JP2006021397A - Liquid vessel and liquid ejector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink cartridge which can accurately detect the remaining quantity of a liquid, and a printer which is equipped with the ink cartridge. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of pressing parts 43 and 44 are provided on the top surface of an ink pack 42, and urged by pressing springs 45 and 46. The pressing parts 43 and 44 have movement in a pressing direction controlled by a movement control means, and the pressing part 44 crushes the ink pack 42 after the pressing part 43 crushes the ink pack 42. Side wall parts 64 of a case are each equipped with switches for detecting positions of the pressing parts 43 and 44. A change in the overall resistance of a circuit part for detection, associated with the actuation of the switch, is detected by a resistance detection part, so that the remaining quantity of ink can be detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container and a liquid ejection apparatus equipped with the liquid container.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an ink jet printer as a liquid ejection device that ejects liquid droplets from a nozzle of a liquid ejection head. Some ink jet printers include an off-carriage type ink supply system in which an ink cartridge as a liquid container is mounted in a place other than a carriage.

  As an ink cartridge for use in such an off-carriage type ink supply system, a flexible bag (hereinafter referred to as an ink pack) is filled with a liquid (hereinafter referred to as ink), and this is placed in a case such as plastic. The one housed in is generally used.

By the way, in an ink jet printer using such a replaceable ink cartridge, a technique for accurately detecting the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge is important. As such a technique, there is one described in Patent Document 1.
In the ink cartridge described in this document, a plate-like pressing portion is disposed on the upper surface of an ink pack accommodated in a case, the pressing portion is biased by a spring, and the pressing portion is moved by the biasing force, so that the ink cartridge The pack is pressed. And the rocking | swiveling part exposed to the exterior of an ink cartridge is comprised so that it may move in conjunction with this movement of a press part, and the position of a rocking | swiveling part is detected with an optical sensor, and according to the position of the press part. You can know the remaining ink level.

JP 2003-136749 A

  Such an ink cartridge is devised so that the pressing portion is kept horizontal by four springs, but is sufficiently adapted to a state in which the printer (ink cartridge) is used tilted. I can not say. That is, there is a possibility that the pressing portion is inclined against the urging force of the spring due to the inclination of the printer. Due to such uncertainty, the accuracy of ink remaining amount detection is not so good. In addition, since the amount of movement of the pressing portion with respect to the ink consumption is small, there is a problem that the resolution of detection is small.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide a liquid container and a liquid ejecting apparatus equipped with the liquid container capable of accurately detecting the remaining amount of ink.

  The above-described object includes a flexible container that stores liquid in a case, and two or more pressing portions that contact at least one surface of the flexible container and press the corresponding contact surface. Each pressing portion constituting the pressing portion is in contact with a different portion in the one surface, and each pressing portion is movable in a direction to press the contact surface independently. A liquid container configured to detect the position of each pressing portion in the direction in which the pressing portion moves, at least in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the liquid ejection device. Achieved.

In this liquid container, one surface of the flexible container is pressed by two or more pressing parts that can move independently, and the position of each pressing part can be detected independently.
With this configuration, a complicated deformed shape on one surface of the flexible container can be accurately known from the positions of a plurality of pressing portions arranged in contact with the one surface. Thus, the remaining amount of liquid stored in the flexible container can be known with high accuracy.

  A liquid container for achieving the above-described object is a switch that mechanically operates when a predetermined position is reached in the direction in which the pressing portion moves, and is electrically opened and closed in conjunction with the operation of the switch. An electrical switch unit, and includes a detection circuit unit that constitutes one electrical closed circuit including the electrical switch unit corresponding to each of the pressing units.

In this configuration of the liquid container, when the pressing portion crushes the contact surface of the flexible container by a certain amount or more, a switch provided corresponding to each pressing portion is operated and interlocked with the operation of the switch. Thus, an electrical switch unit that performs electrical switching is activated. Here, the switch and the electrical switch unit may be configured integrally. The detection circuit unit configured to include the electrical switch unit forms a closed circuit, and it is possible to know how many switches are operated by the resistance change of the entire circuit. Further, based on this information, the position of each pressing portion can be indirectly known at the level of the switch operating position. And based on the deformation | transformation shape of the one surface of the flexible container obtained as a result, the liquid residual amount in a flexible container can be known.
According to this configuration, it is not necessary to prepare a terminal for checking ON / OFF for each switch, and an inexpensive and simple liquid container can be provided.

  The liquid container for achieving the above-described object includes a supply part for leading out the liquid at one end of the flexible container, and the two or more pressing parts are the other ends of the flexible container. From the pressing portion disposed on the other end side to the pressing portion disposed on the one end side in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the liquid ejection device. In order, the two or more pressing parts move in a direction to press the contact surface.

In this liquid container, the pressing portions arranged from one end side to the other end side of the flexible container press the flexible container in order from the other end side toward the one end side including the supply portion, and crush it. go. For this reason, for example, there is no fear that the central portion of the one end side and the other end side of the flexible container is first crushed and the ink on the other end side cannot be used. The liquid can be used effectively.
Further, since the positions of the pressing portions are sequentially moved and detected one by one, the amount of movement of the pressing portions with respect to the liquid consumption is large, and the remaining amount of liquid can be known with a fine resolution.
The movement of the pressing portion for pressing may be realized, for example, by selectively applying power by compressed air or an actuator from a liquid discharge device that mounts the liquid container. As such, it may be realized by an internal mechanism.

  In the liquid container for achieving the above-described object, a pressing portion urging means that urges each of the pressing portions in a direction of pressing the contact surface, and the pressing portion presses the contact surface. Movement control means for restricting movement in the direction, and the movement control means is configured to act between the two pressing parts, and the one pressing part moves. When the predetermined position in the direction is reached, the restriction of the other pressing portion is released.

  In this liquid container, the pressing portion is always urged by the pressing portion urging means, but its movement is restricted by the movement control means. And when the other pressing part reaches a predetermined position, the restriction made on the one pressing part is released, so the one pressing part crushes the flexible container. The movement of the pressing part can be controlled so that the other pressing part starts the movement. Thus, the flexible container is crushed from the other end side toward the one end side, and the liquid in the flexible container can be used effectively.

  The liquid container for achieving the above-mentioned object is characterized by comprising a pressing portion check means for preventing the pressing portion from returning to the direction opposite to the direction pressing the contact surface.

Each of the plurality of pressing portions is affected by the hydraulic pressure in the flexible container via the contact surface, and when the flexible container is pressed by urging one pressing portion from the outside The increase in the hydraulic pressure acts to push back in the direction opposite to the direction in which the other pressing portions are pressed. Due to such an influence, there is a problem that even if an attempt is made to control the order of movement of the pressing portions, and thus the way of crushing the flexible container, it cannot be reliably controlled.
According to the configuration of the liquid container, such a problem can be avoided by the action of the pressing portion check means.

  The liquid container for achieving the above-described object includes pressing portion urging means for urging each of the pressing portions in the pressing direction, and from the pressing portion disposed on the other end side, The urging force by the urging unit urging means decreases in order from the urging unit disposed on the one end side.

  The liquid container is configured such that the urging force applied to the pressing portion on the other end side is relatively larger than the urging force applied to the pressing portion on the one end side. Therefore, since the flexible container is crushed in order from the other end side far from the supply unit toward the one end side including the supply unit, the liquid in the flexible container can be used effectively.

  In the liquid container having the pressing portion urging means for achieving the above-described object, each of the pressing portions moves in a direction to press the contact surface before the liquid container is mounted on the liquid discharge device. When the liquid container is mounted on the liquid ejection device, at least one of the pressing portions is released.

  According to this configuration of the liquid container, the flexible container is not pressurized before the liquid container is used, and ink leakage or the like can be prevented in advance. In use, when the liquid container is mounted on the liquid ejection device, the restriction on the movement of the pressing portion is released, and the flexible container can be pressurized to supply ink.

  The above-mentioned object is a liquid provided with a flexible container for storing a liquid in a case, and two or more pressing portions that contact at least one surface of the flexible container and press the corresponding contact surface. In the liquid ejecting apparatus mounted with a container, each of the pressing parts constituting the two or more pressing parts is in contact with a different part in the one surface, and each of the pressing parts is independently It is possible to move in the direction in which the abutting surface is pressed, and includes position detecting means for independently detecting the position of each pressing portion in the moving direction of the pressing portion. This is achieved by the liquid ejection device.

In this liquid container, one surface of the flexible container is pressed by two or more pressing parts that can move independently, and the position of each pressing part can be detected independently.
With this configuration, a complicated deformed shape on one surface of the flexible container can be accurately known from the positions of a plurality of pressing portions arranged in contact with the one surface. Thus, the remaining amount of liquid stored in the flexible container can be known with high accuracy.

  A liquid discharge apparatus for achieving the above-described object includes a switch that is mechanically operated when a predetermined position is reached in a direction in which the pressing portion moves, and an electrical opening / closing in conjunction with the operation of the switch. A detection circuit unit that forms one electrical closed circuit, and that detects the resistance of the entire detection circuit unit, including the electrical switch unit corresponding to each of the pressing units. And a resistance detection unit.

  Here, the electric switch unit and the detection circuit unit may be provided on the liquid discharge device side or the liquid container side. According to this configuration, it is not necessary to prepare a terminal for checking ON / OFF for each switch, and an inexpensive and simple liquid container can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Note that the embodiments described below are preferred specific examples of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention is particularly limited in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these forms.

First, the overall structure of the liquid ejection apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the configuration of the liquid ejection apparatus according to the present embodiment. In this embodiment, the liquid ejecting apparatus receives ink supplied from a liquid container (hereinafter referred to as an ink cartridge) containing a liquid (hereinafter referred to as ink) containing a color material or the like, and applies it to a recording medium such as paper. Print.

A printer 10 as a liquid ejection device includes frames 11a, 11b, and 11c, and includes a platen 16 in a region surrounded by the frames 11a to 11c. The platen 16 is provided for supporting a recording medium such as paper and discharging ink onto the recording medium at the supported position.
A carriage 15 on which the recording head 14 is mounted is provided at a position facing the platen 16. The carriage 15 is supported and defined by the carriage guide shaft 12 connected to the inner surfaces of the frames 11a and 11c, and can be reciprocated along the X1-X2 direction by the carriage drive motor 19 via the belt 13. It has become.

Sub tanks 17a to 17d are mounted on the recording head 14, and the sub tank and the recording head 14 are connected by an ink communication path (not shown). The sub tanks 17a to 17d are connected to the supply pipes 18a to 18d, respectively.
Here, the printer 10 uses several types of inks having different color materials, and uses, for example, four color inks of black, magenta, cyan, and yellow. The sub tanks 17a to 17d and the supply pipes 18a to 18d described above constitute flow paths corresponding to the inks of the respective colors.

The supply pipe 18d is connected to a cartridge holder 30 provided on the side of the frame 11c. When the ink cartridge 40 is attached to the cartridge holder 30, the supply unit 71 provided in the ink cartridge 40 and the supply pipe 18d communicate with each other so as to form a continuous ink flow path.
Ink supply from the ink cartridge 40 to the sub tank 17d is performed by pressure supply of the ink cartridge 40. By pressurizing the ink stored in the ink cartridge 40 and forcibly supplying the ink to the sub tank 17d, the position head difference between the ink cartridge 40 and the sub tank 17d or the loss head generated in the supply pipe 18d can be reduced. Stable ink supply is possible without being affected. A detailed configuration for supplying pressure will be described later.
The sub tank 17d has a function of adjusting the supply pressure of the ink, and the pressure that has been pressurized is appropriately reduced and supplied to the recording head 14 by the function of the pressure adjustment function. When the pressure is reduced in the sub tank 17d and ink is supplied to the recording head 14 under an appropriate negative pressure condition, an appropriate meniscus is formed in the nozzle opening (not shown) of the recording head 14.
The connection between the cartridge holders corresponding to the supply pipes 18a to 18c and the ink cartridges accommodated in the supply pipes 18a to 18c has the same configuration as described above. In this embodiment, these cartridge holders are located under the cartridge holder 30. They are arranged so as to be stacked.

Next, the internal structure of the ink cartridge will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 2 is a partially perspective schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge 40 accommodates an ink pack 42 as a flexible container in a case 41 molded of polypropylene or the like. The ink pack 42 is, for example, an aluminum laminate film sandwiched between two films with an aluminum foil as an intermediate layer, and is formed in a bag shape. The ink pack 42 is slightly longer in the Y1-Y2 direction and flat in the Z1-Z2 direction as shown in the drawing, and one end side of the short side is welded to form the rear end welded portion 62, and the short side A supply portion (see FIG. 3) made of a plastic molded product is attached to the other end side by heat welding or the like.

The pack bottom surface 63 of the ink pack 42 is bonded and fixed to the inner surface of the case 41 with a double-sided adhesive tape (not shown). The pack upper surface 61 of the ink pack 42 includes pressing plates 69 and 70.
The pressing plates 69 and 70 are plate-like members made by molding ABS resin or the like, and are in contact with the pack upper surface 61 at the pressing portions 43 and 44 which are regions overlapping with the pack upper surface 61. The pressure plates 69 and 70 are arranged in the longitudinal direction (Y1-Y2 direction) of the ink pack 42, the pressure plate 69 is disposed on the rear end welded portion 62 side, and the pressure plate 70 is disposed on the supply portion side.

  The central portions of the pressing plates 69 and 70 are flat pressing portions 43 and 44, and pressing springs 45 and 46 as pressing portion urging means are provided above the pressing portions 43 and 44 (in the Z1 direction). Each has. The pressing springs 45 and 46 urge the pressing portions 43 and 44 in the Z2 direction shown in the drawing, respectively. The pressing springs 45 and 46 are, for example, metal helical springs, and are fixed so that the vicinity of the central portion of the pressing portions 43 and 44 and the inner surface of the case upper wall portion 65 are respectively end portions. Note that the number and fixing positions of the pressing springs 45 and 46 are not limited to the present embodiment. When the pressing springs 45 and 46 urge the pressing portions 43 and 44 in the Z2 direction, the pressing portions 43 and 44 press the pack upper surface 61, and the pressure supply described above is performed.

  At both edges on the X1 direction side and the X2 direction side of the pressing parts 43 and 44, there are latching parts 55 and 56 (only a part of the latching part on the X2 direction side is visible for drawing purposes). Absent). The hook portions 55 and 56 are integrally formed extending from both edges of the pressing portions 43 and 44, and further extended from the hook portions 55 and 56, and the spring portion 57 whose section is an arc. 58, and wedge-shaped check pawl portions 59, 60 are formed. The hook portions 55 and 56 do not overlap with the pack upper surface 61 of the ink pack 42, and are configured such that both wings protrude from the pack upper surface 61.

  On both sides of the ink pack 42 on the X1 direction side and the X2 direction side, control levers 47 and 48 (the control lever on the X2 direction side is not visible for drawing purposes) are provided. The control levers 47 and 48 are shaped by bending a flat plate into an L-shaped cross section, and are made by molding ABS resin or the like. The control levers 47 and 48 are arranged in the longitudinal direction (Y1-Y2 direction) of the ink pack 42, the control lever 47 is disposed on the rear end welding portion 62 side, and the control lever 48 is disposed on the supply portion side.

The control lever 47 has a bearing portion 49 at a position corresponding to a bent portion having an L-shaped cross section. The control lever 47 receives a shaft portion (not shown) provided so as to protrude from the case side wall portion 64, and is shown in FIG. It is attached so as to be rotatable about the axis K as a rotation axis.
A stopper 53 is integrally provided at one end extending obliquely upward of the control lever 47, and functions as a movement control means 66 in combination with the above-described hook 55 (this figure). Are not combined). That is, the stopper portion 53 supports the bottom surface (surface in the Z2 direction) of the latching portion 55, so that the movement of the pressing portion 43 in the Z2 direction is restricted.
At one end extending forward (Y1 direction) of the control lever 47, a force point portion 51 is provided. The force point portion 51 can protrude from the bottom surface opening 68 provided on the bottom surface of the case to the outside of the case (not protruded in this figure). The force point portion 51 receives a force for rotating the control lever 47 and thereby plays a role for releasing the restriction of the pressing portion 43 by the stopper portion 53. That is, when a force in the Z1 direction is applied to the force point portion 51 from the outside of the ink cartridge 40, the control lever 47 rotates in the direction of the arrow M, and the stopper portion 53 is disengaged from the latch portion 55 as shown in the figure. Let Then, the pressing portion 43 moves in the Z2 direction by the action of the pressing spring 45 and presses the pack upper surface 61.

The control lever 48 has a bearing portion 50 at a position corresponding to a bent portion having an L-shaped cross section. The control lever 48 receives a shaft portion (not shown) provided so as to protrude from the case side wall portion 64, and is illustrated in FIG. It is attached so as to be rotatable about the axis L as a rotation axis.
A stopper portion 54 is integrally provided at one end extending upward (in the Z1 direction) of the control lever 48, and functions as the movement control means 67 in combination with the above-described latching portion 56. . That is, as shown in the drawing, the stopper portion 54 supports the bottom surface (surface in the Z2 direction) of the latching portion 56, so that the movement of the pressing portion 44 in the Z2 direction is restricted.
A force point portion 52 is provided at one end extending rearward (Y2 direction) of the control lever 48 and below the latching portion 55 (Z2 direction). The force point portion 52 plays a role for releasing the restriction by the stopper portion 53 by receiving a force for rotating the control lever 48. That is, when the pressing plate 69 moves in the Z2 direction and the latching portion 55 moves along the arrow J, the lower surface (surface in the Z2 direction) of the latching portion 55 pushes the force point portion 52 in the Z2 direction. Then, the control lever 48 rotates in the direction of arrow N, and the stopper portion 54 is disengaged from the latching portion 56. Thus, the pressing portion 44 moves in the Z2 direction by the action of the pressing spring 46 and presses the pack upper surface 61.

Next, the internal mechanism operation of the ink cartridge will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a partially broken schematic perspective view showing the mounting operation of the ink cartridge. 4 is a partially cutaway schematic side view showing the process of the internal mechanism operation of the ink cartridge as viewed from the direction A in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged schematic side view of the P region in FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB of FIG. 2 showing an outline of the process of the internal mechanism operation of the ink cartridge. FIG. 7 is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the Q-1 region and the Q-2 region of FIG.

FIG. 4A shows the internal structure of the ink cartridge 40 in an unused state. In this state, the latching portions 55 and 56 are supported by the stopper portions 53 and 54. At this time, the control levers 47 and 48 have their rotation directions defined by lever rest portions 74 and 75 which are protrusions integrally formed from the inner surface of the case side wall portion 64, and the power point portion 51 extends from the bottom opening 68 to the outside of the case. The force point portion 52 is in a state of being lifted in the Z1 direction from the inner bottom surface of the case 41.
With the above configuration, the movement of the pressing portions 43 and 44 in the Z2 direction is restricted, and the ink pack 42 is not pressed by the pressing portions 43 and 44 and is provided in a state where the internal ink is not pressurized. For this reason, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of ink leakage due to internal pressurization when the unused ink cartridge is distributed or stored.

The unused ink cartridge 40 is mounted in the cartridge holder 30 as shown in FIG.
A supply needle 31 and a contact terminal portion 33 are provided on the inner surface of the cartridge holder 30. In addition, an opening recess 35 that is a notched space is provided near the opening on the bottom surface, and the bottom surface of the opening recess 35 is an inclined portion 32 that is inclined with respect to the depth.
The ink cartridge 40 includes a supply unit 71, a detection terminal unit 72 exposed on the side surface, and a force point unit 51 protruding from the bottom surface opening 68.
Here, when the ink cartridge 40 is inserted into the cartridge holder 30 in the direction of the arrow C, the supply needle 31 and the supply portion 71 of the ink cartridge 40 are coupled, and ink can be supplied. Further, the detection terminals 73a and 73b of the detection terminal portion 72 and the contact terminals 34a and 34b of the contact terminal portion 33 are in contact with each other and are electrically connected. The contact terminals 34a and 34b are electrically connected to the resistance detection unit 100 provided on the printer main body side, and this configuration allows the ink remaining amount of the ink cartridge 40 to be detected electrically. . The ink remaining amount detection will be described later.

  The opening recess 35 is provided in order to prevent the bottom surface of the cartridge holder 30 and the power point portion 51 from colliding violently during this loading process. Since the bottom surface of the opening recess 35 is an inclined portion 32 that is inclined with respect to the depth, the force point portion 51 is gradually urged by the inclined portion 32 as the ink cartridge 40 advances in the direction of the arrow C. Finally, the power point portion 51 is pushed into the case.

When the force point portion 51 is pushed into the case, as shown in FIG. 4B, the control lever 47 rotates, the stopper portion 53 comes off from the latching portion 55, and the pressing portion 43 can move in the Z2 direction. . The pressing portion 43 presses the ink pack 42 by the urging force of the pressing spring 45 and supplies ink from the supply portion 71 to the printer main body side.
As ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 40 to the printer main body and the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack 42 decreases, the pressing portion 43 moves in the Z2 direction.

When about half of the ink capacity in the initial state in the ink pack 42 is consumed, the position of the pressing portion 43 is as shown in FIG. At this time, the latching part 55 pushes the force point part 52 in the Z2 direction, the control lever 48 rotates, the stopper part 54 comes off from the latching part 56, and the pressing part 44 can move in the Z2 direction. Thus, the capacity on the supply unit side of the ink pack 42 can be supplied.
That is, the movement control means 67 including the control lever 48 and the latching portion 56 is another pressing portion when the pressing portion 43 that is one pressing portion reaches a predetermined position in the moving direction (Z1-Z2 direction). The pressing portion 44 is configured to be movable.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the P region in FIG. A marker 77 is provided at the base position of the stopper portion 54 of the control lever 48. The marker 77 has a color and shape that can be easily visually identified, and does not necessarily require a special member. An opening window 76 indicated by a two-dot chain line at a position overlapping with the marker 77 is a through hole provided in a part of the case side wall 64 in FIG.
When the control lever 48 rotates as described above and the pressing portion 44 becomes movable, the control lever 48 moves from the position shown by the dotted line in the figure, and the marker 77 can be identified through the opening window 76. Thus, the user can know that the remaining amount of ink is less than half of the initial capacity when the ink cartridge is removed from the printer body.

Here, the internal mechanism operation will be described from another viewpoint with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 2, showing one process in ink supply (corresponding to a process in the middle of FIGS. 4B and 4C). The pressing plate 69 is in contact with the case side wall 64 by the check pawls 59 at both ends, and the spring portion 57 connecting the check pawl 59 and the hook 55 is bent as shown in the figure. That is, when the spring portion 57 is not bent and is in a steady state, the width of the pressing plate (the length in the X1-X2 direction) is configured to be longer than the width inside the case 41.
A check pawl latching portion 78 is provided below the case side wall portion 64 (in the Z2 direction). The check pawl latching portion 78 is provided as a recess in which the case side wall portion 64 is cut out in accordance with the outer shape of the check pawl portion 59.
As the ink 20 in the ink pack 42 is consumed, the pressing plate 69 moves in the Z2 direction, and the check pawl portion 59 eventually reaches the position of the check pawl latch portion 78. At this time, the check claw portion 59 receives a restoring force by the spring portion 57, and the check claw portion 59 engages with the check claw latch portion 78 as shown in FIG.

In the present embodiment, as described with reference to FIG. 4C, the control lever 48 rotates and the pressing portion 44 almost simultaneously with the engagement of the check pawl portion 59 with the check pawl hook portion 78. Starts to press the ink pack 42. In such a state, the pressing portion 43 receives a force pushed back in the Z1 direction via the hydraulic pressure of the ink 20. However, since the check claw portion 59 engaged with the check claw latching portion 78 prevents the pressing portion 43 from moving in the Z1 direction, the pressing portion 43 is not pushed back in the Z1 direction. That is, the check pawl portion 59 and the check pawl hook portion 78 serve as a press portion check means for preventing the press portion 43 from returning in the Z1 direction.
If such a pressing portion check means is not provided, when the pressing portion 44 starts to press the ink pack 42, the pressing portion 43 is pushed back in the Z1 direction. Then, in some cases, while the ink remains in the moving region of the pressing portion 43, the pressing portion 44 may crush the ink pack 42, and the ink cannot be used up sufficiently.
In the present embodiment, by providing the pressing portion check means, it is possible to reliably separate and use the ink capacity in the moving region of one pressing portion and the ink capacity in the moving region of the other pressing portion. it can.

In FIG. 7, a detection operation part 79 as a switch and an electric switch part is provided on the inner surface of the check pawl latch part 78, and the detection operation part 79 is a switch terminal 80 a made of metal such as stainless steel. , 80b. The switch terminals 80a and 80b are connected to the detection circuit unit 101 by electric wiring (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 7A, when the check pawl portion 59 is not engaged with the check pawl hook portion 78, the switch terminals 80a and 80b are separated from each other, and both terminals are electrically insulated. (Hereinafter referred to as OFF state). Then, as shown in FIG. 7B, when the check claw portion 59 is engaged with the check claw hook portion 78, the check claw portion 59 pushes the switch terminal 80b, and the switch terminal 80a and The switch terminal 80b is electrically connected (hereinafter referred to as the ON state). That is, in FIG. 6, when the pressing portion 43 moves in the Z2 direction and sufficiently crushes the ink pack 42, and the check pawl portion 59 engages with the check pawl hook portion 78, the detection actuating portion 79 is turned on. It becomes.

  Such a detection operation part is also provided corresponding to the pressing part 44 of FIG. 4, and the position in the moving direction (Z1-Z2 direction) of each pressing part is determined by the ON or OFF state of the detection operation part. It becomes possible to know in units of the position where the detection operation unit is attached.

Next, a configuration for detecting the remaining amount of ink will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 8.
FIG. 8 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an electrical connection configuration of the resistance detection unit and the detection circuit unit. As shown in FIG. 8A, the detection circuit unit 101 provided in the ink cartridge includes detection operation units 79 and 82 corresponding to the pressing units 43 and 44 in FIG. The switch terminals 80b and 81b which are one ends of the detection operation parts 79 and 82 are connected to the detection terminal 73b. The switch terminals 80a and 81a which are the other ends of the detection operation parts 79 and 82 are connected to the detection terminal 73a via the resistors 102 and 103, respectively. That is, the detection circuit unit 101 constitutes one closed circuit with the detection terminals 73a and 73b as end points.

As shown in FIG. 3, the detection terminals 73 a and 73 b are exposed on the side surface of the ink cartridge 40 and are in contact with and electrically connected to the contact terminals 34 a and 34 b provided on the inner side surface of the cartridge holder 30. The The printer main body is provided with a resistance detection unit 100 with the contact terminals 34a and 34b as end points, and is composed of a power supply unit 104 and a current detection unit 105 as shown in FIG.
With the above configuration, by measuring the current amount of the current detection unit 105, the resistance of the entire circuit of the detection circuit unit 101 can be detected, and the ON or OFF state of the detection operation units 79 and 82 can be known. That is, the combination of the detection actuating units 79 and 82, the detection circuit unit 101 that indicates the state thereof, and the resistance detection unit 100 that detects the resistance of the detection circuit unit 101 is independent of the position of each pressing unit. It plays a role as a position detection means for detecting. Since the position of each pressing portion is uniquely determined by the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack, the remaining amount of ink can be known based on the detection result of the position detecting means. This will be specifically described below.

FIG. 8A shows a state corresponding to FIG. 4A to FIG. 4B, and both detection actuating parts 79 and 82 are in an OFF state. At this time, the resistance of the entire detection circuit unit 101 is almost infinite, and based on this detection value, it is determined that the remaining amount of ink is 50 to 100% of the initial capacity.
FIG. 8B shows a state corresponding to FIG. 4C, where the pressing portion 43 has reached the operating position of the detection operating portion 79, and the detection operating portion 79 is in the ON state. The resistance of the entire detection circuit unit 101 at this time is a value corresponding to the resistance 102, and based on this detection value, the ink remaining amount is 0 to 50% of the initial capacity (however, it is not zero). to decide.
In FIG. 8C, the pressing portion 44 has reached the operating position of the detection operating portion 82, and both the detection operating portions 79 and 82 are in the ON state. The resistance of the entire resistance detection unit 100 at this time is a value when the resistors 102 and 103 are connected in parallel. From this detection value, it is detected that the ink remaining amount is zero, that is, the ink end.

As described above, since the ON / OFF state of the switch can be easily known by the resistance of the entire detection circuit unit 101, it is not necessary to provide a detection terminal for each switch, and the ink cartridge has an inexpensive and simple configuration. Can be provided. The detection circuit may be provided on the printer main body side and separated by a switch provided in the ink cartridge and an electric switch provided in the circuit.
Note that the position detection means is not limited to a mode based on detection using a switch and electrical resistance as in the above example, and may be any mode as long as the purpose of knowing the position of the pressing portion can be achieved. For example, the position of the pressing portion may be detected optically using a laser.

FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modification of the pressing portion urging means. In this figure, the Z2 direction coincides with the vertical downward direction.
As shown in FIG. 9A, weights 83 and 84 as pressing portion urging means are fixed to the upper surface of the pressing portion 43. The weights 83 and 84 are made of a metal such as iron, and the weights urge the pressing portions 43 and 44 in the Z2 direction. The weight 83 and the weight 84 are different in weight, and the weight 83 is heavier.

As the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack 42 decreases, as shown in FIG. 9A, the pressing portion 43 urged by the heavy weight 83 starts to move in the Z2 direction, and eventually FIG. 9B. As shown in FIG. 4, the pressing portion 43 crushes the ink pack 42.
At this time, the contact surface 88 of the pressing portion 43 and the contact surface 89 of the pressing portion 44 receive reaction forces F1 and F2 corresponding to the internal pressure of the ink from the ink pack 42, respectively. The position head difference corresponding to the height h of the contact surface 88 and the contact surface 89 than F2: hρg (ρ is the specific gravity of the ink, g is the gravitational acceleration) and the amount corresponding to the difference between the contact areas of the pressing portions Only get bigger. That is, due to the difference in reaction force, the pressing portion 43 is moved in the Z1 direction and the pressing portion 44 is moved in the Z2 direction. The weights of the weight 83 and the weight 84 are designed so as to cancel such an action, and the weight of the weight 83 is larger than the weight of the weight 84 by (F1-F2) or more. Thus, the ink cartridge 40 can be configured such that the pressing portion 43 reliably crushes the ink pack 42 before the pressing portion 44.

  Like the above-mentioned modification, a press part biasing means is not limited to the structure using an elastic force like a spring, The structure using gravity like a weight may be sufficient. Further, it may be a configuration using a compressed fluid, a configuration using an actuator or a magnetic force, or these pressing portion urging means may be provided on the printer main body side. Furthermore, it can be used in combination that the urging force by these pressing part urging means is different for each pressing part.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a modification of the arrangement of the check claw latching portions in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a plurality of check latching portions 78, 85, 86 are provided side by side with respect to the moving direction (Z1-Z2 direction). In this manner, the check latching portions may be arranged side by side in the movement direction.
Moreover, you may provide not only a non-return latching part but a several detection action | operation part side by side in a moving direction corresponding to a non-return latching part. In such a case, the position of the pressing portion in the moving direction can be known in more detail, and the remaining amount of ink can be detected with higher accuracy.

FIG. 11 is a schematic top view showing a modification of the arrangement of the pressing portions in the ink cartridge.
As shown in the figure, the eight pressing portions 87a to 87e each have four rows in the longitudinal direction (Y1-Y2 direction) of the ink pack 42 and two rows in the width direction of the ink pack (X1-X2 direction). They are arranged side by side. As in this modification, the arrangement and number of the pressing portions are not restricted with respect to the longitudinal direction and the width direction of the ink pack 42. By finely arranging the pressing portions, the positions of the respective pressing portions can be detected corresponding to the complicated deformed shape of the ink pack 42, and the accuracy of ink remaining amount detection is improved.
In the present modification, the ink pack 42 is pressed by the movement of the pressing portion by the pressing portion 87d, the pressing portion 87h, the pressing portion 87c, the pressing portion 87g, the pressing portion 87b, the pressing portion 87f, the pressing portion 87a, and the pressing portion 87e. Done in order. Thus, the order of moving the pressing portions does not require a strict positional relationship order with respect to the direction (Y1-Y2 direction) from the rear end welding portion 62 to the supply portion 71.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Each configuration of each embodiment can be appropriately combined, omitted, or combined with other configurations not shown.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view illustrating an example of a configuration of a liquid ejection apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a partially perspective schematic perspective view showing the internal structure of the ink cartridge. FIG. 6 is a partially broken schematic perspective view showing the mounting operation of the ink cartridge. 4A to 4C are partially cutaway schematic side views showing the process of the internal mechanism operation of the ink cartridge as viewed from the direction A in FIG. The schematic side view which expanded P area | region of FIG.4 (c). 6 (a) and 6 (b) are cross-sectional views taken along the line BB of FIG. 2 showing the outline of the process of the internal mechanism operation of the ink cartridge. 7A is a schematic cross-sectional view in which the Q-1 region of FIG. 6 is enlarged, and FIG. 7B is an enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the Q-2 region. FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C are schematic circuit diagrams illustrating an electrical connection configuration of the resistance detection unit and the detection circuit unit. FIG. 9A is a partially broken schematic side view showing a modification of the pressing portion urging means, and FIG. 9B is a partially broken schematic showing a process of operation from FIG. 9A. Side view. The schematic sectional drawing which shows the modification of arrangement | positioning of the non-return claw latching part in FIG. The schematic top view of the partial fracture | rupture which shows the modification of arrangement | positioning of a press part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer as a liquid discharge apparatus, 20 ... Ink as liquid, 30 ... Cartridge holder, 31 ... Supply needle, 32 ... Inclination part, 33 ... Contact terminal part, 40 ... Ink cartridge as liquid container, 41 ... Case, 42 ... Ink pack as a flexible container, 43, 44 ... pressing part, 45, 46 ... pressing spring, 47, 48 ... control lever, 49, 50 ... bearing part, 51, 52 ... force point part, 53, 54 ... Stopper part, 55, 56 ... Hook part, 57, 58 ... Spring part, 59, 60 ... Check claw part, 61 ... Pack upper surface, 62 ... Rear end welded part, 63 ... Pack bottom face, 64 ... Case side wall part, 65: Case upper wall portion, 66, 67: Movement control means, 68: Bottom opening portion, 69, 70: Press plate, 71 ... Supply portion, 72 ... Detection terminal portion, 73a, 73b ... Detection terminal, 74, 75 ... Leverless Part, 76 ... opening window, 77 ... marker, 78, 85, 86 ... non-return latching part, 79, 82 ... detection operation part as switch and electric switch part, 80a, 80b ... switch terminal, 83, 84 ... weight , 87a to 87e ... pressing part, 88, 89 ... contact surface, 100 ... resistance detection part, 101 ... detection circuit part, 102, 103 ... resistance, 104 ... power supply part, 105 ... current detection part.

Claims (9)

A flexible container for storing liquid in the case;
Two or more pressing portions that contact at least one surface of the flexible container and press the corresponding contact surface,
Each pressing part constituting the two or more pressing parts is in contact with a different part in the one surface,
Each of the pressing portions is movable in a direction to press the contact surface independently,
A liquid container configured to detect a position of each pressing portion in a direction in which the pressing portion moves in a state where at least the liquid container is mounted on a liquid ejection device. A switch that mechanically operates when a predetermined position in the direction in which the pressing portion moves is reached;
An electrical switch portion that electrically opens and closes in conjunction with the operation of the switch,
2. The liquid container according to claim 1, further comprising a detection circuit unit that includes one of the electrical switch units corresponding to each of the pressing units and forms one electrical closed circuit. One end of the flexible container is provided with a supply unit for leading the liquid,
The two or more pressing portions are arranged side by side in a direction from the other end side of the flexible container toward the one end side,
At least in the state where the liquid container is mounted on the liquid ejection device, the two or more pressing portions are in contact with each other in order from the pressing portion disposed on the other end side to the pressing portion disposed on the one end side. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the liquid container moves in a direction of pressing the surface. In the case, a pressing portion biasing means for biasing each of the pressing portions in a direction of pressing the contact surface,
A movement control means for restricting movement of the pressing portion in a direction of pressing the contact surface;
The movement control means is configured to act between the two pressing portions, and when one of the pressing portions reaches a predetermined position in the moving direction, the other pressing portion is regulated. The liquid container according to claim 3, wherein the liquid container is released.   The press part check means which prevents the press part from returning to the direction opposite to the direction after the press part moves to the direction which presses the contact surface is provided. The liquid container according to 3 or 4. A pressing portion urging means for urging each pressing portion in the pressing direction;
4. The liquid container according to claim 3, wherein the urging force by the pressing portion urging means decreases in order from the pressing portion disposed on the other end side to the pressing portion disposed on the one end side. Before the liquid container is mounted on the liquid ejection device, each of the pressing portions is restricted from moving in a direction of pressing the contact surface,
The liquid container according to claim 4 or 6, wherein at least one of the pressing portions is released when the liquid container is mounted on a liquid ejection device. A flexible container for storing liquid in the case;
A liquid ejecting apparatus equipped with a liquid container comprising two or more pressing portions that contact at least one surface of the flexible container and press the corresponding contact surface,
Each pressing part constituting the two or more pressing parts is in contact with a different part in the one surface,
Each of the pressing portions is movable in a direction to press the contact surface independently,
A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising: a position detecting unit that independently detects a position of each of the pressing parts in a moving direction of the pressing part. A switch that mechanically operates when a predetermined position in the direction in which the pressing portion moves is reached;
An electrical switch portion that electrically opens and closes in conjunction with the operation of the switch,
A circuit portion for detection that constitutes one electrical closed circuit, including the electric switch portion corresponding to each of the pressing portions;
The liquid ejection apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: a resistance detection unit that detects a resistance of the entire detection circuit unit.

Images