CN203185847U - Printing fluid box and printing fluid supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A printing fluid box and a printing fluid supply device, which enable the electrical interface provided in the printing fluid box to be reliably conducted. The ink cartridge (30) is mounted on a cartridge mounting portion (110) having a connection portion (103) and contacts (106). The ink cartridge (30) has: an ink supply part (34), which is connected to the connection part (103), so that the stored ink flows out; an IC substrate (74), which is arranged on the upper wall (39) of the main body (31) and is connected to the contacts ( 106) Contact; the convex part (45) is arranged on the upper wall (39) of the main body (31) closer to the front wall (40) side than the IC substrate (74), and is between the IC substrate (74) and the contact (106) Force is received from the contact point (106) while in contact.

Description

Printing fluid cartridge and printing fluid supply device

technical field

The utility model relates to a printing fluid box and a printing fluid supply device.

Background technique

Conventionally, an image recording apparatus for recording an image on recording paper with ink is known. This image recording device has an inkjet type recording head, and ink droplets are selectively ejected from nozzles of the recording head onto recording paper. When the ink droplets adhere to the recording paper, a desired image is recorded on the recording paper. This image recording device is provided with an ink cartridge that stores ink supplied to a recording head. The ink cartridge is detachable from a mount provided on the image recording device. (Patent Document 1).

In order to separately grasp the color, material, remaining amount, maintenance status, etc. of the ink, electronic components such as a memory module may be installed on the ink cartridge. When the ink cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the memory module and the like are electrically connected to contacts provided on the cartridge mounting portion, so that stored data can be read (Patent Document 2).

[Prior Art Literature]

【Patent Literature】

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-132098

[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-37880

The ink cartridge mounted on the cartridge mounting portion positions at least the ink supply portion with respect to the cartridge mounting portion. In order to avoid contact with ink, electronic components such as memory modules are often arranged separately from the ink supply unit. However, there is a problem that the farther away from the ink supply part, the easier it is to be misaligned with respect to the ink supply part, and the conduction is likely to become unreliable.

Utility model content

The utility model is made in view of the above situation, and its purpose is to provide a device for making the electrical interface provided in the printing fluid box reliably conduct.

The utility model relates to a printing fluid box, which is installed on a box installation part having a connecting part and a contact part. The printing fluid box is characterized in that it includes: a supply part, connected to the connecting part and allowing the stored printing fluid to flow out; and The electrical interface is provided on the outer surface of the main body and is in contact with the contact member, and a convex portion is provided on the outer surface of the main body closer to the supply portion than the electrical interface, and the convex portion is connected between the electrical interface and the contact member. In the state of contact, it receives force from the above-mentioned contact parts.

When the printing fluid cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the supply portion is connected to the connection portion. In addition, the electrical interface is in conduction with the contact part. And, the protrusion receives a force from the contact member, and the printing fluid cartridge is positioned in the cartridge mounting portion.

According to the present invention, since the printing fluid cartridge is positioned in the cartridge mounting portion by receiving the force from the contact member through the convex portion, the electrical interface and the contact member are reliably conducted.

Preferably, the main body has a front surface and a rear surface separated from and opposed to the front surface, and the force received by the convex portion is directed from the rear surface toward the front surface.

According to this structure, positioning and conduction are surely achieved in the insertion direction.

In addition, it is preferable that the main body has a front surface provided with the supply part and a rear surface separated from and opposite to the front surface, and the above-mentioned outer surface provided with the above-mentioned electrical interface and the above-mentioned convex part is provided in a manner expanding in the front-rear direction, and the above-mentioned convex part The portion is provided at a position overlapping at least a part of the electrical interface in the front-rear direction.

The electrical interface is provided at a position corresponding to the contact member in the main body so as to be in contact with the contact member when the printing fluid cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion. On the other hand, the protrusion is provided at a position overlapping at least a part of the electrical port in the front-rear direction. Therefore, during the process of mounting the printing fluid cartridge on the cartridge mounting portion, the convex portion comes into contact with the contact member, whereby foreign matter adhering to the contact member can be removed. Therefore, good electrical conduction between the contact member and the electrical interface can be achieved.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the protrusion has a slope intersecting the outer surface of the main body on the side of the electrical interface.

According to this structure, since the contact member climbs up the slope during taking out the printing fluid cartridge, it is easier to take out than when the protrusion is vertical.

Preferably, the convex portion further has a slope intersecting the outer surface of the main body on the side of the supply portion.

According to this structure, since the contact member climbs up the slope during mounting of the printing fluid cartridge, it is easier to mount than when the protrusion is vertical.

In addition, it is preferable that the protrusion further has a plane parallel to the outer surface of the main body, and the plane connects the slope on the electrical interface side and the slope on the supply part side.

In addition, it is preferable that the protrusion has an inclined surface intersecting the outer surface of the main body, and the electrical interface is provided on the inclined surface.

According to this configuration, since the electrical interface is provided on the slope of the convex portion, the contact member and the electrical interface can be electrically connected on the slope, and positioning with the box mounting portion can be achieved. Therefore, both functions of positioning and conduction of the printing fluid cartridge can be realized at the same position, contributing to downsizing of the cartridge.

It may also be set as follows: the electrical interface is arranged on the upper surface between the front surface and the rear surface, and a plurality of electrodes are arranged in the left-right direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the up-down direction, and the above-mentioned The convex portion overlaps the electrode interface in the front-rear direction.

According to this configuration, since foreign matter on the contact member can be removed by bringing the protrusion into contact with the contact member during mounting of the printing fluid cartridge, good conduction between the contact member and the electrical port can be achieved.

Further according to another aspect of the present invention, the printing fluid supply device related to the present invention has: a printing fluid box, which allows the stored printing fluid to flow out from the supply part; an electrical interface, which is arranged on the above-mentioned printing fluid box; The above-mentioned printing fluid cartridge; and a contact member, which is arranged on the above-mentioned cartridge installation part and is connected to the above-mentioned electrical interface. Acting on the protruding position, the printing fluid cartridge has a convex portion that abuts against the contact member at the protruding position on the side closer to the supply portion than the electrical port.

According to the printing fluid supply device according to the present invention, when the printing fluid cartridge is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion, the protrusion and the contact member abut against each other, so that the printing fluid cartridge is positioned in the cartridge mounting portion. Therefore, conduction between the electrical interface and the contact part is reliably achieved.

According to the present invention, since the contact part is stressed by the convex part, the printing fluid cartridge is positioned in the cartridge installation part, so the electrical interface and the contact part are surely conducted.

Description of drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically showing an internal structure of a printer 10 having a cartridge mounting portion 110 as one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external structure of the ink cartridge 30 .

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the ink cartridge 30 .

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of the cartridge mounting unit 110 .

5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 .

6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mounting portion 110 showing the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 .

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge mount 110 showing a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mount 110 .

Detailed ways

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to appropriate drawings. In addition, the embodiment described below is only an example of actualizing the present invention, and it is obvious that the embodiment can be adaptively changed within the range that does not change the gist of the present invention.

[Overview of Printer 10]

As shown in FIG. 1 , based on the inkjet recording method, the printer 10 records an image by selectively ejecting ink droplets on recording paper. The printer 10 has an ink supply device 100 . The ink supply device 100 is provided with a cartridge mounting portion 110 . The ink cartridge 30 can be mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 . The cartridge mounting portion 110 is provided with an opening 112 whose one side is opened to the outside. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the opening 112 or pulled out from the cartridge mounting portion 110 .

Ink that can be used in the printer 10 is stored in the ink cartridge 30 . The ink cartridge 30 is connected to the recording head 21 through the ink hose 20 in a state mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 . The recording head 21 is provided with an auxiliary tank 28 . The auxiliary tank 28 temporarily stores ink supplied through the ink hose 20 . In the inkjet recording method, the recording head 21 selectively ejects the ink supplied from the auxiliary tank 28 from the nozzles 29 .

The recording paper fed from the paper feed tray 15 to the transport path 24 by the paper feed roller 23 is transported onto the platen 26 by the transport roller pair 25 . The recording head 21 selectively ejects ink to recording paper passing on the platen 26 . Thus, an image is recorded on the recording paper. The recording paper that has passed the platen 26 is discharged by the discharge roller pair 22 to the paper discharge tray 16 provided on the most downstream side of the transport path 24 .

[Cartridge 30]

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the ink cartridge 30 is a container for storing ink. A space formed inside the ink cartridge 30 is an ink chamber 36 that stores ink. The ink chamber 36 is formed by the frame of the main body 31 , but may also be formed by, for example, an inner frame or the like that is a member different from the frame of the main body 31 that forms the appearance of the ink cartridge 30 .

The ink cartridge 30 is in the upright state shown in FIGS. Plug in and out in the direction shown by arrow 50 (refer to FIG. 4 , hereinafter referred to as "insertion and removal direction 50"). The insertion and extraction direction 50 is along the horizontal direction. The ink cartridge 30 is inserted and removed from the cartridge mounting portion 110 while maintaining the upright state. This standing state corresponds to the mounting posture. The direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is the insertion direction 56 , and the direction in which it is taken out is the removal direction 55 . In addition, the height direction (vertical direction) 52 corresponds to the gravity direction in the standing state. That is, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 110 along the insertion and removal direction 50 , and is pulled out from the cartridge mounting portion 110 along the insertion and removal direction 50 .

In addition, in this embodiment, although the insertion and removal direction 50 is along the horizontal direction, the insertion and removal direction 50 may be the direction of gravity, or a direction intersecting the horizontal direction and the direction of gravity. If the insertion and removal direction 50 is, for example, the direction of gravity, the front surface of the ink cartridge 30 faces downward.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the ink cartridge 30 has a three-dimensional shape formed of a plane or a curved surface, for example, a main body 31 in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The main body 31 as a whole has a flat shape narrow in the width direction (left-right direction) 51 and larger in the height direction (up-down direction) 52 and depth direction (front-rear direction) 53 than the width direction 51 .

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the wall to be inserted into the main body 31 toward the front side of the 56 is the front wall 40 , and the wall to be inserted into the main body 31 toward the rear side of the 56 is the rear wall 41 . . The front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 face each other in the insertion and removal direction 50 . The front wall 40 and the rear wall 41 are respectively divided by the following four walls: a pair of left and right side walls 37, 38 extending along the insertion and removal direction 50; the side walls 37, 38 are connected with the front wall 40 and the rear wall 41, and Across from the upper end of the front wall 40 to the upper end of the rear wall 41, the upper wall 39 expanded along the insertion and removal direction 50; wall 41. In addition, the insertion and removal direction 50 is parallel to the depth direction 53 . The outer surface of the front wall 40 corresponds to the front surface. The outer surface of the rear wall 41 corresponds to the rear surface. The outer surface of the upper wall 39 corresponds to the upper surface.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , a residual amount detection unit 33 is provided near the center in the height direction 52 on the front wall 40 of the main body 31 . The remaining amount detection unit 33 has a box shape with one side open to communicate with the ink chamber 36 . In addition, the residual amount detection unit 33 has a function for transmitting light such as infrared light emitted from the optical sensor 114 (see FIG. 4 ) and traveling in a direction (in this embodiment, the width direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction 50 . A pair of walls made of translucent resin define the translucent front wall, upper wall, and lower wall of the residual amount detection unit 33 . The walls constituting the remaining amount detection portion 33 transmit light traveling in the width direction 51 . In addition, regarding the translucent resin, the residual amount detection unit 33 may also be a reflection member that reflects light by making it incident at an angle exceeding the critical angle. Also, the light may be infrared light or visible light.

In order to store ink, the left and right pairs of walls of the remaining amount detection unit 33 are hollow. As shown in FIG. 3 , the indicator portion 62 of the sensor arm 60 is located between the pair of left and right walls of the remaining amount detection portion 33 . In the sensor arm 60 , an indicator portion 62 and a floating portion 63 are respectively provided at both ends of a plate-shaped wall body 61 . In the ink chamber 36 , the sensor arm 60 is rotatably supported by a support shaft 64 extending in the width direction 51 . The sensor arm 60 rotates in response to the amount of ink present in the ink chamber 36 . The position of the sensor arm 60 can be changed to a low position in which the indicator 62 is located below the remaining amount detecting unit 33 in the direction of gravity, and a high position in which the indicating unit 62 is located higher than the low position in the direction of gravity of the remaining amount detecting unit 33 . In addition, in FIG. 3 , the state where the ink is more than a predetermined amount and the indication part 62 is in a low posture is shown.

In the state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110, the remaining amount detecting portion 33 transmits a predetermined amount or more through the optical sensor 114 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 in a direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction 50 (in the direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction 50 ). In this embodiment, the state of the infrared light traveling in the width direction 51 ) changes to a state in which the remaining amount detection unit 33 shields or attenuates the infrared light so that the amount is less than a predetermined amount. If the pointing part 62 is in a high position, the remaining amount detecting part 33 transmits infrared light, and if the pointing part 62 is in a low position, the remaining amount detecting part 33 blocks or attenuates the infrared light. Based on the light-transmitting state of the remaining amount detection unit 33, it is determined that the remaining amount of ink in the ink chamber 36 is less than a predetermined amount.

In addition, the sensor arm 60 may not be included in the remaining amount detection unit 33 . In this case, the optical sensor 114 is configured as follows: the light emitting element and the light receiving element face each other in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction 50 (coinciding with the width direction (left-right direction) 51 of the ink cartridge 30), and the light emitting element The emitted light travels in a horizontal direction perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction 50 and is received by the light receiving element. In addition, it is also possible to have a structure in which the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element is blocked or attenuated when there is ink in the remaining amount detecting part 33, and is transmitted through the infrared light when there is no ink in the remaining amount detecting part 33. Infrared light emitted from a light-emitting element above a predetermined amount.

Furthermore, the residual amount detection part 33 can also be comprised with a soft film. A rotatable lever is provided in contact with the membrane. The film expands with the ink remaining in the remaining amount detection unit 33, and the lever is held at a position where infrared light is blocked. On the other hand, it may also be configured such that the film shrinks when there is no ink in the residual amount detection unit 33, and the rotatable lever rotates downward or upward to a position where the infrared light is not blocked. Alternatively, it is also possible to have a configuration as follows: when there is ink in the remaining amount detecting portion 33, the infrared light emitted from the light emitting element of the optical sensor 114 is reflected without reaching the light receiving element; and there is no ink in the remaining amount detecting portion 33 In the state, the infrared light emitted from the light-emitting element of the photosensor 114 reaches the light-receiving element and is reflected.

An ink supply unit 34 is provided below the remaining amount detection unit 33 on the front wall 40 side of the main body 31 . The ink supply portion 34 is formed with a cylindrical outer shape, and protrudes outward from the front wall 40 in the insertion and removal direction 50 . An ink supply port 71 is formed at the protruding end of the ink supply portion 34 .

An ink flow path 72 is formed that extends from the ink supply port 71 through the inner space of the ink supply portion 34 in the insertion and removal direction 50 and communicates with the ink chamber 36 . The ink supply port 71 is configured to be openable and closable by the ink supply valve 70 . The ink supply valve 70 is biased toward the ink supply port 71 by a coil spring 73 provided in the inner space of the ink supply unit 34 . Once the ink cartridge 30 is installed in the cartridge mounting part 110 , the ink needle 122 (see FIG. 4 ) provided in the cartridge mounting part 110 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 and resists the force of the coil spring 73 to open the ink supply valve 70 . As a result, the ink flows out from the ink chamber 36 to the ink needle 122 provided in the cartridge mounting portion 110 through the ink flow path 72 .

In addition, the ink supply port 71 is not necessarily limited to a structure that can be opened and closed by the ink supply valve 70. For example, a structure that blocks the ink supply port 71 with a film or the like and attaches the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge mounting portion 110 may also be used. , the ink supply port 71 is opened by the ink needle 122 piercing the membrane. In addition, although not shown in this embodiment, an air communication port for making the air pressure of the ink chamber 36 maintained in a negative pressure state to the outside air pressure may be provided in the main body 31 .

A handle 80 is provided on the rear wall 41 of the main body 31 . The handle 80 has a flat plate shape extending obliquely rearward from the vicinity of the lower end of the rear wall 41 . The shape and position of the handle 80 are not particularly limited. When the user replaces the ink cartridge 30, in order to remove the main body 31 from the cartridge mounting portion 110, it may be in a shape and arrangement that is easy to hold.

The IC substrate 74 and the locking portion 45 are provided on the outer surface of the main body 31 , for example, the upper wall 39 . The IC board 74 is provided closer to the rear wall 41 than the locking portion 45 . The ink cartridge 30 conducts to the contact point 106 (see FIG. 4 ) while being mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 , and also conducts to the contact point 106 when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 . The IC board 74 corresponds to an electrical interface.

An IC is mounted on the IC substrate 74 , and a HOT electrode 75 , a GND electrode 76 , and a signal electrode 77 are mounted on the surface thereof. The IC is a semiconductor integrated circuit, and stores data indicating information related to the ink cartridge 30 such as a lot number, date of manufacture, and ink color in a readable manner.

The HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 are electrically connected to the IC. The HOT electrode 75 , the GND electrode 76 , and the signal electrode 77 respectively extend in the depth direction, and are spaced and arranged in a row along the width direction 51 . The HOT electrode 75 , the GND electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are electrically connected and exposed from the upper surface of the IC substrate 74 . That is, the HOT electrode 75 , the GND electrode 76 , and the signal electrode 77 are exposed from the upper side of the main body 31 in the mounting posture in such a manner that electrical connection is possible.

The convex portion 45 is provided closer to the front wall 40 side than the IC substrate 74 on the upper wall 39 of the main body 31 . The protrusion 45 has a trapezoidal shape when viewed from the side, and has an inclined surface 46 arranged on the front wall 40 and intersecting the outer surface of the upper wall 39 , an inclined surface 47 arranged on the rear wall 41 side and intersecting the outer surface of the upper wall 39 , and an inclined surface intersecting the upper wall 39 . The outer surface of the wall 39 is parallel to the plane 48 connected to the slope 46 and the slope 47 . Protrusion 45 is provided wider than IC substrate 74 in width direction 51 and overlaps IC substrate 74 in depth direction 53 .

The inclined surface 46 forms an obtuse angle relative to the insertion and removal direction 50 , and the inclined surface 46 forms an acute angle relative to the insertion and removal direction 50 . In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 , contacts 106 described later engage with the convex portion 45 . The locking portion 45 receives a force that pushes the ink cartridge 30 out in the removal direction 55 , that is, receives a force from the coil spring 73 in this embodiment.

[Ink Supply Device 100]

As shown in FIG. 1 , the ink supply device 100 is installed in the printer 10 . The ink supply device 100 supplies ink to the recording head 21 included in the printer 10 . The ink supply device 100 has a cartridge mounting portion 110 to which the ink cartridge 30 can be attached and detached. In addition, in FIG. 1 , a state in which the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 is shown.

[Box installation part 110]

As shown in FIG. 4 , the housing 101 forming the frame of the cartridge mounting unit 110 has an opening 112 on the front side of the printer 10 . The ink cartridge 30 is inserted and removed from the casing 101 through the opening 112 . Although the case 101 can accommodate four ink cartridges 30 corresponding to the respective colors of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black, FIG. 4 shows the space of the case 101 capable of accommodating one ink cartridge 30 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , a connection portion 103 is provided on the lower portion of the end surface 102 of the frame body 101 . The connection portions 103 are respectively arranged on the end surface 102 at positions corresponding to the ink supply portions 34 of the respective ink cartridges 30 attached to the casing 101 . The connection part 103 corresponds to a connection part.

The connection part 103 has an ink needle 122 and a holding part 121 . The ink needles are made of tubular resin needles. The ink needle 122 is connected to the ink hose 20 on the outer surface side constituting the front and back sides with the end surface of the casing 101 . After each ink hose 20 led out from each ink needle 122 to the outer surface side constituting the front and back side with the end surface of the housing 101 is lifted up along the outer surface of the housing 101, the ink is extended to the The recording head 21 of the printer 10. In addition, in FIG. 4 , the ink hose 20 is omitted.

The holding portion 121 is formed in a cylindrical shape. An ink needle 122 is arranged at the center of the holding portion 121 . As shown in FIG. 5 , once the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the ink supply portion 34 is inserted into the cylindrical inside of the holding portion 121 . At this time, the outer peripheral surface of the ink supply part 34 is bonded to the cylindrical inner peripheral surface of the holding part 121 . Thus, the ink supply portion 34 is inserted into the holding portion 121 with a predetermined interval. Once the ink supply unit 34 is inserted into the holding unit 121 , the ink needle 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 34 . Thereby, the ink stored in the ink chamber 36 can flow out to the outside. The ink flowing out of the ink chamber 36 flows into the ink needle 122 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , on the end surface 102 of the casing 101 , an optical sensor 114 is provided on the upper side in the direction of gravity than the connecting portion 103 . The photosensors 114 each have a light-emitting element such as an LED and a light-receiving element such as a phototransistor. The light emitting element and the light receiving element are respectively surrounded by the frame. The light sensor 114 forms a horseshoe shape through the frame. The light emitting element emits light from the housing in one direction, in this embodiment, in a horizontal direction (width direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction 50 . The light receiving element can receive light irradiated from one direction with respect to the frame body. Such a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element are spaced apart at predetermined intervals in the horseshoe-shaped housing along a horizontal direction (width direction 51 ) perpendicular to the insertion and removal direction 50 , and are arranged facing each other. The remaining amount detection unit 33 of the ink cartridge 30 can enter the space between the light emitting element and the light receiving element. Once the remaining amount detecting unit 33 enters the optical path of the optical sensor 114 , the optical sensor 114 can detect the change of the transmitted light amount caused by the remaining amount detecting unit 33 .

As shown in FIG. 4 , on the top surface 104 of the housing 101 , a contact point 106 is provided between the end surface 102 and the opening 112 . The contacts 106 are arranged in three separated along the width direction 51 perpendicular to the insertion and extraction direction 50 . The arrangement of the three contacts 106 corresponds to the arrangement of the HOT electrode 75 , the GND electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 on the IC substrate 74 of the ink cartridge 30 . Each contact point 106 is in the shape of a semicircle protruding downward from the top surface 104 . The contact point 106 is made of a conductive and elastic member, and can be elastically deformed toward the upward direction of the height direction 52 , that is, the direction of sinking into the top surface 104 . In a state where no external force is applied, the contact point 106 protrudes downward from the top surface 104 and is located on the travel path of the convex portion 45 of the ink cartridge 30 . That is to say, the contact 106 is in a state of elastic action downward from the top surface 104 . When the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 110 , each contact point 106 abuts against the slope 47 and the corresponding electrode (one of the HOT electrode 75 , the GND electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 ). That is to say, when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the mounting portion 110, it is configured like this: among the three contacts 106, one abuts against the slope 47 and the HOT electrode 75, and one abuts against the slope 47 and the GND electrode 76, The remaining one abuts against the slope 47 and the signal electrode 77 . The contact 106 corresponds to a contact member.

Each contact point 106 is electrically connected to the computing device through a circuit. The computing device may also be configured by, for example, a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc., and function as a control unit of the printer 10 . The voltage Vc is applied to the HOT electrode 75 by electrically conducting the contact 106 and the HOT electrode 75 . By electrically conducting the contact point 106 and the GND electrode 76, the GND electrode 76 is grounded. By conducting the contact 106 with the HOT electrode 75 and the GND electrode 76, power is supplied to the IC. Data stored in the IC can be accessed by electrically conducting the contact 106 and the signal electrode 77 . The output from the circuit is input to the arithmetic means.

[Installation operation of ink cartridge 30]

Hereinafter, the operation of mounting the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 .

As shown in FIG. 5 , in the process of mounting the ink cartridge 30 on the cartridge mounting portion 110 , first, the slope 46 of the convex portion 45 is brought into contact with the contact point 106 . As shown in FIG. 6 , when the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted into the insertion direction 56 , the contact point 106 moves relative to the plane 48 from the slope 46 of the protrusion 45 , and the contact point 106 elastically deforms upward. Therefore, since the contact point 106 climbs the inclined surface 46 during the installation of the ink cartridge 30, the installation is easier than when the convex portion 45 is vertical.

Afterwards, as shown in FIG. 7 , if the ink cartridge 30 is further inserted toward the insertion direction 56, the contact point 106 moves from the flat surface 48 of the convex portion 45 to the inclined surface 47, a part of the end surface 102 side abuts against the inclined surface 47, and a part of the opening 112 side It is electrically connected to the HOT electrode 75 , the GND electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 of the IC substrate 74 . At this time, the inclined surface 47 and the contact point 106 are in line contact in the depth direction 53 . Therefore, since foreign matter on the contact 106 can be removed by bringing the protrusion 45 into contact with the contact 106 during mounting of the ink cartridge 30 , good conduction between the contact 106 and the IC substrate 74 can be achieved.

In addition, it is preferable that the contact width of each contact 106 in contact with the inclined surface 47 is more outside than both ends of the corresponding HOT electrode 75 , GND electrode 76 or signal electrode 77 in the width direction 51 . Furthermore, the information read from the IC of the IC board 74 is used to determine the type of the ink cartridge 30 (ink color, capacity, etc.) and the like. Since a conventionally known method can be used for determining the type and the like, a detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

Then, the remaining amount detection unit 33 reaches the detection position of the optical sensor 114 . Thus, the indicator portion 62 of the sensor arm 60 can be detected by the optical sensor 114 .

Furthermore, the ink supply unit 34 is adjacent to the holding unit 121 , and the ink needle 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 of the ink supply unit 34 . The ink needle 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 and is adjacent to the ink supply valve 70. The main body 31 further moves toward the insertion direction 56. The ink supply valve 70 is pressed by the ink needle 122 and resists the force of the coil spring 73 to connect with the supply port 71. separate. Then, when the ink supply part 34 is inserted into the holding part 121 and the ink needle 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71 , the main body 31 of the ink cartridge 30 is attached to a predetermined position with respect to the casing 101 . Although not shown in the drawings, since an ink inlet is provided at the tip of the ink needle 122, ink flows from the ink chamber 36 to the ink needle 122 through the ink inlet.

In the state where the ink cartridge 30 is mounted on the cartridge mount 110 as described above, the biasing force of the coil spring 73 of the ink cartridge 30 is transmitted to the ink needle 122 of the cartridge mount 110 . The ink cartridge 30 is biased toward the removal direction 55 by the coil spring 73 . On the other hand, since the contact point 106 is engaged with the convex portion 45 , the contact point 106 is biased by the coil spring 73 through the convex portion 45 . That is, the convex portion 45 receives a force from the contact point 106 acting in the insertion direction 56 as a reaction force to the urging force of the coil spring 73 . As a result, the ink cartridge 30 is held at the mounted position in the cartridge mounting portion 110 . Therefore, when the protrusion 45 receives a force from the contact 106 , the ink cartridge 30 is positioned in the insertion direction 56 in the cartridge mounting portion 110 , so that the IC substrate 74 and the contact 106 are surely electrically connected.

When the ink in the ink chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 is consumed, the used ink cartridge 30 is taken out from the cartridge mounting portion 110 and a new ink cartridge 30 is installed.

When removing the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge mounting portion 110 , the user holds the handle 80 of the ink cartridge 30 and pulls it out along the removal direction 55 . As a result, the contact point 106 relatively moves from the inclined surface 47 of the convex portion 45 to the flat surface 48 , and the contact point 106 elastically deforms upward. Therefore, in the process of taking out the ink cartridge 30, since the contact point 106 climbs the inclined surface 47, it is easier to take out than when the protrusion 45 is vertical.

Then, when the ink cartridge 30 is further pulled out toward the removal direction 55 , the contact point 106 moves from the flat surface 48 of the convex portion 45 to the inclined surface 46 , and the engagement between the convex portion 45 and the contact point 106 is released. Thereafter, the ink cartridge 30 is further pulled out toward the removal direction 55 , and pulled out from the opening 112 of the casing 101 .

[Action and effect of the present embodiment]

According to this embodiment, since the ink cartridge 30 is positioned at the mounting position in the cartridge mounting portion 110 by receiving the force from the contact point 106 through the convex portion 45, in the state where the ink needle 122 is inserted into the ink supply port 71, the HOT electrode of the IC substrate 74 75. The positioning of the GND electrode 76, the signal electrode 77 and the contact point 106 has a good precision, so that they are sure to conduct.

[Modification]

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the HOT electrode 75, the GND electrode 76, and the signal electrode 77 of the IC substrate 74 are provided on the surface parallel to the outer surface of the upper wall 39 of the ink cartridge 30, the HOT electrode 75, GND electrode 75, and The electrode 76 and the signal electrode 77 are provided on the slope 47 of the protrusion 45 . Furthermore, the IC substrate 74 may also be provided on the slope 47 . According to this configuration, since the IC board 74 is provided on the slope 47 of the protrusion 45 , the contacts 106 and the IC board 74 can be electrically connected on the slope 47 and can be positioned with the cartridge mounting portion 110 . Therefore, the two functions of positioning and conduction of the ink cartridge 30 can be realized at the same position, contributing to downsizing of the cartridge.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, although the convex portion 45 is provided across the entire width direction of the upper wall 39 of the ink cartridge 30 , it is only necessary for the convex portion 45 to overlap at least a part of the IC substrate 74 in the depth direction 53 . In addition, the contact state between the inclined surface 47 and each contact point 106 may be surface contact or point contact.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the ink cartridge 30 in the installed position is urged toward the removal direction 55 by the coil spring 73, the member for urging the ink cartridge 30 in the installed position is not limited to the coil spring 73. The ink cartridge 30 is urged toward the removal direction 55 by a valve for opening and closing the atmosphere communication hole, a coil spring provided on the cartridge mounting portion 110 , or a slide member biased by it.

Claims (9)

1. A printing fluid cartridge installed on a cartridge mounting portion having a connection portion and a contact part, the above-mentioned printing fluid cartridge is characterized in that it includes: a supply part connected to the above-mentioned connection part, and allows the stored printing fluid to flow out; and The electrical interface is arranged on the outer surface of the main body and is in contact with the above-mentioned contact parts, A protrusion is provided on the outer surface of the main body closer to the supply portion than the electrical port, and the protrusion receives force from the contact member when the electrical port is in contact with the contact member. 2. The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the main body has a front surface and a rear surface separated from and opposite to the front surface, The force received by the convex portion is directed from the rear surface toward the front surface. 3. The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the main body has a front surface provided with the supply portion and a rear surface separated from the front surface and opposite to the front surface, The above-mentioned outer surface provided with the above-mentioned electrical interface and the above-mentioned convex part is arranged in a manner expanding in the front-rear direction, The protrusion is provided at a position overlapping at least a part of the electrical port in the front-rear direction. 4. The printing fluid cartridge according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the protrusion has an inclined surface intersecting the outer surface of the main body on the electrical interface side. 5 . The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 4 , wherein the convex portion has an inclined surface intersecting the outer surface of the main body on the side of the supply portion. 6 . 6 . The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 5 , wherein the convex portion has a plane parallel to the outer surface of the main body, and the plane connects the slope on the electrical interface side and the slope on the supply portion side. 7 . The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the protrusion has an inclined surface intersecting the outer surface of the main body, and the electrical interface is disposed on the inclined surface. 8 . 8. The printing fluid cartridge according to claim 3, wherein said electrical interface is arranged on an upper surface between said front surface and said rear surface, and at right and left sides perpendicular to said front-rear direction and up-down direction. There are multiple electrodes arranged in the direction, The protrusion overlaps the electrical port in the front-rear direction. 9. A printing fluid supply device, characterized in that it has: A printing fluid box, allowing the stored printing fluid to flow out from the supply part; The electrical interface is arranged on the above-mentioned printing fluid box; a cartridge mounting portion mounted with the above printing fluid cartridge; and The contact part is arranged on the above-mentioned box installation part, and conducts with the above-mentioned electrical interface, The contact member is movable in a direction intersecting a direction in which the printing fluid cartridge is pulled out from the cartridge mounting portion, and elastically acts on the protruding position, The printing fluid cartridge has a convex portion that comes into contact with the contact member at the protruding position on a side closer to the supply portion than the electrical port.

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