[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid consuming apparatus, to a method of inserting
a liquid cartridge into a cartridge mounting portion of a liquid consuming apparatus,
and to a use of the liquid cartridge.
Description of Related Art
[0002] A known ink-jet recording apparatus is configured to record an image on a medium
by ejecting ink stored in an ink cartridge from nozzles onto the medium. When ink
is used up, the ink cartridge is replaced.
[0003] A known apparatus, as described in
U.S. Patent US 5,949,459, which discloses a liquid consuming apparatus including a liquid cartridge according
to the preamble of claim 1, has a container receiving station configured to receive
an ink container, and the container receiving station has latching features. The ink
container has the corresponding latching features. When the ink container is inserted
into the container receiving station, the latching features of the ink container engage
the corresponding latching features of the container receiving portion, and thereby
the ink container is locked in the container receiving station against urging forces
of springs.
[0004] In the known apparatus, when the ink container is removed from the container receiving
station, the ink container needs to pivot from an attitude in which the latching features
of the ink container engage the corresponding latching features of the container receiving
portion to an attitude in which the latching features of the ink container do not
engage the corresponding latching features of the container receiving portion, so
that the ink container is moved toward the outside of the container receiving station
by the urging force of springs. Therefore, it is desirable that the ink container
can pivot smoothly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Therefore, a need has arisen for a liquid cartridge which overcomes these and other
shortcomings of the related art. A technical advantage of the present invention is
that a liquid cartridge may pivot smoothly and readily be released.
[0006] According to an aspect of the present invention, a liquid consuming apparatus according
to claim 1 is claimed.
[0007] With this configuration, when the liquid cartridge pivots from the first attitude
to the second attitude, the second portion moves in the downward direction more than
the first portion because the second portion is positioned more remote from the pivot
center than the first portion is. Nevertheless, because the second portion is positioned
further in the upward direction than the first portion when the liquid cartridge is
in the first attitude, a likelihood is reduced that the second portion contacts the
liquid consuming apparatus and the downward movement of the second portion is hindered
by the contact. The liquid cartridge can readily be released.
[0008] Optionally, when the liquid cartridge is in the first attitude, a gap is formed between
the first portion and the liquid consuming apparatus and between the second portion
and the liquid consuming apparatus.
[0009] With this configuration, when the liquid cartridge pivots from the first attitude
to the second attitude, a likelihood is further reduced that the second portion contacts
the liquid consuming apparatus and the downward movement of the second portion is
hindered by the contact.
[0010] Optionally, when the liquid cartridge is in the first attitude, the first portion
extends in the second direction, and the second portion extends in the second direction
and the upward direction.
[0011] When the liquid cartridge pivots from the first attitude to the second attitude,
the first portion moves in the downward direction less than the second portion because
the first portion is positioned closer to the pivot center than the second portion
is. Therefore, a likelihood is reduced that the first portion contacts the liquid
consuming apparatus and the downward movement of the first portion is hindered by
the contact, although the first portion extends in the second direction. On the other
hand, because the first portion extends in the second direction, there is a large
distance between the upper face and the first portion. Therefore, the capacity of
the liquid chamber can be made larger.
[0012] Optionally, the liquid cartridge further comprises: a main body comprising the liquid
chamber, the liquid supply portion, the lock surface, and the second portion; and
a cover comprising a first portion, and covering a portion of the main body.
[0013] With this configuration, because the first portion of the cover extends in the second
direction, it may be easy to injection-mold the cover out of synthetic resin.
[0014] Optionally, the second portion comprises a plane.
[0015] Optionally, the second portion and a virtual plane forms a first angle therebetween,
which virtual plane extends from the first portion in the second direction, and the
liquid cartridge pivots between the first attitude and the second attitude by a second
angle, wherein the first angle is greater than the second angle.
[0016] With this configuration, when the liquid cartridge pivots from the first attitude
to the second attitude, a likelihood is further reduced that the second portion contacts
the liquid consuming apparatus and the downward movement of the second portion is
hindered by the contact.
[0017] Optionally, the liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into a case of the
liquid consuming apparatus, and the lock surface is configured to contact the lock
portion which does not move relative to the case.
[0018] With this configuration, the liquid cartridge pivots to be locked by the lock portion
which does not move relative to the case.
[0019] Optionally, the liquid cartridge further comprises an operation surface positioned
at the upper face, wherein the upper face comprises a sub upper face positioned further
in the downward direction than the operation surface when the liquid cartridge is
in the first attitude, the operation surface and the sub upper face at least partly
overlap in the downward direction, and a space is formed between the operation surface
and the sub upper face in the downward direction.
[0020] With this configuration, the operation surface becomes recognizable to a user.
[0021] Optionally, the operation surface is viewable when the liquid cartridge is viewed
in the downward direction, and the operation surface is viewable when the liquid cartridge
is viewed in the first direction.
[0022] With this configuration, when a user operates the operation surface to release the
liquid cartridge from the first attitude, the user's force is directed toward the
first direction and the downward direction. Due to the force directed toward the first
direction, the lock surface separates from the lock portion. Due to the force directed
toward the downward direction, the liquid cartridge pivots from the first attitude
to the second attitude. Therefore, compared to a situation in which the liquid cartridge
pivots from the first attitude to the second attitude while the lock surface slides
on the lock portion, the force needed to be applied to the operation surface to cause
the liquid cartridge to pivot from the first attitude to the second attitude becomes
smaller, and the user can readily release the liquid cartridge.
[0023] Optionally, at least a portion of the operation surface protrudes further than the
lock surface in the upward direction.
[0024] With this configuration, even when the liquid cartridge falls with the upper face
facing downward, the lock surface may be protected by the at least a portion of the
operation surface and may not be damaged.
[0025] Optionally, the operation surface comprises a plurality of elongated protrusions
thereon.
[0026] With this configuration, the operation surface becomes recognizable to a user, and
the operation surface becomes nonskid when the user operates the operation surface
with his/her finger.
[0027] Optionally, the liquid consuming apparatus comprises; the afore-mentioned liquid
cartridge; and a cartridge mounting portion, wherein the liquid cartridge is configured
to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in the first direction against
the urging force directed in the second direction, and thereby to be mounted to the
cartridge mounting portion, and the cartridge mounting portion comprises: the liquid
supply tube configured to be inserted into the liquid supply portion; and the lock
portion configured to contact the lock surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, needs satisfied thereby,
and the objects, features, and advantages thereof, reference now is made to the following
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional view of a printer comprising a cartridge mounting
portion and an ink cartridge, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a front view of the cartridge mounting portion.
Fig. 3A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, viewed from front and above.
Fig. 3B is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, viewed from front and below.
Fig. 4A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, viewed from behind and above.
Fig. 4B is a perspective view of the ink cartridge, viewed from behind and below.
Fig. 5 is a side view of the ink cartridge.
Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge, showing the inside of the
ink cartridge.
Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting
portion, in which the ink cartridge has started to be inserted into the cartridge
mounting portion.
Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting
portion, in which a second protrusion contacts a slider.
Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting
portion, in which an ink supply portion has started to enter a guide portion, and
a rod has started to enter a recess of a front cover.
Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting
portion, in which an ink supply tube is inserted through an ink supply opening of
the ink supply portion.
Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge and the cartridge mounting
portion, in which the ink cartridge is locked in the cartridge mounting portion.
Fig. 12 is a side view of the ink cartridge in the second attitude, in which a force is applied
to an upper portion of a rear face.
Fig. 13 is a side view of the ink cartridge in the second attitude, in which a force is applied
to a lower portion of a rear face.
Fig. 14 is a side view of the ink cartridge in the first attitude, in which a virtual circle
is shown.
Fig. 15A is a plane view of the ink cartridge viewed in a downward direction.
Fig. 15B is a rear view of the ink cartridge viewed in a forward direction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0029] Embodiments of the present invention, and their features and advantages, may be understood
by referring to
Figs. 1-15B, like numerals being used for like corresponding parts in the various drawings.
[0030] In the following embodiments, an ink cartridge 30 is inserted into a cartridge mounting
portion 110 in an insertion direction 51, as an example of a first direction, and
the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 in a removal
direction 52, as an example of a second direction, which is oppose to the insertion
direction 51. In the following embodiments, the insertion direction 51 is a horizontal
direction, and the removal direction 52 is also a horizontal direction. Nevertheless,
in another embodiment, the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 may
not be a horizontal direction. In the following embodiments, a downward direction
53 is the gravitational direction, and an upward direction 54 is a direction opposite
to the gravitational direction. Moreover, a right direction 55 is perpendicular to
the insertion direction 51 and the downward direction 53, and a left direction 56
is opposite to the right direction 55 and perpendicular to the insertion direction
51 and the downward direction 53. More specifically, the right direction 55 extends
rightward and the left direction 56 extends leftward when the ink cartridge 30 is
viewed in the removal direction 52 when the ink cartridge 30 is in a mounted attitude,
as an example of a first attitude. The mounted attitude is an attitude that the ink
cartridge 30 takes when the ink cartridge 30 has been inserted into the cartridge
mounting portion 110 up to a mounted position and is locked in the cartridge mounting
portion 110. Furthermore, the insertion direction 51 is also called a forward direction
57, and the removal direction 52 is also called a rearward direction 58.
[Printer 10]
[0031] Referring to
Fig. 1, a liquid consuming apparatus, e.g., a printer 10 is an inkjet printer configured
to record an image on a sheet of recording paper by ejecting ink droplets selectively
on the sheet of recording paper. The printer 10 comprises a liquid consuming portion,
e.g., a recording head 21, an ink supply device 100, and an ink tube 20 connecting
the recording head 21 and the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 comprises
the cartridge mounting portion 110. The cartridge mounting portion 110 is configured
to allow a liquid cartridge, e.g., the ink cartridge 30 to be mounted therein. The
cartridge mounting portion 110 has an opening 112 and the interior of the cartridge
mounting portion 110 is exposed to the exterior of the cartridge mounting portion
110 via opening 112. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into the cartridge
mounting portion 110 via the opening 112 in the insertion direction 51, and to be
removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 via the opening 112 in the removal
direction 52.
[0032] The ink cartridge 30 is configured to store ink, as an example of liquid, which is
used by the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 and the recording head 21 are fluidically
connected via the ink tube 20 when mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge
mounting portion 110 has been completed. The recording head 21 comprises a sub tank
28. The sub tank 28 is configured to temporarily store ink supplied via the ink tube
20 from the ink cartridge 30. The recording head 21 comprises nozzles 29 and is configured
to selectively eject ink supplied from the sub tank 28 through the nozzles 29. More
specifically, the recording head 21 comprises a head control board (not shown) and
piezoelectric actuators 29A corresponding to the nozzles 29, and the head control
board is configured to selectively apply driving voltage to the piezoelectric actuators
29A. As such, ink is ejected from the nozzles 29.
[0033] The printer 10 comprises a paper feed tray 15, a paper feed roller 23, a conveying
roller pair 25, a platen 26, a discharge roller pair 27, and a discharge tray 16.
A conveying path 24 is formed from the paper feed tray 15 up to the discharge tray
16 via the conveying roller pair 25, the platen 26, and the discharge roller pair
27. The paper feed roller 23 is configured to feed a sheet of recording paper from
the paper feed tray 15 to the conveying path 24. The conveying roller pair 25 is configured
to convey the sheet of recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 onto the platen
26. The recording head 21 is configured to selectively eject ink onto the sheet of
recording paper passing over the platen 26. Accordingly, an image is recorded on the
sheet of recording paper. The sheet of recording paper having passed over the platen
26 is discharged by the discharge roller pair 27 to the paper discharge tray 16 disposed
at the most downstream side of the conveying path 24.
[Ink supply device 100]
[0034] Referring to
Fig. 1, the printer 10 comprises the ink supply device 100. The ink supply device 100 is
configured to supply ink to the recording head 21. The ink supply device 100 comprises
the cartridge mounting portion 110 to which the ink cartridge 30 is mountable. In
Fig. 1, mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 has been
completed, in other words, the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted attitude (first
attitude).
[Cartridge mounting portion 110]
[0035] Referring to
Figs. 2 and 7, the cartridge mounting portion 110 is configured to receive four ink cartridges
30 storing cyan, magenta, yellow, and black inks, respectively. The cartridge mounting
portion 110 comprises a case 101, and four ink supply tubes 102, four sensors 103,
four sets of four contacts 106, four sliders 107, and four rods 125, corresponding
to the four ink cartridges 30, respectively. The cartridge mounting portion 110 also
comprises a lock portion 145. One common lock portion 145 is used for the four ink
cartridges 30. The number of the ink cartridges 30 is not limited to four. For instance,
in another embodiment, the cartridge mounting portion 110 may be configured to receive
only one ink cartridge 30, six ink cartridges 30, or eight ink cartridges 30.
[Case 101]
[0036] The case 101 has a box shape and forms the outer shape of the cartridge mounting
portion 110. The case 101 has an inner space formed therein. The case 101 comprises
an upper portion defining the upper end of the inner space, a lower portion defining
the lower end of the inner space, and an end surface connected to the upper portion
and the lower portion. The case 101 has the opening 112 formed opposite from the end
surface in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The opening 112
can be exposed to the outside of the printer 10 through a user-interface surface of
the printer 10. The user-interface surface is a surface that a user faces and touches
when the user uses the printer 10. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted
into and removed from the case 101 through the opening 112. Each of the upper portion
and the lower portion of the case 101 has a guide groove 109 formed therein, and the
guide groove 109 extends in the insertion direction 51 from the opening 112. When
the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the case 101, an upper end
portion of the ink cartridge 30 is in the guide groove 109 of the upper portion of
the case 101, and a lower end portion of the ink cartridge 30 is in the guide groove
109 of the lower portion of the case 101, such that the movement of the ink cartridge
30 is guided in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. The case
101 comprises three plates 104 extending in the upward direction 54 and the downward
direction 53, and the three plates 104 divide the inner space of the case 101 into
four vertically-elongated spaces. Each of the four spaces receives the corresponding
one of the ink cartridges 30.
[Ink supply tube 102]
[0037] Referring to
Figs. 1 , 2 and 7, the ink supply tube 102 is made of synthetic resin and positioned at a lower portion
of the end surface of the case 101 at a position corresponding to an ink supply portion
34 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink
supply tube 102 extends from the end surface of the case 101 in the removal direction
52.
[0038] A cylindrical guide portion 105 is provided to surround the ink supply tube 102.
The guide portion 105 extends from the end surface of the case 101 in the removal
direction 52, and has an inner space which is open at the distal end of the guide
portion 105. The ink supply tube 102 is positioned at the center of the inner space
of the guide portion 105. The guide portion 105 has such a shape that it can receive
the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 in the inner space of the guide
portion 105.
[0039] Referring to
Fig. 10, during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion
110 in the insertion direction 51, i.e., while the ink cartridge 30 moves toward the
mounted position, the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 enters the inner
space of the guide portion 105. When the ink cartridge is further inserted into the
cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion direction 51, the ink supply tube
102 is inserted through an ink supply opening 71 formed in the ink supply portion
34. When this occurs, a valve 77 provided in the ink supply portion 34 moves to open
the ink supply opening 71. As a result, the ink supply tube 102 and the ink supply
portion 34 are connected to each other. Ink stored in an ink chamber 36 of the ink
cartridge 30 flows into ink tube 20 connected to the ink supply tube 102 via an inner
space of a cylindrical wall 73 of the ink supply portion 34 and an inner space of
the ink supply tube 102. The ink supply tube 102 may have a flat end surface or pointed
end.
[Slider 107]
[0040] Referring to
Figs. 7 to 11, the lower portion of the case 101 comprises a groove bottom wall defining the bottom
end of the guide groove 109. The groove bottom wall has an opening 111 formed therethrough
in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53 at a positon adjacent to
the end surface of the case 101, and the opening 111 extends in the insertion direction
51 and the removal direction 52. The slider 107 is positioned in the opening 111.
The slider 107 extends from a space below the groove bottom wall to a space above
the groove bottom wall through the opening 111. The case 101 comprises a guide rail
113 extending in the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52, and the
slider 107 is configured to slide on the guide rail 113 in the insertion direction
51 and the removal direction 52 in the opening 111. A pulling spring 114 is connected
to the case 101 at one end and to the slider 107 at the other end. The pulling spring
114 pulls the slider 107 in the removal direction 52. Therefore, when an external
force is not applied to the slider 107, the slider 107 is positioned at the end of
the guide rail 113 in the removal direction 52. When an external force is applied
to the slider 107 in the insertion direction 51, the slider 107 moves from the end
of the guide rail 113 in the insertion direction 51 along the guide rail 113 in the
opening 111.
[0041] Referring to
Fig. 8, during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion
110 in the insertion direction 51, i.e., while the ink cartridge 30 moves toward the
mounted position, a second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 moves in the guide
groove 109 in the insertion direction 51 and contact the slider 107. When the ink
cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the insertion
direction 51, the second protrusion 86 pushes the slider 107 in the insertion direction
51, and the slider 107 moves in the insertion direction 51 against an urging force
of the pulling spring 114. The second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 receives
the urging force in the second direction 52 from the slider 107. The slider 107 and
the pulling spring 114 are an example of an urging member.
[Lock portion 145]
[0042] Referring to
Figs. 2 and 7, the lock portion 145 is positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the case 101
and the opening 112. The lock portion 145 has an elongated shape extends in the left
direction 56 and the right direction 55 in the case 101. For instance, the lock portion
145 is a metal circular cylinder. The lock portion 145 has a left end in the left
direction 56 and a right end in the right direction 55, and the case 101 has a left
end wall defining the end of the inner space of the case 101 in the left direction
56 and a right end wall defining the end of the inner space of the case 101 in the
right direction 55. The left end of the lock portion 145 is fixed at the left end
wall of the case 101, and the right end of the lock portion 145 is fixed at the right
end wall of the case 101. The lock portion 145 does not move relative to the case
101, e.g., does not pivot relative to the case 101. The lock portion 145 extends over
the four spaces into which the four cartridges 30 are mountable, respectively. A space
is formed around the lock portion 145 in each of the four spaces. Therefore, the lock
portion 145 is accessible in the upward direction 54 and in the removal direction
52.
[0043] The lock portion 145 is used for locking the ink cartridge 30 in the mounted position
when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110. When the
ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 and pivots to
the mounted attitude as an example of the first attitude, the ink cartridge 30 contacts
the lock portion 145 in the removal direction 52, and the lock portion 145 locks or
retains the ink cartridge 30 against the urging force from the slider 107, which urging
force urges the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52, and against an urging
force of a coil spring 78 of the ink cartridge 30, which urging force also urges the
ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52.
[Contacts 106]
[0044] Referring to
Figs. 2 and 7, the four contacts 106 are positioned adjacent to the upper portion of the case 101
and the end surface of the case 101. Although not shown in the drawings, the four
contacts 106 are aligned with and spaced apart from each other in the left direction
56 and the right direction 55. The arrangement of the four contacts 106 corresponds
to the arrangement of four electrodes 65 of the ink cartridge 30. Each contact 106
is made of a material having electric conductivity and elasticity and can be elastically
deformed in the upward direction 54. The four sets of four contacts 106 are provided,
corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30, respectively. The number of contacts
106 in one set is not limited to four, but may be two, three or more than four, and
the number of electrodes 65 of one ink cartridge 30 is not limited to four, but may
be two, three or more than four.
[0045] Each contact 106 is electrically connected to an arithmetic unit (not shown) of the
printer 10 via an electric circuit. The arithmetic unit may comprise a CPU, a ROM,
and a RAM, and may be used as a controller for controlling the operations of the printer
10. When the contacts 106 and the corresponding electrodes 65 contact, voltage may
be applied to one of the electrodes 65 from the printer 10, or one of the electrode
65 may be grounded. When the contacts 106 and the corresponding electrodes 65 contact,
data stored in an IC of the ink cartridge 30 becomes accessible from the printer 10,
and the data can be transmitted to the arithmetic unit via the electric circuit of
the printer 10.
[Rod 125]
[0046] Referring to
Figs. 2 and 7, the rod 125 is positioned at the end surface of the case 101 above the ink supply
tube 102. The rod 125 extends from the end surface in the removal direction 52. The
rod 125 has a cross-sectional shape taken along a plane perpendicular to the removal
direction 52, and the cross-sectional shape of the rod 125 is substantially an inversed
U-shape, like an upper half of a circle. The rod 125 has a rib extending from the
uppermost part of the U-shaped portion, and the rib extends in the removal direction
52. The rod 125 is inserted into a recess 96 formed in the ink cartridge 30 when the
ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, i.e., when the
ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position.
[Sensor 103]
[0047] Referring to
Figs. 2 and 7, the sensor 103 is positioned at the upper portion of the case 101. The sensor 103
comprises a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion. The light receiving
portion is spaced apart from the light emitting portion in the right direction 55
or the left direction 56. The light emitting portion and the light receiving portion
faces each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. When the mounting
of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, a detection
portion 62 of the ink cartridge 30 is positioned between the light emitting portion
and the light receiving portion.
[0048] The light emitting portion of the sensor 103 is configured to emit light, e.g., visible
or infrared light. The sensor 103 is configured to output different signals based
on whether or not the light receiving portion receives the light emitted from the
light emitting portion. If the light receiving portion does not receive the light
emitted from the light emitting portion, i.e., if the intensity of light received
by the light receiving portion is less than a threshold value, the sensor 103 outputs
a Low-level signal, i.e., a signal whose level is less than a threshold level. On
the other hand, if the light receiving portion receives the light emitted from the
light emitting portion, i.e., the intensity of light received by the light receiving
portion is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the sensor outputs a High-level
signal, i.e., a signal whose level is greater than or equal to the threshold level.
[Ink cartridge 30]
[0049] Referring to
Figs. 3 to 6, the ink cartridge 30 is a container configured to store ink. The ink cartridge 30
has an inner space formed therein, and the inner space is the ink chamber 36, as an
example of a liquid chamber, configured to store ink, as an example of liquid. The
ink cartridge 30 comprises an inner frame 35, a rear cover 31, and a front cover 32.
The rear cover 31 and the front cover 32 are attached to each other, and the inner
frame 35 is enclosed by the rear cover 31 and the front cover 32. The rear cover 31
and the front cover 32 forms the outer shape of the ink cartridge 30. The ink chamber
36 is formed in the inner frame 35. In another embodiment, the ink cartridge 35 may
not have the inner frame 35, and the rear cover 31 and the front cover 32 may define
the ink chamber 36.
[0050] The attitude of the ink cartridge 30 shown in
Figs. 3 to 6 and 15 is the mounted attitude, as an example of the first attitude. As described below,
the ink cartridge 30 comprises a front face 140, a rear face 41, an upper face 39,
141, and a lower face 42, 142, as outer faces of the ink cartridge 30. When the ink
cartridge 30 takes the attitude shown in
Figs. 3 to 6 and 15, the direction extending from the rear face 41 to front face 140 coincides with the
insertion direction 51 and the forward direction 57, the direction extending from
the front face 140 to the rear face 41 coincides with the removal direction 52 and
the rearward direction 58, the direction extending from the upper face 39, 141 to
the lower face 42, 142 coincides with the downward direction 53, the direction extending
from the lower face 42, 142 to the upper face 39, 141 coincides with the upward direction
54. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and mounted to the cartridge mounting
portion 110, the front face 140 faces the insertion direction 51 and the forward direction
57, the rear face 41 faces the removal direction 52 and the rearward direction 58,
the lower face 42, 142 faces the downward direction 53, and the upper face 39, 141
faces the upward direction 54.
[0051] Referring to
Figs. 3 to 6, the ink cartridge 30 has a width dimension along the right direction 55 and the
left direction 56, a height dimension along the downward direction 53 and the upward
direction 54, a depth dimension along the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction
58. The width dimension is less than each of the height dimension and the depth dimension.
The front cover 32 comprises the front face 140, which faces the insertion direction
51 and the forward direction 57 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge
mounting portion 110, and the rear cover 31 comprises the rear face 41, which faces
the removal direction 52 and the rearward direction 58 when the ink cartridge 30 is
inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. The ink chamber 36 is positioned
between the front face 140 and the rear face 41. The front cover 32 is an example
of a cover, and the rear cover 31 and the inner frame 35 are an example of a main
body.
[Rear cover 31]
[0052] Referring to
Figs. 3 and 4, the rear cover 31 has a box shape having side faces 37, 38 spaced apart from each
other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, the upper face 39 and the
lower face 42 spaced apart from each other in the downward direction 53 and the upward
direction 54, and the rear face 41. The lower face 42 is an example of a second portion.
The side faces 37, 38 face the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, respectively,
the upper face 39 faces the upward direction 54, and the lower face 42 faces the downward
direction 53. The side faces 37, 38, the upper face 39, and the lower face 42 extend
from the rear face 41 in the insertion direction 51 and the forward direction 57,
and the inner space of the rear cover 31 is opened toward the insertion direction
51 and the forward direction 57. The inner frame 35 is inserted into the inner space
of the rear cover 31 from the opening, i.e., the rear cover 31 covers a rear portion
of the inner frame 35. The ink chamber 36 is positioned between the upper face 39
and the lower face 42
[0053] The rear face 41 comprises an upper portion 41U and a lower portion 41L. The upper
portion 41U is positioned above the lower portion 41L, i.e., the upper portion 41
is positioned further in the upward direction 54 than the lower portion 41L. In other
words, the lower portion 41L is positioned below the upper portion 41U, i.e., the
lower portion 41L is positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the upper
portion 41U. The lower portion 41L is positioned more forward than the upper portion
41U, i.e., the lower portion 41L is positioned further in the forward direction 57
than the upper portion 41U. In this embodiment, each of the upper portion 41U and
the lower potion 41L is a plane, i.e., a flat surface. The upper portion 41U and the
lower portion 41L intersect each other forming an angle therebetween, which angle
is not a right angle. The lower portion 41L is inclined relative to the downward direction
53 and the upward direction 54, such that the lower portion 41L becomes closer to
the front face 140 as it approaches to the lower face 42, i.e., the lower portion
41L is closer to the front face 140 at a position closer to the lower face 42. Referring
to
Fig. 15B, the upper portion 41U comprises a letter or symbol thereon, and the letter or symbol
indicates that the upper portion 41U is supposed to be pushed. For instance, the upper
portion 41U comprises letters "PUSH" thereon, so that a user may push the upper portion
41U when the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion
110. An example of the symbol may be an arrow or a picture of a finger.
[0054] Referring to
Figs. 3 and 4, the rear cover 31 comprises a protrusion 43 extending from the upper face 39. The
protrusion 43 is positioned at about the center of the upper face 39 in the right
direction 55 and the left direction 56, and extends in the insertion direction 51
(the forward direction 57) and the removal direction 52 (the rearward direction 58).
The protrusion 43 comprises a lock surface 151 facing the removal direction 52 (the
rearward direction 58). The lock surface 151 extends in the upward direction 54 and
the downward direction 53. The lock surface 151 is configured to contact the lock
portion 145 of the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the removal direction 52 when
the ink cartridge is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110. By the lock surface
151 contacting the lock portion 145 in the removal direction 52, the ink cartridge
30 is locked or retained in the cartridge mounting portion 110 against the urging
force of the pulling spring 114 transmitted via the slider 107 and the urging force
of the coil spring 78.
[0055] The protrusion 43 comprises reinforcing surfaces 152, 153. The reinforcing surfaces
152, 153 are continuous with and extend from the right end and the left end of the
lock surface 151 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, respectively.
The reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 extend from a virtual plane toward the insertion
direction 51 (the forward direction 57), forming acute angles between the reinforcing
surfaces 152, 153 and the virtual plane, respectively, which virtual plane includes
the lock surface 151 and extends in the downward direction 53, the upward direction
53, the right direction 55, and the left direction 56. The reinforcing surfaces 152,
153 reinforce the strength and the rigidity of the protrusion 43, and therefore a
likelihood that the lock surface 151 is damaged is reduced. Because the reinforcing
surfaces 152, 153 do not extend more rearward than the lock surface 151, i.e., the
reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 do not extend further in the rearward direction 58 than
the lock surface 151, the reinforcing surfaces 152, 153 may not contact the lock portion
145 of the cartridge mounting portion 110. Therefore, if the lock surface 145 slides
on the lock portion 145, the sliding resistance may not be increased by the reinforcing
surfaces 152, 153.
[0056] The protrusion 43 comprises a horizontal surface 154 positioned in front of the lock
surface 151, i.e., positioned further in the forward direction 57 than the lock surface
151. The horizontal surface 154 is continuous with the lock surface 151. The horizontal
surface 154 extends in the right direction 55, the left direction 56, the forward
direction 57, and the rearward direction 58. The protrusion 43 comprises an inclined
surface 155 in front of the horizontal surface 154, i.e., positioned further in the
forward direction 57 than the horizontal surface 154. The inclined surface 155 is
continuous with the horizontal surface 154. The inclined surface 155 faces the upward
direction 54 and the forward direction 57. Therefore, the inclined surface 155 is
viewable when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53 and is viewable
when the ink cartridge is viewed in the rearward direction 58. Because the horizontal
plane 154 is positioned between the lock surface 154 and the inclined surface 155,
the lock surface 151 and the inclined surface 155 do not intersect each other at an
acute angle. During the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting
portion 110, the lock portion 145 of the cartridge mounting portion 145 slides on
the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 and therefore is smoothly
guided to a position more rearward than the lock surface 151, i.e., a position further
in the rearward direction 58 than the lock surface 151.
[0057] The protrusion 43 comprises reinforcing surfaces 156, 157. The reinforcing surfaces
156, 157 are continuous with and extend from the right end and the left end of the
inclined surface 155 in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, respectively.
The reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 extend from a virtual plane toward the downward
direction 53 forming acute angles between the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 and the
virtual plane, respectively, which virtual plane includes the inclined surface 155
and extends in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. The reinforcing surfaces
156, 157 reinforce the strength and the rigidity of the protrusion 43, and therefore
a likelihood that the inclined surface 155 is damaged is reduced. Because the reinforcing
surfaces 156, 157 do not extend more upward than the inclined surface 155, i.e., the
reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 do not extend further in the upward direction 54 than
the inclined surface 155, the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157 may not contact the lock
portion 145 of the cartridge mounting portion 110. Therefore, if the inclined surface
155 slides on the lock portion 145, the sliding resistance may not be increased by
the reinforcing surfaces 156, 157.
[0058] The rear cover 31 comprises an operation portion 90 at the upper face 39, and the
operation portion 90 is positioned more rearward than the lock surface 151, i.e.,
positioned further in the rearward direction 58 than the lock surface 151. The upper
face 39 comprises a sub upper face 91 positioned at the rear end of the upper face
39. The sub upper face 91 is positioned below the rest of the upper face 39, i.e.,
the sub upper face 91 is positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the
rest of the upper face 39. The operation portion 90 is positioned above the sub upper
face 91, i.e., the operation portion 90 is positioned further in the upward direction
54 than the sub upper face 91, with a space formed therebetween. The operation portion
90 extends in the upward direction 54 beyond the protrusion 43 from a position adjacent
to the boundary between the sub upper face 91 and the rest of the upper face 39, and
then extends obliquely downward, i.e., in the rearward direction 58 and the downward
direction 53. The rear cover 31 comprises a rib 94 extending between the operation
portion 90 and the sub upper face 91. The rib 94 is continuous with the operation
portion 90 and the sub upper face 91. The rib 94 also extends in the rearward direction
58. Referring to
Fig. 15B, each of the rib 94, the operation portion 90, and the sub upper face 91 has a dimension
along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, and the dimension of the rib
94 is less than each of the dimension of the operation portion 90 and the dimension
of the sub upper face 91 along the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
[0059] The operation portion 90 comprises an operation surface 92 facing the upward direction
54 and the rearward direction 58. The position of the operation surface 92 and the
position of the sub upper face 91 along the forward direction 57 and the rearward
direction 58 at least partly overlap. In other words, the operation surface 92 and
the sub upper face 91 at least partly overlap in the downward direction 53 and the
upward direction 54. In other words, at least a portion of the operation surface 92
is aligned with at least a portion of the sub upper face 91 in the downward direction
53 and the upward direction 54. The sub upper face 91 is positioned further in the
downward direction 53 than the operation surface 92, and a space is formed between
the operation surface 92 and the sub upper face 91 in the downward direction 53. The
operation surface 92 comprises a plurality of protrusions, i.e., a plurality of elongated
protrusions 93, each extending in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56.
The elongated protrusions 93 are spaced apart from each other in the forward direction
57 and the rearward direction 58. With the elongated protrusions 93, the operation
surface 92 becomes recognizable to a user, and the operation surface 92 becomes nonskid
when the user operates the operation surface 92 with his/her finger.
[0060] Referring to Figs.
15A and 15B, the operation surface 92 is viewable when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the
downward direction 53 and when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the forward direction
57 and the insertion direction 51. In other words, the operation surface is viewable
when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the direction extending from the upper face
39 toward the lower face 42 and when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the direction
extending from the rear face 41 toward the front face 140. The operation surface 92
is a surface a user operates for unlocking or releasing the ink cartridge 30 from
the locked state in the cartridge mounting portion 110. The operation portion 90 is
fixed to the rear cover 31, e.g., the operation portion 90 is integrally molded with
the rear cover 31, and therefore the operation portion 90 does not move relative to
the rear cover 31, e.g., does not pivot relative to the rear cover 31. Therefore,
a force applied to the operation surface 92 from a user is directly transmitted to
the rear cover 31, without changing its direction. In this embodiment, the operation
portion 90 also does not move relative to the inner frame 35 or ink chamber 36, e.g.,
does not pivot relative to the inner frame 35 or ink chamber 36.
[0061] At least a portion of the operation surface 92 protrudes further in the upward direction
54 than the lock surface 151.
[Front cover 32]
[0062] Referring to
Figs. 3 and 4, the front cover 32 has a box shape having side faces 143, 144 spaced apart from
each other in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, the upper face 141
and the lower face 142 spaced apart from each other in the downward direction 53 and
the upward direction 54, and the front face 140. The lower face 142 is an example
of a first portion. The side faces 143, 144 face the right direction 55 and the left
direction 56, respectively, the upper face 141 faces the upward direction 54, and
the lower face 142 faces the downward direction 53. The side faces 143, 144, the upper
face 141, and the lower face 142 extend from the front face 140 in the removal direction
52 and the rearward direction 58, and the inner space of the front cover 32 is opened
toward the removal direction 52 and the rearward direction 58. The inner frame 35
is inserted into the inner space of the front cover 32 from the opening. The front
cover 32 covers a front portion of the inner frame 35, which is not covered by the
rear cover 31. The ink chamber 36 is positioned between the upper face 141 and the
lower face 142.
[0063] The upper face 141 of the front cover 32 and the upper face 39 of the rear cover
31 constitute the upper face of the ink cartridge 30. The lower face 142 of the front
cover 32 and the lower face 42 of the rear cover 31 constitute the lower face of the
ink cartridge 30. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted attitude
(first attitude), the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 extends in the forward
direction 57 and the rearward direction 58, and the lower face 42 of the rear cover
31 faces the downward direction 53 and the rearward direction 58. The lower face 42
is inclined relative to the lower face 142. In this embodiment, each of the lower
face 42 and the lower face 142 is a plane, i.e., a flat surface. The side faces 143,
144 of the front cover 32 and the side faces 37, 38 of the rear cover 31 constitute
the side faces of the ink cartridge 30. The front face 140 of the front cover 32 constitutes
the front face of the ink cartridge 30, and the rear face 41 of the rear cover 31
constitutes the rear face of the ink cartridge 30. The front face 140 and the rear
face 41 are spaced apart from each other in the forward direction 57 and the rearward
direction 58.
[0064] Each of the front face, the rear face, the upper face, the lower face, and the side
faces of the ink cartridge 30 may not need to form a single flat surface. The front
face of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is viewable when the ink cartridge 30
in the first attitude is viewed in the rearward direction 58 and positioned more forward
than the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the first attitude with respect to the
forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58, i.e., positioned further in the
forward direction 57 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the first attitude
with respect to the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58. The rear face
of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is viewable when the ink cartridge in the first
attitude is viewed in the forward direction 57 and positioned more rearward than the
center of the ink cartridge 30 in the first attitude with respect to the forward direction
57 and the rearward direction 58, i.e., positioned further in the rearward direction
58 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 in the first attitude with respect to the
forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58. The upper face of the ink cartridge
30 is a face that is viewable when the ink cartridge 30 in the first attitude is viewed
in the downward direction 53 and positioned above the center of the ink cartridge
30 with respect to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, i.e., positioned
further in the upward direction 54 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect
to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. The lower face of the ink
cartridge 30 is a face that is viewable when the ink cartridge 30 in the first attitude
is viewed in the upward direction 54 and positioned below the center of the ink cartridge
30 with respect to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54, i.e., positioned
further in the downward direction 53 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 with
respect to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. One of the side
faces of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is viewable when the ink cartridge 30
in the first attitude is viewed in the left direction 56 and positioned to the right
of the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the right direction 55 and the
left direction 56, i.e., positioned further in the right direction 55 than the center
of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the right direction 55 and the left direction
56. The other one of the side faces of the ink cartridge 30 is a face that is viewable
when the ink cartridge 30 in the first attitude is viewed in the right direction 55
and positioned to the left of the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the
right direction 55 and the left direction 56, i.e., positioned further in the left
direction 56 than the center of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the right direction
55 and the left direction 56.
[0065] The front cover 32 has the recess 96 formed in an upper portion of the front face
140. The recess 96 extends from the front face 140 in the rearward direction 58. The
recess 96 is configured to receive the rod 125 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted
to the cartridge mounting portion 110. The recess 96 has a cross-sectional shape taken
along a plane perpendicular to the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction
58, and the cross-sectional shape of the recess 96 corresponds to the cross-sectional
shape of the rod 125.
[0066] The front cover 32 has an opening 97 formed through a lower portion of the front
face 140 in the rearward direction 58. The opening 97 is configured to allow the ink
supply portion 34 to extend therethrough when the inner frame 35 is inserted into
the front cover 32, such that the ink supply portion 34 is positioned outside of the
front cover 32. The position, dimension, and shape of the opening 97 correspond to
those of the ink supply portion 34.
[0067] The front cover 32 comprises a first protrusion 85 and the second protrusion 86 positioned
at the front face 140. The first protrusion 85 extends in the forward direction 57
at the upper end of the front cover 32. The recess 96 is formed in the distal end
of the first protrusion 57 facing the forward direction 57. The distal end of the
first protrusion 57 facing the forward direction 57 is a part of the front face 140.
[0068] The second protrusion 86 extends in the forward direction 57 at the lower end of
the front cover 32. The second protrusion 86 is positioned below the ink supply portion
34, i.e., positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the ink supply portion
34. The protrusion 86 has a recess 87 formed in its lower face, and the recess 87
opens in the forward direction 57 and the downward direction 53. A portion of the
second protrusion 86 defining the recess 87 extends beyond the lower face 142 of the
front cover 32 in the downward direction 53. During the insertion of the ink cartridge
30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the slider 107 enters the recess 87 and
contacts the portion of the second protrusion 86 defining the recess 87. The second
protrusion 86 is an example of a receive portion.
[0069] The front cover 32 has an opening 98 formed through the upper face 141 in the downward
direction 53. The opening 98 is configured to allow a portion of the detection portion
62 to extend therethrough when the inner frame 35 is inserted into the front cover
32, such that the detection portion 62 is positioned outside of the front cover 32.
The position, dimension, and the shape of the opening 98 correspond to those of the
portion of the detection portion 62.
[0070] The ink cartridge 30 comprises an IC board 64 positioned at the upper face 141 of
the front cover 32 above the first protrusion 85 and the ink supply portion 34, i.e.,
further in the upward direction 54 than the first protrusion 85 and the ink supply
portion 34. The IC board 64 comprises four electrodes 65 formed thereon. The four
electrodes 65 are exposed and face the upward direction 54. Each electrode 65 is an
example of an electrical interface. The four electrodes 65 are aligned with and spaced
apart from each other in the left direction 56 and the right direction 55. Each electrode
65 is elongated in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58. The IC
board 64 also comprises an IC (Integrated Circuit, not shown), and the four electrodes
65 are electrically connected to the IC. The IC stores information about the ink cartridge
30, such as the lot number, the manufactured date, the color of ink, etc. The information
can be read out from the outside.
[0071] During the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion
100 and also when the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion
100 is completed, the four electrodes 65 contact the four contacts 106 of the cartridge
mounting portion 110.
[Inner frame 35]
[0072] Although not shown in the drawings in detail, the inner frame 35 comprises an annular
or loop shaped wall, and the inner space surrounded by the wall opens in the right
direction 55 and the left direction 56 at the right and left ends of the inner frame
35, respectively. Films (not shown) are attached to the right and left ends of the
inner frame 35, such that the inner space of the inner frame 35 is closed, and the
inner space becomes the ink chamber 36 configured to store ink therein. The inner
frame 35 comprises a front face 40, and the ink supply portion 34 is positioned at
the front face 40. The front face 40 of the inner frame 35 is positioned adjacent
to the front face 140 of the front cover 32, when the inner frame 35 is inserted into
the front cover 32.
[Ink supply portion 34]
[0073] Referring to
Fig. 6, the ink supply portion 34 extends from the front face 40 of the inner frame 35 in
the forward direction 57 to the outside of the front cover 32 through the opening
97 formed through the front face 140 of the front cover 32. The ink supply portion
34 has a circular cylindrical outer shape. The ink supply portion 34 comprises the
cylindrical wall 73 having a circular cylindrical shape having an inner space, a seal
member 76, and a cap 79. The seal member 76 and the cap 79 are attached to the cylindrical
wall 73.
[0074] The cylindrical wall 73 extends from the inside of the ink chamber 36 to the outside
of the ink chamber 36. The inner space of the cylindrical wall 73 opens to the ink
chamber 36 at the rear end of the cylindrical wall 73. The inner space of the cylindrical
wall 73 opens to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 at the front end of the cylindrical
wall 73. Communication between the ink chamber 36 and the outside of the ink cartridge
30 is allowed via the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73. The ink supply portion
34 is configured to supply ink stored in the ink chamber 36 to the outside of the
ink cartridge 30 through the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73. The seal member
76 and the cap 79 are attached to the front end of the cylindrical wall 73.
[0075] The ink supply portion 34 comprises the valve 77 and the coil spring 78 positioned
in the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73. The valve 77 and the coil spring 78
are configured to switch the state of the ink supply portion 34 between a state in
which ink is allowed to flow out of the ink chamber 30 through the inner space of
the cylindrical wall 73 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 (see
Fig. 11) and a state in which ink is prevented from flowing out of the inner space of the
cylindrical wall 73 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 (see
Fig. 6).
[0076] The valve 77 is configured to move in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction
58 to selectively open and close the ink supply opening 71 formed through the center
of the seal member 76. The coil spring 78 is configured to urge the valve 77 in the
forward direction 57 (the insertion direction 51), such that the valve 77 contacts
the seal member 76 and close the ink supply opening 71 when an external force is not
applied to the valve 77.
[0077] The seal member 76 is positioned at the front end of the cylindrical wall 73. The
seal member 76 has substantially a disc shape having the ink supply opening 71 formed
therethrough in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58 (the insertion
direction 51 and the removal direction 52). The seal member 76 is made of an elastic
material such as rubber, elastomer, etc. The diameter of the ink supply opening 71
is slightly less than the outer diameter of the ink supply tube 102. The seal member
76 liquid-tightly contacts the front end of the cylindrical wall 73 while being pressed
by the cap 79 which is attached to and covers the outside of the cylindrical wall
73.
[0078] Before the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110,
the valve 77 closes the ink supply opening 71. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted
into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink supply tube 102 enters the ink supply
opening 71. When this occur, the inner surface of the seal member 76 defining the
ink supply opening 71 liquid-tightly contacts the outer surface of the ink supply
tube 102 while the seal member 76 is elastically deformed by the outer surface of
the ink supply tube 102. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted, the end of
the ink supply tube 102 passes through the ink supply opening 71 and contacts the
valve 77. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted, the ink supply tube 102 pushes
and moves the valve 77 in the rearward direction 58 against the urging force of the
coil spring 78. When this occurs, ink is allowed to flow from the ink chamber 36 to
the ink supply tube 102 through the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73. Although
not shown in the drawings, the ink supply tube 102 has an opening at or adjacent to
the end of the ink supply tube 102, and the opening extends from the outer surface
of the ink supply tube 102 to the inner space of the ink supply tube 102. Ink flows
from the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73 to the inner space of the ink supply
tube 102 via the opening of the ink supply tube 102. Ink flows from the ink chamber
36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the inner space of the cylindrical
wall 73 and the inner space of the ink supply tube 102.
[0079] The ink supply portion 34 may not necessarily comprise the valve 77 and the coil
spring 78. For instance, in another embodiment, the ink supply opening 71 may be closed
by a film. In such an embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge
mounting portion 110, the ink supply tube 102 penetrates through the film and passes
through the ink supply opening 71, such that the end of the ink supply tube 102 is
positioned in the inner space of the cylindrical wall 73. In yet another embodiment,
the ink supply opening 71 may be closed by the elasticity of the seal member 76. In
such an embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting
portion 110, the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102 pushes the inner surface
of the seal member 76 defining the ink supply opening 71 radially, and thereby opens
the ink supply opening 71.
[Detection portion 62]
[0080] Referring to
Fig. 6, the inner frame 35 comprises the detection portion 62 extending from the upper face
of the inner frame 35 in the upward direction 54. The detection portion 62 is a protrusion
having an inner space continuous with the ink chamber 36. The detection portion 62
is configured to allow light to pass therethrough in the right direction 55 and the
left direction 56. The detection portion 62 extends through the opening 98 of the
front cover 32 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30.
[0081] Referring to
Fig. 6, the ink cartridge 30 comprises a detection member 59 positioned in the ink chamber
36. The inner frame 35 comprises a pivot shaft 61 extending in the right direction
55 and the left direction 56, and the detection member 59 is supported by the pivot
shaft 61, such that the detection member 59 can pivot about the pivot shaft 61.
[0082] The detection portion 59 comprises a float 63, and the float 63 has a specific gravity
which is less than the specific gravity of ink stored in the ink chamber 36. When
the float 63 is submerged in ink stored in the ink chamber 36, a buoyancy force acts
on the float 63. When the ink chamber 36 is almost filled with ink, the detection
member 59 pivots counterclockwise in
Fig. 6 due to the buoyancy force acting on the float 63. A portion of the detection member
59 is positioned in the inner space of the detection portion 62 and contacts the wall
of the detection portion 62 defining the front end of the detection portion 62, such
that the detection member 59 does not pivot further in the counterclockwise direction.
When the detection member 59 is in this position, the portion of the detection member
59 blocks the light of the sensor 103 passing through the detection portion 62 in
the right direction 55 and the left direction 56. More specifically, because the portion
of the detection member 59 blocks the light, when the light emitted from the light
emitting portion of the sensor 103 reaches one of the right face and the left face
of the detection portion 62, the intensity of light coming out of the other of the
right face and the left face of the detection portion 62 and reaching the light receiving
portion of the sensor 103 becomes less than the threshold value, e.g., zero. The portion
of the detection member 59 may completely prevent the light from passing therethrough
in the right direction 55 and the left direction 56, may partly absorb the light,
may alter the path of the light, or totally reflect the light.
[0083] When ink is consumed from the ink chamber 36, the ink surface in the ink chamber
36 lowers and an upper portion of the float 63 is exposed from the ink surface. When
the ink surface further lowers, the float 63 moves down, following the lowering ink
surface. When this occurs, the detection member 59 pivots clockwise in
Fig. 6, and the portion of the detection member 59 in the inner space of the detection portion
62 moves out of the optical path extending between the light emitting portion and
the light receiving portion of the sensor 103. When this occurs, the light of the
sensor 103 is no longer blocked by the portion of the detection member 59, and the
intensity of light received by the light receiving portion of the sensor 103 becomes
greater than or equal to the threshold value.
[0084] Referring to
Fig 5, a distance D1 from the lock surface 151 (more specifically, the foremost part of
the lock surface 151) to the front face 140 (more specifically, the foremost part
of the front face 140) in the insertion direction 51 (the forward direction 57) is
greater a distance D2 from the lock surface 151 (more specifically, the rearmost part
of the lock surface 151) to the rear face 41 (more specifically, the rearmost part
of the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41) in the removal direction 52 (the rearward
direction 58). The distance D1 is less than a distance D3 from the operation surface
92 (more specifically, the foremost part of the operation surface 92) to the front
face 140 (more specifically, the foremost part of the front face 140) in the insertion
direction 51 (the forward direction 57). A distance D4 from the upper portion 41U
(more specifically, the lowermost part of the upper portion 41U) to the lower face
42 (more specifically, the uppermost part of the lower face 42) in the downward direction
53 is greater than a distance D5 from the lower portion 41L (more specifically, the
lowermost part of the lower portion 41L) to the lower face 42 (more specifically,
the uppermost part of the lower face 42) in the downward direction 53. In this embodiment
the distance D5 is zero. A distance D6 from the upper portion 41U (more specifically,
the foremost part of the upper portion 41U) to the front face 140 (more specifically,
the foremost part of the front face 140) in the insertion direction 51 (the forward
direction 57) is greater than a distance D7 from the lower portion 41L (more specifically,
the foremost part of the lower portion 41L) to the front face 140 (more specifically,
the foremost part of the front face 140) in the insertion direction 51 (the forward
direction 57). A distance D8 from the lower face 142 (more specifically, the rearmost
part of the lower face 142) to the rear face 41 (more specifically, the rearmost part
of the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41) in the removal direction 52 (the rearward
direction 58) is greater than a distance D9 from the lower face 42 (more specifically,
the rearmost part of the lower face 42) to the rear face 41 (more specifically, the
rearmost part of the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41) in the removal direction
52 (the rearward direction 58). The distance D8 is less than a distance D10 from the
center of the ink supply opening 71 to the rear face 41 (more specifically, the rearmost
part of the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41) in the removal direction 52 (the
rearward direction 58). A distance D30 from the lower face 142 (more specifically,
the uppermost part of the lower face 142) to the upper face 39 (more specifically,
the uppermost part of the upper face 39) in the upward direction 54 is greater than
a distance D31 from the lower face 42 (more specifically, the uppermost part of the
lower face 42) to the upper face 39 (more specifically, the uppermost part of the
upper face 39) in the upward direction 54. The lower portion 41L comprises a portion
positioned between a central axis 72 of the ink supply opening 71 of the seal member
76 and the lower face 42 in the downward direction 53. The central axis 72 of the
ink supply opening 71 intersects the center of the ink supply opening 71 and extends
in the direction in which the ink supply opening 71 penetrates through the seal member
76, i.e., in the forward direction 57 and the rearward direction 58 in this embodiment.
The center of the ink supply opening 71 is the center of at least a portion of the
ink supply opening 71, and the inner surface of the seal member 76 defining the at
least a portion of the ink supply opening 71 contacts the outer surface of the ink
supply tube 102 when the ink supply tube 102 is inserted through the ink supply opening
71. For instance, if the inner surface of the seal member 76 defining the ink supply
opening 71 has a first inner surface and a second inner surface, and the first inner
surface contacts the outer surface of the ink supply tube 102 while the second inner
surface does not, the center of the ink supply opening 71 is the center of a portion
of the ink supply opening 71 defined by the first inner surface, but not by the second
inner surface. If the entire inner surface of the seal member 76 contacts the outer
surface of the ink supply tube 102, the center of the ink supply opening 71 is the
center of the entirety of the ink supply opening 71.
[Insertion of ink cartridge 30 into cartridge mounting portion 110]
[0085] Referring to
Fig. 6, before the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110,
the valve 77 closes the ink supply opening 71. The flow of ink from the ink chamber
36 to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 is blocked.
[0086] Referring to
Fig. 7, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the case 101 via the opening 112 of the cartridge
mounting portion 110. The upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 of the rear cover
31 is positioned more rearward than the lower portion 41L of the rear face 41, i.e.,
positioned further in the rearward direction 58 than the lower portion 41L of the
rear face 41. Therefore, the upper portion 41U is positioned closer to a user than
the lower portion 41L is positioned to the user, and the user tends to push the upper
portion 41U to insert the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 into the
cartridge mounting portion 110. Moreover, because the upper portion 41U comprises
the letter or symbol indicating that the upper portion 41U is supposed to be pushed,
the user is urged to push the upper portion 41U. A lower portion of the front cover
32 is positioned in the guide groove 109 of the lower portion of the case 101. More
specifically, the portion of the second protrusion 86 defining the recess 87 and extending
beyond the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 contacts the groove bottom wall of
the guide groove 109, and a rear portion of the lower face 142 of the front cover
32 also contacts the groove bottom wall of the guide groove 109. Therefore, a front
portion of the front cover 32 is slightly lifted up.
[0087] Referring to
Fig. 8, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge mounting portion
110, the slider 107 enters the recess 87 and contacts the second protrusion 86 of
the ink cartridge 30. Because the user pushes the upper portion 41U of the rear face
41 of the ink cartridge 30, the ink cartridge 30 pivots counterclockwise in
Fig. 8 about the contact point between the slider 107 and the second protrusion 86. When
this occurs, the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 moves away from the groove bottom
wall of the guide groove 109 of the lower portion of the case 101, and an upper portion
of the ink cartridge 30 moves closer to the guide groove 109 of the upper portion
of the case 101.
[0088] Referring to
Fig. 9, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 51 against
the urging force of the pulling spring 114 urging the slider 107 in the removal direction
52, the cap 79 of the ink supply portion 34 starts to enter the guide portion 105,
and the rod 125 starts to enter the recess 96.
[0089] Referring to
Fig. 10, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 51 against
the urging force of the pulling spring 114 urging the slider 107 in the removal direction
52, the ink supply tube 102 enters the ink supply opening 71 and pushes the valve
77 away from the seal member 76 against the urging force of the coil spring 78. The
urging force of the pulling spring 114 is applied to the ink cartridge 30 via the
slider 107 in the removal direction 52, and the urging force of the coil spring 78
is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52.
[0090] The rod 125 in the recess 96 supports the front cover 32 from below. The IC board
64 reaches a position below the contacts 106, and electrodes 65 contact the corresponding
contacts 106, respectively, while elastically deforming the contacts 106 in the upward
direction 54. When this occurs, the IC board 64 is urged in the downward direction
53 by the elastically deformed contacts 106, but the IC board 64 is supported from
below by the rod 125. Therefore, the electrodes 65 are accurately positioned relative
to the contacts 106 in the upward direction 54 and the downward direction 53. Nevertheless,
the rod 125 may not necessarily support the front cover 32.
[0091] Referring to
Fig. 10, the protrusion 43 of the rear cover 31 reaches the lock portion 145, and the inclined
surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 slides on the lock portion 145. Although
a counterclockwise moment of force is applied to the ink cartridge 30 because the
user pushes the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 in the insertion direction 51,
the sliding contact between the inclined surface 155 and the lock portion 145 causes
the ink cartridge 30 to pivot clockwise about a pivot center O which is the center
of the ink supply opening 71 through which the ink supply tube 102 is inserted, i.e.,
the center of a portion of ink supply tube 102, which portion contacts the inner surface
of the seal member 76 defining the ink supply opening 71. The attitude of the ink
cartridge 30 in
Fig. 10 is an example of a second attitude. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude,
the lock surface 151 is positioned further in the downward direction 53 than the lock
portion 145 as shown in
Fig. 10. The lock surface 151 may also be positioned further in the removal direction 52
(the rearward direction 58) than the lock portion 145 when the ink cartridge 30 is
in the second attitude as shown in
Fig. 10.
[0092] When the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude, the lock surface 151 of the
protrusion 43 is positioned below the lock portion 145, i.e., positioned further in
the downward direction 53 than the lock portion 145. When the ink cartridge 30 is
in the second attitude, the position of the pivot center O and the positions of the
electrodes 65 along the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52 at least
partly overlap. Therefore, the magnitude of a moment of force generated by the urging
force of the contacts 106 pushing down the electrodes 65 and applied to the ink cartridge
30 is zero or very small. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude, the
lower face 42 of the rear cover 31 contacts or is positioned closer to the groove
bottom wall of the guide groove 109 of the lower portion of the case 101. In this
embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude, the lower face 42
extends in a horizontal plane. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude,
the lower portion 41L of the rear face 41 is positioned more forward than the upper
portion 41U of the rear face 41, i.e., positioned further in the insertion direction
51 than the upper portion 41U.
[0093] Referring to
Fig. 11, when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted in the insertion direction 51 against
the urging force of the pulling spring 114 urging the slider 107 in the removal direction
52 and against urging force of the coil spring 78, the inclined surface 155 and the
horizontal surface 154 are positioned further in the insertion direction 51 than the
lock portion 145. Because the counterclockwise moment of force, which is generated
by the user pushing the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 in the insertion direction
51, is applied to the ink cartridge 30, when the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal
surface 154 do not contact the lock portion 145, the ink cartridge 30 pivots counterclockwise
about the pivot center O which is the center of the ink supply opening 71 through
which the ink supply tube 102 is inserted.
[0094] When the ink cartridge 30 pivots counterclockwise, the lock surface 151 reaches a
position in which the lock surface 151 and the lock portion 145 face each other in
the insertion direction 51 and the removal direction 52. Moreover, when the ink cartridge
30 pivots counterclockwise, the rear cover 31 contacts the lock portion 145. When
this occurs, the impact of the contact tells the user that the insertion of the ink
cartridge 30 is completed. When the user stops pushing the ink cartridge 30, the ink
cartridge 30 is moved in the removal direction 52 by the urging force of the pulling
spring 114 applied via the slider 107 and the urging force of the coil spring 78.
When this occurs, the lock surface 151 contacts the lock portion 145 in the removal
direction 52 and the movement of the ink cartridge 30 relative to the cartridge mounting
portion 110 in the removal direction 52 is restricted, as shown in
Fig. 11. The attitude of the ink cartridge 30 in
Fig. 11 is an example of the first attitude. The mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the
cartridge mounting portion 110 is thus completed. The ink cartridge 30 is locked or
retained in the cartridge mounting portion 110 with the lock surface 151 contacting
the lock portion 145 in the removal direction 52 against the urging force of the pulling
spring 114 and the urging force of the coil spring 78 in the removal direction 52.
[0095] In the following paragraphs, the pivotal movement of the ink cartridge 30 from the
second attitude to the first attitude is described in more detail.
[0096] Referring to
Fig. 12, the following condition is satisfied:
FH > GL.
G is the magnitude of the gravitational force acting on the ink cartridge 30. F is
the magnitude of the urging force of the pulling spring 114 and the coil spring 78
urging the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52 when the ink cartridge 30
is in the first attitude. L is the distance between the center of gravity M of the
ink cartridge 30 and the pivot center O along the insertion direction 51 when the
ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude. H is the height of the lower end of the
upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 from the pivot center O along the upward direction
54 which is perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 when the ink cartridge 30
is in the second attitude.
[0097] When a user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110,
the user needs to push the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51 with a force
whose magnitude U is greater than the magnitude F of the urging force in the removal
direction 52. In other words, the following condition needs to be met: F < U.
Fig. 12 illustrates the ink cartridge 30 when a user pushes the ink cartridge 30 with a force
whose magnitude is F as a threshold magnitude required for the ink cartridge 30 to
be inserted. Moreover, the user pushes the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41,
i.e., pushes a portion above the lower end of the upper portion 41U. Therefore, when
the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, a force
is applied to the portion above the lower end of the upper portion 41U of the ink
cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 51, whose magnitude U is greater than the
magnitude F of the urging force. Because the upper portion 41U is substantially perpendicular
to the insertion direction 51 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude,
a counterclockwise moment of force is applied to the ink cartridge 30, whose magnitude
is at least greater than the product FH.
Fig. 12 illustrates the ink cartridge 30 when a user pushes the lower end of the upper portion
41U of the rear face 41 whose height from the pivot center O along the upward direction
54 is H. On the other hand, a clockwise moment of force, which is generated by the
gravitational force, is applied to the ink cartridge, whose magnitude is the product
GL
[0098] Because the above-described condition FH > GL is met, the overall moment of force
applied to the ink cartridge 30 is directed counterclockwise when the ink cartridge
30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110. Therefore, when the inclined
surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 finish sliding on the lock portion 145
and separate from the lock portion 145 in the insertion direction 51, the counterclockwise
moment of force causes the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the second attitude to the
first attitude.
[0099] The magnitude G of the gravitational force acting on the ink cartridge 30 varies
depending on the amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30. Nevertheless, if the
condition FH > GL is satisfied when a fresh ink cartridge 30 having an initial amount
of ink is inserted, the condition is also satisfied when a used ink cartridge 30 whose
amount of ink is relatively low is inserted. That is because the product GL becomes
smaller as the amount of ink is reduced while the product FH is unchanged. In other
words, the magnitude G is a magnitude of the gravitational force acting on the ink
cartridge 30 at least when the ink chamber 36 is completely filled with the initial
amount of ink or when ink in the ink chamber 36 is consumed.
[0100] Moreover, because the second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 receives the urging
force of the pulling spring 114 via the slider 107 below the pivot center O, the urging
force of the pulling spring 114 also generates an additional moment of force causing
the ink cartridge 30 to pivot counterclockwise. Nevertheless, even if the moment of
force generated by the pulling spring 114 were not applied to the ink cartridge 30,
the overall moment of force applied to the ink cartridge 30 would still be directed
counterclockwise.
[0101] Referring to
Fig. 14, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first attitude, the upper end of the lock surface
151 is positioned outside of a virtual circle C, and the lower end of the lock surface
151 is positioned within the virtual circle C. The virtual circle C has its center
at the pivot center O and intersects the lock portion 145. Therefore, when the urging
force is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52 while the lock
surface 151 contacts the lock portion 145, the lock portion 145 slides on the lock
surface 151 toward the lower end of the lock surface 151. That is, the ink cartridge
30 pivots further counterclockwise when the lock portion 145 and the lock surface
151 contact.
[0102] Referring to
Fig. 13, a user may push the lower portion 41L of the rear face 41 instead of the upper portion
41U of the rear face 41 when the user inserts the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge
mounting portion 110. Nevertheless, because the following condition is satisfied,
the ink cartridge 30 can pivot counterclockwise in
Fig. 13:
The lower portion 41L is a plane intersecting a first virtual plane P1 at an angle
of α degrees when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude, and the first virtual
plane P1 is perpendicular to the insertion direction 51. N is a length of a perpendicular
line extending from the pivot center O to a second virtual plane P2 which is perpendicular
to the lower portion 41L and intersects the lower end of the lower portion 41L.
[0103] When a user pushes the lower portion 41L in the insertion direction 51 with a force
whose magnitude is greater than the magnitude F of the urging force, a counterclockwise
moment of force is applied to the ink cartridge 30, whose magnitude is at least greater
than the product (Fcosα)N. Because the above-described condition (Fcosa)N > GL is
met, the overall moment of force applied to the ink cartridge 30 is directed counterclockwise
even when the user pushes the lower portion 41L in the insertion direction 51.
[0104] When a user wishes to remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion
110, the user pushes down the operation surface 92. Referring to
Figs. 15A and 15B, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first attitude, the operation surface 92 is
viewable when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the downward direction 53 and is viewable
when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed in the forward direction 57 (the insertion direction
51). In other words, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first attitude, the operation
surface 92 faces the upward direction 54 and the rearward direction 58 (the removal
direction 52). Therefore, when the user pushes the operation surface 92 when the ink
cartridge 30 is in the first attitude to release the ink cartridge 30, the user's
force is directed toward the downward direction 53 and the forward direction 57 (the
insertion direction 51). Due to the force directed toward the forward direction 57
(the insertion direction 51), the lock surface 151 separates from the lock portion
145. Due to the force directed toward the downward direction 53, the ink cartridge
30 pivots from the first attitude to the second attitude. Therefore, compared to a
situation in which the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first attitude to the second
attitude while the lock surface 151 slides on the lock portion 145, the force needed
to be applied to the operation surface 92 to cause the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from
the first attitude to the second attitude becomes smaller, and the user can readily
release the ink cartridge 30.
[0105] When the ink cartridge 30 is in the first attitude, the lower face 142 and the lower
face 42 are positioned further in the removal direction 52 than the pivot center O,
and the lower face 42 is positioned further in the removal direction 52 than the lower
face 142 and is positioned further in the upward direction 54 than the lower face
142. Moreover, the lower face 142 extends in the removal direction 52, and the lower
face 42 extends in the removal direction 52 and the upward direction 54. When the
ink cartridge 30 is in the first attitude, a gap is formed between the lower face
142 and the groove bottom wall of the guide groove 109 and between the lower face
42 and the groove bottom wall of the guide groove 109. Referring to
Fig. 11, a distance D11 from the lower face 142 (more specifically, the uppermost part of
the lower face 142) to the groove bottom wall of the guide groove 109 in the downward
direction 53 is less than a distance D12 from the lower face 42 (more specifically,
the uppermost part of the lower face 42) to the groove bottom wall of the guide groove
in the downward direction 53. Referring to
Fig. 14, the lower face 42 and a virtual plane P3 forms an angle of β degrees therebetween.
The virtual plane P3 extends from the lower face 142 in the removal direction 52 and
is perpendicular to the downward direction 53 and the upward direction 54. The ink
cartridge 30 pivots between the first attitude and the second attitude by an angle
of γ degrees. The angle of β degrees is greater than the angle of γ degrees.
[0106] Because the distance D12 is greater than the distance D11 and the angle of β degrees
is greater than the angle of γ degrees, when the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the
first attitude to the second attitude, the rearmost part of the lower face 142 of
the front cover 32 becomes the lowermost part of all the parts of the ink cartridge
30. If the lower face 42 and the lower face 142 extended in the same plane, the rearmost
part of the lower face 42 would become the lowermost part of all the parts of the
ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first attitude to the second
attitude. Therefore, the rearmost part of the lower face 42 would be positioned further
in the downward direction 53 than the rearmost part of the lower face 142 because
the rearmost part of the lower face 42 is positioned more remote from the pivot center
O than the lower face 142 is. In this embodiment, however, because the rearmost part
of the lower face 142 becomes the lowermost part of all the parts of the ink cartridge
30 when the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first attitude to the second attitude,
the gap between the ink cartridge 30 and the groove bottom wall of the guide groove
109, which gap is needed for the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the first attitude
to the second attitude, becomes relatively small. Incidentally, in this embodiment,
when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude, the entirety of the lower face
42 as well as the rearmost part of the lower face 142 becomes the lowermost part of
all the parts of the ink cartridge 30. That is, the lower face 42 extends in a horizontal
plane when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude.
[0107] When the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first attitude to the second attitude,
the lock surface 151 is positioned below the lock portion 145, i.e., positioned further
in the downward direction 53 than the lock portion 145. The urging force of the pulling
spring 114 and the coil spring 78 moves the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction
52. When the ink cartridge 30 separates from the slider 107, the urging force is no
longer applied to the ink cartridge 30, and the ink cartridge 30 stops moving in the
removal direction 52. When this occurs, at least the rear cover 31 of the ink cartridge
30 is positioned outside of the case 101, the user can take the ink cartridge 30 out
of the cartridge mounting portion 110.
[Advantages]
[0108] According to the above-described embodiment, a user can readily insert and lock the
ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110, and can readily release the
ink cartridge 30 locked in the cartridge mounting portion 110.
[0109] When the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first attitude to the second attitude,
the lower face 42 moves in the downward direction 53 more than the lower face 142
because the lower face 42 is positioned more remote from the pivot center O than the
lower face 142 is. Nevertheless, because the lower face 42 is positioned further in
the upward direction 54 than the lower face 142 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the
first attitude, a likelihood is reduced that the lower face 42 contacts the groove
bottom wall of the guide groove 109 and the downward movement of the lower face 42
is hindered by the contact.
[0110] Because the gap is formed between the lower face 142 and the groove bottom wall of
the guide groove 109 and between the lower face 42 and the groove bottom wall of the
guide groove 109 when the ink cartridge is in the first attitude, a likelihood is
further reduced that the lower face 42 contacts the groove bottom wall of the guide
groove 109 and the downward movement of the lower face 42 is hindered by the contact.
[0111] When the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first attitude to the second attitude,
the lower face 142 moves in the downward direction 53 less than the lower face 42
because the lower face 142 is positioned closer to the pivot center O than the lower
face 42 is. Therefore, a likelihood is reduced that the lower face 142 contacts the
groove bottom wall of the guide groove 109 and the downward movement of the lower
face 142 is hindered by the contact, although the lower face 142 extends in the removal
direction 52. On the other hand, because the lower face 142 extends in the removal
direction 52, there is a large distance between the upper face 141 and the lower face
142. Therefore, the capacity of the ink cartridge 36 can be made larger.
[0112] Because the lower face 142 of the front cover 32 extends in the removal direction
52, it may be easy to injection-mold the front cover 32 because a die can be easily
removed from the front cover 32.
[0113] Because the lower portion 41L of the rear face 41 of the rear cover 31 is positioned
further in the insertion direction 51 than the upper portion 41U of the rear face
41 of the rear cover 31 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting
portion 110, a user tends to push the upper portion 41U, which is positioned closer
to the user, and tends not to push the lower portion 41L. When the upper portion 41U
is pushed, a moment of force is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting
portion 110, such that the ink cartridge 30 pivots about the pivot center from the
second attitude to the first attitude. The lock surface 151 of the ink cartridge 30
in the first attitude contacts the lock portion 145 in the removal direction 52 and
the movement of the ink cartridge 30 relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110
in the removal direction 52 is restricted, i.e., the ink cartridge 30 is locked in
the cartridge mounting portion 110. A user can readily insert and lock the ink cartridge
30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110.
[0114] Because the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 comprises the letter or symbol
indicating that the upper portion 41U is supposed to be pushed, a user is urged to
push the upper portion 41U.
[0115] Because the condition FH > GL is satisfied, a moment of force generated by the upper
portion 41U of the rear face 41 being pushed and causing the ink cartridge 30 to pivot
from the second attitude to the first attitude becomes greater than a moment of force
generated by the gravitational force acting on the ink cartage 30 and causing the
ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the first attitude to the second attitude.
[0116] Because the condition (Fcosa)N > GL is satisfied, even if the lower portion 41L of
the rear face 41 is pushed, a moment of force generated by the lower portion 41Lof
the rear face 41 being pushed and causing the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the second
attitude to the first attitude becomes greater than the moment of force generated
by the gravitational force acting on the ink cartage 30 and causing the ink cartridge
30 to pivot from the first attitude to the second attitude.
[0117] Because the second protrusion 86 is positioned further in the downward direction
53 than the ink supply portion 34 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second position,
and the second protrusion 86 receives the urging force from the pulling spring 114
via the slider 107, an additional moment of force is applied to the ink cartridge
30, causing the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the second attitude to the first attitude.
[0118] Because the position of the pivot center O and the positions of the electrodes 65
along the insertion direction 51 at least partly overlap when the ink cartridge 30
is in the second attitude, the magnitude of a moment of force generated by the urging
force of the contacts 106 and applied to the ink cartridge 30 is zero or very small.
[0119] Because the operation surface 92 is positioned more remote from the pivot center
O than the lock surface 151 is, a user can readily operate the operation surface 92
to cause the ink cartridge 30 to pivot from the first attitude to the second attitude.
[0120] Because the operation surface 92 faces the upward direction 54 and the removal direction
52 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first attitude, when a user operates the operation
surface 92 to release the ink cartridge 30 from the first attitude, the user's force
is directed toward the downward direction 53 and the insertion direction 51. Due to
the force directed toward the insertion direction 51, the lock surface 151 separates
from the lock portion 145. Due to the force directed toward the downward direction
53, the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first attitude to the second attitude. Therefore,
compared to a situation in which the ink cartridge 30 pivots from the first attitude
to the second attitude while the lock surface 151 slides on the lock portion 145,
the force needed to be applied to the operation surface 92 to cause the ink cartridge
30 to pivot from the first attitude to the second attitude becomes smaller, and the
user can readily release the ink cartridge 30.
[0121] Because the upper end of the lock surface 151 is positioned outside of the virtual
circle C and the lower end of the lock surface 151 is positioned within the virtual
circle C when the ink cartridge 30 is in the first attitude, when the urging force
is applied to the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 52, the lock portion 145
slides on the lock surface 151 toward the lower end of the lock surface 151.
[0122] Because the position of the operation surface 92 along the insertion direction 51
and the position of the sub upper face 91 along the insertion direction 51 at least
partly overlap, or the operation surface 92 and the sub upper face 91 at least partly
overlap in the downward direction 53, and a space is formed between the operation
surface 92 and the sub upper face 91, the operation surface 92 becomes recognizable
to a user.
[0123] Because at least a portion of the operation surface 92 protrudes further in the upward
direction 54 than the lock surface 151, even when the ink cartridge 30 falls with
the upper face 39, 141 facing the downward direction 53, the lock surface 151 may
be protected by the at least a portion of the operation surface 92 and may not be
damaged
[Modified embodiments]
[0124] In the above-described embodiment, the upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L
of the rear face 41 are continuous. Nevertheless, the upper portion 41U and the lower
portion 41L of the rear face 41 may not necessarily be continuous. For instance, in
another embodiment, the rear face 41 may comprises a portion extending in the forward
direction 57 or the rearward direction 58 between the upper portion 41U and the lower
portion 41L. Moreover, each of the upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L may
not necessarily be a plane, i.e., a flat surface, but may be a curved surface or a
spherical surface in another embodiment.
[0125] In the above-described embodiment, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the second attitude,
the upper portion 41U of the rear face 41 is substantially perpendicular to the insertion
direction 51. The upper portion 41U may not be perpendicular to the insertion direction
51 in another embodiment. The upper portion 41U and the lower portion 41L may not
necessarily recognizable as two different portions, but may be formed as a single
plane or a single curved surface in another embodiment.
[0126] As described in the above-described embodiment, if the upper portion 41U of the rear
face 41 is substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction 51 when the ink
cartridge 30 is in the second attitude, the force needed to insert the ink cartridge
30 in the insertion direction 51 against the urging force becomes smaller. Moreover,
the volume of the inner space of the rear cover 31 becomes larger, and therefore the
volume of the ink chamber 36 becomes larger. If the upper portion 41U and the lower
portion 41L are formed as two different portions, it may be expected that a user tends
to push the upper portion 41U when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge
mounting portion 110.
[0127] In the above-described embodiment, the lower face 142 and the lower face 42 are almost
continuous. Nevertheless, the lower face 142 and the lower face 42 may not necessarily
be continuous. For instance, in another embodiment, there may be a portion extending
in the upward direction 54 between the lower face 142 and the lower face 42. Moreover,
each of the lower face 142 and the lower face 42 may not necessarily be a plane, i.e.,
a flat surface, but may be a curved surface or a spherical surface in another embodiment.
The lower face 142 and the lower face 42 may not necessarily be recognizable as two
different portions, but may be formed as a single plane or a single curved surface
in another embodiment.
[0128] In the above-described embodiment, the cartridge mounting portion 110 comprises the
slider 107 and the pulling spring 114, but the slider 107 and the pulling spring 114
are optional. For instance, in another embodiment, the cartridge mounting portion
110 may not comprise the slider 107 and the pulling spring 114, and only the coil
spring 78 of the ink supply portion 34 may apply the urging force to the ink cartridge
30 in the removal direction 52 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge
mounting portion 110.
[0129] In the above-described embodiment, ink is an example of liquid. Nevertheless, liquid
is not limited to ink. For example, liquid can be pre-treatment liquid which is ejected
onto the sheet of paper before ink is ejected in printing. Moreover, liquid can be
water to be used for washing the recording head 21.