emitting a beep or other sound from a speaker (not shown).

On the other hand, if the signal sent from the optical sensor 113 is low level (S40: LOW), in step S60 the controller 1 determines that there is a normal ink cartridge 30 fitted in the cartridge coupling part 110.

In the flow chart of Fig. 10, the controller 1 determines whether an ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge coupling part 110 based on whether the circuit board 64 can be accessed, and determines whether the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge coupling part 110 is normal depending on the level of the signal sent from the optical sensor 113.

However, the controller 1 may be configured to determine whether an ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge coupling portion 110 based on the level of the signal sent from the optical sensor 113 and to determine whether the mounted ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge coupling part 110 it is normal depending on whether the circuit board 64 can be accessed. The steps of this variant will be described below with reference to the flow chart of Fig. 11.

Referring to Fig. 11, firstly, the controller 1 determines in step S110 whether the cover 111 is in the closed position, as in the flow chart of Fig. 10. The controller 1 repeats the determination in step S110 (S110 : NO) until the cover 111 is determined to be in the closed position, that is, until the signal sent from the cover sensor 118 changes from high level to low level.

When controller 1 determines in step S110 that cover 111 is in the closed position (S110: YES), in step S120 controller 1 determines whether the signal sent from optical sensor 113 to controller 1 is high level or high level. low level.

If the signal sent by the optical sensor 113 is high level (S120: HIGH), in step S130 the controller 1 determines that there is no ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge coupling part 110. In this case, as In step S30 of FIG. 10, the controller 1 notifies the user that no ink cartridge 30 is mounted.

However, if the signal sent from the optical sensor 113 is low level (S120: LOW), in step S140 the controller 1 determines whether the circuit board 64 of the ink cartridge 30 can be accessed.

If the controller 1 cannot access the circuit board 64 (S140: NO), in step S150 the controller 1 determines that there is an abnormal ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge coupling part 110. In this case, as In step S50 of FIG. 10, the controller 1 notifies the user that an ink cartridge 30 is mounted.

On the other hand, if the controller 1 can access the circuit board 64 (S140: YES), in step S160 the controller 1 determines that there is a normal ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge coupling part 110.

<Operational and technical advantages of the realization>

According to the described embodiment, the substrate 63 has the first surface 61 that is inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1 to form the acute angle midway, which is greater than the acute angle p formed between the virtual plane PL2 and the virtual plane PL1 . Thus, even when the front wall 137 and the rear wall 136 are provided around the contacts 132 in the cartridge coupling portion 110, the electrodes 65 can come into contact with the contacts 132 without the substrate 63 making contact with front wall 137 or rear wall 136.

Also, the provision of the substrate 63 with the first surface 61 that is inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1 can prevent the substrate 63 from making contact with the front wall 137 and the rear wall 136, even when the front-rear dimension of the substrate 63 is greater than the gap between the front wall 137 and the rear wall 136 in the front-to-rear direction, as in the embodiment described above.

Since the front-rear dimension of the substrate 63 can be larger than the gap between the front wall 137 and the rear wall 136 in the front-rear direction, that is, since the dimensions of the substrate 63 can be increased, sufficient space can be located on substrate 63 to form electrodes 65 and mount memory 66.

Also, since the substrate 63 includes the first surface 61 that slopes with respect to the virtual plane PL1, foreign matter deposited on the first surface 61 is more likely to land on the substrate 63.

Also, the electrodes 65 of the embodiment are shaped at positions on the first surface 61 closer to the upper edge 61U (leading end face 63A) than to the lower edge 61L (rear end face 63B). Thus, electrodes 65 are better positioned to contact contacts 132.

Memory 66 is also located on second surface 62 at a lower position than electrodes 65 in the depicted embodiment. Thus, memory 66 is unlikely to collide with contacts 132. Also, even if a portion of upper surface 61 lower than electrodes 65 may collide with contacts 132 during insertion of ink cartridge 30 into cartridge coupling section 110, memory 66 is less likely to be affected by the impact of the crash.

When the electrodes 65 are in contact with the contacts 132, an upper portion of the substrate 63 (i.e., a portion closer to the front end face 63A than to the rear end face 63B) is located between the front wall 137 and the rear wall 136 in the front-rear direction. Consequently, there is not enough space to mount the battery 68 on top of the substrate 63. Thus, the battery 68 of the embodiment is mounted on a lower part of the substrate 63 (that is, a part closer to the end face rear 63B than to the front end face 63A) where sufficient space can be located.

In the depicted embodiment, battery 68 is located lower than memory 66. This configuration can reduce the likelihood that battery 68 collides with contacts 132 and causes deterioration of memory 66 functionality. electrodes 65, memory 66 and battery 68 as described in the embodiment, the wiring for the electrical connection of the electrodes 65 with the memory 66 and the wiring for the electrical connection of the battery 68 with the memory 66 can run more easily without interference.

In the embodiment, the first surface 61 faces rearward, while the passage 75A of cylinder 75 is open forward. This arrangement can reduce the possibility that ink leaking from conduit 75A may deposit on the first surface 61.

In the embodiment, the left-right dimension of the substrate 63 is less than a gap between the right wall 138 and the left wall 139 in the left-right direction. Consequently, electrode 65 can come into contact with contacts 132 located between right wall 138 and left wall 139.

Since the electrodes 65 are shaped to be aligned with each other at intervals in the left-right direction in the embodiment, the range over which the electrodes 65 are shaped in the front-back direction can be reduced. Also, the extension of the electrodes 65 in the front-back direction can reduce the possibility that the electrodes 65 may lose contact with the contacts 132, even if the front-back position of the ink cartridge 30 in the coupling part of cartridges 110 varies when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge coupling part 110.

Since the memory 66 is mounted on the second surface 62 in the embodiment, collisions between the ink cartridge 30 and the components of the cartridge coupling part 110, which may occur during insertion of the ink cartridge, can be prevented. ink 30 in the cartridge coupling part 110, directly impact the memory 66.

In the embodiment shown, the ink cartridge 30 pivots during the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge holder 101. Consequently, without adding a complex structure to the ink cartridge 30 and / or the cartridge holder 101, the electrodes 65 can be moved to a position to contact the contacts 132 as long as they do not contact the rear wall 136 during the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge holder 101.

In the depicted embodiment, cartridge engagement portion 110 (specifically tube 102) contacts rubber sealing member 76 prior to contacting circuit board 64 during the ink cartridge 30 engagement process. in the cartridge coupling part 110. This contact reduces the speed to which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted and can mitigate the impact force with the circuit board 64.

<First modification>

As illustrated in Figure 4, in the depicted embodiment, memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on second surface 62 of substrate 63. Memory 66 is mounted diagonally downward and backward from the electrodes. 65 and the battery 68 is mounted in a diagonally downward and rearward position of the memory 66. However, the mounting positions of the memory 66 and the battery 68 are not limited to the positions shown in FIG. 4.

For example, as depicted in FIG. 12A, battery 68 may be mounted on second surface 62 in a diagonal upward and forward position of memory 66. Alternatively, memory 66 and battery 68 may be mounted. on the first surface 61 of the substrate 63, rather than on the second surface 62 (see FIG. 12B), as long as the memory 66 and battery 68 are positioned lower than the electrodes 65. Alternatively, as shown In FIG. 12C, memory 66 can be mounted on the first surface 61 of substrate 63 at a lower position than electrodes 65, while battery 68 is mounted on second surface 62 of substrate 63. Or, for conversely, the battery 68 can be mounted on the first surface 61 at a lower position than that of the electrodes 65, while the memory 66 is mounted on the second surface 62.

As another alternative, at least one of the memory 66 and the battery 68 can be mounted further forward than the trailing edges of the electrodes 65 on the second surface 62.

Figure 12D shows an example configuration in which memory 66 is mounted further forward than the trailing edges of the electrodes 65 while the battery 68 is mounted further back than the trailing edges of the electrodes 65.

<Second modification>

In the embodiment described above, the leading edge of the first surface 61 also constitutes the upper edge 61U of the first surface 61. However, the trailing edge of the first surface 61 may be configured as the upper edge.

Figure 13 illustrates an ink cartridge 230 according to a second modification of the embodiment. The ink cartridge 230 includes a frame 231 and a circuit board 264. In this second modification, a projecting portion 287 is provided on an upper surface 239A of the upper wall 239 of the frame 231, instead of the projecting portion 88 of the realization. The protrusion 287 is located forward of the protrusion 43 and rearward of the projection 67 on the upper surface 239A. An upper edge of the projecting part 287 is lower than the upper edge of the projecting part 43. The projecting part 287 has an upper surface 287A that slopes with respect to the virtual plane PL1 and, more specifically, that slopes upward, towards the rear. The projecting part 287 is disposed further forward than the projecting part 88 of the embodiment in the front-rear direction.

The circuit board 264 includes a substrate 263 that is supported from below by the upper surface 287A of the protrusion 287.

As in the embodiment, the substrate 263 is adhered to the top surface 287A of the protrusion 287 with a photopolymer. Of course, as described in one embodiment, substrate 263 can be mounted on top surface 287A by techniques other than adhesion with a photopolymer.

Since the upper surface 287A of the protrusion 287 slopes upwards, towards the rear, with respect to the virtual plane PL1, the first surface 261 and the second surface 262 of the substrate 263, adhered to the upper surface 287A, are inclined up towards the rear with respect to the virtual plane PL1. Thus, the trailing edge of the first surface 261 is an upper edge 261U of the first surface 261, while the leading edge of the first surface 261 is a lower edge 261L of the first surface 261. In other words, the upper edge 261U is located rearward relative to lower edge 261L. By this configuration, the projecting portion 287 maintains the first surface 261 of the substrate 263 at the desired angle of inclination, that is, the acute angle a, with respect to the virtual plane PL1.

The acute angle a formed by the first surface 261 and the virtual plane PL1 is greater than the acute angle and formed by a virtual plane PL3 and the virtual plane PL1. The virtual plane PL3 is a plane extending in the left-right direction and passing through the parts 132c of the contacts 132 and the lower edge of the front wall 137.

The memory 66 and the battery 68 are mounted on the second surface 262 of the substrate 263. A recess 285 is formed in the upper surface 287A of the protrusion 287 in an area corresponding to the region in the that memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted. In other words, memory 66 and battery 68 mounted on second surface 262 are housed in recess 285.

Electrodes 65 are formed on first surface 261 at positions closer to the upper edge 261U thereof than to the lower edge 261L. Memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on second surface 262 at positions closer to a lower end face 263B of substrate 263 than an upper end face 263A of substrate 263. Likewise, memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted diagonally downward and forward of electrodes 65 and battery 68 is mounted diagonally downward and forward of memory 66. Note that memory 66 and battery 68 can be mounted in various other positions, such as It has been described in the first modification.

The movement of the circuit board 264 when the ink cartridge 230 is inserted into the cartridge holder 101 is identical to that described in the embodiment. That is, when the user inserts the ink cartridge 230 forward into the interior space 104 of the cartridge holder 101 while pivoting the ink cartridge 230, the circuit board 264 moves forward while passing under the rear wall 136. of the connector 130 until it comes to a position directly below the contacts 132. Subsequently, as the ink cartridge 230 pivots in the opposite direction of the previous pivoting movement, the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 264 make contact with the contacts 132 from below.

When the ink cartridge 230 is in its attached state, the rear wall 136 of the connector 130 is located further back than the electrodes 65 on the circuit board 264 and the contacts 132 on the cartridge engaging portion 110, and the wall The front 137 of the connector 130 is located further forward than the electrodes 65 and the contacts 132. Also, the lower edges of the front wall 137 and the rear wall 136 are lower than the electrodes 65.

A part of the first surface 261 of the substrate 263 with respect to the rear of the front wall 137 (a rear portion) is higher than the lower edge of the front wall 137. A portion of the first surface 261 that is forward of the front wall 137 is lower than the front wall 137. As previously described, the acute angle a formed by the first surface 261 and the virtual plane PL1 is greater than the acute angle and formed by a virtual plane PL3 and the plane virtual PL1. Consequently, when the ink cartridge 230 is in its docked state (when the electrodes 65 are in contact with the contacts 132), the portion of the first surface 261 on the substrate 263 that vertically overlaps the front wall 137 is lower than the lower edge of the front wall 137 and is not in contact with the front wall 137. In other words, when the ink cartridge 230 is in its docked state, the first surface 261 of the substrate 263 opposes, vertically, to the front 137, with a gap formed between.

Also when the ink cartridge 230 is in its attached state, the right wall 138 and the left wall 139 of the connector 130 surround the electrodes 65 and the contacts 132 from their right and left sides, as in the embodiment described above.

Note that, in this structure of the second modification, the acute angle a does not necessarily have to be greater than the acute angle p formed by the virtual plane PL2 and the virtual plane PL1, provided that the acute angle a formed by the first surface 261 and the virtual plane PL1 is greater than the acute angle and formed by the virtual plane PL3 and the virtual plane PL1.

According to the second modification, the trailing edge of the first surface 261 serves as the leading edge 261U. This configuration can reduce the possibility that the portion of the first surface 61 located forward of the trailing edge and the contacts 132 colliding.

<Third modification>

In the embodiment, the substrate 63 is supported on the protrusion 88 and, in the second modification, the substrate 263 is supported on the protrusion 287. However, the means for supporting the substrate 63, 263 is not limited to a single inclined surface on a supporting part (such as projecting part 88, 287), provided that the substrate is supported so that its first surface (upper surface) is inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1 with the acute angle a formed between tights.

For example, Fig. 14 illustrates an ink cartridge 330 according to a third modification of the embodiment, including a frame 331 and a circuit board 364. In this ink cartridge 330, two projecting portions 381 and 382 are provided on a surface. top 339A of the top wall 339 of the frame 331, instead of the protruding portion 88, to support the substrate 363 of the circuit board 364. The two protruding portions 381 and 382 have different lengths protruding from the top surface 339A of the top wall 339. The protruding portions 381 and 382 are aligned with each other in the front-rear direction to form a gap 384 therebetween on the top surface 339A. Substrate 363 is supported at its front and rear ends by projecting portions 381 and 382, respectively. With this structure, a first surface 361 (upper surface) of the substrate 363 is kept inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1 with the acute angle a formed between the first surface 361 and the virtual plane PL1.

Electrodes 65 are formed on first surface 361 of substrate 363 at positions closer to an upper edge 361U of first surface 361 than to a lower edge 361L of first surface 361, as in the embodiment. Memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on a second surface 362 (bottom surface) of substrate 363. Memory 66 and battery 68 mounted on second surface 362 are housed in recess 384 in a state that substrate 363 it is supported by protrusions 381 and 382. Thus, memory 66 and battery 68 are lower than electrodes 65, as in the embodiment.

<Fourth modification>

Fig. 15 depicts an ink cartridge 430 according to a fourth embodiment modification, provided with another example of the support portion instead of the protruding portion 88 in the embodiment. The ink cartridge 430 includes a frame 431 and a circuit board 464. Instead of the protruding part 43 of the embodiment, the frame 431 includes a protruding part 443 formed on an upper surface 439A of an upper wall 439. A recessed part 443B is formed into an upper surface 443A of the protrusion portion 443 to support a substrate 463 of the circuit board 464. Specifically, a rear end portion of the substrate 463 is nested in the recessed portion 443B so that the substrate 463 protrudes at diagonally upward and forward of the front surface 443A of the projecting portion 443. With this structure, a first surface 461 of the substrate 463 is inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1 with the acute angle a formed in between.

Electrodes 65 are shaped on first surface 461 at a position closer to an upper edge 461U of first surface 461 than to a lower edge 461L of first surface 461. Memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on second surface 462 of substrate 463 that is attached above upper surface 439A.

<Fifth modification>

In the embodiment, the upper surface 88A of the protrusion 88 is inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1, so that the first surface 61 and the second surface 62 of the substrate 63, supported by the upper surface 88A, are also inclined with respect to to the virtual plane PL1. However, as long as the substrate 61 is tilted with respect to the virtual plane PL1, it is not absolutely necessary for the second surface 62 to be tilted with respect to the virtual plane PL1.

Fig. 16 shows an ink cartridge 530 according to a fifth embodiment modification. The ink cartridge 530 includes a frame 531 and a circuit board 564. The circuit board 564 includes a substrate 563 that is generally triangular in shape in a vertical cross-sectional view. That is, on this substrate 563, a first surface 561 is tilted relative to the virtual plane PL1 to form the acute angle midway, while a second surface 562 extends parallel to the virtual plane PL1. In other words, the substrate 563 has a thickness in the vertical direction that tapers towards the lower edge 561L of the first surface 561. Or, the thickness (vertical dimension) of the substrate 563 is less at the lower edge 561L than it is at the upper edge 561U of the first surface 561.

The substrate 563 is supported directly by a top wall 539 of the frame 531 with the second surface 562 adhered to a top surface 539A of the top wall 539. That is, the top wall 539 does not include the support portion to support the substrate 563 and Thus, maintaining the inclination of the first surface 561 with respect to the virtual plane PL1.

Electrodes 65 are formed on the first inclined surface 561 at positions closer to the upper edge 561U of it than to the lower edge 561L of it. The memory 66 and the electrodes 65 are mounted on the second horizontal surface 562. A recess 584 is formed in the upper surface 539A of the upper part 539 in an area corresponding to the region in which the memory 66 and the battery 68 are mounted. That is, memory 66 and battery 68 mounted on second surface 562 of substrate 563 are housed in recess 584.

<Sixth modification>

Fig. 17 depicts an ink cartridge 630 according to a sixth embodiment modification. The ink cartridge 630 includes a frame 631 and a circuit board 664. The circuit board 664 is supported on the top wall 639 of the frame 631. The circuit board 664 includes a rigid substrate 663 that has a thickness greater than the thickness of the substrate 63 of the embodiment with respect to the vertical direction.

The substrate 663 has a first surface 661 and a second surface 662. The first surface 661 is inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1 to conform to the acute angle midway, as in the embodiment. To support the substrate 663 a projecting portion 688 is formed on an upper surface 639A of the top wall 639. The projecting portion 688 has a sloping upper surface 688a to support the second surface 662 of the substrate 663.

Specifically, the substrate 663 is supported on the top surface 639A of the top wall 639, such that: a leading end portion of the second surface 662 is attached to the sloped top surface 688A of the boss portion 688; and a trailing edge of the second surface 662 is in contact with the upper surface 639A of the upper wall 639. With this structure, the inclination of the first surface 661 with respect to the virtual plane PL1 can be maintained.

On the circuit board 664, the electrodes 65 are formed on the first surface 661 at positions closer to the upper edge 661U of it than to the lower edge 661L of it, as in the embodiment shown. The memory 66 and the battery 68 are mounted on the second surface 662. The memory 66 is located closer to the protrusion 688 than the battery 68 is to the protrusion 688 in the front-rear direction. Thus, due to the inclination of the second surface 662 with respect to the virtual plane PL1 (that is, with respect to the upper surface 639A), the memory 66 mounted on the second surface 662 is located above the upper surface 639A of the top wall 639. Also, a recess 684 is formed in top wall 639 so that battery 68 mounted on second surface 662 can be received in recess 684.

Note that the battery 68 need not be mounted on the second surface 862. In this case, it is not necessary to form the recess 684 on the upper surface 639A of the upper wall 639.

As another alternative, in case the protruding portion 688 is shaped so that the upper surface 688A supports the entire second surface 662, as in the embodiment, the recess 684 may be shaped in the upper surface 688A to accommodate the memory 66 and battery 68, such as recess 84 of the embodiment.

<Seventh modification>

The substrate 63 of the depicted embodiment is a rigid substrate. However, the substrate 63 can be a flexible substrate made of a plastic film or the like.

Fig. 18 depicts an ink cartridge 730 according to a seventh embodiment modification. The ink cartridge 730 includes a frame 731 and a circuit board 764. The circuit board 764 includes a flexible substrate 763. The substrate 763 has a curved shape in a vertical cross-sectional view, as opposed to a flat rigid substrate with a shape. plate 63 of the realization.

A protruding portion 788 is formed on a top surface 739A of the top wall 739 of frame 731. The protruding portion 788 has a top surface 788A that is curved upwardly to form a generally convex shape in a vertical cross-sectional view. The flexible substrate 763 is attached to the curved top surface 788A to extend lengthwise, so that the substrate 763 has a first curved surface 761 and a second surface 762. That is, the second surface 762 of the substrate 763 is adhered to the upper surface 788A of protrusion 788.

The electrodes 65 are shaped on the first surface 761 at positions closer to the upper edge 761U thereof, thus allowing the electrodes 65 to make contact with the contacts 132 of the connector 130 while the ink cartridge 730 is coupled to the cartridge holder. 101 of the cartridge coupling section 110. The memory 66 and the battery 68 are mounted on the second curved surface 762 of the substrate 763. A recess 784 is formed in the curved top surface 788A in an area corresponding to the region in which memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted. That is, memory 66 and battery 68 mounted on the second surface 762 of substrate 763 are housed in recess 784.

<Other variants>

In the embodiment and modifications described above, communication between conduit 75A and the exterior of cylinder 75 is enabled and disabled with valve 79. However, opening 75B may be sealed with a seal rather than valve 79. Specifically, the seal is attached to the front surface of the cylinder 75 before the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge engaging portion 110, thereby sealing the through hole 76A from the outside. Thus, ink from storage chamber 32 does not flow through conduit 75A or exit ink cartridge 30 through through hole 76A. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge coupling part 110, the tube 102 pierces the seal, breaking the hermetic seal.

In the embodiment described above, the ink cartridge 30 pivots within the cartridge holder 101 while it is being inserted therein. However, the ink cartridge 30 is not to pivot or tilt within the cartridge holder 101 during the insertion process. For example, the ink cartridge 30 can be inserted into the cartridge holder 101 in a diagonal forward and upward direction without pivoting.

Also, in the embodiment described above, the ink cartridge 30 is fixed in position in the front-rear direction thanks to the locking surface 151 which contacts the shaft 145 from the front side thereof. However, the positioning means for the ink cartridge 30 is not limited to this contact between the locking surface 151 and shaft 145. For example, the ink cartridge 30 can be fixed in the front-rear direction by sliding the resistor between the positioning surface 89 of the ink cartridge 30 and the bottom surface of the protruding part 114 of the part. cartridge coupling 110, and sliding the resistor between the lower surface 42A of the ink cartridge 30 and the upper inner surface of the lower wall 59 of the cartridge coupling part 110. Alternatively, the ink cartridge 30 may be fixed in the front-rear direction by sliding the resistor between the sealing member 76 of the ink cartridge 30 and the tube 102 of the cartridge coupling part 110, for example.

The structure of the ink cartridge 30 is not limited to those shown in FIGS. 4 through 6 and 12A through 18. For example, FIG. 19 depicts an ink cartridge 830 according to a sixth embodiment modification. The ink cartridge 830 includes a frame 831 and a circuit board 864. The frame 831 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Specifically, in the frame 831, a rear wall 841 and a front wall 840 respectively extend vertically, while a lower wall 842 and an upper wall 839 extend horizontally. Thus, in the upright position, the front surface 840A of the front wall 840 is facing forward, the rear surface 841A of the rear wall 841 is facing rearward, the bottom surface 842A of the bottom wall 842 is facing vertically downward, and the top surface 839A of the top wall 839 is oriented vertically upward.

In the structure of Figure 19, the ink cartridge 830 does not include the projection 67, the positioning surface 89, the protruding part 43, the operating part 90, the cylinder 75, the valve 79, or the coil spring 80, unlike of the ink cartridge 30 of the depicted embodiment. A sealing element 876 defining a conduit 875A therein is engaged in a through hole that penetrates the front wall 840 in the front-rear direction. A forward end of conduit 875A that is open to front wall 840 is closed by a seal 142. To support circuit board 864 a protruding portion 888 is formed on top surface 839A of top wall 839. Protruding portion 888 has an upper surface 888A that is inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1, just like the upper surface 88A of the projecting portion 88 of the embodiment. The circuit board 864 includes a substrate 863 and memory 66, but the battery 68 is dispensed with. The substrate 863 has a first surface 861 (top surface) and a second surface 862 opposite the first surface 861. The second surface 862 of the substrate 863 is attached to the inclined upper surface 888A of the projecting portion 888. In this way, the first surface 861 of the substrate 863 is inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1. Specifically, the first surface 861 slopes upward toward the front, with the acute angle a formed between the first surface 861 and the virtual plane PL1. Electrodes 65 are shaped on first surface 861 at positions closer to an upper edge 861U of first surface 861 than to a lower edge 861L of first surface 861. Memory 66 is mounted on first surface 861 at a more position. closer to the lower edge 861L than to the upper edge 861U. That is, the memory 66 is located lower than the electrodes 65 on the first inclined surface 861.

With the assembled structure in Fig. 19, the ink cartridge 830 is inserted into the cartridge holder 101 of the cartridge coupling part 110, without pivoting, in an upward and forward direction diagonally. If the 830 ink cartridge is inserted in the front-rear direction without pivoting, the rear wall 136 of the connector 130 should be omitted to avoid interference between the 863 substrate and the connector 130 during insertion of the 830 ink cartridge into the section of cartridge attachment 110.

Various aspects of the invention are defined in the appended claims.

For example, in the circuit board 64 of the embodiment, the electrodes 65 are shaped on the first surface 61 (upper surface) of the substrate 63. However, the electrodes 65 can be shaped on the leading end face 63A instead of on the first surface 61.

By way of example, FIG. 20 shows an ink cartridge 930 according to a variant of the embodiment. The ink cartridge 930 includes: a frame 931 defining a storage chamber 932 therein; and a circuit board 964 supported by a top wall 939 of frame 931. Frame 931 of this variant is generally rectangular in shape in vertical cross-sectional view, as in the sixth modification. Thus, in the upright position, the rear wall 941 and the front wall 940 of the frame 931 respectively extend vertically, while the lower wall 942 and the upper wall 939 of the frame 931 extend horizontally. Conduit 75A is formed in cylinder 75 that projects forward from front wall 940.

The circuit board 964 includes a substrate 963 received in a support portion 988 that is recessed downward and forward relative to an upper surface 939A of the upper wall 939. The electrodes 65 are formed on the first upper surface 963A of the substrate. 963. In the upright position, the upper end surface 963A defines the thickness of the substrate 963 in the front-rear direction between a first surface 961 and a second surface 962 of the substrate 963. As in the embodiment, the substrate 963 of this variant is arranged to be inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1, so that the first surface 961 is inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1 to form the angle midway in the upright position. The second surface 962 is also inclined with respect to the virtual plane PL1 in this variant. Memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on second surface 962 of substrate 963. Battery 68 is located lower than memory 66. Memory 66 and battery 68 mounted on second surface 962 of substrate 963 are housed in support portion 988 formed in top wall 939.

In the attached state of the liquid cartridge 930, the electrodes 65 formed on the upper end surface 963A are located between the rear wall 136 and the front wall 137 in the front-rear direction. In the engaged state, the electrodes 65 are in contact with the contacts 132 of the connector 130 and the first surface 961 is spaced from the rear wall 136, as in the embodiment.

With this structure of Figure 20, the electrodes 65 can make contact with the contacts 132 of the connector 130 in the mated state of the ink cartridge 930 in the cartridge mating section 110, as in the embodiment, without interfering with the front wall. 137 nor the rear wall 136 that are provided near the contacts 132 in the connector 130. Likewise, it is less likely that there will be impacts that affect the battery 68, at least directly, since this 68 is housed in the support part 988 .

As another alternative, the substrate can be arranged vertically, rather than inclined, with respect to the virtual plane PL1. By way of example, FIG. 21 depicts an ink cartridge 1030 in which the substrate 1063 is arranged vertically.

Specifically, the ink cartridge 1030 includes a frame 1031 that defines a storage chamber 1032 therein and a circuit board 1064 supported by an upper wall 1039 of the frame 1031. The circuit board 1064 includes the substrate 1063 that extends into upright in an upright position. In other words, each of the second surface 1062 and the first surface 1061 of the substrate 1063 forms an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the virtual plane PL1. Thus, an upper end face 1063A of the substrate 1063 is oriented vertically upward, that is, it extends horizontally. In the upright position, the substrate 1063 defines a length in the vertical direction that is greater than its thickness in the front-to-rear direction. Electrodes 65 are formed on top end face 1063A of substrate 1063. Memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on second surface 1062 of substrate 1063. Substrate 1063 (circuit board 1064) is received in a support portion 1088 formed in the top wall 1039 of the frame 1031. The support portion 1088 is recessed vertically downward with respect to an upper surface 1039A of the top wall 1039.

In this variant, the electrodes 65 formed on the upper end face 1063A of the substrate 1063 are oriented vertically upwards in an upright position. The substrate 1063 supporting the electrodes 65 is located rearward of the front wall 137 and forward of the rear wall 136 in the front-rear direction in the attached state of the ink cartridge 1030. That is, the electrodes 65 of the ink cartridge Liquid 1030 in the coupled state are located between the rear wall 136 and the front wall 137 in the front-rear direction.

With this structure of Figure 21, the electrodes 65 can make contact with the contacts 132 of the connector 130 in the mated state of the ink cartridge 1030, without interfering with the front wall 137 and the rear wall 136 that are provided near the contacts. 132 in the connector 130. Likewise, it is less likely that there will be impacts that affect the battery 68, at least directly, since this 68 is housed in the support part 1088.

Also, the frame of the liquid cartridge of the present disclosure does not necessarily have to be configured as a single element, but can be configured as a plurality of elements assembled together. Similarly, the top wall of the frame does not necessarily have to be configured as a single element, but can be configured as a plurality of elements assembled together. That is, the substrate of the present disclosure may be supported by a top wall, configured with more than one element.

Furthermore, in the depicted embodiment and in various modifications thereof, the substrate is adhered to the upper surface of the upper wall of the frame, that is, it is directly supported by the upper wall of the frame. Alternatively, the substrate of the present disclosure may be indirectly supported by the top wall of the frame by a separate element or even a plurality of elements.

In the depicted embodiment, the ink is described as an example of a liquid, but the liquid cartridge can store a non-ink liquid, such as a pre-treatment liquid or the like that is ejected onto the sheets before the ink during a printing operation. print, or water to clean the engraving head 21.

Various aspects of the invention are defined in the appended claims.

<Remarks>

Ink cartridges 30, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, and 830 are an example of a liquid cartridge. Cartridge coupling part 110 is an example of a coupling part. Printer 10 is an example of a printing device. Frames 31, 231, 331, 431, 531, 631 and 831 are an example of a frame. Storage chamber 32 is an example of a liquid chamber. Conduits 75A and 875A are an example of a liquid conduit. Substrates 63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, and 863 are an example of a substrate. Electrodes 65 are an example of a cartridge contact. Memory 66 is an example of memory. Battery 68 is an example of an electronic component. The first surfaces 61,261,361,461,561,661 and 861 are an example of a sloped surface. The virtual plane PL1 is an example of an imaginary close-up. The virtual plane PL2 is an example of an imaginary background. The virtual plane PL3 is an example of an imaginary third plane. Angle a is an example of a first acute angle. Angle p is an example of a second acute angle. The angle y is an example of a third acute angle. Locking surface 151 is an example of a bonding surface. Cartridge holder 101 is an example of a holder. Contacts 132 are an example of a device contact. Front wall 137 is an example of a first wall. Rear wall 136 is an example of a second wall. Right wall 138 is an example of a third wall and left wall 139 is an example of a fourth wall.

Claims (14)

A system comprising a housing part (110) and a liquid cartridge (30, 230, 430, 530, 630, 830) configured to be inserted into the housing part (110) of a printing device (10) in an insertion direction (51) that crosses the direction of gravity (53) and coupled to the housing part (110) in an upright position, comprising the housing part (110): a support (101) defining an internal space (104) to house the liquid cartridge in an upright position; a contact (132) provided on the bracket (101); a first wall (137) provided on the support (101) and having a first lower end positioned forward in the insertion direction (51) and lower down in the gravity direction (53) with respect to the contact (132) Of the device; Y a second wall (136) provided on the support (101) and having a second lower end located rearward in the insertion direction (51) and lower in the gravity direction (53) with respect to the contact (132) of the device, the contact (132) of the device being located between the first wall (137) and the second wall (136) in the insertion direction (51), comprising the liquid cartridge (30, 230, 430, 530, 630, 830): a frame (31, 231, 331, 431, 531, 631, 831) comprising: a liquid chamber (32) that stores liquid therein; Y a liquid conduit (75A, 875A) extending forwardly in the insertion direction (51) from the liquid chamber; a substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) having a length in the insertion direction (51) greater than a distance between the first wall (137) and the second wall (136) in the direction of insertion (51), the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) defining in an upright position an inclined surface (61, 261, 61, 461, 561, 661, 861) that is oriented upwards and which is inclined with respect to an imaginary first plane (PL1) extending in the insertion direction (51) and a widthwise direction (55, 56) orthogonal to the insertion direction (51) and to the direction of the gravity, characterized in that the liquid cartridge comprises: a contact (65) formed on the inclined surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) of the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863), the contact being able to be electrically connected (65) of the cartridge with the contact (132) of the device at a contact point (132C) in the upright position; Y a memory (66) mounted on the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) and electrically connected to the contact (65) of the cartridge, forming the inclined surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) a first acute angle (a) with respect to the first imaginary plane (PL1), a second imaginary plane (PL2) forming a second acute angle (p) with respect to the first imaginary plane (PL1), forming a third imaginary plane (PL3) a third acute angle (y) with respect to the first imaginary plane (PL1), the second imaginary plane (PL2) passing through the point of contact (132c) and the second lower end of the second wall ( 136) and extending in the width direction (55, 56), passing the third imaginary plane (PL3) through the contact point (132C) and the first lower end of the first wall (137) and extending in the direction across the width (55, 56), the first acute angle (a) being greater than at least one of the second acute angle (p) and the third r acute angle (y). The system according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) defines an upper edge (61U, 261U, 361U, 461U, 561U, 661U, 861U) and a lower edge (61L, 261L, 361L, 461L, 561L, 661L, 861L) in the upright position, and where the contact (65) of the cartridge is formed on the inclined surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) in a position closer to the upper edge (61U, 261U, 361U, 461U, 561U, 661U, 861U) than to the lower edge (61L, 261L, 361L, 461L, 561L, 661L, 861L). The system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the memory (66) is mounted on the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) in a lower position than the contact (65) cartridge in the upright position. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an electronic component (68) electrically connected to the memory (66) and configured to supply power to the memory, wherein the substrate (63 , 263, 363, 463, 563, 663) has an upper end face (63A, 263A, 363A, 463A, 563A, 663A) and a lower end face (63B, 263B, 363B, 463B, 563B, 663B) in upright position, the electronic component (68) being mounted on the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663) in a position closer to the lower end face (63B, 263B, 363B, 463B, 563B, 663B ) than to the upper end face (63A, 263A, 363A, 463A, 563A, 663A) in the upright position. The system according to claim 4, wherein the electronic component (68) is located lower than the memory (66) in an upright position. The system according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface (61, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) defines an upper edge (61U, 361U, 461U, 561U, 661U, 861U) and a lower edge (61L , 361L, 461L, 561L, 661L, 861L) in the upright position, the upper edge (61U, 361U, 461U, 561U, 661U, 861U) being located further forward with respect to the lower edge (61L, 361L, 461L, 561L, 661L, 861L) in the insertion direction (51). The system according to claim 1, wherein the inclined surface (261) defines an upper edge (261U) and a lower edge (261L) in an upright position, the upper edge (261U) being located rearward with respect to the lower edge. (261L) in the insertion direction (51). The system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the housing portion (110) further comprises: a third wall (138) provided on the bracket (101) and having a third lower end located lower than the contact (132) of the device in the direction of gravity; Y a fourth wall (139) provided on the support (101) and having a fourth lower end located lower than the contact (132) of the device in the direction of gravity, the contact (132) of the device being located between the third wall (138) and the fourth wall (139) in the width direction, and wherein the substrate (63) has a width in the width direction (55, 56) smaller than a distance between the third wall (138) and the fourth wall (139) in the width direction (55, 56 ). The system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the length of the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) in the insertion direction (51) is greater than the width of the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) in the width direction. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the contact (65) of the cartridge comprises a plurality of electrodes (65) formed on the inclined surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861 ) from the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863), the plurality of electrodes (65) extending in the insertion direction (51) and arranged to be aligned with each other in the widthwise direction (55 , 56) in an upright position. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663 and 863) is a rigid substrate. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the memory (66) is mounted on a surface of the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663) opposite the inclined surface (61) at upright position. The system according to claim 1, wherein the frame (31,231, 331,431, 631, 831) further comprises a support portion (88, 287, 381, 382, 443A, 443B, 688, 888) that supports the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 663, 863) to maintain the first acute angle (a) of the inclined surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 661, 861) with respect to the imaginary first plane (PL1) in upright position. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a bonding surface (151) configured to bond the support (101), wherein the joint surface (151) comes into connection with the support (101) by being pivoted upwards during insertion of the liquid cartridge (30, 230, 430, 530, 630) in the housing part (110).