EP3616924A1 - Liquid cartridge and system using the same - Google Patents
Liquid cartridge and system using the same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3616924A1 EP3616924A1 EP18192092.7A EP18192092A EP3616924A1 EP 3616924 A1 EP3616924 A1 EP 3616924A1 EP 18192092 A EP18192092 A EP 18192092A EP 3616924 A1 EP3616924 A1 EP 3616924A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- wall
- substrate
- cartridge
- contact
- upright posture
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
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- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
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Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/17543—Cartridge presence detection or type identification
- B41J2/17546—Cartridge presence detection or type identification electronically
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
- B41J2/17523—Ink connection
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/17526—Electrical contacts to the cartridge
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/17526—Electrical contacts to the cartridge
- B41J2/1753—Details of contacts on the cartridge, e.g. protection of contacts
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
- B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
- B41J2/01—Ink jet
- B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
- B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
- B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
- B41J2/17553—Outer structure
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a liquid cartridge storing liquid therein, and a system including the liquid cartridge, and an attachment section to which the liquid cartridge is attachable.
- One conventional system known in the art includes an ink cartridge, and an inkjet recording apparatus.
- the inkjet recording apparatus includes an attachment section, and the ink cartridge can be mounted into and extracted from the attachment section.
- the attachment section of the inkjet recording apparatus includes contacts.
- a circuit board may be provided at an ink cartridge (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-049164 , for example).
- Memory is mounted on the circuit board for storing such information as a color and material composition of ink stored in the cartridge, a residual quantity of ink, and the like.
- Electrodes are also formed on the circuit board. Electrical connections are formed between the electrodes on the ink cartridge and the contacts in the attachment section when the ink cartridge is mounted in the attachment section, enabling the inkjet recording apparatus to read information stored in the memory.
- the circuit board in order to form electrodes and the like and to mount memory and the like on a circuit board, the circuit board must be at least a certain size.
- circuit boards As the functionality of circuit boards continues to improve, the number of components mounted on the circuit boards has increased. For example, components other than memory (batteries, for example) are now being mounted on these circuit boards. Such additions increase the size of the circuit board.
- walls have been considered as a measure for preventing a user from touching the contacts in the attachment section.
- the walls are provided in the attachment section on the front and rear sides of the contacts with respect to an insertion direction of the ink cartridge into the attachment section so as to extend downward to a position lower than the contacts.
- the provision of such walls restricts a front-rear dimension of the circuit board.
- a liquid cartridge including a circuit board (substrate) on which formed are electrodes that can be electrically connected to contacts in an attachment section without requiring the circuit board (substrate) to have smaller dimensions in a case where walls for protecting the contacts are arranged around the periphery of the contacts. It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a system equipped with this liquid cartridge.
- a printer 10 is configured to record images on sheets of paper based on an inkjet recording method of ejecting ink droplets toward the sheets.
- the printer 10 includes a recording head 21, a cartridge-attachment portion 110, and ink tubes 20.
- Ink cartridges 30 storing ink to be supplied to the recording head 21 are detachably attachable to the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the ink tubes 20 connect the recording head 21 to the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- An opening 112 is formed in one end of the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the ink cartridge 30 and the cartridge-attachment section 110 of the printer 10 constitute a system of the present disclosure.
- Fig. 1 shows one of the ink cartridges 30 in its attached state in the cartridge-attachment portion 110, i.e., when the ink cartridge 30 has been completely attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- Fig. 9 shows the ink cartridge 30 and cartridge-attachment portion 110 of Fig. 1 . That is, Fig. 9 shows the attached state of the ink cartridge 30.
- a frontward direction 51 is defined as a direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- a posture of the ink cartridge 30 when being inserted forward into and attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110 is defined as an upright posture.
- a rearward direction 52 is defined as a direction opposite the frontward direction 51, and is a direction in which the ink cartridge 30 is extracted from the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- a horizontal direction is defined as a direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity and parallel to the insertion direction.
- Both the frontward direction 51 and rearward direction 52 are parallel to the horizontal direction (direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity).
- the frontward direction 51 and rearward direction 52 intersect the direction of gravity.
- a downward direction 53 is defined as the direction of gravity
- an upward direction 54 is defined as a direction opposite the direction of gravity.
- a rightward direction 55 and a leftward direction 56 are defined as directions orthogonal to the frontward direction 51 and downward direction 53. More specifically, when the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture (the attached state shown in Fig. 1 ), the rightward direction 55 is defined as a direction extending rightward and the leftward direction 56 as a direction extending leftward when the ink cartridge 30 is viewed from the rear, as illustrated in Fig. 5A .
- frontward direction 51 and rearward direction 52 are collectively referred to as a front-rear direction
- upward direction 54 and downward direction 53 are collectively referred to as a vertical direction
- rightward direction 55 and leftward direction 56 are collectively referred to as a left-right direction.
- the ink cartridge 30 In the state where the ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110, the ink cartridge 30 has a height in the up-down direction; a depth in the front-rear direction (i.e., in the insertion direction); and a width in the left-right direction (i.e., widthwise direction).
- the width direction of the ink cartridge 30 corresponds to the left-right direction
- the height direction of the ink cartridge 30 corresponds to the vertical direction
- the depth direction of the ink cartridge 30 corresponds to the front-rear direction.
- the ink cartridge 30 While in its upright posture, the ink cartridge 30 is inserted forward into the cartridge-attachment portion 110 through the opening 112 (see Figs. 7 and 8 ) until the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (see Fig. 9 ). The ink cartridge 30 is also extracted rearward from the cartridge-attachment portion 110 while in its upright posture.
- the ink cartridge 30 stores ink that the printer 10 can use for printing.
- the ink cartridge 30 is connected to the recording head 21 by the ink tube 20 when the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached state in the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the recording head 21 includes sub-tanks 28, and nozzles 29. Each of the sub-tanks 28 temporarily holds ink to be supplied through the corresponding ink tube 20.
- the recording head 21 ejects ink supplied from the sub-tanks 28 through the nozzles 29 according to an inkjet recording method. More specifically, the recording head 21 includes a head control board (not shown), and piezoelectric elements 29A corresponding one-on-one to the nozzles 29.
- the head control board selectively applies drive voltages to the piezoelectric elements 29A in order to eject ink from the nozzles 29.
- the printer 10 also includes a sheet tray 15, a feed roller 23, a conveying path 24, a pair of conveying rollers 25, a platen 26, a pair of discharge rollers 27, and a discharge tray 16.
- the feed roller 23 feeds each of the sheets from the sheet tray 15 onto the conveying path 24, and the conveying rollers 25 convey the sheet over the platen 26.
- the recording head 21 ejects ink onto the sheet as the sheet passes over the platen 26, whereby an image is recorded on the sheet.
- the discharge rollers 27 receive the sheet that has passed over the platen 26 and discharge the sheet into the discharge tray 16 provided on a downstream end of the conveying path 24.
- the cartridge-attachment portion 110 includes a cartridge holder 101, a cover 111, a cover sensor 118, tubes 102, a shaft 145, tanks 103, optical sensors 113, protruding parts 114, and connectors 130.
- the cartridge holder 101 shown in Fig. 2 constitutes a casing of the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the cartridge holder 101 has a box shape.
- An interior space 104 is formed inside the cartridge holder 101.
- the cartridge holder 101 is provided with an end wall 57, a bottom wall 59, a top wall 58, and a pair of side walls 60.
- the bottom wall 59 extends rearward from a bottom edge of the end wall 57.
- the top wall 58 extends rearward from a top edge of the end wall 57 and is separated vertically from the bottom wall 59.
- the side walls 60 extend rearward from respective right and left edges of the end wall 57.
- the side wall 60 extending from the right edge of the end wall 57 is connected to right edges of the bottom wall 59 and top wall 58, while the side wall 60 extending from the left edge of the end wall 57 is connected to left edges of the bottom wall 59 and top wall 58.
- the side walls 60 connect the top wall 58 to the bottom wall 59.
- the opening 112 is formed in a rear end of the cartridge holder 101 to oppose the end wall 57 in the front-rear direction.
- the opening 112 is in communication with the interior space 104 of the cartridge holder 101. A user faces the opening 112 when using the printer 10.
- the interior space 104 of the cartridge holder 101 is defined by the end wall 57, bottom wall 59, top wall 58, and side walls 60. Partitioning walls (not shown) partition the interior space 104 into four compartments. One each of the tubes 102, tanks 103, optical sensors 113, protruding parts 114, and connector 130 is provided in each compartment of the partitioned interior space 104. Note that the number of compartments in the interior space 104 is not limited to four.
- the tube 102 shown in Fig. 2 is a cylindrically shaped member formed of a resin. As shown in Fig. 2 , the tubes 102 are located in a lower portion of the end wall 57 constituting the cartridge holder 101. The tubes 102 protrude farther rearward than the end wall 57 of the cartridge holder 101. A rear end (distal end) and a front end (proximal end) of each tube 102 are both open.
- the tube 102 has an interior space 102A.
- a valve 115 and a coil spring 116 are accommodated in the interior space 102A.
- the valve 115 opens and closes an opening 102B formed in the distal end of the tube 102.
- the coil spring 116 urges the valve 115 rearward.
- the valve 115 closes the opening 102B.
- a rear end of the valve 115 urged by the coil spring 116 protrudes rearward from the opening 102B.
- Notches are formed in a peripheral wall of the tube 102 at the distal end thereof, and specifically in a portion of the peripheral wall positioned rearward from a part of the valve 115 that closes the opening 102B, i.e., a front end of the valve 115.
- the shaft 145 extends in the left-right direction near the top wall 58 of the cartridge holder 101 and near the opening 112.
- the shaft 145 is a rod-shaped member that extends in the left-right direction through the interior space 104 of the cartridge holder 101.
- the shaft 145 is a metal rod, for example. Left and right ends of the shaft 145 are fixed to the side walls 60 of the cartridge holder 101.
- the cover 111 is provided near the opening 112 formed in the cartridge holder 101.
- the cover 111 is capable of covering the opening 112 or exposing the opening 112 to the outside by closing and opening on the cartridge holder 101.
- the cover 111 is supported on a pivot shaft 109 that extends in the left-right direction near a portion of the cartridge holder 101 defining a bottom edge of the opening 112.
- the cover 111 is capable of pivoting from a closed position (see Fig. 1 ) for covering the opening 112 to an open position so that a top edge of the cover 111 moves forward.
- the cover 111 When the cover 111 is in the open position, the user can insert ink cartridges 30 into the cartridge holder 101 through the opening 112 formed in the cartridge holder 101. When the cover 111 is in the closed position, the user cannot insert ink cartridges 30 into or extract ink cartridges 30 from the cartridge holder 101.
- the tanks 103 are provided frontward of the cartridge holder 101.
- Each tank 103 has a box shape and can accommodate ink internally.
- the tank 103 has a top portion that is open to the outside through an air communication port 124. Accordingly, the interior of the tank 103 is open to the atmosphere.
- the interior space in the tank 103 is in communication with the front end of the corresponding tube 102 via the corresponding ink tube 20. With this arrangement, ink flowing out of the interior space 102A of the tube 102 is accumulated in the tank 103.
- the interior space of the tank 103 is also in communication with the recording head 21 via the corresponding ink tube 20. Accordingly, ink stored in the interior of the tank 103 is supplied to the recording head 21 through the corresponding ink tube 20.
- the cartridge-attachment portion 110 need not be provided with the tanks 103. In this case, the front ends of the tubes 102 communicate with the recording head 21 via the ink tubes 20 without passing through the tanks 103.
- the optical sensors 113 are disposed near the top wall 58 of the cartridge holder 101.
- the optical sensors 113 are positioned farther forward than the shaft 145 in the front-rear direction.
- Each optical sensor 113 includes a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part.
- the light-emitting part is disposed on the right or left of the light-receiving part with a gap formed therebetween.
- the light-emitting part is configured to emit light toward the light-receiving part in the left-right direction.
- the optical sensors 113 is configured to output detection signals to a controller 1 (see Fig. 1 ).
- the signals differ according to whether the corresponding light-receiving part receives light emitted from the corresponding light-emitting part.
- the optical sensor 113 outputs a low level signal to the controller 1 when the light-receiving part cannot receive light emitted from the light-emitting part (that is, when the received light is less than a prescribed intensity) and outputs a high level signal to the controller 1 when the light-receiving part can receive light emitted from the light-emitting part (that is, when the received light is greater than or equal to the prescribed intensity).
- the controller 1 is a device for controlling operations of the printer 10 and is configured of a CPU, ROM, and RAM, for example.
- the cover sensor 118 is disposed on the cartridge holder 101 near the top edge of the opening 112.
- the cover sensor 118 includes a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part.
- a part of the cover 111 is disposed in an optical path of the light traveling from the light-emitting part toward the light-receiving part, blocking the light from reaching the light-receiving part in the cover sensor 118. Accordingly, the cover sensor 118 outputs a low level signal to the controller 1.
- the cover 111 When the cover 111 is not in the closed position, that is, when the cover 111 is in a position separated from the cover sensor 118, the cover 111 does not interrupt light traveling from the light-emitting part to the light-receiving part, and the cover sensor 118 outputs a high level signal to the controller 1.
- the protruding parts 114 protrude downward from the top wall 58 of the cartridge holder 101.
- the protruding parts 114 are disposed rearward of the corresponding optical sensors 113 and forward of the shaft 145 in the front-rear direction.
- each of the connectors 130 includes contacts 132, and a case 131 accommodating the contacts 132.
- a circuit board 133 is fixed to the cartridge holder 101 in proximity to the top wall 58.
- the circuit board 133 is positioned farther rearward than the tubes 102 and optical sensors 113 and farther forward than the shaft 145 and protruding parts 114.
- the circuit board 133 is fixed to the cartridge holder 101.
- the cases 131 of the connectors 130 are fixed to a bottom surface of the circuit board 133 with screws, solder, or the like (not shown).
- the connectors 130 are fixed to the cartridge holder 101 via the circuit board 133.
- the connectors 130 need not be fixed to the cartridge holder 101.
- the connectors 130 may be removably fitted into or otherwise attached to the bottom surface of the circuit board 133.
- the case 131 of each connector 130 has a general rectangular parallelepiped shape. Slots 135 are formed in the case 131 from a bottom surface 131A to a top surface 131C. The slots 135 also pass through a rear surface 131B of the case 131. Four of the slots 135 are formed at intervals in the left-right direction. The four slots 135 provide four internal spaces in the case 131. A single contact 132 is disposed in each of the four internal spaces. Thus, the connector 130 includes four contacts 132. Note that the number of slots 135 is not limited to four. That is, the number of contacts 132 provided in the connector 130 is not limited to four.
- the case 131 supports the contacts 132 in the corresponding internal spaces formed by the slots 135.
- the contacts 132 are configured of members that are flexible and electrically conductive. Bottom ends 132A of the contacts 132 protrude farther downward than the bottom surface 131A of the case 131. The bottom ends 132A of the contacts 132 can be elastically deformed upward.
- Top ends 132B of the contacts 132 are mounted on the circuit board 133.
- the contacts 132 are electrically connected to an electric circuit mounted on the same circuit board 133. In other words, electricity can be conducted between the contacts 132 and the electric circuit.
- This electric circuit is also electrically connected to the controller 1 (see Fig. 1 ).
- the case 131 also includes a rear wall 136, a front wall 137, a right wall 138, and a left wall 139.
- the rear wall 136, front wall 137, right wall 138, and left wall 139 protrude downward from the bottom surface 131A of the case 131. Bottom edges of the rear wall 136, front wall 137, right wall 138, and left wall 139 are thus positioned lower than bottom edges of the contacts 132. Note that at least one of the right wall 138 and left wall 139 may be omitted from the case 131.
- the rear wall 136 is positioned farther rearward than the bottom ends 132A of the contacts 132.
- the front wall 137 is positioned farther forward than the bottom ends 132A of the contacts 132.
- the rear wall 136 and front wall 137 are aligned with each other in the front-rear direction.
- the right wall 138 is positioned farther rightward than the bottom ends 132A of the contacts 132, and the left wall 139 is positioned farther leftward than the bottom ends 132A of the contacts 132.
- the right wall 138 and left wall 139 are aligned with each other in the left-right direction.
- a front edge of the right wall 138 is connected to a right edge of the front wall 137, and a rear edge of the right wall 138 is connected to a right edge of the rear wall 136.
- a front edge of the left wall 139 is connected to a left edge of the front wall 137, and a rear edge of the left wall 139 is connected to a left edge of the rear wall 136.
- the ink cartridge 30 shown in Figs. 4 to 6 is a container that stores ink.
- One ink cartridge 30 is accommodated in each of the four compartments partitioned in the interior space 104 of the cartridge holder 101 (see Fig. 2 ).
- four ink cartridges 30 can be accommodated in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 in the present embodiment.
- Each of the four ink cartridges 30 corresponds to one of the ink colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Ink in one of these colors is stored in the corresponding ink cartridge 30.
- the number of ink cartridges 30 that the cartridge-attachment portion 110 can accommodate is not limited to four.
- the ink cartridge 30 includes a housing 31, a sealing member 76, a protruding part 43, an operating part 90, a projection 67, a protruding part 88, and a circuit board 64.
- the housing 31 is configured of a front wall 40, a rear wall 41, a top wall 39, a bottom wall 42, and a pair of side walls 37 and 38.
- the front wall 40 and rear wall 41 are separated from each other in the front-rear direction.
- the top wall 39 is arranged between the front wall 40 and rear wall 41 and extends from a top edge of the front wall 40 to a top edge of the rear wall 41.
- the bottom wall 42 is arranged between the front wall 40 and rear wall 41 and extends from a bottom edge of the front wall 40 to a bottom edge of the rear wall 41.
- the top wall 39 and bottom wall 42 are separated from each other in the direction of gravity.
- a direction from the rear wall 41 to the front wall 40 is equivalent to the frontward direction 51
- a direction from the front wall 40 to the rear wall 41 is equivalent to the rearward direction 52
- a direction from the top wall 39 to the bottom wall 42 is equivalent to the downward direction 53
- a direction from the bottom wall 42 to the top wall 39 is equivalent to the upward direction 54
- a direction from the side wall 38 to the side wall 37 is equivalent to the rightward direction 55
- a direction from the side wall 37 to the side wall 38 is equivalent to the leftward direction 56.
- a front surface 40A of the front wall 40 faces forward
- a rear surface 41A of the rear wall 41 faces rearward
- a bottom surface 42A of the bottom wall 42 faces downward
- a top surface 39A of the top wall 39 faces upward
- a right surface 37A of the side wall 37 faces rightward
- a left surface 38A of the side wall 38 faces leftward.
- the front wall 40 is configured of a front wall 40B, and a front wall 40C positioned farther rearward than the front wall 40B. That is, a front surface of the front wall 40B and a front surface of the front wall 40C constitute the front surface 40A of the front wall 40.
- the bottom wall 42 is configured of a bottom wall 42B, and a bottom wall 42C positioned higher than the bottom wall 42B.
- a bottom surface of the bottom wall 42B and a bottom surface of the bottom wall 42C constitute the bottom surface 42A of the bottom wall 42.
- the bottom wall 42C extends continuously rearward from a bottom edge of the front wall 40B.
- the bottom wall 42B and bottom wall 42C are joined through the front wall 40C.
- the bottom surface of the bottom wall 42B is a sloped surface that slopes relative to the front-rear direction so that its front edge is lower than its rear edge.
- the rear wall 41 is configured of an upper portion 41U, and a lower portion 41L.
- the upper portion 41U is positioned above the lower portion 41L.
- the lower portion 41L is positioned farther forward than the upper portion 41U.
- Both the upper portion 41U and lower portion 41L are flat surfaces.
- the upper portion 41U and lower portion 41L extend in directions that intersect but are not orthogonal to each other.
- the lower portion 41L slopes relative to the vertical direction, and specifically slopes forward from top to bottom.
- the ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture in the following description.
- the vertical, front-rear, and left-right directions for the ink cartridge 30 are defined based on the ink cartridge 30 being in the upright posture.
- the ink cartridge 30 has an overall flattened shape in which a left-right dimension thereof (width) is smaller than a front-rear dimension thereof (depth), and the vertical and front-rear dimensions (height and depth) are larger than the left-right dimension (width).
- the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge holder 101 by inserting the ink cartridge 30 forward through the opening 112 formed in the cartridge holder 101 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110 and is removed from the cartridge holder 101 by pulling the ink cartridge 30 rearward through the opening 112.
- the housing 31 defines therein a storage chamber 32 for storing ink.
- the storage chamber 32 is positioned between the front wall 40 and rear wall 41, between the top wall 39 and bottom wall 42, and between the pair of side walls 37 and 38.
- the storage chamber 32 is defined by a surface of the front wall 40 opposite the front surface 40A (rear surface of the front wall 40), a surface of the rear wall 41 opposite the rear surface 41A (front surface of the rear wall 41), a surface of the top wall 39 opposite the top surface 39A (lower surface of the top wall 39), and a surface of the bottom wall 42 opposite the bottom surface 42A (upper surface of the bottom wall 42).
- At least the rear wall 41 has a light-transmission capability so that a level of ink stored in the storage chamber 32 is visible from the outside.
- the housing 31 includes the cylinder 75 that protrudes forward from the front surface of the front wall 40C.
- the cylinder 75 is elongated in the front-rear direction.
- a passage 75A extending in the front-rear direction is formed inside the cylinder 75. That is, the direction in which the cylinder 75 and passage 75A extend (front-rear direction) is aligned with the insertion direction of the ink cartridge 30.
- An opening 75B is formed in a front end of the cylinder 75 and in communication with the passage 75A.
- the passage 75A has a rear end in communication with the storage chamber 32. That is, the passage 75A is open at its rear end on the front surface of the front wall 40C. In other words, the passage 75A is open frontward at the front wall 40. Hence, the passage 75A penetrates the front wall 40.
- the passage 75A accommodates a valve 79, and a coil spring 80.
- the valve 79 opens and closes the opening 75B by moving in the front-rear direction.
- the coil spring 80 urges the valve 79 rearward. Therefore, when an external force is not applied to the valve 79, the valve 79 firmly contacts the sealing member 76 fitted in the opening 75B. However, when an external force is applied to the valve 79, the valve 79 separates from the sealing member 76, allowing ink stored in the storage chamber 32 to be supplied through the passage 75A and out through the opening 75B in the cylinder 75.
- a structure for switching opening and closing of the opening 75B is not limited to the structure configured of the valve 79.
- the opening 75B may be closed by a seal adhered to the cylinder 75.
- An air communication port 140 is formed in the top wall 39 of the housing 31.
- a seal 141 seals the air communication port 140 prior to the ink cartridge 30 being inserted into the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the seal 141 can be peeled off the air communication port 140.
- the storage chamber 32 is able to communicate with the external air via the air communication port 140.
- communication between the storage chamber 32 and external air may be achieved through means not involving peeling off the seal 141.
- a valve may be provided in the air communication port 140, and the valve may be used to switch communication between the storage chamber 32 and the outside air on and off.
- the front wall 40, rear wall 41, top wall 39, bottom wall 42, and side walls 37 and 38 may be configured of a plurality of walls in the same manner as the front wall 40 in the embodiment, or may be configured of single walls in the manner of the rear wall 41.
- the surfaces of the ink cartridge 30 including the front surface 40A of the front wall 40, rear surface 41A of the rear wall 41, top surface 39A of the top wall 39, bottom surface 42A of the bottom wall 42, right surface 37A of the side wall 37, and left surface 38A of the side wall 38 need not be formed as single flat surfaces.
- the front surface 40A of the front wall 40 is a surface of the housing 31 that is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from the front side.
- a front surface includes: a surface of the housing 31 positioned farthest forward (the front surface 40A); and a surface positioned forward of a halfway point in the front-rear direction between the forwardmost surface and a rearmost surface of the housing 31 (the rear surface 41A).
- the rear surface 41A of the rear wall 41 is a surface of the housing 31 that is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from the rear side.
- the concept of a rear surface in the present disclosure includes: a surface of the housing 31 positioned farthest rearward (the rear surface 41A); and a surface positioned rearward of the halfway point in the front-rear direction between the rearmost surface and the forwardmost surface of the housing 31 (front surface 40A).
- the top surface 39A of the top wall 39 is a surface of the housing 31 that is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from above.
- the concept of the top surface in the present disclosure includes: a topmost surface of the housing 31 (the top surface 39A); and a surface above a vertical halfway point between this topmost surface and a bottommost surface of the housing 31 (the bottom surface 42A).
- the bottom surface 42A of the bottom wall 42 is a surface of the housing 31 that is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from below.
- the concept of the bottom surface in the present disclosure includes: the bottommost surface of the housing 31 (the bottom surface 42A); and a surface below the vertical halfway point between this bottommost surface and the topmost surface of the housing 31 (the top surface 39A).
- the right surface 37A of the side wall 37 is a surface of the housing 31 that is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from the right side.
- the left surface 38A of the side wall 38 is a surface of the housing 31 that is visible when viewing the ink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from the left side.
- the sealing member 76 shown in Fig. 4 is configured of an elastic member formed of rubber or the like.
- the sealing member 76 is a ring-shaped member with a circular through-hole 76A formed in a center thereof.
- the through-hole 76A has a diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the tube 102 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (see Fig. 2 ).
- the sealing member 76 is disposed near the opening 75B of the cylinder 75 so that the through-hole 76A is at the same position as the opening 75B in the front-rear direction.
- the sealing member 76 has an outer diameter larger than a diameter of the opening 75B. Accordingly, when the sealing member 76 is fitted into the opening 75B, a hermetic seal is formed between the sealing member 76 and the cylinder 75 to provide a light-tight seal therebetween.
- the sealing member 76 is prevented from coming out of the cylinder 75 by well-known means.
- the sealing member 76 may be fixed in the cylinder 75 by interposing the sealing member 76 between the cylinder 75 and a cap (not shown) placed over the cylinder 75, or may be fixed in the cylinder 75 by adhesive.
- the protruding part 43 is formed on a rear portion of the top surface 39A of the top wall 39.
- the protruding part 43 protrudes upward and is elongated in the front-rear direction.
- the protruding part 43 has a rear end face 151 facing rearward which serves as a lock surface 151.
- the protruding part 43 also includes a horizontal surface 154 that extends continuously forward from the lock surface 151.
- the horizontal surface 154 expands in both the left-right and front-rear directions.
- the protruding part 43 also includes a sloped surface 155 that is forward of and continuous with the horizontal surface 154.
- the sloped surface 155 slopes relative to the front-rear direction, and specifically slopes downward toward the front.
- the protruding part 43 also includes a positioning surface 89.
- the positioning surface 89 is formed frontward of the sloped surface 155.
- the positioning surface 89 faces upward.
- the operating part 90 is formed on the top wall 39 at a position rearward of the lock surface 151.
- the operating part 90 has an operating surface 92. The user operates the operating part 90 in order to pull the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge holder 101 rearward.
- the projection 67 is provided on the top surface 39A of the top wall 39.
- the projection 67 protrudes upward from the top surface 39A and is elongated in the front-rear direction.
- the projection 67 is positioned forward of the positioning surface 89.
- the projection 67 is positioned lower than a virtual plane X that is the highest among virtual planes passing through the upper-front corner of the housing 31 and the protruding part 43.
- the projection 67 is a plate formed of a resin material that contains a color material (black pigment) capable of blocking or absorbing light, for example.
- a material that prevents the passage of light such as aluminum foil may be affixed to at least the light-blocking surface of the projection 67.
- the protruding part 88 is formed on the top surface 39A of the top wall 39 at a position rearward of the projection 67.
- the protruding part 88 is positioned frontward of the protruding part 43.
- a top edge (front edge) of the protruding part 88 is lower than the top edge of the protruding part 43.
- the protruding part 88 has a top surface 88A sloping relative to a virtual plane PL1 that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. Specifically, the top surface 88A slopes upward toward the front side.
- the protruding part 88 (as an example of a substrate retaining part) is formed integrally with the top wall 39 in the embodiment, the substrate retaining part may be a separate member instead.
- the substrate retaining part may be an adapter that is attached to the top wall 39.
- the circuit board 64 (more accurately, a substrate 63 thereof) is supported from below by the top surface 88A of the protruding part 88.
- the circuit board 64 includes the substrate 63, a memory 66, a battery 68, and electrodes 65.
- the circuit board 64 is positioned rearward of the projection 67 and forward of the protruding part 43.
- the circuit board 64 is also positioned farther rearward than the sealing member 76 in the front-rear direction. More specifically, the circuit board 64 is positioned farther rearward than the through-hole 76A formed in the sealing member 76.
- the circuit board 64 is also positioned below the virtual plane X described above in the vertical direction.
- the storage chamber 32 is vertically interposed between the circuit board 64 and the bottom surface 42A of the bottom wall 42.
- the substrate 63 of the circuit board 64 is a rigid substrate formed of a glass epoxy or the like.
- the circuit board 64 is configured by mounting the memory 66 and battery 68 on the substrate 63 and forming four electrodes 65 on the substrate 63 (see Fig. 5B ).
- the number of electrodes 65 is determined based on the number of the contacts 132 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (see Fig. 2 ) and is not limited to four. Further, the battery 68 need not be mounted on the circuit board 64.
- the substrate 63 has a length in the front-rear direction that is greater than a width thereof in the left-right direction.
- the front-rear dimension of the substrate 63 is at least two times greater than the left-right dimension, and more preferably at least three times greater than the left-right dimension. Note that the front-rear dimension of the substrate 63 may be less than two times the left-right direction or even less than or equal to the left-right dimension.
- the substrate 63 has a front end face 63A and a rear end face 63B opposite each other in the front-rear direction.
- the front end face 63A also constitutes an upper end face of the substrate 63
- the rear end face 63B also constitutes a lower end face of the substrate 63.
- the front-rear dimension of the substrate 63 (a distance between the front end face 63A and the rear end face 63B in the front-rear direction) is greater than a gap formed in the front-rear direction between the front wall 137 and rear wall 136 of the connector 130 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the left-right dimension of the substrate 63 is shorter than a gap in the left-right direction between the right wall 138 and left wall 139 of the connector 130.
- the substrate 63 has a first surface 61 (sloped surface), and a second surface 62.
- the first surface 61 is exposed to the outside of the ink cartridge 30.
- the second surface 62 is a surface opposite the first surface 61.
- the substrate 63 is bonded to the top surface 88A of the protruding part 88 (i.e., to the top surface 39A of the top wall 39) with a photopolymer.
- the circuit board 64 may be bonded to the top surface 88A with an adhesive other than a photopolymer.
- the substrate 63 may be mounted on the top surface 88A by means other than adhesives, such as thermal caulking. Note that when thermal caulking is used to mount the circuit board 64 on the top surface 88A, each of the four corners of the circuit board 64 is preferably fixed to the top surface 88A; that is, each of the right-front comer, left-front corner, right-rear corner, and left-rear corner in a plan view. However, it should be obvious that the positions subjected to the thermal caulking need not be limited to these four corners.
- the first surface 61 and second surface 62 of the substrate 63 mounted on the top surface 88A also slope upward toward the front relative to the virtual plane PL1. That is, the substrate 63 is inclined relative to the virtual plane PL1 such that the first surface 61 faces diagonally upward and rearward.
- a front edge of the first surface 61 also constitutes an upper edge 61U of the first surface 61, while a rear edge of the first surface 61 serves as a lower edge 61L thereof.
- the upper edge 61U is positioned frontward relative to the lower edge 61L.
- the top surface 88A of the protruding part 88 slopes upward toward the front relative to the virtual plane PL1 and maintains the first surface 61 at an angle ⁇ of inclination relative to the virtual plane PL1.
- the angle ⁇ formed by the first surface 61 and the virtual plane PL1 is an acute angle that is greater than an acute angle ⁇ formed by a virtual plane PL2 and the virtual plane PL1.
- the virtual plane PL2 is a plane extending in the left-right direction and passing through portions 132C of the contacts 132 and the bottom edge of the rear wall 136.
- the portions 132C are portions of the contacts 132 that are in contact with the electrodes 65 to be connected thereto (see Fig. 5B ) when the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached state in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (in the state shown in Fig. 9 ).
- a plurality of electrodes (not shown) is formed on the second surface 62 of the substrate 63.
- the memory 66 is positioned on some of these electrodes.
- the battery 68 is positioned on the electrodes that the memory 66 is not mounted. Hence, the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on the second surface 62 of the substrate 63.
- a depression 84 is formed in the top surface 88A of the protruding part 88 in an area corresponding to the region in which the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 mounted on the second surface 62 are positioned in the depression 84.
- a shortest distance between the front end face 63A (upper end face) of the substrate 63 and the memory 66 is greater than a shortest distance between the rear end face 63B of the substrate 63 and the memory 66.
- a shortest distance between the front end face 63A of the substrate 63 and the battery 68 is also greater than a shortest distance between the front end face 63A of the substrate 63 and the battery 68.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted closer to the rear end face 63B (lower end face) of the substrate 63 than to the front end face 63A of the substrate 63.
- the battery 68 is mounted at a position diagonally downward and rearward of the memory 66. That is, the battery 68 is positioned lower than the memory 66 in the upright posture of the ink cartridge 30.
- the memory 66 stores information related to the ink cartridge 30 that can be read by the controller 1 of the printer 10.
- the information related to the ink cartridge 30 is data specifying a lot number, a manufactured date, an ink color, and the like.
- the memory 66 may be a semiconductor memory, such as a Static RAM (SRAM). Note that an integrated circuit (IC) providing function(s) other than a memory may also be mounted on the substrate 63, if necessary.
- SRAM Static RAM
- the electrodes on which the battery 68 is mounted are connected to the electrodes on which the memory 66 is mounted. Hence, the battery 68 is electrically connected to the memory 66, whereby the battery 68 can supply electricity to the memory 66.
- each of the four electrodes 65 corresponds to one of the four contacts 132 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the number of electrodes 65 is not limited to four.
- the four electrodes 65 are exposed on the first surface 61 constituting the substrate 63, allowing for electrical connections.
- Each electrode 65 is elongated in the front-rear direction.
- the electrodes 65 are arranged parallel to each other and are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction on the top surface (first surface 61) of the substrate 63.
- Each electrode 65 is electrically connected to the memory 66.
- a shortest distance between the upper edge 61U of the first surface 61 and the electrodes 65 is shorter than a shortest distance between the lower edge 61L of the first surface 61 and the electrodes 65.
- the electrodes 65 are formed on the first surface 61 at a position closer to the upper edge 61U (front end face 63A) than to the lower edge 61L (rear end face 63B).
- the electrodes 65 are also formed in a position diagonally upward and forward relative to the memory 66 and battery 68.
- the battery 68 is a button-shaped battery (button cell) in the present embodiment.
- the battery 68 is electrically connected to the memory 66 and is configured to supply power to the memory 66.
- the memory 66 (SRAM) can store various data.
- an electronic component other than the battery 68 may be mounted on the substrate 63 for supplying power to the memory 66.
- a capacitor in a charged state can be employed as another example of the electronic component for supplying power to the memory 66.
- Fig. 4 shows the ink cartridge 30 prior to being mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the seal 141 seals the air communication port 140 so that the storage chamber 32 is not in communication with the atmosphere.
- the user peels off the seal 141, opening the storage chamber 32 to the atmosphere.
- the valve 79 is in contact with the sealing member 76. Consequently, ink stored in the storage chamber 32 is prevented from flowing out of the ink cartridge 30 through the through-hole 76A.
- the optical sensor 113 In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110, no member is positioned between the light-emitting part and light-receiving part of the optical sensor 113, enabling light to travel from the light-emitting part to the light-receiving part. At this time, the optical sensor 113 outputs a high level detection signal to the controller 1 (see Fig. 1 ). Further, prior to attachment of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment portion 110, the valve 115 closes the opening 102B, and the rear end of the valve 115 protrudes rearward from the opening 102B.
- the ink cartridge 30 is inserted forward into the cartridge holder 101 through the opening 112 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (see Fig. 7 ).
- the ink cartridge 30 may instead be inserted into the cartridge holder 101 while tilted relative to the horizontal direction.
- the upper portion 41U of the rear wall 41 is positioned farther rearward than the lower portion 41L. That is, the upper portion 41U is closer to the user than the lower portion 41L is. Hence, the user pushes forward on the upper portion 41U when inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge holder 101.
- the tube 102 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110 is inserted into the passage 75A of the cylinder 75 through the through-hole 76A formed in the sealing member 76 (the opening 75B).
- the outer circumferential surface of the tube 102 closely contacts an inner circumferential surface of the sealing member 76 (the surface defining the through-hole 76A).
- the tube 102 inserted into the passage 75A also contacts and pushes the valve 79 rearward. Through this action, the valve 79 is separated from the sealing member 76 against a forward urging force of the coil spring 80.
- valve 79 contacts the valve 115 from the rear side thereof and pushes the valve 115 forward. Consequently, the valve 115 moves forward against the urging force of the coil spring 116. This action allows the interior space 102A of the tube 102 to communicate with the exterior of the tube 102 through the opening 102B.
- ink stored in the storage chamber 32 can flow into the tank 103 and recording head 21 via the interior space 102A of the tube 102.
- the circuit board 64 is not yet in contact with the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the sloped surface 155 formed on the protruding part 43 of the ink cartridge 30 contacts the shaft 145 from the rear.
- the shaft 145 is guided along the sloped surface 155.
- torque rotational moment
- the ink cartridge 30 pivots clockwise in Fig. 7 against this torque about a center C of the opening 75B in which the tube 102 is inserted.
- the position of the center C in the ink cartridge 30 depends on the shape of the tube 102 and the shape of the opening 75B, but a center of an area at which the outer surface of the tube 102 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the sealing member 76 (the surface defining the through-hole 76A) is a hypothetical pivot center.
- the posture of the ink cartridge 30 at this point (the orientation of the ink cartridge 30 shown in Fig. 8 ) will be called a pivoted posture.
- Forming the bottom wall 42 of the housing 31 as a sloped surface that slopes relative to the front-rear direction provides a space between the bottom wall 42 and an inner top surface of the bottom wall 59 of the cartridge holder 101 needed for this pivotal movement (clockwise pivot).
- the circuit board 64 arrives at a position beneath the contacts 132 (see Fig. 8 ). Owing to the pivoting described above, the ink cartridge 30 is tilted such that the circuit board 64 moves below the rear wall 136 of the connector 130, allowing the circuit board 64 to pass forward under the rear wall 136 of the connector 130 until arriving directly below the contacts 132. Also owing to the above pivoting, a vertical gap exists between the electrodes 65 on the circuit board 64 and the contacts 132 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the pivoted posture. In other words, the electrodes 65 are separated from the contacts 132.
- the positioning surface 89 arrives below the protruding part 114, but a vertical gap exists between the protruding part 114 and positioning surface 89 while the ink cartridge 30 is in its pivoted posture. In other words, the protruding part 114 is separated from the positioning surface 89.
- the tube 102 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110 has advanced into the passage 75A of the cylinder 75.
- the positioning surface 89 of the ink cartridge 30 contacts the bottom surface of the protruding part 114 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 from below. This contact restricts further upward movement of the ink cartridge 30, i.e., restricts the ink cartridge 30 from pivoting farther counterclockwise about the center C.
- the ink cartridge 30 is vertically positioned in the cartridge holder 101.
- the protruding part 43 moves upward.
- the lock surface 151 of the ink cartridge 30 faces rearward and confronts the shaft 145 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 in the front-rear direction.
- the ink cartridge 30 is moved rearward by the urging force of the coil spring 80.
- the lock surface 151 contacts the shaft 145 from the front side thereof as the ink cartridge 30 moves rearward (see Fig. 9 ).
- the lock surface 151 is in contact with the front side of the shaft 145 when the ink cartridge 30 is in the attached state.
- the protruding part 43 is engaged with the cartridge holder 101. This engagement restricts further rearward movement of the ink cartridge 30, thereby positioning the ink cartridge 30 in the front-rear direction in the cartridge holder 101.
- the projection 67 is positioned between the light-emitting part and light-receiving part of the optical sensor 113. Consequently, the projection 67 blocks the progression of light from the light-emitting part to the light-receiving part. That is, the projection 67 is positioned in the optical path of light irradiated from the light-emitting part when the ink cartridge 30 is in the attached state. In other words, the optical sensor 113 is positioned such that the light-blocking surface of the projection 67 is in the optical path of light irradiated from the light-emitting part when the ink cartridge 30 is in the attached state. At this time, the optical sensor 113 outputs a low level detection signal to the controller 1 (see Fig. 1 ).
- the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 64 contact corresponding contacts 132 from below, thereby elastically deforming the contacts 132 upward (see Fig. 9 ).
- the electrodes 65 are electrically connected to the contacts 132 while elastically deforming the contacts 132 upward.
- a voltage Vc is applied to the electrodes 65, the electrodes 65 are grounded, and power is supplied to the electrodes 65.
- the memory 66 mounted on the circuit board 64 is also electrically connected to the controller 1 (see Fig. 1 ). Consequently, the controller 1 can access the memory 66, enabling data stored in the memory 66 to be inputted into the controller 1 (see Fig. 1 ).
- the front wall 137 of the connector 130 is positioned frontward relative to the electrodes 65 on the circuit board 64 and the contacts 132 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110, and the rear wall 136 of the connector 130 is positioned rearward relative to the electrodes 65 and the contacts 132. Further, the bottom edge of the front wall 137 and the bottom edge of the rear wall 136 are positioned lower than the electrodes 65.
- the electrodes 65 and contacts 132 are interposed between the rear wall 136 and front wall 137 in the front-rear direction when the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached state. That is, the front wall 137 and rear wall 136 enclose the electrodes 65 and contacts 132 from the front and rear sides thereof.
- a portion of the first surface 61 on the substrate 63 to the front side of the rear wall 136 is higher than the bottom edge of the rear wall 136, while a portion of the first surface 61 rearward of the rear wall 136 (i.e., a rear portion of the first surface 61) is lower than the rear wall 136.
- the acute angle ⁇ formed between the first surface 61 and the virtual plane PL1 is greater than the acute angle ⁇ formed between the virtual plane PL2 and the virtual plane PL1 (see Fig. 4 ).
- a portion that vertically overlaps the rear wall 136 when the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached state (when the electrodes 65 are in contact with the contacts 132) is lower than the bottom edge of the rear wall 136 and does not contact the rear wall 136.
- a gap is formed between the first surface 61 and the rear wall 136.
- the right wall 138 of the connector 130 is on the right side of the electrodes 65 and contacts 132 while the left wall 139 of the connector 130 is on the left side of the electrodes 65 and contacts 132. Further, the bottom edges of the right wall 138 and left wall 139 are positioned lower than the electrodes 65 and contacts 132 when the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached state. With this configuration, the electrodes 65 and contacts 132 are interposed between the right wall 138 and left wall 139 in the left-right direction when the ink cartridge 30 is in its attached state. That is, the right wall 138 and left wall 139 enclose the electrodes 65 and contacts 132 from the left and right sides thereof.
- the user pushes the operating surface 92 downward.
- the operating surface 92 faces obliquely upward and rearward when the ink cartridge 30 is in the attached state.
- the user applies force to the ink cartridge 30 in a direction diagonally downward and forward.
- This force pivots the ink cartridge 30 clockwise in Fig. 9 , causing the positioning surface 89 to separate from the protruding part 114, as illustrated in Fig. 8 .
- the lock surface 151 is moved to a position lower than the shaft 145. In other words, the posture of the ink cartridge 30 is changed from the upright posture to the pivoted posture. Consequently, the urging force of the coil spring 80 moves the ink cartridge 30 rearward relative to the cartridge holder 101.
- the user can then remove the ink cartridge 30 from the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the flowcharts of Figs. 10 and 11 are configured to be initiated when the cover 111 is opened by the user. That is, the controller 1 is configured to launch the flowchart of Fig. 10 or the flowchart of Fig. 11 in response to receiving a high level signal outputted from the cover sensor 118.
- the controller 1 determines whether the cover 111 is in the closed position.
- the controller 1 determines that the cover 111 is in the closed position when the signal outputted from the cover sensor 118 changes to a low level signal.
- the controller 1 repeats the determination in S10 until the cover 111 is determined to be closed, i.e., until the signal outputted from the cover sensor 118 changes from high level to low level.
- the controller 1 determines whether the memory 66 on the circuit board 64 of the ink cartridge 30 is accessible, i.e., whether the controller 1 can read from or write to the memory 66.
- the controller 1 is able to access the memory 66 on the circuit board 64.
- the controller 1 cannot access the memory 66.
- the controller 1 determines that an ink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110. In this case, the controller 1 notifies the user that an ink cartridge 30 is not mounted by displaying a message on a display panel (not shown) provided on a housing of the printer 10 and/or emitting a beep or other sound from a speaker (not shown).
- the controller 1 determines whether the signal outputted from the optical sensor 113 to the controller 1 is high level or low level.
- the optical sensor 113 outputs a low level signal to the controller 1.
- the optical sensor 113 outputs a high level signal to the controller 1.
- the controller 1 determines that an abnormal ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. In this case, the controller 1 notifies the user that an abnormal ink cartridge 30 is mounted by displaying a message on the display panel (not shown) provided on the housing of the printer 10 and/or playing a beep or other sound from the speaker (not shown).
- the controller 1 determines that a normal ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the controller 1 determines whether an ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 based on whether the circuit board 64 is accessible, and determines whether the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 is normal based on the level of the signal outputted from the optical sensor 113.
- the controller 1 may be configured to determine whether an ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 based on the level of the signal outputted from the optical sensor 113 and to determine whether the ink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 is normal based on whether the circuit board 64 is accessible. Steps in this variation will be described next with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 11 .
- the controller 1 first determines in S110 whether the cover 111 is in the closed position, as in the flowchart of Fig. 10 .
- the controller 1 repeats the determination in S110 (S110: NO) until the cover 111 is determined to be in the closed position, i.e., until the signal outputted from the cover sensor 118 changes from high level to low level.
- the controller 1 determines in S110 that the cover 111 is in the closed position (S110: YES), in S120 the controller 1 determines whether the signal outputted from the optical sensor 113 to the controller 1 is high level or low level.
- the controller 1 determines that an ink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110. In this case, as in S30 of Fig. 10 , the controller 1 notifies the user that an ink cartridge 30 is not mounted.
- the controller 1 determines whether the circuit board 64 of the ink cartridge 30 is accessible.
- the controller 1 determines that an abnormal ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110. In this case, as in S50 of Fig. 10 , the controller 1 notifies the user that an abnormal ink cartridge 30 is mounted.
- the controller 1 determines that a normal ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the substrate 63 has the first surface 61 that slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1 to form the acute angle ⁇ therebetween that is greater than the acute angle ⁇ formed between the virtual plane PL2 and virtual plane PL1. Therefore, even when the front wall 137 and rear wall 136 are provided around the contacts 132 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110, the electrodes 65 can be brought into contact with the contacts 132 without the substrate 63 contacting the front wall 137 or rear wall 136.
- providing the substrate 63 with the first surface 61 that is sloped relative to the virtual plane PL1 can prevent the substrate 63 from contacting the front wall 137 and rear wall 136, even when the front-rear dimension of the substrate 63 is longer than the gap between the front wall 137 and rear wall 136 in the front-rear direction, as in the embodiment described above.
- the front-rear dimension of the substrate 63 can be longer than the gap between the front wall 137 and rear wall 136 in the front-rear direction, i.e., since the dimensions of the substrate 63 can be increased, sufficient space can be allocated on the substrate 63 for forming the electrodes 65 and mounting the memory 66.
- the substrate 63 includes the first surface 61 that slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1, foreign matter deposited on the first surface 61 is more likely to fall off the substrate 63.
- the electrodes 65 in the embodiment are formed at positions on the first surface 61 closer to the upper edge 61U (front end face 63A) than the lower edge 61L (rear end face 63B). Hence, the electrodes 65 are better positioned to contact the contacts 132.
- the memory 66 is also positioned on the second surface 62 at a position lower than the electrodes 65 in the depicted embodiment. Hence, the memory 66 is unlikely to collide with the contacts 132. Further, even if a portion on the first surface 61 lower than the electrodes 65 may collide with the contacts 132 during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110, the memory 66 is less likely to be affected by impact of the collision.
- an upper portion of the substrate 63 i.e., a portion closer to the front end face 63A than to the rear end face 63B
- the battery 68 in the embodiment is mounted on a lower portion of the substrate 63 (i.e., a portion closer to the rear end face 63B than to the front end face 63A) where sufficient space can be allocated.
- the battery 68 is positioned lower than the memory 66. This configuration can reduce the likelihood of the battery 68 colliding with the contacts 132 and causing deterioration in the functionality of the memory 66. Further, by arranging the electrodes 65, memory 66, and battery 68 as described in the embodiment, wiring for electrically connecting the electrodes 65 to the memory 66 and wiring for electrically connecting the battery 68 to the memory 66 can be run without interference more easily.
- the first surface 61 faces rearward, while the passage 75A in the cylinder 75 is open frontward. This arrangement can reduce a possibility that ink leaking out of the passage 75A could become deposited on the first surface 61.
- the left-right dimension of the substrate 63 is shorter than the gap between the right wall 138 and left wall 139 in the left-right direction. Accordingly, the electrodes 65 can be brought into contact with the contacts 132 positioned between the right wall 138 and left wall 139.
- the electrodes 65 are formed to be aligned with each other at intervals in the left-right direction in the embodiment, a range over which the electrodes 65 are formed in the front-rear direction can be reduced. Further, elongating the electrodes 65 in the front-rear direction can reduce a potential that the electrodes 65 may lose contact with the contacts 132, even if the front-rear position of the ink cartridge 30 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 varies when the ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the memory 66 is mounted on the second surface 62 in the embodiment, collisions between the ink cartridge 30 and components in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 that may occur during the insertion of the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment portion 110 can be prevented from directly impacting the memory 66.
- the ink cartridge 30 is pivoted during the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge holder 101. Accordingly, without adding a complex structure to the ink cartridge 30 and/or cartridge holder 101, the electrodes 65 can be moved to a position for contacting the contacts 132 while not coming into contact with the rear wall 136 during the process of inserting the ink cartridge 30 into the cartridge holder 101.
- the cartridge-attachment portion 110 contacts the rubber sealing member 76 prior to contacting the circuit board 64 during the process of attaching the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. This contact reduces a speed at which the ink cartridge 30 is inserted and can soften the force of impact with the circuit board 64.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on the second surface 62 of the substrate 63 in the depicted embodiment.
- the memory 66 is mounted at a position diagonally downward and rearward from the electrodes 65
- the battery 68 is mounted at a position diagonally downward and rearward from the memory 66.
- the mounting positions of the memory 66 and battery 68 are not limited to the positions shown in Fig. 4 .
- the battery 68 may be mounted on the second surface 62 at a position diagonally upward and forward of the memory 66.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 may be mounted on the first surface 61 of the substrate 63, rather than on the second surface 62 (see Fig. 12B ), provided that the memory 66 and battery 68 are positioned lower than the electrodes 65.
- the memory 66 may be mounted on the first surface 61 of the substrate 63 at a position lower than the electrodes 65, while the battery 68 is mounted on the second surface 62 of the substrate 63.
- the battery 68 may be mounted on the first surface 61 at a lower position than electrodes 65, while the memory 66 is mounted on the second surface 62.
- At least one of the memory 66 and battery 68 may be mounted farther forward than rear edges of the electrodes 65 on the second surface 62.
- Fig. 12D shows an example configuration in which the memory 66 is mounted farther forward than the rear edges of the electrodes 65 while the battery 68 is mounted farther rearward than the rear edges of the electrodes 65.
- the front edge of the first surface 61 also constitutes the upper edge 61U of the first surface 61.
- the rear edge of the first surface 61 may be configured as the upper edge.
- Fig. 13 illustrates an ink cartridge 230 according to a second modification to the embodiment.
- the ink cartridge 230 includes a housing 231 and a circuit board 264.
- a protruding part 287 is provided on a top surface 239A of a top wall 239 of the housing 231, in place of the protruding part 88 of the embodiment.
- the protruding part 287 is positioned forward of the protruding part 43 and rearward of the projection 67 on the top surface 239A.
- a top edge of the protruding part 287 is lower than the top edge of the protruding part 43.
- the protruding part 287 has a top surface 287A that slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1, and more specifically that slopes upward toward the rear.
- the protruding part 287 is disposed farther forward than the protruding part 88 of the embodiment in the front-rear direction.
- the circuit board 264 includes a substrate 263 that is supported from below by the top surface 287A of the protruding part 287.
- the substrate 263 is bonded to the top surface 287A of the protruding part 287 with a photopolymer.
- the substrate 263 may be mounted on the top surface 287A through means other than bonding with a photopolymer.
- the top surface 287A of the protruding part 287 slopes upward toward the rear relative to the virtual plane PL1
- both of a first surface 261 and a second surface 262 of the substrate 263 bonded to the top surface 287A slope upward toward the rear relative to the virtual plane PL1.
- the rear edge of the first surface 261 is an upper edge 261U of the first surface 261
- the front edge of the first surface 261 is a lower edge 261L of the first surface 261.
- the upper edge 261U is positioned rearward relative to the lower edge 261L.
- the acute angle ⁇ formed by the first surface 261 and the virtual plane PL1 is greater than an acute angle ⁇ formed by a virtual plane PL3 and the virtual plane PL1.
- the virtual plane PL3 is a plane that extends in the left-right direction and passes through the portions 132C of the contacts 132 and the bottom edge of the front wall 137.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on the second surface 262 of the substrate 263.
- a depression 285 is formed in the top surface 287A of the protruding part 287 at an area corresponding to the region in which the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted. In other words, the memory 66 and battery 68 mounted on the second surface 262 are accommodated in the depression 285.
- the electrodes 65 are formed on the first surface 261 at positions closer to the upper edge 261U thereof than the lower edge 261L.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on the second surface 262 at positions closer to a lower end face 263B of the substrate 263 than a top end face 263A of the substrate 263. Further, the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted diagonally downward and forward from the electrodes 65, and the battery 68 is mounted diagonally downward and forward from the memory 66. Note that the memory 66 and battery 68 may be mounted in various other positions, as described in the first modification.
- the motion of the circuit board 264 when the ink cartridge 230 is inserted into the cartridge holder 101 is identical to that described in the embodiment. That is, when the user inserts the ink cartridge 230 forward into the interior space 104 of the cartridge holder 101 while pivoting the ink cartridge 230, the circuit board 264 moves forward while passing beneath the rear wall 136 of the connector 130 until arriving at a position directly beneath the contacts 132. Subsequently, as the ink cartridge 230 is pivoted in the opposite direction from the above pivotal movement, the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 264 contact the contacts 132 from below.
- the rear wall 136 of the connector 130 is positioned farther rearward than the electrodes 65 of the circuit board 264 and the contacts 132 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110, and the front wall 137 of the connector 130 is positioned farther forward than the electrodes 65 and contacts 132.
- the bottom edges of the front wall 137 and rear wall 136 are lower than the electrodes 65.
- a portion of the first surface 261 on the substrate 263 to the rear of the front wall 137 (a rear portion) is positioned higher than the bottom edge of the front wall 137.
- a portion of the first surface 261 that is forward of the front wall 137 is positioned lower than the front wall 137.
- the acute angle ⁇ formed by the first surface 261 and the virtual plane PL1 is greater than the acute angle ⁇ formed by the virtual plane PL3 and the virtual plane PL1.
- the portion of the first surface 261 on the substrate 263 that vertically overlaps the front wall 137 is positioned lower than the bottom edge of the front wall 137 and is not in contact with the front wall 137.
- the first surface 261 of the substrate 263 vertically opposes the front wall 137 with a gap formed therebetween.
- the right wall 138 and left wall 139 of the connector 130 enclose the electrodes 65 and contacts 132 from right and left sides, as in the embodiment described above.
- the acute angle ⁇ may not necessarily be greater than the acute angle ⁇ formed by the virtual plane PL2 and virtual plane PL1, provided that the acute angle ⁇ formed by the first surface 261 and the virtual plane PL1 is greater than the acute angle ⁇ formed by the virtual plane PL3 and the virtual plane PL1.
- the rear edge of the first surface 261 serves as the upper edge 261U. This configuration can reduce the potential for collision between the portion of the first surface 61 positioned forward of the rear edge and the contacts 132.
- the substrate 63 is supported on the protruding part 88 in the embodiment, and the substrate 263 is supported on the protruding part 287 in the second modification.
- the means for supporting the substrate 63, 263 is not limited to a single sloped surface on a support portion (such as the protruding part 88, 287), provided that the substrate is supported such that a first surface thereof (upper surface) slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1 with the acute angle ⁇ formed therebetween.
- Fig. 14 illustrates an ink cartridge 330 according to a third modification to the embodiment including a housing 331 and a circuit board 364.
- this ink cartridge 330 two protruding parts 381 and 382 are provided on a top surface 339A of a top wall 339 of the housing 331, instead of the protruding part 88, for supporting a substrate 363 of the circuit board 364.
- the two protruding parts 381 and 382 have different protruding lengths from the top surface 339A of the top wall 339.
- the protruding parts 381 and 382 are aligned with each other in the front-rear direction to form a gap 384 therebetween on the top surface 339A.
- the substrate 363 is supported at front and rear ends thereof by the protruding parts 381 and 382, respectively. With this structure, a first surface 361 (top surface) of the substrate 363 is maintained to be inclined relative to the virtual plane PL1 with the acute angle ⁇ formed between the first surface 361 and the virtual plane PL1.
- the electrodes 65 are formed on the first surface 361 of the substrate 363 at positions closer to an upper edge 361U of the first surface 361 than to the lower edge 361L of the first surface 361, as in the embodiment.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on a second surface 362 (lower surface) of the substrate 363.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 mounted on the second surface 362 are accommodated in the gap 384 in a state where the substrate 363 is supported by the protruding parts 381 and 382. Hence, the memory 66 and battery 68 are lower than the electrodes 65, as in the embodiment.
- Fig. 15 depicts an ink cartridge 430 according to a fourth modification to the embodiment provided with still another example of the support portion in place of the protruding part 88 in the embodiment.
- the ink cartridge 430 includes a housing 431 and a circuit board 464.
- the housing 431 includes a protruding part 443 formed on a top surface 439A of a top wall 439.
- a recessed part 443B is formed in a front surface 443A of the protruding part 443 for supporting a substrate 463 of the circuit board 464.
- a rear end portion of the substrate 463 is fitted into the recessed part 443B so that the substrate 463 protrudes diagonally upward and forward from the front surface 443A of the protruding part 443.
- a first surface 461 of the substrate 463 slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1 with the acute angle ⁇ formed therebetween.
- the electrodes 65 are formed on the first surface 461 at a position closer to an upper edge 461U of the first surface 461 than to a lower edge 461L of the first surface 461.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on a second surface 462 of the substrate 463 that is fixed above the top surface 439A.
- the top surface 88A of the protruding part 88 slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1, whereby the first surface 61 and second surface 62 of the substrate 63 supported by the top surface 88A also slope relative to the virtual plane PL1.
- the first surface 61 slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1
- Fig. 16 shows an ink cartridge 530 according to a fifth modification to the embodiment.
- the ink cartridge 530 includes a housing 531 and a circuit board 564.
- the circuit board 564 includes a substrate 563 having a generally triangular shape in a vertical cross-sectional view. That is, in this substrate 563, a first surface 561 slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1 to form the acute angle ⁇ therebetween, while a second surface 562 extends parallel to the virtual plane PL1. Put another way, the substrate 563 has a thickness in the vertical direction that becomes smaller toward a lower edge 561L of the first surface 561. Or, the thickness (vertical dimension) of the substrate 563 is smaller at the lower edge 561L than at an upper edge 561U of the first surface 561.
- the substrate 563 is supported directly by a top wall 539 of the housing 531 with the second surface 562 bonded to a top surface 539A of the top wall 539. That is, the top wall 539 does not include the support portion for supporting the substrate 563 in order to maintain the inclination of the first surface 561 relative to the virtual plane PL1.
- the electrodes 65 are formed on the sloped first surface 561 at positions closer to the upper edge 561U thereof than to the lower edge 561L thereof.
- the memory 66 and electrodes 65 are mounted on the horizonal second surface 562.
- a depression 584 is formed on the top surface 539A of the top wall 539 in an area corresponding to the region in which the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted. That is, the memory 66 and battery 68 mounted on the second surface 562 of the substrate 563 are accommodated in the depression 584.
- Fig. 17 depicts an ink cartridge 630 according to a sixth modification to the embodiment.
- the ink cartridge 630 includes a housing 631 and a circuit board 664.
- the circuit board 664 is supported on a top wall 639 of the housing 631.
- the circuit board 664 includes a rigid substrate 663 having a thickness greater than a thickness of the substrate 63 of the embodiment with respect to the vertical direction.
- the substrate 663 has a first surface 661 and a second surface 662.
- the first surface 661 is sloped relative to the virtual plane PL1 to form the acute angle ⁇ therebetween, as in the embodiment.
- a protruding part 688 is formed on a top surface 639A of the top wall 639 to support the substrate 663.
- the protruding part 688 has a sloped top surface 688A for supporting the second surface 662 of the substrate 663.
- the substrate 663 is supported on the top surface 639A of the top wall 639 such that: a front end portion of the second surface 662 is fixed to the sloped top surface 688A of the protruding part 688; and a rear edge of the second surface 662 is in contact with the top surface 639A of the top wall 639.
- the electrodes 65 are formed on the first surface 661 at positions closer to an upper edge 661U thereof than to a lower edge 661L thereof, as in the depicted embodiment.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on the second surface 662.
- the memory 66 is positioned closer to the protruding part 688 than the battery 68 is to the protruding part 688 in the front-rear direction.
- the memory 66 mounted on the second surface 662 is positioned above the top surface 639A of the top wall 639.
- a depression 684 is formed in the top wall 639 so that the battery 68 mounted on the second surface 662 can be received in the depression 684.
- the battery 68 may not be mounted on the second surface 862.
- the depression 684 is not necessary to be formed in the top surface 639A of the top wall 639.
- the depression 684 may be formed in the top surface 688A to accommodate both of the memory 66 and battery 68, just as the depression 84 of the embodiment.
- the substrate 63 of the depicted embodiment is a rigid substrate.
- the substrate 63 may be a flexible substrate formed of a plastic film or the like.
- Fig. 18 depicts an ink cartridge 730 according to a seventh modification to the embodiment.
- the ink cartridge 730 includes a housing 731 and a circuit board 764.
- the circuit board 764 includes a flexible substrate 763.
- the substrate 763 has a curved shape in a vertical cross-sectional view, contrary to the rigid, flat plate-shaped substrate 63 of the embodiment.
- a protruding part 788 is formed on a top surface 739A of a top wall 739 of the housing 731.
- the protruding part 788 has a top surface 788A that is curved upward to form a generally convex shape in a vertical cross-sectional view.
- the flexible substrate 763 is fixed to the curved top surface 788A to extend therealong, so that the substrate 763 has a curved first surface 761 and a second surface 762. That is, the second surface 762 of the substrate 763 is bonded to the top surface 788A of the protruding part 788.
- the electrodes 65 are formed on the first surface 761 at positions closer to an upper edge 761U thereof, in order to allow the electrodes 65 to contact the contacts 132 of the connector 130 while the ink cartridge 730 is attached to the cartridge holder 101 of the cartridge-attachment section 110.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on the curved second surface 762 of the substrate 763.
- a depression 784 is formed on the curved top surface 788A in an area corresponding to the region in which the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted. That is, the memory 66 and battery 68 mounted on the second surface 762 of the substrate 763 are accommodated in the depression 784.
- the opening 75B may be sealed with a seal rather than the valve 79.
- the seal is affixed to the front surface of the cylinder 75 before the ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment portion 110, thereby sealing off the through-hole 76A from the outside.
- ink in the storage chamber 32 does not flow through the passage 75A and out of the ink cartridge 30 through the through-hole 76A.
- the tube 102 punctures the seal, breaking the hermetic seal.
- the ink cartridge 30 is pivoted inside the cartridge holder 101 while being inserted therein.
- the ink cartridge 30 need not be pivoted or tilted inside the cartridge holder 101 during the insertion process.
- the ink cartridge 30 may be inserted into the cartridge holder 101 in a direction diagonally frontward and upward, without being pivoted.
- the ink cartridge 30 is fixed in position in the front-rear direction by the lock surface 151 contacting the shaft 145 from the front side thereof.
- the positioning means for the ink cartridge 30 is not limited to this contact between the lock surface 151 and shaft 145.
- the ink cartridge 30 may be fixed in the front-rear direction through sliding resistance between the positioning surface 89 of the ink cartridge 30 and the bottom surface on the protruding part 114 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110, and sliding resistance between the bottom surface 42A of the ink cartridge 30 and the inner top surface on the bottom wall 59 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110.
- the ink cartridge 30 may be fixed in the front-rear direction through sliding resistance between the sealing member 76 of the ink cartridge 30 and the tube 102 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110, for example.
- the structure of the ink cartridge 30 is not limited to those shown in Figs. 4 to 6 and 12A through 18 .
- Fig. 19 depicts an ink cartridge 830 according to a sixth modification to the embodiment.
- the ink cartridge 830 includes a housing 831 and a circuit board 864.
- the housing 831 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Specifically, in the housing 831, a rear wall 841 and a front wall 840 respectively extend vertically, while a bottom wall 842 and a top wall 839 extend horizontally.
- a front surface 840A of the front wall 840 faces frontward
- a rear surface 841A of the rear wall 841 faces rearward
- a bottom surface 842A of the bottom wall 842 faces vertically downward
- a top surface 839A of the top wall 839 faces vertically upward.
- the ink cartridge 830 does not include the projection 67, positioning surface 89, protruding part 43, operating part 90, cylinder 75, valve 79, and coil spring 80, unlike the ink cartridge 30 of the depicted embodiment.
- a sealing member 876 defining a passage 875A therein is fitted in a through-hole penetrating the front wall 840 in the front-rear direction.
- a front end of the passage 875A that is open on the front wall 840 is closed by a seal 142.
- a protruding part 888 is formed on the top surface 839A of the top wall 839 for supporting the circuit board 864 thereon.
- the protruding part 888 has a top surface 888A that is sloped relative to the virtual plane PL1, just as the top surface 88A of the protruding part 88 of the embodiment.
- the circuit board 864 includes a substrate 863 and the memory 66, but the battery 68 is dispensed with.
- the substrate 863 has a first surface 861 (top surface) and a second surface 862 opposite to the first surface 861.
- the second surface 862 of the substrate 863 is fixed to the sloped top surface 888A of the protruding part 888.
- the first surface 861 of the substrate 863 is sloped relative to the virtual plane PL1.
- the first surface 861 slopes upward toward the front with the acute angle ⁇ formed between the first surface 861 and the virtual plane PL1.
- the electrodes 65 are formed on the first surface 861 at positions closer to an upper edge 861U of the first surface 861 than to a lower edge 861L of the first surface 861.
- the memory 66 is mounted on the first surface 861 at a position closer to the lower edge 861L than to the upper edge 861U. That is, the memory 66 is positioned lower than the electrodes 65 on the sloped first surface 861.
- the ink cartridge 830 is inserted into the cartridge holder 101 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110, without being pivoted, in a direction diagonally upward and frontward. If the ink cartridge 830 is inserted in the front-rear direction without being pivoted, the rear wall 136 of the connector 130 needs to be omitted in order to prevent interference between the substrate 863 and the connector 130 during the insertion of the ink cartridge 830 into the cartridge-attachment section 110.
- the electrodes 65 are formed on the first surface 61 (upper surface) of the substrate 63.
- the electrodes 65 may be formed on the front end face 63A rather than the first surface 61.
- Fig. 20 shows an ink cartridge 930 according to a variation of the embodiment.
- the ink cartridge 930 includes: a housing 931 defining a storage chamber 932 therein; and a circuit board 964 supported by a top wall 939 of the housing 931.
- the housing 931 of this variation has a generally rectangular shape in a vertical cross-sectional view, as in the sixth modification.
- a rear wall 941 and a front wall 940 of the housing 931 respectively extend vertically, while a bottom wall 942 and a top wall 939 of the housing 931 extend horizontally.
- the passage 75A is formed in the cylinder 75 protruding frontward from the front wall 940.
- the circuit board 964 includes a substrate 963 received in a support portion 988 that is recessed downward and frontward relative to a top surface 939A of the top wall 939.
- the electrodes 65 are formed on an upper end surface 963A of the substrate 963.
- the upper end surface 963A defines a thickness of the substrate 963 in the front-rear direction between a first surface 961 and a second surface 962 of the substrate 963.
- the substrate 963 of this variation is arranged to be inclined relative to the virtual plane PL1 such that the first surface 961 is sloped relative to the virtual plane PL1 to form the angle ⁇ therebetween in the upright posture.
- the second surface 962 is also sloped relative to the virtual plane PL1 in this variation.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on the second surface 962 of the substrate 963.
- the battery 68 is positioned lower than the memory 66.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 mounted on the second surface 962 of the substrate 963 are accommodated in the support portion 988 formed in the top wall 939.
- the electrodes 65 formed on the upper end surface 963A are positioned between the rear wall 136 and front wall 137 in the front-rear direction. In the attached state, the electrodes 65 are in contact with the contacts 132 of the connector 130 and the first surface 961 is separated from the rear wall 136, as in the embodiment.
- the electrodes 65 can contact the contacts 132 of the connector 130 in the attached state of the ink cartridge 930 to the cartridge-attachment section 110, as in the embodiment, without interfering with the front wall 137 and rear wall 136 that are provided near the contacts 132 at the connector 130. Further, impact is less likely to be impinged on the battery 68, at least directly, since the battery 68 is accommodated in the support portion 988.
- Fig. 21 depicts an ink cartridge 1030 in which a substrate 1063 is arranged vertically.
- the ink cartridge 1030 includes a housing 1031 defining a storage chamber 1032 therein, and a circuit board 1064 supported by a top wall 1039 of the housing 1031.
- the circuit board 1064 includes the substrate 1063 that extends vertically in the upright posture.
- each of a second surface 1062 and a first surface 1061 of the substrate 1063 forms an angle of 90 degrees relative to the virtual plane PL1.
- an upper end face 1063A of the substrate 1063 faces vertically upward, i.e., extends horizontally.
- the substrate 1063 defines a length in the vertical direction that is greater than the thickness thereof in the front-rear direction.
- the electrodes 65 are formed on the upper end face 1063A of the substrate 1063.
- the memory 66 and battery 68 are mounted on the second surface 1062 of the substrate 1063.
- the substrate 1063 (circuit board 1064) is received in a support portion 1088 formed in the top wall 1039 of the housing 1031.
- the support portion 1088 is recessed vertically downward relative to a top surface 1039A of the top wall 1039.
- the electrodes 65 formed on the upper end face 1063A of the substrate 1063 faces vertically upward in the upright posture.
- the substrate 1063 supporting the electrodes 65 is positioned rearward of the front wall 137 and frontward of the rear wall 136 in the front-rear direction in the attached state of the ink cartridge 1030. That is, the electrodes 65 of the liquid cartridge 1030 in the attached state are positioned between the rear wall 136 and front wall 137 in the front-rear direction.
- the electrodes 65 can contact the contacts 132 of the connector 130 in the attached state of the ink cartridge 1030, without interfering with the front wall 137 and rear wall 136 that are provided near the contacts 132 at the connector 130. Further, impact is less likely to be impinged on the battery 68, at least directly, since the battery 68 is accommodated in the support portion 1088.
- the housing of the liquid cartridge of the present disclosure may not necessarily be configured as a single member, but may be configured of a plurality of members assembled to each other.
- the top wall of the housing may not necessarily be configured of a single member but may be configured of a plurality of members assembled to each other. That is, the substrate of the present disclosure may be supported by an upper wall configured of more than one member.
- the substrate is bonded to the top surface of the top wall of the housing, i.e., directly supported by the top wall of the housing.
- the substrate of the present disclosure may be supported indirectly by the top wall of the housing, through a separate member or even through a plurality of members.
- ink is described as an example of liquid, but the liquid cartridge may store a liquid other than ink, such as a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto sheets or the like prior to ink during a printing operation, or water for cleaning the recording head 21.
- a liquid other than ink such as a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto sheets or the like prior to ink during a printing operation, or water for cleaning the recording head 21.
- the ink cartridges 30, 230, 330, 430, 530, 630, and 830 are an example of a liquid cartridge.
- the cartridge-attachment portion 110 is an example of an attachment portion.
- the printer 10 is an example of a printing device.
- the housings 31, 231, 331, 431, 531, 631 and 831 are an example of a housing.
- the storage chamber 32 is an example of a liquid chamber.
- the passages 75A and 875A are an example of a liquid passage.
- the substrates 63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663 863 are an example of a substrate.
- the electrodes 65 are an example of a contact of the cartridge.
- the memory 66 is an example of a memory.
- the battery 68 is an example of an electronic component.
- the first surfaces 61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661 and 861 are an example of a sloped surface.
- the virtual plane PL1 is an example of a first imaginary plane.
- the virtual plane PL2 is an example of a second imaginary plane.
- the virtual plane PL3 is an example of a third imaginary plane.
- the angle ⁇ is an example of a first acute angle.
- the angle ⁇ is an example of a second acute angle.
- the angle ⁇ is an example of a third acute angle.
- the lock surface 151 is an example of an engagement surface.
- the cartridge holder 101 is an example of a holder.
- the contacts 132 are an example of a contact of the device.
- the front wall 137 is an example of a first wall.
- the rear wall 136 is an example of a second wall.
- the right wall 138 is an example of a third wall
- the left wall 139 is an example of a fourth wall.
Landscapes
- Ink Jet (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present disclosure relates to a liquid cartridge storing liquid therein, and a system including the liquid cartridge, and an attachment section to which the liquid cartridge is attachable.
- One conventional system known in the art includes an ink cartridge, and an inkjet recording apparatus. The inkjet recording apparatus includes an attachment section, and the ink cartridge can be mounted into and extracted from the attachment section. The attachment section of the inkjet recording apparatus includes contacts.
- A circuit board may be provided at an ink cartridge (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No.
2013-049164 - Further, in order to form electrodes and the like and to mount memory and the like on a circuit board, the circuit board must be at least a certain size.
- As the functionality of circuit boards continues to improve, the number of components mounted on the circuit boards has increased. For example, components other than memory (batteries, for example) are now being mounted on these circuit boards. Such additions increase the size of the circuit board. In the meantime, walls have been considered as a measure for preventing a user from touching the contacts in the attachment section. The walls are provided in the attachment section on the front and rear sides of the contacts with respect to an insertion direction of the ink cartridge into the attachment section so as to extend downward to a position lower than the contacts. However, the provision of such walls restricts a front-rear dimension of the circuit board.
- In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present disclosure to provide a liquid cartridge including a circuit board (substrate) on which formed are electrodes that can be electrically connected to contacts in an attachment section without requiring the circuit board (substrate) to have smaller dimensions in a case where walls for protecting the contacts are arranged around the periphery of the contacts. It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a system equipped with this liquid cartridge.
- (1) In order to attain the above and other objects, according to one aspect, the present disclosure provides a liquid cartridge configured to be inserted into an attachment portion of a printing device in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational direction and attached to the attachment portion in an upright posture. The attachment portion includes: a holder defining an internal space for accommodating the liquid cartridge in the upright posture; a contact provided at the holder; a first wall provided at the holder and having a first lower end positioned forward in the insertion direction and lower in the gravitational direction relative to the contact of the device; and a second wall provided at the holder and having a second lower end positioned rearward in the insertion direction and lower in the gravitational direction relative to the contact of the device. The contact of the device is positioned between the first wall and the second wall in the insertion direction. The liquid cartridge includes a housing, a substrate, a contact and a memory. The housing includes: a liquid chamber storing liquid therein; and a liquid passage extending frontward in the insertion direction from the liquid chamber. The substrate has a length in the insertion direction greater than a distance between the first wall and the second wall in the insertion direction. The substrate in the upright posture defines a sloped surface facing upward and sloping relative to a first imaginary plane extending in the insertion direction and a widthwise direction orthogonal to the insertion direction and the gravitational direction. The contact of the cartridge is formed on the sloped surface of the substrate and is electrically connectable to the contact of the device at a contact point in the upright posture. The memory is mounted on the substrate and is electrically connected to the contact of the cartridge. The sloped surface forms a first acute angle relative to the first imaginary plane. A second imaginary plane forms a second acute angle relative to the first imaginary plane. A third imaginary plane forms a third acute angle relative to the first imaginary plane. The second imaginary plane passes through the contact point and the second lower end of the second wall and extends in the widthwise direction. The third imaginary plane passes through the contact point and the first lower end of the first wall and extends in the widthwise direction. The first acute angle is greater than at least one of the second acute angle and the third acute angle.
With this structure, since the substrate has the sloped surface sloping relative to the first imaginary plane, the liquid cartridge can be inserted into the attachment portion without interference between the substrate and the first wall and/or the second wall provided near the contact of the holder of the attachment portion. The contact on the substrate of the liquid cartridge can be readily brought into contact with the contact of the device without interference with the first wall and second wall provided near the contact of the device.
Further, with this structure, since the substrate has the sloped surface sloping relative to the first imaginary plane, the liquid cartridge can be inserted into the attachment portion without interference between the substrate and the first wall and/or the second wall even if the length of the substrate in the insertion direction is greater than the distance between the first wall and the second wall in the insertion direction.
Still further, the length (dimension) of the substrate in the insertion direction can be made greater than the distance between the first wall and the second wall in the insertion direction, meaning that the size of the substrate can be enlarged than otherwise. Hence, sufficient space can be allocated on the substrate of the cartridge for forming the contact and mounting the memory thereon.
Still further, due to the sloped surface of the substrate, foreign matters deposited on the sloped surface can easily fall off the sloped surface. - (2) In the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (1), it is preferable that: the sloped surface defines an upper edge and a lower edge in the upright posture; and the contact of the cartridge is formed on the sloped surface at a position closer to the upper edge than to the lower edge.
With this structure, the contact of the cartridge can be better positioned to realize contact with the contact of the device. - (3) In the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (1) or aspect (2), preferably, the memory is mounted on the substrate at a position lower than the contact of the cartridge in the upright posture.
With this structure, the memory is less likely to collide with the contact of the device. - (4) Preferably, the liquid cartridge according to any one of the aspects (1)-(3) may further includes an electronic component electrically connected to the memory and configured to supply power to the memory. In this case, preferably, the substrate has an upper end face and a lower end face in the upright posture, the electronic component being mounted on the substrate at a position closer to the lower end face than to the upper end face in the upright posture.
The electronic component of the disclosure may be any types of electronic components or elements that can serve as means for supplying power to the memory. For example, the electronic component may be a battery or a capacitor in a charged state.
In the attached state of the liquid cartridge to the attachment portion, that is, in a state where the contact of the cartridge is in contact with the contact of the device, an upper portion of the substrate (a portion near the upper end face) is positioned between the first wall and the second wall. Consequently, there is not enough room for mounting the electronic component in the upper portion of the substrate. However, with the above-described structure, the electronic component is mounted on a bottom portion of the substrate (a portion closer to the lower end face) where sufficient space can be allocated. - (5) In the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (4), preferably, the electronic component is positioned lower than the memory in the upright posture.
This structure can reduce a likelihood that the electronic component collides with the contact of the cartridge and that the collision may cause deterioration in the functionality of the memory electrically connected to the electronic component. Further, by arranging the contact of the cartridge, memory, and electronic component as described above, wiring for electrically connecting the contact of the cartridge to the memory and wiring for electrically connecting the electronic component to the memory can be run without interference more easily. - (6) In the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (1), preferably, the sloped surface defines an upper edge and a lower edge in the upright posture, the upper edge being positioned frontward relative to the lower edge in the insertion direction.
With this structure, the sloped surface faces rearward, while the liquid passage is open frontward. Hence, liquid leaking out of the liquid passage is less likely to become deposited on the sloped surface. - (7) Preferably, in the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (1), the sloped surface defines an upper edge and a lower edge in the upright posture, the upper edge being positioned rearward relative to the lower edge in the insertion direction.
With this structure, the rear edge of the sloped surface constitutes the upper edge of the sloped surface. Hence, this structure can reduce a potential for collision between the contact of the device and the sloped surface (i.e., a portion of the substrate positioned forward of the rear edge). - (8) In the liquid cartridge according to any one of the aspects (1)-(7), preferably, the accommodating portion further includes: a third wall provided at the holder and having a third lower end positioned lower than the contact of the device in the gravitational direction; and a fourth wall provided at the holder and having a fourth lower end positioned lower than the contact of the device in the gravitational direction, the contact of the device being positioned between the third wall and the fourth wall in the widthwise direction. Preferably, in this case, the substrate has a width in the widthwise direction smaller than a distance between the third wall and the fourth wall in the widthwise direction.
With this structure, the contact on the substrate of the cartridge can be readily brought into contact with the contact of the device positioned between the third wall and the fourth wall in the widthwise direction. - (9) In the liquid cartridge according to any one of the aspects (1)-(8), it is also preferable that the length of the substrate in the insertion direction is greater than a width of the substrate in the widthwise direction.
- (10) In the liquid cartridge according to any one of the aspects (1)-(9), it is further preferable that: the contact of the cartridge includes a plurality of electrodes formed on the substrate; and the plurality of electrodes extends in the insertion direction and is arranged to be aligned with one another in the widthwise direction in the upright posture.
With this structure, since the plurality of electrodes are formed to be aligned with one another in the widthwise direction, the range over which the electrodes are formed in the insertion direction can be reduced. Further, elongating the electrodes in the insertion direction can reduce a potential that the electrodes may lose contact with the contact of the device, even if the position of the liquid cartridge with respect to the insertion direction within the attachment portion varies while the liquid cartridge is attached to the attachment portion. - (11) In the liquid cartridge according to any one of the aspects (1)-(10), preferably, the substrate is a rigid substrate.
- (12) Still preferably, in the liquid cartridge according to any one of the aspects (1)-(11), the memory is mounted on a surface of the substrate opposite the sloped surface in the upright posture.
This structure can prevent the memory from being directly affected by impact attributed to collisions between the liquid cartridge and members in the attachment portion that may occur during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the attachment portion. - (13) In the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (1), preferably, the housing further includes a support portion supporting the substrate to maintain the first acute angle of the sloped surface relative to the first imaginary plane in the upright posture.
With this structure, the substrate can be reliably supported by the housing with the first acute angle maintained relative to the first imaginary plane. - (14) Alternatively, in the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (1), it is also preferable that: the sloped surface defines an upper edge and a lower edge in the upright posture; and the substrate has a thickness in the gravitational direction in the upright posture, the thickness being smaller near the lower edge than near the upper edge in the upright posture.
- (15) Further, the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (1) may further also include an engagement surface configured to engage the holder. In this case, preferably, the engagement surface is brought into engagement with the holder by being pivoted upward during insertion of the liquid cartridge into the accommodating portion.
With this structure, without adding a complex structure to the liquid cartridge and/or the holder, the contact of the cartridge can be moved to a position for contacting the contact of the device without contacting the second wall during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the holder of the attachment portion. - (16) According to another aspect, the present disclosure also provides a system including: the liquid cartridge according to any one of the aspects (1)-(15); and an attachment portion, the liquid cartridge being configured to be inserted into the attachment portion in an insertion direction and attached to the attachment portion in an upright posture. The attachment portion includes: a holder defining an internal space therein for accommodating the liquid cartridge in the upright posture; a contact provided at the holder; a first wall provided at the holder and having a first lower end positioned forward in the insertion direction and lower in the gravitational direction relative to the contact of the device in the upright posture; and a second wall provided at the holder and having a second lower end positioned rearward in the insertion direction and lower in the gravitational direction relative to the contact of the device in the upright posture, the contact of the device being positioned between the first wall and the second wall in the insertion direction.
With this structure, since the substrate of the liquid cartridge has the sloped surface sloping relative to the first imaginary plane, the liquid cartridge can be inserted into the attachment portion without interference between the substrate and the first wall and/or the second wall provided near the contact of the holder of the attachment portion. The contact on the substrate of the liquid cartridge can be readily brought into contact with the contact of the device without interference with the first wall and second wall provided near the contact of the device.
Further, with this structure, since the substrate of the liquid cartridge has the sloped surface sloping relative to the first imaginary plane, the liquid cartridge can be inserted into the attachment portion without interference between the substrate and the first wall and/or the second wall even if the length of the substrate in the insertion direction is greater than the distance between the first wall and the second wall in the insertion direction.
Still further, the length (dimension) of the substrate in the insertion direction can be made greater than the distance between the first wall and the second wall in the insertion direction, meaning that the size of the substrate can be enlarged than otherwise. Hence, sufficient space can be allocated on the substrate for forming the contact of the cartridge and mounting the memory thereon.
Still further, due to the sloped surface of the substrate, foreign matters deposited on the sloped surface can easily fall off the sloped surface. - (17) According to still another aspect, the present disclosure also provides a liquid cartridge configured to be inserted into an attachment portion of a printing device in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational direction and attached to the attachment portion in an upright posture. The liquid cartridge includes a housing, a substrate, a contact, a memory and an electronic component. The housing includes: a liquid chamber storing liquid therein; and a liquid passage extending frontward in the insertion direction from the liquid chamber. The substrate extends in the insertion direction. The substrate has an upper surface facing upward and sloping relative to the insertion direction in the upright posture. The contact of the cartridge is formed on the upper surface of the substrate. The memory is mounted on the substrate and is electrically connected to the contact of the cartridge. The electronic component is mounted on the substrate and is electrically connected to the memory for supplying power to the memory. The electronic component is positioned lower than the contact of the cartridge in the upright posture.
With this structure, since the electronic component is positioned lower than the contact of the cartridge, the electronic component is less likely to directly collide with components of the attachment portion during the insertion of the liquid cartridge into the attachment portion or when the liquid cartridge is dropped onto a floor.
In this liquid cartridge according to the aspect (17), the above-described features (2)-(15) can be incorporated as appropriate. - (18) In the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (17), it is preferable that: the upper surface has a front edge and a rear edge in the insertion direction in the upright posture; and the upper surface slopes relative to the insertion direction such that the front edge is positioned higher relative to the rear edge in the upright posture.
With this structure, the upper surface slopes to face rearward, while the liquid passage extends frontward to be open frontward. Hence, liquid leaking out of the liquid passage is less likely to become deposited on the upper surface. - (19) In the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (17), it is also preferable that: the upper surface has a front edge and a rear edge in the insertion direction in the upright posture; and the upper surface slopes relative to the insertion direction such that the front edge is positioned lower relative to the rear edge in the upright posture.
With this structure, the rear edge of the upper surface constitutes the upper edge of the upper surface. That is, the upper surface slopes to face frontward. Hence, this structure can reduce a potential for collision between the contact of the device and the sloped surface. - (20) Further, in the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (17), preferably, the substrate has a bottom surface opposite the upper surface in the upright posture, the memory and the electronic component being mounted on the bottom surface of the substrate.
With this structure, since the electronic component and the memory are mounted on the bottom surface of the substrate, the electronic component and the memory can be prevented from directly interfering with components of the attachment portion. - (21) According to still another aspect, the present disclosure provides a liquid cartridge configured to be inserted into an attachment portion of a printing device in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational direction and attached to the attachment portion in an upright posture. The liquid cartridge includes a housing, a substrate, a contact, a memory and an electronic component. The housing includes: a liquid chamber storing liquid therein; and a liquid passage extending forward in the insertion direction from the liquid chamber. The substrate extends upward in the upright posture. The substrate has a thickness in the insertion direction and a length in the gravitational direction in the upright posture, the length being greater than the thickness. The contact is formed on an upper end face of the substrate and is electrically connectable to a contact of the printing device in the upright posture. The memory is mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to the contact of the cartridge. The electronic component is mounted on the substrate and electrically connected to the memory for supplying power to the memory.
With this structure, the contact formed at the upper end face of the substrate is readily brought into contact with the contact of the device in the attached state of the liquid cartridge to the attachment portion. - (22) According to still another aspect, the present disclosure provides a liquid cartridge configured to be inserted into an attachment portion of a printing device in an insertion direction crossing a gravitational direction and attached to the attachment portion in an upright posture. The liquid cartridge includes a housing, a substrate, a contact, a memory and an electronic component. The housing includes: a liquid chamber storing liquid therein; and a liquid passage extending forward in the insertion direction from the liquid chamber. The substrate has: a first sloped surface and a second sloped surface opposite each other in the insertion direction; and an end surface defining a thickness of the substrate in the insertion direction between the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface. The first sloped surface and the second sloped surface are sloped relative to the insertion direction in the upright posture. The contact is formed on the end surface of the substrate and is electrically connectable to a contact of the printing device in the upright posture. The memory is mounted on the second sloped surface of the substrate and is electrically connected to the contact of the cartridge. The electronic component is mounted on the second sloped surface of the substrate and is electrically connected to the memory for supplying power to the memory.
With this structure, the contact formed at the end surface of the substrate is readily brought into contact with the contact of the device in the attached state of the liquid cartridge to the attachment portion.
Note that, in this liquid cartridge (22), at least one of the first sloped surface and the second sloped surface may be sloped relative to the insertion direction in the upright posture. - (23) In the liquid cartridge according to the aspect (21) or (22), preferably, the electronic component is positioned lower than the memory.
With this structure, since the electronic component is positioned lower than the memory, i.e., spaced away from the memory, impact is less likely to be imparted onto the electronic component when interference occurs between the liquid cartridge and the attachment portion.
In this liquid cartridge according to the aspect (21) or (22), the above-described features (2)-(15) can be incorporated as appropriate. - (24) According to still another aspect, the present disclosure may also provide a system including: the liquid cartridge according to any one of the aspects (21)-(23); and an accommodating portion. The liquid cartridge is configured to be inserted into the attachment portion in an insertion direction and is attached to the attachment portion in an upright posture. Preferably, the accommodation portion includes a holder, a contact, a first wall and a second wall. The holder defines an internal space for accommodating the liquid cartridge in the upright posture. The contact of the device, the first wall and the second wall are provided at the holder. The first wall has a first lower end positioned forward in the insertion direction and lower in the gravitational direction relative to the contact of the device. The second wall has a second lower end positioned rearward in the insertion direction and lower in the gravitational direction relative to the contact of the device. The contact of the device is positioned between the first wall and the second wall in the insertion direction. In this system, preferably, the upper end face of the substrate is positioned rearward of the first wall and frontward of the second wall in the insertion direction in the upright posture.
- (25) According to still another aspect, the present disclosure can also be embodied as use of the liquid cartridge according to any one of the aspects (1)-(15), and (17)-(23).
- In the drawings:
-
Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional diagram schematically illustrating an internal structure of a printer according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; -
Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a cartridge-attachment section according to the embodiment; -
Fig. 3A is a perspective view of a connector of the cartridge-attachment section according to the embodiment; -
Fig. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the connector according to the embodiment taken along a plane IIIB-IIIB shown inFig. 3A ; -
Fig. 4 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to the embodiment in an upright posture; -
Fig. 5A is a rear side view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment in the upright posture; -
Fig. 5B is a partially-enlarged plan view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment in the upright posture; -
Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment; -
Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment being inserted into the cartridge-attachment section; -
Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment being inserted into the cartridge-attachment section, the ink cartridge being in a pivoted posture; -
Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge according to the embodiment attached to the cartridge-attachment section, the ink cartridge being in the upright posture; -
Fig. 10 is a flowchart illustrating steps to determine whether the ink cartridge according to the embodiment is attached to the cartridge-attachment section; -
Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating another way of determining whether the inlc cartridge according to the embodiment is attached to the cartridge-attachment section; -
Figs. 12A through 12D are partially-enlarged cross-sectional views illustrating various circuit boards of ink cartridges according to a first modification to the embodiment; -
Fig. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a second modification to the embodiment; -
Fig. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a third modification to the embodiment; -
Fig. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a fourth modification; -
Fig. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a fifth modification to the embodiment; -
Fig. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a sixth modification to the embodiment; -
Fig. 18 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a seventh modification to the embodiment; -
Fig. 19 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a variation of the embodiment; -
Fig. 20 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to still another variation of the embodiment; and -
Fig. 21 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an ink cartridge according to a variation of the ink cartridge shown inFig. 20 . - Hereinafter, an embodiment of the disclosure will be described in detail while referring to accompanying drawings. It would be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present disclosure and modifications and variations may be made therein without departing from the scope of the disclosure.
- As shown in
Fig. 1 , aprinter 10 according to the embodiment is configured to record images on sheets of paper based on an inkjet recording method of ejecting ink droplets toward the sheets. Theprinter 10 includes arecording head 21, a cartridge-attachment portion 110, andink tubes 20.Ink cartridges 30 storing ink to be supplied to therecording head 21 are detachably attachable to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Theink tubes 20 connect therecording head 21 to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Anopening 112 is formed in one end of the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Theink cartridge 30 and the cartridge-attachment section 110 of theprinter 10 constitute a system of the present disclosure. - The
ink cartridges 30 are inserted into the cartridge-attachment portion 110 through theopening 112 in order to be attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Theink cartridges 30 are also extracted from the cartridge-attachment portion 110 through theopening 112.Fig. 1 shows one of theink cartridges 30 in its attached state in the cartridge-attachment portion 110, i.e., when theink cartridge 30 has been completely attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110.Fig. 9 shows theink cartridge 30 and cartridge-attachment portion 110 ofFig. 1 . That is,Fig. 9 shows the attached state of theink cartridge 30. - In the following description, as shown in
Fig. 9 , afrontward direction 51 is defined as a direction in which theink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Further, a posture of theink cartridge 30 when being inserted forward into and attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110 is defined as an upright posture. Hence, when in its attached state, theink cartridge 30 is in the upright posture.Figs. 1 and4 through 9 illustrate theink cartridge 30 in this upright posture. Arearward direction 52 is defined as a direction opposite thefrontward direction 51, and is a direction in which theink cartridge 30 is extracted from the cartridge-attachment portion 110. In the present embodiment, a horizontal direction is defined as a direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity and parallel to the insertion direction. Both thefrontward direction 51 andrearward direction 52 are parallel to the horizontal direction (direction orthogonal to the direction of gravity). Thefrontward direction 51 andrearward direction 52 intersect the direction of gravity. Further, adownward direction 53 is defined as the direction of gravity, and anupward direction 54 is defined as a direction opposite the direction of gravity. As shown inFigs. 5A and 5B , arightward direction 55 and aleftward direction 56 are defined as directions orthogonal to thefrontward direction 51 anddownward direction 53. More specifically, when theink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture (the attached state shown inFig. 1 ), therightward direction 55 is defined as a direction extending rightward and theleftward direction 56 as a direction extending leftward when theink cartridge 30 is viewed from the rear, as illustrated inFig. 5A . - Further, in the following description, the
frontward direction 51 andrearward direction 52 are collectively referred to as a front-rear direction, theupward direction 54 anddownward direction 53 are collectively referred to as a vertical direction, and therightward direction 55 andleftward direction 56 are collectively referred to as a left-right direction. - In the state where the
ink cartridge 30 is completely attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110, theink cartridge 30 has a height in the up-down direction; a depth in the front-rear direction (i.e., in the insertion direction); and a width in the left-right direction (i.e., widthwise direction). - When the
ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture, the width direction of theink cartridge 30 corresponds to the left-right direction, the height direction of theink cartridge 30 corresponds to the vertical direction, and the depth direction of theink cartridge 30 corresponds to the front-rear direction. - While in its upright posture, the
ink cartridge 30 is inserted forward into the cartridge-attachment portion 110 through the opening 112 (seeFigs. 7 and8 ) until theink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (seeFig. 9 ). Theink cartridge 30 is also extracted rearward from the cartridge-attachment portion 110 while in its upright posture. - The
ink cartridge 30 stores ink that theprinter 10 can use for printing. As shown inFig. 1 , theink cartridge 30 is connected to therecording head 21 by theink tube 20 when theink cartridge 30 is in its attached state in the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Therecording head 21 includessub-tanks 28, andnozzles 29. Each of the sub-tanks 28 temporarily holds ink to be supplied through the correspondingink tube 20. Therecording head 21 ejects ink supplied from the sub-tanks 28 through thenozzles 29 according to an inkjet recording method. More specifically, therecording head 21 includes a head control board (not shown), andpiezoelectric elements 29A corresponding one-on-one to thenozzles 29. The head control board selectively applies drive voltages to thepiezoelectric elements 29A in order to eject ink from thenozzles 29. - The
printer 10 also includes asheet tray 15, afeed roller 23, a conveyingpath 24, a pair of conveyingrollers 25, aplaten 26, a pair ofdischarge rollers 27, and adischarge tray 16. Thefeed roller 23 feeds each of the sheets from thesheet tray 15 onto the conveyingpath 24, and the conveyingrollers 25 convey the sheet over theplaten 26. Therecording head 21 ejects ink onto the sheet as the sheet passes over theplaten 26, whereby an image is recorded on the sheet. Thedischarge rollers 27 receive the sheet that has passed over theplaten 26 and discharge the sheet into thedischarge tray 16 provided on a downstream end of the conveyingpath 24. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , the cartridge-attachment portion 110 includes acartridge holder 101, acover 111, acover sensor 118,tubes 102, ashaft 145,tanks 103,optical sensors 113, protrudingparts 114, andconnectors 130. - The
cartridge holder 101 shown inFig. 2 constitutes a casing of the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Thecartridge holder 101 has a box shape. Aninterior space 104 is formed inside thecartridge holder 101. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , thecartridge holder 101 is provided with anend wall 57, abottom wall 59, atop wall 58, and a pair ofside walls 60. Thebottom wall 59 extends rearward from a bottom edge of theend wall 57. Thetop wall 58 extends rearward from a top edge of theend wall 57 and is separated vertically from thebottom wall 59. Theside walls 60 extend rearward from respective right and left edges of theend wall 57. Theside wall 60 extending from the right edge of theend wall 57 is connected to right edges of thebottom wall 59 andtop wall 58, while theside wall 60 extending from the left edge of theend wall 57 is connected to left edges of thebottom wall 59 andtop wall 58. Hence, theside walls 60 connect thetop wall 58 to thebottom wall 59. - The
opening 112 is formed in a rear end of thecartridge holder 101 to oppose theend wall 57 in the front-rear direction. Theopening 112 is in communication with theinterior space 104 of thecartridge holder 101. A user faces theopening 112 when using theprinter 10. - The
interior space 104 of thecartridge holder 101 is defined by theend wall 57,bottom wall 59,top wall 58, andside walls 60. Partitioning walls (not shown) partition theinterior space 104 into four compartments. One each of thetubes 102,tanks 103,optical sensors 113, protrudingparts 114, andconnector 130 is provided in each compartment of the partitionedinterior space 104. Note that the number of compartments in theinterior space 104 is not limited to four. - The
tube 102 shown inFig. 2 is a cylindrically shaped member formed of a resin. As shown inFig. 2 , thetubes 102 are located in a lower portion of theend wall 57 constituting thecartridge holder 101. Thetubes 102 protrude farther rearward than theend wall 57 of thecartridge holder 101. A rear end (distal end) and a front end (proximal end) of eachtube 102 are both open. - The
tube 102 has aninterior space 102A. Avalve 115 and acoil spring 116 are accommodated in theinterior space 102A. By moving in the front-rear direction, thevalve 115 opens and closes anopening 102B formed in the distal end of thetube 102. Thecoil spring 116 urges thevalve 115 rearward. Hence, when an external force is not being applied to the valve 115 (when theink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110), thevalve 115 closes theopening 102B. Further, when an external force is not being applied to thevalve 115, a rear end of thevalve 115 urged by thecoil spring 116 protrudes rearward from theopening 102B. - Notches (not shown) are formed in a peripheral wall of the
tube 102 at the distal end thereof, and specifically in a portion of the peripheral wall positioned rearward from a part of thevalve 115 that closes theopening 102B, i.e., a front end of thevalve 115. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , theshaft 145 extends in the left-right direction near thetop wall 58 of thecartridge holder 101 and near theopening 112. Theshaft 145 is a rod-shaped member that extends in the left-right direction through theinterior space 104 of thecartridge holder 101. Theshaft 145 is a metal rod, for example. Left and right ends of theshaft 145 are fixed to theside walls 60 of thecartridge holder 101. - As shown in
Fig. 1 , thecover 111 is provided near theopening 112 formed in thecartridge holder 101. Thecover 111 is capable of covering theopening 112 or exposing theopening 112 to the outside by closing and opening on thecartridge holder 101. Thecover 111 is supported on apivot shaft 109 that extends in the left-right direction near a portion of thecartridge holder 101 defining a bottom edge of theopening 112. With this construction, thecover 111 is capable of pivoting from a closed position (seeFig. 1 ) for covering theopening 112 to an open position so that a top edge of thecover 111 moves forward. When thecover 111 is in the open position, the user can insertink cartridges 30 into thecartridge holder 101 through theopening 112 formed in thecartridge holder 101. When thecover 111 is in the closed position, the user cannot insertink cartridges 30 into or extractink cartridges 30 from thecartridge holder 101. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , thetanks 103 are provided frontward of thecartridge holder 101. Eachtank 103 has a box shape and can accommodate ink internally. Thetank 103 has a top portion that is open to the outside through anair communication port 124. Accordingly, the interior of thetank 103 is open to the atmosphere. The interior space in thetank 103 is in communication with the front end of thecorresponding tube 102 via the correspondingink tube 20. With this arrangement, ink flowing out of theinterior space 102A of thetube 102 is accumulated in thetank 103. The interior space of thetank 103 is also in communication with therecording head 21 via the correspondingink tube 20. Accordingly, ink stored in the interior of thetank 103 is supplied to therecording head 21 through the correspondingink tube 20. - Note that the cartridge-
attachment portion 110 need not be provided with thetanks 103. In this case, the front ends of thetubes 102 communicate with therecording head 21 via theink tubes 20 without passing through thetanks 103. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , theoptical sensors 113 are disposed near thetop wall 58 of thecartridge holder 101. Theoptical sensors 113 are positioned farther forward than theshaft 145 in the front-rear direction. Eachoptical sensor 113 includes a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part. The light-emitting part is disposed on the right or left of the light-receiving part with a gap formed therebetween. The light-emitting part is configured to emit light toward the light-receiving part in the left-right direction. - The
optical sensors 113 is configured to output detection signals to a controller 1 (seeFig. 1 ). The signals differ according to whether the corresponding light-receiving part receives light emitted from the corresponding light-emitting part. For example, theoptical sensor 113 outputs a low level signal to thecontroller 1 when the light-receiving part cannot receive light emitted from the light-emitting part (that is, when the received light is less than a prescribed intensity) and outputs a high level signal to thecontroller 1 when the light-receiving part can receive light emitted from the light-emitting part (that is, when the received light is greater than or equal to the prescribed intensity). Here, thecontroller 1 is a device for controlling operations of theprinter 10 and is configured of a CPU, ROM, and RAM, for example. - The
cover sensor 118 is disposed on thecartridge holder 101 near the top edge of theopening 112. Thecover sensor 118 includes a light-emitting part and a light-receiving part. When thecover 111 is in the closed position, a part of thecover 111 is disposed in an optical path of the light traveling from the light-emitting part toward the light-receiving part, blocking the light from reaching the light-receiving part in thecover sensor 118. Accordingly, thecover sensor 118 outputs a low level signal to thecontroller 1. When thecover 111 is not in the closed position, that is, when thecover 111 is in a position separated from thecover sensor 118, thecover 111 does not interrupt light traveling from the light-emitting part to the light-receiving part, and thecover sensor 118 outputs a high level signal to thecontroller 1. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , the protrudingparts 114 protrude downward from thetop wall 58 of thecartridge holder 101. The protrudingparts 114 are disposed rearward of the correspondingoptical sensors 113 and forward of theshaft 145 in the front-rear direction. - As shown in
Figs. 2 through 3B , each of theconnectors 130 includescontacts 132, and acase 131 accommodating thecontacts 132. - As shown in
Fig. 2 , acircuit board 133 is fixed to thecartridge holder 101 in proximity to thetop wall 58. Thecircuit board 133 is positioned farther rearward than thetubes 102 andoptical sensors 113 and farther forward than theshaft 145 and protrudingparts 114. Thecircuit board 133 is fixed to thecartridge holder 101. Thecases 131 of theconnectors 130 are fixed to a bottom surface of thecircuit board 133 with screws, solder, or the like (not shown). Hence, theconnectors 130 are fixed to thecartridge holder 101 via thecircuit board 133. Note that theconnectors 130 need not be fixed to thecartridge holder 101. For example, theconnectors 130 may be removably fitted into or otherwise attached to the bottom surface of thecircuit board 133. - As shown in
Figs. 3A and 3B , thecase 131 of eachconnector 130 has a general rectangular parallelepiped shape.Slots 135 are formed in thecase 131 from abottom surface 131A to atop surface 131C. Theslots 135 also pass through arear surface 131B of thecase 131. Four of theslots 135 are formed at intervals in the left-right direction. The fourslots 135 provide four internal spaces in thecase 131. Asingle contact 132 is disposed in each of the four internal spaces. Thus, theconnector 130 includes fourcontacts 132. Note that the number ofslots 135 is not limited to four. That is, the number ofcontacts 132 provided in theconnector 130 is not limited to four. - The
case 131 supports thecontacts 132 in the corresponding internal spaces formed by theslots 135. Thecontacts 132 are configured of members that are flexible and electrically conductive. Bottom ends 132A of thecontacts 132 protrude farther downward than thebottom surface 131A of thecase 131. The bottom ends 132A of thecontacts 132 can be elastically deformed upward. - Top ends 132B of the contacts 132 (see
Fig. 3B ) are mounted on thecircuit board 133. Through this construction, thecontacts 132 are electrically connected to an electric circuit mounted on thesame circuit board 133. In other words, electricity can be conducted between thecontacts 132 and the electric circuit. This electric circuit is also electrically connected to the controller 1 (seeFig. 1 ). - The
case 131 also includes arear wall 136, afront wall 137, aright wall 138, and aleft wall 139. Therear wall 136,front wall 137,right wall 138, and leftwall 139 protrude downward from thebottom surface 131A of thecase 131. Bottom edges of therear wall 136,front wall 137,right wall 138, and leftwall 139 are thus positioned lower than bottom edges of thecontacts 132. Note that at least one of theright wall 138 and leftwall 139 may be omitted from thecase 131. - The
rear wall 136 is positioned farther rearward than the bottom ends 132A of thecontacts 132. Thefront wall 137 is positioned farther forward than the bottom ends 132A of thecontacts 132. Therear wall 136 andfront wall 137 are aligned with each other in the front-rear direction. Theright wall 138 is positioned farther rightward than the bottom ends 132A of thecontacts 132, and theleft wall 139 is positioned farther leftward than the bottom ends 132A of thecontacts 132. Theright wall 138 and leftwall 139 are aligned with each other in the left-right direction. A front edge of theright wall 138 is connected to a right edge of thefront wall 137, and a rear edge of theright wall 138 is connected to a right edge of therear wall 136. A front edge of theleft wall 139 is connected to a left edge of thefront wall 137, and a rear edge of theleft wall 139 is connected to a left edge of therear wall 136. - The
ink cartridge 30 shown inFigs. 4 to 6 is a container that stores ink. Oneink cartridge 30 is accommodated in each of the four compartments partitioned in theinterior space 104 of the cartridge holder 101 (seeFig. 2 ). Thus, fourink cartridges 30 can be accommodated in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 in the present embodiment. Each of the fourink cartridges 30 corresponds to one of the ink colors cyan, magenta, yellow, and black. Ink in one of these colors is stored in thecorresponding ink cartridge 30. Note that the number ofink cartridges 30 that the cartridge-attachment portion 110 can accommodate is not limited to four. - As shown in
Figs. 4 to 6 , theink cartridge 30 includes ahousing 31, a sealingmember 76, a protrudingpart 43, an operatingpart 90, aprojection 67, a protrudingpart 88, and acircuit board 64. - The
housing 31 is configured of afront wall 40, arear wall 41, atop wall 39, abottom wall 42, and a pair ofside walls front wall 40 andrear wall 41 are separated from each other in the front-rear direction. Thetop wall 39 is arranged between thefront wall 40 andrear wall 41 and extends from a top edge of thefront wall 40 to a top edge of therear wall 41. Thebottom wall 42 is arranged between thefront wall 40 andrear wall 41 and extends from a bottom edge of thefront wall 40 to a bottom edge of therear wall 41. Thetop wall 39 andbottom wall 42 are separated from each other in the direction of gravity. Theside wall 37 andside wall 38 are separated from each other in the left-right direction. Peripheral edges of theside walls front wall 40,rear wall 41,top wall 39, andbottom wall 42. - In a state where the
ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture, a direction from therear wall 41 to thefront wall 40 is equivalent to thefrontward direction 51, a direction from thefront wall 40 to therear wall 41 is equivalent to therearward direction 52, a direction from thetop wall 39 to thebottom wall 42 is equivalent to thedownward direction 53, a direction from thebottom wall 42 to thetop wall 39 is equivalent to theupward direction 54, a direction from theside wall 38 to theside wall 37 is equivalent to therightward direction 55, and a direction from theside wall 37 to theside wall 38 is equivalent to theleftward direction 56. Also in this upright posture, afront surface 40A of thefront wall 40 faces forward, arear surface 41A of therear wall 41 faces rearward, abottom surface 42A of thebottom wall 42 faces downward, atop surface 39A of thetop wall 39 faces upward, aright surface 37A of theside wall 37 faces rightward, and aleft surface 38A of theside wall 38 faces leftward. - The
front wall 40 is configured of afront wall 40B, and afront wall 40C positioned farther rearward than thefront wall 40B. That is, a front surface of thefront wall 40B and a front surface of thefront wall 40C constitute thefront surface 40A of thefront wall 40. - The
bottom wall 42 is configured of abottom wall 42B, and a bottom wall 42C positioned higher than thebottom wall 42B. A bottom surface of thebottom wall 42B and a bottom surface of the bottom wall 42C constitute thebottom surface 42A of thebottom wall 42. The bottom wall 42C extends continuously rearward from a bottom edge of thefront wall 40B. Thebottom wall 42B and bottom wall 42C are joined through thefront wall 40C. The bottom surface of thebottom wall 42B is a sloped surface that slopes relative to the front-rear direction so that its front edge is lower than its rear edge. - The
rear wall 41 is configured of anupper portion 41U, and alower portion 41L. Theupper portion 41U is positioned above thelower portion 41L. Thelower portion 41L is positioned farther forward than theupper portion 41U. Both theupper portion 41U andlower portion 41L are flat surfaces. Theupper portion 41U andlower portion 41L extend in directions that intersect but are not orthogonal to each other. Thelower portion 41L slopes relative to the vertical direction, and specifically slopes forward from top to bottom. - Unless otherwise specified, it will be assumed that the
ink cartridge 30 is in its upright posture in the following description. In other words, the vertical, front-rear, and left-right directions for theink cartridge 30 are defined based on theink cartridge 30 being in the upright posture. - The
ink cartridge 30 has an overall flattened shape in which a left-right dimension thereof (width) is smaller than a front-rear dimension thereof (depth), and the vertical and front-rear dimensions (height and depth) are larger than the left-right dimension (width). - The
ink cartridge 30 is mounted in thecartridge holder 101 by inserting theink cartridge 30 forward through theopening 112 formed in thecartridge holder 101 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110 and is removed from thecartridge holder 101 by pulling theink cartridge 30 rearward through theopening 112. - As shown in
Fig. 4 , thehousing 31 defines therein astorage chamber 32 for storing ink. Thestorage chamber 32 is positioned between thefront wall 40 andrear wall 41, between thetop wall 39 andbottom wall 42, and between the pair ofside walls storage chamber 32 is defined by a surface of thefront wall 40 opposite thefront surface 40A (rear surface of the front wall 40), a surface of therear wall 41 opposite therear surface 41A (front surface of the rear wall 41), a surface of thetop wall 39 opposite thetop surface 39A (lower surface of the top wall 39), and a surface of thebottom wall 42 opposite thebottom surface 42A (upper surface of the bottom wall 42). - In the
housing 31, at least therear wall 41 has a light-transmission capability so that a level of ink stored in thestorage chamber 32 is visible from the outside. - The
housing 31 includes thecylinder 75 that protrudes forward from the front surface of thefront wall 40C. Thecylinder 75 is elongated in the front-rear direction. Apassage 75A extending in the front-rear direction is formed inside thecylinder 75. That is, the direction in which thecylinder 75 andpassage 75A extend (front-rear direction) is aligned with the insertion direction of theink cartridge 30. Anopening 75B is formed in a front end of thecylinder 75 and in communication with thepassage 75A. Thepassage 75A has a rear end in communication with thestorage chamber 32. That is, thepassage 75A is open at its rear end on the front surface of thefront wall 40C. In other words, thepassage 75A is open frontward at thefront wall 40. Hence, thepassage 75A penetrates thefront wall 40. - The
passage 75A accommodates avalve 79, and acoil spring 80. Thevalve 79 opens and closes theopening 75B by moving in the front-rear direction. Thecoil spring 80 urges thevalve 79 rearward. Therefore, when an external force is not applied to thevalve 79, thevalve 79 firmly contacts the sealingmember 76 fitted in theopening 75B. However, when an external force is applied to thevalve 79, thevalve 79 separates from the sealingmember 76, allowing ink stored in thestorage chamber 32 to be supplied through thepassage 75A and out through theopening 75B in thecylinder 75. Note that a structure for switching opening and closing of theopening 75B is not limited to the structure configured of thevalve 79. For example, theopening 75B may be closed by a seal adhered to thecylinder 75. - An
air communication port 140 is formed in thetop wall 39 of thehousing 31. Aseal 141 seals theair communication port 140 prior to theink cartridge 30 being inserted into the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Theseal 141 can be peeled off theair communication port 140. By peeling theseal 141 off theair communication port 140 before inserting theink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment portion 110, thestorage chamber 32 is able to communicate with the external air via theair communication port 140. Note that communication between thestorage chamber 32 and external air may be achieved through means not involving peeling off theseal 141. For example, a valve may be provided in theair communication port 140, and the valve may be used to switch communication between thestorage chamber 32 and the outside air on and off. - The
front wall 40,rear wall 41,top wall 39,bottom wall 42, andside walls front wall 40 in the embodiment, or may be configured of single walls in the manner of therear wall 41. - Further, the surfaces of the
ink cartridge 30 including thefront surface 40A of thefront wall 40,rear surface 41A of therear wall 41,top surface 39A of thetop wall 39,bottom surface 42A of thebottom wall 42,right surface 37A of theside wall 37, and leftsurface 38A of theside wall 38 need not be formed as single flat surfaces. - The
front surface 40A of thefront wall 40 is a surface of thehousing 31 that is visible when viewing theink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from the front side. According to a concept of the present disclosure, a front surface includes: a surface of thehousing 31 positioned farthest forward (thefront surface 40A); and a surface positioned forward of a halfway point in the front-rear direction between the forwardmost surface and a rearmost surface of the housing 31 (therear surface 41A). - The
rear surface 41A of therear wall 41 is a surface of thehousing 31 that is visible when viewing theink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from the rear side. The concept of a rear surface in the present disclosure includes: a surface of thehousing 31 positioned farthest rearward (therear surface 41A); and a surface positioned rearward of the halfway point in the front-rear direction between the rearmost surface and the forwardmost surface of the housing 31 (front surface 40A). - The
top surface 39A of thetop wall 39 is a surface of thehousing 31 that is visible when viewing theink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from above. The concept of the top surface in the present disclosure includes: a topmost surface of the housing 31 (thetop surface 39A); and a surface above a vertical halfway point between this topmost surface and a bottommost surface of the housing 31 (thebottom surface 42A). - The
bottom surface 42A of thebottom wall 42 is a surface of thehousing 31 that is visible when viewing theink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from below. The concept of the bottom surface in the present disclosure includes: the bottommost surface of the housing 31 (thebottom surface 42A); and a surface below the vertical halfway point between this bottommost surface and the topmost surface of the housing 31 (thetop surface 39A). - The
right surface 37A of theside wall 37 is a surface of thehousing 31 that is visible when viewing theink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from the right side. - The
left surface 38A of theside wall 38 is a surface of thehousing 31 that is visible when viewing theink cartridge 30 in its upright posture from the left side. - The sealing
member 76 shown inFig. 4 is configured of an elastic member formed of rubber or the like. The sealingmember 76 is a ring-shaped member with a circular through-hole 76A formed in a center thereof. The through-hole 76A has a diameter smaller than an outer diameter of thetube 102 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (seeFig. 2 ). As shown inFig. 4 , the sealingmember 76 is disposed near theopening 75B of thecylinder 75 so that the through-hole 76A is at the same position as theopening 75B in the front-rear direction. The sealingmember 76 has an outer diameter larger than a diameter of theopening 75B. Accordingly, when the sealingmember 76 is fitted into theopening 75B, a hermetic seal is formed between the sealingmember 76 and thecylinder 75 to provide a light-tight seal therebetween. - The sealing
member 76 is prevented from coming out of thecylinder 75 by well-known means. For example, the sealingmember 76 may be fixed in thecylinder 75 by interposing the sealingmember 76 between thecylinder 75 and a cap (not shown) placed over thecylinder 75, or may be fixed in thecylinder 75 by adhesive. - As shown in
Fig. 4 , the protrudingpart 43 is formed on a rear portion of thetop surface 39A of thetop wall 39. The protrudingpart 43 protrudes upward and is elongated in the front-rear direction. The protrudingpart 43 has arear end face 151 facing rearward which serves as alock surface 151. - The protruding
part 43 also includes ahorizontal surface 154 that extends continuously forward from thelock surface 151. Thehorizontal surface 154 expands in both the left-right and front-rear directions. The protrudingpart 43 also includes asloped surface 155 that is forward of and continuous with thehorizontal surface 154. Thesloped surface 155 slopes relative to the front-rear direction, and specifically slopes downward toward the front. - The protruding
part 43 also includes apositioning surface 89. Thepositioning surface 89 is formed frontward of the slopedsurface 155. Thepositioning surface 89 faces upward. - As shown in
Fig. 4 , the operatingpart 90 is formed on thetop wall 39 at a position rearward of thelock surface 151. The operatingpart 90 has an operatingsurface 92. The user operates the operatingpart 90 in order to pull theink cartridge 30 mounted in thecartridge holder 101 rearward. - As shown in
Fig. 4 , theprojection 67 is provided on thetop surface 39A of thetop wall 39. Theprojection 67 protrudes upward from thetop surface 39A and is elongated in the front-rear direction. Theprojection 67 is positioned forward of thepositioning surface 89. When viewed in the left-right direction, theprojection 67 is positioned lower than a virtual plane X that is the highest among virtual planes passing through the upper-front corner of thehousing 31 and the protrudingpart 43. - Light emitted by the
optical sensor 113 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (seeFig. 2 ) is incident on either a right surface or a left surface of theprojection 67. The surface of theprojection 67 on which light is incident will be called a "light-blocking surface". In the present embodiment, theprojection 67 is a plate formed of a resin material that contains a color material (black pigment) capable of blocking or absorbing light, for example. As a variation, a material that prevents the passage of light such as aluminum foil may be affixed to at least the light-blocking surface of theprojection 67. - As shown in
Fig. 4 , the protrudingpart 88 is formed on thetop surface 39A of thetop wall 39 at a position rearward of theprojection 67. The protrudingpart 88 is positioned frontward of the protrudingpart 43. A top edge (front edge) of the protrudingpart 88 is lower than the top edge of the protrudingpart 43. The protrudingpart 88 has atop surface 88A sloping relative to a virtual plane PL1 that extends in the front-rear and left-right directions. Specifically, thetop surface 88A slopes upward toward the front side. - Although the protruding part 88 (as an example of a substrate retaining part) is formed integrally with the
top wall 39 in the embodiment, the substrate retaining part may be a separate member instead. For example, the substrate retaining part may be an adapter that is attached to thetop wall 39. - As shown in
Fig. 4 , the circuit board 64 (more accurately, asubstrate 63 thereof) is supported from below by thetop surface 88A of the protrudingpart 88. - The
circuit board 64 includes thesubstrate 63, amemory 66, abattery 68, andelectrodes 65. Thecircuit board 64 is positioned rearward of theprojection 67 and forward of the protrudingpart 43. Thecircuit board 64 is also positioned farther rearward than the sealingmember 76 in the front-rear direction. More specifically, thecircuit board 64 is positioned farther rearward than the through-hole 76A formed in the sealingmember 76. Thecircuit board 64 is also positioned below the virtual plane X described above in the vertical direction. Thestorage chamber 32 is vertically interposed between thecircuit board 64 and thebottom surface 42A of thebottom wall 42. - The
substrate 63 of thecircuit board 64 is a rigid substrate formed of a glass epoxy or the like. Thecircuit board 64 is configured by mounting thememory 66 andbattery 68 on thesubstrate 63 and forming fourelectrodes 65 on the substrate 63 (seeFig. 5B ). - Note that the number of
electrodes 65 is determined based on the number of thecontacts 132 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (seeFig. 2 ) and is not limited to four. Further, thebattery 68 need not be mounted on thecircuit board 64. - The
substrate 63 has a length in the front-rear direction that is greater than a width thereof in the left-right direction. Preferably, the front-rear dimension of thesubstrate 63 is at least two times greater than the left-right dimension, and more preferably at least three times greater than the left-right dimension. Note that the front-rear dimension of thesubstrate 63 may be less than two times the left-right direction or even less than or equal to the left-right dimension. - Specifically, the
substrate 63 has afront end face 63A and arear end face 63B opposite each other in the front-rear direction. In the present embodiment, the front end face 63A also constitutes an upper end face of thesubstrate 63, whereas the rear end face 63B also constitutes a lower end face of thesubstrate 63. As illustrated inFigs. 4 ,5B and9 , the front-rear dimension of the substrate 63 (a distance between the front end face 63A and therear end face 63B in the front-rear direction) is greater than a gap formed in the front-rear direction between thefront wall 137 andrear wall 136 of theconnector 130 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Further, as shown inFig. 5B , the left-right dimension of thesubstrate 63 is shorter than a gap in the left-right direction between theright wall 138 and leftwall 139 of theconnector 130. - As illustrated in
Fig. 4 , thesubstrate 63 has a first surface 61 (sloped surface), and asecond surface 62. Thefirst surface 61 is exposed to the outside of theink cartridge 30. Thesecond surface 62 is a surface opposite thefirst surface 61. - The
substrate 63 is bonded to thetop surface 88A of the protruding part 88 (i.e., to thetop surface 39A of the top wall 39) with a photopolymer. However, thecircuit board 64 may be bonded to thetop surface 88A with an adhesive other than a photopolymer. Still alternatively, thesubstrate 63 may be mounted on thetop surface 88A by means other than adhesives, such as thermal caulking. Note that when thermal caulking is used to mount thecircuit board 64 on thetop surface 88A, each of the four corners of thecircuit board 64 is preferably fixed to thetop surface 88A; that is, each of the right-front comer, left-front corner, right-rear corner, and left-rear corner in a plan view. However, it should be obvious that the positions subjected to the thermal caulking need not be limited to these four corners. - Since the
top surface 88A of the protrudingpart 88 slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1 such that thetop surface 88A slopes upward toward the front in the front-rear direction, thefirst surface 61 andsecond surface 62 of thesubstrate 63 mounted on thetop surface 88A also slope upward toward the front relative to the virtual plane PL1. That is, thesubstrate 63 is inclined relative to the virtual plane PL1 such that thefirst surface 61 faces diagonally upward and rearward. Thus, a front edge of thefirst surface 61 also constitutes anupper edge 61U of thefirst surface 61, while a rear edge of thefirst surface 61 serves as alower edge 61L thereof. In other words, theupper edge 61U is positioned frontward relative to thelower edge 61L. Through this configuration, the protrudingpart 88 maintains thefirst surface 61 on thesubstrate 63 at a desired angle of inclination relative to the virtual plane PL1. - Specifically, referring to
Fig. 4 , thetop surface 88A of the protrudingpart 88 slopes upward toward the front relative to the virtual plane PL1 and maintains thefirst surface 61 at an angle α of inclination relative to the virtual plane PL1. Here, the angle α formed by thefirst surface 61 and the virtual plane PL1 is an acute angle that is greater than an acute angle β formed by a virtual plane PL2 and the virtual plane PL1. The virtual plane PL2 is a plane extending in the left-right direction and passing throughportions 132C of thecontacts 132 and the bottom edge of therear wall 136. Here, theportions 132C are portions of thecontacts 132 that are in contact with theelectrodes 65 to be connected thereto (seeFig. 5B ) when theink cartridge 30 is in its attached state in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (in the state shown inFig. 9 ). - A plurality of electrodes (not shown) is formed on the
second surface 62 of thesubstrate 63. Thememory 66 is positioned on some of these electrodes. Thebattery 68 is positioned on the electrodes that thememory 66 is not mounted. Hence, thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted on thesecond surface 62 of thesubstrate 63. - Here, a
depression 84 is formed in thetop surface 88A of the protrudingpart 88 in an area corresponding to the region in which thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted. In other words, thememory 66 andbattery 68 mounted on thesecond surface 62 are positioned in thedepression 84. - Here, referring to
Fig. 4 , a shortest distance between thefront end face 63A (upper end face) of thesubstrate 63 and thememory 66 is greater than a shortest distance between therear end face 63B of thesubstrate 63 and thememory 66. Likewise, a shortest distance between thefront end face 63A of thesubstrate 63 and thebattery 68 is also greater than a shortest distance between thefront end face 63A of thesubstrate 63 and thebattery 68. In other words, thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted closer to therear end face 63B (lower end face) of thesubstrate 63 than to thefront end face 63A of thesubstrate 63. Thebattery 68 is mounted at a position diagonally downward and rearward of thememory 66. That is, thebattery 68 is positioned lower than thememory 66 in the upright posture of theink cartridge 30. - The
memory 66 stores information related to theink cartridge 30 that can be read by thecontroller 1 of theprinter 10. The information related to theink cartridge 30 is data specifying a lot number, a manufactured date, an ink color, and the like. Thememory 66 may be a semiconductor memory, such as a Static RAM (SRAM). Note that an integrated circuit (IC) providing function(s) other than a memory may also be mounted on thesubstrate 63, if necessary. - The electrodes on which the
battery 68 is mounted are connected to the electrodes on which thememory 66 is mounted. Hence, thebattery 68 is electrically connected to thememory 66, whereby thebattery 68 can supply electricity to thememory 66. - As shown in
Fig. 3B , each of the fourelectrodes 65 corresponds to one of the fourcontacts 132 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Hence, the number ofelectrodes 65, as with the number ofcontacts 132, is not limited to four. As shown inFig. 5B , the fourelectrodes 65 are exposed on thefirst surface 61 constituting thesubstrate 63, allowing for electrical connections. Eachelectrode 65 is elongated in the front-rear direction. Theelectrodes 65 are arranged parallel to each other and are spaced apart from each other in the left-right direction on the top surface (first surface 61) of thesubstrate 63. Eachelectrode 65 is electrically connected to thememory 66. - A shortest distance between the
upper edge 61U of thefirst surface 61 and theelectrodes 65 is shorter than a shortest distance between thelower edge 61L of thefirst surface 61 and theelectrodes 65. In other words, theelectrodes 65 are formed on thefirst surface 61 at a position closer to theupper edge 61U (front end face 63A) than to thelower edge 61L (rear end face 63B). Theelectrodes 65 are also formed in a position diagonally upward and forward relative to thememory 66 andbattery 68. - The
battery 68 is a button-shaped battery (button cell) in the present embodiment. Thebattery 68 is electrically connected to thememory 66 and is configured to supply power to thememory 66. Upon receipt of the power supply from thebattery 68, the memory 66 (SRAM) can store various data. - Note that, an electronic component other than the
battery 68 may be mounted on thesubstrate 63 for supplying power to thememory 66. For example, a capacitor in a charged state can be employed as another example of the electronic component for supplying power to thememory 66. - Next, operations for mounting the
ink cartridge 30 in thecartridge holder 101 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110 will be described. -
Fig. 4 shows theink cartridge 30 prior to being mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110. At this time, theseal 141 seals theair communication port 140 so that thestorage chamber 32 is not in communication with the atmosphere. Prior to mounting theink cartridge 30 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110, the user peels off theseal 141, opening thestorage chamber 32 to the atmosphere. Also, prior to theink cartridge 30 being mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110, thevalve 79 is in contact with the sealingmember 76. Consequently, ink stored in thestorage chamber 32 is prevented from flowing out of theink cartridge 30 through the through-hole 76A. - In a state where the
ink cartridge 30 is not attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110, no member is positioned between the light-emitting part and light-receiving part of theoptical sensor 113, enabling light to travel from the light-emitting part to the light-receiving part. At this time, theoptical sensor 113 outputs a high level detection signal to the controller 1 (seeFig. 1 ). Further, prior to attachment of theink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment portion 110, thevalve 115 closes theopening 102B, and the rear end of thevalve 115 protrudes rearward from theopening 102B. - In order to attach the
ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment portion 110, theink cartridge 30 is inserted forward into thecartridge holder 101 through theopening 112 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (seeFig. 7 ). Note that while theink cartridge 30 is inserted into thecartridge holder 101 in a state similar to the upright posture in the embodiment, theink cartridge 30 may instead be inserted into thecartridge holder 101 while tilted relative to the horizontal direction. As shown inFig. 4 , theupper portion 41U of therear wall 41 is positioned farther rearward than thelower portion 41L. That is, theupper portion 41U is closer to the user than thelower portion 41L is. Hence, the user pushes forward on theupper portion 41U when inserting theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge holder 101. - As the
ink cartridge 30 is inserted forward into thecartridge holder 101, as illustrated inFig. 7 , thetube 102 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110 is inserted into thepassage 75A of thecylinder 75 through the through-hole 76A formed in the sealing member 76 (theopening 75B). At this time, the outer circumferential surface of thetube 102 closely contacts an inner circumferential surface of the sealing member 76 (the surface defining the through-hole 76A). This configuration not only fixes the position of thecylinder 75 when theink cartridge 30 is in its attached state, but also forms a liquid-tight seal between thecylinder 75 andtube 102 that prevents ink from leaking into thecartridge holder 101. - The
tube 102 inserted into thepassage 75A also contacts and pushes thevalve 79 rearward. Through this action, thevalve 79 is separated from the sealingmember 76 against a forward urging force of thecoil spring 80. - Further, when the distal end of the
tube 102 contacts thevalve 79, thevalve 79 contacts thevalve 115 from the rear side thereof and pushes thevalve 115 forward. Consequently, thevalve 115 moves forward against the urging force of thecoil spring 116. This action allows theinterior space 102A of thetube 102 to communicate with the exterior of thetube 102 through theopening 102B. - As a result, ink stored in the
storage chamber 32 can flow into thetank 103 andrecording head 21 via theinterior space 102A of thetube 102. At this time (in the state shown inFig. 7 ), thecircuit board 64 is not yet in contact with the cartridge-attachment portion 110. - Also, when the
ink cartridge 30 is being inserted forward into thecartridge holder 101, as illustrated inFig. 7 , thesloped surface 155 formed on the protrudingpart 43 of theink cartridge 30 contacts theshaft 145 from the rear. Theshaft 145 is guided along the slopedsurface 155. As the user pushes theupper portion 41U of therear wall 41 forward, torque (rotational moment) is applied to theink cartridge 30 in a counterclockwise direction ofFig. 7 . However, due to the contact between thesloped surface 155 andshaft 145, theink cartridge 30 pivots clockwise inFig. 7 against this torque about a center C of theopening 75B in which thetube 102 is inserted. The position of the center C in theink cartridge 30 depends on the shape of thetube 102 and the shape of theopening 75B, but a center of an area at which the outer surface of thetube 102 contacts the inner circumferential surface of the sealing member 76 (the surface defining the through-hole 76A) is a hypothetical pivot center. The posture of theink cartridge 30 at this point (the orientation of theink cartridge 30 shown inFig. 8 ) will be called a pivoted posture. - Forming the
bottom wall 42 of thehousing 31 as a sloped surface that slopes relative to the front-rear direction provides a space between thebottom wall 42 and an inner top surface of thebottom wall 59 of thecartridge holder 101 needed for this pivotal movement (clockwise pivot). - As the
ink cartridge 30 is inserted farther forward from the state shown inFig. 7 against the rearward urging force of thecoil spring 80, thecircuit board 64 arrives at a position beneath the contacts 132 (seeFig. 8 ). Owing to the pivoting described above, theink cartridge 30 is tilted such that thecircuit board 64 moves below therear wall 136 of theconnector 130, allowing thecircuit board 64 to pass forward under therear wall 136 of theconnector 130 until arriving directly below thecontacts 132. Also owing to the above pivoting, a vertical gap exists between theelectrodes 65 on thecircuit board 64 and thecontacts 132 when theink cartridge 30 is in the pivoted posture. In other words, theelectrodes 65 are separated from thecontacts 132. In addition, thepositioning surface 89 arrives below the protrudingpart 114, but a vertical gap exists between theprotruding part 114 andpositioning surface 89 while theink cartridge 30 is in its pivoted posture. In other words, the protrudingpart 114 is separated from thepositioning surface 89. - Further, in the state depicted in
Fig. 8 , thesloped surface 155 andhorizontal surface 154 of the protrudingpart 43 move to a position farther forward than theshaft 145. When theink cartridge 30 is in this pivoted posture, thelock surface 151 is below theshaft 145. - As the user continues to push forward on the
upper portion 41U of therear wall 41, torque is applied to theink cartridge 30 in the counterclockwise direction ofFig. 8 . Since the slopedsurface 155 andhorizontal surface 154 no longer contact theshaft 145, the force applied by the user causes theink cartridge 30 to pivot counterclockwise inFig. 8 about the center C against the rearward urging force of thecoil spring 80. As a result, theink cartridge 30 assumes a state shown inFig. 9 , the state of theink cartridge 30 at this time is the attached state. In the attached state, thecartridge holder 101 retains theink cartridge 30 in theinterior space 104 in the upright posture. - Next, states of components in the
ink cartridge 30 and cartridge-attachment portion 110 while theink cartridge 30 is in the attached state shown inFig. 9 will be described. - As shown in
Fig. 9 , thetube 102 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110 has advanced into thepassage 75A of thecylinder 75. - By pivoting the
ink cartridge 30 shown inFig. 8 counterclockwise, thepositioning surface 89 of theink cartridge 30 contacts the bottom surface of theprotruding part 114 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 from below. This contact restricts further upward movement of theink cartridge 30, i.e., restricts theink cartridge 30 from pivoting farther counterclockwise about the center C. Thus, theink cartridge 30 is vertically positioned in thecartridge holder 101. - Further, by pivoting the
ink cartridge 30 depicted inFig. 8 counterclockwise, the protrudingpart 43 moves upward. Through this pivotal movement, thelock surface 151 of theink cartridge 30 faces rearward and confronts theshaft 145 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 in the front-rear direction. When the user stops pushing theink cartridge 30 forward, theink cartridge 30 is moved rearward by the urging force of thecoil spring 80. However, since the rearward-facinglock surface 151 confronts theshaft 145, thelock surface 151 contacts theshaft 145 from the front side thereof as theink cartridge 30 moves rearward (seeFig. 9 ). In other words, thelock surface 151 is in contact with the front side of theshaft 145 when theink cartridge 30 is in the attached state. Hence, the protrudingpart 43 is engaged with thecartridge holder 101. This engagement restricts further rearward movement of theink cartridge 30, thereby positioning theink cartridge 30 in the front-rear direction in thecartridge holder 101. - As shown in
Fig. 9 , theprojection 67 is positioned between the light-emitting part and light-receiving part of theoptical sensor 113. Consequently, theprojection 67 blocks the progression of light from the light-emitting part to the light-receiving part. That is, theprojection 67 is positioned in the optical path of light irradiated from the light-emitting part when theink cartridge 30 is in the attached state. In other words, theoptical sensor 113 is positioned such that the light-blocking surface of theprojection 67 is in the optical path of light irradiated from the light-emitting part when theink cartridge 30 is in the attached state. At this time, theoptical sensor 113 outputs a low level detection signal to the controller 1 (seeFig. 1 ). - Further, as a result of the pivoting of the
ink cartridge 30 counterclockwise from the state shown inFig. 8 , theelectrodes 65 of thecircuit board 64contact corresponding contacts 132 from below, thereby elastically deforming thecontacts 132 upward (seeFig. 9 ). Thus, when theink cartridge 30 is in the attached state, theelectrodes 65 are electrically connected to thecontacts 132 while elastically deforming thecontacts 132 upward. With the fourelectrodes 65 contacting the correspondingcontacts 132 so that electricity can be conducted therebetween, a voltage Vc is applied to theelectrodes 65, theelectrodes 65 are grounded, and power is supplied to theelectrodes 65. Through this electrical connection between thecontacts 132 andelectrodes 65, thememory 66 mounted on thecircuit board 64 is also electrically connected to the controller 1 (seeFig. 1 ). Consequently, thecontroller 1 can access thememory 66, enabling data stored in thememory 66 to be inputted into the controller 1 (seeFig. 1 ). - When the
ink cartridge 30 is in the attached state shown inFig. 8 , thefront wall 137 of theconnector 130 is positioned frontward relative to theelectrodes 65 on thecircuit board 64 and thecontacts 132 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110, and therear wall 136 of theconnector 130 is positioned rearward relative to theelectrodes 65 and thecontacts 132. Further, the bottom edge of thefront wall 137 and the bottom edge of therear wall 136 are positioned lower than theelectrodes 65. With this arrangement, theelectrodes 65 andcontacts 132 are interposed between therear wall 136 andfront wall 137 in the front-rear direction when theink cartridge 30 is in its attached state. That is, thefront wall 137 andrear wall 136 enclose theelectrodes 65 andcontacts 132 from the front and rear sides thereof. - Further, a portion of the
first surface 61 on thesubstrate 63 to the front side of the rear wall 136 (i.e., a front portion of the first surface 61) is higher than the bottom edge of therear wall 136, while a portion of thefirst surface 61 rearward of the rear wall 136 (i.e., a rear portion of the first surface 61) is lower than therear wall 136. As described above, the acute angle α formed between thefirst surface 61 and the virtual plane PL1 is greater than the acute angle β formed between the virtual plane PL2 and the virtual plane PL1 (seeFig. 4 ). Accordingly, of thefirst surface 61 on thesubstrate 63, a portion that vertically overlaps therear wall 136 when theink cartridge 30 is in its attached state (when theelectrodes 65 are in contact with the contacts 132) is lower than the bottom edge of therear wall 136 and does not contact therear wall 136. In other words, while thefirst surface 61 of thesubstrate 63 and therear wall 136 face each other vertically when theink cartridge 30 is in the attached state, a gap is formed between thefirst surface 61 and therear wall 136. - As shown in
Fig. 3B , when theink cartridge 30 is in the attached state, theright wall 138 of theconnector 130 is on the right side of theelectrodes 65 andcontacts 132 while theleft wall 139 of theconnector 130 is on the left side of theelectrodes 65 andcontacts 132. Further, the bottom edges of theright wall 138 and leftwall 139 are positioned lower than theelectrodes 65 andcontacts 132 when theink cartridge 30 is in its attached state. With this configuration, theelectrodes 65 andcontacts 132 are interposed between theright wall 138 and leftwall 139 in the left-right direction when theink cartridge 30 is in its attached state. That is, theright wall 138 and leftwall 139 enclose theelectrodes 65 andcontacts 132 from the left and right sides thereof. - To extract the
ink cartridge 30 from thecartridge holder 101 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110, the user pushes the operatingsurface 92 downward. As shown inFig. 9 , the operatingsurface 92 faces obliquely upward and rearward when theink cartridge 30 is in the attached state. Hence, by operating the operatingsurface 92, the user applies force to theink cartridge 30 in a direction diagonally downward and forward. This force pivots theink cartridge 30 clockwise inFig. 9 , causing thepositioning surface 89 to separate from the protrudingpart 114, as illustrated inFig. 8 . Further, thelock surface 151 is moved to a position lower than theshaft 145. In other words, the posture of theink cartridge 30 is changed from the upright posture to the pivoted posture. Consequently, the urging force of thecoil spring 80 moves theink cartridge 30 rearward relative to thecartridge holder 101. Through the above operation, the user can then remove theink cartridge 30 from the cartridge-attachment portion 110. - Next, operations for detecting when an
ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment portion 110 will be described with reference to flowcharts shown inFigs. 10 and11 . - The flowcharts of
Figs. 10 and11 are configured to be initiated when thecover 111 is opened by the user. That is, thecontroller 1 is configured to launch the flowchart ofFig. 10 or the flowchart ofFig. 11 in response to receiving a high level signal outputted from thecover sensor 118. - As shown in
Fig. 10 , in S10 the controller 1 (seeFig. 1 ) determines whether thecover 111 is in the closed position. Thecontroller 1 determines that thecover 111 is in the closed position when the signal outputted from thecover sensor 118 changes to a low level signal. - In a case where the
cover 111 is not in the closed position (S10: NO), thecontroller 1 repeats the determination in S10 until thecover 111 is determined to be closed, i.e., until the signal outputted from thecover sensor 118 changes from high level to low level. - When the
cover 111 is determined to be in the closed position (S10: YES), in S20 thecontroller 1 determines whether thememory 66 on thecircuit board 64 of theink cartridge 30 is accessible, i.e., whether thecontroller 1 can read from or write to thememory 66. When thecontacts 132 are in contact with and electrically connected to theelectrodes 65 on thecircuit board 64, thecontroller 1 is able to access thememory 66 on thecircuit board 64. When thecontacts 132 are not in contact with theelectrodes 65 on thecircuit board 64, thecontroller 1 cannot access thememory 66. - If the
controller 1 cannot access the memory 66 (S20: NO), in S30 thecontroller 1 determines that anink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110. In this case, thecontroller 1 notifies the user that anink cartridge 30 is not mounted by displaying a message on a display panel (not shown) provided on a housing of theprinter 10 and/or emitting a beep or other sound from a speaker (not shown). - However, when the
controller 1 can access the circuit board 64 (S20: YES), in S40 thecontroller 1 determines whether the signal outputted from theoptical sensor 113 to thecontroller 1 is high level or low level. When theprojection 67 is positioned between the light-emitting part and light-receiving part of theoptical sensor 113, theoptical sensor 113 outputs a low level signal to thecontroller 1. When theprojection 67 is not positioned between the light-emitting part and light-receiving part of theoptical sensor 113, theoptical sensor 113 outputs a high level signal to thecontroller 1. - When the signal outputted from the
optical sensor 113 to thecontroller 1 is high level (S40: HIGH), in S50 thecontroller 1 determines that anabnormal ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. In this case, thecontroller 1 notifies the user that anabnormal ink cartridge 30 is mounted by displaying a message on the display panel (not shown) provided on the housing of theprinter 10 and/or playing a beep or other sound from the speaker (not shown). - On the other hand, if the signal outputted by the
optical sensor 113 is low level (S40: LOW), in S60 thecontroller 1 determines that anormal ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. - In the flowchart of
Fig. 10 , thecontroller 1 determines whether anink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 based on whether thecircuit board 64 is accessible, and determines whether theink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 is normal based on the level of the signal outputted from theoptical sensor 113. - However, the
controller 1 may be configured to determine whether anink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 based on the level of the signal outputted from theoptical sensor 113 and to determine whether theink cartridge 30 mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 is normal based on whether thecircuit board 64 is accessible. Steps in this variation will be described next with reference to the flowchart inFig. 11 . - Referring to
Fig. 11 , thecontroller 1 first determines in S110 whether thecover 111 is in the closed position, as in the flowchart ofFig. 10 . Thecontroller 1 repeats the determination in S110 (S110: NO) until thecover 111 is determined to be in the closed position, i.e., until the signal outputted from thecover sensor 118 changes from high level to low level. - When the
controller 1 determines in S110 that thecover 111 is in the closed position (S110: YES), in S120 thecontroller 1 determines whether the signal outputted from theoptical sensor 113 to thecontroller 1 is high level or low level. - If the signal outputted by the
optical sensor 113 is high level (S120: HIGH), in S130 thecontroller 1 determines that anink cartridge 30 is not mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110. In this case, as in S30 ofFig. 10 , thecontroller 1 notifies the user that anink cartridge 30 is not mounted. - However, if the signal outputted by the
optical sensor 113 is low level (S120: LOW), in S140 thecontroller 1 determines whether thecircuit board 64 of theink cartridge 30 is accessible. - If the
controller 1 cannot access the circuit board 64 (S140: NO), in S150 thecontroller 1 determines that anabnormal ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110. In this case, as in S50 ofFig. 10 , thecontroller 1 notifies the user that anabnormal ink cartridge 30 is mounted. - On the other hand, if the
controller 1 can access the circuit board 64 (S140: YES), in S160 thecontroller 1 determines that anormal ink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110. - According to the described embodiment, the
substrate 63 has thefirst surface 61 that slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1 to form the acute angle α therebetween that is greater than the acute angle β formed between the virtual plane PL2 and virtual plane PL1. Therefore, even when thefront wall 137 andrear wall 136 are provided around thecontacts 132 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110, theelectrodes 65 can be brought into contact with thecontacts 132 without thesubstrate 63 contacting thefront wall 137 orrear wall 136. - Further, providing the
substrate 63 with thefirst surface 61 that is sloped relative to the virtual plane PL1 can prevent thesubstrate 63 from contacting thefront wall 137 andrear wall 136, even when the front-rear dimension of thesubstrate 63 is longer than the gap between thefront wall 137 andrear wall 136 in the front-rear direction, as in the embodiment described above. - Since the front-rear dimension of the
substrate 63 can be longer than the gap between thefront wall 137 andrear wall 136 in the front-rear direction, i.e., since the dimensions of thesubstrate 63 can be increased, sufficient space can be allocated on thesubstrate 63 for forming theelectrodes 65 and mounting thememory 66. - Further, since the
substrate 63 includes thefirst surface 61 that slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1, foreign matter deposited on thefirst surface 61 is more likely to fall off thesubstrate 63. - Further, the
electrodes 65 in the embodiment are formed at positions on thefirst surface 61 closer to theupper edge 61U (front end face 63A) than thelower edge 61L (rear end face 63B). Hence, theelectrodes 65 are better positioned to contact thecontacts 132. - The
memory 66 is also positioned on thesecond surface 62 at a position lower than theelectrodes 65 in the depicted embodiment. Hence, thememory 66 is unlikely to collide with thecontacts 132. Further, even if a portion on thefirst surface 61 lower than theelectrodes 65 may collide with thecontacts 132 during the insertion of theink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment section 110, thememory 66 is less likely to be affected by impact of the collision. - When the
electrodes 65 are in contact with thecontacts 132, an upper portion of the substrate 63 (i.e., a portion closer to thefront end face 63A than to the rear end face 63B) is positioned between thefront wall 137 andrear wall 136 in the front-rear direction. Consequently, there is not enough room for mounting thebattery 68 in the upper portion of thesubstrate 63. Hence, thebattery 68 in the embodiment is mounted on a lower portion of the substrate 63 (i.e., a portion closer to therear end face 63B than to thefront end face 63A) where sufficient space can be allocated. - In the depicted embodiment, the
battery 68 is positioned lower than thememory 66. This configuration can reduce the likelihood of thebattery 68 colliding with thecontacts 132 and causing deterioration in the functionality of thememory 66. Further, by arranging theelectrodes 65,memory 66, andbattery 68 as described in the embodiment, wiring for electrically connecting theelectrodes 65 to thememory 66 and wiring for electrically connecting thebattery 68 to thememory 66 can be run without interference more easily. - In the embodiment, the
first surface 61 faces rearward, while thepassage 75A in thecylinder 75 is open frontward. This arrangement can reduce a possibility that ink leaking out of thepassage 75A could become deposited on thefirst surface 61. - In the embodiment, the left-right dimension of the
substrate 63 is shorter than the gap between theright wall 138 and leftwall 139 in the left-right direction. Accordingly, theelectrodes 65 can be brought into contact with thecontacts 132 positioned between theright wall 138 and leftwall 139. - Since the
electrodes 65 are formed to be aligned with each other at intervals in the left-right direction in the embodiment, a range over which theelectrodes 65 are formed in the front-rear direction can be reduced. Further, elongating theelectrodes 65 in the front-rear direction can reduce a potential that theelectrodes 65 may lose contact with thecontacts 132, even if the front-rear position of theink cartridge 30 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 varies when theink cartridge 30 is mounted in the cartridge-attachment portion 110. - Since the
memory 66 is mounted on thesecond surface 62 in the embodiment, collisions between theink cartridge 30 and components in the cartridge-attachment portion 110 that may occur during the insertion of theink cartridge 30 into the cartridge-attachment portion 110 can be prevented from directly impacting thememory 66. - In the depicted embodiment, the
ink cartridge 30 is pivoted during the process of inserting theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge holder 101. Accordingly, without adding a complex structure to theink cartridge 30 and/orcartridge holder 101, theelectrodes 65 can be moved to a position for contacting thecontacts 132 while not coming into contact with therear wall 136 during the process of inserting theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge holder 101. - In the depicted embodiment, the cartridge-attachment portion 110 (precisely, the tube 102) contacts the
rubber sealing member 76 prior to contacting thecircuit board 64 during the process of attaching theink cartridge 30 to the cartridge-attachment portion 110. This contact reduces a speed at which theink cartridge 30 is inserted and can soften the force of impact with thecircuit board 64. - As illustrated in
Fig. 4 , thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted on thesecond surface 62 of thesubstrate 63 in the depicted embodiment. Thememory 66 is mounted at a position diagonally downward and rearward from theelectrodes 65, and thebattery 68 is mounted at a position diagonally downward and rearward from thememory 66. However, the mounting positions of thememory 66 andbattery 68 are not limited to the positions shown inFig. 4 . - For example, as depicted in
Fig. 12A , thebattery 68 may be mounted on thesecond surface 62 at a position diagonally upward and forward of thememory 66. Alternatively, thememory 66 andbattery 68 may be mounted on thefirst surface 61 of thesubstrate 63, rather than on the second surface 62 (seeFig. 12B ), provided that thememory 66 andbattery 68 are positioned lower than theelectrodes 65. Still alternatively, as shown inFig. 12C , thememory 66 may be mounted on thefirst surface 61 of thesubstrate 63 at a position lower than theelectrodes 65, while thebattery 68 is mounted on thesecond surface 62 of thesubstrate 63. Or, conversely, thebattery 68 may be mounted on thefirst surface 61 at a lower position thanelectrodes 65, while thememory 66 is mounted on thesecond surface 62. - Still alternatively, at least one of the
memory 66 andbattery 68 may be mounted farther forward than rear edges of theelectrodes 65 on thesecond surface 62. -
Fig. 12D shows an example configuration in which thememory 66 is mounted farther forward than the rear edges of theelectrodes 65 while thebattery 68 is mounted farther rearward than the rear edges of theelectrodes 65. - In the embodiment described above, the front edge of the
first surface 61 also constitutes theupper edge 61U of thefirst surface 61. However, the rear edge of thefirst surface 61 may be configured as the upper edge. -
Fig. 13 illustrates anink cartridge 230 according to a second modification to the embodiment. Theink cartridge 230 includes ahousing 231 and acircuit board 264. In this second modification, a protrudingpart 287 is provided on atop surface 239A of atop wall 239 of thehousing 231, in place of the protrudingpart 88 of the embodiment. The protrudingpart 287 is positioned forward of the protrudingpart 43 and rearward of theprojection 67 on thetop surface 239A. A top edge of theprotruding part 287 is lower than the top edge of the protrudingpart 43. The protrudingpart 287 has atop surface 287A that slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1, and more specifically that slopes upward toward the rear. The protrudingpart 287 is disposed farther forward than the protrudingpart 88 of the embodiment in the front-rear direction. - The
circuit board 264 includes asubstrate 263 that is supported from below by thetop surface 287A of theprotruding part 287. - As in the embodiment, the
substrate 263 is bonded to thetop surface 287A of theprotruding part 287 with a photopolymer. Of course, as described in the embodiment, thesubstrate 263 may be mounted on thetop surface 287A through means other than bonding with a photopolymer. - Since the
top surface 287A of theprotruding part 287 slopes upward toward the rear relative to the virtual plane PL1, both of afirst surface 261 and asecond surface 262 of thesubstrate 263 bonded to thetop surface 287A slope upward toward the rear relative to the virtual plane PL1. Hence, the rear edge of thefirst surface 261 is anupper edge 261U of thefirst surface 261, while the front edge of thefirst surface 261 is alower edge 261L of thefirst surface 261. In other words, theupper edge 261U is positioned rearward relative to thelower edge 261L. Through this configuration, the protrudingpart 287 maintains thefirst surface 261 of thesubstrate 263 at the desired angle of inclination, i.e., the acute angle α, relative to the virtual plane PL1. - The acute angle α formed by the
first surface 261 and the virtual plane PL1 is greater than an acute angle γ formed by a virtual plane PL3 and the virtual plane PL1. The virtual plane PL3 is a plane that extends in the left-right direction and passes through theportions 132C of thecontacts 132 and the bottom edge of thefront wall 137. - The
memory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted on thesecond surface 262 of thesubstrate 263. A depression 285 is formed in thetop surface 287A of theprotruding part 287 at an area corresponding to the region in which thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted. In other words, thememory 66 andbattery 68 mounted on thesecond surface 262 are accommodated in the depression 285. - The
electrodes 65 are formed on thefirst surface 261 at positions closer to theupper edge 261U thereof than thelower edge 261L. Thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted on thesecond surface 262 at positions closer to alower end face 263B of thesubstrate 263 than atop end face 263A of thesubstrate 263. Further, thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted diagonally downward and forward from theelectrodes 65, and thebattery 68 is mounted diagonally downward and forward from thememory 66. Note that thememory 66 andbattery 68 may be mounted in various other positions, as described in the first modification. - The motion of the
circuit board 264 when theink cartridge 230 is inserted into thecartridge holder 101 is identical to that described in the embodiment. That is, when the user inserts theink cartridge 230 forward into theinterior space 104 of thecartridge holder 101 while pivoting theink cartridge 230, thecircuit board 264 moves forward while passing beneath therear wall 136 of theconnector 130 until arriving at a position directly beneath thecontacts 132. Subsequently, as theink cartridge 230 is pivoted in the opposite direction from the above pivotal movement, theelectrodes 65 of thecircuit board 264 contact thecontacts 132 from below. - When the
ink cartridge 230 is in its attached state, therear wall 136 of theconnector 130 is positioned farther rearward than theelectrodes 65 of thecircuit board 264 and thecontacts 132 in the cartridge-attachment portion 110, and thefront wall 137 of theconnector 130 is positioned farther forward than theelectrodes 65 andcontacts 132. In addition, the bottom edges of thefront wall 137 andrear wall 136 are lower than theelectrodes 65. - A portion of the
first surface 261 on thesubstrate 263 to the rear of the front wall 137 (a rear portion) is positioned higher than the bottom edge of thefront wall 137. A portion of thefirst surface 261 that is forward of thefront wall 137 is positioned lower than thefront wall 137. As described above, the acute angle α formed by thefirst surface 261 and the virtual plane PL1 is greater than the acute angle γ formed by the virtual plane PL3 and the virtual plane PL1. Accordingly, when theink cartridge 230 is in its attached state (when theelectrodes 65 are in contact with the contacts 132), the portion of thefirst surface 261 on thesubstrate 263 that vertically overlaps thefront wall 137 is positioned lower than the bottom edge of thefront wall 137 and is not in contact with thefront wall 137. In other words, when theink cartridge 230 is in its attached state, thefirst surface 261 of thesubstrate 263 vertically opposes thefront wall 137 with a gap formed therebetween. - Also when the
ink cartridge 230 is in its attached state, theright wall 138 and leftwall 139 of theconnector 130 enclose theelectrodes 65 andcontacts 132 from right and left sides, as in the embodiment described above. - Note that, in this structure of the second modification, the acute angle α may not necessarily be greater than the acute angle β formed by the virtual plane PL2 and virtual plane PL1, provided that the acute angle α formed by the
first surface 261 and the virtual plane PL1 is greater than the acute angle γ formed by the virtual plane PL3 and the virtual plane PL1. - According to the second modification, the rear edge of the
first surface 261 serves as theupper edge 261U. This configuration can reduce the potential for collision between the portion of thefirst surface 61 positioned forward of the rear edge and thecontacts 132. - The
substrate 63 is supported on the protrudingpart 88 in the embodiment, and thesubstrate 263 is supported on theprotruding part 287 in the second modification. However, the means for supporting thesubstrate part 88, 287), provided that the substrate is supported such that a first surface thereof (upper surface) slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1 with the acute angle α formed therebetween. - For example,
Fig. 14 illustrates anink cartridge 330 according to a third modification to the embodiment including ahousing 331 and acircuit board 364. In thisink cartridge 330, two protrudingparts top surface 339A of atop wall 339 of thehousing 331, instead of the protrudingpart 88, for supporting asubstrate 363 of thecircuit board 364. The two protrudingparts top surface 339A of thetop wall 339. The protrudingparts gap 384 therebetween on thetop surface 339A. Thesubstrate 363 is supported at front and rear ends thereof by the protrudingparts substrate 363 is maintained to be inclined relative to the virtual plane PL1 with the acute angle α formed between thefirst surface 361 and the virtual plane PL1. - The
electrodes 65 are formed on thefirst surface 361 of thesubstrate 363 at positions closer to anupper edge 361U of thefirst surface 361 than to thelower edge 361L of thefirst surface 361, as in the embodiment. Thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted on a second surface 362 (lower surface) of thesubstrate 363. Thememory 66 andbattery 68 mounted on thesecond surface 362 are accommodated in thegap 384 in a state where thesubstrate 363 is supported by the protrudingparts memory 66 andbattery 68 are lower than theelectrodes 65, as in the embodiment. -
Fig. 15 depicts anink cartridge 430 according to a fourth modification to the embodiment provided with still another example of the support portion in place of the protrudingpart 88 in the embodiment. Theink cartridge 430 includes ahousing 431 and a circuit board 464. Instead of the protrudingpart 43 of the embodiment, thehousing 431 includes aprotruding part 443 formed on atop surface 439A of atop wall 439. A recessedpart 443B is formed in afront surface 443A of theprotruding part 443 for supporting asubstrate 463 of the circuit board 464. Specifically, a rear end portion of thesubstrate 463 is fitted into the recessedpart 443B so that thesubstrate 463 protrudes diagonally upward and forward from thefront surface 443A of theprotruding part 443. With this structure, afirst surface 461 of thesubstrate 463 slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1 with the acute angle α formed therebetween. - The
electrodes 65 are formed on thefirst surface 461 at a position closer to anupper edge 461U of thefirst surface 461 than to alower edge 461L of thefirst surface 461. Thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted on asecond surface 462 of thesubstrate 463 that is fixed above thetop surface 439A. - In the embodiment, the
top surface 88A of the protrudingpart 88 slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1, whereby thefirst surface 61 andsecond surface 62 of thesubstrate 63 supported by thetop surface 88A also slope relative to the virtual plane PL1. However, as long as thefirst surface 61 slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1, it is not absolutely necessary for thesecond surface 62 to slope relative to the virtual plane PL1. -
Fig. 16 shows anink cartridge 530 according to a fifth modification to the embodiment. Theink cartridge 530 includes ahousing 531 and acircuit board 564. Thecircuit board 564 includes a substrate 563 having a generally triangular shape in a vertical cross-sectional view. That is, in this substrate 563, afirst surface 561 slopes relative to the virtual plane PL1 to form the acute angle α therebetween, while asecond surface 562 extends parallel to the virtual plane PL1. Put another way, the substrate 563 has a thickness in the vertical direction that becomes smaller toward alower edge 561L of thefirst surface 561. Or, the thickness (vertical dimension) of the substrate 563 is smaller at thelower edge 561L than at an upper edge 561U of thefirst surface 561. - The substrate 563 is supported directly by a
top wall 539 of thehousing 531 with thesecond surface 562 bonded to a top surface 539A of thetop wall 539. That is, thetop wall 539 does not include the support portion for supporting the substrate 563 in order to maintain the inclination of thefirst surface 561 relative to the virtual plane PL1. - The
electrodes 65 are formed on the slopedfirst surface 561 at positions closer to the upper edge 561U thereof than to thelower edge 561L thereof. Thememory 66 andelectrodes 65 are mounted on the horizonalsecond surface 562. Adepression 584 is formed on the top surface 539A of thetop wall 539 in an area corresponding to the region in which thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted. That is, thememory 66 andbattery 68 mounted on thesecond surface 562 of the substrate 563 are accommodated in thedepression 584. -
Fig. 17 depicts anink cartridge 630 according to a sixth modification to the embodiment. Theink cartridge 630 includes ahousing 631 and acircuit board 664. Thecircuit board 664 is supported on atop wall 639 of thehousing 631. Thecircuit board 664 includes arigid substrate 663 having a thickness greater than a thickness of thesubstrate 63 of the embodiment with respect to the vertical direction. - The
substrate 663 has afirst surface 661 and asecond surface 662. Thefirst surface 661 is sloped relative to the virtual plane PL1 to form the acute angle α therebetween, as in the embodiment. A protruding part 688 is formed on atop surface 639A of thetop wall 639 to support thesubstrate 663. The protruding part 688 has a slopedtop surface 688A for supporting thesecond surface 662 of thesubstrate 663. - Specifically, the
substrate 663 is supported on thetop surface 639A of thetop wall 639 such that: a front end portion of thesecond surface 662 is fixed to the slopedtop surface 688A of the protruding part 688; and a rear edge of thesecond surface 662 is in contact with thetop surface 639A of thetop wall 639. With this structure, the inclination of thefirst surface 661 relative to the virtual plane PL1 can be maintained. - In the
circuit board 664, theelectrodes 65 are formed on thefirst surface 661 at positions closer to anupper edge 661U thereof than to a lower edge 661L thereof, as in the depicted embodiment. Thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted on thesecond surface 662. Thememory 66 is positioned closer to the protruding part 688 than thebattery 68 is to the protruding part 688 in the front-rear direction. Hence, due to the inclination of thesecond surface 662 relative to the virtual plane PL1 (i.e., relative to thetop surface 639A), thememory 66 mounted on thesecond surface 662 is positioned above thetop surface 639A of thetop wall 639. Further, adepression 684 is formed in thetop wall 639 so that thebattery 68 mounted on thesecond surface 662 can be received in thedepression 684. - Note that the
battery 68 may not be mounted on thesecond surface 862. In this case, thedepression 684 is not necessary to be formed in thetop surface 639A of thetop wall 639. - Still alternatively, in a case that the protruding part 688 is shaped such that the
top surface 688A supports an entirety of thesecond surface 662 as in the embodiment, thedepression 684 may be formed in thetop surface 688A to accommodate both of thememory 66 andbattery 68, just as thedepression 84 of the embodiment. - The
substrate 63 of the depicted embodiment is a rigid substrate. However, thesubstrate 63 may be a flexible substrate formed of a plastic film or the like. -
Fig. 18 depicts anink cartridge 730 according to a seventh modification to the embodiment. Theink cartridge 730 includes ahousing 731 and acircuit board 764. Thecircuit board 764 includes aflexible substrate 763. Thesubstrate 763 has a curved shape in a vertical cross-sectional view, contrary to the rigid, flat plate-shapedsubstrate 63 of the embodiment. - A
protruding part 788 is formed on atop surface 739A of atop wall 739 of thehousing 731. The protrudingpart 788 has atop surface 788A that is curved upward to form a generally convex shape in a vertical cross-sectional view. Theflexible substrate 763 is fixed to the curvedtop surface 788A to extend therealong, so that thesubstrate 763 has a curvedfirst surface 761 and asecond surface 762. That is, thesecond surface 762 of thesubstrate 763 is bonded to thetop surface 788A of theprotruding part 788. - The
electrodes 65 are formed on thefirst surface 761 at positions closer to anupper edge 761U thereof, in order to allow theelectrodes 65 to contact thecontacts 132 of theconnector 130 while theink cartridge 730 is attached to thecartridge holder 101 of the cartridge-attachment section 110. Thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted on the curvedsecond surface 762 of thesubstrate 763. Adepression 784 is formed on the curvedtop surface 788A in an area corresponding to the region in which thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted. That is, thememory 66 andbattery 68 mounted on thesecond surface 762 of thesubstrate 763 are accommodated in thedepression 784. - In the embodiment and the modifications described above, communication between the
passage 75A and the outside of thecylinder 75 is switched on and off with thevalve 79. However, theopening 75B may be sealed with a seal rather than thevalve 79. Specifically, the seal is affixed to the front surface of thecylinder 75 before theink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment portion 110, thereby sealing off the through-hole 76A from the outside. Hence, ink in thestorage chamber 32 does not flow through thepassage 75A and out of theink cartridge 30 through the through-hole 76A. When theink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge-attachment portion 110, thetube 102 punctures the seal, breaking the hermetic seal. - In the embodiment described above, the
ink cartridge 30 is pivoted inside thecartridge holder 101 while being inserted therein. However, theink cartridge 30 need not be pivoted or tilted inside thecartridge holder 101 during the insertion process. For example, theink cartridge 30 may be inserted into thecartridge holder 101 in a direction diagonally frontward and upward, without being pivoted. - Further, in the embodiment described above, the
ink cartridge 30 is fixed in position in the front-rear direction by thelock surface 151 contacting theshaft 145 from the front side thereof. However, the positioning means for theink cartridge 30 is not limited to this contact between thelock surface 151 andshaft 145. For example, theink cartridge 30 may be fixed in the front-rear direction through sliding resistance between the positioningsurface 89 of theink cartridge 30 and the bottom surface on theprotruding part 114 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110, and sliding resistance between thebottom surface 42A of theink cartridge 30 and the inner top surface on thebottom wall 59 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110. Alternatively, theink cartridge 30 may be fixed in the front-rear direction through sliding resistance between the sealingmember 76 of theink cartridge 30 and thetube 102 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110, for example. - The structure of the
ink cartridge 30 is not limited to those shown inFigs. 4 to 6 and12A through 18 . For example,Fig. 19 depicts anink cartridge 830 according to a sixth modification to the embodiment. Theink cartridge 830 includes ahousing 831 and acircuit board 864. Thehousing 831 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Specifically, in thehousing 831, arear wall 841 and afront wall 840 respectively extend vertically, while abottom wall 842 and atop wall 839 extend horizontally. Hence, in the upright posture, afront surface 840A of thefront wall 840 faces frontward, arear surface 841A of therear wall 841 faces rearward, abottom surface 842A of thebottom wall 842 faces vertically downward, and atop surface 839A of thetop wall 839 faces vertically upward. - In the structure of
Fig. 19 , theink cartridge 830 does not include theprojection 67, positioningsurface 89, protrudingpart 43, operatingpart 90,cylinder 75,valve 79, andcoil spring 80, unlike theink cartridge 30 of the depicted embodiment. A sealingmember 876 defining apassage 875A therein is fitted in a through-hole penetrating thefront wall 840 in the front-rear direction. A front end of thepassage 875A that is open on thefront wall 840 is closed by aseal 142. Aprotruding part 888 is formed on thetop surface 839A of thetop wall 839 for supporting thecircuit board 864 thereon. The protrudingpart 888 has atop surface 888A that is sloped relative to the virtual plane PL1, just as thetop surface 88A of the protrudingpart 88 of the embodiment. Thecircuit board 864 includes asubstrate 863 and thememory 66, but thebattery 68 is dispensed with. Thesubstrate 863 has a first surface 861 (top surface) and asecond surface 862 opposite to thefirst surface 861. Thesecond surface 862 of thesubstrate 863 is fixed to the slopedtop surface 888A of theprotruding part 888. Hence, thefirst surface 861 of thesubstrate 863 is sloped relative to the virtual plane PL1. Specifically, thefirst surface 861 slopes upward toward the front with the acute angle α formed between thefirst surface 861 and the virtual plane PL1. Theelectrodes 65 are formed on thefirst surface 861 at positions closer to anupper edge 861U of thefirst surface 861 than to alower edge 861L of thefirst surface 861. Thememory 66 is mounted on thefirst surface 861 at a position closer to thelower edge 861L than to theupper edge 861U. That is, thememory 66 is positioned lower than theelectrodes 65 on the slopedfirst surface 861. - With the structure shown in
Fig. 19 , theink cartridge 830 is inserted into thecartridge holder 101 of the cartridge-attachment portion 110, without being pivoted, in a direction diagonally upward and frontward. If theink cartridge 830 is inserted in the front-rear direction without being pivoted, therear wall 136 of theconnector 130 needs to be omitted in order to prevent interference between thesubstrate 863 and theconnector 130 during the insertion of theink cartridge 830 into the cartridge-attachment section 110. - Other variations are further conceivable.
- For example, in the
circuit board 64 of the embodiment, theelectrodes 65 are formed on the first surface 61 (upper surface) of thesubstrate 63. However, theelectrodes 65 may be formed on the front end face 63A rather than thefirst surface 61. - As an example.
Fig. 20 shows anink cartridge 930 according to a variation of the embodiment. Theink cartridge 930 includes: ahousing 931 defining astorage chamber 932 therein; and acircuit board 964 supported by atop wall 939 of thehousing 931. Thehousing 931 of this variation has a generally rectangular shape in a vertical cross-sectional view, as in the sixth modification. Hence, in the upright posture, arear wall 941 and afront wall 940 of thehousing 931 respectively extend vertically, while abottom wall 942 and atop wall 939 of thehousing 931 extend horizontally. Thepassage 75A is formed in thecylinder 75 protruding frontward from thefront wall 940. - The
circuit board 964 includes asubstrate 963 received in asupport portion 988 that is recessed downward and frontward relative to atop surface 939A of thetop wall 939. Theelectrodes 65 are formed on anupper end surface 963A of thesubstrate 963. In the upright posture, theupper end surface 963A defines a thickness of thesubstrate 963 in the front-rear direction between afirst surface 961 and asecond surface 962 of thesubstrate 963. As in the embodiment, thesubstrate 963 of this variation is arranged to be inclined relative to the virtual plane PL1 such that thefirst surface 961 is sloped relative to the virtual plane PL1 to form the angle α therebetween in the upright posture. Thesecond surface 962 is also sloped relative to the virtual plane PL1 in this variation. Thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted on thesecond surface 962 of thesubstrate 963. Thebattery 68 is positioned lower than thememory 66. Thememory 66 andbattery 68 mounted on thesecond surface 962 of thesubstrate 963 are accommodated in thesupport portion 988 formed in thetop wall 939. - In the attached state of the
liquid cartridge 930, theelectrodes 65 formed on theupper end surface 963A are positioned between therear wall 136 andfront wall 137 in the front-rear direction. In the attached state, theelectrodes 65 are in contact with thecontacts 132 of theconnector 130 and thefirst surface 961 is separated from therear wall 136, as in the embodiment. - With this structure of
Fig. 20 , theelectrodes 65 can contact thecontacts 132 of theconnector 130 in the attached state of theink cartridge 930 to the cartridge-attachment section 110, as in the embodiment, without interfering with thefront wall 137 andrear wall 136 that are provided near thecontacts 132 at theconnector 130. Further, impact is less likely to be impinged on thebattery 68, at least directly, since thebattery 68 is accommodated in thesupport portion 988. - Still alternatively, the substrate may be arranged vertically, rather than inclined, relative to the virtual plane PL1. As an example,
Fig. 21 depicts anink cartridge 1030 in which asubstrate 1063 is arranged vertically. - Specifically, the
ink cartridge 1030 includes ahousing 1031 defining astorage chamber 1032 therein, and acircuit board 1064 supported by atop wall 1039 of thehousing 1031. Thecircuit board 1064 includes thesubstrate 1063 that extends vertically in the upright posture. In other words, each of asecond surface 1062 and afirst surface 1061 of thesubstrate 1063 forms an angle of 90 degrees relative to the virtual plane PL1. Hence, anupper end face 1063A of thesubstrate 1063 faces vertically upward, i.e., extends horizontally. In the upright posture, thesubstrate 1063 defines a length in the vertical direction that is greater than the thickness thereof in the front-rear direction. Theelectrodes 65 are formed on theupper end face 1063A of thesubstrate 1063. Thememory 66 andbattery 68 are mounted on thesecond surface 1062 of thesubstrate 1063. The substrate 1063 (circuit board 1064) is received in asupport portion 1088 formed in thetop wall 1039 of thehousing 1031. Thesupport portion 1088 is recessed vertically downward relative to atop surface 1039A of thetop wall 1039. - In this variation, the
electrodes 65 formed on theupper end face 1063A of thesubstrate 1063 faces vertically upward in the upright posture. Thesubstrate 1063 supporting theelectrodes 65 is positioned rearward of thefront wall 137 and frontward of therear wall 136 in the front-rear direction in the attached state of theink cartridge 1030. That is, theelectrodes 65 of theliquid cartridge 1030 in the attached state are positioned between therear wall 136 andfront wall 137 in the front-rear direction. - With this structure of
Fig. 21 , theelectrodes 65 can contact thecontacts 132 of theconnector 130 in the attached state of theink cartridge 1030, without interfering with thefront wall 137 andrear wall 136 that are provided near thecontacts 132 at theconnector 130. Further, impact is less likely to be impinged on thebattery 68, at least directly, since thebattery 68 is accommodated in thesupport portion 1088. - Further, the housing of the liquid cartridge of the present disclosure may not necessarily be configured as a single member, but may be configured of a plurality of members assembled to each other. Likewise, the top wall of the housing may not necessarily be configured of a single member but may be configured of a plurality of members assembled to each other. That is, the substrate of the present disclosure may be supported by an upper wall configured of more than one member.
- Still further, in the depicted embodiment and various modifications thereto, the substrate is bonded to the top surface of the top wall of the housing, i.e., directly supported by the top wall of the housing. Alternatively, the substrate of the present disclosure may be supported indirectly by the top wall of the housing, through a separate member or even through a plurality of members.
- In the depicted embodiment, ink is described as an example of liquid, but the liquid cartridge may store a liquid other than ink, such as a pretreatment liquid that is ejected onto sheets or the like prior to ink during a printing operation, or water for cleaning the
recording head 21. - It should be apparent to those who skilled in the art that the embodiment, various modifications thereto and variations described above may be combined with one another as appropriate.
- The
ink cartridges attachment portion 110 is an example of an attachment portion. Theprinter 10 is an example of a printing device. Thehousings storage chamber 32 is an example of a liquid chamber. Thepassages substrates electrodes 65 are an example of a contact of the cartridge. Thememory 66 is an example of a memory. Thebattery 68 is an example of an electronic component. The first surfaces 61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661 and 861 are an example of a sloped surface. The virtual plane PL1 is an example of a first imaginary plane. The virtual plane PL2 is an example of a second imaginary plane. The virtual plane PL3 is an example of a third imaginary plane. The angle α is an example of a first acute angle. The angle β is an example of a second acute angle. The angle γ is an example of a third acute angle. Thelock surface 151 is an example of an engagement surface. Thecartridge holder 101 is an example of a holder. Thecontacts 132 are an example of a contact of the device. Thefront wall 137 is an example of a first wall. Therear wall 136 is an example of a second wall. Theright wall 138 is an example of a third wall, and theleft wall 139 is an example of a fourth wall.
Claims (15)
- A liquid cartridge (30, 230, 430, 530, 630, 830) configured to be inserted into an accommodating portion (110) of a printing device (10) in an insertion direction (51) crossing a gravitational direction (53) and attached to the accommodating portion (110) in an upright posture,
the accommodating portion (110) comprising:a holder (101) defining an internal space (104) for accommodating the liquid cartridge in the upright posture;a contact (132) provided at the holder (101);a first wall (137) provided at the holder (101) and having a first lower end positioned forward in the insertion direction (51) and lower in the gravitational direction (53) relative to the contact (132) of the device; anda second wall (136) provided at the holder (101) and having a second lower end positioned rearward in the insertion direction (51) and lower in the gravitational direction (53) relative to the contact (132) of the device, the contact (132) of the device being positioned between the first wall (137) and the second wall (136) in the insertion direction (51),the liquid cartridge (30, 230, 430, 530, 630, 830) comprising:a housing (31, 231, 331, 431, 531, 631, 831) comprising:a liquid chamber (32) storing liquid therein; anda liquid passage (75A, 875A) extending frontward in the insertion direction (51) from the liquid chamber;a substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) having a length in the insertion direction (51) greater than a distance between the first wall (137) and the second wall (136) in the insertion direction (51), the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) in the upright posture defining a sloped surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) facing upward and sloping relative to a first imaginary plane (PL1) extending in the insertion direction (51) and a widthwise direction (55, 56) orthogonal to the insertion direction (51) and the gravitational direction;a contact (65) formed on the sloped surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) of the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863), the contact (65) of the cartridge being electrically connectable to the contact (132) of the device at a contact point (132C) in the upright posture; anda memory (66) mounted on the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) and electrically connected to the contact (65) of the cartridge, the sloped surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) forming a first acute angle (α) relative to the first imaginary plane (PL1), a second imaginary plane (PL2) forming a second acute angle (β) relative to the first imaginary plane (PL1), a third imaginary plane (PL3) forming a third acute angle (γ) relative to the first imaginary plane (PL1), the second imaginary plane (PL2) passing through the contact point (132C) and the second lower end of the second wall (136) and extending in the widthwise direction (55, 56), the third imaginary plane (PL3) passing through the contact point (132C) and the first lower end of the first wall (137) and extending in the widthwise direction (55, 56), the first acute angle (α) being greater than at least one of the second acute angle (β) and the third acute angle (γ). - The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sloped surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) defines an upper edge (61U, 261U, 361U, 461U, 561U, 661U, 861U) and a lower edge (61L, 261L, 361L, 461L, 561L, 661L, 861L) in the upright posture, and
wherein the contact (65) of the cartridge is formed on the sloped surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) at a position closer to the upper edge (61U, 261U, 361U, 461U, 561U, 661U, 861U) than to the lower edge (61L, 261L, 361L, 461L, 561L, 661L, 861L). - The liquid cartridge according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the memory (66) is mounted on the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) at a position lower than the contact (65) of the cartridge in the upright posture.
- The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an electronic component (68) electrically connected to the memory (66) and configured to supply power to the memory,
wherein the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663) has an upper end face (63A, 263A, 363A, 463A, 563A, 663A) and a lower end face (63B, 263B, 363B, 463B, 563B, 663B) in the upright posture, the electronic component (68) being mounted on the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663) at a position closer to the lower end face (63B, 263B, 363B, 463B, 563B, 663B) than to the upper end face (63A, 263A, 363A, 463A, 563A, 663A) in the upright posture. - The liquid cartridge according to claim 4, wherein the electronic component (68) is positioned lower than the memory (66) in the upright posture.
- The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sloped surface (61, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) defines an upper edge (61U, 361U, 461U, 561U, 661U, 861U) and a lower edge (61L, 361L, 461L, 561L, 661L, 861L) in the upright posture, the upper edge (61U, 361U, 461U, 561U, 661U, 861U) being positioned frontward relative to the lower edge (61L, 361L, 461L, 561L, 661L, 861L) in the insertion direction (51).
- The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the sloped surface (261) defines an upper edge (261U) and a lower edge (261L) in the upright posture, the upper edge (261U) being positioned rearward relative to the lower edge (261L) in the insertion direction (51).
- The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the accommodating portion (110) further comprises:a third wall (138) provided at the holder (101) and having a third lower end positioned lower than the contact (132) of the device in the gravitational direction; anda fourth wall (139) provided at the holder (101) and having a fourth lower end positioned lower than the contact (132) of the device in the gravitational direction, the contact (132) of the device being positioned between the third wall (138) and the fourth wall (139) in the widthwise direction, andwherein the substrate (63) has a width in the widthwise direction (55, 56) smaller than a distance between the third wall (138) and the fourth wall (139) in the widthwise direction (55, 56).
- The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the length of the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) in the insertion direction (51) is greater than a width of the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) in the widthwise direction.
- The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the contact (65) of the cartridge comprises a plurality of electrodes (65) formed on the sloped surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 561, 661, 861) of the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863), the plurality of electrodes (65) extending in the insertion direction (51) and being arranged to be aligned with one another in the widthwise direction (55, 56) in the upright posture.
- The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663, 863) is a rigid substrate.
- The liquid cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the memory (66) is mounted on a surface of the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 563, 663) opposite the sloped surface (61) in the upright posture.
- The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the housing (31, 231, 331, 431, 631, 831) further comprises a support portion (88, 287, 381, 382, 443A, 443B, 688, 888) supporting the substrate (63, 263, 363, 463, 663, 863) to maintain the first acute angle (α) of the sloped surface (61, 261, 361, 461, 661, 861) relative to the first imaginary plane (PL1) in the upright posture.
- The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, further comprising an engagement surface (151) configured to engage the holder (101),
wherein the engagement surface (151) is brought into engagement with the holder (101) by being pivoted upward during insertion of the liquid cartridge (30, 230, 430, 530, 630) into the accommodating portion (110). - A system comprising:the liquid cartridge (30, 230, 430, 530, 630, 830) according to any one of claims 1 to 14; andan accommodating portion (110), the liquid cartridge (30, 230, 430, 530, 630, 830) being configured to be inserted into the attachment portion (110) in an insertion direction and attached to the attachment portion (110) in an upright posture, the accommodating portion (110) comprising:a holder (101) defining an internal space (104) for accommodating the liquid cartridge in the upright posture;a contact (132) provided at the holder (101);a first wall (137) provided at the holder (101) and having a first lower end positioned forward in the insertion direction (51) and lower in the gravitational direction relative to the contact (132) of the device; anda second wall (136) provided at the holder (101) and having a second lower end positioned rearward in the insertion direction (51) and lower in the gravitational direction relative to the contact (132) of the device, the contact (132) of the device being positioned between the first wall (137) and the second wall (136) in the insertion direction (51).
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP20180499.4A EP3733418B1 (en) | 2018-08-31 | 2018-08-31 | Liquid cartridge and system using the same |
ES18192092T ES2824805T3 (en) | 2018-08-31 | 2018-08-31 | Liquid cartridge and system that uses it |
EP18192092.7A EP3616924B1 (en) | 2018-08-31 | 2018-08-31 | Liquid cartridge and system using the same |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP18192092.7A EP3616924B1 (en) | 2018-08-31 | 2018-08-31 | Liquid cartridge and system using the same |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP20180499.4A Division EP3733418B1 (en) | 2018-08-31 | 2018-08-31 | Liquid cartridge and system using the same |
EP20180499.4A Division-Into EP3733418B1 (en) | 2018-08-31 | 2018-08-31 | Liquid cartridge and system using the same |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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EP3616924A1 true EP3616924A1 (en) | 2020-03-04 |
EP3616924B1 EP3616924B1 (en) | 2020-08-05 |
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ID=63490244
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP18192092.7A Active EP3616924B1 (en) | 2018-08-31 | 2018-08-31 | Liquid cartridge and system using the same |
EP20180499.4A Active EP3733418B1 (en) | 2018-08-31 | 2018-08-31 | Liquid cartridge and system using the same |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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EP20180499.4A Active EP3733418B1 (en) | 2018-08-31 | 2018-08-31 | Liquid cartridge and system using the same |
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EP (2) | EP3616924B1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2824805T3 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2022091467A1 (en) * | 2020-10-26 | 2022-05-05 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid cartridge, and liquid-consuming device using the same |
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JP2013049164A (en) | 2011-08-30 | 2013-03-14 | Brother Industries Ltd | Printing fluid cartridge and recording apparatus |
US8678573B2 (en) * | 2011-12-22 | 2014-03-25 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Printing fluid cartridge |
CN204605193U (en) * | 2014-12-25 | 2015-09-02 | 珠海纳思达企业管理有限公司 | A kind of print cartridge |
EP3300901A1 (en) * | 2016-09-30 | 2018-04-04 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid cartridge and liquid-consuming device |
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JP2002254673A (en) * | 2000-12-25 | 2002-09-11 | Seiko Epson Corp | Ink cartridge for ink jet recorder |
JP5990995B2 (en) * | 2012-04-19 | 2016-09-14 | ブラザー工業株式会社 | Printing fluid cartridge |
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2018
- 2018-08-31 EP EP18192092.7A patent/EP3616924B1/en active Active
- 2018-08-31 ES ES18192092T patent/ES2824805T3/en active Active
- 2018-08-31 EP EP20180499.4A patent/EP3733418B1/en active Active
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DE202009003839U1 (en) * | 2009-03-18 | 2009-06-04 | Kirchner, Manuela | Chip resetter, set with such a chip resetter and printer with such a chip resetter or such a set |
JP2013049164A (en) | 2011-08-30 | 2013-03-14 | Brother Industries Ltd | Printing fluid cartridge and recording apparatus |
US8678573B2 (en) * | 2011-12-22 | 2014-03-25 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Printing fluid cartridge |
CN204605193U (en) * | 2014-12-25 | 2015-09-02 | 珠海纳思达企业管理有限公司 | A kind of print cartridge |
EP3300901A1 (en) * | 2016-09-30 | 2018-04-04 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid cartridge and liquid-consuming device |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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WO2022091467A1 (en) * | 2020-10-26 | 2022-05-05 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid cartridge, and liquid-consuming device using the same |
US11613128B2 (en) | 2020-10-26 | 2023-03-28 | Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha | Liquid cartridge including IC board whose center electrode is aligned with light-blocking plate |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ES2824805T3 (en) | 2021-05-13 |
EP3733418A1 (en) | 2020-11-04 |
EP3616924B1 (en) | 2020-08-05 |
EP3733418B1 (en) | 2022-11-30 |
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