JP7099139B2 - Liquid cartridge - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a liquid cartridge comprising a storage chamber in which a liquid is stored.

Ink cartridges that can be attached to devices that record images on sheets or the like are known. The ink cartridge includes a storage chamber for storing ink inside. In many in-use ink cartridges, the reservoir is open to the outside through the air flow (see, eg, Patent Document 1). As a result, the pressure of the air layer in the storage chamber is maintained at the same level as the atmospheric pressure.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-237102

In order to prevent the liquid stored in the storage chamber from flowing out to the outside through the air flow path, an air chamber leading to the air flow path or the storage chamber may be provided. The liquid that has flowed out of the storage chamber due to the change in the posture of the ink cartridge is suppressed from flowing out by being stored in the air chamber, and when the ink cartridge is returned to the original posture, the liquid from the air chamber to the storage chamber is suppressed. The liquid returns to.

Further, in order to suppress the outflow of the liquid to the outside, the opening leading from the air chamber to the air flow path may be covered with a semipermeable membrane. Since the semipermeable membrane does not allow the liquid to pass through and allows air to pass through, the liquid is prevented from flowing out from the air chamber to the outside.

However, in the air chamber, when the entire semipermeable membrane gets wet with the liquid, the semipermeable membrane does not allow air to pass through. If the air does not come into contact with the semipermeable membrane after that, the function of the semipermeable membrane, that is, the function of allowing air to pass through the semipermeable membrane does not work. As a result, as the liquid flows out of the storage chamber, the pressure of the air layer in the storage chamber becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure, and it becomes difficult for the liquid to flow out from the storage chamber.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid cartridge in which the function of the semipermeable membrane can be easily restored after the semipermeable membrane of the air chamber is wet with a liquid. be.

(1) The liquid cartridge according to the present invention has a housing having a storage chamber for storing liquid, and a lower portion located above the storage chamber in a height direction along the gravity direction in the usage posture of the housing. The wall, the upper wall located above the lower wall, the front wall and the rear wall separated in the depth direction orthogonal to the height direction, and the width direction orthogonal to the depth direction and the height direction. The air chamber defined by the first side wall and the second side wall, the first communication hole penetrating the lower wall and communicating the storage chamber and the air chamber, and the first communication hole separated from the first communication hole in the depth direction. A second communication hole that penetrates a part of the upper wall and whose dimension in the width direction is smaller than the first distance between the first side wall and the second side wall in the width direction, and the above. An atmospheric flow path that communicates between the second communication hole and the outside, a semi-permeable film that covers the second communication hole and does not allow liquid to pass through, and allows air to pass through, and at least in the depth direction in the air chamber. It is provided with a guide wall located in front of the first communication hole and behind the semi-transparent film and extending in the height direction. In the air chamber, a region that is in front of the first communication hole and behind the semipermeable membrane, is continuous with the semipermeable membrane in the depth direction, and is sandwiched between the guide wall and the first side wall. be. The guide wall is inclined with respect to the depth direction so that the distance in the width direction between the guide wall and the first side wall in the region becomes smaller from the first communication hole toward the semipermeable membrane. ing. The second distance between the semipermeable membrane and the first side wall in the width direction is smaller than the third distance, which is the shortest distance between the guide wall and the first side wall in the width direction. The fourth distance in the width direction between the first communication hole and the first side wall is smaller than the fifth distance, which is the longest distance between the guide wall and the first side wall in the width direction.

For example, when the liquid cartridge is turned upside down from the usage posture, the liquid flows out from the storage chamber to the air chamber through the first communication hole. When the liquid flowing into the air chamber wets the entire semipermeable membrane, the semipermeable membrane does not pass through the atmosphere. When the liquid cartridge is returned to its original posture, the air remaining in the air chamber moves, or the air flowing from the storage chamber into the air chamber through the first communication hole moves. The air moving in the air chamber is guided by the guide wall and easily moves toward the semipermeable membrane. As a result, air easily comes into contact with the semipermeable membrane, and the function of the semipermeable membrane is easily restored.

(2) Preferably, the semipermeable membrane may be at a position offset from the center in the width direction of the air chamber.

(3) Preferably, the upper wall has a recess recessed upward from the top surface defining the air chamber, and the semipermeable membrane is located in the recess and is a part of the guide wall. May reach below the recess.

When the air guided by the guide wall enters the recess, it becomes difficult for the air to move from the recess.

(4) The liquid cartridge according to the present invention has a housing having a storage chamber for storing liquid, and a lower portion located above the storage chamber in the height direction along the gravity direction in the usage posture of the housing. The wall, the upper wall located above the lower wall, the front wall and the rear wall separated in the depth direction orthogonal to the height direction, and the width direction orthogonal to the depth direction and the height direction. The air chamber defined by the first side wall and the second side wall, the first communication hole penetrating the lower wall and communicating the storage chamber and the air chamber, and the first communication hole separated from the first communication hole in the depth direction. A second communication hole that penetrates a part of the upper wall and whose dimension in the width direction is smaller than the first distance between the first side wall and the second side wall in the width direction, and the above. An atmospheric flow path that communicates between the second communication hole and the outside, a semi-permeable film that covers the second communication hole and does not allow liquid to pass through, and allows air to pass through, and at least in the depth direction in the air chamber. It is provided with a first guide wall and a second guide wall which are located in front of the first communication hole and behind the semi-transparent film, are separated from each other in the width direction, and extend in the height direction. The air chamber is sandwiched between the first guide wall and the second guide wall, which is in front of the first through hole and behind the semipermeable membrane, is continuous with the semipermeable membrane in the depth direction, and is sandwiched between the first guide wall and the second guide wall. The first guide is such that the distance between the first guide wall and the second guide wall in the above region in the width direction becomes smaller from the first communication hole toward the semipermeable membrane. At least one of the wall and the second guide wall is inclined with respect to the depth direction. The second distance between the semitransparent film and the first side wall in the width direction is one of the first guide wall or the second guide wall located far from the first side wall in the width direction and the first side wall. A sixth distance that is smaller than the third distance, which is the shortest distance in the width direction from one side wall, and is the longest distance in the width direction between the first guide wall or the other of the second guide wall and the first side wall. Greater than the distance. The fourth distance in the width direction between the first communication hole and the first side wall is the longest distance in the width direction between one of the first guide wall or the second guide wall and the first side wall. It is smaller than 5 distances and larger than the 7th distance, which is the shortest distance in the width direction between the first guide wall or the other of the second guide walls and the first side wall.

According to the above configuration, the air passage guided from the first communication hole to the semipermeable membrane is defined by the first guide wall and the second guide wall, so that the first communication hole and the semipermeable membrane are free. Depending on the arrangement, an air passage can be formed.

(5) Preferably, the upper wall has a recess recessed upward from the top surface defining the air chamber, and the semipermeable membrane is located in the recess and is the first guide wall or the first guide wall. A part of the second guide wall may reach below the recess.

When the air guided by the first guide wall or the second guide wall enters the recess, it becomes difficult for the air to move from the recess.

(6) Preferably, the semipermeable membrane may be located in front of the first communication hole in the depth direction.

(7) Preferably, the atmospheric flow path has a bending flow path, the bending flow path is located above the air chamber, and one end thereof is connected to the second communication hole. The second communication hole may be located on the rear side of the semipermeable membrane.

According to the above configuration, since the distance between the first communication hole and the second communication hole is relatively short, the air that has entered the air chamber from the first communication hole can easily reach the second communication hole.

(8) Preferably, the outer shape of the housing may have a length along the depth direction longer than a length along the width direction.

(9) Preferably, the liquid cartridge extends along the depth direction and may further include a liquid supply path for allowing the liquid in the storage chamber to flow out.

According to the present invention, the function of the semipermeable membrane is easily restored after the semipermeable membrane of the air chamber is wet with the liquid.

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional view schematically showing the internal structure of the printer unit 11. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view showing a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the ink cartridge 30. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 on the VV cut surface shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 on the VI-VI cut surface shown in FIG. 7 (A) is an upward perspective view of the first inner lid 131, and FIG. 7 (B) is a downward perspective view of the first inner lid 131. 8 (A) is a plan view of the first inner lid 131, and FIG. 8 (B) is a back view of the first inner lid 131. 9 (A) is an upward perspective view of the second inner lid 132, and FIG. 9 (B) is a downward perspective view of the second inner lid 132. 10 (A) is a plan view of the second inner lid 132, and FIG. 10 (B) is a back view of the second inner lid 132. FIG. 11 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 on the XI-XI cut surface shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the valve mechanism 135. FIG. 13 is a plan view of the first inner lid 131. FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which the ink 121 has entered the air chamber 36 in the ink cartridge 30 on the VI-VI cut surface. FIG. 15 is a plan view of the first inner lid 131. FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the first inner lid 131 according to the modified example.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. It is needless to say that the embodiments described below are merely examples in which the present invention is embodied, and the embodiments can be appropriately changed without changing the gist of the present invention.

Further, in the following description, the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 is defined as the forward direction 51. Further, the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is taken out from the cartridge mounting portion 110 is defined as the rear direction 52. In the following, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted and removed in the horizontal direction with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110. Therefore, although the description is made on the premise that the front direction 51 and the rear direction 52 are horizontal directions, the front direction 51 and the rear direction 52 do not necessarily have to be the horizontal direction. Further, the direction orthogonal to either the front direction 51 or the rear direction 52 is defined as the downward direction 53. The direction opposite to the downward direction 53 is defined as the upward direction 54. The direction orthogonal to the forward direction 51 and the downward direction 53 is defined as the right direction 55. The direction opposite to the right direction 55 is defined as the left direction 56. Therefore, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and used, the description is made on the premise that the direction of gravity is the downward direction 53 and the direction opposite to the direction of gravity is the upward direction 54. That is, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and used, the outer surface of the main lower wall 42 of the housing 130 faces downward in the direction of gravity. Further, the directions orthogonal to the forward direction 51 and the downward direction 53 are defined as the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and used, when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from the rear to the front, the direction facing to the right is defined as the right direction 55. The direction facing to the left is defined as the left direction 56. The state in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and used is a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted up to the mounting position of the cartridge mounting portion 110. As for the mounting position, the ink supply tube 102 provided in the cartridge mounting section 110 is inserted into the ink supply section 34 provided in the ink cartridge 30 and connected to each other, and the IC board 64 provided in the ink cartridge 30 mounts the cartridge. It is a position where the contact 106 provided in the portion 110 comes into contact with the contact 106. Further, in the following, the posture of the ink cartridge 30 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 and used is referred to as a usage posture.

Further, the front direction 51 and the rear direction 52 are defined as the depth direction. Further, the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53 are defined as the height direction. Further, the right direction 55 and the left direction 56 are defined as the width direction.

Further, in the following description, "facing forward" includes facing a direction including a front component, and "facing backward" includes facing a direction including a rear component. Further, "facing downward" includes facing a direction including a lower component, and "facing upward" includes facing a direction including an upper component. For example, "front faces forward" may mean that the front faces forward or the front faces in an inclined direction with respect to the front.

[Overview of Printer 10]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 is an image recording device that records an image by ejecting ink droplets onto paper based on an inkjet recording method, and is, for example, an inkjet printer. The printer 10 includes a recording head 21, an ink supply device 100, and an ink tube 20 for connecting the recording head 21 and the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge mounting unit 110. An ink cartridge 30 (an example of a liquid cartridge) is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. The cartridge mounting portion 110 is formed with an opening 112 on one surface thereof. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted forward into the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112, or is ejected rearward from the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112.

The ink cartridge 30 stores liquid, for example, ink 121 (an example of liquid) that can be used in the printer 10. When the ink cartridge 30 has been mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are connected to each other via the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 has a damper chamber 28 that temporarily stores the ink 121 supplied through the ink tube 20. The recording head 21 ejects the ink 121 supplied from the damper chamber 28 from the plurality of nozzles 29. Specifically, the head control board included in the recording head 21 selectively applies a drive voltage to a plurality of piezo elements 29A provided corresponding to the plurality of nozzles 29. As a result, the ink 121 is selectively ejected from the nozzle 29. That is, the recording head 21 consumes the ink 121 stored in the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110.

The printer 10 includes a paper feed tray 15, a paper feed roller 23, a transport roller pair 25, a platen 26, a discharge roller pair 27, and a paper discharge tray 16. The paper feed roller 23 feeds the paper on the paper feed tray 15 toward the transport path 24. The paper fed to the transport path 24 reaches the transport roller pair 25. The transport roller pair 25 transports the paper that has reached the transport roller pair 25 onto the platen 26. The recording head 21 selectively ejects the ink 121 to the paper passing over the platen 26. As a result, the image is recorded on the paper. The paper that has passed through the platen 26 reaches the ejection roller pair 27. The discharge roller pair 27 discharges the paper that has reached the discharge roller pair 27 to the paper discharge tray 16 located on the most downstream side of the transport path 24.

[Ink supply device 100]
As shown in FIG. 1, the printer 10 includes an ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 supplies ink 121 to the recording head 21. The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge mounting portion 110 and an ink tube 20 to which the ink cartridge 30 can be mounted. Note that FIG. 1 shows a state in which the ink cartridge 30 has been mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. That is, in FIG. 1, the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted state. The posture of the ink cartridge 30 in this state is the usage posture.

[Cartridge mounting part 110]
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the cartridge mounting portion 110 includes a cartridge case 101, an ink supply tube 102, a convex plate 111, an optical sensor 113, and a plurality of contacts 106. The cartridge mounting portion 110 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Further, four ink supply tubes 102, a convex plate 111, and an optical sensor 113 are provided corresponding to each of the four ink cartridges 30. Further, for the plurality of contacts 106, four contacts 106 are provided corresponding to one ink cartridge 30, and 16 contacts 106 are provided for the four ink cartridges 30.

[Cartridge case 101]
As shown in FIG. 2, the cartridge case 101 forms a housing for the cartridge mounting portion 110. The cartridge case 101 has a box shape having a top surface 57, a bottom surface, a right side surface 107, a left side surface 108, a final surface 59, and an opening 112. The top surface 57 defines a top portion, which is the upper part of the internal space of the cartridge case 101. The bottom surface defines the bottom portion, which is the lower part of the internal space of the cartridge case 101. The right side surface 107 defines the right portion of the internal space of the cartridge case 101. The left side surface 108 defines the left portion of the internal space of the cartridge case 101. The final surface 59 connects the top surface 57, the bottom surface, the right side surface 107, and the left side surface 108. The opening 112 is formed in the cartridge case 101 at a position facing the final surface 59 in the depth direction. The opening 112 may be exposed to the user interface surface of the printer 10, which is the surface facing the user when using the printer 10.

The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge case 101 through the opening 112 and is withdrawn from the cartridge case 101 through the opening 112. A guide groove 109 is formed at the bottom of the cartridge case 101. The ink cartridge 30 is guided along the depth direction (direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIG. 2) by inserting the lower end portion of the ink cartridge 30 into the guide groove 109. The cartridge case 101 includes three plates 104 that divide the internal space into four spaces that are long in the height direction. One ink cartridge 30 is housed in each of the spaces partitioned by the plurality of plates 104.

[Ink supply tube 102]
As shown in FIG. 2, the ink supply tube 102 has a hollow tubular shape and is located at the lower part of the final surface 59 of the cartridge case 101. The ink supply tube 102 is arranged on the final surface 59 of the cartridge case 101 at a position corresponding to the ink supply unit 34 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting unit 110. The ink supply tube 102 projects rearward from the end surface 59 of the cartridge case 101, and its tip opens rearward.

[Convex plate 111]
As shown in FIG. 3, in the cartridge case 101, a convex plate 111 protruding downward from the top surface 57 is formed in the vicinity of the opening 112 in the top surface 57 of the internal space into which one ink cartridge 30 is inserted. .. The length of the convex plate 111 in the width direction is shorter than the distance between the pair of walls 114 (see FIG. 4) of the convex portion 43 of the ink cartridge 30, which will be described later. Further, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the convex plate 111 is located between the pair of walls 114 in the width direction. Therefore, the convex plate 111 is inserted between the pair of walls 114 (see FIG. 4) of the convex portion 43 of the ink cartridge 30, which will be described later, in the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The lower surface 111A of the convex plate 111 may come into contact with the lever 163 of the valve mechanism 135 described later.

[Contact 106]
As shown in FIG. 3, four contacts 106 are arranged in front of the convex plate 111 on the top surface 57 of the internal space into which one ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the cartridge case 101. The four contacts 106 project downward from the top surface 57 toward the internal space into which one ink cartridge 30 of the cartridge case 101 is inserted. Although not shown in detail in each figure, each of the four contacts 106 is arranged apart in the width direction. The arrangement of the four contacts 106 corresponds to the arrangement of the four electrodes 65 (see FIG. 4) of one ink cartridge 30, which will be described later. Each contact 106 is made of a member having conductivity and elasticity, and can be elastically deformed upward. Four sets of four contacts 106 are arranged corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 that can be accommodated in the cartridge case 101. That is, 16 contacts 106 are arranged in the cartridge case 101. The number of contacts 106 and the number of electrodes 65 are arbitrary.

Each contact 106 is electrically connected to the arithmetic unit via an electric circuit. The arithmetic unit is composed of, for example, a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, or the like, and functions as a controller of the printer 10, for example. When each contact 106 and each electrode 65 corresponding to each contact 106 are in contact with each other and electrically conducted, a voltage Vc is applied to the first electrode 65 or the second electrode 65 is transferred. It is grounded, a signal indicating data is transmitted to the third electrode 65, and a synchronization signal is transmitted from the arithmetic unit to the fourth electrode 65. The electrical continuity between each contact 106 and each electrode 65 corresponding to each contact 106 allows the arithmetic unit to access the data stored in the IC of the ink cartridge 30. The output from each contact 106 through the electric circuit is input to the arithmetic unit.

[Optical sensor 113]
As shown in FIG. 2, an optical sensor 113 is arranged on the top surface of the cartridge case 101. The optical sensor 113 is located in front of the four contacts 106. The optical sensor 113 includes a light emitter and a light receiver. The light emitter is provided to the right or left of the light receiver at a distance from the light receiver. A light-shielding plate 67 (see FIG. 4), which will be described later, of the ink cartridge 30 that has been mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is arranged between the light emitter and the light receiver. In other words, the light emitter and the light receiver are arranged so as to face each other so that the light shielding plate 67 of the ink cartridge 30 that has been mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is located between the light emitter and the light receiver. There is.

The optical sensor 113 outputs different detection signals depending on whether or not the light emitted from the light emitter along the width direction is received by the light receiver. For example, the optical sensor 113 outputs a low-level signal on condition that the light output from the light emitter cannot be received by the light receiver (that is, the light receiving intensity is less than a predetermined intensity). On the other hand, the optical sensor 113 outputs a high-level signal on condition that the light output from the light emitter can be received by the light receiver (that is, the light receiving intensity is equal to or higher than a predetermined intensity).

[Rock shaft 145]
As shown in FIG. 3, the lock shaft 145 extends in the width direction of the cartridge case 101 near the top surface 57 of the cartridge case 101 and near the opening 112. The lock shaft 145 is a rod-shaped member extending along the width direction. The lock shaft 145 is, for example, a metal cylinder. Both ends of the lock shaft 145 in the width direction are fixed to a wall defining both ends in the width direction of the cartridge case 101. Therefore, the lock shaft 145 does not move relative to the cartridge case 101, such as rotation. The lock shaft 145 extends in the width direction over four spaces in which the four ink cartridges 30 can be accommodated. In each space in which the ink cartridge 30 is housed, there is a space around the lock shaft 145. Therefore, the lock surface 151 of the ink cartridge 30 can be accessed upwardly and backwardly with respect to the lock shaft 145.

Here, the access may be a physical contact such that the lock shaft 145 abuts on the lock surface 151, or an optical access such that the light from the optical sensor 113 hits the light-shielding plate 67 described later. The electrical access may be such that a current flows between the electrode 65 and the contact 106 when the contact 106 comes into contact with the electrode 65 of the IC substrate 64, which will be described later. Further, the access direction may be the height direction or the width direction.

The lock shaft 145 is for holding the ink cartridge 30 mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 at the mounting position. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 and rotated to the use posture to engage with the lock shaft 145. Further, the lock shaft 145 holds the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 against the force of the coil spring 78 of the ink cartridge 30 pushing the ink cartridge 30 backward.

[Overall structure of ink cartridge 30]
The ink cartridge 30 is a container in which the liquid ink 121 is stored. In the present embodiment, four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to each color of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black can be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. Of the four ink cartridges 30, the configurations of the three ink cartridges 30 corresponding to cyan, magenta, and yellow are the same as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the configuration of the ink cartridge 30 corresponding to black is different from the configuration of the other three ink cartridges 30 in that it is longer in the width direction than the other three ink cartridges 30, but in other respects, it is different. It is substantially the same as the configuration of the three ink cartridges 30.

In the following, the configuration of the ink cartridge 30 corresponding to black will be described.

The posture of the ink cartridge 30 shown in FIG. 4 is the posture when the ink cartridge 30 is in the usage posture, that is, the usage posture. The ink cartridge 30 includes front walls 40 and 82, rear walls 41 and 83, an upper wall 39, a lower wall, side walls 37 and 84, and side walls 38 and 85.

The front wall 40 is a wall on which the ink cartridge 30 faces forward in the usage posture. The rear wall 41 is a wall on which the ink cartridge 30 faces rearward in the usage posture. In the upper wall 39, the ink cartridge 30 faces upward in the usage posture, the front end is connected to the upper end of the front wall 82, and the rear end is connected to the upper end of the rear wall 83.

In the lower wall, the ink cartridge 30 faces downward in the usage posture, the front end is connected to the lower end of the front wall 40, and the rear end is connected to the lower end of the rear wall 41. In the present embodiment, the lower wall has a stepped surface 49. In the present embodiment, the lower wall includes a main lower wall 42 and a sub lower wall 48. The main lower wall 42 is a wall that connects the lower end of the rear wall 41 and the lower end of the stepped surface 49 among the lower walls. The sub lower wall 48 is a wall that connects the lower end of the front wall 40 and the upper end of the stepped surface 49 among the lower walls.

In the usage posture of the ink cartridge 30, the direction from the rear wall 41 to the front wall 40 coincides with the front direction 51, and the direction from the front wall 40 to the rear wall 41 coincides with the rear direction 52. Further, in the usage posture of the ink cartridge 30, the direction from the upper wall 39 to the lower wall coincides with the downward direction 53 (gravitational direction), and the direction from the lower wall to the upper wall 39 coincides with the upward direction 54. Is. Further, in the usage posture of the ink cartridge 30, the direction from the side wall 38 to the side wall 37 corresponds to the right direction 55, and the direction from the side wall 37 to the side wall 38 corresponds to the left direction 56. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the outer surface of the front wall 40 faces forward, the outer surface of the rear wall 41 faces rear, the outer surface of the lower wall faces downward, and the upper wall 39. The outer surface faces upward.

As shown in FIG. 4, the ink cartridge 30 as a whole has a flat shape in which the dimensions along the width direction are short and the dimensions along the height direction and the depth direction are longer than the dimensions along the width direction. be.

As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the ink cartridge 30 includes a housing 130, a first inner lid 131 (see FIGS. 7 and 8), and a second inner lid 132 (see FIGS. 9 and 10). It includes a permeable membrane 141 (see FIG. 9), an outer lid 134, a valve mechanism 135 (see FIG. 3), and a support member 150. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the outer lid 134 and the valve mechanism 135 are omitted.

[Case 130]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the housing 130 has a box shape with an open upper part. That is, an opening is formed at the upper end of the housing 130. In this embodiment, the housing 130 is a container made of resin. A first storage chamber 32 (an example of a storage chamber) and a second storage chamber 33 are formed inside the housing 130.

The housing 130 includes a front wall 40, a rear wall 41, a side wall 37, a side wall 38, a main lower wall 42, and a sub lower wall 48 as outer walls. The distance between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 is longer than the distance between the side wall 37 and the side wall 38. The front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the side wall 37, the side wall 38, the main lower wall 42, and the sub lower wall 48 define the first storage chamber 32.

In the usage posture of the ink cartridge 30, the surface of the housing 130 facing forward is the front wall 40, and the surface of the housing 130 facing rear is the rear wall 41. The side walls 37 and 38 extend so as to intersect the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41, respectively. The side walls 37 and 38 connect the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the main lower wall 42, and the sub lower wall 48. In the usage posture, the outer surface of the side wall 37 faces to the right, and the outer surface of the side wall 38 faces to the left.

In the housing 130, at least the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the side wall 37, and the side wall 38 are translucent so that the ink 121 stored in the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33 can be visually recognized from the outside. It has sex. Specifically, the color of the ink 121 in the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33 and the liquid level of the ink 121 in the first storage chamber 32 can be visually recognized. In the present embodiment, the liquid storage chamber is divided into a first storage chamber 32 and a second storage chamber 33, but the number of liquid storage chambers may be one. That is, the lower wall 45 may be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 6, the main lower wall 42 is an inclined surface inclined with respect to the depth direction so that the rear end is located above the front end. The front end of the main lower wall 42 is located in front of the lock surface 151, which will be described later. The rear end of the main lower wall 42 is connected to the lower end of the rear wall 41. That is, the main lower wall 42 extends forward from the lower end of the rear wall 41. The sub lower wall 48 is located above and in front of the main lower wall 42.

At the upper ends of each of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the side wall 37, and the side wall 38, an engaging claw 88 projecting outward from the housing 130 is formed. The engaging claw 88 engages with the opening 86 formed in the outer lid 134. In the present embodiment, one engaging claw 88 is formed on each of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the side wall 37, and the side wall 38, but the number of engaging claws 88 is one on each wall. Not limited to one by one.

[First inner lid 131]
The first inner lid 131 shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 closes the open upper opening of the housing 130. The first inner lid 131 has a box shape with the upper side open. The first inner lid 131 includes a lower wall 136 (an example of the lower wall) and a side wall 137 erected from the peripheral edge of the lower wall 136. The side wall 137 includes an overhanging wall 138 protruding outward from its outer peripheral surface. The side wall 137 has a front wall 137A (an example of a front wall) located in the front, a rear wall 137B (an example of a rear wall) located in the rear, and a left-right direction when the first inner lid 131 is assembled to the housing 130. It has a first side wall 137C (an example of a first side wall) and a second side wall 137D (an example of a second side wall) located in the same. Each of the lower wall 136, the front wall 137A, the rear wall 137B, the first side wall 137C, and the second side wall 137D is a wall defining the air chamber 36.

The lower wall 136 has a recess 136A continuous in the width direction behind the center in the depth direction of the first inner lid 131. The recess 136A is formed with a through hole 146 (an example of a first communication hole) that penetrates the lower wall 136 in the height direction. The position where the through hole 146 is formed is not limited to the position shown in FIG. 7, and may be, for example, in front of the center of the first inner lid 131 in the depth direction. Further, the lower wall 136 does not necessarily have to be provided with the recess 136A.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the first inner lid 131 is arranged in the internal space of the housing 130 from the open upper side of the housing 130, and is supported by the housing 130 in the internal space. Specifically, in a state where the first inner lid 131 is located in the internal space of the housing 130, the lower surface of the overhanging wall 138 at the front end portion of the first inner lid 131 is the upper end of the inner surface of the front wall 40 of the housing 130. It is supported by the stepped surface 40B formed in the portion. Further, the lower surface of the overhanging wall 138 at the rear end of the first inner lid 131 is supported by the stepped surface 41B formed at the upper end of the inner surface of the rear wall 41 of the housing 130. In a state where the first inner lid 131 is supported by the housing 130, the upper end surface 137E of the side wall 137 of the first inner lid 131 and the upper end surface 130A of the housing 130 are the same virtual extending in the depth direction and the width direction. It's on the surface.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, three first ribs 185 and three second ribs 186 are formed on the lower surface 136B of the lower wall 136. In other words, three sets of the first rib 185 and the second rib 186 are formed on the lower surface 136B of the lower wall 136.

The first rib 185 and the second rib 186 project downward from the lower surface 136B. The lower ends of the three first ribs 185 and the three second ribs 186 are at the same height.

The first rib 185 and the second rib 186 extend along the lower surface 136B. The three first ribs 185 are spaced apart from each other in the depth direction. The three second ribs 186 are spaced apart from each other in the depth direction. The pair of the first rib 185 and the second rib 186 face each other with a gap in the width direction. The two sets of the first rib 185 and the second rib 186 are located in front of the through hole 146 in the depth direction. A set of first rib 185 and second rib 186 is located behind the through hole 146 in the depth direction. With the first inner lid 131 supported by the housing 130, the ends of the first ribs 185 and the second ribs 186 are in contact with the inner surfaces of the side walls 37 and 38, respectively.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the upper surface 136C of the lower wall 136 has three third ribs 187, three fourth ribs 188, two fifth ribs 189, and one guide rib 190 (guide wall). An example) is formed.

The third rib 187 and the fourth rib 188 project upward from the upper surface 136C. The upper end surfaces of the three third ribs 187 and the three fourth ribs 188 have the same height from the upper surface 136C. The three third ribs 187 are spaced apart from each other in the depth direction. The three third ribs 187 are continuous with the first side wall 137C. The three fourth ribs 188 are spaced apart in the depth direction. The three fourth ribs 188 are continuous with the second side wall 137D. One third rib 187 and one fourth rib 188 as a set face each other with a gap in the width direction. The two sets of the third rib 187 and the fourth rib 188 are located in front of the through hole 146 in the depth direction. A set of third ribs 187 and fourth ribs 188 is located behind the through hole 146 in the depth direction.

The two fifth ribs 189 project upward from the upper surface 136C. The upper end surfaces of the two fifth ribs 189 have the same height from the upper surface 136C, and the upper end surfaces of the third rib 187 and the fourth rib 188 have the same height from the upper surface 136C. The two fifth ribs 189 are located apart in the depth direction. One fifth rib 189 is continuous with the front wall 137A. One fifth rib 189 is continuous with the rear wall 137B.

The guide rib 190 projects upward from the upper surface 136C. The upper end surface of the guide rib 190 has the same height as the upper end surface of the third rib 187 and the fourth rib 188 from the upper surface 136C. The guide rib 190 is located in front of the through hole 146 in the depth direction. The guide rib 190 is located behind the two sets of the third rib 187 and the fourth rib 188 in the depth direction.

The air chamber 36 has a region 36A that is sandwiched between the guide rib 190 and the first side wall 137C and is continuous in the depth direction. In addition, in FIG. 8A, FIG. 13 and FIG. 15, the region 36A is shown by diagonal lines. Region 36A is a space through which gas and liquid can flow. In the region 36A, the guide rib 190 is inclined with respect to the depth direction so that the distance between the guide rib 190 and the first side wall 137C in the width direction gradually decreases toward the front. Therefore, the distance L3 in the width direction between the front end 190A of the guide rib 190 and the first side wall 137C (an example of the third distance) is the shortest distance in the width direction between the guide rib 190 and the first side wall 137C. Further, the distance L5 in the width direction between the rear end 190B of the guide rib 190 and the first side wall 137C (an example of the fifth distance) is the longest distance in the width direction between the guide rib 190 and the first side wall 137C. The distance L3 is smaller than the distance L5 (L3 <L5).

[Second inner lid 132]
As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the second inner lid 132 has a substantially plate shape. The second inner lid 132 is arranged in the inner space of the first inner lid 131 from the open upper side of the first inner lid 131, and is supported by the first inner lid 131 in the inner space. Specifically, in a state where the second inner lid 132 is located in the internal space of the first inner lid 131, the lower surface 132B of the second inner lid 132 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the side wall 137 of the first inner lid 131. It is in contact with the stepped surface 137F facing upward (see FIG. 7A) from above. Further, the lower surface 132B of the second inner lid 132 is on each of the first rib 185, the second rib 186, the third rib 187, the fourth rib 188, the fifth rib 189, and the guide rib 190 of the first inner lid 131. Contact the end face. The second inner lid 132 is the upper wall of the air chamber 36, and the lower surface 132B is the top surface of the air chamber 36.

A rib 149 protruding upward from the peripheral edge of the upper surface 132A is formed on the upper surface 132A of the second inner lid 132. In a state where the second inner lid 132 is supported by the first inner lid 131 and the first inner lid 131 is supported by the housing 130, the upper end surface 149A of the rib 149 of the second inner lid 132 is the first inner lid. The upper end surface 137E of the side wall 137 of the 131 and the upper end surface 130A of the housing 130 are on the same virtual surface extending in the depth direction and the width direction.

A through hole 139 is formed in the second inner lid 132. The through hole 139 faces the through hole 146 above the through hole 146 of the first inner lid 131 in a state where the second inner lid 132 is supported by the first inner lid 131.

A recess 132C recessed upward is formed in a part of the lower surface 132B of the second inner lid 132. The concave portion 132C has a rectangular peripheral edge when viewed from below. The recess 132C is located in front of the through hole 139 in the depth direction. Further, the recess 132C is offset to a position to the left of the center in the width direction. A rib 140 projecting downward is formed in the recess 132C. The rib 140 is continuous in a rectangular shape when the second inner lid 132 is viewed from below. The shape of the rib 140 is not limited to a rectangle as long as the second inner lid 132 is closed (continuous) when viewed from below. For example, the rib 140 may be circular when the second inner lid 132 is viewed from below.

A semipermeable membrane 141 (see FIG. 9A) is welded to the lower end surface of the rib 140. The semipermeable membrane 141 is a porous membrane having minute pores that block the passage of the ink 121 and allow the passage of gas. For example, the transpermeable film 141 is made of polytetrafluoroethylene, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, or tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer. It consists of fluororesin such as. The method of fixing the semipermeable membrane 141 to the lower end surface of the rib 140 is not limited to welding.

The semipermeable membrane 141 welded to the lower end surface of the rib 140 forms a part of the surface defining the air chamber 36 in the recess 132C. Further, a space distinguished from the air chamber 36 is formed by the top surface of the recess 132C, the rib 140, and the semipermeable membrane 141.

In the recess 132C, a through hole 142 (an example of a second communication hole) is formed inside the rib 140 when the second inner lid 132 is viewed from below. In other words, the through hole 142 communicates the space 89 with the space above the second inner lid 132. The through hole 142 is located near the inner rear end of the rib 140.

The position where the through hole 142 is formed is not limited to the position near the inner rear end of the rib 140, and may be formed, for example, in front of the center in the depth direction of the air chamber 36.

A bending flow path 143 is formed on the upper surface 132A of the second inner lid 132. The bending flow path 143 is partitioned by an upper surface 132A, a rib 144 formed on the upper surface 132A, and a film (not shown) welded to the upper end surface of the rib 144.

A plurality of ribs 144 extend in the depth direction and are provided side by side in the width direction. As a result, the bent passage 143 is a continuous passage extending to the left while making a U-turn in the depth direction. The shape of the bent flow path 143 is not limited, and for example, the bent flow path 143 may be a continuous passage extending in the depth direction while repeating U-turns in the width direction.

One end of the bent flow path 143 communicates with the through hole 142. The other end of the bent flow path 143 communicates with the communication hole 147.

The communication hole 147 is a circular hole facing upward. The communication hole 147 is partitioned by an upper surface 132A and a cylindrical rib 148 protruding upward from the upper surface 132A. The rib 148 is connected to the rib 144. As a result, the rib 148 communicates with the bending flow path 143. A film (not shown) for partitioning the bending flow path 143 is not welded to the upper end surface of the rib 148. As a result, the communication hole 147 is opened upward and communicates with the atmosphere. That is, the communication hole 147 is the end of the air flow path 72.

The area of the communication hole 147 (specifically, the area when the communication hole 147 is viewed from above) is the cross-sectional area of the bending flow path 143 in the air flow direction (in other words, the area when the bending flow path 143 is viewed in the depth direction). ) Greater than.

The communication hole 147 is not limited to a circular shape. Further, the communication hole 147 may face in a direction other than the upper direction.

Ribs 156, 157, and 158 are formed around the through hole 139 in the upper surface 132A of the second inner lid 132.

The rib 156 projects along the peripheral edge of the through hole 139 and has a cylindrical shape. The rib 156 positions the rod 165 (see FIG. 3) of the valve body 161 of the valve mechanism 135 inserted into the through hole 139 in the width direction and the depth direction.

The ribs 157 are formed in pairs so as to sandwich the ribs 156 in the depth direction. Each rib 157 has a U-shape facing the rib 156 when viewed from above. The rib 157 positions the rod 165 (see FIG. 3) of the valve body 161 of the valve mechanism 135 in the width direction and the depth direction.

The ribs 158 are formed in pairs so as to sandwich the ribs 156 and 157 in the depth direction. The tip of each rib 158 is bent. This bent portion engages with the support member 150 (see FIG. 3).

[Arrangement of through hole 139, semipermeable membrane 141, and guide rib 190 in the air chamber 36]
As shown in FIG. 13, the air chamber 36 has a region 36A sandwiched between the guide rib 190 and the first side wall 137C in front of the through hole 139 and behind the semipermeable membrane 141. In FIG. 13, the position of the semipermeable membrane 141 is indicated by a broken line. The through hole 139 and the semipermeable membrane 141 are located closer to the first side wall 137C than the guide rib 190 in the width direction. That is, the distance L2 in the width direction between the semipermeable membrane 141 and the first side wall 137C (an example of the second distance) is the shortest distance in the width direction between the guide rib 190 and the first side wall 137C, that is, the front end of the guide rib 190. The distance between 190A and the first side wall 137C in the width direction is smaller than the distance L3 (an example of the third distance) (L2 <L3).

Further, the distance L4 (an example of the fourth distance) between the through hole 139 and the first side wall 137C in the width direction is the longest distance between the guide rib 190 and the first side wall 137C in the width direction, that is, the rear end of the guide rib 190. It is smaller than the distance L5 (an example of the fifth distance) in the width direction with the first side wall 137C (L4 <L5).

Further, the dimension of the through hole 142 in the width direction is smaller than the distance L1 (an example of the first distance) between the first side wall 137C and the second side wall 137D in the width direction. Further, the dimension in the width direction of the semipermeable membrane 141 is also smaller than the distance L1.

Further, the front end 190A of the guide rib 190 reaches below the recess 132C when viewed from above. The semipermeable membrane 141 is at a position offset from the center in the width direction of the air chamber 36 (the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 13).

[Outer lid 134]
As shown in FIG. 4, the outer lid 134 has a box shape with an open bottom. The outer lid 134 includes an upper wall 39, a front wall 82, a rear wall 83, a side wall 84, and a side wall 85. The front wall 82 extends downward from the front end of the upper wall 39. The front wall 82 is continuous with the front wall 40 of the housing 130 at the lower end, and the front wall 82 of the outer lid 134 and the front wall 40 of the housing 130 form the front wall of the ink cartridge 30. The rear wall 83 extends downward from the rear end of the upper wall 39. The rear wall 83 is continuous with the rear wall 41 of the housing 130 at the lower end, and the rear wall 83 of the outer lid 134 and the rear wall 41 of the housing 130 form the rear wall of the ink cartridge 30. The side wall 84 extends downward from the right end of the upper wall 39 and connects the front wall 82 and the rear wall 83. The side wall 84 is continuous with the side wall 37 of the housing 130 at the lower end, and the side wall 84 of the outer lid 134 and the side wall 37 of the housing 130 form the side wall of the ink cartridge 30. The side wall 85 extends downward from the left end of the upper wall 39 and connects the front wall 82 and the rear wall 83. The side wall 85 is continuous with the side wall 38 of the housing 130 at the lower end, and the side wall 85 of the outer lid 134 and the side wall 38 of the housing 130 form the side wall of the ink cartridge 30.

An opening 86 is formed in each of the front wall 82, the rear wall 83, the side wall 84, and the side wall 85. The engaging claw 88 of the housing 130 is engaged with each opening 86. As a result, the outer lid 134 is put on the housing 130 from above the housing 130. In the present embodiment, the outer lid 134 has an opening 86 and the housing 130 has an engaging claw 88, but the outer lid 134 has an engaging claw 88 and the housing 130 has an opening 86. May be formed.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper wall 39 is formed with an opening 44 extending in the depth direction. The opening 44 is formed above the ribs 156, 157, and 158 of the second inner lid 132.

The upper wall 39 is formed with a convex portion 43 projecting upward. The convex portion 43 is formed so as to surround the opening 44 from the right side, the left side, and the rear side. The lock shaft 145 can be accessed from the outside to the convex portion 43.

As shown in FIG. 4, the surface of the convex portion 43 facing rearward is the lock surface 151. The lock surface 151 is located above the upper wall 39. The lock surface 151 extends along the height direction. The lock surface 151 is a surface that can come into contact with the lock shaft 145 in the rear direction when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110. When the lock surface 151 comes into contact with the lock shaft 145 toward the rear, the ink cartridge 30 is held by the cartridge mounting portion 110 against the urging force of the coil spring 78.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the convex portion 43, a pair of walls 114 are formed in front of the lock surface 151 with the opening 44 interposed therebetween. The upper end surface of the pair of walls 114 is composed of a horizontal plane 154 and an inclined surface 155. The rear end of the horizontal plane 154 is continuous with the lock surface 151. The inclined surface 155 is located in front of the horizontal plane 154. The inclined surface 155 is continuous with the front end of the horizontal plane 154. The inclined surface 155 faces upward and forward. The inclined surface 155 is inclined so that its front end is lower than the rear end. Since the lock surface 151 and the inclined surface 155 are continuous via the horizontal plane 154, the boundary between the lock surface 151 and the inclined surface 155 does not have a sharp mountain shape. In the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110 by the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154, the lock shaft 145 is smoothly guided to the rear of the lock surface 151 while abutting on the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154.

In the upper wall 39, an operation portion 90 is formed behind the lock surface 151. The operation unit 90 is accessed and operated by the user. A sub upper surface 91 is formed behind the upper wall 39. An operation unit 90 is arranged above the sub upper surface 91 so as to be separated from the sub upper surface 91 by a space. The operation unit 90 has a flat plate shape that protrudes upward from the vicinity of the boundary between the upper wall 39 and the sub upper surface 91 to the same extent as the convex portion 43. The upper end position of the operation unit 90 is located ahead of the lower end position.

As shown in FIG. 4, a rib 94 is formed between the operation unit 90 and the rear sub upper surface 91. The rib 94 is continuous with the operation unit 90 and the rear sub upper surface 91, and extends rearward. The dimension of the rib 94 along the width direction is smaller than the dimension of the operation portion 90 along the width direction and the dimension of the rear sub upper surface 91. The rib 94 suppresses the rear portion of the operating portion 90 from being deformed in the height direction.

In the operation unit 90, the surface facing upward and backward is the operation surface 92. The rear portion of the operation surface 92 and the rear sub upper surface 91 have overlapping positions in the direction along the depth direction. In other words, when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from above to below the ink cartridge 30, the rear portion of the operation surface 92 and the rear sub-top surface 91 overlap each other. A plurality of protrusions, for example, a plurality of convex ribs 93 extending along the width direction are formed on the operation surface 92 at intervals in the depth direction. The convex ribs 93 as the plurality of protrusions make it easier for the user to recognize the operation surface 92, and when the user operates the operation surface 92 with a finger, the finger does not easily slip with respect to the operation surface 92.

The outer surfaces of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the upper wall 39, the lower wall, and the side walls 37 and 38 of the ink cartridge 30 do not necessarily have to form one flat surface. That is, it is a surface that can be visually recognized when the ink cartridge 30 in the usage posture is viewed from the front to the rear of the ink cartridge 30, and is located in front of the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the usage posture in the depth direction. The surface is the outer surface of the front wall 40. A surface that can be visually recognized when the ink cartridge 30 in the usage posture is viewed from the rear to the front of the ink cartridge 30, and a surface located behind the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the usage posture in the depth direction. It is the outer surface of the rear wall 41. A surface that can be visually recognized when the ink cartridge 30 in the usage posture is viewed from above and below the ink cartridge 30, and a surface that is located above the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the usage posture in the height direction. Is the outer surface of the upper wall 39. A surface that can be visually recognized when the ink cartridge 30 in the usage posture is viewed from below the ink cartridge 30, and a surface located below the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the usage posture in the height direction. Is the outer surface of the lower wall. The same applies to the outer surfaces of the side walls 37 and 38.

[Internal structure of ink cartridge 30]
As shown in FIG. 6, inside the ink cartridge 30, a first storage chamber 32, a second storage chamber 33, an ink valve chamber 35, and an air flow path 72 are formed.

The ink cartridge 30 includes a lower wall 45 inside the ink cartridge 30. The lower wall 45 is a wall that extends in the depth direction and the width direction. In a state where the housing 130 supports the first inner lid 131, the lower wall 45 and the lower wall 136 of the first inner lid 131 face each other in the height direction. The lower wall 45 distinguishes the first storage chamber 32 from the second storage chamber 33.

As described above, a through hole 146 is formed in the lower wall 136 of the first inner lid 131. The first storage chamber 32 and the air chamber 36 are communicated with each other by the through hole 146.

The second storage chamber 33 is located below the first storage chamber 32 in the usage posture in the internal space of the housing 130 to store the ink 121. The volume in which the second storage chamber 33 can store the ink 121 is smaller than the volume in which the first storage chamber 32 can store the ink 121.

The second storage chamber 33 is communicated with the first storage chamber 32 by a communication hole 47 (see FIG. 11) formed in the lower wall 45. The communication hole 47 is formed at the rear end and the right end of the lower wall 45. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, the second storage chamber 33 is communicated with the ink valve chamber 35 by a through hole 99 formed in the partition wall 50.

[Atmospheric airflow 72]
The air flow path 72 is a space that communicates the first storage chamber 32 with the outside of the ink cartridge 30, and is formed above the housing 130. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 10, the air flow path 72 is composed of an air chamber 36 and a bending flow path 143.

The air chamber 36 is a space in the air flow path 72, one communicating with the first storage chamber 32 and the other communicating with the bending flow path 143. A part of the air chamber 36 is arranged above the first storage chamber 32 and below the bending flow path 143. The lower end of the air chamber 36 is defined by the upper surface 136C of the lower wall 136 of the first inner lid 131, and the upper end is defined by the lower surface 132B of the second inner lid 132. The air chamber 36 is defined by the inner surface of the side wall 137 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) of the first inner lid 131 at the front end, the rear end, the right end, and the left end. The gap between the second inner lid 132 and the side wall 137 of the first inner lid 131 is hermetically sealed with a film or the like.

The air chamber 36 communicates with the first storage chamber 32 by a through hole 146 (see FIGS. 7 and 8) penetrating the lower wall 136 in the height direction. The air chamber 36 is communicated with the bent flow path 143 by a through hole 142 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) formed in the second inner lid 132. A semipermeable membrane 141 (see FIG. 9B) is welded to the lower end surface of the rib 140 of the second inner lid 132. As a result, the ink 121 flowing from the first storage chamber 32 through the through hole 146 is blocked by the semipermeable membrane 141 and does not reach the through hole 142. As a result, the flow of the ink 121 to the bending flow path 143 is prevented.

The bending flow path 143 is partitioned by an upper surface 132A and ribs 144 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) and a film (not shown), and is a continuous passage extending to the left while making a U-turn in the depth direction, and the upper end is a film. It is formed as a groove covered with. The bent flow path 143 communicates with the air chamber 36 by a through hole 142 formed in the second inner lid 132.

[Valve mechanism 135 and support member 150]
The valve mechanism 135 is a mechanism having a function of switching the presence or absence of communication between the first storage chamber 32 and the atmosphere. The configuration of the valve mechanism 135 in the present embodiment will be described below, but the configuration of the valve mechanism 135 may be different from the configuration in the present embodiment provided that it has the above-mentioned functions. For example, the valve body 161 described later may be configured to be movable in a direction other than the height direction.

As shown in FIG. 3, the valve mechanism 135 includes a valve body 161, a coil spring 162, and a lever 163. The valve body 161 includes a rod 165 and a seal member 166 externally fitted to the rod 165. A part of the rod 165 of the valve mechanism 135 and the seal member 166 are arranged in the air chamber 36. A portion of the valve mechanism 135 other than a part of the rod 165 and the coil spring 162 are arranged in the internal space of the outer lid 134. The arrangement of the valve mechanism 135 is not limited to the above-mentioned arrangement. For example, the entire valve mechanism 135 may be arranged in the air chamber 36.

The support member 150 shown in FIG. 3 is a member that rotatably supports the valve mechanism 135 (specifically, the lever 163). Inside the support member 150, a space is formed in which a part of the valve mechanism 135 can be arranged. As shown in FIG. 3, the support member 150 is supported by the second inner lid 132 by engaging with the rib 158 at its front end and rear end.

The rod 165 is arranged between the ribs 157 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) of the second inner lid 132. The upper surface of the rod 165 is formed with a stepped surface 165C so that the front portion 165A is located above the rear portion 165B.

The rod 165 extends in the height direction. The rod 165 is inserted into the through hole 139 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) of the second inner lid 132. The sealing member 166 is made of an elastic material such as rubber. The seal member 166 is pressed against the rod 165 without a gap. As a result, the space between the seal member 166 and the rod 165 is closed.

The valve body 161 is movable along the height direction between the closed position shown in FIG. 12 and the open position shown in FIG. The movement of the valve body 161 in the width direction and the depth direction is regulated by the ribs 156 and 157 (see FIGS. 9 and 10) of the second inner lid 132.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the state where the valve body 161 is in the closed position, the lower surface of the portion protruding from both the front and rear sides of the rod 165 is in contact with and supported by the upper surface of the second inner lid 132. Further, the seal member 166 covers the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 146. As a result, the space between the seal member 166 and the through hole 146 is closed. That is, the through hole 146 is closed by the seal member 166 and the rod 165, so that the communication between the first storage chamber 32 and the atmosphere is cut off.

As shown in FIG. 3, the valve body 161 in the open position is located above the valve body 161 in the closed position. In the state where the valve body 161 is in the open position, the lower surface of the portion protruding from both the front and rear sides of the rod 165 is separated upward from the upper surface of the second inner lid 132. Further, the seal member 166 is separated upward from the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 146. As a result, the through hole 146 is opened. As a result, the first storage chamber 32 and the atmosphere are communicated with each other through the through hole 146. On the other hand, the seal member 166 is in pressure contact with the through hole 139 from below to cover the peripheral edge portion of the through hole 139. As a result, the space between the seal member 166 and the through hole 139 is closed. That is, the through hole 139 is closed by the seal member 166 and the rod 165.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, the coil spring 162 is arranged around the rod 165. The upper end of the coil spring 162 is in contact with the rod 165 of the valve body 161. The lower end of the coil spring 162 is in contact with the upper surface 132A of the second inner lid 132. In the state where the valve body 161 is in the closed position, the coil spring 162 is in a state shorter than the natural length. Therefore, in the state where the valve body 161 is in the closed position, the coil spring 162 urges the valve body 161 upward, that is, in the direction toward the open position. The valve body 161 is not limited to the coil spring 162, but may be a leaf spring, an elastic body such as rubber, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 12, the lever 163 includes a rotation shaft 167 and a first protrusion 168 and a second protrusion 169 extending from the rotation shaft 167.

The rotation shaft 167 is the center of the through hole in the present embodiment. A protrusion 170 protruding from the inner surface of the support member 150 is inserted into the rotation shaft 167. The first protrusion 168 and the second protrusion 169 extend in opposite directions with respect to the rotating shaft 167. The lever 163 is rotatable between the first position shown in FIG. 12 and the second position shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the state where the lever 163 is in the first position, the first protrusion 168 extends downward. The tip of the first protrusion 168 is located behind the rotation shaft 167. The lower end of the first protrusion 168 is in contact with the rear portion 165B of the upper surface of the rod 165 of the valve body 161 and pushes the valve body 161 downward. As a result, the valve body 161 is located at the closed position. Further, the second protrusion 169 extends upward (specifically, diagonally upward rearward). The second protrusion 169 is arranged so as to be sandwiched between the pair of walls 114 of the protrusion 43. The upper end of the second protrusion 169 does not project above the pair of walls 114.

With the lever 163 in the first position, the forward rotation of the first protrusion 168, that is, the clockwise rotation of the lever 163 toward the second position in FIG. 12, is the rotation of the first protrusion 168. The tip is located behind the rotation shaft 167, and is regulated by the stepped surface 165C of the rod 165 of the valve body 161. The upward urging force of the coil spring 162 is greater than the force required for the first protrusion 168 to move from the rear portion 165B to the front portion 165A of the upper surface of the rod 165 of the valve body 161 so that the regulation is applied. Is also set small. The presence or absence of the stepped surface 165C on the upper surface of the rod 165 is arbitrary. Even if there is no stepped surface 165C and the upper surface of the rod 165 is flat, the tip of the first protrusion 168 is located behind the rotation shaft 167, so that the lever 163 in FIG. 12 is the first. Clockwise rotation towards the two positions can be regulated.

On the other hand, the backward rotation of the first protrusion 168, that is, the counterclockwise rotation of the lever 163 in FIG. 12, is caused by the protrusion 171 formed on the right inner surface of the support member 150 coming into contact with the lever 163. It is regulated. Due to the above restrictions, the lever 163 is held in the first position. Further, the lever 163 in the first position hinders the movement of the valve body 161 to the open position and holds the valve body 161 in the closed position.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the state where the lever 163 is in the second position, the lever 163 is separated from the convex plate 111. Further, the first protrusion 168 extends forward. Further, the second protrusion 169 extends downward (specifically, diagonally backward and downward). Further, the valve body 161 is located in the open position.

[Ink supply unit 34]
As shown in FIG. 4, the ink supply unit 34 extends forward from the stepped surface 49. As shown in FIG. 6, the ink supply unit 34 includes a cylinder body 75, a packing 76, a valve 77, a coil spring 78, and a cap 79.

The tubular body 75 has a cylindrical outer shape. The tubular body 75 may have a shape other than a cylinder as long as it has a tubular shape. The tip of the cylinder 75 faces forward. The tip of the cylinder 75 is located below and behind the front wall 40. The front end of the cylinder 75 is open. The internal space of the cylinder 75 is an ink valve chamber 35 (an example of a liquid supply path).

The packing 76 is a disk-shaped member. The packing 76 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. The packing 76 is arranged at the front end portion of the cylinder body 75 so as to cover the opening at the front end end of the cylinder body 75. The center of the packing 76 is penetrated in the depth direction to form a cylindrical inner peripheral surface. A through hole 73 is formed in the packing 76 by the inner peripheral surface of the cylinder. The inner diameter of the through hole 73 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink supply tube 102.

The valve 77 and the coil spring 78 are housed in the ink valve chamber 35. The valve 77 can be brought into contact with and separated from the packing 76 by moving along the depth direction. When the valve 77 comes into contact with the packing 76, the through hole 73 penetrated in the center of the packing 76 is opened and closed. The coil spring 78 urges the valve 77 forward. Therefore, the valve 77 closes the through hole 73 of the packing 76 in a state where no external force is applied.

The cap 79 has a substantially rectangular cuboid outer shape. The cap 79 is hollow. The cap 79 may have an outer shape other than a rectangular cuboid as long as it is a hollow member having an open front end and a rear end.

An ink supply port 71 is formed on the front surface of the cap 79. In a state where the cap 79 is put on the cylinder 75 and the packing 76, the ink valve chamber 35 communicates with the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the through hole 73 of the packing 76 and the ink supply port 71 of the cap 79.

The cap 79 is engaged with the housing 130 or the cylinder 75, for example by snap-fitting. In a state where the cap 79 is put on the cylinder 75 and the packing 76 from the front, the packing 76 is fixed so as to be sandwiched between the cap 79 and the cylinder 75. The gap between the packing 76 and the cylinder 75 and the gap between the packing 76 and the cap 79 are hermetically sealed.

[Flow of bubbles in the air chamber 36]
For example, it is assumed that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the lever 163 is in the second position, the valve body 161 is positioned in the open position, and then the ink cartridge 30 is taken out from the cartridge mounting portion. Then, when the ink cartridge 30 is moved from the used posture to a sideways posture in which the side walls 37 and 38 are located vertically, the ink 121 may flow out from the first storage chamber 32 to the air chamber 36 through the first communication hole 46. be. When the ink 121 flowing into the air chamber 36 wets the entire semipermeable membrane 141, the semipermeable membrane 141 does not allow the air to pass through. When the ink cartridge 30 is returned to the used posture, the bubbles 120 remaining in the air chamber 36 move. The movement of the bubbles 120 in the air chamber 36 at this time will be described below.

In FIGS. 14 and 15, when the entire semipermeable membrane 141 is wet with the ink 121, air cannot pass through the semipermeable membrane 141, so that even if the ink cartridge 30 is returned to the usage posture, it passes through the atmospheric flow path 72. Air does not flow into the air chamber 36. In this state, when the ink cartridge 30 is slightly tilted so that the front wall 40 moves upward from the usage posture,, for example, the bubble 120 behind the guide rib 190 moves forward in the air chamber 36.

As indicated by an arrow in FIG. 15, when the bubble 120 moves forward in the air chamber 36, the bubble 120 heads along the guide rib 190 toward the first side wall 137C where the semipermeable membrane 141 is located in the width direction. .. Then, the bubble 120 that has moved to the front end 190A of the guide rib 190 comes into contact with the semipermeable membrane 141 located above. Air can pass through the portion of the semipermeable membrane 141 that is in contact with the bubbles 120. Therefore, air can flow into the air chamber 36 through the air flow path 72. As a result, the ink 121 existing in the air chamber 36 can easily return to the first storage chamber 32 through the through hole 146.

When the ink 121 flows out from the air chamber 36 to the first storage chamber 32, air flows from the first storage chamber 32 into the air chamber 36 in place of the ink 121. The air flowing into the air chamber 36 becomes bubbles and easily moves toward the semipermeable membrane 141 along the guide rib 190 like the bubbles 120. Then, when the bubbles come into contact with the semipermeable membrane 141, the function of the semipermeable membrane 141, that is, the function of passing air is further restored. Further, since the semipermeable membrane 141 is located in the recess 132C, the bubbles 120 in contact with the semipermeable membrane 141 are trapped in the recess 132C, and the bubbles 120 in contact with the semipermeable membrane 141 are semipermeable. It is difficult to move from below the membrane 141.

[Action and effect of this embodiment]
According to the present embodiment, in the guide rib 190, the distance in the width direction between the guide rib 190 and the first side wall 137C in the region 36A becomes smaller from the first communication hole 46 toward the semipermeable membrane 141, and the distance L2 is set. Since the distance L3 is smaller than the distance L3 and the distance L4 is smaller than the distance L5, the bubbles 120 in the air chamber 36 are easily guided toward the semipermeable membrane 141 by being guided by the guide rib 190 in a state where the ink 121 has flowed into the air chamber 36. Become. As a result, air easily comes into contact with the semipermeable membrane 141, and the function of the semipermeable membrane 141 is easily restored.

Further, since the semipermeable membrane 141 is located in the recess 132C, the air guided by the guide rib 190 enters the recess 132C, which makes it difficult for the air to move from the recess 132C.

Further, since the through hole 142 is located near the inner rear end of the rib 140, the distance between the through hole 146 and the through hole 142 in the depth direction becomes relatively short, and the through hole 146 enters the air chamber 36. The air that has been removed easily reaches the through hole 142.

[Modification example]
In the above-described embodiment, the first inner lid 131 is provided with one guide rib 190, but two guide ribs 190 may be provided. In the following modification, instead of the guide rib 190 in the air chamber 36 of the above-described embodiment, two guide ribs 191 and 192 are provided, a through hole 146, a recess 132C, and a semipermeable membrane 141. The configuration is the same as that of the above-described embodiment except that the arrangement of the above is different. Since the through hole 146, the recess 132C, and the semipermeable membrane 141 have the same configuration except that the arrangement is different, the same reference numerals as those in the above-described embodiment are attached in the following modifications.

As shown in FIG. 16, the lower wall 136 of the first inner lid 131 is formed with a through hole 146 substantially in the center in the width direction. Further, a recess 132C is formed in the center of the lower surface 132B of the second inner lid 132 in the width direction. A semipermeable membrane 141 is welded to the lower end surface of the rib 140 provided in the recess 132C.

In the air chamber 36, guide ribs 191 and 192 (examples of the first guide wall and the second guide wall) are formed in front of the through hole 146 in the depth direction and behind the semipermeable membrane 141, apart from each other in the width direction. ing. The guide ribs 191 and 192 project upward from the upper surface 136C of the first inner lid 131. The region 36B is sandwiched between the guide ribs 191 and 192 in the width direction.

In the region 36B, the distance in the width direction from the guide ribs 191 and 192 gradually decreases from the through hole 146 toward the semipermeable membrane 141, that is, toward the front. In other words, the guide ribs 191 and 192 are all inclined and extended in the depth direction.

The distance L2 between the semipermeable membrane 141 and the first side wall 137C in the width direction is the distance L2 between the guide ribs 191, 192 and the first guide rib 191 and the first side wall 137C which are located far from the first side wall 137C in the width direction. The shortest distance in the width direction, that is, the distance L3 in the width direction between the front end 191A of the first guide rib 191 and the first side wall 137C is smaller (L2 <L3). Further, the distance L2 is larger than the longest distance in the width direction between the second guide rib 192 and the first side wall 137C, that is, the distance L6 in the width direction between the front end 192A of the second guide rib 192 and the first side wall 137C (L2>. L6).

The distance L4 in the width direction between the through hole 146 and the first side wall 137C is the longest distance in the width direction between the guide rib 191 and the first side wall 137C, that is, the width direction between the rear end 191B of the guide rib 191 and the first side wall 137C. Distance is smaller than L5 (L4 <L5). Further, the distance L4 is larger than the shortest distance in the width direction between the second guide rib 192 and the first side wall 137C, that is, the distance L7 in the width direction between the rear end 192B of the second guide rib 192 and the first side wall 137C (L4). > L7).

Further, the front end 191A of the first guide rib 191 and the front end 192A of the second guide rib 192 reach below the recess 132C when viewed from above.

The above-mentioned modification also has the same effect as that of the above-mentioned embodiment. Further, since the passage of the bubble 120 guided from the through hole 146 to the semipermeable membrane 141 is defined by the guide ribs 191 and 192, the bubble 120 can be freely arranged according to the free arrangement of the through hole 146 and the semipermeable membrane 141. A passage can be formed. That is, the through hole 146 and the semipermeable membrane 141 may or may not be offset with respect to the center in the width direction of the air chamber 36. In the modified example, the arrangement of the guide ribs 191 and 192 is relative in the width direction, and the arrangement of the guide ribs 191 and 192 may be interchanged in the width direction.

[Other variants]
In the above-described embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 is configured by combining the housing 130, the first inner lid 131, the second inner lid 132, the outer lid 134, and the support member 150. However, at least a part of the housing 130, the first inner lid 131, the second inner lid 132, the outer lid 134, or the support member 150 may be integrally molded. For example, the housing 130 and the outer lid 134 may be integrally molded, or the second inner lid 132 and the support member 150 may be integrally molded.

In the above-described embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 is held at the mounting position by the lock shaft 145 coming into contact with the lock surface 151. However, the configuration for holding the ink cartridge 30 at the mounting position is not limited to that of the lock shaft 145 and the lock surface 151, and other known configurations may be adopted.

In the above-described embodiment, the valve mechanism 135 switches the presence or absence of communication between the first storage chamber 32 and the atmosphere by opening and closing the through hole 146. However, the valve mechanism 135 may be configured to open and close a portion of the air flow path 72 other than the through hole 146.

In the above-described embodiment, the presence or absence of communication with the outside of the ink supply unit 34 is configured to be switched by the valve 77, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the opening at the front end of the tubular body 75 is formed by puncturing a needle or the like in a sealing member such as an elastic resin having no through hole, and when the needle is pulled out from the sealing member, the elasticity of the sealing member is formed. It may be configured to be sealed by.

In the above-described embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 has an outer shape as shown in FIG. Further, the ink supply unit 34 extends forward from the stepped surface 49, and is located below and behind the front wall 40. However, the outer shape of the ink cartridge 30 and the position of the ink supply unit 34 are not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

For example, in the ink cartridge 30, the distance between the side wall 37 and the side wall 38 may be longer than the distance between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. Further, for example, the outer shape of the ink cartridge 30 may be a simple rectangular shape. Further, for example, the ink supply unit 34 may extend forward from the front wall 40 or may extend downward from the main lower wall 42.

In the above-described embodiment, the ink 121 is described as an example of a liquid. For example, instead of the ink 121, a pretreatment liquid to be ejected to paper or the like prior to the ink 121 at the time of printing is stored in the liquid cartridge. You may. Further, water for cleaning the recording head 21 may be stored in the liquid cartridge. That is, the ink cartridge 30 of the present disclosure does not have to be a cartridge for storing the ink 121, but may be a cartridge for storing the liquid consumed by the printer 10.

30 ... Ink cartridge (liquid cartridge)
32 ... First storage room (storage room)
35 ... Ink valve chamber (liquid supply path)
36 ... Air chamber 36A ... Region 36C ... Recessed hole 46 ... Through hole (first communication hole)
72 ... Air flow path 130 ... Housing 132B ... Bottom surface (upper wall)
136 ... Lower wall 137A ... Front wall 137B ... Rear wall 137C ... First side wall 137D ... Second side wall 141 ... Semipermeable membrane 142 ... Through hole (second communication hole) )
143 ... Bending flow path 146 ... Through hole (first communication hole)
190 ・ ・ ・ Guide rib (guide wall)
191 ... 1st guide rib (1st guide wall)
192 ... 2nd guide rib (2nd guide wall)

Claims (9)

A housing with a storage chamber for storing liquids,
The lower wall located above the storage chamber in the height direction along the gravity direction in the usage posture of the housing, the upper wall located above the lower wall, and separated in the depth direction orthogonal to the height direction. An air chamber defined by a front wall and a rear wall, and a first side wall and a second side wall separated in a width direction orthogonal to the depth direction and the height direction.
A first communication hole that penetrates the lower wall and communicates the storage chamber and the air chamber,
A part of the upper wall is penetrated from the first communication hole in the depth direction, and the dimension in the width direction is the first between the first side wall and the second side wall in the width direction. The second communication hole, which is smaller than the distance,
An atmospheric flow path that communicates the second communication hole with the outside,
A semipermeable membrane that covers the second communication hole and does not allow liquid to pass through and allows air to pass through.
The air chamber is provided with a guide wall located at least in front of the first communication hole in the depth direction and behind the semipermeable membrane and extending in the height direction.
In the air chamber, a region that is in front of the first communication hole and behind the semipermeable membrane, is continuous with the semipermeable membrane in the depth direction, and is sandwiched between the guide wall and the first side wall. can be,
The guide wall is inclined with respect to the depth direction so that the distance in the width direction between the guide wall and the first side wall in the region becomes smaller from the first communication hole toward the semipermeable membrane. And
The second distance between the semipermeable membrane and the first side wall in the width direction is smaller than the third distance, which is the shortest distance between the guide wall and the first side wall in the width direction.
The fourth distance in the width direction between the first communication hole and the first side wall is smaller than the fifth distance, which is the longest distance between the guide wall and the first side wall in the width direction. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the semipermeable membrane is located at a position offset from the center of the air chamber in the width direction. The upper wall has a recess that is recessed upward from the top surface that defines the air chamber.
The semipermeable membrane is located in the recess and is located in the recess.
The liquid cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a part of the guide wall reaches the lower part of the recess. A housing with a storage chamber for storing liquids,
The lower wall located above the storage chamber in the height direction along the gravity direction in the usage posture of the housing, the upper wall located above the lower wall, and separated in the depth direction orthogonal to the height direction. An air chamber defined by a front wall and a rear wall, and a first side wall and a second side wall separated in a width direction orthogonal to the depth direction and the height direction.
A first communication hole that penetrates the lower wall and communicates the storage chamber and the air chamber,
A part of the upper wall is penetrated from the first communication hole in the depth direction, and the dimension in the width direction is the first between the first side wall and the second side wall in the width direction. The second communication hole, which is smaller than the distance,
An atmospheric flow path that communicates the second communication hole with the outside,
A semipermeable membrane that covers the second communication hole and does not allow liquid to pass through and allows air to pass through.
In the air chamber, the first guide wall and the second guide wall extending in the height direction are located at least in front of the first communication hole in the depth direction and behind the semipermeable membrane and separated from each other in the width direction. Equipped with a guide wall,
The air chamber is sandwiched between the first guide wall and the second guide wall, which is in front of the first communication hole and behind the semipermeable membrane, is continuous with the semipermeable membrane in the depth direction, and is sandwiched between the first guide wall and the second guide wall. There is an area
The first guide wall or the second guide wall so that the distance in the width direction between the first guide wall and the second guide wall in the region becomes smaller from the first communication hole toward the semipermeable membrane. At least one of the guide walls is inclined with respect to the above depth direction,
The second distance between the semitransparent film and the first side wall in the width direction is one of the first guide wall or the second guide wall located far from the first side wall in the width direction and the first side wall. A sixth distance that is smaller than the third distance, which is the shortest distance in the width direction from one side wall, and is the longest distance in the width direction between the first guide wall or the other of the second guide wall and the first side wall. Greater than the distance,
The fourth distance in the width direction between the first communication hole and the first side wall is the longest distance in the width direction between one of the first guide wall or the second guide wall and the first side wall. A liquid cartridge smaller than 5 distances and larger than the 7th distance, which is the shortest distance in the width direction between the first guide wall or the other of the second guide walls and the first side wall. The upper wall has a recess that is recessed upward from the top surface that defines the air chamber.
The semipermeable membrane is located in the recess and is located in the recess.
The liquid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the first guide wall or a part of the second guide wall reaches the lower part of the recess. The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the semipermeable membrane is located in front of the first communication hole in the depth direction. The above-mentioned air flow path has a bending flow path and has a bending flow path.
The bent flow path is located above the air chamber, and one end thereof is connected to the second communication hole.
The liquid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the second communication hole is located on the rear side of the semipermeable membrane. The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the outer shape of the housing has a length along the depth direction longer than the length along the width direction. The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a liquid supply path extending along the depth direction and allowing the liquid in the storage chamber to flow out to the outside.

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