JP2012206406A - Printing fluid cartridge and recording apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a printing fluid cartridge or a recording apparatus that includes a structure which is configured at least either to prevent printing fluid from dripping when a printing fluid cartridge is extracted from a cartridge mounting part or to achieve the reduction of a device size.SOLUTION: An ink cartridge 30 is mounted to a cartridge mounting part 110 having an engaging member 145 engaged with the ink cartridge 30 against an external force acting in an extraction direction 55. The ink cartridge 30 includes a turning member 60 that can release the engagement with the engaging member 145 and extends toward a front wall 40 of a casing 31 storing ink therein. The tip 61 of the turning member 60 is movable to a first position distant from a bottom face 49 of a locking part 45 and to a second position closer to the bottom face 49 than the first position.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing fluid cartridge mounted on a cartridge mounting portion and a recording apparatus.

  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 an ink cartridge for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head. The ink cartridge is detachable from a mounting portion provided in the image recording apparatus.

  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, the ink cartridge may jump out of the mounting portion due to the force that the ink cartridge receives from the biasing member via the slider. There is a possibility that the ink cartridge may fall on the floor or the like and be damaged. In order to prevent these, a configuration for preventing the ink cartridge from popping out is known (Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-110777 A

  In the configuration described in Patent Literature 1, the mounting mechanism (29) is provided with an operation lever (30). The control lever (30) is provided with a restricting locking portion (30b). The restricting locking portion (30b) serves as a concave portion of the ink cartridge (22) when the ink cartridge (22) is detached. It is latched by the regulated latching portion (22a). This prevents the ink cartridge (22) from being urged in the attaching / detaching direction by the spring (36).

  However, when the mounting mechanism (29) is provided with an operation lever, it is necessary to secure a space where the user can operate the opening mechanism around the opening of the mounting mechanism (29). It has become.

  Further, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 is merely stopped at the locked portion (22a) for restriction on the movement of the ink cartridge (22) that has popped out vigorously due to the urging force of the spring. When the operation lever is locked to the restriction locked portion (22a), the ink cartridge (22) may come out of the ink supply needle vigorously. When the ink supply needle is detached from the ink cartridge (22), there may be a problem that ink drops from the ink supply needle.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to prevent dripping of the printing fluid when the printing fluid cartridge is taken out from the cartridge mounting portion, or at least one of downsizing of the apparatus. It is an object of the present invention to provide a printing fluid cartridge or a recording apparatus having a structure that can solve the above problem.

  The present invention relates to a printing fluid cartridge mounted on a cartridge mounting portion having an engaging member capable of engaging a printing fluid cartridge against an external force. The printing fluid cartridge can be disengaged from the engaging member, and includes a rotating member on the first surface of the main body that stores the printing fluid. One end side of the rotating member is movable to a first position separated from the main body first surface and a second position closer to the main body first surface than the first position.

  In the mounted state in which the printing fluid cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the printing fluid cartridge receives an external force. The engaging member engages with the printing fluid cartridge to hold the printing fluid cartridge in the mounted state against an external force.

  When the printing fluid cartridge is replaced, the user rotates the rotating member to the first position. As a result, the engagement between the printing fluid cartridge and the engaging member is released. Since the user operates the rotating member, the printing fluid cartridge that is moved by the external force is stopped by the user's hand.

  The present invention relates to a recording apparatus including a cartridge mounting portion having an engaging member capable of engaging the printing fluid cartridge. The engaging member is engageable with a locking portion disposed on an upper surface connecting the front surface and the rear surface of the main body. The rotating member moves the one end side while abutting against the engaging member to separate the engaging member from the locking portion, and the printing fluid cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. In this state, one end side of the rotating member is disposed below the engaging member.

  When the printing fluid cartridge is replaced, the user rotates the rotating member to the first position. Thereby, the front-end | tip of a rotation member contact | abuts to an engagement member, and separates an engagement member from a latching | locking part. As a result, the engagement between the printing fluid cartridge and the engaging member is released. Since the user presses the rotating member, the printing fluid cartridge that is moved by the external force is stopped by the user's hand.

According to the present invention, at least one of the following effects can be obtained.
When the user rotates the rotating member, the engagement between the engaging member and the printing fluid cartridge is released. Therefore, the printing fluid cartridge that jumps out due to an external force is removed from the pipe through which the printing fluid circulates. And can be prevented from dropping from the cartridge mounting portion.

  Alternatively, since it is not necessary to provide a space for operating the engaging member in the cartridge mounting portion, the recording apparatus can be reduced in size.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a printer 10 including a cartridge mounting unit 110 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 cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the cartridge mounting part 110. FIGS. 5A and 5B are cross-sectional views of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a process in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a process in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a process in which the ink cartridge 30 is taken out from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  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.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described.

[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 corresponds to a printing fluid cartridge.

  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 has an ink chamber 36 in which at least ink is stored. Ink is stored in a space formed inside the ink cartridge 30. The ink chamber 36 may be, for example, a space formed by the casing 31 that forms the appearance of the ink cartridge 30, or may be a member that is disposed inside the casing 31 and that is different from the casing 31. It may be a space to be formed. In this case, the ink cartridge does not have an ink chamber, but is included in the printing fluid cartridge of the present invention. The ink chamber 36 corresponds to a liquid chamber.

  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 and removal direction 50” (see FIG. 5)). That is, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 along the insertion and removal direction 50 in the standing state, and is pulled out from the cartridge mounting portion 110 along the insertion and removal direction 50 in the standing state. 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. 5, the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 is the insertion direction 56, and the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is extracted is the extraction direction 55. Needless to say, the insertion direction 56 and the extraction direction 55 are parallel to the insertion and extraction direction 50. In the present embodiment, the insertion and removal direction 50 is along the horizontal direction. That is, the insertion direction 56 and the extraction direction 55 are directions along the horizontal direction.

  The ink cartridge 30 includes, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 31. The casing 31 is, for example, 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 or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the depth direction 53 is parallel to the insertion and removal direction 50, and the width direction 51 and the height direction 52 are orthogonal to the insertion and removal direction 50. . The housing 31 corresponds to the main body.

  The housing 31 has a front wall 40 on the front side in the insertion direction 56 and a rear wall 42 on the rear side in the insertion direction 56. 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 insertion direction 56 is the front wall 40, and the wall of the casing 31 that is the rear side is the rear wall 42. is there. The front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 are located at a predetermined distance in the depth direction 53 (insertion and extraction direction 50). The housing 31 further includes a pair of side walls 37 and 38 that connect the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 and extend in the insertion and extraction direction 50. The side walls 37 and 38 may be located a predetermined distance apart 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. May have a lower wall 41 extending toward the lower end of the rear wall 42. The upper wall 39 and the lower wall 41 may be located a predetermined distance apart 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. Further, the outer surface of the casing 31 constituted by the upper wall 39 corresponds to the upper surface. In the standing state, the ink supply unit 43 disposed on the front wall 40 is disposed on the lower side with the lower wall 41 facing down.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink supply unit 43 is provided below the height direction 52 of the front wall 40 of the housing 31, for example. The ink supply unit 43 has, for example, a cylindrical outer shape, and protrudes from the front wall 40 in the direction away from the ink chamber 36 or the insertion direction 56 along the depth direction 53 (insertion and extraction direction 50). For example, the ink supply port 71 is formed to open to the outside of the housing 31 in the vicinity of the tip 72 of the ink supply unit 43. As shown in FIG. 3, 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 and extraction direction 50) and communicates with the ink chamber 36.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the ink supply port 71 is configured to be opened and closed by a valve 70, for example. The valve 70 is provided in the ink flow path 44 of the ink supply unit 43 so as to be movable along the depth direction 53 (insertion and extraction direction 50). The valve 70 is urged toward the ink supply port 71 by a coil spring 73. Therefore, in a state where no external force is applied to the valve 70, the valve 70 is positioned at a closed position where the ink supply port 71 is closed liquid-tightly. 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, for example. When the biased valve 70 comes into contact with the elastic member, the elastic member is elastically deformed, and the ink supply port 71 is closed liquid-tightly. In this state, a part of the valve 70 is exposed from the ink supply port 71 to the outside of the ink supply unit 43, that is, to the outside of the ink cartridge 30. The valve 70 and the coil spring 73 are not essential, and a film or a rubber plug may be provided instead of the valve 70.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink supply pipe 122 provided on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is inserted into the ink supply port 71, whereby the coil spring 73 is elastically deformed and the valve 70 is coiled. It moves to the open position away from the ink supply port 71 against the urging of 73 (see FIG. 6A). As a result, the ink supply port 71 is opened, and ink can flow out from the ink chamber 36 into the ink supply pipe 122 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the ink flow path 44. Note that the casing 31 is provided with, for example, an air introduction unit, and the ink introduction unit 122 is provided with the ink flowing out from the ink chamber 36 into the ink supply pipe 122 provided in the cartridge mounting unit 110. The air is introduced into the ink chamber 36 through the air. Note that the air introduction unit is not essential, and for example, the ink chamber 36 may be formed of a bag, and the volume may be reduced in accordance with a decrease in ink.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the lower end of the front wall 40 of the housing 31 is provided with a protrusion 32 that protrudes in the insertion direction 56. The protrusion 32 protrudes to the front side from the protruding end of the ink supply unit 43 provided on the front wall 40.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a locking portion 45 is formed near the center of the upper wall 39 of the housing 31 in the depth direction 53. The locking portion 45 is a recess having a locking surface 46 that extends in the width direction 51 and the height direction 52 of the ink cartridge 30. An engagement member 145 described later is engaged with the locking surface 46 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the surface on the front wall 40 side of the upper wall 39 of the housing 31 is closer to the engaging member when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110. 145 is the upper surface 47 in contact. The upper surface 47 is a surface that extends in the width direction 51 and the depth direction 53, for example. In addition, an inclined surface 48 that is inclined with respect to the upper surface 47 and the front wall 40 is formed at the boundary between the upper surface 47 and the front wall 40, for example. The inclined surface 48 guides the engaging member 145 to the upper surface 47. The inclined surface 48 may not be provided, or a projection that protrudes in the insertion direction 56 may be provided like the projection 32 instead of the inclined surface 48.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the rotating member 60 is provided on the upper side in the height direction 52 on the rear wall 42 side of the housing 31, for example. The rotating member 60 has, for example, a bent flat plate shape, and is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is along the depth direction 53. The rotating member 60 has a shaft 63 at the bent position. The shaft 63 is rotatably supported at a position separated from the locking surface 46 toward the rear wall 42 in the locking portion 45 of the housing 31. The rotating member 60 can rotate around the shaft 63. The shaft 63 corresponds to a fulcrum.

  In the rotating member 60, the front end portion 61 on the front wall 40 side corresponds to one end of the rotating member and reaches, for example, the locking surface 46. The rear end portion 62 of the rotation member 60 corresponds to the other end of the rotation member, and is slightly protruded from the rear wall 42, for example. The front wall 40 corresponds to one end of the main body first surface.

  In a state where no external force is applied to the rotating member 60, the rotating member 60 is biased by its own weight or a coil spring (not shown), and the distal end portion 61 is positioned on the lowermost side of the locking portion 45. . That is, the tip portion 61 is close to the bottom surface 49 of the locking portion 45. This position is referred to as the second position. In this state, the rear end portion 62 is located above the upper wall 39 of the housing 31. When the rear end portion 62 of the rotating member 60 is pushed downward, the rotating member 60 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 3 against its own weight, for example. In a state where the rotation member 60 is rotated most counterclockwise, that is, in a state where the rear end portion 62 is positioned close to the bottom surface 49 of the locking portion 45, the tip end portion 61 faces upward from the bottom surface 49. And located above the locking surface 46. This position is referred to as the first position. The rotating member 60 may be integrated with the housing 31. A bottom surface 49 of the locking portion 45 corresponds to the first surface of the main body.

[Cartridge mounting part 110]
As shown in FIG. 4, a case 101 as a housing of the cartridge mounting unit 110 has a box shape having an opening 112 on the front side of the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into or removed from the case 101 through the opening 112. In the case 101, for example, four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black can be accommodated. In each drawing shown in each embodiment, only the case 101 corresponding to one ink cartridge 30 is illustrated.

  The case 101 has an end surface 102 that faces the opening 112 in the insertion and extraction direction 50 and faces the internal space of the case 101. As shown in FIG. 4, the connection portion 103 is provided below the end surface 102 of the case 101. The connection unit 103 is disposed on the end surface 102 at a position corresponding to the ink supply unit 43 of each ink cartridge 30 attached to the case 101.

  The connection unit 103 includes an ink supply pipe 122 and a holding unit 121. Although not shown in the drawing, the ink supply pipe 122 is connected to the ink tube 20 on the outer surface side of the case 101 that forms the front and back surfaces of the case 101. Each ink tube 20 connected to each ink supply pipe 122 is connected to the recording head 21 of the printer 10 so that ink can be distributed.

  The holding part 121 is formed on the end surface 102 of the case 101, for example, and a part of the end surface 102 is formed in a cylindrical shape. The ink supply tube 122 is arranged in the insertion and extraction direction 50 at the center of the holding portion 121. As shown in FIG. 6A, 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 supply tube 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 43, and the ink supply tube 122 moves the valve 70. As a result, the valve 70 in the closed position is moved to the open position against the bias of the coil spring 73, and the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 can flow out to the outside. The ink that has flowed out of the ink chamber 36 flows into the ink supply pipe 122 due to a water head difference or the like, and flows to the recording head 21 through the ink tube 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the engaging member 145 is provided in the case 101. The engaging member 145 is for holding the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 in a mounted state. The engaging member 145 is provided above the opening 112 of the case 101.

  For example, the engaging member 145 is formed to be swingable about the support shaft 147. The support shaft 147 is provided, for example, at the end of the engagement member 145 on the opening 112 side. For example, the support shaft 147 is attached to the case 101. As a result, the engaging member 145 is rotatably supported on the upper side of the case 101 near the opening 112 so as to approach / separate from the opening 112 side around the support shaft 147. The engagement end 146 is disposed on the other end side of the support shaft 147 of the engagement member 145. The engagement end 146 can be engaged with the locking portion 45 of the ink cartridge 30. When the engaging end 146 engages with the locking portion 45, the ink cartridge 30 is held at the mounting position against the case 101 against the urging force of the slide member 123. The rotation position (see FIG. 6A) of the engagement member 145 at which the engagement end 146 can be engaged with the engagement portion 45 is referred to as a lock position, and the engagement end 146 is the engagement portion. A position that does not engage with 45 (see FIG. 6B) is referred to as an unlock position.

  The engaging member 145 rotates downward in the gravity direction by its own weight or a coil spring (not shown). When the distal end portion 61 of the rotating member 60 moves upward, the engaging member 145 rotates upward about the support shaft 147 and moves from the locked position to the unlocked position. Although not shown in each drawing, for example, the movable range of the engagement member 145 is restricted so as not to move downward from the unlock position.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the internal space of the cartridge mounting portion 110 is enlarged in the insertion direction 56 on the lower end side of the end surface 102. In this expanded space, a slide member 123 is provided so as to be slidable (horizontal movement) in the insertion and extraction direction 50. For example, the slide member 123 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped outer shape, and a protruding piece 124 protrudes upward from the upper surface thereof. The protruding piece 124 overlaps the entry path of the protrusion 32 of the ink cartridge 30, and can contact the protrusion 32 in the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  A coil spring 126 is provided in a compressed state between the end surface 125 of the space in which the slide member 123 is accommodated and the slide member 123. The slide member 123 is biased in the take-out direction 55 by the coil spring 126. Therefore, the movement of the slide member 123 is restricted by contacting the front surface 127 facing the end surface 125 at a position where no external force is applied, for example. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted from the state in which the protrusion 32 of the ink cartridge 30 is in contact with the protrusion 124, the coil spring 126 is contracted as the slide member 123 moves.

[Installation operation of ink cartridge 30]
Hereinafter, the operation of attaching and detaching the ink cartridge 30 to and from the cartridge mounting portion 110 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 from the front wall 40 side of the ink cartridge 30 through the opening 112. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the inclined surface 48 of the housing 31 contacts the engaging member 145. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the engaging member 145 contacts the upper surface 47. Thereby, the engagement member 145 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 5A and moves from the lock position to the unlock position against its own weight.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, in the middle of mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110, the ink supply unit 43 is in contact with the holding unit 121, and the ink supply pipe 122 is supplied with ink from the ink supply unit 43. It is inserted into the mouth 71. At this time, the engaging member 145 is not yet engaged with the locking portion 45 of the housing 31. When the ink supply pipe 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 to contact the valve 70 and the ink cartridge 30 is further moved in the insertion direction 56, the valve 70 is moved to the ink supply pipe 122 as shown in FIG. And is moved from the closed position to the open position against the bias of the coil spring 73. Then, the ink supply unit 43 is inserted into the holding unit 121 and the ink supply tube 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71, whereby the ink cartridge 30 is mounted at a predetermined position with respect to the cartridge mounting unit 110. The Although not shown in each figure, an ink introduction port is provided at the tip of the ink supply tube 122, so that the ink supply tube 122 passes through the ink introduction port from the ink chamber 33 through the ink flow path 44. Ink flows into.

  As shown in FIG. 6A, when the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounting position, the locking surface 46 of the locking portion 45 of the housing 31 inserts the engagement end 146 of the engagement member 145 into the insertion direction 56. Pass by. As a result, the engagement end 146 of the engagement member 145 is not supported by the upper surface 47, and therefore the engagement member 145 is rotated clockwise in FIG. The end portion 146 contacts the locking surface 46. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 is held at the mounting position against the biasing force of the coil springs 73 and 126 by the engagement member 145 engaging the locking portion 45. In this way, the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110 is completed. The force applied to the casing 31 by the coil spring 73 provided in the ink cartridge 30 and / or the coil spring 126 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 corresponds to an external force. This external force acts on the protrusion 32 on the front wall 40 side of the housing 31. As an external force, a coil spring is provided outside the housing 31 in place of the coil spring 73 that opens and closes the valve 70 inside the housing 31, and the tip of the coil spring is the end surface 102 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 or the like. The ink cartridge 30 may be urged toward the removal direction 55 by hitting the optical sensor or the like.

  In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the distal end portion 61 of the rotating member 60 is positioned below the engaging end portion 146 of the engaging member 145. Further, the rear end portion 62 of the rotating member 60 is separated from the bottom surface 49 of the locking portion 45 and is positioned above the upper wall 39 of the housing 31.

  When the ink in the ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 is consumed, the used ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 and a new ink cartridge 30 is mounted.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rear end portion 62 of the rotating member 60 is pushed downward by the user. Since the rear end portion 62 of the rotation member 60 is located on the front side of the rear wall 42, the user can operate the rotation member 60 from the rear wall 42 side of the ink cartridge 30. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6B, the distal end portion 61 of the rotating member 60 moves upward and is separated from the bottom surface 49 of the locking portion 45. As the distal end portion 61 moves, the engaging member 145 is pushed upward by the distal end portion 61 of the rotating member 60. As a result, the engagement member 145 is rotated until the engagement end 146 of the engagement member 145 is above the locking surface 46, that is, until the engagement end 146 is separated from the locking surface 46. That is, the engagement member 145 is rotated from the lock position to the unlock position, and the holding of the ink cartridge 30 by the engagement member 145 is released. The operation member 60 is attached to the upper wall 39, and the protrusion 32 is attached to the lower wall 41.

  By separating the engagement end 146 of the engagement member 145 from the locking surface 46, the housing 31 is caused by the external force applied to the housing 31, that is, the biasing force by the coil spring 73 and / or the coil spring 126. Attempt to move to take-out direction 55. On the other hand, since the user pushes the rotating member 60 downward, the urging force by the coil springs 73 and 126 is received by the user's hand through the rotating member 60. Then, when the user takes out the housing 31 in the take-out direction 55, the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Effect of the embodiment]
According to the embodiment, when the user rotates the rotation member 60, the engagement between the engagement member 145 and the ink cartridge 30 is released, so that the ink cartridge 30 is moved in the take-out direction 55 by an external force. Since the rotating member 60 is close to the ink cartridge 30, the ink cartridge 30 is stopped by the user's hand and prevented from jumping out of the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  Further, since it is not necessary to provide the engaging member 145 with a configuration for the user to operate the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink supply device 100 can be reduced in size.

  Further, by visually confirming the posture of the rotation member 60 from the rear wall 42 side of the ink cartridge 30, that is, whether the rear end portion 62 of the rotation member 60 is positioned above the upper wall 39 of the housing 31. By confirming whether or not, it is possible to easily determine whether or not the ink cartridge 30 is engaged by the engaging member 145.

  In addition, the rotation member 60 for releasing (releasing) the engagement with the engagement member 145 and the locking portion 45 with which the engagement member 145 is engaged are not integrated into another member, Unlike the prior art, there is no need to provide a locking portion on the operation lever extending from a part of the ink cartridge. For this reason, it is no longer necessary to consider the problem that locking failure occurs due to plastic deformation of the operating lever. In particular, in the printer 10 in which the slide member 123 is provided in the case 101 and the ink cartridge 30 is urged toward the opening 112 as in the present embodiment, the ink cartridge is caused by the locking portion 45 being plastically deformed. If the cartridge 30 is not held in the mounting position in the cartridge mounting unit 110, there is a problem that the user has to purchase a new ink cartridge 30, but the locking unit 45 is a separate member from the rotating member 60. By being provided, the deformation of the rotating member 60 does not affect the locking portion 45, so that such a problem is prevented in advance.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, the engaging member 145 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 has an arm shape extending from the support shaft 147 to the end surface 102, but the engaging member 145 opens from the support shaft 147. It may extend to the 112 side.

  In the above-described embodiment, the engaging member 145 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is rotatable about the support shaft 147. However, instead of the engaging member 145, a case is provided. An engagement member that can move in the vertical direction from the upper side of 101 to the internal space of case 101 may be provided.

  In the above-described embodiment, the rotating member 60 directly contacts the engaging member 145 to rotate the rotating member 145. However, the rotating member 60 is engaged via another member. The joint member 145 may be configured to rotate.

  In the above-described embodiment, the external force in the take-out direction 55 is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the state where it is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 by the coil springs 73 and 126. The external force applied to the ink cartridge 30 may be applied by an urging member provided on the ink cartridge 30. For example, a coil spring extending in the insertion direction 56 is provided on the front wall 40 of the casing 31 of the ink cartridge 30, and when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the coil spring is the end surface 102 of the case 101. The external force in the take-out direction 55 is applied to the casing 31 by being pressed against and compressed.

  In the embodiment described above, the remaining amount detection unit is omitted, but the ink cartridge 30 may be provided with a remaining amount detection unit. The remaining amount detection unit is arranged so as to protrude from the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 in a direction away from the ink chamber 36. The remaining amount detection unit is made of a light transmissive resin. It is possible to view the inside of the ink chamber 36 from the outside via the remaining amount detecting unit and visually recognize the remaining amount or to detect it with an optical sensor. The distance between the pair of side walls constituting the remaining amount detection unit when using the optical sensor is set to be smaller than the distance between the light emitting element and the light receiving element of the optical sensor. A light shielding plate that moves according to the amount of ink may be provided in the remaining amount detection unit. In place of the light shielding plate, the amount of light reaching the light receiving element is reduced by reflecting, diffracting, or attenuating all or part of the light emitted from the light emitting element according to the amount of ink in the ink chamber 36. It may be allowed.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, an aspect in which ink as a printing fluid is stored in the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the ink jet printer 10 is shown. However, the printing fluid is not limited to ink. The present invention can be applied to a cartridge that stores toner as a printing fluid corresponding to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

30 ... Ink cartridge (printing fluid cartridge)
31 ... Case 36 ... Ink chamber 39 ... Upper wall (upper surface)
40 ... Front wall (front)
42 ... rear wall (rear surface)
45... Locking portion 46... Locking surface 60... Rotating member 61.
73, 126 ... Coil spring (biasing member)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Ink supply apparatus 110 ... Cartridge mounting part 145 ... Engagement member 146 ... Engagement end part 147 ... Spindle

Claims (9)

A printing fluid cartridge mounted on a cartridge mounting portion having an engaging member capable of engaging a printing fluid cartridge against an external force,
The engagement with the engagement member can be released, and a rotation member is provided on the first surface of the main body that stores the printing fluid.
One end side of the rotating member is a printing fluid cartridge which is movable to a first position away from the main body first surface and a second position closer to the main body first surface than the first position.   2. The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the other end of the rotating member is located at the first position in a state where the engaging member engages the printing fluid cartridge.   The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one end side of the rotating member moves from the second position to the first position around the fulcrum by the engaging member. A locking portion engageable with the engaging member;
The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the rotating member releases the engagement with the locking portion by moving the engagement member. The main body has a front surface that is a front side in an insertion direction, and a rear surface that is separated from the front surface.
The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the rotating member is disposed at a position operable from the rear surface side.   The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein an interface on which the external force acts is provided on the front side in order to move the printing fluid cartridge when the engagement between the engagement member and the locking portion is released. . A cartridge mounting portion having an engaging member capable of engaging the printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The engaging member is engageable with a locking portion disposed on an upper surface connecting the front surface and the rear surface of the main body,
The rotating member moves the one end side while abutting against the engaging member to separate the engaging member from the locking portion, and the printing fluid cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. In the recording state, the one end side of the rotating member is disposed below the engaging member. A recording apparatus comprising a cartridge mounting portion to which the printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6 can be mounted,
The cartridge mounting part is
An urging member for applying an external force acting in the take-out direction on the printing fluid cartridge;
An engaging member capable of engaging the printing fluid cartridge against the external force. The recording apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the engaging member is rotatably provided on a support shaft, and is rotated about the support shaft by the rotating member.

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