JP2011152644A - Liquid supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure suitable for repeated use and prevented from the jump-out of a liquid container from a mounting part. <P>SOLUTION: A cartridge mounting part 110 is equipped with: a groove 115 extending along an inserting and pulling-out direction 50; stoppers 124, 125 provided in the groove 115; a sliding member 135 energizing an ink cartridge 30 in the mounted state; and a lock lever 145 (a holding member) holding the ink cartridge 30 in the mounted state. The ink cartridge 30 is equipped with: an ink chamber 36, a guided part 44 movable in the groove 115, and bulging parts 54, 55 provided in the guided part 44. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply apparatus in which a liquid container can be mounted on a mounting portion through an opening, and a biasing member biases the liquid container toward the opening in the mounted state.

  Conventionally, an image recording apparatus that records an image on recording paper 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 a liquid container for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head. As this liquid container, one in which a cartridge type is adopted is known. The cartridge-type liquid container can be attached to and detached from a mounting portion provided in the image recording apparatus. Such a cartridge type liquid 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 mounting portion of the image recording apparatus, and a new ink cartridge for storing ink is mounted on the mounting portion. There is a known lock structure for positioning the ink cartridge in the mounting portion and for holding the mounting state of the ink cartridge. Also, a biasing member that biases the ink cartridge in a direction in which the ink cartridge is removed from the mounting portion in a state where the ink cartridge is locked by the lock structure is known. When the ink cartridge is removed from the mounting portion, the lock by the lock structure is released, and the ink cartridge moves toward the opening by the force received from the urging member. This makes it easy for the user to take out the ink cartridge from the mounting portion.

  Further, if the ink cartridge moves vigorously, the ink cartridge may jump out of the mounting portion. If the ink cartridge jumps out of the mounting portion, the ink cartridge may fall, and the ink in the ink cartridge may be scattered outside due to the impact at that time. Further, the ink cartridge may fall on the floor or the like, and the ink cartridge may be damaged. In order to prevent these, a configuration for preventing the ink cartridge from popping out is known (Patent Document 1).

JP 2005-288866 A

  In the configuration described in Patent Document 1, a hook claw (130) that is elastically deformable is provided in the cartridge mounting portion (101), and the hook claw (130) is used when the ink cartridge (1) is taken out. At the predetermined timing, the ink cartridge (1) is locked to the edge (31) of the locking recess (32). This locking prevents the ink cartridge (1) from popping out.

  However, if the replacement of the ink cartridge (1) is repeated and the hook claw (130) is repeatedly elastically deformed, the hook claw (130) will be fatigued and will not return elastically, or the deformation will be small. There is also a risk that the hook claw (130) may break due to fatigue. Then, the ink cartridge (1) cannot be prevented from popping out, and the ink cartridge mounting portion (101) having the hook claw (130) needs to be replaced to restore the function.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a structure that prevents a liquid container from jumping out of a mounting portion and is suitable for repeated use.

  (1) The present invention is a liquid in which a liquid container can be attached to the attachment part through the opening, and the urging member urges the liquid container toward the opening in a state where the liquid container is attached to the attachment part. It is a supply device. The mounting portion extends from the opening to the back along the insertion / extraction direction in which the liquid container is inserted / extracted, and a groove whose vertical direction is the depth direction and extends along the insertion / extraction direction in the groove. A first stopper bulged from at least one of the pair of facing side surfaces toward the other side surface; a second stopper bulged from the other side surface of the groove toward the one side surface; A holding member that holds the liquid container in a mounted state in a mounted state against the urging of the urging member, and that can release the holding. The liquid container stores the liquid and can be moved in the groove by being inserted into the groove when inserted into and removed from the storage portion, and a storage chamber in which the liquid can flow out in a mounted state. A first bulge that bulges from the position facing the one side surface where the first stopper is provided in the guided portion toward the one side surface in the state where the guided portion is mounted on the mounting portion. And a second bulging portion bulged from the position facing the other side surface where the second stopper is provided in the guided portion toward the other side surface. The first stopper and the second stopper are arranged on the opening side from the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion. The first bulging portion and the second bulging portion are separated from each other in the insertion / extraction direction. The distance between the bulging end of the first stopper and the bulging end of the second stopper in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction is the same as the distance between the bulging end of the first bulging portion and the bulging end of the first stopper in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction. Either the bulging end of the first bulging portion or the bulging end of the second bulging portion is shorter than the distance from the bulging end of the second bulging portion and in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction. It is wider than the width of the guided part including.

  The liquid container is attached to the attachment portion through the opening. In the mounted state, the liquid container is urged by the urging member, but the holding member holds the liquid container in a mounted state against this urging. The guided portion of the liquid container is inserted into the groove of the mounting portion.

  When the holding by the holding member is released, the liquid container moves toward the opening by the force received from the biasing member. When the liquid container moves toward the opening, the guided portion moves along the groove of the mounting portion, and one of the first bulging portion or the second bulging portion contacts the first stopper or the second stopper. . By this contact, the liquid container is moved in the horizontal direction while the guided portion is inserted in the groove. This horizontal movement attenuates the speed at which the liquid container moves to the opening. When one of the first bulging part or the second bulging part passes through the first stopper or the second stopper, the other of the first bulging part or the second bulging part comes into contact with the first stopper or the second stopper. By this contact, the liquid container is moved in the horizontal direction in the opposite direction to the previous movement while the guided portion is inserted in the groove. This horizontal movement again attenuates the speed at which the liquid container moves to the opening and then stops the liquid container.

  The stop position of the liquid container is not limited to the position where the first bulge portion or the second bulge portion and the first stopper or the second stopper abut. For example, every time the first bulging portion or the second bulging portion passes the first stopper or the second stopper, the moving speed of the liquid container is attenuated, and the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion become the first stopper. The liquid container may stop after completely passing through the second stopper.

  Further, in the present invention, “bulging” means that a convex shape is extended from a predetermined surface in a direction intersecting with the surface, but the convex shape is stepped by a surface intersecting the surface. Even if it forms, it may be formed in the dome shape continuously with the said surface by the smooth curved surface.

  (2) The present invention is a liquid in which a liquid container can be attached to the attachment part through the opening, and the urging member urges the liquid container toward the opening in a state where the liquid container is attached to the attachment part. It is a supply device. The mounting portion extends from the opening to the back along the insertion / extraction direction in which the liquid container is inserted / extracted, and a groove whose vertical direction is the depth direction and extends along the insertion / extraction direction in the groove. A first stopper bulged from at least one of the pair of facing side surfaces toward the other side surface; a second stopper bulged from the other side surface of the groove toward the one side surface; A holding member that holds the liquid container in a mounted state in a mounted state against the urging of the urging member, and that can release the holding. The liquid container stores the liquid and can be moved in the groove by being inserted into the groove when inserted into and removed from the storage portion, and a storage chamber in which the liquid can flow out in a mounted state. A first bulge that bulges from the position facing the one side surface where the first stopper is provided in the guided portion toward the one side surface in the state where the guided portion is mounted on the mounting portion. And a second bulging portion bulged from the position facing the other side surface where the second stopper is provided in the guided portion toward the other side surface. The first stopper and the second stopper are arranged on the opening side from the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion. The first stopper and the second stopper are separated in the insertion / extraction direction. The distance between the bulging end of the first bulging portion and the bulging end of the second bulging portion in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction is the bulging end of the first stopper in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction. Of the groove including either the bulging end of the first stopper or the bulging end of the second stopper in a horizontal direction that is longer than the distance between the bulging end of the second stopper and the insertion / extraction direction. Narrower than width.

  Even in such a configuration, the liquid container is moved in the horizontal direction by the contact between the first bulging portion or the second bulging portion and the first stopper or the second stopper in the same manner as described above. The rate of movement to the opening is attenuated and then the liquid container is stopped.

  (3) In a state where the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion, the first bulging portion is disposed closer to the opening than the second bulging portion, and the first stopper is the second stopper. And the distance between the bulging end of the first bulging portion and the bulging end of the second bulging portion in the insertion / extraction direction is the first distance in the insertion / extraction direction. The distance between the bulging end of the stopper and the bulging end of the second stopper may be different.

  This prevents the timing at which the first bulging portion and the first stopper are in contact with the timing at which the second bulging portion and the second stopper are in contact with each other.

(4) At least one of the first stopper and the first bulging portion is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction, and the first container is inserted into the mounting portion in the process of inserting the liquid container. A first inclined surface that contacts the other of the stopper and the first bulging portion, and at least one of the first stopper and the first bulging portion is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction. And has a second inclined surface that comes into contact with the other of the first stopper and the first bulging portion in the process of removing the liquid container from the mounting portion,
At least one of the second stopper and the second bulging portion is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction, and the second stopper and the second stopper are inserted in the process of inserting the liquid container into the mounting portion. A third inclined surface that contacts the other of the second bulging portions, and at least one of the second stopper and the second bulging portion is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction; The liquid container may have a fourth inclined surface that comes into contact with the other of the second stopper and the second bulging portion in the process of being removed from the mounting portion.

  The first inclined surface, the second inclined surface, the third inclined surface, and the fourth inclined surface, when the liquid container is inserted into the mounting portion or when the liquid container is taken out from the mounting portion, When the first bulging portion or the second bulging portion comes into contact with the second stopper, the liquid container is guided to move in the horizontal direction. Note that the first inclined surface, the second inclined surface, the third inclined surface, and the fourth inclined surface do not necessarily have to be flat surfaces, and may include a curved surface or a spherical surface.

  (5) The first angle at which the first inclined surface forms an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction is greater than the second angle at which the second inclined surface forms an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction. The third angle at which the third inclined surface makes an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction is larger than the fourth angle at which the fourth inclined surface makes an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction. Also good.

  That is, the first and third inclined surfaces are gentle slopes, and the second and fourth inclined surfaces are steep slopes. When the liquid container is inserted into the mounting portion, the first inclined surface or the third inclined surface guides the liquid container to move in the horizontal direction, so that the user who inserts the liquid container can move the liquid container in the horizontal direction. The resistance when moving is felt relatively gently, and the insertion operation is less uncomfortable. When the liquid container is taken out from the mounting portion, the liquid container is guided to move in the horizontal direction by the second inclined surface and the fourth inclined surface, so that the force for moving the liquid container is attenuated relatively large.

  (6) The liquid container includes the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion with respect to a width direction parallel to a direction in which the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion bulge. The main body has a rectangular parallelepiped shape wider than the width of the guide portion, and each of the first bulge portion and the second bulge portion is located on the inner side in the width direction from the end surface in the width direction of the main body. It may be arranged like this.

  Since the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion do not bulge from the end surface of the main body, the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion are damaged or deformed when the liquid container is dropped or when it is packed under reduced pressure. The risk of being relieved.

  (7) The groove extends in a horizontal direction, and is positioned below the liquid container when the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion, and the holding member is disposed on the liquid container. It may be engaged with the liquid container on the upper side in the vertical direction.

  Since the groove is positioned below the liquid container when the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion, the state where the guided portion of the liquid container is inserted into the groove by gravity is maintained. Thereby, a 1st bulge part or a 2nd bulge part can contact | abut with a 1st stopper or a 2nd stopper more reliably. Further, since the holding member is engaged with the liquid container above the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion disposed below, the shape and deformation necessary for the engagement with the holding member The degree of freedom in the layout of the parts is high.

  (8) The present invention can be understood as an image recording apparatus including the liquid supply apparatus and a recording unit that selectively discharges the liquid supplied from the liquid supply apparatus and records an image on a recording medium. May be.

  According to the present invention, the first bulging portion or the second bulging portion of the guided portion that moves along the groove of the mounting portion when the liquid container moves upon receiving the force from the urging member is the first bulging portion. Since the liquid container is in contact with the stopper or the second stopper, the moving speed of the liquid container is reduced or stopped. This prevents the liquid container from jumping out of the mounting portion with a simple and low-cost structure.

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. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom view of the ink cartridge 30 in the vicinity of the bulging portions 54 and 55. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the cartridge mounting part 110. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the vicinity of the bulging portions 54 and 55 and the stoppers 124 and 125 in the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. 8 shows the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 near the bulging portions 54 and 55 and the stoppers 124 and 125 in the process of further inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 from the state shown in FIG. FIG. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the vicinity of the bulging portions 54 and 55 and the stoppers 124 and 125 in the process of removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 10 shows the state where the ink cartridge 30 is further removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 from the state shown in FIG. 9, and the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting in the vicinity of the bulging portions 54 and 55 and the stoppers 124 and 125. FIG. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view showing the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the vicinity of the bulging portions 54 and 55 and the stoppers 124 and 125 in the first modification. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the vicinity of the bulging portions 54 and 55 and the stoppers 124 and 125 in the second modification. FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the vicinity of the bulging portions 64 and 65 and the stoppers 141 and 142 showing the third modification.

  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. The ink supply device 100 is provided with a cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 can be mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. The cartridge mounting portion 110 is provided with an opening 112 whose one surface is open to the outside. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110 through the opening 112 to be mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 or removed from the cartridge mounting unit 110 to be removed from the cartridge mounting unit 110. The printer 10 corresponds to the image recording apparatus according to the present invention. The ink supply device 100 corresponds to the liquid supply device according to the present invention.

  The ink cartridge 30 stores ink that can be used by the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected by the ink tube 20 in a state where the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110. The recording head 21 is provided with a sub tank 28. The sub tank 28 temporarily stores the ink supplied through the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 selectively ejects the ink supplied from the sub tank 28 from the nozzles 29 by the ink jet recording method. The recording head 21 corresponds to a recording unit in the present invention.

  The recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 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 selectively ejects ink onto a recording sheet 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]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the ink cartridge 30 is a container for storing ink. A space formed inside the ink cartridge 30 is an ink chamber 36. The ink chamber 36 may be a space formed by the main body 31 forming the appearance of the ink cartridge 30, or may be a space formed by a member different from the main body 31. The ink cartridge 30 corresponds to the liquid container in the present invention. The ink chamber 36 corresponds to a storage chamber in the present invention.

  The ink cartridge 30 is in the standing state shown in FIG. 2, that is, the direction indicated by the arrow 50 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with the lower surface in the drawing as the bottom surface and the upper surface in the drawing as the top surface. (Hereinafter referred to as “insertion / removal direction 50”). That is, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110 along the insertion / extraction direction 50 and is removed from the cartridge mounting unit 110 along the insertion / extraction direction 50. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 while standing.

  The ink cartridge 30 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped main body 31. The main body 31 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. The wall of the main body 31 on the front side when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 is the front wall 40, and the wall of the main body 31 on the rear side is the rear wall 42. The front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 face each other in the insertion / extraction direction 50. The insertion / extraction direction 50 is parallel to the depth direction 53.

  A remaining amount detection unit 33 is provided near the center of the front wall 40 of the main body 31 in the height direction 52. The remaining amount detection unit 33 has a box shape with one opening so as to communicate with the ink chamber 36. The remaining amount detection unit 33 includes a pair of walls made of a translucent resin that transmits infrared light emitted from the optical sensor 114 (see FIG. 5). When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, the remaining amount detection unit 33 transmits infrared light to the optical sensor 114 provided on the cartridge mounting unit 110, and the remaining amount detection unit 33 There is a state in which infrared light is shielded or attenuated. According to the state of the remaining amount detection unit 33, it is determined that the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 36 has become less than a predetermined amount. The remaining amount detection unit 33 is provided with a detector 45. As the detector 45 rotates in accordance with the remaining amount of ink, the posture of the detector 45 changes between a posture for blocking or attenuating the infrared light of the optical sensor 114 and a posture for transmitting the infrared light. As a method for determining the remaining ink amount, a known means may be employed. Moreover, the wall surface from which the optical sensor 114 emits infrared light may be vertical or inclined.

  An air communication port 32 is provided above the remaining amount detection unit 33 in the front wall 40 of the main body 31. The air communication port 32 is a through hole that penetrates the front wall 40 in the depth direction 53. The air layer of the ink chamber 36 and the atmosphere can be communicated with each other via the atmosphere communication port 32. Although not shown in each figure, the atmosphere communication port 32 is configured to be opened and closed by a valve or the like. By opening the atmosphere communication port 32, the pressure in the ink chamber 36 becomes atmospheric pressure. The atmosphere communication port 32 is not necessarily provided in the front wall 40, and the arrangement thereof is not limited as long as it communicates the inside and the outside of the ink chamber 36. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is used in a state in which the inside of the ink chamber 36 is maintained at a negative pressure, the air communication port 32 is not necessarily provided.

  An ink supply unit 37 is provided below the remaining amount detection unit 33 on the front wall 40 of the main body 31. The ink supply unit 37 has a cylindrical outer shape, and protrudes outward along the insertion / extraction direction 50 from the front wall 40. An ink flow path 38 extending in the insertion / extraction direction 50 is formed at the center of the ink supply unit 37. Ink flows out from the ink chamber 36 to the ink needle 122 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the ink flow path 38.

  An engaging portion 43 is formed near the center of the upper wall 39 of the main body 31 in the depth direction 53. The engaging portion 43 is a protrusion having a flat surface extending in the width direction 51 and the height direction 52 of the ink cartridge 30. A lock lever 145 (described later) is engaged with the engaging portion 43 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. The engaging portion 43 receives a biasing force that pushes the ink cartridge 30 outward.

  The main body 31 is provided with a protrusion 46. The protrusion 46 is provided at the lower end of the front wall 40 of the main body 31. Accordingly, the protrusion 46 is disposed below the ink supply unit 37. The width of the protrusion 46 is the same as the width of the front wall 40. The protrusion 46 extends from the front wall 40 along the insertion / removal direction 50 to the side opposite to the rear wall 42. The tip of the projection 46 extends from the tip of the ink supply unit 37 to a position away from the ink chamber 36.

  A guided portion 44 extending in the depth direction 53 is provided on the lower wall 41 of the main body 31. The guided portion 44 is constituted by a projecting piece protruding downward from the lower wall 41, and is formed with a pair of surfaces 61 and 62 extending in the height direction 52 and the depth direction 53 facing the width direction 51. Yes. The surfaces 61 and 62 are disposed inside the right side surface 47 and the left side surface 48 of the main body 31 in the width direction 51. That is, the guided portion 44 is narrower than the main body 31. The guided portion 44 is inserted and moved into a groove 115 described later when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, and the surfaces 61 and 62 are the side surfaces 117, It is opposed to 118.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the surface 61 of the guided portion 44 is provided with a bulging portion 54 bulging outward from the surface 61 in the width direction 51. The surface 62 of the guided portion 44 is provided with a bulging portion 55 that bulges outward from the surface 62 in the width direction 51. The bulging part 54 and the bulging part 55 have opposite bulging directions along the width direction 51. Further, the bulging portion 54 and the bulging portion 55 are different in arrangement with respect to the insertion / extraction direction 50. That is, the bulging part 54 and the bulging part 55 are separated in the insertion / extraction direction 50. The bulging portions 54 and 55 are bulged toward side surfaces 117 and 118 of a groove 115 described later in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, respectively. Further, the bulging portions 54 and 55 can come into contact with stoppers 124 and 125, which will be described later, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, respectively. The bulging portions 54 and 55 correspond to the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion in the present invention. Since the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion are relative concepts, any of the bulging portions 54 and 55 may be the first bulging portion or the second bulging portion.

  The bulging portion 54 is located on the front wall 40 side, is inclined to the width direction 51, and is located on the rear wall 42 side and is inclined to the width direction 51. The second inclined surface 58 is formed continuously in the insertion / removal direction 50, and has a triangular shape in a bottom view. Accordingly, the first inclined surface 57 contacts the stopper 124 described later and moves the ink cartridge 30 in the width direction 51 in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The second inclined surface 58 abuts against a stopper 124 described later and moves the ink cartridge 30 in the width direction 51 in the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  The first inclined surface 57 and the second inclined surface 58 are both flat with respect to the horizontal direction (width direction 51) orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction 50, but are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (width direction 51). The angle is different. The first angle R1 at which the first inclined surface 57 forms an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction (width direction 51) is larger than the second angle R2 at which the second inclined surface 58 forms an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction (width direction 51). . That is, the first inclined surface 57 is a gentle slope, and the second inclined surface 58 is a steep slope.

  The bulging portion 55 is located on the front wall 40 side, is inclined with respect to the width direction 51, is located on the rear wall 42 side, and is inclined with respect to the width direction 51. The 4th inclined surface 60 currently formed is continuously formed in the insertion / extraction direction 50, and has comprised the triangle shape in bottom view. Accordingly, the third inclined surface 59 abuts against a stopper 125 described later and moves the ink cartridge 30 in the width direction 51 in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The fourth inclined surface 60 abuts against a stopper 125 described later and moves the ink cartridge 30 in the width direction 51 in the process of removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  The third inclined surface 59 and the fourth inclined surface 60 are both planes inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (width direction 51) orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction 50, but are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (width direction 51). The angle is different. The third angle R3 at which the third inclined surface 59 forms an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction (width direction 51) is larger than the fourth angle R4 at which the fourth inclined surface 60 forms an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction (width direction 51). . That is, the third inclined surface 59 is a gentle slope, and the fourth inclined surface 60 is a steep slope.

  In addition, each of the bulging portions 54 and 55 is located on the inner side of the right side surface 47 or the left side surface 48 of the main body 31 in the width direction 51. Further, the distance between the bulging ends of the respective bulging portions 54 and 55 in the width direction 51 is narrower than the distance between the side surfaces 117 and 118 in the groove 115. Accordingly, each of the bulging ends 54 and 55 can enter the groove 115 and smoothly move in the insertion / removal direction 50 unless it comes into contact with stoppers 124 and 125 described later.

[Cartridge mounting part 110]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the cartridge mounting portion 110 has an opening 112 on the front side of the printer 10. By inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112, the ink cartridge 30 is mounted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, and the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112, thereby The cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting part 110. The ink cartridge 30 is guided in the insertion / removal direction 50 by inserting the guided portion 44 into the groove 115 provided in the bottom surface 113 defining the bottom of the internal space of the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  The cartridge mounting portion 110 is provided with an optical sensor 114, a lock mechanism 144, a slide member 135, a coil spring 139, a connecting portion 121, stoppers 124 and 125, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an optical sensor 114 is provided in the inner space of the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the inner portion facing the opening 112 in the insertion / extraction direction 50. The optical sensor 114 detects the detector 45 in the remaining amount detection unit 33. The optical sensor 114 is a light transmission type photointerrupter composed of 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 diffused infrared light emitted from the light emitting element. is there. These light emitting elements and light receiving elements are arranged in the front-rear direction in FIG. Whether or not the remaining amount of ink has become less than a predetermined amount is determined based on whether or not the detector 45 in the remaining amount detection unit 33 is detected by the optical sensor 114.

  Note that the remaining amount detector 33 may not have the detector 45. That is, in the optical sensor 114, the light emitting element and the light receiving element are opposed to each other in the horizontal direction. The light emitted from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element. The light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked or attenuated when there is ink in the remaining amount detecting unit 33, and the light emitted from the light emitting element is transmitted when there is no ink in the remaining amount detecting unit 33. It may be configured to be. In addition, when there is ink in the remaining amount detection unit 33, the light emitted from the light emitting element is reflected so as not to reach the light receiving element, and when there is no ink in the remaining amount detection unit 33, the light is emitted from the light emitting element. The reflected light may be reflected so as to reach the light receiving element.

  The slide member 135 is disposed in a space 130 formed on the lower end side of the back part of the cartridge mounting part 110. The space 130 is continuous with the internal space of the cartridge mounting unit 110. The slide member 135 is supported so as to be slidable in the space 130 along the insertion / extraction direction 50. The slide member 135 is disposed in the insertion path of the protrusion 46 of the ink cartridge 30 and can contact the protrusion 46.

  A coil spring 139 is provided in the space 130. The coil spring 139 elastically biases the ink cartridge 30 toward the opening 112, that is, in a direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, that is, toward the opening 112. The coil spring 139 extends in the space 130 along the insertion / removal direction 50, and one end thereof is connected to the back wall 133 that defines the back end of the space 130. 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 a predetermined position on the opening 112 side. In the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the protrusion 46 of the ink cartridge 30 comes into contact with the slide member 135 and is pressed toward the back wall 133 of the space 130. Accordingly, the coil spring 139 is contracted and the slide member 135 is slid to the position on the back wall side (see FIG. 6). The slide member 135 and the coil spring 139 correspond to the urging member in the present invention.

  The cartridge mounting unit 110 is provided with a lock mechanism 144. The lock mechanism 144 restricts the ink cartridge 30 from moving in the direction of protruding from the opening 112 (leftward in FIG. 5) in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is disposed at the mounting position, and holds the ink cartridge 30 at the mounting position. To do.

  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 supported so as to be rotatable from the lock posture shown in FIG. 5 to the unlock posture side indicated by the arrow 101. When no external force is applied to the lock lever 145, the lock lever 145 is always urged toward the lock posture 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 is engaged with the engagement portion 43 of the ink cartridge 30, whereby the lock of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is realized. The other end side of the lock lever 145 is an operation unit 147. When the user presses the operation unit 147, the lock lever 145 in the locked posture is changed to the unlocked posture. The lock lever 145 corresponds to the holding member in the present invention.

  A connecting part 121 is provided in the inner part of the internal space of the cartridge mounting part 110. The connecting portion 121 is provided with a tubular ink needle 122. The ink needle 122 is a tube-shaped member extended along the insertion / extraction direction 50. The ink needle 122 is connected to the ink tube 20 on the back side of the cartridge mounting portion 110. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting section 110, the ink needle 122 is inserted into the ink supply section 37, and the ink supply section 37 and the connecting section 121 are connected. As a result, ink is supplied from the ink chamber 36 to the ink tube 20 through the ink needle 122. 5 and 6, the ink tube 20 is omitted.

  A groove 115 extending from the opening 112 to the back along the insertion / extraction direction 50 is provided on the bottom surface 113 that defines the bottom of the internal space of the cartridge mounting portion 110. The groove 115 is a space that sinks vertically downward from the bottom surface 113, and has a pair of side surfaces 117, 118 that extend along the insertion / extraction direction 50, and a bottom surface 119 that connects the side surfaces 117, 118. 5 and 6, the side surface 117 does not appear.

  A pair of stoppers 124 and 125 are provided on the side surfaces 117 and 118 of the groove 115 on the opening 112 side of the groove 115 (see FIG. 7 for the stopper 124). The stoppers 124 and 125 are bulged from the side surfaces 117 and 118 toward the opposite side surfaces 118 and 117. The stoppers 124 and 125 correspond to the first stopper and the second stopper in the present invention. Since the first stopper and the second stopper are relative concepts, any of the stoppers 124 and 125 may be the first stopper or the second stopper.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the stoppers 124 and 125 have the same shape except for the arrangement. The stopper 124 is located on the back side of the cartridge mounting portion 110 provided with the first inclined surface 126 that is inclined with respect to the width direction 51 and that is provided with the optical sensor 114, the connecting portion 121, and the like. A second inclined surface 127 inclined with respect to the width direction 51 is formed continuously in the insertion / removal direction 50 and has a triangular shape in plan view. Therefore, the first inclined surface 126 contacts the bulging portion 54 and moves the ink cartridge 30 in the width direction 51 in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The second inclined surface 127 contacts the bulging portion 54 and moves the ink cartridge 30 in the width direction 51 in the process of removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  The stopper 125 is located on the back side of the cartridge mounting part 110 provided with the third inclined surface 128 that is inclined with respect to the width direction 51 and that is provided with the optical sensor 114, the connecting part 121, and the like. A fourth inclined surface 129 that is inclined with respect to the width direction 51 is formed continuously in the insertion / removal direction 50 and has a triangular shape in plan view. Accordingly, the third inclined surface 128 contacts the bulging portion 55 and moves the ink cartridge 30 in the width direction 51 in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The fourth inclined surface 129 contacts the bulging portion 55 and moves the ink cartridge 30 in the width direction 51 in the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Ink cartridge 30 insertion / extraction operation]
The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112 from the front wall 40 side. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted, the guided portion 44 of the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the groove 115 of the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is guided in the insertion / removal direction 50 by the contact between the guided portion 44 and the groove 115.

  In the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the pair of bulging portions 54 and 55 of the ink cartridge 30 abut against the stoppers 124 and 125, respectively. The distance between the bulging ends of the stoppers 124 and 125 in the width direction 51 is shorter than the distance between the bulging end of the bulging portion 54 and the bulging end of the bulging portion 55 in the width direction 51. In the process in which the guided portion 44 moves, the bulging portions 54 and 55 always come into contact with the stoppers 124 and 125.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the third inclined surface 59 comes into contact with the stopper 125 in the bulging portion 55. In the stopper 125, the third inclined surface 128 or the bulging end contacts the bulging portion 55. The ink cartridge 30 is moved in the horizontal direction (width direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50 and in the direction of the arrow 102 by the contact between the bulging portion 55 and the stopper 125. Since the guided portion 44 of the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the groove 115, the ink cartridge 30 moves to the arrow 102 within the range of rattling between the guided portion 44 and the groove 115.

  The distance between the bulging ends of the stoppers 124 and 125 in the width direction 51 is wider than the width of the guided portion 44 including the bulging end 54 or the bulging end of the bulging portion 55 in the width direction 51. After the guided portion 44 moves in the width direction 51 and in the direction of the arrow 102, the bulging portion 55 passes between the stoppers 124 and 125.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first inclined surface 57 contacts the stopper 124 in the bulging portion 54. In the stopper 124, the first inclined surface 126 or the bulging end contacts the bulging portion 54. By contact between the bulging portion 54 and the stopper 124, the ink cartridge 30 is moved in the horizontal direction (width direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50 and in the direction of the arrow 103.

  The distance between the bulging ends of the stoppers 124 and 125 in the width direction 51 is wider than the width of the guided portion 44 including the bulging end 54 or the bulging end of the bulging portion 55 in the width direction 51. After the guided portion 44 moves in the width direction 51 and in the direction of the arrow 103, the bulging portion 54 passes between the stoppers 124 and 125. Such movement in the directions of the arrows 102 and 103 is repeated, the guided portion 44 is moved in the groove 115, and the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the slide member 135 is pressed by the protrusion 46 and is slid toward the back wall side of the space 130. As the slide member 135 slides, the coil spring 139 is contracted from its natural length. As the coil spring 139 contracts, the slide member 135 receives an urging force from the coil spring 139 toward the opening 112 side. As a result, the mounted ink cartridge 30 is elastically biased in a direction to protrude from the opening 112.

  In the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30, the engagement end 146 of the lock lever 145 rides on the upper wall 39 of the ink cartridge 30. As a result, the lock lever 145 rotates counterclockwise (in the direction of the arrow 101 in FIG. 5) and moves from the lock position to the unlock position. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted, the engagement portion 43 of the ink cartridge 30 moves from the engagement end portion 146 of the lock lever 145 to the back side of the cartridge mounting portion 110, and the engagement end portion of the lock lever 145 146 is rotated to a position where it engages with the engaging portion 43, that is, the lock lever 145 is rotated clockwise to move from the unlock position to the lock position (see FIG. 6). The ink cartridge 30 elastically biased by the coil spring 139 tries to move in a direction to jump out from the opening 112, but the engagement end portion 146 of the lock lever 145 and the engagement portion 43 are engaged, so the ink cartridge 30 is mounted. Held in position. Thereby, the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed. Further, at the mounting position, the ink needle 122 of the connecting portion 121 is inserted into the ink flow path 38 of the ink cartridge 30 so that ink can be supplied from the ink chamber 36 to the outside. When the ink needle 122 is inserted into the ink flow path 38, the center in the width direction 51 of the guided portion 44 and the center of the groove width of the groove 115 substantially coincide with each other.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting unit 110, the user pushes down the operation unit 147 in the lock lever 145. Thereby, the lock lever 145 rotates counterclockwise, and the posture changes from the locked posture to the unlocked posture. When the lock lever 145 is in the unlocked posture, the engagement end portion 146 is disposed above the engagement portion 43 of the ink cartridge 30. As a result, the engaging end 146 is separated from the engaging portion 43. Therefore, the ink cartridge 30 moves toward the opening 112 in response to the elastic biasing force from the coil spring 139. As a result, the ink needle 122 of the connecting portion 121 comes out of the ink flow path 38 of the ink cartridge 30.

  After the coil spring 139 is restored to the natural length, the bulging portion 54 of the ink cartridge 30 contacts the stopper 124 as shown in FIG. In the bulging portion 54, the second inclined surface 58 contacts the stopper 124. In the stopper 124, the second inclined surface 127 or the bulging end contacts the bulging portion 54.

  By contact between the bulging portion 54 and the stopper 124, the ink cartridge 30 is moved in the horizontal direction (width direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50 and in the direction of the arrow 103. The distance between the bulging ends of the stoppers 124 and 125 in the width direction 51 is wider than the width of the guided portion 44 including the bulging end 54 or the bulging end of the bulging portion 55 in the width direction 51. After the guided portion 44 moves in the width direction 51 and in the direction of the arrow 103, the bulging portion 54 passes between the stoppers 124 and 125. When energy loss occurs due to the collision between the bulging portion 54 and the stopper 124 or the ink cartridge 30 is moved to the arrow 103, the sliding friction between the bulging portion 54 and the stopper 124, the guided portion 44 and the groove 115 The speed at which the ink cartridge 30 moves is attenuated due to the occurrence of sliding friction.

  When the bulging portion 54 passes between the stoppers 124 and 125 and the guided portion 44 further moves in the groove 115, the bulging portion 55 of the ink cartridge 30 contacts the stopper 125 as shown in FIG. . In the bulging portion 55, the fourth inclined surface 60 contacts the stopper 125. In the stopper 125, the fourth inclined surface 129 or the bulging end comes into contact with the bulging portion 55.

  The ink cartridge 30 is moved in the horizontal direction (width direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50 and in the direction of the arrow 102 by the contact between the bulging portion 55 and the stopper 125. The distance between the bulging ends of the stoppers 124 and 125 in the width direction 51 is wider than the width of the guided portion 44 including the bulging end 54 or the bulging end of the bulging portion 55 in the width direction 51. After the guided portion 44 moves in the width direction 51 and in the direction of the arrow 102, the bulging portion 55 passes between the stoppers 124 and 125. When energy loss occurs due to the collision between the bulging portion 55 and the stopper 125, or the ink cartridge 30 is moved to the arrow 102, the sliding friction between the bulging portion 55 and the stopper 125, the guided portion 44, the groove 115, and the like. The speed at which the ink cartridge 30 moves is attenuated due to the occurrence of sliding friction.

  Such movement in the directions of the arrows 102 and 103 is repeated, and the moving speed of the ink cartridge 30 that is elastically biased in the direction of protruding from the opening 112 is gradually attenuated, and the ink cartridge 30 is stopped. After the ink cartridge 30 is stopped, the user pulls out the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting unit 110. Note that the position where the ink cartridge 30 stops is not limited to the position where one of the pair of bulging portions 54 and 55 contacts the stoppers 124 and 125.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
According to this embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is urged and moves toward the opening 112, the bulging portions 54 and 55 of the ink cartridge 30 that moves along the groove 115 abut against the stoppers 124 and 125. However, since the ink cartridge 30 is moved to the arrows 102 and 103, the movement speed of the ink cartridge 30 is reduced or stopped. Thus, the ink cartridge 30 is prevented from jumping out of the cartridge mounting portion 110 with a simple and low-cost structure.

  In the bulging portion 54, the first angle R <b> 1 that makes an acute angle with the horizontal direction (width direction 51) in which the first inclined surface 57 is orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction 50 is the second inclined surface 58 is orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction 50. Larger than the second angle R2 forming an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction (width direction 51), and the third inclined surface 59 of the bulging portion 55 is perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50 (width direction 51). The third angle R3 that forms an acute angle is larger than the fourth angle R4 that makes the fourth inclined surface 60 form an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction (width direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50, so that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the ink cartridge 30, the ink cartridge 30 is moved to the arrows 102 and 103 by the first inclined surface 57 and the third inclined surface 59 which are gentle slopes. , It feels resistance as it is moved 103 relatively slowly, less discomfort in the insertion operation. On the other hand, when the ink cartridge 30 is energized and moves toward the opening 112, the ink cartridge 30 is moved to the arrows 102 and 103 by the second inclined surface 58 and the fourth inclined surface 60 that are steep slopes. Is relatively attenuated in the moving speed.

  Further, since the bulging ends of the respective bulging portions 54 and 55 are located on the inner side of the right side surface 47 or the left side surface 48 of the main body 31, when the ink cartridge 30 falls on the floor or the like, The risk of the bulging ends 54 and 55 being damaged or deformed when wrapped in a film-like bag and vacuum-packed is reduced.

  Further, since the lock lever 145 engages with the engaging portion 43 of the ink cartridge 30 on the upper side in the direction of gravity opposite to the side where the bulging portions 54 and 55 are disposed, the bulging portions 54, 55, and The engaging portion 43 can be arranged without interfering, and the degree of freedom in laying out the structures of the ink cartridge 30 is high.

[Modification 1]
In the above-described embodiment, the bulging portions 54 and 55 are separated from each other in the insertion / extraction direction 50 in the ink cartridge 30 and the stoppers 124 and 125 are disposed at the same position in the insertion / extraction direction 50. The arrangement of the parts 54 and 55 and the stoppers 124 and 125 may be changed.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the bulging portions 54 and 55 are disposed opposite to the guided portion 44 at the same position with respect to the insertion / extraction direction 50, and the stoppers 124 and 125 are inserted into and extracted from the groove 115. They may be separated in the direction 50. In this configuration, the distance between the bulging ends of the bulging portions 54, 55 in the width direction 51 is between the bulging ends of the stoppers 124, 125 in the horizontal direction (width direction 51) orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction 50. It is longer than the distance and is narrower than the width of the groove 115 including either the bulging end of the stopper 124 or the bulging end of the stopper 125 in the horizontal direction (width direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50. Therefore, when the guided portion 44 moves in the groove 115, the bulging portions 54 and 55 always come into contact with the stoppers 124 and 125, and the bulging portions 54 and 55 are provided with the stopper 124 or the stopper 125. It is possible to pass through the groove 115 at a certain position. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[Modification 2]
Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the bulging portions 54 and 55 are separated from the guided portion 44 in the insertion / extraction direction 50, and the stoppers 124 and 125 are inserted / extracted from the groove 115 in the insertion / extraction direction 50. May be spaced apart. As will be described in detail, the bulging portion 54 is disposed closer to the opening 112 than the bulging portion 55 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. In the groove 115, the stopper 124 is disposed closer to the opening 112 than the stopper 125. The distance between the bulging ends of the bulging portions 54 and 55 in the insertion / extraction direction 50 is shorter than the distance between the bulging ends of the stoppers 124 and 125 in the insertion / extraction direction 50. Even with such a configuration, the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  If the stoppers 124 and 125 are disposed on the opening 112 side of the corresponding bulging portions 54 and 55 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the bulging portions 54 and 54 in the insertion / removal direction 50 are provided. The distance between the bulging ends of 55 may be longer than the distance between the bulging ends of the stoppers 124 and 125 in the insertion / extraction direction 50.

[Modification 3]
Further, in the above-described embodiment and each modification, the stoppers 124 and 125 having a shape intersecting with the side surfaces 117 and 118 of the groove 115 are shown. However, as shown in FIG. Stoppers 141 and 142 bulging on the side surfaces 117 and 118 facing each other may be formed by smooth curved surfaces continuous with the side surfaces 117 and 118. These stoppers 141 and 142 are separated from the groove 115 in the insertion / removal direction 50. As a result, the groove 115 is curved in an S shape with respect to the insertion / extraction direction 50.

  The guided portion 63 of the ink cartridge 30 is not extended in the depth direction 53 like the guided portion 44 described above, and the boss having a circular cross section in the horizontal direction is the lower wall 41 of the main body 31 (FIG. 2). (See below). In the columnar guided portion 63, a part of the groove 115 on the side facing the side surface 117 is the bulging portion 64, and a part on the side facing the side surface 118 is the bulging portion 65.

  When the guided portion 63 is inserted into the groove 115 and the ink cartridge 30 is moved in the insertion / extraction direction 50, the guided portion 63 is moved in the width direction 51 by the stoppers 124 and 125. During this movement, sliding friction between the guided portion 63 and the groove 115 occurs, and the ink cartridge 30 is decelerated or stopped in the same manner as in the above-described embodiment. Thus, the ink cartridge 30 is prevented from jumping out of the cartridge mounting portion 110 with a simple and low-cost structure.

  In the above-described embodiment and Modifications 1 and 2, both the bulging portions 54 and 55 and the stoppers 124 and 125 are provided with inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction 50. However, it is not always necessary to provide inclined surfaces in both the bulging portions 54 and 55 and the stoppers 124 and 125. For example, if one of the corresponding bulging portions 54 and 55 or the stoppers 124 and 125 is provided with an inclined surface, the other has an arbitrary shape in which the ink cartridge 30 can be moved in the width direction 51 by the inclined surface. Adopted. Each inclined surface does not necessarily have to be a flat surface, and may include a curved surface or a spherical surface.

  In the above-described embodiment and Modifications 1 and 2, the two bulging portions 54 and 55 or the stoppers 124 and 125 are arranged in the insertion / extraction direction 50 for one ink cartridge 30. The number of bulging portions or stoppers arranged in the insertion / extraction direction 50 is not limited to two, and three or more may be provided.

10 ... Printer (image recording device)
21: Recording head (recording unit)
30 ... Ink cartridge (liquid container)
31 ... Main body 36 ... Ink chamber (storage chamber)
44, 63 ... guided portion 47 ... right side (end face)
48 ... Left side (end face)
54, 55, 64, 65 ... bulge part (first bulge part, second bulge part)
57 ... 1st inclined surface 58 ... 2nd inclined surface 59 ... 3rd inclined surface 60 ... 4th inclined surface 100 ... Ink supply apparatus (liquid supply apparatus)
110 ... Cartridge mounting part (mounting part)
112... Opening 115... Groove 117, 118 .. side surface 124, 125... Stopper (first stopper, second stopper)
135 ... Slide member (biasing member)
139 ... Coil spring (biasing member)
145 ... Lock lever (holding member)

Claims (8)

A liquid supply device in which a liquid container can be attached to the attachment portion through the opening, and the urging member urges the liquid container toward the opening in a state where the liquid container is attached to the attachment portion,
The mounting portion extends from the opening to the back along the insertion / extraction direction in which the liquid container is inserted / extracted, and a groove whose vertical direction is the depth direction and extends along the insertion / extraction direction in the groove. A first stopper bulged from at least one of the pair of facing side surfaces toward the other side surface; a second stopper bulged from the other side surface of the groove toward the one side surface; A holding member that holds the liquid container in a mounted state in a mounted state against the urging of the urging member, and that can release the holding.
The liquid container stores the liquid and can be moved in the groove by being inserted into the groove when inserted into and removed from the storage portion, and a storage chamber in which the liquid can flow out in a mounted state. A first bulge that bulges from the position facing the one side surface where the first stopper is provided in the guided portion toward the one side surface in the state where the guided portion is mounted on the mounting portion. And a second bulging portion bulged from the position facing the other side surface provided with the second stopper in the guided portion toward the other side surface,
The first stopper and the second stopper are disposed on the opening side from the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion,
The first bulging portion and the second bulging portion are spaced apart in the insertion / extraction direction,
The distance between the bulging end of the first stopper and the bulging end of the second stopper in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction is the same as the distance between the bulging end of the first bulging portion and the bulging end of the first stopper in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction. Either the bulging end of the first bulging portion or the bulging end of the second bulging portion is shorter than the distance from the bulging end of the second bulging portion and in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction. A liquid supply apparatus having a width wider than the width of the guided portion. A liquid supply device in which a liquid container can be attached to the attachment portion through the opening, and the urging member urges the liquid container toward the opening in a state where the liquid container is attached to the attachment portion,
The mounting portion extends from the opening to the back along the insertion / extraction direction in which the liquid container is inserted / extracted, and a groove whose vertical direction is the depth direction and extends along the insertion / extraction direction in the groove. A first stopper bulged from at least one of the pair of facing side surfaces toward the other side surface; a second stopper bulged from the other side surface of the groove toward the one side surface; A holding member that holds the liquid container in a mounted state in a mounted state against the urging of the urging member, and that can release the holding.
The liquid container stores the liquid and can be moved in the groove by being inserted into the groove when inserted into and removed from the storage portion, and a storage chamber in which the liquid can flow out in a mounted state. A first bulge that bulges from the position facing the one side surface where the first stopper is provided in the guided portion toward the one side surface in the state where the guided portion is mounted on the mounting portion. And a second bulging portion bulged from the position facing the other side surface provided with the second stopper in the guided portion toward the other side surface,
The first stopper and the second stopper are disposed on the opening side from the first bulging portion and the second bulging portion in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion,
The first stopper and the second stopper are spaced apart in the insertion / extraction direction,
The distance between the bulging end of the first bulging portion and the bulging end of the second bulging portion in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction is the bulging end of the first stopper in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction. Of the groove including either the bulging end of the first stopper or the bulging end of the second stopper in a horizontal direction that is longer than the distance between the bulging end of the second stopper and the insertion / extraction direction. Liquid supply device narrower than the width.   In a state where the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion, the first bulging portion is disposed on the opening side with respect to the second bulging portion, and the first stopper is positioned above the second stopper. The distance between the bulging end of the first bulging portion and the bulging end of the second bulging portion in the insertion / extraction direction is arranged on the opening side, and the distance between the bulging end of the first stopper in the insertion / extraction direction is The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a distance between the protruding end and a bulging end of the second stopper is different. At least one of the first stopper and the first bulge is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction, and the first stopper and the first stopper are inserted in the process of inserting the liquid container into the mounting portion. A first inclined surface that contacts the other of the first bulging portions, and at least one of the first stopper and the first bulging portion is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction; The liquid container has a second inclined surface that comes into contact with the other of the first stopper and the first bulging portion in the process of being removed from the mounting portion;
At least one of the second stopper and the second bulging portion is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction, and the second stopper and the second stopper are inserted in the process of inserting the liquid container into the mounting portion. A third inclined surface that contacts the other of the second bulging portions, and at least one of the second stopper and the second bulging portion is inclined with respect to a horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction; 4. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth inclined surface that comes into contact with the other of the second stopper and the second bulging portion in the process of removing the liquid container from the mounting portion. Liquid supply device. The first angle at which the first inclined surface forms an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction is larger than the second angle at which the second inclined surface forms an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction,
5. The third angle at which the third inclined surface forms an acute angle with respect to a horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction is larger than the fourth angle at which the fourth inclined surface forms an acute angle with respect to the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction. The liquid supply apparatus according to 1. The liquid container includes a first bulged portion and a second bulged portion that are parallel to a direction in which the first bulged portion and the second bulged portion are bulged. It has a rectangular parallelepiped body wider than the width,
The said 1st bulging part and said 2nd bulging part are arrange | positioned so that each front-end | tip may be each located inside in the width direction rather than the end surface of the width direction of a main body. The liquid supply apparatus as described.   The groove extends in a horizontal direction, and is positioned below the liquid container when the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion, and the holding member is located above the liquid container in the vertical direction. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply apparatus engages with the liquid container. A liquid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An image recording apparatus comprising: a recording unit that selectively discharges the liquid supplied from the liquid supply apparatus and records an image on a recording medium.

Images