WO2007037546A1 - Cartouche d'encre et appareil d'impression a jet d'encre - Google Patents

Cartouche d'encre et appareil d'impression a jet d'encre Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2007037546A1
WO2007037546A1 PCT/JP2006/320031 JP2006320031W WO2007037546A1 WO 2007037546 A1 WO2007037546 A1 WO 2007037546A1 JP 2006320031 W JP2006320031 W JP 2006320031W WO 2007037546 A1 WO2007037546 A1 WO 2007037546A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
ink
case
supply
ambient air
ink cartridge
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2006/320031
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2007037546A9 (fr
Inventor
Shingo Hattori
Tomohiro Kanbe
Toyonori Sasaki
Original Assignee
Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2005284646A external-priority patent/JP4539517B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP2005342695A external-priority patent/JP2007144811A/ja
Priority claimed from JP2006063250A external-priority patent/JP4524675B2/ja
Priority claimed from JP2006081806A external-priority patent/JP4479684B2/ja
Application filed by Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha filed Critical Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
Priority to CN2006800065353A priority Critical patent/CN101132922B/zh
Publication of WO2007037546A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007037546A1/fr
Publication of WO2007037546A9 publication Critical patent/WO2007037546A9/fr

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17553—Outer structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer

Definitions

  • the invention relates to ink cartridges, especially to an ink cartri protect the ink supply part from an impact when the ink cartridge accidental to prevent ink leakage from the ink chamber Background Art
  • a known cartridge includes a case having an ink chamber that The cartridge is received in and removed from an ink jet recording appar recording by ejecting ink stored in the ink chamber from a recording head is provided with an ink supply part having an insertion path into which a ne the ink jet recording apparatus is inserted The ink supply part projects fro case
  • JP 2001-71522 discloses a liquid container functioning as an mk car connection part, corresponding to the ink supply part, projects from a wall and the connection part includes an elastic member therein When the accidentally drops down, the drop impact is unlikely to be applied to the connection part projects from the wall, and the impact applied to the c absorbed by the elastic member Thus, both the connection part and prevented from getting damaged Disclosure of the Invention
  • connection part In the liquid container disclosed in above-described JP 2001-7 member configured to absorb the impact applied to the connection part is a connection part
  • the c the ink supply part may be damaged, and, in some instances, ink in the ink outside from the damaged portion recording apparatus according to claim 14 or 15 Further developments dependent claims
  • the pair of projections are sides of the ink supply part that projects outwardly from the end surface of projections project outwardly in the same direction as the ink supply p projects outwardly further than the ink supply part projects Even if t accidentally drops off, the drop impact is applied to the pair of projection supply part can be prevented from receiving the impact directly Thus, th can be prevented from getting damaged due to the drop impact, and ink in can be prevented from leaking outside
  • the first pr the engaged portion to be engaged in the engaging portion of the ink jet rec When the ink cartridge is installed in the ink jet recording apparatus in posi portion of the first projection engages with the engaging portion Thus, the be installed in place
  • the engaging portion is a guide projection projected where the ink cartridge is installed, and the engaged portion is a guiding gro a direction where the guiding projection is inserted While the guide proj guide groove, the ink cartridge is installed
  • the ink cartridge can normal installation position with respect to the ink jet recording apparatu cartridge can be installed in place
  • the installation portion of the ink jet rec includes an accommodating portion defining a space corresponding to a c cartridge, and the ink cartridge is installed withm the accommodating portio cartridge is being installed
  • the second projection end thereof with a recessed portion As the recessed portion collides wi engaging portion, the recessed portion of the second projection can maintai collided with the end of the engaging portion, and reduce the possibility portion comes off from the recessed portion
  • the ink cartridge can b moving to the extracting member as a result of that the engaging portion co recessed portion of the second projection, and prevented from colliding w member
  • the extracting member can be prevented from getting dama
  • the recessed portio example the recessed portion may be formed in a letter of substantially U ( second projection is viewed from a side
  • the recessed porti projection may be formed in accordance with the shape of the engaging porti
  • the second projection in surface extending upward continuously from a surface that serves as a bott case in the normal posture
  • a corner portion of the second projection may collide with the ins the ink jet recording apparatus, and the ink cartridge may not be installed sm
  • the ink storing member is disposed
  • the light radiated part whic be radiated with light from an optical sensor to detect ink level, is formed supply part and the air introducing part
  • the detection window is formed o of the case at a position corresponding to the light radiated part
  • the optical sensor is inserted from the detection window and place Inside the case, there are fewer impurities than outside the case, so that i done properly, and detection errors of the ink level can be reduced
  • a radiated part is translucent and is provided with an inner space communica chamber As the movable member moves in response to a change of an in chamber, a light interrupting portion of the movable member moves along a least an inside of the inner space
  • FlG 35 is a diagram showing the manufacturing processes p ⁇ or to welding
  • FiG 36 is a diagram showing the welding processes for the film, where showing the welding surface of the film onto the frame part, and showing the welding process to weld the film onto the frame part
  • FIG 37 is a diagram showing the manufacturing processes that are perfor welding, where (a) is a diagram showing the attachment process supply mechanism and the ambient air intake mechanism onto the fr diagram showing the pressure reducing process, and (c) is a diagra injection process
  • FiG 38 is a diagram showing the attachment process for the case, where showing the process to sandwich the frame part by the case, and showing the welding process to weld the case IG 39 IS a diagram showing the manufacturing processes that are pe shipment of the ink cartridge, where (a) is a diagram showing the pro protective cap, and (b) is a diagram showing the process to package using the packaging unit IG 40 is a diagram showing the method of attaching the ink cartridge to device IG 41 is a diagram showing the state in which the ink cartridge has bee
  • FiG 48 is a diagram showing the front of the case, where (a) is a front vie can store either the large capacity blank ink cartridge or the black ink color ink cartridge, and (b) is a front view of the case that can st cartridge and the color ink cartridge
  • FIG 49 is a cross-sectional diagram showing a summary of the cross sec where (a) is a cross-sectional diagram showing a summary of the ca along the XXXXIXa-XXXXIXa line, and (b) is a cross-sectional di summary of the case in Figure 48(b) along the XXXXIXb-XXXIXb
  • FiG 50 is a cross-sectional diagram showing the state in which each ink c attached within the case IG 51 is a diagram showing the combination of the case members diagra IG 52 is a diagram showing the ink cartridge and refill unit accordin example of embodiment, where (a) is a diagram showing the side of according to the second example of embodiment, and (b) is a diag cross-section of the state in which the ink cartridge has been attache unit IG 53 is an angled diagram showing the external appearance of the ink ca to the third and fourth examples of embodiment, where (a) is an showing the external appearance of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment, and (b) is an angled diagram showing the external appe cartridge according to the fourth example of embodiment
  • FiG 57 is a block diagram showing a summary of the electrical structure of device according to the sixth example of embodiment FiG 58 is a flowchart showing the ink cartridge attachment detection proces by the CPU FiG 59 IS an angled diagram showing the external appearance of the ink cartr the seventh and eighth examples of embodiment, where
  • FiG 62 is an exploded perspective diagram showing the ink cartridge acco example of embodiment
  • FIG 63 is a diagram showing the interchange procedure for the ink reservoi
  • FIG 64 IS a diagram showing the ink reservoir unit according to the elev embodiment
  • FIG 65 is a diagram showing a modified example of the combination of th
  • FIG 66 is a diagram showing a modified example of the combination of the
  • FIG 67 is a diagram showing a modified example of the combination of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
  • Figure 1 is an oblique view showing t multifunction device 1 in which ink cartridge 14 of the present invention is in
  • Printer part 11 is provided on the lower part of multifunction device 1, an medium based on image data or document data sent from this computer Mu 1 can also be connected to an external device such as a digital camera (not figure) such that it records image data outputted from the digital camera to Moreover, by using receiver 2, multifunction device 1 can communicate another party and send image data to the device of the other party Furtherm device 1 is equipped with slot part 23, which is described below, and by loa of recording media such as memory cards into this slot part 23, the devic such as image data recorded on the recording medium to recording paper
  • printer part 11 is configured as an inkjet reco refill unit 13, which stores ink that is supplied to a recording head (not figure) that discharges ink drops in advance, is equipped at the base of th multifunction device 1
  • Refill unit 13 has a compact design and is configu cartridge 14 can be easily replaced, and this will be described in detail below
  • Scanner part 12 is equipped with document bed 15, which functions as Scanner), and document cover 16, which is provided on the upper part of t 15 (top of figure 1)
  • Document cover 16 is equipped with automatic docum Auto Document Feeder, called “ADF” hereafter) 17, and it is attached to document bed 15 (back side of Figure 1) using a hinge such that it can be closed Therefore, document cover 16 is opened and closed by rotating i arrow A with respect to document bed 15
  • document be portion of the housing of multifunction device 1 and document cover 16 co of the top surface of multifunction device 1
  • Document bed 15 is equipped with a contact glass sheet (not illustrat between the document bed and document cover 16, and it is equipped with unit (not illustrated in the figure) on the inside A document is placed b cover 16 and the contact glass sheet, and the image reading unit reads are placed on the contact glass sheet
  • Printer part 11 is equipped with an image recording part that has an inkj (not illustrated in the figure), and this is configured as an inkjet recording d 11 is equipped with refill unit 13 on the front side of multifunction devic Figure 1) and on the bottom side of multifunction device 1 (bottom side of words, refill unit 13 is built in to the front surface Ia side and the bottom s multifunction device 1
  • refill unit 13 is configured such and hold four ink cartridges 14, and black, yellow, magenta, and cyan color each of these ink cartridges 14 The ink of each color stored in ink cartridges the recording head through ink tube 53 (see Figure 5)
  • opening/closing cover 20 that opens and closes opening 21 of front surface Ia (end of the front right side in Figure 1) is provided on th refill unit 13 (front of Figure 1) Opening/closing cover 20 is configured s freely rotated between a position in which it exposes refill unit 13 through position in which it closes opening 21 and houses refill unit 13 by folding it (front direction in Figure 1)
  • Opening 22 is formed in the center of front surface Ia of multifunctio paper feed tray (not illustrated in the figure) is positioned mside this opemn the state in which the paper feed tray is disengaged is illustrated) After th that is sent from the paper feed tray is sent to the back side, it is sent to the t to the front side, and images are recorded onto the recording paper while th is fed The recording paper is then discharged to a paper ejection tray (not figure) that is provided on the upper part of the paper feed tray inside openin
  • Operation panel 30 is attached to the top surface of the front surface side device 1 (upper part of the front surface in Figure 1) This operation panel 3 part for the purpose of performing the operations of printer part 11 and scan in cases m which a device such as a personal computer is connected to multi the control device controls the operation of multifunction device 1 based o from this personal computer in addition to the instructions from operation pa
  • FIG. 3 is a side view of the state in which door 41 o been opened
  • Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of refill unit 13 through line and the state in which ink cartridges 14 are installed is illustrated
  • Figure 5 is view of refill unit 13 through line V-V of Figure 2
  • Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of door 41 Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the state in which needle forming member 48 is re
  • refill unit 13 is primarily equipped with case 4 cartridges 14 are inserted and removed, and door 41, which is connected to t 40 is formed into a roughly rectangular parallelepiped on the whole, and, Figure 4, accommodating chambers 50 (housing parts) that house and hold are partitioned and formed on the inside
  • ca accommodating chambers 50, and four ink cartridges 14 are inserted into a each accommodating chamber 50
  • the inner wall surface shape of each chamber 50 is formed such that it demarcates space corresponding to the ou cartridge 14, and when each ink cartridge 14 is installed in case 40, it is he without rattling determined by the number of ink cartridges 14 housed in case 40, and the p they are arranged are determined by the thicknesses of ink cartridges 14 in t
  • partition walls 47 are formed in a rib shape prov and bottom of bottom plate part 42 and ceiling plate part 44 Further, parti do not need to completely partition each accommodating chamber 50, so th shape as long as the shape protrudes to the inside from at least one of
  • cutout part 40a opening part formed on the back side of case 40 (back ⁇ ght side of Figure 2), and needle 48 is fitted into this cutout part 40a
  • Needle 49 extraction member tha inside ink cartridges 14 is formed on needle forming member 48 based on t cartridges 14 housed in accommodating chambers 50 of case 40
  • needle 49 extends along the direction of open and in a roughly horizontal direction (ink cartridge installation direction) in needle forming member 48 is engaged with cutout part 40a
  • this needle 49 is inserted into in (see Figure 8) of ink cartridge 14, and an ink supply path is formed as supp Figure 22) of ink supply mechanism 500 (see Figure 22) is pressed
  • Needle with ink extraction opening 52 that projects upward on the back side of case Figure 5) Needle with ink extraction opening 52 that projects upward on the back side of case Figure 5), and ink tube 53 is connected to this ink extraction opening 5 connected to an inkjet recording head (not illustrated in the figure), and it is ink inside ink cartridges 14 to the inkjet recording head
  • Passage 54 which introduces ambient air into ink cartridges 14, is forme of case 40, which forms the top of needle 49 (top of Figure 5)
  • case 40 which forms the top of needle 49 (top of Figure 5)
  • remaining ink detection sensor 57 which of the ink liquid level (remaining ink) inside ink cartridge 14, is provided b and passage 54
  • This remaining ink detection sensor 57 is a transmissive o has light emitting part 57a and light receiving part 57b, and it is provided number of ink cartridges 14 housed in accommodating chambers 50
  • Remai sensor 57 is provided in a position corresponding to detection part 140 (se cartridge 14 in the state in which ink cartridge 14 is housed inside accom 50, and it is arranged in a position in which light emitting part 57a and li 57b can sandwich both sides of detection part 140 of ink cartridge 1 accommodating chamber 50 (See Figure 18(b)) Remaining ink detecti connected to a control device, and the amount of remaining ink stored in eac is constantly monitored by this control device
  • Rib 44a is provided on ceiling plate part 44, and this improves the ri Further, ceiling plate part 44 is equipped with swing arm mechanism 44b attached between swing arm mechanism 44b and ceiling plate part 44, mechanism 44b is always elastically biased in the direction of door 41 ( Figure 2, left side of Figures 3-5) Swing arm mechanism 44b is configured that project into case 40 (accommodating chamber 50) engage with latch pa (see Figure 8) of ink cartridge 14, for example, in the state in which it is ela is therefore possible to reliably hold ink cartridge 14 that is installed in case
  • Opening 45 is provided on the front surface of case 40 (insertion hole t cartridge 14 is installed) This opening 45 is provided on each of the chambers 50
  • each accommodating chamber 50 is succ inside case 40 on each opening 45, and the four ink cartridges 14 are respecti and removed from each accommodating chamber 50 through openings 45 open position, ink cartridge 14 can be easily inserted into and removed fro chamber 50
  • door 41 will be described in detail with reference 41 is equipped with door main body 60, pressing retaining member 61 that i door main body 60, door lock member 62 (lock bar) that fastens (locks) do and lock release lever 63 that releases door 41 from the fastened state Do pressing retaining member 61, door lock member 62, and lock release l molded using resins
  • door main body 60 is roughly formed into a s of a long and thin rectangle
  • the external shape of door main body 60 is for the shape of opemng 45 of case 40
  • Rotating shaft part 64 which is suppo part of the front surface of case 40, is formed on the bottom end of do (bottom side end in Figure 6)
  • bearing part 42a is formed on bottom plate part 42 of case 40 (see Figures 2, 3, and 4), and rotating shaf into this bearing part 42a such that it can rotate freely
  • door close opening 45 by standing up or open opemng 45 by folding over
  • Pullout member 65 which is formed as a unit with door main body 60, i bottom end of door mam body 60 This pullout member 65 is roughly forme and it has extension part 65a and curved part 65b Extension part 65a is succ on the bottom end of door mam body 60 (rotating shaft part 64), and c successively provided forming an approximately 90° angle with extension pa
  • part 65b projects even further upwards than installation surface 51 of chamber 50 (bottom surface inside accommodating chamber 50 that makes bottom surface of ink cartridge 14, see Figure 4)
  • Door main body 60 rotate shaft part 64 as a rotational center, and as a result, pullout member 65 tha prescribed dimension, so when curved part 65b is rotated, outer wall surfa higher than installation surface 51 of case 40 and is roughly parallel to install
  • Outer wall surface 65c functions as a guide surface that guides ink installation surface 51 inside accommodating chamber 50 in the state in w the open position
  • pullout member 65 functions not only as a m ink cartridge 14 out of accommodating chamber 50, but also as a guidin inserting ink cartridge 14 into accommodating chamber 50
  • pullout members 65 are provided on each door other words, pullout members 65 are configured such that they are positio width direction of door main body 60 and support ink cartridge 14 by san width direction Moreover, in this embodiment, the spacing between eac members 65 is set to be smaller than the width direction of ink cartridge 14
  • Claw 61a is provided on both sides of pressing retaining member 61 suc to the outside from the side surface, and claw accommodating part 60a, in housed, is provided on door main body 60
  • Claw accommodating part 60a is a groove that extends in a direction that is roughly perpendicular to the long of door main body 60 (vertical direction in Figure 6)
  • Claw 61a is accommodating part 60a such that it can slide freely, so pressing retaini supported such that it can advance and retreat in a direction that is per longitudinal direction of door main body 60
  • pressing retai can change positions between a projected position in which it is raised from of door main body 60 (state illustrated in Figure 3) and a retreated positio retreated from the projected position to the side of door main body 60 (st Figure 4)
  • coil spring 66 is placed between pressing retaimng me main body 60 Therefore, pressing retaimng member 61 is elastically bias always in the projected position case 40
  • pressing retaimng member 61 is formed in the sha while wall surface 61b of this pressing retaimng member 61 (surface that m the side surface of ink cartridge 14 when door 41 is in the blocked position flat surface, and a pair of projecting strips 61c is formed on this wall surfac when door 41 is in the blocked position, these strips 61c make contact with the side surface of ink cartridge 14
  • pressing retaining member 61 is configured such that, whe position, it presses slightly downward from the center position in the vertica cartridge 14 (vertical direction in Figure 4)
  • pressing retaini provided in a position in which it makes contact and presses downward position in the vertical direction of ink cartridge 14 This is for the purpose operationahty in the case m which the user operates door 41
  • the user operates door 41 by holding it in the vicinity of loc so the distance between the part that is operated by the user and the p member 61 becomes small Therefore, the force induced by coil sprin retaining member 61 becomes large, and a force that is large enough to therefore becomes necessary
  • pressing retainin positioned below the center position in the vertical direction of ink cartridg between the part that is operated by the user and pressing retaining member user is able to operate door 41 with a small amount of force Moreove retaining member 61 is positioned too far downward in the vertical
  • ink cartridge 14 of this embodi with ink supply part 120 and ambient air intake part 130 on the side surface surface that makes contact with pressing retaimng member 61, and this in and ambient air intake part 130 are equipped with valve mechanisms havin In other words, they have a biasing force (first and second supply springs first and second ambient air springs 730 and 750) that presses the valves ( and ambient air valve 720) outward such that they block communication bet and exterior or ink cartridge 14 Therefore, in order to reliably enable comm ink cartridge 14 and the exterior, the elastic force of pressing retaining m embodiment is set such that it is larger than the elastic force of the valve m supply part 120 and ambient air intake part 130 As a result, when ink cartri inside accommodating chamber 50, the ink inside ink cartridge 14 is relia ambient air can be reliably introduced into ink cartridge 14 Moreover, ink s on the bottom end and ambient air intake part 130 is on the top part in the ink cartridge 14 is installed in accommodating chamber 50, so
  • Door lock member 62 is attached to the top end of door main unit 60 (e in Figure 6)
  • Door lock member 62 has main shaft part 62a, key part 62b th direction of the inside of case 40 continuing from the upper end of main sha side of Figure 6), and seat part 62c (contact part) that projects in the direction case 40 continuing from the lower end of main shaft part 62a (lower side of F
  • Door lock member 62 is supported such that it can advance and retre 62a
  • claw 62e accommodating part 60c provided on door main body 60
  • This claw accom is configured from a groove that extends to exactly a prescribed lengt direction Therefore, when door lock member 62 slides upward or downwar contact with the mside wall surface of claw accommodating part 60c, and t lock member 62 in the vertical direction is thus restricted
  • the sliding range of door lock member 62 is defined as a result of the se of the groove that constitutes claw accommodating part 60c to a prescribed door lock member 62 slides upward with respect to door main body 60 an contact with the top edge of the inside wall surface of claw accommodati lock member 62 is in the position in which it projects upward from the u main body 60
  • door lock member 62 slides downward with respect t 60 and claw 62e makes contact with the bottom edge of the inside wall accommodating part 60c
  • door lock member 62 is in the position in which inside of door main body 60
  • the position at which doo makes contact with the top edge of the inside wall surface of claw accommo defined as the "projected position”
  • the position at which door lock contact with the bottom edge of claw accommodating part 60c is defined position
  • Coil spring 67 (elastic member) is placed between door lock member 6 body 60 Therefore, door lock member 62 is elastically biased such that i upward from door main body 60 - in other words, in the direction in which the projection position
  • the top surface of key part 62b of door lock member 62 is a sloped s downward Therefore, when door 41 changes from the open position to the the top surface of door lock member 62 makes contact with the top edge of o I lock member fitting part 46 (see Figures 2 and 5), which is provided o opening 45 of case 40
  • Door lock member 62 is elastically biased such that from door main body 60 due to coil sp ⁇ ng 67, so it is pressed inside lock m 46, but the position of door lock member 62 is an intermediate position su slightly more to the retreated position side than the projecting side Door l always elastically pressed against lock member fitting part 46 when it is i position, so door lock member 62 never easily deviates from lock member fi
  • Lock release lever 63 is formed into the shape of a rectangular plate, an the top of the outside of door main body 60 in a state in which it is fastened main body 60 is equipped with accommodating part 6Od, which houses loc This accommodating part 6Od consists of a concave part that is provided o 60 This will be described below, and when lock release lever 63 chang release lever 63 is fitted into accommodating part 6Od
  • Supporting pin 63a is provided on the bottom end of lock release lever time, pin support hole 6Oe, into which supporting pin 63 a is fitted, is provi body 60 Because supporting pin 63a is fitted into this pin support hole 6Oe, 63 is configured such that it can rotate freely around the rotational center 63 a Specifically, lock release lever 63 is configured such that it can be f displaced between a position that is roughly parallel to the outer surface of d a position in which it is inclined at approximately 45° (degrees) (state of doo of Figure 2), and a position in which it is folded over roughly horizontall door 41 from the right side of Figure 2) by moving the lever In this specific of lock release lever 63 when it is housed inside accommodating part 6Od "housed position", and the position of lock release lever 63 when lock re inclined at approximately 45° is defined as the "neutral position", while th release lever 63 when it is folded over roughly horizontally is define retreated position Put the other way around, when door lock member 62 i position, lock release lever
  • lock release lever 63 will be descri cam 63b of lock release lever 63 makes contact with seat part 62c of door lo the state in which door 41 is closed (state illustrated in Figure 4), lock attempts to further rotate door lock member 62 through interlocking cam pressing downward
  • door lock member 62 is always elastically coil spring 67, so door lock member 62 is not displaced by the action of t release lever 63 alone, and door lock member 62 is maintained in the interme
  • lock release lever 63 when lock release lever 63 is forcibly rotated - for exampl which a user attempting to replace ink cartridge 14 operates and rotates lock lock release lever 63 is rotated and displaced to the folded position
  • interlocking cam 63b rotates and cha centered on supporting pin 63 a and presses seat part 62c of door lock memb
  • door lock member 62 moves downward in opposition to the el spring 67 and is displaced to the retreated position
  • the lock of door 41 is released, and this door 41 blocked position to the open position
  • Door lock member 62 constantly receives the elastic force of coil spr rotational force that acts upon lock release lever 63 disappears - in other the center of rotation to the point that door 41 is nearly horizontal, so th replace ink cartridge 14
  • the two stnps 61c that are provided on w pressing retaining member 61 also operate as guides when housing ink c accommodating chamber 50
  • lock release lever 63 can rotate freely between the ne the housed position when door 41 is m the blocked position with respect to unit 13 can be placed in the vicinity of the ⁇ m of opening 21 This is bec unit 13 placed on the rim of opening 21, the inside wall surface of opening makes contact with lock release lever 63 when opening/clo
  • Figure 7 is an oblique view showmg the external appearanc cartridge 14
  • Figure 8 is an exploded oblique view of the colored ink cartrid a diagram showing protector 300
  • (a) is a top surface view of protec perspective of IXa in Figure 8
  • (b) is a cross-sectional view of prote line IXb-IXb in Figure 9(a)
  • the X-direct longitudinal direction of ink cartridge 14 (case 200, ink reservoir el Y-direction indicates the height direction of ink cartridge 14 (case 200, ink 100), which is orthogonal to the X-direction
  • the Z-direction indicates t (thickness direction) of ink cartridge 14 (case 200, ink reservoir elemen orthogonal to the X-direction and the Y-direction Arrow B illustrated in Fig the X-direction, which indicates the longitudinal direction of ink cartridge 1 the direction in which ink cartridge 14
  • ink cartridge 14 is equipped with covers roughly the entire body of ink reservoir element 100 that stores ink (s protector 300, which is attached to this case 200 and protects ink reservoir e ink cartridge 14 is fed
  • case 200 is formed i parallelepiped that contains a pair of largest surfaces 210a and 220a that op (cases 1200 and 2200 explained below are the same)
  • ink supply part 120 which supplies frame part 110 to multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1)
  • ambient air intak introduces ambient air into frame part 110
  • detection part 140 irradiate provided in order to detect the amount of remaining ink stored inside fr dispensing part 150, which dispenses ink into frame part 110, and film 160 to both sides of frame part 110 (both top and bottom surfaces in Figure 8)
  • i ink reservoir chamber on frame part 110 Descriptions of frame part 110, in ambient air intake part 130, detection part 140, ink dispensing part 150, and manufacturing process for ink reservoir element 100
  • First is a member that covers the bottom side surface of ink reservoir element 10
  • second case element 220 is a member that covers the top side surface of ink 100 in Figure 8
  • First and second case members 210 and 220 are made of r are manufactured using injection molding The depths of first and second c and 220 (lengths in the upward direction of Figure 8 (lengths in the Z-direc such that they are roughly equivalent, and they are formed such that the sum roughly equivalent to the thickness of ink reservoir element 100 As a re between ink reservoir element 100 and the inside surface of case 200 beco becomes narrow), so even if pressure were applied inward from the outsid amount of deformation of case 200 would become small, so it would be poss damage of case 200
  • First case member 210 comprises a plate-shaped part that forms largest vertical wall parts 210b-210e that are provided in roughly orthogonal di directions and Z-direction in Figure 8) from the outer edge portions of the plate-shaped part Regarding vertical wall parts 210d-210e, the vertical w first case member 210
  • Case cutout parts 211 and 212 are formed into rou shapes from the edges of vertical wall part 210b, and case cutout part 211 side of Figure 8 is a cutout corresponding to ink supply part 120, while cas on the left back side of Figure 8 is a cutout corresponding to ambient air Rectangular case cutout part 213, which is cut out into a rectangular shape, i case cutout part 211 and case cutout part 212, and this is a cutout for inserti detection sensor 57 (see Figure 5) to the position at which it sandwiches d Contact groove 211a, which makes contact with ink supply part 120, is for surface connecting to case cutout part 211 of first case member 210, and con which makes contact with ambient air intake
  • case projecting parts 214a and 214b which project in protector 300 (left front direction and X-direction in Figure 8) from the surfa cutout parts 211-213 are formed (vertical wall part 210b), are formed on f 210
  • Case projecting parts 214a and 214b are formed on both sides of first in the Y-direction (right front side end and left back side end of Figure sandwich case cutout parts 211 to 213, and the ink supply part 120 side (r Figure 8) is case projecting part 214a, while the ambient air intake part 13 side of Figure 8) is case projecting part 214b
  • Case projecting part 214a ha 214a2 which slopes in the direction of case cutout parts 211 to 213 (directio first case member 210) towards the edge from the portion that connects to th of vertical wall part 21Od of the case member 210 (protector 300 direction, l in Figure 8)
  • case fitting groove 214b2 which is used as a fitting part into wh fitting part 320 of protector 300 (see Figure 9) described below, is formed o part 214b
  • This case fitting groove 214b2 is formed across a portion of verti from the edge of case projecting part 214b (edge of the protector 300 side)
  • rod member 215a which protrudes in the direction of second
  • Second case member 220 comprises a plate-shaped part that forms lar and vertical wall parts 220b to 22Oe that are provided in roughly orth (vertical directions and Z-direction in Figure 8) from the outer edge portions of this plate-shaped part Regarding vertical wall parts 220b to 22Oe, the forms the protector 300 side of second case member 220 is 220b, the ve placed opposite this vertical wall part 220b is 220c, and the vertical walls tha connected to vertical wall parts 220c and 220b are vertical wall parts 22Od a side of Figure 8 is vertical wall part 22Od, and the left side of Figure 8 is member 210 (roughly semicircular shapes), and case cutout part 223 is for shape as case cutout part 213 of first case member 210 (roughly rectangular case projecting parts 224a and 224b are formed on both sides of case cutout and case projecting part 224a has sloping surface 224a2 that slopes in the cutout parts 221 to 223 towards the edge from the portion that connects to t
  • first case member 210 and second case ember 22 formed into roughly the same shapes, and when they are in the state in wh reservoir element 100, roughly circular through-holes that expose a portion 120 to the outside are formed by case cutout parts 211 and 221, while through-holes that expose a portion of ambient air intake part 130 to the outs case cutout parts 212 and 222
  • Through-holes into which remaining ink de (see Figure 5) can be inserted are formed on both sides of detection part 140 bottom sides in Figure 8, both sides in the Z-direction) by case cutout holes the side wall of detection part 140
  • a protrusion (“first projectin projecting part") that contributes to the prevention of ink contamination of prevention of the installation of the cartridge into refill unit 13 in the wrong prevention of the damage of mk supply part 120 and ambient air intake part case projecting part 214a and case projecting part 224a
  • a protrusion (“ 214a and case projecting part 224a than the protrusion formed by case pro and case projecting part 224b A through-
  • first case member 210 and sec 220 do not only have the same overall external appearance, but they are details such as case projecting parts 214a, 214b, 224a, and 224b and case c 213 and 221 to 223 also have the same shapes Therefore, when first case second case member 220 are resin-molded, their die shapes are similar, so with die design can be reduced Next, the external shape of case 200 will be described On first and seco
  • vertical wall parts 21Od, 21Oe, 22Od, and 22Oe (side surfaces directions (Y-direction) that are orthogonal to longitudinal direction connecting the right back side of Figure 8 and the left front side of Figu Figure 8) are formed into concave shapes, and steps are formed with r surfaces 210a and 220a (surfaces) of first and second case members 210 a second case members 210 and 220 are welded to these step portions, element 110 is fastened to case 200 Regarding these step portions, the ste side of ink supply part 120 (right front side of Figure 8) are first case weld 226, and the step portions on the side of ambient air intake part 130 (left ba 8) are second case welded parts 217 and 227
  • protector 300 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and diagram that shows protector 300, and Figure 9(a) is a top view of protec perspective of IXa in Figure 8, while Figure 9(b) is a cross-sectional view through line IXb-IXb in Figure 9(a)
  • Protector 300 is a member for protectin 120 and ambient air intake part 130, in particular, of ink reservoir eleme cartridge 14 is shipped
  • Protector 300 is made from a resin material and is m injection molding
  • protector through-hole 310 is formed on p location corresponding to the side of ambient air intake part 130 (left back on the bottom surface This is because valve open part 721a for operating 720 (see Figure 33) projects outward from ambient air intake part 13 through-hole 310 is formed in order to protect this valve open part 721a
  • first protector fitting part 32 into the fitting groove formed by case fitting grooves 214b2 and 224b2 ( projecting cutout holes 214bl and 224bl (see Figure 8)
  • protector loose insertion parts 340a and 340b which are lig the through-holes formed by case cutout parts 213 and 223 and the side wall 140 (see Figure 8), are formed in roughly intermediate positions in longitudi protector 300 (Y-direction in Figures 8 and 9)
  • Protector loose insertion par are connected to both side walls formed parallel to longitudinal direction C side walls in Figure 9(a)), and they are formed such that they project upwar the front side of the page in Figure 9(a) and on the side of ink reservoir elem 8)
  • Multiple ribs are formed from the bottom surface of protector 300, and th the strength of protector 300
  • First protector fitting part 320 is positioned such that it extends in a dire direction orthogonal to longitudinal direction C of protector 300 (vertical di 9(a), X-direction), and consists of protector vertical wall 321 provided fro of protector 300 and two protector vertical walls 322 that are connected to th opposite side as protector through-hole 310 from protector vertical wall Figure 9(a))
  • each protector vertical wall 322 part formed parallel to protector vertical wall 321 from the top end of first part 320 (top side end in Figure 9(b)) and a bottom part connected to the side 300 from a roughly intermediate position in the projecting direction of firs part 320 (upward m Figure 9(b), X-direction), and they have steps
  • protector vertical wall 321 and the top of protector ver inserted into the fitting groove
  • first protector fitting part 320 is insert groove, it is inserted as it is restricted by both ends of protector vertical extends in the Z-direction orthogonal to longitudinal direction C (Y-directio protector vertical wall 321) and four points (ends of both sides of protector and two ends of protector vertical wall 322) the installation properties of improved, and mistaken installation can be prevented
  • protruding parts 330al and 330bl are formed on the edges of second protector fitting parts the direction in which second protector fitting parts 330a and 330b mutuall on the top side of Figure 9(b)), and shaft parts 330a2 and 330b2, which roughly cylindrical shapes, are formed in the direction of the bottom surfac from these edges (downward in Figure 9(b)) Shaft parts 330a2 and 330 because protector 300 is formed from a resin material, and protector 30 removed as second protector fitting parts 330a and 330b are elastically defor direction
  • black ink cartridge 14 will be desc ⁇ bed with reference to Figures 10 is an oblique view that shows the external appearance of black ink cartri is an exploded oblique view of black ink cartridge 14
  • black ink cartridge 14 is configu external profile is larger (the thickness (length in the Z-direction) is lar colored ink cartridges 14 Specifically, second case member 220, which cons is identical to second case member 220 for colored ink, and first case me constitutes case 1200, is formed such that it is thicker (the length in the Z- than first case member 210 for colored ink Ink reservoir element 100 has s to store black ink, so it is configured with the same shape as colored ink rese and uses the same parts Moreover, protector 1300 is formed corresponding it is formed such that it is thicker in the vertical direction (Z-direction) th Therefore, black ink cartridge 14 will be described with regard to first case descriptions of second case member 220, ink reservoir element 100, and pr edge portions of the four sides of this plate-shaped part Regarding vertical to 121Oe, the vertical wall that forms the protector 1300 side of first case 1210b, the vertical wall that is placed opposite this vertical wall part 1210b vertical walls that are respectively
  • rib 1218 is formed on roughly the entire inside surface of first c (roughly the entire largest surface 1210a) This rib 1218 projects in the Z- the side of ink reservoir element 100 to the degree that the external pro member 1210 is enlarged with respect to first case member 210 (differe vertical wall parts 210b to 21Oe of first case member 210 and vertical wa 121Oe of first case member 1210) Because this rib 1218 is provided, the sp between ink reservoir element 100 and first case 1210 can be filled It is the maintain the strength of case 1200 against pressure from the outside
  • first case member 1210 member 220 in the vertical direction (Z-direction) differ, so ink supply part supply part 130, and detection part 140 are positioned in positions shifte position in the vertical direction (biased position)
  • FIG. 12 is an oblique view that shows the external appearance black ink cartridge 14
  • Figure 13 is an exploded oblique view of large-c cartridge 14
  • the external profile of large-ca cartridge 14 is configured such that it is larger (longer in the Z-direction) black ink cartridges 14
  • the vertical wall heights of vertical w 222Oe of second case member 2220 are formed such that they are roughly wall heights of vertical wall parts 220b to 22Oe of second case member 220, member 2220, which constitutes case 2200, is simply made thicker than sec 220 for colored and black ink
  • first case member 2210, whic 2200, rib 1218 of first case member 1210 for black ink is simply remo reservoir element 2100 is simply thickened such that the capacity increase colored and black ink reservoir element 100 Therefore, detailed desc ⁇ ptions black ink cartridge 14 will be omitted here
  • large-capa For the reference nume large-capa
  • ink reservoir element 100 will be described with reference to Figur a diagram that shows ink reservoir element 100, and Figure 14(a) is a reservoir element 100, while Figure 14(b) is a back view of ink reservoir state of ink reservoir element 100 illustrated in Figure 14 is the position in w 14 is installed in multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1)
  • Fi position in which the longitudinal direction (X-direction) and the width direc of ink cartridge 14 (ink reservoir element 100) are horizontal directions
  • ink supply part 120, ambient air intake part 130, and detection part 1 on the side surface ink supply part 120 is positioned on the bottom part sid intake part 130 is positioned on the ceiling side
  • Ink reservoir element 210 reservoir element 100 only with regard to its thickness (length in the
  • ink reservoir element 100 is primarily equipped wit ink supply part 120, ambient air intake part 130, detection part 140, ink dis and film 160 Moreover, ink reservoir element 100 is configured roughly as The pair of surfaces that constitute the largest area of this hexahedron is the and the back surface side of ink reservoir element 100 illustrated in Fig configured with approximately six surfaces with the side surfaces (side wa four directions that connect this front surface side and the back surface surfaces that constitute the largest area of ink reservoir element 100 are par largest surfaces 210a and 220a of case 200 when loaded into case 200 Mor welded to both the front surface side and the back surface side of frame light emitting part 57a of remaining ink detection sensor 57 positioned detection part 140 is transmitted to light receiving part 57b in order to det remaining ink in ink reservoir element 100
  • the blackened ed inner circumference welded parts (ribs or first ribs) 411a to 417a illustrate are welded surface parts (rib fixed parts or first rib fixed parts), and the front (blackened portion) of outer circumference welded part 400a is the welded s part) on the periphery of first opening 112a
  • Film 160 is welded to this weld ultrasonic welding
  • Frame 110 is primarily equipped with supply path forming part 420 (see 14(b)), which communicates with ink supply part 120 and supplies ink reservoir chamber 111 to the outside, ambient air communicating passage (see Figure 14(a)), which communicates with ambient air intake part 13 ambient air into ink reservoir chamber 111, plate-shaped link forming part 14(a) and 14(b)), which is formed in roughly the center of frame part 110 chamber 111) and connects the vicinity of ambient air intake part 130 to t dispensing part 150, and dispensing passage forming part 450 (see Figu communicates with ink dispensing part 150 and dispenses ink into ink reser
  • link forming part 440 partitions first chamber I lia and second cha reservoir chamber 111 in a state in which they communicate with one an linking plate that is between virtual plane R (not illustrated in the figure), i that is welded to outer circumference welded part 400a extends, and vir illustrated in the figure), in which film 160 that is welded to outer circumfe 400b
  • Inner circumference welded parts 411a to 417a consist of in welded part 411a, which is provided on supply path forming part 420, in welded part 412a, which is provided on ambient air communicating passage and inner circumference welded parts 413a to 417a, which are provided on 440 Moreover, the welded surface parts of inner circumference welded parts positioned on the same virtual plane as the welded surface part of outer circ part 400a, and film 160 can be welded on the same plane (virtual plane R)
  • Inner circumference welded part 411a is provided on supply path formin consists of a downward-sloping vertical wall that slopes in a direction th longitudinal direction B of frame part 110 (see Figure 8, left/right direction Inner circumference welded part 412a forms one side wall (vertical wal connection passage 433, which will be described below, in ambient ai passage forming part 430, and it consists of a downward-sloping vertical wa direction that intersects with longitudinal direction B of frame part 110 (X circumference welded part 413a is provided in the vicinity of ambient air int it consists of a downward-sloping vertical wall that slopes in a direction th longitudinal direction B of frame part 110, and a vertical wall that extends wall in a direction that is roughly orthogonal to longitudinal direction B o (vertical direction in Figure 14(a)), which are arranged such that they are r Inner circumference welded part 414a is roughly formed into a leftward- shape, and it consists of a vertical wall that is parallel to longitudinal directio vertical wall,
  • 411a to 417a extends in a direction that slopes downward or is rough longitudinal direction B of frame part 110 (in other words, the bottom reservoir chamber 111 in the position in which ink cartridge 14 is installed this bottom part side (bottom part side in Figure 14(a)) is a free end
  • these multiple inner circumference to 417a do not significantly inhibit the flow of ink facing ink supply part 120
  • circumference welded parts 411a to 417a are spread around the inside of out welded part 400a (scattered in multiple units), so they efficiently prevent slack in film 160 and avoid inhibiting the flow of ink
  • Inner circumference welde inner circumference welded part 412b2 are provided from plate part 438, ambient air communicating passage forming part 430 This is beca communicating passage forming part 430 is formed only on the front surf part 110, and inner circumference welded part 412bl and inner circumfer 412b2 are provided in order to suppress the generation of slack in film 1 corresponding to the back surface side of
  • inner circumference welded parts 411a to 417a and 411b to 417 a spread-out orientation (scattered in multiple units), in the case in which c from a flexible resin material, it is possible to restrict case deform circumference welded parts 411a to 417a and 411b to 417b even if the cas side of ink reservoir element 100 As a result, it is possible to prevent the da and the damage of film 160 Further, outer circumference welded parts 40 inner circumference welded parts 411a to 417a and 411b to 417b are for walls that are provided on the front surface side or the back surface si complex dies are not required when frame part 110 is to be injection-mold possible to reduce the manufactu ⁇ ng cost of ink cartridge 14
  • supply path forming part 420 is primari first supply communicating hole 421, which communicates with ink suppl partition wall 422, which is formed into a roughly triangular frame when direction perpendicular to the page in Figure 15(a) such that it encloses communicating hole 421, plate part 427, which covers the region on the partition wall 422 and extends parallel to virtual planes R and S between t supply communicating hole 423, which is formed as a portion of supply pa cut out, supply concave part 424, which is formed by making a portion of t ink reservoir chamber 111 (bottom part of Figure 15(a), portion of wall part forms the bottom part of ink reservoir chamber 111 in outer circumference into a concave shape (stepped shape), plate part 428, which extends from ou welded part 400b and supply partition wall 422 and extends parallel to virtu between the planes, arm sandwiching part 425, which is provided on the fre 428 and has sensor arm
  • supply partition wall 422 is formed suc 160 is to be welded, it separates the inside of frame part 110 (ink reservoir first supply communicating hole 421
  • ink supply chamber 42 by supply partition wall 422 communicates with the inside of frame part second supply communicating hole 423
  • ink that is stored inside supplied into ink supply chamber 426 from second supply communicating p is then supplied to ink supply part 120 from first supply communicatin illustrated by arrow D in Figure 15(c) (ink flow path))
  • ink flow path D through which ink inside frame part 110 is suppl part 120, will be described with reference to Figures 15(c) and 15(d)
  • ill 15(c) when liquid surface I of ink that is stored inside frame 110 is hi concave part 424, the ink is supplied to ink supply part 120 through t indicated by arrow D in Figure 15(c)
  • recessed space 424a is the inside of ink supply chamber 426 that is enclosed by supply partition filled with ink
  • ink fills supply chamber 426, so even if liquid surface I of the ink drops be communicating hole 421, the ink can be supplied to ink supply part 120 supply communicating hole 423
  • ink supply part cylind ⁇ cally shaped, as illustrated in Figure 8, and, as descnbed below, supply mechanism 500 and check valve 670 are housed inside ink supply el shaft part 672 of check valve 670 (see Figure 29) is inserted into first suppl hole 421 Therefore
  • a difference of distance tl is provided be that forms the bottom part of ink reservoir chamber 111 in outer circumfer 400b and the lower end of second supply communicating hole 423
  • communicating hole 423 is above part 400bl that forms the bottom part chamber 111, additional ink cannot be supplied after liquid surface I of the i supply communicating hole 423, so the full use of the ink becomes poor concave part 424 is provided, and it is configured such that second communi positioned lower than part 400bl that forms the bottom part of ink reservoi distance tl
  • FIG. 15(d) in the state in which has been completed, only a slight amount of ink remains in the vicinity of t supply concave part 424 (part below second supply communicating hole 423 of ink that cannot be supplied can be markedly reduced
  • supply co formed on the bottommost part of ink reservoir chamber 111 see Figure 14
  • reservoir chamber 111 flows into supply concave part 424 and accumulates i part 424 when the amount of
  • FIG. 16 is a diagram that shows ambient air comm forming part 430
  • Figure 16(a) is an oblique view that shows the outlin communicating passage forming part 430
  • Figure 16(b) is a diagram that s communicating passage forming part 430 from the perspective of arrow XVI
  • Figure 16(c) is a diagram that shows ambient air communicating pass
  • ambient air communicating passage for primarily equipped with first ambient air communicating chamber 431 , whic roughly rectangular parallelepiped that communicates with ambient air second ambient air communicating chamber 432, which is formed into a ro parallelepiped that communicates with ink reservoir chamber 111, and ambi passage 433, which communicates with first ambient air communicating second ambient air communicating chamber 432 on the side of first surfac film 160 is welded (left front side of Figure 16, first surface 437a is a surface in virtual plane R)
  • First ambient air communicating hole 434 which communicates with a formed on second surface 437b (plate part 438) First ambient air communi formed on side wall surface 431a of first ambient air communicating chamb of ambient air intake part 130 (left back side m Figure 16), and communicat is formed on side wall surface 432a of second ambient air communicating c side of first ambient air communicating chamber 431 (left back side i described above, one of the side walls of ambient air connection passage 433 lower side in Figure 16(a)) is inner circumference welded part 412a
  • communicating openings 433a communicate with first ambient air communicating chamber 431 and se communicating chamber 432, respectively, are formed on the side of first these communicating opemngs 433a and 433b have opening areas that smaller than the side wall areas of first ambient air communicating chambe ambient air communicating chamber 432 (side wall surfaces 431a and communicating openings 433a and 433b are formed) Because a part havi introduces ambient air with extremely small cross-sectional area (ambie passage 433) is provided (so-called labyrinth), the resistance of the flow p air passes through becomes large As a result, it is possible to reduce the ev ink than necessary through ambient air connection passage 433
  • ambient air connection passage 433 slopes direction of second ambient air communicating chamber 432 from communicating chamber 431 Because ambient air connection passage 433 the device is in the position in which ink cartridge 14 is installed in multifunction device 1, ink that has penetrated into ambient air connection p naturally returned to ink reservoir chamber 111 due to gravity Moreo cross-sectional area of ambient air connection passage 433 is made small, t ink stored inside ink reservoir chamber 111 into ambient air connection pa can be deformed by bending In other words, ambient air connection configured such that its cross-sectional area changes easily Therefore, ev forms, the meniscus can be easily broken due to the bending and deformatio so ambient air can be introduced normally A portion of the surface of se communicating hole 435 is also formed by film 160, so the formation second ambient air communicating hole 435 can be substantially prevented
  • Third ambient air communicating hole 436 is formed on the uppermo ambient air communicating chamber 432 in the position in which ink cartri in multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1) (state illustrated in Figure 16(a)) cases in which an amount of ink is stored such that a meniscus is formed o air communicating hole 435 and second ambient air communicating hole ambient air can be reliably introduced into ink reservoir chamber 111 thro air communicating hole 436
  • case 200 of ink cartridge 14 is formed into a cubic shape co largest surfaces that oppose one another, so when this is loaded onto a flat be assume one of two loading positions in which one of largest surfaces 210a a lower surface (bottom surface) At this time, ambient air intake part 130 is side surface of case 200, but, as described below, it is difficult for ink to leak communicating passage forming part 430 in either of the positions
  • Figures 16(b) and 16(c) show the positions of ambient air commu forming part 430 corresponding to each of the two loading positions Figure case in which ink cartridge 14 is placed such that ambient air connectio positioned on the lower side (the side of first chamber 111 a of frame part 110 and first surface 437a is the lower side), and Figure 16(c) shows the c air communicating chamber 432 and ambient air communicating chamber 4 into first ambient air communicating chamber 431 Moreover, as described a connection passage 433 communicates through communicating opening markedly smaller area than the side surface of second ambient air commu 432, so there are cases in which the ink inside ink reservoir chamber 111 do pass through ambient air communicating chamber 433 and penetrate into communicating chamber 431 In the state illustrated in Figure 16(b), liquid s has not reached the position of the opening of first ambient air communica even if ink cartridge 14 is placed such that ambient air connection passage on the lower side, the efflux of ink from ambient air intake part 130 to t prevented
  • connection passage 433 is positioned on the upper side during the feeding o the ink stored inside ink reservoir chamber 111 flows into second ambient a chamber 432, but liquid surface I of the ink does not reach the ope communicating opening 433b of ambient air connection passage 433 As a r not flow into ambient air connection passage 433 from cornmunicating ope ink does not flow into first ambient air communicating chamber 431 Ther cartridge 14 is placed such that ambient air connection passage 433 is positi side, the efflux of ink from ambient air intake part 130 to the outside can be
  • first ambient air communicating cha ambient air communicating chamber 432 and ambient air connection described above and establishing the opening position of first ambient air co 434 and the opening position of communicating opemng 433b in p symmetrical to ambient air connection passage 433, it is possible to prevent t from ambient air intake part 130
  • a reinforcement member that maintains the strength of fra forming part 440 is also a divider plate that divides the chamber such tha opemng 112a and the side of second opening 112b are in roughly the sam (divider plate that divides first chamber Ilia and second chamber 111b chamber 111 in the state in which they communicate with one another)
  • Link forming part 440 consists of ambient air side linking part 441, whi the side of ambient air intake part 130 (left side in Figure 14(a) or nght sid using inner circumference welded parts 415a and 415b as boundaries, an linking part 442, which is provided on the side of ink dispensing part 150 (ri 14(a) or left side in Figure 14(b))
  • an linking part 442 which is provided on the side of ink dispensing part 150 (ri 14(a) or left side in Figure 14(b))
  • the part enclosed by ambient air side linking part 441, dispensing side and ambient air communicating passage forming part 430 is first reservoir opening 113, which communicates between first chamber Ilia and second c the part enclosed by ambient air side linking part 441, dispensing side link supply path forming part 420 is second reservoir internal opening 114, whi between first chamber Il ia and second chamber 111b
  • first reservoir opening 113 which communicates between first chamber Ilia and second c the part enclosed by ambient air side linking part 441
  • dispensing side link supply path forming part 420 is second reservoir internal opening 114, whi between first chamber Il ia and second chamber 111b
  • Linking rib 418a which connects multiple inner circumference welded provided on the side of first opening 112a from link forming part 440, and which connects inner circumference welded part 412b to 417b provided on t opening 112b from link forming part 440, are formed on link forming part 4 ribs 418a and 418b are not illustrated in the figure, but they are formed shapes with vertical walls that are lower than inner circumference welded pa inner circumference welded parts 412b to 417b Further, most of these linki 418b are formed on the edge of link forming part 440 As a result, linking ri connect inner circumference welded parts 412a to 417a and 412b to 41 formed on the edge of link forming part 440, so they can maintain the strengt part 440 Moreover, linking ribs 418a and 418b are formed into thin- walled Figure 17(a) In dispensing passage forming part 450, in the position dispensed, it is in the highest part inside ink reservoir chamber
  • dispensing passage forming part 450 is p with dispensing cylinder part 451, which is formed into a roughly cylin which ink dispensing plug 520 (see Figure 21), which will be described belo dispensing communicating hole 452, which communicates between this di part 451 and the inside of ink reservoir chamber 111, roughly U-shaped di wall 453, which is provided from the outer surface of dispensing cylinder the provided edge forms the forms the welded surface part on which film 1 partitions first dispensing communicating hole 452 with respect to ink reser and second dispensing communicating hole 454, which forms the opening partition wall 453
  • the opened part of dispensing cylinder part 451 is openi formed on the outside end surface of frame part 110, and the surface that opp 451a is bottom part 451b of dispensing cylinder part 451
  • the regio dispensing partition wall 453 and film 160 is dispensing partition wall flow p
  • Dispensing partition wall 453 forms the inner circumference welded p 160 is welded, and dispensing partition wall flow path 453a and se communicating hole 454 are formed in the state in which film 160 is wel welded end part of the other inner circumference welded parts 411b to 417 part of dispensing partition wall 453 is positioned on the same virtual plane part of outer circumference welded part 400b
  • ink is dispensed in a state in which second dispensing commu is positioned on top and first dispensing communicating hole 452 is posit (position in which the Y-direction is the horizontal direction in Figure 17(a)
  • first dispensing communicating hole 452 is posit (position in which the Y-direction is the horizontal direction in Figure 17(a)
  • ink is dispensed such that the inside of ink reservoir chamber 111 volume of ink expands and film 160 is damaged or deformed by the bo cartridge 14 is placed If film 160 is damaged, the ink leaks, and if film volume inside ink reservoir chamber 111 changes, making it impossible to Therefore, in order to prevent the damage and deformation of film 160, ink i the degree that the inside of ink reservoir chamber 111 becomes full
  • the air pressure inside ink reservoir chamber dispensed is lower than the ambient pressure Therefore, a subsequent deco in which the pressure is reduced by aspirating the ambient air inside ink r 111 from dispensing passage forming part 450 is sometimes performed Thi order to reduce the amount of ambient air inside ink reservoir chamber 11 degree of deaeration of the ink and to reduce the generation of air bubbles i deaeration of the ink is for the purpose of maintaining the viscosity of the constant level, and this is because, regarding the generation of air bubbl when air bubbles are supplied to multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1), the to discharge the ink is not transmitted to the discharge opening (not illustrat so the ink cannot be correctly discharged
  • detection part 140 projects outward fro (right side in Figure 18(a))
  • Detection part 140 is equipped with enclosure encloses the end of sensor arm 470 (see Figure 19) (shielding arm part 473c it with a pair of wall surfaces and forms a passage through which sensor displaced Enclosure part 141 is formed into a roughly box-shaped pass surface, which is formed by bottom wall 141a inside enclosure part 141 (lo 18(a)), a pair of side surfaces, which are formed by both side walls 141b tha both sides from bottom wall 141a, an inner side surface, which is formed b 141c that is provided from bottom wall 141a and connects to both side ceiling surface, which is formed by ceiling wall 141d that connects to the t side walls 141b and the top edge of inner side wall 141c and is positioned wall 141a
  • Detection part 140 is also equipped with arm supporting pa provided such that it projects upward from the bottom surface formed by and supports sensor arm 470 from below, and
  • the thickness of arm supporting part 142 is second gap t4 between the inside walls of enclosure part 141 (pair of wal surfaces of both side walls 141b) and the outside wall of arm supporting pa than first gap t3 between the inside walls of enclosure 141 (pair of wal surfaces of both side walls 141b) and the outside of sensor arm 470 He inside detection part 140 is reduced, and when liquid surface I of the ink this reduction of ink and liquid surface I of the ink falls below detection inside detection part 140 is depleted, but because first gap t3 between se enclosure 141 is minute, ink remains inside detection part 140 due to the s the ink, and sensor arm 470 sometimes does not rotate normally due to this the ink Incidentally, the reason that first gap t3 is provided with minute spa this spacing is made wide, the spacing between light emitting part 57a and li 57b also widens, and the detection sensitivity of remaining ink detectio deteriorates Therefore, by forming arm supporting part 142 such that first gap
  • FIG 19(b) is a diagram that shows sensor arm 470 from the pe XiXb in Figure 19(a)
  • Sensor arm 470 is a member for detecting the amoun inside ink reservoir chamber 111
  • Sensor arm 470 is manufactured by injecti a resin material (polypropylene, for example), and it has light-blocking pro is formed to be opaque
  • Sensor arm 470 is a rotating member that rotates according to the am ink inside ink reservoir chamber 111, and a portion is detected by remai sensor 57 (see Figure 5), which detects the amount of remaining ink reservoir chamber 111
  • Sensor arm 470 is primarily equipped with balance formed from a material with a lower specific gravity than that of the ink, att which is attached to frame part 110 such that it can oscillate, and arm part 4 from this attachment part 472 in a direction that is roughly orthogonal to (upward in Figure 19(a)), further extends sloping upward, and blocks the detection of remaining ink detection sensor 57
  • Attachment part 472 is a connects balance part 471 and arm part 473
  • Roughly cylindrical attachment shaft 472a which is attached to arm san (see Figure 14) of frame part 110, is formed on attachment part 472
  • This 472a is formed with a diameter that is smaller than the inside diameter of part 425 and is larger than the length of the opemng of arm sandwiching par when sensor arm 470 is rotated, it can be operated with little resistance, an sensor arm 470 from arm sandwiching part 425 can be prevented
  • Arm part 473 consists of vertical arm part 473 a, which extends in a roughly perpendicular to balance part 471 (upward in Figure 19(a)), slopi which slopes upward from this vertical arm part 473 a, and shielding arm p used as a light-blocking part that blocks the range of possible detection detection sensor 57 ink detection sensor 57 widens accordingly and the detection sensitivity d expensive, high-performance remaining ink detection sensor with fa properties becomes necessary Therefore, arm part 473 is formed with a thin prevent increases in the scale of ink cartridge 14 and to detect the ac remaimng ink Ribs 473 d are formed on vertical arm part 473 a and sloping a the strength is maintained by these nbs
  • Roughly semispherical arm protruding parts 473 el and 473 e2 are for arm part 473c in two locations on the top and bottom of the part housed ins 140 (upper side end and lower side end in Figure 19(a)), and these arm protr and 473e2 reduce the likelihood of shielding arm part 473c adhering to t detection part 140 due to the surface tension of the ink and becoming unable words, because arm protruding parts 473 el and 473 e2 are formed into sem the only part that makes contact with the inside wall of detection part 140 protruding parts 473el and 473e2, so the effects of the surface tension of the Balance part 471 is made of a resin matenal with a specific gravity that of the ink, so when liquid surface I of the ink drops in step with decreases remaimng ink, balance part 471 moves in the direction of the bottom part (direction of the bottom part of ink reservoir chamber 111, downward in 14(b)) in step with this
  • ink supply part 120, ambient ai and detection part 140 are provided on one of the side surfaces of frame surface, the side surface in the front direction of installation when in installed)
  • the position illustrated in Figures 20(a) position in which ink cartridge 14 is installed inside accommodating chamb 13 see Figure 1 Therefore, in the state in which ink cartridge 14 is installe 13, ambient air intake part 130, detection part 140, and ink supply part 12 aligned from top (top of Figure 20(a)) to bottom (bottom of Figure 20(a)) I elements are aligned in the height direction (Y-direction) of ink cartridge 14
  • width t5 of detection part 140 is form shorter than diameter t6 of the opening of ink supply part 120 (opening 60 600 described below (see Figure 34)) Further, as illustrated in Figure 20( 140 is formed such that it is concave in the direction of frame part 11 withdrawn to the side of ink reservoir chamber 111) with respect to ink su ambient air intake part 130
  • arm part 473 of sensor arm 470 is positioned detection part 140
  • the light path of remaim sensor 57 (see Figure 5) is opened from the light-blocking state due to the ro 473, and the amount of remaining ink can be detected as a result
  • light receiving part 57b and light emitting part 57a are positioned detection part 140 (both left and nght sides in Figure 20(a)), so both side sur part 140 (surfaces on the left and nght sides in Figure 20(a), front and bac Figure 20(b)) form detection surfaces 140a and 140b
  • the part 120 is sometimes positioned on top, but ink sometimes leaks out fro 120 at this time and adheres to detection pat 140
  • ink temporarily removed from refill unit 13 ink that adheres to needle 49 ⁇ of mu 1 is likely to adhere to the vicinity of the opening of ink supply part 1 removed, the ink that adheres to the
  • detection part 140 position withdrawn to the side of ink reservoir chamber 111 with respect t 120, so it is possible to make it difficult for ink to adhere to detection part drips from ink supply part 120
  • detection part 140 when the user maintains ink position in which ink supply part 120 is higher than detection part 140 and t ink supply part 120 (end surface on which opening 600a of supply cap vertical, ink that has adhered to the vicinity of the opemng of ink supply susceptible to the effects of gravity and likely to drop, but because dete withdrawn to the side of ink reservoir chamber 111 with respect to ink sup ink that drops does not head towards detection part 140, so it does not adher detection sensor 57 Furthermore, the ink that drops does not adhere to the e supply part 120
  • Figure 21 is an exploded front view of ink reservoir e
  • ink reservoir element 100 is primarily broke elements
  • the four parts are frame part 110, ink supply mechanism 500, whi supply part 120, ambient air intake mechanism 510, which constitutes ambi 130, and ink dispensing plug 520, which is pressed into dispensing cylinde dispensing part 150 (see Figure 17)
  • Ink dispensing plug 520 is made of a such as Pulci rubber, and once it is pressed into dispensing cylinder part easily removed, and even if the needle is removed or inserted, it is configu route of the needle is blocked
  • Ink supply element 116 which is formed in a roughly cylindrical sh portion of ink supply mechanism 500 is inserted, and ambient air intake elem formed in a roughly cylindrical shape in which a portion of ambient air intak is inserted, are formed as a unit on frame part 110 Further, protruding part (protruding part 116b is not illustrated in the figure), which protrude in th outer circumference of ink supply element 116 in order to fasten ink supply element 117 (arranged on the front and back sides in directions perpendicu Figure 21) Protruding parts 116a, 116b, 117a, and 117b are formed such th on the side of ink reservoir chamber 111 protrudes in a direction that is pe outer circumferential surface of ink supply element 116 or the outer circumf ambient air intake element 117 (Z-direction), and they slope from this pro towards the outer circumferential surface of ink supply element 1 circumference part of ambient air intake element 117 In other words, mechanism 500 and ambient air intake mechanism 510 are attached to in
  • Figure 22 is of ink supply mechanism 500 and ambient air intake mechanism 510 F exploded view of ink supply mechanism 500
  • Figure 22(b) is an e ambient air intake mechanism 510
  • ink supply mechanism 500 is equipped wit which is installed on ink supply element 116, supply joint 610, which is resin material such as rubber into which needle 49 (see Figure 2) of multi (see Figure 1) is inserted, supply valve 620, which blocks the flow path supply joint 610 and the bottom wall make contact, first supply sp ⁇ ng 630, inside this supply valve 620 and is made of a resinous elastic material, s which covers the open surface of supply valve 620 and can be operated in a which is the movement direction of supply valve 620 that is pressed into ne of arrow Ol in Figure 22(a), hereafter called the "axial direction Ol of ink s 500", regarding this direction, as is clear from Figure 14, ink supply mecha parallel to the X-direction when ink cartridge 14 is loaded), second supply s
  • ambient air intake mechanism 510 is equip air cap 700, which is installed on ambient air intake element 117, ambient ai is made of an elastic resin material such as rubber, ambient air valve 720,
  • supply cap 600 supply joint 610, supply valve 620, first an sp ⁇ ngs 630 and 650, supply slider 640, valve seat 660, check valve 670, co air cap 700, ambient air joint 710, ambient air valve 720, first and second a 730 and 750, and ambient air slider 740 will be described with referen through 33
  • Figure 23 is a diagram that shows supply cap 600
  • Figure 23 (a) is a diag side view of supply cap 600
  • Figure 23 (b) is a diagram that shows a side vi 600 from the perspective of arrow XXIIIb in Figure 23 (a)
  • Figure 23 (c) i shows a plan view of supply cap 600
  • Figure 23 (d) is a diagram that shows shape, while the lower side part in Figure 23 (b) is ink storage part 602, storage space for preventing ink from dripping to the outside of ink cartridge
  • Engagement holes 603a and 603b (see Figure 23(b) for engagement hole formed from the linking part of ink storage part 602 to the part in the v (vicinity of the upper side end in Figure 23 (a)) and engage with protrudi
  • a pair of supply cap cutout parts 604a and 23 (c) for supply cap cutout part 604b), which are formed in a straight li orthogonal to the straight line that connects engagement holes 603a an moved approximately 90° with respect to axial center Ol of ink supply me are cut out facing the direction of ink storage part 602 from the top surface o part 601 (upper end surface in Figure 23 (b)), are formed on supply securing
  • the region from the circle that forms insertion hole 605 to t outward is first upper wall 606a, which forms the upper end surface of ink and the region from the circle of the outer side that forms first upper wall one step outward is sloping wall 606b, which forms a sloping surface that slo the direction of the bottom surface of ink storage part 602
  • the region fro outer side that forms this sloping wall 606b to the circle one step outward is which forms the lower end surface of ink storage part 602, and the region the outer side that forms lower wall 606c to the circle one step outward is s 606d, which forms the lower end surface of supply securing part 601 and for surface of ink storage part 602
  • the part that connects lower wall 606c and s is formed into a
  • Figure 24 is a diagram that shows supply joint 610
  • Figure 24(a) is a diag side view of supply joint 610
  • Figure 24(b) is a diagram that shows a plan vie
  • Figure 24(c) is a diagram that shows a bottom view of supply joint 610, is a cross-sectional view of supply joint 610 through line XXIVd-XXIVd in
  • supply joint 610 is formed in three steps perspective (perspective of the direction perpendicular to the page in Figure illustrated in the bottommost step (lower side in Figure 24(a)) is joint outer ci
  • Supply joint 610 is made of an elastic material such as a resi
  • the axial center of supply joint 610 is p center Ol of ink supply mechanism 500, and joint contact part 613, joint in part 612, and joint outer circumference part are sequentially formed t circumferential direction from this axial center Ol
  • joint contact part 613 projects from to joint inner circumference part 612 (surface on the side that makes contact 620) Joint contact part 613 is formed such that it narrows toward tip 613a ( Figure 24(d)), and this tip 613a makes contact with the bottom surface of and blocks the flow path of the ink Further, joint protruding part 614, whi the inner circumferential surface toward axial center 01, opening 612c, insertion opemng of needle 49 (see Figure 2) formed on bottom surface 6 circumference part 612 (lower side in Figure 24(d)), and stepped inserti which is formed between opening 612c and joint protruding part 614, are inner circumference part 612 As illustrated in Figure 24(c), the portion of 612d that is formed in a stepped shape is formed with roughly equivalent s center Ol in the outer circumferential direction Inner circumferential surf protruding part 614 is provided parallel to the direction of axial center mechanism 500, and stepped surface 614b is provided in a direction that is direction
  • ink flow path 615 which passes thro surface 612b of joint inner circumference part 612 to tip 613 a of joint conta the upper side to the lower side in Figure 24(d)), is formed on supply joint 6 path 615 consists of opening 612c, which is formed on bottom surface 61
  • the lower half of step part flow path 615a is formed in a stepped shape i axial center 01, and the upper half of step part flow path 615a is formed i towards protruding part flow path 615b
  • step part flow path 61 stepped shape such that the diameter gradually decreases from opening contact surface with inner circumferential surface 614a of joint protrudi lower part of step part flow path 615a is formed in a stepped shape, so even Figure 2) is removed and a minute quantity of ink flows through ink flow p held by the capillary force due to the angular part of this step part, so it is p ink from dripping to the outside of supply joint 610
  • needle 49 is recited ink flow path 6
  • Protruding part flow path 615b is the flow path with the smallest diamete 615, and it is formed into a roughly hollow cylindrical shape
  • the inside protruding part flow path 615b is formed such that it is slightly smaller tha needle 49 (see Figure 2)
  • Contact part flow path 615c is formed into cylindrical shape having an inside diameter that is larger than that of protrudi 615b, and this inside diameter is sufficiently larger than the diameter of ne stepped surface 614b is formed on the border of protruding part flow path part flow path 615c, the inside diameter in the direction of axial center Ol part flow path 615b to contact part flow path 615c drastically changes illustrated in Figure 24(d), joint contact part 613 assumes a structure that countersunk shape by its inner circumferential surface 613b and stepped sur 613a of joint contact part 613 is positioned in the periphery of this cutout par
  • Needle 49 which is inserted from opening 612c, is guided to the upper p flow path 615b Moreover, if the area of the part of supply joint 610 that ela the periphery of needle 49 becomes large, the resistance when ink cartridge multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1) becomes large, and smooth installati impossible
  • a configuration that establishe part 614 and makes contact with needle 49 only on the inner circumferential used so it is possible to reduce the surface of contact with needle 49 and t the cartridge in multifunction device 1
  • needle 49 is inserted into so the flow path through which ink actually flows becomes the inside of n because contact part flow path 615c is formed into a countersunk shape, th supply joint 610 in the direction of axial center Ol when needle 49 is inserte
  • Figure 25 is a diagram that shows supply valve 620
  • Figure 25(a) is a di a side view of supply valve 620
  • Figure 25 (b) is a diagram that shows a si valve 620 from the perspective of arrow XXVb in Figure 25(a)
  • Figure 25(c) shows a plan view of supply valve 620
  • Figure 25(d) is a diagram that shows supply valve 620
  • Figure 25(e) is a cross-sectional view of supply valve XXVe-XXVe in Figure 25(c)
  • supply valve 620 is equipped with valve which forms the bottom surface of supply valve 620 (lower side surface in valve outer circumferential wall 622, which is provided along the direction of ink supply mechanism 500 (see Figure 22) from this valve bottom wall 62
  • valve guide grooves 623 into which slider loose insertion p slider 640 (see Figure 27) is loosely inserted, is formed on valve outer cir 622
  • valve projecting wall 624 which projects in the opposite bottom wall 621 from the top of valve outer circumferential wall 622 in the valve bottom wall 621 and restrict the operation of supply slider 640, is c outer circumferential wall 622
  • Each of the valve constraining parts 625 valve hook part 626 which projects towards axial center Ol from its tip (tip portion in Figure 25(a)) and engages with supply slider 640
  • four valve protruding parts 622a which protrude in semicircu outer circumferential direction and are formed from the top to the botto circumferential wall 622, are formed on valve outer circumferential wal spacing along valve outer circumferential wall 622
  • Valve constraining parts 625 and valve projecting wall are formed such upward from valve outer circumferential wall 622 As a result, the misali slider 640 in the direction orthogonal to the direction of axial center Ol c
  • valve bearing part 628 is provided in order to ensure that first supply spr make contact with valve bottom wall 621 when first supply spring 630 i space inside valve outer circumferential wall 622 This is because, if first s makes contact with valve bottom wall 621, the ink flow path is blocked a flows Therefore, valve bearing part 628 is provided in order to secure the i the part is acceptable as long as first supply spring 630 does not make c bottom wall 621, so it is formed to the minimum required height, and this in the scale of the size in the direction of axial center Ol of ink supply mech
  • Valve inner circumferential wall 629 which is formed in a roughly circul the outer circumferential surface of spring top part 632 of first supply spnn on the outside of valve bearing part 628 and on the inside of ink flow pat inner circumferential wall 629 is provided in order to restrict the moveme spring 630 in a direction that is orthogonal to axial center 01, and first sup accurately bent in the direction of axial center Ol by restricting the movem spring 630 in a direction that is orthogonal to axial center Ol
  • Figure 26 is a diagram that shows first supply spring 630
  • Figure 26(a) shows a side view of first supply spring 630
  • Figure 26(b) is a diagram that s of first supply spring 630
  • Figure 26(c) is a diagram that shows a bottom vi spring 630
  • Figure 26(d) is a cross-sectional view of first supply spring XXVId-XXVId in Figure 26(b)
  • First supply spring 630 is formed in a roughly reversed bowl shape (or cone), and it is primarily equipped with ring-shaped spnng bottom part 631, bottom surface of first supply spring 630 (end of the side with the ⁇ ng-shaped spring top part 632, which is formed with a diameter that is diameter of this spring bottom part 631 and forms the top part of the upp supply spring 630 (end of the side with the smaller diameter), and spring joint 610 (see Figure 24)
  • the diameter of spring bottom part 631 is form larger than the diameter of spring top part 632, so spring bottom part 631 for spring plastic part 633 is elastically deformed
  • ink flow path 634 which communicate sp ⁇ ng top part 632 (right end surface in Figure 26(d)) to the bottom surface part 631 (left end surface in Figure 26(d)), is formed on first supply spring 6 path 634 consists of top part flow path 634a, which is demarcated by the inn surface of spring top part 632, plastic part flow path 634b, which is demarc circumferential surface of spring plastic part 633, and bottom part flow pa demarcated by the inner circumferential surface of spring bottom part 631 Figure 26(d), the area of the opening of this ink flow path 634 gradually incr of spring top part 632 towards the bottom surface of spring bottom part 6 illustrated in Figures 26(b) and 26(c), top part flow path 634a of spring top p in a circular shape from the perspective of the direction perpendicular to spring plastic part 633 is curved and formed into a roughly reversed bowl sh on the side moving away from axial center 01, spring plastic part 633 ca deformed than in the
  • top part flow path 634a of spring top part formed into a roughly quadrilateral shape
  • the air bubbles contained in the ink are spherical, so when blocked by air bubbles that grow larger than the inside diameter of top par the ink flow path (passage) is eliminated, and it is not possible to send ink device 1 (see Figure 1) normally
  • ink device 1 see Figure 1
  • the opemng of top part flow path 634a i quadrilateral shape the four corners are not blocked even if air bubbles that As illustrated in Figure 26(d), spring top part 632 is formed into cylindrical shape that extends in the direction of axial center 01, and it is for cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction of axial center Ol (bi first supply spring 630) is uniform
  • spring bottom part 631 is al relatively thick cylindrical shape that extends in the direction
  • spnng plastic part 633 is formed into a bowl shape (or roughly corneal shape) that curves (or slopes) at a presc direction of axial center Ol
  • spring plastic part 633 is formed such that it has a thinner p bottom part 631 and spring top part 632, so this also reduces the strength
  • spring plastic 633 plastically defo Second supply spring 650 is formed with the same shape as that of first s and the composition of second supply spring 650 consists of spring bottom top part 652, spring plastic part 653, and ink flow path 654 (top part flow part flow path 654b, and bottom part flow path 654c)
  • first ambient second supply spring 750 are also formed with the same shape as that of fi 630, and they respectively consist of spring bottom parts 731 and 751, spr and 752, spring plastic parts 733 and 75
  • Figure 27 is a diagram that shows supply slider 640
  • Figure 27(a) is a di a side view of supply slider 640
  • Figure 27(b) is a diagram that shows a sid slider 640 from the perspective of arrow XXVIIb in Figure 27(a)
  • Figure 2 supply slider 640
  • a pair of slider projecting walls 642a and 642b which slider outer circumferential wall 641 in the direction of axial center mechanism 500
  • a pair of slider loose insertion parts 643 which extend circumferential wall 641 to the upper tip of slider projecting wall 642a ( Figure 27(a)) and are loosely inserted into valve guide grooves 623 of supp Figure 25
  • slider platform part 644 either side on which first and second s and 650 are arranged, which is formed on the inside of slider outer circum and makes contact with spring bottom parts 631 and 651 of first and secon 650
  • slider through-hole 645 which is formed in the center position part 644 and connects the top and bottom of slider platform part 644
  • slider outer circumferential wall 641 is forme roughly equivalent to the outside diameter spring lower parts 631 and 651 o supply springs 630 and 650, and slider projecting walls 642a and 642b are they project from this slider outer circumferential wall 641 in the direction o so when first and second supply springs 630 and 650 are arranged, the mov second springs 630 and 650 in the direction orthogonal to axial center Ol i result, first and second spnngs 630 and 650 are elastically deformed in the center Ol
  • Slider loose insertion parts 643 are formed such that they extend in the center Ol of supply slider 640 (formed across slider outer circumferential w protruding part 642), so when they are loosely inserted into valve guide Figure 25), they are moved smoothly in the direction of axial center Ol of s and misalignment in the direction orthogonal to the direction of axial c which forms the bottom surface of this valve seat 660 and makes contact wi 632 of second supply spring 650, and valve seat bearing parts 662, which top surface of this valve seat bottom part 661 (upper side in Figure 28 (a)) bearing part 662 is equipped with valve seat sloping surface 662a, which slo it approaches the center of valve seat 660, and check valve 670, which below, is received by this valve seat sloping surface 662a
  • valve seat bearing parts 662 are forme spacing in the circumferential direction of valve seat 660
  • First valve seat thr which pass through the front and back of valve seat 660, are formed on thre seat bearing parts
  • first valve seat through-holes 662b are formed o than valve seat sloping surface 662a of valve seat bearing part 662 (hori valve seat bearing part 662) Therefore, because first valve seat throug formed on a portion that differs from the portion that receives check valve of the ink flow path can be prevented
  • second valve seat through-holes 663 which pass through v part 661, are formed between valve seat bearing parts 662 of valve seat second valve seat through-holes 663 are formed with left-right symmetry ba line (center line Q illustrated in Figure 28) that passes through axial center mechanism 500 (see Figure 22) in Figure 28(b)
  • This second valve seat t form an ink flow path through which ink flows
  • valve seat communicating gro connect each of the second valve seat through-holes 663, are formed on the valve seat bottom part 661
  • Figure 29 is a figure that shows check valve 670
  • Figure 29(a) is a diag side view of check valve 670
  • Figure 29(b) is a diagram that shows a plan vi 670
  • Figure 29(c) is a diagram that shows a bottom view of check valve 670
  • Check valve 670 is roughly formed into an umbrella shape from a side
  • umbrella part 671 and shaft part 672 blocks the flow p making contact with cover 680 (see Figure 30), and, as illustrated in Figures it is equipped with linking part 671, which is connected to shaft part 672, an which extends roughly uniformly in the outer circumferential direction fro 671a and is formed with a thin profile
  • linking part 671 which is connected to shaft part 672, an which extends roughly uniformly in the outer circumferential direction fro 671a and is formed with a thin profile
  • FIG 30 is a diagram that shows cover 680
  • Figure 30(a) is a diagram view of cover 680
  • Figure 30(b) is a diagram that shows a plan view of 30(c) is a diagram that shows a bottom view of cover 680
  • Cover 680 is formed into a roughly cylindrical shape in which the bo (side of valve seat 660 (see Figure 28)) is opened Cover 680 is equipped circumferential wall 681, which forms the outer periphery, and cover top forms the top surface of cover 680 (upper side in Figure 30(a)), and it is for bottom surface side is opened Valve seat 660 is fitted into the opening of t of cover 680 (lower side in Figure 30(a)), and check valve 670 is housed b 660 and cover 680 In other words, the space that houses check valve 670 is 680 and valve seat 660
  • first cover through-holes through the front and back of cover 680 are formed in the circumferenti respect to axial center Ol
  • These first cover through-holes 683 form a fl which ink flows, and when umbrella part 671 of check valve 670 (see contact with cover top part 682, first cover through-holes 683 are blocked, path is thus also blocked
  • FIG. 31(b) is a diagram that sho ambient air cap 700 from the perspective of arrow XXXIb in Figure 31 (a), diagram that shows a plan view of ambient air cap 700, Figure 31(d) is a dia bottom view of ambient air cap 700, and Figure 31(e) is a cross-sectional vi cap 700 through line XXXIe-XXXIe in Figure 31 (c)
  • ambient air cap 700 is equipped with ro ambient air securing part 701, which forms the side wall of this ambient a fastened to ambient air intake element 117 (see Figure 21), and ambient air 702, which forms the bottom wall of ambient air cap 700 Engagement hol (see Figure 31(b) for engagement hole 703b), which are formed from th ambient air securing part 701 (lower side in Figure 31 (a)) to the vicinit (vicinity of the end of the upper side in Figure 31 (a)) and are engaged wit 117a and 117b of ambient air intake element 117 desc ⁇ bed above when ambi fastened to ambient air intake element 117, are formed on ambient air securi
  • ambient air cap cutout parts 704a and 704 cutout part 704b is not illustrated in the figure), which are formed in approximately 90° with respect to axial center 02 from the positions in w holes 703a and 703b are formed and are cut out from the top end of ambient 701 to the vicinity
  • Ambient air joint 710 (see Figure 32) is housed s contact with the inside surface of ambient air cap bottom wall 70 circumferential surface of ambient air securing part 701
  • Figure 32 is a diagram that shows ambient air joint 710
  • Figure 32(a) shows a side view of ambient air joint 710
  • Figure 32(b) is a diagram that s of ambient air joint 710
  • Figure 32(c) is a diagram that shows a bottom vi joint 710
  • Figure 32(d) is a cross-sectional view of ambient air joint XXXIId-XXXIId in Figure 32(b)
  • ambient air joint 710 is formed in four view perspective (perspective of the direction perpendicular to the page in F part illustrated in the second step from the bottom (lower side in Figure 32 circumference part 711, which is the part that makes contact with the inn surface of ambient air securing part 701 (see Figure 31) of ambient air cap air cap bottom wall 702 and forms the outer circumference part of ambient part illustrated at the top step of this joint outer circumference part 7 circumference part 712, which is provided on the inside of ambient air in (see Figure 21) and forms the inner circumference part of ambient air joint part of joint inner circumference part 712 is illustrated in Figure 32(a) illustrated at the top step of joint inner circumference part 712 is contact makes contact with ambient air valve 720
  • the part illustrated at the bottom skirt part 714 formed with a thin profile, which is a member that covers the valve open part 721a (see Figure 33) of ambient air valve 720 and expose from ambient air cap 700
  • ambient air joint 710 is made of an elastic material such as when ink cartridge 14 is installed in multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1), jo which is formed with a thin profile, makes contact with the end surface joint passage 715, which passes from the bottom surface of joint inner circu to tip 713a of joint contact part 713 (upper side to lower side in Figure 32( ambient air joint 710, and valve open part 721a of ambient air valve 720 is joint passage 715
  • Figure 33 is a diagram that shows ambient air valve 720
  • Figure 33 (a) shows a side view of ambient air valve 720
  • Figure 33(b) is a diagr bottom view of ambient air valve 720
  • Ambient air valve 720 has a confi valve open part 721a, which projects from the bottom surface of valve bott opens the ambient air intake path by making
  • Ambient air valve 720 is equipped with valve open part 721a, which bottom surface of valve bottom wall 721 Valve open part 721a is positione 02 of ambient air intake mechanism 510 and is roughly formed into a ro semicircular convex part 721b, which projects from the bottom part (low Figure 22) to valve bottom wall 721 in the outer circumferential direction, outer circumferential surface of valve open part 721a
  • This valve open part joint passage 715 (see Figure 32) of ambient air joint 710 described above, a is exposed to the outside of ambient air cap 700 (see Figure 31)
  • valve open part 721a When in installed in multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1), valve open part 721a m the end surface of multifunction device 1, and the contact with joint cont even if joint skirt part 714 elastically deforms toward axial center 02 and valve open part 721a, the ambient air intake path can be secured by convex open part 721a It is therefore possible to prevent the ambient air intake blocked and ensure that ambient air is introduced into ink reservoir chamb 14
  • Figure 34 is a partial cross-sectional view that which ink supply mechanism 500 and ambient air intake mechanism 510 are supply element 116 and ambient air intake element 117
  • ink supply mechanism 500 is inserted int inner circumferential surface 800 of ink supply element 116, and a mechanism 510 is inserted into and attached to inner circumferential surfac air intake element 117
  • ink supply mechanism 500 which is attached to ink supply ele described
  • On inner circumferential surface 800 of ink supply element 11 801, which projects in the direction of the inside of inner circumferential w on the side of first supply communicating hole 421 of supply path forming projecting wall 801 is formed into a stepped shape that can house cover 6 inserted such that it makes contact with stepped surface 801a of this pro which is formed into a stepped shape, and the position on the side communicating hole 421 of ink supply mechanism 500 is thus determined
  • slider platform part 644 is in a state in which it i spring bottom part 631 of first supply spring 630 and spring bottom part 6 spring member 650 On the contact side of spring platform part 644 with s 631 of second supply spring 650, it is engaged by two valve hook parts 62 620, and movement in the direction of axial center Ol is thus restricted between supply valve 620 and supply slider 640 is shorter than the lengt spring 630 in the direction of axial center 01, so first supply spring 630 is a deformed in the position in which it is attached to ink supply element 116
  • ambient air intake mechanism 510 which is attached to ambient a is formed between protruding part 811 and spring top part 752 of second 750 Moreover, the position of ambient air intake mechanism 510 on the si air communicating hole 434 is determined as a result of second ambie making contact with protruding part 811
  • ambient air slider 740 is arr air intake mechanism 510 such that it houses second ambient air spring 750
  • air spring 730 is housed by ambient air slider 740 on the opposite side of s spring 750
  • first ambient air sp ⁇ ng 730 is arranged between ambient ambient air valve 720
  • ambient air joint 710 is arranged such tha with the bottom surface of ambient air valve 720, and ambient air cap 700 outside of ambient air intake element 17 such that it makes contact with the the outer circumferential side from joint skirt part 714 of this ambient air jo air cap 700 is fastened as it engages with protruding parts 117a and 117b of element 117, so the position on the outside of ambient
  • first ambient air spring 730 is already plasti the position in which it is attached to ambient air intake element 117
  • Figure 35 is a diagram that explains the manufacturi film 160 is welded
  • Figure 36 is a diagram that explains the welding pro
  • Figure 36(a) is a diagram that explains the welding surface of frame part 11 160 is welded
  • Figure 36(b) is a diagram that explains the welding proc explains the process in which case 200 sandwiches frame part 110
  • Figure 39(a) is a diagram that explains the process in which protector 30
  • Figure 39(b) is a diagram that explains the process in which ink cartridge packaging bag 930
  • Frame part 110 and sensor arm 470 are ea injection molding in a preliminary process (molding process) In other respectively molded in a first molding process (preparatory process) in whi is injection-molded and in a second molding process (preparatory process) arm 470 is injection-molded
  • attachment shaft 472a which is provided on attach sensor arm 470 is attached to arm sandwiching part 425, which is provided supply path forming part 420 of frame part 110 (sensor arm 470 att preparatory process)
  • Arm sandwiching part 425 opens on the opposite side supply element 116 (top of Figure 35)
  • the opemng of arm 425 opens on the side of second reservoir chamber opening 114
  • sensor arm 470 can be efficiently attached with little interfe shielding arm part 473c of arm part 473 is attached such that it is housed detection part 140 (inside enclosure part 141)
  • sensor arm 470 is sandwiching part 425, the vertical and horizontal range of movement of s 473c is restricted by each wall 141a to 141d of enclosure part 141 of dete other words, once the attachment of sensor arm 470 is complete, sensor ar easily detached, so it is possible to prevent the manufacturing process of ink supported on arm sandwiching part
  • ink dispensing pressed inside dispensing cylinder part 451 of ink dispensing part 150 (in 520 pressing process, preparatory process)
  • Ink dispensing plug 520 is outside end surface 520a of ink dispensing plug 520 is in roughly the s outside surface of frame part 110, and it is not pressed to a position such tha with bottom part 451b of dispensing cylinder part 451
  • first dispensing communicating hole 452 of dispensing passage forming part the side surface of dispensing cylinder part 451
  • ink dispensing pl to the back of dispensing cylinder part 451 first dispensing communicating block, making it impossible to dispense ink
  • film 160 is then welded (film 160 securing process) Fi to frame part 110 such that it covers both the openings of first opening opening 112b
  • film 160 is welded to both sides of frame securing processes - a first securing process in which film 160 is welded to f (preparatory process), and a second securing process in which film 160 is opening 112b
  • film 160 is cut such that it is larger than th of frame part 110 and it covers frame part 110
  • film 160 is painted black in Figure 37(a) (outer circumference welded parts 400a an circumference welded parts 411 a to 417a and 411 b to 417b) are welded
  • ultrasound welded su ultrasomc welding device is configured such that it covers all of the we circumference welded parts and inner circumference welded parts), so it is increases in the manufacturing cost of the welding process of film 160
  • film 160 is made of a double-layered film comprising a polyethylene film (called "nylon polyethylene” hereafter), and the side th with frame part 110 is the polyethylene film layer
  • nylon polyethylene c liquids, but it is relatively gas permeable, so a small amount of gas circu between ink reservoir chamber 111, which is roughly sealed by film 160, a 930 (see Figure 39(b)), which will be described below
  • gas tha ink inside ink reservoir chamber 111 can gradually pass through film 160 a space formed between enclosure element 930 and case 200, so the generati inside the ink can be prevented Accordingly, the occurrence decreases in pri to air bubbles inside the ink can be prevented
  • film 160 may be made of any type of substa a film in which a nylon film and a polypropylene film are formed into tw formed by mixing nylon and polyethylene or nylon and polypropylene could
  • Frame part 110 is formed from a polyethylene resin, and it is made of substance as the film of film 160 on the side of frame part 110 Because fil part 110 are formed from the same material, both film 160 and the welded p so welding operationahty is secured Furthermore, the nylon layer does welding operation, so there are fewer changes in the thickness of the film in welded parts, and the strength of the film in the vicinity of the welded maintained As illustrated in Figure 37(a), when the welding of film 160 is com mechanism 500 and ambient air intake mechanism 510 are attached to fra supply mechanism 500 is attached to ink supply element 116 (ink suppl attachment process, preparatory process), and ambient air intake mechanis to ambient air intake element 117 (ambient air intake mechanism [500] att preparatory process) In the attachment of ink supply mechanism 500 (attac component in which cover 680, check valve 670, and valve seat 660 are fo inserted inside ink supply element 116 (position that makes contact wit 801a) At this time, the tip of check valve 670 is inserted into first supply co 4
  • Ink is dispensed in the state in which the inside of ink reservoir decompressed by pressure reducing device 910, so even after the disp complete, the air pressure inside ink reservoir chamber 111 is in the decom pressure pi) Therefore, there are cases in which a subsequent decompressi required after the ink dispensing process If a subsequent decompression performed, the manufacturing process could be simplified However, the inside ink reservoir chamber 111 after the ink is dispensed is not nec prescribed range, so in this embodiment, a subsequent decompression proces order to adjust the air pressure to a level within the prescribed range (in ord the air pressure is within the prescribed range)
  • the subsequent deco that is performed after the ink is dispensed will be described
  • the subseque process is performed using ink dispensing needle 920, which was inserted in plug 520
  • a supply device that supplies ink (not illustrated in reservoir chamber 111 further decreases as a result of the subsequent deco so the generation of air bubbles inside the ink can be prevented, and th pnnting quality due to air bubbles can be avoided
  • the ink that fl of the ink dispensing process collides with the inside surface inside ink reser so air bubbles are more likely to generate, but the air bubbles generated at removed
  • the device may also be configured such that a decompre illustrated in the figure) for performing subsequent decompression is pr from ink dispensing needle 920, and decompression is' performed decompression needle after removing ink dispensing needle 920 As illustrated in Figure 17, in dispensing passage forming part 450, the o dispensing communicating hole 454
  • first and second case members 210 and 220 another (case 200 welding process)
  • first case welded part 216 of first case member 210 and first 226 of second case member 220 are welded together
  • second case welde case member 210 and second case welded part 227 of second case membe together the portions indicated by the diagonal lines in Figure 38(b) are embodiment, the entire first and second welded parts 226 and 227 are welde welding process, but several spots may be partially welded instead In other the parts are welded such that case 200 does not peel during transportation a peel due to human actions, any welding range or welding method may be use
  • first and second case members 210 and 220 are as ink is dispensed into ink reservoir element 100, and first and second case As illustrated in Figure 38(b), case projecting parts 214a and 224a (ca 214a is not illustrated in
  • protector 300 attachment process protects when ink cartridge 14 is attached to multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1), s such that it can be freely attached and detached
  • protr and 330bl of protector 300 engage with through-holes formed by case proje 214a and 224a (see Figure 8) of first and second case members 21 through-holes formed by case projecting cutout parts 214b and 224b of first members 210 and 220, and protector 300 is thus attached to case 200 protector fitting parts 330a and 330b of protector 300 elastically deform in away from one another, protector 300 can be easily attached and detached
  • packaging bag 930 packaging space decompression pr bag 930 is a bag element with one open end (end of the right front side of F in the packaging process, all of the other opened portions excluding ultrasonically welded in a state in which ink cartridge 14 is enclosed
  • Suc pressure reducing device 940 is inserted through this opening 931, and the a welded, resulting in a state in which ink cartridge 14 can be shipped
  • the rel air pressures pi to p3 is the relationship p2 ⁇ p3 ⁇ pi
  • the air pressure inside packaging bag 930 is made lower tha inside ink reservoir chamber 111 as a result of the packaging space deco film 160 of ink cartridge 14 can be plastically deformed on the side of p (side of case 200) If the air pressure inside packaging bag 930 is higher tha inside ink reservoir chamber 111, film 160 sometimes hardens and loses damaged in the state in which the inside of ink reservoir chamber 111 is de ink cartridge 14 is left without being used for a long period of time Wh flexibility, the shape of ink reservoir chamber 111 do not change, and becomes nonuniform, so ink cannot be accurately supplied Moreover, damaged, the ink inside ink reservoir chamber 111 flows to the outside of However, in this embodiment, the inside of packaging bag 930 is decompre air pressure is lower than the air pressure inside ink reservoir chamber 111, be deformed on the side of packaging bag 930 (revertible) Therefore, even it is not used for long periods of time, it is possible to reduce situations in impossible to accurately supply ink due to the solidification of film 160
  • film 160 is formed from nylon polyethylene, which permeable, so the air pressure of the space inside ink reservoir chamber pressure of the space inside packaging bag 930 and outside ink reservoir cha to transition to the equilibrium state, and the gas therefore moves to the ou decompression Valve open part 721a projects to the outside of ambient air i if packaging bag 930 makes direct contact with valve open part 721a, val operates and the ambient air intake path is sometimes opened If the ambien opened, the ink inside ink reservoir chamber 111 leaks out Moreover, ambi 130 and ink supply part 120 are sometimes damaged in step with th packaging bag 930 However, in this embodiment, protector 300 is attache the damage of ambient air intake part 130 and ink supply part 120 can be p opening of the ambient air intake path can be prevented
  • ink cartridge 14 is manufactured in a process in welded over ink reservoir element 100 after ink is dispensed inside ink reser of frame part 110
  • ink was dispense case after the ink reservoir element was covered with the case (after the as cartridge is completely finished)
  • case 200 is covered after ink is dispensed i chamber 111 of ink reservoir element 100, so common parts can be used element 100
  • ink reser can be commonly used As a result, the manufacturing cost of ink cartridge 1
  • ink dispensing part 150 (ink dispens completely concealed by case 200 such that it cannot be seen from the outsid which ink spills outside as a result of the user accidentally removing ink dis can be prevented
  • Figure 40 is a diagram that shows the ink cartridge 14 is installed into multifunction device 1
  • this installation direction F is parallel to the longitudinal direction ( B, X-direction) of ink cartridge 14, which is installed into refill unit 13 detection sensor 57 is provided above needle 49
  • Remaining ink detect roughly formed into a left-facing horseshoe shape, and the open end of the h light emitting part 57a, which emits light, while the other end is light recei illustrated in the figure), which receives light
  • This light emitting part 57a a part 57b are respectively inserted into through-holes formed by case cutout and detection part 140, and are attached such that they project from Remaining ink detection sensor 57 is configured such that it does not out signal to a control unit provided on multifunction device 1 when light re receives light that is emitted from light emitting part 57a and outputs (or d signal to the control device when
  • ink cartridge 14 when ink cartridge 14 (in the state in whic removed) is to be installed in multifunction device 1, ink cartridge 14 is insta supply part 120 is located below ambient air intake part 130 This sta installation position (or first position) of ink cartridge 14 Moreover, in the state in which ink cartridge 14 is installed in multifunc supply part 120, detection part 140, and ambient air intake part 130 are seq from bottom to top, and ink supply part 120, detection part 140, and ambie 130 are formed on a single end surface As is clear from Figure 40(b), this s is the one side surface of case 200 positioned in the front in installation dire cartridge 14 is in the regular installation position Therefore, because ink detection part 140, and ambient air intake part 130 are provided such that unit 13 and establish remaining ink detection sensor 57 and passage 54 on t surface (back surface 56) of case 40, and the scale of multifunction device 1 these were provided, being diversified (located relatively far away from eac in this embodiment, these parts are consolidated (located close to each othe multifunction device
  • Ink supply part 120 and detection part 140 are sequentially provided surface from top to bottom, and by usingsensor arm 470 for detecting rema use of the ink can be improved This is due to the following reasons
  • the remaining ink sensor 57 is inserted through formed by the case cutout parts 213 and 223 and the detection part 140 whe 14 is installed in the refill unit 13, the light emitting part 57a and the light r of the remaining ink detection sensor 57 become positioned inside the c becomes possible to prevent damage to the remaining ink detection sens preventing misdetection due to dirt, dust or the like adhering to the light emi light receiving part 57b
  • the pushing retaining member 61 since the pushing retaining member 61 is impelled by the described above, it can stably retain the ink cartridge 14 When the ink cart installed (or is being installed) in the refill unit 13, the elastic force of the sp 650, 730 and 750 of the ink supply mechanism 500 and the ambient air intak act in the direction away from the side on which needle 49 is arranged (left in the direction opposite to the installation direction) As described ab retaining member 61 is configured to have a greater elastic force than generated by the spring members 630, 650, 730 and 750, and is thus able t ink cartridge 14 once it has been installed Furthermore, the push part 200a intake part 130), with the imaginary line linking these three points formin isosceles triangle shape Thus, retaining the ink cartridge 14 by three poi cartridge 14 to be retained stably Furthermore, since the elastic force of the member 61 is used to retain the ink cartridge 14, the load on the surface o 14 decreases as compared to the case of a mechanical structure where the i secured by
  • the pushing retaining member 61 pushes below th (midpoint p) in the height direction of the ink cartridge 14, a large force operate the door member 60, making it possible to stably retain the ink prescribed position
  • the pivot of rotation of the door member 60 is located of the case 40, and the user performs the operation of opening and closing by manipulating the edge part of the door member 60
  • the point of ac pushing retaimng member 61 pushes the ink cartridge 14 will be at a distan of rotation of the door member 60, thus requiring a large force for the user member
  • the push part 200a is arranged at the extreme back surface, for instance below the ink supply part 120, the user will be door member with minimum force, but since a point at the lower part of the i pushed, the ink cartridge 14 may sometimes rotate and be pushed in tilted, may not be inserted accurately into the ink supply part 120
  • the push part 200a is arranged at the extreme back surface, for instance below the ink supply part 120, the user
  • the operation of the ink supply mechan As illustrated in Figure 41, when the ink cartridge 14 is installed in device 1 (inside the refill unit 13), the light emitting part 57a and the light r (not illustrated) of the remaining ink detection sensor 57 are arran sandwiching the detection part 140
  • the detection part 140 consists transparent resin material, allowing the light emitted from the light emittin remaimng ink detection sensor 57 to pass through the detection part 140 a the light receiving part 57b Since the shielding arm part 473c of the s arranged in the enclosure part 141 of the detection part 140, as described abo ink quantity can be detected by the operation of this sensor arm 470 The sensor arm will be described later
  • the needle 49 when the ink cartridge 14 multifunction device 1 , the needle 49 is inserted through the space surround wall 606d of the supply cap 600, the insertion hole 605 of the supply cap 60 path 615 of the supply joint 600 in that order, and the tip of the needle 49 c bottom wall 621 of the supply valve 620, depressing the supply valve 620 supply valve 620 moves away from the joint contact part 613 of the supply j an ink flow path
  • the needle 49 communicates with a discharge opemng (the multifunction device 1 via ink extraction opening 52 and ink tube 53 F tip of the needle 49, a cutout 49a is formed for securing an ink flow path, s path is secured by the cutout 49a even if the tip of the needle 49 contacts wall 621 of the supply valve 620
  • the first supply spring 630 supply valve 620 (and supply slider 640), as described above, has a sligh flexible part 633
  • the spring flexibl second supply spring 650 arranged on the opposite side of the supply slider dimensional error from the manufacturing of the various componen components there are, the more likely that dimensional error will occur H supply slider 640 is brought into contact with the valve hook part 626 of t 610, at least the error in the dimensions of the first supply spring 630 be
  • dimensional error of the ink supply mechanism 500 is reduced an operation of the ink supply mechanism 500 becomes more stable
  • the inside diameter of the valve outer circumferential wall valve 620 and the outside diameter of the slider outer circumferential wall slider 640 are formed to be substantially equal
  • Furth diameter of the slider outer circumferential wall 641 and the outside diam bottom parts 631 and 651 of the first and second supply springs 630 and 650 substantially equal
  • the external shape of the valve outer circumferential supply valve 620 is formed slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the in 116, since the valve protruding part 622a is formed outward from circumferential wall 622 of the supply valve 620, it becomes possible to prev in the direction of displacement when the supply valve 620 operates in the Ol Therefore,
  • valve bottom wall 621 of the supply valve 620 is needle 49 and moves in the direction of valve seat 660 ( ⁇ ghtward accompanying this movement, the first supply spring 630 is flexibly de become compressed, whereupon the supply slider 640 moves in the direct ink reservoir chamber 111 (see Figure 14), second supply communicatin supply communicating hole 421, first cover through-hole 683 (and second c 684) of cover 680, first valve seat through-hole 662b and second valve seat of valve seat 660, valve seat communicating groove 664 of valve seat 660, i of second supply sp ⁇ ng 650, slider through-hole 645 of supply slider 640, i of first supply spring member 630, first spring member 930 and valve bearin a flow path which leads successively through the ink flow path 627 of s cutout 49a of needle 49 and the inside of needle 49
  • the space betwee circumferential wall 622 of the supply valve 620 and the inner circumferen ink supply member 116 is also an ink flow path
  • the operation of the supply joint 610 when the needle 49 is i supply joint 610 will be described
  • the joint protruding par the needle 49 due to the friction between its own inner circumferential sur outer circumferential surface of the needle 49 and is displaced in the directi the right in Figure 41) of the needle 49 (displaced into the contact part flow the joint contact part 613 has a structure cut out into a countersunk shape, so of the joint protruding part 614 in the direction of insertion of the needle 49 directly to the tip 613a of the joint contact part 613
  • the tip contact part 613 is hardly displaced in the direction of insertion, but is sligh direction away from the needle 49
  • the shape change of the accompanying insertion of the needle 49 is such that the joint contact parts away from each other Assuming the joint contact part 613 had a shape wit surface going from the inner circumferential surface 614a of the joint protr
  • the ambient air intake mechanism 510 side will be described I intake mechanism 510, when the ink cartridge 14 is installed in the multif the valve opening part 721a of the ambient air valve 720 contacts the back case 40, depressing the ambient air valve 720 As a result, the ambient air va the joint skirt part 714 In the back surface 56 on the inside of the joint skirt formed a passage 54 which serves as a passage for taking in ambient air, into the ink reservoir chamber 111 via this passage 54
  • the operation of the ambient air intake mechanism 510 when the ambie depressed will be described
  • the first ambient air spring 730 housed insid valve 720 (and the ambient air slider 740), as described above, has a slig flexible part 733, while there is no flexing in the spring flexible part 7 ambient air spring 750
  • the flexing order is determined for the first an air springs 730 and 750 as well
  • the inside diameter of the valve outer circumferential ambient air valve 720 and the inside diameter of the slider outer circumfer the ambient air valve 720 are formed to be substantially equal
  • t misalignment in the direction of displacement when the ambient air slider 7 direction of axis 02 of the ambient air intake mechanism 510 can be preven the inside diameter of the slider outer circumferential wall 741 and the out the spring bottom parts 731 and 751 of the first and second ambient air spri and 750 are formed to be substantially equal
  • valve outer circumferentia ambient air valve 720 is formed slightly smaller than the inside diameter o intake element 117, since valve protruding part 722a is formed outward fro circumferential wall 722 of the ambient air valve 720, misalignment in displacement when the ambient air valve 720 operates in the direction o prevented Therefore, telescoping operation in the direction of axis 02 o undergoes flexible deformation This state is the state illustrated in Figure 41
  • the ink flow path K and the ambient air intake p when the ink cartridge 14 is installed in the multifunction device 1 operation of the ink supply mechanism 500 and the ambient air intake mech that they operate smoothly and without misalignment relative to the axes installation of the ink cartridge 14 is made easier, while allowing the supp intake of ambient air to be carried out reliably
  • the direction of rotation of the sensor arm 470 is determined by the com buoyancies and the gravities acting on the right side portion (on the side of part 473c) and the left side (on the side of the balance part 471) Ho simplify the explanation, the description will now be made assuming that which are exerted on the sensor arm 470, act on the balance part 471 description, the buoyancies and the gravities, which act on the portions of t other than the balance part 471, are neglected Instead, it is considered th and the gravities, which are received by the entire sensor arm 470, act on the On this assumption, the rotation of the sensor arm 470 is determined by the gravity acting on the balance part 471 As
  • the balance part 47 second supply communicating hole 423 and the vibration caused by operati part 471 will be transmitted to the ink, interfering with ink flow
  • t center of rotation of the sensor arm 470 is placed in the vicinity of the sup 422 and the balance part 471 is positioned at the middle of the ink reservoi the Y direction, avoiding the aforementioned enlargement of the sensor effects on ink flow
  • the top end surface of the shieldi (the upper end surface in Figure 42) is positioned substantially parallel to the the ink In this state, when the liquid surface of the ink drops and reaches the the top end surface of the shielding arm 473 c, the surface tension of the ink retain the shielding arm 473 If the force by which the surface tension of t shielding arm 473c is greater than the buoyancy of the balance part 473a, th will not operate properly
  • the top end surface forming the outsid part 140 of the shielding arm 473c is given an angle so as to slope downw portion of the shielding arm 473 c that is substantially parallel to the liquid s and bottom are reversed relative to the proper installation o ⁇ entation, th protruding parts 214a and 224a will collide with the tip of the protrusion 5 with the top and bottom reversed from the proper installation orientation, t 120 will be located above the ambient air intake part 130, resulting in an inc (or a second orientation) with respect to the proper installation orientation
  • the total projection distance t9 includi distance of the protrusion 55 from the back surface 56 of the case 40 a distance of the case protruding parts 214a and 224a from the case 200 i projection distance t8 of the needle 49 from the needle forming member difference between projection distance t8 and projection distance t9 prevent the tip of the valve opemng part 721a projecting outward from the ambient a and the tip of the needle 49
  • the needle 49 is a member for extracting the cartridge 14 and supplying the ink to the ink jet recording head (not illustrat cases where needle 49 is damaged or deformed, ink is not accurately sup is not performed accurately
  • collision between the needle 49 and the valve opemng part 721a can making it possible to prevent damage or deformation of the needle 49 and al be reliably supplied
  • FIG. 46 the mechanism for preventing dripping of cartridge 14 is removed from the multifunction device 1 will be describe drawing showing the state of removing the ink cartridge 14 from the multi and a front view of the ink cartridge 14 Figure 46 (a) and Figure 46 illustrating the state change when the ink cartridge 14 is removed, and Figu front view of the ink cartridge 14 the valve 620 moves in the direction such that it contacts with the joint conta the impelling force of the first supply spring 630 and the second supply spr needle 49 is removed from the supply joint 610, ink is pushed out in the dir flows out from the protruding part flow path 615b to the step part flow path may stick to the protruding tip 49 of the needle or flow outside the ink Consequently, when the ink cartridge 14 is removed, the ink adhering to the 49 may drip down in the form of ink drops, or ink may flow down from th 120
  • the insertion hole 605 of the supply c supply opening into which the needle 49 is inserted and through which ink f thickness til in the widthwise direction (the left-right direction of Figu direction) of ink cartridge 14 of the case projecting parts 214a and 224a is the diameter tlO of the insertion hole 605 (The diameter of needle 49 is for narrower than the diameter tlO of the through-hole 605 ) Furthermore, (form the Y direction), the insertion hole 605 is accommodated entirely occupied by the case projecting parts 214a and 224a
  • the inside of the refill unit 13 is dirtied, the ink car dirtied during installation or removal of the cartridge 14, thus making the u
  • such problems can be avoided by preventing the ink from adherin the refill unit 13 as much as possible While the configuration described above is desirable for prevention configuration is not limited thereto, so long as
  • the detection part 140 when the ink cartridge 14 is orientation, the detection part 140 is positioned at a position corresponding ink detection sensor 57, so the detection part 140 is positioned above the in (or needle 49) The majority of the ink spattering from the needle 49 and in spatters downward (opposite to the direction of detection part 140) under it the adhesion of ink to the detection part 140 can be reduced simply by arran part 140 above the ink supply part 120 Furthermore, the detection surfaces 1 formed in a plane parallel to the line jointing the center of the detection par insertion hole 605 (see Figure 47 (b)) The majority of the ink spatteri insertion hole 605 spatters in substantially linear fashion, so even if ink sh cap 600 of the ink supply part 120 Since the ink dripping form the insertio under its own weight, it will flow out in substantially linear fashion in th detection part 140 and adhere to the detection surfaces 140a and 140b of 140 However, when the detection part 140 is in a state arranged below the a part
  • the detection part 140 is ar case 200 and a space into which the light emitting part 57a and light receivi remaining ink detection sensor 57 enter is formed on both sides of the detect and 140b by the case cutouts 213 and 223
  • the detection part 140 is co and 224a and the case projecting parts 214b and 224b are formed at the en part 120 and ambient air intake part 130 are located between the case proj and 224a and the case projecting parts 214b and 224b, and the case projecti 224a and the case projecting parts 214b and 224b extend further outward th part 120
  • the ink cartridge 14 is inadvertently dropped, the ink suppl prevented from contacting the surface, which the ink cartridge 14 is drop possible to reduce outflow of ink from the ink supply part 120 due to the sh a result, the adhesion of the ink to the detection surfaces 140a and 140b can
  • Figure 48 is a drawing showing the front view of the case is a front view of case 40, which can accommodate large capacity blac cartridges 14 and color ink cartridges 14, and Figure 48 (b) is a front vi which can accommodate black ink cartridges 14 and color ink cartridges 1 embodiment, case 40 is arranged in the multifunction device 1, but it is provide a multifunction device 1 wherein case 2040 is arranged instead of c is a cross-sectional view showing the simplified cross-section of cases 40 an
  • Figure 49 (a) is a simplified cross-sectional view of case XXXXIXa-XXXIXa of Figure 48 (a), and Figure 49 (b) is a simplified cro of case 2040 along line XXXXIXb-XXXXIXb of Figure 48 (b)
  • a color ink cartridge is illustrated as ink cartridge 14c
  • a black ink is illustrated as ink cartridge 14kl
  • a large capacity black ink cartridge is illustrate 14k2
  • case 40 is configured to accommodate f so that they are aligned in case 40 Regarding the arrangement of the four in
  • case 2040 is configured to accommodate cartridges Regarding the arrangement of the four ink cartridges, three color i are arranged side by side, and a black ink cartridge 14kl is arranged adjacen words, just as in
  • case 40 Since case 40 allows both a large capacity black ink cartridge 14k2 cartridge 14kl to be installed, it is formed to accommodate the thickness of black ink cartridge 14k2 Thus, the lateral width tl4 (the width in the direc of the ink cartridges 14c and 14k2, the left-right direction in Figure 48 ( longer than the lateral width tl5 (the width in the direction of alignment of 14c and 14kl, the left-right direction in Figure 48 (b))
  • the difference be width tl4 of case 40 and the lateral width tl5 of case 2040 corresponds between the height of the vertical wall parts 220b to 22Oe of the second illustrated in Figure 11 and the height of the vertical wall parts 2220b to 22 case member 2220 illustrated in Figure 13
  • case 40 allows a black ink cartridge 14kl or a large c cartridge 14k2 to be installed selectively
  • case 2040 only allows install cartridge 14kl This implies providing users with two types of multifunct already discussed above, since users whose frequency of text printing is l large capacity black ink cartridge 14k2, it is preferable to provide such use multifunction device 1 that does not allow installation of a large capacity bl 14k2
  • case 2040 for installing black ink cartridges 14kl installing large capacity black ink cartridge 14k2 differ only slightly in e majority of the die used can be shared between the two, providing for a cost r
  • a needle 49 penetrates into the ink supply mechanism 500 of wall parts 2210b to 221Oe of the first case member 2210 illustrated in Figure
  • the ink supply mechanism 500 is a impelled by the first supply spring 630 and second supply spring 650, cartridge 14 is removed from the multifunction device 1, ink may flow supply part 120 or, in the worst case, ink may spatter around The needle continuously, without any partition plates being provided between the needle spatters from the ink supply part 120, the spattered ink ends up adherin printing, so it is made from a dye type ink with high permeability into pape the granularity of dots less apparent and improve the appearance of the col there is little effect of color change when color inks are mixed together, whe with another color ink, the effect of color change becomes greater, so it is black ink to be mixed with other color inks Furthermore, when mixing wit has been confirmed, generally, recovery processing (purging) involving forc ink is carried out, but since ink is wasted for the recovery processing, t efficiency drops Moreover, since black ink is a pigment type ink, it has compared to dye type ink, so it cannot be easily removed
  • Figure 50 the state of installation of the large c cartridge 14k2 or black ink cartridge 14kl and color ink cartridges 14c i described Figure 50 is a simplified cross-section illustrating in simplified fa installation of ink cartridges 14c, 14kl and 14k2 inside case 40
  • accommodating grooves 42c 1 to 44c4 capable respectively of accommodating the case welded parts 216, 226 case welded parts 217, 227 and 1217 of case 200 or case 1200 Accommodat to 42c4 and 44c 1 to 44c4 are all formed to the same shape the difference between distance tl2 and distance tl3 in the direction away fr part 120 and ambient air intake part 130 of the other color ink cartridges 1 direction in Figure 50)
  • the difference between distance tl2 and distance t the difference between gap tl ⁇ and gap tl7 between needles 49 descr corresponds to the difference between the higher of verticals wall parts 21 first case member 210 illustrated in Figure 8 and the height of vertical wa 221Oe of the first case member 2210 illustrated in Figure 13, or the di vertical wall parts 210b to 21Oe of the first case member 210 illustrated in vertical wall parts 1210b to 121Oe of the first case member 1210 illustrated i Furthermore
  • Figure 51 is a schematic drawing, which schem the combination of case members 210, 220, 1210, 2210 and 2220
  • Figure 51 (a) is a schematic drawing of case 200
  • case 200 comprises first and second case members 210 and 220, with the t first and second case members 210 and 220 (the height of vertical wall parts respectively tl9, which is approximately twice the thickness of tl8
  • Figure 51 (c) is a schematic drawing of case 1200
  • Case 1200 comprise case members 1210 and 220, with the thicknesses of the first and second c and 220 (the height of vertical wall parts 1210b to 121Oe and 220b to 22 second case members 1210 and 220, the left-right direction in Figure 51(c) first case member 1210 and tl8 for the second case member 220
  • three types of cases - 200 with different sizes of the outer shape (different inside volumes) are form case members of different thickness and two second case members of diff the present embodiment, the thicknesses of the first and second case mem forming case 200 are equal, and the thicknesses of the first and second ca and 2220 forming case 2200 are also equal, but making the thicknesses equa not an indispensable condition for forming three types of cases - 200, 12 different outer shape sizes Namely, so long as the thickness of one side (the first case member members making up the largest first ink cartridge (case 2200) is greater tha one side (the first case member 210) of the case members making up the cartridge (case 200), and the thickness of the other side (the second case me case members making up the largest first ink cartridge is greater than th other side (the second case member 220) of the case members making up th cartridge, three types of cases with different outer shape sizes can be fabricat members
  • the conditions described above will be referred to as the first con further conditions to these first conditions, four types
  • cases 200, 1200 and 2200 of different size from e through-holes that allow the ink supply part 120 and ambient air intake part the outside are made the same shape, and substantially semi-circular case 212, 221, 222, 1211, 1212, 2211, 2212, 2221 and 2222 corresponding to through-holes are formed in the same substantially semi-circular shape member 210, second case member 220, first case member 1210 for black, 2210 for large capacity black and second case member 2220 for large partially common structure can be used for each of the dies, reducing the c
  • case 1200 was made from the second case 22Oe of case members 2210 and 2220 are formed to be substantially eq outside shape sizes of the case 1200a and case 1200 are substantially the sam
  • case members it is possible to simply create a case consisting of a combin member 210 and second case member 2220 or a case consisting of a combin member 2210 and second case member 220 as the case for black
  • case members allows three cases to be created - a small large case for lager capacity black and a medium sized case for blac combination may be used
  • FIG. 52 a second embodiment will be described drawing illustrating the ink cartridge 3014 and refill unit 3013 of the sec Figure 52 (a) is a drawing illustrating the side surface of the ink cartridge 3 embodiment, and Figure 52 (b) shows the cross-section in the state with 3014 installed in refill unit 3013
  • the ink cartridge 3014 of the secon configured with a different location of the ambient air intake part 130 as co cartridge 14 of the first embodiment
  • the ink cartridge 3014 of the sec ambient air is taken into the ink cartridge 3014 through an ambient air inta formed in a labyrinth shape going from a through-hole 3130 formed on the t case 3200
  • the refill unit 3013 of the secon configured with the position of the pushing retaining member 3061 provide being lower than the position of the pushing retaining member 61 provided the first embodiment This is because there is no air intake part on the side the pushing retaining member 3061 of the ink cartridge 3014 of the second thus the elastic force acting when the ink cartridge 3014 is installed in the re elastic force due to the first supply spring 630 and second supply spring 650)
  • the ink cartridge 3014 of the second embodiment may comprise an ink 100 inside it, or may be configured such that ink is stored inside the case 320
  • FIG. 53 is a perspective view illustrating the outward appearance of the ink car 5014 of the third and fourth embodiments
  • Figure 53 (a) is a perspective vie outward appearance of ink cartridge 4014 of the third embodiment
  • the ink cartridge 4014 of the third e through-hole 4130 for admitting ambient air into the ink cartridge 4014 form its top surface (the top surface in Figure 53 (a))
  • the detection part 4140 (irradiated part) is formed projecting outwa surface extending substantially in the vertical direction of the ink cartridge 4 direction in Figure 53 (a)), and below that is formed the ink supply part 412 opening 4121 into which needle 49 is inserted is formed on the projecti supply part 4120
  • the ink cartridge 4014 of the third embodiment does not corresponding to ink reservoir element 100, and stores the ink directly inside
  • the ink cartridge 5014 in the fourth examp is used in lieu of the ink supply part 4120 in the third example of embodi ink supply part 120 of the first example of embodiment and the similarly s part 5120
  • the remaining structure is the same as the ink cartridge in the embodiment, and therefore, the detailed explanation of this will be omitted
  • Figure 54 is an angled view of the case 200 of the ink cartridge 14 in th embodiment
  • Figure 55 is a cross-sectional diagram showing the state cartridge 14 of the fifth example of embodiment has been attached within
  • the case 200 of the fifth example of embodiment is constructed such that it be different in relation to the case protruding parts 214a and 224a of the embodiment Therefore, the structure other than the edge part of the case 214a and 224a of the fifth example of embodiment is the same as that of th of the first example of embodiment, and using the same references for t identical to the first example of embodiment, the explanation of these will be
  • the case 200 of the fifth example of embodiment forms the second protr downwards, or in relation to the second case component 220, when seen fr Figure 54 looking upwards) (see Figure 55)
  • Figure 56 is a cross-sectional diagram showing the state in which the ink c sixth example of embodiment has been inserted into the refill unit 13
  • Figure 58 is a flow chart showing the ink car detection process that is executed by the CPU 971
  • the sixth example of e additional ink cartridge attachment detection sensor 960 in relation to t 14 has been attached to the correct attachment position, the edge of the cas 214a and 224a will press a protruding piece of the ink cartridge attachmen 960 and by pressing this protruding piece, the ink cartridge attachment det will send a signal to the control board 970
  • the control board 970 is a perform the main control of the multifunction device 1
  • the control board 970 includes a CPU calculation means, a ROM 972 which is the memory that cannot be over stores the control program and the fixed value data, a RAM 973 which is the be overwritten and which is used as the work memory, the EEPROM non- volatile memory that can be overwritten and which stores data even source is turned off, the PC interface 975 which performs electrical connect external PC 980 and the control board 970, the mkjet printer 976 which per discharging ink as instructed by the CPU 971, the liquid crystal displa performs each type of display, the remaimng ink detection sensor 57 which d of ink remaining in the ink cartridge 14, and ink cartridge attachment det that detects whether the ink cartridge 14 has been attached or not, and the int that performs input and output of each type of signal While it is not illustr there are also various counters and timers included, the updating of the co timer values will be performed according to the processing performed within Within the EEPROM 974, there is an ink cartridge
  • this process will confirm whether the remaining ink detect been on or not for longer than the specific time (for instance, greater than 1 if the S 106 process is Yes, then a remaining ink detection sensor abn displayed on the liquid crystal display part 35 (S 107), and this process will e
  • the ink car flag 974a When each of the errors has been displayed, and if there is an abnormal executed, such as an operation of the abnormal deletion button, the ink car flag 974a will be initialized to 0 As described above, in the sixth example of embodiment, it is not distinguish and detect the unattached state of the ink cartridge 14 and when t is also possible to detect any abnormalities in each sensor Also, when cartridge 14, as the ink cartridge attachment detection sensor 960 will be tur of the ink cartridge attachment flag 974a will be set to 0, and therefore, it is accurately detect whether the ink cartridge 14 is attached or whether the in when removing the ink cartridge 14, when ink is adhered to the light emitti light receiving part 57b of the remaimng ink detection sensor 57, it is poss detect any abnormalities of the remaining ink detection sensor 57 when cartridge 14 Also, when removing the ink cartridge 14, if the ink cart detection sensor 960 is already broken, an ink empty display will be displ the ink cartridge 14 is not attached Therefore, it
  • FIG. 59(b) is an angled view showing the external appe cartridge 7014 of the eighth example of embodiment
  • the ink cartridges 601 seventh and eighth examples of embodiment are constructed such that the s surfaces on which the ink supply parts 4120 and 5120 are formed will be di to the ink cartridges 4014 and 5014 of the third and fourth examples Therefore, the structure other than the side surfaces on which the ink suppl 5120 of the seventh and eighth examples of embodiment are formed is the cartridges 4014 and 5014 of the third and fourth examples of embodiment, same references for the parts that are the same as in the third and fo embodiment will be used, and the explanation of these is omitted
  • the detection parts 6140 and 7140 of the ink cartridges 6014 and 70 and eighth examples of embodiment are arranged within the concave part formed on the side surfaces, so it is possible to reduce any adherence of i from the ink supply parts 4120 and 5120 onto the detection parts 6140 and 71
  • the ink cartridge 8014 of the ninth example o a pushing part 8200a that is configured to contact the pressing retaining door main body 60 and that protrudes towards the outside from the side su cartridge 8014
  • the pushing part 200a of the first example of one part of a specific range of the side surface 1 of the case 200 but the pr of the ninth example of embodiment has the structure where there is a contacts the pressing retaining member 61
  • the ninth example of embodi of the pushing part 8200a is such that it protrudes from the side surface, but form it in the opposite concave shape
  • the pressing retaimng constructed such that it protrudes from the door main body 61
  • Figure 61 is an angled diagram showing the external appearance of the ink the tenth example of embodiment Figure 62 is an exploded perspective vie cartridge 9014 of the tenth example of embodiment Figure 63 is a diagra procedure for replacing the ink reservoir element
  • the ink cartridge 14 of th embodiment had a structure in which the ink reservoir element 100 wa because it was welded into the first and second case members 210 and 22 embodiment, the explanation of these will be omitted
  • the ink cartridge 9014 of the tenth example o a seal 9100 attached to the outer surface of the case 200
  • This seal 9100 is maximum surface 220a and the vertical wall part 220c of the second case me vertical wall part 210c and the maximum surface 210a of the first case me words, the seal 9100 is attached to the side surface opposing the protector 3 edge surface on which the ink supply part 120, the ambient air intake detection part 140 are located)
  • the seal 9100 not only has the model of the i listed on it, but it also has imprinted on it the color corresponding to the ink is possible to visually recognize the color of the ink that is stored within 9014 Therefore, by attaching this seal 9100, it is possible for the use to visu ink color, making it possible to prevent storage of the ink cartridge 91 accommodating chamber 50 within the case 40
  • the seal part 9100 is a connecting member to connect the first members 210 and 220, and it serves as a hinge material, which can open a and second case members 210 and 220 Therefore, the replacement of element 100 is performed by undoing the connection between the engage and 9200b and the engagement holes 9201a and 9201b, and when the sec 220 is open with respect to the first case member 210, the new ink reservo inserted, and then, the first and second case members 210 and 220 are present tenth example of embodiment, while the ink reservoir element 100 new one, it is also acceptable to use a product in which ink has been re-inj reservoir element 100
  • the ink cartridge 9014 of the tenth example of embo undergo the replacement of the ink reservoir element 100
  • the determination embodiment The ink reservoir element 9300 of the eleventh example of em within the first and second case members, but we will omit a detailed description of the first and second case members
  • the ink reservoir element 9300 of the ele embodiment is constructed of a hard part 9301 that is formed through in using a resin material, and a bag element 9302 that has flexibility and which space to store the ink inside, and which is connected to the hard part 9301 T has a detection part (irradiation part) 9303 that is to be placed between the l 57a and the light receiving part 57b of the remaimng ink detection senso supply part including the ink supply mechanism 500 and the supply c example of embodiment
  • the ink reservoir element 9300 of the eleventh example o manufactured using the hard part 9301 and the bag part 9302, and therefore have a simplified structure in comparison to the case where the entirety of element is formed through a molding using a resin mate ⁇ al Therefore, improve the yield when manufacturing the ink reservoir element 9300, mak achieve a reduction in manufacturing costs
  • the ink reservoir element 9300 of the eleventh example of embodimen the bag part 9302 which forms the reservoir space to store the ink, and ⁇ so wh the bag part 9302 is reduced, the bag part 9302 will shrink according to th when the ink is depleted, the reservoir space will be mostly depleted as wel not possible to place a sensor arm (rotating member) to detect the amount within the bag part 9302
  • the hard part 9301 in the ink reservoir element 9300 is for barrier properties, and because it is placed between the light emitting part receiving part 57b of the remaining ink detection sensor 57, it will always Above, the present invention was described based on the examples of the present invention is not limited to these examples of embodiments, and i that it would be possible to make various improvements or modifications w does not diverge from the claims of the present invention
  • Figures 65 to 67 are diagrams to explain the m of the combinations of the case members As desc ⁇ bed above, in the pr embodiment, the three types of cases 200, 1200 (or 1200 ⁇ ) and 2200 differing sizes for the outer shapes using the two types of first case mem case members 1210 and 2210 with different thicknesses, and the two typ members 220 and second case member 2220 with different thicknesses
  • the case members in this modified example can be formed cases with differing sizes of outer shape from four case members (where the is different)
  • case Cl is formed of a case member 120 and a case thickness of the case member 120 is t20 and the thickness of the case m which is thicker than the thickness t20
  • case C case member 121 and the case member r22 The thickness of the case mem the thickness of the case member r22 is
  • This second condition is that the difference (t22-t21) between the thickness the case member (case member r22) which forms the largest first ink cartri the thickness t21 of one side of the case member (case member r21) that f third ink cartridge (Cl) must be different than the difference (t21-t20) betw t21 of the other side of the case member (case member 121) that forms th cartridge and the thickness t20 of the other side of the case member (case forms the smallest third ink cartridge
  • the case C3 ill 66(c) and the case C6 illustrated in Figure 66(d) are formed More specifical members 121 and r22 which form the case C2, the small scale case C5, the l and the two types of mid-sized cases C3 and C6 are formed Also, the size outer shape of cases C2, C3, C5, and C6 are all different, with C5 ⁇ C6 ⁇ C3 ⁇ C2 Therefore, it is possible to form four cases with differ according to the amount of ink to be stored using the four case members 120,
  • case Figure 67(a) is the same as the case Cl illustrated in Figure 65, the explanat omitted here
  • the case C7 is formed of the cas the case member r22
  • the thicknesses of the case members 122 and r22 are fo By changing the combination of the case members 120 and r21 which and the case members 122 and r22 which form the case C7, the case C3 ill 67(c) and the case C8 illustrated in Figure 67(d) are formed More specifical formed of the case member 120 and the case member r22, and the case C8 case member 122 and the case member r21 Further, the difference between of the case member r22 and the thickness t21 of the case member r21 is difference between the thickness t22 of the case member 122 and the thickne member 120, fulfilling both the first and second conditions described above
  • the small scale case Cl o the la and the two types of mid-sized cases C3 and C8 are formed Also, the size outer shape of cases Cl, C3, C7, and C8 are all different, with
  • the second opening 112b side is closed by the side wall, a construction in which the film 160 is welded to the first opening 112a, it is film 160 on the side wall of the ambient air connection passage 433, mak reduce the formation of a meniscus on the ambient air connection passage case of closing the second opening 112b with the side wall, that side w support substrate, and as this will provide the strength of the frame part, i have a construction in which the connection formation part (partition connected within the ink reservoir chamber, is not used In this case, it is a an internal weld part only from one surface side of the support substrate
  • the film 160 that is welded o was constructed of a nylon layer on the frame part 110 side, but it is also acc water-resistant coating onto this nylon layer By using this type of construct to prevent the formation of a meniscus on the ambient air connection passag
  • the ambient air comm forming part 430 was constructed such that it sloped downwards towards th air communicating chamber 432 from the first ambient air communicating because one surface of the ambient air communicating passage 433 is con 160, it is possible to prevent the formation of a meniscus within communicating passage 433 Therefore, it is acceptable to have a construc ambient air communicating passage forming part 430 does not necessarily and it is acceptable to have a construction in which it is horizontal in the s cartridge 14 is attached Industrial Applicability
  • the ink cartridge and the ink jet recording apparatus of the present inv used for home and office uses

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)
  • Pens And Brushes (AREA)

Abstract

Une cartouche d'encre comprend un boîtier comportant une chambre de stockage de l'encre; la cartouche d'encre est configurée pour fournir l'encre stockée dans la chambre de stockage à un appareil d'impression à jet d'encre lorsqu'elle est positionnée dans l'appareil d'impression à jet d'encre. La cartouche d'encre comprend une partie d'alimentation en encre se projetant à l'extérieur pour fournir l'encre stockée dans la chambre à l'appareil d'impression à jet d'encre, la cartouche d'encre comprend également deux éléments de projection reliés au boîtier; les deux éléments de projection projetant davantage d'encre à l'extérieur que celle que la partie d'alimentation projette. Les deux éléments de projection comprennent un premier élément de projection et un deuxième élément de projection disposés sur les deux côtés de la partie d'alimentation en encre.
PCT/JP2006/320031 2005-09-29 2006-09-29 Cartouche d'encre et appareil d'impression a jet d'encre WO2007037546A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CN2006800065353A CN101132922B (zh) 2005-09-29 2006-09-29 墨盒以及喷墨记录设备

Applications Claiming Priority (12)

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JP2005284646A JP4539517B2 (ja) 2005-09-29 2005-09-29 インクカートリッジ
JP2005-284646 2005-09-29
JP2005342697 2005-11-28
JP2005342695A JP2007144811A (ja) 2005-11-28 2005-11-28 インクカートリッジ
JP2005-342697 2005-11-28
JP2005-342695 2005-11-28
JP2005377987 2005-12-28
JP2005-377987 2005-12-28
JP2006-063250 2006-03-08
JP2006063250A JP4524675B2 (ja) 2005-11-28 2006-03-08 インクカートリッジ
JP2006081806A JP4479684B2 (ja) 2005-11-28 2006-03-23 インクカートリッジ
JP2006-081806 2006-03-23

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AT (1) ATE404374T1 (fr)
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CN105492210B (zh) 2013-06-28 2018-01-09 惠普发展公司，有限责任合伙企业 液体墨盒
US11090928B2 (en) 2017-12-11 2021-08-17 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. Fluid distinguishing devices

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US6471333B1 (en) 2001-04-30 2002-10-29 Hewlett-Packard Company Method and apparatus for keying ink supply containers
EP1512536B2 (fr) * 2002-06-11 2012-08-01 Seiko Epson Corporation Cartouche d'encre
JP4141873B2 (ja) 2003-03-25 2008-08-27 セイコーエプソン株式会社 液体収容体形成用部材及び液体収容体の製造方法

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JP2001071522A (ja) * 1999-09-03 2001-03-21 Canon Inc 液体容器およびプリント装置
JP2002370384A (ja) * 2001-03-02 2002-12-24 Canon Inc 液体収納容器及び該容器を用いる液体吐出記録装置

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US9126414B2 (en) 2012-08-31 2015-09-08 Seiko Epson Corporation Ink supply apparatus
US9586405B2 (en) 2012-08-31 2017-03-07 Seiko Epson Corporation Ink supply apparatus

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WO2007037546A9 (fr) 2007-05-31
EP1772272A3 (fr) 2007-05-16
EP1772272A2 (fr) 2007-04-11
ATE404374T1 (de) 2008-08-15
DE602006002213D1 (de) 2008-09-25
EP1772272B1 (fr) 2008-08-13
DE202006020592U1 (de) 2009-04-23

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