JP5842620B2 - Printing apparatus, cartridge, and printing material supply system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a cartridge, and a printing material supply system.

  A printer, which is an example of a printing apparatus, performs printing by ejecting ink from a print head onto a recording object (for example, printing paper). As a technique for supplying ink to a print head, a technique using an ink cartridge (also simply referred to as “cartridge”) that contains ink therein is known (for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, ink is supplied from the cartridge to the print head by mounting the cartridge in a holder provided with the print head.

  In order to allow the user to replace the cartridge when the ink in the cartridge is low, the holder is configured so that the cartridge can be attached and detached.

JP 2006-142483 A JP 2007-230248 A JP 2010-23458 A

  However, there is room for improvement in operability when the cartridge is attached to and detached from the holder. For example, the operation of removing the cartridge from the holder may feel complicated for the user. For example, when the cartridge and the holder are engaged in the mounted state, in order to remove the cartridge from the holder, it is necessary to remove the cartridge from the holder after releasing the engagement. This operation may feel complicated for the user.

  The above-described problems are not limited to the cartridge and the printer to which the cartridge can be attached and detached, but a printing apparatus that supplies (jets) other types of printing materials (for example, toner) other than ink to the outside, and This is a problem common to cartridges that are detachably attached to the printing apparatus.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for improving operability when a cartridge is attached to and detached from a printing apparatus.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

Application Example 1 A printing apparatus,
A holder that is detachable from a cartridge for accommodating a printing material therein, and has a concave device-side accommodation chamber in which the cartridge is accommodated;
A head for supplying the printing material of the cartridge to an object,
The device-side storage chamber has a storage chamber opening for allowing the cartridge to pass through when being attached and detached,
The holder is
A bottom wall facing the storage chamber opening and forming the bottom of the device-side storage chamber;
A first side wall forming a part of a side portion of the device-side storage chamber;
A second side wall facing the first side wall and forming a part of a side portion of the device-side storage chamber;
A lever provided on the first side wall and having a rotation shaft, the device side engaging portion for engaging with the cartridge housed in the device side housing chamber, and a lever for releasing the engagement; A lever having a release portion and at least a release portion located on the opposite side of the device side engagement portion across the rotation shaft,
The second sidewall is
An external force is applied to the mounted cartridge in a first direction, which is a direction from the first side wall to the second side wall, so that the cartridge is rotated so as to pass through the storage chamber opening. An apparatus-side rotation fulcrum for taking out the cartridge from the apparatus-side storage chamber,
The lever is
A printing apparatus, wherein an external force is applied to the release portion in the first direction to displace the device-side engagement portion about the rotation shaft to release the engagement.

  According to the printing apparatus described in Application Example 1, the direction of the external force applied to the release portion to release the engagement, and the direction of the external force applied to the cartridge to rotate the cartridge around the apparatus-side rotation fulcrum Are the same first direction. As a result, the operation of releasing the engagement between the lever and the cartridge and the operation of taking out the cartridge from the apparatus-side storage chamber can be performed in a series of operations. That is, the operability when removing the cartridge from the holder can be improved.

[Application Example 2] The printing apparatus according to Application Example 1,
When the direction in which the bottom wall and the storage chamber opening face each other is the vertical direction, the bottom wall side is the lower side with respect to the apparatus-side storage chamber, and the storage chamber opening side is the upper side.
The apparatus-side storage chamber is configured to be configured such that when the engagement is released, a part of the cartridge on the side facing the release portion is positioned above the release portion.
According to the printing apparatus described in the application example 2, when the engagement between the lever and the cartridge is released, a part of the cartridge is positioned above the release portion. Thereby, after the operation of applying an external force to the release portion in the direction including the first direction component, the operation of applying the external force to the cartridge in the direction including the first direction component can be easily performed.

[Application Example 3] The printing apparatus according to Application Example 1 or Application Example 2,
The second sidewall is
Facing the device-side accommodation chamber, one end connected to the bottom wall, and
An extending surface facing the device-side storage chamber, extending from the other end of the opposing surface toward the outside of the device-side storage chamber, and
The apparatus-side rotation fulcrum is a printing apparatus defined by a boundary between the facing surface and the extending surface.
According to the printing apparatus described in the application example 3, the apparatus-side rotation fulcrum can be easily formed using the surface of the second side wall which is the configuration of the holder.

Application Example 4 A holder to which a cartridge for accommodating a printing material can be attached and detached, and a holder having a concave device-side accommodation chamber in which the cartridge is accommodated;
A head for supplying the printing material of the cartridge to an object,
The device-side storage chamber has a storage chamber opening for allowing the cartridge to pass through when being attached and detached,
The holder is
A bottom wall facing the storage chamber opening and forming the bottom of the device-side storage chamber;
A first side wall forming a part of a side portion of the device-side storage chamber;
A second side wall facing the first side wall and forming a part of a side portion of the device-side storage chamber;
A lever provided on the first side wall and having a rotation shaft, the device side engaging portion for engaging with the cartridge housed in the device side housing chamber, and a lever for releasing the engagement; A lever having a release part, at least a part of which is located on the opposite side of the device side engagement part across the rotation shaft,
The second sidewall is
An external force is applied to the mounted cartridge in a first direction, which is a direction from the first side wall to the second side wall, so that the cartridge is rotated so as to pass through the storage chamber opening. An apparatus-side rotation fulcrum for taking out the cartridge from the apparatus-side storage chamber,
The lever is
When the external force is applied to the release portion in the first direction, the device-side engagement portion is displaced about the rotation shaft to release the engagement, and is detachable from the holder of the printing apparatus. A cartridge to be mounted,
In a state where the cartridge is mounted on the holder, a direction in which the bottom wall and the storage chamber opening face each other is a vertical direction, and the bottom wall side is a lower side with respect to the apparatus-side storage chamber, and the storage chamber opening When the side is the upper side,
A container body that forms a printing material storage chamber for containing a printing material therein, the first surface, a second surface standing from the first surface, and the printing standing from the first surface A container body having a third surface facing the second surface across the material storage chamber;
A printing material supply port protruding from the first surface to the outside of the container body, the printing material supply port communicating with the printing material storage chamber and flowing the printing material to the printing device,
The second surface is
A container side engaging portion that engages with the device side engaging portion;
A force point portion that is located above the container side engaging portion and for applying an external force in the first direction to take out the cartridge from the apparatus side storage chamber, and the engagement is released And at least a part of the force point located on the upper side of the release part,
The third surface is
A container-side rotation fulcrum that contacts the apparatus-side rotation fulcrum of the holder, and the cartridge is rotated so that an external force is applied to the force point portion in the first direction to pass through the opening of the storage chamber. A cartridge having a container side rotation fulcrum.

  According to the cartridge described in the application example 4, the rotation fulcrum and the force point portion are provided. Further, at least a part of the power point portion is located above the release portion when the engagement is released. Thus, the user can easily take out the cartridge from the apparatus-side storage chamber by rotating the cartridge by applying an external force to the second surface including the force point portion. That is, the operability when removing the cartridge from the holder can be improved.

[Application Example 5] The cartridge according to Application Example 4,
The force point portion is a cartridge located above the container side rotation fulcrum.
According to the cartridge described in Application Example 5, the cartridge can be easily rotated around the container-side rotation fulcrum by applying an external force in the first direction to the force point portion.

[Application Example 6] The cartridge according to Application Example 4 or Application Example 5,
The cartridge has a shape in which the power point portion protrudes outward from the second surface.
According to the cartridge described in Application Example 6, since the force point portion has a shape protruding outward from the second surface, the user can apply the external force to the force point portion more reliably.

Application Example 7 A printing material supply system including a printing apparatus and a cartridge for accommodating a printing material therein,
The printing apparatus includes:
A holder to which the cartridge can be attached and detached, and a holder having a concave device-side accommodation chamber in which the cartridge is accommodated;
A head for supplying the printing material of the cartridge to an object,
The device-side storage chamber has a storage chamber opening for allowing the cartridge to pass through when being attached and detached,
The holder is
A bottom wall facing the storage chamber opening and forming the bottom of the device-side storage chamber;
A first side wall forming a part of a side portion of the device-side storage chamber;
A second side wall facing the first side wall and forming a part of a side portion of the device-side storage chamber;
A lever provided on the first side wall and having a rotation shaft, the device side engaging portion for engaging with the cartridge housed in the device side housing chamber, and a lever for releasing the engagement; A release portion, and a lever having a release portion located on the opposite side of the device side engagement across the rotation shaft,
The second sidewall is
An external force is applied to the mounted cartridge in a first direction, which is a direction from the first side wall to the second side wall, so that the cartridge is rotated so as to pass through the storage chamber opening. An apparatus-side rotation fulcrum for taking out the cartridge from the apparatus-side storage chamber,
The lever is
When the external force is applied to the release portion in the first direction, the device-side engagement portion is displaced about the rotation shaft to release the engagement.
The cartridge is
In a state where the cartridge is mounted on the holder, a direction in which the bottom wall and the storage chamber opening face each other is a vertical direction, and the bottom wall side is a lower side with respect to the apparatus-side storage chamber, and the storage chamber opening When the side is the upper side,
A container body that forms a printing material storage chamber for containing a printing material therein, the first surface, a second surface standing from the first surface, and the printing standing from the first surface A container body having a third surface facing the second surface across the material storage chamber;
A printing material supply port protruding from the first surface to the outside of the container body, the printing material supply port communicating with the printing material storage chamber and flowing the printing material to the printing device,
The second surface is
A container side engaging portion that engages with the device side engaging portion;
A force point portion that is located above the container side engaging portion and for applying an external force in the first direction to take out the cartridge from the apparatus side storage chamber, and the engagement is released And at least a part of the force point located on the upper side of the release part,
The third surface is
A container-side rotation fulcrum that contacts the apparatus-side rotation fulcrum of the holder, and the cartridge is rotated so that an external force is applied to the force point portion in the first direction to pass through the opening of the storage chamber. A printing material supply system having a container side rotation fulcrum.

  According to the printing material supply system of the application example 7, the direction of the external force applied to the release portion to release the engagement, and the cartridge for rotating the cartridge around the apparatus side rotation fulcrum and the container side rotation fulcrum The direction of the external force applied to the first direction is the same as the first direction. As a result, the operation of releasing the engagement between the lever and the cartridge and the operation of taking out the cartridge from the apparatus-side storage chamber can be performed in a series of operations. That is, the operability when removing the cartridge from the holder can be improved.

[Application Example 8] The printing material supply system according to Application Example 7,
The said power point part is a printing material supply system located above the said container side rotation fulcrum.
According to the printing material supply system described in application example 8, the cartridge can be easily rotated around the rotation fulcrum by applying an external force in the first direction to the force point portion.

[Application Example 9] The printing material supply system according to Application Example 7 or Application Example 8,
The printing material supply system, wherein the power point portion has a shape protruding outward from the second surface.
According to the printing material supply system described in Application Example 9, since the force point portion has a shape protruding outward from the second surface, the user can more reliably apply the external force to the force point portion.

  The present invention can be realized in various forms. In addition to the above-described configuration as a printing apparatus, a cartridge, and a printing material supply system, a printing apparatus manufacturing method, a cartridge manufacturing method, and a printing material The present invention is not limited to this, and can be realized in aspects such as a liquid ejecting apparatus that supplies liquid to the outside, a liquid container for accommodating liquid inside, and a liquid ejecting system that includes the liquid container and liquid ejecting apparatus.

It is a figure for demonstrating the printing material supply system. 2 is an external perspective view of a holder 20 to which a cartridge 10 is mounted. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the cartridge 10. FIG. 2 is a front view of the cartridge 10. FIG. 3 is a rear view of the cartridge 10. FIG. It is F2-F2 sectional drawing of FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a holder 20. FIG. It is F2-F2 sectional drawing of the holder 20 of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the lever. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the cartridge 10 is attached to the holder 20. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the cartridge 10 is attached to the holder 20. It is a figure for demonstrating the mounted state. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state where the cartridge 10 is removed from the holder 20. FIG. 6 is a view showing a state where the cartridge 10 is removed from the holder 20. It is a figure for demonstrating the holder 20a of 2nd Example. It is F15-F15 sectional drawing of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a mode that it attaches. It is a figure for demonstrating the cartridge 10c in another Example. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of the cartridge 10f in another Example. It is an external appearance perspective view of the cartridge 10g in another Example.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.
AC. Various examples:
D. Variation:

A. First embodiment:
A-1. Overall configuration of printing material supply system:
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a printing material supply system 1 as a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, XYZ axes orthogonal to each other are drawn. The XYZ axes in FIG. 1 correspond to the XYZ axes in the other drawings. The XYZ axes are attached to the drawings shown thereafter as necessary. The printing material supply system 1 includes a cartridge 10 and a printer 50 as a printing apparatus.

  The cartridge 10 of the printing material supply system 1 accommodates ink as a printing material inside and distributes the ink to the head 540. In this embodiment, a plurality of cartridges 10 are detachably mounted on the holder 20 (also referred to as “cartridge mounting portion 20”) of the printer 50. In the present embodiment, six types of cartridges 10 are attached to the holder 20 in correspondence with inks of six colors (black, yellow, magenta, light magenta, cyan and light cyan), that is, six cartridges 10 in total. . The number of cartridges attached to the holder 60 may be six or less, or may be six or more.

  The printer 50 of the printing material supply system 1 is a small inkjet printer for individuals. The printer 50 includes a carriage 520 and a control unit 510. The carriage 520 includes a head 540 that ejects (supply) ink to a print medium 90 such as paper or a label, and the holder 20. The head 540 includes an ink ejection mechanism that ejects ink onto the print medium 90. The printer 50 circulates ink from the cartridge 10 mounted on the holder 20 to the head 540 and discharges (supplies) ink from the head 540 to the print medium 90. As a result, data such as characters, graphics, and images is printed on the print medium 90 using the head 540.

  The control unit 510 of the printer 50 controls each unit of the printer 50. The carriage 520 of the printer 50 is configured to be able to move the head 540 relative to the print medium 90. The controller 510 and the carriage 520 are electrically connected via a flexible cable 517, and the ink ejection mechanism of the head 540 operates based on a control signal from the controller 510.

  As described above, the type of the printer 50 in which the cartridge 10 is mounted on the holder 20 on the carriage 520 that moves the head 540 is also referred to as an “on-carriage type”. Note that the holder 20 may be configured at a different location from the carriage 520, and the ink from the cartridge 10 mounted on the holder 20 may be supplied to the head 540 via a flexible tube.

  In the present embodiment, the printer 50 includes a main scan feed mechanism and a sub scan feed mechanism for realizing printing on the print medium 90 by relatively moving the carriage 520 and the print medium 90. The main scanning feed mechanism of the printer 50 includes a carriage motor 522 and a driving belt 524, and transmits the power of the carriage motor 522 to the carriage 520 via the driving belt 524, thereby reciprocating the carriage 520 in the main scanning direction. The sub-scan feed mechanism of the printer 50 includes a transport motor 532 and a platen 534, and transmits the power of the transport motor 532 to the platen 534, thereby transporting the print medium 90 in the sub-scan direction orthogonal to the main scan direction. The carriage motor 522 of the main scan feed mechanism and the transport motor 532 of the sub scan feed mechanism operate based on a control signal from the control unit 510.

  In the present embodiment, in the use state (also referred to as “use posture”) of the printing material supply system 1, the axis along the sub-scanning direction for transporting the print medium 90 is taken as the X axis, and main scanning for reciprocating the carriage 520 is performed. The axis along the direction is the Y axis, and the axis along the vertical direction is the Z axis. The use state of the printing material supply system 1 is the state of the printing material supply system 1 installed on a horizontal surface. In this embodiment, the horizontal surface is a surface parallel to the X axis and the Y axis. .

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the holder 20 to which the cartridge 10 is mounted. FIG. 2 shows a view in which three cartridges 10 are mounted on the holder 20. The holder 20 has a concave device-side storage chamber 220 having an opening 25d formed on one side surface. The cartridge 10 is accommodated in the apparatus-side accommodation chamber 220, and the cartridge 10 is mounted on the holder 20 by the engagement member of the holder 20 and the engagement member of the cartridge 10 being engaged. The opening 25d is also referred to as “accommodating chamber opening 25d”.

  The holder 20 has a bottom wall 25a that forms the bottom surface (bottom part) of the concave device-side storage chamber 220, and first to fourth side walls 25b, 25c, 25e, and 25f that are erected from the bottom wall 25a. The bottom wall 25a faces the opening 25d with the apparatus-side accommodation chamber 220 interposed therebetween. The first side wall 25 b is located on the front side of the printer 50.

  Here, the arrangement direction of the cartridges 10 when the plurality of cartridges 10 are mounted on the holder 20 is the Y-axis direction, and the direction perpendicular to the Y-axis and the bottom wall 25a and the opening 25d face each other is the Z-axis direction. Thus, the direction perpendicular to the Y axis and the Z axis is the X axis direction. Of the Z-axis directions, the direction from the bottom wall 25a toward the opening 25d is the + Z-axis direction (Z-axis positive direction), and the direction from the opening 25d toward the bottom wall 25a is the -Z-axis direction (Z-axis negative direction). It is. In the Y-axis direction, the direction from the third side wall 25e toward the fourth side wall 25f is the -Y-axis direction (Y-axis negative direction), and the direction from the fourth side wall 25f toward the third side wall 25e is + Y-axis direction (Y-axis positive direction). In the X-axis direction, the direction from the first side wall 25b toward the second side wall 25c is the −X-axis direction (X-axis negative direction), and the direction from the second side wall 25c toward the first side wall 25b is + X-axis direction (X-axis positive direction). In this embodiment, the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction, the Z-axis positive direction is the vertically upward direction, and the Z-axis negative direction is the vertically downward direction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the direction in which the bottom wall 25a and the opening 25d face each other is defined as the up-down direction. In the present embodiment, the bottom wall 25 a side is the lower side with respect to the apparatus-side storage chamber 220, and the opening 25 d side is the upper side with respect to the apparatus-side storage chamber 220. In this embodiment, when the cartridge 10 is described using the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, the mounting state in which the cartridge 10 is mounted on the holder 20 (also simply referred to as “mounting state”) is used as a reference. And

  In the mounted state, the printing material supply pipe (not shown) of the holder 20 and the printing material supply port (not shown) of the cartridge 10 are connected. Thereby, the ink accommodated in the cartridge 10 can be distributed to the head 540 (FIG. 1) via the printing material supply pipe of the holder 20.

  The holder 20 is provided with a lever 40 that is used for attaching and detaching the cartridge 10. Details of the holder 20 will be described later.

A-2. Detailed configuration of the cartridge 10:
FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the cartridge 10. FIG. 4 is a front view of the cartridge 10. FIG. 5 is a rear view of the cartridge 10. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F2-F2 of FIG. A detailed configuration of the cartridge 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the external appearance of the cartridge 10 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cartridge 10 includes a container main body 100 (also referred to as “cartridge main body 100”) that forms a printing material storage chamber 180 for storing ink therein, and a printing material supply that distributes the ink in the printing material storage chamber 180 to the outside. And a mouth 110. The container body 100 and the printing material supply port 110 are made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene.

  The container main body 100 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The container body 100 has first to sixth surfaces 100a to 100f located on different sides (for example, the Z-axis negative direction side) with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180. The first to sixth surfaces 100 a to 100 f form the outer surface of the container main body 100. The first to sixth surfaces 100 a to 100 f form the outer surface of the wall portion of the container main body 100 that defines the printing material accommodation chamber 180.

  The first surface 100a is positioned on the Z axis negative direction side with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180. The second surface 100 b is located on the X axis positive direction side with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180. The third surface 100 c is located on the X axis negative direction side with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180. The fourth surface 100d is located on the Z axis positive direction side with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180. The fifth surface 100 e is located on the Y axis positive direction side with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180. The sixth surface 100 f is located on the Y axis negative direction side with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180. In the cartridge 10, the direction in which the first surface 100a and the fourth surface 100d face each other (Z-axis direction) is the height direction. The direction in which the second surface 100b and the third surface 100c face each other (X-axis direction) is taken as the length direction. The direction in which the fifth surface 100e and the sixth surface 100f face each other (the Y-axis direction) is the width direction.

  The first surface 100a faces the bottom surface of the apparatus-side storage chamber 220 of the holder 20 in the mounted state. Therefore, the first surface 100a can be said to be a “bottom surface 100a”. The first surface 100a is a flat surface and has a rectangular outer shape. In the present embodiment, the first surface 100a is a horizontal surface in the mounted state. In other embodiments, the first surface 100a may be a surface parallel to the vertical direction in the mounted state. Further, in the present embodiment, the “plane” may be any plane as long as the rough shape is flat, and the entire surface need not be uniformly flat. For example, you may have an unevenness | corrugation in a part of surface.

  The printing material supply port 110 has a protruding shape protruding from the first surface 100a to the outside of the container main body 100 (Z-axis negative direction). That is, the printing material supply port 110 protrudes from the first surface 100a to the side opposite to the side where the printing material storage chamber 180 is located. As shown in FIG. 6, the printing material supply port 110 communicates with the printing material accommodation chamber 180 through a circulation channel 114 formed in the container main body 100. Further, a sponge-like foam (foamed resin body) 112 is arranged inside the printing material supply port 110 to prevent ink from leaking out from the printing material supply port 110.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3, the fourth surface 100 d faces the first surface 100 a with the printing material accommodation chamber 180 interposed therebetween. The fourth surface 100d is a flat surface and has a rectangular outer shape. In the present embodiment, the fourth surface 100d is a horizontal surface in the mounted state.

  The second surface 100b, the third surface 100c, the fifth surface 100e, and the sixth surface 100f are connected to the respective sides (four sides) of the first surface 100a and the fourth surface 100d. In other words, the second surface 100b, the third surface 100c, the fifth surface 100e, and the sixth surface 100f are erected from the first surface 100a. In the present embodiment, the second surface 100b, the third surface 100c, the fifth surface 100e, and the sixth surface 100f intersect the first surface 100a and the fourth surface 100d perpendicularly. The 3rd surface 100c, the 5th surface 100e, and the 6th surface 100f are planes, and an external shape is a rectangle. In the present embodiment, the second surface 100b, the fifth surface 100e, and the sixth surface 100f are perpendicular to the horizontal plane in the mounted state. The second surface 100b and the third surface 100c face each other with the printing material storage chamber 180 interposed therebetween. The fifth surface 100e and the sixth surface 100f face each other with the printing material storage chamber 180 interposed therebetween.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 6, the second surface 100b includes a first connection surface 100b1, an inclined surface 100b2 (FIG. 6), and a second connection in order from the first surface 100a to the fourth surface 100d. Surface 100b3.

  In the mounted state, the first connection surface 100b1 is a surface located closest to the first surface 100a among the second surfaces 100b. The first connection surface 100b1 is a flat surface. The first connection surface 100b1 has a rectangular outer shape and intersects the first surface 100a perpendicularly. The second connection surface 100b3 is a flat surface. The second connection surface 100b3 has a rectangular outer shape and intersects the fourth surface 100d perpendicularly. In the X-axis direction, the second connection surface 100b3 is located farther from the third surface 100c than the first connection surface 100b1. The inclined surface 100b2 is a surface that connects the first and second connection surfaces 100b1 and 100b3. The inclined surface 100b2 is inclined toward the direction in which the first surface 100a is located and away from the printing material supply port 110. That is, the inclined surface 100b2 is inclined toward the direction including the components of the Z-axis negative direction and the X-axis positive direction. As shown in FIG. 6, the inclined surface 100b2 is provided with a substrate installation portion 108 that protrudes outward from the inclined surface 100b2. A circuit board 130 is provided in the board installation unit 108. A plurality of terminals are arranged on the surface of the circuit board 130. In the mounted state, each terminal of the circuit board 130 and each terminal provided in the holder 20 are electrically connected, so that the cartridge 10 and the control unit 510 of the printer 50 are electrically connected. Thereby, various information (signals) such as ink color is transmitted between the printer and the cartridge 10.

  As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of regulating walls 140 is provided on the first connection surface 100b1. The pair of regulating walls 140 protrudes outward (X-axis positive direction) from the first connection surface 100b1. That is, the pair of regulating walls 140 protrudes from the first connection surface 100b1 that is the outer surface of the container body 100. Note that a cutout may be provided in the first connection surface 100b1, and both sides of the cutout (both sides in the Y-axis direction) may be used as a pair of restriction walls 140. The pair of regulating walls 140 cooperate with the holder 20 to regulate the movement of the cartridge 10 in the width direction (Y-axis direction) relative to the holder 20 in the mounted state. Specifically, a part of the holder 20 enters between the pair of restriction walls 140, and a part of the holder 20 hits the pair of restriction walls 140 of the cartridge 10 to restrict the movement of the cartridge 10 in the width direction.

  On the second connection surface 100b3, a container side engaging portion 124 and a power point portion 190 are formed. The container side engaging portion 124 is close to a portion of the second connection surface 100b3 to which the inclined surface 100b2 is connected. The container side engaging portion 124 has a protruding shape protruding outward (X-axis positive direction) from the second surface 100b (specifically, the second connection surface 100b3). That is, the container side engaging portion 124 protrudes from the second surface 100b toward the side opposite to the side where the printing material accommodation chamber 180 is located. Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the length of the container side engaging portion 124 in the Y-axis direction is shorter than the width of the cartridge 10. The container side engaging portion 124 regulates the movement of the cartridge 10 in the mounted state by engaging with the lever 40. Specifically, the upward movement (Z-axis positive direction) of the cartridge 10 in the mounted state is restricted.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the force application portion 190 has a shape that protrudes outward (X-axis positive direction) from the second surface 100 b (specifically, the second connection surface 100 b 3) that is the outer surface of the container body 100. is there. The force point portion 190 is located above the container side engaging portion 124. In other words, the power point portion 190 is located on the fourth surface 100d side with respect to the container side engaging portion 124. In the present embodiment, the power point portion 190 is formed at the intersection of the second surface 100b and the fourth surface 100d. In other words, the power point 190 is formed at the upper end of the second surface 100b. Here, when the cartridge 10 is taken out from the apparatus-side accommodation chamber 220 of the holder 20, the user presses the second surface 100b side of the cartridge 10 against the third surface 100c side (first direction, negative X-axis direction). ), An external force is applied to the second surface 100b. Specifically, the user applies an external force against the second surface 100b so as to press the cartridge 10 against the second side wall 25c (FIG. 2). Then, the cartridge 10 is rotated so that the second surface 100b side passes through the opening 25d with the second side wall 25c as a fulcrum. The force point part 190 is a part for making it easy for the user to transmit an external force to the cartridge 10. That is, the user applies an external force in the first direction to the force application portion 190 when taking out the cartridge 10 from the apparatus-side storage chamber 220. As described above, since the force point portion 190 is a protrusion protruding outward from the second surface 100b, the user can more reliably apply an external force in the first direction to the force point portion.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the third surface 100 c includes a protrusion 160 as a second container-side engaging portion and a container-side rotation fulcrum 166 w. Here, the container-side rotation fulcrum 166w is also simply referred to as “rotation fulcrum 166w”. The protrusion 160 restricts the movement of the cartridge 10 in the mounted state by being inserted into a hole provided in the second side wall 25c (FIG. 2) of the holder 20. Specifically, the protrusion 160 regulates the upward movement (Z-axis positive direction) of the cartridge 10 in the mounted state by cooperating with the hole.

  The rotation fulcrum 166w serves as a fulcrum when the cartridge 10 is removed from the apparatus-side storage chamber 220 of the holder 20 by a rotation operation. The rotation fulcrum 166w is formed by contacting the second side wall 25c of the holder 20. That is, the rotation fulcrum 166w is formed by a part of the third surface 100c. In the height direction, the rotation fulcrum 166w is located closer to the first surface 100a than the force point portion 190.

  The fourth surface 100d is formed with an air opening hole (not shown) for introducing air into the printing material storage chamber 180 in accordance with the consumption of ink. Note that the formation position of the air opening hole is not limited to the fourth surface 100d, and may be formed on the third surface 100c, for example.

A-3. Detailed configuration of holder 20:
FIG. 7 is an external perspective view of the holder 20. FIG. 8 is a F2-F2 cross-sectional view of the holder 20 of FIG. FIG. 7 schematically shows the outer frame of the holder 20. A detailed configuration of the holder 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the holder 20 has a concave device-side accommodation chamber 220 so that the cartridge 10 can be attached and detached. The concave device-side accommodation chamber 220 is formed with an opening 25d through which the cartridge 10 passes when the cartridge 10 is attached or detached. The apparatus-side accommodation chamber 220 is partitioned by a plurality of walls. Specifically, the holder 20 includes a bottom wall 25a, a first side wall 25b, a second side wall 25c, a third side wall 25e, and a fourth side wall 25f. The bottom wall 25a faces the opening 25d and forms the bottom surface of the concave device-side storage chamber 220. The first to fourth side walls 25b, 25c, 25e, and 25f form the side surfaces (side portions) of the concave device-side storage chamber 220. The five walls 25a, 25b, 25c, 25e, and 25f are formed using modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE), polypropylene (PP), or the like. In addition, the five walls 25a, 25b, 25c, 25e, and 25f that define the apparatus-side storage chamber 220 are collectively referred to as “storage chamber forming wall 200”.

  In the present embodiment, the bottom wall 25a is located on the Z-axis negative direction side when the printer 50 is in use. The first to fourth side walls 25b, 25c, 25e, 25f are erected from the bottom wall 25a. The first side wall 25b and the second side wall 25c are in a facing relationship. Further, the third side wall 25e and the fourth side wall 25f are in a facing relationship.

  A printing material supply pipe 240 and a seal member 242 are attached to the bottom wall 25a. Six printing material supply pipes 240 are provided corresponding to the number (six) of cartridges 10 to be mounted. One end side of the printing material supply pipe 240 is connected to a head 540 (FIG. 1) attached to the back surface (the surface on the Z-axis negative direction side) of the bottom wall 25a. Further, the other end side of the printing material supply pipe 240 is located in the apparatus-side accommodation chamber 220. The other end side of the printing material supply pipe 240 is connected to the printing material supply port 110 (FIG. 3) of the cartridge 10 when the cartridge 10 is mounted on the holder 20. The seal member 242 is an elastic member such as synthetic rubber. The seal member 242 is disposed around the printing material supply pipe 240 and prevents the ink from leaking to the outside when the cartridge 10 is mounted on the holder 20. As shown in FIG. 8, a porous metal filter 244 that partially contacts the foam 112 (FIG. 6) in the printing material supply port 110 is provided on the other end side of the printing material supply pipe 240. ing. As the filter 244, for example, a stainless mesh or a stainless nonwoven fabric can be used. The filter 244 can be omitted.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 7, six first device side restricting portions 270 are provided on the bottom wall 25a corresponding to the number (six) of cartridges 10 to be mounted. The first apparatus side regulating portion 270 is located on the first side wall 25b side with respect to the printing material supply pipe 240. The first device-side regulating portion 270 has a protruding shape that protrudes inward of the device-side accommodation chamber 220 from the bottom wall 25a. In the mounted state, the first device-side restricting portion 270 is located between the pair of restricting walls 140 of the cartridge 10. Here, in the mounted state, the cartridge 10 may receive an external force (inertial force) in the width direction due to vibration or printing operation. The first device-side regulating unit 270 regulates the movement in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the cartridge 10 (specifically, the second surface 100b side of the cartridge 10) by cooperating with the pair of regulating walls 140. To do.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a contact mechanism 280 is disposed in the vicinity of a corner formed by the bottom wall 25a and the first side wall 25b. Six contact mechanisms 280 are arranged corresponding to the number (six) of cartridges 10 to be mounted. The contact mechanism 280 is used to electrically connect the circuit board 130 of the cartridge 10 and the control unit 510 (FIG. 1) of the printer 50. The contact mechanism 280 includes a plurality of terminals for contacting the plurality of terminals of the circuit board 130. In the mounted state, the contact mechanism 280 and the seal member 242 apply an external force to the cartridge 10 in a direction including the positive direction of the Z axis. That is, in the mounted state, the contact mechanism 280 and the seal member 242 apply an external force in a direction in which the cartridge 10 is moved away from the bottom wall 25a.

  As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, a lever 40 is provided on the first side wall 25b. The lever 40 is used for attaching / detaching the cartridge 10 to / from the holder 20. Six levers 40 are arranged corresponding to the number (six) of cartridges 10 to be mounted. The lever 40 is rotatably supported on the first side wall 25b. The lever 40 rotates about a rotation shaft 410w parallel to the Y-axis direction (the arrangement direction of the plurality of cartridges 10). Details of the lever 40 will be described later.

  The second side wall 25c is formed with a hole 202 that opens toward the apparatus-side accommodation chamber 220. Six holes 202 are arranged corresponding to the number (six) of cartridges 10 to be mounted. A protrusion 160 (FIG. 5) of the cartridge 10 is inserted into the hole 202. Accordingly, the movement in the width direction (Y-axis direction) and the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the cartridge 10 (specifically, the third surface 100c side of the cartridge 10) in the mounted state is restricted.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the second side wall 25 c has a device-side rotation fulcrum 216 w on the side facing the device-side storage chamber 220. The device-side rotation fulcrum 216w is a portion that comes into contact with the container-side rotation fulcrum 166w. Here, the device-side rotation fulcrum 216w is also simply referred to as “rotation fulcrum 216w”. The second side wall 25c has a facing surface 216u and an extending surface 216t. The facing surface 216u and the extending surface 216t face the apparatus-side accommodation chamber 220. One end of the facing surface 216u is connected to the bottom wall 25a. The facing surface 216u intersects the bottom wall 25a perpendicularly. The extending surface 216t extends from the other end of the opposing surface 216u toward the outside of the apparatus-side storage chamber 220 (the direction having the X-axis negative direction component). That is, the extending surface 216t extends in a direction away from the first side wall 25b. The apparatus-side rotation fulcrum 216w is defined by the boundary between the facing surface 216u and the extending surface 216t. In other words, the device-side rotation fulcrum 216w can be said to be the other end (upper end) of the facing surface 216u. A space portion 216sp (FIG. 8) that can receive a part of the cartridge 10 when the cartridge 10 is removed from the apparatus-side storage chamber 220 while being rotated is formed on the upper side of the facing surface 216u.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the lever 40. FIG. 9A is a first external perspective view of the lever 40. FIG. 9B is a second external perspective view of the lever 40. In the usage posture of the printer 50, the vertical direction in FIGS. 9A and 9B is the vertical direction, and the downward direction is the vertical downward direction. The lever 40 is a separate body from the storage chamber forming wall 200 (FIG. 7). The lever 40 is made of a synthetic resin such as polyacetal (POM) or polypropylene (PP). By making the lever 40 and the storage chamber forming wall 200 separate, the degree of freedom in selecting the material forming the lever 40 can be improved. For example, the storage chamber forming wall 200 may be formed of a high-strength member for receiving the cartridge 10, and the lever 40 may be formed of a non-slip member because an external force is applied by the user.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the lever 40 includes a concave guide portion 420, a pair of projecting shaft portions 410 provided on both side surfaces of the guide portion 420, and the guide portion 420. Also, a notch-shaped holder-side engaging portion (device-side engaging portion) 440 formed on the lower side and a holder-side releasing portion (not shown) that is connected to the upper end portion of the guide portion 420 and extends downward to apply an external force. (Device-side release portion) 402 and an arm portion 450 that extends downward from the upper end side portion of the guide portion 420 and elastically deforms. The lever 40 is provided in the holder 20 so that the concave part of the concave shape of the guide part 420 faces the apparatus-side accommodation chamber 220. The holder-side release unit 402 is also simply referred to as “release unit 402”.

  A pair of shaft portions 410 projecting outward from both side surfaces of the guide portion 420 are rotatably held in recesses (not shown) formed in the first side wall 25b. For example, the first side wall 25b is composed of a first member and a second member, and a shaft portion is provided in the storage portion provided in the first member and opened in two directions (for example, the X-axis negative direction and the Y-axis positive direction). 410 is accommodated, and the first and second members 410 are assembled so that one of the openings (for example, the negative direction of the X-axis) of the accommodating portion is closed by the second member. Is held by the side wall 25b. A recess is formed by closing one direction of the opening of the storage portion. The shaft portion 410 forms a rotating shaft 410w around which the lever 40 rotates. That is, the lever 40 has the rotation shaft 410w. The rotating shaft 410w is a direction perpendicular to the direction (X-axis direction) in which the first and second side walls 25b and 25c (FIG. 7) face each other, and is parallel to the bottom surface of the apparatus-side storage chamber 220 (Y It extends in the axial direction and the arrangement direction of the plurality of cartridges 10.

  When the cartridge 10 is mounted on the holder 20, the guide unit 420 guides the cartridge 10 so that the cartridge 10 is correctly mounted at a desired position in the holder 20. That is, during the mounting operation, the user brings the cartridge 10 into the apparatus-side accommodation chamber 220 of the holder 20 by bringing the container-side engagement portion 124 into contact with the bottom surface of the concave guide portion 420.

  The device side engaging portion 440 engages with the cartridge 10 accommodated in the device side accommodation chamber 220. That is, the apparatus side engaging portion 440 regulates the vertical movement (height direction) of the cartridge 10a by engaging with the container side engaging portion 124 of the cartridge 10 in the mounted state.

  At least a part of the device-side release portion 402 is located on the opposite side of the device-side engagement portion 440 with the rotation shaft 410w interposed therebetween. Specifically, when the lever 40 is vertically projected onto a plane (a plane parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis, FIG. 8) along the second side wall surface portion 25c, the device side engagement portion 440, the rotation shaft 410w, the device The upper ends of the side release portions 402 are arranged in this order from the bottom. Note that the positional relationship between the device-side release unit 402, the rotation shaft 410w, and the device-side engagement unit 440 described above is the positional relationship of the lever 40 in the mounted state. In the present embodiment, the upper end portion of the holder release portion 402 and the device side engaging portion 440 are in a positional relationship with the rotation shaft 410w interposed therebetween. The device-side release unit 402 rotates the lever 40 around the rotation shaft 410w when an external force is applied, thereby displacing the device-side engagement unit 440. The device-side engagement portion 440 is displaced about the rotation shaft 410w, whereby the engagement between the device-side engagement portion 440 and the container-side engagement portion 124 is released. In other words, the device-side release unit 402 is used to release the engagement between the device-side engagement unit 440 and the container-side engagement unit 124. The arm 450 abuts on the first side wall 25ba and elastically deforms when the lever 40 rotates about the rotation shaft 410w.

A-4. Desorption operation of the cartridge 10:
The manner in which the cartridge 10 is attached to the holder 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. 10 and 11 are views showing how the cartridge 10 is attached to the holder 20. FIG. 10A is a first diagram showing the state of attachment. FIG. 10B is a second diagram showing the state of attachment. FIG. 11A is a third view showing the state of attachment. FIG. 11B is a fourth diagram showing the state of attachment. 10 and 11 are diagrams corresponding to the F2-F2 cross section of FIG. In addition, in the cross-sectional views of the holder 20 in FIGS. 10 and 11, portions other than the vicinity of the lever 40 are simplified.

  As shown in FIG. 10A, the user stores the cartridge 10 in the apparatus-side storage chamber 220 by inclining the cartridge 10 such that the third surface 100c is below the second surface 100b. Specifically, the user inserts the protrusion 160 of the third surface 100 c into the hole 202 of the holder 20.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 10B, the user pushes the second surface 100b side of the cartridge 10 downward. Specifically, the user pushes the second surface 100b downward in a state where the container side engaging portion 124 is in contact with the bottom surface of the guide portion 420 of the lever 40. As the second surface 100b is pushed downward, the container side engaging part 124 pushes the guide part 420 outward (X-axis positive direction side) of the apparatus side accommodating chamber 220. As a result, the arm portion 450 comes into contact with the first side wall 25b. In this state, when the guide portion 420 is further pushed outward, the arm portion 450 is elastically deformed.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, the user further brings the container-side engagement portion 124 into contact with the bottom surface of the guide portion 420 and pushes the cartridge 10 downward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11B, the container side engaging portion 124 reaches the device side engaging portion 440, and the lever 40 attempts to return to the unloaded state. That is, the device side engaging portion 440 is pushed out toward the cartridge 10 by the arm portion 450, and the device side engaging portion 440 and the container side engaging portion 124 are engaged. In this embodiment, in the mounted state, the arm portion 450 is not elastically deformed, and the lever 40 is in a no-load state. In the mounted state, the power point 190 is located on the upper side in the height direction than the rotation fulcrums 166w and 216w. Further, in the mounted state, the apparatus-side accommodation chamber 220 accommodates the cartridge 10 so that the release portion 402 is located below a part of the second surface 100b (power point portion 190). In the mounted state, the cartridge 10 receives external forces Ft and Fv from the seal member 242 (FIG. 8) and the contact mechanism 280 (FIG. 8) provided on the holder 20, respectively. The direction of the external force Ft is the Z-axis positive direction, and the direction of the external force Fv is a direction including the Z-axis positive direction and the X-axis negative direction.

  In the mounted state, the protrusion 160 and the hole 202 cooperate to restrict the upward movement of the cartridge 10 on the third surface 100c side, and the container side engagement portion 124 and the device side engagement portion 440 In cooperation, the upward movement of the cartridge 10 on the second surface 100b side is regulated. In addition, the first device-side restricting portion 270 and the pair of restricting walls 140 cooperate to restrict the movement of the cartridge 10 in the width direction (Y-axis direction). Thereby, the position shift with respect to the holder 20 of the cartridge 10 can be suppressed. In particular, a pair of regulating walls 140 for regulating the movement of the cartridge 10 in the width direction is provided on the same side as the circuit board 130 with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180. That is, the pair of regulation walls 140 and the circuit board 130 are provided on the second surface 100b. Therefore, the movement in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the circuit board 130 with respect to the contact mechanism 280 in the mounted state is suppressed as compared with the case where the pair of regulation walls 140 are provided on other surfaces such as the first surface 100a. it can. Thereby, contact with each terminal of circuit board 130 and each terminal of contact mechanism 280 (Drawing 8) can be maintained favorably.

  As described above, the lever 40 includes the concave guide portion 420 and the cartridge 10 includes the protruding container side engaging portion 124. Thus, the user can easily mount the cartridge 10 at an accurate position in the holder 20 by pushing the cartridge 10 downward while bringing the container side engaging portion 124 into contact with the concave portion of the guide portion 420. That is, the operability when the cartridge is attached to the holder can be improved. Further, since the lever 40 includes the elastic arm portion 450, the device-side engagement portion 440 can be reliably displaced to the engagement position with the cartridge 10.

  FIG. 12 is a view for explaining a state in which the cartridge 10 is mounted on the holder 20. FIG. 12 illustrates a configuration in the vicinity of the lever 40 of the cartridge 10 and the holder 20. When removing the cartridge 10 from the holder 20, first, the user applies an external force Fs to the release portion 402 to displace the device side engaging portion 440 around the rotation shaft 410 w. Specifically, the device side engaging portion 440 is displaced in the direction Rt away from the container side engaging portion 124. As a result, the engagement between the device side engaging portion 440 and the container side engaging portion 124 is released. Here, the external force Fs is a direction (X-axis direction) in which the first side wall 25b and the second side wall 25c (FIG. 11) face each other, and is a direction from the first side wall 25b toward the second side wall 25c. (X-axis negative direction). Here, the X-axis negative direction is also referred to as “first direction”. The external force Fs may be in a direction including at least the first direction component.

  The manner in which the cartridge 10 is removed from the holder 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. 13 and 14 are views showing how the cartridge 10 is removed from the holder 20. FIG. 13A is a first view showing the state of removal, and shows a state immediately before the engagement between the container side engaging portion 124 and the device side engaging portion 440 is released. FIG. 13B is a second view showing the state of removal, and shows a state immediately after the engagement between the container side engaging portion 124 and the device side engaging portion 440 is released. FIG. 14 is a second view for explaining how the cartridge 10 is removed from the holder 20. 13 and 14 are diagrams corresponding to the F2-F2 cross section of FIG. In the cross-sectional views of the holder 20 in FIGS. 13 and 14, portions other than the vicinity of the lever 40 are simplified.

  As shown in FIG. 13A, when removing the cartridge 10 from the holder 20, the user first applies an external force Fs to the device-side release unit 402. As a result, the arm portion 450 abuts on the first side wall surface portion 25b and elastically deforms, and the device side engaging portion 440 is displaced away from the second side wall surface portion 25c. Then, the engagement between the container side engaging portion 124 and the device side engaging portion 440 is released.

  As shown in FIG. 13B, in the state immediately after the engagement between the container side engaging portion 124 and the device side engaging portion 440 is released, the second surface 100b side is pushed up by the contact mechanism 280 or the like. Here, as shown in FIG. 13B, at least when the engagement is released, the holder 20 (specifically, the device-side storage chamber) is positioned so that the force application portion 190 is located above the device-side release portion 402. 220) contains the cartridge 10. Further, as shown in FIG. 13B, at least in a state immediately after the engagement is released, the power point 190 is close to the device-side release unit 402. For example, the power point portion 190 and the apparatus-side release portion 402 are preferably located within 5 cm and more preferably within 3 cm in the length direction (X-axis direction) of the cartridge 10. That is, immediately after the user applies an external force to the device-side release unit 402 to release the engagement, the device-side release unit 402 and the power-spot portion can be applied to the force-point portion 190 by a series of operations. Preferably it is close to 190.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the user applies an external force Ft to the force point portion 190 in the direction from the first side wall 25b to the second side wall 25c (X-axis negative direction). Accordingly, the cartridge 10 rotates in the predetermined direction Rd including the upward component around the rotation fulcrums 166w and 216w. In the state shown in FIG. 14, the second surface 100 b side is lifted vertically upward with respect to the holder 20 to such an extent that the user can easily grasp and pick up the second surface 100 b side of the cartridge 10. As described above, the cartridge 10 passes through the opening 25d and is taken out from the apparatus-side storage chamber 220.

A-5. effect:
As described above, by applying the external force Ft to the first side wall 25b in the direction from the first side wall 25b to the second side wall 25c, the cartridge 10 is moved in the predetermined direction Rd around the rotation fulcrums 166w and 216w. Can rotate easily. Thereby, the user can easily take out the cartridge 10 from the apparatus-side storage chamber 220.

  Further, the direction of the external force Fs applied to the device side release portion 402 to release the engagement between the container side engagement portion 124 and the device side engagement portion 440 (FIG. 13A) and the holder 20 to the cartridge 10 The first direction (X-axis negative direction) is the same as the direction (FIG. 14) of the external force Ft applied to the force point 190 to extract the power. Therefore, the user can perform an operation of releasing the engagement (release operation) and an operation of rotating the cartridge 10a (extraction operation) by a series of operations. That is, the user can perform the release operation and the take-out operation in a series of operations without switching the operation direction. Therefore, the operability when removing the cartridge 10 from the holder 20 can be improved.

  Further, when the engagement between the device-side engagement portion 440 and the container-side engagement portion 124 is released, the power point portion 190 is located above the device-side release portion 402 (FIG. 13B). . Therefore, the user can easily apply an external force to the force point 190 in the direction including the first direction (X-axis negative direction) after the operation of releasing the engagement.

  Further, in the cartridge 10, the power point portion 190 has a protruding shape (FIG. 14). Therefore, the user can reliably apply the external force Ft by the force point portion 190. In other words, the external force Ft for taking out the cartridge 10 from the holder 20 can be more reliably transmitted to the cartridge 10. Further, in the mounted state, the force point 190 is positioned above the rotation fulcrums 166w and 216w (FIG. 11B). Therefore, the cartridge 10 can be easily rotated by applying an external force to the force application point 190 in the direction from the second surface 100b to the third surface 100c (first direction, negative X-axis direction).

  Further, a lever 40 used for attaching and detaching the cartridge 10 is provided on the holder 20 side (FIG. 14). Thereby, size reduction of the cartridge 10 can be achieved. Further, since it is not necessary to provide a lever that is elastically deformed in the cartridge 10, the possibility of the cartridge 10 being damaged when the cartridge 10 is transported can be reduced.

B. Second embodiment:
FIG. 15 is a view for explaining the holder 20a of the second embodiment. FIG. 14A is an external perspective view of the vicinity of the lever 40a of the holder 20a. FIG. 14B is an external perspective view of the lever 40a. FIG. 14A shows a diagram in which one cartridge 10 is mounted on the holder 20a. The difference from the printing material supply system 1 of the first embodiment is the configuration of the lever 40a and the first side wall 25ba of the lever 40a in the printing material supply system 1a of the second embodiment. Other configurations of the printing material supply system 1a (for example, the cartridge 10) are the same as those in the first embodiment. Therefore, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 15A, the lever 40a is rotatably held on the first side wall 25ba, as in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15B, the lever 40a has a device-side release portion 402a. Unlike the device-side release portion 402 (FIG. 9B) of the first embodiment, the device-side release portion 402a is provided at the upper end side portion of the guide portion 420 without extending downward. Further, unlike the first embodiment, the lever 40a does not have the arm portion 450 that is elastically deformed.

  16 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F15-F15 in FIG. FIG. 16 illustrates a cross section near the lever 40a. As shown in FIG. 16, the first side wall 25ba has a wall surface arm portion 234. The wall surface arm portion 234 is formed to be elastically deformable, and is a member for applying an external force to the lever 40a. The wall surface arm portion 234 has a tip end portion 234a extending inward (X-axis negative direction) of the apparatus-side storage chamber 220. When the cartridge 10 is mounted on the holder 20a, the lever 40a abuts against the tip end portion 234a of the wall surface arm portion 234, so that an external force is applied to the lever 40a. Thereby, the lever 40a to which an external force is applied is easily displaced to the engaging position, and the device side engaging portion 440 of the lever 40a and the container side engaging portion 124 of the cartridge 10 are engaged.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining a state of attachment. Similar to the first embodiment, the user first inserts the protrusion 160 of the third surface 100c into the hole 202 of the holder 20a (FIG. 10A). Then, as shown in FIG. 17, the user pushes the second surface 100b downward with the container-side engagement portion 124 being in contact with the bottom surface of the guide portion 420 of the lever 40a. Then, the lever 40a rotates around the rotation shaft 410w, the back side of the device side engaging portion 440 comes into contact with the tip portion 234a, and the wall surface arm portion 234 is elastically deformed. When the wall surface arm portion 234 is elastically deformed, the tip end portion 234a applies an external force Fv to the device side engaging portion 440 of the lever 40a. The external force Fv is a force that displaces the device side engaging portion 440 toward the cartridge 10 side. When the second surface 100b is pushed downward until the container side engaging portion 124 is below the guide portion 420, the device side engaging portion 440 is pushed out by the distal end portion 234a. As a result, the lever 40a rotates around the rotation shaft 410w, and the device side engaging portion 440 is displaced to the engaging position and engages with the container side engaging portion 124 (FIG. 16).

  In the second embodiment, when the cartridge 10 is removed from the holder 20a, the apparatus-side release unit 402a is moved closer to the cartridge 10 (X-axis negative direction, first direction) as in the first embodiment. Pushing forward, the device side engaging portion 440 is displaced in the direction away from the container side engaging portion 124 (X-axis positive direction) around the rotation shaft 410w. Thereby, the engagement between the container side engaging portion 124 and the device side engaging portion 440 is released. And a user applies external force with respect to the power point part 190 in the direction (X-axis negative direction, 1st direction) which goes to the 2nd side wall (not shown) from 1st side wall 25ba. Thereby, the cartridge 10 rotates in the predetermined direction Rd including the upward component, and is taken out from the apparatus-side storage chamber 220 of the holder 20a.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the external force applied to the device-side release portion 402 to release the engagement between the container-side engagement portion 124 and the device-side engagement portion 440 is reduced. The direction (X-axis negative direction) is the same as the direction of external force (X-axis negative direction) applied to the force application portion 190 to take out the cartridge 10 from the holder 20a. Therefore, the user can perform an operation of releasing the engagement (release operation) and an operation of rotating the cartridge 10a (extraction operation) by a series of operations. That is, the user can perform the release operation and the take-out operation without switching the operation direction. Therefore, the operability when removing the cartridge 10 from the holder 20a can be improved. Further, the second embodiment has the same effects as the first embodiment, such as being able to reduce the size of the cartridge 10.

C. Other examples:
C-1. Other Example A:
The shape of the cartridge 10 is not limited to the first and second embodiments, and various shapes can be adopted. FIG. 18 is a view for explaining a cartridge 10c in another embodiment. FIG. 18A is a side view of the cartridge 10d, and is a view of the cartridge 10d viewed from the fifth surface 100e side. FIG. 18B is a diagram for explaining the surface of the cartridge 10d. As shown in FIG. 18A, the cartridge body 100df of the cartridge 10d has an oval or oval side surface. Further, the printing material storage chamber 180f has an oval or oval side surface. Similarly to the cartridges 10 of the first and second embodiments, the cartridge 10d includes a force point portion 190, a container side engaging portion 124, a protrusion 160, a printing material supply port 110, and a pair of restriction walls 140. Further, the cartridge 10d has a certain width when viewed from the front side. Further, the printing material accommodation chamber 180f also has a certain width. As a result, the cartridge 10d can ensure compatibility with the cartridges 10 of the first and second embodiments, and the cartridge 10d can be attached to and detached from the holders 20 and 20a (FIGS. 7 and 15B). is there.

  A method for defining the surface of the cartridge 10d will be described below. As shown in FIG. 18B, the first surface 100a is a surface on the Z-axis negative direction side with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180f, and forms a bottom surface in the mounted state. The second surface 100b is a surface on the X axis positive direction side with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180f. The second surface 100b is connected to the first surface 100a and is in a standing state. The third surface 100c is a surface on the X axis negative direction side with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180f. The third surface 100c faces the second surface 100b with the printing material accommodation chamber 180f interposed therebetween. The fourth surface 100d is a surface on the Z-axis positive direction side with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180f, and forms an upper surface in the mounted state. The fourth surface 100d faces the first surface 100a with the printing material storage chamber 180f interposed therebetween. The fifth surface 100e is a surface on the Y axis positive direction side with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180f. The sixth surface 100f is a surface on the Y axis negative direction side with respect to the printing material accommodation chamber 180f, and faces the fifth surface 100e with the printing material accommodation chamber 180f interposed therebetween. For easy understanding, the walls forming the first to fourth surfaces 100a to 100d are differently hatched.

  Here, when the shape of the printing material accommodation chamber 180f and the shape of the cartridge 10d are complicated, the wall can be defined by the following method. That is, the virtual casing 180fg accommodated in the printing material accommodation chamber 180f is defined as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped virtual casing 180fg having the largest volume. Each wall can be defined depending on which side it is positioned with respect to the virtual housing 180fg. The outer surface of each wall is the first to sixth surfaces 100a to 100f. In the case where the cartridge includes a plurality of printing material accommodation chambers, a minimum space portion having a minimum volume is defined among the substantially rectangular parallelepiped space portions that accommodate the plurality of printing material accommodation chambers. The virtual casing 180fg may be defined assuming that the minimum space is a single printing material accommodation chamber.

  Further, even when the cartridge has a shape other than a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, as shown by a dotted line in FIG. 18A, the six surfaces of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped, that is, the bottom surface (first surface) 100fa, the front surface (second surface). ) 100 fb, back surface (third surface) 100 fc, top surface (fourth surface) 100 fd, left side surface (fifth surface) 100 fe, and right side surface (sixth surface) 100 ff can be virtually considered. Here, each surface (1st surface-6th surface) 100fa-100ff is equivalent to the outer surface of the 1st surface-6th surface part 100a-100f of FIG. 3, respectively. The six surfaces 100fa to 100ff of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped are surfaces that form a substantially rectangular parallelepiped having a minimum volume among the substantially rectangular parallelepiped that accommodates the cartridge main body 100df. In this specification, “plane” means to include both such a virtual plane (also referred to as a virtual plane or a non-real plane) and a real plane as described in FIG. 3. Can be used. Further, the term “surface” is used to include both a flat surface and a curved surface.

C-2. Other Example B:
FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cartridge 10f in another embodiment. The cartridge 10f is separated into a housing member 150 and an adapter 199. This cartridge 10f is compatible with the cartridge 10 of FIG. The storage member 150 includes a printing material storage chamber 180 that stores ink, a circulation channel 114, and a sponge-like foam 112.

  The adapter 199 is provided with an opening 198 at an upper portion thereof, and a space for receiving the accommodating member 150 is formed therein. Other configurations are substantially the same as those of the cartridge 10 (FIG. 3) of the first embodiment. As described above, the cartridge 10f may be configured by the housing member 150 and the adapter 199.

C-3. Other Example C:
FIG. 20 is an external perspective view of a cartridge 10g according to another embodiment. The difference from the cartridge 10 of the first embodiment (FIG. 3) is the size of the cartridge 10g. The other cartridge configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and thus the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations and the description thereof is omitted. Further, in the printer of Example C, the holder 20 and the member (for example, the lever 40) provided in the holder 20 have the same configuration. However, the size of the apparatus-side storage chamber 220 (FIG. 7) of the holder 20 corresponds to the size of the cartridge 10g.

  The cartridge 10g is larger in size than the cartridge 10 of the first embodiment, and can accommodate a large amount of ink inside. The cartridge 10g can be mounted on a cartridge mounting portion (holder) of a large-sized ink jet printer capable of printing large-sized paper (A2 to A0 size or the like). In Example C, when the cartridge 10g is mounted on the holder, the X-axis direction is the vertical direction. Specifically, the X-axis positive direction is a vertically upward direction, and the X-axis negative direction is a vertically downward direction. The fourth surface 100d is the front of the printer. In Example C, the holder and the head communicate with each other through the tube, and the holder and the cartridge 10g do not move in the main scanning direction or the like.

D. Variation:
As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to such an Example, A various structure can be taken in the range which does not deviate from the meaning. For example, the following modifications are possible.

D-1. First modification:
In the said Example, although the power point part 190 was protrusion shape (FIG. 3), a shape is not limited to this. The force point portion 190 may be positioned above the container side engaging portion 124 (on the fourth surface 100d side), and may be, for example, the second surface 100b itself. Here, it is preferable that the power point portion 190 has a configuration in which an external force is easily applied by the user. For example, a groove portion in which a plurality of lateral grooves are formed on the second connection surface 100b3 may be provided as a force point portion, and friction may be generated more easily than other portions. Note that the force point 190 may be positioned above the rotation fulcrum 166 in order to easily rotate the cartridge around the rotation fulcrum 166w by applying an external force in the first direction (X-axis negative direction). preferable.

D-2. Second modification:
In the above embodiment, the second surface 100b of the cartridge 10 has a shape having the first connection surface 100b1, the inclined surface 100b2, and the second connection surface 100b3 (FIG. 3), but the shape of the cartridge 10 is arbitrary. The shape can be adopted. For example, the second surface 100b may be formed by a single plane. Moreover, each surface 100a-100f may be inclined to arbitrary angles, and the angle which each surface 100a-100f crosses may be made into angles other than 90 degree | times. That is, as long as the printing material storage chamber 180 that can store ink therein can be formed, the ink cartridge can adopt any shape.

D-3. Third modification:
In the above-described embodiment, the protrusion 160 for engaging the holder 20 is provided on the third surface 100c of the cartridge 10 (FIG. 3). However, the present invention is not limited to this. Any structure may be used as long as the movement is restricted by the movement. For example, you may make the outer surface itself of the 3rd surface 100c contact | abut on the 2nd side wall surface part 25c. Further, for example, an elastic member such as rubber may be provided on the third surface 100c, and the movement of the third surface 100c side in the + Z-axis direction side may be restricted by friction between the second side wall surface portion 25c and the elastic member. In this case, the hole 202 (FIG. 7) of the second side wall surface portion 25c can be omitted.

D-4. Fourth modification:
In the above-described embodiments and modifications, the cartridge used in the printer 50 is described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A device equipped with an electrode material (conductive paste) ejecting head used for electrode formation such as a display or a surface emitting display (FED), a device equipped with a bioorganic matter ejecting head used for biochip manufacturing, a sample ejecting head as a precision pipette The present invention can be applied to a liquid container that can supply a liquid to a liquid ejecting apparatus (liquid supply apparatus) such as a printing apparatus or a microdispenser. Further, the present invention is not limited to the ink cartridge, and can be applied to a liquid ejecting apparatus having a holder in which various liquid containers can be detachably attached. When a liquid container is used in the various liquid ejecting apparatuses described above, a liquid (coloring material, conductive paste, bioorganic matter, etc.) corresponding to the type of liquid ejected by the various liquid ejecting apparatuses is placed inside the liquid container. Can be accommodated. The present invention can also be applied to a liquid ejecting system including various liquid ejecting apparatuses including a holder and a liquid storage container corresponding to the various liquid ejecting apparatuses.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 1a ... Printing material supply system 10-10g ... Cartridge 20, 20a ... Holder 25a ... Bottom wall 25b, 25ba ... 1st side wall 25c ... 2nd side wall 25d ... Opening 25e ... 3rd side wall 25f ... 4th Side wall 40, 40a ... Lever 50 ... Printer 60 ... Holder 90 ... Print medium 100 ... Container body 100a ... First surface 100b ... Second surface 100c ... Third surface 100d ... Fourth surface 100e ... Fifth surface 100f ... Sixth surface DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100b1 ... 1st connection surface 100b2 ... Inclined surface 100b3 ... 2nd connection surface 100df ... Cartridge main body 108 ... Substrate installation part 110 ... Printing material supply port 112 ... Form 114 ... Distribution flow path 124 ... Container side engaging part 130 ... Circuit board 140 ... Restriction wall 150 ... Housing member 160 ... Projection 166w ... Container side rotation fulcrum 180 ... Printing material accommodation Chamber 180f ... printing material accommodation chamber 180fg ... virtual housing 190 ... power point portion 198 ... opening 199 ... adapter 200 ... container chamber forming wall 202 ... hole 216t ... extension surface 216u ... facing surface 216w ... device side rotation fulcrum 216sp ... space 220 ... Device-side storage chamber 234 ... Wall surface arm portion 234a ... Tip portion 240 ... Printing material supply pipe 242 ... Seal member 244 ... Filter 270 ... First device-side regulating portion 280 ... Contact mechanism 402, 402a ... Holder side release portion 410 ... shaft part 410w ... rotating shaft 420 ... guide part 440 ... device side engagement part 450 ... arm part 510 ... control part 517 ... flexible cable 520 ... carriage 522 ... carriage motor 524 ... drive belt 532 ... transport motor 534 ... platen 540 ... head

Claims (9)

A printing device,
A holder that is detachable from a cartridge for accommodating a printing material therein, and has a concave device-side accommodation chamber in which the cartridge is accommodated;
A head for supplying the printing material of the cartridge to an object,
The device-side storage chamber has a storage chamber opening for allowing the cartridge to pass through when being attached and detached,
The holder is
A bottom wall facing the storage chamber opening and forming the bottom of the device-side storage chamber;
A first side wall forming a part of a side portion of the device-side storage chamber;
A second side wall facing the first side wall and forming a part of a side portion of the device-side storage chamber;
A lever provided on the first side wall and having a rotation shaft, the device side engaging portion for engaging with the cartridge housed in the device side housing chamber, and a lever for releasing the engagement; A lever having a release part, at least a part of which is located on the opposite side of the device side engagement part across the rotation shaft,
The second sidewall is
An external force is applied to the mounted cartridge in a first direction, which is a direction from the first side wall to the second side wall, so that the cartridge is rotated so as to pass through the storage chamber opening. An apparatus-side rotation fulcrum for taking out the cartridge from the apparatus-side storage chamber,
The lever is
A printing apparatus, wherein an external force is applied to the release portion in the first direction to displace the device-side engagement portion about the rotation shaft to release the engagement. The printing apparatus according to claim 1,
When the direction in which the bottom wall and the storage chamber opening face each other is the vertical direction, the bottom wall side is the lower side with respect to the apparatus-side storage chamber, and the storage chamber opening side is the upper side.
The apparatus-side storage chamber is configured to be configured such that when the engagement is released, a part of the cartridge on the side facing the release portion is positioned above the release portion. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein
The second sidewall is
Facing the device-side accommodation chamber, one end connected to the bottom wall, and
An extending surface facing the device-side storage chamber, extending from the other end of the opposing surface toward the outside of the device-side storage chamber, and
The apparatus-side rotation fulcrum is a printing apparatus defined by a boundary between the facing surface and the extending surface. A holder that is detachable from a cartridge for accommodating a printing material therein, and has a concave device-side accommodation chamber in which the cartridge is accommodated;
A head for supplying the printing material of the cartridge to an object,
The device-side storage chamber has a storage chamber opening for allowing the cartridge to pass through when being attached and detached,
The holder is
A bottom wall facing the storage chamber opening and forming the bottom of the device-side storage chamber;
A first side wall forming a part of a side portion of the device-side storage chamber;
A second side wall facing the first side wall and forming a part of a side portion of the device-side storage chamber;
A lever provided on the first side wall and having a rotation shaft, the device side engaging portion for engaging with the cartridge housed in the device side housing chamber, and a lever for releasing the engagement; A lever having a release part, at least a part of which is located on the opposite side of the device side engagement part across the rotation shaft,
The second sidewall is
An external force is applied to the mounted cartridge in a first direction, which is a direction from the first side wall to the second side wall, so that the cartridge is rotated so as to pass through the storage chamber opening. An apparatus-side rotation fulcrum for taking out the cartridge from the apparatus-side storage chamber,
The lever is
When the external force is applied to the release portion in the first direction, the device-side engagement portion is displaced about the rotation shaft to release the engagement, and is detachable from the holder of the printing apparatus. A cartridge to be mounted,
In a state where the cartridge is mounted on the holder, a direction in which the bottom wall and the storage chamber opening face each other is a vertical direction, and the bottom wall side is a lower side with respect to the apparatus-side storage chamber, and the storage chamber opening When the side is the upper side,
A container body that forms a printing material storage chamber for containing a printing material therein, the first surface, a second surface standing from the first surface, and the printing standing from the first surface A container body having a third surface facing the second surface across the material storage chamber;
A printing material supply port protruding from the first surface to the outside of the container body, the printing material supply port communicating with the printing material storage chamber and flowing the printing material to the printing device,
The second surface is
A container side engaging portion that engages with the device side engaging portion;
A force point portion that is located above the container side engaging portion and for applying an external force in the first direction to take out the cartridge from the apparatus side storage chamber, and the engagement is released And at least a part of the force point located on the upper side of the release part,
The third surface is
A container-side rotation fulcrum that contacts the apparatus-side rotation fulcrum of the holder, and the cartridge is rotated so that an external force is applied to the force point portion in the first direction to pass through the opening of the storage chamber. A cartridge having a container side rotation fulcrum. The cartridge according to claim 4, wherein
The force point portion is a cartridge located above the container side rotation fulcrum. The cartridge according to claim 4 or 5, wherein
The cartridge has a shape in which the power point portion protrudes outward from the second surface. A printing material supply system comprising a printing device and a cartridge for accommodating a printing material therein,
The printing apparatus includes:
A holder to which the cartridge can be attached and detached, and a holder having a concave device-side accommodation chamber in which the cartridge is accommodated;
A head for supplying the printing material of the cartridge to an object,
The device-side storage chamber has a storage chamber opening for allowing the cartridge to pass through when being attached and detached,
The holder is
A bottom wall facing the storage chamber opening and forming the bottom of the device-side storage chamber;
A first side wall forming a part of a side portion of the device-side storage chamber;
A second side wall facing the first side wall and forming a part of a side portion of the device-side storage chamber;
A lever provided on the first side wall and having a rotation shaft, the device side engaging portion for engaging with the cartridge housed in the device side housing chamber, and a lever for releasing the engagement; A release portion, and a lever having a release portion located on the opposite side of the device side engagement across the rotation shaft,
The second sidewall is
An external force is applied to the mounted cartridge in a first direction, which is a direction from the first side wall to the second side wall, so that the cartridge is rotated so as to pass through the storage chamber opening. An apparatus-side rotation fulcrum for taking out the cartridge from the apparatus-side storage chamber,
The lever is
When the external force is applied to the release portion in the first direction, the device-side engagement portion is displaced about the rotation shaft to release the engagement.
The cartridge is
In a state where the cartridge is mounted on the holder, a direction in which the bottom wall and the storage chamber opening face each other is a vertical direction, and the bottom wall side is a lower side with respect to the apparatus-side storage chamber, and the storage chamber opening When the side is the upper side,
A container body that forms a printing material storage chamber for containing a printing material therein, the first surface, a second surface standing from the first surface, and the printing standing from the first surface A container body having a third surface facing the second surface across the material storage chamber;
A printing material supply port protruding from the first surface to the outside of the container body, the printing material supply port communicating with the printing material storage chamber and flowing the printing material to the printing device,
The second surface is
A container side engaging portion that engages with the device side engaging portion;
A force point portion that is located above the container side engaging portion and for applying an external force in the first direction to take out the cartridge from the apparatus side storage chamber, and the engagement is released And at least a part of the force point located on the upper side of the release part,
The third surface is
A container-side rotation fulcrum that contacts the apparatus-side rotation fulcrum of the holder, and the cartridge is rotated so that an external force is applied to the force point portion in the first direction to pass through the opening of the storage chamber. A printing material supply system having a container side rotation fulcrum. The printing material supply system according to claim 7,
The said power point part is a printing material supply system located above the said container side rotation fulcrum. The printing material supply system according to claim 7 or 8,
The printing material supply system, wherein the power point portion has a shape protruding outward from the second surface.

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