JP6398366B2 - Liquid supply unit - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid supply unit such as an ink cartridge that supplies ink to an inkjet head.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe ink cartridges in which an ink holding member made of a porous member is disposed in a storage space partitioned in a housing and stored in a state where ink is held by the ink holding member. In the ink cartridges described in these documents, an ink supply unit for supplying ink to the printer is provided on the bottom plate of the housing. The ink supply part is an opening, and the ink holding member housed in the storage space is partially exposed from the opening. When the ink cartridge is attached to the printer, the ink introduction portion provided on the printer side comes into contact with the exposed portion of the ink holding member through the opening. Ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the printer through this contact portion.

  When the exposed portion of the ink holding member and the ink introduction portion come into contact with each other, air may be pushed into the housing through the opening. If the pushed-in air stays in the pores of the ink holding member, the pressure loss when supplying ink to the printer side increases, and the ink supply capability of the ink cartridge may decrease. In order to prevent or suppress such an increase in pressure loss due to the intrusion of air, the ink cartridges described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are provided with an air flow path on the inner surface of the bottom plate and pushed into the housing. Air is released through the air flow path and is released to the outside through an air hole formed in the cover plate of the housing.

US Pat. No. 6,739,708 US Pat. No. 6,767,479

  Here, when the ink cartridge is installed in the printer, there is a possibility that the member on the printer side and the bottom plate of the housing come into contact with each other, and the edge portion of the opening in the bottom plate is deformed inward. In addition, when a protective cap that seals the opening is attached when the ink cartridge is transported, the protective cap may come into contact with the bottom plate of the housing, and the edge portion of the opening in the bottom plate may be deformed inward. There is sex. Further, the filling operation for filling the ink cartridge with ink is performed in a state where the opening is sealed and the inside of the housing is decompressed. However, this decompression may cause the edge portion of the opening in the bottom plate to be deformed inward. When the bottom plate is deformed, the air flow path formed in the bottom plate is narrowed or closed, so it is not easy to escape the air pushed into the housing through the air flow path, and the air is an ink holding member. There is a high possibility of accumulating.

  In view of such a point, the problem of the present invention is that air that enters the housing through the opening accumulates in the liquid holding member even when the wall portion of the housing in which the opening is formed is deformed inward. The object is to provide a liquid supply unit that can be prevented or suppressed.

  According to one aspect of the invention, the liquid supply unit is attachable to the liquid ejecting apparatus, and includes a first wall portion, a second wall portion facing the first wall portion, and the first wall portion. A third wall portion intersecting the wall portion and the second wall portion; a first liquid holding member located between the first wall portion and the second wall portion; A second liquid holding member positioned between the wall portion and the first liquid holding member, wherein an opening is formed in the first wall portion, and at least one of the first liquid holding member extends from the opening. Part is exposed outward, an atmospheric hole is formed in the second wall part, a first atmospheric communication part is formed in the first liquid holding member, and the second wall extends from the first wall part. When the first wall portion is viewed in plan in a direction toward the portion, at least a part of the first atmospheric communication portion is disposed at a position overlapping the first wall portion, Atmosphere communicating portion 1 constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path which connects the large pores and the openings, and wherein the.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, the liquid supply unit includes an air communication path that connects the opening and the air hole. Therefore, the air pushed into the liquid supply unit through the opening can be released to the outside through the atmosphere communication path. In addition, the first liquid holding member that covers the opening from the second wall side is provided with a first atmospheric communication portion that constitutes a part of the atmospheric communication passage. Therefore, even when the first wall portion in which the opening is formed is deformed to the second wall portion side, it is possible to prevent the first air communication portion from being narrowed or blocked, and It can be secured. Therefore, the air pushed into the liquid supply unit through the opening can be prevented or suppressed from accumulating in the liquid holding member.

  According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a liquid supply unit that can be attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus, the first wall portion, the second wall portion facing the first wall portion, and the first wall portion. A third wall portion that intersects the first wall portion and the second wall portion, a second liquid holding member that is positioned between the first wall portion and the second wall portion, and A first liquid holding member positioned between the first wall portion and the second liquid holding member, wherein an opening is formed in the first wall portion, and the opening of the first liquid holding member is formed from the opening. At least a portion is exposed to the outside, an atmospheric hole is formed in the third wall portion, a first atmospheric communication portion is formed in the first liquid holding member, and the second wall portion extends from the first wall portion to the second wall portion. When the first wall portion is viewed in plan in a direction toward the wall portion, at least a part of the first atmospheric communication portion is disposed at a position overlapping the first wall portion. The first air communicating portion constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path which connects the large pores and the openings, and wherein the.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, the liquid supply unit includes an air communication path that connects the opening and the air hole. Therefore, the air pushed into the liquid supply unit through the opening can be released to the outside through the atmosphere communication path. In addition, the first liquid holding member that covers the opening from the second wall side is provided with a first atmospheric communication portion that constitutes a part of the atmospheric communication passage. Therefore, even when the first wall portion in which the opening is formed is deformed to the second wall portion side, it is possible to prevent the first air communication portion from being narrowed or blocked, and It can be secured. Therefore, the air pushed into the liquid supply unit through the opening can be prevented or suppressed from accumulating in the liquid holding member.

  According to an aspect of the present invention, a first atmospheric communication structure is formed on a surface of the first wall portion that faces the second wall portion, and the first atmospheric communication structure includes the first atmospheric communication structure. It includes a space between a concave portion formed on a surface of the wall portion facing the second wall portion and the second liquid holding member, and constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path. Can do. In this way, even when the first wall portion in which the opening is formed is deformed to the second wall portion side, the air communication passage is blocked by the first air communication portion and the first air communication structure. Can be prevented or suppressed. Moreover, since the 1st atmosphere communication structure contains the space between the recessed part formed in the 1st wall part, and the 2nd liquid holding member, the air pushed in through opening accumulates in the 2nd liquid holding member. This can be prevented or suppressed.

  In this case, the first atmosphere communication structure includes a space between a concave portion formed on a surface of the first wall portion facing the second wall portion and the first liquid holding member. Can be. In this case, since the first atmosphere communication structure includes the space between the recess formed in the first wall and the first liquid holding member, the air pushed in through the opening is the first liquid. Accumulation on the holding member can be further suppressed.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, a first atmospheric communication structure is formed on a surface of the first wall portion that faces the second wall portion, and the first atmospheric communication structure includes the first wall portion. Including a space between two convex portions formed on the surface facing the second wall portion and the second liquid holding member, and constituting a part of the atmosphere communication path. be able to. In this way, even when the first wall portion in which the opening is formed is deformed to the second wall portion side, the air communication passage is blocked by the first air communication portion and the first air communication structure. Can be prevented or suppressed. Moreover, since the 1st atmosphere communication structure contains the space between the 2 convex part formed in the 1st wall part, and the 2nd liquid holding member, the air pushed in through opening has 2nd liquid holding | maintenance It is possible to prevent or suppress accumulation on the member.

  In this case, the first atmospheric communication structure has a space between two convex portions formed on a surface of the first wall portion facing the second wall portion and the first liquid holding member. Can be included. In this way, since the first atmosphere communication structure includes the space between the two convex portions formed on the first wall portion and the first liquid holding member, the air pushed in through the opening is Accumulation in the first liquid holding member can be further suppressed.

  In one form of this invention, when the said 1st wall part is planarly viewed in the direction which goes to the said 2nd wall part from the said 1st wall part, at least one part of the said 1st atmosphere communication part is said 1st. It may be arranged at a position overlapping at least a part of one atmosphere communication structure. If it does in this way, the flow-path area of an air | atmosphere communication path will become large in the part which a 1st air | atmosphere communication part and a 1st air | atmosphere communication structure overlap. Therefore, even when the first wall portion is deformed to the second wall portion side, it is easy to secure the atmosphere communication path.

In this case, in order to ensure a flow path area in a portion where the first atmosphere communication portion and the first atmosphere communication structure overlap, the direction from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion is described above. When the first wall is viewed in plan, the flow path cross-sectional area of the space formed at a position where at least a part of the first atmosphere communication part and at least a part of the first atmosphere communication structure overlap with each other, 0.16 mm ² or more, can be made at 9.00 mm ² or less.

  In one mode of the present invention, in a direction intersecting with a flow path direction in which the atmosphere moves in the first atmosphere communicating portion and in a direction intersecting with the direction from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion. The size is smaller than the size in the direction intersecting with the flow path direction in which the atmosphere moves in the first atmosphere communication structure and in the direction intersecting with the direction from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion. , Can be. That is, when the first atmosphere communication portion provided on the side of the liquid holding member that holds the liquid is enlarged, the liquid holding member is easily deformed, and the atmosphere communication path may be narrowed by its own deformation. . Therefore, the flow passage cross-sectional area side of the first atmospheric communication structure formed on the first wall portion generally higher in rigidity than the liquid holding member is made larger than the first atmospheric communication portion, If the flow passage cross-sectional area of the atmosphere communication passage is made smaller than the flow passage cross-sectional area of the atmosphere communication structure, the liquid holding member can be prevented from being deformed while securing the flow passage area of the air communication passage.

  In one form of the present invention, the first liquid holding member is formed with a second atmospheric communication portion, and the first wall portion is viewed in a direction from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion. Then, at least a part of the second atmospheric communication portion is disposed at a position overlapping the first wall portion, and the second atmospheric communication portion is configured to move the atmosphere between the opening and the atmospheric hole. It constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication passage enabling the above. If it does in this way, the air pushed in via the 1st atmospheric communication part and the 2nd atmospheric communication part can be escaped.

  In one form of this invention, the test | inspection mark shall be formed in the surface which opposes the direction which goes to the said 2nd wall part from the said 1st wall part among said 1st liquid holding members. it can. In this way, it is possible to confirm whether or not the first liquid holding member is disposed at a predetermined position by confirming the position of the mark through the opening. Therefore, it is possible to easily check whether or not the liquid supply unit has been correctly assembled.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the first atmospheric communication portion may be a recess formed on a surface of the first liquid holding member opposite to the surface facing the second wall portion. . If the first atmospheric communication portion is formed as a recess, the first atmospheric communication portion is formed from the first wall portion as compared with the case where the first atmospheric communication portion is an opening formed in the first liquid holding member. The deformation of the first liquid holding member in the direction orthogonal to the direction toward the second wall portion can be suppressed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the first atmosphere communication portion from being narrowed due to the deformation of the first liquid holding member.

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the first atmospheric communication portion is an opening portion in which a part of the first liquid holding member opens in a direction from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion. Can do. If it does in this way, it will be easy to provide the 1st atmospheric communication part in the 1st liquid holding member.

  In one form of the present invention, the first wall portion includes a thin portion surrounding the opening, and a thick portion positioned around the thin portion and thicker than the thin portion, A step is formed at the boundary between the thin portion and the thick portion on the surface of the wall portion opposite to the surface facing the second wall portion, and the second wall portion of the first wall portion is formed. The thin portion and the first air communication portion of the first liquid holding member overlap each other on the surface facing the surface. If a step is provided around the opening on the outer surface of the first wall portion, when the liquid supply unit is attached to the liquid ejecting apparatus, a seal member or the like is brought into contact with the inner peripheral side of the step portion. It becomes easy to make a liquid-tight state between the liquid supply unit and the liquid ejecting apparatus. Here, if the first wall portion is provided with a thin portion in order to provide the step portion, the thin portion is deformed to the second wall portion side when the member on the liquid ejecting apparatus side comes into contact with the thin portion. there is a possibility. If such a problem is provided at a position where the thin portion and the first atmospheric communication portion of the first liquid holding member overlap, even if the thin portion is deformed, the first atmospheric communication portion causes the atmospheric communication. A passage can be secured.

It is explanatory drawing of an inkjet printer. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a carriage on which a print head and an ink cartridge are mounted. It is the perspective view and bottom view of the 1st ink cartridge to which this invention is applied. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first ink cartridge. FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a first ink cartridge. It is a top view of a housing | casing and an ink supply port structural member. It is the top view and bottom view of a lid | cover. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second ink cartridge. It is explanatory drawing of ink supply operation | movement. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an ink cartridge according to Embodiment 2. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of ink cartridges of Examples 3 and 4. FIG. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an ink cartridge of Example 5. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of an ink cartridge according to Example 6. It is explanatory drawing of the ink cartridge of the modifications 1-3. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of ink cartridges of modified examples 4 and 5. It is explanatory drawing of the ink supply port structural member of the modifications 1-3. It is explanatory drawing of the ink supply port structural member of the modification 4, 5. FIG.

  An ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

Example 1
(inkjet printer)
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an ink jet printer equipped with an ink cartridge to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 1 shows a case where the ink jet printer with the case removed is viewed obliquely from the upper front. The ink jet printer (liquid ejecting apparatus) 1 includes a print head 2 and a conveyance path 10 from a recording paper insertion port 5 to a recording paper discharge port 6 via a printing position by the printing head 2. The ink jet printer 1 also includes a transport mechanism 11 that transports the recording paper P along the transport path 10 and a head moving mechanism 12 that reciprocates the print head 2 in the printer width direction X at the print position.

  The print head 2 is an inkjet head. The transport mechanism 11 includes a transport roller 13 and a transport motor 14 serving as a drive source for the transport roller 13. The head moving mechanism 12 includes a carriage 15 on which the print head 2 is mounted, a carriage guide shaft 16 extending in the printer width direction X, and a carriage moving mechanism 17 that moves the carriage 15 along the carriage guide shaft 16.

  A first ink cartridge 21 (liquid supply unit) and a second ink cartridge 22 (liquid supply unit) for supplying ink to the print head 2 are mounted on the carriage 15. The first ink cartridge 21 stores black ink, and the second ink cartridge 22 stores cyan, magenta, and yellow ink.

  The recording paper P is inserted into the conveyance path 10 from the recording paper insertion port 5 provided in the printer rear Y2. The recording paper P inserted into the transport path 10 is transported forward Y1 in the front-rear direction Y of the printer perpendicular to the printer width direction X by the transport mechanism 11, and printing is performed at the printing position. The printed recording paper P is discharged from the recording paper discharge port 6 at the front Y1 of the printer.

(carriage)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the carriage 15 on which the ink cartridges 21 and 22 are mounted. FIG. 2A is a perspective view when the carriage 15 with the ink cartridges 21 and 22 mounted is viewed from the upper oblique front Y1, and FIG. 2B is a view when the carriage 15 is viewed from below. 2C is a bottom view, and FIG. 2C is a perspective view when the carriage 15 is viewed from the upper oblique front Y1.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the first ink cartridge 21 and the second ink cartridge 22 are mounted on the carriage 15 in a state of being arranged in the printer width direction X. The first ink cartridge 21 and the second ink cartridge 22 have the same length in the longitudinal direction of the printer. The width dimension of the second ink cartridge 22 (length dimension in the printer width direction X) is longer than the width dimension of the first ink cartridge 21. As shown in FIG. 2B, the print head 2 is mounted on the bottom portion of the carriage 15 with the ink nozzle surface 2a facing downward.

  As shown in FIG. 2C, the carriage 15 includes a cartridge mounting recess 25 in which the first ink cartridge 21 and the second ink cartridge 22 are mounted from above. The cartridge mounting recess 25 is partitioned into a first slot 28 and a second slot 29 by a first partition plate 26 and a second partition plate 27 that extend in the longitudinal direction Y of the printer. The first ink cartridge 21 is installed in the first slot 28, and the second ink cartridge 22 is installed in the second slot 29.

  A first ink introduction pipe (liquid introduction pipe) 31 protrudes from the central portion of the bottom surface of the first slot 28. The first ink introduction pipe 31 is for introducing black ink from the first ink cartridge 21 mounted in the first slot 28 and supplying it to the print head 2. A metal mesh filter 32 is attached to the distal end surface of the first ink introduction tube 31. The mesh filter 32 has a dome shape with a central portion protruding upward. An annular elastic seal member 33 is installed on the bottom surface of the first slot 28 so as to surround the first ink introduction tube 31. The elastic seal member 33 is an elastic body such as rubber. A first contact mechanism 34 is provided on the front side wall surface of the first slot 28.

  From the bottom surface of the second slot 29, a second ink introduction tube (liquid introduction tube) 35, a third ink introduction tube (liquid introduction tube) 36, and a fourth ink introduction tube (liquid introduction tube) 37 protrude. The second ink introduction tube 35 is for introducing cyan ink from the second ink cartridge 22 mounted in the second slot 29 and supplying it to the print head 2. The third ink introduction tube 36 is for introducing magenta ink from the second ink cartridge 22 mounted in the second slot 29 and supplying it to the print head 2. The fourth ink introduction tube 37 is for introducing yellow ink from the second ink cartridge 22 mounted in the second slot 29 and supplying it to the print head 2. Each ink introduction tube 35, 36, 37 has the same configuration as the first ink introduction tube 31. An annular elastic seal member 33 is installed on the bottom surface of the second slot 29 so as to surround each of the ink introduction tubes 35, 36, and 37. A second contact mechanism 38 is provided on the front side wall surface of the second slot 29.

(First ink cartridge)
FIG. 3A is a perspective view when the first ink cartridge 21 is viewed obliquely from the front Y1, and FIG. 3B is a perspective view when the first ink cartridge 21 is viewed obliquely from the front Y1. FIG. 3C is a bottom view of the first ink cartridge 21. In the description of the first ink cartridge 21, the direction corresponding to the width direction X of the ink jet printer 1 is the width direction X of the first ink cartridge 21 in the posture mounted on the ink jet printer 1, and the front and rear direction of the ink jet printer 1. A direction corresponding to Y is a front-rear direction Y of the first ink cartridge 21. Further, a direction orthogonal to the width direction X and the front-rear direction Y is defined as an up-down direction Z, a direction from a bottom plate portion 46 described later toward the lid 45 is defined as an upper Z1, and a direction from the lid 45 toward the bottom plate portion 46 is defined as a lower Z2. Furthermore, the direction corresponding to the front Y1 of the ink jet printer 1 is the front Y1 of the cartridge, and the opposite direction is the rear Y2.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the first ink cartridge 21 includes a cartridge body 41 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole and a circuit board 42 fixed to the cartridge body 41. The cartridge body 41 is formed of a resin such as polypropylene. The cartridge main body 41 includes a box-shaped housing 44 having a recess 43 (see FIG. 4) and a lid (second wall portion) 45 that seals the upper end opening of the housing 44. As shown in FIG. 3B, the housing 44 has a rectangular bottom plate portion (first wall portion) 46 that is long in the front-rear direction, and Z1 above the both ends of the bottom plate portion 46 in the front-rear direction Y (longitudinal direction). A left side plate portion 49 and a right side plate portion 50 that extend in the upper Z1 from both end edges in the width direction (short direction) of the bottom plate portion 46 and face each other. Prepare.

  A recess 51 is formed in the central portion of the bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 46. A cartridge opening (opening) 52 is provided in the central portion of the recess 51. That is, in the bottom plate portion 46, the portion surrounding the cartridge opening 52 is a thin portion 46a, and the periphery of the thin portion 46a is a thick portion 46b that is thicker than the thin portion 46a. An annular step (step) 46c is formed at the boundary between the thin portion 46a and the thick portion 46b.

  As shown in FIG. 3C, the cartridge opening 52 includes a pair of linear edges extending in the front-rear direction Y in the bottom plate portion 46, and an arc-shaped front side edge that connects the front ends of the pair of linear edges. , It is defined by an arcuate rear side edge portion that makes the rear ends of the pair of linear edge portions continuous. The front edge has a central portion in the width direction X protruding forward Y1, and the rear edge has a central portion in the width direction X protruding rearward Y2. The cartridge opening 52 is an ink supply unit that supplies the ink stored in the first ink cartridge 21 to the outside.

  From the cartridge opening 52, an ink supply port constituting member (first ink holding portion) 55 disposed in the recess 43 is partially exposed to the outside. The ink supply port constituting member 55 is a fiber member in which polypropylene or the like is made into a fibrous shape and bundled, or a porous member made of a foamed material such as polyurethane. The ink supply port constituting member 55 can hold ink in the pores provided in the member.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2A, in a state where the first ink cartridge 21 is mounted in the cartridge mounting recess 25 of the carriage 15, the first ink introduction tube 31 of the first slot 28 of the carriage 15 opens the cartridge. 52 is inserted. The elastic seal member 33 is inserted inside the annular step 46c (inside the recess 51). As a result, the elastic seal member 33 abuts against the thin portion 46a so as to surround the edges (straight edge, front arc edge, and rear arc edge) of the cartridge opening 52, and the first ink cartridge 21. And the first slot 28 are liquid-tight. Further, the mesh filter 32 of the first ink introduction pipe 31 is in surface contact with the ink supply port constituting member 55 in a pressed state, and the ink supply opening constituting member 55 and the first ink introduction pipe 31 are connected. . Here, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the mesh filter 32 of the first ink introduction tube 31 contacts the exposed portion exposed from the cartridge opening 52 in the ink supply port constituting member 55. The region serves as an ink supply port 56 that supplies ink to the first ink introduction tube 31.

  A substrate fixing portion 61 is provided on the front surface portion of the front side plate portion 47 of the housing 44. The circuit board 42 is fixed to the board fixing portion 61 so as to be inclined upward Z1 toward the front Y1. A terminal group 42a is provided on the front surface (surface facing the front Y1) of the circuit board 42, and a storage device 42b such as an EEPROM is mounted on the back surface (surface on the front plate portion 47 side). Here, as shown in FIG. 2, when the first ink cartridge 21 is mounted in the first slot 28, the terminal group 42 a of the circuit board 42 is electrically connected to the first contact mechanism 34 of the first slot 28. Is done. When the circuit board 42 and the first contact mechanism 34 are connected, various kinds of information can be transmitted between the first ink cartridge 21 and the ink jet printer 1.

(Internal structure of the first ink cartridge)
Next, the internal structure of the first ink cartridge 21 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the first ink cartridge 21 taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 5A is an exploded perspective view of the first ink cartridge 21, and FIG. 5B is a perspective view of the ink supply port constituting member 55 in an upside down state. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the first ink cartridge 21 with the lid and the ink holding member removed as viewed from above Z1. FIG. 7A is a plan view when the lid is viewed from above Z1, and FIG. 7B is a bottom view when the lid is viewed from below Z2.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom surface of the recess 43 of the housing 44 is defined by the top surface of the bottom plate portion 46. As shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge opening 52 is provided at the center in the front-rear direction Y and the width direction X on the bottom surface of the recess 43. The center of the cartridge opening 52 preferably coincides with the center of the recess 43.

  On the upper surface of the bottom plate portion 46, three semicircular protrusions 65a are provided on both sides of the cartridge opening 52 sandwiched in the front-rear direction Y. The three semicircular protrusions 65a located at the front Y1 of the cartridge opening 52 are arranged at regular intervals in the width direction X. Three semicircular protrusions 65a located at the rear Y2 of the cartridge opening 52 are also arranged at regular intervals in the width direction X. The two semicircular protrusions 65a facing each other across the cartridge opening 52 in the front-rear direction Y have edge portions corresponding to the strings extending in parallel to the width direction X. Three arc-shaped protrusions 65 b are provided between the three semicircular protrusions 65 a located on the rear side of the cartridge opening 52 and the rear plate portion 48. The three protrusions are arranged at predetermined intervals in the width direction X. Between the three semicircular protrusions 65a located on the front side of the cartridge opening 52 and the front side plate portion 47, two arc-shaped protrusions 65b and a circular protrusion 65c are provided. The two arc-shaped protrusions 65b are arranged at a predetermined interval in the width direction X, and the circular protrusion 65c is located between the two arc-shaped protrusions 65b. A gap is formed between the circular protrusion 65c and each arc-shaped protrusion 65b. Each semicircular protrusion 65a, each arc-shaped protrusion 65b, and circular protrusion 65c have the same height, and their upper end surfaces are located on one virtual plane.

  As shown in FIGS. 5A and 6, a first vertical rib 67 that protrudes inward and extends in the vertical direction Z is provided at the rear end portion of the right side plate portion 50 of the housing 44. Between the first vertical rib 67 and the rear side plate portion 48, a first vertical groove portion 68 extending from the bottom surface of the housing 44 to the lid 45 is formed by the first vertical rib 67, the right side plate portion 50 and the rear side plate portion 48. Yes. Further, a second vertical rib 69 that protrudes inward and extends in the vertical direction Z is provided at the front end portion of the left side plate portion 49 of the housing 44. Between the second vertical rib 69 and the front side plate portion 47, a second vertical groove portion 70 extending from the bottom surface of the housing 44 to the lid 45 is formed by the second vertical rib 69, the left side plate portion 49 and the front side plate portion 47. Yes.

  The lid 45 is welded to the housing 44 and covers the recess 43 of the housing 44 from above Z1. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7A, a first through hole 71 is provided in the right end portion of the rear end portion of the lid 45. An ink inlet 72 for filling the first ink cartridge 21 with ink is provided at the center of the lid 45. A second through hole 73 and an air hole 74 are provided at the left end portion of the front end portion of the lid 45. The air hole 74 is located in front Y <b> 1 of the second through hole 73. In the state where the lid 45 is welded to the housing 44, the first through hole 71 is located above the first vertical groove 68.

  On the upper surface of the lid 45, an upper surface communication groove 75 is provided between the first through hole 71 and the second through hole 73 to communicate these. The upper surface communication groove 75 includes a meandering groove portion that meanders. As shown in FIG. 5A, a flexible first seal member 76 is welded to the upper surface of the lid 45, and the first through hole 71, the ink injection port 72, the second through hole 73, and the upper surface are covered. The communication grooves 75 have their upper end openings sealed from above Z1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, a plurality of linearly extending ribs 77 are provided on the lower surface of the lid 45 at intervals in the width direction X and the front-rear direction Y. A plurality of groove portions 78 communicating with each other are formed between the ribs 77. In addition, a curved rib 77a that curves in an arc shape along the edge portion of the circular opening of the first through hole 71 as one of a plurality of ribs 77 at a portion near the first through hole 71 on the lower surface of the lid 45. Is provided. Further, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 7B, a lower surface communication groove 79 that connects the second through hole 73 and the atmospheric hole 74 is provided on the lower surface of the lid 45. As shown in FIG. 5, a flexible second seal member 80 is welded to the lower surface portion of the lid 45 where the lower surface communication groove 79 is formed. The second seal member 80 seals the lower end opening of the second through hole 73, the air hole 74, and the lower surface communication groove 79 from the lower side Z2. The second through hole 73 and the atmospheric hole 74 communicate with each other via a communication path defined by the second seal member 80 and the lower surface communication groove 79.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an ink supply port constituting member 55 and an ink holding member (second liquid holding member) 81 are arranged in this order from the lower Z2 to the upper Z1, as shown in FIGS. ing.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the ink supply port constituting member 55 has a square planar shape when viewed from above (when viewed in plan). As shown in FIG. 6, the ink supply port constituting member 55 is disposed between the six semicircular protrusions 65a, and is placed on the bottom plate portion 46 while being positioned by the semicircular protrusions 65a. The ink supply port constituting member 55 covers the cartridge opening 52 from above Z1. The thickness dimension of the ink supply port constituting member 55 is slightly longer than the height dimension of the semicircular protrusion 65a.

  As shown in FIG. 5B, two grooves (concave portions) 82 extending in parallel from the rear end edge toward the front Y1 are formed on the lower surface of the ink supply port constituting member 55. When the ink supply port constituting member 55 is positioned and disposed on the bottom plate portion 46, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the rear portion of the ink supply port constituting member 55 (the rear portion of each groove portion 82) is It is located above the bottom plate portion 46 Z1. That is, the rear portion of the ink supply port constituting member 55 is located at a position overlapping the bottom plate portion 46 when viewed from above Z1. The rear end opening 82a of each groove 82 communicates with the gaps of the three semicircular protrusions 65a located at the rear Y2 of the cartridge opening 52, as shown in FIG. Further, the front end portion 82b of each groove portion 82 is positioned so as to overlap the cartridge opening 52 when viewed from above Z1. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the front end portion 82 b of each groove 82 communicates with the cartridge opening 52. Further, when viewed from the vertical direction Z, the front side portion of the groove portion 82 and the thin portion 46a overlap each other.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the front end portion 82 b of each groove 82 extends to a position that partially overlaps the cartridge opening 52 in the ink supply port constituting member 55, but the first ink cartridge 21 is attached to the inkjet printer 1. It does not reach the ink supply port 56, which is a region where the mesh filter 32 of the first ink introduction tube 31 comes into contact with the first ink introduction tube 31.

  The ink supply port constituting member 55 of this example is composed of a first ink supply port constituting member and a second ink supply port constituting member that are stacked one above the other. The first ink supply port constituting member is a member provided with two openings that are notched in parallel from the rear edge toward the front and penetrate in the vertical direction Z. The second ink supply port constituting member is a square member laminated on the upper side Z1 of the first ink supply port constituting member. The first ink supply port constituting member and the second ink supply port constituting member are integrated by welding.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the ink holding member 81 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. As shown in FIG. 4, the ink holding member 81 is disposed in the recess 43 in a state of being placed on the upper end surfaces of the semicircular protrusions 65a, the arc-shaped protrusions 65b, and the circular protrusions 65c. The ink holding member 81 occupies most of the recess 43. The upper surface of the ink supply port constituting member 55 is in surface contact with the central portion of the lower surface of the ink holding member 81. The rear lower surface portion behind the contact portion with the ink supply port constituting member 55 on the lower surface of the ink holding member 81 is spaced by an interval corresponding to the height of each semicircular protrusion 65a and each arc-shaped protrusion 65b. It faces the bottom plate portion 46. The front lower surface portion of the lower surface of the ink holding member 81 in front of the contact portion with the ink supply port constituting member 55 corresponds to the height dimension of each semicircular protrusion 65a, each arc-shaped protrusion 65b, and circular protrusion 65c. It faces the bottom plate portion 46 with a gap. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, a rear space 83 is formed behind the ink supply port constituting member 55 between the ink holding member 81 and the bottom plate portion 46, and is further forward than the ink supply port constituting member 55. A front space 84 is formed in the front.

  The ink holding member 81 is a member capable of holding ink. Like the ink supply port constituting member 55, the ink holding member 81 is made of a fiber member obtained by bundling polypropylene or the like, or a foamed material such as polyurethane. A porous member. The ink filled in the first ink cartridge 21 from the ink inlet 72 diffuses into the recess 43 and is held by the ink holding member 81 and the ink supply port constituting member 55. The filling operation for filling the first ink cartridge 21 with the ink is performed in a state where the cartridge opening 52 and the air hole 74 are sealed and the inside of the housing 44 is decompressed.

  Here, the ink supply port constituting member 55 has a higher bubble point pressure and higher pressure loss than the ink holding member 81. In other words, the ink supply port constituting member 55 has a higher pore density and a higher capillary force than the ink holding member 81. Therefore, when ink is supplied from the first ink cartridge 21 to the outside, the ink tends to flow from the ink holding member 81 toward the ink supply port constituting member 55.

  Bubble point pressure is when an ink holding member is placed in a tubular flow path, the liquid is filled upstream of the ink holding member in the tubular flow path, and pressure is applied to the liquid from upstream to downstream. The pressure BP1 applied to the liquid when the liquid starts to leak downstream from the ink holding member. In addition, a second ink holding member having a length in the flow path direction equal to that of the first ink holding member is disposed in the same tubular flow path, and similarly, pressure is applied to the liquid from upstream to downstream. Means the pressure BP2 applied to the liquid when the liquid starts to leak downstream from the second ink holding member. The first ink holding member has a bubble point pressure higher than that of the second ink holding member means that BP1 is larger than BP2.

  The pressure loss means that the first ink holding member is disposed in the tubular flow path, the liquid is filled in the upstream and downstream sides of the first ink holding member in the tubular flow path, and the upstream liquid is filled from the upstream. When the pressure P1 is applied downstream, it means a differential pressure ΔP1 between the pressure P1 and the pressure P2 applied to the downstream liquid. Further, a second ink holding member having a length in the flow channel direction equal to that of the first ink holding member is disposed in the same tubular channel, and the upstream side of the second ink holding member in the tubular channel. When the pressure P1 is applied to the upstream liquid from the upstream to the downstream, the pressure difference ΔP2 between the pressure P1 and the pressure P2 applied to the downstream liquid is meant. Then, the pressure loss of the first ink holding member is larger than that of the second ink holding member means that ΔP1 is larger than ΔP2.

(Atmospheric communication channel and atmospheric channel)
Here, the first ink cartridge 21 includes an air communication path 85 that connects the cartridge opening 52 and the air hole 74. The atmosphere communication path 85 allows the atmosphere to move between the cartridge opening 52 and the atmosphere hole 74.

  The atmosphere communication path 85 includes two groove portions 82 of the ink supply port constituting member 55, a rear space 83 between the bottom plate portion 46 and the ink holding member 81 at the rear Y2 of the ink supply port constituting member 55, and a first vertical groove portion 68. And a groove portion 78 formed on the lower surface of the lid 45, a first through hole 71, an upper surface communication groove 75, a second through hole 73, and a lower surface communication groove 79. That is, two groove portions (atmospheric communication portions) 82 provided in the cartridge opening 52 and the ink supply port constituting member 55 communicate with each other, and the two groove portions 82 and the rear space 83 communicate with each other. The rear space 83 and the first vertical groove portion 68 communicate with each other, and the first vertical groove portion 68 and the first through hole 71 communicate with each other via a groove portion 78 formed on the lower surface of the lid 45. Further, the first through hole 71 communicates with the second through hole 73 through the upper surface communication groove 75, and the second through hole 73 communicates with the atmospheric hole 74 through the lower surface communication groove 79.

  Further, the first ink cartridge 21 is configured with an air flow passage 86 that connects the air hole 74 and the front space 84 between the bottom plate portion 46 and the ink holding member 81 in the front Y1 of the ink supply port constituting member 55. Yes. The large air flow passage 86 allows the atmosphere to move between the front space 84 and the air hole 74.

  The large air flow passage 86 includes a front space 84, a second vertical groove portion 70, a groove portion 78 formed on the lower surface of the lid 45, a first through hole 71, an upper surface communication groove 75, a second through hole 73, and a lower surface communication groove 79. . That is, the front space 84 and the second vertical groove portion 70 communicate with each other, and the second vertical groove portion 70 and the first through hole 71 communicate with each other via the groove portion 78 formed on the lower surface of the lid 45. Further, the first through hole 71 communicates with the second through hole 73 through the upper surface communication groove 75, and the second through hole 73 communicates with the atmospheric hole 74 through the lower surface communication groove 79.

(Second ink cartridge)
FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the second ink cartridge 22 as viewed from the diagonally upper Z1 of the front Y1, and FIG. 8B is a diagram of the second ink cartridge 22 as viewed from the diagonally lower Z2 of the front Y1. FIG. Also in the description of the second ink cartridge 22, the orientation corresponding to the width direction X of the ink jet printer 1 is the width direction X of the second ink cartridge 22 and the front-rear direction Y of the ink jet printer 1 in the posture attached to the ink jet printer 1. The direction corresponding to is the front-rear direction Y of the second ink cartridge 22. Also, the direction corresponding to the front Y1 of the ink jet printer 1 is the front Y1 of the second cartridge, and the opposite direction is the rear Y2.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the second ink cartridge 22 includes a cartridge body 91 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole, and a circuit board 92 fixed to the cartridge body 91. The cartridge body 91 is made of a resin such as polypropylene. The cartridge main body 91 includes a housing 96 having a first recess 93, a second recess 94, and a third recess 95 inside, and a lid 97 that seals the upper end opening of the housing 96. Each of the recesses 93, 94, 95 forms a rectangular parallelepiped space, and the first recesses 93 and the second recesses 94 are arranged in the width direction X. The third recess 95 is provided in front Y1 of the first recess 93 and the second recess 94. The first recess 93 stores cyan ink, the second recess 94 stores magenta ink, and the third recess 95 stores yellow ink.

  Here, the respective concave portions 93, 94, 95 and the respective lid portions that seal the respective concave portions 93, 94, 95 from the upper side Z <b> 1 in the lid 97 each have a configuration corresponding to the first ink cartridge 21. .

  More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8B, the bottom plate portion 99 of the housing 96 that defines the bottom of each recess 93, 94, 95 corresponds to each recess 93, 94, 95. Cartridge openings 101, 102, 103 are provided at the positions. Each cartridge opening 101, 102, 103 is an ink supply unit that supplies the ink stored in each recess 93, 94, 95 to the outside, and each cartridge opening 101, 102, 103 has a recess 93, 94, 95. An ink supply port constituting member (first ink holding portion) 55 disposed inside is partially exposed to the outside. Further, similarly to the inside of the first ink cartridge 21 shown in FIG. 4, the ink supply port constituting member 55 and the ink holding member 81 are arranged in each of the recesses 93, 94, 95. Similarly to the first ink cartridge 21, the atmosphere communication passage 85 and the atmosphere are provided in each of the recesses 93, 94, 95 and each lid portion that seals the recesses 93, 94, 95 from the upper side Z 1. A flow passage 86 is formed.

  In a state where the second ink cartridge 22 is mounted in the second slot 29, the second ink introduction tube 35 is connected to the first cartridge opening 101, the third ink introduction tube 36 is connected to the second cartridge opening 102, and A fourth ink introduction tube 37 is connected to the three cartridge openings 103. When the second ink cartridge 22 is mounted in the second slot 29, the terminal group 92 a of the circuit board 92 is electrically connected to the second contact mechanism 38.

(Ink supply operation)
FIG. 9 illustrates an ink supply operation for supplying ink from the first ink cartridge 21 to the ink jet printer 1 side. The ink supply operation for supplying the ink stored in the recesses 93, 94, 95 of the second ink cartridge 22 to the ink jet printer 1 side supplies ink from the first ink cartridge 21 to the ink jet printer 1 side. Since this is the same as the ink supply operation, the ink supply operation for supplying ink from the first ink cartridge 21 to the ink jet printer 1 side will be described, and the description thereof will be omitted.

  When the first ink cartridge 21 is attached to the inkjet printer 1, the first ink introduction tube 31 of the first slot 28 is inserted into the cartridge opening 52 of the first ink cartridge 21 as shown in FIG. 9. As a result, the mesh filter 32 of the first ink introduction tube 31 and the ink supply port constituting member 55 exposed from the cartridge opening 52 come into surface contact, and the ink supply port constituting member 55 is elastically deformed to be in close contact with the mesh filter 32. The elastic seal member 33 of the first slot 28 is inserted inside the annular step 46c (inside the recess 51) and contacts the thin portion 46a so as to surround the cartridge opening 52, so that the first ink cartridge 21 and the first The space between one slot 28 is liquid-tight.

  In this state, suction is performed from the ink jet printer 1 side, and ink is supplied from the first ink cartridge 21 to the print head 2 through the cartridge opening 52 and the first ink introduction tube 31. More specifically, the ink held by the ink holding member 81 and the ink supply port constituting member 55 passes through the ink supply port 56 (region where the first ink introduction pipe 31 is in contact) in the ink supply port constituting member 55. Then, the ink is introduced into the first ink introduction pipe 31 and supplied to the print head 2.

  Here, when the first ink cartridge 21 is attached to the inkjet printer 1, air may be pushed into the first ink cartridge 21 through the cartridge opening 52 (liquid supply unit) of the first ink cartridge 21. is there. When the pushed air stays in the pores of the ink supply port constituting member 55 and the ink holding member 81, the pressure loss when supplying ink to the ink jet printer 1 side becomes large, and the ink supply capability of the first ink cartridge 21 is increased. Decreases.

  With respect to such a problem, in this example, the invading air is discharged from the atmospheric hole 74 via the atmospheric communication path 85 connecting the cartridge opening 52 and the atmospheric hole 74. Further, when the first ink cartridge 21 is attached to the ink jet printer 1 or the like, when the ink supply port constituting member 55 is pushed up by the first ink introduction pipe 31 and the air enters the front space 84, the intruded air Is discharged from the atmospheric hole 74 via the atmospheric flow passage 86 connecting the front space 84 and the atmospheric hole 74. Accordingly, the accumulation of air in the ink supply port constituting member 55 and the ink holding member 81 is prevented or suppressed. Therefore, an increase in pressure loss when supplying ink to the ink jet printer 1 side can be suppressed.

  Further, when the first ink cartridge 21 is attached to the ink jet printer 1, the member on the ink jet printer 1 and the thin portion 46a of the bottom plate portion 46 of the housing 44 come into contact with each other. It may be deformed. Alternatively, during the filling operation of filling the first ink cartridge 21 with the ink, the thin portion 46a may be deformed inward due to the reduced pressure in the housing 44. In these cases, since the housing 44 is formed of a resin such as polypropylene, creep may occur, and the edge portion of the cartridge opening 52 may be stabilized in a state where it is bent inward. Creep is a phenomenon in which a constant external force is applied for a long time and the deformation of the material increases with time.

  In order to deal with this problem, in this example, the ink supply port constituting member 55 that covers the cartridge opening 52 from the lid side is provided with a groove portion 82 that constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path 85. Therefore, even when the edge portion of the cartridge opening 52 in the bottom plate portion 46 is deformed inward, the groove portion 82 can be prevented from being narrowed or blocked, and the atmosphere communication path 85 can be secured. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the air pushed into the concave portion 43 from collecting in the ink supply port constituting member 55.

(Example 2)
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the ink cartridge 111 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10A is a perspective view schematically showing the ink cartridge 111 of this example, FIG. 10B is a perspective view of the ink supply port constituting member 55, and FIG. 10C is FIG. ) Is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink cartridge 111, and FIG. 10D is a sectional view of the ink cartridge 111 taken along the one-dot chain line in FIG. In FIG. 10B, the upper diagram is a perspective view when the ink supply port constituting member 55 is viewed from above Z1, and the lower diagram is the upper Z1 when the ink supply port constituting member 55 is turned upside down. It is a perspective view at the time of seeing from. The ink cartridge 111 according to the second embodiment has the same configuration as that of the ink cartridge 111 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, the corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  The ink cartridge 111 of this example has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The ink cartridge 111 includes a housing 44 having a recess 43 and a lid (second wall portion) 45 that seals the upper end opening of the recess 43. A cartridge opening 52 is formed in the central portion of the bottom plate portion (first wall portion) 46 of the housing 44. An air hole 74 is formed in the lid 45. In the recess 43, an ink supply port constituting member (first liquid holding member) 55 and an ink holding member (second liquid holding member) 81 are stacked in this order from the lower Z2 toward the upper Z1. The ink supply port constituting member 55 is placed on the bottom plate portion 46 and covers the cartridge opening 52 from the inside of the recess 43. The ink supply port constituting member 55 is partially exposed to the outside from the cartridge opening 52.

  The ink supply port constituting member 55 has a square shape when viewed from above. As shown in FIG. 10B, a groove 82 is provided on the lower surface of the ink supply port constituting member 55. The groove portion extends inward from an outer peripheral edge portion forming one side of the planar quadrilateral in the ink supply port constituting member 55. When the ink supply port constituting member 55 is placed on the bottom plate portion 46 and covers the cartridge opening 52, as shown in FIG. 10C, the end opening on the outer peripheral side of the ink supply port constituting member 55 in the groove portion 82 is The ink holding member 81 communicates with a space 83 formed between the bottom plate portion 46 and the ink holding member 81. An inner end portion of the groove 82 communicates with the cartridge opening 52. Here, the ink cartridge 111 includes an air communication path 85 that connects the cartridge opening 52 and the air hole 74 in the same manner as the ink cartridge 111 of the first embodiment. The space 83 formed between the ink holding member 81 and the bottom plate portion 46 and the groove portion 82 provided in the ink supply port constituting member 55 constitute a part of the atmosphere communication path 85.

  Also in this example, the ink supply port constituting member 55 that covers the cartridge opening 52 formed in the bottom plate portion 46 is provided with a groove portion 82 that constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path 85. Therefore, even when the edge portion of the cartridge opening 52 in the bottom plate portion 46 is deformed inward, the groove portion 82 can be prevented from being narrowed or blocked, and the atmosphere communication path 85 can be secured. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the air pushed into the concave portion 43 from collecting in the ink supply port constituting member 55.

(Example 3)
FIG. 11A is a perspective view schematically showing the ink cartridge 112 of the third embodiment, and FIG. 11B is a perspective view schematically showing the ink cartridge 121 of the fourth embodiment. Since the ink cartridges 112 and 121 of the third and fourth embodiments have the same configuration as the ink cartridge 21 of the first embodiment and the ink cartridge 112 of the second embodiment, the corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals. The description is omitted.

  The ink cartridge 112 of Example 3 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole as shown in FIG. The ink cartridge 112 includes a housing 44 having a recess 43 and a lid (second wall portion) 45 that seals the upper end opening of the recess 43. The inside of the recess 43 is partially partitioned by a partition plate 113 extending in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction. The first recessed portion 114 located on one side (rearward Y2) of the partition plate 113 in the longitudinal direction (front-rear direction Y) has the same configuration as the ink cartridge 112 of the second embodiment. The second recessed portion 115 located on the other side (front Y1) of the partition plate 113 in the longitudinal direction is a storage space for storing ink as it is without being held by the ink holding member 81. A gap is provided between the partition plate 113 and the bottom plate portion 46 of the housing 44 to allow the first concave portion 114 and the second concave portion 115 to communicate with each other.

  A cartridge opening 52 is formed in the central portion of the bottom plate portion 46 (first wall portion) in the first recessed portion 114. An air hole 74 is formed in a lid portion of the lid 45 that covers the first concave portion 114. In the first recess 114, an ink supply port constituting member (first liquid holding member) 55 and an ink holding member (second liquid holding member) 81 are stacked in this order from the lower side toward the upper side Z1. The ink supply port constituting member 55 is placed on the bottom plate portion 46 and covers the cartridge opening 52 from the inside of the first recessed portion 114. A groove 82 is formed in the ink supply port constituting member 55, and the groove 82 communicates with the cartridge opening 52.

  Here, the ink cartridge 112 includes an atmosphere communication path 85 that connects the cartridge opening 52 and the atmosphere hole 74. A space 83 formed between the ink holding member 81 and the bottom plate portion 46 and a groove portion 82 provided in the ink supply port constituting member 55 constitute a part of the atmosphere communication path 85.

  The ink stored in the second recess portion 115 is sequentially supplied to the first recess portion 114 side as the ink stored in the first recess portion 114 decreases.

  Also in this example, the ink supply port constituting member 55 that covers the cartridge opening 52 formed in the bottom plate portion 46 is provided with a groove portion 82 that constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path 85. Therefore, even when the edge portion of the cartridge opening 52 in the bottom plate portion 46 is deformed inward, the groove portion 82 can be prevented from being narrowed or blocked, and the atmosphere communication path 85 can be secured. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the air pushed into the concave portion 43 from collecting in the ink supply port constituting member 55.

Example 4
The ink cartridge 121 of Example 4 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole as shown in FIG. The ink cartridge 121 includes a housing 44 having a recess 43 and a lid (third wall) 45 that seals the upper end opening of the recess 43. The housing 44 includes four side plate portions 122 to 125 that intersect the bottom plate portion 46 and the lid 45. A cartridge opening 52 is formed in one side plate portion 122 (first wall portion) of the four side plate portions 122 to 125. An air hole 74 is formed in the lid 45. In the recess 43, the ink supply port constituting member (first liquid holding member) 55 and the ink holding member (second liquid holding member) are arranged from the side plate portion 122 side to the side plate portion 124 (second wall portion) side. Members) 81 are arranged in this order. The ink supply port constituting member 55 and the ink holding member 81 are in surface contact. The ink supply port constituting member 55 covers the cartridge opening 52 while being in contact with the side plate portion 122 from the inside. The ink supply port constituting member 55 is partially exposed to the outside from the cartridge opening 52.

  The planar shape of the ink supply port constituting member 55 when viewed from the top (when viewed from the front-rear direction Y from the side plate portion 124 side toward the side plate portion 122 side) is rectangular. On the end surface of the ink supply port constituting member 55 on the side plate portion 122 side, a groove portion 82 extending from the upper edge portion toward the inside (downward Z2) is provided. In a state where the ink supply port constituting member 55 is in contact with the side plate portion 122 and covers the cartridge opening 52, the end opening on the outer peripheral edge side of the groove portion 82 is a space formed between the ink holding member 81 and the side plate portion 122. 83 communicates. An inner end portion of the groove 82 communicates with the cartridge opening 52. Here, like the ink cartridge 121 of the first embodiment, the ink cartridge 121 includes an atmosphere communication path 85 that connects the cartridge opening 52 and the atmosphere hole 74. The space 83 formed between the ink holding member 81 and the side plate portion 122 and the groove portion 82 provided in the ink supply port constituting member 55 constitute a part of the atmosphere communication path 85.

  Also in this example, the ink supply port constituting member 55 that covers the cartridge opening 52 is provided with a groove portion 82 that constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path 85. Therefore, even when the edge portion of the cartridge opening 52 in the side plate portion 122 is deformed inward, the groove portion 82 can be prevented from being narrowed or blocked, and the atmosphere communication passage 85 can be secured. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the air pushed into the concave portion 43 from collecting in the ink supply port constituting member 55.

(Example 5)
FIG. 12A is an explanatory view schematically showing the ink cartridge 131 of the fifth embodiment. FIG. 12B shows the bottom plate portion 46 provided with the cartridge opening 52 in the ink cartridge 131 of the fifth embodiment. It is explanatory drawing at the time of deform | transforming. FIG. 12C is an explanatory view when the bottom plate portion 46 is deformed inward in the ink cartridge 131A of the comparative example in which the ink supply port constituting member 55 is not provided with the groove portion 82.

  The ink cartridge 131 according to the fourth embodiment includes a recess 51 similar to the ink cartridge 131 according to the first embodiment on the lower surface portion of the bottom plate portion 46 of the ink cartridge 111 according to the second embodiment. That is, a recess 51 is formed in the central portion of the bottom surface of the bottom plate portion 46. A cartridge opening 52 (opening) 52 is provided in the central portion of the recess 51. In the bottom plate portion 46, the portion surrounding the cartridge opening 52 is a thin portion 46a, and the periphery of the thin portion 46a is a thick portion 46b that is thicker than the thin portion 46a. An annular step (step) 46c is formed at the boundary between the thin portion 46a and the thick portion 46b. Since other configurations are the same as those of the ink cartridge 111 of the second embodiment, the corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.

  In this example, an annular step portion 46 c is provided around the cartridge opening 52 in the bottom plate portion 46. Accordingly, when the ink cartridge 131 is mounted on the printer, the elastic seal member 33 is brought into contact with the inner peripheral side of the annular step portion 46c to make the ink cartridge 131 and the printer liquid-tight. it can. Further, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the ink cap 131 is transported, when the protective cap 132 that seals the cartridge opening 52 is attached to the ink cartridge 131, an elastic seal is formed on the inner peripheral side of the stepped portion. By bringing the member 132a into contact, the space between the ink cartridge 131 and the protective cap 132 can be made liquid-tight.

  Here, when the concave portion 51 is provided in the bottom plate portion 46 and the periphery of the cartridge opening 52 is the thin portion 46 a, for example, when the protective cap 132 is attached to the ink cartridge 131, the protective cap 132 contacts the bottom plate portion 46. There is a possibility that the edge portion of the cartridge opening 52 in the bottom plate portion 46 is deformed inward. In such a case, in this example, the ink supply port constituting member 55 that covers the cartridge opening 52 from the lid 45 side is provided with a groove portion (atmospheric communication portion) 82 that constitutes a part of the atmospheric communication passage 85. In addition, when viewed from the vertical direction Z, the groove 82 and the thin portion 46a overlap each other. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12B, even when the edge portion of the cartridge opening 52 in the bottom plate portion 46 is deformed inward, it is possible to prevent the groove portion 82 from being blocked and to secure the air communication path 85. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the air pushed into the concave portion 43 from collecting in the ink supply port constituting member 55.

  If the groove (atmospheric communication portion) 82 is not provided in the ink supply port constituting member 55 as in the ink cartridge 131A shown in FIG. 12C, the edge portion of the cartridge opening 52 in the bottom plate portion 46 is When it is deformed inward, it becomes difficult to escape air through the air hole 74.

(Example 6)
FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram schematically illustrating an ink cartridge 135 according to the sixth embodiment. Since the ink cartridge 135 of the sixth embodiment has the same configuration as that of the fifth embodiment, the corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted. In this example, an ink leakage prevention member 136 is disposed between the ink holding member 81 and a plurality of ribs 77 provided on the lid 45. The ink leakage preventing member 136 is a member capable of holding ink, and, like the ink supply port constituting member 55 and the ink holding member 81, a fiber member obtained by bundling polypropylene or the like, or It is a porous member made of a foamed material such as polyurethane.

  The ink leakage prevention member 136 is compressed in the vertical direction between the ink holding member 81 and the rib 77 of the lid 45. In this example, the protruding dimension of the curved rib 77 a (see FIG. 7B) provided along the circular opening of the atmospheric hole 74 among the plurality of ribs 77 is longer than that of the other ribs 77. Thus, the ink leakage prevention member 136 is prevented from contacting the circular opening of the air hole 74.

  Here, the ink holding member 81 has a higher bubble point pressure and higher pressure loss than the ink leakage prevention member 136. In other words, the ink holding member 81 has a higher pore density and a higher capillary force than the ink leakage prevention member 136. Therefore, the ink is likely to diffuse from the ink leakage prevention member 136 side to the ink holding member 81 side.

  Also in this example, the ink supply port constituting member 55 that covers the cartridge opening 52 formed in the bottom plate portion 46 is provided with a groove portion 82 that constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path 85. Therefore, even when the edge portion of the cartridge opening 52 in the bottom plate portion 46 is deformed inward, the groove portion 82 can be prevented from being narrowed or blocked, and the atmosphere communication path 85 can be secured. Therefore, it is possible to prevent or suppress the air pushed into the concave portion 43 from collecting in the ink supply port constituting member 55. Further, in this example, when the ink cartridge 135 is turned upside down, the ink that is about to flow out of the recess 43 through the air hole 74 is held by the ink leakage prevention member 136 and the outflow is prevented. Can be prevented.

(Modification)
14 (a) to 14 (c), 15 (a), and 15 (b) are explanatory diagrams of a modified ink cartridge. In each of FIGS. 14 (a) to 14 (c), 15 (a), and 15 (b), the right diagram is a longitudinal sectional view of the ink cartridge, and the left diagram is a point of the right diagram. It is sectional drawing of the ink cartridge in a dashed line. Since the ink cartridges of the modified examples all have the same configuration as the ink cartridge 111 of the second embodiment, the corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.

  The ink cartridge 141 of Modification 1 shown in FIG. 14A has an atmosphere communication structure 142 that constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path 85. The atmosphere communication structure 142 includes a recess 143 on the surface of the bottom plate portion 46 on the lid 45 side. The concave portion 143 is provided at a position that does not overlap with the ink supply port constituting member 55 when viewed from the upper side Z1 in the bottom plate portion 46 and that overlaps with the ink holding member 81. The atmosphere communication structure 142 includes a space between the recess 143 and the ink holding member 81.

  In this example, even when the bottom plate portion 46 in which the cartridge opening 52 is formed is deformed to the lid 45 side, the atmosphere communication path 85 is blocked by the groove portion 82 and the atmosphere communication structure 142 of the ink supply port constituting member 55. It can be prevented or suppressed. Further, since the atmosphere communication structure 142 includes a space between the concave portion 143 formed in the bottom plate portion 46 and the ink holding member 81, the air pushed in through the cartridge opening 52 is prevented from collecting in the ink holding member 81 or Can be suppressed.

The ink cartridge 145 of Modification 2 shown in FIG. 14B has an atmosphere communication structure 146 that constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path 85. The atmosphere communication structure 146 includes a recess 147 on the surface of the bottom plate portion 46 on the lid 45 side. The recess 147 is provided at a position overlapping the ink supply port constituting member 55 and the ink holding member 81 when viewed from the upper side Z1 in the bottom plate portion 46. The recess 147 communicates with the cartridge opening 52 and is provided at a position overlapping the groove 82 provided in the ink supply port constituting member 55 when viewed from above Z1. The width dimension of the recess 147 is the same as the width dimension of the groove 82. The depth dimension of the recessed part 147 is the same as the depth dimension of the groove part 82 or longer than the depth dimension of the groove part 82. The atmosphere communication structure 146 includes a space between the concave portion 147 and the ink supply port constituting member 55 and a space between the concave portion 147 and the ink holding member 81. Here, the flow path cross-sectional area of the air communicating path at a portion which overlaps the groove 82 and the recess 147, 0.16 mm ² or more and 9.00 mm ² or less. In this case, the width dimension and the height dimension of the channel cross section of the atmosphere communication path in the portion where the groove 82 and the recess 147 overlap each other are 0.40 mm × 0.40 mm or more and 3.00 mm × 3.00 mm or less. is there.

  In this example, the flow area of the atmosphere communication path is increased at a portion where the groove portion (atmosphere communication portion) 82 of the ink supply port constituting member 55 and the atmosphere communication structure 146 overlap. Therefore, even when the bottom plate portion 46 in which the cartridge opening 52 is formed is deformed to the lid 45 side, the atmospheric communication passage 85 is prevented from being blocked by the groove portion 82 of the ink supply port constituting member 55 and the atmospheric communication structure 146. Can be suppressed. Further, since the atmosphere communication structure 146 includes a space between the recess 147 formed in the bottom plate portion 46 and the ink supply port constituting member 55, the air pushed in through the cartridge opening 52 accumulates in the ink supply port constituting member 55. This can be prevented or suppressed. Further, since the atmosphere communication structure 146 includes a space between the recess 147 formed in the bottom plate portion 46 and the ink holding member 81, it is possible to prevent the air pushed in through the cartridge opening 52 from collecting in the ink holding member 81. Can be suppressed.

  An ink cartridge 151 according to Modification 3 shown in FIG. 14C has an atmosphere communication structure 152 that constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path 85. The atmosphere communication structure 152 includes a recess 153 on the surface of the bottom plate portion 46 on the lid 45 side. The concave portion 153 is provided at a position overlapping the ink supply port constituting member 55 and the ink holding member 81 when viewed from above in the bottom plate portion 46, and the concave portion 153 communicates with the cartridge opening 52. Further, the concave portion 153 is provided at a position overlapping the groove portion 82 provided in the ink supply port constituting member 55 when viewed from above Z1.

In this example, the width dimension of the recess 153 (the dimension in the width direction X) is longer than the width dimension of the groove 82. The depth dimension of the recess 153 is the same as the depth dimension of the groove part 82 or longer than the depth dimension of the groove part 82. The atmosphere communication structure 152 includes a space between the recess 153 and the ink supply port constituting member 55 and a space between the recess 153 and the ink holding member 81. Here, the flow path cross-sectional area of the air communicating path at a portion which overlaps the groove 82 and the recess 147, 0.16 mm ² or more and 9.00 mm ² or less. In this case, the width dimension and the height dimension of the channel cross section of the atmosphere communication path in the portion where the groove portion 82 and the concave portion 147 overlap each other are 0.40 mm × 0.40 mm or more and 3.00 mm × 3.00 mm or less. is there.

  According to this example, the same effect as that of the ink cartridge 145 of the second modification can be obtained. Here, when the width dimension of the groove portion 82 provided on the ink supply port constituting member 55 side is increased, the ink supply port constituting member 55 is likely to be deformed, and the groove portion 82 may be narrowed by its own deformation. is there. In contrast, in this example, the bottom plate portion 46 is formed of a resin having rigidity higher than that of the ink supply port constituting member 55. The width dimension of the recess 153 formed in the bottom plate part 46 is made larger than the width dimension of the groove part 82, and the width dimension of the groove part 82 formed in the ink supply port constituting member 55 is made smaller. Therefore, the deformation of the ink supply port constituting member 55 can be suppressed while ensuring the flow passage cross-sectional area of the atmosphere communication passage 85.

  The ink cartridge 155 of Modification 4 shown in FIG. 15A has an atmosphere communication structure 156 that constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path 85. The air communication structure 156 includes two ribs (convex portions) 157 formed on the surface of the bottom plate portion 46 on the lid 45 side with a space therebetween. The two ribs 157 are provided at positions that overlap the ink supply port constituting member 55 and the ink holding member 81 when viewed from the upper side Z1 in the bottom plate portion 46. A space 158 between the two ribs 157 communicates with the cartridge opening 52. The space 158 between the two ribs 157 is formed at a position that overlaps with the groove 82 provided in the ink supply port constituting member 55 when viewed from above Z1.

The width dimension between the two ribs 157 is the same as the width dimension of the groove 82. The height dimension of the two ribs 157 is the same as the depth dimension of the groove part 82 or longer than the depth dimension of the groove part 82. The atmosphere communication structure 156 includes a space between the two ribs 157 and the ink supply port constituting member 55 and a space between the two ribs 157 and the ink holding member 81. Here, the flow path cross-sectional area of the air communicating path at a portion where the space 158 overlap between grooves 82 and two ribs 157, 0.16 mm ² or more and 9.00 mm ² or less. In this case, the width dimension and the height dimension of the channel cross section of the atmosphere communication path in the portion where the groove 82 and the space 158 overlap are 0.40 mm × 0.40 mm or more and 3.00 mm × 3.00 mm or less. is there.

  In this example, the flow area of the atmosphere communication path is increased at a portion where the groove portion (atmosphere communication portion) 82 of the ink supply port constituting member 55 and the atmosphere communication structure 156 overlap each other. Therefore, even when the bottom plate portion 46 in which the cartridge opening 52 is formed is deformed to the lid 45 side, the atmospheric communication passage 85 is prevented from being blocked by the groove portion 82 of the ink supply port constituting member 55 and the atmospheric communication structure 156. Can be suppressed. Further, since the air communication structure 156 includes a space between the two ribs 157 formed in the bottom plate portion 46 and the ink supply port constituting member 55, the air pushed in through the cartridge opening 52 is the ink supply port constituting member. 55 can be prevented or suppressed. Further, since the air communication structure 156 includes a space between the two ribs 157 formed in the bottom plate portion 46 and the ink holding member 81, the air pushed in through the cartridge opening 52 accumulates in the ink holding member 81. Can be prevented or suppressed.

  The ink cartridge 161 of Modification 5 shown in FIG. 15B has an atmosphere communication structure 162 that constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path 85. The atmosphere communication structure 162 has two ribs (convex portions) 163 formed on the surface of the bottom plate portion 46 on the lid 45 side with a space therebetween. The two ribs 163 are provided at positions that overlap the ink supply port constituting member 55 and the ink holding member 81 when viewed from the upper side Z1 in the bottom plate portion 46. A space 164 between the two ribs 163 communicates with the cartridge opening 52. Further, the space 164 between the two ribs 163 is formed at a position overlapping the groove portion 82 provided in the ink supply port constituting member 55 when viewed from above Z1.

In this example, the width dimension between the two ribs 163 is longer than the width dimension of the groove 82. The height dimension of the two ribs 163 is the same as the depth dimension of the groove part 82 or longer than the depth dimension of the groove part 82. The atmosphere communication structure 162 includes a space between the two ribs 163 and the ink supply port constituting member 55 and a space between the two ribs 163 and the ink holding member 81. Here, the flow path cross-sectional area of the air communicating path at a portion where the space 164 overlap between grooves 82 and two ribs 163, 0.16 mm ² or more and 9.00 mm ² or less. In this case, the width dimension and the height dimension of the channel cross section of the atmosphere communication path in the portion where the groove 82 and the space 164 overlap are 0.40 mm × 0.40 mm or more and 3.00 mm × 3.00 mm or less. is there.

  According to this example, the same effect as that of the ink cartridge 161 of the fourth modification can be obtained. Here, when the width dimension of the groove portion 82 provided on the ink supply port constituting member 55 side is increased, the ink supply port constituting member 55 is likely to be deformed, and the groove portion 82 may be narrowed by its own deformation. is there. On the other hand, in this example, two ribs 163 are formed on the bottom plate portion 46 made of a resin having rigidity higher than that of the ink supply port constituting member 55. The width dimension between the two ribs 163 is made larger than the width dimension of the groove part 82, and the width dimension of the groove part 82 formed in the ink supply port constituting member 55 is made smaller. Therefore, the deformation of the ink supply port constituting member 55 can be suppressed while ensuring the flow passage cross-sectional area of the atmosphere communication passage 85.

(Modification of ink supply port component)
16 and 17 are perspective views of modified ink supply port constituent members that can be used in place of the ink supply port constituent member 55 described above. In each of FIG. 16A to FIG. 16C, the left side is a perspective view of a modified ink supply port constituting member. The drawing on the right side is a plan view when the ink supply port constituting member of the modification is disposed at a predetermined position covering the cartridge opening 52 and the state is viewed from above Z1. In FIGS. 17A and 17B, the left side is a perspective view of a modified ink supply port constituting member. The center drawing is a plan view of the ink supply port constituting member of the modified example arranged at a predetermined position covering the cartridge opening 52 and the state seen from above Z1. The diagram on the right side is a plan view when the ink supply port constituting member of the modified example is arranged at a position shifted in the front-rear direction Y from a predetermined position covering the cartridge opening 52, and the state is viewed from above Z1. .

  An ink supply port constituting member 171 of Modification 1 shown in FIG. 16A includes two groove portions 172 on the lower surface of the ink supply port constituting member 171. Each groove portion 172 extends inward from an outer peripheral edge portion constituting one side of the rectangular ink supply port constituting member 171. Moreover, each groove part 172 is provided in the position used as the rotational symmetry of 180 degree | times. When the ink supply port constituting member 171 of this example is disposed at a predetermined position covering the cartridge opening 52, one groove portion 172 constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path 85. The other groove portion 172 allows the atmospheric flow passage 86 and the cartridge opening 52 to communicate with each other. According to the ink supply port constituting member 171 of the present example, when the ink supply port constituting member 171 is arranged at a predetermined position, even if the circumferential direction is different by 180 degrees, the groove 172 causes the atmospheric communication passage 85 to be Part can be configured.

  An ink supply port constituting member 175 of Modification 2 shown in FIG. 16B includes four groove portions 176a to 176d on the lower surface of the ink supply port constituting member 175. Each of the groove portions 176a to 176d extends inward from an outer peripheral edge portion constituting one side of the rectangular ink supply port constituting member 175. Moreover, each groove part 176a-176d is provided in the position used as the rotational symmetry of 90 degree | times. When the ink supply port constituting member 175 is disposed at a predetermined position covering the cartridge opening 52, one of the four groove portions 176a to 176d is formed in the air communication path 85 formed in the ink cartridge 161. Part of Further, the groove 176 c corresponding to the groove 176 a allows the atmospheric flow passage 86 and the cartridge opening 52 to communicate with each other. According to the ink supply port constituting member 175 of the present example, when the ink supply port constituting member 175 is disposed at a predetermined position, the air communication path is formed by the grooves 176a to 176d even when the circumferential direction is different by 90 degrees. 85 can be configured.

  An ink supply port constituting member 181 of Modification 3 shown in FIG. 16C includes eight groove portions 182 a to 182 h on the lower surface of the ink supply port constituting member 181. Each groove part 182a-182h is provided in the position used as the rotational symmetry of 90 degree | times. When the ink supply port constituting member 181 is disposed at a predetermined position covering the cartridge opening 52, the two groove portions 182a and 182b among the eight groove portions 182a to 182h are connected to the atmosphere connected to the ink cartridge 161. A part of the passage 85 is formed. Further, the two groove portions 182e and 182f facing the two groove portions 182a and 182b communicate the atmosphere flow passage 86 and the cartridge opening 52 with each other.

  According to the ink supply port constituting member 181 of the present example, when the ink supply port constituting member 181 is disposed at a predetermined position, the air communication path is formed by the grooves 182a to 182h even when the circumferential direction is different by 90 degrees. 85 can be configured. In this example, each of the groove portions 182a to 182h has a trapezoid shape whose width dimension becomes narrower toward the inside of the ink cartridge 161. This prevents the base portions of the four corners of the ink supply port constituting member 181 sandwiched between the adjacent grooves 182b and 182c, 182d and 182e, 182f and 182g, and 182h and 182a from being narrowed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the corner portion from being deformed. Therefore, it is possible to avoid narrowing the atmosphere communication path 85 due to the deformation of the corners.

  An ink supply port constituting member 185 of Modification 4 shown in FIG. 17A includes three grooves 186 a, 186 b, and 186 c on the lower surface of the ink supply port constituting member 185. The three groove portions 186a, 186b, 186c are formed at positions that are not rotationally symmetric. Specifically, the two groove portions 186 a and 186 b extend in parallel from the outer peripheral edge portion constituting one side of the rectangular ink supply port constituting member 185 toward the inside. One groove portion 186c extends inward from an outer peripheral edge portion of one side facing one side where the two groove portions 186a and 186b are formed. When the ink supply port constituting member 185 of this example is disposed at a predetermined position covering the cartridge opening 52, the two grooves 186a and 186b constitute a part of the atmosphere communication path 85 formed in the ink cartridge 161. . In addition, the single groove portion 186 c allows the atmospheric flow passage 86 and the cartridge opening 52 to communicate with each other.

  Here, in the ink supply port constituting member 185 of this example, the single groove portion 186c serves as an inspection mark for inspecting whether or not the ink cartridge is properly assembled. That is, as shown in the drawing on the right side of FIG. 17A, by confirming the length of one groove 186a, 186b, 186c exposed to the outside from the cartridge opening 52, the ink supply port constituting member 185 is obtained. Can be confirmed.

  An ink supply port constituting member 191 of Modification 5 shown in FIG. 17B includes two groove portions 192 a and 192 b and one inspection groove portion 193 on the lower surface of the ink supply port constituting member 191. The two groove portions 192a and 192b and the inspection groove portion 193 are provided at positions that are not rotationally symmetric. Specifically, the two groove portions 192a and 192b extend in parallel from the outer peripheral edge portion constituting one side of the rectangular ink supply port constituting member 191 to the inside. The inspection groove 193 extends in a direction intersecting the two grooves 192a and 192b. The inspection groove 193 does not reach the edge of the ink supply port constituting member 191.

  When the ink supply port constituting member 191 of this example is disposed at a predetermined position covering the cartridge opening 52, the two groove portions 192 a and 192 b constitute a part of the atmosphere communication path 85. A part of the inspection groove 193 is exposed to the outside from the cartridge opening 52 and serves as an inspection mark for inspecting whether or not the ink cartridge is properly assembled. That is, as shown in the drawing on the right side, by confirming the position of the inspection groove 193 exposed from the cartridge opening 52, the positional deviation of the ink supply port constituting member 191 can be confirmed.

(Other Modifications of Ink Supply Unit Components)
In each of the ink supply unit constituting members described above, a groove portion provided as a recess on the lower surface of the ink supply unit constituting member is used as an atmosphere communicating portion constituting a part of the atmosphere communicating path 85. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the portion provided with the groove portion in each ink supply portion constituting member may be an opening penetrating in the vertical direction, and this opening may be an atmospheric communication portion constituting a part of the atmospheric communication passage 85. . In this way, it becomes easy to provide the atmosphere communication part in the ink supply part constituting member.

1 .... Inkjet printer (liquid ejecting device) 2 .... Print head 2a ... Ink nozzle surface 5 .... Recording paper insertion port 6 .... Recording paper discharge port 10 .... Conveying path 11, ... Conveyance Mechanism 12... Head movement mechanism 13.. Transport roller 14.. Transport motor 15. Carriage 16. Carriage guide shaft 17. Carriage movement mechanism 21. 131, 131A, 135, 141, 145, 151, 155, 161, ink cartridge (liquid supply unit), 25, cartridge recess, 26, 27, partition plate, 28, first slot, 29 Second slot 31... First ink introduction pipe 32.. Mesh filter 33 33 Elastic seal member 34 38 Contact mechanism 35-38 2 to 4th ink introduction pipe, 41... Cartridge body, 42... Circuit board, 42 a .. Terminal group, 42 b .. Storage device, 43 .. Recess, 44 .. Housing, 45. Wall portion or third wall portion), 46c..annular step portion (step), 46..bottom plate portion (first wall portion), 46a..thin wall portion, 46b..thick wall portion, 47 .. Front plate part, 48 ·· Rear plate part, 49 ·· Left plate part, 50 ·· Right plate part, 51 ·· Recess, 52 ·· Cartridge opening (opening), 55 · 171 · 175 · 181 · 185 · 191 ..Ink supply port constituting member (first liquid holding member), 56..Ink supply port, 61..Substrate fixing part, 65a..Semicircular protrusion, 65b..Arc-shaped protrusion, 65c..Circular protrusion .. 67.69..Vertical rib, 68.70..Vertical groove portion, 71..First through hole, 72. , Second through hole, 74, air hole, 75, upper surface communication groove, 76, seal member, 77, rib, 77a, curved rib, 78, groove portion, 79,. Lower surface communication groove, 80... Seal member, 81 .. Ink holding member (second liquid holding member), 82, 172, 176a to 176d, 182a to 182h, 186a to 186b, 192a to 192b,. ), 82a..Rear end opening, 82b..Front end portion, 83.84..Space, 85..Atmospheric communication passage, 86..Atmospheric flow passage, 91..Cartridge body, 92..Circuit board, 92a. .. Terminal group, 93 to 95 .. Recess, 96 .. Housing, 97 .. Lid (second wall), 99 .. Bottom plate (first wall), 101 .. Cartridge opening (opening) , 113 .. Partition plate, 114. 115 .. Recessed part 122, side plate (first wall), 123, 125, side plate, 124, side plate (second wall), 132, protective cap, 132a, seal member, 136,. Ink leakage prevention member, 142, 146, 152, 156, 162, air communication structure, 143, 147, 153, concave portion, 157, 163, rib (convex portion), 158, 164, space, 186c,. Groove (inspection mark), 193 .. Inspection groove (inspection mark), P .. Recording paper, X .. Printer width direction (width direction), Y .. Printer front-back direction (front-back direction), Z ..Vertical direction

Claims (8)

A liquid supply unit that can be attached to a liquid ejecting apparatus,
A first wall;
A second wall facing the first wall;
A third wall portion intersecting the first wall portion and the second wall portion;
A first liquid holding member located between the first wall and the second wall;
A second liquid holding member located between the second wall and the first liquid holding member;
Have
An opening is formed in the first wall portion, and at least a part of the first liquid holding member is exposed outward from the opening,
An air hole is formed in the second wall portion or the third wall portion,
A first atmospheric communication portion is formed in the first liquid holding member;
A position where at least a part of the first air communication part overlaps the first wall part when the first wall part is viewed in plan in a direction from the first wall part to the second wall part. Placed in
The first air communicating portion constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path which connects the large pores and the openings,
A first atmospheric communication structure is formed on a surface of the first wall portion facing the second wall portion;
The first atmosphere communication structure includes a space between a recess formed on a surface of the first wall portion facing the second wall portion and the second liquid holding member, and the atmosphere communication path Part of the
A liquid supply unit. A liquid supply unit that can be attached to a liquid ejecting apparatus,
A first wall;
A second wall facing the first wall;
A third wall portion intersecting the first wall portion and the second wall portion;
A first liquid holding member located between the first wall and the second wall;
A second liquid holding member located between the second wall and the first liquid holding member;
Have
An opening is formed in the first wall portion, and at least a part of the first liquid holding member is exposed outward from the opening,
An air hole is formed in the second wall portion or the third wall portion,
A first atmospheric communication portion is formed in the first liquid holding member;
A position where at least a part of the first air communication part overlaps the first wall part when the first wall part is viewed in plan in a direction from the first wall part to the second wall part. Placed in
The first atmosphere communication portion constitutes a part of an atmosphere communication path that connects the opening and the atmosphere hole,
A first atmospheric communication structure is formed on a surface of the first wall portion facing the second wall portion;
The first atmosphere communication structure includes a space between two convex portions formed on a surface of the first wall portion facing the second wall portion and the second liquid holding member, Constitutes part of the atmosphere communication path,
A liquid supply unit. The liquid supply unit according to claim 1 or 2 ,
When the first wall portion is viewed in plan in a direction from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion, at least a part of the first atmospheric communication portion is at least part of the first atmospheric communication structure. A liquid supply unit, wherein the liquid supply unit is arranged at a position overlapping with a part. The liquid supply unit according to claim 3 ,
The size in the direction intersecting with the flow direction in which the atmosphere moves in the first atmosphere communicating portion and in the direction intersecting with the direction from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion is the first size. In the atmosphere communication structure, a liquid having a size smaller than a size in a direction intersecting with a flow path direction in which the atmosphere moves and in a direction intersecting with the direction from the first wall portion toward the second wall portion. Supply unit. The liquid supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4 ,
A second atmospheric communication portion is formed in the first liquid holding member;
A position where at least a part of the second air communication part overlaps the first wall part when the first wall part is viewed in plan in a direction from the first wall part to the second wall part. Placed in
The liquid supply unit according to claim 2, wherein the second atmosphere communication portion constitutes a part of the atmosphere communication path that enables movement of the atmosphere between the opening and the atmosphere hole. The liquid supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The liquid supply unit according to claim 1, wherein the first atmosphere communication portion is a recess formed on a surface of the first liquid holding member opposite to a surface facing the second wall portion. The liquid supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
The first air communication part is an opening part in which a part of the first liquid holding member opens in a direction from the first wall part to the second wall part. unit. The liquid supply unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7 ,
The first wall portion includes a thin portion surrounding the opening, and a thick portion positioned around the thin portion and thicker than the thin portion,
A step is formed at the boundary between the thin portion and the thick portion on the surface of the first wall portion opposite to the surface facing the second wall portion,
The liquid supply unit, wherein the thin portion and the first atmospheric communication portion of the first liquid holding member overlap each other on a surface of the first wall portion that faces the second wall portion.

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