CN104786664B - Printing-fluid box and printing device - Google Patents

Abstract

Printing-fluid box and printing device.Printing-fluid box is formed in stand up position and is inserted in box installation portion in the direction of insertion intersected with gravity direction.Printing-fluid box includes: front surface, and when printing-fluid box is inserted in box installation portion, front surface is towards direction of insertion orientation；Rear surface, it is contrary with front surface that the position of rear surface is inserted into direction；Electrical interface, electrical interface is arranged on designated surface place so that electrical interface is exposed to the outside of printing-fluid box；The printing-fluid supply department of opening is supplied including printing-fluid.When printing-fluid box is in stand up position, printing-fluid supply department is positioned at front surface place and is positioned at the lower section of electrical interface.Electrical interface is positioned to be inserted into direction and supplies opening more backward than printing-fluid.

Description

Printing-fluid box and printing device

The divisional application of to be December in 2011 22 days, denomination of invention be " printing-fluid box and printing device " and application number is 201110436095.8 Chinese invention patent application that the application is the applying date.

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of printing-fluid box being configured to be installed to box installation portion, and relate to a kind of printing device including this printing-fluid box.

Background technology

Known image printing device, as described in patent application publication JP2009-132098A, is formed on print paper print image.Known image printing device has ink jet-print head and is configured to optionally be ejected into print paper by ink droplet from the nozzle of printhead.Ink drop is on print paper and thus prints desired image on print paper.Known image printing device has print cartridge, and this print cartridge is configured to storage and will be supplied to the ink of printhead.Print cartridge is configured to be installed to the installation portion being arranged in known image printing device and removed from this installation portion.

Another known print cartridge as described in patent application publication JP2007-266618 has circuit board, this circuit board has semiconductor memory, and this semiconductor memory is for storing the data of the information (color of such as ink, the composition of ink, the surplus of ink, its maintenance situation etc.) about print cartridge.Circuit board has electrical interface such as pad.When print cartridge is installed to installation portion, these electrical interfaces are electrically connected to the electric contact being arranged in installation portion, enabling read the data of storage in semiconductor memory.

Summary of the invention

When dust is attached to electrical interface, the electrical connection between electrical interface and the contact of box installation portion of print cartridge is likely to become unstable so that can not read data from semiconductor memory.Therefore, dust can be wiped from electrical interface.But, if dust falls from electrical interface, dust is likely to be attached to the part of the opening around the outside for ink is fed to print cartridge from the inside of print cartridge of print cartridge.It is likely to be supplied to printhead by the ink of contamination by dust.

Therefore, for printing-fluid box and printing device, there is overcoming the demand of these and other defect of correlation technique.The present invention's it is a technical advantage that the probability that printing-fluid is attached to the contamination by dust of electrical interface reduces.

According to embodiments of the invention, a kind of printing-fluid box is formed in stand up position and is inserted in box installation portion in the direction of insertion intersected with gravity direction.Described printing-fluid box includes: front surface, and when described printing-fluid box is inserted in described box installation portion, described front surface is towards described direction of insertion orientation；Rear surface, the position of described rear surface is contrary with described front surface for described direction of insertion；Room, described room is configured to store in the chamber printing-fluid；Electrical interface, described electrical interface is arranged on designated surface place so that described electrical interface is exposed to the outside of described printing-fluid box；With printing-fluid supply department, described printing-fluid supply department includes printing-fluid supply opening.Described printing-fluid supply department is configured to supply, from the inside of described room via described printing-fluid, the outside that opening is fed to described room by printing-fluid.When described printing-fluid box is in described stand up position, described printing-fluid supply department is positioned at described front surface place and is positioned at the lower section of described electrical interface.Described electrical interface is positioned to for described direction of insertion to supply opening more backward than described printing-fluid.

Due to this structure, because electrical interface is positioned to for described direction of insertion supplies opening more backward than described printing-fluid, even if the dust on electrical interface falls, this dust is attached to the probability reduction of the part supplying opening around printing-fluid of printing-fluid supply department.Therefore, printing-fluid is reduced by the probability of contamination by dust.

By the detailed description and the accompanying drawings of the invention below, to those skilled in the art, other purpose, feature and advantage will be apparent from.

Accompanying drawing explanation

In order to be more fully understood from the present invention thus its demand met, target, feature and advantage, being now described below of being combined with accompanying drawing is carried out reference.

Fig. 1 is the constructed profile of the printer including box installation portion and print cartridge according to embodiments of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is the perspective view of print cartridge.

Fig. 3 is the decomposition diagram of print cartridge.

Fig. 4 is the vertical cross section figure of print cartridge.

Fig. 5 is the perspective view of box installation portion and print cartridge.

Fig. 6 is the vertical cross section figure of box installation portion.

Fig. 7 is the vertical part sectioned view of box installation portion and print cartridge during print cartridge is installed to box installation portion.

Fig. 8 is another vertical part sectioned view of box installation portion and print cartridge during print cartridge is installed to box installation portion.

Fig. 9 is the vertical part sectioned view of box installation portion and print cartridge, wherein completes to be installed to print cartridge box installation portion.

Figure 10 A is the side view of the print cartridge according to variant embodiment.

Figure 10 B is the front view of the print cartridge of Figure 10 A.

Figure 11 A is the side view of the print cartridge according to another variant embodiment.

Figure 11 B is the front view of the print cartridge of Figure 11 A.

Detailed description of the invention

Being appreciated that embodiments of the invention, its feature and advantage by reference Fig. 1-11B, same reference numerals is used for representing corresponding part in the various figures.

[printer 10]

With reference to Fig. 1, for instance the printing device of printer 10 be configured for by print paper, optionally spray ink droplet and on print paper the ink-jet printer of print image.Printer 10 includes ink-feeding device 100.Ink-feeding device 100 includes box installation portion 110.Box installation portion 110 is configured to allow for the printing-fluid box of such as print cartridge 30 and is installed in wherein.Box installation portion 110 has opening 112, and the inside of ink installation portion 110 is exposed to the outside of box installation portion 110 via this opening 112.Print cartridge 30 is configured to be inserted in box installation portion 110 via opening 112 so that print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110.Print cartridge 30 is configured to remove from box installation portion 110 via opening 112.

Print cartridge 30 is configured to the ink that storage is used by printer 10.Printer 10 includes printhead 21 and ink pipe 20.When print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, print cartridge 30 and printhead 21 fluidly connect via ink pipe 20.Printhead 21 includes secondary container 28.Secondary container 28 is configured to the ink that interim storage is supplied via ink pipe 20 from print cartridge 30.Printhead 21 includes nozzle 29, and is configured to optionally spray the ink from secondary container 28 supply by nozzle 29.

Printer 10 include sheet feed tray 15, paper feed roller 23, conveying roller to 25, platen 26, distributing roller be to 22 and discharge tray 16.Transport path 24 is formed from sheet feed tray 15 via conveying roller 25, platen 26 and distributing roller to 22 until discharge tray 16.Paper feed roller 23 is configured to from sheet feed tray 15, print paper is fed to transport path 24.Conveying roller is configured to 25 be transported on platen 26 print paper being fed to from sheet feed tray 15.Printhead 21 is configured to optionally be ejected into by ink on platen 26 on the print paper of process.Therefore, image is printed on print paper.On platen 26, the print paper of process is discharged roller and is discharged to the paper discharge tray 16 at the most downstream place being arranged on transport path 24 to 22.

[print cartridge 30]

Referring to figs. 2 to Fig. 5, print cartridge 30 is configured to: while print cartridge 30 is in stand up position as shown in Figure 2, print cartridge 30 inserts in box installation portion 110 on insertion/dismounting direction 50 and removes from box installation portion 110, in this stand up position, the top surface of print cartridge 30 faces down towards upper and print cartridge 30 basal surface.Insert/remove direction 50 to extend in the horizontal direction.When print cartridge 30 be installed to box installation portion 110, in installation site time, print cartridge 30 is in stand up position.Print cartridge 30 is formed in direction of insertion 56 and inserts in box installation portion 110 and remove from box installation portion 110 on direction 55 removing.Inserting/remove direction 50 is direction of insertion 56 and the combination removing direction 55.Direction of insertion 56 extends in the horizontal direction, and dismounting direction 55 extends in the horizontal direction.When print cartridge 30 is in stand up position, short transverse (above-below direction) 52 is corresponding with gravity direction (vertical direction).In another embodiment, inserting/remove direction 50 can not strictly extend in the horizontal direction, but can upwardly extend in the side intersected with horizontal direction and gravity direction (vertical direction).

Print cartridge 30 has almost parallel hexahedral shape and includes main body 31 and bracket 90.Main body 31 and bracket 90 form the outward appearance of print cartridge 30.Print cartridge 30 is configured for the container storing ink wherein.Print cartridge 30 includes ink chamber 36, and this ink chamber is formed in the space within print cartridge 30.More specifically, main body 31 includes ink chamber 36 formed therein, for instance main body 31 includes inner frame 35, and ink chamber 36 is formed in inner frame 35.Print cartridge 30 has the width on width (left and right directions) 51, the height in short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and the degree of depth on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.Width (left and right directions) 51, short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 are perpendicular to one another.The width of print cartridge 30 is less than the height of print cartridge 30 and the degree of depth.When print cartridge 30 is in installation site (stand up position), width (left and right directions) 51 and plane-parallel, depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 also with plane-parallel, short transverse (above-below direction) 52 is parallel with gravity direction (vertical direction).When print cartridge 30 is inserted into box installation portion 110 and removes from box installation portion 110, depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 is parallel with inserting/remove direction 50, and width (left and right directions) 51 and short transverse (above-below direction) 52 are vertical with inserting/remove direction 50.Short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and upward direction and parallel in downward direction and be upward direction and combination in downward direction.

Print cartridge 30 includes antetheca 40 and is inserted into direction 56 rear wall contrary with antetheca 40 42.When print cartridge 30 is inserted in box installation portion 110, antetheca 40 is positioned at the front side being inserted into direction 56 of print cartridge 30.More specifically, when print cartridge 30 is inserted in box installation portion 110, antetheca 40 is towards direction of insertion 56, in other words, antetheca 40 is towards direction of insertion 56 orientation.When print cartridge 30 is inserted in box installation portion 110, rear wall 42 is positioned at the rear side being inserted into direction 56 of print cartridge 30.More specifically, when print cartridge 30 is inserted in box installation portion 110, rear wall 42 is towards removing direction 55, in other words, rear wall 42 is towards removing direction 55 orientation.Antetheca 40 and rear wall 42 are directed on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.When print cartridge 30 is inserted in box installation portion 110, antetheca 40 and rear wall 42 are inserting/are removing alignment on direction 50.Print cartridge 30 includes each sidewall 37,38 extending and being connected with antetheca 40 and rear wall 42 on insertion/dismounting direction 50.Sidewall 37 and 38 is directed on width (left and right directions) 51.Print cartridge 30 includes the roof 39 being connected with the upper end of antetheca 40, rear wall 42 and sidewall 37,38.Print cartridge 30 includes the diapire 41 being connected with the lower end of antetheca 40, rear wall 42 and sidewall 37,38.Roof 39 and diapire 41 are directed in short transverse (above-below direction) 52.The outer surface of antetheca 40 is the front surface of print cartridge 30, and the outer surface of rear wall 42 is the rear surface of print cartridge 30.Therefore, when print cartridge 30 is inserted in box installation portion 110 in stand up position, the front surface of print cartridge 30 is towards direction of insertion 56 orientation, and when print cartridge 30 is inserted in box installation portion 110 in stand up position, the rear surface of print cartridge 30 is towards removing direction 55 orientation.The outer surface of roof 39 is the top surface of print cartridge 30, and the outer surface of diapire 31 is the basal surface of print cartridge 30.Therefore, when print cartridge 30 is inserted in box installation portion 110 in stand up position, the top surface of print cartridge 30 orientation in an upward direction, and when print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110 in stand up position, the basal surface of print cartridge 30 orientation in a downward direction.Top surface is connected with the upper end of front surface and rear surface, and basal surface is connected with the lower end of front surface and rear surface.Similarly, the outer surface of sidewall 37,38 is the side surface of print cartridge 30.

In this embodiment, bracket 90 includes a part for antetheca 40, a part for sidewall 37, the part of sidewall 38 and diapire 41, and main body 31 includes the other parts of rear wall 42, the other parts of sidewall 37, the other parts of sidewall 38, the other parts of roof 39 and diapire 41.Therefore, bracket 90 includes a part for the basal surface of the front surface of print cartridge 30, a part for top surface for print cartridge 30, print cartridge 30 and the part of the side surface of print cartridge 30, and main body 31 includes the rear surface of print cartridge 30, the other parts of top surface of print cartridge 30, print cartridge 30 have the other parts of basal surface and the other parts of the side surface of print cartridge 30.

[main body 31]

Referring to figs. 2 to Fig. 4, main body 31 includes test section 33 in the center for short transverse (above-below direction) 52 of main body 31.Test section 33 is positioned at antetheca 40 side of main body 31.More specifically, test section 33 is positioned at the front surface place of main body 31, when print cartridge 30 is inserted in box installation portion 110, the front surface of main body 31 is towards direction of insertion 56, in other words, towards direction of insertion 56 orientation.Bracket 90 includes the first protuberance 85, and this first protuberance includes test section, for instance rib 88.First protuberance 85 includes the front end being inserted into direction 56.Rib 88 includes the front end being inserted into direction 56.Bracket 90 includes the second protuberance 86.Second protuberance 86 includes the front end being inserted into direction 56.Bracket 90 includes another test section 89.Test section 33 is positioned to be inserted into the front end of direction 56 to the first protuberance 85, the front end of rib 88, the front end of the second protuberance 86 and test section 89 backward.Test section 33 has the opening box-shaped towards ink chamber 36 so that the inside of test section 36 and ink chamber 36 are in fluid communication.Test section 33 includes a pair wall being made up of such as transparent or semitransparent light-transmissive resin, this wall is allowed the light of such as visible or infrared light travel upwardly in the side vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 with by this to wall.In this embodiment, vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 direction is width (left and right directions) 51.Test section 33 is exposed to the outside of print cartridge 30 via opening 95, and this opening 95 is formed as running through bracket 90 at the antetheca 40 side place of bracket 90.When print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, optical pickocff 114 (see Fig. 6) launches light on the direction vertical with inserting/remove direction 50.Test section 33 can allow to launch from optical pickocff 114 and arrive the light of test section 33 by test section 33 via opening 95.

Wall is directed at by this of test section 33 on width (left and right directions) 51, and forms space between this of test section 33 is to wall.In ink chamber 36, the ink of storage can arrive this space.With reference to Fig. 4, main body 31 includes the sensor arm 60 being arranged in ink chamber 36.Sensor arm 60 includes main arm body 61, the indicator 62 being positioned at the end of arm body 61 extended on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 and is positioned at the float 63 at other end place of arm body 61.In the space that indicator 62 is formed between this of test section 33 is to wall.Main body 31 includes the support axle 64 extended on width (left and right directions) 51, and sensor arm 60 is supported by supporting axle 64 so that sensor arm 60 can pivot around supporting axle 64.Sensor arm 60 is configured to pivot based on the amount of the ink of storage in ink chamber 36, thereby indicate that device 62 is configured to pivot based on the amount of the ink of storage in ink chamber 36.Sensor arm 60 is formed between position and lower position and moves.When sensor arm 60 is in upper position, indicator 62 is positioned at the upside for gravity direction (vertical direction) of test section 33.When sensor arm 60 is in lower position, indicator 62 is positioned at the downside for gravity direction of test section 33.Fig. 4 depicts the sensor arm 60 being positioned at lower position when having the scheduled volume being stored therein or more ink when ink chamber 36.

When print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, test section 33 is between the optical transmitting set and optical receiver of optical pickocff 114, this optical transmitting set and optical receiver are directed in the horizontal direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50, and test section 33 is constructed such that its state changes between the first state and a second state.When test section 33 is in the first state, test section 33 allows the light launched from the optical transmitting set of optical pickocff 114 and advance on the direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 by this test section 33.When test section 33 is in the second state, test section 33 is decayed light.More specifically, when test section 33 is in the side on the direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 that the first state and light arrive test section 33, scheduled volume or more light out and arrive the optical receiver of optical pickocff 114 from the opposite side on the direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 of test section 33.When test section 33 is in the side on the direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 of the second state and light arrival test section 33, out and the amount of light of optical receiver of optical pickocff 114 is arrived less than scheduled volume, for instance zero from the opposite side of test section 33.When sensor arm 60 is in upper position, test section 33 is in the first state to allow light through this test section 33.When sensor arm 60 is in lower position, test section 33 is in the second state with light of decaying.By indicator 62 be entirely prevented from light with insert/remove on vertical direction (width or left and right directions 51), direction 50 by, absorbed a certain amount of light by indicator 62, deflected light by indicator 62, cause optical attenuation by indicator 62 total reflection light etc..So, the amount (intensity) arriving the light of the optical receiver of optical pickocff 114 depends on the state of test section 33.By detecting the state of test section 33 with optical pickocff 114, it is determined that whether ink chamber 36 has the scheduled volume being stored therein or more black.

In another embodiment, print cartridge 30 may not include sensor arm 60, thereby indicate that device 62 can be not in test section 33.In this case, when storage ink in test section 33, test section 33 can be decayed light.When not storing ink in test section 33, test section 33 can allow light through this test section 33.More specifically, when not storing the side in the direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 that ink and light arrive test section 33 in test section 33, scheduled volume or more light out and can arrive the optical receiver of optical pickocff 114 from the opposite side on the direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 of test section 33.When in test section 33 storage ink and light arrive test section 33 when with the side inserted/remove on direction 50 (width or left and right directions 51), out and the light quantity of optical receiver of optical pickocff 114 is arrived less than scheduled volume, for instance zero from the opposite side of test section 33.Some light quantities can be absorbed by ink and cause optical attenuation.In another embodiment, test section 33 may be included in the flexible membrane being formed with space.When ink is stored in the space formed by flexible membrane, flexible membrane expands.Print cartridge 30 can include the pivotable bar with flexible membrane contacts, by being entirely prevented from light with to insert/remove vertical direction (width or left and right directions 51), direction 50 upper through bar, by absorbing some light quantities, by making light deflect, by total reflection light etc., bar can be decayed light.When ink move away the space formed by flexible membrane and flexible membrane shrink time, be movable to bar with the bar of flexible membrane contacts and no longer decay the position of light.In another embodiment, test section 33 includes prismatic structure.In this case, when ink contacts prismatic structure, prismatic structure can reflect light so that light does not arrive the optical receiver of optical pickocff 114.When ink does not contact prismatic structure, prismatic structure can reflect light so that light arrives the optical receiver of optical pickocff 114.

Main body 31 in antetheca 40 side of main body 31, there is air communication opening 32 above test section 33.More specifically, air communication opening 32 is positioned at the front surface place towards direction of insertion 56 of main body 31.Air communication opening 32 is formed to run through the wall limiting ink chamber 36 on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.Form the air layer in ink chamber 36 and the air outside ink chamber 36 can be in fluid communication via air communication opening 32.Air communication opening 32 is between the rear wall 42 of the front portion of bracket 90 and main body 31.Bracket 90 has the circular open 96 being formed as running through the wall of the first protuberance 85 on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53, can enter air communication opening 32 via opening 96 from the outside of print cartridge 30 on dismounting direction 55.

Main body 31 includes the air communication valve 73 being configured to selectively open and close air communication opening 32.When air communication opening 32 is opened, the pressure being maintained in the ink chamber 36 of negative pressure becomes equal with atmospheric pressure.In another embodiment, air communication opening 32 can be not at the antetheca 40 side place of main body 31, but may be located at any position, as long as the inside and outside of ink chamber 36 can be in fluid communication.In another embodiment, print cartridge 30 is configurable to when ink chamber 36 maintains negative pressure in printer 10.In this case, print cartridge 30 can not have air communication opening 32.

Main body 31 includes printing-fluid supply department, for instance the antetheca 40 side place of main body 31, be positioned at the ink supply 34 below test section 33.More specifically, ink supply 34 is positioned at the front surface place towards direction of insertion 56 of main body 31.Ink supply 34 is positioned at the bottom of the front surface of main body 31, i.e. diapire 41 side of the front surface of main body.Bracket 90 has the circular open 97 being formed as running through antetheca 40 on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.Ink supply 34 has cylindrical shape and is inserting/removing the opening 97 extending through antetheca 40 on direction 50.Therefore, ink supply 34 is positioned at antetheca 40 place.Ink supply 34 has the ink supply opening 71 formed in the end of ink supply 34.

Ink supply 34 has ink footpath 72 formed therein.Ink footpath 72 extends up to ink chamber 36 from ink supply opening 71 on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.Main body 31 includes the ink supply valve 70 being configured to selectively open and close ink supply opening 71.When print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, the black pipe 122 being arranged in box installation portion 110 is inserted and is pushed ink supply valve 70 via ink supply opening 71 so that ink supply opening 71 is opened.When this happens, ink flows out ink chamber 36 to enter ink pipe 122 in direction of insertion 56 via ink footpath 72.

In another embodiment, print cartridge 30 may not include ink supply valve 70.In this case, ink supply opening 71 can cover or close by tunicle.When print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, ink pipe 122 can wear out film so that ink supply opening 71 is opened.

With reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, main body 31 includes engagement hook 43 in diapire 41 side of main body 31 and antetheca 40 side.Engagement hook 43 extends from the bottom of the front surface of main body 31 to the front of depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.The front end of engagement hook 43 includes outward extending two protuberances on the rightabout on width (left and right directions) 51.Engagement hook 43 has otch formed therein.Otch is positioned at the middle part for width (left and right directions) 51 of engagement hook 43 and extends on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.Due to this otch, engagement hook 43 is configured to be resiliently deformed so that its size on width (left and right directions) 51 reduces.The protuberance of the front end of engagement hook 43 is not arranged in the elongated openings 91,92 being formed through bracket 90, and contacts with the inner surface of the wall limiting elongated openings 91,92 respectively.

Main body 31 includes the junction surface 45 being positioned at roof 39 side of print cartridge 30.More specifically, junction surface 45 is positioned at the center for depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 of roof 39.Junction surface 45 upwardly extends from top 39 and leaves ink chamber 36, and includes the composition surface 46 extended on width (left and right directions) 51 and short transverse (above-below direction) 52.When print cartridge 30 is inserted in box installation portion 110, composition surface 46 is in the face of being inserted into the rear in direction 56, in other words, towards removing direction 55.In another embodiment, composition surface 46 can not extend vertically from roof 39, but can tilt relative to short transverse (above-below direction) 52, and when print cartridge 30 is inserted in box installation portion 110, composition surface 46 can towards the rear being inserted into direction 56, in other words, towards removing direction 55.When print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, composition surface 46 contacts with the engagement member 145 of box installation portion 110, and receives external force.More specifically, when print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110 and remaines in box installation portion 110, print cartridge 30 is being removed pushing on direction 55, and therefore composition surface 46 is removing pushing engagement member 145 on direction 55.As a result, composition surface 46 receives the counteracting force on direction of insertion 56 from engagement member 145.

The pivot member 80 at the upside for short transverse (above-below direction) 52 that main body 31 includes being positioned at main body 31 and the rear wall 42 side place in main body 31.More specifically, pivot member 80 is positioned at the rear portion of roof 39.Pivot member 80 has the flat platelike of bending, and its longer dimension direction that be substantially parallel upper extension with depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.Pivot member 80 includes axle 83 at its bending point place.Bending point is positioned at the middle part for depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 of pivot member 80.Axle 83 extends on width (left and right directions) 51.In the position separated with composition surface 46 towards rear wall 42, axle 83 is supported by the other parts of main body 31 so that pivot member 80 can pivot around axle 83.Pivot member 80 includes leading section 81 and rearward end 82.Leading section 81 extends from axle 83 towards composition surface 46.Rearward end 82 extends from axle 83 towards rear wall 42.

When not having external force to be applied to pivot member 80, due to its deadweight, pivot member 80 is positioned so that leading section 81 is positioned off the position that roof 39 is farthest, i.e. leading section 81 is in the extreme higher position relative to roof 39, i.e. rearward end 82 is than leading section 81 weight.When pivot member 80 in this position time, leading section 81 can extend outwardly beyond the upper end of the other parts of main body 31.In another embodiment, leading section 81 can not extend outwardly beyond the top of the other parts of main body 31, and is positioned at more internal compared with the upper end of the other parts of main body 31, is namely positioned at the lower section of the upper end of the other parts of main body 31.When current end 81 is urged downwardly, pivot member 80 resists its deadweight pivot clockwise in the diagram.When pivot member 80 is pivoted to degree as much as possible along clockwise direction, leading section 81 is positioned at the lower section of the upper end of composition surface 46.In another embodiment, pivot member 80 can form with the other parts of main body 31.In another embodiment, pivot member 80 can be biased in the clockwise direction by spring.In this case, when rearward end 82 is urged downwardly, pivot member 80 is resisted the biasing force of spring and is pivoted in the counterclockwise direction.

As mentioned above, main body 31 includes a part for sidewall 37,38.Each of this part of sidewall 37,38 extends up to the middle part for depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 of main body 31 from rear wall 42.Each of this part of sidewall 37,38 includes flat part and the tapered portion at the anterior place for depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 at flat part.More specifically, each of flat part includes the planar outer surfaces extended on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 and short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and the planar interior surfaces extended on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 and short transverse (above-below direction) 52.Tapered portion includes the planar outer surfaces extended on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 and short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and the inclined inner surface 47 or 48 upwardly extending in the side favouring depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 and extending in short transverse (above-below direction) 52.This part of sidewall 37 includes inclined inner surface 47, and the part of sidewall 38 includes inclined inner surface 48.When the front rack 90 assembled at print cartridge 30 is not attached to main body 31, the front portion of the restriction ink chamber 36 of inner frame 35 is not covered by this part of sidewall 37,38, but exposes.

[bracket 90]

Bracket 90 is attached to main body 31.The front portion of bracket 90 main body covered 31, this front portion extends to the front surface towards direction of insertion 56 of main body 31 around tilted surface 47,48.More specifically, anterior diapire 41 side of anterior sidewall 37 side of the front surface of bracket 90 main body covered 31, main body 31, anterior sidewall 38 side of main body 31, anterior roof 39 side of main body 31 and main body 31.In other words, the front surface of bracket 90 main body covered 31, the anterior top surface of main body 31, basal surface and side surface.

As it has been described above, bracket 90 includes a part for sidewall 37,38.This part of sidewall 37,38 is respectively provided with the elongated openings 91,92 being formed through it.Elongated openings 91,92 lays respectively at diapire 41 side of this part of sidewall 37,38.In other words, elongated openings 91,92 is positioned at the bottom of this part of sidewall 37,38.Each of elongated openings 91,92 has longer dimension in short transverse (above-below direction) 52.The protuberance of the front end of engagement hook 43 is not arranged in elongated openings 91,92, and contacts with the inner surface of the restriction elongated openings 91,92 of wall respectively.If attempting by pulling bracket 90 to be removed from main body 31 by bracket 90 on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53, then the protuberance of the front end of engagement hook 43 is hooked on the inner surface of restriction elongated openings 91,92 of wall so that bracket 90 can not be removed from main body 31.Each of the protuberance of the front end of engagement hook 43 each size in short transverse (above-below direction) 52 being smaller in size than elongated openings 91,92 in short transverse (above-below direction) 52.This part of sidewall 37,38 respectively behind wall 42 side include end 93,94.End 93,94 extends in short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and is covered by the tapered portion of this part of the sidewall 37,38 of main body 31 respectively.End 93,94 is respectively for the inclined inner surface 47,48 of rake, and namely end 93,94 is overlapping with inclined inner surface 47,48 on width (left and right directions) 51.Bracket 90 is configured to move in a scope in short transverse (above-below direction) 52 relative to main body 31, this scope by elongated openings 91,92 in short transverse (above-below direction) 52, the protuberance of front end that allows engagement hook 43 elongated openings 91,92 in short transverse (above-below direction) 52 dimension limitation of slip.In other words, between the end of the correspondence one of each and elongated openings 91,92 of the protuberance of the front end of engagement hook 43 in short transverse (above-below direction) 52 Existential Space so that bracket 90 can slide in main body 31 in short transverse (above-below direction) 52.When bracket 90 moves relative to main body 31, slide respectively in the end 93,94 of bracket 90 on inclined inner surface 47,48.In other words, when bracket 90 moves relative to main body 31, inclined inner surface 47,48 plays the effect of guiding piece.In the normal state, bracket 90 is supported from below by the upper surface of the front portion of main body 31.

Bracket 90 has the opening 95 being formed as running through bracket 90 on width (left and right directions) 51.Opening 95 is positioned at antetheca 40 side of bracket 90, is in the middle part for short transverse (above-below direction) 52 of bracket 90.In this embodiment, opening 95 has rectangular shape, but, according to variant embodiment, opening 95 can have other suitable shape any.Opening 95 has the size corresponding with the test section 33 of main body 31 and size, and is in the position corresponding with test section 33 so that test section 33 is exposed to the outside of print cartridge 30 on width (left and right directions) 51 via opening 95.The part limiting opening 95 of bracket 90 includes test section 89 and support portion 79, this test section 89 extends in short transverse (above-below direction) 52, and this support portion 79 extends towards main body 31 on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 from the lower end of test section 89 and is configured to test section 33 supported from below.When bracket 90 by the anterior upper surface of main body 31 supported from below time, Existential Space between test section 33 and support portion 79.When bracket 90 moves in an upward direction relative to main body 31, the lower end in contact of support portion 79 and test section 33.The scope that bracket 90 moves in short transverse (above-below direction) 52 relative to main body 31 can pass through elongated openings 91,92 in short transverse (above-below direction) 52, the dimension limitation that allows the protuberance of the front end of engagement hook 43 to slide in short transverse (above-below direction) 52 elongated openings 91,92 in, maybe can pass through when bracket 90 by the upper surface of the front portion of main body 31 supported from below time between test section 33 and support portion 79 space of formation limit.

Bracket 90 has the opening 96 being formed as running through the wall of the first protuberance 85 on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.In this embodiment, opening 96 has round-shaped, but, according to variant embodiment, opening can also be other shape any.Opening 96 has the size corresponding with the air communication opening 32 of main body 31 and size, and is in the position corresponding with air communication opening 32 so that can enter air communication opening 32 via opening 96 from the outside of print cartridge 30 on dismounting direction 55.

Bracket 90 has the opening 97 being formed as running through antetheca 40 on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53, and opening 97 is positioned at the bottom for short transverse 52 of antetheca 40.In this embodiment, opening 97 has round-shaped, but, according to variant embodiment, it is also possible to be other shape any.Opening 97 has the size corresponding with the ink supply 34 of main body 31 and size, and is in the position corresponding with ink supply 34 so that ink supply 34 extends through opening 37 on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.

Bracket 90 includes the first protuberance 85 and the second protuberance 86 at antetheca 40 place.First protuberance 85 extends on the direction of insertion 56 leave rear wall 42 from the upper end of antetheca 40.First protuberance 85 width on width (left and right directions) 51 is identical with the antetheca 40 width on width (left and right directions) 51.In another embodiment, the width of the first protuberance 85 can less than the width of antetheca 40.The front end of the first protuberance 85 is positioned in leave compares the formation ink supply opening 71 in the end of ink supply 34 forward in the direction of insertion 56 of rear wall 42.First protuberance 85 has recess, for instance form the groove 87 at the middle part for width (left and right directions) 51 of the first protuberance 85.Groove 87 extends on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.Groove 87 opens wide forward in direction of insertion 56 and is open upwards in short transverse (above-below direction) 52.The both sides for width (left and right directions) 51 of groove 87 are limited by a pair surface of the first protuberance 85 and are closed, and the bottom of groove 87 is limited by the surface of the first protuberance 85 and closed.The section along short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and width (left and right directions) 51 intercepting of groove 87 is rectangle.

First protuberance 85 includes the rib 88 being arranged on the middle part for width (left and right directions) 51 of groove 87.Rib 88 extends on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 and short transverse (above-below direction) 52.Rib 88 extends in an upward direction from the surface of the bottom limiting groove 87 of the first protuberance 85.Rib 88 is positioned at the roof 39 side place of print cartridge 30.The rib 88 boundary between roof 39 and antetheca 40 extends depth direction 53 or direction of insertion 56 from the antetheca 40 of print cartridge 30.Each of the side surface for width (left and right directions) 51 of rib 88 extends on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 and short transverse (above-below direction) 52, parallel with a pair surface of the both sides for width (left and right directions) 51 limiting groove 87 of the first protuberance 85.The surface of the both sides for width (left and right directions) 51 limiting groove 87 of the first protuberance 85 is opposed with the side surface on width (left and right directions) 51 of rib 88 respectively.Rib 88 is configured to the light travelled upwardly in the side vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 of decaying, for instance visible or infrared light.In this embodiment, vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 direction is width (left and right directions) 51.More specifically, when print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, rib 88 is between the optical transmitting set and optical receiver of optical pickocff 116, and this optical transmitting set and optical receiver are directed in the horizontal direction (width or left and right directions) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50.Rib 88 is configured to the light launched from the optical transmitting set of optical pickocff 116 and advance on the direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 of decaying.When light arrive rib 88 when with the side inserting/remove (width or left and right directions 51) on vertical direction, direction 50, out and arrive the amount of light of optical receiver of optical pickocff 116 less than scheduled volume from the opposite side of rib 88, for instance zero.In other words, rib 88 is configured to the amount of light or strength retrogression to being enough to the degree that detected by optical pickocff 116.By rib 88 be entirely prevented from light with insert/remove on vertical direction (width or left and right directions 51), direction 50 through, absorbed some light quantities by rib 88, deflected light by rib 88, by rib 88 total reflection light etc., cause the decay of light.So, rib 88 can be detected by optical pickocff 116.From a type of print cartridge 30 to another type of print cartridge 30, rib 88 is from antetheca 40 until the front end of rib 88 size on the direction of insertion 56 leaving rear wall 42 changes.Different types of print cartridge 30 can include the ink of the heterogeneity of the ink of different colours, such as dyestuff or pigment, be stored in ink chamber 36 ink etc. of different primary quantities.

In another embodiment, the first protuberance 85 can have recess 87 formed therein.Recess 87 can open wide forward in direction of insertion 56, is open upwards in short transverse (above-below direction) 52, and opens wide on the one or both sides on the width (left and right directions) 51 of the first protuberance 85.

Second protuberance 86 extends on the direction of insertion 56 leave rear wall 42 from the lower end of antetheca 40.Second protuberance 86 is positioned at the lower section of ink supply 34.Second protuberance 86 width on width (left and right directions) 51 is identical with the antetheca 40 width on width (left and right directions) 51.In another embodiment, the width of the second protuberance 86 can less than the width of antetheca 40.The front end of the second protuberance 86 is positioned in leave compares the formation ink supply opening 71 in the end of ink supply 34 forward in the direction of insertion 56 of rear wall 42.From a type of print cartridge 30 to another type of print cartridge 30, the second protuberance 86 from antetheca 40 until the front end of the second protuberance 86 size on the direction of insertion 56 leaving rear wall 42 changes.Different types of print cartridge 30 can include the ink etc. of the ink of the heterogeneity of the ink of different colours, such as dyestuff and pigment, the different primary quantities being stored in ink chamber 36.In this embodiment, the second protuberance 86 is detected (see Fig. 1) indirectly by optical pickocff 117.In another embodiment, the second protuberance 86 directly can be detected by optical pickocff 117.

Bracket 90 in antetheca 40 place or adjacent front wall 40, include test section 89 for short transverse (above-below direction) 52 between the first protuberance 85 and the second protuberance 86.Test section 89 is positioned in and leaves in the direction of insertion 56 of rear wall 42 than test section 33 forward.Test section 33 and test section 89 are directed in direction of insertion 56.The test section 89 width on width (left and right directions) 51 is identical with the test section 33 width on width (left and right directions) 51, but, according to variant embodiment, it is also possible to be other relatively big or lesser width.Test section 89 is configured to decay and passes through this test section at the light of the upper such as visible or infrared light advanced in direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50.More specifically, during print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, test section 89 is by between optical transmitting set and the optical receiver of optical pickocff 114.When this happens, test section 89 is decayed and is launched from the optical transmitting set of optical pickocff 114 and at the light of direction (width or left and right directions 51) the traveling vertical with inserting/remove direction 50.When light arrives the side on the direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 of test section 89, out and the amount of light of optical receiver of optical pickocff 114 is arrived less than scheduled volume, for instance zero from the opposite side of test section 89.In other words, test section 89 is configured to the amount of light or strength retrogression to being enough to the degree that detected by optical pickocff 114.By test section 89 be entirely prevented from light with insert/remove on vertical direction (width or left and right directions 51), direction 50 by this test section 89, absorbed same amount of light by test section 89, deflected light by test section 89, caused the decay of light by the fully reflective light of test section 89 etc..So, it is possible test section 89 to be detected by optical pickocff 114.

Gap is there is in depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 between test section 89 and test section 33.During print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, launches from the optical transmitting set of optical pickocff 114 and the light of traveling passes through this gap and arrives the optical receiver of optical pickocff 114 on the direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50.From this gap out and arrive the amount of light of optical receiver of optical pickocff 114 more than or equal to scheduled volume.From a type of print cartridge 30 to another type of print cartridge 30, the test section 89 size on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 changes.Different types of print cartridge 30 can include the ink etc. of the ink of the heterogeneity of the ink of different colours, such as dyestuff and pigment, the different primary quantities being stored in ink chamber 36.

The front end of the first protuberance 85, the front end of the second protuberance 86 and test section 89 are positioned to be inserted into direction 56 than test section 33 forward.In other words, test section 33 is positioned to be inserted into the front end of direction 56 to the first protuberance 85, the front end of the second protuberance 86 and test section 89 backward.Each of test section 33 and ink supply opening 71 for short transverse 52 between the first protuberance 85 and the second protuberance 86.

Print cartridge 30 includes the guide portion 65 at roof 39 place.Guide portion 65 is a pair rib upwardly extending from roof 39 and extending on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.Guide portion 65 extends on bracket 90 and main body 31.Width between the guide portion 65 outer surface on the width (left and right directions) of rib is less than the print cartridge 30 width between the outer surface of the sidewall 37,38 of main body 31 and the bracket 90 width on width (left and right directions).The guide portion 65 internal clearance between the inner surface of the width (left and right directions) of rib is more than the engagement member 145 width on width (left and right directions).Guide portion 65 includes the front end in direction of insertion 56.Guide portion 65 is between the groove 87 and rear wall 42 of the first protuberance 85.More specifically, guide portion 65 is positioned at the rear being inserted into direction 56 of groove 87.

Print cartridge 30 includes guide portion 66 at diapire 41 place.Guide portion 66 is the protuberance downwardly extending from diapire 41 and extending on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.Guide portion 66 extends on bracket 90 and main body 31.Width between the guide portion 66 outer surface on the width (left and right directions) of guide portion 66 is less than the print cartridge 30 width between the outer surface of the sidewall 37,38 of main body 31 and the bracket 90 width on width (left and right directions).When being inserted in box installation portion 110 when print cartridge 30 and remove from box installation portion 110, guide portion 65,66 is inserted in the guiding groove 109 of box installation portion 110.

Print cartridge 30 includes being arranged on bracket 90 place, at this of guide portion 65 to the IC plate 74 between rib.IC plate 74 is between the groove 87 and rear wall 42 of the first protuberance 85 and between junction surface 45 and antetheca 40.IC plate 74 is in roof 39 side of print cartridge 30, between antetheca 40 and rear wall 42.IC plate 74 is positioned to be inserted into direction 56 than antetheca 40 and groove 87 backward.IC plate 74 and ink supply opening 71 are inserted into direction 56 deviation.More specifically, IC plate 74 is positioned to be inserted into direction 56 than ink supply opening 71 backward.

Bracket 90 includes the platform 67 arranging IC plate 74 on it.Platform 67 is between this of guide portion 65 is to rib.When print cartridge 30 is in installation site (stand up position), platform 67 is to extend on width (left and right directions) 51 and depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 and inserting/removing the plane surface extended on direction 50.Plane that platform 67 extends thereon, the plane that plane and the composition surface 46 namely extended on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 and width (left and right directions) 51 extends thereon, the level-crossing that namely extends in short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and width (left and right directions) 51.In this embodiment, the plane that platform extends thereon is vertical with the plane that composition surface 46 extends thereon.IC plate 74 includes the upper surface extended on width (left and right directions) 51 and depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.When print cartridge 30 is in installation site (stand up position), the upper surface of IC plate 74 is horizontal-extending and towards upper.Plane that the upper surface of IC plate 74 extends thereon, the plane namely extended on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 and width (left and right directions) 51, the plane extended thereon with composition surface 46, the level-crossing namely extended in short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and width (left and right directions) 51.In this embodiment, the plane that the upper surface of IC plate 74 extends thereon is vertical with the plane that composition surface 46 extends thereon.Because platform 67 is positioned to be inserted into direction 56 than composition surface 46 more forward, IC plate 74 is positioned to be inserted into direction 56 than composition surface 46 forward.IC plate 74 is positioned at the rib 88 of the first protuberance 85 and the top (higher) of groove 87 for short transverse (above-below direction) 52.In other words, IC plate 74 is positioned at more lateral compared with rib 88 and groove 87.IC plate 74 is positioned at least one of top (higher) at junction surface 45 for short transverse (above-below direction) 52.In other words, IC plate 74 and junction surface 45 at least partially compared be positioned at more lateral.Box installation portion 110 includes three contacts 106 being directed on the direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50.During print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, IC plate 74 contacts with three contacts (see Fig. 6) and electrically connects.When completing print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, IC plate 74 still contacts with three contacts 106 and electrically connects.

Referring to figs. 2 and 3, IC plate 74 includes IC (not shown) and electrical interface, for instance thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77.IC is semiconductor integrated circuit and the data storing the information about print cartridge 30, for instance the color etc. of the ink of storage in the lot number of print cartridge 30, the build date of print cartridge 30, print cartridge 30.When print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, being stored in the data in IC can be read by printer 10.

Each of thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 electrically connects with IC.Each of thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 extends on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.Thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are aligned with each other and spaced apart on width (left and right directions) 51.Ground electrode 76 is between thermode 75 and signal electrode 77.IC plate 74 has the width on width (left and right directions) 51, and the rib 88 of the first protuberance 85 has the width on width (left and right directions) 51, and the width of IC plate 74 is more than the width of rib 88.Each of thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 has the width on width (left and right directions) 51, and the width of each of thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 is more than the width of rib 88.The rib 88 of the IC plate 74 center on width (left and right directions) 51 and the first protuberance 85 is centrally located in a plane on width (left and right directions) 51, and this plane is parallel with short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.Therefore, IC plate 74 and rib 88 with and short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and the parallel level-crossing of depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.In other words, IC plate 74 and rib 88 not necessarily depart from width (left and right directions) 51.More specifically, the center that ground electrode 76 is on width (left and right directions) 51 is centrally located in the plane parallel with short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 with rib 88.In other words, the center of the ground electrode 76 center on width (left and right directions) 51 and rib 88 not necessarily departs from width (left and right directions) 51.Therefore, ground electrode 76 and rib 88 with and short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and the parallel level-crossing of depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.In other words, ground electrode 76 and rib 88 not necessarily depart from width (left and right directions) 51.Thermode 75, ground electrode 76, signal electrode 77 are arranged symmetrically for the plane parallel with short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53 with rib 88.Composition surface 46, IC plate 74 and groove 87 with and short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and the parallel level-crossing of depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.In other words, composition surface 46, IC plate 74 and groove 87 not necessarily depart from width (left and right directions) 51.More specifically.Composition surface 46, ground electrode 76 and groove 87 with and short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and the parallel level-crossing of depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53, composition surface 46, thermode 75 and groove 87 with and short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and parallel another level-crossing of depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53, composition surface 46, thermode 75 and groove 87 with and short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and the parallel another surface crosswise of depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.In other words, thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 each, composition surface 46 and groove 87 not necessarily depart from width (left and right directions) 51.During print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, thermode 75, ground electrode 76 contact and electrically connect with three contacts 106 (see Fig. 6) with signal electrode 77 respectively.When completing print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, thermode 75, ground electrode 76 still with signal electrode 77 contact with three contacts 106 and electrically connect respectively.

Composition surface 46, IC plate 74 and groove 87 are in upwardly exposed outside to print cartridge 30 for short transverse 52, roof 39 side of print cartridge 30.Thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are in the upwardly exposed outside to print cartridge 30, the upper surface place of IC plate 74 so that when print cartridge 30 is in installation site, and thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 can access from above.In other words, thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 can access with width (left and right directions) 51 and insertion/dismounting vertical in downward direction going up in direction 50.Composition surface 46 can be accessed from above when print cartridge 30 is in installation site.In other words, can at the in downward direction upper access composition surface 46 vertical with width (left and right directions) 51 and insertion/dismounting direction 50.

Rib upwards and is extended beyond IC plate 74 to the front of direction of insertion 56 by this of guide portion 65.In other words, rib is extended outwardly beyond IC plate 74 by this of guide portion 65.Bracket 90 includes this slope 49 that rib is connected of guide portion 65.Slope 49 is between the groove 87 and rear wall 42 of the first protuberance 85 and between IC plate 74 and antetheca 40.Slope 49 is between the groove 87 and IC plate 74 of the first protuberance 85.It is downward-sloping that slope 49 is inserted into direction 56 so that position compared with the rear portion on slope 49, the front portion on slope 49 is relatively low.When print cartridge 30 be inserted into box installation portion 110 neutralize remove from box installation portion 110 time, engagement member 145 slides on slope 49.

Between junction surface 45 and bracket 90, at junction surface 45 and bracket 90 boundary and form recess 78 on the top of print cartridge 30.When main body 31 and bracket 90 be respectively relative to box installation portion 110 position time, as described below, between the both sides of recess 78, junction surface 45 and bracket 90, in short transverse (above-below direction) 52, do not have difference in height.Therefore, when print cartridge 30 be inserted into box installation portion 110 neutralize remove from box installation portion 110 time, engagement member 145 does not block in the recess 78.

In this embodiment, anterior diapire 41 side of the front surface of bracket 90 main body covered 31, anterior sidewall 37 side of main body 31, anterior sidewall 38 side of main body 31, anterior roof 39 side of main body 31 and main body 31.But, bracket 90 can differently main body covered 31 front portion.With reference to Figure 10 A and Figure 10 B, in an alternate embodiment, bracket 90 can not main body covered 31 anterior sidewall 37 side.With reference to Figure 11 A and Figure 11 B, in another variant embodiment, bracket 90 can not main body covered 31 anterior diapire 41 side.

[ink-feeding device 100]

With reference to Fig. 1, printer 10 includes ink-feeding device 100.Ink-feeding device 100 is configured to supply ink to printhead 21.Ink-feeding device 100 includes print cartridge 30 and is mountable to box installation portion 110 thereon.In FIG, print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110.

[box installation portion 110]

With reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6, box installation portion 110 includes housing 101, and housing 101 has the opening 112 on the surface being formed through housing 101.Print cartridge 30 is configured to insert housing 101 via opening 112 and neutralizes and remove from housing 101.Housing 101 has the groove 109 formed in the top surface limiting the upper end of inner space of housing 101, also has the groove 109 formed in the basal surface limiting the lower end of inner space of housing 101.Groove 109 is inserting/is removing extension on direction 50.Being inserted in the groove 109 formed in the top surface of housing 101 and guide portion 66 is inserted in the groove 109 formed in the basal surface of housing 101 in guide portion 65, print cartridge 30 is guided on direction 50 in insertion/dismounting.Housing 101 is configured to receive four print cartridges 30 storing cyan ink, magenta ink, yellow ink and black ink respectively.

Housing 101 includes three demarcation strips 102 extended on vertical direction and insertion/dismounting direction 50.The inner space of housing 101 is divided into four spaces by three demarcation strips 102.Four print cartridges 30 are configured to be respectively installed in four spaces.

With reference to Fig. 6, housing 101 includes inserting/removing end surfaces contrary with opening 112 on direction 50.Box installation portion 110 includes the connecting portion 103 being arranged on the bottom place of this end surfaces of housing 101, is in the position corresponding with the ink supply 34 of the print cartridge 30 being installed to housing 101.In this embodiment, four print cartridges 30 for may be mounted to housing 101 arrange four connecting portions 103.

Connecting portion 103 includes printing-fluid supply pipe and the maintaining part 121 of such as ink pipe 122.The cylindrical pipe that ink pipe 122 is made up of synthetic resin.Ink pipe 122 is connected with ink pipe 20 in the outside of housing 101.The black pipe 20 being connected with ink pipe 122 extends to printhead 21 to supply ink to printhead 21.In fig. 5 and fig., ink pipe 20 is not shown.

Maintaining part 121 has drum.Ink pipe 122 is positioned at the center of maintaining part 121.With reference to Fig. 9, when print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, ink supply 34 is inserted in maintaining part 121.When this happens, being contacted by the inner surface of the outer surface of ink supply 34 with maintaining part 121, ink supply 34 is relative to maintaining part 121 location for short transverse (above-below direction) 52.When ink supply 34 is inserted in maintaining part 121, ink pipe 122 is inserted in ink supply opening 71.This allows the ink being stored in ink chamber 36 to exit in ink pipe 122.

With reference to Fig. 6, box installation portion 110 includes sensor unit 104 above connecting portion 103.Sensor unit 104 includes plate 113 and is installed to the optical pickocff 114 of plate 113.More specifically, sensor unit 104 includes a plate 113 and four optical pickocffs 114 being installed on a plate 113, it is corresponding with four print cartridges 30 that may be mounted to housing 101.

As it has been described above, optical pickocff 114 includes the optical transmitting set of such as light emitting diode and the optical receiver of such as optical transistor.Optical transmitting set and optical receiver are accommodated in shell, and this shell extends towards opening 112 direction 50 from plate 113 in insertion/dismounting.Shell has U-shape when viewed from the top.The optical transmitting set of optical pickocff 114 and optical receiver are directed in the horizontal direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 with the state forming space therebetween.Optical transmitting set is formed in the horizontal direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 and launches light towards optical receiver, for instance infrared light or visible ray, and optical receiver is configured to receive the light launched from optical transmitting set.Test section 33 and test section 89 can be inserted in the space between optical transmitting set and optical receiver.Optical pickocff 114 is configured to the change of detection light quantity (intensity) when test section 33 or test section 89 enter light path (test point) formed between optical transmitting set and optical receiver.Optical pickocff 114 electrically connects with the controller (describing below) of printer 10, when test section 33 or test section 89 being detected when optical pickocff 114, exports the signal change of controller from optical pickocff 114.

With reference to Fig. 6, print cartridge installation portion 110 includes the sensor unit 105 being positioned at the end surfaces place of the top surface of housing 101, contiguous housing 101.Sensor unit 105 includes plate 115 and is installed to the optical pickocff 116 of plate 115.More specifically, sensor unit 105 includes a plate 115 and is installed to four optical pickocffs 116 of a plate 115, it is corresponding with four print cartridges 30 that may be mounted to housing 101.

As it has been described above, optical pickocff 116 includes the optical transmitting set of such as light emitting diode and the optical receiver of such as optical transistor.Optical transmitting set and optical receiver are accommodated in shell, and this shell downwardly extends from plate 115 in the vertical direction.When from when inserting/remove direction 50, shell has substantially inverted U-shaped.

It is directed in the horizontal direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 under the state that the optical transmitting set of optical pickocff 116 and optical receiver form space betwixt.Optical transmitting set is formed in the horizontal direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 and launches light towards optical receiver, for instance infrared light or visible ray, and optical receiver is configured to receive the light launched from optical transmitting set.When print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, the rib 88 of the first protuberance 85 is inserted in the space between optical transmitting set and optical receiver.Optical pickocff 116 is configured to the change of detection light quantity (intensity) when rib 88 enters light path (test point) formed between optical transmitting set and optical receiver.Optical pickocff 116 is electrically connected to the controller of printer 10, and when optical pickocff 116 detects rib 88, exports the signal change of controller from optical pickocff 116.Based on this signal change, can determine whether print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110 by controller.In other words, rib 88 is configured to be provided by the light of optical pickocff 116 of decaying be present in the information in box installation portion 110 about print cartridge 30.

Box installation portion 110 includes the electric contact 106 between the top surface place at housing 101, the end surfaces at housing 101 and opening 112.Contact 106 is arranged by upper in the direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50 and be directed at.Three contacts 106 are disposed in the position that the thermode 75 with print cartridge 30, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are corresponding.Contact 106 has electric conductivity and elasticity.Contact 106 is configured to be resiliently deformed in an upward direction.Four groups of three contacts 106 are set, corresponding with four print cartridges 30 that may be mounted to housing 101.

Printer 10 includes controller, and contact 106 is electrically connected with the controller via circuit.Controller can include CPU, ROM, RAM etc..When thermode 75 contacts with the correspondence one of contact 106 and electrically connects, voltage Vc is applied to thermode 75.When ground electrode 76 contacts with the correspondence one of contact 106 and electrically connects, ground electrode 76 is grounded.When thermode 75 contacts and electrically connects with corresponding contact 106 with ground electrode 76 respectively, electric power is supplied to IC.When signal electrode 77 contacts with the correspondence one of contact 106 and electrically connects, being stored in the data in IC can access.Output from electronic circuit is imported into controller.

With reference to Fig. 1, housing 101 has the space 130 of the lower end forming the end surfaces at housing 101.Box installation portion 110 includes the slider 135 being arranged in space 130.Four sliders 135 are arranged in correspondence with four print cartridges 30 that may be mounted to box 101.Space 130 is continuous with the inner space of housing 101.Slider 135 is formed in space 130 and moves on direction 50 in insertion/dismounting.Slider 135 has approximately parallelepiped body shape.Slider 135 is arranged in the course of the second protuberance 86 of print cartridge 30, and is configured to contact with the second protuberance 86.

Box installation portion 110 includes the helical spring 139 being arranged in space 130.Helical spring 139 is configured to slider 135 towards opening 112, is namely removing bias on direction 55.When helical spring 139 is in natural length, namely when not having external force to be applied to slider 135, slider 135 is positioned at opening 112 side in space 130.When print cartridge 30 is inserted in housing 101, the second protuberance 86 of print cartridge 30 contacts with slider 135 and is pushed in direction of insertion 56 by slider 135.When this happens, helical spring 139 shrinks and slider 135 slides in direction of insertion 56.The helical spring 139 being in contraction state is removing bias print cartridge 30 on direction 55 via slider 135.

Box installation portion 110 includes optical pickocff 117 at the top place in space 130.Four optical pickocffs 117 are arranged in correspondence with four print cartridges 30 that may be mounted to housing 101.In other words, four optical pickocffs 117 and four sliders 135 are arranged in correspondence with.Four optical pickocffs 117 are directed on the direction (width or left and right directions 51) vertical with inserting/remove direction 50.Optical pickocff 117 has the structure identical with optical pickocff 116.

When print cartridge 30 is mounted to 101, slider 135 is pushed and inserts in the space between optical transmitting set and the optical receiver of optical pickocff 117.Optical pickocff 117 is configured to the change of detection light quantity (intensity) when slider 135 enters light path (test point) formed between the optical transmitting set and optical receiver of optical pickocff 117.Optical pickocff 117 electrically connects with the controller of printer 10, and when optical pickocff 117 detects slider 135, exports the signal change of controller from optical pickocff 117.In Fig. 6 to Fig. 9, not shown slider 135, helical spring 139 and optical pickocff 117.

In box installation portion 110, the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 114 is positioned in direction of insertion 56 than the test point (light path) of the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 116 and optical pickocff 117 backward.

With reference to Fig. 6, box installation portion 110 includes bar 125 at the end surfaces place of housing 101.The bar 125 position for short transverse (above-below direction) 52 is corresponding with the air communication valve 73 of the print cartridge 30 being installed to box installation portion 110 position for short transverse (above-below direction) 52.Four bars 125 are arranged in correspondence with four print cartridges 30 that may be mounted to housing 101.Bar 125 has cylindric and extends towards opening 112 direction 50 in insertion/dismounting from the end surfaces of housing 101.During print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, bar 125 is inserted by the opening 96 via bracket 90, and the end of bar 125 contacts with air communication valve 73.Air communication valve 73 is pushed by bar 125 so that air communication mouth 32 is opened.The outer surface of bar 125 contacts with the inner surface 98 limiting opening 96 of bracket 90, thus bracket 90 is relative to box installation portion 110 location for short transverse (above-below direction) 52.

With reference to Fig. 6, box installation portion 110 includes the engagement member 145 being positioned at the top of housing 101.Engagement member 145 is configured to be retained in installation site print cartridge 30.The upper end being positioned adjacent to opening 112 of engagement member 145.Engagement member 145 is between opening 112 and contact 106.Each of contact 106 and engagement member 145 and a level-crossing, this plane is with insertion/dismounting direction 50 and vertically (gravity) direction is parallel.In other words, each of contact 106 and engagement member 145 not necessarily departs from width (left and right directions) 51.Four engagement members 145 are arranged in correspondence with four print cartridges 30 that may be mounted to housing 101.

Box installation portion 110 includes the axle 147 being adjacent to the location, upper end of opening 112.Axle 147 is attached to housing 101 and in direction (width or left and right directions 51) the upper extension vertical with inserting/remove direction 50.Axle 147 extends through the rear end being inserted into direction 56 of the end contiguous with opening 112 of engagement member 145, in other words engagement member 145.Engagement member 145 is supported by axle 147 so that engagement member 145 can around axle 147 optionally towards the inner space of housing 101 and the inner space pivot leaving housing 101.Engagement member 145 includes the abutting end 146 that end that the axle 147 with engagement member 145 extends through is contrary.In other words, abutting end 146 is positioned at the front end being inserted into direction 56 of engagement member 145.The junction surface 45 that engagement member 146 is configured to print cartridge 30 contacts.By the contact between the composition surface 46 at abutting end 146 and junction surface 45, print cartridge 30 is resisted and is retained in the installation site in housing 101 from the biasing force of slider 135.When abutting end 146 contacts with composition surface 46, abutting end 146 substantially extends on width (left and right directions) 51 and in short transverse (above-below direction) 52.Engagement member 145 is configured to move between locked and unlocked positions.When engagement member 145 is in the locked position, abutting end 146 can contact with junction surface 45.When engagement member 145 is in the unlocked position, abutting end 146 does not contact with junction surface 45.

Engagement member 145 includes the slidingsurface 148 extended from abutting end 146 towards axle 147.When abutting end 146 contacts with composition surface 46, slidingsurface 148 substantially extends on width (left and right directions) 51 and depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53.Slidingsurface 148 has the width on width (left and right directions) 51, making when print cartridge 30 is inserted into box installation portion 110 and removes from box installation portion 110, slidingsurface 148 all contacts with thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 and slides on simultaneously.

Engagement member 145 is configured to due to its deadweight or is biased by spring (not shown) and pivot downwards.When print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, it is positioned at above the leading section 81 of pivot member 80 with the abutting end 146 that junction surface 45 contacts.When current end 81 moves up and presses upwards on abutting end 146, engagement member 145 is to pivot upwardly to unlocked position around axle 147 from latched position.The mobile range of engagement member 145 is limited so that engagement member 145 does not pivot downwards beyond latched position.

[print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110]

With reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 9, describe how print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110.In Fig. 7 to Fig. 9, box installation portion 110 is shown in section, but only roof 39 sidepiece of print cartridge 30 is shown in section.

As it has been described above, because bracket 90 is supported from below by the upper surface of the front portion of main body 31, before print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, bracket 90 can move in an upward direction relative to main body 31.With reference to Fig. 7, when print cartridge 30 is inserted in box installation portion 110 in direction of insertion 56, the guide portion 65,66 of print cartridge 30 is inserted in the groove 109 of housing 101, thus print cartridge 30 is positioned for width (left and right directions) 51 and short transverse (above-below direction) 52 roughly relative to box installation portion 110.The end surfaces that print cartridge 30 is formed at while guide portion 65,66 is inserted into groove 109 towards housing 101 slides.

With reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, when print cartridge 30 is inserted in housing 101, the front end of the first protuberance 85 contacts with the slidingsurface 148 of engagement member 145.When print cartridge 30 is further inserted into, slidingsurface 148 crawls on the first protuberance 85 and slope 49.When this happens, engagement member 145 is to pivot upwardly to unlocked position from latched position on the counter clockwise direction of Fig. 7.When print cartridge 30 is further inserted into, the slidingsurface 148 of engagement member 145 slides on slope 49 and IC plate 74 and passes through on recess 78.When slidingsurface 148 slides on thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77, dust is wiped from thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77.

With reference to Fig. 1, when print cartridge 30 is inserted into housing 101, the second protuberance 86 contacts with slider 135.When print cartridge 30 is further inserted into, slider 135 is resisted and is pushed into the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 117 in direction of insertion 56 from the biasing force of helical spring 139.When optical pickocff 117 detects slider 135, the signal exporting controller from optical pickocff 117 changes over low voltage signal from high level signal.

With reference to Fig. 8, after the second protuberance 86 starts to push slider 135, test section 89 enters the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 114.When optical pickocff 114 detects test section 89, the signal exporting controller from optical pickocff 114 changes over low level signal from high level signal.

With reference to Fig. 8, after test section 89 enters the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 114, the rib 88 of the first protuberance 85 enters the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 116.When optical pickocff 116 detects rib 88, the signal exporting controller from optical pickocff 116 changes into low level signal from high level signal.After test section 89 is by the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 114, the test point (light path) by optical pickocff 114 of the gap between test section 89 and test section 33.When this happens, export the signal of controller from optical pickocff 114 and change over high level signal from low level signal.Then, when test section 33 enters test point (light path) of optical pickocff 114, if sensor arm 60 is in lower position, then exports the signal of controller from optical pickocff 114 and change over low level signal from high level signal.

If in a type of print cartridge 30, test section 89 is longer on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53, when rib 88 initially enters test point (light path) of optical pickocff 116, test section 89 is still in the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 114, therefore, when the signal exported from optical pickocff 116 changes over low level signal from high level signal, it is low level signal from the signal of optical pickocff 114 output.If in another type of print cartridge 30, test section 89 is shorter on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53, when rib 88 initially enters test point (light path) of optical pickocff 116, test section 89 is no longer in the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 114, therefore, when the signal exported from optical pickocff 116 changes over low level signal from high level, it is high level signal from the signal of optical pickocff 114 output.In other words, rib 88 and test section 89 are configured to be provided the information of the type about print cartridge 30 by the light of decay optical pickocff 116 and optical pickocff 114.

If in a type of print cartridge 30, second protuberance 86 is longer on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53, when rib 88 initially enters test point (light path) of optical pickocff 116, slider 135 is in the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 117, therefore, when the signal exported from optical pickocff 116 changes to low level signal from high level signal, it is low level signal from the signal of optical pickocff 117 output.If in another type of print cartridge 30, second protuberance 86 is shorter on depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53, when rib 88 initially enters test point (light path) of optical pickocff 116, slider 135 is not yet in the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 117, and the signal therefore exported from optical pickocff 117 when the signal exported from optical pickocff 116 changes to low level signal from high level signal is high level signal.In other words, rib 88 and the second protuberance 86 are configured to be provided the information of the type about print cartridge 30 by the light of decay optical pickocff 116 and optical pickocff 117.

With reference to Fig. 8, during print cartridge 30 is inserted housing 101, the ink supply 34 of print cartridge 30 is inserted into maintaining part 121 and ink pipe 122 is inserted into ink supply opening 71.When this happens, contacted by the inner surface of the outer surface of ink supply 34 with maintaining part 121, ink supply 34 is relative to maintaining part 121 location for short transverse (above-below direction) 52, and namely main body 31 is relative to box installation portion 110 location for short transverse (above-below direction) 52.Ink supply valve 70 is pushed by ink pipe 122 so that ink supply opening 71 is opened.Ink pipe 122 has the ink being formed at its end and introduces opening, and the ink being stored in ink chamber 36 introduces opening via ink and flows into ink pipe 122 in direction of insertion 56.

With reference to Fig. 8, during print cartridge 30 is inserted housing 101, bar 125 enters the opening 96 of bracket 90.Bracket 90 can move in an upward direction relative to main body 31.When bar 125 enters opening 96, the upper contact limiting opening 96 of the inner surface 98 of the top of the outer surface of bar 125 and bracket 90, and press upwards on bracket 90 so that bracket 90 slides in an upward direction in main body 31.Bracket 90 can not move in a downward direction relative to box installation portion 110, because the upper contact limiting opening 96 from below of the inner surface 98 of the top of the outer surface of bar 125 and bracket 90.With reference to Fig. 9, bar 125 contacts with air communication valve 73 and forces air communicating valve 73.Air communication valve 73 moves away from air communication opening 32 so that air flows in ink chamber 36 via air communication opening 32.

Meanwhile, with reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9, contact 106 contacts with the slope 49 of bracket 90.Because slope 49 is inclined upwardly when contact 106 is moved towards the rear wall 42 of print cartridge 30, and because can not move in a downward direction with the state bottom bracket 90 of the lower contacts limiting opening 96 of the inner surface 98 of bracket 90 on the top of outer surface of bar 125, so when contact 106 is resiliently deformed contact 106 in an upward direction when slope 49 and IC plate 74 slip up.The contact 106 of elastic deformation biases IC plate 74 in a downward direction.When contact 106 arrives IC plate 74, clipping bracket 90 respectively from above and below by contact 106 and bar 125, bracket 90 is relative to box installation portion 110 location for short transverse (above-below direction) 52.

When print cartridge 30 is inserted by the end surfaces further towards housing 101, with reference to Fig. 9, contact 106 contacts with the thermode 75 of IC plate 74, ground electrode 76, signal electrode 77 and electrically connects respectively.When the installation of print cartridge 30 arrives installation site, thermode 75, ground electrode 76 still with signal electrode 77 contact with three contacts 106 and electrically connect respectively.

When print cartridge 30 arrives installation site, the composition surface 46 at the junction surface 45 of print cartridge 30 has passed through the abutting end 146 of engagement member 145 in direction of insertion 56.Engagement member 145 in fig .9 be pivoted to latched position clockwise, abutting end 146 contacts with composition surface 46.Due to this contact between engagement member 145 and junction surface 45, print cartridge 30 is resisted and is retained in installation site from the biasing force of helical spring 139.In other words, print cartridge 30 is inserted into/removes location for direction 50 relative to box installation portion 110.So, complete print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110.

When print cartridge 30 is in the installation site in box installation portion 110, main body 31 positions when ink supply 34 is inserted into maintaining part 121 and ink pipe 122 is inserted into ink supply opening 71, and bracket 90 is clipped by contact 106 and bar 125 and is positioned at the position between the end of its mobile range.

When print cartridge 30 is in the installation site in box installation portion 110, the leading section 81 of pivot member 80 is positioned at below the abutting end 146 of engagement member 145.The rearward end 82 of pivot member 80 is left roof 39 ground and is positioned.

Based on the level of the output signal from optical pickocff 116, determine whether print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110 by controller.In other words, rib 88 is configured to be provided by the light of optical pickocff 116 of decaying be present in the information in box installation portion 110 about print cartridge 30.Based on from optical pickocff 114 output signal level and based on from optical pickocff 116 signal export change over low level signal from high level signal time from optical pickocff 117 output signal level, determined the type of print cartridge 30 by controller.In other words, rib 88 and test section 89 or the second protuberance 86 are configured to be provided the information of the type about print cartridge 30 by the light of decay optical pickocff 116 and optical pickocff 114 or optical pickocff 117.By periodically surveying the level of the output signal from optical pickocff 114, determined the ink amount of storage in ink chamber 36 by controller, namely determine whether ink chamber 36 has the scheduled volume being stored therein or more black.In other words, test section 33 is configured to be indicated presence or absence ink in ink chamber 36 by the light of decay or unattenuated optical pickocff 114.Based on the data read from IC plate 74, it is determined that the information of print cartridge 30, for instance the color etc. of the ink of storage in the lot number of print cartridge 30, the date of manufacture of print cartridge 30, print cartridge 30.

In another embodiment, being installed to the initial position before box installation portion 110 at print cartridge 30, bracket 90 may move in a downward direction relative to main body 31.In this case, bracket 90 is supported by the stiction between end 93,94 and the inclined inner surface 47,48 of main body 31 of bracket 90.When print cartridge 30 is inserted in housing 101 and when bar 125 is inserted in the opening 96 of bracket 90, the outer surface of bar 125 initially can not contact the inner surface 98 limiting opening 96 of bracket 90.When print cartridge 30 is further inserted into, contact 106 contacts and pushes down on bracket 90 with slope 49 and IC plate 74 so that the upper contact limiting opening 96 of the inner surface 98 of the top of the outer surface of bar 125 and bracket 90.When contact 106 arrives IC plate 74, clipping bracket 90 respectively from above and below by contact 106 and bar 125, bracket 90 is relative to box installation portion 110 location for short transverse (above-below direction) 52.

Here the timetable that event occurs during print cartridge 30 is inserted into box installation portion 110 it is more fully described.When inserting beginning, the slidingsurface 148 at junction surface 145 begins at and slides on IC plate 74.Then the second protuberance 86 contacts with slider 135 and starts to push slider 135.Then test section 89 initially enters the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 114.Then rib 88 initially enters the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 116.Then bar 125 contacts with air communication valve 73 and starts forces air communicating valve 73.Then contact 106 starts to contact with IC plate 74.Then the gap between test section 89 and test section 33 initially enters the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 114.Then ink pipe 122 contacts with ink supply valve 70 and starts to push ink supply valve 70.Then test section 33 initially enters the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 114.Then abutting end 146 contacts with composition surface 46.

After completing print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110, printer 10 starts to print.When in ink chamber 36, the ink of storage is finished by printer 10, used print cartridge 30 is removed from box installation portion 110, and new print cartridge 30 is installed to box installation portion 110.

[print cartridge 30 is removed from box installation portion 110]

When being intended to remove print cartridge 30 from box installation portion 110, the rearward end 82 of pivot member 80 is pushed down on by user.Therefore, the leading section 81 of pivot member 80 moves up and separates with roof 39.When this happens, engagement member 145 is pressed upwards on by the leading section 81 of pivot member 80, and the abutting end 146 of engagement member 145 moves to the position above composition surface 46, namely moves to the position separated with composition surface 46.So, engagement member 145 moves to unlocked position from latched position, and print cartridge 30 is by from the status releasing kept by engagement member 145.

When abutting end 146 separates with composition surface 46, it is applied to the external force of print cartridge 30, the biasing force of such as helical spring 139 makes print cartridge 30 move removing on direction 55.But, because the finger of user still contacts with the rearward end 82 of the pressure of pivot member 80, so the print cartridge 30 of movement is by user stop on dismounting direction 55.The biasing force of helical spring 139 is received by the finger of user via pivot member 80.

When user makes his/her finger move on dismounting direction 55, print cartridge 30 is pushed by slider 135 and helical spring 139 and follows finger and move.When this happens, the IC plate 74 on bracket 90 it is arranged on by the downward bias pressure releases from the contact 106 of box installation portion 110.At print cartridge 30 when removing the finger following user on direction 55 and moving, the slidingsurface 148 of engagement member 145 passes at recess 78 and slides on IC plate 74 and slope 49.When slidingsurface 148 slides on thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77, dust is wiped from thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77.After sliding on slope 49, slidingsurface 148 passes at groove 87.When this happens, the dust wiped by slidingsurface 148 is fallen in groove 87.Therefore, the probability of the part around ink supply opening 71 that dust fell and be adhered to ink supply 34 reduces.

Meanwhile, the outer surface of bar 125 separates with the inner surface 98 limiting opening 96 of bracket 90 so that bracket 90 is moved down into initial position relative to main body 31, and in this initial position, bracket 90 is supported by the anterior upper surface of main body 31.Ink pipe 122 is drawn out ink supply 34.So, print cartridge 30 is removed from box installation portion 110.

[advantage]

In this embodiment, because print cartridge 30 includes being configured to the test section 89 by optical pickocff 114,116 detection independent with IC plate 74 and rib 88, even if the electrical connection between IC plate 74 and contact 106 can not be set up or data can not read from IC via signal electrode 77, can determine that print cartridge 30 is installed to printer 10 based on the information obtained from test section 89 and rib 88.Therefore, even if the electrical connection between IC plate 74 and contact 106 can not be set up or data can not read from IC via signal electrode 77, it is also possible to use print cartridge 30.

In this embodiment, because the light launched from optical pickocff 114,116 is advanced on the direction (width, left and right directions) vertical with direction of insertion 50, so test section 89 and rib 88 can enter the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 114,116 in direction of insertion 50 with desired timing.And, because thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 can vertical with direction of insertion 50 in downward direction and on the direction advanced of light accessible, even if so thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are accessed in a downward direction by contact 106, print cartridge 30 is moved in a downward direction, and this movement nor affects on the timing that test section 89 and rib 88 enter the test point (light path) of optical pickocff 114,116 in direction of insertion 56.This is because this timing is determined by the print cartridge 30 movement in direction of insertion 56, rather than determined by moving down of print cartridge 30.As a rule, when there is event on direction perpendicular to one another, such event can be independent event and can not influence each other.

In this embodiment, because thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are between antetheca 40 and rear wall 42, the biasing force on dismounting direction 55 from slider 135 and helical spring 139 is not directly received by thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77.Therefore, excessive loads is applied to the probability reduction of thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77.And, the probability that ink leaks from ink supply 34 and thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are polluted by ink reduces.

If IC plate 74 is arranged on antetheca 40 place in the face of direction of insertion 56, then contact potentially unstable between thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 with contact 106, because print cartridge 30 is biased on direction 55, namely on the direction that thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 separate with contact 106 removing.Therefore, in this case, the deformation range of contact 106 and the elasticity of contact 106 will have to be set bigger, even if so that when thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 move away contact 106 by biasing the biasing force of print cartridge 30, it is ensured that contact between thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 with contact 106.But, the moderate finite deformation scope of contact 106 and bigger elasticity are likely to thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are applied big biasing force, and namely excessive load is likely to be applied to thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77.And, if IC plate 74 is arranged on antetheca 40 place, it is likely to arrive thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 from the ink of ink supply 34 leakage, and causes short circuit between thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77.

In this embodiment, because thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 and junction surface 45 are arranged on the same side of print cartridge 30, i.e. roof 39 side, thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are adjacent to location, ground, junction surface 45.Because when junction surface 45 contacts with engagement member 145, the position being inserted into/remove direction 50 print cartridge 30 relative to box installation portion 110 is determined at junction surface 45, is adjacent to the thermode 75 of location, junction surface 45, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 and can be inserted into/remove direction 50 and be precisely located relative to contact 106.

In this embodiment, because thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are positioned to be inserted into direction 56 than composition surface 46 more forward, so each and composition surface 46 of thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 and corresponding level-crossing, this plane is parallel with short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53, during print cartridge 30 is inserted box installation portion 110, engagement member 145 slides on thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77.Therefore the dust on thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 is wiped free of, and the electrical connection between thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 and contact 106 becomes unstable probability and reduces.

In this embodiment, thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are positioned at least some of top of the composition surface 46 at junction surface 45.Because engagement member 145 is configured to due to its deadweight or is pivoted downwards by spring-biased, so the dust on thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 can be engaged component 145 with higher downward force erasing.And, the mobile range of engagement member 145 is limited, engagement member 145 is not pivoted downwards beyond latched position, if thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are positioned at the lower section of composition surface 46, then engagement member 145 can not contact with thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77.Thus the position of at least some of top being in composition surface 46 of thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 is conducive to the wiping function of engagement member 145.

In this embodiment, because thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 be positioned to be inserted into direction 56 than ink supply 34 ink supply opening 71 backward, even if the dust thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 is wiped when being inserted in box installation portion 110 when print cartridge 30 and/or remove from box installation portion 110, this dust is adhered to the probability around the part of ink supply opening 71 of ink supply 34 and also reduces.Therefore, ink is reduced by the probability of contamination by dust.

In this embodiment, because recess such as groove 87 is positioned to be inserted into direction 56 than thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 more forward, each and groove 87 of thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 intersect with respective planes, this plane is parallel with short transverse (above-below direction) 52 and depth direction (fore-and-aft direction) 53, thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are positioned at above groove 87, fall into groove 87 from the dust of thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 erasing.Therefore, the probability of the part around ink supply opening 71 that dust fell and be adhered to ink supply 34 reduces.

In this embodiment, because ink supply 34 is positioned at antetheca 40 place and thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are positioned at roof 39 place, the ink splashed from ink supply 34 arrives and pollutes the probability reduction of thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77.

In this embodiment, because bracket 90 may move in short transverse (above-below direction) 52 relative to main body 31, bracket 90 and main body 31 can be independently relative to box installation portion 110 location for short transverse (above-below direction) 52.Therefore, it is arranged on element such as IC plate 74, rib 88 and the test section 89 at bracket 90 place, with element such as ink supply 34 being arranged on main body 31 place, it is possible to position independently relative to the counter element being arranged on box installation portion 110 such as contact 106, optical pickocff 114,116 and ink pipe 122.

Because print cartridge 30 is assembled by multiple elements, the dimensional tolerance of each element typically requires and is set little, needs high accuracy designing and manufacturing in each element.If the dimensional tolerance of each element is relatively large, then the scale error of the accumulation of print cartridge 30 is generally bigger.In this case, ink pipe 122 is likely to be not inserted in ink supply opening 71 and can contact with the end of ink supply 34 and destroyed, contact 106 can contact with IC plate 74 with high pressure and can be destroyed, on the contrary, contact 106 can not contact with IC plate 74, or rib 88 and test section 89 can not enter between optical transmitting set and the optical receiver of optical pickocff 114,116.But, in this embodiment, because bracket 90 may move relative to main body 31, so bracket 90 and main body 31 can position independently relative to box installation portion 110, when the medium size tolerance of element, it is arranged on element such as the IC plate 74, rib 88 and test section 89 at bracket 90 place and is arranged on element such as ink supply 34 at main body 31 place, it is possible to positioning independently relative to the counter element being arranged on box installation portion 110 such as contact 106, optical pickocff 114,116 and ink pipe 122.

In this embodiment, because the width of each of thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 is more than the width of rib 88, in other words, the width of rib 88 is less than the width of each of thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77, rib 88 is suitable to be detected non-contactly by optics sensor 116, and thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 are suitable to and contact 106 physical contact.

In another embodiment, the second protuberance 86 can include the rib similar with the rib 88 of the first protuberance 85, and optical pickocff 117 is configurable to directly detect the rib of the second protuberance 86.

In another embodiment, except elongated openings 91,92 or test section 33 and support portion 79, it is possible to determine, by known structure, the guiding groove that such as formed in main body 31 or bracket 90, the scope that bracket 90 moves relative to main body 31.And, except inclined inner surface 47,48, the movement of bracket 90 can be guided by known structure, for instance is guided by the guide rail formed at main body 31 or bracket 90 place.

In another embodiment, the inner surface 98 limiting opening 96 of bracket 90 can not with the exterior surface of bar 125 so that bracket 90 moves relative to main body 31.In this case, bracket 90 may be included at top surface or bottom surface and inserts/remove the upwardly extending surface, side that direction 50 intersects, and when print cartridge 30 is inserted into box installation portion 110, surface can contact with the protuberance being arranged in print cartridge installation portion 110 and slide on so that bracket 90 moves relative to main body 31.

In another embodiment, box installation portion 110 may not include slider 135, helical spring 139 and optical pickocff 117.In this case, bias on direction 55 removed by the spring that print cartridge 30 can be coupled with ink supply valve 70 and/or air communication valve 73.

In another embodiment, IC can be not set on the same plate arranging thermode 75, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77 thereon.Such as, IC may be disposed at rear wall 42 place or contiguous rear wall 42, and can be connected by electrical wiring to and be arranged on roof 39 place or the contiguous thermode 75 of roof 39, ground electrode 76 and signal electrode 77.

In another embodiment, print cartridge 30 may not include bracket 90, and test section 89, rib 88 and IC plate 74 may be disposed in main body 31.

Although already in connection with different example arrangement and illustrative embodiment, invention has been described, it will be recognized to those skilled in the art that can make other variant and the modification of said structure and embodiment in the case without departing from the scope of the present invention.By considering description or the practice of the present invention disclosed herein, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other structure and embodiment.The example being intended to description and description is merely illustrative, the scope of the invention limits.

Claims (15)

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

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

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

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

Electrical interface (75,76,77), described electrical interface is arranged on designated surface place, described electrical interface (75,76,77) is made to be exposed to the outside of described printing-fluid box (30), wherein when described printing-fluid box (30) is in described stand up position, described designated surface is towards upper；

Recess (87), when described printing-fluid box (30) is in described stand up position, described recess (87) is open upwards, wherein said recess (87) is positioned to ratio described electrical interface (75 for described direction of insertion (56), 76,77) more forward, and when described printing-fluid box (30) is in described stand up position, described electrical interface (75,76,77) top of described recess (87) it is positioned at；

Pivot member (80), described pivot member (80) is positioned at described designated surface place and is positioned between described electrical interface (75,76,77) and described rear surface；With

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

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

2. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 1, is additionally included in the composition surface (46) at described designated surface place, and wherein said pivot member is positioned between described composition surface (46) and described rear surface.

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

4. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 1, wherein said printing-fluid box (30) has the width on width (51), the height in short transverse (52) and the degree of depth on depth direction (53), wherein said width (51), described short transverse (52) and described depth direction (53) are perpendicular to one another, and described depth direction (53) is parallel with described direction of insertion (56).

5. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 4, wherein said recess (87) and described electrical interface (75,76,77) with a level-crossing, described plane is parallel with described short transverse (52) and described depth direction (53).

6. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 5, wherein said recess (87) is groove (87), and the both sides of described groove (87) are closed for described width (51).

7. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 4, it is additionally included in the composition surface (46) at described designated surface place, wherein said pivot member (80) is configured to pivot around axle (83), described axle (83) is in the upper extension of described width (51), and described pivot member (80) includes leading section (81) and rearward end (82), described leading section (81) extends from described axle (83) towards described composition surface (46), described rearward end (82) extends from described axle (83) towards described rear surface.

8. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 7, wherein when not having external force to be applied to described pivot member (80), described pivot member (80) is positioned such that described leading section is positioned off the position that described designated surface is farthest.

9. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 1, also includes:

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

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

10. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 9, wherein said electrical interface (75,76,77) is arranged on described bracket (90) place.

11. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 10, wherein said bracket (90) includes described designated surface, and when described printing-fluid box (30) is in described stand up position, described designated surface is towards upper.

12. printing-fluid box (30) according to claim 9, wherein said bracket (90) is configured to move up in the side intersected with described direction of insertion (56) relative to described main body (31).

13. a printing device (10), including:

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

Box installation portion (110), described printing-fluid box (30) is inserted in described box installation portion, and described box installation portion (110) including:

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

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

14. printing device according to claim 13 (10), farther including wiper (145), described wiper is configured to electrical interface described in wiping (75,76,77).

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