BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a printing fluid cartridge configured to be mounted
to a cartridge mounting portion, and to a printing apparatus comprising such a printing
fluid cartridge.
2, Description of Related Art
[0002] A known image printing apparatus, as described in Patent Application Publication
No.
JP 2009-132098 A, is configured to print an image on a sheet of printing paper. The known image printing
apparatus has an inkjet printing head and is configured to eject ink droplets selectively
from nozzles of the printing head onto the sheet of printing paper. The ink droplets
land on the sheet of printing paper and thereby a desired image is printed on the
sheet of printing paper. The known image printing apparatus has an ink cartridge,
and the ink cartridge is configured to store ink to be supplied to the printing head.
The ink cartridge is configured to be mounted to and removed from a mounting portion
provided in the known image printing apparatus.
[0003] Another known ink cartridge, as described in Patent Application Publication No.
JP 2000-37880, has an electronic component such as a memory module for storing data about the information
of the ink cartridge, e.g., the color of ink, the ingredients of ink, the remaining
amount of ink, a maintenance status, and etc. When the ink cartridge is mounted to
a mounting portion, the memory module contacts and is electrically connected to electrical
contacts provided in the mounting portion, such that the data stored in the memory
module can be read out.
[0004] When another known ink cartridge is mounted to a mounting portion, an external biasing
force is applied from the mounting portion to the ink cartridge in a removal direction
in which the ink cartridge is removed from the mounting portion, such that a user
can readily remove the ink cartridge when the user intends to do so. Moreover, the
ink cartridge may have a valve mechanism configured to selectively open and close
an opening formed in the ink cartridge, and the ink cartridge may be biased in the
removal direction by a spring of the valve mechanism. The mounting portion has a lock
mechanism to contact and retain the ink cartridge in the mounting portion against
the biasing force. The ink cartridge mounted to the mounting portion is always biased
in the removal direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] If the memory module is disposed at a front face of the ink cartridge oriented toward
an insertion direction in which the ink cartridge is inserted into the mounting portion,
the memory module may contact the contacts of the mounting portion with great speed
when the ink cartridge is inserted into the mounting portion with great speed. This
may break or damage the memory module, or may at least affect the function or lifetime
of the same. Moreover, if the memory module is disposed at the front face of the ink
cartridge, the memory module may directly receive the biasing force from the mounting
portion while the ink cartridge is kept mounted to the mounting portion. This also
may break the memory module. Furthermore, if the memory module is disposed at the
front face, at which an ink supply portion is disposed, ink may leak from the ink
supply portion and contaminate and damage the memory module.
[0006] EP 1 512 536 A1 discloses a printing fluid cartridge configured to be inserted into a cartridge mounting
portion in an insertion direction against a biasing force exerted in a removal direction
opposite the insertion direction, the printing fluid cartridge comprising: a front
face oriented toward the insertion direction when the printing fluid cartridge is
inserted into the cartridge mounting portion; a rear face positioned opposite the
front face with respect to the insertion direction and oriented toward the removal
direction when the printing fluid cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting
portion; a chamber positioned between the front face and the rear face and configured
to store printing fluid therein; a printing fluid supply portion positioned at the
front face and configured to supply the printing fluid from an interior of the chamber
to an exterior of the chamber; an electrical interface configured to allow an electrical
access to an integrated circuit provided to the printing fluid cartridge, the electrical
interface being positioned between the front face and the rear face with respect to
the insertion or removal direction; an engagement portion for retaining the printing
fluid cartridge in the cartridge mounting portion against the biasing force, the engagement
portion comprising an engagement surface; and a pivot member having an end portion
being configured to be positioned in a first position such that the end portion is
positioned below an upper end of the engagement surface. Another printing fluid cartridge
is known from
JP 2005 007893 A.
[0007] Therefore, a need has arisen for a printing fluid cartridge, a printing apparatus
and a method of manufacturing a printing fluid cartridge, which overcome these and
other shortcomings of the related art. A technical advantage of the present invention
is that a likelihood that excessive load is applied to an electrical interface is
reduced. Another independent technical advantage of the present invention is that
a likelihood that the electrical interface is contaminated with ink is reduced. These
technical advantages may be independent of each other, and at least one of the technical
advantages may be achieved by the present invention.
[0008] This object is achieved by the printing fluid cartridge having the features of claim
1, by the printing apparatus having the features of claim 14 and by the method having
the features of claim 21. The present invention is further developed as defined in
the dependent claims..
[0009] According to the present invention, because the at least one electrical interface
is positioned between the front face and the rear face with respect to the insertion
direction and the removal direction, the biasing force in the removal direction is
not directly received by the at least one electrical interface. Therefore, a likelihood
that excessive load is applied to the at least one electrical interface is reduced.
Moreover or alternatively, a likelihood that ink leaks from the printing fluid supply
portion and the electrical interface is contaminated with the ink is reduced.
[0010] Other objects, features, and advantages will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill
in the art from the following detained description of the invention and the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, needs satisfied thereby,
and the objects, features, and advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a printer comprising a cartridge mounting
portion and an ink cartridge, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge.
Fig. 3 is an exploded, perspective view of the ink cartridge.
Fig. 4 is a vertical, cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the cartridge mounting portion and the ink cartridge.
Fig. 6 is a vertical, cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion.
Fig. 7 is a vertical, partial cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion
and the ink cartridge during mounting of the ink cartridge to the cartridge mounting
portion.
Fig. 8 is another vertical, partial cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion
and the ink cartridge during mounting of the ink cartridge to the cartridge mounting
portion, in which the ink cartridge is further inserted from the position shown in
Fig. 7.
Fig. 9 is a vertical, partial cross-sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion and
the ink cartridge, in which the mounting of the ink cartridge to the cartridge mounting
portion is completed.
Fig. 10A is a side view of an ink cartridge, according to a modified embodiment.
Fig. 10B is a front view of the ink cartridge of Fig. 10A.
Fig. 11A is a side view of an ink cartridge, according to another modified embodiment.
Fig. 11B is a front view of the ink cartridge of Fig. 11A.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Embodiments of the present invention, and their features and advantages, may be understood
by referring to Figs 1-11B, like numerals being used for like corresponding parts
in the various drawings.
[Printer 10]
[0013] Referring to Fig. 1, a printing apparatus, e.g., a printer 10 is an inkjet printer
configured to print an image on a sheet of printing paper by ejecting ink droplets
selectively on the sheet of printing paper. The printer 10 comprises an ink supply
device 100. The ink supply device 100 comprises a cartridge mounting portion 110.
The cartridge mounting portion 110 is configured to allow a printing fluid cartridge,
e.g., an ink cartridge 30 to be mounted therein. The cartridge mounting portion 110
has an opening 112 and the interior of the cartridge mounting portion 110 is exposed
to the exterior of the cartridge mounting portion 110 via opening 112. The ink cartridge
30 is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 via the opening
112, such that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110.
The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be removed from the cartridge mounting portion
110 via the opening 112.
[0014] The ink cartridge 30 is configured to store ink, which is used by printer 10. The
printer 10 comprises a print head 21 and an ink tube 20. The ink cartridge 30 and
the print head 21 are fluidically connected via the ink tube 20 when the ink cartridge
30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110. The print head 21 comprises a
sub tank 28. The sub tank 28 is configured to temporarily store ink supplied via the
ink tube 20 from the ink cartridge 30. The print head 21 comprises nozzles 29 and
is configured to selectively eject ink supplied from the sub tank 28 through the nozzles
29.
[0015] The printer 10 comprises a paper feed tray 15, a paper feed roller 23, a conveying
roller pair 25, a platen 26, a discharge roller pair 22, and a discharge tray 16.
A conveying path 24 is formed from the paper feed tray 15 up to the discharge tray
16 via the conveying roller pair 25, the platen 26, and the discharge roller pair
22. The paper feed roller 23 is configured to feed a sheet of printing paper from
the paper feed tray 15 to the conveying path 24. The conveying roller pair 25 is configured
to convey the sheet of printing paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 onto the platen
26. The print head 21 is configured to selectively eject ink onto the sheet of printing
paper passing over the platen 26. Accordingly, an image is printed on the sheet of
printing paper. The sheet of printing paper having passed over the platen 26 is discharged
by the discharge roller pair 22 to the paper discharge tray 16 disposed at the most
downstream side of the conveying path 24.
[Ink cartridge 30]
[0016] Referring to Figs. 2 to 5, the ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into
and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 in an insertion/removal direction
50, while the ink cartridge 30 is in an upright position, as shown in Fig. 2, with
a top face of the ink cartridge 30 facing upward and a bottom face of the ink cartridge
30 facing downward. The insertion/removal direction 50 extends in a horizontal direction,
The ink cartridge 30 is in the upright position when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted
to the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the mounted position. The ink cartridge 30
is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in an insertion
direction 56 and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 in a removal direction
55. The insertion/removal direction 50 is a combination of the insertion direction
56 and the removal direction 55. The insertion direction 56 extends in a horizontal
direction and the removal direction 55 extends in a horizontal direction. When the
ink cartridge 30 is in the upright position, a height direction (up-down direction)
52 corresponds to the gravitational direction (vertical direction). In another embodiment,
the insertion/removal direction 50 may not extend exactly in a horizontal direction
but may extend in a direction intersecting a horizontal direction and the gravitational
direction (vertical direction).
[0017] The ink cartridge 30 has a substantially parallelepiped shape and comprises a main
body 31 and a bracket 90. The main body 31 and the bracket 90 form the exterior of
the ink cartridge 30. The ink cartridge 30 is a container configured to store ink
therein. The ink cartridge 30 comprises an ink chamber 36, which is a space formed
in the interior of ink cartridge 30. More specifically, the main body 31 comprises
the ink chamber 36 formed therein, e.g., the main body 31 comprises an inner frame
35, and the ink chamber 36 is formed in the inner frame 35. The ink cartridge 30 has
a width in a width direction (left-right direction) 51, a height in the height direction
(up-down direction) 52, and a depth in a depth direction (front-back direction) 53.
The width direction (left-right direction) 51, the height direction (up-down direction)
52, and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 are perpendicular to each other.
The width of the ink cartridge 30 is less than the height and the depth of the ink
cartridge 30. When ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position (upright position),
the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is parallel with a horizontal plane,
the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 is also parallel with the horizontal
plane, and the height direction (up-down direction) 52 is parallel with the gravitational
direction (vertical direction). When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into/removed
from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the depth direction (front-back direction)
53 is parallel with the insertion/removal direction 50, and the width direction (left-right
direction) 51 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52 are perpendicular to
the insertion/removal direction 50. The height direction (up-down direction) 52 is
parallel with an upward direction and a downward direction and is a combination of
the upward direction and the downward direction.
[0018] The ink cartridge 30 comprises a front wall 40 and a rear wall 42 opposite the front
wall 40 with respect to the insertion direction 56. The front wall 40 is positioned
at a front side of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the insertion direction 56
when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. More
specifically, the front wall 40 faces in the insertion direction 56, in other words,
the front wall 40 is oriented toward the insertion direction 56, when the ink cartridge
30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The rear wall 42 is positioned
at a rear side of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the insertion direction 56
when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. More
specifically, the rear wall 42 faces in the removal direction 55, in other words,
the rear wall 42 is oriented toward the removal direction 55, when the ink cartridge
30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The font wall 40 and the rear
wall 42 are aligned in depth direction (front-back direction) 53. The front wall 40
and the rear wall 42 are aligned in the insertion/removal direction 50 when the ink
cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink cartridge
30 comprises side walls 37, 38, each extending in the insertion/removal direction
50 and connected to the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42. The side walls 37 and
38 are aligned in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The ink cartridge
30 comprises a top wall 39 connected to upper ends of the front wall 40, the rear
wall 42, and the side walls 37 and 38. The ink cartridge 30 comprises a bottom wall
41 connected to lower ends of the front wall 40, the rear wall 42, and the side walls
37, 38. The top wall 39 and the bottom wall 41 are aligned in the height direction
(up-down direction) 52. An outer face of the front wall 40 is a front face of the
ink cartridge 30, and an outer face of the rear wall 42 is a rear face of the ink
cartridge 30. Therefore, the front face of the ink cartridge 30 is oriented toward
the insertion direction 56 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge
mounting portion 110 in the upright position, and the rear face of the ink cartridge
30 is oriented toward the removal direction 55 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted
into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the upright position. Moreover, the front
face of the ink cartridge 30 is oriented to, or faces, an end face of the cartridge
mounting portion 110, as can be seen from Figs. 7 though 9, the end face forming the
right end side thereof in these figures. An outer face of the top wall 39 is a top
face of the ink cartridge 30, and an outer face of the bottom wall 31 is a bottom
face of the ink cartridge 30. Therefore, the top face of the ink cartridge 30 is oriented
in the upward direction when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting
portion 110 in the upright position, and the bottom face of the ink cartridge 30 is
oriented in the downward direction when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge
mounting portion 110 in the upright position. The top face is connected to upper ends
of the front face and the rear face, and the bottom face is connected to lower ends
of the front face and the rear face. Similarly, outer faces of the side walls 37,
38 are side faces of the ink cartridge 30.
[0019] In this embodiment, the bracket 90 comprises the front wall 40, a portion of the
side wall 37, a portion of the side wall 38, a portion of the top wall 39, and a portion
of the bottom wall 41, and the main body 31 comprises the rear wall 42, the other
portion of the side wall 37, the other portion of the side wall 38, the other portion
of the top wall 39, and the other portion of the bottom 41. Therefore, the bracket
90 comprises the front face of the ink cartridge 30, a portion of the top face of
the ink cartridge 30, a portion of the bottom face of the ink cartridge 30, and portions
of the side faces of the ink cartridge 30, and the main body 31 comprises the rear
face of the ink cartridge 30, the other portion of the top face of the ink cartridge
30, the other portion of the bottom face of the ink cartridge 30, and the other portions
of the side faces of the ink cartridge 30.
[Main body 31]
[0020] Referring to Figs. 2 to 4, the main body 31 comprises a detection portion 33 at a
middle portion of the main body 31 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction)
52. The detection portion 33 is positioned at a front-wall 40 side of the main body
31. More specifically, the detection portion 33 is positioned at a front face of the
main body 31, and the front face of the main body 31 faces in the insertion direction
56, in other words, is oriented towards the insertion direction 56, when the ink cartridge
30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The bracket 90 comprises a
first protrusion 85 which comprises a detection portion, e.g., a rib 88. The first
protrusion 85 comprises a front end with respect to the insertion direction 56. The
rib 88 comprises a front end with respect to the insertion direction 56. The bracket
90 comprises a second protrusion 86. The second protrusion 86 comprises a front end
with respect to the insertion direction 56. The bracket 90 comprises another detection
portion 89. The detection portion 33 is positioned more rearward than the front end
of the first protrusion 85, the front end of the rib 88, the front end of the second
protrusion 86, and the detection portion 89 with respect to the insertion direction
56. The detection portion 33 has a box shape having an opening facing the ink chamber
36, such that the interior of the detection portion 36 is in fluid communication with
the ink chamber 36. The detection portion 33 comprises a pair of walls made of a translucent,
e.g., transparent or semi-transparent, resin configured to allow light, e.g., visible
or infrared light, traveling in a direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal
direction 50 to pass therethrough. In this embodiment, the direction perpendicular
to the insertion/removal direction 50 is the width direction (left-right direction)
51. The detection portion 33 is exposed to the exterior of the ink cartridge 30 via
an opening 95 formed through the bracket 90 at a front-wall 40 side of the bracket
90. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, an
optical sensor 114 (see Fig. 6) emits light in the direction perpendicular to the
insertion/removal direction 50. The detection portion 33 may allow the light which
is emitted from the optical sensor 114 and reaches the detection portion 33 via the
opening 95 to pass therethrough.
[0021] The pair of walls of the detection portion 33 is aligned in the width direction (left-right
direction) 51, and a space is formed between the pair of walls of the detection portion
33. Ink stored in the ink chamber 36 can reach this space. Referring to Fig. 4, the
main body 31 comprises a sensor arm 60 disposed in the ink chamber 36. The sensor
arm 60 comprises an arm body 61 extending mainly in the depth direction (front-back
direction) 53, an indicator 62 positioned at one end of the arm body 61, and a float
63 positioned at the other end of the arm body 61. The indicator 62 is positioned
in the space formed between the pair of walls of the detection portion 33. The main
body 31 comprises a support shaft 64 extending in the width direction (left-right
direction) 51, and the sensor arm 60 is supported by the support shaft 64, such that
the sensor arm 60 can pivot about the support shaft 64. The sensor arm 60 is configured
to pivot based on the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36, and therefore the
indicator 62 is configured to pivot based on the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber
36. The sensor arm 60 is configured to move between an upper position and a lower
position. When the sensor arm 60 is in the upper position, the indicator 62 is positioned
at an upper side of the detection portion 33 with respect to the gravitational direction
(vertical direction). When the sensor arm 60 is in the lower position, the indicator
62 is positioned at a lower side of the detection portion 33 with respect to the gravitational
direction. Fig. 4 depicts the sensor arm 60 positioned in the lower position when
the ink chamber 36 has a predetermined amount or more of ink stored therein.
[0022] When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the detection
portion 33 is positioned between a light emitter and a light receiver of the optical
sensor 114, which are aligned in a horizontal direction (the width direction or left-right
direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, and the detection
portion 33 is configured to change its state between a first state and a second state.
When the detection portion 33 is in the first state, the detection portion 33 allows
light, which is emitted from the light emitter of the optical sensor 114 and travels
in the direction (the width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to
the insertion/removal direction 50, to pass therethrough. When the detection portion
33 is in the second state, the detection portion 33 attenuates the light. More specifically,
when the detection portion 33 is in the first state and the light reaches one side
of the detection portion 33 in the direction (width direction or left-right direction
51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, a predetermined amount or
more of the light comes out of the other side of the detection portion 33 in the direction
(the width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal
direction 50 and reaches the light receiver of the optical sensor 114. When the detection
portion 33 is in the second state and the light reaches one side of the detection
portion 33 in the direction (the width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular
to the insertion/removal direction 50, the amount of light coming out of the other
side of the detection portion 33 and reaching the light receiver of the optical sensor
114 is less than the predetermined amount, e.g., zero. When the sensor arm 60 is in
the in the upper position, the detection portion 33 is in the first state to allow
the light to pass therethrough. When the sensor arm 60 is in the lower position, the
detection portion 33 is in the second state to attenuate the light. The attenuation
of the light is caused by the indicator 62 completely preventing the light from passing
therethrough in the direction (the width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular
to the insertion/removal direction 50, by the indicator 62 absorbing some amount of
the light, by the indicator 62 deflecting the light, by the indicator 62 totally reflecting
the light, and etc. As such, the amount (intensity) of the light reaching the light
receiver of the optical sensor 114 depends on the state of the detection portion 33.
By detecting the state of the detection portion 33 with the optical sensor 114, it
is determined whether the ink chamber 36 has the predetermined amount or more of ink
stored therein.
[0023] In another embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 may not comprise the sensor arm 60, and
therefore the indicator 62 may not be positioned in the detection portion 33. In such
a case, when the detection portion 33 stores ink therein, the detection portion 33
may attenuate the light. When the detection portion 33 does not store ink therein,
the detection portion 33 may allow the light to pass therethrough. More specifically,
when the detection portion 33 does not store ink therein and the light reaches one
side of the detection portion 33 in the direction (the width direction or left-right
direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, the predetermined
amount or more of the light may come out of the other side of the detection portion
33 in the direction (the width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular
to the insertion/removal direction 50 and reaches the light receiver of the optical
sensor 114. When the detection portion 33 stores ink therein and the light reaches
one side of the detection portion 33 in the direction (the width direction or left-right
direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, the amount of light
coming out of the other side of the detection portion 33 and reaching the light receiver
of the optical sensor 114 is less than the predetermined amount, e.g., zero. The attenuation
of the light may be caused by the ink absorbing some amount of the light. In yet another
embodiment, the detection portion 33 may comprise a flexible film forming a space
therein. When ink is stored in the space formed by the flexible film, the flexible
film bulges. The ink cartridge 30 may comprise a pivotable lever contacting the flexible
film, and the lever may attenuate the light by completely preventing the light from
passing therethrough in the direction (the width direction or left-right direction
51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, by absorbing some amount
of the light, by deflecting the light, by totally reflecting the light, and etc. When
the ink moves out of the space formed by the flexible film and the flexible film shrinks,
the lever contacting the flexible film may move to a position in which the lever no
longer attenuates the light. In still another embodiment, the detection portion 33
comprises a prism-like structure. In such a case, when ink contacts the prism-like
structure, the prism-like structure may reflect light such that the light does not
reach the light receiver of the optical sensor 114. When ink does not contact the
prism-like structure, the prism-like structure may reflect light such that the light
reaches the light receiver of the optical sensor 114.
[0024] The main body 31 has an air communication opening 32 at the front-wall 40 side of
the main body 31 above the detection portion 33. More specifically, the air communication
opening 32 is positioned at the front face of the main body 31 facing in the insertion
direction 56. The air communication opening 32 is formed through a wall defining the
ink chamber 36 in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53. An air layer formed
in the ink chamber 36 and the atmosphere outside of the ink chamber 36 can be brought
into fluid communication via the air communication opening 32. The air communication
opening 32 is positioned between the front portion of the bracket 90 and the rear
wall 42 of the main body 31. The bracket 90 has a circular opening 96 formed through
a wall of the first projection 85 in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53,
and the air communication opening 32 is accessible via the opening 96 from the exterior
of the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 55.
[0025] The main body 31 comprises an air communication valve 73 configured to selectively
open and close the air communication opening 32. When the air communication opening
32 is opened, the pressure in the ink chamber 36 maintained in a negative pressure
becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure. In another embodiment, the air communication
opening 32 may not be positioned at the front-wall 40 side of the main body 31 and
may be positioned anywhere as long as the interior and the exterior of the ink chamber
36 can be brought into fluid communication. In yet another embodiment, the ink cartridge
30 may be configured to be used in the printer 10 with the ink chamber 36 maintained
in negative pressure. In such a case, the ink cartridge 30 may not have the air communication
opening 32.
[0026] The main body 31 comprises a printing fluid supply portion, e.g., an ink supply portion
34 at the front-wall 40 side of the main body 31 below the detection portion 33. More
specifically, the ink supply portion 34 is positioned at the front face of the main
body 31 facing in the insertion direction 56. The ink supply portion 34 is positioned
at a lower portion of the front face of the main body 31, i.e., at a bottom-wall 41
side of the front face of the main body 31. The bracket 90 has a circular opening
97 formed through the front wall 40 in the depth direction (front-back direction)
53. The ink supply portion 34 has a cylindrical shape and extends through the opening
97 of the front wall 40 in the insertion/removal direction 50. Therefore, the ink
supply portion 34 is positioned at the front wall 40. The ink supply portion 34 has
an ink supply opening 71 formed at the distal end of the ink supply portion 34.
[0027] The ink supply portion 34 has an ink path 72 formed therein. The ink path 72 extends
from the ink supply opening 71 up to the ink chamber 36 in the depth direction (front-back
direction) 53. The main body 31 comprises an ink supply valve 70 configured to selectively
open and close the ink supply opening 71. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to
the cartridge mounting portion 110, an ink pipe 122 provided in the cartridge mounting
portion 110 is inserted through the ink supply opening 71 and pushes the ink supply
valve 70 such that the ink supply opening 71 is opened. When this occurs, ink is flows
out of the ink chamber 36 into the ink pipe 122 via the ink path 72 in the insertion
direction 56.
[0028] In another embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 may not comprise the ink supply valve
70. In such a case, the ink supply opening 71 may be covered and closed by a film.
When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink
pipe 122 may break through the film, such that the ink supply opening 71 is opened.
[0029] Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the main body 31 comprises an engagement hook 43 at a
bottom-wall 41 side and the front-wall 40 side of the main body 31. The engagement
hook 43 extends forward in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 from a lower
portion of the front face of the main body 31. The front end of the engagement hook
43 comprises two protrusions extending outward in opposite directions in the width
direction (left-right direction) 51. The engagement hook 43 has a cut-out formed therein,
The cut-out is positioned at a middle portion of the engagement hook 43 with respect
to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and extends in the depth direction
(front-back direction) 53. With this cut-out, the engagement hook 43 is configured
to resiliently deform such that a dimension thereof in the width direction (left-right
direction) 51 decreases when the bracket 90 and the main body 31 are assembled. The
protrusions of the front end of the engagement hook 43 are then expanded back to normal
and positioned in elongated openings 91, 92 formed through the bracket 90, respectively,
and contact inner surfaces of the walls defining the elongated openings 91, 92, respectively,
such that the assembling is complete.
[0030] The main body 31 comprises an engagement portion 45 positioned at a top-wall 39 side
of the ink cartridge 30. More specifically, the engagement portion 45 is positioned
at a middle portion of the top wall 39 with respect to the depth direction (front-back
direction) 53. The engagement portion 45 extends upward from the top wall 39 and away
from the ink chamber 36 and comprises an engagement surface 46 which extends in the
width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the height direction (up-down direction)
52. The engagement surface 46 faces rearward with respect to the insertion direction
56, in other wards, faces in the removal direction 55, when the ink cartridge 30 is
inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. In another embodiment, the engagement
surface 46 may not extend vertically from the top wall 39, but may be inclined with
respect to the height direction (left-right direction) 51, and may face rearward with
respect to the insertion direction 56, in other wards, face in the removal direction
55, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110.
When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the engagement
surface 46 contacts an engagement member 145 of the cartridge mounting portion 110,
and receives an external force. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted
to and retained in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 is pushed
in the removal direction 55, and therefore, the engagement surface 46 pushes the engagement
member 145 in the removal direction 55. As a consequence, the engagement surface 46
receives a reaction force from the engagement member 145 in the insertion direction
56.
[0031] The main body 31 comprises a pivot member 80 positioned at an upper side of the main
body 31 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and at a rear-wall
42 side of the main body 31. More specifically, the pivot member 80 is positioned
at a rear portion of the top wall 39. The pivot member 80 has a bent flat-plate shape
and its longer dimension extends in a direction substantially parallel with the depth
direction (front-back direction) 53. The pivot member 80 comprises a shaft 83 at its
bent point. The bent point is positioned at a middle portion of the pivot member 80
with respect to the depth direction (front-back direction) 53. The shaft 83 extends
in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The shaft 83 is supported by the
other portion of the main body 31 at a position spaced away from the engagement surface
46 toward the rear wall 42, such that the pivot member 80 can pivot about the shaft
83. The pivot member 80 comprises a front end portion 81 and a rear end portion 82.
The front end portion 81 extends from the shaft 83 toward the engagement surface 46.
The rear end portion 82 extends from the shaft 83 toward the rear wall 42.
[0032] When no external force is applied to the pivot member 80, the pivot member 80 is
positioned, such that the front end portion 81 is positioned farthest from the top
wall 39, i.e., the front end portion 81 is in the upper most position relative to
the top wall 39, due to its own weight, i.e., the rear end portion 82 is heavier than
the front end portion 81. When the pivot member 80 is in this position, the front
end portion 81 may extend outside beyond an upper end of any other portion of the
main body 31, i.e., herein the upper end of the engagement portion 45. In another
embodiment, the front end portion 81 may not extend outside beyond the upper end of
any other portion of the main body 31 and may be positioned more inside than the upper
end of the other portion of the main body 31, i.e., positioned below the upper end
of the other portion of the main body 31. When the front end portion 81 is pushed
down, the pivot member 80 pivots in the clockwise direction in Fig. 4 against its
own weight. When the pivot member 80 pivots in the clockwise direction to the extent
possible, the front end portion 81 is positioned below an upper end of the engagement
surface 46. In another embodiment, the pivot member 80 may be integrally formed with
the other portion of the main body 31. In yet another embodiment, the pivot member
80 may be biased by a spring in the clockwise direction. In such a case, when the
rear end portion 82 is pushed down, the pivot member 80 pivots in the counterclockwise
direction against the biasing force of the spring.
[0033] As mentioned above, the main body 31 comprises the portions of the side walls 37,
38. Each of the portions of the side walls 37, 38 extends from the rear wall 42 up
to a middle portion of the main body 31 with respect to the depth direction (front-back
direction) 53. Each of the portions of the side walls 37, 38 comprises a flat plate
portion, and a tapered portion at the front of the flat plate portion with respect
to the depth direction (front-back direction) 53. More specifically, each of the flat
plate portion comprises a planar outer surface extending in the depth direction (front-back
direction) 53 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and a planar inner surface
extending in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 and the height direction
(up-down direction) 52. The tapered portion comprises a planar outer surface extending
in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 and the height direction (up-down
direction) 52 and an inclined inner surface 47 or 48 extending in a direction inclined
to the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 and extending in the height direction
(up-down direction) 52. The portion of the side wall 37 comprises the inclined inner
surface 47 and the portion of the side wall 38 comprises the inclined inner surface
48. When the bracket 90 is not attached to the main body 31 before the ink cartridge
30 is assembled, a front portion of the inner frame 35 defining the ink chamber 36
is not covered by the portions of the side walls 37, 38 and is exposed.
[Bracket 90]
[0034] The bracket 90 is attached to the main body 31. The bracket 90 covers a front portion
of the main body 31 extending from around the inner inclined surfaces 47, 48 to the
front face of the main body 31 facing in the insertion direction 56. More specifically,
the bracket 90 covers the front face of the main body 31, the side-wall 37 side of
the front portion of the main body 31, the side-wall 38 side of the front portion
of the main body 31, the top-wall 39 side of the front portion of the main body 31,
and the bottom-wall 41 side of the front portion of the main body 31. In other words,
the bracket 90 covers the front face of the main body 31, a top face, a bottom face,
and side faces of the front portion of the main body 31.
[0035] As described above, the bracket 90 comprises the portions of the side walls 37, 38.
The portions of the side walls 37, 38 have the elongated openings 91, 92 formed therethrough,
respectively. The elongated openings 91, 92, are positioned at bottom-wall 41 sides
of the portions of the side walls 37, 38, respectively. In other words, the elongated
openings 91, 92 are positioned at lower portions of the portions of the side walls
37, 38. Each of the elongated openings 91, 92 has a predetermined dimension in the
height direction (up-down direction) 52 reasonably longer than the respective dimensions
of the protrusions of the front end of the engagement hook 43 in order to provide
a substantial vertical tolerance or play in that direction. The protrusions of the
front end of the engagement hook 43 are positioned in the elongated openings 91, 92,
respectively, and contact inner surfaces of the walls defining the elongated openings
91, 92, respectively. If the bracket 90 is attempted to be removed from the main body
31 by pulling the bracket 90 in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53, the
protrusions of the front end of the engagement hook 43 are hooked on the inner surfaces
of the walls defining the elongated openings 91, 92, such that the bracket 90 cannot
be removed from the main body 31. The dimension of each of the protrusions of the
front end of the engagement hook 43 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52
is less than the dimension of each of the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height
direction (up-down direction) 52. The portions of the side walls 37, 38 comprise end
portions 93, 94 at a rear-wall 42 side thereof, respectively. The end portions 93,
94 extend in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and are covered by the tapered
portions of the portions of the side walls 37, 38 of the main body 31, respectively.
The end portions 93, 94 face the inclined inner surfaces 47, 48 of the tapered portions,
respectively, i.e., the end portions 93, 94 overlap the inclined inner surfaces 47,
48 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The bracket 90 is configured
to move relative to the main body 31 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52
within a range defined by the dimension of the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height
direction (up-down direction) 52 allowing the protrusions of the front end of the
engagement hook 43 to slide within the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height direction
(up-down direction) 52. In other words, there is a space between each one of the protrusions
of the front end of the engagement hook 43 and an end of a corresponding one of the
elongated openings 91, 92 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52, such that
the bracket 90 can slide on the main body 31 in the height direction (up-down direction)
52. When the bracket 90 moves relative to the main body 31, the end portions 93, 94
of the bracket 90 slides on the inclined inner surfaces 47, 48, respectively, In other
words, the inclined inner surfaces 47, 48 function as guides when the bracket 90 moves
relative to the main body 31. The bracket 90 is supported by an upper surface of the
front portion of the main body 31 from below in a normal state.
[0036] The bracket 90 has the opening 95 formed therethrough in the width direction (left-right
direction) 51. The opening 95 is positioned at the front-wall 40 side of the bracket
90 at a middle portion of the bracket 90 with respect to the height direction (left-right
direction) 52. In this embodiment, the opening 95 has a rectangular shape but can
have any other suitable shape according to modified embodiments. The opening 95 has
dimensions and size corresponding to the detection portion 33 of the main body 31
and is in a position corresponding to the detection portion 33, such that the detection
portion 33 is exposed to the exterior of the ink cartridge 30 via the opening 95 in
the width direction (left-right direction) 51. A portion of the bracket 90 defining
the opening 95 comprises the detection portion 89 extending in the height direction
(up-down direction) 52, and a support portion 79 extending from the lower end of the
detection portion 89 in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 toward the main
body 31 and configured to support the detection portion 33 from below. When the bracket
90 is supported by the upper surface of the front portion of the main body 31 from
below, there is a space between the detection portion 33 and the support portion 79.
When the bracket 90 moves in the upward direction relative to the main body 31, the
support portion 79 contacts a lower end of the detection portion 33. The range within
which the bracket 90 moves relative to the main body 31 in the height direction (up-down
direction) 52 can be defined by the dimension of the elongated openings 91, 92 in
the height direction (up-down direction) 52 allowing the protrusions of the front
end of the engagement hook 43 to slide within the elongated openings 91, 92 in the
height direction (up-down direction) 52 or can be defined by the space between the
detection portion 33 and the support portion 79 formed when the bracket 90 is supported
by the upper surface of the front portion of the main body 31 from below.
[0037] The bracket 90 has the opening 96 formed through a wall of the first protrusion 85
in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53, and the opening 96 is positioned
at an upper protrusion, i.e. the first protrusion 85 with respect to the height direction
52. In this embodiment, the opening 96 has a circular shape but any other shapes are
possible as well according to modified embodiments. The opening 96 has a dimension
and size corresponding to the air communication opening 32 of the main body 31 and
is in a position corresponding to the air communication opening 32, such that the
air communication opening 32 is accessible via the opening 96 from the exterior of
the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 55.
[0038] The bracket 90 has the opening 97 formed through the front wall 40 in the depth direction
(front-back direction) 53, and the opening 97 is positioned at a lower portion of
the front wall 40 with respect to the height direction 52. In this embodiment, the
opening 97 has a circular shape but any other shapes are possible as well according
to modified embodiments. The opening 97 has a dimension and size corresponding to
the ink supply portion 34 of the main body 31 and is in a position corresponding to
the ink supply portion 34, such that the ink supply portion 34 extends through the
opening 37 in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53.
[0039] The bracket 90 comprises the first protrusion 85 and the second protrusion 86 at
the front wall 40. The first protrusion 85 extends from the upper end of the front
wall 40 in the insertion direction 56 away from the rear wall 42. The width of the
first protrusion 85 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is the same as
the width of the front wall 40 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. In
another embodiment, the width of first protrusion 85 may be less than the width of
the front wall 40. The front end of the first protrusion 85 is positioned more forward
than the ink supply opening 71 formed at the distal end of the ink supply portion
34 in the insertion direction 56 away from the rear wall 42, The first protrusion
85 has a recess, e.g., a groove 87 formed in a middle portion of the first protrusion
85 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 52. The groove 87 extends
in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53. The groove 87 is opened forward
in the insertion direction 56 and opened upward in the height direction (up-down direction)
52. Both sides of the groove 87 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction)
51 are defined and closed by a pair of surfaces of the first protrusion 85 (side walls
of groove 87), and the bottom of groove 87 is defined and closed by a surface of the
first protrusion 85. The cross section of the groove 87 taken along the height direction
(up-down direction) 52 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is rectangular
but other cross sections are possible as well according to modified embodiments.
[0040] The first protrusion 85 comprises the rib 88 disposed in a middle portion of the
groove 87 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The rib 88
extends in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 and the height direction
(up-down direction) 52. The rib 88 extends in the upward direction from the surface
of the first protrusion 85 defining the bottom of the groove 87. The rib 88 extends
from the front-wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 in the depth direction 53 or insertion
direction 56. The rib 88 is positioned at or adjacent to a boundary between the top
wall 39 and the front wall 40. Each of side surfaces of the rib 88 with respect to
the width direction (left-right direction) 51 extends in the depth direction (front-back
direction) 53 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52 in parallel with the
pair of surfaces of the first protrusion 85 defining the both sides of the groove
87 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The surfaces of
the first protrusion 85 defining the both sides of the groove 87 with respect to the
width direction (left-right direction) 51 are opposed to the side surfaces of the
rib 88 in the width direction (left-right direction) 52, respectively. The rib 88
is configured to attenuate light, e.g., visible or infrared light, traveling in a
direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50. In this embodiment,
the direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 is the width direction
(left-right direction) 51. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted
to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rib 88 is positioned between a light emitter
and a light receiver of an optical sensor 116, which are aligned in a horizontal direction
(the width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal
direction 50. The rib 88 is configured to attenuate light, which is emitted from the
light emitter of the optical sensor 116 and travels in the direction (the width direction
or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50. When
the light reaches one side of the rib 88 in the direction (the width direction or
left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, the
amount of light coming out of the other side of the rib 88 and reaching the light
receiver of the optical sensor 116 is less than a predetermined amount, e.g., zero,
In other words, the rib 88 is configured to attenuate the amount or the intensity
of light to a level sufficient to be detected by the optical sensor 116. The attenuation
of the light is caused by the rib 88 completely preventing the light from passing
therethrough in the direction (the width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular
to the insertion/removal direction 50, by the rib 88 absorbing some amount of the
light, by the rib 88 deflecting the light, by the rib 88 totally reflecting the light,
and etc. As such, the rib 88 can be detected by the optical sensor 116. The dimension
of the rib 88 from the front wall 40 up to the front end of the rib 88 in the insertion
direction 56 away from the rear wall 42 varies from one type of the ink cartridge
30 to another type of the ink cartridge 30. Different types of the ink cartridges
30 may comprise different colors of ink, different ingredients of ink such as dye
and pigment, different initial amounts of ink stored in the ink chamber 36, and etc.
[0041] In another embodiment, the first protrusion 85 may have a recess 87 formed therein.
The recess 87 may be opened forward in the insertion direction 56, opened upward in
the height direction (up-down direction) 52, and opened on one side or the both sides
of the first protrusion 85 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, i.e.
at least one of the side walls of the groove 87 may be omitted. When the both side
walls of the groove 87 are omitted, the rib 88 is solely protruding from the platform
provided by the first protrusion 85. In this modified embodiment and the embodiment
described above, the rib 88 may also acquire a guiding function with respect to any
movable parts provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110, which function might
be provided also by the side walls of the groove 87 in the embodiment detailed above.
[0042] The second protrusion 86 extends from the lower end of the front wall 40 in the insertion
direction 56 away from the rear wall 42. The second protrusion 86 is positioned below
the ink supply portion 34. The width of the second protrusion 86 in the width direction
(left-right direction) 51 is the same as the width of the front wall 40 in the width
direction (left-right direction) 51. In another embodiment, the width of second protrusion
86 may be less than the width of the front wall 40. The front end of the second protrusion
86 is positioned more forward than the ink supply opening 71 formed at the distal
end of the ink supply portion 34 in the insertion direction 56 away from the rear
wall 42. The dimension of the second protrusion 86 from the front wall 40 up to the
front end of the second protrusion 86 in the insertion direction 56 away from the
rear wall 42 varies from one type of the ink cartridge 30 to another type of the ink
cartridge 30. Different types of the ink cartridges 30 may comprise different colors
of ink, different ingredients of ink such as dye and pigment, different initial amounts
of ink stored in the ink chamber 36, and etc. In this embodiment, the second protrusion
86 is indirectly detected by an optical sensor 117 (see Fig. 1). In another embodiment,
the second protrusion 86 may be directly detected by the optical sensor 117.
[0043] The bracket 90 comprises the detection portion 89 at or adjacent to the front wall
40 between the first protrusion 85 and the second protrusion 86 with respect to the
height direction (up-down direction) 52. The detection portion 89 is positioned more
forward than the detection portion 33 in the insertion direction 56 away from the
rear wall 42. The detection portion 33 and the detection portion 89 are aligned in
the insertion direction 56. The width of the detection portion 89 in the width direction
(left-right direction) 51 is the same as the width of the detection portion 33 in
the width direction (left-right direction) 51, but other larger or smaller widths
are possible as well according to modified embodiments. The detection portion 89 is
configured to attenuate light, e.g., visible or infrared light, traveling in the direction
(the width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal
direction 50 to pass therethrough. More specifically, during mounting of the ink cartridge
30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the detection portion 89 passes between
the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 114. When this occurs,
the detection portion 89 attenuates light, which is emitted from the light emitter
of the optical sensor 114 and travels in the direction (the width direction or left-right
direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50. When the light
reaches one side of the detection portion 89 in the direction (the width direction
or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, the
amount of light coming out of the other side of the detection portion 89 and reaching
the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 is less than the predetermined amount,
e.g., zero. In other words, the detection portion 89 is configured to attenuate the
amount or the intensity of light to a level sufficient to be detected by the optical
sensor 114. The attenuation of the light is caused by the detection portion 89 completely
preventing the light from passing therethrough in the direction (the width direction
or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, by
the detection portion 89 absorbing some amount of the light, by the detection portion
89 deflecting the light, by the detection portion 89 totally reflecting the light,
and etc, As such, the detection portion 89 can be detected by the optical sensor 114.
[0044] There is a gap between the detection portion 89 and the detection portion 33 in the
depth direction (front-back direction) 53. During mounting of the ink cartridge 30
to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the light, which is emitted from the light
emitter of the optical sensor 114 and travels in the direction (the width direction
or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, passes
through the gap and reaches the light receiver of the optical sensor 114. The amount
of light coming out of the gap and reaching the light receiver of the optical sensor
114 is greater than or equal to the predetermined amount. The dimension of the detection
portion 89 in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 varies from one type of
the ink cartridge 30 to another type of the ink cartridge 30. Different types of the
ink cartridges 30 may comprise different colors of ink, different ingredients of ink
such as dye and pigment, different initial amounts of ink stored in the ink chamber
36, and etc.
[0045] The front end of the first protrusion 85, the front end of the second protrusion
86, and the detection portion 89 are positioned more forward than the detection portion
33 with respect to the insertion direction 56. In other words, the detection portion
33 is positioned more rearward than the front end of the first protrusion 85, the
front end of the second protrusion 86, and the detection portion 89 with respect to
the insertion direction 56. Each of the detection portion 33 and the ink supply opening
71 is positioned between the first protrusion 85 and the second protrusion 86 with
respect to the height direction 52.
[0046] The ink cartridge 30 comprises a guide portion 65 at the top wall 39. The guide portion
65 is a pair of ribs extending upward from the top wall 39 and extending in the depth
direction (front-back direction) 53. The guide portion 65 extends over the bracket
90 and the main body 31. The width of the guide portion 65 between the outer surfaces
of the ribs in the width direction (left-right direction) is less than the width of
the ink cartridge 30 between the outer surfaces of the side walls 37, 38 of the main
body 31 and the bracket 90 in the width direction (left-right direction). The inner
gap of the guide portion 65 between the inner surfaces of the ribs in the width direction
(left-right direction) is greater than the width of the engagement member 145 in the
width direction (left-right direction). The guide portion 65 comprises a front end
in the insertion direction 56. The guide portion 65 is positioned between the groove
87 of the first protrusion 85 and the rear wall 42. More specifically, the guide portion
65 is positioned in the rear of the groove 87 with respect to the insertion direction
56.
[0047] The ink cartridge 30 comprises a guide portion 66 at the bottom wall 41. The guide
portion 66 is a protrusion extending downward from the bottom wall 41 and extending
in the depth direction (front-back direction) 53. The guide portion 66 extends over
the bracket 90 and the main body 31. The width of the guide portion 66 between the
outer surfaces of the guide portion 66 in the width direction (left-right direction)
is less than the width of the ink cartridge 30 between the outer surfaces of the side
walls 37, 38 of the main body 31 and the bracket 90 in the width direction (left-right
direction). When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge
mounting portion 110, the guide portions 65, 66 are inserted in guide grooves 109
of the cartridge mounting portion 110.
[0048] The ink cartridge 30 comprises an IC board 74 disposed at the bracket 90 between
the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65. The IC board 74 is positioned between the
groove 87 of the first protrusion 85 and the rear wall 42 and between the engagement
portion 45 and the front wall 40. The IC board 74 is positioned at the top-wall 39
side of the ink cartridge 30 between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42. The IC
board 74 is positioned more rearward than the front wall 40 and the groove 87 with
respect to the insertion direction 56. The IC board 74 and the ink supply opening
71 are mutually shifted with respect to the insertion direction 56. More specifically,
the IC board 74 is positioned more rearward than the ink supply opening 71 with respect
to the insertion direction 56.
[0049] The bracket 90 comprises a platform 67 on which the IC board 74 is disposed. The
platform 67 is positioned between the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65. The platform
67 is a planar surface extending in the width direction (left-right direction) 51
and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53, and extending in the insertion/removal
direction 50 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position (upright position).
A plane on which the platform 67 extends, i.e., a plane extending in the depth direction
(front-back direction) 53 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51, intersects
a plane on which the engagement surface 46 extends, i.e., a plane extending in the
height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the width direction (left-right direction)
51. In this embodiment, the plane on which the platform extends is perpendicular to
the plane on which the engagement surface 46 extends. The IC board 74 comprises a
substantially planar upper surface extending in the width direction (left-right direction)
51 and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53. When the ink cartridge 30 is
in the mounted position (upright position), the upper surface of the IC board 74 extends
horizontally and faces upward, A plane on which the upper surface of the IC board
74 extends, i.e., a plane extending in the depth direction (front-back direction)
53 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51, intersects the plane on which
the engagement surface 46 extends, i.e., a plane extending in the height direction
(up-down direction) 52 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51. In this
embodiment, the plane on which the upper surface of the IC board 74 extends is perpendicular
to the plane on which the engagement surface 46 extends. Because the platform 67 is
positioned more forward than the engagement surface 46 with respect to the insertion
direction 56, the IC board 74 is positioned more forward than the engagement surface
46 with respect to the insertion direction 56. The IC board 74 is positioned above
(higher than) the rib 88 and the groove 87 of the first protrusion 85 with respect
to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. In other words, the IC board 74 is
positioned more outside - with respect to the vertical direction or the height direction
(52) - than the rib 88 and the groove 87. The IC board 74 is positioned above (higher
than) at least a portion of the engagement portion 45 with respect to the height direction
(up-down direction) 52. In other words, the IC board 74 is positioned more outside
- with respect to the vertical direction or the height direction (52) - than at least
a portion of the engagement portion 45. The cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises
three contacts 106 aligned in the direction (width direction or left-right direction
51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50. During mounting of the ink
cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the IC board 74 contacts and is
electrically connected to the three contacts 106 (see Fig. 6). When the mounting of
the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, the IC board
74 still contacts and is electrically connected to the three contacts 106.
[0050] Referring to Figs. 2 and 3, the IC board 74 comprises an IC (not shown), and electrical
interfaces, e.g., a HOT electrode 75, a GND electrode 76, and a signal electrode 77.
The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit and stores data about the information
of the ink cartridge 30, e.g., the lot number of the ink cartridge 30, the manufacturing
date of the ink cartridge 30, the color of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30, and
etc. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the
data stored in the IC can be read out by the printer 10.
[0051] Each of the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 is
electrically connected to the IC. Each of the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode
76, and the signal electrode 77 extends in the depth direction (front-back direction)
53. The HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are aligned
and spaced apart from each other in the width direction (left-right direction) 51.
The GND electrode 76 is positioned between the HOT electrode 75 and the signal electrode
77. The IC board 74 has a width in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and
the rib 88 of the first protrusion 85 has a width in the width direction (left-right
direction) 51, and the width of the IC board 74 is greater than the width of the rib
88. Each of the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77
has a width in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, and the width of each
of the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 is greater
than the width of the rib 88. The center of the IC board 74 in the width direction
(left-right direction) 51 and the center of the rib 88 of the first protrusion 85
in the width direction (left-right direction) is positioned on a plane which is parallel
with the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-back
direction) 53. Therefore, the IC board 74 and the rib 88 intersect the plane which
is parallel with the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction
(front-back direction) 53. In other words, the IC board 74 and the rib 88 are not
offset in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. More specifically, the center
of the GND electrode 76 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the center
of the rib 88 is positioned on the plane which is parallel with the height direction
(up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53. In other
words, the center of the GND electrode 76 in the width direction (left-right direction)
51 and the center of the rib 88 are not offset in the width direction (left-right
direction) 51. Therefore, the GND electrode 76 and the rib 88 intersect the plane
which is parallel with the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction
(front-back direction) 53. In other words, the GND electrode 76 and the rib 86 are
not offset in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. The HOT electrode 75,
the GND electrode 76, the signal electrode 77, and the rib 88 are symmetrically arranged
with respect to the plane which is parallel with the height direction (up-down direction)
52 and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53. The engagement surface 46, the
IC board 74, and the groove 87 intersect the plane which is parallel with the height
direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53.
In other words, the engagement surface 46, the IC board 74, and the groove 87 are
not offset in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. More specifically, the
engagement surface 46, the GND electrode 76, and the groove 87 intersect the plane
which is parallel with the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction
(front-back direction) 53, the engagement surface 46, the HOT electrode 75, and the
groove 87 intersect another plane which is parallel with the height direction (up-down
direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53, and the engagement
surface 46, the signal electrode 77, and the groove 87 intersect yet another plane
which is parallel with the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction
(front-back direction) 53. In other words, the engagement surface 46, each one of
the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77, and the groove
87 are not offset in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. During mounting
of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the HOT electrode 75,
the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 contact and are electrically connected
to the three contacts 106 (see Fig. 6), respectively. When the mounting of the ink
cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, the HOT electrode
75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 still contact and are electrically
connected to the three contacts 106, respectively.
[0052] The engagement surface 46, the IC board 74, and the groove 87 are exposed upward
with respect to the height direction 52 to the exterior of the ink cartridge 30 at
the top-wall 39 side of the ink cartridge 30. The HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode
76, and the signal electrode 77 are exposed upward to the exterior of the ink cartridge
30 at the upper surface of the IC board 74, such that the HOT electrode 75, the GND
electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are accessible from above when the ink cartridge
30 is in the mounted position. In other words, the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode
76, and the signal electrode 77 are accessible in the downward direction which is
perpendicular to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the insertion/removal
direction 50. The engagement surface 46 is accessible from above when the ink cartridge
30 is in the mounted position. In other words, the engagement surface 46 is accessible
in the downward direction which is perpendicular to the width direction (left-right
direction) 51 and the insertion/removal direction 50.
[0053] The pair of ribs of the guide portion 65 extends beyond the IC board 74 upward and
forward in the insertion direction 56. In other words, the pair of ribs of the guide
portion 65 extend outward beyond the IC board 74. The bracket 90 comprises a ramp
49 connecting the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65. The ramp 49 is positioned
between the groove 87 of the first protrusion 85 and the rear wall 42 and between
the IC board 74 and the front wall 40. The ramp 49 is positioned between the groove
87 of the first protrusion 85 (i.e., the upper end of the front wall 40) and the IC
board 74. The ramp 49 is inclined downward with respect to the insertion direction
56, such that a front portion of the ramp 49 is positioned lower than a rear portion
of the ramp 49. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and/or removed from the
cartridge mounting portion 110, the engagement member 145 slides on the ramp 49.
[0054] A recess 78 is formed between the engagement portion 45 and the bracket 90 at a boundary
between the engagement portion 45 and the bracket 90 at an upper portion of the ink
cartridge 30. When the main body 31 and the bracket 90 are positioned relative to
the cartridge mounting portion 110, respectively, as described below, there is no
level difference between the engagement portion 45 and the bracket 90 in the height
direction (up-down direction) 50 on both sides of the recess 78. Therefore, when the
ink cartridge 30 is inserted into or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110,
the engagement member 145 is not caught in the recess 78.
[0055] In this embodiment, the bracket 90 covers the front face of the main body 31, the
side-wall 37 side of the front portion of the main body 31, the side-wall 38 side
of the front portion of the main body 31, the top-wall 39 side of the front portion
of the main body 31, and the bottom-wall 41 side of the front portion of the main
body 31. However, the bracket 90 may cover the front portion of the main body 31 differently.
Referring to Figs. 10A and 10B, in a modified embodiment, the bracket 90 may not cover
the side-wall 37 side of the front portion of the main body 31. Referring to Figs.
11A and 11B, in another modified embodiment, the bracket 90 may not cover the bottom-wall
41 side of the front portion of the main body 31.
[Introduction of ink into the ink cartridge 30]
[0056] After the main body 31 and the bracket 90 are assembled, the ink cartridge 30 is
placed with the front wall 40 facing upward. The ink supply valve 70 and the air communication
valve 73 are then pushed toward the ink chamber 36, such that the ink supply opening
71 and the air communication opening 32 are opened. The interior of the ink chamber
36 thus becomes accessible from the exterior of the ink chamber 36. Subsequently,
ink is introduced into the interior of the ink chamber 36 from the exterior of the
ink chamber 36 via the ink supply opening 71 while air escapes from the interior of
the ink chamber 36 to the exterior of the ink chamber 36 via the air communication
opening 32. The ink supply valve 70 and the air communication valve 73 are then moved
to their original positions, such that the ink supply opening 71 and the air communication
opening 32 are closed. In another embodiment, only one of the ink supply valve 70
and the air communication valve 73 may be pushed toward the ink chamber 36, such that
the corresponding one of the ink supply opening 71 and the air communication opening
32 is opened, The interior of the ink chamber 36 thus becomes accessible from the
exterior of the ink chamber 36. Subsequently, ink is introduced into the interior
of the ink chamber 36 from the exterior of the ink chamber 36 via the ink supply opening
71 or the air communication opening 32 while air escapes from the interior of the
ink chamber 36 to the exterior of the ink chamber 36 via the ink supply opening 71
or the air communication opening 32. Because only one of the ink supply opening 71
and the air communication opening 32 is opened, it may take more time to fill the
ink chamber 36 with ink compared to the above described method in which both the ink
supply opening 71 and the air communication opening 32 are opened. The ink supply
valve 70 or the air communication valve 73 is then moved to its original position,
such that the ink supply opening 71 or the air communication opening 32 is closed.
[0057] When the ink cartridge 30 is refilled, an opening may be formed through at least
one of the front wall 40, the rear wall 42, the top wall 39, the bottom wall 41, the
side wall 37, and the side wall 38, such that the interior of the ink chamber 36 becomes
accessible from the exterior of the ink chamber 36 via the opening. The ink supply
opening 71 and/or the air communication opening 32 may be additionally opened. Subsequently,
ink is introduced into the interior of the ink chamber 36 from the exterior of the
ink chamber 36 via the opening formed through the wall of the ink cartridge 30 while
air escapes from the interior of the ink chamber 36 to the exterior of the ink chamber
36 via the opening and/or via the ink supply opening 71 and/or the air communication
opening 32 if opened. And then, the opening formed through the wall of the ink cartridge
30 is closed by a plug, curable adhesive, a tape, etc., and the ink supply opening
71 and/or the air communication opening 32 is closed if opened before.
[Ink supply device 100]
[0058] Referring to Fig. 1, the printer 10 comprises the ink supply device 100. The ink
supply device 100 is configured to supply ink to the print head 21. The ink supply
device 100 comprises the cartridge mounting portion 110 to which the ink cartridge
30 is mountable. In Fig, 1, the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting
portion 110.
[Cartridge mounting portion 110]
[0059] Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises a case 101,
and the case 101 has the opening 112 formed through one face of the case 101. The
ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into or removed from the case 101 through
the opening 112. The case 101 has the groove 109 formed in a top surface defining
the upper end of the inner space of the case 101 and also has the groove 109 formed
in a bottom surface defining the lower end of the inner space of the case 101. The
grooves 109 extend in the insertion/removal direction 50. The ink cartridge 30 is
guided in the insertion/removal direction 50 with the guide portion 65 inserted in
the groove 109 formed in the top surface of the case 101 and the guide groove 66 inserted
in the groove 109 formed in the bottom surface of the case 101. The case 101 is configured
to receive four ink cartridges 30 storing cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black
ink, respectively.
[0060] The case 101 comprises three partition plates 102 extending in the vertical direction
and the insertion/removal direction 50. The three partition plates 102 partition the
inner space of the case 101 into four spaces. The four ink cartridges 30 are configured
to be mounted in the four spaces, respectively.
[0061] Referring to Fig. 6, the case 101 comprises an end surface opposite the opening 112
in the insertion/removal direction 50. The cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises
a connection portion 103 provided at a lower portion of the end surface of the case
101 at a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge
30 mounted to the case 101. In this embodiment, four connection portions 103 are provided
for the four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the case 101.
[0062] The connection portion 103 comprises a printing fluid supply pipe, e.g., the ink
pipe 122, and a holding portion 121. The ink pipe 122 is a cylindrical pipe made of
a synthetic resin. The ink pipe 122 is connected to the ink tube 20 at the exterior
of the case 101. The ink tube 20 connected to the ink pipe 20 extends to the printing
head 21 to supply ink to the printing head 21. In Fig. 5 and 6, the ink tube 20 is
not depicted.
[0063] The holding portion 121 has a cylindrical shape. The ink pipe 122 is positioned at
the center of the holding portion 121. Referring to Fig. 9, when the ink cartridge
30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink supply portion 34 is
inserted into the holding portion 121. When this occurs, the ink supply portion 34
is positioned relative to the holding portion 121 with respect to the height direction
(up-down direction) 52 by an outer surface of the ink supply portion 34 contacting
an inner surface of the holding portion 121. When the ink supply portion 34 is inserted
into the holding portion 121, the ink pipe 122 is inserted into the ink supply opening
71. This allows ink stored in the ink chamber 36 to flow out into the ink pipe 122.
[0064] Referring to Fig. 6, the cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises a senor unit 104
above the connection portion 103. The sensor unit 104 comprises a board 113 and the
optical senor 114 mounted to the board 113. More specifically, the sensor unit 104
comprises one board 113 and four optical sensors 114 mounted to the one board 113,
corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the case 101.
[0065] As described above, the optical sensor 114 comprises the light emitter, e.g., a light
emitting diode, and the light receiver, e.g., a photo-transistor. The light emitter
and the light receiver are housed in a housing, and the housing extends from the board
113 in the insertion/removal direction 50 toward the opening 112. The housing has
substantially a U-shape when view from the above. The light emitter and the light
receiver of the optical sensor 114 are aligned in a horizontal direction (the width
direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction
50 with a space formed therebetween. The light emitter is configured to emit light,
e.g., infrared or visible light, toward the light receiver in the horizontal direction
(the width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal
direction 50, and the light receiver is configured to receive the light emitted from
the light emitter. The detection portion 33 and the detection portion 89 can be inserted
into the space between the light emitter and the light receiver, The optical sensor
114 is configured to detect the change in the amount (intensity) of the light when
the detection portion 33 or the detection portion 89 enters an optical path (detection
point) formed between the light emitter and the light receiver. The optical sensor
114 is electrically connected to a controller (described later) of the printer 10,
and when the optical sensor 114 detects the detection portion 33 or the detection
portion 89, a signal output from the optical sensor 114 to the controller changes.
[0066] Referring to Fig. 6, the cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises a senor unit 105
positioned at the top surface of the case 101 adjacent to the end surface of the case
101. The sensor unit 105 comprises a board 115 and the optical sensor 116 mounted
to the board 115. More specifically, the sensor unit 105 comprises one board 115 and
four optical sensors 116 mounted to the one board 115, corresponding to the four ink
cartridges 30 mountable to the case 101.
[0067] As described above, the optical sensor 116 comprises the light emitter, e.g., a light
emitting diode, and the light receiver, e.g., a photo-transistor. The light emitter
and the light receiver are housed in a housing, and the housing extends from the board
115 downward in the vertical direction. The housing has substantially an up-side-down
U-Shape when viewed in the insertion/removal direction 50.
[0068] The light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 116 are aligned in
the horizontal direction (the width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular
to the insertion/removal direction 50 with a space formed therebetween. The light
emitter is configured to emit light, e.g., infrared or visible light, toward the light
receiver in the horizontal direction (the width direction or left-right direction
51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, and the light receiver is
configured to receive the light emitted from the light emitter. When the ink cartridge
30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rib 88 of the first protrusion
85 is inserted into the space between the light emitter and the light receiver. The
optical sensor 116 is configured to detect the change in the amount (intensity) of
the light when the rib 88 enters an optical path (detection point) formed between
the light emitter and the light receiver. The optical sensor 116 is electrically connected
to the controller of the printer 10, and when the optical sensor 116 detects the rib
88, a signal output from the optical sensor 116 to the controller changes. Based on
the signal change, whether the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting
portion 110 can be determined by the controller. In other words, the rib 88 is configured
to provide information as to the presence of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge
mounting portion 110 by attenuating the light of the optical sensor 116.
[0069] The cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises electrical contacts 106 positioned at
the top surface of the case 101 between the end surface of the case 101 and the opening
112, Three contacts 106 are provided and aligned in the direction (width direction
or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50. Three
contacts 106 are arranged at positions corresponding to the HOT electrode 75, the
GND electrode 76, the signal electrode 77 of the ink cartridge 30. The contacts 106
have electrical conductivity and resiliency. The contacts 106 are configured to be
resiliently deformed in the upward direction when these are pressed from below. Four
sets of three contacts 106 are provided, corresponding to the four ink cartridges
30 mountable to the case 101.
[0070] The printer 10 comprises the controller, and the contacts 106 are electrically connected
to the controller via an electrical circuit. The controller may comprise a CPU, a
ROM, a RAM, and etc. When the HOT electrode 75 contacts and is electrically connected
to a corresponding one of the contacts 106, a voltage Vc is applied to the HOT electrode
75. When the GND electrode 76 contacts and is electrically connected to a corresponding
one of the contacts 106, the GND electrode 76 is grounded. When the HOT electrode
75 and the GND electrode 76 contact and are electrically connected to the corresponding
contacts 106, respectively, power is supplied to the IC. When the signal electrode
77 contacts and is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the contacts 106,
data stored in the IC is accessible. Outputs from the electrical circuit are input
to the controller.
[0071] Referring to Fig. 1, the case 101 has a space 130 formed at the lower end of the
end surface of the case 101. The cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises a slider
135 disposed in the space 130. Four sliders 135 are provided corresponding to the
four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the case 101. The space 130 is contiguous with
the inner space of the case 101. The slider 135 is configured to move in the space
130 in the insertion/removal direction 50. The slider 135 has substantially a rectangular
parallelepiped shape. The slider 135 is positioned in the line of travel of the second
protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 and is configured to contact the second protrusion
86.
[0072] The cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises a coil spring 139 disposed in the space
130. The coil spring 139 is configured to bias the slider 135 toward the opening 112,
i.e., in the removal direction 55. When the coil spring 139 is in a normal length,
i.e., when no external force is applied to the slider 135, the slider 135 is positioned
at an opening 112 side of the space 130. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into
the case 101, the second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 contacts the slider
135 and pushes the slider 135 in the insertion direction 56. When this occurs, the
coil spring 139 contracts and the slider 135 slides in the insertion direction 56.
The coil spring 139 in a contracted state biases the ink cartridge 30 in the removal
direction 55 via the slider 135.
[0073] The cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises the optical sensor 117 at an upper portion
of the space 130. Four optical sensors 117 are provided corresponding to the four
ink cartridges 30 mountable to the case 101. In other words, the four optical sensors
117 are provided corresponding to the four sliders 135. The four optical sensors 117
are aligned in the direction (width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular
to the insertion/removal direction 50. The optical sensor 117 has the same structure
as the optical sensor 116.
[0074] When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the case 101, the slider 135 is pushed and
inserted into a space between a light emitter and a light receiver of the optical
sensor 117. The optical sensor 117 is configured to detect the change in the amount
(intensity) of light when the slider 135 enters an optical path (detection point)
formed between the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 117.
The optical sensor 117 is electrically connected to the controller of the printer
10, and when the optical sensor 117 detects the slider 135, a signal output from the
optical sensor 117 to the controller changes. In Figs. 6 to 9, the slider 135, the
coil spring 139, and the optical sensor 117 are not depicted.
[0075] In the cartridge mounting portion 110, the detection point (optical path) of the
optical sensor 114 is positioned more rearward than the detection point (optical path)
of the optical sensor 116 and the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor
117 in the insertion direction 56.
[0076] Referring to Fig. 6, the cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises a rod 125 at the
end surface of the case 101. The position of the rod 125 with respect to the height
direction (up-down direction) 52 corresponds to the position of the air communication
valve 73 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with
respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. Four rods 125 are provided
corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the case 101. The rod 125
has a cylindrical shape and extends from the end surface of the case 101 in the insertion/removal
direction 50 toward the opening 112. During the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to
the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rod 125 is inserted through the opening 96
of the bracket 90, and the distal end of the rod 125 contacts the air communication
valve 73. The air communication valve 73 is pushed by the rod 125, such that the air
communication opening 32 is opened. An outer surface of the rod 125 contacts an inner
surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96, and thereby the bracket 90 is
positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the height
direction (up-down direction) 52.
[0077] Referring to Fig. 6, the cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises the engagement
member 145 positioned at an upper portion of the case 101. The engagement member 145
is configured to retain the ink cartridge 30 in the mounted position. The engagement
member 145 is positioned adjacent to the upper end of the opening 112. The engagement
member 145 is positioned between the opening 112 and the contacts 106. Each of the
contacts 106 and the engagement member 145 intersect a plane which is parallel with
the insertion/removal direction 50 and the vertical (gravitational) direction. In
other words, each of the contacts 106 and the engagement member 145 are not offset
in the width direction (left-right direction) 51. Four engagement members 145 are
provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the case 101.
[0078] The cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises a shaft 147 positioned adjacent to the
upper end of the opening 112. The shaft 147 is attached to the case 101 and extends
in the direction (width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the
insertion/removal direction 50. The shaft 147 extends through an end of the engagement
member 145 adjacent to the opening 112, in other words, a rear end of the engagement
member 145 with respect to the insertion direction 56. The engagement member 145 is
supported by the shaft 147, such that the engagement member 145 can pivot about the
shaft 147 selectively toward and away from the inner space of the case 101. The engagement
member 145 comprises an engagement end 146 opposite the end of the engagement member
145 through which the shaft 147 extends. In other words, the engagement end 146 is
positioned at a front end of the engagement member 145 with respect to the insertion
direction 56. The engagement end 146 is configured to contact the engagement portion
45 of the ink cartridge 30. By the contact between the engagement end 146 and the
engagement surface 46 of the engagement portion 45, the ink cartridge 30 is retained
in the mounted position in the case 101 against the biasing force from the slider
135. When the engagement end 146 contacts the engagement surface 46, the engagement
end 146 extends substantially in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and
the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The engagement member 145 is configured
to move between a lock position and an unlock position. When the engagement member
145 is in the lock position, the engagement end 146 can contact the engagement portion
45. When the engagement member 145 is in the unlock position, the engagement end 146
cannot contact the engagement portion 45.
[0079] The engagement member 145 comprises a slide surface 148 extending from the engagement
end 146 toward the shaft 147. When the engagement end 146 contacts the engagement
surface 46, the slide surface 148 extends substantially in the width direction (left-right
direction) 51 and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53. The slide surface
148 has a width in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, such that the slide
surface 148 contacts and slides on all the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76,
and the signal electrode 77 at the same time when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted
into and/or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110.
[0080] The engagement member 145 is configured to pivot downward due to its own weight or
biased by a spring (not shown). When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge
mounting portion 110, the engagement end 146 contacting the engagement portion 45
is positioned above the front end portion 81 of the pivot member 80. When the front
end portion 81 moves upward and pushes up the engagement end 146, the engagement member
145 pivots upward about the shaft 147 from the lock position to the unlock position.
The movable range of the engagement member 145 is limited, such that the engagement
member 145 does not pivot downward beyond the lock position.
[Mounting of ink cartridge 30 to cartridge mounting portion 110]
[0081] Referring to Figs. 7 to 9, it is described how the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to
the cartridge mounting portion 110. In Figs. 7 to 9, the cartridge mounting portion
110 is depicted in cross-section, but only a top-wall 39 side portion of the ink cartridge
30 is depicted in cross-section.
[0082] As described above, because the bracket 90 is supported by the upper surface of the
front portion of the main body 31 from below, the bracket 90 is movable in the upward
direction relative to the main body 31 before the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the
cartridge mounting portion 110. Referring to Fig. 7, when the ink cartridge 30 is
inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 56, the
guide portions 65, 66 of the ink cartridge 30 are inserted into the grooves 109 of
the case 101, and thereby the ink cartridge 30 is roughly positioned relative to the
cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction)
51 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The ink cartridge 30 is configured
to slide toward the end surface of the case 101 while the guide portions 65, 66 are
inserted in the grooves 109.
[0083] Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101,
the front end of the first protrusion 85 contacts the slide surface 148 of the engagement
member 145. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted, the slide surface 148 climbs
onto the first protrusion 85 and the ramp 49. When this occurs, the engagement member
145 pivots upward in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 7 from the lock position
to the unlock position. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted, the slide surface
148 of the engagement member 145 slides on the ramp 49 and the IC board 74 and passes
over the recess 78. When the slide surface 148 slides on the HOT electrode 75, the
GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77, dust is wiped off the HOT electrode
75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77.
[0084] Referring to Fig. 1, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101, the
second protrusion 86 contacts the slider 135. When the ink cartridge 30 is further
inserted, the slider 135 is pushed in the insertion direction 56 against the biasing
force from the coil spring 139 into the detection point (optical path) of the optical
sensor 117. When the optical sensor 117 detects the slider 135, the signal output
from the optical sensor 117 to the controller changes from a HI level signal to a
LOW level signal.
[0085] Referring to Fig. 8, after the second protrusion 86 starts to push the slider 135,
the detection portion 89 enters the detection point (optical path) of the optical
sensor 114. When the optical sensor 114 detects the detection portion 89, the signal
output from the optical sensor 114 to the controller changes from a HI level signal
to a LOW level signal.
[0086] Referring to Fig. 8, after the detection portion 89 enters the detection point (optical
path) of the optical sensor 114, the rib 88 of the first protrusion 85 enters the
detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116. When the optical sensor
116 detects the rib 88, the signal output from the optical sensor 116 to the controller
changes from a HI level signal to a LOW level signal. After the detection portion
89 passes the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114, the gap between
the detection portion 89 and the detection portion 33 passes the detection point (optical
path) of the optical sensor 114. When this occurs, the signal output from the optical
sensor 114 to the controller changes from the LOW level signal to the HI level signal.
And then, when the detection portion 33 enters the detection point (optical path)
of the optical sensor 114, the signal output from the optical sensor 114 to the controller
changes from the HI level signal to the LOW level signal if the sensor arm 60 is in
the lower position.
[0087] If the detection portion 89 is longer in the depth direction (front-back direction)
53 in one type of the ink cartridge 30, the detection portion 89 is still in the detection
point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114 when the rib 88 starts to enter the
detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, and therefore, the signal
output from the optical sensor 114 is the LOW level signal at a time that the signal
output from the optical sensor 116 changes from the HI level signal to the LOW level
signal. If the detection portion 89 is shorter in the depth direction (front-back
direction) 53 in another type of the ink cartridge 30, the detection portion 89 is
no longer in the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114 when the
rib 88 starts to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116,
and therefore, the signal output from the optical sensor 114 is the HI level signal
at a time that the signal output from the optical sensor 116 changes from the HI level
signal to the LOW level signal. In other words, the rib 88 and the detection portion
89 are configured to provide information as to the type of the ink cartridge 30 by
attenuating the light of the optical sensor 116 and the optical sensor 114.
[0088] If the second protrusion 86 is longer in the depth direction (front-back direction)
53 in one type of the ink cartridge 30, the slider 135 is already in the detection
point (optical path) of the optical sensor 117 when the rib 88 starts to enter the
detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, and therefore, the signal
output from the optical sensor 117 is the LOW level signal at a time that the signal
output from the optical sensor 116 changes from the HI level signal to the LOW level
signal. If the second protrusion 86 is shorter in the depth direction (front-back
direction) 53 in another type of the ink cartridge 30, the slider 135 is not yet in
the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 117 when the rib 88 starts
to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, and therefore,
the signal output from the optical sensor 117 is the HI level signal at a time that
the signal output from the optical sensor 116 changes from the HI level signal to
the LOW level signal. In other words, the rib 88 and the second protrusion 86 are
configured to provide information as to the type of the ink cartridge 30 by attenuating
the light of the optical sensor 116 and the optical sensor 117.
[0089] Referring to Fig. 8, during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the case 101,
the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the holding portion
121 and the ink pipe 122 is inserted into the ink supply opening 71. When this occurs,
the ink supply portion 34 is positioned relative to the holding portion 121 with respect
to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 by the outer surface of the ink supply
portion 34 contacting the inner surface of the holding portion 121, i.e., the main
body 31 is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect
to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. The ink supply valve 70 is pushed
by the ink pipe 122, such that the ink supply opening 71 is opened. The ink pipe 122
has an ink introduction opening formed in the distal end thereof, and ink stored in
the ink chamber 36 flows into the ink pipe 122 via the ink introduction opening in
the insertion direction 56.
[0090] Referring to Fig. 8, during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the case 101,
the rod 125 enters the opening 96 of the bracket 90. The bracket 90 is movable in
the upward direction relative to the main body 31. When the rod 125 enters the opening
96, an upper portion of the outer surface of the rod 125 contact an upper portion
of the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96, and pushes up the
bracket 90, such that the bracket 90 slides on the main body 31 in the upward direction.
The bracket 90 cannot move in the downward direction relative to the cartridge mounting
portion 110 because the upper portion of the outer surface of the rod 125 contacts
the upper portion of the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96
from below. Referring to Fig. 9, the rod 125 contacts and pushes the air communication
valve 73. The air communication valve 73 moves away from the air communication opening
32, such that air flows into the ink chamber 36 via the air communication opening
32.
[0091] Meanwhile, referring to Figs, 8 and 9, the contacts 106 contact the ramp 49 of the
bracket 90. Because the ramp 49 is inclined upward when the contact 106 moves toward
the rear wall 42 of the ink cartridge 30 and because the bracket 90 cannot move in
the downward direction with the upper portion of the outer surface of the rod 125
contacting the upper portion of the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the
opening 96, the contacts 106 are resiliently deformed in the upward direction when
the contacts 106 slides on the ramp 49 and the IC board 74. The resiliently-deformed
contacts 106 bias the IC board 74 in the downward direction. When the contacts 106
reach the IC board 74, the bracket 90 is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting
portion 110 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 by the contacts
106 and rod 125 sandwiching the bracket 90 from above and from below, respectively.
[0092] When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted toward the end surface of the case
101, referring to Fig. 9, the contacts 106 contact and are electrically connected
to the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, the signal electrode 77 of the IC board
74, respectively. When the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounted position,
the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 still contact
and are electrically connected to the three contacts 106, respectively.
[0093] When the ink cartridge 30 reaches the mounted position, the engagement surface 46
of the engagement portion 45 of the ink cartridge 30 has passed the engagement end
146 of the engagement member 145 in the insertion direction 56. The engagement member
145 pivots in the clockwise direction in Fig. 9 to the lock position, and the engagement
end 146 contacts the engagement surface 46. With this contact between the engagement
member 145 and the engagement portion 45, the ink cartridge 30 is retained in the
mounted position against the biasing force from the coil spring 139. In other words,
the ink cartridge 30 is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110
with respect to the insertion/removal direction 50. As such, the mounting of the ink
cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed.
[0094] When the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position in the cartridge mounting portion
110, the main body 31 is positioned with the ink supply portion 34 inserted into the
holding portion 121 and the ink pipe 122 inserted into the ink supply opening 71,
and the bracket 90 is positioned sandwiched by the contacts 106 and the rod 125 in
a position between the ends of its movable range.
[0095] When the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position in the cartridge mounting portion
110, the front end portion 81 of the pivot member 80 is positioned below the engagement
end 146 of the engagement member 145. The rear end portion 82 of the pivot member
80 is positioned away from the top wall 39.
[0096] Based on the level of the output signal from the optical sensor 116, whether the
ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is determined by
the controller. In other words, the rib 88 is configured to provide information as
to the presence of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 by attenuating
the light of the optical sensor 116. Based on the level of the output signal from
the optical sensor 114 and/or based on the level of the output signal from the optical
sensor 117 at the time that the signal output from the optical sensor 116 changes
from the HI level signal to the LOW level signal, the type of the ink cartridge 30
is determined by the controller. In other words, the rib 88, and the detection portion
89 or the second protrusion 86 are configured to provide information as to the type
of the ink cartridge 30 by attenuating the light of the optical sensor 116 and the
optical sensor 114 or the optical sensor 117. By periodically checking the level of
the output signal from the optical sensor 114, the amount of ink stored in the ink
chamber 36 is determined by the controller, i.e., whether the ink chamber 36 has the
predetermined amount or more of ink stored therein is determined. In other words,
the detection portion 33 is configured to indicate the presence or absence of ink
within the ink chamber 36 by attenuating or not attenuating the light of the optical
sensor 114. Based on the data read out from the IC board 74, the information of the
ink cartridge 30, e.g., the lot number of the ink cartridge 30, the manufacturing
date of the ink cartridge 30, the color of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30, and
etc. is determined.
[0097] In another embodiment, the bracket 90 may be movable in the downward direction relative
to the main body 31 in the initial position before the ink cartridge 30 is mounted
to the cartridge mounting portion 110. In such a case, the bracket 90 is supported
by static friction between the end portions 93, 94 of the bracket 90 and the inclined
inner surfaces 47, 48 of the main body 31. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into
the case 101 and the rod 125 is inserted into the opening 96 of the bracket 90, the
outer surface of the rod 125 may not contact the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90
defining the opening 96 initially. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted,
the contacts 106 contact the ramp 49 and the IC board 74 and push down the bracket
90, such that the upper portion of the outer surface of the rod 125 contacts the upper
portion of the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96. When the
contacts 106 reach the IC board 74, the bracket 90 is positioned relative to the cartridge
mounting portion 110 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 by
the contacts 106 and rod 125 sandwiching the bracket 90 from above and from below,
respectively.
[0098] The time profile of the evens which occur during the insertion of the ink cartridge
30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is described in more detail here. When the
insertion is started, the slide surface 148 of the engagement portion 145 starts to
slide on the IC board 74. The second protrusion 86 then contacts the slider 135 and
starts to push the slider 135. The detection portion 89 then starts to enter the detection
point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114. The rib 88 then starts to enter the
detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116. The rod 125 then contacts
the air communication valve 73 and starts to push the air communication valve 73.
The contacts 106 then starts to contact the IC board 74. The gap between the detection
portion 89 and the detection portion 33 then starts to enter the detection point (optical
path) of the optical sensor 114. The ink pike 122 then contacts the ink supply valve
70 and starts to push the ink supply valve 70. The detection portion 33 then starts
to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114. The engagement
end 146 then contacts the engagement surface 46.
[0099] After the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110
is completed. The printer 10 starts printing. When the ink stored in the ink chamber
36 is used up by the printer 10, the used ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge
mounting portion 110, and a new ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting
portion 110.
[Removal of ink cartridge 30 from cartridge mounting portion 110]
[0100] When the ink cartridge 30 is intended to be removed from the cartridge mounting portion
110, the rear end portion 82 of the pivot member 80 is pushed down by a user. Accordingly,
the front end portion 81 of the pivot member 80 moves up and separates from the top
wall 39. When this occurs, the engagement member 145 is pushed up by the front end
portion 81 of the pivot member 80, and the engagement end 146 of the engagement member
145 moves to a position above the engagement surface 46, i.e., to a position separated
from the engagement surface 46. As such, the engagement member 145 moves from the
lock position to the unlock position, and the ink cartridge 30 is released from the
state held by the engagement member 145.
[0101] When the engagement end 146 separates away from the engagement surface 46, an external
force applied to the ink cartridge 30 e.g., the biasing force of the coil spring 139
moves the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 55. Nevertheless, because a finger
of the user still contacts the pushed-down rear end portion 82 of the pivot member
80, the ink cartridge 30 moving in the removal direction 55 is stopped by the user.
The biasing force of the coil spring 139 is received by the user's finger via the
pivot member 80.
[0102] When the user moves his/her finger in the removal direction 55, the ink cartridge
30 moves following the finger, pushed by the slider 135 and the coil spring 139. When
this occurs, the IC board 74 disposed on the bracket 90 is released from the downward
biasing force of the contacts 106 of the cartridge mounting portion 110. While the
ink cartridge 30 moves in the removal direction 55 following the user's finger, the
slide surface 148 of the engagement member 145 passes over the recess 78 and slides
on the IC board 74 and the ramp 49. When the slide surface 148 slides on the HOT electrode
75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77, dust is wiped off the HOT electrode
75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77. After sliding on the ramp 49,
the slide surface 148 passes over the groove 87. When this occurs, the dust wiped
off by the slide surface 148 falls into the groove 87. Accordingly, a likelihood that
the dust falls down and adheres to a portion of the ink supply portion 34 surrounding
the ink supply opening 71 is reduced.
[0103] Meanwhile, the outer surface of the rod 125 separates away from the inner surface
98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96, such that the bracket 90 moves down
relative to the main body 31 to the initial position in which the bracket 90 is supported
by the upper surface of the front portion of the main body 31. The ink pipe 122 is
pulled out of the ink supply portion 34. As such, the ink cartridge 30 is removed
from the cartridge mounting portion 110.
[Advantages]
[0104] In this embodiment, because the ink cartridge 30 comprises the detection portion
89 and the rib 88 configured to be detected by the optical sensors 114, 116 independent
of the IC board 74, even if the electrical connection between the IC board 74 and
the contacts 106 fails to be established or the data fails to be read out from the
IC via the signal electrode 77, it can be determined that the ink cartridge 30 is
mounted to the printer 10 based on the information obtained from the detection portion
89 and the rib 88. Therefore , the ink cartridge 30 can be used even if the electrical
connection between the IC board 74 and the contacts 106 fails to be established or
the data fails to be read out from the IC via the signal electrode 77.
[0105] In this embodiment, because the light emitted from the optical sensor 114, 116 travels
in the direction (width direction, left-right direction) perpendicular to the insertion
direction 50, the detection portion 89 and the rib 88 can enter the detection point
(optical path) of the optical sensor 114, 116 in the insertion direction 50 at desired
timings. Moreover, because the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal
electrode 77 are accessible in the downward direction perpendicular to the insertion
direction 50 and the direction in which the light travels, even if the HOT electrode
75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are accessed by the contacts
106 in the downward direction, such that the ink cartridge 30, or parts thereof, is
displaced in the downward direction, such displacement does not affect the timings
of the detection portion 89 and the rib 88 entering the detection point (optical path)
of the optical sensor 114, 116 in the insertion direction 56. This is because the
timings are determined by the movement of the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction
56, and not determined by the downward displacement of the ink cartridge 30. Generally
speaking, when events occur in directions perpendicular to each other, such events
can be independent events and cannot be mutually affected.
[0106] In this embodiment, because the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal
electrode 77 are positioned between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42, the biasing
force from the slider 135 and the coil spring 139 in the removal direction 55 is not
directly received by the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode
77. Therefore, a likelihood that excessive load is applied to the HOT electrode 75,
the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 is reduced. Moreover, a likelihood
that ink leaks from the ink supply portion 34 and the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode
76, and the signal electrode 77 are contaminated with ink is reduced.
[0107] If the IC board 74 were disposed at the front wall 40 facing the insertion direction
56, the contact between the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal
electrode 77 and the contacts 106 might be unstable because the ink cartridge 30 is
biased in the removal direction 55, i.e., a direction that the HOT electrode 75, the
GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 separate away from the contacts 106.
Consequently, in such a case, the deformation range of the contacts 106 and the resiliency
of the contacts 106 would have to be set greater in order to secure the contact between
the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 and the contacts
106 even when the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode
77 move away from the contacts 106 by the biasing force biasing the ink cartridge
30. Nevertheless, the greater deformation range and greater resiliency of the contacts
106 might apply a great biasing force to the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76,
and the signal electrode 77, i.e., excessive load might be applied to the HOT electrode
75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77. Moreover, if the IC board 74
were disposed at the front wall 40, ink which has leaked from the ink supply portion
34 might reach the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode
77 and cause shortcircuit between the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and
the signal electrode 77.
[0108] In this embodiment, because the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal
electrode 77 and the engagement portion 45 are provided at the same side, e.g., the
top-wall 39 side, of the ink cartridge 30, the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode
76, and the signal electrode 77 are positioned adjacent to the engagement portion
45. Because the engagement portion 45 determines the position of the ink cartridge
30 relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the insertion/removal
direction 50 when the engagement portion 45 contacts the engagement member 145, the
HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77, which are positioned
adjacent to the engagement portion 45, can be accurately positioned relative to the
contacts 106 with respect to the insertion/removal direction 50.
[0109] In this embodiment, because the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal
electrode 77 are positioned more forward than the engagement surface 46 with respect
to the insertion direction 56, and the engagement surface 46 and each of the HOT electrode
75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 intersect the respective plane
which is parallel with the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction
(front-back direction) 53, the engagement member 145 slides on the HOT electrode 75,
the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 during the insertion of the ink
cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110. Therefore dust on the HOT electrode
75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are wiped off and a likelihood
that the electrical connection between the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76,
and the signal electrode 77 and the contacts 106 becomes unstable is reduced.
[0110] In this embodiment, the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode
77 are positioned above at least a portion of the engagement surface 46 of the engagement
portion 45. Because the engagement member 145 is configured to pivot downward due
to its own weight or biased by a spring, dust on the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode
76, and the signal electrode 77 can be wiped off by the engagement member 145 with
stronger downward force. Moreover, the movable range of the engagement member 145
is limited, such that the engagement member 145 does not pivot downward beyond the
lock position. If the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode
77 were positioned below the engagement surface 46, the engagement member 145 could
not contact the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77.
The position of the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode
77 above at least a portion of the engagement surface 46 thus facilitates the wiping
function of the engagement member 145.
[0111] In this embodiment, because the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal
electrode 77 are positioned more rearward than the ink supply opening 71 of the ink
supply portion 34 with respect to the insertion direction 56, even if dust on the
HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are wiped off
when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and/or removed from the cartridge mounting
portion 110, a likelihood that such dust adheres to the portion of the ink supply
portion 34 surrounding the ink supply opening 71 is reduced. Therefore, a likelihood
that ink is contaminated by the dust is reduced.
[0112] In this embodiment, because the recess, e.g., groove 87 is positioned more forward
than the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 with
respect to the insertion direction 56, the groove 87 and each of the HOT electrode
75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 intersect the respective plane
which is parallel with the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction
(front-back direction) 53, and the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the
signal electrode 77 are positioned above the groove 87, dust wiped off of the HOT
electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 falls into the groove
87. Accordingly, a likelihood that the dust falls down and adheres to the portion
of the ink supply portion 34 surrounding the ink supply opening 71 is reduced.
[0113] In this embodiment, because the ink supply portion 34 is positioned at the front
wall 40 and the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77
are positioned at the top wall 39, a likelihood that ink spattered from the ink supply
portion 34 reaches and contaminates the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and
the signal electrode 77 is reduced.
[0114] In this embodiment, because the bracket 90 is movable relative to the main body 31
in the height direction (up-down direction) 52, the bracket 90 and the main body 31
can be independently positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with
respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52. Therefore, elements provided
at the bracket 90, e.g., the IC board 74, the rib 88, and the detection portion 89,
and elements provided at the main body 31, e.g., the ink supply portion 34, can be
independently positioned relative to corresponding elements provided at the cartridge
mounting portion 110, e.g., the contacts 106, the optical sensors 114, 116, and the
ink pipe 122.
[0115] Because the ink cartridge 30 is assembled from a plurality of elements, the dimensional
tolerance of each element generally needs to be set small, which requires high accuracy
in designing and manufacturing each element. If the dimensional tolerance of each
element is relatively big, the accumulated dimensional error of the ink cartridge
30 generally becomes big. In such a case, the ink pipe 122 may not be inserted into
the ink supply opening 71 and may contact the distal end of the ink supply portion
34 and be broken, the contacts 106 may contact the IC board 74 with high pressure
and may be broken, on the contrary the contacts 106 may fail to contact the IC board
74, or the rib 88 and the detection portion 89 may fail to enter between the light
emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 114, 116. In this embodiment,
however, because the bracket 90 is movable relative to the main body 31, the bracket
90 and the main body 31 can be independently positioned relative to the cartridge
mounting portion 110, elements provided at the bracket 90, e.g., the IC board 74,
the rib 88, and the detection portion 89, and elements provided at the main body 31,
e.g., the ink supply portion 34, can be independently positioned relative to corresponding
elements provided at the cartridge mounting portion 110, e.g., the contacts 106, the
optical sensors 114, 116, and the ink pipe 122, with moderate dimensional tolerances
of the elements.
[0116] In this embodiment, because the width of each of the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode
76, and the signal electrode 77 is greater than the width of the rib 88, in other
words, the width of the rib 88 is less than the width of each of the HOT electrode
75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77, the rib 88 is suitable for
non-contact detection by the optical sensor 116 while the HOT electrode 75, the GND
electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are suitable for physical contact with the
contacts 106.
[0117] In another embodiment, the second protrusion 86 may comprise a rib, which is similar
to the rib 88 of the first protrusion 85, and the optical sensor 117 may be configured
to directly detect the rib of the second protrusion 86.
[0118] In another embodiment, the range within which the bracket 90 moves relative to the
main body 31 may be determined by a known structure, e.g., guide grooves formed in
the main body 31 or the bracket 90, other than the elongated openings 91, 92 or the
detection portion 33 and the support portion 79. Moreover, the movement of the bracket
90 may be guided by a known structure, e.g., guide rails formed at the main body 31
or the bracket 90, other than the inclined inner surfaces 47, 48.
[0119] In another embodiment, the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening
96 may not contact the outer surface of the rod 125 to move the bracket 90 relative
to the main body 31. In such a case, the bracket 90 may comprise a surface extending
in a direction intersecting the insertion/removal direction 50 at the top face or
the bottom face, and when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting
portion 110, the surface may contact and slide on a protrusion provided in the cartridge
mounting portion 110, such that the bracket 90 moves relative to the main body 31
[0120] In another embodiment, the cartridge mounting portion 110 may not comprise the slider
135, the coil spring 139, and the optical sensor 117. In such a case, the ink cartridge
30 may be biased in the removal direction 55 by springs coupled to the ink supply
valve 70 and/or the air communication valve 73.
[0121] In another embodiment, the IC may not be disposed on the same board on which the
HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 75, and the signal electrode 77 are disposed.
For example, the IC may be disposed at or adjacent to the rear wall 42 and may be
wired to the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 75, and the signal electrode 77 which
are disposed at or adjacent to the top wall 39.
[0122] In another embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 may not comprise the bracket 90 and the
detection portion 89, the rib 88, and the IC board 74 may be disposed on the main
body 31.
[0123] While the invention has been described in connection with various example structures
and illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that
other variations and modifications of the structures and embodiments described above
may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Other structures and
embodiments will be understood by those skilled in the art from a consideration of
the specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that
the specification and the described examples are merely illustrative and that the
scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.
1. A printing fluid cartridge (30) configured to be inserted into a cartridge mounting
portion (110) in an insertion direction (56) in an upright position against a biasing
force exerted in a removal direction (55) opposite the insertion direction (56), the
printing fluid cartridge (30) in the upright position has a width in a width direction
(51), a height in a height direction (52), and a depth in a depth direction (53),
wherein the width direction (51), the height direction (52), and the depth direction
(53) are perpendicular to each other and the depth direction (53) is parallel with
the insertion direction (56), the height direction (52) corresponds to the gravitational
direction, and the printing fluid cartridge (30) in the upright position comprising:
a front face oriented toward the insertion direction (56) when the printing fluid
cartridge (30) is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion;
a rear face positioned opposite the front face with respect to the insertion direction
(56) and oriented toward the removal direction (55) when the printing fluid cartridge
(30) is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion;
a front wall (40), a rear wall (42) opposite the front wall (40) with respect to the
insertion direction (56) and a top wall (39) connected to upper ends of the front
wall (40) and the rear wall (42), wherein an outer face of the front wall (40) is
the front face of the ink cartridge (30) and an outer face of the rear wall (42) is
the rear face of the ink cartridge (30);a chamber (36) positioned between the front
face and the rear face and configured to store printing fluid therein;
a printing fluid supply portion (34) positioned at the front face and configured to
supply the printing fluid from an interior of the chamber (36) to an exterior of the
chamber (36);
an electrical interface (75, 76, 77) configured to allow an electrical access to an
integrated circuit provided to the printing fluid cartridge (30), the electrical interface
being positioned between the front face and the rear face with respect to the insertion
or removal direction;
an engagement portion (45) for retaining the printing fluid cartridge (30) in the
cartridge mounting portion against the biasing force, the engagement portion (45)
being positioned at a top wall side of the ink cartridge (30) and comprising an engagement
surface (46); and
a pivot member (80) having a front end portion (81) being configured to be positioned
in a first position such that the front end portion (81) is positioned below an upper
end of the engagement surface (46), and the pivot member (80) is positioned at a rear
portion of the top wall (39) such that the engagement surface (46) is more forward
in the insert direction than the front end portion (81).
2. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 1, wherein the front end portion (81) is
configured to be positioned in a second position such that the front end portion (81)
extends outside beyond an upper end of the engagement portion (45) in the height direction
(52).
3. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 1 or 2, wherein
the engagement surface (46) extends in the width direction (51) and the height direction
(52) and/or faces in the opposite direction of the insertion direction.
4. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 3, wherein
the electrical interface (75, 76, 77) is arranged on a first plane that extends in
the depth direction (53) and the width direction (51), and
the first plane intersects a second plane on which the engagement surface (46) extends.
5. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising
a ramp (49) that is inclined downward with respect to the insertion direction (56)
such that a front portion of the ramp (49) is positioned lower that a rear portion
of the ramp (49) with respect to the height direction (52) and that is configured
such that an engagement member (145) of the cartridge mounting portion (110) slides
on the ramp (49) when the ink cartridge (30) is inserted into and/or removed from
the cartridge mounting portion (110).
6. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the printing fluid
cartridge (30) is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion (110)
in an upright position, and the printing fluid cartridge (30) further comprises:
a detection portion (33) configured to indicate the presence or absence of printing
fluid within the chamber (36), the detection portion being positioned at the front
face;
wherein the detection portion (33) is arranged in the upright position of the printing
fluid cartridge (30) above the printing fluid supply portion (34) in a height direction
(52) perpendicular to the insertion direction (56) and the removal direction (55).
7. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein when the printing
fluid cartridge (30) is in the upright position, the electrical interface (75, 76,
77) is positioned above the printing fluid supply portion (34) with respect to the
height direction (52).
8. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the electrical
interface (75, 76, 77) and the engagement portion (45) are provided at one single
side of the printing fluid cartridge (30).
9. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 8, wherein the electrical interface (75,
76, 77) and the engagement portion (45) are both provided at a top face of the printing
fluid cartridge (30), and the top face is oriented upward in the height direction
(52) when the ink cartridge (30) is in the upright position.
10. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of claim 9, wherein when the printing fluid cartridge
(30) is in the upright position, the electrical interface (75, 76, 77) is positioned
above at least a portion of the engagement portion (45) with respect to the height
direction (52).
11. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the printing
fluid cartridge (30) further comprises:
a main body (31) comprising the chamber (36); and
a bracket (90) attached to the main body (31), wherein the electrical interface (75,
76, 77) is disposed at the bracket (90), and the bracket (90) is movable relative
to the main body (31) in the height direction (52).
12. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 11, further comprising
a further detection portion (88) positioned more forward than the electrical interface
(75, 76, 77) with respect to the insertion direction (56), wherein the further detection
portion (88) is configured to be detected by an optical sensor provided in the cartridge
mounting portion.
13. The printing fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the electrical
interface (75, 76, 77) is configured to be accessed in a direction perpendicular to
the insertion direction (55) and the removal direction (56).
14. A printing apparatus (10) comprising:
the printing fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 9; and
a cartridge mounting portion (110) into which the printing fluid cartridge (30) is
configured to be inserted, the cartridge mounting portion (110) comprising:
a contact (106) configured to be electrically connected to the electrical interface
(75, 76, 77); and
an engagement member (145) configured to contact the engagement portion (45), such
that the printing fluid cartridge (30) is retained in the cartridge mounting portion
(110) against the biasing force.
15. The printing apparatus (10) of claim 14, wherein
the engagement member (145) comprises an engagement end (146) at a front end of the
engagement member (145) with respect to the insertion direction (56) configured to
contact the engagement potion (45), and
the engagement end (146) contacts the engagement surface (46) in an inserted state
of the cartridge.
16. The printing apparatus (10) according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the engagement member
(145) is configured to move between a lock position and an unlock position, and the
engagement end (146) is configured to contact the engagement portion (45) in the lock
position and not to contact the engagement portion (45) in the unlock position.
17. The printing apparatus (10) according to any of claims 14 to 16, wherein during inserting
of the printing fluid cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion (110), a slide surface
(148) of the engagement member (145) slides on the electrical interface (75, 76, 77).
18. The printing apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the front
end portion (81) of the pivot member (80) is positioned below the engagement end (146)
of the engagement member (145), when the printing fluid cartridge (30) is in the inserted
position in the cartridge mounting portion (110)
19. The printing apparatus (10) of any of claims 14 to 18, comprising an optical sensor
(116) configured to detect the further detection portion (88).
20. The printing apparatus (10) of any one of claims 14 to 19, further comprising a biasing
member (135, 139) configured to apply the biasing force to the printing fluid cartridge
(30) in the removal direction (55).
21. A method of manufacturing a printing fluid cartridge (30), comprising:
a step of providing the printing fluid cartridge (30) of any one of claims 1 to 9;
a step of providing access to the interior of the chamber (36) from the exterior of
the chamber (36); and
a step of introducing printing fluid into the interior of the chamber (36) from the
exterior of the chamber (36).
1. Druckfluidkartusche (30), die dazu angepasst ist, um in einen Kartuschenmontageabschnitt
(110) in einer Einsetzrichtung (56) in einer aufrechten Position gegen eine Vorspannkraft,
die in einer der Einsetzrichtung (56) entgegengesetzten Entnahmerichtung (55) ausgeübt
wird, eingesetzt zu werden, wobei die Druckfluidkartusche (30) in der aufrechten Position
eine Breite in einer Breitenrichtung (51) und eine Höhe in einer Höhenrichtung (52)
und eine Tiefe in einer Tiefenrichtung (53) aufweist, wobei die Breitenrichtung (51),
die Höhenrichtung (52) und die Tiefenrichtung (53) senkrecht zueinander stehen und
die Tiefenrichtung (53) parallel zur Einsetzrichtung (56) ist, die Höhenrichtung (52)
der Gravitationsrichtung entspricht und die Druckfluidkartusche (30) in der aufrechten
Position umfasst:
eine Vorderfläche, die in Richtung der Einsetzrichtung (56) ausgerichtet ist, wenn
die Druckfluidkartusche (30) in den Kartuschenmontageabschnitt eingesetzt wird;
eine Rückseitenfläche, die in Bezug auf die Einsetzrichtung (56) gegenüber der Vorderseitenfläche
positioniert und in Richtung der Entnahmerichtung (55) ausgerichtet ist, wenn die
Druckfluidkartusche (30) in den Kartuschenmontageabschnitt eingesetzt wird;
eine Vorderwand (40), eine Rückwand (42) gegenüber der Vorderwand (40) in Bezug auf
die Einsetzrichtung (56) und eine obere Wand (39), die mit den oberen Enden der Vorderwand
(40) und der Rückwand (42) verbunden ist, wobei eine Außenfläche der Vorderwand (40)
die Vorderfläche der Druckfluidpatrone (30) und eine Außenfläche der Rückwand (42)
die Rückfläche der Druckfluidpatrone (30) ist;
eine Kammer (36), die zwischen der Vorderfläche und der Rückseite angeordnet und dazu
angepasst ist, um Druckfluid darin zu speichern;
einen Druckflüssigkeitszufuhrabschnitt (34), der an der Vorderseite positioniert und
dazu angepasst ist, um das Druckflüssigkeit von einem Inneren der Kammer (36) zu einem
Äußeren der Kammer (36) zuzuführen;
eine elektrische Schnittstelle (75, 76, 77), die dazu angepasst ist, um einen elektrischen
Zugang zu einer integrierten Schaltung zu ermöglichen, die in der Druckfluidkartusche
(30) vorgesehen ist, wobei die elektrische Schnittstelle zwischen der Vorderseite
und der Rückseite in Bezug auf die Einsetz- oder Entnahmerichtung positioniert ist;
einen Eingriffsabschnitt (45) zum Halten der Druckfluidkartusche (30) in dem Kartuschenmontageabschnitt
gegen die Vorspannkraft, wobei der Eingriffsabschnitt (45) an einer oberen Wandseite
der Druckfluidkartusche (30) positioniert ist und eine Eingriffsfläche (46) umfasst;
und
ein Schwenkelement (80) mit einem vorderen Endabschnitt (81), der dazu angepasst ist,
um in einer ersten Position so positioniert zu werden, dass der vordere Endabschnitt
(81) unterhalb eines oberen Endes der Eingriffsfläche (46) positioniert ist, und das
Schwenkelement (80) an einem hinteren Abschnitt der oberen Wand (39) positioniert
ist, so dass die Eingriffsfläche (46) in Einlegerichtung weiter vorne liegt als der
vordere Endabschnitt (81).
2. Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß Anspruch 1, wobei der vordere Endabschnitt (81) dazu
angepasst ist, um in einer zweiten Position so positioniert zu werden, dass sich der
vordere Endabschnitt (81) außerhalb über ein oberes Ende des Eingriffsabschnitts (45)
in der Höhenrichtung (52) hinaus erstreckt.
3. Die Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Eingriffsfläche (46)
sich in der Breitenrichtung (51) und der Höhenrichtung (52) erstreckt und/oder in
die entgegengesetzte Richtung der Einsetzrichtung zeigt.
4. Die Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß Anspruch 3, wobei
die elektrische Schnittstelle (75, 76, 77) auf einer ersten Ebene angeordnet ist,
die sich in der Tiefenrichtung (53) und der Breitenrichtung (51) erstreckt, und
die erste Ebene eine zweite Ebene schneidet, auf der sich die Eingriffsfläche (46)
erstreckt.
5. Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, ferner umfassend eine
Rampe (49), die in Bezug auf die Einsetzrichtung (56) nach unten geneigt ist, so dass
ein vorderer Abschnitt der Rampe (49) niedriger positioniert ist als ein hinterer
Abschnitt der Rampe (49) in Bezug auf die Höhenrichtung (52) und die so dazu angepasst
ist, dass ein Eingriffselement (145) des Kartuschenmontageabschnitts (110) auf der
Rampe (49) gleitet, wenn die Druckfluidkartusche (30) in den Kartuschenmontageabschnitt
(110) eingesetzt und/oder aus diesem entfernt wird.
6. Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die Druckfluidkartusche
(30) dazu angepasst ist, um in den Kartuschenhalterungsabschnitt (110) in einer aufrechten
Position eingesetzt zu werden, und die Druckfluidkartusche (30) ferner umfasst:
einen Erfassungsabschnitt (33), der dazu angepasst ist, um das Vorhandensein oder
Fehlen von Druckflüssigkeit in der Kammer anzuzeigen, wobei der Erfassungsabschnitt
an der Vorderseite positioniert ist;
wobei der Erfassungsabschnitt (33) in der aufrechten Position der Druckfluidkartusche
(30) oberhalb des Druckflüssigkeitszufuhrabschnitts (34) in einer Höhenrichtung (52)
senkrecht zur Einsetzrichtung (56) und zur Entnahmerichtung (55) angeordnet ist.
7. Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei, wenn sich die Druckfluidkartusche
(30) in der aufrechten Position befindet, die elektrische Schnittstelle (75, 76, 77)
über dem Druckflüssigkeitszufuhrabschnitt (34) in Bezug auf die Höhenrichtung (52)
positioniert ist.
8. Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei die elektrische
Schnittstelle (75, 76, 77) und der Eingriffsabschnitt (45) an einer einzigen Seite
der Druckfluidkartusche (30) vorgesehen sind.
9. Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß Anspruch 8, wobei die elektrische Schnittstelle (75,
76, 77) und der Eingriffsabschnitt (45) beide an einer Oberseite der Druckfluidkartusche
(30) vorgesehen sind und die Oberseite nach oben in der Höhenrichtung (52) ausgerichtet
ist, wenn sich die Tintenkartusche (30) in der aufrechten Position befindet.
10. Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß Anspruch 9, wobei, wenn sich die Druckfluidkartusche
(30) in der aufrechten Position befindet, die elektrische Schnittstelle (75, 76, 77)
über mindestens einem Abschnitt des Eingriffsabschnitts (45) in Bezug auf die Höhenrichtung
(52) positioniert ist.
11. Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, wobei die Druckfluidkartusche
(30) ferner umfasst:
einen Hauptkörper (31), der die Kammer (36) umfasst; und
eine Halterung (90), die an dem Hauptkörper (31) befestigt ist, wobei die elektrische
Schnittstelle (75, 76, 77) an der Halterung (90) angeordnet ist, und die Halterung
(90) relativ zu dem Hauptkörper (31) in der Höhenrichtung (52) beweglich ist.
12. Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, ferner umfassend einen
weiteren Erfassungsabschnitt (88), der in Bezug auf die Einsetzrichtung (56) weiter
vorne als die elektrische Schnittstelle (75, 76, 77) positioniert ist, wobei der weitere
Erfassungsabschnitt (88) dazu angepasst ist, um von einem optischen Sensor erfasst
zu werden, der in dem Kartuschenmontageabschnitt vorgesehen ist.
13. Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, wobei die elektrische
Schnittstelle (75, 76, 77) dazu angepasst ist, um in einer Richtung senkrecht zur
Einsetzrichtung (55) und zur Entnahmerichtung (56) zugänglich zu sein.
14. Druckvorrichtung (10), umfassend:
die Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9; und
einen Kartuschenmontageabschnitt (110), in den die Druckfluidkartusche (30) angepasst
ist, eingesetzt zu werden, wobei der Kartuschenmontageabschnitt (110) umfasst:
einen Kontakt (106), der dazu angepasst ist, um elektrisch mit der elektrischen Schnittstelle
(75, 76, 77) verbunden zu werden; und
ein Eingriffselement (145), das dazu angepasst ist, um mit dem Eingriffsabschnitt
(45) in Kontakt zu stehen, so dass die Druckfluidkartusche (30) in dem Kartuschenmontageabschnitt
(110) gegen die Vorspannkraft gehalten wird.
15. Druckvorrichtung (10) gemäß Anspruch 14, wobei
das Eingriffselement (145) ein Eingriffsende (146) an einem vorderen Ende des Eingriffselements
(145) in Bezug auf die Einsetzungsrichtung (56) umfasst, das dazu angepasst ist, um
mit dem Eingriffsabschnitt (45) in Kontakt zu stehen, und das Eingriffsende (146)
mit die Eingriffsfläche (46) in einem eingeführten Zustand der Kartusche in Kontakt
steht.
16. Druckvorrichtung (10) gemäß Anspruch 14 oder 15, wobei das Eingriffselement (145)
dazu angepasst ist, um sich zwischen einer Verriegelungsposition und einer Entriegelungsposition
zu bewegen, und das Eingriffsende (146) dazu angepasst ist, um mit dem Eingriffsabschnitt
(45) in der Verriegelungsposition in Kontakt zu stehen und mit dem Eingriffsabschnitt
(45) in der Entriegelungsposition nicht in Kontakt zu stehen.
17. Druckvorrichtung (10) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 14 bis 16, wobei beim Einsetzen der
Druckfluidkartusche in den Kartuschenmontageabschnitt (110) eine Gleitfläche (148)
des Eingriffselements (145) auf der elektrischen Schnittstelle (75, 76, 77) gleitet.
18. Druckvorrichtung (10) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 14 bis 17, wobei der vordere Endabschnitt
(81) des Schwenkelements (80) unterhalb des Eingriffsendes (146) des Eingriffselements
(145) positioniert ist, wenn sich die Druckfluidkartusche (30) in der eingesetzten
Position im Kartuschenmontageabschnitt (110) befindet.
19. Die Druckvorrichtung (10) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 14 bis 18, umfassend einen optischen
Sensor (116), der dazu angepasst ist, um den weiteren Erfassungsabschnitt (88) zu
erfassen.
20. Druckvorrichtung (10) gemäß einem der Ansprüche 14 bis 19, ferner umfassend ein Vorspannelement
(135, 139), das dazu angepasst ist, um die Vorspannkraft auf die Druckfluidkartusche
(30) in der Entnahmerichtung (55) auszuüben.
21. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Druckfluidkartusche (30), umfassend:
einen Schritt zum Bereitstellen der Druckfluidkartusche (30) gemäß einem der Ansprüche
1 bis 9;
einen Schritt zum Bereitstellen des Zugangs zum Inneren der Kammer (36) von der Außenseite
der Kammer (36); und
einen Schritt zum Einsetzen von Druckflüssigkeit in das Innere der Kammer (36) von
der Außenseite der Kammer (36) aus.
1. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) configurée pour être insérée dans une portion
de montage de cartouche (110) dans une direction d'insertion (56) en position verticale
contre une force de polarisation exercée dans une direction de retrait (55) opposée
à la direction d'insertion (56), la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) en position
verticale ayant une largeur dans une direction de largeur (51), une hauteur dans une
direction de hauteur (52), et une profondeur dans une direction de profondeur (53),
dans laquelle la direction de largeur (51), la direction de hauteur (52), et la direction
de profondeur (53) sont perpendiculaires l'une à l'autre et la direction de profondeur
(53) est parallèle à la direction d'insertion (56), la direction de hauteur (52) correspond
à la direction gravitationnelle, et la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) en position
verticale comprenant :
une face avant orientée vers la direction d'insertion (56) lorsque la cartouche de
liquide d'impression (30) est insérée dans la portion de montage de cartouche ;
une face arrière positionnée à l'opposé de la face avant par rapport à la direction
d'insertion (56) et orientée vers la direction de retrait (55) lorsque la cartouche
de liquide d'impression (30) est insérée dans la portion de montage de cartouche ;
une paroi avant (40), une paroi arrière (42) à l'opposé de la paroi avant (40) par
rapport à la direction d'insertion (56) et une paroi supérieure (39) raccordée à des
extrémités supérieures de la paroi avant (40) et de la paroi arrière (42), dans laquelle
une face extérieure de la paroi avant (40) est la face avant de la cartouche d'encre
(30) et une face extérieure de la paroi arrière (42) est la face arrière de la cartouche
d'encre (30) ; une chambre (36) positionnée entre la face avant et la face arrière
et configurée pour stocker du liquide d'impression à l'intérieur de celle-ci ;
une portion d'alimentation de liquide d'impression (34) positionnée à la face avant
et configurée pour alimenter le liquide d'impression depuis un intérieur de la chambre
(36) à un extérieur de la chambre (36) ;
une interface électrique (75, 76, 77) configurée pour permettre un accès électrique
à un circuit intégré prévu à la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30), l'interface
électrique étant positionnée entre la face avant et la face arrière par rapport à
la direction d'insertion ou de retrait ;
une portion de mise en prise (45) pour retenir la cartouche de liquide d'impression
(30) dans la portion de montage de cartouche contre la force de polarisation, la portion
de mise en prise (45) étant positionnée à un côté de paroi supérieure de la cartouche
d'encre (30) et comprenant une surface de mise en prise (46) ; et
un organe de pivot (80) ayant une portion d'extrémité avant (81) étant configurée
pour être positionnée à une première position de sorte que la portion d'extrémité
avant (81) soit positionnée au-dessous d'une extrémité supérieure de la surface de
mise en prise (46), et l'organe de pivot (80) est positionné à une portion arrière
de la paroi supérieure (39) de sorte que la surface de mise en prise (46) soit plus
vers l'avant dans la direction d'insertion que la portion d'extrémité avant (81).
2. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle la
portion d'extrémité avant (81) est configurée pour être positionnée à une deuxième
position de sorte que la portion d'extrémité avant (81) s'étende à l'extérieur au-delà
d'une extrémité supérieure de la portion de mise en prise (45) dans la direction de
hauteur (52).
3. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans laquelle
la surface de mise en prise (46) s'étend dans la direction de largeur (51) et la direction
de hauteur (52) et/ou fait face dans la direction opposée à la direction d'insertion.
4. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle
l'interface électrique (75, 76, 77) est agencée dans un premier plan qui s'étend dans
la direction de profondeur (53) et la direction de largeur (51), et
le premier plan est en intersection avec un deuxième plan dans lequel la surface de
mise en prise (46) s'étend.
5. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1
à 4, comprenant en outre une rampe (49) qui est inclinée vers le bas par rapport à
la direction d'insertion (56) de sorte qu'une portion avant de la rampe (49) soit
positionnée plus bas qu'une portion arrière de la rampe (49) par rapport à la direction
de hauteur (52) et qui est configurée de sorte qu'un organe de mise en prise (145)
de la portion de montage de cartouche (110) coulisse sur la rampe (49) lorsque la
cartouche d'encre (30) est insérée dans et/ou retirée de la portion de montage de
cartouche (110).
6. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1
à 5, dans laquelle la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) est configurée pour être
insérée dans la portion de montage de cartouche (110) en position verticale, et la
cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) comprend en outre :
une portion de détection (33) configurée pour indiquer la présence ou l'absence de
liquide d'impression à l'intérieur de la chambre (36), la portion de détection étant
positionnée à la face avant ;
dans laquelle la portion de détection (33) est agencée en position verticale de la
cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) au-dessus de la portion d'alimentation de liquide
d'impression (34) dans une direction de hauteur (52) perpendiculaire à la direction
d'insertion (56) et à la direction de retrait (55).
7. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1
à 6, dans laquelle, lorsque la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) est en position
verticale, l'interface électrique (75, 76, 77) est positionnée au-dessus de la portion
d'alimentation de liquide d'impression (34) par rapport à la direction de hauteur
(52).
8. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1
à 7, dans laquelle l'interface électrique (75, 76, 77) et la portion de mise en prise
(45) sont prévues à un côté unique de la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30).
9. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon la revendication 8, dans laquelle l'interface
électrique (75, 76, 77) et la portion de mise en prise (45) sont prévues à une face
supérieure de la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30), et la face supérieure est
orientée vers le haut dans la direction de hauteur (52) lorsque la cartouche d'encre
(30) est en position verticale.
10. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon la revendication 9, dans laquelle, lorsque
la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) est en position verticale, l'interface électrique
(75, 76, 77) est positionnée au-dessus d'au moins une portion de la portion de mise
en prise (45) par rapport à la direction de hauteur (52).
11. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1
à 10, dans laquelle la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) comprend en outre :
un corps principal (31) comprenant la chambre (36) ; et
un support (90) attaché au corps principal (31), dans laquelle l'interface électrique
(75, 76, 77) est disposée au support (90), et le support (90) est mobile par rapport
au corps principal (31) dans la direction de hauteur (52).
12. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1
à 11, comprenant en outre une autre portion de détection (88) positionnée plus vers
l'avant que l'interface électrique (75, 76, 77) par rapport à la direction d'insertion
(56), dans laquelle l'autre portion de détection (88) est configurée pour être détectée
par un capteur optique prévu dans la portion de montage de cartouche.
13. Cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1
à 12, dans laquelle l'interface électrique (75, 76, 77) est configurée pour être accédée
dans une direction perpendiculaire à la direction d'insertion (55) et à la direction
de retrait (56).
14. Appareil d'impression (10) comprenant :
la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon l'une quelconque des revendications
1 à 9 ; et
une portion de montage de cartouche (110) dans laquelle la cartouche de liquide d'impression
(30) est configurée pour être insérée, la portion de montage de cartouche (110) comprenant
:
un contact (106) configuré pour être électriquement raccordé à l'interface électrique
(75, 76, 77) ; et
un organe de mise en prise (145) configuré pour venir au contact de la portion de
mise en prise (45), de sorte que la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) soit retenue
dans la portion de montage de cartouche (110) contre la force de polarisation.
15. Appareil d'impression (10) selon la revendication 14, dans lequel
l'organe de mise en prise (145) comprend une extrémité de mise en prise (146) à une
extrémité avant de l'organe de mise en prise (145) par rapport à la direction d'insertion
(56) configurée pour venir au contact de la portion de mise en prise (45), et
l'extrémité de mise en prise (146) vient au contact de la surface de mise en prise
(46) dans un état inséré de la cartouche.
16. Appareil d'impression (10) selon la revendication 14 ou 15, dans lequel l'organe de
mise en prise (145) est configuré pour se déplacer entre une position de verrouillage
et une position de déverrouillage, et
l'extrémité de mise en prise (146) est configurée pour venir au contact de la portion
de mise en prise (45) en position de verrouillage et pour ne pas venir au contact
de la portion de mise en prise (45) en position de déverrouillage.
17. Appareil d'impression (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 16, dans
lequel, au cours de l'insertion de la cartouche de liquide d'impression dans la portion
de montage de cartouche (110), une surface de coulissement (148) de l'organe de mise
en prise (145) coulisse sur l'interface électrique (75, 76, 77).
18. Appareil d'impression (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 17, dans
lequel la portion d'extrémité avant (81) de l'organe de pivot (80) est positionnée
au-dessous de l'extrémité de mise en prise (146) de l'organe de mise en prise (145),
lorsque la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) est en position insérée dans la
portion de montage de cartouche (110).
19. Appareil d'impression (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 18, comprenant
un capteur optique (116) configuré pour détecter l'autre portion de détection (88).
20. Appareil d'impression (10) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 14 à 19, comprenant
en outre un organe de polarisation (135, 139) configuré pour appliquer la force de
polarisation à la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) dans la direction de retrait
(55).
21. Procédé de fabrication d'une cartouche de liquide d'impression (30), comprenant :
une étape de fourniture de la cartouche de liquide d'impression (30) selon l'une quelconque
des revendications 1 à 9 ;
une étape de fourniture d'un accès à l'intérieur de la chambre (36) depuis l'extérieur
de la chambre (36) ; et
une étape d'introduction d'un liquide d'impression à l'intérieur de la chambre (36)
depuis l'extérieur de la chambre (36).