JP2015193157A - Liquid storage cartridge used in liquid discharge device, liquid discharge device, and incorrect insertion prevention structure of liquid storage cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a structure which makes a cap unlikely to be lost and prevents enlargement of a cartridge.SOLUTION: A cartridge 3 may be stored in an ink jet recorder 1 having an ink introduction port 22 and a cartridge storage part 6. The cartridge 3 includes: a storage chamber 33 for storing an ink; a first surface 31 facing in a first direction; and a second surface 32 facing in a direction different from the first surface. The cartridge 3 includes: a cartridge body 30 which may be stored in the cartridge storage part 6 in a first posture in which the first surface 31 faces the ink introduction port 22 and in a second posture in which the second surface 32 faces the ink introduction port 22; an ink supply part 4 which is provided on the first surface 31 and may be connected with the ink introduction port 22 in the first posture so that a liquid in the storage chamber 33 is introduced to the ink introduction port 22; and a leakage prevention member 5 which is provided on the second surface 32 and may be connected with the ink introduction port 22 in the second posture so as to receive the ink flowing out from the ink introduction port 22.

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge that is detachably attached to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a recording medium and records an image, and supplies the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus, and the liquid ejecting apparatus and the liquid containing cartridge are erroneously inserted. Regarding prevention structure.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a cartridge that is mounted on a liquid discharge apparatus such as an ink jet recording apparatus and supplies a liquid such as ink is known. The ink jet recording apparatus is provided with an ink supply needle, and the ink supply port of the cartridge is connected to the ink supply needle. By connecting the ink supply port to the ink supply needle, the ink stored in the ink cartridge is introduced into the ink flow path via the ink supply needle. Here, in a state where the ink jet recording apparatus is shipped from the manufacturing factory, the ink flow path is filled with liquid in order to prevent the ink flow path from being dried and to prevent dust from entering. In addition, a cap for protecting the ink supply needle is attached to the ink supply needle in order to prevent the liquid filled in the ink flow path from leaking from the ink supply needle in the shipped ink jet recording apparatus. . However, when the user uses the ink jet recording apparatus, since the cap is removed, there is a high possibility that the cap will be lost. Accordingly, when the ink jet recording apparatus is moved later, ink may leak from the ink jet recording apparatus.
Therefore, a configuration is known in which a liquid supply port and a cap are provided on the surface of the cartridge facing the insertion direction of the cartridge (see Patent Document 1). This is a cartridge containing maintenance liquid as a liquid, and the supply port and the cap are selectively connected to the ink supply needle by reversing the cartridge left and right and mounting it in the ink jet recording apparatus. Thereby, there is no possibility that the cap is lost alone.

JP 2002-240311 A

In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, since the liquid supply port and the cap are provided on the cartridge on the surface facing the cartridge insertion direction, the surface facing the cartridge insertion direction is enlarged. That is, the entire cartridge is increased in size.
An object of the present invention is to provide a configuration that prevents the cap from being lost and prevents the cartridge from becoming large.

A liquid storage cartridge according to the present invention is a liquid storage cartridge that can be stored in a liquid discharge device having a liquid inlet and a cartridge storage portion,
A storage chamber for storing a liquid; a first surface facing a first direction; and a second surface facing a direction different from the first surface, wherein the first surface faces the liquid inlet. A cartridge main body that can be accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion in a first attitude and a second attitude in which the second surface faces the liquid inlet;
A liquid supply section provided on the first surface and connectable so that the liquid in the storage chamber is introduced into the liquid introduction port in the first posture;
A leakage preventing member provided on the second surface and connectable to the liquid inlet so as to receive the liquid exiting from the liquid inlet in the second posture;
Have

  In the liquid storage cartridge according to the present invention, by providing the cartridge main body with a leakage preventing member, it is possible to prevent liquid leakage from the liquid inlet in the cartridge main body. Since the leakage preventing member is provided at a position different from the first surface where the liquid supply unit is provided, the first surface is prevented from becoming large. This prevents an increase in the size of the cartridge body. Further, since the leakage preventing member is provided in the cartridge body, there is no possibility that the leakage preventing member is lost alone.

It is a top view which shows the internal structure of an inkjet recording device. It is a perspective view of a cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the cartridge accommodating part of an inkjet recording device. (a), (b) is sectional drawing which shows an ink introduction member and an ink supply part. (a), (b) is sectional drawing which shows an ink introduction member and a leakage prevention member. (a) is a front view showing a state in which four cartridge main bodies are aligned in the first posture and inserted into the cartridge housing portion. (b) is a front view showing a state where four cartridge main bodies are aligned in the second posture and inserted into the cartridge housing portion. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state where some cartridges are in a first posture and other cartridges are in a second posture. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of an ink introduction member and an ink supply part. It is a side view which shows the modification of a cartridge main body. It is a side view which shows the modification of a cartridge main body. It is sectional drawing which shows the cap which covers an ink introduction member. (a), (b) is sectional drawing which shows the modification of an ink supply part.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout all the drawings, and redundant description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, as the “liquid ejecting apparatus”, an ink jet recording apparatus that forms an image by ejecting ink onto a sheet as a recording medium will be exemplified. Accordingly, ink is exemplified as “liquid” in the present invention, and “liquid storage cartridge” is exemplified as a cartridge containing ink.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the internal configuration of the inkjet recording apparatus 1. In the housing 10, there are provided two guide rails 11 parallel to each other, an ink discharge head 7, two paper transport rollers 12 parallel to each other, and a cartridge storage portion 6 for storing four cartridges 3 storing ink. It has been. The cartridge housing 6 has an opening 63 on the side surface of the housing 10. The cartridge 3 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6 through the opening 63 or taken out from the cartridge housing portion 6.

The paper P is transported in the direction of arrow B by the both paper transport rollers 12, where arrow B is the sub-scanning direction, and the direction perpendicular to arrow B and along the horizontal plane is the main scanning direction. The two guide rails 11 extend in the main scanning direction, and the ink discharge head 7 is provided so as to reciprocate along the both guide rails 11. That is, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is a serial type printer. Pulleys 13 are disposed at both ends of one guide rail 11, and an endless drive belt 14 is suspended between the pulleys 13. A part of the drive belt 14 is attached to one end of the ink discharge head 7, and when both pulleys 13 are rotated by a motor (not shown), the ink discharge head 7 is pulled by the drive belt 14 to perform main scanning. Move back and forth in the direction.
From the ink ejection head 7, black, yellow, cyan, and magenta inks are ejected onto the paper P, and color printing is performed on the paper P.

Each of the four cartridges 3 contains yellow (Y), cyan (CY), magenta (M), and black (BK) inks, and all four cartridges 3 are correctly inserted into the cartridge housing 6. Thus, accurate color printing on the paper P becomes possible. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, for example, a cartridge 3 containing yellow ink is referred to as a yellow cartridge 3.
The cartridge housing portion 6 is connected to the ink ejection head 7 by four tubes 70 corresponding to the respective cartridges 3. The ink in each cartridge 3 is supplied to the ink ejection head 7 via the corresponding tube 70. The four cartridges 3 have the same internal structure, but as will be described later, at least one cartridge 3 is different in width from the other cartridges 3.

First posture FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the cartridge 3. The cartridge 3 includes a cartridge main body 30 that is a rectangular parallelepiped housing. The cartridge main body 30 includes a storage chamber 33 that stores ink, and a step-shaped first surface 31 that extends in the first direction and extends vertically. I have.
When the cartridge 3 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6 and ink is supplied from the cartridge 3, the cartridge body 30 is oriented vertically and the first surface 31 faces the cartridge housing portion 6. This posture is defined as a first posture. The cartridge 3 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6 in the first posture.
The first surface forms a front surface forming one end in the first direction of the cartridge 3 in the present embodiment. The first surface 31 includes an air communication port 34, a remaining amount detection unit 35, and an ink supply unit 4 in order from the top. An atmosphere communication valve 36 is provided at a collar portion of the atmosphere communication port 34, and the inside of the accommodation chamber 33 is not opened to the atmosphere with the atmosphere communication valve 36 closed.
The remaining amount detection unit 35 is provided to detect the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge 3 by an optical detection sensor 62 described later. The remaining amount detection unit 35 may be provided with a member that changes a reflection state or a transmission state of light emitted from the detection sensor according to the remaining amount of ink. Further, instead of the remaining amount detector 35, a small circuit board may be provided on any of the front surface, the upper surface, and the side surface of the cartridge 3.
In other words, the member (accessed portion) to be accessed on the cartridge 3 side is not directly in contact with the member (accessed portion) provided in the cartridge housing portion and accessing the cartridge 3 like the remaining amount detecting portion 35 The light may be accessed, or the light may be in direct contact with the access unit (such as a small circuit board).
The ink supply unit 4 is a cylindrical member and protrudes from the first surface 31. In the present embodiment, the direction in which the ink supply unit 4 protrudes from the first surface 31 coincides with the first direction in which the first surface faces. An elastic cover body 42 is provided at the tip of the ink supply unit 4 in the first direction to prevent dust and the like from entering the inside of the ink supply unit 4. A slit 43 extending in the radial direction is formed.

A second surface 32 is formed on the cartridge body 30 on the side opposite to the first surface 31 in the first direction. In the present embodiment, the second surface 32 forms a rear surface opposite to the first surface 31 that forms the front surface of the cartridge body 30 with the ink storage chamber 33 interposed therebetween. The second surface 32 faces the second direction opposite to the first direction. A notch 37 is formed at the upper end of the second surface 32, which serves as a mark that the second surface 32 is the surface opposite to the ink supply unit 4. An escape hole 38 is formed at the same height as the air communication port 34 in the notch 37. On the second surface 32, a leakage preventing member 5 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the ink supply unit 4 is provided to protrude from the second surface 32 at the same height as the ink supply unit 4. The leakage preventing member 5 is not in communication with the storage chamber 33, and ink in the storage chamber 33 does not flow out from the leakage prevention member 5.
When ink is supplied from the cartridge 3 to the inkjet recording apparatus 1, all four cartridges 3 are aligned in the first posture, and the ink supply unit 4 is inserted into the cartridge storage unit 6. In the present embodiment, the first direction, the second direction, and the direction in which the cartridge 3 is inserted into the cartridge accommodating portion 3 are the same.

When the second posture inkjet recording apparatus 1 is moved for reasons such as moving, that is, when the attitude of the inkjet recording device 1 is tilted, the first main body 30 is kept in the vertical orientation and the first orientation is changed. The second surface 32 faces the cartridge housing portion 6 in the opposite direction to the posture. This posture is the second posture. All four cartridges 3 are aligned in the second posture, and the leakage preventing member 5 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6. Then, the leakage prevention member 5 prevents ink leakage from the inkjet recording apparatus 1.
That is, the cartridge main body 30 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6 with the posture selected from either the first posture or the second posture. Since the leakage prevention member 5 is provided at the same height as the ink supply unit 4, the height of the top surface of the cartridge body 30 does not change when the cartridge body 30 is in the first position or the second position. .

Concave portions 9 and convex portions 90 are provided on the side surfaces of the cartridge body 30 at different height positions. The concave portion 9 is a concave stripe extending along the first direction, and the convex portion 90 is a convex stripe extending along the first direction. As will be described later, the concave portions 9 and the convex portions 90 are fitted in the concave portions 9 of the adjacent cartridges 3 in a state where all the cartridges 3 are aligned in the first posture or the second posture. Match. In this state, all the cartridges 3 are correctly inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6.
When some cartridges 3 are in the first posture and other cartridges 3 are in the second posture, at least some of the convex portions 90 do not fit into the concave portions 9 of the adjacent cartridges 3, have a finger in the pie. In this state, not all the cartridges 3 are correctly inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6.

  In the cartridge main body 30 shown in FIG. 2, a recess 91 extending in the first direction is provided on the opposite side of the remaining amount detection unit 35 in the first direction. More specifically, the concave strip 91 forms a space formed in a U-shaped cross section in the cartridge main body 30. When the cartridge main body 30 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6 in the first posture, the remaining amount detecting portion 35 contacts a detection sensor 62 described later. It is formed in order to avoid interference with the detection sensor 62 when inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6. The recess 91 is formed corresponding to the storage chamber 33, and the inner surface of the recess 91 is formed in a transparent or translucent region 92. Thus, the remaining amount of ink in the storage chamber 33 can be confirmed through the transparent or translucent region 92 in a state where the cartridge 3 is inserted into the cartridge storage 6 in the first posture.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the cartridge housing portion 6 of the ink jet recording apparatus 1. The cartridge housing portion 6 includes a frame body 60 and has an opening 63 on the side surface of the housing 10 as described above. The cartridge housing portion 6 is provided with an atmosphere communication member 61, a detection sensor 62, and an ink introduction member 2 in this order from the top to the bottom at the flange portion of the opening 63. The atmosphere communication member 61, the detection sensor 62, and the ink introduction The member 2 is provided corresponding to the four cartridges 3. The air communication member 61 is for allowing air to flow into the storage chamber 33 of the cartridge body 30. The detection sensor 62 includes two blocks 62 a provided so as to sandwich the remaining amount detection unit 35, and is electrically connected to a control unit (not shown) in the inkjet recording apparatus 1. The ink introduction member 2 is fitted and connected to the ink supply unit 4 or the leakage prevention member 5.
An insertion guide portion 8 is provided on the lower surface of the frame body 60 so as to contact the lower end portion of the side surface of the cartridge body 30 and guide the insertion of the cartridge body 30 into the cartridge housing portion 6. The insertion guide portion 8 includes two parallel protrusions 80, and the width between the protrusions 80 corresponds to the width of the cartridge body 30.
Hereinafter, a state in which the cartridge main body 30 is inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6 in the first posture will be described.

(In the first posture, the cartridge body is inserted into the cartridge housing portion)
In this state, the atmospheric communication member 61 is fitted into the atmospheric communication port 34 and the atmospheric communication valve 36 is opened. Then, the atmospheric pressure in the storage chamber 33 becomes the external atmospheric pressure. Thereby, the ink in the storage chamber 33 can go out of the cartridge body 30. The air communication member 61 may not be configured to access the cartridge housing portion 6 as described above and allow the outside air to communicate with the inside of the housing chamber 33. That is, the air communication hole may be sealed with a peelable seal. In this case, the air can be communicated between the ink storage chamber and the outside air by the user removing the seal before inserting the cartridge 3 into the cartridge storage portion.
The detection sensor 62 sandwiches the remaining amount detection unit 35 between the two blocks 62a, and the control unit detects the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge 3 from the remaining amount detection unit 35 via the detection sensor 62.
An ink supply unit 4 is fitted to the ink introduction member 2. As a result, the ink can flow into the ink introduction member 2 from the storage chamber 33 at the external pressure via the ink supply unit 4.

(Structure of ink introduction member and ink supply unit)
Detailed structures of the ink introduction member 2 and the ink supply unit 4 are shown below.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are cross-sectional views showing the ink introduction member 2 and the ink supply unit 4. As shown in FIG. 4A, the ink introduction member 2 includes a needle body 20 having a through-hole 23 formed therein, and a needle protector 21 surrounding the needle body 20, and penetrates the tip of the needle body 20. An ink introduction port 22 that is continuous with the hole 23 is formed. Further, a notch 20 a that forms an opening that communicates with the through hole 23 in the needle body 20 is formed on the periphery of the distal end portion of the needle body 20. As will be described later, in a state where the cartridge body is in contact with the needle body 20 and the valve is opened, the ink in the ink containing chamber is introduced into the through hole 23 through the opening formed by the notch 20 a and the ink introduction port 22. . The ink introduction port 22 is located behind the tip of the needle protector 21.
If the tip of the needle body 20 protrudes from the tip of the needle protector 21, the ink attached to the tip of the needle body 20 when the ink supply part 4 of the cartridge 3 is inserted into the ink introduction port 22. May adhere to the ink supply unit 4. Therefore, the distal end portion of the needle protector 21 is protruded from the distal end portion of the needle body 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the ink supply unit 4 includes a first cylinder 40 having an open front end and connected to the storage chamber 33, and a second cylinder positioned so as to surround the first cylinder 40. 41, and the distal end portion of the first cylindrical body 40 is located on the far side in the second direction with respect to the distal end portion of the second cylindrical body 41. An opening 40a is formed at the distal end of the first cylinder 40 having an outer diameter smaller than that of the needle protector 21, and the first cylinder 40 is urged toward the opening 40a by a spring 47. A valve 44 is provided. The opening 40 a has a size that can be blocked by the outer diameter of the needle body 20. In a state where the cartridge body 30 is not inserted into the ink introduction member 2, the opening 40 a is closed by the valve 44 by the spring 47. The insertion of the needle body 20 accompanying the insertion of the cartridge body 30 into the ink introduction member 2 pushes the valve 44 against the spring 47 and opens the opening 40a. As a result, the flow path connecting the storage chamber 33 and the ink inlet 22 is opened.

From the state shown in FIG. 4A, the cartridge body 30 in the first posture is inserted into the ink introduction member 2. The tip of the needle protector 21 is in contact with the cover body 42. The cover body 42 is pushed by the needle protector 21 to open the slit 43 and allow the tip of the needle body 20 to pass toward the valve 44.
As shown in FIG. 4B, when the tip of the needle body 20 pushes the valve 44 against the spring 47 to open the opening 40a, a flow path that connects the storage chamber 33 and the ink introduction port 22 is opened. . The opening 40 a is closed by the peripheral edge of the needle body 20. Since the atmospheric communication member 61 and the atmospheric communication port 34 are fitted to each other, the air pressure in the storage chamber 33 is an external pressure, so that the inner side of the needle body 20 passes from the storage chamber 33 through the ink introduction port 22 and the notch 20a. The ink flows toward the portion, and the ink flows to the ink discharge head 7 through the tube 70 (see FIG. 1).
That is, when the cartridge main body 30 is not inserted into the ink introduction member 2, the ink supply unit 4 is protected by the cover body 42, and ink is supplied to the ink when the cartridge main body 30 is inserted into the ink introduction member 2. It is allowed to flow from the portion 4 to the ink inlet 22.

(In the second position, the cartridge body is inserted into the cartridge housing)
As described above, when the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is not used for a long time, the cartridge main body 30 is placed in the second posture and inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6.
Then, the atmosphere communication member 61 is fitted into the escape hole 38. Further, the detection sensor 62 is fitted in the concave strip 91. Thus, the cartridge main body 30 can be inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6 in the second posture. A leakage preventing member 5 is fitted to the ink introducing member 2, whereby the tip of the needle body 20 of the ink introducing member 2 is shielded from the outside air to be protected from dust and the like. The detailed structure of the leakage preventing member 5 will be described.

5A and 5B are cross-sectional views showing the ink introduction member 2 and the leakage prevention member 5. FIG.
The leakage prevention member 5 has a cylindrical guide portion 50 having an inner diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the needle protector 21 so as to guide the fitting between the leakage prevention member 5 and the ink introduction member 2; It has a cylindrical cover portion 51 that is located at the back of the guide portion 50 and is fitted to the distal end portion of the needle body 20 and covers the outer periphery of the distal end portion and the needle body 20. The cover portion 51 is supported by the guide portion 50 by being fitted into a recess formed in the back portion of the cylindrical guide portion 50 in the direction opposite to the second direction. The cover part 51 is formed of an elastic body such as rubber, and has a cylindrical shape in which a tip in the second direction is open and a back part in the direction opposite to the second direction is closed. In addition, the cover portion 51 is formed with a storage portion 57 that is a space in which the needle body 20 can be stored between the opening and the back portion. The diameter of the accommodating portion 57 is slightly smaller than the diameter of the needle body 20. In the leakage preventing member 5, an absorber 52 that absorbs ink adhering to the ink introduction port 22 is provided on the second direction side of the cover portion 51. The absorbent body 52 is made of, for example, sponge, and has a through hole 52a at the center. The diameter of the through hole 52a is smaller than that of the tip of the needle body 20. The absorber 5 is affixed to the surface of the circular rib 56 that protrudes from the inner surface of the guide portion 50 and faces the second direction.
The guide portion 50 is formed with an upward tapered surface 53 that is inclined downward toward the back of the leakage preventing member 5 at a position below the cover portion 51. A groove 54 for guiding the ink to the back side of the leakage preventing member 5 is formed. In addition, since the rib 56 with the absorber 5 attached is erected over the inner surface on the second direction side from the taper surface 53, it adheres to the inner peripheral surface of the guide portion 50 when the cartridge 3 is tilted. Even if the ink moves to the second direction side from the taper surface 53, the rib 56 can prevent the ink from further moving to the second direction side.

When the leakage prevention member 5 is inserted into the ink introduction member 2 from the state shown in FIG. 5A, the insertion into the needle protector 21 is guided by the outer peripheral surface of the guide portion 50. As the leakage preventing member 5 enters the needle protector 21, the needle body 20 passes through the through hole 52 a of the absorber 52, and the outer peripheral surface of the needle body 20 is rubbed against the absorber 52. The absorber 52 rubs the outer peripheral surface of the needle body 20, so that liquid such as ink attached to the outer peripheral surface of the needle body 20 is absorbed by the absorber 52. When the leakage preventing member 5 further enters the needle protector 21, the tip of the cover 51 in the second direction (insertion direction) comes into contact with the tip of the needle 20, and the needle 52 is in the cover 51. The leakage preventing member 5 enters in the second direction while being press-fitted into the receiving portion 57. More specifically, the needle body 52 enters the cover portion 51 until it reaches the back of the cover portion 51 while expanding the diameter of the cover portion 51. In the state of reaching the back, the cover 51 closes the tip of the needle body 20.
As shown in FIG. 5B, the ink inlet 22 is sealed by a cover 51. Further, since the needle portion 52 is press-fitted into the cover portion 51, even if the tip end portion of the needle body 52 does not reach the back portion (the ink introduction port 22 is not completely sealed). Since the outer peripheral surface of the needle body 52 and the inner peripheral surface of the cover portion 51 are in close contact with each other, the outflow path to the outside of the ink from the ink introduction port 22 is sealed. This protects the needle body 20 and prevents the ink from leaking from the cover 51 even when the ink is attached to the ink inlet 22.
In order to remove the leakage preventing member 5 from the ink introducing member 2, the leakage preventing member 5 is moved in the second direction. Then, even when ink is attached to the ink introduction port 22, since the peripheral surface of the needle body 20 contacts the inner surface of the through hole 52 a, the ink is absorbed by the absorber 52. Thereby, when the ink supply unit 4 is next fitted into the ink introduction port 22, it is possible to prevent the ink supply unit 4 from being soiled by the ink adhering to the ink introduction port 22.

Further, even if ink is accidentally dropped from the ink introduction port 22 with the leakage preventing member 5 fitted to the ink introduction port 22, the ink is received by the tapered surface 53 of the guide portion 50, Guided to the back of the guide unit 50. Accordingly, the ink that has dropped from the ink inlet 22 onto the tapered surface 53 does not spill outside the leakage preventing member 5.
Furthermore, a groove 54 is formed in the tapered surface 53. If the width of the groove 54 is narrowed, the ink that has fallen on the tapered surface 53 due to capillary action is guided further to the back side. Accordingly, it is possible to enhance the effect of preventing the ink that has fallen from the ink introduction port 22 to the tapered surface 53 from spilling outside the leakage preventing member 5.
In order to insert the cartridge main body 30 into the cartridge housing portion 6 in the first posture, it is assumed that the leakage preventing member 5 is pushed with a user's finger. Since the ink does not spill outside the leakage preventing member 5, the user's finger is not stained with the ink.

(Incorrect cartridge insertion prevention structure)
When each cartridge 3 is inserted into the cartridge accommodating portion 6, it is necessary to insert the four cartridges 3 in the same posture. This is because color printing cannot be performed unless ink of all four colors is supplied to the inkjet recording apparatus 1. Further, it is necessary to correctly insert the ink cartridges 3 into the corresponding ink introduction members 2. In view of this point, the inventor has a structure that prevents a part of the cartridges 3 from being inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6 in different postures, and an ink in which each ink color cartridge 3 corresponds to a different color ink. The structure that prevents the insertion member 2 from being erroneously inserted was conceived. The details are shown below.

(Structure to prevent incorrect insertion of cartridge posture)
FIG. 6A is a front view showing a state in which the four cartridge main bodies 30 are aligned in the first posture and inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6 as viewed from the first direction. FIG. 6B is a front view showing a state in which the four cartridge main bodies 30 are aligned in the second posture and inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6 as viewed from the first direction. For convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the cartridges 3 of yellow (Y), cyan (CY), magenta (M), and black (BK) are arranged from left to right, and FIGS. Assume that four cartridges 3 are arranged in this order. On the side surface of the outermost yellow (Y) and black (BK) cartridge main body 30, the convex portion 90 is not provided, and only the concave portion 9 is formed. Thereby, it is suppressed that the width | variety of the frame 60 shown in FIG. 3 becomes large.
The protruding amount of the convex portion 90 is formed larger than the width of the protrusion 80 of the insertion guide portion 8. Thereby, if the convex part 90 does not fit into the concave part 9 correctly, the cartridge main body 30 interferes with the adjacent cartridge main body 30.
In the state shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, all the convex portions 90 are fitted into the concave portions 9 of the adjacent cartridge 3. In this state, all the cartridges 3 are correctly inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a state in which some cartridges 3 are in the first posture and other cartridges 3 are in the second posture. Specifically, the yellow (Y), cyan (CY), and magenta (M) cartridges 3 are in the first posture, and the black (BK) cartridge 3 is in the second posture. In this state, the convex portion 90 of the magenta (M) cartridge 3 does not fit into the concave portion 9 and interferes with the side surface of the black (BK) cartridge 3. That is, the leakage preventing member 5 of the black (BK) cartridge 3 is not correctly inserted into the ink introducing member 2. As a result, it can be seen that the black (BK) cartridge 3 is erroneously inserted. Of course, even if a cartridge 3 other than black (BK) is erroneously inserted, it interferes with the adjacent cartridge 3, so that it is understood that the cartridge 3 has been erroneously inserted.
From the above configuration, the four cartridge main bodies 30 can be surely inserted into the cartridge housing portion 6 in the first posture or the second posture. Further, since the concave portion 9 is a concave strip and the convex portion 90 is a convex strip, when at least one cartridge main body 30 is already inserted in the cartridge housing portion 6 in the first posture or the second posture, Even if the cartridge main body 30 to be adjacent is to be inserted in a different posture from the already inserted cartridge main body 30, the tip of the convex portion 90 interferes with the side surface of the already inserted cartridge main body 30 and the cartridge main body 30. Can not be inserted. Therefore, even when the four cartridge main bodies 30 are aligned and inserted into the cartridge accommodating portion 6, or when the individual cartridge main bodies 30 are separately inserted into the cartridge accommodating portions 6, the postures of all the cartridge main bodies 30 can be aligned. it can.

(Incorrect insertion prevention structure for different color ink cartridges)
Further, it is conceivable that the cartridge 3 is erroneously inserted with the wrong ink color. As a countermeasure against this, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in all the cartridges 3, either one of the concave portion 9 and the convex portion 90 is provided so that the height positions thereof are different from each other. For example, in the cyan (CY) cartridge 3 and the magenta (M) cartridge 3, the height position of the concave portion 9 on the right side and the height position of the convex portion 90 on the left side are different from each other. Further, in the yellow (Y) cartridge 3 and the black (BK) cartridge 3 to be located at both ends, the height positions of the concave portions 9 on the right side are different.
Therefore, even if the wrong color ink cartridge 3 is inserted into the insertion guide portion 8, the concave portion 9 or the convex portion 90 of the cartridge 3 does not fit into the convex portion 90 or the concave portion 9 of the adjacent cartridge 3.

Further, as a further contrivance, the inventor makes the width of at least one cartridge 3 different from the width of other cartridges 3 and the width between the protrusions 80 (see FIG. 3) of the corresponding insertion guide portion 8 corresponding to this. Inspired to form. Specifically, the black (BK) cartridge 3 located at the end is made wider than the other cartridges 3, and the width between the protrusions 80 of the corresponding insertion guide portion 8 is formed wider. Since it is impossible to insert the black (BK) cartridge 3 into the insertion guide portion 8 corresponding to the other cartridge 3, it is understood that the cartridge 3 is erroneously inserted due to a wrong ink color.
If the black (BK) cartridge 3 is correctly inserted into the insertion guide portion 8, it can be seen that the cartridge 3 located at the other end is the yellow (Y) cartridge 3. Even if another cyan (CY) cartridge 3 and magenta (M) cartridge 3 are erroneously inserted into the insertion guide portion 8, in the first posture, the convex portion 90 of the magenta (M) cartridge 3 and the yellow ( Y) the cartridge 3 interferes, and in the second posture, the projection 90 of the cyan (CY) cartridge 3 interferes with the black (BK) cartridge 3. Therefore, it can be seen that a cartridge 3 of a different color is erroneously inserted. As a result, all the ink color cartridges 3 are correctly inserted into the corresponding insertion guide portions 8.
In the above, the width between the protrusions 80 of the insertion guide portion 8 corresponding to the black (BK) cartridge 3 is formed wide. Instead, the width between the protrusions 80 of all the insertion guide portions 8 is different from each other. May be.

As a further contrivance, as shown in FIG. 8, the ink supply unit 4 of the cartridge body 30 is provided with a protruding piece 46 facing the first direction in the first posture, and the protruding piece 46 is provided on the corresponding ink introduction member 2. You may form the groove part 24 fitted. The protrusions 46 have different sizes, specifically widths, for each ink color of the cartridge 3. Therefore, even if an attempt is made to insert a cartridge 3 containing ink of a different color into the ink introduction member 2, the projecting piece 46 cannot be fitted into the groove 24, so an attempt to insert a cartridge 3 containing ink of an incorrect color is made. I understand.
The protruding piece 46 may have a different shape or position instead of a size for each cartridge 3. That is, it is sufficient that at least one of the size, shape, and position of the protruding piece 46 is different for each cartridge 3. Further, the groove portion 24 may be provided in the ink supply unit 4, and the protruding piece 46 may be provided in the ink introduction member 2.

(Modification of the embodiment)
As shown in FIG. 9, a rotation center shaft 55 is provided at one end portion of the leakage preventing member 5, and the leakage preventing member 5 is rotatably provided in a plane extending along the first direction. At the same time, an accommodation recess 15 in which the leakage prevention member 5 can be accommodated may be formed on the rotation transition path of the leakage prevention member 5 of the cartridge body 30.
As shown by a solid line in FIG. 9, the leakage prevention member 5 has a first position protruding from the storage recess 15 and a second position stored in the storage recess 15 as indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 9. Rotate between. When the ink supply unit 4 is connected to the ink introduction member 2 or when the cartridge 3 is not used, the leakage prevention member 5 may be rotated to the second position. Thereby, the leak preventing member 5 does not get in the way.
In the above embodiment, the leakage preventing member 5 protrudes from the second surface 32 in the second direction. However, the leakage preventing member 5 does not have to protrude from the second surface 32. That is, the leakage preventing member 5 may be provided so as to be recessed with respect to the second surface 32 on the side opposite to the second direction.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the cartridge main body 30 may be configured such that the tip of the ink supply unit 4 faces upward in a state where the leakage prevention member 5 is fitted to the ink introduction member 2.
In the state where the leakage preventing member 5 is inserted into the ink introduction member 2, the ink supply unit 4 has the tip portion facing upward, so that there is no possibility of ink leaking from the ink supply unit 4. In addition, when the ink supply unit 4 is provided at a position where the frame 60 covers the ink supply unit 4 in a state where the leakage prevention member 5 is inserted into the ink introduction member 2, the leakage prevention member 5 becomes the ink introduction member 2. It is possible to prevent dust or the like from entering from above the ink supply unit 4 in a state of being inserted into the ink supply unit 4.
Further, when the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is not used for a long time, a cap 75 may be detachably placed on the ink supply unit 4 of the cartridge 3 as shown in FIG. An absorbing material 76 is provided in the cap 75 so that ink adhering to the ink supply unit 4 can be wiped off. The cap 75 may be put on the leakage preventing member 5.

  Further, as a modification of the ink supply unit 4, a configuration shown in FIGS. 12 (a) and 12 (b) is also conceivable. As shown in FIG. 12A, a valve 44 for preventing leakage of ink from the storage chamber 33 is provided in the first cylinder 40, and a notch 45 is provided in the central portion of the valve 44. ing. The valve 44 is not spring-biased as in the above-described embodiment, and is fixed in the first cylinder 40. The notch 45 is opened by the insertion of the needle body 20 accompanying the insertion of the cartridge body 30 into the ink introduction member 2. As a result, the flow path connecting the storage chamber 33 and the ink inlet 22 is opened.

From the state shown in FIG. 12A, the cartridge body 30 in the first posture is inserted into the ink introduction member 2. As described above, the cover body 42 is pushed by the needle protector 21 to open the slit 43 and allows the tip of the needle body 20 to pass toward the valve 44.
As shown in FIG. 12 (b), when the tip of the needle body 20 pushes the notch 45 of the valve 44 to open the notch 45, a flow path that connects the storage chamber 33 and the ink introduction port 22 is opened. Since the atmospheric communication member 61 and the atmospheric communication port 34 are fitted to each other, the air pressure in the storage chamber 33 becomes the external pressure, so that the ink flows from the storage chamber 33 toward the back of the needle body 20.

(Effect of this embodiment)
The cartridge 3 and the structure for preventing erroneous insertion of the cartridge 3 according to the present embodiment have the following effects.
1. By providing the leakage preventing member 5 in the cartridge main body 30, it is possible to prevent ink leakage from the ink introduction port 22 in the cartridge main body 30. Since the leakage preventing member 5 is provided at a position different from the first surface 31 on which the ink supply unit 4 is provided, it is not necessary to enlarge the first surface 31. This prevents the cartridge body 30 from becoming large. Further, there is no possibility that the leakage preventing member 5 is lost alone.
2. When supplying ink from the cartridge body 30 to the inkjet recording apparatus 1, the ink supply unit 4 is connected to the ink inlet 22 with the first surface 31 of the cartridge body 30 facing the first direction. When connecting the leakage prevention member 5 to the ink introduction port 22, the cartridge main body 30 is reversed along the first direction, and the leakage prevention member 5 is directed to the ink introduction port with the second surface 32 facing the first direction. 22 is connected. That is, the ink supply to the ink introduction port 22 and the connection of the leakage preventing member 5 to the ink introduction port 22 can be switched simply by selecting and inserting the direction of the cartridge body 30.
3. When the leakage preventing member 5 is inserted into the ink introduction port 22, the cover 51 is fitted to the tip of the ink introduction port 22 while being guided by the guide unit 50. Accordingly, the leakage preventing member 5 smoothly fits into the ink introduction port 22 to protect the ink introduction port 22.
Further, when the cartridge main body 30 fitted to the ink introduction port 22 is moved in the direction opposite to the first direction to remove the leakage prevention member 5 from the ink introduction port 22, the absorber 52 is positioned at the tip of the ink introduction port 22. Wipe off ink adhering to the area. Accordingly, when the ink supply unit 4 of the cartridge main body 30 is fitted into the ink introduction port 22, it is possible to prevent the ink supply unit 4 from being soiled by the ink attached to the ink introduction port 22.
4). Even when ink is accidentally dropped from the ink introduction port 22 with the cartridge main body 30 fitted to the ink introduction port 22, the ink is received by the tapered surface 53 of the guide unit 50, and Guided to the back. Therefore, the ink that has dropped from the ink inlet 22 onto the tapered surface 53 does not spill outside the cartridge body 30.
Further, if the width of the groove 54 formed on the tapered surface 53 is narrowed, the ink that has fallen on the tapered surface 53 due to the capillary phenomenon is guided further back. Accordingly, it is possible to enhance the effect of preventing the ink that has fallen from the ink introduction port 22 to the tapered surface from spilling outside the cartridge body 30.
5. In a state where the ink supply unit 4 is not inserted into the ink introduction port 22, the cover body 42 covers the opening at the tip of the second cylinder 41. This prevents dust and the like from entering the second cylinder 41.
When the ink supply unit 4 is inserted into the ink introduction port 22, the peripheral portion of the ink introduction port 22 passes through the cover body 42 of the second cylinder 41 and is then inserted into the valve 44 in the first cylinder 40. A flow path that communicates between the storage chamber 33 and the ink introduction port 22 is opened, and ink flows into the ink introduction port 22.
That is, when the cartridge main body 30 is not inserted into the ink jet recording apparatus 1, the ink supply unit 4 is protected by the cover 42, and when the cartridge main body 30 is inserted into the ink jet recording apparatus 1, ink is supplied to the ink supply unit. 4 is allowed to flow to the ink inlet 22.
6. When the four cartridge main bodies 30 are inserted into the ink inlet 22, all the cartridge main bodies 30 are inserted in a state where the directions of the ink supply unit 4 or the leakage preventing member 5 are not aligned. Can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the ink jet recording apparatus 1 is a serial type printer, but may be a line type printer.

  The present invention relates to a cartridge that is detachably attached to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid onto a recording medium and records an image, and supplies the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus, and the liquid ejecting apparatus and the liquid containing cartridge are erroneously inserted. Useful for prevention structures.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inkjet recording device 2 Ink introduction member 3 Cartridge 4 Ink supply part 5 Leak prevention member 6 Cartridge accommodating part 8 Insertion guide part 9 Recess 10 Housing 22 Ink inlet 30 Cartridge main body 90 Convex part

Claims (14)

A liquid storage cartridge that can be stored in a liquid discharge device having a liquid inlet and a cartridge storage portion,
A storage chamber for storing a liquid; a first surface facing in a first direction; and a second surface facing in a second direction different from the first surface, wherein the first surface is the liquid inlet. A cartridge main body that can be selectively accommodated in the cartridge accommodating portion in a first attitude toward the liquid crystal and in a second attitude in which the second surface faces the liquid inlet;
A liquid supply section provided on the first surface and connectable so that the liquid in the storage chamber is introduced into the liquid introduction port in the first posture;
A leakage preventing member provided on the second surface and connectable to the liquid inlet so as to receive the liquid exiting from the liquid inlet in the second posture;
A liquid storage cartridge comprising: 2. The liquid storage cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the second surface is a surface facing the opposite side of the first direction from the first surface on the cartridge body. The leakage prevention member extends in the second direction and guides the fitting between the leakage prevention member and the liquid inlet, and is second than the distal end of the guide portion in the second direction. The liquid storage cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a cover portion that covers the liquid introduction port and is located in a back portion on the opposite side to the direction of the liquid crystal. 4. The liquid storage cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the leakage prevention member has an absorber that absorbs liquid leaked from the liquid introduction port, on the second direction side of the cover. The guide portion is formed with an upward tapered surface that is inclined downward toward the back side of the leakage preventing member at a position below the cover portion in the second posture. Item 5. The liquid storage cartridge according to Item 3 or 4. The liquid storage cartridge according to claim 5, wherein a groove for guiding the liquid toward the back of the leakage preventing member is formed on the tapered surface. 2. The liquid storage cartridge according to claim 1, wherein in the second posture in which the leakage preventing member is fitted to the liquid introduction port, the liquid supply unit has a tip portion facing upward. The liquid supply unit includes a first cylinder having an open front end and a second cylinder positioned so as to surround the first cylinder, and the front end of the first cylinder is the second cylinder. Located behind the tip of the body,
The first cylinder is provided with a valve that prevents leakage of the liquid and opens a flow path that connects the storage chamber and the liquid inlet by inserting a peripheral portion of the liquid inlet.
The distal end portion of the second cylindrical body covers the opening of the distal end portion when the liquid supply portion and the liquid introduction port are not fitted, and the peripheral portion of the liquid introduction port is in the first posture. The liquid storage cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising a cover body that allows passage toward the valve. 9. The liquid according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge main body is provided with a transparent or translucent region at a location different from the first surface and corresponding to the storage chamber. Containment cartridge. The leakage prevention member is rotatably provided in a plane extending along the first direction,
On the rotation transition path of the leakage prevention member of the cartridge body, a storage recess capable of storing the leakage prevention member is formed,
The liquid storage according to claim 1, wherein the leakage prevention member rotates between a first position protruding from the storage recess and a second position stored in the storage recess. cartridge. A liquid ejection apparatus comprising: the liquid introduction port that fits into the liquid supply unit of the liquid storage cartridge according to claim 1; and a cartridge storage unit into which the liquid storage cartridge is inserted.
The liquid introduction port includes a needle body having a through-hole formed therein, and a needle protector surrounding the needle body, the liquid introduction port is formed at a distal end portion of the needle body, and the distal end portion of the needle protector Is a liquid ejection device protruding from the tip of the needle body. When a plurality of the liquid storage cartridges according to any one of claims 1 to 10 are inserted into the corresponding cartridge storage portions of the liquid ejection device, some of the plurality of liquid storage cartridges are included. An error for preventing the liquid storage cartridge from fitting the liquid supply portion with the liquid introduction port and causing the remaining liquid storage cartridge to be in a state of fitting the leakage prevention member with the liquid introduction port. An insertion prevention structure,
At least some of the plurality of liquid storage cartridges have a convex portion formed on a side surface facing the arrangement direction of the plurality of liquid storage cartridges,
At least some of the liquid storage cartridges of the plurality of liquid storage cartridges have a recess formed on a side surface facing the arrangement direction of the liquid storage cartridges.
When all the liquid storage cartridges are inserted into the cartridge storage portion in the first posture or the second posture, all the convex portions are fitted with any of the concave portions,
When some of the liquid storage cartridges are inserted into the cartridge storage portion in the first posture and the remaining liquid storage cartridges are inserted into the cartridge storage portion in the second posture. A misinsertion prevention structure in which at least a part of the convex portion interferes with a side surface of an adjacent liquid storage cartridge. Some of the plurality of liquid storage cartridges are different in width in the alignment direction from the other liquid storage cartridge main bodies,
13. Each of the cartridge storage portions is provided with an insertion guide portion that guides insertion of the corresponding liquid storage cartridge in contact with a side surface facing the arrangement direction of the corresponding liquid storage cartridge. Incorrect insertion prevention structure. The liquid supply portion of each of the liquid storage cartridges is provided with a projecting piece or / and a groove portion that is different from at least one of the size, shape, and position of the other liquid storage cartridges,
The erroneous insertion according to claim 12 or 13, wherein each of the liquid introduction ports is provided with a protruding piece or / and a groove having a width that fits with the protruding piece or / and the groove of the corresponding liquid supply unit. Prevention structure.

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