ES2338720T3 - INK CARTRIDGE, SET OF INK CARTRIDGES, AND INK CARTRIDGE DETERMINATION SYSTEM. - Google Patents

Abstract

An ink cartridge includes a first signal blocking portion, a second signal blocking portion, and a third signal blocking portion. The first signal blocking portion is configured to either prevent a first signal from passing therethrough or to alter a path of the first signal when the first signal blocking portion receives the first signal, the second signal blocking portion is configured to either prevent a second signal from passing therethrough or to alter a path of the second signal when the second signal blocking portion receives the second signal, and the third signal blocking portion is configured to either prevent the second signal from passing therethrough or to alter a path of the second signal when the third signal blocking portion receives the second signal.

Description

Ink cartridge, cartridge set ink, and ink cartridge determination system.

Background of the invention 1. Field of the invention

The present invention generally relates to ink cartridges, ink cartridge sets, and systems Determination of ink cartridges.

2. Description of the related technique

A known recording device, such as a inkjet recording device, includes a printhead inkjet registration and a mounting portion in which mount a known ink cartridge. When the ink cartridge known is mounted on the mounting portion, the apparatus of known record is set to dispense ink from a plurality of nozzles for registering an image on a sheet of paper.

Another known recording device includes a car set to receive another known ink cartridge. This known recording device is configured to determine a type of ink cartridge detecting light intensity reflected by the ink cartridge. When the car and the cartridge ink move, the intensity of the reflected light is measured by a sensor of the recording device, and based on intensity, it Determine the type of ink cartridge. Such a recording device known is described in US 2005/0024454 A1, for example.

Another known recording device includes a mounting portion that is separated from a carriage, and this apparatus of known record is set to determine the type of other known ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is mounted in the mounting portion. Specifically, when the cartridge ink is mounted on the mounting portion, the recording apparatus detects the presence or absence of a signal blocking portion of the ink cartridge, and the type of the ink cartridge is determined based on the presence or absence of the blocking portion of signal. Such known recording apparatus is described in US 2005/0195225 A1, for example. However, in this device known record, the speed with which several users mount the ink cartridge in the mounting portion may vary from one user to another, so that the recording device can reach different determinations from one user to another. For example, if the speed with which the user mounts the ink cartridge in the mounting portion is larger than a predetermined speed, or if the user begins to insert the ink cartridge into the mounting portion and then partially take out the ink cartridge before finishing completely inserting the ink cartridge into the mounting portion, the sensor can detect information inaccurate

From EP 1 772 270 A2 a cartridge of ink to supply ink to a recording device inkjet The ink cartridge includes a box that forms a spaced housing to accommodate a deposit element of ink inside and a replaceable deposit element that Stores ink and is placed in the accommodation space. He ink deposit element includes a supply part of ink to supply ink to a recording device inkjet; and an irradiated part structure to place between two portions of an optical sensor of the recording device Inkjet and to radiate with light. The box is formed by a plurality of box elements that are connected to each other other, and an end surface of this box is equipped with a hole through which at least a portion of the part of ink supply and at least a portion of the irradiated part they are exposed to the outside of the box in such a way that the part irradiated from the ink reservoir element is detectable, when The ink tank element is housed in the box.

Summary of the Invention

Therefore, ink cartridges are needed, ink cartridge sets, and determination systems ink cartridges that overcome the above and other inconveniences of the related technique. A technical advantage of the present invention is that the ink cartridge configuration allows a recording device determines exactly associated information with the cartridge regardless of the speed with which the user mount the ink cartridge in the printer and regardless of whether the user starts entering the ink cartridge in the printer and then partially take out the ink cartridge to finally fully insert the ink cartridge in the printer.

According to the present invention a ink cartridge as defined in claim 1.

According to the present invention a set of ink cartridges as defined in the claim 5.

According to the present invention a ink cartridge determination system as defined in claim 6. In the dependent claims defined preferred developments of the respective claims independent.

With these settings, the information associated with the ink cartridge is determined exactly. In addition, the amount of ink in the chamber can be determined. ink.

Other objects, features, and advantages of Embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to the people with ordinary knowledge in the art by the following description of preferred embodiments with reference to accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a more complete understanding of this invention, the needs met by her, and her objects, features and advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in connection with the drawings companions

Figure 1 is a configuration diagram in cross section of a recording apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2 (a) and 2 (b) are views in perspective of an ink cartridge in which a moving element is in a second position and a first position, respectively, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 2 (c) and 2 (d) are views in perspective of an ink cartridge in which a moving element is in a second position and a first position, respectively, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 3 (a) and 3 (b) are views side of the ink cartridge of figures 2 (a) and 2 (b), respectively.

Figures 3 (c) and 3 (d) are views side of the ink cartridge of figures 2 (c) and 2 (d), respectively.

Figures 4 (a) and 4 (b) are a front perspective view and a rear perspective view of a main body of the ink cartridge of the figures 2 (a) and 2 (b).

Figure 5 is a side view of the body main of figures 4 (a) and 4 (b).

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view. taken along line VI-VI of the figure 4 (a).

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view. partial enlarged front of the body of figures 4 (a) and 4 (b).

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view. taken along line VIII-VIII in the figure 2 (a).

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view. taken along line IX-IX in the figure 2 (b).

Figures 10 (a) and 10 (b) are enlarged cross-sectional views of an upper portion and a lower portion, respectively, of the main body of the Figures 4 (a) and 4 (b).

Figures 11 (a) and 11 (b) are perspective and side views, respectively, of an element mobile, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view. vertical of a cartridge mounting portion of an apparatus of registration, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 13 is a cross-sectional view. of an ink cartridge mounted on the mounting portion of cartridge of figure 12.

Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view. of an ink cartridge mounted on the mounting portion of cartridge of figure 12, in which a locking lever of the recording device is in an open position.

Figure 15 is a cross-sectional view. of an ink cartridge mounted on the mounting portion of cartridge of figure 12, in which the locking lever of the recording device is in a closed position.

Figure 16 is a block diagram of a main controller of the recording apparatus, according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 17 (a) and 17 (b) are exemplary timing diagrams of an output sensor signal of a first optical sensor and a second optical sensor, respectively, of the recording apparatus when a first cartridge Ink is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion.

Figures 17 (c) and 17 (d) are exemplary timing diagrams of an output sensor signal of the first optical sensor and the second optical sensor, respectively, of the recording apparatus when a second cartridge Ink is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion.

Figure 18 is a flow chart of a procedure performed by the main controller of the device registration, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a packaging arrangement including the ink cartridge of the Figures 2 (a) and 2 (b) enclosed in an element of packaging, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 20 is a cross-sectional view. of an ink cartridge mounted on the mounting portion of cartridge, according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 21 is a cross-sectional view. of the ink cartridge being ejected from the mounting portion of cartridge of figure 20.

And figures 22 (a) and 22 (b) are side views of the ink cartridge of figures 2 (a) and 2 (b), respectively.

         \ vskip1.000000 \ baselineskip
      

Detailed description of achievements

The embodiments of the present invention and their features and technical advantages can be understood with reference to figures 1-21, using numbers analogs for corresponding analog portions in the various drawings.

With reference to figure 1, a recording apparatus 250 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The recording apparatus 250 includes an apparatus for paper feed 252, a transfer device 253, a registration unit 254, and a cartridge mounting portion 276. A paper feed tray 257 is arranged in the part bottom of the recording apparatus 250, and the sheets of paper placed  in the paper feed tray 257 are fed, one to one, 259 through the paper feed apparatus 252

The transfer apparatus 253 is arranged in route 259, and includes a first pair of rollers of transfer 261 and a second pair of transfer rollers 262. The pair of transfer rollers 261 is placed on the side located up from the registration unit 254 in one direction paper transfer, and the pair of transfer rollers 262 is placed on the side down in the direction of paper transfer

A sheet of paper fed to travel 259 is transferred to a roller 264 by the pair of rollers of transfer 261, and the registration unit 254 is placed on top of roller 264. Registration unit 254 registers an image in the sheet of paper that passes over the roller 264, and the sheet of paper is subsequently downloaded to a paper unloading tray 258 placed at the end located down the path 259 by the pair of transfer rollers 262.

The registration unit 254 includes a car 266 and a registration head 272 mounted on the carriage 266. The head of record 272 includes a secondary tank 268 and a plate of head control 270, and has a plurality of nozzles 274 formed in it. The car 266 is slidably supported by a support rail, and is set to slide in the direction vertical to the plane of the paper in figure 1. The secondary tank 268 is configured to store ink to be supplied to nozzles 274. When image signals are supplied to the board of head control 270, ink is discharged from the nozzles 274 towards the sheet of paper based on the image signals. The device Registration 250 includes a main controller 200 (represented in figure 16) to control the recording apparatus 250, and the Image signals are sent from main controller 200 and supplied to head control board 270.

An ink cartridge 10 is configured to be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 276. The portion of cartridge assembly 276 includes a plurality of boxes 280, each one of which is configured to receive a cartridge of corresponding ink 10. For example, the mounting portion of cartridge 276 includes four 280 boxes, and each 280 box corresponds to an ink cartridge containing a different color ink. He ink cartridge 10 is configured to be mounted and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 276. The ink cartridge 10 includes a main body 20, and the main body 20 includes a 100 ink chamber configured to store ink, and it supplies ink from the ink chamber 100 to the printhead record 272 by means of an ink tube 278.

In one embodiment of the present invention, two Different ink cartridges may have different capacities of ink or can store different initial amounts of ink, and they can store the ink of the same color, for example, ink black For example, a first ink cartridge 10 and a second 10 'ink cartridge have different ink capacities or they store different initial amounts of ink, they can Store the same color ink. In addition, the recording device 250 is configured so that the ink cartridges 10 and 10 'are mount to the same box 280 of the cartridge mounting portion 276.  The recording device 250 is configured to determine what Ink cartridge type is mounted in box 280.

With reference to figures 2 (a), 2 (b), 3 (a), 3 (b), and 4-10 (b), ink cartridge 10 has a substantially flat hexahedron shape. One width of the cartridge of ink, as indicated by an arrow 31, is relatively short, and each one of the height of the ink cartridge 10, as indicated by an arrow 32, and the depth of the ink cartridge 10, as indicated by a arrow 33, is greater than the width of the ink cartridge 10.

The ink cartridge 10 includes a box, for example, a main body 20, a moving element 21, an element of cover 22, and at least one coil spring, for example, a pair of coil springs 23 and 24. The main body 20 includes a 100 ink chamber to store ink. The mobile element 21 and the cover element 22 enclose the main body 20. Each of the main body 20, the movable element 21, and the element of cover 22 has been formed of a resin material, for example nylon, polyethylene, polypropylene, or the like, and their combinations

The ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the recording apparatus in a direction indicated by an arrow 30 in a vertical state A front portion 20a of the main body is enclosed by the mobile element 21, and a rear portion 20b of the main body 20 is enclosed by the cover element 22. Accordingly, in this embodiment of the present invention, the front portion 20a is protected by the mobile element 21, and the rear portion 20b is protected by the cover element 22

The mobile element 21 is configured to slide in the direction of depth, as indicated by the arrow 33, with respect to the main body 20. The mobile element 21 is configured to move relative to the main body 20. Specifically, the mobile element 21 is configured to move between a first position, as shown in the figures 2 (b) and 9, in which the mobile element 21 is in its position farther from a front face 41 of the main body, and a second position, as depicted in figures 2 (a) and 8, in which the mobile element 21 is in its closest position to the front face 41. When the mobile element 21 is in the first position, at least a portion of the mobile element 21 is placed farther from the front face 41 than the portion of ink supply 90 of the front face 41. In one embodiment, when a predetermined amount of force greater than the thrust force of the coil springs 23 and 24, and therefore the mobile element 21 moves from the first position to the second position, a rod 84 of a portion of air intake 80 contacts the mobile element 21 and is pushed by the movable element 21, and an ink supply portion 90 emerges inside the mobile element 21 leaving the mobile element 21. When the predetermined amount of force is released from mobile element 21, and therefore the mobile element 21 moves subsequently from the second position to the first position, the rod 84 is separated from the mobile element 21, and the portion of Ink supply 90 returns to the interior of the mobile element 21. The entire mobile element 21 is configured to move from substantially simultaneously in a first direction with relation to the main body 20 when the coil springs 23 and 24 are expanded, and the entire mobile element 21 is configured to move substantially simultaneously in a second opposite direction to the first direction when the springs Helicals 23 and 24 contract. Each of the first address and the second direction is substantially parallel to each of the expansion direction and the contraction direction of the springs helicals 23 and 24. In another embodiment, explained in detail below and represented in figures 2 (c), 2 (d),  3 (c), and 3 (d), a hole 180 'can be formed through a front wall 161 of the adjacent mobile element 21 and in alignment with the air intake portion 80, so that a printer component can apply force to rod 84 instead of the mobile element 21 applying the force to the rod 84.

The main body 20 has a form of substantially flat hexahedron. When the ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the mounting portion of the recording apparatus, the body Main 20 is in a vertical state. The main body 20 includes the front face 41, a rear face 42, an upper face 43, and a lower face 44. The main body 20 also includes a pair of side faces 45 and 46 facing each other, and each of the side faces 45 and 46 is connected to the face front 41, rear face 42, upper face 43, and face lower 44. Each of the side faces 45 and 46 has an area surface that is greater than each of a surface area of the front face 41, rear face 42, upper face 43, and the lower face 44.

The main body 20 includes a frame 50, an arm 70, the air intake portion 80, and the portion of ink supply 90. In addition, the side face 45 or the side face 46, or both, include a movie, for example, a movie translucent Specifically, the film is welded to the frame 50, so that the frame 50 is sealed by the film for define an ink chamber 100. The frame 50 is made of a translucent resin material, that is, a resin material transparent or semi-transparent, for example, polyacetal, nylon, polyethylene, or polypropylene, and their combinations, so you can light passes through it, and the frame 50 is formed by molding by injection. The frame 50 is rigid enough so that the Frame shape 50 does not alter in the expansion directions and contraction of the coil springs 23 and 24 when the springs Helicals 23 and 24 expand and contract.

The frame 50 includes a peripheral wall exterior 51 and a plurality of interior walls 52. The walls interiors 52 are placed inside the peripheral wall exterior 51. The outer peripheral wall 51 and the walls interiors 52 are integral and define the frame 50. The wall outer peripheral 51 and inner walls 52 extend from the left side face 45 to the right side face 46 of the main body 20. The outer peripheral wall 51 has a annular shape that extends along the front face 41, the upper face 43, rear face 42, and lower face 44, and It forms a space inside. Consequently, a hole has formed 57a on the left side face 45 of the frame 50, and has a hole 57b formed in the right side face 46.

The films are welded to the faces sides 45 and 46 of frame 50, respectively, by ultrasonic welding, and hole 57a and hole 57b are covered by the respective films so that a space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 51 and the films form the 100 ink chamber. Alternatively, films can be skip, and the frame 50 may have a form of deposit parallelepiped so that frame 50 defines the chamber of 100 ink on it.

The inner walls 52 are placed inside of a space surrounded by the outer peripheral wall 51, and the films are welded to the outer edge portions of the interior walls 52 on the sides of the side faces 45 and 46. Consequently, the film is prevented from buckling. Further, when the mobile element 21 and the cover element 22 are deform towards the main body 20, the deformation of the element mobile 21 and the cover element 22 is restricted by the walls interiors 52. Consequently, body damage is avoided Main 20 and the movies.

An introduction hole of ink 150 on the back face 42 of the frame 50. The hole of ink introduction 150 has a substantially hole cylindrical formed therein, extending from the rear face 42 towards the ink chamber 100, and the ink insertion hole 150 is in fluid communication with the inside of the chamber ink 100. Ink insertion hole 150 is configured  to introduce ink inside the ink chamber 100 to its through when ink cartridge 10 is manufactured. After filling of ink the ink chamber 100, the orifice of introduction of ink 150 by putting a plug in the hole of 150 ink introduction.

A translucent portion 140 has been placed in the front face 41 of the frame 50 and extends from the chamber of 100 ink. The amount of ink stored in the ink chamber is detected optically or visually through the translucent portion 140. The translucent portion 140 is integral with the frame 50, and is  it makes the same material as the frame 50, for example, the portion translucent 140 is made of a translucent resin material for May light pass through it.

Translucent portion 140 protrudes outward of a central portion of the front face 41 of the main body 20 in an opposite direction of the ink chamber 100. The portion translucent 140 is divided by five rectangular walls and It has a substantially hollow box shape. For example, the translucent portion 140 is divided by a front wall 140a, a pair of side walls 140b, the upper wall 140c, and the bottom wall 140d. The front wall 140a extends parallel to the front face 41 and is separated from the front face 41 a default distance The pair of side walls 140b is connected to the front face 41 and the front wall 140a, the upper wall 140c is connected to upper ends of the front wall 140a and side walls 140b, and the wall lower 140d is connected to lower ends of the wall front 140a and side walls 140b. In addition, the width of the front wall 140a is smaller than the width of the face front 41.

The translucent portion 140 is configured to interspersed between a photo transmitter element (not shown) and a photoreceptor element (not shown) of an optical sensor (not represented), for example the photo switch, mounted on the recording device The light emitted by the photo transmitter element passes through the side walls 140b and is received by the element photoreceptor

A translucent portion 140 has formed a interior space 142, which is defined by the front wall 140a, side walls 140b, top wall 140c and wall lower 140d. No wall has been placed between the space interior 142 and ink chamber 100, and interior space 142 is configured so that it is in fluid communication with the inside of the ink chamber 100. A blocking portion of signal 72 of arm 70 is configured to get in and out selectively of the interior space 142 based on the amount of ink inside the ink chamber 100.

Arm 70 is used to detect the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 100. The arm 70 includes the signal blocking portion 72 at its end, and a floating portion 73 at its other end. The arm 70 is pivotally supported in a nerve 74 that extends vertically from the center to the width of the outer peripheral wall 51. The specific gravity of the portion Floating 73 is less than the specific gravity of stored ink in the ink chamber 100. In the floating portion 73 has been formed a hole, and floats in liquid in such a way that the floating portion 73 rise and fall based on the amount of ink inside the chamber of ink 100, and arm 70 pivots based on the movement of the floating portion 73. Nerve 74 is placed in the peripheral wall exterior 51 next to a corner of the front face 41 and the face lower 44. With reference to Figure 6, the rib 74 includes a support portion 77 configured to pivotally support the arm 70.

With reference to the figures 4 (a) -6, arm 70 is positioned in such a way that the signal blocking portion 72 be placed in the space inside 142 when a sufficient amount of ink is stored in the ink chamber 100. For example, the signal blocking portion 72 contacts the bottom wall 140d of the translucent portion 140 to keep the signal blocking portion 72 within the space interior 142 of the translucent portion. In addition, when the quantity of ink in the ink chamber 100 is less than an amount default ink, floating portion 73 moves toward below, and the signal blocking portion 72 leaves the space interior 142. Consequently, it is detected if an amount remains enough of ink in the ink chamber 100 monitoring if the signal blocking portion 72 is placed within the space interior 142. For example, an optical sensor is used, such as a photo switch, to monitor whether the signal blocking portion 72 is placed inside the interior space.

With reference to Figure 7, the portion of Air intake 80 includes a cylindrical storage chamber valve 55 formed on the front face 41 above the portion translucent 140. Valve storage chamber 55 opens outside the main body 20 at its end 82. The chamber of valve storage 55 extends in the direction of the main body depth 20, and is in communication of fluid with the inside of the ink chamber 100 on its other extreme.

The air intake portion 80 also includes a valve mechanism to selectively open and close a path that extends from the end 82 of the chamber of valve storage 55 inside the ink chamber 100. For example, the air intake portion 80 includes an element valve 87, a spring 86, a sealing element 83, and a plug 85. Valve element 87 is configured to slide in the direction of the depth of the main body 20 in the chamber of valve storage 55. Valve element 87 includes a cap 88 and rod 84. Cap 85 is attached to the outer edge of the end 82 of the valve storage chamber 55, inserting the sealing element 83 in between. Through plug 85 and sealing element 83 holes have formed interns When the plug 85 and the sealing element 83 are attached to the outer edge of the end 82, the through holes they form an air communication hole 81, and the interior and the outside of the valve storage chamber 55 are in fluid communication through the air communication hole 81. Rod 84 is inserted into the communication hole of air 81, and the diameter of the rod 84 is smaller than the diameter of the air communication hole 81, so that a interval to allow air flow between rod 84 and the inner walls of the air communication hole 81. The rod 84 protrudes outward from the center of the lid 88 through of the air communication hole 81.

When the valve element 87 slides in the valve storage chamber 55, cover 88 slides between a position where the cover 88 contacts the sealing element 83 and a position in which the lid 88 is separated from the element of sealing 83. When the cover 88 contacts the sealing element 83, the air communication hole 81 closes, and when the lid 88 separates from sealing element 83, the communication hole of air 81 opens.

In the valve storage chamber 55, the spring 86 pushes or deflects valve element 87 in the direction of closing of the route that extends from inside the 55 valve storage chamber outside the chamber valve storage 55, thereby making the element of cover 88 contact sealing element 83. When rod 84 is pushed towards the valve storage chamber 55, the lid 88 of the valve element 87 is separated from the sealing element 83 against the pushing force of the spring 86. Consequently, the path that extends from inside the chamber of 55 valve storage outside the chamber valve storage 55 opens, and communication is established between the inside of the ink chamber 100 and the outside of the body main 20 through the air intake portion 80. Entering and air coming out of the ink chamber 100 by the portion of air intake 80, the pressure inside the ink chamber 100 equals the ambient pressure.

With reference to Figure 7, the portion of ink supply 90 includes a cylindrical chamber of valve storage 54 formed on the front face 41 below of the translucent portion 140, and the storage chamber of valve 54 opens to the outside of the main body at its end 92. The valve storage chamber 54 extends in the direction of the depth of the main body 20, and is in fluid communication with the inside of the ink chamber 100 in Its other end.

The ink supply portion 90 also includes a valve mechanism to selectively open and close an ink path extending from the end 92 of the valve storage chamber 54 inside the chamber ink 100. Ink supply portion 90 includes an element valve 97, a spring 96, a sealing element 93, and a plug 95.

Cap 95 is attached to the outer edge of the end 92 of the valve storage chamber 54, inserting the sealing element 93 in between. Through plug 95 and sealing element 93 holes have formed interns When the plug 95 and the sealing element 93 are attached to the outer edge of the end 92 of the chamber of valve storage 54, through holes form a ink supply port 91, and the supply port of ink 91 communicates the inside and outside of the chamber of valve storage 54. A tube is inserted into the hole ink supply 91 when ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 276.

In the valve storage chamber 54, the spring 96 pushes or deflects valve element 97 in the direction to close the ink path, such that the element of valve 97 contact sealing element 93 and avoid communication between the inside of the ink chamber 100 and the outside of main body 20. When the tube is inserted into the ink supply hole 91, the tube pushes the element of valve 97, and the valve element 97 is separated from the element of sealed 93 against the thrust force of the spring 96, and the hole Ink supply 91 opens. Consequently, it is established communication between the inside of the ink chamber 100 and the exterior of main body 20 via the supply portion of ink 90, and the ink in the ink chamber 100 is supplied to through the tube to the recording device 250.

A recessed portion 59 has formed on the face upper 43 of the frame 50, and a recessed portion has been formed 60 on the underside 44 of the frame 50. The recessed portions 59 and 60 hook with protruding strips 210 and 211 (represented in figure 8), respectively, formed on the inner surface of the cover element 22 when the rear portion 20b of the main body 20 is covered by the cover element 22. The projecting strip 210 is mounted on the recessed portion 59, and the protruding strip 211 is mounted on the recessed portion 60, to make a fixed hitch between the rear portion 20b and the cover element 22.

With reference to figure 6, a camera of spring storage 110 is formed on the front face 41 above the valve storage chamber 55, and a chamber of spring storage 111 is formed on the front face 41 under the valve storage chamber 54. The chambers of spring storage 110 and 111 are substantially cameras cylindrical extending from the front face 41 towards a ink chamber 100, such that at least a rear portion of dock storage chambers 110 and 111, respectively, define a front face portion 41. With reference to figure 8, the coil springs 23 and 24 are placed inside the valve storage chambers 110 and 111, respectively. For example, each of the docks helicals 23 and 24 is coupled to the front face 41 in a end and is coupled to the mobile element 21 at the other end. Specifically, the coil springs 23 and 24 are coupled to the front face 41 and the mobile element 21 by direct contact between the coil springs 23 and 24 and the front face 41 and the mobile element 21, or by indirect contact between the springs helical 23 and 24 and the front face 41 and the mobile element 21, that is, with at least one other element placed between the springs helicals 23 and 24 and the front face 41 and the mobile element 21. Helical springs 23 and 24 are configured to push elastically the moving element 21 away from the front face 41 applying a pushing force to the moving element 21. In addition, with in order to firmly and uniformly push the mobile element 21, the dock storage chamber 110 and camera dock storage 111 are sufficiently separated one of another in the height direction of the main body 20, that is, are placed adjacent to opposite ends of the front face 41 in the height direction. In other words, the pier helical 23 is placed closer to the upper end of the face front 41 than to the lower end of the front face 41, and the coil spring 24 is positioned closer to the lower end from the front face 41 than to the upper end of the front face  41.

A support element 115 is formed in a front end of upper face 43 of frame 50. The support element 115 supports the mobile element 21, in such a way that the mobile element 21 slide with respect to the main body 20, and the support element 115 limits the sliding range of the mobile element 21. The mobile element 21 is supported sliding at two points on the support element 115 and a support element 116 described later. The support element 115 is integral with the frame 50. The support element 115 includes a first portion 118 that extends vertically towards above the upper face 43, a second portion 119 that is extends from an upper end of the first portion 118 in the insertion direction 30 parallel to the upper face 43, and a hook portion 120 formed at a front end of the second portion 119 and extending upward. It has to be formed an interval 122 between the second portion 119 and the upper face 43, which allows the second portion 119 to curve in the direction of height of the main body 20.

The support element 116 has substantially the same way as the support element 115, and is placed in a front end of the lower face 44 of the frame 50. The support element 116 is integral with the frame 50, and includes a first portion 124 that extends vertically downward from the lower face 44, a second portion 125 extending from one end of the first portion 124 in the direction of introduction 30 in parallel to the lower face 44, and a portion of hook 12 6 formed at a leading end of the second portion 125 and that extends down.

With reference to the figures 2 (a) -3 (b) and the figures 8-10 (b), the mobile element 21 and the cover element 22, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cover element 22 has a deposit form, and is configured to accommodate the rear portion 20b of the body main 20. The cover element 22 has a flat shape corresponding to the outer shape of the rear portion 20b. He cover element 22 includes a rear wall 212 that faces the rear face 42 of the main body 20 and covers it, a wall upper 213 facing the upper face 43 of the main body 20 and covers it, a bottom wall 214 facing the bottom face 44 of the main body 20 and covers it, a left wall 215 that look to the left side face 45 of the main body 20 and the covers, and a right wall 216 looking to the right side face 46 of the main body 20 and covers it. The walls 212-216 define a space that is configured to accommodate the rear portion 20b. In one embodiment, a portion of the upper wall 213 of the cover element 22 and a upper face portion 43 of main body 20 define a 1000 retention recess in between. In another embodiment, it can be form a retention recess in the upper face 43 of the body main 20, or it can be formed in the upper wall 213 of the cover element 22.

Outstanding strips 210 and 211 are placed on the inner surface of the cover element 22 next to the hole of the cover element 22. The strips overhangs 210 and 211 are in positions corresponding to the recessed portions 59 and 60. The projecting strip 210 is mounted in the recessed portion 59 formed in the upper face 43 of the body main 20, and the protruding strip 211 is mounted on the recessed portion 60 formed on the lower face 44 of the body main 20. Consequently, the main body 20 and the cover element 22 are fixedly engaged.

The mobile element 21 has a form of tank, and is configured to accommodate the front portion 20a of the main body 20. The mobile element 21 has a flat shape corresponding to the outer shape of the front portion 20a. He moving element 21 includes a front wall 161 that faces the face front 41 of the main body 20, an upper wall 163 that covers the upper face 43 of the main body 20, a wall lower 164 covering the lower face 44 of the main body 20, a left wall 165 covering the left side face 45 of the main body 20, and a right wall 166 covering the face right side 46 of the main body 20. The walls 163-166 define a space that is configured to accommodate the front portion 20a.

The left wall 165 and the right wall 166 are extend from the front wall 161 in the direction of the main body depth 20 and cover the side face left 45 and the right side face 46 of the main body 20. Therefore, when the mobile element 21 slides, the wall left 165 and right wall 166 act as surfaces of guide for the left side face 45 and the right side face 46, such that the mobile element 21 slides smoothly.

In an embodiment of the present invention, at minus a portion of the mobile element 21 has substantially the same color as the ink color stored in the ink chamber 100, such that the mobile element 21 easily indicates the user ink color.

The mobile element 21 includes a device for signal lock 185, a signal lock device 186, a notch 187 formed therethrough, support bars 168 and 169, grooves of sliding 171 and 172, a pressure portion 174, and a 180 hole formed through it.

With reference to the figures 2 (a) -3 (b), notch 187 has formed in a center of the front wall 161, and the notch 187 is configured to expose translucent portion 140 outdoors when the mobile element 21 is in the second position, so that at least a portion of the translucent portion 140 extends through the notch 187 when the mobile element 21 is in the second position. For example, notch 187 has been formed by removing rectangular portions of the front wall 161 and the walls lateral 165 and 166, which face the front wall 140a and the side walls 140b of translucent portion 140. Notch 187 extends from the front wall 161 back in the direction Introduction 30. When the ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 276 (shown in the figure 12), a photo transmitter element and a photoreceptor element of a sensor Optical 230 (depicted in Figure 12) wall notch 187. Therefore, the light emitted by the light emitting element passes to through notch 187, and side wall 140b of the portion translucent 140 is irradiated with light.

The signal blocking device 185 includes a signal blocking portion 189 protruding from the wall front 161 in the direction of introduction 30. The portion of signal lock 189 is bridged over notch 187 in the vertical direction on the front wall 161. The locking portion of signal 189 has a sheet shape, and a space has been formed 190 behind the signal blocking portion 189. The ends of the signal blocking portion 189 in the width direction and the notch 187 form rectangular holes in the walls lateral 165 and 166, respectively.

With reference to Figure 12, the portion of signal lock 189 is configured to enter a path optical 231 of optical sensor 230 arranged in the mounting portion of cartridge 276 during assembly of ink cartridge 10 in the cartridge mounting portion 276. The signal blocking portion 189 has been formed of a resin material that does not let light through through it or alter the path of light that advances through it. For example, the signal blocking portion 189 may be formed of a resin material including a black pigment. Alternatively, the signal blocking portion 189 may be a prism formed of a transparent resin material. He signal blocking device 186 is configured to enter an optical path 236 of an optical sensor 235 arranged in the cartridge mounting portion 276 during cartridge mounting of ink 10 in the cartridge mounting portion 276. The device signal blocking 186 has been formed of a resin material that does not let light through it or alter the path of light that It passes through. With reference to the figures 2 (a) -3 (b), the locking device Signal 186 is placed at or next to a distal end of the wall upper 163, and signal blocking device 186 protrudes from the front wall 161 moving away from the front wall 161. The signal blocking device 186 includes a blocking portion of signal 191, for example, a ribbed portion, and a pair of slots 192 on opposite sides of the locking portion of signal 191. The signal blocking portion 191 is inserted in the optical path 236 of optical sensor 235. The blocking portion of signal 191, the signal blocking portion 189, and the portion of ink supply 90 intersect a foreground, for example a plane that is parallel with arrow 32 and arrow 33 of the Figures 2 (a) -2 (d), and the portion of signal lock 189 and signal lock portion 72 intersect a second plane that is perpendicular to the foreground, for example, a plane that is parallel with arrow 31 and arrow 33 of the Figures 2 (a) -2 (d), when stored a sufficient amount of ink in the ink chamber 100 and the signal blocking portion 72 is placed in the interior space 142. With this configuration you can easily carry out a procedure described below to determine the type of ink cartridge.

The protruding portion 181 is placed in or next to a lower end of the front wall 161, and protrudes moving away from the front wall 161. Distal ends of the protruding portion 181 and signal blocking device 186 contact the inner wall surface of the mounting portion of cartridge 276 when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 276.

The support bar 168 is configured to support the coil spring 23, and the support bar 169 is configured to support the coil spring 24. The bars of support 168 and 169 are placed on a wall surface front 161 facing the front face 41 of the main body 20. The support bar 168 is in a position corresponding to the spring storage chamber 110, and the support bar 169 is in a position corresponding to the chamber of dock storage 111.

With reference to figures 10 (a) and 10 (b), support bars 168 and 169 extend from the front wall surface 161 in the direction of the depth of the main body 20. When the front portion 20a of the main body 20 is inserted in the mobile element 21 in a state where the coil spring 23 is stored in the spring storage chamber 110 and coil spring 24 is stored in the dock storage chamber 111, the support bar 168 is inserted into the coil spring 23 and the support bar 169 is inserted into the coil spring 24. Consequently, helical springs 23 and 24 are supported by support bars 168 and 169, respectively. The direction of expansion and contraction of the coil springs 23 and 24 are limited to the direction of the main body depth twenty.

The coil springs 23 and 24 are springs compression helical, that is, helical springs 23 and 24 are compressed and stored in the storage chambers of spring 110 and 111 when the front portion 20a is introduced into the moving element 21. Therefore, the coil springs 23 and 24 they push the mobile element 21 in the direction away from the front face 41 of the main body 20 independent of the position of the mobile element 21.

With reference to figures 2 (a) and 2 (b), the sliding groove 171 has been formed in the upper wall 163, and a cross-sectional shape of the groove Sliding 171 is substantially an inverted U shape. With reference to Figure 10 (a), the support element 115 it is inserted in the sliding groove 171, and a strip overhang 182 extends from a lower surface of the upper wall 163 into the sliding groove 171. Therefore, the sliding groove 171 narrows in part by protruding strip 182. Sliding groove 172 it has been formed in the bottom wall 164, and a sectional shape Transversal of the sliding groove 172 is substantially a  U shape. As depicted in Figure 10 (b), the support element 116 is inserted into the sliding groove 172, and an overhanging strip 183 extends from a surface top of the bottom wall 164 into the groove of slip 172. Therefore, slide groove 172 is narrowed partly by the protruding strip 183.

During the introduction of the front portion 20a of the main body 20 into the movable element 21, the support element 115 is inserted into the sliding groove 171, and the support element 116 is inserted into the sliding groove 172. When the element of support 115 is inserted into the sliding groove 171, the protruding strip 182 and the hook portion 120 contact each other. Then, when the support element 115 is further inserted, the support element 115 bends towards the interval 122, and the hook portion 120 rises on the projecting strip 182 while a bevel 182a of the projecting strip 182 and a bevel 120a of the hook portion 120 slide over each other. When the hook portion 120 has risen by the protruding strip 182 once, the movable element 21 and the main body 20 are not disassembled because the hook portion 120 is received by the protruding strip 182 when attempting
the disassembly The support member 116 is also inserted into the sliding groove 172 in the same manner.

When the front portion 20a is inserted into the mobile element 21, mobile element 21 is removed from the face front 41 by helical springs 23 and 24. Therefore, to unless an external force is applied to the mobile element 21, the mobile element 21 remains in the first position (represented in Figures 2 (b) and 9) corresponding to the distance of the moving element 21 furthest from the front face 41 of the body main 20. Mobile element 21 remains in the first position by the contact between the protruding strip 182 and the portion of hook 120 and the contact between the projecting strip 183 and the hook portion 126. On the other hand, when a force is applied external to the front face of the mobile element 21, the mobile element  21 slides from the first position to the second position (represented in figures 2 (a) and 8) in correspondence with the distance of the mobile element 21 closest to the face front 41 of the main body 20.

With reference to figures 8 and 9, the portion Pressure 174 is placed on the surface of the front wall 161 facing the front face 41 of the main body 20. The portion Pressure 174 is in a position corresponding to rod 84 of the air intake portion 80. The pressure portion 174 is separates from a distal end of the rod 84 when the element mobile 21 is in the first position, and the pressure portion 174 comes into contact with the distal end of the rod 84 while the moving element 21 slides from the first position to the second position. Then, when the mobile element 21 slides more towards the second position, the rod 84 is pushed into the chamber of ink 100 to open the air communication hole 81.

The hole 180 has been formed through the front wall 161 in a position adjacent to a lower end of the front wall 161, and has been formed in a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 90. The diameter of the hole 180 is larger than the diameter of the cap 95 of the ink supply portion 90, such that the cap 95 is inserted into and through the hole 180. When the movable element 21 is in the first position, the entire supply portion of ink 90 is within the mobile element 21, so that the entire ink supply portion 90 is lowered from the hole 180. When the mobile element 21 moves from the first position to the second position, at least a portion of the portion of ink supply 90 travels and then passes through the hole 180 protruding from the front wall 161. With reference to figures 2 (a), 2 (b), 3 (a), and 3 (b),
In one embodiment of the present invention, the air intake portion 80 is covered by the front wall 161, such that the air intake portion 80 is not exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 10. In this embodiment, holes relatively small air (not numbered, but represented in figures 2 (a) and 2 (b))
they are formed in the front wall 161 to be able to suck air into the air intake portion 80. However, with reference to Figures 2 (c), 2 (d), 3 (c), and 3 (d), a hole 180 'can be formed through the front wall 161 next to and aligned with the intake portion 80. In this embodiment, when the movable element 21 is in the first position, the entire air intake portion 80 is placed inside the mobile element 21, so that the entire air intake portion 80 is lowered from the hole 180. When the mobile element 21 moves from the first position to the second position, the air intake portion remains completely within the mobile element 21 , however, the air intake portion is closer to the hole 180 '. In this embodiment, air is drawn into the ink chamber 100 when a component of the printer contacts and applies a force to the rod 84 of the air intake portion 80 through the hole 180 '.

With reference to figures 11 (a) and 11 (b), in an embodiment of the present invention, the ink cartridge 10 can be replaced by the ink cartridge 10 '. Specifically, in 10 'ink cartridge, the device Signal lock 185 is replaced by a blocking device signal 195 that has a different form of the locking device of signal 185. The signal blocking device 195 includes a Signal lock portion 199 protruding from the front wall 161. The signal blocking portion 199 is bridged over the notch 187 in the vertical direction on the front wall 161. The Signal lock portion 199 includes a front wall and a pair of side walls 198 at both ends in the direction of the width. Side walls 198 extend from the wall front of the signal lock portion 199 to the wall front 161 of the movable element 21. The side walls 198 and the notches 187 form rectangular holes in the side walls 165 and 166. The signal blocking portion 199 is configured to enter the optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230 arranged in the cartridge mounting portion 276 during assembly of the ink cartridge 10 in the cartridge mounting portion 276. The signal blocking portion 199 has been formed of a material of resin that does not let light through or alter the path of light passing through it. The signal blocking portion 191, the signal block 199, and ink supply portion 90 intersect a foreground, for example a plane that is parallel with arrow 32 and arrow 33 of the figures 2 (a) -2 (d), and the blocking portion of signal 199 and signal blocking portion 72 intersect a second plane that is perpendicular to the foreground for example a plane that is parallel with arrow 31 and arrow 33 of the figures 2 (a) -2 (d), when a sufficient amount of ink in the ink chamber 100 and the portion of signal lock 72 is placed in the interior space 142. With this configuration is easily carried out a procedure described below to determine the type of the cartridge ink.

With reference to figure 12, according to a embodiment of the present invention, the mounting portion of cartridge 276 includes a plurality, for example, four, boxes 280 corresponding to different colors, for example, cyan, magenta, yellow and black, arranged in parallel in the wide direction. Each box 280 includes a box body 281 and a lever lock 283. The case body 281 includes a camera of storage 282 configured to selectively store the 10 and 10 'ink cartridge, and a hole 284 has formed through from the front side of the case body 281. The case 280 is configured to mount and remove ink cartridge 10 and 10 'of the case body 281 through the hole 284.

The optical sensor 230 and the optical sensor 235 are placed on the closed end side of the storage chamber 282. The optical sensor 230 is placed on a wall surface 286 that forms the closed end of the storage chamber 282. The sensor Optical 230 is configured (a) to detect the type of ink cartridge 10 and 10 'mounted in the case 280; and (b) to detect if the amount of ink in the ink cartridge 10 and 10 'is less than or equal to a predetermined amount of ink, for example, an amount of ink sufficient to produce an image on a recording medium. For example, optical sensor 230 includes a photo switch including a photo transmitter element and a photoreceptor element. The optical sensor 230 is coupled to the main controller 200, and the electrical signals output from the photoreceptor element are supplied to the main controller 200. The optical path 231 has been formed between the photoelectric element and the photoreceptor element of the optical sensor 230. The type of the cartridge of ink is determined in the output signal, which corresponds to the intensity of the light received, of the optical sensor 230 when the
signal blocking device 185 or signal blocking device 195 is inserted in optical path 231.

The optical sensor 235 is placed on the side inside a wall surface 287 that forms the top of the box body 281. The optical sensor 235 is configured to detect if the signal blocking portion 191 of the device Signal lock 186 is present in a predetermined position, in such a way that it is determined whether the ink cartridge 10 and 10 ' It is mounted. For example, optical sensor 235 includes a photo switch including a photo transmitter element and an element photoreceptor The optical sensor 235 is coupled to the controller main 200, and the electrical signals output from the element Photoreceptor are supplied to main controller 200. When the light is blocked by the signal blocking portion 191 in the optical path 236 of the optical sensor 235, the intensity of light received by the photoreceptor element is reduced in a way substantially instantaneous

A connection portion 285 is placed in the lower portion of wall surface 286 and is configured to connect to the ink supply port 91. The portion of connection 285 protrudes from the wall surface 286 towards the inside the storage chamber 282. A through hole 288 through connection portion 285, and it has inserted an ink tube 278 into the through hole 288. The through hole 288 has been formed in a position corresponding to the ink supply port 91. A tube is disposed in the inner side of the connection portion 285, and when the cartridge of ink 10 is mounted in box 280, the tube is inserted into the ink supply hole 91, such that the hole ink supply 91 and connection portion 285 are connected to each other.

A contact portion 240 is placed in the upper portion of the wall surface 286, and a portion of contact 241 is placed in the lower portion of the surface 286. When the ink cartridge 10 is inserted in the box 280, the contact portion 240 contacts the distal end of the signal blocking device 186, and contact portion 241 contact the distal end of the protruding portion 181.

Locking lever 283 is configured to selectively open and close hole 284, and to fix reliably the ink cartridge 10 and 10 'in the chamber of storage 282. Lock lever 283 is supported on a end, so that it can rotate around an axis 290 in the upper edge of hole 284. Locking lever 283 includes an operative portion 293 and a jaw 294. The operative portion 293 is placed on an outer surface 297 of the lever lock 283 next to the other end of the lock lever, and the jaw 294 is placed on the other end of the lever lock 283. A groove 299 has been formed at the bottom edge of the hole 284, and is configured to engage jaw 294.

With reference to figures 2 (a), 2 (b), 8, and 13-15, a process for illustrating mount or insert ink cartridge 10 in box 280. When insert the ink cartridge 10 into the storage chamber 282  of box 280, the signal blocking portion 189 of the device Signal lock 185 first enters the path optical 231 of optical sensor 230. Then, when the cartridge ink 10 is introduced more into the storage chamber 282, the signal blocking portion 191 of the signal blocking device 186 enters optical path 236 of optical sensor 235. When signal blocking portion 191 enters the optical path 236, the signal blocking portion 189 has passed through the optical path 231 of optical sensor 230, and the light emitted by the photo transmitter element passes through space 190 behind the signal blocking portion 189.

When the ink cartridge 10 is inserted into the closed end of the storage chamber 282, the end distal of the signal blocking device 186 contact the portion of contact 240, and the distal end of the protruding portion 181 contact the contact portion 241. Then, the notch 187 is You have entered optical path 231.

When lock lever 283 has been turned on the direction to close the hole 284, an inner surface 296 of the lock lever 283 contacts the rear wall of the element cover 22 and pushes the ink cartridge 10 in the direction of introduction. Then, the coil springs 23 and 24 are compress. Accordingly, the main body 20 moves in the address of introduction in a state in which the mobile element 21 is stationary and the main body 20 moves towards the mobile element 21.

When the main body 20 moves more in the direction of introduction, the ink supply port 91 is connected to connection portion 285, and the portion translucent 140 enters notch 187 and optical path 231 of the optical sensor 230.

When lock lever 283 is completely closed, and the jaw 294 engages with the slot 299, lock lever 283 is locked with respect to hole 284, and the hole 284 is closed by the locking lever 283. Then, the main body 20 of the ink cartridge 10 receives a thrust force of the coil springs 23 and 24, and the wall rear of the cover element 22 is pushed against the inner surface 296 of the locking lever 283.

With reference to figure 16, the controller main 200 controls the operation of the recording apparatus 250. The main controller 200 is a microcomputer including a unit central processing unit (CPU) 201, a read memory only (ROM) 202, a random access memory (RAM) 203, a memory of electrically erasable programmable read only (EEPROM) 204, and an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) 205.

ROM 202 saves a program used by the CPU 201 to control the respective operations of the record 250, and a program to discriminate the type of cartridge from 10 and 10 'ink. RAM 203 is a storage area or zone working to temporarily store the respective data used  by CPU 201 to execute the programs. EEPROM 204 saves parameters, signaling devices, or the like to retain, even after Cut the feed.

With reference to figures 1 and 16, the plate head control 270, optical sensor 230, and optical sensor 235 are coupled to ASIC 205. A drive circuit (not represented) to move the respective rollers of the apparatus of paper feed 252 and transfer apparatus 253, a input unit to enter a print instruction or analogs in the recording apparatus 250, and a device of visualization to present information related to the device record 250, are also connected to ASIC 205.

The head control board 270 controls the recording head 272 based on the signals, for example, the control signal and image signal, supplied from the ASIC 205. Accordingly, the ink is selectively discharged into a default time of the nozzle 274 of the registration head 272

Optical sensor 230 sends sensor signals in based on the intensity of light received by the photoreceptor element. For example, electrical analog signals, such as signals from voltage or current signals, leave the optical sensor 230 on the basis at the intensity of light received by the photoreceptor element. The Sensor signal Optical sensor output 230 is supplied to the main controller 200, and main controller 200 determines that the sensor signal is a high level signal when the level electrical, for example, the voltage value or the value of current, of the sensor signal is greater than or equal to a threshold value predetermined, and determines that the sensor signal is a signal of low level when the electrical level is lower than the threshold value. For example, it is determined that the sensor signal is a signal of low level when optical path 231 of optical sensor 230 is blocked, and that the sensor signal is a high level signal when optical path 231 is not blocked. The intensity of the light received by the photoreceptor element may be zero when the light emitted by the light emitting element is blocked or the Light path is altered.

Optical sensor 235 works substantially from the same way as optical sensor 230, and sends sensor signals based on the intensity of light received by the element photoreceptor

With reference to figures 17 (a) and 17 (b) exemplary time profiles of the signal levels of the sensor signals outputs of the optical sensor 230 and optical sensor 235 during ink cartridge assembly 10, and with reference to Figures 17 (c) and 17 (c), illustrate exemplary time profiles of the signal levels of the sensor signals outputs of the optical sensor 230 and the sensor optical 235 during the assembly of the ink cartridge 10 '.

As depicted in figures 17 (a) and 17 (c), the time profile of the signal level of the signal of sensor output of optical sensor 235 when ink cartridge 10 It is mounted in box 280, it is the same as the time profile of the signal level of the sensor signal optical sensor output 235 when the ink cartridge 10 'is mounted in the box 280. Specifically, when the signal blocking portion 191 enters the optical path 236 of the optical sensor 235 and blocks or alters the light path, the signal level changes from high to low in the T1 time. In the main controller 200, this change in the level of High to low signal is used as a trigger signal in a process to determine the type of ink cartridge.

With reference to Figure 17 (b), when the ink cartridge 10 is mounted in the box 280, the portion of signal block 189 enters optical path 231 and blocks or alter the light path in a time T0. At this time, the sensor signal signal level optical sensor output 230 change from HIGH to LOW. Since the signal blocking portion 189 it is a flat plate, the duration in which the light is blocked or Alters its path is relatively short. The blocking portion of signal 189 passes through optical path 231 and space 190 enters the optical path after time T0 and before T1 time. Therefore, at time T1, the signal level of the Optical sensor 230 has been reset from LOW to HIGH.

Subsequently, when the ink cartridge 10 is introduced further, the notch 187 enters the optical path 231, and when the ink cartridge 10 is completely mounted in the box 280, the translucent portion 140 enters the optical path 231 by notch 187 between a time T2 and a time T3. In this status, the position of the signal blocking portion 72 is detected In Figure 17 (b), the signal level when the signal blocking portion 72 is in optical path 231 is represents with a continuous line (LOW level), and the signal level when the signal blocking portion 72 is out of travel optical 231 is represented by a dashed line (level TALL).

With reference to Figure 17 (d), when the ink cartridge 10 'is mounted in the box 280, the portion of signal blocking 199 also enters optical path 231 to block the light or alter the light path in time T0. Then, the signal level of the sensor signal sensor output Optical 230 changes from HIGH to LOW. Since the blocking portion of signal 199 has side walls 198, the duration during that the light is blocked or altered by the blocking portion of signal 199 is greater than the duration for which the light is blocked or altered by the signal blocking portion 189. Specifically, at time T1, side walls 198 still they are in optical path 231. Therefore, at time T1, the sensor signal signal level optical sensor output 230 se keeps in the LOW state.

Subsequently, when the ink cartridge 10 ' more is introduced, at time T2, the side walls 198 pass through optical path 231, and notch 187 enters the optical path 231. Then, the signal level of the optical sensor 230 is reset from LOW to HIGH. So when the cartridge 10 'ink is completely assembled in box 280, the portion translucent 140 enters optical path 231 by notch 187 at a time between time T2 and time T3. In this state, the position of the signal blocking portion 72 may be detected In Figure 17 (d), the signal level when the signal blocking portion 72 is in optical path 231 is represents with a continuous line (LOW level), and the signal level when the signal blocking portion 72 is out of travel optical 231 is represented by a dashed line (level TALL).

The ink cartridge type is determined by the main controller 200 based on the time profiles of the optical sensor 230 and optical sensor 235.

With reference to figure 18, a procedure to determine if the mounted ink cartridge is the ink cartridge 10 or ink cartridge 10 '. In step S1, the main controller 200 determines if the blocking portion of signal 189 or 199 has entered the optical path 231 of the sensor optical 230, for example, it is determined whether the signal level of the sensor signal 230 optical sensor output has changed from HIGH to LOW. When the main controller 200 determines that the portion signal blocking 189 or 199 has entered the optical path 231, step S2 is carried out. Step S2 is not carried out until that the main controller 200 determines that the portion of signal block 189 or 199 has entered the optical path 231.

In step S2, the main controller 200 determines if the signal blocking portion 191 has entered the optical path 236, for example, determines whether the signal level of optical sensor 235 has changed from HIGH to LOW, which corresponds to a detection of a trigger signal. When the trigger signal is detected in step S2, in step S3, the main controller 200 determines whether the signal level of the sensor signal output from the optical sensor 230 at time T1 when the trigger signal is detected, it is HIGH or LOW. For example, when the signal level in the time T1 is HIGH, the main controller 200 determines that the ink cartridge 10 has been introduced in box 280, and when the Signal level at time T1 is LOW, the main controller determines that the ink cartridge 10 'has been inserted in the box 280.

When it is determined that the signal level of the Sensor signal Optical sensor output 230 is HIGH in step S3, a bit flag indicating that the ink cartridge installed corresponds to ink cartridge 10 is put in a register, by example, a record of CPU 201 in step S4. If a flag bit indicating that the ink cartridge installed corresponds to the 10 'ink cartridge has been previously set, the bit flag indicating that the ink cartridge installed corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 ', and the signal indicator is set bits indicating that the ink cartridge installed corresponds to the ink cartridge 10. On the other hand, when it is determined that the sensor signal signal level optical sensor output 230 is LOW, the bit flag indicating that the ink cartridge installed corresponds to the ink cartridge 10 'is put in the registration in step S5. If the bit flag indicates that the ink cartridge installed corresponds to ink cartridge 10 se previously set, the bit flag indicating is deleted that the ink cartridge installed corresponds to the ink cartridge 10, and the bit flag indicating that the cartridge of Installed ink corresponds to the 10 'ink cartridge. If he bit flag is set, the recording device 250 or a information processing apparatus for example a computer personnel connected to the recording device 250, visualize which of the 10 and 10 'ink cartridges are inserted, based on the signaling device

If the signal level of the optical sensor 235 changes from LOW to HIGH, the determination process can start from new. In addition, the determination process can be executed when the lock lever 283 opens, and the process of determination can be concluded when lock lever 283 is close

The ink cartridge type 10 and 10 'is determined based on the signal level of the output sensor signal of optical sensor 230 at time T1 when the trigger signal is detected Therefore, the ink cartridge configuration 10 and 10 'allows the recording apparatus 250 to determine exactly the ink cartridge type 10 or 10 'regardless of the speed with which the user assembles the ink cartridge 10 or 10 'in the printer and regardless of whether the user starts to insert the ink cartridge into the printer and then take out partially the ink cartridge before finishing inserting completely the ink cartridge in the printer.

The process described above is configured to distinguish between the two types of ink cartridges 10 and 10 '; however, three or more types of cartridge can be discriminated ink. In addition, an ink cartridge containing black ink and an ink cartridge containing color ink other than black ink, and you can also discriminate a ink cartridge containing pigment ink and a cartridge Ink containing dye ink.

With reference to figure 19, a packaging arrangement 230, according to an embodiment of the present invention Packaging device 230 includes a ink cartridge, for example, ink cartridge 10 (or 10 '), and a packaging element 231. The ink cartridge 10 is housed in inside the packaging element 231. The ink cartridge 10 is sent and sold in the packaging device 230.

The inside of the ink chamber 100 is depressurized at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, by for example, by a vacuum pump to reduce the amount of air dissolved in the ink in the ink chamber 100. The inside of the packaging element 231 is also depressurized at a pressure less than atmospheric pressure, for example, by a pump vacuum to prevent air from entering the ink chamber 100 through of the films covering the lateral faces 45 and 46.

Packaging element 231 is proof of liquid, but it has some gas permeability. For the therefore, air can enter the interior of the packaging element 231 when the packaging device 230 is left unused for a prolonged period of time. However, if there is a space depressurized inside the packaging element 231, the inside the packaging element 231 is kept in a state stable depressurized for a prolonged period of time.

Packaging device 230 is manufactured as follows. The ink cartridge 10 is housed inside the packaging element 231 in a state in which the movable element 21 is held in the first (extended) position shown in Figure 2 (b). While maintaining this state, the pressure inside the packaging element 231 is reduced to a pressure that is less than the atmospheric pressure, and the packaging element 231 is sealed. Since the ink cartridge 10 is housed in the packaging element 231 in this manner, the depressurized space of a predetermined capacity is formed between the front face 41 of the main body 20 and the front wall 161 of the movable element 21 inside the packaging element 231. Therefore, the interior of packaging element 231 is maintained as the depressurized state for a prolonged period of time.
Gado.

However, if the interior of the element of 231 packaging is depressurized too much, the pressure difference between the atmospheric pressure and the pressure inside the packaging element 231 can be so large that a force relatively large act on the ink cartridge 10. In this case, if the depressurized space is formed between the front face 41 of the main body 20 and the front wall 161 of the movable element 21, the movable element 21 can be deformed inward and cannot Retrieve the original form. Therefore, in another embodiment of the present invention, the ink cartridge 10 'can be housed in the packaging element 231 in a state in which the element mobile 21 remains in the second position (withdrawal) represented in figure 2 (c). When the mobile element 21 is in the second position, the depressurized space between the front face 41 of the main body 20 and the front wall 161 of the element mobile 21 is relatively small, and therefore, it can be avoided deformation of the mobile element 21. The size of the device 230 packaging is also reduced. Since the space depressurized still exists even if it is relatively small, the inside the packaging element 231 is kept in a state Depressurized stable for a reasonable period of time.

With reference to figures 20 and 21, it is illustrated a cartridge mounting portion 1276, according to another embodiment of The present invention. The 1276 cartridge mounting portion includes a lock lever 1283 instead of the lever lock 283 of the cartridge mounting portion 276. The lever lock 283 includes a first portion 1291, a second portion 1292, and a pivot portion 1290 between the first portion 1291 and the second portion 1292. The pivot portion 1290 is supported on the upper portion of the box 280 next to the hole 284 in such a way that the lock lever 1283 pivots around the portion of pivot 1290. The first portion 1291 extends from the portion of pivot out of the box 280, and the second portion 1292 is extends from pivot portion 1290 to the chamber of storage 282. First portion 1291 is placed on top of the second portion 1292 because the weight of the first portion 1291 is less than the weight of the second portion 1292. As depicted in Figure 20, when the ink cartridge 10 is installed in the cartridge mounting portion 1276, a portion of the second portion 1292 contacts a portion of retention recess 1000. The main body 20 of the ink cartridge 10 receives the force of thrust of the coil springs 23 and 24 towards the hole 284. No However, since the portion of the second portion 1292 contacts the retention recess portion 1000 to retain the body main 20 in box 280 against the pushing force of the coil springs 23 and 24, ink cartridge 10 remains in the box 280.

When the user tries to remove the cartridge from ink 10 of the cartridge mounting portion 1276, the user apply a force down to an end portion of the first portion 1291. The lock lever 1283 then pivots around of the pivot portion 1290, as depicted in Figure 21, and the second portion 1292 moves up and separates from the 1000 retention recess. Consequently, the coil springs 23 and 24 expand, and the ink cartridge 10 is ejected partially from the cartridge mounting portion 1276. The user then grab the back portion of the ink cartridge 10 and take out the ink cartridge 10 of the cartridge mounting portion 1276. Thus, the ink cartridge is easily removed from the portion of 1276 cartridge assembly. Also, since the ink cartridge 10 not configured to retain the mobile element 21 in the second position by itself, the mobile element 21 moves freely from the second position to the first position when the second portion 1292 separates from retention recess 1000, and therefore the cartridge of ink 10 is partially ejected from the mounting portion of 1276 cartridge.

With reference to figures 22 (a) and 22 (b), a distance D1 between the center lines of the signal blocking portion 191 and the signal blocking portion 189 of the ink cartridge 10 or between the signal blocking portion 191 and the signal blocking portion 199 of the ink cartridge 10 ' in the height direction as indicated by arrow 32 is 32 millimeters to 35 millimeters. A distance D2 between one end front of the signal blocking portion 191 and one end front of the signal blocking portion 189 of the cartridge ink 10 or between a leading end of the blocking portion of signal 191 and a leading end of the signal blocking portion 199 of the 10 'ink cartridge in the depth direction as Indicates arrow 33 is -4.7 millimeters to 7.6 millimeters. In others terms, the front end of the signal blocking portion 191 stands 7.6 millimeters or less forward of the end front of the signal blocking portion 189 or 199 in the depth direction, or the front end of the portion of 191 signal lock is placed 4.7 millimeters or less back from the front end of the signal blocking portion 189 or 199 in the direction of depth.

Although the invention has been described in connection with exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that other variations and modifications of the exemplary embodiments described above without departing from Scope of the claimed invention. It is planned that the memory descriptive and the examples described are considered simply copies of the invention, indicating the true scope of the invention by the following claims.

It is to be understood that the term "blocking of signal "in the sense that it is used here is intended to include no only reducing the signal strength to zero, but also at a reduced level sufficiently lower so that the Signal blocking portion be detected. In this regard, although it is preferable to prevent the 100% intensity signal from passing through of the signal blocking portion, a reduced intensity and intensity drop detected.

Claims (7)

1. An ink cartridge (10, 10 '), including: a front wall (161); a first signal blocking portion (191) protruding from the front wall (161); a second signal blocking portion (189, 199) protruding from the front wall (161) in a direction of insertion (30) of the ink cartridge (10) into an apparatus of registration (250); Y a third signal blocking portion (72), where the first signal blocking portion (191) is configured to prevent a first signal from the recording device (250) from passing through it or to alter a path of the first signal when the first signal blocking portion (191) receives the first signal, the second signal blocking portion (189, 199) is configured to prevent a second device signal record (250) pass through or alter a tour of the second signal when the second signal blocking portion (189, 199) receive the second signal, and the third signal blocking portion (72) is configured to prevent the second signal from passing through it or to alter a path of the second signal when the third Signal blocking portion (72) receives the second signal. 2. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of the claim 1, wherein the third signal blocking portion (72) is configured to move with respect to each of the first signal blocking portion (191) and the second blocking portion signal (189, 199). 3. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of the claim 2, further including a box (20) in which defines at least a portion of an ink chamber (100), where the ink chamber (100) is configured to store ink, and the third signal blocking portion (72) is placed inside the box (20) and is configured to move based on a quantity of ink in the ink chamber (100). 4. The ink cartridge (10, 10 ') of the claim 43, further including: a box (20) in which at least one is defined portion of an ink chamber (100), where the ink chamber (100) is configured to store ink, and the third signal blocking portion (72) is place inside the box (20); a mobile element (21) configured to move in relation to the box (20), where the mobile element (21) includes the first signal blocking portion (191) and the second portion of signal blocking (189, 199); Y at least one elastic element (23, 24) that has a first end that is coupled to the box (20) and a second end that is coupled to the mobile element (21). 5. A set of ink cartridges (10, 10 '), including first and second ink cartridges (10, 10 ') according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein: the second signal blocking portion (199) of the first ink cartridge (10 ') has a thickness configured to prevent the second signal from passing through or alter the path of the second signal at a time when the first portion of signal blocking (191) initially prevents the first signal from passing through or alters the path of the first signal; Y the second signal blocking portion (189) of the second ink cartridge (10) has a thickness set to not prevent the second signal from passing through or alter the path of the second signal at the time when the first portion of signal blocking (191) initially prevents the first signal from passing through or alter the path of the first signal. 6. A cartridge determination system ink, including the ink cartridge (10, 10 ') according to any of claims 14 or the ink cartridge assembly (10, 10 ') according to claim 5; and including the recording device (250): a cartridge mounting portion (276) configured to mount the ink cartridge (10, 10 '); a first sensor (235) disposed in the portion cartridge assembly (276) and including a first emitter element signal configured to emit the first signal and a first signal receiving element configured to receive the first signal, where the first signal blocking portion (191) is configured to prevent the first signal from passing through or to alter the path of the first signal at least during the ink cartridge assembly (10, 10 ') in the mounting portion of cartridge (276), where an intensity of the first signal received by the first signal receiving element when the first signal pass through the first blocking portion of signal (191) or the path of the first signal is altered by the first portion of signal blocking (191), is different from a intensity of the first signal received by the first element signal receiver when the first signal is not prevented from passing to through the first signal blocking portion (191) or the travel of the first signal is not altered by the first portion  signal blocking (191); a second sensor (230) disposed in the portion cartridge assembly (276) and including a second emitter element signal configured to emit the second and a second signal signal receiving element configured to receive the second signal, where the second signal blocking portion (189, 199) is configured to prevent the second signal from passing through it or to alter the path of the second signal during assembly of the ink cartridge (10, 10 ') in the cartridge mounting portion (276), and the third signal blocking portion (72) is configured to prevent the second signal from passing through or to alter the path of the second signal when the assembly is finished of the ink cartridge (10, 10 ') in the mounting portion of cartridge (276), where the intensity of the second signal received by the second signal receiving element when the second signal pass through the second blocking portion of signal (189, 199) or the third signal blocking portion (72) or the travel of the second signal is altered by the second portion of signal blocking (189, 199) or the third portion of signal blocking (72) is different from an intensity of the second signal received by the second signal receiving element when the second signal pass through the second blocking portion of signal (189, 199) or the third signal blocking portion (72) or the travel of the second signal is not altered by the second portion signal blocking (189, 199) or the third blocking portion of signal (72); and a determiner configured to determine information associated with the ink cartridge (10, 10 ') based on the intensity of the second signal received by the second element signal receiver at a time when the intensity of the first signal received by the first signal receiving element changes initially during the assembly of the ink cartridge (10, 10 ') in the cartridge mounting portion (276). 7. The cartridge determination system ink (10, 10 ') according to claim 6, wherein the determiner it is also configured to determine an amount of ink in the ink chamber (100) based on the intensity of the second signal received by the second signal receiving element when it has been completed the ink cartridge assembly (10, 10 ') in the portion cartridge assembly (276).