JP2011152645A - Liquid supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means for easily and inexpensively preventing a liquid container from jumping out of a mounting part. <P>SOLUTION: A cartridge mounting part 110 is equipped with: a groove 115 extending from an opening 112 to an inner part along an inserting/pulling-out direction 50; stoppers 126, 127 projected from a bottom face 113; and a lock mechanism 144. An ink cartridge 30 is equipped with: an ink chamber 36; a guided part 44 inserted in the groove 115 and movable in the groove 115; and protrusions 54, 55, 56 projected from a lower wall 41. <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.

  In addition, there is a strong demand for cost reduction in the image recording apparatus, and it is desirable that the structure for preventing the ink cartridge to jump out is simple and low cost.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide means that can prevent the liquid container from jumping out of the mounting portion easily and at low cost.

  (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 is positioned below the liquid container when the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion, and is deeper from the opening along the insertion / removal direction in which the liquid container is inserted into and removed from the mounting portion. Holding the liquid container in the mounted state against the urging force of the urging member, and holding the liquid container in the mounted state against the groove extending to the portion, the stopper protruding from the first surface in or near the groove, and A holding member capable of releasing 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 guided portion; and a convex portion protruding from the second surface facing the first surface at or near the guided portion. The stopper and the convex portion are arranged so as to contact when the liquid container attached to the attachment portion is urged by the urging member and moves toward the opening. A plurality of at least one of the stopper and the convex portion is arranged along the insertion / extraction direction.

  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 projected portion comes into contact with the stopper while the guided portion moves along the groove of the mounting portion. By this contact, the liquid container is moved upward in the gravity direction. When the convex portion gets over the stopper, the speed at which the liquid container moves to the opening is attenuated, and the liquid container is stopped by repeating this.

  The stop position of the liquid container is not limited to the position where the convex portion and the stopper come into contact. For example, the moving speed of the liquid container may be attenuated every time the convex portion gets over the stopper, and the liquid container may stop after the convex portion has completely got over the stopper.

  (2) At least one of the stopper and the convex portion is in contact with the other of the stopper and the convex portion to guide the liquid container upward in the gravity direction in the process of inserting the liquid container into the mounting portion. The first guide surface is provided, and at least one of the stopper and the convex portion is in contact with the other of the stopper and the convex portion in the process of removing the liquid container from the mounting portion. It may have a second guide surface for guiding the liquid container upward in the direction of gravity.

  When the convex portion comes into contact with the stopper when the liquid container is inserted into the mounting portion, the liquid container is guided upward in the gravity direction by the first guide surface. Further, when the convex portion comes into contact with the stopper when the liquid container is removed from the mounting portion, the liquid container is guided upward in the gravity direction by the second guide surface. Note that the guide surface is not necessarily a flat surface, and may include a curved surface or a spherical surface.

  (3) Each of the first guide surface and the second guide surface is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the direction of gravity, and the first angle at which the first guide surface makes an acute angle with respect to the direction of gravity is The second guide surface may be larger than a second angle forming an acute angle with respect to the direction of gravity.

  That is, the first guide surface is a gentle slope, and the second guide surface is a steep slope. When the liquid container is inserted into the mounting portion, the liquid container is guided upward in the gravitational direction by the first guide surface. Therefore, the user who inserts the liquid container compares the resistance when the liquid container is pushed upward in the gravitational direction. It feels moderate and there is little discomfort in the insertion operation. When the liquid container is removed from the mounting portion, the liquid container is guided upward in the gravitational direction by the second guide surface, so that the force for moving the liquid container is relatively attenuated.

  (4) The stopper is provided with a pair on both sides in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction with respect to the groove, and the convex portion is in the horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction with respect to the guided portion. A pair may be provided on both sides.

  As a result, the convex portion and the stopper are in contact with each other almost simultaneously on both sides of the liquid container, so that the force for moving the liquid container is further attenuated. Further, even when the liquid container stops at the position where the convex portion and the stopper are in contact with each other, the posture of the liquid container is not tilted, so that it is easily removed.

  (5) The first surface is a surface facing upward in the gravitational direction, the stopper protrudes upward from the first surface in the gravitational direction, and the second surface is a surface facing downward in the gravitational direction, An example in which the convex portion protrudes downward in the gravitational direction from the second surface is mentioned.

  (6) The first surface and the second surface are surfaces extending in the gravity direction and the insertion / extraction direction, respectively, and the stopper and the convex portion are respectively inserted / extracted from the first surface or the second surface. The aspect protruded in the horizontal direction orthogonal to a direction is mentioned.

  (7) The liquid container has a rectangular parallelepiped body having a bottom surface, the guided portion is extended from the bottom surface, and the convex portion has a horizontal tip perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction. The main body may be arranged so as to be located inward in the horizontal direction from the surfaces of the both ends in the horizontal direction.

  Since the convex portions do not protrude outward in the horizontal direction from the surfaces at both ends of the main body, the possibility that the convex portions are damaged or deformed when the liquid container is dropped or when it is packed under reduced pressure is reduced.

  (8) The holding member may be engaged with the liquid container on the upper side in the gravity direction of the liquid container.

  Since the holding member is engaged with the liquid container on the upper side opposite to the convex portion arranged below, the shape necessary for the engagement with the holding member and the degree of freedom of layout of the deformed portion are high.

  (9) 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, when the liquid container moves by receiving the force from the urging member, the convex portion of the liquid container that moves along the groove of the mounting portion and the stopper repeatedly come into contact with each other. The moving speed is decelerated 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 view of the side surface of the ink cartridge 30 near the convex portions 54, 55, and 56. 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 front surface of the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing the stoppers 126 and 127. FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the stopper 126 and the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the vicinity of the convex portions 54, 55 and 56 in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view showing the stopper 126 and the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the vicinity of the convex portions 54, 55, 56 in the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the side surface of the ink cartridge in the vicinity of the convex portions 64, 65, and 66 in the modified example. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the front surface of the cartridge mounting unit 110 showing the stoppers 131 and 132 in a modified example. FIG. 12 is an enlarged view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the vicinity of the convex portion 64 and the stopper 131, showing a state in which the convex portion 64 and the stopper 131 are in contact with each other.

  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. 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. 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. The lower wall 41 extending along the insertion / extraction direction 50 on both the left and right sides of the guided portion 44 corresponds to the second surface and the bottom surface in the present invention. The lower wall 41 is directed downward in the gravitational direction when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110. The right side surface 47 and the left side surface 48 correspond to the surfaces at both ends in the horizontal direction of the main body in the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the lower wall 41 on the right side surface 47 side with respect to the guided portion 44 is provided with three convex portions 54, 55, 56 that protrude downward from the lower wall 41 in the direction of gravity. ing. The three convex portions 54, 55, and 56 have the same shape except for the disposition, and are disposed at predetermined intervals along the insertion / removal direction 50. Each of the convex portions 54, 55, and 56 can come into contact with a stopper 126 described later when the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110 is removed.

  Although not shown in each figure, the lower wall 41 on the left side 48 side with respect to the guided portion 44 is also provided with three convex portions similar to the convex portions 54, 55, and 56 described above. ing. The three convex portions are paired with the convex portions 54, 55, and 56 on both sides in the horizontal direction (width direction 51) orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction 50 with respect to the guided portion 44. These three convex portions can come into contact with a stopper 127 described later when the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is removed.

  Since the convex portions 54, 55, and 56 have the same shape except for the arrangement, the detailed shape will be described taking the convex portion 54 as an example. The convex portion 54 is located on the front wall 40 side, and the first guide surface 57 that faces obliquely downward and the second guide surface 58 that is located on the rear wall 42 side and faces obliquely downward are in the insertion / removal direction 50. And has an inverted triangular shape in a side view. Accordingly, the first guide surface 57 contacts the stopper 126 described later and guides the ink cartridge 30 upward in the gravity direction in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The second guide surface 58 abuts against a stopper 126 described later and guides the ink cartridge 30 upward in the gravity direction in the process of removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  Each of the first guide surface 57 and the second guide surface 58 is a flat surface that is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity, but the angle of inclination with respect to the direction of gravity is different. The first angle R1 at which the first guide surface 57 forms an acute angle with respect to the direction of gravity is greater than the second angle R2 at which the second guide surface 58 forms an acute angle with respect to the direction of gravity. That is, the first guide surface 57 is a gentle slope, and the second guide surface 58 is a steep slope.

[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 126 and 127, 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 the slide member 135 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 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. The bottom surfaces 113 and 119 are both upward in the direction of gravity. The bottom surface 113 corresponds to the first surface in the present invention. 5 and 6, the side surface 117 does not appear.

  A pair of stoppers 126 and 127 are provided on the bottom surfaces 113 on both sides of the groove 115 on the opening 112 side of the groove 115 (see FIG. 8 for the stopper 126). The stoppers 126 and 127 protrude upward from the bottom surface 113 in the direction of gravity.

  Since the stoppers 126 and 127 have the same shape except for the arrangement, the detailed shape will be described using the stopper 126 as an example. The stopper 126 is located on the opening 112 side and faces obliquely upward, and is located obliquely upward, located on the back side of the cartridge mounting portion 110 provided with the optical sensor 114, the coupling portion 121, and the like. The second guide surface 129 is formed continuously in the insertion / removal direction 50 and has a triangular shape in a side view (see FIG. 8). Accordingly, the first guide surface 128 abuts against the convex portions 54, 55, and 56 in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 and guides the ink cartridge 30 upward in the gravity direction. The second guide surface 129 contacts the convex portions 54, 55, 56 and guides the ink cartridge 30 upward in the gravity direction in the process of removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110. The first guide surface 128 and the second guide surface 129 are both flat surfaces that are inclined with respect to the direction of gravity.

[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 in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the convex portions 54, 55, and 56 of the ink cartridge 30 and the three convex portions that respectively pair with the convex portions 54, 55, and 56 are stoppers 126 and 127, respectively. Abut. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, in the convex portion 54, the first guide surface 57 contacts the stopper 126. In the stopper 126, the first guide surface 128 comes into contact with the convex portion 54. The ink cartridge 30 is guided upward in the gravity direction by the contact between the convex portion 54 and the stopper 126. When the convex portion 54 gets over the stopper 126, the ink cartridge 30 moves again downward in the gravitational direction due to gravity. Such vertical movement is repeated each time the three convex portions that make a pair with the convex portions 54, 55, 56 and the convex portions 54, 55, 56 get over the stoppers 126, 127.

  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 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 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 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 its natural length, the convex portion 54 of the ink cartridge 30 abuts against the stopper 126 as shown in FIG. Although not appearing in the figure, the convex portion paired with the convex portion 54 in the insertion / extraction direction 50 abuts against the stopper 127. In the convex portion 54, the second guide surface 58 contacts the stopper 126. In the stopper 126, the second guide surface 129 contacts the convex portion 54.

  The ink cartridge 30 is guided upward in the gravity direction by the contact between the convex portion 54 and the stopper 126. If the speed at which the ink cartridge 30 moves toward the opening 112 is fast, the ink cartridge 30 moves further even when the convex portion 54 gets over the stopper 126, but the moving speed becomes faster when the convex portion 54 gets over the stopper 126. Attenuated.

  When the convex portion 54 gets over the stopper 126, the ink cartridge 30 moves downward again due to gravity, and then the convex portion 55 contacts the stopper 126. Similar to the contact between the convex portion 54 and the stopper 126, the ink cartridge 30 is guided upward in the gravity direction by the contact between the convex portion 55 and the stopper 126. If the speed at which the ink cartridge 30 moves toward the opening 112 is fast, the ink cartridge 30 moves further even if the convex portion 55 gets over the stopper 126, but the moving speed becomes faster when the convex portion 55 gets over the stopper 126. It is further attenuated.

  When the convex portion 55 gets over the stopper 126, the ink cartridge 30 moves downward again due to gravity, and then the convex portion 56 contacts the stopper 126. Similar to the contact between the convex portion 54 and the stopper 126, the ink cartridge 30 is guided upward in the gravity direction by the contact between the convex portion 56 and the stopper 126. If the speed at which the ink cartridge 30 moves toward the opening 112 is fast, the ink cartridge 30 moves further even if the convex portion 56 gets over the stopper 126, but the moving speed becomes faster when the convex portion 56 gets over the stopper 126. It is further attenuated.

  Ink cartridges that move elastically in the direction of protruding from the opening 112 due to the abutment of the convex portions 54, 55, 56 and the three convex portions paired with the convex portions 54, 55, 56 and the stoppers 126, 127. The moving speed of 30 is gradually attenuated, and the ink cartridge 30 stops. After the ink cartridge 30 is stopped, the user pulls out the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting unit 110. The position where the ink cartridge 30 stops is not limited to the position where any one of the pair of convex portions 54, 55, 56 abuts the stoppers 126, 127.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is urged and moves toward the opening 112, the convex portions 54, 55, 56 and the convex portions 54, 55, 56 of the ink cartridge 30 that move along the groove 115. Since the three convex portions and the stoppers 126 and 127 which are paired with each other repeatedly come into contact with each other, the ink cartridge 30 is decelerated 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 addition, in the three convex portions that are paired with the convex portions 54, 55, 56 and the convex portions 54, 55, 56, the first angle R1 at which the first guide surface 57 forms an acute angle with respect to the direction of gravity is the second angle R1. Since the guide surface 58 is larger than the second angle R2 forming an acute angle with respect to the direction of gravity, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 is moved in the direction of gravity by the first guide surface 57 that is a gentle slope. The user is guided upward, and the user feels the resistance when the ink cartridge 30 is pushed upward in the gravity direction relatively gently, and the insertion operation is less uncomfortable. On the other hand, when the ink cartridge 30 is urged and moves toward the opening 112, the ink cartridge 30 is guided upward in the direction of gravity by the second guide surface 58 that is a steep slope, so that the speed at which the ink cartridge 30 moves is relatively high. It is greatly attenuated.

  Further, a pair of stoppers 126 and 127 are provided on both sides in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50 with respect to the groove 115, and a pair is formed with each of the convex portions 54, 55, 56 and the convex portions 54, 55, 56. A pair of the three convex portions is provided on both sides in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50 with respect to the guided portion 44, so that the convex portions 54, 55, 56 and the convex portions 54, 55, and 56, and the three convex portions that make a pair with the stoppers 126 and 127 come into contact with each other, so that the moving speed of the ink cartridge 30 is further attenuated. Further, even if the ink cartridge 30 stops at the position where any one of the convex portions 54, 55, 56 and the three convex portions paired with the convex portions 54, 55, 56 contacts the stoppers 126, 127, the ink Since the posture of the cartridge 30 does not tilt to the left and right with respect to the direction of gravity, it is easy to take out.

  The lock lever 145 is connected to the ink cartridge 30 on the upper side in the direction of gravity opposite to the side where the three convex portions that are paired with the convex portions 54, 55, 56 and the convex portions 54, 55, 56 are arranged. Since the engaging portion 43 is engaged, the engaging portion 43 can be arranged without interfering with the three convex portions that form a pair with the convex portions 54, 55, 56 and the convex portions 54, 55, 56, respectively. The degree of freedom in laying out the structures of the ink cartridge 30 is high.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the convex portions 54, 55, 56 of the ink cartridge 30 protrude downward from the lower wall 41 in the gravitational direction, and the stoppers 126, 127 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 upward from the bottom surface 113 in the gravitational direction. Although each projecting, it is possible to change the arrangement and projecting direction of each of the convex portions 54, 55, 56 and stoppers 126, 127.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the surface 61 of the guided portion 44 has three convex portions 64, 65, and 66 that protrude from the surface 61 outward in the horizontal direction (width direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50. Is provided. The three convex portions 64, 65, and 66 have the same shape except that they are arranged differently, and are arranged at predetermined intervals along the insertion / extraction direction 50. Each of the convex portions 64, 65, 66 can come into contact with stoppers 131, 132 described later when the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is removed. The surfaces 61 and 62 correspond to the second surface in the present invention.

  Although not shown in each figure, the surface 62 of the guided portion 44 is also provided with three convex portions similar to the convex portions 64, 65, 66 described above. The three convex portions are paired with the convex portions 64, 65, 66 on both sides in the horizontal direction (width direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50 with respect to the guided portion 44.

  Since each convex part 64, 65, 66 is the same shape except for the arrangement, the detailed shape will be described taking the convex part 64 as an example. The convex portion 64 is located on the front wall 40 side with respect to the insertion / extraction direction 50, and is located on the first guide surface 67 that faces obliquely downward and the second guide surface that is located on the rear wall 42 side and faces obliquely below. 68 is formed continuously in the insertion / removal direction 50 and has an inverted triangular shape in a side view. Therefore, the first guide surface 67 abuts against stoppers 131 and 132 described later and guides the ink cartridge 30 upward in the gravity direction in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The second guide surface 68 abuts against stoppers 131 and 132 described later and guides the ink cartridge 30 upward in the gravity direction in the process of removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  The first guide surface 67 and the second guide surface 68 are both flat surfaces that are inclined with respect to the gravitational direction, but the angles that are inclined with respect to the gravitational direction are different. The first angle R3 at which the first guide surface 67 makes an acute angle with respect to the direction of gravity is larger than the second angle R4 at which the second guide surface 68 makes an acute angle with respect to the direction of gravity. That is, the first guide surface 67 is a gentle slope, and the second guide surface 68 is a steep slope.

  Each of the three convex portions paired with the convex portions 64, 65, 66 and the convex portions 64, 65, 66 protrudes from the tip in the horizontal direction (width direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50. The tip is located inside the right side 47 or the left side 48 of the main body 31. In addition, the distance between the pair of left and right ends of each of the convex portions 64, 65, 66 and the three convex portions paired with the convex portions 64, 65, 66 is shorter than the distance between the side surfaces 117, 118 in the groove 115. . Accordingly, the convex portions 64, 65, 66 and the three convex portions respectively paired with the convex portions 64, 65, 66 enter the groove 115 and can move smoothly in the insertion / removal direction 50.

  As shown in FIG. 11, a pair of stoppers 131 and 132 are provided on the pair of side surfaces 117 and 118 facing each other in the groove 115 of the cartridge mounting portion 110. The stoppers 131 and 132 protrude from the side surfaces 117 and 118 in the horizontal direction (width direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction 50, respectively. In the stoppers 131 and 132, the upper surface in the gravitational direction has a mountain shape continuously inclined along the insertion / removal direction 50. The side surfaces 117 and 118 correspond to the first surface in the present invention.

  The distance between the tips protruding in the horizontal direction (width direction 51) in the stoppers 131 and 132 is the distance between the above-described convex portions 64, 65, and 66 and the convex portions 64, 65, and 66 that are paired with the convex portions 64, 65, and 66, respectively. It is shorter than the distance between the tips of the left and right pairs. Therefore, the convex portions 64, 65, 66 that move into the groove 115 and move in the insertion / removal direction 50 and the three convex portions that make a pair with the convex portions 64, 65, 66 must be in contact with the stoppers 131, 132, respectively. Touch.

  In the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the protrusions 64, 65, and 66, and the three protrusions that pair with the protrusions 64, 65, and 66 and the stoppers 131 and 132, respectively. Touch. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the convex portion 64 contacts the stopper 131 in the process of removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110. The speed at which the ink cartridge 30 moves each time the convex portions 64, 65, 66 get over the stopper 131 is attenuated.

  The same effects as those of the above-described embodiment are also obtained by the convex portions 64, 65, 66, the three convex portions paired with the convex portions 64, 65, 66, and the stoppers 131, 132. .

  Further, in the present modification, the protruding tips of the three convex portions that respectively pair with the convex portions 64, 65, 66 and the convex portions 64, 65, 66 are the right side surface 47 or the left side surface 48 of the main body 31 in the width direction 51. Since the ink cartridge 30 falls on the floor or the like because it is located on the inner side, or when the ink cartridge 30 is wrapped in a film-like bag and packed under reduced pressure, the convex portions 64, 65, 66 are damaged. The risk of being deformed or deformed is reduced.

  In the embodiment and the modification described above, the contact surface between each convex portion and the stopper is an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity. There is no need for an inclined surface. For example, if an inclined surface such as the first guide surface 57 and the second guide surface 58 is provided on one of the convex portion or the stopper, the other is the ink cartridge 30 by the first guide surface 57 and the second guide surface 58. Various shapes that can be guided upward in the direction of gravity are arbitrarily adopted. Further, the first guide surface 57 and the second guide surface 58 are not necessarily flat, and may include a curved surface or a spherical surface.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, three protrusions 54, 55, 56 or protrusions 64, 65, 66 are arranged side by side in the insertion / extraction direction 50 for one ink cartridge 30. In the present invention, the number of convex portions arranged side by side in the insertion / extraction direction 50 is not limited to three, and may be two or more. Moreover, although the convex parts 54, 55, and 56 or the convex parts 64, 65, and 66 are arranged on the side close to the front wall 40 in the main body 31, for example, the convex parts 54, 55, and 56 are arranged on the side close to the rear wall 42. The arrangement of the parts may be changed as appropriate.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, the three convex portions 54, 55, 56 and the three convex portions 54, 55, 56 that are paired with the convex portions 54, 55, 56 are formed on both surfaces 61, 62 of the guided portion 44. Alternatively, the convex portions 64, 65, 66 and the three convex portions that respectively pair with the convex portions 64, 65, 66 are arranged, but the convex portions 54, 55 are provided only on one side 61 of the guided portion 44. , 56 or convex portions 64, 65, 66 may be arranged. In that case, only the stopper 126 or 131 may be disposed on the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, three pairs of convex portions are arranged in the insertion / extraction direction 50 for one ink cartridge 30, but the number of convex portions is one or a pair of left and right. There may be. In that case, it is only necessary that a plurality of stoppers similar to the stoppers 126 or 131 or a plurality of stopper pairs similar to the stopper pairs 126 and 127 or 131 and 132 are arranged in the insertion / extraction direction 50 in the cartridge mounting portion 110. . Even with such a configuration, the moving speed of the ink cartridge 30 is attenuated by going over the convex stopper a plurality of times.

10 ... Printer (image recording device)
21: Recording head (recording unit)
30 ... Ink cartridge (liquid container)
31 ... Main body 36 ... Ink chamber (storage chamber)
41 ... lower wall (second surface, bottom surface)
44: guided portion 47: right side 48 ... left side 54, 55, 56, 64, 65, 66 ... convex portions 57, 67 ... first guide surfaces 58, 68 ... -2nd guide surface 61,62 ... surface (2nd surface)
100: Ink supply device (liquid supply device)
110 ... Cartridge mounting part (mounting part)
112 ... Opening 113 ... Bottom surface (first surface)
115... Groove 117, 118 .. side surface (first surface)
128... First guide surface 129... Second guide surface 135... Slide member (biasing member)
139 ... Coil spring (biasing member)
145 ... Lock lever (holding member)

Claims (9)

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 is positioned below the liquid container when the liquid container is mounted on the mounting portion, and is deeper from the opening along the insertion / removal direction in which the liquid container is inserted into and removed from the mounting portion. Holding the liquid container in the mounted state against the urging force of the urging member, and holding the liquid container in the mounted state against the groove extending to the portion, the stopper protruding from the first surface in or near the groove, and A holding member capable of releasing 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 guided portion, and a convex portion protruding from the second surface facing the first surface in the guided portion or in the vicinity thereof,
The stopper and the convex portion are arranged so as to come into contact when the liquid container mounted on the mounting portion is urged by the urging member and moves toward the opening,
At least one of the stopper and the convex portion is a liquid supply device in which a plurality are arranged along the insertion / extraction direction.   At least one of the stopper and the convex portion is in contact with the other of the stopper and the convex portion and guides the liquid container upward in the gravity direction in the process of inserting the liquid container into the mounting portion. And at least one of the stopper and the convex portion comes into contact with the other of the stopper and the convex portion in the process of removing the liquid container from the mounting portion. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second guide surface that guides the liquid upward in a gravitational direction. The first guide surface and the second guide surface are inclined surfaces that are inclined with respect to the direction of gravity, respectively.
3. The liquid supply device according to claim 2, wherein a first angle at which the first guide surface forms an acute angle with respect to the direction of gravity is greater than a second angle at which the second guide surface forms an acute angle with respect to the direction of gravity. The stopper is provided with a pair on both sides in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction with respect to the groove,
4. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a pair of the convex portions are provided on both sides in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction with respect to the guided portion. The first surface is a surface upward in the direction of gravity,
The stopper protrudes upward in the direction of gravity from the first surface,
The second surface is a downward surface in the direction of gravity,
5. The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the convex portion protrudes downward from the second surface in the direction of gravity. The first surface and the second surface are surfaces that extend in the direction of gravity and the insertion / extraction direction, respectively.
5. The liquid supply apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the stopper and the convex portion protrudes from the first surface or the second surface in a horizontal direction orthogonal to the insertion / extraction direction. The liquid container has a rectangular parallelepiped main body having a bottom surface, and the guided portion is extended from the bottom surface,
The liquid according to claim 6, wherein the convex portion is arranged such that a tip in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion / extraction direction is located on an inner side in the horizontal direction with respect to surfaces of both ends in the horizontal direction in the main body. Feeding device.   The liquid supply device according to claim 1, wherein the holding member is engaged with the liquid container on an upper side in the gravity direction of the liquid container. A liquid supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
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.

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