JP2017148981A - Liquid supply unit and liquid injection device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem in which it is difficult to reduce a liquid injection device in size while maintaining practicability in a conventional liquid injection device.SOLUTION: A liquid supply unit comprises: a first wall portion having a liquid supply section capable of supplying liquid to a liquid introduction section of a carriage of a liquid injection device ; a second wall portion facing the first wall portion; a third wall portion intersecting with the first wall portion and the second wall portion; a fourth wall portion facing the third wall portion; a fifth wall portion intersecting with the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the third wall portion and the fourth wall portion; a sixth wall portion facing the fifth wall portion; a seventh wall portion positioned between the first wall portion and the fourth wall portion; and a contact section being disposed on the seventh wall portion and being capable of being brought into contact with an electrode section of the carriage. A distance between the third wall portion and the fourth wall portion is greater than a distance between the fifth wall portion and the sixth wall portion. A direction from the third wall portion toward the fourth wall portion is configured so as to be in a movement direction of the carriage. A marker indicating an attitude with respect to the carriage is provided on a surface facing an outside of the second wall portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply unit, a liquid ejecting apparatus, and the like.

  Conventionally, an inkjet printer is known as an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus. In an inkjet printer, printing on a print medium can be performed by ejecting ink, which is an example of a liquid, from a jet head onto a print medium such as print paper. In such an ink jet printer, a form is known in which ink contained in an ink cartridge which is an example of a liquid supply unit is supplied to an ejection head. As an ink jet printer having such a configuration, one in which an ink cartridge is mounted on a carriage is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2014-14949 A

  In an ink jet printer having a carriage, printing is performed by ejecting ink from an ejection head toward a print medium while reciprocating the carriage over an area across the print medium. In an inkjet printer, the maximum printable area is determined as a specification. Based on this specification, the movable range of the carriage is determined. For this reason, in order to reduce the width dimension of the ink jet printer in the moving direction of the carriage while ensuring the movable range of the carriage, the width dimension of the carriage must be reduced. In order to reduce the width of the carriage, the width of the ink cartridge mounted on the carriage must also be reduced.

  In the ink jet printer described in Patent Document 1, when viewed in plan from a direction orthogonal to both the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction, the longitudinal direction of the ink cartridge is along the sub-scanning direction, and the short side direction is the main scanning. Along the direction. That is, the ink cartridge has a flat shape in the main scanning direction. In such an ink jet printer, when the width of the carriage is reduced, the ink cartridge is further flattened. In such an ink cartridge, the amount of ink that can be stored is reduced. In the ink jet printer described in Patent Document 1, even if the width of the carriage is reduced within a range where the amount of ink that can be stored in the ink cartridge does not fall below a practical amount, it does not greatly contribute to the reduction of the width of the ink jet printer. . That is, it is difficult to reduce the size of the conventional liquid ejecting apparatus while maintaining practicality.

  The present invention can solve at least the above-described problems and can be realized as the following forms or application examples.

  Application Example 1 A liquid supply unit that can be mounted on a carriage of a liquid ejecting apparatus and can supply a liquid to a liquid introduction portion of the carriage, the liquid supply portion capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid introduction portion. A first wall portion, a second wall portion facing the first wall portion, a third wall portion intersecting the first wall portion and the second wall portion, the first wall portion and the first wall portion. A second wall portion that intersects the second wall portion and faces the third wall portion; a first wall portion that intersects the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the third wall portion, and the fourth wall portion; A fifth wall, a sixth wall that intersects the first wall, the second wall, the third wall, and the fourth wall, and faces the fifth wall; A seventh wall portion that intersects the wall portion and the sixth wall portion and is located between the first wall portion and the fourth wall portion; and an electrode portion of the carriage disposed on the seventh wall portion Close to A possible contact portion, wherein a distance between the third wall portion and the fourth wall portion is greater than a distance between the fifth wall portion and the sixth wall portion, and the third wall The direction from the second wall portion to the fourth wall portion is configured to follow the moving direction of the carriage, and when viewed in plan from the second wall portion to the first wall portion, the outer side of the second wall portion. The liquid supply unit is provided with a mark indicating a posture with respect to the carriage when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage.

  In this liquid supply unit, since the distance between the third wall portion and the fourth wall portion is larger than the distance between the fifth wall portion and the sixth wall portion, the third wall portion is directed to the fourth wall portion. The direction is the longitudinal direction of the liquid supply unit. And this liquid supply unit is comprised so that a longitudinal direction may follow the moving direction of a carriage. For this reason, when the dimension in the moving direction of the carriage is reduced, the reduction direction of the liquid supply unit accompanying the reduction of the carriage is the longitudinal direction of the liquid supply unit. Shrinking the liquid supply unit in the longitudinal direction tends to improve practicality compared to reducing the liquid supply unit in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction. As a result, it is easy to miniaturize the liquid supply unit while maintaining practicality. Further, in this liquid supply unit, a sign is provided on the surface facing the outside of the second wall portion. The sign indicates the posture of the liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage. The sign makes it easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the liquid supply unit on the carriage. Examples of erroneous mounting of the liquid supply unit to the carriage include mounting the liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage in an incorrect posture such as an incorrect direction or an incorrect position. When such an erroneous mounting occurs, the contact between the contact portion of the liquid supply unit and the electrode portion of the carriage cannot be achieved. Further, it is conceivable that the contact portion of the liquid supply unit and the electrode portion of the carriage are damaged due to erroneous mounting. In this application example, it is easy to avoid erroneous attachment of the liquid supply unit to the carriage by the sign, so it is easy to avoid damage to the contact portion and the electrode portion, and good contact between the contact portion and the electrode portion is easily achieved. .

  Application Example 2 In the above liquid supply unit, the mark includes a mark indicating the posture.

  According to this liquid supply unit, it is easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the liquid supply unit on the carriage due to the posture mark.

  Application Example 3 In the liquid supply unit, the mark is marked on a label, and the label is attached to the surface facing outward of the second wall portion. Liquid supply unit.

  According to this liquid supply unit, it is easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the liquid supply unit on the carriage by the label with the mark.

  Application Example 4 In the liquid supply unit described above, the mark is marked on the surface facing the outside of the second wall portion.

  According to this liquid supply unit, it is easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the liquid supply unit on the carriage due to the marks on the second wall.

  Application Example 5 In the liquid supply unit described above, the mark is imprinted on the surface facing outward of the second wall portion.

  According to this liquid supply unit, it is easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the liquid supply unit on the carriage due to the marks stamped on the second wall portion.

  Application Example 6 In the liquid supply unit described above, the indicator includes a color display.

  According to this liquid supply unit, it is possible to make the sign conspicuous by the color display.

  Application Example 7 A carriage and a liquid supply unit that can be attached to the carriage are provided. The carriage includes a liquid introduction unit, a liquid ejecting head that communicates with the liquid introduction unit, and an electrode unit. The liquid supply unit includes a first wall portion having a liquid supply portion capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid introduction portion, a second wall portion facing the first wall portion, the first wall portion, and the first wall portion. A third wall section that intersects with the two wall sections, a fourth wall section that intersects with the first wall section and the second wall section and faces the third wall section, the first wall section, and the A fifth wall that intersects the second wall, the third wall, and the fourth wall, the first wall, the second wall, the third wall, and the fourth wall Intersecting the fifth wall portion, the sixth wall portion facing the fifth wall portion, the fifth wall portion intersecting the sixth wall portion, and between the first wall portion and the fourth wall portion. A distance between the third wall portion and the fourth wall portion, the seventh wall portion being located; and a contact portion disposed on the seventh wall portion and capable of contacting the electrode portion of the carriage. Is configured to be larger than the distance between the fifth wall portion and the sixth wall portion, and a direction from the third wall portion to the fourth wall portion may be along a moving direction of the carriage. The carriage when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage on the surface facing the outside of the second wall when the liquid supply unit is viewed in plan from the wall toward the first wall A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein a sign indicating an attitude with respect to is provided.

  In the liquid supply unit of the liquid ejecting apparatus, the distance between the third wall portion and the fourth wall portion is larger than the distance between the fifth wall portion and the sixth wall portion. The direction toward the wall is the longitudinal direction of the liquid supply unit. And this liquid supply unit is comprised so that a longitudinal direction may follow the moving direction of a carriage. For this reason, when the dimension in the moving direction of the carriage is reduced, the reduction direction of the liquid supply unit accompanying the reduction of the carriage is the longitudinal direction of the liquid supply unit. Shrinking the liquid supply unit in the longitudinal direction tends to improve practicality compared to reducing the liquid supply unit in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction. As a result, it is easy to miniaturize the liquid supply unit while maintaining practicality. Further, in this liquid supply unit, a sign is provided on the surface facing the outside of the second wall portion. The sign indicates the posture of the liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage. The sign makes it easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the liquid supply unit on the carriage. Examples of erroneous mounting of the liquid supply unit to the carriage include mounting the liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage in an incorrect posture such as an incorrect direction or an incorrect position. When such an erroneous mounting occurs, the contact between the contact portion of the liquid supply unit and the electrode portion of the carriage cannot be achieved. Further, it is conceivable that the contact portion of the liquid supply unit and the electrode portion of the carriage are damaged due to erroneous mounting. In this application example, it is easy to avoid erroneous attachment of the liquid supply unit to the carriage by the sign, so it is easy to avoid damage to the contact portion and the electrode portion, and good contact between the contact portion and the electrode portion is easily achieved. .

  Application Example 8 In the above liquid ejecting apparatus, the sign includes a mark indicating the posture.

  According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, it is easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the liquid supply unit on the carriage by the mark indicating the posture.

  Application Example 9 In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the mark is described on a label, and the label is attached to the surface facing outward of the second wall portion. Liquid ejecting device.

  According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, it is easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the liquid supply unit on the carriage due to the label with the mark.

  Application Example 10 In the above liquid ejecting apparatus, the mark is described on the surface facing outward of the second wall portion.

  According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, it is easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the liquid supply unit on the carriage due to the marks on the second wall portion.

  Application Example 11 In the above liquid ejecting apparatus, the mark is imprinted on the surface facing outward of the second wall portion.

  According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, it is easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the liquid supply unit on the carriage due to the marks stamped on the second wall portion.

  Application Example 12 In the above-described liquid ejecting apparatus, the sign includes a color display.

  According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to make the sign stand out easily by color display.

  Application Example 13 A carriage includes a carriage, a first liquid supply unit that can be attached to the carriage, and a second liquid supply unit that can be attached to the carriage. The carriage includes a first liquid introduction unit and a second liquid supply unit. Including a liquid introduction unit, a liquid ejecting head communicating with the first liquid introduction unit and the second liquid introduction unit, a first electrode unit, and a second electrode unit, and the first liquid supply unit includes: A first bottom wall portion having a first liquid supply portion capable of supplying a first liquid to the first liquid introduction portion; a first upper wall portion facing the first bottom wall portion; and the first bottom wall portion. And a first end wall portion intersecting the first upper wall portion, a first inclined wall portion located between the first bottom wall portion and the first end wall portion, and the first inclined wall portion. And a first contact part that is capable of contacting the first electrode part, and is directed from the first upper wall part to the first bottom wall part. When the first liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage, the first liquid supply unit is positioned on the outer surface of the first upper wall when the first liquid supply unit is viewed in plan. 1 mark is provided, and the second liquid supply unit is opposed to the second bottom wall portion having a second liquid supply portion capable of supplying the second liquid to the second liquid introduction portion, and the second bottom wall portion. A second upper wall portion, a second end wall portion intersecting the second bottom wall portion and the second upper wall portion, and a position between the second bottom wall portion and the second end wall portion. And a second contact portion disposed on the second inclined wall portion and capable of contacting the second electrode portion, the second upper wall portion to the second bottom wall portion. When the second liquid supply unit is viewed from above in a plan view, the second liquid supply unit is formed on the surface of the second upper wall portion facing outward. A second indicator is provided to indicate a posture with respect to the carriage when mounted on the carriage, and in the carriage, the first liquid supply unit and the second liquid supply unit are orthogonal to a direction in which the carriage moves. A liquid ejecting apparatus, wherein the liquid ejecting apparatus is arranged in a direction.

  In this liquid ejecting apparatus, the first mark is provided on the outer surface of the first upper wall portion of the first liquid supply unit, and the outer surface of the second upper wall portion of the second liquid supply unit. Is provided with a second sign. The first indicator indicates the posture of the first liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage when the first liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage. The second indicator indicates the posture of the second liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage when the second liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage. Due to the first mark and the second mark, erroneous mounting of the first liquid supply unit and the second liquid supply unit on the carriage is easily avoided. As the erroneous mounting of the first liquid supply unit and the second liquid supply unit to the carriage, the first liquid supply unit and the second liquid supply unit are mounted on the carriage in an incorrect posture such as an incorrect direction and an incorrect position. Can be mentioned. When such an erroneous mounting occurs, contact between the contact portion of the first liquid supply unit or the second liquid supply unit and the electrode portion of the carriage cannot be achieved. Further, it is conceivable that the contact portion of the first liquid supply unit and the second liquid supply unit and the electrode portion of the carriage are damaged due to erroneous mounting. In this application example, it is easy to avoid erroneous attachment of the first liquid supply unit and the second liquid supply unit to the carriage by the first mark and the second mark, so it is easy to avoid damage to the contact part and the electrode part. Good contact between the contact portion and the electrode portion is easily achieved. In this application example, since the first liquid supply unit and the second liquid supply unit are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the carriage moves, it is easy to avoid an increase in the dimension in the carriage movement direction.

  Application Example 14 The liquid ejecting apparatus may further include a third liquid supply unit that can be attached to the carriage, and the carriage includes a third liquid introduction unit and a third electrode unit, and the third liquid supply unit is provided. A liquid introduction section communicating with the liquid ejecting head; and a third bottom wall section having a third liquid supply section capable of supplying a third liquid to the third liquid introduction section. , A third upper wall portion facing the third bottom wall portion, a third end wall portion intersecting the third bottom wall portion and the third upper wall portion, the third bottom wall portion and the third A third inclined wall portion located between the third end wall portion and a third contact portion disposed on the third inclined wall portion and capable of contacting the third electrode portion; When facing the third liquid supply unit in a direction from the portion toward the third bottom wall portion, a surface facing outward of the third upper wall portion A third indicator indicating a posture of the carriage when the third liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage, wherein the first liquid supply unit, the second liquid supply unit, and the third liquid are provided in the carriage. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply unit is arranged in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the carriage moves.

  In this liquid ejecting apparatus, the third marker is provided on the surface of the third liquid supply unit that faces outward from the third upper wall portion. The third indicator indicates the posture of the third liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage when the third liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage. The third label makes it easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the third liquid supply unit on the carriage. Examples of erroneous mounting of the third liquid supply unit to the carriage include mounting the third liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage in an incorrect posture such as an incorrect direction or an incorrect position. When such erroneous mounting occurs, the contact between the contact portion of the third liquid supply unit and the electrode portion of the carriage cannot be achieved. Further, it is conceivable that the contact portion of the third liquid supply unit and the electrode portion of the carriage are damaged due to erroneous mounting. In this application example, it is easy to avoid erroneous attachment of the third liquid supply unit to the carriage by the third indicator, so it is easy to avoid damage to the contact portion and the electrode portion, and good contact between the contact portion and the electrode portion. Is easy to achieve. In this application example, since the first liquid supply unit, the second liquid supply unit, and the third liquid supply unit are arranged in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the carriage moves, the dimension in the movement direction of the carriage increases. Easy to avoid.

  Application Example 15 In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first mark includes a first mark indicating the posture of the first liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage, and the second mark is the second mark with respect to the carriage. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second mark indicating the posture of the liquid supply unit, and the third mark including a third mark indicating the posture of the third liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage.

  According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, the first mark, the second mark, and the third mark that indicate the respective postures of the first liquid supply unit, the second liquid supply unit, and the third liquid supply unit are used for the first to the carriage. Misinstallation of each of the first liquid supply unit, the second liquid supply unit, and the third liquid supply unit is easily avoided.

  Application Example 16 In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first mark is marked on a first label, and the first label is attached to the surface facing outward of the first upper wall portion. The second mark is marked on a second label, the second label is affixed to the surface facing outward of the second upper wall, and the third mark is 3. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third label is attached to the surface facing outward of the third upper wall portion.

  According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, the first liquid is supplied to the carriage by the first label with the first mark, the second label with the second mark, and the third label with the third mark. Misinstallation of the unit, the second liquid supply unit, and the third liquid supply unit is easily avoided.

  Application Example 17 In the above liquid ejecting apparatus, the first mark is written on the surface facing outward of the first upper wall portion, and the second mark is the second upper wall portion. The liquid ejecting apparatus is characterized in that the third mark is written on the surface facing outward of the third upper wall portion.

  According to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first mark written on the first upper wall portion, the second mark written on the second upper wall portion, and the third mark written on the third upper wall portion, the carriage Each of the first liquid supply unit, the second liquid supply unit, and the third liquid supply unit may be erroneously attached to.

  Application Example 18 In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first mark is stamped on the surface facing outward of the first upper wall portion, and the second mark is the second upper wall portion. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the third mark is stamped on the surface facing outward of the third upper wall portion.

  According to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first mark stamped on the first upper wall portion, the second mark stamped on the second upper wall portion, and the third mark stamped on the third upper wall portion, the carriage Each of the first liquid supply unit, the second liquid supply unit, and the third liquid supply unit may be erroneously attached to.

  Application Example 19 In the above liquid ejecting apparatus, the first mark, the second sign, and the third sign each include a color display.

  According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, it is possible to make the first mark, the second mark, and the third mark easy to stand out by the color display.

  Application Example 20 In the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first liquid, the second liquid, and the third liquid are liquids of different types, and the first label, the second label, and the The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the third mark includes the display with different colors.

  According to this liquid ejecting apparatus, the first liquid, the second liquid, and the third liquid are different types of liquids due to differences in display colors in the first label, the second label, and the third label. Is easy to recognize.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing a main configuration of a liquid ejection system in the present embodiment. The perspective view which shows the holder in this embodiment. Sectional drawing in the AA line in FIG. The figure which shows the external appearance of the cartridge in this embodiment. The figure which shows the external appearance of the cartridge in this embodiment. The figure which shows the external appearance of the cartridge in this embodiment. The figure which shows the external appearance of the cartridge in this embodiment. The figure which shows the external appearance of the cartridge in this embodiment. The figure which shows the external appearance of the cartridge in this embodiment. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the cartridge in this embodiment. The figure which shows the external appearance of the circuit board in this embodiment. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the cartridge in this embodiment. The disassembled perspective view which shows the cartridge in this embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the cartridge and holder in this embodiment. Sectional drawing which shows the cartridge and holder in this embodiment. The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the cartridge in this embodiment. The top view which shows an example of the label | marker in this embodiment. The top view which shows an example of the label | marker in this embodiment. The top view which shows an example of the label | marker in this embodiment. The top view which shows the cartridge and holder in this embodiment. The figure explaining the schematic structure of the liquid supply unit in the modification 1. FIG.

  Embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings, taking as an example a liquid ejecting system including an ink jet printer (hereinafter referred to as a printer) that is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus. In addition, in each drawing, in order to make each structure the size which can be recognized, the structure and the scale of a member may differ.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the liquid ejecting system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a printer 5 that is an example of a liquid ejecting apparatus and a cartridge 7 that is an example of a liquid supply unit. The cartridge 7 can store ink which is an example of a liquid. The liquid ejecting system 1 includes a plurality (two or more than two) of cartridges 7. In the present embodiment, six cartridges 7 are mounted on the printer 5. The liquid ejecting system 1 can perform printing on a recording medium P such as recording paper with ink that is an example of a liquid. Note that the number of cartridges 7 that can be mounted on the printer 5 is not limited to six, and an arbitrary number of one or more may be employed.

  Here, the liquid ejection system is an apparatus including a liquid ejection device and a liquid supply unit. The expression “liquid ejecting system” is applied when a liquid ejecting apparatus equipped with a liquid supply unit and a liquid ejecting apparatus not including the liquid supply unit are clearly distinguished from each other. On the other hand, an apparatus obtained by removing the liquid supply unit from the liquid ejecting system is a liquid ejecting apparatus. However, the expression “liquid ejecting apparatus” does not strictly distinguish between the liquid ejecting apparatus in which the liquid supplying unit is mounted and the liquid ejecting apparatus excluding the liquid supplying unit. That is, the liquid ejecting apparatus is a concept including a liquid ejecting apparatus in which a liquid supply unit is mounted and a liquid ejecting apparatus excluding the liquid supply unit, and can be applied to both.

  However, in this specification, unless otherwise specified, the liquid ejecting apparatus refers to a liquid ejecting apparatus excluding the liquid supply unit. In the present specification, the liquid ejecting system is a concept including a liquid ejecting apparatus and a liquid supply unit, and is not applied to the liquid ejecting apparatus excluding the liquid supply unit. Note that the above definition does not deny the mixed expression of the liquid ejecting system and the expression of the liquid ejecting apparatus on which the liquid supply unit is mounted. For this reason, in the following, the expression “liquid ejecting apparatus” in which the liquid supply unit is mounted and the expression “liquid ejecting system” may be mixed.

  According to the above definition, the liquid ejecting system 1 in the present embodiment is the printer 5 on which the cartridge 7 is mounted. The printer 5 corresponds to an apparatus in which the cartridge 7 is removed from the liquid ejecting system 1. In FIG. 1, XYZ axes, which are coordinate axes orthogonal to each other, are attached. The XYZ axes are also attached to the drawings shown thereafter as necessary. In this case, the XYZ axes in each figure correspond to the XYZ axes in FIG. FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which the liquid ejecting system 1 is arranged on the XY plane defined by the X axis and the Y axis. In the present embodiment, the state when the liquid ejecting system 1 is arranged on the XY plane in a state where the XY plane coincides with a horizontal plane is the use state of the liquid ejecting system 1. The posture of the liquid ejecting system 1 when the liquid ejecting system 1 is arranged on the XY plane that matches the horizontal plane is referred to as a usage posture of the liquid ejecting system 1.

  In the following, when X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis are shown in the drawings and descriptions showing the components and units of the liquid ejecting system 1, the components and units are incorporated into the liquid ejecting system 1 ( Means the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis in the mounted state. In addition, the posture of each component or unit in the usage posture of the liquid ejection system 1 is referred to as the usage posture of the component or unit. In the following description, the liquid ejecting system 1 and its components, units, etc. will be described in their respective use postures unless otherwise specified.

  The Z axis is an axis orthogonal to the XY plane. In the usage state of the liquid ejecting system 1, the Z-axis direction is a vertically upward direction. When the liquid ejecting system 1 is in use, the −Z axis direction is the vertically downward direction in FIG. 1. In each of the XYZ axes, the direction of the arrow indicates the + (positive) direction, and the direction opposite to the direction of the arrow indicates the-(negative) direction. The six cartridges 7 described above are arranged along the Y axis. For this reason, the Y-axis direction can also be defined as the direction in which the six cartridges 7 are arranged.

  The printer 5 includes a carriage 9, a recording head 11, and a holder 12. The carriage 9 is configured to reciprocate along the X axis. The recording head 11 and the holder 12 are mounted on the carriage 9. The recording head 11, which is an example of a liquid ejecting head, is located in the −Z axis direction of the carriage 9. The holder 12 is located in the Z-axis direction of the carriage 9. The holder 12 is configured to be able to mount a plurality of cartridges 7. The cartridge 7 is detachably mounted on the holder 12. The carriage 9 is connected to the timing belt 13. Power from the motor 14 is transmitted to the carriage 9 via the timing belt 13. Thereby, the carriage 9 can reciprocate along the X axis.

  In the printer 5, power from a transport motor (not shown) is transmitted to the transport roller 15. The conveyance roller 15 extends along the X axis. In the printer 5, the recording medium P can be transported in the Y-axis direction by rotating the transport roller 15 with power from the transport motor.

  Ink in the cartridge 7 attached to the holder 12 is supplied to the recording head 11. The recording head 11 has a nozzle opening (not shown) that opens toward the recording medium P side. The ink supplied from the cartridge 7 to the recording head 11 is ejected as ink droplets from the nozzle opening of the recording head 11 toward the recording medium P.

  The printer 5 further includes a control unit 16 for controlling each mechanism described above. The recording head 11 is connected to the control unit 16 via a flexible cable 17. In the liquid ejecting system 1 having the above configuration, the recording medium P is transported in the Y-axis direction and the recording head 11 is caused to eject ink droplets at a predetermined position while reciprocating the carriage 9 along the X-axis. Thus, recording is performed on the recording medium P.

  Here, the direction along the X-axis is not limited to a direction completely parallel to the X-axis, and includes directions inclined due to errors, tolerances, etc., except for a direction orthogonal to the X-axis. Similarly, the direction along the Y-axis is not limited to a direction completely parallel to the Y-axis, and includes directions inclined due to errors, tolerances, etc., except for a direction orthogonal to the Y-axis. The direction along the Z-axis is not limited to a direction completely parallel to the Z-axis, and includes directions inclined due to errors, tolerances, etc., except for a direction orthogonal to the Z-axis. In other words, the direction along any axis or plane is not limited to a direction completely parallel to any axis or plane, but may be due to errors, tolerances, etc., except for a direction perpendicular to any axis or plane. Including tilted direction.

  The holder 12 has a recess 21 as shown in FIG. The cartridge 7 is mounted in the recess 21 of the holder 12. In the present embodiment, six cartridges 7 can be accommodated in the recess 21. 2 shows a state in which one of the six cartridges 7 is mounted in the recess 21 for easy understanding of the configuration. In the present embodiment, the six cartridges 7 mounted in the recess 21 are accommodated in the recess 21 with a gap therebetween. In the recess 21, mounting positions corresponding to the six cartridges 7 mounted in the recess 21 are defined. The six mounting positions are arranged along the Y axis in the recess 21. That is, the six cartridges 7 are accommodated in the recess 21 in a state of being aligned along the Y axis.

  In the recess 21, six liquid introduction portions 23 are provided on the bottom portion 22 of the holder 12. The six liquid introducing portions 23 are provided for each mounting position. That is, the six liquid introducing portions 23 are respectively provided corresponding to the six cartridges 7 mounted in the recess 21. For this reason, the six liquid introducing portions 23 are arranged along the X axis in the recess 21. The six cartridges 7 attached to the holder 12 are arranged along the Y axis in the recess 21. The liquid introduction part 23 communicates with the recording head 11. The ink stored in the cartridge 7 is supplied from the liquid introduction unit 23 to the printer 5. That is, the ink stored in the cartridge 7 is supplied to the recording head 11 (FIG. 1) via the liquid introduction part 23.

  The holder 12 has a side wall 25, a side wall 26, a side wall 27, and a side wall 28. The side wall 25, the side wall 26, the side wall 27, and the side wall 28 intersect with the bottom part 22 and project from the bottom part 22 in the Z-axis direction.

  The side wall 25 and the side wall 26 face each other along the X axis with the liquid introduction part 23 interposed therebetween. The side wall 25 is located in the −X axis direction with respect to the liquid introduction part 23. Further, the side wall 26 is located in the X-axis direction with respect to the liquid introduction part 23. The side wall 27 and the side wall 28 face each other along the Y axis with the liquid introduction part 23 interposed therebetween. The side wall 27 is located in the −Y axis direction with respect to the liquid introducing portion 23. Further, the side wall 28 is located in the Y-axis direction with respect to the liquid introduction part 23. The bottom 22 is surrounded by a side wall 25, a side wall 26, a side wall 27, and a side wall 28. Thereby, the recessed part 21 is divided.

  Note that the bottom portion 22 and the side walls 25 to 28 are not limited to flat walls, and may include irregularities or curved surfaces. Further, the side wall 25 to the side wall 28 do not need to be orthogonal to the bottom portion 22, and may be crossed with respect to the bottom portion 22. Further, the fact that two surfaces intersect each other means that the two surfaces are not parallel to each other. In addition to the case where two surfaces are in direct contact with each other, there is also a case where the extension of one surface and the extension of the other surface intersect even in a positional relationship where they are not in direct contact with each other Expressed as crossing. The angle formed by the two intersecting surfaces may be a right angle, an obtuse angle, or an acute angle.

  The holder 12 is provided with six levers 41 and six engagement holes 42. In the present embodiment, one lever 41 and one engagement hole 42 are provided for each mounting position of the cartridge 7. The six levers 41 are arranged along the Y axis. Six engagement holes 42 are also arranged along the Y axis. The lever 41 is provided on the X-axis direction side of the liquid introduction part 23. In the holder 12, a side wall 25 is provided on the opposite side (−X axis direction side) of the lever 41 with the liquid introduction part 23 interposed therebetween.

  The lever 41 is provided between the side wall 26 and the side wall 25 as shown in FIG. 3 which is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 corresponds to a cross-sectional view of the holder 12 taken along the XZ plane that penetrates the liquid introducing portion 23. The lever 41 is provided between the side wall 26 and the liquid introduction part 23. The lever 41 fixes the cartridge 7 attached to the holder 12. The operator can remove the cartridge 7 from the holder 12 by releasing the fixation of the cartridge 7 by the lever 41. The engagement hole 42 is provided in the side wall 25. The engagement hole 42 passes through the side wall 25.

  The liquid introduction part 23 is provided on the bottom part 22 between the lever 41 and the side wall 25. The liquid introduction part 23 includes a flow path 43, a cylindrical part 44, a filter 45, and a packing 46. The flow path 43 is a passage for the ink supplied from the cartridge 7 and is provided as an opening that penetrates the bottom portion 22. The cylindrical portion 44 is provided on the bottom portion 22 and protrudes from the bottom portion 22 in a convex direction toward the Z-axis direction. The cylindrical portion 44 surrounds the flow path 43 inside the recess 21. The filter 45 covers the tubular portion 44 and covers the opening inside the recess 21 of the flow path 43 from the tubular portion 44 side. The packing 46 is provided on the bottom portion 22 and surrounds the tubular portion 44 inside the recess 21. The packing 46 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer.

  Moreover, the holder 12 has a contact mechanism 47 as shown in FIG. The contact mechanism 47 is provided corresponding to the cartridge 7 that can be mounted on the holder 12. That is, in this embodiment, the holder 12 has six contact mechanisms 47. The six contact mechanisms 47 are arranged along the Y axis.

  The contact mechanism 47 is provided at the intersection of the side wall 26 and the bottom 22. In the side wall 26, the contact mechanism 47 is located between the bottom 22 and the lever 41. The contact mechanism 47 has a plurality of electrode pins 48. The electrode pin 48 is an example of an electrode part. The contact mechanism 47 constitutes a connection portion that can be electrically connected to a circuit board (described later) of the cartridge 7. The circuit board of the cartridge 7 can be electrically connected to the control unit 16 of the printer 5 via the contact mechanism 47.

  The cartridge 7 will be described. As shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge 7 has a first wall portion 61. FIG. 4 shows a state when the cartridge 7 is viewed in plan in the Z-axis direction. Moreover, the cartridge 7 has the 2nd wall part 62, as shown in FIG. FIG. 5 illustrates a state when the cartridge 7 is viewed in plan in the −Z axis direction. Moreover, the cartridge 7 has the 3rd wall part 63, as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows a state when the cartridge 7 is viewed in plan in the X-axis direction.

  Moreover, the cartridge 7 has the 4th wall part 64, as shown in FIG. FIG. 7 illustrates a state when the cartridge 7 is viewed in plan in the −X axis direction. Moreover, the cartridge 7 has the 5th wall part 65, as shown in FIG. FIG. 8 illustrates a state when the cartridge 7 is viewed in plan in the Y-axis direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the cartridge 7 has a sixth wall portion 66. FIG. 9 illustrates a state when the cartridge 7 is viewed in plan in the −Y axis direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the cartridge 7 has a seventh wall portion 67. In addition, the 1st wall part 61-the 7th wall part 67 are not restricted to a flat wall, respectively, and may contain an unevenness | corrugation or a curved surface.

  The first wall portion 61 and the second wall portion 62 each extend along the XY plane and intersect the Z axis. The first wall portion 61 and the second wall portion 62 face each other. The second wall portion 62 is located in the Z-axis direction with respect to the first wall portion 61. The third wall part 63 and the fourth wall part 64 each extend along the YZ plane and intersect the X axis. The third wall portion 63 and the fourth wall portion 64 face each other. The fourth wall portion 64 is located in the X-axis direction with respect to the third wall portion 63.

  The fifth wall portion 65 and the sixth wall portion 66 each extend along the XZ plane and intersect the Y axis. The fifth wall portion 65 and the sixth wall portion 66 face each other. The sixth wall portion 66 is located in the Y axis direction with respect to the fifth wall portion 65. The seventh wall 67 is inclined with respect to both the XY plane and the YZ plane. The seventh wall 67 intersects both the X axis and the Z axis. The first wall portion 61 intersects the third wall portion 63, the fifth wall portion 65, the sixth wall portion 66, and the seventh wall portion 67. The second wall portion 62 intersects each of the third wall portion 63 to the sixth wall portion 66. Further, the third wall portion 63 and the fourth wall portion 64 intersect with both the fifth wall portion 65 and the sixth wall portion 66, respectively.

  The seventh wall portion 67 is located between the first wall portion 61 and the fourth wall portion 64. The end of the seventh wall 67 in the −Z-axis direction intersects the end of the first wall 61 in the X-axis direction. Further, the end of the seventh wall 67 in the Z-axis direction intersects the end of the fourth wall 64 in the −Z-axis direction. The seventh wall portion 67 is inclined in a direction approaching the second wall portion 62, that is, in a direction toward the Z-axis direction, as it approaches the fourth wall portion 64 side from the third wall portion 63 side, that is, in the X-axis direction. doing.

  As shown in FIG. 10, a circuit board 71 is provided on the seventh wall portion 67. The circuit board 71 extends along the seventh wall portion 67. For this reason, the circuit board 71 is inclined with respect to both the XY plane and the YZ plane. The circuit board 71 is inclined so as to approach the second wall portion 62 as it approaches the fourth wall portion 64 side from the third wall portion 63 side. As shown in FIG. 11, the circuit board 71 has a terminal portion 72. The circuit board 71 has a plurality of terminals 73. Each of the plurality of terminals 73 has a contact portion 74 that can be in electrical contact with the electrode pin 48 of the contact mechanism 47. A function having a plurality of contact portions 74 that can be in electrical contact with the electrode pins 48 of the contact mechanism 47 is referred to as a terminal portion 72.

  The terminal part 72 may be provided on the substrate. In the present embodiment, at least some of the plurality of terminals 73 are connected to a storage device (not shown) provided on the circuit board 71. As an example of the plurality of terminals 73, the present embodiment employs a configuration in which a plurality of metal pads are arranged as terminals 73 on the circuit board 71. In a state where the cartridge 7 is mounted on the holder 12, the storage device provided on the circuit board 71 of the cartridge 7 and the control unit 16 (FIG. 1) of the printer 5 are electrically connected to each other via the contact mechanism 47. Connected to. As a result, various information is exchanged between the storage device provided on the circuit board 71 of the cartridge 7 and the control unit 16 of the printer 5.

  A liquid storage portion 75 shown in FIG. 9 is formed inside the region surrounded by the first wall portion 61 to the seventh wall portion 67 of the cartridge 7. In the cartridge 7, ink is stored in the liquid storage portion 75. That is, in the cartridge 7, the ink is stored inside the area surrounded by the first wall portion 61 to the seventh wall portion 67.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the first wall portion 61 is provided with a liquid supply portion 76. The ink in the liquid storage part 75 of the cartridge 7 is supplied to the liquid introduction part 23 (FIG. 3) of the holder 12 via the liquid supply part 76. The fourth wall 64 is provided with a protrusion 77. The projecting portion 77 projects from the fourth wall portion 64 in the X-axis direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 12, the third wall 63 is provided with a protrusion 78. The protruding portion 78 protrudes from the third wall portion 63 in the −X axis direction. In the present embodiment, the protrusion 78 extends along the Y axis. The protrusion 78 is positioned in the Z-axis direction with respect to the first wall portion 61, and is positioned in the −Z-axis direction with respect to the second wall portion 62. That is, the protrusion 78 is located between the first wall 61 and the second wall 62.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the liquid supply unit 76 protrudes in the −Z-axis direction from the supply hole 81 that passes through the first wall 61 and communicates with the liquid storage unit 75 (FIG. 9), and the first wall 61. A surrounding wall 82 surrounding the supply hole 81, a leaf spring 83, a foam 84, and a filter 85. The leaf spring 83 and the foam 84 are accommodated in the supply hole 81. The filter 85 is provided in a region surrounded by the surrounding wall 82 and covers the supply hole 81 from the outside of the first wall portion 61. As the filter 85, for example, a film material that has a through-hole formed by press working, an asymmetric membrane such as an MMM membrane manufactured by PALL, or a symmetrical membrane such as a woven fabric can be employed.

  The mounting of the cartridge 7 to the holder 12 will be described. When the cartridge 7 is attached to the holder 12, as shown in FIG. 14, first, the cartridge 7 is inclined with respect to the holder 12, and the protrusion 78 of the cartridge 7 faces the engagement hole 42 of the holder 12. 7 is inserted into the holder 12. At this time, the cartridge 7 is tilted in a state where the liquid supply portion 76 of the cartridge 7 is directed to the bottom portion 22 of the holder 12. At this time, the cartridge 7 is tilted in such a direction that the protrusion 78 is positioned in the −Z-axis direction with respect to the protrusion 77. Then, the protrusion 78 is inserted into the engagement hole 42.

  Next, when the cartridge 7 is rotated in a direction in which the protrusion 77 is displaced in the −Z-axis direction with the protrusion 78 inserted into the engagement hole 42 as a rotation fulcrum, as shown in FIG. 77 is locked by the lever 41. Thereby, the mounting of the cartridge 7 to the holder 12 is completed, and the cartridge 7 can be fixed to the holder 12. When the cartridge 7 is mounted on the holder 12, the surrounding wall 82 comes into contact with the packing 46, and the cylindrical portion 44 is inserted into a region surrounded by the surrounding wall 82. That is, the surrounding wall 82 surrounds the flow path 43 from the outside of the cylindrical portion 44. The filter 85 comes into contact with the filter 45 in the region surrounded by the surrounding wall 82. Thereby, the ink in the liquid storage portion 75 can be supplied from the filter 45 to the flow path 43 through the supply hole 81, the foam 84 and the filter 85.

  At this time, the surrounding wall 82 is in contact with the packing 46 in a state of surrounding the flow path 43 from the outside of the cylindrical portion 44. Thereby, the airtightness of the space enclosed by the surrounding wall 82 and the packing 46 is improved. Therefore, when ink is supplied from the cartridge 7 to the flow path 43, ink spilled outside the area surrounded by the cylindrical portion 44 is blocked by the packing 46 and the surrounding wall 82.

  In the cartridge 7 according to this embodiment, the distance between the third wall portion 63 and the fourth wall portion 64 is larger than the distance between the fifth wall portion 65 and the sixth wall portion 66, and thus the third wall portion 63. The direction from the first to the fourth wall 64 is the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 7. The cartridge 7 is configured such that the longitudinal direction is along the moving direction of the carriage 9. For this reason, when the dimension in the moving direction of the carriage 9 is reduced, the reduction direction of the cartridge 7 accompanying the reduction of the carriage 9 is the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 7. Shrinking the cartridge 7 in the longitudinal direction makes it easier to improve practicality than when the cartridge 7 is shrunk in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction.

  Here, when the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 7 is along the direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the carriage 9, that is, along the Y axis, the cartridge 7 is flattened in the moving direction of the carriage 9. In such a configuration, when the width dimension along the moving direction of the carriage 9 is reduced, the cartridge 7 is further flattened. In such a configuration, even if the width dimension of the carriage 9 is reduced within a range where the amount of ink that can be accommodated in the cartridge 7 does not fall below a practical amount, it does not greatly contribute to the reduction of the width dimension of the printer 5. That is, in the configuration in which the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 7 is along the Y axis, it is difficult to reduce the size while maintaining practicality.

  In contrast, in this embodiment, the cartridge 7 is configured such that the longitudinal direction of the cartridge 7 is along the moving direction of the carriage 9, so that the cartridge 7 can be accommodated even if the width of the carriage 9 is reduced. It is easy to maintain a proper amount of ink. That is, in the cartridge 7 in the present embodiment, it is easy to reduce the size of the cartridge 7 while maintaining practicality. As a result, reducing the width dimension of the carriage 9 can greatly contribute to reducing the width dimension of the printer 5.

  Here, when the cartridge 7 is reduced in the longitudinal direction, the shape characteristics of the cartridge 7 are faded. As the size of the cartridge 7 in the longitudinal direction becomes smaller, it becomes difficult to instantly recognize the difference in orientation and posture of the cartridge 7. This is considered to be caused by the size of the cartridge 7 becoming smaller and the shape characteristics of the cartridge 7 becoming thinner. If the difference in orientation and orientation of the cartridge 7 becomes difficult to recognize, it is considered that the cartridge 7 is likely to be erroneously attached to the holder 12. This is because the opportunity for the operator to mount the cartridge 7 on the holder 12 with the wrong posture or orientation of the cartridge 7 is increased. When such erroneous mounting occurs, good contact between the circuit board 71 of the cartridge 7 and the contact mechanism 47 of the holder 12 cannot be achieved. Further, it is conceivable that the circuit board 71 of the cartridge 7, the contact mechanism 47 of the holder 12 and the like are damaged due to erroneous mounting.

  The cartridge 7 in the present embodiment is provided with a mark 91 as shown in FIG. The sign 91 is provided on the surface of the second wall portion 62 facing outward. The label 91 indicates the posture of the cartridge 7 with respect to the holder 12 when the cartridge 7 is mounted on the holder 12. The label 91 makes it easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the cartridge 7 on the holder 12. Examples of erroneous mounting of the cartridge 7 to the holder 12 include mounting of the cartridge 7 with respect to the holder 12 in an incorrect posture such as an incorrect direction or an incorrect position. Since the label 91 makes it easy to avoid erroneous mounting of the cartridge 7 to the holder 12, it is easy to avoid damage to the circuit board 71 and the contact mechanism 47, and good contact between the circuit board 71 and the contact mechanism 47 is easily achieved. .

  In the present embodiment, the sign 91 has a form of a label 92 attached to the second wall portion 62. A mark 93 is drawn on the label 92 as shown in FIG. The mark 93 is a concept including a design, a pattern, a character, a symbol, and the like, and any of a form using these alone or a form using a combination or combination thereof may be employed. The characters include numbers. In FIG. 17, the mark 93 is exemplified by a form in which alphabetic characters A, B, C, and D are arranged.

  In the liquid ejecting system 1, the posture in which the second wall portion 62 of the cartridge 7 faces in the Z-axis direction and the sixth wall portion 66 faces in the Y-axis direction is the correct posture of the cartridge 7 with respect to the holder 12. The mark 91 indicates the correct posture of the cartridge 7 with respect to the holder 12. For this reason, the mark 93 in the cartridge 7 faces the printer 5 from the Y-axis direction toward the -Y-axis direction, and when the printer 5 is viewed in plan in the -Z-axis direction, the pattern, pattern, character, symbol It is drawn in the direction that is established as such.

  For this reason, it is preferable to avoid using point-symmetric designs, patterns, characters, symbols, and the like as the marks 93. Thereby, it can be avoided that a plurality of postures are established as correct postures of the cartridge 7 with respect to the holder 12. Examples of point-symmetric designs, patterns, characters, and symbols include the numbers 1 and 8. Even if the number 1 is rotated 180 degrees, it is easily recognized as the number 1. The number 8 is the same.

  In addition, it is preferable to avoid using as the mark 93 what is formed as another pattern, pattern, character, or symbol when rotated 180 degrees. Thereby, it can be avoided that a plurality of postures are established as correct postures of the cartridge 7 with respect to the holder 12. Examples of what is established as another pattern, pattern, character, or symbol when rotated 180 degrees include the numbers 6 and 9. When the number 6 is rotated 180 degrees, the number 9 is established. The number 9 is the same.

  Examples that do not meet the above two requirements and are suitable for the mark 93 include numbers 2, 3, 5, 7, and the like. It should be noted that the numbers 1, 6, 8, and 9 corresponding to the above two requirements can be made suitable for the mark 93 by being combined with other symbols, patterns, characters, and symbols instead of these alone. Accordingly, for example, the model number of the cartridge 7 such as “ICBK69” can be adopted as the mark 93. In addition to this, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, a mark such as a human being, an animal, or a plant, or a vehicle such as a vehicle or a landscape such as a mountain as shown in FIG. You can also.

  The sign 91 is not limited to the form in which the mark 93 is drawn on the label 92. As the mark 91, for example, a form in which the mark 93 is marked on the second wall portion 62 of the cartridge 7 can be adopted. In the form in which the mark 93 is marked on the second wall portion 62 of the cartridge 7, the label 92 can be omitted. In this embodiment, there are various methods for marking the mark 93 on the second wall portion 62, such as a method of printing the mark 93 on the second wall portion 62 and a method of marking the mark 93 on the second wall portion 62. A method may be employed.

  In addition, as the sign 91, a form including a color display (hereinafter, referred to as color display) may be employed. The target of color display is at least one of the label 92 and the mark 93. In the sign 91 having the label 92, the target of color display may be the label 92 alone, the mark 93 alone, or both the label 92 and the mark 93. In addition, in the sign 91 in which the label 92 is omitted, the color display target is the mark 93. If the sign 91 includes a color display, the sign 91 can be easily noticeable by the color display.

  As described above, in this embodiment, six cartridges 7 can be mounted on the holder 12 as shown in FIG. Each of the six cartridges 7 is provided with a mark 91. In the following description, when the six cartridges 7 are individually identified, the six cartridges 7 are expressed as a cartridge 7A, a cartridge 7B, a cartridge 7C, a cartridge 7D, a cartridge 7E, and a cartridge 7F, respectively. At this time, the cartridges 7A to 7F are arranged in this order from the Y-axis direction to the -Y-axis direction. Further, when individually identifying the labels 91 provided on the six cartridges 7, the six labels 91 are denoted as a label 91A, a label 91B, a label 91C, a label 91D, a label 91E, and a label 91F, respectively. . At this time, the sign 91A is provided on the cartridge 7A, the sign 91B is provided on the cartridge 7B, the sign 91C is provided on the cartridge 7C, the sign 91D is provided on the cartridge 7D, the sign 91E is provided on the cartridge 7E, and the sign 91F Is provided in the cartridge 7F.

  Each of the six cartridges 7 can store different types of ink. Examples of ink types include ink colors. Examples of ink colors that can be stored in the six cartridges 7 include black, yellow, magenta, light magenta, cyan, and light cyan. As described above, in the plurality of cartridges 7 (two or more than two) in which the ink colors are different from each other, it is preferable that the indicator 91 includes an indication indicating the color of the ink stored in the cartridge 7. Thereby, the color of the ink accommodated in the cartridge 7 can be easily recognized by the marker 91. As a result, the convenience for the operator can be improved.

  In this case, for example, the sign 91 including the color display described above is suitable. This is because, if the color display included in the label 91 indicates the color of the ink stored in the cartridge 7, the color of the ink stored in the cartridge 7 is intuitive. This is because it is easy to recognize. As described above, it is possible to easily recognize that the inks stored in the plurality of cartridges 7 are of different types for each cartridge 7 due to the difference in color display. Thereby, the convenience of the operator can be further enhanced.

  In the liquid ejecting system 1, the color of the ink stored in the cartridge 7A is set to any one of black, yellow, magenta, light magenta, cyan, and light cyan. The color of the ink stored in the cartridge 7B is set to one of the remaining five types. The color of the ink stored in the cartridge 7C is set to any one of the remaining four types. The color of the ink stored in the cartridge 7D is set to one of the remaining three types. The color of the ink stored in the cartridge 7E is set to one of the remaining two types. The color of the ink stored in the cartridge 7F is determined as the remaining one type. For this reason, in the liquid ejecting system 1, the arrangement order of six types of ink is determined as one.

  In a configuration in which a plurality (two or more than two) of cartridges 7 can be mounted on the holder 12, when the plurality of cartridges 7 contain different types of ink, the arrangement positions of the cartridges 7 with respect to the holder 12 May be wrong. For example, it may occur that the cartridge 7 that contains yellow ink is mounted at a position where the cartridge 7 that originally stores black ink should be mounted.

  In order to alleviate such a situation, the printer 5 is provided with a display indicating the arrangement positions of the cartridges 7A to 7F. In the printer 5, examples of the place where such a display is provided include various places such as a holder 12 and a housing and a frame of the printer 5. Examples of the display provided in the printer 5 include a display in which the name of the ink color is indicated by characters and a display in a color equivalent to the ink color. Furthermore, examples of the display using a color equivalent to the color of the ink include sticking a sticker colored in a color equivalent to the color of the ink, and a display indicated by characters of a color equivalent to the color of the ink. Furthermore, the structure which added the display which showed the name of the color of an ink with the character to the seal | sticker colored in the color equivalent to the color of an ink can also be employ | adopted.

  As a place where such a display is provided, the holder 12 is suitable among various places of the printer 5. This is because the holder 12 is a member to which the cartridge 7 is mounted among the constituent members of the printer 5. When the cartridge 7 is attached to the printer 5, the holder 12 is most easily noticeable. In the holder 12, as the place where the display is provided, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, a place such as the side wall 25, the bottom 22 and the lever 41 of the holder that can be easily recognized visually is preferable. In these places, it is preferable to provide a display for each mounting position of the cartridge 7.

  With the above configuration, the color of the ink stored in the cartridge 7 can be easily recognized intuitively by the marker 91 including the color display, and each cartridge 7 can be easily mounted at an appropriate mounting position of the holder 12. . Thereby, when the plurality of cartridges 7 contain different types of inks, it is easy to avoid an erroneous mounting in which the arrangement positions of the cartridges 7 with respect to the holder 12 are wrong. As a result, the convenience for the operator can be further enhanced.

  In the above configuration, any one of the cartridges 7A to 7F corresponds to the first liquid supply unit, and any one of the remaining five cartridges 7 of the cartridges 7A to 7F is the second liquid. Corresponding to the supply unit, any one of the remaining four cartridges 7 of the cartridges 7A to 7F corresponds to the third liquid supply unit.

  In the cartridge 7 corresponding to the first liquid supply unit, the ink stored in the liquid storage unit 75 corresponds to the first liquid, the liquid supply unit 76 corresponds to the first liquid supply unit, and the label 91 is the first. The mark 93 corresponds to the first mark, the first wall 61 corresponds to the first bottom wall, the second wall 62 corresponds to the first upper wall, and the fourth wall 64 corresponds to the sign. Corresponds to the first end wall portion, the seventh wall portion 67 corresponds to the first inclined wall portion, and the contact portion 74 corresponds to the first contact portion. In the cartridge 7 corresponding to the second liquid supply unit, the ink stored in the liquid storage unit 75 corresponds to the second liquid, the liquid supply unit 76 corresponds to the second liquid supply unit, and the label 91 is the second. The mark 93 corresponds to the second mark, the first wall portion 61 corresponds to the second bottom wall portion, the second wall portion 62 corresponds to the second upper wall portion, and the fourth wall portion 64 corresponds to the sign. Corresponds to the second end wall portion, the seventh wall portion 67 corresponds to the second inclined wall portion, and the contact portion 74 corresponds to the second contact portion. In the cartridge 7 corresponding to the third liquid supply unit, the ink stored in the liquid storage unit 75 corresponds to the third liquid, the liquid supply unit 76 corresponds to the third liquid supply unit, and the label 91 is the third. The mark 93 corresponds to the third mark, the first wall 61 corresponds to the third bottom wall, the second wall 62 corresponds to the third upper wall, and the fourth wall 64 corresponds to the sign. Corresponds to the third end wall portion, the seventh wall portion 67 corresponds to the third inclined wall portion, and the contact portion 74 corresponds to the third contact portion.

  Further, in the holder 12, the liquid introduction part 23 to which the liquid supply part 76 of the cartridge 7 corresponding to the first liquid supply unit is connected corresponds to the first liquid introduction part, and the cartridge 7 corresponding to the second liquid supply unit. The liquid introduction part 23 to which the liquid supply part 76 is connected corresponds to the second liquid introduction part, and the liquid introduction part 23 to which the liquid supply part 76 of the cartridge 7 corresponding to the third liquid supply unit is connected is the third liquid introduction. Corresponds to the department. In the holder 12, the electrode pin 48 that contacts the contact portion 74 of the cartridge 7 corresponding to the first liquid supply unit corresponds to the first electrode portion, and the contact portion 74 of the cartridge 7 corresponding to the second liquid supply unit corresponds to the first liquid supply unit. The electrode pin 48 in contact corresponds to the second electrode portion, and the electrode pin 48 in contact with the contact portion 74 of the cartridge 7 corresponding to the third liquid supply unit corresponds to the third electrode portion.

(Modification 1)
The liquid supply unit for supplying the liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus is not limited to the cartridge 7 which is an example of the liquid supply unit. Another example of the liquid supply unit will be described as a first modification. As shown in FIG. 21, the liquid supply unit 401 of Modification 1 includes the cartridge 7, the tank 402, and the ink supply pipe 403. The tank 402 stores ink to be supplied to the cartridge 7 described above. The ink supply pipe 403 guides the liquid from the tank 402 to the cartridge 7. The ink supply tube 403 has flexibility.

  In the liquid supply unit 401 according to the first modification, the cartridge 7 is mounted on the carriage 9 (FIG. 1), whereas the tank 402 is provided independently from the carriage 9. That is, in the first modification, the tank 402 is not mounted on the carriage 9. Therefore, the amount of ink that can be supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus can be increased while reducing the load on the carriage 9. Furthermore, if the tank 402 is configured so that new ink can be replenished, the stop time of the liquid ejecting apparatus due to running out of ink can be shortened or eliminated.

The present invention can be applied not only to an ink jet printer and its ink cartridge, but also to an arbitrary printing apparatus that ejects liquid other than ink and its cartridge. For example, the present invention can be applied to the following various printing apparatuses and cartridges thereof.
(1) An image recording apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus. (2) A printing apparatus that ejects a color material used for manufacturing a color filter for an image display device such as a liquid crystal display. (3) A printing apparatus that ejects an electrode material used for electrode formation such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display and a surface emission display (FED). (4) A printing apparatus that ejects a liquid containing a bioorganic material used for biochip manufacture. (5) Sample printing device as a precision pipette. (6) Lubricating oil printing device. (7) Resin liquid printing apparatus. (8) A printing device that injects lubricating oil pinpoint onto precision machines such as watches and cameras. (9) A printing apparatus that injects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid onto a substrate in order to form a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) used for an optical communication element or the like. (10) A printing apparatus that ejects an acidic or alkaline etchant to etch a substrate or the like. (11) A printing apparatus including a liquid ejecting head that ejects another arbitrary minute amount of liquid droplets.

  The term “droplet” refers to the state of the liquid ejected from the printing apparatus, and includes liquid droplets that are granular, tear-like, or thread-like. The “liquid” may be any material that can be ejected by the printing apparatus. For example, the “liquid” may be a material in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a material in a liquid state having high or low viscosity, and sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, Liquid materials such as liquid resins and liquid metals (metal melts) are also included in the “liquid”. Further, “liquid” includes not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a liquid obtained by dissolving, dispersing or mixing particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles in a solvent. The “liquid” as described above can also be expressed as a “liquid material”. As a typical example of the liquid or liquid material, the ink or the liquid crystal described in the above embodiment can be given. Here, the ink includes various liquid compositions such as general water-based ink and oil-based ink, gel ink, and hot-melt ink.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and examples, and can be realized with various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the technical features in the embodiments and examples corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the summary section of the invention may be used to solve part or all of the above-described problems, or In order to achieve part or all of the effects, replacement or combination can be performed as appropriate. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid injection system, 5 ... Printer, 7, 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F ... Cartridge, 9 ... Carriage, 11 ... Recording head, 12 ... Holder, 13 ... Timing belt, 14 ... Motor, 15 ... Conveying roller, 16 ... control unit, 17 ... flexible cable, 21 ... concave, 22 ... bottom part, 23 ... liquid introduction part, 25 ... side wall, 26 ... side wall, 27 ... side wall, 28 ... side wall, 41 ... lever, 42 ... engagement Joint hole, 43 ... flow path, 44 ... cylindrical part, 45 ... filter, 46 ... packing, 47 ... contact mechanism, 48 ... electrode pin, 61 ... first wall part, 62 ... second wall part, 63 ... third Wall part 64 ... 4th wall part 65 ... 5th wall part 66 ... 6th wall part 67 ... 7th wall part 71 ... Circuit board 72 ... Terminal part 73 ... Terminal 74 ... Contact part 75 ... Liquid storage unit, 76 ... Liquid supply unit, 77 ... Projection Part, 78 ... projection part, 81 ... supply hole, 82 ... wall, 83 ... leaf spring, 84 ... foam, 85 ... filter, 91, 91A, 91B, 91C, 91D, 91E, 91F ... sign, 92 ... label, 93 ... Mark, 401 ... Liquid supply unit, 402 ... Tank, 403 ... Ink supply pipe, P ... Recording medium.

Claims (20)

A liquid supply unit that can be mounted on a carriage of a liquid ejecting apparatus and can supply a liquid to a liquid introducing portion of the carriage,
A first wall portion having a liquid supply portion capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid introduction portion;
A second wall facing the first wall;
A third wall portion intersecting the first wall portion and the second wall portion;
A fourth wall portion intersecting the first wall portion and the second wall portion and facing the third wall portion;
A fifth wall that intersects the first wall, the second wall, the third wall, and the fourth wall;
A sixth wall portion that intersects the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the third wall portion, and the fourth wall portion, and that faces the fifth wall portion;
A seventh wall portion that intersects the fifth wall portion and the sixth wall portion and is located between the first wall portion and the fourth wall portion;
A contact portion disposed on the seventh wall portion and capable of contacting the electrode portion of the carriage,
The distance between the third wall portion and the fourth wall portion is greater than the distance between the fifth wall portion and the sixth wall portion,
The direction from the third wall portion to the fourth wall portion is configured to follow the movement direction of the carriage,
When seen in a plan view in a direction from the second wall portion toward the first wall portion,
A sign indicating an attitude with respect to the carriage when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage is provided on a surface facing the outside of the second wall portion.
A liquid supply unit. The liquid supply unit according to claim 1, wherein
The sign includes a mark indicating the posture,
A liquid supply unit. The liquid supply unit according to claim 2, wherein
The mark is marked on the label,
The label is affixed to the surface facing outward of the second wall,
A liquid supply unit. The liquid supply unit according to claim 2, wherein
The mark is marked on the surface facing outward of the second wall,
A liquid supply unit. The liquid supply unit according to claim 4, wherein
The mark is imprinted on the surface facing outward of the second wall,
A liquid supply unit. The liquid supply unit according to claim 1, wherein
The sign includes a color indication;
A liquid supply unit. A carriage,
A liquid supply unit attachable to the carriage,
The carriage is
A liquid inlet,
A liquid ejecting head communicating with the liquid introducing portion;
An electrode part,
The liquid supply unit includes:
A first wall portion having a liquid supply portion capable of supplying the liquid to the liquid introduction portion;
A second wall facing the first wall;
A third wall portion intersecting the first wall portion and the second wall portion;
A fourth wall portion intersecting the first wall portion and the second wall portion and facing the third wall portion;
A fifth wall that intersects the first wall, the second wall, the third wall, and the fourth wall;
A sixth wall portion that intersects the first wall portion, the second wall portion, the third wall portion, and the fourth wall portion, and that faces the fifth wall portion;
A seventh wall portion that intersects the fifth wall portion and the sixth wall portion and is located between the first wall portion and the fourth wall portion;
A contact portion disposed on the seventh wall portion and capable of contacting the electrode portion of the carriage,
The distance between the third wall portion and the fourth wall portion is greater than the distance between the fifth wall portion and the sixth wall portion,
The direction from the third wall portion to the fourth wall portion is configured to follow the movement direction of the carriage,
When the liquid supply unit is viewed in plan from the second wall portion toward the first wall portion,
A sign indicating an attitude with respect to the carriage when the liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage is provided on a surface facing the outside of the second wall portion.
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 7,
The sign includes a mark indicating the posture,
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 8,
The mark is marked on the label,
The label is affixed to the surface facing outward of the second wall,
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 8,
The mark is marked on the surface facing outward of the second wall,
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 10,
The mark is imprinted on the surface facing outward of the second wall,
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 7,
The sign includes a color indication;
A liquid ejecting apparatus. A carriage,
A first liquid supply unit attachable to the carriage;
A second liquid supply unit attachable to the carriage,
The carriage is
A first liquid introduction part;
A second liquid introduction part;
A liquid ejecting head communicating with the first liquid introducing portion and the second liquid introducing portion;
A first electrode part;
A second electrode part,
The first liquid supply unit includes:
A first bottom wall portion having a first liquid supply portion capable of supplying a first liquid to the first liquid introduction portion;
A first upper wall facing the first bottom wall;
A first end wall that intersects the first bottom wall and the first upper wall;
A first inclined wall portion located between the first bottom wall portion and the first end wall portion;
A first contact portion disposed on the first slant wall portion and capable of contacting the first electrode portion,
When viewing the first liquid supply unit in a direction from the first upper wall portion toward the first bottom wall portion,
A first indicator indicating a posture with respect to the carriage when the first liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage is provided on an outer surface of the first upper wall portion,
The second liquid supply unit includes:
A second bottom wall portion having a second liquid supply portion capable of supplying a second liquid to the second liquid introduction portion;
A second upper wall portion facing the second bottom wall portion;
A second end wall portion intersecting the second bottom wall portion and the second upper wall portion;
A second inclined wall portion located between the second bottom wall portion and the second end wall portion;
A second contact portion disposed on the second inclined wall portion and capable of contacting the second electrode portion,
When the second liquid supply unit is viewed in a direction from the second upper wall portion to the second bottom wall portion,
A second indicator indicating a posture with respect to the carriage when the second liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage is provided on an outer surface of the second upper wall.
In the carriage, the first liquid supply unit and the second liquid supply unit are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the carriage moves.
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 13,
A third liquid supply unit attachable to the carriage;
The carriage includes a third liquid introducing portion and a third electrode portion,
The third liquid introducing portion communicates with the liquid ejecting head;
The third liquid supply unit includes:
A third bottom wall portion having a third liquid supply portion capable of supplying a third liquid to the third liquid introduction portion;
A third upper wall facing the third bottom wall;
A third end wall that intersects the third bottom wall and the third top wall;
A third inclined wall portion located between the third bottom wall portion and the third end wall portion;
A third contact portion disposed on the third inclined wall portion and capable of contacting the third electrode portion,
When the third liquid supply unit is viewed from above in a direction from the third upper wall portion toward the third bottom wall portion,
A third indicator indicating a posture with respect to the carriage when the third liquid supply unit is mounted on the carriage is provided on an outer surface of the third upper wall portion.
In the carriage, the first liquid supply unit, the second liquid supply unit, and the third liquid supply unit are arranged in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which the carriage moves.
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 14,
The first mark includes a first mark indicating the posture of the first liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage,
The second mark includes a second mark indicating the posture of the second liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage,
The third mark includes a third mark indicating the posture of the third liquid supply unit with respect to the carriage.
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 15,
The first mark is marked on the first label;
The first label is affixed to the surface facing outward of the first upper wall portion;
The second mark is marked on the second label;
The second label is affixed to the surface facing outward of the second upper wall;
The third mark is marked on a third label;
The third label is affixed to the surface facing outward of the third upper wall portion,
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 15,
The first mark is marked on the surface facing outward of the first upper wall,
The second mark is marked on the surface facing outward of the second upper wall;
The third mark is marked on the surface facing outward of the third upper wall portion,
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 17,
The first mark is engraved on the surface facing outward of the first upper wall portion;
The second mark is imprinted on the surface facing outward of the second upper wall portion;
The third mark is imprinted on the surface facing outward of the third upper wall portion;
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 14,
The first indicator, the second indicator, and the third indicator each include a color indication;
A liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid ejecting apparatus according to claim 19,
The first liquid, the second liquid, and the third liquid are different types of liquids,
The first indicator, the second indicator, and the third indicator include the indication in different colors;
A liquid ejecting apparatus.

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