[0001] The present disclosure relates to a printing-fluid cartridge and a system using the
same,
[0002] Conventionally, there have been known inkjet recording apparatuses configured to
record images on recording mediums by ejecting ink stored in ink cartridges through
nozzles. There is known an inkjet recording apparatus in which a new ink cartridge
is mountable every time ink is consumed. In an inkjet recording apparatus capable
of performing color printing, a plurality of ink cartridges can be mountable. For
example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2015-58545 discloses an ink cartridge that is provided with an IC board.
[0003] When the ink cartridge falls on the ground or collides with other objects, the ink
cartridge easily has an impact on the IC board disposed at the surface of a cartridge
body of the ink cartridge. As a result, an electrical interface on the IC board is
broken or deformed so that the information stored in the IC board cannot be read out.
Further, when the ink cartridge falls on the ground, not only the IC board but also
other members can be broken by colliding with the ground. Providing protection walls
around the IC board or the other members can be a solution to the problem, but the
protection walls around the IC board or the other members can be obstacles when the
IC board is being attached to the cartridge body.
[0004] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a
printing-fluid cartridge where the electrical interface is well protected from being
broken and to which the electrical interface can be attached easily.
- (1) In order to attain the above and other objects, the present disclosure provides
a printing fluid cartridge a printing fluid cartridge configured to be inserted into
a printing fluid consuming apparatus in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational
direction in an attached posture. The printing fluid cartridge including: a storage
chamber, a supply portion, a rear surface, an upper surface, an electrical interface,
a locking surface, one protrusion, and another protrusion. The storage chamber is
configured to store printing fluid. The supply portion is configured to supply the
printing fluid from the storage chamber. The supply portion is provided at the front
surface. The rear surface is away from the front surface in a rearward direction opposite
to the insertion direction. The storage chamber is positioned between the front surface
and the rear surface. The upper surface is disposed upward relative to the storage
chamber and faces upward opposite to the gravitational direction in the attached posture.
The electrical interface is disposed at the upper surface and configured to contact
a contact portion disposed in the printing fluid consuming apparatus. The locking
surface is disposed upward relative to the storage chamber in the attached posture
and is configured to engage with the printing fluid consuming apparatus. The one protrusion
is disposed at the upper surface. The one protrusion is disposed frontward relative
to the electrical interface in the insertion direction and has one specific portion.
The detection surface is disposed upward relative to the storage chamber in the attached
posture and configured to receive a detection signal from the printing fluid consuming
apparatus. The another protrusion is disposed at the upper surface and disposed rearward
relative to the electrical interface. The another protrusion has another specific
portion. The one protrusion and the another protrusion define a plurality of imaginary
planes each of which passes through the one protrusion and the another protrusion.
Each of the plurality of imaginary planes extends in a widthwise direction perpendicular
to the gravitational direction and the insertion direction in the attached posture.
The plurality of imaginary planes includes a specific imaginary plane defined by the
one specific portion and the another specific portion. The specific imaginary plane
is positioned higher than any other imaginary plane between the one protrusion and
the another protrusion. The electrical interface is positioned downward relative to
the specific imaginary plane in the gravitational direction in the attached posture.
The detection surface, the electrical interface, and the locking surface are arranged
in a recited order above the upper surface in the rearward direction.
According to the above-described configuration, the one protrusion can firstly collide
with the ground instead of the electrical interface when the printing fluid cartridge
falls on the ground, and the electrical interface is therefore protected from the
impact of the collision.
- (2) It is preferable that: the another protrusion is arranged upward relative to the
electrical interface; and the electrical interface is arranged upward relative to
the one protrusion in the attached posture.
According to the above-described configuration, since the one protrusion is positioned
lower than the electrical interface, the one protrusion does not interfere with the
attachment operation of the electrical interface to the printing fluid cartridge.
Hence, the electrical interface can be attached easily to the printing fluid cartridge.
- (3) It is preferable that the detection surface is disposed downward relative to the
specific imaginary plane between the one protrusion and the another protrusion.
The members accessible from the outside are protected from the impact caused by dropping
the printing fluid cartridge onto the ground plane.
- (4) It is preferable that: the locking surface is provided at the another protrusion.
- (5) It is preferable that: a dimension of the another protrusion in the widthwise
direction is greater than a dimension of the one protrusion in the widthwise direction;
and the another protrusion is disposed upward relative to the one protrusion in the
gravitational direction in the attached posture.
According to the above-described configuration, the another protrusion is durable
because the dimension of the another protrusion is greater than the one protrusion.
The another protrusion is positioned upward relative to the one protrusion, and the
another protrusion can therefore collide with the ground to thereby protect the electrical
interface.
- (6) It is preferable that: the printing fluid cartridge further has a center of gravity;
the one protrusion is positioned frontward relative to the center of gravity; and
the locking surface is positioned rearward relative to the center of gravity.
According to the above-described configuration, the cartridge body 31 can rotate in
a rotating direction when the one protrusion and the another protrusion collide with
the ground plane.
- (7) It is preferable that: the another protrusion includes an abutting surface disposed
frontward relative to the locking surface and facing upward in the attached posture;
and the abutting surface includes the another specific portion.
According to the above-described configuration, the abutting surface is likely to
collide with the ground to thereby protect the locking surface when the printing fluid
cartridge falls onto the ground in a posture where the printing fluid cartridge is
turned upside-down.
- (8) It is preferable that the another protrusion includes an operation portion disposed
rearward relative to the locking surface at the upper surface.
- (9) It is preferable that: the printing fluid cartridge further includes a support
portion disposed at the upper surface; and the support portion supports the electrical
interface and is continuously connected to the one protrusion.
According to the above-described configuration, the support portion is continuously
connected to the one protrusion, thereby reinforcing the one protrusion.
- (10) It is preferable that: the one protrusion includes a top surface having a width
in the widthwise direction which is smaller than a length of the top surface in the
insertion direction.
- (11) It is preferable that the specific imaginary plane passes through an uppermost
portion of the one protrusion.
- (12) It is preferable that the specific imaginary plane passes through a foremost
portion of the one protrusion.
- (13) It is preferable that the specific imaginary plane passes through an uppermost
portion of the another protrusion.
- (14) It is preferable that the specific imaginary plane passes through a foremost
portion of the one protrusion.
- (15) It is preferable that the detection surface is provided at the one protrusion.
- (16) It is preferable that the one specific portion is disposed downward relative
to the another specific portion in the attached posture, and the locking surface is
positioned rearward relative to the another specific portion in the attached posture.
According to the above-described configuration, the specific imaginary plane is upwardly
separated from the another specific portion in the rear direction. The locking surface
is therefore protected from receiving the impact caused by dropping the printing fluid
cartridge, since the imaginary plane coincides with the ground surface.
- (17) It is preferable that the detection surface is provided rearward relative to
the one specific portion in the insertion direction in the attached posture, and the
one specific portion is disposed downward relative to the another specific portion
in the attached posture.
According to the above-described configuration, the detection surface positioned rearward
of the one specific portion is protected from being broken when the printing fluid
cartridge is inserted into the printing fluid consuming apparatus. The members provided
in the printing fluid consuming apparatus are protected from being broken by colliding
with the printing fluid cartridge because the one specific portion positioned frontward
is disposed lower than the another specific portion positioned rearward.
- (18) It is preferable that: a system includes the printing fluid cartridge and the
printing fluid consuming apparatus including the contact portion; the printing fluid
consuming apparatus further includes a sensor, a locked portion, a printing fluid
consuming portion, and a supply tube; the sensor is configured to emit the detection
signal and detect at least one of the detection surface in a process of the insertion
of the printing fluid cartridge and the detection surface in the attached posture
of the printing fluid cartridge; the locked portion is configured to be engaged with
the locking surface; and in the supply tube, the printing fluid flows from the printing
fluid cartridge so as to be supplied to the printing fluid consuming portion.
- (19) It is preferable that the system further includes a determiner configured to
determine, based on the detection of the detection surface by the sensor, at least
one of: whether the printing fluid cartridge is attached to the printing fluid consuming
apparatus; and a type of the printing fluid cartridge.
[0005] In the drawings:
Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional diagram conceptually showing an internal configuration
of a printer including a cartridge-attachment section configured to detachably accommodate
ink cartridges according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the cartridge-attachment
section and an opening of the cartridge-attachment section;
Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge-attachment section taken along a
plane III-III in Fig. 4, the cartridge-attachment section including gates formed with
slits, wherein two of the ink cartridges according to the embodiment are inserted
into corresponding insertion spaces;
Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram illustrating a state where the ink cartridge
(of magenta color) according to the embodiment is attached to the cartridge-attachment
section in a first posture;
Fig. 5A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an enclosed region VB illustrated in
Fig. 4;
Fig. 5B is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an enclosed region VA illustrated in
Fig. 4;
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge (of magenta color) according to
the embodiment when viewed from a perspective frontward and upward thereof;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge (of magenta color) according to
the embodiment when viewed from a perspective rearward and upward thereof;
Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge (of magenta color) according
to the embodiment taken along an imaginary plane X2 illustrated in Fig. 9B and showing
an internal configuration of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment;
Fig. 9A is a left side view of the ink cartridge (of magenta color) according to the
embodiment and illustrating arrangement of parts disposed at an upper surface of the
ink cartridge according to the embodiment;
Fig. 9B is a rear side view of the ink cartridge (of magenta color) according to the
embodiment;
Fig. 10 is a left side view of the ink cartridge (of magenta color) according to the
embodiment and illustrating positional relationship among various parts of the ink
cartridge in the front-rear direction and up-down direction;
Fig. 11A is a perspective view of the ink cartridge of black color according to the
embodiment when viewed from a perspective rearward and upward thereof;
Fig. 11B is a rear side view of the ink cartridge of black color according to the
embodiment;
Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge of black color according to the
embodiment when viewed from a perspective frontward and upward thereof;
Figs. 13A through 13D are top views of the ink cartridges of colors of black, magenta,
cyan and yellow, respectively, according to the embodiment;
Fig. 14 is a top view of the ink cartridge of black color according to the embodiment;
Fig. 15 is a top view of the ink cartridge of magenta color according to the embodiment;
Fig. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram illustrating a state where the ink cartridge
(of magenta color) according to the embodiment is inserted in the corresponding insertion
space of the cartridge-attachment section;
Fig. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram illustrating a state where the ink cartridge
(of magenta color) according to the embodiment is inserted further frontward in the
corresponding insertion space of the cartridge-attachment section after the state
illustrated in Fig. 16 and is in a second posture in the corresponding insertion space;
Fig. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram illustrating a state where the ink cartridge
(of cyan color) is inserted in the insertion space for the ink cartridge of magenta
color and a light-blocking plate (interfering surface) of the ink cartridge (of cyan
color) is in abutment with the gate for the ink cartridge of magenta color;
Fig. 19 is a flow chart illustrating steps of a process to determine types of the
ink cartridges according to the embodiment attached to the cartridge-attachment section
performed by a controller of the printer;
Fig. 20 is a left side view of an ink cartridge according to a first modification
to the embodiment;
Fig. 21 is a left side view of an ink cartridge according to a second modification
to the embodiment;
Fig. 22 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the second
modification to the embodiment;
Fig. 23A is a perspective view of an ink cartridge according to a third modification
to the embodiment;
Fig. 23B is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the
third modification to the embodiment taken along a plane XXIIB-XXIIB shown in Fig.
23A;
Fig. 24 is a left side view of an ink cartridge according to a fourth modification
to the embodiment;
Fig. 25 is a left side view of an ink cartridge according to a fifth modification
to the embodiment; and
Fig. 26 is a left side view of an ink cartridge according to a sixth modification
to the embodiment;
Fig. 27 is a left side view of an ink cartridge according to a seventh modification
to the embodiment;
Fig. 28 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to an eighth
modification to the embodiment;
Fig. 29 is a flow chart illustrating steps of a process according to a variation of
the embodiment performed by the controller of the printer to determine whether the
ink cartridge according to the embodiment is attached to the cartridge-attachment
section; and
Fig. 30 is a flow chart illustrating steps of a process according to another variation
of the embodiment performed by the controller of the printer to determine whether
the ink cartridge according to the embodiment is attached to the cartridge-attachment
section.
[0006] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the disclosure is described in detail while referring
to accompanying drawings. It would be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
embodiment described below is merely an example of the present disclosure and modifications
and variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0007] In the following description, a frontward direction 51 is defined as a direction
in which an ink cartridge 30 according to the embodiment is inserted into a cartridge-attachment
section 110, while a rearward direction 52 is defined as a direction opposite the
frontward direction 51, that is, a direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is extracted
from the cartridge-attachment section 110. The frontward direction 51 and rearward
direction 52 are horizontal in the present embodiment.
[0008] Further, a downward direction 53 is defined as a direction perpendicular to the frontward
direction 51 or the rearward direction 52, while an upward direction 54 is defined
as a direction opposite the downward direction 53. Further, a rightward direction
55 and a leftward direction 56 are defined as directions perpendicular to the frontward
direction 51 and the downward direction 53. The rightward direction 55 and the leftward
direction 56 are also parallel to the horizontal direction. The rightward direction
55 and the leftward direction 56 are also parallel to a horizontal plane in the present
embodiment.
[0009] In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section
110 (in an attached state) and the ink cartridge 30 is capable of being used or operated
by the printer 10, the downward direction 53 is coincident with a direction of a gravitational
force acting on the ink cartridge 30 (i.e. gravitational direction), and the upward
direction 54 is coincident with a direction opposite to the gravitational direction.
Further, the rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction 56 are defined as directions
perpendicular to the frontward direction 51 and the downward direction 53. More specifically,
in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment section
110 and is capable of being used by the printer 10, the rightward direction 55 is
a direction toward the right and the leftward direction 56 is a direction toward the
left when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from a rear side thereof.
[0010] Note that a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment
section 110 or a state where the ink cartridge 30 is capable of being operated by
the printer 10 implies a state of the ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 has
been completely inserted into an attachment position in the cartridge attachment section
110. Hereinafter, a posture of the ink cartridge 30 in a state where the ink cartridge
30 is attached to the cartridge attachment section 110 or a state where the ink cartridge
30 is capable of being operated by the printer 10 will be referred to as an "attached
posture."
[0011] In other words, in the attached posture, the ink cartridge 30 has a height in the
gravitational direction; a depth in the frontward direction 51 or in the rearward
direction 52 (i.e., insertion direction) which is orthogonal to the gravitational
direction; and a width in the rightward direction 55 or in the leftward direction
56 (i.e., widthwise direction) which is orthogonal to the gravitational direction
(height) and the insertion direction (depth).
[0012] Further, in the following description, the frontward direction 51 and the rearward
direction 52 may be collectively referred to as a front-rear direction. The upward
direction 54 and the downward direction 53 may be collectively referred to as an up-down
direction. The rightward direction 55 and the leftward direction 56 may be collectively
referred to as a left-right direction.
[0013] In this specification, "facing frontward" includes facing in a direction including
a frontward component, "facing rearward" includes facing in a direction including
a rearward component, "facing downward" includes facing in a direction including a
downward component, and "facing upward" includes facing in a direction including an
upward component. For example, "a front surface faces frontward" denotes that the
front surface may face in a frontward direction, or the front surface may face in
a direction inclined relative to the frontward direction.
<Overview of the Printer 10 >
[0014] Fig. 1 shows a system 1 configured of a printer 10 and the ink cartridge 30 according
to the embodiment. First, a detailed structure of the printer 10 according to the
embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1.
[0015] The printer 10 is configured to form an image by selectively ejecting ink droplets
onto a sheet based on an inkjet recording system. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the printer
10 includes a recording head 21, an ink-supplying device 100, and ink tubes 20 connecting
the recording head 21 to the ink-supplying device 100. The ink-supplying device 100
includes the cartridge-attachment section 110. The cartridge-attachment section 110
can detachably accommodate a plurality of ink cartridges 30 therein.
[0016] Specifically, in the present embodiment, four ink cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K
each storing ink of one of four colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black can be
mounted in corresponding insertion spaces 111C, 111M, 111Y and 111K of the cartridge-attachment
section 110. Hereinafter, whenever necessary, the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y and
30K may be referred to as "ink cartridge 30" or "ink cartridges 30" when no color
distinction is necessary. Likewise, the insertion spaces 111C, 111M, 111Y and 111K
of the cartridge-attachment section 110 may be referred to as "insertion space 111"
or "insertion spaces 111" when no color distinction is necessary.
[0017] The cartridge-attachment section 110 has a wall formed with an opening 112. The ink
cartridges 30 can be inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110 in the frontward
direction 51 (i.e., insertion direction orthogonal to the gravitational direction)
through the opening 112, and extracted from the cartridge-attachment section 110 in
the rearward direction 52 (i.e., removal direction orthogonal to the gravitational
direction) through the opening 112.
[0018] Each ink cartridge 30 stores ink therein that the printer 10 can use for printing.
The ink cartridges 30 are connected to the recording head 21 through the corresponding
ink tubes 20 when the ink cartridges 30 are completely mounted in the cartridge-attachment
section 110.
[0019] The recording head 21 includes sub tanks 28 each serving to temporarily store ink
supplied from the corresponding ink cartridge 30 through the corresponding ink tube
20. The recording head 21 also includes a plurality of nozzles 29 through which the
ink supplied from the sub tanks 28 is selectively ejected in accordance with the inkjet
recording system. More specifically, the recording head 21 includes a head control
board (not shown), and piezoelectric elements 29A each corresponding to one of the
nozzles 29. The head control board is configured to selectively apply drive voltages
to the piezoelectric elements 29A to eject ink of each color selectively from the
nozzles 29. In this way, the recording head 21 is configured to consume the ink stored
in the respective ink cartridges 30 mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0020] The printer 10 also includes a sheet tray 15, a sheet feeding roller 23, a conveying
path 24, a pair of conveying rollers 25, a platen 26, a pair of discharge rollers
27, and a sheet discharge tray 16. The sheets from the sheet tray 15 are fed by the
sheet feeding roller 23 onto the conveying path 24, and then conveyed by the conveying
rollers 25 onto the platen 26. The recording head 21 is configured to selectively
eject ink onto the sheets as the sheets move over the platen 26, thereby recording
images on the sheets. The sheets that have passed the platen 26 are then discharged
by the discharge rollers 27 onto the sheet discharge tray 16 disposed at a downstream
end of the conveying path 24.
< Ink-Supplying Device 100 >
[0021] The ink-supplying device 100 is provided in the printer 10, as illustrated in Fig.
1. The ink-supplying device 100 functions to supply ink to the recording head 21.
As described above, the ink-supplying device 100 includes the cartridge-attachment
section 110 for detachably receive the ink cartridges 30 therein. Fig. 1 depicts a
state where one of the ink cartridges 30 has been completely received in the cartridge-attachment
section 110. In other words, the ink cartridge 30 depicted in Fig. 1 is in the attached
posture in which the ink cartridge 30 is used by the printer 10.
< Cartridge-Attachment Section 110 >
[0022] In the ink-supplying device 100, the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K (the four
kinds of ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the colors of cyan, magenta, yellow and
black) are detachably mountable. Specifically, as illustrated in Figs. 1 through 3,
the cartridge-attachment section 110 includes a case 101, and four sets of an ink
needle 102, a tank 103, an optical sensor 113, four contacts 106, a rod 125, a positioning
portion 107 and a gate 108, each set for each of the four ink cartridges 30C, 30M,
30Y and 30K.
< Case 101 >
[0023] The case 101 constitutes a housing of the cartridge-attachment section 110. As depicted
in Fig. 2, the case 101 has a box-like shape defining an internal space therein. Specifically,
the case 101 includes a top wall defining a ceiling of the internal space, a bottom
wall defining a bottom of the internal space, an end wall connecting the top wall
and the bottom wall, and the opening 112 positioned opposite the end wall in the front-rear
direction. The opening 112 can be exposed to a surface (user-interface surface) that
a user can face when using the printer 10.
[0024] The four kinds of ink cartridges 30 can be inserted into and removed from the case
101 through the opening 112. In the case 101, the bottom wall is formed with four
guide grooves 109 for guiding insertion/removal of the corresponding ink cartridges
30. Specifically, when the ink cartridges 30 are inserted into and removed from the
case 101 through the opening 112, lower ends of the respective ink cartridges 30 are
received in the corresponding guide grooves 109 and guided thereby in the front-rear
direction in Fig. 2. Further, the case 101 includes three plates 104 that partition
the internal space into the four insertion spaces 111C, 111M, 111Y and 111K. The respective
insertion spaces 111C, 111M, 111Y and 111K are elongated in the up-down direction
53 and 54. The four kinds of ink cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K can be mounted in
the four insertion spaces 111C, 111M, 111Y and 111K, respectively.
[0025] As illustrated in Fig. 2, when the case 101 is viewed from rearward thereof in the
forward direction 51, the four insertion spaces 111C, 111M, 111Y and 111K of the case
101 are arranged in this order from the left end to the right. Specifically, the ink
cartridge 30C is adapted to be inserted into the insertion space 111C. The ink cartridge
30M is adapted to be inserted into the insertion space 111M. The ink cartridge 30Y
is adapted to be inserted into the insertion space 111Y. The ink cartridge 30K is
adapted to be inserted into the insertion space 111K. That is, when the ink cartridges
30 are accommodated in the case 101, the ink cartridge 30M is interposed between the
ink cartridges 30C and 30Y in the left-right direction. The ink cartridge 30K has
a left-right dimension larger than a left-right dimension of each of the ink cartridges
30C, 30M, and 30Y, as will be described later. Thus, the insertion space 111K has
a left-right dimension that is larger than a left-right dimension of each of the insertion
spaces 111C, 111M and 111Y.
< Ink Needle 102 >
[0026] Each ink needle 102 is formed of a resin and has a generally hollow tubular shape.
As illustrated in Fig. 2, the ink needles 102 are disposed at a lower end portion
of the end wall constituting the case 101. Specifically, each ink needle 102 is disposed
at a position corresponding to an ink supply potion 34 (described later) of the corresponding
ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge-attachment section 110. The respective ink
needles 102 protrude rearward from the end wall of the case 101. The ink needle 102
has a distal end 102E facing rearward.
[0027] A cylindrical-shaped guide portion 105 is provided at the end wall to surround each
of the ink needles 102. Each guide portion 105 protrudes rearward from the end wall.
Each guide portion 105 has a protruding end that is open rearward. Specifically, each
ink needle 102 is positioned at a diametrical center of the corresponding guide portion
105. Each guide portion 105 is shaped to allow the ink supply potion 34 of the corresponding
ink cartridge 30 to be received in the corresponding guide portion 105.
[0028] During insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110
in the frontward direction 51, i.e., in a process for moving the ink cartridge 30
to the attached posture, the ink supply potion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 enters into
the corresponding guide portion 105 (refer to Fig. 4). As the ink cartridge 30 is
inserted further forward in the frontward direction 51, the ink needle 102 enters
into an ink supply port 71 of the corresponding ink supply potion 34. The ink needle
102 is thus connected to the corresponding ink supply potion 34 to allow communication
with each other. Hence, the ink stored in a second ink chamber 33 formed inside the
ink cartridge 30 is allowed to flow into the corresponding tank 103 through an ink
valve chamber 35 defined in the ink supply potion 34 and an inner space defined in
the corresponding ink needle 102.
[0029] Incidentally, the distal end 102E of each ink needle 102 may have a flat shape or
a pointed shape. The guide portions 105 may be formed into any shape, provided that
the guide portions 105 can allow attachment of the ink cartridges 30 to the cartridge-attachment
section 110. The guide portions 105 need not necessarily be provided in the cartridge-attachment
section 110.
< Contacts 106 >
[0030] A set of the four contacts 106 is provided for each of the four insertion spaces
111 of the case 101. Precisely, the contacts 106 are provided in a holder (not shown)
that is supported by the cartridge-attachment section 110. As illustrated in Fig.
4, each of the four sets of the contacts 106 is disposed at the top wall of the case
101, for each insertion space 111, at a position near the end wall of the case 101.
Each set of the four contacts 106 is disposed rearward relative to the corresponding
ink needle 102. Each of the four contacts 106 protrude from a lower surface of the
top wall downward toward the corresponding insertion space 111 of the case 101. Although
not illustrated in detail in the drawings, the four contacts 106 in each set are arranged
to be spaced apart from one another in the left-right direction. The four contacts
106 in each set are arranged at positions respectively corresponding to four electrodes
65 provided at each of the ink cartridges 30, as will be described later. Each contact
106 is formed of a material having electrical conductivity and resiliency. The contacts
106 are therefore upwardly resiliently deformable.
[0031] In the present embodiment, the four sets of the four contacts 106 are disposed each
set for each of the four ink cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K in the present embodiment.
That is, a total of sixteen contacts 106 are provided at the case 101. However, the
number of contacts 106 and the number of electrodes 65 may be arbitrary.
[0032] Each contact 106 is electrically connected to an arithmetic-logic unit via an electrical
circuit. In the present embodiment, each contact 106 is connected to a controller
117 (see Fig. 1) provided in the cartridge-attachment section 110. The controller
117 may include a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, for example. The contacts 106 are engaged
with the corresponding electrodes 65 when the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the
case 101. When in contact with the corresponding electrodes 65, the contacts 106 are
electrically connected to the corresponding electrodes 65, so that a voltage Vc is
applied to one of the electrodes 65; another one of the electrodes 65 is grounded;
signals are exchanged between the controller 117 and another one of the electrodes
65; and power is supplied to another one of the electrodes 65. Due to establishment
of the electrical connection between the contacts 106 and the electrodes 65, the controller
117 is electrically accessible to the data stored in an IC of each ink cartridge 30.
Outputs from the respective contacts 106 through the electrical circuits are configured
to be inputted into the controller 117.
< Rod 125 >
[0033] As illustrated in Fig. 4, each rod 125 is provided at the end wall of the case 101
at a position upward of the corresponding ink needle 102 for each insertion space
111. Each rod 125 has a generally cylindrical shape and protrudes rearward from the
end wall of the case 101. In a state where the ink cartridges 30 are attached to the
cartridge-attachment section 110, that is, when the ink cartridges 30 are in the attached
posture, the rods 125 are respectively received in air communication ports 96 (described
later) of the corresponding ink cartridges 30.
< Optical Sensor 113 >
[0034] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the optical sensors 113 are disposed at the top wall of
the case 101. Specifically, each optical sensor 113 is disposed, for each insertion
space 111, at a position rearward of the corresponding rod 125 but frontward of the
set of four contacts 106. Each optical sensor 113 includes a light-emitting portion
and a light-receiving portion. The light-emitting portion is arranged to oppose the
light-receiving portion and is spaced apart from the light-receiving portion in the
left-right direction. When the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110, a light-blocking plate 67 of the attached ink cartridge 30 is located
between the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the corresponding
optical sensor 113. In other words, the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving
portion are arranged to oppose each other with the light-blocking plate 67 of the
ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110 interposed between
the light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion.
[0035] The optical sensor 113 is configured to output different detection signals depending
on whether or not light emitted in the left-right direction from the light-emitting
portion is received by the light-receiving portion. For example, the optical sensor
113 outputs a low-level signal when the light emitted from the light-emitting portion
is not received at the light-receiving portion (that is, when an intensity of the
light received at the light-receiving portion is less than a predetermined intensity).
On the other hand, the optical sensor 113 outputs a high-level signal when the light
emitted from the light-emitting portion is received by the light-receiving portion
(that is, when the intensity of the received light is equal to or greater than the
predetermined intensity).
< Lock Shaft 145 >
[0036] As illustrated in Fig. 4, a lock shaft 145 is also provided at the case 101. The
lock shaft 145 extends in the left-right direction at a position near the top wall
and the opening 112 of the case 101. The lock shaft 145 is disposed rearward of the
contacts 106. The lock shaft 145 is a rod-like member extending in the left-right
direction. For example, the lock shaft 145 is a columnar-shaped metal. The lock shaft
145 has both ends that are fixed to walls defining both ends of the case 101 in the
left-right direction. Accordingly, the lock shaft 145 is not movable (for example,
is not pivotable) relative to the case 101. The lock shaft 145 extends in the left-right
direction across the four insertion spaces 111 respectively corresponding to the four
ink cartridges 30. In each of the insertion spaces 111, a space is provided around
the lock shaft 145. Thus, a locking surface 151 (described later) of each ink cartridge
30 can access the lock shaft 145 by moving upward or rearward.
[0037] The lock shaft 145 functions to maintain the ink cartridges 30 attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110 in the attached state. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the
cartridge-attachment section 110 and pivoted into a posture to be used thereby (i.e.,
attached posture), the ink cartridge 30 is brought into engagement with the lock shaft
145 in the corresponding insertion space 111. Further, the lock shaft 145 holds the
ink cartridge 30 in the attached posture in the cartridge-attachment section 110 against
urging forces of coil springs 78 and 98 (described later) of the ink cartridge 30
that push the ink cartridge 30 as a whole rearward.
< Positioning Portion 107 >
[0038] As illustrated in Fig. 4, the positioning portions 107 are arranged near the top
wall of the case 101. Each positioning portion 107 is disposed between the corresponding
set of contacts 106 and the lock shaft 145 in the front-rear direction. The positioning
portions 107 protrude downward from the top wall of the case 101. The positioning
portions 107 are integrally formed with the case 101. Each positioning portion 107
has a lower end surface that is configured to abut against a contact surface 84 of
the corresponding ink cartridge 30 in the state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached
to the cartridge-attachment section 110 (in the attached posture). The lower end surface
of each positioning portion 107 is positioned slightly upward relative to the lower
ends of the corresponding contacts 106.
< Gate 108 >
[0039] As illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the gates 108 (specifically, gates 108C, 108M, 108Y
and 108K) are provided near the top wall of the case 101. Each gate 108 protrudes
downward from a wall defining an upper edge of each insertion space 111. Each gate
108 is provided for each insertion space 111 at a position between the corresponding
optical sensor 113 and the set of contacts 106 in the front-rear direction. Referring
to Fig. 3, each gate 108 includes a pair of opposing walls 118 and a slit 119 provided
between the opposing walls 118. The opposing walls 118 extend respectively in the
left-right direction from neighboring partitioning members that oppose each other
in the right-left direction and that define the corresponding insertion space 111,
such as the neighboring two plates 104. The opposing walls 118 extend in the up-down
direction and are paired to oppose each other in the left-right direction with a gap
defined therebetween. This gap between the paired opposing walls 118 serve as the
slit 119 in each gate 108. Put another way, each slit 119 is defined by two opposing
end faces of the paired opposing walls 118 extending in the up-down direction. However,
the slits 119 (slits 119C, 119M, 119Y and 119K) are formed at different positions
from one another in the left-right direction in the respective insertion spaces 111C,
111M, 111Y and 111K. Specifically, relative positions between the slits 119 (slits
119C, 119M, 119Y and 119K) and the corresponding contacts 106 in the respective insertion
spaces 111C, 111M, 111Y and 111K in the left-right direction are different from one
another. More specifically, for example, referring to Fig. 3, while the slit 119M
of the gate 108M is positioned at a generally left-right center of the insertion space
111M, the slit 119C of the gate 108C is positioned offset from a left-right center
of the insertion space 111C (i.e., rightward relative to the left-right center of
the insertion space 111C). The respective slits 119C, 119M, 119Y and 119K in the insertion
spaces 111C, 111M, 111Y and 111K are formed at such left-right positions that correspond
to left-right positions of the light-blocking plates 67 (67C, 67M, 67Y and 67K) of
the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K, respectively. Each slit 119 has a width
in the left-right direction that is larger than a width of the corresponding light-blocking
plate 67 in the left-right direction (defined as a width W1 illustrated in Figs. 14
and 15). That is, the light-blocking plates 67C, 67M, 67Y and 67K are allowed to pass
through the corresponding slits 119C, 119M, 119Y and 119K in the front-rear direction.
< Tank 103 >
[0040] As illustrated in Fig. 1, each tank 103 is provided forward of the case 101 and is
connected to the corresponding ink needle 102. The tank 103 has a box-like shape that
allows ink to be stored therein. An atmosphere communication port 124 is formed at
an upper portion of each tank 103 so that the tank 103 can be opened to the atmosphere
through the atmosphere communication port 124. The tank 103 has an inner space that
communicates with the inner space of the ink needle 102. With this structure, ink
can flow out from the ink cartridge 30 through the ink needle 102 and is stored in
the tank 103. Each tank 103 is also connected to the corresponding ink tube 20. Thus,
the ink stored in the inner space of each tank 103 is supplied to the recording head
21 through the corresponding ink tube 20.
< Cover 114 and Cover Sensor 115 >
[0041] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the cartridge-attachment section 110 also includes a cover
114, and a cover sensor 115. The cover 114 is configured to open and close the opening
112 of the case 101. The cover 114 extends in the left-right direction. The cover
114 is pivotally movable relative to the case 101 about a shaft 116 provided near
a lower end of the case 101. The cover 114 has a substantially flat-plate shape and
constitutes a part of the outer surface of the printer 10. The cover sensor 115 is
configured to detect whether or not the cover 114 is in a closing position that closes
the opening 112.
[0042] In a state illustrated in Fig. 1, the cover 114 is at the closing position. The cover
114 at the closing position extends upward relative to the shaft 116. When the cover
114 is at the closing position, the opening 112 of the case 101 is closed. At this
time, a user cannot perform insertion and removal of the ink cartridges 30 relative
to the cartridge-attachment section 110. The cover sensor 115 is disposed at such
a position that the cover sensor 115 can detect presence of a portion of the cover
114 at the closing position. To move the cover 114 from the closing position to an
opening position opening the opening 112, the cover 114 is pivoted about the shaft
116 to move an upper end portion of the cover 114 downward. The cover 114 at the opening
position extends substantially horizontally in the rearward direction 52 relative
to the shaft 116. When the cover 114 is pivoted from the closing position toward the
opening position, the cover 114 goes out of a range within which the cover sensor
115 can detect the cover 114. When the cover 114 is at the opening position, the opening
112 of the case 101 is opened. In this state, the user can insert/remove the ink cartridges
30 into/from the cartridge-attachment section 110.
< Controller 117 >
[0043] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the cartridge-attachment section 110 also includes a controller
117. As described earlier, the controller 117 is an arithmetic-logic unit including
a CPU, a memory, and the like, for example. The controller 117 may be configured as
a controller of the printer 10. The controller 117 is configured to receive signals
outputted from the optical sensor 113 and the cover sensor 115. In response to receipt
of a signal from the cover sensor 115 indicating that the cover 114 is at the closing
position, the controller 117 is configured to determine a type of the ink cartridge
30 inserted into the insertion space 111 based on a signal outputted from the optical
sensor 113. Details of the detection performed by the controller 117 will be described
later.
< Ink Cartridge 30 >
[0044] The ink cartridge 30 is a container configured to store ink therein. The ink cartridges
30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K have generally the same structure as each other, but have some
differences from one another.
[0045] Hereinafter, in order to describe a configuration common to all of the ink cartridges
30, a structure of the ink cartridge 30M will be first described as an illustrative
example, with reference to Figs. 4 to 10. Subsequently, a detailed structure of the
ink cartridge 30K, and differences among the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K
will be described.
[0046] The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and attached to the cartridge-attachment section
110 in a posture illustrated in Figs. 4 to 10. This posture of the ink cartridge 30
in the attached state (attached posture) will also be called an upright posture, hereinafter,
whenever necessary. That is, the upright posture corresponds to the attached posture.
In other words, the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright posture when the ink cartridge
30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110. In the upright posture or
in the attached posture, the ink stored in the first ink chamber 32 of the ink cartridge
30 can flow out therefrom to be supplied into the corresponding ink needle 102 through
the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply potion 34. That is, the ink cartridge 30
can be used in the printer 10 when in the attached posture or in the upright posture.
[0047] Specifically, as will be described later, the ink cartridge 30 includes a front wall
40, a rear wall 41, an upper wall 39, and a bottom wall 42. When the ink cartridge
30(30M) is in the upright posture or in the attached posture illustrated in Figs.
4 to 10, a direction from the rear wall 41 toward the front wall 40 coincides with
the frontward direction 51; a direction from the front wall 40 toward the rear wall
41 coincides with the rearward direction 52; a direction from the upper wall 39 toward
the bottom wall 42 coincides with the downward direction 53, and a direction from
the bottom wall 42 toward the upper wall 39 coincides with the upward direction 54.
[0048] In the upright posture of the ink cartridge 30, the front wall 40 faces frontward
or is oriented in the frontward direction 51; the rear wall 41 is spaced away from
the front wall 40 in the front-rear direction; the upper wall 39 is positioned between
the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 in the front-rear direction; and the bottom
wall 42 is spaced away from the upper wall 39 in the up-down direction. The bottom
wall 42 is positioned between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 in the front-rear
direction. In other words, in the upright posture of the ink cartridge 30, the front
wall 40 faces frontward, the rear wall 41 faces rearward, the bottom wall 42 faces
downward, and the upper wall 39 faces upward.
[0049] More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is in the attached posture or in the
upright posture, a front surface of the front wall 40 constitutes an front surface
of the ink cartridge 30; a rear surface of the rear wall 41 constitutes a rear surface
of the ink cartridge 30; an upper surface of the upper wall 39 constitutes an upper
surface of the ink cartridge 30; and a bottom surface of the bottom wall 42 constitutes
a bottom surface of the ink cartridge 30. That is, in the upright posture (attached
posture) of the ink cartridge 30, the front surface of the front wall 40 faces frontward,
the rear surface of the rear wall 41 faces rearward, the bottom surface of the bottom
wall 42 faces downward, and the upper surface of the upper wall 39 faces upward.
[0050] Hereinafter, for simplifying explanation, whenever necessary, the front surface of
the front wall 40 will be referred to as the front surface 40; the rear surface of
the rear wall 41 will be simply to as the rear surface 41; the upper surface of the
upper wall 39 will be referred to as the upper surface 39; and the bottom surface
of the bottom wall 42 will be referred to as the bottom surface 42.
[0051] As illustrated in Figs. 4 to 10, the ink cartridge 30(30M) includes a cartridge body
31 of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The cartridge body 31 in the
upright posture has a generally flat shape having a height in the up-down direction
(in the gravitational direction), a width in the left-right direction, and a depth
in the front-rear direction, the width being smaller than the height and the depth.
The cartridge body 31 includes the front wall 40, the rear wall 41, the upper wall
39, the bottom wall 42 and side walls 37 and 38.
[0052] In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright posture or in the attached
state, the front surface 40 (front surface of the front wall 40) faces frontward,
the rear surface 41 (the rear surface of the rear wall 41) faces rearward, the upper
surface 39 (the upper surface of the upper wall 39) faces upward, and the bottom surface
42 (the bottom surface of the bottom wall 42) faces downward. The side walls 37 and
38 extend to intersect with the front wall 40 and rear wall 41 so as to connect the
front wall 40 and the rear wall 41. In the upright posture (attached posture) of the
ink cartridge 30, outer surfaces of the side walls 37 and 38 faces rightward and leftward,
respectively.
[0053] More specifically, in the present embodiment, the cartridge body 31 includes a lower
case 31L, and an upper cover 31U fitted to the lower case 31L. Within the lower case
31L, a first ink chamber 32 and the second ink chamber 33 are formed (see Fig. 8).
The lower case 31L includes the bottom wall 42, and the upper cover 31U includes the
upper wall 39. In the cartridge body 31, at least a portion of the rear wall 41 constituting
the lower case 31L is capable of transmitting light so that a liquid surface of the
ink stored in the first ink chamber 32 and second ink chamber 33 can be viewed from
outside. An upper surface of the upper cover 31U constitutes the upper surface 39
of the cartridge body 31.
[0054] As illustrated in Figs. 7 and 8, the rear surface 41 includes an upper portion 41U
and a lower portion 41L. The upper portion 41U is positioned upward of the lower portion
41L. The lower portion 41L is positioned forward of the upper portion 41U. Each of
the upper and lower portions 41U and 41L is a flat surface. The upper portion 41U
and lower portion 41L cross each other but are not orthogonal to each other. Specifically,
the lower portion 41L is inclined relative to the up-down direction so as to extend
closer to the front surface 40 toward the lower surface 42. In other words, in the
present embodiment, the upper portion 41U constitutes a rearmost portion of the rear
surface 41 in the rearward direction 52. Further, in the present embodiment, the upper
portion 41U also constitutes a rearmost portion of the ink cartridge 30. In Fig. 10,
a rearmost point of the ink cartridge 30 is illustrated as a point P5.
[0055] As illustrated in Figs. 4 and 8, the lower surface 42 is inclined relative to the
front-rear direction. Specifically, assuming the lower surface 42 has a front end
42F and a rear end 42R, the bottom surface 42 is inclined relative to the front-rear
direction such that the front end 42F is positioned downward relative to the rear
end 42R. The front end 42F of the lower surface 42 (inclined surface) is positioned
frontward relative to the IC board 64, as will be described later. The rear end 42R
of the lower surface 42 (inclined surface) is connected to a lower end of the lower
portion 41L of the rear surface 41. Preferably, the lower surface 42 is inclined relative
to the horizontal direction at an angle of 2° to 4°.
[0056] As illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, the cartridge body 31 also includes a sub-lower
wall 48 and a connecting wall 49 that belong to the lower case 31L. The sub-lower
wall 48 is positioned upward of the lower wall 42. The sub-lower wall 48 extends rearward
from a lower end of the front wall 40. In the present embodiment, a front end of the
sub-lower wall 48 is positioned frontward of a front end of the ink supply portion
34, and a rear end of the sub-lower wall 48 is positioned rearward of the front end
of the ink supply portion 34. The connecting wall 49 connects the lower wall 42 (lower
surface 42) and the sub-lower wall 48. The ink supply portion 34 extends forward from
the connecting wall 49 at a position downward of the sub-lower wall 48 and upward
of the lower surface 42. Note that the front end of the sub-lower wall 48 may be arranged
at an arbitrary position, for example, at a position rearward of the front end of
the ink supply portion 34.
[0057] As illustrated in Figs. 4, 6-9A and 10, the upper wall 39 belonging to the upper
cover 31U has a stepped upper surface. Specifically, the upper surface 39 (upper surface
of the upper wall 39) includes a rearward portion that is raised upward relative to
a frontward portion of the upper surface 39. Hereinafter, the rearward portion will
be referred to as a raised portion 39A, whenever necessary.
[0058] A first protrusion 43 is provided on the upper surface 39 of the cartridge body 31.
More specifically, the first protrusion 43 is disposed at the raised portion 39A of
the upper surface 39. The first protrusion 43 extends in the front-rear direction
and is positioned at a generally left-right center of the upper surface 39 (raised
portion 39A). The first protrusion 43 has a rear end whose surface faces rearward.
This surface serves as the locking surface 151.
[0059] The locking surface 151 is a plane parallel to the gravitational direction (downward
direction 53). That is, the locking surface 151 extends in the up-down direction and
in the left-right direction. In the present embodiment, the locking surface 151 extends
upward from the upper surface 39 (raised portion 39A) of the cartridge body 31. In
a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section
110, the locking surface 151 facing rearward is in contact with the lock shaft 145
from frontward thereof in an engaging region E (illustrated in Fig. 5A). In other
words, the locking surface 151 has the engaging region E configured to engage the
lock shaft 145 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110. The engaging region E is positioned upward relative to the IC board 64
in the attached posture. The contact (engagement) between the locking surface 151
(engaging region E) and the lock shaft 145 in the front-rear direction enables the
ink cartridge 30 to be held in the cartridge-attachment section 110 against the biasing
force of a coil spring 78 of the ink supply potion 34, as will be described later.
Although the locking surface 151 contacts the lock shaft 145 at the engaging region
(surface contact) in the embodiment, the locking surface 151 may make contact with
the lock shaft 145 at a specific point (point contact), as long as the locking surface
151 can receive the rearward urging force of the coil spring 78 to maintain the ink
cartridge 30 in the attached state. As an example, the locking surface 151 may make
contact with the lock shaft 145 on an engaging point P3 within the engaging region
E (see Fig. 5A).
[0060] The first protrusion 43 also includes a horizontal surface 154 and an inclined surface
155. The horizontal surface 154 extends frontward from an upper edge 151U of the locking
surface 151. That is, the horizontal surface 154 is provided frontward of the locking
surface 151. The horizontal surface 154 is a surface extending in the front-rear direction
and in the left-right direction. The horizontal surface 154 is a surface that is positioned
farthest away from the upper surface 39 among surfaces constituting the first protrusion
43. The horizontal surface 154 has a left-right dimension that is smaller than a front-rear
dimension thereof. The inclined surface 155 extends frontward and downward from a
front edge of the horizontal surface 154. That is, the front edge of the horizontal
surface 154 is the rear edge of the inclined surface 155 (denoted as a point P1 in
Figs. 7, 8, 9A and 10). The inclined surface 155 is disposed frontward relative to
the horizontal surface 154. The inclined surface 155 is a surface facing upward and
forward. Preferably, the inclined surface 155 is included relative to the horizontal
direction at an angle of 15° to 25°. Put another way, the locking surface 151 and
the inclined surface 155 are connected to each other via the horizontal surface 154.
Thus, a boundary edge between the locking surface 151 and inclined surface 155 does
not constitute a ridge-like shape. The inclined surface 155 is positioned between
the IC board 64 and the locking surface 151 in the front-rear direction. During insertion
of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110, the lock shaft
145 is smoothly guided toward the rear beyond the locking surface 151 while abutting
against and sliding along the inclined surface 155 and horizontal surface 154.
[0061] Further, the cartridge body 31 (upper cover 31U) also includes a pair of sub-upper
walls 91 extending in the front-rear direction. One of the sub-upper walls 91 is located
frontward of the upper wall 39 (to be referred to as a front sub-upper wall 91F),
while the other sub-upper wall 91 is located rearward of the upper wall 39 (to be
referred to as a rear sub-upper wall 91R). The front sub-upper wall 91F has a front
end connected to an upper end of the front wall 40, and a rear end connected to a
front end of the upper wall 39 via a connecting wall 95 extending in the up-down direction.
The rear sub-upper wall 91R has a rear end connected to an upper end of the rear wall
41. The front and rear sub-upper walls 91F and 91R are positioned downward relative
to a center portion of the upper surface 39 in the front-rear direction.
[0062] An operation portion 90 is also provided on the upper surface 39 (raised portion
39A) of the cartridge body 31 at a position rearward of the locking surface 151. The
operation portion 90 is disposed upward relative to the rear sub-upper wall 91R (upper
surface of the rear sub-upper wall 91R) and is spaced apart therefrom in the front-rear
direction. The operation portion 90 has a generally flat plate-like shape. Specifically,
the operation portion 90 protrudes upward from the raised portion 39A of the upper
surface 39, and is then bent obliquely rearward and downward. The operation portion
90 protrudes upward from the raised portion 39A of the upper surface 39 up to the
same degree as the first protrusion 43 protrudes from the raised portion 39A in the
up-down direction. Here, "the same degree" means that an upper edge of the operation
portion 90 is positioned higher by 0 to 1 mm, or lower by 0 to 1 mm, relative to the
upper edge of the first protrusion 43 (i.e., relative to the horizontal surface 154).
The operation portion 90 is connected to a lower edge 151L of the locking surface
151 via a surface 156 constituting part of the upper surface 39 (or, part of the raised
portion 39A). A rib 94 is provided between the operation portion 90 and the rear sub-upper
wall 91F. The rib 94 connects the operation portion 90 and the rear sub-upper wall
91R in the up-down direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The rib 94 has
a dimension in the left-right direction that is smaller than each of a dimension of
the operation portion 90 and a dimension of the rear sub-upper wall 91R in the left-right
direction.
[0063] The operation portion 90 has a surface that faces diagonally upward and rearward.
This surface serves as an operation surface 92. The operation surface 92 and the rear
sub-upper wall 91R are aligned with each other at least partially in the up-down direction.
In other words, when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from above, the operation surface
92 and the rear sub-upper wall 91R overlap with each other. On the operation surface
92, a plurality of projections, e.g., a plurality of ridges 93 extending in the left-right
direction is formed to be spaced apart from one another in the front-rear direction.
These ridges 93 (as the plurality of projections) allow the user to easily visually
recognize the operation surface 92. The ridges 93 can also serve to prevent the user's
finger from slipping over the operation surface 92 when he or she operates the operation
surface 92.
[0064] The operation surface 92 is visible when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from rearward
and from upward. The user operates the operation surface 92 in order to remove the
ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110 therefrom. The operation
portion 90 is fixed to the cartridge body 31 so as not to move relative to the cartridge
body 31. For example, the operation portion 90 may be formed integrally with the cartridge
body 31 so as not to pivot relative to the cartridge body 31. Thus, a force applied
from the user to the operation surface 92 is directly transmitted to the cartridge
body 31 without changing a direction of the force.
[0065] As illustrated in Figs. 4, 6-8, 9A and 10, a second protrusion 83 is also provided
at the upper surface 39 (raised portion 39A) of the cartridge body 31 at a position
forward of the first protrusion 43. The second protrusion 83 is provided at the upper
cover 31U. The second protrusion 83 extends forward from the front end of the first
protrusion 43. That is, the second protrusion 83 and the first protrusion 43 are connected
to each other. The second protrusion 83 is formed at the same left-right position
as the first protrusion 43. The second protrusion 83 supports the IC board 64. The
second protrusion 83 has a rear end portion whose upper surface serves as the contact
surface 84. Put another way, the contact surface 84 is connected to a lower end (front
end) of the inclined surface 155 and extends frontward therefrom. The contact surface
84 faces upward (i.e., a flat upper surface). That is, the contact surface 84 is positioned
between the IC board 64 and the locking surface 151 in the front-rear direction. In
a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section
110, the contact surface 84 is in contact with the positioning portion 107 of the
cartridge-attachment section 110, thereby providing positioning of the ink cartridge
30 relative to the cartridge-attachment section 110 with respect to the up-down direction.
The contact surface 84 is a surface that is not movable relative to the IC board 64.
In the present embodiment, the contact surface 84 is made of the same material as
a member that supports the IC board 64, i.e., the upper cover 31U. The inclined surface
155 may have an arbitrary configuration. For example, a continuous surface need not
be formed between the contact surface 84 and the locking surface 151. Alternatively,
for example, the second protrusion 83 having the contact surface 84 and the first
protrusion 43 having the locking surface 151 may not be formed to be continuous with
each other. That is, the second protrusion 83 and the first protrusion 43 may be provided
separately on the upper surface 39 so as to protrude upward therefrom.
[0066] Note that, the front surface, rear surface, top surface, bottom surface, and side
surfaces constituting the ink cartridge 30 need not be configured as one flat plane,
respectively. That is, the front surface of the ink cartridge 30 can be any surface(s)
that can be seen when the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture is viewed from its
front side, and that is(are) positioned frontward relative to a front-rear center
of the ink cartridge 30. In the present embodiment, the front surface 40 (i.e., the
front surface of the front wall 40 connecting the sub-lower wall 48 and front sub-upper
wall 91F) and a front surface of the connecting wall 49 connecting the sub-lower wall
48 and the bottom wall 42 (bottom surface 42) constitute the front surface of the
ink cartridge 30. Also, the connecting wall 95 connecting the front sub-upper wall
91F and the upper wall 39 also constitutes the front surface of the ink cartridges
30. On the other hand, the ink cartridge 30 may not have the sub-lower wall 48 and
the front sub-upper wall 91F. In other words, the front surface 40 of the ink cartridge
30 may be configured as one surface continuously connecting the upper surface 39 and
the lower surface 42.
[0067] Likewise, the rear surface of the ink cartridge 30 can be any surface(s) that can
be seen when the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture is viewed from its rear side,
and that is(are) positioned rearward relative to the front-rear center of the ink
cartridge 30. The upper surface of the ink cartridge 30 can be any surface(s) that
can be seen when the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture is viewed from above,
and that is(are) positioned upward relative to a center of the ink cartridge 30 in
the up-down direction. The lower surface of the ink cartridge 30 can be any surface(s)
that can be seen when the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture is viewed from below,
and that is(are) positioned downward relative to the center of the ink cartridge 30
in the up-down direction. The same is applied to the side surfaces of the ink cartridge
30.
[0068] As illustrated in Figs. 4, 6-8, 9A and 10, the light-blocking plate 67 is also provided
at the upper surface 39 (upper surface of the upper wall 39). Specifically, the light-blocking
plate 67 protrudes upward from the upper surface 39 at a position frontward relative
to the raised portion 39A. In the present embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67
is integrally formed with the upper cover 31U. The light-blocking plate 67 extends
in the front-rear direction. The light-blocking plate 67 is positioned frontward relative
to the second protrusion 83. The light-blocking plate 67 is connected to the raised
portion 39A that supports the second protrusion 83 on which the IC board 64 is disposed.
In other words, the raised portion 39A, which constitutes a part of the upper surface
39, also serves as a supporting portion that supports the IC board 64.
[0069] The light-blocking plate 67 is also positioned frontward and downward relative to
the IC board 64. In the present embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 is a plate
made of resin containing a colored material capable of absorbing light (carbon black
pigment, for example). Alternatively, the light-blocking plate 67 may be configured
by attaching a material that cannot transmit light, such as aluminum, to a side surface
of a plate capable of transmitting light.
[0070] The light-blocking plate 67 has a flat plate-like shape whose left-right dimension
(the width W1 illustrated in Fig. 14) is smaller than a front-rear dimension thereof.
The light-blocking plate 67 has a front surface 67b, left and right side surfaces
67a, an upper surface 67c, and a sloped surface 67d.
[0071] The front surface 67b of the light-blocking plate 67 is a surface facing frontward
in the upright posture of the ink cartridge 30. The front surface 67b serves as an
interfering surface 67b of the ink cartridge 30. That is, the interfering surface
67b faces frontward in the upright posture of the ink cartridge 30. The interfering
surface 67b extends upward from the upper surface 39 of the cartridge body 31. Put
another way, the interfering surface 67b is a plane extending upward from the upper
surface 39 of the cartridge body 31. The interfering surface 67b is a flat plane extending
in the up-down direction and in the left-right direction. The interfering surface
67bM of the ink cartridge 30M is configured to abut against any one of the gates 108
other than the corresponding gate 108M when the ink cartridge 30M is inserted into
any one of the insertion spaces 111 different from the specified insertion space 111M.
That is, the interfering surface 67bM of the ink cartridge 30M is designed to abut
against the gate 108C, or the gate 108Y, or the gate 108K, in case that the ink cartridge
30M is inserted into the insertion space 111C, or the insertion space 111Y, or the
insertion space 111K. More specifically, the interfering surface 67bM of the ink cartridge
30M is designed to abut against any one of the gate 108C, the gate 108Y and the gate
108K, during insertion of the ink cartridge 30M into any one of the insertion space
111C, the insertion space 111Y, and the insertion space 111K other than the insertion
space 111M, i.e., in a process of insertion of the ink cartridge 30M until the ink
cartridge 30M is completely attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110 to be
at the attached posture.
[0072] The both side surfaces 67a of the light-blocking plate 67 are positioned rearward
of the interfering surface 67b. The both side surfaces 67a facing rightward and leftward,
respectively, serve as light-blocking surfaces 67a of the light-blocking plate 67.
The sloped surface 67d is a sloped surface that connects a front edge of the upper
surface 67c and an upper edge of the interfering surface 67b. The sloped surface 67d
faces forward and upward. The rear edge of the sloped surface 67d, i.e., the front
edge of the upper surface 67c (denoted as a point P2 in Figs. 7, 8, 9A, 10) is the
highest portion (i.e. uppermost portion) in the light-blocking plate 67. The upper
edge of the interfering surface 67b is positioned slightly downward relative to the
upper surface (horizontal surface 154 and inclined surface 155) of the first protrusion
43. The interfering surface 67b is positioned forward and downward of the electrodes
65 of the IC board 64.
[0073] As illustrated in Figs. 6 and 9A, the both side surfaces 67a (light-blocking surfaces
67a) of the light-blocking plate 67 extend rearward from left and right ends of the
interfering surface 67b (also see Fig. and 12). That is, the interfering surface 67b
and each side surface 67a are aligned with each other in the front-rear direction.
Further, referring to Fig. 8, the interfering surface 67b is positioned rearward relative
to an inner surface 40R (rear surface) of the front wall 40, the inner surface 40R
defining a front edge of the first ink chamber 32, as will be described later.
[0074] The light-blocking plate 67 is configured to block the light of the optical sensor
113 traveling in the left-right direction from the light-emitting portion to the light-receiving
portion. More specifically, when the light emitted from the light-emitting portion
of the optical sensor 113 is incident on the right or left side surface 67a of the
light-blocking plate 67 before arriving at the light-receiving portion, the intensity
of light received at the light-receiving portion is less than a predetermined intensity,
for example, zero. Note that the light-blocking plate 67 may completely block the
light traveling in the left-right direction, or may partially attenuate the light,
may refract the light to change a traveling direction thereof, or may fully reflect
the light.
[0075] As illustrated in Figs. 6-9A and 10, the light-blocking plate 67(67M) is formed with
the cutout 66(66M). The cutout 66 is configured to allow light to pass therethrough
in the left-right direction (light-transmission portion). The cutout 66 is a space
provided by cutting out a portion of an upper end portion of the light-blocking plate
67. In other words, the cutout 66 is recessed downward from the upper surface 67c
of the light-blocking plate 67. The cutout 66 extends in the front-rear direction
and in the left-right direction. The cutout 66 is formed at a position coincident
with the corresponding optical sensor 113 in the left-right direction when the ink
cartridge 30 having the light-blocking plate 67 provided with the cutout 66 is mounted
in the corresponding insertion space 111. In other words, in a state where the ink
cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110, the cutout 66 of
the light-blocking plate 67 of the attached ink cartridge 30 is located between the
light-emitting portion and the light-receiving portion of the corresponding optical
sensor 113. Hence, the light from the light-emitting portion of the corresponding
optical sensor 113 is not blocked by the cutout 66, and is received at the light-receiving
portion.
[0076] Note that, the light-blocking plate 67 of the present embodiment is provided with
the cutout 66 as the light-transmission portion. However, the light-transmission portion
of the light-blocking plate 67 may not necessarily be provided as a cutout, as long
as light from the light-emitting portion of the optical sensor 113 can pass through
the light-transmission portion. For example, the light-transmission portion may be
provided as a through-hole penetrating a portion of the light-blocking plate 67 in
the left-right direction, or as a transparent plate provided in the light-blocking
plate 67.
[0077] More precisely, in the present embodiment, a portion of each side surface 67a enclosed
by a broken line D in Fig. 9A serves as a light -blocking portion of the light-blocking
plate 67. That is, the light emitted from the light-emitting portion of the corresponding
optical sensor 113 is configured to be incident on this portion D of one of the light-blocking
surfaces 67a during insertion of the ink cartridge 30. This portion D can block or
attenuate the incident light from the optical sensor 113 during insertion of the ink
cartridge 30 and is therefore configured to be detected by the controller 117 through
the optical sensor 113. This portion D may serve as a detection surface D of the light-blocking
plate 67. This detection surface D has a rear edge Dr that also constitutes a front
edge of the cutout 66 (light-transmission portion). In the attached state of the ink
cartridge 30, the optical sensor 113 is positioned to oppose the cutout 66. This means
that, in the light-blocking surface 67a, the light from the optical sensor 113 is
incident on the detection surface D but cannot be incident on a portion positioned
rearward of the cutout 66.
[0078] The light-blocking plate 67 may not be formed with the cutout 66. For example, the
light-blocking plate 67 of the ink cartridge 30C depicted in Fig. 17 is not formed
with the cutout 66. In case that the cutout 66 is not formed in the light-blocking
plate 67, one of the side surfaces 67a of the light-blocking plate 67 opposes the
light-emitting portion of the optical sensor 113 in the left-right direction when
the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110. Thus, the
light emitted from the light-emitting portion of the optical sensor 113 is blocked
by the light-blocking plate 67 and is not received at the light-receiving portion.
[0079] The ink cartridges 30 may or may not include the cutout 66 depending on types of
the ink cartridges 30. For example, the types of the ink cartridges 30 may vary depending
on colors of ink, initial amounts of ink (larger or smaller), or types of ink (pigment
ink or dye ink) stored in the ink cartridges 30. In the present embodiment, the ink
cartridges 30 are, for each color, configured to store different initial amounts of
ink. Specifically, the ink cartridges 30M storing magenta ink can be classified into
two types: larger-amount type and smaller-amount type. The ink cartridge 30M of the
larger-amount type stores a larger amount of ink in the first ink chamber 32 as its
initial amount of ink than the initial amount of ink stored in the first ink chamber
32 of the ink cartridge 30M of the smaller-amount type. In this example, the ink cartridge
30M of the larger-amount type includes the light-blocking plate 67M formed with the
cutout 66M, while the ink cartridge 30M of the smaller amount type includes the light-blocking
plate 67M without the cutout 66M. In the present embodiment, the type of the ink cartridge
30 (i.e., the initial amount of ink) attached to the cartridge-attachment section
110 can be determined based on presence or absence of the cutout 66 in the light-blocking
plate 67, as will be described later in detail.
[0080] As illustrated in Figs. 6 to 8, the IC board 64 is disposed at the upper end of the
second protrusion 83 and between the light-blocking plate 67 and the first protrusion
43. The IC board 64 is positioned in a recess that is recessed downward and that is
formed in the second protrusion 83, the recess being positioned frontward of the contact
surface 84. The IC board 64 is supported by the second protrusion 83 from below. Specifically,
although not depicted in detail in the drawings, a photocurable resin is filled in
the recess of the second protrusion 83, whereby the IC board 64 is adhered to the
second protrusion 83,
[0081] The IC board 64 includes a substrate, an IC (not illustrated), and four electrodes
65 mounted on an upper surface of the substrate, for example. The substrate is made
of silicon, for example. The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit and readably
stores data indicating information relating to the ink cartridge 30, such as a lot
number, a manufacturing date, and a color of the ink. Alternatively, the IC board
64 may be formed of a flexible board (substrate) having flexibility, provided with
the IC and electrodes.
[0082] The electrodes 65 are electrically connected to the IC. The four electrodes 65 each
extend in the front-rear direction. The four electrodes 65 are arranged spaced apart
from one another in the left-right direction. The four electrodes 65 are arranged
on the upper surface of the substrate such that the electrodes 65 are exposed above
to allow electrically access thereto from above. The electrodes 65 of the IC board
64 come into contact with the corresponding contacts 106 each at a contact point P4
(illustrated in Fig. 10) to be electrically connected thereto during insertion of
the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110, and is electrically
connected to the corresponding set of contacts 106 in a state where the ink cartridge
30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110,
[0083] As illustrated in Fig. 9A and 10, the IC board 64 is arranged rearward relative to
the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply potion 34. The IC board 64 is disposed forward
of the locking surface 151. The IC board 64 is also positioned downward of the upper
edge 151U of the locking surface 151, but upward relative to the light-blocking plate
67. Further, as illustrated in Fig. 4, the IC board 64 is positioned rearward relative
to the distal end 102E of the ink needle 102 in the frontward direction 51 in the
attached posture.
[0084] As described above, the connecting wall 95 connects the front sub-upper wall 91F
and the upper wall 39. That is, the connecting wall 95 extends upward from the rear
end of the front sub-upper wall 91F. The connecting wall 95 faces forward. The air
communication port 96 is formed in the connecting wall 95. That is, the air communication
port 96 is disposed upward relative to a center of the dimension of the cartridge
body 31 in the up-down direction. The air communication port 96 is a through-hole
formed in the connecting wall 95. The air communication port 96 has a substantially
circular cross-section (see Fig. 6) and has an inner diameter larger than an outer
diameter of the corresponding rod 125 of the cartridge-attachment section 110. The
rod 125 is configured to enter the air communication port 96 during insertion of the
ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110.
< Internal Configuration of Cartridge Body 31 >
[0085] As illustrated in Fig, 8, the first ink chamber 32, the second ink chamber 33, the
ink valve chamber 35, and an air valve chamber 36 are provided inside the cartridge
body 31.
[0086] The first ink chamber 32 and the air valve chamber 36 are partitioned by a partitioning
wall 44. The first ink chamber 32 and the second ink chamber 33 are partitioned by
a partitioning wall 45. The partitioning wall 44 and partitioning wall 45 are both
walls extending in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction. The partitioning
wall 44 and partitioning wall 45 are disposed opposite to each other in the up-down
direction. A through-hole 46 is formed in the partitioning wall 44. The first ink
chamber 32 and the air valve chamber 36 communicate with each other through the through-hole
46.
[0087] As illustrated in Fig. 8, specifically, the first ink chamber 32 is a space enclosed
by the following surfaces: a lower surface 44L of the partitioning wall 44, an upper
surface 45U of the partitioning wall 45, and the inner surface 40R of the front wall
40, an inner surface 41F of the rear wall 41 (front surface of the rear wall 41),
and inner surfaces of the side walls 37 and 38. The lower surface 44L and upper surface
45U defines upper and lower edges of the first ink chamber 32, respectively. The inner
surface 40R, inner surface 41F, and the inner surfaces of the side walls 37 and 38
defines front, rear and side edges of the first ink chamber 32, respectively. The
inner surface 40R is the rear surface of the front wall 40, i.e., a surface opposite
to the front surface 40 (front surface of the front wall 40). The inner surface 41F
is a front surface of the rear wall 41, i.e., a surface opposite to the rear surface
41 (rear surface of the rear wall 41). The inner surfaces of the side walls 37 and
38 are surfaces opposite to the outer surfaces of the side walls 37 and 38. In Fig.
7, the inner surface of the side wall 38 is not illustrated.
[0088] The second ink chamber 33 is positioned downward of the first ink chamber 32 in the
upright posture of the ink cartridge 30. The second ink chamber 33 can store ink therein.
The second ink chamber 33 has a capacity smaller than a capacity of the first ink
chamber 32. That is, a smaller amount of ink can be stored in the second ink chamber
33 than in the first ink chamber 32.
[0089] The second ink chamber 33 and ink valve chamber 35 are partitioned by a partitioning
wall 50. The second ink chamber 33 communicates with the first ink chamber 32 through
a communication port 47 formed in the partitioning wall 45 (see Fig. 8). The second
ink chamber 33 communicates with the ink valve chamber 35 through a through-hole 99
formed in the partitioning wall 50. The partitioning wall 50 defines a rear edge of
the ink valve chamber 35, i.e., a rear edge 75R of the ink supply potion 34 (see Fig.
8).
[0090] The second ink chamber 33 is a space enclosed by the following surfaces: a lower
surface 45L of the partitioning wall 45, an upper surface 42U of the lower wall 42,
a rear surface 50R of the partitioning wall 50, the inner surface 41F of the rear
wall 41, and the inner surfaces of the side walls 37 and 38. The lower surface 45L
and upper surface 42U define upper and lower edges of the second ink chamber 33, respectively.
The rear surface 50R, inner surface 41F and the inner surfaces of the side walls 37
and 38 define front, rear and side edges of the second ink chamber 33, respectively.
[0091] Within the air valve chamber 36, a valve 97 and the coil spring 98 are disposed.
The air valve chamber 36 can communicate with ambient air through the air communication
port 96 formed in the connecting wall 95. The valve 97 is movable between a closing
position sealing the air communication port 96 and an opening position separated from
the air communication port 96. The coil spring 98 is disposed rearward of the valve
97 so as to be capable of expanding and contracting in the front-rear direction. The
coil spring 98 urges the valve 97 in the frontward direction 51 (toward the air communication
port 96). Accordingly, in a state that no external force is applied, the valve 97
is in contact with the air communication port 96 to seal the air communication port
96. The coil spring 98 has a spring constant that is smaller than a spring constant
of the coil spring 78 of the ink supply portion 34.
[0092] Incidentally, a member for sealing the air communication port 96 is not limited to
the valve 97. For example, a seal may be removably affixed to the connecting wall
95 to seal the air communication port 96.
[0093] During insertion of the ink cartridges 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110,
the rod 125 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 enters inside the air communication
port 96, thereby moving the valve 97 rearward from the closing position toward the
opening position against the biasing force of the coil spring 98. When the valve 97
is separated from the air communication port 96 by the rod 125 and is at the separating
position, the first ink chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere.
[0094] The ink supply portion 34 is provided at the connecting wall 49 constituting the
front surface of the ink cartridge 30. The ink supply potion 34 has a cylindrical
outer shape. More specifically, the ink supply portion 34 includes a hollow cylindrical-shaped
cylinder 75, and a packing 76. The cylinder 75 protrudes forward from the connecting
wall 49. The cylinder 75 has a front end that is opened to the outside of the ink
cartridge 30. The cylinder 75 defines an inner space therein that serves as the ink
valve chamber 35.
[0095] The packing 76 is provided at the open front end of the cylinder 75. The packing
76 is a disk-shaped member and has a center portion formed with a through-hole. The
packing 76 is made of an elastic material such as rubber or elastomer. The through-hole
penetrates through the center portion of the packing 76 in the front-rear direction
to provide a tubular-shaped inner peripheral surface that defines the ink supply port
71. The ink supply port 71 has a diameter that is slightly smaller than an outer diameter
of the ink needle 102.
[0096] Within the ink valve chamber 35, a valve 77 and the coil spring 78 are disposed.
The valve 77 is movable in the front-rear direction to open and close the ink supply
port 71 penetrating the center portion of the packing 76. The coil spring 78 biases
the valve 77 forward. Accordingly, without application of an external force, the valve
77 closes the ink supply port 71 of the packing 76.
[0097] When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110 in
a state where the valve 77 closes the ink supply port 71, the ink needle 102 enters
the ink supply port 71. An outer peripheral surface of the ink needle 102 entering
into the ink supply port 71 is brought into contact with the inner peripheral surface
defining the ink supply port 71 to provide liquid-tight seal therewith, while elastically
deforming the pacldng 76. When the distal end 102E of the ink needle 102 passes through
the ink supply port 71 of the packing 76 and enters inside the ink valve chamber 35,
the distal end 102E of the ink needle 102 comes in contact with the valve 77. As the
ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the cartridge-attachment section 110, the
distal end 102E of the ink needle 102 moves the valve 77 rearward against the biasing
force of the coil spring 78, thereby separating the valve 77 from the ink supply port
71 to open the ink supply port 71. Accordingly, the ink in the valve chamber 35 is
allowed to flow into the inner space of the ink needle 102.
[0098] Note that, instead of the valve 77, the ink supply portion 34 may be closed with
a film. In this case, the ink supply port 71 may be defined by the front end of the
cylinder 75, not by the packing 76. Alternatively, the ink supply port 71 may be configured
to be closed by a sealing member without a through-hole. In this case, the ink supply
port 71 may be formed by piercing the ink needle 102 into the sealing member, and
be closed by an elasticity of the sealing member itself as the ink needle 102 is removed
from the sealing member. Still alternatively, the ink supply portion 34 need not be
provided as a cylindrical-shaped member. For example, a through-hole may be formed
in the front wall 40 to penetrate the same in a thickness direction thereof (front-rear
direction). The ink supply potion is partially defined by the front wall 40.
[0099] Referring to Fig. 9A, here, assume an imaginary plane X1 that includes the point
P1 and the point P2 and that extends in the left-right direction. As explained above,
the point P1 denotes the boundary edge at which the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal
surface 154 are connected to each other; and the point P2 denotes the front edge of
the upper surface 67c of the light-blocking plate 67. In the present embodiment, the
imaginary plane X1 is inclined to extend downward toward frontward. The IC board 64
is disposed below the imaginary plane X1.
[0100] More specifically, assume a region that is defined between the imaginary plane X1
and the upper surface 39 of the cartridge body 31, i.e., a space that is above the
upper surface 39 of the cartridge body 31 and below the imaginary plane XI. The IC
board 64 is disposed within this region. Further, the side surfaces 67a of the light-blocking
plate 67, the cutout 66, the IC board 64, the contact surface 84, and the inclined
surface 155 are all disposed between the point P1 and the point P2 in the front-rear
direction within the region defined between the upper surface 39 and the imaginary
plane XI in the up-down direction. In other words, members that can be accessed from
above or the left or the right side of the ink cartridge 30 are all disposed within
this region. Put another way, in the ink cartridge 30 of the present embodiment, there
is no member that extends to cross the imaginary plane X1 between the point P1 and
the point P2. That is, the upper edge of the inclined surface 155 (point P1) is the
highest point, and the front edge of the upper surface 67c of the light-blocking plate
67 (point P2) is the second highest point among all the members positioned between
the point P1 and point P2 on the upper surface 39 of the ink cartridge 30.
[0101] Specifically, the imaginary plane X1 is defined as the highest plane among the imaginary
planes each of which passes through a front protrusion and a rear protrusion and extends
in the widthwise direction between the front protrusion and the rear protrusion. Here,
the front protrusion is defined as the protrusion positioned frontward relative to
the IC board 64 and the rear protrusion is defined as the protrusion positioned rearward
relative to the IC board 64. In other words, between the front protrusion and the
rear protrusion, the imaginary plane X1 is positioned higher than any other imaginary
plane that extends in the widthwise direction and passes through the front protrusion
and the rear protrusion. Accordingly, except for the members at which the point PI
or P2 is positioned, no member or configuration of the ink cartridge 30 crosses the
imaginary plane X1 between the points P1 and P2. In the embodiment, the light-blocking
plate 67 is an example of the front protrusion and the first protrusion 43 and the
operation portion 90 are examples of the rear protrusion.
[0102] In the frontward direction 51, the locking surface 151, IC board 64 and light-blocking
plate 67 are arranged in this order, from the rear surface 41 toward the front surface
40. In the up-down direction, the light-blocking plate 67, IC board 64 and the locking
surface 151 are arranged in this order toward the top. More specifically, uppermost
portions of the light-blocking plate 67, the IC board 64 and the locking surface 151
are arranged toward the top in the recited order in the upward direction 54.
[0103] Further, as illustrated in Fig. 14, the first protrusion 43 has a dimension or width
in the left-right direction (width W3) that is greater than the width W1 of the light-blocking
plate 67 in the left-right direction. That is, the first protrusion 43 has a wider
width (W3) than the light-blocking plate 67 and protrudes from the upper surface 39
further upward relative to the light-blocking plate 67. The first protrusion 43 is
designed to protect the light-blocking plate 67 from external damages, such as impacts
that may be impinged at the time of falling of the ink cartridge 30 onto the floor,
for example.
[0104] Further, referring to Fig. 8, the light-blocking plate 67 is positioned frontward
relative to a center of gravity G of the ink cartridges 30 in the front-rear direction,
whereas the locking surface 151 is positioned rearward relative to the center of gravity
G of the ink cartridges 30 in the front-rear direction. In other words, the light-blocking
plate 67 is positioned closer to the front surface 40 than the center of gravity G
is to the front surface 40 in the front-rear direction. The locking surface 151 is
positioned closer to the rear surface 41 than the center of gravity G is to the rear
surface 41 in the front-rear direction.
[0105] Referring to Fig. 10 in which the ink cartridge 30 is in the attached posture or
in the upright posture, the IC board 64 is positioned rearward relative to the ink
supply port 71 of the ink supply potion 34 in the front-rear direction. Further, the
IC board 64 is positioned rearward relative to the partitioning wall 50 defining the
rear edge 75R of the ink supply potion 34 in the front-rear direction. The contact
surface 84 is also positioned rearward relative to the ink supply port 71 of the ink
supply potion 34. The IC board 64, the contact surface 84 and the inclined surface
155 are aligned in the front-rear direction in this order from the front toward the
rear. More specifically, referring to Figs. 9B and 13A to 13D, assume an imaginary
plane X2 passing through the left-right center of the IC board 64 and extending parallel
to the front-rear direction and up-down direction. In the present embodiment, this
imaginary plane X2 also passes through centers of the contact surface 84, the inclined
surface 155 and the locking surface 151 in the left-right direction. Further, in the
present embodiment, the imaginary plane X2 also passes the left-right center of the
ink supply port 71.
[0106] Again, on the upper surface 39 between the IC board 64 and the inclined surface 155
in the front-rear direction, the upper edge of the inclined surface 155 (point PI)
is the uppermost position. The contact surface 84 is positioned slightly higher relative
to the electrodes 65 on the IC board 64, but is positioned lower than the upper edge
(point PI) of the inclined surface 155. The contact surface 84 is positioned at the
substantially same level as or slightly lower relative to the lower edge of the inclined
surface 155.
[0107] The ink supply potion 34, the IC board 64 and the locking surface 151 are aligned
in the front-rear direction in this order from the front toward the rear. More specifically,
referring to Figs. 8 and 10, the IC board 64 is arranged rearward relative to the
ink supply potion 34 (ink supply port 71) in the front-rear direction. Further, the
IC board 64 and contact surface 84 are aligned with each other in the front-rear direction.
[0108] The light-blocking plate 67 is positioned between the ink supply port 71 of the ink
supply potion 34 and the IC board 64 in the front-rear direction. The light-blocking
plate 67 is also positioned lower than the upper surface of the IC board 64, i.e.,
the electrodes 65. The front end 42F of the bottom surface 42 is positioned frontward
relative to the IC board 64.
[0109] Fig. 10 summarizes positional relationships among the above-mentioned elements of
the ink cartridge 30.
[0110] A distance D1 is larger than a distance D2 (D1 > D2). Here, the distance D1 is defined
as a distance in the front-rear direction between the ink supply port 71 (i.e., the
front end face of the ink supply potion 34 in which the ink supply port 71 is open)
and the engaging point P3 on the locking surface 151. The distance D2 is defined as
a distance in the front-rear direction between the engaging point P3 on the locking
surface 151 and the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41 (rearmost point P5 on
the rear surface 41). Further, the distance D2 is shorter than a distance D5 (D2 <
D5). The distance D5 is defined as a distance in the front-rear direction between
the contact point P4 on the electrodes 65 of the IC board 64 and the engaging point
P3 on the locking surface 151. The distance D5 is greater than a distance D6 (D5 >
D6). The distance D6 is defined as a distance in the front-rear direction between
the contact point P4 on the electrodes 65 of the IC board 64 and the front-rear center
of the contact surface 84.
[0111] Further, a distance D3 is longer than a distance D4 (D3 > D4). The distance D3 is
defined as a distance in the up-down direction between the vertical center of the
ink supply port 71 and the upper edge 151U of the locking surface 151. The distance
D4 is defined as a distance in the up-down direction between the vertical center of
the ink supply port 71 and the contact surface 84. Still further, the distance D4
is shorter than a distance D7 (D4 < D7), where the distance D7 is defined as a distance
in the up-down direction between the vertical center of the ink supply port 71 and
the upper end 151U of the inclined surface 155. The contact point P4 on the electrodes
65 is spaced away from the ink supply port 71 (front end face of the ink supply potion
34 in which the ink supply port 71 is open) by a distance D8. That is, the distance
D8 is defined as a distance in the front-rear direction between the ink supply port
71 (front end face of the ink supply potion 34 in which the ink supply port 71 is
open) and the contact point P4 on the electrodes 65 of the IC board 64.
[0112] Preferably, the distance D1 may range from 90 mm to 95 mm; the distance D2 may range
from 20 mm to 25 mm; the distance D3 may range from 71 mm to 80 mm; the distance D4
may range from 70 mm to 73 mm; the distance D5 may range from 30 mm to 35 mm; and
the distance D6 may range from 10 mm to 13 mm. These numerals are just examples, and
should not be limited thereto.
[0113] Note that, in the present embodiment, among the light-blocking plate 67, the IC board
64 and the locking surface 151, the light-blocking plate 67 is positioned closest
to the front surface 40 (front surface of the front wall 40) that defines a frontmost
edge of the ink cartridge 30. That is, the light-blocking plate 67 is the element
that is positioned closest to the frontmost edge of the ink cartridge 30 among those
elements that are configured to be accessed from outside (i.e., among the light-blocking
plate 67, the IC board 64 and the locking surface 151). Accordingly, the distance
D2 between the rearmost point P5 and the engaging point P3 in the front-rear direction
is shorter than a distance D9 defined between the frontmost edge (front surface of
the front wall 40) and the front edge of the light-blocking plate 67 (i.e., the interfering
surface 67b) in the front-rear direction.
< Comparison of the Ink Cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K >
<Ink Cartridge 30K>
[0114] The ink cartridge 30K is different from the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y in terms
of ink color and capacity of the first ink chamber 32.
[0115] The ink cartridge 30K stores ink of a black color. The ink cartridge 30K is different
from the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y in that the cartridge body 31 of the ink
cartridge 30K has a left-right dimension that is larger than a left-right dimension
of the cartridge body 31 of the ink cartridges 30C, 30M and 30Y, as illustrated in
Figs. 11A through 15. Accordingly, the capacity of the first ink chamber 32 of the
ink cartridge 30K is larger than those of the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, and 30Y.
[0116] Referring to Figs. 13A to 13D, the side surface 37 of the ink cartridge 30K (labelled
as 37K in Fig. 13A) is positioned farther away from the imaginary plane X2 than the
side surface 37 of each of the ink cartridges 30C, 30M and 30Y is from the imaginary
plane X2 in the rightward direction 55. The left-right dimension of the ink cartridge
30K is defined as a distance between outer edges of the cartridge body 31 of the ink
cartridge 30K in the left-right direction (i.e., the distance between the side surface
37K and the side surface 38 of the cartridge body 31 of the ink cartridge 30K).
[0117] Further, referring to Figs. 13A to 13D, the first protrusion 43 and second protrusion
83 for the ink cartridges 30C, 30M and 30Y are disposed on the upper surface 39 at
the left-right center thereof. On the other hand, on the upper surface 39 of the cartridge
body 31 of the ink cartridge 30K, the first protrusion 43 and second protrusion 83
are arranged offset from the left-right center of the upper surface 39 of the cartridge
body 31. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the first protrusion 43 and
second protrusion 83 of the ink cartridge 30K are disposed on the upper surface 39
at a position offset to the left relative to the left-right center of the upper surface
39 of the cartridge body 31. On the other hand, the first protrusion 43 and second
protrusion 83 for the ink cartridges 30C, 30M and 30Y are disposed on the upper surface
39 at the left-right center thereof.
[0118] The ink cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K are different from one another in terms
of the left-right position of the light-blocking plate 67. That is, specific positions
of the respective light-blocking plates 67C, 67M, 67Y and 67K in the left-right direction
differ from one another among the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y and 30K, as shown in
Figs. 13A to 13D.
[0119] Referring to Figs. 13A and 14, with regard to ink cartridge 30K, the left-right position
of the light-blocking plate 67K does not fall within the width of the IC board 64
in left-right direction. That is, the light-blocking plate 67K of the ink cartridge
30K is not aligned with the IC board 64 (the second protrusion 83 and the first protrusion
43) in the front-rear direction.
[0120] More specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 14, in the ink cartridge 30K, the width
W1 of the light-blocking plate 67K is smaller than a width W2 (W1 < W2), where the
width W2 is a defined as a distance (dimension) in the left-right direction between
the right edge of the upper surface 39 (right side surface 37K) and the right edge
of the interfering surface 67b (i.e., the right side surface 67a of the light-blocking
plate 67K) in the ink cartridge 30K. Put another way, the width W2 is a shortest distance
in the left-right direction between one of the outer edges of the upper surface 39
(i.e., right edge of the upper surface 39) and one of the light-blocking surface 67a
of the light-blocking plate 67K (i.e., one of the outer edges of the interfering surface
67b) in the ink cartridge 30K. Note that, in the ink cartridge 30K, the right edge
of the upper surface 39 (right side surface 37K) is closer to the right side surface
67a of the light-blocking plate 67K (right edge of the interfering surface 67b) than
the left edge of the upper surface 39 (left side surface 38) is to the right side
surface 67a of the light-blocking plate 67K in the left-right direction.
[0121] Further, referring to Fig. 14, assume an imaginary plane X3 that represents an outermost
edge of the cartridge body 31 of the ink cartridge 30M(30C, 30Y) in the left-right
direction. That is, the imaginary plane X3 corresponds to the side surface 37 of the
ink cartridge 30M (30C, 30Y) in the present embodiment. The light-blocking plate 67K
of the ink cartridge 30K is positioned outward relative to the imaginary plane X3
in the left-right direction, i.e., opposite to the imaginary plane X2 with respect
to the imaginary plane X3. Put another way, in the left-right direction, a distance
L1 is greater than a distance L2 (L1 > L2), where the distance L1 is a distance between
the side surface 67a (left side surface 67aK) of the light-blocking plate 67K and
the imaginary plane X2; and the distance L2 is a shortest distance between the imaginary
plane X2 and the outermost edge of the cartridge body 31 of the ink cartridge 30M
(30C, 30Y) in the left-right direction (i.e., the distance in the left-right direction
between the imaginary plane X2 and the side surface 38 in the present embodiment).
That is, in the ink cartridge 30K, the interfering surface 67b(67bK) of the light-blocking
plate 67K is not aligned with the IC board 64 in the front-rear direction and is offset
toward the right from the imaginary plane X2. Or the interfering surface 67b(67bK)
of the light-blocking plate 67K and the IC board 64 are arranged at different positions
from each other in the left-right direction.
[0122] On the other hand, referring to Figs. 13B to 13D, the light-blocking plates 67C,
67M and 67Y of the ink cartridges 30C, 30M, 30Y are all arranged at such left-right
positions that fall within a width of the IC board 64 (a width of the second protrusion
83 and the first protrusion 43) in the left-right direction. However, the specific
positions of the light-blocking plates 67C, 67M and 67Y differ from one another in
the left-right direction.
[0123] More specifically, as illustrated in Fig. 13B and 15, the light-blocking plate 67M
of the ink cartridge 30M is positioned on the imaginary plane X2 to extend therealong.
The interfering surface 67bM of the light-blocking plate 67M intersects with the imaginary
plane X2, in the present embodiment. As illustrated in Fig. 13C, the light-blocking
plate 67C of the ink cartridge 30C is positioned leftward relative to the imaginary
plane X2. That is, the interfering surface 67bC of the light-blocking plate 67C is
positioned offset to the left relative to the imaginary plane X2. Put different way,
the interfering surface 67bC of the ink cartridge 30C is closer to the left edge of
the upper surface 39 (left side surface 38) than the interfering surface 67bM of the
ink cartridge 30M is to the left edge of the upper surface 39 (left side surface 38)
in the left-right direction. As illustrated in Fig. 13D, the light-blocking plate
67Y of the ink cartridge 30Y is positioned rightward relative to the imaginary plane
X2. That is, the interfering surface 67bY of the light-blocking plate 67Y is positioned
offset to the right relative to the imaginary plane X2. In other words, the interfering
surfaces 67bC, 67bY of the light-blocking plate 67C, 67Y are positioned away from
the imaginary plane X2 in the left-right direction and offset from the center of the
IC board 64 in the left-right direction.
[Attachment/Detachment of the Ink Cartridge 30 relative to the Cartridge-Attachment
Section 110]
[0124] Next, a process for attaching the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment section
110 will be described with reference to Figs. 4, 5A, 5B, 16 and 17. In Figs. 4, 5A,
5B, 16 and 17, the ink cartridge 30M is depicted as an example.
[0125] As illustrated in Fig. 8, in the ink cartridges 30 prior to attachment to the cartridge-attachment
section 110, the valve 77 closes the ink supply port 71 of the packing 76. Accordingly,
at this time, ink flow to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 is interrupted. Further,
in this state, the valve 97 closes the air communication port 96. Accordingly, the
first ink chamber 32 is not opened to the atmosphere. Further, before attachment of
the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment section 110, the opening 112 of the
case 101 is closed by the cover 114 at the closing position.
[0126] For inserting and removing the ink cartridge 30 into/from the cartridge-attachment
section 110, the user pivots the cover 114 from the closing position to the opening
position.
[0127] The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into the case 101 through the opening
112 of the cartridge-attachment section 110 in the upright posture: that is, in such
a posture that the front surface 40 of the cartridge body 31 faces frontward, and
the upper surface 39 of the cartridge body 31 face upward. Since the upper portion
41U of the rear surface 41 of the cartridge body 31 is positioned rearward relative
to the lower portion 41L, that is, since the upper portion 41U is positioned closer
to the user than the lower portion 41L is to the user, the user pushes the upper portion
41U forward to insert the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110.
The bottom portion of the ink cartridge 30 thus enters the corresponding guide groove
109 provided in the bottom surface of the case 101.
[0128] As the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the case 101, the ink supply portion
34 enters the corresponding guide portion 105. At the same time, the rod 125 enters
into the corresponding air communication port 96.
[0129] Further, the interfering surface 67b of the light-blocking plate 67 arrives at the
corresponding gate 108 of the cartridge-attachment section 110. For example, in case
that the ink cartridge 30M is inserted into the prescribed insertion space 111M of
the case 101, the left-right position of the interfering surface 67bM of the light-blocking
plate 67M is coincident with the left-right position of the slit 119M of the gate
108M. Accordingly, as the cartridge body 31 of the ink cartridge 30M is moved in the
forward direction 51 along the corresponding guide groove 109, the interfering surface
67bM passes through the slit 119M without abutting against the opposing walls 118
of the gate 108M, and moves past the gate 108M to be positioned frontward of the gate
108M, as depicted in Fig. 16. The locking surface 151 is positioned still rearward
of the lock shaft 145.
[0130] Here, as a comparative example, assume that the ink cartridge 30C is inserted into
the insertion space 111M that does not correspond to the ink cartridge 30C. In this
case, since the left-right position of the interfering surface 67bC does not coincide
with the left-right position of the slit 119M, the interfering surface 67bC abuts
against the opposing walls 118 of the gate 108M as the cartridge body 31 of the ink
cartridge 30C is moved in the forward direction 51 along the guide groove 109, as
illustrated in Fig. 18. The interfering surface 67bC of the ink cartridge 30C therefore
cannot pass through the slit 119M. As a result, the ink cartridge 30C cannot be inserted
further forward in the frontward direction 51 from the state depicted in Fig. 18.
Accordingly, the ink needle 102 does not separate the valve 77 of the ink cartridge
30C from the packing 76. That is, the ink supply port 71 is not yet opened by the
ink needle 102 and thus the ink supply potion 34 is not connected to the ink needle
102. Still alternatively, the ink needle 102 may be separated from the ink supply
port 71 of the ink supply potion 34 in the front-rear direction when the interfering
surface 67bC abuts against the opposing walls 118 of the gate 108M. In the present
embodiment, "the ink supply potion 34 is connected to the ink needle 102" denotes
a state where the ink needle 102 separates the valve 77 from the ink supply port 71
and the ink supply port 71 is opened. Thus, in Fig. 18, the ink supply potion 34 is
not connected to the ink needle 102, since the ink needle 102 is in contact with the
packing 76 but the valve 77 still closes the ink supply port 71.
[0131] In this way, the light-blocking plate 67 of the ink cartridge 30 can function as
a physical key to see whether or not the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into a correct
one of the insertion spaces 111 (designated insertion space 111) of the cartridge-attachment
section 110.
[0132] As the ink cartridge 30M is inserted further in the frontward direction 51 after
passing through the gate 108M, the ink needle 102 passes through the ink supply port
71 to separate the valve 77 from the packing 76 against the biasing force of the coil
spring 78. As a result, the vertical position of the ink supply portion 34 is fixed
relative to the cartridge-attachment section 110. In this state, the ink cartridge
30M as a whole is applied with the biasing force of the coil spring 78 of the ink
supply potion 34 so that the ink cartridge 30M is urged rearward. The rod 125 having
entered into the air communication port 96 abuts against the valve 97 to separate
the valve 97 from the air communication port 96 against the biasing force of the coil
spring 98. As a result, the first ink chamber 32 is opened to the atmosphere through
the through-hole 46, the air valve chamber 36, and the air communication port 96.
[0133] Further, the first protrusion 43 reaches the lock shaft 145, and the inclined surface
155 is brought into contact with the lock shaft 145 and slidingly moves in the frontward
direction 51 relative to the lock shaft 145.
[0134] The ink cartridge 30M is applied with biasing forces generated by the compressed
coil springs 78 and 98 acting in the rearward direction 52. The magnitude of the biasing
force generated by each of the coil springs 78 and 98 is determined by a spring constant
thereof and a distance thereof compressed from its natural length. The spring constant
of the coil spring 98 is smaller than the spring constant of the coil spring 78. The
compressed distance of the coil spring 78 (a distance by which the valve 77 is separated
from the ink supply port 71) is larger than the compressed distance of the coil spring
98 (a distance by which the valve 79 is separated from the air communication port
96). As a result, in a state where the ink cartridge 30M is accommodated in the cartridge-attachment
section 110, the magnitude of the biasing force generated by the coil spring 78 is
larger than the magnitude of the biasing force of the biasing force generated by the
coil spring 98.
[0135] The ink cartridge 30M is also applied with a rotational moment acting in a counterclockwise
direction in Fig. 16, since the user pushes the upper portion 41U of the rear surface
41. However, against this rotational moment, the contact between the inclined surface
155 and the lock shaft 145 causes the ink cartridge 30M to pivot in a clockwise direction
in Fig. 17 about a center C of the ink supply port 71 of the packing 76 into which
the ink needle 102 is inserted. That is, the center C of the ink supply port 71 serves
as a pivot center of the ink cartridge 30 in the present embodiment.
[0136] Incidentally, the position of the pivot center of the ink cartridge 30 may vary depending
on the shape of the ink needle 102 and the shape of the ink supply port 71. In the
present embodiment, indeed, as shown in Figs. 4 and 17, the pivot center is a center
of a portion PP at which the ink needle 102 and the inner peripheral surface of the
tubular ink supply port 71 are in contact with each other. In the present embodiment,
the pivot center is the center of the portion PP at which the ink needle 102 contact
the inner peripheral surface of the packing 76 defining the ink supply port 71. This
portion PP at which the ink needle 102 and the ink supply port 71 (the inner peripheral
surface of the packing 76) contact each other will be referred to as a particular
portion PP hereinafter, whenever necessary. The ink cartridge 30 is thus inserted
in the frontward direction 51 in a posture illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17. The posture
illustrated in Figs. 16 and 17 is referred to as a second posture, hereinafter.
[0137] Since the lower surface 42 of the cartridge body 31 is inclined relative to the front-rear
direction (horizontal direction), a space is available between the lower surface 42
and the bottom surface of the guide groove 109. This space allows the above-described
pivotal movement of the ink cartridge 30M in the clockwise direction.
[0138] Further, since the inner diameter of the air communication port 96 is larger than
the outer diameter of the rod 125, a space is also provided between the rod 125 and
the air communication port 96. This space also allows the pivotal movement of the
ink cartridge 30 in the clockwise direction. In other words, in the state where the
ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110, the rod 125
and the air communication port 96 do not contact with each other. That is, vertical
positioning is not performed between the rod 125 and the air communication port 96.
[0139] In the second posture, a space is also provided between the electrodes 65 of the
IC board 64 and the corresponding set of contacts 106 in the up-down direction. That
is, the electrodes 65 and the contacts 106 are separated from each other in the up-down
direction. Further, in the second posture as a result of the clockwise pivoting of
the ink cartridge 30M, the contact surface 84 is located below the corresponding positioning
portion 107. A space is therefore formed between the positioning portion 107 and the
contact surface 84 in the up-down direction. That is, the positioning portion 107
and the abutment part 84 are separated from each other in the up-down direction.
[0140] As the ink cartridge 30M is further inserted forward in the frontward direction 51
from the state illustrated in Fig. 16 against the biasing force of the coil spring
78, the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 of the first protrusion
43 move frontward beyond the lock shaft 145, reaching a position closer to the end
wall of the case 101 than the lock shaft 145 is to the end wall, as illustrated in
Fig. 17. In the ink cartridge 30M in the second posture, the locking surface 151 is
positioned lower relative to the lock shaft 145.
[0141] As described above, the ink cartridge 30M(30) is applied with the rotational moment
acting in the counterclockwise direction in Fig. 17 due to the user's forward pushing
on the upper portion 41U of the rear surface 41. Also, the rotational moment acting
in the clockwise direction in Fig. 17 is also generated in the ink cartridge 30M(30)
by the biasing force of the coil spring 98 disposed in the air valve chamber 36. In
a state where the inclined surface 155 and the horizontal surface 154 no longer abut
against the lock shaft 145, the ink cartridge 30M(30) is caused to pivot in the counterclockwise
direction in Fig. 17 about the pivot center C due to the user's pushing force against
the biasing force of the coil spring 98. The contact surface 84 is thereby brought
into contact with the positioning portion 107 from below.
[0142] At this time, the locking surface 151 faces rearward and opposes the lock shaft 145
in the front-rear direction. When the user stops pushing the ink cartridge 30M(30)
in the frontward direction 51, the ink cartridge 30M(30) is moved rearward by the
biasing force of the coil spring 78. The locking surface 151 therefore moves rearward
to abut against the lock shaft 145 from frontward thereof. This contact between the
locking surface 151 and the lock shaft 145 restricts the ink cartridge 30 from moving
further rearward in the rearward direction 52. That is, positioning of the ink cartridge
30M(30) in the front-rear direction relative to the cartridge-attachment section 110
is provided by the contact between the locking surface 151 and the lock shaft 145.
[0143] Further, since the contact surface 84 abuts the positioning portion 107 from below
at this time, the ink cartridges 30M(30) is also restricted from moving upward. That
is, the ink cartridge 30M(30) is prevented from pivoting further in the counterclockwise
direction about the center C. This abutment between the contact surface 84 and the
positioning portion 107 thus provides positioning of the ink cartridge 30M(30) in
the up-down direction. As a result, the ink cartridge 30M(30) is fixed in position
in the corresponding insertion space 111M(111) of the cartridge-attachment section
110, as illustrated in Fig. 4. The posture of the ink cartridge 30M(30) illustrated
in Fig. 4 (the attached posture) will also be referred to as a first posture, hereinafter,
whenever necessary, for the sake of explanation. Thus, attachment of the ink cartridge
30M(30) to the cartridge-attachment section 110 is completed. In other words, the
ink cartridge 30 is pivotable about the center C of the ink supply port 71 to move
between the first posture and the second posture.
[0144] In the embodiment, the "insertion of the ink cartridge 30" is deemed to be completed
when the ink cartridge 30 is fixed in position relative to the cartridge-attachment
section 110, with the locking surface 151 engaged with the lock shaft 145. That is,
the "insertion of the ink cartridge 30" is not deemed to end simply because the ink
needle 102 is inserted into the ink supply potion 34.
[0145] In the first posture (attached posture), following forces act on the ink cartridge
30.
[0146] That is, the ink cartridge 30 is applied with a force acting downward (i.e., in a
direction moving from the first posture to the second posture) about the center C,
due to: a self-weight of the ink cartridge 30; a biasing force that the IC board 64
receives from the contacts 106; and the rotational moment acting in the clockwise
direction and generated by the coil spring 98 provided in the air valve chamber 36.
On the other hand, the ink cartridge 30 is also applied with a force acting upward
(i.e., in a direction moving from the second posture to the first posture) about the
center C due to the rotational moment acting in the counterclockwise direction, the
rotational moment being generated by the coil spring 78 in the ink valve chamber 35
acting on the locking surface 151. Since the contact surface 84 is in abutment with
the positioning portion 107, the contact surface 84 is in receipt of a component of
the upward force acting on the ink cartridge 30, thereby providing the positioning
of the ink cartridge 30 in the up-down direction.
[0147] In the first posture, the lock shaft 145 is separated in the up-down direction from
the surface 156 extending rearward from the lower edge 151L of the locking surface
151. That is, the lock shaft 145 does not contribute to any positioning of the ink
cartridge 30 in the up-down direction. Thus, in the cartridge-attachment section 110,
the up-down positioning of the ink cartridge 30 is performed, not by the lock shaft
145 provided separately from the case 101, but by the positioning portion 107 that
is integrally formed with the case 101 and that is disposed closer to the set of contacts
106 than the lock shaft 145 is to the contacts 106.
[0148] Referring to Fig. 4, assume an imaginary arc Q of a circle that is centered on the
center C and that passes a center Z of the lock shaft 145 (see Fig. 5A). As illustrated
in Fig. 4, in the ink cartridge 30M(30) in the first posture, the upper edge 151U
of the locking surface 151 is positioned outside the imaginary arc Q, while the lower
edge 151L of the locking surface 151 is positioned inside the imaginary arc Q. The
ink cartridge 30M(30) in the first posture is fixed in position by the contact between
the ink supply port 71 and the ink needle 102 and by the contact between the locking
surface 151 and the lock shaft 145. In this state, the ink cartridge 30M(30) in the
first posture is applied with the biasing force of the coil spring 78 acting in the
rearward direction 52. As a result, a moment acting forward and upward is generated
in the ink cartridge 30M(30). This moment corresponds to a magnitude of a force urging
the ink cartridge 30M(30) to pivot in the counterclockwise direction about the center
C.
[0149] In the ink cartridge 30M(30) in the first posture, the electrodes 65 of the IC board
64 electrically contact the corresponding contacts 106 while elastically deforming
the contacts 106 upward. At this time, while the IC board 64 is urged downward by
the elastically deformed contacts 106, due to the above-described moment acting on
the ink cartridge 30M(30), the IC board 64 is kept elastically deforming the contacts
106.
[0150] Further, in the process of the counterclockwise pivoting of the ink cartridge 30M
from the state illustrated in Fig. 17, the electrodes 65 of the IC board 64, which
are positioned rearward of the center C and forward of the locking surface 151, are
respectively brought into contact with the contacts 106 from below to be electrically
connected thereto. That is, in the present embodiment, the direction in which the
ink cartridge 30 moves during insertion and removal thereof (i.e., the front-rear
direction) intersects with the direction in which the electrodes 65 of the IC board
64 and the contacts 106 contact and separate from each other (i.e., the up-down direction).
Accordingly, the electrodes 65 of the IC board 64 are prevented from being moved in
the front-rear direction relative to the contacts 106 while being in contact with
the contacts 106, thereby suppressing generation of foreign matters such as shavings
of the electrodes 65.
[0151] After attaching the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment section 110, the
user pivots the cover 114 from the opening position to the closing position. When
the cover 114 is at the closing position, the cover sensor 115 outputs a detection
signal indicative of detection of the cover 114. In response to receipt of the detection
signal from the cover sensor 115, the controller 117 determines whether or not the
cutout 66 is provided in the light-blocking plate 67 of the attached ink cartridge
30, depending on signals outputted from the optical sensor 113. The controller 117
then determines the type of the attached ink cartridge 30, such as an initial capacity
of the ink cartridge 30 and a composition of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30,
based on the presence/absence of the cutout 66. The relationship between the presence/absence
of the cutout 66 and the type of the ink cartridge 30 is prestored in the memory of
the controller 117 as predetermined data.
[0152] Next, a process for removing the attached ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge-attachment
section 110 will be described.
[0153] For removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge-attachment section 110, the
user first pivots the cover 114 from the closing position to the opening position
and presses the operation surface 92 of the ink cartridge 30 downward. In the first
posture of the ink cartridge 30, the operation surface 92 faces upward and rearward.
Hence, when the user operates the operation surface 92, a force acting downward and
forward is applied the ink cartridge 30. The locking surface 151 is separated from
the lock shaft 145 by the force acting forward, and the ink cartridge 30 is pivoted
in the clockwise direction in Fig. 4 by the downward force. As a result, as illustrated
in Fig. 17, the contact surface 84 is separated from the positioning portion 107,
and the electrodes 65 of the IC board 64 are separated from the respective contacts
106. The locking surface 151 is also positioned downward of the lock shaft 145. That
is, the ink cartridge 30 is moved from the first posture to the second posture. When
the IC board 64 and the locking surface 151 are separated from the contacts 106 and
lock shaft 145, respectively, in accordance with the change of the ink cartridge 30
from the first posture to the second posture, the ink cartridge 30 is moved rearward
relative to the cartridge-attachment section 110 due to the biasing force of the coil
spring 78. The user can therefore hold the cartridge body 31 to remove the ink cartridge
30 out of the cartridge-attachment section 110. While the ink cartridge 30 is withdrawn
from the cartridge-attachment section 110, the light-blocking plate 67 passes through
the slit 119 of the corresponding gate 108, and moves rearward past the gate 108.
[Determination on the Type of Ink Cartridge 30 attached to the Cartridge-Attachment
Section 110]
[0154] Now, how to determine the type of the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110 will be described while referring to a flowchart of Fig. 19.
[0155] In the present embodiment, the controller 117 determines the type of the ink cartridges
30 mounted in the insertion space 111 based on output signals from the optical sensor
113. As described above, the output signals from the optical sensor 113 vary depending
on whether or not the cutout 66 is formed in the light-blocking plate 67 in the mounted
ink cartridge 30.
[0156] Specifically, referring to Fig. 19, the controller 117 first determines in S11 whether
or not the cover 114 is at the opening position. The controller 117 repeats the step
S11 (S11: NO) unless the controller 117 receives a high level signal from the cover
sensor 115. The controller 117 determines that the cover 114 is at the opening position
(S11: Yes) upon receipt of the high level signal from the cover sensor 115. The controller
117 then determines in S12 whether or not the high level signal from the optical sensor
113 is changed to a low level signal. The signal outputted from the optical sensor
113 becomes low level at least once when the detection surface D of the light-blocking
plate 67 of the ink cartridge 30 comes between the light-emitting portion and the
light-receiving portion of the optical sensor 113 during insertion of the ink cartridges
30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0157] That is, the change in signal from high level to low level at the optical sensor
113 means that the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the designated insertion space
111 of the cartridge-attachment section 110. For example, if the ink cartridge 30M
is inserted into the insertion space 111C other than the designated insertion space
111M, the optical sensor 113 of the insertion space 111C does not output the low level
signal since the optical sensor 113 of the insertion space 111C cannot detect the
detection surface D of the light-blocking plate 67M of the ink cartridge 30M that
cannot passes through the slit 109C of the gate 108C, as illustrated in Fig. 18.
[0158] When the signal from the optical sensor 113 changes to low level (S12: YES), the
controller 117 then sets a flag stored in the memory ON in S13. That is, the ON flag
means that the ink cartridge 30 having the light-blocking plate 67 (detection surface
D) has been inserted into the designated insertion space 111 of the cartridge-attachment
section 110.
[0159] In case that the signal from the optical sensor 113 does not change to low level
but is maintained at high level (S12: NO), the controller 117 then advances to the
step S14. The optical sensor 113 continues to issue the high level signal unless the
detection surface D of the light-blocking plate 67 passes the optical sensor 113,
that is, in case that the ink cartridge 30 is not inserted into the designated insertion
space 111 of the cartridge-attachment section 110. Note that, here, even if the ink
cartridge 30 without the light-blocking plate 67 (detection surface D) is inserted
into the designated insertion space 111, the optical sensor 113 continues to output
the high level signal (S12: NO) since the light from the optical sensor 113 is not
interrupted. The controller 117 therefore advances to the step S14.
[0160] The controller 117 then determines in S14 whether or not the cover 114 is closed.
Specifically, when the signal outputted from the cover sensor 115 changes to low level,
the controller 117 determines that the cover 114 is at the closing position (S14:
YES) and advances to the step S15. The controller 117 goes back to the step S12 as
long as the signal from the cover sensor 115 remains at high level and does not change
to low level (S14: NO).
[0161] After the cover 114 is determined to be at the closing position in S14, the controller
117 determines in S15 whether or not accessing to the IC board 64 through the contacts
106 can be made. In case that the controller 117 cannot access the IC board 64 (S15:
NO), the controller 117 determines in S21 that the ink cartridge 30 is not attached
to the cartridge-attachment section 110. In this case, the controller 117 may give
a warning to the user to inform him that the ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the
cartridge-attachment section 110, for example, through a message such as "No Cartridge"
on a display.
[0162] In case that the controller 117 can access the IC board 64 (S15: YES), the controller
117 determines in S16 whether or not the flag stored in the memory is ON. When the
flag is not ON (S16: NO), the controller 117 determines in S20 that the ink cartridge
30 without the light-blocking plate 67 is attached. In this case, the controller 117
may give a warning to the user to inform him that the inserted ink cartridge is abnormal,
for example, through a message such as "Unable to Detect Cartridge" on the display.
The ink cartridge 30 may lose the light-blocking plate 67, for example, due to some
kind of damages impinged on the light-blocking plate 67.
[0163] When the flag is ON (S16: YES), the controller 117 then determines in S17 whether
the signal outputted from the optical sensor 113 is high level or low level. In case
that the signal from the optical sensor 113 is a high level signal (S17: High), the
controller 117 determines in S18 that the attached ink cartridge 30 belongs to a type
A. That is, the ink cartridge 30 having the light-blocking plate 67 formed with the
cutout 66 as shown in Figs. 6 to 8, for example, belongs to the type A. The optical
sensor 113 is configured to output the high level signal in case that the cutout 66
is formed in the light-blocking plate 67 of the attached ink cartridge 30. The cartridge
30 of the type A may be a high-capacity cartridge whose initial capacity of ink is
large, for example. In case that the controller 117 determines that the attached ink
cartridge 30 belongs to the type A, the controller 117 may set an initial number of
sheets that the printer 10 can print with the initial amount of ink stored in the
ink cartridge 30 of the type A. Alternatively, the controller 117 may set a threshold
value corresponding to the initial amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 of
the type A. The controller 117 may halt printing operations if the printer 10 has
used an amount of ink larger than the threshold value, or may give a warning to the
user to inform him that littlie amount of ink is left in the attached ink cartridge
30.
[0164] In case that the signal outputted from the optical sensor 113 is a low level signal
(S17: Low), the controller 117 determines in S19 that the attached ink cartridge 30
belongs to a type B. That is, the ink cartridge 30 having the light-blocking plate
67 without the cutout 66 as shown in Fig. 18, for example, belongs to the type B.
The optical sensor 113 is configured to output the low level signal in case that the
cutout 66 is not formed in the light-blocking plate 67 of the attached ink cartridge
30. The cartridge 30 of the type B may be a low-capacity cartridge whose initial capacity
of ink is not large, or smaller than the initial capacity of ink of the ink cartridge
30 of the type A. In case that the controller 117 determines that the attached ink
cartridge 30 belongs to the type B, the controller 117 may set an initial number of
sheets that the printer 10 can print with the initial amount of ink stored in the
ink cartridge 30 of the type B. Alternatively, the controller 117 may set a threshold
value corresponding to the initial amount of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 of
the type B. The controller 117 may halt printing operations if the printer 10 has
used an amount of ink larger than the threshold value, or may give a warning to the
user to inform him that littlie amount of ink is left in the attached ink cartridge
30.
[Operational and Technical Advantages of the Embodiment]
[0165] In the ink cartridge 30 according to the present embodiment, the IC board 64 is positioned
downward relative to the imaginary plane X1. When the ink cartridge 30 is turned upside
down and placed on a ground plane such as a floor surface or the ground surface, the
imaginary plane X1 corresponds to the ground plane. Accordingly, in an upside-down
posture where the ink cartridge 30 is turned upside down, the points P1 and P2 are
in contact with the ground plane. Meanwhile, the IC board 64 is positioned in the
space defined between the ground plane and the upper surface 39, whereby the IC board
64 and the imaginary plane X1 have a distance to provide a gap therebetween, Because
of the disposition of these members, the first protrusion 43 or the light-blocking
plate 67 can firstly collide with the ground plane, instead of the IC board 64. Accordingly,
the IC board 64 disposed at the upper surface 39 is prevented from being broken. Further
in the embodiment, the cutout 66, the IC board 64, and the contact surface 84, and
a part of the side surfaces 67a, which are accessible from upward, leftward, or rightward
of the ink cartridge 30, are disposed in the region defined between the upper surface
39 and the imaginary plane X1. Therefore, the members accessible from the outside
are protected from the impact caused by dropping the ink cartridge 30 onto the ground
plane.
[0166] Further, the first protrusion 43 and the light-blocking plate 67 are arranged frontward
and rearward of the IC board 64, and the ink cartridge 30 does not need to provide
a protrusion protruding upward relative to the IC board 64. Accordingly, the IC board
64 can be easily attached to the cartridge body 31. Further, the IC board 64 is positioned
between the first protrusion 43 and the light-blocking plate 67 in the front-rear
direction so that the IC board 64 is well protected by the first protrusion 43 and
the light-blocking plate67.
[0167] The light-blocking plate 67 is positioned frontward relative to the center of gravity
G, and the first protrusion 43 is positioned rearward relative to the center of gravity
G. Accordingly, the cartridge body 31 can rotate in a rotating direction when the
first protrusion 43 and the light-blocking plate67 collide with the ground plane.
Here, the rotating direction is determined by the colliding order of these members,
i.e. the first protrusion 43 and the light-blocking plate 67. That is, when the first
protrusion 43 and the light-blocking plate 67 collide with the ground plane in this
order, the housing 31 rotates clockwise when viewed from the left side.
[0168] The first protrusion 43 has the horizontal surface 154 positioned frontward relative
to the locking surface 151. Accordingly, the horizontal surface 154 is likely to collide
with the ground surface of floor surface to thereby protect the locking surface 151
when the ink cartridge 30 falls onto the ground plane in the upside-down posture.
[0169] Further, the upper end portion of the operation portion 90 is separated from the
upper surface 39 to the same degree as the first protrusion 43 protrudes from the
upper surface 39 or the raised portion 39A in the up-down direction. The upper end
portion of the operation portion 90 is likely to collide with the ground plane together
with the first protrusion 43, and the impact caused by dropping the ink cartridge
30 is therefore dispersed to the first protrusion 43 and the operation portion 90.
Accordingly, the impact on the cartridge body 31 is dispersed effectively.
[0170] Further, the second protrusion 83 the raised portion 39A is continuously connected
to the light-blocking plate 67, thereby reinforcing the light-blocking plate 67.
< Variations and Modifications >
[0171] In the following, various modifications to the depicted embodiment will be described.
Like parts and components will be designated with the same reference numerals as those
of the depicted embodiment to avoid duplicating explanation.
1. First Modification
[0172] In the above-described embodiment, the interfering surface 67b constitutes the front
surface of the light-blocking plate 67. However, the interfering surface 67b and the
light-blocking plate 67 need not necessarily be formed integrally. For example, as
illustrated in Fig. 20, an ink cartridge 230 may include a protrusion 285 having an
interfering surface 285b, and a light-blocking plate 267 having a light-blocking surface
267a as the detection surface D. That is, the protrusion 285 (interfering surface
285b) and light-blocking plate 267 (light-blocking surface 267a) are provided independently
of each other. As in the embodiment, the interfering surface 285b is arranged to be
aligned with the light-blocking plate 267 in the front-rear direction. The protrusion
285 is positioned frontward of the light-blocking plate 267 in the front-rear direction.
The light-blocking plate 267 is configured to block the light from the corresponding
optical sensor 113 during insertion of the ink cartridge 230 and in the attached posture
of the ink cartridge 230. The light-blocking plate 267 shown in Fig. 20 is not formed
with a cutout. The point P2 is positioned at the uppermost and foremost portion of
the light-blocking plate 267, i.e. the point P2 is positioned frontward relative to
the detection surface D.
[0173] Incidentally, in this configuration of the first modification, the protrusion 285
may be configured not to block light. That is, in case that the protrusion 285 and
the light-blocking plate 267 are provided as separate members from each other, the
protrusion 285 may or may not be made of a material capable of transmitting light
therethrough (translucent resin, for example).
[0174] With this structure, by separating the interfering surface 285b from the light-blocking
plate 267, impact, which will be impinged on the interfering surface 285b at the time
of wrong insertion of the ink cartridge 230, is prevented from being directly transmitted
to the light-blocking plate 267. Further, in case that the protrusion 285 is capable
of transmitting light, the protrusion 285 does not disturb detection of the light-blocking
plate 267 by the corresponding optical sensor 113 during insertion of the ink cartridge
230 into the corresponding insertion space 111 of the cartridge-attachment section
110.
2. Second Modification
[0175] Further, Figs. 21 and 22 depict an ink cartridge 330 according to a second modification
to the embodiment.
[0176] The ink cartridge 330 includes a cartridge body 331 configured of an upper cover
331U and a lower case 331L. The cartridge body 331 includes a front surface 340, a
rear surface 341, an upper surface 339, a bottom surface 342, side surfaces 337 and
338, a sub-lower wall 348, and a connecting wall 349 corresponding to the front surface
40, the rear surface 41, the upper surface 39, the bottom surface 42, the side surfaces
37 and 38, the sub-lower wall 48, and the connecting wall 49 of the ink cartridge
30 of the embodiment, respectively. In Fig. 21, the side wall 337 is not shown. The
ink supply potion 34 is provided at the connecting wall 349, as in the embodiment.
[0177] In a side view, as shown in Fig. 21, the ink cartridge 330 has the same configuration
on the upper surface 339 as that on the upper surface 39 of the ink cartridge 30 of
the embodiment. Note that the ink cartridge 330 shown in Fig. 21 includes the light-blocking
plate 67 without the cutout 66. That is, a portion of the light-blocking plate 67
corresponding to the cutout 66 (a portion indicated by a circle in a broken line in
Fig. 21) now serves as the detection surface D. That is, the light from the optical
sensor 113 is configured be incident on the detection surface D.
[0178] In the depicted embodiment, the coil spring 98 is disposed in the air valve chamber
36 to move the valve 97 to open and close the air communication port 96. Accordingly,
while the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110, the ink cartridge 30 receives the urging force acting in the clockwise
direction (by the coil spring 98) as well as the urging force acting in the counterclockwise
direction (by the coil spring 78 of the ink supply potion 34).
[0179] In contrast, referring to Fig. 22, the ink cartridge 330 according to the second
modification does not include the valve 97 and the coil spring 98. That is, the ink
cartridge 330 is configured to receive the urging force of the coil spring 78 of the
ink supply potion 34 as an urging force acting in the rearward direction 52 during
insertion and attachment of the ink cartridge 330 relative to the cartridge-attachment
section 110.
[0180] More specifically, once the ink needle 102 is inserted into the ink supply port 71
and connected to the ink supply potion 34, since no downward rotational moment is
applied to the ink cartridge 330, the ink cartridge 330 is applied with the upward
rotational moment about the center C (portion PP) by the urging force of the coil
spring 78 acting in the counterclockwise direction, in addition to the user's forward
pushing of an upper portion of the rear surface 341. The ink cartridge 330 is therefore
pivoted counterclockwise from the second posture to the first posture. As a result,
as in the depicted embodiment, the electrodes 65 of the IC board 64 are brought into
contact with the contacts 106 from below to be electrically connected thereto; and
the contact surface 84 is brought into contact with the positioning portion 107 from
below. As the user releases his fingers from the ink cartridge 330, the ink cartridge
330 is moved in the rearward direction 52 due to the urging force of the coil spring
78, causing the locking surface 151 to abut against the lock shaft 145 from its front
side. The ink cartridge 330 is thus fixed in position in the front-rear direction.
That is, the locking surface 151 receives the rearward moment applied from the coil
spring 78, thereby maintaining the ink cartridge 330 in the attached state (in the
first posture or upright posture).
[0181] In the ink cartridge 330 of the second modification as well, the light-blocking plate
67 and the IC board 64 are arranged on the upper surface 39 constituting the cartridge
body 31 such that the interfering surface 67b of the light-blocking plate 67 is disposed
frontward and downward relative to the electrodes 65 of the IC board 64. With this
structure, the gate 108 corresponding to the interfering surface 67b is less likely
to contact the electrodes 65 of the IC board 64 during the insertion of the ink cartridge
330 into the corresponding insertion space 111 of the cartridge-attachment section
110.
[0182] Further, as in the ink cartridge 30 of the depicted embodiment, positioning of the
ink cartridge 330 relative to the cartridge-attachment section 110 is provided: by
the abutment of the locking surface 151 against the lock shaft 145 in the front-rear
direction; and by the contact of the contact surface 84 with the positioning portion
107 in the up-down direction. With this simple structure of the second embodiment
as well, stable positioning of the ink cartridge 330 relative to the cartridge-attachment
section 110 can be realized.
[0183] Still further, as in the ink cartridge 30 of the depicted embodiment, in the attached
state of the ink cartridge 330, the rearward urging force of the coil spring 78 is
stably received by the locking surface 151 that is in contact with the lock shaft
145, thereby preventing the ink cartridge 330 from moving further in the rearward
direction 52 and providing positioning of the ink cartridge 330 in the front-rear
direction relative to the cartridge-attachment section 110. Accordingly, the contact
pressure between the electrodes 65 of the IC board 64 and the contacts 106 can be
stably maintained.
[0184] Further, with this structure of the second modification, the same technical and operational
advantages as those of the embodiment can be obtained.
3. Third Modification
[0185] In the depicted embodiment, the cartridge body 31 is configured of two different
members, i.e., the upper cover 31U and the lower case 31L attached to each other.
However, the cartridge body 31 may be formed as a single member, without including
an upper cover and a lower case.
[0186] Figs. 23A and 23B illustrate an ink cartridge 43 according to a third modification
to the embodiment. The ink cartridge 430 includes a cartridge body 431 of a rectangular
parallelepiped shape. The cartridge body 431 includes a front wall 440, a rear wall
441, an upper wall 439, a bottom wall 442 and side walls 437 and 438. Each of these
walls 440, 441, 439, 442, 437 and 438 constitute an outer shell of the ink cartridge
430. In other words, the cartridge body 431 is not configured of a cover and a case.
Thus, an upper surface of the upper wall 439 constitutes an upper surface of the cartridge
body 431. A front surface of the front wall 440 constitutes a front surface of the
cartridge body 431. The front surface of the front wall 440 (front surface of the
cartridge body 431) is a flat surface, unlike the front surface (40, 49, 95) of the
ink cartridge 30 of the embodiment. A rear surface of the rear wall 441 constitutes
a rear surface of the cartridge body 431. The rear surface of the rear wall 441 (rear
surface of the cartridge body 431) is a flat surface, although the rear surface 41
of the ink cartridge 30 of the embodiment is configured of two portions (upper portion
41U and lower portion 41L).
[0187] An ink chamber 432 is defined inside the cartridge body 431. More specifically, the
ink chamber 432 is defined by inner surfaces of the front wall 440, the rear wall
441, the upper wall 439, the bottom wall 442 and the side walls 437 and 438. An upper
end region in the ink chamber 432 (a region above an ink surface of ink stored in
the ink chamber 432) is in communication with ambient air through an air communication
port 496 formed in the upper wall 439. Note that, the air communication port 496 may
not necessarily be formed in the upper wall 439, but may be formed in one of other
walls constituting the cartridge body 431. For example, the air communication port
496 may be formed in one of the side walls 437 and 438.
[0188] An ink supply portion 434 is provided at the front wall 440. In this modification,
the ink supply potion 434 is a through-hole formed in a lower end portion of the front
wall 440 to penetrate therethrough in the front-rear direction. The ink supply potion
434 defines an ink supply port 471 that is open frontward on the front surface of
the front wall 440.
[0189] On the upper surface 439, a light-blocking plate 467, an IC board 464, a contact
surface 484 and a first protrusion 443 having a locking surface 451 are arranged in
the front-rear direction, as in the depicted embodiment. Specifically, the light-blocking
plate 467, the IC board 464, the contact surface 484, and the locking surface 451
are aligned with one another in the front-rear direction in this order from the front
toward the rear. The light-blocking plate 467 is positioned frontward and downward
relative to the IC board 64. The front surface of the light-blocking plate 467 serves
as an interfering surface 467b. The light-blocking plate 467 has side surfaces including
the detection surface D. The light-blocking plate 467 shown in Figs. 23A and 23B is
not formed with a cutout (i.e., the ink cartridge 430 shown in Figs. 23A and 23B belongs
to the type B). The contact surface 484 is arranged between the IC board 464 and the
locking surface 451 in the front-rear direction. The contact surface 484 is positioned
upward relative to the IC board 464 but downward relative to an upper edge (denoted
as the point P1) of the locking surface 451. The upper edge (the point P1) of the
locking surface 451 is the highest (farthest away from the upper surface 439) among
all parts disposed at the upper surface 439 between the light-blocking plate 467 and
the locking surface 451 in the front-rear direction. That is, the upper edge (the
point P1) of the locking surface 451 constitutes an uppermost edge of the ink cartridge
430 between the light-blocking plate 467 and the locking surface 451. The point P2
is positioned at the uppermost and foremost portion of the light-blocking plate 467,
i.e. the point P2 is positioned frontward relative to the detection surface D. The
locking surface 451 is positioned closer to the rear wall 441 than to the IC board
464 in the front-rear direction.
[0190] With this structure, since the detection surface D (light-blocking surface) of the
light-blocking plate 467 is positioned frontward and downward relative to the contact
surface 484, the positioning portion 107 of the printer 10, which is configured to
contact the contact surface 484, is less likely to interfere with the light-blocking
plate 467 (i.e., the interfering surface 467b and the detection surface D) during
insertion of the ink cartridge 430 into the cartridge-attachment section 110. Further,
the lock shaft 145 of the cartridge-attachment section 110, which is configured to
engage the locking surface 451, is less likely to interfere with the contact surface
484, the detection surface D (interfering surface 467b), and the IC board 64 during
the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110.
[0191] With this structure of the third modification, the same technical and operational
advantages as those of the embodiment can be obtained.
4. Fourth Modification
[0192] In the above-depicted embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 has a substantially
rectangular shape when viewed from the left or right side. Alternatively, the light-blocking
plate may have various shapes as in the fourth modification.
[0193] Further, Fig. 24 depicts an ink cartridge 530 according to a fourth modification
to the embodiment. The ink cartridge 530 includes a light-blocking plate 567. The
light-blocking plate 567 has side surfaces 567a, a front surface 567b, and an upper
surface 567c.
[0194] In the fourth modification, an ink cartridge 530 has a light-blocking plate 567 having
a polygon shape when viewed from the left or right side. The dimension of the front
surface 567b in the up-down direction is smaller than the height of the upper surface
567c from the upper surface 39. That is, the light-blocking plate 567 has a plurality
of stepped portion, and the highest surface of the light-blocking plate 567 is the
upper surface 567c.
[0195] The front edge of the upper surface 567c, which is the highest portion (i.e. uppermost
portion) of the light-blocking plate 567, defines the point P2. The imaginary plane
X1 passes through the point P1 and the point P2. The front end portion of the light-blocking
plate 567 is positioned below the imaginary plane X1.
[0196] In the fourth modification, the IC board 64 is positioned downward relative to the
imaginary plane X1 and the IC board 64 is therefore protected from contacting the
ground plane when the ink cartridge 530 falls onto the ground. Since the P2 is closer
to the raised portion 39A than the front end portion of the light-blocking plate 567
is to the raised portion 39A, the light-blocking plate 567 is effectively reinforced
by the raised portion 39A so that the light-blocking plate 567 can withstand the impact
of the ground plane. The light-blocking plate 567 is durable against the impact caused
by contacting the ground as compared to the configuration where the point P2 is positioned
at the front end portion of the light-blocking plate 567.
5. Fifth Modification
[0197] Fig. 25 illustrated an ink cartridge 630 as a fifth modification to the embodiment.
The ink cartridge 630 includes a light-blocking plate 667. The light-blocking plate
667 has side surfaces 667a, a front surface 667b, and an upper surface 667c. The upper
surface 667c has a front part and a rear part positioned rearward of the front part.
The front part of the upper surface 667c is inclined toward the upper surface in the
front direction. That is, the front part of the upper surface 667c is inclined downward
with respect to the front-rear direction in the upright posture to form an inclined
surface that defines the point P2, and the point P2 may be positioned frontward relative
to the detection surface D. The imaginary plane X1 passing through the point P1, point
P2, and the front part of the upper surface 667c. In the fifth modification, the IC
board 64 is positioned downward relative to the imaginary plane X1 and the IC board
64 is therefore protected from contacting the ground plane when the ink cartridge
630 falls onto the ground.
[0198] According to the above configuration, the upper surface 667c has the surface that
can contact the ground plane. The impact can be dispersed along the front part of
the upper surface 667c when the upper surface 667c is hit by the ground plane. Accordingly,
the light-blocking plate 667 is durable against the impact caused by contacting the
ground as compared to the configuration where only the points P1 and P2 can contact
the ground plane. The ink cartridge 630 of the fifth embodiment effectively protects
the IC board 64.
6. Sixth Modification
[0199] In the embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 contacts the upper surface 67. Alternatively,
the light-blocking plate 67needs not necessarily contact the upper surface 39.
[0200] Fig. 26 illustrates an ink cartridge 730 as a sixth modification to the embodiment.
The ink cartridge 730 includes a light-blocking plate 767. The light-blocking plate
767 has side surfaces 767a, a front surface 767b, and an upper surface 767c. The 767
extends frontward from the front surface of the raised portion 39A. The light-blocking
plate 767 is separated upward from the upper surface 39, and the bottom portion of
the light-blocking plate 767 does not contact the upper surface 39. The front end
portion of the upper surface 767c and the uppermost and foremost portion of the front
surface 767b define the point P2 that the imaginary plane X1 passes through. That
is, the point P2 is positioned frontward relative to the detection surface D.
[0201] In the sixth modification, the IC board 64 is positioned downward relative to the
imaginary plane X1 and the IC board 64 is therefore protected from contacting the
ground plane when the ink cartridge 730 falls onto the ground.
7. Seventh Modification
[0202] In the embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 contacts the upper surface 67. Alternatively,
the light-blocking plate 67 needs not necessarily contact the raised portion 39A.
[0203] Fig. 27 illustrates an ink cartridge 830 as a seventh modification to the embodiment.
The ink cartridge 830 includes a light-blocking plate 867. The light-blocking plate
867 has side surfaces 867a, a front surface 867b, and an upper surface 867c. The light-blocking
plate 867 has a square shape when viewed from the left or right side, and the lower
end portion of the light-blocking plate 867 contacts the upper surface 39. The light-blocking
plate 867 is separated frontward from the raised portion 39A, and the bottom portion
of the light-blocking plate 867 contacts the upper surface 39. The front end portion
of the upper surface 767c and the uppermost and foremost portion of the front surface
767b define the point P2 that the imaginary plane X1 passes through. That is, the
point P2 is positioned frontward relative to the detection surface D
[0204] The ink cartridge 830 further includes an operation portion 890 that has an operation
surface 892. The operation portion 890 or the operation surface 892 has the point
P1 at the front-upper end portion thereof. Specifically, the operation portion 890
protrudes higher than the first protrusion 43 to thereby define the point P1. The
point P1 is the uppermost and foremost portion of the operation portion 890. The imaginary
plane X1 extending in the widthwise direction passes through points P1 and P2, and
the IC board 64 is positioned below the imaginary plane X1.
[0205] As depicted above, the point P1 is not necessarily positioned at the first protrusion
43. Since the imaginary plane X1 is in coincidence with the ground plane, the point
rearward of the IC board 64 that defines the highest imaginary plane X1 can be the
point P1. In other words, if the operation portion 890 is positioned lower than the
first protrusion 43 in the attached posture, the first protrusion 43 may define the
point P1 as depicted in the embodiment and the above-described modifications.
[0206] In the seventh modification, the IC board 64 is positioned downward relative to the
imaginary plane X1 and the IC board 64 is therefore protected from contacting the
ground plane when the ink cartridge 830 falls onto the ground.
8. Eighth Modification
[0207] In the embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 has the point P2. Alternatively, another
member may have the point P2.
[0208] Fig. 28 shows an ink cartridge 930 as an eighth modification to the embodiment. The
ink cartridge 930 includes a protrusion 968 positioned frontward of the light-blocking
plate 67. The protrusion 968 and the light-blocking plate 67 overlap with each other
when viewed from frontward, and the protrusion 968 has a width equal to or less than
the width of the light-blocking plate 67. The protrusion 968 protrudes upward from
the upper surface 39 in the upright posture. The top of the protrusion 968 is higher
than the upper portion of the 67 and defines the point P2 that the imaginary plane
X1 passes through. That is, the uppermost and foremost portion of the protrusion 968
defines the point P2, i.e. the point P2 is positioned frontward relative to the detection
surface D. The imaginary plane X1 also passes through the point P1 positioned at the
first protrusion 43.
[0209] In the eighth modification, the IC board 64 is positioned downward relative to the
imaginary plane X1 and the IC board 64 is therefore protected from contacting the
ground plane when the ink cartridge 930 falls onto the ground. Further, since the
protrusion 968 can contact the ground plane when the ink cartridge 930 falls onto
the ground, the light-blocking plate 67 is protected from being broken.
9. Other Variations
[0210] In the above-described embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 is formed with the
cutout 66, and the cutout 66 needs not necessarily provided at the light-blocking
plate 67. The light-blocking plate 67 may be configured without a cutout.
[0211] In the above-described embodiment, the controller 117 is configured to determine
the type of the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110
based on the presence/absence of the cutout 66 in the light-blocking plate 67, during
insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110 and at
the time of completion of the attachment of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment
section 110. Alternatively, assuming that the cutout 66 is not formed in each light-blocking
plate 67, the controller 117 may be configured to determine whether or not the ink
cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110 based on presence/absence
of the light-blocking plate 67.
[0212] Specifically, referring to a flowchart of Fig. 29, the controller 117 first determines
in S101 whether or not the cover 114 is closed. Specifically, when the signal outputted
from the cover sensor 115 changes to low level, the controller 117 determines that
the cover 114 is at the closing position (S101: YES) and advances to the step S102.
The controller 117 repeats the step S101 as long as the signal from the cover sensor
115 remains at high level and does not change to low level (S101: NO).
[0213] After the cover 114 is determined to be at the closing position in S101, the controller
117 determines in S102 whether or not accessing to the IC board 64 through the contacts
106 can be made. For example, the controller 117 may determine whether or not the
accessing to the IC board 64 is possible based on: whether or not a specific voltage
can be applied to the IC board 64 (i.e., based on absence or presence of the IC board
64); or whether or not the controller 117 can get access to a memory of the IC board
64.
[0214] In case that the controller 117 cannot access the IC board 64 (S102: NO), the controller
117 determines in S106 that the ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110. In this case, the controller 117 may give a warning to the user to inform
him that the ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the cartridge-attachment section
110, for example, through a message such as "No Cartridge" on the display.
[0215] In case that the controller 117 can access the IC board 64 (S102: YES), the controller
117 determines in S103 whether the signal outputted from the optical sensor 113 is
high level or low level. In case that the signal from the optical sensor 113 is a
high level signal (S103: High), the controller 117 determines in S104 that an abnormal
ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110. The optical
sensor 113 is configured to output the high level signal in case that the light-blocking
plate 67 is not provided at the attached ink cartridge 30. Thus, the controller 117
determines the attached ink cartridge 30 is abnormal. In case that the controller
117 determines that the attached ink cartridge 30 is abnormal, the controller 117
may give a warning to the user to inform him so, for example, through a message such
as "Abnormal Cartridge Attached" on the display.
[0216] In case that the signal outputted from the optical sensor 113 is a low level signal
(S103: Low), the controller 117 determines in S105 that the ink cartridge 30 is correctly
attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110. Here, the optical sensor 113 is
configured to output the low level signal, since the light-blocking plate 67 of the
attached ink cartridge 30 blocks the light emitted from the optical sensor 113. In
other words, the controller 117 is configured to determine whether or not the ink
cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110 by detecting the
presence/absence of the light-blocking plate 67. According to this variation, the
ink cartridge 30 is determined to be attached to the cartridge-attachment section
110 in case that: the controller 117 can access the IC board 64; and the light-blocking
plate 67 blocks or attenuates the light from the optical sensor 113.
[0217] Still another variation is conceivable with regard to the determination performed
by the controller 117.
[0218] In the depicted embodiment, the controller 117 may determine whether or not the ink
cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110 based on whether
or not accessing to the IC board 64 is possible; and the controller 117 is configured
to determine the type of the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110 based on the presence/absence of the cutout 66 in the light-blocking plate
67.
[0219] However, the controller 117 may determine whether or not the ink cartridge 30 is
attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110 based on presence or absence of the
light-blocking plate 67: and the controller 117 may further determine whether or not
the attached ink cartridge 30 is abnormal based on whether or not accessing to the
IC board 64 is possible. Assume in this case as well that the cutout 66 is not formed
in each light-blocking plate 67.
[0220] More specifically, referring to a flowchart of Fig. 30, the controller 117 first
determines in S201 whether or not the cover 114 is closed. Specifically, when the
signal outputted from the cover sensor 115 changes to low level, the controller 117
determines that the cover 114 is at the closing position (S201: YES) and advances
to the step S202. The controller 117 repeats the step S201 as long as the signal from
the cover sensor 115 remains at high level and does not change to low level (S201:
NO).
[0221] After the cover 114 is determined to be at the closing position in S201, the controller
117 determines in S202 whether the signal outputted from the optical sensor 113 is
high level or low level. The optical sensor 113 is configured to output the high level
signal in case that the light-blocking plate 67 is not provided at the attached ink
cartridge 30 and thus the light from the optical sensor 113 is not blocked or attenuated
by the light-blocking plate 67. In case that the signal from the optical sensor 113
is a high level signal (S202: High), the controller 117 determines in S206 that the
ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the cartridge-attachment section 110. In case
that the controller 117 determines in S206 that no ink cartridge 30 is attached, the
controller 117 may give a warning to the user to inform him so, for example, through
a message such as "No Cartridge" on the display.
[0222] In case that the signal from the optical sensor 113 is a low level signal (S202:
Low), the controller 117 then determines in S203 whether or not accessing to the IC
board 64 can be made. For example, the controller 117 may determine whether or not
the accessing to the IC board 64 is possible based on: whether or not a specific voltage
can be applied to the IC board 64 (i.e., based on absence or presence of the IC board
64); or whether or not the controller 117 can get access to a memory of the IC board
64.
[0223] In case that the controller 117 cannot access the IC board 64 (S203: NO), the controller
117 determines in S204 that the attached ink cartridge 30 is abnormal. In case that
the controller 117 determines that the attached ink cartridge 30 is abnormal, the
controller 117 may give a warning to the user to inform him so, for example, through
a message such as "Abnormal Cartridge Attached" on the display.
[0224] In case that the controller 117 can access the IC board 64 (S203: YES), the controller
117 determines in S205 that the ink cartridge 30 is correctly attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110.
[0225] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 is pivotable about
the center C of the ink supply port 71 to move between the first posture and the second
posture. Alternatively, the pivot center may be positioned other than the ink supply
port 71. For example, the pivot center may be a prescribed position on a particular
portion of an outer surface of the cylinder 75 that contacts the guide portion 105.
Alternatively, in case that a member may be provided at the cartridge-attachment section
110 so as to make contact with the sub-lower wall 48 of the attached ink cartridge
30, the pivot center may be set to a position at which the member and the sub-lower
wall 48 contact each other. In the embodiment, since the center C of the ink supply
port 71 is defined as the pivot center, the ink needle 102 inserted in the ink supply
port 71 is less likely to come off the packing 76 during pivotal movement of the ink
cartridge 30 between the first posture and the second posture, thereby suppressing
leakage of ink.
[0226] Still alternatively, the ink cartridge 30 may be configured to slide in the up-down
direction to move between the first posture and the second posture.
[0227] Further, instead of the cartridge body 31 configured of the upper cover 31U and the
lower case 31L, the cartridge body may have a nesting structure configured of two
separate members: an inner case and an outer case that houses the inner case therein.
In this case, the inner case defines an ink chamber therein, and the outer case constitutes
an outer shell of the cartridge body 31.
[0228] Further, in the depicted embodiment, the light-blocking plate 67 is connected to
the raised portion 39A constituting the upper surface 39 of the ink cartridge 30.
However, the upper surface 39 does not necessarily include the raised portion 39A,
but may be a flat plane, as in the third modification shown in Figs. 23A and 23B.
Further, even if the upper surface 39 includes the rear portion 39A (i.e., the upper
surface 39 has a stepped structure as in the embodiment), the light-blocking plate
67 is not necessarily connected to the rear portion 39A.
[0229] Further, in the above-described embodiment, four kinds of the ink cartridges 30C,
30M, 30Y and 30K adapted to be inserted into the designated insertion spaces 111C,
111M, 111Y and 111K, respectively, are provided as a set. However, more than four
kinds of ink cartridges 30 may be provided as one set of the printing-fluid cartridges.
[0230] Note that the rearmost point P5 of the ink cartridge 30 may not be defined on the
rear surface 41 of the cartridge body 31. The rearmost point P5 may be defined on
the operation portion 90, in case that the operation portion 90 has a portion that
protrudes further rearward relative to the rear surface 41 constituting the cartridge
body 31 of the ink cartridge 30.
[0231] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the coil spring 78 of the ink supply
portion 34 functions to urge the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110 rearward. However, a different structure from the depicted configuration
may be employed for urging the ink cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge-attachment
section 110 rearward.
[0232] For example, a spring for biasing the ink cartridge 30 rearward may be provided at
a position other than the ink supply portion 34. A spring may be provided at the front
surface 40 of the cartridge body 31 to extend frontward therefrom for urging the ink
cartridges 30 rearward. Alternatively, a spring may be disposed at the end wall of
the case 101 to extend rearward therefrom to urge the ink cartridge 30 attached to
the cartridge-attachment section 110 in the rearward direction 52.
[0233] In the depicted embodiment, the coil spring 98 is disposed within the air valve chamber
36 to move the valve 97 to open and close the air communication port 96. This coil
spring 98 also serves to urge the ink cartridge 30 rearward in the depicted embodiment.
However, a coil spring different from the coil spring 98 may be provided solely for
urging the ink cartridge 30 in the rearward direction 52. For example, assuming that
the air communication port 96 is formed in the connecting wall 95 or in an outer wall
other than the front wall 40, a coil spring may be disposed at the connecting wall
95 or somewhere in an inner space defined in the upper cover 31U such that the coil
spring does not serves to open the first ink chamber 32 to the atmosphere.
[0234] Further, while ink serves as an example of the printing fluid in the depicted embodiment,
the printing fluid of the present disclosure is not limited to ink. For example, a
pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto sheets prior to ink during a printing operation
may be stored in the printing-fluid cartridge. Alternatively, cleaning water for cleaning
the recoding head 21 may be stored in the printing-fluid cartridge. Still further,
powder-like material having fluidity, such as toner, may be used as the printing fluid.
[0235] The first ink chamber 32, the second ink chamber 33, and the ink chamber 432 are
examples of a storage chamber. The ink supply potion 34, 434 is an example of a supply
portion. The front surface 40 , 340, 440, and the connecting wall 49 are examples
of a front surface. The IC board 64, 464 and the electrodes 65, 465 are examples of
an electrical interface. The light-blocking plate 67, 267, 467, 567, 667, 767, 867
and the protrusion 285, 968 are examples of one protrusion. The light-blocking surface
67a, 267a, 567a, 667a, 767a, 867a is an example of a detection surface. The first
protrusion 43 and the operation portion 90, 890 are examples of another protrusion.
The point P1 is an example of another specific portion. The point P2 is an example
of one specific portion. The horizontal surface 154 is an example of an abutting surface.
[0236] The upper surface 67c, 567c, 667c, 767c, 867c is an example of a top surface. The
ink supply port 71, 471 is an example of a supply hole. The coil spring 98, 298 is
an example of an urging member. The imaginary plane X1 is an example of a specific
imaginary plane. The controller 117 is an example of a determiner.
[0237] The following statements correspond to the claims of the parent application:
- 1. A printing fluid cartridge configured to be inserted into a printing fluid consuming
apparatus (10) in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational direction in an
attached posture, the printing fluid cartridge comprising:
a storage chamber (32, 33, 432) configured to store printing fluid;
a supply portion (34, 434) configured to supply the printing fluid from the storage
chamber;
a front surface (40, 49, 340, 440) at which the supply portion is provided;
a rear surface (41, 341, 441) away from the front surface in a rearward direction
opposite to the insertion direction, the storage chamber being positioned between
the front surface and the rear surface;
an upper surface (39, 339, 439) disposed upward relative to the storage chamber and
facing upward opposite to the gravitational direction in the attached posture;
an electrical interface (64, 65, 464, 465) disposed at the upper surface and configured
to contact a contact portion disposed in the printing fluid consuming apparatus;
a locking surface (151, 451) disposed upward relative to the storage chamber in the
attached posture and configured to engage with the printing fluid consuming apparatus;
one protrusion (67, 285, 467, 567, 667, 767, 867, 968) disposed at the upper surface,
the one protrusion being disposed frontward relative to the electrical interface in
the insertion direction and having one specific portion (P2);
a detection surface (67a, 267a, 567a, 667a, 767a, 867a, D) disposed upward relative
to the storage chamber in the attached posture and configured to receive a detection
signal from the printing fluid consuming apparatus; and
another protrusion (43, 90, 890) disposed at the upper surface and disposed rearward
relative to the electrical interface, the another protrusion having another specific
portion (P1), the one protrusion and the another protrusion defining a plurality of
imaginary planes each of which passes through the one protrusion and the another protrusion,
each of the plurality of imaginary planes extending in a widthwise direction perpendicular
to the gravitational direction and the insertion direction in the attached posture,
the plurality of imaginary planes including a specific imaginary plane (X1) defined
by the one specific portion and the another specific portion, the specific imaginary
plane being positioned higher than any other imaginary plane between the one protrusion
and the another protrusion, the electrical interface being positioned downward relative
to the specific imaginary plane in the gravitational direction in the attached posture;
wherein the detection surface, the electrical interface, and the locking surface are
arranged in a recited order above the upper surface in the rearward direction.
- 2. The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the another
protrusion is arranged upward relative to the electrical interface; and
wherein the electrical interface is arranged upward relative to the one protrusion
in the attached posture.
- 3. The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the detection
surface is disposed downward relative to the specific imaginary plane between the
another protrusion and the one protrusion.
- 4. The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the
locking surface is provided at the another protrusion.
- 5. The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a dimension
of the another protrusion in the widthwise direction is greater than a dimension of
the one protrusion in the widthwise direction, and
wherein the another protrusion is disposed upward relative to the one protrusion in
the gravitational direction in the attached posture.
- 6. The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further having
a center of gravity;
wherein the one protrusion is positioned frontward relative to the center of gravity;
and
wherein the locking surface is positioned rearward relative to the center of gravity.
- 7. The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the
another protrusion includes an abutting surface (154) disposed frontward relative
to the locking surface and facing upward in the attached posture, the abutting surface
including the another specific portion.
- 8. The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the
another protrusion includes an operation portion (90, 890) disposed rearward relative
to the locking surface at the upper surface.
- 9. The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising
a support portion (39A) disposed at the upper surface, the support portion supporting
the electrical interface and being continuously connected to the one protrusion.
- 10. The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the
one protrusion includes a top surface (67c, 567c, 667c, 767c, 867c) having a width
in the widthwise direction which is smaller than a length of the top surface in the
insertion direction.
- 11. The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the
specific imaginary plane passes through one of: an uppermost portion of the one protrusion;
a foremost portion of the one protrusion; an uppermost portion of the another protrusion;
and a foremost portion of the one protrusion; or the detection surface is provided
at the one protrusion.
- 12. The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the
one specific portion is disposed downward relative to the another specific portion
in the attached posture, the locking surface being positioned rearward relative to
the another specific portion in the attached posture.
- 13. The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claim 1 to 12, wherein the
detection surface is provided rearward relative to the one specific portion in the
insertion direction in the attached posture, and the one specific portion is disposed
downward relative to the another specific portion in the attached posture.
- 14. A system comprising:
the printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11; and
the printing fluid consuming apparatus including the contact portion and further including:
a sensor configured to emit the detection signal and detect at least one of the detection
surface in a process of the insertion of the printing fluid cartridge and the detection
surface in the attached posture of the printing fluid cartridge;
a locked portion (145) configured to be engaged with the locking surface;
a printing fluid consuming portion (21); and
a supply tube (20) in which the printing fluid flows from the printing fluid cartridge
so as to be supplied to the printing fluid consuming portion.
- 15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising a determiner (117) configured
to determine, based on the detection of the detection surface by the sensor, at least
one of:
whether the printing fluid cartridge is attached to the printing fluid consuming apparatus;
and
a type of the printing fluid cartridge.