JPH11157100A - Ink jet printer and ink cartridge mountable in the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink cartridge and an ink jet printer for informing a user with an output means by means of a voice or displaying of an erroneous insertion when the ink cartridge is erroneously inserted into an ink cartridge mounting portion. SOLUTION: The ink cartridge 1 comprises an electric conducting unit 44. The ink jet printer comprises an ink cartridge mounting portion 2 having a first electric conducting member 24 and a second electric conducting member 35, and an output means 27. In this case, when the unit 44 is brought into contact with both the members 24 and 25 of the mounting portion 2, a closed electric circuit is formed, and the effect of an erroneous insertion of the cartridge 1 is informed to a user via the means 27.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ink-jet printer for ejecting ink droplets from nozzles to record on a recording sheet, and an ink cartridge used as an ink supply source. And a technique for notifying a user of the fact.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ink cartridge has been used as a means for supplying ink to an ink jet printer, and the ink cartridge is configured to be inserted into a predetermined position of an ink cartridge mounting portion provided in the ink jet printer. Have been.

In order to prevent the ink cartridge from being inserted in the wrong direction in inserting the ink cartridge into the ink cartridge mounting portion, that is, to prevent so-called erroneous insertion, for example, the shape of the ink cartridge and the ink cartridge mounting portion may be changed. The insertion direction is specified, and a handle or knob is provided on the rear end of the ink cartridge, or a projection is provided on the ink cartridge, so that the ink cartridge can be inserted only when the ink cartridge is oriented correctly. A technique has been put to practical use in which an arrow indicating is printed on a piece of paper or the like, and the printed arrow is attached to an ink cartridge so that incorrect insertion is prevented.

[0004]

However, as in a conventional ink cartridge, simply specifying the insertion direction with the shape of the ink cartridge or simply printing an arrow may overlook the insertion direction. The cartridge may be inserted incorrectly. In addition, handling an ink cartridge only with information obtained from human eyes alone is extremely inconvenient when a low vision person uses an ink jet printer.

Further, when an ink cartridge is erroneously inserted, a means for informing the user that the ink cartridge has been erroneously inserted is such that a small LED (light emitting diode) or the like is turned on. Is inconvenient and difficult to use, and is particularly inconvenient when used by people with low vision.

If the ink cartridge is not securely inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion as described above, the ink will not reach the ink supply path, and the ink will not be ejected even when the inkjet head is driven, that is, a serious problem will occur in that printing cannot be performed. .

It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-mentioned problems by proposing an ink jet printer that can securely mount an ink cartridge and an ink cartridge that can be mounted on the ink jet printer.

[0008]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an ink jet printer having an ink cartridge mounting portion capable of mounting an ink cartridge having an electric conduction portion according to the present invention is provided with a pair of ink cartridge mounting portions. An electrical conducting member, wherein the electrical conducting portion of the ink cartridge and a closed electric circuit are formed when the electric conducting member comes into contact, and at least output means for outputting that the electric circuit is closed is provided. The ink jet printer further has a configuration in which the closed electric circuit is not formed when the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet printer in a normal direction, state, and position. ing.

By configuring the ink jet printer as described above, a closed electric circuit is formed when the electric conducting portion of the ink cartridge comes into contact with the electric conducting member of the ink cartridge mounting portion, and the ink cartridge can be properly operated. (Hereinafter, the insertion of the ink cartridge into the ink cartridge mounting portion in the normal direction, state, or position is referred to as normal insertion), a closed electric circuit is not formed, The user can use the inkjet printer. In other words, if the ink cartridge is inserted incorrectly, a closed electric circuit is formed,
The user is notified of the erroneous insertion of the ink cartridge via the output means, and does not use the ink jet printer in the erroneous insertion state.

Further, the ink cartridge of the present invention having the electric conduction portion attachable to the ink jet printer, wherein the ink cartridge of the ink jet printer is provided when the ink cartridge is directly inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion. A configuration is employed in which the electrical conduction portion of the ink cartridge is provided at a position where the electrical conduction member provided on the mounting portion does not contact the electrical conduction member.

By configuring the ink cartridge in this manner, when the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion, the electrical conduction portion of the ink cartridge does not contact the electrical conduction member of the ink cartridge mounting portion. No closed electrical circuit is formed. As described above, when the ink cartridge is incorrectly inserted, a closed electric circuit is formed, and the user is notified that the ink cartridge is incorrectly inserted.
There is no use of the inkjet printer in the state of incorrect insertion. However, when the ink cartridge of the present invention is correctly inserted, the electric conducting portion of the ink cartridge does not contact the electric conducting member of the ink cartridge mounting portion, and a closed electric circuit is not formed. Nothing is output, and the user will use the inkjet printer.

Further, a configuration is adopted in which the positions of the pair of electric conducting members provided on the ink cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet printer are arranged at asymmetric positions.

As described above, when the ink cartridge is properly inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion provided in the ink jet printer of the present invention, the electric conduction portion of the ink cartridge and the electric conduction member of the ink cartridge mounting portion do not come into contact with each other. It is configured. In this case, when the pair of electric conducting members provided in the ink cartridge mounting portion are arranged at symmetrical positions, the ink cartridge may be inserted in the wrong direction depending on the direction in which the ink cartridge is inserted. It is conceivable that the electric conducting portion of the ink cartridge does not contact the electric conducting member of the ink cartridge mounting portion, and the ink jet printer recognizes that the ink cartridge has been correctly inserted. That is, if the ink cartridge that is to be inserted in the correct direction is rotated by 180 ° and inserted,
A case where the ink cartridge is recognized as being correctly inserted may be considered. Therefore, in order to avoid such a situation, it is necessary to arrange the pair of electric conducting members provided in the ink cartridge mounting portion at asymmetrical positions.

It is preferable that the output means for notifying the user of the erroneous insertion of the ink cartridge is a sound generating means or a display means.

By employing the sound generating means, it becomes possible for a visually impaired person, for example, to know the wrong insertion of the ink cartridge when using an ink jet printer.

Further, by employing the display means,
For example, even when a hearing-impaired person uses an ink-jet printer, it is possible to know that the ink cartridge has been inserted incorrectly.

Further, when the low vision person and the hearing impaired person share the printer, by employing both the sound generating means and the display means, it is possible to know the erroneous insertion of the ink cartridge no matter which user uses the printer. Becomes

[0018]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an ink jet printer to which the present invention is applied and an ink cartridge that can be mounted on the ink jet printer will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an ink cartridge. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an ink cartridge mounting portion in the ink jet printer, and FIGS. 4 to 6 are diagrams illustrating insertion of the ink cartridge into the ink cartridge mounting portion. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an electric circuit formed when the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion, and FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an ink supply / discharge system of an ink jet printer using the ink cartridge as an ink supply source. is there. FIG. 9 is a flowchart from the operation of inserting the ink cartridge into the ink cartridge mounting portion to the time when the ink jet printer performs printing.

The overall structure of the ink cartridge 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows an ink cartridge 1
FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the whole, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG.

As shown in these figures, the ink cartridge 1 comprises an ink bag 10 storing ink, a waste ink absorbing member 20 for absorbing waste ink,
0 and a cartridge case 30 accommodating the waste ink absorbing member 20. Cartridge case 30
The case body 4 which is combined with each other to form a storage portion for the ink bag 10 and the waste ink absorbing member 20 is formed.
0 (first case piece) and a lid 50 (second case piece).

The case body 40 has a rectangular case bottom plate portion 41, a case outer frame portion 42 standing upright at a right angle from the periphery of the case bottom plate portion 41, and a guide plate for holding an ink outlet 12 of the ink bag 10 described later. 42b, 42
c. The ink bag 10 is accommodated in a rectangular concave portion 43 defined by the case bottom plate portion 41 and the case outer frame portion 42. Also, the case body 4
0 has a band-shaped electric conduction portion 44 shown by oblique lines in FIG. The electrical conduction portion 44 can be made of, for example, a conductive tape, and is fixed by fixing means (not shown) such as an adhesive attached to the back of the conductive tape. The electric conduction portion is not limited to the conductive tape, but may be a conductive resin or a metal plate. In the example shown in FIG. 1, two conductive tapes having a width of about 1/3 of the height of the case main body 40 are fixed in the middle of the case main body 40. The fixing position is not limited to this, and when the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion 2 of the ink jet printer described later, the electrical conduction portion 44 of the ink cartridge 1 2
Any shape or fixed position that does not come into contact with the first electric conducting member 24 and the second electric conducting member 25 described later may be used.

On the other hand, the lid 50 is composed of a rectangular case lid portion 51 having the same size as the case main body 40 and a case inner frame portion 52 standing at a right angle at a position inside the periphery of the case lid portion 51. And The case inner frame portion 52 is set to a size that can be inserted into the inside of the case outer frame portion 42, and has a width that is significantly smaller than that of the case outer frame portion 42.

In a rectangular recess 53 defined by a case cover portion 51 and a case inner frame portion 52 of the cover 50, a waste ink absorbing member 20 having a size and a thickness just fitted into the recess 53 is stored. The opening of the concave portion 53 is closed by a rectangular plastic film 60.

The ink bag 10 held and housed in the case body 40 is held by guide plates 42b and 42c provided in the case body 40 with the ink outlet 12 for leading out the ink in the ink bag 10 to the outside. .

A detection plate 18 is fixed to the ink bag 10 by fixing means (not shown) such as a double-sided tape.
The detection projections 19 formed on the detection plate 18 are connected to the bottom plate portion 4 of the case main body 40 as the amount of remaining ink decreases.
The amount of protrusion from the opening 41a opened to the outside to the outside increases, and the detection protrusion 19 is detected by an ink end detection mechanism (not shown), and it is determined that the ink has run out.

The case body 40 and the lid 50 are provided with a pair of first locking claws 54 provided on the lid 50 and a pair of second locking claws 55 provided on the case body 40. Hole 4
5 and snap-fit into the engaging groove 46 respectively.

In the front end wall 48 of the case outer frame portion 42 of the case body 40, in addition to the above-mentioned hook hole 45, an ink take-out hole 42a for inserting an ink supply needle 4 described later, and a waste liquid needle 5 is formed with an insertion hole 48a. Also, the inner frame portion 5 of the lid 50
An intake rubber 58 into which the waste liquid needle 5 can be inserted is provided at a position corresponding to the insertion hole 48a in the front end wall 57 of the second.

Here, the schematic structure of the ink jet printer will be described first, and then the ink cartridge mounting portion provided in the ink jet printer and the insertion of the ink cartridge into the ink cartridge mounting portion will be described with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 8, a schematic diagram showing an ink supply / discharge system of the entire ink jet printer 70 provided with the ink cartridge mounting section 2 will be described.

The basic configuration of the ink jet printer 70 is the same as that of a commonly used ink jet printer, and a description thereof will be omitted. The ink jet printer 70 includes an ink cartridge mounting portion 2 into which the ink cartridge 1 is inserted, and a fixing member 3 for fixing the ink cartridge mounting portion 2 to the ink jet printer. An ink supply needle 4 and a waste liquid needle 5 are attached to the fixing member 3, for example, horizontally. In order to fix the ink cartridge 1 to the ink jet printer 70, first, the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion 2, and the ink cartridge 1 is horizontally moved with respect to the ink supply needle 4 and the waste liquid needle 5 attached to the fixing member 3. When the needles 4 and 5 are inserted into predetermined positions of the ink cartridge 1, an ink flow path is formed between the ink cartridge 1 and the ink jet printer 70.

When the ink flow path is formed, the ink stored in the ink bag 10 in the ink cartridge 1 is taken out to the ink supply tube 6 via the ink supply needle 4. The ink supply tube 6 has a filter 7 for collecting dust and foreign matter in the ink.

The ink is supplied to the ink jet head 8 of the ink jet printer 70 by the ink supply tube 6.
It is led to. The ink jet head 8 is held by a carriage (not shown) and reciprocates longitudinally along the surface of the platen 9. A recording sheet (not shown) is conveyed along the surface of the platen 9 in a direction orthogonal to the moving direction of the ink jet head 8, and printing is performed on the recording sheet by the ink jet head 8.

Here, in order to maintain the print quality of the ink jet head 8, cleaning of ink nozzles of the ink jet head 8 and suction of ink are performed. For this purpose, the head cap 71 is
The ink jet head 8 is disposed at a position outside the moving range for printing.
Move to position 1. A waste liquid tube 72 for collecting waste ink collected or sucked from the inkjet head 8 from the head cap 71 is connected to the head cap 71. In the waste liquid tube 72,
A waste liquid pump 73 is inserted as a drive source for collecting waste ink.

The waste liquid tube 73 is moved by the waste liquid pump 73.
The waste ink collected through 2 is absorbed by the waste ink absorbing member 20 housed in the ink cartridge 1 through the waste liquid needle 5 and collected here.

An ink jet printer 70 according to an embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is provided with the above-described ink cartridge mounting section 2 shown in a perspective view in FIG.
4 to 6 are perspective views showing insertion of the ink cartridge 1 into the ink cartridge mounting section 2. FIG. 7 shows an electric circuit formed when the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting section 2. FIG. 9 is a flowchart from the operation of inserting the ink cartridge into the ink cartridge mounting portion to the time when printing is performed by the inkjet printer. With reference to these drawings, first, the ink cartridge mounting section 2 and the insertion of the ink cartridge 1 into the ink cartridge mounting section 2 will be described.

The ink cartridge mounting section 2 has five surfaces 21a, 21b,
21 c, 21 d, 21 e, an opening 22 for inserting the ink cartridge 1, a mounting portion ink ejection hole 28 at a position corresponding to the ink ejection hole 42 a of the ink cartridge for passing the ink supply needle 4, It is provided at a position corresponding to the insertion hole 48a of the cartridge and includes a mounting portion insertion hole 29 for passing the waste liquid needle 5, a first electric conduction member 24, and a second electric conduction member 25. Further, the first electric conduction member 24 and the second electric conduction member 25 are wired to a power supply 26 and an output unit 27 provided in the ink jet printer 70.

Next, the detailed structure of the ink cartridge mounting section 2 will be described. Five surfaces 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d, 21e constituting the ink cartridge mounting section 2
Can be, for example, a plastic molded product.

The first electric conducting member 24 and the second electric conducting member 25 can be made of, for example, a conductive tape, and a fixing means (not shown) such as an adhesive adhered to the back of the conductive tape. Has been fixed by. The electric conduction member is not limited to the conductive tape, but may be a conductive resin, a metal plate, or the like.

The output means 27 is a sound generating means or a display means. The ink cartridge 1 is erroneously inserted into the ink cartridge mounting section 2, and the electric conduction section 44 of the ink cartridge 1 is connected to the first of the ink cartridge mounting section 2. When both the electric conduction member 24 and the second electric conduction member 25 come into contact, the user is notified that the ink cartridge is erroneously inserted. The sound generating means is, for example, a speaker, and the position of the speaker is preferably provided on the front surface of the inkjet printer 70 so that the user can easily hear the sound. The display means can be composed of, for example, a light-emitting diode or a liquid crystal display. However, it is difficult to understand simply by turning on the light-emitting diode in red when the user erroneously inserts the ink cartridge 1, for example. It is preferable to inform that the ink cartridge is inserted incorrectly. The position of the display means is also determined by the ink jet printer
It is preferably the front of 0.

In the example shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the first electric conducting member 24 and the second electric conducting member 25 are fixed to the inner side of the surface 21b constituting the ink cartridge mounting portion 2 by the above-mentioned fixing means. Have been.

The fixing positions of the first electric conduction member 24 and the second electric conduction member 25 on the inner surface side of the ink cartridge mounting portion 2 are not limited to the present example, and the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink cartridge. When the ink cartridge 1 is properly inserted into the unit 2, the electric conduction unit 44 of the ink cartridge 1 and the first electric conduction member 24 of the ink cartridge mounting unit 2
Any position may be used as long as a closed electric circuit is not formed by the second electric conduction member 25. First electrical conduction member 2
4 and the fixed position of the second electric conduction member 25,
This will be further described later with reference to FIGS.

Here, FIGS. 4 to 6 and FIG.
(B) With reference to FIG. 9, the fixing position of the first electric conduction member 24 and the second electric conduction member 25 of the ink cartridge mounting section 2 and the insertion of the ink cartridge 1 into the ink cartridge mounting section 2. This will be specifically described.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a state where the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting section 2 in a normal manner. FIGS. 5 and 6 show a state where the ink cartridge 1 is erroneously inserted into the ink cartridge mounting section 2. FIG. FIG. 7A is a circuit diagram of an electric circuit formed when the ink cartridge 1 is correctly inserted into the ink cartridge mounting section 2, and FIG.
9 is a circuit diagram of an electric circuit formed when the ink cartridge 1 is erroneously inserted into the ink cartridge 1. FIG.

When the ink cartridge 1 is correctly inserted into the ink cartridge mounting section 2 as shown in FIG. 4, the electrical conduction section 44 provided on the ink cartridge 1 The first electric conduction member provided on the ink cartridge mounting portion 2 is formed in a shape that does not contact the one electric conduction member 24 and the second electric conduction member 25 and is fixed at a position that does not come into contact with them. Neither 24 nor the second electrical conducting member 25 comes into contact, and no closed electrical circuit is formed. FIG. 7A is a circuit diagram showing this state. When the electric circuit is not closed in this way, nothing is output from the output means 27, and the user
The fixing member 3 provided in the inkjet printer 70
Fixed to. Thereafter, ink is sucked from the head cap 71 and the waste liquid pump 73 provided in the ink jet printer 70, and when this is completed, the user can start printing.

In FIG. 4, the electric conductive portion 44 of the ink cartridge 1 is formed by using two conductive tapes as described above, so that the first electric conductive portion 24 and the second electric conductive portion 24 in the ink cartridge mounting portion 2 are formed. Although it is configured so as not to contact with either of the electric conducting portions 25, the present invention is not limited to this, and if a closed electric circuit is not formed when the ink cartridge 1 is inserted correctly, the first electric conducting portion 25 is formed. The configuration may be such that only one of the section 24 and the second electrical conduction section 25 contacts the electrical conduction section 44 of the ink cartridge 1.

However, when the ink cartridge 1 is erroneously inserted into the ink cartridge mounting section 2 as shown in FIG.
Is in contact with both the first electrical conduction member 24 and the second electrical conduction member 25 provided in the ink cartridge mounting section 2 to form a closed electrical circuit. FIG. 7B is a circuit diagram showing this state. In such a state, the user is notified that the ink cartridge 1 is erroneously inserted through the sound generating means or the display means as the output means 27. In addition, the ink jet printer 70 does not operate while the ink cartridge 1 is not properly inserted. In such a case, the user cannot use the inkjet printer 70 unless the user reinserts the ink cartridge 1 into the ink cartridge mounting section 2 correctly.

FIG. 6 also shows an example in which the ink cartridge 1 is erroneously inserted into the ink cartridge mounting section 2.
When the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion 2 by rotating the ink cartridge 1 by 180 ° so that the ink removal hole 42a faces the opposite side and the front and back are reversed, as shown in FIG. FIG. In the present invention, the ink cartridge mounting section 2
The first electric conduction member 24 and the second electric conduction member 25 are arranged so as to be in asymmetric positions. By arranging in this manner, even when the direction of the ink cartridge 1 inserted correctly as shown in FIG. 4 is changed to the wrong direction as shown in FIG. Since the first electrical conduction member 24 and the second electrical conduction member 25 of the ink cartridge mounting section 2 come into contact with each other, it is recognized that the ink cartridge 1 is erroneously inserted. Therefore, at that time, the user only has to re-insert the ink cartridge 1 correctly. If the ink cartridge 1 is correctly inserted, the ink reaches the ink supply path, and if the ink-jet head is driven, the ink is ejected, that is, printing can be performed. Therefore, a serious problem that printing cannot be performed does not occur.

The above description of FIGS. 4 to 6 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

S1: First, the user inserts the ink cartridge 1 into the ink cartridge mounting section 2.

S2: Here, the ink jet printer 70
Goes to S3 when the electric conduction part 44 of the ink cartridge 1 contacts the first electric conduction member 24 and the second electric conduction member 25 of the ink cartridge mounting part 2, and to S4 when not. Proceed.

S3: In S2, since the electric conducting portion 44 of the ink cartridge 1 contacts the first electric conducting member 24 and the second electric conducting member 25 of the ink cartridge mounting portion 2, the ink jet printer 70
7, the user is notified that the ink cartridge 1 is inserted incorrectly, and the user performs the operation of S1 again.

S4: The user mounts the ink cartridge mounting portion 2 on the fixing member 3 because the electrically conductive members did not contact each other in S2.

S5: Ink is sucked from the head cap 71 and the waste liquid pump 73 provided in the ink jet printer 70.

S6: Printing is started.

The ink jet printer of the present invention informs the user of the erroneous insertion of the ink cartridge 1 through the output means 27 as described above. However, both the sound generating means and the display means may be provided as the output means 27. Although it is preferable to surely inform the user of the erroneous insertion, only one of the output means 27 may be provided.

As an example, a sound generating means is used when a low vision person uses an ink jet printer, a display means when a hearing impaired person uses an ink jet printer, and a voice sound means when a low vision person and a hearing impaired share the ink jet printer. A method in which both the generating means and the display means are provided is possible.

The ink jet printer of the present invention is provided with a sound generating means or a display means as an output means. However, the installation location of the output means is not limited to the printer and can be changed as appropriate according to the application of the user.

For example, when the printer is connected to a personal computer and used, an output from a speaker provided in the personal computer is used as a sound generating means, and an output from a display is used as a display means. No.

In this way, it is possible to provide a user-friendly ink jet printer which can notify the user of the erroneous insertion of the ink cartridge by means of the sound generation means or the display means when inserting the ink cartridge into the ink cartridge mounting portion.

Further, since the user can know that the ink cartridge is erroneously inserted, if the ink cartridge is erroneously inserted, the user only has to insert the ink cartridge again. Therefore, since the ink cartridge is securely inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion,
There is no serious problem that ink does not reach the ink supply path and ink is not ejected even when the inkjet head is driven, that is, printing cannot be performed.

(Other Configurations of Ink Cartridge and Inkjet Printer) The ink cartridge according to the present invention includes, as an example, an ink bag, a waste ink absorbing member, and a cartridge case accommodating the ink bag and the waste ink absorbing member. The ink jet printer using the ink cartridge is described as a so-called off-carriage type in which ink is supplied from the ink cartridge of the present invention to an ink jet head via a tube. . However, the ink cartridge and the ink jet printer of the present invention are not limited to the off-carriage type, and the ink cartridge and the ink cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet printer are provided with electric conducting members respectively, and the ink cartridges are provided to the user by contacting them. What is necessary is just to be able to notify the erroneous insertion. For example, an ink-jet printer using an ink cartridge, such as an ink-jet printer in which only an ink bag is contained in an ink cartridge and a waste ink absorbing member is provided in the main body of the ink-jet printer, and an on-carriage type in which the ink cartridge is directly mounted on a carriage of the ink-jet printer. Then, it can be applied to any object.

Further, an example of the off-carriage type ink jet printer described so far is a type in which an ink cartridge is first inserted into an ink cartridge mounting portion, and then the ink cartridge mounting portion is fixed to a fixing member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a type in which an ink cartridge is directly mounted and fixed to an ink jet printer.

[0064]

As described above, the ink jet printer of the present invention having an ink cartridge mounting portion capable of mounting an ink cartridge having an electric conductive portion has a pair of electric conductive members in the ink cartridge mounting portion. When the electric conducting member comes into contact with the electric conducting portion of the ink cartridge, a closed electric circuit is formed, and at least one output means for outputting that the electric circuit is closed is provided, When the ink cartridge is correctly inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion,
The closed electric circuit is not formed.

In the ink cartridge according to the present invention, when the ink cartridge is correctly inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion, the electric conducting portion of the ink cartridge is located at a position where it does not contact the electric conducting member of the ink cartridge mounting portion. Are located.

Thus, when the ink cartridge is correctly inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet printer, the electric conduction portion of the ink cartridge is connected to the first electric conduction member and the second electric conduction member of the ink cartridge mounting portion. Since there is no contact and no closed electric circuit is formed, nothing is output via the output means, and the user can use the ink jet printer. In other words, when the ink cartridge is erroneously inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion, the electrical conduction portion of the ink cartridge
A closed electric circuit is formed in contact with the first electric conducting member and the second electric conducting member of the ink cartridge mounting portion,
The user can be notified via the output means that the ink cartridge is incorrectly inserted.

Further, the positional relationship between the pair of electric conducting members provided in the ink cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet printer of the present invention is arranged at an asymmetric position.

Accordingly, when the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion, no matter in which direction the ink cartridge is inserted, except when the ink cartridge is correctly inserted, the electrical conduction portion of the ink cartridge is kept in contact with the ink cartridge. A closed electric circuit is formed by contacting the electric conducting member of the cartridge mounting portion.

Further, the ink jet printer of the present invention is provided with an output means comprising a sound generating means or a display means, so that when the ink cartridge is erroneously inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion, the electric power of the ink cartridge is changed. When the conductive portion and the electrical conductive member of the ink cartridge mounting portion are in contact with each other to form a closed electric circuit, the user may be notified via the sound generating means or the display means that the ink cartridge is erroneously inserted. Yes, and the user can print after re-inserting correctly. Therefore, it is possible to provide the user with an ink jet printer in which the ink does not reach the ink supply path and the ink does not discharge even when the ink jet head is driven, that is, there is no serious problem that printing cannot be performed.

Further, since the erroneous insertion of the ink cartridge can be notified by the sound generation means or the display means, the erroneous insertion of the ink cartridge can be known even when a low vision person or a hearing impaired person uses the ink jet printer. Further, when a low vision person and a hearing impaired person share an ink jet printer, both can be used by providing both output means.

Thus, a user-friendly ink jet printer can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing details of the ink cartridge of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an ink cartridge mounting portion provided for mounting the ink cartridge to a fixing member of the ink jet printer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where an ink cartridge is inserted into an ink cartridge mounting portion in a normal direction, state, and position.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where an ink cartridge is inserted in an incorrect direction into an ink cartridge mounting portion.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a state where an ink cartridge is inserted into an ink cartridge mounting portion in an incorrect direction.

FIG. 7A is a circuit diagram when an ink cartridge is inserted into an ink cartridge mounting portion in a normal direction, state, and position, and FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating an ink cartridge inserted in an incorrect direction into the ink cartridge mounting portion. FIG.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an ink supply / discharge system formed by inserting an ink cartridge into an ink cartridge mounting portion and fixing the ink cartridge to a fixing member.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline from insertion of an ink cartridge to printing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 2 Ink cartridge mounting part 3 Fixing member 4 Ink supply needle 5 Waste liquid needle 10 Ink bag 20 Waste ink absorption member 24 First electric conduction member 25 Second electric conduction member 26 Power supply 27 Output means 30 Cartridge case 40 Case Main body (first case piece) 44 Electric conduction part 50 Case lid (second case piece) 60 Plastic film 70 Inkjet printer

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An ink jet printer having an ink cartridge mounting portion capable of mounting an ink cartridge having an electric conducting portion, wherein the ink cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet printer has a pair of electric conducting members, and An electrical conduction section;
A closed electric circuit is formed when the electric conductive member of the ink jet printer comes into contact, and has at least one output unit that outputs that the electric circuit is closed,
The ink cartridge is installed in the ink cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet printer in a normal direction, state,
An ink jet printer wherein the closed electric circuit is not formed when inserted in a position. 2. The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the ink cartridge has the electrical conductive portion mountable on the ink jet printer, and the ink cartridge is inserted into the ink cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet printer in a proper direction, state, and position. In this case, the ink cartridge has the electric conduction part of the ink cartridge at a position where the electric conduction part is not in contact with the electric conduction member provided on the ink cartridge mounting part of the ink jet printer. 3. The ink-jet printer according to claim 1, wherein the positional relationship between the pair of electric conduction members provided on the ink cartridge mounting portion of the ink-jet printer is arranged at an asymmetrical position. Inkjet printer. 4. An ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein said output means is a sound generating means. 5. An ink jet printer according to claim 1, wherein said output means is a display means.