JP6187365B2 - Printing fluid cartridge and printing fluid supply apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing fluid cartridge mounted on a cartridge mounting unit, and a printing fluid supply apparatus including the printing fluid cartridge.

  Conventionally, an image recording apparatus that records an image on recording paper using ink is known. This image recording apparatus includes an ink jet recording head, and selectively ejects ink droplets from a nozzle of the recording head toward a recording sheet. The ink droplets land on the recording paper, whereby a desired image is recorded on the recording paper. This image recording apparatus is provided with an ink cartridge for storing ink to be supplied to the recording head. The ink cartridge is detachable from a mounting portion provided in the image recording apparatus.

  An ink cartridge may be provided with a circuit board on which an IC chip that records the color, material, remaining amount, maintenance state, and the like of ink is mounted. The contact terminal of the circuit board is electrically connected to the connection terminal provided in the mounting portion in a state where the ink cartridge is mounted in the mounting portion, so that the data stored in the IC chip can be read (patent) Reference 1). Also, a configuration is known in which an amorphous magnetic body is attached to a cartridge and the authenticity of the cartridge is determined by detecting an alternating magnetic field that has passed through the amorphous magnetic body (Patent Document 2).

JP 2007-237657 A JP 2003-80811 A

  As described above, it is known to determine the type of an ink cartridge or the like based on an electric signal or a magnetic signal. However, it is difficult for a user to sense an electric signal or a magnetic signal with the five senses. It is not always easy to use as a technique.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide means capable of optically determining the type or the like of a printing fluid cartridge.

  (1) A printing fluid cartridge according to the present invention is provided in a main body having a storage chamber in which printing fluid is stored, a printing fluid supply unit capable of flowing printing fluid from the storage chamber to the outside, and the main body. And a translucent portion having an electrochromic element that changes from a first state that is a specific color to a second state that is more translucent than the first state, depending on whether or not voltage is applied.

  The type of the printing fluid cartridge can be determined based on the change in the state of the light transmitting portion.

  (2) Preferably, the translucent part constitutes at least a part of a wall that partitions the storage chamber.

  When the translucent part is in the second state, the state of the storage chamber can be grasped by visually recognizing the storage chamber.

  (3) Preferably, the electrochromic element is in the first state when a voltage is not applied from the outside, and is in the second state when a voltage is applied from the outside.

  (4) Preferably, the storage chamber is provided so that the printing fluid can circulate, and further includes a remaining amount detection unit capable of detecting the remaining amount of the printing fluid in the storage chamber, and the remaining amount detection unit The translucent part is provided on the wall that divides.

  When the remaining amount determination is necessary, the translucent part is set to the second state, and when the remaining amount determination is not required, the translucent part is set to the first state, so that the printing fluid in the storage chamber may be deteriorated by external light. Can be suppressed.

  (5) Preferably, the printing fluid cartridge further includes an IC chip that is provided in the main body and stores information related to the printing fluid cartridge.

  Information other than that which can be determined by the translucent part is stored in the IC chip.

  (6) Preferably, the IC chip has a memory element and a terminal for accessing the memory element from the outside, and the electrochromic element is electrically connected to the terminal. .

  Thereby, it is not necessary to separately provide a power source for applying a voltage to the electrochromic element.

  (7) Preferably, the main body has a light guide path through which light from the outside can pass, and the light transmitting part is provided in at least a part of the light guide path.

  When the light transmitting part is in the first state, the light transmitted through the light guide is blocked or attenuated by the light transmitting part. When the light transmitting portion is in the second state, light that passes through the light guide path passes through the light transmitting portion. The type of the printing fluid cartridge can be determined based on the state change of the light guide path.

  (8) The present invention relates to a printing fluid supply apparatus including the printing fluid cartridge, and a cartridge mounting portion to which the printing fluid cartridge is mounted and receives supply of the printing fluid from the storage chamber through the printing fluid supply portion. . The cartridge mounting portion includes a contact for applying a voltage to the light transmitting portion, an optical sensor for optically detecting the light transmitting portion, and a state of the light transmitting portion based on a detection signal of the optical sensor. A determination unit configured to determine; and an output unit configured to output information on the print fluid cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting unit based on the determination result of the determination unit.

  The cartridge mounting unit can determine the state of the translucent unit based on the detection signal of the optical sensor for the mounted printing fluid cartridge, and output information regarding the printing fluid cartridge.

  (9) Preferably, the translucent portion changes from the first state to the second state when a voltage is applied through the contact in a state where the printing fluid cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. Is.

  (10) Preferably, the printing fluid supply device further includes a power source for applying a voltage to the contact.

  According to the present invention, the type of printing fluid cartridge can be optically determined using an electrochromic element.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an internal structure of a printer 10 including a cartridge mounting unit 110 according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the cartridge mounting part 110. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the arithmetic device 130. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a process in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 is inserted to the overinsertion position. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 has been moved to the mounting position. FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 according to a modification. FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 according to a modification.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example in which the present invention is embodied, and it is needless to say that the embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[Overview of Printer 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 records an image by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet based on an ink jet recording method. The printer 10 includes an ink supply device 100 (an example of a printing fluid supply device). The ink supply device 100 is provided with a cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 can be mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. An opening 112 is provided on one surface of the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into or removed from the cartridge mounting part 110 through the opening 112.

  The ink cartridge 30 stores ink (an example of a printing fluid) that can be used by the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected by the ink tube 20 in a state where the cartridge is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110. The recording head 21 is provided with a sub tank 28. The sub tank 28 temporarily stores the ink supplied through the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 selectively ejects the ink supplied from the sub tank 28 from the nozzles 29 by the ink jet recording method.

  The recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 to the transport path 24 by the paper feed roller 23 is transported onto the platen 26 by the transport roller pair 25. The recording head 21 selectively ejects ink onto a recording sheet that passes over the platen 26. Thereby, an image is recorded on the recording paper. The recording sheet that has passed through the platen 26 is discharged by a discharge roller pair 22 to a discharge tray 16 provided on the most downstream side of the transport path 24.

[Ink supply apparatus 100]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink supply device 100 is provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 supplies ink to the recording head 21 provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge mounting unit 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. FIG. 1 shows a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[Ink cartridge 30]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink cartridge 30 is a container for storing ink. A space formed inside the ink cartridge 30 is an ink chamber 36 for storing ink. The ink chamber 36 is formed by the casing of the main body 31 of the ink cartridge 30. For example, the ink chamber 36 is formed by an internal frame that is a member different from the casing of the main body 31 forming the appearance of the ink cartridge 30. May be. The ink cartridge 30 is an example of a printing fluid cartridge, and the ink chamber 36 is an example of a storage chamber. The ink cartridge 30 includes an IC substrate 85, an electrochromic element 43, and a cable 89 that electrically connects the IC substrate 85 and the electrochromic element 43 on the surface thereof.

  2 and 3, the ink cartridge 30 is indicated by an arrow 50 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with the lower surface in the drawing as the bottom surface and the upper surface in the drawing as the top surface. (See FIG. 3, hereinafter referred to as “insertion and removal direction 50”). The insertion and removal direction 50 is along the horizontal direction. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 while standing. This standing state corresponds to the mounting posture. The direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110 is the insertion direction 56, and the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is removed is the ejection direction 55. Further, the vertical direction 52 in the standing state corresponds to the direction of gravity.

  In other words, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 along the insertion / removal direction 50 and is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 along the insertion / removal direction 50. In the present embodiment, the insertion and removal direction 50 is along the horizontal direction, but the insertion and removal direction 50 may be a gravity direction or a direction that intersects the horizontal direction and the gravity direction. If the insertion and removal direction 50 is, for example, the direction of gravity, the front surface of the insertion direction 56 of the ink cartridge 30 is directed downward.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the ink cartridge 30 includes a main body 31 having a three-dimensional shape formed of a plane or a curved surface, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body 31 is thin in the left-right direction 51 as a whole, and has a flat shape in which the dimensions in the up-down direction 52 and the front-rear direction 53 are larger than the dimensions in the left-right direction 51.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wall of the main body 31 that is the front side of the insertion direction 56 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is the front wall 40, and the rear side of the insertion direction 56 is The wall of the main body 31 is the rear wall 41. The front-rear direction 53 in the present embodiment corresponds to a direction in which the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 face each other with the ink chamber 36 therebetween. Further, the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 oppose each other in the insertion and extraction direction 50. The front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 are connected to a pair of left and right side walls 37, 38 extending in the insertion and removal direction 50. The upper wall 39 connects the side walls 37, 38 to the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41, and extends along the insertion / removal direction 50 from the upper end of the front wall 40 to the upper end of the rear wall 41. . Further, the lower wall 42 extends along the insertion / removal direction 50 from the lower end of the front wall 40 to the lower end of the rear wall 41.

  The insertion and removal direction 50 is parallel to the front-rear direction 53. The outer surfaces of the side walls 37 and 38 are examples of side surfaces of the ink cartridge 30. The outer surface of the front wall 40 is an example of the front surface of the ink cartridge 30 and is a front surface in the front-rear direction 53. The outer surface of the rear wall 41 is an example of the rear surface of the ink cartridge 30. The outer surface of the upper wall 39 is an example of the upper surface of the ink cartridge 30. The outer surface of the lower wall 42 is an example of the lower surface of the ink cartridge 30. The rear wall 41 is a wall that can be seen when the main body 31 of the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the insertion direction 56.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a remaining amount detector 33 is provided near the center of the front wall 40 of the main body 31 in the vertical direction 52. The remaining amount detection unit 33 has a box shape in which one side is opened so as to communicate with the ink chamber 36.

  Of the walls constituting the remaining amount detection unit 33, the wall facing the left-right direction 51 has translucency. Electrochromic elements (hereinafter also referred to as “EC elements”, which are an example of light-transmitting portions) 43 are attached to the outer surfaces of the pair of walls facing the left-right direction 51. An EC element is made of an electrochromic material. For example, an electrochromic organic compound whose transmittance is reversibly changed by applying an electrolyte and electric charge disposed between a pair of transparent electrodes, and the like. Consists of. Examples of the electrochromic organic compound include polyaniline.

  The EC element 43 has a specific color (for example, black) that blocks or attenuates light when no voltage is applied (first state), and is in the first state when a predetermined voltage is applied (second state). It changes (discolors) to a state that transmits light rather than the specific color. That is, the transmittance is changed (increased) by applying a predetermined voltage. Therefore, the EC element 43 in a state where no voltage is applied is emitted from the optical sensor 114 (see FIG. 4) and travels in a direction perpendicular to the insertion and extraction direction 50 (in this embodiment, the left-right direction 51). Blocks or attenuates light, for example infrared light. On the other hand, the EC element 43 to which a predetermined voltage is applied transmits light emitted from the optical sensor 114 and traveling in the left-right direction 51. The light may be infrared light or visible light.

  Note that the EC element 43 does not necessarily have to be attached to the entire wall of the wall of the remaining amount detection unit 33 facing the left-right direction 51. For example, the EC element 43 may be attached only to a portion through which the light emitted from the optical sensor 114 passes.

  The cable 89 is provided from the IC substrate 85 to the EC element 43 across the upper wall 39 and the front wall 40 of the main body 31. One end of the cable 89 is connected to the electrodes 86 and 87 on the IC substrate 85.

  The inside of the remaining amount detection unit 33 is hollow so that ink can be stored. In the hollow space of the remaining amount detection unit 33, the detected element 60 is arranged so as to be movable in the vertical direction 52. The detected element 60 has a specific gravity smaller than that of the ink stored in the ink chamber 36. When the ink chamber 36 is filled with ink, the remaining amount detection unit 33 is also filled with ink, and the detected element 60 moves above the remaining amount detection unit 33 by buoyancy. When the ink in the ink chamber 36 becomes less than a predetermined amount, the ink in the remaining amount detection unit 33 runs out, and the detected element 60 moves below the remaining amount detection unit 33 due to gravity. Although not shown in each figure, the remaining amount detection unit 33 and the ink chamber 36 may be partitioned by a partition wall having holes through which ink can flow.

  When the detected element 60 is positioned above the remaining amount detection unit 33, the detected element 60 is positioned at the position of the infrared light emitted from the optical sensor 114 and transmitted through the EC element 43 (the lower side of the remaining amount detection unit 33. ). On the other hand, when the detection target 60 is positioned below the remaining amount detection unit 33, the detection target 60 is positioned at the position of infrared light emitted from the optical sensor 114 and transmitted through the EC element 43 (of the remaining amount detection unit 33. Located on the lower side) to block or attenuate the infrared light. The optical sensor 114 detects such a change in the light transmission state of the remaining amount detection unit 33, and the arithmetic device 130 determines that the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 36 has become less than a predetermined amount.

  An ink supply unit 34 is provided below the remaining amount detection unit 33 on the front wall 40 side of the main body 31. The ink supply unit 34 has a cylindrical outer shape, and protrudes outward (that is, the insertion direction 56) along the insertion and extraction direction 50 from the front wall 40. An ink supply port 71 is formed at the protruding end of the ink supply unit 34.

  In the internal space of the ink supply unit 34, an ink flow path 72 that extends in the insertion and extraction direction 50 and connects the ink supply port 71 and the ink chamber 36 is formed. One end of the ink flow path 72 is opened to the outside of the main body 31 at the ink supply port 71, and extends from the ink supply port 71 to the inside of the main body 31 in the extraction direction 55 in the insertion and extraction direction 50. The ink supply port 71 is configured to be opened and closed by an ink supply valve 70 biased to the ink supply port 71 by a coil spring 73. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink needle 117 (see FIG. 4) provided on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is inserted into the ink supply port 71, and ink is supplied against the urging force of the coil spring 73. The valve 70 is separated from the ink supply port 71. Accordingly, the ink in the ink chamber 36 flows out to the ink needle 117 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the ink flow path 72.

  The ink supply port 71 is not necessarily limited to a configuration that can be opened and closed by the ink supply valve 70. For example, the ink supply port 71 is closed with a film or the like, and the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. The ink supply port 71 may be opened when the ink needle 117 breaks through the film. Although not shown in the present embodiment, the main body 31 may be provided with an air communication port for setting the atmospheric pressure of the ink chamber 36 in a state maintained at a negative pressure to the external atmospheric pressure.

  A locking portion 45 is formed from the vicinity of the center of the upper wall 39 of the main body 31 in the front-rear direction 53 to the rear wall 41. The locking portion 45 has a groove extending in the front-rear direction 53 in the upper wall 39. The locking portion 45 has a locking surface 46 that extends in the left-right direction 51 and the vertical direction 52 of the ink cartridge 30 at the end of the groove insertion direction 56. An engaging member 145 (see FIG. 4) described later is engaged with the locking surface 46 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. The locking surface 46 receives an external force opposite to the urging force that pushes the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 55, that is, a force from the engagement member 145 in this embodiment. The end of the groove extraction direction 55 opens to the outside of the main body 31.

  A rotation member 80 is provided on the locking portion 45 of the main body 31. The rotating member 80 has, for example, a bent flat plate shape, and is arranged such that its longitudinal direction is along the front-rear direction 53. The rotating member 80 has a shaft 83 at the bent position. The rotating member 80 can rotate around the shaft 83. The distal end portion 81 of the rotating member 80 extends from the shaft 83 to the locking surface 46 side. The rear end portion 82 of the rotating member 80 extends from the shaft 83 to the rear wall 41 side.

  When the rotation member 80 is rotated until the distal end portion 81 is positioned on the uppermost side, the distal end portion 81 projects outward from the upper wall 39 of the main body 31. When the distal end portion 81 of the rotating member 80 is pushed downward, the rotating member 80 rotates clockwise in FIG. In a state in which the rotating member 80 is rotated most clockwise, the distal end portion 81 is located near the lower end of the locking surface 46. The rotating member 80 may be integrated with the main body 31. Further, the rotating member 80 may be urged clockwise by a coil spring, or may be rotated to one side by its own weight.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, an IC substrate 85 (IC chip) is provided on the front wall 40 side of the locking portion 45 in the upper wall 39 of the main body 31. Electrodes 86, 87, 88 are formed on the upper surface of the IC substrate 85. Each of the electrodes 86, 87, 88 extends in the front-rear direction 53 on the upper surface of the IC substrate 85 and is spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction 51. The electrodes 86, 87, 88 are, for example, a HOT electrode, a GND electrode, and a signal electrode. The IC substrate 85 is provided with an IC (not shown) electrically connected to the electrodes 86, 87 and 88. The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit, and stores information about the ink cartridge 30 such as data indicating information such as a lot number, date of manufacture, and ink color in a readable manner. Of the electrodes 86, 87, 88 of the IC substrate 85, the electrodes 86, 87 that are supplied with external power are electrically connected to the EC element 43 so that a voltage can be applied. If the IC substrate 85 itself has a power source, the power source may be connected to the EC element 43 so that a voltage can be applied.

[Cartridge mounting part 110]
As shown in FIG. 4, the case 101 constituting the housing of the cartridge mounting unit 110 has an opening 112 on the front side of the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the case 101 through the opening 112. The case 101 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, but FIG. 4 shows the space of the case 101 that can accommodate one ink cartridge 30. ing.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the case 101 has an opening 112 and an end surface 102 that faces the opening 112 in the insertion and removal direction 50. A connection portion 103 is provided below the end surface 102. The connection unit 103 is disposed on the end surface 102 at a position corresponding to the ink supply unit 34 of each ink cartridge 30 attached to the case 101.

  The connection unit 103 includes an ink needle 117 and a holding groove 116. The ink needle 117 is made of a tubular resin needle. The ink needle 117 is connected to the ink tube 20 on the outer surface side that is opposite to the end surface 102 of the case 101. Each ink tube 20 connected from the respective ink needles 117 on the outer surface side that forms the front and back surfaces of the case 101 is pulled upward along the outer surface of the case 101, and then ink is supplied to the recording head 21 of the printer 10. The distribution is extended. In FIG. 4, the ink tube 20 is omitted.

  The holding groove 116 is a cylindrical groove formed in the end surface 102. An ink needle 117 is disposed in the center of the holding groove 116. As shown in FIG. 8, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, the ink supply unit 34 is inserted into the holding groove 116. At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical ink supply unit 34 comes into contact with the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the end surface 102 constituting the holding groove 116. When the ink supply unit 34 is inserted into the holding groove 116, the ink needle 117 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 34. As a result, the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 can flow out. The ink that has flowed out of the ink chamber 36 is supplied to the recording head 21 through the ink needle 117 and the ink tube 20.

  As shown in FIG. 4, an optical sensor 114 is provided on the end surface 102 of the case 101 above the connection portion 103. The optical sensor 114 includes a light emitting element provided at one end of a horseshoe-shaped housing and a light receiving element provided at the other end. The light emitting element is, for example, an LED or the like, and irradiates light in a horizontal direction (left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion and extraction direction 50. The light receiving element is, for example, a phototransistor or the like, and receives light emitted from the light emitting element. The remaining amount detection unit 33 of the ink cartridge 30 can enter the space between the light emitting element and the light receiving element. When the remaining amount detection unit 33 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 114, the optical sensor 114 can detect a change in the amount of transmitted light by the remaining amount detection unit 33. As shown in FIG. 5, the detection signal of the optical sensor 114 is output to the arithmetic device 130.

  As shown in FIG. 4, on the top surface 104, three contacts 124 are provided side by side in the left-right direction 51 at positions facing the electrodes 86, 87, 88 provided on the upper surface of the IC substrate 85. As shown in FIG. 5, the IC substrate 85 is electrically connected to the arithmetic device 130 (determination unit, output unit) via each contact 124. The arithmetic device 130 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The arithmetic device 130 may be arranged as a control board inside the apparatus housing as a control unit of the printer 10, or separately from the control unit of the printer 10. The control board may be provided in the case 101 or the like. When one contact 124 and the HOT electrode 86 are electrically connected, a voltage supplied from the power supply 131 is applied to the HOT electrode 86. When the one contact 124 and the GND electrode 87 are electrically connected, the GND electrode 87 is grounded. Electric power is supplied to the IC on the IC substrate 85 by the conduction between the contact 124 and the HOT electrode 85 and the GND electrode 86. When the contact 124 and the signal electrode 87 are electrically connected, data stored in the IC can be accessed. The output from the IC substrate 85 is input to the arithmetic device 130.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the engaging member 145 is provided in the case 101. The engaging member 145 is for holding the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 in a mounted state. For example, the engaging member 145 is formed to be swingable about a support shaft 147 provided on the opening 112 side of the case 101. Thus, the engaging member 145 is configured to be rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise about the support shaft 147. An engagement end 146 is disposed at the end of the engagement member 145 opposite to the support shaft 147. The engagement end 146 can be engaged with the locking surface 46 of the ink cartridge 30. The engagement end 146 engages with the locking surface 46 to hold the ink cartridge 30 in the mounting position of the case 101 against the force that moves the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 55.

  The position of the engagement member 145 (see FIG. 8) at which the engagement end 146 and the engagement surface 46 can be engaged is referred to as the lock position, and the engagement end 146 and the engagement portion 45 are not engaged. The position of the engaging member 145 (see FIG. 6) is referred to as the unlock position. The engagement member 145 rotates downward in the direction of gravity due to its own weight. When the distal end portion 81 of the rotating member 80 moves upward, the engaging member 145 rotates upward about the support shaft 147 and moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

[Installation operation of ink cartridge 30]
The operation of mounting the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting unit 110 will be described below with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the insertion direction 56 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the engagement member 145 is rotated upward by the upper wall 39 of the main body 31, and the engagement member 145 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted to a position where the ink supply unit 34 contacts the holding groove 116, the ink needle 117 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 34. The ink supply valve 70 pushed by the ink needle 117 is separated from the ink supply port 71 against the biasing force of the coil spring 73. Further, the IC board 85 moves the contact 124 upward in the insertion direction 56. As a result, the electrodes 86, 87, 88 and the respective contacts 124 are brought into contact with each other, and the IC of the IC board 85 and the arithmetic device 130 on the printer 10 side are electrically connected. In addition, a voltage can be applied from the power supply 131 to the EC element 43 via the IC substrate 85.

  The engaging member 145 that has reached the locking portion 45 of the main body 31 is not supported by the upper wall 39 of the main body 31 and rotates downward to reach the lock position. Then, the engagement end portion 146 and the locking surface 46 face each other in the front-rear direction 53. The ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 7 is in an overinserted state (overshoot) in which the tip of the ink supply unit 34 abuts against the end surface of the holding groove 116, and the engagement end 146 and the locking surface 46 are in contact with each other. It is in a state of being separated in the front-rear direction 53.

  When the force for pushing the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 56 disappears from the state shown in FIG. Retreat to. Thus, the engaging member 145 holds the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 against the force of pushing the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 55. 8 is located below the engaging member 145. The tip 81 of the rotating member 80 in FIG. Further, the rear end portion 82 of the rotating member 80 is spaced apart from the bottom surface of the groove of the locking portion 45 and is positioned above the upper wall 39 of the main body 31. Thus, the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110 is completed. Hereinafter, the position of the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 8 is referred to as a mounting position.

  The tip of the ink supply unit 34 at the mounting position is slightly separated from the end surface of the holding groove 116. In the mounting position, the ink needle 117 is in a state where the ink supply valve 70 is separated from the ink supply port 71. Therefore, the ink can flow out from the ink chamber 36 through an ink introduction port (not shown) provided at the tip of the ink needle 117. The remaining amount detection unit 33 at the mounting position is located at the detection position of the optical sensor 114.

  The arithmetic device 130 determines whether the ink cartridge 30 has reached the mounting position. Specifically, it is determined that the ink substrate 30 has reached the mounting position by detecting that the IC substrate 85 and the contact point 125 are electrically connected, or an optical sensor (not shown) is used for the ink cartridge 30. It is determined that the ink cartridge 30 has reached the mounting position by detecting a part of the ink cartridge 30.

  When determining that the ink cartridge 30 has reached the mounting position, the arithmetic device 130 applies a predetermined voltage from the power source 130 to the EC element 43 through the IC substrate 85. Then, light is emitted from the optical sensor 114 toward the EC element 43. Before the voltage is applied to the EC element 43, the EC element 43 does not transmit light, so the optical sensor 114 receives the amount of light attenuated or shielded by the EC element 43 at the light receiving unit, and is at a low level. Output a signal. EC element 43 will be in the state (2nd state) which permeate | transmits the light radiate | emitted from the optical sensor 114 after the predetermined time after a predetermined voltage is applied. The voltage is applied to the EC element 43 until the ink cartridge 30 is taken out from the cartridge mounting unit 110, that is, until the electrical connection between the IC substrate 85 and the contact 125 is released. Accordingly, the EC element 43 is maintained in the second state while the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounting position.

  When the ink chamber 36 is filled with ink, the detected element 60 is positioned above the remaining amount detection unit 33. Therefore, the light of the optical sensor 114 is not attenuated or shielded by the detection target 60 and passes below the remaining amount detection unit 33. The optical sensor 114 receives the amount of light transmitted through the remaining amount detection unit 33 and outputs a high level signal. The arithmetic unit 130 is conditioned on receiving the high level signal from the optical sensor 114 after a predetermined time has elapsed after the predetermined voltage is applied, and that the ink cartridge 30 of an appropriate type is mounted and the ink cartridge 30. It is determined that the ink is filled, and a signal indicating these is output to display them on a display or the like. The optical sensor 114 outputs a low level signal when the amount of light transmitted through the remaining amount detection unit 33 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of voltage application is smaller than the threshold value or when no light is received. The arithmetic unit 130 determines that the proper ink cartridge 30 has not been mounted on the condition that a low-level signal has been received from the optical sensor 114, and outputs a signal for displaying that fact on a display or the like.

  When the ink in the ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 is consumed, the detection target 60 is positioned below the remaining amount detection unit 33. Therefore, the optical sensor 114 receives the light amount of the light emitted to the remaining amount detection unit 33 attenuated or shielded by the detected element 60 and outputs a low level signal. The arithmetic unit 130 determines that the amount of ink in the ink chamber 36 has become less than a certain amount on condition that a low level signal is received from the optical sensor 114, and displays the ink on the display of the printer 10 or the like. A signal indicating that the remaining amount is less than a certain level is output.

  When the ink in the ink chamber 36 is consumed, the used ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, and a new ink cartridge 30 is mounted. When the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting unit 110, the application of voltage to the electrochromic element 43 is stopped as the IC substrate 85 is separated from the contact point 125. As a result, the EC element 43 changes from the second state to the first state. Therefore, even if the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 before the ink in the ink chamber 36 is consumed, and the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 again, the IC substrate 85 remains at the contact point 125. When a voltage is applied to the EC element 43 by being connected to the EC element 43, the EC element 43 changes from the first state to the second state again. Accordingly, the arithmetic device 130 can determine whether or not the type of the ink cartridge 30 that has been mounted again is appropriate in the same manner as described above.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rear end portion 82 of the rotating member 80 is pushed downward by the user. As a result, the distal end portion 81 of the rotating member 80 moves upward and is separated from the bottom surface of the locking portion 45. As the tip 81 moves, the engaging member 145 is turned upward from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the ink cartridge 30 is not held by the engaging member 145.

  When the engagement member 145 is moved to the unlock position, the ink cartridge 30 is moved in the take-out direction 55 by a force pushing the ink cartridge 30 in the take-out direction 55. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 moves in the take-out direction 55, the ink needle 117 comes out of the ink supply unit 34. As a result, the ink supply valve 70 is pushed by the restoring force of the coil spring 73 to close the ink supply port 71.

  Further, when the ink cartridge 30 moves in the take-out direction 55, the IC substrate 85 moves in the take-out direction 55 together with the main body 31, and the electrodes 86, 87, 88 and the respective contacts 124 are separated from each other. The electrical connection between the IC and the arithmetic device 130 on the printer 10 side is released.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, it is possible to optically determine whether or not the type of the ink cartridge 30 is appropriate based on the change in the light transmission state of the EC element 43 that is an electrochromic element.

  In addition, since the EC element 43 partitions the remaining amount detection unit 33, when the remaining amount determination is necessary, a voltage is applied to the EC element 43 so that the EC element 43 enters a translucent state (second state). When unnecessary, for example, during storage or transportation when the ink cartridge 30 is not yet mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110, the EC element 43 is in a light-shielding state (first state) without voltage being applied. Thereby, when the remaining amount determination is unnecessary, the outside light does not enter the inside of the remaining amount detector 33 and the ink chamber 36 through the EC element 43 from the left and right direction 51, and the incidence of the outside light into the ink chamber 36 is reduced. Ink deterioration due to external light can be suppressed.

  Further, since the ink cartridge 30 has the IC substrate 85, information other than the type that can be determined by the EC element 43 is stored in the IC substrate 85.

  Further, since the IC substrate 85 and the EC element 43 are connected by the cable 89, it is not necessary to separately provide a power source for applying a voltage to the EC element 43 in the ink cartridge 30.

[Modification]
In the above embodiment, the EC element 43 is provided in the remaining amount detection unit 33, but the wall itself constituting the remaining amount detection unit 33 may be the EC element 43. By making the wall itself of the remaining amount detection unit 33 into the EC element 43, the outside light is blocked from entering the remaining amount detection unit 33 when the EC element 43 is in the first state when no voltage is applied. Further, the EC element 43 may be provided on only one of the pair of walls facing the left-right direction 51 of the remaining amount detection unit 33, and the other may be a transmissive material. Even in such an embodiment, it is possible to determine whether the ink cartridge 30 is appropriate according to the state of the EC element 43. In addition, the incidence of external light can be suppressed as compared with a configuration in which the EC element 43 is not provided at all in the remaining amount detection unit 33.

  Furthermore, a wall other than the wall that partitions the remaining amount detection unit 33, for example, the rear wall 41 of the main body 31 or a part of the rear wall 41 may be configured by an EC element. Thus, when a predetermined voltage is applied to the rear wall 41, the rear wall 41 or a part of the rear wall 41 becomes translucent, so that the ink remaining in the ink chamber 36 passes through the rear wall 41 or a part of the rear wall 41. The amount can be confirmed visually.

  Further, an electrochromic element may be employed that has translucency in a state where no voltage is applied and whose translucency decreases (becomes light-shielded) when a voltage is applied. Further, the change in the light-transmitting state of the electrochromic element does not have to be a state where light can be completely transmitted and a state where light is completely blocked. That is, the translucency should just change between the 1st state and the 2nd state.

  In the above embodiment, the EC element 43 is configured to be applied with a voltage through the IC substrate 85. However, separately from the IC substrate 85, a terminal for supplying power is provided on the surface of the ink cartridge 30. The terminal and the EC element 43 may be electrically connected by a cable so that a voltage can be applied to the EC element 43.

  Further, the information regarding the ink cartridge 30 determined by the state of the EC element 43 is not limited to information regarding whether or not the color of the ink cartridge 30 is appropriate. For example, the initial filling amount of ink filled in the ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 may be determined according to the state of the EC element 43.

  In the present embodiment, whether the ink cartridge 30 is appropriate is determined based on the translucency of the EC element 43 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of voltage application. For example, before the voltage is applied, On the condition that the optical sensor 114 detects an opaque state with respect to the EC element 43, and then applies a voltage to detect the transparent state of the EC element 43 after a predetermined time with the optical sensor 114. It may be determined whether the cartridge 30 is appropriate.

  Further, instead of the wall that partitions the remaining amount detection unit 33 and the ink chamber 36, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a translucent portion 47 that protrudes forward from the vicinity of the upper end of the front wall 40 of the main body 31 is formed by an EC element. It may be configured. As shown in FIG. 9, the optical sensor 115 is provided at a position where the light transmitting portion 47 can be detected in the cartridge mounting portion 110, thereby detecting whether the light transmitting portion 47 is in a light shielding state or a light transmitting state. can do.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, an optical path 90 through which light can pass from the front wall 40 to the rear wall 41 of the main body 31 is formed along the front-rear direction 53, and in the middle of the optical path 90 ( In FIG. 10, a light transmitting portion 91 made of an EC element may be provided on the front wall 40 side. A light 140 is provided on the end surface 102 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 so as to face the translucent portion 91 in the front-rear direction 53. The light emitted from the light 140 is blocked by the light transmitting portion 91 in the light blocking state and transmitted by the light transmitting portion 91 in the light transmitting state. Therefore, on the side of the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting portion 110, whether or not the ink cartridge 30 is appropriate is determined by determining the state of the light transmitting portion 91 based on whether or not the light of the light 140 can be visually confirmed through the optical path 90. You can know whether or not.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the IC substrate 85 is provided on the upper wall 39 of the main body 31 is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the IC substrate 85 may be provided on the front wall 40 of the main body 31.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink is described as an example of the printing fluid, but the present invention is not limited to this. That is, powder such as toner may be used as the printing fluid instead of liquid such as ink.

30 Ink cartridge (printing fluid cartridge)
31 Main body 33 Remaining amount detection unit 34 Ink supply unit (printing fluid supply unit)
36 Ink chamber (storage chamber)
43, 44 Wall (Translucent part)
47, 91 Translucent part 85 IC substrate (IC chip)
114 Optical sensor 124, 125, 126 Contact 130 Operation device (determination unit, output unit)

Claims (8)

A main body having a storage chamber in which printing fluid is stored;
A printing fluid supply unit capable of flowing the printing fluid from the storage chamber to the outside;
A translucent portion provided in the main body and having an electrochromic element that changes from a first state that is a specific color to a second state that is more translucent than the first state, depending on whether or not voltage is applied; It has been provided,
The translucent part is a printing fluid cartridge that constitutes at least a part of a wall defining the storage chamber . 2. The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic element is in the first state when no voltage is applied from the outside, and is in the second state when a voltage is applied from the outside. A main body having a storage chamber in which printing fluid is stored;
A printing fluid supply unit capable of flowing the printing fluid from the storage chamber to the outside;
A translucent part that is provided in the main body and has an electrochromic element that changes from a first state that is a specific color to a second state that is more translucent than the first state, depending on whether or not voltage is applied;
The storage chamber and the printing fluid are provided so as to be able to flow, and a remaining amount detection unit capable of detecting the remaining amount of the printing fluid in the storage chamber is provided,
A printing fluid cartridge in which the translucent portion is provided on a wall that partitions the remaining amount detecting portion. The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , further comprising an IC chip that is provided in the main body and stores information related to the printing fluid cartridge. The IC chip includes a storage element and a terminal for accessing the storage element from the outside.
The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 4 , wherein the electrochromic element is electrically connected to the terminal. 6. A printing fluid comprising: the printing fluid cartridge according to claim 1; and a cartridge mounting portion to which the printing fluid cartridge is mounted and receives supply of the printing fluid from the storage chamber through the printing fluid supply portion. A feeding device,
The cartridge mounting part is
A contact for applying a voltage to the translucent part;
An optical sensor for optically detecting the light transmitting part;
A determination unit for determining a state of the light transmitting unit based on a detection signal of the optical sensor;
An output unit that outputs information related to the print fluid cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting unit based on the determination result of the determination unit. The light-transmitting part, claim the printing fluid cartridge is in a state of being mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, a voltage is applied through the contact is to change to the second state from the first state 6 A printing fluid supply device according to claim 1. The printing fluid supply apparatus according to claim 6 or 7 , further comprising a power source for applying a voltage to the contact.

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