JP2009132098A - Ink supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means capable of highly accurately positioning an ink cartridge with respect to a cartridge attachment part by making the detection part of a container body detectably correspond to the sensor of the cartridge attachment part. <P>SOLUTION: An ink supply device 200 includes: the container body 40 which has an ink chamber 102 storing ink, the detection part 140 communicated with the ink chamber 102 and a stopper 125 in a frame 50; the cartridge attachment part 202 into which the container body 40 can be inserted; coil springs 48 and 49 which energize the container body 40 inserted into the cartridge attachment part 202 in a removal direction: a photosensor 181 which is provided in the cartridge attachment part 202; and a lock arm 230 which is engaged with the stopper 125 of the container body 40 inserted into the cartridge attachment part 202, to restrain the container body 40 in the removal direction against the energization of the coil springs 48 and 49, in a position where the photosensor 181 can detect the detection part 140. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  In the present invention, a container main body having a detection unit is inserted into a cartridge mounting unit having a sensor and locked in the removal direction, whereby the container main body is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit and the sensor detects the detection unit. The present invention relates to an ink supply device that can be used.

  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 container for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head. In many cases, the ink container adopts a cartridge format and is detachable from a cartridge mounting portion provided in the image recording apparatus. Such a cartridge type ink container is also referred to as an ink cartridge.

  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).

  The ink cartridge (14) mainly includes an ink reservoir (100) that stores ink and a case (200) that covers substantially the entire ink reservoir (100).

  The ink cartridge (14) is provided with a detection unit (140), and a change in the posture of the sensor arm (470) in the detection unit (140) is detected by the ink remaining amount detection sensor (57), and the ink cartridge ( 14) The remaining amount of ink is monitored.

  The ink cartridge (14) is provided with a supply valve (620). The supply valve (620) is opened by inserting an ink needle (49) provided in the multi-function device (1). When the supply valve (620) is opened, the ink stored in the ink reservoir (100) flows out to the multi-function device (1) through the ink needle (49).

JP 2007-196653 A

  As exemplified by the ink cartridge (14) in Patent Document 1, the ink cartridge may adopt a double structure of a container body and a cover. The ink cartridge is positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting portion by bringing the cover into contact with the inner wall or door of the cartridge mounting portion. The positioning accuracy of the ink cartridge with respect to the cartridge mounting portion is important for the sensor to accurately detect the detection portion of the ink cartridge. In Patent Document 1, the posture of the sensor arm (470) changes in the detection unit (140) in accordance with the remaining amount of ink. Other examples of the detection unit include a type for determining the type of the ink cartridge. It is done.

  However, in a double-structured ink cartridge, tolerances of the cover and the container main body are accumulated, and an assembly error between the cover and the container main body can occur. Therefore, even if the cover is brought into contact with the inner wall or door of the cartridge mounting portion and the ink container is positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting portion, the above-described tolerance or assembly is required for the positioning accuracy between the detection portion and the sensor. Errors are involved. As a result, the detection unit and the sensor are not necessarily positioned accurately, and it may be difficult to detect the detection unit by the sensor.

  Further, in the configuration in which the ink needle is inserted into the supply valve and the ink cartridge is connected to a multi-function device or the like, the tip of the ink needle is placed in a position where the supply valve can be stroked and the supply valve is opened. Although it is necessary to exist, the above-described tolerance and assembly error may also be involved in the positioning accuracy between the ink needle and the supply valve. As a result, the tip of the ink needle is not necessarily positioned at the desired position, and if the ink needle is not sufficiently inserted into the supply valve, the supply valve will not be opened, and conversely, the ink needle will be pushed further from the innermost part of the supply valve. Then, the ink needle and the supply valve may be damaged.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide ink for the cartridge mounting portion at a position where the detection portion of the container main body can be detected by the sensor of the cartridge mounting portion. An object of the present invention is to provide means for accurately positioning a cartridge.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide means for accurately positioning an ink cartridge with respect to a cartridge mounting portion at a position where a port of a container body and a joint are in a suitable connection state.

  (1) An ink supply apparatus according to the present invention includes a container body having an ink chamber for storing ink and a detection unit, and an engagement portion provided on an outer wall thereof, and a cartridge mounting in which the container body can be inserted. , An elastic member that urges the container main body inserted in the cartridge mounting portion in the removal direction, a sensor provided in the cartridge mounting portion, and a detection unit of the container main body inserted in the cartridge mounting portion A locking member that engages with an engaged portion of the container main body at a position where the sensor can detect and restrains the container main body against the urging force of the elastic member in the removal direction. And.

  The container body stores ink in the ink chamber. The container main body is provided with a detection unit, and this detection unit can be detected by a sensor of the cartridge mounting unit. The state of the detection unit changes depending on, for example, the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber. An engaged portion that can engage with the lock member is provided on the outer wall of the container body.

  The cartridge mounting part has a space in which the container main body can be accommodated. A sensor is provided in the cartridge mounting portion. This sensor can detect the detection part of the container main body mounted on the cartridge mounting part. Based on the detection signal of the sensor, it is possible to determine the remaining amount of ink in the container body.

  The container main body inserted into the cartridge mounting portion is biased by the elastic member in the removal direction in which the container main body is removed from the cartridge mounting portion. On the other hand, the lock member is engaged with the engaged portion of the container main body, and the container main body is prevented from moving in the removal direction against the biasing of the elastic member. At the position stopped by the lock member, the detection part of the container body can be detected by the sensor. Thereby, the container main body is accurately positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting portion in correspondence between the sensor and the detection portion of the container main body.

  (2) The ink supply device may further include a cover member that has an opening that exposes the engaged portion so that the lock member can be engaged, and covers the container body.

  Although the container main body is covered with the cover member, the engaged portion of the container main body is exposed from the opening of the cover member. The container body is positioned directly.

  (3) The container body is provided with a port through which ink can flow out from the ink chamber, the cartridge mounting portion is provided with a joint connectable to the port, and the lock member is covered with the container body. The port and the joint may be connected while being engaged with the engaging portion.

  The ink in the ink chamber can flow out through the port. The cartridge mounting portion is provided with a joint, and the port and the joint are connected in a state where the engaged portion of the container main body inserted into the cartridge mounting portion is engaged with the lock member. Accordingly, the container body is accurately positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting portion so that the port and the joint are in a suitable connection state, as in the correspondence between the sensor and the detection portion of the container body described above.

  (4) The detection unit may be provided with an indicator that changes its attitude when the amount of ink in the ink chamber is a predetermined amount or less.

  For example, the indicator has a predetermined buoyancy with respect to the ink and changes its posture in the detection unit according to the amount of ink. In addition, a float may be provided in the ink chamber separately from the indicator, and the posture of the indicator may change in the detection unit in conjunction with a change in the posture of the float. When the amount of ink in the ink chamber falls below a predetermined amount set in advance, the indicator starts to change its posture. With this change in the attitude of the indicator, for example, whether or not the light applied to the detection unit is blocked optically changes. The sensor detects such a change in the attitude of the indicator, and based on the detection signal from the sensor, it can be determined that the amount of ink in the ink chamber has become a predetermined amount or less.

  (5) As the lock member, a lock portion that is engaged with the engaged portion at the first end and an operation lever is provided at the second end; the lock arm; And a support mechanism that rotatably supports between a first posture that disengages from the engaged portion and a second posture in which the lock portion engages with the engaged portion. .

  The lock arm is supported by a support mechanism such as a bearing provided in the cartridge mounting portion, for example, and can be rotated between the first posture and the second posture. The first end of the lock arm is a lock portion that can be engaged with the engaged portion of the container body in the cartridge mounting portion. The second end of the lock arm is an operation lever that can be operated by the user. When the lock arm is in the second posture, the container body inserted in the cartridge mounting portion is locked in the removal direction. When the operation lever is rotated, the lock arm is in the first posture, and the container body can be removed from the cartridge mounting portion.

  As described above, according to the ink supply device of the present invention, the container body inserted into the cartridge mounting portion and biased in the removal direction is moved in the removal direction by the engagement between the engaged portion and the lock member. Therefore, the container main body is accurately positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting portion in the correspondence between the sensor and the detection portion of the container main body. Therefore, the remaining amount of ink in the container body is reliably detected by the sensor.

  Further, the container body is accurately positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting portion in connection between the port of the container body and the joint. Therefore, the joint is brought into a desired connection state with respect to the port of the container body.

  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 an ink supply apparatus 200 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a state where the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the ink supply device 200 (mounted 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 showing the configuration of the container main body 40. FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the container main body 40 as viewed from the back side 34, and FIG. The perspective view seen from the front 35 side is shown. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line VI-VI in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the cartridge mounting unit 202. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the cartridge mounting portion 202. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line IX-IX in FIG. 10 to 12 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating a process in which the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 202. FIG. FIG. 10 shows a process of mounting the ink cartridge 100, FIG. 11 shows a state where the ink cartridge 100 is mounted and locked, and FIG. 12 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”). 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.

  The ink cartridge 100 roughly includes a container main body 40 (see FIG. 4) in which ink is stored, a slider 41, a main body cover 42, and coil springs 48 and 49 (see FIG. 4). 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 corresponds to the cover member in the present invention. The coil springs 48 and 49 correspond to the elastic member in the present invention.

  The main body cover 42 substantially covers the container main body 40, but the stopper 125 of the container main body 40 is exposed from the main body cover 42. The slider 41 covers the back surface portion 46 of the main body cover 42. 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 (the direction of the arrow 33), and the first position (see FIG. 2A) farthest from the back surface 34 (see FIG. 4) of the container body 40. Then, it is slid between the second position closest to the back surface 34 of the container body 40 (see FIG. 2B). When the slider 41 is in the second position, a cap 95 (see FIG. 4) of the ink supply valve 90 described later protrudes from the slider 41 to the outside. When the slider 41 reaches the first position, the cap 95 is immersed in the slider 41. Detailed configurations of the container body 40, the body cover 42, and the slider 41 will be described later.

[Container body 40]
Below, the detailed structure of the container main body 40 is demonstrated. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the container body 40 has an approximately hexahedron outer shape that is generally flat. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, in the container body 40, the front surface with respect to the insertion direction 30 is the rear 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 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. Although not shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, films are welded to both sides of the frame 50, and a fixed space is formed in a liquid-tight manner by the film and the frame 50. 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.

  The frame 50 is a member that constitutes the outer wall of the container body 40. As described above, the frame 50 forms the back surface 34, the front surface 35, the top surface 36, and the bottom surface 37 of the container body 40. The frame 50 is made of a translucent member, for example, a transparent or translucent resin material, and is obtained by, for example, injection molding of a resin material. Examples of such a resin material include polyacetal, nylon, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

  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. Therefore, the detection unit 140 is made of the same material as that of the frame 50, that is, a transparent or translucent resin material having translucency, and can transmit light from the outside. Light is irradiated from an optical sensor 181 (see FIG. 9) provided in the cartridge mounting unit 202 to an irradiation region 144 (region surrounded by a broken line in FIG. 4) below the detection unit 140.

  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 substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape partitioned by five wall surfaces, and has a hollow space 142 therein. The space 142 is in communication 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 rotatably supported by the support member 74 in the ink chamber 102. The support member 74 is formed integrally with the frame 50 and has a support shaft 77 for supporting the arm 70. The arm 70 is a rod-like member bent in a Z shape, and an indicator 72 is provided at one end. The indicator 72 enters the space 142 and can move in the vertical direction in the space 142 as the arm 70 rotates. A float 73 is provided at the other end of the arm 70. The float 73 has a predetermined buoyancy with respect to the ink stored in the ink chamber 102. The buoyancy of the float 73 is adjusted by, for example, the volume or material of the hollow portion formed inside the float 73. 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. As the float 73 rises, the indicator 72 moves downward in the space 142 to a light blocking posture (the posture represented by the solid line in FIG. 6). The light blocking posture indicator 72 blocks light emitted from the light emitting element of the optical sensor 181 in the irradiation region 144 below the detection unit 140. When the ink in the ink chamber 102 falls below a predetermined amount, the float 73 descends as the ink level drops, and as the float 73 descends, the indicator 72 moves above the space 142 and transmits light ( (Posture represented by a broken line in FIG. 6). The indicator 72 of the light transmitting posture does not exist in the irradiation region 144 and does not block the light irradiated from the light emitting element of the optical sensor 181 in the irradiation region 144.

  A valve housing chamber 54 is formed in the lower portion of the back surface 34 of the frame 50. The valve storage chamber 54 is a cylindrical space extending from the back surface 34 of the frame 50 to the inside of the frame 50. The valve storage chamber 54 opens on the back surface 34 of the frame 50. The valve storage chamber 54 communicates with the ink chamber 102 at the back. An ink supply valve 90 is accommodated in the valve accommodating chamber 54.

  The ink supply valve 90 is a valve that opens or closes the ink path from the back surface 34 of the frame 50 to the ink chamber 102. The ink supply valve 90 mainly includes a valve body 97, a coil spring 96, a seal member 93, and a cap 95. A cap 95 is attached to a portion where the valve housing chamber 54 is opened on the back surface 34 of the frame 50 with a seal member 93 interposed. The cap 95 and the seal member 93 are each provided with a through hole (not shown). These through holes communicate with each other. Each through hole forms an ink supply port 91 that communicates the inside and the outside of the valve housing chamber 54. A tubular ink needle 209 (see FIG. 9) is inserted into the ink supply port 91 when the ink cartridge 100 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 202. The ink supply port 91 corresponds to a port in the present invention.

  The coil spring 96 is provided in the valve housing chamber 54 and biases the valve main body 97 in a direction to close the ink supply port 91. That is, the coil spring 96 urges the valve main body 97 in a direction to approach the seal member 93. Therefore, if no external force is applied to the ink supply valve 90, the coil spring 96 closes the ink supply port 91 by bringing the valve body 97 into close contact with the seal member 93. On the other hand, when the ink needle 209 is inserted into the ink supply port 91 from the outside, the tip of the ink needle 209 pushes the valve body 97, and the valve body 97 is separated from the seal member 93 against the urging force of the coil spring 96. At the same time, the ink supply port 91 is liquid-tightly sealed by the outer peripheral surface of the ink needle 209. Then, the ink in the ink chamber 102 flows into the tip of the ink needle 209 that has entered inward from the ink supply port 91, and the ink can flow out from the ink chamber 102 through the ink needle 209.

  At the upper part of the back surface 34 of the frame 50, an air communication valve 80 is provided. 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 air communication valve 80 closes the air path and keeps the ink chamber 102 airtight if no external force is applied. On the other hand, when the atmospheric communication valve 80 is opened due to an external force, the air layer in the ink chamber 102 becomes atmospheric pressure. Such an atmosphere communication valve 80 has an arbitrary configuration. For example, an air path having a labyrinth structure may be formed in the frame 50 in place of the atmosphere communication valve 80.

  Spring accommodating chambers 110 and 111 are formed near the upper end and the lower end of the back surface 34 of the frame 50, respectively. 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. The coil springs 48 and 49 urge the slider 41 in the insertion direction 30. The positions of the spring accommodating chambers 110 and 111, the inner diameter dimension or the depth dimension of the holes, and the like are elements that are appropriately determined according to the specifications of the accommodated spring, 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. The coil springs 48 and 49 correspond to the elastic member in the present invention.

  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. The support members 115 and 116 are respectively engaged with projecting pieces 192 and 193 formed on the slider 41 to support the slider 41 so as to be slidable with respect to the container body 40. Further, since the support members 115 and 116 are engaged with the slider 41, the slider 41 is not 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.

  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 platform 124 is exposed to the outside through an opening 128 (see FIG. 2) provided on the upper surface of the main body cover 42.

  The base portion 124 is provided with a stopper 125. The stopper 125 is provided at the front end of the pedestal 124 in the insertion direction 30 and protrudes further upward from the upper surface of the pedestal 124. The stopper 125 includes a vertical wall 126 that stands substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the base portion 124, and a rib 127 that descends while 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. And have. The stopper 125 is for locking the mounting state so that the ink cartridge 100 is not removed from the cartridge mounting unit 202 when the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 202. This locking will be described later. This is achieved by engagement with the lock portion 237 of the lock arm 230 (see FIG. 9). The stopper 125 corresponds to the engaged portion in the present invention.

  A plurality of through holes 130 are provided in the frame 50. Each through hole 130 is penetrated in the width direction (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 8) in the frame 50, and four each are formed on the upper surface 36 side and the bottom surface 37 side in the frame 50. The container main body 40 and the main body cover 42 are assembled by the engagement claws 132 of the main body cover 42 engaging with the through holes 130 respectively.

[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. 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 corresponds to the thickness of the left side wall 165 and the right side wall 166 of the slider 41.

  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 pedestal 124 and the stopper 125 of the container body 40 can be exposed. When the main body cover 42 is assembled to the container main body 40, the base portion 124 and the stopper 125 are exposed to the outside from the opening 128.

  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). The left cover 44 and the right cover 45 have a plurality of engaging claws 132 (see FIG. 4) that protrude substantially horizontally from the inner surface thereof. The container main body 40, the left cover 44, and the right cover 45 are integrally assembled so that the engaging claws 132 are engaged with the through holes 130 of the container main body 40 to sandwich the container main body 40, respectively.

  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.

  In the vicinity of the middle stage of the rear wall 161 of the slider 41, a notch 187 is formed in the width direction (the direction of the arrow 31). The notch 187 is a window for exposing the detection unit 140 of the container body 40 to the outside, and the side wall 165 and the side wall 166 are rectangular in the width direction (the direction of the arrow 31) leaving a part on the rear wall 161 side. It has been cut through. The notch 187 can transmit light emitted from the light emitting element of the optical sensor 181 (see FIG. 9).

  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.

  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. In a range where the flange portion 119 does not contact the projecting piece 192, the slide of the slider 41 with respect to the container main body 40 is guided in a certain direction by the base 118, and the slider 41 is slidable with respect to the container main body 40.

  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. In a range where the flange 122 does not come into contact with the projecting piece 193, the slide of the slider 41 with respect to the container body 40 is guided in a certain direction by the base 121, and the slider 41 is slidable with respect to the container body 40. 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. When no external force is applied to the slider 41, the slider 41 comes to rest at the first position shown in FIG. 3A, 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. 3B against the urging force of the coil springs 48 and 49.

  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 for opening the atmospheric communication valve 80. However, in the present invention, the atmospheric communication valve 80 has an arbitrary configuration, and thus detailed description of opening and closing of the atmospheric communication valve 80 is omitted.

  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 cap 95 of the ink supply valve 90 can be inserted. The cap 95 is exposed from the opening 178 when the slider 41 is in the second position.

[Cartridge mounting unit 202]
The detailed configuration of the cartridge mounting unit 202 will be described below. As shown in FIG. 7, 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 accommodated in the internal space of the frame 204. 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. 7), and four ink cartridges 100 corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are provided 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 FIG. 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. The plates 223 are arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval in the width direction of the frame 204 (left and right direction in FIG. 7). 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 portion 202 from the back 34 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 straight line shape from the front surface 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 front side to the back side 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 port 91 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 port 91 in the accommodated ink cartridge 100. In FIG. 7, 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. As shown in FIG. 9, the proximal end of the ink needle 209 is connected to the ink tube 212 on the back side of the frame 204. In FIG. 9, the ink tube 212 is divided in the middle, but actually, the ink tube 212 is extended to a recording head of an ink jet printer or the like.

  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. The axis of the holding part 210 and the axis 153 of the ink needle 209 substantially coincide. When the ink cartridge 100 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 202, the cap 95 (see FIG. 2B) is fitted into the holding portion 210, and the ink needle 209 is connected to the ink supply port 91 of the ink supply valve 90. Inserted.

  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. 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. 4, 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 the amount of ink in the ink chamber 102 of the ink cartridge 100 has become a predetermined amount or less.

  The optical sensor 181 is a so-called photo interrupter, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element, and an electric signal corresponding to the received light intensity is output. The light emitted from the light emitting element of the optical sensor 181 is applied to the irradiation region 144 in the detection unit 140 of the ink cartridge 100, and the light passing through the irradiation region 144 is received by the light receiving element. Since the optical sensor 181 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the light intensity received by the light receiving element, based on the electrical signal from the optical sensor 181, whether or not the ink remaining in the ink chamber 102 is equal to or less than a predetermined amount is determined. Can be judged.

  In each optical sensor 181, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are disposed to face each other in the horizontal direction, and the detection unit 140 of the ink cartridge 100 can enter the optical path from the light emitting element to the light receiving element. By positioning the irradiation region 144 of the detection unit 140 at a position corresponding to the optical path of the optical sensor 181, a change in the posture of the indicator 72 in the detection unit 140 can be optically detected by the optical sensor 181.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 to 9, 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. 9, the lock arm 230 extends from the front surface to the back surface of the frame 204 and is bent in a crank shape with respect to the extending direction. 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. 9, a pair of bearings capable of supporting the support shaft 232 are formed near the upper surface of the frame 204, and the support shafts 232 are rotatably supported by the pair of bearings, respectively. Thus, the lock arm 230 is supported by the frame 204 so as to be rotatable around the support shaft 232. 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.

  The lower corner 243 of the portion where the lock arm 230 bends into a crank shape abuts against the protruding piece 236 of the frame 204 protruding below the operating lever 234 when the operating lever 234 is pressed downward, The rotation range of the lock arm 230 is limited. On the other hand, the upper edge portion 205 on the front surface 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. That is, the rotation range of the lock arm 230 is limited by the projecting piece 236 and the upper edge portion 205 of the frame 204.

  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 (the direction of the arrow 245) in FIG.

  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 edge portion 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 stopper 125 of the ink cartridge 100, and the ink cartridge 100 inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 202 is removed from the removal direction (the direction opposite to the insertion direction 30). Stop. 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. 12). 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 contact the ink cartridge 100 accommodated in the cartridge mounting portion 202.

[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. 9, 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. Further, in the ink cartridge 100 before insertion, the slider 41 is in the first position by being elastically biased by the coil springs 48 and 49.

  When the ink cartridge 100 is mounted, as shown in FIG. 10, the ink cartridge 100 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 202 from the opening 207 of the frame 204. 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 other hand, on the upper surface 36 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. As a result, the lock arm 230 rotates in the direction of the arrow 246 against the contraction force of the coil spring 219.

  When the ink cartridge 100 is further pushed into the cartridge mounting portion 202, 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 guide surface 162 of the slider 41 to the guide surface 129 of the main body cover 42. Further, the notch 187 of the slider 41 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 181.

  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 contracted. The force for 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.

  As the main body cover 42 moves, the container main body 40 also moves, the cap 95 of the ink supply valve 90 is exposed from the opening 178 of the slider 41, is fitted with the holding portion 210 of the joint 208, and the coil spring 96 is attached. The ink needle 209 is inserted into the ink supply port 91 against the force. 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 port 91 and the ink needle 209.

  Further, the detection unit 140 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 181 through the notch 187 of the slider 41. When the slider 41 is in the second position, the irradiation region 144 of the detection unit 140 can enter from the optical path of the optical sensor 181 to the front side in the insertion direction 30. That is, the container body 40 can overshoot the cartridge mounting unit 202 in the positional relationship between the irradiation region 144 of the detection unit 140 and the optical path of the optical sensor 181.

  When the container main body 40 is overshot to the cartridge mounting unit 202, the irradiation region 144 of the detection unit 140 can be out of the optical path of the optical sensor 181. Actually, whether or not the irradiation region 144 of the detection unit 140 deviates from the optical path of the optical sensor 181 depends on tolerances of the container main body 40, the slider 41, and the main body cover 42, and their assembly errors. Therefore, when the accumulation of tolerances and the assembly error are large, the irradiation region 144 of the detection unit 140 deviates from the optical path of the optical sensor 181 due to the above-described overshoot.

  When the container body 40 is overshooted with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 202, the ink needle 209 pushes the valve body 97 of the ink supply valve 90 to the farthest side, and the coil spring 96 is contracted to the maximum.

  When the container main body 40 is overshot with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 202, the lock portion 237 of the lock arm 230 reaches the rib 127 of the container main body 40 from the upper surface of the main body cover 42, and further, the upper surface of the rib 127 To reach the platform 124 over the vertical wall 126. When the lock part 237 reaches the base part 124, the lock arm 230 rotates in the direction of the arrow 245 and returns to the second posture.

  When the container body 40 is completely overshooted with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 202, the ink cartridge 100 cannot be further pushed into the bag of the cartridge mounting portion 202. 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 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 202 (the direction opposite to the insertion direction 30). Try to move. That is, the container body 40 returns to the removal direction from the overshooted state described above.

  When the main body cover 42 moves relative to the slider 41 in the removal direction, the lock portion 237 of the lock arm 230 in the second posture slides on the base portion 124 of the container main body 40 and reaches the vertical wall 126. When the lock portion 237 engages with the vertical wall 126 of the stopper 125, the container main body is resisted against the biasing force of the coil springs 48 and 49 that bias the ink cartridge 100 in the direction of removing from the cartridge mounting portion 202. 40 is restrained in the removal direction. 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.

  Since the locking of the ink cartridge 100 described above is performed by the engagement between the stopper 125 of the container main body 40 and the lock portion 237 of the cartridge mounting portion 202, the container main body 40 is directly positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 202. The By this positioning, the irradiation region 144 of the detection unit 140 provided in the container main body 40 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 181 provided in the cartridge mounting unit 202. In this state, the optical sensor 181 can detect the movement of the indicator 72 of the arm 70 through the detection unit 140. In the positioning of the irradiation region 144 of the detection unit 140 and the optical path of the optical sensor 181, the tolerance of the slider 41 and the body cover 42 and the assembly error between them and the container body 40 are not affected. Irrespective of the size, the irradiation region 144 of the detection unit 140 is accurately positioned with respect to the optical path of the optical sensor 181.

  Further, in the ink supply valve 90, the coil spring 96 which is pressed and maximally contracted by the ink needle 209 is elastically restored, and the valve main body 97 slightly returns to the seal member 93 side. Therefore, an excessive biasing force is not applied from the coil spring 96 to the valve body 97 and the ink needle 209, and the ink supply valve 90 is opened so that ink can flow out from the ink chamber 102 to the ink needle 209. The position at which the tip of the ink needle 209 is inserted from the ink supply port 91 is not affected by the tolerances of the slider 41 and the main body cover 42 and the assembly error between them and the container main body 40. Regardless of the size of the assembly error, the tip of the ink needle 209 is accurately positioned with respect to the ink supply port 91.

  When ink is supplied from the ink supply device 200 to a recording head of an ink jet printer 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. When the indicator 72 moves upward until it goes out of the optical path of the optical sensor 181, the output signal of the optical sensor 181 changes. Based on the output change of the optical sensor 181, it can be determined that the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 102 has become a predetermined amount or less. For example, when the display for prompting replacement of the ink cartridge 100 is displayed on the display of the ink jet printer, 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 about the support shaft 232 in the direction of the arrow 246, and the lock arm 230 changes its posture 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.

  When the lock portion 237 moves above the vertical wall 126, the container body 40 is not restrained with respect to the removal direction. Therefore, the container main body 40 moves in the removal direction in response to the biasing force of the coil springs 48 and 49 described above, and the slider 41 relatively slides from the second position to the first position. As the container body 40 moves, the detection unit 144 is removed from the optical path of the optical sensor 181. In the ink supply valve 90, the ink needle 209 is removed from the ink supply port 91 and the valve body 97 supplies ink. The mouth 91 is closed. Further, the cap 95 is removed from the holding portion 210 of the joint 208.

  Even when the slider 41 slides to the first position and the biasing force of the coil springs 48 and 49 described above does not act on the container main body 40, the inertia force generated by the movement of the container main body 40 described above causes Part jumps out of the cartridge mounting part 202 in the removal direction. The ink cartridge 100 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 202 by holding the ink cartridge 100 protruding from the cartridge mounting portion 202 and pulling it out from the cartridge mounting portion 202.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
As described above, according to the ink supply device 200, the container body 40 inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 202 and biased in the removal direction by the coil springs 48 and 49 is engaged with the stopper 125 and the lock portion 237. Therefore, the container main body 40 is accurately positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 202 in the correspondence between the optical path of the optical sensor 181 and the irradiation region 144 of the detection unit 140. Therefore, the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 102 can be reliably detected by the optical sensor 181.

  Further, in the ink cartridge 100, the container main body 40 is covered with the main body cover 42 having the opening 128 through which the stopper 125 is exposed. Therefore, even in the double-structured ink cartridge 100, the tolerance of the slider 41 and the main body cover 42 can be reduced. The container body 40 is accurately positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 202 without being affected by the assembly error between these and the container body 40.

  Further, the container main body 40 is provided with an ink supply valve 90 for allowing ink to flow out from the ink chamber 102 to the outside, and an ink needle 209 inserted into the ink supply port 91 of the ink supply valve 90 is provided in the cartridge mounting portion 202. Accordingly, the container main body 40 is positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 202 with high accuracy in correspondence between the ink supply port 91 and the tip of the ink needle 209. Therefore, excessive biasing force is not applied from the coil spring 96 to the valve body 97 and the ink needle 209, and the ink supply valve 90 can be reliably opened.

  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 elastic member in the present invention. The elastic member 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, the cartridge mounting portion 202 may be provided with an elastic member such as a spring that elastically urges the ink cartridge 100 in the removal direction. Further, the coil spring 96 in the ink supply valve 90 may act as the elastic member in the present invention without providing the cartridge mounting portion 202 with an elastic member.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an ink supply apparatus 200 according to the present invention. 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 the configuration of the container main body 40. FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of the container main body 40 as viewed from the back side 34, and FIG. The perspective view seen from the front 35 side is shown. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line VI-VI in FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a configuration of the cartridge mounting unit 202. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the cartridge mounting portion 202. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along section line IX-IX in FIG. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a process in which the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 202. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a process in which the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 202. FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a process in which the ink cartridge 100 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 202.

Explanation of symbols

40: Container body 42: Body cover (cover member)
48, 49 ... Coil spring (elastic member)
50 ... Frame (outer wall)
72 ... Indicator 91 ... Ink supply port (port)
102 ... Ink chamber 125 ... Stopper (engaged part)
128 ... opening 140 ... detection part 181 ... optical sensor 200 ... ink supply device 202 ... cartridge mounting part 208 ... joint 230 ... lock arm 232 ... support shaft (support mechanism)
234 ... Operating lever 237 ... Lock part

Claims (5)

A container body having an ink chamber for storing ink and a detection unit, and having an engaged portion on its outer wall;
A cartridge mounting part into which the container body can be inserted;
An elastic member for urging the container body inserted in the cartridge mounting portion in the removal direction;
A sensor provided in the cartridge mounting portion;
At a position where the sensor can detect the detection portion of the container main body inserted into the cartridge mounting portion, the container main body is engaged with the engaged portion of the container main body to bias the elastic member. An ink supply device comprising: a lock member that resists against the removal direction.   The ink supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cover member that has an opening that exposes the engaged portion so that the lock member can be engaged, and covers the container body. The container body is provided with a port through which ink can flow out from the ink chamber,
The cartridge mounting portion is provided with a joint connectable to the port,
The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein the port and the joint are connected in a state where the lock member is engaged with an engaged portion of the container main body.   The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit is provided with an indicator that changes its posture when the amount of ink in the ink chamber is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The locking member is
A lock arm that is provided with a lock portion that engages with the engaged portion at a first end, and an operation lever that is provided at a second end;
A support mechanism that rotatably supports the lock arm 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. And an ink supply device according to claim 1.

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