JP5245958B2 - Liquid container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container that contains a liquid to be supplied to a liquid ejecting apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, ink cartridges that are equipped with an ink sensor for detecting the amount of ink in an ink cartridge are known. Since the ink sensor detects the presence or absence of ink based on the difference between the physical characteristics of ink and air, if air bubbles are mixed in the ink in the sensor chamber where the ink is detected, the detection accuracy may decrease. . In order to solve this problem, a technique has been proposed in which a bubble capturing unit is provided between the sensor chamber and the ink containing unit to suppress the entry of bubbles into the sensor chamber (for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-248201 A

  However, there is room for improvement in the conventional technology with respect to the suppression of the bubble intrusion into the sensor chamber.

  These problems are not limited to ink cartridges. For example, for liquid ejecting apparatuses such as a liquid container that ejects a liquid material containing metal and supplies the liquid material to an ejecting apparatus that forms an electrode layer on a semiconductor. This is a problem common to liquid containers used to supply liquid.

  The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to suppress or prevent the inflow of bubbles to the detection unit in a liquid container including the detection unit.

  In order to solve at least a part of the above problems, the present invention adopts the following various aspects.

  A first aspect provides a liquid container that can be attached to a liquid ejecting apparatus. A liquid container according to a first aspect includes a liquid container for containing a liquid, a liquid supply part for supplying the liquid in the liquid container to the liquid ejecting apparatus, and the liquid container. Connected to the atmosphere communication section for communicating with the atmosphere, the bubble separation section for separating bubbles contained in the liquid, the liquid supply section and the bubble separation section, and detects the amount of liquid in the liquid container A detecting section for introducing the liquid stored in the liquid storage section, and a lead-out section communicating with the bubble separation section. And a trap channel for retaining bubbles contained in the liquid.

  The liquid container according to the first aspect is arranged at a position higher in the vertical direction than the detection unit, and is led out to communicate with the bubble separation unit, and an introduction unit for introducing the liquid contained in the liquid storage unit In the liquid container including the detection unit, the inflow of bubbles to the detection unit can be suppressed or prevented.

  In the liquid container according to the first aspect, the trap channel may include a U-shaped channel folded in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. In this case, the channel length of the trap channel can be increased, and the movement of bubbles can be suppressed or prevented regardless of the posture of the liquid container.

  In the liquid container according to the first aspect, the trap channel connects the plurality of cylindrical channels and the plurality of cylindrical channels that intersect the vertical direction and have different heights in the vertical direction to each other. And a connection flow path for forming one flow path. In this case, the movement of the bubbles can be suppressed or prevented regardless of the posture of the liquid container.

  In the liquid container according to the first aspect, the liquid container includes a plurality of liquid storage chambers communicating with each other, and the trap flow path is the liquid flow path of the liquid among the plurality of liquid storage chambers. It may be arranged in the lower part of the liquid storage chamber arranged on the downstream side which is the liquid supply part side. In this case, the movement of bubbles from the liquid storage chamber to the trap channel can be suppressed.

  In the liquid container according to the first aspect, the vertical direction is a direction in which a side connected to the liquid ejecting apparatus is a lower side in a state where the liquid container is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus. There may be. By making the direction in which the bottom is the lower side into the vertical direction, the flow of the liquid can be smoothed.

  In the liquid container according to the first aspect, the bubble separation unit may be arranged at a position higher in the vertical direction than the detection unit. In this case, the movement of bubbles from the bubble separation unit to the detection unit can be suppressed.

It is an external perspective view of an ink cartridge as a liquid container according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 as viewed from the back side. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an ink cartridge according to the present embodiment corresponding to FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an ink cartridge according to the present embodiment corresponding to FIG. 2. It is a figure which shows the state which attached the ink cartridge which concerns on a present Example to the carriage. It is a figure which shows notionally the path | route from an air release hole to a liquid supply part. FIG. 3 is a view of the cartridge body 10 as viewed from the front side. FIG. 3 is a view of the cartridge body 10 as seen from the back side. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an AA section and a BB section of the ink cartridge illustrated in FIG. 7. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the characteristic of a 1st trap flow path front chamber.

  Hereinafter, a liquid container according to the present invention will be described based on examples with reference to the drawings. In this specification, an ink cartridge will be described as an example of the liquid container.

A1. Ink cartridge configuration:
FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of an ink cartridge as a liquid container according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the ink cartridge according to this embodiment shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge according to this embodiment corresponding to FIG. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge according to this embodiment corresponding to FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the ink cartridge according to this embodiment is attached to the carriage. 1 to 5 show XYZ axes in order to specify the posture (direction) of the ink cartridge.

  The ink cartridge 1 contains liquid ink therein. As shown in FIG. 5, the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on, for example, a carriage 200 of an ink jet printer and supplies ink to the ink jet printer. In FIG. 5, the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 200 (so-called on-carriage), but may be mounted on a mounting portion provided at a location different from the carriage 200 (so-called off-carriage). ).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the ink cartridge 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a surface 1a on the Z-axis positive direction side, a surface 1b on the Z-axis negative direction side, and a surface 1c on the X-axis positive direction side. , An X-axis negative direction side surface 1d, a Y-axis positive direction side surface 1e, and a Y-axis negative direction side surface 1f. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the surface 1a is also referred to as the top surface, the surface 1b as the bottom surface, the surface 1c as the right side surface, the surface 1d as the left side surface, the surface 1e as the front surface, and the surface 1f as the back surface. Moreover, the side with these surfaces 1a-1f is also called the upper surface side, bottom surface side, right side surface side, left side surface side, front side, and back side, respectively.

  The bottom surface 1b is provided with a liquid supply unit 50 having supply holes for supplying ink to the ink jet printer. The bottom surface 1b further has an air release hole 100 for introducing the air into the ink cartridge 1 (FIG. 4).

  The air release hole 100 has such a depth and diameter that the protrusion 230 (FIG. 5) formed on the carriage 200 of the ink jet printer fits with a margin so as to have a predetermined gap. The user removes the sealing film 90 that hermetically seals the air release hole 100 and then mounts the ink cartridge 1 on the carriage 200. The protrusion 230 is provided to prevent forgetting to remove the sealing film 90.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an engagement lever 11 is provided on the left side surface 1d. The engaging lever 11 is formed with a protrusion 11a. When the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 200, the protrusion 11a engages with a recess 210 formed on the carriage 200, and the ink cartridge 1 is fixed to the carriage 200 (FIG. 5). The carriage 200 is a mounting portion on which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted. During printing by the ink jet printer, the carriage 200 is integrated with a print head (not shown) and reciprocates in the paper width direction of the print medium (main scanning direction indicated as the Y-axis direction in FIG. 5).

  A circuit board 35 is provided below the engagement lever 11 on the left side surface 1d (FIG. 2). A plurality of electrode terminals 35 a are arranged on the circuit board 35, and these electrode terminals 35 a are electrically connected to the ink jet printer via electrode terminals (not shown) provided on the carriage 200.

  An outer surface film 60 is attached to the upper surface 1 a and the rear surface 1 f of the ink cartridge 1.

  Further, the internal configuration and component configuration of the ink cartridge 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. The ink cartridge 1 includes a cartridge body 10 and a lid member 20 that covers the front side of the cartridge body 10.

  Ribs 10a having various shapes are formed on the front side of the cartridge body 10 (FIG. 3). A film 80 that covers the front side of the cartridge body 10 is provided between the cartridge body 10 and the lid member 20. The film 80 is affixed densely so that no gap is formed on the front end face of the rib 10a of the cartridge body 10. By these ribs 10 a and the film 80, a plurality of small chambers, for example, a tank chamber, an end chamber, and a buffer chamber, which will be described later, are partitioned and formed inside the ink cartridge 1.

  A differential pressure valve housing chamber 40a and a gas-liquid separation chamber 70a are formed on the back side of the cartridge body 10 (FIG. 4). The differential pressure valve accommodating chamber 40 a accommodates the differential pressure valve 40 including the valve member 41, the spring 42, and the spring seat 43. A stepped portion 70b is formed on the inner wall surrounding the bottom surface of the gas-liquid separation chamber 70a. A gas-liquid separation film 71 is attached to the stepped portion 70b, and the gas-liquid separation filter 70 is configured as a whole.

  A plurality of grooves 10b are further formed on the back side of the cartridge body 10 (FIG. 4). When the outer surface film 60 is affixed so as to cover substantially the entire back side of the cartridge main body 10, these grooves 10 b have various flow paths described later between the cartridge main body 10 and the outer surface film 60, For example, a flow path for ink and air to flow is formed.

  Next, the structure around the circuit board 35 will be described. A sensor housing chamber 30a is formed on the bottom side of the left side surface of the cartridge body 10 (FIG. 4). A liquid remaining amount sensor 31 is accommodated in the sensor accommodating chamber 30 a and is adhered by a film 32. The opening on the left side surface of the sensor housing chamber 30 a is covered with a cover member 33, and the circuit board 35 described above is fixed to the outer surface 33 a of the cover member 33 via the relay terminal 34. The sensor storage chamber 30 a, the remaining liquid sensor 31, the film 32, the cover member 33, the relay terminal 34, and the circuit board 35 are also collectively referred to as a detection unit (sensor) 30.

  Although not shown in detail, the liquid remaining amount sensor 31 includes a cavity that forms a part of an ink flow portion, which will be described later, a diaphragm that forms part of the wall surface of the cavity, and a piezoelectric element disposed on the diaphragm. Device. The terminal of the piezoelectric element is electrically connected to a part of the electrode terminal of the circuit board 35, and when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet printer, the terminal of the piezoelectric element passes through the electrode terminal of the circuit board 35. Electrically connected to the inkjet printer. The ink jet printer can vibrate the diaphragm via the piezoelectric element by applying electric energy to the piezoelectric element. After that, the ink jet printer can detect the presence or absence of ink in the cavity by detecting the residual vibration characteristics (frequency, etc.) of the diaphragm via the piezoelectric element. Specifically, the frequency of the diaphragm (frequency of the detection signal), which is different depending on whether or not ink is present inside the cavity, is used. That is, when the ink contained in the cartridge body 10 is exhausted and the state inside the cavity changes from the state filled with ink to the state filled with air, the residual frequency of the diaphragm changes. To do. The ink jet printer can detect the presence / absence of ink in the cavity, that is, whether ink remains in the ink cartridge, based on the residual frequency detected by the liquid remaining amount sensor 31.

  The circuit board 35 is provided with a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electronically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). The remaining amount or consumption of ink in the ink cartridge, the ink type, the date of manufacture, etc. Is recorded.

  A decompression hole 110 is provided on the bottom surface side of the cartridge body 10 together with the liquid supply unit 50 and the air release hole 100 described above (FIG. 4). The decompression hole 110 is used to suck out air and decompress the inside of the ink cartridge 1 when ink is injected in the manufacturing process of the ink cartridge 1.

  The liquid supply unit 50, the air release hole 100, and the decompression hole 110 are sealed with sealing films 54, 90, and 98, respectively, immediately after the ink cartridge 1 is manufactured. Among these, the sealing film 90 is peeled off by the user before the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 200 of the inkjet printer as described above. As a result, the atmosphere opening hole 100 communicates with the outside, and the atmosphere is introduced into the ink cartridge 1. The sealing film 54 is configured to be broken by the ink supply needle 240 provided in the carriage 200 when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 200 of the inkjet printer.

  Inside the liquid supply unit 50, a seal member 51, a spring seat 52, and a closing spring 53 are accommodated in order from the lower surface side. When the ink supply needle 240 is inserted into the liquid supply unit 50, the seal member 51 seals so that no gap is generated between the inner wall of the liquid supply unit 50 and the outer wall of the ink supply needle 240. The spring seat 52 contacts the inner wall of the seal member 51 to close the liquid supply unit 50 when the ink cartridge 1 is not mounted on the carriage 200. The closing spring 53 biases the spring seat 52 in a direction in which the spring seat 52 abuts against the inner wall of the seal member 51. When the ink supply needle 240 of the carriage 200 is inserted into the liquid supply unit 50, the upper end of the ink supply needle 240 pushes up the spring seat 52, and a gap is generated between the spring seat 52 and the seal member 51. Ink is supplied to the supply needle 240.

A2. Ink cartridge internal structure:
A2-1. Next, before describing the internal structure of the ink cartridge 1 in more detail, for easy understanding, the path from the atmosphere opening hole 100 to the liquid supply unit 50 is conceptually described with reference to FIG. Explained. FIG. 6 is a diagram conceptually showing a path from the air release hole to the liquid supply unit.

  The path from the air release hole 100 to the liquid supply unit 50 includes an ink storage unit (liquid storage unit) for storing ink, an air introduction unit (atmospheric communication unit) upstream of the ink storage unit, and ink. It is roughly divided into an ink flow part on the downstream side of the storage part.

  The ink storage section includes, in order from the upstream, a first tank chamber 370 as a first liquid storage chamber, a first inter-storage chamber communication path 374, a second tank chamber 380 as a second liquid storage chamber, It is comprised from the communication path 382 between 2 storage chambers, and the end chamber 390 as a 3rd liquid storage chamber. Note that the ink storage portion is configured as one or two liquid storage chambers without being divided into three liquid storage chambers, that is, the first tank chamber 370, the second tank chamber 380, and the end chamber 390. Or it is good also as four or more liquid storage chambers. In general, by dividing the liquid storage chamber into a plurality of rooms, it is possible to suppress (absorb) the influence of the volume change of the air contained in the storage chamber due to the environmental temperature change or the like. The upstream side of the first inter-chamber communication path 374 communicates with the first tank chamber 370, and the downstream side communicates with the second tank chamber 380. The upstream side of the second inter-chamber communication path 382 communicates with the second tank chamber 380, and the downstream side communicates with the end chamber 390.

  The air introduction unit sequentially includes the introduction path 310, the gas-liquid separation chamber 70a that houses the gas-liquid separation film 71 described above, and the air chambers 320 to 360 that connect the gas-liquid separation chamber 70a and the ink storage unit. And functions as an air communication portion that communicates the air and the ink storage portion. The introduction path 310 has an upstream end communicating with the atmosphere release hole 100 and a downstream end communicating with the gas-liquid separation chamber 70a. The gas-liquid separation membrane 71 is made of a material that allows gas permeation and does not allow liquid permeation. By disposing the gas-liquid separation film 71 between the upstream side and the downstream side of the gas-liquid separation chamber 70a, it is possible to prevent the ink flowing backward from the ink storage unit from entering the upstream side of the gas-liquid separation chamber 70a. can do. A specific configuration of the air chambers 320 to 360 will be described later.

  The ink flow section includes, in order from the upstream side, the first trap flow path front chamber 410, the first trap flow path 420, the bubble separation chamber 430, the detection section 30, the first flow path 440, and the buffer chamber. 450, a differential pressure valve accommodating chamber 40a that accommodates the above-described differential pressure valve 40, a second flow path 460, and a third flow path 470. The ink flow part is an ink flow path part from the ink storage part to the liquid supply part 50, and has various configurations to be described later for preventing bubbles contained in the ink from moving downstream. The first trap channel front chamber 410 includes a second trap channel 400 in the introduction portion communicating with the upstream end chamber 390.

A2-2. Specific configuration of the ink flow section:
First, a specific configuration of the ink flowing portion will be described. FIG. 7 is a view of the cartridge body 10 as viewed from the front side. FIG. 8 is a view of the cartridge body 10 as seen from the back side. As shown in FIG. 7, the second trap channel 400, the first trap channel front chamber 410, the first trap channel 420, and the bubble separation chamber 430 are on the front side of the cartridge body 10 and close to the left side surface 1d. It is formed in the position to do. The first trap channel 420 has an introduction part 421 that communicates with the lowermost part of the first trap channel front chamber 410 and a lead-out part 422 that communicates with the bubble separation chamber 430. The second trap channel 400 has an introduction portion 401 that communicates with the lowermost portion of the end chamber 390 and a lead-out portion 402 that communicates with the first trap channel front chamber 410. The first trap channel 420 communicates between the first trap channel front chamber 410 and the bubble separation chamber 430 by reciprocating between the back side and the front side of the cartridge body 10. Further, the second trap channel 400 makes one reciprocation between the back side and the front side of the cartridge main body 10 to communicate the end chamber 390 and the first trap channel front chamber 410.

  The first trap channel 420 and the second trap channel 400 include a U-shaped channel folded in a direction crossing the vertical direction (Z direction), and are formed so as to retain bubbles therein. Yes. Detailed configurations of the first trap channel 420 and the second trap channel 400 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is an explanatory view illustrating the AA cross section and the BB cross section of the ink cartridge shown in FIG.

  The first trap channel 420 includes an introduction part 421 that is an opening for communicating with the upstream first trap channel front chamber 410 and four cylindrical channel parts (a third cylindrical channel part 424a in order from the upstream side). To the sixth cylindrical flow path portion 424d), the five connection flow path portions (second connection flow path portion 425a to sixth connection flow path portion 425e in order from the upstream side), and the bubble separation chamber 430 on the downstream side. And a lead-out portion 422 which is an opening for the purpose. The second trap channel 400 includes an introduction part 401 that is an opening for communicating with the upstream end chamber 390, two cylindrical channel parts (a first cylindrical channel part 404a and a second cylindrical stream in order from the upstream side). A channel portion 404b), one connection channel portion (first connection channel portion 405), and a lead-out portion 402 that is an opening for communicating with the first trap channel front chamber 410 on the downstream side. Yes. Hereinafter, the four cylindrical flow path portions constituting the first trap flow path 420 are also referred to as “cylindrical flow path portions 424”, and the two cylindrical flow path portions constituting the second trap flow path 400 are referred to as “cylindrical flow path portions”. 404 ". In addition, the five connection channels constituting the first trap channel 420 are also referred to as “connection channel units 425”, and the connection channel unit configuring the second trap channel 400 is also referred to as “connection channel unit 405”. .

  The cylindrical flow path part 424 is formed (arranged) so that the axis of the flow path intersects the vertical direction, and the cylindrical flow path parts 424a to 424d are arranged in a zigzag shape in the vertical direction. (FIGS. 7 and 9). Similarly to the cylindrical channel portion 424, the cylindrical channel portion 404 is formed (arranged) so that the axis of the channel intersects the vertical direction. That is, the cylindrical channel portions 404 and 424 cross in the thickness direction (Y direction) parallel to the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 1 and have different heights in the vertical direction (height direction and Z direction). Has been placed. In the present embodiment, the first trap channel 420 has four cylindrical channel parts, the introduction part 421, and the vertical position of the lead-out part 422 in order from the highest, the introduction part 421 and the fourth cylindrical channel part 424b. The third cylindrical flow path portion 424a, the fifth cylindrical flow path portion 424c, the sixth cylindrical flow path portion 424d, and the lead-out portion 422 are formed (FIG. 7). The second trap channel 400 is formed such that the height of the downstream second cylindrical channel 404b in the vertical direction is higher than that of the first cylindrical channel 404a on the upstream side.

  The connection channel portions 405 and 425 connect the end portions of two different cylindrical channel portions 404 and 424 on the back side or the front side of the ink cartridge 1, respectively, so that the first trap channel 420 becomes the introduction portion 421. From the introduction part 401 to the lead-out part 402, one communication path extending from the lead-out part 422 to the second trap channel 400 is formed. Specifically, the first trap channel 420 has a third connection between one end of the third cylindrical channel 424a and one end of the fourth cylindrical channel 424b on the front side of the ink cartridge (the side shown in FIG. 7). It is connected by the flow path part 425b. Further, one end of the fifth cylindrical flow path portion 424c and the sixth cylindrical flow path portion 424d are connected by the fifth connection flow path portion 425d. In the first trap channel 420, on the back side (the side shown in FIG. 8) of the ink cartridge, the introduction portion 421 and the other end of the third cylindrical channel portion 424a are connected by the second connection channel portion 425a. Further, the other end of the fourth cylindrical flow path portion 424b and the other end of the fifth cylindrical flow path portion 424c are connected by a fourth connection flow path portion 425c. Further, the other end of the sixth cylindrical channel portion 424d and the outlet portion 422 are connected by a sixth connection channel portion 425e. As a result, the first trap channel 420 is formed in a folded step shape (or spiral shape) from the introduction portion 421 toward the lead-out portion 422.

  The second trap channel 400 has an introduction portion 401 formed at one end of the first cylindrical channel portion 404a on the front side (the side shown in FIG. 7) of the ink cartridge and led out to one end of the second cylindrical channel portion 404b. A portion 402 is formed. Further, in the second trap channel 400, the other end of the first cylindrical channel 404a and the other end of the second cylindrical channel 404b are connected to the first connection flow on the back side (the side shown in FIG. 8) of the ink cartridge. They are connected by a road portion 405. Thereby, the second trap channel 400 is formed in a stepped shape (or a spiral shape) from the introduction part 401 toward the lead-out part 402.

  Furthermore, the first trap channel 420 has an arrangement and channel configuration that cannot move downstream unless the bubbles move in the direction of gravity. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the first trap channel in the posture in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet printer, that is, in the posture in which the bottom 1 b of the ink cartridge 1 faces downward. 420 is arranged at a position lower than the upstream first trap channel front chamber 410. Further, the first trap flow path 420 is disposed at a position higher than the detection unit 30 on the downstream side. Therefore, even if bubbles exist in the first trap channel front chamber 410, the bubbles cannot move to the introduction portion 421 of the first trap channel 420 unless they move in the direction of gravity. Further, even when bubbles are present inside the first trap flow path 420, the bubbles cannot move to the downstream detection unit 30 unless they move in the direction of gravity.

  Even if the first trap channel 420 is in a posture other than the posture in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet printer, that is, in the posture other than the posture in which the bottom 1b of the ink cartridge 1 faces downward, If it does not move in the direction, it has a flow path configuration that cannot move downstream. Specifically, in the first trap channel 420, the third connection channel part 425b and the fifth connection channel part 425d are formed in parallel, and the ink flowing inside moves in opposite directions. It is formed (FIG. 7). Therefore, when either one of the third connection channel portion 425b and the fifth connection channel portion 425d is in the direction opposite to the gravity direction, the other is in the gravity direction. The bubbles in the first trap channel 420 cannot move downstream unless they move in the direction of gravity.

  According to the first trap channel 420 having this configuration, the movement (flow) of bubbles can be suppressed or prevented regardless of the posture of the ink cartridge 1. That is, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet printer, the introduction portion 421 of the first trap channel 420 located at the lowermost portion of the first trap channel front chamber 410 is not exposed to air, so the first trap No bubbles are generated inside the flow path 420. On the other hand, in other postures, even when bubbles are mixed in the first trap flow path 420, the movement of the bubbles is suppressed or prevented by the flow path configuration that cannot move downstream unless the bubbles move in the direction of gravity. . Therefore, according to the first trap channel 420 according to the present invention, the movement of the bubbles B from the first trap channel 420 to the downstream side can be suppressed or prevented regardless of the posture of the ink cartridge 1.

  The second trap channel 400 is disposed at a position lower than the upstream end chamber 390 in a posture in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet printer (FIG. 7). Therefore, even when air bubbles are present in the end chamber 390 in a posture in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet printer, if the air bubbles do not move in the direction of gravity, the introduction portion 421 of the first trap channel 420 is used. Can't move on. That is, according to the second trap channel 400, the movement (flow) of bubbles can be suppressed or prevented in the posture in which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet printer.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the first trap channel front chamber 410 is formed at a position sandwiched between the end chamber 390 and the first trap channel 420 on the left side of the cartridge body 10. The first trap channel front chamber 410 is formed with a second trap channel 400 as an introduction portion on the right side surface, and communicates with the end chamber 390 via the second trap channel 400. The first trap channel front chamber 410 communicates with the first trap channel 420 via an introduction portion 421 formed at the bottom. Since the introduction part 421 of the first trap channel 420 is an opening on the downstream side of the first trap channel front chamber 410, it also corresponds to the lead-out part of the first trap channel front chamber 410. The first trap channel front chamber 410 is disposed at the lower portion of the upstream end chamber 390, and the bottom of the end chamber 390 and the upper portion of the first trap channel front chamber 410 are formed by the same rib 10a. The end chamber 390 corresponds to an adjacent liquid storage chamber that communicates adjacent to the first trap channel front chamber 410 among the plurality of liquid storage chambers. Therefore, since the first trap channel front chamber 410 is disposed in the lower part of the adjacent liquid storage chamber, the bubbles inside the adjacent end chamber 390 when the bottom portion 1b of the ink cartridge 1 faces downward. Cannot move to the first trap channel front chamber 410 unless it moves in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the movement of bubbles from the adjacent liquid storage chamber to the first trap channel front chamber 410 is suppressed. Even if the bubbles inside the end chamber 390 move in the direction of the first trap channel front chamber 410, the second trap channel 400 is provided in the introduction portion of the first trap channel front chamber 410. Therefore, the bubbles stay inside the second trap channel 400, and the movement of the bubbles to the inside of the first trap channel front chamber 410 is suppressed. Furthermore, since the first trap channel front chamber 410 is disposed in the upper part of the first trap channel 420 in the vertical direction, it is assumed that bubbles are mixed inside the first trap channel front chamber 410. However, since the bubbles cannot move to the first trap channel 420 on the downstream side unless they move in the direction of gravity, the movement of the bubbles from the first trap channel front chamber 410 to the first trap channel 420 is It is suppressed.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the characteristics of the first trap channel front chamber. The first trap channel front chamber 410 has a volume smaller than the volume of the adjacent end chamber 390. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10A, when the cartridge body 10 is filled with ink, the ink filled from the liquid supply unit 50 is at least one of the ink storage units, for example, a part of the end chamber 390. In this case, the inside of the first trap channel front chamber 410 is filled with ink. That is, the cartridge main body 10 includes the first trap channel front chamber 410, so that the cartridge main body 10 communicates with the upstream side of the first trap channel 420 even when the ink charged in the cartridge main body 10 is in a minimum filling state. The room (first trap channel front chamber 410) can be in a state in which bubbles are not mixed. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10B, by providing the first trap channel front chamber 410, even if the cartridge main body 10 is in the minimum filling state, it does not depend on the posture of the ink cartridge 1. The upstream chamber of the first trap channel 420 (first trap channel front chamber 410) can be in a state filled with ink. Thereby, the inflow of bubbles from the upstream chamber (first trap channel front chamber 410) to the first trap channel 420 can be suppressed. The minimum filling state is, for example, a state where the filling amount is the smallest when there are a plurality of types of ink filling amounts when the ink cartridge 1 is shipped.

  The rib 10a that divides the upper side of the first trap channel front chamber 410 is formed such that the height of the inside of the first trap channel front chamber 410 becomes higher toward the left side. As a result, even if bubbles exist inside the first trap channel front chamber 410, the bubbles move in the direction of the left side opposite to the lead-out part 402 and the introduction part 421, and the first trap It can be retained in the flow channel front chamber 410. In addition, the rib 10a that partitions the first trap channel front chamber 410 is thicker than the rib 10a that partitions the other first tank chamber 370, second tank chamber 380, and end chamber 390 of the ink container. Is formed. Thereby, the evaporation of the ink inside the first trap channel front chamber 410 can be suppressed.

  The bubble separation chamber 430 is formed so as to be adjacent to the lower side and the right side of the first trap channel 420, and is disposed at a position higher than the detection unit 30 in the vertical direction (Z direction). The bubble separation chamber 430 communicates with the first trap channel 420 on the upstream side through the lead-out portion 422, and communicates with the detection unit 30 on the downstream side through the communication hole 311. The bubble separation chamber 430 separates bubbles contained in the ink flowing from the first trap flow path 420 and suppresses or prevents the movement of the bubbles with respect to the detection unit 30. Specifically, the bubble separation chamber 430 is formed below the derivation unit 422 for the ink introduced from the derivation unit 422 of the first trap channel 420 formed above the detection unit 30 (Z direction). It has a configuration that leads to the detection unit 30 through the communication hole 311. By providing this configuration, the ink containing the bubbles flowing into the bubble separation chamber 430 from the first trap flow path 420 includes a gas component (containing air) that stops above the bubble separation chamber 430, and the bubble separation chamber. The ink is separated into ink that is a liquid component that moves downward along the inner wall surface of 430. That is, bubbles are captured on the upper surface side of the bubble separation chamber 430 using the difference in specific gravity between the gas and the liquid. Thereby, it is possible to suppress or prevent a situation in which bubbles enter the detection unit 30 and the liquid remaining amount sensor 31 detects erroneously. The erroneous detection means that the ink cartridge 1 detects that ink has run out by entering the detection unit 30 even though ink remains, or the ink cartridge 1 has no ink remaining. Regardless, the case where the ink remaining slightly with air by the capillary action is sucked into the detection unit 30 to detect the presence of ink. In the former case, printing cannot be executed even if ink remains, and in the latter case, printing is executed even if ink does not remain to damage the print head. There is a possibility of inviting.

  At the time of manufacturing the ink cartridge 1, the ink may be filled up to the first tank chamber 370 as conceptually shown by the broken line ML1 in FIG. 6 or the second tank. The chamber 380 and the end chamber 390 may be filled. When the ink inside the ink cartridge 1 is consumed by the ink jet printer, the ink moves to the downstream side, and the atmosphere flows into the ink cartridge 1 from the upstream side through the atmosphere release hole 100. As a result, when the liquid level falls in the vertical direction (downward) and ink consumption proceeds, the gas-liquid interface reaches the detection unit 30 as shown in FIG.

  The introduction of the atmosphere into the detection unit 30 is detected by the liquid remaining amount sensor 31 as out of ink. That is, as described above, the liquid remaining amount sensor 31 has different signals depending on whether gas is present in the detection unit 30 or when it is not present (when the liquid is filled with bubbles and when bubbles are mixed). Outputs detection result signal of waveform (resonance frequency). When the ink out is detected based on the detection result signal, the ink jet printer is in a stage before the ink existing in the ink cartridge 1 on the downstream side (such as the buffer chamber 450) is completely consumed in the ink cartridge 1, Printing is stopped and the user is notified that ink has run out. This is because if the ink runs out completely and further printing is performed, air is mixed into the print head, and a problem may occur in the print head due to so-called air shot.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first flow path 440 is formed on the back side of the cartridge body 10, the upstream end communicates with the detection unit 30 through the communication hole 312, and the downstream end buffers through the communication hole 441. It communicates with the chamber 450. As shown in FIG. 7, the buffer chamber 450 is formed near the center of the front side of the cartridge body 10. A stirring ball may be arranged inside the buffer chamber 450. In this case, the ink in the buffer chamber 450 is caused by the operation of the stirring ball accompanying the flow of ink or the reciprocation of the cartridge in the main scanning direction. To prevent sedimentation of some components of the ink and to ensure uniformity. The buffer chamber 450 communicates directly with the differential pressure valve accommodating chamber 40a on the back side through the communication hole 452 without interposing a flow path in the middle. As a result, the space from the buffer chamber 450 to the liquid supply unit 50 is reduced, and the possibility that the ink after stirring stays and settles down can be reduced. In the differential pressure valve storage chamber 40a, the pressure of the ink downstream of the differential pressure valve storage chamber 40a is adjusted to be lower than the pressure of the upstream ink by the differential pressure valve 40 so that the downstream ink has a negative pressure. .

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second flow path 460 is formed in the vicinity of the center portion on the front side of the cartridge body 10. The upstream end communicates with the differential pressure valve housing chamber 40a through the communication hole 453, and the downstream end communicates with a flow path formed in the spring seat 43 through the communication hole 462. The flow path formed in the spring seat 43 communicates with the third flow path 470 of the liquid supply unit 50 through the communication hole 464.

  The introduction part 401, the introduction part 421, the communication hole 311 and the communication hole 452 described above are formed on the bottom side of the end chamber 390, the first trap channel front chamber 410, the bubble separation chamber 430, and the buffer chamber 450, respectively. Has been. This is because, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the carriage 200 with the bottom side facing vertically downward, the communication holes are formed in the vertical direction of the end chamber 390, the first trap channel front chamber 410, the bubble separation chamber 430, and the buffer chamber 450. It is intended to be located on the lower side. By adopting such a configuration, when ink is consumed and the remaining amount is reduced, it is possible to suppress the waste of ink remaining in these spaces. Further, since the bubbles move vertically upward, entry to the downstream side can be suppressed.

A2-3. Specific configuration of the ink container:
Next, a specific configuration of the ink storage unit will be described. As shown in FIG. 7, the first tank chamber 370, the second tank chamber 380 and the end chamber 390 are formed on the front side of the cartridge body 10. In FIG. 7, the first tank chamber 370, the second tank chamber 380, and the end chamber 390 are indicated by single hatching and cross hatching, respectively. The first tank chamber 370 is formed on the upper right side of the cartridge body 10, is adjacent to the upper part of the second tank chamber 380, and is adjacent to the right side of the end chamber 390. The second tank chamber 380 is formed below the cartridge body 10, is adjacent to the lower portion of the first tank chamber 370, and is disposed below the end chamber 390. The end chamber 390 is formed on the left side surface above the cartridge body 10, is adjacent to the left side surface of the first tank chamber 370, and is disposed above the second tank chamber 380.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the first inter-compartment chamber communication path 374 is formed near the right side surface on the back side of the cartridge body 10. The first inter-compartment chamber communication path 374 is a communication path that connects the first tank chamber 370 and the second tank chamber 380, and has an upstream end in communication with the first tank chamber 370 and a downstream end in the second tank chamber 380. And communicated with. As shown in FIG. 8, the second inter-chamber communication path 382 is formed in the vicinity of the central portion on the back side of the cartridge body 10. The communication path 382 between the second storage chambers is a communication path that allows the second tank chamber 380 and the end chamber 390 to communicate with each other. The upstream end communicates with the second tank chamber 380 and the downstream end communicates with the end chamber 390. Yes.

  The upstream ends of the first storage chamber communication path 374 and the second storage chamber communication path 382 described above are formed on the bottom surfaces of the first tank chamber 370 and the second tank chamber 380, respectively. This is because, as in the case of the introduction part 401, the introduction part 421, the communication hole 311 and the communication hole 452 described above, when the ink is consumed and the remaining amount is reduced, the ink is left unnecessarily in these spaces. This is because it is possible to suppress the entry of bubbles to the downstream side.

A2-4. Specific configuration of the air introduction part:
Finally, a specific configuration of the air introduction unit will be described. Of the air introduction part, the introduction path 310 and the gas-liquid separation chamber 70a are respectively formed on the right side of the back side of the cartridge body 10 as shown in FIG. The communication hole 102 communicates the upstream end of the introduction path 310 and the atmosphere release hole 100. The downstream end of the introduction path 310 passes through the side wall of the gas-liquid separation chamber 70a and communicates with the gas-liquid separation chamber 70a.

  More specifically, the first air chamber 320 to the fifth air chamber 360 of the atmosphere introduction section shown in FIG. 6 are the first air chamber 320, the third air chamber 340, and the fourth air arranged on the front side of the cartridge body 10. The chamber 350 (FIG. 7), and the second air chamber 330 and the fifth air chamber 360 (FIG. 8) arranged on the back side of the cartridge main body 10, each space is arranged in series in the order of the signs from the upstream. The flow path is formed. The first air chamber 320 and the second air chamber 330 are formed immediately below the upper surface 1a of the cartridge body 10, and the third air chamber 340 and the fourth air chamber 350 are formed immediately to the left of the right side surface 1c of the cartridge body 10. Yes. The communication hole 322 communicates the gas-liquid separation chamber 70a and the first air chamber 320. The communication holes 321 and 341 communicate between the first air chamber 320 and the second air chamber 330 and between the second air chamber 330 and the third air chamber 340, respectively. The third air chamber 340 and the fourth air chamber 350 communicate with each other through a notch 342 formed in a rib separating the third air chamber 340 and the fourth air chamber 350. The communication holes 351 and 372 communicate between the fourth air chamber 350 and the fifth air chamber 360 and between the fifth air chamber 360 and the first tank chamber 370, respectively. In this way, by providing the first air chamber 320 to the fifth air chamber 360 that are divided into a plurality of three-dimensionally, the ink flows back from the first tank chamber 370 to the gas-liquid separation chamber 70a. Can be suppressed.

  The fourth air chamber 350 is about 30% of the volume of the plurality of liquid storage chambers constituting the ink storage portion, that is, the largest volume among the first tank chamber 370, the second tank chamber 380, and the end chamber 390. With a volume of. Therefore, even if the ink stored in the ink storage portion flows backward, it can be stored in the fourth air chamber 350, and the ink can be prevented from flowing out from the air release hole 100. Specifically, when the ink cartridge 1 is filled with ink, the ink cartridge 1 uses the sealing film 90 in a state where negative pressure is accumulated inside the cartridge body 10 in order to suppress dissolved air in the ink inside. Sealed. However, when the ink cartridge 1 is used, the air release hole 100 communicates with the outside by peeling off the sealing film 90, so that the ink in the ink storage portion may flow backward to the air release hole 100 side. Even if the amount of backflowing ink is maximum, it is about 30% of the volume of the largest volume of the plurality of liquid storage chambers constituting the ink storage section, so that it can store backflowing ink. By providing the fourth air chamber 350 having a sufficient volume, the backflowed ink is accommodated in the fourth air chamber 350, and movement to the upstream side from the fourth air chamber 350 can be suppressed.

  As described above, according to the ink cartridge of this embodiment, the first trap channel front chamber 410 communicates with the ink storage unit and the first trap channel 420 and has a volume smaller than the volume of the adjacent liquid storage chamber. Therefore, in the liquid container including the detection unit 30, the inflow of bubbles to the detection unit 30 can be suppressed or prevented. Specifically, since the first trap channel front chamber 410 has a volume smaller than the volume of the adjacent end chamber 390, the ink charged from the liquid supply unit 50 when the ink is filled into the cartridge body 10 can be obtained. When supplied to at least a part of the ink storage portion, the inside of the first trap channel front chamber 410 is filled with ink. Therefore, the room communicating with the upstream side of the first trap flow path 420 (first trap flow path front chamber 410) can be in a state in which bubbles are not mixed, and the upstream side room (in front of the first trap flow path 420). The inflow of bubbles from the chamber 410) to the first trap channel 420 can be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to suppress or prevent the erroneous detection of the ink amount detection that occurs when bubbles enter the detection unit 30.

  According to the ink cartridge according to the present embodiment, the first trap channel front chamber 410 is disposed in the lower part in the vertical direction of the end chamber 390 that is the adjacent liquid storage chamber, and thus the first trap flow from the adjacent liquid storage chamber. It is possible to suppress or prevent the movement of bubbles to the road front chamber 410. Specifically, when the bottom 1b of the ink cartridge 1 faces downward, the bubbles inside the end chamber 390 move to the first trap channel front chamber 410 if they do not move in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the movement of bubbles from the adjacent liquid storage chamber to the first trap channel front chamber 410 is suppressed. In addition, since the first trap channel front chamber 410 is disposed in the upper part of the first trap channel 420 in the vertical direction, bubbles inside the first trap channel front chamber 410 are transferred to the first trap channel 420. The movement can be suppressed or prevented. Specifically, even when bubbles are mixed in the first trap channel front chamber 410, the bubbles may move to the first trap channel 420 on the downstream side if the bubbles do not move in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the movement of bubbles from the first trap channel front chamber 410 to the first trap channel 420 is suppressed.

  According to the ink cartridge of the present embodiment, the first trap channel front chamber 410 has the second trap channel 400 in the introduction portion, and therefore the first trap flow from the end chamber 390 that is an adjacent liquid storage chamber. It is possible to further suppress or prevent the movement of bubbles to the road front chamber 410. Specifically, the second trap channel 400 includes a U-shaped channel that is folded back in a direction that intersects the vertical direction (Z direction), and is formed to retain bubbles therein. Therefore, even when air bubbles flow into the second trap flow channel 400 from the introduction part 401 of the end chamber 390, the air bubbles stay inside, so that the air bubbles to the first trap flow channel front chamber 410 on the downstream side are blocked. Movement is suppressed.

  According to the ink cartridge according to the present embodiment, the first trap channel 420 is arranged at a position higher in the vertical direction than the detection unit 30, and therefore, when bubbles exist inside the first trap channel 420. Even if it exists, the bubble cannot move to the detection unit 30 unless it moves in the direction of gravity. Therefore, the inflow of bubbles from the first trap channel 420 on the upstream side to the detection unit 30 can be suppressed or prevented.

  According to the ink cartridge according to the present embodiment, the bubble separation chamber 430 is arranged at a position higher in the vertical direction than the detection unit 30, so that the bubbles inside the bubble separation chamber 430 must move in the direction of gravity. It cannot move to the detection unit 30. Therefore, the inflow of bubbles from the bubble separation chamber 430 to the detection unit 30 can be suppressed or prevented.

  According to the ink cartridge of the present embodiment, the thickness of the rib 10a that defines the first trap channel front chamber 410 is equal to or greater than the thickness of the rib 10a that defines the liquid storage chamber. Ink evaporation from the inside of the front chamber 410 can be suppressed.

  The ink cartridge according to the present embodiment includes the fourth air chamber 350 having a volume of about 30% with respect to the volume of the liquid storage chamber having the largest volume among the liquid storage chambers. Even if the ink in the section flows backward, the ink that has flowed back can be accommodated in the fourth air chamber 350, and the ink can be prevented from flowing out from the air release hole 100.

B. Other examples:
(1) In the above embodiment, the first trap channel front chamber 410 has been described using an example in which the second trap channel 400 is provided in the introduction portion. The two trap channel 400 may not be provided. Even in this case, the movement of bubbles from the end chamber 390 to the first trap channel front chamber 410 is prevented by, for example, arranging the first trap channel front chamber 410 or forming a meniscus in the introduction portion. Suppression or prevention can be performed. In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the first trap channel front chamber 410 is provided has been described. However, even if the first trap channel front chamber 410 is not provided, the arrangement and flow of the first trap channel 420 are not described. Depending on the path structure, the arrangement and functions of the bubble separation chamber 430, the movement of bubbles from the end chamber 390 to the first trap channel 420, the movement of bubbles from the first trap channel 420 to the bubble separation chamber 430, and bubble separation Since the movement of the bubbles from the chamber 430 to the detection unit 30 is suppressed, the movement of the bubbles from the liquid storage chamber to the detection unit 30 can be suppressed.

(2) In the above embodiment, the first trap flow path 420 includes four cylindrical flow path portions, and the second trap flow path 400 is described using an example including two cylindrical flow path portions. Since there is no limitation on the number of flow path portions, other numbers of cylindrical flow path portions and connection flow path portions may be provided. Even in this case, since the first trap channel 420 and the second trap channel 400 can retain the bubbles therein, the movement of the bubbles to the downstream side can be suppressed or prevented.

(3) In the above embodiment, the first trap channel 420 and the second trap channel 400 are completed by applying the outer surface film 60 and the film 80. However, another member having a spiral groove is used as the cartridge body 10. The spiral second trap channel 400 and the first trap channel 420 may be formed by being inserted or screwed into each other. In this case, since the second trap channel 400 and the first trap channel 420 can be formed without using a film that is susceptible to pressure fluctuations and temperature changes from the outside, bubbles caused by external factors can be formed. Occurrence and movement can be suppressed or prevented.

(4) In the above embodiment, the ink jet printer has been described as an example of the liquid ejecting apparatus. However, other liquids other than ink (including liquid materials in which functional material particles are dispersed and fluids such as gels) A configuration as a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects or discharges a fluid other than liquid (such as a solid that can be ejected as fluid) is also possible. Specifically, for example, it is used for manufacturing a liquid material injection device for injecting a liquid material of a material such as an electrode material or a color material used for manufacturing a liquid crystal display, an EL display, a surface light emitting display, a color filter, or the like, or a biochip. It may be a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects biological organic matter, or a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid that is used as a precision pipette and serves as a sample. In addition, transparent resin liquids such as UV curable resin to form liquid injection devices that pinpoint lubricant oil onto precision machines such as watches and cameras, and micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements. Examples include a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects a liquid onto a substrate, a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects an etching solution such as acid or alkali to etch the substrate, a fluid ejecting apparatus that ejects gel, and a powder such as toner. It may be a powder jet recording apparatus that jets a solid.

  As mentioned above, although this invention was demonstrated based on the Example and the modification, Embodiment mentioned above is for making an understanding of this invention easy, and does not limit this invention. The present invention can be changed and improved without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and equivalents thereof are included in the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Ink cartridge 10 ... Cartridge main body 10a ... Rib 10b ... Groove 11 ... Engagement lever 11a ... Protrusion 20 ... Lid member 30 ... Detection part 30a ... Sensor storage chamber 31 ... Liquid residual amount sensor 32 ... Film 33 ... Cover member 33a ... Outer surface 34 ... Relay terminal 35 ... Circuit board 35a ... Electrode terminal 40 ... Differential pressure valve 40a ... Differential pressure valve storage chamber 41 ... Valve member 42 ... Spring 43 ... Spring seat 50 ... Liquid supply part 51 ... Seal member 52 ... Spring seat 53 ... Blocking spring 54 ... Sealing film 60 ... Outer surface film 70 ... Gas-liquid separation filter 70a ... Gas-liquid separation chamber 70b ... Stepped portion 71 ... Gas-liquid separation film 80 ... Film 90 ... Sealing film 100 ... Air release hole 102 ... Communication Hole 110 ... Decompression hole 200 ... Carriage 210 ... Recess 230 ... Protrusion 240 ... Ink supply needle 310 ... Introduction path 3 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication hole 312 ... Communication hole 320 ... 1st air chamber 321 ... Communication hole 322 ... Communication hole 330 ... 2nd air chamber 340 ... 3rd air chamber 342 ... Notch 350 ... 4th air chamber 351 ... Communication hole 360 ... 1st 5 Air chamber 370 ... 1st tank chamber 374 ... 1st storage chamber communication path 380 ... 2nd tank chamber 382 ... 2nd storage chamber communication path 390 ... End chamber 400 ... 2nd trap flow path 401 ... Introducing part 402 ... Deriving part 404 ... Cylindrical channel part 404a ... First cylindrical channel part 404b ... Second cylindrical channel part 405 ... First connection channel part 410 ... First trap channel front chamber 420 ... First trap channel 421 ... Introducing section 422 ... Deriving section 424 ... Cylindrical flow path section 424a ... Third cylindrical flow path section 424b ... Fourth cylindrical flow path section 424c ... Fifth cylindrical flow path section 424d ... Sixth cylindrical flow path section 425 ... Connection flow path section 425a ... second connection Connection channel 425b ... Third connection channel 425c ... Fourth connection channel 425d ... Fifth connection channel 425e ... Sixth connection channel 430 ... Bubble separation chamber 440 ... First flow channel 441 ... Communication Hole 450 ... Buffer chamber 452 ... Communication hole 453 ... Communication hole 460 ... Second flow path 462 ... Communication hole 464 ... Communication hole 470 ... Third flow path

Claims (5)

A liquid container that can be attached to a liquid ejecting apparatus,
A liquid container for containing the liquid;
A liquid supply unit for supplying the liquid in the liquid storage unit to the liquid ejecting apparatus;
An atmosphere communicating portion for communicating the liquid containing portion with the atmosphere;
A bubble separation unit for separating bubbles contained in the liquid;
A detection unit connected to the liquid supply unit and the bubble separation unit for detecting the amount of liquid in the liquid container;
An introduction portion for introducing the liquid contained in the prior SL liquid storage portion, and a deriving unit that communicates with the bubble separation, trapping passage for causing the retention of air bubbles contained in the liquid inside and, with a,
When the liquid container is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the trap channel is positioned higher than the detection unit in the vertical direction, which is a direction in which the side connected to the liquid ejecting apparatus is the lower side. Arranged liquid container. The liquid container according to claim 1,
The trap channel is two channel units parallel to each other , and each of the trap channels is configured such that one end is higher than the other end in the vertical direction. A liquid container including two flow path portions whose directions are opposite to each other . The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2,
The trap flow path intersects the vertical direction and has a plurality of cylindrical flow path portions having different heights in the vertical direction, and the plurality of cylindrical flow path portions are connected to each other to form one flow path. A liquid container comprising: a connecting channel portion . The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The liquid storage unit includes a plurality of liquid storage chambers that communicate with each other.
The trap channel is a liquid storage unit disposed at a lower part of the liquid storage chamber disposed on the downstream side, which is the liquid supply unit side of the liquid flow path, among the plurality of liquid storage chambers. body. The liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
The bubble separating unit is a liquid container arranged at a position higher in the vertical direction than the detecting unit.

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