JP2019064044A - Liquid cartridge and system - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce adhesion of a foreign matter to an IC substrate of a liquid cartridge.SOLUTION: An ink cartridge 30, which is mounted on a cartridge mounting part 110 to be inserted into a front side of the part, comprises: a housing 31 having a first storage chamber 32 that can store ink; an IC substrate 64, upwardly arranged, which can be brought into contact with a contact point 106 of the cartridge mounting part 110; and a moving member 160 supported on the housing 31 to be movable to a first position where the member covers the IC substrate 64 from above and to a second position where the member does not cover the IC substrate 64 from above.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 16

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge for storing liquid, and a system including the liquid cartridge and a mounting portion to which the liquid cartridge can be mounted.

  As an example of such a system, an ink jet recording apparatus in which an ink cartridge can be attached to and removed from an attachment portion is known.

  Some ink cartridges are provided with an IC substrate (see Patent Document 1). A memory in which information such as ink color, material, storage amount, etc. is stored is mounted on the IC substrate. In addition, an electrode is formed on the IC substrate. The electrode is electrically conducted to a contact provided in the mounting portion in a state where the ink cartridge is mounted in the mounting portion. Thereby, the information stored in the memory can be read out.

JP, 2013-49164, A

  However, in the ink cartridge disclosed in Patent Document 1, the IC substrate is exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge. Therefore, foreign substances such as dust easily adhere to the IC substrate. If foreign matter adheres to the IC substrate, there is a possibility that the IC substrate and the contact provided in the mounting portion may not be electrically conducted when the ink cartridge is mounted in the mounting portion.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide means capable of reducing the adhesion of foreign matter to an IC substrate.

  (1) The liquid cartridge according to the present invention can be inserted or removed from the mounting portion in the front-rear direction intersecting with the direction of gravity, and is inserted forward. The liquid cartridge according to the present invention includes an internal space capable of storing liquid, and the internal space and the above through the liquid supply port which extends in the front-rear direction in the mounted state where the liquid cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion. An electrical interface which can contact a main body having a liquid flow path communicating with the outside of the liquid cartridge and a contact provided on the mounting portion in the mounted state, and which faces upward in the upright state opposite to the direction of gravity. And a moving member supported by the body movably to a first position covering the electrical interface from above and a second position not covering the electrical interface from above.

  According to the above configuration, by positioning the moving member at the first position, adhesion of foreign matter to the electrical interface can be reduced. Also, by positioning the moving member in the second position, the electrical interface can be brought into contact with the contacts.

  (2) The first position is a position separated from the second position in the front-rear direction. The moving member is slidably supported by the main body at the first position and the second position.

  According to the above configuration, the configuration in which the moving member moves to the first position and the second position can be realized with a simple configuration.

  (3) The second position is located rearward of the first position.

  According to the above configuration, in the process of mounting the liquid cartridge in the mounting portion, the movable member is in contact with the mounting portion from the front and pushed backward, thereby interlocking with the mounting of the liquid cartridge in the mounting portion Thus, the moving member can be moved from the first position to the second position.

  (4) The liquid cartridge according to the present invention comprises a biasing member for biasing the moving member to the first position.

  According to the above configuration, in the process of mounting the liquid cartridge in the mounting portion, the movable member is in contact with the mounting portion from the front and pushed backward, thereby interlocking with the mounting of the liquid cartridge in the mounting portion Thus, the moving member can be moved from the first position to the second position against the biasing force of the biasing member.

  Further, according to the above configuration, when the liquid cartridge is removed from the mounting portion, the moving member is biased by the biasing member to move from the second position to the first position. That is, the moving member can be moved from the second position to the first position in conjunction with removal of the liquid cartridge from the mounting portion.

  (5) The liquid cartridge according to the present invention is positioned behind the electrical interface on the upper surface of the main body, and includes a positioning surface that abuts the mounting portion from below in the mounting state. The moving range of the moving member is in front of the positioning surface.

  By limiting the moving range of the moving member as in the above configuration, the moving distance between the first position and the second position of the moving member is shortened. Thereby, rattling at the time of movement of the moving member can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the obstruction of the movement of the moving member due to the moving member being caught by another member.

  (6) The liquid cartridge according to the present invention is located in front of the electrical interface on the top surface of the main body, and includes an irradiated portion that blocks or attenuates light emitted from the outside. The moving range of the moving member is behind the irradiated portion.

  By limiting the moving range of the moving member as in the above configuration, the moving distance between the first position and the second position of the moving member is shortened. Thereby, rattling at the time of movement of the moving member can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the obstruction of the movement of the moving member due to the moving member being caught by another member.

  (7) The liquid cartridge according to the present invention is inserted into the mounting portion against the urging force directed rearward. The liquid cartridge according to the present invention is located rearward of the electrical interface, and includes an engagement surface for engaging the mounting portion in the mounted state to maintain the liquid cartridge in the mounted state. In the mounted state, the first posture in which the engagement surface abuts on the abutted portion provided in the mounting portion, and the engagement surface is positioned lower than the abutted portion. It is possible to change the posture to a second posture not in contact with the part. The moving range of the moving member is forward of the engagement surface.

  By limiting the moving range of the moving member as in the above configuration, the moving distance between the first position and the second position of the moving member is shortened. Thereby, rattling at the time of movement of the moving member can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the obstruction of the movement of the moving member due to the moving member being caught by another member.

  (8) A liquid cartridge according to the present invention is located at the rear of the electrical interface, includes the holding surface for holding the liquid cartridge in the mounting state, and the holding section for holding the liquid cartridge in the mounting state. And an illuminated portion located in front of the electrical interface and blocking or attenuating light emitted from the outside. When viewed in the front-rear direction and the direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity, at least a portion of the movable member is above the virtual line located uppermost in the virtual line passing through the holding portion and the irradiated portion. To position.

  According to the above configuration, when the liquid cartridge falls with the upper surface of the main body facing down, the irradiated portion and the holding portion can collide with the ground or the like by causing the movable member to collide with the ground or the like in priority. You can reduce the sex. As a result, the possibility that the irradiated portion and the holding portion are damaged by external impact can be reduced.

  (9) A system according to the present invention includes the liquid cartridge, a mounting portion which can be inserted or removed in the front-rear direction intersecting the gravity direction, and which is inserted forward, and the mounting portion And a consumption unit which consumes the liquid stored in the internal space of the liquid cartridge inserted into the housing. The mounting portion includes a hollow liquid supply pipe projecting rearward, and a contact point capable of contacting the electrical interface. The proximal end of the liquid supply pipe communicates with the consumption unit through a flow path through which the liquid flows. The tip of the liquid supply pipe is open. In the process of inserting the liquid cartridge into the mounting portion, the liquid supply pipe enters the liquid flow path through the liquid supply port. In the mounted state where the liquid cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion, the contact is in contact with the electrical interface.

  According to the above configuration, by positioning the moving member at the first position, adhesion of foreign matter to the electrical interface can be reduced. Also, by positioning the moving member in the second position, the electrical interface can be brought into contact with the contacts.

  (10) The liquid cartridge is located in front of the electrical interface on the top surface of the main body, and includes an irradiated portion that blocks or attenuates light emitted from the outside. The mounting unit includes an optical sensor that emits light. The optical sensor is disposed at a position where the irradiated portion is positioned on the optical path of light emitted from the optical sensor in a state where the liquid cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion. The moving range of the moving member is behind the irradiated portion.

  By limiting the moving range of the moving member as in the above configuration, the moving distance between the first position and the second position of the moving member is shortened. Thereby, rattling at the time of movement of the moving member can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the obstruction of the movement of the moving member due to the moving member being caught by another member.

  (11) The liquid cartridge is inserted into the mounting portion against the urging force directed rearward. The liquid cartridge is located behind the electrical interface on the top surface of the main body, and in the mounted state, engages with the mounting portion to maintain the liquid cartridge in the mounted state. Prepare. The mounting portion includes an abutted portion that can abut on the engagement surface. In the liquid cartridge, in the mounted state, the first posture in which the engagement surface is in contact with the abutted portion, and the engagement surface is positioned lower than the abutted portion in the abutted portion. It is possible to change the posture to the second posture where it does not abut. The moving range of the moving member is forward of the engagement surface.

  By limiting the moving range of the moving member as in the above configuration, the moving distance between the first position and the second position of the moving member is shortened. Thereby, rattling at the time of movement of the moving member can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the obstruction of the movement of the moving member due to the moving member being caught by another member.

  According to the present invention, adhesion of foreign matter to the electrical interface can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer 10. As shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the cartridge mounting portion 110 on the opening 112 side. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and in the first posture. FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the ink cartridge 30. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the ink cartridge 30. As shown in FIG. 6A is a right side view of the ink cartridge 30, and FIG. 6B is a rear view of the ink cartridge 30. As shown in FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a VII-VII cross section in FIG. 6 (B). FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and in the second posture. FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a cross section taken along the line IX-IX in FIG. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the ink cartridge 30, in which (A) shows the movable member 160 in the first position, and (B) shows the movable member 160 in the second position. It is shown. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the detection of the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting unit 110. FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the detection of the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting unit 110. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 in the modification, and shows a state where the moving member 160 is at the first position. FIG. 14 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 in the modified example, showing the moving member 160 in the second position. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the ink cartridge 30 in the modification. FIG. 16 is an external perspective view of the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Note that the embodiment described below is merely an example in which the present invention is embodied, and it goes without saying that the embodiment can be appropriately modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  Further, in the following description, the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 is defined as the forward direction 51. In the present embodiment, the insertion direction is a direction orthogonal to the gravity direction. A state in which the ink cartridge 30 can be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in a direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity is defined as an upright state. Further, a direction opposite to the forward direction 51 and in which the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 is defined as a backward direction 52. In the present embodiment, the front direction 51 and the rear direction 52 are horizontal directions, but the front direction 51 and the rear direction 52 are directions intersecting the gravity direction. Also, the direction of gravity is defined as the downward direction 53, and the direction opposite to the direction of gravity is defined as the upward direction 54. Further, directions orthogonal to the front direction 51 and the lower direction 53 are defined as the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from the rear to the front in the upright state (the state shown in FIGS. 4 to 6), the direction extending right is defined as the right direction 55, The direction extending left is defined as the left direction 56.

  Moreover, the front direction 51 and the back direction 52 are defined as the front-back direction. Further, the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53 are defined as the upward and downward direction. The right direction 55 and the left direction 56 are defined as the left and right direction.

  In the standing state of the ink cartridge 30, the lateral direction is the width direction of the ink cartridge 30, the vertical direction is the height direction of the ink cartridge 30, and the longitudinal direction is the depth direction of the ink cartridge 30. Further, in the present embodiment, the front-rear direction is the insertion / removal direction with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110 of the ink cartridge 30.

  Further, in the present specification and the like, “to face forward” includes turning to a direction including a front component, and “facing to the rear” includes turning to a direction including a rear component; “To face” includes facing to the direction including the lower component, “facing upward” includes to face to the direction including the upward component, “facing to the right” means to the right “Directing to the left” includes pointing to a direction including a component, and “pointing to a direction including a component to the left”. For example, “the front surface is facing forward” may mean that the front surface is facing forward, or the front surface may be inclined in a direction inclined to the front.

[Overview of Printer 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 (an example of a system) records an image by selectively discharging ink droplets to a sheet based on an inkjet recording method. The printer 10 includes a recording head 21 (an example of a consumption unit), an ink supply device 100, and an ink tube 20. The ink tube 20 connects the recording head 21 and the ink supply device 100. The ink supply apparatus 100 includes a cartridge mounting unit 110 (an example of a mounting unit). The ink cartridge 30 (an example of a liquid cartridge) can be attached to the cartridge attachment unit 110. The cartridge mounting portion 110 has an opening 112 on one side thereof. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112 in the upright state. The ink cartridge 30 is withdrawn rearward from the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the upright state.

  The ink cartridge 30 stores ink (an example of liquid) usable in the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected by the ink tube 20 in a state in which the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, that is, in the mounting state. The recording head 21 is provided with a sub tank 28. The sub tank 28 temporarily stores the ink supplied through the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 selectively discharges the ink supplied from the sub tank 28 from the nozzles 29 by an inkjet recording method. Specifically, a drive voltage is selectively applied from a head control substrate (not shown) provided in the recording head 21 to the piezoelectric elements 29A provided corresponding to the respective nozzles 29. Thereby, the ink is selectively discharged from the nozzles 29. That is, the recording head 21 consumes the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  The printer 10 includes a feed tray 15, a feed roller 23, a conveyance roller pair 25, a platen 26, a discharge roller pair 27, and a discharge tray 16. The sheet fed from the feed tray 15 to the conveyance path 24 by the feed roller 23 is conveyed onto the platen 26 by the conveyance roller pair 25. The recording head 21 selectively discharges ink to the sheet passing on the platen 26. Thus, the image is recorded on the sheet. The sheet having passed through the platen 26 is discharged by the discharge roller pair 27 to the discharge tray 16 provided at the most downstream side of the transport path 24.

[Ink supply device 100]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes an ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 supplies the ink to the recording head 21. The ink supply device 100 is provided with a cartridge mounting portion 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. Note that FIG. 1 shows a state in which the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, that is, a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is positioned at the mounting position. That is, the state shown in FIG. 1 is the wearing state. That is, in the mounting state, the ink cartridge 30 is located at the mounting position. Also, in the mounted state, the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright state.

[Cartridge mounting unit 110]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cartridge mounting unit 110 includes a cartridge case 101, an ink needle 102 (an example of a liquid supply pipe), a tank 103, an optical sensor 113, and a contact 106. There is. The cartridge mounting portion 110 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the respective colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. The ink needle 102, the tank 103, the optical sensor 113, and the contact 106 are provided corresponding to each of the four ink cartridges 30.

[Cartridge case 101]
As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge case 101 forms a housing of the cartridge mounting portion 110. The cartridge case 101 has a box shape having a top surface, a bottom surface, a back surface, and an opening 112. The top surface defines the top portion of the internal space 111 of the cartridge case 101. The bottom surface defines the bottom of the internal space 111 of the cartridge case 101. The back surface defines the front of the internal space 111 of the cartridge case 101. The back surface connects the top portion and the bottom portion of the internal space 111 of the cartridge case 101. The opening 112 is formed at a position facing the back surface of the cartridge case 101 in the front-rear direction. The opening 112 may be exposed to the facing surface when the user uses the printer 10.

  The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the internal space 111 of the cartridge case 101 through the opening 112. The ink cartridge 30 is extracted from the internal space 111 of the cartridge case 101 through the opening 112. At the bottom of the cartridge case 101, a guide groove 109 is formed. The ink cartridge 30 is guided along the front-rear direction by inserting the lower end portion of the ink cartridge 30 into the guide groove 109. The cartridge case 101 is provided with three plates 104. The three plates 104 divide the internal space 111 into four spaces which are long in the vertical direction. The ink cartridge 30 is accommodated in each of the inner spaces 111 partitioned by the plate 104.

[Ink needle 102]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink needle 102 is made of a tubular resin. That is, the ink needle 102 is hollow. The ink needle 102 is located at the lower part of the back surface of the cartridge case 101. The ink needle 102 is disposed on the back surface of the cartridge case 101 at a position corresponding to the ink supply unit 34 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. The ink needle 102 protrudes rearward from the back surface of the cartridge case 101.

  The rear end (front end) of the ink needle 102 and the front end (proximal end) of the ink needle 102 are open. The rear end of the ink needle 102 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink cartridge 30. The front end of the ink needle 102 is directly or indirectly connected to the ink tube 20 (see FIG. 1). Thus, the internal space 102A of the ink needle 102 is in communication with the tank 103 and the recording head 21 through the internal space of the ink tube 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a cylindrical guide portion 105 is disposed around the ink needle 102. The guide portion 105 protrudes rearward from the back surface of the cartridge case 101. The protruding end of the guide portion 105 is open. The ink needle 102 is disposed at the center of the guide portion 105. The guide portion 105 is shaped such that the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge enters inward.

  The ink supply unit 34 of the ink cartridge 30 enters the guide unit 105 in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 forward to the cartridge mounting portion 110, that is, in the process of moving the ink cartridge 30 to the mounting position (see FIG. 3) . When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted forward into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink needle 102 enters the ink valve chamber 35 from the front through the ink supply port 71 formed in the ink supply portion 34. Thus, the ink needle 102 and the ink supply unit 34 are connected, and the internal space 102A of the ink needle 102 communicates with the ink valve chamber 35 formed in the ink supply unit 34. Then, the ink stored in the second storage chamber 33 formed inside the ink cartridge 30 flows out to the tank 103 (see FIG. 1) through the ink valve chamber 35 and the internal space 102A of the ink needle 102. The ink discharged to the tank 103 is discharged to the recording head 21 through the ink tube 20 (an example of a flow path).

  The tip of the ink needle 102 may be flat or pointed. Further, the shape of the guide portion 105 may be any shape as long as the ink cartridge 30 can be positioned at the mounting position, and the guide portion 105 may not be provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Contact 106]
As shown in FIG. 3, four contact points 106 are provided on the top surface of each internal space 111 (see FIG. 2) of the cartridge case 101. Four sets of four contacts 106 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be accommodated in the cartridge case 101.

  The contact point 106 is located rearward of the ink needle 102. The contact point 106 projects downward from the top surface toward the internal space 111 of the cartridge case 101. The contact point 106 faces downward. The contact 106 is formed of a conductive and elastic member. The contact 106 is elastically deformable upward. Although not shown in detail in each drawing, four contact points 106 provided in each internal space 111 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction and spaced apart in the left-right direction. The arrangement of the four contacts 106 corresponds to the arrangement of the four electrodes 65 of the ink cartridge 30 described later. The number of contacts 106 and the number of electrodes 65 are arbitrary.

  The contact point 106 is electrically connected to the control unit 1 (see FIG. 1) of the printer 10 through an electric circuit. The control unit 1 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The contact 106 and the corresponding electrode 65 are brought into contact and electrically conducted, whereby a voltage Vc is applied to the electrode 65, the electrode 65 is grounded, or power is supplied to the electrode 65. The electrical continuity between the contact 106 and the corresponding electrode 65 makes it possible to access data stored in the IC of the ink cartridge 30. An output from the electric circuit is input to the control unit 1.

[Rod 125]
As shown in FIG. 3, a rod 125 is formed above the ink needle 102 on the inner surface of the cartridge case 101. The rod 125 protrudes rearward from the back surface of the cartridge case 101. The rod 125 is cylindrical in shape. The rod 125 is inserted into an air communication port 96 described later in the mounted state, that is, in the state where the ink cartridge 30 is at the mounted position.

[Optical sensor 113]
As shown in FIG. 3, an optical sensor 113 is disposed on the top surface of the cartridge case 101. The optical sensor 113 is located rearward of the rod 125 and forward of the contact point 106. The optical sensor 113 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit is disposed to the right or left of the light receiving unit at an interval from the light receiving unit. The light shielding plate 67 (see FIG. 4) of the ink cartridge 30 which has been completely mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is located between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion. In other words, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are disposed opposite to each other with the light shielding plate 67 of the ink cartridge 30 that has been completely mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110.

  The optical sensor 113 outputs different detection signals to the control unit 1 (see FIG. 1) depending on whether the light emitted from the light emitting unit in the left-right direction is received by the light receiving unit. For example, the optical sensor 113 outputs a low level signal to the control unit 1 on the condition that the light emitted from the light emitting unit can not be received by the light receiving unit (that is, the light receiving intensity is less than a predetermined intensity). On the other hand, the optical sensor 113 outputs a high level signal to the control unit 1 on the condition that the light output from the light emitting unit can be received by the light receiving unit (that is, the light receiving intensity is equal to or higher than the predetermined intensity).

[Lock shaft 145]
As shown in FIG. 3, the lock shaft 145 (an example of the abutted portion) extends in the left-right direction of the cartridge case 101 near the top surface of the cartridge case 101 and near the opening 112. The lock shaft 145 is located rearward of the contact point 106. The lock shaft 145 is a rod-like member extending in the left-right direction. The lock shaft 145 is, for example, a metal cylinder. The left and right ends of the lock shaft 145 are fixed to the wall defining the left and right ends of the cartridge case 101. Therefore, the lock shaft 145 does not move relative to the cartridge case 101 such as rotation. The lock shaft 145 extends in the left-right direction over the four spaces in the internal space 111 in which the ink cartridge 30 can be accommodated. In each space where the ink cartridge 30 is accommodated, a space exists around the lock shaft 145. Therefore, the lock shaft 145 can be accessed upward and backward.

  The lock shaft 145 is for holding the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the mounting position. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, and is engaged with the lock shaft 145 by being rotated from the second attitude shown in FIG. 8 to the first attitude shown in FIG. Thus, the lock shaft 145 holds the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 against the force of the coil springs 78 and 98 of the ink cartridge 30 to push the ink cartridge 30 backward.

[Positioning unit 107]
As shown in FIG. 3, the positioning portion 107 is provided near the top surface of the cartridge case 101. The positioning portion 107 is provided between the contact 106 and the lock shaft 145 in the front-rear direction. The positioning portion 107 has a convex shape that protrudes downward from the top surface of the cartridge case 101. The positioning portion 107 is integrally formed with the cartridge case 101. The lower end surface of the positioning portion 107 may abut on the abutment surface 84 of the ink cartridge 30. The lower end surface of the positioning portion 107 is located slightly above the lower end of the contact 106.

[Tank 103]
As shown in FIG. 1, a tank 103 is provided in front of the cartridge case 101. The tank 103 has a box shape capable of storing ink inside. The upper portion of the tank 103 is opened to the outside by the atmosphere communication port 124. Thus, the internal space of the tank 103 is open to the atmosphere. The internal space of the tank 103 communicates with the internal space 102 A of the ink needle 102. As a result, the ink that has flowed out of the ink cartridge 30 through the ink needle 102 is stored in the tank 103. An ink tube 20 is connected to the tank 103. As a result, the ink stored in the internal space of the tank 103 is supplied to the recording head 21 through the ink tube 20.

[Ink cartridge 30]
The ink cartridge 30 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is a container in which the ink is stored. The ink cartridge 30 shown in FIGS. 4 to 6 is in the upright state. As described later, the ink cartridge 30 has a housing 31 (an example of a main body) including a front wall 40, a rear wall 41, an upper wall 39, a lower wall 42, and a pair of side walls 37 and 38. In the mounted state, the direction from the rear wall 41 toward the front wall 40 coincides with the forward direction 51, the direction from the front wall 40 toward the rear wall 41 coincides with the backward direction 52, and the direction from the upper wall 39 toward the lower wall 42 The direction corresponds to the downward direction 53, the direction from the lower wall 42 to the upper wall 39 corresponds to the upward direction 54, the direction from the side wall 38 to the side wall 37 corresponds to the right direction 55, and the direction from the side wall 37 to the side wall 38 The direction coincides with the left direction 56. In the mounted state, the front of the front wall 40 faces forward, the rear face of the rear wall 41 faces backward, the lower face of the lower wall 42 faces downward, the upper face of the upper wall 39 faces upward, and the right face of the side wall 37 Face the right, and the left surface of the side wall 38 faces the left.

  In the following description of the ink cartridge 30, the vertical direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction are defined as being in the mounted state, that is, assuming that the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright state.

  The ink cartridge 30 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 31. In the present embodiment, the housing 31 includes a lower case 31L and an upper cover 31U. The lower case 31L includes a first storage chamber 32 and a second storage chamber 33 (see FIG. 7) for storing the ink therein. The upper cover 31U is located above the lower case 31L. The upper cover 31U is fitted to the lower case 31L.

  The housing 31 has a flat shape in which the dimension along the lateral direction is narrow as a whole, and the dimension along the vertical direction and the longitudinal direction is larger than the dimension along the lateral direction.

  The housing 31 includes a front wall 40, a rear wall 41, an upper wall 39, a lower wall 42, and a pair of side walls 37 and 38. The front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 are separated in the front-rear direction. The upper wall 39 and the lower wall 42 are vertically separated. The pair of side walls 37, 38 are separated in the left-right direction. The upper wall 39 and the lower wall 42 are formed between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 in the front-rear direction. The side wall 37 and the side wall 38 are formed between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 in the front-rear direction, and between the upper wall 39 and the lower wall 42 in the vertical direction. Each of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the upper wall 39, the lower wall 42, and the pair of side walls 37, 38 define at least one of the first reservoir 32, the second reservoir 33, or the atmospheric valve chamber 36. doing.

  In the housing 31, at least the rear wall 41 of the lower case 31L has translucency that allows the liquid level of the ink stored in the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33 to be visible from the outside.

  In the present embodiment, the housing 31 has an outer surface formed by the lower case 31L and the upper cover 31U, but the housing 31 may be formed by one box-shaped case. Further, the housing 31 may be divided into an inner case defining a storage chamber and an outer case constituting an outer wall, and may have a nested structure in which the inner case is accommodated in the outer case.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the rear surface of the rear wall 41 includes an upper portion 41U and a lower portion 41L. The upper portion 41U is located above the lower portion 41L. The lower portion 41L is located forward of the upper portion 41U. The upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L are both flat. The upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L cross each other without being orthogonal to each other. The lower portion 41L is inclined in the vertical direction so as to be closer to the front wall 40 as it gets closer to the lower wall 42.

  The lower surface of the lower wall 42 is an inclined surface which is inclined with respect to the front-rear direction so that the front end is located below the rear end. The inclination angle of the lower surface of the lower wall 42 is preferably 2 ° to 4 ° with respect to the horizontal direction. The front end of the lower wall 42 is located forward of the lock surface 151 described later. The rear end of the lower wall 42 is connected to the lower end of the lower portion 41 L of the rear wall 41.

  The housing 31 has a sub lower wall 48. The sub lower wall 48 is located above the lower wall 42. The sub lower wall 48 continuously extends rearward with the lower end of the front wall 40. The front end of the sub lower wall 48 is positioned forward of the front end of the ink supply portion 34, and the rear end of the sub lower wall 48 is positioned rearward of the front end of the ink supply portion 34. The lower wall 42 and the sub lower wall 48 are continuous by the sub front wall 49. The ink supply portion 34 extends forward from the sub front wall 49 below the sub lower wall 48 and above the lower wall 42. The position of the front end of the sub lower wall 48 is optional, and may be located, for example, behind the front end of the ink supply unit 34.

  The front wall, the rear wall, the upper wall, the lower wall, and the pair of side walls of the ink cartridge 30 do not necessarily have to be configured of one wall. For example, in the case of the present embodiment, the sub front wall 49 and the sub front wall 95 described later, together with the front wall 40, constitute the front wall of the ink cartridge 30. Further, the sub lower wall 48 constitutes the lower wall of the ink cartridge 30 together with the lower wall 42. Further, a sub upper wall 91 (see FIG. 6) described later constitutes an upper wall of the ink cartridge 30 together with the upper wall 39.

  Further, the front surface of the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30, the rear surface of the rear wall 41, the upper surface of the upper wall 39, the lower surface of the lower wall 42, the right surface of the side wall 37, and the left surface of the side wall 38 necessarily form one plane. There is no need.

  The front surface of the front wall 40 is a surface that can be visually recognized when the ink cartridge 30 in the upright state is viewed from the front to the rear, and in a plane located forward of the center in the front-rear direction of the ink cartridge 30 in the upright state. is there. In this embodiment, the front surface of the sub front wall 49 connecting the lower wall 42 and the sub lower wall 48 together with the front surface of the front wall 40 connecting the sub lower wall 48 and the upper wall 39 It can be said that no. Further, the ink cartridge 30 may not have the sub lower wall 48. In other words, the front surface of the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 may be one surface that continuously connects the upper wall 39 and the lower wall 42.

  The rear surface of the rear wall 41 is a surface which can be visually recognized when the ink cartridge 30 in the upright state is viewed from the rear to the front, and is a surface located rearward of the center in the front-rear direction of the ink cartridge 30 in the upright state. is there.

  The upper surface of the upper wall 39 is a surface which can be visually recognized when the ink cartridge 30 in the upright state is viewed from below from above, and a surface located above the vertical center of the ink cartridge 30 in the upright state. is there.

  The lower surface of the lower wall 42 is a surface which can be visually recognized when the ink cartridge 30 in the upright state is viewed from the upper side from the lower side, and a surface positioned below the vertical center of the ink cartridge 30 in the upright state. is there.

  The right surface of the side wall 37 is a surface which can be visually recognized when the ink cartridge 30 in the upright state is viewed from the right to the left, and is positioned to the right of the center in the left-right direction of the ink cartridge 30 in the upright state. It is a face.

  The left surface of the side wall 38 is a surface which can be visually recognized when the ink cartridge 30 in the upright state is viewed from the left to the right, and is positioned to the left of the center in the lateral direction of the ink cartridge 30 in the upright state. It is a face.

[Holding unit]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the convex portion 43 and the operation portion 90 are provided on the upper wall 39 of the housing 31. The operation unit 90 is provided on the upper wall 39 of the housing 31 behind the lock surface 151 (an example of the engagement surface). The convex portion 43 is an example of the holding portion.

  The convex portion 43 extends in the front-rear direction. The surface of the projection 43 facing rearward and downward is the lock surface 151. The lock surface 151 is located above the upper wall 39. The lock surface 151 extends in the vertical direction. The lock surface 151 is a surface that can contact the lock shaft 145 rearward when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is mounted against the biasing force of the coil springs 78 and 98 by the lock surface 151 contacting the lock shaft 145 rearward, that is, by the lock surface 151 engaging with the lock shaft 145. It is held by the unit 110. In the present embodiment, the lock surface 151 is a surface intersecting with the front-rear direction (insertion direction), but the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the lock surface may be a surface extending horizontally in the front-rear direction, and may be in contact with the lock shaft from below in the mounted state. In this case, although it is necessary to generate a frictional force against the biasing force of the coil springs 78 and 98 between the lock shaft 145 and the lock surface, the ink cartridge 30 is held in the cartridge mounting portion 110 by such a frictional force. If possible, the horizontal plane may be used as the lock plane.

  A horizontal surface 154 is provided continuously with the lock surface 151 in front of the lock surface 151 in the convex portion 43. The horizontal surface 154 is a surface that extends in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction. An inclined surface 155 is provided continuously with the horizontal surface 154 in front of the horizontal surface 154. The inclined surface 155 faces upward and forward. The inclination angle with respect to the horizontal direction of the inclined surface 155 is preferably 15 ° to 25 °. Since the lock surface 151 and the inclined surface 155 are continuous via the horizontal surface 154, the boundary between the lock surface 151 and the inclined surface 155 does not have a pointed mountain shape. The inclined surface 155 is located between an IC substrate 64 described later and the lock surface 151 in the front-rear direction. In the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 by the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154, the lock shaft 145 is smoothly guided rearward of the lock surface 151 while contacting the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154.

  At the front end and the rear end of the upper wall 39, a sub upper wall 91 located below the central portion in the front-rear direction of the upper wall 39 is formed. The operation unit 90 is disposed above the sub upper wall 91 located at the rear end of the upper wall 39 with a space from the sub upper wall 91. The operation portion 90 is a flat plate shape which protrudes upward from the vicinity of the boundary between the upper wall 39 and the sub upper wall 91 to the same extent as the convex portion 43 and is bent rearward and downward obliquely downward. A rib 94 is provided between the operation portion 90 and the sub upper wall 91. The rib 94 is continuous with the operation portion 90 and the sub upper wall 91 and extends rearward. The dimensions of the rib 94 along the left-right direction are smaller than the dimensions of the operation portion 90 along the left-right direction and the dimensions of the sub upper wall 91, respectively.

  In the operation unit 90, the surface facing upward and rearward is the operation surface 92. The operation surface 92 and the sub upper wall 91 overlap in position in the front-rear direction. In other words, when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed downward, the operation surface 92 and the sub upper wall 91 are at overlapping positions. Furthermore, in other words, the operation surface 92 and the sub upper wall 91 are included on the virtual plane extending in the vertical and horizontal directions.

  A plurality of projections are formed on the operation surface 92 at intervals in the front-rear direction. The plurality of protrusions facilitate the user to recognize the operation surface 92. In addition, when the user operates the operation surface 92 with a finger, the finger is less likely to slip relative to the operation surface 92.

  The operation surface 92 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed downward, and visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed forward. The operation surface 92 is a surface operated by the user in order to take out the ink cartridge 30 held at the mounting position by the cartridge mounting portion 110 from the cartridge mounting portion 110. The operation unit 90 is fixed to the housing 31 by being integrally molded with the housing 31 or the like, and is configured not to move relative to the housing 31 such as rotation. There is. Therefore, the force applied by the user to the operation surface 92 is directly transmitted to the housing 31 without changing the direction.

[Convex part 83]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a convex portion 83 is provided in front of the convex portion 43 on the upper surface of the upper wall 39 of the housing 31. The position of the convex portion 83 in the left-right direction is the same as that of the convex portion 43. The protrusion 83 extends forward continuously with the front end of the protrusion 43. The upper end surface of the convex portion 83 is an abutting surface 84 (an example of a positioning surface). The contact surface 84 is continuous with the lower end of the inclined surface 155 and faces upward. The contact surface 84 is located between an IC substrate 64 described later and the lock surface 151 in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the abutment surface 84 serves as a reference for positioning the ink cartridge 30 in the vertical direction by abutting on the positioning portion 107 from below in the mounted state. The contact surface 84 is formed on the same member as the upper cover 31U. In addition, the inclined surface 155 is arbitrary structure, and between the contact surface 84 and the lock surface 151 does not need to be comprised in the continuous surface. For example, the convex portion 83 constituting the contact surface 84 and the convex portion 43 constituting the lock surface 151 may independently and continuously project upward without being continuous.

[Light shield plate 67]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, a light shielding plate 67 (an example of a portion to be irradiated) protruding upward is formed on the upper surface of the upper wall 39. The light shielding plate 67 extends in the front-rear direction. The light shielding plate 67 is located forward of the convex portion 83. The light shielding plate 67 is located in front of and below the IC substrate 64. In the present embodiment, the light shielding plate 67 is, for example, a resin plate containing a color material (black pigment) capable of absorbing light. As another form, the light shielding plate 67 may be a side of a plate capable of transmitting light, in which a material such as aluminum foil can not be transmitted.

  The light shielding plate 67 blocks the light of the optical sensor 113 traveling in the left-right direction when the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright state. More specifically, the intensity of light reaching the light receiving portion is less than a predetermined intensity, for example, zero, by the light output from the light emitting portion of the optical sensor 113 reaching the light receiving portion before reaching the light receiving portion. It becomes. The light shielding plate 67 may block or attenuate the light traveling from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit. Further, the traveling direction of the light advancing from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit may be changed.

[Atmosphere communication port 96]
As shown in FIG. 4, a sub front wall 95 extends upward from the rear end of the sub upper wall 91 at the front end of the upper surface of the upper wall 39. The sub front wall 95 is a surface facing the front. An atmosphere communication port 96 is formed in the sub front wall 95. The atmosphere communication port 96 is disposed above the center of the vertical dimension of the housing 31. The atmosphere communication port 96 is a substantially circular opening formed in the sub front wall 95. The inner diameter of the air communication port 96 is larger than the outer diameter of the rod 125 (see FIG. 3) of the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rod 125 enters the atmosphere communication port 96. The rod 125 entering the atmosphere communication port 96 moves the valve 97 for sealing the atmosphere communication port 96 rearward against the biasing force of the coil spring 98. When the valve 97 moves rearward and leaves the atmosphere communication port 96, the first storage chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere. The member for sealing the air communication port 96 is not limited to the valve 97. For example, the air communication port 96 may be sealed by a seal peelable from the sub front wall 95.

[IC board 64]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, an IC substrate 64 (an example of an electrical interface) is provided on the upper end of the convex portion 83. The IC substrate 64 is provided rearward of the light shielding plate 67 and forward of the convex portion 43. That is, the IC substrate 64 is provided between the light shielding plate 67 and the convex portion 43 in the front-rear direction. The IC substrate 64 is provided forward of the contact surface 84. The IC substrate 64 is disposed facing upward when the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright state. The IC substrate 64 is a plate extending in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction when the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright state.

  The IC substrate 64 is supported from below by the convex portion 83 in a concave space located forward of the contact surface 84 and recessed downward. Although not shown in detail in each drawing, the concave space of the convex portion 83 is filled with a photocurable resin, and the IC substrate 64 is bonded to the convex portion 83. The IC substrate 64 may be adhered to the convex portion 83 by an adhesive other than the photocurable resin, or may be attached to the convex portion 83 by means other than adhesion such as fitting.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the IC substrate 64 is in electrical contact with the contacts 106 in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, and the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. Even in the mounted state, the contact with the contact 106 is conducted electrically.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the IC substrate 64 is one in which an IC (not shown in each figure) and four electrodes 65 are mounted on a substrate formed of silicon, glass epoxy or the like. The IC substrate 64 may be a flexible substrate having flexibility.

  The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit. Information on the ink cartridge 30 is readably stored in the IC. The information on the ink cartridge 30 is, for example, data indicating information such as a lot number, a date of manufacture, and an ink color.

  Each electrode 65 is electrically connected to the IC. Each of the electrodes 65 extends in the front-rear direction. The electrodes 65 are arranged on the top surface of the IC substrate 64 so as to be spaced apart in the left-right direction. Each electrode 65 is electrically accessible exposed on the top surface of the IC substrate 64.

[Moving member 160]
As shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 9, a moving member 160 is disposed on the upper surface of the upper wall 39. The moving member 160 is slidably supported by the upper wall 39 along the front-rear direction.

  The moving member 160 includes a cover plate 161, a pair of side plates 162, and a pair of convex portions 163.

  The covering plate 161 has a plate shape whose length in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is longer than the length in the vertical direction.

  The pair of side plates 162 project downward from the right end and the left end of the cover plate 161. Each side plate 162 extends in the front-rear direction. The pair of side plates 162 oppose each other in the left-right direction.

  One of the pair of convex portions 163 protrudes leftward from the lower end portion of the side plate 162 located on the right side of the pair of side plates 162. The other of the pair of convex portions 163 protrudes rightward from the lower end portion of the side plate 162 located on the left side of the pair of side plates 162. The pair of convex portions 163 are opposed in the left-right direction.

  As shown in FIG. 9, a groove 164 extending in the front-rear direction is formed in the lower end portion of the right surface of the convex portion 83 and the lower end portion of the left surface of the convex portion 83. The pair of convex portions 163 is inserted into the groove 164. Specifically, the convex portion 163 located on the right side of the pair of convex portions 163 is inserted into the groove 164 formed on the right surface of the convex portion 83. Further, the convex portion 163 located on the left side of the pair of convex portions 163 is inserted into the groove 164 formed on the left surface of the convex portion 83. Further, the lower ends of the pair of side plates 162 and the lower ends of the pair of convex portions 163 are in contact with the upper wall 39 from below. From the above configuration, the moving member 160 is slidably supported by the upper wall 39 along the front-rear direction.

  The configuration in which the moving member 160 is supported by the upper wall 39 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 9, and other known configurations may be employed. Further, the shape of the moving member 160 is not limited to the shape shown in FIG.

  The moving member 160 is movable between a first position shown in FIGS. 4 and 10A and a second position shown in FIGS. 5 and 10B. The first position and the second position are positions separated in the front-rear direction. The second position is located rearward of the first position.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10A, the moving member 160 at the first position covers the IC substrate 64 from above. The above-mentioned "covering" means meeting the following three conditions. The first condition is that the moving member 160 (in the present embodiment, the cover plate 161) is located above the IC substrate 64. The second condition is that at least a part of the moving member 160 and at least a part of the IC substrate 64 overlap when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from above from above. The third condition is that the movement member 160 inhibits the contact of the electrode 65 of the IC substrate 64 with the contact 106 and the electrical conduction in the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 and in the mounting state. is there.

  In the present embodiment, when the moving member 160 is at the first position, the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from above from above and a portion of the cover plate 161 of the moving member 160 (specifically, a portion excluding the peripheral portion of the cover plate 161) And the entire IC substrate 64 overlap each other.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 10B, the moving member 160 at the second position is located rearward of the IC substrate 64 and does not cover the IC substrate 64 from above. Here, "do not cover" means to satisfy the following two conditions. The first condition is that the overlapping area between the moving member 160 and the IC substrate 64 when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from below is the overlapping area between the moving member 160 and the IC substrate 64 when the moving member 160 is at the first position. It is smaller than that. The overlapping area when the moving member 160 is in the second position includes zero. The second condition is that the moving member 160 does not inhibit the contact of the electrode 65 of the IC substrate 64 with the contact 106 and the electrical conduction in the process and the mounting state of the ink cartridge 30 inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. It is. That is, as long as the first condition and the second condition are satisfied, the moving member 160 and the IC substrate 64 in the second position may overlap with each other when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from the upper side to the lower side.

  In the present embodiment, when the moving member 160 is in the second position, the moving member 160 is located rearward of the rear end of the IC substrate 64. That is, when the moving member 160 is at the second position, the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from above from below and the moving member 160 and the IC substrate 64 do not overlap. That is, the above overlapping area is zero.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 10A, the moving member 160 at the first position is located rearward of the light shielding plate 67. Further, the front ends of the pair of convex portions 163 of the moving member 160 in the first position abut on a surface that defines the front end of the groove 164 of the convex portion 83. Thus, the forward movement of the moving member 160 beyond the first position is restricted.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 10B, the moving member 160 at the second position is located in front of the contact surface 84 and the holding portion (convex portion 43). Further, the rear ends of the pair of convex portions 163 of the moving member 160 at the second position abut on a surface defining the rear end of the groove 164 of the convex portion 83. Thereby, the movement of the moving member 160 to the rear of the second position is restricted.

  As described above, the moving range of the moving member 160 is, as indicated by “R” in FIG. 10, rearward of the light shielding plate 67 and forward of the contact surface 84 and the holding portion. In other words, the moving range of the moving member 160 is between the light shielding plate 67 and the contact surface 84 in the front-rear direction.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a part of the moving member 160 (in the present embodiment, the upper end of the moving member 160) is located above an imaginary line 165 indicated by a dashed dotted line in FIG. 7. The virtual line 165 is the line located at the top among the virtual lines passing through the holding portion formed by the convex portion 43 and the light shielding plate 67. In the present embodiment, the imaginary line 165 is a line passing through the front end of the horizontal surface 154 which constitutes the upper end of the convex portion 43 and the upper end of the light shielding plate 67. Of course, the position and the direction of the imaginary line 165 may change depending on the position and the shape of the holding portion and the position and the shape of the light shielding plate 67. Further, the position above the virtual line 165 is not limited to the upper end portion of the moving member 160. For example, all of the moving members 160 may be located above the imaginary line 165.

[Internal structure of case 31]
As shown in FIG. 7, a first storage chamber 32, a second storage chamber 33, an ink valve chamber 35, and an atmosphere valve chamber 36 are formed in the housing 31. The first storage chamber 32, the second storage chamber 33, and the atmosphere valve chamber 36 are an example of the internal space. The ink valve chamber 35 is an example of a liquid flow path. Ink can be stored in the first storage chamber 32, the second storage chamber 33, the ink valve chamber 35, and the atmosphere valve chamber 36. Inside the housing 31, a partition 44 separating the first storage chamber 32 and the atmosphere valve chamber 36 and a lower wall 45 separating the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33 are provided. The partition wall 44 and the lower wall 45 are walls that respectively expand in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The partition wall 44 and the lower wall 45 are disposed to face each other in the vertical direction.

  The first reservoir 32 has an upper portion defined by the lower surface of the partition wall 44 and a lower portion defined by the upper surface of the lower wall 45, and an inner surface of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, and the side walls 37, 38 respectively. The right part and the left part are respectively defined spaces. A through hole 46 is formed in the partition wall 44. The first reservoir 32 and the atmosphere valve chamber 36 are in communication with each other by the through hole 46.

  The second storage chamber 33 is located below the first storage chamber 32. The volume in which the second storage chamber 33 can store ink is smaller than the volume in which the first storage chamber 32 can store ink.

  The second storage chamber 33 has an upper portion defined by the lower surface of the lower wall 45 and a lower portion defined by the upper surface of the lower wall 42, and a rear, right, and left portions defined by inner surfaces of the rear wall 41 and the side walls 37, 38. Each is a space defined. A partition 50 is formed between the second storage chamber 33 and the ink valve chamber 35. The partition 50 defines the front of the second reservoir 33. The second storage chamber 33 is in communication with the first storage chamber 32 by a communication port (not shown) formed in the lower wall 45. Further, the second storage chamber 33 is in communication with the ink valve chamber 35 by the through hole 99 formed in the partition wall 50.

  A valve 97 and a coil spring 98 are accommodated in the atmosphere valve chamber 36. The atmosphere valve chamber 36 communicates with the outside through an atmosphere communication port 96 formed in the sub front wall 95. The valve 97 is movable between a closed position for sealing the air communication port 96 and an open position away from the air communication port 96. The coil spring 98 is disposed so as to be extensible and contractible in the front-rear direction, and biases the valve 97 in a direction in which it abuts on the atmosphere communication port 96, that is, in the forward direction. The spring constant of the coil spring 98 is smaller than the spring constant of the coil spring 78 of the ink supply unit 34.

  The ink supply unit 34 has a cylindrical outer shape. The ink supply unit 34 includes a cylinder 75 whose front end is opened, and a packing 76. The cylinder 75 protrudes forward from the sub front wall 49. That is, the ink supply unit 34 is provided on the sub front wall 49. The internal space of the cylinder 75 is an ink valve chamber 35. The ink valve chamber 35 is a space extending in the front-rear direction when the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright state. The rear end of the ink valve chamber 35 is in communication with the second storage chamber 33 by a through hole 99. The front end of the cylinder 75 is open to the outside of the ink cartridge 30. That is, the ink valve chamber 35 communicates the second storage chamber 33 with the outside of the ink cartridge 30. In other words, the ink valve chamber 35 extends so that the ink in the second storage chamber 33 can flow forward to the outside. At the front end of the cylinder 75, a packing 76 is provided. That is, the packing 76 is disposed at the front end of the ink valve chamber 35.

  A valve 77 and a coil spring 78 are accommodated in the ink valve chamber 35. The valve 77 opens and closes the ink supply port 71 (an example of a liquid supply port) which is penetrated at the center of the packing 76 by moving in the front-rear direction. The coil spring 78 biases the valve 77 forward. Therefore, in the state where no external force is applied, the valve 77 closes the ink supply port 71 of the packing 76.

  The packing 76 is a disk-shaped member in which a through hole is formed at the center. The packing 76 is formed of, for example, an elastic material such as rubber or an elastomer. A cylindrical inner peripheral surface is formed by penetrating the center of the packing 76 in the front-rear direction. An ink supply port 71 is formed by the cylindrical inner peripheral surface. The inner diameter of the ink supply port 71 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink needle 102. The ink supply port 71 communicates the internal space (ink valve chamber 35) of the cylinder 75 with the outside of the ink cartridge 30. That is, the ink valve chamber 35 communicates the second storage chamber 33 with the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the ink supply port 71 opened forward.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in a state in which the valve 77 closes the ink supply port 71, the ink needle 102 enters the ink supply port 71 as shown in FIG. While the ink needle 102 elastically deforms the packing 76, the outer circumferential surface of the ink needle 102 contacts the inner circumferential surface defining the ink supply port 71 in a fluid-tight manner. That is, the communication between the ink valve chamber 35 and the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the ink supply port 71 is sealed in a liquid tight manner. When the tip of the ink needle 102 passes through the ink supply port 71 formed in the packing 76 and enters the ink valve chamber 35, it abuts on the valve 77. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink needle 102 moves the valve 77 rearward against the biasing force of the coil spring 78. As a result, the ink stored in the ink valve chamber 35 can flow to the internal space 102 A of the ink needle 102.

  The ink supply port 71 may be sealed by a film instead of the valve 77. In that case, the ink supply port 71 may be the front end of the cylinder 75 instead of the packing 76. In addition, the ink supply port 71 may be formed by puncturing a needle or the like in a sealing member such as an elastic resin having no through hole. In this case, the ink supply port 71 may be configured to be sealed by the elasticity of the seal member when the needle is withdrawn from the seal member. In addition, the ink supply unit 34 does not have to be realized as a cylindrical member. For example, a through hole may be formed in the front wall 40 of the housing 31 so as to penetrate the front wall 40 in the front-rear direction. In this case, the ink supply unit 34 is partially configured by the front wall 40 in which the through hole is formed.

[Operation of Mounting Ink Cartridge 30 to Cartridge Mounting Section 110]
Hereinafter, an operation of mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the ink cartridge 30 before being mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the valve 77 closes the ink supply port 71 of the packing 76. Thus, the flow of the ink from the ink valve chamber 35 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 is shut off. Also, the valve 97 closes the atmosphere communication port 96. Thus, the first storage chamber 32 is not open to the atmosphere.

  Further, in the ink cartridge 30 before being mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the moving member 160 is positioned at the first position as shown by a broken line in FIG. Thereby, adhesion of foreign matter to the IC substrate 64 is reduced. However, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 while the moving member 160 remains at the first position, the contact of the electrode 65 of the IC substrate 64 with the contact 106 and electrical conduction are inhibited by the moving member 160 Ru. Therefore, before the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the moving member 160 is moved by the user or the like from the first position to the second position indicated by a solid line in FIG.

  The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge case 101 (see FIG. 2) through the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 in an upright state. The upper portion 41U of the rear wall 41 of the housing 31 is located rearward of the lower portion 41L. That is, the upper portion 41U is located closer to the user than the lower portion 41L. Therefore, the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 forward with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110 while pushing the upper portion 41U. The lower portion of the ink cartridge 30 enters a guide groove 109 (see FIG. 2) below the cartridge case 101.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge case 101, the ink supply unit 34 enters the guide unit 105. In addition, the rod 125 enters the atmosphere communication port 96. In addition, the light shielding plate 67 (see FIG. 7) is positioned between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 113.

  When the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 is inserted near the back surface of the cartridge case 101, the ink needle 102 enters the ink valve chamber 35 through the ink supply port 71, and the valve 77 resists the biasing force of the coil spring 78. And separate from the packing 76. Thereby, the ink supply unit 34 is positioned. Further, the ink stored in the ink valve chamber 35 can flow to the internal space 102 A of the ink needle 102. Further, the rod 125 entering the atmosphere communication port 96 abuts on the valve 97 and separates the valve 97 from the atmosphere communication port 96 against the biasing force of the coil spring 98. Thus, the first storage chamber 32 is open to the atmosphere via the through hole 46, the atmosphere valve chamber 36, and the atmosphere communication port 96.

  A backward biasing force generated by the compressed coil springs 78 and 98 acts on the ink cartridge 30. The magnitude of the biasing force generated by each of the coil springs 78 and 98 is determined by the spring constant and the distance compressed from the natural length. The spring constant of the coil spring 98 is smaller than the spring constant of the coil spring 78, and the distance by which the coil spring 78 is compressed (the distance from the valve 77 to the ink supply port 71) is the distance by which the coil spring 98 is compressed. (The distance of the valve 97 from the air communication port 96) is longer. As a result, the magnitude of the biasing force generated by the coil spring 78 is greater than the magnitude of the biasing force generated by the coil spring 98.

  Further, the convex portion 43 reaches the lock shaft 145, and the inclined surface 155 slides on the lock shaft 145. In the ink cartridge 30, as the user pushes the upper portion 41U of the rear wall 41 forward, a rotational moment is applied counterclockwise in FIG. However, due to the contact between the inclined surface 155 and the lock shaft 145, the ink cartridge 30 rotates about the center C of the ink supply port 71 of the packing 76 into which the ink needle 102 is inserted against the rotational moment. Move. Although the position of the center C in the ink cartridge 30 depends on the shape of the ink needle 102 and the shape of the ink supply port 71, the center of the portion where the ink needle 102 contacts the inner surface of the cylindrical ink supply portion 34 is a virtual rotation It is a movement center. In the present embodiment, the center of the portion of the ink needle 102 in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the packing 76 that defines the ink supply port 71 is rotated clockwise about the virtual rotation center. The attitude of the ink cartridge 30 at this time (the attitude of the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 8) is referred to as a second attitude.

  Since the lower wall 42 of the housing 31 is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the front-rear direction, the aforementioned rotation (clockwise rotation) occurs between the lower wall 42 and the bottom surface of the guide groove 109 of the cartridge case 101. There is space for Further, since the inside diameter of the atmosphere communication port 96 is larger than the outside diameter of the rod 125, there is a space for the above-described rotation (clockwise rotation) between the rod 125 and the atmosphere communication port 96, In the ink cartridge 30 at the mounting position, the rod 125 and the air communication port 96 do not abut on each other. That is, vertical positioning is not performed between the rod 125 and the atmosphere communication port 96.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge case 101, the IC substrate 64 reaches below the contact 106. By the rotation described above, in the ink cartridge 30 in the second posture, a space exists in the vertical direction between the electrode 65 of the IC substrate 64 and the contact point 106. That is, the electrode 65 and the contact point 106 are separated. Further, although the contact surface 84 reaches below the positioning portion 107, in the ink cartridge 30 in the second posture, a space exists in the vertical direction between the positioning portion 107 and the contact surface 84. That is, the positioning portion 107 and the contact surface 84 are separated.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted forward against the biasing force of the coil spring 78, the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 of the convex portion 43 become closer to the inner surface of the cartridge case 101 than the lock shaft 145. That is, the ink cartridge 30 is positioned at the mounting position and is in the mounted state. In the ink cartridge 30 in the second posture in this state, the lock surface 151 is located below the lock shaft 145.

  In the ink cartridge 30, as the user pushes the upper portion 41U of the rear wall 41 forward, a rotational moment is applied counterclockwise in FIG. Therefore, the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 do not come in contact with the lock shaft 145, so that the ink cartridge 30 resists the biasing force of the coil spring 98 by the force of the user. The ink supply port 71 pivots counterclockwise in FIG. 8 about the center C of the ink supply port 71. Then, the abutting surface 84 abuts on the positioning portion 107 from the lower side (see FIG. 3).

  When the ink cartridge 30 is in the posture shown in FIG. 3, the locking surface 151 faces the locking shaft 145 rearward. When the user stops pushing the ink cartridge 30 forward, the ink cartridge 30 moves rearward by the biasing force of the coil spring 78. Since the lock surface 151 faces the lock shaft 145 rearward, when the ink cartridge 30 moves rearward, the lock surface 151 abuts the lock shaft 145 from the front. Thus, the ink cartridge 30 is restricted from moving rearward. Further, the abutment surface 84 abuts against the positioning portion 107 from the lower side, thereby restricting the movement of the ink cartridge 30 upward, that is, the counterclockwise rotation with the center C as the rotation center. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 is positioned in the cartridge mounting portion 110, and the mounting is completed. The attitude of the ink cartridge 30 at this time (the attitude of the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 3) is referred to as a first attitude.

  As described above, the ink cartridge 30 can change its posture between the first posture and the second posture by rotating around the center C in the mounted state.

  In the mounted state, the IC substrate 64 is located rearward of the ink needle 102. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted state and in the first posture, the electrode 65 of the IC substrate 64 is in contact with the contact point 106 from below. That is, the electrode 65 makes electrical contact while elastically deforming the contact point 106 upward.

  As described above, since the moving member 160 is moved from the first position to the second position before the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the contact between the electrode 65 and the contact 106 is It is not hindered by the moving member 160.

  Further, in the mounted state, the light shielding plate 67 is positioned between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 113. Thus, the light shielding plate 67 blocks the light from traveling from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit. As mentioned above, the optical sensor 113 is arrange | positioned in the mounting state in the position where the light-shielding plate 67 is located in the optical path of the light irradiated from a light emission part.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the user pushes the operation surface 92 downward. In the state where the ink cartridge 30 is in the first posture, the operation surface 92 faces upward and rearward. Therefore, when the user operates the operation surface 92, a force acts on the ink cartridge 30 downward and forward. The force causes the ink cartridge 30 to rotate clockwise in FIG. Thereby, as shown in FIG. 8, the contact surface 84 is separated from the positioning portion 107. Also, the lock surface 151 is located below the lock shaft 145. That is, the attitude of the ink cartridge 30 changes from the first attitude to the second attitude. Then, the ink cartridge 30 is moved rearward with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110 by the biasing force of the coil spring 78. Thereby, the user can take out the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Detection of mounting of ink cartridge 30 to cartridge mounting portion 110]
Hereinafter, the detection of the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 1 (see FIG. 1) determines whether the IC substrate 64 of the ink cartridge 30 can be accessed (S10). When the contact 106 contacts the IC substrate 64 and is electrically conducted, the control unit 1 can access the IC substrate 64. When the contact 106 is not in contact with the IC substrate 64, the control unit 1 can not access the IC substrate 64.

  When the IC substrate 64 can not be accessed (S10: No), the control unit 1 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 (S20). In this case, the control unit 1 displays a message to the user by displaying a message on a display panel (not shown) provided in the housing of the printer 10, a buzzer or voice from a speaker (not shown), etc. Report that it is not attached.

  On the other hand, when the IC substrate 64 can be accessed (S10: Yes), the control unit 1 determines whether the signal output from the optical sensor 113 to the control unit 1 is high level or low level. When the light shielding plate 67 is positioned between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 113, the optical sensor 113 outputs a low level signal to the control unit 1. When the light shielding plate 67 is not positioned between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit of the optical sensor 113, the optical sensor 113 outputs a high level signal to the control unit 1.

  When the signal output from the optical sensor 113 to the control unit 1 is at high level (S30: High), the control unit 1 determines that the ink cartridge 30 which is not normal is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 (S40). In this case, the control unit 1 displays a message to the user “not normal ink cartridge” by displaying a message on a display panel (not shown) provided in the housing of the printer 10 or by buzzer or voice from a speaker (not shown). Informs that 30 is mounted.

  On the other hand, when the signal output from the optical sensor 113 to the control unit 1 is low (S30: Low), the control unit 1 determines that the normal ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 (S50). ).

  In the flowchart of FIG. 11, the control unit 1 determines whether the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment unit 110 based on whether the IC substrate 64 is accessed or not, and determines the level of the signal output from the optical sensor 113. Based on the determination, it was determined whether the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 is normal.

  However, the control unit 1 determines the presence or absence of the attachment of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge attachment unit 110 based on the level of the signal output from the optical sensor 113, and attaches the cartridge based on the accessibility of the IC substrate 64. It may be determined whether the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the unit 110 is normal. Hereinafter, the determination procedure in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 1 determines whether the signal output from the optical sensor 113 to the control unit 1 is high level or low level (S110).

  When the signal output from the optical sensor 113 to the control unit 1 is at the high level (S110: High), the control unit 1 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 (S120). In this case, as in step S20 of FIG. 11, the user is notified that "the ink cartridge 30 is not attached".

  On the other hand, when the signal output from the optical sensor 113 to the control unit 1 is low (S110: Low), the control unit 1 determines whether the IC substrate 64 of the ink cartridge 30 can be accessed (S130).

  When the IC substrate 64 can not be accessed (S130: No), the control unit 1 determines that the ink cartridge 30 which is not normal is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 (S140). In this case, as in step S40 of FIG. 11, the user is notified that "the ink cartridge 30 that is not normal is mounted".

  On the other hand, when the IC substrate 64 can be accessed (S130: Yes), the control unit 1 determines that the normal ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 (S150).

[Operation and effect of this embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, by positioning the moving member 160 at the first position, adhesion of foreign matter to the IC substrate 64 can be reduced. Further, by positioning the moving member 160 at the second position, the IC substrate 64 can be brought into a state in which contact with the contact point 106 is possible.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the moving member 160 slides in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the configuration in which the moving member 160 moves to the first position and the second position can be realized with a simple configuration.

  Further, as in the present embodiment, by limiting the moving range of the moving member 160 to the range indicated by “R” in FIG. 10, the moving distance between the first position and the second position of the moving member 160 is short. Become. Thereby, rattling at the time of movement of the moving member 160 can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the obstruction of the movement of the moving member 160 due to the moving member 160 being caught by another member (for example, the light shielding plate 67 or the holding portion).

  Further, according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the upper end portion of the moving member 160 is positioned above the imaginary line 165. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 30 falls with the upper surface of the housing 31 facing down, the light shielding plate 67 and the holding portion can collide with the ground or the like by causing the movable member 160 to collide preferentially with the ground or the like. You can reduce the sex. As a result, the possibility that the light shielding plate 67 and the holding portion may be damaged by external impact can be reduced.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the second position is located rearward of the first position. The moving member 160 is moved by the user from the first position to the second position before the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. However, the moving member 160 moves from the first position to the second position by being abutted against the cartridge mounting portion 110 from the front and pushed backward in the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting portion 110. It may be configured as follows.

  According to the modification, the moving member 160 can be moved from the first position to the second position in conjunction with the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  Also, as described above, when the moving member 160 is configured to move from the first position to the second position by being abutted against the cartridge mounting portion 110 from the front and pushed backward, the moving member 160 May be biased to the first position by a biasing member such as a coil spring 166 as shown in FIG. In this case, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the moving member 160 in the first position is abutted against the cartridge mounting portion 110 from the front and pushed backward to attach the coil spring 166. It moves from the first position to the second position against the force (see FIG. 14).

  According to the modification shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in conjunction with the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the moving member 160 is resisted against the biasing force of the coil spring 166 from the first position to the second position. It can be moved to the position.

  Further, according to the modification shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the moving member 160 is biased by the coil spring 166 to move from the second position to the first position. Move to That is, in conjunction with the removal of the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the moving member 160 can be moved from the second position to the first position.

  In the above embodiment, the second position is located rearward of the first position. However, as shown in FIG. 15 (A), the second position (the position of the moving member 160 shown by the solid line in FIG. 15 (A)) is shown by the broken line in the first position (FIG. 15 (A)). (The position of the moving member 160). In this case, it is desirable that the moving member 160 at the first position be located rearward of the light shielding plate 67.

  In the above embodiment, the first position and the second position are positions separated in the front-rear direction. The moving member 160 is moved to the first position and the second position by sliding in the front-rear direction.

  However, the first position and the second position may be positions apart from each other in the front-rear direction. In addition, the moving member 160 may move to the first position and the second position other than sliding along the front-rear direction.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15 (B), the second position (the position of the moving member 160 shown by the solid line in FIG. 15 (B)) is shown by the broken line in the first position (FIG. 15 (B)). (The position of the moving member 160). In this case, the moving member 160 moves to the first position and the second position by sliding in the left-right direction. A known configuration can be adopted as the configuration for sliding the moving member 160 in the left-right direction.

  Also, for example, as shown in FIG. 15C, the second position (the position of the moving member 160 shown by the solid line in FIG. 15C) is a broken line at the first position (FIG. 15C). It may be located at the right rear of the position of the moving member 160 shown). In this case, the moving member 160 is movable to the first position and the second position by pivoting in the direction of the arrow 167, for example. A known configuration can be employed as the configuration for rotating the moving member 160 in the direction of the arrow 167.

  In the above embodiment, the moving range of the moving member 160 is between the light shielding plate 67 and the contact surface 84 and the holding portion in the front-rear direction, but is not limited to this range. For example, the moving member 160 may move forward of the light shielding plate 67 or may move rearward of the contact surface 84.

  In the above embodiment, at least a part of the moving member 160 is located above the imaginary line 165. However, the moving member 160 may be located below the imaginary line 165.

  The ink cartridge 30 is not limited to the configuration as shown in FIGS. 4 to 6. For example, the ink cartridge 30 may be configured as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 16, the outer shape of the ink cartridge 30 is generally formed in a rectangular parallelepiped, and the ink cartridge 30 includes a light shielding plate 67, a convex portion 83 including a contact surface 84, a holding portion (convex portion 43), etc. Not equipped. In the configuration shown in FIG. 16, the moving member 160 moves to the first position and the second position along the front-rear direction as in the above embodiment, but as described in the above modification, the moving member 160 The movement direction is not limited to the front and back direction. In FIG. 16, the moving member 160 at the second position is shown by a solid line, and the moving member 160 at the first position is shown by a broken line.

  Further, the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 16 does not have the holding portion including the locking surface 151. However, the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 16 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 by the sliding resistance of the ink needle 102 (see FIG. 2) entering the ink supply port 71 against the inner peripheral surface of the packing 76 in the mounted state. It can be held in the closed state.

  That is, the configuration in which the ink cartridge 30 is held in the cartridge mounting portion 110 is not limited to the rotation of the ink cartridge 30 to the first attitude and the second attitude and the locking surface 151.

  Further, the ink cartridge 30 having the configuration shown in FIG. 16 does not include the coil springs 78 and 98. That is, the ink cartridge 30 may not be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 against the urging force directed rearward.

  Further, although the ink is described as an example of the liquid in the above embodiment, for example, instead of the ink, even if the pretreatment liquid to be discharged onto a sheet etc. prior to the ink at the time of printing is stored in the liquid cartridge Good. Further, water for cleaning the recording head 21 may be stored in the liquid cartridge.

30 ・ ・ ・ Ink cartridge (liquid cartridge)
31 ... housing (body)
32 ・ ・ ・ First storage room (internal space)
35: Ink valve chamber (liquid flow path)
64 ・ ・ ・ IC board (electrical interface)
71 ··· Ink supply port (liquid supply port)
106: Contact point 160: Moving member

Claims (11)

A liquid cartridge insertable into and removable from the mounting portion in the front-rear direction intersecting with the direction of gravity, and inserted forward,
The internal space capable of storing liquid, and the liquid cartridge mounted in the mounting portion extend in the front-rear direction in the mounting state, and communicates the internal space with the outside of the liquid cartridge through a liquid supply port opened forward. A body having a liquid flow path,
An electrical interface that can be in contact with the contacts provided on the mounting portion in the mounted state, and face upward in the up state, opposite to the direction of gravity;
A liquid cartridge comprising: a first position covering the electrical interface from above, and a moving member supported by the body movably to a second position not covering the electrical interface from above. The first position is a position separated in the front-rear direction with respect to the second position,
The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the moving member is supported by the main body slidably in the first position and the second position.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the second position is located rearward of the first position.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 3, further comprising a biasing member that biases the moving member to the first position. It has a positioning surface which is located behind the electrical interface on the top surface of the main body and which abuts the mounting portion from below in the mounting state,
The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a moving range of the moving member is in front of the positioning surface. An illuminated portion located in front of the electrical interface on the top surface of the body and blocking or attenuating light emitted from the outside,
The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a moving range of the moving member is behind the irradiated portion. The liquid cartridge is inserted into the mounting portion against the urging force directed rearward,
The electric interface further comprises an engagement surface located behind the electrical interface and engaged with the mounting portion in the mounted state to maintain the liquid cartridge in the mounted state.
In the mounted state, the first posture in which the engagement surface abuts on the abutted portion provided in the mounting portion, and the engagement surface is positioned lower than the abutted portion. It is possible to change the posture to the second posture where it does not abut
The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein a moving range of the moving member is forward of the engaging surface. A holder located behind the electrical interface, including the engagement surface, for holding the liquid cartridge in the mounted state;
An illuminated portion located in front of the electrical interface on the top surface of the body and blocking or attenuating externally illuminated light;
When viewed in the front-rear direction and the direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity, at least a portion of the movable member is above the virtual line located uppermost in the virtual line passing through the holding portion and the irradiated portion. A liquid cartridge according to claim 7, which is located. A liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8;
A mounting portion which can be inserted or withdrawn in the front-rear direction intersecting with the direction of gravity, and the liquid cartridge is inserted forward;
A consumption unit for consuming the liquid stored in the internal space of the liquid cartridge inserted into the mounting unit;
The mounting unit is
A hollow liquid supply pipe projecting rearward,
And contacts capable of being in contact with the electrical interface;
The proximal end of the liquid supply pipe communicates with the consumption unit through a flow path through which the liquid flows.
The tip of the liquid supply pipe is open,
In the process of inserting the liquid cartridge into the mounting portion, the liquid supply pipe enters the liquid flow path through the liquid supply port,
The system in which the contacts are in contact with the electrical interface when the liquid cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion. The liquid cartridge is located in front of the electrical interface on the upper surface of the main body, and includes an irradiated portion that blocks or attenuates light emitted from the outside;
The mounting unit includes an optical sensor that emits light,
The optical sensor is disposed at a position where the irradiated portion is positioned on the optical path of light emitted from the optical sensor in a state where the liquid cartridge is mounted on the mounting portion.
The system according to claim 9, wherein a moving range of the moving member is behind the light receiving portion. The liquid cartridge is inserted into the mounting portion against the urging force directed rearward,
The liquid cartridge is located behind the electrical interface on the top surface of the main body, and in the mounted state, engages with the mounting portion to maintain the liquid cartridge in the mounted state. Equipped
The mounting portion includes an abutted portion capable of abutting on the engagement surface;
In the liquid cartridge, in the mounted state, the first posture in which the engagement surface is in contact with the abutted portion, and the engagement surface is positioned lower than the abutted portion in the abutted portion. It is possible to change the posture to a second posture that does not abut
11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the moving range of the moving member is forward of the engagement surface.

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