CN103171296B - Printing fluid cartridge and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

Print fluid cartridges and print devices. The printing fluid cartridge is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mount in an insertion direction crossing the direction of gravity in the upright position. The printing fluid cartridge includes: a front surface, which is oriented toward an insertion direction when the printing fluid cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion; a rear surface, which is positioned opposite to the front surface with respect to the insertion direction; and an electrical interface, which is Disposed at a designated surface such that the electrical interface is exposed to the exterior of the printing fluid cartridge; a printing fluid supply comprising a printing fluid supply opening. When the printing fluid cartridge is in the upright position, the printing fluid supply is at the front surface and below the electrical interface. The electrical interface is positioned further rearward with respect to the direction of insertion than the printing fluid supply opening.

Description

Printing Fluid Cartridges and Printing Devices

technical field

The present invention relates to a printing fluid cartridge configured to be mounted to a cartridge mounting portion, and to a printing apparatus including such a printing fluid cartridge.

Background technique

A known image printing apparatus, as described in Patent Application Publication JP2009-132098A, is configured to print an image on printing paper. A known image printing apparatus has an inkjet printhead and is configured to selectively eject ink droplets onto printing paper from nozzles of the printhead. The ink droplets land on the printing paper and thereby print a desired image on the printing paper. A known image printing apparatus has an ink cartridge, and the ink cartridge is configured to store ink to be supplied to a print head. The ink cartridge is configured to be mounted to and detached from a mounting portion provided in a known image printing apparatus.

Another known ink cartridge as described in Patent Application Publication JP2007-266618 has a circuit board with a semiconductor memory for storing information about the ink cartridge (such as the color of the ink, the composition of the ink, the remaining amount of the ink) , maintenance status, etc.) data. The circuit board has electrical interfaces such as pads. These electrical interfaces are electrically connected to electrical contacts provided in the mounting portion when the ink cartridge is mounted to the mounting portion, enabling data stored in the semiconductor memory to be read out.

Contents of the invention

When dust adheres to the electrical interface, the electrical connection between the electrical interface of the ink cartridge and the contacts of the cartridge mount may become unstable, making it impossible to read data from the semiconductor memory. Therefore, dust can be wiped from the electrical interface. However, if dust falls from the electrical port, the dust may adhere to a portion of the ink cartridge surrounding an opening for supplying ink from the inside of the ink cartridge to the outside of the ink cartridge. Ink contaminated with dust may be supplied to the print head.

Accordingly, a need has arisen to overcome these and other deficiencies of the related art with respect to printing fluid cartridges and printing devices. A technical advantage of the present invention is that the possibility of contamination of the printing fluid by dust adhering to the electrical interface is reduced.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a printing fluid cartridge is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion in an insertion direction crossing a direction of gravity in an upright position. The printing fluid cartridge includes: a front surface oriented toward the insertion direction when the printing fluid cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mount; a rear surface positioned with respect to the insertion direction. opposite to the front surface in terms of direction; a chamber configured to store printing fluid in the chamber; an electrical interface disposed at a designated surface such that the electrical interface is exposed to the an exterior of the printing fluid cartridge; and a printing fluid supply including a printing fluid supply opening. The printing fluid supply is configured to supply printing fluid from the inside of the chamber to the outside of the chamber via the printing fluid supply opening. The printing fluid supply is located at the front surface below the electrical interface when the printing fluid cartridge is in the upright position. The electrical interface is positioned so as to be further rearward with respect to the insertion direction than the printing fluid supply opening.

Due to this configuration, since the electrical interface is positioned more rearward than the printing fluid supply opening with respect to the insertion direction, even if dust on the electrical interface falls, such dust adheres to the printing fluid supply part surrounding the printing fluid supply opening. Part of the probability is reduced. Therefore, the possibility of dust contamination of the printing fluid is reduced.

Other objects, features and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the present invention and accompanying drawings.

Description of drawings

For a more complete understanding of the invention, thereby the needs, objects, features and advantages it satisfies, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1 is a schematic sectional view of a printer including a cartridge mounting portion and an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge.

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the ink cartridge.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a cartridge mounting portion and an ink cartridge.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion.

Fig. 7 is a vertical partial sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion and the ink cartridge during mounting of the ink cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion.

Fig. 8 is another vertical partial sectional view of the cartridge mounting portion and the ink cartridge during mounting of the ink cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion.

Fig. 9 is a vertical partial sectional view of the cartridge installation portion and the ink cartridge, in which the installation of the ink cartridge to the cartridge installation portion is completed.

Fig. 10A is a side view of an ink cartridge according to a modified embodiment.

Figure 10B is a front view of the ink cartridge of Figure 10A.

Fig. 11A is a side view of an ink cartridge according to another modified embodiment.

Figure 11B is a front view of the ink cartridge of Figure 11A.

Detailed ways

Embodiments of the present invention, its features and advantages, may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-11B , like reference numerals being used for corresponding parts in the various views.

[Printer 10]

Referring to FIG. 1 , a printing apparatus such as a printer 10 is an inkjet printer configured to print an image on printing paper by selectively ejecting ink droplets on the printing paper. The printer 10 includes an ink supply device 100 . The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge mounting portion 110 . The cartridge installation portion 110 is configured to allow a printing fluid cartridge such as the ink cartridge 30 to be installed therein. The cartridge installation part 110 has an opening 112 through which the inside of the ink installation part 110 is exposed to the outside of the cartridge installation part 110 . The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 via the opening 112 so that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 . The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be removed from the cartridge mount 110 via the opening 112 .

The ink cartridge 30 is configured to store ink used by the printer 10 . The printer 10 includes a print head 21 and ink tubes 20 . When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting part 110 , the ink cartridge 30 and the print head 21 are fluidly connected via the ink tube 20 . The print head 21 includes a sub-tank 28 . The sub-tank 28 is configured to temporarily store ink supplied from the ink cartridge 30 via the ink tube 20 . The print head 21 includes nozzles 29 and is configured to selectively eject ink supplied from the sub-tank 28 through the nozzles 29 .

The printer 10 includes a paper feed tray 15 , a paper feed roller 23 , a conveyance roller pair 25 , a platen 26 , a discharge roller pair 22 , and a discharge tray 16 . The conveyance path 24 is formed from the paper feed tray 15 to the discharge tray 16 via the conveyance roller pair 25 , the platen 26 , and the discharge roller pair 22 . Paper feed roller 23 is configured to feed printing paper from paper feed tray 15 to conveyance path 24 . The transport roller pair 25 is configured to transport the printing paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 onto the platen 26 . Printhead 21 is configured to selectively eject ink onto printing paper passing over platen 26 . Thus, the image is printed on the printing paper. The printing paper that has passed on the platen 26 is discharged by the discharge roller pair 22 to the paper discharge tray 16 provided at the most downstream of the conveyance path 24 .

[cartridge 30]

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 5 , the ink cartridge 30 is configured such that the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and from the cartridge installation portion 110 in the insertion/removal direction 50 while the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright position shown in FIG. 2 . Removed, in the upright position, the top surface of the ink cartridge 30 faces upward and the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 30 faces downward. The insertion/removal direction 50 extends in the horizontal direction. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 in the mounted position, the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright position. The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into the cartridge mount 110 in the insertion direction 56 and to be removed from the cartridge mount 110 in the removal direction 55 . Insertion/removal direction 50 is a combination of insertion direction 56 and removal direction 55 . The insertion direction 56 extends in the horizontal direction and the removal direction 55 extends in the horizontal direction. When the ink cartridge 30 is in the upright position, the height direction (up-and-down direction) 52 corresponds to the gravity direction (vertical direction). In another embodiment, the insertion/removal direction 50 may not extend strictly in the horizontal direction, but may extend in a direction intersecting the horizontal direction and the gravity direction (vertical direction).

The ink cartridge 30 has a substantially parallelepiped shape and includes a main body 31 and a bracket 90 . The main body 31 and the bracket 90 form the appearance of the ink cartridge 30 . The ink cartridge 30 is a container configured to store ink therein. The ink cartridge 30 includes an ink chamber 36 which is a space formed inside the ink cartridge 30 . More specifically, the main body 31 includes an ink chamber 36 formed therein, for example, the main body 31 includes an inner frame 35 in which the ink chamber 36 is formed. The ink cartridge 30 has a width in a width direction (left-right direction) 51 , a height in a height direction (up-down direction) 52 , and a depth in a depth direction (front-back direction) 53 . A width direction (left-right direction) 51 , a height direction (up-down direction) 52 and a depth direction (front-back direction) 53 are perpendicular to each other. The width of the ink cartridge 30 is smaller than the height and depth of the ink cartridge 30 . When the ink cartridge 30 is in the installed position (upright position), the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is parallel to the horizontal plane, the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 is also parallel to the horizontal plane, and the height direction (up-down direction) 52 is parallel to the gravity direction (vertical direction). )parallel. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 is parallel to the insertion/removal direction 50, and the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and height direction (up-down direction) 52 are parallel to the insertion direction. /remove-direction 50 vertical. The height direction (vertical direction) 52 is parallel to the upward direction and the downward direction and is a combination of the upward direction and the downward direction.

The ink cartridge 30 includes a front wall 40 and a rear wall 42 opposite the front wall 40 with respect to an insertion direction 56 . When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the front wall 40 is located on the front side of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the insertion direction 56 . More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the front wall 40 faces the insertion direction 56 , in other words, the front wall 40 is oriented toward the insertion direction 56 . When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the rear wall 42 is located on the rear side of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the insertion direction 56 . More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the rear wall 42 faces the removal direction 55 , in other words, the rear wall 42 is oriented toward the removal direction 55 . The front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 are aligned in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 are aligned in the insertion/removal direction 50 . The ink cartridge 30 includes side walls 37 , 38 each extending in the insertion/removal direction 50 and connecting with the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 . The side walls 37 and 38 are aligned in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . Ink cartridge 30 includes a top wall 39 connected to the upper ends of front wall 40 , rear wall 42 and side walls 37 , 38 . Ink cartridge 30 includes a bottom wall 41 connected to the lower ends of front wall 40 , rear wall 42 and side walls 37 , 38 . The top wall 39 and the bottom wall 41 are aligned in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 . The outer surface of the front wall 40 is the front surface of the ink cartridge 30 , and the outer surface of the rear wall 42 is the rear surface of the ink cartridge 30 . Therefore, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the cartridge installation part 110 in the upright position, the front surface of the ink cartridge 30 is oriented toward the insertion direction 56, and when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the cartridge installation part 110 in the upright position, the rear surface of the ink cartridge 30 is The surface is oriented towards the removal direction 55 . The outer surface of the top wall 39 is the top surface of the ink cartridge 30 , and the outer surface of the bottom wall 31 is the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 30 . Therefore, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge installation part 110 in the upright position, the top surface of the ink cartridge 30 is oriented in the upward direction, and when the ink cartridge 30 is installed into the cartridge installation part 110 in the upright position, the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 30 The surface is oriented in a downward direction. The top surface is connected to the upper ends of the front and rear surfaces, and the bottom surface is connected to the lower ends of the front and rear surfaces. Likewise, the outer surfaces of the side walls 37 , 38 are the side surfaces of the ink cartridge 30 .

In this embodiment, bracket 90 includes front wall 40 , a portion of side wall 37 , a portion of side wall 38 , and a portion of bottom wall 41 , and body 31 includes rear wall 42 , other portions of side wall 37 , side wall 38 Other parts of the top wall 39 and other parts of the bottom wall 41. Therefore, the carriage 90 includes the front surface of the ink cartridge 30, a portion of the top surface of the ink cartridge 30, a portion of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 30, and a portion of the side surface of the ink cartridge 30, and the main body 31 includes the rear surface of the ink cartridge 30, the top surface of the ink cartridge 30, and the ink cartridge 30. Other parts of the surface, other parts of the bottom surface of the ink cartridge 30 and other parts of the side surface of the ink cartridge 30.

[subject 31]

Referring to FIGS. 2 to 4 , the main body 31 includes the detection portion 33 at the middle of the main body 31 with respect to the height direction (up-and-down direction) 52 . The detection part 33 is located on the front wall 40 side of the main body 31 . More specifically, the detection portion 33 is located at the front surface of the main body 31 that faces the insertion direction 56 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge installation portion 110 , in other words, is oriented toward the insertion direction 56 . The bracket 90 includes a first protrusion 85 including a detection portion such as a rib 88 . The first protrusion 85 includes a front end with respect to the insertion direction 56 . The rib 88 includes a front end with respect to the insertion direction 56 . Bracket 90 includes second protrusion 86 . The second protrusion 86 includes a front end with respect to the insertion direction 56 . The bracket 90 includes another detection portion 89 . The detection portion 33 is positioned so as to be rearward with respect to the insertion direction 56 than the front end of the first protrusion 85 , the front end of the rib 88 , the front end of the second protrusion 86 , and the detection portion 89 . The detection portion 33 has a box shape opening toward the ink chamber 36 such that the inside of the detection portion 36 is in fluid communication with the ink chamber 36 . The detecting portion 33 includes a pair of walls made of, for example, transparent or translucent light-transmitting resin that allows light such as visible light or infrared light to travel in a direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 to pass through the pair of walls. In this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 is a width direction (left-right direction) 51 . The detection portion 33 is exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 via an opening 95 formed to penetrate the carriage 90 at the front wall 40 side of the carriage 90 . The optical sensor 114 (see FIG. 6 ) emits light in a direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 . The detection part 33 may allow light emitted from the optical sensor 114 and reaching the detection part 33 through the opening 95 to pass through the detection part 33 .

The pair of walls of the detection portion 33 are aligned in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 , and a space is formed between the pair of walls of the detection portion 33 . Ink stored in the ink chamber 36 can reach this space. Referring to FIG. 4 , the main body 31 includes a sensor arm 60 disposed in the ink chamber 36 . The sensor arm 60 includes an arm body 61 extending mainly in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 , an indicator 62 at one end of the arm body 61 , and a float 63 at the other end of the arm body 61 . The indicator 62 is located in a space formed between the pair of walls of the detection portion 33 . The main body 31 includes a support shaft 64 extending in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 , and the sensor arm 60 is supported by the support shaft 64 so that the sensor arm 60 can pivot about the support shaft 64 . The sensor arm 60 is configured to pivot based on the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36 , and thus the indicator 62 is configured to pivot based on the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36 . The sensor arm 60 is configured to move between an up position and a down position. When the sensor arm 60 is in the upper position, the indicator 62 is located on the upper side of the detection portion 33 in terms of the gravitational direction (vertical direction). When the sensor arm 60 is in the down position, the indicator 62 is located on the lower side of the detection portion 33 in terms of the direction of gravity. FIG. 4 depicts the sensor arm 60 in the down position when the ink chamber 36 has a predetermined amount or more of ink stored therein.

When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the detection portion 33 is located between the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 in the horizontal direction (width direction) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 Or left-right direction 51), and the detection part 33 is configured to change its state between the first state and the second state. When the detection portion 33 is in the first state, the detection portion 33 allows light emitted from the light emitter of the optical sensor 114 and traveling in a direction (width direction or left-right direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 to pass through the detection portion. 33. When the detection part 33 is in the second state, the detection part 33 attenuates light. More specifically, when the detection portion 33 is in the first state and the light reaches one side of the detection portion 33 in the direction (width direction or left-right direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 , a predetermined amount or more of light Comes out from the other side of the detection portion 33 in the direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 (the width direction or the left-right direction 51 ) and reaches the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 . When the detection part 33 is in the second state and the light reaches one side of the detection part 33 in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 , it comes out from the other side of the detection part 33 and reaches The amount of light of the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 is less than a predetermined amount, such as zero. When the sensor arm 60 is in the upper position, the detection part 33 is in the first state to allow light to pass through the detection part 33 . When the sensor arm 60 is in the down position, the detection part 33 is in the second state to attenuate light. Passage of light in the direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 (width direction or left-right direction 51) is completely prevented by the indicator 62, a certain amount of light is absorbed by the indicator 62, the light is deflected by the indicator 62, and light is fully passed by the indicator 62. Reflected light or the like causes light attenuation. As such, the amount (intensity) of light reaching the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 depends on the state of the detection section 33 . By detecting the state of the detection portion 33 with the optical sensor 114, it is determined whether the ink chamber 36 has a predetermined amount or more of ink stored therein.

In another embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 may not include the sensor arm 60 and thus the indicator 62 may not be located in the detection portion 33 . In this case, the detection portion 33 may attenuate light when ink is stored in the detection portion 33 . When ink is not stored in the detection portion 33 , the detection portion 33 may allow light to pass through the detection portion 33 . More specifically, when no ink is stored in the detection portion 33 and light reaches one side of the detection portion 33 in a direction (width direction or left-right direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 , a predetermined amount or more of light can be transmitted from The other side of the detection portion 33 in the direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 (the width direction or the left-right direction 51 ) comes out and reaches the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 . When ink is stored in the detection portion 33 and light reaches one side of the detection portion 33 in the insertion/removal direction 50 (the width direction or the left-right direction 51 ), it comes out from the other side of the detection portion 33 and reaches the side of the optical sensor 114. The light quantity of the light receiver is less than a predetermined quantity, such as zero. Light attenuation can be caused by the ink absorbing some amount of light. In yet another embodiment, the detection part 33 may include a flexible film forming a space therein. When ink is stored in the space formed by the flexible membrane, the flexible membrane expands. The ink cartridge 30 may include a pivotable lever in contact with the flexible membrane, by completely preventing light from passing through the lever in a direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 (width direction or side-to-side direction 51 ), by absorbing some amount of light, by deflecting the light , by total reflection of light, etc., the rod can attenuate light. As the ink moves out of the space formed by the flexible membrane and the flexible membrane contracts, the rod in contact with the flexible membrane can move to a position where the rod no longer attenuates light. In yet another embodiment, the detection part 33 includes a prismatic structure. In this case, when ink contacts the prismatic structures, the prismatic structures may reflect light such that the light does not reach the light receivers of the optical sensor 114 . When ink is not in contact with the prismatic structures, the prismatic structures may reflect light such that the light reaches the light receivers of the optical sensor 114 .

The main body 31 has an air communication opening 32 on the side of the front wall 40 of the main body 31 above the detection portion 33 . More specifically, the air communication opening 32 is located at the front surface of the main body 31 facing the insertion direction 56 . The air communication opening 32 is formed penetrating through the wall defining the ink chamber 36 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . The air layer formed in the ink chamber 36 and the atmosphere outside the ink chamber 36 may be in fluid communication via the air communication opening 32 . The air communication opening 32 is located between the front of the bracket 90 and the rear wall 42 of the main body 31 . The bracket 90 has a circular opening 96 formed through the wall of the first protrusion 85 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 through which the air communication opening 32 is accessible from the outside of the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 55 .

The main body 31 includes an air communication valve 73 configured to selectively open and close the air communication opening 32 . When the air communication opening 32 is opened, the pressure in the ink chamber 36 maintained at a negative pressure becomes equal to the atmospheric pressure. In another embodiment, the air communication opening 32 may not be located at the front wall 40 side of the main body 31, but may be located at any position as long as the inside and outside of the ink chamber 36 can be fluidly communicated. In yet another embodiment, ink cartridge 30 may be configured for use in printer 10 with ink chamber 36 maintained at a negative pressure. In this case, the ink cartridge 30 may not have the air communication opening 32 .

The main body 31 includes a printing fluid supply part, such as the ink supply part 34 at the front wall 40 side of the main body 31 below the detection part 33 . More specifically, the ink supply portion 34 is located at the front surface of the main body 31 facing the insertion direction 56 . The ink supply portion 34 is located at the lower portion of the front surface of the main body 31 , that is, on the bottom wall 41 side of the front surface of the main body. The bracket 90 has a circular opening 97 formed to penetrate the front wall 40 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . The ink supply portion 34 has a cylindrical shape and extends through the opening 97 of the front wall 40 in the insertion/removal direction 50 . Therefore, the ink supply portion 34 is located at the front wall 40 . The ink supply portion 34 has an ink supply opening 71 formed at an end of the ink supply portion 34 .

The ink supply portion 34 has an ink path 72 formed therein. The ink path 72 extends from the ink supply opening 71 to the ink chamber 36 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . The main body 31 includes an ink supply valve 70 configured to selectively open and close an ink supply opening 71 . When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mount 110 , the ink tube 122 provided in the cartridge mount 110 is inserted through the ink supply opening 71 and pushes the ink supply valve 70 so that the ink supply opening 71 is opened. When this occurs, ink flows out of ink chamber 36 to enter ink tube 122 in insertion direction 56 via ink path 72 .

In another embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 may not include the ink supply valve 70 . In this case, the ink supply opening 71 may be covered or closed with a film. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting part 110, the ink tube 122 may pierce the membrane so that the ink supply opening 71 is opened.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , the main body 31 includes engagement hooks 43 at the bottom wall 41 side and the front wall 40 side of the main body 31 . The engagement hook 43 extends forward in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 from the lower portion of the front surface of the main body 31 . The front end of the engagement hook 43 includes two protrusions extending outward in opposite directions in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . The engagement hook 43 has a cutout formed therein. The cutout is located in the middle of the engagement hook 43 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . Due to the cutout, the engagement hook 43 is configured to be elastically deformed so that its size in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is reduced. Protrusions of the front ends of the engagement hooks 43 are respectively located in elongated openings 91 , 92 formed through the bracket 90 , and are in contact with inner surfaces of walls defining the elongated openings 91 , 92 , respectively.

The main body 31 includes an engaging portion 45 on the top wall 39 side of the ink cartridge 30 . More specifically, the engagement portion 45 is located at the middle of the top wall 39 with respect to the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . The engagement portion 45 extends upward from the top 39 and away from the ink chamber 36 , and includes an engagement surface 46 extending in a width direction (left-right direction) 51 and a height direction (up-down direction) 52 . When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mount portion 110 , the engaging surface 46 faces the rear with respect to the insertion direction 56 , in other words, faces the removal direction 55 . In another embodiment, the engaging surface 46 may not extend vertically from the top wall 39, but may be inclined with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52, and when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the engaging surface 46 It may face rearward with respect to insertion direction 56 , in other words toward removal direction 55 . When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the engaging surface 46 is in contact with the engaging member 145 of the cartridge mounting portion 110, and receives an external force. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 and remains in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 is pushed in the removal direction 55, and thus the engagement surface 46 pushes the engagement member 145 in the removal direction 55 . As a result, the engagement surface 46 receives a reaction force in the insertion direction 56 from the engagement member 145 .

The main body 31 includes a pivot member 80 located on the upper side of the main body 31 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and at the rear wall 42 side of the main body 31 . More specifically, the pivot member 80 is located at the rear of the top wall 39 . The pivot member 80 has a curved flat plate shape, and its longer dimension extends in a direction substantially parallel to the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . Pivot member 80 includes an axis 83 at its bending point. The bending point is located in the middle of the pivot member 80 with respect to the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . The shaft 83 extends in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . At a position separated from the engagement surface 46 toward the rear wall 42 , the shaft 83 is supported by the rest of the main body 31 so that the pivot member 80 can pivot about the shaft 83 . The pivot member 80 includes a front end 81 and a rear end 82 . The front end portion 81 extends from the shaft 83 toward the engagement surface 46 . The rear end portion 82 extends from the shaft 83 toward the rear wall 42 .

When no external force is applied to the pivoting member 80, due to its own weight, the pivoting member 80 is positioned such that the front end 81 is located at the farthest position from the top wall 39, that is, the front end 81 is at the highest position relative to the top wall 39. , That is, the rear end portion 82 is heavier than the front end portion 81 . When the pivot member 80 is in this position, the front end portion 81 may extend outward beyond the upper end of the rest of the main body 31 . In another embodiment, the front end portion 81 may not extend outward beyond the upper portion of other parts of the main body 31 , and be located more inside than the upper ends of other parts of the main body 31 , ie, be located below the upper ends of other parts of the main body 31 . When the front end portion 81 is pushed downward, the pivot member 80 pivots in the clockwise direction in FIG. 4 against its own weight. When the pivoting member 80 is pivoted in the clockwise direction as much as possible, the front end portion 81 is located below the upper end of the engaging surface 46 . In another embodiment, the pivot member 80 may be integrally formed with the rest of the body 31 . In yet another embodiment, the pivot member 80 may be biased in a clockwise direction by a spring. In this case, when the rear end portion 82 is pushed downward, the pivot member 80 pivots in the counterclockwise direction against the biasing force of the spring.

As mentioned above, the body 31 includes a portion of the side walls 37 , 38 . Each of the portions of the side walls 37 , 38 extends from the rear wall 42 up to the middle of the main body 31 with respect to the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . Each of the portions of the side walls 37 , 38 includes a flat plate portion and a tapered portion at the front portion of the flat plate portion with respect to the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . More specifically, each of the flat plate portions includes a planar outer surface extending in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and Extended planar interior surface. The tapered portion includes a planar outer surface extending in a depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and a height direction (up-down direction) 52 and a surface extending in a direction oblique to the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and extending in a height direction (up-down direction) 52. The inclined inner surface 47 or 48 extends upward. The portion of side wall 37 includes an inclined inner surface 47 and the portion of side wall 38 includes an inclined inner surface 48 . When the bracket 90 is not attached to the main body 31 before the ink cartridge 30 is assembled, the front portion of the inner frame 35 defining the ink chamber 36 is not covered by the portion of the side walls 37, 38, but exposed.

[bracket 90]

The bracket 90 is attached to the main body 31 . The bracket 90 covers the front of the main body 31 , which extends from around the inner inclined surfaces 47 , 48 to the front surface of the main body 31 facing the insertion direction 56 . More specifically, the bracket 90 covers the front surface of the main body 31, the side wall 37 side of the front part of the main body 31, the side wall 38 side of the front part of the main body 31, the top wall 39 side of the front part of the main body 31 and the side of the main body 31. The bottom wall 41 side of the front. In other words, the bracket 90 covers the front surface of the main body 31 , the top, bottom and side surfaces of the front of the main body 31 .

As mentioned above, the bracket 90 includes a portion of the side walls 37 , 38 . The portions of the side walls 37, 38 respectively have elongate openings 91, 92 formed therethrough. The elongated openings 91, 92 are located on the bottom wall 41 side of the portion of the side walls 37, 38, respectively. In other words, the elongated openings 91 , 92 are located in the lower part of the portion of the side walls 37 , 38 . Each of the elongated openings 91 , 92 has a longer dimension in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 . The protrusions engaging the front ends of the hooks 43 are located in the elongated openings 91 , 92 respectively, and are in contact with the inner surfaces of the walls defining the elongated openings 91 , 92 , respectively. If an attempt is made to remove the bracket 90 from the main body 31 by pulling the bracket 90 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, the protrusion of the front end of the engagement hook 43 hooks onto the inner surface of the wall defining the elongated openings 91, 92 , so that the bracket 90 cannot be removed from the main body 31 . Each of the projections of the front end of the engaging hook 43 has a dimension in the height direction (up and down direction) 52 smaller than that of each of the elongated openings 91 , 92 in the height direction (up and down direction) 52 . This part of the side walls 37 , 38 comprises an end 93 , 94 on the rear wall 42 side thereof, respectively. The end portions 93 , 94 extend in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and are respectively covered by the tapered portion of the portion of the side walls 37 , 38 of the main body 31 . The end portions 93 , 94 face the inclined inner surfaces 47 , 48 of the inclined portion, respectively, that is, the ends 93 , 94 overlap the inclined inner surfaces 47 , 48 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . The bracket 90 is configured to move relative to the main body 31 in the height direction (up and down direction) 52 within a range defined by the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height direction (up and down direction) 52 allowing engagement of the front end of the hook 43. The size of the protrusion sliding in the height direction (up and down direction) 52 in the elongated openings 91, 92 is defined. In other words, there is a space in the height direction (up-and-down direction) 52 between each of the protrusions of the front end of the engaging hook 43 and the end of the corresponding one of the elongated openings 91, 92, so that the bracket 90 can be positioned at a height on the main body 31. Swipe in direction (up and down) 52. As the bracket 90 moves relative to the body 31, the ends 93, 94 of the bracket 90 slide on the sloped inner surfaces 47, 48, respectively. In other words, the sloped inner surfaces 47, 48 act as guides when the bracket 90 moves relative to the body 31 . In a normal state, the bracket 90 is supported from below by the upper surface of the front part of the main body 31 .

The bracket 90 has an opening 95 formed to penetrate the bracket 90 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . The opening 95 is located on the front wall 40 side of the bracket 90 at the center of the bracket 90 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 . In this embodiment, the opening 95 has a rectangular shape, however, according to variant embodiments, the opening 95 may have any other suitable shape. The opening 95 has a size and size corresponding to the detection portion 33 of the main body 31 and is located at a position corresponding to the detection portion 33 so that the detection portion 33 is exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 through the opening 95 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . The portion of the bracket 90 defining the opening 95 includes a detection portion 89 extending in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and a support portion 79 extending in the depth direction (front-rear direction) from the lower end of the detection portion 89 . 53 extends toward the main body 31 and is configured to support the detection part 33 from below. When the bracket 90 is supported from below by the upper surface of the front part of the main body 31 , there is a space between the detection part 33 and the support part 79 . When the bracket 90 moves in the upward direction relative to the main body 31 , the support portion 79 comes into contact with the lower end of the detection portion 33 . The range in which the bracket 90 can move in the height direction (up and down direction) 52 relative to the main body 31 can pass through the elongated openings 91, 92 in the height direction (up and down direction) 52, allowing the protrusion of the front end of the engaging hook 43 to be in the elongated opening 91. , 92 in the height direction (up and down direction) 52 sliding size limit, or can be defined by the space formed between the detection part 33 and the support part 79 when the bracket 90 is supported from below by the upper surface of the front part of the main body 31 .

The bracket 90 has an opening 96 formed to penetrate the wall of the first protrusion 85 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . In this embodiment, the opening 96 has a circular shape, however, according to a variant embodiment, the opening can also be of any other shape. The opening 96 has a size and size corresponding to the air communication opening 32 of the main body 31 and is at a position corresponding to the air communication opening 32 so that the air communication opening 32 is accessible from the outside of the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 55 through the opening 96 .

The bracket 90 has an opening 97 formed to penetrate the front wall 40 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 , the opening 97 being located at a lower portion of the front wall 40 with respect to the height direction 52 . In this embodiment, the opening 97 has a circular shape, but, according to a variant embodiment, any other shape is also possible. The opening 97 has a size and size corresponding to the ink supply portion 34 of the main body 31 and is at a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 34 such that the ink supply portion 34 extends through the opening 37 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 .

The bracket 90 includes a first protrusion 85 and a second protrusion 86 at the front wall 40 . The first protrusion 85 extends from the upper end of the front wall 40 in the insertion direction 56 away from the rear wall 42 . The width of the first protrusion 85 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is the same as the width of the front wall 40 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . In another embodiment, the width of the first protrusion 85 may be smaller than the width of the front wall 40 . The front end of the first protrusion 85 is positioned forward in the insertion direction 56 away from the rear wall 42 than the ink supply opening 71 formed at the tip of the ink supply portion 34 . The first protruding portion 85 has a concave portion such as a groove 87 formed in the middle of the first protruding portion 85 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 52 . The groove 87 extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . The groove 87 opens forward in the insertion direction 56 and opens upward in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 . Both sides of the groove 87 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 are defined and closed by a pair of surfaces of the first protrusion 85 , and the bottom of the groove 87 is defined and closed by the surfaces of the first protrusion 85 . A cross section of the groove 87 taken in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is rectangular.

The first protrusion 85 includes a rib 88 provided in the middle of the groove 87 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . The rib 88 extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52 . The rib 88 extends in the upward direction from the surface of the first protrusion 85 defining the bottom of the groove 87 . The rib 88 is located at the top wall 39 side of the ink cartridge 30 . The rib 88 extends from the front wall 40 of the ink cartridge 30 in the depth direction 53 or the insertion direction 56 at the boundary between the top wall 39 and the front wall 40 . Each of the side surfaces of the rib 88 with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the height direction (up-down direction) 52 , with the definition groove 87 of the first protruding portion 85 A pair of surfaces on both sides with respect to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 are parallel. Surfaces defining both sides of the groove 87 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 of the first protrusion 85 are respectively opposed to side surfaces of the rib 88 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . The ribs 88 are configured to attenuate light, such as visible or infrared light, traveling in a direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 . In this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 is a width direction (left-right direction) 51 . More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the rib 88 is located between the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 116 in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 (widthwise or left-right direction). The rib 88 is configured to attenuate light emitted from the light emitter of the optical sensor 116 and traveling in a direction (width direction or left-right direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 . When the light reaches one side of the rib 88 in the direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 (the width direction or the left-right direction 51), the light coming out from the other side of the rib 88 and reaching the light receiver of the optical sensor 116 The amount is less than a predetermined amount, such as zero. In other words, the ribs 88 are configured to attenuate the amount or intensity of light sufficiently to be detected by the optical sensor 116 . The rib 88 completely prevents light from passing in the direction (the width direction or the left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, absorbs some amount of light by the rib 88, deflects light by the rib 88, totally reflects light by the rib 88, etc., causing light attenuation. As such, the rib 88 can be detected by the optical sensor 116 . From one type of ink cartridge 30 to another, the dimension of the rib 88 in the direction of insertion 56 away from the rear wall 42 changes from the front wall 40 to the front end of the rib 88 . Different types of ink cartridges 30 may include different colors of ink, different compositions of ink such as dyes or pigments, different initial amounts of ink stored in ink chamber 36, and the like.

In another embodiment, the first protrusion 85 may have a recess 87 formed therein. The recess 87 may open forward in the insertion direction 56 , open upward in the height direction (vertical direction) 52 , and open on one or both sides in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 of the first protrusion 85 .

The second protrusion 86 extends from the lower end of the front wall 40 in the insertion direction 56 away from the rear wall 42 . The second protruding portion 86 is located below the ink supply portion 34 . The width of the second protrusion 86 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is the same as the width of the front wall 40 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . In another embodiment, the width of the second protrusion 86 may be less than the width of the front wall 40 . The front end of the second protrusion 86 is positioned forward in the insertion direction 56 away from the rear wall 42 than the ink supply opening 71 formed at the end of the ink supply portion 34 . From one type of ink cartridge 30 to another type of ink cartridge 30 , the size of the second protrusion 86 in the insertion direction 56 away from the rear wall 42 changes from the front wall 40 to the front end of the second protrusion 86 . Different types of ink cartridges 30 may include inks of different colors, inks of different compositions such as dyes and pigments, different initial amounts of ink stored in ink chambers 36, and the like. In this embodiment, the second protrusion 86 is detected indirectly by the optical sensor 117 (see FIG. 1 ). In another embodiment, the second protrusion 86 may be directly detected by the optical sensor 117 .

The bracket 90 includes a detection portion 89 between the first protruding portion 85 and the second protruding portion 86 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 at or adjacent to the front wall 40 . The detection portion 89 is positioned forward of the detection portion 33 in the insertion direction 56 away from the rear wall 42 . The detection part 33 and the detection part 89 are aligned in the insertion direction 56 . The width of the detection part 89 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 is the same as that of the detection part 33 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51, but may be other larger or smaller widths according to variant embodiments. The detection portion 89 is configured to attenuate light such as visible light or infrared light traveling in a direction (width direction or left-right direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 to pass through the detection portion. More specifically, during mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the detecting portion 89 passes between the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 . When this happens, the detecting portion 89 attenuates light emitted from the light emitter of the optical sensor 114 and traveling in a direction (width direction or left-right direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 . When the light reaches one side of the detection portion 89 in the direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 (the width direction or the left-right direction 51 ), it comes out from the other side of the detection portion 89 and reaches the light receiver of the optical sensor 114. The amount of light is less than a predetermined amount, eg zero. In other words, the detection section 89 is configured to attenuate the amount or intensity of light to a degree sufficient to be detected by the optical sensor 114 . The passing detection portion 89 completely prevents light from passing through the detection portion 89 in a direction (width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, absorbs some amount of light by the detection portion 89, deflects the light by the detection portion 89, passes through the detection portion 89, and passes through the detection portion 89. The detection unit 89 attenuates light by completely reflecting light or the like. In this way, the detection unit 89 can be detected by the optical sensor 114 .

There is a gap between the detection portion 89 and the detection portion 33 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . During mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110, light emitted from the light emitter of the optical sensor 114 and traveling in a direction (width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 passes through the gap and reaches the optical sensor 114. Light receiver for sensor 114 . The amount of light coming out of the gap and reaching the light receiver of the optical sensor 114 is greater than or equal to a predetermined amount. The size of the detection portion 89 in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 changes from one type of ink cartridge 30 to another type of ink cartridge 30 . Different types of ink cartridges 30 may include inks of different colors, inks of different compositions such as dyes and pigments, different initial amounts of ink stored in ink chambers 36, and the like.

The front end of the first protrusion 85 , the front end of the second protrusion 86 , and the detection portion 89 are positioned forward of the detection portion 33 with respect to the insertion direction 56 . In other words, the detection portion 33 is positioned so as to be rearward of the front end of the first protrusion 85 , the front end of the second protrusion 86 , and the detection portion 89 with respect to the insertion direction 56 . Each of the detection portion 33 and the ink supply opening 71 is located between the first protrusion 85 and the second protrusion 86 with respect to the height direction 52 .

The ink cartridge 30 includes a guide 65 at the top wall 39 . The guide portion 65 is a pair of ribs extending upward from the top wall 39 and extending in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . The guide portion 65 extends over the bracket 90 and the main body 31 . The width between the outer surfaces of the guide portion 65 in the rib width direction (left-right direction) is smaller than the width of the ink cartridge 30 between the outer surfaces of the side walls 37, 38 of the main body 31 and the width of the bracket 90 in the width direction (left-right direction). on the width. The inner gap between the inner surfaces of the guide portion 65 in the width direction (left-right direction) of the rib is larger than the width of the engagement member 145 in the width direction (left-right direction). The guide portion 65 includes a front end in the insertion direction 56 . The guide portion 65 is located between the groove 87 of the first protrusion 85 and the rear wall 42 . More specifically, the guide portion 65 is located rearward of the groove 87 with respect to the insertion direction 56 .

The ink cartridge 30 includes a guide 66 at the bottom wall 41 . The guide portion 66 is a protrusion extending downward from the bottom wall 41 and extending in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . The guide 66 extends over the bracket 90 and the main body 31 . The width between the outer surfaces of the guide portion 66 in the width direction (left-right direction) of the guide portion 66 is smaller than the width of the ink cartridge 30 between the outer surfaces of the side walls 37, 38 of the main body 31 and the width of the carriage 90 in the width direction (left-right direction). direction) width. The guides 65 , 66 are inserted into the guide grooves 109 of the cartridge mount 110 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mount 110 .

The ink cartridge 30 includes the IC board 74 provided at the bracket 90 between the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65 . The IC board 74 is located between the groove 87 of the first protrusion 85 and the rear wall 42 and between the joint 45 and the front wall 40 . The IC board 74 is located on the top wall 39 side of the ink cartridge 30 between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42 . IC board 74 is positioned rearward of front wall 40 and groove 87 with respect to insertion direction 56 . The IC board 74 and the ink supply opening 71 are offset with respect to the insertion direction 56 . More specifically, the IC board 74 is positioned rearward of the ink supply opening 71 with respect to the insertion direction 56 .

The bracket 90 includes a platform 67 on which the IC board 74 is disposed. The platform 67 is located between the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65 . The platform 67 is a planar surface extending in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and in the insertion/removal direction 50 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the installed position (upright position). The plane on which the platform 67 extends, namely, the plane extending in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51, and the plane on which the joint surface 46 extends, namely, the height direction (up-down direction) 52 Intersects with a plane extending in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . In this embodiment, the plane in which the platform extends is perpendicular to the plane in which the engagement surface 46 extends. The IC board 74 includes an upper surface extending in a width direction (left-right direction) 51 and a depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . When the ink cartridge 30 is in the mounted position (upright position), the upper surface of the IC board 74 extends horizontally and faces upward. The plane on which the upper surface of the IC board 74 extends, that is, the plane extending in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 and the width direction (left-right direction) 51, and the plane on which the bonding surface 46 extends, that is, in the height direction The (vertical direction) 52 intersects with a plane extending in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . In this embodiment, the plane on which the upper surface of the IC board 74 extends is perpendicular to the plane on which the bonding surface 46 extends. Because the platform 67 is positioned forwardly with respect to the insertion direction 56 from the engagement surface 46 , the IC board 74 is positioned forwardly with respect to the insertion direction 56 from the engagement surface 46 . The IC board 74 is located above (higher) the rib 88 and the groove 87 of the first protrusion 85 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 . In other words, the IC board 74 is located further outside than the rib 88 and the groove 87 . The IC board 74 is located above (higher) than at least a part of the bonding portion 45 in the height direction (vertical direction) 52 . In other words, the IC board 74 is located further outside than at least a part of the bonding portion 45 . The cartridge mounting portion 110 includes three contacts 106 aligned in a direction (width direction or left-right direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 . During mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the IC board 74 is in contact with and electrically connected to three contacts (see FIG. 6). When the mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, the IC board 74 is still in contact with and electrically connected to the three contacts 106 .

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , the IC board 74 includes an IC (not shown) and electrical interfaces such as thermal electrodes 75 , ground electrodes 76 and signal electrodes 77 . The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit and stores data of information on the ink cartridge 30, such as the lot number of the ink cartridge 30, the date of manufacture of the ink cartridge 30, the color of ink stored in the ink cartridge 30, and the like. Data stored in the IC can be read out by the printer 10 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 .

Each of the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 is electrically connected to the IC. Each of the thermode 75 , the ground electrode 76 , and the signal electrode 77 extends in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . The thermal electrode 75 , the ground electrode 76 , and the signal electrode 77 are aligned with and spaced apart from each other in the depth direction (left-right direction) 51 . The ground electrode 76 is located between the thermal electrode 75 and the signal electrode 77 . The IC board 74 has a width in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 , the rib 88 of the first protrusion 85 has a width in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 , and the width of the IC board 74 is larger than the width of the rib 88 . Each of the thermode 75 , ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 has a width in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 , and each of the thermode 75 , ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 has a width greater than that of the rib 88 . The center of the IC board 74 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the center of the rib 88 of the first protruding portion 85 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 are located in a plane that is aligned with the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and The depth direction (front-back direction) 53 is parallel. Therefore, the IC board 74 and the rib 88 cross a plane parallel to the height direction (vertical direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . In other words, the IC board 74 and the rib 88 do not deviate in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . More specifically, the center of the ground electrode 76 in the width direction (right-left direction) 51 and the center of the rib 88 are located in a plane parallel to the depth direction (up-down direction) 52 and depth direction (front-back direction) 53 . In other words, the center of the ground electrode 76 in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the center of the rib 88 do not deviate in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . Therefore, the ground electrode 76 and the rib 88 cross a plane parallel to the height direction (vertical direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . In other words, the ground electrode 76 and the rib 88 do not deviate in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . The hot electrodes 75 , the ground electrodes 76 , the signal electrodes 77 and the ribs 88 are arranged symmetrically with respect to a plane parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . The bonding surface 46 , the IC board 74 and the groove 87 intersect a plane parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . In other words, the joint surface 46 , the IC board 74 and the groove 87 do not deviate in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . More specifically. The bonding surface 46, the ground electrode 76 and the groove 87 intersect with a plane parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53, and the bonding surface 46, the thermal electrode 75 and the groove 87 and the height direction (up-down direction) direction) 52 and another plane parallel to the depth direction (front-back direction) 53 intersects, and the bonding surface 46, the thermal electrode 75 and the groove 87 are parallel to another plane parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-back direction) 53. surface cross. In other words, each of the thermode 75 , the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 , the joint surface 46 and the groove 87 do not deviate in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . During mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110, the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are respectively in contact with and electrically connected to the three contacts 106 (see FIG. 6). When the installation of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed, the thermal electrode 75 , the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are still in contact with and electrically connected to the three contacts 106 , respectively.

The joint surface 46 , the IC board 74 and the groove 87 are exposed upward to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 with respect to the height direction 52 on the top wall 39 side of the ink cartridge 30 . The thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are exposed upwardly to the outside of the ink cartridge 30 at the upper surface of the IC board 74, so that when the ink cartridge 30 is in the installed position, the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are accessible from Access above. In other words, the thermal electrode 75 , the ground electrode 76 , and the signal electrode 77 are accessible in a downward direction perpendicular to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the insertion/removal direction 50 . Engagement surface 46 is accessible from above when ink cartridge 30 is in the installed position. In other words, the engagement surface 46 is accessible in a downward direction perpendicular to the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the insertion/removal direction 50 .

The pair of ribs of the guide portion 65 extend beyond the IC board 74 upward and forward in the insertion direction 56 . In other words, the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65 extends outward beyond the IC board 74 . The bracket 90 includes a ramp 49 connecting the pair of ribs of the guide portion 65 . The ramp 49 is located between the groove 87 of the first protrusion 85 and the rear wall 42 and between the IC board 74 and the front wall 40 . The slope 49 is located between the groove 87 of the first protrusion 85 and the IC board 74 . The ramp 49 is inclined downwards with respect to the insertion direction 56 such that the front of the ramp 49 is lower than the rear of the ramp 49 . The engagement member 145 slides on the ramp 49 when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mount 110 .

A concave portion 78 is formed between the joint portion 45 and the bracket 90 , at the boundary of the joint portion 45 and the bracket 90 , and at the upper portion of the ink cartridge 30 . When the main body 31 and the bracket 90 are respectively positioned relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 , as described below, there is no height difference between the engaging portion 45 and the bracket 90 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 on both sides of the recess 78 . Therefore, when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge installation portion 110 , the engaging member 145 is not caught in the recess 78 .

In this embodiment, the bracket 90 covers the front surface of the main body 31, the side wall 37 side of the front part of the main body 31, the side wall 38 side of the front part of the main body 31, the top wall 39 side of the front part of the main body 31 and the main body 31 on the bottom wall 41 side of the front. However, the bracket 90 may cover the front of the main body 31 differently. Referring to FIGS. 10A and 10B , in a modified embodiment, the bracket 90 may not cover the side wall 37 side of the front of the main body 31 . Referring to FIGS. 11A and 11B , in another modified embodiment, the bracket 90 may not cover the bottom wall 41 side of the front portion of the main body 31 .

[ink supply device 100]

Referring to FIG. 1 , a printer 10 includes an ink supply device 100 . The ink supply device 100 is configured to supply ink to the print head 21 . The ink supply device 100 includes a cartridge mounting portion 110 on which the ink cartridge 30 is mountable. In FIG. 1 , the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 .

[cassette mounting part 110]

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the cartridge installation part 110 includes a housing 101 having an opening 112 formed through one surface of the housing 101 . The ink cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted into and removed from the housing 101 via the opening 112 . The housing 101 has a groove 109 formed in the top surface defining the upper end of the inner space of the housing 101 , and also has a groove 109 formed in the bottom surface defining the lower end of the inner space of the housing 101 . The groove 109 extends in the insertion/removal direction 50 . In a state where the guide portion 65 is inserted into the groove 109 formed in the top surface of the case 101 and the guide portion 66 is inserted into the groove 109 formed in the bottom surface of the case 101, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted/ Guide on removal direction 50. The housing 101 is configured to receive four ink cartridges 30 storing cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink, and black ink, respectively.

The housing 101 includes three partition plates 102 extending in the vertical direction and the insertion/removal direction 50 . Three partition plates 102 divide the inner space of the housing 101 into four spaces. The four ink cartridges 30 are configured to be installed in four spaces, respectively.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the housing 101 includes an end surface opposite to the opening 112 in the insertion/removal direction 50 . The cartridge mount portion 110 includes the connection portion 103 provided at the lower portion of the end surface of the case 101 at a position corresponding to the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted to the case 101 . In this embodiment, four connection portions 103 are provided for four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the housing 101 .

The connection portion 103 includes a printing fluid supply tube such as an ink tube 122 and a holding portion 121 . The ink tube 122 is a cylindrical tube made of synthetic resin. The ink tube 122 is connected to the ink tube 20 outside the casing 101 . The ink tube 20 connected with the ink tube 122 extends to the print head 21 to supply ink to the print head 21 . In FIGS. 5 and 6, the ink tube 20 is not shown.

The holding portion 121 has a cylindrical shape. The ink tube 122 is located at the center of the holding portion 121 . Referring to FIG. 9 , when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the ink supply portion 34 is inserted into the holding portion 121 . When this happens, the ink supply portion 34 is positioned with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 relative to the holding portion 121 by the outer surface of the ink supply portion 34 being in contact with the inner surface of the holding portion 121 . When the ink supply portion 34 is inserted into the holding portion 121 , the ink tube 122 is inserted into the ink supply opening 71 . This allows the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 to flow out into the ink tube 122 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the cartridge installation part 110 includes the sensor unit 104 above the connection part 103 . The sensor unit 104 includes a board 113 and an optical sensor 114 mounted to the board 113 . More specifically, the sensor unit 104 includes one board 113 and four optical sensors 114 mounted to the one board 113 , which correspond to the four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the housing 101 .

As mentioned above, the optical sensor 114 includes a light emitter, such as a light emitting diode, and a light receiver, such as a phototransistor. The light emitter and the light receiver are housed in a housing which extends from the board 113 in the insertion/removal direction 50 towards the opening 112 . The housing has a U-shape when viewed from above. The light emitter and light receiver of the optical sensor 114 are aligned in a horizontal direction (width direction or left-right direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 with a space formed therebetween. The light emitter is configured to emit light, such as infrared light or visible light, toward the light receiver in a horizontal direction (width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, and the light receiver is configured to receive light emitted from the light. light emitted by the device. The detection part 33 and the detection part 89 can be inserted into the space between the light transmitter and the light receiver. The optical sensor 114 is configured to detect a change in light quantity (intensity) when the detection portion 33 or the detection portion 89 enters an optical path (detection point) formed between the light emitter and the light receiver. The optical sensor 114 is electrically connected to a controller (described later) of the printer 10, and when the optical sensor 114 detects the detection portion 33 or the detection portion 89, a signal output from the optical sensor 114 to the controller changes.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the ink cartridge installation part 110 includes the sensor unit 105 at the top surface of the housing 101 adjacent to the end surface of the housing 101 . The sensor unit 105 includes a board 115 and an optical sensor 116 mounted to the board 115 . More specifically, the sensor unit 105 includes one board 115 and four optical sensors 116 mounted to one board 115 corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the housing 101 .

As mentioned above, the optical sensor 116 includes a light emitter, such as a light emitting diode, and a light receiver, such as a phototransistor. The light transmitter and light receiver are accommodated in a housing, and the housing extends vertically downward from the board 115 . When viewed from the insertion/removal direction 50, the housing has a substantially inverted U-shape.

The light emitter and light receiver of the optical sensor 116 are aligned in a horizontal direction (width direction or left-right direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 with a space formed therebetween. The light emitter is configured to emit light, such as infrared light or visible light, toward the light receiver in a horizontal direction (width direction or left-right direction 51) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50, and the light receiver is configured to receive light emitted from the light. light emitted by the device. When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting part 110, the rib 88 of the first protrusion 85 is inserted into the space between the light emitter and the light receiver. The optical sensor 116 is configured to detect a change in light quantity (intensity) when the rib 88 enters an optical path (detection point) formed between the light emitter and the light receiver. The optical sensor 116 is electrically connected to the controller of the printer 10, and when the optical sensor 116 detects the rib 88, a signal output from the optical sensor 116 to the controller changes. Based on this signal change, it can be determined by the controller whether or not the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 . In other words, the rib 88 is configured to provide information regarding the presence of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mount 110 by attenuating the light of the optical sensor 116 .

The cartridge mount 110 includes electrical contacts 106 at the top surface of the housing 101 between the end surface of the housing 101 and the opening 112 . The contacts 106 are arranged and aligned in a direction (width direction or left-right direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 . Three contacts 106 are arranged at positions corresponding to the thermal electrode 75 , the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 of the ink cartridge 30 . The contacts 106 are conductive and elastic. The contacts 106 are configured to elastically deform in an upward direction. Four sets of three contacts 106 are provided, corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the housing 101 .

The printer 10 includes a controller, and the contacts 106 are electrically connected to the controller via an electric circuit. The controller may include CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. When the thermode 75 is in contact with and electrically connected to a corresponding one of the contacts 106 , the voltage Vc is applied to the thermode 75 . When the ground electrode 76 is in contact with and electrically connected to a corresponding one of the contacts 106, the ground electrode 76 is grounded. When the hot electrode 75 and the ground electrode 76 are respectively in contact with and electrically connected to the corresponding contacts 106, power is supplied to the IC. Data stored in the IC is accessible when the signal electrode 77 is in contact with and electrically connected to a corresponding one of the contacts 106 . The output from the electronic circuit is input to the controller.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the housing 101 has a space 130 formed at a lower end of an end surface of the housing 101 . The cartridge installation part 110 includes a slider 135 disposed in the space 130 . Four sliders 135 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the cartridge 101 . The space 130 is continuous with the inner space of the casing 101 . The slider 135 is configured to move in the insertion/removal direction 50 in the space 130 . The slider 135 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The slider 135 is located in the path of travel of the second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 and is configured to be in contact with the second protrusion 86 .

The cartridge mounting part 110 includes a coil spring 139 provided in the space 130 . The helical spring 139 is configured to bias the slider 135 towards the opening 112 , ie in the removal direction 55 . The slider 135 is located at the opening 112 side of the space 130 when the coil spring 139 is at a natural length, that is, when no external force is applied to the slider 135 . When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the housing 101 , the second protrusion 86 of the ink cartridge 30 contacts the slider 135 and pushes the slider 135 in the insertion direction 56 . When this happens, the coil spring 139 contracts and the slider 135 slides in the insertion direction 56 . The coil spring 139 in the contracted state biases the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 55 via the slider 135 .

The cartridge installation part 110 includes an optical sensor 117 at an upper portion of the space 130 . Four optical sensors 117 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the housing 101 . In other words, four optical sensors 117 are provided corresponding to four sliders 135 . The four optical sensors 117 are aligned in a direction perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 (width direction or left-right direction 51 ). Optical sensor 117 has the same structure as optical sensor 116 .

When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the housing 101 , the slider 135 is pushed and inserted into the space between the light emitter and the light receiver of the optical sensor 117 . The optical sensor 117 is configured to detect a change in light amount (intensity) when the slider 135 enters an optical path (detection point) formed between a light emitter and a light receiver of the optical sensor 117 . The optical sensor 117 is electrically connected to the controller of the printer 10, and when the optical sensor 117 detects the slider 135, a signal output from the optical sensor 117 to the controller changes. In FIGS. 6 to 9 , the slider 135 , the coil spring 139 and the optical sensor 117 are not shown.

In the cartridge mount 110 , the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114 is positioned backward in the insertion direction 56 than the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116 and the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 117 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the cartridge mounting part 110 includes a rod 125 at an end surface of the housing 101 . The position of the lever 125 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 corresponds to the position of the air communication valve 73 of the ink cartridge 30 mounted to the cartridge mount 110 with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 . Four levers 125 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the housing 101 . The rod 125 has a cylindrical shape and extends from the end surface of the housing 101 toward the opening 112 in the insertion/removal direction 50 . During mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the rod 125 is inserted through the opening 96 of the bracket 90 , and the tip of the rod 125 comes into contact with the air communication valve 73 . The air communication valve 73 is pushed by the rod 125 so that the air communication port 32 is opened. The outer surface of the rod 125 is in contact with the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96 so that the bracket 90 is positioned with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 .

Referring to FIG. 6 , the cartridge installation part 110 includes an engaging member 145 located at an upper portion of the housing 101 . Engagement member 145 is configured to retain ink cartridge 30 in the installed position. The engagement member 145 is located adjacent to the upper end of the opening 112 . Engagement member 145 is located between opening 112 and contact 106 . Each of the contacts 106 and the engagement member 145 intersects a plane that is parallel to the insertion/removal direction 50 and the vertical (gravity) direction. In other words, each of the contact point 106 and the engaging member 145 does not deviate in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 . Four engagement members 145 are provided corresponding to the four ink cartridges 30 mountable to the housing 101 .

The cartridge mount 110 includes a shaft 147 positioned adjacent to an upper end of the opening 112 . The shaft 147 is attached to the housing 101 and extends in a direction (width direction or left-right direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion/removal direction 50 . The shaft 147 extends through the end of the engagement member 145 adjacent to the opening 112 , in other words the rear end of the engagement member 145 with respect to the insertion direction 56 . The engaging member 145 is supported by the shaft 147 such that the engaging member 145 can pivot selectively toward and away from the inner space of the housing 101 about the shaft 147 . The engagement member 145 includes an engagement end 146 opposite the end through which the shaft 147 of the engagement member 145 extends. In other words, the engagement end 146 is located at the front end of the engagement member 145 with respect to the insertion direction 56 . The engagement member 146 is configured to be in contact with the engagement portion 45 of the ink cartridge 30 . By the contact between the engaging end 146 and the engaging surface 46 of the engaging portion 45 , the ink cartridge 30 is held in the installed position in the housing 101 against the biasing force from the slider 135 . When the engaging end 146 is in contact with the engaging surface 46 , the engaging end 146 extends substantially in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 . Engagement member 145 is configured to move between a locked position and an unlocked position. When the engaging member 145 is in the locked position, the engaging end 146 is able to come into contact with the engaging portion 45 . When the engaging member 145 is in the unlocked position, the engaging end 146 is not in contact with the engaging portion 45 .

Engagement member 145 includes a sliding surface 148 extending from engagement end 146 toward shaft 147 . When the engaging end 146 is in contact with the engaging surface 46 , the sliding surface 148 extends substantially in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 . The sliding surface 148 has a width in the width direction (front-rear direction) 51 such that when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110, the sliding surface 148 simultaneously contacts the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode. 77 all touch and slide on it.

The engagement member 145 is configured to pivot downward due to its own weight or biased by a spring (not shown). When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the engaging end 146 that is in contact with the engaging portion 45 is located above the front end portion 81 of the pivot member 80 . When the front end portion 81 moves upward and pushes the engagement end 146 upward, the engagement member 145 pivots upward about the shaft 147 from the locked position to the unlocked position. The movable range of the engaging member 145 is limited so that the engaging member 145 does not pivot downward beyond the locked position.

[Mounting the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting part 110]

Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9 , how the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is described. In FIGS. 7 to 9 , the cartridge mounting portion 110 is shown in sectional view, but only the top wall 39 side of the ink cartridge 30 is shown in sectional view.

As described above, since the carriage 90 is supported from below by the upper surface of the front portion of the main body 31 , the carriage 90 is movable in an upward direction relative to the main body 31 before the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 . Referring to FIG. 7 , when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the cartridge installation portion 110 in the insertion direction 56, the guide portions 65, 66 of the ink cartridge 30 are inserted into the groove 109 of the housing 101, so that the ink cartridge 30 is inserted relative to the cartridge installation portion 110. Roughly positioned in terms of width direction (left-right direction) 51 and height direction (up-down direction) 52 . The ink cartridge 30 is configured to slide toward the end surface of the housing 101 while the guides 65 , 66 are inserted into the groove 109 .

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8 , when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the housing 101 , the front end of the first protrusion 85 comes into contact with the sliding surface 148 of the engagement member 145 . As the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further, the sliding surface 148 creeps onto the first protrusion 85 and the ramp 49 . When this occurs, the engagement member 145 pivots upward in the counterclockwise direction of FIG. 7 from the locked position to the unlocked position. When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted, the sliding surface 148 of the engagement member 145 slides on the slope 49 and the IC board 74 and passes over the recess 78 . When the sliding surface 148 slides on the thermode 75 , the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 , dust is wiped off from the thermode 75 , the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 .

Referring to FIG. 1 , when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the housing 101 , the second protrusion 86 contacts the slider 135 . When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted, the slider 135 is pushed into the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 117 in the insertion direction 56 against the biasing force from the coil spring 139 . When the optical sensor 117 detects the slider 135, a signal output from the optical sensor 117 to the controller changes from a high level signal to a low voltage signal.

Referring to FIG. 8 , after the second protrusion 86 starts pushing the slider 135 , the detection portion 89 enters the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114 . When the optical sensor 114 detects the detection portion 89, the signal output from the optical sensor 114 to the controller changes from a high-level signal to a low-level signal.

Referring to FIG. 8 , after the detection portion 89 enters the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114 , the rib 88 of the first protrusion 85 enters the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116 . When the optical sensor 116 detects the rib 88, the signal output from the optical sensor 116 to the controller changes from a high-level signal to a low-level signal. After the detection portion 89 passes through the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114 , the gap between the detection portion 89 and the detection portion 33 passes through the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114 . When this happens, the signal output from the optical sensor 114 to the controller changes from a low level signal to a high level signal. Then, when the detection part 33 enters the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114, if the sensor arm 60 is in the low position, the signal output from the optical sensor 114 to the controller changes from a high level signal to a low level signal.

If in one type of ink cartridge 30, the detection portion 89 is longer in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, when the rib 88 starts to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, the detection portion 89 is still at the optical sensor 114. The detection point (optical path), so when the signal output from the optical sensor 116 changes from a high-level signal to a low-level signal, the signal output from the optical sensor 114 is a low-level signal. If in another type of ink cartridge 30, the detection portion 89 is shorter in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, when the rib 88 begins to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, the detection portion 89 is no longer in the optical sensor 116. In the detection point (optical path) of 114, therefore, when the signal output from the optical sensor 116 changes from a high level signal to a low level signal, the signal output from the optical sensor 114 is a high level signal. In other words, the rib 88 and the detection portion 89 are configured to provide information on the type of the ink cartridge 30 by attenuating the light of the optical sensor 116 and the optical sensor 114 .

If in one type of ink cartridge 30, the second protrusion 86 is longer in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, when the rib 88 starts to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, the slider 135 is already on the optical sensor 116. In the detection point (optical path) of 117, therefore, when the signal output from the optical sensor 116 changes from a high-level signal to a low-level signal, the signal output from the optical sensor 117 is a low-level signal. If in another type of ink cartridge 30, the second protrusion 86 is shorter in the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, when the rib 88 starts to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116, the slider 135 is not yet in the optical sensor 116. In the detection point (optical path) of 117, the signal output from the optical sensor 117 is therefore a high-level signal when the signal output from the optical sensor 116 changes from a high-level signal to a low-level signal. In other words, rib 88 and second protrusion 86 are configured to provide information about the type of ink cartridge 30 by attenuating light from optical sensor 116 and optical sensor 117 .

Referring to FIG. 8 , during insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the housing 101 , the ink supply portion 34 of the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the holding portion 121 and the ink tube 122 is inserted into the ink supply opening 71 . When this happens, the ink supply portion 34 is positioned relative to the holding portion 121 in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 by the outer surface of the ink supply portion 34 in contact with the inner surface of the holding portion 121, that is, the main body 31 is positioned relative to the holding portion 121. The cartridge mounting portion 110 is positioned with respect to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 . The ink supply valve 70 is pushed by the ink tube 122 so that the ink supply opening 71 is opened. The ink tube 122 has an ink introduction opening formed at an end thereof, and the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 flows into the ink tube 122 in the insertion direction 56 through the ink introduction opening.

Referring to FIG. 8 , during insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the housing 101 , the rod 125 enters the opening 96 of the carriage 90 . The bracket 90 is movable in an upward direction relative to the main body 31 . When the rod 125 enters the opening 96, the upper portion of the outer surface of the rod 125 contacts the upper portion of the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96, and pushes the bracket 90 upward so that the bracket 90 rests on the main body 31 in an upward direction. Swipe up. The bracket 90 cannot move in the downward direction relative to the cartridge mount 110 because the upper portion of the outer surface of the rod 125 is in contact with the upper portion of the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96 from below. Referring to FIG. 9 , the rod 125 is in contact with the air communication valve 73 and pushes the air communication valve 73 . The air communication valve 73 moves away from the air communication opening 32 so that air flows into the ink chamber 36 via the air communication opening 32 .

Meanwhile, referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 , the contacts 106 are in contact with the ramps 49 of the bracket 90 . Because the ramp 49 is inclined upward when the contacts 106 move toward the rear wall 42 of the ink cartridge 30, and because the bracket 90 is in a state where the upper portion of the outer surface of the rod 125 is in contact with the lower portion of the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 that defines the opening 96 Cannot move in the downward direction, so the contact 106 is elastically deformed in the upward direction as the contact 106 slides on the ramp 49 and the IC board 74 . The elastically deformable contacts 106 bias the IC board 74 in a downward direction. When the contact 106 reaches the IC board 74 , the bracket 90 is sandwiched from above and below by the contact 106 and the rod 125 , and the bracket 90 is positioned in the height direction (up and down direction) 52 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110 .

When the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted toward the end surface of the housing 101 , referring to FIG. 9 , the contacts 106 contact and electrically connect with the thermal electrode 75 , the ground electrode 76 , and the signal electrode 77 of the IC board 74 , respectively. When the installation of the ink cartridge 30 reaches the installation position, the thermal electrode 75 , the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are still respectively in contact with and electrically connected to the three contacts 106 .

When the ink cartridge 30 reaches the installation position, the engagement surface 46 of the engagement portion 45 of the ink cartridge 30 has passed the engagement end 146 of the engagement member 145 in the insertion direction 56 . The engagement member 145 is pivoted to the locked position in the clockwise direction in FIG. 9 , and the engagement end 146 is in contact with the engagement surface 46 . Due to this contact between the engaging member 145 and the engaging portion 45 , the ink cartridge 30 is held in the mounted position against the biasing force from the coil spring 139 . In other words, the ink cartridge 30 is positioned with respect to the insertion/removal direction 50 relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 . In this way, mounting of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 is completed.

When the ink cartridge 30 is at the mounting position in the cartridge mounting portion 110, the main body 31 is positioned in a state where the ink supply portion 34 is inserted into the holding portion 121 and the ink tube 122 is inserted into the ink supply opening 71, and the bracket 90 is held by the contacts 106 and The rod 125 is positioned sandwiched between the ends of its movable range.

When the ink cartridge 30 is in the installed position in the cartridge installation portion 110 , the front end portion 81 of the pivot member 80 is located below the engagement end 146 of the engagement member 145 . The rear end 82 of the pivot member 80 is positioned away from the top wall 39 .

Based on the level of the output signal from the optical sensor 116 , it is determined by the controller whether the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge mounting portion 110 . In other words, the rib 88 is configured to provide information regarding the presence of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mount 110 by attenuating the light of the optical sensor 116 . Based on the level of the output signal from the optical sensor 114 and based on the level of the output signal from the optical sensor 117 when the signal output from the optical sensor 116 changes from a high-level signal to a low-level signal, the ink cartridge 30 is determined by the controller. type. In other words, the rib 88 and the detection portion 89 or the second protrusion 86 are configured to provide information on the type of the ink cartridge 30 by attenuating the light of the optical sensor 116 and the optical sensor 114 or the optical sensor 117 . By periodically checking the level of the output signal from the optical sensor 114, the amount of ink stored in the ink chamber 36, ie, whether the ink chamber 36 has a predetermined amount or more of ink stored therein, is determined by the controller. In other words, the detection part 33 is configured to indicate the presence or absence of ink in the ink chamber 36 by attenuating or not attenuating the light of the optical sensor 114 . Based on the data read out from the IC board 74, the information of the ink cartridge 30, such as the lot number of the ink cartridge 30, the production date of the ink cartridge 30, the color of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30, etc. is determined.

In another embodiment, the carriage 90 is movable in a downward direction relative to the main body 31 at the initial position before the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the cartridge installation part 110 . In this case, the bracket 90 is supported by static friction between the ends 93 , 94 of the bracket 90 and the inclined inner surfaces 47 , 48 of the main body 31 . When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the housing 101 and the rod 125 is inserted into the opening 96 of the carriage 90 , the outer surface of the rod 125 may not initially contact the inner surface 98 of the carriage 90 defining the opening 96 . As the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further, the contacts 106 come into contact with the ramp 49 and the IC board 74 and push the carriage 90 downward so that the upper portion of the outer surface of the rod 125 meets the upper portion of the inner surface 98 of the carriage 90 defining the opening 96 touch. When the contact 106 reaches the IC board 74 , the bracket 90 is sandwiched from above and below by the contact 106 and the rod 125 , and the bracket 90 is positioned in the height direction (up and down direction) 52 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110 .

A timeline of events occurring during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mount 110 is described in more detail herein. When the insertion starts, the sliding surface 148 of the engagement portion 145 starts to slide on the IC board 74 . Then the second protrusion 86 comes into contact with the slider 135 and starts pushing the slider 135 . Then the detection part 89 starts to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114 . The rib 88 then begins to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 116 . The rod 125 then comes into contact with the air communication valve 73 and starts pushing the air communication valve 73 . Contacts 106 then come into contact with IC board 74 . Then the gap between the detection part 89 and the detection part 33 starts to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114 . Then the ink tube 122 comes into contact with the ink supply valve 70 and starts to push the ink supply valve 70 . Then the detection part 33 starts to enter the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensor 114 . Engagement end 146 then contacts engagement surface 46 .

After the installation of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge installation portion 110 is completed, the printer 10 starts printing. When the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 is used up by the printer 10 , the used ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge installation portion 110 , and a new ink cartridge 30 is installed to the cartridge installation portion 110 .

[Removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting part 110]

When intending to remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mount 110, the rear end portion 82 of the pivot member 80 is pushed downward by the user. Accordingly, the front end portion 81 of the pivot member 80 moves upward and separates from the top wall 39 . When this happens, the engagement member 145 is pushed upward by the front end portion 81 of the pivot member 80, and the engagement end 146 of the engagement member 145 moves to a position above the engagement surface 46, that is, to a position separated from the engagement surface 46. . In doing so, the engagement member 145 moves from the locked position to the unlocked position, and the ink cartridge 30 is released from the state held by the engagement member 145 .

When the engagement end 146 disengages from the engagement surface 46 , an external force applied to the ink cartridge 30 , such as the biasing force of the coil spring 139 , moves the ink cartridge 30 in the removal direction 55 . However, the ink cartridge 30 moving in the removal direction 55 is stopped by the user because the user's finger is still in contact with the depressed rear end portion 82 of the pivot member 80 . The biasing force of the coil spring 139 is received by the user's finger via the pivot member 80 .

When the user moves his/her finger in the removal direction 55, the ink cartridge 30 is urged by the slider 135 and the coil spring 139 to follow the finger. When this happens, the IC board 74 provided on the bracket 90 is released from the downward biasing force of the contacts 106 of the cartridge mount 110 . The sliding surface 148 of the engagement member 145 passes over the recess 78 and slides on the IC board 74 and the slope 49 as the ink cartridge 30 follows the movement of the user's finger in the removal direction 55 . When the sliding surface 148 slides on the thermode 75 , the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 , dust is wiped off from the thermode 75 , the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 . After sliding on the ramp 49 , the sliding surface 148 passes over the groove 87 . When this happens, the dust wiped off by the sliding surface 148 falls into the groove 87 . Therefore, the possibility of dust falling and sticking to the portion of the ink supply portion 34 surrounding the ink supply opening 71 is reduced.

At the same time, the outer surface of the rod 125 separates from the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96, so that the bracket 90 moves down relative to the main body 31 to an initial position in which the bracket 90 is held by the front of the main body 31. support on the upper surface. The ink tube 122 is pulled out of the ink supply portion 34 . In this way, the ink cartridge 30 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 .

[Advantage]

In this embodiment, since the ink cartridge 30 includes the detection portion 89 and the rib 88 configured to be detected by the optical sensors 114, 116 independent of the IC board 74, even if the electrical connection between the IC board 74 and the contacts 106 cannot be established or Data cannot be read from the IC via the signal electrode 77 , and it can be determined that the ink cartridge 30 is mounted to the printer 10 based on information obtained from the detection portion 89 and the rib 88 . Therefore, the ink cartridge 30 can be used even if the electrical connection between the IC board 74 and the contacts 106 cannot be established or data cannot be read from the IC via the signal electrode 77 .

In this embodiment, since the light emitted from the optical sensors 114 , 116 travels in a direction (width direction, left-right direction) perpendicular to the insertion direction 50 , the detection portion 89 and the rib 88 can move in a desired direction in the insertion direction 50 . The timing enters the detection point (optical path) of the optical sensors 114 , 116 . Moreover, since the thermode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are accessible in the downward direction perpendicular to the insertion direction 50 and in the direction of light travel, even if the thermode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are contacted 106 is inserted in the downward direction, so that the ink cartridge 30 moves in the downward direction, and this movement does not affect the timing of the detection portion (optical path) of the detection portion 89 and the rib 88 entering the optical sensors 114, 116 in the insertion direction 56 . This is because the timing is determined by the movement of the ink cartridge 30 in the insertion direction 56 , not by the downward movement of the ink cartridge 30 . In general, when events occur in directions perpendicular to each other, such events can be independent events and cannot affect each other.

In this embodiment, because the thermode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are located between the front wall 40 and the rear wall 42, the biasing force in the removal direction 55 from the slider 135 and the coil spring 139 is not affected by the thermode. 75. Ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 receive directly. Therefore, the possibility that an excessive load is applied to the hot electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 is reduced. Also, the possibility of ink leaking from the ink supply portion 34 and contamination of the thermal electrode 75 , ground electrode 76 , and signal electrode 77 with ink is reduced.

If the IC board 74 is placed at the front wall 40 facing the insertion direction 56, the contact between the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 and the contacts 106 may be unstable because the ink cartridge 30 is inserted in the removal direction 55. On, that is, in the direction in which the hot electrode 75 , the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are separated from the contact 106 . Therefore, in this case, the deformation range of the contact 106 and the elasticity of the contact 106 will have to be set larger so that even when the hot electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 pass through the biasing ink cartridge 30 As the biasing force moves away from the contact 106 , contact between the hot electrode 75 , ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 and the contact 106 is ensured. However, the larger deformation range and larger elasticity of the contact 106 may exert a large bias force on the hot electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77, that is, an excessive load may be applied to the hot electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode. 77. Also, if the IC board 74 is provided at the front wall 40, the ink that has leaked from the ink supply portion 34 may reach the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77, and cause the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 to short circuit between.

In this embodiment, since the thermode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77, and the joint portion 45 are disposed on the same side of the ink cartridge 30, that is, the top wall 39 side, the thermode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are adjacent to each other. Positioned at the junction 45 . Since the joint portion 45 determines the position of the ink cartridge 30 relative to the cartridge mounting portion 110 with respect to the insertion/removal direction 50 when the joint portion 45 is in contact with the joint member 145, the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the ground electrode 76 positioned adjacent to the joint portion 45 The signal electrodes 77 can be precisely positioned relative to the contacts 106 with respect to the insertion/removal direction 50 .

In this embodiment, because the hot electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are positioned forward with respect to the insertion direction 56 than the bonding surface 46, each of the hot electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 and the bonding surface 46 intersects the corresponding plane parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53, during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the joint member 145 is connected between the hot electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the The signal electrode 77 slides on. Dust on the thermode 75 , ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 is thus wiped off, and the possibility that the electrical connection between the thermode 75 , ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 and the contact 106 becomes unstable is reduced.

In this embodiment, thermal electrode 75 , ground electrode 76 , and signal electrode 77 are located over at least a portion of bonding surface 46 of bonding portion 45 . Since the engaging member 145 is configured to pivot downward due to its own weight or by spring bias, the dust on the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 can be wiped off by the engaging member 145 with a stronger downward force. . Also, the movable range of the engagement member 145 is limited so that the engagement member 145 does not pivot downward beyond the locked position, and if the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are located below the engagement surface 46, the engagement member 145 cannot communicate with the engagement member 145. The thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are in contact. The location of thermode 75 , ground electrode 76 , and signal electrode 77 over at least a portion of engagement surface 46 thus facilitates the wiping function of engagement member 145 .

In this embodiment, since the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are positioned as far back as the insertion direction 56 than the ink supply opening 71 of the ink supply portion 34, even when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 And/or the dust on the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 is wiped off when removing from the cartridge mounting part 110, and the possibility of this dust sticking to the part surrounding the ink supply opening 71 of the ink supply part 34 is also reduced. Small. Therefore, the possibility of ink being contaminated with dust is reduced.

In this embodiment, since the recess such as the groove 87 is positioned forward of the hot electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 with respect to the insertion direction 56, each of the hot electrode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 and the groove 87 intersects with the corresponding plane, which is parallel to the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and the depth direction (front-rear direction) 53. The thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are located above the groove 87, and the thermal electrode 75, the ground electrode 76 and the dust erased by the signal electrode 77 falls into the groove 87 . Therefore, the possibility of dust falling and sticking to the portion of the ink supply portion 34 surrounding the ink supply opening 71 is reduced.

In this embodiment, since the ink supply portion 34 is located at the front wall 40 and the thermal electrode 75, ground electrode 76, and signal electrode 77 are located at the top wall 39, ink splashed from the ink supply portion 34 reaches and contaminates the thermal electrode 75, ground electrode 75, and ground electrode 77. The possibility of electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 is reduced.

In this embodiment, since the bracket 90 is movable in the height direction (up and down direction) 52 relative to the main body 31, the bracket 90 and the main body 31 can be moved independently in the height direction (up and down direction) 52 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 110. Language positioning. Therefore, elements provided at the bracket 90 such as the IC board 74 , the rib 88 , and the detection portion 89 , and elements provided at the main body 31 such as the ink supply portion 34 can be compared with corresponding elements provided on the cartridge mounting portion 110 such as Contacts 106, optical sensors 114, 116, and ink tube 122 are independently positioned.

Since the ink cartridge 30 is assembled from a plurality of components, the dimensional tolerance of each component generally needs to be set small, requiring high precision in designing and manufacturing each component. If the dimensional tolerance of each element is relatively large, the cumulative dimensional error of the ink cartridge 30 is generally large. In this case, the ink tube 122 may not be inserted into the ink supply opening 71 and may come into contact with the end of the ink supply portion 34 and be broken, and the contact 106 may come into contact with the IC board 74 with high pressure and may be broken, and on the contrary , the contacts 106 may not be in contact with the IC board 74, or the ribs 88 and the detection portion 89 may not enter between the light emitters and light receivers of the optical sensors 114, 116. However, in this embodiment, because the bracket 90 is movable relative to the main body 31, the bracket 90 and the main body 31 can be independently positioned relative to the cartridge mount 110, provided that the components are moderately dimensional tolerances at Components at the carriage 90 such as the IC board 74 , the rib 88 , and the detection portion 89 and components provided at the main body 31 such as the ink supply portion 34 can be compared to corresponding components such as the contacts 106 , optical components provided on the cartridge mounting portion 110 . Sensors 114, 116 and ink tube 122 are independently positioned.

In this embodiment, since the width of each of the thermode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 is larger than the width of the rib 88, in other words, the width of the rib 88 is smaller than each of the thermode 75, the ground electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77. The width of the rib 88 is suitable for non-contact detection by the optical sensor 116 , while the hot electrode 75 , ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are suitable for physical contact with the contact 106 .

In another embodiment, the second protrusion 86 may include ribs similar to the rib 88 of the first protrusion 85 , and the optical sensor 117 may be configured to directly detect the rib of the second protrusion 86 .

In another embodiment, in addition to the elongated openings 91, 92 or the detection part 33 and the support part 79, the bracket 90 can be determined relative to each other by a known structure, such as a guide groove formed in the main body 31 or the bracket 90. In the moving range of the main body 31. Also, the movement of the bracket 90 may be guided by known structures, such as guide rails formed at the main body 31 or the bracket 90 , in addition to the inclined inner surfaces 47 , 48 .

In another embodiment, the inner surface 98 of the bracket 90 defining the opening 96 may not contact the outer surface of the rod 125 to allow the bracket 90 to move relative to the body 31 . In this case, the bracket 90 may include a surface extending in a direction intersecting the insertion/removal direction 50 at the top surface or the bottom surface, and when the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110, the surface may be aligned with the The protrusions in the cartridge mounting portion 110 contact and slide thereon so that the carriage 90 moves relative to the main body 31 .

In another embodiment, the cartridge mounting part 110 may not include the slider 135 , the coil spring 139 and the optical sensor 117 . In this case, the ink cartridge 30 may be biased in the removal direction 55 by a spring coupled to the ink supply valve 70 and/or the air communication valve 73 .

In another embodiment, the IC may not be disposed on the same board on which the hot electrode 75, ground electrode 76, and signal electrode 77 are disposed. For example, an IC may be disposed at or adjacent rear wall 42 and may be connected by wires to thermal electrode 75 , ground electrode 76 , and signal electrode 77 disposed at or adjacent top wall 39 .

In another embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 may not include the bracket 90 , and the detection part 89 , the rib 88 and the IC board 74 may be provided on the main body 31 .

While the invention has been described in connection with various exemplary structures and illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that other variations and modifications of the above structures and embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Other structures and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and described examples are illustrative only, with the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims.

Claims (10)

1. a printing-fluid box (30), described printing-fluid box is formed in stand up position and is inserted in box installation portion in the direction of insertion (56) of intersecting with gravity direction, and described printing-fluid box (30) comprising:

Front surface, when described printing-fluid box (30) is inserted in described box installation portion, described front surface is towards described direction of insertion (56) orientation;

Rear surface, the position of described rear surface is contrary with described front surface with regard to described direction of insertion (56);

Room (36), described room is configured to store printing-fluid in the chamber;

Electrical interface (75,76,77), described electrical interface is arranged on designated surface place, makes described electrical interface (75,76,77) be exposed to the outside of described printing-fluid box (30); With

Printing-fluid supply department (34), described printing-fluid supply department comprises printing-fluid supply opening (71), wherein said printing-fluid supply department (34) is configured to the outside described printing-fluid being fed to described room (36) from the inside of described room (36) via described printing-fluid supply opening (71), and when described printing-fluid box (30) is in described stand up position, described printing-fluid supply department (34) is positioned at described front surface place and is positioned at described electrical interface (75,76,77) below

Wherein said electrical interface (75,76,77) is positioned to supply opening (71) more backward than described printing-fluid with regard to described direction of insertion (56),

Wherein when described printing-fluid box (30) is in described stand up position, described designated surface towards upper,

Wherein said printing-fluid box (30) has width, the height in short transverse (52) and the degree of depth on depth direction (53) on width (51), wherein said width (51), described short transverse (52) and described depth direction (53) are perpendicular to one another, and described depth direction (53) is parallel with described direction of insertion (56), and

Wherein said printing-fluid box (30) also comprises recess (87), when described printing-fluid box (30) is in described stand up position, described recess is open upwards, wherein said recess (87) is positioned to regard to described direction of insertion (56) than described electrical interface (75, 76, 77) more forward, and described recess (87) and described electrical interface (75, 76, 77) with a level-crossing, described plane is parallel with described short transverse (52) and described depth direction (53), wherein when described printing-fluid box (30) is in described stand up position, described electrical interface (75, 76, 77) top of described recess (87) is positioned at.

2. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 1, wherein when described printing-fluid box (30) is in described stand up position, described printing-fluid supply department (34) is positioned at the bottom place of described front surface.

3. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 1, wherein said recess (87) is groove (87), and the both sides of described groove (87) are closed with regard to described width (51).

4. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 1, also comprises:

Main body (31), described main body comprises described room (36); With

Bracket (90), described bracket is coupled to described main body (31).

5. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 4, wherein said electrical interface (75,76,77) is arranged on described bracket (90) place.

6. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 5, wherein said bracket (90) comprises described designated surface, and when described printing-fluid box (30) is in described stand up position, described designated surface is towards upper.

7. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 4, the side that wherein said bracket (90) is configured to relative to described main body (31) is being intersected with described direction of insertion (56) moves up.

8. a printing device (10), comprising:

Printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 1; With

Box installation portion (110), described printing-fluid box (30) is configured to insert in described box installation portion, and described box installation portion (110) comprising:

Contact (106), described contact is configured to be electrically connected to described electrical interface (75,76,77); With

Printing-fluid supply pipe (122), described printing-fluid supply pipe is configured to be inserted in described printing-fluid supply opening (71).

9. printing device according to claim 8 (10), comprises wiper (145) further, and described wiper is configured to electrical interface described in wiping (75,76,77).

10. the use of printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 1, makes described electrical interface (75,76,77) by wiper (145) wiping of described box installation portion.