WO2019186858A1 - Cartouche de liquide, système utilisant la cartouche de liquide et procédé de fixation de la cartouche de liquide - Google Patents

Cartouche de liquide, système utilisant la cartouche de liquide et procédé de fixation de la cartouche de liquide Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019186858A1
WO2019186858A1 PCT/JP2018/013097 JP2018013097W WO2019186858A1 WO 2019186858 A1 WO2019186858 A1 WO 2019186858A1 JP 2018013097 W JP2018013097 W JP 2018013097W WO 2019186858 A1 WO2019186858 A1 WO 2019186858A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cartridge
liquid
attachment section
insertion direction
protruding portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status 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 status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/JP2018/013097
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Hiroaki Takahashi
Takahiro MIYAO
Akihito Ono
Tetsuro Kobayashi
Fumio Nakazawa
Kosuke Nukui
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Brother Industries Ltd
Original Assignee
Brother Industries Ltd
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
Application filed by Brother Industries Ltd filed Critical Brother Industries Ltd
Priority to PCT/JP2018/013097 priority Critical patent/WO2019186858A1/fr
Publication of WO2019186858A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019186858A1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B41J2/17506—Refilling of the cartridge
    • B41J2/17509—Whilst mounted in the printer
    • 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
    • B41J2/17513—Inner 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
    • 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
    • B41J2/17523—Ink connection
    • 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
    • B41J2/17526—Electrical contacts to the cartridge
    • B41J2/1753—Details of contacts on the cartridge, e.g. protection of contacts
    • 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
    • B41J2/17543—Cartridge presence detection or type identification
    • B41J2/17546—Cartridge presence detection or type identification electronically
    • 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
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
    • 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
    • B41J2/17566—Ink level or ink residue control
    • B41J2002/17573—Ink level or ink residue control using optical means for ink level indication

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a liquid cartridge configured to store liquid therein, and a system including the liquid cartridge, and a cartridge-attachment section to which the liquid cartridge is attachable.
  • the electrodes and contacts should be positioned accurately in order to ensure reliable electrical connections between the electrodes and the contacts in the state where the ink cartridge is attached to the attachment section.
  • Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-049164 discloses a recording apparatus and an ink cartridge therefor.
  • the ink cartridge includes a main body, a bracket capable of moving vertically relative to the main body, and a circuit board provided on the bracket. By making the bracket movable in a vertical direction relative to the main body, the circuit board can be independently positioned in the vertical direction relative to the main body.
  • the present disclosure provides a liquid cartridge in combination with a printer having a cartridge-attachment section to which the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational direction and accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section in an upright posture.
  • the cartridge-attachment section includes a protruding portion extending in the insertion direction and having a width in a widthwise direction orthogonal to the insertion direction and the gravitational direction.
  • the liquid cartridge includes: a casing; a movable member movably supported by the casing and movable relative to the casing; and a circuit board provided at the movable member and facing upward in the upright posture.
  • the receiving portion further has a sloped surface connected to the contact surface and positioned frontward of the contact surface in the insertion direction in the upright posture, the sloped surface sloping relative to the insertion direction to face diagonally downward and frontward in the upright posture.
  • the sloped surface is configured to guide the protruding portion to enter into the receiving space in the insertion direction.
  • the protruding portion contacts the sloped surface and is guided by the sloped surface smoothly into the receiving portion.
  • providing the sloped surface connected to and positioned frontward of the first surface in the insertion direction can enlarge a vertical dimension of an inlet to the receiving space in the insertion direction, thereby facilitating insertion of the protruding portion into the receiving space.
  • the receiving portion further has a second surface and a third surface both defining the recess together with the contact surface and the first surface; the second surface extends in the insertion direction and orthogonal to the first surface in the upright posture; the third surface extends in the widthwise direction and orthogonal to the contact surface and the first surface and the second surface in the upright posture; one of the sloped surface and the contact surface constitutes a first inlet opening together with the first surface and the second surface; the contact surface, the second surface and the third surface constitute a second inlet opening; and the receiving portion is configured to receive the protruding portion through the first inlet opening and through the second inlet opening into the receiving space during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the casing includes a liquid outlet provided at a front end of the liquid passage in the insertion direction;
  • the receiving portion further has a front surface and a side surface, the front surface facing frontward in the insertion direction and being positioned rearward relative to the liquid outlet in the insertion direction in the upright posture, the side surface facing away from the receiving space in the widthwise direction and being positioned rearward relative to the liquid outlet in the insertion direction in the upright posture; and the first inlet opening is open on the front surface and the second inlet opening is open on the side surface.
  • this arrangement can avoid a reduction in quantity of liquid that the liquid cartridge can store.
  • the contact surface has a region located offset from the circuit board in the widthwise direction in the upright posture.
  • the electrical contact of the cartridge-attachment section is located at the same position in the widthwise direction in order to establish electrical connection between the circuit board and the electrical contact when the liquid cartridge is attached to the cartridge-attachment section. Since the contact surface has a region positioned offset from the circuit board in the widthwise direction, the movable member can be supported by the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section at a position in the widthwise direction that differs from the widthwise position of the circuit board. This configuration can prevent the protruding portion from hindering movement of the electrical contact relative to the liquid cartridge during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the movable member in a state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section, the movable member is supported by the protruding portion at a position closer to the circuit board than to the liquid outlet. Hence, positioning of the circuit board can be provided with accuracy.
  • the casing includes a front wall at which the liquid passage is provided, a rear wall positioned away from the front wall in the insertion direction, and a pair of side walls connecting the front wall to the rear wall and defining the liquid chamber; and the contact surface has a portion positioned closer to one of the side walls than the circuit board is to the one of the side walls in the widthwise direction.
  • any of the above liquid cartridges according to the features (1)-(9) further includes a light-blocking portion configured to block or attenuate light traveling in the widthwise direction in the upright posture in the state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section; and the circuit board is positioned rearward relative to the light-blocking portion in the insertion direction in the upright posture.
  • the contact surface is positioned below an upper end of the light-blocking portion in the upright posture.
  • the contact surface is positioned below the upper end of the light-blocking portion that is positioned forward of the circuit board in the insertion direction.
  • the contact surface and the protruding portion do not interfere with the electrical contact during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the contact surface and the protruding portion do not interfere with the light irradiated toward the light-blocking portion, either.
  • positioning the contact surface below the upper end of the light-blocking portion allows for a shorter vertical dimension of the liquid cartridge.
  • the contact surface has a rear edge positioned rearward relative to an electrode disposed on the circuit board in the insertion direction in the upright posture.
  • the receiving portion includes a rod member having the contact surface facing downward; and the rod member is positioned above the receiving space.
  • the present disclosure also provides a system including: any one of the above liquid cartridges according to the features (1)-(15); and a printer provided with the cartridge-attachment section defining therein an accommodation space into which the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted in the insertion direction crossing the gravitational direction.
  • the liquid cartridge is configured to be accommodated in the accommodation space in the upright posture.
  • vertical positioning of the circuit board can be provided by contact of the contact surface with the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section received in the receiving space of the receiving portion.
  • the receiving portion provides the receiving space that is open in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction. Accordingly, the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section can be received in the receiving space in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction to contact the contact surface in order to support the movable member during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section and in the state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the protruding portion can be received in the receiving space of the receiving portion without being hindered by the liquid cartridge in order to gain access to a position near the circuit board as the liquid cartridge is being inserted forward into the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the protruding portion can support the movable member at a position near the circuit board regardless of the position at which the circuit board is arranged. Hence, this arrangement can enhance flexibility in positioning the circuit board.
  • the circuit board faces upward in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge and the electrical contact faces downward.
  • the circuit board in the state where the liquid cartridge is attached to the cartridge-attachment section, the circuit board is supported from below by the protruding portion and contacted from above by the electrical contact. Accordingly, vertical positioning of the circuit board can be realized with greater accuracy.
  • the cartridge-attachment section further includes an optical sensor configured to emit light traveling in the widthwise direction to form an optical path; and the light-blocking portion is positioned in the optical path of the light emitted from the optical sensor in the state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the light-blocking portion can reliably block or attenuate the light emitted from the optical sensor of the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the liquid cartridge further includes a sealing portion positioned in the liquid passage and configured to contact the liquid-supply tube connected to the liquid passage to hermetically seal the liquid passage from the outside; and the upright posture and the inclined posture of the liquid cartridge are provided by pivotal movement of the liquid cartridge about a point of contact between the liquid-supply tube and the sealing portion.
  • the movable member of the liquid cartridge further includes another receiving portion configured to receive the another protruding portion therein in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section and in the state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section; and the liquid cartridge is positioned between the side plate and the another side plate in the state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the accommodation space of the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the contact surface is positioned below the electric contact in the state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the accommodation space of the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the circuit board is positioned rearward relative to the liquid-supply tube in the insertion direction in the state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the liquid-supply tube can be connected to the liquid passage before the electrical contact is electrically connected to the circuit board during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the present disclosure provides a method for attaching any of the liquid cartridges according to the features (1)-(15) to the cartridge-attachment section in the upright posture.
  • the cartridge-attachment section defines therein an accommodation space and includes: the protruding portion, an electrical contact, and a liquid-supply tube having a tubular shape and protruding rearward into the accommodation space.
  • the method includes inserting the liquid cartridge into the accommodation space in the insertion direction, in which the inserting includes: connecting the liquid passage to the liquid-supply tube; receiving the protruding portion into the receiving space of the receiving portion in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction; bringing the protruding portion received in the receiving space into contact with the contact surface; causing the protruding portion received in the receiving space to move the movable member upward relative to the casing; and making the circuit board contact the electrical contact.
  • the receiving portion provides the receiving space that is open in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction. Accordingly, the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section can be received smoothly in the receiving space in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section, thereby allowing the protruding portion to make contact with the contact surface to support the movable member.
  • the protruding portion can be received in the receiving space of the receiving portion without being hindered by the liquid cartridge in order to gain access to a position near the circuit board as the liquid cartridge is being inserted forward into the cartridge-attachment section. In this way, the protruding portion can support the movable member at a position near the circuit board regardless of the position at which the circuit board is arranged, without compromising flexibility in positioning of the circuit board.
  • the protruding portion can be received smoothly in the receiving space in the insertion direction through the first inlet opening and in the widthwise direction through the second inlet opening during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the inserting further includes pivoting the liquid cartridge into the upright posture from the inclined posture in the accommodation space after the causing.
  • the present disclosure can also be embodied as a liquid cartridge in combination with a printer having a cartridge-attachment section to which the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational direction and accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section in an upright posture.
  • the cartridge-attachment section includes a protruding portion extending in the insertion direction and having a width in a widthwise direction orthogonal to the insertion direction and the gravitational direction.
  • the liquid cartridge includes: a casing; a movable member movably supported by the casing; and a circuit board provided at the movable member and facing upward in the upright posture.
  • the casing includes a liquid chamber storing liquid therein, and a liquid passage extending from the liquid chamber in the insertion direction in the upright posture.
  • the movable member includes a receiving portion providing a receiving space that is open in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction in the upright posture.
  • the receiving portion has a contact surface defining the receiving space. The contact surface faces downward and extends in the insertion direction and the widthwise direction in the upright posture. The movable member is moved relative to the casing by contact of the contact surface with the protruding portion during entry of the protruding portion into the receiving portion in the insertion direction in accordance with the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the circuit board can be positioned vertically by the contact surface being in contact with and supported by the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the receiving portion provides the receiving space that is open in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction. Accordingly, the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section can be received in the receiving space in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction to make contact with the contact surface, moving the movable member while supporting the movable member.
  • the protruding portion can be received in the receiving space of the receiving portion without being hindered by the liquid cartridge in order to gain access to a position near the circuit board during the insertion of the liquid cartridge forward into the cartridge-attachment section. In this way, the protruding portion can support the movable member at a position near the circuit board regardless of the position at which the circuit board is arranged. Hence, this arrangement can enhance flexibility in positioning the circuit board in the liquid cartridge.
  • the present disclosure can also be embodied as a liquid cartridge in combination with a printer having a cartridge-attachment section to which the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational direction and accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section in an upright posture.
  • the cartridge-attachment section includes a protruding portion extending in the insertion direction and having a width in a widthwise direction orthogonal to the insertion direction and the gravitational direction.
  • the liquid cartridge includes: a casing; a movable member movably supported by the casing; and a circuit board provided at the movable member and facing upward in the upright posture.
  • the circuit board can be positioned vertically by the contact surface being in contact with and supported by the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the present disclosure can also be embodied as a liquid cartridge in combination with a printer having a cartridge-attachment section to which the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational direction and accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section in an upright posture.
  • the cartridge-attachment section includes a protruding portion extending in the insertion direction and having a width in a widthwise direction orthogonal to the insertion direction and the gravitational direction.
  • the liquid cartridge includes: a casing; a movable member movably supported by the casing; and a circuit board provided at the movable member and facing upward in the upright posture.
  • the casing includes a liquid chamber storing liquid therein, and a liquid passage extending from the liquid chamber in the insertion direction in the upright posture.
  • the movable member includes a receiving portion adapted to receive the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction.
  • the receiving portion includes a protrusion extending in the widthwise direction in the upright posture.
  • the receiving portion has: a contact surface facing downward and extending in the insertion direction in the upright posture; and a first surface extending in the insertion direction and orthogonal to the contact surface in the upright posture.
  • the contact surface and the first surface define a receiving space below the protrusion.
  • the contact surface is configured to contact the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section received in the receiving space.
  • the contact surface and first surface orthogonal to each other and extending in the insertion direction provide the receiving space below the protrusion for receiving the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the casing includes a liquid chamber storing liquid therein, and a liquid passage extending from the liquid chamber in the insertion direction in the upright posture.
  • the movable member includes a receiving portion adapted to receive the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction.
  • the receiving portion includes a rod member extending in the widthwise direction in the upright posture.
  • the rod member has a contact surface facing downward in the upright posture.
  • the contact surface defines a receiving space below the rod member.
  • the contact surface is configured to contact the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section received in the receiving space.
  • the contact surface of the rod member provides the receiving space for receiving the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the protruding portion can be received smoothly in the receiving space below the rod member during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section, thereby allowing the protruding portion to make contact with the contact surface of the rod member to support the movable member.
  • the protruding portion can be received in the receiving space without being hindered by the liquid cartridge in order to gain access to a position near the circuit board as the liquid cartridge is being inserted forward into the cartridge-attachment section.
  • the protruding portion can support the movable member at a position near the circuit board regardless of the position at which the circuit board is arranged, without compromising flexibility in positioning of the circuit board
  • the liquid cartridge of the still another aspect (27) may be combined with the feature (2), so that, preferably, the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (27) may further include a sloped surface connected to the contact surface of the recess and positioned frontward of the contact surface in the insertion direction in the upright posture.
  • the sloped surface slopes relative to the insertion direction to face diagonally downward and frontward in the upright posture. The sloped surface is adapted to guide the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section to be received by the recess in the insertion direction.
  • the vertical positioning of the circuit board can be realized without compromising flexibility in arrangement of the circuit board.
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram conceptually illustrating a system including an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure and a printer including a cartridge-attachment section configured to detachably accommodate the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment, and conceptually illustrating an internal configuration of the printer;
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the cartridge-attachment section according to the first embodiment and an opening thereof;
  • Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge-attachment section according to the first embodiment, illustrating a state where the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section;
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment as viewed from its front side;
  • Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram conceptually illustrating a system including an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure and a printer including a cartridge-attachment section configured to detachably accommodate the ink cartridge according to the
  • FIG. 5A is a right side view of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment, and Fig. 5B is a rear side view of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment;
  • Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment taken along a plane VI-VI shown in Fig. 5B;
  • Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge-attachment section according to the first embodiment, illustrating a state where the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment is being inserted into the cartridge-attachment section;
  • Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment taken along a plane VI-VI shown in Fig. 5B
  • Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge-attachment section according to the first embodiment, illustrating a state where the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment is being inserted into the cartridge-attachment section;
  • FIG. 8A is a partially-enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge-attachment section according to the first embodiment taken along a plane extending in vertical and left-right directions and passing through a recessed portion of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section, wherein a protruding portion protrudes from a side surface of a case constituting the cartridge-attachment section; Fig.
  • FIG. 8B is a partially-enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge-attachment section according to a variation of the first embodiment taken along a plane extending in vertical and left-right directions and passing through recessed portions of an ink cartridge according to the variation accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section, wherein a protruding portion protrudes from each of side surfaces of a case constituting the cartridge-attachment section according to the variation;
  • Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating steps for detecting insertion of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment into the cartridge-attachment section according to the first embodiment;
  • Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another way of detecting insertion of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment into the cartridge-attachment section according to the first embodiment;
  • Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating steps for detecting insertion of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment into the cartridge-attachment section according to the first embodiment;
  • Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another way of
  • a frontward direction 51 is defined as a direction in which an ink cartridge 30 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure is inserted into a cartridge-attachment section 110 according to the first embodiment.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted in an insertion direction orthogonal to a gravitational direction.
  • a rearward direction 52 is defined as a direction opposite the frontward direction 51, that is, a direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is extracted from the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • the frontward direction 51 and rearward direction 52 are horizontal in the present embodiment, i.e., are directions crossing the gravitational direction.
  • a downward direction 53 is defined as the gravitational direction
  • an upward direction 54 is defined as a direction opposite the downward direction 53.
  • a rightward direction 55 and a leftward direction 56 are defined as directions orthogonal to the frontward direction 51 and the downward direction 53. More specifically, in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110 (i.e., in the state illustrated in Figs. 4-6), the rightward direction 55 is defined as a direction extending rightward and the leftward direction 56 as a direction extending leftward when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from its rear side. The rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction 56 are parallel to a horizontal direction in the present embodiment.
  • the frontward direction 51 and the rearward direction 52 may be collectively referred to as a front-rear direction.
  • the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53 may be collectively referred to as an up-down direction or a vertical direction.
  • the rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction 56 may be collectively referred to as a left-right direction.
  • the ink cartridge 30 In the state where the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110, the ink cartridge 30 has a height in the up-down direction; a depth in the front-rear direction (i.e., in the insertion direction); and a width in the left-right direction (i.e., widthwise direction).
  • Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a system 1 configured of the ink cartridge 30 and a printer 10 according to the first embodiment. First, a detailed structure of the printer 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1.
  • the printer 10 is configured to record images by selectively ejecting ink droplets onto sheets based on an inkjet recording system.
  • the printer 10 includes an ink-supplying device 100, a recording head 21, and ink tubes 20 connecting the recording head 21 to the ink-supplying device 100.
  • the ink-supplying device 100 includes the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • the cartridge-attachment section 110 can detachably accommodate therein four of the ink cartridges 30 each storing ink of one of four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black that that the printer 10 can use for printing.
  • the cartridge-attachment section 110 can detachably accommodate therein four of the ink cartridges 30 each storing ink of one of four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black that that the printer 10 can use for printing.
  • Fig. 1 for the sake of simplifying description, only one ink cartridge 30 is depicted to be attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • the ink cartridges 30 are connected to the recording head 21 through the corresponding ink tubes 20 when the ink cartridges 30 are completely mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • the recording head 21 includes sub tanks 28 each serving to temporarily store ink supplied from the corresponding ink cartridge 30 through the corresponding ink tube 20.
  • the recording head 21 also includes a plurality of nozzles 29 through which the ink supplied from the sub tanks 28 is selectively ejected in accordance with the inkjet recording system. More specifically, the recording head 21 includes a head control board (not shown), and piezoelectric elements 29A corresponding one-on-one to the nozzles 29.
  • the head control board is configured to selectively apply drive voltages to the piezoelectric elements 29A to eject ink of each color selectively from the nozzles 29. In this way, the recording head 21 is configured to consume the ink stored in the respective ink cartridges 30 mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • the ink-supplying device 100 is provided in the printer 10, as illustrated in Fig. 1.
  • the ink-supplying device 100 functions to supply ink to the recording head 21.
  • the ink-supplying device 100 includes the cartridge-attachment section 110 for detachably accommodate the four ink cartridges 30 therein.
  • Fig. 1 depicts a state where the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110 and thus can be used by the printer 10 (hereinafter, referred to as ′′attached state′′).
  • a posture of the ink cartridge 30 in the attached state depicted in Fig. 1 will also be referred to as an upright posture, wherever appropriate.
  • the cartridge-attachment section 110 includes a case 101, and four sets of: a protruding portion 115, an ink needle 102, a tank 103, an optical sensor 113 and four contacts 106, each set for each of the four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the ink colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.
  • the case 101 constitutes a housing of the cartridge-attachment section 110. As depicted in Fig. 2, the case 101 has a box-like shape defining an internal space therein. Specifically, the case 101 includes: a top wall defining a ceiling of the internal space; a bottom wall defining a bottom of the internal space; an end wall defining a front end of the internal space and connecting the top wall and the bottom wall; and the opening 112 positioned opposite the end wall in the front-rear direction. The opening 112 can be exposed to a surface (user-interface surface) that a user faces when using the printer 10.
  • the case 101 also includes three plates 104 that partition the internal space into four accommodation spaces 111 each elongated in the up-down direction.
  • the four ink cartridges 30 can be accommodated in the respective accommodation spaces 111. That is, in the case 101, the top wall, the bottom wall and the end wall of the case 101 define ceilings, bottoms and front ends of the four accommodation spaces 111, respectively.
  • each of the four ink cartridges 30 can be inserted into and removed from the corresponding one of the accommodation spaces 111 of the case 101 through the opening 112.
  • Each of the four ink cartridges 30 can also be extracted from the corresponding one of the accommodation spaces 111 of the cartridge case 101 through the opening 112.
  • the bottom wall is formed with four guide grooves 109 for guiding insertion/removal of the corresponding ink cartridges 30. Specifically, when the ink cartridges 30 are inserted into and removed from the case 101 through the opening 112, lower ends of the respective ink cartridges 30 are received in the corresponding guide grooves 109 and guided thereby in the front-rear direction.
  • Each ink needle 102 is formed of a resin and is tubular shaped. That is, the ink needles 102 are hollow. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the ink needles 102 are disposed at a lower end portion of the end wall constituting the case 101. Specifically, each ink needle 102 is disposed on the end wall at a position corresponding to an ink supply potion 34 (described later) of the corresponding ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110. The ink needles 102 protrude rearward from the end wall of the case 101.
  • each ink needle 102 Both rear end (distal end) and front end (proximal end) of each ink needle 102 are open.
  • the rear end of each ink needle 102 is inserted into an ink supply port 71 formed in the ink supply potion 34 of the corresponding ink cartridge 30.
  • the front end of each ink needle 102 is either directly or indirectly connected to the corresponding ink tube 20 (see Fig. 1). Accordingly, an interior space 102A of the ink needle 102 is in communication with the corresponding tank 103 and the recording head 21 via an interior space of the corresponding ink tube 20.
  • a cylindrical-shaped guide portion 105 is provided at the end wall to surround the corresponding ink needle 102.
  • Each guide portion 105 protrudes rearward from the end wall.
  • Each guide portion 105 has a protruding end that is open rearward.
  • each ink needle 102 is arranged at a diametrical center of the corresponding guide portion 105.
  • the guide portions 105 are shaped to allow the ink supply potions 34 of the corresponding ink cartridges 30 to be received therein.
  • the ink supply potion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 enters into the corresponding guide portion 105 (refer to Fig. 3).
  • the ink needle 102 enters into an ink valve chamber 35 of the corresponding ink cartridge 30 through the ink supply port 71 formed in the ink supply potion 34.
  • the ink needle 102 is thus connected to the corresponding ink supply potion 34, and the interior space 102A of the ink needle 102 is in communication with the ink valve chamber 35 formed in the ink supply potion 34.
  • ink stored in a second storage chamber 33 formed inside the ink cartridge 30 is allowed to flow out of the second storage chamber 33, through the ink valve chamber 35 and the interior space 102A of the corresponding ink needle 102, and into the corresponding tank 103 (see Fig. 1).
  • the ink flowing out of the tank 103 passes through the corresponding ink tube 20 and flows into the recording head 21.
  • the optical sensors 113 are disposed at the top wall of the case 101. Specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 3, each optical sensor 113 is disposed frontward of the corresponding set of four contacts 106 in each accommodation space 111. Each optical sensor 113 includes a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion. The light-emitting portion is arranged on the right or on the left of the light-receiving portion with a gap formed therebetween.
  • a light-blocking plate 67 also see Fig. 4 of the attached ink cartridge 30 is located between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the corresponding optical sensor 113.
  • the casing 31 includes a front wall 40, a rear wall 41, a partitioning wall 44, a bottom wall 42, and a pair of side walls 37 and 38.
  • the front wall 40 and rear wall 41 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction.
  • the partitioning wall 44 and bottom wall 42 are separated from each other vertically.
  • the partitioning wall 44 is positioned above the bottom wall 42.
  • the side walls 37 and 38 are separated from each other in the left-right direction.
  • the partitioning wall 44 and bottom wall 42 are provided between the front wall 40 and rear wall 41 in the front-rear direction.
  • the side walls 37 and 38 are provided between the front wall 40 and rear wall 41 in the front-rear direction and between the partitioning wall 44 and bottom wall 42 in the up-down direction.
  • Each of the front wall 40, rear wall 41, partitioning wall 44, bottom wall 42, and side walls 37 and 38 defines at least one of the first storage chamber 32, the second storage chamber 33, and an air communication chamber 36 in the ink cartridge 30.
  • the casing 31 also includes a sub-bottom wall 48 and a sub-front wall 49.
  • the sub-bottom wall 48 is positioned higher than the bottom wall 42.
  • the sub-bottom wall 48 extends continuously rearward from a bottom edge of the front wall 40.
  • a front end of the sub-bottom wall 48 is positioned farther frontward than a front end of the ink supply portion 34
  • a rear end of the sub-bottom wall 48 is positioned farther rearward relative to the front end of the ink supply portion 34.
  • the sub-front wall 49 connects the bottom wall 42 to the sub-bottom wall 48.
  • the ink supply portion 34 extends forward from the sub-front wall 49 at a position below the sub-bottom wall 48 and above the bottom wall 42.
  • the front end of the sub-bottom wall 48 may be arranged at an arbitrary position, for example, at a position farther rearward than the front end of the ink supply portion 34.
  • the right surface of the side wall 37 is a surface that is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from its right side and that is positioned rightward of a left-right center of the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture.
  • Each of the electrodes 65 is electrically connected to the IC. Each electrode 65 extends in the front-rear direction. The electrodes 65 are juxtaposed in the left-right direction on a top surface of the circuit board 64 and are spaced apart from one another. Each electrode 65 is exposed on the top surface of the circuit board 64 so as to be electrically accessible.
  • the light-blocking plate 67 is provided on the upper surface of the top wall 39 (front portion 39F) to protrude upward therefrom.
  • the light-blocking plate 67 extends in the front-rear direction.
  • the light-blocking plate 67 is positioned frontward of the protruding portion 83 in the front-rear direction.
  • the light-blocking plate 67 is positioned frontward and downward relative to the IC board 64.
  • the light-blocking plate 67 is configured to block the light of the optical sensor 113 traveling in the left-right direction. More specifically, when the light emitted from the light-emitting portion of the optical sensor 113 is incident on the light-blocking plate 67 before arriving at the light-receiving portion, the intensity of light received at the light-receiving portion becomes less than a predetermined intensity, for example, zero. Note that the light-blocking plate 67 may block or attenuate the light traveling in the left-right direction from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving portion. Alternatively, the light-blocking plate 67 may change a traveling direction of the light traveling to the light-receiving portion from the light-emitting portion.
  • the sub-front wall 95 extends upward from a rear edge of the sub-top wall 91 provided frontward of the top wall 39 (front portion 39F).
  • the sub-front wall 95 faces forward.
  • An air communication port 96 is formed in the sub-front wall 95. That is, the air communication port 96 is provided higher than the vertical center of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the air communication port 96 is a substantially circular-shaped through-hole penetrating the sub-front wall 95 in the front-rear direction.
  • the air communication port 96 is in communication with the air communication chamber 36 and is thus in communication with the first storage chamber 32 via the through-hole 46.
  • the inner top surface 133 is a downward-facing surface. That is, the inner top surface 133 faces vertically away from the circuit board 64 that is supported on top of the movable member 130.
  • the inner bottom surface 134 is an upward-facing surface that vertically opposes the inner top surface 133.
  • the inner bottom surface 134 defines a bottom of the recessed portion 132.
  • the inner right surface 135 is a leftward-facing surface that defines a right edge of the recessed portion 132.
  • the inner rear surface 139 is a frontward-facing surface that defines a rear edge of the recessed portion 132.
  • the inner right surface 135 has a top edge connected to the inner top surface 133, a bottom edge connected to the inner bottom surface 134, and a rear edge connected to the inner rear surface 139.
  • the first opening 136 is open toward the front on the vertical surface 39C.
  • the second opening 137 is open toward the left on the left side surface 82L belonging to the peripheral wall 82. More specifically, the second opening 137 is formed on the left side surface 82L at a position rearward relative to the rear end of the ink valve chamber 35 in the front-rear direction.
  • the second opening 137 is continuous with the first opening 136 at a position beneath a left-front corner of the front portion 39F.
  • the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 is adapted to enter into the space beneath the inner top surface 133 (receiving space) through the first opening 136 in the front-rear direction (toward the rear) to be received in the recessed portion 132 during insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 also enters into the space beneath the inner top surface 133 (receiving space) through the second opening 137 in the left-right direction (toward the right) to be received in the recessed portion 132 during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • a rear edge of the inner top surface 133 is positioned farther rearward than the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 64.
  • Each of the first storage chamber 32, the second storage chamber 33 and the ink valve chamber 35 can store ink.
  • the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33 are partitioned by an inner lower wall 45 extending parallel to the partitioning wall 44. That is, the partitioning wall 44 and inner lower wall 45 are both walls in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction.
  • the inner lower wall 45 and partitioning wall 44 vertically oppose each other.
  • the first ink chamber 32 is a space that is defined on the top by the bottom surface of the partitioning wall 44, defined on the bottom by the top surface of the inner lower wall 45, and defined on the front, rear, right, and left by inner surfaces of the front wall 40, rear wall 41, and side walls 37 and 38, respectively.
  • the second storage chamber 33 is positioned below the first storage chamber 32.
  • a volume of ink that can be stored in the second storage chamber 33 is smaller than a volume of ink that can be stored in the first storage chamber 32.
  • the second storage chamber 33 is a space that is defined on the top by the bottom surface of the lower wall 45, on the bottom by the top surface of the bottom wall 42, and on the rear, right, and left by the inner surfaces of the rear wall 41 and the side walls 37 and 38, respectively.
  • the second storage chamber 33 and ink valve chamber 35 are partitioned by a partition wall 50.
  • the partition wall 50 defines a front end of the second storage chamber 33.
  • the second storage chamber 33 communicates with the first storage chamber 32 through a communication hole (not shown) formed in the lower wall 45.
  • the second storage chamber 33 also communicates with the ink valve chamber 35 via a through-hole 99 formed in the partition wall 50.
  • the air communication chamber 36 communicates with the atmosphere through the air communication port 96 formed in the sub-front wall 95.
  • the ink supply potion 34 has a cylindrical outer shape. More specifically, the ink supply portion 34 includes a hollow cylindrical-shaped cylinder 75, and a packing 76.
  • the cylinder 75 protrudes forward from the sub-front wall 49. That is, the ink supply portion 34 is provided on the sub-front wall 49.
  • the cylinder 75 has a front end that is open to the outside of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the cylinder 75 defines an interior space therein that serves as the ink valve chamber 35.
  • the ink valve chamber 35 is elongated in the front-rear direction when the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright posture.
  • the rear end of the ink valve chamber 35 is in communication with the second storage chamber 33 through the through-hole 99.
  • the ink valve chamber 35 Since the front end of the cylinder 75 is open to the exterior of the ink cartridge 30, the ink valve chamber 35 is in communication with both the second storage chamber 33 and the exterior of the ink cartridge 30. In other words, the ink valve chamber 35 extends in the front-rear direction to allow ink in the second storage chamber 33 to flow forward toward the outside of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the packing 76 is provided in the open front end of the cylinder 75. That is, the packing 76 is disposed at the front end of the ink valve chamber 35.
  • the ink valve chamber 35 accommodates a valve 77, and a coil spring 78.
  • the valve 77 By moving in the front-rear direction, the valve 77 opens and closes the ink supply port 71 penetrating a center of the packing 76.
  • the coil spring 78 urges the valve 77 forward. Therefore, when no external force is applied to the valve 77, the valve 77 closes the ink supply port 71 in the packing 76.
  • the packing 76 is a disk-shaped member with a through-hole formed in the center thereof.
  • the packing 76 is formed of an elastic material such as a rubber or elastomer.
  • the through-hole formed in the center of the packing 76 penetrates the same in the front-rear direction to provide a tubular-shaped inner circumferential surface serving as the ink supply port 71. That is, the ink supply port 71 is defined by the tubular-shaped inner circumferential surface that defines the through-hole formed in the packing 76.
  • the ink supply port 71 has an inner diameter that is slightly smaller than an outer diameter of the ink needle 102.
  • the ink supply port 71 provides communication between the interior space of the cylinder 75 (the ink valve chamber 35) and the exterior of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the ink needle 102 advances into the ink supply port 71, as depicted in Fig. 3.
  • the packing 76 elastically deforms, the outer circumferential surface of the ink needle 102 forms close contact with the inner circumferential surface defining the ink supply port 71 to provide liquid-tight seal therewith.
  • communication between the ink valve chamber 35 and the exterior of the ink cartridge 30 via the ink supply port 71 is hermetically sealed.
  • the distal end of the ink needle 102 passes through the ink supply port 71 formed in the packing 76, advances into the ink valve chamber 35, and contacts the valve 77.
  • the ink needle 102 moves the valve 77 rearward against an urging force of the coil spring 78.
  • ink stored in the ink valve chamber 35 is allowed to flow into the interior space 102A of the ink needle 102.
  • the ink supply port 71 may be sealed by a film rather than the valve 77.
  • the ink supply port 71 may be configured of the front end of the cylinder 75 rather than the packing 76.
  • the ink supply port 71 may be formed of an elastic resin or other sealing member that has no through-hole.
  • the ink supply port 71 may be formed by piercing a needle-like member into the sealing member, and elasticity of the sealing member can reseal the ink supply port 71 when the needle-like member is extracted from the sealing member.
  • the ink supply portion 34 need not be formed as a cylindrically shaped member.
  • a through-hole may be formed in the front wall 40 of the casing 31 to penetrate the front wall 40 in the front-rear direction.
  • the front wall 40 formed with the through-hole may constitute a portion of the ink supply portion 34.
  • the valve 77 closes the ink supply port 71 formed in the packing 76. This closure interrupts ink outflow from the ink valve chamber 35 to the exterior of the ink cartridge 30. Further, the air communication port 96 is sealed by the removable seal (not shown). Thus the first storage chamber 32 is prevented from being open to the atmosphere.
  • the user Before insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110, the user peels off the seal from the air communication port 96.
  • the first storage chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere accordingly.
  • the receiving space of the recessed portion 132 is in communication with the outside of the movable member 130 through the first opening 136 and second opening 137.
  • the first opening 136 that is open frontward is formed continuously on its left edge with the second opening 137 that is open leftward (see Fig. 4).
  • the protruding portion 115 protrudes rightward from the side surface 114B (see Fig. 8A). Therefore, as the ink cartridge 30 moves forward relative to the cartridge case 101, the protruding portion 115 can move rearward relative to the recessed portion 132 without being hindered by the surfaces defining the recessed portion 132 (inner top surface 133, inner right surface 135, inner bottom surface 134 and inner rear surface 139).
  • the protruding portion 115 is inserted into the receiving space of the recessed portion 132 from its front and left sides through the first opening 136 and through the second opening 137, and is moved toward the rear end of the recessed portion 132 (i.e., toward the inner rear surface 139).
  • the protruding portion 115 inserted into the receiving space of the recessed portion 132 is then received in the recessed portion 132 through the first opening 136 in the front-rear direction (insertion direction) and through the second opening 137 in the left-right direction (widthwise direction).
  • the protruding portion 115 is thus made in contact with the inner top surface 133 defining the receiving space of the recessed portion 132, moving the movable member 130 upward relative to the casing 31.
  • the IC board 64 on the movable member 130 may or may not be in contact with the contacts 106. That is, the IC board 64 may be made to contact with the contact 106 before or after the movable member 130 is moved upward by the protruding portion 115 received in the recessed portion 132.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is applied with a rearward urging force generated by the compressed coil spring 78.
  • a magnitude of the urging force generated by the coil spring 78 is determined by a spring constant thereof and a distance by which the coil spring 78 is compressed from its natural length.
  • the ink cartridge 30 In the attached state, i.e., in a state where the ink cartridge 30 inserted forward is completely accommodated in and attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110, the ink cartridge 30 is applied with the rearward urging force generated by the compressed coil spring 78.
  • a sliding resistance between the ink needle 102 inserted into the ink supply port 71 and the inner circumferential surface of the packing 76 defining the ink supply port 71 (forward force) is greater than this rearward urging force (rearward force).
  • the ink cartridge 30 is prevented from being forced out of the cartridge-attachment section 110 by the urging force of the coil spring 78.
  • the ink cartridge 30 can be retained in its attached state in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • the circuit board 64 becomes positioned below the contacts 106. Since the movable member 130 has been moved upward as described above, the electrodes 65 on the circuit board 64 are made in contact with the contacts 106. Specifically, the electrodes 65 on the circuit board 64 contact and resiliently deform the contacts 106 upward, forming an electrical connection between the circuit board 64 and contacts 106.
  • the light-blocking plate 67 is also positioned between the light-emitting portion and light-receiving portion of the optical sensor 113, thereby blocking the passage of light from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving portion.
  • the optical sensor 113 is arranged so that the light-blocking plate 67 is positioned in the optical path of light emitted from the light-emitting portion during the attached state.
  • the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 is also in contact with the inner top surface 133 of the movable member 130 from below to support the movable member 130.
  • an imaginary plane R1 is a vertical plane passing through a point of contact between the protruding portion 115 and the inner top surface 133 (in the present embodiment, the imaginary plane R1 passes through the front edge of the inner top surface 133, i.e., a boundary edge between the sloped surface 138 and inner top surface 133) in the attached state of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • a distance L1 between the imaginary plane R1 and the circuit board 64 in the front-rear direction is shorter than a distance L2 between the imaginary plane R1 and the ink supply port 71 in the front-rear direction.
  • the distance L1 is a distance in the front-rear direction between the imaginary plane R1 and a front edge of the IC board 64; and the distance L2 is a distance in the front-rear direction between the imaginary plane R1 and a front end of the ink supply port 71. That is, the protruding portion 115 is in contact with the inner top surface 133 at a position closer to the IC board 64 than to the ink supply port 71 in the front-rear direction.
  • the inner top surface 133 of the movable member 130 is also positioned below the contacts 106.
  • the circuit board 64 is positioned farther rearward than the ink needle 102.
  • the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 64 contact the contacts 106 from below. That is, the electrodes 65 resiliently deform the contacts 106 upward, forming an electrical connection with the same. At this time, the IC board 64 is urged downward by the resilient deformed contacts 106. However, since the protruding portion 115 supports the movable member 130 from below through the contact with the inner top surface 133, the IC board 64 can keep resiliently deforming the contacts 106.
  • the user grips the rear portion of the ink cartridge 30 and pulls the ink cartridge 30 rearward.
  • a sum of the force pulling the ink cartridge 30 rearward and the urging force of the coil spring 78 (rearward force) is greater than the sliding friction between the ink needle 102 and the inner circumferential surface of the packing 76 (forward force)
  • the ink cartridge 30 moves rearward relative to the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • the user can remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • controller 11 is configured to start the processing illustrated in the flowcharts in Figs. 9 and 10 once a cover (not shown) for opening and closing the opening 112 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 is detected to be closed.
  • the controller 11 (see Fig. 1) is configured to determine in S10 whether the circuit board 64 of the ink cartridge 30 is accessible. When the contacts 106 are in contact with the circuit board 64 so as to be electrically connected to the same, the controller 11 can access the circuit board 64. When the contacts 106 are not in contact with the circuit board 64, the controller 11 cannot access the circuit board 64.
  • the controller 11 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110. In this case, the controller 11 notifies the user that an ink cartridge 30 is not mounted by displaying a message on a display panel (not shown) provided on a housing of the printer 10 and/or emitting a beep or other sound from a speaker (not shown).
  • the controller 11 determines whether the signal outputted from the optical sensor 113 is high level or low level.
  • the optical sensor 113 outputs a low level signal to the controller 11.
  • the optical sensor 113 outputs a high level signal to the controller 11.
  • the controller 11 determines that an abnormal ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110. In this case, the controller 11 notifies the user that an abnormal ink cartridge 30 is mounted by displaying a message on the display panel (not shown) provided on the housing of the printer 10 and/or plays a beep or other sound from the speaker (not shown).
  • the controller 11 determines that a normal ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • the controller 11 may be configured to determine whether an ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110 based on the level of the signal outputted from the optical sensor 113, and to determine whether the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110 is normal based on whether the circuit board 64 is accessible. Steps in this variation will be described next with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 10.
  • the controller 11 determines whether the signal outputted by the optical sensor 113 to the controller 11 is the high level or low level.
  • the controller 11 determines whether the circuit board 64 of the ink cartridge 30 is accessible.
  • the circuit board 64 can be positioned vertically by placing the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 in contact with the inner top surface 133.
  • the second opening 137 is formed continuously with the first opening 136 in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 can access (enter) the receiving space (space beneath the inner top surface 133) from the left and front sides thereof (in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction) in order to support the movable member 130.
  • the protruding portion 115 can be received in the recessed portion 132 without being hindered by the ink cartridge 30 in order to gain access to a position near the circuit board 64 as the ink cartridge 30 is being inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110 in the frontward direction 51.
  • the protruding portion 115 can support the movable member 130 at a position near the circuit board 64 regardless of the position at which the circuit board 64 is arranged.
  • this arrangement of the embodiment can enhance flexibility in positioning the circuit board 64.
  • the inner top surface 133 is positioned above the imaginary plane P1 passing through the top edge 36T of the interior space in the ink cartridge 30, as illustrated in Fig. 6.
  • This arrangement can prevent the presence of the inner top surface 133 from reducing the capacity of the interior space in the ink cartridge 30. In other words, this arrangement avoids a reduction in the quantity of liquid that the ink cartridge 30 can store.
  • This configuration prevents the protruding portion 115 (i.e., the structure for supporting the movable member 130) from hindering movement of the contacts 106 relative to the ink cartridge 30 during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • the inner top surface 133 does not protrude farther leftward than the side wall 38. Therefore, this configuration avoids an increase in the left-right dimension of the ink cartridge 30.
  • the inner top surface 133 is positioned lower than the imaginary plane P2 passing through the top edge 67T of the light-blocking plate 67, as illustrated in Fig. 6.
  • This configuration can prevent the inner top surface 133, and the protruding portion 115 (i.e., parts that contact the inner top surface 133 to support the movable member 130) from interfering with light irradiated toward the light-blocking plate 67.
  • positioning the inner top surface 133 below the imaginary plane P2 passing through the top edge 67T of the light-blocking plate 67 allows for a shorter vertical dimension of the ink cartridge 30 than otherwise.
  • the circuit board 64 is supported from below by the protruding portion 115 and contacted from above by the contacts 106. This configuration can provide vertical positioning of the circuit board 64 with greater accuracy.
  • a vertical dimension of the first opening 136 can be enlarged to facilitate entry of the protruding portion 115 into the receiving space (space beneath the inner top surface 133) in the front-rear direction through the first opening 136. Further, as the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110, the protruding portion 115 contacts the sloped surface 138 so that the sloped surface 138 can guide the protruding portion 115 smoothly into the recessed portion 132.
  • the circuit board 64 When the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached state in the cartridge-attachment section 110, the circuit board 64 receives a downward urging force from the corresponding contacts 106. Further, the inner top surface 133 extends further rearward than the electrodes 65. Hence, the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 can contact the inner top surface 133 from below and at a position directly beneath the electrodes 65 in order to support the movable member 130. With this configuration, the cartridge-attachment section 110 can receive the downward urging force from the contacts 106 directly through the protruding portion 115 in contact with the inner top surface 133 located beneath the contacts 106, and can thereby support the movable member 130 stably.
  • the protruding portion 115 protrudes from the side surface 114B and not from the side surface 114A. Therefore, there is no need to provide the ink cartridge 30 with a recessed portion 132 in a region that confronts the side surface 114A in the attached state. Hence, parts other than the recessed portion 132 may be formed or arranged in this region.
  • the inner top surface 133 is positioned below the contacts 106 in the attached state of the ink cartridge 30. Accordingly, this arrangement of the embodiment can prevent the inner top surface 133 from hindering movement of the contacts 106 relative to the ink cartridge 30 during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110. Further, the vertical dimension of the ink cartridge 30 can be shortened by a distance by which the inner top surface 133 is positioned below the contacts 106.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is inserted horizontally relative to the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • the ink cartridge 30 is retained in its attached state in the cartridge-attachment section 110 by the sliding resistance generated between the ink needle 102 inserted into the ink supply port 71 and the inner circumferential surface of the packing 76.
  • the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted and the means for retaining the ink cartridge 30 in its attached state are not limited to the example in the first embodiment.
  • the directions in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge-attachment section 110 are not limited to the forward and rearward directions.
  • the means for retaining the ink cartridge 30 in the attached state are not limited to the sliding friction between the ink needle 102 inserted in the ink supply port 71 and the inner circumferential surface of the packing 76.
  • the ink cartridge 30 may be retained in the attached state by pivoting the ink cartridge 30 inside the cartridge-attachment section 110 until the ink cartridge 30 becomes engaged with the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12. In the following description, points of difference from the first embodiment will be described in detail, while common points with the first embodiment will be simplified or omitted.
  • a cartridge-attachment section 210 of the second embodiment further includes four rods 125 and a lock shaft 145, in addition to the parts of the cartridge-attachment section 110.
  • Four kinds of ink cartridges 230 according to the second embodiment corresponding to four colors of ink are insertable into and removable from the cartridge-attachment section 210.
  • each of the rods 125 is provided at the end wall of the case 101 at a position upward of the corresponding ink needle 102 for each insertion space 111.
  • Each rod 125 is positioned frontward of the corresponding optical sensor 113.
  • the rods 125 are cylindrical in shape and protrude rearward from the end wall of the cartridge case 101.
  • the lock shaft 145 extends in the left-right direction at a position near the top wall and the opening 112 of the case 101.
  • the lock shaft 145 is disposed rearward of the four sets of contacts 106.
  • the lock shaft 145 is a rod-like member and elongated in the left-right direction.
  • the lock shaft 145 is a columnar-shaped metal.
  • the lock shaft 145 has both ends fixed to the walls defining both ends of the case 101 in the left-right direction. Accordingly, the lock shaft 145 does not pivot or otherwise move relative to the case 101.
  • the lock shaft 145 extends in the left-right direction across the four accommodation spaces 111 respectively corresponding to the four ink cartridges 230. Space is also provided around the locking shaft 145 in each of the accommodation spaces 111 that accommodates the ink cartridges 230.
  • a locking surface 151 (described later) of each ink cartridge 230 can access the lock shaft 145 by moving upward or rearward.
  • the lock shaft 145 functions to maintain the ink cartridges 230 attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110 in the attached state.
  • the ink cartridge 230 engages with the lock shaft 145.
  • the locking shaft 145 retains the ink cartridge 230 in the cartridge-attachment section 210 against the urging force of coil springs 78 and 98 (described later) provided in the ink cartridge 230 for pushing the ink cartridge 230 rearward.
  • the ink cartridge 230 of the second embodiment includes a casing 231 configured of a lower case 231L and an upper cover 231U, and a movable member 230M.
  • the lower case 231L corresponds to the casing 31 of the ink cartridge 30 of the first embodiment.
  • the lower case 231L defines therein the first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33 for storing ink.
  • the upper cover 231U is positioned above the lower case 231L.
  • the upper cover 231U is fitted onto the lower case 231L. That is, unlike the first embodiment, the upper cover 231U is fixed to the 231l and does not move relative to the lower case 231L.
  • the IC board 64 is supported on a top surface of the movable member 230M, as in the first embodiment.
  • the IC board 64 faces upward in the upright posture of the ink cartridge 230.
  • the ink cartridge 230 also includes a protruding portion 43 and an operation portion 90 both provided on the top wall 39 of the casing 31.
  • the protruding portion 43 extends in the front-rear direction.
  • the protruding portion 43 has a locking surface 151 that faces rearward in the upright posture.
  • the locking surface 151 is positioned above the top wall 39.
  • the locking surface 151 extends in the vertical direction.
  • the locking surface 151 is arranged to contact the lock shaft 145 from its rear side when the ink cartridge 230 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110. Contact between the locking surface 151 and lock shaft 145, i.e., the engagement of the locking surface 151 and lock shaft 145, holds the ink cartridge 230 in the cartridge-attachment section 110 against the urging force of the coil springs 78 and 98.
  • the locking surface 151 is a vertical surface that extending in a direction crossing the front-rear direction (insertion direction) in the upright posture in the second embodiment, the locking surface 151 may extend horizontally in the front-rear direction and may contact the locking shaft 145 from below in the attached state. In this case, frictional force needs to be generated between the lock shaft 145 and the locking surface 151 to counter the urging force of the coil springs 78 and 98. As long as this frictional force is sufficient to retain the ink cartridge 230 in the cartridge-attachment section 210, the locking surface 151 may be configured of a horizontal surface.
  • the protruding portion 43 also includes a horizontal surface 154 that extends continuously forward from the locking surface 151.
  • the horizontal surface 154 extends in both the left-right and front-rear directions.
  • the protruding portion 43 also includes an inclined surface 155 that slopes continuously downward and forward from the horizontal surface 154.
  • the inclined surface 155 preferably slopes at an angle of 15° to 25° to the horizontal direction. Since the locking surface 151 and inclined surface 155 are connected via the horizontal surface 154, the boundary between the locking surface 151 and inclined surface 155 is not formed as a sharp angle.
  • the inclined surface 155 is positioned between the locking surface 151 and the circuit board 64 in the front-rear direction.
  • the lock shaft 145 contacts the inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154 and is smoothly guided by the inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154 to a position rearward of the locking surface 151.
  • the operation portion 90 is disposed on the top wall 39 to the rear of the locking surface 151.
  • the operation portion 90 has an operation surface 92 facing obliquely upward and rearward in the upright posture.
  • On the operation surface 92 a plurality of ribs is formed to be spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. These ribs help the user to visually recognize the operation surface 92, and also prevent user’s fingers from slipping over the operation surface 92 to facilitate user’s manipulation of the operation surface 92.
  • the operation surface 92 is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 230 from above and when viewing the ink cartridge 230 from the rear.
  • the user operates the operation surface 92 to remove the ink cartridge 230 from the cartridge-attachment section 210.
  • the air communication chamber 36 accommodates a valve 97 and the coil spring 98.
  • the air communication chamber 36 communicates with the outside of the ink cartridge 230 through the air communication port 96 formed in an upper portion of a front wall constituting the upper cover 231U.
  • the air communication port 96 has an inner diameter that is larger than an outer diameter of the corresponding rod 125 provided in the cartridge-attachment section 210.
  • the valve 97 is movable between a closed position for sealing the air communication port 96, and an open position separated from the air communication port 96.
  • the coil spring 98 is oriented to be compressible in the front-rear direction and urges the valve 97 forward, i.e., in the direction for contacting the air communication port 96.
  • the coil spring 98 has a spring constant that is smaller than the spring constant of the coil spring 78 disposed in the ink supply portion 34.
  • the corresponding rod 125 is inserted through the air communication port 96.
  • the rod 125 inserted through the air communication port 96 moves the valve 97 sealing the air communication port 96 rearward against the urging force of the coil spring 98.
  • the valve 97 moves rearward and separates from the air communication port 96, the first storage chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere.
  • the valve 77 closes the ink supply port 71 of the packing 76. Accordingly, at this time, ink flow to the outside of the ink cartridge 230 is interrupted. Further, in this state, the valve 97 closes the air communication port 96. The first ink chamber 32 is thus not opened to the atmosphere.
  • the ink cartridge 230 is configured to be inserted into the case 101 in the upright posture through the opening 112 of the cartridge-attachment section 210.
  • the user pushes the upper portion 41U of the rear wall 41 forward to insert the ink cartridge 230 into the cartridge-attachment section 210.
  • the bottom portion of the ink cartridge 230 enters the corresponding guide groove 109 provided in the bottom of the case 101 (see Fig. 2).
  • the ink supply portion 34 advances into the corresponding guide portion 105, as illustrated in Fig. 12.
  • the rod 125 also advances into the corresponding air communication port 96.
  • the protruding portion 115 enters into the receiving space of the recessed portion 132 of the movable member 230M. As in the first embodiment, the protruding portion 115 advances into the receiving space of the recessed portion 132 from its front side toward the rear end of the recessed portion 132, i.e., toward the inner rear surface 139 of the recessed portion 132.
  • the ink cartridge 230 As the ink cartridge 230 is inserted further frontward near the end wall of the case 101, the corresponding ink needle 102 enters inside the ink valve chamber 35 through the ink supply port 71, forcing the valve 77 to separate from the packing 76 against the urging force of the coil spring 78. As a result, the ink needle 102 is connected to the ink valve chamber 35 and the ink supply portion 34 is fixed relative to the cartridge-attachment section 210. The ink stored in the ink valve chamber 35 is allowed to flow into the interior space 102A of the ink needle 102.
  • the rod 125 having entered into the air communication port 96 abuts on the valve 97, forcing the valve 97 to separate from the air communication port 96 against the urging force of the coil spring 98.
  • the first ink chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere through the through-hole 46, the air communication chamber 36, and the air communication port 96.
  • the ink cartridge 230 as a whole is applied with the rearward urging force generated by the coil springs 78 and 98.
  • the magnitude of the urging force generated by each of the coil springs 78 and 98 is determined by the spring constant of the spring and the distance of the spring that is compressed from its natural length.
  • the spring constant of the coil spring 98 is smaller than the spring constant of the coil spring 78.
  • the compressed distance of the coil spring 78 (a distance by which the valve 77 is separated from the ink supply port 71) is greater than the compressed distance of the coil spring 98 (a distance by which the valve 97 is separated from the air communication port 96).
  • the magnitude of the urging force generated by the coil spring 78 is greater than the magnitude of the urging force generated by the coil spring 98.
  • the protruding portion 43 reaches the lock shaft 145, and the inclined surface 155 slides against the lock shaft 145. Since the user holds the upper portion 41U of the rear wall 41 and continues to push the ink cartridge 230 forward, the ink cartridge 230 is applied with a rotational moment acting in a counterclockwise direction in Fig. 12. However, due to the contact between the inclined surface 155 and lock shaft 145, the ink cartridge 230 is pivoted clockwise in Fig. 12 about a pivot center C, against this counterclockwise rotational moment.
  • This pivot center C (depicted in Figs. 11 and 12) is provided by a center of the ink supply port 71 of the packing 76 into which the corresponding ink needle 102 is inserted.
  • This position of the pivot center C in the ink cartridge 230 depends on the shape of the ink needle 102 and the shape of the ink supply port 71, but the center of an area in which the ink needle 102 contacts the inner surface of the cylindrical ink supply portion 34 is the hypothetical pivot center.
  • the hypothetical pivot center C is the center of a portion of the ink needle 102 that contacts the inner circumferential surface of the packing 76 defining the ink supply port 71.
  • the ink cartridge 230 of the second embodiment pivots clockwise about this pivot center C.
  • the posture (orientation) of the ink cartridge 230 at this point (the posture of the ink cartridge 230 shown in Fig. 12) will be called the inclined posture.
  • the inner diameter of the air communication port 96 is larger than the outer diameter of the rod 125, a space is also provided between the rod 125 and the air communication port 96. This space also allows the pivotal movement of the ink cartridge 230 in the clockwise direction. In other words, in the state where the ink cartridge 230 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 210, the rod 125 and the air communication port 96 do not contact with each other. That is, vertical positioning is not performed between the rod 125 and the air communication port 96.
  • the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 of the protruding portion 43 become positioned closer to the end wall of the case 101 than the lock shaft 145 is to the end wall.
  • the locking surface 151 is positioned below the lock shaft 145.
  • the protruding portion 115 entered into the receiving space of the recessed portion 132 is received by the recessed portion 132, making contact with the inner top surface 133 of the recessed portion 132 to move the movable member 230M upward relative to the upper cover 231U, as illustrated in Fig. 12.
  • the IC board 64 becomes positioned below the corresponding contacts 106.
  • the IC board 64 is brought into contact with the corresponding contacts 106 of the cartridge-attachment section 210. An electrical connection is therefore established between the electrodes 65 on the IC board 64 and the contacts 106.
  • the light-blocking plate 67 is positioned between the light-emitting portion and light-receiving portion of the corresponding optical sensor 113. Accordingly, the light-blocking plate 67 blocks the passage of light from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving portion, as in the first embodiment described above.
  • the locking surface 151 faces rearward and opposes the lock shaft 145 in the front-rear direction.
  • the ink cartridge 230 is moved rearward by the urging force of the coil spring 78.
  • the locking surface 151 therefore moves rearward and abuts against the lock shaft 145 from frontward thereof, thereby restricting the ink cartridge 230 from moving further rearward.
  • the ink cartridge 230 is thus fixed in position relative to the cartridge-attachment section 210 by the abutment (engagement) between the locking surface 151 and the lock shaft 145. Attachment of the ink cartridge 230 to the cartridge-attachment section 210 is thus complete (in its attached state) as shown in Fig. 11. At this time, the ink cartridge 230 is in the upright posture.
  • the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section 210 contacts the inner top surface 133 of the movable member 230M from below and supports the movable member 230M.
  • the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 64 contact the corresponding contacts 106 from below. That is, the electrodes 65 resiliently deform the contacts 106 upward, forming electrical connection with the same. While the resilient deformation of the contacts 106 urges the circuit board 64 downward at this time, the ink cartridge 230 is retained by the protruding portion 115 supporting the movable member 230M. Consequently, the circuit board 64 maintains the resilient deformation of the contacts 106.
  • the user presses down on the operation surface 92.
  • the operation surface 92 faces diagonally upward and rearward. Therefore, when the user operates the operation surface 92, a force acting in a direction diagonally downward and forward is applied to the ink cartridge 230.
  • This force pivots the ink cartridge 230 clockwise in Fig. 11, thereby moving the locking surface 151 to a position lower than the lock shaft 145.
  • the ink cartridge 230 shifts from the upright posture to the inclined posture.
  • the urging force of the coil spring 78 moves the ink cartridge 230 rearward relative to the cartridge-attachment section 210, and the user can extract the ink cartridge 230 from the cartridge-attachment section 210.
  • the locking surface 151 is positioned farther rearward than the circuit board 64 in the front-rear direction.
  • This arrangement can prevent the locking surface 151 from impeding insertion of the ink cartridge 230 into the cartridge-attachment section 210.
  • this arrangement can prevent the locking surface 151 from impeding movement of the contacts 106 provided in the cartridge-attachment section 210 relative to the ink cartridge 230.
  • the protruding portion 115 protrudes rightward from the side surface 114B, but the protruding portion 115 may instead protrude leftward from the side surface 114A. Further, while the protruding portion 115 protrudes from only one of the side surfaces 114A and 114B in the first and second embodiments (only the side surface 114B), two protruding portions 115 may be provided with one protruding rightward from the side surface 114B and another one protruding leftward from the side surface 114A.
  • a cartridge-attachment section 310 according to a variation of the first embodiment includes a case 301 provided with two protruding portions 115 with one protruding rightward from the side surface 114B and another one protruding leftward from the side surface 114A.
  • An ink cartridge 330 according to this variation includes a movable member 330M formed with two recessed portions 132 each adapted to receive corresponding one of the two protruding portions 115.
  • one of the second openings 137 is open leftward on the left side surface 82L of the peripheral wall 82 constituting the movable member 330M, and the other one of the second opening 137 is open rightward on a right side surface 82R of the peripheral wall 82 constituting the movable member 330M.
  • the recessed portion 132 is formed in the left side surface of the movable member 130, 230M at a position corresponding to the protruding portion 115 protruding from the side surface 114B.
  • the position of the recessed portion 132 may be modified to suit the configuration of the protruding portion 115.
  • the protruding portion 115 is configured to protrude from the side surface 114A
  • the recessed portion 132 may be formed in the right side surface of the movable member 130, 230M.
  • the recessed portion 132 may be formed in both left and right side surfaces of the movable member 130, 230M (as illustrated in the example shown in Fig. 8B).
  • the movable member 130, 230M need not be provided with surfaces corresponding to the inner bottom surface 134, inner right surface 135 and inner rear surface 139 of the embodiments.
  • the movable member 130, 230M need only be provided with following surfaces: a contact surface contacted by the protruding portion 115; a surface supported by the casing 31, 231; and a surface for supporting the circuit board 64 that faces away from the contact surface in the vertical direction.
  • the ink cartridge 630 includes the casing 431, and a movable member 630M movably supported by the casing 431.
  • the movable member 630M has an upper wall 639 on which a protruding portion 683 is disposed for supporting the IC board 64.
  • the rod member 632 is disposed on a top surface of the protruding portion 683 and is oriented in the left-right direction. Specifically, the rod member 632 has a right end fixed on the top surface of the protruding portion 683, and a left end protruding farther leftward than a left surface of the protruding portion 683.
  • the inner top surface 133 need not be positioned above the imaginary plane P1 (see Fig. 6) passing through the top edge 36T of the interior space in the ink cartridge 30 (the first storage chamber 32, the second storage chamber 33, and the air communication chamber 36) when the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright posture.
  • the inner top surface 133 may be positioned between the right edge and left edge of the circuit board 64, for example.
  • the distance L1 see Fig.
  • the circuit board 64 in the front-rear direction between the position at which the protruding portion 115 contacts the inner top surface 133 and the position of the circuit board 64 may be greater than or equal to the distance L2 in the front-rear direction between the position at which the protruding portion 115 contacts the inner top surface 133 and the ink supply port 71, for example. Still further, the circuit board 64 may also be positioned farther forward than the light-blocking plate 67, for example. Still alternatively, the inner top surface 133 may also be positioned above the imaginary plane P2 (see Fig. 6) that passes through the top edge 67T of the light-blocking plate 67, for example. Further, the circuit board 64 may also be positioned farther forward than the ink needle 102 in the attached state, for example.
  • liquid of the present disclosure is not limited to ink.
  • a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto sheets prior to ink during a printing operation may be stored in the liquid cartridge.
  • cleaning water for cleaning the recoding head 21 may be stored in the liquid cartridge.
  • the movable members 130, 230M, 330M, 430M, 530M and 630M are an example of a movable member.
  • the IC board 64 and electrodes 65 are an example of a circuit board.
  • the recessed portion 132, recessed portion 432M, protrusion 532 and rod member 632 are an example of a receiving portion.
  • the inner top surface 133, bottom surfaces 533 and 633 are an example of a contact surface.
  • the recessed portions 132 and 432M are an example of a recess.
  • the sloped surface 138 is an example of a sloped surface.
  • the inner right surface 135 is an example of a first surface.
  • the inner bottom surface 134 is an example of a second surface.
  • the inner rear surface 139 is an example of a third surface.
  • the first openings 136 and 436 are an example of a first inlet opening.
  • the second opening 137 is an example of a second inlet opening.
  • the left surface 535 is another example of a first surface.
  • the vertical surface 39C and front surface 483F are an example of a front surface.
  • the left side surfaces 82L and 483L are an example of a side surface.
  • the light-blocking plate 67 is an example of a light-blocking portion.
  • the accommodation space 111 is an example of an accommodation space.
  • the locking surface 151 is an example of an engaging surface.
  • the lock shaft 145 is an example of an engaging portion.
  • the frontward direction 51 is an example of an insertion direction.
  • the rightward direction 55 and leftward direction 56 are an example of a widthwise direction.
  • the system 1 is an example of a system.
  • the printer 10 is an example of a printer.
  • the side surface 114B is an example of a side plate.
  • the contact 106 is an example of an electrical contact.
  • the ink needle 102 is an example of a liquid-supply tube.
  • the optical sensor 113 is an example of an optical sensor.
  • the packing 76 is an example of a sealing portion.
  • the side surface 114A is an example of another side plate.

Landscapes

  • Ink Jet (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une cartouche de liquide (30) conçue pour être insérée dans une section de fixation de cartouche (110) dans une direction d'insertion (51) croisant une direction gravitationnelle et logée dans la section de fixation de cartouche dans une position verticale. La cartouche de liquide comprend un boîtier (31), un élément mobile (130) supporté mobile par le boîtier, et une carte de circuit imprimé (64) disposée au niveau de l'élément mobile et orientée vers le haut dans la position verticale. L'élément mobile (130) comprend une partie de réception (132) fournissant un espace de réception qui est ouvert dans la direction d'insertion et dans une direction de la largeur (56, 55) perpendiculaire à la direction d'insertion et à la direction gravitationnelle pour recevoir une partie en saillie (115) de la section de fixation de cartouche. La partie de réception présente une surface de contact (133) définissant l'espace de réception et orientée vers le bas. La surface de contact (133) s'étend dans la direction d'insertion et dans la direction de la largeur et est conçue pour entrer en contact avec la partie en saillie (115) de la section de fixation de cartouche.
PCT/JP2018/013097 2018-03-29 2018-03-29 Cartouche de liquide, système utilisant la cartouche de liquide et procédé de fixation de la cartouche de liquide Ceased WO2019186858A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2018/013097 WO2019186858A1 (fr) 2018-03-29 2018-03-29 Cartouche de liquide, système utilisant la cartouche de liquide et procédé de fixation de la cartouche de liquide

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
PCT/JP2018/013097 WO2019186858A1 (fr) 2018-03-29 2018-03-29 Cartouche de liquide, système utilisant la cartouche de liquide et procédé de fixation de la cartouche de liquide

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WO2019186858A1 true WO2019186858A1 (fr) 2019-10-03

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Cited By (2)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN116261521A (zh) * 2020-09-25 2023-06-13 精工爱普生株式会社 容器、印刷系统以及印刷装置
EP4253064A1 (fr) * 2022-03-31 2023-10-04 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Cartouche de stockage de liquide et imprimante

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US5506611A (en) * 1989-08-05 1996-04-09 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Replaceable ink cartridge having surface wiring resistance pattern
JP2006349936A (ja) * 2005-06-15 2006-12-28 Canon Inc プロセスカートリッジ
US20100225704A1 (en) * 2009-03-06 2010-09-09 Seiko Epson Corporation Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid housing container
US20160200114A1 (en) * 2013-09-18 2016-07-14 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink cartridge and ink jet printer
JP2016185651A (ja) * 2015-03-27 2016-10-27 ブラザー工業株式会社 システム
JP2016185650A (ja) * 2015-03-27 2016-10-27 ブラザー工業株式会社 液体カートリッジ
JP2017052219A (ja) * 2015-09-11 2017-03-16 ブラザー工業株式会社 システム
WO2017130242A1 (fr) * 2016-01-29 2017-08-03 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Système permettant de consommer des matières consommables

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5506611A (en) * 1989-08-05 1996-04-09 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Replaceable ink cartridge having surface wiring resistance pattern
JP2006349936A (ja) * 2005-06-15 2006-12-28 Canon Inc プロセスカートリッジ
US20100225704A1 (en) * 2009-03-06 2010-09-09 Seiko Epson Corporation Liquid ejecting apparatus and liquid housing container
US20160200114A1 (en) * 2013-09-18 2016-07-14 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Ink cartridge and ink jet printer
JP2016185651A (ja) * 2015-03-27 2016-10-27 ブラザー工業株式会社 システム
JP2016185650A (ja) * 2015-03-27 2016-10-27 ブラザー工業株式会社 液体カートリッジ
JP2017052219A (ja) * 2015-09-11 2017-03-16 ブラザー工業株式会社 システム
WO2017130242A1 (fr) * 2016-01-29 2017-08-03 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Système permettant de consommer des matières consommables

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN116261521A (zh) * 2020-09-25 2023-06-13 精工爱普生株式会社 容器、印刷系统以及印刷装置
EP4253064A1 (fr) * 2022-03-31 2023-10-04 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Cartouche de stockage de liquide et imprimante
US12565046B2 (en) 2022-03-31 2026-03-03 Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Liquid storing cartridge and printer

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