JP2008254194A - Liquid container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink cartridge which can rotate an arm smoothly in the direction separating from the liquid surface of ink by making an ink film formed between the arm and the liquid surface of ink in an ink chamber to break off easily. <P>SOLUTION: An ink cartridge 10 has a body 20 provided with an ink chamber 100 and a detection window 140. An arm 70 is provided oscillatably in the ink chamber 100. The arm 70 includes a first part 75 having an indicator portion 72, and a second part 76 having a float portion 73. The first part 75 has a vertical portion 62 extending vertically upward from a shaft hole 78, and an inclined portion 63 extending to the indicator portion 72 while making an acute angle therewith. In the first posture where the indicator portion 72 advanced into the detection window 140, a bend 71 formed by the vertical portion 62 and the inclined portion 63 is positioned higher than the indicator portion 72. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container that stores a liquid such as ink.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as “recording apparatus”) that records an image on recording paper (recording medium) using ink is widely known. The ink jet recording apparatus includes an ink jet recording head. The recording head selectively ejects ink supplied to the recording head from the nozzles toward the recording paper. As a result, an image formed of ink is recorded on the recording paper. An ink cartridge as a liquid container is detachably provided in the ink jet recording apparatus. The ink cartridge stores ink supplied to the recording apparatus, and an ink chamber for storing ink is formed inside the main body.

  As an example of the ink cartridge, Patent Document 1 discloses an ink cartridge having an arm-like member (hereinafter referred to as an “arm”) that is swingably provided in the ink chamber. The arm is configured to swing according to the amount of ink stored using buoyancy. When the amount of ink in the ink chamber becomes less than a predetermined amount, the tip of the arm moves from a detection position where the tip is detected by a detection means such as an optical sensor to a non-detection position. Thereby, the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber is detected. In Patent Document 1, the arm is referred to as a “shutter mechanism”.

JP 2005-262564 A

In the conventional ink cartridge described in Patent Document 1 described above, when the ink chamber is filled with ink, the arm is disposed in the ink. On the other hand, when the ink in the ink chamber gradually decreases, the arm is gradually exposed to the air from the ink level. At this time, when the arm is exposed from the ink liquid level to the air, there may be a case where a waterdrop-shaped or balloon-shaped ink film is formed between the arm and the ink liquid level so as to be pulled by the arm. is there. This ink film
This hinders the swinging motion of the arm and causes detection failure. Such a problem is not limited to the ink cartridge, and may occur in all liquid containers capable of containing a liquid.

  Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and the object of the present invention is to make it easy to break the liquid film formed between the arm and the liquid surface in the storage chamber, and to separate from the liquid surface. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container in which an arm can be smoothly rotated in a moving direction.

  (1) The present invention includes a main body having a storage chamber in which a liquid is stored, a first posture in which the first end is stationary at a predetermined position, and the first end is provided in a swingable manner in the storage chamber. An arm that changes posture between a second posture separated from a predetermined position and a buoyancy body that is provided at a second end opposite to the first end and is displaced according to the amount of liquid in the storage chamber. The liquid container is provided. The arm includes a first arm portion that extends from the first end to the swing shaft of the arm, and a second arm portion that extends from the swing shaft to the second end. In the liquid container, at least a part of the first arm portion is disposed at a position higher than the first end in a state where the arm is in the first posture.

  The arm is provided so as to be swingable in the accommodation chamber. When the amount of liquid in the storage chamber increases or decreases, the buoyancy body is displaced in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the arm rotates between the first posture and the second posture around the swing axis.

  When the storage chamber is filled with the liquid, the arm is disposed in the liquid. When the liquid in the storage chamber is used and gradually decreases, the arm is gradually exposed to the air from the liquid level. At this time, a part of the first arm portion located higher than the first end of the arm is exposed to the air before the first end. Therefore, even when a liquid film is formed between the arm and the liquid surface when the arm is exposed to the air from the liquid surface, the liquid film is immediately interrupted. As a result, the movement of the arm that attempts to move away from the liquid surface becomes smooth.

  (2) The first arm portion extends to the first end at an acute angle from a first member extending vertically upward with respect to the liquid surface from the swing shaft, and an end of the first member. Second member. With this configuration, it is difficult for a liquid film such as an ink film to be formed on the first member, so that a liquid film is hardly generated on the entire first arm portion.

  (3) In the liquid container of the present invention, it is preferable that the liquid container further includes a holding unit that holds the arm in the first posture when the liquid in the storage chamber is a predetermined amount or more.

  (4) The first arm part and the second arm part are respectively disposed in two spaces separated by a plane including the swing shaft. Thereby, since each weight of a 1st arm part and a 2nd arm part is arrange | positioned with sufficient balance, when turning an arm, big force is not required. In addition, the buoyancy body or the entire arm can be reduced in size.

  (5) In the liquid container of the present invention, the liquid container further includes a hollow projecting portion that protrudes from the predetermined wall surface of the main body toward the outside of the main body, and the inside is continuously formed in the storage chamber. Is preferred. In this case, the first posture is a posture in which the first end enters the inside of the protruding portion, and the second posture is a posture in which the first end is withdrawn from the inside of the protruding portion.

  (6) The protrusion is made of a light-transmitting member, and displays the movement of the first end that advances and retracts into the protrusion as the amount of liquid in the storage chamber. In a liquid container equipped with such an arm, the movement of the arm is made smooth, so that erroneous detection of the liquid amount is prevented.

  (7) In the liquid container of the present invention, a protrusion is provided on at least the outer peripheral surface of the first arm portion. This makes it difficult to form a liquid film between the arm and the liquid surface. Even if a liquid film is formed, the liquid film is easily broken by the protrusions.

  (8) It is desirable that the tip of the protrusion is formed in a pointed shape.

  (9) It is desirable that the protrusion protrude in the swinging direction of the arm.

  (10) At least the first arm portion has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape so that an end portion in the swinging direction of the arm has an acute angle. In this case, the protrusion is provided on the inclined surface in the swing direction.

  (11) The present invention is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has a main body having a storage chamber in which a liquid is stored, a predetermined wall surface of the main body projecting from the main body toward the outside of the main body, and the inside is formed in the storage chamber A substantially hollow box-shaped protrusion formed continuously, a first posture in which the first end enters the inside of the protrusion, and the first end is the protrusion. An arm that changes posture between the second posture that has left the interior of the inside, a buoyancy body that is provided at a second end opposite to the first end, and is displaced according to the amount of liquid in the storage chamber, and A portion of the arm that extends from the first end to the swing axis of the arm, and at least a portion of the arm is disposed at a position higher than the first end when the arm is in the first posture. The arm part and a portion of the arm that extends from the swing shaft to the second end are configured. A second arm portion, is specifically realized as a liquid container having a, a projection provided on the outer peripheral surface of at least said first arm portion.

  (12) The present invention provides a main body having a storage chamber in which a liquid is stored, a first posture in which the first end is stationary at a predetermined position, and the first end is provided in a swingable manner in the storage chamber. An arm that changes posture between a second posture separated from a predetermined position and a buoyancy body that is provided at a second end opposite to the first end and is displaced according to the amount of liquid in the storage chamber. The arm includes a first arm portion extending from the first end to the swing shaft of the arm, and a second arm portion extending from the swing shaft to the second end, and at least the first arm portion. It can also be regarded as a liquid container in which protrusions are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the arm portion.

  (13) Further, the present invention provides a main body having a storage chamber in which a liquid is stored, a first posture that is swingably provided in the storage chamber and has a first end stationary at a predetermined position, and the first end. Is provided at an arm that changes posture between a second posture separated from the predetermined position and a second end opposite to the first end, and is displaced according to the amount of liquid in the storage chamber And the arm has a first arm portion extending from the first end to the swing shaft of the arm, and a second arm portion extending from the swing shaft to the second end, and at least the above-mentioned arm The first arm portion may be regarded as a liquid container in which the end portion in the swing direction is formed at an acute angle.

  According to the present invention, the liquid film formed between the arm and the liquid surface is easily interrupted. As a result, the arm can be smoothly rotated in the direction away from the liquid surface.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In addition, this embodiment is only an example which actualized this invention, and it cannot be overemphasized that embodiment can be changed suitably in the range which does not change the summary of this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external shape of an ink cartridge 10 (an example of a liquid container of the present invention) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the ink cartridge 10. The ink cartridge 10 is used by being mounted on a recording apparatus typified by an ink jet printer. Although not described in detail, the ink cartridge 10 is configured to be detachable from a cartridge housing portion included in the recording apparatus. When the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the cartridge housing portion, the ink stored in the ink cartridge 10 is stored. Can be supplied to the recording head of the recording apparatus.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink cartridge 10 is configured as a substantially hexahedron having a flat shape. Specifically, the ink cartridge 10 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is thin in the width direction (the direction of the arrow 31) and whose height direction (the direction of the arrow 32) and depth direction (the direction of the arrow 33) are longer than the width direction. Has been.

  The ink cartridge 10 is roughly divided into a main body 20 (see FIG. 2, corresponding to the main body of the present invention), a first cover 21, a second cover 22, and coil springs 23 and 24 (see FIG. 7). . The exterior of the ink cartridge 10 includes a first cover 21 and a second cover 22. The main body 20 is formed with an ink chamber 100 (corresponding to a storage chamber of the present invention) in which ink is stored. The main body 20 is covered with the covers 21 and 22. In the present embodiment, the main body 20, the first cover 21, and the second cover 22 are made of a resin material. Examples of the resin material include nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

  The ink cartridge 10 is in the upright state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, that is, the lower surface in the drawing is the bottom surface, and the upper surface in the drawing is the upper surface, and the arrow 30 (FIGS. 2 (see FIG. 2) (hereinafter referred to as “insertion direction 30”).

  The first cover 21 and the second cover 22 cover substantially the entire main body 20. Specifically, a portion on the front side of the main body 20 in the insertion direction 30 (hereinafter referred to as “front portion”) 20 a (see FIG. 3) is covered by the first cover 21, and a portion on the rear side in the insertion direction of the main body 20. (Hereinafter referred to as “rear part”) 20 b (see FIG. 3) is covered by the second cover 22. Thereby, the front side of the main body 20 is protected by the first cover 21, and the rear side of the main body 20 is protected by the second cover 22.

  In the present embodiment, the first cover 21 is provided so as to slide in the depth direction (the direction of the arrow 33) with respect to the main body 20. FIGS. 1A and 2A show a state in which the first cover 21 is slid to the second position closest to the front surface 41 (corresponding to a predetermined wall surface of the present invention) of the main body 20. FIG. 1B and FIG. 2B show a state where the first cover 21 is slid to the first position farthest from the front surface 41 of the main body 20. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first cover 21 is slid to the second position, whereby a rod 84 of an air communication valve 80 described later is pressed, and the ink supply valve 90 is exposed to the outside. Is done. Further, when the first cover 21 is slid to the first position, the rod 84 of the atmosphere communication valve 80 is restored to the original state, and the ink supply valve 90 is immersed in the first cover 21. The mechanism for sliding the first cover 21 will be described in detail later.

  Next, the main body 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 is a perspective view showing the external shape of the main body 20. FIG. 3A is a perspective view seen from the front surface 41 side of the main body 20, and FIG. The perspective view seen from the rear surface 42 side is shown. FIG. 4 is a side view of the main body 20. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line V-V in FIG. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing in detail the cross-sectional structure of the main body 20 on the front surface 31 side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the main body 20 has an outer shape substantially the same shape as the ink cartridge 10 and is configured as a substantially hexahedron having a flat shape. The main body 20 is mounted in a cartridge housing portion (not shown) of the recording apparatus in the standing state shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, in the main body 20, the front side surface in the insertion direction 30 is the front surface 41, the rear side surface in the insertion direction 30 is the rear surface 42, and the vertically upper side surface. The surface is referred to as an upper surface 43, and the vertically lower surface is referred to as a lower surface 44. Two surfaces adjacent to the front surface 41, the rear surface 42, the upper surface 43, and the lower surface 44 and facing each other are referred to as side surfaces 45 and 46, respectively. The left side is the left side 45 when viewed from the rear side 42, and the right side is the right side 46. In the present embodiment, the pair of side surfaces 45 and 46 has a maximum area in the main body 20.

  The main body 20 is roughly composed of a frame 50, an arm 70 (corresponding to the arm of the present invention), an air communication valve 80, an ink supply valve 90, and a transparent film (not shown). The film is welded to both side surfaces of the frame 50 (the left and right surfaces in FIG. 3). As a result, an ink chamber 100 capable of containing ink is formed inside the frame 50 and the film. In addition, in FIG.3 and FIG.4, the said film is abbreviate | omitted.

  The frame 50 is a member constituting the housing of the main body 20 and forms the six surfaces 41 to 46 of the main body 20. Therefore, the six surfaces 41 to 46 of the main body 20 coincide with the six surfaces of the frame 50. In the following, each surface of the frame 50 is shown using the reference numerals attached to each surface of the main body 20.

  The frame 50 is made of a translucent transparent or translucent resin material, and can be obtained, for example, by injection molding a resin material. Examples of the resin material include polyacetal, nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame 50 includes an outer peripheral wall 51 and a plurality of inner walls 52. The inner wall 52 is disposed inside the outer peripheral wall 51. The outer peripheral wall 51 and the inner wall 52 are integrally formed as a frame 50. The outer peripheral wall 51 and the inner wall 52 are provided from the left side 45 to the right side 46 of the main body 20. The outer peripheral wall 51 is annularly arranged along the front surface 41, the upper surface 43, the rear surface 42, and the lower surface 44 so as to form a space therein. As a result, an opening 57 a is formed on the left side surface 45 of the frame 50, and an opening 57 b is formed on the right side surface 46.

  A thin film (not shown) made of a transparent resin is welded to each of the side surfaces 45 and 46 of the frame 50 by a well-known thermal welding method. The opening 57a and the opening 57b are closed by the film. Thereby, a space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 51 and the film is partitioned as the ink chamber 100. Ink is stored in the ink chamber 100 thus partitioned. In this embodiment, the ink chamber 100 is formed by the frame 50 and the filter. However, for example, the ink chamber 100 may be formed inside the frame 50 by forming the frame 50 itself in a rectangular parallelepiped container shape. Absent.

  The inner wall 52 is disposed in a region surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 51. The film is also welded to the outer edge portions of the inner wall 52 on the side surfaces 45 and 46 side. Thereby, the slack of the film can be suppressed. Even if the first cover 21 and the second cover 22 are deformed to the main body 20 side, the deformation of the first cover 21 and the second cover 22 is restricted by the inner wall 52. Thereby, damage to the main body 20 and the film can be prevented.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, an ink injection portion 150 is formed on the rear surface 42 of the frame 50. The ink injection unit 150 is a substantially cylindrical hole that is formed on the ink chamber 100 side from the rear surface 42. The ink injection unit 150 communicates with the ink chamber 100. The ink injection unit 150 is for injecting ink into the ink chamber 100, and the ink flows into the ink chamber 100 through the ink injection unit 150. The ink injection unit 150 is formed integrally with the frame 50 in the vicinity of the lower end of the rear surface 42.

  A detection window 140 (corresponding to a protruding portion of the present invention) is formed on the front surface 41 of the frame 50. The detection window 140 is for visually or optically detecting the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 100. The detection window 140 is formed integrally with the frame 50. Therefore, the detection window 140 is made of the same material as that of the frame 50, that is, a translucent transparent or translucent resin material. Therefore, the detection window 140 can transmit light from the outside. The detection window 140 is irradiated with detection light by an optical sensor such as a photo interrupter attached to the recording apparatus. The optical sensor has a light emitting element and a light receiving element. In the present embodiment, the detection light emitted from the light emitting element is applied to the side wall 140b (see FIG. 3), and the detection light transmitted through the side wall 140b is received by the light receiving element.

  The detection window 140 protrudes from the middle of the front surface 41 of the main body 20 toward the outside of the main body 20. That is, the detection window 140 is provided so as to protrude in a direction opposite to the ink chamber 100 (leftward in FIGS. 4 and 5). As shown in the drawing, the detection window 140 is partitioned by five substantially rectangular wall surfaces, and the inside is formed in a substantially box shape having a hollow shape. Specifically, the detection window 140 is a pair of a rectangular front wall 140a that is parallel to the front face 41 and spaced outward from the front face 41 by a predetermined distance, and two widthwise sides of the front wall 140a. The side wall 140b is partitioned by an upper wall 140c including the upper side of the front wall 140a and a lower wall 140d including the lower side of the front wall 140a. Note that the width of the front wall 140a (the dimension in the direction of arrow 31 in FIG. 3) is smaller than the width of the front surface 51.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a space 142 surrounded by a front wall 140 a, a side wall 140 b, an upper wall 140 c and a lower wall 140 d is formed inside the detection window 140. A wall is not provided on the ink chamber 100 side of the detection window 140, and the space 142 continues to the ink chamber 100. The indicator portion 72 of the arm 70 enters or leaves the space 142. In FIG. 5, a posture in which the indicator unit 72 enters the space 142 (hereinafter referred to as “first posture”) is indicated by a solid line, and a posture in which the indicator unit 72 has left the space 142 (hereinafter referred to as “second posture”). Are indicated by broken lines.

  The arm 70 is a member for detecting the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 100. At one end (first end) of the arm 70, an indicator portion 72 that enters or leaves the space 142 is provided. A float 73 (corresponding to a buoyancy body of the present invention) is provided at the other end (second end) of the arm 70. The arm 70 is swingably supported by a rib 74 erected at the center of the outer peripheral wall 51 in the width direction (the direction of the arrow 31). The rib 74 is provided on the outer peripheral wall 51 near the corner formed by the front surface 41 and the lower surface 44. The rib 74 is provided with a support shaft 77 (see FIG. 5) for supporting the arm 70. By inserting a shaft hole 78 provided in the arm 70 through the support shaft 77, the arm 70 is supported to be swingable in the direction of the arrow 35 about the support shaft 77.

  Hereinafter, the configuration and movement of the arm 70 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 and 10 to 12. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the external shape of the arm 70. FIG. FIGS. 11A and 11B are diagrams showing an external configuration of the arm 70, where FIG. 11A is a left side view, FIG. 11B is a front view, and FIG. 11C is a right side view. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along section line XII-XII in FIG. In FIG. 12, the cut surface is indicated by a solid line, a projection 65 described later is indicated by a bold line, and the other part is indicated by a broken line.

  The arm 70 includes a first portion 75 (corresponding to the first arm portion of the present invention) extending from the shaft hole 78 to the indicator portion 72, and a second portion 76 (second arm of the present invention) extending from the shaft hole 78 to the float portion 73. Part). As shown in FIG. 5, the first portion 75 extends from the shaft hole 78 in the left direction in FIG. 5, and the second portion 76 extends from the shaft hole 78 in the right direction in FIG. 5. Yes. In other words, if the space is divided on a plane including the central axis of the shaft hole 78, the first portion 75 is disposed in one space, and the second portion 76 is disposed in the other space. An arm 70 is configured.

  For example, the float portion 73 is formed in a hollow shape, and serves as a buoyancy body having buoyancy with respect to a liquid such as ink. Therefore, the float part 73 is displaced up and down according to the increase and decrease of the ink amount. Thereby, the arm 70 rotates according to the displacement of the float part 73. In the present embodiment, the float portion 73 is formed so that the second portion 76 floats in the ink. The float 73 may not be hollow, and the float 73 itself may be formed of a material having a specific gravity smaller than the specific gravity of the ink.

  The indicator unit 72 is for indicating the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 100. When the arm 70 is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 5, the indicator unit 72 enters the space 142 of the detection window 140. The indicator part 72 that has entered the space 142 abuts against the lower wall 140d of the detection window 140 and is prevented from entering further. As a result, the arm 70 is in the first posture. On the other hand, when the arm 70 is rotated in the clockwise direction in FIG. 5, the indicator portion 72 is separated from the lower wall 140d, and a part thereof is retracted from the space 142 (see the broken line in FIG. 5). The indicator part 72 that has left is stationary at a position separated from the lower wall 140d by a predetermined distance. As a result, the arm 70 is in the second posture.

  The indicator part 72 is provided with two pin members 131 and 132. The pin member 131 is provided at the upper end of the indicator portion 72. Further, the pin member 132 is provided at the lower part of the indicator portion 72. These pin members 132 are small-diameter columnar members and are formed integrally with the arm 70. Both pin members 131 and 132 extend in the thickness direction of the indicator portion 72 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 11A). The extending length of the pin members 131 and 132 is larger than the thickness of the indicator portion 72. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the pin members 131 and 132 protrude in the thickness direction of the indicator portion 72 to the extent that they do not contact the side wall 140b. Since the pin members 131 and 132 are provided, the distance between the indicator portion 72 and the side wall 140b is restricted to a certain length. Thereby, the movement of the indicator part 72 becomes smooth without being impaired by the surface tension of the ink. Moreover, since such pin members 131 and 132 are provided, it is not necessary to unnecessarily increase the width of the detection window 140. That is, in the ink cartridge 10 of the present embodiment, the width of the detection window 140 can be reduced.

  End portions (hereinafter referred to as “protruding ends”) 134 in the protruding direction of the pin members 131 and 132 are formed into spherical surfaces (see FIGS. 10 and 11B). Therefore, even if the protruding ends 134 of the pin members 131 and 132 come into contact with the side wall 140b, they come into contact with each other at a point. Therefore, the movement of the indicator part 72 does not become extremely dull by contact. Further, when the ink in the detection window 140 runs out, even if the ink adheres to the contact portion between the protruding end 134 and the side wall 140b, the amount of adhered ink can be minimized. When ink adheres to the contact portion, a phenomenon that the ink is attracted by the pin members 131 and 132, the side wall 140b, and the surface tension of the ink occurs. However, in this embodiment, the amount of ink that adheres is small, and thus the phenomenon is unlikely to occur. Therefore, the advancing / retreating operation of the indicator unit 70 with respect to the detection window 140 becomes smooth.

  In the present embodiment, the arm 70 is formed such that the first portion 75 extending from the shaft hole 78 to the indicator portion 72 is lighter than the second portion 76 extending from the shaft hole 78 to the float portion 73. Therefore, the second portion 76 is heavier than the first portion 75 in the air. Therefore, the arm 70 is pulled in the gravity direction of the float portion 73 in a state where the ink chamber 100 is not filled with ink. As a result, the arm 70 rotates clockwise about the support shaft 77. At this time, the indicator unit 72 leaves the space 142 of the detection window 140. That is, when the indicator unit 72 has left the space 142, it can be detected that no ink is contained in the ink chamber 100. Note that when the lower end of the float portion 73 comes into contact with the bottom surface of the ink chamber 100, the rotation of the arm 70 is stopped and the posture (second posture) is maintained. At this time, the indicator part 72 stops at a predetermined position where a part thereof has left the space 142 (see the broken line in FIG. 5). The indicator unit 72 does not need to completely exit the space 142. For example, the indicator unit 72 may exit to a position where the detection light is not irradiated in the space 142.

  On the other hand, when a predetermined amount of ink is stored in the ink chamber 100 and the float unit 73 is immersed in the ink, buoyancy is generated in the float unit 73. This buoyancy reverses the weight balance between the first portion 75 and the second portion 76. That is, in the ink, the force acting in the gravity direction of the float portion 73 is smaller than the force acting in the weight direction of the indicator portion 72. Therefore, the arm 70 is pulled relatively in the direction of gravity of the indicator portion 72. As a result, the arm 70 rotates counterclockwise about the support shaft 77. At this time, the indicator unit 72 enters the space 142 of the detection window 140. When the lower end of the indicator portion 72 comes into contact with the lower wall 140d, the rotation of the arm 70 is stopped and the posture (first posture) is maintained. That is, when the indicator unit 72 enters the space 142, it can be detected that a predetermined amount of ink is stored in the ink chamber 100. Thus, the lower wall 140d that holds the arm 70 in the first posture corresponds to the holding portion of the present invention.

  Since the arm 70 operates as described above, the position of the indicator unit 72 in the space 142 is visually confirmed from the outside of the detection window 140, or is monitored by a photosensor such as a photo interrupter, so that the inside of the ink chamber 100 is detected. It is possible to detect whether the amount of ink is constant. In other words, the amount of ink in the ink chamber 100 is displayed outside by the movement of the indicator unit 72.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, at least a part of the first arm portion 75 is disposed at a position higher than the position of the indicator portion 72 in a state where the arm 70 is in the first posture. Specifically, a later-described bent portion 71 provided in the first arm portion 75 and its peripheral portion are disposed at a position higher than the position of the indicator portion 72. The effect of the arrangement of the arm 70 will be described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the first portion 75 from the shaft hole 78 to the indicator portion 72 has a bent portion 71. The bent portion 71 includes a vertical portion 62 (corresponding to the first member of the present invention) that extends in the vertical direction from the shaft hole 78 in a state where the arm 70 is in the first posture, and a vertical portion of the vertical portion 62. An inclined portion 63 (corresponding to the second member of the present invention) extending obliquely downward from the upper end to the indicator portion 72 is formed. In the embodiment, the first portion 75 is formed so that the angle formed by the inclined portion 63 and the vertical portion 62 is an acute angle.

  The 1st site | part 75 is comprised with the thin plate-shaped member as FIG.10 and FIG.11 shows. Specifically, the first portion 75 has a short dimension in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 5, that is, is formed thin, and has an elongated shape in the swinging direction of the arm 70 (the direction of the arrow 35 in FIG. 5). ing. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the cross section of the first portion 75 is formed in a substantially trapezoid shape that is elongated in the swing direction (see the hatched portion in FIG. 12).

  The first portion 75 is provided with an elongated rib 64 along the longitudinal direction of the first portion 75. The ribs 64 are provided on both the left side surface and the right side surface in the first portion 75 (see FIGS. 12A and 12B). The first portion 75 is reinforced by the rib 64.

  A plurality of protrusions 65 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the first portion 75. These protrusions 65 are provided to prevent an ink film from being formed between the first portion 75 and the ink liquid surface, or to make the formed ink film easily cut off. Specifically, the protrusion 65 is provided on the end surface 66 of the first portion 75 in the swing direction. The end surface 66 is an inclined surface that appears on the swinging direction side of the arm 70 when the first portion 75 has a substantially trapezoidal cross section. The tip of the end surface 66 in the swing direction (the tip in the vertical direction with respect to the paper surface of FIG. 12) is formed at an acute angle. In other words, the end of the end surface 66 in the swing direction is formed in a blade shape. On the end face 66, a plurality of protrusions 65 are disposed at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the first portion 75. Note that the interval between the protrusions 65 is appropriately determined according to the ink film that is formed in the ink chamber 100 in the form of a waterdrop or balloon.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the protrusion 65 is provided so as to protrude in the swing direction. Specifically, the protrusion 65 protrudes in the vertical direction from the end surface 66 in the swing direction of each of the vertical portion 62 and the inclined portion 63. The protrusion 65 is formed in a shape with a sharp tip (pointed shape). The effect of providing such a protrusion will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a circular opening 82 is provided above the front surface 41 of the frame 50, in other words, above the detection window 140. A cylindrical valve accommodating chamber 55 is formed on the inner side of the frame 50 continuously from the opening 82. The valve storage chamber 55 extends in the depth direction of the main body 20 (the direction of the arrow 33). The valve storage chamber 55 communicates with the ink chamber 100 at the back. An air communication valve 80 is accommodated in the valve accommodating chamber 55.

  The air communication valve 80 is configured as a valve mechanism that opens or closes an air path from the opening 82 to the ink chamber 100. The atmospheric communication valve 80 is mainly composed of members such as a valve main body 87, a spring 86, a seal member 83, and a cap 85. The valve main body 87 is provided in the valve accommodating chamber 55 so as to be slidable in the depth direction of the main body 20. The valve body 87 includes a lid 88 (corresponding to the lid of the present invention) and a rod 84. When the valve main body 87 is slid in the valve accommodating chamber 55, the position where the lid 88 abuts on the seal member 83 (corresponding to the third position of the present invention) and the position away from the seal member 83 in accordance with the sliding operation ( (Corresponding to the fourth position of the present invention). When the lid 88 abuts against the seal member 83, an atmosphere communication port 81 (corresponding to the first hole of the present invention) described later is closed, and when the lid 88 is separated from the seal member 83, the atmosphere communication port 81 is opened. The The rod 84 projects outward from the central axis of the lid 88 through the center of the opening 82. As shown in FIG. 6, the rod 84 protrudes most outward among the members provided on the front surface 41.

  A cap 85 is attached to the outer edge portion of the opening 82 via a seal member 83. The cap 85 and the seal member 83 are provided with through holes (not shown). When the cap 85 and the seal member 83 are attached to the outer edge portion of the opening 82, the air communication port 81 that connects the inside and the outside of the valve housing chamber 55 is formed by the through hole. A rod 84 is inserted into the atmosphere communication port 81.

  In the valve accommodating chamber 55, the spring 86 urges the valve main body 87 in the direction of closing the air path. That is, the spring 86 urges the valve body 87 in a direction in which the lid 88 is brought closer to the seal member 83. Therefore, the atmosphere communication valve 80 normally closes the atmosphere communication port 81 with the lid 88. On the other hand, when the rod 84 is pressed toward the back side of the opening 82, the cover 88 of the valve body 87 is separated from the seal member 83 against the biasing force of the spring 86, and the atmosphere communication port 81 is opened. . Thereby, the air path from the opening 82 to the ink chamber 100 is opened, and the air layer formed in the ink chamber 100 becomes the same pressure as the atmospheric pressure.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a circular opening 92 is provided below the front surface 42 of the frame 50, in other words, below the detection window 140. A cylindrical valve housing chamber 54 is formed on the inner side of the frame 50 continuously from the opening 92. The valve storage chamber 54 extends in the depth direction of the main body 20. The valve storage chamber 54 communicates with the ink chamber 100 at the back. An ink supply valve 90 is accommodated in the valve accommodating chamber 54.

  The ink supply valve 90 is configured as a valve mechanism that opens or closes the ink path from the opening 92 to the ink chamber 100. The ink supply valve 90 is mainly composed of members such as a valve body 97, a spring 96, a seal member 93, and a cap 95.

  A cap 95 is attached to the outer edge portion of the opening 92 via a seal member 93. The cap 95 and the seal member 93 are provided with through holes (not shown). When the cap 95 and the seal member 93 are attached to the outer edge portion of the opening 92, an ink supply port 91 (corresponding to the second hole of the present invention) that connects the inside and the outside of the valve housing chamber 54 is formed by the through hole. Is done. The ink supply port 91 is a portion into which a tubular ink needle is inserted when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the cartridge housing portion.

  In the valve accommodating chamber 54, the spring 96 urges the valve main body 87 in a direction to close the ink path. That is, the spring 96 urges the valve main body 97 in a direction to approach the seal member 93. Therefore, the ink supply valve 90 normally closes the ink supply port 91 with the valve body 97. On the other hand, when the ink needle is inserted into the ink supply port 91, the valve body 97 is separated from the seal member 93 against the biasing force of the spring 96, and the ink supply port 91 is opened. Thereby, the ink in the ink chamber 100 can be led out to the recording apparatus side through the ink needle.

  A recessed portion 59 is provided on the upper surface 43 of the frame 50. Further, a recessed portion 60 is formed on the lower surface 44. The recessed portions 59 and 60 engage with the protruding pieces 210 and 211 (see FIG. 7) provided on the inner surface of the second cover 22 when the rear portion 20b of the main body 20 is covered with the second cover 22. By fitting the protruding piece 210 into the recessed portion 59 and fitting the protruding piece 211 into the recessed portion 60, the rear portion 20 b and the second cover 22 are reliably engaged.

  As shown in FIG. 5, a spring accommodating chamber 110 is formed above the valve accommodating chamber 55. A spring accommodating chamber 111 is formed below the valve accommodating chamber 54. The spring accommodating chambers 110 and 111 are substantially cylindrical holes drilled from the front surface 41 of the frame 50 to the ink chamber 111 side. Coil springs 23 and 24 (see FIG. 7) for elastically urging the first cover 21 in the insertion direction 30 are accommodated in the spring accommodating chambers 110 and 111, respectively. Note that the positions of the spring accommodating chambers 110 and 111, the outer diameter dimension or the depth dimension of the holes, and the like are elements that are appropriately determined according to the specifications of the accommodated spring. However, in order to stably and evenly bias the long first cover 21 in the height direction of the main body 20 (the direction of the arrow 32), the main body 20 is separated in the height direction as in the present embodiment. It is desirable to arrange the spring accommodating chamber 110 and the spring accommodating chamber 111 at the respective positions.

  A support member 115 is provided at the front end of the upper surface 43 of the frame 50 in the insertion direction. The support member 115 supports the first cover 21 to be slidable with respect to the main body 20 and restricts the sliding range of the first cover 21. The first cover 21 is slidably supported at two points by the support member 115 and a support member 116 described later. The support member 115 is formed integrally with the frame 50. As shown in FIG. 5, the support member 115 includes a first member 118 extending vertically upward from the upper surface 43, and a first member 118 extending in the insertion direction 30 parallel to the upper surface 43 from the terminal end of the first member 118. The second member 119 and the upward-facing hook-shaped third member 120 formed at the end of the second member 119 are configured. That is, the support member 115 is formed in a substantially L shape in the horizontal direction. As a result, a gap 122 is formed between the second member 119 and the upper surface 43. The gap 122 allows the second member 119 to bend in the height direction of the main body 20 (the direction of the arrow 32).

  A support member 116 having substantially the same shape as the support member 115 is provided at the front end in the insertion direction of the lower surface 44 of the frame 50. The support member 116 is formed integrally with the frame 50, and extends in the insertion direction 30 parallel to the lower surface 44 from the end of the first member 124 and the first member 124 extending vertically downward from the lower surface 44. The second member 125 is formed, and a downward-facing hook-shaped third member 126 formed at the end of the second member 125. The effect of providing the support members 115 and 116 will be described later.

  Hereinafter, the slide mechanism of the first cover 21 will be described in detail along with the configurations of the first cover 21 and the second cover 22 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line VII-VII in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line VIII-VIII in FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the ink cartridge 10, and FIG. 9A shows in detail the cross-sectional structure of the enclosing portion IXa (near the upper portion of the first cover 21) in FIG. FIG. 7b shows in detail the cross-sectional structure of the enclosing portion IXb (near the lower portion of the first cover 21) in FIG.

  The second cover 22 is formed in a container shape that can accommodate the rear portion 20 b of the main body 20. The second cover 22 is formed in a flat shape corresponding to the outer shape of the rear portion 20b. Specifically, the second cover 22 corresponds to the rear wall 212 corresponding to the rear surface 42 of the main body 20, the upper wall 213 corresponding to the upper surface 43, the lower wall 214 corresponding to the lower surface 44, and the left side surface 45. It has a left side wall 215 and a right side wall 216 corresponding to the right side surface 46. A space surrounded by these walls is a housing space for housing the rear portion 20b.

  The second cover 22 has an opening (not shown) into which the rear portion 20b is inserted. The rear portion 20 b is covered with the second cover 22 by inserting the rear portion 20 b from the opening to the back of the second cover 22. Protruding pieces 210 and 211 are provided on the opening side of the inner surface of the second cover 22. The protruding pieces 210 and 211 are provided at positions corresponding to the recessed portions 59 and 60. The protruding piece 210 is fitted into a recessed portion 59 provided on the upper surface 43 of the main body 20 when the rear portion 20 b is covered with the second cover 22. Further, the protruding piece 211 is fitted into the recessed portion 60 provided on the lower surface 44 of the main body 20. Thereby, the main body 20 and the 2nd cover 22 engage reliably.

  The first cover 21 is formed in a container shape that can accommodate the front portion 20 a of the main body 20. The first cover 21 is formed in a flat shape corresponding to the outer shape of the front portion 20a. Specifically, the first cover 21 corresponds to the front wall 161 corresponding to the front surface 41 of the main body 20, the upper wall 163 corresponding to the upper surface 43, the lower wall 164 corresponding to the lower surface 44, and the left side surface 45. It has a left side wall 165 (corresponding to the side wall portion of the present invention) and a right side wall 166 (corresponding to the side wall portion of the present invention) corresponding to the right side surface 46. A space surrounded by these walls is a housing space for housing the front portion 20a.

  The left side wall 165 and the right side wall 166 extend from the front wall 161 in the depth direction of the main body 20 and cover the left side surface 45 and the right side surface 46 of the main body 20. Therefore, when the first cover 21 slides as will be described later, the left side wall 165 and the right side wall 166 become guide surfaces for the left side surface 45 and the right side surface 46. Thereby, the 1st cover 21 slides smoothly.

  In the present embodiment, the surface of the first cover 21 is colored in the same color as the ink stored in the ink chamber 100. That is, the front wall 161, the upper wall 163, the lower wall 164, the left side wall 165, and the right side wall 166 constituting the first cover 21 are all colored in the same color as the ink accommodated in the ink chamber 100. For example, it is possible to color the first cover 21 in the same color as the ink by configuring the first cover 21 with a resin material having the same color as the ink. Thereby, even if the ink color in the main body 20 cannot be identified, the ink color can be easily grasped from the outside. In addition, it is not necessary to be exactly the same color as the ink, and it may be colored in a color similar to the ink color. Moreover, it is not necessary to color the whole surface of the 1st cover 21, For example, you may color only the front wall 161 which is easy to visually recognize.

  The first cover 21 includes support bars 168 and 169, sliding grooves 171 and 172, a pressing portion 174 (corresponding to the pressing portion of the present invention), and an opening 180.

  The support bar 168 supports the coil spring 23 and regulates its expansion / contraction direction. Further, the support bar 169 supports the coil spring 24 and regulates its expansion / contraction direction. The support bars 168 and 169 are provided on the back surface of the front wall 161, that is, on the facing surface facing the front surface 41 of the main body 20. Specifically, the support bar 168 is provided on the back surface of the upper end of the front wall 161 at a position corresponding to the spring accommodating chamber 110. Further, the support bar 169 is provided at a position corresponding to the spring accommodating chamber 111 on the back surface of the lower end of the front wall 161.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the support bars 168 and 169 are configured by rod-like members that protrude from the back surface of the front wall 161 in the depth direction of the main body 20 (in the direction of the arrow 33). When the first cover 21 is fitted into the front portion 20 a of the main body 20 in a state where the coil spring 23 is accommodated in the spring accommodating chamber 110 and the coil spring 24 is accommodated in the spring accommodating chamber 111, the support bar 168 is placed inside the coil spring 23. The support bar 169 is inserted into the inner hole of the coil spring 24 through the hole. Accordingly, the coil springs 23 and 24 are supported by the support bars 168 and 169. In addition, the expansion and contraction direction of the coil springs 23 and 24 is restricted to the extending direction of the support bars 168 and 169, that is, the depth direction of the main body 20.

  In the present embodiment, the coil springs 23 and 24 are used as so-called compression coil springs. That is, the coil springs 23 and 24 are compressed and accommodated in the spring accommodating chambers 110 and 111 in a state where the first cover 21 is attached to the front portion 20a. Therefore, regardless of the slide position of the first cover 21, the coil springs 23 and 24 always urge the first cover 21 in a direction away from the front surface 41 of the main body 20.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the sliding groove 171 is configured by forming the upper wall 163 in a substantially reverse U-shape when viewed in cross section. As shown in FIG. 9A, the support member 115 is inserted into the sliding groove 171. A protruding piece 182 is formed on the back surface of the upper wall 163, that is, on the facing surface facing the upper surface 43 of the main body 20. A part of the sliding groove 171 is narrowed by the protruding piece 182. On the other hand, the sliding groove 172 is configured by forming the lower wall 164 in a U shape in a sectional view. As shown in FIG. 9B, the support member 116 is inserted into the sliding groove 172. A protruding piece 183 is formed on the back surface of the lower wall 164, that is, on the facing surface facing the lower surface 44 of the main body 20. A part of the sliding groove 172 is narrowed by the protruding piece 183.

  In the process of attaching the first cover 21 to the front portion 20 a of the main body 20, the support member 115 is inserted into the slide groove 171 and the support member 116 is inserted into the slide groove 172. When the support member 115 is inserted into the sliding groove 171, first, the protruding piece 182 and the third member 120 come into contact with each other. When the support member 115 is further inserted, the support member 115 is bent toward the gap 122 side, and the inclined portion 182a of the protrusion piece 182 and the inclined portion 120a of the third member 120 are in sliding contact with each other. 120 gets over the protruding piece 182. Once the third member 120 gets over the protruding piece 182, even if an attempt is made to pull out the first cover 21, the collar portion of the third member 120 is caught by the protruding piece 182 and cannot be easily extracted. The support member 116 is also inserted into the sliding groove 172 in the same manner as described above.

  In the present embodiment, when the first cover 21 is attached to the front portion 20 a, the first cover 21 is biased in a direction away from the front surface 41 by the coil springs 23 and 24. Therefore, in a state where no external force is applied to the first cover 21, the first cover 21 moves to the first position shown in FIG. 8 and maintains that state. The first cover 21 stops at the first position when the protruding piece 182 and the third member 120 come into contact with each other. On the other hand, when an external force in a direction perpendicular to the front wall 161 is applied to the first cover 21, the first cover 21 slides from the first position (see FIG. 8) to the second position (see FIG. 7).

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a pressing portion 174 is provided on the back surface of the front wall 161. The pressing portion 174 is provided at a position corresponding to the rod 84 of the atmosphere communication valve 80. The pressing portion 174 is a seat that receives the tip of the rod 84. When the first cover 21 is in the first position (see FIG. 8), the pressing portion 174 is away from the tip of the rod 84, and the first cover 21 is moved from the first position to the second position (see FIG. 7). In the process of sliding, the pressing portion 174 contacts the tip of the rod 84. When the first cover 21 is further slid to the second position side, the rod 84 is pushed into the atmosphere communication valve 80 and the atmosphere communication port 81 is opened.

  An opening 180 is formed near the lower end of the front wall 161. The opening 180 is formed at a position corresponding to the ink supply valve 90. The opening 180 is formed in a size that allows the cap 95 of the ink supply valve 90 to be inserted. When the first cover 21 slides from the first position (see FIG. 8) to the second position (see FIG. 7), the slide is made. In the process, the cap 95 is exposed from the opening 180. Thereby, it becomes easy to insert the ink supply port 91 into the ink needle of the cartridge housing portion. It should be noted that an opening or the like is not provided in the vicinity of the upper end of the front wall 161, or in the portion corresponding to the atmospheric communication valve 80 in the front wall 161. Therefore, the atmosphere communication valve 80 is covered with the front wall 161.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the arm 70 is in the first posture, the bent portion 71 provided in the first arm portion 75 and its peripheral portion are arranged at a position higher than the position of the indicator portion 72. Has been. Therefore, when the ink in the ink chamber 100 gradually decreases and the arm 70 is exposed to the air from the ink liquid level, it is difficult to form an ink film between the arm 70 and the ink liquid level. Even if an ink film is formed, the ink film is likely to be interrupted from the bent portion 71 side. As a result, the operation of the arm 70 trying to move away from the ink liquid surface becomes smooth.

  Further, since the plurality of protrusions 65 are provided in the first portion 75 of the arm 70, even if an ink film is formed between the arm 70 and the ink liquid surface, the ink film is broken by the protrusion 65. Thereby, the operation of the arm 70 becomes smoother.

  In the present embodiment, the protrusion 65 is provided on the end surface 66 of the first part 75, but the protrusion 65 may be provided on the entire outer peripheral surface of the first part 75. In the first portion 75, the protrusion 65 may be provided only on the inclined portion 63. Even with this configuration, it is difficult to form the ink film, or the ink film can be easily cut off.

  In the present embodiment, the example in which the protrusion 65 is formed on the end surface 66 of the first portion 75 has been described. For example, even if the protrusion 65 is not provided, the ink film is formed by the end surface 66 formed in a blade shape. Can be effectively interrupted. Even if the blade-like end surface 66 is not formed and only the protrusion 65 is provided in the first portion 75, the ink film can be interrupted.

  Further, the present invention is suitably used not only for the ink cartridge 10 containing ink but also for all liquid containers containing liquid, particularly viscous liquid.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an ink cartridge 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the ink cartridge 10. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external shape of the main body 20. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the main body 20 as viewed from the front surface 41 side, and FIG. 3B is a rear view 42 of the main body 20. A perspective view from the side is shown. FIG. 4 is a side view of the main body 20. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the section line V-V in FIG. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view showing in detail the cross-sectional structure of the main body 20 on the front surface 31 side. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line VII-VII in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line VIII-VIII in FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the main part of the ink cartridge 10, and FIG. 9A shows in detail the cross-sectional structure of the enclosing portion IXa (near the upper portion of the first cover 21) in FIG. FIG. 7b shows in detail the cross-sectional structure of the enclosing portion IXb (near the lower portion of the first cover 21) in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the external shape of the arm 70. FIGS. 11A and 11B are views showing the external configuration of the arm 70, where FIG. 11A is a left side view, FIG. 11B is a front view, and FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along section line XII-XII in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Ink cartridge 20 ... Main body 21 ... 1st cover (sliding member)
22 ... second cover 23, 24 ... coil spring (elastic member)
50 ... Frame 62 ... Vertical part (first member)
63 ... inclined part (second member)
70 ... arm 72 ... indicator part 73 ... float part (buoyancy body)
75 ... 1st part (1st arm part)
76 ... 2nd part (2nd arm part)
80 ... Atmospheric communication valve (atmospheric communication part)
81 ... Air communication port 90 ... Ink supply valve (ink outlet)
91: Ink supply port 100 ... Ink chamber (accommodating chamber)
140 ... detection window (protruding part)
174 ... Pressing part

Claims (13)

A main body having a storage chamber in which a liquid is stored;
An arm that is swingably provided in the housing chamber and that changes its posture between a first posture in which the first end is stationary at a predetermined position and a second posture in which the first end is spaced from the predetermined position;
A buoyancy body provided at a second end opposite to the first end and displaced in accordance with the amount of liquid in the storage chamber;
The arm has a first arm portion extending from the first end to the swing shaft of the arm, and a second arm portion extending from the swing shaft to the second end,
A liquid container in which at least a part of the first arm portion is disposed at a position higher than the first end in a state where the arm is in the first posture.   The first arm portion includes a first member extending vertically upward with respect to the liquid surface from the swing shaft, and a first member extending to the first end at an acute angle to a terminal end of the first member. The liquid container according to claim 1, comprising two members.   The liquid container according to claim 1, further comprising a holding portion that holds the arm in the first posture when the amount of liquid in the storage chamber is equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.   4. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the first arm part and the second arm part are disposed in two spaces separated by a plane including the swing axis. 5. A projecting portion projecting from a predetermined wall surface of the main body toward the outside of the main body, further comprising a hollow projecting portion in which the inside is continuously formed in the housing chamber;
5. The first posture is a posture in which the first end has entered the inside of the protruding portion, and the second posture is a posture in which the first end has retreated from the inside of the protruding portion. A liquid container according to any one of the above.   The said protrusion part is comprised with the member which has translucency, and displays the motion of the said 1st end which advances / retreats in the inside of the said protrusion part as a liquid quantity in the said storage chamber. Liquid container.   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a protrusion is provided on at least the outer peripheral surface of the first arm portion.   The liquid container according to claim 7, wherein a tip of the protrusion is formed in a pointed shape.   The liquid container according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the protrusion protrudes in a swinging direction of the arm. At least the first arm portion has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape so that the end of the swinging direction of the arm has an acute angle.
The liquid container according to claim 7, wherein the protrusion is provided on an inclined surface in the swing direction. A main body having a storage chamber that is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and stores a liquid;
A substantially hollow box-like projecting portion that protrudes from the predetermined wall surface of the main body toward the outside of the main body, and the inside is formed continuously with the storage chamber;
It is provided so as to be able to swing in the accommodation chamber, and changes its posture between a first posture in which the first end enters the inside of the protruding portion and a second posture in which the first end leaves the inside of the protruding portion. Arm,
A buoyancy body provided at a second end opposite to the first end and displaced according to the amount of liquid in the storage chamber;
A portion of the arm that extends from the first end to the swing axis of the arm, and at least a part of the arm is disposed at a position higher than the first end when the arm is in the first posture. 1 arm part,
A second arm portion constituting a portion from the swing shaft to the second end in the arm;
A liquid container comprising at least a protrusion provided on an outer peripheral surface of the first arm portion. A main body having a storage chamber in which a liquid is stored;
An arm that is swingably provided in the housing chamber and that changes its posture between a first posture in which the first end is stationary at a predetermined position and a second posture in which the first end is spaced from the predetermined position;
A buoyancy body provided at a second end opposite to the first end and displaced in accordance with the amount of liquid in the storage chamber;
The arm has a first arm portion extending from the first end to the swing shaft of the arm, and a second arm portion extending from the swing shaft to the second end,
A liquid container in which a protrusion is provided on at least the outer peripheral surface of the first arm portion. A main body having a storage chamber in which a liquid is stored;
An arm that is swingably provided in the housing chamber and that changes its posture between a first posture in which the first end is stationary at a predetermined position and a second posture in which the first end is spaced from the predetermined position;
A buoyancy body provided at a second end opposite to the first end and displaced in accordance with the amount of liquid in the storage chamber;
The arm has a first arm portion extending from the first end to the swing shaft of the arm, and a second arm portion extending from the swing shaft to the second end,
At least the first arm portion is a liquid container in which an end in the swing direction is formed at an acute angle.

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