JP4529560B2 - Liquid container - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid container that stores therein a liquid supplied to a liquid consuming apparatus and is detachably mounted on a container mounting portion of the liquid consuming apparatus.

  A typical example of a conventional liquid consuming apparatus is a liquid ejecting apparatus that ejects liquid droplets from an ejecting head. A typical example of the liquid ejecting apparatus is an ink jet recording apparatus that includes an ink jet recording head for image recording. There is. As other liquid ejecting apparatuses, for example, an apparatus having a color material ejecting head used for manufacturing a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an electrode material (conductive paste) used for forming an electrode such as an organic EL display, a surface emitting display (FED), etc. ) An apparatus equipped with an ejection head, an apparatus equipped with a bioorganic matter ejection head used for biochip production, an apparatus equipped with a sample ejection head as a precision pipette, and the like.

  An ink jet recording apparatus, which is a typical example of a liquid ejecting apparatus, is used for many printing including color printing in recent years because noise during printing is relatively low and small dots can be formed with high density. .

  As a liquid supply method for a liquid consuming device typified by an ink jet recording apparatus, there is a method of supplying a liquid from a liquid container storing the liquid to the liquid consuming device. Furthermore, the liquid supply method using the liquid container is configured to be detachable from the liquid consuming device so that the user can easily replace the liquid container when the liquid in the liquid container is consumed. Generally, a liquid container is configured as a cartridge.

  In general, an ink jet recording apparatus includes a carriage mounted with a recording head for ejecting ink droplets and reciprocating along a recording surface of a recording medium. As a method of supplying ink from an ink cartridge to the recording head, There is a system in which an ink cartridge is mounted and ink is supplied to the recording head from an ink cartridge that reciprocates with the recording head. As another method, there is a method in which an ink cartridge is mounted on the case of the apparatus main body and the ink is supplied from the ink cartridge to the recording head via an ink flow path formed by a flexible tube or the like.

  In any of the above ink supply systems, it is required that the ink cartridge can be easily and securely mounted and fixed at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body. Further, when replacing the ink cartridge, the ink cartridge can be easily and easily removed from the apparatus main body. There is a need for reliable removal.

Therefore, in a conventional ink jet recording apparatus and ink cartridge, as a mechanism for securely fixing the ink cartridge at a predetermined position of the apparatus main body, for example, after the ink cartridge is inserted into a cartridge holder or the like of the apparatus main body, A mechanism has been employed in which a stop lever or the like is operated and the ink cartridge is pressed and fixed by a lock lever or the like.
WO99 / 59823 JP2002-19135 JP 2002-254673 A

  However, in such a cartridge fixing mechanism, the step of inserting the ink cartridge into the cartridge holder or the like and the step of fixing after the insertion for operating the locking lever or the like are separate and independent steps, and the ink cartridge is attached to the apparatus main body. The operation was complicated. In addition, this conventional cartridge fixing mechanism requires a two-step operation when removing the ink cartridge.

  In addition, a mechanism in which the fixing of the ink cartridge at the time of mounting is achieved at the same time as the insertion step is conceivable. However, even in this case, a step of releasing the fixing is necessary when removing the ink cartridge. The operation is completely different from the subsequent operation of pulling out the ink cartridge. For this reason, the operation of removing the ink cartridge becomes complicated.

  In addition, among conventional ink jet recording apparatuses and ink cartridges, a storage element (IC) for storing information such as ink type and remaining amount is provided in the ink cartridge, and at the apparatus main body side (for example, a cartridge holder), Some devices have a device-side contact connected to the IC-side electrode.

  When an ink cartridge equipped with such an IC is installed in the apparatus main body, the IC side electrode and the apparatus side contact are securely connected when the ink cartridge is installed in the apparatus main body, and the connection state is ensured. Need to be maintained. In order to securely connect the IC side electrode of the ink cartridge and the device side contact, the IC side electrode of the ink cartridge needs to be accurately positioned with respect to the device side contact when the ink cartridge is mounted on the device main body. There is. Further, in order to reliably maintain the connection state between the IC side electrode of the ink cartridge and the device side contact, the IC side electrode of the ink cartridge is connected to the device side contact while the ink cartridge is mounted on the device body. It is desirable that a pressing force is applied.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances. When the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion of the liquid consuming device, the storage device of the liquid container or the electrode of the circuit board and the contact on the liquid consuming device side are provided. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid container that can be reliably connected and can maintain its connected state.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the first aspect of the present invention is a liquid container that stores therein a liquid supplied to a liquid consuming device and is detachably mounted on a container mounting portion of the liquid consuming device. a container body liquid supply ports are formed for delivering liquid to be supplied to the consuming device, the liquid supply port is disposed on the front surface in the insertion direction of the liquid container during mounting to the container mounting portion, wherein A container body comprising a pair of side surfaces intersecting with a front surface, and an upper surface and a bottom surface intersecting with the front surface and the pair of side surfaces; and a storage device for storing information about liquid stored in the container body, A storage device having an electrode connected to a device-side contact provided in the container mounting portion when the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion; and the container mounting portion when the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion In A container-side abutting portion that is in contact with the device-side abutting portion and receives a pressing force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the liquid container from the device-side abutting portion; The liquid container is placed at a predetermined position of the container mounting part against a force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the liquid container that acts on the liquid container from the container mounting part side when the liquid container is mounted. A container fixing mechanism for holding the container body , wherein the liquid supply port is disposed in a central portion of the front surface of the container body, and the storage device is one of a pair of side surfaces of the container body. The container side abutting portion is disposed at a position opposite to the one side surface with respect to the liquid supply port of the front surface of the container body, The container fixing mechanism may be the upper surface of the container body or Among the surfaces, at a position closer to the side surface of the one with respect to the liquid supply port, by being disposed adjacent the front surface, the liquid supply port, the electrode, the container-side abutment portion of the storage device, And the arrangement of the container fixing mechanism is such that the electrode of the storage device is connected to the device side contact by a pressing force applied from the device side contact portion to the container side contact portion when the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion. It is set to the positional relationship which is pressed toward.

Preferably, the apparatus further includes a container-side positioning portion for positioning the liquid container at the time of mounting on the container mounting portion in cooperation with an apparatus-side positioning portion provided on the container mounting portion. The container-side positioning portion is disposed between the liquid supply port and the one side surface on the front surface of the container main body.

Preferably, the container fixing mechanism moves in the drawing direction of the liquid container in cooperation with an apparatus-side fixing structure provided in the container mounting portion in a state where the liquid container is mounted in the container mounting portion. to have a releasably regulations container side fixing structure.

  Preferably, the container-side fixing structure includes a guide groove into which the locking pin of the device-side fixing structure is inserted and guides the locking pin when the liquid container is attached to or detached from the container mounting portion.

  Preferably, the guide groove includes a locking portion that engages with the locking pin and restricts movement of the liquid container in the drawing direction in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion. The guide groove has a rectangular cross section, and the surface of the storage device on which the electrode is disposed and the bottom surface of the guide groove are perpendicular to each other, and the locking portion of the guide groove includes The liquid container has a side wall portion for receiving the locking pin biased in the direction of the electrode of the storage device in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion.

  Preferably, the container-side positioning portion has a positioning hole into which a positioning projection that constitutes the device-side positioning portion is inserted.

  Preferably, the device-side positioning portion includes a device-side positioning surface that positions the liquid container in the insertion direction, and the container-side positioning portion is in contact with the device-side positioning surface. including.

  Preferably, the container side contact portion is formed around an introduction port for introducing a compressed fluid into the container body.

  Preferably, the container side contact portion is elastically pressed by the device side contact portion.

In order to solve the above-described problem, the second aspect of the present invention is a liquid container that stores therein a liquid supplied to a liquid consuming device and is detachably mounted on a container mounting portion of the liquid consuming device. a container body liquid feed opening is formed for delivering the liquid supplied to the consuming device, the liquid supply port is disposed on the front surface in the insertion direction of the liquid container during mounting to the container mounting portion, wherein A container body having a pair of side surfaces intersecting with a front surface, and an upper surface and a bottom surface intersecting with the front surface and the pair of side surfaces; and a circuit board provided in the container body, wherein the liquid to the container mounting portion A circuit board having an electrode connected to a device-side contact provided in the container mounting portion when the container is mounted, and a device-side contact provided in the container mounting portion when the liquid container is mounted in the container mounting portion Abutted against the part A container-side contact portion that receives a pressing force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the liquid container from the device-side contact portion, and the container mounting portion side from the container mounting portion side when the liquid container is mounted to the container mounting portion. A container fixing mechanism for holding the liquid container at a predetermined position of the container mounting portion against a force in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the liquid container acting on the liquid container; The arrangement of the liquid supply port, the electrode of the circuit board, the container side contact portion, and the container fixing mechanism is such that the device side contact portion is placed on the container side when the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion. The liquid supply port is disposed at the center of the front surface of the container body so that the electrode of the circuit board is pressed toward the device-side contact by the pressing force applied to the contact portion, and the circuit board is Of the pair of side surfaces of the container body The container side contact portion is disposed at a position opposite to the one side surface with respect to the liquid supply port of the front surface of the container body. And the container fixing mechanism is disposed adjacent to the front surface at a position close to the one side surface with respect to the liquid supply port, of the upper surface or the bottom surface of the container body. The arrangement of the mouth, the electrode of the circuit board, the container-side contact portion, and the container fixing mechanism is such that the container-side contact portion is moved from the device-side contact portion when the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion. The positional relationship is set such that the electrode of the circuit board is pressed toward the device-side contact by the pressing force applied to the device .

Preferably, the apparatus further includes a container-side positioning portion for positioning the liquid container at the time of mounting on the container mounting portion in cooperation with an apparatus-side positioning portion provided on the container mounting portion. The container-side positioning portion is disposed between the liquid supply port and the one side surface on the front surface of the container main body.

Preferably, the container fixing mechanism moves in the drawing direction of the liquid container in cooperation with an apparatus-side fixing structure provided in the container mounting portion in a state where the liquid container is mounted in the container mounting portion. to have a releasably regulations container side fixing structure.

  Preferably, the container-side fixing structure includes a guide groove into which the locking pin of the device-side fixing structure is inserted and guides the locking pin when the liquid container is attached to or detached from the container mounting portion.

  Preferably, the guide groove includes a locking portion that engages with the locking pin and restricts movement of the liquid container in the drawing direction in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion. The guide groove has a rectangular cross section, and the surface of the circuit board on which the electrodes are disposed and the bottom surface of the guide groove are perpendicular to each other, and the locking portion of the guide groove includes The liquid container has a side wall portion that receives the locking pin biased in the direction of the electrode of the circuit board in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion.

  Preferably, the container-side positioning portion has a positioning hole into which a positioning projection that constitutes the device-side positioning portion is inserted.

  Preferably, the device-side positioning portion includes a device-side positioning surface that positions the liquid container in the insertion direction, and the container-side positioning portion is in contact with the device-side positioning surface. including.

  Preferably, the container side contact portion is formed around an introduction port for introducing a compressed fluid into the container body.

  Preferably, the container side contact portion is elastically pressed by the device side contact portion.

  In the first or second invention described above, preferably, the liquid consumption device is an ink jet recording device, and the liquid container is an ink cartridge that is detachably attached to the ink jet recording device. .

  According to the present invention, the electrodes of the storage device or the circuit board provided in the liquid container can be reliably connected to the contacts on the liquid consuming device side, and the connection state can be reliably maintained.

  Hereinafter, an ink cartridge for an ink jet recording apparatus will be described with reference to the drawings as an embodiment of a liquid container according to the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment and a cartridge mounting portion 101 of an ink jet recording apparatus 100 to which the ink cartridge 1 is mounted. In this example, six cartridge mounting portions 101 are provided in the ink jet recording apparatus 100, and each cartridge mounting portion 101 is open on the front surface of the ink jet recording apparatus 100. Further, the six cartridge mounting portions 101 are juxtaposed in the same horizontal plane, and the six ink cartridges 1 are juxtaposed side by side.

  2 to 4 are views showing the appearance of the ink cartridge 1. The ink cartridge 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped container body 2, and an ink jet recording is provided at the center of the front surface 2a of the container body 2. FIG. An ink supply port 3 for sending ink supplied to the apparatus 100 is formed.

  Further, a pressurized fluid (preferably compressed air) for pressurizing the ink inside the container body 2 and sending it out from the ink supply port 3 is introduced into the front surface 2 a of the container body 2 into the container body 2. A pressurized fluid inlet 4 is formed.

  Further, a pair of positioning protrusions 103a and 103b (FIGS. 9 and 10) provided in the cartridge mounting portion 101 are inserted into the front surface 2a of the container body 2 to position the ink cartridge 1 in the left-right direction. Positioning holes 5a and 5b are formed. Around the pair of positioning holes 5a and 5b, a cartridge-side positioning surface that contacts the device-side positioning surfaces 104a and 104b (FIGS. 9 and 10) of the cartridge mounting portion 101 and positions the ink cartridge 1 in the insertion direction. 24a and 24b are formed. The pair of positioning holes 5a and 5b and the pair of cartridge side positioning surfaces 24a and 24b constitute a cartridge side positioning portion.

  In addition, an erroneous mounting prevention structure 6 is provided at one corner of the container body 2 including the front surface 2a. This incorrect mounting prevention structure 6 is configured so that when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the ink jet recording apparatus 100, the ink cartridge 1 of a predetermined ink type is correctly mounted at a predetermined position. A shape other than the ink cartridge is provided so that it cannot be mounted.

  Further, a cartridge side fixing structure (container fixing mechanism) is provided on the bottom surface of the container main body 2 adjacent to the front surface 2a of the container main body 2 at the corner opposite to the corner provided with the erroneous mounting prevention structure 6. 7 is provided. The cartridge-side fixing structure 7 restricts the movement of the ink cartridge 1 in the pull-out direction so that the ink cartridge 1 can be released in a state where the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 101, so that the ink cartridge 1 is placed at a predetermined position on the cartridge mounting portion 101. It is to hold.

  In the present embodiment, the cartridge side fixing structure 7 is provided on the bottom surface of the container main body 2, but the formation position of the cartridge side fixing structure 7 is not limited to the bottom surface of the container main body 2, and is disposed on the top surface of the container main body 2, for example. You can also

  Further, on one side surface of the container main body 2 on the side close to the cartridge side fixing structure 7, a circuit board 8 b mounted with an IC (semiconductor storage element) for storing information such as ink type and remaining amount is provided. The surface of the circuit board 8b includes an electrode (cartridge side electrode) 8a that is electrically connected to the IC and is in contact with the apparatus side contact 113 (FIGS. 9 and 10) of the recording apparatus main body. 8 is constituted. The storage device 8, together with the cartridge side fixing structure 7, is disposed at a position near the ink supply port 3 in the entire container body 2. In the present embodiment, the memory element and the electrode 8a are formed on the circuit board 8b. However, the memory element and the electrode 8a may be formed on the FPC and arranged at different positions on the container body 2. it can. When the memory element and the electrode 8a are formed on such an FPC, the electrode 8a can be disposed on the first side surface of the container body 2 and the memory element (semiconductor element) can be disposed on the second side surface.

  As a modification, an ink sensor for detecting the ink level inside the ink cartridge 1 is attached to the ink cartridge 1, and this ink sensor is connected to a circuit board 8 b provided in the ink cartridge 1. Also good. In this case, signals are exchanged between the ink sensor and the apparatus main body (printer) to which the ink cartridge is mounted via the electrodes formed on the circuit board.

  As can be seen from FIG. 4B, the cartridge side fixing structure 7 is disposed between the ink supply port 3 and the storage device 8 in the left-right direction of the container body 2.

  FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the ink cartridge 1, and the container main body 2 includes a case main body 2A having an upper surface opened and a lid member 2B for sealing the upper surface opening of the case main body 2A. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the lid member 2 </ b> B is removed from the ink cartridge 1.

  As can be seen from FIGS. 5 and 6, an ink bag 9 having a flexible ink storage portion (shown by a broken line for explanation) filled with ink is stored in the container body 2. The ink bag 9 is provided with a port portion 10 for sending the ink inside the bag 9 to the outside. A lid 12 is attached to the inner end portion of the port portion 10 with a check valve 11 disposed therein. On the other hand, a seal supply lid 15 is attached to an outer end portion of the port portion 10 with a spring seat 14 biased by a spring 13 disposed therein.

  A film 25 is fixed by thermal welding to a welding portion 26 formed so as to surround the outer periphery of the region of the case main body 2 </ b> A containing the ink bag 9. The sealed space is sealed without the pressurized fluid introduced from the pressurized fluid introduction port 4 (pressurized air in the present embodiment) leaking to the outside, and presses the ink containing portion of the ink bag 9 with the pressurized fluid. The ink can be supplied to the outside. Further, the lid member 2B is fixed to the case main body 2A by an engagement protrusion 27 formed on the lid member 2B so as to cover the film 25, and protects the film 25 and prevents unnecessary expansion of the film 25 during pressurization. I am doing.

  7 and 8 show a state where the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 101 of the ink jet recording apparatus 100, and a slider member (to which the front portion of the ink cartridge 1 is connected) is connected to the cartridge mounting portion 101. Translational movable member) 102 is provided. The slider member 102 is provided so as to be slidable in the insertion / extraction direction of the ink cartridge 1, and is urged by a resilient means in a direction (extraction direction Y) opposite to the insertion direction X of the ink cartridge 1.

  9 and 10 show the cartridge mounting portion 101 in a state where the ink cartridge 1 is not mounted. A pair of positioning projections 103a and 103b are provided on the surface of the slider member 102 that faces the front surface of the ink cartridge, and each base portion of each positioning projection 103a and 103b is provided with a shoulder on the apparatus side positioning surface 104a. , 104b are provided. The pair of positioning protrusions 103a and 103b and the pair of device side positioning surfaces 104a and 104b constitute a device side positioning portion.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is connected to the slider member 102, the pair of positioning protrusions 103a and 103b are inserted into the pair of positioning holes 5a and 5b on the front surface of the ink cartridge 1, so that the pair of cartridge-side positioning surfaces 24a and 24b and the pair of apparatus-side positioning surfaces 104a and 104b come into contact with each other.

  Of the pair of positioning holes 5a and 5b, the pair of positioning projections 103a and 103b, the pair of cartridge side positioning surfaces 24a and 24b, and the pair of device side positioning surfaces 104a and 104b, The positioning hole 5a, the one positioning projection 103a, the one cartridge side positioning surface 24a, and the one apparatus side positioning surface 104a have a function of positioning the ink cartridge 1 more accurately with respect to the slider member 102. . In particular, the positioning of the ink cartridge 1 in the insertion direction is accurately performed by the cartridge side positioning surface 24a and the apparatus side positioning surface 104a.

  As can be seen from FIG. 4B, the positioning hole 5 a and the cartridge side positioning surface 24 a (which constitute the container side positioning portion) used for accurate positioning are the ink supply ports in the horizontal direction of the container body 2. 3 and the storage device 8 including the electrode 8a. Thus, in the vicinity of the storage device 8, the positioning hole 5a, the cartridge side positioning surface 24a, and the cartridge side fixing structure 7 are arranged.

  Further, the positioning hole 5a and the cartridge side fixing structure 7 are arranged so that the positioning projection 103a inserted into the positioning hole 5a and the cartridge side fixing structure 7 overlap in the thickness direction of the container body 2.

  11A and 11B show a state in which the ink cartridge 1 is accurately positioned with respect to the slider member 102 by the positioning hole 5a, the positioning projection 103a, the cartridge side positioning surface 24a, and the apparatus side positioning surface 103a. Is shown. The locking pin 112 of the device-side fixing structure 107 is inserted and held in the locking portion 18 of the guide groove 16 of the container body 2.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a pressurized fluid port 105 connected to the pressurized fluid inlet 4 of the ink cartridge 1 is provided on the surface of the slider member 102 facing the front surface of the ink cartridge. Yes. The pressurized fluid port 105 is elastically supported by an elastic member such as a spring so as to protrude and retract with respect to the slider member 102.

  In the present embodiment, the pressurized fluid port 105 is configured to be elastically supported by the slider member 102. However, like the ink supply needle 106, the pressurized fluid port 105 is disposed in the fixed structure portion of the cartridge mounting portion 101, and It can be elastically supported by an elastic member such as a spring.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 (d), 4 (b), 4 (d), etc., the container-side contact is made around the pressurized fluid inlet 4 on the front surface 2a of the container body 2. Part 4A is formed. The container-side abutting portion 4A is disposed on the front surface 2a of the container main body 2 at a position opposite to the storage device 8 with respect to the ink supply port 3. The container-side contact portion 4A is elastically contacted with the top surface (device-side contact portion) 105A of the pressurized fluid port 105 when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 101.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, a contact protrusion 114 having a device-side contact 113 connected to the electrode 8 a of the storage device 8 is provided at one end of the front surface of the slider member 102. .

  12 and 13 show a state where the slider member 102 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 101. FIG. An ink supply needle 106 is fixed inside the cartridge mounting portion 101, and the ink supply needle 106 is inserted into the ink supply port 3 of the ink cartridge 1 when the ink cartridge 1 is pushed together with the slider member 102.

  In addition, an apparatus side fixing structure 107 that restricts movement of the ink cartridge 1 in the drawing direction in cooperation with the cartridge side fixing structure 7 of the ink cartridge 1 is provided inside the cartridge mounting portion 101.

  The apparatus-side fixing structure 107 includes a rotating lever member 108. The rotating lever member 108 is supported so as to be rotatable about the base end portion thereof, and is rotated in one direction of rotation (see FIG. 12). (Counterclockwise in the middle)

  As shown in FIG. 14, the rotating lever member 108 includes an elongated lever main body 110, a substantially cylindrical pin mounting portion 111 provided at the tip of the lever main body 110, and the top surface of the pin mounting portion 111. And a substantially cylindrical locking pin 112 having a smaller diameter than that of the pin mounting portion 111.

  As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the cartridge side fixing structure 7 includes a guide groove 16 having a rectangular cross section into which the locking pin 112 is inserted. Concave portions 17 are formed in the corners of the bottom surface of the cartridge near the positioning holes 5a and the cartridge-side positioning surface 24a used for highly accurate positioning, and guide grooves 16 are formed in the bottom surface of the concave portions 17. The bottom surface of the guide groove 16 is perpendicular to the side surface of the container body 2 on which the storage device 8 is disposed.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is attached to or detached from the cartridge mounting portion 101, the locking pin 112 of the rotating lever member 108 of the apparatus side fixing structure 107 is guided by the guide groove 16 of the cartridge side fixing structure 7.

  The guide groove 16 includes a locking portion 18 that restricts the movement of the ink cartridge 1 in the pulling direction when the locking pin 112 is engaged when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 101.

  The guide groove 16 includes an inlet side guide portion 19 that guides the locking pin 112 when the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 101, and the ink cartridge 1 inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 101 in the pulling direction. When the ink cartridge 1 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 101, the intermediate guide portion 20 that guides the locking pin 112 to the locking portion 18 when being pushed back, and the ink cartridge 1 is pushed in the insertion direction from the locking portion 18. And an exit side guide portion 21 for guiding the detached locking pin 112 to the exit of the guide groove 16.

  A main portion (straight portion) of the inlet side guide portion 19 of the guide groove 16 extends from about 30 ° to about 50 ° with respect to the insertion / extraction direction of the ink cartridge 1. Further, the end portion of the inlet side guide portion 19 is given a curved shape by the protruding wall portion 19d.

  In addition, an inlet inclined surface 22 is formed at the inlet 16 a of the guide groove 16. The inlet portion inclined surface 22 is inclined so that the groove depth gradually decreases along the moving direction of the locking pin 112 that moves relatively with the insertion operation of the ink cartridge 1 into the cartridge mounting portion 101.

  The width of the inlet inclined surface 22 is set to be larger than the groove width in the main portion of the guide groove 16 formed with substantially the same width including the locking portion 18. The width of the inlet inclined surface 22 is set to be larger than the diameter of the pin attachment portion 111 to which the locking pin 112 is attached. On the other hand, the groove width in the main portion of the guide groove 16 is set to be smaller than the diameter of the pin mounting portion 111.

  Further, the inlet-side guide portion 19 between the inlet inclined surface 22 and the locking portion 18 is moved in the moving direction of the locking pin 112 that moves relatively with the insertion operation of the ink cartridge 1 into the cartridge mounting portion 101. A deep groove forming inclined surface 19a that is inclined so that the guide groove 16 becomes deep along is formed. A flat portion 19 b is formed between the deep groove forming inclined surface 19 a and the inlet inclined surface 22. Further, a flat portion 19c is formed following the deep groove forming inclined surface 19a.

  The depth of the shallowest guide groove 16 formed by the inlet inclined surface 22, that is, the groove depth of the flat portion 19 b is smaller than the length of the locking pin 112. Further, the depth of the deepest guide groove 16 formed by the deep groove forming inclined surface 19 a, that is, the groove depth of the flat portion 19 c is larger than the length of the locking pin 112.

  Further, the intermediate guide portion 20 of the guide groove 16 has a locking pin 112 that moves in the direction of the locking portion 18 when the ink cartridge 1 is inserted sufficiently deep into the cartridge mounting portion 101. Including a temporary stop side wall portion 20a that temporarily stops in front of.

  In addition, the locking portion 18 of the guide groove 16 is released from the temporary stop side wall 20a when the ink cartridge 1 inserted sufficiently deep into the cartridge mounting portion 101 is pushed back in the pulling direction, and becomes the locking portion 18. It includes a final stop side wall portion 18a that receives and stops the moving locking pin 112 at a predetermined locking position.

  Further, a curved side wall portion 21a is formed at the starting end portion of the outlet side guide portion 21, a linear inclined surface 21b is formed following the curved side wall portion 21a, and subsequently, a straight flat portion 21c. Is formed.

  Further, the outlet portion 16b of the guide groove 16 is connected to the inlet portion 16a, so that the guide groove 16 forms a loop as a whole. In the connection portion between the inlet portion 16a and the outlet portion 16b, the depth of the groove of the outlet portion 16b is shallower than the depth of the groove of the inlet portion 16a, thereby forming a step 23 (FIG. 16B) in the connection portion. Has been. The step 23 prevents the locking pin 112 from entering the flat portion 21 </ b> C when the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 101.

  Next, the operation of the locking pin 112 in the guide groove 16 when the ink cartridge 1 is attached / detached will be described with reference to FIG. Note that an arrow Z in FIG. 17 indicates a biasing direction of the rotating lever member 108 by the spring member 109.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 101 and the ink cartridge 1 is connected to the slider member 102, the ink cartridge 1 is further pushed in the insertion direction X against the biasing force of the slider member 102. The locking pin 112 of the lever member 108 is inserted into the inlet portion 16a of the guide groove 16 (position A in FIG. 17).

  Since the inlet portion inclined surface 22 is formed in the inlet portion 16a of the guide groove 16, the locking pin 112 is displaced in a direction opposite to the groove depth direction while sliding on the inlet portion inclined surface 22. . As a result, the turning lever member 108 or the member that supports the turning lever member 108 is elastically deformed, and a force that biases the locking pin 112 toward the bottom surface of the guide groove 16 is generated.

  It should be noted that when the tip of the locking pin 112 first contacts the inlet inclined surface 22, the top surface of the pin mounting portion 111 is in a position that is lower than the level of the edge of the guide groove 16. In the process of moving on the inclined surface 22 of the inlet portion, the groove depth changes so that the top surface of the pin mounting portion 111 exceeds the level of the edge of the guide groove 16.

  When the locking pin 112 passes through the inclined surface 22 of the entrance portion and rides on the flat portion 19b (position B in FIG. 17), only the locking pin 112 is inserted into the guide groove 16. The pin mounting portion 111 is located outside the guide groove 16. This is because the depth of the guide groove 16 in the flat portion 19 b is set to be smaller than the length of the locking pin 112.

  By providing the inlet inclined surface 22 at the inlet portion 16a of the guide groove 16 in this way, when the locking pin 112 is inserted into the inlet portion 16a of the guide groove 16, the locking pin 112 is moved to the front surface of the ink cartridge 1. The locking pin 112 can be smoothly and reliably inserted into the inlet portion 16a of the guide groove 16.

  Further, since the inclined portion 22 of the inlet portion is formed and the groove depth of the flat portion 19b following the inlet inclined surface 22 is set smaller than the length of the locking pin 112, the inlet portion 16a of the guide groove 16 as in the present embodiment. Even when the width of the groove is set to be large and the width of the groove that follows is narrowed, the pin mounting portion 111 is not caught between the narrow width portions of the guide groove 16. Then, by setting the width of the inlet portion 16 a of the guide groove 16 to be large, the locking pin 112 can be reliably inserted into the guide groove 16.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is further pushed in the insertion direction X, the locking pin 112 passes through the flat portion 19b and is displaced in the groove depth direction while sliding on the deep groove forming inclined surface 19a (in FIG. 17). Position C).

  When the locking pin 112 reaches the position of the flat portion 19c after passing through the deep groove forming inclined surface 19a (position D in FIG. 17), the peripheral edge portion of the top surface of the pin mounting portion 111 is the guide groove 16. Is engaged with and pressed against the edge. This is because the elastic deformation generated in the rotating lever member 108 and the like when the locking pin 112 passes through the inlet inclined surface 22 still remains at this point. Thus, by engaging the peripheral edge portion of the top surface of the pin mounting portion 111 with the edge portion of the guide groove 16, the rotating lever member 108 comes into contact with the surface including the edge portion of the guide groove 16 (the bottom surface of the concave portion 17). Thus, the locking pin 112 can be prevented from being detached from the guide groove 16.

  When the locking pin 112 reaches the position of the flat portion 19c (position D in FIG. 17), the tip of the locking pin 112 is in a state of floating from the bottom surface of the guide groove 16. This is because the groove depth in the flat portion 19 c is set to be larger than the length of the locking pin 112.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is further pushed in the insertion direction X and the locking pin 112 passes the position near the tip (position E in FIG. 17) of the protruding wall portion 19d located at the terminal end portion of the inlet side guide portion 19, the spring The locking pin 112 moves in the direction of arrow Z by the biasing force of the member 109. Then, the locking pin 112 collides with the temporary stopping side wall portion 20a and stops (position F in FIG. 17), and at this time, a clicking sound is generated. This click sound allows the user to confirm that the ink cartridge 1 has been inserted sufficiently deep.

  Next, when the pressing of the ink cartridge 1 in the insertion direction X by the user is released, the ink cartridge 1 is slightly pushed back in the drawing direction Y by the urging force of the slider member 102. As a result, the engagement of the locking pin 112 in the temporary stop side wall portion 20 a is released, and the locking pin 112 moves in the direction of arrow Z by the biasing force of the spring member 109. Then, the locking pin 112 collides with the final stop side wall portion 18a and stops at the locking position (position G in FIG. 17). At this time, a click sound is generated. By this click sound, the user can confirm that the ink cartridge 1 is fixed to the cartridge mounting portion 101.

  Here, the depth of the groove in the locking portion 18 of the guide groove 16 is set to be larger than the length of the locking pin 112 in the same manner as the flat portion 19 c of the inlet side guide portion 19. Further, the locking pin 112 is urged toward the bottom surface of the guide groove 16 by elastic deformation of the rotating lever member 108 and the like generated when the locking pin 112 passes through the inlet inclined surface 22. .

  For this reason, the entire length of the locking pin 112 fixed at a predetermined locking position by the locking portion 18 enters the inside of the guide groove 16, and the peripheral edge portion of the top surface of the pin mounting portion 111 is the guide groove. It is in the state engaged with 16 edges. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the locking pin 112 (particularly its base) from being creeped by a force applied to the locking pin 112 due to the engagement with the side wall of the guide groove 16. That is, in a state where the locking pin 112 is shallowly hooked with respect to the guide groove 16, the force applied to the base portion of the locking pin 112 is increased by the so-called lever principle. As described above, since the locking pin 112 is hooked in the guide groove 16 over its entire length, creep of the locking pin 112 can be prevented.

  Further, since the locking pin 112 is hooked sufficiently deeply with respect to the guide groove 16, the locking pin 112 is not detached from the guide groove 16. This effect is not limited to the locking portion 18, and even when the locking pin 112 is relatively moving in the guide groove 16, the peripheral edge of the top surface of the pin mounting portion 111 is the edge of the guide groove 16. Demonstrated when sliding part.

  The locking pin 112 is urged toward the one side surface of the ink cartridge 1 by the spring member 109, and the electrode 8 a of the storage device 8 is provided on the one side surface. Therefore, the urging force of the spring member 109 presses the electrode 8a of the storage device 8 in the direction of the device side contact 113 (FIGS. 9 and 10) via the locking pin 112 and the final stop side wall portion 18a. Thus, the connection state between the electrode 8a of the storage device 8 and the device-side contact 113 can be favorably maintained.

  Next, when the ink cartridge 1 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 101, the ink cartridge 1 is slightly pushed in the insertion direction X by the user. Then, the engagement of the locking pin 112 in the final stop side wall 18 a is released, and the locking pin 112 moves in the direction of arrow Z by the biasing force of the spring member 109. Then, the locking pin 112 collides with the curved side wall portion 21a of the outlet side guide portion 21 of the guide groove 16 and temporarily stops (position H in FIG. 17). At this time, a click sound is generated. By this click sound, the user can confirm that the ink cartridge 1 is released from the cartridge mounting portion 101.

  Subsequently, when the user presses the ink cartridge 1 in the insertion direction X and the ink cartridge 1 moves in the drawing direction Y, the locking pin 112 moves along the linearly inclined surface 21 b of the outlet side guide portion 21. Move (position I in FIG. 17). At this time, the tip of the locking pin 112 comes into contact with the inclined surface 21b from the middle of the inclined surface 21b, and the locking pin 112 is displaced in the direction opposite to the groove depth direction. The locking pin 112 that has passed through the inclined surface 21b passes through the flat portion 21c (position J in FIG. 17) and passes through the outlet portion 16b of the guide groove 16.

  Next, a process of connecting the ink cartridge 1 to the ink supply needle 106 and the like when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 101 will be described.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 101, first, the positioning protrusions 103 a and 103 b of the slider member 102 are inserted into the positioning holes 5 a and 5 b of the ink cartridge 1. Further, the pressurized fluid port 105 of the slider member 102 is connected to the pressurized fluid introduction port 4 of the ink cartridge 1. Further, the electrode 8a of the storage device 8 and the device-side contact 113 are connected to conduct both.

  At the time when the electrode 8 a of the storage device 8 and the device-side contact 113 are connected, the ink supply needle 106 has not yet been inserted into the ink supply port 3 of the ink cartridge 1. Accordingly, when the wrong ink cartridge 1 is inserted by reading the data from the storage device 8 at this time and determining whether or not the correct ink cartridge 1 has been inserted, the ink supply needle 106 is in error. The ink cartridge 1 can be replaced with the correct ink cartridge 1 before being inserted into the ink supply port 3. This can reliably prevent wrong ink from flowing into the ink flow path of the apparatus main body. Moreover, when the ink supply port 3 of the ink cartridge 1 inserted by mistake is sealed with a seal or the like, it is possible to avoid unnecessarily breaking the seal or the like.

  After the ink cartridge 1 is connected to the slider member 102, the ink supply needle 106 is further pushed in the insertion direction X against the urging force of the slider member 102, so that the ink supply needle 106 is in the ink supply port of the ink cartridge 1. 3 is inserted. At this time, the container-side contact portion 4A of the ink cartridge 1 is elastically pressed by the top surface 105A of the pressurized fluid port 105 constituting the device-side contact portion, and this pressing force causes the electrode of the storage device 8 to be pressed. 8 a is pressed toward the device-side contact 113.

  Further, when the pushing force of the ink cartridge 1 with respect to the cartridge mounting portion 101 is released, the ink cartridge 1 is slightly pushed back, and the locking pin 112 is engaged with the locking portion 18 of the guide groove 16, thereby the ink cartridge. 1 is held in a predetermined mounting position. Even in this state, the container side contact portion 4A of the ink cartridge 1 is elastically pressed by the top surface 105A of the pressurized fluid port 105, and the electrode 8a of the storage device 8 is pressed toward the device side contact 113. Has been.

  Next, a process of separating the ink cartridge 1 from the ink supply needle 106 and the like when the ink cartridge 1 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 101 will be described.

  By pushing the ink cartridge 1 in the insertion direction X as described above, the fixing of the ink cartridge 1 by the cartridge side fixing structure 7 and the apparatus side fixing structure 107 is released, and the ink cartridge 1 can be moved in the drawing direction Y. Become. The unlocked ink cartridge 1 first moves in the drawing direction Y together with the slider member 102, and the ink supply needle 106 is removed from the ink supply port 3 of the ink cartridge 1 by this movement.

  When the ink supply needle 106 is removed from the ink supply port 3 in this way, the connection between the electrode 8a of the storage device 8 and the device-side contact 113 is maintained, so that the connection between the device main body and the storage device 8 is maintained. Data can be exchanged. Thus, even after the ink cartridge 1 is released from the fixed state, data can be exchanged between the storage device 8 of the ink cartridge 1 and the apparatus main body, and data reading errors can be prevented.

  When the ink cartridge 1 is further moved in the drawing direction Y, the slider member 102 cannot be moved at a predetermined stop position. By further moving the ink cartridge 1 in the pulling direction Y from here, the pressurized fluid port 105 is separated from the pressurized fluid introduction port 4 of the ink cartridge 1 and the positioning protrusions 5a and 5b of the ink cartridge 1 are positioned. The parts 103a and 103b are removed. Further, the electrode 8a of the storage device 8 and the device side contact 113 are disconnected.

  As described above, according to the ink cartridge 1 of the present embodiment, the arrangement of the ink supply port 3, the electrode 8a of the storage device 8, the container side contact portion 4A, the positioning hole 5a, and the cartridge side fixing structure 7 is The electrode 8a of the storage device 8 is pressed toward the device-side contact 113 by the pressing force applied from the top surface 105A of the pressurized fluid port 105 to the container-side contact portion 4A when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the mounting portion 101. Therefore, when the ink cartridge 1 is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 101, the electrode 8a of the storage device 8 of the ink cartridge 1 and the device-side contact 113 of the ink jet recording apparatus 100 are securely connected. In addition, the connection state can be reliably maintained.

  Further, according to the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, since the storage device 8 is disposed on the side surface of the container body 2, the ink cartridge 1 can be easily downsized.

  Further, according to the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, since the storage device 8 including the electrode 8a is disposed in the vicinity of the cartridge side fixing structure 7, the electrode 8a of the storage device 8 is connected to the device side contact 113 of the cartridge mounting portion 101. In contrast, the connection can be made more reliably.

  In particular, the biasing force of the spring member 109 acts to press the electrode 8a of the storage device 8 toward the device-side contact 113 of the cartridge mounting portion 101 via the locking pin 112 and the final stop side wall portion 18a. The connection of the electrode 8a of the storage device 8 to the device side contact 113 can be ensured.

  Further, by arranging the storage device 8 including the cartridge side fixing structure 7 and the electrode 8a in a position near the ink supply port 3 in the entire container body 2, the connection of the electrode 8a of the storage device 8 to the device side contact 113 is performed. Can be made even more reliable.

  Further, by arranging the storage device 8 including the electrode 8a in the vicinity of the cartridge side fixing structure 7 and the positioning hole 5a used for accurate positioning and the cartridge side positioning surface 24a, the storage device 8 is connected to the device side contact 113. The connection of the electrode 8a can be further ensured.

  Further, the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment can be easily and reliably mounted on the cartridge mounting portion 101 of the ink jet recording apparatus 100.

  In particular, in the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, the width of the inclined surface 22 of the inlet portion formed in the inlet portion 16a of the guide groove 16 can be increased, so that the locking pin 112 can be reliably inserted into the guide groove 16. It can be carried out. The rotating lever member 108 including the locking pin 112 is designed to swing in a direction Z perpendicular to the insertion / extraction directions X and Y of the ink cartridge 1 in terms of its function. There is a possibility that variations will occur in the position when the ink cartridge is not mounted, but such variations can be allowed by making the width of the inclined surface 22 of the inlet portion large.

  Further, in the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, the mounting operation can be completed by only one operation (one push operation) of inserting the ink cartridge 1 into the cartridge mounting portion 101, while the cartridge mounting portion When removing the ink cartridge 1 from 101, the fixed state of the ink cartridge 1 can be released only by a simple operation of pushing the ink cartridge 1 slightly. Thus, in this embodiment, the ink cartridge 1 can be attached and detached very easily.

  In the ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment, since the guide groove 16 is formed on the bottom surface of the recess 17 formed on the cartridge surface, the cartridge surface in the state where the locking pin 112 is inserted into the guide groove 16. It is possible to reduce or make the protrusion amount of the rotating lever member 108 from zero. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the thickness of the cartridge mounting portion 101, and as a result, it is possible to make the entire inkjet recording apparatus 100 thinner.

  In particular, in the case of an apparatus of a type in which a plurality of ink cartridges 1 are arranged in parallel such as the ink jet recording apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, it is important to reduce the thickness of the entire apparatus. The ink cartridge 1 according to the present embodiment that can reduce the size is extremely effective.

1 is a perspective view illustrating an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention and a cartridge mounting portion of an ink jet recording apparatus to which the ink cartridge is mounted. It is the figure which showed the ink cartridge by one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view, (c) is a rear view, (d) is a front view. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is a view seen from a direction in which a rear surface obliquely above can be seen, and (b) is a view seen from a direction in which a front surface obliquely below can be seen; (c) is a view seen from the direction in which the rear surface obliquely below can be seen, and (d) is a view seen from the direction in which the front surface obliquely above can be seen. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is the figure which showed the state which removed the cover member from the ink cartridge by one Embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view in the state which accommodated the ink bag, (b) is a front view of (a), (c) is a plan view of a state where an ink bag is not stored, and (d) is a front view of (c). FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the state where the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet recording apparatus so that the inside of the apparatus can be seen. FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the state where the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the invention is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet recording apparatus so that the inside of the apparatus can be seen. FIG. 8 is a plan view showing the cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 7 so that the inside of the apparatus can be seen when the ink cartridge is not mounted. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing the cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet recording apparatus shown in FIG. 8 so that the inside of the apparatus can be seen when no ink cartridge is mounted. (A) is a plan view showing the state in which the ink cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the cartridge mounting portion of the ink jet recording apparatus so that the inside of the apparatus can be seen, and (b) is a line bb in (a). FIG. The top view which showed the cartridge mounting part of the inkjet recording device shown in FIG. 7 so that the inside of an apparatus could be seen in the state which removed the slider. The perspective view which showed the cartridge mounting part of the inkjet recording device shown in FIG. 8 so that the inside of an apparatus could be seen in the state which removed the slider. FIG. 14 is an enlarged perspective view of a rotating lever member of the cartridge mounting portion shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, where (a) is a view seen from obliquely above, and (b) is a view seen from obliquely below. 2A and 2B are enlarged views illustrating an ink cartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A illustrates a bottom surface of a front end, and FIG. 2B illustrates a front surface. It is a figure for demonstrating the depth shape of the guide groove of the ink cartridge by one Embodiment of this invention, and each sectional drawing along the bb line and cc line shown to (a) is (b). And (c), respectively. FIG. 6 is a view for explaining the operation of the locking pin in the guide groove when the ink cartridge is attached and detached according to the embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Ink cartridge 2 Container main body 2a Front surface 2A of container main body 2B Case main body 2B Cover member 3 Ink supply port 4 Pressurized fluid introduction port 4A Container side contact part 5a, 5b Positioning hole 6 Incorrect mounting prevention structure 7 Cartridge side fixing structure 8 Memory Device 8a Electrode (Cartridge side electrode)
8b Circuit board 9 Ink bag 16 Guide groove 16a Guide groove inlet portion 16b Guide groove outlet portion 17 Guide groove forming recess portion 18 Guide groove locking portion 18a Final stop side wall portion 19 Guide groove inlet side guide portion 20 Guide groove intermediate guide part 20a Temporary stop side wall part 21 Guide groove outlet side guide part 21a Curved side wall part 21b of outlet side guide part Linear inclined surface 21c of outlet side guide part Linear flat part 22 of outlet side guide part Inlet portion inclined surface 23 Steps 24a and 24b at the connecting portion between the inlet portion and the outlet portion of the guide groove Cartridge side positioning surface 100 Inkjet recording apparatus 101 Cartridge mounting portion 102 Slider member (translation movable member)
103a, 103b Positioning projections 104a, 104b Apparatus side positioning surface 105 Pressurized fluid port 105A Top surface of pressurized fluid port (apparatus side contact part)
106 Ink supply needle 107 Device side fixing structure 108 Rotating lever member 109 Spring member 110 Lever body 111 Pin mounting portion 112 Locking pin 113 Device side contact 114 Projecting portion for contact of slider member

Claims (19)

In a liquid container that stores liquid supplied to a liquid consuming device inside and is detachably mounted on a container mounting portion of the liquid consuming device,
A container body in which a liquid supply port for delivering a liquid to be supplied to the liquid consuming device is formed, and the liquid supply port is disposed on a front surface in the insertion direction of the liquid container when mounted on the container mounting portion. A container body comprising a pair of side surfaces intersecting with the front surface, and an upper surface and a bottom surface intersecting with the front surface and the pair of side surfaces ;
A storage device for storing information related to a liquid stored in the container body, and an electrode connected to a device-side contact provided in the container mounting portion when the liquid container is mounted in the container mounting portion. A storage device having
When the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion, the liquid container is in contact with a device side contact portion provided in the container mounting portion, and from the device side contact portion in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the liquid container. A container side contact portion that receives a pressing force;
The liquid container is moved against the force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the liquid container, which acts on the liquid container from the container mounting part side when the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting part. A container fixing mechanism for holding the container mounting portion at a predetermined position,
The liquid supply port is disposed at the center of the front surface of the container body;
The storage device is disposed at a position close to the front surface on one side surface of the pair of side surfaces of the container body,
The container-side contact portion is disposed on the front surface of the container body at a position opposite to the one side surface with respect to the liquid supply port;
The container fixing mechanism is disposed adjacent to the front surface at a position close to the one side surface with respect to the liquid supply port, of the upper surface or the bottom surface of the container body.
The arrangement of the liquid supply port, the electrode of the storage device, the container side contact portion, and the container fixing mechanism is such that the device side contact portion is placed on the container side when the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion. A liquid container set in a positional relationship such that an electrode of the storage device is pressed toward the device-side contact by a pressing force applied to a contact portion. A container-side positioning portion for positioning the liquid container at the time of mounting on the container mounting portion in cooperation with an apparatus-side positioning portion provided on the container mounting portion;
The liquid container according to claim 1 , wherein the container side positioning portion is disposed between the liquid supply port and the one side surface on the front surface of the container main body. The container fixing mechanism regulates releasable movement of the liquid container in the drawing direction in cooperation with an apparatus-side fixing structure provided in the container mounting portion in a state where the liquid container is mounted in the container mounting portion. liquid container according to claim 1 or 2, have a container side fixing structure. 4. The liquid according to claim 3, wherein the container-side fixing structure has a guide groove into which the locking pin of the device-side fixing structure is inserted and guides the locking pin when the liquid container is attached to or detached from the container mounting portion. container. The guide groove includes a locking portion that engages with the locking pin in a state in which the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion and restricts movement of the liquid container in the drawing direction,
The guide groove has a rectangular cross section, and a surface on which the electrode of the storage device is disposed and a bottom surface of the guide groove are perpendicular to each other,
The locking portion of the guide groove has a side wall portion for receiving the locking pin biased in the direction of the electrode of the storage device in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion. 4. The liquid container according to 4 . The liquid container according to any one of claims 2 to 5 , wherein the container-side positioning portion has a positioning hole into which a positioning protrusion that constitutes the device-side positioning portion is inserted. The apparatus-side positioning unit includes an apparatus-side positioning surface that positions the liquid container in its insertion direction,
The container-side positioning part, the liquid container according to any one of claims 2 to 6 including a container side positioning face abutting the apparatus side positioning face. The container-side abutment portion, inside the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 7 is formed around the inlet for introducing the compressed fluid of the container body. The container-side abutment portion, the liquid container according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is elastically pressed by the apparatus-side contact part. In a liquid container that stores liquid supplied to a liquid consuming device inside and is detachably mounted on a container mounting portion of the liquid consuming device,
A container body in which a liquid supply port for delivering a liquid to be supplied to the liquid consuming device is formed, and the liquid supply port is disposed on a front surface in the insertion direction of the liquid container when mounted on the container mounting portion. A container body comprising a pair of side surfaces intersecting with the front surface, and an upper surface and a bottom surface intersecting with the front surface and the pair of side surfaces ;
A circuit board provided in the container body, the circuit board having an electrode connected to a device-side contact provided in the container mounting part when the liquid container is mounted in the container mounting part;
When the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion, the liquid container is in contact with a device side contact portion provided in the container mounting portion, and from the device side contact portion in a direction opposite to the insertion direction of the liquid container. A container side contact portion that receives a pressing force;
The liquid container is moved against the force in the direction opposite to the insertion direction of the liquid container, which acts on the liquid container from the container mounting part side when the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting part. A container fixing mechanism for holding the container mounting portion at a predetermined position,
The arrangement of the liquid supply port, the electrode of the circuit board, the container side contact portion, and the container fixing mechanism is such that the device side contact portion is placed on the container side when the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion. The electrode of the circuit board is pressed toward the device side contact by the pressing force applied to the contact portion .
The liquid supply port is disposed at the center of the front surface of the container body;
The circuit board is disposed at a position close to the front surface of one of the pair of side surfaces of the container body,
The container-side contact portion is disposed on the front surface of the container body at a position opposite to the one side surface with respect to the liquid supply port;
The container fixing mechanism is disposed adjacent to the front surface at a position near the one side surface with respect to the liquid supply port, of the upper surface or the bottom surface of the container body.
The arrangement of the liquid supply port, the electrode of the circuit board, the container side abutting portion, and the container fixing mechanism is such that the apparatus side abutting portion is placed on the container side when the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion. A liquid container that is set in a positional relationship such that an electrode of the circuit board is pressed toward the device-side contact by a pressing force applied to a contact portion . A container-side positioning portion for positioning the liquid container at the time of mounting on the container mounting portion in cooperation with an apparatus-side positioning portion provided on the container mounting portion;
The liquid container according to claim 10 , wherein the container-side positioning portion is disposed between the liquid supply port and the one side surface on the front surface of the container main body. The container fixing mechanism regulates releasable movement of the liquid container in the drawing direction in cooperation with an apparatus-side fixing structure provided in the container mounting portion in a state where the liquid container is mounted in the container mounting portion. liquid container according to claim 10 or 11 you have a container side fixing structure. 13. The liquid according to claim 12, wherein the container-side fixing structure includes a guide groove into which the locking pin of the device-side fixing structure is inserted and guides the locking pin when the liquid container is attached to or detached from the container mounting portion. container. The guide groove includes a locking portion that engages with the locking pin in a state in which the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion and restricts movement of the liquid container in the drawing direction,
The guide groove has a rectangular cross section, and a surface of the circuit board on which the electrode is disposed and a bottom surface of the guide groove are perpendicular to each other,
The locking portion of the guide groove has a side wall portion that receives the locking pin biased in the direction of the electrode of the circuit board in a state where the liquid container is mounted on the container mounting portion. 13. A liquid container according to 13 . The liquid container according to any one of claims 11 to 14 , wherein the container-side positioning portion has a positioning hole into which a positioning protrusion that constitutes the device-side positioning portion is inserted. The apparatus-side positioning unit includes an apparatus-side positioning surface that positions the liquid container in its insertion direction,
The liquid container according to any one of claims 11 to 15 , wherein the container-side positioning portion includes a container-side positioning surface that is in contact with the apparatus-side positioning surface. The liquid container according to any one of claims 10 to 16 , wherein the container-side contact portion is formed around an inlet for introducing a compressed fluid into the container body. The container-side abutment portion, the liquid container according to any one of claims 10 to 17 is elastically pressed by the apparatus-side contact part. The liquid consuming device is an ink jet recording device,
The liquid container, the liquid container according to any one of the ink jet recording apparatus detachably attached by an ink cartridge in which claim 1 to 18.

Images