JP5136360B2 - Liquid container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container for storing a liquid.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a liquid container that stores liquid has a moving member that moves in accordance with fluctuations in the liquid level, such as a float, and can detect a liquid amount (liquid level) based on the position of the moving member. Some are configured.

  By the way, in a liquid container having a moving member such as a float, if the moving member moves violently when the liquid level is greatly shaken by vibrations applied from outside in an unused state (for example, during transportation). There is a problem that damage or deterioration occurs inside the moving member or the container. In addition, bubbles are generated in the liquid container due to the movement of the moving member, and when the bubbles remain, the movement of the moving member is hindered by the bubbles, and the amount of liquid cannot be detected accurately. there were. In view of the above, there is a conventional configuration in which a moving member such as a float can be fixed to a container body that stores liquid when not in use.

  For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an automobile fuel tank having a float for detecting a liquid amount. The fuel tank includes a stopper that restricts the vertical movement of the float, and a string (connecting member) connected to the stopper. Then, while the fuel tank is transported, the vertical movement of the float is regulated by the stopper, and when the transportation is completed, the stopper is removed by pulling the string, and the vertical movement regulation of the float can be released.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-145126 (FIG. 2)

  In the liquid container (fuel tank) of Patent Document 1, the stopper is a mechanism that mechanically restricts the vertical movement of the stopper by directly contacting the float, so that the stopper can be removed from outside the container when in use. A string is connected to the. However, when the string is pulled from outside the container and the direct movement restriction by the stopper is released, the float is damaged due to the strong pulling force of the string on the float, or the stopper is taken out of the container. There is a risk of damage caused by previous contact with the container. In other words, before starting the use of the container, it is necessary to remove the stopper while paying attention to prevent the above-described damage. Furthermore, since a member (stopper and string) dedicated to float movement regulation that does not contribute to the function as a liquid container is required, it is disadvantageous in terms of cost.

  The object of the present invention is to allow the moving member that moves according to the amount of liquid in the container body to be indirectly fixed to the container body using magnetic force without adding a dedicated member, An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container that can be easily unlocked.

A liquid container according to a first aspect of the present invention is a container main body for storing a liquid, a liquid lead-out portion that is provided in the container main body and leads out the liquid inside the liquid main body, and is provided in the container main body. A moving member that moves relative to the container body in accordance with the amount of liquid, and a cap that is detachably attached to the container body so as to cover the liquid outlet.
The moving member and the cap are provided with a pair of magnetic bodies that act to attract each other, and when the cap is mounted on the container body, the magnetic forces acting between the pair of magnetic bodies. Thus, the moving member is fixed so as not to move with respect to the container body.

  In the liquid container of the present invention, a pair of magnetic bodies are provided on a moving member that moves according to the amount of liquid in the container body and a cap that protects the liquid outlet portion provided on the container body. Then, when the cap is attached to the container body, the moving member is fixed to the container body by the magnetic force generated between the pair of magnetic bodies.

  Therefore, even when vibration is applied from the outside in the unused state, the moving member does not move due to the liquid level fluctuation in the container body, and it is possible to prevent damage to the moving member and the container body and generation of abnormal noise, Generation of bubbles in the liquid can also be prevented. In addition, since the moving member is indirectly fixed to the container body by the magnetic force acting between the pair of magnetic bodies, when the cap is removed from the container body and the magnetic force no longer acts between the pair of magnetic bodies. , The moving member will be fixed naturally, and unlike the case where the moving member is fixed directly, there will be no excessive force acting on the moving member at the time of releasing the lock. . Further, the fixing of the moving member can be released only by performing an operation normally performed before using the container, that is, removing the cap for preventing liquid leakage covering the liquid outlet portion. Furthermore, there is no need to add a dedicated member for fixing the moving member, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

  The liquid container according to a second aspect of the present invention is the liquid container according to the first aspect, wherein the magnetic body provided on the cap is a permanent magnet, and the magnetic body provided on the moving member is soft magnetized by the magnetic field of the permanent magnet. It is characterized by being a body. Here, the soft magnetic material refers to a magnetic material in which the magnetic pole disappears or reverses relatively easily. That is, the magnetic force attracted to the permanent magnet is generated by being magnetized relatively easily by the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, and the magnetic field disappears within the range where the magnetic field of the permanent magnet does not reach.

  When a permanent magnet that generates a magnetic field around itself is provided on the moving member side, if another magnetic body such as a metal member is disposed around the liquid container during use, There is a possibility that the operation of the moving member may be affected by the magnetic force acting between the two magnetic bodies. However, in the present invention, the permanent magnet is provided on the cap side to be removed from the container body when in use, and the soft member that does not generate a magnetic field is provided on the moving member side. Does not occur.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the liquid container according to the first or second aspect, wherein the moving member is a float that moves in accordance with a liquid level fluctuation in the container body.

  According to this structure, according to the liquid level fluctuation | variation in a container main body, the moving member which is a float moves to an up-down direction (gravity direction).

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the liquid container according to the first or second aspect, wherein the float moves in accordance with the liquid level fluctuation in the container body, and the float is connected to one end of the container. And an arm configured to be rotatable,
The moving member is connected to the other end of the arm, and is configured to move with respect to the container body according to the movement of the float via the arm.

  According to this configuration, the float connected to one end of the arm moves in the vertical direction (gravity direction) according to the fluctuation of the liquid level in the container body, and the arm rotates accordingly. The moving member connected to the end moves in the opposite direction to the float.

  In the liquid container according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any of the first to fourth aspects of the invention, a magnetic force in a attracting direction acts between the cap and a magnetic body provided on the moving member. A plurality of magnetic bodies are provided.

  As described above, when the cap is provided with a plurality of magnetic bodies, the plurality of magnetic bodies can firmly fix the moving member to the container body. Alternatively, when the plurality of magnetic bodies are arranged at positions separated from each other, the fixed position of the moving member may be selected from a plurality of fixed positions respectively corresponding to the positions of the plurality of magnetic bodies on the cap side. It becomes possible.

  The liquid container according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the liquid container according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the moving member is configured to be movable along a predetermined direction according to the liquid amount, and the cap The magnetic body provided in is arranged at a position on an extension line of the moving path of the moving member.

  According to this configuration, since the magnetic body on the cap side is arranged on the extension line of the moving path of the moving member, the direction of the magnetic force acting between the moving member and the cap is parallel to the moving path, and the moving member Can be firmly fixed.

  In the liquid container of a seventh invention according to the sixth invention, the cartridge body is provided with a movement restricting portion that is on an extension line of the movement path of the moving member and restricts the movement of the moving member, In the state where the cap is mounted on the cartridge main body, the magnetic body is disposed in a portion of the cap adjacent to the movement restricting portion.

  As described above, when the magnetic body is disposed in the cap portion adjacent to the movement restricting portion that restricts the movement of the moving member, the moving member is fixed by the magnetic force at the position restricted by the movement restricting portion. Thus, the moving member is more firmly fixed.

  According to the present invention, when the cap is mounted on the container body, the moving member is fixed to the container body by the magnetic force acting between the pair of magnetic bodies provided on the moving member and the cap, respectively. Even when vibrations are applied from the outside, the moving member does not move due to the liquid level fluctuation in the container body, and it is possible to prevent damage to the moving member and the container body and the generation of abnormal noise. Occurrence can also be prevented. In addition, since the moving member is indirectly fixed to the container body by the magnetic force acting between the pair of magnetic bodies, when the cap is removed from the container body and the magnetic force no longer acts between the pair of magnetic bodies. , The moving member will be fixed naturally, and unlike the case where the moving member is fixed directly, there will be no excessive force acting on the moving member at the time of releasing the lock. . Further, the fixing of the moving member can be released only by performing an operation normally performed before using the container, that is, removing the cap for preventing liquid leakage covering the liquid outlet portion. Furthermore, there is no need to add a dedicated member for fixing the moving member, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

  Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an ink cartridge that is mounted on an ink jet printer and supplies ink to an ink jet head.

  FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a schematic configuration of a printer to which an ink cartridge according to the present embodiment is mounted. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 1 includes a carriage 2 configured to be reciprocable along the scanning direction of FIG. 1, an inkjet head 3 and sub tanks 4 a to 4 d mounted on the carriage 2, and an inkjet head 3. Ink cartridges 5a to 5d (liquid containers) for storing ink used in the above, a transport mechanism 6 for transporting the recording paper P in the paper feed direction of FIG.

  The carriage 2 is configured to be able to reciprocate along two guide shafts 17 extending in parallel in the left-right direction (scanning direction) in FIG. An endless belt 18 is connected to the carriage 2. When the endless belt 18 is driven to travel by the carriage drive motor 19, the carriage 2 moves in the scanning direction as the endless belt 18 travels. It has become.

  An ink jet head 3 and four sub tanks 4 a to 4 d are mounted on the carriage 2. The inkjet head 3 includes a large number of droplet ejection nozzles on the lower surface (the surface on the opposite side of the paper surface in FIG. 1). The four sub tanks 4a to 4d are arranged side by side along the scanning direction, and the tube joint 20 is integrally provided in the four sub tanks 4a to 4d. The four sub tanks 4a to 4d and the four ink cartridges 5a to 5d are connected to each other by the flexible tube 11 connected to the tube joint 20.

  The four ink cartridges 5a to 5d store, for example, four colors of ink of black, yellow, cyan, and magenta. These ink cartridges 5a to 5d are four cartridges provided in the holder 10. By being inserted into the mounting portion 7, the holder 10 is detachably mounted.

  After the four color inks stored in the four ink cartridges 5a to 5d are supplied to the four sub tanks 4a to 4d through the four tubes 11, and temporarily stored in the sub tanks 4a to 4d. , Supplied to the inkjet head 3. The inkjet head 3 reciprocates in the scanning direction together with the carriage 2, and from a large number of nozzles provided on the lower surface of the inkjet head 3 onto the recording paper P that is conveyed downward (paper feeding direction) in FIG. Ink droplets are ejected.

  The transport mechanism 6 includes a paper feed roller 25 disposed upstream of the inkjet head 3 in the paper feed direction, and a paper discharge roller 26 disposed downstream of the inkjet head 3 in the paper feed direction. The paper feed roller 25 and the paper discharge roller 26 are rotationally driven by a paper feed motor 27 and a paper discharge motor 28, respectively. The transport mechanism 6 supplies the recording paper P to the ink jet head 3 from above in FIG. 1 by the paper feed roller 25, and records the images, characters, etc. recorded by the ink jet head 3 by the paper discharge roller 26. The paper P is configured to be discharged downward in FIG.

  Next, the ink cartridge 5 will be described in detail. In addition, since the four ink cartridges 5a to 5d that respectively store the four colors of ink have the same configuration, one of them will be described below.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view regarding the plane including the mounting direction of the ink cartridge 5 to the holder 10. In FIG. 2, the mounting direction to the holder 10 is defined as the front, and the direction opposite to the mounting direction (removal direction) is defined as the rear.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the ink cartridge 5 includes a cartridge main body 30 (container main body) that stores ink and has an ink outlet hole 37, a sensor arm 31 for detecting the remaining amount of ink in the cartridge main body 30, A cap 32 and the like that are detachably attached to the cartridge body 30 are provided.

  The cartridge body 30 is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape by a light transmissive material such as a synthetic resin material. An ink storage chamber 33 for storing ink is formed in the cartridge body 30. Further, the cartridge body 30 is provided with a protrusion 35 having a sensor chamber 34 communicating with the ink storage chamber 33 in the cartridge body 30 so as to protrude further forward than the front wall portion 36. In the sensor chamber 34, a light shielding plate 31c of the sensor arm 31 described later is disposed.

  In the lower end portion of the front wall portion 36 of the cartridge main body 30, an ink outlet hole 37 (liquid outlet portion) for communicating with the lower space of the ink reservoir chamber 33 and leading out ink from the ink reservoir chamber 33 is provided. Yes. An annular seal member 39 made of rubber or the like is attached to a portion of the front wall portion 36 where the ink outlet hole 37 is provided. Furthermore, an air communication hole 38 that communicates with the upper space of the ink storage chamber 33 and introduces air into the ink storage chamber 33 is provided at the upper end of the front wall portion 36.

  The sensor arm 31 is rotatably supported by the cartridge main body 30 in the ink storage chamber 33, and a float 31b that is provided at one end of the arm portion 31a and moves up and down in response to ink level fluctuations. And a light shielding plate 31c provided at the other end of the arm portion 31a. The light shielding plate 31c is accommodated in the sensor chamber 34 in the protruding portion 35, and an optical sensor provided in the cartridge mounting portion 7 in a state where the ink cartridge 5 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 7 of the holder 10 described later. It is possible to block light 53 (see FIG. 3).

  When the float 31b moves up and down according to the ink level fluctuation in the ink storage chamber 33, the sensor arm 31 includes a light shielding plate 31c connected to the float 31b via the arm portion 31a. 34 is configured to move (swing) up and down with respect to the cartridge main body 30. More specifically, when there is sufficient ink in the ink storage chamber 33, a large buoyancy acts on the float 31b, and a moment in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 2 acts on the arm 31a. As shown by a solid line, the light shielding plate 31 c contacts the bottom surface of the sensor chamber 34. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 33 is reduced and the float 31b is partially exposed from the liquid surface, the buoyancy acting on the float 31b is reduced, and as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 2 rotates in the clockwise direction of FIG. 2, and the light shielding plate 31 c comes into contact with the ceiling surface of the sensor chamber 34.

  That is, the light shielding plate 31c moves relative to the cartridge body 30 according to the movement of the float 31b via the arm portion 31a when the ink level fluctuation occurs, and corresponds to the moving member of the present invention. . The bottom surface and the ceiling surface of the sensor chamber 34 correspond to a movement restricting portion that restricts the vertical movement of the light shielding portion 31c.

  The cap 32 is made of a soft material such as rubber or synthetic resin, and has two upper and lower contact portions 40 and 41 that are in contact with the cartridge body 30 and a recess provided between the two contact portions 40 and 41. 42 and two upper and lower engaging portions 43 and 44 that respectively engage with the upper surface and the lower surface of the cartridge main body 30. In the cap 32, the protrusion 35 of the cartridge body 30 is inserted into the recess 42 and the front end of the cartridge body 30 is covered. The cartridge main body 30 is detachably mounted by engaging with each other. In the mounted state of the cap 32, the lower contact portion 40 contacts the seal member 39 to cover the ink outlet hole 37 of the cartridge main body 30, and the upper contact portion 41 contacts the cartridge main body 30 to the atmosphere. The communication hole 38 is covered, and ink leakage from the cartridge body 30 is prevented. As will be described later, when the ink cartridge 5 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 7 of the holder 10, the cap 32 covering the ink outlet hole 37 and the air communication hole 38 is removed from the cartridge body 30.

  Further, the ink cartridge 5 is provided with a configuration for fixing the sensor arm 31 that rotates in the ink storage chamber 33 so that the sensor arm 31 cannot rotate when the holder 10 is not mounted. Specifically, a permanent magnet 45 that generates a magnetic field around itself is provided on the bottom surface of the concave portion 42 into which the sensor chamber 34 is inserted on the cap 32 side, while the light shielding plate 31c of the sensor arm 31 includes: A soft magnetic metal piece 46 magnetized by the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 45 is provided. Here, the soft magnetic material refers to a magnetic material in which the magnetic pole disappears or reverses relatively easily. That is, the magnetic force attracted to the permanent magnet is generated by being magnetized relatively easily by the magnetic field of the permanent magnet, and the magnetic field disappears within the range where the magnetic field of the permanent magnet does not reach. Therefore, the metal piece 46 magnetized by the magnetic field of the permanent magnet 45 is also included in the soft magnetic material. In the state where the cap 32 is attached to the cartridge main body 30, a magnetic force in the direction of attracting acts between the permanent magnet 45 on the cap 32 side and the metal piece 46 provided on the light shielding plate 31c, and the light shielding plate 31c. Is attracted to the permanent magnet 45 and fixed to the cartridge body 30 so as not to move at a position (lower limit position) in contact with the bottom surface of the sensor chamber 34.

  The permanent magnet 45 on the cap 32 side may be provided at any position as long as the inner surface of the concave portion 42 into which the protruding portion 35 is inserted. In the present embodiment, the protruding portion 35 is particularly inserted. The bottom surface of the recess 42, that is, a position on the extension line of the moving path of the light shielding plate 31 c that moves up and down (strictly on an arc). In other words, it is provided in a portion close to the bottom surface of the sensor chamber 34 that restricts the downward movement of the light shielding plate 31c. In this case, the direction of the magnetic force acting between the light shielding plate 31c and the cap 32 is parallel to the movement path (vertical direction) of the light shielding plate 31c, and further, downward movement is restricted by the bottom surface of the sensor chamber 34. Therefore, the light shielding plate 31c can be firmly fixed as compared with the case where the concave portion 42 is provided on the side surface (position on the side of the moving path of the light shielding plate 31c). it can.

  Next, the holder 10 in which the ink cartridge 5 is mounted will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the holder 10 has four cartridge mounting portions 7 that are arranged in one direction (a direction parallel to the scanning direction in FIG. 1) and on which four ink cartridges 5 are mounted. Since the four cartridge mounting portions 7 have the same configuration, one of them will be described below.

  3A is a cross-sectional view of the holder 10 when the ink cartridge is not mounted, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the holder 10 when the ink cartridge is mounted. As shown in FIG. 3A, one cartridge mounting portion 7 of the holder 10 includes a cartridge housing chamber 50 opened rearward and ink provided on the front wall portion 51 of the holder 10 forming the cartridge housing chamber 50. A lead-out path 52 and an optical sensor 53 provided on the front wall 51 are also provided.

  The ink cartridge 5 is inserted into the cartridge storage chamber 50 from behind the opening. Further, the lower end portion of the front wall portion 51 protrudes rearward as compared with the portion above it, and an ink outlet path 52 is provided in the protruding portion 51a. The ink lead-out path 52 is connected to the inkjet head 3 through the tube 11 shown in FIG. Further, the optical sensor 53 is provided at the center in the vertical direction of the front wall portion 51, and includes a light emitting portion 53a and a light receiving portion 53b that are arranged to face each other with a predetermined interval with respect to the vertical direction in FIG. .

  A series of actions when the ink cartridge 5 is mounted on the holder 10 (cartridge mounting portion 7) will be described with reference to FIG. First, the cap 32 is removed from the cartridge main body 30 before being mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 7. Then, since the magnetic force by the permanent magnet 45 provided on the cap 32 does not act on the metal piece 46 provided on the light shielding plate 31c, the light shielding plate 31c is released from being fixed to the cartridge main body 30 and the ink level changes. Accordingly, the sensor arm 31 can rotate (the light shielding plate 31c can move up and down).

  When the cartridge main body 30 with the cap 32 removed is inserted into the cartridge housing chamber 50 of the cartridge mounting portion 7, the cartridge main body 30 abuts the protruding portion 51 a of the front wall portion 51 via the seal member 39. The ink outlet path 52 formed in the overhanging portion 51 a communicates with the ink outlet hole 37 formed in the cartridge body 30. At this time, the atmosphere communication hole 38 formed in the cartridge body 30 is in an open state. As a result, the atmosphere is introduced from the atmosphere communication hole 38 into the ink storage chamber 33, and the inside of the ink storage chamber 33. Ink is led out from the ink lead-out hole 37 to the ink lead-out path 52 on the holder 10 side.

  At the same time, the protrusion 35 provided on the cartridge body 30 is inserted between the light emitting part 53a and the light receiving part 53b of the optical sensor 53. Here, when there is sufficient ink in the ink storage chamber 33, the light shielding plate 31c accommodated in the sensor chamber 34 in the protruding portion 35 is at the lower limit position in contact with the bottom surface of the sensor chamber 34, and at this time The light from the light emitting portion 53a is blocked by the light shielding plate 31c and is not received by the light receiving portion 53b. On the other hand, when the remaining amount of ink in the ink storage chamber 33 is small, the light shielding plate 31c is at the upper limit position where the light shielding plate 31c contacts the ceiling surface of the sensor chamber 34. Without being received by the light receiving portion 53b. In other words, the optical sensor 53 detects the presence or absence of the remaining amount of ink in the ink cartridge 5 depending on whether or not the light receiving unit 53b receives light from the light emitting unit 53a.

  As described above, in order to fix the sensor arm 31 to the cartridge body 30, a pair of magnetic bodies (metal piece 46 and permanent magnet 45) on which the magnetic force attracting each other acts on the light shielding plate 31 c and the cap 32 of the sensor arm 31. ) Is provided. Here, if a permanent magnet 45 that generates a magnetic field around itself is provided on the light shielding plate 31c side, a metal member or the like is provided around the ink cartridge 5 in a state of being mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 7. When another magnetic body is disposed, the operation of the sensor arm 31 may be affected by the magnetic force acting between the other magnetic body. However, in the present embodiment, the permanent magnet 45 is provided on the cap 32 side to be removed before mounting, while the soft magnetic metal piece 46 that does not generate a magnetic field is provided on the light shielding plate 31c side. Therefore, the problem as described above does not occur.

  According to the ink cartridge 5 of the present embodiment described above, a pair of magnetic bodies provided on the light shielding plate 31c and the cap 32 of the sensor arm 31, respectively, when the cap 32 is not attached to the cartridge body 30. Since the sensor arm 31 is fixed to the cartridge main body 30 by the magnetic force acting between the metal piece 46 and the permanent magnet 45, the sensor arm 31 rotates (the light shielding plate 31c) due to the liquid level fluctuation generated in the cartridge main body 30. Are not moved up and down), and the sensor arm 31 and the cartridge main body 30 can be prevented from being damaged and abnormal noise.

  Further, if the sensor arm swings in the unused state, bubbles are generated in the ink. If the ink cartridge 5 is mounted on the holder 10 with such bubbles remaining, the sensor arm 31 It is also conceivable that the movement is hindered by bubbles. However, in the present embodiment, generation of bubbles can be prevented by fixing the sensor arm 31 so as not to swing in an unused state.

  Further, when the cap 32 is removed and the magnetic force no longer acts on the metal piece 46, the light shielding plate 31c is naturally fixed, and an unreasonable force acts on the light shielding plate 31c when the fixation is released. There is no damage. Further, the fixing of the light shielding plate 31c can be released only by performing the normal operation of removing the cap 32 that covers the ink outlet hole 37 when the ink cartridge 5 is mounted. Furthermore, there is no need to add a dedicated member for fixing the light shielding plate 31c, which is advantageous in terms of cost.

  Next, modified embodiments in which various modifications are made to the embodiment will be described. However, components having the same configuration as in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted as appropriate.

  1] The magnetic body provided in each of the light shielding plate and the cap is not limited to the configuration of the above-described embodiment as long as it generates a magnetic force in a direction attracting between them. For example, a permanent magnet may be provided on the light shielding plate side, and a metal piece may be provided on the cap side. Alternatively, permanent magnets may be provided on both the light shielding plate and the cap. Moreover, as long as it produces | generates the magnetic force of the direction attracted between both, it does not need to be a metal piece, Ceramics etc. may be sufficient.

  2] The position of the magnetic body provided on the light shielding plate and the cap is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the magnetic body 45 is provided on the ceiling surface of the recess 42 formed in the cap 32, and the light shielding plate 31 c having the magnetic body 46 is in contact with the ceiling surface of the sensor chamber 34 (upper limit position). ) May be fixed to the cartridge body 30. Although not shown, a magnetic body may be provided on the side surface (vertical surface) of the recess 42.

  Further, it is not always necessary to provide one magnetic body for each of the light shielding plate and the cap, and a plurality of magnetic bodies may be provided. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, two magnetic bodies may be provided on the cap 32, in which a force in the direction of attracting the magnetic body 46 on the light shielding plate 31 c side acts.

  As shown in FIG. 5, when the magnetic bodies 45 and 48 are provided on the bottom surface and the side surface of the recess 42, respectively, the two magnetic bodies 45 and 48 disposed in proximity to each other, and the light shielding plate 31c side A magnetic force acts between the magnetic body 46 and the light shielding plate 31c is more firmly fixed.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the magnetic bodies 45 and 47 are respectively provided on the bottom surface and the ceiling surface of the recess 42, the light shielding plate 31c is brought into contact with the bottom surface of the sensor chamber 34 and the sensor. Any one of the fixed positions can be selected and fixed from the upper limit positions in contact with the ceiling surface of the chamber 34. In this case, since the light shielding plate 31c is at the lower limit position in a state where the ink remaining amount is sufficient, the light shielding plate 31c can be fixed to the lower limit position as it is in an unused state. Further, in a used state after the ink 10 is removed from the holder 10 where there is almost no ink remaining, the light shielding plate 31c is at the upper limit position, and therefore the cap 32 is again provided so that the remaining ink does not leak after being removed from the holder 10. It is possible to fix the light shielding plate 31c in the upper limit position by attaching the to the cartridge main body 30.

  Furthermore, in addition to the magnetic bodies 45 and 46 for fixing the light shielding plate 31c, the cartridge body 30 and the cap 32 may be provided with a pair of magnetic bodies that attract each other. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the magnetic body 49 is provided on the front wall portion of the protruding portion 35 of the cartridge body 30, while the concave portion 42 of the cap 32 in which the protruding portion 35 is accommodated between the magnetic body 49. A magnetic body 48 on which a magnetic force in the attracting direction acts may be provided. In this case, since the cap 32 is fixed to the cartridge main body 30 by the magnetic force acting between the pair of magnetic bodies 48 and 49, the cartridge main body 30 and the cap 32 are firmly fixed. An effect is obtained that the cap 32 is not easily detached from time to time.

  3] The moving member that moves in accordance with the change in the amount of liquid in the cartridge body may be a float itself. For example, in the ink cartridge 5A shown in FIG. 8, an ink outlet hole 37A and an air communication hole 38A are formed in the front wall portion 36A of the cartridge main body 30A that stores ink, and the engaging portion 43A of the cap 32A that covers the holes 37A and 38A. , 44A and a recess 35A for engagement, and a sensor chamber 34A is formed below the recess 35A. A light shielding plate 31A made of a float is disposed in the sensor chamber 34A so as to be movable in the vertical direction in accordance with fluctuations in the liquid amount. The light shielding plate 31A and the engaging portion 44A that engages with the concave portion 35A above the light shielding plate 31A are provided with a pair of magnetic bodies 46A and 45A on which magnetic forces in the attracting direction act. Thereby, in a state where the cap 32A is mounted on the cartridge main body 30A, the light shielding plate 31A made of a float is drawn upward by the magnetic body 45A provided in the engaging portion 44A, and the ceiling surface (recessed portion) of the sensor chamber 34A is drawn. 34A is fixed to the cartridge main body 30A in a state of being in contact with the lower wall portion 34A.

  4] The moving member that moves in accordance with the change in the amount of liquid in the cartridge body is not limited to a light shielding plate whose position is detected by an optical sensor having a light emitting part and a light receiving part. For example, the moving member may be connected to a float provided in the cartridge main body and move outside the cartridge main body in conjunction with the vertical movement of the float. In this case, the position of the moving member that moves outside the cartridge body can be detected by sensors other than optical sensors such as proximity sensors and limit switches provided on the holder 10 (cartridge mounting portion 7) side. Therefore, it is not particularly necessary to configure the moving member with a light shielding plate.

  The embodiment described above is an example in which the present invention is applied to an ink cartridge used in an ink jet printer, but the application target of the present invention is not limited to the ink cartridge. That is, as long as it has a container body that stores liquid, a moving member that moves according to the amount of liquid in the container body, and a cap that protects the liquid outlet portion provided in the container body, it can be used and stored. The present invention can be applied regardless of the type of liquid.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an inkjet printer according to an embodiment. It is sectional drawing of an ink cartridge. (A) is a cross-sectional view of the holder when the ink cartridge is not mounted, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the holder when the ink cartridge is mounted. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge of a change form. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge of another modified form. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge of another modification. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge of another modification. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge of another modification.

Explanation of symbols

5,5A Ink cartridge 30, 30A Cartridge body 31a Arm 31b Float 31c Light shielding plate 31A Light shielding plate (float)
37, 37A Ink outlet hole 45 Permanent magnet 46 Metal piece 47 Magnetic body 48 Magnetic body

Claims (7)

A container body for storing liquid;
A liquid lead-out portion provided in the container body for leading out the liquid inside the container body;
A moving member that is provided in the container body and moves relative to the container body in accordance with the amount of liquid in the container body;
A cap that is detachably attached to the container body so as to cover the liquid outlet portion;
The moving member and the cap are provided with a pair of magnetic bodies on which a magnetic force in a direction attracting each other acts,
In the state in which the cap is mounted on the container body, the moving member is fixed to the container body so as not to move by a magnetic force acting between the pair of magnetic bodies. container.   2. The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic body provided on the cap is a permanent magnet, and the magnetic body provided on the moving member is a soft magnetic body magnetized by a magnetic field of the permanent magnet. .   The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the moving member is a float that moves in accordance with a liquid level fluctuation in the container main body. In the container body, provided is a float that moves according to liquid level fluctuation, and an arm that is connected to one end and configured to be rotatable with respect to the container body.
The said moving member is connected with the other end of the said arm, It is comprised so that it may move with respect to the said container main body according to the movement of the said float via the said arm. A liquid container according to 1.   5. The cap according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of magnetic bodies each having a magnetic force acting in a direction of attracting each other are provided between the cap and the magnetic bodies provided on the moving member. A liquid container according to 1. The moving member is configured to be movable along a predetermined direction according to the amount of liquid in the container body,
The liquid container according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic body provided on the cap is disposed at a position on an extension line of a moving path of the moving member. The cartridge body is provided with a movement restricting portion that is on an extension line of the moving path of the moving member and restricts the movement of the moving member,
The liquid container according to claim 6, wherein the magnetic body is disposed in a portion of the cap adjacent to the movement restricting portion in a state where the cap is attached to the cartridge main body.

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