JP2012135928A - Ink supply device and ink cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a means which can determine the amount of the ink remaining in an ink cartridge when the amount of the ink in the ink cartridge is kept as near to zero as possible, and facilitate positioning of the ink cartridge relative to a cartridge attachment part.SOLUTION: The ink cartridge 30 includes a transparent member 70 which is arranged opposite to an ink supply port 71. The transparent member 70 allows light 60 radiated from a light emission part 114 to pass there-through. The transparent member has a first inclined surface 82 and a second inclined surface 81 which are different in a reflective rate R1 reflecting the light 60 when the transparent member is in contact with the ink stored in an ink chamber 36 and in a reflective rate R2 reflecting the light 60 when the transparent member is not in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber 36.

Description

  The present invention relates to an ink supply device in which an ink cartridge is mounted on a cartridge mounting portion and an ink cartridge.

  In a so-called tube supply type image recording apparatus, an ink cartridge is disposed outside a carriage on which a recording head is mounted. The ink cartridge and the recording head are connected via a tube. For example, the ink cartridge is mounted in a horizontal direction through an opening on a cartridge mounting portion having an opening on the front of the apparatus main body (see Patent Document 1). The cartridge mounting unit detachably accommodates the ink cartridge. When the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, an ink path from the ink cartridge to the recording head is formed. Ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the recording head through the ink passage.

  A technique for determining the remaining amount of ink in an ink cartridge using optical means is known. For example, in a known image recording apparatus, an optical path plate is provided on the wall of the ink cartridge. If the inner surface of the optical path plate is in contact with the ink, the optical path plate transmits light into the ink. If the inner surface of the optical path plate is not in contact with the ink, the optical path plate totally reflects light on the inner surface. The remaining amount of ink is determined by detecting whether or not the light emitted from the light emitting unit to the optical path plate is totally reflected (Patent Document 2).

  In another known image recording apparatus, an optical waveguide passing through the ink cartridge is provided. Light is irradiated from one end of the optical waveguide, and the remaining ink level is determined by detecting the intensity of the light transmitted through the optical waveguide at the other end (Patent Document 3).

  In addition, in the determination of the ink remaining amount as described above, it is desirable that the determination be made promptly when the amount of ink in the ink cartridge becomes zero (Patent Document 4). Before the ink amount in the ink cartridge becomes zero, that is, in a state where ink remains in the ink cartridge, it is detected whether or not the light as described above is totally reflected, or the light intensity When the detection is performed, the fact that the ink amount has become zero means that the ink consumption after the above-described detection is estimated and determined by calculation. In the determination based on such estimation, there is a possibility that the determination that the ink amount has become zero is not performed due to the estimation error although the ink amount has actually become zero. That is, there is a risk that image recording is performed even after the ink amount becomes zero. In order to avoid such a risk, it is determined that a state in which a small amount of ink remains in the ink cartridge is regarded as a state in which the ink amount in the ink cartridge becomes zero, and the ink cartridge is determined by the user. Exchange is encouraged.

JP 2009-1332098 A JP-A-5-332812 JP-A-8-43174 JP 2006-248201 A

  In order for the ink stored in the ink cartridge to be consumed without waste, optical detection for determining the remaining amount of ink should be performed in a state where the amount of ink remaining in the ink cartridge is very close to zero. Is desirable.

  Further, the optical path plate and the optical waveguide described above need to be accurately aligned with the light emitting part and the light receiving part provided in the cartridge mounting part. In addition to the optical path plate and the optical waveguide, the ink cartridge has a configuration to be aligned with a member provided in the cartridge mounting portion. For example, the opening for supplying ink formed in the ink cartridge needs to be aligned with an ink introduction tube provided in the cartridge mounting portion. Therefore, the more the configurations that are accurately aligned, the more accurately the ink cartridge must be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. The positioning configuration and the insertion and removal of the ink cartridge with respect to the cartridge mounting portion must be performed. There arises a problem that the structure for guiding is complicated.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and it is possible to determine the remaining amount of ink in an ink cartridge in a state where the amount of ink in the ink cartridge is extremely close to zero, and mounting the cartridge. It is an object of the present invention to provide means for easily positioning an ink cartridge with respect to a portion.

  The present invention relates to an ink supply device that includes an ink cartridge and a cartridge mounting portion in which the ink cartridge can be mounted by inserting the ink cartridge in the mounting direction. The ink cartridge includes a housing having an ink chamber in which ink is stored, an ink supply port that is provided on a front surface of the housing in the mounting direction, and through which the ink stored in the ink chamber can flow. A translucent member disposed opposite to the ink supply port in the direction along the mounting direction in the housing. The cartridge mounting unit includes an ink introduction tube that is inserted into the ink supply port and a light emitting unit that irradiates light to the translucent member through the ink supply port in the process of inserting the ink cartridge into the cartridge mounting unit. And a light receiving part capable of receiving light irradiated from the light emitting part and reflected by the light transmitting member. The translucent member is capable of transmitting the light emitted from the light emitting unit, and is irradiated from the light emitting unit and passes through the translucent member when in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber. A reflectance R1 that reflects light is different from a reflectance R2 that reflects light that is emitted from the light emitting portion and passes through the translucent member when it is not in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber. 1 reflective surface.

  The ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. An ink introduction tube is inserted into the ink supply port of the ink cartridge that is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in the mounting direction. Thereby, the ink stored in the ink chamber can be supplied to the outside through the ink introduction tube.

  The translucent member can transmit light emitted from the light emitting unit. The first reflecting surface of the translucent member is in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber. The first reflecting surface reflects the light irradiated from the light emitting portion and transmitted through the translucent member with the reflectance R1 when in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber. On the other hand, the first reflecting surface reflects the light irradiated from the light emitting portion and transmitted through the translucent member with the reflectance R2 when not in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber. The reflectance R1 and the reflectance R2 are different. For example, the reflectance R1 is a reflectance that transmits most of the light emitted from the light emitting unit, and the reflectance R2 is a reflectance that totally reflects the light emitted from the light emitting unit. If it does so, the intensity | strength of the light which a light-receiving part light-receives changes with whether the 1st reflective surface is contacting the ink. By detecting the change in the intensity of the light, it is possible to determine the presence or absence of ink in the ink chamber.

  According to the present invention, since the first reflecting surface is provided on the translucent member that faces the ink supply port in the direction along the mounting direction, the presence or absence of ink in the ink cartridge is determined based on the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber. It is possible to make a determination in a state that is extremely close to zero. In addition, since it is not necessary to position the member used for optical detection for determining the presence or absence of ink separately from the positioning of the ink supply port and the ink introduction tube, it is easy to position the ink cartridge with respect to the cartridge mounting portion. is there.

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 a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the translucent member 70. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a VV cross section in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the cartridge mounting part 110. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink introduction tube 122. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a VIII-VIII cross section in FIG. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 90. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting part 110 showing a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit 43 and the ink introduction tube 122 showing the progress of the light 60 when the ink flow path 44 is filled with ink. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the ink supply unit 43 and the ink introduction tube 122 showing the progress of the light 60 when the ink level 59 drops in the ink flow path 44. 14 (A), (B), and (C) are perspective views showing modifications of the translucent member 70, and FIGS. 14 (D), (E), and (F) are FIGS. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a light-transmissive member 70 shown in FIGS. FIG. 15 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the translucent member 70. FIG. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a modified example of the translucent member 70 and the ink introduction tube 122.

  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.

[Overview of Printer 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 records an image by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet based on an ink jet recording method. 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 or removed from the cartridge mounting part 110 through the opening 112.

  The ink cartridge 30 stores ink that can be used by the printer 10. In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected by the ink tube 20. 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 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.

  Note that the schematic configuration of the printer 10 according to the present embodiment is merely an example. For example, other configurations in a known inkjet printer may be employed for the recording paper feeding method, the conveying method, the shape of the conveying path, and the like. Needless to say, it is good.

[Ink supply apparatus 100]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink supply device 100 is provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 supplies ink to the recording head 21 provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge mounting unit 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. FIG. 1 shows a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Ink cartridge 30]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink cartridge 30 is a container for storing ink. A space formed inside the ink cartridge 30 is an ink chamber 36 for storing ink. The ink chamber 36 may be a space formed by the casing 31 that forms the appearance of the ink cartridge 30, or may be formed by a member that is disposed inside the casing 31 and is different from the casing 31. It may be a space.

  2 and 3, the ink cartridge 30 is indicated by an 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” (see FIG. 6)). 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. This standing state corresponds to a mounting posture in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110. As shown in FIG. 6, the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 is the mounting direction 56, and the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is extracted is the removal direction 55. Needless to say, the mounting direction 56 and the removal direction 55 are parallel to the insertion / removal direction 50. In the present embodiment, the insertion / extraction direction 50 is along the horizontal direction. That is, the mounting direction 56 and the removal direction 55 are directions along the horizontal direction.

  The ink cartridge 30 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 31. The casing 31 has a flat shape that is short in the width direction 51 and whose height direction 52 and depth direction 53 are longer than the width direction 51. The width direction 51 and the depth direction 53 are along the horizontal direction when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounting posture. The height direction 52 is along the vertical direction when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounting posture. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the depth direction 53 is parallel to the insertion / removal direction 50, and the width direction 51 and the height direction 52 are orthogonal to the insertion / removal direction 50. The housing 31 has a front wall 40 and a rear wall 42. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110, the wall of the casing 31 that is the front side of the mounting direction 56 is the front wall 40, and the wall of the casing 31 that is the rear side is the rear wall 42. The front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 face each other in the depth direction 53 (insertion / removal direction 50). The housing 31 further has a pair of side walls 37 and 38 that connect the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 and extend in the insertion / removal direction 50. The side walls 37 and 38 are opposed to each other in the width direction 51. The casing 31 further connects the side walls 37, 38 to the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 and extends from the upper end of the front wall 40 toward the upper end of the rear wall 42, and the lower end of the front wall 40. And a lower wall 41 extending toward the lower end of the rear wall 42. The upper wall 39 and the lower wall 41 face each other in the height direction 52. The outer surface of the housing 31 constituted by the front wall 40 corresponds to the front surface. The outer surface of the housing 31 constituted by the rear wall 42 corresponds to the rear surface. More specifically, an outer surface of the front wall 40 and a member (for example, an ink supply unit 43 described later) provided on the front wall 40 corresponds to the front surface. Further, the outer surface of the rear wall 42 and the member provided on the rear wall 42 (not necessarily provided in the present invention) corresponds to the rear surface.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an ink supply unit 43 is provided below the height direction 52 of the front wall 40 of the housing 31. The ink supply unit 43 has a cylindrical outer shape, and projects outward from the front wall 40 along the depth direction 53 (insertion / removal direction 50). An ink supply port 71 that opens to the outside of the housing 31 is formed at the tip 72 of the ink supply unit 43. An ink flow path 44 is formed inside the ink supply unit 43. The ink flow path 44 extends from the ink supply port 71 in the depth direction 53 (insertion / removal direction 50) and communicates with the ink chamber 36.

  The ink supply port 71 is closed in a liquid-tight manner by covering the ink supply port 71 with the film 73 closely attached to the tip of the ink supply unit 43 from the inside. The film 73 can be broken by inserting the ink introduction tube 122 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 into the ink supply port 71. A portion surrounding the ink supply port 71 at the tip 72 of the ink supply unit 43 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber.

  A translucent member 70 is provided in the ink flow path 124 of the ink supply unit 43. The translucent member 70 is disposed opposite to the ink supply port 71 in the depth direction 53 (insertion / removal direction 50). It can also be said that the translucent member 70 is disposed to face the ink supply port 71 and the ink supply port 71 in the axial direction. The translucent member 70 is provided so as to be movable along the depth direction 53 (insertion / removal direction 50) in the ink flow path 124 of the ink supply unit 43. When the ink cartridge 30 is not yet mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and the ink supply port 71 is closed by the film 73, the translucent member 70 is positioned at the first position close to the ink supply port 71 (FIG. 3).

  When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink introduction tube 122 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is inserted into the ink supply port 71, and the tip thereof abuts on the film 73. When the ink cartridge 30 is further moved in the mounting direction 56 from the state in which the tip of the ink introduction tube 122 is in contact with the film 73, the tip of the ink introduction tube 122 breaks the film 73 and the ink flow path of the ink supply unit 43. Enter 44. In the ink flow path 44, the tip of the ink introduction tube 122 abuts on the translucent member at the first position. Then, when the ink cartridge 30 is further moved in the mounting direction 56, the translucent member 70 is moved to the second position away from the ink supply port 71 (see FIG. 11). As a result, the ink supply port 71 is opened, and ink can flow out from the ink chamber 36 into the ink introduction tube 122 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the ink flow path 44. The casing 31 is provided with an air introduction portion (not shown). The ink introduction portion 122 is provided as ink flows out from the ink chamber 36 into the ink introduction tube 122 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110. The air is introduced into the ink chamber 36 through the air.

[Translucent member 70]
4 and 5, the translucent member 70 has a conical shape on the ink chamber 36 side and a cylindrical shape on the ink supply port 71 side. A plane 74 of the cylindrical portion is a surface facing the ink supply port 71. The apex 76 of the conical portion 75 is located on a virtual center line 57 that passes through the center of the plane 74 and is orthogonal to the plane 74. The virtual center line 57 extends along the depth direction 53 (insertion / removal direction 50), and the axial direction of the ink supply port 71 in a state where the translucent member 70 is disposed in the ink flow path 124 of the ink supply unit 43. It matches. The translucent member 70 moves along the virtual center line 57 in the ink flow path 124 of the ink supply unit 43. That is, the virtual center line 57 also matches the moving direction of the translucent member 70.

  From the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the flat surface 74 in the side wall 77 of the cylindrical portion, convex pieces 78 protruding radially in four directions are respectively provided. In FIG. 4, one of the four convex pieces 78 does not appear. The four projecting pieces 78 are in sliding contact with the inner wall of the ink supply unit 43, so that the translucent member 70 is positioned in the ink flow path 44 in a posture in which the virtual center line 57 matches the axial direction of the ink supply port 71. Can be moved.

  The translucent member 70 is made of a translucent material such as polypropylene resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, or glass. The cross section of the translucent member 70 shown in FIG. 5 is a cross section along the virtual center line 57 and parallel to the height direction 52 and the depth direction 53. In this cross section, the conical portion 75 disposed on the ink chamber 36 side has a first inclined surface 82 and a second inclined surface 81 that are opposed to each other so that the virtual center line 57 is located therebetween. That is, the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are arranged so as to be shifted in a direction orthogonal to the virtual center line 57. Further, the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are shifted in a direction orthogonal to the depth direction 53 (insertion / removal direction 50, mounting direction 56, movement direction of the translucent member 70, axial direction of the ink supply port 71). It can be said that it is arranged. In the present embodiment, the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are arranged side by side in the height direction 52 (vertical direction). Both the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are inclined with respect to the virtual center line 57. The first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are both inclined with respect to the depth direction 53 (insertion / removal direction 50, mounting direction 56, movement direction of the light transmitting member 70, axial direction of the ink supply port 71). Yes. In the cross section shown in FIG. 5, both the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are represented by straight lines.

The first inclined surface 82 intersects the virtual center line 57 (which coincides with the moving direction and the axial direction of the ink supply port 71) at an acute angle B. The second inclined surface 81 intersects the virtual center line 57 (which coincides with the moving direction and the axial direction of the ink supply port 71) at an acute angle A. This angle A and angle B satisfy all of the following three expressions.
(Formula 1) (Angle A) + (Angle B) = 90 °
(Equation 2) (Angle A)> SIN ⁻¹ {(Absolute refractive index of air) / (Absolute refractive index of translucent member 70)}
(Formula 3) (Angle B)> SIN ⁻¹ {(Absolute refractive index of air) / (Absolute refractive index of the translucent member 70)}

  When the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber 36, the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 reflect the reflectance R 1 that reflects the light transmitted through the light transmitting member 70 and the ink chamber 36. When not in contact with the stored ink, the reflectance R2 for reflecting the light transmitted through the translucent member 70 is different. For example, the reflectance R1 is such that the light transmitted through the translucent member 70 in the insertion / extraction direction 50 (the moving direction of the translucent member 70, the axial direction of the ink supply port 71) is the first inclined surface 82 or the second inclined surface 81. In this case, the reflectance R2 is almost transmitted to the ink chamber 36 side, and the reflectance R2 is the light transmitted through the translucent member 70 in the insertion / extraction direction 50 (moving direction of the translucent member 70, axial direction of the ink supply port 71). This is the reflectance at which the first inclined surface 82 or the second inclined surface 81 is almost totally reflected. Such reflectance R1 and reflectance R2 are realized by satisfying (Equation 2) and (Equation 3) with (Angle A) and (Angle B). Further, by satisfying the above (Equation 1) by (Angle A) and (Angle B), the light traveling along the insertion / extraction direction 50 is totally reflected on the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81, respectively. Then, the reflected light travels along the insertion / extraction direction 50. In other words, the light traveling in one direction of the insertion / extraction direction 50 (for example, the mounting direction 56) is reflected in the opposite direction (for example, the removal direction 55) by the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an engaging portion 45 is formed near the center of the upper wall 39 of the housing 31 in the depth direction 53. The engaging portion 45 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 engagement portion 45 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a guided portion 47 extending in the depth direction 53 is provided on the upper wall 39 of the housing 31. The guided portion 47 is constituted by a protruding piece protruding upward from the upper wall 39. The distance between the pair of side surfaces facing the width direction 51 in the guided portion 47 is shorter than the distance between the pair of side surfaces 37 and 38 facing the width direction 51 in the housing 31. That is, the dimension of the guided portion 47 in the width direction 51 is smaller than the dimension of the housing 31 in the width direction 51. In the present embodiment, the guided portion 47 and the engaging portion 45 are integrally formed. That is, the end portion on the rear wall 42 side of the guided portion 47 is the engaging portion 45.

  A guided portion 46 extending in the depth direction 53 is provided on the lower wall 41 of the housing 31. The guided portion 46 is configured by a protruding piece that protrudes downward from the lower wall 41. The distance between the pair of side surfaces facing the width direction 51 in the guided portion 46 is shorter than the distance between the pair of side surfaces 37 and 38 facing the width direction 51 in the housing 31. That is, the dimension of the guided portion 46 in the width direction 51 is smaller than the dimension of the casing 31 in the width direction 51. The guided portions 46 and 47 are inserted and moved into guide grooves 108 and 109, which will be described later, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, respectively.

[Cartridge mounting part 110]
As shown in FIG. 6, the case 101 forming the housing of the cartridge mounting unit 110 has an opening 112 on the front side of the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the case 101 through the opening 112. In the ink cartridge 30, the guided portion 47 is inserted into the guide groove 108 provided on the top surface that defines the top portion of the internal space of the case 101, and the bottom surface of the case 101 defines the bottom portion of the internal space. The guided portion 46 is inserted into the provided guide groove 109 and guided in the insertion / removal direction 50. The case 101 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, but in each drawing, only the case 101 corresponding to one ink cartridge 30 is shown. .

  The case 101 is located on the opposite side of the opening 112 in the insertion / removal direction 50 and has an end surface facing the internal space of the case 101. As shown in FIG. A connection unit 103 is provided. The connection portion 103 is disposed at a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 43 of each ink cartridge 30 attached to the case 101 on the final surface.

  The connection unit 103 includes an ink introduction tube 122 and a holding unit 121. The ink introduction tube 122 is a tubular resin tube having translucency. Although not shown in the figure, the ink introduction tube 122 is connected to the ink tube 20 via the connector main body 123 and the connection tube 125 described later on the outer surface side of the case 101 that is opposite to the end surface of the case 101. Has been. Each ink tube 20 connected to each ink introduction tube 122 is extended to the recording head 21 of the printer 10 so that ink can be distributed.

  The holding part 121 is formed by recessing the end surface of the case 101 in the mounting direction 56 in a cylindrical shape. An ink introduction tube 122 is arranged extending in the insertion / extraction direction 50 at the center of the holding portion 121. As shown in FIG. 11, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, the cylindrical ink supply unit 43 is inserted into the cylindrical holding unit 121. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the ink supply unit 43 is in contact with, for example, in close contact with the surface defining the holding unit 121. When the ink supply unit 43 is inserted into the holding unit 121, the ink introduction tube 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 43, and the ink introduction tube 122 pushes the translucent member 70. As a result, the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 can flow out. The ink that has flowed out of the ink chamber 36 flows into the ink introduction tube 122 and flows to the recording head 21 through the ink tube 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the ink introduction tube 122 protrudes from the connector main body 123 having a cubic appearance. The ink introduction tube 122 protrudes in the insertion / extraction direction 50 from the center of the holding portion 121 toward the opening 112 at the end surface of the case (see FIG. 6). The ink introduction tube 122 has an elongated circular tube shape, and the outer diameter thereof is set so that it can be inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink cartridge 30. In addition, the length of the ink introduction tube 122 in the axial direction (insertion / removal direction 50) is such that the film 73 can be broken in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and is in contact with the translucent member 70. It is set to a possible length. Further, as described above, since the portion surrounding the ink supply port 71 at the tip 72 of the ink supply unit 43 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber, the ink introduction tube 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71. In the state, the elastic member is elastically deformed and comes into close contact with the outer surface of the ink introduction tube 122.

  An ink flow path 124, which is a space formed inside the ink introduction pipe 122, is bent upward in the connector main body 123 and communicates with the internal space of the connection pipe 125 protruding from the upper surface of the connector main body 123. The connecting pipe 125 has a circular tube shape and is connected to the ink tube 20.

  An ink introduction port 129 that communicates the outside of the ink introduction tube 122 and the ink flow path 124 is provided at the tip of the ink introduction tube 122. The ink introduction port 129 is disposed vertically below the tip of the ink introduction tube 122. The ink introduction port 129 is a space formed by recessing the side wall of the ink introduction tube 122 toward the connector main body 123 along the insertion / extraction direction 50 from the tip of the ink introduction tube 122. In the state where the tip of the ink introduction tube 122 is in contact with the flat surface 74 of the translucent member 70, the ink flows into the internal space of the ink introduction tube 122, that is, the ink flow path 124 through the ink introduction port 129.

  The connector main body 123 is formed with a recess 126 that is recessed in the insertion / extraction direction 50 from the side wall facing the side wall provided with the ink introduction tube 122 toward the ink introduction tube 122. The recess 126 is a space independent of the ink flow path 124. An end surface 130 that defines the end of the recess 126 on the ink flow path 124 side is close to the ink flow path 124.

  The ink introduction tube 122 and the connector main body 123 are made of a material that can transmit light emitted from the light emitting unit 115 described later, such as polypropylene resin, acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, or glass. Therefore, the light applied to the end surface 130 of the recess 126 can reach the tip of the ink introduction tube 122 through the connector main body 123 and the ink introduction tube 122. Further, the light irradiated to the tip of the ink introduction tube 122 can reach the final surface 130 through the ink introduction tube 122 and the connector main body 123.

  As shown in FIGS. 6, 12, and 13, the optical sensor 114 is provided in the concave portion 126 of the connector main body 123. The optical sensor 114 includes a light emitting unit 115 such as an LED and a light receiving unit 116 such as a phototransistor. The light emitting unit 115 and the light receiving unit 116 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction with the light emitting unit 115 on the upper side. The light emitting unit 115 emits light, for example, visible light or infrared light, so as to travel along the insertion / extraction direction 50 toward the upper portion of the tip of the ink introduction tube 122 through the end surface 130 of the recess 126. Is possible. The light receiving unit 116 can receive light reaching the final surface 130 from the lower portion of the ink introduction tube 122.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the case 101 is provided with a lock lever 145. The lock lever 145 is for maintaining the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 in the mounted state. The lock lever 145 is provided above the opening 112 of the case 101.

  The entire lock lever 145 is formed in an arm shape. A support shaft 147 is provided near the center of the lock lever 145. The support shaft 147 is supported by the case 101. Accordingly, the lock lever 145 is supported on the upper side of the opening 112 of the case 101 so as to be rotatable about the support shaft 147. The lock lever 145 is roughly divided into an operation part 149 and an engaged part 146. The operation unit 149 protrudes from the opening 112 of the case 101 to the outside of the case 101. The operation unit 149 is a portion to which a force for rotating the lock lever 145 is applied. The engaged portion 146 enters the inside of the case 101. The engaged portion 146 can be engaged with the engaging portion 45 of the ink cartridge 30. When the engaged portion 146 engages with the engaging portion 45, the ink cartridge 30 is maintained in the mounted state with respect to the case 101. The rotation position (see FIG. 11) of the lock lever 145 at which the engaged portion 146 can engage with the engaging portion 45 is referred to as a lock position, and the engaged portion 146 engages with the engaging portion 45. The position (see FIG. 10) where no operation is performed is referred to as the unlock position.

  Although not shown in each drawing, a coil spring is attached to the lock lever 145, and the lock lever 145 is urged toward the lock position by the coil spring. When the operation unit 149 is pushed downward with respect to the lock lever 145 in the lock position, the lock lever 145 is rotated from the lock position to the unlock position.

[Control unit 90]
The schematic configuration of the control unit 90 of the printer 10 will be described below with reference to FIG.

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

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

  An optical sensor 114 is connected to the ASIC 95. Although not shown in FIG. 9, a drive circuit for driving each roller such as the paper feed roller 23 and the conveyance roller pair 25, an input unit for inputting an image recording instruction to the printer 10, and the printer 10 A display unit for displaying information on the device is also connected.

  The optical sensor 114 outputs an analog electrical signal (voltage signal or current signal) corresponding to the intensity of light received by the light receiving unit 116. The control unit 90 monitors the electric signal output from the optical sensor 114 at a predetermined timing, and determines that the electric signal level (voltage value or current value) is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value as a HI level signal. When it is less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined as a LOW level signal. In the present embodiment, a threshold value corresponding to an intensity smaller than the intensity of light emitted from the light emitting unit 115 of the optical sensor 114 is set, and an output signal indicating an intensity less than the threshold value is determined as a LOW level signal, An output signal indicating an intensity equal to or greater than the threshold is determined as a HI level signal. The electrical signal output from the light receiving unit 116 corresponds to detection information.

[Installation operation of ink cartridge 30]
Hereinafter, the operation of mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the mounting direction 56 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, first, the guide surface inclined forward and downward in the mounting direction 56 formed at the tip of the mounting direction 56 of the guided portion 47 is engaged with the lock lever 145. Abuts on the mating portion 146. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the engaged portion 146 of the lock lever 145 rides on the guided portion 47. As a result, the lock lever 145 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 10 and moves from the lock position to the unlock position.

  When the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounting position, the engaging portion 45 passes the engaged portion 146 of the lock lever 145 in the mounting direction 56. As a result, the engaged portion 146 of the lock lever 145 is not supported by the guided portion 47, so that the lock lever 145 rotates clockwise in FIG. 10 and the engaged portion 146 engages with the engaging portion 45. To do. The ink cartridge 30 is held in the mounting position by the engagement between the engaged portion 146 and the engaging portion 45. Thereby, the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed.

  In the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, the ink supply unit 43 is inserted into the holding unit 121, and the ink introduction tube 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 43 to be translucent member 70. Move. The ink supply unit 43 is inserted into the holding unit 121 and the ink introduction tube 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71, whereby the ink cartridge 30 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the cartridge mounting unit 110. In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the tip of the ink introduction tube 122 is in contact with the flat surface 74 of the translucent member 70. Since an ink introduction port 129 is provided at the tip of the ink introduction tube 122, ink is supplied from the ink chamber 33 through the ink passage 44 through the ink introduction port 129 to the ink passage 124 of the ink introduction tube 122. Flows in.

[Determination of ink remaining amount of ink cartridge 30]
Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, the ink remaining amount determination of the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 11, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, the control unit 90 emits light from the light emitting unit 115 of the optical sensor 114 at a predetermined timing, and the light receiving unit 116 An electrical signal based on the intensity of the received light is monitored. Examples of the predetermined timing include when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, when printing for one page is completed in the printer 10, and when the power of the printer 10 is turned on. .

  As shown in FIG. 12, the light 60 emitted from the light emitting unit 115 of the optical sensor 114 travels in the ink introduction tube 122 along the insertion / extraction direction 50 and reaches the light transmitting member 70. The light 60 travels from the flat surface 74 of the translucent member 70 through the translucent member 70 and reaches the second inclined surface 81 in the conical portion 75. As shown in the figure, the internal space of the ink supply unit 43, that is, the ink flow path 44 is filled with ink stored in the ink chamber 36. Accordingly, the second inclined surface 81 is in contact with ink in the ink flow path 44.

  Since the second inclined surface 81 is in contact with the ink, the light 60 irradiated from the light emitting unit 115 and transmitted through the translucent member 70 is transmitted into the ink. Therefore, almost no light 60 reaches the light receiving unit 116 from the translucent member 70 through the ink introduction tube 122. The control unit 90 receives an analog electrical signal (detection information) output from the light receiving unit 116 according to the intensity of the light, and determines whether the level of the electrical signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. At this time, since the intensity of light received by the light receiving unit 116 is less than a predetermined threshold, it is determined as a LOW level signal. The control unit 90 determines that there is ink in the ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 based on the determination that the electric signal output from the light receiving unit 116 is the LOW level signal, and does not require replacement of the ink cartridge 30. It is judged that there is.

  By printing in the printer 10, the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 is consumed. When the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36 decreases, the ink level 59 also drops in the ink flow path 44. In the ink flow path 44, when the ink liquid level 59 falls below the ink introduction port 129 of the ink introduction pipe 122, that is, the lower portion of the ink introduction pipe 122, the ink flows into the ink flow path 124 of the ink introduction pipe 122. There is no inflow. That is, instead of ink, air flows into the ink flow path 124 of the ink introduction tube 122.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the second inclined surface 81 is in contact with the ink when the ink liquid level 59 in the ink flow path 44 is lowered to the vicinity of the lowermost end of the lower portion of the ink introduction tube 122. Therefore, the light 60 irradiated from the light emitting unit 115 and transmitted through the light transmitting member 70 is totally reflected. The light 60 totally reflected by the second inclined surface 81 travels toward the first inclined surface 82 in the translucent member 70. Since the first inclined surface 82 is not in contact with ink, the light 60 totally reflected on the second inclined surface 81 is totally reflected. The light 60 totally reflected on the first inclined surface 82 travels from the translucent member 70 to the light receiving unit 116 along the insertion / extraction direction 50 through the ink introduction tube 122 and is received by the light receiving unit 116. The control unit 90 receives an analog electrical signal (detection information) output from the light receiving unit 116 according to the intensity of the light 60, and determines whether the level of the electrical signal is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value. . At this time, since the intensity of the light 60 received by the light receiving unit 116 is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold, it is determined as the HI level signal. The control unit 90 determines that there is no ink in the ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 based on the determination that the electrical signal output from the light receiving unit 116 is the HI level signal, or the ink cartridge 30 needs to be replaced. It is judged that there is.

[Effect of this embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, since the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are provided on the translucent member 70 disposed to face the ink supply port 71, the presence or absence of ink in the ink cartridge 30 is determined. The determination can be made in a state where the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber 36 is very close to zero.

  Further, since it is not necessary to position the member used for optical detection for determining the presence or absence of ink in the ink cartridge 30 separately from the positioning of the ink supply port 71 and the ink introduction tube 122, the cartridge mounting portion 110 is not required. The ink cartridge 30 can be easily positioned with respect to the ink cartridge.

  Further, since the ink introduction tube 122 can transmit the light emitted from the light emitting unit 115, and the light receiving unit 116 receives the reflected light from the light transmitting member 70 through the ink introduction tube 122, there is a bubble in the optical path of the light 60. Is less likely, and accurate determination of the remaining amount of ink is realized.

  Further, since the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction with the first inclined surface 82 as the lower side, the light 60 totally reflected on the second inclined surface 81 is the first. When the portion of the first inclined surface 82 that reaches the first inclined surface 82 stops contacting the ink, the first inclined surface 82 totally reflects the light 60 toward the light receiving unit 116. The light 60 totally reflected from the first inclined surface 82 travels in the lower portion of the ink introduction tube 122, so that the ink liquid level 59 in the ink flow path 44 is the lowermost end of the lower portion of the ink introduction tube 122. When descending to the vicinity, the controller 90 can determine that there is no remaining ink. As a result, the remaining amount of ink can be determined in a state where the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber 36 is very close to zero and air does not enter the internal space of the ink introduction tube 122.

  Further, the casing 31 of the ink cartridge 30 has an outer shape that is long in the height direction 52 and short in the width direction 51 in the mounting posture, and the ink supply port 71 is disposed below the height direction 52. The area of the bottom surface of the ink chamber 36 can be reduced to reduce the amount of ink remaining in the ink chamber 36 when it is determined that there is no ink remaining.

[Modification]
In the present embodiment, the light emitting unit 115 is disposed above the light receiving unit 116, but the light receiving unit 116 may be disposed above the light emitting unit 115.

  In the present embodiment, in the translucent member 70, the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are arranged opposite to each other in the vertical direction, but the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are arranged. May be arranged opposite to each other in the horizontal direction. If the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are arranged opposite to each other in the horizontal direction, the light emitting unit 115 and the light receiving unit 116 of the optical sensor 114 are also arranged in the horizontal direction. In this case, if the optical sensor 114 is arranged so that the optical path of the light 60 is higher than the ink introduction port 129 arranged on the vertical lower side of the ink introduction tube 122, the end surface 130 of the recess 126 from the light emitting unit 115. The light 60 emitted toward the end returns to the final surface 130 through the ink introduction tube 122 and the translucent member 70 without passing through the ink introduction port 129. That is, since there are no bubbles on the optical path, accurate determination of the remaining amount of ink is realized.

  In this embodiment, the light 60 emitted from the light emitting unit 115 reaches the light transmitting member 70 through the ink introduction tube 122, and the light 60 reflected by the light transmitting member 70 is received through the ink introduction tube 122. The light sensor 114 is disposed so as to reach the portion 116, but the light 60 emitted from the light emitting portion 115 reaches the light transmissive member 70 through the ink flow path 124 of the ink introduction tube 122, and reaches the light transmissive member 70. The light sensor 114 may be arranged so that the reflected light 60 reaches the light receiving unit 116 through the ink flow path 124 of the ink introduction tube 122. In this case, the ink introduction tube 122 may not have translucency.

  In the present embodiment, the reflectance of the second inclined surface 81 is different depending on whether or not the second inclined surface 81 is in contact with ink. However, whether or not the second inclined surface 81 is in contact with ink. Regardless, it may reflect light. For example, an aluminum foil may be provided on the second inclined surface 81. Even if such a second inclined surface 81 is employed, the first inclined surface 82 having a different reflectance depending on whether or not it is in contact with the ink is disposed on the lower side of the translucent member 70, and thus the ink chamber 35. In the state where the amount of remaining ink is closer to zero, the control unit 90 can determine the remaining amount of ink.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, although the 1st inclined surface 82 and the 2nd inclined surface 81 are formed of the cone part 75 of the translucent member 70, the 1st inclined surface 82 and the 2nd inclined surface 81 are formed by another shape. May be formed. For example, as shown in FIGS. 14 (A), (B), (C), (D), (E), and (F), instead of the conical portion 75, FIGS. 14B, FIG. 14E, the shape with the tip of the cone notched, and two horizontal edges shown in FIG. 14C and FIG. 14F. The 1st inclined surface 82 and the 2nd inclined surface 81 may be formed by employ | adopting the taper shape etc. which consist of a plane. Note that the shape of the translucent member 70 is shown in FIGS. 14C and 14F if the angles A and B satisfy the above-described (Expression 1), (Expression 2), and (Expression 3). As shown, it does not have to be symmetrical.

  Further, in the present embodiment, in the cross section of the translucent member 70 shown in FIG. 5, the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are both shown as straight lines, but in the conical portion 75 of the translucent member 70. Instead, by adopting other shapes, the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 may be expressed by curves. For example, as shown in FIG. 15 (A), when a dome shape is adopted instead of the conical portion 75, the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are converted into the translucent member shown in FIG. 15 (B). Curved in 70 cross sections.

  As shown in FIG. 15B, when the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 are respectively expressed by curves, the tangent lines of the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81 in the cross section thereof, respectively. Angles B and A, which are acute angles formed by 62 and 61 and the virtual center line 57 (movement direction), are set so as to satisfy (Expression 1), (Expression 2), and (Expression 3) described above, respectively. The

  In the present embodiment, the translucent member 70 has the first inclined surface 82 and the second inclined surface 81. However, the translucent member 70 is not necessarily provided as long as it has the first inclined surface 82. The two inclined surfaces 81 may not be provided. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the translucent member 70 may have a substantially flat plate shape, and the first inclined surface 82 may be parallel to the flat surface 74. In this case, the ink introduction tube 122 has a tapered shape, and the light 60 travels inside the ink introduction tube 122 along a direction inclined with respect to the insertion / extraction direction 50. If the first inclined surface 82 is in contact with the ink, the light 60 passes through the translucent member 70 and travels into the ink (broken line in FIG. 16). If the first inclined surface 82 is not in contact with the ink, the light 60 is totally reflected by the first inclined surface 82 and travels in the ink introduction tube 122 along a direction inclined with respect to the insertion / extraction direction 50.

  In this embodiment, the ink introduction tube 122 is in contact with the flat surface 74 of the translucent member 70. However, the ink introduction tube 122 and the flat surface 74 of the translucent member 70 are not necessarily in contact with each other. Therefore, the translucent member 70 may be fixed to the ink flow path 44 at a position where the tip of the ink introduction tube 122 inserted into the ink supply port 71 does not contact.

  In this embodiment, the ink supply port 71 is closed by the film 73 being brought into close contact with the tip 72 of the ink supply unit 43, but the ink cartridge 30 may not have the film 73. In this case, the tip 72 of the ink supply unit 43 is formed of an elastic member such as rubber, and the ink supply port 71 is formed so as to penetrate the elastic member in the depth direction 53 (insertion / extraction direction 50). In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, the ink supply port 71 is closed by the elastic force of the elastic member, and when the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment portion 110, the ink introduction tube 122. Is inserted into the ink supply port 71 while expanding the ink supply port 71. In a state where the ink introduction tube 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71, the elastic member is elastically deformed and closely contacts the outer surface of the ink introduction tube 122.

30 ... Ink cartridge 31 ... Housing 36 ... Ink chamber 40 ... Front wall (front)
70: Translucent member 71 ... Ink supply port 81 ... Second inclined surface (second reflecting surface)
82 ... 1st inclined surface (1st reflective surface)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Ink supply apparatus 110 ... Cartridge mounting part 115 ... Light emission part 116 ... Light receiving part 122 ... Ink introduction pipe

Claims (15)

An ink supply device comprising: an ink cartridge; and a cartridge mounting portion to which the ink cartridge can be mounted by inserting the ink cartridge in a mounting direction.
The ink cartridge is
A housing having an ink chamber in which ink is stored;
An ink supply port that is provided on the front surface of the housing in the mounting direction and through which ink stored in the ink chamber can flow;
A translucent member disposed opposite to the ink supply port in the direction along the mounting direction in the housing;
The cartridge mounting part is
In the process of inserting the ink cartridge into the cartridge mounting portion, an ink introduction tube inserted into the ink supply port;
A light emitting unit that emits light to the light transmissive member through the ink supply port;
A light receiving portion capable of receiving light emitted from the light emitting portion and reflected by the light transmitting member, and
The translucent member is capable of transmitting the light emitted from the light emitting unit, and is irradiated from the light emitting unit and passes through the translucent member when in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber. A reflectance R1 that reflects light is different from a reflectance R2 that reflects light that is emitted from the light emitting portion and passes through the translucent member when it is not in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber. An ink supply device having one reflective surface.   2. The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit irradiates the light transmitting member with light in a state where the ink introduction tube is inserted into the ink supply port. The light emitting unit emits light that travels at least in the direction along the mounting direction,
The first inclined surface is inclined with respect to the mounting direction,
The translucent member is disposed at a position shifted from the first reflecting surface in a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction, and has a second reflecting surface that is inclined with respect to the mounting direction,
When the second reflection surface is not in contact with at least the ink stored in the ink chamber, the light reflected from the optical sensor and transmitted through the translucent member is transmitted to the first reflection surface or the light receiving unit. The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein the ink supply device reflects toward the surface. The ink introduction tube is capable of transmitting light emitted from the light emitting unit,
The light emitting unit irradiates light to the translucent member through the ink introduction tube.
The ink supply device according to claim 3, wherein the light receiving unit receives reflected light from the translucent member through the ink introduction tube. The mounting direction is a direction along the horizontal direction,
5. The ink supply device according to claim 3, wherein the first reflection surface and the second reflection surface are arranged to face each other in a horizontal direction. The mounting direction is a direction along the horizontal direction,
The first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction with the first reflecting surface as a lower side,
Regardless of whether the second reflective surface is in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber, the light reflected from the optical sensor and transmitted through the translucent member is transmitted to the first reflective surface or the The ink supply device according to claim 3, wherein the ink supply device reflects toward the light receiving portion. The housing has an outer shape that is long in the vertical direction and short in the horizontal direction in a posture in which the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion.
The ink supply device according to claim 1, wherein the ink supply port is disposed on a lower side in a vertical direction in a posture in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion.   The ink supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the ink introduction tube is in contact with the translucent member in a state where the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion. A housing having an ink chamber in which ink is stored;
An ink supply port that is open to the outside of the casing and through which the ink stored in the ink chamber can flow;
A translucent member disposed opposite to the ink supply port in the axial direction of the ink supply port in the housing;
The translucent member is capable of transmitting the light irradiated through the ink supply port, and is irradiated through the ink supply port when in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber to pass through the translucent member. A reflectance R1 that reflects the transmitted light, and a reflectance R2 that reflects the light that is irradiated through the ink supply port and passes through the translucent member when not in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber; Ink cartridges having first reflecting surfaces different from each other. The first inclined surface is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the ink supply port,
The translucent member is disposed at a position shifted from the first reflecting surface in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the ink supply port, and is a second reflection that is inclined with respect to the axial direction of the ink supply port. Has a surface,
The second reflecting surface emits light that is irradiated through the ink supply port and passes through the translucent member at least when the second reflecting surface is not in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber. The ink cartridge according to claim 9, which reflects toward the supply port. It is configured to be mounted on the cartridge mounting part by being inserted in the mounting direction along the horizontal direction into the cartridge mounting part.
The ink cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are arranged to face each other in a horizontal direction. It is configured to be mounted on the cartridge mounting part by being inserted in the mounting direction along the horizontal direction into the cartridge mounting part.
The first reflecting surface and the second reflecting surface are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction with the first reflecting surface as a lower side,
Regardless of whether the second reflective surface is in contact with the ink stored in the ink chamber, the light that is irradiated through the ink supply port and transmitted through the translucent member is transmitted to the first reflective surface or The ink cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the ink cartridge reflects toward the ink supply port. It is configured to be mounted on the cartridge mounting part by being inserted in the mounting direction along the horizontal direction into the cartridge mounting part.
The casing has an outer shape that is long in the vertical direction and short in the horizontal direction in a posture in which the ink cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion.
The ink cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the ink supply port is disposed on a lower side in a vertical direction in a posture in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. A housing having an ink chamber in which ink is stored;
An ink supply port that is open to the outside of the casing and through which the ink stored in the ink chamber can flow;
A translucent member disposed opposite to the ink supply port in the axial direction of the ink supply port in the housing;
The translucent member has a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface that are opposed to each other in the axial direction of the ink supply port on the ink chamber side,
An ink cartridge that satisfies all of the following three formulas.
(Formula 1) (Angle A) + (Angle B) = 90 °
(Formula 2) (Angle A)> SIN ⁻¹ {(Absolute refractive index of air) / (Absolute refractive index of light-transmitting member)}
(Formula 3) (Angle B)> SIN ⁻¹ {(Absolute refractive index of air) / (Absolute refractive index of light-transmitting member)}
here,
In the cross section along the axial direction of the ink supply port, the angle A is an acute angle formed by the first inclined surface and the axial direction in the cross section when the first inclined surface appears as a straight line. In the cross section along the axial direction, when the first inclined surface is represented by a curve, an acute angle formed by the tangent line of the first inclined surface and the axial direction in the cross section,
The angle B is an acute angle formed by the second inclined surface and the axial direction in the cross section when the second inclined surface is represented by a straight line in the cross section along the axial direction of the ink supply port. In the cross section along the axial direction, when the second inclined surface is expressed by a curve, the acute angle formed by the tangent line of the second inclined surface and the axial direction in the cross section. It is configured to be mounted on the cartridge mounting part by being inserted into the cartridge mounting part in the mounting direction along the horizontal direction.
The casing has an outer shape that is long in the vertical direction and short in the horizontal direction in a posture in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion.
The ink cartridge according to claim 14, wherein the ink supply port is disposed on a lower side in a vertical direction in a posture in which the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion.

Images