JP2019202508A - cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce the possibility of a failure in discharging liquid, in a cartridge that includes a liquid absorber.SOLUTION: A cartridge includes: a liquid supply part for receiving a liquid supply needle; a first chamber in which a liquid absorber is disposed; a second chamber in which a liquid absorber is not disposed but the liquid supply part is provided; and a filter provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. The second chamber has a groove part for connecting the filter to a bottom surface of the second chamber.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 29

Description

  The present invention relates to a cartridge.

  As a cartridge used for a liquid ejecting apparatus such as an ink jet printer, a cartridge in which a liquid absorber for holding a liquid is disposed in a liquid storage chamber in the cartridge is known (see Patent Documents 1 to 4). As the liquid absorber, for example, a porous body or a fiber body is used. The liquid held in the liquid absorber is sucked into the liquid ejecting apparatus from a liquid supply unit provided on the bottom surface of the cartridge and supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus.

JP 2000-33715 A JP-A-4-173343 JP 2006-76313 A JP 2006-76314 A

  In such a cartridge, there is a problem that the liquid tends to remain in a portion of the liquid absorber far from the liquid supply portion due to the capillary force of the liquid absorber. Accordingly, the inventors of the present application have arranged a large filter between the liquid storage chamber and the liquid supply unit in order to facilitate the flow of the liquid from the liquid absorber to the liquid supply unit, and the liquid is supplied to the liquid supply unit through the filter. We considered flowing. However, when such a filter is provided in the cartridge, for example, when an impact is applied to the cartridge due to dropping or the like, the air present on the liquid absorber side is easily moved to the liquid supply unit side through the filter. The inventors of the present application have found that there is a possibility that a discharge failure may occur. In addition, when the filter is provided in the cartridge, the inventors of the present application expand the air existing between the filter and the liquid supply unit when the temperature rises, and the liquid is pushed out from the liquid supply unit. I found a problem that could leak.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, a cartridge that is mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid supply needle is provided. The cartridge includes a liquid supply unit that receives the liquid supply needle; a first chamber in which a liquid absorber is disposed; a second chamber in which the liquid absorber is not disposed and the liquid supply unit is provided; And a filter provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. And the said 2nd chamber has a groove part which connects the said filter and the bottom face of the said 2nd chamber.

It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a liquid injection system. It is a top view of a carriage. It is a perspective view of a carriage. It is a 1st perspective view of a cartridge. It is a 2nd perspective view of a cartridge. It is a disassembled perspective view of a cartridge. It is VII-VII sectional drawing of FIG. It is VIII-VIII sectional drawing of FIG. It is the perspective view which looked at the liquid storage chamber from the upper surface side. It is the top view which looked at the liquid storage chamber from the top. It is XI-XI sectional drawing of FIG. It is XII-XII sectional drawing of FIG. It is XIII-XIII sectional drawing of FIG. It is the top view which looked at the cover member from the top. It is the top view which looked at the lid member from the bottom. It is a perspective view which shows the lower surface side of a cover member. It is a perspective view which shows the cross-sectional structure inside a cartridge. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of a bubble trap chamber. It is XIX-XIX sectional drawing of FIG. It is XX-XX sectional drawing of FIG. It is XZ sectional drawing of the liquid supply part vicinity. It is sectional drawing of the cartridge in 2nd Embodiment. It is a perspective view of the cartridge shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the cartridge in 3rd Embodiment. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 24. It is sectional drawing of the cartridge in 4th Embodiment. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 26. It is sectional drawing of the cartridge in 5th Embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the cartridge in 6th Embodiment. It is the perspective view which looked at the liquid storage chamber from the upper surface side. It is the top view which looked at the liquid storage chamber from the top. It is an enlarged view of the groove part seen from the upper surface side. It is the perspective view of the groove part seen from the upper surface side. It is the top view which looked at the liquid storage chamber from the top. It is an enlarged view of a welding part.

A. First embodiment:
A1. Liquid injection system configuration:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the liquid ejecting system 100. In FIG. 1, XYZ axes orthogonal to each other are drawn. The XYZ axes in FIG. 1 correspond to the XYZ axes in the other drawings. The XYZ axes are attached to the drawings shown thereafter as necessary. The direction along the X axis is taken as the X direction, the direction along the Y axis is taken as the Y direction, and the direction along the Z axis is taken as the Z direction. One direction in the X direction is defined as + X direction, and the other direction in the X direction is defined as -X direction. One direction of the Y direction is defined as + Y direction, and the other direction is defined as -Y direction. One direction in the Z direction is defined as + Z direction, and the other direction is defined as -Z direction. In a state where the liquid ejecting system 100 is installed on a horizontal plane that is an XY plane parallel to the X direction and the Y direction, the Z direction is the vertical direction, the + Z direction is the antigravity direction, that is, the upward direction, and the −Z direction. Is the direction of gravity, ie downward. In the liquid ejecting system 100, the Y direction is the front-rear direction, and the X direction is the width direction, that is, the left-right direction.

  The liquid ejecting system 100 includes a cartridge set 30 including a first cartridge 10 and a second cartridge 20, and a liquid ejecting apparatus 50. In the liquid ejecting system 100, two types of cartridges 10 and 20 are detachably mounted on the cartridge holder 60 of the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 by a user. The liquid ejecting apparatus 50 is an ink jet printer that can handle printing on a sheet having a maximum size of about A3. The liquid ejecting apparatus 50 includes a head 63 that can eject three or more kinds of liquids. In the present embodiment, the head 63 can eject four types of inks having different colors. The four types of ink include, for example, black ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink.

  The first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 are mounted on the cartridge holder 60 side by side in the X direction. The first cartridge 10 contains one type of liquid. In the present embodiment, the first cartridge 10 contains black ink. The second cartridge 20 contains three types of ink, yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink. That is, the second cartridge 20 stores a plurality of types of liquids among the remaining types of liquids obtained by removing one type of liquid stored in the first cartridge 10 from three or more types of liquids that can be ejected by the head 63. Here, the number and type of cartridges mounted in the cartridge holder 60 are not limited to the present embodiment. For example, two first cartridges 10 and one second cartridge 20 may be mounted on the cartridge holder 60. In this case, the configuration of the cartridge holder 60 may be changed according to the number of cartridges. Further, the type of liquid stored in the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 is not limited to the present embodiment. For example, the second cartridge 20 may contain ink of other colors such as light magenta and light cyan. The second cartridge 20 may be configured to store two types of liquids or may be configured to store four or more types of liquids.

  In addition to the cartridge holder 60, the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 includes a control unit 61 and a carriage 62 having the cartridge holder 60. The carriage 62 includes the head 63 described above. The head 63 sucks ink from the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 mounted on the cartridge holder 60 via a liquid supply needle described later, and discharges the ink to a printing medium 64 such as paper or a label. As a result, data such as characters, graphics, and images are printed on the print medium 64.

  The controller 61 controls each part of the liquid ejecting apparatus 50. The carriage 62 is configured to be movable relative to the print medium 64. The head 63 includes an ink ejection mechanism that ejects ink supplied from the cartridges 10 and 20 mounted in the cartridge holder 60 onto the print medium 64. The controller 61 and the carriage 62 are electrically connected via a flexible cable 65, and the ink ejection mechanism of the head 63 operates based on a control signal from the controller 61.

  In the present embodiment, the carriage 62 includes a head 63 and a cartridge holder 60. In this way, the type of the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 in which the cartridge 20 is mounted on the cartridge holder 60 on the carriage 62 that moves the head 63 is also referred to as an “on-carriage type”. In another embodiment, the immobile cartridge holder 60 is configured at a different location from the carriage 62, and the ink from the cartridge 20 mounted on the cartridge holder 60 is supplied to the head 63 of the carriage 62 via a flexible tube. May be. Such a printer type is also called an “off-carriage type”.

  The liquid ejecting apparatus 50 includes a main scanning feed mechanism and a sub-scan feeding mechanism for moving the carriage 62 and the print medium 64 relatively to realize printing on the print medium 64. The main scanning feed mechanism of the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 includes a carriage motor 67 and a drive belt 68. By transmitting the power of the carriage motor 67 to the carriage 62 via the drive belt 68, the carriage 62 reciprocates along the X direction. The sub-scan feed mechanism of the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 includes a transport motor 69 and a platen roller 80, and transports the print medium 64 in the + Y direction by transmitting the power of the transport motor 69 to the platen roller 80. A direction in which the carriage 62 reciprocates may be referred to as a main scanning direction, and a direction in which the print medium 64 is conveyed may be referred to as a sub scanning direction. In the present embodiment, the main scanning direction is the X direction, and the sub scanning direction is the Y direction. The carriage motor 67 of the main scanning feed mechanism and the transport motor 69 of the sub scanning feed mechanism operate based on control signals from the control unit 61.

  FIG. 2 is a top view of the carriage 62. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the carriage 62. FIG. 2 shows the carriage 62 in a state where the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 are mounted on the cartridge holder 60.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cartridge holder 60 has five walls 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606. The concave portions formed by these five wall portions 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606 serve as a cartridge mounting portion 602 for mounting the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20. As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge mounting portion 602 is positioned on the + X direction side, and is positioned on the −X direction side with the first mounting portion 608 for mounting the first cartridge 10, and the second cartridge 20 is mounted. And a second mounting portion 609. The upper side, that is, the + Z direction side of the cartridge mounting portion 602 is open, and the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 are attached to and detached from the cartridge holder 60 through this opening. The wall portion 601 is also referred to as “device-side bottom wall portion 601”. The wall portion 603 is also referred to as a “first device side wall portion 603”. The wall portion 604 is also referred to as “second device side wall portion 604”. The wall portion 605 is also referred to as “third device side wall portion 605”. The wall portion 606 is also referred to as a “fourth device side wall portion 606”.

  The apparatus-side bottom wall 601 forms the bottom surface of the concave cartridge mounting portion 602. The first to fourth device-side side wall portions 603, 604, 605, and 606 rise from the device-side bottom wall portion 601 in the + Z direction, and form a side surface of the concave cartridge mounting portion 602. The first device side wall 603 and the second device side wall 604 oppose each other in the Y direction. The first device side wall portion 603 is located on the −Y direction side, and the second device side wall portion 604 is located on the + Y direction side. The third device side wall 605 and the fourth device side wall 606 oppose each other in the X direction. The third device side wall portion 605 is located on the + X direction side, and the fourth device side wall portion 606 is located on the −X direction side.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the cartridge holder 60 further includes a plurality of liquid supply needles 640 and a plurality of contact mechanisms 70 having device-side terminals. In the present embodiment, four liquid supply needles 640 are provided. When distinguishing and using the four liquid supply needles 640, reference numerals “640A”, “640B”, “640C”, and “640D” are used. In the present embodiment, two contact mechanisms 70 are provided. When the two contact mechanisms 70 are distinguished from each other, reference numerals “70A” and “70B” are used.

  The liquid supply needle 640 is provided in the carriage 62, more specifically, in the cartridge mounting portion 602 in the cartridge holder 60. The liquid supply needle 640 has a flow path through which liquid flows. As shown in FIG. 2, the liquid supply needle 640 is received by the corresponding liquid supply units 280 and 280 of the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20. Thereby, the liquid stored in the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 is introduced into the flow path inside the liquid supply needle 640. The liquid introduced into the liquid supply needle 640 is supplied to the head 63.

  The liquid supply needle 640 is a member that extends in the + Z direction from the apparatus-side bottom wall portion 601 and has a proximal end portion 645 and a distal end portion 642. The proximal end 645 side of the liquid supply needle 640 has a cylindrical shape, and the distal end 642 side has a substantially conical shape with an outer diameter decreasing toward the + Z-axis direction side. The base end portion 645 forms the −Z direction side end portion of the liquid supply needle 640. The tip 642 forms the + Z direction side end of the liquid supply needle 640. The leading end 642 is formed with an introduction hole for introducing the liquid supplied from the first cartridge 10 and the second cartridge 20 into the internal flow path. The liquid supply needle 640 has a central axis C along the Z-axis direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the four liquid supply needles 640A to 640D are arranged side by side in the X direction. Three of the four liquid supply needles 640 </ b> A to 640 </ b> C are arranged in the second mounting portion 609. The three liquid supply needles 640A to 640C are inserted into the three corresponding liquid supply units 280 included in the second cartridge 20, respectively. Accordingly, different types of liquids stored in the second cartridge 20 circulate in the three liquid supply needles 640A to 640C, respectively. In the present embodiment, yellow ink flows through the liquid supply needle 640A, magenta ink flows through the liquid supply needle 640B, and cyan ink flows through the liquid supply needle 640C. One of the four liquid supply needles 640D is inserted into one liquid supply unit 280 included in the first cartridge 10. As a result, the liquid stored in the first cartridge 10, that is, the black ink in the present embodiment, flows through the liquid supply needle 640D.

  The contact mechanism 70 is provided on the first device side wall portion 603. The contact mechanism 70A is a device-side terminal group that comes into contact with the contact portion cp on the circuit board 400 provided in the second cartridge 20 in the mounted state in which the second cartridge 20 is mounted in the second mounting portion 609. Have. The contact mechanism 70 </ b> B has a device-side terminal group that comes into contact with a contact portion on a circuit board provided in the first cartridge 10 in a mounted state of the first cartridge 10.

  The cartridge holder 60 further includes a device-side engagement portion 632. The device-side engaging portion 632 is provided on the first device-side side wall portion 603 and is provided on the + Z direction side with respect to the contact mechanism 70. Two device side engaging portions 632 are provided. When distinguishing and using the two apparatus side engaging parts 632, code | symbol "632A" and "632D" are used. The device-side engaging portion 632 is a protruding piece that protrudes from the first device-side side wall portion 603 to the cartridge mounting portion 602 side, that is, the + Y direction side. The device-side engaging portion 632A provided in the second mounting portion 609 locks the engaging member 230 of the second cartridge 20 shown in FIG. 4 when the second cartridge 20 is mounted. The device-side engaging portion 632D provided in the first mounting portion 608 locks the engaging member of the first cartridge 10 when the first cartridge 10 is mounted.

A2. Cartridge configuration:
As the first cartridge 10, cartridges having various configurations can be applied. In the present embodiment, a cartridge having a configuration described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-248786 is employed as the first cartridge 10. Hereinafter, features of the second cartridge 20 will be described in detail. Hereinafter, the second cartridge 20 is also simply referred to as “cartridge 20”.

  FIG. 4 is a first perspective view of the cartridge 20. FIG. 5 is a second perspective view of the cartridge 20. The length that is the dimension in the Y direction, the width that is the dimension in the X direction, and the height that is the dimension in the Z direction of the cartridge 20 are in the order of length, height, and width. The cartridge 20 is wider than the first cartridge 10. Note that the magnitude relationship of the length, width, and height of the cartridge 20 can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the cartridge 20 may be increased in the order of height, length, and width, and the height, length, and width are equal to each other. May be.

  The external shape of the cartridge 20 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cartridge 20 has six surfaces. The six surfaces are a bottom surface 201, a top surface 202, a first side surface 204, a second side surface 203, a third side surface 205, and a fourth side surface 206. The first side surface is also referred to as the front surface, the second side surface is referred to as the back surface, the third side surface is referred to as the left side surface, and the fourth side surface is also referred to as the right side surface. The six surfaces 201 to 206 constitute the casing 21 of the cartridge 20. Each surface 201-205 is planar. The planar shape includes a case where the entire surface is completely flat and a case where a part of the surface is uneven. As shown in FIG. 5, a portion where a later-described liquid supply unit 280 and an atmosphere communication port 44 are formed protrudes from the bottom surface 201. The outer shapes of each of the surfaces 201 to 206 in plan view are all substantially rectangular.

  The bottom surface 201 is a concept including a wall that forms the bottom wall of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state, and can also be referred to as a “bottom wall 201”. The upper surface 202 is a concept including a wall that forms the upper wall of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state, and can also be referred to as an “upper wall 203”. The first side surface 204 is a concept including a wall that forms the front wall of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state, and can also be referred to as a “front wall 204”. The second side surface 203 is a concept including a wall that forms the back wall of the cartridge 20 in the mounted state, and can also be referred to as a “back wall 203”. The third side surface 205 is a concept including a wall that forms the left side wall in the mounted state, and can also be referred to as a “left side wall 205”. The fourth side surface 206 is a concept including a wall that forms the right side wall in the mounted state, and can also be referred to as a “right side wall 206”. The “wall” does not have to be formed by a single wall, and may be formed by a plurality of walls.

  The bottom surface 201 and the top surface 202 face each other in the Z direction. The bottom surface 201 is located on the −Z direction side, and the top surface 202 is located on the + Z direction side. In the mounted state, the bottom surface 201 faces the apparatus-side bottom wall portion 601 of the cartridge holder 60 shown in FIG. The bottom surface 201 and the top surface 202 are horizontal surfaces in the mounted state. The bottom surface 201 and the top surface 202 intersect the first side surface 204, the second side surface 203, the third side surface 205, and the fourth side surface 206 at a substantially right angle. The bottom surface 201 and the top surface 202 are surfaces parallel to the X direction and the Y direction. The bottom surface 201 and the top surface 202 are surfaces orthogonal to the Z direction. When a plane parallel to the X direction and the Y direction and orthogonal to the Z direction is an XY plane, the bottom surface 201 and the top surface 202 are planes parallel to the XY plane. In the present embodiment, the two surfaces “intersect” or “intersect” means a state in which the two surfaces are connected to each other, a state in which one surface is extended, and a state in which the other surface intersects with the other surface, It means a state that intersects when each surface is extended. Further, “facing two surfaces” means to include both the case where there is no other object between the two surfaces and the case where there is no other object.

  The first side surface 204 and the second side surface 203 oppose each other in the Y direction. The first side surface 204 is located on the + Y direction side, and the second side surface 203 is located on the −Y direction side. In the mounted state, the first side surface 204 faces the second device side wall 604 of the cartridge holder 60 shown in FIG. The second side surface 203 faces the first device side wall portion 603 of the cartridge holder 60 shown in FIG. The first side surface 204 and the second side surface 203 are surfaces that are vertical in the mounted state. The first side surface 204 and the second side surface 203 intersect the bottom surface 201, the upper surface 202, the third side surface 205, and the fourth side surface 206 at a substantially right angle. The first side surface 204 and the second side surface 203 are surfaces parallel to the X direction and the Z direction. The first side surface 204 and the second side surface 203 are surfaces orthogonal to the Y direction. When a surface parallel to the X direction and the Z direction and orthogonal to the Y direction is an XZ plane, the first side surface 204 and the second side surface 203 are surfaces parallel to the XZ plane.

  The third side surface 205 and the fourth side surface 206 face each other in the X direction. The third side surface 205 is located on the + X direction side, and the fourth side surface 206 is located on the −X direction side. In the mounted state, the third side surface 205 faces the first cartridge 10. In the mounted state, the fourth side wall 206 faces the fourth device side wall portion 606 of the cartridge holder 60 shown in FIG. The third side surface 205 and the fourth side surface 206 intersect the bottom surface 201, the upper surface 202, the first side surface 204, and the second side surface 203 at a substantially right angle. The third side surface 205 and the fourth side surface 206 are surfaces parallel to the Y direction and the Z direction. The third side surface 205 and the fourth side surface 206 are surfaces orthogonal to the X direction. When a surface parallel to the Y direction and the Z direction and orthogonal to the X direction is a YZ plane, the third side surface 205 and the fourth side surface 206 are surfaces parallel to the YZ plane.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the cartridge 20 includes a circuit board 400 and a lever-like engagement member 230 that is locked to the apparatus-side engagement portion 632 </ b> A on the second side surface 203. A cartridge side terminal group 499 is provided on the surface of the circuit board 400. The cartridge side terminal group 499 includes a contact portion cp that comes into contact with the contact mechanism 70 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 602. A storage device that is electrically connected to the cartridge-side terminal group 499 is provided on the back surface of the circuit board 400. The storage device stores information regarding the cartridge 20. Examples of information regarding the cartridge 20 include information indicating the type of liquid to be stored, information indicating the amount of liquid to be stored, information indicating the amount of liquid consumed, and information indicating the date of manufacture of the cartridge 20. The control unit 61 provided in the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 can read such information from the storage device provided in the circuit board 400 via the contact mechanism 70 and the cartridge side terminal group 499.

  FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the cartridge 20. A plurality of liquid storage chambers 200 </ b> A, 200 </ b> B, and 200 </ b> C are provided inside the housing 21 of the cartridge 20 to store one of each of the above-described plurality of types of liquid. The three liquid storage chambers 200A to 200C are partitioned by the side wall 24 provided in the housing 21 along the YZ plane so that the liquids do not mix with each other. The liquid storage chamber 200A stores yellow ink, the liquid storage chamber 200B stores magenta ink, and the liquid storage chamber 200C stores cyan ink. For example, the plurality of types of liquids stored in the cartridge 20 are dye inks. A filter 210 is fixed to the bottom of each of the liquid storage chambers 200A, 200B, and 200C, and a rectangular parallelepiped liquid absorber 299 is disposed on the filter 210. The liquid absorber 299 is a member for holding or absorbing the liquid by a predetermined capillary force. The liquid absorber 299 may be a foamable member such as urethane foam or a fiber member in which polypropylene is processed into a fiber shape. The upper surface 202 of the casing 21 of the cartridge 20 is configured by a lid member 207 and an upper surface film member 208 attached on the lid member 207. Hereinafter, the liquid storage chamber 200 </ b> A, the liquid storage chamber 200 </ b> B, and the liquid storage chamber 200 </ b> C are referred to as the liquid storage chamber 200 when they are not particularly distinguished. In the present embodiment, the cartridge 20 includes the three liquid storage chambers 200, but may include one or two liquid storage chambers 200, or may include four or more liquid storage chambers 200. .

  7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VII-VII in FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional configuration in the vicinity of the liquid storage chamber 200A, but the cross-sectional configuration in the vicinity of the liquid storage chamber 200B and the liquid storage chamber 200C is substantially the same as the cross-sectional configuration in the vicinity of the liquid storage chamber 200A. As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid supply needle 640 </ b> D is inserted into the liquid supply unit 280 of the first cartridge 10 when the first cartridge 10 is attached to the cartridge holder 60. Thereby, black ink is supplied from the first cartridge 10 to the head 63 via the liquid supply needle 640D. The first cartridge 10 does not have a liquid absorber for holding or absorbing ink. That is, the first cartridge 10 is a direct liquid type cartridge.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the cartridge 20 includes a liquid storage chamber 200 in which a liquid absorber 299 is arranged, a liquid supply unit 280, a bubble trap chamber 212 in which the liquid supply unit 280 is provided, and a thin filter 210. Have. The liquid supply unit 280 receives the liquid supply needle 640 and supplies ink in the liquid storage chamber 200 to the liquid ejecting apparatus 50. The liquid supply unit 280 is provided at a position closer to the second side surface 203 than the first side surface 204 in the Y direction. In the mounted state, the bubble trap chamber 212 is disposed vertically below the liquid storage chamber 200. The filter 210 is provided between the liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212. The filter 210 is made of, for example, a PET nonwoven fabric or a stainless nonwoven fabric. In the present embodiment, the filter 210 is disposed along the horizontal direction in the mounted state. Note that no liquid absorber is disposed in the bubble trap chamber 212. The liquid storage chamber 200 is also referred to as a “first chamber”, and the bubble trap chamber 212 is also referred to as a “second chamber”.

  At the start of use of the cartridge 20, most of the bubble trap chamber 212 and the liquid storage chamber 200 are filled with ink. When the ink in the liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212 is consumed through the liquid supply unit 280, the air is introduced into the liquid storage chamber 200 from the atmospheric communication path 40 described later. That is, the cartridge 20 of the present embodiment is an air release type cartridge.

  The bubble trap chamber 212 has a function of supplying the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber 200 to the liquid supply unit 280 and a function of capturing (trapping) bubbles. The bubble trap chamber 212 is supplied with (1) bubbles flowing from the liquid storage chamber 200 through the filter 210 when an impact such as a drop occurs, or (2) liquid supply when the liquid supply unit 280 receives the liquid supply needle 640. Bubbles that have entered through the portion 280 and (3) bubbles that have grown in the bubble trap chamber 212 are stored. In the present embodiment, since bubbles generated or intruded for some reason are stored in the bubble trap chamber 212 in this way, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of liquid supply failure.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the mounted state of the cartridge 20, the corresponding liquid supply needle 640 is inserted into the liquid supply unit 280 of the cartridge 20. Accordingly, yellow ink, magenta ink, and cyan ink are supplied from the liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212 to the head 63 via the liquid supply needle 640.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, the liquid supply unit 280 and the liquid supply units 280 </ b> A to 280 </ b> C include a valve mechanism 284. The valve mechanism 284 opens and closes the internal flow paths of the liquid supply units 280 and 280. The valve mechanism 284 includes, in order from the front end side of the liquid supply units 280 and 280, a seal unit 287, a valve body 286 that opens when the liquid supply needle 640 comes into contact with it, a biasing member 285 for closing the valve body 286, including. The liquid supply unit 280 includes a valve chamber 294 shown in FIG. A valve body 286 and a biasing member 285 are disposed in the valve chamber 294.

  The seal portion 287 is a substantially annular member. The seal portion 287 is made of an elastic body such as rubber or elastomer, for example. The seal part 287 is press-fitted into the inside from the opening at the tip of the liquid supply parts 280 and 280. The seal portion 287 prevents the liquid from leaking to the outside from the gap between the liquid supply portions 280 and 280 and the liquid supply needle 640 by making an airtight contact with the outer peripheral surface of the liquid supply needle 640 in the mounted state. The seal portion 287 also functions as a valve seat that contacts the valve body 286 when the valve is closed.

  The valve body 286 is a substantially cylindrical member. The valve body 286 is urged in a direction toward the seal portion 287 by the urging member 285 in an unmounted state, which is a state before the cartridges 10 and 20 are mounted in the cartridge holder 60, and is formed in the seal portion 287. The hole is blocked. That is, the valve mechanism 284 is in a closed state in the unmounted state.

  The biasing member 285 is a compression coil spring. In the mounted state of the cartridges 10, 20, the liquid supply needle 640 pushes the valve body 286 in a direction away from the seal portion 287, whereby the urging member 285 is compressed and the valve body 286 is separated from the seal portion 287. As a result, the valve mechanism 284 is opened. The + Z direction side end of the biasing member 285 is in contact with the + Z direction side wall 295 of the valve chamber 294. Therefore, when the urging member 285 is compressed, the movement of the urging member 285 in the + Z direction side is restricted by the valve chamber 294.

  When the cartridge 20 is not in use, the opening 288 at the tip of the liquid supply unit 280 is closed with the film FM shown in FIGS. The film FM is configured to be broken by the liquid supply needles 640A, 640B, and 640C when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the second mounting portion 609 of the cartridge holder 60.

  FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the liquid storage chamber 200 as viewed from the upper surface side. FIG. 10 is a plan view of the liquid storage chamber 200 as viewed from above. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XI-XI in FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XII-XII in FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. FIG. 14 is a plan view of the lid member 207 as viewed from above. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the lid member 207 as viewed from below. FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the lower surface side of the lid member 207. FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing a cross-sectional structure inside the cartridge 20. Although the lid member 207 is not shown in FIG. 10, FIGS. 12 and 13 showing the cross sections of FIG. 10 also show the cross section of the lid member 207.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the side wall 24 of the liquid storage chamber 200 is provided with a convex portion 216 that protrudes toward the inside of the liquid storage chamber 200. The convex portions 216 are respectively provided on the inner surfaces of the pair of side walls 24 facing each other in the X direction. The convex part 216 extends along the Z direction which is the vertical direction. The convex portion 216 includes a portion that is inclined so that the amount of protrusion increases from the top of the liquid storage chamber 200 toward the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200. In the present embodiment, the “bottom 214” of the liquid storage chamber 200 is more specifically the bottom of the absorber chamber 223, which is the portion of the liquid storage chamber 200 where the liquid absorber 299 is disposed. is there.

  The convex part 216 includes a plurality of first convex parts 217 and a plurality of second convex parts 218. The second convex portion 218 is higher in the vertical direction than the first convex portion 217. In other words, the first convex portion 217 is lower in height in the vertical direction than the second convex portion 218. Further, the portion of the second convex portion 218 that is lower than the first convex portion 217 has a smaller amount of protrusion into the liquid storage chamber 200 than the first convex portion 217. The plurality of first protrusions 217 and the plurality of second protrusions 218 are alternately arranged on the side wall 24 of the liquid storage chamber 200 with a certain interval in the Y direction, which is a direction intersecting the Z direction which is the vertical direction. Is arranged. As shown in FIG. 11, the surface 217 s of the first protrusion 217 facing the inside of the liquid storage chamber 200 and the portion of the liquid protrusion chamber 200 that is higher than the first protrusion 217 of the second protrusion 218. The face 218s facing the inner side is substantially on the same virtual plane VP. On the virtual plane VP, at the boundary portion between the first convex portion 217 and the second convex portion 218, the protruding amount of the second convex portion 218 is slightly smaller, and a small step is formed.

  Due to the configuration of the convex portion 216 described above, the cross-sectional area of the internal space along the horizontal direction of the liquid storage chamber 200 is smaller on the bottom 214 side of the liquid storage chamber 200 than on the upper side of the liquid storage chamber 200. ing. Therefore, the liquid absorber 299 disposed in the liquid storage chamber 200 is compressed closer to the bottom surface side than the upper surface side of the liquid storage chamber 200. In the present embodiment, the convex portion 216 is inclined so that the cross-sectional area on the bottom 214 side is smaller than the upper side of the liquid storage chamber 200, but the liquid storage chamber is also inclined by tilting the side wall 24. It is possible to make the cross-sectional area on the bottom 214 side smaller than the upper side of 200.

  In the present embodiment, a slight space is formed between the liquid absorber 299 and the side wall 24 when each convex portion 216 contacts the liquid absorber 299. And these spaces are connected between the 1st convex part 217 and the 2nd convex part 218 from which height differs, and are connected to the atmospheric chamber 224 mentioned later. In other words, in the present embodiment, the convex portion 216 is formed on the side wall 24 of the liquid storage chamber 200, so that air or ink is transferred between the liquid absorber 299 and the side wall 24 as shown in FIG. A space A1 that can flow up to 224 is formed.

  FIG. 10 shows a state in which the filter 210 is disposed in the liquid storage chamber 200A and the liquid absorber 299 is disposed in the liquid storage chamber 200C. Both the filter 210 and the liquid absorber 299 are disposed in the liquid storage chamber 200B. It shows a state that has not been done. The shape of the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200 is a substantially rectangular shape having a longitudinal direction and a short direction. The longitudinal direction is along the Y direction, and the short side direction is along the X direction. The corners of the rectangular bottom 214 may be rounded. A large opening 215 is formed in the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200. The opening 215 allows the liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212 to communicate with each other. A filter 210 is provided between the liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212 so as to cover the opening 215. The liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212 are partitioned by the filter 210. In the present embodiment, the capillary force of the filter 210 is larger than the capillary force of any part of the liquid absorber 299.

  The outer shape of the filter 210 is rectangular, and the size thereof is larger than the opening 215. A positioning projection 219 for positioning the filter 210 is formed on the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200. In the present embodiment, the positioning protrusions 219 are provided diagonally at corners at both ends in the Y direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the opening 215. When the filter 210 is fixed to the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200, first, the filter 210 is temporarily welded to the positioning protrusion 219 outside the opening 215. Thereafter, the filter 210 is welded to a welded portion 220 provided along the outer periphery of the opening 215. The welding part 220 has a convex shape toward the filter 210 side.

  As shown in FIG. 10, in this embodiment, the size of the outer shape of the filter 210 is larger than the opening 215. However, in the following description, the size of the filter 210 is not the size of the outer shape of the filter 210, but the size of the portion where the filter 210 functions as a filter, that is, the portion corresponding to the opening 215. Suppose that it is a size. The “size of the filter 210” includes length, width, area, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the maximum length L1 along the Y direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the filter 210, is larger than half of the length L2 of the liquid absorber 299 along the longitudinal direction of the filter 210. That is, the ratio of the length L1 of the filter 210 to the length L2 of the liquid absorber 299 is 50% or more. This ratio is more preferably 75% or more, and still more preferably 90% or more. This ratio may be 100%. In this embodiment, this ratio is 93%.

  In the present embodiment, the shortest distance from the outermost periphery of the opening 215 to the outer periphery of the bottom 214 is substantially equal in both the Y direction which is the longitudinal direction of the filter 210 and the X direction which is the short direction. For this reason, it is possible to prevent ink from being biased and remaining at either one of both ends in the longitudinal direction or both ends in the short direction of the bottom portion 214.

  The liquid storage chamber 200 includes an absorber chamber 223 in which the liquid absorber 299 is disposed and an atmospheric chamber 224 in which the liquid absorber 299 is not disposed. The absorber chamber 223 and the atmospheric chamber 224 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction. More specifically, the absorber chamber 223 and the atmospheric chamber 224 are arranged side by side in the Y direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the filter 210. The filter 210 and the opening 215 are disposed in the absorber chamber 223 in the liquid storage chamber 200 and are not disposed in the atmosphere chamber 224.

  In the present embodiment, at least a part of the side surface 291 adjacent to the atmosphere chamber 224 of the liquid absorber 299 is in contact with the atmosphere in the atmosphere chamber 224. The other part of the side surface 291 of the liquid absorber 299 is in contact with the partition rib 225 provided in the vertical direction in the atmospheric chamber 224. The partition rib 225 restricts the liquid absorber 299 in the absorber chamber 223 from moving to the atmosphere chamber 224 side. As shown in FIG. 11, the height of the partition rib 225 along the vertical direction is lower than the height of the internal space of the liquid storage chamber 200. Therefore, the circulation of the atmosphere in the atmosphere chamber 224 is not hindered by the partition rib 225. In addition, a plurality of partition ribs 225 are provided in one atmosphere chamber 224, and each has a different length in the vertical direction.

  As shown in FIG. 13, a connection port 41 that connects the atmospheric chamber 224 and the atmospheric communication path 40 is provided in the upper portion of the atmospheric chamber 224. In the present embodiment, the connection port 41 is provided at the tip of a cylindrical tube 42 that protrudes downward from the ceiling surface 226 of the atmospheric chamber 224. The tube 42 is formed on the lower surface of the lid member 207 constituting the upper surface 202 of the liquid storage chamber 200. The tube 42 communicates with the upper surface side of the lid member 207. The atmosphere communication path 40 to which the connection port 41 is connected is a flow path for connecting the liquid storage chamber 200 to the atmosphere outside the casing 21, and is provided inside the casing 21. As shown in FIG. 12, the atmosphere communication path 40 extends from the upper surface side of the housing 21 to the bottom surface side. The atmosphere communication path 40 penetrates the first side surface 204 of the cartridge 20 in the vertical direction. An atmosphere communication port 44, which is a connection port between the atmosphere communication path 40 and the atmosphere, is provided on the bottom surface 201 of the housing 21.

  As shown in FIG. 14, a complicatedly meandering thin flow path is provided on the upper surface of the lid member 207 disposed on the liquid storage chamber 200. This flow path is referred to as a meandering flow path 43. The meandering flow path 43 is defined by a groove formed on the upper surface of the lid member 207 and an upper surface film member 208 of FIG. The meandering flow path 43 has one end communicating with the tube 42 shown in FIG. 13 through the recess 45 provided on the upper surface of the lid member 207, and the other end through the through-hole 209 provided in the lid member 207. It communicates with the atmosphere communication path 40 shown in FIG. Therefore, the atmosphere chamber 224 and the atmosphere communication path 40 are connected via this meandering channel 43. The meandering flow path 43 connects the atmosphere chamber 224 and the atmosphere communication path 40, and thus can be said to constitute a part of the atmosphere communication path 40.

  The meandering channel 43 increases the distance from the liquid storage chamber 200 to the atmosphere communication port 44, thereby suppressing ink in the liquid storage chamber 200 from evaporating and being discharged from the atmosphere communication port 44. ing. Further, the meandering flow path 43 constituting a part of the atmosphere communication path 40 is formed to be thin, and therefore has a certain capillary force with respect to the ink. Therefore, even if ink enters the meandering flow path 43, it can be suppressed that the ink is discharged from the air communication port 44 through the meandering flow path 43 as the atmospheric communication path 40. In the present embodiment, even if the ink flows backward from the tube 42, the ink is temporarily stored in the recess 45 that exists between the meandering flow path 43 and the tube 42. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the ink from entering the meandering flow path 43.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in the present embodiment, a stepped portion that protrudes downward is formed on the lower surface of the lid member 207 constituting the ceiling surface 226 of the liquid storage chamber 200 at a portion corresponding to the absorber chamber 223. 227 is formed. The lower surface of the stepped portion 227 is planar. Further, the stepped portion 227 is substantially rectangular in a bottom view. The stepped portion 227 comes into contact with the upper surface of the liquid absorber 299 and compresses the liquid absorber 299 toward the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200. As a result, the bottom surface portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 shown in FIGS. 8 and 17 is pressed against the filter 210, the pores in the bottom surface portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 are reduced, and the capillary force of the bottom surface portion 298 is absorbed by the liquid. It becomes larger than the capillary force of the central portion 297 in the height direction of the body 299. In addition, the thickness of the portion where the pores are reduced in the bottom surface portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 is several tens of μm or more. In this embodiment, since the step portion 227 contacts the upper surface of the liquid absorber 299, when the cartridge 20 is turned upside down, the ink accumulated near the lid member 207 is removed from the contact portion from the liquid absorber. 299 can be absorbed again.

  In the present embodiment, the maximum width W1 shown in FIG. 15 of the step portion 227 along the X direction which is the short direction of the filter 210 is the maximum width W1 shown in FIG. 10 of the filter 210 along the short direction of the filter 210. Greatly greater than W2. Further, in this embodiment, the maximum length L3 shown in FIG. 15 of the step portion 227 along the Y direction which is the longitudinal direction of the filter 210 is shown in FIG. 10 of the filter 210 along the longitudinal direction of the filter 210. It is larger than the maximum length L1. That is, in this embodiment, the stepped portion 227 is larger than the filter 210. Therefore, the liquid absorber 299 can be favorably compressed toward the filter 210. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in the present embodiment, the stepped portion 227 is provided with a plurality of line-like cuts 229 from the + X direction and the −X direction. These cuts 229 can suppress the occurrence of sink marks when the lid member 207 is manufactured. The notch 229 may be omitted.

  In the present embodiment, in a state where the stepped portion 227 is in contact with the upper surface of the liquid absorber 299, a slight space A2 shown in FIG. 15 is formed around the stepped portion 227 between the lid member 207 and the liquid absorber 299. Exists. This space A2 communicates with the atmospheric chamber 224. Therefore, even when the air expands in the upper part of the liquid absorber 299, the air can be released from the atmosphere communication path 40 to the outside through the cut 229, the space A2, and the atmosphere chamber 224. Thereby, the pressure in the liquid storage chamber 200 is increased, and the leakage of ink from the liquid supply unit 280 side can be suppressed.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, a protruding wall 46 is formed on the lower surface of the lid member 207 constituting the upper surface 202 of the housing 21. The protruding wall 46 is located between the stepped portion 227 and the connection port 41 and the pipe 42 in the lid member 207. Further, the protruding wall 46 is located between the absorber chamber 223, the connection port 41, and the pipe 42 in the liquid storage chamber 200. The width of the protruding wall 46 along the X direction is substantially the same as the width of the upper portion of the liquid storage chamber 200. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the upper corner portion of the liquid absorber 299 contacts the protruding wall 46.

  FIG. 18 is a perspective view showing the structure of the bubble trap chamber 212. 19 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIX-XIX in FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along line XX-XX in FIG. FIG. 21 is an XZ sectional view of the vicinity of the liquid supply unit 280. 18 to 21 show the structure of the bubble trap chamber 212 corresponding to one of the three liquid storage chambers 200.

  FIG. 18 shows a state in which the bubble trap chamber 212 is viewed from the opening 215 formed in the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200. In the present embodiment, the bubble trap chamber 212 has a liquid guiding path 231 for guiding the liquid to the liquid supply unit 280. Even when bubbles are present in the bubble trap chamber 212, the ink can smoothly flow to the liquid supply unit 280 in the bubble trap chamber 212 by flowing the ink in the liquid guide path 231.

  In the present embodiment, a plurality of liquid guide paths 231 are provided in the bubble trap chamber 212. The plurality of liquid guide paths 231 include a first liquid guide path 232 and a second liquid guide path 233. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the first liquid guiding path 232 is formed on the side surface of the bubble trap chamber 212 so as to extend from the upper part to the lower part. In the present embodiment, the first liquid guiding path 232 is formed on the side surface on the + X direction side and the side surface on the −X direction side among the plurality of side surfaces of the bubble trap chamber 212. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 20, the second liquid guiding path 233 is formed on the bottom surface 213 of the bubble trap chamber 212 so as to extend in the Y direction, which is the longitudinal direction of the bubble trap chamber 212, toward the liquid supply unit 280. Has been. In the present embodiment, each liquid guiding path 231 is configured by a groove. As shown in FIG. 8, the second liquid guiding path 233 has a depth from the bottom surface 213 that is closer to the liquid supply unit 280 such that the cross-sectional area of the flow path is larger as the position is closer to the liquid supply unit 280. Is deeper. Note that the liquid guide path 231 is not limited to a groove, and may be configured by a rib. When the ribs are configured, for example, a pair of ribs are provided on the bottom surface 213 and the side surface of the bubble trap chamber 212 so that ink flows between the pair of ribs.

  As shown in FIGS. 8 and 18, the bottom surface 213 of the bubble trap chamber 212 is inclined so as to become lower toward the liquid supply unit 280. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 20, the distance between at least a part of the outer periphery of the filter 210 and the bottom surface 213 of the bubble trap chamber 212 is such that the other part of the filter 210 and the bottom surface 213 are separated. It is closer than the distance. In the present embodiment, the distance between the outer peripheral portion P of the filter 210 far from the liquid supply unit 280 in the longitudinal direction of the filter 210 and the bottom surface 213 of the bubble trap chamber 212 is the distance between the other part of the filter 210 and the bubble trap chamber 212. It is closer than the distance to the bottom surface 213. The other part of the filter 210 is a part other than the outer peripheral part P of the filter 210, for example, a central part in the longitudinal direction of the filter 210 or a part facing the liquid supply part 280 in the Z direction. In the present embodiment, the bubble trap chamber 212 is configured such that the inclination angle of the bottom surface 213 with respect to the horizontal direction decreases stepwise as the liquid supply portion 280 approaches the outer peripheral portion P of the filter 210, thereby The distance between the part P and the bottom surface 213 is made closer than the distance between the other part of the filter 210 and the bottom surface 213.

  As shown in FIG. 18, in this embodiment, a circular hole is provided above the valve chamber 294 of the liquid supply unit 280, and a slit-like hole extending in the vertical direction is formed on the side of the valve chamber 294. Is provided. Through these holes, the internal space of the valve chamber 294 communicates with the bubble trap chamber 212 in the upward and lateral directions. In the present embodiment, the bubble trap chamber 212 is divided into two spaces A3 and A4 in the Y direction by the valve chamber 294. However, the two spaces A3 and A4 communicate with each other through a gap G between the upper surface 293 of the valve chamber 294 and the filter 210, as shown in FIGS.

A3. Effects of the first embodiment:
(1-1) According to the present embodiment described above, a relatively large filter 210 is disposed between the liquid storage chamber 200 and the bubble trap chamber 212 of the cartridge 20 as shown in FIGS. ing. Therefore, when the cartridge 20 is used, ink easily flows from the liquid storage chamber 200 to the bubble trap chamber 212 and the liquid supply unit 280. As a result, it is possible to suppress ink from remaining in a portion of the liquid absorber 299 far from the liquid supply unit 280.

(1-2) In the present embodiment, the bottom surface portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 shown in FIG. 17 is compressed more than the central portion 297 in the height direction of the liquid absorber 299. The capillary force of the bottom surface portion 298 can be increased. Thus, an ink layer is formed on the bottom surface portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 in a state where the cartridge 20 is filled with ink. As a result, for example, when an impact is applied to the cartridge 20 by dropping the cartridge 20 or the like, it is possible to prevent bubbles from flowing out from the liquid absorber 299 side to the bubble trap chamber 212 side by this ink layer. . Therefore, even when the size of the filter 210 is large as in the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively suppress bubbles from flowing out from the liquid absorber 299 side to the bubble trap chamber 212 side. In addition, since it is possible to prevent bubbles from flowing out from the liquid absorber 299 side to the bubble trap chamber 212 side, ink is introduced from the bubble trap chamber 212 side to the liquid absorber 299 side as the bubbles enter the bubble trap chamber 212. Can be prevented from being returned excessively. As a result, it is possible to prevent ink from leaking from the liquid storage chamber 200 through the atmosphere communication path 40.

(1-3) In this embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the internal space along the horizontal direction of the liquid storage chamber 200 is smaller on the bottom 214 side of the liquid storage chamber 200 than on the upper side of the liquid storage chamber 200. The rectangular parallelepiped liquid absorber 299 can be compressed toward the bottom 214 side of the liquid storage chamber 200. Therefore, the capillary force of the liquid absorber 299 can be increased toward the bottom portion 214, and ink can be smoothly circulated from the upper side toward the bottom portion 214 in the liquid absorber 299.

(1-4) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the side wall 24 of the liquid storage chamber 200 is provided with a convex portion 216 extending along the vertical direction, and the convex portion 216 is the liquid storage chamber. It is inclined so that the amount of protrusion increases from the top of 200 toward the bottom 214. Therefore, since the liquid absorber 299 can be compressed toward the bottom 214 side of the liquid storage chamber 200, the capillary force of the liquid absorber 299 can be increased toward the bottom 214 side. As a result, in the liquid absorber 299, ink can be smoothly circulated from the upper side toward the bottom 214 side. Further, by providing the convex portion 216 on the side wall 24, a space is formed between the side surface of the liquid absorber 299 and the side wall 24. Therefore, when the air in the liquid absorber 299 expands for some reason such as an increase in the outside air temperature, the ink in the liquid absorber 299 oozes out into the space between the liquid absorber 299 and the side wall 24. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the ink level in the liquid storage chamber 200 from rising due to the expansion of the air in the liquid absorber 299 and the ink from leaking out of the cartridge 20. Further, the ink that has oozed into the space between the liquid absorber 299 and the side wall 24 is again absorbed by the liquid absorber 299, so that the liquid can be prevented from remaining in the cartridge 10.

(1-5) In the present embodiment, in the liquid storage chamber 200, the first protrusions 217 and the second protrusions 218 having a height higher than the first protrusions are alternately arranged on the side walls 24 with a space therebetween. Is arranged. Therefore, the spaces formed by the contact between the projections 216 and the liquid absorber 299 can be communicated with each other above the first projections 217, and the ink that has oozed out of the liquid absorber 299 enters the liquid storage chamber 200. It is possible to suppress the existence of bias. As a result, it is possible to more effectively suppress ink from leaking outside the cartridge 10. In addition, in this embodiment, since this space communicates with the atmospheric chamber 224, the liquid oozed from the liquid absorber 299 can flow to the atmospheric chamber having a relatively large volume, and can be prevented from leaking to the outside. . Further, when air is discharged from the liquid absorber 299 to the above-described space, the air is discharged to the outside through the atmosphere chamber 224 and the atmosphere communication path 40. Therefore, it is possible to effectively suppress ink from leaking from the liquid supply unit 280 side due to the expanded air.

(1-6) In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the surface 217 s of the first protrusion 217 facing the liquid storage chamber 200 side and the height of the first protrusion 217 of the second protrusion 218 are higher. Since the surface 218s facing the liquid storage chamber 200 at the high portion is on the same virtual plane VP, the side surface of the liquid absorber 299 is favorably compressed by the first convex portion 217 and the second convex portion 218. be able to. Therefore, the capillary force of the liquid absorber 299 can be gradually increased from the top to the bottom, and the ink can be smoothly distributed toward the bottom.

(1-7) In the present embodiment, a positioning protrusion 219 for positioning the filter 210 is formed on the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200. Therefore, the filter 210 can be easily fixed to the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200.

(2-1) According to the present embodiment, the capillary force of the bottom surface portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 is larger than the capillary force of the central portion 297 in the height direction of the liquid absorber 299. Ink is well held in the vicinity of the filter 210. As a result, even when the area of the filter 210 is large, the air present on the liquid absorber 299 side is moved to the bubble trap chamber 212 side and the liquid supply unit 280 side when an impact is applied to the cartridge 20 due to dropping or the like. It becomes difficult to invade. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ink ejection failure or supply failure.

(2-2) In addition, in this embodiment, since the capillary force of the filter 210 disposed below the liquid absorber 299 is larger than the capillary force of the liquid absorber 299, ink is easily held in the filter 210. . As a result, the air in the liquid absorber 299 is less likely to enter the bubble trap chamber 212 side. Further, since the ink can be collected in the filter 210, it is possible to suppress the ink from remaining in the liquid absorber 299. In other embodiments, the capillary force of the filter 210 may be smaller than the capillary force of the bottom surface portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299.

(2-3) In the present embodiment, a step 227 that protrudes downward is formed on the ceiling surface 226 of the liquid storage chamber 200. Therefore, the capillary force of the bottom surface portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 can be easily increased.

(2-4) In this embodiment, the maximum width W1 shown in FIG. 15 of the step portion 227 along the short direction of the filter 210 is shown in FIG. 10 of the filter 210 along the short direction of the filter 210. It is larger than the maximum width W2. For this reason, the capillary force of the bottom surface portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 can be improved satisfactorily.

(3-1) In the present embodiment, the absorber chamber 223 in which the liquid absorber 299 is arranged and the air chamber 224 in which the liquid absorber 299 is not arranged are arranged in the horizontal direction in the liquid storage chamber 200. The side surface of the liquid absorber 299 is in contact with the atmosphere in the atmosphere chamber 224. Therefore, ink leaked from the liquid absorber 299 due to a change in temperature, a change in internal pressure, a change in the posture of the cartridge 10, etc. flows into the atmospheric chamber 224 adjacent to the liquid absorber 299, and the ink that has flowed into the atmospheric chamber 224 Then, it is absorbed again by the liquid absorber 299. In the present embodiment, since the connection port 41 that connects the atmospheric chamber 224 and the atmospheric communication path 40 is provided in the upper portion of the atmospheric chamber 224, the ink leaked from the liquid absorber 299 to the atmospheric chamber 224 is stored in the cartridge 10. It is possible to reduce the possibility of leakage to the outside. Therefore, according to the cartridge 20 of the present embodiment, it is difficult for the ink to leak out, and the ink can be supplied to the liquid ejecting apparatus 50 without waste.

(3-2) In this embodiment, since the connection port 41 communicating with the atmosphere is provided at the tip of the tube 42 protruding downward from the ceiling surface 226 of the atmosphere chamber 224, ink exists in the atmosphere chamber 224. Even if the posture of the cartridge 10 is changed in such a state, it is difficult for the ink to enter the atmosphere communication path 40. Therefore, it is possible to suppress ink from leaking to the outside.

(3-3) In the present embodiment, the atmosphere communication port 44, which is a connection port 41 between the atmosphere communication path 40 and the atmosphere, is provided on the bottom surface 201 of the housing 21. It extends from the upper surface 202 side to the bottom surface 201 side. For this reason, even if the cartridge 20 is turned upside down, the atmosphere communication port 44 faces upward, so that ink does not easily flow out of the cartridge 10.

(3-4) In this embodiment, since the meandering flow path 43 which is a part of the atmosphere communication path 40 has a capillary force with respect to the ink, even if the ink enters the meandering flow path 43, Difficult to leak outside. If the ink enters the meandering channel 43, the air flows into the meandering channel 43 from the atmosphere communication channel 40 as the ink in the liquid storage chamber 200 is consumed. It is possible to return to the liquid storage chamber 200 through the atmospheric chamber 224 again.

(3-5) In the present embodiment, a protruding wall 46 protruding downward is provided between the absorber chamber 223 and the connection port 41 on the upper surface 202 of the housing 21. Therefore, even if the cartridge 20 is turned upside down, the ink can be prevented from flowing from the absorber chamber 223 side to the connection port 41 side. In addition, since the protruding wall 46 is provided between the absorber chamber 223 and the connection port 41, the liquid absorber 299 can be prevented from moving to the atmosphere chamber 224 side beyond the protruding wall 46. Further, in this embodiment, since the liquid absorber 299 is in contact with the protruding wall 46, even if the cartridge 20 is turned upside down, the ink collected near the lid member 207 is absorbed by the liquid. The liquid absorber 299 can be returned from the contact portion between the body 299 and the protruding wall 46.

(4-1) According to the present embodiment, since the bubble trap chamber 212 is provided with the liquid guide path 231 for guiding ink to the liquid supply unit 280, the ink in the bubble trap chamber 212 is transferred to the liquid guide path. It is easy to flow through the liquid supply unit 280 through 231. Therefore, even when air bubbles are present in the air bubble trap chamber 212, it is possible to suppress the flow of ink from being hindered by the air bubbles. As a result, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ink ejection defects.

(4-2) In the present embodiment, a plurality of liquid guiding paths 231 are provided in the bubble trap chamber 212. Therefore, the ink can be flowed to the liquid supply unit 280 in the bubble trap chamber 212 in a better manner.

(4-3) In the present embodiment, the plurality of liquid guiding paths 231 include the first liquid guiding path 232 formed on the side surface of the bubble trap chamber 212 so as to extend from the upper part to the lower part. Therefore, the ink can be favorably distributed from the liquid storage chamber 200 to the bubble trap chamber 212.

(4-4) In the present embodiment, the plurality of liquid guide paths 231 include the second liquid guide path 233 formed so as to extend in the longitudinal direction of the bubble trap chamber 212 toward the liquid supply unit 280. Therefore, the ink in the bubble trap chamber 212 can be favorably flowed to the liquid supply unit 280.

(4-5) In the present embodiment, the second liquid guide path 233 is formed by a groove, and the position closer to the liquid supply unit 280 has a larger flow path cross-sectional area. Therefore, the flow resistance of the second liquid guiding path 233 can be reduced, and ink can be favorably flowed to the liquid supply unit 280.

(4-6) In the present embodiment, the bottom surface 213 of the bubble trap chamber 212 is inclined so as to become lower toward the liquid supply unit 280. Therefore, the ink in the bubble trap chamber 212 can be favorably flowed to the liquid supply unit 280.

(4-7) In this embodiment, the liquid guiding path 231 can be configured by a groove or a rib. Therefore, the liquid guiding path 231 can be formed with a simple structure.

(4-8) In this embodiment, in at least a part of the outer periphery of the filter 210, the distance between the filter 210 and the bottom surface 213 of the bubble trap chamber 212 is greater than the distance between the other part of the filter 210 and the bottom surface 213. It is close. Therefore, it becomes difficult for bubbles to enter the adjacent portion from other portions of the bubble trap chamber 212. As a result, ink can be circulated favorably from the filter 210 into the bubble trap chamber 212 in the adjacent portion.

(4-9) In the present embodiment, the inside of the valve chamber 294 constituting the liquid supply unit 280 communicates with the bubble trap chamber 212 upward and laterally. Therefore, bubbles in the bubble trap chamber 212 can also enter the valve chamber 294. As a result, the possibility that bubbles are discharged from the liquid supply unit 280 can be reduced.

(4-10) In this embodiment, the bubble trap chamber 212 is divided into a plurality of spaces A3 and A4 by the valve chamber 294, and the plurality of spaces A3 and A4 are formed between the upper surface 293 of the valve chamber 294 and the filter 210. The gap G communicates with each other. Therefore, a space where bubbles can exist in the bubble trap chamber 212 becomes large. As a result, the possibility that bubbles are discharged from the liquid supply unit 280 can be reduced.

(5-1) According to the present embodiment, since the ink can be concentrated on the bottom surface portion 298 of the liquid absorber 299 and the filter 210 disposed below the liquid absorber 299, from the liquid storage chamber 200 side to the lower side thereof. Ink can be smoothly supplied to the bubble trap chamber 212 arranged. In addition, since the liquid guiding path 231 is provided in the bubble trap chamber 212, ink flows smoothly in the bubble trap chamber 212 even when bubbles are present in the bubble trap chamber 212. Accordingly, it is possible to provide the cartridge 20 applicable to a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects ink at high speed.

(5-2) The cartridge 20 of this embodiment includes a valve mechanism 284 including a valve body 286 and an urging member 285 so that the liquid supply needle 640 can be received in the liquid supply unit 280. Therefore, in the unused state of the cartridge 20, leakage of ink in the liquid storage chamber 200 from the liquid supply unit 280 can be effectively suppressed not only by the film FM but also by the valve mechanism 284.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 20b in the second embodiment. FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the cartridge 20b shown in FIG. In the first embodiment, the length of the filter 210 provided in the cartridge 20 is 50% or more of the length of the liquid absorber 299 along the Y direction. On the other hand, in this embodiment, the filter 210b is smaller than 50% of the length of the liquid absorber 299. The shape of the bubble trap chamber 212b is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and the liquid guiding path 231b is formed to extend in the vertical direction on the inner surface of the bubble trap chamber 212b in the + Y direction and the −Y direction. Also according to the second embodiment, the ink in the bubble trap chamber 212b can be smoothly flowed to the liquid supply unit 280.

C. Third embodiment:
FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 20c in the third embodiment. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the cartridge 20c shown in FIG. In the second embodiment, the length of the filter 210b is smaller than 50% of the length of the liquid absorber 299 along the Y direction. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the length of the filter 210c is 50% or more of the length of the liquid absorber 299, as in the first embodiment. However, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the bottom surface 213c of the bubble trap chamber 212c is not inclined toward the liquid supply unit 280, is horizontal, and is vertical in the vicinity of the liquid supply unit 280. Are depressed. In the present embodiment, the liquid guide path 231c is formed horizontally along the bottom surface 213c of the bubble trap chamber 212, and falls vertically near the bubble trap chamber 212c. Also according to the third embodiment, the ink in the bubble trap chamber 212c can be smoothly flowed to the liquid supply unit 280.

D. Fourth embodiment:
FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 20d according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 27 is a perspective view of the cartridge 20d shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment, the bottom surface 213d of the bubble trap chamber 212d is inclined so as to become lower toward the liquid supply unit 280. However, in the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, the bottom surface 213d of the bubble trap chamber 212d is not close to the filter 210d at the outer periphery in the longitudinal direction of the filter 210d, and both end portions in the longitudinal direction of the filter 210d. It is falling vertically in the vicinity. A liquid guiding path 231d is formed in the central portion of the inner wall of the vertically falling portion, and the liquid guiding path 231d is continuously formed on the inclined bottom surface 213d, and the liquid supply section It has reached 280. Also in the fourth embodiment, the ink in the bubble trap chamber 212d can flow smoothly to the liquid supply unit 280.

E. Fifth embodiment:
FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 20e in the fifth embodiment. In the present embodiment, in the mounted state of the cartridge 20e, the filter 210e is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (Y direction) indicated by a broken line. With such a configuration, since the bubbles in the bubble trap chamber 212e move upward along the inclined filter 210e, the possibility that the bubbles are discharged from the liquid supply unit 280 can be reduced. In the present embodiment, the filter 210 is inclined so that the position of the end of the filter 210e far from the liquid supply unit 280 is higher than the other end. Therefore, the distance between the position where the bubbles accumulate and the liquid supply unit 280 can be separated, and the possibility that the bubbles are discharged from the liquid supply unit 280 can be further reduced.

F. Sixth embodiment:
FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge 20f according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the liquid storage chamber 200 of the cartridge 20f as viewed from the upper surface side. FIG. 31 is a plan view of the liquid storage chamber 200 of the cartridge 20f as viewed from above. 30 and 31, the lid member 207, the liquid absorber 299, and the filter 210f are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 29, in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the bottom surface 213f of the bubble trap chamber 212f is inclined so as to become lower toward the liquid supply unit 280. Then, similarly to the cartridge 20d in the fourth embodiment shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the bottom surface 213f of the bubble trap chamber 212f falls vertically near both ends in the longitudinal direction of the filter 210f. As shown in FIGS. 29 to 31, the bubble trap chamber 212 f in this embodiment has a groove 234 that connects the filter 210 f and the bottom surface 213 f of the bubble trap chamber 212 f.

  FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the groove 234 viewed from the upper surface side. FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the groove 234 viewed from the upper surface side. The groove portion 234 is provided along the Z direction which is the vertical direction in the bubble trap chamber 212f. The groove part 234 in this embodiment is provided in the corner | angular part of the bubble trap chamber 212f. The corner portion of the bubble trap chamber 212f is a portion where adjacent inner surfaces intersect among a plurality of inner surfaces constituting the bubble trap chamber 212f. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 31, the corner of the bubble trap chamber 212f where the inner surface on the + X direction side intersects with the inner surface on the −Y direction side, the inner surface on the −X direction side, and the + Y direction side Grooves 234 are formed at two corners where the inner surface intersects. As shown in FIG. 31, the groove part 234 in this embodiment is connected to the 2nd liquid induction path 233 formed in the bottom face 213f of the bubble trap chamber 212f. Similarly to the first embodiment, the second liquid guiding path 233 is configured by a groove, and the channel cross-sectional area is configured to be larger as the position is closer to the liquid supply unit 280.

  The groove 234 has a capillary force. In other words, the flow path cross-sectional area and length of the groove 234 are set so as to have a capillary force with respect to the ink in the bubble trap chamber 212f. As shown in FIG. 33, in the present embodiment, the groove portion 234 has a narrower gap between the positions closer to the filter 210f, that is, toward the upper side. Therefore, the capillary force of the groove part 234 is higher as the position is closer to the filter 210f. In the present embodiment, the groove portion 234 is configured such that the height for sucking ink is higher than the height along the Z direction of the portion where the groove portion 234 of the bubble trap chamber 212f is formed. If the ink in the bubble trap chamber 212 is sucked up by the filter 210f along the groove 234, the height of the groove 234 to suck up the ink is higher than the height of the portion where the groove 234 of the bubble trap chamber 212f is formed. It will be comprised so that.

  FIG. 34 is a plan view of the liquid storage chamber 200 of the cartridge 20f as viewed from above. In FIG. 34, the lid member 207 and the liquid absorber 299 are omitted. As shown in FIG. 34, also in the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, a large opening 215f is formed in the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200, and a filter is formed so as to cover the opening 215f. 210f is provided. In FIG. 34, the part shown with the broken line in the filter 210f has shown the welding part 220f to which the filter 210f is welded. The welded portion 220f is a convex portion provided along the outer periphery of the opening 215f. The corners of the opening 215f and the weld 220f corresponding to the portion where the groove 234 is formed are narrow according to the shape of the groove 234.

  FIG. 35 is an enlarged view of the welded portion 220f. The shape shown by the broken line in FIG. 35 shows the shape of the welded portion 220f before the filter 210f is welded to the welded portion 220f. On the other hand, the shape shown by the solid line shows the shape of the welded portion 220f after the filter 210f is welded to the welded portion 220. When the filter 210f is welded to the welded portion 220f, the material forming the welded portion 220f is melted at the contact portion of the welded portion 220f with the filter 210f, and the welded portion 220f is thick as shown in FIG. Become. However, even if the material is melted by welding, as shown in FIG. 35, a groove-like shape remains at the corner of the bubble trap chamber 212f, and the groove 234 remains formed. . Accordingly, even when the thickness of the welded portion 220f is increased by welding the filter 210f to the welded portion 220f, the groove portion 234 connects the filter 210f and the bottom surface 213f of the bubble trap chamber 212f. That is, both ends of the groove 234 are in contact with the filter 210f and the bottom surface 213f of the bubble trap chamber 212f even when the thickness of the welded portion 220f is increased by welding the filter 210f to the welded portion 220f. .

  According to the sixth embodiment described above, since the bubble trap chamber 212f has the groove portion 234 that connects the filter 210f and the bottom surface 213f of the bubble trap chamber 212f, the ink in the bubble trap chamber 212f is It tends to flow to the liquid supply part 280 through the groove part 234. Therefore, even when air bubbles are present in the air bubble trap chamber 212f, it is possible to suppress the flow of ink from being hindered by the air bubbles. Further, according to the present embodiment, when the air in the bubble trap chamber 212f is expanded, the ink in the bubble trap chamber 212f is likely to be sucked up to the filter 210f side through the groove portion 234. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the ink from being pushed out from the liquid supply unit 280 and leaking due to the expansion of the air in the bubble trap chamber 212. Therefore, according to the cartridge 20f of this embodiment, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of ink ejection failure or supply failure. In FIG. 29, the liquid level LL of the ink in a state where the ink is being sucked up from the groove portion 234 as the air in the bubble trap chamber 212f expands is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

  In this embodiment, since the groove part 234 has a capillary force, it is easy to hold ink in the groove part 234. Therefore, ink leakage due to the expansion of air in the bubble trap chamber 212f can be more reliably suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the bubble trap chamber 212f has a groove 234 at the corner of the bubble trap chamber 212f. Therefore, the groove part 234 can be efficiently configured by using the corner part of the bubble trap chamber 212.

  In the present embodiment, the groove 234 is narrower as the position is closer to the filter 210f. Therefore, the capillary force of the groove portion 234 can be increased as the position is closer to the filter 210f. Therefore, when the air in the bubble trap chamber 212 expands, the ink in the bubble trap chamber 212 is efficiently sucked up to the filter 210f side. be able to.

  In the present embodiment, the groove 234 is configured such that the height for sucking ink is higher than the height of the portion of the bubble trap chamber 212f where the groove 234 is formed. Therefore, when the air in the bubble trap chamber 212 expands, the ink in the bubble trap chamber 212 can be reliably sucked up by the filter 210f side.

  In the present embodiment, the bubble trap chamber 212f has a plurality of grooves 234. Therefore, it is possible to more reliably suppress the occurrence of defective ink ejection and supply failure than when only one groove 234 is formed in the bubble trap chamber 212f.

  In this embodiment, the groove 234 is formed at two corners of the bubble trap chamber 212f. However, the groove 234 may be formed at all corners of the bubble trap chamber 212f. You may form only in the corner | angular part. The groove 234 is not limited to the corner of the bubble trap chamber 212f, and may be formed at any location on the inner surface of the bubble trap chamber 212f. That is, you may comprise the 1st liquid guide path 232 in 1st Embodiment as the groove part 234 in this embodiment.

  Moreover, in this embodiment, the groove part 234 has capillary force, and it is so narrow that the position near the filter 210f. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the groove portion 234 is configured such that the height for sucking ink is higher than the height of the portion of the bubble trap chamber 212f where the groove portion 234 is formed. However, these requirements are not necessarily essential, and the groove 234 only needs to connect the filter 210f and the bottom surface 213f of the bubble trap chamber 212f.

G. Other embodiments:
(G1) In the above embodiment, the size of the filter 210 is smaller than the size of the bottom 214 of the liquid storage chamber 200. On the other hand, all of the bottom of the liquid storage chamber 200 or all of the upper surface of the bubble trap chamber 212 may be configured by the filter 210.

(G2) The cartridge 20 is not limited to the embodiment described above, and various configurations can be employed. For example, the cartridge 20 only needs to include at least the liquid storage chamber 200 and the liquid supply unit 280. The filter 210, the bubble trap chamber 212, the liquid absorber 299, the absorber chamber 223, the atmosphere chamber 224, the connection port 41, the pipe 42, the atmosphere communication passage 40, the atmosphere communication port 44, the meandering flow path 43, the recess 45, the projection The portion 216, the protruding wall 46, the stepped portion 227, the liquid guiding path 231, the valve body 286, the biasing member 285, the valve chamber 294, the positioning projection 219, etc., exhibit at least a part of the effects of the cartridge 20 described above. If possible, some or all of them can be omitted as appropriate.

(G3) The present invention can be applied not only to a printer and its ink cartridge, but also to any liquid ejecting apparatus that consumes liquid other than ink and cartridges used in those liquid ejecting apparatuses. For example, the present invention can be applied as a cartridge used in the following various liquid ejecting apparatuses.
(1) An image recording apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus.
(2) A color material ejecting apparatus used for manufacturing a color filter for an image display device such as a liquid crystal display.
(3) Electrode material injection apparatus used for electrode formation such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display and a surface emission display (Field Emission Display, FED).
(4) A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid containing a bio-organic material used for biochip manufacture.
(5) Sample injection device as a precision pipette.
(6) Lubricating oil injection device.
(7) Resin liquid injection device.
(8) A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects lubricating oil pinpoint to precision machines such as watches and cameras.
(9) A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid onto a substrate in order to form an optical lens such as a micro hemispherical lens used in an optical communication element or the like.
(10) A liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an acidic or alkaline etching solution to etch a substrate or the like.
(11) A liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid consuming head that ejects another arbitrary minute amount of liquid droplets.

  The “droplet” refers to the state of the liquid ejected from the liquid ejecting apparatus, and includes those that have tails in the form of particles, tears, and threads. The “liquid” here may be any material that can be consumed by the liquid ejecting apparatus. For example, the “liquid” may be a material in a state in which the substance is in a liquid phase, such as a material in a liquid state having high or low viscosity, and sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, Liquid materials such as liquid resins, liquid metals, and metal melts are also included in the “liquid”. Further, “liquid” includes not only a liquid as one state of a substance but also a liquid obtained by dissolving, dispersing or mixing particles of a functional material made of a solid such as a pigment or metal particles in a solvent. Further, representative examples of the liquid include ink and liquid crystal as described in the above embodiment. Here, the ink includes various liquid compositions such as general water-based ink and oil-based ink, gel ink, and hot-melt ink.

H. Other forms:
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be realized with various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the present invention can be realized by the following modes. The technical features in the above-described embodiment corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described below are for solving part or all of the problems of the present invention, or part or all of the effects of the present invention. In order to achieve the above, replacement or combination can be performed as appropriate. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be deleted as appropriate.

(1) According to one aspect of the present invention, a cartridge to be mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid supply needle is provided. The cartridge includes a liquid supply unit that receives the liquid supply needle; a first chamber in which a liquid absorber is disposed; a second chamber in which the liquid absorber is not disposed and the liquid supply unit is provided; And a filter provided between the first chamber and the second chamber. And the said 2nd chamber has a groove part which connects the said filter and the bottom face of the said 2nd chamber. With such a cartridge, the liquid in the second chamber easily flows to the liquid supply section through the groove. Therefore, even when bubbles are present in the second chamber, it is possible to suppress the liquid from being hindered by the bubbles. Further, in the case of such a cartridge, when the air in the second chamber is expanded, the liquid in the second chamber is easily sucked to the filter side through the groove. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the liquid from being pushed out from the liquid supply unit and leaking due to the expansion of the air in the second chamber. Therefore, according to the cartridge of the said form, it can suppress that the liquid discharge defect generate | occur | produces.

(2) In the cartridge of the above aspect, the groove may have a capillary force. With such a configuration, the ink can be held in the groove, so that leakage of liquid due to expansion of air in the second chamber can be more reliably suppressed.

(3) In the cartridge of the above aspect, the second chamber may have the groove at a corner of the second chamber. With such a cartridge, the groove portion can be efficiently formed by utilizing the corner portion of the second chamber.

(4) In the cartridge of the above aspect, the groove portion may be narrower as the position is closer to the filter. In the case of such a cartridge, the capillary force of the groove portion can be increased as the position is closer to the filter. Therefore, when the air in the second chamber expands, the liquid in the second chamber is efficiently transferred to the filter side. Can suck up.

(5) In the cartridge of the above aspect, the groove portion may be configured such that a height for sucking the liquid is higher than a height of a portion of the second chamber where the groove portion is formed. With such a cartridge, the liquid in the second chamber can be reliably sucked up by the filter side when the air in the second chamber expands.

(6) In the cartridge of the above aspect, the second chamber may include a plurality of the groove portions. With such a cartridge, it is possible to more reliably suppress the occurrence of liquid ejection defects.

(7) In the cartridge of the above aspect, the bottom surface of the second chamber may include a liquid guide path formed to extend in the longitudinal direction of the second chamber toward the liquid supply unit. With such a cartridge, the liquid in the second chamber can be favorably flowed to the liquid supply unit.

(8) In the cartridge according to the above aspect, the liquid guide path may be formed by a groove, and a flow path cross-sectional area may be larger as the position is closer to the liquid supply unit. With the cartridge having such a configuration, the flow resistance of the second liquid guiding path can be lowered as the position is closer to the liquid supply unit, so that the liquid can be favorably flowed to the liquid supply unit.

(9) In the cartridge of the above aspect, the bottom surface of the second chamber may be inclined so as to become lower toward the liquid supply unit. With such a cartridge, the liquid in the second chamber can be favorably flowed to the liquid supply unit.

(10) In the cartridge of the above aspect, the length of the filter along the longitudinal direction may be larger than half of the length of the liquid absorber along the longitudinal direction. With such a cartridge, since a relatively large filter is disposed between the first chamber and the second chamber, it is possible to prevent liquid from remaining in a portion of the liquid absorber far from the liquid supply unit. it can.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms other than the above-described form as a cartridge. For example, it can be realized in the form of a liquid ejecting apparatus including a cartridge, a liquid ejecting system including a cartridge and a liquid ejecting apparatus, or the like.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... 1st cartridge, 20, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e, 20f ... 2nd cartridge, 21 ... Housing, 24 ... Side wall, 30 ... Cartridge set, 40 ... Atmospheric communication path, 41 ... Connection port, 42 ... Pipe , 43 ... meandering channel, 44 ... atmospheric communication port, 45 ... recess, 46 ... protruding wall, 50 ... liquid ejecting device, 60 ... cartridge holder, 61 ... control unit, 62 ... carriage, 63 ... head, 64 ... printing medium , 65 ... Flexible cable, 67 ... Carriage motor, 68 ... Drive belt, 69 ... Conveyance motor, 70, 70A, 70B ... Contact mechanism, 80 ... Platen roller, 100 ... Liquid ejection system, 180 ... Liquid supply unit, 200, 200A , 200B, 200C ... liquid storage chamber, 201 ... bottom surface, 202 ... top surface, 203 ... second side surface, 204 ... first side surface, 205 ... 3 side surfaces, 206 ... 4th side surface, 207 ... lid member, 208 ... upper surface film member, 209 ... through hole, 210, 210b, 210c, 210d, 210e, 210f ... filter, 212, 212b, 212c, 212d, 212e, 212f ... Bubble trapping chamber, 213, 213c, 213d, 213f ... bottom surface, 214 ... bottom, 215,215f ... opening, 216 ... convex, 217 ... first convex, 217s ... surface, 218 ... second convex, 218s ... surface, 219 ... positioning projection, 220, 220f ... welded part, 223 ... absorber chamber, 224 ... air chamber, 225 ... partition rib, 226 ... ceiling surface, 227 ... stepped part, 229 ... notch, 230 ... engaging member , 231, 231 b, 231 c, 231 d... Liquid guide path, 232... First liquid guide path, 233. Groove portion, 280, 280A to 280C ... liquid supply portion, 284 ... valve mechanism, 285 ... biasing member, 286 ... valve body, 287 ... seal portion, 288 ... opening, 291 ... side surface, 293 ... upper surface, 294 ... valve chamber, 295 ... Wall, 297 ... Center part, 298 ... Bottom face part, 299 ... Liquid absorber, 400 ... Circuit board, 499 ... Cartridge side terminal group, 601 ... Device side bottom wall part, 602 ... Cartridge mounting part, 603 ... First Device side wall, 604 ... second device side wall, 605 ... third device side wall, 606 ... fourth device side wall, 608 ... first mounting portion, 609 ... second mounting portion, 632, 632A, 632D: Device side engaging portion, 640, 640A, 640B, 640C, 640D ... Liquid supply needle, 642 ... Tip portion, 645 ... Base end portion, A1, A2, A3, A4 ... Space, C ... Center axis, FM ... the film, G ... Gap, P ... Outer peripheral part, cp ... Contact part, VP ... Virtual plane, LL ... Liquid level.

Claims (10)

A cartridge mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus including a liquid supply needle,
A liquid supply unit for receiving the liquid supply needle;
A first chamber in which a liquid absorber is disposed;
A second chamber in which the liquid absorber is not disposed and the liquid supply unit is provided;
A filter provided between the first chamber and the second chamber,
The second chamber has a groove that connects the filter and a bottom surface of the second chamber.
cartridge. The cartridge according to claim 1,
The groove is a cartridge having a capillary force. The cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The cartridge, wherein the second chamber has the groove at a corner of the second chamber. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein
The cartridge is such that the groove portion becomes narrower as it is closer to the filter. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein
The cartridge, wherein the groove is configured such that a height for sucking a liquid is higher than a height of a portion of the second chamber where the groove is formed. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The second chamber is a cartridge having a plurality of the groove portions. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising:
The cartridge includes a liquid guiding path formed so that a bottom surface of the second chamber extends in a longitudinal direction of the second chamber toward the liquid supply unit. The cartridge according to claim 7, wherein
The cartridge, wherein the liquid guide path is formed by a groove, and the flow path cross-sectional area is larger as the position is closer to the liquid supply unit. A cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
The cartridge, wherein the bottom surface of the second chamber is inclined so as to become lower toward the liquid supply unit. The cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein
The cartridge, wherein a length along the longitudinal direction of the filter is larger than half of a length along the longitudinal direction of the liquid absorber.

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