KR101913890B1 - Cartridge and printing material supply system - Google Patents

Abstract

The cartridge includes an ink supply structure, a terminal support structure, and a first regulating portion. The terminal support structure has terminals arranged in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor vertical with respect to the plane defined by the mounting direction tip of the ink supply structure so that the contact portions of the terminals are urged in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction . The engaging portion of the first restricting portion is provided at a position adjacent to the terminal supporting structure.

Description

[0001] CARTRIDGE AND PRINTING MATERIAL SUPPLY SYSTEM [0002]

This application is related to Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-003694 filed on January 12, 2012 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-003698 filed on January 12, 2012, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-003653 filed on January 12, 2012, Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-003652 filed on January 12, 2012, Japanese Patent Application filed on August 30, 2012 U.S. Patent Application No. 13/410461, filed March 2, 2012, U.S. Patent Application No. 13/410478, filed March 2, 2012, filed March 2, 2012 And PCT Patent Application No. PCT / JP2012 / 001395, filed March 1, 2012, all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

The present invention relates to a cartridge, a combination of a cartridge and a printing apparatus (or a portion thereof), and / or a printing material supply system including a cartridge and a printing apparatus.

Various mechanisms for attaching and detaching a cartridge to and from a printing apparatus have been proposed. Examples of such mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 (corresponding to JP-A-2007-230249), U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053 (corresponding to JP-A-2005-022345), U.S. Patent No. 6,276,780 (JP- 2002-019142), U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, U.S. Patent No. 6,074,042, and U.S. Patent No. 7,018,030.

U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 discloses a cartridge having a latching lever 3 and an electrical contact terminal pad 102. The lever (3) has a fixing portion (6) for engaging with the printer. The fixing portion 6 is disposed away from the contact pad 102. Since the fixing portion 6 is located far from the cartridge terminal, the coupling with the printer can only make a limited contribution to the accuracy and stability of the positioning of the cartridge terminals relative to each printer terminal.

Also, the lever 3 in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 should be long enough to reach a user accessible position for the user to manipulate it. It also protrudes away from the side wall of the cartridge. The larger the lever, the larger the cartridge, which not only leads to an increase in the size of the printer in which the cartridge is detached, but also the size of the packaging material for transporting and delivering the cartridge, which in turn increases transport costs and component costs.

In addition, the cartridge structure for connecting the fixing portion 6 to the cartridge-side terminal has a flexible section of the lever 3. The vibration generated during the printing operation can be transmitted to the cartridge terminal through the flexible section of the lever 3 so that the position of the cartridge terminal relative to the printer terminal . ≪ / RTI > This is particularly problematic with on-carriage type ink cartridges as disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, because these ink cartridges are mounted on a printer carriage to which the print head is attached. In on-carriage printers, the carriage is scanned back and forth over the print medium during a print job. The ink cartridge in the carriage receives a large acceleration force every time the scanning direction is changed as well as other vibrations occurring during the printing operation.

The lever in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 is integrally formed with the cartridge and can be elastically deformed. In this configuration, the material used to manufacture the cartridge is limited to a material having sufficient moldability to achieve this configuration and having sufficient flexibility and durability to allow the lever to be elastically deformed during engagement and disengagement with the printer.

The lever may be plastically deformed under operation by the user. Such deformation of the lever may cause misalignment in position between the cartridge side terminal and the printer terminal, which may lead to conduction failure. Plastic deformation also reduces the durability of the lever. In addition, special measures such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,018,030 should be taken during packaging of the cartridge, particularly to prevent creep deformation of the lever when the cartridge is packaged in a vacuum package.

U.S. Patent No. 6,276,780 discloses a cartridge without any memory or electrical terminals. Since this type of cartridge does not require any electrical connection with the printer, there is no need to have a structure or configuration for maintaining a stable positioning and alignment of the cartridge terminals relative to the printer terminals.

Further, the cartridge is attached to the printer by a latch mechanism 132 (shown in FIGS. 9 to 16 of U.S. Patent No. 6,276,780) disposed on the printer. The cartridge side latch inclined surface 220 that engages with the latch mechanism 132 is located away from the pivot axis of the latch mechanism 132 in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer. As a result, when the resilient member 156 or the compressive force seal 152 applies a force (shown by arrow X in Figure 12 of U.S. Patent No. 6,276,780) to the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer, It can be easily converted into a force for releasing the engagement of the retainer portion 134 from the cartridge latch inclined surface 220, so that the cartridge may be separated from the printer during use of the printer. The coupling disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,276,780 is not suitable for use in the configuration disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, which requires proper contact between the cartridge terminal and the printer terminal, because the cartridge has this inherent risk of separation from the printer . Moreover, in the configuration of U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0151811, the contact between the cartridge terminal and the printer terminal exerts a force in the transverse direction against the cartridge from the terminal of the printer, so that the cartridge may move in the lateral direction. The latch mechanism 132 of U.S. Patent 6,276,780 does not fit into the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 because at least the latch mechanism can not match the lateral movement of the cartridge, Is detached from the cartridge.

U.S. Patent No. 6,074,042 discloses an ink cartridge having an electrical contact 54. 12A to 13B, the electrical contact 54 is located at the tip of the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is mounted on the printer. In this structure, when the cartridge is mounted to the printer, the electrical contact 54 of the cartridge presses flat against the spring-biased electrical contact 104 of the printer. The metal oxide, oil, or other non-conductive material on the outer surface of the metal electrical contact 54 may be sandwiched between the conductive metal of the cartridge and the printer electrical contact, possibly interrupting electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer.

U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 discloses a cartridge 1 having a memory element 7 with an electrode 7a, for example in Figures 2a-2d. The electrodes 7a are aligned substantially parallel to the cartridge inserting direction into the printer. In this configuration, the printer electrode 106 slides a long distance across the surface of the circuit board (on which the electrodes 7a are formed). The surface of the circuit board is usually covered with an electrically insulating resin material. When the printer electrodes 106 are scratched with respect to the circuit board, these printer electrodes may damage the insulation and cause the insulation debris to come off the circuit board. Insulation debris can be caught between the printer electrode 106 and the cartridge electrode 7a and cause poor or unreliable electrical communication between the printer and the cartridge.

5 to 6B of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, the printer presses the surface of the memory element 7 against the printer electrode 106 when the cartridge is mounted in the printer, and when the cartridge is pulled out of the printer, 1) of the leaf spring 103 to move upward.

U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053 discloses an elastic piece 40 provided on a printer in Fig. The lower end 40a of the resilient piece 40 is abutted against the flat surface 12a at the top of the protrusion 12 where the electrode 14 is to be installed. The contact between the lower end portion 40b and the flat surface 12a regulates the upward movement of the projection 12. However, the configuration of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053 has means disposed near the protrusion 12 to regulate downward movement of the protrusion 12. As a result, the protrusions 12 can vibrate considerably vertically during operation of the printer, so that the electrodes can be misaligned or detached from the printer terminals.

In the case where various attachment / detachment mechanisms exist, it is necessary to downsize the overall size of the printer for better usability and ease of installation. In order to miniaturize the size of the printer, it is generally necessary to reduce the size of a large number of constituent elements and related elements constituting the printer. These components and associated elements include a cartridge attached to the printer, and a cartridge mounting structure for attaching the cartridge.

In order to improve the use of the printer, information about the printing material accommodated in the cartridge (for example, information on the remaining amount of the printing material) is usually displayed on the monitor of the printer. The cartridge attached to the printer will be provided with a circuit board on which a memory for storing information about the printing material is mounted. The circuit board has a terminal (cartridge side terminal) used for transmitting / receiving information to / from the printer. Information about the printing material is transferred between the memory and the controller of the printer through contact between these cartridge side terminals and terminals (device side terminals) on the printer. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain a stable electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

As will be described later, there is no known apparatus that satisfies these requirements.

This problem is not limited to the cartridge containing the printing ink, but is also commonly found in any printing device and / or cartridge configured to supply or dispense ink as well as various other printing materials (e.g., toner).

Therefore, it is necessary to ensure a stable electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal. In addition, there is a need to achieve miniaturization of a printing material supply system including a cartridge, a printer, and a cartridge attached to the printer.

To achieve at least some of the above in a more suitable manner, the present invention provides various aspects and embodiments described below.

[First Embodiment]

A cartridge detachably attached to a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus comprising: (i) an apparatus-side bottom wall member; (ii) a first apparatus side wall member which can be positioned in front of the apparatus- And (iii) a cartridge mounting structure configured to have a second device side wall member that can be provided at a rear side thereof and intersect with the device side bottom wall member and provided to face the first device side wall member. The apparatus may have a printing material supply structure that may be in the form of a tube configured to supply a printing material contained in the cartridge to the head, the printing material being configured to have a base end provided on the apparatus-side bottom wall member and a tip to be connected to the cartridge . The apparatus preferably has a plurality of device-side electrical contact terminals, which can be provided in a device-side corner section where the device-side bottom wall member intersects with the first (front) device side wall member. The apparatus may also include a lever that is rotatably provided on the first (front) apparatus side wall member and that is used to attach and detach the cartridge to and from the printing apparatus. Here, the Z axis represents an axis parallel to the central axis C of the printing material supply tube, the X axis represents an axis arranged along the printing material supply tube and the apparatus side terminal and orthogonal to the Z axis, and the Y axis represents the Z axis and the X axis Represents an axis orthogonal to each other. The + Z axis direction indicates the direction along the Z axis from the proximal end to the distal end of the printing material supply tube, and may be upward. The -Z axis direction indicates the reverse direction with respect to the + Z axis direction. The + X axis direction indicates the direction along the X axis from the printing material supply tube to the device side terminal, and may be the forward direction. The -X axis direction indicates the reverse direction with respect to the + X axis direction. The + Y axis direction indicates the direction along the Y axis toward one end, which may be the lateral direction, and the -Y axis direction indicates the direction along the Y axis toward the other end. The device is in contact with the cartridge to apply a force that may be an elastic force to the cartridge in a specific direction with the device side terminal having a component in the + Z direction with the cartridge attached to the cartridge mounting structure. The lever may have an operating member on the + Z-axis direction end (which may be the upper end) to restrict the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction by locking the cartridge, Side regulatory element. The lever may be configured to rotate about a specific position between the operating member and the first apparatus-side regulating element as the rotating shaft. Here, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis for the cartridge in the attached state correspond to the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis, respectively, of the cartridge. The cartridge includes two surfaces facing each other in the Z-axis direction, a first surface located on the -Z-axis direction side and a second surface located on the + Z-axis direction side; A fourth surface located on the + X axis side and the third surface located on the -X axis side, the two surfaces intersecting with each other in the X axis direction and intersecting with the first surface and the second surface; A corner section arranged to connect the first surface to the third surface; And may include an inclined surface provided to form a portion of the corner section and inclined in a specific direction having a + X-axis direction component and a -Z-axis direction component. A print re-supply structure may be provided on the first surface to be connected to the printing material supply tube. A plurality of cartridge side terminals may be provided corresponding to the respective apparatus side terminals, and may be provided on the inclined plane to receive a force in a specific direction having the + Z axis direction component from the apparatus side terminal. Due to the inclination in the contact area, the force can have a component in the -X-axis direction. The cartridge may further include a first cartridge-side restricting portion configured to be locked by the first device-side regulating element to regulate the + Z-axis movement of the cartridge.

The structure may include either or both of the following two features in the following two embodiments. In one embodiment, an additional feature is that the first cartridge-side restricting portion is provided at a specific position on the third surface near the intersection portion where the third surface crosses the inclined surface. In another embodiment, the cartridge-side terminal has a first terminal having a first outer portion located at the most + Y-axis direction end, and a second terminal having a second outer portion located at the most- And the first cartridge-side restricting portion is located inside the outer side of the range between the first outer portion and the second outer portion in the Y-axis direction.

The cartridge according to the first aspect of the present invention has a first cartridge side regulating portion that engages with a lever of the printing apparatus. Since the lever is not made integrally with the cartridge, the material for manufacturing the cartridge may be different from the material used for making the lever. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance. Thus, various plastics, thermoplastics and resins can be used to make the various components.

Also, since no lever is present on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging cartridges for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be miniaturized. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs.

Since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity as compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached state, the cartridge can be held in an appropriate position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the device side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. In the cartridge of the first aspect, unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, since the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and a simple structure, the creep deformation of the lever during packaging for transporting and delivering the cartridge No special precautions are necessary. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

In the cartridge according to the first embodiment of the first aspect, the first cartridge-side restricting portion may be provided on the -Z-axis direction side of the rotation axis of the lever. Even when a force is applied in a direction having a + Z-axis direction component from the apparatus-side terminal to move the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction, the lever functions to regulate the + Z-axis movement of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility that the first cartridge-side regulating portion is unlocked or disengaged from the first apparatus-side regulating element, thus ensuring stable electrical connection between the cartridge-side terminal and the apparatus-side terminal, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the force in the -X axis direction from the apparatus side terminal is applied to the mounted cartridge, the first apparatus side regulating element can move around the rotation axis of the lever and the cartridge can move in the -X axis direction. This reduces the possibility that the first cartridge side regulating portion is disengaged from the first apparatus side regulating element.

In the cartridge according to the first aspect, the first cartridge-side restricting portion is provided at a specific position on the third surface close to the crossing portion. Thus, the cartridge can be fixed to the cartridge mounting structure at a position near the contact point between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal. This reduces the possibility of positional misalignment of the cartridge-side terminal relative to the apparatus-side terminal, and reduces the defective conduction between the cartridge-side terminal and the apparatus-side terminal. In the case where the cartridge falls, the first cartridge-side restricting portion prevents the cartridge-side terminal from, for example, directly bumping into the floor surface, and thus helps prevent damage to the cartridge-side terminal. Particularly, when the cartridge side terminal is mounted on the circuit board on which the memory unit is mounted, this prevents the damage of the memory unit which is vulnerable to the impact and increases the effect of the shock resistance. By providing the first cartridge-side restricting portion at a position near the crossing portion, the lever of the cartridge mounting structure can be disposed at a position closer to the first surface. This can reduce the size of the cartridge and the printing apparatus in the Z-axis direction.

[Second Embodiment]

In the cartridge according to the first aspect, the first cartridge-side restricting portion is provided at a specific position close to the intersection portion where the third surface intersects the inclined surface.

In the cartridge according to the second aspect, the first cartridge-side restricting portion is provided at a specific position close to the crossing portion. Thus, the cartridge can be fixed to the cartridge mounting structure at a position near the contact point between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal. The first cartridge-side restricting portion prevents misalignment in position of the cartridge-side terminal relative to the apparatus-side terminal. Therefore, the first cartridge-side restricting portion reduces the defective conduction between the cartridge-side terminal and the apparatus-side terminal. In the case where the cartridge falls, the first cartridge-side restricting portion reduces the possibility that the cartridge-side terminal hits directly on the floor surface, for example, and thus helps prevent damage to the cartridge-side terminal. Particularly, when the cartridge side terminal is mounted on the circuit board on which the memory unit is mounted, this prevents the damage of the memory unit which is vulnerable to the impact and increases the effect of the shock resistance. When the first cartridge-side restricting portion is formed as the projection, the effect of the impact resistance is further increased. By providing the first cartridge-side restricting portion at a position near the crossing portion, the lever of the cartridge mounting structure can be disposed closer to the first surface. This can reduce the size of the cartridge and the printing apparatus in the Z-axis direction.

[Third aspect]

In the cartridge according to the first aspect or the second aspect, the first cartridge-side restricting portion is a cartridge-side restricting portion that passes through the center of the width or Y-axis length of the cartridge and crosses a plane (plane Yc) parallel to the Z- Location.

When the cartridge is in the state of being attached to the printer, the cartridge is subjected to a force in a direction having a component in the + Z axis direction from the apparatus side terminal, whereby the first cartridge side regulating portion is pressed against the first apparatus side regulating portion of the lever Lt; / RTI > By providing the first cartridge-side restricting portion at a position intersecting the plane Yc, a portion of the first cartridge-side restricting portion near the position intersecting with the plane Yc can be prevented from being deteriorated when the cartridge moves around the X- or Z- Will hardly move. It should be noted that the first cartridge-side restricting portion is disposed at a position near the intersection, near the edge of the circuit board, or both. The electrical connection between the cartridge-side terminal and the apparatus-side terminal can be stabilized by providing the first cartridge-side restricting portion which hardly moves at the position closest to the cartridge-side terminal.

[Fourth aspect]

The fourth aspect is characterized in that the second terminal having the first terminal having the first outer portion at which the cartridge side terminal is located at the most + Y axis direction end portion and the second outer side portion located at the most-Y axis direction end portion , And at least a part of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is located between the first outside portion and the second outside portion in the Y-axis direction, and as described above, apart from the embodiments of the first aspect Or may be practiced in conjunction with these embodiments.

In the cartridge according to the fourth aspect, at least a part of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is located between the first outside portion and the second outside portion. This positions the first cartridge-side restricting portion with little motion at a position very close to the cartridge-side terminal, thus ensuring a stable electrical connection between the cartridge-side terminal and the contact mechanism.

[Fifth Aspect]

In the cartridge according to the fourth aspect, the first cartridge-side restricting portion is located inside the range between the first outside portion and the second outside portion in the Y axis direction, rather than outside.

Some of the device-side terminals may protrude farther than others. In the example shown in Fig. 31, the terminal 731 protrudes further. When the cartridge is mounted in the printer, the cartridge side terminal will receive a force having component in the + Z direction from the apparatus side terminal. If the cartridge is held too tight, contact with some of the device-side terminals (terminal 734 in the example of Fig. 31) may not be appropriate. By fully positioning the first cartridge side restricting portion in the width direction inside the terminal, the cartridge can be inclined enough to adjust the direction in which the inclined surface faces, so that the electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal becomes much more stable . These advantages are also related to the configuration of the above embodiments.

[Sixth aspect]

The cartridge according to any one of the first to fifth aspects comprises a second cartridge configured to be locked by the second apparatus side regulating element provided on the second apparatus side sidewall member to regulate the movement of the cartridge in the + Side regulating portion, and the second cartridge-side regulating portion is provided on the fourth surface.

The cartridge according to the sixth aspect of the invention is a cartridge according to the sixth aspect of the present invention for regulating the movement of the cartridge in the + Z axis direction from both the + X axis direction end and the -X axis direction end, Side regulating portion. This further prevents positional misalignment of the respective cartridge side terminals relative to the cartridge mounting structure and further ensures stable electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

[Seventh Embodiment]

In the cartridge of the sixth aspect, the second cartridge side regulating portion is a protrusion to be inserted into the second apparatus side regulating element formed as a recess or a through hole.

In the cartridge according to the seventh aspect, by inserting the second cartridge side regulating portion into the second apparatus side regulating element, a rotation pivot point for rotating the cartridge around the vicinity of the second cartridge side regulating portion is provided. This facilitates detachment of the cartridge relative to the cartridge mounting structure.

[Eighth Embodiment]

In the cartridge according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the first cartridge-side restricting portion is located on the -X-axis direction side of the rotation axis of the lever.

In the cartridge according to the eighth aspect, in the attached state, the first cartridge-side restricting portion generates a rotational moment with respect to the lever to rotate the lever in the reverse direction with respect to the unlocking direction about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the first cartridge-side regulating portion is unlocked from the first apparatus-side regulating element, and further ensures stable electrical connection between the cartridge-side terminal and the apparatus-side terminal. Even when the cartridge moves in the -X-axis direction from the device-side terminal in the -X-axis direction, the first device-side regulating element moves in the -X-axis direction along with the movement of the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the first cartridge side regulating portion is unlocked from the first apparatus side regulating element.

[Ninth aspect]

The cartridge according to the eighth aspect is characterized in that the first cartridge side restricting portion includes a first contact portion for abutting against the first portion of the first device side regulating element for regulating the + Z axis movement of the cartridge, and a + And a second abutting portion abutting the second portion of the first apparatus-side regulating element for restricting the axial movement.

In the cartridge according to the ninth aspect, the first cartridge-side restricting portion has the first leg abutment portion and the second abutting portion, so that the generation of the rotation moment about the lever for rotating the lever in the reverse direction about the rotation- . This further reduces the possibility that the first cartridge side regulating portion is unlocked from the first apparatus side regulating element and more effectively prevents the conduction failure between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

[10th aspect]

The cartridge according to any one of the first to ninth aspects is characterized in that the cartridge attached to the cartridge mounting structure is provided with a projection configured to abut against the operating member of the lever and receive a force having a component in the + Z direction while the cartridge is detached from the cartridge mounting structure And the protrusion is provided on the + Z-axis direction side of the first cartridge-side restriction portion on the third surface.

The cartridge according to the tenth aspect further has a projection. By using the operating member and the protrusion of the lever, the cartridge can be easily removed from the cartridge mounting structure.

[11th aspect]

In the cartridge according to any one of the first to tenth aspects, the corner section has a stepped surface extending in the + Z-axis direction from the first surface, and the stepped surface is defined by the -X- And the stepped surface has a third cartridge side regulating element in contact with the third device side regulating element provided on the cartridge mounting structure to regulate the movement of the cartridge in the Y axis direction.

In the cartridge according to the eleventh aspect, the corner section provided with the cartridge-side terminal is provided with the third cartridge-side regulating element for regulating the movement of the cartridge in the Y-axis direction. This regulates the Y-axis movement of the third surface side of the cartridge when the cartridge is attached.

[Twelfth aspect]

In the cartridge according to the eleventh aspect, the third cartridge-side regulating element includes a pair of protruding members configured to receive a third apparatus-side regulating element projecting in the + Z-axis direction from the apparatus-side bottom wall member, The pair of projecting members protrude in the + X-axis direction from the stepped surface.

In the cartridge according to the twelfth aspect, the simple structure of providing the pair of protruding members protruding in the + X-axis direction from the stepped surface allows the Y-axis direction movement of the third surface side of the cartridge to be effectively restricted do.

[Thirteenth Aspect]

In the cartridge according to the eleventh or twelfth aspect, when the cartridge is viewed from the first surface side in the + Z axis direction, a part of the third cartridge side regulating element overlaps the inclined surface.

In the cartridge according to the thirteenth aspect, the third cartridge side regulating element and the inclined surface are positioned so as to partially overlap with each other. This further regulates the Y-axis movement of the third side of the cartridge about the printing re-supply tube.

[Fourteenth Aspect]

In the cartridge according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the ink supplying structure is provided at a specific position on the first surface closer to the fourth surface than the third surface.

The cartridge according to the fourteenth aspect has an ink supply structure disposed closer to the fourth surface than the third surface. This structure reduces the possibility that the printing material is adhered to the cartridge-side terminal as compared with the structure in which the ink supply structure is disposed closer to the third surface than the fourth surface. This reduces defective conduction between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

[Sixteenth Aspect]

In the cartridge according to any one of the first to fourteenth aspects, the first cartridge-side restricting portion is a protruding portion.

The cartridge according to the fifteenth aspect provides the first cartridge-side restricting portion as a protrusion which can be miniaturized and can be a simple structure.

[Sixteenth Aspect]

The cartridge according to any one of the first to fifteenth aspects, wherein the cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side ground terminal which contacts with a device-side grounding terminal connected to the grounding line among the device- The terminal is provided at the center of the width or Y-axis length of the cartridge and is configured to contact the device-side ground terminal before any other cartridge-side terminal contacts the counterpart-side terminal while the cartridge is attached to the cartridge mounting structure.

In the cartridge according to the sixteenth aspect, a force first applied to the cartridge-side terminal from the cartridge mounting structure is generated substantially at the center of the width or the Y-axis length of the cartridge. This prevents the force applied to the cartridge side terminal from acting to tilt the cartridge in the Y axis direction, thus ensuring a stable electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal and the device side terminal. The cartridge side ground terminal comes into contact with the corresponding device side ground terminal before the other cartridge side terminal contacts the corresponding device side terminal. The grounding function of the cartridge side ground terminal advantageously prevents or reduces troubles and failures due to high voltage even when an unexpected high voltage is applied to the cartridge.

[17th aspect]

In the cartridge according to the sixteenth aspect, the Z-axis direction length of the cartridge side ground terminal is longer than the Z-axis direction length of the other cartridge side terminal.

The cartridge according to the seventeenth aspect assures contact between the cartridge side ground terminal and the apparatus side ground terminal.

[Sixteenth Aspect]

1. A cartridge detachably attached to a printing apparatus, the printing apparatus comprising: a cartridge mounting structure configured to allow a cartridge to be detached; A printing material supply tube configured to supply a printing material accommodated in the cartridge to the head, the printing material supply unit being configured to have a base end portion provided at a bottom portion of the cartridge mounting structure and a tip portion to be connected to the cartridge; A plurality of apparatus side terminals provided to be in contact with the cartridge; And a lever provided to be used for attaching and detaching the cartridge, wherein the Z axis represents an axis parallel to the center axis C of the printing material supply tube, the X axis is a line for arranging the printing material supply tube and the apparatus- The + Z-axis direction indicates the direction along the Z-axis from the base end to the tip end of the printing material supply tube, and the -Z-axis direction indicates the + Z-axis direction The + X axis direction indicates the direction along the X axis from the printing material supply tube to the apparatus side terminal, the -X axis direction indicates the reverse direction with respect to the + X axis direction, and the + Y axis direction indicates the reverse direction with respect to the + And the -Y-axis direction indicates a direction along the Y-axis toward the other end, and the apparatus-side terminal is in the state in which the cartridge is attached to the cartridge mounting structure Z-axis direction component, the lever having an operating member at the + Z-axis direction end to lock the cartridge so as to regulate the + Z-axis movement of the cartridge And a first device-side regulating element at an end in the Z-axis direction, wherein the lever rotates about a specific position between the operating member and the first device-side regulating element as a rotation axis, and the X- Axis, and Z-axis respectively correspond to the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis of the cartridge. The cartridge includes an ink supply structure installed at an end of the cartridge in the -Z-axis direction so as to be connected to the printing material supply tube; A circuit board provided on the + X-axis direction side of the ink supply structure and having a surface inclined in a specific direction having a + X-axis direction component and a -Z-axis direction component; A plurality of cartridge side terminals provided corresponding to the respective device side terminals and mounted on a surface of the circuit board to receive a force in a specific direction having a + Z axis direction component from the device side terminals; And a first cartridge-side restricting portion that is locked by the first device-side regulating element to regulate the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction and is provided on the + X-axis direction side of the printing material supplying structure.

The structure may include any or both of the following two embodiments. In one embodiment, an additional feature is that the first cartridge-side restricting portion is provided at a specific position close to the substrate end portion, and the substrate end portion is located on the + Z-axis direction side of the surface of the circuit board. In another embodiment, the cartridge-side terminal has a first terminal having a first outer portion located at the most + Y-axis direction end, and a second terminal having a second outer portion located at the most- And the first cartridge-side restricting portion is located inside the outer side of the range between the first outer portion and the second outer portion in the Y-axis direction.

The cartridge according to the eighteenth aspect has the first cartridge side restricting portion locked by the lever of the printing apparatus. The first cartridge-side restricting portion is located on the -Z-axis direction side of the rotation axis of the lever. This structure does not require any coupling member between the rotary shaft of the lever and the operating member like the cartridge according to the first aspect, and has an advantageous effect similar to that of the cartridge according to the first aspect. For example, the cartridge according to the eighteenth aspect shortens the distance between the lever and the cartridge, and thus can reduce the size of the printing apparatus and the entire printing material supply system including the cartridge and the printing apparatus in the X-axis direction.

In the cartridge according to the eighteenth aspect, the first cartridge-side restricting portion is provided on the -Z-axis direction side of the rotation axis of the lever. This can regulate the + Z-axis movement of the cartridge by the lever like the cartridge according to the first aspect, and has an advantageous effect similar to the cartridge according to the first aspect. For example, this ensures a more stable electrical connection between the cartridge-side terminal and the apparatus-side terminal and reduces conduction failure.

And a second terminal having a first terminal having a first outer portion with the cartridge side terminal located at the most + Y axis direction end and a second outer side portion located at the most-Y axis direction end, Side regulating portion is located inside the range between the first outside portion and the second outside portion in the Y-axis direction, rather than outside, the first cartridge-side regulating portion is located outside the range between the first outside portion and the second outside portion But it is located inside. This enables fine adjustment of the direction of the inclined surface provided with the cartridge-side terminal, like the cartridge according to the first embodiment. Even when the position of each of the apparatus-side terminals or the inclination of the first cartridge-side regulating portion is changed due to manufacturing tolerances, such fine adjustment in the oblique direction ensures a stable electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

According to the embodiment, in which the first cartridge-side restricting portion is provided at a specific position close to the substrate end portion and the substrate end portion is located on the + Z-axis direction side of the surface of the circuit board, the first cartridge- And is provided at a position close to the substrate end. That is, the first cartridge-side restricting portion is disposed as close as possible to the cartridge-side terminal. The first cartridge-side restricting portion is locked by the lever, so that the position of the first cartridge-side restricting portion hardly changes in position even when an external force is applied to the cartridge. By providing the cartridge side terminal at a position where the positional variation is very small, positional misalignment of the respective cartridge side terminals relative to the cartridge mounting structure is effectively prevented, and therefore stable electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal is maintained.

[19th aspect]

A printing material supply system, comprising: a printing apparatus; and a cartridge according to any one of claims 17 to 34, wherein the printing apparatus includes (i) a device side bottom wall member, (ii) (Iii) a cartridge mounting structure configured to have a second device side wall member crossing the device side bottom wall member and provided to face the first device side wall member, the first device side wall member being provided to intersect the first device side wall member, ; A printing material supply tube configured to have a base end portion provided on the apparatus-side bottom wall member and a leading end portion to be connected to the cartridge, the printing material supply tube configured to supply a printing material accommodated in the cartridge to the head; A plurality of apparatus-side terminals provided on an apparatus-side corner section in which the apparatus-side bottom wall member crosses the first apparatus-side sidewall member; And a lever rotatably provided on the first apparatus side wall member and used to detach the cartridge from and to the printing apparatus, wherein the Z axis represents an axis parallel to the central axis C of the printing material supply tube, The Y axis represents a shaft orthogonal to both the Z axis and the X axis, and the + Z axis direction represents a Z axis from the base end of the printing material supply tube to the tip end, Axis direction indicates a direction along the X axis, the -X axis direction indicates a reverse direction with respect to the + Z axis direction, the + X axis direction indicates a direction along the X axis from the printing material supply tube to the apparatus side terminal, The + Y axis direction indicates a direction along the Y axis toward one end, the -Y axis direction indicates a direction along the Y axis toward the other end, Terminal is in contact with the cartridge to apply a force to the cartridge in a specific direction having a component in the + Z direction with the cartridge attached to the cartridge mounting structure, and the lever locks the cartridge to regulate the movement of the cartridge in the + Z axis direction Axis direction and has a first device-side regulating element at an end in the -Z-axis direction, and the lever rotates about a specific position between the operating member and the first device-side regulating element as a rotating shaft.

The printing material supply system according to the nineteenth aspect is provided with the cartridge according to any one of the first to eighteenth aspects, so that it is possible to reduce the size of the printing material supply system in the X-axis direction and the Z- The possibility that the regulating element is unlocked from the first cartridge-side regulating portion can be reduced. This ensures stable electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces conduction failure.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention provide a combination of an ink cartridge, an ink cartridge and a printing device or a printing device portion where the ink cartridge is installed, and a printing device (or portion thereof) And / or < / RTI >

In an embodiment of the present invention, an ink cartridge configured to be detachably mounted on an inkjet printing apparatus is disclosed, and an inkjet printing apparatus to which the ink cartridge is mounted has a lever having a coupling portion. The printing apparatus preferably includes a plurality of apparatus-side contact forming members configured and arranged to apply an elastic force to the ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is pressed against the apparatus-side contact forming member after the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus. The ink cartridge preferably has a cartridge body having a front surface or a first surface, a back surface or a second surface, an upper surface or a third surface, and a lower surface or a fourth surface, wherein the front surface or the first surface and the back surface or the second surface The surfaces are mutually opposed and the upper surface or the third surface and the lower surface or the fourth surface are mutually opposed. The ink cartridge has an ink chamber for storing ink. The ink cartridge further includes an ink supply structure disposed on a lower surface or a fourth surface of the cartridge body and having a mounting direction front end defining a plane of the ink cartridge, . The ink cartridge may also have a terminal support structure that is mounted proximate to a front surface or a first surface of the cartridge body, the terminal support structure having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals coupled to the electrical device therein. The terminal is constructed and arranged on the terminal support structure so as to come into contact with and receive an elastic force from the contact-forming member when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus. The terminals are substantially arranged in a terminal plane that is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane defined by the tip. The ink cartridge preferably has a first restricting portion configured to engage with the engaging portion of the lever and regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the ink cartridge. The engaging portion of the first restricting portion is preferably disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure.

In one embodiment, the terminal plane is at an angle of about 20 degrees to about 50 degrees, preferably about 25 degrees to about 40 degrees, relative to the plane defined by the tip.

Interaction in the terminal support structure with respect to the printing apparatus is important for proper mounting of the cartridge. As described herein, by angled engagement, the cartridge can receive both upward force and downward force. These forces help keep the cartridge in place.

In one embodiment, when the front surface or the first surface of the cartridge body is viewed from below with the ink supply structure facing downward, the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the left side of the right edge of the right- And is located on the right side of the left edge of the leftmost terminal.

In one embodiment, the terminals are constructed and arranged on the terminal support structure to contact the contact forming member at the contact portion of the terminal and receive elastic force therefrom. The contact portion is substantially disposed in the contact portion plane. In this embodiment, when the front surface or the first surface of the cartridge body is viewed from below with the ink supply structure facing downward, the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is engaged with the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the left- As shown in FIG. In one embodiment, the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to about 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip.

In one embodiment, the ink cartridge further comprises a second regulating portion on the back surface or the second surface of the ink cartridge. Preferably, the second restricting portion is configured to engage with each portion of the inkjet printing apparatus. In this embodiment, when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane defined by the tip, the distance between the coupling portion of the second restriction portion and the plane defined by the tip is smaller than the distance between the coupling portion of the first restriction portion Is greater than the distance between the planes defined by the tip.

In one embodiment, when the ink cartridge is positioned at the right side of the engaging portion of the first restricting portion and the distance is measured in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the leading end when the ink supply structure is viewed from the side with the ink supply structure facing downward , The distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the cartridge is mounted. The lever may also have two ends, with a pivot point located between the two ends.

In one embodiment, when the ink cartridge is positioned to the right of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion and is viewed from the side with the ink supply structure facing downward, the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located on the left side of the pivot point of the lever when the cartridge is mounted have.

In one embodiment, when the front surface or the first surface of the cartridge body is viewed with the ink supply structure facing downward, at least a part of the engagement portion of the first regulation portion is substantially located in the widthwise center of the ink cartridge.

In a preferred embodiment, the plane defined by the tip is below the lower surface or the fourth surface. In another embodiment, it lies substantially flush with the underside. In yet another embodiment, it may be recessed on the lower surface or the fourth surface.

In one embodiment, an ink supply system configured to supply ink to an inkjet printing apparatus is provided, and the inkjet printing apparatus has a plurality of apparatus-side contact forming members. The ink supply system preferably includes an ink chamber for storing ink, and an ink supply structure configured to supply ink from the ink chamber to the inkjet printing apparatus. The ink supply structure has a mounting direction tip defining a plane. The ink supply system preferably includes an electric device. The ink supply system may also include a terminal support structure having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals, the terminals being adapted to contact the contact forming member at the contact portion of the terminal when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, Are constructed and arranged on the support structure. The ink supply system may further include a first restricting portion configured to engage with the engaging portion of the lever on the printing apparatus to regulate the movement of the terminal supporting structure and the terminal in a direction opposite to the mounting direction. The engaging portion of the first restricting portion is preferably disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure. The terminal may be substantially disposed in a terminal plane that is not parallel or perpendicular to the plane defined by the tip when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus. Alternatively, the terminal support structure determines a plane and / or said plane is defined by a terminal in contact with each structure on the printing apparatus.

In one embodiment of the system, the terminal plane is at an angle of about 20 to 50 degrees, preferably about 25 to 40 degrees, relative to a plane defined by the tip when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus have.

In one embodiment of the system, when the ink supply system is in place to supply ink to the printing apparatus, the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is located on the left of the right edge of the rightmost terminal among the plurality of terminals, It is located on the right side of the left edge of the terminal.

In one embodiment of the system, the terminals are constructed and arranged on the terminal support structure to contact the contact forming member at the contact portion of the terminal and receive an elastic force therefrom. The contact portion is substantially arranged in the contact plane. When the ink supply system is in place for supplying ink to the printing apparatus, the engaging portion of the first restricting portion may be located on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals. These contacts may define a plane at an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip. This plane defined by the abutment portion is preferably at an angle of more than 20 degrees and less than 50 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus.

In one embodiment, the ink supply system further includes a body having a front surface or a first surface and a back surface or a second surface, the front surface or the first surface and the back surface or the second surface facing each other. The ink supply system may also have a restricting portion which is proximate to the rear surface or the second surface of the body and which is referred to as a second restricting portion, and the terminal restricting structure is located close to the front surface or the first surface of the body. The second regulating portion may have a coupling portion configured to engage with each portion of the ink jet printing apparatus. Wherein a distance between an engaging portion of the second restricting portion and a plane defined by the leading end is determined by the engaging portion of the first restricting portion and the end portion of the first restricting portion when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane defined by the leading end. Is larger than the distance between the planes being formed.

In one embodiment, the second restricting portion may be proximate to a rear surface or a second surface of the body, the terminal supporting structure is proximate to a first surface or a front surface of the body, Wherein a distance between an engaging portion of the second restricting portion and a plane defined by the leading end is larger than a distance between the engaging portion of the first restricting portion and the engaging portion of the first restricting portion, Is greater than the distance between the planes defined by the tip.

In one embodiment, when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane defined by the leading end, the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is set such that the ink supplying system supplies ink Is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the tip.

In one embodiment, when the ink supplying system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side, and the ink supplying structure is facing downward, the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the left .

In one embodiment, the ink supply system has a body close to the terminal support structure, and when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, at least a part of the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is substantially Located.

In one embodiment, the ink supply system may comprise an adapter, and the ink supply structure, the terminal support structure and the first restricting portion are disposed on the adapter, and the ink chamber is configured to be engaged with the adapter. In another embodiment, the system may comprise an adapter, the terminal support structure and the first restricting portion being disposed on the adapter, the ink supply structure being disposed on the ink chamber, and the ink chamber being adapted to be engaged with the adapter . Alternatively, the system may include an adapter, an ink tank outside the ink jet printing apparatus, a tube, and a secondary adapter, the ink supply structure being disposed on the secondary adapter, And the tube supplies ink from the external tank to the auxiliary adapter when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus.

In one embodiment, the ink supply system has a body having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion and the lower portion being mutually opposed, and the plane defined by the tip being substantially coplanar with the lower portion.

The present invention is not limited to the cartridge, the combination of the ink cartridge and the printing apparatus or the printing material supply system described above, but may be applied to various types of cartridges such as a liquid cartridge, a liquid container, a printing container, a cartridge adapter, a circuit board, And various other aspects such as a liquid supply system including a liquid jetting device and a liquid cartridge. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made to these aspects without departing from the scope of the present invention. When examining a combination of the ink cartridge and the printing apparatus and / or the ink-jet printing apparatus, it is necessary to know that the ink cartridge is attached to or mounted on the printing apparatus.

The foregoing summary and the following description of the embodiments will be better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. To illustrate the apparatus of the present invention, specific embodiments are shown in the figures. However, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements, structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices shown and that the illustrated arrangements, structures, , Embodiments, aspects, and / or devices described herein.

The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but merely intended to specify a single exemplary embodiment of the invention.

1 is a perspective view showing a structure of a printing material supply system.
2 is a perspective view showing a holder to which a cartridge is attached.
3 is a perspective view showing a holder to which a cartridge is attached.
4 is a plan view showing a holder to which a cartridge is attached.
5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line F4-F4 of Fig.
5A is a sectional view showing a holder to which a cartridge is attached.
6A is a view showing how a force is applied to the lever from the cartridge.
6B is a view showing how a force is applied to the lever from the cartridge.
7 is a perspective view showing the structure of the cartridge.
8 is a bottom view of the cartridge.
9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line F8-F8 of Fig.
9A is an illustration of a cartridge and lever when the cartridge is in its mounting position;
10A is an illustration of a detailed structure of a circuit board.
Fig. 10B is an illustration of a detailed structure of a circuit board.
11 is a rear view of the cartridge.
12 is a front view of the cartridge.
13 is a left side view of the cartridge.
14 is a perspective view showing the structure of the holder.
15 is a perspective view showing the structure of the holder.
16 is a plan view showing the structure of the holder.
17 is a cross-sectional view taken on line F16-F16 of Fig. 16. Fig.
18 is a perspective view of the contact mechanism.
19 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lever.
20 is a cross-sectional view of the shaft body of the lever taken on a plane parallel to the X axis and the Z axis.
21 is a sectional view of the lever.
22 is an exploded perspective view of the retainer and is a perspective view of the lever.
23 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the periphery of the lever with the cartridge attached to the holder.
24 is an illustration of an operation for attaching a cartridge to a holder;
25 is an illustration of an operation for attaching a cartridge to a holder;
26 is an illustration of an operation for attaching a cartridge to a holder;
27 is an illustration of an operation for attaching a cartridge to a holder;
27A is an enlarged view of the cartridge attached to the holder.
27B is an enlarged view of the cartridge attached to the holder.
28 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure.
29 is a view showing a connection between a circuit board and an attachment detection circuit;
30 is an illustration of an external force applied to the cartridge in the attached state.
31 is a view showing fine adjustment in the direction of an inclined plane.
32A is an illustration of an example of an advantageous effect.
Fig. 32B is an illustration of an example of an advantageous effect.
32C is an illustration of an example of an advantageous effect.
Fig. 32D is an illustration of an example of an advantageous effect. Fig.
Figure 32E is an illustration of an example of an advantageous effect.
Fig. 32 (f) is an illustration of an example of an advantageous effect.
33 is an illustration showing a printer according to the second embodiment.
34 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the cartridge according to the third embodiment.
Fig. 35A is a conceptual view showing a cartridge contour according to another embodiment. Fig.
Fig. 35B is a conceptual diagram showing the outer shape of a cartridge according to another embodiment. Fig.
Fig. 35C is a conceptual view showing a cartridge contour according to another embodiment. Fig.
FIG. 35D is a conceptual view showing the outer shape of the cartridge according to another embodiment. FIG.
Fig. 35E is a conceptual diagram showing a cartridge contour according to another embodiment. Fig.
Fig. 35F is a conceptual diagram showing the outer shape of the cartridge according to another embodiment.
FIG. 35G is a conceptual view showing a cartridge contour according to another embodiment. FIG.
Fig. 35H is a conceptual view showing a cartridge contour according to another embodiment. Fig.
35I is a conceptual diagram showing a cartridge having a long terminal.
35J is a conceptual view showing a cartridge having a contact mechanism disposed outside the circuit board.
36 is a perspective view showing a structure of a cartridge having an adapter according to an embodiment.
37 is a perspective view showing a structure of a cartridge having an adapter according to another embodiment.
37B is a perspective view showing a cartridge composed of an adapter and a container assembly.
38 is a perspective view showing a structure of a cartridge having an adapter according to another embodiment.
39A is an illustration of the structure of a lever according to one modification.
39B is an illustration of the structure of a lever according to one modification.
40 is an illustration of a cartridge attachment to a holder according to one modification.
41A is an illustration of a modification of the terminal shape.
Fig. 41B is an illustration of a modification of the terminal shape. Fig.
Fig. 41C is a diagram showing a modification of the terminal shape. Fig.
FIG. 42A is a graph showing the relationship between the wiping amount of the substrate terminal and the substrate tilt angle.
And Fig. 42B is a view showing a wiping amount of the substrate terminal.
43A is a graph showing the relationship between the upward force by the device-side ground terminal and the substrate tilt angle [phi].
And Fig. 43B is a view showing the pushing force by the device-side ground terminal.
44 is a graph showing another relationship between the amount of wiping of the substrate terminals and the inclination angle? Of the substrate.
45 is a graph showing another relationship between the pressing force by the apparatus-side ground terminal and the substrate tilt angle [phi].

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

A. First Embodiment

A-1. Overall configuration of printing re-supply system

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a printing material supply system 10. Fig. FIG. 1 shows XYZ axes which are mutually orthogonal. The XYZ axis in Fig. 1 corresponds to the XYZ axis in the other figures. In the following drawings, XYZ axes are shown as necessary. The printing re-supply system 10 includes a cartridge 20 and a printer 50 serving as a printing apparatus. In the printing material supply system 10, the cartridge 20 is detachably attached to the holder 60 of the printer 50 by the user.

Each of the cartridges 20 in the printing material supply system 10 houses ink as a printing material therein. The ink as the printing material accommodated in the cartridge 20 is supplied to the head 540 through the printing material supplying structure and the printing material supply tube (described later). According to the present embodiment, a plurality of cartridges 20 are detachably attached to the holder 60 of the printer 50. More specifically, six cartridges 20, each containing six different colors of ink (i.e., black, yellow, magenta, light magenta, cyan, light cyan) do. Although the description herein refers to ink, it is contemplated that any material that can be used in printing may be used with the disclosed cartridges, assemblies and / or delivery systems, as described in more detail below, and the present invention is not limited thereby A person skilled in the art will know.

According to another embodiment, the number of cartridges attached to the holder 60 is not limited to six, but may be more or less than six. According to another embodiment, the number of differently colored inks is not limited to six colors and may be more or less than six colors. According to another embodiment, two or more cartridges 20 attached to the holder 60 may receive one and the same color ink. The detailed structure of the cartridge 20 and the holder 60 will be described later.

The printer 50 of the printing material supply system 10 shown in Fig. 1 is a small personal inkjet printer. The printer 50 has a carriage 520 having a controller 510 and a holder 60 in addition to the holder 60. [ The carriage 520 also has a head 540. The printer 50 supplies ink from the cartridge 20 attached to the holder 60 to the head 540 through a printing material feed tube (described later) and feeds the print medium 90, such as a printing paper and a label, 540 to print various data such as characters, figures and images on the print medium 90. [ Although described with respect to ink jet printers, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be applied to other printer types and printing material supply systems, as described in more detail below, and that the present invention should not be limited thereby.

The controller 510 of the printer 50 serves to control each part of the printer 50. The carriage 520 of the printer 50 is configured to allow the head 540 to scan back and forth across the print media 90. [ The head 540 of the printer 50 has an ink ejection mechanism configured to eject ink from the cartridge 20 attached to the holder 60 onto the print medium 90. [ The controller 510 and the carriage 520 are electrically connected through a flexible cable 517. [ The ink injection mechanism of the head 540 is operated by a control signal from the controller 510. [

According to the present embodiment, the carriage 520 has a head 540 and a holder 60. This type of printer 50, to which the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60 on the carriage 520 that serves to move the head 540, is referred to as an " on-carriage type & . According to another embodiment, a stop holder 60 may be provided at a different location than the carriage 520 and ink may be supplied from each of the cartridges 20 attached to the stop holder 60 through the flexible tube to the carriage 520). ≪ / RTI > This type of printer is referred to as an " off-carriage type " printer.

According to the present embodiment, the printer 50 includes a main scan feed mechanism and a sub scan feed mechanism for relatively moving the carriage 520 and the print medium 90 to realize printing on the print medium 90, . The main scan feed mechanism of the printer 50 has a carriage motor 522 and a drive belt 524 and transmits the power of the carriage motor 522 to the carriage 520 by the drive belt 524, Is moved back and forth in the main scanning direction. The sub scan feed mechanism of the printer 50 includes a feed motor 532 and a platen 534 and transmits the power of the feed motor 532 to the platen 534 to feed the print medium 90 to the main scanning In the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the direction. The carriage motor 522 of the main scan feed mechanism and the feed motor 532 of the sub scan feed mechanism are operated in accordance with a control signal from the controller 510. [

According to the present embodiment, when the printing material supply system 10 is in a normal orientation for use, the X axis represents an axis along the sub-scanning direction (forward and backward direction) in which the printing medium 90 is fed. The Y axis represents an axis along the main scanning direction in which the carriage 520 moves forward and backward (leftward and rightward as viewed from the front of the system 10). The Z axis represents the axis in the gravity direction (vertical direction). The use state of the printing material supply system 10 means the state of the printing material supply system 10 installed on the horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the horizontal plane is a plane parallel to the X axis and the Y axis, that is, the XY plane.

According to this embodiment, the + X axis direction indicates the sub-scanning direction (forward direction), the -X axis direction indicates the reverse direction (backward direction), and the + Z axis direction indicates the direction ) Indicates the direction from the bottom to the top of the printing material supply system 10, and the -Z axis direction indicates the reverse direction of the + Z axis direction, i.e., gravity direction (downward direction). In the present embodiment, the + X-axis direction side (front side) is the front side of the printing material supply system 10. According to the present embodiment, the + Y axis direction indicates the direction from the right side to the left side (left direction) of the printing material supply system 10, and the -Y axis direction indicates the opposite direction (right direction). In this embodiment, the plurality of cartridges 20 attached to the holder 60 are arranged in the direction (lateral direction) along the Y axis, which is referred to as the " Y-axis direction ". Similarly, the direction along the X axis (forward and backward directions) and the direction along the Z axis (vertical direction) are referred to as "X axis direction" and "Z axis direction".

A-2. A configuration for attaching the cartridge 20 to the holder 60

2 and 3 are perspective views showing the holder 60 to which the cartridge 20 is attached. 4 is a plan view showing the holder 60 to which the cartridge 20 is attached. In the state shown in Figs. 2 to 4, one cartridge 20 is properly mounted at the designed attachment position of the holder 60. Fig. The state " appropriately attached to the designed attachment position and the mounting position " means that the cartridge 20 is positioned such that the cartridge side terminal is in contact with the corresponding apparatus side terminal provided in the contact mechanism (to be described later) Attached or otherwise mounted.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the holder 60 of the printer 50 has five wall members 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606. The recesses formed by these five wall members serve as a cartridge chamber or cartridge mounting structure 602. The cartridge chamber 602 is divided into a plurality of slots (mounting spaces) by a partition 607 to accommodate each cartridge 20. The partition 607 serves as a guide for inserting the cartridge 20 into each slot, but it may be omitted in some cases. Each of the slots has a printing material supply tube 640, a contact mechanism 70, a lever 80, a second device-side regulating element 620, and a projection 636 serving as a third device-side regulating portion. One side (the + Z-axis direction side surface, the upper side) of each slot is opened, and the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60 through this opening side (open upper side).

The cartridge 20 is in a state in which the cartridge 20 is locked by the lever 80 and the second apparatus side regulating element 620 and the printing material supplying structure (described later) is connected to the printing material supplying tube 640 And is attached to the holder 60. This state is referred to as " the state in which the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60 ", simply the " attached " state or alternatively the " mounted " state. The printing material supply tube 640 is connected to the printing material supplying structure of the cartridge 20 so that the ink as the printing material accommodated in the cartridge 20 can be supplied to the head 540 (Fig. 1). The printing re-supply tube 640 has a tip portion 642 (also referred to as a " connection end ") located on the + Z-axis direction side and a base portion 645 located on the -Z-axis direction side. The proximal end 645 is provided on the bottom wall member 601 and the distal end 642 is connected to the ink supply structure of the cartridge 20. [ The printing material supply tube 640 has a central axis C parallel to the Z axis. The direction from the proximal end 645 to the distal end 642 along the center axis C is the + Z axis direction.

As shown in FIG. 2, an elastic member 648 is provided around the printing material supply tube 640 to seal around the ink supply structure of the cartridge 20 in the attached state, Leakage is prevented. In the attached state, the elastic member 648 applies a pressing force with the component in the + Z-axis direction to the cartridge 20. [

The electrical connection between the terminals provided on the circuit board (to be described later) of the cartridge 20 and the terminals of the contact mechanism 70 in each slot of the holder 60 is such that the cartridge 20, (50). ≪ / RTI >

5 is a cross-sectional view taken on line F4-F4 of Fig. The projection 636 is omitted in the drawing. The printing material supply tube 640 of the printer 50 is connected to the ink supply structure 280 of the cartridge 20 so that the ink is discharged from the cartridge 20 through the printing material flow path 282 to the head 540 1).

According to the present embodiment, the leading end portion 642 of the printing material supply tube 640 is provided with a porous filter 644 which functions to filter the ink supplied from the cartridge 20. [ The porous filter 644 may be made of, for example, a stainless steel mesh or a stainless steel nonwoven fabric. According to another embodiment, the porous body filter may not be provided at the tip end portion 642 of the printing material supplying tube 640.

The contact mechanism 70 of the printer 50 is provided on the + X-axis direction side of the printing material supply tube 640 and is configured to be electrically connectable with the terminals provided on the circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20 . In a state in which the cartridge 20 is attached, a pressing force Pt having a + Z-axis direction vector component is applied to the circuit board 40 from the terminal of the contact mechanism 70. In the state in which the cartridge 20 is attached, the + Z-axis direction pressing force Ps is applied from the elastic member 648 to the ink supply structure 280. [

The lever 80 used for attaching and detaching the cartridge 20 has the operating member 830 at the end in the + Z-axis direction and the engaging portion 810 at the end in the -Z-axis direction. The first apparatus side regulating element or engaging portion 810 (more specifically, the first apparatus side lock surface described later) is engaged with the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 at the first lock position 810L . The first lock position 810L is located on the + Z-axis direction side and the + X-axis direction side of the contact between the terminal provided on the circuit board 40 and the contact mechanism 70. The engaging portion 810 engages with the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 to regulate the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction.

The lever 80 is pivoted about the axis 800c at a position between the operating member 830 and the engaging portion 810. [ The rotational axis 800c of the lever 80 is located on the + Z-axis direction side and the + X-axis direction side of the first lock position 810.

The user uses the operating member 830 of the lever 80 to remove the cartridge 20 from the holder 60. [ To remove the cartridge 20, the user presses the operating member 830 in the -X-axis direction. This pressing applies a force Pr (referred to as " operating force Pr ") toward the -X-axis direction side from the + X-axis direction side to the operating member 830. [ This operating force Pr rotates the lever 80 around the axis 800c and moves the engaging portion 810 in the + X axis direction from the first lock position 810L. The engagement of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 with respect to the engaging portion 810 is released and the cartridge 20 can be removed from the holder 60. [

The second apparatus side regulating element 620 is provided on the side wall member 604 and is configured to engage with the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 in the second lock position 620L. According to the present embodiment, the second device-side regulating element 620 is a through-hole formed in the side wall member 604 of the holder 60. [ The second lock position 620L is located on the + Z-axis direction side and the -X-axis direction side of the printing material supply tube 640. The second apparatus-side regulating element 620 is combined with the second cartridge-side regulating portion 220 (which may be referred to as a second regulating element 220) to regulate the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction. As described above, the + Z-axis movement of the cartridge 20 is regulated by both the + X-axis direction end and the -X-axis direction end thereof in the attached state.

The second lock position 620L at which the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 contacts the second apparatus side regulating element 620 acts as a pivot point and the cartridge 20 is moved Rotate around the pivot point. That is, the cartridge 20 is rotated around the second lock position 620L along the Z-axis and the plane parallel to the X-axis for detachment. The second cartridge side regulating element 220 and the second apparatus side regulating element 620 thus function as a pivot point of rotation of the cartridge 20 for attaching and detaching the cartridge 20. [ The attachment / detachment of the cartridge 20 with respect to the holder 60 will be described later in detail.

As shown in Fig. 5, in the mounted state, the first lock position 810L is located on the -Z-axis direction side by a distance Dz from the second lock position 620L. This reduces the possibility that the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is disengaged from the engaging portion 810 by the urging force Ps, Pt applied from the holder 60 to the cartridge 20. [ Thus, the cartridge 20 can be stably held in the designed attachment position.

6A and 6B show the force applied to the lever 80 from the cartridge 20 at the first lock position 810L. 6A, in which the first lock position 810L is located on the -Z-axis side of the second lock position 620L, the force from the cartridge 20 to the lever 80 at the first lock position 810L F1) is applied. 6B in which the first lock position 810L is located on the + Z-axis direction side of the second lock position 620L, the force from the cartridge 20 to the lever 80 at the first lock position 810L F2 are applied. The force F1 shown in Fig. 6A has the same magnitude as the force F2 shown in Fig. 6B.

Figures 6A and 6B show the mutual positional relationship of the first lock position 810L, the second lock position 620L and the rotational axis 800c (also referred to as " pivot center 800c ") on the X and Z axes Fig. The difference between the two positional relationships shown in Figures 6A and 6B is the difference in the second lock position 620L on the Z-axis. The arc RT1 shown in Figs. 6A and 6B shows the rotation locus of the first lock position 810L around the rotation axis 800c. The arc RT2 shown in Figs. 6A and 6B shows the rotation locus of the first lock position 810L around the second lock position 620L.

In the example shown in Fig. 6A, the first lock position 810L is located on the -Z-axis side of the second lock position 620L, and therefore in the tangential direction of the arc RT2 at the first lock position 810L The applied force F1 has a + X-axis direction vector component and a + Z-axis direction vector component. Therefore, the force F1 is decomposed into the vector component F1t in the tangential direction of the arc RT1 and the vector component F1r in the radial direction of the arc RT1.

6B, the first lock position 810L is located on the + Z-axis direction side of the second lock position 620L, and therefore, in the tangential direction of the arc RT2 at the first lock position 810L The applied force F2 has a -X-axis direction vector component and a + Z-axis direction vector component. Therefore, the force F2 is decomposed into the vector component F2t in the tangential direction of the arc RT1 and the vector component F2r in the radial direction of the arc RT1.

6A and 6B, when the magnitude of the force F1 is equal to the magnitude of the force F2 (F1 = F2), the first lock position 810L, the second lock position 620L, F1r < F2t " in the vector component in the tangential direction of the arc RT1 and the mutual positional relationship between the rotation axis 800c and the rotation axis 800c becomes " F1r F2r " in the vector component in the radial direction of the arc RT1 . 6A, the state in Fig. 6A corresponds to a force vector component that increases from the cartridge 20 toward the rotational axis 800c of the lever 80 and a force vector component that increases from the + And a force vector component that decreases in a direction to be rotated clockwise when viewed in the Y-axis direction. That is, when the first lock position 810L is located on the -Z-axis direction side of the second lock position 620L, the first lock position 810L is the + Z-axis direction side of the second lock position 620L Side restricting portion 210 is more likely to be disengaged from the engaging portion 810 than in the case where the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is located in the engaging portion 810. [ In either case, no force is applied in the + X axis direction for releasing the engagement at the first lock position 810L, and therefore both cases prevent the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 from coming out of the engaging portion 810 Thereby providing an advantage in reducing the possibility of disassociation.

A-3. The detailed configuration of the cartridge 20

7 is a perspective view showing a configuration of the cartridge 20 as an example of a cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a bottom view of the cartridge 20. Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken on line F8-F8 of Fig. Figs. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the detailed structure of the circuit board 40. Fig. 10A is an illustration of the circuit board 40 viewed in the direction indicated by the arrow F9 in FIG. Fig. 10B is an illustration of the circuit board 40 viewed in the direction of arrow F10 in Fig. 10A. According to the present embodiment, the X axis, the Y axis, and the Z axis represent the axes on the cartridge 20 in the attached state. The + X-axis direction side in the attached state is the front side of the cartridge 20. The plane Yc shown in Fig. 8 is a plane passing through the center of the width or Y-axis length of the cartridge 20 and parallel to the Z-axis and the X-axis (i.e., ZX plane). The plane CX shown in Fig. 8 is a plane passing through the center axis C and parallel to the Z axis and the X axis (i.e., the ZX plane).

7, the cartridge 20 includes an ink chamber 200 housing the ink, a housing 22, an ink supply structure 280, a circuit board 40, and a first cartridge side regulating portion 210 Respectively. The cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60 in the mounting direction SD which is the -Z-axis direction (the downward direction in this embodiment). In practice, the special orientation or posture of the cartridge 20 is not substantially constant while the cartridge 20 is inserted into the holder 60. During the mounting of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, the cartridge 20 can be inclined with respect to the Z-axis. The ink supply structure 280 accommodates the printing material supply tube 640 having the central axis C parallel to the Z axis and thus the special orientation of the cartridge 20 Is regulated by the printing material supply tube 640, and thus is substantially aligned in the Z-axis direction. For this reason, since the overall movement direction of the cartridge 20 during the mounting to the holder 60 is the -Z-axis direction, the -Z-axis direction can be regarded as the mounting direction of the cartridge 20. [ For the same reason, the + Z axis direction can be regarded as the removal direction RD (FIG. 9) in which the cartridge 20 is removed from the holder 60. Since the -Z axis direction and the + Z axis direction are opposite directions, the mounting direction SD and the removing direction RD can be regarded as opposite directions.

The housing 22 (also referred to as " cartridge body 22 ") defines an interior space having the ink chamber 200 of the cartridge 20. The housing 22 also forms at least part of the outer wall surface of the cartridge 20 and may be made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene (PP). The cartridge 20 is in the form of a rectangular prism with a conjoined side or an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape. A part of the housing 22 may be formed of a resin film.

The cartridge 20 has a length (X-axis direction length), a width (Y-axis direction length), and a height (Z-axis direction length), and the length, height and width are reduced in this order. However, the relationship of the lengths, widths, and heights of the cartridges 20 is not limited to this order, and may be arbitrarily determined, and may be reduced in order of height, length, width, You may.

The housing 22 of the cartridge 20 includes a first wall or bottom wall 201, a second wall or top wall 202, a third wall or front wall 203, a fourth wall or back wall 204, A second wall 205, a sixth wall 206, and a connecting wall 209. The connecting wall 209 has a seventh wall 207 and an eighth wall 208 (Fig. 9). The first to eighth walls 201 to 208 define an inner space having the ink chamber 200 of the cartridge 20. [ In the following description, the reference numerals 201 to 208 assigned to the first to eighth walls also indicate the outer surfaces (i.e., the first to eighth faces 201 to 208) of the walls constituting the housing 22 of the cartridge . The outer surfaces (first to eighth surfaces) 201 to 208 of the first to eighth walls are generally planar. By " generally planar " is meant not only a completely flat plane, but also a plane that has some irregularities in part. That is to say, " generally flat " includes a plane that can be partially recognized as a face or wall of the housing 22 of the cartridge 20 although there are some irregularities. The first to eighth surfaces 201 to 208 are rectangular in plan view.

(First wall) 201, a second surface (second wall) 202, a third surface (third wall) 203, a fourth surface (fourth wall) 204, The upper surface (top wall) 202, the front surface (front wall) 203, the rear surface (bottom wall) 201, (Rear wall) 204, a left side (left wall) 205 and a right side (right wall) The outer surfaces of these walls may also be referred to as front 203, rear 204, top 202, bottom 201 or first to fourth surfaces, The second surface refers to the rear side 204, the third surface refers to the upper side 202 and the fourth side refers to the lower side 201.

The first surface 201 and the second surface 202 face each other in the Z-axis direction. The first surface 201 is located on the -Z-axis direction side and the second surface 202 is located on the + Z-axis direction side. The third surface 203 and the fourth surface 204 are mutually opposed in the X-axis direction. The third surface 203 is located on the + X-axis direction side and the fourth surface 204 is located on the -X-axis direction side. The fifth surface (205) and the sixth surface (206) face each other in the Y axis direction. The fifth surface 205 is located on the + Y-axis direction side and the sixth surface 206 is located on the -Y-axis direction side.

According to the present embodiment, the first surface 201 located on the -Z-axis direction side forms the bottom surface in the attached state. The first surface 201 is an XY plane that is parallel to the X axis and the Y axis and perpendicular to the Z axis. The first surface 201 is a horizontal surface in the attached state.

And the second surface 202 located on the + Z axis direction side forms an upper surface in the attached state. The second surface 202 is opposite the first surface 201 and parallel to the first surface 202. That is, the second surface 202 is a plane (XY plane) parallel to the X axis and the Y axis and perpendicular to the Z axis. The second surface 202 is a horizontal surface in the attached state.

And the third surface 203 positioned on the + X axis direction side forms a side surface in the attached state. The third surface 203 is a plane orthogonal to the first surface 201 and the second surface 202 and parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis and perpendicular to the X axis (YZ plane). Among the sides of the third surface 203, the side 290 located closest to the -Z axis direction is referred to as " first side 290 ", and the side 291 located closest to the + Z axis direction is referred to as " Two sides 291 ". In the present specification, the expression " two faces mutually intersect or cross " means not only a state in which two faces actually intersect each other but also a state in which the extending face of one face crosses another face, .

The fourth surface 204 located on the -X-axis direction side forms a side surface in the attached or mounted state. The fourth surface 204 is orthogonal to the first surface 201 and the second surface 202. The fourth surface 204 is parallel to the third surface 203. The fourth surface 204 is a plane (YZ plane) parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis and perpendicular to the X axis.

The fifth surface 205 located on the + Y-axis direction side and the sixth surface 206 located on the -Y-axis direction side form a side surface in the attached state. The fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206 are orthogonal to the first to fourth surfaces 201 to 204. The fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206 are planes (XZ plane) parallel to the X axis and the Z axis and perpendicular to the Y axis. The sixth surface 206 is parallel to the fifth surface 205.

As shown in FIG. 9, the connecting surface 209 couples the first surface 201 to the third surface 203. The seventh surface 207 of the connecting surface 209 is a plane (YZ plane) orthogonal to the first surface 201 and parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis. The seventh surface 207 is angled perpendicular to the first surface 201 and may be referred to as a " step ". That is, the seventh surface 207 extends from the first surface 201 in the + Z-axis direction. The seventh surface 207 is located on the -X-axis direction side and the -Z-axis direction side of the eighth surface 208. The eighth surface 208 engages the seventh surface 207 with the third surface 203. The eighth surface 208 is an inclined surface inclined in the direction having the + X-axis direction vector component and the -Z-axis direction vector component. The eighth surface 208 is inclined with respect to the first surface 201 and the third surface 203. The eighth surface 208 is orthogonal to the fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206. That is, the eighth surface 208 is inclined with respect to the XY plane, and the YZ plane is orthogonal to the XZ plane. The eighth surface 208 has a substrate mounting member 208T that protrudes outward from the eighth surface 208.

The relationship of the first to sixth surfaces 201 to 206 is such that the opposing direction of the first surface 202 and the second surface 202 is the Z axis direction and the opposing direction of the third surface 203 and the fourth surface 204 The opposite direction is the X axis direction, and the opposite direction between the fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206 is the Y axis direction.

As shown in Fig. 7, the circuit board 40 is preferably mounted on the board mounting member 208T of the eighth surface 208. Fig. The circuit board 40 has a terminal support structure 408 that is inclined or otherwise inclined in a direction having a + X-axis direction vector component and a -Z-axis direction vector component, such as the eighth surface 208. In this embodiment, the terminal support structure 408 includes the surface of the circuit board 40. The terminal support structure 408 is inclined with respect to the first surface 201 and the third surface 203. The terminal support structure 408 is orthogonal to the fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206. That is, the terminal support structure 408 is inclined with respect to the XY plane and the YZ plane and orthogonal to the XZ plane. The terminal support structure 408 is also referred to as a " sloped terminal support structure " or " sloped surface ". Therefore, in this embodiment, the surface of the circuit board 40 can be regarded as " inclined surface ". The terminal support structure 408 has a cartridge-side terminal 400 that contacts the apparatus-side terminal of the contact mechanism 70 (Fig. 2). The inclination angle is preferably 0 deg. To 90 deg., More preferably 20 deg. To 50 deg., Most preferably 25 deg. To 40 deg..

42A and 42B show the relationship between the inclination angle? Of the circuit board 40 and the amount of wiping of terminals on the circuit board 40 by the apparatus-side terminals. The inclination angle phi of the circuit board 40 indicates an angle between a plane 110p extending from the front end of the ink supply structure 280 in the mounting direction and a plane in which the terminals 400 of the circuit board 40 are arranged. The plane formed by the terminal 400 is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the plane 110p. The tilt angle [phi] is generally an acute angle (less than 90 degrees). In this embodiment, the plane 110p extending from the mounting direction front end is parallel to the lower surface 201 of the cartridge 20. [ In addition, the plane in which the terminals 400 are arranged is parallel to the substrate surface of the circuit board 40. Therefore, in this embodiment, the tilt angle? Corresponds to the angle between the lower surface 201 of the cartridge 20 and the substrate surface of the circuit board 40. [ In this embodiment, the circuit board 40 is about 0.7 mm thick. The terminal 400 is about 5 microns thick and is provided on the circuit board 40. The thickness of the terminal 400 is negligibly thin, and thus the surface of the circuit board 40, including the surface of the terminal 400, is substantially flat. Thus, the terminal support structure 408 including the surface of the circuit board 40 in this embodiment is located within the terminal (contact) plane TP substantially as will be described later. There will be only unevenness corresponding to the thickness of the terminal 400 without the circuit board 40. [ Thus, for convenience, the terminal support structure 408 may be used interchangeably with a " plane formed by a terminal " or a " terminal plane ". When the contact portion cp of the terminals 431 to 439 is referred to in connection with the terminal supporting structure 408, the term " plane formed by the contact portion " or " contact surface plane " 24 and 27, the front surface 203 (first surface) of the cartridge 20 is slightly protruded from the rear surface 204 (second surface) of the cartridge 20 It descends with pivot rotation. In this process, the circuit board 40 slightly rotates and contacts the apparatus-side contact forming members (apparatus-side terminals) 731 to 739 on the terminal base 709, so that each of the cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439 Side contact forming members 731 to 739. As shown in Fig. The terminals on the circuit board 40 are wiped by the corresponding apparatus side terminals to appropriately remove the dust or oxide coating on the surface of the terminals on the circuit board 40 to improve the electrical conductivity.

The graph of Fig. 42A shows the wiping length (wiping amount) of the terminals on the circuit board 40 by the corresponding apparatus side contact forming member on the vertical axis and the substrate tilting angle [phi] on the horizontal axis. The calculation assumes that the distance L0 in the X direction from the second surface (rear surface) 204 of the cartridge 20 to the contact portion of the ground terminal 437 contacting the corresponding apparatus-side ground terminal 737 is 63 mm Lt; / RTI > In general, the larger the substrate tilt angle?, The closer the substrate surface is to the vertical plane and the wiping amount is increased. In order to sufficiently remove the dust or oxide coating on the surface of the terminals on the circuit board 40, the amount of wiping is preferably 1 mm or more. According to Fig. 42A, in order to secure a wiping amount of 1 mm or more, the substrate inclination angle? Is preferably 25 degrees or more.

43A shows the relationship of the pressing force F by the apparatus-side grounding terminal 737 with respect to the substrate tilting angle [phi], taking into account prevention of half-insertion of the cartridge. The calculation of FIG. 43A is also performed under the assumption that the distance L0 is 63 mm, as in the calculation of FIG. 42A. The weight of the cartridge (including the weight of the ink) is assumed to be 30 grams. This value is the standard weight of the cartridge for home inkjet printing apparatus. The " half-insertion of the cartridge " refers to a state in which the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 is positioned immediately adjacent to the elastic member 682 as shown in Fig. This half insertion state is also referred to as " half coupling ". In this half-coupling state, only the device-side ground terminal 737 among the plurality of apparatus-side contact forming members 731 to 739 applies a pressing force to the circuit board 40. It should be noted that in the printing apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the holder 60 does not have a cover. When the user releases his hand in this half-engaged state, the cartridge 20 can be held in this half-engaged state. The graph of Fig. 43A shows the calculation result of the push-up force by the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 for preventing such half insertion of the cartridge 20. Fig. 43B shows the relationship of the pressing force F with respect to the substrate tilt angle [phi].

The pushing force by the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 is equal to the + Z direction vector component of the force applied to the circuit board 40 (and the cartridge 20) from the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 in the half- Vertical upward vector component in this embodiment). When the ground terminal 437 of the circuit board 40 is pressed against the apparatus-side ground terminal 737, the pressing force in the direction perpendicular to the substrate surface of the circuit board 40 by the elastic force of the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 Is applied to the ground terminal 437. The calculation of the pressing force in Fig. 43A is performed on the assumption that the pressing force F0 of the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 is 0.2 N in the direction perpendicular to the substrate surface. Since the pressing force F (= F0 x cos?) Is the + Z direction vector component of the pressing force F0, F = F0 = 0.2N at the substrate inclination angle? = 0 degrees as shown by the broken line in Fig. maintain. The pressing force F changes along the curve F = F0 x cos? As the substrate tilt angle? Changes. 43A is a curve F = F0 x cos ?. As the substrate tilt angle (φ) increases (φ approaches 90 degrees), the substrate surface approaches the XZ plane and reduces the pushdown force (F). The pushing force FB, which balances the distance L0 of 63 mm with the cartridge 20 having a weight of 30 grams, is approximately 0.15 N (position of the thick horizontal line in FIG. 43A). This means that the pushing force of 0.15 N or more can push the cartridge 20 up vertically by the apparatus-side ground terminal 737. [ In order to secure a pushing force of 0.15 N or more, it is preferable that the inclination angle of the substrate is 40 degrees or less, as is clear from Fig. 43 (a).

When the user releases his hand in the half-engaged state of Fig. 26, the cartridge 20 can be kept in the half-engaged state. However, when the substrate tilting angle [phi] is set to 40 degrees or less as shown in Fig. 43A, when the user releases the hand in the half-engaged state, the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 is brought into contact with the front surface 203 of the cartridge 20, In the + Z direction (upward direction). This clearly disengages the cartridge from the engagement portion 810 of the lever 80 and makes it easier for the user to recognize the attachment failure. From this point of view, it is preferable to set the substrate inclination angle? To 40 degrees or less.

Figs. 44 and 45 show the features of the cartridge with the X dimension larger than the cartridge dimensions in Figs. 42 and 43A. In Figures 42 and 43A it is assumed that the cartridge has a distance L0 = 63 mm, but in Figures 44 and 45 it is assumed to have a distance L0 = 80 mm. The calculation of the pushing force in Fig. 45 is performed on the assumption that F0 = 0.2 N and the weight of the cartridge (including the weight of ink) is 30 g, as in the calculation of Fig. 43A. As is clear from the results of Fig. 44, in order to secure a wiping amount of 1 mm or more, it is preferable that the inclination angle of the substrate is 25 degrees or more. The distance L0 is 63 mm in the calculation of FIG. 43A but is 80 mm in the calculation of FIG. 45, but the pressing force FB, which is balanced with the cartridge 20 having a weight of 30 grams, Approximately equal to 0.15 N (the position of the thick horizontal line in FIG. 45). As is apparent from the results of Fig. 45, similarly to the result of Fig. 43A, it is preferable that the substrate inclination angle [phi] is 40 degrees or less in order to prevent half-coupling of the cartridge.

In consideration of the features of Figs. 42 to 45 described above, it is desirable to set the substrate inclination angle? To 25 degrees or more and 40 degrees or less.

The increased pressing force of the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 ensures a sufficient pressing force even at a larger substrate inclination angle?. In this case, the pressing force of the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 and the substrate tilt angle? Are set such that when the user releases the cartridge 20 in the half-engaged state, It is preferable to set the value to be a value that allows the pressing force to be upwardly pressed to change from the half-engaged state to the disengaged state.

The seventh surface 207 and the terminal support structure 408 form a portion of the outer surface of the cartridge 20. The seventh surface 207 and the terminal support structure 408 are configured to engage the first surface 201 and the third surface 203 which form part of the outer surface of the cartridge 20, 265, respectively. For ease of understanding, the corner section 265 in Fig. 9 is shown in bold lines. The third surface 203 and the corner section 265 are opposite to the first apparatus side sidewall member 603 (Fig. 14) of the holder 60, as will be described below with the cartridge 20 attached to the holder 60 do. Thus, the third surface 203 and the corner section 265 are referred to as " first opposing exterior wall surfaces ". The fourth surface 204 faces the second device side wall member 604 (Fig. 15) of the holder 60 as will be described later in the attached state. Thus, fourth surface 204 is referred to as " second opposing exterior wall surface ".

As shown in Fig. 10A, the circuit board 40 has a boss groove 401 at the end in the + Z-axis direction and a boss hole 402 at the end in the -Z-axis direction. The circuit board 40 is fixed to the eighth surface 208 of the cartridge 20 by the boss groove 401 and the boss hole 402. [ According to this embodiment, the boss groove 401 and the boss hole 402 are provided at a position intersecting the plane Yc passing through the center of the width (Y-axis direction length) of the cartridge 20. According to another embodiment, at least one of the boss slots 401 and the boss holes 402 may be omitted from the circuit board 40 and the circuit board 40 may be attached to the eighth surface 208 And may be secured to eighth surface 208 by a coupling click (not shown).

10A and 10B, the circuit board 40 includes a cartridge side terminal 400 provided in the terminal support structure 408, and a memory unit 420 provided on the back side 409. [ The terminal support structure 408 and the rear surface 409 are planar. The portion or the side of the flat terminal support structure 408 located closest to the + Z axis side with the circuit board 40 mounted on the cartridge 20 is referred to as the substrate end 405. [

The cartridge-side terminal 400 has nine terminals 431 to 439. The memory unit 420 stores information about the ink of the cartridge 20 (for example, the remaining amount of the ink and the ink color). The cartridge side terminal 400 is electrically conductive and can be coupled to an electrical device that is part of the cartridge 20. [ As used herein, an electrical device may refer to a resistor, a sensor or memory element, or other device that produces electricity or that is supplied with electricity, as known to those skilled in the art.

As shown in Fig. 10A, the nine cartridge side terminals 431 to 439 are all substantially rectangular in shape and arranged in two rows substantially perpendicular to the mounting direction SD. The rear row is referred to as a first terminal row R1 (lower line R1) with respect to the mounting direction SD and the mounting direction SD is referred to as a first terminal row R1 And the front row is referred to as a second terminal row R2 (upper line R2) with respect to the first terminal row R. The first terminal row R1 and the second terminal row R2 have different positions in the Z axis direction. Axis direction side of the second terminal row R2. The center of each of the terminals 431 to 439 is provided with a contact portion cp in contact with the contact mechanism 70 The first terminal row Rl and the second terminal row R2 may be regarded as a line formed by the plurality of contacts cp.

Terminals 431 through 439 may be referred to by the following names depending on their function or use. For the sake of distinction from the terminals on the printer 50, the word " cartridge side " For example, " ground terminal 437 " may be referred to as " cartridge side ground terminal 437 ".

≪ First terminal row R1 >

(1) an attachment detection terminal (first terminal) 435;

(2) a power supply terminal 436;

(3) a ground terminal 437;

(4) a data terminal 438; And

(5) Attachment detecting terminal (second terminal) 439.

≪ Second terminal row R2 >

(6) an attachment detection terminal (third terminal) 431;

(7) a reset terminal 432;

(8) a clock terminal 433; And

(9) attachment detection terminal (fourth terminal) 434.

The contact portions cp of the terminals 435 to 439 of the first terminal row R1 and the contact portions cp of the terminals 431 to 434 of the second terminal row R2 are alternately or more specifically arranged in a zigzag arrangement do.

The four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 are used to check for good / poor electrical contact with the corresponding device-side terminals provided in the contact mechanism 70, Can be properly attached to the designed attachment position of the holder 60. [ These four terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 are referred to collectively as an " attachment detection terminal ". According to this embodiment, the four cartridge side terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 are electrically connected to each other inside the circuit board 40. When the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60, these terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 are electrically connected to the ground line (not shown) on the printer 50 via the ground terminal 437 . Detection methods using the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 will be described later.

The other five cartridge side terminals 432, 433, 436, 437, and 438 are terminals for the memory unit 420. Thus, these five terminals 432, 433, 436, 437, 438 are referred to as " memory terminals ".

The reset terminal 432 receives the reset signal RST to be supplied to the memory unit 420. [ The clock terminal 433 receives the clock signal SCK to be supplied to the memory unit 420. The power supply terminal 436 receives a power supply voltage VDD (for example, a rated voltage of 3.3 V) to be supplied to the memory unit 420. The ground terminal 437 receives the ground voltage VSS (0 V) to be supplied to the memory unit 420. The data terminal 438 receives the data signal SDA to be supplied to the memory unit 420.

The first terminal 435 as one of the attachment detection terminals has a first outer portion 435P located at the most + Y axis direction side of the cartridge side terminal 400. [ The second terminal 439 as one of the attachment detecting terminals has a second outer portion 439P located on the most -Y-axial side of the cartridge side terminal 400. [ The third terminal 431 as one of the attachment detecting terminals has a third outer portion 431P positioned on the most + Y axis direction side of the second terminal line R. [ The fourth terminal 434 as one of the attachment detecting terminals has a fourth outer portion 434P located on the most -Y-axial side of the second terminal line R. [ In this embodiment, the first to fourth outer portions 435P, 439P, 431P, and 434P are substantially linear edges of the corresponding terminals and extend substantially in the Z-axis direction, but this should not be regarded as a limitation. For example, the edges may be curved and may extend in a direction that is not parallel to the Z axis direction, as shown for terminals 431 and 434 in the example of Figures 41a and 41b, It can still be understood as the outermost portion of the edge in the Y-axis direction.

The ground terminal 437 having the contact portion cp at the center in the Y axis direction among the contact portions cp of the cartridge side terminal 400 is a plane passing through the center of the width (Y axis direction length) of the cartridge 20 Yc. The contact portions cp of the remaining terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439 may be arranged symmetrically with respect to the intersection of the plane Yc and the ground terminal 437. The ground terminal 437 is configured to contact the contact mechanism 70 before the cartridge side terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439 while the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60. [ The pressing force first applied to the circuit board 40 from the holder 60 is generated almost at the center of the width or the Y axis length of the cartridge 20 both before and after the cartridge is completely mounted. This prevents the pressing force applied to the circuit board 40 from acting to tilt the cartridge 20 in the Y axis direction, and allows the attachment of the cartridge 20 at the designed attachment position. The reason why the grounding terminal 437 is in contact with the contact mechanism 70 of the holder 60 before the other cartridge side terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439 is that even when an unexpected high voltage is applied to the cartridge 20 The grounding function of the ground terminal 437 advantageously prevents or reduces troubles and troubles caused by the high voltage.

According to the present embodiment, the ground terminal 437 is formed longer in the Z-axis direction than the other cartridge-side terminals 431 to 436, 438, and 439. This ensures contact between the ground terminal 437 and the contact mechanism 70 of the holder 60. According to another embodiment, all of the cartridge side terminals 431 to 439 on the circuit board 40 may be formed to have the same size.

As shown in Fig. 9, the ink supply structure 280 protrudes from the first surface 201 in the -Z-axis direction. The ink supply structure 280 communicates with the ink chamber 200 through the printing material flow path 282. The ink supply structure 280 is connected to the printing material supply tube 640 (FIG. 5) of the printer 50 to supply the ink contained in the ink chamber 200 to the head 540 (FIG. 1). That is, the ink supply structure 280 is open to the outside to supply the ink accommodated in the ink chamber 200 to the outside of the cartridge 20. [ As can be seen from Fig. 5A, the ink supply structure 280 does not need to protrude from the first surface 201. Fig. Rather, in one embodiment, it may be coplanar with or substantially coplanar with the first side 201. In this embodiment, the printing material supply tube 640 is raised close to the first surface when the cartridge 20 is mounted.

The printing re-supply structure 280 is provided on the first surface 201 at a position closer to the fourth surface 204 than the third surface 203. [ The distance between the outer surface of the ink supply structure 280 and the third surface 203 in the X axis direction is larger than the distance between the outer surface of the ink supply structure 280 and the fourth surface 204. [

The ink supply structure 280 has an open end. The surface at this open end is referred to as the opening 288 or alternatively the tip of the mounting direction and forms a horizontal plane in the attached state. That is, the opening 288 is the tip (XY plane) of the cartridge in the mounting direction SD, and forms an XY-axis plane parallel to the X and Y axes.

Inside the ink supply structure 280, a resin foam 284 is provided at a position on the + Z-axis direction side of the opening 288, or more specifically, at a position in contact with the printing material flow path 282. According to the present embodiment, before the release of the cartridge 20, the open face 288 of the ink supply structure 280 is sealed with a sealing member (not shown) such as a cap or a film. A sealing member (not shown) for sealing the opening 288 is removed from the cartridge 20 for attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. [

According to the present embodiment, the ink supply structure 280 protrudes in the -Z axis direction about the center axis C of the printing material supply tube 640. According to another embodiment, the center of the ink supply structure 280 may be deviated from the center axis C of the printing material supply tube 640. According to the present embodiment, the opening 288 of the ink supply structure 280 viewed in the -Z-axis direction is formed by a line-symmetrical housing with respect to an axis parallel to the X-axis and the Y-axis. According to another embodiment, the opening 288 of the ink supply structure 280 may be formed by an asymmetric housing and may have a mounting directional end defining a plane. The opening 288 viewed in the Z-axis direction is a rectangular shape that has been subjected to a rounding treatment according to the present embodiment. However, according to another embodiment, the opening 288 may have any other shape such as an accurate circle, an oval, a rectangular, It may be a suitable shape.

9A, the plane BP is a plane formed by the mounting direction front end of the opening face 288 of the ink supply structure 280. As shown in Fig. The distance A is the distance between the plane BP and the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210. The distance B is the distance between the plane (BP) and the engaging portion of the second regulating element 220. The distance C is the distance between the plane BP and the pivot point about the axis 800c of the lever 80. 9A, the distance B between the plane BP and the engaging portion of the second regulating element 220, as measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP, Is larger than the distance (A) between the engaging portions (212) of the portion (210). The distance A between the plane BP and the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 is smaller than the distance A between the plane BP and the axis of the lever 80 as measured in the direction orthogonal to the plane BP. 800c. ≪ / RTI > 9A, the plane TP is a plane defined by the inclined terminal support structure 408, which in this embodiment is parallel to the inclined terminal support structure 408, and thus, for simplicity, The support structure 408 may be used to refer to the plane TP. The plane TP is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP. The terminal support structure 408 has a cartridge side terminal 400 that contacts the apparatus side terminal of the contact mechanism 70 (Fig. 2).

7, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is provided on the third surface 203. As shown in Fig. The first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is provided on the + Z-axis direction side and the + X-axis direction side of the ink supply structure 280 and the circuit board 40. The first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is locked by the lever 80 (Fig. 2), thus regulating the movement of the cartridge 20 in the attached state. The first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is configured as a protruding portion that protrudes from the third surface 203 in the + X-axis direction (outward). The first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is provided at a position closer to the first side 290 than the second side 291 along the Z-axis direction. According to the present embodiment, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is provided adjacent to the first side 290. [

The first cartridge side regulating portion 210 includes a first portion 212 extending in the Y axis direction (width direction), a second portion 212 extending in the + Z axis direction (vertical upward direction) from the first portion 212 214 and a third portion 215 extending from the first portion 212 in the -Z-axis direction (vertically downward). As described above, the + Z axis direction (vertical upward direction) is generally the removal direction RD, which is generally opposite to the -Z axis direction (vertical downward direction) which is the mounting direction SD. The first portion or engagement portion 212 cooperates with the engagement portion of the lever 80 to regulate the movement of the cartridge 20 in the attached state. The second portion 214 is provided to lock the first portion 212 by the expected portion of the lever 80 upon attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60.

The first portion 212 has a first cartridge side lock surface 211 as a first abutting portion and a second cartridge side lock surface 213 as a second abutting portion. The first cartridge side lock surface 211 faces the + Z axis direction. The second cartridge side lock surface 213 faces the + X axis direction. The third portion 215 contacts the first portion 212 and the first side 290.

The cartridge 20 further includes a second cartridge side restricting portion 220 provided on the fourth surface 204, a protrusion 260 provided on the third surface 203, A cartridge side regulating element 250 is provided.

The second cartridge-side restricting portion 220 is configured as a protruding portion that protrudes from the fourth surface 204 toward the -X-axis direction. The second cartridge side regulating portion 220 is inserted into the second apparatus side regulating element 620 (Fig. 3), which is a through hole type of the holder 60. [ The user rotates the cartridge 20 around the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 inserted in the second apparatus side regulating element 620 (Fig. 3) at the time of attaching and detaching the cartridge 20 to the holder 60 . In other words, the second apparatus-side regulating element 620 serves as a guide for attaching / detaching the cartridge 20 to / from the holder 60. This facilitates the attachment / detachment of the cartridge 20 to / from the holder 60. In the attached state of the cartridge 20, the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 is locked by the second device side regulating element 620 to regulate the movement of the cartridge 20 in the attached state. The second cartridge-side restricting portion 220 is provided on the + Z-axis direction side and the -X-axis direction side of the ink supply structure 280 and the circuit board 40.

The protruding portion 260 on the third surface 203 is provided on the + Z-axis direction side of the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210. According to the present embodiment, the protrusion 260 is provided on the third surface 203 at the most + Z-axis direction position (uppermost position) including the second side 291.

The third cartridge side regulating element 250 is configured as a pair of protruding members (regulating walls) protruding in the + X axis direction from both sides in the Y axis direction of the seventh surface 207. The pair of protruding members 250 receives protrusions 636 (FIG. 2) inserted therebetween and cooperates with the protrusions 636 to regulate the Y-axis movement of the cartridge 20 in the attached state.

11 is a rear view of the cartridge 20. Fig. The second cartridge side regulating portion 220 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The second cartridge side regulating portion 220 has a regulating lock surface 222, a slope surface 224, a first regulating side surface 226 and a second regulating side surface 228 as regulating lock elements.

The regulating lock surface 222 faces the + Z axis direction and forms a horizontal surface in the attached state. The regulating locking surface 222 contacts the second device-side regulating element 620 (Fig. 3) to act as a pivot point of rotation when the cartridge 20 is rotated to separate it from the holder 60. Fig.

The regulating locking surface 222 is locked by the second device-side regulating element 620 in the attached state, thereby regulating the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z direction in the attached state. The regulating locking surface 222 is provided perpendicular to the plane Yc at a position intersecting the plane Yc passing through the center of the width (Y-axis direction length) of the cartridge 20. [ 5, in the state in which the cartridge 20 is attached, the cartridge 20 receives a pressing force Ps, Pt having a + Z axis direction vector component from the holder 60. As shown in Fig. The regulating lock surface 222 is pressed against the second device-side regulating element 620 by these pressing forces Ps, Pt. Therefore, the second device-side regulating element 620 contacts the regulating locking surface 222 in parallel in the Y-axis direction. This reduces the possibility that the cartridge 20 tilts about the X axis in the attached state.

The inclined surface 224 is connected to the restricting locking surface 222 and inclined in the direction having the + Z-axis direction vector component and the -X-axis direction vector component. This allows the regulating locking surface 222 to be smoothly guided to the second apparatus-side regulating element 620 when the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60. [

The first regulating side surface 226 forms a side surface in the -Y axis direction of the second cartridge side regulating portion 220. The second regulating side surface 228 forms a side surface of the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 + Y axis direction. The first regulating side 226 is a plane oriented in the -Y axis direction and the second regulating side surface 228 is a plane oriented in the + Y axis direction. The first regulating side surface 226 and the second regulating side surface 228 are planes parallel to the X axis direction and the Z axis direction, respectively. The first and second regulating side surfaces 226 and 228 interfere with the second device side regulating element 620 in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to regulate the movement of the cartridge 20 in the Y axis direction.

12 is a front view of the cartridge 20. Fig. The first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. The first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is provided at a position across the plane Yc. The first cartridge side lock surface 211 is provided perpendicular to the plane Yc at a position intersecting the plane Yc.

The first cartridge side lock surface 211 has a first outer side portion 435P and a second outer side portion 435B in the Y-axis direction (width direction) when viewed from the side of the third surface 203 in the -X- And is located outside the outer side of the range 40Y between the upper and lower portions 439P. According to the present embodiment, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 including the first cartridge side lock surface 211 is located inside the range, not outside the range 40Y. That is, the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is regulated by the second virtual line 439PL including the first imaginary line 435PL including the first outside portion 435P and the second outside portion 439P As shown in Fig. The first imaginary line 435PL and the second imaginary line 439PL are straight lines extending in the Z-axis direction.

13 is a left side view of the cartridge 20. Fig. The positional relationship of the respective members of the cartridge 20 will be described with reference to Fig. The intersection at which the third surface 203 intersects the inclined terminal support structure 408 is referred to as " crossing portion 295 ". According to the above description of the term " intersecting ", the intersection at which the third surface 203 intersects the tilted terminal support structure 408 intersects not only the intersection of the actual surface 203 and the terminal support structure 408, The intersection of one of the surface 203 and the terminal support structure 408 and the extension of the other of the surface 203 and the terminal support structure 408 or the extension of both the surface 203 and the terminal support structure 408 And a negative intersection. The intersection portion 295 is a line parallel to the Y-axis direction. According to this embodiment, the intersection portion 295 is located on a plane extending from the third surface 203 in the -Z-axis direction. Therefore, the intersection portion 295 is located on the -Z-axis direction side of the third surface 203. [ The intersection of the third surface 203 and the contact surface plane TP and the intersection of the second surface 202 and the third surface 203 on the third surface 203 Intersection point] is referred to as an intermediate point 203P.

The first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is located close to the intersection portion 295. The first cartridge side restricting portion 210 may be regarded as being adjacent to the terminal support structure 408 and located close to the substrate end portion 405. [ This is because the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 may be sufficiently closer to the cartridge side terminal 400 and more precisely the portion of the regulating portion 210 engaging with the apparatus side lever may be the upper face 202 and the front face 203 at a position closer to the contact portion cp than the intersection of the contact portions cp. The first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is preferably provided at a specific portion closer to the first side 290 than the second side 291 of the third surface 203 or more precisely, Side lever is located closer to the intersection portion 295 than the intersection of the top surface 202 and the front surface 203, that is, in the range from the midpoint 203P to the first side 290 . It is particularly preferable that the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is provided at a position close enough or close to the first side 290. As used herein, " close " may mean " near ", " near ", or " on. &Quot; The portion of the restricting portion 210 which engages with the apparatus-side lever is positioned closer to the intersection portion 295 and / or the contact portion cp than the intersection of the upper surface 202 and the front surface 203. [ The intersection of the top surface 202 and the front surface 203 in this embodiment is the position shown by 291 in Fig. 13, but as described above, the intersection does not need to be located where the two surfaces actually intersect each other, 35A and 35D, as shown by the broken line in the embodiment of FIGS. 35A and 35D. In this embodiment, the distance between the intersection of the third surface 203 and the contact plane TP and the intersection of the second surface 202 and the third surface 203 is about 20 mm. The distance between the intersection of the third surface 203 and the contact surface plane TP and the first cartridge side lock surface 211 of the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 is about 16 mm.

The portion effective in regulating the position of the cartridge side terminal 400 among the first cartridge side regulating portions 210 is the first cartridge side lock surface 211. Therefore, it is preferable that the first cartridge side lock surface 211 is provided as close as possible to the cartridge side terminal 400. [ The first portion 212 of the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 is omitted and the first portion 212 is disposed in contact with the first side 290 so that the first cartridge side lock surface 211 is located at the intersection 295, or the substrate end 405, respectively.

13 also shows the X axis direction range 250 of the third cartridge side regulating element 250 and the X axis direction range 408X of the inclined terminal support structure 408. [ As is clear from this drawing, when the cartridge 20 is viewed from the first surface 201 side in the X-axis direction, the portion of the third cartridge-side regulating element 250 overlaps the inclined terminal supporting structure 408 .

A-4. Detailed configuration of the holder 60

A-4-1. The entire configuration of the holder 60

Figs. 14 and 15 are perspective views showing the configuration of the holder 60. Fig. 16 is a plan view showing the structure of the holder 60. Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken on line F16-F16 of Fig. 16. Fig. The projections 636 shown in Figs. 14-16 are omitted in Fig.

As described above, the holder 60 of the printer 50 has five wall members 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606 to form a concave cartridge chamber 602 for receiving the cartridge 20 . The five wall members 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606 are collectively referred to as " chamber forming wall member 600 ". According to the present embodiment, the five wall members 601, 603, 604, 605 and 606 are resin plate members, made of synthetic resin, and more specifically made of modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE) .

The wall member 601 defines a lower surface of the concave cartridge chamber 602. The wall members 603, 604, 605, and 606 define the sides of the concave cartridge chamber 602. The wall member 601, the wall member 603, the wall member 604, the wall member 605 and the wall member 606 are respectively referred to as "device side bottom wall member 601", " 603 "," the second apparatus side wall member 604 ", the" third apparatus side wall member 605 "and the" fourth apparatus side wall member 606 ".

On the wall member 601, each of the contact mechanism 70 having the printing material supply tube 640 and the apparatus-side terminal is arranged along the X-axis direction. The printing material supply tube 640 is provided on the wall member 604 side and the contact mechanism 70 is provided on the wall member 603 side. That is, the printing material supply tube 640 is provided at a position closer to the wall member 604 than the wall member 603. The contact mechanism 70 is provided at a position closer to the wall member 603 than the printing material supply tube 640.

An elastic member 648 is provided around the printing material supply tube 640 on the wall member 601. 5, the elastic member 648 seals around the ink supply structure 280 of the cartridge 20 while the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60 so as to be separated from the ink supply structure 280 Thereby preventing ink leakage to the surroundings. The elastic member 648 generates the pressing force Ps in the direction of pushing the ink supply structure 280 of the cartridge 20 (+ Z-axis direction) while the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60 .

As shown in Figs. 14 to 16, the holder 60 has an opening OP on the upper side opposite to the wall member 601 across the cartridge chamber 602. Fig. When the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60, the cartridge 20 passes through the opening OP.

The wall member 603 is angled perpendicular to the wall member 601 on the + X-axis direction side of the wall member 601. According to this embodiment, the most + X axis direction side of the wall member 603 forms an outer wall 603W. In the use state of the printer 50, the outer wall 603W forms the front surface of the holder 60. [ The outer wall 603 extends in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the plurality of cartridges 20. A lever 80 used for attaching and detaching the cartridge 20 is provided on the wall member 603. [ The lever 80 is movably fixed to the wall member 603 through the retainer 690, more precisely rotatably. That is, the lever 80 is fixed to the retainer 690 that forms a part of the wall member 603. The rotation axis of the lever 80 is parallel to the Y-axis direction.

The retainer 690 is provided in a corner section (device side corner section) 600C (Fig. 17) where the sidewall member 603 intersects with the bottom wall member 601. [

5, the operating member 603 is provided at the end of the lever 80 in the + Z-axis direction. When the user presses the operating member 830 from the + X-axis direction side to the -X-axis direction side (that is, when the user applies the operating force Pr to the operating member 830) (As viewed in the + Y axis direction). Thus, the lever 80 is rotated on the XZ plane parallel to the X-axis and Z-axis directions.

The lever 80 is provided as a separate member from the chamber forming wall members 601, 603, 604, 605, and 606. The lever 80 is made of synthetic resin, and more specifically, made of polyacetal (POM) according to the present embodiment. The lever 80 has a certain level of rigidity sufficient to lock the cartridge 20. More specifically, it is preferable that the lever 80 has a rigidity that hardly causes the deformation of the lever 80 by a force (for example, a force of 14.4 N) applied from the cartridge 20 in the attached state. For example, the deformation of the lever 80 due to the application of an external force of 14.4 N from the cartridge 20 is preferably about 0.5 mm or less. It is preferable that the lever 80 does not have any portion capable of elastically deforming. This reduces the possibility that the lever 80 is significantly deformed by the force applied from the cartridge 20 in the state in which the cartridge 20 is attached and the gap between the cartridge side terminal 400 and the apparatus side terminal of the contact mechanism 70 Ensuring a stable electrical connection. By providing the lever 80 separately from the chamber forming wall members 601, 603, 604, 605 and 606, the degree of freedom of selection of the lever 80 forming material advantageously increases.

Referring again to Figs. 14 to 17, the wall member 604 is angled perpendicular to the wall member 601 on the -X-axis direction side of the wall member 601. Fig. The wall member 604 faces the wall member 603 across the cartridge chamber 602. According to the present embodiment, the wall member 604 forms the back surface of the holder 60 in the state in which the printer 50 is used. The wall member 604 extends in the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the plurality of cartridges 20. The wall member 604 is provided with the second apparatus-side regulating element 620. [ The second device-side regulating element 620 is a through hole passing through the X-axis direction (Fig. 17). According to another embodiment, the second apparatus-side regulating element 620 may be a concave portion opened toward the cartridge chamber 602. [

As described above with reference to Fig. 5, the second apparatus-side regulating element 620 is configured to engage with the second cartridge-side regulating portion 220. [ The second apparatus-side regulating element 620 serves as a guide for attaching / detaching the cartridge 20 to / from the holder 60. The second apparatus side regulating element 620 locks the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 in a state in which the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60. [ More specifically, the second apparatus-side regulating element 620 is located at the second lock position 620L located on the + Z-axis direction side and the -X-axis direction side of the printing material supply tube 640, (Not shown). According to the present embodiment, the second apparatus-side regulating element 620 is configured as a through-hole having a size for accommodating the second cartridge-side restricting portion 220, and has the apparatus-side lock surface 622. [ The apparatus side lock surface 622 is a plane oriented in the -Z-axis direction, and locks the regulating lock surface 222 (Fig. 11) of the second cartridge side regulating portion 220. The + X axis direction end portion 624 of the apparatus side lock surface 622 contacts the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 and thus functions as a pivot point of rotation for removing the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 .

The second apparatus side wall member 604 of the holder 60 has the space 670 provided on the + Z axis direction side of the second apparatus side regulating element 620 as shown in Fig. The space 670 provides a space for allowing the rotation of the cartridge 20 around the vicinity of the second device-side regulating element 620 as a pivotal rotation point when the cartridge 20 is attached to and detached from the holder 60. According to this embodiment, the space 670 is formed by a stepped portion concave in the -X-axis direction stepwise in the + Z-axis direction from the second apparatus side-wall member 604. According to another embodiment, the space 670 may be formed by the inclined surface of the wall member 604 which is gradually lowered in the -X-axis direction in the + Z-axis direction.

As shown in Figs. 14 to 16, the wall member 605 is angled perpendicular to the wall member 601 on the -Y-axis direction side of the wall member 601. Fig. According to this embodiment, the wall member 605 forms the right side surface of the holder 60 in the use state of the printer 50. [ The wall member 605 is connected to the wall members 603 and 604. The wall member 605 extends in the X-axis direction and crosses the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the plurality of cartridges 20.

The wall member 606 is angled perpendicular to the wall member 601 on the + Y-axis direction side of the wall member 601. The wall member 606 faces the wall member 605 across the cartridge chamber 602. According to the present embodiment, the wall member 606 forms the left side surface of the holder 60 in the use state of the printer 50. [ The wall member 606 is connected to the wall members 603 and 604. The wall member 606 extends in the X-axis direction and crosses the arrangement direction (Y-axis direction) of the plurality of cartridges 20.

According to the positional relationship of the wall members 601 and 603 to 606 described above, the wall member 601 is perpendicular to the Z-axis direction, the wall member 603 and the wall member 604 face each other in the X- The wall member 605 and the wall member 606 face each other in the Y axis direction, and the wall member 601 and the opening OP face each other in the Z axis direction.

The contact mechanism 70 is provided in the corner section 600C where the wall member 601 intersects the wall member 603 of the holder 60. [ The contact mechanism 70 is installed at a position closer to the wall member 603 than the printing material supply tube 640. The contact mechanism 70 has a plurality of apparatus side terminals corresponding to and in contact with the respective terminals 431 to 439 (Fig. 10) of the cartridge side terminal 400, and a terminal base on which the apparatus side terminal is installed .

A-4-2. Detailed configuration of the contact mechanism (70)

18 is a perspective view of the contact mechanism 70 separated from the holder 60. Fig.

The contact mechanism 70 includes a terminal base 709 and apparatus side terminals 731 to 739 provided on the terminal base 709. [ Each of the device-side terminals 731 to 739 is an elastic member having electrical conductivity and has a portion protruding from the device-side slanted surface 708, and the protruded portion is displaced by an external force. The device side terminals 731 to 739 are connected to the circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20 in the direction in which the cartridge 20 is mounted on the holder 60 (Fig. 5) (Pushing force) Pt in the direction including the X-axis direction vector component). The elastic force (pressing force) Pt is generated as a reaction force when the cartridge 20 presses the apparatus side terminals 731 to 739 protruding from the apparatus side slope surface 708 toward the apparatus side slope surface 708.

Nine apparatus side terminals 731 to 739 are provided at positions corresponding to the nine cartridge side terminals 431 to 439. The device-side terminal 731 is referred to as an " attachment detection terminal (third terminal) 731 ". The device-side terminal 732 is referred to as a " reset terminal 732 ". The device-side terminal 733 is referred to as a " clock terminal 733 ". The device-side terminal 734 is referred to as an " attachment detection terminal (fourth terminal) 734 ". The device-side terminal 735 is referred to as an " attachment detection terminal (first terminal) 735 ". The device-side terminal 736 is referred to as a " power terminal 736 ". The device-side terminal 737 is referred to as a " ground terminal 737 ". The device-side terminal 738 is referred to as " data terminal 738 ". The device-side terminal 739 is referred to as an " attachment detection terminal (second terminal) 739 ". In order to distinguish from the cartridge side terminal, the word " device side " may be prefixed to each name. For example, " ground terminal 737 " may be referred to as " device-side ground terminal 737 ". The nine apparatus-side terminals 731 to 738 are collectively referred to as the apparatus-side terminal 700.

The nine device-side terminals 731 to 739 are arranged in the first device-side terminal line and the second device-side terminal line, which have different positions in the Z-axis direction. The first device-side terminal line has five device-side terminals 735 to 739, and the second device-side terminal line has four device-side terminals 731 to 734. The first device-side terminal line is located on the -Z-axis direction side of the second device-side terminal line. The number of the apparatus-side terminals is not limited to nine, and may be changed to any number of nine or more or nine or less depending on the configuration of the circuit board 40. [

Among the nine device-side terminals 731 to 739, the device-side ground terminal 737 positioned substantially at the center in the Y-axis direction is electrically connected to a ground line (not shown). The height of the device-side ground terminal 737 protruding from the device-side slope surface 708 is higher than the height of the other device-side terminals 731 to 736, 738, and 739. The device-side ground terminal 737 is brought into contact with the circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20 prior to the other device-side terminals 731 to 736, 738, and 739. [

The apparatus side terminals 731 to 739 are installed on the terminal base 709 and are unitized with the contact mechanism 70 to be integrated with the holder 60. In order to accelerate the assembly of the printer, do. However, unitization of the contact mechanism 70 using the terminal base 709 is not essential. According to another embodiment, a structure suitable for accommodating the apparatus-side terminals 731 to 739 may be integrally formed with the bottom wall member 601 or outer wall 603W of the holder 60, Side terminals 731 to 739 can be integrated. Therefore, the terminal base 709 is not essential.

A-4-3. The detailed configuration of the lever 80

19 is a perspective view showing an appearance of the lever 80. Fig. 20 is a sectional view of the shaft body 850 taken in a plane parallel to the X axis and the Z axis (a plane perpendicular to the XZ plane and the Y axis). 21 is a sectional view of the lever 80 taken in a plane passing through a central portion in the width direction (Y-axis direction) of the lever 80 and being parallel to the X-axis and the Z-axis (a plane perpendicular to the XZ plane and the Y-axis) . 21 shows the cross sectional state of the lever 80 with the cartridge 20 properly attached to the designed attachment position of the holder 60. Fig.

19 and 21, the lever 80 includes an operating member 830, a pair of shaft bodies 850, a guide member 820, and an engaging portion 810. The lever 80 has an operation member 830 at one end (the + Z-axis direction end) and a coupling portion 810 at the other end (the -Z-axis direction end). The lever 80 has a rotating shaft 800c between the operating member 830 and the engaging portion 810. [ That is, the lever 80 pivots about the rotational axis 800c at a position between the operating member 830 and the engaging portion 810. [

The operating member 830 of the lever 80 receives an external force applied by the user. As shown in Fig. 21, the operating member 830 is provided at the end portion of the lever 80 in the + Z-axis direction. The operating member 830 is located on the + Z-axis direction side of the rotating shaft 800c in a state where the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60. [ The operating member 830 is located on the side of the first apparatus side sidewall member 603 (Fig. 15) of the holder 60 in the + Z-axis direction.

The operating member 830 has the operating surface 835 and the operating member facing surface 831. [ The operation surface 835 receives an external force (force Pr shown in Fig. 5) applied by the user from the + X-axis direction side to the -X-axis direction side to separate the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 . The operating member facing surface 831 is a surface facing the cartridge 20 in a state in which the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60. [

As shown in Fig. 19, a pair of shaft bodies 850 are provided at substantially intermediate positions between the ends of the lever 80. As shown in Fig. The pair of shaft bodies 850 form a rotation axis 800c of the lever 80. [ The rotation axis 800c is parallel to the Y axis direction (arrangement direction of the cartridges 20). One shaft body 850a (referred to as " first shaft body 850a ") of the pair of shaft bodies 850 extends from the + Y axis side outer surface 893 of the lever 80 to the + Y axis . The other shaft body 850b (referred to as " second shaft body 850b ") of the pair of shaft bodies 850 extends from the -Y axis side outer surface 891 of the lever 80 in the -Y axis direction . The outer surfaces 891, 893 are also referred to as sides 891, 893. The pair of shaft bodies 850 provided on the lever 80 easily forms the rotary shaft 800c by using a retainer described later.

According to the present embodiment, each of the shaft bodies 850 has an inner circular arc surface 852, an outer circular arc surface 854, and radial sides 856 and 858. Each surface 852, 854, 856, 858 forms the circumferential surface of the shaft body 850. The inner arc surface 852 and the outer arc surface 854 are referred to as "first curved surface 852" and "second curved surface 854", respectively. The center of the inner arc surface 852 and the outer arc surface 854 corresponds to the rotation axis 800c. The inner arc surface 852 is positioned closer to the second apparatus side wall member 604 than the outer arc surface 854 (i.e., the -X axis direction side thereof).

As shown in Fig. 20, the inner arc surface 852 forms an arc of radius R1a around the rotation axis 800c in the cross section parallel to the X axis and the Z axis. The outer arc surface 854 forms an arc of radius R2a around the axis of rotation 800c in the cross section parallel to the X and Z axes. The radius R1a is smaller than the radius R2a. Each of the shaft bodies 850 has a concentric inner circumferential surface 852 and an outer circumferential surface 854 as part of the circumferential surface and the inner circumferential surface has an outer circumferential surface 854, Sidewall member 604. As shown in Fig. The rotation axis 800c can be installed at a position close to the cartridge 20 in the cartridge chamber 602 without interfering with the cartridge 20. [ As a result, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 of the cartridge 20 can be locked by the engaging portion 810 and the deviation from the first locking position 810L is reduced. The entire movement of the lever 80 from the attachment position designed for the precisely mounted state of the cartridge 20 can be prevented by the movement of the engaging portion 810 in the Z axis direction Lt; / RTI > When the rotary shaft 800c is disposed at a position close to the cartridge 20, when the lever 80 is out of the standard posture in a state in which the cartridge 20 is properly installed at the designed attachment position, . That is, this arrangement allows the cartridge 20 to be locked by the engagement portion 810 in a state in which the deviation from the first lock position 810L is reduced. The strength reduction of the shaft body 850 is advantageously prevented by setting the radius R2a of the outer circumferential surface 854 to be larger than the radius R1a of the inner circumferential surface 852. [ The lock position (first lock position) 810L is a position at which the first device side lock surface 811 (the first portion of the engaging portion 810) when the cartridge 20 is attached to the attachment position set to the ideal designed position Is in contact with the first cartridge side lock surface 211 (the first abutting portion of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210).

The engaging portion 810 serves to lock the cartridge 20 in the attached state to regulate the movement of the cartridge 20. [ As shown in Fig. 21, the engaging portion 810 is provided at the end of the lever 80 in the -Z-axis direction. The engaging portion 810 is located on the -Z-axis direction side of the rotating shaft 800c in a state where the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60. [

As shown in Fig. 21, the engaging portion 810 locks the first cartridge-side regulating portion 210 (Fig. 5) by two portions. The engaging portion 810 includes a first device side lock surface 811 as a first portion (first device side regulating element), a groove 815, and a second device side as a second portion (second device side regulating element) And a locking surface 813. According to the present embodiment, the two device side lock faces 811 and 813 of the engaging portion 810 are positioned so as to cross each other.

The first apparatus side lock surface 811 is an arcuate curved surface around the rotation axis 800c. Therefore, the first apparatus side lock surface 811 has an arc shape around the rotation axis 800c in a section parallel to the X axis and the Z axis (i.e., a section parallel to the XZ plane and a section perpendicular to the Y axis). For attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, this configuration allows the first device side lock surface 811 to be moved smoothly to the lock position 810L to lock the cartridge 20. In order to detach the cartridge 20 from the holder 60, this configuration allows the first device side lock surface 811 to smoothly unlock the cartridge 20. [ This configuration thus ensures smooth attachment and detachment of the cartridge 20 relative to the holder 60. [

In the lock position (first lock position) 810L, the first device side lock surface 811 is close to the rotation axis 800c in the X axis direction. That is, in the lock position (first lock position) 810L, the first apparatus side lock surface 811 is positioned substantially under the rotation axis 800c according to the present embodiment. More specifically, in the lock position (first lock position) 810L, the first apparatus side lock surface 811 is positioned slightly on the -X axis side of the rotation axis 800c. The first apparatus side lock surface 811 is formed so as to intersect the + Z directional force received from the apparatus side terminal 700 and the elastic member 648 at a substantially right angle with the cartridge 20 in the mounted state, . According to the present embodiment, the plane contacting the first device side lock surface 811 which is a curved surface is a substantially horizontal plane at the lock position 810L. This reduces the possibility that the engagement between the first cartridge side lock surface 211 and the first device side lock surface 811 is released while the cartridge 20 is mounted on the printer. Therefore, the first lock position 810L in the X-axis direction is preferably a position close to the rotation axis 800c and on the -X-axis side of the rotation axis 800c. This makes the plane in contact with the first apparatus side lock surface 811 substantially horizontal and prevents the force in the + X axis direction from being applied from the cartridge 20 in the attached state to the first apparatus side lock surface 811. [ The actual lock position of the first cartridge side lock face 211 and the first device side lock face 811 is set at the first lock position 811 by positioning the first lock position 810L close to the rotation axis 800c in the X- 810L), the deviation of the lock position in the Z-axis direction is advantageously reduced. That is, this reduces the Z-axis direction deviation of the cartridge 20 relative to the holder 60 and ensures a good electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal 400 and the device side terminal 700. [ For example, in the cross section of the lever 80 taken in a plane parallel to the X axis and the Z axis, the first lock position 810L is defined by a straight line passing through the rotation axis 800c and parallel to the Z axis direction, Should preferably be positioned at 15 degrees or less, more preferably 10 degrees or less, and more preferably 5 degrees or less, at an angle (A) between straight lines connecting the lock position 810L with the lock position 810L. The angle A is also preferably at least 1 degree.

As shown in Fig. 19, the guide member 820 is provided between the operating member 830 and the engaging portion 810 so as to extend from the + Z-axis direction end to the -Z-axis direction end. The guide member 820 restricts the movement of the cartridge 20 in the Y axis during the attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60 while the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 810). Thus cartridge 920) can be properly attached to the designed attachment location.

The guide member 820 is formed by a guide bottom wall 821 provided along the Y axis direction and a pair of guide walls 860 formed at right angles to the -X axis direction from the guide bottom wall 821 It is a recess. The guide bottom wall 821 and the pair of guide walls 860 easily form a recess for receiving the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 constituted as a protrusion. The pair of guide walls 860 has a first guide wall 860a provided on the + Y-axis direction side and a second guide wall 860b provided on the -Y-axis direction side. The shaft body 850a is provided on the outer surface 893 of the first guide wall 860a and the shaft body 850b is provided on the outer surface 891 of the second guide wall 860b.

The distance between the two guide walls 860a and 860b, that is, the distance between the inner surfaces of the two guide walls 860a and 860b is smaller than the Y-axis direction length of the cartridge 20, 12) in the Y-axis direction. The first cartridge side restricting portion 210 is received by the guide member 820 and the pair of guide walls 860a and 860b is received by the cartridge 20 for attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. [ And the guide bottom wall 821 is easily and reliably guided to the engaging portion 810 while regulating the movement of the cartridge 20 in the Z-axis direction.

A portion of the guide bottom wall 821 on the side of the engaging portion 810 has a groove 870 configured to accommodate the second portion 214 (Figure 12) of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210. [ The groove 870 is concave in the + X-axis direction from the surface of the guide bottom wall 821. The groove 870 extends from the middle of the + Z axis of the guide bottom wall 821 to the end of the -Z axis.

The lever 80 provided on the holder 60 is configured such that the first apparatus side lock surface 811 is moved to the first lock position 810L by its own weight. When the shaft body 850 is held by the retainer 690, the lever 80 is inclined to position the first apparatus side lock surface 811 on the -X-axis side of the rotation axis 800c (Fig. 21 ). According to one embodiment, the lever 80 can be inclined by positioning the center of the lever 80 on the -Z-axis direction side and the -X-axis direction side of the rotation axis 800c. According to another embodiment, the lever 80 may be inclined by positioning the center of the lever 80 on the + Z-axis direction side and the + X-axis direction side of the rotation axis 800c.

A-4-4. Detailed configuration of retainer (690)

22 is an exploded perspective view of the retainer 690 and a perspective view of the lever 80. Fig. The lever 80 is rotatably attached to the holder 60 by being retained by the retainer 690. 22 shows a partial configuration of the retainer 690 for holding the lever 80. As shown in Fig. The retainer 690 is composed of a combination of the first retainer member 650 and the second retainer member 680. The retainer 690 is made of synthetic resin, more specifically ABS resin according to this embodiment.

The first retainer member 650 has a pair of upright portions 651 and a through-hole 658. According to the present embodiment, the first retainer member 650 also has a protrusion 636 which functions as a third device-side regulating element.

A pair of upright portions 651 of the first retainer member 650 are spaced apart to receive the lever 80. [ Each upright portion 651 has a bearing element 654 for receiving a shaft body 850 of the lever 80. [ According to the present embodiment, each of the upright portions 651 has an engagement hole 656 serving to engage with the second retainer member 680.

The second retainer member 680 has a pair of upright portions 681 and a through hole 688. According to the present embodiment, the second retainer member 680 also has an elastic member 682. [

The pair of upright portions 681 of the second retainer member 680 are disposed at the same interval as the interval between the pair of upright portions 651 of the first retainer member 650. [ Each upright portion 681 has a containment surface 684 for sealing the bearing member 654 so that the shaft body 850 of the lever 80 is unintentionally disengaged from the bearing element 654. [ According to the present embodiment, each upright portion 681 also has a coupling projection 686 to be fitted in the coupling hole 656 of the first retainer member 650. [

The respective shaft bodies 850 of the levers 80 are connected to the corresponding bearing elements 654 of the pair of upright portions 651 of the first retainer member 650 for the attachment of the lever 80 to the holder 60 So that the lever 80 is installed between the pair of upright portions 651. The two retainer members 650 and 680 are assembled so that the bearing element 654 fitted with the shaft body 850 of the lever 80 is blocked by the corresponding containment surface 684 of the second retainer member 680 . Thereafter, the first and second retainer members 650 and 680 are fixed to the wall of the holder 60 by, for example, screws fitted in the through holes 658 and 688. [ This causes the lever (80) to be rotatably attached to the holder (60).

23 is a sectional view showing a structure in the vicinity of the lever 80 in a state in which the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60. Fig. The relationship between the shaft body 852 of the lever 80 and the bearing element 654 of the first retainer member 650 will be described with reference to Fig. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the lever 80 that locks the cartridge 20, taken in a plane passing through the first device side lock surface 811 and parallel to the X and Z axes. The dashed line in FIG. 23 shows the projected shape of the shaft body 850 of the lever 80 and the two-dot chain line shows the projected shape of the bearing element 654 and the containment surface 684.

23, the rotational axis 800c of the lever 80 is positioned through the contact between the inner circular arc surface 852 and the outer circular arc surface 854 of the shaft body 850 and the bearing element 654. When the lever 80 is rotated counterclockwise (viewed in the + Y axis direction), the radial side 856 of the shaft body 850 comes into contact with the bearing element 654. This limits the additional counterclockwise rotation of the lever 80 (viewed in the + Y axis direction). When the lever 80 is rotated clockwise (viewed in the + Y axis direction), the radial side 858 of the shaft body 850 comes into contact with the containment surface 684. This limits the additional clockwise rotation of the lever 80 (viewed in the + Y axis direction). This ensures a stable rotation of the lever 80 and stably maintains the cartridge 20 in the designed attachment position.

During rotation of the lever 80, the elastic member 682 abuts against the engaging rear face 880 of the lever 80 positioned on the -Z-axis direction side of the rotational axis 800c. The elastic member 682 restricts the rotatable range of the lever 80 during attachment and detachment of the cartridge 20 relative to the holder 60. [ The elastic member 682 elastically deforms in contact with the engaging rear face 880 of the lever 80 so that the engaging rear face 880 is moved in the -X-axis direction . This reliably moves the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to the lock position (first lock position) 810L.

A-5. Removal of the cartridge 20 relative to the holder 60

Figs. 24 to 27 illustrate an operation (attachment operation) for attaching or mounting the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. Fig. Figs. 24 to 27 are sectional views corresponding to Figs. 5 and 17, and are arranged in a time series in this order.

For attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, the operation first inserts the cartridge 20 through the upper surface of the holder 60, as shown in Fig. The operation is then performed by moving the cartridge 20 in the -Z-axis direction so that the second cartridge-side restricting portion 220 side of the cartridge 20 first enters the holder 60, Is inserted into the second apparatus-side regulating element (620). 24, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 of the cartridge 20 is located on the + Z-axis direction side of the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 in the holder 60. In this state,

The cartridge 20 is moved in the clockwise direction (+ Y-axis direction) around the second cartridge-side restricting portion 220, which is inserted into the second device-side regulating element 620, And thus the side of the third side 203 of the cartridge 20 is moved toward the bottom wall member 601 of the holder 60. [ 25, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 then moves the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction of the cartridge 20 in the direction of the guide member 820 of the lever 80, that is, Moves in the -Z-axis direction while being regulated by the pair of guide walls 860a and 860b and the guide bottom wall 821. [

When the cartridge 20 is further rotated from the state of FIG. 25 to press-fit the third surface 203 side, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is further press-fitted in the -Z-axis direction. As shown in Fig. 26, the lever 80 is then pressed in the -X-axis direction by the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 and rotated in the clockwise direction (when viewed in the + Y-axis direction). The lever 80 is in contact with the elastic member 682 and receives a pressing force from the elastic member 682 in a direction of retreating the lever 80 clockwise (in the + Y axis direction). This pressing force is an external force having a vector component in the -X-axis direction. Therefore, the rotatable range of the lever 80 is limited by the elastic member 682. [ 26 in which the lever 80 comes into contact with the elastic member 682 and is urged by the elastic member 682 is a state in which the cartridge 20 is further press-fitted and the first cartridge- The guide member 820 of Fig.

When the cartridge 20 is further rotated from the state shown in Fig. 26 to press the side of the third surface 203, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 eventually abuts the guide member 820 of the lever 80 Over. The lever 80 rotates to move the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 toward the -X-axis direction as shown in Fig. Thus, the engaging portion 810 moves to the first lock position 810L and locks the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 to the first lock position 810L. More specifically, the first apparatus side lock surface 811 (first portion) of the engaging portion 810 is engaged with the first cartridge side lock surface (first portion) of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210, Z-axis direction movement of the cartridge 20 by abutting against the first contact portion 211 (first contact portion). The second device side lock surface 813 (second portion) of the engaging portion 810 abuts against the second cartridge side lock surface 213 (second contact portion) of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 Regulates the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + X axis direction. In the enlarged view of FIG. 27, although the first cartridge side lock surface 211 and the second cartridge side lock surface 213 are shown as two separate substantially perpendicular surfaces, as shown in FIG. 27A, 210 may be formed into a curved surface such that the first cartridge side lock surface 211 and the second cartridge side lock surface 213 are constituted by separate sections of the same surface. 27B, the first portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 is formed so that the first cartridge side lock surface 211 and the second cartridge side lock surface 213 are separated from each other by the same Section, or may be formed in a flat slanted surface or other shape. The ink supply structure 280 of the cartridge 20 is then engaged with the second device side regulating element 620 and the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 And is connected to the printing material supply tube 640 while engaged with the engaging portion 810. This completes the attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. When the cartridge 20 is appropriately attached to the designed mounting position, electrical connection is made between the cartridge side terminal 400 and the apparatus side terminal 700, so that a signal can be transmitted between the cartridge 20 and the printer 50.

23 and 27, when the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60, the elastic member 682 does not come into contact with the lever 80, It is configured not to apply an external force. This reduces the possibility that the lever 80 is plastically deformed by an external force and reduces the possibility that the engaging portion 810 is out of the first lock position 810L. Therefore, stable electrical connection between the cartridge-side terminal 400 and the device-side terminal 700 is ensured.

According to another embodiment, the elastic member 682 urges the lever 80 in contact with the lever 60 in the direction including the -X-axis vector component, while the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60 ). ≪ / RTI > In this application, the elastic member 682 continues to apply force to the lever 80 in the direction including the -X-axis vector component regardless of the position of the lever 80. [ This moves the engagement portion 810 to the first lock position 810L with sufficient force to attach the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. [ This provides a tight click feeling to inform the user of the locking of the cartridge 20 by the engaging portion 810. [

According to another embodiment, the elastic member 682 may be omitted. This reduces the total number of parts.

The operation of separating the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 will be described. To detach the cartridge 20 from the holder 60, the user presses the operating member 830 in the -X-axis direction. That is, the user applies the external force Pr (Fig. 5) in the direction including the -X-axis direction vector component to the operating member 830. [ Then, the lever 80 moves the engaging portion 810L around the rotation axis 800c in the direction including the + X-axis direction vector component. At the same time, the first cartridge side lock surface 211 rotates in the direction of arrow Y22 in Fig. This disengages the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 from the engaging portion 810 and releases the restriction on the side of the third surface 203 of the cartridge 20 in the + Z axis direction. When the restriction on the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z axis direction is released, the third surface 203 side of the cartridge 20 is moved in the + Z axis direction by the pressing force Pt from the contact mechanism 70. [ This moves the cartridge 20 from the state of FIG. 27 to the state of FIG. The cartridge 20 is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction (as viewed in the + Y axis direction) about the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 inserted into the second apparatus side regulating element 620 as a pivot point of rotation, The side of the third surface 203 of the cartridge 20 is pulled out from the bottom wall member 601 of the holder 60. [ This moves the cartridge 20 from the state of FIG. 26 to the state of FIG. 25 and further moves to the state of FIG. The user can apply an external force including the -X-axis direction vector component to the protrusion 260 to rotate the cartridge 20. [ This operation rotates the third surface 203 side of the cartridge 20 counterclockwise (when viewed in the + Y axis direction) and moves the third surface 203 side of the cartridge 20 in the + Z axis direction . The user removes the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 by holding the side of the third surface 203 of the cartridge 20 and pulling the second cartridge side regulating portion 220 from the second device side regulating element 620 .

As shown in the enlarged view of Fig. 27, the operating member 830 of the lever 80 has the operating member facing surface 831. [ When the user presses the operating member 830, the operating member facing surface 831 contacts the protruding portion 260 to remove the cartridge in the attached state from the holder 60. [ The operating member facing surface 831 is inclined in the direction including the -X-axis direction vector component and the + Z-axis direction vector component. When the lever 80 is rotated about the rotation axis 800c in the direction of the arrow Y27, the operating member facing surface 831 contacts the protrusion 260 and the protrusion 260 moves in the direction of the -X axis direction vector component and the + As shown in Fig. This facilitates detachment of the cartridge 20 from the holder 60. Even when the cartridge 20 is caught on a part of the holder 60 and the first cartridge side lock surface 211 is not moved in the + Z axis direction while moving in the + X axis direction from the first lock position 810L, The third surface 203 side of the operating member 20 can be moved in the + Z axis direction by using the operating member facing surface 831 and the protruding portion 260.

A-6. Attachment detection method using attachment detection terminal

28 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the circuit board 40 and the printer 50 of the cartridge 20 according to the first embodiment. The printer 50 includes a display panel 590, a power supply circuit 580, a main control circuit 570, and a sub-control circuit 550. The display panel 590 serves as a display unit for informing the user of various information such as the operation state of the printer 50 and the attachment state of the cartridge 20. [ The display panel 590 may be provided on an operation portion (not shown) visible outside the printer 50. The power supply circuit 580 includes a first power source 581 for generating a first power source voltage VDD and a second power source 582 for generating a second power source voltage VHV. The first power supply voltage VDD is a normal power supply voltage (for example, a rated voltage of 3.3 V) used in the logic circuit. The second power supply voltage VHV is a high voltage (e.g., rated voltage 42 V) used to drive the head 540 (FIG. 2) to eject ink. These voltages (VDD, VHV) are supplied to the sub-control circuit 550, and are supplied to other circuits as needed. The main control circuit 570 includes a CPU 571 and a memory 572. [ The sub-control circuit 550 includes a memory control circuit 551 and an attachment detection circuit 552. The circuit including the main control circuit 570 and the sub-control circuit 550 is referred to as " control circuit ".

A reset terminal 432, a clock terminal 433, a power terminal 436, a ground terminal 437 and a data terminal 438 among the nine terminals provided in the circuit board 40 (Fig. 10) of the cartridge 20, Is electrically connected to the memory unit 420. The memory unit 420 is a nonvolatile memory having no address terminal. In the memory unit 420, the memory cell to be accessed is determined based on the number of pulses of the clock signal SCK input from the clock terminal 433 and the command data input from the data terminal 438. [ The memory unit 420 receives data from the data terminal 438 or transmits data to the data terminal 438 in synchronization with the clock signal SCK. The clock terminal 433 is used to supply the clock signal SCK from the sub-control circuit 550 (Fig. 28) to the memory unit 420. Fig. The printer 50 applies a power supply voltage (for example, a rated voltage of 3.3 V) and a ground voltage (0 V) for driving the memory unit 420 to the power supply terminal 436 and the ground terminal 437, respectively. The power supply voltage for driving the memory unit 420 may be the first power supply voltage VDD directly applied by the printer 50 or may be lower than the first power supply voltage VDD from the first power supply voltage VDD . A data terminal 438 is used to transfer the data signal between the sub-control circuit 550 and the memory unit 420. The reset terminal 432 is used to supply the reset signal RST from the sub-control circuit 550 to the memory unit 420. [ The four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 are connected to each other through the wiring in the circuit board 40 (FIG. 3) of the cartridge 20 and are all grounded. For example, the attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 are connected to the ground terminal 437 and grounded. According to another embodiment, the attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 may be grounded by a path other than the ground terminal 437. [ As is clear from this explanation, the attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 may be connected to a portion of the memory terminal (or the memory unit 420), but may be a memory terminal other than the ground terminal 437, 420). If the attachment detection terminal is not connected to the memory terminal or the memory unit at all, no signal or voltage other than the attachment check signal is applied to the attachment detection terminal, thus ensuring accurate attachment detection. In the illustrated example of Fig. 28, the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 are interconnected by wiring, but a part of the connection path may be replaced by a resistor.

In FIG. 28, path names SCK, VDD, SDA, RST, OV1, OV2, DT1, and OV2 are assigned to the respective connection paths for connecting the apparatus side terminals 731 to 739 to the cartridge side terminals 431 to 439 of the circuit board 40, DT2 is assigned. The signal name is used for the path name for the connection path to the memory unit.

29 shows the connection between the circuit board 40 and the attachment detection circuit 552. Fig. The four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 of the circuit board 40 are connected to the attachment detection circuit 552 via the corresponding apparatus side terminals 731, 734, 735 and 739. The four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 of the circuit board 40 are grounded. The connection path between the apparatus side terminals 731, 734, 735 and 739 and the attachment detection circuit 552 is connected to the power supply voltage VDD of the sub-control circuit 550 through a pull- V, respectively.

In the illustrated example of Figure 29, three of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 on the circuit board 40 are connected to corresponding device side terminals 731, 734, and 735 ). ≪ / RTI > However, the attachment detection terminal 439 is in a poor connection state with the corresponding apparatus side terminal 739. [ The voltage of the connection path to the three device-side terminals 731, 734, and 735 having a good connection state is at the L level (ground voltage level), while the voltage level of the connection path to the device- Is at the H level (power supply voltage VDD level). The attachment detection circuit 552 can check the voltage levels of these connection paths and confirm the good / bad state of the connection state with respect to each of the four attachment detection terminals 731, 734, 735, and 739.

The contact portions cp of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 of the circuit board 40 are connected to the first region 432 including the contact portions cp of the memory terminals 432, 433, 436, 437, (400P). The contact portions cp of the four attachment detecting terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 are arranged at four corners of the rectangular second region 400T including the first region 400P. The first region 400P is preferably the smallest possible square including the contacts cp of the five memory terminals 432, 433, 436, 437, and 438. The second region 400T is preferably a minimum possible square including all the contact portions cp of the cartridge side terminals 431 to 439. [

When the contact state of both of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 is good, the cartridge 20 has no large inclination and a good contact state for the memory terminals 432, 433, 436, 437 and 438 . The cartridge has a large inclination and the number of the memory terminals 432, 433, 436, 437, 438 may be arbitrarily set to a predetermined value when any one of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, Resulting in poor contact of one or more terminals. According to the preferred embodiment, in a case where the contact state of any one of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 is poor, the attachment detection circuit 552 detects failure of attachment to the display panel 590 The notification informs the user of the attachment failure by displaying the information (character or image).

The contact portion cp of the attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435 and 439 is connected to the first region 400P including the contact portion cp of the memory terminals 432, 433, 436, 437 and 438 for the following reason Are placed in four surrounding corners. The cartridge 20 can be tilted to some extent so that the circuit board 40 of the cartridge 20 is held in contact with the contact mechanism 70 of the holder 60, As shown in FIG. For example, when the cartridge 20 is tilted, terminals 431 to 434 (more specifically, contacts thereof) in the upper line R2 (Fig. 10A) on the circuit board 40 are connected to the lower line R1 A contact failure may be caused at any one of the terminals 431 to 434 of the upper line R2 when the terminal 435 to 439 (more specifically, the contact portion) thereof is farther from the contact mechanism 70 than the terminals 435 to 439 The cartridge 20 is tilted so that the terminals 435 to 439 (more specifically the contacts thereof) in the lower line Rl (Figure 10a) on the circuit board 40 are connected to the terminals A contact failure may occur at any one of the terminals 435 to 439 of the lower line R1 when the contact point is farther from the contact mechanism 70 than the contact lines 431 to 434 (more specifically, the contact portion thereof). When the cartridge 20 is tilted so that the left end of the circuit board 40 (Fig. 10A) is farther away from the contact mechanism 70 than the right end, the terminals 431, 432, 435, 436, 437 may result in poor contact at any terminal. When the cartridge 20 is tilted so that the right end of the circuit board 40 (Fig. 10A) is farther away from the contact mechanism 70 than the left end, the terminals 433, 434, 437, 438, 439 may result in poor contact at any terminal. The contact failure can lead to errors in reading data from the memory unit 420 or writing data into the memory unit 420. [ All of the four attachment detection terminals 431, 434, 435, and 439 disposed at the four corners outside the first region 400P including the contact portions cp of the memory terminals 432, 433, 436, 437, If the contact portion cp is checked for contact goodness / badness, it is possible to prevent the contact failure due to such inclination and thereby the access error in the memory unit 420.

A-7. Advantageous Effects of Embodiment

A-7-1. A particular advantageous effect of this embodiment over the arrangements disclosed in the above-mentioned U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 and U.S. Patent No. 6,276,780

In the printing material supply system 10 according to the present embodiment, the lever 80 is provided on the holder 60 and the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is provided on the cartridge 20. [ The cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is provided on the -Z-axis direction side of the lever rotation axis 800c. The engaging portion for engaging with the holder is not provided at a position between the rotational axis of the lever and the operating member, unlike the configuration of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005/0151811 in which the lever is integral with the cartridge. Therefore, there is no need to make a relatively large gap between the lever and the cartridge side. Therefore, the configuration of this embodiment shortens the distance between the lever 80 and the third surface 203 of the cartridge, that is, the dimension in the X-axis direction, and shortens the length of the lever, that is, the dimension in the Z-axis direction. This not only allows a considerable downsizing of the printer 50 and the entire printing material supply system 10 but also enables the miniaturization of the packaging material for transportation and delivery of the cartridge 20, which advantageously reduces transportation costs and component costs. This advantageous effect can not be achieved simply by installing the lever in the printer holder instead of the cartridge, as described in U.S. Patent No. 6,276,780. This advantageous effect is obtained by providing the rotation axis 800c of the lever 80 between the operating member 830 and the engaging portion 810 and by allowing the cartridge side regulating portion 210 to move along the Z axis of the rotary shaft 800c of the lever 80 In the axial direction.

The printing material supply system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a relatively short lever 80 and a first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 (for example, a projection) that is small in size and simple in construction. As a result, the rigidity of the lever 80 and the cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is increased compared with the configuration disclosed in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, and the rigidity of the lever 80 and the cartridge-side restricting portion 210 (cartridge 20) A material having relatively high rigidity can be selected. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation or creep deformation of the lever 80 and the cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is significantly reduced. In the attached state, the cartridge 20 can be held in an appropriate position in the holder 60, which maintains a normal or good contact state between the cartridge side terminals 431 to 439 and the apparatus side terminals 731 to 739 Thereby reducing conduction failure. Since the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 of this embodiment has a small size and a simple configuration, unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, the packaging for transporting and delivering the cartridge 20, in particular, No special care is required to prevent plastic deformation of the lever. This improves the convenience of the user. For this advantageous effect, it is particularly preferable to provide the projection on the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 as described in this embodiment.

In the printing material supply system 10 according to the present embodiment, the cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is located on the -Z-axis direction side of the rotational axis 800c of the lever 80. [ As described above, the device-side terminals 731 to 739 are arranged in the direction in which the circuit board 40 is pushed in the attachment state of the cartridge 20 (that is, in the direction including the + Z axis direction vector component and the -X axis direction vector component To generate a pressing force Pt. This pressing force Pt is expected to move the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction in the attached state. However, in the printing material supply system 10 of this embodiment, the rotational axis 800c of the lever 80 is located on the -Z-axis direction side of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210, And restricts the movement from the + Z-axis direction side to the -Z-axis direction side.

According to the present embodiment, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is provided on the -Z-axis direction side and the -X-axis direction side of the rotation axis 800c of the lever 80. [ When the cartridge 20 moves in the + Z-axis direction, a rotational moment is generated in the lever 80 as shown by the arrow M in Fig. This moment acts so that the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is strongly urged by the engaging portion 810 in the -X-axis direction. This moment also acts to move the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 by moving the cartridge 20 in the -X-axis direction by the X-axis direction vector component of the pressing force Pt. The cartridge 20 in the attached state is subjected to a force to be pressed against the apparatus side bottom wall member 601 and the second apparatus side wall member 604. [ This configuration of the present embodiment prevents the cartridge 20 from being inadvertently disengaged from the holder 60 and thus prevents normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminals 431 to 439 and the device side terminals 731 to 739 And reduces the possibility of poor conduction.

27, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 abuts on the first portion 811 of the engaging portion 810 to lock the cartridge 20 in the + Z-axis direction, And a second cartridge side lock surface 213 contacting the second portion 813 of the engaging portion 810 to regulate the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + X axis direction. This ensures generation of the rotation moment as shown by the arrow M in Fig. 5, and more effectively reduces the possibility of poor conduction between the cartridge side terminals 431 to 439 and the apparatus side terminals 731 to 739.

As shown in Fig. 12, according to the present embodiment, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 has the second portion 214. [ The first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is configured such that when the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60, the possibility that the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is locked in the -Z-axis direction side position of the engaging portion 810 . During the attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, the user may depress the cartridge 20 deeper in the -Z-axis direction relative to the holder 60 than in the state of Fig. The second portion 214 of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 comes into contact with the second device side lock surface 813 of the lever 80 so that the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is engaged It is prevented from being positioned on the -Z-axis direction side of the portion 810. [ This reduces the possibility that the first cartridge side engagement portion 210 is locked by the engagement portion 810 at an unintended lock position.

A-7-2. Reduced influence of external force in cartridge attachment

30 shows an external force applied to the cartridge 20 in an attached state or a mounted state. During the printing operation of the printer 50, the holder 60 and the cartridge 20 move with respect to each other in the main scanning direction (the Y-axis direction or the width direction of the cartridge 20). Therefore, the cartridge 20 receives an external force (inertia force) in the width direction during acceleration and deceleration of the holder 60. [ The cartridge 20 receiving the external force can rotate in the rotational direction including the width vector component (Y-axis direction vector component) around the ink supply structure 280 (Fig. 27) and the printing material supply tube 640. [ More specifically, the third surface 203 side of the cartridge 20 can rotate in the direction of the arrow YR1, and the fourth surface 204 side of the cartridge 20 can rotate in the direction of the arrow YR2. The side of the second surface 202 of the cartridge 20 can also be rotated in the direction of the arrow YR3. The direction of the arrow YR1 and the direction of the arrow YR2 are rotational directions around the Z-axis, which includes a Y-axis direction vector component (width direction vector component). The direction of the arrow YR3 is the rotation direction around the X-axis, which includes the Y-axis direction vector component (the width direction vector component).

When the cartridge 20 is moved in the direction of the arrow YR3, either the fifth surface 205 or the sixth surface 206 of the cartridge 20 is pulled up in the + Z-axis direction. However, as described above, this + Z-axis movement of the cartridge is regulated by the lever 80. According to the present embodiment, as shown in Fig. 13, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is close to the intersecting portion 295. That is, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is close to the substrate end portion 405 of the circuit board 40. The first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is disposed as close as possible to the cartridge side terminal 400. [ Since the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is locked by the lever 80, the position of the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is hardly fluctuated by the external force. By providing the cartridge side terminal 400 at a position where the positional fluctuation is very small, misalignment of the positions of the terminals 431 to 439 of the cartridge side terminal 400 with respect to the holder 60 is effectively prevented, 400 and the device-side terminal 700 is maintained. In order to secure such an advantageous effect, at least a part (specifically, the first cartridge side lock surface 211) of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is moved in the Y-axis direction It is preferable to be disposed between the first outside portion 435P and the second outside portion 439P (Fig. 10A) when viewed from the side of the surface 203 in the -X axis direction.

7, according to the present embodiment, the corner section 265 of the cartridge 20 has a stepped surface (seventh surface) 207 extending in the + Z-axis direction from the first surface 201 . The seventh surface 207 is located on the -X axis side and the -Z axis side of the inclined surface (eighth surface) 208. The seventh surface 207 has the third cartridge side regulating element 250. As shown in Figs. 2 and 14 to 16, the holder 60 has a third device-side regulating element (protrusion) 636. Fig. The third cartridge side regulating element 250 contacts the protrusion 636. [ Which further regulates the widthwise movement of the third side 203 of the cartridge 20 around the printing re-supply tube 640 and the ink supply structure 280. The third cartridge side regulating element 250 is configured as a pair of protruding members protruding in the + X axis direction from the seventh surface 207 to receive the protruding portion 636 therebetween, as described in this embodiment . This simple structure effectively restricts the widthwise movement of the third side 203 of the cartridge 20 around the printing re-supply tube 640 and the ink supply structure 280.

The terminal supporting structure 408 and the third cartridge side regulating element 250 of the circuit board 40 are arranged in the X axis direction 201) side in the + Z-axis direction) are partially overlapped with each other. This more effectively restricts movement of the cartridge 20 in the direction of arrow YR1 and thus prevents movement (deviation) of the cartridge side terminal 400 relative to the holder 60. [

In the above description, the lateral direction external force applied to the cartridge 20 is the inertial force generated by the movement of the cartridge 20 in the main scanning direction. However, the external force applied to the cartridge 20 is not limited to this inertial force. For example, in an off-carriage type printer, the print head moves in the main scan direction, but the cartridge 20 is attached to the fixed holder 60 and therefore does not move in the main scan direction. However, in the off-carriage type printer, the cartridge 20 can receive an external force. More specifically, for example, an external force (inertial force) may be applied to the cartridge 20 due to the vibration caused by the movement of the print head in the main scan direction.

A-7-3. The inclination of the cartridge 20 in the attached state is reduced

12, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is provided so as to intersect the plane Yc passing through the center of the width (Y-axis direction length) of the cartridge 20, according to the present embodiment. 5, the cartridge 20 in the attached state receives a pressing force Ps, Pt containing a + Z-axis direction vector component from the holder 60. As shown in Fig. These pressing forces Ps, Pt press the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 against the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80. Even when the cartridge 20 in the attached state rotates about the X axis or the Z axis by an external force, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 hardly moves near the position intersecting the plane Yc.

The first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is located close to the intersection portion 295, i.e., close to the substrate end portion 405. A stable electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal 400 and the contact mechanism 70 is ensured by providing the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 which hardly moves in a position very close to the cartridge side terminal 400. [

The portion effective for restricting the position of the cartridge side terminal 400 among the first cartridge side regulating portions 210 is the first cartridge side lock surface 211. Therefore, it is preferable to position the first cartridge side lock surface 211 as close as possible to the cartridge side terminal 400. [ If the third portion 215 of the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is omitted and the first portion 212 is disposed in contact with the first surface 290, the first cartridge side lock surface 211 is positioned at the intersection 295, or the substrate end 405. As shown in FIG. This further ensures stable electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal 400 and the contact mechanism 70.

10, among the contact portions cp of the respective cartridge-side terminals 400, the ground terminal 437 having the contact portion cp at the center in the Y-axis direction has a flat surface Yc, As shown in FIG. The contact portions cp of the remaining terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439 are arranged to be symmetrical with respect to the intersection of the plane Yc and the ground terminal 437 as an axis. Since the position of the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is fixed, the plane Yc is particularly hardly moved. The cartridge side terminal 400 is provided on or near the plane Yc on which motion is hardly caused. In addition to providing the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 at a position very close to the cartridge side terminal 400, by arranging the cartridge side terminal 400 on the plane Yc or in the vicinity thereof, 400 and the contact mechanism 70 is further ensured.

A-7-4. Fine adjustment of the tilted cartridge 20 in the attached state

According to the present embodiment, the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 (more specifically, the first cartridge side lock surface 211) is disposed in the Y axis direction and on the most + Y axis direction side of the cartridge side terminal 400 And is located outside the outer side of the range 40Y between the first outer portion 435P positioned at the most -Y-axis direction side of the cartridge side terminal 400 and the second outer portion 439P located at the most -Y-axial side of the cartridge side terminal 400. [ After the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60, the cartridge side terminal 400 is subjected to the force of the + Z-axis direction vector component from the apparatus side terminal 700, and thus the inclination of the cartridge 20, The direction of the inclined terminal support structure 408 on which the cartridge side terminal 400 is provided is finely adjusted. The position of each of the apparatus side terminals 731 to 739 from the apparatus side inclined surface 708 or the first cartridge side lock surface 211 of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is changed by the manufacturing error . Even in this case, fine adjustment of the direction of the inclined terminal support structure 408 ensures stable electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal 400 and the device side terminal 700. [

Fig. 31 shows a fine adjustment of the orientation of the inclined terminal support structure 408. Fig. After the fine adjustment of the posture of the cartridge 20, the position of the cartridge 20 is shown in dashed lines. In this example, the attachment detection terminal 731 of the apparatus side terminal 700 protrudes more than the designed amount in the + Z axis direction from the apparatus side slope surface 708 (Fig. 18). In this case, the inclined terminal support structure 408 receives the force Ph from the attachment detection terminal 731 in the direction including the + Z axis direction vector component. By positioning the first cartridge side lock surface 211 within the range 40Y, the cartridge 20 can further rotate about the X axis. That is, by applying the force Ph to the inclined terminal support structure 408, the posture of the cartridge 20 can be finely adjusted. In the example shown in FIG. 31, the posture of the cartridge 20 is fine-tuned to be inclined toward the sixth surface 206 side.

A-7-5. Advantageous effects of the second cartridge-side restricting portion 220

The cartridge 20 has a second cartridge side regulating portion 220 (Fig. 27) on the fourth surface 204, which moves from the + X axis direction side of the cartridge 20 to the + Z axis direction . This further ensures stable electrical connection between the cartridge-side terminal 400 and the device-side terminal 700.

According to this embodiment, the second cartridge-side restricting portion 220 is a protruding portion protruding from the fourth surface 204 toward the -X-axis direction. The second cartridge side regulating portion 220 is inserted into the second apparatus side regulating element 620 (Fig. 3) in the form of a through hole of the holder 60. [ The user rotates the cartridge 20 around the vicinity of the second cartridge-side restricting portion 220 inserted in the second device-side regulating element 620 (Fig. 3) in order to attach and detach the cartridge 20 to the holder 60 . The second apparatus-side regulating element 620 thus serves as a guide for attaching and detaching the cartridge 20 to the holder 60. [ This configuration facilitates attachment and detachment of the cartridge 20 relative to the holder 60. The second cartridge side restricting portion 220 in the form of a protrusion can be easily provided on the fourth surface 204 of the cartridge 20. [

A-7-6. Advantageous Effects of the Projections 260

27, according to the present embodiment, the cartridge 20 has the protruding portion 260 on the + Z-axis direction side of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 of the third surface 203. As shown in Fig. When a force is applied to the operating member 830 of the lever 80 from the + X-axis direction side to the -X-axis direction side in order to separate the cartridge 20 from the holder 60, the operating member 830 is pressed against the protrusions 260 And presses the projection 260 in the direction Yh including the + Z axis direction vector component. Therefore, the protrusion 260 receives the force of the + Z-axis direction vector component. This easily separates the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 using the operating member 830. [ Even when the cartridge 20 is caught on a part of the holder 60 and the first cartridge side lock surface 211 does not move in the + Z axis direction while moving in the + X axis direction from the first lock position 810L, The third surface 203 side of the protruding portion 20 can be moved in the + Z axis direction by using the protruding portion 260.

According to the present embodiment, an external force is directly applied to the projecting portion 260 from the operating member 830, but an external force may not be applied to the projecting portion 260 from the operating member 830. [ When the operating member 830 is rotated, the engaging portion 810 is disengaged from the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 and the restriction on the side of the third surface 203 of the cartridge 20 in the + Z- do. When the restriction on the movement of the cartridge 20 in the + Z axis direction is released, the third surface 203 side of the cartridge 20 is moved in the + Z axis direction by the pressing force Pt from the contact mechanism 70. [ The protrusion 260 of the cartridge 20 moves in the direction Yh at the same time. The user grasps the protrusion 260 moving in the direction Yh and easily separates the cartridge 20 from the holder 60. [ The operability of separating the cartridge 20 from the holder 60 is improved without applying an external force directly to the projecting portion 260 from the operating member 830 by providing the projecting portion 260. [

A-7-7. Advantageous Effects of Position of the Ink Supply Structure 280

27, the ink supply structure 280 is provided at a position closer to the fourth surface 204 than the third surface 203 on the first surface 201, according to the present embodiment. The distance between the outer surface of the ink supply structure 280 and the third surface 203 in the X axis direction is larger than the distance between the outer surface of the ink supply structure 280 and the fourth surface 204. [ The cartridge side terminal 400 is provided on the inclined terminal support structure 408 adjacent to the third side 203. [ That is, the ink supply structure 280 is provided at a position away from the cartridge side terminal 400. This reduces the possibility that the ink is adhered to the cartridge side terminal 400 and prevents the poor contact between the cartridge side terminal 400 and the apparatus side terminal 700. [

A-7-8. Advantageous effects of the ground terminal 437

10, among the contact portions cp of the cartridge-side terminal 400, the ground terminal 437 having the contact portion cp at the center in the Y-axis direction has the width (width) of the cartridge 20, (Length in the Y-axis direction). The ground terminal 437 is configured to contact the contact mechanism 70 before the cartridge side terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439 while the cartridge 20 is attached to the holder 60. [ Therefore, the urging force first applied from the holder 60 to the circuit board 40 is generated almost at the center of the width or Y-axis length of the cartridge 20. [ This prevents the pressing force applied to the circuit board 40 from acting to tilt the cartridge 20 in the Y axis direction, thus allowing the attachment of the cartridge 20 at the designed attachment position. The reason why the grounding terminal 437 is in contact with the contact mechanism 70 of the holder 60 before the other cartridge side terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439 is that even when an unexpected high voltage is applied to the cartridge 20 The grounding function of the ground terminal 437 advantageously prevents or reduces troubles and troubles caused by the high voltage.

A-7-9. Advantageous effects of the shape of the first apparatus side lock surface 811

As shown in Fig. 21, the first apparatus side lock surface 811 is an arc-shaped curved surface around the rotation axis 800c in a section parallel to the X axis and the Z axis. This ensures a smooth operation for attaching and detaching the holder 60 to the cartridge 20. [ By forming the first apparatus side lock surface 811 in a curved surface, the amount of the pushing back in the + Z axis direction by the elastic member 648 (Fig. 27) during the attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60 is reduced do. This ensures good electrical contact between the cartridge-side terminal 400 and the device-side terminal 700.

One example of such an advantageous effect will be described with reference to Figs. 32A to 32F. 32A to 32F correspond to the Z-axis direction, the upper direction corresponds to the + Z-axis direction, and the lower direction corresponds to the -Z-axis direction, and these directions are opposite to each other. 32A to 32C show the attachment of the cartridge using the first apparatus side lock surface 811 formed in a curved surface, and are arranged in the time sequence in this order.

The first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 moves in the -Z-axis direction while being in contact with the guide bottom wall 821 in order to attach the cartridge 20 to the holder 60, as shown in Fig. 32A. 32B, when the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 further moves in the -Z axis direction through the guide bottom wall 821, the first apparatus side lock surface 811 moves in the direction of the arrow Y32 . When the user strongly presses the cartridge 20 in the -Z-axis direction, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is positioned on the -Z-axis direction side of the first apparatus side lock surface 811. [ When the user releases his or her hand from the cartridge 20, the cartridge 20 is pressed in the + Z axis direction by the pressing forces Ps and Pt of the elastic member 648 and the apparatus side terminal 700. The pressed-up amount of the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 of the cartridge 20 when the first apparatus side lock surface 811 is formed into a curved surface is D1 as shown in FIG. 32C.

As shown in Figs. 32D to 32F, when the first apparatus side lock surface 811t is formed in a flat surface, the push-up amount of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is D2, which is larger than D1.

In a state in which the cartridge 20 is attached, the first device side lock surface 811 formed as a curved surface can be positioned on the -Z-axis direction side of the first device side lock surface 811t formed in a plane. This reduces the amount of pushing of the first cartridge side regulating portion 210.

According to the present embodiment, the first apparatus side lock surface 811 located at the predetermined or first lock position 810L is close to the rotation axis 800c in the X axis direction (Fig. 21). This reduces the moving distance of the first apparatus side lock surface 811 in the Z axis direction even when the actual lock position deviates from the first lock position 810L in the X axis direction. Therefore, this prevents the cartridge 20 from deviating in the Z-axis direction with respect to the holder 60.

B. Additional Examples

33 shows the printer 50 according to the second embodiment. Fig. 33 shows a cross section corresponding to the cross section of Fig. 17 according to the first embodiment. The difference from the printer 50 of the first embodiment is that the retainer 690a does not have the elastic member 682. [ In addition, the printer 50a of the second embodiment has the same configuration as the printer 50 of the first embodiment. Like elements are referred to by like numerals and are not described in detail. The cartridge 20 attached to the printer 50 has the same configuration as the cartridge 20 attached to the printer 50 of the first embodiment.

33, the retainer 690a does not have an elastic member for pressing the lever 80 in the direction including the -X-axis vector component. However, the lever 80 is configured such that the first apparatus side lock surface 811 thereof is located at the first lock position 810L by its own weight, and therefore the first cartridge side lock surface 211 of the cartridge 20 Is locked by the first apparatus side lock surface 811 of the lever 80. [

The printer 50a of the second embodiment has an advantageous effect similar to that of the printer 60 of the first embodiment. In addition, the configuration of the retainer 690 having no elastic member reduces the possibility of damage or breakage of the retainer 690, and the total number of parts is reduced, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the printer 50a.

C. Third Embodiment

34 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the cartridge 20b according to the third embodiment. The difference from the cartridge 20 (Fig. 7) of the first embodiment is the size of the cartridge 20b. In addition, the cartridge 20b of the third embodiment has the same configuration as the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment. Like elements are referred to by like numerals and are not described in detail. The printer of the third embodiment is adopted for the cartridge 20b but has the same configuration as the holder 60 and each member (for example, the lever 80) provided in the holder 60 of the first embodiment.

The cartridge 20b has a larger size than the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment and can accommodate a large amount of ink. The cartridge 20b may be attached to a cartridge mounting structure of a large-size ink-jet printer capable of printing a large size paper (for example, A2 to A0 size). The cartridge 20b is attached to the cartridge mounting structure of the large ink-jet printer in the -Z-axis direction as the mounting direction SD. According to this embodiment, the -Z axis direction is the horizontal direction. With the cartridge 20 attached to the cartridge mounting structure, the X-axis direction is vertical. More specifically, the + X axis direction is a vertical upward direction, and the -X axis direction is a vertical downward direction.

D. Modification Example of Cartridge Configuration

35 to 37 show a modification example of the cartridge configuration. These cartridges are designed for a printer having the same configuration as the printer 50 according to the first embodiment. The components of these cartridges, which are similar to the components of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment, are referred to by like numerals.

D-1. Modification of cartridge contour

35A to 35H are conceptual diagrams showing a cartridge outer shape according to another embodiment. The cartridge 20c shown in Fig. 35A has a housing of an elliptical or oblong circular side surface. The cartridge 20c has a first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 and a circuit board 40 provided on the front surface. An ink supplying structure 280 is formed on the lower surface of the cartridge 20c and a second cartridge side regulating portion 220 is formed on the rear surface of the cartridge 20c. The cartridge 20c has a constant width when viewed from the front side thereof. As long as the cartridge 20c is configured so that the first and second cartridge side regulating portions 210 and 220, the circuit board 40 and the ink supply structure 280 can be connected to the corresponding portions of the printer 50, It can be compatible with the cartridge 20 shown in Fig.

The cartridge 20d shown in Fig. 35B has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape like the cartridge 20 shown in Fig. 7 is that the eighth surface 208 is not continuous from the bottom of the third surface 203. [ The cartridge 20l shown in Fig. 35G is similar in design and shape to the cartridge 20d, in addition to the arrangement in which the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is provided close to the terminal supporting structure 408. Fig. The cartridges 20e, 20f shown in Figs. 35c and 35d do not have the seventh face included in the cartridge 20 of Fig. The cartridge 20g shown in Fig. 35E has a circuit board 40 that is mounted on the eighth surface 208 by a spring A. Fig. The cartridge 20h shown in Figure 35F has a hinge surface or a moving surface 208h instead of the eighth surface 208 and the circuit board 40 is mounted on the movable surface 208h. The movable surface 208h is moved from the position shown by the broken line to the position shown by the solid line while the cartridge 20h is mounted in the printer. The contact portions of the terminals on the circuit board 40 are aligned on the contact surface plane TP. These cartridges 20c to 20g are also connected to the first and second cartridge side regulating portions 210 and 220, It can be compatible with the cartridge 20 shown in Figure 7 as long as the substrate 40 and the ink supply structure 280 are configured to be connected to the corresponding portion of the printer 50. The cartridge 20m Is connected to the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 at one end and hinge or other And has a elongated member 211a connected to the upper portion 202 of the cartridge 20m via a bot mechanism The terminals are flat in this embodiment but may be elongate, linear or other shapes For example, Figure 35i shows an embodiment with elongated terminals 400n in which contacts cp are aligned on the terminal plane TP when the cartridge 20j is mounted to the printer. The cartridge 20j has a contact mechanism 70j having substantially the same configuration (including the configuration of the terminal) as the apparatus side contact mechanism 70 shown in Figure 18. The contact mechanism 70j And a resilient terminal having a contact portion that contacts terminal 700 of contact mechanism 70 and is substantially aligned on terminal plane TP when cartridge 20j is mounted to the printer. 35i and 35j, the term " terminal support structure " and " It may be supporting the contact portion, and thus considered to be almost the same portion of the cartridge and the terminal portion of the terminal which is shown by a contact plane (TP). The portion of the restricting portion 210 that engages with the apparatus-side lever includes (1) an intersection of the top surface 202 and the front surface 203, (2) one of the top surface 202 and the front surface 203, (E.g., when the cartridge body has an upper surface and a front surface of the same shape as in the embodiment of FIGS. 35A and 35D) or an intersection of the other of the front surface 203 And the front surface 203 intersect with the front surface 203 and the contact portion cp are disposed closer to each other than the intersection of the contact surface plane TP and the front surface 203. [ 35j, the circuit board 40j of the cartridge 20j is disposed inside the contact mechanism 70j and contacts the apparatus side contact mechanism 70 by indirect contact through the contact mechanism 70j .

As is evident from the example shown in Figs. 35A-35H, there are various other modifications of the cartridge contour. In the case of a cartridge having an outer shape other than a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, as shown by broken lines in FIGS. 35A and 35D, six faces of a rectangular parallelepiped, namely, a lower face 201 (first face), an upper face 202 The front face 203 (third face), the rear face 204 (fourth face), the left face 205 (fifth face), and the right face 206 (sixth face). As used herein, the terms " face " and " plane " refer to the virtual plane or non-real (imaginary) plane shown in Fig. 35A or 35D and the actual plane shown in Figs. The terms " face " and " plane " include both planar and curved surfaces.

D-2. Cartridge with adapter

36 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cartridge 20i having an adapter according to an embodiment. The cartridge 20i can be separated into a container assembly 200i having an ink chamber 200 and an adapter 299, which can then be engaged to be mounted on the holder of the printing apparatus. When the printing material in the ink chamber 200 is exhausted, the user replaces the container assembly 200i with a new one or recharges the printing material to the container assembly 200i. The adapter 299 can be reused. This cartridge 20i can be compatible with the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment shown in Fig.

The housing 22i for the cartridge 20i comprises a combination of a housing for the container assembly 200i and a housing for the adapter 299i. The container assembly 200i includes an ink chamber 200 configured to receive ink, a printing material flow path 282 configured to supply ink or printing material to the ink supply structure, and a resin foam 284. The container assembly 200i has a second surface 202i corresponding to the second surface 202 of the cartridge 20i. The container assembly 200i has a first surface 201i, a third surface 203i, and a fourth surface 201i, respectively corresponding to the first surface 201 and the third to eighth surfaces 203 to 208 of the cartridge 20i, And has a surface 204i, a fifth surface (not shown), a sixth surface 206i, a seventh surface 207i, and an eighth surface 208i. The first surface 201i and the second surface 202i face each other in the Z axis direction and the first surface 201i is located on the -Z axis side and the second surface 202i is located on the + Z axis direction side Located. The third surface 203i and the fourth surface 204i are opposed to each other in the X axis direction, the third surface 203i is positioned on the + X axis direction side, and the fourth surface 204i is disposed on the -X axis direction side Located. The fifth surface (not shown) and the sixth surface 206i are mutually opposed in the Y axis direction, the fifth surface (not shown) is positioned on the -Y axis direction side, and the sixth surface 206i is + Y And is positioned on the axial direction side. The seventh surface 207i and the eighth surface 208i form a connecting surface connecting the first surface 201i to the third surface 203i. The seventh surface 207i is a plane orthogonal to the first surface 201i and parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis (YZ plane). The seventh surface 207i as the step surface is angled perpendicular to the first surface 201i. Therefore, the seventh surface 207i extends in the + Z-axis direction from the first surface 201i. The seventh surface 207i is located on the -X-axis direction side and the -Z-axis direction side of the eighth surface 208i. The eighth surface 208i connects the seventh surface 207i to the third surface 203i and is an inclined surface inclined in the direction including the + X axis direction vector component and the -Z axis direction vector component. The eighth surface 208i is inclined with respect to the first surface 201i and the third surface 203i and orthogonal to the fifth surface (not shown) and the sixth surface 206i. That is, the eighth surface 208i is inclined with respect to the XY plane and the YZ plane, and orthogonal to the XZ plane.

The adapter 299 has a first surface 201, a third surface 203, a fourth surface 204, a fifth surface 205, a sixth surface 206, a seventh surface 207 And the eighth surface 208, as shown in Fig. The surface of the adapter 299 corresponding to the second surface 202 of the cartridge 20i is an opening. The adapter 299 has an interior space for receiving the container assembly 200i. The first surface 201 of the adapter 200 has an ink supply structure 280. In addition, the cartridge 20i has a similar configuration as a part of the configuration of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. The first cartridge side regulating portion 210 may be provided to the adapter 299 as shown in Fig. 36 or may be provided to the container assembly 200i (not shown). Likewise, the circuit board 40 may be provided to the adapter 299 as shown in FIG. 36 or may be provided in the container assembly 200i (not shown). It is not necessary that the regulating portion 210 and the circuit board 40 are both provided in the container assembly 200i or the adapter 299 but rather one is provided in the container assembly 200i and the other is provided in the adapter 299 . Accordingly, the cartridge 20i may be configured as a combination of the container assembly 200i and the adapter 299 as described above.

37 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cartridge 20j having an adapter according to another embodiment. The cartridge 20j can be separated into a container assembly 200j having an ink chamber 200 and an adapter 299j, which can then be engaged to be mounted on the holder of the printing apparatus. When the printing material in the ink chamber 200 is exhausted, the user replaces the container assembly 200j with a new one or recharges the printing material to the container assembly 200j. The adapter 299 can be reused. This cartridge 20j can be compatible with the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment shown in Fig.

The housing 22j for the cartridge 20j is composed of a combination of a housing for the container assembly 200j and a housing for the adapter 299j. The container assembly 200j has an ink chamber 200 and an ink supply structure 280 configured to receive ink. The container assembly 200j has a second surface 202j and a sixth surface 206j respectively corresponding to the second surface 202 and the sixth surface 206 of the cartridge 20j. The container assembly 200j also includes a first surface 201 of the cartridge 20j, a third surface 203, a fourth surface 204, a fifth surface 205, a seventh surface 207, A third surface 203j, a fourth surface 204j, a fifth surface (not shown), a seventh surface 207j, and an eighth surface 208j, which correspond to the second surface 208, Respectively. The first surface 201j and the second surface 202j are opposed to each other in the Z axis direction and the first surface 201j is located on the -Z axis side and the second surface 202j is on the + Z axis direction side Located. The third surface 203j and the fourth surface 204j are opposed to each other in the X axis direction, the third surface 203j is located on the + X axis direction side and the fourth surface 204j is on the -X axis direction side Located. The fifth surface (not shown) and the sixth surface 206j are mutually opposed in the Y axis direction, the fifth surface (not shown) is positioned on the -Y axis direction side, and the sixth surface 206j is + Y And is positioned on the axial direction side. The seventh surface 207j and the eighth surface 208j form a connecting surface connecting the first surface 201j with the third surface 203j. The seventh surface 207j forms a plane (YZ plane) orthogonal to the first surface 201j and parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis. The seventh surface 207j as the step surface is angled perpendicular to the first surface 201j. Therefore, the seventh surface 207j extends in the + Z-axis direction from the first surface 201j. The seventh surface 207j is located on the -X-axis direction side and the -Z-axis direction side of the eighth surface 208j. The eighth surface 208j is an inclined surface connecting the seventh surface 207j to the third surface 203j and inclined in the direction including the + X axis direction vector component and the -Z axis direction vector component. The eighth surface 208j is inclined with respect to the first surface 201j and the third surface 203j and orthogonal to the fifth surface (not shown) and the sixth surface 206j. That is, the eighth surface 208j is inclined with respect to the XY plane and the YZ plane, and orthogonal to the XZ plane.

The adapter 299j has a surface corresponding to the first surface 201, the third surface 203, the fourth surface 204 and the fifth surface 205 of the cartridge 20j. The surface of the adapter 299j forming the second surface 202 and the sixth surface 206 of the cartridge 20j is an opening. The adapter 299j has an internal space for receiving the container assembly 200j. The adapter 299j also has an opening in a portion of the first surface 201. The ink supply structure 280 provided in the container assembly 200j is exposed at an opening provided in the first surface 201 of the adapter 299j and connected to the printing material supply tube 640 (Fig. 2). The cartridge 20j has the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 having a simpler configuration than that of the first embodiment (see Fig. 7), but the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 having the same configuration as that of the first embodiment (Not shown). Alternatively, the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 may be part of the adapter 299j as shown in Fig. 37, or may be part of the container assembly 200j (not shown). Likewise, the circuit board 40 may be provided to the adapter 299j, as shown in Fig. 37, or may be provided in a container assembly 200j (not shown). It is not necessary that the regulating portion 210 and the circuit board 40 are both provided in the container assembly 200j or the adapter 299 but rather one is provided in the container assembly 200j and the other is provided in the adapter 299j . The cartridge 20j has the third surface 203 and the fourth surface 204 which are lower in height (shorter Z-axis direction length) than the third surface 203 and the fourth surface 204 of the first embodiment, And may have a third surface 203 and a fourth surface 204 of the same height (same Z-axis direction length) as the first embodiment. The cartridge 20j does not have the protrusion 260, but may have the protrusion 260 as in the first embodiment. In addition, the cartridge 20j has a similar configuration as a part of the configuration of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. Accordingly, the cartridge 20j may be composed of a combination of the container assembly 200j and the adapter 299j as described above.

FIG. 37B shows a cartridge 20p configured similarly to that shown in the embodiment of FIG. However, this embodiment is different in that the cartridge 20p is divided into an adapter 299p and a container assembly 200p. The adapter 299p is fitted over the end 201p (shown by the dotted line) of the container assembly 200p before the cartridge 20p is mounted on the printer. In addition, the terminal 400p is formed directly on the surface of the adapter 299p. When the terminal is formed in the flat surface, the flat surface on which the terminal is formed, regardless of whether it is formed on the surface of the cartridge as in this embodiment or on the surface of the circuit board as in the previous embodiment, Terminal support structure ".

38 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a cartridge 20k having an adapter according to another embodiment. The cartridge 20k includes an adapter 299k, an external tank 200T, a tube 200L, and an auxiliary adapter 200S. The adapter 299k has the same configuration as that of the adapter 299j described above with reference to Fig. The external tank 200T accommodates the printing material and is installed outside the printer 50 shown in Fig. The auxiliary adapter 200S has the ink supply structure 280k. The tube 200L is used to supply the printing material from the external tank 200T to the auxiliary adapter 200S. The external tank 200T, the auxiliary adapter 200S and the tube 200L serve as a container assembly 200k configured to receive ink or printing material. 38, the cartridge 20k of this embodiment is thus assumed to have the container assembly 200k. Thus, the cartridge 20k of this embodiment can be separated into the container assembly 200k and the adapter 299k, such as the cartridge 20i shown in Fig. 36 and the cartridge 20j shown in Fig. After all the printing material in the outer tank 200T is used, the user replaces the outer tank 200T with a new one or recharges the printing material to the external tank 200T. The adapter 299k may be reused. This cartridge 20k can be compatible with the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment shown in Fig.

The housing 22k of the cartridge 20k is composed of a combination of a housing for the virtual container assembly 200k and a housing for the adapter 299k. The configuration of the virtual container assembly 200k and the configuration of the adapter 299k are similar to each other in a state in which a part of the configuration of the adapter 299k is changed or unchanged as compared with the configuration of the cartridge 20j described above with reference to Fig. In addition, the cartridge 20k has a similar configuration as a part of the configuration of the cartridge 20 of the first embodiment shown in Fig. Accordingly, the cartridge 20k may be composed of a combination of the container assembly 200k and the adapter 299k as described above.

E. Modifications of Levers

According to this embodiment, the elastic member 682 is provided separately from the lever 80 (Fig. 22). The lever 80 may be made of an elastically deformable material. A modified example of the lever will be described with reference to Figs. 39 and 40. Fig.

39A and 39B show the configuration of the lever 80a according to one modification. 39A is a perspective view showing the appearance of the lever 80a, and FIG. 39B is a side view showing the appearance of the lever 80a. The difference with the lever 80 of the first embodiment is that the lever 80 has an arm member 890 which is further resiliently deformable and has an operating member 830a of a different shape and has a groove 870 It is not. In addition, the lever 80a has a configuration similar to that of the lever according to the first embodiment (Fig. 19). The lever 80a is made of a synthetic resin such as polypropylene.

Figure 40 shows the attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 60a. According to the present embodiment, the cartridge 20 has the first cartridge side regulating portion 210a which does not have the second portion 214 (Fig. 12). The shaft body 850 of the lever 80a is attached to the first apparatus side wall member 603. When the lever 80a rotates about the shaft body 850, the arm member 890a comes into contact with the protrusion 603t formed as a part to be resiliently deformed of the first apparatus side wall member 603.

F. Example of modification of cartridge side terminal

Figs. 41A to 41C show modifications of the terminal shape on the circuit board. The difference from the circuit board 40 shown in Fig. 10A is that the shapes of the terminals 431 to 439 of the circuit boards 40c to 40e are different. Each of the terminals on the circuit board 40c shown in Fig. 41A and the circuit board 40d shown in Fig. 41B has an irregular shape instead of the substantially rectangular parallelepiped (Fig. 10A) according to the first embodiment. In the circuit board 40e shown in Fig. 41C, nine terminals 431 to 439 are arranged in a row, in which attachment detection terminals 435 and 439 are disposed at both ends, and attachment detection terminals 431 and 434 Are disposed between the attachment detection terminal 435 and the power supply terminal 436 and between the attachment detection terminal 439 and the data terminal 438, respectively. In these circuit boards 40c to 40e, the contact portions cp of these terminals 431 to 439, which are in contact with the apparatus-side terminals corresponding to these terminals 431 to 439, are connected to the circuit board 400 shown in Fig. . The individual terminals can have various deformed shapes as long as the contact portions cp have the same configuration.

G. Other Modifications

The present invention has been described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Some examples of possible modifications are described below.

G-1. First Modification Example

The second cartridge-side restricting portion 220 is provided on the fourth surface 204 according to the embodiment, but it may be omitted in some cases. For example, when there is a relatively small clearance between each of the slots of the cartridge 20 and the holder 60, the movement in the + Z direction on the side of the fourth surface 204 of the cartridge 20, All or part of the outer surface of the fourth surface 204 can be regulated by contacting the second apparatus side wall member 604 without the second apparatus side wall member 604. [ This causes the cartridge 20 to be held in the holder 60. According to another embodiment, an elastic member made of rubber, for example, may be provided between the fourth side 204 of the cartridge 20 and the second side wall member 604 of the holder 60. [ Z-axis movement of the cartridge 20 on the side of the fourth side 204 is caused by the movement of the elastic member relative to the fourth side 204 of the cartridge 20 and the second side wall member 604 of the holder 60 It can be regulated by friction. The elastic member may be a member separate from the cartridge 20 or the holder 60 or may be a member separate from the cartridge 20 or the holder 60 or may be coupled to the fourth side 204 of the cartridge 20 or the second device side wall member 604 of the holder 60 . In the application in which the second cartridge side restricting portion 220 is not provided, the second apparatus side regulating element 620 (Fig. 15) provided in the second apparatus side wall member 604 may be omitted.

The second cartridge-side restricting portion 220 may be a protrusion according to the embodiment, but may be in another form such as a recess, for example. In this latter application, the second apparatus-side regulating element 620 provided in the second apparatus-side sidewall member 604 may be a protrusion. According to another embodiment, the holder 60 may have additional members configured to press the fourth side 204 side of the second side 202 of the cartridge 20 in the -Z axis direction. For example, the holder 60 may have a slidable rod member. After the cartridge 20 is disposed in the cartridge chamber 602, the fourth side 204 side of the second side 202 of the cartridge 20 may be pressed by the rod member.

G-2. Second Modification Example

The first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is provided at a position close to the intersecting portion 295 according to the embodiment but is provided at any position on the third surface 203 within the range 40Y, (Fig. 12). By positioning the first cartridge side restricting portion 210 within the range 40, the direction of the inclined surface on which the cartridge side terminal is mounted can be finely adjusted. This ensures stable electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

G-3. Third Modification Example

According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 22, the lever 80 has a pair of shaft bodies 850, and the retainer 690 has a bearing element 654. Fig. According to another embodiment, the lever 80 may have a bearing element, and the retainer 690 may have a shaft body. According to this embodiment, a retainer 690 having a lever 80 and a second retainer member 680 is used and attached to the holder 60 for easy assembly of the printer. However, the retainer 690 is not essential. According to another embodiment, the bearing member may be integrally formed with the outer wall 603W of the holder 60 to receive and fix the lever 80. [

G-4. Fourth modification

As described above, the present invention is not limited to ink jet printers and ink cartridges thereof, but can be applied to various liquid ejecting apparatuses configured to eject liquid other than ink, and liquid containers thereof, for example, liquid ejecting apparatuses described later and liquid containers thereof :

1. An image recording apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus;

2. A color material injection device used for manufacturing a color filter for an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, for example;

3. Electrode material injection devices used for forming electrodes of, for example, an organic electroluminescence display and a field emission display (FED);

4. A liquid injection device configured to inject a liquid containing a bio-organic material used for manufacturing a biochip;

5. Sample injector used with precision pipette;

6. Lubricating oil injection device;

7. Resin liquid injection device;

8. A liquid injection device for pinpointing lube oil to precision machinery including a watch and a camera;

9. A liquid ejecting apparatus configured to eject a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid onto a substrate to produce a micro hemispherical lens (optical lens) used in, for example, an optical communication device;

10. A liquid ejection apparatus configured to eject an acidic or alkaline etchant to etch a substrate; And

11. A liquid ejecting apparatus comprising a liquid ejection head for ejecting a small amount of another arbitrary droplet.

"Droplet" means a liquid state that is ejected from a liquid ejection apparatus, and may be a particle shape, a teardrop shape, or a tapered thread shape. As used herein, the term " liquid " may be any material that can be ejected by the liquid ejection apparatus. The " liquid " may be any liquid material. For example, "liquid" includes high viscosity or low viscosity liquid state materials, sol, gel water, various inorganic solvents and organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, liquid metal (metal melt). &Quot; Liquid " is not limited to a liquid state as one of three states of matter, but includes lysates, dispersions and mixtures of functional solid particles such as pigment particles or metal particles dissolved, dispersed or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include the inks described in the above examples, and liquid crystals. &Quot; Ink " includes, but is not limited to, various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks as well as general aqueous and oily inks.

G-5. Fifth modification

The present invention can be implemented by the following modifications. Modifications The signs in parentheses attached to the elements in each correspond to the sign of each element described in the first embodiment.

G-5-1. First Modification

The cartridge 20 detachably attached to the printing apparatus 50 includes a first surface 201 configured to form an outer surface of the cartridge and includes a first surface 201 having a printing material supplying structure 280 connected to the printing apparatus, A surface 201; A second side 202 facing the first side 201; A third surface 203 configured to have one side 291 connected to the second side 202 and another side 290 opposite to the one side 291, A third surface 203 positioned between the first surface 201 and the second surface 202 with respect to an opposing direction (Z-axis direction) opposite to the second surface 202; A fourth surface 204 facing the third surface 203 and configured to be connected to the first surface 201 and the second surface 202; A corner section (265) configured to form an outer surface (265) connecting the first surface (201) to the third surface (203); The cartridge side terminal 400 to be provided in the corner section 265 is configured such that when the cartridge 20 is attached to the printing apparatus 50 and the cartridge 20 is moved from the apparatus side terminal 700 of the printing apparatus 50 A cartridge side terminal (400) configured to receive a pushing external force; And a first cartridge side regulating portion 210 provided on the third surface 203 and locked by a lever 80 of the printing apparatus 50 in the attached state to regulate the upward movement of the cartridge 20 And the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is provided at a position close to the cartridge side terminal 400. [

G-5-2. Second Modification

The cartridge 20 detachably attached to the printing apparatus 50 includes a first surface 201 configured to form an outer surface of the cartridge and includes a first surface 201 having a printing material supplying structure 280 connected to the printing apparatus, A surface 201; A second side 202 facing the first side 201; The first surface 201 and the second surface 202 are configured to have one side 291 connected to the second side 202 and another side 290 opposite to the one side 291, Therefore, a third surface 203 positioned between the first surface 201 and the second surface 202 with respect to the mutually opposed opposed direction (Z-axis direction); A fourth surface 204 facing the third surface 203 and configured to be connected to the first surface 201 and the second surface 202; A corner section (265) configured to form an outer surface (265) connecting the first surface (201) to the third surface (203); The cartridge side terminal 400 to be provided in the corner section 265 is configured such that when the cartridge 20 is attached to the printing apparatus 50 and the cartridge 20 is moved from the apparatus side terminal 700 of the printing apparatus 50 A cartridge side terminal (400) configured to receive a pushing external force; And a first cartridge side regulating portion 210 provided on the third surface 203 and locked by a lever 80 of the printing apparatus 50 in the attached state to regulate the upward movement of the cartridge 20 And the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is positioned closer to the side 290 than the one side 291.

G-5-3. Third Modification

The cartridge 20 detachably attached to the printing apparatus 50 includes a first surface 201 configured to form an outer surface of the cartridge and includes a first surface 201 having a printing material supplying structure 280 connected to the printing apparatus, A surface 201; A second side 202 facing the first side 201; The first surface 201 and the second surface 202 are configured to have one side 291 connected to the second side 202 and another side 290 opposite to the one side 291, Therefore, a third surface 203 positioned between the first surface 201 and the second surface 202 with respect to the mutually opposed opposed direction (Z-axis direction); A fourth surface 204 facing the third surface 203 and configured to be connected to the first surface 201 and the second surface 202; A corner section (265) configured to form an outer surface (265) connecting the first surface (201) to the third surface (203); The cartridge side terminal 400 to be provided in the corner section 265 is configured such that when the cartridge 20 is attached to the printing apparatus 50 and the cartridge 20 is moved from the apparatus side terminal 700 of the printing apparatus 50 A cartridge side terminal (400) configured to receive a pushing external force; And a first cartridge side regulating portion 210 provided on the third surface 203 and locked by a lever 80 of the printing apparatus 50 in the attached state to regulate the upward movement of the cartridge 20 And the first cartridge-side restricting portion 210 is provided at a position closer to the side 290 than the one side 291.

As in the first embodiment, any of the first to third modifications advantageously prevents positional misalignment of the cartridge-side terminal relative to the printing apparatus, and therefore, a stable Ensure electrical connection. In a modification of any one of the first to third modifications, the direction from the first surface side to the second surface side is the + Z-axis direction with respect to the opposite direction (Z-axis direction) in the attached state, It is preferable that the first cartridge-side restricting portion is located on the -Z-axis direction side of the rotation axis of the lever, when the direction toward the first surface side is the -Z-axis.

G-5-4. Fourth Modification

The cartridge 20 detachably attached to the printing apparatus 50 includes a printing material supplying structure 280 connected to the printing apparatus; A cartridge side terminal 400 configured to receive an external force for pushing up the cartridge 20 from the apparatus side terminal 700 of the printing apparatus 50 while the cartridge 20 is attached to the printing apparatus 50; And a first cartridge side regulating portion 210 which is located on the same side as the cartridge side terminal 400 and is locked by the lever 80 of the printing apparatus 50 in the attached state to regulate the upward movement of the cartridge 20 And the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is located close to the cartridge side terminal 700. [

It is preferable that the first cartridge-side restricting portion is located on the -Z-axis direction side of the rotation axis of the lever when the push-up direction is the + Z-axis direction and the direction opposite to the push-up direction is the -Z-axis direction.

As in the first embodiment, the fourth modification advantageously prevents misalignment of the cartridge-side terminals relative to the printing apparatus in position, thereby ensuring a stable electrical connection between the cartridge-side terminal and the apparatus-side terminal.

G-6. Sixth Modification Example

The present invention can be implemented by the following modifications. Modifications The signs in parentheses attached to the elements in each correspond to the sign of each element described in the first embodiment.

G-6-1. First Modification

The cartridge 20 detachably attached to the printing apparatus 50 includes a first surface 201 configured to form an outer surface of the cartridge and includes a first surface 201 having a printing material supplying structure 280 connected to the printing apparatus, A surface 201; A second side 202 facing the first side 201; A third surface 203 configured to have one side 291 connected to the second side 202 and another side 290 opposite to the one side 291, A third surface 203 positioned between the first surface 201 and the second surface 202 with respect to an opposing direction (Z-axis direction) opposite to the second surface 202; A fourth surface 204 facing the third surface 203 and configured to intersect the first surface 201 and the second surface 202; A fifth surface 205 configured to intersect the first surface 201, the second surface 202, the third surface 203, and the fourth surface 204; A sixth surface 206 facing the fifth surface 205; A corner section (265) configured to form an outer surface (265) connecting the first surface (201) to the third surface (203); The cartridge side terminal 400 to be provided in the corner section 265 is configured such that when the cartridge 20 is attached to the printing apparatus 50 and the cartridge 20 is moved from the apparatus side terminal 700 of the printing apparatus 50 A cartridge side terminal (400) configured to receive a pushing external force; And a first cartridge side regulating portion 210 provided on the third surface 203 and locked by a lever 80 of the printing apparatus 50 in the attached state to regulate the upward movement of the cartridge 20 And the first cartridge side regulating portion 210 is disposed in the range (40Y) in which the cartridge side terminal 400 is provided with respect to the opposite direction (Y axis direction) of the fifth surface 205 and the sixth surface 206 And is located on the inner side rather than on the outer side.

G-6-2. Second Modification

The cartridge 20 detachably attached to the printing apparatus 50 includes a printing material supplying structure 280 connected to the printing apparatus; The cartridge side terminal 400 provided on the outer surface of the cartridge 20 includes the cartridge side terminal 400 of the printing apparatus 50 with the cartridge 20 attached to the printing apparatus 50 A cartridge side terminal (400) configured to receive an external force to be pushed up from the cartridge side terminal (400); And a first cartridge side restricting portion 211 which is provided on the same outer surface side as the cartridge side terminal 400. The first cartridge side restricting portion 211 is locked by the lever 80 of the printing apparatus 50 in the attached state, Side regulating element 211 configured to regulate the movement of the first cartridge-side regulating element 211 in the direction (+ Z-axis direction) And is located inside the provided range 40Y but not outside. According to the first or second modified example, the cartridge side terminal receives a pushing force from the apparatus side terminal. This can finely adjust the direction of the portion where the cartridge side terminal is provided and ensures a stable electrical connection between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal. According to the first or second modified example, it is preferable that the first cartridge-side restricting portion is positioned below the rotation axis of the lever. The term " below " in this specification corresponds to, for example, the -Z axis direction or the reverse direction of the pushing direction.

G-7. Seventh Modification Example

The present invention can be implemented by the following description examples and modifications. Explanation Example The symbols in parentheses attached to the elements in each correspond to the sign of each element described in the first embodiment.

G-7-1. First Modification

An ink cartridge 20 configured to be detachably mounted on an inkjet printing apparatus 50, wherein the inkjet printing apparatus 50 is configured such that when the ink cartridge 20 is pressed against the apparatus-side contact forming members 731-739, A plurality of apparatus side contact forming members 731-739 configured and arranged to apply an elastic force Pt to the cartridge 20 and the ink jet printing apparatus 50 includes a lever 80 having an engaging portion 810 The ink cartridge 20 further includes a cartridge body 22 having a front side 203, a rear side 204, an upper side 202 and a lower side 201 , A cartridge body (22) in which the front (203) and the rear (204) face each other and the upper (202) and the lower (201) face each other; Electrical devices; An ink chamber (200) for storing ink; An ink supply structure 280 disposed at a lower portion 201 of the cartridge body 22 and adapted to supply ink from the ink chamber 200 to the inkjet printing apparatus 50, An ink supply structure 280 having a mounting direction (SD) tip 288 that defines a flow path (e.g. A terminal support structure 408 disposed adjacent to the front 203 of the cartridge body 22 and having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals 400 coupled to the electrical device, 20 are constructed and arranged to contact the contact forming members 731-739 at the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 and receive the elastic force Pt therefrom when the contact portion cp is mounted on the printing apparatus 50, Is substantially arranged in a contact plane (TP) that is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the tip (288); And a first regulating portion 210 configured to engage with the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the ink cartridge 20, The engaging portion 212 includes a first regulating portion 210 disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure 408.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the seventh modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted to the printer. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the positioning is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

The surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printer since the contact surface plane TP of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the printer terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the printer terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is separated from the printer. That is, the elastic force from the printer-side terminal serves to press both the printer-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the printer lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

Since the first regulating portion is configured to engage with the engaging portion of the lever in order to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that when the cartridge is mounted on the printer, By the elastic force of the first regulating portion and the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first regulating portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the ink cartridge, the contact plane TP is at an angle of about 25 degrees to about 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

As discussed with reference to Figures 42A-45, when the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

In the ink cartridge, when the front portion 203 of the cartridge body 20 is viewed with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 has a plurality of terminals The right side contact portion of the terminal 400 and the right side contact portion of the plurality of terminals 400. [

When the cartridge is held too tightly when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The ink cartridge can be sufficiently tilted by positioning the engaging portion of the first restricting portion on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals so that the electric power between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus- The connection can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

The ink cartridge 20 further includes a second regulating portion 220 on the rear side 204 of the ink cartridge 20 and the second regulating portion 220 is disposed on the rear side of the ink cartridge 20, And the distance between the joining portion of the second restricting portion 220 and the distal end of the second restricting portion 220 when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the distal end 288. [ The distance B between the plane BP defined by the first restricting portion 288 and the plane BP defined by the second restricting portion 288 is larger than the distance A between the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 ).

The possibility that the first regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion is defined by the tip It can be more effectively reduced as compared with the case of being located farther from the plane than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

In the ink cartridge 20, when the ink cartridge 20 is positioned on the right side of the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the ink supply structure 280 faces downward from the side surface 203 The coupling portion 212 and the tip 288 of the first restricting portion 210 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 The distance A between the defined planes BP is the distance between the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when the cartridge 20 is mounted C).

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the cartridge is mounted, . This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 5

When the ink cartridge 20 is viewed from the side surface 203 with the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 positioned on the right side and the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever when the cartridge is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted such that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever as viewed from the side with the ink supply structure facing downward, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

In the ink cartridge, at least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210, when the front portion 203 of the cartridge body 22 is viewed with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, And is substantially located at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge 20.

By positioning the first regulating portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is substantially located at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first regulating portion is provided with a plurality of Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > of < / RTI >

Adaptation example 7

In the ink cartridge, a plane BP defined by the tip 288 lies substantially in the same plane as the lower portion 201. [

G-7-2. Second Modification

An ink cartridge 20 configured to be detachably mounted on an inkjet printing apparatus 50, wherein the inkjet printing apparatus 50 is configured such that when the ink cartridge 20 is pressed against the apparatus-side contact forming members 731-739, A plurality of apparatus side contact forming members 731-739 configured and arranged to apply an elastic force Pt to the cartridge 20 and the ink jet printing apparatus 50 includes a lever 80 having an engaging portion 810 The ink cartridge 20 further includes a cartridge body 22 having a front side 203, a rear side 204, an upper side 202 and a lower side 201 , A cartridge body (22) in which the front (203) and the rear (204) face each other and the upper (202) and the lower (201) face each other; Electrical devices; An ink chamber (200) for storing ink; An ink supply structure 280 disposed at a lower portion 201 of the cartridge body 22 and adapted to supply ink from the ink chamber 200 to the inkjet printing apparatus 50, An ink supply structure 280 having a mounting direction (SD) tip 288 that defines a flow path (e.g. A terminal support structure 408 disposed adjacent to the front 203 of the cartridge body 22 and having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals 400 coupled to the electrical device, 209 are configured and arranged to contact and receive an elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members 731-739 of the inkjet printing apparatus 50 when they are mounted on the printing apparatus 50, Terminal support structure 408 substantially aligned in a terminal plane TP that is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane of the electrodes 288; And a first regulating portion 210 configured to engage with the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the ink cartridge 20, The engaging portion 212 includes a first regulating portion 210 disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure 408.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the seventh modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted to the printer. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the positioning is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

The surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printer since the contact surface plane TP of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the printer terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the printer terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is separated from the printer. That is, the elastic force from the printer-side terminal serves to press both the printer-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the printer lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

Since the first regulating portion is configured to engage with the engaging portion of the lever in order to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that when the cartridge is mounted on the printer, By the elastic force of the first regulating portion and the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first regulating portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the ink cartridge, the terminal plane TP is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A-45, when the terminal plane is at an angle of about 25-40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

In the ink cartridge, when the front portion 203 of the cartridge body 20 is viewed with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 has a plurality of terminals Is located on the left side of the right edge of the rightmost terminal and the right side of the leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals 400 among the plurality of terminals 400. [

When the cartridge is held too tightly when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The ink cartridge can be sufficiently tilted by positioning the engaging portion of the first regulating portion on the left side of the right side edge of the rightmost terminal and the right side of the left side edge of the plurality of terminals among the plurality of terminals, The electrical connection between the contact forming members can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

The ink cartridge 20 further includes a second regulating portion 220 on the rear side 204 of the ink cartridge 20 and the second regulating portion 220 is disposed on the rear side of the ink cartridge 20, And the distance between the joining portion of the second restricting portion 220 and the distal end of the second restricting portion 220 when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the distal end 288. [ The distance B between the plane BP defined by the first restricting portion 288 and the plane BP defined by the second restricting portion 288 is larger than the distance A between the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 ).

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

In the ink cartridge 20, when the ink cartridge 20 is positioned on the right side of the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the ink supply structure 280 faces downward from the side surface 203 The coupling portion 212 and the tip 288 of the first restricting portion 210 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 The distance A between the defined planes BP is the distance between the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when the cartridge 20 is mounted C).

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the cartridge is mounted, . This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 5

When the ink cartridge 20 is viewed from the side surface 203 with the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 positioned on the right side and the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever when the cartridge is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted such that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever as viewed from the side with the ink supply structure facing downward, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

In the ink cartridge, at least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210, when the front portion 203 of the cartridge body 22 is viewed with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, And is substantially located at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge 20.

By positioning the first regulating portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is substantially located at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first regulating portion is provided with a plurality of Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > of < / RTI >

Adaptation example 7

In the ink cartridge, a plane BP defined by the tip 288 lies substantially in the same plane as the lower portion 201. [

G-7-3. Third Modification

An ink cartridge 20 configured to be detachably mounted on an inkjet printing apparatus 50, wherein the inkjet printing apparatus 50 is configured such that when the ink cartridge 20 is pressed against the apparatus-side contact forming members 731-739, A plurality of apparatus side contact forming members 731-739 configured and arranged to apply an elastic force Pt to the cartridge 20 and the ink jet printing apparatus 50 includes a lever 80 having an engaging portion 810 The ink cartridge 20 includes a first surface 203, a second surface 204, a third surface 202, and a fourth surface 201, , The cartridge body (22) having a first surface (203) and a second surface (204) facing each other and a third surface (202) and a fourth surface (201) facing each other; Electrical devices; An ink chamber (200) for storing ink; An ink supply structure 280 disposed on the fourth surface 201 of the cartridge body 22 and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber 200 to the inkjet printing apparatus 50, An ink supply structure 280 having a mounting direction (SD) tip 288 defining a plane BP; A terminal support structure 408 disposed adjacent to the first surface 203 of the cartridge body 22 and having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals 400 coupled to the electrical device, On the contact portion structure 408 to contact the contact forming members 731-739 at the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 and receive the resilient force Pt therefrom when the contact member 20 is mounted on the printing apparatus 50, And the contact portion (400) is substantially arranged in a contact plane (TP) that is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane of the tip (288); And a first regulating portion 210 configured to engage with the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the ink cartridge 20, The engaging portion 212 includes a first regulating portion 210 disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure 408.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the seventh modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted to the printer. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the positioning is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

The surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printer since the contact surface plane TP of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the printer terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the printer terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is separated from the printer. That is, the elastic force from the printer-side terminal serves to press both the printer-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the printer lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

Since the first regulating portion is configured to engage with the engaging portion of the lever in order to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that when the cartridge is mounted on the printer, By the elastic force of the first regulating portion and the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first regulating portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the ink cartridge, the contact plane TP is at an angle of about 25 degrees to about 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

As discussed with reference to Figures 42A-45, when the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

In the ink cartridge, when the first surface 203 of the cartridge body 20 is viewed with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 has a plurality of The leftmost contact portion of the terminal 400 of the terminal 400 and the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals 400, respectively.

When the cartridge is held too tightly when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The ink cartridge can be sufficiently tilted by positioning the engaging portion of the first restricting portion on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals so that the electric power between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus- The connection can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

The ink cartridge 20 further includes a second restricting portion 220 on the second surface 204 of the ink cartridge 20 and the second restricting portion 220 is disposed on the second surface 204 of the ink cartridge 20, And the distance between the engaging portion of the second restricting portion 220 and the engaging portion of the second restricting portion 220 when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ The distance B between the plane BP defined by the tip 288 is equal to the distance between the coupling portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 (A).

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

In the ink cartridge 20, when the ink cartridge 20 is positioned on the right side of the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the ink supply structure 280 faces downward from the side surface 203 The coupling portion 212 and the tip 288 of the first restricting portion 210 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 The distance A between the defined planes BP is the distance between the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when the cartridge 20 is mounted C).

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the cartridge is mounted, . This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 5

When the ink cartridge 20 is viewed from the side surface 203 with the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 positioned on the right side and the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever when the cartridge is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted such that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever as viewed from the side with the ink supply structure facing downward, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

In the ink cartridge, when the first surface 203 of the cartridge body 22 is viewed with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, at least one of the engaging portions 212 of the first regulating portion 210 And a part thereof is substantially located in the widthwise center of the ink cartridge 20. [

By positioning the first regulating portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is substantially located at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first regulating portion is provided with a plurality of Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > of < / RTI >

Adaptation example 7

In the ink cartridge, a plane BP defined by the tip 288 lies substantially in the same plane as the fourth surface 201.

G-7-4. Fourth Modification

An ink cartridge 20 configured to be detachably mounted on an inkjet printing apparatus 50, wherein the inkjet printing apparatus 50 is configured such that when the ink cartridge 20 is pressed against the apparatus-side contact forming members 731-739, A plurality of apparatus side contact forming members 731-739 configured and arranged to apply an elastic force Pt to the cartridge 20 and the ink jet printing apparatus 50 includes a lever 80 having an engaging portion 810 The ink cartridge 20 includes a first surface 203, a second surface 204, a third surface 202, and a fourth surface 201, , The cartridge body (22) having a first surface (203) and a second surface (204) facing each other and a third surface (202) and a fourth surface (201) facing each other; Electrical devices; An ink chamber (200) for storing ink; An ink supply structure 280 disposed on the fourth surface 201 of the cartridge body 22 and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber 200 to the inkjet printing apparatus 50, An ink supply structure 280 having a mounting direction (SD) tip 288 defining a plane BP; A terminal support structure 408 disposed proximate a first surface 203 of the cartridge body 22 and having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals 400 coupled to the electrical device, Is configured and arranged on the terminal support structure (408) to contact and form an elastic force (Pt) from the contact forming members (731-739) when the cartridge is mounted to the printing apparatus (50) The vector component of the elastic force Pt from the contact forming members 731-739 is not parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the tip 288 so as to urge the ink cartridge in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD, A terminal support structure (408) substantially arranged in a plane (TP); And a first regulating portion 210 configured to engage with the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the ink cartridge 20, The engaging portion 212 includes a first regulating portion 210 disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure 408.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the seventh modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted to the printer. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the positioning is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

Since the terminal plane TP of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288, the surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printer. This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the printer terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the printer terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is separated from the printer. That is, the elastic force from the printer-side terminal serves to press both the printer-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the printer lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

Since the first regulating portion is configured to engage with the engaging portion of the lever in order to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge, as a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that when the cartridge is mounted on the printer, By the elastic force of the first regulating portion and the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first regulating portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the ink cartridge, the terminal plane TP is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A-45, when the terminal plane is at an angle of about 25-40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

In the ink cartridge, when the first surface 203 of the cartridge body 20 is viewed with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 has a plurality of The leftmost contact portion of the terminal 400 of the terminal 400 and the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals 400, respectively.

When the cartridge is held too tightly when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The ink cartridge can be sufficiently tilted by positioning the engaging portion of the first restricting portion on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals so that the electric power between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus- The connection can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

The ink cartridge 20 further includes a second restricting portion 220 on the second surface 204 of the ink cartridge 20 and the second restricting portion 220 is disposed on the second surface 204 of the ink cartridge 20, And the distance between the engaging portion of the second restricting portion 220 and the engaging portion of the second restricting portion 220 when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ The distance B between the plane BP defined by the tip 288 is equal to the distance between the coupling portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 (A).

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

In the ink cartridge 20, when the ink cartridge 20 is positioned on the right side of the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the ink supply structure 280 faces downward from the side surface 203 The coupling portion 212 and the tip 288 of the first restricting portion 210 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 The distance A between the defined planes BP is the distance between the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when the cartridge 20 is mounted C).

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the cartridge is mounted, . This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 5

When the ink cartridge 20 is viewed from the side surface 203 with the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 positioned on the right side and the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever when the cartridge is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted such that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever as viewed from the side with the ink supply structure facing downward, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

In the ink cartridge, when the first surface 203 of the cartridge body 22 is viewed with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, at least one of the engaging portions 212 of the first regulating portion 210 And a part thereof is substantially located in the widthwise center of the ink cartridge 20. [

By positioning the first regulating portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is substantially located at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first regulating portion is provided with a plurality of Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > of < / RTI >

Adaptation example 7

In the ink cartridge, a plane BP defined by the tip 288 lies substantially in the same plane as the fourth surface 201.

G-7-5. Fifth Modification

In the combination of the ink cartridge 20 and the portion of the inkjet printing apparatus 50, the combination includes a portion of the inkjet printing apparatus 50 and the ink cartridge 20, A plurality of apparatus side contact forming members 731-739 for applying an elastic force Pt and a lever 80 having an engaging portion 810. The ink cartridge 20 has a front 203, A cartridge body 22 having a front side 203 and a rear side 204 facing each other and a top side 202 and a bottom side 201 facing each other, (22); An ink chamber (200) for storing ink; Electrical devices; An ink supply structure 280 disposed at a lower portion 201 of the cartridge body 22 and adapted to supply ink from the ink chamber 200 to the inkjet printing apparatus 50, An ink supply structure 280 having a mounting direction (SD) tip 288 that defines a flow path (e.g. A terminal support structure (408) installed close to the front (203) of the cartridge body (22), having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, The contact portion cp contacts the contact forming members 731-739 at the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 and receives the elastic force Pt therefrom and the contact portion cp is parallel to the plane of the tip 288 A terminal support structure (408) substantially arranged in a contact plane (TP) that is not even vertical; And a first regulating portion 210 which is engaged with an engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement of the ink cartridge 20 in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the ink cartridge 20, The engaging portion 212 includes a first regulating portion 210 disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure 408.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the seventh modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted to the printer. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the positioning is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

The surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printer since the contact surface plane TP of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the printer terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the printer terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is separated from the printer. That is, the elastic force from the printer-side terminal serves to press both the printer-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the printer lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is engaged with the engaging portion of the lever so as to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. As a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that the elastic force of the apparatus- In the mounting direction and in the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restricting portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the combination, the contact plane TP is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

As discussed with reference to Figures 42A-45, when the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

When the first surface 203 of the cartridge body 20 is viewed from below with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 has a plurality of And is located to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the terminal 400 and the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals 400. [

When the cartridge is held too tightly when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The ink cartridge can be sufficiently tilted by positioning the engaging portion of the first restricting portion on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals so that the electric power between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus- The connection can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

The combination further includes a second regulating portion 220 on the rear side 204 of the ink cartridge 20 and each of the portions 620 of the inkjet printing device 50 includes a second regulating portion 220, And is defined by the engaging portion of the second restricting portion 220 and the distal end 288 when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the distal end 288 The distance B between the planes BP is larger than the distance A between the coupling portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

The lever 80 has two ends and has a pivot point 800c in the middle of the two ends so that the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is positioned on the right side And the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when viewed from the side surface 203 with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, The distance A between the engaging portion 212 of the regulating portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the leading end 288 is a distance 800c and a plane (BP) defined by the tip (288).

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the cartridge is mounted, . This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 5

The lever 80 has two ends and has a pivot point 800c in the middle of the two ends so that the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is positioned on the right side The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever as viewed from the side surface 203 with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward.

When the cartridge is mounted such that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever as viewed from the side with the ink supply structure facing downward, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

At least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 is pressed against the front surface of the cartridge body 22 when the ink supply structure 280 faces downward, Substantially in the widthwise center of the cartridge 20.

By positioning the first regulating portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is substantially located at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first regulating portion is provided with a plurality of Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > of < / RTI >

Adaptation example 7

In the combination, the plane BP defined by the tip 288 lies in substantially the same plane as the lower portion 201.

G-7-6. Sixth Modification

In the combination of the ink cartridge 20 and the portion of the inkjet printing apparatus 50, the combination includes a portion of the inkjet printing apparatus 50 and the ink cartridge 20, A plurality of apparatus side contact forming members 731-739 for applying an elastic force Pt and a lever 80 having an engaging portion 810. The ink cartridge 20 has a front 203, A cartridge body 22 having a front side 203 and a rear side 204 facing each other and a top side 202 and a bottom side 201 facing each other, (22); Electrical devices; An ink chamber (200) for storing ink; An ink supply structure 280 disposed at a lower portion 201 of the cartridge body 22 and adapted to supply ink from the ink chamber 200 to the inkjet printing apparatus 50, An ink supply structure 280 having a mounting direction (SD) tip 288 that defines a flow path (e.g. A terminal support structure (408) installed close to the front (203) of the cartridge body (22), having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals (400) coupled to the electrical device, The terminal 400 contacts the contact forming members 731-739 and receives the elastic force Pt therefrom so that the terminal 400 is substantially parallel to the plane of the tip 288 and not substantially perpendicular to the plane of the terminal plane TP , A terminal support structure (408); And a first regulating portion 210 which is engaged with an engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement of the ink cartridge 20 in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the ink cartridge 20, The engaging portion 212 includes a first regulating portion 210 disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure 408.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the seventh modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted to the printer. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the positioning is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

Since the terminal plane TP of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288, the surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printer. This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the printer terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the printer terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is separated from the printer. That is, the elastic force from the printer-side terminal serves to press both the printer-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the printer lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is engaged with the engaging portion of the lever so as to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. As a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that the elastic force of the apparatus- In the mounting direction and in the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restricting portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In this combination, the terminal plane TP is at an angle of about 25 degrees to about 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

As discussed with reference to Figures 42A-45, when the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

When the front portion 203 of the cartridge body 20 is viewed from below with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 has a plurality of terminals 400, and the right side edge of the leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals 400. As shown in FIG.

When the cartridge is held too tightly when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The ink cartridge can be sufficiently tilted by positioning the engaging portion of the first regulating portion on the left side of the right side edge of the rightmost terminal and the right side of the left side edge of the plurality of terminals among the plurality of terminals, The electrical connection between the contact forming members can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

The combination further includes a second regulating portion 220 on the rear side 204 of the ink cartridge 20 and each of the portions 620 of the inkjet printing device 50 includes a second regulating portion 220, And is defined by the engaging portion of the second restricting portion 220 and the distal end 288 when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the distal end 288 The distance B between the planes BP is larger than the distance A between the coupling portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

The lever 80 has two ends and has a pivot point 800c in the middle of the two ends so that the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is positioned on the right side And the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when viewed from the side surface 203 with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, The distance A between the engaging portion 212 of the regulating portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the leading end 288 is a distance 800c and a plane (BP) defined by the tip (288).

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the cartridge is mounted, . This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 5

The lever 80 has two ends and has a pivot point 800c in the middle of the two ends so that the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is positioned on the right side The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever as viewed from the side surface 203 with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward.

When the cartridge is mounted such that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever as viewed from the side with the ink supply structure facing downward, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

At least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 is pressed against the front surface of the cartridge body 22 when the ink supply structure 280 faces downward, Substantially in the widthwise center of the cartridge 20.

By positioning the first regulating portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is substantially located at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first regulating portion is provided with a plurality of Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > of < / RTI >

Adaptation example 7

In the combination, the plane BP defined by the tip 288 lies in substantially the same plane as the lower portion 201.

G-7-7. Seventh Modification

In the combination of the ink cartridge 20 and the portion of the inkjet printing apparatus 50, the combination includes a portion of the inkjet printing apparatus 50 and the ink cartridge 20, A plurality of apparatus side contact forming members 731-739 for applying an elastic force Pt and a lever 80 having an engaging portion 810. The ink cartridge 20 has a first surface 203, A cartridge body (22) having a first surface (204), a second surface (204), a third surface (202) and a fourth surface (201) A cartridge body (22) having a first surface (202) and a fourth surface (201) facing each other; Electrical devices; An ink chamber (200) for storing ink; An ink supply structure 280 disposed on the fourth surface 201 of the cartridge body 22 and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber 200 to the inkjet printing apparatus 50, An ink supply structure 280 having a mounting direction (SD) tip 288 defining a plane BP; A terminal support structure 408 disposed proximate the first surface 203 of the cartridge body 22 and having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals 400 coupled to the electrical device, The terminal 400 on the terminal 400 contacts the contact forming members 731-739 at the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 and receives the elastic force Pt therefrom and the contact portion cp contacts the plane of the tip 288 A terminal support structure (408) substantially arranged in a contact plane (TP) that is neither parallel nor perpendicular; And a first regulating portion 210 which is engaged with an engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement of the ink cartridge 20 in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the ink cartridge 20, The engaging portion 212 includes a first regulating portion 210 disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure 408.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the seventh modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted to the printer. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the positioning is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

The surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printer since the contact surface plane TP of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the printer terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the printer terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is separated from the printer. That is, the elastic force from the printer-side terminal serves to press both the printer-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the printer lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is engaged with the engaging portion of the lever so as to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. As a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that the elastic force of the apparatus- In the mounting direction and in the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restricting portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the combination, the contact plane TP is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

As discussed with reference to Figures 42A-45, when the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

When the first surface 203 of the cartridge body 20 is viewed from below with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 has a plurality of And is located to the left of the rightmost contact portion of the terminal 400 and the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals 400. [

When the cartridge is held too tightly when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The ink cartridge can be sufficiently tilted by positioning the engaging portion of the first restricting portion on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals so that the electric power between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus- The connection can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

Wherein the ink cartridge 20 further includes a second restricting portion 220 on a second surface 204 of the ink cartridge 20 and the second restricting portion 220 is disposed on each portion of the inkjet printing apparatus 50 620 and the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 by the coupling portion of the second restriction portion 220 and the tip 288 The distance B between the prescribed plane BP is larger than the distance A between the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the leading end 288. [

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

The lever 80 has two ends and has a pivot point 800c in the middle of the two ends so that the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is positioned on the right side And the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when viewed from the side surface 203 with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, The distance A between the engaging portion 212 of the regulating portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the leading end 288 is a distance 800c and a plane (BP) defined by the tip (288).

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the cartridge is mounted, . This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 5

The lever 80 has two ends and has a pivot point 800c in the middle of the two ends so that the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is positioned on the right side The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever as viewed from the side surface 203 with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward.

When the cartridge is mounted such that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever as viewed from the side with the ink supply structure facing downward, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

In the combination, when the first surface 203 of the cartridge body 22 is viewed with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, at least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 Is substantially located at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge 20.

By positioning the first regulating portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is substantially located at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first regulating portion is provided with a plurality of Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > of < / RTI >

Adaptation example 7

In the combination, the plane BP defined by the tip 288 lies substantially in the same plane as the fourth surface 201.

G-7-8. Eighth Modified Example

In the combination of the ink cartridge 20 and the portion of the inkjet printing apparatus 50, the combination includes a portion of the inkjet printing apparatus 50 and the ink cartridge 20, A plurality of apparatus side contact forming members 731-739 for applying an elastic force Pt and a lever 80 having an engaging portion 810. The ink cartridge 20 has a first surface 203, A cartridge body (22) having a first surface (204), a second surface (204), a third surface (202) and a fourth surface (201) A cartridge body (22) having a first surface (202) and a fourth surface (201) facing each other; Electrical devices; An ink chamber (200) for storing ink; An ink supply structure 280 disposed on the fourth surface 201 of the cartridge body 22 and configured to supply ink from the ink chamber 200 to the inkjet printing apparatus 50, An ink supply structure 280 having a mounting direction (SD) tip 288 defining a plane BP; A terminal support structure 408 disposed proximate the first surface 203 of the cartridge body 22 and having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals 400 coupled to the electrical device, The terminal 400 on contact with the contact forming members 731-739 receives an elastic force Pt therefrom and the terminal 400 has a terminal plane TP which is not parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the tip 288, A terminal support structure 408 substantially arranged within the terminal support structure 408; And the engaging portion (212) engaged with the engaging portion (810) of the lever (80) for regulating the movement in the direction (RD) opposite to the mounting direction (SD) of the ink cartridge (20) The terminal 210 includes a first regulating portion 210 disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure 408.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the seventh modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted to the printer. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the positioning is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

Since the terminal plane TP of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288, the surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printer. This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the printer terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the printer terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is separated from the printer. That is, the elastic force from the printer-side terminal serves to press both the printer-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the printer lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is engaged with the engaging portion of the lever so as to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. As a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that the elastic force of the apparatus- In the mounting direction and in the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restricting portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In this combination, the terminal plane TP is at an angle of about 25 degrees to about 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A-45, when the terminal plane is at an angle of about 25-40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

When the front portion 203 of the cartridge body 20 is viewed from below with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 has a plurality of terminals 400, and the right side edge of the leftmost terminal among the plurality of terminals 400. As shown in FIG.

When the cartridge is held too tightly when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The ink cartridge can be sufficiently tilted by positioning the engaging portion of the first regulating portion on the left side of the right side edge of the rightmost terminal and the right side of the left side edge of the plurality of terminals among the plurality of terminals, The electrical connection between the contact forming members can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

Wherein the ink cartridge 20 further includes a second restricting portion 220 on a second surface 204 of the ink cartridge 20 and the second restricting portion 220 is disposed on each portion of the inkjet printing apparatus 50 620 and the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 by the coupling portion of the second restriction portion 220 and the tip 288 The distance B between the prescribed plane BP is larger than the distance A between the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the leading end 288. [

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

The lever 80 has two ends and has a pivot point 800c in the middle of the two ends so that the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is positioned on the right side And the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when viewed from the side surface 203 with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, The distance A between the engaging portion 212 of the regulating portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the leading end 288 is a distance 800c and a plane (BP) defined by the tip (288).

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the cartridge is mounted, . This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 5

The lever 80 has two ends and has a pivot point 800c in the middle of the two ends so that the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is positioned on the right side The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever as viewed from the side surface 203 with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward.

When the cartridge is mounted such that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever as viewed from the side with the ink supply structure facing downward, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

In the combination, when the first surface 203 of the cartridge body 22 is viewed with the ink supply structure 280 facing downward, at least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 Is substantially located at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge 20.

By positioning the first regulating portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is substantially located at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge, the first regulating portion is provided with a plurality of Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > of < / RTI >

Adaptation example 7

In the combination, the plane BP defined by the tip 288 lies substantially in the same plane as the fourth surface 201.

G-7-9. Ninth Modification

An ink supply system configured to supply ink to an inkjet printing apparatus (50), the inkjet printing apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of apparatus side contact forming members (731-739), the ink supply system comprising: an electrical device; An ink chamber (200) for storing ink; An ink supply structure 280 (shown in FIG. 2) having an ejection direction SE leading edge 288 defining a plane BP as an ink supply structure 280 configured to supply ink from the ink chamber 200 to the inkjet printing apparatus 50 ); A terminal support structure 408 having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals 400 coupled to the electrical device such that the terminals 400 have a vector component of the elastic force Pt from the device side contact forming members 731-739 Forming member 731 at the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50 so as to press the ink chamber 200 in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD Only supporting structure 408 constructed and arranged on terminal support structure 408 to contact and receive elastic force Pt therefrom; And a first regulating portion 210 configured to engage with the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the terminal supporting structure 408 ; The engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure 408 and the abutting portion cp is located at a position where the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing device 50 288, which are not parallel or perpendicular to the plane defined by the planes TP,

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the seventh modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted to the printer. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the positioning is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

Since the terminal plane TP of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288, the surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printer. This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the printer terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the printer terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is separated from the printer. That is, the elastic force from the printer-side terminal serves to press both the printer-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the printer lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is configured to engage with the engaging portion of the lever to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. As a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is determined by the position of the cartridge- It will be held in place by the elastic force with respect to the mounting direction and the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first regulating portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

The contact surface plane TP is at an angle of about 25 to 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50 .

As discussed with reference to Figures 42A-45, when the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

In the ink supply system, when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is located on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals 400, The rightmost contact portion of the terminal 400 of FIG.

When the ink supply system is kept too strong when supplying ink to the printing apparatus, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The engaging portion of the first restricting portion may be positioned at the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals so that there may be a sufficient inclination and thus an electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus- Can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

The ink supply system further includes a body (22) having a front (203) and a rear (204), the front (203) and the rear (204) Is close to the rear 204 of the body 22 and the terminal support structure 408 is close to the front 203 of the body 22 and the second restricting part 220 is close to the front of the inkjet printing apparatus And the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. The distance between the connecting portion 620 of the first regulating portion 220 and the connecting portion 620 of the second regulating portion 220, And the plane BP defined by the tip 288 is smaller than the distance B between the coupling portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ (A).

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

The ink supply system of any preceding claim further comprising a body (22) having a first surface (203) and a second surface (204), wherein the first surface (203) and the second surface (204) The second restricting portion 220 is proximate to the second surface 204 of the body 22 and the terminal support structure 408 is proximate to the first surface 203 of the body 22, The second regulating portion 220 is configured to engage with each portion 620 of the inkjet printing apparatus 50 and when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the leading end 288 The distance B between the engaging portion of the second restricting portion 220 and the plane BP defined by the distal end 288 is determined by the distance between the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the end (A) between the planes (BP) defined by the planes (288).

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 5

In the ink supply system, when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane (BP) defined by the tip (288), the coupling portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) The distance A between the planes BP defined by the pivot point 288 of the lever 80 by the pivot point 800c and the tip 288 of the lever 80 when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50 Is smaller than the distance (C) between the defined planes (BP).

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, The role of regulating movement. This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the force is applied from the contact-forming member, the first restricting portion can move around the rotation axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

When the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50 and the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the right side and the ink supplying structure 280 is directed downward, The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever.

When the ink supplying system supplies ink to the printing apparatus and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the right side and the ink supplying structure is facing downward, A moment is generated to rotate the lever in the reverse direction with respect to the unlocking direction around the rotation axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Further, the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever is reduced.

Adaptation example 7

The ink supply system further includes a body (22) close to the terminal support structure (408), and when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), the first regulating portion (210) At least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the body 22 is substantially located in the widthwise center of the body 22. [

By positioning the first restriction portion such that at least a part of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the center in the width direction of the body, the first restriction portion is provided with a plurality of It is located very close to the terminal.

Adaptation example 8

Wherein the ink supply structure 280, the terminal support structure 408 and the first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter 299, and the ink supply structure 280, The chamber 200 is configured to mate with the adapter 299.

Adaptation example 9

The ink supply structure 280 further includes an adapter 299j and a terminal support structure 408 and a first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter 299j, Is arranged on the ink chamber (200), and the ink chamber (200) is configured to be engaged with the adapter (299).

Adaptation example 10

The ink supply system further includes an adapter 299k, an ink tank 200T outside the inkjet printing apparatus 50, a tube 200L, and an auxiliary adapter 200S, The terminal support structure 408 and the first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter 299k and the tube 200L is disposed on the auxiliary adapter 200S so that the ink supply system is disposed on the printing apparatus 50, The ink is supplied from the external tank 200T to the auxiliary adapter 200S.

Adaptation example 11

The ink supply system further includes a body (22) having an upper portion (202) and a lower portion (201), the upper portion and the lower portion facing each other, and a plane defined by the tip (288) Are substantially coplanar with the lower portion 201.

G-7-10. Tenth modification

An ink supply system configured to supply ink to an inkjet printing apparatus (50), wherein the inkjet printing apparatus (50) includes a plurality of apparatus side contact forming members (731-739) Further comprising a lever (80) having a mating portion (810), said ink supply system comprising: an electrical device; An ink chamber (200) for storing ink; An ink supply structure 280 (shown in FIG. 1) having a mounting direction (SD) tip 288 defining a plane BP, as an ink supply structure 280 configured to supply ink from the ink chamber 200 to the inkjet printing apparatus 50 ); A terminal support structure 408 having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals 400 coupled to the electrical device such that the terminals 400 have a vector component of the elastic force Pt from the device side contact forming members 731-739 When the ink supply system supplies the ink to the printing apparatus 50 so as to press the ink chamber 200 in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD, the contact member 731-739 comes into contact with the elastic force Pt Only support structure 408 is constructed and arranged on the terminal support structure 408 to receive the support structure 408; And a coupling portion (212) configured to engage with the coupling portion (810) of the lever (80) and regulate the movement in the direction (RD) opposite to the mounting direction (SD) of the terminal support structure (408) Includes a regulating portion (210); The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure 408 and the terminal 400 is disposed at a position where the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50 288, which are not parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the terminal plane TP.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the seventh modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted to the printer. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the positioning is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

Since the terminal plane TP of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288, the surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printer. This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the printer terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the printer terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is separated from the printer. That is, the elastic force from the printer-side terminal serves to press both the printer-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the printer lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is configured to engage with the engaging portion of the lever to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. As a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is determined by the position of the cartridge- It will be held in place by the elastic force with respect to the mounting direction and the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first regulating portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the ink supply system, the terminal plane TP is at an angle of about 25 to 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50 .

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A-45, when the terminal plane is at an angle of about 25-40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

In the ink supply system, when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50, the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 contacts the right edge of the rightmost terminal among the plurality of terminals 400 And is located on the right side of the left edge of the leftmost terminal among the plurality of terminals 400 on the left.

When the ink supply system is kept too strong when supplying ink to the printing apparatus, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The ink cartridge can be sufficiently tilted by positioning the engaging portion of the first regulating portion on the left side of the right side edge of the rightmost terminal and the right side of the left side edge of the plurality of terminals among the plurality of terminals, The electrical connection between the contact forming members can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

The ink supply system further includes a body (22) having a front (203) and a rear (204), the front (203) and the rear (204) Is close to the rear 204 of the body 22 and the terminal support structure 408 is close to the front 203 of the body 22 and the second restricting part 220 is close to the front of the inkjet printing apparatus And the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. The distance between the connecting portion 620 of the first regulating portion 220 and the connecting portion 620 of the second regulating portion 220, And the plane BP defined by the tip 288 is smaller than the distance B between the coupling portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ (A).

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

The ink supply system of any preceding claim further comprising a body (22) having a first surface (203) and a second surface (204), wherein the first surface (203) and the second surface (204) The second restricting portion 220 is proximate to the second surface 204 of the body 22 and the terminal support structure 408 is proximate to the first surface 203 of the body 22, The second regulating portion 220 is configured to engage with each portion 620 of the inkjet printing apparatus 50 and when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the leading end 288 The distance B between the engaging portion of the second restricting portion 220 and the plane BP defined by the distal end 288 is determined by the distance between the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the end (A) between the planes (BP) defined by the planes (288).

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 5

In the ink supply system, when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane (BP) defined by the tip (288), the coupling portion (212) of the first restriction portion (210) The distance A between the planes BP defined by the pivot point 288 of the lever 80 by the pivot point 800c and the tip 288 of the lever 80 when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50 Is smaller than the distance (C) between the defined planes (BP).

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, The role of regulating movement. This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the force is applied from the contact-forming member, the first restricting portion can move around the rotation axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

When the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50 and the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the right side and the ink supplying structure 280 is directed downward, The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever.

When the ink supplying system supplies ink to the printing apparatus and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the right side and the ink supplying structure is facing downward, A moment is generated to rotate the lever in the reverse direction with respect to the unlocking direction around the rotation axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Further, the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever is reduced.

Adaptation example 7

The ink supply system further includes a body (22) close to the terminal support structure (408), and when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), the first regulating portion (210) At least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the body 22 is substantially located in the widthwise center of the body 22. [

By positioning the first restriction portion such that at least a part of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the center in the width direction of the body, the first restriction portion is provided with a plurality of It is located very close to the terminal.

Adaptation example 8

Wherein the ink supply structure 280, the terminal support structure 408 and the first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter 299, and the ink supply structure 280, The chamber 200 is configured to mate with the adapter 299.

Adaptation example 9

The ink supply structure 280 further includes an adapter 299j and a terminal support structure 408 and a first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter 299j, Is arranged on the ink chamber (200), and the ink chamber (200) is configured to be engaged with the adapter (299).

Adaptation example 10

The ink supply system further includes an adapter 299k, an ink tank 200T outside the inkjet printing apparatus 50, a tube 200L, and an auxiliary adapter 200S, The terminal support structure 408 and the first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter 299k and the tube 200L is disposed on the auxiliary adapter 200S so that the ink supply system is disposed on the printing apparatus 50, The ink is supplied from the external tank 200T to the auxiliary adapter 200S.

Adaptation example 11

The ink supply system further includes a body (22) having an upper portion (202) and a lower portion (201), the upper portion and the lower portion facing each other, and a plane defined by the tip (288) Are substantially coplanar with the lower portion 201.

G-7-11. Eleventh Modification

In an ink supply system configured to supply ink to a portion of an ink-jet printing apparatus 50, the system includes a plurality of apparatus-side contact forming members 731-739 as part of the ink-jet printing apparatus 50, 810; < / RTI > Electrical devices; An ink chamber (200) for storing ink; An ink supply structure 280 (shown in FIG. 1) having a mounting direction (SD) tip 288 defining a plane BP, as an ink supply structure 280 configured to supply ink from the ink chamber 200 to the inkjet printing apparatus 50 ); A terminal support structure 408 having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals 400 coupled to the electrical device such that the terminals 400 have a vector component of the elastic force Pt from the device side contact forming members 731-739 Forming member 731 at the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50 so as to press the ink chamber 200 in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD Only supporting structure 408 contacting and receiving elastic force Pt therefrom; And a first regulating portion 210 coupled with the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement of the terminal supporting structure 408 in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD ; The engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure 408 and the abutting portion cp is located at a position where the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing device 50 288, which are not parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the contact plane TP.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the seventh modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted to the printer. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the positioning is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

The surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printer since the contact surface plane TP of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the printer terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the printer terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is separated from the printer. That is, the elastic force from the printer-side terminal serves to press both the printer-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the printer lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is engaged with the engaging portion of the lever so as to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. As a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that the elastic force of the apparatus- In the mounting direction and in the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restricting portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

The contact surface plane TP is at an angle of about 25 to 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50 .

As discussed with reference to Figures 42A-45, when the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

In the ink supply system, when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is located on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals 400, The rightmost contact portion of the terminal 400 of FIG.

When the ink supply system is kept too strong when supplying ink to the printing apparatus, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The engaging portion of the first restricting portion may be positioned at the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals so that there may be a sufficient inclination and thus an electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus- Can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

The ink supply system further includes a body (22) having a front (203) and a rear (204), the front (203) and the rear (204) Is close to the rear 204 of the body 22 and the terminal support structure 408 is close to the front 203 of the body 22 and the second restricting part 220 is close to the front of the inkjet printing apparatus And the distance between the engaging portion of the second restricting portion 220 and the engaging portion of the second restricting portion 220 when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ The distance B between the plane BP defined by the tip 288 is equal to the distance between the coupling portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 (A).

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

The ink supply system of any preceding claim further comprising a body (22) having a first surface (203) and a second surface (204), wherein the first surface (203) and the second surface (204) The second restricting portion 220 is proximate to the second surface 204 of the body 22 and the terminal support structure 408 is proximate to the first surface 203 of the body 22, The second restricting portion 220 is engaged with each portion 620 of the inkjet printing apparatus 50 and when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288, The distance B between the coupling portion of the second restriction portion 220 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 is smaller than the distance B between the coupling portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210 and the tip 288 (A) between the plane (BP) defined by the plane (B).

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 5

In the ink supply system, the lever (80) has two ends and has a pivot point (800c) midway between the two ends, and the distance (?) In a direction orthogonal to the plane (BP) defined by the tip (288) The distance A between the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the leading end 288 is set such that the ink supply system is located on the printing apparatus 50, Is smaller than the distance (C) between the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the tip (288).

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the ink supplying system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, The lever serves to regulate the movement. This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the force is applied from the contact-forming member, the first restricting portion can move around the rotation axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

In the ink supply system, the lever 80 has two ends and has a pivot point 800c in the middle of the two ends. The ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50, The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever when the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the right side and the ink supplying structure 280 faces downward.

When the ink supplying system supplies ink to the printing apparatus and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the right side and the ink supplying structure is facing downward, A moment is generated to rotate the lever in the reverse direction with respect to the unlocking direction around the rotation axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Further, the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever is reduced.

Adaptation example 7

The ink supply system further includes a body (22) close to the terminal support structure (408), and when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), the first regulating portion (210) At least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the body 22 is substantially located in the widthwise center of the body 22. [

By positioning the first restriction portion such that at least a part of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the center in the width direction of the body, the first restriction portion is provided with a plurality of It is located very close to the terminal.

Adaptation example 8

Wherein the ink supply structure 280, the terminal support structure 408 and the first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter 299, and the ink supply structure 280, The chamber 200 is configured to mate with the adapter 299.

Adaptation example 9

The ink supply structure 280 further includes an adapter 299j and a terminal support structure 408 and a first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter 299j, Is arranged on the ink chamber (200), and the ink chamber (200) is configured to be engaged with the adapter (299).

Adaptation example 10

The ink supply system further includes an adapter 299k, an ink tank 200T outside the inkjet printing apparatus 50, a tube 200L, and an auxiliary adapter 200S, The terminal support structure 408 and the first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter 299k and the tube 200L is disposed on the auxiliary adapter 200S so that the ink supply system is disposed on the printing apparatus 50, The ink is supplied from the external tank 200T to the auxiliary adapter 200S.

Adaptation example 11

The ink supply system further includes a body (22) having an upper portion (202) and a lower portion (201), the upper portion and the lower portion facing each other, and a plane defined by the tip (288) Are substantially coplanar with the lower portion 201.

G-7-12. Twelfth Modification Example

In an ink supply system configured to supply ink to a portion of an ink-jet printing apparatus 50, the system includes a plurality of apparatus-side contact forming members 731-739 as part of the ink-jet printing apparatus 50, 810; < / RTI > Electrical devices; An ink chamber (200) for storing ink; An ink supply structure 280 (shown in FIG. 1) having a mounting direction (SD) tip 288 defining a plane BP, as an ink supply structure 280 configured to supply ink from the ink chamber 200 to the inkjet printing apparatus 50 ); A terminal support structure 408 having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals 400 coupled to the electrical device such that the terminals 400 are configured such that when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing device 50, 739) to receive an elastic force (Pt) therefrom; And a first regulating portion 210 coupled with the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement of the terminal supporting structure 408 in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD ; The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure 408 and the terminal 400 is disposed at a position where the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50 288, which are not parallel or perpendicular to the plane of the terminal plane TP.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the seventh modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printer, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the ink cartridge is mounted to the printer. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the terminal supporting structure, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the positioning is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as ink resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

Since the terminal plane TP of the terminals is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288, the surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printer. This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the printer terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the printer terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge is separated from the printer. That is, the elastic force from the printer-side terminal serves to press both the printer-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printer when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the printer lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is engaged with the engaging portion of the lever so as to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. As a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that the elastic force of the apparatus- In the mounting direction and in the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first restricting portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the ink supply system, the terminal plane TP is at an angle of about 25 to 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50 .

As discussed with reference to Figs. 42A-45, when the terminal plane is at an angle of about 25-40 degrees relative to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

In the ink supply system, when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50, the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 contacts the right edge of the rightmost terminal among the plurality of terminals 400 And is located on the right side of the left edge of the leftmost terminal among the plurality of terminals 400 on the left.

When the ink supply system is kept too strong when supplying ink to the printing apparatus, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The ink cartridge can be sufficiently tilted by positioning the engaging portion of the first regulating portion on the left side of the right edge of the rightmost terminal and the right side of the leftmost edge of the plurality of terminals among the plurality of terminals, The electrical connection between the contact forming members can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

The ink supply system further includes a body (22) having a front (203) and a rear (204), the front (203) and the rear (204) Is close to the rear 204 of the body 22 and the terminal support structure 408 is close to the front 203 of the body 22 and the second restricting part 220 is close to the front of the inkjet printing apparatus And the distance between the engaging portion of the second restricting portion 220 and the engaging portion of the second restricting portion 220 when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ The distance B between the plane BP defined by the tip 288 is equal to the distance between the coupling portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 (A).

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

The ink supply system of any preceding claim further comprising a body (22) having a first surface (203) and a second surface (204), wherein the first surface (203) and the second surface (204) The second restricting portion 220 is proximate to the second surface 204 of the body 22 and the terminal support structure 408 is proximate to the first surface 203 of the body 22, The second restricting portion 220 is engaged with each portion 620 of the inkjet printing apparatus 50 and when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288, The distance B between the coupling portion of the second restriction portion 220 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 is smaller than the distance B between the coupling portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210 and the tip 288 (A) between the plane (BP) defined by the plane (B).

The possibility that the first-side regulating portion is disengaged from the printer engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second regulating portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is that the engagement portion of the first regulating portion The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 5

In the ink supply system, the lever (80) has two ends and has a pivot point (800c) midway between the two ends, and the distance (?) In a direction orthogonal to the plane (BP) defined by the tip (288) The distance A between the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the leading end 288 is set such that the ink supply system is located on the printing apparatus 50, Is smaller than the distance (C) between the pivot point (800c) of the lever (80) and the plane (BP) defined by the tip (288).

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the ink supplying system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, The lever serves to regulate the movement. This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the force is applied from the contact-forming member, the first restricting portion can move around the rotation axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

In the ink supply system, the lever 80 has two ends and has a pivot point 800c in the middle of the two ends. The ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus 50, The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever when the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the right side and the ink supplying structure 280 faces downward.

When the ink supplying system supplies ink to the printing apparatus and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the right side and the ink supplying structure is facing downward, A moment is generated to rotate the lever in the reverse direction with respect to the unlocking direction around the rotation axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Further, the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever is reduced.

Adaptation example 7

The ink supply system further includes a body (22) close to the terminal support structure (408), and when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus (50), the first regulating portion (210) At least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the body 22 is substantially located in the widthwise center of the body 22. [

By positioning the first restriction portion such that at least a part of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is located substantially at the center in the width direction of the body, the first restriction portion is provided with a plurality of It is located very close to the terminal.

Adaptation example 8

Wherein the ink supply structure 280, the terminal support structure 408 and the first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter 299, and the ink supply structure 280, The chamber 200 is configured to mate with the adapter 299.

Adaptation example 9

The ink supply structure 280 further includes an adapter 299j and a terminal support structure 408 and a first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter 299j, Is arranged on the ink chamber (200), and the ink chamber (200) is configured to be engaged with the adapter (299).

Adaptation example 10

The ink supply system further includes an adapter 299k, an ink tank 200T outside the inkjet printing apparatus 50, a tube 200L, and an auxiliary adapter 200S, The terminal support structure 408 and the first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter 299k and the tube 200L is disposed on the auxiliary adapter 200S so that the ink supply system is disposed on the printing apparatus 50, The ink is supplied from the external tank 200T to the auxiliary adapter 200S.

Adaptation example 11

The ink supply system further includes a body (22) having an upper portion (202) and a lower portion (201), the upper portion and the lower portion facing each other, and a plane defined by the tip (288) Are substantially coplanar with the lower portion 201.

G-8. Eighth modification example

The present invention can be implemented by the following description examples and modifications. The symbols in parentheses attached to the elements in each of the description examples correspond to the signs of the respective elements described in the first embodiment or the modified example of the cartridge having the adapter.

G-8-1. First Modification

A cartridge (20) configured to be mounted to a printing apparatus having the following structure, wherein the printing apparatus (50) includes a plurality of apparatus side contact forming members (731-739) configured to apply an elastic force (Pt) to the cartridge , Wherein the printing device (50) further comprises a lever (80) having an engagement portion (810), wherein the cartridge (20) comprises a first face (203) A second side 204 and a third side 202 and a fourth side 201 facing each other; Electrical devices; A liquid chamber (200) for storing liquid; A liquid supply structure 280 disposed on the fourth surface 201 and configured to supply liquid from the liquid chamber 200 to the printing apparatus 50, A liquid supply structure 280 having a leading (SD) tip 288; An electrically conductive terminal 400 disposed closer to the first surface 203 than the second surface 204 and coupled to the electrical device such that the terminal 400 contacts the first surface 203 of the cartridge 20, The contact portion cp of the terminal 400 contacts the contact forming member 731-739 at the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 when the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 is mounted to receive the elastic force Pt from the contact forming member 731- Electrically conductive terminal (400) substantially arranged in a contact plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the contact plane (TP); And a first regulating portion 210 configured to engage with the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the cartridge 20, The portion 212 includes a first regulating portion 210 disposed at a position closer to the contact portion cp than the intersection 291 of the third surface 202 and the first surface 203.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the eighth modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printing apparatus, the terminals must be accurately positioned and stably fixed while the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed at a position closer to the contact portion than the intersection portion of the third surface and the first surface, the positioning operation of the first regulating portion can be performed at a position It takes place in close proximity. The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as liquid resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

The surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printing apparatus since the contact surface plane TP of the terminal is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ This configuration also reduces or eliminates the insulating debris (dust) that can be generated when the device-side terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the device-side terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge separates from the printing apparatus. That is, the elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal serves to press both the apparatus-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and also moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printing apparatus when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is configured to be engaged with the engaging portion of the lever in order to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. As a result, By the elastic force of the member, with respect to the mounting direction and the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first regulating portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the cartridge 20, the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 includes an intersection portion 295 of the contact surface plane TP with the first surface 203, a third surface 202, Is disposed closer to the contact portion (cp) than the middle point (203P) between the intersections (291) of the first surface (203).

By arranging the engaging portion of the first restricting portion at a position closer to the abutting portion than the middle point, the above advantage can be favorably provided.

Adaptation example 2

In the cartridge 20, the contact plane TP is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

As discussed with reference to Figures 42A-45, when the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 3

In the cartridge 20, when the first surface 203 of the cartridge 20 is viewed with the liquid supply structure 280 facing downward, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 The left edge 435P of the right edge 439P of the rightmost terminal 439 and the left edge 435P of the leftmost terminal 435 of the plurality of the terminals 431-439 of the plurality of terminals 431-439, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 435PL. ≪ / RTI >

When the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too tight, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, the terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. By positioning the engaging portion of the first restricting portion on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals, the cartridge can be sufficiently tilted, Can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 4

The ink cartridge 20 further includes a second regulating portion 220 on the second surface 204 of the cartridge 20 and the second regulating portion 220 is disposed on the second surface 204 of the cartridge 20, The engaging portion 222 of the second restricting portion 220 is configured to engage with the respective portions 620 and when the distance is measured in a direction perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288, And the plane BP defined by the tip 288 is smaller than the distance B between the coupling portion 212 of the first restriction portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ (A).

The possibility that the first restricting portion is disengaged from the apparatus-side engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second restricting portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first restricting portion means that the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 5

When the cartridge 20 is viewed at an oblique angle with the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 positioned on the right side and the liquid supply structure 280 facing downward in the ink cartridge 20, (BP) defined by the engaging portion 212 and the tip 288 of the first restricting portion 210 when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the plane 288 Is smaller than the distance C between the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when the cartridge 20 is mounted.

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the cartridge is mounted, . This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

When the cartridge 20 is viewed obliquely from the state where the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is located on the right side and the liquid supply structure 280 is directed downward, The engaging portion 212 of the portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 when the cartridge 20 is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted such that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever as viewed from the side with the liquid supply structure facing downward, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 7

In the cartridge 20, at least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is engaged with the cartridge 200 when the first surface 203 is viewed with the liquid supply structure 280 facing downward. 20 substantially centered in the width direction of the cartridge 20 when mounted.

By positioning the first restricting portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is substantially located at the center in the width direction of the cartridge, the first restricting portion is provided with a plurality of It is located very close to the terminal.

Adaptation example 8

In the cartridge 20, the plane BP defined by the tip 288 lies substantially in the same plane as the fourth plane 201.

Adaptation example 9

In the cartridge 20, the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 and the first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter, including the adapters 299, 299j and 299k, and the liquid chamber 200, Is configured to be engaged with the adapter.

G-8-2. Second Modification

A cartridge (20) configured to be mounted on a printing apparatus (50), the printing apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of apparatus side contact forming members (731-739) configured to apply an elastic force (Pt) to the cartridge , Wherein the printing device (50) further comprises a lever (80) having an engagement portion (810), wherein the cartridge (20) comprises a first face (203) A second side 204 and a third side 202 and a fourth side 201 facing each other; Electrical devices; A liquid chamber (200) for storing liquid; A liquid supply structure 280 disposed on the fourth surface 201 and configured to supply liquid from the liquid chamber 200 to the printing apparatus 50, A liquid supply structure 280 having a leading (SD) tip 288; An electrically conductive terminal 400 disposed closer to the first surface 203 than the second surface 204 and coupled to the electrical device such that the terminal 400 contacts the first surface 203 of the cartridge 20, The contact portion cp of the terminal 400 contacts the contact forming member 731-739 at the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 when the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 is mounted to receive the elastic force Pt from the contact forming member 731- Electrically conductive terminal (400) substantially arranged in a contact plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the contact plane (TP); And a first regulating portion 210 configured to engage with the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the cartridge 20, The first surface 203 is provided at a position closer to the first intersection 295 intersecting the contact plane TP than the second intersection 203 where the surface 203 intersects the third surface 202. [ (210).

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the eighth modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printing apparatus, the terminals must be accurately positioned and stably fixed while the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed at a position closer to the first intersection portion where the first surface crosses the contact portion plane than the second intersection portion where the first surface intersects with the third surface, (That is, the terminal of the terminal support structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as liquid resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

The surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printing apparatus since the contact surface plane TP of the terminal is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ This configuration also reduces or eliminates the insulating debris (dust) that can be generated when the device-side terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the device-side terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge separates from the printing apparatus. That is, the elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal serves to press both the apparatus-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and also moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printing apparatus when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is configured to engage with the engaging portion of the lever to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. As a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that, when the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, By the elastic force of the first regulating portion and the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first regulating portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the cartridge 20, the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disposed closer to the first intersection 295 than the middle point 203P between the first intersection 295 and the second intersection.

By arranging the engaging portion of the first restricting portion at a position closer to the abutting portion than the middle point, the above advantage can be favorably provided.

Adaptation example 2

In the cartridge 20, the abutment cp plane TP is at an angle of about 25 degrees to about 40 degrees with respect to the plane BP defined by the tip 288.

As discussed with reference to Figures 42A-45, when the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 3

In the cartridge 20, when the first surface 203 of the cartridge 20 is viewed with the liquid supply structure 280 facing downward, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 The left edge 435P of the right edge 439P of the rightmost terminal 439 and the left edge 435P of the leftmost terminal 435 of the plurality of the terminals 431-439 of the plurality of terminals 431-439, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 435PL. ≪ / RTI >

When the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too tight, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, the terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. By positioning the engaging portion of the first restricting portion on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals, the cartridge can be sufficiently tilted, Can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 4

The ink cartridge 20 further includes a second regulating portion 220 on the second surface 204 of the cartridge 20 and the second regulating portion 220 is disposed on the second surface 204 of the cartridge 20, Wherein when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane defined by the tip (288), the coupling portion (222) of the second restriction portion (220) and the tip The distance B between the planes BP defined by the distance 288 is a distance between the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the distal end 288 A).

The possibility that the first restricting portion is disengaged from the apparatus-side engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second restricting portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first restricting portion means that the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 5

When the cartridge 20 is viewed at an oblique angle with the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 positioned on the right side and the liquid supply structure 280 facing downward in the ink cartridge 20, (BP) defined by the engaging portion 212 and the tip 288 of the first restricting portion 210 when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the plane 288 Is smaller than the distance C between the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 when the cartridge 20 is mounted.

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the cartridge is mounted, . This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

When the cartridge 20 is viewed obliquely from the state where the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is located on the right side and the liquid supply structure 280 is directed downward, The engaging portion 212 of the portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 when the cartridge 20 is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted such that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever as viewed from the side with the liquid supply structure facing downward, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 7

In the cartridge 20, at least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is engaged with the cartridge 200 when the first surface 203 is viewed with the liquid supply structure 280 facing downward. 20 substantially centered in the width direction of the cartridge 20 when mounted.

By positioning the first restricting portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is substantially located at the center in the width direction of the cartridge, the first restricting portion is provided with a plurality of It is located very close to the terminal.

Adaptation example 8

In the cartridge 20, the plane BP defined by the tip 288 lies substantially in the same plane as the fourth plane 201.

Adaptation example 9

In the cartridge 20, the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 and the first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter, including the adapters 299, 299j and 299k, and the liquid chamber 200, Is configured to be engaged with the adapter.

G-8-3. Third Modification

A cartridge 20 configured to be mounted to a printing apparatus 50 having the following structure, wherein the printing apparatus 50 includes a plurality of apparatus-side contact forming members 731-739 configured to apply an elastic force Pt to the cartridge 20, , Wherein the printing device (50) further comprises a lever (80) having a mating portion (810) and a pivot point, wherein the cartridge (20) A face 203 and a second face 204 and a third face 202 and a fourth face 201 facing each other; Electrical devices; A liquid chamber (200) for storing liquid; A liquid supply structure 280 disposed on the fourth surface 201 and configured to supply liquid from the liquid chamber 200 to the printing apparatus 50, A liquid supply structure 280 having a leading (SD) tip 288; An electrically conductive terminal 400 disposed closer to the first surface 203 than the second surface 204 and coupled to the electrical device such that the terminal 400 contacts the first surface 203 of the cartridge 20, The contact portion cp of the terminal 400 contacts the contact forming member 731-739 at the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 when the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 is mounted to receive the elastic force Pt from the contact forming member 731- Electrically conductive terminal (400) substantially arranged in a contact plane (TP) which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane (BP) defined by the contact plane (TP); And a first regulating portion 210 configured to engage with the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the cartridge 20, The portion 212 includes a first regulating portion 210 disposed to engage the lever 80 at a position below the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the printing apparatus 50 .

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the eighth modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printing apparatus, the terminals must be accurately positioned and stably fixed while the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus. Since the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disposed at a position below the pivot point of the lever, the lever serves to regulate the movement of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as liquid resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

The surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printing apparatus since the contact surface plane TP of the terminal is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ This configuration also reduces or eliminates the insulating debris (dust) that can be generated when the device-side terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the device-side terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge separates from the printing apparatus. That is, the elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal serves to press both the apparatus-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and also moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printing apparatus when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is configured to engage with the engaging portion of the lever to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. As a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that, when the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, By the elastic force of the first regulating portion and the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first regulating portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the cartridge 20, the contact plane TP is at an angle of 25 to 40 degrees with respect to a plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

By arranging the engaging portion of the first restricting portion at a position closer to the abutting portion than the middle point, the above advantage can be favorably provided.

As discussed with reference to Figures 42A-45, when the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

In the cartridge 20, when the first surface 203 of the cartridge 20 is viewed with the liquid supply structure 280 facing downward, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 The left edge 435P of the right edge 439P of the rightmost terminal 439 and the left edge 435P of the leftmost terminal 435 of the plurality of the terminals 431-439 of the plurality of terminals 431-439, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 435PL. ≪ / RTI >

When the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too tight, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, the terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. By positioning the engaging portion of the first restricting portion on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals, the cartridge can be sufficiently tilted, Can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

The cartridge 20 further includes a second restricting portion 220 on a second side 204 of the cartridge 20 and the second restricting portion 220 is disposed on the second side 204 of the cartridge 20, And when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288, the engaging portion 222 of the second restricting portion 220 and the tip end The distance B between the plane BP defined by the first restricting portion 288 and the plane BP defined by the second restricting portion 288 is larger than the distance A between the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 ).

The possibility that the first restricting portion is disengaged from the apparatus-side engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second restricting portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first restricting portion means that the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

When the cartridge 20 is viewed obliquely from the state where the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is located on the right side and the liquid supply structure 280 is directed downward, The engaging portion 212 of the portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 when the cartridge 20 is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted such that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever as viewed from the side with the liquid supply structure facing downward, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 5

In the cartridge 20, at least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is engaged with the cartridge 200 when the first surface 203 is viewed with the liquid supply structure 280 facing downward. 20 substantially centered in the width direction of the cartridge 20 when mounted.

By positioning the first restricting portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is substantially located at the center in the width direction of the cartridge, the first restricting portion is provided with a plurality of It is located very close to the terminal.

Adaptation example 6

In the cartridge 20, the plane BP defined by the tip 288 lies substantially in the same plane as the fourth plane 201.

Adaptation example 7

In the cartridge 20, the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 and the first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter, including the adapters 299, 299j and 299k, and the liquid chamber 200, Is configured to be engaged with the adapter.

G-8-4. Fourth Modification

A cartridge (20) configured to be mounted on a printing apparatus (50), the printing apparatus (50) comprising a plurality of apparatus side contact forming members (731-739) configured to apply an elastic force (Pt) to the cartridge Wherein the printing device further comprises a lever having an engaging portion 810. The cartridge 20 has a front side 203 and a rear side 204 opposite to each other, And an upper portion 202 and a lower portion 201 facing each other; Electrical devices; A liquid chamber (200) for storing liquid; A liquid supply structure 280 disposed in the lower portion 201 and configured to supply liquid from the liquid chamber 200 to the printing apparatus 50, SD) < / RTI > tip 288; An electrically conductive terminal 400 disposed closer to the front side 203 than the rear side 204 and coupled to the electrical device such that the terminal 400 can be electrically connected to the terminal 204 when the cartridge 20 is mounted on the printing device 50. [ The contact portion cp of the terminal 400 is configured to contact the contact forming members 731-739 at the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 and to receive the elastic force Pt therefrom and the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 is defined by the tip 288 Electrically conductive terminal (400) substantially arranged in a contact plane (TP) that is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane (BP); And a first regulating portion 210 configured to engage with the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 to regulate the movement in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the cartridge 20, (210) provided at a position closer to the contact plane (TP) than the contact portion plane (202).

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the eighth modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the cartridge and the printing apparatus, the terminals must be accurately positioned and stably fixed while the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus. Since the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disposed at a position closer to the plane of the contact portion than the upper portion, the positioning function of the first regulating portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the position setting is most required (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not manufactured integrally with the cartridge, the material used to manufacture the cartridge and the material used to manufacture the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the cartridge may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focused on other properties such as liquid resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the cartridge, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the cartridge, the cartridge can be made smaller. This also makes it possible to miniaturize the size of the packaging material such as paper or box used for packaging cartridges for transporting or delivering cartridges, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and parts costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the cartridge, the first cartridge-side restricting portion can be manufactured with a small size, a simple structure, and a high rigidity, for example, compared with the structure described in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811. As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first cartridge-side restricting portion is greatly reduced. In the attached or mounted state, the cartridge can be held in a proper position in the cartridge mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal and reduces the possibility of poor electrical communication. Unlike the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811, special care is required to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the cartridge for transportation and delivery, because the first cartridge-side restricting portion can have a small size and simple structure not. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the cartridge terminal and the coupling portion of the cartridge may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the engaging portion to the cartridge terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

The surface of the cartridge terminal can be properly wiped while the cartridge is inserted into the printing apparatus since the contact surface plane TP of the terminal is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ This configuration also reduces or eliminates the insulating debris (dust) that can be generated when the device-side terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the cartridge.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the device-side terminal applies an elastic force with respect to the cartridge terminal having a vector component in the direction in which the cartridge separates from the printing apparatus. That is, the elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal serves to press both the apparatus-side terminal and the cartridge-side terminal together, and also moves the cartridge in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the printing apparatus when the engagement between the first regulating portion and the lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is configured to engage with the engaging portion of the lever to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the cartridge. As a result, the position of the cartridge terminal is set such that, when the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, By the elastic force of the first regulating portion and the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first regulating portion. Since the cartridge terminals are thus " sandwiched, " the movement of the cartridge terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separation between the cartridge terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the cartridge 20, the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 is located between an intersection of the front 203 and the contact plane TP and an intersection of the upper portion 202 and the front 203 The contact point cp is located closer to the contact point cp than the middle point 203P of the contact point cp.

By providing the engaging portion of the first restricting portion at a position closer to the contact portion than the middle point, the above advantage can be favorably provided.

Adaptation example 2

In the cartridge 20, the contact plane TP is at an angle of 25 to 40 degrees with respect to a plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

As discussed with reference to Figures 42A-45, when the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 3

In the cartridge 20, when the front portion 203 of the cartridge 20 is viewed with the liquid supply structure 280 facing downward, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 has a plurality of The extension 439P of the right edge 439P of the rightmost terminal 439 among the terminals 431-439 and the extension 439P of the left edge 435P of the leftmost terminal 435 among the plurality of terminals 431-439 Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 435PL. ≪ / RTI >

When the cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the cartridge is held too tight, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, the terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. By positioning the engaging portion of the first restricting portion on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals, the cartridge can be sufficiently tilted, Can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 4

In the cartridge 20, the engaging portion is configured to engage with a rotatable lever having a pivot point on the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210.

When the rotatable lever has a pivot point on the engaging portion of the first regulating portion, the lever serves to regulate the movement of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 5

The cartridge (20) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second restricting portion (220) on the rear side (204) of the cartridge (20) When the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the tip 288, the coupling portion 222 and the tip 288 of the second restriction portion 220 are connected to each other, The distance B between the plane BP defined by the first regulating portion 210 and the second regulating portion 210 is larger than the distance A between the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the leading end 288 Big.

The possibility that the first restricting portion is disengaged from the apparatus-side engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second restricting portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first restricting portion means that the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 6

In the cartridge 20, the second restricting portion 220 is configured to act as a pivot point of rotation when the cartridge 20 is rotated so as to be separated from the holder of the printing apparatus 50.

Adaptation example 7

In the cartridge 20, when the cartridge 20 is positioned at the right side of the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and viewed obliquely with the liquid supply structure 280 facing downward, The plane BP defined by the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the tip 288 is measured when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane BP defined by the first restricting portion 288. [ The distance A between the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 is smaller than the distance C between the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 when the cartridge 20 is mounted.

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the cartridge is mounted, It is regulated. This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 8

When the cartridge 20 is viewed obliquely from the state where the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is located on the right side and the liquid supply structure 280 is directed downward, The engaging portion 212 of the portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 when the cartridge 20 is mounted.

When the cartridge is mounted such that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is on the left side of the pivot point of the lever as viewed from the side with the liquid supply structure facing downward, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 9

At least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is engaged with the cartridge 20 when the front portion 203 of the cartridge 20 is viewed with the liquid supply structure 280 facing downward. Substantially centered in the width direction of the cartridge 20 when the cartridge 20 is mounted.

By positioning the first restricting portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is substantially located at the center in the width direction of the cartridge, the first restricting portion is provided with a plurality of It is located very close to the terminal.

Adaptation example 10

In the cartridge 20, the plane BP defined by the tip 288 lies substantially in the same plane as the lower portion 201.

Adaptation example 11

In the cartridge 20, the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 and the first regulating portion 210 are disposed on the adapter, including the adapters 299, 299j and 299k, and the liquid chamber 200, Is configured to be engaged with the adapter.

Adaptation example 12

In use of the cartridge 20, the engaging portion of the cartridge 20 is engaged with the movable lever 80 of the printing apparatus 50 such that the lever 80 has a pivot point on the engaging portion.

Adaptation example 13

In a combination of the cartridge (20) and the printing apparatus (50), the combination comprises: the cartridge (20); And a plurality of apparatus-side contact forming members 731-739 for applying an elastic force (Pt) to the cartridge 20, And a lever 80 having an engaging portion 810 configured to restrict movement in a direction RD opposite to a mounting direction SD of the printer 20.

Adaptation Example 14

The lever 80 has two ends and has a pivot point midway between the two ends and the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 is pivoted to the first restricting portion 210 of the cartridge 20, (Not shown).

When the rotatable lever has a pivot point on the engaging portion of the first regulating portion, the lever serves to regulate the movement of the cartridge. This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member, and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. When the cartridge mounted from the contact-forming member is subjected to a force, the first regulating portion can move about the rotational axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 15

In the combination, the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 is provided on the right side of the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 of the cartridge 20.

When the pivot point of the lever is provided on the right side of the engagement portion of the first regulating portion of the cartridge, the first regulating portion generates a rotation moment on the lever to rotate the lever in the reverse direction with respect to the unlocking direction about the rotation axis of the lever. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the cartridge is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the cartridge. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

G-8-5. Fifth Modification

A liquid supply system (20i, 20j, 20k) configured to supply a liquid to a printing apparatus (50), wherein the printing apparatus (50) comprises a plurality of apparatus side contact forming members (731-739) , Said liquid supply system (20i, 20j, 20k) comprising: an electrical device; Liquid sources 200i, 200j, and 200T; The liquid supply structure 280 configured to supply liquid from the liquid source 200i, 200j, 200T to the printing apparatus 50 includes a liquid supply structure 280 having a plane (SD) leading edge 288 defining a plane BP (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the terminals (400) are connected to the printing device (50) by means of the adapters (299, 299j, 299k) having electrically conductive terminals (400) The contact portion cp of the terminal 400 is configured to contact the contact forming members 731-739 at the contact portion cp of the terminal 400 to receive the elastic force Pt therefrom when the liquid is supplied to the terminal 400, (299, 299j, 299k) substantially arranged in a contact plane (TP) that is neither parallel nor perpendicular to a plane (BP) defined by a first plane (288) And moves in the direction RD opposite to the mounting direction SD of the adapter by engaging with the engaging portion 810 of the lever 80 The first regulating portion 210 includes a first regulating portion 210 disposed adjacent to the contact surface plane TP.

Some of the advantages of the above modification of the eighth modification will now be described. In order to ensure reliable electrical communication between the adapter and the printing apparatus, the terminals must be accurately positioned and securely fixed while the adapter is mounted on the printing apparatus. Since the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is disposed adjacent to the plane of the abutting portion, the positioning action of the first restricting portion is performed at a position close to the portion where the position setting is most necessary (i.e., the terminal of the terminal supporting structure). The elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal can be canceled appropriately. In addition, the positional fluctuation of the terminal, which may occur due to vibration during the printing operation, can be suppressed. Therefore, positioning of the terminal is more stable, and thus stable electrical connection is maintained between the adapter side terminal and the apparatus side terminal.

Moreover, since the lever is not made integrally with the adapter, the material used to make the adapter and the material used to make the lever may be different. In addition, the material of the adapter may be selected with less consideration of flexibility and durability requirements and more focus on other properties such as liquid resistance.

Also, since the lever is not located on the adapter, no special care is needed to prevent creep deformation of the lever when packaging the adapter for transport and delivery. This simplifies packaging requirements and improves user convenience. Since the lever is not an integral part of the adapter, the adapter can be made smaller. This can also reduce the size of the packaging material, such as paper or box, used to package the adapter for shipping or shipping the adapter, thus advantageously reducing transportation costs and component costs. Further, since the lever is not integral with the adapter, the first adapter-side regulating element can be manufactured with a smaller size, a simple structure, and a higher rigidity than the structure described in, for example, U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 . As a result, the possibility of plastic deformation of the first adapter side regulatory element is greatly reduced. With the adapter attached or mounted, the adapter can be held in place in the adapter mounting structure, which maintains normal or good contact between the adapter side terminal and the device side terminal and reduces the likelihood of poor telecommunications. Since the first adapter-side regulating element can have a small size and a simple structure, unlike the cartridge of U.S. Patent Publication No. 2005/0151811, special attention is paid to prevent the creep deformation of the lever during packaging for transportation and delivery of the adapter It is not necessary. This reduces packaging requirements and improves user convenience.

The structure for interconnecting the adapter terminal and the coupling portion of the adapter may be a rigid structure only (unlike the flexible lever of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811). In this case, transmission of vibration from the coupling portion to the adapter terminal is reduced, and therefore, the electrical communication is more stable.

The surface of the adapter terminal can be properly wiped while the adapter is inserted into the printing apparatus since the contact surface plane TP of the terminal is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ This configuration also reduces or eliminates insulation debris (dust) that can occur when the device-side terminals scrape a long distance to the circuit board during installation of the adapter.

It is not necessary to provide a spring such as the spring 103 described in U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422 because the device-side terminal applies an elastic force to the adapter terminal having a vector component in a direction in which the adapter is separated from the printing apparatus. That is, the elastic force from the apparatus-side terminal serves to press both the apparatus-side terminal and the adapter-side terminal together, and also moves the adapter in the direction in which the adapter is removed from the printing apparatus when the engagement between the first regulation portion and the lever is released It plays a role. Thus, there is no need to provide additional springs as in the case of U.S. Patent No. 6,955,422, which allows for simpler construction and cost savings.

The first regulating portion is configured to engage with the engaging portion of the lever to regulate the movement in the direction opposite to the mounting direction of the adapter. As a result, the position of the adapter terminal is set such that, when the adapter is mounted on the printing apparatus, By the elastic force of the first regulating portion and the direction opposite to the mounting direction by the first regulating portion. Since the adapter terminals are thus " sandwiched ", the movement of the adapter terminals in the mounting direction and in the opposite direction is firmly fixed. Therefore, the misalignment or separability between the adapter terminal and the apparatus-side contact-forming member is reduced, as compared with the unilateral regulation by the elastic piece 40 and related construction of U.S. Patent No. 7,008,053.

Adaptation example 1

In the liquid supply system 20i, 20j, 20k, the contact plane TP is at an angle of 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to a plane BP defined by the tip 288. [

As discussed with reference to Figures 42A-45, when the contact plane is at an angle of about 25 degrees to 40 degrees with respect to the plane defined by the tip, excessive wiping is prevented and sufficient force is applied to prevent half insertion .

Adaptation example 2

When the front of the adapter is viewed in a state where the liquid supply structure 280 faces downward in the liquid supply systems 20i, 20j and 20k, the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 has a plurality of The extension 439P of the right edge 439P of the rightmost terminal 439 among the terminals 431-439 and the extension 439P of the left edge 435P of the leftmost terminal 435 among the plurality of terminals 431-439 Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > 435PL. ≪ / RTI >

When the adapter is mounted on the printing apparatus, if the adapter is held too tight, contact with a part of the apparatus-side contact forming member (for example, terminal 734 in Fig. 31) may not be robust. The adapter can be sufficiently tilted by positioning the engaging portion of the first restricting portion on the left side of the rightmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals and the right side of the leftmost contact portion of the plurality of terminals, Can be much more stable.

Adaptation example 3

The liquid supply system according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a second regulating portion (220) on the rear side (204) of the adapter, wherein the second regulating portion (220) Wherein when the distance is measured in a direction orthogonal to the plane defined by the tip (288), the coupling portion (222) of the second restriction portion (220) and the tip The distance B between the planes BP defined by the distance 288 is a distance between the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the plane BP defined by the distal end 288 A).

The possibility that the first restricting portion is disengaged from the apparatus-side engaging portion when the engaging portion of the second restricting portion is located farther from the plane defined by the leading end than the engaging portion of the first restricting portion means that the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged The second restricting portion is located farther than the engaging portion of the second restricting portion.

Adaptation example 4

When the adapter is positioned at the right side of the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the liquid supply structure 280 faces downward in the liquid supply system 20i, 20j, 20k, A plane defined by the engaging portion 212 and the tip 288 of the first restricting portion 210 is formed in a plane perpendicular to the plane BP defined by the tip 288. [ The distance A between the pivot point BP of the lever 80 and the plane BP defined by the tip 288 is less than the distance C between the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 when the adapter is mounted.

When the distance between the engaging portion of the first regulating portion and the plane defined by the leading end is smaller than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the plane defined by the leading end when the adapter is mounted, It is regulated. This reduces the possibility of the first regulating portion being unlocked or disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever, thereby forming a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the contact-forming member and reducing the possibility of poor conduction. The first regulating portion can move around the rotational axis of the lever when a force is applied to the adapter mounted from the contact forming member. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is disengaged from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 5

When the adapter is positioned at the right side of the engaging portion 212 of the first restricting portion 210 and the liquid supply structure 280 faces downward in the liquid supply system 20i, 20j, 20k, The engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 is on the left side of the pivot point 800c of the lever 80 when the adapter is mounted.

When the adapter is mounted such that the coupling portion of the first regulating portion is located on the right side and the coupling portion of the first regulating portion is located on the left side of the pivot point of the lever when the liquid supply structure faces downward from the side, And the lever is rotated about the rotational axis of the lever in the direction opposite to the unlocking direction. This reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever, and further ensures a stable electrical connection between the plurality of terminals and the apparatus-side contact forming member. Even when the adapter is subjected to the force, the first regulating portion will move with the adapter. This movement reduces the possibility that the engaging portion of the first regulating portion is unlocked from the engaging portion of the lever.

Adaptation example 6

When the front of the adapter is viewed in a state in which the liquid supply structure 280 faces downward in the liquid supply systems 20i, 20j and 20k, at least a part of the engaging portion 212 of the first regulating portion 210 Is substantially centered in the width direction of the adapter when the adapter is mounted.

By positioning the first restricting portion such that at least a part of the engaging portion of the first restricting portion is substantially located at the center in the width direction of the adapter, the first restricting portion is provided with a plurality of It is located very close to the terminal.

Adaptation example 7

The liquid supply system (20i, 20j) further includes a container assembly (200i, 200j) having a liquid source therein and configured to be engaged with the adapter.

Adaptation example 8

In the liquid supply system 20j, a liquid supply structure 280 is provided on the container assembly 200j.

Adaptation example 9

In the liquid supply system 20k, a tank 200T having a liquid source therein; A secondary adapter (200S) having a liquid supply structure (280); And a tube 200L connecting the tank and the auxiliary adapter 200S.

The features described herein may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit of the invention, as part of a combination of a cartridge and a printing device when the cartridge is installed and / or as part of a system configured to supply ink or other printing material to the printing device As part of the cartridge itself.

The matters described in each aspect according to any part of the present invention may be added to any of the various modifications described above.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be practiced in a variety of ways having various adaptations and is not limited by the embodiments and examples described above. Any number of features of the various embodiments described herein may be combined in one single embodiment and there may be alternative embodiments having fewer or more features than all the features described herein. The functionality may also be distributed wholly or partially among the plurality of components in a manner known or known in the art.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, but is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Although the basic features of the present invention as applied to the exemplary embodiment have been shown and described, omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the disclosed invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. . Also, the scope of the present invention encompasses all changes and modifications that are known in the art and which are known in the art for the components described herein, or that are developed in the future. Accordingly, the invention is intended to be limited only by the following claims. It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention disclosed herein and all statements of the scope of the invention which may be said to be included therebetween.

Claims (107)

A cartridge detachably mounted on a holder of a printing apparatus having a printing material supply pipe, a device side terminal, a lever rotatably mounted, and a hole,
A printing material supply port connected to the printing material supply pipe,
And a cartridge side terminal connected to the apparatus side terminal,
Axis as a coordinate axis and an axis parallel to the central axis of the printing material supply port as a Z axis and a direction in which the printing material supply port and the cartridge side terminal are arranged and a direction orthogonal to the Z axis is defined as an X axis, Axis and an axis orthogonal to the X-axis are defined as a Y-axis, an opening direction of the printing material supply port is defined as a -Z-axis direction, and a reverse direction to the -Z-axis direction is defined as a + Z- Wherein a direction from the supply port to the cartridge side terminal is defined as a + X axis direction and a reverse direction to the + X axis direction is defined as a -X axis direction,
Wherein the cartridge-side terminal is provided on an inclined surface with respect to the X axis and the Z axis,
In the + Z-axis direction, by the device-side restricting portion provided on the -Z-axis direction side and the -X-axis direction side with respect to the pivotal axis in the lever capable of pivoting about the pivot axis parallel to the Y- The first regulating portion for restricting the movement of the cartridge of the cartridge is provided on the + Z axis direction side and the + X axis direction side of the cartridge side terminal,
A second regulating portion for regulating the movement of the cartridge in the + Z-axis direction by being restricted by the hole is provided on the + Z-axis direction side and the -X-axis direction side relative to the printing material supply port,
The position of the restriction of the first restriction portion is located on the -Z-axis direction side of the position of the restriction of the second restriction portion
cartridge. The method according to claim 1,
In a direction along the Y axis so that the movement of the first regulating portion in the direction along the Y axis is restricted by the pair of wall portions installed in the lever in the process of mounting the cartridge in the holder, The width of the first restricting portion is shorter than the distance between the pair of wall portions
cartridge. The method according to claim 1,
And the second restricting portion is configured to function as a rotation point of the cartridge with respect to the holder by engaging with the hole at the time of attaching and detaching the cartridge to the holder
cartridge. The method according to claim 1,
The surface of the first regulating portion which is regulated by the lever is provided on the -Z-axis direction side of the surface of the second regulating portion which is regulated by the hole
cartridge. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein a position of regulation of the first regulating portion and a position of regulation of the second regulating portion are located at a position intersecting the plane parallel to the Z axis and the X axis through the center of the width of the cartridge in the direction along the Y axis Installed in
cartridge. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the first regulating portion has a regulating surface facing the + X axis direction, and the regulating surface is regulated by the lever when the cartridge is mounted on the holder
cartridge. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Wherein the printing material supply port is provided at a position closer to the second regulation section than the first regulation section
cartridge. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
A pair of side surfaces adapted to be coupled to the holder are provided at positions sandwiching the printing material supply port in the direction along the Y axis
cartridge. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The inclined surface is provided on a surface connecting the surface provided with the first regulation portion and a surface formed so as to extend from the surface on which the printing material supply port is provided to the + Z axis direction
cartridge. 10. The method of claim 9,
Axis direction and the -Y-axis direction side of the surface formed so as to extend from the surface on which the printing material supply port is provided to the + Z-axis direction, and a pair of opposed portions in the Y- Further comprising:
And the pair of protrusions are configured to be engageable with engaging portions provided in the holder
cartridge. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The cartridge side terminal and the apparatus side terminal are each a plurality of, and the plurality of cartridge side terminals are arranged corresponding to each of the plurality of apparatus side terminals,
Side contact portions of the plurality of cartridge-side terminals are provided on the -Z-axis direction side of the second restricting portion
cartridge. 12. The method of claim 11,
Wherein one of the plurality of cartridge side terminals is a cartridge side ground terminal configured to be electrically connectable to a device side ground terminal connected to a ground line among the plurality of device side terminals,
Wherein the cartridge-side ground terminal is provided at a center of a width of the cartridge in the direction along the Y axis, and when the cartridge is mounted on the holder, Side ground terminal before the contact with the apparatus-side terminal
cartridge.
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