[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid cartridge configured to store liquid therein,
and a system including the liquid cartridge, and a cartridge-attachment section to
which the liquid cartridge is attachable.
[0002] As a conventional system well-known in the art, there is known a system including
an ink cartridge, and an inkjet-recording apparatus provided with an attachment section
to which the ink cartridge is detachably attachable.
[0003] The ink cartridge is provided with a circuit board. The circuit board includes a
memory for storing such information as color and material of ink, and a storage capacity
for the ink. Electrodes are also formed on the circuit board. The electrodes are electrically
connected to contacts provided in the attachment section of the inkjet-recording apparatus
in a state where the ink cartridge is attached to the attachment section. Through
these connections, the inkjet-recording apparatus can read information stored in the
memory.
[0004] The electrodes and contacts should be positioned accurately in order to ensure reliable
electrical connections between the electrodes and the contacts in the state where
the ink cartridge is attached to the attachment section. For example, Japanese Patent
Application Publication No.
2013-049164 discloses a recording apparatus and an ink cartridge therefor. The ink cartridge
includes a main body, a bracket capable of moving vertically relative to the main
body, and a circuit board provided on the bracket. By making the bracket movable in
a vertical direction relative to the main body, the circuit board can be independently
positioned in the vertical direction relative to the main body.
[0005] In the above-mentioned recording apparatus, a rod provided in an attachment section
is inserted through a hole formed in a front end portion of the bracket during insertion
of the ink cartridge into the attachment section. The rod functions to raise the bracket
in order to provide vertical positioning of the circuit board supported on the bracket.
In this case, the circuit board must be arranged near the rod in a front-rear direction
so that the circuit board can be positioned vertically with precision by the inserted
rod. In other words, the circuit board must be disposed near a front end of the ink
cartridge. However, this configuration compromises flexibility in arranging the circuit
board.
[0006] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a
liquid cartridge capable of realizing vertical positioning of a circuit board without
compromising flexibility in arrangement of the circuit board.
- (1) In order to attain the above and other objects, according to one aspect, the present
disclosure provides a liquid cartridge in combination with a printer having a cartridge-attachment
section to which the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted in an insertion
direction crossing a gravitational direction and accommodated in the cartridge-attachment
section in an upright posture. The cartridge-attachment section includes a protruding
portion extending in the insertion direction and having a width in a widthwise direction
orthogonal to the insertion direction and the gravitational direction. The liquid
cartridge in the upright posture includes: a casing; a movable member movably supported
by the casing and movable relative to the casing; and a circuit board provided at
the movable member and facing upward in the upright posture. The casing includes:
a liquid chamber storing liquid therein; and a liquid passage extending from the liquid
chamber in the insertion direction in the upright posture. The movable member includes
a receiving portion adapted to receive the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment
section in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction during insertion
of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section and in a state where
the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section. The receiving
portion provides a receiving space that is open in the insertion direction and in
the widthwise direction in the upright posture. The receiving portion has a contact
surface defining the receiving space. The contact surface faces downward and extending
in the insertion direction and the widthwise direction in the upright posture. The
contact surface is configured to contact the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment
section during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment
section and in the state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment
section.
With this structure, the circuit board can be positioned vertically by the contact
surface being in contact with and supported by the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment
section.
Further, with this structure, the receiving portion provides the receiving space that
is open in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction. Accordingly, the
protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section can be received in the receiving
space in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction to make contact with
the contact surface in order to support the movable member. Hence, even when the circuit
board is arranged rearward away from a front end of the liquid cartridge in the insertion
direction, the protruding portion can advance into and received in the receiving space
of the receiving portion without being hindered by the liquid cartridge in order to
gain access to a position near the circuit board during the insertion of the liquid
cartridge forward into the cartridge-attachment section. In this way, the protruding
portion can support the movable member at a position near the circuit board regardless
of the position at which the circuit board is arranged. Hence, this arrangement can
enhance flexibility in positioning the circuit board in the liquid cartridge.
- (2) In this liquid cartridge, it is preferable that the receiving portion further
has a sloped surface connected to the contact surface and positioned frontward of
the contact surface in the insertion direction in the upright posture, the sloped
surface sloping relative to the insertion direction to face diagonally downward and
frontward in the upright posture. The sloped surface is configured to guide the protruding
portion to enter into the receiving space in the insertion direction,
With this structure, as the liquid cartridge is inserted into the cartridge-attachment
section, the protruding portion contacts the sloped surface and is guided by the sloped
surface smoothly into the receiving portion.
Further, providing the sloped surface connected to and positioned frontward of the
first surface in the insertion direction can enlarge a vertical dimension of an inlet
to the receiving space in the insertion direction, thereby facilitating insertion
of the protruding portion into the receiving space.
- (3) In the liquid cartridge according to the feature (1) or (2), it is preferable
that: the receiving portion includes a recess defining the receiving space; the receiving
portion further has a first surface extending in the insertion direction and orthogonal
to the contact surface in the upright posture; and the contact surface and the first
surface defining the recess.
- (4) In the liquid cartridge according to the feature (3), it is preferable that: the
receiving portion further has a second surface and a third surface both defining the
recess together with the contact surface and the first surface; the second surface
extends in the insertion direction and orthogonal to the first surface in the upright
posture; the third surface extends in the widthwise direction and orthogonal to the
contact surface and the first surface and the second surface in the upright posture;
one of the sloped surface and the contact surface constitutes a first inlet opening
together with the first surface and the second surface; the contact surface, the second
surface and the third surface constitute a second inlet opening; and the receiving
portion is configured to receive the protruding portion through the first inlet opening
and through the second inlet opening into the receiving space during the insertion
of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section.
- (5) In the liquid cartridge according to the feature (4), it is preferable that: the
casing includes a liquid outlet provided at a front end of the liquid passage in the
insertion direction; the receiving portion further has a front surface and a side
surface, the front surface facing frontward in the insertion direction and being positioned
rearward relative to the liquid outlet in the insertion direction in the upright posture,
the side surface facing away from the receiving space in the widthwise direction and
being positioned rearward relative to the liquid outlet in the insertion direction
in the upright posture; and the first inlet opening is open on the front surface and
the second inlet opening is open on the side surface.
- (6) Preferably, in any of the above liquid cartridges according to the features (1)-(5),
the contact surface is positioned above the liquid chamber.
With this structure, the presence of the contact surface does not reduce a capacity
of the liquid chamber in the liquid cartridge. In other words, this arrangement can
avoid a reduction in quantity of liquid that the liquid cartridge can store.
- (7) Preferably, in any of the above liquid cartridges according to the features (1)-(6),
the contact surface has a region located offset from the circuit board in the widthwise
direction in the upright posture.
The electrical contact of the cartridge-attachment section is located at the same
position in the widthwise direction in order to establish electrical connection between
the circuit board and the electrical contact when the liquid cartridge is attached
to the cartridge-attachment section. Since the contact surface has a region positioned
offset from the circuit board in the widthwise direction, the movable member can be
supported by the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section at a position
in the widthwise direction that differs from the widthwise position of the circuit
board. This configuration can prevent the protruding portion from hindering movement
of the electrical contact relative to the liquid cartridge during the insertion of
the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section.
- (8) It is preferable in any of the above liquid cartridges according to the features
(1)-(7) that: the casing includes a liquid outlet provided at a front end of the liquid
passage in the insertion direction; and the contact surface is in contact with the
protruding portion at a contact position in the state where the liquid cartridge is
accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section, a distance between the contact position
and the circuit board in the insertion direction being smaller than a distance between
the contact position and the liquid outlet in the insertion direction.
With this structure, in a state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the
cartridge-attachment section, the movable member is supported by the protruding portion
at a position closer to the circuit board than to the liquid outlet. Hence, positioning
of the circuit board can be provided with accuracy.
- (9) In any of the above liquid cartridges according to the features (1)-(8), it is
preferable that: the casing includes a front wall at which the liquid passage is provided,
a rear wall positioned away from the front wall in the insertion direction, and a
pair of side walls connecting the front wall to the rear wall and defining the liquid
chamber; and the contact surface has a portion positioned closer to one of the side
walls than the circuit board is to the one of the side walls in the widthwise direction.
With this structure, the contact surface does not protrude farther outward relative
to the side wall in the widthwise direction. Therefore, this configuration can avoid
an increase in the widthwise dimension of the liquid cartridge.
- (10) It is preferable that: any of the above liquid cartridges according to the features
(1)-(9) further includes a light-blocking portion configured to block or attenuate
light traveling in the widthwise direction in the upright posture in the state where
the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section; and the
circuit board is positioned rearward relative to the light-blocking portion in the
insertion direction in the upright posture.
- (11) In the liquid cartridge according to the feature (10), preferably, the contact
surface is positioned below an upper end of the light-blocking portion in the upright
posture.
With this structure, the contact surface is positioned below the upper end of the
light-blocking portion that is positioned forward of the circuit board in the insertion
direction. Hence, the contact surface and the protruding portion do not interfere
with the electrical contact during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the
cartridge-attachment section. Further, the contact surface and the protruding portion
do not interfere with the light irradiated toward the light-blocking portion, either.
Further, positioning the contact surface below the upper end of the light-blocking
portion allows for a shorter vertical dimension of the liquid cartridge.
- (12) The liquid cartridge according to the feature (1) may be configured to be inserted
into the cartridge-attachment section against an urging force acting in a direction
opposite to the insertion direction. In this case, it is preferable that: the casing
further has an engaging surface configured to engage an engaging portion provided
at the cartridge-attachment section in the state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated
in the cartridge-attachment section; the circuit board is positioned frontward relative
to the engaging surface in the insertion direction in the upright posture; and the
liquid cartridge is movable between the upright posture and an inclined posture relative
to the cartridge-attachment section during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into
the cartridge-attachment section, the engaging surface being in abutment with the
engaging portion of the cartridge-attachment section in the upright posture, the engaging
surface being positioned below the engaging portion to be disengaged therefrom in
the inclined posture.
With this structure, since the engaging surface is positioned rearward of the circuit
board in the insertion direction, the presence of the engaging surface does not obstruct
the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section, for example,
movement of the electrical contact relative to the liquid cartridge during the insertion
of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section.
- (13) In any of the liquid cartridges according to the features (1)-(12), preferably,
the contact surface has a rear edge positioned rearward relative to an electrode disposed
on the circuit board in the insertion direction in the upright posture.
In the state where the liquid cartridge is attached to the cartridge-attachment section,
the circuit board receives a downward urging force from the electrical contact. Since
the contact surface extends further rearward than the electrode in the insertion direction,
the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section can contact the contact
surface from below at a position directly beneath the electrode in order to support
the movable member. Hence, the protruding portion can receive the downward urging
force from the electrical contact directly from below thereof, thereby stably supporting
the movable member.
- (14) In the liquid cartridge according to the feature (1), it is preferable that:
the receiving portion includes a protrusion having the contact surface facing downward;
the receiving portion further has a first surface extending in the insertion direction
and orthogonal to the contact surface in the upright posture; and the contact surface
and the first surface define the receiving space below the protrusion.
With this structure, the circuit board can be positioned vertically by the contact
surface of the protrusion being in contact with and supported by the protruding portion
of the cartridge-attachment section.
Further, with this structure, the protrusion provides the receiving space that is
open in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction. Accordingly, the protruding
portion of the cartridge-attachment section can be received in the receiving space
in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction to make contact with the
contact surface in order to support the movable member. Hence, even when the circuit
board is arranged rearward away from a front end of the liquid cartridge in the insertion
direction, the protruding portion can advance into and received in the receiving space
of the receiving portion without being hindered by the liquid cartridge in order to
gain access to a position near the circuit board during the insertion of the liquid
cartridge forward into the cartridge-attachment section. In this way, the protruding
portion can support the movable member at a position near the circuit board regardless
of the position at which the circuit board is arranged. Hence, this arrangement can
enhance flexibility in positioning the circuit board in the liquid cartridge.
- (15) In the liquid cartridge according to the feature (1), it is also preferable that:
the receiving portion includes a rod member having the contact surface facing downward;
and the rod member is positioned above the receiving space.
With this structure, the circuit board can be positioned vertically by the contact
surface of the rod member being in contact with and supported by the protruding portion
of the cartridge-attachment section.
Further, with this structure, the rod member provides the receiving space that is
open in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction. Accordingly, the protruding
portion of the cartridge-attachment section can be received in the receiving space
in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction to make contact with the
contact surface in order to support the movable member. Hence, even when the circuit
board is arranged rearward away from a front end of the liquid cartridge in the insertion
direction, the protruding portion can advance into and received in the receiving space
of the receiving portion without being hindered by the liquid cartridge in order to
gain access to a position near the circuit board during the insertion of the liquid
cartridge forward into the cartridge-attachment section. In this way, the protruding
portion can support the movable member at a position near the circuit board regardless
of the position at which the circuit board is arranged. Hence, this arrangement can
enhance flexibility in positioning the circuit board in the liquid cartridge.
- (16) According to another aspect, the present disclosure also provides a system including:
any one of the above liquid cartridges according to the features (1)-(15); and a printer
provided with the cartridge-attachment section defining therein an accommodation space
into which the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted in the insertion direction
crossing the gravitational direction. In this system, the liquid cartridge is configured
to be accommodated in the accommodation space in the upright posture. The cartridge-attachment
section includes: a side plate defining the accommodation space; a protruding portion
protruding from the side plate in the widthwise direction; an electrical contact configured
to contact the circuit board of the liquid cartridge accommodated in the accommodation
space; and a liquid-supply tube having a tubular shape and protruding rearward into
the accommodation space, the liquid-supply tube having an open tip end configured
to be connected to the liquid passage of the liquid cartridge. The receiving portion
is configured to receive the protruding portion during the insertion of the liquid
cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section in the insertion direction. The electrical
contact is in contact with the circuit board and the protruding portion is contact
with the contact surface to support the movable member in the state where the liquid
cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section.
With this configuration of the system, vertical positioning of the circuit board can
be provided by contact of the contact surface with the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment
section received in the receiving space of the receiving portion.
Further, with this configuration of the system, the receiving portion provides the
receiving space that is open is open in the insertion direction and in the widthwise
direction. Accordingly, the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section
can be received in the receiving space in the insertion direction and in the widthwise
direction to contact the contact surface in order to support the movable member during
the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section and in
the state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section.
Hence, even when the circuit board is arranged rearward away from a front end of the
liquid cartridge in the insertion direction, the protruding portion can be received
in the receiving space of the receiving portion without being hindered by the liquid
cartridge in order to gain access to a position near the circuit board as the liquid
cartridge is being inserted forward into the cartridge-attachment section. In this
way, the protruding portion can support the movable member at a position near the
circuit board regardless of the position at which the circuit board is arranged. Hence,
this arrangement can enhance flexibility in positioning the circuit board.
- (17) Preferably, in the above system according to the feature (16), the circuit board
faces upward in the upright posture of the liquid cartridge and the electrical contact
faces downward.
With this structure, in the state where the liquid cartridge is attached to the cartridge-attachment
section, the circuit board is supported from below by the protruding portion and contacted
from above by the electrical contact. Accordingly, vertical positioning of the circuit
board can be realized with greater accuracy.
- (18) In the above system according to the feature (16) including the liquid cartridge
with the feature (10), it is preferable that: the cartridge-attachment section further
includes an optical sensor configured to emit light traveling in the widthwise direction
to form an optical path; and the light-blocking portion is positioned in the optical
path of the light emitted from the optical sensor in the state where the liquid cartridge
is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section.
With this structure, in the state where the liquid cartridge is attached to the cartridge-attachment
section, the light-blocking portion can reliably block or attenuate the light emitted
from the optical sensor of the cartridge-attachment section.
- (19) In the above system according to the feature (16) including the liquid cartridge
with the feature (12), it is preferable that: the liquid cartridge further includes
a sealing portion positioned in the liquid passage and configured to contact the liquid-supply
tube connected to the liquid passage to hermetically seal the liquid passage from
the outside; and the upright posture and the inclined posture of the liquid cartridge
are provided by pivotal movement of the liquid cartridge about a point of contact
between the liquid-supply tube and the sealing portion.
With this structure, since the engaging surface is positioned rearward of the circuit
board in the insertion direction, the presence of the engaging surface does not obstruct
the movement of the electrical contact relative to the liquid cartridge during the
insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section.
- (20) In the above system according to the feature (16), it is also preferable that
the cartridge-attachment section further includes: another side plate opposing the
side plate in the widthwise direction and defining the accommodation space together
with the side plate in the widthwise direction; and another protruding portion protruding
from the another side plate in the widthwise direction. In this case, it is preferable
that: the movable member of the liquid cartridge further includes another receiving
portion configured to receive the another protruding portion therein in the insertion
direction and in the widthwise direction during the insertion of the liquid cartridge
into the cartridge-attachment section and in the state where the liquid cartridge
is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section; and the liquid cartridge is positioned
between the side plate and the another side plate in the state where the liquid cartridge
is accommodated in the accommodation space of the cartridge-attachment section.
- (21) Preferably, in the above system according to the feature (16), the contact surface
is positioned below the electric contact in the state where the liquid cartridge is
accommodated in the accommodation space of the cartridge-attachment section.
With this structure, since the contact surface is positioned below the electrical
contact in the state where the liquid cartridge is attached to the cartridge-attachment
section, the contact surface does not hinder movement of the electrical contact relative
to the liquid cartridge during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment
section. Further, the vertical dimension of the liquid cartridge can be shortened
by a distance by which the contact surface is separated below from the electrical
contact.
- (22) Preferably, in the above system according to the feature (16), the circuit board
is positioned rearward relative to the liquid-supply tube in the insertion direction
in the state where the liquid cartridge is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment
section.
With this structure, the liquid-supply tube can be connected to the liquid passage
before the electrical contact is electrically connected to the circuit board during
the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section.
- (23) According to still another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for
attaching any of the liquid cartridges according to the features (1)-(15) to the cartridge-attachment
section in the upright posture. The cartridge-attachment section defines therein an
accommodation space and includes: the protruding portion, an electrical contact, and
a liquid-supply tube having a tubular shape and protruding rearward into the accommodation
space. The method includes inserting the liquid cartridge into the accommodation space
in the insertion direction, in which the inserting includes: connecting the liquid
passage to the liquid-supply tube; receiving the protruding portion into the receiving
space of the receiving portion in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction;
bringing the protruding portion received in the receiving space into contact with
the contact surface; causing the protruding portion received in the receiving space
to move the movable member upward relative to the casing; and making the circuit board
contact the electrical contact.
With this method, vertical positioning of the circuit board can be realized by bringing
the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section into contact with the contact
surface during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment
section.
Further, the receiving portion provides the receiving space that is open in the insertion
direction and in the widthwise direction. Accordingly, the protruding portion of the
cartridge-attachment section can be received smoothly in the receiving space in the
insertion direction and in the widthwise direction during the insertion of the liquid
cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section, thereby allowing the protruding portion
to make contact with the contact surface to support the movable member. Hence, even
when the circuit board is arranged rearward away from a front end of the liquid cartridge
in the insertion direction, the protruding portion can be received in the receiving
space of the receiving portion without being hindered by the liquid cartridge in order
to gain access to a position near the circuit board as the liquid cartridge is being
inserted forward into the cartridge-attachment section. In this way, the protruding
portion can support the movable member at a position near the circuit board regardless
of the position at which the circuit board is arranged, without compromising flexibility
in positioning of the circuit board.
- (24) In the method according to the feature (23), it is preferable that the receiving
includes: receiving the protruding portion into the receiving space through the first
inlet opening in the insertion direction; and receiving the protruding portion into
the receiving space through the second inlet opening in the widthwise direction.
With this method, the protruding portion can be received smoothly in the receiving
space in the insertion direction through the first inlet opening and in the widthwise
direction through the second inlet opening during the insertion of the liquid cartridge
into the cartridge-attachment section.
- (25) In the method according to the feature (23) using the liquid cartridge with the
feature (12), preferably, the inserting further includes pivoting the liquid cartridge
into the upright posture from the inclined posture in the accommodation space after
the causing.
- (26) According to still another aspect, the present disclosure can also be embodied
as a liquid cartridge in combination with a printer having a cartridge-attachment
section to which the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted in an insertion
direction crossing a gravitational direction and accommodated in the cartridge-attachment
section in an upright posture. The cartridge-attachment section includes a protruding
portion extending in the insertion direction and having a width in a widthwise direction
orthogonal to the insertion direction and the gravitational direction. The liquid
cartridge includes: a casing; a movable member movably supported by the casing; and
a circuit board provided at the movable member and facing upward in the upright posture.
The casing includes a liquid chamber storing liquid therein, and a liquid passage
extending from the liquid chamber in the insertion direction in the upright posture.
The movable member includes a receiving portion providing a receiving space that is
open in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction in the upright posture.
The receiving portion has a contact surface defining the receiving space. The contact
surface faces downward and extends in the insertion direction and the widthwise direction
in the upright posture. The movable member is moved relative to the casing by contact
of the contact surface with the protruding portion during entry of the protruding
portion into the receiving portion in the insertion direction in accordance with the
insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section.
With this structure, the circuit board can be positioned vertically by the contact
surface being in contact with and supported by the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment
section.
Further, with this structure, the receiving portion provides the receiving space that
is open in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction. Accordingly, the
protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section can be received in the receiving
space in the insertion direction and in the widthwise direction to make contact with
the contact surface, moving the movable member while supporting the movable member.
Hence, even when the circuit board is arranged rearward away from a front end of the
liquid cartridge in the insertion direction, the protruding portion can be received
in the receiving space of the receiving portion without being hindered by the liquid
cartridge in order to gain access to a position near the circuit board during the
insertion of the liquid cartridge forward into the cartridge-attachment section. In
this way, the protruding portion can support the movable member at a position near
the circuit board regardless of the position at which the circuit board is arranged.
Hence, this arrangement can enhance flexibility in positioning the circuit board in
the liquid cartridge.
- (27) According to still another aspect, the present disclosure can also be embodied
as a liquid cartridge in combination with a printer having a cartridge-attachment
section to which the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted in an insertion
direction crossing a gravitational direction and accommodated in the cartridge-attachment
section in an upright posture. The cartridge-attachment section includes a protruding
portion extending in the insertion direction and having a width in a widthwise direction
orthogonal to the insertion direction and the gravitational direction. The liquid
cartridge includes: a casing; a movable member movably supported by the casing; and
a circuit board provided at the movable member and facing upward in the upright posture.
The casing includes a liquid chamber storing liquid therein, and a liquid passage
extending from the liquid chamber in the insertion direction in the upright posture.
The movable member has: a contact surface facing downward and extending in the insertion
direction and the widthwise direction in the upright posture, the contact surface
being configured to contact the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section;
a first surface extending in the insertion direction and orthogonal to the contact
surface in the upright posture; a second surface extending in the insertion direction
and orthogonal to the first surface in the upright posture; and a third surface extending
in the widthwise direction and orthogonal to the contact surface, the first surface
and the second surface in the upright posture. The contact surface, the first surface,
the second surface, and the third surface define a recess having a first inlet opening
that is open in the insertion direction and a second inlet opening that is open in
the widthwise direction. The contact surface is configured to contact the protruding
portion of the cartridge-attachment section received in the recess through the first
inlet opening and the second inlet opening.
With this structure, the circuit board can be positioned vertically by the contact
surface being in contact with and supported by the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment
section.
Further, the movable member includes the recess that is open in the insertion direction
and in the widthwise direction. Accordingly, the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment
section can be received smoothly by the recess in the insertion direction through
the first inlet opening and in the widthwise direction through the second inlet opening,
thereby allowing the protruding portion to make contact with the contact surface of
the recess to support the movable member. Hence, even when the circuit board is arranged
rearward away from a front end of the liquid cartridge in the insertion direction,
the protruding portion can be received in the recess without being hindered by the
liquid cartridge in order to gain access to a position near the circuit board as the
liquid cartridge is being inserted forward into the cartridge-attachment section.
In this way, the protruding portion can support the movable member at a position near
the circuit board regardless of the position at which the circuit board is arranged,
without compromising flexibility in positioning of the circuit board.
- (28) According to still another aspect, the present disclosure can also be embodied
as a liquid cartridge in combination with a printer having a cartridge-attachment
section to which the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted in an insertion
direction crossing a gravitational direction and accommodated in the cartridge-attachment
section in an upright posture. The cartridge-attachment section includes a protruding
portion extending in the insertion direction and having a width in a widthwise direction
orthogonal to the insertion direction and the gravitational direction. The liquid
cartridge includes: a casing; a movable member movably supported by the casing; and
a circuit board provided at the movable member and facing upward in the upright posture.
The casing includes a liquid chamber storing liquid therein, and a liquid passage
extending from the liquid chamber in the insertion direction in the upright posture.
The movable member includes a receiving portion adapted to receive the protruding
portion of the cartridge-attachment section in the insertion direction and in the
widthwise direction. The receiving portion includes a protrusion extending in the
widthwise direction in the upright posture. The receiving portion has: a contact surface
facing downward and extending in the insertion direction in the upright posture; and
a first surface extending in the insertion direction and orthogonal to the contact
surface in the upright posture. The contact surface and the first surface define a
receiving space below the protrusion. The contact surface is configured to contact
the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section received in the receiving
space.
With this structure, vertical positioning of the circuit board can be realized by
the contact surface being in contact with and supported by the protruding portion
of the cartridge-attachment section.
Further, the contact surface and first surface orthogonal to each other and extending
in the insertion direction provide the receiving space below the protrusion for receiving
the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section. With this structure, the
protruding portion can be received smoothly in the receiving space during the insertion
of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section, thereby allowing the
protruding portion to make contact with the contact surface to support the movable
member. Hence, even when the circuit board is arranged rearward away from a front
end of the liquid cartridge in the insertion direction, the protruding portion can
be received in the receiving space without being hindered by the liquid cartridge
in order to gain access to a position near the circuit board as the liquid cartridge
is being inserted forward into the cartridge-attachment section. In this way, the
protruding portion can support the movable member at a position near the circuit board
regardless of the position at which the circuit board is arranged, without compromising
flexibility in positioning of the circuit board.
- (29) According to still another aspect, the present disclosure can also be embodied
as a liquid cartridge in combination with a printer having a cartridge-attachment
section to which the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted in an insertion
direction crossing a gravitational direction and accommodated in the cartridge-attachment
section in an upright posture. The cartridge-attachment section includes a protruding
portion extending in the insertion direction and having a width in a widthwise direction
orthogonal to the insertion direction and the gravitational direction. The liquid
cartridge includes: a casing; a movable member movably supported by the casing; and
a circuit board provided at the movable member and facing upward in the upright posture.
The casing includes a liquid chamber storing liquid therein, and a liquid passage
extending from the liquid chamber in the insertion direction in the upright posture.
The movable member includes a receiving portion adapted to receive the protruding
portion of the cartridge-attachment section in the insertion direction and in the
widthwise direction. The receiving portion includes a rod member extending in the
widthwise direction in the upright posture. The rod member has a contact surface facing
downward in the upright posture. The contact surface defines a receiving space below
the rod member. The contact surface is configured to contact the protruding portion
of the cartridge-attachment section received in the receiving space.
[0007] With this structure, vertical positioning of the circuit board can be realized by
the contact surface being in contact with and supported by the protruding portion
of the cartridge-attachment section.
[0008] Further, the contact surface of the rod member provides the receiving space for receiving
the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section. With this structure, the
protruding portion can be received smoothly in the receiving space below the rod member
during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section,
thereby allowing the protruding portion to make contact with the contact surface of
the rod member to support the movable member. Hence, even when the circuit board is
arranged rearward away from a front end of the liquid cartridge in the insertion direction,
the protruding portion can be received in the receiving space without being hindered
by the liquid cartridge in order to gain access to a position near the circuit board
as the liquid cartridge is being inserted forward into the cartridge-attachment section.
In this way, the protruding portion can support the movable member at a position near
the circuit board regardless of the position at which the circuit board is arranged,
without compromising flexibility in positioning of the circuit board
[0009] It should be noted that, with regard to the features (2)-(15) may be incorporated
in any of the liquid cartridges according to the aspects (26)-(29) of the present
disclosure. For example, the liquid cartridge of the still another aspect (27) may
be combined with the feature (2), so that, preferably, the liquid cartridge according
to the aspect (27) may further include a sloped surface connected to the contact surface
of the recess and positioned frontward of the contact surface in the insertion direction
in the upright posture. The sloped surface slopes relative to the insertion direction
to face diagonally downward and frontward in the upright posture. The sloped surface
is adapted to guide the protruding portion of the cartridge-attachment section to
be received by the recess in the insertion direction.
[0010] In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram conceptually illustrating a system including
an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure and a printer
including a cartridge-attachment section configured to detachably accommodate the
ink cartridge according to the first embodiment, and conceptually illustrating an
internal configuration of the printer;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the cartridge-attachment
section according to the first embodiment and an opening thereof;
Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge-attachment section according
to the first embodiment, illustrating a state where the ink cartridge according to
the first embodiment is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment
as viewed from its front side;
Fig. 5A is a right side view of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 5B is a rear side view of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment
taken along a plane VI-VI shown in Fig. 5B;
Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge-attachment section according
to the first embodiment, illustrating a state where the ink cartridge according to
the first embodiment is being inserted into the cartridge-attachment section;
Fig. 8A is a partially-enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of the cartridge-attachment
section according to the first embodiment taken along a plane extending in vertical
and left-right directions and passing through a recessed portion of the ink cartridge
according to the first embodiment accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section,
wherein a protruding portion protrudes from a side surface of a case constituting
the cartridge-attachment section;
Fig. 8B is a partially-enlarged schematic cross-sectional view of a cartridge-attachment
section according to a variation of the first embodiment taken along a plane extending
in vertical and left-right directions and passing through recessed portions of an
ink cartridge according to the variation accommodated in the cartridge-attachment
section, wherein a protruding portion protrudes from each of side surfaces of a case
constituting the cartridge-attachment section according to the variation;
Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating steps for detecting insertion of the ink cartridge
according to the first embodiment into the cartridge-attachment section according
to the first embodiment;
Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another way of detecting insertion of the ink
cartridge according to the first embodiment into the cartridge-attachment section
according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cartridge-attachment section according
to a second embodiment in a state where an ink cartridge according to the second embodiment
is in an upright posture and attached to the cartridge-attachment section;
Fig. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge-attachment section according
to the second embodiment in a state where the ink cartridge according to the second
embodiment is in an inclined posture and not yet attached to the cartridge-attachment
section;
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a first modification
as viewed from its front side;
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a cartridge-attachment section according to the first
modification into which the ink cartridge according to the first modification can
be inserted;
Fig. 15 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a second modification
as viewed from its front side; and
Fig. 16 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a third modification
as viewed from its front side.
[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail while referring
to accompanying drawings. It would be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
embodiments described below are merely examples of the present disclosure and modifications
and variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[First Embodiment]
[0012] In the following description, a frontward direction 51 is defined as a direction
in which an ink cartridge 30 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure
is inserted into a cartridge-attachment section 110 according to the first embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted in an
insertion direction orthogonal to a gravitational direction. A rearward direction
52 is defined as a direction opposite the frontward direction 51, that is, a direction
in which the ink cartridge 30 is extracted from the cartridge-attachment section 110.
The frontward direction 51 and rearward direction 52 are horizontal in the present
embodiment, i.e., are directions crossing the gravitational direction. Further, a
downward direction 53 is defined as the gravitational direction, while an upward direction
54 is defined as a direction opposite the downward direction 53. Further, a rightward
direction 55 and a leftward direction 56 are defined as directions orthogonal to the
frontward direction 51 and the downward direction 53. More specifically, in a state
where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110 (i.e.,
in the state illustrated in Figs. 4-6), the rightward direction 55 is defined as a
direction extending rightward and the leftward direction 56 as a direction extending
leftward when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from its rear side. The rightward direction
55 and the leftward direction 56 are parallel to a horizontal direction in the present
embodiment.
[0013] Further, in the following description, the frontward direction 51 and the rearward
direction 52 may be collectively referred to as a front-rear direction. The upward
direction 54 and the downward direction 53 may be collectively referred to as an up-down
direction or a vertical direction. The rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction
56 may be collectively referred to as a left-right direction.
[0014] In the state where the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110, the ink cartridge 30 has a height in the up-down direction; a depth in
the front-rear direction (i.e., in the insertion direction); and a width in the left-right
direction (i.e., widthwise direction).
< Overview of Printer 10 >
[0015] Fig. 1 schematically illustrates a system 1 configured of the ink cartridge 30 and
a printer 10 according to the first embodiment. First, a detailed structure of the
printer 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 1.
[0016] The printer 10 is configured to record images by selectively ejecting ink droplets
onto sheets based on an inkjet recording system. The printer 10 includes an ink-supplying
device 100, a recording head 21, and ink tubes 20 connecting the recording head 21
to the ink-supplying device 100. The ink-supplying device 100 includes the cartridge-attachment
section 110.
[0017] Specifically, in the embodiment, the cartridge-attachment section 110 can detachably
accommodate therein four of the ink cartridges 30 each storing ink of one of four
colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black that that the printer 10 can use for printing.
In Fig. 1, for the sake of simplifying description, only one ink cartridge 30 is depicted
to be attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0018] The cartridge-attachment section 110 has a wall formed with an opening 112. The ink
cartridges 30 can be inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110 in the frontward
direction 51 (i.e., insertion direction orthogonal to the gravitational direction)
through the opening 112, and extracted from the cartridge-attachment section 110 in
the rearward direction 52 (i.e., removal direction orthogonal to the gravitational
direction) through the opening 112.
[0019] The ink cartridges 30 are connected to the recording head 21 through the corresponding
ink tubes 20 when the ink cartridges 30 are completely mounted in the cartridge-attachment
section 110.
[0020] The recording head 21 includes sub tanks 28 each serving to temporarily store ink
supplied from the corresponding ink cartridge 30 through the corresponding ink tube
20. The recording head 21 also includes a plurality of nozzles 29 through which the
ink supplied from the sub tanks 28 is selectively ejected in accordance with the inkjet
recording system. More specifically, the recording head 21 includes a head control
board (not shown), and piezoelectric elements 29A corresponding one-on-one to the
nozzles 29. The head control board is configured to selectively apply drive voltages
to the piezoelectric elements 29A to eject ink of each color selectively from the
nozzles 29. In this way, the recording head 21 is configured to consume the ink stored
in the respective ink cartridges 30 mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0021] The printer 10 also includes a sheet tray 15, a sheet feeding roller 23, a conveying
path 24, a pair of conveying rollers 25, a platen 26, a pair of discharge rollers
27, and a sheet discharge tray 16. The sheet feeding roller 23 is configured to feed
each sheet from the sheet tray 15 onto the conveying path 24, and the conveying rollers
25 are configured to convey the sheet over the platen 26. The recording head 21 is
configured to selectively eject ink onto the sheet as the sheet passes over the platen
26, whereby an image is recorded on the sheet. The sheet that has passed the platen
26 is then discharged by the discharge rollers 27 onto the sheet discharge tray 16
disposed at a downstream end of the conveying path 24.
< Ink-Supplying Device 100 >
[0022] The ink-supplying device 100 is provided in the printer 10, as illustrated in Fig.
1. The ink-supplying device 100 functions to supply ink to the recording head 21.
As described above, the ink-supplying device 100 includes the cartridge-attachment
section 110 for detachably accommodate the four ink cartridges 30 therein. Fig. 1
depicts a state where the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110 and thus can be used by the printer 10 (hereinafter, referred to as "attached
state"). Note that, a posture of the ink cartridge 30 in the attached state depicted
in Fig. 1 will also be referred to as an upright posture, wherever appropriate.
< Cartridge-Attachment Section 110 >
[0023] As illustrated in Figs. 1 through 3, the cartridge-attachment section 110 includes
a case 101, and four sets of: a protruding portion 115, an ink needle 102, a tank
103, an optical sensor 113 and four contacts 106, each set for each of the four ink
cartridges 30 corresponding to the ink colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black.
<Case 101>
[0024] The case 101 constitutes a housing of the cartridge-attachment section 110. As depicted
in Fig. 2, the case 101 has a box-like shape defining an internal space therein. Specifically,
the case 101 includes: a top wall defining a ceiling of the internal space; a bottom
wall defining a bottom of the internal space; an end wall defining a front end of
the internal space and connecting the top wall and the bottom wall; and the opening
112 positioned opposite the end wall in the front-rear direction. The opening 112
can be exposed to a surface (user-interface surface) that a user faces when using
the printer 10.
[0025] The case 101 also includes three plates 104 that partition the internal space into
four accommodation spaces 111 each elongated in the up-down direction, The four ink
cartridges 30 can be accommodated in the respective accommodation spaces 111. That
is, in the case 101, the top wall, the bottom wall and the end wall of the case 101
define ceilings, bottoms and front ends of the four accommodation spaces 111, respectively.
[0026] Each of the four ink cartridges 30 can be inserted into and removed from the corresponding
one of the accommodation spaces 111 of the case 101 through the opening 112. Each
of the four ink cartridges 30 can also be extracted from the corresponding one of
the accommodation spaces 111 of the cartridge case 101 through the opening 112. In
the case 101, the bottom wall is formed with four guide grooves 109 for guiding insertion/removal
of the corresponding ink cartridges 30. Specifically, when the ink cartridges 30 are
inserted into and removed from the case 101 through the opening 112, lower ends of
the respective ink cartridges 30 are received in the corresponding guide grooves 109
and guided thereby in the front-rear direction.
< Ink Needle 102 >
[0027] Each ink needle 102 is formed of a resin and is tubular shaped. That is, the ink
needles 102 are hollow. As illustrated in Fig. 2, the ink needles 102 are disposed
at a lower end portion of the end wall constituting the case 101. Specifically, each
ink needle 102 is disposed on the end wall at a position corresponding to an ink supply
potion 34 (described later) of the corresponding ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge-attachment
section 110. The ink needles 102 protrude rearward from the end wall of the case 101.
[0028] Both rear end (distal end) and front end (proximal end) of each ink needle 102 are
open. The rear end of each ink needle 102 is inserted into an ink supply port 71 formed
in the ink supply potion 34 of the corresponding ink cartridge 30. The front end of
each ink needle 102 is either directly or indirectly connected to the corresponding
ink tube 20 (see Fig. 1). Accordingly, an interior space 102A of the ink needle 102
is in communication with the corresponding tank 103 and the recording head 21 via
an interior space of the corresponding ink tube 20.
[0029] As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, a cylindrical-shaped guide portion 105 is provided
at the end wall to surround the corresponding ink needle 102. Each guide portion 105
protrudes rearward from the end wall. Each guide portion 105 has a protruding end
that is open rearward. Specifically, each ink needle 102 is arranged at a diametrical
center of the corresponding guide portion 105. The guide portions 105 are shaped to
allow the ink supply potions 34 of the corresponding ink cartridges 30 to be received
therein.
[0030] During insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110
in the frontward direction 51, the ink supply potion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 enters
into the corresponding guide portion 105 (refer to Fig. 3). As the ink cartridge 30
is inserted further forward, the ink needle 102 enters into an ink valve chamber 35
of the corresponding ink cartridge 30 through the ink supply port 71 formed in the
ink supply potion 34. The ink needle 102 is thus connected to the corresponding ink
supply potion 34, and the interior space 102A of the ink needle 102 is in communication
with the ink valve chamber 35 formed in the ink supply potion 34. Hence, ink stored
in a second storage chamber 33 formed inside the ink cartridge 30 is allowed to flow
out of the second storage chamber 33, through the ink valve chamber 35 and the interior
space 102A of the corresponding ink needle 102, and into the corresponding tank 103
(see Fig. 1). The ink flowing out of the tank 103 passes through the corresponding
ink tube 20 and flows into the recording head 21.
[0031] Incidentally, the distal end of each ink needle 102 may be flattened or pointed.
Also, the guide portions 105 may be formed into any shape, provided that the guide
portions 105 can allow the ink cartridges 30 to be placed in the attached state in
the cartridge-attachment section 110. Still alternatively, the guide portions 105
may be omitted from the cartridge-attachment section 110.
< Contacts 106 >
[0032] As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 8A, the four contacts 106 are disposed at the top wall
of the case 101 inside the corresponding one of the accommodation spaces 111. Four
sets of the four contacts 106 are provided each set for one of the four ink cartridges
30 attachable to the case 101. The contacts 106 face downward. The contacts 106 are
configured of a material having electrical conductivity and resiliency. The contacts
106 are therefore upwardly resiliently deformable. Further, as illustrated in Fig.
8A, the four contacts 106 provided in each accommodation space 111 are aligned to
be spaced apart from one another in the left-right direction. Arrangement of the four
contacts 106 in each set corresponds to the arrangement of four sets of electrodes
65 of the corresponding ink cartridge 30, as will be described later. Note that the
number of contacts 106 and the number of electrodes 65 may be arbitrary.
[0033] The contacts 106 are electrically connected to a controller 11 (see Fig. 1) of the
printer 10 via an electric circuit. The controller 11 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a
RAM, for example. By placing the contacts 106 in contact with the corresponding electrodes
65 so that electricity can be conducted therebetween, a voltage Vc is applied to the
electrodes 65, the electrodes 65 are grounded, and power is supplied to the electrodes
65. Further, when electricity can be conducted between the contacts 106 and corresponding
electrodes 65, data stored in an IC (integrated circuit) of the ink cartridge 30 is
accessible. Output from the electric circuit is inputted into the controller 11.
< Optical Sensor 113 >
[0034] The optical sensors 113 are disposed at the top wall of the case 101. Specifically,
as illustrated in Fig. 3, each optical sensor 113 is disposed frontward of the corresponding
set of four contacts 106 in each accommodation space 111. Each optical sensor 113
includes a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion. The light-emitting
portion is arranged on the right or on the left of the light-receiving portion with
a gap formed therebetween. When the ink cartridge 30 is fully attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110, a light-blocking plate 67 (also see Fig. 4) of the attached ink cartridge
30 is located between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of
the corresponding optical sensor 113. In other words, the light-emitting portion and
the light-receiving portion are arranged to oppose each other with the light-blocking
plate 67 of the ink cartridge 30 fully attached to the cartridge-attachment section
110 interposed between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion.
[0035] The optical sensor 113 is configured to output detection signals to the controller
11 (Fig. 1) that differ according to whether or not the corresponding light-receiving
portion receives light emitted from the light-emitting portion in the left-right direction.
For example, the optical sensor 113 outputs a low-level signal to the controller 11
when the light-receiving portion cannot receive the light emitted from the light-emitting
portion (that is, when an intensity of the light received at the light-receiving portion
is less than a predetermined intensity). On the other hand, the optical sensor 113
outputs a high-level signal when the light-receiving portion can receive the light
emitted from the light-emitting portion (that is, when the intensity of the received
light is equal to or greater than the predetermined intensity).
< Protruding Portion 115 >
[0036] As illustrated in Fig. 2, pairs of side surfaces 114A and 114B opposing each other
in the left-right direction define right and left ends of each of the four accommodation
spaces 111 in the cartridge case 101 that are partitioned by the plates 104. Hence,
each ink cartridge 30 is positioned between the pair of side surfaces 114A and 114B
when inserted into the cartridge case 101. The side surface 114A defines the right
end of the corresponding accommodation space 111, while the side surface 114B defines
the left end of the corresponding accommodation space 111.
[0037] As illustrated in Fig. 8A, in each accommodation space 111, the protruding portion
115 protrudes rightward from an upper end portion of the side surface 114B. As shown
in Fig. 3, the protruding portion 115 is elongated in the front-rear direction. The
protruding portion 115 has such a dimension in the front-rear direction that: a front
end portion of the protruding portion 115 is positioned at a front end of the side
surface 114B (near the end wall of the cartridge case 101); and a rear end portion
of the protruding portion 115 is positioned directly beneath an inner top surface
133 (described later) provided in the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 is
mounted in the ink-supplying device 100.
[0038] The rear end portion of the protruding portion 115 is also positioned directly beneath
the contacts 106 of the corresponding accommodation space 111. Note that the rear
end portion of the protruding portion 115 may instead be positioned further rearward
or further forward than the corresponding contacts 106. However, it is preferable
to position the rear end portion of the protruding portion 115 either at the same
front-rear position as the contacts 106 or farther rearward relative to the contacts
106.
< Tank 103 >
[0039] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the tanks 103 are provided forward of the case 101. Each
tank 103 has a box-like shape that allows ink to be stored therein. A top portion
of each tank 103 is open to the outside through an air communication port 124. Accordingly,
interior spaces in the respective tanks 103 are opened to the atmosphere. The interior
space of each tank 103 is in communication with the interior space 102A of the corresponding
ink needle 102. With this structure, ink flowing out of the ink cartridge 30 passes
through the ink needle 102 and is stored in the corresponding tank 103. Each tank
103 is also connected to the corresponding ink tube 20. Thus, the ink stored in the
interior space of each tank 103 is supplied to the recording head 21 through the corresponding
ink tube 20.
< Ink Cartridge 30 >
[0040] The ink cartridge 30 depicted in Figs. 4 and 5 is a container configured to store
ink therein. In Figs. 4 and 5, the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture. That
is, the ink cartridge 30 fully attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110 is
in the upright posture illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. The ink cartridge 30 can be therefore
used in the printer 10 when in the attached state or in the upright posture. In the
following description of the ink cartridge 30, up, down, front, rear, left, and right
directions relative to the ink cartridge 30 are defined assuming that the ink cartridge
30 is in its upright posture.
[0041] The ink cartridge 30 has an overall flattened shape in which its left-right dimension
is narrow and its vertical and front-rear dimensions are greater than the left-right
dimension.
[0042] The ink cartridge 30 includes a casing 31 and a movable member 130. The casing 31
defines therein a first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber 33 (see
Fig. 6) configured to store ink. The movable member 130 is positioned upward of the
casing 31. The movable member 130 includes a top wall 39 constituting a top wall of
the ink cartridge 30. Details of the movable member 130 will be described later.
[0043] The casing 31 includes a front wall 40, a rear wall 41, a partitioning wall 44, a
bottom wall 42, and a pair of side walls 37 and 38. The front wall 40 and rear wall
41 are spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction. The partitioning
wall 44 and bottom wall 42 are separated from each other vertically. The partitioning
wall 44 is positioned above the bottom wall 42. The side walls 37 and 38 are separated
from each other in the left-right direction. The partitioning wall 44 and bottom wall
42 are provided between the front wall 40 and rear wall 41 in the front-rear direction,
The side walls 37 and 38 are provided between the front wall 40 and rear wall 41 in
the front-rear direction and between the partitioning wall 44 and bottom wall 42 in
the up-down direction. Each of the front wall 40, rear wall 41, partitioning wall
44, bottom wall 42, and side walls 37 and 38 defines at least one of the first storage
chamber 32, the second storage chamber 33, and an air communication chamber 36 in
the ink cartridge 30.
[0044] Note that, in the upright posture, a direction from the rear wall 41 toward the front
wall 40 coincides with the frontward direction 51; a direction from the front wall
40 toward the rear wall 41 coincides with the rearward direction 52; a direction from
the top wall 39 toward the bottom wall 42 coincides with the downward direction 53;
a direction from the bottom wall 42 toward the top wall 39 coincides with the upward
direction 54; a direction from the side wall 38 to the side wall 37 coincides with
the rightward direction 55; and a direction from the side wall 37 to the side wall
38 coincides with the leftward direction 56.
[0045] Also, in the attached state (upright posture), the front wall 40 faces frontward;
the rear wall 41 faces rearward, the bottom wall 42 faces downward, and the top wall
39 faces upward. In other words, in the upright posture of the ink cartridge 30, a
front surface of the front wall 40 faces frontward, a rear surface of the rear wall
41 faces rearward, a bottom surface of the bottom wall 42 faces downward, an upper
surface of the top wall 39 faces upward, a right surface of the side wall 37 faces
rightward, and a left surface of the side wall 38 faces leftward.
[0046] In the casing 31, at least the rear wall 41 has light-transmissive property so that
a level of ink stored in the storage chambers 32 and 33 is visible from the outside.
[0047] As illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6, the rear surface of the rear wall 41 includes an
upper portion 41U and a lower portion 41L. The upper portion 41U is positioned upward
of the lower portion 41L. The lower portion 41L is positioned forward of the upper
portion 41U. Both of the upper portion 41U and lower portion 41L are flat surfaces.
The upper portion 41U and lower portion 41L cross each other but are not orthogonal
to each other. Specifically, the lower portion 41L is sloped relative to the vertical
direction so as to extend closer to the front surface 40 toward the bottom wall 42.
[0048] The bottom surface of the bottom wall 42 is inclined relative to the front-rear direction
such that a front end thereof is positioned lower than a rear end thereof. Preferably,
the bottom surface of the bottom wall 42 is sloped at an angle of 2° to 4° relative
to the horizontal direction. The bottom wall 42 has a rear edge connected to a bottom
edge of the lower portion 41L of the rear wall 41.
[0049] The casing 31 also includes a sub-bottom wall 48 and a sub-front wall 49. The sub-bottom
wall 48 is positioned higher than the bottom wall 42. The sub-bottom wall 48 extends
continuously rearward from a bottom edge of the front wall 40. In the present embodiment,
a front end of the sub-bottom wall 48 is positioned farther frontward than a front
end of the ink supply portion 34, and a rear end of the sub-bottom wall 48 is positioned
farther rearward relative to the front end of the ink supply portion 34. The sub-front
wall 49 connects the bottom wall 42 to the sub-bottom wall 48. The ink supply portion
34 extends forward from the sub-front wall 49 at a position below the sub-bottom wall
48 and above the bottom wall 42. Note that the front end of the sub-bottom wall 48
may be arranged at an arbitrary position, for example, at a position farther rearward
than the front end of the ink supply portion 34.
[0050] As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the casing 31 also includes a plurality of protrusions
80 one each provided on each of upper end portions of the front surface of the front
wall 40, the rear surface of the rear wall 41, the right surface of the side wall
37 and the left surface of the side wall 38. Each protrusion 80 protrudes away from
the corresponding surface of the casing 31. In the present embodiment, one protrusion
80 is arranged on each of the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the side wall 37 and
the side wall 38. However, the number and layout of the protrusions 80 should not
be limited to those of the embodiment. For example, the protrusions 80 may not be
arranged on the front wall 40 and rear wall 41, but may be provided only on the side
wall 37 and side wall 38. Alternatively, for example, one protrusion 80 may be arranged
on each of the front wall 40 and rear wall 41, while two protrusions 80 may be arranged
on each of the side wall 37 and side wall 38.
[0051] Note that, the front wall, rear wall, top wall, bottom wall, and side walls of the
ink cartridge 30 need not each be configured of a single wall. For example, in the
present embodiment, the sub-front wall 49 and a sub-front wall 95 described later
constitute the front wall of the ink cartridge 30 together with the front wall 40;
the sub-bottom wall 48 constitutes the bottom wall of the ink cartridge 30 together
with the bottom wall 42; and a sub-top wall 91 described later (see Fig. 5) constitutes
the top wall of the ink cartridge 30 together with the top wall 39.
[0052] Further, the front surface of the front wall 40, rear surface of the rear wall 41,
top surface of the top wall 39, bottom surface of the bottom wall 42, right surface
of the side wall 37, and left surface of the side wall 38 constituting the ink cartridge
30 need not be formed as single flat surfaces, respectively.
[0053] The front surface of the front wall 40 is a surface that is visible when viewing
the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from its front side and that is positioned
forward of a front-rear center of the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture. In
the present embodiment, the front surface of the sub-front wall 49 connecting the
bottom wall 42 to the sub-bottom wall 48 may be considered part of the front surface
of the front wall of the ink cartridge 30 together with the front surface of the front
wall 40 connecting the sub-bottom wall 48 to the top wall 39. As an alternative, the
sub-bottom wall 48 may be omitted from the ink cartridge 30. In other words, the front
surface of the front wall 40 may constitute a single surface continuously connecting
the top wall 39 to the bottom wall 42.
[0054] Similarly, the rear surface of the rear wall 41 is a surface that is visible when
viewing the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from its rear side and that is
positioned rearward of the front-rear center of the ink cartridge 30 in its upright
posture.
[0055] The upper surface of the top wall 39 of the movable member 130 is a surface that
is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from its upper
side and that is positioned upward of a vertical center of the ink cartridge 30 in
its upright posture.
[0056] The bottom surface of the bottom wall 42 is a surface that is visible when viewing
the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from its bottom side and that is positioned
downward of the vertical center of the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture.
[0057] The right surface of the side wall 37 is a surface that is visible when viewing the
ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from its right side and that is positioned
rightward of a left-right center of the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture.
[0058] The left surface of the side wall 38 is a surface that is visible when viewing the
ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from its left side and that is positioned
leftward of the left-right center of the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture.
< Movable Member 130 >
[0059] As shown in Figs. 4, 5A, and 5B, the movable member 130 includes the top wall 39,
the sub-top wall 91, the sub-front wall 95, and a peripheral wall 82. The movable
member 130 is a box-shaped member with an open bottom. The movable member 130 is disposed
on the top of the casing 31.
[0060] The movable member 130 has a right end that is flush with the right surface of the
side wall 37 in the left-right direction, and a left end that is flush with the left
surface of the side wall 38 in the left-right direction. However, the right end of
the movable member 130 may be positioned farther rightward or leftward than the right
surface of the side wall 37, and the left end of the movable member 130 may be positioned
farther rightward or leftward than the left surface of the side wall 38. In such cases,
preferably, the right end of the movable member 130 be positioned farther leftward
than the right surface of the side wall 37; and the left end of the movable member
130 be positioned farther rightward than the left surface of the side wall 38. In
other words, preferably, the right and left ends of the movable member 130 do not
protrude farther outward in corresponding right and left directions than the casing
31.
[0061] Openings 81 are formed in the peripheral wall 82 of the movable member 130. The openings
81 are provided at positions corresponding to the protrusions 80 on the casing 31.
Thus, the protrusions 80 are inserted into the corresponding openings 81 when the
movable member 130 is fitted over the casing 31. Here, the number and layout of the
openings 81 are modified to conform to the number and layout of protrusions 80. The
openings 81 have a greater vertical dimension than the protrusions 80. Hence, in the
upright posture, the casing 31 supports the movable member 130 so that the movable
member 130 can move vertically relative to the casing 31.
[0062] The movable member 130 drops downward by its own weight when no external forces are
applied to the ink cartridge 30. At this time, upper edges defining the tops of the
openings 81 are supported on the corresponding protrusions 80, as illustrated in Fig.
5. Through this arrangement, the movable member 130 is supported on the casing 31.
As will be described later, the movable member 130 moves upward when pushed from below
by the corresponding protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section 110.
At this time, the openings 81 move upward relative to the protrusions 80, thereby
forming vertical gaps between the upper edges of the openings 81 and the corresponding
protrusions 80, as illustrated in Fig. 8A.
[0063] More specifically, referring to Fig. 4, the top wall 39 has stepped structure, with
a rear portion 39R higher than a front portion 39F. Thus, a vertical surface 39C extends
vertically to connect the top wall 39 to the front portion 39F. That is, the vertical
surface 39C is a surface facing frontward. This vertical surface 39C is positioned
rearward relative to a rear end of the ink valve chamber 35 in the front-rear direction.
[0064] The sub-top wall 91 is positioned frontward of the top wall 39 (front portion 39F).
The sub-front wall 95 connects the top wall 39 (front portion 39F) and the sub-top
wall 91. The peripheral wall 82 extends downward from peripheral outer edges of the
sub-top wall 91 and the top wall 39 (rear portion 39R and front portion 39F).
[0065] As depicted in Fig. 6, inside the movable member 130, the air communication chamber
36 is formed. The air communication chamber 36 is partitioned from the first storage
chamber 32 by the partitioning wall 44. However, the air communication chamber 36
and the first storage chamber 32 are in communication with each other through a through-hole
46 formed in the partitioning wall 44.
< Protruding Portion 83 >
[0066] As depicted in Figs. 4 and 5A, a protruding portion 83 is provided on the top wall
39 of the movable member 130, more specifically, on the rear portion 39R of the top
wall 39. The protruding portion 83 supports an IC board 64 thereon.
<IC Board 64>
[0067] As illustrated in Figs. 4, 5A and 8A, the circuit board 64 is supported from below
on the protruding portion 83 of the movable member 130. The IC board 64 is arranged
to face upward in the upright posture. In the upright posture, the IC board 64 is
a plate extending in the left-right direction and front-rear direction.
[0068] Although not shown in detail in the drawings, the IC board 64 is bonded to the protruding
portion 83 of the movable member 130 by photopolymer (photo-curable resin). Note that
the IC board 64 may be bonded to the movable member 130 using an adhesive rather than
a photopolymer or may be mounted on the protruding portion 83 through a fitting process
or method other than bonding.
[0069] As shown in Fig. 3, the circuit board 64 contacts and becomes electrically connected
to the corresponding contacts 106 during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into
the cartridge-attachment section 110. This contact and electrical connection with
the contacts 106 is maintained when the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached state
in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0070] As shown in Fig. 4, the circuit board 64 is fabricated by mounting an IC (not illustrated
in the drawings) and the four electrodes 65 on a substrate formed of a silicone or
glass epoxy, for example. Note that the circuit board 64 may also be a flexible printed
circuit board.
[0071] The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit. Information related to the ink cartridge
30 can be stored on and read from the IC. The information related to the ink cartridge
30 may include data specifying its lot number, manufactured date, ink colors used,
and the like
[0072] Each of the electrodes 65 is electrically connected to the IC. Each electrode 65
extends in the front-rear direction. The electrodes 65 are juxtaposed in the left-right
direction on a top surface of the circuit board 64 and are spaced apart from one another.
Each electrode 65 is exposed on the top surface of the circuit board 64 so as to be
electrically accessible.
< Light-Blocking Plate 67 >
[0073] As illustrated in Figs. 4 to 6, the light-blocking plate 67 is provided on the upper
surface of the top wall 39 (front portion 39F) to protrude upward therefrom. The light-blocking
plate 67 extends in the front-rear direction. The light-blocking plate 67 is positioned
frontward of the protruding portion 83 in the front-rear direction. The light-blocking
plate 67 is positioned frontward and downward relative to the IC board 64.
[0074] In the present embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 is a plate made of resin containing
a colored material capable of absorbing light (carbon black pigment, for example).
Alternatively, the light-blocking plate 67 may be configured by attaching a material
that cannot transmit light, such as aluminum, to a side surface of a plate capable
of transmitting light.
[0075] The light-blocking plate 67 is configured to block the light of the optical sensor
113 traveling in the left-right direction. More specifically, when the light emitted
from the light-emitting portion of the optical sensor 113 is incident on the light-blocking
plate 67 before arriving at the light-receiving portion, the intensity of light received
at the light-receiving portion becomes less than a predetermined intensity, for example,
zero. Note that the light-blocking plate 67 may block or attenuate the light traveling
in the left-right direction from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving
portion. Alternatively, the light-blocking plate 67 may change a traveling direction
of the light traveling to the light-receiving portion from the light-emitting portion.
< Air Communication Port 96 >
[0076] As shown in Fig. 4, the sub-front wall 95 extends upward from a rear edge of the
sub-top wall 91 provided frontward of the top wall 39 (front portion 39F). The sub-front
wall 95 faces forward. An air communication port 96 is formed in the sub-front wall
95. That is, the air communication port 96 is provided higher than the vertical center
of the ink cartridge 30. The air communication port 96 is a substantially circular-shaped
through-hole penetrating the sub-front wall 95 in the front-rear direction. The air
communication port 96 is in communication with the air communication chamber 36 and
is thus in communication with the first storage chamber 32 via the through-hole 46.
[0077] The air communication port 96 is closed by a seal (not shown) that can be peeled
off the sub-front wall 95. The seal is peeled off the sub-front wall 95 to open the
air communication port 96 before the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110. The first storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30 is thus opened to
the atmosphere. Note the member sealing the air communication port 96 is not restricted
to the seal. For example, a well-known valve mechanism may be disposed within the
air communication chamber 36 to open and close the air communication port 96.
< Recessed Portion 132 >
[0078] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the movable member 130 includes a recessed portion 132
that is recessed rearward from the vertical surface 39C and rightward from a left
side surface 82L constituting the peripheral wall 82 in the upright posture of the
ink cartridge 30. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 4 and 8A, the recessed portion 132
is defined by the inner top surface 133, an inner bottom surface 134, an inner right
surface 135, and an inner rear surface 139.
[0079] The inner top surface 133 is a downward-facing surface. That is, the inner top surface
133 faces vertically away from the circuit board 64 that is supported on top of the
movable member 130.
[0080] The inner top surface 133 defines a ceiling of the recessed portion 132. Put another
way, the inner top surface 133 defines a space (receiving space) formed in a location
closer to the circuit board 64 disposed on the top of the ink cartridge 30 than to
the ink valve chamber 35 formed in the bottom of the ink cartridge 30 in the up-down
direction, as illustrated in Fig. 6.
[0081] As shown in Fig. 8A, the inner bottom surface 134 is an upward-facing surface that
vertically opposes the inner top surface 133. The inner bottom surface 134 defines
a bottom of the recessed portion 132. The inner right surface 135 is a leftward-facing
surface that defines a right edge of the recessed portion 132. The inner rear surface
139 is a frontward-facing surface that defines a rear edge of the recessed portion
132. The inner right surface 135 has a top edge connected to the inner top surface
133, a bottom edge connected to the inner bottom surface 134, and a rear edge connected
to the inner rear surface 139.
[0082] As shown in Fig. 4, the recessed portion 132 provides the receiving space that is
open frontward and leftward. Put different way, the receiving space beneath the inner
top surface 133 is in communication with the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through
a first opening 136 and a second opening 137.
[0083] The first opening 136 is open toward the front on the vertical surface 39C. The second
opening 137 is open toward the left on the left side surface 82L belonging to the
peripheral wall 82. More specifically, the second opening 137 is formed on the left
side surface 82L at a position rearward relative to the rear end of the ink valve
chamber 35 in the front-rear direction. The second opening 137 is continuous with
the first opening 136 at a position beneath a left-front corner of the front portion
39F.
[0084] As will be described later, the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment
section 110 is adapted to enter into the space beneath the inner top surface 133 (receiving
space) through the first opening 136 in the front-rear direction (toward the rear)
to be received in the recessed portion 132 during insertion of the ink cartridge 30
into the cartridge-attachment section 110. At the same time, the protruding portion
115 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 also enters into the space beneath the
inner top surface 133 (receiving space) through the second opening 137 in the left-right
direction (toward the right) to be received in the recessed portion 132 during the
insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0085] In the upright posture, a rear edge of the inner top surface 133 is positioned farther
rearward than the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 64.
[0086] As depicted in Fig. 6, when the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture, the inner
top surface 133 is positioned above an imaginary plane P1 passing through a top edge
36T of an interior space in the ink cartridge 30 (the first storage chamber 32, second
storage chamber 33, and air communication chamber 36). That is, the inner top surface
133 is positioned above the first storage chamber 32, second storage chamber 33, and
ink valve chamber 35 configured to store ink.
[0087] Also, when the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture, the inner top surface
133 is positioned lower than an imaginary plane P2 passing through a top edge 67T
of the light-blocking plate 67.
[0088] As shown in Fig. 8A, a left edge of the inner top surface 133 is positioned farther
leftward than a left edge of the circuit board 64, while a right edge of the inner
top surface 133 is positioned farther rightward than a left edge of the circuit board
64. That is, the inner top surface 133 has a portion positioned closer to the side
wall 38 than the IC board 64 is to the side wall 38. Put different way, a portion
of the inner top surface 133 is positioned offset from the circuit board 64 in the
left-right direction. Note that the right edge of the inner top surface 133 may instead
be positioned farther leftward than the left edge of the circuit board 64. In other
words, the entire inner top surface 133 may be disposed at a different position from
the circuit board 64 in the left-right direction.
[0089] The left edge of the inner top surface 133 is at the same left-right position as
the side wall 38 constituting the casing 31 and is farther leftward than the left
edge of the circuit board 64. The right edge of the inner top surface 133 is positioned
farther rightward than the side wall 38 of the casing 31 and farther rightward than
the left edge of the circuit board 64. Hence, a portion of the inner top surface 133
is positioned between the side wall 38 and circuit board 64 in the left-right direction.
Note that the right edge of the inner top surface 133 may be positioned farther leftward
than the left edge of the circuit board 64. In other words, the entire inner top surface
133 may be positioned between the side wall 38 and circuit board 64 in the left-right
direction.
[0090] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the movable member 130 (recessed portion 132) also includes
a sloped surface 138 positioned on the front side of the inner top surface 133 and
is connected to the inner top surface 133. The sloped surface 138 faces obliquely
downward and forward in the upright posture. In the present embodiment, the sloped
surface 138 defines the first opening 136 together with the inner right surface 135
and inner bottom surface 134. The sloped surface 138 is positioned farther forward
relative to the circuit board 64 in the upright posture. With this arrangement, the
inner top surface 133, not the sloped surface 138, can be positioned directly below
the circuit board 64. With the protruding portion 115 contacting the inner top surface
133 from below at a position directly beneath the circuit board 64, the cartridge-attachment
section 110 can support the movable member 130, as will be described later. This configuration
can support the circuit board 64 in a level state.
[0091] Note that, while the sloped surface 138 is formed continuously with the inner top
surface 133 in the embodiment, the sloped surface 138 need not be formed continuously
with the inner top surface 133. Further, the sloped surface 138 may be omitted from
the movable member 130.
< Internal Structure of the Casing 31 >
[0092] As illustrated in Fig. 6, the first ink chamber 32, the second storage chamber 33
and the ink valve chamber 35 are formed inside the casing 31.
[0093] Each of the first storage chamber 32, the second storage chamber 33 and the ink valve
chamber 35 can store ink. The first storage chamber 32 and the second storage chamber
33 are partitioned by an inner lower wall 45 extending parallel to the partitioning
wall 44. That is, the partitioning wall 44 and inner lower wall 45 are both walls
in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction. The inner lower wall
45 and partitioning wall 44 vertically oppose each other.
[0094] The first ink chamber 32 is a space that is defined on the top by the bottom surface
of the partitioning wall 44, defined on the bottom by the top surface of the inner
lower wall 45, and defined on the front, rear, right, and left by inner surfaces of
the front wall 40, rear wall 41, and side walls 37 and 38, respectively.
[0095] The second storage chamber 33 is positioned below the first storage chamber 32. A
volume of ink that can be stored in the second storage chamber 33 is smaller than
a volume of ink that can be stored in the first storage chamber 32.
[0096] The second storage chamber 33 is a space that is defined on the top by the bottom
surface of the lower wall 45, on the bottom by the top surface of the bottom wall
42, and on the rear, right, and left by the inner surfaces of the rear wall 41 and
the side walls 37 and 38, respectively. The second storage chamber 33 and ink valve
chamber 35 are partitioned by a partition wall 50. The partition wall 50 defines a
front end of the second storage chamber 33. The second storage chamber 33 communicates
with the first storage chamber 32 through a communication hole (not shown) formed
in the lower wall 45. The second storage chamber 33 also communicates with the ink
valve chamber 35 via a through-hole 99 formed in the partition wall 50.
[0097] The air communication chamber 36 communicates with the atmosphere through the air
communication port 96 formed in the sub-front wall 95.
[0098] The ink supply potion 34 has a cylindrical outer shape. More specifically, the ink
supply portion 34 includes a hollow cylindrical-shaped cylinder 75, and a packing
76. The cylinder 75 protrudes forward from the sub-front wall 49. That is, the ink
supply portion 34 is provided on the sub-front wall 49. The cylinder 75 has a front
end that is open to the outside of the ink cartridge 30. The cylinder 75 defines an
interior space therein that serves as the ink valve chamber 35. The ink valve chamber
35 is elongated in the front-rear direction when the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright
posture. The rear end of the ink valve chamber 35 is in communication with the second
storage chamber 33 through the through-hole 99. Since the front end of the cylinder
75 is open to the exterior of the ink cartridge 30, the ink valve chamber 35 is in
communication with both the second storage chamber 33 and the exterior of the ink
cartridge 30. In other words, the ink valve chamber 35 extends in the front-rear direction
to allow ink in the second storage chamber 33 to flow forward toward the outside of
the ink cartridge 30, The packing 76 is provided in the open front end of the cylinder
75. That is, the packing 76 is disposed at the front end of the ink valve chamber
35.
[0099] The ink valve chamber 35 accommodates a valve 77, and a coil spring 78. By moving
in the front-rear direction, the valve 77 opens and closes the ink supply port 71
penetrating a center of the packing 76. The coil spring 78 urges the valve 77 forward.
Therefore, when no external force is applied to the valve 77, the valve 77 closes
the ink supply port 71 in the packing 76.
[0100] The packing 76 is a disk-shaped member with a through-hole formed in the center thereof.
The packing 76 is formed of an elastic material such as a rubber or elastomer. The
through-hole formed in the center of the packing 76 penetrates the same in the front-rear
direction to provide a tubular-shaped inner circumferential surface serving as the
ink supply port 71. That is, the ink supply port 71 is defined by the tubular-shaped
inner circumferential surface that defines the through-hole formed in the packing
76. The ink supply port 71 has an inner diameter that is slightly smaller than an
outer diameter of the ink needle 102. The ink supply port 71 provides communication
between the interior space of the cylinder 75 (the ink valve chamber 35) and the exterior
of the ink cartridge 30.
[0101] When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110 while
the valve 77 is closing the ink supply port 71, the ink needle 102 advances into the
ink supply port 71, as depicted in Fig. 3. As the packing 76 elastically deforms,
the outer circumferential surface of the ink needle 102 forms close contact with the
inner circumferential surface defining the ink supply port 71 to provide liquid-tight
seal therewith. In other words, communication between the ink valve chamber 35 and
the exterior of the ink cartridge 30 via the ink supply port 71 is hermetically sealed.
Subsequently, the distal end of the ink needle 102 passes through the ink supply port
71 formed in the packing 76, advances into the ink valve chamber 35, and contacts
the valve 77. As the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge-attachment
section 110, the ink needle 102 moves the valve 77 rearward against an urging force
of the coil spring 78. As a result, ink stored in the ink valve chamber 35 is allowed
to flow into the interior space 102A of the ink needle 102.
[0102] Note that the ink supply port 71 may be sealed by a film rather than the valve 77.
In this case, the ink supply port 71 may be configured of the front end of the cylinder
75 rather than the packing 76. Alternatively, the ink supply port 71 may be formed
of an elastic resin or other sealing member that has no through-hole. In this case,
the ink supply port 71 may be formed by piercing a needle-like member into the sealing
member, and elasticity of the sealing member can reseal the ink supply port 71 when
the needle-like member is extracted from the sealing member. Further, the ink supply
portion 34 need not be formed as a cylindrically shaped member. For example, a through-hole
may be formed in the front wall 40 of the casing 31 to penetrate the front wall 40
in the front-rear direction. In this case, the front wall 40 formed with the through-hole
may constitute a portion of the ink supply portion 34.
[Attachment/Detachment of the Ink Cartridge 30 relative to the Cartridge-Attachment
Section 110]
[0103] Next, a method for attaching the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment section
110 will be described.
[0104] As depicted in Fig. 6, prior to attachment of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment
section 110, the valve 77 closes the ink supply port 71 formed in the packing 76.
This closure interrupts ink outflow from the ink valve chamber 35 to the exterior
of the ink cartridge 30. Further, the air communication port 96 is sealed by the removable
seal (not shown). Thus the first storage chamber 32 is prevented from being open to
the atmosphere.
[0105] Before insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110,
the user peels off the seal from the air communication port 96. The first storage
chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere accordingly.
[0106] For attaching the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment section 110, the ink
cartridge 30 in its upright posture is inserted into the case 101 (see Fig. 2) through
the opening 112 of the cartridge-attachment section 110, as illustrated in Fig. 7.
The upper portion 41U of the rear wall 41 constituting the casing 31 is positioned
farther rearward than the lower portion 41L. That is, the upper portion 41U is positioned
closer to the user than the lower portion 41L is to the user. Accordingly, the user
pushes against the upper portion 41U forward to insert the ink cartridge 30 into the
cartridge-attachment section 110. The lower portion of the ink cartridge 30 advances
in the corresponding guide groove 109 formed in the bottom of the case 101 (see Fig.
2).
[0107] As the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further into the case 101 (into the corresponding
accommodation space 111) from the state shown in Fig. 7, the ink supply portion 34
advances into the corresponding guide portion 105 of the cartridge-attachment section
110, as illustrated in Fig. 3.
[0108] In addition, the protruding portion 115 is inserted into the recessed portion 132
formed in the movable member 130. Specifically, the protruding portion 115 is inserted
into the space below the inner top surface 133 of the recessed portion 132 (receiving
space) through the first opening 136 from its front side in the insertion direction.
Here, the sloped surface 138 guides the protruding portion 115 into the recessed portion
132 as the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110.
The movable member 130 is pushed from below by the protruding portion 115 and forced
to move upward, as the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further forward into the cartridge-attachment
section 110.
[0109] As described above, the receiving space of the recessed portion 132 is in communication
with the outside of the movable member 130 through the first opening 136 and second
opening 137. Further, the first opening 136 that is open frontward is formed continuously
on its left edge with the second opening 137 that is open leftward (see Fig. 4). Further,
the protruding portion 115 protrudes rightward from the side surface 114B (see Fig.
8A). Therefore, as the ink cartridge 30 moves forward relative to the cartridge case
101, the protruding portion 115 can move rearward relative to the recessed portion
132 without being hindered by the surfaces defining the recessed portion 132 (inner
top surface 133, inner right surface 135, inner bottom surface 134 and inner rear
surface 139). In other words, the protruding portion 115 is inserted into the receiving
space of the recessed portion 132 from its front and left sides through the first
opening 136 and through the second opening 137, and is moved toward the rear end of
the recessed portion 132 (i.e., toward the inner rear surface 139).
[0110] As the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 approaches the end wall of the case
101, the ink needle 102 passes through the ink supply port 71 and enters inside the
ink valve chamber 35, forcing the valve 77 to separate from the packing 76 against
the urging force of the coil spring 78. Through this action, the ink needle 102 is
connected to the ink valve chamber 35 and the ink supply portion 34 is fixed in position.
The ink stored in the ink valve chamber 35 is allowed to flow into the interior space
102A of the ink needle 102.
[0111] The protruding portion 115 inserted into the receiving space of the recessed portion
132 is then received in the recessed portion 132 through the first opening 136 in
the front-rear direction (insertion direction) and through the second opening 137
in the left-right direction (widthwise direction). The protruding portion 115 is thus
made in contact with the inner top surface 133 defining the receiving space of the
recessed portion 132, moving the movable member 130 upward relative to the casing
31. At this time, the IC board 64 on the movable member 130 may or may not be in contact
with the contacts 106. That is, the IC board 64 may be made to contact with the contact
106 before or after the movable member 130 is moved upward by the protruding portion
115 received in the recessed portion 132.
[0112] In the meantime, the ink cartridge 30 is applied with a rearward urging force generated
by the compressed coil spring 78. A magnitude of the urging force generated by the
coil spring 78 is determined by a spring constant thereof and a distance by which
the coil spring 78 is compressed from its natural length.
[0113] In the attached state, i.e., in a state where the ink cartridge 30 inserted forward
is completely accommodated in and attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110,
the ink cartridge 30 is applied with the rearward urging force generated by the compressed
coil spring 78. However, in the present embodiment, a sliding resistance between the
ink needle 102 inserted into the ink supply port 71 and the inner circumferential
surface of the packing 76 defining the ink supply port 71 (forward force) is greater
than this rearward urging force (rearward force). Hence, the ink cartridge 30 is prevented
from being forced out of the cartridge-attachment section 110 by the urging force
of the coil spring 78. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 can be retained in its attached
state in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0114] Referring to Fig. 3, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the attached state, the circuit
board 64 becomes positioned below the contacts 106. Since the movable member 130 has
been moved upward as described above, the electrodes 65 on the circuit board 64 are
made in contact with the contacts 106. Specifically, the electrodes 65 on the circuit
board 64 contact and resiliently deform the contacts 106 upward, forming an electrical
connection between the circuit board 64 and contacts 106.
[0115] In the attached state, the light-blocking plate 67 is also positioned between the
light-emitting portion and light-receiving portion of the optical sensor 113, thereby
blocking the passage of light from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving
portion. As described above, the optical sensor 113 is arranged so that the light-blocking
plate 67 is positioned in the optical path of light emitted from the light-emitting
portion during the attached state.
[0116] In the attached state, the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section
110 is also in contact with the inner top surface 133 of the movable member 130 from
below to support the movable member 130.
[0117] Here, referring to Fig. 3, assume that an imaginary plane R1 is a vertical plane
passing through a point of contact between the protruding portion 115 and the inner
top surface 133 (in the present embodiment, the imaginary plane R1 passes through
the front edge of the inner top surface 133, i.e., a boundary edge between the sloped
surface 138 and inner top surface 133) in the attached state of the ink cartridge
30 to the cartridge-attachment section 110. At this time, a distance L1 between the
imaginary plane R1 and the circuit board 64 in the front-rear direction is shorter
than a distance L2 between the imaginary plane R1 and the ink supply port 71 in the
front-rear direction.
[0118] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the distance L1 is a distance in the
front-rear direction between the imaginary plane R1 and a front edge of the IC board
64; and the distance L2 is a distance in the front-rear direction between the imaginary
plane R1 and a front end of the ink supply port 71. That is, the protruding portion
115 is in contact with the inner top surface 133 at a position closer to the IC board
64 than to the ink supply port 71 in the front-rear direction.
[0119] In the attached state, the inner top surface 133 of the movable member 130 is also
positioned below the contacts 106.
[0120] In the attached state, the circuit board 64 is positioned farther rearward than the
ink needle 102.
[0121] Further, in the attached state, the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 64 contact
the contacts 106 from below. That is, the electrodes 65 resiliently deform the contacts
106 upward, forming an electrical connection with the same. At this time, the IC board
64 is urged downward by the resilient deformed contacts 106. However, since the protruding
portion 115 supports the movable member 130 from below through the contact with the
inner top surface 133, the IC board 64 can keep resiliently deforming the contacts
106.
[0122] To remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge-attachment section 110, the user
grips the rear portion of the ink cartridge 30 and pulls the ink cartridge 30 rearward.
When a sum of the force pulling the ink cartridge 30 rearward and the urging force
of the coil spring 78 (rearward force) is greater than the sliding friction between
the ink needle 102 and the inner circumferential surface of the packing 76 (forward
force), the ink cartridge 30 moves rearward relative to the cartridge-attachment section
110. At this time, the user can remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge-attachment
section 110.
[Detection on whether the Ink Cartridge 30 is attached to the Cartridge-Attachment
Section 110]
[0123] Next, operations for detecting the ink cartridge 30 being inserted in the cartridge-attachment
section 110 will be described with reference to flowcharts in Figs. 9 and 10.
[0124] Note that the controller 11 is configured to start the processing illustrated in
the flowcharts in Figs. 9 and 10 once a cover (not shown) for opening and closing
the opening 112 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 is detected to be closed.
[0125] First, steps of the flowchart in Fig. 9 will be described.
[0126] Referring to Fig. 9, once detecting that the cover (not shown) is closed, the controller
11 (see Fig. 1) is configured to determine in S10 whether the circuit board 64 of
the ink cartridge 30 is accessible. When the contacts 106 are in contact with the
circuit board 64 so as to be electrically connected to the same, the controller 11
can access the circuit board 64. When the contacts 106 are not in contact with the
circuit board 64, the controller 11 cannot access the circuit board 64.
[0127] If the controller 11 cannot access the circuit board 64 (S10: NO), in S20 the controller
11 determines that the ink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the cartridge-attachment
section 110. In this case, the controller 11 notifies the user that an ink cartridge
30 is not mounted by displaying a message on a display panel (not shown) provided
on a housing of the printer 10 and/or emitting a beep or other sound from a speaker
(not shown).
[0128] However, if the controller 11 can access the circuit board 64 (S10: YES), in S30
the controller 11 then determines whether the signal outputted from the optical sensor
113 is high level or low level. When the light-blocking plate 67 is positioned between
the light-emitting portion and light-receiving portion of the optical sensor 113,
the optical sensor 113 outputs a low level signal to the controller 11. When the light-blocking
plate 67 is not positioned between the light-emitting portion and light-receiving
portion of the optical sensor 113, the optical sensor 113 outputs a high level signal
to the controller 11.
[0129] If the signal outputted from the optical sensor 113 to the controller 11 is the high
level (S30: HIGH), in S40 the controller 11 determines that an abnormal ink cartridge
30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110. In this case, the controller
11 notifies the user that an abnormal ink cartridge 30 is mounted by displaying a
message on the display panel (not shown) provided on the housing of the printer 10
and/or plays a beep or other sound from the speaker (not shown).
[0130] On the other hand, if the signal outputted by the optical sensor 113 is the low level
(S30: LOW), in S50 the controller 11 determines that a normal ink cartridge 30 is
mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0131] In the flowchart of Fig. 9, the controller 11 determines whether an ink cartridge
30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110 based on whether the circuit
board 64 is accessible, and determines whether the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the
cartridge-attachment section 110 is normal based on the level of signal outputted
from the optical sensor 113.
[0132] However, the controller 11 may be configured to determine whether an ink cartridge
30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110 based on the level of the signal
outputted from the optical sensor 113, and to determine whether the ink cartridge
30 mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110 is normal based on whether the
circuit board 64 is accessible. Steps in this variation will be described next with
reference to the flowchart in Fig. 10.
[0133] Referring to Fig. 10, in S110 the controller 11 determines whether the signal outputted
by the optical sensor 113 to the controller 11 is the high level or low level.
[0134] If the signal outputted by the optical sensor 113 is the high level (S110: HIGH),
in S120 the controller 11 determines that an ink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the
cartridge-attachment section 110. In this case, as in S20 of Fig. 9, the controller
11 notifies the user that an ink cartridge 30 is not mounted.
[0135] However, if the signal outputted by the optical sensor 113 is the low level (S110:
LOW), in S130 the controller 11 determines whether the circuit board 64 of the ink
cartridge 30 is accessible.
[0136] If the controller 11 cannot access the circuit board 64 (S130: NO), in S140 the controller
11 determines that an abnormal ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment
section 110. In this case, as in S40 of Fig. 9, the controller 11 notifies the user
that an abnormal ink cartridge 30 is mounted.
[0137] On the other hand, if the controller 11 can access the circuit board 64 (S130: YES),
in S150 the controller 11 determines that a normal ink cartridge 30 is mounted in
the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[Operational and Technical Advantages of the First Embodiment]
[0138] According to the present embodiment, the circuit board 64 can be positioned vertically
by placing the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 in contact
with the inner top surface 133.
[0139] Further, the second opening 137 is formed continuously with the first opening 136
in the first embodiment. Accordingly, the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment
section 110 can access (enter) the receiving space (space beneath the inner top surface
133) from the left and front sides thereof (in the front-rear direction and in the
left-right direction) in order to support the movable member 130. Hence, even when
the circuit board 64 is arranged rearward far away from the front edge of the ink
cartridge 30 as in the structure of the embodiment, the protruding portion 115 can
be received in the recessed portion 132 without being hindered by the ink cartridge
30 in order to gain access to a position near the circuit board 64 as the ink cartridge
30 is being inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110 in the frontward direction
51. In this way, the protruding portion 115 can support the movable member 130 at
a position near the circuit board 64 regardless of the position at which the circuit
board 64 is arranged. Hence, this arrangement of the embodiment can enhance flexibility
in positioning the circuit board 64.
[0140] In a state where the ink cartridge 30 of the embodiment is in the upright posture,
the inner top surface 133 is positioned above the imaginary plane P1 passing through
the top edge 36T of the interior space in the ink cartridge 30, as illustrated in
Fig. 6. This arrangement can prevent the presence of the inner top surface 133 from
reducing the capacity of the interior space in the ink cartridge 30. In other words,
this arrangement avoids a reduction in the quantity of liquid that the ink cartridge
30 can store.
[0141] When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110,
the contacts 106 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 are at the same position
in the left-right direction as the circuit board 64. According to the depicted embodiment,
at least a portion of the inner top surface 133 is at a different position from the
circuit board 64 in the left-right direction. Therefore, the movable member 130 can
be supported by the cartridge-attachment section 110 (protruding portion 115) at a
position in the left-right direction that differs from the left-right position of
the circuit board 64. This configuration prevents the protruding portion 115 (i.e.,
the structure for supporting the movable member 130) from hindering movement of the
contacts 106 relative to the ink cartridge 30 during the insertion of the ink cartridge
30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0142] In the embodiment, in the attached state, the distance L1 in the front-rear direction
between the position at which the protruding portion 115 contacts the inner top surface
133 (imaginary plane R1) and the circuit board 64 is shorter than the distance L2
in the front-rear direction between the position at which the protruding portion 115
contacts the inner top surface 133 (imaginary plane R1) and the ink supply port 71,
as illustrated in Fig. 3. Accordingly, the cartridge-attachment section 110 can support
the movable member 130 at a position near the circuit board 64, thereby providing
accurate positioning of the circuit board 64.
[0143] In the depicted embodiment, the inner top surface 133 does not protrude farther leftward
than the side wall 38. Therefore, this configuration avoids an increase in the left-right
dimension of the ink cartridge 30.
[0144] In the first embodiment, the inner top surface 133 is positioned lower than the imaginary
plane P2 passing through the top edge 67T of the light-blocking plate 67, as illustrated
in Fig. 6. This configuration can prevent the inner top surface 133, and the protruding
portion 115 (i.e., parts that contact the inner top surface 133 to support the movable
member 130) from interfering with light irradiated toward the light-blocking plate
67. Further, positioning the inner top surface 133 below the imaginary plane P2 passing
through the top edge 67T of the light-blocking plate 67 allows for a shorter vertical
dimension of the ink cartridge 30 than otherwise.
[0145] During the attached state, the circuit board 64 is supported from below by the protruding
portion 115 and contacted from above by the contacts 106. This configuration can provide
vertical positioning of the circuit board 64 with greater accuracy.
[0146] By providing the sloped surface 138 in front of the inner top surface 133, a vertical
dimension of the first opening 136 can be enlarged to facilitate entry of the protruding
portion 115 into the receiving space (space beneath the inner top surface 133) in
the front-rear direction through the first opening 136. Further, as the ink cartridge
30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110, the protruding portion 115
contacts the sloped surface 138 so that the sloped surface 138 can guide the protruding
portion 115 smoothly into the recessed portion 132.
[0147] When the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached state in the cartridge-attachment section
110, the circuit board 64 receives a downward urging force from the corresponding
contacts 106. Further, the inner top surface 133 extends further rearward than the
electrodes 65. Hence, the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section
110 can contact the inner top surface 133 from below and at a position directly beneath
the electrodes 65 in order to support the movable member 130. With this configuration,
the cartridge-attachment section 110 can receive the downward urging force from the
contacts 106 directly through the protruding portion 115 in contact with the inner
top surface 133 located beneath the contacts 106, and can thereby support the movable
member 130 stably.
[0148] In the depicted embodiment, the protruding portion 115 protrudes from the side surface
114B and not from the side surface 114A. Therefore, there is no need to provide the
ink cartridge 30 with a recessed portion 132 in a region that confronts the side surface
114A in the attached state. Hence, parts other than the recessed portion 132 may be
formed or arranged in this region.
[0149] In the embodiment, the inner top surface 133 is positioned below the contacts 106
in the attached state of the ink cartridge 30. Accordingly, this arrangement of the
embodiment can prevent the inner top surface 133 from hindering movement of the contacts
106 relative to the ink cartridge 30 during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30
into the cartridge-attachment section 110. Further, the vertical dimension of the
ink cartridge 30 can be shortened by a distance by which the inner top surface 133
is positioned below the contacts 106.
[Second Embodiment]
[0150] In the first embodiment described above, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted horizontally
relative to the cartridge-attachment section 110. The ink cartridge 30 is retained
in its attached state in the cartridge-attachment section 110 by the sliding resistance
generated between the ink needle 102 inserted into the ink supply port 71 and the
inner circumferential surface of the packing 76.
[0151] However, the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted and the means for
retaining the ink cartridge 30 in its attached state are not limited to the example
in the first embodiment. In other words, the directions in which the ink cartridge
30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge-attachment section 110 are not
limited to the forward and rearward directions. Further, the means for retaining the
ink cartridge 30 in the attached state are not limited to the sliding friction between
the ink needle 102 inserted in the ink supply port 71 and the inner circumferential
surface of the packing 76.
[0152] For example, the ink cartridge 30 may be retained in the attached state by pivoting
the ink cartridge 30 inside the cartridge-attachment section 110 until the ink cartridge
30 becomes engaged with the cartridge-attachment section 110. Next, a second embodiment
of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 11 and 12. In
the following description, points of difference from the first embodiment will be
described in detail, while common points with the first embodiment will be simplified
or omitted.
[0153] A cartridge-attachment section 210 of the second embodiment further includes four
rods 125 and a lock shaft 145, in addition to the parts of the cartridge-attachment
section 110. Four kinds of ink cartridges 230 according to the second embodiment corresponding
to four colors of ink are insertable into and removable from the cartridge-attachment
section 210.
[0154] As illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, each of the rods 125 is provided at the end wall
of the case 101 at a position upward of the corresponding ink needle 102 for each
insertion space 111. Each rod 125 is positioned frontward of the corresponding optical
sensor 113. The rods 125 are cylindrical in shape and protrude rearward from the end
wall of the cartridge case 101. In a state where the ink cartridge 230 is accommodated
in the cartridge-attachment section 210, that is, when the ink cartridge 230 is in
the attached posture, the rod 125 is received in the air communication port 96 of
the ink cartridge 230.
[0155] The lock shaft 145 extends in the left-right direction at a position near the top
wall and the opening 112 of the case 101. The lock shaft 145 is disposed rearward
of the four sets of contacts 106. The lock shaft 145 is a rod-like member and elongated
in the left-right direction. For example, the lock shaft 145 is a columnar-shaped
metal. The lock shaft 145 has both ends fixed to the walls defining both ends of the
case 101 in the left-right direction. Accordingly, the lock shaft 145 does not pivot
or otherwise move relative to the case 101. The lock shaft 145 extends in the left-right
direction across the four accommodation spaces 111 respectively corresponding to the
four ink cartridges 230. Space is also provided around the locking shaft 145 in each
of the accommodation spaces 111 that accommodates the ink cartridges 230. Thus, a
locking surface 151 (described later) of each ink cartridge 230 can access the lock
shaft 145 by moving upward or rearward.
[0156] The lock shaft 145 functions to maintain the ink cartridges 230 attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110 in the attached state. As the user inserts the ink cartridge 230 into
the cartridge-attachment section 210 and pivots the ink cartridge 230 from an inclined
posture shown in Fig 12 into the upright posture to be used thereby shown in Fig.
11, the ink cartridge 230 engages with the lock shaft 145. Through this operation,
the locking shaft 145 retains the ink cartridge 230 in the cartridge-attachment section
210 against the urging force of coil springs 78 and 98 (described later) provided
in the ink cartridge 230 for pushing the ink cartridge 230 rearward.
[0157] The ink cartridge 230 of the second embodiment includes a casing 231 configured of
a lower case 231L and an upper cover 231U, and a movable member 230M.
[0158] The lower case 231L corresponds to the casing 31 of the ink cartridge 30 of the first
embodiment. The lower case 231L defines therein the first storage chamber 32 and the
second storage chamber 33 for storing ink.
[0159] The upper cover 231U is positioned above the lower case 231L. The upper cover 231U
is fitted onto the lower case 231L. That is, unlike the first embodiment, the upper
cover 231U is fixed to the 2311 and does not move relative to the lower case 231L.
[0160] The movable member 230M is supported by the upper cover 231U so as to be movable
vertically (upward and downward) relative to the upper cover 231U. That is, the movable
member 230M of the second embodiment is different from the movable member 130 of the
first embodiment in that: the movable member 230M of the second embodiment is movably
supported by the immovable upper cover 231U that is fixed to the lower case 231L,
while the movable member 130 as a whole serves as a movable upper cover that is supported
by the casing 31 (corresponding to the lower case 231L) in the first embodiment. When
an external force is not being applied to the movable member 230M, the movable member
230M moves downward by its own weight and is supported on the upper cover 231U.
[0161] The IC board 64 is supported on a top surface of the movable member 230M, as in the
first embodiment. The IC board 64 faces upward in the upright posture of the ink cartridge
230.
[0162] The ink cartridge 230 also includes a protruding portion 43 and an operation portion
90 both provided on the top wall 39 of the casing 31.
[0163] The protruding portion 43 extends in the front-rear direction. The protruding portion
43 has a locking surface 151 that faces rearward in the upright posture. The locking
surface 151 is positioned above the top wall 39. The locking surface 151 extends in
the vertical direction. The locking surface 151 is arranged to contact the lock shaft
145 from its rear side when the ink cartridge 230 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment
section 110. Contact between the locking surface 151 and lock shaft 145, i.e., the
engagement of the locking surface 151 and lock shaft 145, holds the ink cartridge
230 in the cartridge-attachment section 110 against the urging force of the coil springs
78 and 98.
[0164] Note that, while the locking surface 151 is a vertical surface that extending in
a direction crossing the front-rear direction (insertion direction) in the upright
posture in the second embodiment, the locking surface 151 may extend horizontally
in the front-rear direction and may contact the locking shaft 145 from below in the
attached state. In this case, frictional force needs to be generated between the lock
shaft 145 and the locking surface 151 to counter the urging force of the coil springs
78 and 98. As long as this frictional force is sufficient to retain the ink cartridge
230 in the cartridge-attachment section 210, the locking surface 151 may be configured
of a horizontal surface.
[0165] The protruding portion 43 also includes a horizontal surface 154 that extends continuously
forward from the locking surface 151. The horizontal surface 154 extends in both the
left-right and front-rear directions. The protruding portion 43 also includes an inclined
surface 155 that slopes continuously downward and forward from the horizontal surface
154. The inclined surface 155 preferably slopes at an angle of 15° to 25° to the horizontal
direction. Since the locking surface 151 and inclined surface 155 are connected via
the horizontal surface 154, the boundary between the locking surface 151 and inclined
surface 155 is not formed as a sharp angle. The inclined surface 155 is positioned
between the locking surface 151 and the circuit board 64 in the front-rear direction.
As the ink cartridge 230 is being inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 210,
the lock shaft 145 contacts the inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154 and
is smoothly guided by the inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154 to a position
rearward of the locking surface 151.
[0166] The operation portion 90 is disposed on the top wall 39 to the rear of the locking
surface 151. The operation portion 90 has an operation surface 92 facing obliquely
upward and rearward in the upright posture. On the operation surface 92, a plurality
of ribs is formed to be spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction.
These ribs help the user to visually recognize the operation surface 92, and also
prevent user's fingers from slipping over the operation surface 92 to facilitate user's
manipulation of the operation surface 92.
[0167] The operation surface 92 is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 230 from above
and when viewing the ink cartridge 230 from the rear. When the ink cartridge 230 is
retained in its attached state in the cartridge-attachment section 210, the user operates
the operation surface 92 to remove the ink cartridge 230 from the cartridge-attachment
section 210.
[0168] The air communication chamber 36 accommodates a valve 97 and the coil spring 98.
The air communication chamber 36 communicates with the outside of the ink cartridge
230 through the air communication port 96 formed in an upper portion of a front wall
constituting the upper cover 231U. The air communication port 96 has an inner diameter
that is larger than an outer diameter of the corresponding rod 125 provided in the
cartridge-attachment section 210. The valve 97 is movable between a closed position
for sealing the air communication port 96, and an open position separated from the
air communication port 96. The coil spring 98 is oriented to be compressible in the
front-rear direction and urges the valve 97 forward, i.e., in the direction for contacting
the air communication port 96. The coil spring 98 has a spring constant that is smaller
than the spring constant of the coil spring 78 disposed in the ink supply portion
34.
[0169] During the insertion of the ink cartridge 230 into the cartridge-attachment section
210, the corresponding rod 125 is inserted through the air communication port 96.
The rod 125 inserted through the air communication port 96 moves the valve 97 sealing
the air communication port 96 rearward against the urging force of the coil spring
98. When the valve 97 moves rearward and separates from the air communication port
96, the first storage chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere.
[0170] Hereinafter, a method for attaching the ink cartridge 230 to the cartridge-attachment
section 210 will be described.
[0171] In the ink cartridge 230 prior to attachment to the cartridge-attachment section
210, the valve 77 closes the ink supply port 71 of the packing 76. Accordingly, at
this time, ink flow to the outside of the ink cartridge 230 is interrupted. Further,
in this state, the valve 97 closes the air communication port 96. The first ink chamber
32 is thus not opened to the atmosphere.
[0172] For attaching the ink cartridge 230 to the cartridge-attachment section 210, the
ink cartridge 230 is configured to be inserted into the case 101 in the upright posture
through the opening 112 of the cartridge-attachment section 210. As in the first embodiment,
the user pushes the upper portion 41U of the rear wall 41 forward to insert the ink
cartridge 230 into the cartridge-attachment section 210. The bottom portion of the
ink cartridge 230 enters the corresponding guide groove 109 provided in the bottom
of the case 101 (see Fig. 2).
[0173] As the ink cartridge 230 is inserted into the case 101, the ink supply portion 34
advances into the corresponding guide portion 105, as illustrated in Fig. 12. At the
same time, the rod 125 also advances into the corresponding air communication port
96.
[0174] Further, at this time, the protruding portion 115 enters into the receiving space
of the recessed portion 132 of the movable member 230M. As in the first embodiment,
the protruding portion 115 advances into the receiving space of the recessed portion
132 from its front side toward the rear end of the recessed portion 132, i.e., toward
the inner rear surface 139 of the recessed portion 132.
[0175] As the ink cartridge 230 is inserted further frontward near the end wall of the case
101, the corresponding ink needle 102 enters inside the ink valve chamber 35 through
the ink supply port 71, forcing the valve 77 to separate from the packing 76 against
the urging force of the coil spring 78. As a result, the ink needle 102 is connected
to the ink valve chamber 35 and the ink supply portion 34 is fixed relative to the
cartridge-attachment section 210. The ink stored in the ink valve chamber 35 is allowed
to flow into the interior space 102A of the ink needle 102. Further, the rod 125 having
entered into the air communication port 96 abuts on the valve 97, forcing the valve
97 to separate from the air communication port 96 against the urging force of the
coil spring 98. As a result, the first ink chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere
through the through-hole 46, the air communication chamber 36, and the air communication
port 96.
[0176] Also, in this state, the ink cartridge 230 as a whole is applied with the rearward
urging force generated by the coil springs 78 and 98. The magnitude of the urging
force generated by each of the coil springs 78 and 98 is determined by the spring
constant of the spring and the distance of the spring that is compressed from its
natural length. The spring constant of the coil spring 98 is smaller than the spring
constant of the coil spring 78. The compressed distance of the coil spring 78 (a distance
by which the valve 77 is separated from the ink supply port 71) is greater than the
compressed distance of the coil spring 98 (a distance by which the valve 97 is separated
from the air communication port 96). As a result, the magnitude of the urging force
generated by the coil spring 78 is greater than the magnitude of the urging force
generated by the coil spring 98.
[0177] Meanwhile, the protruding portion 43 reaches the lock shaft 145, and the inclined
surface 155 slides against the lock shaft 145. Since the user holds the upper portion
41U of the rear wall 41 and continues to push the ink cartridge 230 forward, the ink
cartridge 230 is applied with a rotational moment acting in a counterclockwise direction
in Fig. 12. However, due to the contact between the inclined surface 155 and lock
shaft 145, the ink cartridge 230 is pivoted clockwise in Fig. 12 about a pivot center
C, against this counterclockwise rotational moment. This pivot center C (depicted
in Figs. 11 and 12) is provided by a center of the ink supply port 71 of the packing
76 into which the corresponding ink needle 102 is inserted.
[0178] This position of the pivot center C in the ink cartridge 230 depends on the shape
of the ink needle 102 and the shape of the ink supply port 71, but the center of an
area in which the ink needle 102 contacts the inner surface of the cylindrical ink
supply portion 34 is the hypothetical pivot center. In the second embodiment, the
hypothetical pivot center C is the center of a portion of the ink needle 102 that
contacts the inner circumferential surface of the packing 76 defining the ink supply
port 71. The ink cartridge 230 of the second embodiment pivots clockwise about this
pivot center C. The posture (orientation) of the ink cartridge 230 at this point (the
posture of the ink cartridge 230 shown in Fig. 12) will be called the inclined posture.
[0179] Also, since the bottom wall 42 of the lower case 231L is inclined relative to the
front-rear direction (insertion direction), a space is available between the bottom
wall 42 and the bottom surface of the guide groove 109 of the case 101. This space
allows the above-described pivotal movement of the ink cartridge 230 in the clockwise
direction.
[0180] Further, since the inner diameter of the air communication port 96 is larger than
the outer diameter of the rod 125, a space is also provided between the rod 125 and
the air communication port 96. This space also allows the pivotal movement of the
ink cartridge 230 in the clockwise direction. In other words, in the state where the
ink cartridge 230 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 210, the rod 125
and the air communication port 96 do not contact with each other. That is, vertical
positioning is not performed between the rod 125 and the air communication port 96.
[0181] As the ink cartridge 230 is further inserted forward against the urging forces of
the coil springs 78 and 98, the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154
of the protruding portion 43 become positioned closer to the end wall of the case
101 than the lock shaft 145 is to the end wall. At this time, as illustrated in Fig.
12, in the ink cartridge 230 in the inclined posture, the locking surface 151 is positioned
below the lock shaft 145.
[0182] At this time, the protruding portion 115 entered into the receiving space of the
recessed portion 132 is received by the recessed portion 132, making contact with
the inner top surface 133 of the recessed portion 132 to move the movable member 230M
upward relative to the upper cover 231U, as illustrated in Fig. 12.
[0183] Also, while the ink cartridge 230 is in the inclined posture, the IC board 64 becomes
positioned below the corresponding contacts 106. As a result of the upward movement
of the movable member 230M by the protruding portion 115 received in the receiving
space of the recessed portion 132, the IC board 64 is brought into contact with the
corresponding contacts 106 of the cartridge-attachment section 210. An electrical
connection is therefore established between the electrodes 65 on the IC board 64 and
the contacts 106.
[0184] Further, the light-blocking plate 67 is positioned between the light-emitting portion
and light-receiving portion of the corresponding optical sensor 113. Accordingly,
the light-blocking plate 67 blocks the passage of light from the light-emitting portion
to the light-receiving portion, as in the first embodiment described above.
[0185] As the user continues to push forward on the upper portion 41U of the rear wall 41,
the rotational moment is applied to the ink cartridge 230 in the counterclockwise
direction in Fig. 12. At the same time, rotational moment acting in the clockwise
direction is also generated in the ink cartridge 230 by the urging force of the coil
spring 98 provided in the air valve chamber 36. Since the inclined surface 155 and
horizontal surface 154 no longer contact the lock shaft 145, the force applied by
the user pivots the ink cartridge 230 in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 12
about the pivot center C of the ink supply port 71 in which the ink needle 102 is
inserted and against the urging force of the coil spring 98. As a result, the ink
cartridge 230 moves to the upright posture shown in Fig. 11.
[0186] As the ink cartridge 230 is pivoted counterclockwise from the state shown in Fig.
12, the locking surface 151 faces rearward and opposes the lock shaft 145 in the front-rear
direction. When the user stops pushing the ink cartridge 230 frontward, the ink cartridge
230 is moved rearward by the urging force of the coil spring 78. The locking surface
151 therefore moves rearward and abuts against the lock shaft 145 from frontward thereof,
thereby restricting the ink cartridge 230 from moving further rearward. The ink cartridge
230 is thus fixed in position relative to the cartridge-attachment section 210 by
the abutment (engagement) between the locking surface 151 and the lock shaft 145.
Attachment of the ink cartridge 230 to the cartridge-attachment section 210 is thus
complete (in its attached state) as shown in Fig. 11. At this time, the ink cartridge
230 is in the upright posture.
[0187] In this way, the ink cartridge 230 is pivotable about the pivot center C to move
between the upright posture and the inclined posture in the cartridge-attachment section
110.
[0188] In the second embodiment, the "insertion of the ink cartridge 30" is deemed to be
completed when the ink cartridge 230 is fixed in position relative to the cartridge-attachment
section 210, with the locking surface 151 engaged with the lock shaft 145. That is,
the "insertion of the ink cartridge 30" is not deemed to end simply because the ink
needle 102 is inserted into the ink supply potion 34.
[0189] In the attached state of the ink cartridge 230 (in the upright posture), the protruding
portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section 210 contacts the inner top surface
133 of the movable member 230M from below and supports the movable member 230M.
[0190] Further, in the attached state, the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 64 contact
the corresponding contacts 106 from below. That is, the electrodes 65 resiliently
deform the contacts 106 upward, forming electrical connection with the same. While
the resilient deformation of the contacts 106 urges the circuit board 64 downward
at this time, the ink cartridge 230 is retained by the protruding portion 115 supporting
the movable member 230M. Consequently, the circuit board 64 maintains the resilient
deformation of the contacts 106.
[0191] When removing the ink cartridge 230 from the cartridge-attachment section 210, the
user presses down on the operation surface 92. When the ink cartridge 230 is in the
upright posture, the operation surface 92 faces diagonally upward and rearward. Therefore,
when the user operates the operation surface 92, a force acting in a direction diagonally
downward and forward is applied to the ink cartridge 230. This force pivots the ink
cartridge 230 clockwise in Fig. 11, thereby moving the locking surface 151 to a position
lower than the lock shaft 145. In other words, the ink cartridge 230 shifts from the
upright posture to the inclined posture. At this time, the urging force of the coil
spring 78 moves the ink cartridge 230 rearward relative to the cartridge-attachment
section 210, and the user can extract the ink cartridge 230 from the cartridge-attachment
section 210.
[0192] According to the second embodiment, the locking surface 151 is positioned farther
rearward than the circuit board 64 in the front-rear direction. This arrangement can
prevent the locking surface 151 from impeding insertion of the ink cartridge 230 into
the cartridge-attachment section 210. For example, this arrangement can prevent the
locking surface 151 from impeding movement of the contacts 106 provided in the cartridge-attachment
section 210 relative to the ink cartridge 230.
[0193] Note that, in the second embodiment, the IC board 64 on the movable member 230M may
contact the contacts 106 to be electrically connected thereto before or after the
movable member 230M is lifted up by the protruding portion 115 received in the receiving
space of the recessed portion 132.
[Variations and Modifications]
[0194] In the following, various modifications to the depicted embodiments will be described.
Like parts and components will be designated with the same reference numerals as those
of the depicted embodiments to avoid duplicating explanation.
[0195] In the first and second embodiments, the protruding portion 115 protrudes rightward
from the side surface 114B, but the protruding portion 115 may instead protrude leftward
from the side surface 114A. Further, while the protruding portion 115 protrudes from
only one of the side surfaces 114A and 114B in the first and second embodiments (only
the side surface 114B), two protruding portions 115 may be provided with one protruding
rightward from the side surface 114B and another one protruding leftward from the
side surface 114A.
[0196] Specifically, as depicted in Fig. 8B, a cartridge-attachment section 310 according
to a variation of the first embodiment includes a case 301 provided with two protruding
portions 115 with one protruding rightward from the side surface 114B and another
one protruding leftward from the side surface 114A. An ink cartridge 330 according
to this variation includes a movable member 330M formed with two recessed portions
132 each adapted to receive corresponding one of the two protruding portions 115.
Hence, in this variation, one of the second openings 137 is open leftward on the left
side surface 82L of the peripheral wall 82 constituting the movable member 330M, and
the other one of the second opening 137 is open rightward on a right side surface
82R of the peripheral wall 82 constituting the movable member 330M.
[0197] In the first and second embodiments, the recessed portion 132 is formed in the left
side surface of the movable member 130, 230M at a position corresponding to the protruding
portion 115 protruding from the side surface 114B. However, the position of the recessed
portion 132 may be modified to suit the configuration of the protruding portion 115.
For example, when the protruding portion 115 is configured to protrude from the side
surface 114A, the recessed portion 132 may be formed in the right side surface of
the movable member 130, 230M. Alternatively, if protruding portions 115 protrude from
both the side surfaces 114A and 114B, the recessed portion 132 may be formed in both
left and right side surfaces of the movable member 130, 230M (as illustrated in the
example shown in Fig. 8B).
[0198] In the depicted embodiments, the inner top surface 133 defining the top of the recessed
portion 132 serves as a surface configured to contact the protruding portion 115 (an
example of a contact surface). However, the contact surface is not limited to the
inner top surface 133.
[0199] For example, if the movable member 130, 230M is provided with a protrusion in place
of the recessed portion 132 that protrudes leftward from the left side surface thereof,
the contact surface may be a bottom surface of the protrusion (see Fig. 15, for example).
In case that a bottom surface of a protrusion serves as the contact surface, the bottom
surface of the protrusion defines a top of a space for receiving the protruding portion
115. This space below the bottom surface of the protrusion may differ from the space
defined by the recessed portion 132 of the embodiments in that: the space of this
variation is open on the rear and bottom sides in addition to the front and left sides
[0200] In other words, as long as the movable member 130, 230M has a surface corresponding
to the inner top surface 133 of the depicted embodiments, the movable member 130,
230M need not be provided with surfaces corresponding to the inner bottom surface
134, inner right surface 135 and inner rear surface 139 of the embodiments. Essentially,
the movable member 130, 230M need only be provided with following surfaces: a contact
surface contacted by the protruding portion 115; a surface supported by the casing
31, 231; and a surface for supporting the circuit board 64 that faces away from the
contact surface in the vertical direction.
[0201] The ink cartridge 30, 230 is not limited to the structure shown in Figs. 4 through
6, and Figs. 11 and 12. As an alternative example, Fig. 13 depicts an ink cartridge
430 according to a first modification to the first and second embodiments. As shown
in Fig. 13, the ink cartridge 430 has an outer shape that approximates a rectangular
parallelepiped. In this modification, the ink cartridge 430 does not include the light-blocking
plate 67, the protruding portion 43, and the operation portion 90.
[0202] Specifically, the ink cartridge 430 of the first modification includes a casing 431
defining an ink storage chamber 432 therein, and a movable member 430M movably supported
by the casing 431. The casing 431 and movable member 430M are both generally rectangular
parallelepiped. The casing 431 includes an ink supply port 471 that is an open end
of a through-hole formed in a front wall 440 to penetrate the same in the front-rear
direction. An interior space of this through-hole serves as a chamber 435 providing
communication between the ink storage chamber 432 and the exterior of the casing 431.
The ink supply port 471 is sealed with a seal (shown without a reference numeral in
Fig. 13).
[0203] The movable member 430M is movable vertically relative to the casing 431, as in the
first embodiment. The movable member 430M has an upper wall 439 on which a protruding
portion 483 is disposed for supporting the IC board 64. The protruding portion 483
includes a recessed portion 432M.
[0204] The recessed portion 432M does not include the sloped surface 138, unlike the recessed
portion 132 of the first and second embodiments. That is, the recessed portion 432M
only includes the inner top surface 133, inner right surface 135, inner bottom surface
134, and inner rear surface 139 defining a space for receiving the protruding portion
115 (receiving space). Thus, in the first modification, a first opening 436 is defined
by the inner top surface 133, inner right surface 135 and inner bottom surface 134.
The first opening 436 is open frontward on a front surface 483F of the protruding
portion 483 to allow the protruding portion 115 to be received in the recessed portion
432M in the front-rear direction. The second opening 137 is defined by the inner top
surface 133, inner bottom surface 134 and inner rear surface 139, as in the first
embodiment. The second opening 137 is open on a left side surface 483L of the protruding
portion 483.
[0205] The ink cartridge 430 according to the first modification is inserted into a cartridge-attachment
section 410 shown in Fig. 14 in the front-rear direction without pivotal movement,
as in the first embodiment. During the insertion of the ink cartridge 430, the protruding
portion 115 advances into the space (receiving space) in the recessed portion 432M
through the first opening 136 and through the second opening 137. The protruding portion
115 contacts and pushes the inner top surface 133 upward as the ink cartridge 430
is inserted forward, thereby moving the movable member 430M upward. Note that, the
ink cartridge 430 may also be pivoted inside the cartridge-attachment section 410
for attachment, as in the second embodiment.
[0206] Further, during the insertion of the ink cartridge 430, the tip end of the ink needle
102 (not shown in Fig. 14) breaks the seal covering the ink supply port 471, passing
through the chamber 435 and reaches the ink storage chamber 432. As in the first embodiment,
the ink cartridge 430 of the first modification can be retained in its attached state
in the cartridge-attachment section 410 by the sliding friction generated between
the ink needle 102 (not shown in Fig. 14) inserted in the chamber 435 through the
ink supply port 471 and an inner circumferential surface of the front wall 440 defining
the chamber 435.
[0207] The ink cartridge 430 does not include the coil springs 78 and 98 in the chamber
435. Therefore, the ink cartridge 430 need not be inserted into the cartridge-attachment
section 410 against a rearward urging force.
[0208] Fig. 15 shows an ink cartridge 530 according to a second modification to the first
embodiment. This ink cartridge 530 includes a protrusion 532, instead of the recessed
portion 132.
[0209] More specifically, the ink cartridge 530 includes the casing 431, and a movable member
530M movably supported by the casing 431. The movable member 530M has an upper wall
539 on which a protruding portion 583 is disposed for supporting the IC board 64.
The protruding portion 583 has a left surface 535 from which the protrusion 532 protrudes
leftward. In this second modification, a bottom surface 533 of the protrusion 532
is configured to contact the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section
410. Since the protrusion 532 is a protrusion, surfaces corresponding to the inner
right surface 135, inner bottom surface 134 and inner rear surface 139 are dispensed
with. A space (receiving space) for receiving the protruding portion 115 is defined
below the bottom surface 533 of the protrusion 532. Specifically, the receiving space
of the second modification is defined by the bottom surface 533 and the left surface
535 that is orthogonal to the bottom surface 533. During insertion of the ink cartridge
530 into the cartridge-attachment section 410 and in a state where the ink cartridge
530 is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section 410, the protruding portion
115 advances into this receiving space below the bottom surface 533 and contacts with
the bottom surface 533 of the protrusion 532, thereby moving the movable member 530M
upward.
[0210] Fig. 16 shows an ink cartridge 630 according to a third modification to the first
embodiment. This ink cartridge 530 includes a rod member 632, instead of the recessed
portion 132, for receiving the protruding portion 115.
[0211] More specifically, the ink cartridge 630 includes the casing 431, and a movable member
630M movably supported by the casing 431. The movable member 630M has an upper wall
639 on which a protruding portion 683 is disposed for supporting the IC board 64.
The rod member 632 is disposed on a top surface of the protruding portion 683 and
is oriented in the left-right direction. Specifically, the rod member 632 has a right
end fixed on the top surface of the protruding portion 683, and a left end protruding
farther leftward than a left surface of the protruding portion 683. In this third
modification, a bottom surface 633 of the rod member 632 is configured to contact
the protruding portion 115 of the cartridge-attachment section 410. That is, as in
the second modification, surfaces corresponding to the inner right surface 135, inner
bottom surface 134 and inner rear surface 139 are dispensed with. A space (receiving
space) is provided below the bottom surface 633 of the rod member 632 for receiving
the protruding portion 115. During insertion of the ink cartridge 630 into the cartridge-attachment
section 410 and in a state where the ink cartridge 630 is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment
section 410, the protruding portion 115 advances into this receiving space below the
bottom surface 633 of the rod member 632 and contacts with the bottom surface 633,
thereby lifting the movable member 630M upward.
[0212] With these configurations of the modifications, similar technical and operational
advantages can be obtained.
[0213] The positional relationships of components in the ink cartridge 30, 230 and cartridge-attachment
section 110, 210 are also not limited to those described in the depicted embodiments.
For example, the inner top surface 133 need not be positioned above the imaginary
plane P1 (see Fig. 6) passing through the top edge 36T of the interior space in the
ink cartridge 30 (the first storage chamber 32, the second storage chamber 33, and
the air communication chamber 36) when the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright posture.
Further, with respect to the left-right direction, the inner top surface 133 may be
positioned between the right edge and left edge of the circuit board 64, for example.
Further, the distance L1 (see Fig. 3) in the front-rear direction between the position
at which the protruding portion 115 contacts the inner top surface 133 and the position
of the circuit board 64 may be greater than or equal to the distance L2 in the front-rear
direction between the position at which the protruding portion 115 contacts the inner
top surface 133 and the ink supply port 71, for example. Still further, the circuit
board 64 may also be positioned farther forward than the light-blocking plate 67,
for example. Still alternatively, the inner top surface 133 may also be positioned
above the imaginary plane P2 (see Fig. 6) that passes through the top edge 67T of
the light-blocking plate 67, for example. Further, the circuit board 64 may also be
positioned farther forward than the ink needle 102 in the attached state, for example.
[0214] Further, while ink serves as an example of liquid in the depicted embodiments, the
liquid of the present disclosure is not limited to ink. For example, a pretreatment
liquid that is ejected onto sheets prior to ink during a printing operation may be
stored in the liquid cartridge. Alternatively, cleaning water for cleaning the recoding
head 21 may be stored in the liquid cartridge.
< Remarks >
[0215] The liquid cartridges 30, 230, 330, 430, 530 and 630 are an example of a liquid cartridge.
The cartridge-attachment sections 110, 210, 310 and 410 are an example of a cartridge-attachment
section. The protruding portion 115 is an example of a protruding portion. The cartridge
bodies 31, 231, 431 are an example of a casing. The first storage chamber 32, second
storage chamber 33 and ink storage chamber 432 are an example of liquid chamber. The
ink valve chamber 35 is an example of a liquid passage. The chamber 435 is another
example of the liquid passage. The ink supply ports 71 and 471 are an example of a
liquid outlet. The movable members 130, 230M, 330M, 430M, 530M and 630M are an example
of a movable member. The IC board 64 and electrodes 65 are an example of a circuit
board. The recessed portion 132, recessed portion 432M, protrusion 532 and rod member
632 are an example of a receiving portion. The inner top surface 133, bottom surfaces
533 and 633 are an example of a contact surface. The recessed portions 132 and 432M
are an example of a recess. The sloped surface 138 is an example of a sloped surface.
The inner right surface 135 is an example of a first surface. The inner bottom surface
134 is an example of a second surface. The inner rear surface 139 is an example of
a third surface. The first openings 136 and 436 are an example of a first inlet opening.
The second opening 137 is an example of a second inlet opening. The left surface 535
is another example of a first surface. The vertical surface 39C and front surface
483F are an example of a front surface. The left side surfaces 82L and 483L are an
example of a side surface. The light-blocking plate 67 is an example of a light-blocking
portion. The accommodation space 111 is an example of an accommodation space. The
locking surface 151 is an example of an engaging surface. The lock shaft 145 is an
example of an engaging portion. The frontward direction 51 is an example of an insertion
direction, The rightward direction 55 and leftward direction 56 are an example of
a widthwise direction. The system 1 is an example of a system. The printer 10 is an
example of a printer. The side surface 114B is an example of a side plate. The contact
106 is an example of an electrical contact. The ink needle 102 is an example of a
liquid-supply tube. The optical sensor 113 is an example of an optical sensor. The
packing 76 is an example of a sealing portion. The side surface 114A is an example
of another side plate.
1. A liquid cartridge (30, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630) in combination with a printer having
a cartridge-attachment section (110, 210, 310, 410) to which the liquid cartridge
(30, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630) is configured to be inserted in an insertion direction
(51) crossing a gravitational direction (53) and accommodated in the cartridge-attachment
section in an upright posture, the cartridge-attachment section (110, 210, 310, 410)
including a protruding portion (115) extending in the insertion direction (51) and
having a width in a widthwise direction (55, 56) orthogonal to the insertion direction
(51) and the gravitational direction (53), the liquid cartridge (30, 230, 330, 430,
530, 630) in the upright posture comprising:
a casing (31, 231, 431) comprising:
a liquid chamber (32, 33, 432) storing liquid therein; and
a liquid passage (35, 435) extending from the liquid chamber (32, 33, 432) in the
insertion direction (51);
a movable member (130, 230M, 330M, 430M, 530M, 630M) movably supported by the casing
(31, 231, 431), the movable member (130, 230M, 330M, 430M, 530M, 630M) being movable
relative to the casing (31, 231, 431); and
a circuit board (64, 65) provided at the movable member (130, 230M, 330M, 430M, 530M,
630M) and facing upward,
wherein the movable member (130, 230M, 330M, 430M, 530M, 630M) includes a receiving
portion (132, 432M, 532, 632) adapted to receive the protruding portion (115) of the
cartridge-attachment section (110, 210, 310, 410) in the insertion direction (51)
and in the widthwise direction (55, 56) during insertion of the liquid cartridge (30,
230, 330, 430, 530, 630) into the cartridge-attachment section (110, 210, 310, 410)
and in a state where the liquid cartridge (30, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630) is accommodated
in the cartridge-attachment section (110, 210, 310, 410);
wherein the receiving portion (132, 432M, 532, 632) provides a receiving space that
is open in the insertion direction (51) and in the widthwise direction (55, 56); and
wherein the receiving portion (132, 432M, 532, 632) has a contact surface (133, 533,
633) defining the receiving space, the contact surface (133, 533, 633) facing downward
and extending in the insertion direction (51) and the widthwise direction (55, 56),
the contact surface (133, 533, 633) being configured to contact the protruding portion
(115) of the cartridge-attachment section (110, 210, 310, 410) during the insertion
of the liquid cartridge (30, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630) into the cartridge-attachment
section (110, 210, 310, 410) and in the state where the liquid cartridge (30, 230,
330, 430, 530, 630) is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section (110, 210,
310, 410).
2. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion (132) further
has a sloped surface (138) connected to the contact surface (133) and positioned frontward
of the contact surface (133) in the insertion direction (51) in the upright posture,
the sloped surface (138) sloping relative to the insertion direction (51) to face
diagonally downward and frontward in the upright posture, the sloped surface (138)
being configured to guide the protruding portion (115) to enter into the receiving
space in the insertion direction (51).
3. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the receiving portion (132,
432M) comprises a recess (132, 432M) defining the receiving space, the receiving portion
(132, 432M) further having a first surface (135) extending in the insertion direction
(51) and orthogonal to the contact surface (133) in the upright posture, the contact
surface (133) and the first surface (135) defining the recess (132, 432M).
4. The liquid cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the receiving portion (132, 432M)
further has a second surface (134) and a third surface (139) both defining the recess
(132, 432M) together with the contact surface (133) and the first surface (135), the
second surface (134) extending in the insertion direction (51) and orthogonal to the
first surface (135) in the upright posture, the third surface (139) extending in the
widthwise direction (55, 56) and orthogonal to the contact surface (133) and the first
surface (135) and the second surface (134) in the upright posture;
wherein one of the sloped surface (138) and the contact surface (133) constitutes
a first inlet opening (136, 436) together with the first surface (135) and the second
surface (134); and
wherein the contact surface (133), the second surface (134) and the third surface
(139) constitute a second inlet opening (137), the receiving portion (132, 432M) being
configured to receive the protruding portion (115) through the first inlet opening
(136, 436) and through the second inlet opening (137) into the receiving space during
the insertion of the liquid cartridge (30, 230, 430) into the cartridge-attachment
section (110, 210,410).
5. The liquid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the casing (31, 431) includes a
liquid outlet (71, 471) provided at a front end of the liquid passage (35, 435) in
the insertion direction (51);
wherein the receiving portion (132, 432M) further has a front surface (39C, 483F)
and a side surface (82L, 483L), the front surface (39C, 483F) facing frontward in
the insertion direction (51) and being positioned rearward relative to the liquid
outlet (71, 471) in the insertion direction (51) in the upright posture, the side
surface (82L, 483L) facing away from the receiving space in the widthwise direction
(55, 56) and being positioned rearward relative to the liquid outlet (71, 471) in
the insertion direction (51) in the upright posture; and
wherein the first inlet opening (136, 436) is open on the front surface (39C, 483F)
and the second inlet opening (137) is open on the side surface (82L, 483L).
6. The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the contact surface
(133, 533, 633) is positioned above the liquid chamber (32, 33, 332).
7. The liquid cartridge according to claim any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the contact
surface (133, 533, 633) has a region located offset from the circuit board (64, 65)
in the widthwise direction (55, 56) in the upright posture.
8. The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the casing (31)
includes a liquid outlet (71) provided at a front end of the liquid passage (35) in
the insertion direction (51); and
wherein the contact surface (133) is in contact with the protruding portion (115)
at a contact position (R1) in the state where the liquid cartridge (30) is accommodated
in the cartridge-attachment section (110), a distance (L1) between the contact position
(R1) and the circuit board (64, 65) in the insertion direction (51) being smaller
than a distance (L2) between the contact position (R1) and the liquid outlet (71)
in the insertion direction (51).
9. The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a light-blocking
portion (67) configured to block or attenuate light traveling in the widthwise direction
(55, 56) in the upright posture in the state where the liquid cartridge (30, 230,
330) is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section (110, 210, 310), the circuit
board (64, 65) being positioned rearward relative to the light-blocking portion (67)
in the insertion direction (51) in the upright posture.
10. The liquid cartridge according to claim 9, wherein the contact surface (133) is positioned
below an upper end (67T) of the light-blocking portion (67) in the upright posture.
11. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, the liquid cartridge (230) being inserted
into the cartridge-attachment section (210) against an urging force acting in a direction
(52) opposite to the insertion direction (51),
wherein the casing (231) further has an engaging surface (151) configured to engage
an engaging portion (145) provided at the cartridge-attachment section (210) in the
state where the liquid cartridge (230) is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment
section (210);
wherein the circuit board (64, 65) is positioned frontward relative to the engaging
surface (151) in the insertion direction (51) in the upright posture; and
wherein the liquid cartridge (230) is movable between the upright posture and an inclined
posture relative to the cartridge-attachment section (210) during the insertion of
the liquid cartridge (230) into the cartridge-attachment section (210), the engaging
surface (151) being in abutment with the engaging portion (145) of the cartridge-attachment
section (210) in the upright posture, the engaging surface (151) being positioned
below the engaging portion (145) to be disengaged therefrom in the inclined posture.
12. The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the contact surface
(133, 533) has a rear edge positioned rearward relative to an electrode (65) disposed
on the circuit board (64) in the insertion direction (51) in the upright posture.
13. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion (532) comprises
a protrusion (532) having the contact surface (533) facing downward, the receiving
portion (532) further having a first surface (535) extending in the insertion direction
(51) and orthogonal to the contact surface (533) in the upright posture, the contact
surface (533) and the first surface (535) defining the receiving space below the protrusion
(532).
14. The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the receiving portion (632) comprises
a rod member (632) having the contact surface (633) facing downward, the rod member
(632) being positioned above the receiving space.
15. Use of the liquid cartridge (30, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630) according to any one of
claims 1 to 14 with the printer (10) having the cartridge-attachment section (110,
210, 310, 410).