JP6835119B2 - Liquid containment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a technique for a liquid container that can be detachably attached to a liquid consuming device.

Conventionally, as a technique for supplying a liquid to a printer as a liquid consuming device, a liquid container including a liquid storage unit that stores the liquid inside and a case that stores the liquid storage unit is known (for example,). Patent Documents 1 to 3). In the technique of Patent Document 1, the liquid storage unit is housed in a case configured to be retractable with respect to the printer. Further, in the techniques of Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3, the liquid storage portion is housed in a case surrounding the entire liquid storage portion, and the liquid container including the liquid storage portion and the case can be detachably attached to and detached from the liquid consumption device. Be connected.

International Publication No. WO2004 / 037541 JP-A-2009-279876 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-235652

In the techniques of Patent Documents 1 to 3, the liquid storage bag is connected to the liquid consumption device in a state of being housed in the case. Therefore, various problems described below may occur. For example, if the size of the liquid storage unit, the shape of the liquid storage unit, or the amount of liquid contained in the liquid storage unit changes, it is necessary to change the size and shape of the case according to the change of the liquid storage unit. Can occur. Further, when the characteristics of the liquid contained in the liquid storage portion are changed, it may be necessary to change the case to a material corresponding to the characteristics of the liquid in case the liquid leaks from the liquid storage portion. Further, when a design change such as a shape change occurs in the part (cartridge mounting part) for mounting the liquid container provided in the liquid consumption device, it may be necessary to change the case of the liquid container in accordance with the change. .. As described above, when a changed portion occurs in the liquid container or the liquid consuming device, it may be necessary to change the other portion corresponding to the changed portion.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing the number of parts to be changed in response to the changed parts even when a changed part is generated in the liquid container or the liquid consuming device. Further, in the conventional technology, cost reduction, resource saving, facilitation of manufacturing, improvement of usability and the like are desired.

The present invention has been made to solve at least a part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized as the following forms.
[Form 1]
A liquid container that can be detachably connected to a liquid consumption device.
A liquid storage unit with a seat member and
An operating member attached to one end of the liquid storage portion and located on the one end side of the liquid storage portion is provided.
The operating member is configured by combining one member so as to be sandwiched by another member.
The one member is provided with a liquid supply unit for circulating the liquid in the liquid storage unit to the liquid consumption device and a joint portion to which the sheet member is joined.
The other member is provided with a housing-side electrical connection having a contact that can be connected to the device-side electrical connection provided in the liquid consuming device .
A liquid container in which a support portion for forming a receiving space portion for receiving a user's hand is provided on the other member.

(1) According to one embodiment of the present invention, a liquid container that can be detachably connected to a liquid consuming device is provided. The liquid container includes a liquid storage unit capable of storing a liquid, a liquid supply unit for distributing the liquid in the liquid storage unit to the liquid consumption device, and a handle connected to and grippable to the liquid supply unit. The handle portion and the liquid supply portion are formed of separate members.
According to this form of the liquid container, since the handle portion and the liquid supply unit are separate members, it becomes necessary to change the material of the liquid supply unit due to the change in the type of liquid contained in the liquid storage unit. Even in such a case, it is not necessary to change the material of the handle portion. As a result, even if a part of the liquid storage unit is changed, the number of other parts to be changed in response to the change can be reduced.

(2) In the liquid container of the above form, at least a portion of the liquid supply unit that comes into contact with the liquid may be formed of a material that is resistant to the liquid.
According to this form of the liquid container, the possibility that the liquid supply unit is deteriorated (damaged) by the liquid can be reduced.

(3) In the liquid container of the above-described form, at least a portion of the handle portion to which the liquid supply portion is directly connected may be formed of a material having excellent deformation resistance or creep resistance.
The liquid supply unit is an important part connected to the liquid consuming device. According to this form of the liquid container, since the directly connected portion (supply portion connecting portion) is formed of a material having excellent deformation resistance or creep resistance, deformation of the supply portion connecting portion is suppressed. To. As a result, the displacement of the liquid supply unit due to the deformation of the supply unit connection portion can be suppressed, and the liquid supply unit can be satisfactorily connected to the liquid consumption device.

(4) The liquid container of the above form, further located on the opposite side of the handle portion from the liquid supply portion, and pressed when the liquid container is connected to the liquid consuming device. It may be provided with a pressing portion.
According to this form of the liquid container, the user can easily connect the liquid supply unit to the liquid consuming device by pressing the pressing unit.

(5) The liquid container of the above-described form may be composed of a member different from the handle portion and the pressing portion.
According to the liquid container of this form, since the handle portion and the pressing portion are formed of separate members, the shape and area of the pressing portion can be freely set regardless of the shape and size of the handle portion. Therefore, it is possible to arrange a part of the pressing portion so as to overlap the liquid accommodating portion. By arranging a part of the pressing portion so as to overlap with the liquid accommodating portion, the volume of the liquid accommodating portion can be secured above a certain level while effectively utilizing the limited space to increase the outer shape of the pressing portion.

(6) In the liquid container of the above form, the pressing portion may exhibit an appearance for identifying the color of the liquid contained in the liquid storage portion.
According to this form of the liquid container, the color of the liquid contained in the liquid container can be easily identified by visually recognizing the pressing portion.

(7) In the liquid container of the above-described form, the pressing portion may have an identification portion colored with the color of the liquid contained in the liquid container.
According to this form of the liquid container, the color of the liquid contained in the liquid container can be easily identified by visually recognizing the colored portion. Further, even if the color of the liquid stored in the liquid storage portion is changed, only the color of the identification portion needs to be changed.

(8) In the liquid container of the above-described form, the pressing portion may have a colored portion colored in the same color as the connecting member of the liquid consuming device used for connecting the liquid container. ..
According to this form of the liquid container, the connecting member to which the liquid container corresponds can be easily identified by visually recognizing the colored portion. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that a liquid container containing a different color that should not be mounted is accidentally connected to the liquid consuming device.

(9) In the liquid container of the above form, the handle portion may have a plurality of support portions for receiving the load generated by the liquid container portion.
According to this form of the liquid container, the load applied to the handle portion can be distributed by the plurality of support portions, so that the deformation of the handle portion can be suppressed. As a result, the displacement of the liquid supply unit can be suppressed, so that the liquid supply unit and the liquid consumption device can be well connected.

The plurality of components of each form of the invention described above are not all essential, and may be used to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems, or part or all of the effects described herein. In order to achieve the above, it is possible to change, delete, replace some of the plurality of components with new other components, and partially delete the limited contents, as appropriate. In addition, in order to solve a part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve a part or all of the effects described in the present specification, the technical features included in the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention It is also possible to combine some or all with some or all of the technical features contained in the other embodiments of the invention described above to form an independent embodiment of the invention.

For example, one embodiment of the present invention can also be realized as a device including one or more of a plurality of elements of a liquid storage unit, a liquid supply unit, and a handle unit. That is, this device may or may not have a liquid container. Further, this device may or may not have a liquid supply unit. Further, this device may or may not have a handle portion. Further, this device may or may not have a connecting member. According to such a form, at least one of various problems such as miniaturization of the device, cost reduction, resource saving, facilitation of manufacturing, and improvement of usability can be solved. Further, some or all of the technical features of each form of the liquid container described above can be applied to this device.

The present invention can be realized in various forms. For example, in addition to the liquid container, a method for manufacturing the liquid container, a liquid consumption system including the liquid container and the liquid consumption device, and the like can be realized. It can be realized in an embodiment.

It is a 1st perspective view which shows the schematic structure of the liquid consumption system. It is a 2nd perspective view which shows the schematic structure of the liquid consumption system. It is a 1st figure for demonstrating the liquid supply apparatus. It is a 2nd figure for demonstrating the liquid supply apparatus. It is a 1st perspective view for demonstrating the detachable unit. It is the 2nd perspective view for demonstrating the detachable unit. It is the first perspective view of the liquid container. It is a second perspective view of the liquid container. It is a front view of the liquid container. It is a rear view of the liquid container. It is a 1st perspective view which shows a part of a liquid container. It is a second perspective view which shows a part of the liquid container. FIG. 3 is a third perspective view showing a part of a liquid container. It is a fourth perspective view which shows a part of the liquid container. It is a front view of a part of a liquid container. It is a rear view of a part of a liquid container. It is a top view of a part of a liquid container. It is a right side view of a part of a liquid container. It is a cross-sectional view of F13-F13 of FIG. It is a front view of a circuit board. It is the arrow view F16B of FIG. 16B. It is a first exploded perspective view of the operation member. It is a second exploded perspective view of the operation member. It is a rear view of the operation member. It is a front view of the liquid container. It is a partial cross-sectional view of F17Da-F17Da of FIG. 17D. It is a partial cross-sectional view of F17Db-F17Db of FIG. 17D. It is the figure when the liquid container is set in the detachable unit. It is a partial cross-sectional view of F18-F18 of FIG. It is the figure when the liquid container is attached to the detachable unit. It is a partial cross-sectional view of F20-F20 of FIG.

A. Embodiment:
A-1. Liquid consumption system configuration:
FIG. 1 is a first perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the liquid consumption system 1000. FIG. 2 is a second perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the liquid consumption system 1000. FIG. 3 is a first diagram for explaining the liquid supply device 20. FIG. 4 is a second diagram for explaining the liquid supply device 20. Note that FIGS. 3 and 4 show a state in which the liquid container described later is removed. In FIGS. 1 to 4, XYZ axes orthogonal to each other are drawn.

As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid consumption system 1000 includes a printer 10 as a liquid consumption device and two liquid supply devices 20. In the usage state of the liquid consumption system 1000, the printer 10 is installed on a horizontal surface defined by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction. That is, the Z-axis direction is the vertical direction (vertical direction). Further, the −Z axis direction is the vertically downward direction, and the + Z axis direction is the vertically upward direction. The liquid supply device 20 supplies ink as a liquid to the printer 10. The liquid container 50 (liquid container 50) included in the liquid supply device 20 can be detachably connected (mounted) to the printer 10.

The printer 10 is an inkjet printer. The printer 10 includes a recording mechanism 11, a paper feed tray 16, and a discharge tray 17. A plurality of paper feed trays 16 are provided at different height positions in the vertical direction. The paper feed tray 16 is provided on the first surface (front surface of the device) 102 of the printer 10. The paper feed tray 16 accommodates a recording medium (for example, paper) on which an image such as characters is printed (recorded) by the printer 10.

The recording mechanism 11 includes a recording head (not shown) that ejects ink. The recording head communicates with the liquid supply device 20 via a flow tube such as a tube. The recording head performs recording (printing) by ejecting ink onto a recording medium using the ink supplied from the liquid supply device 20. The recorded recording medium is discharged to the discharge tray 17.

The two liquid supply devices 20 include a second surface of the device (also referred to as the first side surface of the device or the first side wall of the device) 104 and the first side wall of the device intersecting the first surface of the device (also referred to as the front surface of the device or the front wall of the device) 102 of the printer 10. It is provided on three surfaces (also referred to as a second side surface of the device or a second side wall of the device) 106. The first surface 102 of the device to the third surface 106 of the device are each substantially perpendicular to the installation surface in the state of use of the printer 10. The second surface 104 of the device and the third surface 106 of the device face each other. Here, the liquid supply device 20 provided on the second surface 104 of the device is also referred to as the first liquid supply device 20A, and the liquid supply device 20 provided on the third surface 106 of the device is also referred to as the second liquid supply device 20B. .. When the first and second liquid supply devices 20A and 20B are used without distinction, they are simply referred to as the liquid supply device 20.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first liquid supply device 20A includes one cover member 22, one liquid storage body (liquid storage bag unit) 50, and one attachment / detachment unit 30 (FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 2, the second liquid supply device 20B includes one cover member 22, three liquid storage bodies 50, and three attachment / detachment units 30 (FIG. 4) corresponding to each liquid storage body 50. .. Here, when the two cover members 22 are used separately, the reference numerals "22A" and "22B" are used. When the four liquid containers 50 are used separately, the symbols "50K", "50C", "50M", and "50Y" are used. When the four detachable units 30 are used separately, the reference numerals "30K", "30C", "30M", and "30Y" are used. The number of the cover member 22, the liquid container 50, and the attachment / detachment unit 30 is not limited to the above. For example, the number of liquid containers 50 may be 3 or less, or 5 or more. Further, the detachable unit 30 may be provided according to the number of the liquid accommodating bodies 50. Further, the number of cover members 22 may be one or three or more.

The four liquid containers 50 contain (fill) different types of ink. In this embodiment, yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) inks are contained in different liquid containers 50. The liquid container 50K has a liquid container containing black ink, the liquid container 50C has a liquid storage unit containing cyan ink, and the liquid container 50M has a liquid storage unit containing magenta ink. The liquid container 50Y has a liquid container containing yellow ink. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the liquid container 50 is housed in the storage space 26 partitioned by the cover member 22. Specifically, the liquid container 50K is housed in the storage space 26A (FIG. 3), and the liquid containers 50C, 50M, 50Y are housed in the storage space 26B (FIG. 4).

The detachable unit 30 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is detachably attached to the liquid container 50. The attachment / detachment unit 30K is arranged inside the cover member 22A, and the attachment / detachment units 30C, 30M, 30Y are arranged inside the cover member 22B. As shown in FIG. 3, the detachable unit 30K is provided on the second surface 104 of the device of the printer 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the attachment / detachment units 30C, 30M, and 30Y are provided on the third surface 106 of the device of the printer 10. When the liquid container 50 is attached to the detachable unit 30, the ink stored in the liquid container 50 is supplied to the recording head of the printer 10 by a supply mechanism (not shown) having a pump function included in the printer 10.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cover member 22 is configured to be openable and closable by rotating the other end 24 on the vertically upward side with one end 23 on the vertically downward side as a fulcrum. After the ink contained in the liquid container 50 is consumed, the user opens the cover member 22 and removes the consumed liquid container 50 from the detachable unit 30. Then, the user closes the cover member 22 after attaching the new liquid container 50 to the detachable unit 30.

A-2. Configuration of detachable unit 30:
FIG. 5 is a first perspective view for explaining the detachable unit 30. FIG. 6 is a second perspective view for explaining the detachable unit 30. FIG. 5 shows a first state (state at the time of setting) in which the movable member 40 protrudes outward with respect to the fixed member 35. FIG. 6 shows a second state (state when mounted) in which the movable member 40 is housed in the fixed member 35. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the configuration will be described using the attachment / detachment unit 30C as an example, but the other attachment / detachment units 30K, 30M, and 30Y have the same configuration as the attachment / detachment unit 30C. As shown in FIG. 5, the detachable unit 30 includes a fixing member 35 and a movable member 40.

The liquid container 50 is attached to the attachment / detachment unit 30 by performing the following two operations. The state in which the liquid container 50 is mounted on the attachment / detachment unit 30 is also referred to as a “mounting state (connection state)”. The mounted state (connected state) means that the liquid supply unit 57 (flowing unit 57) of the liquid container 50, which will be described later, is connected to the liquid introduction unit (liquid introduction needle) 362 of the attachment / detachment unit 30, and the liquid container 50 The circuit board 582 is in a state of being electrically connected to the electrical connection portion (device-side electrical connection portion) 382 of the attachment / detachment unit 30. In the mounted state, the ink contained in the liquid container 50 can be distributed to the printer 10.
・ First operation:
After putting the detachable unit 30 in the first state, the user sets the liquid container 50 on the movable member 40.
・ Second operation:
After the first operation, the user pushes the movable member 40 toward the fixing member 35 via the liquid container 50 to bring the detachable unit 30 into the second state.

In the second state of the detachable unit 30, the movable member 40 is restricted from moving in the + K1 axial direction with respect to the fixed member 35 by the lock mechanism. In the second state, the movable member 40 is pressed against the fixing member 35 in the inward direction (−K1 axial direction) to release the lock by the locking mechanism. As a result, the movable member 40 can be moved so as to project outward (in the + Z-axis direction) with respect to the fixing member 35, and the state of the detachable unit 30 can be switched from the first state to the second state.

The fixing member 35 is fixed to the surfaces 104 and 106 (FIGS. 3 and 4) of the printer 10 by a plurality of screws 302 which are fixing portions. Specifically, the detachable unit 30K (FIG. 3) is fixed to the second surface 104 by a plurality of screws 302, and the detachable units 30C, 30M, 30Y (FIG. 4) are fixed to the third surface 106 by a plurality of screws 302. Has been done.

The fixing member 35 includes a liquid introduction mechanism 36 and a contact mechanism 38. The liquid introduction mechanism 36 has a liquid introduction unit 362. The ink contained in the liquid container 50 is distributed by connecting the liquid supply unit described later included in the liquid container 50 to the liquid introduction unit 362. The liquid introduction unit 362 communicates with the recording head of the printer 10.

The liquid introduction unit 362 has a needle shape through which ink can flow. The liquid introduction portion 362 extends along the central axis CL. The direction along the central axis CL (the direction in which the liquid introduction portion 362 extends) is defined as the K1 axis direction. The K1 axis direction is orthogonal to the Z axis direction. The direction orthogonal to the K1 axis direction and the Z axis direction is defined as the K2 axis direction. The surface defined by the K1 axis direction and the K2 axis direction and the surface defined by the X axis direction and the Y axis direction shown in FIG. 1 are parallel to each other. Of the K1 axis directions, the outward direction of the printer 10 is the + K1 axis direction, and the inward direction of the printer 10 is the −K1 axis direction.

The liquid introduction mechanism 36 and the contact mechanism 38 are arranged side by side along the K2 axial direction. Of the K2 axial directions, the direction from the liquid introduction mechanism 36 toward the contact mechanism 38 is the + K2 axial direction, and the direction from the contact mechanism 38 toward the liquid introduction mechanism 36 is the −K2 axial direction. Further, in the detachable unit 30, the Z-axis direction is also referred to as the "height direction", the K1 axis direction is also referred to as the "width direction", and the K2 axis direction is also referred to as the "depth direction".

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the contact mechanism 38 includes an electrical connection portion 382 having a plurality of (nine in the present embodiment) device-side terminals 381 and a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) device-side substrates. It is provided with positioning units 384 and 385. In the mounted state of the liquid container 50, the device-side terminal 381 of the electrical connection portion 382 contacts (electrically connects) with the circuit board of the liquid container 50. As a result, various information (for example, the ink color of the liquid container 50 and the date of manufacture) can be communicated between the circuit board of the liquid container 50 and the printer 10. The device-side terminal 381 is formed of an elastically deformable metal leaf spring. The device-side substrate positioning portions 384 and 385 are arranged on both sides of the electrical connection portion 382 in the K2 axis direction (the direction in which the liquid introduction mechanism 36 and the contact mechanism 38 are aligned). The device-side substrate positioning units 384 and 385 perform final positioning of the circuit board of the liquid container 50 with respect to the electrical connection unit 382 when the liquid container 50 is mounted on the attachment / detachment unit 30. The device-side substrate positioning portions 384 and 385 are members extending along the K1 axial direction.

The movable member 40 is configured to be movable with respect to the fixed member 35 along the K1 axial direction. The movable member 40 includes a base 41, a supply support 42, and a substrate support 48. The supply portion support portion 42 and the substrate support portion 48 are each connected to the base portion 41. The supply portion support portion 42 and the substrate support portion 48 are members extending from the base portion 41 in the + Z axis direction (upper side), respectively.

The supply section support section 42 is a member for determining the position of the liquid container 50 (specifically, the liquid supply section) with respect to the liquid introduction section 362. When the attachment / detachment unit 30 is viewed along the K1 axis direction, the supply unit support portion 42 is provided at a position overlapping the liquid introduction unit 362. The supply portion support portion 42 is provided so as to form a concave shape in the −Z axis direction. Grooves 407 are formed on both sides of the supply support portion 42 in the K2 axial direction. By inserting the positioning portion of the liquid container 50, which will be described later, into the groove portion 407, the movement of the liquid supply unit included in the liquid container 50 is restricted, and the liquid container 50 is positioned to some extent with respect to the attachment / detachment unit 30. That is, the movement of the liquid supply portion included in the liquid container 50 is regulated by the plurality of surface portions (for example, the first support surface portion 402, the second support surface portion 403, and the third support surface portion 404) that partition the supply portion support portion 42. Will be done. A notch 406 is formed in the first support surface portion 402 located on the liquid introduction portion 362 side of the supply portion support portion 42. The notch 406 has a concave shape that opens on the + Z axis direction side. When the attachment / detachment unit 30 is viewed along the K1 axis direction, the notch portion 406 is provided at a position overlapping the liquid introduction portion 362. In the first state in which the movable member 40 is moved most in the + K1 axial direction with respect to the fixed member 35, the notch portion 406 is located on the + K1 axial direction side of the liquid introduction portion 362. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, in the second state, the tip of the liquid introduction portion 362 is located in the notch portion 406.

The substrate support portion 48 is a member for determining the position of the body accommodating body 50 (specifically, the circuit board) with respect to the contact mechanism 38. When the attachment / detachment unit 30 is viewed along the K1 axis direction, the substrate support portion 48 is provided at a position where it overlaps with the contact mechanism 38. The substrate support portion 48 is provided so as to form a concave shape in the −Z axis direction. The movement of the circuit board of the liquid container 50 is regulated by a plurality of surface portions (for example, the first substrate support surface portion 482) that partition the substrate support portion 48.

As described above, the movable member 40 is used to connect the liquid container 50 to the printer 10. Therefore, the movable member 40 is also referred to as a "connecting member 40", and the connecting member 40 is connected to the attachment / detachment unit 30 of the plurality of liquid containers 50K, 50C, 50M, and 50K that accommodate inks of different colors. The liquid containers to be 50K, 50C, 50M, 50Y are colored with the color of the ink contained. For example, the connecting member 40 included in the detachable unit 30Y connected to the liquid container 50Y containing the yellow ink is colored in yellow. Here, "coloring with the color of the ink" includes being colored with a color similar to the color of the ink. The "similar color" may be any color within a range in which the user can visually identify the liquid container 50 to be connected by visually recognizing the connecting member 40. “Similar colors” refers to, for example, colors having a hue difference of 0 (zero) to 3 in a 20-color color wheel (also referred to as a modified Munsell color wheel) adopted in the JIS standard (JIS Z 8102). means.

A-3. Composition of liquid container 50:
FIG. 7 is a first perspective view of the liquid container 50. FIG. 8 is a second perspective view of the liquid container 50. FIG. 8A is a front view of the liquid container 50. FIG. 8B is a rear view of the liquid container 50. 7, FIG. 8, FIG. 8A, and FIG. 8B show the Z-axis, the K1 axis, and the K2 axis when the liquid container 50 is attached to the detachable unit 30 (attached state). Further, FIGS. 7 and 8 show a liquid container 50 in a state (unused state) before being filled with ink as a liquid and attached to the detachable unit 30. The drawings for explaining the liquid container 50, which will be described later, also show the Z-axis, the K1 axis, and the K2 axis that are orthogonal to each other as necessary. In the drawings after FIG. 7, the configuration will be described by taking the liquid container 50C as an example, but the liquid container 50K, 50M, and 50Y have the same configuration as the liquid container 50C.

As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid container 50 includes a liquid storage unit 52 (liquid storage bag 52) and an operating member (connecting member, handle unit) 53. The operating member 53 is attached to the liquid accommodating portion 52. The operating member 53 includes a grip portion (support portion) 54, a liquid supply unit 55, a substrate unit (container-side electrical connection portion) 58, and a pressing portion 545 (FIG. 8). The grip portion 54 is a portion for the user to support (grip) the liquid container 50. Therefore, the grip portion 54 can be referred to as a "handle portion 54" or a "handle portion". The liquid supply unit 55 is a portion corresponding to the liquid introduction unit 362 and the supply unit support unit 42 (FIG. 6) included in the attachment / detachment unit 30. The board unit 58 is a part corresponding to the electrical connection portion 382 and the board support portion 48 (FIG. 6) included in the attachment / detachment unit 30. The grip portion 54 of the operating member 53 is formed in a "B" shape in the present embodiment, but may be formed in a "C" shape or a "T" shape.

The liquid storage unit 52 can store ink as a liquid. The liquid storage portion 52 is attached to the operating member 53 with the bag surface (outer surface) exposed. That is, the liquid storage portion 52 is configured to be visible from the outside without being stored in a case or the like. The volume of the liquid storage unit 52 decreases as the amount of ink stored in the liquid storage unit 52 decreases.

The liquid storage unit 52 has a first sheet 521, a second sheet 522, and a third sheet 523. The first to third sheets 521 to 523 partition a space for accommodating ink inside. Here, of the liquid accommodating portion 52, the side to which the operating member 53 is attached is the one end (one end, upper end) 501 side, and the side facing one end 501 is the other end (the other end, bottom end) 502 side. To do. Further, of the liquid accommodating portion 52, one end side (+ K2 axial direction side) is set to the first side end (first side end portion) 503 side, and the other end side (-K2 axial direction side) is set to the second side end (second side end). 2 side end) 504 side. As shown in FIG. 8A, the liquid supply unit 55 and the substrate unit 58 are located on the one end portion 501 side of the liquid storage unit 52. In the present embodiment, when the liquid container 50 is viewed along the K1 axial direction as shown in FIG. 8A, the liquid supply unit 55 and the substrate unit 58 are positioned so as to overlap at least a part of the one end portion 501.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in the mounted state of the liquid container 50, the first sheet 521 and the second sheet 522 form the side surface of the liquid container 52. Further, in the mounted state of the liquid container 50, the third sheet 523 constitutes the bottom surface of the liquid container 52. The first sheet 521 and the second sheet 522 are arranged to face each other. A part of the peripheral region 51W of the first sheet 521 and the second sheet 522 is welded to each other. Specifically, in the peripheral region 51W, one end 501 side portion, the first side end 503 side portion, and the second side end 504 side portion are welded. For ease of understanding, in FIGS. 7 and 8, the portions where the first and second sheets 521 and 522 are welded are cross-hatched. Further, the operating member 53 is welded to one end 501 of the liquid accommodating portion 52 (specifically, one end of the first and second sheets 521 and 522). That is, the operating member 53 is a member that can be attached to one end 501 of the liquid accommodating portion 52. For ease of understanding, in FIGS. 7 and 8, solid single hatching is provided at the welded portion between the operating member 53 and the first and second sheets 521 and 522. Although details will be described later, the first and second seat members 521 and 522 are attached to the attachment portion (joint portion) 549 of the operation member 53 by welding.

In the third sheet 523, a peripheral region 51Y of the third sheet 523 and a part of the peripheral region 51W of the first sheet 521 and the second sheet 522 are welded together. Single hatching of the alternate long and short dash line is attached to the portion where the third sheet 523 is welded to the first and second sheets 521 and 522. As described above, the liquid storage portion 52 of the present embodiment is a type in which three sheets 521, 522, 523 are bonded by welding or the like (so-called pouch type having a bottom surface).

Each of the first to third sheets 521 to 523 is a flexible member. As the material (material) of the first to third sheets 521 to 523, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, polyethylene and the like are used. Further, the first to third sheets 521 to 523 may be formed by using a laminated structure in which a plurality of films made of these materials are laminated. In such a laminated structure, for example, the outer layer may be formed of PET or nylon having excellent impact resistance, and the inner layer may be formed of polyethylene having excellent ink resistance. Further, a film having a layer on which aluminum or the like is vapor-deposited may be used as one constituent member of the laminated structure. As a result, the gas barrier property can be enhanced, so that, for example, a change in the concentration of the ink contained in the liquid storage unit 52 can be suppressed. In this way, the material of the liquid accommodating portion 52 can be arbitrarily set.

Further, the shape and size of the liquid storage portion 52 can be arbitrarily set. For example, the liquid storage unit 52K containing black ink may have a larger volume (size) than the liquid storage unit 52C containing ink of another color (for example, cyan). Further, for example, in the present embodiment, the liquid storage unit 52 is a type in which the first to third sheets 521 to 523 are bonded by welding or the like, but the third sheet 523 is omitted and the first and second sheets 523 are omitted. The sheets 521 and 523 may be bonded by welding or the like (so-called pillow type). Here, as described above, the liquid accommodating portion 52 and the operating member 53 are separate members. Therefore, the type (shape, size, and material) of the liquid accommodating portion 52 can be easily changed while using the same parts for the operating member 53. That is, since the shape, size, and material of the liquid storage unit 52 can be set according to the characteristics and amount of the liquid stored in the liquid storage unit 52, the degree of freedom in design can be improved.

The liquid container 50 further has a flow path member 70 for circulating the ink stored in the liquid storage unit 52 to the liquid supply unit 55 (detailed later, the liquid supply unit). In this embodiment, the flow path member 70 is a tube. The flow path member 70 is arranged inside the liquid accommodating portion 52.

As will be described below with reference to FIG. 8A, each part of the liquid container 50 has the following relationship. The width of the grip portion 54 along the longitudinal direction (K2 axial direction) of one end portion 501 of the liquid storage portion 52 is defined as the width W54. Further, the width of the joint portion 549 along the longitudinal direction (K2 axial direction) of the joint portion 549 is defined as the width W549. The width W54 is the distance between one end 54A and the other end 54B of the grip 54 in the longitudinal direction (K2 axial direction). In this case, the width W54 is smaller than the width W549. Further, in the longitudinal direction (K2 axis direction), the liquid supply unit 55 and the substrate unit 58 are located between both end portions 54A and 54B of the grip portion 54.

FIG. 9 is a first perspective view showing a part of the liquid container 50. FIG. 10 is a second perspective view showing a part of the liquid container 50. FIG. 11 is a third perspective view showing a part of the liquid container 50. FIG. 12 is a fourth perspective view showing a part of the liquid container 50. FIG. 13 is a front view of a part of the liquid container 50. FIG. 14 is a rear view of a part of the liquid container 50. FIG. 15 is a top view of a part of the liquid container 50. FIG. 16 is a right side view of a part of the liquid container 50. FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line F13-F13 of FIG. FIG. 16B is a front view of the circuit board 582. FIG. 16C is an arrow view F16B of FIG. 16B. In FIGS. 9 to 16A, the illustration of the liquid storage portion 52 included in the liquid storage body 50 is omitted.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the operating member (handle portion) 53 includes a grip portion 54, a first connecting portion 546, a second connecting portion 547, a base portion (connecting portion) 548, and a mounting portion. It is equipped with 549. Here, with respect to the operating member 53, the Z-axis direction is also referred to as the "height direction", the K1 axis direction is also referred to as the "thickness direction", and the K2 axis direction is also referred to as the "width direction". The operating member 53 may be regarded as a component of the mounting portion 549 as described above, or the operating member 53 and the mounting portion 549 may be regarded as a separate component.

The grip portion 54, the first connection portion 546, the second connection portion 547, and the base portion 548 are rod-shaped, respectively. A frame-shaped member is formed by the grip portion 54, the first connecting portion 546, the second connecting portion 547, and the base portion 548. As a result, a substantially rectangular receiving space portion 542 for receiving the user's hand is formed in the operating member 53.

The grip portion 54 is a grippable portion. The grip portion 54 is a portion where the user grips the liquid container 50. The grip portion 54 extends along the K2 axial direction. As shown in FIG. 11, the grip portion 54 has a grip surface (support surface) 541 in contact with the receiving space portion 542. The gripping surface 541 is a portion that is directly supported (held) by the user. The gripping surface 541 is a plane substantially perpendicular to the Z-axis direction when mounted on the detachable unit 30.

As shown in FIG. 9, the first connecting portion 546 is a member of the grip portion 54 extending from one end in the K2 axis direction to the base portion 548 side (−Z axis direction side, liquid accommodating portion 52 side shown in FIG. 7). Is. The second connecting portion 547 is a member extending from the other end of the grip portion 54 in the K2 axis direction to the base portion 548 side (−Z axis direction side, liquid accommodating portion 52 side shown in FIG. 7). The base portion 548 is a portion facing the grip portion 54 with the receiving space portion 542 interposed therebetween. The base 548 extends along the K2 axial direction. A positioning portion 56, which will be described later, a circuit board holding portion (accommodating body side electrical connection portion) 59, and a pressing portion 545 (FIG. 12) are attached to the base portion 548. That is, the liquid supply unit 55 and the housing side electrical connection portion 58 (specifically, the circuit board holding portion 59) are connected to each other via the base portion 548. As a result, the liquid supply unit 55 and the circuit board holding portion (contact portion arranging portion) 59 are interlocked with the movement of the base portion 548. That is, the user controls the movement of one member (base 548 in this embodiment) to connect the liquid supply unit 55 and the circuit board holding unit 59 used for connecting the liquid container 50 to the printer 10. You can control the movement. Here, "connection" means that the connected members are connected so as to move in conjunction with each other.

The attachment portion (joint portion) 549 is located on the side opposite to the side on which the grip portion 54 is located with the base portion 548 interposed therebetween. The mounting portion 549 is adjacent to the base portion 548. The mounting portion 549 extends along the K2 axial direction. The attachment portion 549 is a portion (joint portion) to which one end 501 (FIG. 7) of the liquid storage portion 52 is attached by welding or the like. The mounting portion 549 is connected to the operating member 53. Further, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 16A, the attachment portion 549 has a lead-out portion 550 for distributing the ink contained in the liquid storage portion 52 to the liquid supply unit 57. By connecting the flow path member 70 to the lead-out unit 550, the ink flowing through the flow path member 70 flows to the liquid supply unit 57 via the lead-out unit 550. For ease of understanding, in FIGS. 13 and 14, single hatching is provided at the portion of the mounting portion 549 to which the liquid accommodating portion 52 is mounted.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the liquid supply unit 55 includes a liquid supply unit 57 and a positioning unit 56. However, the positioning unit 56 is formed separately from the liquid supply unit 57, and a slight gap is formed between the positioning unit 56 and the liquid supply unit 57. The liquid supply unit 55 is provided so as to project outward (in the −K1 axial direction) from the operating member 53.

The liquid supply unit 57 distributes the ink contained in the liquid storage unit 52 to the printer. The liquid supply unit 57 has a liquid supply port 572 at one end and a supply connection unit 573 at the other end. The liquid supply port 572 communicates with the inside of the liquid storage unit 52, and causes the ink stored in the liquid storage unit 52 to flow out to the outside (printer 10). The liquid supply port 572 defines a plane (a plane defined by the Z-axis direction and the K2-axis direction) perpendicular to the gripping surface 541. The supply connection unit 573 is connected to the operation member 53. The liquid supply unit 57 is a tubular member (annular member) extending along the K1 axis direction (central axis CT direction). The liquid supply unit 57 is provided so as to project outward (in the −K1 axial direction) from the operating member 53.

The liquid supply unit 57 includes a central axis CT. The central axis CT is parallel to the K1 axis direction. Here, of the K1 axial directions, the direction from the liquid supply port 57 2 to the supply connection portion 573 is the + K1 axial direction, and the direction from the supply connection portion 573 to the liquid supply port 572 is the −K1 axial direction.

As shown in FIG. 15, the gripping surface 541 is arranged on the side (+ Z axis direction) perpendicular to the central axis CT direction (K1 axis direction) of the liquid supply unit 57. The operating member 53 including the gripping surface 541 is provided so as to be offset in the central axis CT direction with respect to the liquid supply port 572. In other words, when the liquid container 50 is viewed from the direction orthogonal to the gripping surface 541 and from the liquid supply unit 57 toward the gripping surface 541 (+ Z-axis direction), the liquid supply port 572 has the gripping surface 541. It is arranged at a position that does not overlap with (operating member 53). That is, when the liquid container 50 is projected onto a plane perpendicular to the gripping surface 541, the gripping surface 541 and the liquid supply port 572 are in a positional relationship that does not overlap.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the unused state of the liquid container 50, the liquid supply port 572 is closed by the film 99. As a result, it is possible to prevent ink from leaking to the outside from the liquid supply port 572 before the liquid container 50 is attached to the detachable unit 30 (FIG. 5). The film 99 is torn by the liquid introduction portion 362 (FIG. 5) when the liquid container 50 is attached to the detachable unit 30.

As shown in FIG. 16A, a valve mechanism 551 for opening and closing the liquid flow path formed by the liquid supply unit 57 is arranged inside the liquid supply unit 57. The valve mechanism 551 includes a valve seat 552, a valve body 554, and a spring 556. The valve seat 552, the valve body 554, and the spring 556 are housed in the liquid supply unit 57 in this order from the liquid supply port 572 of the liquid supply unit 57 toward the supply connection unit 573.

The valve seat 552 is a member having a substantially annular shape. The valve seat 552 is made of, for example, an elastic body such as rubber or elastomer. The valve seat 552 is press-fitted into the liquid supply unit 57. The valve body 554 is a substantially columnar member. The valve body 554 closes the hole (valve hole) formed in the valve seat 552 in the state before the liquid container 50 is attached to the detachable unit 30. The spring 556 is a compression coil spring. The spring 556 urges the valve body 554 in the direction toward the valve seat 552 side. In the mounted state of the liquid container 50, the liquid introduction portion 362 (FIG. 5) pushes the valve body 554 toward the supply connection portion 573 side, so that the valve body 554 moves to the supply connection portion 573 side. As a result, the valve body 554 is separated from the valve seat 552 and the valve mechanism 551 is opened. When the valve mechanism 551 is in the open state, the ink contained in the liquid storage unit 52 (FIG. 7) can flow to the outside through the flow path member 70, the internal flow path 558 of the operation member 53, and the liquid supply unit 57. Become.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the liquid container 50 is connected to the printer 10, the positioning unit 56 positions the liquid storage unit 50 including the liquid supply port 572 to some extent with respect to the printer 10. The positioning portion 56 is integrally provided with the operating member 53. In the present embodiment, the positioning portion 56 is integrally formed with the operating member 53 by being integrally formed with the operating member 53. Here, "provided integrally" means that the positioning portion 56 is provided on the operation member 53 so as to be interlocked with the movement of the operation member 53. In another embodiment, the positioning portion 56 may be integrally provided with the operating member 53 by attaching the positioning portion 56 to the operating member 53 by welding or the like. Further, the positioning portion 56 is provided in the vicinity of the liquid supply port 572 so as to surround the peripheral direction excluding the upper part of the liquid supply port 572, but when the operation member 53 is made of a material that is not easily deformed, the operation member 56 is provided. It may be provided at a position slightly distant from the liquid supply port 572 of 53. The positioning portion 56 projects from the operating member 53 in the −K1 axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the positioning portion 56 is arranged in the vicinity of the liquid supply port 572. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, at least a part of the positioning portion 56 is provided on the liquid storage portion 52 (FIG. 7) side (−Z axis direction side) of the liquid supply port 572. In the present embodiment, the positioning unit 56 is arranged around the liquid supply unit 57 centered on the central axis CT. Specifically, the positioning portion 56 is arranged around the liquid supply portion 57 except for the grip portion 54 side. The positioning unit 56 is arranged inside the supply unit support unit 42 included in the attachment / detachment unit 30 (FIG. 5) when the liquid container 50 is connected to the printer 10. As a result, the plurality of surface portions (for example, the first support surface portion 402, the second support surface portion 403, and the third support surface portion 404 shown in FIG. 5) that partition the supply portion support portion 42 are brought into contact with the positioning portion 56. , The movement of the liquid supply unit 57 is restricted, and the liquid container 50 is positioned to some extent. After that, the liquid supply port 572 is provided with protrusions 577 (577a, 577b, 577c, 577d) provided on the liquid supply unit 57 at positions above, below, left, and right of the liquid supply port 572, and on the top, bottom, left, and right of the liquid introduction unit 362. It is connected to the liquid introduction unit 362 in a state of being positioned by the positioning protrusions 366 (366a, 366b, 366c, 366d) shown in 5 and FIG.

The liquid supply unit 55 has a function of supplying the ink stored in the liquid storage unit 52 (FIG. 7) to the printer 10. Therefore, the liquid supply unit 55 can be regarded as a "liquid supply unit". In this case, the liquid supply unit 55 as the liquid supply unit includes a liquid supply unit (liquid flow unit) 57 having a liquid supply port 572 at one end, and a positioning unit 56.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the substrate unit (container-side electrical connection portion) 58 includes a circuit board 582 and a circuit board holding portion 59. The substrate unit 58 is provided so as to project outward (in the −K1 axial direction) from the operating member 53. The protruding direction of the substrate unit 58 is the same as the protruding direction of the liquid supply unit 57 (−K1 axial direction). The protruding direction of the substrate unit 58 and the protruding direction of the liquid supply unit 57 do not have to be the same, and may be substantially parallel. The term "substantially parallel" includes not only a completely parallel state but also a substantially parallel state due to some error or slight deviation. That is, the term "substantially parallel" also includes a state in which they are not completely parallel within the range in which the effects described in the present specification are exhibited. Further, in the present specification, the "surface" includes a flat surface, a surface having some unevenness, and a surface which is slightly bent. Further, the substrate unit 58 and the liquid supply unit 57 project from the operation member 53 toward the same side (−K1 axial direction side) with respect to the operation member 53.

As shown in FIG. 15, the substrate unit 58 is provided side by side with the liquid supply unit 55 in a direction parallel to the gripping surface 541. Specifically, the substrate unit 58 and the liquid supply unit 55 are provided side by side in the K2 axis direction, which is a direction parallel to the gripping surface 541 and a direction orthogonal to the central axis CT.

As shown in FIG. 9, the circuit board holding portion 59 positions the circuit board 582 with respect to the printer 10 when the liquid container 50 is connected to the printer 10. The circuit board holding portion 59 is integrally provided with the operating member 53. In the present embodiment, the circuit board holding portion 59 is integrally formed with the operating member 53 by being integrally formed with the operating member 53. Here, "provided integrally" means that the circuit board holding portion 59 is provided on the operation member 53 so as to be interlocked with the movement of the operation member 53. In another embodiment, the circuit board holding portion 59 may be integrally provided with the operating member 53 by attaching the circuit board holding portion 59 to the operating member 53 by welding or the like.

The circuit board holding portion 59 has a concave shape in which the + Z axis direction side (the side where the grip portion 54 is located) opens. The concave bottom 594 is inclined with respect to the gripping surface 541 (FIG. 11). By attaching the circuit board 582 to the bottom portion 594, the circuit board 582 is tilted and held by the circuit board holding portion 59 as described above. At least a part (bottom portion 594) of the circuit board holding portion 59 is provided on the liquid accommodating portion 52 (FIG. 7) side (−Z axis direction side) of the circuit board 582. That is, at least a part (bottom portion 594) different from the contact portion cp (FIG. 16B) of the substrate unit (container side electrical connection portion) 58 is provided on the liquid storage portion 52 side of the contact portion cp.

The circuit board holding portion 59 has a first side wall portion 592 and a second side wall portion 593 extending from both sides of the bottom portion 594 in the K2 axis direction in the + Z axis direction, respectively. As shown in FIG. 10, the first side wall portion 592 has a groove portion 593t. As shown in FIG. 9, the second side wall portion 593 has a groove portion 592t. When the liquid container 50 is connected to the printer 10, the circuit board holding portion 59 is first supported by the substrate supporting portion 48 (FIG. 5). As a result, the circuit board holding portion 59 and the circuit board 582 are positioned to some extent with respect to the device-side terminal 381 (FIG. 5). Then, by moving the movable member 40 of the detachable unit 30 shown in FIG. 5 in the −K1 axial direction, the device-side substrate positioning portion 385 shown in FIG. 6 enters the groove portion 593t (FIG. 9) of the circuit board holding portion 59. Further, the device-side substrate positioning portion 384 (FIG. 6) shown in FIG. 6 enters the groove portion 592t (FIG. 10) of the circuit board holding portion 59. As a result, the circuit board holding portion 59 and the circuit board 582 are positioned with respect to the device-side terminal 381.

As shown in FIG. 13, the circuit board 582 has a plurality of terminals 581 on the surface. In this embodiment, nine terminals 581 are arranged according to the number (nine) of terminal 381 on the device side. In this embodiment, the outer shape of the terminal 581 is substantially rectangular. A storage device 583 (FIG. 16B) is arranged on the back surface of the circuit board 582. The storage device 583 stores information about the liquid container 50 (for example, ink color, ink remaining amount, etc.). The storage device 583 and the plurality of terminals 581 are electrically connected to each other. In the mounted state, each of the plurality of terminals 581 is electrically connected to the corresponding device-side terminal 381 (FIG. 6) of the electrical connection portion 382 included in the printer 10.

As shown in FIG. 16B, a boss groove 584 is formed in the upper end portion 586 of the circuit board 582 on the + Z axis direction side, and a boss hole 585 is formed in the lower end portion 587 of the circuit board 582 on the −Z axis direction side. It is formed. The circuit board 582 is fixed to the bottom portion (arrangement portion) 594 by using the boss groove 584 and the boss hole 585.

As shown in FIGS. 16B and 16C, the circuit board 582 has a liquid container side terminal group 580 provided on the front surface 582fa and a storage device 583 provided on the back surface 582fb. The front surface 582fa and the back surface 582fb are flat surfaces.

The liquid container side terminal group 580 is composed of nine terminals 581A to 581I. The storage device 580 stores information (for example, ink remaining amount, ink color) and the like regarding the liquid container 50.

As shown in FIG. 16B, the nine liquid container side terminals 581A to 581I are each formed in a substantially rectangular shape, and are arranged so as to form two rows Ln1 and Ln2 at different positions in the Z-axis direction. The columns Ln1 and Ln2 are parallel to the K2 axis direction.

Each central portion of the liquid container side terminals 581A to 581I has a contact portion cp that contacts the corresponding device side terminal 381 (FIG. 6). The above rows Ln1 and Ln2 can also be considered as a row formed by a plurality of contact portions cp. When the nine liquid container side terminals 581A to 581I are used without distinction, the reference numeral "581" is used.

As described above, the housing-side electrical connection portion 58 has a contact portion cp capable of contacting the device-side electrical connection portion 382. Further, as shown in FIG. 9, the housing body side electrical connection portion 58 is integrally provided with the operating member 53.

As shown in FIG. 15, the gripping surface 541 is arranged on the side perpendicular to the central axis CT direction (+ Z axis direction) of the liquid supply unit 57. The substrate unit 58 as an electrical connection portion on the housing body side is provided so as to be offset in the central axis CT direction with respect to the operating member 53 including the gripping surface 541. In other words, when the liquid container 50 is viewed from the direction orthogonal to the gripping surface 541 and from the direction (+ Z-axis direction) from the liquid supply unit 57 toward the gripping surface 541, the substrate unit 58 is the gripping surface 541. It is arranged at a position that does not overlap with (operating member 53). That is, when the liquid container 50 is projected onto a plane perpendicular to the gripping surface 541, the gripping surface 541 and the substrate unit 58 are in a positional relationship that does not overlap. In this case, at least the circuit board 582 of the board unit 58 may be arranged at a position where it does not overlap with the gripping surface 541 (operation member 53).

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, the −K1 axial side of the operating member 53 is the first side 53fa, and the + K1 axial side of the operating member 53, which is opposite to the first side 53fa, is the second side. It is set to 53 fb. As shown in FIG. 9, the circuit board holding portion 59 and the positioning portion 56 are provided on the first side 53fa, which is on the same side.

As shown in FIG. 12, the pressing portion 545 is provided on the second side 53fb facing the positioning portion 56 and the circuit board holding portion 59 with the operating member 53 interposed therebetween. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, the positioning portion 56 and the circuit board holding portion 59 are provided on the surface of the first side 53fa of the base portion 548, whereas the pressing portion 545 is provided as shown in FIG. , Is provided on the surface of the second side 53fb of the base 548. Further, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, at least a part of the pressing portion 545 faces the positioning portion 56 and the circuit board holding portion 59 with the operating member 53 interposed therebetween.

The pressing portion 545 is a portion that is pressed by the user when the liquid container 50 is connected to the printer 10. That is, the pressing portion 545 is a portion that is manually pressed. By pushing the pressing portion 545 toward the −K1 axial direction, the movable member 40 (FIG. 6) in which the liquid container 50 is set is moved toward the −K1 direction.

The pressing portion 545 is provided so as to project outward (+ K1 axial direction) from the operating member 53. As a result, the pressing portion 545 and other portions can be easily distinguished, and when the liquid container 50 is connected to the printer 10, the user can be prompted to press the pressing portion 545. Further, as shown in FIG. 14, when the operating member 53 is viewed from the direction along the K1 axis direction, a part of the outer shape of the pressing portion 545 protrudes outward from the base portion 548. .. As a result, the surface area of the pressing portion 545 can be increased, so that the user can easily press the pressing portion 545.

The operation member 53, the circuit board holding portion 59, the positioning portion 56, the liquid supply portion 57, and the pressing portion 545 may be formed of the same material, or may be formed of different materials depending on the application. As the material of the operating member 53, for example, a synthetic resin such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or ABS resin can be used.

FIG. 17A is a first exploded perspective view of the operating member 53. FIG. 17B is a second exploded perspective view of the operating member 53. FIG. 17C is a rear view of the operating member 53. FIG. 17D is a front view of the liquid container 50. FIG. 17E is a partial cross-sectional view of F17Da-F17Da of FIG. 17D. FIG. 17F is a partial cross-sectional view of F17Db-F17Db of FIG. 17D. 17A to 17C also show the flow path member 70 for ease of understanding. Further, FIG. 17C is a diagram in which the third member (pressing member) 53C, which will be described later, has been removed.

As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the operating member (connecting member, handle portion) 53 includes a first member 53A, a second member 53B, and a third member. The operating member 53 is formed by combining the first member 53A to the third member 53C. Specifically, the members 53A to 53B are combined so as to sandwich the second member 53B between the first member 53A and the third member 53C. Each of the first member 34A to the third member 53C is formed by integrally molding a material such as a synthetic resin.

The first member 53A includes a grip portion 54. The shape of the first member 53A is a frame shape. The first member 53A is a plate-shaped member along a plane perpendicular to the K1 axis direction (central axis CT direction). The positioning portion 56 and the circuit board holding portion 59 are integrally molded with the connecting portion 548 (specifically, the first side 53fa portion of the connecting portion 548) of the first member 53A. As described above, it can be said that the first member 53A itself of the operating members 53 is the "connecting member 53A" or the "handle portion 53A".

As shown in FIG. 17B, the second side 53fb of the first member 53A has three engagements for connecting (connecting) the first member 53A and the second member 53B by engaging with the second member 53B. It has joints 511A, 511B, 511C. The three engaging portions 511A, 511B, and 511C are arranged side by side along the K2 axis direction (the direction in which the positioning portion 56 and the circuit board holding portion 59 are aligned). The number of engaging portions 511A, 511B, and 511C may be two or less, or four or more. When the three engaging portions 511A, 511B, and 511C are used without distinction, the reference numeral "511" is used.

The engaging portion 511 is provided at the base portion 548 of the second side 53fb of the first member 53A. The shape of the engaging portion 511 is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. That is, the outer shape of the engaging portion 511 is substantially rectangular, and is a shape that surrounds the direction (K1 axial direction) along the K1 axial direction (central axis CT direction of the distribution portion 57). The engaging portion 511 is a convex portion protruding from the base portion 548 toward the second member 53B side (+ K1 axial direction side).

Further, as shown in FIG. 17B, 8 for connecting (connecting) the first member 53A and the third member 53C by engaging with the pressing member 53C to the second side 53fb of the first member 53A. It is provided with one member engaging portion 588 (only seven are shown in the figure). The member engaging portion 588 has a concave shape.

As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the liquid supply unit 57 is integrally formed with the second member 53B. Further, a mounting portion (joining portion) 549 is connected (connected) to the second member 53B by integral molding.

Further, the second member 53B has three engaging portions 513A, 513B, and 513C for attaching the first member 53A to the second member 53B by engaging with the engaging portion 511. When the three engaging portions 513A, 513B, and 513C are used without distinction, the reference numeral "513" is used. The number of engaging portions 513 may be four or more, or may be two or less.

The three engaging portions 513A, 513B, and 513C are provided corresponding to the three engaging portions 513A, 513B, and 513C included in the first member 53A. The engaging portion 513 is a through hole penetrating in the K1 axial direction. The outer shape of the engaging portion 513 is a shape into which the engaging portion 511 can be fitted. The outer shape of the engaging portion 513 is substantially rectangular, and is a shape that surrounds the direction (K1 axial direction) along the K1 axial direction (central axis CT direction of the distribution portion 57).

As shown in FIG. 17C, the convex engaging portions 511A, 511B, 511C are fitted into the engaging portions 513A, 513B, 513C corresponding through holes, so that the second member 53B is fitted to the first member 53A. It is attached. That is, the portion 517 provided with the engaging portion 513 is also referred to as a "protruding portion 517" projecting from the joint portion 549 to the outside of the liquid storage portion 52 (FIG. 7). Then, the engaging portion 511 of the connecting member 53A engages with the engaging portion 513 of the protruding portion 517, so that the connecting member 53A is connected to the joining portion 549.

The three engaging portions 511A, 511B, and 511C of the handle portion 53A function as follows by engaging with the second member 53B to which the liquid accommodating portion 52 () is attached. That is, when the user holds the liquid accommodating body 50 by gripping the handle portion 53A, the three engaging portions 511A, 511B, and 511C function as portions that receive the load generated by the weight of the liquid accommodating portion 52. Therefore, the three engaging portions 511A, 511B, and 511C are also referred to as support portions 511A, 511B, and 511C, respectively.

By assembling the handle portion 53A and the second member 53B, the handle portion 53A is connected to the liquid supply portion 57. The term "connection" described in this paragraph means that the handle portion 53A and the liquid supply portion 57 are directly connected to each other, and also indirectly the handle portion 53A and the liquid supply portion via other members. Includes aspects in which the 57 is connected.

By engaging the engaging portion 511B and the engaging portion 513B, the movement of the second member 53B with respect to the connecting member 53A in the K2 axis direction and the Z axis direction is restricted. By engaging the engaging portion 511A and the engaging portion 513A and engaging the engaging portion 511C and the engaging portion 513C, the movement of the second member 53B with respect to the connecting member 53A in the Z-axis direction is restricted. .. That is, the engaging portion 511 and the engaging portion 513 have an outer shape that surrounds each other in a direction (K1 axis direction) along the central axis CT direction (K1 axis direction), so that the surface is orthogonal to the central axis CT direction. It is possible to suppress a positional deviation between the connecting member 53A and the second member 53B in the direction (the plane direction defined by the Z-axis direction and the K2 axis direction).

As shown in FIG. 17B, the connecting member 53A further has convex locking claws 511Da and 511Db. The locking claws 511Da and 511Db are provided on the second side 53fb of the connecting portion 548 of the first member 53A. Further, the second member 53B has through holes 513Da and 513Db at positions corresponding to the convex locking claws 511Da and 511Db.

As shown in FIGS. 17E and 17F, the locking claws 511Da and 511Db are locked to the members forming the through holes 513Da and 513Db so that the second member 53B moves in the + K1 axial direction with respect to the connecting member 53A. To regulate. Further, the movement of the second member 53B with respect to the connecting member 53A in the −K1 axial direction is regulated by a part of the second member 53B hitting a part of the connecting member 53A.

As described above, the engaging portion 511 of the connecting member 53A engages with the engaging portion 513 of the second member 53B to position the both members 53A and 53B. Here, the circuit board holding portion 59 is connected to the connecting member 53A, and the liquid supply portion 57 connected to the printer 10 is connected to the second member 53B. Therefore, by engaging the engaging portion 511 of the connecting member 53A and the engaging portion 513 of the second member, the position between the liquid supply portion 57 and the circuit board holding portion 59 is determined. Here, the engaging portion 511 is also referred to as a “member positioning portion 511”.

As shown in FIG. 17C, in the longitudinal direction (K2 axis direction) of the joint portion 549, the engaging portion 511A and the engaging portion 511B are arranged at positions sandwiching the liquid supply portion 57. Further, in the longitudinal direction (K2 axis direction), the engaging portion 511A and the engaging portion 511C are arranged at positions sandwiching the liquid supply portion 57. Further, in the longitudinal direction (K2 axis direction), the engaging portion 511B and the engaging portion 511C are arranged at positions sandwiching the circuit board 582 (contact portion cp). Further, in the longitudinal direction (+ K2 axial direction), the engaging portion 511A and the engaging portion 511C are arranged at positions sandwiching the circuit board 582 (contact portion cp).

As shown in FIG. 17B, the third member 53C includes a pressing portion 545. The shape of the third member 53C is a frame shape corresponding to the shape of the first member 53A. The third member 53C is a plate-shaped member along a plane perpendicular to the K1 axis direction (central axis CT direction). The first side 53fa portion of the third member 53C is provided with eight engaging portions 515. The number of engaging portions 515 is not limited to this. By engaging the engaging portion 515 with the member engaging portion 588 shown in FIG. 17B, the first member 53A and the third member 53C are connected.

The connecting member 53A (handle portion 53A), the second member 53B, and the third member 53C are separate members. Further, in the present embodiment, the handle portion 53A, the second member 53B, and the third member 53C are made of different materials. It is preferable that at least the handle portion 53A and the second member 53B are made of different materials.

The handle portion 53A is made of a material having excellent deformation resistance or creep resistance. The handle portion 53A is gripped by the user and has sufficient deformation resistance or creep resistance that is resistant to deformation when a load generated by the weight of the liquid storage portion 52 is applied. The handle portion 53A is made of a material having (higher) deformation resistance than the second member 53B or the third member 53C. Further, the handle portion 53A is preferably made of a material having (higher) creep resistance than the second member 53B and the third member 53C. The handle portion 53A is made of a material such as ABS resin, heat-resistant ABS resin having higher heat resistance than ordinary ABS, and polystyrene (PS). In the present embodiment, the handle portion 53A is formed by using ABS resin. The heat-resistant ABS may be a member having a load deflection temperature of 120 ° C. or higher at 1.82 MPa. Of the handle portion 53A, at least the portion to which the liquid supply portion 57 is connected may be made of a material having excellent deformation resistance or creep resistance.

Deformation resistance can be evaluated using the magnitude of flexural modulus as an index. The “material having excellent deformation resistance” is preferably, for example, a material having a flexural modulus of 1800 MPa or more according to JIS K 7171, more preferably 2000 MPa or more, and more preferably 2500 MPa or more. Even more preferable. Further, the "material having excellent deformation resistance" may be a material having a flexural modulus higher than that of polyethylene according to JIS K 7171.

The creep resistance can be evaluated using the magnitude of the deformation amount (warp amount) when a constant load (for example, 2.8 Mpa) is continuously applied to a member formed of a predetermined material as an index. The "material having excellent creep resistance" is preferably a material having a smaller amount of deformation than polyethylene when a member having a predetermined shape is formed.

The second member 53B is made of a material that is resistant to the ink contained in the liquid storage unit 52. The second member 53B is made of a material such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyacetoar (POM).

"Resistant to liquids" can also be said to be "chemical resistant". Further, the "material resistant to a liquid" refers to a material (a member formed of the material) that does not react with the liquid when immersed in the liquid. That is, the "material resistant to a liquid" refers to a material (a member formed of a material) in which impurities such as solid substances are not generated in the liquid by a predetermined value or more when immersed in the liquid. For example, a "material resistant to liquid" can be evaluated as follows. That is, after the member formed by using the material to be evaluated (second member 53B in this embodiment) is immersed in the ink contained in the liquid storage unit 52, it is immersed in the ink contained in the liquid storage unit 52 and then in a high temperature environment (for example, 80 ° C.) for a predetermined time (for example, 80 ° C.). , 48 hours). After leaving the second member 53B for a predetermined time, observation was performed from the following three viewpoints.
(I) Presence or absence of solid matter in the ink.
(Ii) Whether or not the change in mass of the second member 53B before and after being immersed in the ink is within ± 5%.
(Iii) Presence or absence of change in the appearance shape of the second member 53B.
In the above (i) to (iii), when it is recognized that there is no solid matter in the ink, there is no significant change in mass (within ± 5%), and there is no significant change in appearance shape, " It can be evaluated as "a material resistant to liquids". The portion of the second member 53B that comes into contact with the ink (that is, the inner surface of the liquid supply portion 57) may be formed of a material that is resistant to the ink.

As shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the third member 53C is made of, for example, a material such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), or polyacetoar (POM). The pressing portion 545 provided on the third member 53C is located on the opposite side of the handle portion 53A from the liquid supply portion 57. The third member 53C is colored with the color of the ink contained in the liquid storage portion 52. For example, in the case of the liquid container 50Y containing the yellow ink, the third member 53C is colored in yellow. Here, "coloring with the color of the ink" includes being colored with a color similar to the color of the ink. The "similar color" may be a color within a range in which the color of the contained ink can be identified by the user visually recognizing the third member 53C. As described above, the “similar color” means, for example, a hue difference of 0 (zero) to 3 in a 20-color color wheel (also referred to as a modified Munsell color wheel) adopted in the JIS standard (JIS Z 8102). Means the colors that are.

As described above, the third member 53C functions as an identification portion colored with the color of the ink (contained ink) contained in the liquid storage unit 52. The identification portion (colored portion) does not have to be the entire third member 53C, and may be a portion that can be visually recognized from the outside. For example, at least a part of the pressing portion 545 of the third member 53C may be an identification portion.

Further, the user may color the third member 53C with the same color as the ink in order to identify the color of the contained ink, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the third member 53C may be used. It suffices to have an appearance for identifying the color of the contained ink. For example, the ink color may be displayed as character information on the surface of the pressing portion 545.

Here, since the connecting member 40 (FIG. 5) is also identified by the color of the contained ink, the third member 53C also has a colored portion colored in the same color as the connecting member 40 to be connected. I can say. In the case of the present embodiment, the colored portion is the entire third member 53C, but a part of the third member (for example, at least a part of the pressing portion 545) may have a colored portion.

A-4. How to attach the liquid container 50 to the attachment / detachment unit 30:
FIG. 18 is a view when the liquid container 50 is set in the detachable unit 30. FIG. 19 is a partial cross-sectional view of F18-F18 of FIG. FIG. 20 is a view when the liquid container 50 is attached to the detachable unit 30. FIG. 21 is a partial cross-sectional view of F20-F20 of FIG. The state of the detachable unit 30 shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19 is the first state as in FIG. The state of the detachable unit 30 shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 is the second state as in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 19, when the liquid container 50 is attached to the detachable unit 30, an operation of moving the liquid container 50 in the set direction (setting operation or the first operation) and an operation of moving the liquid container 50 in the connection direction. Two operations (connection operation or second operation) are performed. The setting direction is a direction including a vertical downward direction (−Z axis direction) component. In the present embodiment, the setting direction is the vertical downward direction.

The user sets the liquid container 50 on the movable member 40 of the detachable unit 30 with respect to the detachable unit 30 in the first state. Specifically, the user grips the grip portion 54 in a state where the operating member 53 is vertically upward from the liquid storage portion 52. Then, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the positioning portion 56 of the liquid container 50 is arranged in the supply portion support portion 42, and the circuit board holding portion 59 is arranged in the substrate support portion 48.

After the liquid container 50 is set on the movable member 40, the user pushes the pressing portion 545 toward the −K axis direction as shown by the arrow F in FIG. As a result, the liquid container 50 and the movable member 40 move in the connection direction (-K1 axial direction).

As shown in FIG. 21, in the second state of the detachable unit 30 in which the movable member 40 is housed in the fixing member 35, the liquid introduction unit 362 (FIG. 19) is inserted (connected) into the liquid supply unit 57. Further, in the second state, the terminal 581 (FIG. 13) of the circuit board 582 and the device-side terminal 381 (FIG. 6) of the electrical connection portion 382 come into contact with each other, so that the circuit board 582 and the electrical connection portion 382 are electrically connected. Is connected.

A-5. effect:
According to the above embodiment, the positioning portion 56 required for connection with the printer 10 and the housing-side electrical connection portion 58 (circuit board holding portion 59) are integrally provided on the operating member 53 (FIG. 9). .. As a result, it is not necessary to provide other parts (for example, a case for mounting the liquid container 50) in order to connect the liquid container 50 to the printer 10. As a result, the function for connecting the liquid container 50 to the printer 10 can be achieved with a small number of parts. Further, since the positioning unit 56 and the electrical connection unit 58 (circuit board holding unit 59) on the housing body side are integrally provided on the operation member 53, the liquid storage body 50 (liquid storage bag unit 50) can be mounted on the printer 10. Since the liquid container 50 can be operated by grasping the operating member 53 at the time of connection, the operability is better than that without the operating member 53.

Further, since it is not necessary to attach the liquid container 50 to the case in advance, the step of connecting the liquid container 50 to the printer 10 can be simplified. Further, since the case is unnecessary, the liquid container 50 can be miniaturized. Further, since the case is unnecessary, the liquid storage portion 52 in which the ink is consumed can be easily reduced and disposed of.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the liquid storage unit 52 is attached to the operation member 53 in a state where the liquid storage unit 52 is visible from the outside of the liquid storage body 50 (FIG. 7). As a result, the amount of ink contained in the liquid container 52 can be easily recognized from the outside from changes in the state of the liquid container 52 such as a change in volume, a change in shape, and a change in the amount of ink.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the positioning unit 56 and the circuit board holding unit 59 are provided on the first side 53fa of the operating member 53, and face the positioning unit 56 and the circuit board holding unit 59 with the operation member 53 interposed therebetween. A pressing portion 545 is provided on the second side 53fb (FIGS. 9 and 12). As a result, the positioning unit 56 and the circuit board holding unit 59 for positioning the printer 10 and the pressing unit 545 pressed when the liquid container 50 is connected to the printer 10 can be easily visually recognized from the outside. Therefore, the operation of connecting the liquid container 50 to the printer 10 can be easily performed.

When the liquid container 50 falls, there is a high possibility that the heavy liquid container 52 containing the ink will fall in a posture below the operating member 53. According to the above embodiment, at least a part of the positioning portion 56 is provided on the liquid storage portion 52 side (−Z axis direction side) of the liquid supply port 572 (FIGS. 7 and 13). As a result, even if the liquid container 50 falls, the possibility that the liquid supply port 572 collides with an object such as the ground can be reduced by the positioning portion 56. Therefore, the possibility that the liquid supply port 572 is damaged can be reduced.

Further, according to the above embodiment, at least a part of the circuit board holding portion 59 is provided on the liquid accommodating portion 52 side (−Z axis direction side) of the circuit board 582 (FIGS. 7 and 13). As a result, even if the liquid container 50 falls, the possibility that the circuit board 582 collides with an object such as the ground can be reduced by the circuit board holding portion 59. Therefore, the possibility that the circuit board 582 is damaged can be reduced.

Further, according to the above embodiment, when the gripping surface 541 is arranged in the direction perpendicular to the central axis CT direction (+ Z axis direction) of the liquid supply unit 57 with respect to the liquid supply unit 57, the gripping surface 541 becomes liquid. The operating member 53 is provided so as to be offset in the central axis CT direction with respect to the supply port 572 (FIG. 15). As a result, the user has the grip portion 54 of the operation member 53, and when the liquid container 50 is attached to the printer 10, the liquid supply port 572 can be visually recognized without being hidden by the operation member 53. Therefore, the user can easily attach the liquid container 50 to the printer 10. Further, since the user handles the liquid container 50 by grasping the operation member 53, the possibility that the user touches the liquid container 52 can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid accommodating portion 52 is damaged and the ink contained therein leaks to the outside.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the liquid supply unit 55 is provided so as to project outward (in the −K1 axial direction) from the operating member 53 (FIGS. 9 and 10). As a result, the user can easily recognize that the protruding direction of the liquid supply unit 55 is the connection direction (FIG. 9) for connecting the liquid container 50 to the printer 10. Therefore, the user can more easily attach the liquid container 50 to the printer 10.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the liquid container 50 has a positioning portion 56 (FIG. 9). As a result, the positioning unit 56 positions the liquid container 50 including the liquid supply unit 57 with respect to the printer 10 to some extent. Therefore, the liquid container 50 is mounted on the printer 10 in an appropriate state (correct mounting state). Can be done.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the substrate unit 58 is offset from the grip surface 541 when the grip surface 541 is arranged in the direction perpendicular to the central axis CT direction (+ Z axis direction) of the liquid supply unit 57. (Fig. 15). As a result, when the user has the gripping surface 541 of the operating member 53 and attaches the liquid container 50 to the printer 10, the substrate unit 58 is visible. Therefore, the user can more easily attach the liquid container 50 to the printer 10.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the protruding direction of the substrate unit 58 (-K1 axial direction) and the protruding direction of the liquid supply unit 57 (-K1 axial direction) are the same (FIGS. 9 and 10). As a result, when the liquid container 50 is mounted on the printer 10, the user can easily recognize the substrate unit 58 and the liquid supply unit 57 at the same time. As a result, the liquid supply unit 57 can be easily connected to the printer 10 and the substrate unit 58 can be electrically connected to the printer 10. Further, when the user has the gripping surface 541 of the operating member 53 and attaches the liquid container 50 to the printer 10, the connection direction of the substrate unit 58 to the printer 10 (−K1 axis direction) as shown in FIG. It can be recognized that the connection direction of the liquid supply unit 57 to the printer 10 (−K1 axial direction) is the same. Therefore, the user can more easily attach the liquid container 50 to the printer 10. Further, by connecting the liquid supply unit 57 to the printer 10, the substrate unit 58 can be electrically connected to the printer 10.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the substrate unit 58 and the liquid supply unit 55 are provided side by side in the K2 axis direction which is a direction parallel to the gripping surface 541 and a direction orthogonal to the central axis CT. (Fig. 9 and Fig. 10). As a result, both units 58 and 55 are lined up in a direction orthogonal to the connection direction (-K1 axis direction), so that the electrical connection between the substrate unit 58 and the electrical connection unit 382 and the liquid supply unit 57 to the printer 10 are made. The connection can be made even easier.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the liquid supply unit 55 (specifically, the positioning portion 56) and the housing body side electrical connection portion 58 (circuit board holding portion 59) are connected by a connecting member 53A (FIG. 17A). .. As a result, the user grips the grip portion 54 and moves the connecting member 53A, so that the liquid supply unit 55 and the circuit board holding portion 59 are interlocked with the movement of the connecting member 53A. As a result, the movements of the liquid supply unit 55 and the electrical connection portion 58 (circuit board holding portion 59) on the accommodating body side are interlocked with each other, so that each portion 55, 59 is referred to the corresponding portion 36, 38 (FIG. 6) of the printer 10. There is no need to connect them independently. Therefore, the liquid supply unit 55 and the circuit board holding unit 59 can be easily connected to the printer 10. That is, the liquid supply unit 57 can be easily connected to the printer 10 and the contact unit cp can be easily contacted to the device-side electrical connection unit 382.

Here, since the connecting member 53A has a gripping portion 54 that can be gripped, an external force is likely to be applied to the connecting member 53A and the member joined to the connecting member 53A (for example, the joining portion 549). According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17A, the liquid supply portion 57 is integrally molded with the joint portion 549. That is, the liquid supply unit 57 is connected to the joint unit 549. Further, as shown in FIG. 17A, the connecting member 53A is assembled to the second member 53B to be connected to the joint portion 549. As a result, the possibility that an external force is applied to the portion of the liquid accommodating portion 52 other than the portion attached to the joint portion 549 (main portion) can be reduced, so that the possibility that the main portion of the liquid accommodating portion 52 is damaged can be reduced. Therefore, the possibility that the ink contained in the liquid storage unit 52 leaks to the outside can be reduced.

Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17B, the connecting member 53A having the grip portion 54 and the second member 53B including the joint portion 549 attached to the liquid accommodating portion 52 are composed of separate members. ing. Then, the connecting member 53A and the second member 53B are connected by engaging the engaging portion 513 provided on the protruding portion 517 of the second member 53B and the engaging portion 511 provided on the connecting member 53A. .. That is, since the joint portion 549 attached to the liquid storage portion 52 and the connecting member 53A can be formed by separate members, the degree of freedom in design is improved. For example, if the engaging portion 511 of the connecting member 53A has a shape corresponding to the engaging portion 511 of the second member 53B, the connecting member 53A having a different shape can be connected to the second member 53B.

Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17B, the engaging portion 511 of the connecting member 53A engages with the engaging portion 513 of the second member 53B to form the connecting member 53A and the second member 53B. Positioning between is done. That is, the engaging portion 511 as the member positioning portion can easily position the liquid supply portion 57 and the housing body side electrical connection portion 58 (circuit board 582). As a result, the liquid supply unit 57 and the circuit board 582 can be connected to the printer 10 with high accuracy. That is, it is possible to accurately connect the liquid supply unit 57 to the printer 10 and the contact unit cp to the device-side electrical connection unit 382.

Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17B, the engaging portion 511 as the member positioning portion has an outer shape (detailed) that surrounds the direction (K1 axis direction) of the liquid supply portion 57 along the central axis CT. Has a substantially rectangular shape). As a result, the direction (Z-axis direction and K2) perpendicular to the central axis CT between the second member 53B provided with the liquid supply unit 57 and the first member 53A provided with the circuit board 582 (contact portion cp) is provided. Positional deviation in the in-plane direction defined by the axial direction can be suppressed.

Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17B, the connecting member 53A has three engaging portions 511A, 511B, 511C arranged in a direction (K2 axis direction) intersecting the gravity direction (Z axis direction). .. As a result, when the user grips the grip portion 54, the load generated by the weight of the liquid storage portion 52 is dispersed and applied to the three engaging portions 511A, 511B, and 511C, so that the engaging portion 511 is damaged. The possibility of doing so can be reduced.

Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17C, the engaging portion 511A and the engaging portion 511B, or the engaging portion 511A and the engaging portion 511C are in the longitudinal direction (K2 axis direction) of the joint portion 549. Is provided at a position sandwiching the liquid supply unit 57. As a result, the load generated by the weight of the liquid accommodating portion 52 is applied to both sides of the connecting member 53A and the second member 53B sandwiching the liquid supply portion 57. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that one side (+ K2 axial direction side) of the joint portion 549 is greatly tilted (largely deformed) with respect to the liquid supply portion 57 as compared with the other side (−K2 axial direction side). Therefore, since the positional deviation of the liquid supply unit 57 can be suppressed, the liquid supply unit 57 can be connected to the printer 10 with high accuracy.

Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17C, the engaging portion 511B and the engaging portion 511C, or the engaging portion 511A and the engaging portion 511C are in the longitudinal direction (K2 axial direction) of the joint portion 549. ), It is provided at a position where the circuit board 582 (contact portion cp) is sandwiched. As a result, the load generated by the weight of the liquid accommodating portion 52 is applied to both sides of the connecting member 53A and the second member 53B sandwiching the circuit board 582 (contact portion cp). Therefore, there is a possibility that one side (+ K2 axis direction side) of the joint portion 549 is greatly tilted (largely deformed) with respect to the circuit board 582 (contact portion cp) as compared with the other side (-K2 axis direction side). Can be reduced. Therefore, since the positional deviation of the contact portion cp can be suppressed, the contact portion cp can be accurately contacted with the printer 10.

Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the width W52 of the grip portion 54 is smaller than the width W549 of the joint portion 549, and the liquid supply unit 55 and the substrate unit 58 are on both sides of the grip portion 54. It is located between the ends 54A and 54B. As a result, when the user grips the grip portion 54, the liquid supply unit 55 and the substrate unit 58 can be reliably supported by the grip portion 54.

Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17A, the handle portion 53A and the liquid supply portion 57 are formed of separate members. The degree of freedom in designing the liquid container 50 is improved. For example, even if it becomes necessary to change the material of the liquid supply unit 57 due to a change in the type of ink stored in the liquid storage unit 52, it is not necessary to change the material of the handle portion 53A. For example, by changing the type of ink, the liquid supply unit 57 that has been used conventionally may elute a large amount into the changed ink. In this case, it becomes necessary to reshape the liquid supply unit 57 with a material having chemical resistance to the modified ink. However, in the present embodiment, since the second member 53B including the liquid supply portion 57 and the handle portion 53A including the grip portion 54 are separate members, it is not necessary to change the material of the handle portion 53A. That is, the handle portion 53A and the liquid supply portion 57 can be separately made of materials according to the intended use.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the liquid supply unit 57 is formed of a material that is resistant to the ink contained in the liquid storage unit 52. As a result, the possibility that the liquid supply unit 57 is deteriorated (damaged) by the ink can be reduced. Further, it is possible to reduce the possibility that impurities are generated in the ink supplied to the printer 10 side, such as a part of the liquid supply unit 57 eluting into the ink.

Further, the handle portion 53A is a portion that directly receives an external force by being gripped by the user. According to the above embodiment, since the handle portion 53A is made of a material having excellent deformation resistance or creep resistance, deformation of the handle portion 53A can be suppressed. Further, a positioning unit 56 and a circuit board holding unit 59 are connected to the handle unit 53A. Both members 56 and 59 are important parts for positioning with respect to the printer 10 when the liquid container 50 is connected to the printer 10. By suppressing the deformation of the handle portion 53A, the positional deviation of both members 56 and 59 with respect to the handle portion 53A can be suppressed. Therefore, the liquid container 50 can be satisfactorily connected to the printer 10.

Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 17B, the liquid container 50 includes a pressing portion 545 at a position opposite to the liquid supply unit 55 with the handle portion 53A interposed therebetween. As a result, the user can easily connect the liquid supply unit 57 to the printer 10 by pressing the pressing unit 545.

Further, according to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17A, the handle portion 53A and the third member 53C forming the pressing portion 545 are formed by using different members. As a result, the degree of freedom in designing the liquid container 50 is improved. For example, the shape and area of the pressing portion 545 can be freely set regardless of the shape and size of the handle portion 53A. Therefore, it is possible to arrange a part of the pressing portion 545 so as to overlap the liquid accommodating portion 52. By arranging a part of the pressing portion 545 so as to overlap the liquid accommodating portion 52, the volume of the liquid accommodating portion 52 can be increased to a certain level or more while making the outer shape of the pressing portion 545 larger by effectively utilizing the limited space. Can be secured.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the pressing portion 545 has an appearance for identifying the color of the ink contained in the liquid containing portion 52. Specifically, in the present embodiment, the third member 53C (FIG. 17B) including the pressing portion 545 is colored with the color of the ink. As a result, the user can easily identify the color of the ink contained in the liquid storage unit 52 by visually recognizing the third member 53C. Further, even if the color of the liquid accommodating portion 52 is changed, only the third member 53C needs to be replaced. The color of the pressing portion 545 is the same as the color of the connecting member 40 (FIG. 5). Therefore, the user can easily identify the liquid container 50 and the corresponding connecting member 40 by visually recognizing the pressing portion 545. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the liquid container 50 containing different colors that should not be mounted is accidentally connected to the printer 10.

B. Modification example:
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned examples and embodiments, and can be implemented in various aspects without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the following modifications are also possible.

B-1. First modification example:
In the above embodiment, the liquid accommodating portion 52 is formed of a flexible member, but the present invention is not limited to this, as long as it can function as a liquid accommodating portion capable of accommodating a liquid inside. For example, the liquid storage portion 52 may be partially formed of a flexible member, or may be formed of a hard member whose volume does not change regardless of the amount of liquid consumed. Since at least a part of the liquid storage bag 52 (liquid storage 52) is formed of a flexible member, the volume of the liquid storage 52 changes according to the amount of ink stored in the liquid storage 52. To do.

B-2. Second modification example:
In the above embodiment, the operation member 53 has a frame shape (FIG. 13), but the shape is not limited to this, and any shape may be used as long as it can be gripped by the user. For example, the operating member 53 may have a rod shape (plate shape) extending along the Z-axis direction.

B-3. Third modification example:
In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17B, the handle portion 53A, the liquid supply unit 55, the circuit board holding portion 59, and the like are formed by combining the three members 53A, 53B, and 53C, but the present invention is limited to this. It's not something. For example, an assembly formed by combining three members 53A, 53B, and 53C may be integrally formed. Examples of the integral forming method include integral molding and a method of attaching each member 53A, 53B, 53C with an adhesive or the like. This makes it possible to easily manufacture the liquid container 50. Further, since the liquid supply unit 55 and the substrate unit 58 can be integrally formed, positioning between the two units 55 and 58 can be performed with high accuracy. Further, the connecting member 53A and the joint portion 549 can be integrally formed. As a result, when the user grips the connecting member 53A, the possibility that the joint portion 549 and the connecting member 53A are separated due to the weight of the liquid accommodating portion 52 can be reduced. Further, when the user grips the connecting member 53A, a load generated by the weight of the liquid accommodating portion 52 is applied to the connecting member 53A via the joint portion 549. As a result, the external force applied to the liquid storage unit 52 itself can be reduced, so that the possibility of damage to the liquid storage unit 52 can be reduced.

B-4. Fourth modification example:
The present invention is not limited to the inkjet printer and its liquid container 50, but also applies to any printing device (liquid consuming device) that injects a liquid other than ink and a liquid container for containing the liquid. Can be done. For example, it can be applied to various liquid consuming devices such as the following and their liquid containers.
(1) Image recording device such as facsimile device (2) Color material injection device used for manufacturing color filter for image display device such as liquid crystal display (3) Organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display and surface emission display (Field) Electrode material injection device used for electrode formation such as Emission Display, FED) (4) Liquid consumption device for injecting liquid containing bioorganic substances used for biochip production (5) Sample injection device as a precision pipette (6) Lubrication Oil injection device (7) Resin liquid injection device (8) Liquid consumption device that injects lubricating oil pinpointly into precision machinery such as watches and cameras (9) Micro hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used for optical communication elements, etc. ) Etc., a liquid consuming device that injects a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid onto the substrate (10) A liquid consuming device that injects an acidic or alkaline etching solution to etch the substrate, etc. A liquid consuming device equipped with a liquid injection head that ejects any other minute amount of droplets.

The term "droplet" refers to the state of the liquid discharged from the liquid consuming device, and includes those having a granular, tear-like, or thread-like tail. Further, the term "liquid" as used herein may be any material that can be injected by the liquid consuming device. For example, the "liquid" may be a material in a liquid state when the substance is in a liquid phase, a material in a liquid state with high or low viscosity, and a sol, gel water, other inorganic solvent, organic solvent, solution, etc. Liquid materials such as liquid resins and liquid metals (metal melts) are also included in "liquid". Further, not only a liquid as a state of a substance but also a liquid in which particles of a functional material made of a solid substance such as a pigment or a metal particle are dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent are included in the "liquid". Further, as a typical example of the liquid, ink, liquid crystal and the like as described in the above-described embodiment can be mentioned. Here, the ink includes general water-based inks, oil-based inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks. In addition, when UV ink that can be cured by irradiating ultraviolet rays is stored in this liquid container and connected to a printer, the liquid container floats from the installation surface, so the heat of the installation surface is transferred to the liquid container and cured. The possibility of doing so is reduced.

B-5. Fifth modification example:
In the above embodiment, the housing-side electrical connection portion 58 includes the circuit board 582, but the present invention is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that the housing-side electrical connection portion 58 has a contact portion cp that can contact the device-side electrical connection portion 382. .. For example, the circuit board 582 does not have to include the storage device 583. For example, the electrical connection portion 58 on the housing body side may include a contact portion of a terminal used for detecting attachment / detachment of the liquid storage body 50. Further, the housing-side electrical connection portion 58 may include an entire circuit board including a flexible cable such as a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). This circuit board has a contact portion on one end side capable of contacting the device-side electrical connection portion 382. The other end is connected to, for example, a reset device. The above modification may be adopted in place of the circuit board 582, or may be adopted together with the circuit board 582.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, examples, and modifications, and can be realized with various configurations within a range not deviating from the gist thereof. For example, the technical features in the embodiments, examples, and modifications corresponding to the technical features in each embodiment described in the column of the outline of the invention may be used to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems. , It is possible to replace or combine as appropriate in order to achieve a part or all of the above-mentioned effects. Further, if the technical feature is not described as essential in the present specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

10 ... Printer 11 ... Recording mechanism 16 ... Paper feed tray 17 ... Discharge tray 20 ... Liquid supply device 20A ... First liquid supply device 20B ... Second liquid supply device 22 ... Cover member 22A ... Cover member 22B ... Cover member 23 … One end 24… The other end 26… Containment space 26A… Containment space 26B… Containment space 30 (30C, 30K, 30M, 30Y)… Detachable unit 35… Fixing member 36… Liquid introduction mechanism 38… Contact mechanism 40 … Movable member (connecting member)
41 ... Base 42 ... Supply support 48 ... Substrate support 50 (50C, 50K, 50M, 50Y) ... Liquid container 51W ... Peripheral area 51Y ... Peripheral area 52 ... Liquid storage (liquid storage bag)
53 ... Operating member 53A ... First member (connecting member, handle)
53B ... Second member (pressing member)
53C ... 3rd member 53fa ... 1st side 53fb ... 2nd side 54 ... Gripping part 54A ... One end 54B ... Other end 55 ... Liquid supply unit (liquid supply part)
56 ... Positioning unit 57 ... Liquid supply unit (distribution unit)
58 ... Board unit (electrical connection on the housing side)
59 ... Circuit board holding part 70 ... Flow path member 99 ... Film 102 ... Device first surface 104 ... Device second surface 106 ... Device third surface 302 ... Screw 362 ... Liquid introduction part 366 (366a to 366d) ... Positioning protrusion 381 ... Device side terminal 382 ... Electrical connection part 384 ... Device side board positioning part 385 ... Device side positioning part 402 ... First support surface part 403 ... Second support surface part 404 ... Third support surface part 406 ... Notch part 407 ... Groove part 482 ... 1st substrate support surface portion 501 ... One end 503 ... 1st side end 504 ... 2nd side end 511 ... Member positioning portion (engagement portion, support portion)
511A ... Engagement part (support part)
511B ... Engagement part (support part)
511C ... Engagement part (support part)
511Da, 511Db ... Locking claw 513 ... Engagement part 513A ... Engagement part 513B ... Engagement part 513C ... Engagement part 513Da ... Through hole 515 ... Engagement part 517 ... Protrusion part 521 ... First sheet 522 ... Second Sheet 523 ... Third sheet 541 ... Grip surface 542 ... Receiving space 545 ... Pressing part 546 ... First connecting part 547 ... Second connecting part 548 ... Base 549 ... Mounting part 550 ... Derived part 551 ... Valve mechanism 552 ... Valve seat 554 ... Valve body 556 ... Spring 558 ... Internal flow path 57 2 ... Liquid supply port 573 ... Supply connection part 581 ... Terminal 582 ... Circuit board 583 ... Storage device 588 ... Member engagement part 592 ... First side wall part 592t ... Groove 593 ... Second side wall 593t ... Groove 594 ... Bottom 1000 ... Liquid consumption system CT ... Central axis CL ... Central axis cp ... Contact

Claims (3)

A liquid container that can be detachably connected to a liquid consumption device.
A liquid storage unit with a seat member and
An operating member attached to one end of the liquid storage portion and located on the one end side of the liquid storage portion is provided.
The operating member is configured by combining one member so as to be sandwiched by another member.
The one member is provided with a liquid supply unit for circulating the liquid in the liquid storage unit to the liquid consumption device and a joint portion to which the sheet member is joined.
The other member is provided with a housing-side electrical connection having a contact that can be connected to the device-side electrical connection provided in the liquid consuming device .
A liquid container in which a support portion for forming a receiving space portion for receiving a user's hand is provided on the other member. The liquid container according to claim 1.
The liquid container is a liquid container attached to the operation member in a state of being visible from the outside of the liquid container. The liquid container according to claim 1 or 2.
The housing side electrical connection portion further has a holding portion for holding the contact portion.
A liquid container in which a part of the holding portion of the electrical connection portion on the housing body side is provided on the liquid storage portion side with respect to the contact portion.

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