JP2009012425A - Liquid receiving container - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid receiving container in which a flow path offset unit is made to have aligning property specially in a direction crossing offset direction. <P>SOLUTION: An ink cartridge 100 has a liquid receiving body 107b, a first liquid lead-out member 107a, and an offset flow path unit 111. The offset flow path unit includes a first liquid lead-out needle 111a installed on one end side of the flow path and connected to a first liquid lead-out member and a second liquid lead-out member 109 installed on the other end side of the flow path and arranged at a second central position C2 offset from a first central position C1 of the first liquid lead-out member. In the offset flow path unit, a second central position is arranged movably in a crossing direction B with respect to a straight-linear direction A connecting the first and second centers, and the second liquid lead-out member has aligning property with respect to a second liquid lead-out needle 202 installed on the liquid consumption device side. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container suitable for an ink cartridge for a printer, for example.

  Liquid jet heads such as textile printing devices, micro dispensers, and commercial inkjet recording devices that require ultra-high quality printing receive supply of liquid to be discharged from a liquid container, but are not supplied with liquid. If it is operated in a state where it is not in operation, the jet head is damaged due to so-called idle driving, and it is necessary to monitor the remaining amount of liquid in the container to prevent this.

  In view of this, various types of recording apparatuses have been proposed in which an ink cartridge itself, which is a liquid container for storing ink, is provided with a remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount of ink.

  Incidentally, the ink cartridges mounted on the recording apparatus can be roughly classified into those that are open to the atmosphere and those that are sealed.

  An air release type ink cartridge has an air release hole communicating with an ink storage portion defined in the cartridge, and introduces outside air into the ink storage portion as the ink stored in the ink storage portion is consumed. Thus, since the atmospheric pressure can be used to supply ink from the ink cartridge to the recording apparatus side, the container configuration can be simplified and the ink cartridge is suitable for a relatively small-capacity ink cartridge.

  On the other hand, a sealed ink cartridge has an ink container formed of a flexible bag body or the like having a sealed structure so as to suppress ink deterioration due to contact with the atmosphere. Suitable for large-capacity ink cartridges because the quality can be stably maintained over a long period of time, but may be equipped with a pressurizing means that pressurizes the flexible bag body, which is the ink container, from the outside. Compared to the mold, the cartridge and the recording apparatus tend to be large.

  When such an ink cartridge is equipped with a remaining amount detecting means, the assembly process of the cartridge is simplified to improve the productivity, so that the remaining amount detecting means can be easily attached to the cartridge case (container body). It is an important issue.

  Up to now, as an air release type ink cartridge in which the remaining amount detecting means can be easily attached, an attachment hole penetrating the ink containing portion is formed in a container body having an ink containing portion, and the remaining amount is provided in the attaching hole. A device in which the detection means is screwed in has been developed.

  In this case, the remaining amount detecting means is provided in the container body by being screwed into the mounting hole and fitted in a protruding manner and radially outward from the outer periphery of the cylindrical portion. Based on the residual vibration with respect to the vibration oscillated in the ink container by the piezoelectric device, comprising a locking piece that engages with the locking portion and is fixed to the container body, and a piezoelectric device embedded in the cylindrical portion. Thus, the remaining amount of ink in the ink container is detected (for example, Patent Document 1).

In this ink cartridge, the remaining amount detecting means can be attached to the container body only by screwing the remaining amount detecting means into the mounting hole formed in the container body, thereby simplifying the assembly process of the cartridge and improving the productivity. Can do.
JP 2001-328280 A

  However, in the case of a sealed ink cartridge, the screw-in type remaining amount detecting means employed in the above-described air-release type ink cartridge cannot be applied as it is.

  In the case of an ink cartridge that is open to the atmosphere, the vibration characteristics in the ink storage chamber change significantly according to the ink consumption due to the outside air introduced into the ink storage chamber as the ink is consumed. With a simple residual vibration measurement by the device, the remaining amount of ink can be detected fairly accurately, and the piezoelectric device can be made compact.

  However, in the case of a sealed ink cartridge, even if ink is consumed, outside air is not introduced into the ink containing chamber. Cannot be detected. Therefore, as the remaining amount detecting means, it has been proposed to perform a pressure (flow rate) measurement that changes in accordance with the remaining amount of ink. The remaining amount detecting means itself is increased in size because it is equipped with a sensor that detects fluctuations in the amount of ink flowing into the path.

  The applicant of the present application has proposed a liquid container that can prevent an increase in size of the ink cartridge when applied to, for example, a sealed ink cartridge.

  According to the structure, for example, the ink detection unit is configured such that the ink on the printer side is at the second center position offset from the first center position of the ink lead-out member connected to the ink pack (liquid container). Connected with the lead-out needle. That is, the ink detection unit is an offset flow path unit that offsets the flow path, and the remaining amount of ink derived from the ink pack is determined in the middle of the flow path between the offset first and second center positions. Detected.

  Here, since the second center position of the flow path offset unit is offset from the first center position, mechanical accuracy is hardly obtained. For this reason, the center position of the ink lead-out needle on the printer side does not necessarily coincide with the second center position. In this case, the ink lead-out needle on the printer side cannot be connected to the offset flow path unit.

  An object of some aspects of the present invention is to provide a liquid container in which an offset channel unit is provided with a centering property, particularly in a direction crossing the offset direction.

The liquid container according to one aspect of the present invention is
A housing having a partition wall with holes formed therein;
A liquid container disposed in the housing at one of the partition walls;
A first liquid outlet member connected to the liquid container and attached to a hole formed in the partition;
An offset channel unit disposed in the housing on the other side of the partition;
Have
The offset channel unit is
A flow path;
A first liquid outlet needle provided on one end side of the flow path and connected to the first liquid outlet member;
A second liquid outlet member disposed at a second center position provided on the other end side of the flow path and offset from a first center position of the first liquid outlet member;
Including
The offset flow path unit is arranged such that the second center position is movable in a direction intersecting a linear direction connecting the first and second center positions, and the second liquid outlet member It has a centering property with respect to the second liquid lead-out needle of the device.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, the second liquid lead needle on the liquid consuming device side is fitted into the second elastic seal member of the offset flow path unit, so that the liquid can be led out from the liquid storage container. . Here, the center of the second liquid outlet needle on the liquid consuming device side may not necessarily coincide with the center of the second elastic seal member of the offset flow path unit.

  Therefore, in one aspect of the present invention, the offset flow path unit has a second central position of the second liquid outlet member in a linear direction connecting the first center of the first liquid outlet member and the second center. It is arranged to be movable in the crossing direction with respect to (offset direction). Thereby, the alignment range in the direction crossing the linear direction connecting the first center position of the first liquid outlet member and the second center position of the second liquid outlet member can be ensured.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the first liquid outlet member includes a first elastic seal member into which the first liquid outlet needle is inserted, and the second liquid outlet member is the second liquid. A second elastic seal member into which the lead-out needle is inserted may be included.

  In this way, the first and second elastic sealing members can seal the first and second liquid outlet members in a liquid-tight manner, respectively, and within the respective elastic deformation ranges, the second elastic seal member mainly in the linear direction. The alignment property of the liquid outlet member can be ensured.

  In one aspect of the present invention, an elastic ring may be attached to the hole formed in the partition wall, and the first liquid lead-out member may be fitted into the elastic ring.

  By doing so, it is possible to ensure the alignment of the second liquid lead-out member mainly in the linear direction within the range of elastic deformation of the elastic ring.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the offset flow path unit is rotated and mounted around the first center position, and is a locked member that is locked to the housing and restricted in rotation at the rotation end position. The housing includes a first locking member capable of contacting the locked member at one end side in the cross direction at a rotation end position of the offset flow path unit; and A second locking member capable of coming into contact with the locked member on the other end side.

  Even if the locked member of the offset flow path unit is locked by the first and second locking members provided in the housing at the rotation end position, the second center position of the second liquid lead-out member is As long as it is arranged so as to be movable in the crossing direction with respect to the linear direction connecting the first and second centers, the alignment range in the crossing direction can be ensured.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the second liquid lead-out member can be moved in the crossing direction by supporting the locked member so as to be movable between the first and second locking members. Also good.

  This allows the offset channel unit to rotate within a range in which the locked member can move between the first and second locking members. The alignment range can be secured.

  In one aspect of the present invention, when the distance between the first and second center positions is L1, and the distance from the second center position to the locked member is L2, L2 <L1 is satisfied. Can do.

  Thus, the rotation distance of the second liquid lead-out member is ensured by (the rotation distance at which the locked member can move between the first and second locking members) × L1 / (L1 + L2), and the alignment range Can be secured greatly.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the offset flow path unit includes a deforming portion that elastically deforms in the intersecting direction on the way from the second center position to the locked member, so that the second liquid lead-out is performed. The member may be movable in the intersecting direction.

  In this way, even if the locked member is not movable between the first and second locking members, the alignment range in the intersecting direction by the second liquid lead-out member due to the elastic deformation of the deformation portion. Can be secured. In addition to the provision of the deforming portion, the locked member may be movable between the first and second locking members. In this way, the alignment range is further expanded.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the deforming portion may be elastically deformed in the linear direction. If it carries out like this, the said to-be-latched part can be arrange | positioned between the said 1st, 2nd latching | locking part in the said rotation terminal position, deform | transforming a deformation | transformation part in the said linear direction.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the housing includes a front wall disposed to face the partition wall with the offset channel unit interposed therebetween, and the front wall is provided on the liquid consuming device side. A plurality of positioning holes through which the plurality of positioning pins are inserted can be provided.

  Thus, even if the relative position of the second liquid lead-out needle with respect to the liquid container is determined by the engagement between the positioning pin and the positioning hole, due to the alignment in the cross direction of the second liquid lead-out member, The second liquid lead-out needle can be surely fitted into the second liquid lead-out member.

  In one aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the second liquid lead-out member is disposed above the first liquid lead-out member when the offset flow path unit is attached to the liquid consuming device.

  In this way, the static pressure of the second liquid lead-out member can be lowered by the water head difference corresponding to the distance between the first and second liquid lead-out members, and ink leakage from the second liquid lead-out member is reduced. be able to.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the offset flow path unit is a liquid remaining amount detection unit including a sensor that detects a remaining amount of liquid in the middle of the flow path between the first and second center positions. Can do. In this way, the liquid remaining amount can be detected in the middle of the offset flow path. Instead of this, the offset channel unit may be a gas trap unit that traps a gas in the liquid in the middle of the channel between the first and second center positions. In this case, since the second liquid outlet member is disposed above the first liquid outlet member when the offset channel unit is attached to the liquid consuming device, the gas flows in the liquid rising path. Can be trapped. That is, the offset channel can be used as a gas trap channel. In addition, as an offset flow path unit in which the position of the second liquid outlet member is offset with respect to the second liquid outlet member in order to align the second liquid outlet needle determined by the circumstances of the liquid consuming device. Also good.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. The present embodiment described below does not unduly limit the contents of the present invention described in the claims, and all the configurations described in the present embodiment are indispensable as means for solving the present invention. Not always.

(Outline of liquid ejection device)
As shown in FIG. 1, a liquid consuming device of this embodiment, for example, a printer 11 as a liquid ejecting device is covered with a frame 12. In the frame 12, as shown in FIG. 2, a guide shaft 14, a carriage 15, a recording head 20 as a liquid ejecting head, a valve unit 21, an ink cartridge 23 (see FIG. 1) as a liquid container, and pressurization. A pump 25 (see FIG. 1) is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 12 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box, and a cartridge holder 12a is formed on the front surface thereof.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the guide shaft 14 is formed in a rod shape and is installed in the frame 12. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the guide shaft 14 is installed is referred to as a main scanning direction. The carriage 15 is inserted so as to be relatively movable with respect to the guide shaft 14, and can be reciprocated in the main scanning direction. The carriage 15 is connected to a carriage motor (not shown) via a timing belt (not shown). The carriage motor is supported by the frame 12, and when the carriage motor is driven, the carriage 15 is driven via the timing belt, and the carriage 15 is reciprocated along the guide shaft 14, that is, in the main scanning direction. The

  The recording head 20 provided on the lower surface of the carriage 15 is provided with a plurality of nozzles (not shown) for ejecting ink as a liquid, and ejects ink droplets onto a printing medium such as recording paper. Records print data such as characters. The valve unit 21 is mounted on the carriage 15 and supplies the temporarily stored ink to the recording head 20 with the pressure adjusted.

  In the present embodiment, the valve unit 21 can individually supply two types of ink to the recording head 20 with the pressure adjusted. In the present embodiment, a total of three valve units 21 are provided and correspond to six ink colors (black, yellow, magenta, cyan, light magenta, and light cyan).

  A platen (not shown) is provided below the recording head 20, and this platen is used as a target to be fed in a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction by a paper feeding means (not shown). It is for supporting the recording medium.

(Liquid container)
3 is an exploded perspective view of an ink cartridge as an embodiment of the liquid container, FIG. 4 is an internal structure diagram of the ink cartridge, and FIG. 5 is an external view of the ink cartridge. 6A is a front view of the cartridge mounting portion provided on the printer side, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 6A. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a fitting state of the first liquid outlet member and the first liquid outlet needle. 8A is a plan view of the ink cartridge in the area where the liquid detection unit 111 is mounted, FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of the area A1 in FIG. 8A, and FIG. It is a side view of the installation area of the detection unit 111.

  An ink cartridge 100 shown in FIG. 3 is detachably mounted on a cartridge mounting portion 200 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) of a commercial ink jet recording apparatus, and a recording head (liquid) mounted on the recording apparatus. Ink is supplied to the ejection head.

  The ink cartridge 100 includes a container main body 105 in which a bag body accommodating portion 103 that is pressurized by a pressurizing unit is defined, and an ink that is stored and accommodated in the bag body accommodating portion 103 to be added to the bag body accommodating portion 103. Ink is supplied to an ink pack 107 as a liquid container that discharges ink stored by pressure from a first ink outlet member (first liquid outlet member) 107a and a recording head that is an external liquid consumption device. And a liquid detection unit 111 that has a second ink lead-out member 109 and is detachably attached to the container main body 105.

  The container body 105 is a housing formed by resin molding. The container body 105 is divided into a substantially box-shaped bag body housing portion 103 having an open upper portion and a detection unit housing portion 113 that is located on the front side of the bag body housing portion 103 and houses the liquid detection unit 111. Has been. As shown in FIG. 8A, the liquid detection unit 111 is housed in the detection unit housing portion 113.

  The open surface of the bag body accommodating portion 103 is sealed with the sealing film 115 after the ink pack 107 is accommodated. Thereby, the bag housing part 103 becomes a sealed chamber.

  In order to supply pressurized air into the bag housing part 103 formed in the sealed chamber by the sealing film 115, the partition wall 105 a partitioning the bag body housing part 103 and the detection unit housing part 113. The pressurizing port 117 which is a communication path is provided. When the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 200 (see FIGS. 6A and 6B) of the ink jet recording apparatus, the pressurized air supply means 204 on the cartridge mounting portion 200 side is connected to the pressure port 117, and the bag The ink pack 107 can be pressurized by the pressurized air supplied into the body housing portion 103.

  The ink pack 107 has a connection needle (first liquid outlet needle) 111a (see FIGS. 7 and 14B) of the liquid detection unit 111 on one end side of the flexible bag body 107b formed of a multilayer sealing film. ) Is inserted and connected to the cylindrical first ink lead-out member 107a.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the connection needle 111a of the liquid detection unit 111 is fitted into the first ink lead-out member 107a on the ink pack 107 side. The first ink lead-out member 107a has a first elastic seal member 107d formed by an elastic ring on the opening end side of the ink flow path 107c. The first ink lead-out member 107a is further provided with a valve mechanism that is disposed inside the first elastic seal member 107d, closes the flow path 107c, and is opened only when ink is supplied. The valve mechanism includes, for example, a movable valve body 107e disposed so as to be able to contact the first elastic seal member 107d, and an urging force that presses the valve body 107e against the first elastic seal member 107d. A coil spring 107f as a biasing member. FIG. 7 shows a state in which the connecting needle 111a is fitted into the first elastic seal member 107d, the valve seat 107e is pushed down against the urging force of the coil spring 107f, and the flow path 107c is opened. The ink is led out from the ink pack 107 side to the liquid detection unit 111 side through hollow portions and slits formed in the valve seat 107e and the connection needle 111a.

(Detection unit housing)
Next, the detection unit accommodation portion 113 outside the partition wall 105a will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11A and 11B. The detection unit accommodating portion 113 accommodates the liquid detection unit 111 described in FIG. 12 and subsequent figures connected to the ink pack 107 and electrically connects the circuit board 131 and the detection unit 111 shown in FIG. is there.

  The first ink lead-out member 107a of the ink pack 107 is hermetically inserted through the connection port insertion opening 118 formed in the partition wall 105a through an elastic ring (not shown) such as a bush, and the like shown in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 11B, the tip protrudes into the detection unit housing portion 113. Therefore, the elastic ring is elastically deformed, whereby the first ink lead-out member 107a can be displaced in its axial position. Thereby, the second ink lead member 109 of the liquid detection unit 111 in which the first ink lead needle 111a supported by the first ink lead member 107a is integrated can also be displaced. Therefore, this elastic ring secures the alignment property of the second ink lead-out member 109 to a slight extent.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 11B, the sealing film 108 is also welded to the first ink lead-out member 107a. The sealing film 108 is welded to the opening end face of the ink lead-out member 107 and the end face of a seal member (not shown) disposed on the first ink lead-out member 107a.

  Before the liquid detection unit 111 is connected, the ink pack 107 is filled with ink that has been adjusted to a high degree of deaeration in advance and is sealed with a sealing film 108.

  When the ink pack 107 is attached to the bag body accommodating portion 103, the resin spacer 119 is attached on the front and rear inclined portions of the flexible bag body 107b. The resin spacer 119 prevents the ink pack 107 from rattling in the sealed chamber when the upper surface of the bag housing portion 103 is covered with the sealing film 115 and the bag housing portion 103 becomes a sealed chamber. At the same time, an extra empty space in the sealed chamber is filled to increase the pressure efficiency when the bag housing part 103 is pressurized with pressurized air.

  A resin cover 121 is mounted on the detection unit housing portion 113 and the sealing film 115. When the cover 121 is put on the container main body 105, the engaging means (not shown) is engaged with the engaging portion 122 on the container main body 105 side and fixed to the container main body 105.

  As shown in FIG. 11B, an attachment portion 123 to which the liquid detection unit 111 is attached by a predetermined operation is provided around the opening 118 opened to the partition wall 105a.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 3, the first ink lead-out member 107a connected to the ink pack 107 is attached to the opening 118 of the partition wall 105a through the elastic ring described above. At this time, the first center line C1 of the first ink outlet member (first liquid outlet member in a broad sense) 107a and the second ink outlet member (second liquid outlet member in a broad sense) of the detection unit 111. ) 109 is offset from the second center line C2 by a distance D in the direction of arrow A (offset direction) in FIG. That is, the detection unit 111 of this embodiment is an example of an offset channel unit. By using the detection unit 111 as such an offset channel unit, the second ink is positioned at a position on the center line C2 that is shifted in the offset direction A with respect to the center line C1 of the first ink lead-out member 107a. The lead-out member 109 can be easily provided. Therefore, the degree of freedom for arranging the second ink lead-out member 109 is increased in accordance with the position of the ink lead-out needle 202 on the printer side determined by the layout on the printer main body side. Further, by offsetting the first and second center lines C1 and C2 by the distance D, it is possible to detect the remaining amount of ink in the middle of the flow path of the distance D.

  In the case of the present embodiment, the attachment portion 123 is a fitting structure in which the liquid detection unit 111 that is an offset channel unit is rotatably fitted and mounted, and is a position away from a circuit board 131 described later on the container body 105. Is provided. Specifically, the attachment portion 123 includes two curved convex walls 123a and 123b, and an annular structure that restricts the rotation of the liquid detection unit 111 is formed by these convex walls 123a and 123b. Further, as the structure of the attachment portion 123, an eccentric structure in which the rotation shaft is eccentric when the liquid detection unit 111 is attached to the attachment portion 123 while being rotated can be employed. When the liquid detection unit 111 is attached to the detection unit housing portion 113, relay terminals 143 and 144 (see FIG. 12 and the like) described later are connected to the terminal 131d (see FIG. 15B) of the container body 105. The container body 105 is provided with ribs as positioning portions 129 (see FIGS. 8B and 13). By providing the positioning portion 129, the position can be easily defined when the liquid detection unit 111 is attached. The positioning portion 129 has a role of fixing the deforming portion 112 (see FIGS. 8B, 14A, and 14B), which will be described later, from being deformed after the liquid detection unit 111 is mounted.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 11B, a partition wall 105b erected on the detection unit housing portion 113 at a position close to the mounting portion 123 so as to be orthogonal to the partition wall 105a (see FIGS. 11A and 11B). Is provided with a locking groove 124 for preventing the liquid detection unit 111 fitted to the mounting portion 123 from coming off.

  The front wall 105 c of the container main body 105 that covers the front side of the detection unit housing portion 113 is formed with a notch opening 126 at a position facing the attachment portion 123 for the operation of attaching the liquid detection unit 111.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, when the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 200 (see FIG. 6), both sides of the front wall 105c are mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 200 side. Positioning holes 127 and 128 into which the positioning pins 206 and 207 are inserted are provided.

  On the side wall of the container body 105 close to the positioning hole 127, as shown in FIG. 10, a connection terminal provided on the cartridge mounting portion 200 side when the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion is located near the front surface. A circuit board 131 is provided to make electrical connection in contact with the circuit board. The circuit board 131 is formed with a plurality of contacts that come into contact with connection terminals provided on the cartridge mounting portion side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 15B, a memory element 131c for recording information such as the remaining amount of ink and cartridge usage history is mounted on the back surface of the circuit board 131, and the liquid detection unit 111 has A sensor member (including a piezoelectric element, hereinafter simply referred to as a “sensor member”) 132 (see FIG. 12) for detecting the amount of liquid that is mounted is connected to the ink jet recording apparatus side via relay terminals 143 and 144. A contact 131d is formed for conducting connection to the connection terminal. Accordingly, when the ink cartridge 100 (see FIG. 3) is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 200 of the recording apparatus, each contact (not shown) on the surface of the circuit board 131 is connected to the connection terminal on the cartridge mounting portion 200 side. The memory element 131c and the sensor member 132 are electrically connected to the control circuit on the recording apparatus side via the circuit board 131, and the operation of the memory element 131c and the sensor member 132 can be controlled on the recording apparatus side. Become.

(Liquid detection unit)
As shown in FIGS. 12 to 15, the liquid detection unit 111 according to the present embodiment includes a resin-made unit case 133 that is attached to the container main body 105 (see FIG. 10) by a rotating operation, and the back side of the unit case 133. The sensor member 132 fixed to the sensor base 141 via the sensor base 141, the insulating sensor sealing film 142 covering the surface of the sensor base 141 around the sensor member 132, and the terminals on the sensor member 132 are connected to the circuit board 131. A pair of metal-plate relay terminals 143 attached to the unit case 133 from above the sensor sealing film 142 so as to be connected to the contact point 131d (see FIGS. 15A and 15B) on the back surface (see FIG. 10). 144.

  The unit case 133 includes a second ink outlet member 109 into which an ink supply needle (second liquid outlet needle) 202 (see FIG. 6) on the cartridge mounting portion 200 side is inserted and connected, and the second ink outlet member 109. A case main body 133 a having an internal flow path space 146 that is in communication with the internal flow path space 146 and a flow path that communicates with the second ink outlet member 109 in cooperation with the internal flow path space 146 is formed. A flow chamber forming member 133c, a pressure chamber sealing film 156 which is welded to the end surface of the case main body 133a and seals the open surface of the internal flow channel space 146, thereby defining a pressure chamber for detecting the remaining amount; The lid 133b covers and protects the pressure chamber sealing film 156.

  The lid 133b is rotatable about the case main body 133a by fitting an engagement shaft 152 protruding from the outer periphery of the case main body 133a into the hole 151a of the locking piece 151 protruding from the base end side. Further, the tip end side is connected to the case main body 133a by a spring 153, thereby being fixed to the case main body 133a.

  A flow path opening / closing mechanism (valve mechanism) 155 that opens the flow path when the ink supply needle 202 on the cartridge mounting portion 200 side is inserted is mounted on the second ink lead-out member 109. The flow path opening / closing mechanism 155 closes the flow path by being seated on the cylindrical second elastic seal member 155a fixed to the second ink lead-out member 109 and the second elastic seal member 155a. The valve body 155b to hold | maintain and the spring member 155c which urges | biases the valve body 155b to the direction seated on the 2nd elastic seal member 155a are comprised.

  The opening end of the second ink lead-out member 109 to which the flow path opening / closing mechanism 155 is attached is sealed with a sealing film 157 (see FIG. 12). The sealing film 157 is welded to the opening end face of the second ink lead-out member 109 and the end face of the second elastic seal member 155a attached to the second ink lead-out member 109.

  When the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 200 of the recording apparatus, the ink supply needle 202 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 200 breaks through the sealing film 157 and is inserted into the second ink lead-out member 109. At this time, the ink supply needle 202 inserted in the second ink lead-out member 109 causes the valve body 155b to be detached from the second elastic seal member 155a, so that the flow path in the unit case 133 communicates with the ink supply needle 202. In this state, ink can be supplied to the recording apparatus side.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 14B, the case main body 133a is rotatable on the attachment portion 123 at a position corresponding to the attachment portion 123 (see FIG. 11A) of the container main body 105 on the back surface side. It has the container fitting part 135 to fit. Inside the container fitting portion 135, a connecting needle (first liquid outlet needle) 111a that is inserted and connected to the first ink outlet member 107a of the ink pack 107 is provided. The connection needle 111a is inserted into the first ink lead-out member 107a through the sealing film 108 shown in FIGS. 3 and 11B. As a result, the ink can be led out by opening the valve mechanism in the first ink lead-out member 107a. That is, the connection needle 111a functions as a liquid lead-out needle, like the ink supply needle 202 described above. The flow path formed by the internal flow path space 146 and the flow path forming member 133b (see FIGS. 12 and 14A) is an internal flow path that connects the second ink lead-out member 109 and the connecting needle 111a. is there.

  The sensor member 132 is a piezoelectric sensor fixed to the back side of the case main body 133a so that vibration can be applied to the internal flow path, and an electrical signal is used to indicate a change in residual vibration accompanying a change in ink flow rate (pressure) in the internal flow path. Output as. By analyzing the output signal of the sensor member 132 by the control circuit on the recording apparatus side, the remaining amount of ink in the ink pack 107 is detected.

  In the case of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 (B), the container fitting portion 135 includes two fittings that are rotatably fitted to the convex walls 123a and 123b (see FIG. 11 (B)) of the attachment portion 123. Curved convex walls 135a and 135b are provided. These convex walls 135a and 135b form a ring structure that restricts the rotation of the liquid detection unit 111.

  A locking piece 138 is provided around the container fitting portion 135 on the case main body 133a. This locking piece 138 rotates the liquid detection unit 111 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 15A from the state in which the container fitting portion 135 is fitted to the attachment portion 123 (see FIG. 11B). When engaged, it engages with a locking groove 124 (see FIG. 11B) on the container body 105 side to prevent the fitting portion from coming off.

  Next, the liquid detection unit 111 will be described more specifically with reference to FIGS.

  The liquid detection unit 111 includes a unit case 133 and relay terminals 143 and 144. As shown in FIG. 12, the relay terminals 143 and 144 include the relay units 143c and 144c, the first terminals 143a and 144a on one end side of the relay units 143c and 144c, and the second terminals 143b of the relay units 143c and 144c. , 144b.

  As shown in FIG. 14B, the unit case 133 includes a first terminal holding portion 111b that holds the first terminals 143a and 144a of the relay terminals 143 and 144, and a second terminal of the relay terminals 143 and 144. It includes a second terminal holding part 111c that holds 143b and 144b, and a deformation part 112. The deformation part 112 is provided between the first terminal holding part 111b and the second terminal holding part 111c, and reduces the distance between the first terminal holding part 111b and the second terminal holding part 111c. It is mainly elastically deformed in the direction.

  By providing the deforming portion 112 in this manner, when the liquid detection unit 111 is attached to the container body 105, the first terminal holding portion 111b of the liquid detection unit 111 is moved to the second terminal holding portion 111c side by the deformation portion 112. Can be deformed. For this reason, the first terminals 143a and 144a of the relay terminals 143 and 144 held by the first terminal holding part 111b can be attached without interfering with the container body 105. Moreover, since it deform | transforms by elastic deformation, after attachment, the 1st terminal holding | maintenance part 111b returns to an original position. Therefore, the first terminals 143a and 144a of the relay terminals 143 and 144 can be reliably connected to the terminals of the container body 105. Therefore, breakage of the relay terminals 143 and 144 when the liquid detection unit 111 is attached to the container main body 105 can be prevented, and reliable conduction can be achieved.

  Further, if the first terminals 143a and 144a of the relay terminals 143 and 144 are attached while being in contact with the container main body 105, a conduction failure may occur due to deformation, and such a problem can be reliably avoided. it can. Furthermore, when the liquid detection unit 111 is removed, it can be easily removed if the deforming portion 112 is deformed. As a further effect, when the impact is applied to the liquid detection unit 111, the deformation portion 112 allows the impact to the liquid detection unit 111 itself to be absorbed, and the impact to the sensor member (piezoelectric element) is transmitted. Can be difficult.

  Yet another application of the deformation unit 112 is to align the second ink lead-out member 109 provided in the detection unit 111 and into which the ink lead-out needle on the printer side is inserted. As described above, the main deformation direction of the deformation part 112 is a direction in which the distance between the first terminal holding part 111b and the second terminal holding part 111c is reduced. In this sense, the deforming portion 112 has a centering function for changing the distance D between the first and second center lines C1 and C2 shown in FIG. The deformable portion 112 can be further deformed in a direction intersecting with a linear direction connecting the first and second center lines C1 and C2, and has an alignment function in this direction.

  The first terminal holding portion 111b and the second terminal holding portion 111c are not particularly limited as long as they can hold the end portions of the relay terminals 143 and 144. As shown in FIG. 14B, the second terminal holding portion 111c is formed in a boss shape. In order to keep the second terminal 143b in contact with the sensor member 132 shown in FIG. 12, the relay terminals 143 and 144 are formed with holes 161 as shown in FIG. A boss-shaped second terminal holding portion 111 c is press-fitted into the hole 161.

  On the other hand, the first terminals 143a and 144a are preferably held movably by the first terminal holding part 111b. For this purpose, the first terminals 143a and 144b in FIG. 16A are formed with long hole portions 143a1 and 144a1 as shown in FIG. 16B in which the A portion in FIG. 16A is enlarged. ing. The first terminal holding portion 111b formed as a protruding portion is inserted into the long hole portions 143a1 and 144a1. Thus, the first terminal holding unit 111b holds the first terminals 143a and 144a of the relay terminals 143 and 144 movably.

  Further, the first terminals 143a and 144a of the relay terminals 143 and 144 are projected and urged in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 16B, which is the direction in which the deformable portion 112 is elastically deformed, and are moved toward the first terminal holding portion 111b. Is retained. The longitudinal direction of the long hole portions 143a1 and 144a of the first terminals 143a and 144a coincides with the arrow direction indicating the protruding biasing direction in FIG.

  The unit case 133 is made of a resin material such as a polyolefin material. Polyolefin materials are excellent in resistance when stress is applied. Further, according to the polyolefin-based material, the deformable portion 112 that can be elastically deformed can be formed integrally with the unit case main body 133a.

  As shown in FIG. 8B and FIG. 13, the deformable portion 112 of the unit case main body 133a connects the movable body 112c, the support body 112b that supports the movable body 112c, and the support body 112b and the movable body 112c. Connection part 112d. The movable body 112c is provided on the first terminal holding portion 111b side so as to intersect the direction in which the relay portions 143c and 144c of the relay terminals 143 and 144 extend. The support portion 112b is provided on the second terminal holding portion 111c side so as to intersect the direction in which the relay portions 143c and 144c of the relay terminals 143 and 144 extend, and is provided apart from the movable body 112c. . And the slit 112e is prescribed | regulated by the movable body 112c, the support body 112b, and the connection part 112d. The deformable portion 112 can be elastically deformed so that the groove width W of the slit 112e is mainly reduced. As a result, the deforming portion 112 can change the distance D between the first and second center lines C1 and C2 shown in FIG. 3, and further, the first and second center lines C1 and C2 can be changed. Since it also deforms to some extent in the direction intersecting with the connecting straight line direction, it also has an alignment function of the second ink lead-out member 109.

  As shown in FIG. 14A, the movable body 112c includes a first terminal holding portion 111b on the free end portion extending from the base end connected to the connection portion 112d. The region where the first terminal holding portion 111b is formed bulges and functions as an operation portion 11b1 that applies an external force to the deformation portion 112.

  The relay terminals 143c and 144c are formed of a thin metal plate. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the relay portions 143c and 144c include first thin plate portions 143d and 144d that cross the movable body and the support, and bent portions at the ends of the first thin plate portions 143d and 144d. It includes second thin plate portions 143f and 144f that are bent at 143e and 144e and extend along the movable body 112c. The first terminals 143b and 144b are bent at bent portions 143g and 144g at the ends of the second thin plate portions 143f and 144f, and are formed so as to protrude away from the movable body 112c. The first thin plate portions 143d and 144d have bent portions 143g and 144g bent along the support 112b. These bent portions function as reinforcing portions that increase the rigidity of the relay terminals 134c and 144c.

  In FIG. 13, when the operating portion 111b1 is operated to apply an external force in the direction of arrow A, the movable body 112c is elastically deformed in a direction to approach the support body 112b. Thereby, the width W of the slit 112e between the 1st terminal holding part 111b and the 2nd terminal holding part 111c can be narrowed. In addition, when the deforming portion 112 is deformed, the first thin plate portions 143d and 144d of the relay terminals 143c and 144c are moved to the first terminal holding portion 111b side following the deformation of the movable body 112c. A deformation guide 112a (a deformation guide for the relay terminal 144c is not shown in FIG. 13) is provided for guiding the deformation. Since the deformation guide portion 112a is deformed integrally with the movable body 112c, a force can be applied from the side of the first thin plate portions 143d and 144d.

  More specifically, the relay terminals 143 and 144 are fixed to the case main body 133a of the unit case 133 in a state where the second terminals 143b and 144b are in contact with and connected to terminals (not shown) of the sensor member 132. Further, the first terminals 143a and 144a side of the relay terminals 143 and 144 are electrically connected to the circuit board 131 fixed to the container body 105 by a rotation operation when the liquid detection unit 111 is attached to the container body 105. Is done.

(Method for manufacturing liquid container)
The ink cartridge 100 of the present embodiment including this electrical connection is assembled in the following procedure.

  First, as shown in FIG. 15A, the liquid detection unit 111 is fitted vertically to the attachment portion 123 (see FIG. 11B) of the container body 105. Thereafter, the ink pack 107 is set on the container body 105. At this time, the connection needle 111 a (see FIG. 14B) of the liquid detection unit 111 penetrates the sealing film 108 and is connected to the first ink lead-out member 107 a of the ink pack 107. Further, the container fitting portion 135 (see FIG. 14B) of the liquid detection unit 111 is rotatably locked to the convex walls 123a and 123b (see FIG. 11B) provided on the container body 105 partition wall 105a. Is done.

  Next, the fitted liquid detection unit 111 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIGS. As shown in FIG. 13, the liquid detection unit 111 contacts the positioning portion 129 of the container main body 105 at the end position side in the rotation direction.

  Here, when the liquid detection unit 111 is simply rotated, the first terminals 143a and 144a of the relay terminals 143 and 144 interfere with the upper end of the side wall 105e of the detection unit housing portion shown in FIG. .

  Therefore, before the first terminals 143a and 144a interfere with the side wall 105e, the operation unit 111b1 shown in FIG. Thereby, the deformation | transformation part 112 can be elastically deformed and the groove width W of the slit 112e can be narrowed.

  At this time, the first thin plate portions 143d and 144d of the relay terminals 143c and 144c are guided by the deformation guide portion 112a following the deformation of the movable body 112c when the deformation portion 112 is deformed, and the first terminal 143a and 144a can be made to follow the movable body 112c reliably.

  For this reason, the first terminals 143a and 144a of the relay terminals 143 and 144 do not interfere with the upper end of the side wall 105e of the detection unit housing portion shown in FIG. The rotated end position can be reached.

  At the rotational end position, as shown in FIG. 13, the liquid detection unit 111 contacts the positioning portion 129 of the container body 105. Here, as shown in FIG. 13, the movable body 112 c has an operation portion 111 b 1 at one free end extending from the base end connected to the connection portion 112 d, while being directed from the base end toward the other free end. It has the positioned part 112f extended. When the positioned portion 112f comes into contact with the positioning portion 129, the deformation portion 112 does not cause a deformation that reduces the groove width W of the slit 112e. This is because in order to reduce the groove width W of the slit 112e, the groove width on the positioned portion 112f side must be increased, but the positioning portion 129 prevents this. Therefore, deformation of the deformable portion 112 is prevented at the rotational end position.

  In addition, at the rotation end position, the liquid detection unit 111 is also restricted from rotating toward the original position. As shown in FIG. 17, the operation portion 111b1 is sandwiched between the contact surface 105e provided on the bottom surface of the container main body 105 and the rotation restricting rib 105f above it, for example, with gaps d1 and d2 above and below. Because. At this position, the rotation end position is defined, and unless the operation unit 111b1 is operated, the rotation return to the original position is also prevented. The operation unit 111b1 is operated while the liquid detection unit 111 is rotating so that the liquid detection unit 111 does not interfere with the rotation restricting rib 105f.

  When the external force applied to the operation unit 111b1 is released at the rotation end position, the first terminals 143a and 144a return to the front position together with the movable body 112c, and the fixed contact 131d of the circuit board 131c as shown in FIG. 15B. And electrically connected. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16B, the first terminals 143a and 144a having the long hole portions 143a1 and 144a1 through which the first terminal holding portion 111b, which is a protruding portion, is inserted are shown in FIG. The projection is biased toward the front in the direction of the arrow. Therefore, the first terminals 143a and 144a can be elastically pressed against the circuit board 131 even at the rotation end position where the deformation of the deformable portion 112 is prevented. This ensures an electrical connection that is resistant to vibration and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the operation portion 111 b 1 is sandwiched between the contact surface 105 e provided on the bottom surface of the container body 105 and the rotation restricting rib 105 f thereabove with gaps d 1 and d 2 above and below. Yes. In other words, the second ink lead-out member 109 integrated with the operation unit 111b1 has an arrow within a range in which the operation unit 111b1 is allowed to move between the contact surface 105e and the rotation regulating rib 105f above the second ink extraction member 109. Movement in the B direction is allowed.

  When the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 200 of the recording apparatus, the ink supply needle 202 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 200 penetrates the sealing film 157 and is inserted into the second ink lead-out member 109. The Thereby, ink can be supplied from the ink cartridge 100 to the recording head.

  At this time, the position of the ink supply needle 202 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 200 is uniquely determined on the printer side. Even if the position of the second ink lead-out member 109 of the ink cartridge 100 is deviated from the position of the ink supply needle 202, the alignment function of the second ink lead-out member 109 ensures that the ink supply needle 202 is securely moved. The ink can be inserted into the second ink outlet member 109. As the alignment function, in the linear direction A connecting the first center line C1 of the first ink lead-out member 107a and the second center line C2 of the second ink lead-out member 109 shown in FIG. The hole 118 has a centering function in each elastic deformation range of an elastic ring (not shown) that receives the first ink lead-out member 107a and the first and second elastic seal members 107d and 155a. Further, in the offset direction A, the alignment function can be secured also by the detection unit 111 itself that is an offset flow path unit, in particular, by deformation at the deformation portion 112.

  On the other hand, in the cross direction B of the offset direction A, the alignment function can be secured within the elastic deformation range of the second elastic seal member 155a. Further, in the present embodiment, the second ink lead-out member 109 moves up and down within a range in which the operation portion 111b1 is allowed to move between the contact surface 105e shown in FIG. Movement is allowed. Accordingly, the second ink lead-out member 109 moves in the direction of the arrow B in FIG. 17 (direction B intersecting the linear direction connecting the center lines C1 and C2 shown in FIG. 3) within the gaps d1 and d2 shown in FIG. Thus, the alignment function can be secured.

  In particular, in FIG. 14A, the distance between the first and second center lines C1 and C2 positions is L1, and the distance from the second center line C2 to the operation portion 111b1 which is a locked member is L2. In this case, L2 <L1 is satisfied. That is, in order to effectively secure the alignment function of the second ink lead-out member 109 in the direction of arrow B, the locked member 111b1 located near the center line C2 of the second ink lead-out member 109 is indicated by the arrow B. It can move in any direction. Thus, the rotation distance of the second liquid lead-out member is ensured by (the rotation distance at which the locked member can move between the first and second locking members) × L1 / (L1 + L2), and the alignment range Can be secured greatly.

  When the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 200 shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, first, a plurality of, for example, two positioning pins 206 and 207 of the cartridge mounting portion 200 are connected to the ink cartridge 100. It is inserted into positioning holes 127 and 128 formed in the front wall 105c. Thereby, the position of the ink cartridge 100 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 200 is determined. Thereafter, the ink supply needle 202 of the cartridge mounting unit 200 is fitted into the second ink outlet member 109 of the ink cartridge 100.

  At this time, even if the position of the second ink lead-out member 109 is displaced with respect to the ink supply needle 202, the second ink lead-out member 109 is allowed to move in the A direction and / or the B direction shown in FIG. The alignment property of the second ink lead-out member 109 can be ensured.

  In the present embodiment, this alignment is achieved by an elastic ring (not shown) that receives the first ink lead-out member 107a through the hole 118 of the partition wall 105a, and the first and second elastic seal members 107d and 155a. Each elastic deformation range, deformation at the deformation portion 112 of the ink detection unit 111, and the operation portion (locked portion) 111b1 between the contact surface 105e shown in FIG. It is guaranteed that the movement is permitted.

  In particular, deformation of the ink detection unit 111 at the deformation portion 112 and movement of the operation portion (locked portion) 111b1 between the contact surface 105e shown in FIG. 17 and the rotation restriction rib 105f thereabove are allowed. With this range, the alignment in the B direction of FIG.

  If the alignment in the direction B of FIG. 3 can be secured by the deformation of the deformation unit 112 of the ink detection unit 111, the operation is performed between the contact surface 105e shown in FIG. 17 and the rotation regulating rib 105f above it. The movement of the portion (locked portion) 111b1 may not be allowed. That is, the gaps d1 and d2 shown in FIG. 17 are not necessary. On the contrary, if the alignment in the B direction shown in FIG. 3 can be secured by the movement of the operation portion (locked portion) 111b1 between the contact surface 105e shown in FIG. 17 and the rotation restricting rib 105f above the contact surface 105e. The deformation in the direction B in FIG. 3 is not required at the deformation portion 112 of the ink detection unit 111. In this case, the deforming portion 112 may be elastically deformed only in the direction of reducing the width W shown in FIG.

(Modified example of offset channel unit)
In the ink cartridge 100 of the above-described embodiment, ink residual detection is performed in the flow path formed between the first ink lead-out member 107a and the second ink lead-out member 109 of the offset flow path unit (liquid detection unit) 111. Although the example to do was demonstrated, it is not limited to this.

  20A is a front view of an ink cartridge according to a modification, FIG. 20B is a sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. 20A, and FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of a portion E in FIG. 22 (A) is a front view of the state in which the entire wall of FIG. 20 (A) is deleted, and FIG. 22 (B) is an enlarged view of the F part of FIG. 22 (A). The ink cartridge according to this embodiment is provided with a bubble trap unit 300 in place of the liquid detection unit 111. 20 to 22, members having the same functions as those of the liquid detection unit 111 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted. In this ink cartridge, when the container attached to the cartridge mounting portion 200 of the ink jet recording apparatus is used, the second ink lead-out member 109 is substantially at the center of the front wall 105c (the center line S of the first ink lead-out member 107a shown in FIG. 21). It is located above the top) in the height direction when the container is used. The static pressure of the second ink liquid outlet member 109 can be lowered by the water head difference, and ink leakage from the second ink outlet member 109 can be reduced. That is, the flow path of the ink from the first ink lead-out member 107a becomes a flow path that rises in the vertical direction from the first ink lead-out member 107a toward the second ink lead-out member 109. In this case, since the gravity of the ink is subtracted from the pressure of the ink, the pressure of the ink applied to the second ink lead-out member 109 is reduced.

  The bubble trap unit 300 includes a bubble trap chamber 302 configured as a channel extending in the vertical direction in FIG. 21 in the middle of the channel from the first ink outlet member 107a to the second ink outlet member 109. Provided.

  Thereby, bubbles in the ink in the ink pack 107 and in the flow path from the ink pack 107 to the second ink lead-out member 109 are supplied from the second ink lead-out member 109 to the recording head together with the ink. Therefore, the print quality of the recording head can be maintained satisfactorily. That is, bubbles are generated in the ink in the ink pack 107 and the flow path due to the outside air that has permeated through the flexible bag body 107b of the ink pack 107 or the ink that has flowed back from the second ink lead-out member 109 and has a reduced degassing degree. Even if it occurs, bubbles in the flow path are captured in the trap chamber 302 and do not flow out to the second ink outlet member 109.

  The bubble trap unit 300, which is an offset channel unit, is also provided with fitting means that can be rotated and attached to the container body 10 in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. And the to-be-latched member 111b1 latched by the container main body 105 in the rotation terminal position is provided. This locked member 111b1 has a vertical gap at the rotational end position between the contact surface 105e provided on the bottom surface of the container body 105 and the rotation regulating rib 105f above the same, as in FIG. This is because they are sandwiched between d1 and d2 (see FIG. 22B). In other words, the second ink lead-out member 109 integral with the locked member 111b1 is allowed to move the locked member 111b1 between the contact surface 105e and the rotation regulating rib 105f above the second ink lead-out member 109. In the range, movement in the direction of arrow B is allowed.

  Therefore, within the gaps d1 and d2 shown in FIG. 22B, the second ink lead-out member 109 intersects the direction indicated by the arrow B in FIG. 22B (the linear direction connecting the center lines C1 and C2 shown in FIG. 3). In the direction B) to perform the alignment function.

  Here, also in this embodiment, as in FIG. 14A, the distance between the first and second center lines C1 and C2 is L1, and from the second center line C2 to the locked member 111b1. When L2 is L2, L2 <L1 is satisfied. That is, in order to effectively secure the alignment function of the second ink lead-out member 109 in the direction of arrow B, the locked member 111b1 located near the center line C2 of the second ink lead-out member 109 is indicated by the arrow B. It can move in any direction.

  Although the present embodiment has been described in detail as described above, it will be easily understood by those skilled in the art that many modifications can be made without departing from the novel matters and effects of the present invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included in the scope of the present invention.

  For example, a term described at least once together with a different term having a broader meaning or the same meaning in the specification or the drawings can be replaced with the different term in any part of the specification or the drawings.

  In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 17 or FIG. 22 (B), if the locked portion 111b1 is locked in the direction of arrow B in FIG. However, the deformable portion 112 can be provided alone or in combination with the locking structure of the locked portion 111b1 in FIG. 17 or FIG.

  For example, the deformation unit 112 can be changed as follows. As a first modified example, as shown in FIG. 18, a connecting portion 112d for connecting the movable body 112c and the support body 112b can be formed in a U shape. That is, the connecting portion 112d includes two rising portions 170 extending upward from the respective base ends connected to the movable body 112c and the support body 112d, and a connecting portion 172 that connects the upper ends of the two rising portions 170 to each other. Have The two rising portions 170 function as a gripping portion for applying an external force that deforms the deformation portion 112. That is, the gripping portion 170 can be pinched to reduce the groove width of the slit 112e between the two rising portions 170, 170 and to deform in the direction of arrow B in FIG.

  As a second modified example, as shown in FIG. 19, the connecting portion 112d for connecting the movable body 112c and the support body 112b is formed of an elastic body (for example, a spring) separate from the case main body 133a. Also in this case, the deforming portion 112 can be deformed so as to reduce the groove width of the slit 112e and deform in the direction of arrow B in FIG.

  When the offset channel unit 111 is a bubble trap unit or the like shown in FIG. 20 and subsequent figures, unlike the liquid detection unit, the structure from the second ink lead-out member 109 to the locked portion 111b1 need not be complicated. . Therefore, the shape from the second ink lead-out member 109 to the locked portion 111b1 is formed to be thinner than the member between the first and second ink lead-out members 107a and 109 where the flow path exists, and the thin plate The part itself may be configured as a deformed part having springiness.

  In the embodiment described above, the fluid ejecting apparatus corresponds to the length of the recording paper (not shown) in the width direction (left and right direction) in the direction intersecting the conveyance direction (front and back direction) of the recording paper (not shown). The present invention may be embodied in a so-called full line type (line head type) printer.

  The use of the liquid seal structure and the liquid container of the present invention is not limited to the ink cartridge of the ink jet recording apparatus. The present invention can be used for liquid consuming apparatuses such as various liquid ejecting apparatuses including a liquid ejecting head.

  In the above-described embodiment, the liquid consuming device, for example, the liquid ejecting device is embodied in the ink jet printer 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a liquid material in which particles of functional material other than ink are dispersed or mixed in the liquid, It can also be embodied in a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges a fluid (including a fluid such as a gel). For example, a liquid material ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid material that is dispersed or dissolved in materials such as electrode materials and color materials (pixel materials) used in the manufacture of liquid crystal displays, EL (electroluminescence) displays, and surface-emitting displays. Further, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a bio-organic matter used for biochip manufacturing, or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette and serves as a sample may be used. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto the substrate, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, and a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects a fluid such as a gel (for example, a physical gel) It may be. The present invention can be applied to any one of these liquid ejecting apparatuses. In the present specification, “liquid” includes an inorganic solvent, an organic solvent, a solution, a liquid resin, a liquid metal (metal melt) or the like, or a liquid or fluid.

1 is a perspective view of a printer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the printer shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge shown in FIG. 1. It is a fragmentary sectional view of an ink cartridge. 2 is an external view of an ink cartridge. FIG. 6A and 6B are a front view and a cross-sectional view of a cartridge mounting portion provided in the printer. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the first ink lead-out member on the ink pack side and the connection needle of the detection unit are coupled to each other. FIG. 8A is a partial plan view of an ink cartridge in the liquid detection unit, and FIG. 8B is an enlarged view of FIG. 8A. It is a partial side view of the ink cartridge in the liquid detection unit. FIG. 4 is a partial side view of an ink cartridge on a circuit board. FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, and FIG. 11B is an enlarged view of the connection port insertion opening. It is a disassembled perspective view of a liquid detection unit. It is explanatory drawing of positioning of a liquid detection unit. 14A and 14B are schematic perspective views of the case main body of the liquid detection unit. FIG. 15A and FIG. 15B are explanatory diagrams of attachment of the liquid detection unit. 16A and 16B are side views of the liquid detection unit. It is explanatory drawing of positioning of a liquid detection unit. 18A and 18B are perspective views of the unit case. 19A and 19B are perspective views of the unit case. FIG. 20A is a front view of an ink cartridge according to a modification, and FIG. 20B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. It is the E section enlarged view of FIG.20 (B). FIG. 22A is a front view of the state where the entire wall of FIG. 20A is deleted, and FIG.

Explanation of symbols

11 Printer, 12 Frame, 12a Cartridge holder, 14 Guide shaft, 15
Carriage, 20 Recording head, 21 Valve unit, 36 Ink supply tube, 23 Ink cartridge, 25 Pressure pump, 100 Ink cartridge (liquid container), 103 Bag body container, 105 Container body, 105a Bulkhead, 105b Bulkhead, 105c Front wall, 105d side wall, 105e degree contact surface, 105f rotation regulating rib, 107 ink pack, 107a first liquid outlet member, 107b flexible bag, 107c flow path, 107d first elastic seal member, 107e, 107f Valve mechanism, 108 sealing film, 109 second liquid outlet member, 111 liquid remaining amount detecting unit, 111a first liquid outlet needle, 111b first terminal holding part, 111b1 operation part, 111c second terminal holding part 112 Deformation part 112a Deformation guide part 112b Support body 1 2c Movable body, 112d connection part, 112e slit, 112f positioned part, 112g gripping part, 112g, 112g1, 112g2, 112g3 bent part, 113 detection unit housing part, 115 sealing film, 117 pressure port, 118 connection port insertion General opening, 119 spacer, 121 resin cover, 122 engaging portion on the container body 105 side, 123 mounting portion, 123a convex wall, 123b convex wall, 124 locking groove, 127 positioning hole, 128 positioning hole, 129 positioning , 130 Shock absorber, 131 Circuit board, 132 Sensor member, 132a Terminal on sensor member 132, 132b Terminal on sensor member 132, 133 Unit case, 133a Case body, 133b Lid, 141 Sensor base, 143, 144 Relay terminal, 143a, 144a Terminal 143b, 144b second terminal, 143c, 144c relay part, 143d, 144d first thin plate part, 143e, 144e bent part, 143f, 144f second thin plate part, 143g, 144g bent part, 143h, 144h Bending portion, 146 internal channel space, 151 locking piece, 151a hole in locking piece, 153 spring, 155 channel opening / closing mechanism, 155a second elastic seal member, 155b valve body, 155c spring member, 156, 157 sealing Stop film, 161 mounting hole, 200 cartridge mounting part, 202 second liquid outlet needle, 206, 207 positioning pin, 300 offset channel unit (bubble trap unit)

Claims (12)

A housing having a partition wall with holes formed therein;
A liquid container disposed in the housing at one of the partition walls;
A first liquid outlet member connected to the liquid container and attached to a hole formed in the partition;
An offset channel unit disposed in the housing on the other side of the partition;
Have
The offset channel unit is
A flow path;
A first liquid outlet needle provided on one end side of the flow path and connected to the first liquid outlet member;
A second liquid outlet member disposed at a second center position provided on the other end side of the flow path and offset from a first center position of the first liquid outlet member;
Including
The offset flow path unit is arranged such that the second center position is movable in a direction intersecting a linear direction connecting the first and second center positions, and the second liquid outlet member A liquid container having a centering property with respect to a second liquid lead-out needle provided on the apparatus side. In claim 1,
The first liquid outlet member includes a first elastic seal member into which the first liquid outlet needle is inserted, and the second liquid outlet member is a first elastic member into which the second liquid outlet needle is inserted. A liquid container comprising two elastic seal members. In claim 1 or 2,
An elastic ring is attached to the hole formed in the partition wall,
The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid lead-out member is fitted into the elastic ring. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3,
The offset flow path unit includes a locked member that is rotated and mounted around the first center position and is locked to the housing at the rotation end position and is restricted from rotating.
The housing includes a first locking member capable of contacting the locked member at one end side in the intersecting direction at the rotation end position of the offset flow path unit, and the other end side in the intersecting direction. And a second locking member capable of coming into contact with the locked member. In claim 4,
The liquid is characterized in that the second liquid lead-out member is movable in the crossing direction by supporting the locked member so as to be movable between the first and second locking members. Containment container. In claim 5,
A liquid container that satisfies L2 <L1, where L1 is a distance between the first and second center positions, and L2 is a distance from the second center position to the locked member. . In any one of Claims 4 thru | or 6.
In the middle of the offset channel unit from the second center position to the locked member, the offset channel unit includes a deforming portion that elastically deforms in the intersecting direction, so that the second liquid lead-out member moves in the intersecting direction. A liquid container characterized by being capable of being used. In claim 7,
The liquid container is characterized in that the deforming portion is elastically deformed also in the linear direction. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 8.
The housing has a front wall disposed opposite the partition wall with the offset channel unit interposed therebetween,
The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of positioning holes through which a plurality of positioning pins provided on the liquid consuming device side are respectively inserted are provided in the front wall. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 9,
In the offset flow path unit, the second liquid lead-out member is disposed above the first liquid lead-out member when mounted on the liquid consuming device. In any one of Claims 1 thru | or 10.
The offset flow path unit is a liquid remaining amount detection unit including a sensor for detecting a remaining amount of liquid in the middle of the flow path between the first and second center positions. . In claim 10,
The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the offset channel unit is a gas trap unit that traps a gas in the liquid in the middle of the channel between the first and second center positions.

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