JP2009131971A - Ink supplying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means which correctly controls an amount for an ink cartridge to pop out of a cartridge mounting part. <P>SOLUTION: The ink supplying device 200 is equipped with: the ink cartridge 100 to which a part to be engaged 125 is set: the cartridge mounting part 202 with an opening 207 through which the ink cartridge 100 can be inserted and drawn out; coil the springs 48 and 49 which urge the ink cartridge 100 held in the cartridge mounting part 202 in a removal direction 29; and a locking member which engages with the part 125 thereby locking the ink cartridge 100 to the removal direction 29. The locking member is equipped with: a locking arm 230 which has a locking part 237 and an operation lever 234 set thereto; a supporting shaft 232 which supports the locking arm 230 changeably in posture between a first posture and a second posture; and a stopper 243 which comes again into contact with the ink cartridge 100 moved by the coil springs 48 and 49 in the removal direction 29. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink supply device that has an ink cartridge that can be inserted into and removed from a cartridge mounting portion in two predetermined directions, and a lock member locks the ink cartridge housed in the cartridge mounting portion.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image recording apparatus that records an image on a recording sheet (recording medium) using ink is known. This image recording apparatus includes an ink jet recording head, and selectively ejects ink droplets from a nozzle of the recording head toward a recording sheet. The ink droplets land on the recording paper, whereby a desired image is recorded on the recording paper. This image recording apparatus is provided with an ink cartridge for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head. In many cases, the ink cartridge adopts a cartridge format and is detachable from a cartridge mounting portion provided in the image recording apparatus. When the ink in the ink cartridge runs out, the ink cartridge is removed from the cartridge mounting portion of the image recording apparatus, and a new ink cartridge for storing ink is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. In such an image recording apparatus in which the ink cartridge can be attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion, a structure for positioning the ink cartridge and locking the mounting state of the ink cartridge is employed.

  In Patent Document 1, when the ink cartridge (14) is mounted in the refill unit (13) and the door (41) is closed, a pressing portion (200a) which is a part of the back surface of the ink cartridge (14) is disclosed. ), The ink cartridge (14) is held by the urging force of the coil spring (66) of the pressure holding member (61), while the door (41) is opened. A configuration is disclosed in which a drawer member (65) provided on the door (41) allows the ink cartridge (14) to be pulled out from the refill unit (13).

JP 2007-196653 A

  However, in the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to increase the rotation range of the drawer member (65) with respect to the change in the posture of the door (41), and the ink cartridge (14) is removed by the opening operation of the door (41). Since it cannot be pulled out largely from the refill unit (13), there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to hold the ink cartridge (14) to be replaced.

  On the other hand, if the ink cartridge (14) attached to the refill unit (13) is provided in the refill unit (13) such as a coil spring that urges the ink cartridge in the pulling direction, the door (41) is opened when the door (41) is opened. Although the ink cartridge (14) that has received power can be ejected from the refill unit (13), it is difficult to accurately control the amount of ejection of the ink cartridge (14) that has become lighter due to consumption of ink. Will occur.

  Further, it is desirable that the operation for exchanging the ink cartridge (14) is as simple as possible.

  Furthermore, it is desired that the refill unit (13) has a simple structure and cost reduction and space saving are realized.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide means capable of accurately controlling the amount of ink cartridge popping out from the cartridge mounting portion.

  Another object of the present invention is to perform an operation for releasing the lock of an ink cartridge locked in a state where it is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion and an operation for controlling the amount of the ink cartridge protruding from the cartridge mounting portion. It is to be realized with.

  (1) An ink supply apparatus according to the present invention includes an ink cartridge having an ink chamber for storing ink and an engaged portion, and an opening through which the ink cartridge can be inserted and removed, and the above-described two directions through the opening. A cartridge mounting portion into which the ink cartridge is inserted and removed, a first elastic member for urging the ink cartridge stored in the cartridge mounting portion in a first direction of the two directions, and ink stored in the cartridge mounting portion A locking member that engages with an engaged portion of the cartridge and locks the ink cartridge in the first direction. The lock member includes an operation lever provided at a first end, a lock arm provided with a lock portion engaged with the engaged portion at a second end, the lock arm, and the lock portion being engaged. A support mechanism that supports the posture changeable between a first posture that disengages from the joint portion and a second posture in which the lock portion engages with the engaged portion, and a first mechanism provided on the lock arm. The lock arm in the posture includes a stopper that re-contacts the ink cartridge moved in the first direction by the first elastic member.

  The ink cartridge stores ink in the ink chamber. The outer shape of the ink cartridge is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The ink cartridge is provided with an engaged portion that can engage with the lock portion of the lock member. The cartridge mounting portion has a space that can accommodate the ink cartridge. The ink cartridge is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion along two predetermined directions, and is accommodated in or taken out of the cartridge mounting portion. The predetermined two directions are not limited as long as they are constant directions. For example, a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, an oblique direction, and the like can be adopted. The lock arm is supported by a support mechanism such as a bearing provided in the cartridge mounting portion, and can change its posture between the first posture and the second posture. The first end of the lock arm is an operation lever that can be operated by the user. The second end of the lock arm is a lock portion that can be engaged with the engaged portion of the ink cartridge by protruding and retracting into the cartridge mounting portion. Further, the lock arm is provided with a stopper that can come into contact with the ink cartridge in the first posture. As the contact with the ink cartridge by the stopper, a contact state that can lock the pressure contact, engagement, and other movement of the ink cartridge in the first direction can be widely used.

  The ink cartridge inserted into the cartridge mounting portion is urged in the first of two directions by a first elastic member such as a spring. On the other hand, the lock portion of the lock arm in the second posture is engaged with the engaged portion of the ink cartridge, and the ink cartridge is prevented from moving in the first direction. As a result, the ink cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge mounting portion and locked. When the ink cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge mounting portion, the ink in the ink chamber flows out through a known joint mechanism or the like, and the ink is supplied to an ink consuming device such as an ink jet recording head.

  When the ink in the ink chamber is consumed, the ink cartridge is replaced. When the user operates the operation lever to change the posture of the lock arm from the second posture to the first posture, the lock portion is detached from the engaged portion of the ink cartridge. Then, the ink cartridge moves in the first direction in the cartridge mounting portion by the urging force of the first elastic member. However, since the lock arm is in the first posture, the stopper comes in contact with the ink cartridge again to stop the movement. . As a result, the ink cartridge moves from the accommodated state in the first direction, but stops without completely protruding from the cartridge mounting portion. Thereafter, when the posture of the lock arm is changed from the first posture to the second posture, the stopper is separated from the ink cartridge container, and the ink cartridge can be moved in the first direction. At this time, the biasing force of the first elastic member acting on the ink cartridge is weakened or disappeared from the accommodated state. Therefore, when the ink cartridge is taken out from the cartridge mounting portion, the ink cartridge appropriately protrudes from the cartridge mounting portion, so that the ink cartridge can be easily taken out, and the ink cartridge is prevented from jumping out from the cartridge mounting portion.

  (2) It is preferable that the stopper is provided on the first end side of the lock arm.

  When the lock portion at the second end is disengaged from the engaged portion of the ink cartridge due to the change in the posture of the lock arm, the stopper on the first end side moves to a position where it comes into contact with the ink cartridge. Since the operation lever is provided at the first end of the lock arm, as described above, the user operates the operation lever in one direction to change the posture of the lock arm from the second posture to the first posture. Each operation of the lock part and the stopper is realized with one action.

  (3) It is preferable that the lock arm change its posture by rotating between the first posture and the second posture with a fulcrum between the first end and the second end.

  Accordingly, when the lock arm is rotated from the second posture to the first posture, the lock portion at the second end is detached from the engaged portion of the ink cartridge, and the stopper at the first end contacts the ink cartridge. Since it moves to the position, the posture change of the lock arm can be easily operated.

  (4) The lock member may further include a second elastic member that biases the lock arm toward the second posture.

  The lock arm is biased by a second elastic member such as a spring to maintain the second posture, and when the operation lever is operated, the lock arm assumes the first posture. Therefore, when the user stops the operation of the operation lever after the stopper comes into contact with the ink cartridge and stops the operation of the operation lever, the lock arm becomes the second posture, and the ink cartridge can be taken out from the cartridge mounting portion. So operability is good.

  (5) The stopper is preferably in contact with the ink cartridge at a predetermined position from the position where the urging force by the first elastic member does not act on the ink cartridge until the ink cartridge is completely removed from the opening. It is.

  As a result, even if the lock arm is rotated from the first posture to the second posture after the stopper is brought into contact with the ink cartridge and the ink cartridge is prevented from popping out, the ink cartridge is not further ejected.

  (6) Examples of the first elastic member include one that has one end connected to the ink cartridge and is elastically contracted when the ink cartridge is housed in the cartridge mounting portion.

  According to the ink supply device of the present invention, when the user operates the operation lever to change the posture of the lock arm from the second posture to the first posture, the ink cartridge moves inside the cartridge mounting portion by the urging force of the first elastic member. As the ink cartridge moves in the first direction and the stopper comes into contact with the ink cartridge again, the ink cartridge stops without completely popping out of the cartridge mounting portion. The ink cartridge can be ejected moderately from the mounting portion, so that it can be easily taken out and the ink cartridge is prevented from excessively protruding from the cartridge mounting portion.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings as appropriate. In addition, this embodiment is only an example of 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.

[Explanation of drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink supply device 200. FIG. 1 shows a state where the ink cartridge 100 is attached to the ink supply device 200 (attached state). FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 100. FIG. 2A shows a state where the slider 41 is in the first position, and FIG. 2B shows that the slider 41 is in the second position. The state is shown. 3A and 3B are side views of the ink cartridge 100. FIG. 3A shows a state where the slider 41 is in the first position, and FIG. 3B shows a state where the slider 41 is in the second position. It is shown. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the cartridge mounting unit 202. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the ink supply device 200. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line VII-VII in FIG. 8 to 10 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a process in which the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 202. FIG. FIG. 8 shows a process of mounting the ink cartridge 100, FIG. 9 shows a state where the ink cartridge 100 is mounted and locked, and FIG. 10 shows an ink cartridge immediately after unlocking. 100 states are shown.

[Schematic Configuration of Ink Supply Device 200]
Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of the ink supply apparatus 200 will be described. The ink supply device 200 is applied to a device that consumes ink (hereinafter, also referred to as “ink consumption device”) such as an inkjet printer. The ink supply device 200 may be integrated with the ink consumption device. For example, an opening that can be opened and closed by a door is provided in the casing of the ink consuming apparatus, and the ink supply apparatus 200 is exposed to the outside through the opening.

  The ink supply device 200 mainly includes an ink cartridge 100 and a cartridge mounting unit 202. The ink cartridge 100 is a cartridge type and can be attached to and detached from the cartridge mounting portion 202. The ink supply device 200 is configured so that four types of ink cartridges 100 can be attached and detached. Each ink cartridge 100 contains ink of any one of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Each ink stored in each ink cartridge 100 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 202 in the ink supply device 200 is supplied to a recording head of an ink jet printer.

[Ink cartridge 100]
The detailed configuration of the ink cartridge 100 will be described below. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink cartridge 100 has a flat, substantially hexahedron outer shape, that is, a flat rectangular parallelepiped. Specifically, the outer shape of the ink cartridge 100 is narrower in the width direction (the direction of the arrow 31), and is higher than the width direction in the height direction (the direction of the arrow 32) and the depth direction (the direction of the arrow 33). It is a long, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The ink cartridge 100 is in the upright state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, that is, the lower surface in the drawing is the bottom surface, and the upper surface in the drawing is the top surface, and the arrow 30 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 202. Is inserted in the direction indicated by (hereinafter referred to as “insertion direction 30”), and is extracted in the direction indicated by arrow 29 (hereinafter referred to as “extraction direction 29”). The removal direction 29 and the insertion direction 30 correspond to the two predetermined directions in the present invention, and the removal direction 29 corresponds to the first direction. In this specification, the bottom and top surfaces of the ink cartridge 100 refer to those in the standing state shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 unless otherwise specified.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ink cartridge 100 roughly includes a container main body 40 that accommodates ink, a slider 41, a main body cover 42, and coil springs 48 and 49. The exterior of the ink cartridge 100 is generally constituted by a slider 41 and a main body cover 42. The container body 40 is generally covered with a slider 41 and a body cover 42.

  The main body cover 42 substantially covers the container main body 40, but a part of the upper surface 36 of the container main body 40 and the rear surface 34 of the container main body 40 are exposed from the main body cover 42. The slider 41 covers the back surface portion 46 of the main body cover 42 and the back surface 34 of the container main body 40. The back portion 46 of the main body cover 42 is a part of the main body cover 42 that is the front side with respect to the insertion direction 30. The slider 41 is slidable in the depth direction of the ink cartridge 100 (in the direction of the arrow 33), and is located at a first position farthest away from the back surface 34 of the container body 40 (see FIG. 2A) and the container body 40. It is slid between the second position closest to the back surface 34 (see FIG. 2B). When the slider 41 is in the second position, an ink supply valve 90 described later is projected from the slider 41 to the outside. When the slider 41 reaches the first position, the ink supply valve 90 is immersed in the slider 41.

[Container body 40]
Below, the detailed structure of the container main body 40 is demonstrated. The container body 40 has an approximately hexahedron outer shape that is generally flat. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, in the container body 40, the front surface with respect to the insertion direction 30 is the back surface 34, and the rear surface with respect to the insertion direction 30 is the front surface 35. The upper surface is the upper surface 36 with respect to the direction of gravity, and the lower surface is the bottom surface 37 with respect to the direction of gravity. The back surface 34 and the front surface 35 face each other and are adjacent to the top surface 36 and the bottom surface 37. Further, two surfaces that are adjacent to the back surface 34, the front surface 35, the upper surface 36, and the bottom surface 37 and that face each other are side surfaces, but these side surfaces do not appear in FIG. In the container main body 40, these two side surfaces are the maximum areas.

  The container body 40 is roughly composed of a frame 50, an arm 70, an atmosphere communication valve 80, an ink supply valve 90, and a film (not shown) made of a transparent resin. Films are welded to the edges of both sides of the frame 50, and a certain space is formed in a liquid-tight manner by the frame 50 and the welded film. A constant space inside the frame 50 is an ink chamber 102. Predetermined ink is injected and stored in the ink chamber 102. In the present embodiment, an aspect in which the ink chamber 102 is formed by the frame 50 and the film is shown. However, for example, the frame 50 itself may be a rectangular parallelepiped container shape and the internal space may be the ink chamber 102. Good.

  A detection unit 140 is formed on the back surface 34 of the frame 50. The detection unit 140 is for visually or optically detecting the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 102. The detection unit 140 is formed integrally with the frame 50 and can transmit light from the outside. The detection unit 140 protrudes from the middle of the back surface 34 of the container body 40 to the outside of the container body 40. The detection unit 140 has a hollow, substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and a space 142 inside the detection unit 140 communicates with the ink chamber 102. The indicator 72 of the arm 70 disposed in the ink chamber 102 can enter the space 142. The arm 70 is supported by the frame 50 so as to be rotatable so that the indicator 72 moves substantially in the vertical direction in the space 142.

  The arm 70 is provided with an indicator 72 at one end and a float 73 at the other end. The float 73 has a predetermined buoyancy with respect to the ink stored in the ink chamber 102. When the ink stored in the ink chamber 102 is consumed, the liquid level of the ink in the ink chamber 102 falls, and the posture of the float 73 changes (displaces) as the liquid level drops. The arm 70 can be rotated by the displacement of the float 73.

  When there is more ink than the predetermined amount in the ink chamber 102, the float 73 rises, and accordingly, the indicator 72 moves below the space 142 and comes into contact with the lower wall of the detection unit 140 and stops. . In this posture, the indicator 72 blocks light emitted from the outside in the thickness direction of the detection unit 140 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 4).

  When the amount of ink in the ink chamber 102 becomes a predetermined amount or less, the float 73 descends as the ink level drops, and along with this, the indicator 72 moves above the space 142 to the upper wall of the detection unit 140. Abuts and stops. In this posture, the indicator 72 does not block light emitted from the outside in the thickness direction of the detection unit 140.

  An air communication valve 80 is provided on the upper surface of the back surface 34 of the frame 50. The air communication valve 80 is a valve that opens or closes an air path from the outside of the frame 50 to the ink chamber 102. The atmospheric communication valve 80 is opened and closed by sliding the rod 84. The rod 84 is biased by the coil spring 86 and protrudes to the outside of the frame 50. If no external force is applied to the rod 84, the atmospheric communication valve 80 is closed. When the rod 84 is pushed into the frame 50 against the urging force of the coil spring 86, the atmosphere communication valve 80 is opened.

  An ink supply valve 90 is provided at the lower part of the back surface 34 of the frame 50. The ink supply valve 90 is a valve that opens or closes the ink path from the outside of the frame 50 to the ink chamber 102. The ink supply valve 90 is opened and closed by sliding the valve body 97. The valve body 97 is biased by the coil spring 96 to seal the opening of the ink supply valve 90. If no external force is applied to the valve body 97, the ink supply valve 90 is closed. When the ink needle 209 (see FIG. 7) is inserted into the opening of the ink supply valve 90, the valve body 97 is slid against the biasing force of the coil spring 96, and the ink supply valve 90 is opened. As a result, the ink in the ink chamber 102 flows into the tip of the ink needle 209 inserted into the ink supply valve 90, and the ink can flow out to an ink consuming device such as a recording head of an ink jet printer through the ink needle 209.

  A spring accommodating chamber 110 is formed above the atmospheric communication valve 80 on the back surface 34 of the frame 50. Further, a spring accommodating chamber 111 is formed below the ink supply valve 90 on the back surface 34 of the frame 50. Each of the spring accommodating chambers 110 and 111 is a substantially cylindrical hole bored from the back surface 34 of the frame 50 toward the ink chamber 102. Coil springs 48 and 49 are accommodated in the spring accommodating chambers 110 and 111, respectively. That is, each of the spring accommodating chambers 110 and 111 is a connecting portion that connects one end of the coil springs 48 and 49 to the container body 40. The coil springs 48 and 49 urge the slider 41 toward the first position. The coil springs 48 and 49 correspond to the first elastic member in the present invention.

  In the present invention, the connection between the first elastic member and the container main body does not necessarily require a strong connection as long as the urging force of the first elastic member is transmitted to the container main body. A mode in which a coil spring is fitted into the hole and elastically contracts may be employed. Further, the positions of the spring accommodating chambers 110 and 111, the inner diameter dimension or the depth dimension of the holes are elements that are appropriately determined according to the specifications of the accommodated spring, but the height direction of the container body 40 (arrow 32). In order to evenly urge the slider 41 that is long in the direction of 2) to maintain a stable posture with respect to the container body 40, as shown in the present embodiment, the upper and lower parts separated in the height direction of the container body 40 It is desirable that the pair of spring accommodating chambers 110 and 111 is disposed at the position.

  A support member 115 is provided on the upper surface 36 of the frame 50 on the front side in the insertion direction 30. A support member 116 is provided on the bottom side 37 of the frame 50 on the front side in the insertion direction 30. Each support member 115 and 116 is formed integrally with the frame 50. Each of the support members 115 and 116 is formed in a bowl shape extending along the insertion direction 30, and can be engaged with the projecting pieces 192 and 193 formed on the slider 41, respectively. The slider 41 is slidably supported. Thereby, the slider 41 can be slid so as not to be detached from the container body 40.

  The support member 115 includes a base 118 projecting vertically upward from the upper surface 36 of the frame 50, and a flange 119 formed at an end of the base 118 on the back surface 34 side. The collar portion 119 has a collar shape that bends upward from the insertion direction 30. The support member 116 includes a base 121 that protrudes vertically downward from the bottom surface 37 of the frame 50, and a flange 122 that is formed at an end of the base 121 on the back surface 34 side. The collar portion 122 has a collar shape that bends downward from the insertion direction 30. The slides of the slider 41 with respect to the container body 40 are guided in a certain direction by the bases 118 and 121, and the slider 41 is prevented from being detached from the container body 40 by the flange portions 119 and 122.

  A base 124 is provided on the upper surface 36 of the frame 50. The platform 124 has a generally trapezoidal shape protruding upward from the upper surface 36, and from the intermediate portion in the depth direction (the direction of the arrow 33) on the upper surface 36 to the rear side in the insertion direction 30, that is, the front surface 35 of the container body 40. It is extended to the side. When the container main body 40 is covered with the main body cover 42, the pedestal part 124 is exposed to the outside through the opening 128 provided on the upper surface of the main body cover 42.

  The base portion 124 is provided with an engaged portion 125. The engaged portion 125 is provided at an end on the front side (right side in FIG. 4) of the base portion 124 in the insertion direction 30 and protrudes further upward from the upper surface of the base portion 124. The engaged portion 125 is lowered while the vertical wall 126 standing substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the base portion 124 and the upper surface is inclined to the front side in the insertion direction 30 at an angle of approximately 45 degrees from the upper end of the vertical wall 126. Ribs 127 to be used. The engaged portion 125 is for locking the mounting state so that the ink cartridge 100 is not detached from the cartridge mounting portion 202 when the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 202. This is achieved by engagement with a lock portion 237 (see FIG. 7) of the lock arm 230 described later.

  The frame 50 is provided with a plurality of through holes, and the container body 40 and the main body cover 42 are assembled by engaging the claws of the main body cover 42 with the respective through holes.

[Slider 41, body cover 42]
Hereinafter, detailed configurations of the slider 41 and the main body cover 42 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body cover 42 has a container shape that can substantially accommodate the container main body 40 with a part of the back surface 34 exposed. The main body cover 42 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped outer shape corresponding to the outer shape of the container main body 40.

  A step 43 is formed on the side surface of the main body cover 42 in the vicinity of the center in the depth direction (the direction of the arrow 33). The side surface of the main body cover 42 is divided through a step 43 into a front portion 47 on the front surface 35 side of the ink cartridge 100 and a back surface portion 46 on the back surface 34 side. The rear portion 46 is narrower than the front portion 47 in the width direction (in the direction of the arrow 31), whereby the side surface of the main body cover 42 has two steps. The step 43 is an inclined surface that serves as a boundary between the two steps of the unevenness, extends from the upper end to the lower end of the main body cover 42, and the extending direction is the front surface 35 of the container main body 40 (see FIG. 4). An arc is formed with respect to a predetermined center on the side.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, an opening 128 is provided on the upper surface of the front portion 47 of the main body cover 42. The opening 128 is a rectangular long hole through which the base portion 124 and the engaged portion 125 of the container body 40 can be exposed. When the main body cover 42 is attached to the container main body 40, the base portion 124 and the engaged portion 125 are exposed to the outside from the opening 128. The upper surface of the main body cover 42 is a surface that is substantially continuous with the rib 127 of the engaged portion 125 exposed from the opening 128, and is a flat surface that is substantially horizontal in the insertion direction 30. A slider 41 described later is mounted so as to cover this upper surface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the main body cover 42 includes a pair of a left cover 44 and a right cover 45 that are symmetrical with respect to the width direction (the direction of the arrow 31). As described above, the left cover 44 and the right cover 45 have a plurality of claws that protrude substantially horizontally from the inner surface thereof, and each claw is engaged with the container body 40. Thereby, the container main body 40, the left cover 44, and the right cover 45 are assembled | attached integrally so that the container main body 40 may be inserted | pinched.

  The slider 41 has a container shape capable of accommodating the back portion 46 of the main body cover 42 and has a flat outer shape. Specifically, the slider 41 includes a rear wall 161 corresponding to the rear surface 34 of the container body 40, an upper wall 163 corresponding to the upper surface of the rear surface portion 46 of the main body cover 42, and a lower wall 164 corresponding to the lower surface of the rear surface portion 46. And a left side wall 165 and a right side wall 166 corresponding to both side surfaces of the back surface portion 46. A back portion 46 of the main body cover 42 can be accommodated in the internal space of the slider 41 surrounded by these walls. Further, the back portion 46 of the main body cover 42 serves as a guide, and the slider 41 can slide in the depth direction (in the direction of the arrow 33).

  As shown in FIG. 4, the slider 41 has a notch 187, rods 168 and 169, sliding grooves 171 and 172, and openings 177 and 178.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the notch 187 is formed near the middle of the rear wall 161. The notch 187 is a window for exposing the detection unit 140 of the container body 40 to the outside, and is cut out in a rectangular shape in the width direction (the direction of the arrow 31).

  As shown in FIG. 4, rods 168 and 169 are provided inside the slider 41. The rods 168 and 169 protrude in a substantially horizontal direction from the inner surface of the rear wall 161 of the slider 41 toward the back surface 34 of the container body 40. The rod 168 is disposed on the upper side of the rear wall 161, and the rod 169 is disposed on the lower side of the rear wall 161. A coil spring 48 disposed in the spring accommodating chamber 110 of the container main body 40 is externally fitted to the rod 168, and a coil spring 49 disposed in the spring accommodating chamber 111 of the container main body 40 is externally fitted to the rod 169. When the coil springs 48 and 49 are contracted, the rods 48 and 49 are inserted into the spring accommodating chambers 110 and 111, respectively.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a sliding groove 171 is formed on the back surface side of the upper wall 163 in the slider 41. The sliding groove 171 is formed by an upper wall 163, a part of the left side wall 165, and a part of the right side wall 166, and has an inverted U shape with the lower side opened in the longitudinal section. Further, the rear wall 161 side of the sliding groove 171 is opened. In the sliding groove 171, the projecting piece 192 is suspended from the back surface of the upper wall 163. Although most of the support member 115 is slidable with respect to the protruding piece 192, the flange portion 119 of the support member 115 abuts. The flange portion 119 comes into contact with the projecting piece 192 from the rear wall 161 side. This contact prevents the slider 41 from falling off the container body 40, and the slider 41 is slidable with respect to the container body 40 in a range where the flange portion 119 does not contact the protruding piece 192.

  Similarly, a sliding groove 172 is formed on the back surface side of the lower wall 164 in the slider 41. The sliding groove 172 is formed by the lower wall 164, a part of the left side wall 165, and a part of the right side wall 166, and has a U shape with the upper side opened in the longitudinal section. Further, the rear wall 161 side of the sliding groove 172 is opened. In the sliding groove 172, a protruding piece 193 is erected from the back surface of the lower wall 164. Although most of the support member 116 is slidable with respect to the projecting piece 193, the flange 122 of the support member 116 abuts. The flange 122 abuts against the protrusion 193 from the rear wall 161 side. This contact prevents the slider 41 from falling off the container body 40, and the slider 41 is slidable with respect to the container body 40 in a range where the flange 122 does not contact the protruding piece 193. The protrusions 192 and 193 are at the same position with respect to the depth direction of the slider 41 (the direction of the arrow 33). Therefore, the slide position of the slider 41 where the collar portion 119 contacts the projecting piece 192 is the same as the slide position of the slider 41 where the collar portion 122 contacts the projecting piece 193.

  In a state where the slider 41 is mounted on the container body 40, the slider 41 is urged in a direction away from the back surface 34 of the container body 40 by the coil springs 48 and 49. In a state in which no external force is applied to the slider 41, the slider 41 comes to rest at the first position shown in FIG. 2A, with the flanges 119 and 122 abutting against the projecting pieces 192 and 193, respectively. On the other hand, when an external force is applied to the slider 41 from the rear wall 161 side, the slider 41 can slide to the second position shown in FIG. 2B against the urging force of the coil springs 48 and 49.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the slider 41 has an opening 177 on the upper side of the rear wall 161. In the state where the slider 41 is assembled to the container main body 40, the height position of the opening 177 corresponds to the atmospheric communication valve 80. The opening 177 is circular when viewed from the rear wall 161 side, and has a size that allows the pressing portion 216 (see FIG. 7) provided in the cartridge mounting portion 202 to be inserted. In the process of mounting the ink cartridge 100 to the cartridge mounting portion 202, the pressing portion 216 is inserted through the opening 177.

  The slider 41 has an opening 178 on the lower side of the rear wall 161. In the state where the slider 41 is assembled to the container main body 40, the height position of the opening 178 corresponds to the ink supply valve 90. The opening 178 has a shape and size through which the ink supply valve 90 can be inserted. When the slider 41 is in the second position, a part of the ink supply valve 90 is exposed from the opening 178.

[Cartridge mounting unit 202]
The detailed configuration of the cartridge mounting unit 202 will be described below with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 5, the cartridge mounting portion 202 is mainly formed by a frame 204 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape having an opening 207 on the front surface. Each ink cartridge 100 is inserted into and removed from the opening 207, and each ink cartridge 100 is accommodated in the internal space of the frame 204 through the opening 207. In the present embodiment, the cartridge mounting unit 202 is one space corresponding to each ink cartridge 100. That is, four cartridge mounting portions 202 are arranged side by side in the width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 5), and four ink cartridges 100 corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are arranged in each cartridge mounting portion 202. Can be accommodated. The width direction in which the cartridge mounting portions 202 are arranged is a horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion direction 30 of the ink cartridge 100.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the frame 204 is provided with three plates 223 that partition the internal space. The ink cartridge 100 is accommodated in each of the four spaces (cartridge mounting portions 202) partitioned by the plate 223. The plate 223 is a thin plate that protrudes from the back surface of the frame 204 to the front surface side, and its front and back surfaces extend in the vertical direction in the internal space of the frame 204. Each plate 223 is arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the frame 204 (the left-right direction in FIG. 5). The space between the inner surface of the frame 204 and the plate 223 or between a pair of adjacent plates 223 corresponds to the width of the ink cartridge 100 to be accommodated therebetween.

  The ink cartridge 100 is accommodated in the cartridge mounting portion 202 which is each space defined by the frame 204 and the plate 223. The ink cartridge 100 is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 202 from the back side.

  Four guide grooves 206 are provided at the bottom of the inner surface of the frame 204. Each guide groove 206 is provided between the inner surface of the frame 204 and the plate 223, or between a pair of adjacent plates 223, and is formed in a linear shape from the opening 207 of the frame 204 to the inner part. The ink cartridge 100 accommodated in each space in the frame 204 is guided in each guide groove 206 and is inserted into the frame 204 from the opening 207 to the back in a predetermined insertion direction. This insertion direction coincides with the insertion direction 30 described above in the description of the ink cartridge 100.

  A joint 208 is provided behind the inner surface of the frame 204. The joint 208 is connected to the ink supply valve 90 of the ink cartridge 100 to lead out the ink in the ink chamber 102. Accordingly, four joints 208 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 100 accommodated in each cartridge mounting portion 202. Since the four ink cartridges 100 are accommodated in the frame 204 in the width direction, the four joints 208 are also arranged in the width direction of the frame 204, and the height positions of the joints 208 are at the cartridge mounting portion 202. This corresponds to the height position of the ink supply valve 90 in the accommodated ink cartridge 100. In FIG. 5, the joint 208 arranged on the rightmost side does not appear hidden behind the frame 204.

  Each joint 208 has an ink needle 209 and a holding part 210, respectively. The ink needle 209 is a cylindrical tube and protrudes in a substantially horizontal direction from the back surface of the frame 204 toward the front surface. The tip of the ink needle 209 is open, and the tip is inserted into the ink supply valve 90 of the ink cartridge 100 to open the ink supply valve 90. The proximal end of the ink needle 209 is connected to the ink tube 212 on the back side of the frame 204 as shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, the ink tube 212 is divided in the middle, but actually, the ink tube 212 is extended to the ink consuming device.

  The holding unit 210 is provided on the back surface of the frame 204 and has a cylindrical shape surrounding the proximal end side of the ink needle 209. When the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 202, the ink supply valve 90 is fitted into the holding unit 210 and the ink needle 209 is inserted into the ink supply valve 90.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a pressing portion 216 is provided at the back of the inner surface of the frame 204. The height position of the pressing unit 216 corresponds to the atmosphere communication valve 80 of the ink cartridge 100 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 202. Therefore, each pressing portion 216 is arranged above each joint 208 described above, and the four pressing portions 216 are arranged in the width direction of the frame 204. Each pressing portion 216 has a cylindrical shape protruding in the horizontal direction from the back surface of the frame 204 toward the front surface, and a circular recess 217 is formed at the tip thereof. In the process of mounting the ink cartridge 100 on the cartridge mounting portion 202, the pressing portion 216 is inserted into the opening 177 of the ink cartridge 100, the recess 217 comes into contact with the rod 84 of the atmosphere communication valve 80, and the rod 84 is pushed in. When the rod 84 is pushed in, the air communication valve 80 is opened and the ink chamber 102 is at atmospheric pressure.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, an optical sensor 181 is provided in the inner surface of the frame 204. The height position of each optical sensor 181 corresponds to the detection unit 140 of the ink cartridge 100 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 202. Therefore, the optical sensor 181 is disposed above the joint 208 and below the pressing portion 216. Four optical sensors 181 are arranged in the width direction of the frame 204 corresponding to the four ink cartridges 100 mounted in each cartridge mounting portion 202. In FIG. 5, the optical sensor 181 arranged on the rightmost side is hidden by the frame 204 and does not appear. The optical sensor 181 outputs a signal for detecting whether or not the amount of ink in the ink chamber 102 of the ink cartridge 100 has become a predetermined amount or less. Although not shown in each figure, the control unit of the ink supply device 200 or the ink consuming device determines whether the remaining amount of ink has become a predetermined amount or less based on the output of the optical sensor 181.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, a lock arm 230 is provided on the upper surface of the frame 204. The lock arm 230 is for locking the ink cartridge 100 in the mounted state in the cartridge mounting portion 202, and forms a part of the lock member in the present invention. In the frame 204, four lock arms 230 are arranged in the width direction corresponding to the four ink cartridges 100.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the lock arm 230 extends from the front surface to the back surface of the frame 204, and is bent into a crank shape in the extending direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 7). A support shaft 232 is provided near the center in the extending direction of the lock arm 230. The support shaft 232 has a pin shape protruding in the horizontal direction from both ends of the lock arm 230. Although not shown in detail in FIG. 7, a pair of bearings capable of supporting the support shaft 232 are formed in the vicinity of the upper surface of the frame 204, and the support shafts 232 are respectively rotatably supported by the pair of bearings. A lock arm 230 is provided on the frame 204 so as to be rotatable about the support shaft 232 as a fulcrum. The pair of bearings of the support shaft 232 and the frame 204 correspond to the support mechanism in the present invention.

  The lock arm 230 has an operation lever 234 at a first end that is the front side of the frame 204, and a lock portion 237 at a second end that is the back side of the frame 204. The operation lever 234 protrudes from the front surface of the frame 204 to the near side, and its upper surface has a dish shape along the belly of the finger of the hand. The thickness of the lock arm 230 in the width direction, in other words, the thickness in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion direction 30 in which the ink cartridge 100 is inserted is smaller than the thickness of the ink cartridge 100. Thus, the lock arm 230 is disposed within the range of the width in which each ink cartridge 100 is accommodated. The lock portion 237 has a lower surface that forms a circumferential surface with respect to the extending direction and a tip that is substantially perpendicular to the extending direction.

  A corner portion of the lower surface on the first end side in the portion where the lock arm 230 bends in a crank shape is a stopper 243 that can come into contact with the ink cartridge 100 when the operation lever 234 is pressed downward. The stopper 243 protrudes downward from the upper edge 236 of the opening 207 when the operation lever 234 is pressed downward. That is, the movement direction of the stopper 243 and the movement direction of the operation lever 234 are the same. On the other hand, the upper wall 205 in the vicinity of the opening 207 of the frame 204 is in contact with the upper surface of the lock arm 230 to limit the rotation range of the lock arm 230.

  A coil spring 219 is provided between the lock arm 230 and the frame 204. A hook portion 241 that protrudes upward from the upper surface of the lock arm 230 in a crank shape is provided at the portion where the lock arm 230 bends in a crank shape. The hook 241 is for hooking one end of the coil spring 219. A hooking portion 239 for hooking the other end of the coil spring 219 protrudes from the upper surface of the frame 204 in the horizontal direction. Four hooks 239 are formed on the frame 204 corresponding to the four lock arms 230. Both ends of the hooks 239 and 241 are hooked, and a coil spring 219 is stretched between the lock arm 230 and the frame 204. The coil spring 219 generates a contracting force in a state where the coil spring 219 is stretched between the lock arm 230 and the frame 204. Due to the contraction force of the coil spring 219, the lock arm 230 is given a rotational force in the clockwise direction in FIG. 7 (the direction of the arrow 245). The coil spring 219 corresponds to the second elastic member in the present invention.

  In a state where no external force is applied to the operation lever 234, the lock arm 230 is urged in the direction of the arrow 245 by the coil spring 219 and is held in a state in which the rotation is restricted by the upper wall 205. This posture is referred to as a second posture in the present invention. In the second posture, the upper surface of the operation lever 234 is substantially horizontal, and the lock portion 237 protrudes downward from the inner surface of the frame 204. The protruding position of the lock portion 237 in the second posture is a position where it can come into contact with the ink cartridge 100 accommodated in the cartridge mounting portion 202. Specifically, the lock portion 237 in the second posture engages with the engaged portion 125 of the ink cartridge 100 to stop the ink cartridge 100 inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 202 with respect to the removal direction 29. When the operation lever 234 is lowered against the contraction force of the coil spring 219, the lock arm 230 is rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow 245, and the lock portion 237 is immersed in the inner surface of the frame 204 (see FIG. 10). This posture is referred to as a first posture in the present invention. In the first posture, the lock portion 237 is in a position where it does not come into contact with the ink cartridge 100 accommodated in the cartridge mounting portion 202, and the position where the stopper 243 comes into contact with the ink cartridge 100 that is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 202. It is in.

[Removal operation of ink cartridge 100]
Hereinafter, an operation of attaching and detaching the ink cartridge 100 to the cartridge mounting unit 202 will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, when the ink cartridge 100 is not mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 202 and no external force is applied to the operation lever 234 of the lock arm 230, the lock arm 219 contracts due to the contraction force of the coil spring 219. 230 is maintained in the second posture. In this second posture, the upper surface of the operation lever 234 is substantially horizontal, and the lock portion 237 protrudes downward from the inner surface of the frame 204. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 100 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 202, the vicinity of the lock portion 237 can come into contact with the ink cartridge 100. The stopper 243 is in a position where it does not come into contact with the ink cartridge 100 inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 202. On the other hand, in the ink cartridge 100 before insertion, the slider 41 is in the first position by being biased by the coil springs 48 and 49.

  When the ink cartridge 100 is mounted, the ink cartridge 100 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 202 through the opening 207 of the frame 204 as shown in FIG. The insertion direction 30 of the ink cartridge 100 is the horizontal direction. The bottom surface of the ink cartridge 100 is fitted into a guide groove 206 formed in the frame 204, and when the ink cartridge 100 is pushed into the cartridge mounting portion 202, the ink cartridge 100 is linearly guided to the flange of the cartridge mounting portion 202 by the guide groove 206. Guided.

  On the upper surface side of the ink cartridge 100, the lock portion 237 of the lock arm 230 contacts the upper wall 163 of the slider 41. Since the lower surface of the lock portion 237 forms a circumferential surface with respect to the extending direction, the lock portion 237 is smoothly moved to the upper wall 163 of the slider 41 while being guided by this circumferential surface. When the lock portion 237 comes into contact with the upper wall 163, the lock arm 230 rotates to the first posture side (arrow 246) against the contraction force of the coil spring 219. By the rotation of the lock arm 230, on the front side of the cartridge mounting portion 202, the operation lever 234 is rotated downward, and the upper surface of the operation lever 234 is inclined downward from the horizontal state. This change in the state of the operation lever 234 can be easily seen from the front side of the cartridge mounting portion 202. The user visually recognizes that the operation lever 234 is in an inclined state, and recognizes that the ink cartridge 100 is in the process of being mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 202. When the lock arm 230 is rotated, the lock arm 230 is not in the first posture, and the stopper 243 is not in contact with the ink cartridge 100.

  Further, when the ink cartridge 100 is pushed into the interior of the cartridge mounting portion 202, the pressing portion 216 is inserted into the opening 177 of the slider 41, and then the rear wall 161 of the slider 41 comes into contact with the back surface of the cartridge mounting portion 202. At this time, the lock portion 237 slides from the upper wall 163 of the slider 41 to the upper surface of the main body cover 42. In this sliding, the lock portion 237 moves a step corresponding to the thickness of the upper wall 163 of the slider 41. However, since the lower surface of the lock portion 237 is a circumferential surface, the lock portion 237 smoothly moves to the upper surface of the main body cover 42. Can slide. Even in a state where the lock portion 237 is in contact with the upper surface of the main body cover 42, the operation lever 234 of the lock arm 230 maintains a state in which the upper surface is inclined downward. When the rear wall 161 of the slider 41 comes into contact with the inner surface of the cartridge mounting portion 202, the notch 187 of the slider 41 enters the optical path.

  When the ink cartridge 100 is further pushed into the collar of the cartridge mounting portion 202 after the slider 41 contacts the inner surface of the cartridge mounting portion 202, the coil springs 48 and 49 are compressed and elastically contracted. The force for elastically contracting the coil springs 48 and 49 is a force for pushing the ink cartridge 100. Since the slider 41 is in contact with the inner surface of the cartridge mounting portion 202 and is stationary, the main body cover 42 is pushed into the cartridge mounting portion 202 while moving relative to the slider 41, and as a result, the slider at the first position. 41 is slid to the second position.

  The elastic contraction of the first elastic member in the present invention refers to the elastic contraction of the coil springs 48 and 49 when the slider 41 is slid to the second position, but the coil spring 48 when the slider 41 is in the first position. , 49 only needs to be elastically contracted with respect to the entire length, and the coil springs 48, 49 need not be elastically contracted when the slider 41 is in the first position. That is, the coil springs 48 and 49 may be elastically contracted when the slider 41 is in the first position.

  As the main body cover 42 moves, the container main body 40 also moves, the rod 84 of the air communication valve 80 comes into contact with the pressing portion 216, and the rod 84 is pushed against the biasing force of the coil spring 86. The force for contracting the coil spring 86 is a force for pushing the ink cartridge 100 into the cartridge mounting portion 202. As a result, the atmosphere communication valve 80 is opened and the ink chamber 102 is opened to the atmosphere. Further, a part of the ink supply valve 90 is exposed from the opening 178 of the slider 41 and is fitted to the holding portion 210 of the joint 208, and the ink needle 209 is applied to the ink supply valve 90 against the biasing force of the coil spring 96. Inserted. The force for contracting the coil spring 96 is a force for pushing the ink cartridge 100 into the cartridge mounting portion 202. As a result, the ink supply valve 90 is connected to the joint 208, and the ink in the ink chamber 102 can flow out to the outside through the ink supply valve 90 and the ink needle 209. In addition, the detection unit 140 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 181. In this state, the optical sensor 181 can detect the movement of the indicator 72 of the arm 70 through the detection unit 140.

  Further, when the container main body 40 moves relative to the main body cover 42, the lock portion 237 of the lock arm 230 slides on the upper surface of the main body cover 42 and reaches the rib 127 of the container main body 40. Then, it is guided by the upper surface of the rib 127, gets over the vertical wall 126, and reaches the platform 124. With the movement of the lock portion 237, the lock arm 230 further rotates to the first posture side (arrow 246), and then rotates to the second posture side (arrow 245) to return to the second posture. Thereby, the upper surface of the operation lever 234 becomes horizontal again. When the lock arm 230 is in the second posture, the lock portion 237 comes into contact with the base portion 124. The stopper 243 does not come into contact with the ink cartridge 100 even when the lock portion 237 gets over the vertical wall 126.

  When the slider 41 is in the second position, the ink cartridge 100 cannot be pushed further into the bag of the cartridge mounting portion 202. Through the ink cartridge 100, the user can perceive sensibly that the ink cartridge 100 cannot move at all due to increased resistance to pushing. In addition, the lock arm 230 is rotated so as to return to the second posture from the first posture side, and the pressing of the ink cartridge 100 is completed by returning from the inclined state of the upper surface of the operation lever 234 to the horizontal state. Can be visually recognized by the user.

  When the ink cartridge 100 is stopped from being pushed into the cartridge mounting portion 202, the slider 41 is urged by the coil springs 48 and 49 to return from the second position to the first position. Since the slider 41 is in contact with the inner surface of the cartridge mounting portion 202, the main body cover 42 moves relative to the slider 41 and tries to move in the removal direction 29 from the cartridge mounting portion 202. Further, the atmospheric communication valve 80 is urged by the coil spring 86 to return to the direction in which the rod 84 protrudes to the outside. Similarly, in the ink supply valve 90, the valve main body 97 is urged by the coil spring 96 to try to push back the ink needle 209 in the direction in which the ink needle 209 is removed from the ink supply valve 90.

  When the lock portion 237 engages with the vertical wall 126 of the engaged portion 125 against the force for urging the ink cartridge 100 from the cartridge mounting portion 202 in the removal direction 29, the container body 40 is detached. Restrained against the pulling direction 29. As described above, since the front end surface of the lock portion 237 is a substantially vertical surface, it does not move to the upper end side of the vertical wall 126 when contacting the vertical wall 126. As a result, the ink cartridge 100 is locked in a state where it is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 202.

  When ink is supplied from the ink supply device 200 to the ink consumption device and the ink in the ink cartridge 100 is consumed, the ink level gradually drops in the ink chamber 102. When the ink in the ink chamber 102 falls below a predetermined amount, the float 73 is lowered as described above, and the arm 70 is rotated by the amount of the drop. As the arm 70 rotates, the indicator 72 moves upward in the detection unit 140. And if the indicator 72 moves until it remove | deviates from the optical path of the optical sensor 181, the detection signal of the optical sensor 181 will change. The control unit of the ink supply device 200 or the ink consumption device determines that the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 102 has become a predetermined amount or less based on the output of the optical sensor 181 and then determines the amount of ink ejected from the recording head. Count. Then, the control unit determines that no ink remains in the ink cartridge 100 on the condition that it is determined that the predetermined amount of ink has been consumed, and replaces the ink cartridge 100 on the display of the ink consuming device. The display prompting is made. Based on the display on the display, the user recognizes that the ink cartridge 100 needs to be replaced.

  When the ink cartridge 100 is replaced, the operation lever 234 of the lock arm 230 is pushed down to release the lock of the ink cartridge 100. As a result, the lock arm 230 rotates in the direction of the arrow 246 with the support shaft 232 as a fulcrum, and the posture of the lock arm 230 changes from the second posture to the first posture. When the lock arm 230 is in the first posture, the lock portion 237 moves away from the base portion 124 and moves upward from the vertical wall 126. That is, the lock part 237 is detached from the engaged part 125. Further, the stopper 243 is in a position where it can come into contact with the upper surface of the ink cartridge 100 protruding from the cartridge mounting portion 202.

  When the lock portion 237 moves above the vertical wall 126, the container body 40 is not restrained with respect to the removal direction 29. Accordingly, the container body 40 moves in the removal direction 29 under the biasing force of the coil springs 48 and 49 and the coil springs 86 and 96 described above, and the slider 41 relatively slides from the second position to the first position. As the container body 40 moves, the air communication valve 80 moves in a direction in which the rod 84 protrudes outward to close the air communication valve 80, and the ink supply valve 90 moves from the ink supply valve 90 to the ink needle. 209 is removed and the ink supply valve 90 is closed.

  Even if the slider 41 slides to the first position and the biasing forces of the coil springs 48 and 49 and the coil springs 86 and 96 described above do not act on the container body 40, the inertial force due to the movement of the container body 40 described above causes A part of the ink cartridge 100 protrudes from the cartridge mounting portion 202 in the removal direction.

  On the other hand, when the lock arm 230 is in the first posture, the stopper 243 protrudes downward from the upper edge 236 of the opening 207 and moves to a position where it can contact the upper surface side of the ink cartridge 100. The speed at which the lock arm 230 changes its attitude from the second attitude to the first attitude with the support shaft 232 as a fulcrum depends on the speed at which the user pushes down the operation lever 234, but the urging force of the coil springs 48 and 49 and the sliding range of the slider 41 By adjusting the speed at which the lock arm 230 changes its posture based on the user's operation, the speed at which the ink cartridge 100 pops out from the opening 207 of the cartridge mounting portion 202 is adjusted. The stopper 243 can be brought into contact with the upper surface of the main body cover 42 or the upper surface of the slider 41 before completely protruding from the upper surface of the slider 41. In FIG. 10, the stopper 243 comes into contact with the vicinity of the engaged portion 125 of the container body 40 and the ink cartridge 100 is prevented from jumping out in the removal direction 29, but the stopper 243 is on the upper surface side of the ink cartridge 100. The position in contact with the position changes depending on the operation speed of the operation lever 243 and the like. Such a stopper 243 is disposed at a predetermined position from the position where the urging force of the coil springs 48 and 49 does not act on the ink cartridge 100 in the cartridge mounting portion 202 until the ink cartridge 100 completely comes out of the opening 207. It is preferable to set so as to abut.

  Note that the urging force of the coil springs 48 and 49 no longer acts on the ink cartridge 100 in the cartridge mounting portion 202 is that the ink cartridge 100 does not move further due to the urging force of the coil springs 48 and 49 even if the stopper 243 is separated from the ink cartridge 100. Although this state refers to the present embodiment, if the ink cartridge 100 is not completely removed from the cartridge mounting portion 202 even if the stopper 243 moves away from the ink cartridge 100 and the urging force remaining in the coil springs 48 and 49 slightly moves. Similar effects are produced.

  As described above, when the posture of the lock arm 230 is changed from the second posture to the first posture, the stopper 243 is moved from the state in which the lock portion 237 is engaged (contacted) with the engaged portion 125 of the ink cartridge 100. The ink cartridge 100 comes into contact with the ink cartridge 100 again. Then, when the stopper 243 comes into contact with the ink cartridge 100 again, the ink cartridge 100 protruding from the cartridge mounting portion 202 is stopped. As a result, the ink cartridge 100 moves from the state accommodated in the cartridge mounting unit 202 in the removal direction 29 and then stops without completely popping out of the cartridge mounting unit 202.

  When the operation lever 234 is released after the ink cartridge 100 is stationary, the lock arm 230 changes its posture from the first posture to the second posture as a fulcrum of the support shaft 232 due to the contraction force of the coil spring 219. As a result, the stopper 243 moves away from the ink cartridge 100 and the ink cartridge 100 can move in the removal direction 29. At this time, since the slider 41 is in the first position, the slider 41 is not further slid by the urging force of the coil springs 48 and 49. A portion of 42 is stopped in a state where it protrudes from the opening 207 of the cartridge mounting portion 202. Therefore, the ink cartridge 100 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 202 by pulling out the ink cartridge 100 from the cartridge mounting portion 202 while holding a part of the main body cover 42 protruding from the opening 207.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
As described above, according to the ink supply device 200, when the user operates the operation lever 234 to change the posture of the lock arm 230 from the second posture to the first posture, the ink cartridge is urged by the urging force of the coil springs 48 and 49. 100 moves in the cartridge mounting portion 202 in the removal direction 29, and the stopper 243 comes into contact with the ink cartridge 100 so that the ink cartridge 100 stops without completely popping out of the cartridge mounting portion 202. When the ink cartridge 100 is taken out from the cartridge mounting portion 202, the ink cartridge 100 appropriately jumps out from the cartridge mounting portion 202, so that the ink cartridge 100 is easily taken out and the ink cartridge 100 is prevented from jumping out from the cartridge mounting portion 202.

  In addition, since the stopper 243 is provided on the first end side of the lock arm 230, when the lock portion 237 is detached from the engaged portion 125 of the container body 40 due to a change in the posture of the lock arm 230, the stopper 243 is moved to the ink. It moves to a position where it contacts the cartridge 100. Accordingly, when the user operates the operation lever 234 in one direction and the posture of the lock arm 230 is changed from the second posture to the first posture, each operation of the lock portion 237 and the stopper 125 is realized with one action. .

  Further, the lock arm 230 rotates between the first posture and the second posture with the support shaft 232 between the operation lever 234 (first end) and the lock portion 237 (second end) as a fulcrum. Since the posture changes, when the operation lever 234 is operated to rotate the lock arm 230 from the second posture to the first posture, the lock portion 237 is disengaged from the engaged portion 125 of the container body 40 and the first end. Since the side stopper 125 moves to a position where it comes into contact with the ink cartridge 100, the posture change of the lock arm 230 can be easily operated.

  Further, since the lock arm 230 is urged to the second posture side by the coil spring 219, the lock arm 230 maintains the second posture if the operation lever 237 is not operated, and locks when the operation lever 237 is operated. The arm 230 is in the first posture. Therefore, after the stopper 243 comes into contact with the ink cartridge 100 again to stop the ink cartridge 100 from popping out, when the user stops the operation of the operation lever 237, the lock arm 230 is in the second posture and the stopper 243 is moved to the ink cartridge 100. Since the ink cartridge 100 can be removed from the cartridge mounting portion 202, the operability is good.

  Further, since the stopper 243 contacts the ink cartridge 100 from the position where the urging force by the coil springs 48 and 49 does not act on the ink cartridge 100 until the ink cartridge 100 completely protrudes from the opening 207, the stopper 243 and the ink cartridge 100 are in contact. Even if the lock arm 230 rotates from the first position to the second position after the contact and the protrusion of the ink cartridge 100 is stopped, the ink cartridge 100 does not further protrude from the cartridge mounting portion 202.

  In the present invention, the outer shape of the ink cartridge is not limited to the outer shape of the ink cartridge 100 shown in the embodiment. Further, in the present invention, the predetermined two directions in which the ink cartridge is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion are limited to the horizontal and opposite removal / release directions 29 and 30 as shown in the present embodiment. Instead, for example, a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, an oblique direction, or the like can be arbitrarily adopted as long as the direction is constant. Further, in the present invention, the contact with the ink cartridge by the stopper can widely employ a contact state that can lock the pressure contact, engagement, and other movement of the container body in the first direction.

  In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 100 includes the container main body 40 and the slider 41, and the coil springs 48 and 49 interposed therebetween act as the first elastic member in the present invention. The first elastic member in the invention may be provided in the cartridge mounting portion 202. For example, assuming that the ink cartridge 100 does not have a member such as the slider 41, an elastic member such as a spring that urges the ink cartridge 100 in the removal direction 29 may be provided in the cartridge mounting portion 202. Further, without providing an elastic member in the cartridge mounting portion 202, the coil spring 86 in the atmosphere communication valve 80 or the coil spring 96 in the ink supply valve 90 may act as the first elastic member in the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink supply device 200 in a state where the ink cartridge 100 is mounted. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 100. FIG. 2A shows a state where the slider 41 is in the first position, and FIG. 2B shows that the slider 41 is in the second position. The state is shown. 3A and 3B are side views of the ink cartridge 100. FIG. 3A shows a state where the slider 41 is in the first position, and FIG. 3B shows a state where the slider 41 is in the second position. It is shown. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line IV-IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the cartridge mounting unit 202. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an external configuration of the cartridge mounting unit 202. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line VII-VII in FIG. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process in which the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 202 along the cutting line VII-VII. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 202 along the cutting line VII-VII. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a process in which the ink cartridge 100 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 202 along the cutting line VII-VII.

Explanation of symbols

29 ... Removal direction (first direction)
40 ... container body 48, 49 ... coil spring (first elastic member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Ink cartridge 102 ... Ink chamber 125 ... Engagement part 200 ... Ink supply apparatus 202 ... Cartridge mounting part 207 ... Opening 219 ... Coil spring (2nd elastic member)
230 ... Lock arm 232 ... Support shaft (support mechanism)
234 ... Operation lever 237 ... Lock part 243 ... Stopper

Claims (6)

An ink cartridge having an ink chamber for storing ink and an engaged portion;
A cartridge mounting portion having an opening through which the ink cartridge can be inserted and removed, and through which the ink cartridge is inserted and removed in two predetermined directions;
A first elastic member for urging the ink cartridge housed in the cartridge mounting portion in a first direction of the two directions;
A locking member that engages with an engaged portion of the ink cartridge housed in the cartridge mounting portion and locks the ink cartridge with respect to the first direction;
The locking member is
A lock arm provided with an operation lever at a first end and provided with a lock portion engaged with the engaged portion at a second end;
A support mechanism that supports the lock arm so that the posture of the lock arm is changeable between a first posture in which the lock portion is disengaged from the engaged portion and a second posture in which the lock portion engages with the engaged portion. When,
An ink supply device comprising: a stopper provided on the lock arm, wherein the stopper is re-contacted with the ink cartridge moved in the first direction by the first elastic member in the lock arm in the first posture.   The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is provided on a first end side of the lock arm.   The ink supply device according to claim 2, wherein the lock arm changes its posture by rotating between a first posture and a second posture with a fulcrum between the first end and the second end.   The ink supply device according to claim 3, wherein the lock member further includes a second elastic member that urges the lock arm toward the second posture.   5. The stopper according to claim 1, wherein the stopper is in contact with an ink cartridge at a predetermined position from a position where the urging force by the first elastic member does not act on the ink cartridge until the ink cartridge is completely removed from the opening. The ink supply device according to any one of the above.   6. The ink according to claim 1, wherein one end of the first elastic member is connected to the ink cartridge, and the first elastic member is elastically contracted in a state where the ink cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge mounting portion. Feeding device.

Images