JP2018103594A - Liquid consuming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid consuming device that can be mounted with a plurality of different kinds of cartridges.SOLUTION: A liquid consuming device comprises: an ink cartridge 30, constituted of a first base part 48 and a first protruding part 49 which protrudes from the first base part 48, which has an upper storage chamber 32 formed across the first base part 48 and the first protruding part 49; an ink cartridge 60 whose first protruding part protrudes less than the first protruding part of the ink cartridge 30; and a cartridge mounting part 110, constituted of a second base part 118 and a second protruding part 119 which protrudes from the second base part 118, on which the ink cartridges 30 and 60 can be selectively mounted. The first base part 48 overlaps with the second base part 118 and the second protruding part 119 when viewed from a longitudinal direction 8 and does not overlap with the second base part 118 and the second protruding part 119 when viewed from a vertical direction 7. The first protruding part 49 of the ink cartridge 30 overlaps with the second base part 118 but does not overlap with the second protruding part 119 when viewed from the longitudinal direction 8, and does not overlap with the second base part 118 but overlaps with the second protruding part 119 when viewed from the vertical direction 7.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid consuming apparatus that consumes liquid stored in a cartridge.

  For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose that a cartridge in which ink is stored, a mounting portion to which the cartridge is attached and detached, a sub tank that stores ink supplied from the cartridge mounted in the mounting portion, and ink stored in the sub tank. An ink jet recording apparatus is disclosed that includes a recording unit that discharges the ink and records an image on a recording medium.

JP 2008-230162 A JP 2008-238792 A

  In recent years, it is desirable that a plurality of types of cartridges having different stored ink amounts can be selected in accordance with diversification of usage modes of ink jet recording apparatuses. Further, it is desirable that different types of cartridges have different outer shapes so that the user can easily recognize that the amount of stored ink is different.

  However, in the cartridge, there are parts to be arranged at the same position in all the cartridges, such as a supply part for supplying ink and a locked part for locking the cartridge. Therefore, the external shape of the cartridge cannot be freely changed as the volume inside the cartridge is changed.

  For example, in the cartridges described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, if the outer shape of the cartridge is to be increased, it is necessary to extend the length in which the cartridge is inserted into the mounting portion. However, if a cartridge that is long in the insertion direction is to be mounted on the mounting portion, there arises a problem that the inkjet recording apparatus must be increased in size in the depth direction.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid consuming device capable of mounting a plurality of types of cartridges having different amounts of stored liquid without increasing the size of the device. There is.

  (1) A liquid consuming device according to the present invention includes a first cartridge and a second cartridge that are cartridges having a first storage chamber in which a liquid is stored and a supply unit that supplies the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. Storing the liquid supplied from the first storage chamber through the connection part that can selectively contact and separate the supply part of the first cartridge and the second cartridge, and the supply part connected to the connection part. A cartridge mounting unit having a second storage chamber, and a consumption unit that consumes the liquid stored in the second storage chamber. The supply section and the connection section are connected to the cartridge mounting section when the cartridge is inserted in the first direction of insertion, and the cartridge is opposite to the insertion direction of the cartridge mounting section. It is separated by being pulled out in the direction of pulling out. The first cartridge includes a first base and a first protrusion protruding in the insertion direction from a part of the first base in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first storage chamber is formed across one base and the first protrusion. The second cartridge has at least the first base portion in which the first storage chamber is formed, and has a smaller volume of the first storage chamber and a protrusion of the first protrusion than the first cartridge. The amount is small. The cartridge mounting portion includes a second base and a second protrusion that protrudes from the part of the second base in the second direction in the removal direction. In a state where the supply unit is connected to the connection unit, the first base unit overlaps the second base unit and the second projecting unit when viewed from the first direction, and the second base unit is viewed from the second direction. The first protrusion of the first cartridge is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the base and the second protrusion, and the first protrusion of the first cartridge overlaps with the second base when viewed from the first direction and does not overlap with the second protrusion. , When viewed from the second direction, the second base is not overlapped with the second projecting portion.

  According to the above configuration, the amount of protrusion of the first protrusion is increased or decreased, and the volume of the first storage chamber in the first protrusion is changed, so that the liquid consuming device does not increase in size in the first direction. The first cartridge and the second cartridge having different capacities and outer shapes can be selectively mounted on the cartridge mounting portion.

  (2) Preferably, the first cartridge and the second cartridge have the same length in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction. The cartridge mounting portion includes a plurality of the connection portions arranged at predetermined intervals in the third direction.

  According to the above configuration, a desired cartridge of the first cartridge and the second cartridge can be selectively connected to each connection portion with respect to a cartridge mounting portion on which a plurality of cartridges can be mounted simultaneously.

  (3) Preferably, the supply unit is provided on a surface facing the insertion direction of the first base at a position different from the first protrusion in the second direction. The connection portion is provided on a surface of the second protrusion that faces the removal direction.

  By providing the supply unit on the first base as in the above configuration, a plurality of types of cartridges having different projection amounts of the first projection can be mounted on the cartridge mounting unit.

  (4) Preferably, the second direction is a vertical direction. The supply unit is provided on the first base below the first protrusion. The cartridge has a first atmosphere communication portion that communicates the first storage chamber with the atmosphere. The cartridge mounting part has a second atmosphere communication part for communicating the second storage chamber with the atmosphere.

  In the liquid consuming apparatus that supplies liquid from the first storage chamber to the second storage chamber by the head difference by providing the supply portion below the first protrusion as in the above configuration, the liquid in the first storage chamber is large. The portion can be supplied to the second storage chamber.

  (5) Preferably, the first atmospheric communication part is an atmospheric flow path for communicating the first storage chamber and the outer surface of the cartridge, and the supply part is connected to the connection part in the state described above. It is liquid-tightly sealed with a semipermeable membrane above the liquid stored in the first storage chamber.

  According to the above configuration, there is no need to open the first atmosphere communicating portion by bringing the component (for example, a needle) of the cartridge mounting portion into contact with the cartridge above the liquid level of the liquid in the cartridge. Thereby, the freedom degree of the external shape of a cartridge improves.

  (6) Preferably, the first base portion has an information holding portion for holding information indicating the type of the cartridge. The cartridge mounting portion is disposed downstream of the second protrusion in the removal direction, and has a reading portion that reads information held in the information holding portion.

  (7) Preferably, in the state where the supply unit is connected to the connection unit, the urging force in the removal direction is applied to the cartridge from the cartridge mounting unit. The cartridge mounting portion is in contact with a surface of the first base that faces the withdrawal direction, and maintains a state where the supply portion is connected to the connection portion against the urging force; A lock portion is provided that can be switched to a release state that is separated from the cartridge and allows the cartridge to move in the removal direction.

  As described above, by providing the first base with the surface on which the information holding unit or the lock unit abuts, a plurality of types of cartridges having different projection amounts of the first projection can be mounted on the cartridge mounting unit.

  (8) Preferably, the cartridge mounting portion includes a detection element that moves to a position corresponding to an amount of liquid stored in the second storage chamber, and detection in the second storage chamber in the second storage chamber. And a sensor for detecting whether or not the detected element is present at a position.

  As in the above configuration, the configuration of the cartridge can be simplified by arranging the detection element for detecting the remaining amount of the liquid in the second storage chamber. Thereby, the freedom degree of the external shape of a cartridge improves.

  (9) For example, the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber store ink. The consumption unit discharges ink stored in the second storage chamber and records an image on a recording medium.

  (10) Preferably, the second storage chamber is formed across the second base and the second protrusion. In a state where the supply unit is connected to the connection unit, the first storage chamber in the first protrusion of the first cartridge and the second storage chamber in the second protrusion are in the second direction. It is arranged at the overlapping position as seen from the top.

  According to the above configuration, the size of the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber can be increased without increasing the size of the device.

  According to the above configuration, the amount of protrusion of the first protrusion is increased or decreased, and the volume of the first storage chamber in the first protrusion is changed, so that the liquid consuming device does not increase in size in the first direction. The first cartridge and the second cartridge having different capacities and outer shapes can be selectively mounted on the cartridge mounting portion.

1A and 1B are external perspective views of the multifunction machine 10, in which FIG. 1A shows a state where the cover 87 is in the closed position, and FIG. 1B shows a state where the cover 87 is in the open position. FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the cartridge mounting portion 110 on the opening 112 side. FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of the cartridge mounting unit 110 on the tank 103 side. FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cartridge mounting part 110. FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the cartridge mounting unit 110 with the ink cartridge 60 mounted. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating ink cartridges 30A, 30B, and 30C in which the first base portion 48 and the first protrusion 49 are different, and tanks 103A, 103B, and 103C in which the second base portion 118 and the second protrusion 119 are different.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. In addition, the vertical direction 7 (an example of the second direction) is based on a posture (the posture in FIG. 1, which may be referred to as “use posture” in some cases) installed on the horizontal plane so that the multifunction machine 10 can be used. The front-rear direction 8 (an example of the first direction) is defined with the surface on which the opening 13 of the multifunction device 10 is provided as the front surface, and the left-right direction 9 (an example of the third direction) when the multifunction device 10 is viewed from the front. Is defined. In the present embodiment, in the use posture, the up-down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction. The front-rear direction 8 and the left-right direction 9 are orthogonal to each other.

[Overall configuration of MFP 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction machine 10 has a printer unit 11 that records an image on a sheet 12 (see FIG. 2) in an ink jet recording method. The multifunction machine 10 may have various functions such as a facsimile function, a scan function, and a copy function. The multifunction machine 10 is an example of a liquid consuming apparatus. The printer unit 11 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing 14. In the housing 14, as shown in FIG. 2, a feed tray 15, a discharge tray 16, a feed roller 23, a transport roller pair 25, a discharge roller pair 27, and a recording unit 24 (consumption) Part plate) and a platen 26 are disposed.

[Feeding tray 15, discharge tray 16, feeding roller 23]
As shown in FIG. 1, an opening 13 is formed in the front surface 14 </ b> A of the housing 14 and in the approximate center in the left-right direction 9. The feeding tray 15 is inserted and removed in the front-rear direction 8 through the opening 13. The feeding tray 15 supports a plurality of stacked sheets 12. The discharge tray 16 is disposed above the feeding tray 15. The discharge tray 16 supports the sheet 12 discharged by the discharge roller pair 27 from between the recording unit 24 and the platen 26. The feeding roller 23 is driven by a motor (not shown) to feed the sheet 12 supported on the feeding tray 15 to the conveyance path 17.

[Conveyance path 17]
As shown in FIG. 2, the conveyance path 17 indicates a space formed by the guide members 18 and 19, the recording unit 24, the platen 26, and the like. The guide members 18 and 19, the recording unit 24, and the platen 26 face each other at a predetermined interval inside the printer unit 11. The transport path 17 is a path that makes a U-turn while extending upward from the rear end of the feed tray 15 and reaches the discharge tray 16 via a position facing the recording unit 24. The conveyance direction is indicated by a one-dot chain arrow in FIG.

[Conveying roller pair 25]
The conveyance roller pair 25 is disposed upstream of the recording unit 24 in the conveyance direction. The conveyance roller pair 25 includes a conveyance roller 25A and a pinch roller 25B that face each other. The transport roller 25A is driven by a motor (not shown). The pinch roller 25B rotates with the rotation of the transport roller 25A. The sheet 12 is nipped between the conveying roller 25A and the pinch roller 25B that are normally rotated by transmission of the forward driving force of the motor, and is conveyed along the conveying direction.

[Discharge roller pair 27]
The discharge roller pair 27 is disposed downstream of the recording unit 24 in the transport direction. The discharge roller pair 27 includes a discharge roller 27A and a spur 27B that face each other. The discharge roller 27A is driven by a motor (not shown). The spur 27B rotates with the rotation of the discharge roller 27A. The sheet 12 is sandwiched between the discharge roller 27A and the spur 27B that rotate in the forward direction when the normal driving force of the motor is transmitted, and is conveyed along the conveying direction.

[Recording unit 24, platen 26]
As shown in FIG. 2, the recording unit 24 and the platen 26 are disposed between the conveyance roller pair 25 and the discharge roller pair 27 in the conveyance direction. More specifically, the recording unit 24 and the platen 26 are disposed downstream of the conveyance roller pair 25 in the conveyance direction and upstream of the discharge roller pair 27 in the conveyance direction. Further, the recording unit 24 and the platen 26 are disposed to face each other in the up-down direction 7.

  The recording unit 24 includes a carriage 22 and a recording head 21 mounted on the carriage 22. The carriage 22 reciprocates in the left-right direction 9 when a driving force of a motor (not shown) is transmitted. A plurality of nozzles 29 are formed on the lower surface of the recording head 21. The recording head 21 ejects ink droplets from the nozzles 29 by vibrating a vibration element such as a piezoelectric element. In the process of moving the carriage 22, the recording head 21 selectively ejects ink droplets onto the sheet 12 supported by the platen 26, thereby recording an image on the sheet 12.

  An ink tube and a flexible flat cable are connected to the carriage 22. The ink tube connects a cartridge mounting part 110 (see FIG. 1B), which will be described later, and the recording head 21. More specifically, the ink tube supplies ink (an example of a liquid) stored in each ink cartridge 30 (an example of a cartridge) mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 to the recording head 21. The ink tube is a bundle of four tubes through which ink of each color (black, magenta, cyan, yellow) circulates. The flexible flat cable electrically connects the control board that controls the operation of the multifunction machine 10 and the recording head 21.

[Cover 87]
An opening 85 is formed on the front surface 14 </ b> A of the housing 14 and on the right end in the left-right direction 9. The housing 14 can be rotated between a closed position for closing the opening 85 (position shown in FIG. 1A) and an open position for opening the opening 85 (position shown in FIG. 1B). A cover 87 is provided. The cover 87 is supported by the casing 14 so as to be rotatable around a rotation axis extending in the left-right direction 9 in the vicinity of the lower end of the casing 14 in the vertical direction 7. A cartridge mounting portion 110 is disposed in the accommodation space 86 inside the housing 14 that extends to the back of the opening 85.

[Cartridge mounting part 110]
As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the cartridge mounting unit 110 includes a cartridge case 101, a contact 106, a rod 125, a mounting sensor 113, a lock unit 129, a tank 103, and a liquid level sensor 55 (sensor For example). The cartridge mounting portion 110 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Four contacts 106, rods 125, mounting sensors 113, tanks 103, and liquid level sensors 55 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30. The number of ink cartridges 30 that can be accommodated in the cartridge mounting unit 110 is not limited to four.

[Cartridge case 101]
The cartridge case 101 constitutes a housing of the cartridge mounting unit 110. The cartridge case 101 has a box shape having an internal space for accommodating the ink cartridge 30. The inner space of the cartridge case 101 includes a top wall 141 that defines an upper end, a bottom wall 142 that defines a lower end, a back wall 143 that defines a rear end of the front-rear direction 8, and a pair of ends that define both ends in the left-right direction 9. And is defined by side walls 144, 145. On the other hand, the front end of the cartridge case 101 facing the back wall 143 in the front-rear direction 8 is an opening 112 that exposes the internal space of the cartridge case 101. Further, the opening 112 is exposed to the outside of the multifunction machine 10 through the opening 85 of the housing 14 when the cover 87 is disposed at the open position.

  The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 85 of the housing 14 and the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 toward the rear in the front-rear direction 8 (an example of the insertion direction). It is extracted toward the front (an example of the removal direction). Each ink cartridge 30 is guided in the front-rear direction 8 by inserting the lower end portion of the ink cartridge 30 into each guide groove 109 provided in the bottom wall 142 spaced apart in the left-right direction 9. The cartridge case 101 is provided with three plates 104 that divide the internal space into four spaces adjacent in the left-right direction 9. In each space partitioned by the plate 104, four ink cartridges 30 storing different color inks are accommodated.

[Contact 106]
As shown in FIG. 5, the contact 106 is provided on the top wall 141 of the cartridge case 101. The contact 106 protrudes downward from the top wall 141 toward the internal space of the cartridge case 101. The contact 106 is disposed at a position in contact with an electrode 65 (to be described later) of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. The contact 106 is made of a member having conductivity and elasticity, and can be elastically deformed upward. The contact 106 is electrically connected to the control board through an electric circuit. When the contact 106 and the electrode 65 are brought into electrical contact with each other, the voltage Vc is applied to the electrode 65, the electrode 65 is grounded, or power is supplied to the electrode 65. The contact 106 is an example of a reading unit that reads information held on the IC substrate.

[Rod 125]
As shown in FIG. 5, the rod 125 protrudes forward from the back wall 143 of the cartridge case 101. In the back wall 143 of the cartridge case 101, the rod 125 is provided above the connecting portion 107 described later. The rod 125 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 36 through the atmospheric communication port 96 described later in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Mounting sensor 113]
The mounting sensor 113 is provided on the top wall 141 of the cartridge case 101 as shown in FIG. The mounting sensor 113 detects whether or not the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. The mounting sensor 113 is located in front of the rod 125 and behind the contact 106. The mounting sensor 113 according to the present embodiment includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are separated in the left-right direction 9. A light shielding plate 67 (to be described later) of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 is disposed between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. In other words, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are disposed to face each other with the light shielding plate 67 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 interposed therebetween.

  The mounting sensor 113 outputs different detection signals depending on whether or not the light emitted from the light emitting unit along the left-right direction 9 is received by the light receiving unit. For example, the mounting sensor 113 outputs a low level signal to the control board on condition that the light output from the light emitting unit cannot be received by the light receiving unit (that is, the light receiving intensity is less than a predetermined intensity). On the other hand, the mounting sensor 113 outputs a high level signal to the control board on condition that the light output from the light emitting unit can be received by the light receiving unit (that is, the received light intensity is equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity). The mounting sensor 113 is an example of a reading unit that reads information held by the light shielding plate 67.

[Lock part 129]
As shown in FIG. 5, the lock portion 129 extends in the left-right direction 9 of the cartridge case 101 in the vicinity of the top wall 141 of the cartridge case 101 and in the vicinity of the opening 112. The lock portion 129 is a rod-shaped member extending along the left-right direction 9. The lock part 129 is, for example, a metal cylinder. Both ends of the lock portion 129 in the left-right direction 9 are fixed to the side walls 144 and 145 of the cartridge case 101. The lock portion 129 extends in the left-right direction 9 over four spaces in which the four ink cartridges 30 can be stored.

  The lock unit 129 is for holding the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 at the mounting position shown in FIG. The ink cartridge 30 is engaged with the lock unit 129 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. Accordingly, the lock portion 129 holds the ink cartridge 30 in the mounting position against the force with which the coil springs 78, 98, and 115 push the ink cartridge 30 backward.

[Tank 103]
As shown in FIG. 5, the tank 103 is provided behind the back wall 143 of the cartridge case 101. The tank 103 includes an upper wall 151, a front wall 152, a lower wall 153, a rear wall 154, and a pair of side walls 144 and 145. Of the walls constituting the tank 103, at least a region facing a liquid level sensor 55 described later has translucency to transmit light output from the liquid level sensor 55.

  At least a part of the rear wall 154 may be a film that is welded to the end surfaces of the upper wall 151, the lower wall 153, and the side walls 144 and 145. The side walls 144 and 145 may be common with the cartridge case 101 or may be independent of the cartridge case 101. Further, the tanks 103 adjacent in the left-right direction 9 are partitioned by a partition wall (not shown). The configuration of the four tanks 103 is generally common.

  The upper wall 151 includes a first upper wall 151A and a second upper wall 151B. The first upper wall 151A is located behind the second upper wall 151B in the front-rear direction 8 and above the vertical direction 7. The front wall 152 includes a first front wall 152A and a second front wall 152B. The first front wall 152A is located behind the second front wall 152B in the front-rear direction 8 and above the vertical direction 7. The first front wall 152A is connected to the front end of the first upper wall 151A and the rear end of the second upper wall 151B. The upper end of the second front wall 152B is connected to the front end of the second upper wall 151B. A connecting portion 107 is provided on the second front wall 152B.

  In addition, 151 A of 1st upper walls may be further comprised by the some wall. The second upper wall 151B, the first front wall 152A, the second front wall 152B, and the first upper wall 39A, the second upper wall 39B, the first rear wall 40A, the second rear wall 40B, and the third rear wall 40C described later. The same applies to the first lower wall 42A and the second lower wall 42B.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the tank 103 is roughly divided into a second base 118 and a second protrusion 119. The second base 118 indicates, for example, a portion surrounded by a part of the rear side of the first front wall 152A, the first upper wall 151A, the rear wall 154, and the lower wall 153. The 2nd protrusion 119 points out the part enclosed by a part of the front side of the 2nd upper wall 151B, the 2nd front wall 152B, and the lower wall 153, for example. That is, the second protrusion 119 protrudes forward from a part of the second base 118 in the vertical direction 7. More specifically, the second protrusion 119 protrudes forward from the lower portion of the second base 118 in the vertical direction 7. The boundary in the front-rear direction 8 of the second base 118 and the second protrusion 119 may be, for example, an extension line of the first front wall 152A.

  The tank 103 has a box shape having a storage chamber 121 and a buffer chamber 122 therein. The storage chamber 121 and the buffer chamber 122 are arranged in the up-down direction 7 with the buffer chamber 122 facing upward. The storage chamber 121 and the buffer chamber 122 are communicated with each other by a flow path 123 that extends in the vertical direction 7. The storage chamber 121, the buffer chamber 122, and the flow path 123 are examples of the second storage chamber. The storage chamber 121 is formed across the second base 118 and the second protrusion 119. As a result, the horizontal sectional area of the storage chamber 121 below the second upper wall 151B is larger than the horizontal sectional areas of the storage chamber 121, the buffer chamber 122, and the flow path 123 above the second upper wall 151B.

  The storage chamber 121 communicates with the ink flow path 126 through the communication port 128. The communication port 128 is formed in the lower wall 153 that defines the lower end of the storage chamber 121. The communication port 128 is located below the connecting portion 107 in the vertical direction 7. The ink flow path 126 extends upward from the communication port 128 and communicates with the ink outflow port 127. An ink tube is connected to the ink outflow port 127. As a result, the ink stored in the storage chamber 121 flows out from the communication port 128 and is supplied to the recording head 21 through the ink flow path 126 and the ink tube.

  The buffer chamber 122 communicates with an atmosphere communication port 124 (an example of a second atmosphere communication portion) provided in the upper part of the tank 103. That is, the atmosphere communication port 124 allows the storage chamber 121, the buffer chamber 122, and the flow path 123 to communicate with the atmosphere. Note that the atmosphere communication port 124 may be opened and closed under the control of the control board. A labyrinth passage or a semipermeable membrane (not shown) may be provided in the atmospheric flow path between the buffer chamber 122 and the atmospheric communication port 124.

[Connection 107]
The connecting portion 107 includes an ink needle 102 made of a tubular resin and a guide portion 105. The ink needle 102 protrudes forward from the second front wall 152B. An opening 116 is provided at the protruding tip of the ink needle 102. In addition, the internal space of the ink needle 102 communicates with the storage chamber 121. Further, the ink needle 102 is disposed at a position corresponding to the ink supply unit 34 (an example of a supply unit) of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110.

  The guide part 105 is a cylindrical member disposed around the ink needle 102. The guide portion 105 protrudes forward from the second front wall 152B, and an opening is provided at the protruding end. The ink needle 102 is disposed at the center of the guide portion 105. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, the ink supply unit 34 enters the guide unit 105.

  A valve 114 and a coil spring 115 are accommodated in the internal space of the ink needle 102. The valve 114 is configured to be movable along the front-rear direction 8 between a closed position that closes the opening 116 and an open position that opens the opening 116 in the internal space of the ink needle 102. The coil spring 115 urges the valve 114 to move in the closed position, that is, forward. The front end of the valve 114 in the closed position protrudes forward from the opening 116.

[Rotating member 50]
As shown in FIG. 5, the rotation member 50 is disposed in the storage chamber 121. The rotation member 50 is supported by a support member (not shown) disposed in the storage chamber 121 so as to be rotatable in the directions of arrows 58 and 59. The rotating member 50 can rotate between a position indicated by a solid line and a position indicated by a broken line in FIG. Further, the rotation of the rotation member 50 from the position indicated by the solid line in the direction of the arrow 58 is restricted by a restriction member (not shown). The rotating member 50 includes a float 51, a shaft 52, an arm 53, and a detected portion 54 (an example of a detected element).

  The float 51 is located below the rotating member 50. The float 51 is formed of a material having a specific gravity smaller than that of the ink stored in the storage chamber 121. The shaft 52 projects in the left-right direction 9 from the right and left surfaces of the float 51. The shaft 52 is inserted into a hole formed in the support member. Thereby, the rotation member 50 is supported by the support member so as to be rotatable about the shaft 52. The arm 53 protrudes substantially upward from the float 51. The detected portion 54 is formed at the protruding tip of the arm 53. The detected portion 54 is configured in a plate shape extending in the up-down direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8. The detected portion 54 is formed of a material that blocks light output from a light emitting portion of a liquid level sensor 55 described later.

  When the ink level is higher than the boundary position P1, the rotating member 50 rotated in the direction of the arrow 58 by buoyancy is held at the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. The position of the detected portion 54 of the rotating member 50 indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5 is an example of a detection position. On the other hand, when the ink liquid level is equal to or lower than the boundary position P1, the rotating member 50 is rotated in the direction of the arrow 59 by gravity that increases following the liquid level drop. Thereby, the detected part 54 moves to a position deviating from the detection position. That is, the detected portion 54 moves to a position corresponding to the amount of ink stored in the storage chamber 121.

  The boundary position P <b> 1 according to the present embodiment is the same height as the axis center of the ink needle 102 in the vertical direction 7 and the same height as the center of the ink supply port 71 described later. However, the boundary position P1 is not limited to the above-described position as long as the boundary position P1 is a position above the communication port 128 in the vertical direction 7. As another example, the boundary position P <b> 1 may be the height of the upper end or the lower end of the internal space of the ink needle 102, or the height of the upper end or the lower end of the ink supply port 71. Further, the boundary position P1 is desirably lower than the second upper wall 151B.

[Liquid level sensor 55]
The liquid level sensor 55 detects whether or not the detected portion 54 of the rotating member 50 is disposed at the detection position. The liquid level sensor 55 according to the present embodiment includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit that are spaced apart in the left-right direction 9. The liquid level sensor 55 outputs different detection signals depending on whether or not the light output from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. That is, the specific configuration of the liquid level sensor 55 may be the same as that of the mounting sensor 113.

  When the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 121 is higher than the boundary position P1, the liquid level sensor 55 is low level because the light output from the light emitting unit is blocked by the detected unit 54 and is not received by the light receiving unit. The signal is output to the control board. On the other hand, when the liquid level of the ink stored in the storage chamber 121 is equal to or lower than the boundary position P1, the liquid level sensor 55 receives the light output from the light emitting unit at the light receiving unit, and therefore sends a high level signal to the control board. Output. That is, the liquid level sensor 55 detects whether or not the liquid level of the ink in the storage chamber 121 is higher than the boundary position P <b> 1 based on the position of the detected portion 54.

[Ink cartridge 30]
The ink cartridge 30 is a container that stores ink. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the ink cartridge 30 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 31. The casing 31 has a flat shape in which the dimensions along the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 are larger than the dimensions along the left-right direction 9. Note that the outer shapes of the ink cartridges 30 in which different color inks are stored may be the same or different. The housing 31 includes a rear wall 40, a front wall 41, an upper wall 39, a lower wall 42, and side walls 37 and 38. At least the front wall 41 of the walls constituting the housing 31 has translucency so that the liquid level of the ink stored in the upper storage chamber 32 and the lower storage chamber 33 can be visually recognized from the outside.

  The rear wall 40 includes a first rear wall 40A, a second rear wall 40B, and a third rear wall 40C. The first rear wall 40A is located in front of the second rear wall 40B in the front-rear direction 8 and above the vertical direction 7. Further, the second rear wall 40B is located behind the third rear wall 40C in the front-rear direction and above the vertical direction 7. Further, the third rear wall 40C is located in front of the first rear wall 40A in the front-rear direction 8 and below the vertical direction 7. An air communication port 96 is provided on the first rear wall 40A. An ink supply unit 34 is provided on the third rear wall 40C.

  The upper wall 39 includes a first upper wall 39A and a second upper wall 39B. The first upper wall 39A is located in front of the second upper wall 39B in the front-rear direction 8 and above the vertical direction 7. The front end of the first upper wall 39A is connected to the upper end of the first rear wall 40A. The second upper wall 39B is connected to the lower end of the first rear wall 40A and the upper end of the second rear wall 40B. The first upper wall 39A is provided with a convex portion 43, an operation portion 90, a light shielding plate 67, and an IC substrate 64.

  The lower wall 42 includes a first lower wall 42A and a second lower wall 42B. The first lower wall 42A is located behind the second lower wall 42B in the front-rear direction 8 and above the vertical direction 7. The first lower wall 42A is connected to the lower end of the second rear wall 40B and the upper end of the third rear wall 40C. The second lower wall 42B is connected to the lower end of the third rear wall 40C.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the casing 31 of the ink cartridge 30 is roughly divided into a first base 48 and a first protrusion 49. The first base 48 is surrounded by, for example, a part of the front side of the first upper wall 39A, the front wall 41, the second lower wall 42B, the third rear wall 40C, and a part of the front side of the side walls 37, 38. Refers to the part. The first protrusion 49 is, for example, a part of the rear side of the first upper wall 39A, the first rear wall 40A, the second upper wall 39B, the second rear wall 40B, the first lower wall 42A, and the side walls 37, 38. The part surrounded by a part on the back side of.

  That is, the first protrusion 49 protrudes rearward from a part of the first base 48 in the vertical direction 7. More specifically, the first protrusion 49 protrudes rearward from the upper portion of the first base 48 in the vertical direction 7. The boundary in the front-rear direction 8 of the first base 48 and the first protrusion 49 may be, for example, an extension line of the first rear wall 40A or an extension line of the third rear wall 40C, or the first rear wall 40A. It may be a virtual line connecting the lower end and the upper end of the third rear wall 40C.

  The convex portion 43 projects upward from the outer surface of the first upper wall 39 </ b> A and extends in the front-rear direction 8. More specifically, the convex portion 43 is desirably provided on the first base portion 48. A surface facing the front of the convex portion 43 is a lock surface 62. The lock surface 62 is located above the first upper wall 39A. The lock surface 62 is a surface that comes into contact with the lock portion 129 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. When the lock surface 62 and the lock portion 129 come into contact with each other, the ink cartridge 30 is held at the mounting position against the urging force of the coil springs 78, 98, and 115.

  An inclined surface 63 is formed on the opposite side of the convex portion 43 from the lock surface 62. In the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the lock portion 129 is guided along the inclined surface 63. As a result, the lock portion 129 is guided to a position where it comes into contact with the lock surface 62. The state in which the lock surface 62 is in contact with the lock portion 129 is an example of a lock state in which the ink supply unit 34 is kept connected to the connection unit 107 against the urging force of the coil springs 78, 98, and 115. .

  The operation unit 90 is provided on the outer surface of the first upper wall 39 </ b> A and in front of the lock surface 62. When the operation surface 92 of the operation unit 90 is pushed downward in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, the ink cartridge 30 is rotated to move the lock surface 62 below the lock unit 129. To do. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 can be removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110. The state in which the lock surface 62 is separated from the lock portion 129 is an example of a release state in which the ink cartridge 30 can be moved rearward.

  The light shielding plate 67 is provided on the outer surface of the first upper wall 39 </ b> A and behind the convex portion 43. The light shielding plate 67 protrudes upward from the outer surface of the first upper wall 39 </ b> A and extends in the front-rear direction 8. More specifically, it is desirable that the light shielding plate 67 is provided on the first base. The light shielding plate 67 blocks light output from the light emitting unit of the mounting sensor 113. The light shielding plate 67 is formed with a notch 66. The notch 66 is a space recessed downward from the upper end of the light shielding plate 67, and extends in the front-rear direction 8. When the notch 66 is positioned on the optical path of the light output from the mounting sensor 113, the light reaches the light receiving unit without being blocked.

  That is, in the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110, a high level signal having a pattern corresponding to the position, size, and number of the notches 66 provided in the light shielding plate 67 is output to the control board. Is done. That is, the control board can determine the type of the ink cartridge 30 (for example, ink color, initial storage amount, etc.) based on the pattern of the signal output from the mounting sensor 113. The light shielding plate 67 is an example of an information holding unit that holds information indicating the type of the ink cartridge 30.

  The IC substrate 64 is provided on the outer surface of the first upper wall 39A and between the light shielding plate 67 and the convex portion 43 in the front-rear direction 8. More specifically, the IC substrate 64 is preferably provided on the first base 48. An IC (not shown) and an electrode 65 are mounted on the IC substrate 64. In the IC, information related to the ink cartridge 30 (for example, lot number, date of manufacture, ink color, etc.) is readably stored. Each electrode 65 is electrically connected to the IC. The electrode 65 is exposed on the upper surface of the IC substrate 64 so as to be electrically accessible.

  The electrode 65 is electrically connected to the contact 106 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. As a result, the control board can access data stored in the IC through the contact 106. The IC substrate 64 is an example of an information holding unit that holds information indicating the type of the ink cartridge 30.

  As shown in FIG. 8, an upper storage chamber 32, a lower storage chamber 33, an ink valve chamber 35, and an atmospheric valve chamber 36 are formed in the internal space of the housing 31. The upper storage chamber 32, the lower storage chamber 33, and the ink valve chamber 35 store ink. The upper storage chamber 32, the lower storage chamber 33, and the ink valve chamber 35 are examples of the first storage chamber. The atmosphere is circulated in the atmosphere valve chamber 36 between the upper storage chamber 32 and the outside of the housing 31.

  The upper storage chamber 32 and the lower storage chamber 33 are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction 7 by a partition wall 45 that partitions the internal space of the housing 31. Further, the upper storage chamber 32 and the lower storage chamber 33 are communicated with each other through a not-shown through hole (an example of a communication path) formed in the partition wall 45. The through hole is preferably formed in front of the third rear wall 40C in the front-rear direction 8. The volume of the upper storage chamber 32 is larger than the lower storage chamber 33 and the ink valve chamber 35. The upper storage chamber 32 is formed across the first base 48 and the first protrusion 49. Thereby, the horizontal cross-sectional area of the upper storage chamber 32 above the first lower wall 42A is larger than the horizontal cross-sectional areas of the upper storage chamber 32, the lower storage chamber 33, and the ink valve chamber 35 below the first lower wall 42A. .

  The upper storage chamber 32 and the atmospheric valve chamber 36 are arranged adjacent to each other in the vertical direction 7 by a partition wall 44 that partitions the internal space of the housing 31. The upper storage chamber 32 and the atmospheric valve chamber 36 are communicated with each other through a through hole 46 formed in the partition wall 44. The lower storage chamber 33 is located in front of the ink valve chamber 35 in the front-rear direction 8. The lower storage chamber 33 and the ink valve chamber 35 are communicated with each other through a through hole 99. The volumes of the lower storage chamber 33 and the ink valve chamber 35 are smaller than the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103.

  The atmospheric valve chamber 36 is an atmospheric flow path provided above the upper storage chamber 32. More specifically, the atmospheric valve chamber 36 is preferably provided above the upper end of the first protrusion 49. The second rear wall 40 </ b> B is preferably located behind the atmosphere communication port 96 that allows the atmosphere valve chamber 36 to communicate with the outside of the housing 31. The atmospheric valve chamber 36 may be provided with a labyrinth passage (not shown) or a semipermeable membrane. A valve 97 and a coil spring 98 are accommodated in the atmospheric valve chamber 36. The valve 97 is movable between a closed position where the air communication port 96 is closed and an open position where the air communication port 96 is opened. The coil spring 98 urges the valve 97 to move in the closed position, that is, backward.

  In the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rod 125 enters the atmospheric valve chamber 36 through the atmospheric communication port 96. The rod 125 that has entered the atmospheric valve chamber 36 moves the valve 97 in the closed position forward against the biasing force of the coil spring 98. Then, when the valve 97 moves to the open position, the upper storage chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere. Note that the configuration for opening the atmosphere communication port 96 is not limited to the above example. As another example, a film that seals the air communication port 96 may be pierced by the rod 125.

  The ink supply unit 34 protrudes rearward from the third rear wall 40C. More specifically, it is desirable that the ink supply unit 34 is provided on the surface facing the rear of the first base 48 below the lower end of the first protrusion 49. The ink supply unit 34 is a cylindrical member. An internal space of the ink supply unit 34 is an ink valve chamber 35. The protruding tip of the ink supply unit 34 opens to the outside of the ink cartridge 30. The second rear wall 40 </ b> B is located further rearward than the tip of the ink supply unit 34. In the ink valve chamber 35, a seal member 76, a valve 77, and a coil spring 78 are accommodated.

  The seal member 76 is a disk-shaped member having a through hole formed in the center. The seal member 76 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, for example. In the center of the seal member 76, an ink supply port 71 penetrating in the front-rear direction 8 is formed. The inner diameter of the ink supply port 71 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink needle 102. In the ink valve chamber 35, the valve 77 is between a closed position where the ink supply port 71 is closed by contacting the seal member 76 and an open position where the ink supply port 71 is opened after being separated from the seal member 76. It is configured to be movable along the front-rear direction 8. The coil spring 78 biases the valve 77 in a direction to move the valve 77 to the closed position, that is, backward.

  In the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink needle 102 enters the ink valve chamber 35 through the ink supply port 71. At this time, the ink needle 102 comes into liquid-tight contact with the inner peripheral surface defining the ink supply port 71 while elastically deforming the seal member 76. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink needle 102 moves the valve 77 to the open position against the biasing force of the coil spring 78. The valve 77 moves the valve 114 protruding from the opening 116 of the ink needle 102 to the open position against the biasing force of the coil spring 115.

  As a result, as shown in FIG. 9, the ink supply port 71 and the opening 116 are opened, and ink can flow between the ink valve chamber 35 of the ink supply unit 34 and the internal space of the ink needle 102. This state is an example of a state where the ink supply unit 34 and the connection unit 107 are connected. As a result, the ink stored in the upper storage chamber 32 and the lower storage chamber 33 flows out to the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103 due to a water head difference through the connected ink supply unit 34 and the connection unit 107.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the first base portion of the ink cartridge 30 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, in other words, in a state where the ink supply portion 34 is connected to the connection portion 107. For example, the positional relationship between the 48 and the first protrusion 49 and the second base 118 and the second protrusion 119 of the tank 103 is as follows.

  First, the first base 48 is disposed at a position overlapping both the second base 118 and the second protrusion 119 when viewed from the front-rear direction 8. Further, the first base 48 is disposed at a position that does not overlap with both the second base 118 and the second protrusion 119 when viewed in the up-down direction 7. In other words, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the third rear wall 40C is disposed in front of the second front wall 152B.

  The first protrusion 49 is disposed at a position that overlaps the second base 118 and does not overlap the second protrusion 119 when viewed from the front-rear direction 8. In other words, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the first upper wall 39A is disposed below the first upper wall 151A, and the first lower wall 42A is positioned above the second upper wall 151B. Be placed.

  Further, the first protrusion 49 is disposed at a position that does not overlap the second base 118 and overlaps the second protrusion 119 when viewed from the vertical direction 7. In other words, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the second rear wall 40B is disposed behind the second front wall 152B. More specifically, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the upper storage chamber 32 in the first protrusion 49 and the storage chamber 121 in the second protrusion 119 are from the vertical direction 7. It is desirable that they are arranged so as to overlap each other.

  In the present specification, “the first protrusion 49 and the second protrusion 119 overlap” means that at least a part of the first protrusion 49 and at least a part of the second protrusion 119 overlap. Point to. That is, “the first protrusion 49 and the second protrusion 119 overlap” means that the entire first protrusion 49 and the entire second protrusion 119 overlap each other. A part of the second protrusion 119 overlaps, a part of the first protrusion 49 overlaps the whole of the second protrusion 119, or a part of the first protrusion 49 and one of the second protrusions 119. It means that the part overlaps. The same applies to “the first protrusion 49 and the second base 118 overlap”, “the first base 48 and the second base 118 overlap”, and “the first base 48 and the second protrusion 119 overlap”. .

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, an ink cartridge 60 can be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 instead of the ink cartridge 30. That is, the connection unit 107 is configured so that the ink supply unit 34 of the ink cartridges 30 and 60 storing the same color ink can be selectively contacted and separated. The ink cartridges 30 and 60 have the same length in the vertical direction 7 and the horizontal direction 9. The ink cartridges 30 and 60 have the same distance in the vertical direction 7 and the front-rear direction 8 between the lock surface 62 and other components (for example, the ink supply port 71, the air communication port 96, the IC substrate 64, and the light shielding plate 67). is there. The ink cartridge 30 is an example of a first cartridge, and the ink cartridge 60 is an example of a second cartridge.

  The ink cartridge 60 has a smaller amount of protrusion of the first protrusion 49 than the ink cartridge 30. That is, in a state where the ink cartridge 60 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the first protrusion 49 of the ink cartridge 60 may be disposed at a position that does not overlap with the second protrusion 119 when viewed in the vertical direction 7. . The ink cartridge 60 has a smaller volume of the upper storage chamber 32 than the ink cartridge 30. More specifically, in the ink cartridge 60 shown in FIG. 10, the second upper wall 39B is omitted, and the first rear wall 40A and the second rear wall 40B are flush with each other. The ink cartridge 60 does not have to have the first protrusion 49, that is, the protrusion amount of the first protrusion 49 is 0, that is, the first base 48. That is, in the ink cartridge 60, the first lower wall 42A may be further omitted, and the first rear wall 40A, the second rear wall 40B, and the third rear wall 40C may be flush with each other.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
According to the above embodiment, the multifunction device 10 is increased in the front-rear direction 8 by increasing or decreasing the protrusion amount of the first protrusion 49 and changing the volume of the upper storage chamber 32 in the first protrusion 49. Even without this, the ink cartridges 30 and 60 having different capacities and outer shapes can be selectively mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. In particular, the size of the multifunction machine 10 can be increased by arranging the upper storage chamber 32 in the first protrusion 49 and the storage chamber 121 in the second protrusion 119 in an overlapping position when viewed in the vertical direction 7. The size of the upper storage chamber 32 and the storage chamber 121 can be increased.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, by unifying the sizes of the ink cartridges 30 and 60 in the up and down direction 7 and the left and right direction 9, it is the same for the cartridge mounting unit 110 to which the four ink cartridges 30 can be mounted simultaneously. A desired ink cartridge among the ink cartridges 30 and 60 in which color ink is stored can be selectively connected to each connection portion 107.

  On the other hand, according to the above-described embodiment, all the ink cartridges 30 and 60 are arranged at the same position (for example, the ink supply unit 34, the convex portion 43, the IC substrate 64, the light shielding plate 67, the operation unit 90, the atmosphere). A communication port 96 or the like is disposed on the first base 48. As a result, a plurality of types of ink cartridges 30 and 60 having different protrusion amounts of the first protrusion 49 can be selectively mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the ink supply unit 34 is disposed below the first protrusion 49. As a result, in the multi-function device 10 that supplies ink from the ink cartridge 30 to the tank 103 due to a water head difference, most of the ink in the ink cartridge 30 can be supplied to the storage chamber 121.

  In addition, the arrangement of the ink cartridges 30 and 60 can be simplified by disposing the rotating member 50 for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the storage chamber 121 as in the above embodiment. Thereby, the freedom degree of the external shape of the ink cartridges 30 and 60 improves. However, the rotating member 50 may be disposed in the ink cartridges 30 and 60.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the atmosphere communication port 96 is opened and closed by the valve 97 has been described. However, a specific configuration for communicating the upper storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridges 30 and 60 with the atmosphere is not limited thereto. As another example, the valve 97 and the coil spring 98 may be omitted from the atmospheric valve chamber 36 and always communicated with the atmosphere by a semipermeable membrane. As a result, the component (for example, the rod 125) of the cartridge mounting portion 110 is brought into contact with the ink cartridges 30 and 60 above the ink level in the ink cartridges 30 and 60, and the air communication port 96 is opened. There is no need. As a result, the degree of freedom of the outer shape of the ink cartridges 30 and 60 is improved.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the ink cartridges 30 and 60 are inserted and removed in the front-rear direction 8 with respect to the cartridge mounting unit 110 has been described. However, the insertion and removal direction of the ink cartridges 30 and 60 is not limited to the front-rear direction 8 The vertical direction 7 may be sufficient, and the horizontal direction 9 may be sufficient. Further, the method of supplying ink from the ink cartridges 30 and 60 to the tank 103 is not limited to the water head difference, and a pump or the like may be used.

  The positional relationship between the first base 48 and the first protrusion 49 of the ink cartridges 30 and 60 and the second base 118 and the second protrusion 119 of the tank 103 is not limited to the above-described example. Referring to FIG. 11, the first base 48, the first protrusion 49, the second base 118, the second protrusion 119, the ink supply section 34, and the connection when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 110. Another example of the layout of the unit 107 will be described.

  In addition, when it sees from the up-down direction 7 and the front-back direction 8, the way of the 1st base 48, the 1st protrusion 49, the 2nd base 118, and the 2nd protrusion 119 is the same as that of said embodiment. In FIG. 11, the positional relationship among the first base 48, the first protrusion 49, the second base 118, the second protrusion 119, the ink supply part 34, and the connection part 107 is mainly illustrated, and other components The illustration of is omitted.

  As an example, the ink cartridge 30 </ b> A illustrated in FIG. 11A includes a first base 48 and a first protrusion 49 that protrudes rearward from the lower portion of the first base 48. The ink supply unit 34 protrudes from the surface facing the back of the first protrusion 49. The tank 103A shown in FIG. 11A includes a second base 118 and a second protrusion 119 that protrudes forward from the upper portion of the second base 118. The connecting portion 107 protrudes from the surface facing the front of the second base portion 118. Further, by reducing the amount of protrusion of the first protrusion 49 above the ink supply part 34, a second cartridge that can be attached to the cartridge attachment part 110 is obtained instead of the ink cartridge 30A (an example of the first cartridge). Can do.

  As another example, the ink cartridge 30 </ b> B shown in FIG. 11B includes a first base 48 and a first protrusion 49 that protrudes rearward from the center of the first base 48. The ink supply unit 34 protrudes from the surface facing the back of the first base 48 below the first protrusion 49. The tank 103B shown in FIG. 11B includes a second base 118 and second protrusions 119A and 119B that protrude forward from two locations, the upper and lower portions of the second base 118. And the connection part 107 protrudes from the surface which faces the front of the lower 2nd protrusion 119B.

  As yet another example, an ink cartridge 30C shown in FIG. 11C includes a first base 48 and first protrusions 49A and 49B that protrude rearward from the upper and lower portions of the first base 48. Composed. And the ink supply part 34 protrudes from the surface which faces the back of the lower 1st protrusion 49B. The tank 103C shown in FIG. 11C includes a second base 118 and a second protrusion 119 that protrudes forward from the center of the second base 118. The connecting portion 107 protrudes from the surface facing the front of the second base 118 below the second protrusion 119. Further, by reducing the protruding amount of the upper first protrusion 49A, a second cartridge that can be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 can be obtained instead of the ink cartridge 30C (an example of the first cartridge).

  Furthermore, the liquid stored in the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103 is not limited to ink. As another example, pretreatment liquid discharged onto the sheet 12 or the like prior to ink at the time of image recording, and water for cleaning the recording head 21 may be stored in the ink cartridge 30 and the tank 103.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... MFP 24 ... Recording part 30 ... Ink cartridge 32 ... Upper storage chamber 33 ... Lower storage chamber 34 ... Ink supply part 47 ... Communication port 48 ... No. 1 base 49... First protrusion 50... Rotating member 55... Liquid level sensor 64... IC substrate 67. ··· Contact 107 ··· Connection portion 113 ··· Mounting sensor 118 ··· Second base portion 119 ··· Second protrusion 121 · · · Storage chamber 124 · · · Air communication port 125 · · · Rod 129 ..Lock part

Claims (10)

A first cartridge and a second cartridge, which are cartridges having a first storage chamber in which liquid is stored, and a supply unit that supplies the liquid stored in the first storage chamber;
A connecting portion in which the supply portions of the first cartridge and the second cartridge can be selectively contacted and separated, and a liquid supplied from the first storage chamber through the supply portion connected to the connection portion. A cartridge mounting portion having two storage chambers;
A liquid consuming device comprising a consuming unit that consumes the liquid stored in the second storage chamber,
The supply part and the connection part are
The cartridge is connected to the cartridge mounting portion by being inserted in the insertion direction in the first direction,
The cartridge is separated from the cartridge mounting portion by being withdrawn / removed in a removal direction opposite to the insertion direction,
The first cartridge includes a first base and a first protrusion protruding in the insertion direction from a part of the first base in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first storage chamber is formed across one base and the first protrusion,
The second cartridge has at least the first base portion in which the first storage chamber is formed, and has a smaller volume of the first storage chamber and a protrusion of the first protrusion than the first cartridge. The amount is small
The cartridge mounting portion includes a second base and a second protrusion that protrudes from the part of the second base in the second direction in the removal direction.
In a state where the supply unit is connected to the connection unit,
The first base portion is disposed at a position that overlaps with the second base portion and the second protrusion when viewed from the first direction and does not overlap with the second base portion and the second protrusion when viewed from the second direction. ,
The first protrusion of the first cartridge overlaps with the second base when viewed from the first direction and does not overlap with the second protrusion, but overlaps with the second base when viewed from the second direction. And a liquid consuming device arranged at a position overlapping the second protrusion. The first cartridge and the second cartridge have the same length in the third direction orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction,
The liquid consuming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the cartridge mounting portion includes a plurality of the connection portions arranged at a predetermined interval in the third direction. The supply portion is provided on a surface facing the insertion direction of the first base at a position different from the first protrusion in the second direction,
The liquid consuming device according to claim 1, wherein the connection portion is provided on a surface of the second protrusion that faces the removal direction. The second direction is a vertical direction,
The supply unit is provided in the first base below the first protrusion,
The cartridge has a first atmospheric communication portion for communicating the first storage chamber with the atmosphere,
The liquid consuming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cartridge mounting unit includes a second atmospheric communication unit that communicates the second storage chamber with the atmosphere. The first atmospheric communication part is
An air flow path communicating the first storage chamber and the outer surface of the cartridge;
The liquid consuming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the supply unit is liquid-tightly sealed with a semipermeable membrane above the liquid stored in the first storage chamber in a state where the supply unit is connected to the connection unit. The first base has an information holding unit for holding information indicating the type of the cartridge,
The said cartridge mounting part is arrange | positioned in the said removal direction downstream from the said 2nd protrusion part, and has the reading part which reads the information hold | maintained at the said information holding part. Liquid consuming device. In the state where the supply part is connected to the connection part, the urging force in the withdrawal direction is applied to the cartridge from the cartridge mounting part.
The cartridge mounting part is
A locked state that abuts against the surface of the first base facing the withdrawal direction and maintains the state where the supply unit is connected to the connection unit against the biasing force;
The liquid consuming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a lock portion that is separated from the cartridge and can be switched to a release state in which the cartridge can be moved in the removal direction. The cartridge mounting part is
In the second storage chamber, a detected element that moves to a position corresponding to the amount of liquid stored in the second storage chamber;
The liquid consumption apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a sensor that detects whether or not the detection target exists at a detection position in the second storage chamber. The first storage chamber and the second storage chamber store ink,
The liquid consuming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the consuming unit discharges ink stored in the second storage chamber and records an image on a recording medium. The second storage chamber is formed across the second base and the second protrusion,
In a state where the supply unit is connected to the connection unit, the first storage chamber in the first protrusion of the first cartridge and the second storage chamber in the second protrusion are in the second direction. The liquid consuming device according to claim 1, wherein the liquid consuming device is disposed at an overlapping position when viewed from above.

Images