JP2010228387A - Ink supplying device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means capable of easily picking up and taking out each ink cartridge when adjoining ink cartridges are pulled out simultaneously in an ink supplying device. <P>SOLUTION: A slide member 135 movable in the inserting/drawing direction 105 is provided in a cartridge case 110. A coil spring 139 provided in the cartridge case 110 is linked to the slide member 135. In a mounting step, the coil spring 139 elongates when the ink cartridge 30 moves the slide member 135, and the ink cartridge 30 is locked in this state. The spring force of the coil spring 139 is different at each accommodation chamber 107. Since the adjoining ink cartridges 30 have different protrusions, the ink cartridge is stopped so that the a wall 42 has a difference level in the inserting/drawing direction 105 when the ink cartridge 30 is unlocked. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink supply device including a cartridge housing portion into which an ink cartridge can be inserted.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a so-called tube supply type ink jet recording apparatus, an ink cartridge is disposed outside a carriage on which a recording head is mounted, and the ink cartridge and the recording head are connected via a tube. The ink cartridge is mounted in a horizontal direction from the front side of the apparatus main body with respect to a cartridge mounting portion provided in the apparatus main body (see Patent Document 1). The cartridge mounting portion detachably accommodates the ink cartridge. When the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, an ink passage is formed from the ink cartridge to the recording head through the cartridge mounting portion. Ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the recording head through the ink passage.

  As this type of recording apparatus, Patent Document 2 discloses an apparatus including a refill unit that can accommodate a plurality of ink cartridges. The refill unit is provided with a drawing member for extracting the accommodated ink cartridge. The drawing member is provided for each ink cartridge. When the drawing member is operated, the ink cartridge is extracted from the refill unit.

JP 2007-90761 A JP 2007-144942 A

  However, in the recording apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the ink cartridge is pulled out from the mounting position by the same amount. Therefore, when the drawing members corresponding to the adjacent ink cartridges are operated together, the ink cartridges are drawn out by the same distance, so that the drawn-out surfaces are arranged in the same plane. If there is not a sufficient gap for inserting a finger between the ink cartridges, the user cannot easily pick each ink cartridge, and it becomes difficult to take out the ink cartridge from the refill unit.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in the ink supply device, when adjacent ink cartridges are extracted together, means for easily picking and removing each ink cartridge is provided. The purpose is to provide.

(1) The present invention is configured as an ink supply device including a cartridge mounting portion that can mount at least two ink cartridges through an opening. The ink supply device includes a biasing member that biases the ink cartridge toward the opening, and a stop unit that stops the ink cartridge at a predetermined stop position. The stop means stops the ink cartridge in a state where the first wall surfaces on the rear side in the mounting direction of the adjacent ink cartridges do not fit on the same plane.

  With this configuration, the ink cartridge attached to the cartridge attachment portion is urged toward the opening by the urging member. At this time, the urged ink cartridge moves to the opening side. The stop means is configured to stop each ink cartridge in a state where the stop positions of the adjacent ink cartridges are shifted so as to differ in the urging direction. For this reason, even when both of the adjacent ink cartridges are moved to the opening side and the ink cartridges are arranged in the above-described stop position, the first wall surfaces of the adjacent ink cartridges are Since the steps do not fit in the same plane and a step is generated between the first wall surfaces, the user can easily pick out the ink cartridge.

(2) The urging member is provided in the ink cartridge or the cartridge mounting portion for each ink cartridge, and elastically urges the ink cartridge. In this case, the ink supply device of the present invention is provided in the ink cartridge or the cartridge mounting portion, and the expansion / contraction stroke of the urging member for each ink cartridge is set in a state where the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion. A transmission member that transmits different urging forces to the ink cartridge by differentiating the ink cartridge is further provided.

  Accordingly, since the urging force transmitted for each ink cartridge is different, the amount of movement that is moved by receiving the urging force is different for each ink cartridge. As a result, each ink cartridge is stopped at a different stop position in the urging direction.

(3) The transmission member is slidably provided in the cartridge mounting portion for each ink cartridge, and is slid in the mounting direction in the process of mounting the ink cartridge in the cartridge mounting portion, and the biasing member May be used.

(4) The ink cartridge has a protruding portion that protrudes in the mounting direction from the second wall surface on the front side in the mounting direction with respect to the cartridge mounting portion, and that can contact the transmission member. In this case, the length of the protrusion in the mounting direction is different at least in the adjacent ink cartridges.

  As a result, it is possible to implement a mechanism for stopping each ink cartridge at a different stop position in the urging direction without changing the form of each of the two or more ink cartridges.

(5) The ink cartridge includes an ink supply unit that is provided on the second wall surface and supplies ink to the outside. In this case, the protruding portion is provided below the ink supply portion.

  As a result, even if ink leaks from the ink supply unit, the leaked ink is received by the protruding portion, so that the cartridge mounting portion is prevented from being stained with ink.

(6) The protruding portion protrudes in the mounting direction from the ink supply portion.

  This prevents the transmission member that comes into contact with the protruding portion from being stained with ink.

(7) The biasing member may be provided in the ink cartridge or the cartridge mounting portion for each ink cartridge. In this case, the stop means is in sliding contact with the ink cartridge with a different frictional force for each ink cartridge.

  In this configuration, the ink cartridge moved to the opening side by the urging member has a different moving amount for each ink cartridge. That is, an ink cartridge that is slidably contacted with a smaller frictional force than the adjacent ink cartridge has a larger slide amount than the adjacent ink cartridge. Thereby, even if both of the adjacent ink cartridges are moved to the opening side, each ink cartridge stops in a state where the first wall surface does not fit on the same plane. Therefore, the user can easily pick out each ink cartridge.

(8) The urging member may be provided in the ink cartridge or the cartridge mounting portion and elastically urge the ink cartridge toward the opening side. In this case, the stop means stops the ink cartridge that is elastically biased by the biasing member and pushed toward the opening side by contacting the ink cartridge at a predetermined stop position.

  As a result, the ink cartridge pushed out by the urging member is forcibly stopped at a predetermined stop position by the stop means.

(9) The urging member may be an elastic member provided in the ink cartridge or the cartridge mounting portion for each ink cartridge and set to a different elastic coefficient for each ink cartridge.

  As a result, different urging forces are applied to the adjacent ink cartridges, so that even when both of the adjacent ink cartridges are moved to the opening side, the respective ink cartridges are in a state where the first wall surface is stepped. Stop at. Therefore, the user can easily pick out each ink cartridge.

(10) The ink cartridge has a first position spaced from the second wall surface on the front side in the mounting direction with respect to the cartridge mounting portion to the mounting direction side, and a second position closer to the second wall surface than the first position. It may have a slide member that can slide between the two. In this case, the urging member is provided between the two wall surfaces and the slide member, and elastically urges the slide member from the second wall surface to the mounting direction.

  The present invention can be preferably applied to such a configuration.

  According to the present invention, in the ink supply device, when adjacent ink cartridges are extracted together, the user can easily pick and remove each ink cartridge.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a printer 10 including an ink supply device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2A and 2B are schematic views showing the configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 30, and FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. . 3A and 3B are schematic views showing the configuration of the ink supply apparatus 100. FIG. 3A is a front view, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along section line IIIB-IIIB in FIG. ing. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a vertical cross-sectional structure of the ink supply device 100. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge case 110 in time series. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge case 110 in time series. FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram showing output signals of the optical sensors 114, 126, 141. FIG. 7A shows an output waveform when the mounting posture of the ink cartridge 30 is normal, and FIG. Shows an output waveform when the mounting posture of the ink cartridge 30 is abnormal. FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 is extracted from the cartridge case 110. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 90. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of the state determination process performed by the control unit 90. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a longitudinal cross-sectional structure of the ink supply apparatus 100 according to the modification 2. FIG. 11A shows a slide member 135 in which a pressed portion 137 is provided on the opening 112 side. (B) shows a slide member 135 in which a pressed portion 137 is provided on the optical sensor 126 side. 12A and 12B are schematic views showing the configuration of the ink cartridge 30 according to the modified example 3. FIG. 12A shows a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 provided with the protruding member 76, and FIG. A longitudinal sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 provided with the protruding member 76A is shown. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a longitudinal cross-sectional structure of the ink supply device 100 according to Modification 4. As shown in FIG. 14A and 14B are schematic views showing the configuration of the ink cartridge 30 according to the modified example 5. FIG. 14A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 30, and FIG. 14B is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink cartridge 30. It is shown. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a longitudinal cross-sectional structure of the ink supply device 100 according to Modification 6. As shown in FIG. FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a longitudinal cross-sectional structure of the ink supply device 100 according to Modification 7.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example in which the present invention is embodied, and it is needless to say that the embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a printer 10 including an ink supply device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Overview of Printer 10]
The printer 10 records an image by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet based on an ink jet recording method. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes an ink supply device 100 (an example of the ink supply device of the present invention). The ink supply device 100 is provided with a cartridge case 110 (an example of the cartridge mounting portion of the present invention), and the four ink cartridges 30 (an example of the ink cartridge of the present invention) can be held horizontally in the cartridge case 110. It is. The cartridge case 110 is provided with an opening 112 whose one surface is open to the outside. The four ink cartridges 30 are inserted into the cartridge case 110 through the opening 112 or removed from the cartridge case 110.

  The opening 112 is covered with a cover 19 that is pivotally supported by the frame of the printer unit 10. The cover 19 is pivotally supported below the lower end portion of the opening 112. The cover 19 is pivotally supported so as to fall down, and changes its posture between an open posture for opening the opening 112 and a closed posture for closing.

  Each ink cartridge 30 stores ink that can be used by the printer 10. Specifically, cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks are stored in the ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the respective colors. As shown in FIG. 1, the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected by an ink tube 20. The recording head 21 is provided with a sub tank 28, and ink is temporarily stored in the sub tank 28. The recording head 21 selectively ejects ink from the sub tank 28 from the nozzles 29 based on the ink jet recording method.

  The recording paper fed to the transport path 24 by the paper feed roller 23 is transported onto the platen 26 by the transport roller pair 25. The recording head 21 ejects ink onto recording paper that passes over the platen 26. Thereby, an image is recorded on the recording paper. The recording sheet that has passed through the platen 26 is discharged by a discharge roller pair 22 to a discharge tray 16 provided on the most downstream side of the transport path 24.

[Ink cartridge 30]
The ink cartridge 30 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A and 2B are schematic views showing the configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 30, and FIG. 2B is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. .

  The ink cartridge 30 is a container that stores ink. An internal space of the ink cartridge 30 is an ink storage chamber 36. The ink cartridge 30 is shown by the arrow 50 with respect to the cartridge case 110 in the standing state shown in FIG. 2A, that is, with the lower surface in the drawing as the bottom surface and the upper surface in the drawing as the upper surface. It is inserted in the direction (hereinafter referred to as “insertion direction 50”). The ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge case 110 in the above-mentioned standing posture. In other words, the standing posture is a mounting posture of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the cartridge case 110. The insertion direction 50 corresponds to the mounting direction of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 30 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Specifically, the ink cartridge 30 is thin in the width direction 51, and has a flat shape in which the height direction 52 and the depth direction 53 are larger than the width direction 51. In the present embodiment, the ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are formed in the same shape. Accordingly, in any ink cartridge 30, the length from the front wall 40 on the front side in the insertion direction 50 of the ink cartridge 30 to the rear wall 42 on the rear side in the insertion direction 50 is the same. The outer surface of the rear wall 42 corresponds to the first wall surface of the present invention, and the outer surface of the front wall 40 corresponds to the second wall surface of the present invention.

  The ink cartridge 30 is made of, for example, a resin that can transmit light. Specifically, the ink cartridge 30 is made of a transparent or translucent resin that can transmit light such as visible light and infrared light.

  A rib 43 is provided on the upper wall 39 of the ink cartridge 30. In addition, an air communication port 71, an ink supply part 72 (an example of the ink supply part of the present invention), and a protruding member 76 (an example of the protruding part of the present invention) are provided on the front wall 40 on the front side in the insertion direction 50 of the ink cartridge 30. ), A remaining amount detection unit 34 is provided.

  The ink cartridge 30 includes an inner container made of a light-transmitting material constituting the ink storage chamber 36, and a cover member made of a non-light-transmitting material that covers the inner container from both sides. Yes. In the present embodiment, the protruding member 76 is formed integrally with the cover member, and protrudes from the cover member in the insertion direction 50. In each figure, since the ink cartridge 30 is schematically shown, the inner container and the cover member are not distinguished from each other.

[Remaining amount detection unit 34]
As shown in FIG. 2B, the remaining amount detector 34 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The remaining amount detector 34 protrudes outward (rightward in FIG. 2B) from near the middle of the front wall 40. A space 35 inside the remaining amount detection unit 34 is formed in a hollow shape so as to be continuous with the ink storage chamber 36. The space 35 is partitioned by a bottom wall 34A, a side wall 34B, an upper wall 34D, and a front wall 34E that constitute the remaining amount detection unit 34. A light shielding plate 62 provided in the sensor arm 60 described later is inserted into the space 35.

  The remaining amount detection unit 34 is configured by a member that can transmit light. Through the remaining amount detector 34, the amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 36 is detected visually or optically. In the present embodiment, the remaining amount detection unit 34 is formed integrally with the front wall 40 and is made of a transparent or translucent resin, like the other parts of the ink cartridge 30. Therefore, the user can visually recognize the contents of the space 35 of the remaining amount detection unit 34 from the outside. Except for the case where the light is blocked by a light shielding plate 62 or ink in the space 35 described later, the light vertically incident on the one side wall 34B of the remaining amount detection unit 34 from the outside passes through the remaining amount detection unit 34. It can penetrate in the width direction 51. That is, the light incident on the one side wall 34B from the outside can reach the other side wall 34B on the opposite side with almost no attenuation action (dimming action) by the remaining amount detection unit 34. A member such as a cover or a seal made of a material that does not easily transmit light is attached to the front wall 34E, and light traveling in the width direction 51 through the front wall 34E is absorbed or reflected by the front wall 34E. Is attenuated. For this reason, the light receiving element cannot obtain a received light amount equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and outputs a LOW level signal. The above members are not limited to those described above, but block or reduce the amount of light reaching the light receiving element by changing the direction of the light by reflecting or diffracting all or part of the light emitted from the light emitting element. Alternatively, the amount of light may be reduced to less than a predetermined amount by attenuating light with ground glass or a diaphragm.

  The distance between the side walls 34 </ b> B (the dimension in the width direction 51), which is the width of the remaining amount detection unit 34, is smaller than the width of the front wall 40. Specifically, the remaining amount detection unit 34 is formed with a width that allows entry into a detection region 115 of an optical sensor 114 described later.

  The sensor arm 60 is provided in the ink storage chamber 36. The sensor arm 60 is a synthetic resin member. The sensor arm 60 is roughly divided into an arm main body 63, a light shielding plate 62, and a float portion 64.

  The arm main body 63 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 66 supported by the side wall 41 of the ink cartridge 30. As a result, the sensor arm 60 can swing in the directions of the arrows 67 and 68 inside the ink cartridge 30.

  The float part 64 is provided at one end of the arm body 63. For example, the float portion 64 is formed in a hollow shape and plays a role of a buoyancy body having buoyancy with respect to a liquid such as ink. Therefore, the float unit 64 moves up and down according to the increase and decrease of the ink amount. Thereby, the sensor arm 60 rotates in the direction according to the increase / decrease in the ink amount. The float portion 64 may be formed of a material having a specific gravity smaller than the specific gravity of the ink, in a portion extending from the support shaft 66 to the float portion 64 or a part thereof, without forming the float portion 64 in a hollow shape.

  The light shielding plate 62 is provided at the other end of the arm main body 63 on the side opposite to the float portion 64. When the sensor arm 60 is rotated clockwise (in the direction of the arrow 67) in FIG. 2B, the light shielding plate 62 moves downward in the space 35. Then, the light shielding plate 62 contacts the bottom wall 34A of the remaining amount detection unit 34, and the lower posture (the posture in which the light shielding plate 62 contacts the bottom wall 34A of the remaining amount detection unit 34, the posture shown by the solid line in FIG. ). On the other hand, when the sensor arm 60 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction (the direction of the arrow 68) in FIG. 2B, the light shielding plate 62 moves upward and moves away from the bottom wall 34A. Then, the light shielding plate 62 abuts on the upper wall 34D, and maintains the upper posture (the posture in which the light shielding plate 62 moves away from the bottom wall 34A and abuts on the upper wall 34D, the posture shown by the broken line in FIG. 2B). . In FIG. 2B, the posture in which the light shielding plate 62 is in contact with the bottom wall 34A is indicated by a solid line, and the posture in which the light shielding plate 62 is separated from the bottom wall 34A is indicated by a broken line.

  When the light shielding plate 62 is in the lower position, the light shielding plate 62 is disposed to face the irradiation unit 34C below the side wall 34B. That is, the light shielding plate 62 and the irradiation unit 34 </ b> C overlap in the width direction 51. On the other hand, when the light shielding plate 62 is in the upper position, the light shielding plate 62 is disposed at a position shifted upward from the irradiation unit 34C. That is, in the upper position, the light shielding plate 62 and the irradiation unit 34 </ b> C do not overlap in the width direction 51.

  In the present embodiment, when there is a predetermined amount or more of ink in the ink storage chamber 36, the buoyancy of the float portion 64 acts to rotate the sensor arm 60 in the direction of the arrow 67. Thus, the light shielding plate 62 is urged toward the lower posture to maintain the lower posture. On the other hand, when the ink storage chamber 36 has less than a predetermined amount of ink, the weight of the float 64 acts to rotate the sensor arm 60 in the direction of the arrow 68. As a result, the light shielding plate 62 is urged toward the upper posture and maintains the upper posture. Thus, by moving the light shielding plate 62 in the vertical direction according to the amount of ink, the light of the optical sensor 114 described later is blocked by the light shielding plate 62 or can pass through the remaining amount detection unit 34 in the width direction 51. The user can grasp the amount of ink stored in the ink storage chamber 36 by visually recognizing the position of the light shielding plate 62.

  In the cartridge case 110, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted at a position where ink can be supplied (hereinafter referred to as “mounting position”), the remaining amount is detected from the light emitting element of the optical sensor 114 (see FIG. 4) described later. Light is emitted toward the irradiation part 34C of the side wall 34B of the part 34. At this time, when the light shielding plate 62 is in the lower position (the posture shown by the solid line in FIG. 2B), light that attempts to cross the space 35 is blocked by the light shielding plate 62. On the other hand, when the light shielding plate 62 is in the upper position (the posture indicated by the broken line in FIG. 2B), the light passes through the space 35 without being blocked by the light shielding plate 62 and the light sensor 114 It reaches the light receiving element. Therefore, the output signal of the light receiving element is output to the control unit 90 (see FIG. 9) described later. The control unit 90 can determine whether there is a predetermined amount or more of ink in the ink storage chamber 36 by analyzing the waveform of the output signal or detecting the attenuation amount or presence / absence of the output signal.

[Atmospheric communication port 71]
The air communication port 71 is formed on the front wall 40 above the remaining amount detection unit 34 in the front wall 40. The atmosphere communication port 71 is a through-hole penetrating the front wall 40 in the depth direction 53, and the air layer of the ink storage chamber 36 and the atmosphere communicate with each other through the atmosphere communication port 71. Thereby, the atmospheric pressure in the ink storage chamber 36 is maintained at atmospheric pressure.

[Ink supply unit 72]
The ink supply unit 72 is formed on the front wall 40 below the remaining amount detection unit 34 in the front wall 40. The ink supply unit 72 is configured by an annular member having elasticity, and protrudes outward (insertion direction 50 side) from the front wall 40. A through hole 73 that penetrates in the depth direction 53 is formed at the center of the ink supply unit 72. Ink flows out from the ink storage chamber 36 to the ink needle 122 through the through hole 73.

[Rib 43]
The ink cartridge 30 has a rib 43 extending in the depth direction 53. The rib 43 includes two side walls extending upward from the upper wall 39 of the ink cartridge 30 and an upper wall connecting the tops of both side walls. The rib 43 has a side wall having a width smaller than the width of the upper wall 39. The end 44 on the front wall 40 side of the rib 43 is in a position that is flush with the front wall 40, and the end 45 on the opposite side (the rear side in the insertion direction 50) Near the center. The end portion 45 of the rib 43 is a portion with which a lock lever 145 described later is engaged in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted at the mounting position in the cartridge case 110.

[Protruding member 76]
The ink cartridge 30 has a protruding member 76. The protruding member 76 is provided at the lower end of the front wall 40. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounting posture in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted at the mounting position, the protruding member 76 is provided below the ink supply unit 72. The width of the protruding member 76 is the same size as the width of the front wall 40 and protrudes outward (from the insertion direction 50 side) from the front wall 40. In the present embodiment, the protruding member 76 protrudes outward from the ink supply unit 72. That is, the protruding amount of the protruding member 76 is larger than the protruding amount of the ink supply unit 72. The protruding member 76 is in contact with a slide member 135 (an example of a transmission member of the present invention, see FIG. 4) that is slidably supported by the cartridge case 110 in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge case 110. The slide member 135 is pressed in the insertion direction 50. As a result, the slide member 135 slides in the same direction as the insertion direction 50.

[Ink supply apparatus 100]
Next, the configuration of the ink supply apparatus 100 to which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the ink supply device 100. FIG. 3A is a front view, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along section line IIIB-IIIB in FIG. It is shown. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a vertical cross-sectional structure of the ink supply device 100.

  The ink supply device 100 is provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 supplies ink to a recording head 21 (see FIG. 1) provided in the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge case 110 into which a plurality of ink cartridges 30 can be mounted.

[Cartridge case 110]
As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge case 110 is provided with three plates 103 that divide the internal space into four spaces that are long in the vertical direction. The ink cartridge 30 is accommodated in each space partitioned by the plate 103. In the present embodiment, four storage chambers 107 corresponding to the respective colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black are formed by the plate 103. The cartridge case 110 has an opening 112 on the front surface thereof. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into each storage chamber 107 of the cartridge case 110 through the opening 112. The ink cartridge 30 is supported in the cartridge case 110 so as to be movable in the horizontal direction by a support surface 108 which is the bottom surface of each storage chamber 107. In the present embodiment, when the ink cartridges 30 are mounted in the respective storage chambers 107, as shown in FIG. 3B, the rear walls 42 of the ink cartridges 30 are aligned so as to be on the same plane. That is, the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the storage chamber 107 so that the rear wall 42 is on the same surface.

  The cartridge case 110 is provided with an optical sensor 114, an optical sensor 126, a lock mechanism 144, a slide member 135, a coil spring 139 (an example of an urging member of the present invention), a connecting portion 121, and the like. Each of these components is provided for each of the four storage chambers 107. That is, when four ink cartridges 30 can be attached to the cartridge case 110, the four optical sensors 114, the optical sensor 126, the lock mechanism 144, the slide member 135, the coil spring 139, and the connection corresponding to each of the four ink cartridges. A part 121 and the like are provided.

[Optical sensor 114]
As shown in FIG. 4, an optical sensor 114 is provided at the center of the back wall 117 of the cartridge case 110. The optical sensor 114 is for detecting the light shielding plate 62 in the inside 35 of the remaining amount detection window 34, and is a component for realizing the function of detecting the ink amount of the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge case 110. It is. The optical sensor 114 includes a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode capable of emitting light and a light receiving element such as a phototransistor capable of receiving light emitted (emitted) from the light emitting element. The light emitting element and the light receiving element are incorporated in a resin casing assembled in a substantially U shape so as to face each other in the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, a light transmission type photo interrupter is employed as the optical sensor 114. Note that a reflective photo interrupter may be employed instead of the optical sensor 114.

  The optical sensor 114 is electrically connected to a control unit 90 (see FIG. 9) described later, and an electrical signal output from the light receiving element is input to the control unit 90 as an output signal. This output signal is a signal indicating the amount of light incident on the light receiving element, that is, the amount of light received by the light receiving element. In this embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted at the mounting position of the cartridge case 110, the remaining amount detection unit 34 enters the detection region 115 from the light emitting element to the light receiving element of the optical sensor 114, and the irradiation unit 34C It is arranged in the optical path of the detection area 115. In the present embodiment, the control unit 90 determines whether or not the remaining amount of ink has reached a predetermined amount based on the output signal (light reception amount) of the optical sensor 114 when the remaining amount detection unit 34 enters the detection region 115. Is done.

[Optical sensor 126]
An optical sensor 126 is provided at the lower part on the back side (right side in FIG. 4) of the back wall 117 of the cartridge case 110. The optical sensor 126 is provided at a position corresponding to the protruding member 76 in the cartridge case 110. The optical sensor 126 is for detecting the presence or absence of the protruding member 76 of the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge case 110. Specifically, the presence or absence of the protruding member 76 is indirectly detected by directly detecting an end 138 of a slide member 135 described later. As shown in FIG. 4, the optical sensor 126 has the same configuration as the optical sensor 114, and includes a light emitting element capable of emitting light and a light receiving element capable of receiving light emitted from the light emitting element. It is a light transmission type photo interrupter. Note that a reflective photo interrupter may be employed instead of the optical sensor 116. Further, instead of the optical sensor 126, a contact switch such as a limit switch or a proximity switch using a pulse signal may be employed.

  The optical sensor 126 is electrically connected to a control unit 90 (see FIG. 9) described later, and an electrical signal output from the light receiving element is input to the control unit 90 as an output signal. In this embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 reaches a predetermined position of the cartridge case 110, the protruding member 76 enters the detection region 127 where the slide member 135 moved by the protruding member 76 extends from the light emitting element to the light receiving element of the optical sensor 126. To do. Thereby, the light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked, and the output signal (the amount of received light) of the light receiving element of the optical sensor 126 varies. Based on the variation in K, the presence or absence of the protruding member 76 is determined by the control unit 90.

[Slide member 135]
The cartridge case 110 is provided with a slide member 135. The slide member 135 is provided for each storage chamber 107 in which the ink cartridge 30 is stored.

  The slide member 135 is configured as a separate member from the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge case 110. The slide member 135 is disposed in a recessed portion 130 formed on the back side of the bottom wall 132 of the cartridge case 110. An opening 129 that penetrates the back wall 117 is formed in the lower part of the back wall 117. The opening 129 is configured by cutting out the lower part of the back wall 117. The recessed portion 130 is continuous with the opening 129. The slide member 135 is supported so as to be slidable in the same direction as the insertion / extraction direction 105 of the ink cartridge 30 along the bottom surface of the recessed portion 130. As shown in FIG. 4A, the slide member 135 has an end 138 on the insertion direction 50 side of the slide member 135 spaced from the detection region 127 from the light emitting element to the light receiving element of the optical sensor 126 toward the opening 129 side. The first position (the position shown in FIG. 4A) and the second position where the end portion 135 is disposed in the detection region 127 (the position separated from the first position toward the insertion direction 50, FIG. It is possible to slide between the position shown in B). In other words, the slide member 135 is movable between the first position and the second position through the opening 129. In order to realize such movement, the optical sensor 126 is arranged so that the detection region 127 of the optical sensor 126 is positioned within the slide range of the slide member 135.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, the first position is such that the end portion 138 of the slide member 135 is separated from the protruding end 123 of the ink needle 122 described later toward the insertion direction 50. Is set to the specified position. For this reason, the ink dripping from the ink needle 122 when the ink cartridge 30 is removed does not adhere to the end portion 138 of the slide member 135. Therefore, ink does not flow to the sensor 126 and the sensor 126 is not stained with ink.

  The slide member 135 is provided with a pressed portion 137 that is pressed by the protruding member 76 in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30. The pressed portion 137 protrudes upward from the main body 136 of the slide member 135. The pressed portion 137 is disposed in the insertion path of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge case 110. Specifically, the pressed portion 137 is disposed in the entry path of the protruding member 76 of the ink cartridge 30.

  A coil spring 139 is provided in the recessed portion 130. The coil spring 139 elastically biases the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge case 110 toward the opening 112, that is, toward the removal direction 54 in which the ink cartridge 30 is extracted from the cartridge case 110. One end of the coil spring 139 is connected to the end portion 133 of the recessed portion 130 located on the opening 112 side. The other end of the coil spring 139 is connected to the slide member 135. When the coil spring 139 has a natural length, that is, when no external force is applied to the slide member 135, the slide member 135 is disposed at the first position on the end 133 side with respect to the optical sensor 126 (FIG. 4). (See (A)). On the other hand, in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge case 110, the end surface 77 of the protruding member 76 of the ink cartridge 30 contacts and presses the pressed portion 137. When a pressing force is received from the protruding member 76, the slide member 135 moves in the insertion direction 50 and the coil spring 139 extends. At this time, the coil spring 139 generates a spring force in the compression direction (an example of the urging direction of the present invention) that coincides with the insertion / extraction direction 105 of the ink cartridge 30 to urge the slide member 135 in the removal direction 54. When the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounting position where ink can be supplied, the slide member 135 reaches the second position, and the end portion 138 of the slide member 135 enters the detection region 127. Thereby, the light passing through the detection region 127 is blocked by the end portion 138. Based on the output signal (light reception amount) of the optical sensor 126 when the end portion 138 of the slide member 135 enters the detection region 127, the control unit 90 determines that the end portion 138 has reached the detection region 127, that is, ink. It can be determined that the cartridge 30 has reached the mounting position.

  As described above, the coil spring 139 is provided with the four coil springs 139 corresponding to the four ink cartridges for each of the storage chambers 107. These coil springs 139 are formed to have the same outer diameter and natural spring length (natural length). However, in this embodiment, the elastic coefficients of the coil springs 139 provided in the adjacent storage chambers 107 are different. For example, the wire diameter is different for each coil spring 139. Specifically, in FIG. 3, the elastic coefficient of the coil spring 139 provided in the third storage chamber 107 from the left end and the left is the elastic coefficient of the coil spring 139 provided in the second and fourth storage chambers 107 from the left end. Is set larger than. Therefore, in the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30, the elastic biasing force in the removal direction 54 generated in the coil spring 139 that is extended by the slide member 135 moving in the insertion direction 50 differs depending on the adjacent coil springs 139. As described above, the operation and effect of the provision of the coil spring 139 having different elastic coefficients will be described later. Note that, as described above, making the elastic coefficient of the coil spring 139 different for each of the adjacent storage chambers 107 is an example of the stopping means of the present invention.

[Locking mechanism 144]
A lock mechanism 144 is provided in the cartridge case 110. The lock mechanism 144 regulates the movement of the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 54 opposite to the insertion direction 50 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is disposed at the mounting position, and the ink cartridge 30 at the mounting position. To play a role in stopping The lock mechanism 144 is disposed on the opposite side of the optical sensor 126 in the vertical direction of the cartridge case 110 (the vertical direction in FIG. 4). In other words, the optical sensor 126 is disposed on the opposite side of the lock mechanism 144 in the vertical direction. Specifically, the lock mechanism 144 is provided at the top of the opening 112.

  The lock mechanism 144 is roughly composed of a lock lever 145 and a coil spring 148 that applies a biasing force to the lock lever 145. The lock lever 145 is rotatably supported between an unlock position shown in FIG. 4B and a lock position shown in FIG. When no external force is applied to the lock lever 145, the lock lever 145 is always urged toward the lock position by the coil spring 148. An engagement end 146 is provided at one end of the lock lever 145. In the lock mechanism 144, the engagement end portion 146 engages with the end portion 45 of the ink cartridge 30, whereby the ink cartridge 30 is locked in the cartridge case 110.

  An optical sensor 141 is provided in the vicinity of the lock mechanism 144. The optical sensor 141 is configured similarly to the optical sensor 114 and the optical sensor 126 described above, and includes a detection region 142. A detected portion 147 is provided on the opposite side of the lock lever 145 from the engagement end portion 146. The optical sensor 141 is arranged so that the detection region 142 is located in the rotation range of the detected portion 147. Therefore, the detected portion 147 can enter the detection area 142 according to the position of the lock lever 145. In this embodiment, when the lock lever 145 is in the lock position, the detected portion 147 is disposed in the detection area 142, and when the lock lever 145 is in the unlock position, the detected section 147 is retracted from the detection area 142. It is arranged at the position. Based on the output signal (the amount of received light) of the optical sensor 141 when the detected portion 147 enters or leaves the detection region 142, the control unit 90 (see FIG. 9) indicates that the lock lever 145 is in the locked position. It can be determined whether or not there is.

[Ink needle 122]
A hole 119 penetrating from the inside of the cartridge case 110 to the back side is formed in the lower portion of the back wall 117. A connecting portion 121 that connects to the ink supply portion 72 is provided inside the cartridge case 110 in the hole 119. A tubular ink needle 122 is attached to the connecting portion 121. The ink needle 122 protrudes toward the opening 122, that is, toward the removal direction 54. An ink tube 20 (see FIG. 2) is connected to the back side of the hole 119. When the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge case 110, the ink needle 122 is inserted into the through hole 73 of the ink supply unit 72, and the ink supply unit 72 and the connection unit 121 are connected. Thereby, an ink passage extending from the through hole 73 to the ink tube 20 is formed.

[Installation operation of ink cartridge 30]
Hereinafter, the operation of mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge case 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are schematic cross-sectional views showing the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge case 110 in time series. FIG. 7 is a waveform diagram showing output signals of the optical sensors 114, 126, and 141.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, when the ink cartridge 30A is inserted in the insertion direction 50 with respect to the cartridge case 110, first, the end portion 44 of the rib 43 contacts the engagement end portion 146 of the lock lever 145. Touch. When the ink cartridge 30A is further inserted in this state, the lock lever 145 rotates counterclockwise, and the engagement end 146 is lifted upward, and the above-mentioned lock position (see FIG. 4A) is referred to above. It rotates to the unlock position (see FIG. 4B). The raised engagement end 146 is placed on the upper surface of the rib 43.

  Before the ink cartridge 30A is inserted, the lock lever 145 is in the lock position (see FIG. 4A), and the light in the detection region 142 is blocked by the detected portion 147 of the lock lever 145. Therefore, the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 141 is LOW (see FIG. 7A). As described above, when the ink cartridge 30A is inserted and the lock lever 145 is rotated to the unlock position (see FIG. 4B), the detected portion 147 is withdrawn from the detection area 142 during the rotation. Therefore, the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 141 changes from LOW to HI (T0 in FIG. 7A).

  When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted, the front wall 34E of the detection unit 34 passes through the detection region 115 of the optical sensor 114 (see FIG. 5B). While the front wall 34E passes through the detection region 115, the light is greatly attenuated by the front wall 34E. Therefore, the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 114 changes from HI to LOW (T1 in FIG. 7A). When the front wall 34E passes the detection region 115, the level of the output signal returns from LOW to HI (T2 in FIG. 7A).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, the protruding member 76 comes into contact with the pressed portion 137 of the slide member 135, and the protruding member 76 presses the pressed portion 137 in the same direction as the insertion direction 50.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 50, the slide member 135 starts to move in the same direction as the insertion direction 50 by receiving a pressing force from the protruding member 76. At this time, the coil spring 139 extends with the movement of the slide member 135. As the coil spring 139 extends, the coil spring 139 applies a spring force in the compression direction to the slide member 135. That is, the slide member 135 is elastically biased in the removal direction 54 opposite to the insertion direction 50 by the spring force in the compression direction by the coil spring 139.

  Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted to the back of the cartridge case 110 and the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounting position, the irradiation unit 34 </ b> C of the detection unit 34 is moved to the optical sensor 114. Enter the detection area 115. At this time, when a predetermined amount or more of ink is stored in the ink storage chamber 36, that is, when the light shielding plate 62 is in the lower position (see the solid line), the light from the optical sensor 114 is blocked by the light shielding plate 62. . In this case, as shown in FIG. 7A, the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 114 changes from HI to LOW (T3 in FIG. 7A). On the other hand, when the amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 36 is less than a predetermined amount, that is, when the light shielding plate 62 is in the upper position (see the broken line), the light of the optical sensor 114 is not blocked by the light shielding plate 62, so the signal level Maintains HI (see broken line in FIG. 7A).

  In addition, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted to the mounting position, the slide member 135 is pressed by the protruding member 76, so that the slide member 135 enters the detection region 127 of the optical sensor 126. At this time, the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 126 changes from HI to LOW (T4 in FIG. 7A).

  Furthermore, when the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounting position, the end portion 45 of the rib 43 passes through the engagement end portion 146 of the lock lever 145. Since the engagement end 146 is not supported by the rib 43, the lock lever 145 lifted by the rib 43 rotates downward, and the engagement end 146 is disposed on the upper surface of the upper wall 39 of the ink cartridge 30. . At this time, light in the detection region 142 is blocked by the detected portion 147 of the lock lever 145. As a result, the level of the output signal of the optical sensor 141 changes from HI to LOW (T5 in FIG. 7A).

  Thereafter, when the pressing force of the ink cartridge 30 toward the insertion direction 50 is released, the ink cartridge 30 receives a spring force toward the removal direction 54 by the coil spring 139. This spring force is transmitted from the coil spring 139 to the protruding member 76 of the ink cartridge 30 via the slide member 135 and the pressed portion 137. As shown in FIG. 6D, the ink cartridge 30 receiving this spring force moves in the removal direction 54. At this time, the ink cartridge 30 moves in the removal direction 54 by a gap provided between the engagement end 146 of the lock lever 145 and the end 45 of the rib 43. When the part 45 abuts and engages, the ink cartridge 30 is prevented from moving in the removal direction 54.

[Removal operation of ink cartridge 30]
When the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge case 110, the user pushes down the end of the detected portion 147 in the lock lever 145. Thereby, the lock lever 145 rotates counterclockwise and moves from the lock position (see FIG. 4A) toward the unlock position (see FIG. 4B). When the lock lever 145 reaches the unlock position, the engagement end 146 is disposed above the rib 43 of the ink cartridge 30. As a result, the engagement end 146 moves away from the end 45 of the rib 43. At the same time, the extended coil spring 139 starts to contract. As a result, the elastic biasing force generated in the coil spring 139 toward the removal direction 54 is transmitted to the ink cartridge 30 through the main body 136 and the pressed portion 137 of the slide member 135. In response to this elastic biasing force, the ink cartridge 30 moves from the mounting position to the removal direction 54. The ink cartridge 30 gradually decreases in moving speed by receiving frictional force from the support surface 108 or the like when moving. Then, the ink cartridge 30 stops at a position where a part of the rear wall 42 side of the ink cartridge 30 protrudes from the opening 112 (hereinafter referred to as “stop position”).

  In this embodiment, the elastic coefficient of the coil spring 139 is different for each adjacent storage chamber 107. Therefore, the magnitude of the elastic biasing force toward the removal direction 54 is different for each adjacent storage chamber 107. Therefore, when two adjacent ink cartridges 30 are removed from the cartridge case 110, the stop position is shifted so as to be different in the insertion / extraction direction of the ink cartridge 30 as shown in FIG. Each ink cartridge stops. For this reason, even if the adjacent ink cartridges 30 are moved to the removal direction 54 and the respective ink cartridges 30 are arranged in the above-described stop position, the ink cartridges 30 are arranged at the rear of each ink cartridge 30. Since a step is generated between the walls 42, the user can easily pull the ink cartridge 30 by pulling the rear wall 42 side of the ink cartridge 30.

[Control unit 90]
Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of the control unit 90 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the control unit 90.

  The control unit 90 controls the overall operation of the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 9, the control unit 90 is configured as a microcomputer mainly including a CPU 91, a ROM 92, a RAM 93, an EEPROM 94, and an ASIC 95.

  The ROM 92 stores a program for the CPU 91 to control various operations of the printer 10, a program for executing a state determination process described later, and the like. The RAM 93 is used as a storage area for temporarily recording data, signals, and the like used when the CPU 91 executes the program, or as a work area for data processing. The EEPROM 94 stores settings, flags, and the like that should be retained even after the power is turned off.

  A timer 96 is built in the ASIC 95. The timer 96 starts measuring a preset time (Δt in this embodiment) when a predetermined signal is input, and outputs a signal indicating that when the preset time has elapsed. It is. Instead of the timer 96, means having the above-described function, such as a delay circuit, may be employed.

  An optical sensor 114, a sensor 126, and an optical sensor 141 are connected to the ASIC 95. Although not shown in FIG. 9, a drive circuit for driving the rollers such as the paper feed roller 23 and the transport roller pair 25 (see FIG. 1), and an input for inputting an image recording instruction to the printer 10. And a display unit for displaying information about the printer 10 are also connected.

  The optical sensor 114 outputs an analog electrical signal (voltage signal or current signal) corresponding to the intensity of light received by the light receiving element. The output signal that is output is input to the control unit 90, and when the electrical level (voltage value or current value) is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 90 determines that the signal is an HI level signal. If it is less than this, it is determined as a LOW level signal. In the present embodiment, the output signal is determined as a LOW level signal when light is blocked in the detection region 115 of the optical sensor 1114, and is determined as a HI level signal when the light is not blocked. When the light passes through the front wall 34E of the remaining amount detection unit 34 in the width direction 51, the intensity of the light reaching the light receiving element is less than the predetermined threshold, and the output signal at that time is a LOW level signal. It is determined.

  The optical sensor 126 and the optical sensor 141 have the same configuration as the optical sensor 126 described above, and output an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity (light reception amount) of light received by the light receiving element. Details are omitted here.

[Status determination processing]
In the present embodiment, the state determination process for determining whether the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge case 110 is good or bad is controlled based on the output signals of the optical sensor 126 and the optical sensor 141. Determined by the unit 90.

  Hereinafter, the procedure of the state determination process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the procedure of the state determination process performed by the control unit 90. This state determination process is started from step S1 in the figure.

  First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge case 110 at the attachment position. In other words, it is determined whether or not the ink cartridge 30 is locked by the lock mechanism 144. Specifically, the determination is made based on whether or not the signal level of the optical sensor 141 has changed from HI to LOW. If it is determined that the ink cartridge 30 is locked by the lock lever 145 (Yes in S1), the timer 96 starts counting in the next step S2.

  When the set time Δt is counted by the timer 96 (Yes in S3), in the next step S4, whether the signal level of the optical sensor 126 is HI or LOW is triggered by the elapse of the set time Δt. To be judged. This determination is made to determine whether the ink cartridge 30 is in a good or defective mounting state. For example, referring to FIG. 7A, when the signal level of the optical sensor 126 at time T6 is LOW, it is determined that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted properly in the cartridge case 110. On the other hand, referring to FIG. 7B, when the signal level of the optical sensor 126 at time T6 is HI, the ink cartridge 30 is locked by the lock lever 145, but the protruding member 76 cannot be detected. Then, it is determined that the mounting state of the ink cartridge 30 once reaching the mounting position is defective.

  The defective mounting of the ink cartridge 30 is provided between the engagement end portion 146 of the lock lever 145 and the end portion 45 of the rib 43 when the pressing force in the insertion direction 50 with respect to the ink cartridge 30 is released. This may occur due to the ink cartridge 30 moving in the removal direction 54 by the gap. During this movement, the ink cartridge 30 rotates in the storage chamber 107 around the engagement point between the engagement end 146 and the end 45, so that the protruding member 76 moves toward the removal direction 54 more than the gap. If moved, the above-mentioned mounting failure may occur.

  If it is determined in step S4 that the signal level of the optical sensor 126 is LOW, a bit flag indicating a mounting failure is set in the register of the CPU 91 (S5). On the other hand, if it is determined in step S4 that the signal level of the optical sensor 126 is HI, a bit flag indicating good mounting is set in a register of the CPU 91 (S6). Each mounting state indicated by the set bit flag is output to, for example, a display unit included in the printer 10 or an information processing apparatus (personal computer) connected to the printer 10 via a network.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration in which the slide member 135 is disposed at the second position when the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounting position has been described. In this case, the control unit 90 detects that the ink cartridge 30 has reached the mounting position. On the other hand, a configuration in which the slide member 135 is disposed at the second position before the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounting position may be employed. In this case, the control unit 90 determines that the ink cartridge 30 has been inserted into the cartridge case 110.

[Effect of the embodiment]
Since the present embodiment is configured as described above, even if two adjacent ink cartridges 30 are removed from the cartridge case 110, as shown in FIG. There is a step between 42. Therefore, the user can easily pull out the ink cartridge 30 by grasping the rear wall 42 side of the ink cartridge 30.

  In the above-described embodiment, the members that enter the detection regions of the optical sensors 126 and 141 block light or allow light to pass therethrough. It is not necessary to completely block the amount of light that reaches the light receiving element from the light receiving element, for example, by reflecting or diffracting all or part of the light emitted from the light emitting element toward the light receiving element. The amount of light received by the light receiving element may be reduced to a certain level by blocking or reducing the amount of light reaching the light source or by attenuating light by a member such as polished glass or a diaphragm.

[Modification 1]
In the embodiment described above, in FIG. 3, the elastic coefficient of the coil spring 139 provided in the third storage chamber 107 from the left end and the left is the elasticity of the coil spring 139 provided in the second and fourth storage chambers 107 from the left end. It is set larger than the coefficient. On the other hand, the elastic coefficients of all the coil springs 139 in the four storage chambers 107 may be made different. The magnitude of the elastic coefficient of each coil spring 139 may be set in the order in which the storage chambers 107 are arranged. In this case, as shown in FIG. 8B, the ink cartridges 30 are stopped stepwise in the order in which the storage chambers 107 are arranged. In the above-described embodiment, the coil spring 139 is employed as an example of the urging member. However, any member that generates an elastic urging force may be employed. For example, instead of the coil spring 139, a rubber member such as recon rubber or NBR, a sponge-like member, or a leaf spring can be employed.

[Modification 2]
Further, when the coil springs 139 having the same elastic modulus are provided in all the four storage chambers 107, as shown in FIG. 11, the pressed portion 137 of the slide member 135 is provided for each adjacent storage chamber 107. The position may be shifted in the insertion / extraction direction 105. In this case, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted at the mounting position of the cartridge case 110, the extension amount (extension stroke) of the adjacent coil springs 139 is different. Even with such a configuration, since different elastic urging forces are transmitted to the adjacent ink cartridges 30, the stop position can be made different for each ink cartridge 30. Thus, varying the amount of extension of the coil spring 139 is an example of the stopping means of the present invention.

[Modification 3]
Further, when the coil springs 139 having the same elastic coefficient are provided in all the four storage chambers 107, the protrusion amount (protrusion length) of the protrusion member 76 may be different for each adjacent ink cartridge 30. . For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the ink cartridge 30 (see FIG. 12A) having the protruding member 76 as the ink cartridge stored in the adjacent storage chamber 107 and a protruding length longer than the protruding member 76. A large ink cartridge 30 (see FIG. 12B) is prepared and installed in the adjacent storage chamber 107. In this case, the compression amount of the coil spring 139 differs between the adjacent storage chambers 107. Specifically, the amount of compression is larger when the ink cartridge 30 having the protruding member 76A is attached than when the ink cartridge 30 having the protruding member 76 is attached. For this reason, since different elastic urging forces are transmitted from the coil spring 139 for each adjacent ink cartridge 30, the stop position can be varied for each ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 is removed. Thus, the protruding member 76 and the protruding member 76A having different protruding lengths are examples of the stopping means of the present invention.

  Further, when the coil springs 139 having the same elastic coefficient are provided in all the four storage chambers 107, the friction resistance of the support surface 108 of each storage chamber 107 may be different for each adjacent storage chamber 107. . For example, as such means, in adjacent storage chambers 107, a sheet made of a high friction member is attached only to one support surface 108, irregularities are formed on the support surface 108, or the insertion / extraction direction 105 intersects. It is conceivable to form one or more grooves extending in the direction. The bottom surface of the ink cartridge 30 is supported so as to be movable while contacting the support surface 108 of the storage chamber 107. For this reason, when the urging force transmitted from the coil spring 139 is the same, the friction resistance of the support surface 108 is made different so that the ink cartridge stops at different stop positions in the insertion / removal direction 105 at the time of removal. Thus, making the amount of protrusion of the protrusion member 76 of the support surface 108 different for each ink cartridge 30 is an example of the stopping means of the present invention.

[Modification 4]
In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the slide member 135 and the coil spring 139 connected thereto is provided is employed. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the slide member 135 and the optical sensor 126 are provided. Instead of providing the coil spring 139 and the opening 129, a configuration in which coil springs 157 and 158 extending from the back wall 117 of the cartridge case 110 to the opening 112 side are provided instead of these components may be employed. In this case, the elastic coefficients of the coil springs 157 and 158 are different for each adjacent storage chamber 107. In this configuration, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted, the coil springs 157 and 158 are compressed in the mounting process. As a result, a spring force in the extending direction that coincides with the insertion / extraction direction 105 is generated in the coil springs 157 and 158. This spring force acts on the removal direction 54 of the ink cartridge 30 and has a different magnitude for each adjacent storage chamber 107. For this reason, since different elastic urging forces are transmitted for the adjacent ink cartridges 30, the stop position can be made different for each ink cartridge 30. As described above, the coil springs 157 and 158 having different elastic coefficients for the adjacent storage chambers 107 are examples of the stopping means of the present invention.

  In this modification, a configuration in which the coil springs 157 and 158 are provided in the cartridge case 110 is employed. For example, a configuration in which the coil springs 157 and 158 are attached to the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 is employed. Also good. In this case, coil springs 157 and 158 having different elastic coefficients are attached to the adjacent ink cartridges 30 when mounted in the storage chamber 107.

[Modification 5]
Hereinafter, a modified example of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 14, in this modification, the ink cartridge 30 includes a cartridge main body 31 having an ink storage chamber 36, and a cover 32 that covers the front side of the insertion direction 50 in the cartridge main body 31 (the slide member of the present invention). For example). Although not shown, the cartridge case 110 of this modification is different from the cartridge case 110 of the above-described embodiment in that the coil spring 139 having the same elastic coefficient is adopted for each storage chamber 107, and other configurations. Are common.

  The cartridge body 31 has the same configuration as that of the ink cartridge 30 of the above-described embodiment except that the protruding member 76 is not provided. Therefore, the outer shape has a thin and substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that is thin in the width direction 51 and has an ink storage chamber 36 in the internal space. In addition, on the front side of the insertion direction 50 of the cartridge main body 31, a remaining amount detection unit 34, an air communication port 71, and an ink supply unit 72 that are continuous with the ink storage chamber 36 are provided. Since these configurations are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The cover 32 has a hollow box shape that covers the front portion of the cartridge body 31 in the insertion direction 50. The cover 32 is slidable in the direction along the insertion direction 50 along the outer wall of the cartridge main body 31. Although not shown in each figure, the cover 32 is locked to the cartridge main body 31 at a position away from the cartridge main body 31 in the insertion direction 50 by a predetermined distance, and its slide range is restricted. In addition, coil springs 37 and 38 are interposed between the cartridge main body 31 and the cover 32, and the cover 32 is urged away from the cartridge main body 31 by the coil springs 37 and 38.

  A projecting member 76 similar to that described above is provided on the front side of the cover 32 in the insertion direction 50. Since these are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted here. A window 33 penetrating in the width direction 51 is formed near the center of the front side of the insertion direction 50 in the cover 32. When the cover 32 is closest to the cartridge main body 31, the remaining amount detection unit 34 enters a position corresponding to the window 33. When the cover 32 is separated from the cartridge main body 31, the remaining amount detection unit 34 is removed from the position corresponding to the window 33. The window 33 transmits light from the optical sensor 114.

  Although not shown in each drawing, a through hole through which the connecting portion 121 and the ink needle 122 can be inserted is formed at a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 72 on the front side of the insertion direction 50 in the cover 32. The connecting part 121 and the ink needle 122 are accessed to the ink supply part 72 through these through holes.

  Since such a cover 32 is provided, even if the ink cartridge 30 falls or collides with another member in a situation where it is not attached to the cartridge case 110, the cover 32 allows the cartridge body 31 to be The front side of the insertion direction 50 is protected. That is, the ink supply unit 72 and the remaining amount detection unit 34 are prevented from being damaged. The above determination process by the control unit 90 is also possible for the ink cartridge 30 having such a cover 32.

  In this modification, coil springs 37 and 38 having different elastic coefficients are provided for each of the adjacent ink cartridges 30 when mounted in the storage chamber 107. With such a configuration, different elastic urging forces are transmitted to the adjacent ink cartridges 30, so that the stop position can be made different for each ink cartridge 30. As described above, the coil springs 37 and 38 having different elastic coefficients are an example of the stopping means of the present invention.

[Modification 6]
Hereinafter, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the above-described embodiment, a configuration in which the coil springs 139 having different elastic coefficients are provided in the respective accommodation chambers 107 for each of the adjacent accommodation chambers 107 is employed. A coil spring 139 having an elastic coefficient is employed. On the other hand, as means for stopping the ink cartridge 30 at the time of removal, a protrusion 161 provided on the support surface 108 of the storage chamber 107 and an engagement wall 162 formed on the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 30 are employed. As shown in FIG. 15, the protrusion 161 protrudes upward from the support surface 108. The protruding amount of the protrusion 161 is set so as not to prevent the mounting and removal of the ink cartridge 30 from the storage chamber 107. In this modification, the protrusion 161 is formed at a different position in the insertion / extraction direction 105 for each of the adjacent storage chambers 107. Note that FIG. 15A shows a protrusion 161 provided on the opening 112 side, and FIG. 15B shows a protrusion 161 provided on the back wall 117 side.

  On the other hand, the engagement wall 162 formed in the ink cartridge 30 is provided at the same position in the insertion / extraction direction 105.

  In such a configuration in which the protrusion 161 and the locking wall 162 are provided, when the ink cartridge 30 is pulled out, the ink cartridge 30 is locked in the process of being biased by the coil spring 139 and moving in the pulling direction 54. The wall 162 contacts the protrusion 161. As a result, further movement is restricted, and the ink cartridge 30 stops. Further, since the positions of the protrusions 161 are different for each storage chamber 107 in the insertion / removal direction 105, each ink cartridge 30 that is removed from the adjacent storage chamber 107 stops at a different position in the insertion / removal direction 105.

[Modification 7]
Hereinafter, a modification of the above-described embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This modified example is different from the above-described modified example 6 in that the protrusions 161 of the respective storage chambers 107 are provided at the same position in the insertion / extraction direction 105. Another difference is that the engagement wall 162 formed on the ink cartridge 30 is formed at a different position in the insertion / removal direction 105 for each adjacent ink cartridge 30 when mounted in the storage chamber 107. 16A shows the ink cartridge 30 in which the engagement wall 162 is formed on the rear wall 42 side, and FIG. 16B shows the engagement wall 162 on the front wall 40 side. The formed ink cartridge 30 is shown.

  In such a configuration in which the protrusion 161 and the locking wall 162 are provided, when the ink cartridge 30 is pulled out, the ink cartridge 30 is locked in the process of being biased by the coil spring 139 and moving in the pulling direction 54. The wall 162 contacts the protrusion 161. As a result, further movement is restricted, and the ink cartridge 30 stops. Further, in this modified example, since the position of the locking wall 162 is different in the insertion / extraction direction 105, the adjacent ink cartridges 30 when installed in the storage chamber 107 are stopped at different positions in the insertion / extraction direction 105. To do.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Printer 30 ... Ink cartridge 72 ... Ink supply part 76 ... Protruding member 77 ... End surface 90 ... Control part 100 ... Ink supply apparatus 110 ... Cartridge case 126 .... Optical sensor 135 ... Slide member 137 ... Pressed portion 138 ... End 139 ... Coil spring 141 ... Optical sensor

Claims (10)

An ink supply device comprising a cartridge mounting portion capable of mounting at least two ink cartridges through an opening,
A biasing member that biases the ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion toward the opening;
Stop means for stopping the ink cartridge at a predetermined stop position,
The stop means is an ink supply device for stopping the ink cartridge in a state where the first wall surfaces on the rear side in the mounting direction of the adjacent ink cartridges do not fit on the same plane. The urging member is provided in the ink cartridge or the cartridge mounting portion for each ink cartridge, and elastically urges the ink cartridge.
The ink cartridge is provided in the ink cartridge or the cartridge mounting portion, and the ink cartridge is attached to the ink cartridge differently by changing the expansion / contraction stroke of the biasing member for each ink cartridge in a state where the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion. The ink supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transmission member that transmits a force.   The transmission member is slidably provided on the cartridge mounting portion for each of the ink cartridges, and is slid in the mounting direction while the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion to extend the biasing member. The ink supply device according to claim 2, wherein the ink supply device is a device. The ink cartridge has a protruding portion that protrudes from the second wall surface on the front side in the mounting direction with respect to the cartridge mounting portion in the mounting direction, and that can contact the transmission member.
The ink supply device according to claim 3, wherein a length of the protruding portion in the mounting direction is different at least in adjacent ink cartridges. The ink cartridge is provided on the second wall surface and has an ink supply unit for supplying ink to the outside.
The ink supply device according to claim 4, wherein the protruding portion is provided below the ink supply portion.   The ink supply device according to claim 5, wherein the protruding portion protrudes at least in the mounting direction from the ink supply portion. The urging member is provided in the ink cartridge or the cartridge mounting portion for each ink cartridge,
2. The ink supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the stop means is slidably contacted with the ink cartridge with a different frictional force for each of the ink cartridges. The urging member is provided in the ink cartridge or the cartridge mounting portion, and elastically urges the ink cartridge toward the opening.
2. The ink according to claim 1, wherein the stop means stops the ink cartridge that is elastically biased by the biasing member and pushed toward the opening side by contacting the ink cartridge at a predetermined stop position. 3. Feeding device.   2. The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein the urging member is an elastic member that is provided in the ink cartridge or the cartridge mounting portion for each ink cartridge and is set to have a different elastic coefficient for each ink cartridge. The ink cartridge is located between a first position spaced from the second wall surface on the front side in the mounting direction with respect to the cartridge mounting portion to the mounting direction side and a second position closer to the second wall surface than the first position. It has a slide member that can slide,
10. The biasing member according to claim 7, wherein the biasing member is provided between the two wall surfaces and the slide member, and elastically biases the slide member from the second wall surface to the mounting direction. Ink supply device.

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