ES2879426T3 - Liquid cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

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

Description

DESCRIPTION

Liquid cartridge

Background of the invention

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge, a method of inserting the liquid cartridge into a cartridge mounting part of a liquid consuming apparatus, and the use of the liquid cartridge.

2. Description of Related Art

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

One known apparatus, such as that disclosed in US Patent No. 5,949,459, has a reservoir receiving station configured to receive an ink reservoir, and the reservoir receiving station has retention elements. The ink tank has corresponding retention elements. When the ink tank is inserted into the tank receiving station, the retention elements of the ink tank engage the corresponding retention elements of the container receiving part, and thereby the ink tank is locked in the receiving station. Deposit reception against spring thrust forces.

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

Since the springs push a lower part of the front face of the ink tank, if the user pushes an upper part (indicated by an arrow in Patent Number 5,949,459) of the rear face of the ink tank, the ink tank it pivots up around a point where the springs push the ink tank. Therefore, the user has to intentionally make the ink tank pivot downward after pushing the ink tank in the horizontal direction. Another prior art document, EP 2607082 A1, describes a printing fluid cartridge configured to be mounted in a cartridge mounting part including an optical sensor and at least one contact. The printing fluid cartridge includes at least one electrical interface configured to electrically connect at least to the single contact, and a light attenuation portion configured to insert between a light emitter and a light receiver of the optical sensor and to be detected by the optical sensor.

Summary of the invention

Therefore, there is a need for a liquid cartridge that overcomes these and other drawbacks of the related art. A technical advantage of the present invention is that a liquid cartridge can be easily locked in a liquid consuming apparatus.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction along a horizontal direction against a pushing force directed in a second direction opposite to the first direction. , and to be mounted thereby on the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge includes: a liquid chamber configured to store liquid; a front face facing the first direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming apparatus; a liquid supply part positioned on the front face and configured to be able to insert therein a liquid supply tube of the liquid consumption apparatus; a sealing element positioned in the liquid supply part and having a liquid supply opening formed therethrough, wherein the sealing element is configured to contact an outer surface of the liquid supply tube while deforming elastically when the liquid supply tube is inserted through the liquid supply opening; an upper face oriented in an upward direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming apparatus; a locking surface positioned on the upper face and configured to contact a locking portion of the liquid consuming apparatus in the second direction; and a rear face facing the second direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming apparatus, where the liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center which is a center of the liquid supply opening, when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming apparatus and the liquid supply tube is inserted through the liquid supply opening, where the liquid cartridge is configured to pivoting between a first position and a second position, where when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, the locking surface contacts the locking part in the second direction and movement of the liquid cartridge relative to the liquid consuming apparatus in the second direction is restricted, and where when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, the locking surface is positioned more in a downward direction than the locking part, and the rear face includes a first part and a second part positioned more in the upward direction than the first part, where the first part includes a part positioned more in the downward direction than the center of pivot, and the first part is positioned more in the first direction than the second part. The downward direction is the gravitational direction.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Optionally, the receiving part is configured to receive the biasing force from a biasing element arranged in the liquid consuming apparatus.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Optionally, the upper face includes a secondary upper face positioned more in the downward direction than the operating surface when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, the operating surface and the secondary upper face at least partially overlap in the direction downward, and a gap has been formed between the operating surface and the secondary upper face in the downward direction.

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

Optionally, the operating surface includes multiple elongated projections.

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

Optionally, when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, an upper end of the locking surface is positioned outside of a virtual circle and a lower end of the locking surface is positioned within the virtual circle, where the virtual circle has a center at the pivot center and intersects the locking portion.

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

Optionally, the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a box of the liquid consuming apparatus, and the locking surface is configured to contact the locking portion that does not move relative to the box.

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

Optionally, a liquid consuming apparatus includes: said liquid cartridge; and a cartridge mounting part, wherein the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting part in the first direction against the pushing force directed in the second direction, and thereby to be mounted in the part of cartridge assembly, and the cartridge assembly part includes: the liquid supply tube configured to be inserted into the liquid supply part; and the locking portion configured to contact the locking surface.

According to another aspect of the invention, a liquid cartridge comprises: a liquid chamber configured to store liquid; a front face; a rear face, where the liquid chamber is positioned between the front face and the rear face, and the rear face comprises an upper portion and a lower portion; an upper face; a lower face, where the liquid chamber is positioned between the upper face and the lower face; a liquid supply portion positioned on the front face; a sealing element positioned in the liquid supply portion and having elasticity, wherein the sealing element has a liquid supply opening formed therethrough, and the liquid supply opening has a central axis; a locking surface placed on the upper face; and an operating surface placed on the top face, where a distance from the locking surface to the front face in a first direction is greater than a distance from the locking surface to the rear face in a second direction, the distance from the locking surface to the front face in the first direction is less than a distance from the operating surface to the front face in the first direction, a distance from the upper portion to the lower face in a third direction is greater than a distance from the lower portion to the lower face in the third direction, a distance from the upper portion to the front face in the first direction is greater than a distance from the lower portion to the front face in the first direction, the lower portion comprises a portion positioned between the central axis of the liquid supply opening and the bottom face in the third direction, the first direction extends from l The back face towards the front face, the second direction is opposite the first direction and extends from the front face towards the back face, and the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction and extends from the top face towards the underside.

With this configuration, the liquid cartridge can be easily locked in the liquid consuming apparatus, and it can also be easily released.

Optionally, the bottom portion is closer to the front face at a position closer to the bottom face, or the bottom portion comes closer to the front face as it gets closer to the bottom face.

With this configuration, even if the lower portion is pushed, a moment of force generated by the lower portion that is pushed and causes the liquid cartridge to pivot from the second position to the first position becomes greater than a moment of force generated by the gravitational force acting on the liquid cartridge and causes the liquid cartridge to pivot from the first position to the second position.

Optionally, the lower portion comprises a plane.

Optionally, the upper face comprises a secondary upper face positioned further in the third direction than the operating surface, a position of the operating surface along the first direction, and a position of the secondary upper face along the operating surface. The first direction at least partially overlap, or the operating surface and the secondary upper face at least partially overlap in the third direction, and a gap is formed between the operating surface and the secondary upper face in the third direction.

With this configuration, the operating surface becomes recognizable to a user.

Optionally, the operating surface is visible when the liquid cartridge is viewed in the third direction, and the operating surface is visible when the liquid cartridge is viewed in the first direction.

With this configuration, when a user operates the operating surface to release the liquid cartridge from the first position, the user's force is directed towards the first direction and the third direction. Due to the force directed towards the first direction, the locking surface separates from the locking portion. Due to the force directed towards the third direction, the liquid cartridge pivots from the first position to the second position. Therefore, compared with a situation where the liquid cartridge pivots from the first position to the second position while the locking surface slides over the locking portion, the force to be applied to the operating surface to make As the liquid cartridge pivots from the first position to the second position becomes smaller, and the user can easily release the liquid cartridge.

Optionally, at least a portion of the operating surface protrudes more than the locking surface in a fourth direction opposite to the third direction and extending from the bottom face towards the top face. With this configuration, even when the liquid cartridge falls with the upper face facing downward, the locking surface can be protected by the at least part of the operating surface and cannot be damaged.

Optionally, the operating surface comprises a plurality of protrusions formed thereon. Optionally, the plurality of protrusions is a plurality of elongated protrusions.

With this configuration, the operating surface becomes recognizable to a user, and the operating surface becomes slip resistant when the user operates the operating surface with his finger.

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

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

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

Brief description of the drawings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Figure 5 is a side view of the ink cartridge.

Figure 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge, showing the interior of the ink cartridge.

Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting portion, in which the ink cartridge has started to enter the cartridge mounting portion.

Figure 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting portion, in which a second protrusion contacts a slider.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fig. 15A is a plan view of the ink cartridge viewed in a downward direction.

Fig. 15B is a rear view of the ink cartridge viewed in a forward direction.

Detailed description of embodiments of the invention

Embodiments of the present invention, and their features and advantages, can be understood with reference to Figures 1-15B, with like numerals being used for corresponding like parts throughout the various drawings.

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

[Printer 10]

Referring to Fig. 1, a liquid consuming apparatus, for example, a printer 10 is an inkjet printer configured to record an image on a recording paper sheet by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto the recording paper sheet. Registration. The printer 10 includes a liquid consuming part, for example, a recording head 21, an ink supply device 100, and an ink tube 20 that connects the recording head 21 and the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 includes the cartridge mounting portion 110. The cartridge mounting portion 110 is configured to accommodate a liquid cartridge, for example, the ink cartridge 30. The cartridge mounting portion 110 has an opening 112 and the interior of the cartridge mounting portion 110 is exposed to the exterior of the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the aperture 112. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112 in the insertion direction 51, and to be removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112 in the removal direction 52.

The ink cartridge 30 is configured to store ink, as an example of liquid, that is used by the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are fluidly connected by the ink tube 20 when the printing is completed. mounting of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110. The recording head 21 includes a sub-reservoir 28. The sub-reservoir 28 is configured to temporarily store ink supplied via the ink tube 20 from the ink cartridge 30. The recording head 21 includes nozzles 29 and is configured to selectively eject ink supplied from the secondary reservoir 28 through the nozzles 29. More specifically, the recording head 21 includes a head control board (not shown) and piezoelectric actuators. 29A corresponding to nozzles 29, and the head control board is configured to selectively apply drive voltage n to piezoelectric actuators 29A. As such, the ink is ejected from nozzles 29.

The printer 10 includes a paper feed tray 15, a paper feed roller 23, a pair of transport rollers 25, a roller 26, a pair of discharge rollers 27, and a discharge tray 16. Transport 24 is formed from the paper feed tray 15 to the discharge tray 16 by the pair of transport rollers 25, the roller 26 and the pair of discharge rollers 27. The paper feed roller 23 is configured to feed a sheet of recording paper from the paper feed tray 15 to the transport path 24. The pair of transport rollers 25 is configured to transport the sheet of recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 onto the roller 26 The recording head 21 is configured to selectively eject ink onto the recording paper sheet that passes over the roller 26. Consequently, an image is registered on the paper sheet. l registration. The sheet of recording paper that has passed over the roller 26 is discharged by the pair of discharge rollers 27 to the paper discharge tray 16 arranged on the downstream side of the transport path 24.

[Ink supply device 100]

Referring to FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 is configured to supply ink to the recording head 21. The ink supply device 100 includes the mounting portion of cartridge 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. In Fig. 1, the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 has been completed, in other words, the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position (first position).

[Cartridge mounting part 110]

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

[Box 101]

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

[Ink supply tube 102]

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

A cylindrical guide part 105 is arranged around the ink supply tube 102. The guide part 105 extends from the end surface of the case 101 in the extraction direction 52, and has an interior space that opens into the distal end of the guide part 105. The ink supply tube 102 is positioned in the center of the inner space of the guide part 105. The guide part 105 is shaped such that it can receive the ink supply part 34 of the ink cartridge 30 into the inner space of the guide part 105.

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

[Sliding 107]

Referring to Figures 7 to 11, the bottom of the box 101 includes a bottom groove wall defining the bottom end of the guide groove 109. The bottom groove wall has an opening 111 formed therethrough in the direction upward 54 and the downward direction 53 at a position adjacent to the end surface of the box 101, and the opening 111 extends in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The slider 107 is positioned in the opening 111. The slider 107 extends from a space below the lower slot wall to a space above the lower slot wall through the opening 111. The box 101 includes a guide rail 113 which extends in the direction of insertion 51 and the direction of extraction 52, and the slide 107 is configured to slide on the guide rail 113 in the direction of insertion 51 and the direction of extraction 52 in the opening 111. A tension spring 114 is connected to the box 101 at one end and the slide 107 at the other end. The tension spring 114 pulls the slider 107 in the pulling direction 52. Therefore, when not An external force is applied to the slider 107, the slider 107 is positioned at the end of the guide rail 113 in the removal direction 52. When an external force is applied to the slider 107 in the insertion direction 51, the slider 107 moves from the end of the guide rail 113 in the insertion direction 51 along the guide rail 113 into the opening 111.

Referring to Fig. 8, during insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 51, that is, while the ink cartridge 30 is moved toward the mounted position, a second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 moves in the guide groove 109 in the insertion direction 51 and contacts the slider 107. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 51, the Second projection 86 pushes the slider 107 in the insertion direction 51, and the slide 107 moves in the insertion direction 51 against a biasing force of the pull spring 114. The second projection 86 of the ink cartridge 30 receives the force of biasing in the second direction 52 of the slider 107. The slider 107 and the tension spring 114 are an example of a biasing element.

[Lock Part 145]

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

The locking part 145 is used to lock the ink cartridge 30 in the mounted position when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting part 110. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110 and pivots to the mounted position as an example of the first position, the ink cartridge 30 contacts the lock portion 145 in the pull direction 52, and the lock portion 145 locks or holds the ink cartridge 30 against force. thrust of the slider 107, thrust force that urges the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52, and against a thrust force of a helical spring 78 of the ink cartridge 30, thrust force that also urges the ink cartridge ink 30 in the extraction direction 52.

[Contacts 106]

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

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

[Rod 125]

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

[Sensor 103]

Referring to Figures 2 and 7, the sensor 103 is positioned on top of the box 101. The sensor 103 includes a light emitting part and a light receiving part. The light receiving part is spaced from the light emitting part in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56. The light emitting part and the light receiving part face each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. When the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting part 110 is completed, a sensing part 62 of the ink cartridge 30 is positioned between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part. .

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

[Ink cartridge 30]

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

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

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

[Rear cover 31]

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

The rear face 41 includes an upper part 41U, as an example of a second part, and a lower part 41L, as an example of a first part. The upper part 41U is positioned above the lower part 41L, that is, the upper part 41 is positioned more in the upward direction 54 than the lower part 41L. In other words, the lower part 41L is positioned below the upper part 41U, that is, the lower part 41L is positioned more in the downward direction 53 than the upper part 41U. The lower part 41L is positioned further forward than the upper part 41U, that is, the lower part 41L is positioned further in the forward direction 57 than the upper part 41U. In this embodiment, each of the upper part 41U and the lower part 41L is a plane, that is, a flat surface. The upper part 41U and the lower part 41L intersect each other at an angle to each other, which angle is not a right angle. The lower part 41L is inclined relative to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, such that the lower part 41L is closest to the front face 140 as it approaches the lower face 42, that is, the bottom 41L is closer to front face 140 at a position closer to bottom face 42. Referring to Figure 15B, top 41U includes a letter or symbol above it, and the letter or symbol indicates that it is supposed to the upper part 41U is to be pushed. For example, the upper part 41U includes the letter "PUSH" on top, so that a user can push the upper part 41U when the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. An example of the symbol may be an arrow or a picture of a finger.

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

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

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

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

The rear cover 31 includes an operation part 90 on the upper face 39, and the operation part 90 is positioned further back than the locking surface 151, that is, positioned further in the rearward direction 58 than the locking surface. 151. The upper face 39 includes a secondary upper face 91 positioned at the rear end of the upper face 39. The secondary upper face 91 is positioned below the remainder of the upper face 39, that is, the secondary upper face 91 is positioned more in the downward direction 53 than the rest of the upper face 39. The operation part 90 is positioned above the secondary upper face 91, that is, the operation part 90 is positioned more in the upward direction 54 than the face upper secondary 91, with a space formed in between. The operating portion 90 extends in the upward direction 54 beyond the protrusion 43 from a position adjacent to the boundary between the secondary upper face 91 and the remainder of the upper face 39, and then extends obliquely downward, that is, in the rearward direction 58 and the downward direction 53. The rear cover 31 includes a rib 94 which extends between the operation part 90 and the secondary upper face 91. The rib 94 is continuous with the operation part 90 and the Secondary upper face 91. The rib 94 also extends in the rearward direction 58. Referring to Fig. 15B, each of the rib 94, the operating portion 90, and the secondary upper face 91 has a dimension along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and the dimension of the rib 94 is less than each of the dimension of the operating part 90 and the dimension of the secondary upper face 91 along the right direction 55 and the directionleft 56.

The operation part 90 includes an operation surface 92 facing in the upward direction 54 and the backward direction 58. The position of the operation surface 92 and the position of the secondary upper face 91 along the upward direction forward 57 and backward direction 58 at least partially overlap. In other words, the operating surface 92 and the secondary upper face 91 at least partially overlap in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. In other words, at least a part of the operating surface 92 is aligned with at least a part of the secondary upper face 91 in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. The secondary upper face 91 is positioned more in the downward direction 53 than the operating surface 92, and a gap has been formed between the operating surface 92 and the secondary upper face 91 in the downward direction 53. The operating surface 92 includes multiple projections, that is, multiple elongated projections 93, each of which extends in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The elongated protrusions 93 are spaced from one another in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58. With the elongated protrusions 93, the user can recognize the to the operation surface 92, and the operation surface 92 does not slide when the user operates the operation surface 92 with a finger.

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

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

[Front cover 32]

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

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

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

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

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

The front cover 32 includes a first boss 85 and the second boss 86 positioned on the front face 140. The first boss 85 extends in the forward direction 57 at the upper end of the front cover 32. The recess 96 is formed in the distal end of the first protrusion 57 facing in the forward direction 57. The distal end of the first protrusion 57 facing in the forward direction 57 is a portion of the front face 140. The second protrusion 86 extends in the forward direction 57 in the lower end of the front cover 32. The second projection 86 is located below the ink supply portion 34, that is, positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the ink supply part 34. The protrusion 86 has a recess 87 formed on its underside, and the recess 87 opens in the forward direction 57 and the downward direction 53. A part of the second protrusion 86 defining the recess 87 extends beyond the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 in the downward direction 53. During insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the slider 107 enters the recess 87 and contacts the part of the second protrusion 86 that defines recess 87. The second protrusion 86 is an example of a receiving part.

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

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

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

[Inner frame 35]

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

[Ink supply part 34]

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

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

The ink supply part 34 includes the valve 77 and the coil spring 78 positioned in the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73. The valve 77 and the coil spring 78 are configured to switch the state of the ink supply part 34 between a state in which ink can exit from the ink chamber 30 through the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 (see Fig. 11) and a state in which ink is prevented from leaking out of the space inside the cylindrical wall 73 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 (see FIG. 6). The valve 77 is configured to move in the forward direction 57 and the backward direction 58 to selectively open and close the ink supply opening 71 formed through the center of the sealing element 76. The coil spring 78 is configured to bias valve 77 in the forward direction 57 (the direction of insertion 51), such that valve 77 contacts sealing member 76 and closes ink supply opening 71 when no external force is applied to valve 77.

The sealing element 76 is positioned at the front end of the cylindrical wall 73. The sealing element 76 is substantially disc-shaped having the ink supply opening 71 formed therethrough in the forward direction 57 and the forward direction rearward 58 (insertion direction 51 and extraction direction 52). The sealing element 76 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, elastomer, etc. The diameter of the ink supply opening 71 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink supply tube 102. The sealing element 76 liquid-tightly contacts the front end of the cylindrical wall 73 at the same time as it is pushed by the plug 79 which is mounted thereon, and covers the outside of the cylindrical wall 73. Before inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the valve 77 closes the ink supply opening 71. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink supply tube 102 enters the ink supply opening 71. When this takes place, the inner surface of the sealing element 76 that defines the ink supply opening 71 liquid-tight contacts the outer surface of ink supply tube 102 while sealing member 76 is elastically deformed by the outer surface of the ink supply tube. Ink supply tube 102. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further, the end of the ink supply tube 102 passes through the ink supply opening 71 and contacts the valve 77. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further, the ink supply tube 102 pushes and moves the valve 77 in the backward direction 58 against the biasing force of the coil spring 78. When this occurs, ink can flow from the ink chamber 36 into the supply tube. 102 through the interior space of the cylindrical wall 73. Although not shown in the drawings, the ink supply tube 102 has an opening at or adjacent to the end of the ink supply tube 102, and the opening extends from the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102 to the inner space of the ink supply tube 102. The ink flows from the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73 to the inner space of the ink supply tube 102 through the opening of the ink supply tube 102. The ink flows from the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73 and the inner space of the ink supply tube 102.

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

[Detection part 62]

Referring to FIG. 6, the inner frame 35 includes the sensing portion 62 which extends from the upper face of the inner frame 35 in the upward direction 54. The sensing portion 62 is a protrusion having a continuous inner space with the ink chamber 36. The sensing portion 62 is configured to allow light to pass through in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The sensing portion 62 extends through the opening 98 of the front cover 32 outside of ink cartridge 30.

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

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

When ink is consumed from the ink chamber 36, the ink surface in the ink chamber 36 decreases and an upper part of the float 63 is exposed relative to the ink surface. As the ink surface decreases further, the float 63 moves downward, following the decreasing ink surface. When this occurs, the detection element 59 pivots to the right in FIG. 6, and the part of the detection element 59 in the interior space of the detection part 62 exits the optical path extending between the emission part of light and the light receiving portion of the sensor 103. When this occurs, the light from the sensor 103 is no longer blocked by the sensing element portion 59, and the intensity of the light received by the light receiving portion of the sensor 103 is greater than or equal to the threshold value.

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

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

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

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

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

Referring to Fig. 9, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further in the insertion direction 51 against the biasing force of the pull spring 114 which urges the slider 107 in the pull-out direction 52, the cap 79 of the part Ink supply 34 begins to enter guide portion 105, and rod 125 begins to enter recess 96.

Referring to Fig. 10, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further in the insertion direction 51 against the biasing force of the pull spring 114 which urges the slider 107 in the extraction direction 52, the ink supply tube 102 enters the ink supply port 71 and pushes valve 77 away from sealing element 76 against the biasing force of coil spring 78. The biasing force of pull spring 114 is applied to ink cartridge 30 by slider 107 in the extraction direction 52, and the biasing force of the coil spring 78 is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the extraction direction 52.

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

Referring to Fig. 10, the projection 43 of the rear cover 31 reaches the locking portion 145, and the inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154 slide in the locking portion 145. Although a moment of force is applied toward the left to the ink cartridge 30 because the user pushes the upper part 41U of the rear face 41 in the insertion direction 51, the sliding contact between the inclined surface 155 and the locking part 145 causes the ink cartridge 30 to pivot toward the left. right around a pivot center O which is the center of the ink supply opening 71 through which the ink supply tube 102 is inserted, that is, the center of an ink supply tube portion 102, part that contacts the inner surface of the sealing member 76 that defines the ink supply opening 71. The position of the ink cartridge 30 in Fig. 10 is an example of a second position. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, the locking surface 151 is positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the locking portion 145 as shown in Fig. 10. The locking surface 151 may also be positioned further. in the removal direction 52 (the backward direction 58) than the locking portion 145 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position as shown in Fig. 10.

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

Referring to Fig. 11, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further in the insertion direction 51 against the biasing force of the pull spring 114 which biases the slider 107 in the pull-out direction 52 and against the biasing force of the coil spring 78, inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154 are positioned further in insertion direction 51 than locking part 145. Since the moment of force to the left, which is generated by the user pushing the upper part 41U of the rear face 41 in the insertion direction 51, is applied to the ink cartridge 30, when the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 do not contact the locking portion 145, the ink cartridge 30 pivots to the left around the center of pivot O which is the center of the ink supply opening 71 through which the ink supply tube 102 is inserted.

When the ink cartridge 30 is pivoted to the left, the locking surface 151 reaches a position where the locking surface 151 and the locking portion 145 face each other in the insertion direction 51 and the direction In addition, when the ink cartridge 30 pivots to the left, the rear cover 31 contacts the locking portion 145. When this occurs, the impact of the contact indicates to the user that the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 has been completed. completed. When the user stops pushing the ink cartridge 30, the ink cartridge 30 is moved in the pulling direction 52 by the biasing force of the pull spring 114 applied by the slider 107 and the biasing force of the helical spring 78. When this takes place, the locking surface 151 contacts the locking portion 145 in the extraction direction 52 and the movement of the ink cartridge 30 relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the extraction direction 52 is restricted, as is shown in Fig. 11. The position of the ink cartridge 30 in Fig. 11 is an example of the first position. This completes the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is locked or retained in the cartridge mounting portion 110 with the locking surface 151 contacting the locking portion 145 at the extraction direction 52 against the biasing force of the traction spring 114 and the biasing force of the helical spring 78 in the extraction direction 52.

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

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

FH> GL.

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

When the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting part 110, the user has to push the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 with a force whose magnitude U is larger than the magnitude F of the force. thrust in the pulling direction 52. In other words, the following condition has to be met: F <U. Figure 12 illustrates the ink cartridge 30 when the user pushes the ink cartridge 30 with a force whose magnitude is F as a threshold amount required for the insertion of the ink cartridge 30. In addition, the user pushes the upper part 41U of the rear face 41, that is, he pushes a part above the lower end of the upper part 41U. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110, a force is applied to the part above the lower end of the upper part 41U of the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51, which Magnitude U is greater than magnitude F of the pushing force. Since the upper part 41U is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, a counterclockwise force moment is applied to the ink cartridge 30, the magnitude of which is at least greater than the product FH. Fig. 12 illustrates the ink cartridge 30 when the user pushes the lower end of the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 whose height from the pivot center O along the upward direction 54 is H. On the other hand, A clockwise moment of force, which is generated by gravitational force, is applied to the ink cartridge, the magnitude of which is the product GL. Since the above-described condition FH> GL is satisfied, the general moment of force applied to the ink cartridge 30 is directed to the left when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110. Therefore, when the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 finish sliding in the locking part 145 and away from the locking part 145 in the insertion direction 51, the moment of force to the left makes the ink cartridge 30 pivot from the second position to the first position.

The magnitude G of the gravitational force acting on the ink cartridge 30 varies depending on the amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30. However, if the condition f H> GL is met when a new ink cartridge is inserted 30 having an initial ink quantity, the condition is also met when a used ink cartridge 30 whose ink quantity is relatively low is inserted. That is because the GL product is less as the amount of ink is reduced while the FH product does not change. In other words, the magnitude G is a magnitude of the gravitational force acting on the ink cartridge 30 at least when the ink chamber 36 is completely filled with the initial amount of ink or when the ink in the ink chamber 36 is has consumed.

Furthermore, since the second projection 86 of the ink cartridge 30 receives the biasing force of the pull spring 114 via the slider 107 below the pivot center O, the biasing force of the pull spring 114 also generates an additional force moment causing the ink cartridge 30 to pivot to the left. However, even if the moment of force generated by the pull spring 114 was not applied to the ink cartridge 30, the overall moment of force applied to the ink cartridge 30 would still be directed to the left.

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

Referring to Fig. 13, the user can push the lower part 41L of the rear face 41 instead of the upper part 41U of the rear face 41 when the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting part 110. However, since the following condition is satisfied, the ink cartridge 30 can be pivoted to the left in Fig. 13:

(Fcosa) N> GL.

The lower part 41L is a plane that intersects a virtual first plane P1 at an angle of a degrees when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, and the virtual first plane P1 is perpendicular to the insertion direction 51. N is the length of a perpendicular line extending from the pivot center O to a second virtual plane P2 which is perpendicular to the lower part 41L and intersects the lower end of the lower part 41L. When the user pushes the lower part 41L in the insertion direction 51 with a force whose magnitude is greater than the magnitude F of the pushing force, a counterclockwise force moment is applied to the ink cartridge 30, the magnitude of which is at less larger than product (Fcosa) N. Since the above-described condition (Fcosa) N> GL is satisfied, the general force moment applied to the ink cartridge 30 is directed to the left even when the user pushes the lower part 41L in the insertion direction 51.

When the user wishes to remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the user pushes down the operating surface 92. Referring to Figures 15A and 15B, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first position , the operating surface 92 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53 and is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the forward direction 57 (the insertion direction 51). In other words, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first position, the operating surface 92 faces in the upward direction 54 and the backward direction 58 (the removal direction 52). Therefore, when the user pushes the operating surface 92 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first position to release the ink cartridge 30, the user's force is directed toward the downward direction 53 and the forward direction 57. (the insertion direction 51). Due to the force directed toward the forward direction 57 (the insertion direction 51), the locking surface 151 is separated from the locking portion 145. Due to the force directed toward the downward direction 53, the ink cartridge 30 it pivots from the first position to the second position. Therefore, compared to a situation where the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first position to the second position while the locking surface 151 slides in the locking portion 145, the necessary force to be applied to the operating surface 92 to make the ink cartridge 30 pivot from the first position to the second position is smaller, and the user can easily release the ink cartridge 30.

When the ink cartridge 30 is pivoted from the first position to the second position, the locking surface 151 is positioned below the locking portion 145, that is, it is positioned more in the downward direction 53 than is the locking portion 145. The biasing force of the pull spring 114 and the helical spring 78 moves the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52. When the ink cartridge 30 is detached from the slider 107, the biasing force is no longer applied to the cartridge. of ink 30, and the ink cartridge 30 stops moving in the removal direction 52. When this occurs, at least the rear cover 31 of the ink cartridge 30 is placed outside the box 101, the user can take the cartridge ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Advantages]

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

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

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

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

Since the second protrusion 86 is positioned more in the downward direction 53 than the ink supply part 34 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position, and the second protrusion 86 receives the biasing force of the pull spring 114 by the slider 107, an additional moment of force is applied to the ink cartridge 30, causing the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the second position to the first position.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[Modified embodiments]

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

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

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

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

In the above-described embodiment, the ink is an example of a liquid. However, the liquid is not limited to ink. For example, the liquid can be pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto the sheet of paper prior to ejection of ink when printing. Also, the liquid can be water to be used to wash the recording head 21.

Claims (15)

1. A liquid cartridge (30) configured to be inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus in a first direction (51, 57) along a horizontal direction against a pushing force directed in a second direction (52, 58 ) contrary to the first direction, and be installed for it in the liquid consumption apparatus, including: a liquid chamber (36) configured to store liquid; a front face (140) facing the first direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming apparatus; a liquid supply part (34) positioned on the front face and configured to allow insertion of a liquid supply tube of the liquid consuming apparatus therein; a sealing element (76) positioned in the liquid supply portion and having a liquid supply opening formed therethrough, wherein the sealing element is configured to contact an outer surface of the liquid supply tube by deforming it elastically time when the liquid supply tube is inserted through the liquid supply opening; an upper face (39, 141) facing an upward direction (54) when the liquid cartridge is inserted in the liquid consuming apparatus; a locking surface (151) positioned on the upper face and configured to contact a locking portion of the liquid consuming apparatus in the second direction; Y a rear face (41) facing the second direction when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming apparatus, wherein the liquid cartridge is configured to pivot about a pivot center which is a center of the liquid supply opening, when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consumption apparatus and the liquid supply tube is inserted through the liquid supply opening, where the liquid cartridge is configured to pivot between a first position and a second position, where when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, the locking surface contacts the locking portion at the second direction and the movement of the liquid cartridge relative to the liquid consuming apparatus in the second direction is restricted, and where, when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, the locking surface is positioned more in a direction toward down than the locking portion, where the downward direction is the gravitational direction, and the rear face includes a first part (41L) and a second pair te (41U) positioned more in the upward direction than the first part, where the first part includes a part positioned more in the downward direction than the pivot center, and the first part is positioned more in the first direction than the second part, where the liquid cartridge (30) further includes an electrical interface (65) placed on the upper face and configured to contact a contact arranged in the liquid consumption apparatus when the liquid cartridge is both in the first position and in the second position in the liquid consuming apparatus, where when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, a pivot center position along the first direction and an electrical interface position along the first direction they overlap at least partially. The liquid cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second part includes a letter or symbol above it, and the letter or symbol indicates that the second part is supposed to be pushed. The liquid cartridge of claim 1 or 2, wherein the following condition is satisfied: FH> GL, where G is a magnitude of a gravitational force acting on the liquid cartridge at least when the liquid chamber is completely filled with the liquid or when the liquid in the liquid chamber has been consumed, F is a magnitude of the pushing force which pushes the liquid cartridge in the second direction when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, L is a distance between the center of gravity of the liquid cartridge and the pivot center along the first direction when the cartridge liquid is in the second position, and H is a height of a lower end of the second part from the pivot center along the upward direction perpendicular to the first direction when the liquid cartridge is in the second position. The liquid cartridge of claim 3, wherein the first part is a plane that intersects a virtual first plane at an angle of a degrees when the liquid cartridge is in the second position, and the virtual first plane is perpendicular to the first address, and where the following condition is satisfied: (Fcosa) N> GL, where N is a length of a perpendicular line extending from the pivot center to a second virtual plane that is perpendicular to the first part and intersects a lower end of the first part. The liquid cartridge of any of claims 1 to 4, further including a receiving part (86) configured to receive the thrust force directed in the second direction, where the receiving part is positioned more in the downward direction than the liquid supply part when the liquid cartridge is in the second position. The liquid cartridge of claim 5, wherein the receiving part is configured to receive the biasing force from a biasing element arranged in the liquid consuming apparatus. The liquid cartridge of any one of claims 1 to 6, further including an operating surface (92) positioned on the top face and positioned more in the second direction than the locking surface. The liquid cartridge of claim 7, wherein the operating surface faces in the upward direction and the second direction. 9. The liquid cartridge of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the operating surface does not move relative to the liquid chamber. The liquid cartridge of any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the upper face includes a secondary upper face (91) positioned further in the downward direction than the operating surface when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, the operating surface and the secondary upper face at least partially overlap in the downward direction, and a gap is formed between the operating surface and the secondary upper face in the downward direction. The liquid cartridge of any of claims 7 to 10, the operating surface including multiple elongated projections (93). 12. The liquid cartridge of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein when the liquid cartridge is in the first position, an upper end of the locking surface is positioned outside of a virtual circle and a lower end of the locking surface Lock is placed inside the virtual circle, where the virtual circle has a center at the pivot center and intersects the lock portion. The liquid cartridge of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a case of the liquid consuming apparatus, and the locking surface is configured to contact the non-engaging locking portion. moves relative to the box. A method for inserting a liquid cartridge (30) according to one of claims 1 to 13 into a cartridge mounting portion of a liquid consuming apparatus, wherein the liquid cartridge pivots from the second position to the first when The liquid cartridge (30) is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion of the liquid consuming apparatus. 15. Use of a liquid cartridge according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the liquid cartridge is pivoted from the second position to the first position when the liquid cartridge (30) is inserted into a cartridge mounting part of a liquid consuming apparatus.