JP6428433B2 - Liquid cartridge - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge that is inserted into a liquid consuming apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink jet recording apparatus that records an image on a recording medium by discharging ink stored in an ink container from a nozzle is known. Some ink jet recording apparatuses are configured so that a new ink cartridge can be mounted each time ink is consumed.

  For example, in Patent Document 1, a sensor arm that is displaced with a decrease in ink stored in an ink cartridge is provided in an ink tank, and an ink remaining amount detection sensor provided in an ink jet recording apparatus is used to detect the sensor arm. A configuration is disclosed that can determine that the remaining amount of ink in the ink tank has become less than a predetermined amount by detecting the displacement.

JP 2007-268793 A

  In an ink cartridge having a displacement member such as a sensor arm in Patent Document 1 in an ink tank, the sensor arm adheres to the wall surface of the ink tank or the surface tension of ink existing between the sensor arm and the wall surface of the ink tank. Or the like, the smooth displacement of the sensor arm may be hindered. As a result, for example, even if the ink in the ink tank reaches a preset ink remaining amount, the ink remaining amount detection sensor cannot detect the displacement of the sensor arm, or there is sufficient ink in the ink tank. Regardless, the remaining ink detection sensor may detect that the sensor arm is not in the detected position detected by the remaining ink detection sensor, so that the remaining ink amount in the ink tank may be erroneously determined. .

  When the ink cartridge is transported or attached to the ink jet recording apparatus, bubbles may be generated in the ink tank due to the ink cartridge being moved by the user. If the generated bubbles accumulate at the detected position, the sensor arm may not easily be displaced to the detected position. As a result, for example, the ink remaining in the ink tank is set in advance by detecting that the sensor arm is not in the detected position even though there is sufficient ink in the ink tank, so that the ink remaining in the ink tank is preset. There is a risk of erroneous determination that the amount is less than the remaining amount of ink.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide means capable of smoothly moving a member to be detected in a liquid cartridge.

  (1) The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge that is attached to a liquid consuming device by being inserted into the liquid consuming device in a first direction. The liquid cartridge includes: a liquid storage chamber in which liquid is stored; a detected member that is movably disposed in the liquid storage chamber and has a float that has a specific gravity lower than that of the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber; The lock part provided in the apparatus includes a lock surface that contacts the second direction opposite to the first direction. The liquid cartridge has a first posture in which the lock surface is in contact with the lock portion in the second direction in a state where the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming device, and the lock surface is higher than the lock portion. It can be rotated between a second posture positioned at a position shifted in a third direction orthogonal to the one direction. In the first posture, the liquid cartridge is restricted from moving in the second direction with respect to the liquid consuming device.

  When the liquid cartridge is rotated from the second position to the first position in the state of being inserted into the liquid consuming device, a liquid flow is generated in the liquid storage chamber, and the detected member is separated from the surface that partitions the liquid storage chamber. It becomes easy to leave. In addition, when the liquid cartridge is rotated from the second posture to the first posture, an inertial force acts on the member to be detected. Therefore, the member to be detected moves due to the buoyancy and inertial force of the float. Thereby, even if bubbles are generated in the liquid storage chamber, the force that breaks and moves the bubbles easily acts on the member to be detected.

  (2) Preferably, the first virtual plane including the direction in which the detected member moves due to the buoyancy of the float, and the rotation direction in which the liquid cartridge rotates between the first attitude and the second attitude. Is not orthogonal to the second virtual plane including.

  (3) Preferably, the first virtual plane and the second virtual plane are parallel.

  (4) Preferably, the detected member is rotatable about a rotation axis, and the detected member rotates when the float floats in the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber. The rotation direction is opposite to the rotation direction of the liquid cartridge from the second posture toward the first posture.

  Since the inertial force that acts on the detected member when the liquid cartridge rotates from the second position to the first position matches the direction in which the float floats in the liquid, the force that breaks the bubbles and moves is detected. It is easy to act on.

  (5) Preferably, the liquid cartridge is disposed at a position in the first direction from the lock surface, and is an inclined surface facing the fourth direction opposite to the first direction and the third direction. The first angle which is an acute angle formed by the lock surface with respect to the fourth direction is more than the second angle which is an acute angle formed by the inclined surface with respect to the fourth direction. small.

  Thereby, the acceleration with which the liquid cartridge rotates from the second posture to the first posture tends to increase. Therefore, the liquid flow in the liquid storage chamber and the inertial force acting on the member to be detected due to the rotation of the liquid cartridge from the second position to the first position become relatively large.

  (6) Preferably, the liquid cartridge further includes a horizontal plane extending along the first direction continuously to the lock surface and the inclined surface.

  Thereby, the boundary between the lock surface and the inclined surface is hardly damaged.

  (7) Preferably, the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming device against an urging force in the second direction.

  This further increases the acceleration with which the liquid cartridge rotates from the second posture to the first posture.

  (8) Preferably, the liquid cartridge is disposed on the front surface facing the first direction in the state where the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consumption device, and on the front surface, and is provided in the liquid consumption device. A liquid supply section into which a liquid supply pipe can be inserted, and provided in the liquid supply section, a liquid supply port is formed, and the liquid supply pipe is inserted into the liquid supply port, thereby the liquid supply pipe A seal portion that is elastically deformed to contact the outer peripheral surface of the liquid cartridge, an upper surface that faces upward in a state in which the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consumption device, and a state in which the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consumption device. A rear surface facing the second direction, wherein the first direction is along a horizontal direction, the third direction is a downward direction, and the locking surface is The liquid cartridge is provided on the upper surface, and when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming device, the first posture and the first position are set with the center of the liquid supply port into which the liquid supply pipe is inserted as a rotation center. In the second posture, at least a first portion including a portion below the rotation center of the rear surface is above the first portion of the rear surface. It is located in the first direction from the second part.

  Since the first portion is positioned in the first direction relative to the second portion, when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming device, the user can easily push the second portion in front of the second direction. One part is hard to be pushed. In the liquid cartridge inserted into the liquid consuming device by pressing the second portion, a moment that rotates from the second position to the first position about the rotation center is generated. When the lock surface of the liquid cartridge rotated to the first posture comes into contact with the lock portion in the second direction, the liquid cartridge is restricted from moving in the second direction with respect to the liquid consuming device. Is positioned.

  According to the present invention, when the user inserts the liquid cartridge into the liquid consumption device and positions the liquid cartridge relative to the liquid consumption device, the detected member can move smoothly.

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of a printer 10 provided with a cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating an external configuration of the cartridge mounting unit 110. FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 30 as viewed from the front and from above. FIG. 3B is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 30 as viewed from the front and below. FIG. 4A is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 30 as viewed from the rear and from above. FIG. 4B is a perspective view showing an external configuration of the ink cartridge 30 as viewed from the rear and below. FIG. 5 is a side view of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal configuration of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110, and shows a state in which the ink cartridge 30 starts to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110, and shows a state in which the second protrusion 86 is in contact with the slider 107. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110, and shows a state in which the ink supply portion 34 starts to enter the guide portion 105 and the rod 125 starts to enter the concave portion 96 of the front cover 31. Show. FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110, and shows a state where the ink needle 102 has entered the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply portion 34. FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting part 110, and shows a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is positioned on the cartridge mounting part 110. FIG. 12 is a side view of the ink cartridge 30 in the second posture, and shows the relationship of force when the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 is pushed by the user. FIG. 13 is a side view of the ink cartridge 30 in the second posture, and shows the relationship of force when the lower portion 41L of the rear surface 41 is pushed by the user. FIG. 14 is a side view of the ink cartridge 30 in the first posture, and shows the relationship between the virtual arc C and the lock surface 151. FIG. 15A is a plan view when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53, and FIG. 15B is a rear view when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the forward direction 57. FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the ink cartridge 30 having the detected member 59 according to the first modification is in the first posture, and FIG. 16B is a view showing the object to be detected according to the first modification. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing when the ink cartridge 30 having the detection member 59 is in the second posture. FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting unit 110 according to the second modification. 17A shows a state where the ink cartridge 30 has started to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, and FIG. 17B shows a state where the ink needle 102 has been inserted into the ink supply port 71. FIG. 17C shows a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is in the second posture, and FIG. 17D shows a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is positioned on the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the first posture. ing.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example in which the present invention is embodied, and it is needless to say that the embodiment can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the following description, the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110 is defined as the insertion direction 51 (an example of the first direction). Further, a direction opposite to the insertion direction 51 and in which the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 is defined as a removal direction (an example of a second direction) 52. In the present embodiment, the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 are horizontal directions, but the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 may not be horizontal directions. Further, the gravity direction is defined as the downward direction 53 (an example of the third direction), and the direction opposite to the gravity direction is defined as the upward direction 54 (an example of the fourth direction). In addition, directions orthogonal to the insertion direction 51 and the downward direction 53 are defined as a right direction 55 and a left direction 56. More specifically, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is inserted up to the mounting position of the cartridge mounting portion 110, that is, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounting posture (an example of the first posture), the ink cartridge 30 is removed. , The direction extending to the right is defined as the right direction 55, and the direction extending to the left is defined as the left direction 56. Further, the insertion direction 51 may be referred to as the front direction 57 and the removal direction 52 may be referred to as the rear direction 58.

[Overview of Printer 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 records an image by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto a recording sheet based on an ink jet recording method. The printer 10 (an example of a liquid consuming device) includes a recording head 21, an ink supply device 100, and an ink tube 20 that connects the recording head 21 and the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 is provided with a cartridge mounting part 110 (an example of a mounting part). An ink cartridge 30 (an example of a liquid cartridge) can be mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. An opening 112 is provided on one surface of the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 51 through the opening 112 or is extracted from the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the removal direction 52.

  The ink cartridge 30 stores ink (an example of a liquid) that can be used by the printer 10. In a state where the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting unit 110 is completed, the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected by the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 is provided with a sub tank 28. The sub tank 28 temporarily stores the ink supplied through the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 selectively ejects the ink supplied from the sub tank 28 from the nozzles 29 by the ink jet recording method. Specifically, a drive voltage is selectively applied from the head control board 21A provided on the recording head 21 to the piezo elements 29A provided corresponding to the nozzles 29. Thereby, ink is selectively ejected from the nozzles 29.

  The printer 10 includes a paper feed tray 15, a paper feed roller 23, a transport roller pair 25, a platen 26, a discharge roller pair 27, and a paper discharge tray 16. The recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 to the transport path 24 by the paper feed roller 23 is transported onto the platen 26 by the transport roller pair 25. The recording head 21 selectively ejects ink onto a recording sheet that passes over the platen 26. Thereby, an image is recorded on the recording paper. The recording paper that has passed through the platen 26 is discharged to a paper discharge tray 16 provided on the most downstream side of the transport path 24 by a discharge roller pair 27.

[Ink supply apparatus 100]
As shown in FIG. 1, the ink supply device 100 is provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 supplies ink to the recording head 21 provided in the printer 10. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge mounting unit 110 in which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. FIG. 1 shows a state where the ink cartridge 30 has been completely installed in the cartridge mounting unit 110. That is, a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounting posture (first posture) is shown.

[Cartridge mounting part 110]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a case 101, an ink needle 102, a sensor 103, four contact points 106, a slider 107, and a lock portion 145. The cartridge mounting portion 110 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. In addition, four ink needles 102, sensors 103, four contacts 106, sliders 107, and lock portions 145 are provided in correspondence with the four ink cartridges 30.

[Case 101]
The case 101 that forms the housing of the cartridge mounting unit 110 has a top surface that defines the top of the internal space of the case 101, a bottom surface that defines the bottom, and a top that connects the top and the bottom. And an opening 112 that is provided at a position facing the end surface and the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 and that can be exposed to the user interface surface of the printer 10 that faces when the user uses the printer 10. It has a box shape. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the case 101 through the opening 112. The ink cartridge 30 is guided in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 in FIG. 7 by inserting the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the ink cartridge 30 into the guide grooves 109 provided on the top surface and the bottom surface. The case 101 is provided with three plates 104 that divide the internal space into four spaces that are long in the vertical direction. The ink cartridge 30 is accommodated in each space partitioned by the plate 104.

[Ink needle 102]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, the ink needle (an example of a liquid supply pipe) 102 is made of a tubular resin, and is provided at the lower portion of the end surface of the case 101. The ink needle 102 is disposed on the end surface of the case 101 at a position corresponding to the ink supply unit 34 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. The ink needle 102 protrudes from the end surface of the case 101 in the removal direction 52.

  A cylindrical guide portion 105 is provided around the ink needle 102. The guide part 105 protrudes from the end surface of the case 101 in the removal direction 52, and its protruding end is open. The ink needle 102 is disposed at the center of the guide portion 105. The guide unit 105 has a shape in which the ink supply unit 34 of the ink cartridge enters inward.

  In the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting part 110 in the insertion direction 51, that is, in the process of moving the ink cartridge 30 to the mounting position, the ink supply part 34 of the ink cartridge 30 enters the guide part 105 (FIG. 10). reference). When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110 in the insertion direction 51, the ink needle 102 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 formed in the ink supply part 34. As a result, the ink supply valve 70 in the ink supply unit 34 is opened. As a result, the ink needle 102 and the ink supply unit 34 are connected. The ink stored in the storage chamber 36 formed inside the ink cartridge 30 is connected to the ink needle 102 through the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73 formed inside the ink supply unit 34 and the internal space of the ink needle 102. The ink tube 20 flows out. The tip of the ink needle 102 may be flat or pointed.

[Slider 107]
An opening 111 extending along the insertion direction 51 (or the removal direction 52) is formed on the lower surface of the guide groove 109 below the case 101 and near the end surface. A slider 107 is provided in the opening 111. The slider 107 protrudes upward from below the lower surface of the guide groove 109 through the opening 111. The slider 107 is fitted to a guide rail 113 provided below the case 101, and can move in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 along the guide rail 113 in the opening 111. A hiki spring 114 is stretched between the slider 107 and the case 101. The spring spring 114 is biased in the removal direction 52 by pulling the slider 107. Therefore, the slider 107 is positioned at the end of the guide rail 113 in the removal direction 52 when no external force is applied. When an external force in the insertion direction 51 is applied from that position, the slider 107 can move in the insertion direction 51 along the guide rail 113 in the opening 111.

  In the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting part 110 in the insertion direction 51, that is, in the process in which the ink cartridge 30 moves to the mounting position, the second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 is inserted along the guide groove 109 in the insertion direction. By proceeding to 51, the slider 107 comes into contact (see FIG. 8). When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 51, the slider 107 moves in the insertion direction 51 against the urging force of the hiki spring 114 by being pushed into the second projecting portion 86. The ink cartridge 30 receives a biasing force in the removal direction 52 by the slider 107. The slider 107 and the spring spring 114 are an example of an urging member.

[Locking part 145]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the lock portion 145 extends in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55 of the case 101 in the vicinity of the top surface of the case 101 and in the vicinity of the opening 112. The lock portion 145 is a rod-shaped member that extends along the left direction 56 and the right direction 55. The lock part 145 is, for example, a metal cylinder. Both ends of the lock portion 145 in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55 are fixed to walls that define both the left direction 56 and the right direction 55 of the case 101. Therefore, the lock portion 145 does not move relative to the case 101 such as turning. The lock portion 145 extends in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55 over four spaces in which the four ink cartridges 30 can be stored. In each space in which the ink cartridge 30 is accommodated, there is a space around the lock portion 145. Therefore, it is possible to access the lock portion 145 toward the upward direction 54 and toward the removal direction 52.

  The lock unit 145 is for holding the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 at the mounting position. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 and rotated to the mounting posture so that the ink cartridge 30 is engaged with the lock portion 145, and the lock portion 145 has a direction in which the slider 107 removes the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52. The ink cartridge 30 is held in the cartridge mounting portion 110 against the force of pushing the ink cartridge 30 and the force of the coil spring 78 of the ink cartridge 30 pushing the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, four contact points 106 are provided near the end surface of the top surface of the case 101. Although not shown in detail in each figure, the four contact points 106 are spaced apart in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55. The arrangement of the four contact points 106 corresponds to the arrangement of four electrodes 65 of the ink cartridge 30 described later (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Each contact 106 is made of a member having conductivity and elasticity, and can be elastically deformed in the upward direction 54. Four sets of four contact points 106 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be accommodated in the case 101. The number of contacts 106 and the number of electrodes 65 are arbitrary.

  Each contact 106 is electrically connected to the arithmetic unit via an electric circuit. The arithmetic device includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and may be configured as a control unit of the printer 10. When the contact 106 and the corresponding electrode 65 are electrically connected, the voltage Vc is applied to the electrode 65, the electrode 65 is grounded, or power is supplied to the electrode 65. Data stored in the IC of the ink cartridge 30 can be accessed by electrical conduction between the contact 106 and the corresponding electrode 65. The output from the electric circuit is input to the arithmetic unit.

[Rod 125]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the rod 125 is provided above the ink needle 102 on the end surface of the case 101. The rod 125 protrudes from the end surface of the case 101 in the removal direction 52. Like the upper half of the cylindrical shape, the rod 125 has a U-shaped cross-section that is orthogonal to the removal direction 52, and has a shape in which a rib extending upward in the removal direction 52 protrudes from the uppermost portion. is there. The rod 125 is inserted into the concave portion 96 below the IC substrate 64 of the ink cartridge 30 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, that is, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is positioned at the mounting position.

[Sensor 103]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, a sensor 103 is provided on the top surface of the case 101. The sensor 103 includes a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit. The light emitting unit is provided in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56 with respect to the light receiving unit and spaced from the light receiving unit. The liquid amount detection unit 62 of the ink cartridge 30 that has been mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 is disposed between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit. In other words, the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit are disposed to face each other with the liquid amount detecting unit 62 of the ink cartridge 30 that has been mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 being interposed therebetween.

  The sensor 103 outputs different detection signals depending on whether or not the light output from the light emitting unit is received by the light receiving unit. For example, the sensor 103 may detect a low level signal (“a signal with a signal level less than a threshold level” on condition that the light output from the light emitting unit cannot be received by the light receiving unit (that is, the received light intensity is less than a predetermined intensity). ").) Is output. On the other hand, the sensor 103 receives a high level signal (“the signal level is equal to or higher than the threshold level” on condition that the light output from the light emitting unit can be received by the light receiving unit (that is, the received light intensity is equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity). "Signal") is output.

[Ink cartridge 30]
The ink cartridge 30 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 is a container for storing ink. A space formed inside the ink cartridge 30 is a storage chamber (an example of a liquid storage chamber) 36 that stores ink. The storage chamber 36 is formed by the rear cover 31 that forms the appearance of the ink cartridge 30 and the inner frame 35 housed in the front cover 32, but is formed by the rear cover 31, the front cover 32, and the like. May be.

  The posture of the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIGS. 3 to 6 and 15 is the posture when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounting posture (first posture). That is, the ink cartridge 30 includes a front surface 140, a rear surface 41, upper surfaces 39 and 141, and lower surfaces 42 and 142, as will be described later. The ink cartridge 30 shown in FIGS. In the posture, the direction from the rear surface 41 to the front surface 140 coincides with the insertion direction 51 and the front direction 57, the direction from the front surface 140 to the rear surface 41 coincides with the removal direction 52, and from the upper surface 39, 141 to the lower surface 42, 142. The direction in which the heading direction coincides with the lower direction 53, and the direction from the lower surface 42, 142 to the upper surface 39, 141 coincides with the upper direction 54. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the front surface 140 faces the insertion direction 51 and the front direction 57, the rear surface 41 faces the removal direction 52, and the bottom surfaces 42 and 142 face the downward direction 53. The upper surfaces 39 and 141 face the upward direction 54.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the ink cartridge 30 includes a rear cover 31 having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, a front cover 32 that forms the front surface 140, and an internal frame 35 that partitions the storage chamber 36. . A front cover 32 is assembled to the rear cover 31 to form an outer shape of the ink cartridge 30. The inner frame 35 is housed inside the assembled rear cover 31 and front cover 32. The ink cartridge 30 as a whole has a narrow dimension along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and a dimension along the lower direction 53 and the upper direction 54, and the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58, respectively. The flat shape is larger than the dimension along the direction 56. The surface of the front cover 32 facing the insertion direction 51 (front direction 57) when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110 is the front surface 140, and the rear cover 31 facing the removal direction 52 (rear direction 58). Is the rear surface 41. That is, the rear surface 41 is disposed with the storage chamber 36 sandwiched between the rear surface 41 and the front surface 140 of the front cover 32.

[Rear cover 31]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rear cover 31 includes side surfaces 37, 38 that are spaced apart from each other in the right direction 55 and the left-right direction 51, an upper surface 39 that faces the upper direction 54, and a lower surface that faces the lower direction 53. 42 extends from the rear surface 41 in the insertion direction 51, and has a box shape opened toward the front direction 57. An inner frame 35 is inserted into the rear cover 31 through an opening. That is, the rear cover 31 covers the rear part of the inner frame 35. Further, the lower surface 42 is disposed with the storage chamber 36 interposed between the lower surface 42 and the upper surface 39 in a state where the inner frame 35 is inserted.

  The rear surface 41 has an upper portion 41U (an example of a second portion) and a lower portion 41L (an example of a first portion). The upper portion 41U is located in the upward direction 54 with respect to the lower portion 41L. The lower portion 41L is located in the lower direction 53 relative to the upper portion 41U. The lower portion 41L is located in the forward direction 57 with respect to the upper portion 41U. The upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L are both flat surfaces and intersect with each other without being orthogonal to each other. The lower portion 41L is inclined with respect to the lower direction 53 and the upper direction 54 so as to be closer to the front surface 140 as the lower surface 42 is approached. As shown in FIG. 15 (B), the upper portion 41U includes characters such as “PUSH” prompting the user to press, a symbol such as an arrow, and a diagram showing pressing with a finger. A sheet is attached.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a convex portion 43 is provided on the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31. The convex portion 43 extends along the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58 in the center of the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 on the upper surface 39. A surface facing the rear direction 58 in the convex portion 43 is a lock surface 151. The lock surface 151 extends along the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. The lock surface 151 is a surface that can come into contact with the lock portion 145 toward the removal direction 52 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. When the lock surface 151 comes into contact with the lock portion 145 in the removal direction 52, the ink cartridge 30 is mounted against the biasing force of the spring spring 114 biased through the slider 107 and the biasing force of the coil spring 78. Held by the unit 110.

  Reinforcing surfaces 152 and 153 that intersect with the lock surface 151 respectively extend continuously from the end in the right direction 55 and the end in the left direction 56 of the lock surface 151. The reinforcing surfaces 152 and 153 include a lock surface, and extend so as to form an acute angle toward the front direction 57 with respect to a virtual plane extending along the lower direction 53 and the upper direction 54, the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. . The strength of the convex portion 43 is reinforced by the reinforcing surfaces 152 and 153, and the possibility that the lock surface 151 is damaged is reduced. Further, since the reinforcing surfaces 152 and 153 do not extend in the rearward direction 58 from the lock surface 151, they do not come into contact with the lock portion 145. Therefore, even if the reinforcing surfaces 152 and 153 exist, even if the lock surface 151 may slide with the lock portion 145, the sliding resistance does not increase.

  In the convex portion 43, a horizontal surface 154 is provided continuously with the lock surface 151 in the forward direction 57 from the lock surface 151. The horizontal plane 154 is a plane extending along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, the front direction 57, and the rear direction 58. In the forward direction 57 from the horizontal plane 154, an inclined surface 155 is provided continuously with the horizontal plane 154. The inclined surface 155 faces the upward direction 54 and the front direction 57. As shown in FIG. 14, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounting posture, the first angle which is an acute angle formed by the lock surface 151 with respect to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54 is that the inclined surface 155 is downward. 53 and smaller than the second angle θ, which is an acute angle formed with respect to the upward direction 54. In the present embodiment, the first angle is zero because the lock surface 151 is along the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounting posture. Therefore, the inclined surface 155 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53, and is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the backward direction 58. Since the lock surface 151 and the inclined surface 155 are continuous via the horizontal surface 154, the mountain shape with a sharp boundary between the lock surface 151 and the inclined surface 154 is not formed. In the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 by the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154, the lock portion 145 is smoothly guided to the rear direction 58 from the lock surface 151 while being in contact with the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154. .

  Reinforcing surfaces 156 and 157 that intersect with the inclined surface 151 respectively extend continuously from the end in the right direction 55 and the end in the left direction 56 on the inclined surface 155. The reinforcing surfaces 156 and 157 include the inclined surface 155 and extend so as to form an acute angle toward the downward direction 54 with respect to a virtual plane extending along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The strength of the convex portion 43 is reinforced by the reinforcing surfaces 156 and 157, and the possibility that the inclined surface 155 is damaged is reduced. Further, since the reinforcing surfaces 156 and 157 do not extend in the upward direction 54 from the inclined surface 155, they do not come into contact with the lock portion 145. Therefore, even if the reinforcing surfaces 156 and 157 are present, the sliding resistance when the inclined surface 155 slides on the lock portion 145 does not increase.

  On the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31, an operation unit 90 is provided in the rear direction 58 from the lock surface 151. A sub-upper surface 91 is formed at the rear end of the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31 and is located in a lower direction 53 than other portions of the upper surface 39. An operation unit 90 is disposed above the sub upper surface 91 with a space therebetween. The operation unit 90 has a flat plate shape that protrudes from the vicinity of the boundary between the other part of the upper surface 39 and the sub-upper surface 91 in the upward direction 54 to the upper side of the convex portion 43, and further bent obliquely downward in the backward direction 58 and downward direction 53. is there. A rib 94 is provided between the operation unit 90 and the sub-upper surface 91 and is continuous with the operation unit 90 and the sub-upper surface 91 and extends in the rearward direction 58. As shown in FIG. 15, the dimension of the rib 94 along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 is smaller than the dimension of the operation unit 90 and the dimension of the sub upper surface 91 along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, respectively.

  In the operation unit 90, a surface facing the upward direction 54 and the rearward direction 58 is an operation surface 92. The operation surface 92 and the sub-upper surface 91 overlap in positions in the direction along the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58. In other words, when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53, the operation surface 92 and the sub-upper surface 91 are in overlapping positions. On the operation surface 92, a plurality of protrusions, for example, a plurality of protrusions 93 extending along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 are formed at intervals in the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58. The protrusions 93 as the plurality of protrusions make it easier for the user to recognize the operation surface 92, and when the user operates the operation surface 92 with the finger, the finger is less likely to slip relative to the operation surface 92.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the operation surface 92 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53 and is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the forward direction 57. In other words, the operation surface 92 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from the direction from the upper surface 39 to the lower surface 42, and when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from the direction from the rear surface 41 to the front surface 140. Visible. The operation surface 92 is a surface for the user to operate in order to take out the ink cartridge 30 from the state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110. The operation unit 90 is fixed to the rear cover 31 by being molded integrally with the rear cover 31, and is configured not to move relative to the rear cover 31. Yes. Therefore, the force applied from the user to the operation surface 92 is transmitted to the rear cover 31 as it is without changing the direction. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 90 is configured not to move relative to the internal frame 35 and the storage chamber 36, such as turning.

[Front cover 32]
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the front cover 32 is disposed to be separated from each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 by the side surfaces 143 and 144, and in the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. The upper surface 141 and the lower surface 142 extend from the front surface 140 in the rearward direction 58 and have a box shape opened toward the rearward direction 58. An inner frame 35 is inserted into the front cover 32 through an opening. That is, the front cover 32 covers the front portion of the inner frame 35 that is not covered by the rear cover 31.

  In a state where the front cover 32 and the rear cover 31 are assembled, that is, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is assembled, the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32 constitutes the upper surface of the ink cartridge 30 together with the upper surface 39 of the rear cover 31. The lower surface 142 of the front cover 32 and the lower surface 42 of the rear cover 31 constitute the lower surface of the ink cartridge 30. Specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounting posture (first posture), the lower surface 142 of the front cover 32 extends along the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58, and the lower surface 42 of the rear cover 31 is It is inclined downward 53 and rearward 58. Side surfaces 143 and 144 of the front cover 32 constitute side surfaces of the ink cartridge 30 together with side surfaces 37 and 38 of the rear cover 31. In the assembled state of the ink cartridge 30, the front surface 140 of the front cover 32 that forms the front surface of the ink cartridge 30 and the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 that forms the rear surface of the ink cartridge 30 have the front direction 57 and They are spaced apart from one another in the rearward direction 58. In addition, the front surface, the rear surface, the upper surface, the lower surface, and the side surface of the ink cartridge 30 do not necessarily have to be one flat surface. That is, it is a surface that can be seen when the ink cartridge 30 in the first posture is viewed in the rear direction 58, and in the front direction 57 from the center of the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58 of the ink cartridge 30 in the first posture. The surface to be located is the front surface. It is a surface that can be seen when the ink cartridge 30 in the first posture is viewed in the front direction 57 and is located in the rear direction 58 from the center of the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58 of the ink cartridge 30 in the first posture. The face is the rear face. It is a surface that can be seen when the ink cartridge 30 in the first posture is viewed in the downward direction 53 and is located in the upward direction 54 from the center of the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54 of the ink cartridge 30 in the first posture. The surface is the top surface. It is a surface that can be seen when the ink cartridge 30 in the first posture is viewed in the upward direction 54, and is located in the downward direction 53 from the center of the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54 of the ink cartridge 30 in the first posture. The surface is the lower surface. The same applies to the side surface.

  A concave portion 96 that is recessed in the rear direction 58 is formed in the upper portion of the front surface 140 of the front cover 32. The rod 125 enters the recess 96 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. Therefore, the cross section perpendicular to the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58 of the recess 96 is a shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the rod 125.

  A hole 97 penetrating in the rear direction 58 is formed in a lower portion of the front surface 140 of the front cover 32. The hole 97 is a hole for exposing the ink supply part 34 of the inner frame 35 to the outside in a state where the inner frame 35 is inserted into the front cover 32. Therefore, the hole 97 is formed in a position, size, and shape corresponding to the ink supply unit 34 of the internal frame 35.

  A first protrusion 85 and a second protrusion 86 are provided on the front surface 140 of the front cover 32. The first protrusion 85 protrudes forward 57 at the upper end of the front cover 32. The recess 96 is provided at the tip of the first protrusion 85. The tip of the first protrusion 85 forms part of the front surface 140.

  The second protruding portion 86 protrudes forward 57 from the front surface 140 at the lower end of the front surface 140 of the front cover 32, that is, below the ink supply portion 34. On the lower surface of the second projecting portion 86, a recess 87 that opens in the front direction 57 and the downward direction 53 is formed. A part of the recess 87 protrudes downward 53 from the lower surface 142 of the front cover 32. In the process in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the second protrusion 86 comes into contact with the recess 87 as the slider 125 enters.

  A hole 98 penetrating in the downward direction 53 is formed in the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32. The hole 98 is a hole for exposing the liquid amount detection unit 62 of the inner frame 35 to the outside in a state where the inner frame 35 is inserted into the front cover 32. Therefore, the hole 98 is formed in a position, size, and shape corresponding to the liquid amount detection unit 62 of the inner frame 35.

  An IC substrate 64 is provided on the upper surface 141 of the front cover 32 above the first protrusion 85, that is, above the ink supply unit 34. The IC substrate 64 is electrically connected to four contacts 106 (see FIG. 2) arranged in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 in the middle of mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110, and the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge. Even when attached to the portion 110, the contact 106 is electrically connected.

  An IC (not shown in the drawings) and four electrodes 65 are mounted on the IC substrate 64. The four electrodes 65 are arranged along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit, and stores information about the ink cartridge 30 such as data indicating information such as a lot number, date of manufacture, and ink color in a readable manner.

  Each electrode 65 is electrically connected to the IC. Each electrode 65 extends along the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58, and the four electrodes 65 are spaced apart in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. Each electrode 65 is exposed on the upper surface of the IC substrate 64 so as to be electrically accessible.

[Internal frame 35]
Although not shown in each figure, the inner frame 35 is configured in an annular shape in which a pair of end faces are opened in a right direction 55 and a left direction 56. In the internal frame 35, a pair of open surfaces is sealed with a film (not shown), thereby forming a storage chamber 36 in which ink can be stored. Note that at least one of the pair of surfaces may be sealed not by a film but by a wall having the same degree of rigidity as the wall of the internal frame 35. The front surface 40 that defines the storage chamber 36 is a surface that faces the back surface of the front surface 140 of the front cover 32 when the internal frame 35 is inserted into the front cover 32, and is provided with an ink supply unit 34. .

[Ink supply unit 34]
As shown in FIG. 6, the ink supply unit 34 protrudes in the forward direction 57 from the front surface 40 of the inner frame 35 in the lower portion of the front surface 140. The ink supply unit 34 has a cylindrical outer shape, and protrudes outward through a hole 97 provided in the front surface 140 of the front cover 32. The ink supply unit 34 includes a cylindrical tube wall 73 having an internal space, and a seal member 76 and a cap 79 attached to the tube wall 73.

  The cylindrical wall 73 extends from the inside of the storage chamber 36 to the outside. An end of the tubular wall 73 in the removal direction 52 is open in the storage chamber 36. The end of the cylindrical wall 73 in the insertion direction 51 is open to the outside of the ink cartridge 30. Thereby, the cylindrical wall 73 communicates with the storage chamber 36 and the outside of the ink cartridge 30 via the internal space. That is, the ink supply unit 34 supplies the ink stored in the storage chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73. A seal member 76 and a cap 79 are attached to the end of the cylindrical wall 73 in the insertion direction 51.

  A valve body 77 and a coil spring 78 are accommodated in the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73. The valve body 77 and the coil spring 78 are in a state where the ink supply unit 34 is in a state where ink flows out from the storage chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73 (see FIG. 11). This is for selectively switching between the state in which ink does not flow out of the ink cartridge 30 from the internal space (see FIG. 6).

  The valve body 77 opens and closes the ink supply port 71 penetrating through the center of the seal member 76 by moving along the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58. The coil spring 78 urges the valve body 77 in the forward direction 57. Therefore, the valve body 77 closes the ink supply port 71 of the seal member 76 in a state where no external force is applied.

  The seal member 76 is disposed at the tip of the cylindrical wall 73. The seal member 76 is a disk-shaped member having a through hole formed in the center. The seal member 76 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer, for example. The center of the seal member 76 is penetrated in the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58 to form a cylindrical inner peripheral surface, and the ink supply port 71 is formed by the inner peripheral surface. The inner diameter of the ink supply port 71 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink needle 102. The seal member 76 is in liquid-tight contact with the tip of the cylindrical wall 73 by a cap 79 fitted on the outer side of the cylindrical wall 73.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in a state where the valve body 77 closes the ink supply port 71, the ink needle 102 enters the ink supply port 71. While the seal member 76 is elastically deformed, the outer peripheral surface of the ink needle 102 comes into liquid-tight contact with the inner peripheral surface that defines the ink supply port 71. When the tip of the ink needle 102 passes through the seal member 76 and enters the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73, it comes into contact with the valve body 77. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink needle 102 moves the valve body 77 in the backward direction 58 against the urging force of the coil spring 78. As a result, the ink stored in the storage chamber 36 can flow to the tip portion of the ink needle 102 through the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73. Although not shown in each figure, ink flows from the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73 to the internal space of the ink needle 102 through a through hole formed in the tip portion of the ink needle 102. As a result, the ink stored in the storage chamber 36 can flow out through the internal space of the cylindrical wall 73 and the ink needle 102.

  In the ink supply unit 34, the valve body 77 for closing the ink supply port 71 is not necessarily provided. For example, when the ink supply port 71 is closed with a film or the like and the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, the ink needle 102 breaks through the film, so that the leading end portion of the ink needle 102 passes through the ink supply port 71. The structure which approachs into the internal space of the cylinder wall 73 may be sufficient. The ink supply port 71 may be closed by the elasticity of the seal member 76 and may be formed so as to be expanded by the ink needle 102 only when the ink needle 102 is inserted.

[Liquid level detector 62]
As shown in FIG. 6, the inner frame 35 includes a liquid amount detection unit 62 that protrudes upward from the upper surface 54. The liquid amount detection unit 62 is a convex portion having a space in which the internal space is continuous with the storage chamber 36, and has translucency that transmits light toward the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The liquid amount detection unit 62 is exposed to the outside through the hole 98 of the front cover 32. The liquid amount detection unit 62 has an internal space defined by five planes positioned in the front direction 57, the rear direction 58, the upward direction 54, the right direction 55, and the left direction 56. Of these five planes, the plane that defines the end in the front direction 57 of the internal space is referred to as plane 66, and the plane that defines the end in the rear direction 58 of the internal space is referred to as plane 67.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a member 59 to be detected is disposed in the storage chamber 36 of the inner frame 35. The detected member 59 is supported by a rotation shaft 61 extending along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and can be rotated around the rotation shaft 61.

  The detected member 59 has a float 63. The float 63 has a specific gravity smaller than that of the ink stored in the storage chamber 36. Accordingly, in the storage chamber 36, the float 63 generates buoyancy in a state where it exists in the ink. In a state where the storage chamber 36 is substantially filled with ink, the detected member 59 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 6 due to the buoyancy of the float 63. A part 68 of the detected member 59 enters the liquid amount detecting unit 62, and the part 68 of the detected member 59 comes into contact with the flat surface 66 of the liquid amount detecting unit 62, thereby Posture is maintained. In this state, a part 68 of the detection target member 59 blocks the light of the sensor 103 traveling in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56 through the liquid amount detection unit 62.

  More specifically, when the light output from the light emitting unit of the sensor 103 reaches one of the right side and the left side of the liquid level detection unit 62 by the detected member 59, the other of the right side and the left side of the liquid level detection unit 62 The intensity of light coming out of the surface and reaching the light receiving unit is less than a predetermined intensity, for example, zero. A part 68 of the detected member 59 may completely block the light from traveling in the right direction 55 or the left direction 56, may partially absorb the light, or bends the traveling direction of the light. Alternatively, the light may be totally reflected.

  When the ink level decreases in the reservoir chamber 36 and the liquid level of the ink descends from the position of the float 63 in the posture when the detected member 59 blocks the light traveling through the liquid amount detection unit 62, the float 63 moves to the ink liquid. It descends with the surface. As a result, a part 68 of the detected member 59 rotates clockwise in FIG. Due to this clockwise rotation, a part 68 of the detected member 59 that has entered the liquid amount detection unit 62 moves out of the optical path from the light emitting unit to the light receiving unit of the sensor 103 and moves to the vicinity of the plane 67. Thereby, the intensity of the light reaching the light receiving part of the sensor 103 becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity.

  A first virtual plane (a plane along the plane of FIG. 6) including the direction in which the member to be detected moves due to the buoyancy of the float 63, and a rotation in which the ink cartridge 30 rotates between the first attitude and the second attitude. The second virtual plane including the direction (a plane along the plane of FIG. 6) is parallel.

[Arrangement of Lock Surface 151 and Operation Surface 92 in Ink Cartridge 30]
As shown in FIG. 5, in the ink cartridge 30, the distance D1 between the lock surface 151 and the front surface 140 (more specifically, the foremost surface of the front surface 140) is the lock surface 151 and the rear surface 41 (more specifically, The distance D2 from the upper portion 41U) of the rear surface 41 is larger. A distance D1 between the lock surface 151 and the front surface 140 (more specifically, the foremost surface of the front surface 140) is a distance D3 between the operation surface 92 and the front surface 140 (more specifically, the foremost surface of the front surface 140). Smaller than. A distance D4 between the lower end of the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 and the lower surface 42 is larger than a distance D5 between the lower end of the lower portion 41L of the rear surface 41 and the lower surface 42 (zero in this embodiment). The distance D6 between the foremost position of the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 and the front surface 140 (more specifically, the foremost surface of the front surface 140) is the front position of the lower portion 41L of the rear surface 41 and the front surface 140 (more specifically, It is larger than the distance D7 from the front surface 140). At least a part of the lower portion 41 </ b> L of the rear surface 41 is located between the central axis 72 of the ink supply port 71 of the seal member 76 and the lower surface 42. The central axis 72 of the ink supply port 71 is an axis that passes through the center of the ink supply port 71 and extends in a direction in which the ink supply port 71 penetrates the seal member 76.

[Operation for Mounting Ink Cartridge 30 to Cartridge Mounting Unit 110]
Hereinafter, a process in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 7, in the ink cartridge 30 before being mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the valve body 77 closes the ink supply port 71 of the seal member 76. Thereby, the distribution of ink from the storage chamber 36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 is blocked.

  A certain amount of ink is stored in the storage chamber 36. The amount of ink is, for example, a predetermined amount stored in the replacement ink cartridge 30 as an initial value. Buoyancy acts on the float 63 of the detected member 59 by the ink stored in the storage chamber 39. Accordingly, the detected member 59 rotates around the rotation center portion 61 according to the posture of the ink cartridge 30. As shown in FIG. 7, for example, among the surfaces that define the storage chamber 36, the surface 60 that is located in the front direction 57 relative to the float 63 and faces the float 63 in the front direction 57 and the rear direction 58, as described above. Further, the side surface of the wall sealing one of the pair of open surfaces of the inner frame 35, or the lower surface located in the lower direction 53 with respect to the float 63 and facing the float 63 and the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53. It is assumed that the float 63 of the detected member 59 adheres to 69. For example, when the flatness of the surface of the float 63 and the flatness of the surface 60, the side surface, and the lower surface 69 are high, there is no gap between the float 63 and the surface 60, the side surface, and the lower surface 69. The float 63 may adhere to the surface 60, the side surface, or the lower surface 69. In FIG. 7, the float 63 and the lower surface 69 are separated from each other, but it is easily understood that the float 63 can contact the lower surface 69 depending on the size of the float 63. Accordingly, the float 63 is held in a state where it adheres to the surface 60, the side surface, and the lower surface 69 against the buoyancy of the float 63. As a result, a part 68 of the detected member 59 is held near the plane 67.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101 through the opening 112 of the cartridge mounting portion 110. Since the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 is located in the removal direction 52 relative to the lower portion 41L, that is, closer to the user, the user presses the upper portion 41U and presses the ink cartridge 30. Is inserted in the insertion direction 51 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110. In addition, as described above, the upper portion 41U is pasted with a sheet on which characters such as “PUSH”, a symbol such as an arrow, a figure showing pressing with a finger, and the like are pasted. You are prompted to press the upper portion 41U. The lower part of the ink cartridge 30, that is, the lower part of each of the front cover 32 and the rear cover 31 enters a guide groove 109 below the case 101. A second projecting portion 86 is provided at the lower portion of the front cover 32, and a part of the concave portion 87 projecting downward from the lower surface 142 of the front cover 32 contacts the lower surface of the guide groove 109. Thus, the lower surface 142 is inclined with respect to the insertion direction 51 so that the front portion of the front cover 32 is lifted. That is, a part of the recess 87 of the front cover 32 and a part near the rear end of the lower surface 142 are in contact with the lower surface of the guide groove 109.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 51, the concave portion 87 of the second projecting portion 86 of the front cover 31 comes into contact with the slider 107. At this time, the user is pressing the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 of the ink cartridge 30. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 8 around the contact portion between the concave portion 87 of the second protrusion 86 and the slide 107. By this rotation, the lower surface 142 of the front cover 32 is separated from the lower surface of the lower guide groove 109, while the upper portion of the ink cartridge 30 contacts the upper guide groove 109.

  As shown in FIG. 9, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 51 against the urging force of the spring 114 that urges the slider 107 in the removal direction 52, the cap 79 of the ink supply unit 34. Begins to enter the guide portion 105. Further, the concave portion 96 of the front cover 32 faces the rod 125, and the rod 125 starts to enter the concave portion 96.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 51 against the urging force of the spring 114 that urges the slider 107 in the removal direction 52, the cap 79 of the ink supply unit 34. Enters the guide portion 105 and the ink needle 102 enters the ink supply port 71 to separate the valve body 77 from the seal member 76 against the urging force of the coil spring 78. In addition to the biasing force of the hiki spring 114 applied to the ink cartridge 30 via the slider 107, the biasing force of the coil spring 78 is applied in the removal direction 52.

  Further, the rod 125 enters the concave portion 96 of the front cover 32 and supports the front cover 32 from below. When the IC substrate 64 reaches below the contact 106, each electrode 65 is electrically connected to the corresponding contact 106 while elastically deforming the contact 106 upward. At this time, the IC substrate 64 is urged downward 53 by the elastic deformation of the contact 106, but the rod 125 supports the front cover 32 from below, so that the positioning of the IC substrate 64 with respect to the contact 106 is accurate. To be made. The rod 125 does not necessarily support the front cover 32 from below.

  Further, the convex portion 43 of the rear cover 31 reaches the lock portion 145, and the inclined surface 155 slides with respect to the lock portion 145. The ink cartridge 30 is applied with a rotational moment counterclockwise in FIG. 10 by the user pressing the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 in the insertion direction 51. However, due to the contact between the inclined surface 155 and the lock portion 145, Contrary to this rotational moment, the ink cartridge 30 uses the center of the ink supply port 71 of the seal member 76 into which the ink needle 102 is inserted as the center of rotation, in other words, the ink supply port 71 in the ink needle 102. The center of the part which the inner peripheral surface of the seal member 76 to demarcate contacts is the center of rotation, and rotates clockwise in FIG. The posture of the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 10 is referred to as a second posture.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is in the second posture, the lock surface 151 of the convex portion 43 is located below the lock portion 145. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second posture, the position of the rotation center and the IC substrate 64 described above in the direction along the insertion direction 51 overlap. Accordingly, the urging force applied to the IC substrate 64 by the contact 106 does not act as a moment for rotating the ink cartridge 30 or is a very small moment. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second posture, the lower surface 42 of the rear cover 32 abuts or approaches the lower surface of the lower guide groove 109. In the present embodiment, the lower surface 42 of the rear cover 32 is in a horizontal plane. Become. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second posture, the lower portion 41L of the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 is positioned in the insertion direction 51 from the upper portion 41U.

  As shown in FIG. 11, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 51 against the biasing force of the spring 114 that biases the slider 107 in the removal direction 52 and the biasing force of the coil spring 78, The inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 of the convex portion 43 of the cover 31 are closer to the end surface of the case 101 than the lock portion 145. Since the user presses the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 in the insertion direction 51, a rotational moment is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 11, so that the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 are in contact with the lock portion 145. When the ink cartridge 30 is not in contact, the ink cartridge 30 rotates counterclockwise in FIG. 11 with the center of the ink supply port 71 of the seal member 76 into which the ink needle 102 is inserted as the rotation center. The posture of the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 11 is referred to as a first posture.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is in the first posture, the lock surface 151 faces the lock portion 145 toward the removal direction 52. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 rotates from the second posture to the first posture, the rear cover 31 comes into contact with the lock portion 145. By the impact of this contact, the user recognizes that the ink cartridge 30 has been pushed in the insertion direction 51. When the user stops pushing the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51, the ink cartridge 30 moves in the removal direction 52 due to the biasing force biased from the hiki spring 114 and the biasing force of the coil spring 78 via the slider. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the first posture, the lock surface 151 faces the lock portion 145 in the removal direction 52. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 30 moves slightly in the removal direction 52, the lock surface 151 is locked. Abuts against the portion 145. Accordingly, the ink cartridge 30 is maintained in the first posture and is restricted from moving in the removal direction 52. That is, the ink cartridge 30 is positioned in the cartridge mounting part 110 and is in a state where the mounting is completed.

  As the ink cartridge 30 is rotated from the second position to the first position, the ink flows in the storage chamber 36. Ink flows between the float 63 of the member 59 to be detected and the surface 60, the side surface, and the lower surface 69 of the storage chamber 36. The state where the float 63 and the surface 60, the side surface, and the lower surface 69 of the storage chamber 36 are adhered is eliminated. Then, the detected member 59 of the ink cartridge 30 in the first posture rotates about the rotation shaft 61 by the buoyancy of the float 63 (counterclockwise rotation in FIG. 11). The unit 68 moves away from the vicinity of the plane 67 of the liquid amount detection unit 62 and contacts the plane 66. As a result, a part 68 of the detected member 59 is positioned in the optical path of the sensor 103. Further, the impact that the lock surface 151 of the ink cartridge 30 collides with the lock portion 145 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 is transmitted to the surface 63, the side surface, and the lower surface 69 of the float 63 and the storage chamber 36. It becomes easier to separate from the surface 60, the side surface, and the lower surface 69. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second posture, the biasing force biased from the hiki spring 114 via the slider and the biasing force of the coil spring 78 are applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52. Since the ink cartridge 30 is pushed in the insertion direction 51 against these urging forces, the acceleration when the ink cartridge 30 rotates from the second posture to the first posture is when there is no such urging force. As a result, the impact when the lock surface 151 collides with the lock portion 145 is further increased.

  Hereinafter, the operation of rotating the ink cartridge 30 from the second posture to the first posture in the cartridge mounting portion 110 will be described in more detail.

As shown in FIG. 12, the magnitude of gravity applied to the ink cartridge 30 is defined as gravity G. Also, the biasing force F is the magnitude of the biasing force of the spring 114 and the coil spring 78 that biases the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52 in the first posture. Further, a distance along the insertion direction 51 from the center of gravity M of the ink cartridge 30 to the rotation center O in the second posture is a distance L. Further, the distance along the upper direction 54 perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 from the rotation center O of the lower end of the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 in the ink cartridge 30 in the second posture is defined as a height H. At this time,
The formula: (biasing force F) × (height H)> (gravity G) × (distance L) is satisfied.
In the above equation, the product of gravity G and distance L corresponds to the magnitude of the moment for rotating the ink cartridge 30 clockwise in FIG.

  In order for the user to insert the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 51, it is necessary to push the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 with a force at least greater than the biasing force F. In other words, if the force that the user pushes the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 is the force U, (biasing force F) <(force U). Further, when the user holds the ink cartridge 30 at a fixed position in the insertion direction 51 against the urging force F, the urging force F and the force U are equal. Therefore, when the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting part 110, a force U equivalent to at least the urging force F is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51. In addition, the user presses the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 in the ink cartridge 30, that is, the upper portion from the lower end of the upper portion 41U. Here, it is assumed that the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second posture is substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction 51. Then, a counterclockwise moment in FIG. 12 having a magnitude corresponding to at least the product of the urging force F and the height H is generated in the ink cartridge 30. Since the above equation is satisfied, a counterclockwise moment in FIG. 12 is generated in the ink cartridge 30 in the process in which the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 51. Further, since the ink cartridge 30 receives the biasing force of the tear spring 114 via the slider 107 at the second projecting portion 86, that is, receives the biasing force of the tear spring 114 below the rotation center O. This urging force also acts as a moment for rotating the ink cartridge 30 counterclockwise. Needless to say, even if there is no urging force of the hiki spring 114, a counterclockwise moment is generated in the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110.

  Therefore, as described above, when the inclined surface 155 of the convex portion 43 finishes sliding with respect to the lock portion 145 and the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 are separated from the lock portion 145 in the insertion direction 51, the ink cartridge 30 is Due to the counterclockwise moment in FIG. 12, the posture changes from the second posture to the first posture.

  As shown in FIG. 14, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first posture, the upper end of the lock surface 151 is centered on the rotation center O and outward from the virtual arc C passing through the lock portion 145. The lower end of the lock surface 151 is located inside the virtual arc C. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first posture, the lower end of the lock surface 151 is inward of the virtual arc C from the upper end of the lock surface 151, that is, at a position close to the rotation center O. Accordingly, the lock portion 145 slides toward the lower end of the lock surface 151 by the urging force in the removal direction 52. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 is rotated to the first posture in a state where the lock portion 145 and the lock surface 151 are in contact with each other.

On the other hand, suppose that in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the user presses the lower portion 41L without pressing the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31. As shown in FIG. 13, the lower portion 41L of the ink cartridge 30 in the second posture is at an angle α with respect to the first virtual plane P1 (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 13) orthogonal to the insertion direction 51. Intersect. Further, the length of the perpendicular extending from the rotation center O toward the second virtual plane P2 (perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 13) orthogonal to the lower part 41L at the lower end of the lower part 41L is defined as a length N. . At this time,
The formula: (biasing force F) × cos α × (length N)> (gravity G) × (distance L) is satisfied.
Similarly to the above, in the above formula, the product of gravity G and distance L corresponds to the magnitude of the moment for rotating the ink cartridge 30 clockwise in FIG.

  When the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting unit 110, when the lower portion 41L of the ink cartridge 30 is pushed in the insertion direction 51 with a force U at least equal to the urging force F, the ink cartridge 30 has at least A counterclockwise moment in FIG. 13 having a magnitude corresponding to the product of the cos α component of the biasing force F and the length N is generated. Since the above equation is satisfied, even when the user pushes the lower portion 41L of the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51, a counterclockwise moment in FIG.

  When the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the user pushes the operation surface 92 downward. As shown in FIG. 15, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is in the first posture, the operation surface 92 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53 and the front direction 57 (insertion direction). 51) when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed. In the state where the ink cartridge 30 is in the first posture, the operation surface 92 faces the upward direction 54 and the removal direction 52, so that the ink cartridge 30 is released from the position positioned with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110. In addition, when the user operates the operation surface 92, a force acts on the ink cartridge 30 in the downward direction 53 and the insertion direction 51. Due to the force acting in the insertion direction 51, the lock surface 151 is separated from the lock portion 145. The ink cartridge 30 is rotated from the first posture to the second posture by the force acting in the downward direction 53. Accordingly, the ink cartridge 30 is rotated from the first position to the second position as compared with the case where the ink cartridge 30 is rotated from the first position to the second position while the lock surface 151 is sliding with the lock portion 145. Therefore, the force applied to the operation surface 92 by the user is reduced.

  As the ink cartridge 30 rotates from the first posture to the second posture, the lock surface 151 is positioned below the lock portion 145. Then, the ink cartridge 30 moves the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the removal direction 52 by the biasing force of the hiki spring 114 and the coil spring 78. When the ink cartridge 30 moves away from the slider 107, the urging force in the removal direction 52 is not applied to the ink cartridge 30. Therefore, when the inertial force acting on the ink cartridge 30 disappears, the ink cartridge 30 moves in the removal direction 52. Finish moving. At this time, since at least the rear cover 31 of the ink cartridge 30 is located outside the opening 102 of the case 101 of the cartridge mounting unit 110, the user holds the rear cover 31 and holds the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting unit 110. Can be taken out from.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
According to the above-described embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is rotated from the second posture to the first posture in the state of being inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink flow is generated in the storage chamber 36, and the covered portion is covered. The float 63 of the detection member 59 is easily separated from the surface 60, the side surface, and the lower surface 69 of the storage chamber 36. As a result, when the user mounts the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the detected member 59 can smoothly move around the rotation center portion 61.

  In addition, since the first angle that is an acute angle formed by the lock surface 151 with respect to the upward direction 54 is smaller than the second angle θ that is the acute angle formed by the inclined surface 155 with respect to the upward direction 54, the ink cartridge 30. However, the acceleration of turning from the second posture to the first posture tends to increase. Accordingly, the ink flow in the storage chamber 36 caused by the rotation of the ink cartridge 30 from the second posture to the first posture, the float 63 of the detected member 59, the surface 60, the side surface, and the lower surface 69 of the storage chamber 36. The impact acting on is relatively large.

  Moreover, since it has further the horizontal surface 154 which continues with the lock surface 151 and the inclined surface 155, the boundary of the lock surface 151 and the inclined surface 155 is hard to be damaged.

  In addition, since the ink cartridge 30 is applied with the biasing force biased by the spring spring 114 via the slider and the biasing force of the coil spring 78 in the removal direction 52 with respect to the ink cartridge 30, the ink cartridge 30 is in the second posture. The acceleration of turning from 1 to the first posture is further increased.

  Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the lower portion 41L of the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31 is positioned in the insertion direction 51 with respect to the upper portion 41U. It becomes easy to push the upper portion 41U that is in front, and the lower portion 41L is hard to be pushed. When the upper portion 41U is pushed, a moment is generated from the ink cartridge 30 inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 to rotate from the second posture to the first posture about the rotation center O. When the lock surface 151 of the ink cartridge 30 rotated to the first posture comes into contact with the lock portion 145 in the removal direction 52, the ink cartridge 30 moves in the removal direction 52 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110. Is regulated, i.e., positioned. Accordingly, the ink cartridge 30 is easily positioned on the cartridge mounting portion 110 without being aware of the fact that the user actively changes the direction of the force for pushing the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110.

[First Modification]
In the embodiment described above, the direction in which the detected member 59 rotates around the rotation shaft 61 by the buoyancy of the float 63 is the rotation direction in which the ink cartridge 30 moves from the second posture to the first posture (the opposite direction in FIG. 10). 16, as a first modification, the direction in which the detected member 59 rotates around the rotation shaft 61 by the buoyancy of the float 63 is the same as that of the ink cartridge 30. The detected member 59 may be configured so as to be in a direction opposite to the rotation direction from the second posture to the first posture (clockwise in FIG. 16). That is, in the above-described embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first posture and the second posture, the float 63 moves backward 58 from the virtual straight line from the part 68 of the detected member 59 toward the rotation shaft 61. 16 (see FIGS. 10 and 11), as shown in FIG. 16, the float 63 is arranged in the forward direction 57 from the imaginary straight line from the part 68 of the detected member 59 to the rotation shaft 61. It may be. In such a modification, in the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110, the part 68 of the detected member 59 is in contact with the flat surface 67 of the liquid amount detection unit 62 on the optical path of the sensor 103. Is located near the flat surface 66 of the liquid amount detection unit 62, and deviates from the optical path of the sensor 103.

  As shown in FIG. 16B, it is assumed that the surface that partitions the storage chamber 36 and the float 63 of the detected member 59 are attached, as in the above-described embodiment. In the storage chamber 36, it is assumed that the ink is a bubble and bubbles are generated, and the bubbles are present between the flat surface 67 of the liquid amount detection unit 62 and a part 68 of the detected member 59. This bubble prevents the part 68 of the detected part 59 from rotating in the direction toward the flat surface 67 of the liquid amount detecting part 62.

  When the ink cartridge 30 according to the first modification is rotated from the second posture (FIG. 16B) to the first posture (FIG. 16A), ink flows in the storage chamber. Ink flows between the float 63 of the detected member 59 and the surface of the storage chamber 36, and the state where the float 63 and the surface of the storage chamber 36 are adhered is eliminated.

  Further, since the inertial force acts on the detected member 59 when the ink cartridge 30 is rotated from the second posture to the first posture, the detected member is rotated clockwise in FIG. 16 by the buoyancy and inertial force of the float 63. Moving. That is, when the ink cartridge 30 is rotated from the second posture to the first posture, the direction of the inertial force acting on the detected member 59 coincides with the direction in which the float 63 floats in the ink, or a component in that direction. Therefore, the force that breaks and moves the bubbles existing between the flat surface 67 of the liquid amount detection unit 62 and the part 68 of the detected member 59 is likely to act on the detected member 59. As a result, when the user mounts the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the detected member 59 can move smoothly around the rotation center portion 61.

[Second Modification]
In the embodiment described above, the lock surface 151 is provided on the upper surface 39 of the ink cartridge 30, and the ink cartridge 30 is rotated in the upward direction 54 in the cartridge mounting portion 110, so that the ink cartridge 30 is moved to the first position. The lock surface 151 of the ink cartridge 30 comes into contact with the lock portion 145 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 by being rotated from the second posture to the first posture, but instead of the lock surface 151 provided on the upper surface 39, the ink cartridge 30 A lock surface 161 may be provided on the lower surface 42. In this case, in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 is rotated downward 53, so that the ink cartridge 30 is moved from the second posture (FIG. 17C) to the first posture (FIG. 17D). , And comes into contact with the lock portion 147 provided on the lower surface of the case 101 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 and is positioned with respect to the removal direction 52.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 17, a lock surface 161 extending downward 53 is formed in the vicinity of the last position of the lower surface 42 of the ink cartridge 30. In the forward direction 57 from the lock surface 161, an inclined surface 162 that is continuous with the lock surface 161 toward the forward direction 57 and the downward direction 53 is formed. In FIG. 17, the other configuration of the ink cartridge 30 is schematically shown in a simplified manner. However, members denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the embodiment described above in FIG. Is shown. In FIG. 17, the cartridge mounting portion 110 is also schematically shown, and the lower surface of the case 101 and other configurations of the ink needle 102 are omitted.

  A lock portion 147 is provided on the lower surface of the case 101 of the cartridge mounting portion 110. The lock portion 147 is a recessed space that opens to the lower surface of the case 101 and is recessed downward 53. The lock unit 147 is formed at a position in the insertion direction 51 corresponding to the lock surface 161 of the ink cartridge 30 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge mounting unit 110.

  As shown in FIG. 17A, it is assumed that the surface that partitions the storage chamber 36 and the float 63 of the detected member 59 are attached, as in the above-described embodiment. In the storage chamber 36, it is assumed that the ink is a bubble and a bubble is generated, and the bubble is present between the flat surface 66 of the liquid amount detection unit 62 and a part 68 of the detected member 59. This bubble prevents the part 68 of the detected part 59 from rotating in the direction toward the plane 66 of the liquid amount detecting part 62.

  As shown in FIG. 17B, when the ink cartridge 30 according to the second modified example is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 along the lower surface of the case 101 in the insertion direction 51, the ink needle 102 is moved to the ink cartridge 30. It is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the seal member 76.

  As shown in FIG. 17C, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 51, the inclined surface 162 of the ink cartridge 30 contacts the edge located in the downward direction 53 that defines the opening 112 of the case 101. The ink cartridge 30 is rotated in the upward direction 54 around the contact point between the ink needle 102 and the liquid supply port 71 so as to be guided by the inclined surface 162. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 is in the second posture.

  As shown in FIG. 17D, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 51, the lock surface 161 and the inclined surface 162 become the lock portion 147 of the cartridge mounting portion 110, the upward direction 54, and the downward direction 53. At the opposite. Then, the ink cartridge 30 is rotated in the downward direction 53 around the contact portion between the ink needle 102 and the liquid supply port 71, so that the ink cartridge 30 is changed from the second posture to the first posture. The movement of the ink cartridge 30 at this time causes an ink flow in the storage chamber 36. Ink flows between the float 63 of the detected member 59 and the surface of the storage chamber 36, and the state where the float 63 and the surface of the storage chamber 36 are adhered is eliminated.

  Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is rotated from the second position to the first position, an inertial force acts on the detected member 59, and therefore the detected member is rotated counterclockwise in FIG. 17 by the buoyancy and inertial force of the float 63. Move to. That is, when the ink cartridge 30 is rotated from the second posture to the first posture, the direction of the inertial force acting on the detected member 59 coincides with the direction in which the float 63 floats in the ink, or a component in that direction. Therefore, the force that breaks and moves the bubbles existing between the flat surface 66 of the liquid amount detection unit 62 and the part 68 of the detected member 59 is likely to act on the detected member 59. As a result, when the user mounts the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the detected member 59 can move smoothly around the rotation center portion 61.

[Other variations]
In the embodiment described above, the first virtual plane including the direction in which the detected member 59 rotates and the second virtual plane including the rotation direction in which the ink cartridge 30 rotates between the first posture and the second posture. Although the planes are parallel, the first virtual plane and the second virtual plane need not be orthogonal to each other. That is, the rotation shaft 61 and the ink cartridge 30 do not have to be orthogonal to the rotation shaft when rotating between the first posture and the second posture.

  In the above-described embodiment, the upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L are continuous on the rear surface 41 of the rear cover 31, but the upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L are not necessarily continuous. For example, a surface having a component along the front direction 57 may be provided between the upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L. Further, the upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L are not necessarily flat, and may be, for example, a curved surface or a spherical surface.

  In the above-described embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second posture, the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 is substantially orthogonal to the insertion direction 51, but the upper portion 41U is orthogonal to the insertion direction 51. It does not have to be. Further, the upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L of the rear surface 41 do not necessarily have to be grasped as two different surfaces, and may be configured as, for example, a single plane or a curved surface. As in the above-described embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second posture, the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction 51, so that the user can bias the ink cartridge 30. The force to push in the insertion direction 51 against F is small. Moreover, since the volume of the internal space of the rear cover 31 can be increased, the volume of the storage chamber 36 can be increased. Further, since the upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L of the rear surface 41 are configured as two different surfaces, the user gives priority to the upper portion 41U when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. You can expect to push.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the slider 107 and the hiki spring 114 are provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110, but these are arbitrary configurations. For example, the slider 107 and the spring spring 114 are not provided in the cartridge mounting unit 110, and the ink cartridge 30 inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 110 is biased in the removal direction 52 only by the coil spring 78 of the ink supply unit 34. Also good.

  In the above-described embodiment, the ink is described as an example of the liquid. For example, instead of the ink, a pretreatment liquid discharged onto a recording sheet or the like prior to the ink at the time of printing is stored in the liquid cartridge. It may be. Further, water for cleaning the recording head 21 may be stored in the liquid cartridge.

10 ... Printer (Liquid consumption device)
30 ... Ink cartridge (liquid cartridge)
34: Ink supply unit (liquid supply unit)
36... Storage chamber (liquid storage chamber)
39, 141 ... upper surface 41 ... rear surface 41L ... lower part (first part)
41U ... Upper part (second part)
59 ... detected member 61 ... rotating shaft 63 ... float 71 ... liquid supply port 76 ... seal member (seal part)
102: Ink needle (liquid supply pipe)
140 ... front surfaces 145 and 147 ... lock portions 151 and 161 ... lock surfaces 154 ... horizontal surfaces 155 and 162 ... inclined surfaces

Claims (8)

A liquid cartridge that is attached to the liquid consuming device by being inserted into the liquid consuming device toward the first direction,
A liquid storage chamber in which liquid is stored;
A detected member having a float that is movably disposed in the liquid storage chamber and has a specific gravity smaller than that of the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber;
A locking portion provided in the liquid consuming device, and a locking surface that contacts a second direction opposite to the first direction,
The liquid cartridge is in the inserted state in the liquid consuming apparatus, a first position in which the locking surface is contact with the locking portion toward the second direction, the lock surface, the lock portion is a cartridge It is possible to rotate between a second posture positioned at a position shifted in a third direction orthogonal to the first direction from the locking position ,
In the first posture, the liquid cartridge is restricted from moving in the second direction with respect to the liquid consuming device. A first virtual plane including a direction in which the detected member moves due to the buoyancy of the float;
The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein a second virtual plane including a rotation direction in which the liquid cartridge rotates between the first posture and the second posture is not orthogonal.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the first virtual plane and the second virtual plane are parallel. The detected member is rotatable around a rotation axis,
The rotation direction in which the detected member rotates when the float floats in the liquid stored in the liquid storage chamber is opposite to the rotation direction of the liquid cartridge from the second posture toward the first posture. The liquid cartridge according to claim 3. Is arranged at a position which becomes the first direction than the locking surface, it faces the first direction, and further having an inclined surface and the third direction is oriented opposite to the fourth direction And
The first angle that is an acute angle formed by the lock surface with respect to the fourth direction is smaller than the second angle that is an acute angle formed by the inclined surface with respect to the fourth direction. The liquid cartridge according to any one of the above.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 5, further comprising a horizontal surface extending along the first direction continuously with the lock surface and the inclined surface.   The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming device against an urging force in the second direction. A front surface facing the first direction in a state where the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming device;
A liquid supply unit disposed on the front surface and into which a liquid supply pipe provided in the liquid consumption device can be inserted; and
A seal portion that is provided in the liquid supply portion, has a liquid supply port, and contacts the outer peripheral surface of the liquid supply tube while being elastically deformed by inserting the liquid supply tube into the liquid supply port. When,
An upper surface facing upward when the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming device;
A rear surface facing the second direction in a state where the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consuming device,
The first direction is along the horizontal direction,
The third direction is a downward direction,
The lock surface is provided on the upper surface,
When the liquid cartridge is inserted into the liquid consumption device, the liquid cartridge rotates between the first posture and the second posture with the center of the liquid supply port into which the liquid supply pipe is inserted as a rotation center. Is possible,
In the second posture, at least a first portion of the rear surface including a portion below the rotation center is positioned in the first direction from a second portion of the rear surface that is above the first portion. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1.

Images