[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid cartridge that stores liquid, a system
provided with the liquid cartridge, and a mounting unit in which the liquid cartridge
is mountable.
[0002] As a conventional system well-known in the art, there is known an inkjet-recording
apparatus that includes an ink cartridge, and an attachment section to which the ink
cartridge is detachably attachable.
[0003] In one inkjet-recording device, a rib or other irradiated portion is provided on
the ink cartridge, and an optical sensor is provided in the mounting unit. When the
ink cartridge is attached in the mounting unit, the irradiated portion of the ink
cartridge is positioned in the optical path of the optical sensor. However, the irradiated
portion is not positioned in the optical path of the optical sensor when the ink cartridge
is not attached in the mounting unit. Hence, the signal outputted by the optical sensor
changes based on whether the ink cartridge is attached in the mounting unit. By detecting
changes in the signal, the inkjet-recording device can determine the attached state
of the ink cartridge.
[0004] However, in the ink cartridge in the prior art, the irradiated portion protrudes
outward from the outer surface of the casing constituting the ink cartridge. Consequently,
the irradiated portion is susceptible to impacts from parts outside the ink cartridge
and could be broken when incurring such impacts.
[0005] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a
liquid cartridge having an irradiated portion and a configuration that reduces the
potential for damage to the irradiated portion.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the disclosure (in particular a first embodiment described
herein) to provide a liquid cartridge configured to be inserted into a cartridge-attachment
section including a casing, a movable member, and an urging member. The casing includes
a liquid chamber storing liquid therein, a liquid passage extending in a first direction
crossing a gravitational direction from a liquid chamber in an upright posture of
the liquid cartridge, and a top surface. The top surface faces upward in the upright
posture and formed with a recess defining a bottom portion. The movable member has
a light blocking portion configured to block or attenuate light emitted from the cartridge-attachment
section and traveling in a widthwise direction crossing the first direction and the
gravitational direction in the upright posture. The light blocking portion in the
upright posture is configured to move between a first position and a second position.
The light blocking portion in the second position is closer to the bottom portion
than the light blocking portion in the first position is to the bottom portion. At
least a part of the light blocking portion in the first position is positioned above
the top surface in the upright posture. The urging member is configured to urge the
movable member toward the first position.
[0007] With this structure, if the light blocking portion incurs an impact from an external
source when the liquid cartridge is dropped with the top surface facing downward,
the light blocking portion moves from the first position to the second position against
the urging force of the urging member, thereby absorbing the impact. Thus, this configuration
can reduce the potential for damage to the light blocking portion.
[0008] With this structure, while an external force is not applied to the light blocking
portion, the light blocking portion remains in the first position by the urging forces
of the urging member. At this time, the upper end portion of the light blocking portion
on the light blocking portion in the first position is above the upper end portion
of the light blocking portion when the light blocking portion is in the second position.
Hence, as long as an external force is not applied to the light blocking portion,
the light blocking portion can be placed in a position for easily receiving light
radiated from an external unit.
(2) Preferably, the movable member in the upright posture is movable in the gravitational
direction and supported to the casing. The movable member has a first inclined surface
facing upward in the upright posture and frontward in the first direction, and a second
inclined surface facing upward in the upright posture and rearward opposite the first
direction.
With this structure, during the insertion of the liquid cartridge frontward into the
cartridge-attachment section, if the cartridge-attachment section comes into contact
with a first inclined surface from the front side, the light blocking portion can
be moved from the first position to the second position by the cartridge-attachment
section being guided over the first inclined surface. In this way, the liquid cartridge
can be attached in the cartridge-attachment section even when the light blocking portion
contacts the cartridge-attachment section.
Further, if the cartridge-attachment section contacts the second inclined surface
from the rear side as the liquid cartridge is being extracted rearward from the cartridge-attachment
section, the light blocking portion can be moved from the first position to the second
position by the cartridge-attachment section being guided along the second inclined
surface. Accordingly, the liquid cartridge can be removed from the cartridge-attachment
section even when the light blocking portion contacts the cartridge-attachment section.
(3) Preferably, the movable member further has an upper surface between the first
inclined surface and the second inclined surface in the first direction. The upper
surface is curved upward to provide a convex shape when viewed in the widthwise direction
in the upright posture.
With this structure, when the cartridge-attachment section contacts the light blocking
portion from either the front side or the rear side, the cartridge-attachment section
is guided over a curved surface of the light blocking portion, thereby easily moving
the light blocking portion from the first position to the second position.
(4) Preferably, the movable member is supported to the casing. The movable member
has a first surface facing frontward in the first direction, and has a second surface
facing rearward in the first direction. The movable member has an upper surface between
the first surface and the second surface in the first direction. The upper surface
is curved upward to provide a convex shape when viewed in the widthwise direction
in the upright posture.
(5) Preferably, the urging member includes a first resilient member supporting the
movable member, and a second resilient member supporting the movable member at a position
rearward relative to the first resilient member in the first direction.
With this structure, the light blocking portion is supported by two resilient bodies,
and specifically the urging member. This configuration can stabilize the orientation
of the light blocking portion.
(6) Preferably, the urging member is positioned at the recess. The movable member
defines a first portion accommodated in the recess in the first position, and defines
a second portion accommodated in the recess in the second position. The first portion
has a volume smaller than a volume of the second portion.
(7) Preferably, the urging member is positioned at the recess, and the movable member
has a portion accommodated in the recess in the second position.
Since the urging members are positioned at the recess, the likelihood of damage to
the urging member by external impacts can be reduced. Further, since at least a portion
of the light blocking portion is accommodated in the recess it is possible to minimize
the amount that the top surface of the light blocking portion protrudes from the recess.
(8) Preferably, the liquid cartridge further includes a circuit board positioned at
the top surface at a position rearward relative to the movable member in the upright
posture. The circuit board is configured to contact with an electrical contact positioned
at the cartridge-attachment section in the upright posture.
(9) Preferably, the movable member is positioned below the circuit board.
This configuration reduces the possibility of the electrical contact provided on the
cartridge-attachment section coming into contact with the light blocking portion when
the liquid cartridge is inserted into the cartridge-attachment section.
(10) Preferably, the upper surface is positioned below the circuit board.
(11) Preferably, the liquid cartridge is inserted into the cartridge-attachment section
against an urging force acting in a direction opposite to the first direction. The
liquid cartridge has a protrusion positioned rearward relative to the circuit board
in the first direction. The protrusion and the light blocking portion define a plurality
of imaginary planes each of which passes through the protrusion and the light blocking
portion. Each of the plurality of imaginary planes extends in the widthwise direction.
The plurality of imaginary planes include a specific imaginary plane defined by the
protrusion and the light blocking portion. The specific imaginary plane is positioned
higher than any other imaginary plane between the protrusion and the light blocking
portion. The circuit board is positioned downward relative to the specific imaginary
plane in the gravitational direction in the upright posture.
With this structure, if the liquid cartridge is dropped with the top surface facing
downward, the ground or the like will most likely impact the light blocking portion
before the circuit board. This arrangement can reduce the force of impact on the circuit
board since the circuit board does not hit the ground or the like until after the
light blocking portion hits the ground or the like and moves from the first position
to the second position.
(12) Preferably, the protrusion includes an engaging surface configured to engage
with an engagement portion in the cartridge-attachment section in the upright posture.
The liquid cartridge is movable between a first posture and a second posture relative
to the cartridge-attachment section during insertion of the liquid cartridge into
the cartridge-attachment section. The engaging surface in the first posture is in
engagement with the engagement portion to hold the liquid cartridge in the cartridge-attachment
section. The engaging surface is positioned below the engagement portion to be disengaged
therefrom in the second posture.
(13) Preferably, the light blocking portion is configured to be detected by an optical
sensor provided in the cartridge-attachment section by blocking or attenuating light
emitted from the optical sensor.
According to another aspect, the disclosure provides a system including the liquid
cartridge and a printer. The printer includes the cartridge-attachment section to
which the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted in the first direction. The
cartridge-attachment section includes an optical sensor and a liquid-supply tube.
The optical sensor is configured to emit light. The liquid-supply tube has a tubular
shape and protruding rearward. The liquid-supply tube has a base end in communication
with the consuming portion, and an open tip end configured to be connected to the
liquid passage of the liquid cartridge. The liquid-supply tube enters the liquid passage
during insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section. The
light blocking portion is positioned in an optical path of the light emitted from
the optical sensor when the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the cartridge attachment
section is completed.
Preferably, the movable member is supported by a single resilient member.
(14) According to another aspect, the disclosure provides use of the liquid cartridge
with a printer having the cartridge-attachment section.
[0009] According to the disclosure, the potential for damage to the movable member having
the light blocking portion can be reduced.
Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram conceptually illustrating a system including
an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a printer
including a cartridge-attachment section configured to detachably accommodate the
ink cartridge according to the 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 embodiment and an opening thereof;
Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge-attachment section according
to the embodiment, illustrating a state where the ink cartridge according to the embodiment
is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment section;
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment as viewed
from its front side;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment as viewed
from its rear side;
Fig. 6A is a right side view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment;
Fig. 6B is a rear side view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment;
Fig. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment
taken along a plane VII-VII shown in Fig. 6B;
Fig. 7B is an enlarged view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment illustrating
a light-blocking plate in a first position;
Fig. 7C is an enlarged view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment illustrating
the light-blocking plate in a second position;
Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge-attachment section according
to the embodiment, illustrating a state where the ink cartridge according to the embodiment
is being inserted into the cartridge-attachment section;
Fig. 9 is a flowchart illustrating steps for detecting insertion of the ink cartridge
into the cartridge-attachment section according to the embodiment;
Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating another methodology of detecting insertion of
the ink cartridge into the cartridge-attachment section according to the embodiment;
Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge-attachment section according to a
first modification, corresponding to the cut line VII-VII of Fig. 6B;
Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge-attachment section according to a
second modification, corresponding to the cut line VII-VII of Fig. 6B;
Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of a cartridge-attachment section according to a
third modification, corresponding to the cut line VII-VII of Fig. 6B; and
Fig. 14 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a fourth modification
as viewed from its front side.
[0010] 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.
[0011] In the following description, a frontward direction 51 is defined as the direction
that an ink cartridge 30 according to a first embodiment is inserted into a cartridge-attachment
section 110. In the preferred embodiment, the direction of insertion is orthogonal
to the gravitational direction. An upright posture of the ink cartridge 30 will be
defined as the state in which the ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into
the cartridge-attachment section 110 in a direction orthogonal to the gravitational
direction. A rearward direction 52 is defined as the direction opposite the frontward
direction 51 and is the direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is extracted from
the cartridge-attachment section 110. In the preferred embodiment, the frontward direction
51 and rearward direction 52 are horizontal directions, but the frontward direction
51 and rearward direction 52 may be directions that crossing the gravitational direction.
Further, a downward direction 53 is defined as the gravitational direction, and an
upward direction 54 is defined as the direction opposite the gravitational direction.
Further, a rightward direction 55 and a leftward direction 56 are defined as directions
orthogonal to the frontward direction 51 and downward direction 53. More specifically,
when the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture (the state illustrated in Figs.
4-6), the rightward direction 55 is defined as the direction extending rightward and
the leftward direction 56 as the direction extending leftward when the ink cartridge
30 is viewed from its rear side.
[0012] 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.
[0013] When the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture, the widthwise direction of the
ink cartridge 30 corresponds to the left-right direction, the height direction of
the ink cartridge 30 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the depth direction
of the ink cartridge 30 corresponds to the front-rear direction. Further, the direction
in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted relative to the cartridge-attachment section
110 corresponds to the front-rear direction in the preferred embodiment.
[0014] In the present specification, the term "facing forward" or "facing frontward" encompasses
the meaning to face in a direction that includes a frontward component; the expression
"facing rearward" encompasses the meaning to face in a direction that includes a rearward
component; the expression "facing downward" encompasses the meaning to face in a direction
that includes a downward component; the expression "facing upward" encompasses the
meaning to face in a direction that includes an upward component; the expression "facing
rightward" encompasses the meaning to face in a direction that includes a rightward
component; and the expression "facing leftward" encompasses the meaning to face in
a direction that includes a leftward component. For example, the phrase "the front
surface faces frontward" may indicate that the front surface faces directly forward
or that the front surface faces in a direction sloped relative to the frontward direction.
< Overview of Printer 10 >
[0015] Fig. 1 shows system 1 including a printer 10 and an ink cartridge 30. The printer
10 records images onto sheets based on an inkjet-recording system of selectively ejecting
ink droplets. The printer 10 includes a recording head 21 (an example of a consuming
portion), an ink-supplying device 100, and ink tubes 20 connecting the recording head
21 to the ink-supplying device 100. The ink-supplying device 100 is provided with
a cartridge-attachment section 110. The ink cartridge 30 (an example of a liquid cartridge)
can be attached in the cartridge-attachment section 110. An opening 112 is formed
in one side of the cartridge-attachment section 110. While in its upright posture,
the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110 through
the opening 112 in a frontward direction to be attached in the cartridge-attachment
section 110. The ink cartridge 30 can also be detached from the cartridge-attachment
section 110 in the rearward direction while in the upright posture.
[0016] The ink cartridge 30 stores ink (an example of liquid) that the printer 10 can use
for printing. The ink tube 20 connects the ink cartridge 30 to the recording head
21 in the attached state, i.e., when the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached in
the cartridge-attachment section 110. The recording head 21 is provided with a sub-tank
28 and nozzles 29. The sub-tank 28 temporarily holds ink to be supplied through the
ink tube 20. The recording head 21 selectively ejects ink supplied from the sub-tank
28 through the nozzles 29 according to an inkjet-recording method. More specifically,
the recording head 21 is provided with a head control board (not illustrated), and
piezoelectric elements 29A corresponding one-on-one to the nozzles 29. The head control
board selectively applies drive voltages to the piezoelectric elements 29A in order
to selectively eject ink from the nozzles 29. Hence, the recording head 21 consumes
ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 that is attached in the cartridge-attachment section
110.
[0017] The printer 10 further 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 feeds sheets from the
sheet tray 15 onto the conveying path 24, and the conveying rollers 25 convey the
sheets over the platen 26. The recording head 21 selectively ejects ink onto the sheets
as the sheets passes over the platen 26, whereby an image is recorded on the sheets.
The discharge rollers 27 receive sheets that have passed over the platen 26 and discharge
the sheets to the sheet discharge tray 16 provided on the downstream end of the conveying
path 24.
< Ink-Supplying Device 100 >
[0018] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the ink-supplying device 100 is provided in the printer
10. The ink-supplying device 100 functions to supply ink to the recording head 21.
The ink-supplying device 100 includes the cartridge-attachment section 110 in which
the ink cartridge 30 can be attached. Note that in Fig. 1 the ink cartridge 30 is
illustrated in its fully attached state in the cartridge-attachment section 110, i.e.,
in its attached posture. Thus, the state illustrated in Fig. 1 is the attached state.
In other words, the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached posture in the attached state.
The ink cartridge 30 is also in the upright posture in the attached state.
< Cartridge-Attachment Section 110 >
[0019] As illustrated in Figs. 1-3, the cartridge-attachment section 110 includes a case
101, ink needles 102 (examples of the ink delivery tubes), tanks 103, optical sensors
113, and contacts 106, as examples of an electrical contact. The cartridge-attachment
section 110 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the ink colors
cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Accordingly, the cartridge-attachment section 110
is provided with four each of the ink needles 102, tanks 103, optical sensors 113,
and contacts 106 to correspond with the four ink cartridges 30.
< Case 101 >
[0020] As illustrated in Fig. 2, the case 101 constitutes the housing of the cartridge-attachment
section 110. The case 101 has a box shape with an inner top surface, an inner bottom
surface, an inner front surface, and the opening 112 formed in the rear side. The
inner top surface defines the tops of interior spaces 111 in the case 101. The inner
bottom surface defines the bottoms of the interior spaces 111. The inner front surface
defines the fronts of the interior spaces 111. The inner front surface connects the
tops and bottoms of the interior spaces 111 in the case 101. The opening 112 is formed
on the opposite side of the case 101 from the inner front surface relative to the
front-rear direction. The opening 112 is exposed in the surface that the user faces
when using the printer 10.
[0021] The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into one of the interior spaces 111 of the case
101 through the opening 112. The ink cartridge 30 is also extracted from the interior
space 111 of the case 101 through the opening 112. Guide grooves 109 are formed in
the bottom of the case 101. The ink cartridge 30 is guided along the front-rear direction
when the bottom edge of the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the corresponding guide
groove 109. The case 101 also includes three plates 104. The plates 104 partition
the interior of the case 101 into the four interior spaces 111 that are elongated
vertically. The ink cartridges 30 are accommodated in the four interior spaces 111
partitioned by the plates 104.
< Ink Needle 102 >
[0022] As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, the ink needles 102 are tube-like members formed
of a resin. That is, the ink needles 102 are hollow. The ink needles 102 are positioned
on the lower portion of the inner front surface constituting the case 101. The ink
needles 102 are arranged at positions on the inner front surface corresponding to
ink supply portions 34 of the ink cartridges 30 attached in the cartridge-attachment
section 110. The ink needles 102 protrude rearward from the inner front surface of
the case 101.
[0023] Both the rear end (distal end) and the front end (proximal end) of each ink needle
102 are open. The rear end of the ink needle 102 is inserted into an ink supply port
71 formed in the corresponding ink cartridge 30. The front end of the 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 the interior space of
the corresponding ink tube 20.
[0024] As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, cylindrical shaped guide portions 105 are arranged
around corresponding ink needles 102. The guide portions 105 protrude rearward from
the inner front surface of the case 101. The protruding ends of the guide portions
105 are open. The ink needles 102 are arranged in the centers of the corresponding
guide portions 105. The guide portions 105 have a shape that allows the ink supply
portions 34 of the corresponding ink cartridges 30 to be inserted therein.
[0025] During the process of inserting an ink cartridge 30 frontward into the cartridge-attachment
section 110, i.e., while the ink cartridge 30 is moving toward its attached posture,
the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the guide portions
105 (see Fig. 3). As the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further into the cartridge-attachment
section 110 in the frontward direction, the ink needle 102 is inserted from the front
side into an ink valve chamber 35 of the ink cartridge 30 through the ink supply port
71 formed in the ink supply portion 34. Through this operation, the ink needle 102
is coupled with the ink supply portion 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
portion 34. Ink stored in a second storage chamber 33 formed inside the ink cartridge
30 flows out of the storage chamber 33, through the ink valve chamber 35 and the interior
space 102A of the ink needle 102, and into the tank 103 (see Fig. 1). Ink flowing
out of the tank 103 passes through the ink tube 20 (an example of a channel) and into
the recording head 21. The ink valve chamber 35 is an example of a liquid passage.
[0026] The distal end of the ink needle 102 may be flattened or pointed. The guide portions
105 may be formed in any shape or may be omitted from the cartridge-attachment section
110, provided that the ink cartridge 30 can be placed in the attached posture.
<Tank 103>
[0027] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the tanks 103 are provided on the front side of a case
101, described later. Each tank 103 has a box shape and can accommodate ink internally.
The top portion of the tank 103 is open to the outside through an air communication
port 124. Accordingly, the interior of the tank 103 is open to the atmosphere. The
interior space in the tank 103 is in communication with the interior space 102A of
the corresponding ink needle 102. With this arrangement, ink flowing out of the ink
cartridge 30 passes through the ink needle 102 and is stored in the tank 103. The
ink tube 20 is connected to the tank 103. Accordingly, ink stored in the interior
of the tank 103 is supplied to the recording head 21 through the ink tube 20.
< Contacts 106 >
[0028] As illustrated in Fig. 3, four of the contacts 106 are provided on the inner top
surface of the case 101 inside corresponding interior spaces 111 (see Fig. 2). The
four contacts 106 are provided to correspond with the four ink cartridges 30 that
can be accommodated in the case 101.
[0029] The contacts 106 are positioned rearward relative to the ink needles 102. The contacts
106 protrude downward from the inner top surface of the case 101 into the corresponding
interior spaces 111. The contacts 106 face downward. The contacts 106 are configured
of electrically conductive and resilient members. The contacts 106 can resiliently
deform upward. While not illustrated in detail in the drawings, the four contacts
106 provided in the interior spaces 111 are aligned in the left-right direction and
are spaced at intervals in the same direction. The arrangement of the four contacts
106 corresponds to the arrangement of four sets of electrodes 65 on the ink cartridges
30 described later. Note that the numbers of contacts 106 and sets of electrodes 65
is arbitrary.
[0030] The contacts 106 are electrically connected to a controller 11 (see Fig. 1) in the
printer 10 via an electric circuit. The controller 11 includes a CPU, ROM, and RAM,
for example. By placing a contact 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 contact 106 and corresponding
electrodes 65, data stored in an integrated circuit of the ink cartridge 30 is accessible.
Output from the electric circuit is inputted into the controller 11.
<Rods 125>
[0031] As illustrated in Fig. 3, rods 125 are formed on the inner front surface of the case
101 above the corresponding ink needles 102. The rods 125 protrude rearward from the
inner front surface of the case 101. The rods 125 are cylindrical in shape. In the
attached state, i.e., when the ink cartridge 30 is in the attached posture, the corresponding
rod 125 is inserted through an air communication port 96 described later.
< Optical Sensor 113 >
[0032] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the optical sensors 113 are disposed on the inner top surface
of the case 101. The optical sensors 113 are positioned rearward related to the rods
125 and frontward related to the contacts 106. Each optical sensor 113 is provided
with a light-emitting portion and a light-receiving portion. The light-emitting portion
is disposed on the right or left of the light-receiving portion with a gap formed
therebetween. A light-blocking plate 67 (see Fig. 4) on the ink cartridge 30 is positioned
between the corresponding light-emitting portion and light-receiving portion when
the ink cartridge 30 is fully attached in the cartridge-attachment section 110. That
is, the light-emitting portion and light-receiving portion are arranged on opposing
sides of the light-blocking plate 67 of a corresponding ink cartridge 30 that is fully
attached in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0033] The optical sensors 113 output detection signals to the controller 11 (see Fig. 1)
that differ according to whether 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 light emitted from the light-emitting portion (that is, when
the received light is less than a prescribed intensity) and outputs a high level signal
to the controller 11 when the light-receiving portion can receive light emitted from
the light-emitting portion (that is, when the received light is greater than or equal
to the prescribed intensity).
<Lock Shaft 145>
[0034] As illustrated in Fig. 3, a lock shaft 145 (an example of an engagement portion)
extends in the left-right direction of the case 101 near the inner top surface of
the case 101 and near the opening 112. The lock shaft 145 is positioned rearward related
to the contacts 106. The lock shaft 145 is a rod-shaped member that is elongated in
the left-right direction. The lock shaft 145 is a metal column, for example. The left
and right ends of the lock shaft 145 are fixed in the walls defining the left and
right sides of the case 101. Therefore, the lock shaft 145 does not rotate or otherwise
move relative to the case 101. The lock shaft 145 extends in the Ieft-right direction
through all four interior spaces 111 that can accommodate ink cartridges 30. Space
is also provided around the lock shaft 145 in each of the interior spaces 111 that
accommodates an ink cartridge 30. Hence, the ink cartridge 30 can access to the lock
shaft 145 from below and from the front side.
[0035] The lock shaft 145 functions to retain the ink cartridge 30 in its attached posture
when the ink cartridge 30 is attached in the cartridge-attachment section 110. When
the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110 and
rotates the ink cartridge 30 from its second posture illustrated in Fig. 8 to its
first posture illustrated in Fig. 3, the ink cartridge 30 engages with the lock shaft
145. Through this operation, the lock shaft 145 retains the ink cartridge 30 in the
cartridge-attachment section 110 against the force of coil springs 78 and 98 provided
in the ink cartridge 30 that pushes the ink cartridge 30 rearward. Note that the ink
cartridge 30 in the first posture is in the upright posture.
<Positioning Portion 107>
[0036] As illustrated in Fig. 3, a positioning portion 107 is provided near the inner top
surface of the case 101. The positioning portion 107 is disposed between the contacts
106 and the lock shaft 145 with respect to the front-rear direction. The positioning
portion 107 is a protrusion that protrudes downward from the inner top surface of
the case 101. The positioning portion 107 is formed integrally with the case 101.
The surface on the bottom of the positioning portion 107 can contact a contact surface
84 on the ink cartridge 30. The bottom surface of the positioning portion 107 is positioned
slightly above the bottoms of the contacts 106.
<Ink Cartridge 30>
[0037] The ink cartridge 30 illustrated in Figs. 4-6 is a container that stores ink. In
Figs. 4-6, the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture. As will be described later,
the ink cartridge 30 has a cartridge body 31 (an example of a casing) that includes
a front wall 40, a rear wall 41, a top wall 39, a bottom wall 42, and a pair of side
walls 37 and 38. In the attached state, the direction from the rear wall 41 to the
front wall 40 is equivalent to the frontward direction 51, the direction from the
front wall 40 to the rear wall 41 is equivalent to the rearward direction 52, the
direction from the top wall 39 to the bottom wall 42 is equivalent to the downward
direction 53, the direction from the bottom wall 42 to the top wall 39 is equivalent
to the upward direction 54, the direction from the side wall 38 to the side wall 37
is equivalent to the rightward direction 55, and the direction from the side wall
37 to the side wall 38 is equivalent to the leftward direction 56. Also in the attached
state, the front surface of the front wall 40 faces frontward, the rear surface of
the rear wall 41 faces rearward, the bottom surface of the bottom wall 42 faces downward,
the top surface of the top wall 39 faces upward, the right surface of the side wall
37 faces rightward, and the left surface of the side wall 38 faces leftward.
[0038] In the following description of the ink cartridge 30, the up, down, front, rear,
left, and right directions relative to the ink cartridge 30 are defined based on the
attached state, i.e., when the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture.
[0039] As described above, the ink cartridge 30 has the cartridge body 31. The cartridge
body 31 has a general rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the preferred embodiment,
the cartridge body 31 has a lower case 31L, and an upper cover 31U. The lower case
31L is provided internally with a first storage chamber 32 and a second storage chamber
33 (see Fig. 7) for storing ink. The upper cover 31U is positioned above the lower
case 31L. The upper cover 31U is fitted onto the lower case 31L.
[0040] The cartridge body 31 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.
[0041] The cartridge body 31 is provided with a front wall 40, rear wall 41, top wall 39,
bottom wall 42, and pair of side walls 37 and 38. The front wall 40 and rear wall
41 are separated from each other in the front-rear direction. The top wall 39 and
bottom wall 42 are separated from each other vertically. The side walls 37 and 38
are separated from each other in the left-right direction. The top wall 39 and bottom
wall 42 are formed between the front wall 40 and rear wall 41 in the front-rear direction.
The side walls 37 and 38 are formed between the front wall 40 and rear wall 41 in
the front-rear direction and between the top wall 39 and bottom wall 42 in the vertical
direction. Each of the front wall 40, rear wall 41, top wall 39, bottom wall 42, and
side walls 37 and 38 define at least one of the first storage chamber 32, second storage
chamber 33, or an air valve chamber 36.
[0042] At least the rear wall 41 of the cartridge body 31 forming the lower case 31L is
translucent so that the levels of ink stored in the storage chambers 32 and 33 are
visible from the outside.
[0043] Note that while the outer surface of the cartridge body 31 is configured of the lower
case 31L and the upper cover 31U, the cartridge body 31 may be configured of a single
box-shaped case. Further, the cartridge body 31 may include an inner case defining
the storage chambers, and an outer case constituting the outer wall that are arranged
in a nested configuration with the inner case accommodated inside the outer case.
[0044] As illustrated in Fig. 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 above the
lower portion 41L. The lower portion 41L is positioned frontward related to the upper
portion 41U. Both the upper portion 41U and lower portion 41L are flat surfaces. The
upper portion 41U and lower portion 41L extend in directions that intersect but are
not orthogonal to each other. From the upper portion 41U to the bottom wall 42, the
lower portion 41L slopes relative to the vertical direction so as to grow closer to
the front wall 40.
[0045] The bottom surface of the bottom wall 42 is sloped relative to the front-rear direction
so that its front end is positioned lower than its rear end. The bottom surface of
the bottom wall 42 preferably slopes at an angle within a range from 2 degrees to
4 degrees to the horizontal direction. The front end of the bottom wall 42 is positioned
frontward related to a locking surface 151 described later. The rear edge of the bottom
wall 42 is connected to the bottom edge of the lower portion 41L constituting the
rear wall 41.
[0046] The cartridge body 31 also has a sub-bottom wall 48. The sub-bottom wall 48 is positioned
upward relative to the bottom wall 42. The sub-bottom wall 48 extends continuously
rearward from the bottom edge of the front wall 40. The cartridge body 31 also has
a sub-front wall 49 that connects the bottom wall 42 to the sub-bottom wall 48. The
ink supply portion 34 extends frontward from the sub-front wall 49 below the sub-bottom
wall 48 and above the bottom wall 42. Note that the position of the front edge of
the sub-bottom wall 48 is arbitrary. For example, the front edge of the sub-bottom
wall 48 may be positioned rearward related to the front edge of the ink supply portion
34. The front edge of the sub-bottom wall 48 is positioned frontward related to the
front edge of the ink supply portion 34, and the rear edge of the sub-bottom wall
48 is positioned rearward relative to the front edge of the ink supply portion 34.
[0047] 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, 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 in the preferred embodiment. Further, the sub-bottom
wall 48 constitutes the bottom wall of the ink cartridge 30 together with the bottom
wall 42. Similarly, sub-top walls 91F, 91R described later (see Fig. 6) constitute
the top wall of the ink cartridge 30 together with the top wall 39.
[0048] In addition, 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.
[0049] When the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture, the front surface of the front
wall 40 is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 from the front side and is positioned
frontward of the front-rear center portion of the ink cartridge 30. In the preferred
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 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, and the front surface of the front wall 40 may constitute
a single surface continuously connecting the top wall 39 to the bottom wall 42.
[0050] When the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture, the rear surface of the rear
wall 41 is the surface visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 from the rear side
and is positioned rearward relative to the front-rear center portion of the ink cartridge
30.
[0051] When the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture, the top surface of the top wall
39 is the surface visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 from above and is positioned
above the vertical center of the ink cartridge 30.
[0052] When the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture, the bottom surface of the bottom
wall 42 is the surface that is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 from below
and is positioned lower than the vertical center of the ink cartridge 30.
[0053] When the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture, the right surface of the side
wall 37 is the surface visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 from the right side
and is positioned rightward relative to the left-right center of the ink cartridge
30.
[0054] When the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture, the left surface of the side
wall 38 is the surface that is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 from the
left side and is positioned leftward relative to than the left-right center of the
ink cartridge 30.
<Protrusion >
[0055] As illustrated in Figs. 4-6, a protruding portion 43 and an operation portion 90
are provided on the top wall 39 of the cartridge body 31. The operation portion 90
is disposed on the top wall 39 to the rear of a locking surface 151 (an example of
an engaging surface). The protruding portion 43 is an example of a protrusion.
[0056] The protruding portion 43 extends in the front-rear direction. The surface of the
protruding portion 43 facing rearward is the locking surface 151. The locking surface
151 is positioned above the top wall 39. The locking surface 151 extends along the
vertical direction. The locking surface 151 is positioned to contact the lock shaft
145 in a rearward direction when the ink cartridge 30 is attached 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, hold the ink cartridge 30
in the cartridge-attachment section 110 against the urging force of the coil springs
78 and 98. Note that while the locking surface 151 is a surface that intersects the
front-rear direction (direction of insertion) in the preferred embodiment, the present
disclosure is not limited to this arrangement. For example, the locking surface may
extend horizontally in the front-rear direction and may contact the locking shaft
from below in the attached state. In this case, it is necessary to generate frictional
force between the lock shaft 145 and the locking surface to oppose the urging force
of the coil springs 78 and 98. If this frictional force is sufficient to retain the
ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge-attachment section 110, the locking surface may
be configured of a horizontal surface.
[0057] The protruding portion 43 also includes a horizontal surface 154 that extends continuously
frontward 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 frontward from the horizontal
surface 154. The inclined surface 155 preferably slopes at an angle within a range
from 15 degrees to 25 degrees with respect 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 a circuit board 64 described later in the front-rear direction. When
the ink cartridge 30 is being inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110,
the lock shaft 145 in the cartridge-attachment section 110 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.
[0058] Sub-top walls 91F, 91R are formed on both the front and rear ends of the top wall
39. The sub-top walls 91F, 91R are positioned lower than the front-rear center portion
of the top wall 39. The operation portion 90 is disposed above the sub-top wall 91R
positioned on the rear end of the top wall 39 and is separated from the sub-top wall
91R. The operation portion 90 has a flat plate shape that protrudes upward from a
position near the border between the top wall 39 and sub-top wall 91R to a height
approximately equal to the height of the protruding portion 43 in the upright posture,
and then bends and extends in a direction sloping downward and rearward. A rib 94
is provided between the operation portion 90 and sub-top wall 91R. The rib 94 is formed
continuously between the operation portion 90 and sub-top wall 91R and extends rearward.
The left-right dimension of the rib 94 is smaller than the left-right dimensions of
the operation portion 90 and sub-top wall 91R.
[0059] The surface of the operation portion 90 facing obliquely upward and rearward constitutes
an operating surface 92. The operating surface 92 and sub-top wall 91R occupy overlapping
positions in the front-rear direction. That is, the operating surface 92 is in a position
overlapping the sub-top wall 91R when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from above. In
other words, a virtual plane extending in the vertical and left-right directions passes
through both the operating surface 92 and sub-top wall 91R.
[0060] A plurality of protrusions 93 is formed on the operating surface 92. The protrusions
93 are spaced at intervals in the front-rear direction. The protrusions 93 enable
the user to easily recognize the operating surface 92 by feel and reduce the likelihood
that the user's finger will slip off the operating surface 92 when the user operates
the operating surface 92.
[0061] The operating surface 92 is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 from above
and when viewing the ink cartridge 30 from the rear. When the ink cartridge 30 is
retained in its attached posture in the cartridge-attachment section 110, the operating
surface 92 is the surface that the user operates in order to remove the ink cartridge
30 from the cartridge-attachment section 110. Note that the operation portion 90 is
integrally molded with the cartridge body 31 or otherwise fixed to the same so that
the operation portion 90 does not rotate or otherwise move relative to the cartridge
body 31. Hence, the force that the user applies to the operating surface 92 is directly
transferred to the cartridge body 31 without a change in direction.
<Protruding Portion 83>
[0062] As illustrated in Figs. 4-6, a protruding portion 83 is provided on the top surface
of the top wall 39 in front of the protruding portion 43. The protruding portion 83
is disposed in the same left-right position as the protruding portion 43 and extends
continuously frontward from the front end of the protruding portion 43. The top surface
of the protruding portion 83 constitutes a contact surface 84. The contact surface
84 is formed continuously with the bottom edge of the inclined surface 155 and faces
upward. The contact surface 84 is positioned between a circuit board 64 described
later and the locking surface 151 in the front-rear direction.
[0063] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the contact surface 84 contacts the positioning portion
107 from below during the attached state and functions as a reference for positioning
the ink cartridge 30 vertically. The contact surface 84 is formed as an integral member
with the upper cover 31U. Note that the structure of the inclined surface 155 is arbitrary
and need not be configured as a continuous surface between the contact surface 84
and locking surface 151. For example, the protruding portion 83 having the contact
surface 84, and the protruding portion 43 having the locking surface 151 may each
protrude upward, non-continuously and independent of each other.
<Light-Blocking Plate 67>
[0064] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the cartridge body 31 is provided with a recessed part
68 (an example of a recess) that is recessed downward from the top wall 39. Disposed
in the recessed part 68 are the light-blocking plate 67 (an example of a movable member),
a first coil spring 69 (an example of an urging member and a first resilient member),
and a second coil spring 70 (an example of an urging member and a second resilient
member).
[0065] The bottom edge of the light-blocking plate 67 is disposed or accommodated in the
recessed part 68, while the top edge of the light-blocking plate 67 protrudes above
the recessed part 68.
[0066] The light-blocking plate 67 is disposed in a position frontward of and downward relative
to the circuit board 64. The light-blocking plate 67 is positioned rearward relative
to the ink supply port 71 formed in the ink cartridge 30.
[0067] As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the light-blocking plate 67 is a plate shaped member
having longer vertical and front-rear dimensions than the left-right dimension. Note
that the light-blocking plate 67 is not limited to a plate shape, but may have any
shape capable of blocking or attenuating light emitted from the light-emitting portion
of the optical sensor 113 toward the light-receiving portion.
[0068] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the light-blocking plate 67 includes a light-blocking portion
67A, and a curved surface 67B.
[0069] The light-blocking portion 67A is the portion of the light-locking plate 67 that
faces the optical sensor 113 in the left-right direction when the ink cartridge 30
is attached in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0070] The light-blocking portion 67A also includes an upper surface 67D of the light-blocking
plate 67. That is, the upper surface 67D of the light-blocking plate 67 is the upper
edge of the light-blocking portion 67A. In the preferred embodiment, the light-blocking
portion 67A is positioned on the rear part of the light-blocking plate 67. Specifically,
the light-blocking portion 67A is the region on the left and right surfaces of the
light-blocking plate 67 delineated by a one-dot chain line in Fig. 7.
[0071] The light-blocking portion 67A is formed of a resin that includes a color material
(black pigment) capable of absorbing light, for example. Note that it is sufficient
for only the light-blocking portion 67A of the light-blocking plate 67 to be formed
of this resin, but the entire light-blocking plate 67 may be formed of the resin as
well.
[0072] As a modification, a material such as aluminum foil that prevents the passage of
light may be affixed to the side surface of a plate through which light can be transmitted.
Here, the material may be affixed to just the light-blocking portion 67A portion of
the light-blocking plate 67 or may be affixed to the entire light-blocking plate 67.
[0073] The light-blocking portion 67A is capable of blocking light emitted by the optical
sensor 113 that travels in the left-right direction when the ink cartridge 30 is in
its upright posture. More specifically, light outputted from the light-emitting portion
of the optical sensor 113 is incident on the light-blocking portion 67A prior to reaching
the light-receiving portion. Consequently, the intensity of light incident on the
light-receiving portion is less than a prescribed intensity, such as 0 (zero). The
light-blocking portion 67A may either block or attenuate light traveling from the
light-emitting portion to the light-receiving portion. Alternatively, the light-blocking
portion 67A may change the direction of light traveling from the light-emitting portion
to the light-receiving portion to a different direction.
[0074] When viewed along the left-right direction, the top edge of the light-blocking plate
67 is curved to form a convex shape facing upward, as illustrated in Fig. 7. The top
surface of this edge constitutes the curved surface 67B. The front portion of the
curved surface 67B forms a first inclined surface 72 that faces obliquely upward and
frontward. The rear portion of the curved surface 67B constitutes a second inclined
surface 73 that faces obliquely upward and rearward. The front-rear center of the
curved surface 67B constitutes the upper surface 67D of the light-blocking plate 67
(the upper portion of the light-blocking portion 67A). That is, the upper surface
67D is positioned between the first inclined surface 72 and the second inclined surface
73 in the front-rear direction. The upper surface 67D is curved upward to provide
a convex shape when viewed in the widthwise direction in the upright posture. The
first inclined surface 72 and the second inclined surface 73 are examples of a first
surface and a second surface, respectively.
[0075] Note that the first inclined surface 72 and the second inclined surface 73 need not
face obliquely upward. The first inclined surface 72 and the second inclined surface
73 may be a vertical surfaces facing frontward and rearward, respectively. Alternatively,
the first inclined surface 72 may face obliquely downward and frontward, and the second
inclined surface 73 may face obliquely downward and rearward.
[0076] The first coil spring 69 and second coil spring 70 are disposed in the recessed part
68. The first coil spring 69 is positioned on the front side of the second coil spring
70. The recessed part 68 has an bottom portion defining a bottom surface 68A, and
one end of each of the coil springs 69 and 70 is attached to the bottom surface 68A,
while the other end of each of the coil springs 69 and 70 is attached to a bottom
portion 67C of the light-blocking plate 67. Specifically, the first coil spring 69
is attached to the bottom portion 67C of the light-blocking plate 67 at a position
frontward of the front-rear center of the light-blocking plate 67, and the second
coil spring 70 is attached to the bottom portion 67C at a position rearward of the
front-rear center of the light-blocking plate 67. That is, second coil spring 70 supports
the light-blocking plate 67 at a position rearward relative to the first resilient
member in the front-rear direction.
[0077] Hence, the first coil spring 69 supports the light-blocking plate 67 at a position
frontward of the front-rear center of the light-blocking plate 67, while the second
coil spring 70 supports the light-blocking plate 67 at a position rearward of the
front-rear center of the light-blocking plate 67.
[0078] Through the coil springs 69 and 70, the light-blocking plate 67 is supported in the
cartridge body 31 so as to be capable of moving between a first position designated
by a solid line in Fig. 7, and a second position designated by a dashed line in Fig.
7.
[0079] The light blocking portion 67A in the second position is closer to the bottom surface
68A than the light blocking portion 67A in the first position is to the bottom surface
68A. At least a part of the light blocking portion 67A in the first position is positioned
above the top wall 39 in the upright posture.
[0080] In the preferred embodiment, the first position is positioned above the second position.
That is, the first position and second position are aligned vertically. In the preferred
embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 can move vertically.
[0081] When the light-blocking plate 67 is in the first position, the upper surface 67D
of the light-blocking plate 67 (the top edge of the light-blocking portion 67A) is
positioned above the top surface of the top wall 39. Specifically, when the light-blocking
plate 67 is in the first position the vertical distance from the top wall 39 to the
upper surface 67D of the light-blocking plate 67 is a length L1. Further, the upper
surface of the light-blocking plate 67 is positioned below the circuit board 64 irrespective
of the vertical position of the light-blocking plate 67.
[0082] When the light-blocking plate 67 is in the second position, the upper surface 67D
of the light-blocking plate 67 is positioned lower than when the light-blocking plate
67 is in the first position. Specifically, when the light-blocking plate 67 is in
the second position, the vertical distance from the top wall 39 to the upper surface
67D of the light-blocking plate 67 is a length L2, which is shorter than the length
L1.
[0083] Note that the top wall 39 used for reference when determining the lengths L1 and
L2 along the vertical from the top wall 39 to the upper surface 67D of the light-blocking
plate 67 is the portion of the top wall 39 defining the edge of the recessed part
68. Thus, if the top surface of the top wall 39 is configured of a plurality of flat
surfaces at different vertical positions, the protruding lengths L1 and L2 of the
light-blocking plate 67 are determined based on the flat surface defining the edge
of the recessed part 68.
[0084] When the light-blocking plate 67 is in the first position, only the bottom edge portion
of the light-blocking plate 67 is accommodated in the recessed part 68, while the
other portion of the light-blocking plate 67 excluding the bottom edge portion protrudes
above the recessed part 68. When the light-blocking plate 67 is in the second position,
only the upper edge portion of the light-blocking plate 67 protrudes above the recessed
part 68, while the remaining portion excluding the upper edge portion is accommodated
in the recessed part 68.
[0085] Fig. 7B illustrates the light-blocking plate 67 in the first position, and Fig. 7C
illustrates the light-blocking plate 67 in the second position. Note that the coil
springs 69 and 70 are omitted in Figs. 7B and 7C for simplicity. As illustrated in
Figs. 7B and 7C, the light-blocking plate 67 in the first position defines a first
portion P1 accommodated in the recessed part 68, and the light-blocking plate 67 in
the second position defines a second portion P2 accommodated in the recessed part
68. The volume of the first portion P1 of the light-blocking plate 67 is smaller than
the volume of the second portion P2.
[0086] The light-blocking plate 67 is in the first position when the coil springs 69 and
70 are at their natural lengths. Hence, the light-blocking plate 67 is in the first
position when no external force is being applied to the light-blocking plate 67.
[0087] When the coil springs 69 and 70 are compressed, the light-blocking plate 67 moves
from the first position toward the second position. That is, the light-blocking plate
67 moves downward. At this time, a restoring force acts on the coil springs 69 and
70 for returning the coil springs 69 and 70 to their natural lengths. Hence, the coil
springs 69 and 70 urge the light-blocking plate 67 toward the first position. In the
preferred embodiment, the second position is the position of the light-locking plate
67 when the coil springs 69 and 70 are in their most compressed state.
<Air Communication Port 96>
[0088] As illustrated in Fig. 4, a sub-front wall 95 extends upward from the rear edge of
the sub-top wall 91F provided on the front end of the top surface of the top wall
39. The sub-front wall 95 faces forward. An air communication port 96 is formed in
the sub-front wall 95. The air communication port 96 is provided above the vertical
center of the cartridge body 31. The air communication port 96 is a substantially
circular opening formed in the sub-front wall 95. The inner diameter of the air communication
port 96 is larger than the outer diameter of the rods j provided in the cartridge-attachment
section 110 (see Fig. 3).
[0089] As illustrated in Fig. 3, as the ink cartridge 30 is attached in the cartridge-attachment
section 110, the corresponding rod 125 is inserted through the air communication port
96, as illustrated in Fig. 3. The rod 125 inserted through the air communication port
96 moves a valve 97 for sealing the air communication port 96 rearward against the
urging force of the coil spring 98. When the valve 97 moves rearward away from the
air communication port 96, the first storage chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere.
Note that the member sealing the air communication port 96 is not restricted to the
valve 97. For example, the air communication port 96 may be closed with a seal that
can be peeled off the sub-front wall 95.
<Circuit Board 64>
[0090] As illustrated in Figs. 4-6, a circuit board 64 is provided on the top of the protruding
portion 83. The circuit board 64 is provided rearward relative to the light-blocking
plate 67 and forward relative to the retaining part (the protruding portion 43). That
is, the circuit board 64 is positioned at the top surface of the top wall 39 at a
position rearward relative to the light-blocking plate 67. Hence, the circuit board
64 is disposed between the light-blocking plate 67 and the retaining part in the front-rear
direction. The circuit board 64 is disposed frontward of the contact surface 84. The
circuit board 64 is arranged to face upward when the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright
posture. The circuit board 64 is a plate that extends in the left-right and front-rear
directions when the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright posture.
[0091] The circuit board 64 is disposed in a recessed space positioned on the front side
of the contact surface 84 that is recessed downward in the protruding portion 83.
The circuit board 64 is supported by the protruding portion 83 from below. While not
illustrated in detail in the drawings, the recessed space in the protruding portion
83 is filled with a photopolymer for bonding the circuit board 64 to the protruding
portion 83. Note that the circuit board 64 may be bonded to the protruding portion
83 using an adhesive rather than a photopolymer or may be attached in the protruding
portion 83 through a fitting process or method other than bonding.
[0092] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the circuit board 64 contacts and becomes electrically
connected to the contact 106 during the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30
into the cartridge-attachment section 110. This contact and electrical connection
with the contact 106 is maintained when the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached state
in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0093] As illustrated in Fig. 5, the circuit board 64 is formed by mounting a chip (not
illustrated in the drawings) and four electrodes 65 on a substrate made from a silicone
or glass epoxy, for example. Note that the circuit board 64 may also be a flexible
printed circuit board.
[0094] The chip is a semiconductor integrated circuit. Information related to the ink cartridge
30 can be stored on and read from the chip. The information related to the ink cartridge
30 is data specifying the lot number, manufactured date, ink colors used, and the
like.
[0095] Each electrode 65 is electrically connected to the chip. Each electrode 65 extends
along the front-rear direction. The electrodes 65 are juxtaposed in the left-right
direction on the 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.
[0096] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the circuit board 64 is positioned below a first virtual
line 165 depicted by a one-dot chain line in Fig. 7. The first virtual line 165 is
the highest of virtual lines extending in the left-right direction that pass through
both a protrusion (the protruding portion 43 or the operation portion 90) and the
light-blocking plate 67 in the first position. In the preferred embodiment, the first
virtual line 165 passes through the top side of the protruding portion 43 and a point
near the top of the light-blocking plate 67 in the first position. Naturally, the
position and direction of the first virtual line 165 can be modified based on the
positions and shapes of the retaining part and the light-blocking plate 67.
[0097] In other words, the protrusion and the light-blocking plate 67 defines a plurality
of imaginary planes each of which passes through the protrusion and the light blocking
plate 67. Each of the plurality of imaginary planes horizontally extending in the
left-right direction, and the plurality of imaginary planes include a specific imaginary
plane defined by the protrusion and the light-blocking plate 67. The specific imaginary
plane is positioned higher than any other imaginary plane between the protrusion and
the light blocking plate 67 in the upright posture. The circuit board 64 is positioned
downward relative to the specific imaginary plane in the gravitational direction in
the upright posture. Here, the first virtual line 165 can be defied as a cross section
of the specific imaginary plane taken along a vertical plane passing through the protrusion
and the light-blocking plate 67.
[0098] The circuit board 64 is positioned higher than a second virtual line 166 depicted
by a two-dot chain line in Fig. 7. The second virtual line 166 is the highest of the
virtual lines extending in the left-right direction that pass through both the retaining
part configured of the protruding portion 43 and the light-blocking plate 67 in the
second position. In the preferred embodiment, the second virtual line 166 passes through
the top of the protruding portion 43 and a point near the top of the light-blocking
plate 67 in the second position. Naturally, the position and direction of the second
virtual line 166 may be modified according to the positions and shapes of the retaining
part and the light-locking plate 67. Note that the circuit board 64 may be positioned
lower than the second virtual line 166.
[0099] If the cartridge body 31 were dropped onto a flat surface, landing on its top surface,
having the circuit board 64 positioned lower than the second virtual line 166 could
reduce the possibility of the flat surface directly contacting the circuit board 64,
even when the light-blocking plate 67 is in the second position, i.e., when the light-blocking
plate 67 is moved to its farthest position from the first position. Even when the
circuit board 64 is higher than the second virtual line 166, the light-blocking plate
67 can mitigate impacts from the fall on the circuit board 64, thereby reducing the
potential for damage to the circuit board 64.
<Internal Structure of Casing 31>
[0100] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the first storage chamber 32, second storage chamber 33,
ink valve chamber 35, and air valve chamber 36 are formed inside the cartridge body
31. The first storage chamber 32, second storage chamber 33, and air valve chamber
36 are examples of the interior space. The ink valve chamber 35 is an example of a
liquid passage. Each of the first storage chamber 32, second storage chamber 33, ink
valve chamber 35, and air valve chamber 36 can store ink. Also provided inside the
cartridge body 31 are a partition wall 44 for partitioning the first storage chamber
32 from the air valve chamber 36, and a lower wall 45 for partitioning the first storage
chamber 32 from the second storage chamber 33. The partition wall 44 and lower wall
45 extend in both the front-rear and left-right directions and oppose each other vertically.
[0101] The first storage chamber 32 is a space defined on the top by the bottom surface
of the partition wall 44, defined on the bottom by the top surface of the lower wall
45, and defined on the front, rear, right, and left by the inner surfaces of the front
wall 40, rear wall 41, and side walls 37 and 38, respectively. A through-hole 46 is
formed in the partition wall 44. The through-hole 46 provides communication between
the first storage chamber 32 and air valve chamber 36.
[0102] The second storage chamber 33 is positioned below the first storage chamber 32. The
volume of ink that the second storage chamber 33 can store is smaller than the volume
of ink that the first storage chamber 32 can store.
[0103] 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. A partition wall 50 is formed between the
second storage chamber 33 and the ink valve chamber 35. The partition wall 50 defines
the front portion of the second storage chamber 33. The second storage chamber 33
communicates with the first storage chamber 32 through a communication port 47 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.
[0104] As illustrated in Fig. 3, the valve 97 and coil spring 98 are accommodated in the
air valve chamber 36. The air valve chamber 36 communicates with the outside of the
ink cartridge 30 through the air communication port 96 formed in the sub-front wall
95. The valve 97 can move 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 spring constant of the coil spring 98 is smaller than the spring constant
of the coil spring 78 disposed in the ink supply portion 34.
[0105] The ink supply portion 34 has a cylindrical external shape. The ink supply portion
34 includes a cylinder 75 with an opening on the front end, and 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 interior space of the cylinder 75 constitutes
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. In other words, the
ink valve chamber 35 extends in the front direction (example of a first direction)
when the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright posture. The rear end of the ink valve
chamber 35 is in communication with the second storage chamber 33 through the through-hole
99. The front end of the cylinder 75 is open to the exterior of the ink cartridge
30. Hence, 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 front end of the cylinder 75. That is, the packing 76 is disposed
in the front end of the ink valve chamber 35.
[0106] The ink valve chamber 35 accommodates a valve 77, and the coil spring 78. By moving
along the front-rear direction, the valve 77 opens and closes the ink supply port
71 penetrating the center of the packing 76. The coil spring 78 urges the valve 77
forward. Therefore, when an external force is not applied to the valve 77, the valve
77 closes the ink supply port 71 in the packing 76.
[0107] The packing 76 is a disk-shaped member with a through-hole formed in the center thereof.
The packing 76 is formed of a resilient material such as a rubber or elastomer. When
the center of the packing 76 is penetrated in the front-rear direction, a tube-shaped
inner circumferential surface is formed therein. The ink supply port 71 is defined
by the tube-shaped inner circumferential surface. The inner diameter of the ink supply
port 71 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink needle 102. The ink
supply port 71 is in communication with the interior space of the cylinder 75 (the
ink valve chamber 35) and the exterior of the ink cartridge 30. Hence, the ink valve
chamber 35 is in communication with the second storage chamber 33 and the exterior
of the ink cartridge 30 through the ink supply port 71, which is open on the front
side.
[0108] 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 illustrated in Fig. 3. As the packing 76 resiliently deforms,
the outer circumferential surface of the ink needle 102 forms close contact with the
inner circumferential surface defining the ink supply port 71. 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 the urging force of the coil spring 78. As a result,
ink stored in the ink valve chamber 35 is able to flow into the interior space 102A
of the ink needle 102.
[0109] 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 a resilient resin or other sealing member that has no through-hole and must be
penetrated by the needle. In this case, the resiliency of the sealing member can reseal
the ink supply port 71 when the needle 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 cartridge body 31
that penetrates the front wall 40 in the front-rear direction. In this case, a portion
of the ink supply portion 34 may be configured of the front wall 40 in which the through-hole
is formed.
<Operation for Mounting Ink Cartridge 30 in Cartridge-Attachment Section 110>
[0110] Next, the operations for mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge-attachment
section 110 will be described.
[0111] Fig. 7 shows the ink cartridge 30 prior to being attached in the cartridge-attachment
section 110. As illustrated in Fig. 7, the valve 77 closes the ink supply port 71
formed in the packing 76. This closure interrupts the flow of ink from the ink valve
chamber 35 to the exterior of the ink cartridge 30. Further, while not illustrated
in the drawings, the valve 97 closes the air communication port 96. This prevents
the first storage chamber 32 from being open to the atmosphere.
[0112] The user inserts the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture into the case 101 (see
Fig. 2) through the opening 112 of the cartridge-attachment section 110. The upper
portion 41U of the rear wall 41 constituting the cartridge body 31 is positioned rearward
relative to the lower portion 41L (see Fig. 6). That is, the upper portion 41U is
positioned closer than the lower portion 41L to the user. Accordingly, the user pushes
against the upper portion 41U in a frontward direction to insert the ink cartridge
30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110. The lower portion of the ink cartridge
30 advances in the guide groove 109 formed in the bottom of the case 101 (see Fig.
2).
[0113] As the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101, the ink supply portion 34
advances into the guide portion 105, as illustrated in Fig. 8. The rod 125 also advances
through the air communication port 96. In addition, the light-blocking portion 67A
of the light-blocking plate 67 (see Fig. 7) becomes positioned between the light-emitting
portion and light-receiving portion of the optical sensor 113.
[0114] As the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 approaches the inner front surface of
the case 101, the ink needle 102 passes through the ink supply port 71 and enters
the ink valve chamber 35, forcing the valve 77 to separate from the packing 76 against
the urging force of the coil spring 78. This action also positions the ink supply
portion 34. At this time, ink stored in the ink valve chamber 35 can flow into the
interior space 102A of the ink needle 102. In addition, the rod 125 passing through
the air communication port 96 contacts the valve 97 and forces the valve 97 to separate
from the air communication port 96 against the urging force of the coil spring 98.
Through this operation, the first storage chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere through
the through-hole 46, air valve chamber 36, and air communication port 96.
[0115] In this state, the compressed coil springs 78 and 98 apply an urging force in the
rearward direction to the ink cartridge 30. 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 compressed from its natural length. The spring constant of
the coil spring 98 is smaller than the spring constant of the coil spring 78. Further,
the distance that the coil spring 78 is compressed (the distance that the valve 77
is separated from the ink supply port 71) is greater than the distance that the coil
spring 98 is compressed (the distance that the valve 97 is separated from the air
communication port 96). Consequently, 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.
[0116] When the protruding portion 43 arrives at the lock shaft 145, the inclined surface
155 slides against the lock shaft 145. As the user continues to push the upper portion
41U of the rear wall 41 forward, torque is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the
counterclockwise direction of Fig. 8. However, due to the contact between the inclined
surface 155 and lock shaft 145, the ink cartridge 30 rotates against this torque about
a center C of the ink supply port 71 in which the ink needle 102 is inserted. The
position of the center C in the ink cartridge 30 depends on the shape of the ink needle
102 and the shape of the ink supply port 71, but the center of the area in which the
ink needle 102 contacts the inner surface of the cylindrical ink supply portion 34
is the hypothetical center of rotation. In the preferred embodiment, the hypothetical
center of rotation is the center of the portion of the ink needle 102 that contacts
the inner circumferential surface of the packing 76 defining the ink supply port 71,
and the ink cartridge 30 rotates clockwise about this center of rotation. The orientation
of the ink cartridge 30 at this point (the orientation of the ink cartridge 30 illustrated
in Fig. 8) will be called the second posture.
[0117] Forming the bottom wall 42 of the cartridge body 31 as a sloped surface that slopes
relative to the front-rear direction provides space between the bottom wall 42 and
the inner bottom surface of the guide groove 109 constituting the case 101. The space
is needed for this rotation (clockwise rotation). Further, since the inner diameter
of the air communication port 96 is greater than the outer diameter of the rod 125,
there is space between the rod 125 and air communication port 96 to allow for this
rotation (clockwise rotation) without the rod 125 contacting the air communication
port 96 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the attached posture. Hence, the rod 125 and
air communication port 96 are not involved in the vertical positioning of the ink
cartridge 30.
[0118] When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101, the circuit board 64 becomes
positioned below the contact 106. Owing to the above clockwise rotation, a vertical
gap exists between the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 64 and the contact 106 when
the ink cartridge 30 is in the second posture. In other words, the electrodes 65 are
separated from the contact 106. Additionally, the contact surface 84 becomes positioned
beneath the positioning portion 107, but a vertical gap exists between the contact
surface 84 and the positioning portion 107 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second
posture. Hence, the contact surface 84 is separated from the positioning portion 107.
[0119] As the ink cartridge 30 is inserted frontward against the urging force of the coil
spring 78, the inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154 of the protruding portion
43 move closer to the inner front surface of the case 101 than the lock shaft 145.
With the ink cartridge 30 in the second posture, the locking surface 151 is positioned
beneath the lock shaft 145.
[0120] As the user continues to push forward on the upper portion 41U of the rear wall 41,
torque is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the counterclockwise direction in Fig.
8. Since the inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154 no longer contact the
lock shaft 145, the force applied by the user rotates the ink cartridge 30 against
the urging force of the coil spring 98 in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 8
about the center C of the ink supply port 71 in which the ink needle 102 is inserted.
As a result, the contact surface 84 contacts the positioning portion 107 from below
(see Fig. 3).
[0121] When the ink cartridge 30 is in the orientation illustrated in Fig. 3, the locking
surface 151 confronts the lock shaft 145 in the rearward direction. When the user
stops pushing the ink cartridge 30 forward, the urging force of the coil spring 78
moves the ink cartridge 30 rearward. However, since the locking surface 151 confronts
the lock shaft 145 in the rearward direction, the locking surface 151 contacts the
lock shaft 145 from the front side as the ink cartridge 30 moves rearward and restricts
further rearward movement of the ink cartridge 30. Further, the contact between the
contact surface 84 and the positioning portion 107 restricts the ink cartridge 30
from moving farther upward, i.e., from rotating farther counterclockwise about the
center C. As a result, the ink cartridge 30 is fully attached in the cartridge-attachment
section 110 and fixed in position. The orientation of the ink cartridge 30 at this
time (the orientation of the ink cartridge 30 illustrated in Fig. 3) is called the
first posture. This state is considered the attached state in which the ink cartridge
30 is in the attached posture.
[0122] As described above, the ink cartridge 30 can shift between the first posture and
second posture during the insertion operation of the ink cartridge 30 by rotating
about the center C.
[0123] In the attached state, the circuit board 64 is positioned rearward relative to the
ink needle 102. Further, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first posture in the
attached state, the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 64 contact the contact 106
from below. That is, the electrodes 65 resiliently deform the contact 106 upward,
forming an electrical connection with the same. Further, the locking surface 151 in
the first posture is in engagement with the lock shaft 145 to hold the liquid cartridge
30 in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0124] In the attached state, the light-blocking portion 67A of the light-blocking plate
67 is 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. That is, in the attached state, the light-blocking
portion 67A of the light-blocking plate 67 is positioned in the optical path of light
emitted from the light-emitting portion. Consequently, the optical sensor 113 outputs
a low level detection signal (the signal indicating that the light-blocking portion
67A of the light-blocking plate 67 is detected) to the controller 11 (see Fig. 1).
Hence, the light-blocking portion 67A of the light-blocking plate 67 is detected during
the attached state by blocking light emitted by the optical sensor 113. As described
earlier, the light-blocking portion 67A of the light-blocking plate 67 may also be
detected by attenuating light emitted from the optical sensor 113 during the attached
state.
[0125] When removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge-attachment section 110, the
user presses down on the operating surface 92. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the
first posture, the operating surface 92 faces diagonally upward and rearward. Therefore,
when the user operates the operating surface 92, a force in a direction diagonally
downward and forward is applied to the ink cartridge 30. This force rotates the ink
cartridge 30 clockwise in Fig. 3, thereby separating the contact surface 84 from the
positioning portion 107, as illustrated in Fig. 8. Further, the locking surface 151
moves to be positioned below the lock shaft 145. In other words, the ink cartridge
30 shifts from the first posture to the second posture. At this time, the urging force
of the coil spring 78 moves the ink cartridge 30 rearward relative to the cartridge-attachment
section 110 and the user can extract the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge-attachment
section 110.
<Detection of Ink Cartridge 30 Inserted in Cartridge-Attachment Section 110>
[0126] Next, the operations for detecting the ink cartridge 30 being inserted in the cartridge-attachment
section 110 will be described with reference to the flowcharts in Figs. 9 and 10.
[0127] As illustrated in Fig. 9, in S10 the controller 11 (see Fig. 1) determines whether
the circuit board 64 of the ink cartridge 30 is accessible. When the contact 106 contacts
the circuit board 64 so as to be electrically connected to the same, the controller
11 can access the circuit board 64. When the contact 106 does not contact the circuit
board 64, the controller 11 cannot access the circuit board 64.
[0128] 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 attached in the cartridge-attachment
section 110. In this case, the controller 11 notifies the user that an ink cartridge
30 is not attached by displaying a message on a display panel (not illustrated) provided
on the housing of the printer 10 and/or emitting a beep or other sound from a speaker
(not illustrated).
[0129] However, if the controller 11 can access the circuit board 64 (S10: YES), in S30
the controller 11 determines whether the signal outputted from the optical sensor
113 is high level or low level. When the light-blocking portion 67A of 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 portion 67A 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.
[0130] 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 attached in the cartridge-attachment section 110. In this case, the controller
11 notifies the user that an abnormal ink cartridge 30 is attached by displaying a
message on the display panel (not illustrated) provided on the housing of the printer
10 and/or plays a beep or other sound from the speaker (not illustrated).
[0131] 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
attached in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0132] In the flowchart of Fig. 9, the controller 11 determines whether an ink cartridge
30 is attached in the cartridge-attachment section 110 based on whether the circuit
board 64 is accessible and determines whether the ink cartridge 30 attached in the
cartridge-attachment section 110 is normal based on the level of signal outputted
from the optical sensor 113.
[0133] However, the controller 11 may be configured to determine whether an ink cartridge
30 is attached 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
attached in the cartridge-attachment section 110 is normal based on whether the circuit
board 64 is accessible. Steps in this modification will be described next with reference
to the flowchart in Fig. 10.
[0134] As illustrated in 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.
[0135] 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 attached 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 attached.
[0136] 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.
[0137] 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 attached 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 attached.
[0138] 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 attached in
the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[Technical Effect of Embodiment]
[0139] According to the preferred embodiment, if the light-blocking plate 67 incurs an impact
from an external source when the ink cartridge 30 is dropped with the top surface
of the top wall 39 facing downward, the light-blocking plate 67 moves from the first
position to the second position against the urging forces of the coil springs 69 and
70, thereby absorbing the impact. Thus, this configuration can reduce the potential
for damage to the light-blocking plate 67.
[0140] While an external force is not applied to the light-blocking plate 67, the light-blocking
plate 67 remains in the first position by the urging forces of the coil springs 69
and 70. At this time, the top edge of the light-blocking portion 67A on the light-blocking
plate 67 in the first position is positioned above the top edge of the light-blocking
portion 67A when the light-blocking plate 67 is in the second position. Hence, as
long as an external force is not applied to the light-blocking plate 67, the light-blocking
portion 67A can be placed in a position for easily receiving light radiated from an
external unit.
[0141] During the course of the ink cartridge 30 being inserted frontward into the cartridge-attachment
section 110, if the cartridge-attachment section 110 comes into contact with a first
inclined surface 72 from the front side, the light-blocking plate 67 can be moved
from the first position to the second position by the cartridge-attachment section
110 being guided over the first inclined surface 72. In this way, the ink cartridge
30 can be attached in the cartridge-attachment section 110 even when the light-blocking
plate 67 contacts the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0142] Similarly, if the cartridge-attachment section 110 contacts the second inclined surface
73 from the rear side as the ink cartridge 30 is being extracted rearward from the
cartridge-attachment section 110, the light-blocking plate 67 can be moved from the
first position to the second position by the cartridge-attachment section 110 being
guided along the second inclined surface 73. Accordingly, the ink cartridge 30 can
be removed from the cartridge-attachment section 110 even when the light-blocking
plate 67 contacts the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0143] Thus, when the cartridge-attachment section 110 contacts the light-blocking plate
67 from either the front side or the rear side in the preferred embodiment, the cartridge-attachment
section 110 is guided over a curved surface of the light-blocking plate 67, thereby
easily moving the light-blocking plate 67 from the first position to the second position.
[0144] In the preferred embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 is supported by two resilient
bodies, and specifically the coil springs 69 and 70. This configuration can stabilize
the orientation of the light-blocking plate 67.
[0145] Since the coil springs 69 and 70 are disposed in the recessed part 68 in the preferred
embodiment, the likelihood of damage to the coil springs 69 and 70 by external impacts
can be reduced. Further, since at least a portion of the light-blocking plate 67 is
accommodated in the recessed part 68 it is possible to minimize the amount that the
top surface of the light-blocking plate 67 protrudes from the recessed part 68.
[0146] In the preferred embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 is positioned lower than
the circuit board 64. This arrangement reduces the possibility of the contact 106
provided on the cartridge-attachment section 110 coming into contact with the light-blocking
plate 67 as the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment section
110.
[0147] In the preferred embodiment, the circuit board 64 is positioned lower than the first
virtual line 165. Accordingly, if the ink cartridge 30 is dropped with the top surface
of the top wall 39 facing downward, the ground or the like will most likely impact
the light-blocking plate 67 before the circuit board 64. This arrangement can reduce
the force of impact on the circuit board 64 since the circuit board 64 does not hit
the ground or the like until after the light-blocking plate 67 hits the ground or
the like and moves from the first position to the second position.
[Variations and Modifications]
[0148] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the first coil spring 69 is attached to the bottom portion
67C at a position frontward of the front-rear center of the light-blocking plate 67
and the second coil spring 70 is attached to the bottom portion 67C at a position
rearward of the front-rear center of the light-blocking plate 67 in the preferred
embodiment. However, the attached postures of the coil springs 69 and 70 are not limited
to the positions illustrated in Fig. 7. For example, both the coil springs 69 and
70 may be disposed in the front-rear center of the light-blocking plate 67 and juxtaposed
with each other in the left-right direction.
[0149] In the preferred embodiment, the coil springs 69 and 70 urge the light-blocking plate
67 toward the first position. However, the configuration for urging the light-blocking
plate 67 toward the first position is not limited to the coil springs 69 and 70.
[0150] For example, a single coil spring may be provided to urge the light-blocking plate
67 toward the first position, or three or more coil springs may be provided to urge
the light-blocking plate 67 toward the first position.
[0151] Alternatively, the light-blocking plate 67 may be urged toward the first position
by a member other than a coil spring, such as a flat spring or a rubber material.
[0152] In the preferred embodiment, the top surface of the light-blocking plate 67 is curved
so that its top is convex when viewed in the left-right direction (see Fig. 7). However,
the top surface of the light-blocking plate 67 need not be curved. In a first modification
illustrated in Fig. 11, the top surface of the light-blocking plate 67 is configured
of a first inclined surface 72 facing diagonally upward and frontward, a flat surface
74 extending rearward from the rear end of the first inclined surface 72, and a second
inclined surface 73 facing diagonally upward and rearward and extending from the rear
end of the flat surface 74. With the structure illustrated in Fig. 11, the upper surface
67D of the light-blocking plate 67 (top edge of the light-blocking portion 67A) is
at the vertical position of the flat surface 74. That is, the upper surface 67D of
the light-locking plate 67 is a point in the preferred embodiment when viewed in the
left-right direction, but is a line in the structure of Fig. 11 when viewed in the
left-right direction.
[0153] In the preferred embodiment, the first portion P1 of the light-blocking plate 67
(the bottom portion) is accommodated in the recessed part 68 when the light-blocking
plate 67 is in the first position. However, the entire light-blocking plate 67 may
be positioned above the recessed part 68 when the light-blocking plate 67 is in the
first position. In other words, the light-blocking plate 67 need not be accommodated
in the recessed part 68 when the light-blocking plate 67 is in the first position.
Note that when the entire light-blocking plate 67 is positioned above the recessed
part 68, portions of the urging members (the coil springs 69 and 70, for example)
may be positioned above the recessed part 68.
[0154] In the preferred embodiment, a portion of the light-blocking plate 67 (the upper
portion) protrudes above the recessed part 68 when the light-blocking plate 67 is
in the second position. However, the light-blocking plate 67 need not protrude above
the recessed part 68 when the light-blocking plate 67 is in the second position. In
other words, the entire light-blocking plate 67 may be accommodated in the recessed
part 68 when the light-blocking plate 67 is in the second position. That is, at least
a portion of the light-blocking plate 67 should be accommodated in the recessed part
68 when the light-blocking plate 67 is in the second position.
[0155] Further, the recessed part 68 formed in the cartridge body 31 in the preferred embodiment
may be omitted. As illustrated in Fig. 12, the light-blocking plate 67 may be supported
on the top surface of the top wall 39 by urging members (the coil springs 69 and 70,
for example) in a second modification. In the second modification, the light-blocking
portion 67A of the light-blocking plate 67 in the first position, as depicted by a
solid line in Fig. 12, is positioned between the light-emitting portion and light-receiving
portion of the optical sensor 113. The light-blocking portion 67A of the light-blocking
plate 67 in the second position, as depicted by a dashed line in Fig. 12, is positioned
lower than the optical sensor 113. In the structure of Fig. 12, the upper surface
67D of the light-blocking plate 67 (the top edge of the light-blocking portion 67A)
is at the center of the top surface in the front-rear direction of the light-blocking
plate 67 (the upwardly convex curved surface).
[0156] In the preferred embodiment, the first position and second position of the light-blocking
plate 67 are aligned vertically, and the light-blocking plate 67 can move in the vertical
direction. However, the positional relationship of the first position and second position
is not limited to a vertical alignment and the direction in which the light-blocking
plate 67 moves is not limited to the vertical direction.
[0157] For example, the first position may be diagonally above and frontward of the second
position, and the light-blocking plate 67 may be capable of moving in a sloped direction
to the vertical.
[0158] Alternatively, the light-blocking plate 67 may be configured to pivot, as illustrated
in Fig. 13. Next, a third modification illustrated in Fig. 13 will be described. The
light-blocking plate 67 in the third modification of Fig. 13 is provided with the
light-blocking portion 67A, and a pair of protrusions 67E. The protrusions 67E protrude
outward in the left and right directions from the corresponding left surface and right
surface of the light-blocking plate 67. The protrusions 67E are inserted into holes
66A formed in a pair of side surfaces 66 defining the respective right and left portions
of the recessed part 68. With this configuration, the light-blocking plate 67 is supported
by the side surfaces 66 so as to be rotatable about the protrusions 67E. The light-blocking
plate 67 can pivot between a first position depicted by a solid line in Fig. 13, and
second positions depicted by both a dashed line and a two-dot chain line in Fig. 13.
When an external force is not applied to the light-blocking plate 67, the light-blocking
plate 67 remains in the first position. When a rearward force is applied to the light-blocking
plate 67, the light-blocking plate 67 pivots in the direction indicated by arrow 57
from the first position to the second position depicted by the two-dot chain line
in Fig. 13. When a forward force is applied to the light-blocking plate 67, the light-blocking
plate 67 pivots in the direction indicated by arrow 58 from the first position to
the second position depicted by a dashed line in Fig. 13. The light-blocking plate
67 is urged toward the first position from both the second position depicted by a
dashed line and the second position depicted by a two-dot chain line according to
well-known means employing a torsion coil spring or the like. Accordingly, the light-blocking
plate 67 pivots from the second position back to the first position when the applied
force is removed. In the structure of Fig. 13, the upper surface 67D of the light-blocking
plate 67 (the top edge of the light-blocking portion 67A) is the distal end face of
the light-blocking plate 67. Thus, while the upper surface 67D of the light-blocking
plate 67 in the preferred embodiment is a point when viewed in the left-right direction,
the upper surface 67D of the light-blocking plate 67 in the structure of Fig. 13 is
a line when viewed in the left-right direction.
[0159] In the structure illustrated in Fig. 13, the light-blocking plate 67 is not provided
with the first and second sloped surfaces 72 and 73. Hence, the light-blocking plate
67 need not be provided with a first surface and second surface.
[0160] The ink cartridge 30 is not limited to the structure illustrated in Figs. 4-6. For
example, the ink cartridge 30 may have a configuration such as a fourth modification
illustrated in Fig. 14. As illustrated in Fig. 14, the exterior of the cartridge body
31 constituting the ink cartridge 30 has a general rectangular parallelepiped shape.
The cartridge body 31 includes a front surface 131, a rear surface 132, a top surface
133, a bottom surface 134, a right surface 135, and a left surface 136. Provided inside
the ink cartridge 30 are an interior space 32 that stores ink, and an ink valve chamber
35 that extends in the front-rear direction and that communicates with the interior
space 32 through the ink supply port 71 formed in the front surface 131 and the exterior
of the ink cartridge 30. The ink cartridge 30 does not include the protruding portion
83, retaining unit (protruding portion 43), operation portion 90, and the like provided
in the preferred embodiment.
[0161] The ink cartridge 30 illustrated in Fig. 14 is provided with the recessed part 68
that is recessed downward from the top surface 133. The light-blocking plate 67, first
coil spring 69, and second coil spring 70 are disposed in the recessed part 68. With
the configuration of Fig. 14, the upper surface 67D of the light-blocking plate 67
(the top edge of the light-blocking portion 67A) is the vertical center of the top
surface of the light-blocking plate 67 (the upwardly convex curved surface).
[0162] The ink cartridge 30 illustrated in Fig. 14 includes the circuit board 64 disposed
on the top surface 133. The circuit board 64 is positioned rearward from the light-blocking
plate 67.
[0163] The ink cartridge 30 illustrated in Fig. 14 does not include the retaining part.
However, when the ink cartridge 30 illustrated in Fig. 14 is in the attached state
in the cartridge-attachment section 110, the ink cartridge 30 can be retained in this
attached state by sliding resistance generated between the ink needle 102 (see Fig.
2) inserted into the ink supply port 71 and the inner circumferential surface of the
packing 76 (not illustrated in Fig. 14). In addition, the outer surface of the cartridge
body 31, such as the top surface 133 and bottom surface 134 can be made to contact
the cartridge-attachment section 110 to generate additional sliding friction for retaining
the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0164] Hence, the configuration for retaining the ink cartridge 30 in its attached state
in the cartridge-attachment section 110 is not limited to a configuration involving
the locking surface 151 and rotation of the ink cartridge 30 between the first posture
and second posture.
[0165] The ink cartridge 30 having the structure illustrated in Fig. 14 is also not provided
with the coil springs 78 and 98. Therefore, the ink cartridge 30 can be inserted into
the cartridge-attachment section 110 without opposing a rearward urging force.
[0166] The positional relationships of components in the ink cartridge 30 and cartridge-attachment
section 110 are also not limited to those described in the preferred embodiment. For
example, the light-blocking plate 67 may be positioned above the circuit board 64.
Further, the circuit board 64 may be positioned above the first virtual line 165.
[0167] In the preferred embodiment, ink is described as an example of liquid, but the liquid
cartridge may store a liquid other than ink, such as a pretreatment liquid that is
ejected onto the sheets or the like prior to ink during a printing operation, or water
for cleaning the recording head 21.
[0168] In the preferred embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 is supported by the first
and second resilient members 69 and 70. Alternatively, the light-blocking plate 67
may be supported by a single resilient member.