Description
Title of Invention: CARTRTOGE AND PRINTING MATERIAL
SUPPLY SYSTEM
Cross Reference to Related Applications
[0001] The present application claims the priority based on Japanese Patent Application
Nos. 2012-3652, No. 2012-3653, No. 2012-3694 and No. 2012-3698 filed on January
12, 2012, the entire contents of each of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a cartridge, a combination of a cartridge and a
printing device (or portion thereof) and/or a printing material supply system including
the cartridge and a printing device.
Background Art
[0003] Latest cartridges generally have a circuit board with information regarding printing
material (e.g., information on an remaining amount of printing material). For attachment
of this cartridge to a printing device, the circuit board on the cartridge is electrically
connected with the printing device through contact of cartridge-side terminals
with terminals on the printing device. With size reduction of the terminals, it is of great
importance to properly attach the cartridge at a designed attachment position.
[0004] Various mechanisms have been proposed for attachment and detachment of a
cartridge to a printing device. Examples of such mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Publication
No. 2005/0151811 (which corresponds to JP-A-2007-230249), U.S. Patent No.
7,008,053 (which corresponds to JP-A-2005-022345), U.S. Patent No. 6,276,780
(which corresponds to JP-A-2002-019142), U.S. Patent 6,955,422, US Patent
6,074,042, and U.S. Patent No. 7,018,030.
[0005] U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 discloses a cartridge with a latching lever 3 and
electric contact terminal pads 102. Lever 3 includes an anchoring portion 6 for
engaging with the printer. The anchoring portion 6 is disposed far away from the
contact pads 102. Because anchoring portion 6 is far away from the cartridge
terminals, the engagement with the printer can offer only limited contribution to the
accuracy and stability of positioning of the cartridge terminals with respect to the respective
printer terminals.
[0006] In addition, lever 3 in U.S. Pubhcation No. 2005/0151811 needs to be long enough to
reach a location accessible by the user so the user can operate it. It also projects far
away from the side waU of the cartridge. Such a large lever results in a larger cartridge,
which can also result in a large-size printer, in which the cartridge is attached to and
detached from, as well as bulky packaging for transportation and distribution of the
•
2
cartridges, which in turn increases transportation and parts costs.
[0007] Also, the cartridge structure that connects the anchoring portion 6 to the cartridgeside
terminals includes a flexible section of the lever 3. Even though the anchoring
portion 6 might be securely engaged with the printer, vibration generated during
printing operations can be transmitted through the flexible section of the lever 3 to the
cartridge terminals, and so can influence the positioning of the cartridge terminals with
respect to the printer terminals. This is particularly a concern for on-carriage type ink
cartridges, such as those disclosed of U.S. PubUcation No. 2005/0151811, because they
are mounted on a printer's carriage, to which the print head is attached. In on-carriage
printers, the carriage is scanned back and forth over the print medium during printing
operations. The ink cartridges in the carriage undergo great acceleration force with
each change in scan direction, in addition to other vibration generated during printing
operations.
[0008] The lever in U.S. PubUcation No. 2005/0151811 is formed integrally with die
cartridge and is elastically deformable. With this configuration, the material used to
produce the cartridge is limited to a material with sufficient moldibility for making this
configuration, and also with sufficient flexibility and durabihty that is needed for the
lever to elastically deform during engagement and disengagement with the printer.
[0009] The lever might plastically deform under operations by the user. Such plastic deformation
of the lever may cause positional misalignment between cartridge-side
terminals and printer terminals, which could result in poor electrical communication.
Plastic deformation also reduces the durabihty of the lever. Also, special measures,
such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 7,018,030, must be taken during packaging
of the cartridge to prevent creep deformation of the lever while the cartridge is
packaged, especially when the cartridge is packaged in a vacuum package.
[0010] US Patent No. 6,276,780 discloses a cartridge without any memory or electrical
terminals. Because this type of cartridge requires no electrical connection with the
printer, there is no need to include structure or configuration for maintaining stable positioning
and alignment of cartridge terminals to printer terminals.
[0011] In addition, the cartridge is attached to the printer by a latch mechanism 132 (in Figs.
9-16 of US Patent No. 6,276,780) that is disposed on the printer. Cartridge-side latch
ramps 220 that engage the latch mechanism 132 are far away from the pivot axis of the
latch mechanism 132, in the direction in which the cartridge is removed from the
printer. As a result, when a resihent member 156 or compression force seal 152 applies
to the cartridge a force (indicated by arrow X in Fig. 12 US Patent No. 6,276,780) in
the direction in which to the cartridge is removed from the printer, this force can be
easily converted into a force that releases engagement of the retainer portion 134 from
the cartridge latch ramps 220, so that the cartridge might become separated from the
3
printer during use of the printer. Because the engagement configuration disclosed in
US Patent No. 6,276,780 mcludes this inherent risk of the cartridge becoming
separated from the printer, it is not suitable for use with the configurations disclosed in
U.S. Pubhcation No. 2005/0151811, which require proper contact between the
cartridge terminals and printer terminals. Moreover, contact between the cartridge and
printer terminals in the configurations in U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 applies
force from the terminals of the printer in lateral direction to the cartridge, so that the
cartridge might move in the in lateral direction. The latch mechanism 132 of US Patent
No. 6,276,780 is not suitable for the cartridge of U.S. Publication No. 2005/0151811 at
least for the reason that it might not be able to match the lateral direction movement of
the cartridge, so that the latch mechanism 132 becomes detached from the cartridge.
[0012] US Patent 6,074,042 discloses an ink cartridge with electrical contacts 54. As shown
in Figs. 12A to 13B thereof, the electrical contacts 54 are at the leading edge of the
direction in which the cartridge is mounted into the printer. With this configuration,
when the cartridge is mounted into the printer, the electrical contacts 54 of the
cartridge press flat against spring biased electrical contacts 104 of the printer. Metal
oxidation, oil, or other non-conductive matter at the outer surface of the metal
electrical contacts 54 can become sandwiched between the conductive metal of the
cartridge and printer electrical contacts, possibly hindering electrical communication
between the cartridge and the printer.
[0013] U.S. Patent 6,955,422 discloses, for example in Figs. 2a to 2d thereof, a cartridge 1
that has a memory device 7 with electrodes 7a. The electrodes 7a are aligned substantially
parallel to the direction of cartridge insertion into the printer. With this configuration,
the printer electrodes 106 sUde across the surface of the circuit board (on
which the electrodes 7a are formed) for a long distance. The surface of the circuit
board is typically covered with an electrically insulating resin material. When the
printer electrodes 106 scrape against the circuit board, they can damage this insulation
so that fragments of the insulation flake away from the circuit board. The insulation
fragments can get caught between the printer electrodes 106 and the cartridge
electrodes 7a, and become a cause of poor or otherwise unreliable electrical communication
between the printer and the cartridge.
[0014] As shown in Figs. 5 to 6B of U.S. Patent 6,955,422, the printer is provided with a
leaf spring 103 that exerts an urging force that presses the surface of memory device 7
against the printer electrodes 106 when the cartridge is mounted in the printer, and that
moves die cartridge 1 upward when the cartridge is pulled out of the printer.
[0015] US Patent No. 7,008,053 discloses in Fig. 5 an elastic piece 40 provided on the
printer. When die cartridge is fully mounted in the printer, the lower end 40a of the
elastic piece 40 abuts against a flat surface 12a at the upper portion of the projecting
4
portion 12 on which the electrodes 14 are located. The abutment between the lower
end 40b and the flat surface 12a restricts upward movement of the projecting portion
12. However, the configuration of US Patent No. 7,008,053 includes no means located
near the projecting portion 12 for restricting downward movement of the projecting
portion 12. As a result, projecting portion 12 is fairly free to vibrate vertically during
operation of the printer and therefore the electrodes can become misaligned or disconnected
from the printer terminals.
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0016] In the'presence of various mechanisms for attachment and detachment, there is a
need to reduce the total size of a printer for better usabiUty and ease of installation. For
reducing the size of the printer, it is typically necessary to reduce the sizes of a large
number of components forming the printer and relevant elements. These components
and relevant elements include a cartridge attached to the printer and a cartridge
mounting structure for attachment of the cartridge.
[0017] For improved use of the printer, information regarding the printing material
contained in the cartridge (for example, information regarding the remaining amount of
the printing material) is often displayed on the monitor of the printer. The cartridge
attached to this printer would have a circuit board with a memory for storing the information
regarding the printing material. The circuit board has terminals
(cartridge-side terminals) used to send and receive information to and from the printer.
The information regarding the printing material is transmitted between the memory
and a controller of the printer through the contact of these cartridge-side terminals and
terminals on the printer (device-side terminals). It is accordingly necessary to maintain
stable electrical connection between the cartridge-side terminals and the device-side
terminals.
[0018] As will be described below, there is no known mechanism to meet these requirements
in a fully acceptable manner.
[0019] This problem is not Umited to a cartridge containing ink for printing but is also
commonly found in any of printing devices and/or cartridges configured to supply or
eject various other printing materials (for example, toner) as well as ink.
[0020] Consequently, there is a need to ensure stable electrical connection between
cartridge-side terminals and device-side terminals. There is also a need to attain size
reduction of a cartridge, a printer and a printing material supply system including the
cartridge attached to the printer.
Solution to Problem
[0021] In order to achieve at least part of the foregoing, the invention provides various
5
aspects and embodiments described below.
[0022] The first aspect of the invention is directed to a cartridge configured to be removably
attached to a cartridge mounting structure of a printing device. The cartridge mounting
structure is configured to receive a plurality of the cartridges attached thereto and to
have a printing material supply tube, a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side
locking element and a second device-side locking element provided for each of the
cartridges. The printing material supply tube has a peripheral end to be connected with
the cartridge. A Z axis represents an axis parallel to a central axis C of the printing
material supply tube. An X axis represents an axis, along which the printing material
supply tube and the device-side terminal are arrayed and which is.orthogonal to the Z
axis. A Y axis represents an axis orthogonal to both the Z axis and the X axis. A
positive Z-axis direction represents a direction along the Z axis going from a base end
to the peripheral end of the printing material supply tube. A negative Z-axis direction
represents a reverse direction to the positive Z-axis direction. A positive X-axis
direction represents a direction along the X axis going from the printing material
supply tube to the device-side terminal. A negative X-axis direction represents a
reverse direction to the positive X-axis direction.
[0023] The device-side terminal has a device-side contact portion configured to be in contact
with the cartridge, and is configured to be elastically deformed about a pivotal center
on a positive Z-axis side and on a positive X-axis side of the device-side contact
portion and to be in contact with the cartridge while applying a pressing force
including a positive Z-axis component to the cartridge, so as to be electrically connectable
with the cartridge. The first device-side locking element is configured as part
of the lever to lock the cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and on a
positive X-axis side of the device-side terminal. The second device-side locking
element is configured to lock the cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and
on a negative X-axis side of the printing material supply tube. The lever is configured
to turn about a pivotal center on a positive Z-axis side and on a positive X-axis side of
a locking position where the first device-side locking element locks th,e cartridge, so as
to move the first device-side locking element from the locking position in the positive
X-axis direction and thereby allow the first device-side locking element to lock and
unlock the cartridge.
[0024] In an attached state of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure, the X axis,
the Y axis and the Z axis relative to the cartridge correspond to an X axis, a Y axis and
a Z axis on die cartridge. The cartridge includes a first face, a second face, a third face,
a fourth face, a fifth face, a sixth face, a sloped surface, a printing material supply port,
a cartridge-side terminal, a first cartridge-side locking element and a second cartridgeside
locking element. The first face is located on a negative Z-axis side and the second
6
face is located on a positive Z-axis side, as two faces is opposed to each other in the Zaxis
direction. The third face are located on a positive X-axis side and the fourth face is
located on a negative X-axis side, as two faces are opposed to each-other in the X-axis
dkection and intersecting the first face and the second face. The fifth face is located on
a positive Y-axis side and the sixth face is located on a negative Y-axis side, as two
faces are opposed to each other in the Y-axis direction and intersecting the first,
second, third and fourth faces. The sloped surface is provided in a comer section
arranged to connect the first face with the third face and inclined in the negative Z-axis
direction and in the positive X-axis direction. The printing material supply port is
provided on the first face and configured to be connectable with the printing material
supply tube. The cartridge-side terminal is providedon the sloped surface and
configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal while receiving the pressing
force including the positive Z-axis component from the device-side terminal, so as to
be electrically connected with the device-side terminal, in the attached state of the
cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure. The first cartridge-side locking element is
provided on the third face. The second cartridge-side locking element is provided on
the fourth face. The first cartridge-side locking element has a first locking surface that
faces in the positive Z-axis direction. The first locking surface is configured to engage
with the first device-side locking element in the attached state of the cartridge to the
cartridge mounting structure. The second cartridge-side locking element has a second
locking surface that faces in the positive Z-axis direction. The second locking surface
is configured to engage with the second device-side locking element in the attached
state of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge-side terminal
has a cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side
terminal in the attached state of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure. The
cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second
locking surface. . — ..
[0025] According to the structure of the first aspect, the lever is provided not on the
cartridge but on the cartridge mounting structure. This structure allows size reduction
of the cartridge. This structure also shortens the distance between the side wall of the
cartridge and the lever and allows size reduction of the lever, thus achieving the size
reduction of the printing device and the overall printing material supply system. Since
the lever is not provided on the cartridge, there is the high degree of freedom in
selection of the materials for the housing of tiie cartridge and for the lever. The
material witii the relatively high rigidity can be selected as the materials for die
housing and the lever. This lowers the possibiUty of plastic deformation explained
above and enables the cartridge to be stably held at the designed attachment position.
[0026] According to the structure of the first aspect, the cartridge-side contact portion is
7
provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface. In the course of attachment
of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure, the rotation locus of the
cartridge-side contact portion about the pivotal center on the second locking surface
goes in the negative X-axis direction, while the rotation locus of the device-side
contact portion goes in the positive X-axis direction. This allows attachment of the
cartridge at the designed attachment position, while significantly increasing the amount
of wiping between the cartridge-side terminal and the device-side terminal. The term
"wiping" herein means that the cartridge-side terminal provided on the sloped surface
is rubbed by the device-side terminal provided on the cartridge mounting structure in
the course of attachment of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure. The
"amount of wiping" means the length of the cartridge-side terminal that can be rubbed
by the device-side terminal. Such wiping removes dust and foreign particles adhering
to the top of the cartridge-side terminal and reduces the potential coimection failure
between the cartridge-side terminal and the device-side terminal.
[0027] According to the second aspect of the invention, the second cartridge-side locking
element may be configured to engage with the second device-side locking element in
the course of attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the cartridge
mounting structure and thereby serve as a pivot point of rotation of the cartridge
relative to the cartridge mounting structure. This structure according to the second
aspect facilitates attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the cartridge
mounting structure.
[0028] According to the third aspect of the invention, the first locking surface may be
located on a negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface. According to the third
aspect, in the attached state of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure, the
pressing force applied from the cartridge mounting strucmre of the cartridge acts in the
direction of enhancing the engagement of the first cartridge-side locking element with
the first device-side locking element (i.e., direction including a positive X-axis
component and a positive Z-axis component). This effectively prevents detachment of
the cartridge from the designed attachment position and enables the cartridge to be
stably held at the designed attachment position.
[0029] According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the first locking surface and the
second locking surface may be provided at positions intersecting a plane that goes
through center of a width or Y-axis direction length of the cartridge and be parallel to
the Z axis and the X axis. The structure according to the fourth aspect effectively
prevents the pressing force applied from the cartridge mounting structure to the
cartridge from acting to tilt the cartridge in the Y-axis direction.
[0030] According to the fifth aspect of the invention, the first cartridge-side locking element
may also have a third locking surface that faces in the positive X-axis direction. The
8
«
third locking surface is configured to engage with the first device-side locking element
in the attached state of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure. This structure
according to the fifth aspect enables the cartridge to be more stably held at the
designed attachment position.
[0031] According to the sixth aspect of the invention, the printing material supply port may
be provided at a position closer to the fourth face than the third face. According to the
seventh aspect, the printing material supply port is provided on the second locking
surface, which is positioned relative to the cartridge mounting structure prior to the
first locking surface. This structure enables the cartridge to be readily positioned
relative to the cartridge mounting structure.
[0032] According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the fifth face and the sixth face may
be configured to be engageable with the cartridge mounting structiure. The structure
according to the fifth aspect effectively prevents the positional misalignment of the
cartridge-side terminal in the Y-axis direction relative to the cartridge mounting
structure.
[0033] According to the eighth aspect of the invention, the cartridge may further include a
seventh face and an eighth face. The seventh face is provided between the first face
and the third face and formed to be extended from the first face in the positive Z-axis
direction. The eighth face is provided between the first face and the third face and
arranged to connect with the seventh face and with the third face. The sloped surface is
provided on the eighth face. According to the eighth aspect, the cartridge-side terminal
is provided on the positive Z-axis side of the first face with the printing material supply
port. When the cartridge with its first face as the bottom face is mounted on the
cartridge mounting structure, this structure effectively protects the cartridge-side
terminal from potential damage by any foreign matter present on the mounting surface
(for example, liquid such as printing material or water or metal product such as click or
screw).
[0034] According to the ninth aspect of the invention, the cartridge may further include a
pair of projections protruded on a positive Y-axis side and on a negative Y-axis side of
the seventh face to be opposed to each other in the Y-axis direction. The pair of projections
are configured to be engageable with a fitting member provided in the
cartridge mounting structure. The structure according to the ninth aspect effectively
prevents the positional misalignment of the cartridge-side terminal in the Y-axis
direction relative to the cartridge mounting structure.
[0035] According to the tenth aspect of the invention, a plurality of the cartridge-side
terminals may be configured to be arranged corresponding to a pluraUty of the deviceside
terminals, and each of the plurality of cartridge-side terminals may be located on
the negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface. According to a tenth aspect.
9
there is provided the cartridge, wherein a plurality of the cartridge-side terminals are
arranged corresponding to a plurality of the device-side terminals, and each of the
plurality of cartridge-side terminals is located on the negative Z-axis side of the second
locking surface. The structure of the tenth aspect significantly increases the amount of
wiping by each of the plurality of cartridge-side terminals.
[0036] According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, one of the plurality of cartridgeside
terminals may be a cartridge-side ground terminal configured to be electrically
cormectable with a device-side ground terminal among the plurality of device-side
terminals, which is connected to a ground line. The cartridge-side ground terminal may
be provided on center of a width or Y-axis direction length of the cartridge and may be
configured to be in contact with the device-side ground terminal before another
cartridge-side terminal of the plurality of cartridge-side terminals is in contact with a
corresponding one of the plurality of device-side terminals, in the course of attachment
of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure. According to the eleventh aspect,
the pressing force first applied from the cartridge mounting structure to the cartridgeside
terminals is generated on the center of the width or the Y-axis direction length of
the cartridge. This effectively prevents the pressing force applied to the cartridge-side
terminals from acting to tilt the cartridge in the Y-axis direction and ensures attachment
of the cartridge in the stable attitude. The cartridge-side ground terminal is in
contact with the corresponding device-side ground terminal, prior to the contact of the
other cartridge-side terminals with the corresponding device-side terminals. The
grounding function of the cartridge-side ground terminal advantageously prevents or
reduces a high voltage-induced trouble or failure, even when an unexpected high
voltage is applied to the cartridge.
[0037] The twelfth aspect of the invention is directed to a printing material supply system
includes a printing device and a cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The
printing device has a cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge is removably attached
to the cartridge mounting structure. The cartridge mounting structure is configured to
receive a plurality of the cartridges attached thereto and to have a printing material
supply tube, a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element and a
second device-side locking element provided for each of the cartridges. The printing
material supply tube has a peripheral end to be connected with the cartridge. A Z axis
represents an axis parallel to a central axis C of the printing material supply tube. An X
axis represents an axis, along which the printing material supply tube and the deviceside
terminal are arrayed and which is orthogonal to the Z axis. A Y axis represents an
axis orthogonal to both the Z axis and the X axis. A positive Z-axis direction represents
a direction along the Z axis going from a base end to the peripheral end of the printing
material supply tube. A negative Z-axis direction represents a reverse direction to the
10
positive Z-axis direction. A positive X-axis direction represents a direction along the X
axis going from the printing material supply tube to the device-side terminal. A
negative X-axis direction represents a reverse direction to the positive X-axis direction.
[0038] The device-side terminal has a device-side contact portion configured to be in contact
with the cartridge, and is configured to be elastically deformed about a pivotal center
on a positive Z-axis side and on a positive X-axis side of the device-side contact
portion and to be in contact with the cartridge while applying a pressing force
including a positive Z-axis component to the cartridge, so as to be electrically connectable
with the cartridge. The first device-side locking element is configured as part
of the lever to lock the cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and on a
positive X-axis side of the device-side terminal. The second device-side locking
element is configured to lock the cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and
on a negative X-axis side of the printing material supply tube. The lever is configured
to turn about a pivotal center on a positive Z-axis side and on a positive X-axis side of I
a locking position where the first device-side locking element locks the cartridge, so as
to move the first device-side locking element from the locking position in the positive
X-axis direction and thereby allow the first device-side locking element to lock and
unlock the cartridge.
[0039] The structure according to the twelfth aspect has the similar advantageous effects to
those of the furst to eleventh aspects.
[0040] The thirteenth aspect of the invention is directed to a cartridge removably attached to
a cartridge mounting structure of a printing device. The cartridge includes a printing
material supply port, a cartridge-side terminal, a first cartridge-side locking element
and a second cartridge-side locking element. The printing material supply port is
provided to have an open surface with an opening formed on a protruded end and
configured to supply printing material to the printing device via the open surface. The
cartridge-side terminal is configured to be electrically connected with a device-side
terminal provided on the cartridge mounting structure. The first cartridge-side locking
element is configured to engage with a first device-side locking element provided in a
pivotally rotatable manner on the cartridge mounting structure. The second cartridgeside
locking element is provided at a position opposite to the first cartridge-side
locking element across the printing material supply port and configured to engage with
a second device-side locking element provided in the cartridge mounting structure. An
X axis represents an axis that goes from the printing material supply port to the first
cartridge-side locking element and is parallel to the open surface. A Y axis represents
an axis parallel to the open surface and orthogonal to the X axis, a Z axis represents an
axis orthogonal to both the X axis and the Y axis. A negative Z-axis direction
represents a protruding direction of the printing material supply port. A positive Z-axis
11
direction represents a reverse direction to the negative Z-axis direction. The first
cartridge-side locking element and the second cartridge-side locking element are
provided on a positive Z-axis side of the open surface of the printing material supply
port. The first cartridge-side locking element has a first locking surface that faces in
the positive Z-axis direction and engages with the first device-side locking element to
restrict motion of the cartridge in the positive Z-axis direction. The second cartridgeside
locking element has a second locking surface that faces in the positive Z-axis
direction and engages with the second device-side locking element to restrict motion of
the cartridge in the positive Z-axis direction. The cartridge-side terminal has a
cartridge-side contact portion configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal.
The cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis side of the second
locking surface.
[0041] The structure according to the thirteenth aspect has the similar advantageous effects
to those of the first aspect.
[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, an ink cartridge for mounting on an ink jet
printing apparatus is disclosed wherein the ink jet printing apparatus on which the ink
cartridge is mounted includes a lever having an engagement portion. The printing
apparatus preferably includes a plurality of apparatus-side contact forming members
that are constructed and arranged to apply elastic force to the ink cartridge when the
ink cartridge is pressed against said apparatus-side contact forming members after the
cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus. The ink cartridge preferably includes a
cartridge body including a plurahty of external surfaces. The ink cartridge includes an
ink chamber for storing ink. The ink cartridge also preferably includes an electrical
device. The ink cartridge also preferably includes an ink supply structure to supply ink
from the ink chamber to the Inkjet printing apparatus. The ink supply structure
preferably defines a mounting direction leading edge which defines a leading edge
plane of the ink cartridge. In one embodimentthe ink supply structure is preferably
configured to define a mounting direction from portions of the ink supply structure
inside the cartridge body to an external leading edge of the ink supply structure on an
ink supply surface of the cartridge body. The ink cartridge can also include a terminal
bearing structure located at an external portion of the cartridge body the terminal
bearing structure having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals coupled to the
electrical device therein. The terminals are adapted and arranged on the terminal
bearing structure to make contact with and receive elastic force from the contact
forming members when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus. The
terminals are arranged substantially in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor
perpendicular to the leading edge plane. The ink cartridge preferably includes a first restriction
portion that includes a first engagement portion having a first locking surface
12
•
facing a direction opposite the mounting direction adapted and positioned to engage
with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge
in a direction opposite the mounting direction. The first engagement portion is
preferably located adjacent the terminal bearing structure. The first engagement
portion is preferably farther in a direction opposite the mounting direction than the
terminal bearing structure. The ink cartridge can also include a second restriction
portion on an opposite location of the ink cartridge than the first restriction portion.
The second restriction portion including a second engagement portion having a second
locking surface facing a direction opposite the mounting direction, adapted and positioned
to engage with a respective portion of the printing apparatus, the second engagement
portion located farther from the leading edge plane than the terminals when
the distances are measured in a direction orthogonal to the leading edge plane.
[0043] In one embodiment, the terminal plane is at an angle of about 20 and 50 degrees,
preferably from about 25 and 40 degrees to the leading edge plane.
[0044] The interaction at the terminal bearing structure to the printing apparatus is important
for proper mounting of the cartridge. As described herein, by mating at an angle, the
cartridge can receive both upwards and rearward forces. These forces help hold the
cartridge in place.
[0045] In one embodiment, the terminal bearing structure is on or proximate to a first
surface of the cartridge body and when the first surface of the cartridge body is viewed
with the ink supply structure facing down, the first engagement portion is located to
the left of a right edge of a rightmost terminal of the pluraUty of terminals and to the
right of a left edge of a leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals.
[0046] In one embodiment the distance between the second engagement portion and the
leading edge plane is greater than the distance between the first engagement portion
and the leading edge plane, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction
to the leading edge plane. In one embodiment the distance from the first locking -
surface to the leading edge plane is less than the distance from the second locking
surface to the leading edge plane, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal
direction to the leading edge plane.
[0047] In one embodiment the first engagement portion and the second engagement portion
are positioned on the cartridge body such that a plane can simultaneously intersect the
ink supply structure, the first engagement portion, the second engagement portion and
the widthwise center of the cartridge body.
[0048] In one embodiment, the first engagement portion also includes a third locking surface
to engage with a respective portion of the printing apparatus and the third locking
surface faces a direction orthogonal to the mounting direction and the first locking
surface faces a direction orthogonal to the third locking surface. In one embodiment
13
the first and third locking surfaces are in the shape of a letter "L". In one embodiment
the first and third locking surfaces are in the shape of a letter "T".
[0049] In one embodiment the ink supply structure is closer to the first engagement portion
than to the second engagement portion.
[0050] In one embodiment the second engagement portion is farther from the leading edge
plane than the terminal bearing structure is from the leading edge plane when the
distances are measured orthogonally from the leading edge plane.
[0051] In one embodiment, when viewing the ink cartridge from the side with the engagement
portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the ink supply structure
facing down, the distance between the first engagement portion and the leading edge
plane is less than the distance between a pivot point of the lever and the leading edge
plane when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the leading edge
plane. The lever may also have two ends where the pivot point is intermediate the two
ends.
[0052] In one embodiment when viewing the ink cartridge from the side with the engagement
portion of the first restriction portion to the right and the ink supply structure
facing down, the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is to the left of a
pivot point of the lever when the cartridge is mounted.
[0053] In one embodiment a first surface has the terminal bearing structure proximate
thereto and when the first surface body is viewed with the ink supply structure facing
down, at least a portion of the engagement portion of the first restriction portion is
located substantially at the widthwise center of the ink cartridge.
[0054] In a preferred embodiment, the plane defined by the leading edge is below a bottom
surface. In other embodiments, it is substantially flush with a bottom surface. In still
other embodiments it can be recessed above a bottom surface.
[0055] In one embodiment an ink supply system for supplying ink to an Inkjet printing
apparatus is disclosed where the ink jet printing apparatus includes a plurality of
apparams-side contact forming members. The Inkjet printing apparatus also preferably
includes a lever having an engagement portion. The ink supply system preferably
includes an ink chamber for storing ink and an ink supply structure, adapted and
configured to supply ink from the ink chamber to the Inkjet printing apparatus. The
ink supply structure defines a mounting direction leading edge the mounting direction
leading edge defining a leading edge plane. In one embodiment the ink supply
structure is preferably configured to define a mounting direction from portions of the
ink supply structure inside die cartridge body to an external leading edge of the ink
supply structure on an ink supply surface of the cartridge body. The ink supply system
preferably includes an electrical device. The ink supply system can also include a
terminal bearing structure having a plurality of electrically conductive terminals
14
coupled to the electrical device, the terminals adapted and arranged on the terminal
bearing structure to make contact with and receive elastic force from the contact
forming members at contact portions of said terminals when the ink supply system
supphes ink to the printing apparatus. The ink supply system can also include a first restriction
portion including an engagement portion having a first locking surface facing
a direction opposite the mounting direction. The first engagement portion is preferably
adapted to engage with the engagement portion of a lever on the printing apparatus so
as to restrict movement of the terminal bearing structure in a direction opposite the
mounting direction. The first engagement portion is preferably located adjacent the
terminal bearing structure. The ink supply system can also include a second restriction
portion on an opposite location of the ink cartridge than the first restriction portion.
The second restriction portion including a second engagement portion having a second
locking surface facing a direction opposite the mounting direction, adapted and positioned
to engage with a respective portion of the printing apparatus, the second engagement
portion located farther from the leading edge plane than the terminals when
the distances are measured in a direction orthogonal to the leading edge plane. The
terminals can be arranged substantially in a terminal plane which is neither parallel nor
perpendicular to the leading edge plane when the ink supply system supplies ink to the
printing apparatus. Alternatively, the terminal bearing structure determines the plane
and/or the plane is defined by the terminals in contact with the respective structure on
the printing apparatus.
[0056] In one embodiment of the system, the terminal plane is at an angle of between about
20 and 50 degrees, preferably from about 25 and 40 degrees to the plane defined by the
leading edge when the ink supply system suppUes ink to the printing apparams.
[0057] In one embodiment of the system, when the ink supply system is in place to supply
ink to the printing apparatus, the first engagement portion is located to the left of a
right edge of a rightmost terminal of the pluraUty of terminals and to the right of a leftedge
of a leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals.
[0058] In one embodiment the distance between the second engagement portion and the
leading edge plane is greater than the distance between the first engagement portion
and the leading edge plane, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction
to the leading edge plane. In one embodiment, the first engagement portion also
includes a third locking surface to engage with a respective portion of the printing
apparatus and the third locking surface faces a direction orthogonal to the mounting
direction and the first locking surface faces a direction orthogonal to the third locking
surface. In one embodiment the fkst and third locking surfaces fomi the shape of a
letter "L". In one embodiment the fu-st and third locking surfaces form the shape of a
letter "T".
15
•
[0059] In one embodiment the ink supply structure is closer to the first engagement portion
than to the second engagement portion.
[0060] In one embodiment, the lever has a pivot point and the distance between the engagement
portion of the first engagement portion and the leading edge plane is less
than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the leading edge plane when
the ink supply system is assembled or supplies ink to the printing apparatus, when the
distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the plane defined by the leading
edge.
[0061] In one embodiment the lever has a pivot point and when the ink supply system
supphes ink to the printing apparatus, the first engagement portion is on the right and
the ink supply structure is facing down, the first engagement portion is to the left of a
pivot point of the lever.
[0062] In one embodiment at least a portion of the first engagement portion is located substantially
at the widthwise center of the terminal bearing structure.
[0063] In one embodiment, the ink supply system can include an adapter where the ink
supply structure, the terminal bearing structure and the first restriction portion are positioned
on the adapter and the ink chamber is adapted and configured to be mated with
the adapter. In another embodiment, the system can include an adapter where the
terminal bearing structure and the first restriction portion are positioned on the adapter,
the ink supply structure is positioned on the ink chamber and the ink chamber is
adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter. Alternatively, the system can
include an adapter, an ink tank external from the Inkjet printing apparatus, a tube and
an auxiliary adapter where the ink supply structure is positioned on the auxiliary
adapter, the terminal bearing structure and the first restriction portion are positioned on
the adapter and the tube supphes ink from the external tank to the auxiUary adapter
when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus.
[0064] In a preferred embodiment, the plane defined by the leading edge is below a bottom - •
surface. In other embodiments, it is substantially flush with a bottom surface. In still
other embodiments it can be recessed above a bottom surface.
[0065] The present invention is not limited to the cartridge, the combination of the ink
cartridge with the printing apparatus or the printing material supply system described
above but may be iimplemented by a diversity of other aspects, for example, a hquid
cartridge, a Hquid container, a printing material container, a cartridge adapter, a circuit
board, a printing device, a hquid ejection device, and a hquid supply system including
a liquid ejection device and a Hquid cartridge. The invention is not Hmited to the above
aspects, but a multipHcity of variations and modifications may be made to these
aspects without departing from the scope of the invention. When addressing a combination
of an ink cartridge with a printing apparatus and/or an ink jet printing
16
t
apparatus, it should be understood that the ink cartridge is installed attached or
mounted on the printing apparatus.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0066] The foregoing summary, as well as the following description of embodiments, will
be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein
like reference numerals refer to like components. For the purposes of illustrating the
device of the present application, there is shown in the drawings certain embodiments.
It should be understood, however, that the application is not limited to the precise arrangement,
structures, features, embodiments, aspects, and devices shown, and the arrangements,
structures, features, embodiments, aspects and devices shown may be used
singularly or in combination with other arrangements, structures, features, embodiments,
aspects and devices.
[0067] The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are not in any way intended to
limit the scope of this invention, but merely to clarify a single illustrated embodiment
of the invention. In the drawings:
[fig.l]Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a printing material
supply system;
[fig.2]Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a holder with a cartridge attached thereto;
[fig.3]Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a holder with the cartridge attached
thereto;
[fig.4]Fig. 4 is a top view illustrating the holder with the cartridge attached thereto;
[fig.5]Fig. 5 is a sectional view illustrating the holder with the cai-tridge attached
thereto, taken on an arrowed Une F5-F5 in Fig. 4;
[fig.5A]Fig. 5A is a sectional view illustrating a holder with a cartridge attached
thereto;
[fig.6A]Fig. 6A shows how the force is applied from the cartridge to a lever at a first
locking position;
[fig.6B]Fig. 6B shows how the force is appUed from the cartridge to a lever at a first
locking position;
[fig.7]Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the cartridge;
[fig.8]Fig. 8 is a front view illustrating the structure of the cartridge;
[fig.9]Fig. 9 is a rear view illustrating the structure of the cartridge;
[fig.9A]Fig. 9A is a view of a cartridge and the lever when the cartridge is in its
mounted position;
[fig.l0]Fig. 10 is a left side view illustrating the structure of the cartridge;
[fig.l l]Fig. 11 is a bottom view illustrating the structure of the cartridge;
[fig.l2A]Fig. 12A illustrates the detailed strucmre of a circuit board on the cartridge;
17
t
[fig. 12B]Fig. 12B illustrates the detailed structure of a circuit board on the cartridge;
[fig.l3]Fig. 13 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the holder;
[fig.l4]Fig. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the holder;
[fig.l5]Fig. 15 is a top view illustrating the structure of the holder;
[fig.l6]Fig. 16 is a sectional view illustrating the holder, taken on an arrowed line
F16-F16inFig. 15;
[fig.l7]Fig. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the detailed structure of a terminal
base;
[fig.l8]Fig. 18 is a perspective view illustrating the detailed structure of the lever;
[fig.l9]Fig. 19 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the lever
assembled to the holder;
[fig.20]Fig. 20 illustrates attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the
holder;
[fig.21]Fig. 21 illustrates attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the
holder;
[fig.22]Fig. 22 illustrates attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the
holder;
[fig.23]Fig. 23 is a sectional view illustrating the structure around the lever in the
attached state of the cartridge to the holder;
[fig.24]Fig. 24 is a sectional view illustrating the structure around the lever in the
attached state of the cartridge to the holder;
[fig.25]Fig. 25 illustrates moving the cartridge in the negative Z-axis direction from the
state of Fig. 24;
[fig.26]Fig. 26 illustrates moving the cartridge in the negative Z-axis direction from the
state corresponding to the state of Fig. 23 according to another embodiment without an
extended surface;
[fig.26A]Fig. 26A is a close up view of the cartridge attached to the holder;
[fig.26B]Fig. 26B is a close up view of the cartridge attached to the holder;
[fig.27]Fig. 27 illustrates attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the
holder according to a second embodiment;
[fig.28]Fig. 28 illustrates attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the
holder according to the second embodiment;
[fig.29]Fig. 29 illustrates attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the
holder according to the second embodiment;
[fig.30]Fig. 30 illustrates attachment and detachment of the cartridge to and from the
holder according to the second embodiment;
[fig.31]Fig. 31 is a perspective view illustrating the structare of a cartridge according
to a third embodiment;
18
[fig.32A]Fig. 32A illustrates modifications of first cartridge-side locking element;
[fig.32B]Fig. 32B illustrates modifications of fu:st cartridge-side locking element;
[fig.32C]Fig. 32C illustrates modifications of first cartridge-side locking element;
[fig.32D]Fig. 32D illustrates modifications of first cartridge-side locking element;
[fig.32E]Fig. 32E illustrates modifications of first cartridge-side locking element;
[fig.32F]Fig. 32F illustrates modifications of first cartridge-side locking element;
[fig.33A]Fig. 33A illustrates modifications of second cartridge-side locking element
and second device-side locking element;
[fig.33B]Fig. 33B illustrates modifications of second cartridge-side locking element
and second device-side locking element;
[fig.33C]Fig. 33C illustrates modifications of second cartridge-side locking element
and second device-side locking element;
[fig.34A]Fig. 34A illustrates modifications of cartridge outer shape;
[fig.34B]Fig. 34B illustrates modifications of cartridge outer shape;
[fig.34C]Fig. 34C illustrates modifications of cartridge outer shape;
[fig.34D]Fig. 34D illustrates modifications of cartridge outer shape;
[fig.34E]Fig. 34E illustrates modifications of cartridge outer shape;
[fig.34F]Fig. 34F illustrates modifications of cartridge outer shape;
[fig.34G]Fig. 34G illustrates modifications of cartridge outer shape;
[fig.34H]Fig. 34H illustrates modifications of cartridge outer shape;
[fig.35]Fig. 35 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of a cartridge with an
adapter;
[fig.36]Fig. 36 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of another cartridge with
an adapter;
[fig.37]Fig. 37 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of another cartridge with
an adapter;
[fig.38A]Fig. 38A illustrates modifications of terminal shape;
[fig.38B]Fig. 38B illustrates modifications of terminal shape;
[fig.38C]Fig. 38C illustrates modifications of terminal shape;
[fig.39]Fig. 39 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the detailed structure of the
terminal base;
[fig.40]Fig. 40 illustrates the device-side terminals coming into contact with the circuit
board in the course of attachment of the cartridge to the holder;
[fig.41]Fig. 41 illustrates the complete attachment of the cartridge to the holder;
[fig.42A]Fig. 42A illustrates wiping between the cartridge-side contact portion and the
device-side contact portion;
[fig.42B]Fig. 42B illustrates wiping between the cartridge-side contact portion and the
device-side contact portion;
19
[fig.43A]Fig. 43A is a graph showing a relation of wiping amount of a board terminal
to a board inclination angle phi;
[fig.43B]Fig 43B shows the wiping amount of a board terminal;
[fig.44A]Fig. 44A is a graph showing a relation of upward force by an apparatus-side
ground terminal to a board inclination angle phi;
[fig.44B]Fig. 44B shows the upward force by the apparatus-side ground terminal;
[fig.45]Fig. 45 is a graph showing another relation of wiping amount of the board
terminal to a board inclination angle phi; and
[fig.46]Fig. 46 is a graph showing another relation of upward force by the apparatusside
ground terminal to a board inclination angle phi.
Description of Embodiments
[0068] In order to further clarify the configurations and the operations of the invention, embodiments
of a printing material supply system according to the invention are
described below with reference to the accompanied drawings.
[0069] A. First Embodiment
A-1. General Configuration of Printing Material Supply System
Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of a printing material supply
system 10. XYZ axes orthogonal to one another are shown in Fig. 1. The XYZ axes in
Fig. 1 correspond to the XYZ axes in the other drawings. According to this embodiment,
the Z axis represents vertical direction. The printing material supply system
10 includes cartridges 20 and a printer (printing device) 50. In the printing material
supply system 10, the cartridges 20 are removably attached to a holder (caitridge
mounting structure) 600 of the printer 50 by the user.
[0070] Each of the cartridges 20 in the printing material supply system 10 is a cartridge (ink
cartridge) serving to contains ink (printing material) and is structured to be removably
attached to the printer 50. The ink as the printing material contained in the cartridge 20
is suppUed through a printing material supply port and a printing material supply tube
(described later) to a head 540 of the printer 50. According to this embodiment, a
plurality of the cartridges 20 are removably attached to the holder 600 of the printer 50.
More specifically, six cartridges 20 respectively containing six different color inks
(black, yellow, magenta, light magenta, cyan and light cyan) are attached to the holder
600.
[0071] The number of cartridges attached to the holder 600 is not limited to six but may be
changed to any arbitrary number, i.e., less than six or greater than six, according to the
structure of the printer 50. The number of different color inks contained in tiie
cartridges 20 is not limited to six colors but may be less than six colors (for example,
four colors, black, yellow, magenta and cyan) or greater than six colors (for example.
20
special glossy colors, such as metallic luster and pearl white, in addition to the ink
colors of the embodiment). According to other embodiments, two or more cartridges
20 attached to the holder 600 may contaio one identical color ink. The detailed
structures of the cartridge 20 and the holder 600 will be described later.
[0072] The printer 50 of the printing material supply system 10 is constructed as an Inkjet
printer including the printing device serving to supply ink (printing material). The
printer 50 has a controller 510, a carriage 520, and a head 540, in addition to the holder
600. The printer 50 serves to supply ink from each of the cartridges 20 attached to the
holder 600 to the head 540 (i.e., function of printing device) and ejects ink from the
head 540 onto a printing medium 90, such as printing sheet or label, so as to print
various data, such as character strings, figures and images, on the printing medium 90.
[0073] The controller 510 of the printer 50 serves to control the various parts of the printer
50. The carriage 520 of the printer 50 is configured to move the head 540 relative to
the printing medium 90. The head 540 of the printer 50 has an ink ejection mechanism
configured to receive ink supply from each of the cartridges 20 attached to the holder
600 and eject the ink onto the printing medium 90. The controller 510 and the carriage
520 are electrically connected via a flexible cable 517. The ink ejection mechanism of
the head 540 is operated by control signals from the controller 510.
[0074] According to this embodiment, the carriage 520 has the head 540 and the holder 600.
This type of the printer 50 having the cartridges 20 attached to the holder 600 on the
carriage 520 serving to move the head 540 is called "on-carriage type" printer.
[0075] According to another embodiment, the holder 600 may be provided at a different
position from the carriage 520, and ink may be suppUed from each of the cartridges 20
attached to the holder 600 to the head 540 of the carriage 520 through a flexible tube.
This type of the printer is called "off-carriage type" printer.
[0076] According to this embodiment, the printer 50 has a main scan feed mechanism and a
sub-scan feed mechanism to move the carriage 520 and the printing medium 90
relative to each other and implement printing on the printing medium 90. The main
scan feed mechanism of the printer 50 includes a carriage motor 522 and a drive belt
524 and serves to transfer the power of the carriage motor 522 to the carriage 520 by
means of the drive belt 524, so as to move back and forth the carriage 520 in a main
scanning direction. The sub-scan feed mechanism of the printer 50 includes a feed
motor 532 and a platen 534 and serves to transfer the power of the feed motor 532 to
the platen 534, so as to feed the printing medium 90 in a sub-scaiming direction orthogonal
to the main scanning direction. The carriage motor 522 of the main scan feed
mechanism and the feed motor 532 of the sub-scan feed mechanism are operated by
control signals from the controller 510.
[0077] According to this embodiment, in the use state of the printing material supply system
21
10, the X axis represents the axis along the sub-scanning direction, in which the
printing medium 90 is fed. The Y axis represents the axis along the main scanning
direction, in which the carriage 520 is moved back and forth. The Z axis represents the
axis along the direction of gravity. The X, Y and Z axes are orthogonal to one another.
The use state of the printing material supply system 10 means the state of the printing
material supply system 10 placed on a horizontal plane. In this embodiment, the
horizontal plane is a plane parallel to the X axis and the Y axis.
[0078] According to this embodiment, the positive X-axis direction represents the subscanning
direction, and the negative X-axis direction represents its reverse direction. In
this embodiment, the positive X-axis side forms the front face of the printing material
supply system 10. According to this embodiment, the positive Y-axis direction
represents the direction going from the right side face to the left side face of the
printing material supply system 10, and the negative Y-axis direction represents its
reverse direction. In this embodiment, the pluraUty of cartridges 20 attached to the
holder 600 are arrayed in the direction along the Y axis.
[0079] A-2. Structure for Attachment of Cartridge to Holder
Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views illustrating the holder 600 with the cartridge 20
attached thereto. Fig. 4 is a top view illustrating the holder 600 with the cartridge 20
attached thereto. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the holder 600 with the cartridge 20
attached thereto, taken on an arrowed line F5-F5 of Fig. 4. In the state illustrated in
Figs. 2 to 5, one cartridge 20 is properly attached at a designed attachment position of
the holder 600.
[0080] The holder 600 of the printer 50 has a pluraUty of slots (mounting spaces) formed
corresponding to the plurality of cartridges 20 to receive the respective cartridge 20
attached thereto. In the printer 50, each of the slots provided in the holder 600 has an
ink supply tube (printing material supply tube) 640, a terminal base 700, a lever 800, a
first device-side locking element 810 and a second device-side locking element 620.
[0081] As shown in Fig. 5, the cartridge 20 has a first cartridge-side locking element 210, a
second cartridge-side locking element 220, an ink chamber (printing material chamber)
290, an ink supply port (printing material supply port) 280 and a circuit board 400 corresponding
to each of the slots provided in the holder 600 of the printer 50. According
to this embodiment, an ink flow path 282 communicating with the ink chamber 290 is
formed at the ink supply port 280 of the cartridge 20, so that ink is supplied from the
ink chamber 290 through the ink flow path 282 to outside of the cartridge 20.
According to this embodiment, a resin foam 284 is provided at the exit of the ink flow
path 282 to prevent unintentional leakage of ink from the ink flow path 282.
[0082] Connecting the ink supply tube 640 of the printer 50 with the ink supply port 280 of
the cartridge 20 enables ink to be supplied from the ink chamber 290 of the cartridge
22
20 to the head 540. The ink supply tube 640 has a peripheral end 642 to be connected
with the cartridge. A base end 645 of the ink supply tube 640 is provided on the
bottom face of the holder 600. According to this embodiment, the ink supply tube 640
has a central axis C parallel to the Z axis as shown in Fig. 5. The direction going from
the base end 645 to the peripheral end 642 of the ink supply tube 640 along the central
axis C is the positive Z-axis direction.
[0083] According to this embodiment, a porous filter 644 serving to filter the ink supplied
from the cartridge 20 is provided at the peripheral end 642 of the ink supply tube 640.
The porous filter 644 may be made of, for example, stainless steel mesh or stainless
steel woven fabric. According to another embodiment, the peripheral end 642 of the
ink supply tube 640 may be configured without a porous filter.
[0084] According to this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 2 to 5, an elastic member 648 is
provided around the ink supply tube 640 to seal the ink supply port 280 of the cartridge
20 and thereby prevent leakage of ink from the ink supply port 280 to the periphery. In
the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600, a pressing force Ps including a
positive Z-axis component is applied from the elastic member 648 to the ink supply
port 280.
[0085] The terminal base 700 of the printer 50 is provided on the positive X-axis side of the
ink supply tube 640. The terminal base 700 has device-side terminals that are electrically
connectable with cartridge-side terminals provided on the circuit board 400. In
the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600, a pressing force Pt including a
positive Z-axis component is appUed from the device-side terminals provided on the
terminal base 700 to the circuit board 400.
[0086] The first device-side locking element 810 of the printer 50 is formed as part of the
lever 800 to engage with the first cartridge-side locking element 210 at a first locking
position 810L. The first locking position 810L is located on the positive Z-axis side
and on the positive X-axis side of the contact position where the circuit board 400 is in
contact with the device-side terminals provided on the terminal base 700. The first
device-side locking element 810 engages with the first cartridge-side locking element
210 to restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the positive Z-axis direction.
[0087] The second device-side locking element 620 of the printer 50 is formed as part of the
holder 600 to engage with the second cartridge-side locking element 220 at a second
locking position 620L. The second locking position 620L is located on the positive Zaxis
side and the negative X-axis side of the ink supply tube 640. The second deviceside
locking element 620 engages with the second cartridge-side locking element 220
to restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the positive Z-axis direction.
[0088] For attachment and detachment of the cartridge 20 to and from the holder 600, the
cartridge 20 is turned along a plane parallel to the Z axis and the X axis about the en23
gagement of the second cartridge-side locking element 220 and the second device-side
locking element 620 as the pivot point of rotation. The second cartridge-side locking
element 220 and the second device-side locking element 620 accordingly serve as the
pivot point of rotation of the cartridge 20 during attachment and detachment of the
cartridge 20. The details of attachment and detachment of the cartridge 20 to and from
the holder 600 will be described later.
[0089] The lever 800 of the printer 50 has a pivotal center 800c on the positive Z-axis side
and on the positive X-axis side of the first locking position 810L where the first
device-side locking element 810 engages with the first cartridge-side locking element
210. The lever 800 is provided to be rotatable such that die first device-side locking
element 810 moves in the positive X-axis direction from the first locking position
810L to engage with and disengage from the first cartridge-side locking element 210.
[0090] The lever 800 has an operating member 830 provided to receive the user's operating
force Pr toward the negative X-axis direction and located on the positive Z-axis side
and the positive X-axis side of the pivotal center 800c. The user's operating force Pr
applied to the operating member 830 turns the lever 800 to move the first device-side
locking element 810 in the positive X-axis direction from the first locking position
8 lOL and thereby disengage the first device-side locking element 810 from the first
cartridge-side locking element 210. The cartridge 20 can thus be detached from the
holder 600.
[0091] As shown in Fig. 5, in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600, the fu-st
locking position 810L is located on the negative Z-axis side by a distance Dz from the
second locking position 620L. The pressing forces Ps and Pt applied from the holder
600 to the cartridge 20 act in the direction to enhance the engagement between the first
cartridge-side locking element 210 and the first device-side locking element 810 (i.e.,
the direction including a positive X-axis component and a positive Z-axis component),
based on the moment balance with the second locking position 620L serving as the
pivot point of rotation of the cartridge 20. This enables the cartridge 20 to be stably
held at the designed attachment position.
[0092] Figs. 6A and 6B show how the force is applied from the cartridge 20 to the lever 800
at the first locking position 8 lOL. In the state of Fig. 6A where the first locking
position 810L is located on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking position
620L, a force Fl is applied from the cartridge 20 to the lever 800 at the first locking
position 810L. In the state of Fig. 6B where the first locking position 810L is located
on the positive Z-axis side of the second locking position 620L, a force F2 is applied
from the cartridge 20 to the lever 800 at the fu-st locking position 810L. The force Fl
shown in Fig. 6A has the same magnimde as that of the force F2 shown in Fig. 6B.
[0093] Figs. 6A and 6B schematically show the positional relationships of the first locking
24
position 810L, the second locking position 620L and the pivotal center 800c to one
another on the X axis and on the Z axis. The difference between the two positional relationships
shown in Figs. 6A and 6B is only the difference of the second locking
position 620L on the Z axis. An arc RTl shown in Figs. 6A and 6B represents the
rotation locus of the first locking position 810L about the pivotal center 800c. An arc
RT2 shown in Figs. 6A and 6B represents the rotation locus of the first locking
position 810L about the second locking position 620L.
[0094] In the state of Fig. 6A where the first locking position 810L is located on the
negative Z-axis side of the secondJocking position 620L, the force Fl applied in the
tangential direction of the arc RT2 at the first locking position 810L has a positive Xaxis
component and a positive Z-axis component. The force Fl is accordingly resolved
into a component Fit in the tangential direction of the arc RTl and a component Fir in
the radial direction of the arc RTl.
[0095] In the state of Fig. 6B where the first locking position 810L is located on the positive
Z-axis side of the second locking position 620L, the force F2 applied in the tangential
direction of the arc RT2 at the first locking position 810L has a negative X-axis
component and a positive Z-axis component. The force F2 is accordingly resolved into
a component F2t in the tangential direction of the arc RTl and a component F2r in the
radial direction of the arc RTl.
[0096] As clearly understood from the comparison between Figs. 6A and 6B, when the
magnitude of force Fl is equal to the magnitude of force F2 (Fl= F2), the positional
relationships of the first locking position 810L, the second locking position 620L and
the pivotal center 800c to one another cause the relation "FltF2r" of the
force components in the radial direction of the arc RTl. The state where the first
locking position 810L is located on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking
position 620L has the larger force component from the cartridge 20 toward the pivotal
center 800c of the lever 800 and the smaller force component of rotating the lever 800
clockwise, viewed from the positive Y-axis direction, around the pivotal center 800c
than the state where the first locking position 810L is located on the positive Z-axis
side of the second locking position 620L. In other words, the state where the first
locking position 810L is located on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking
position 620L has the stronger engagement between the first cartridge-side locking
element 210 and the first device-side locking element 810 than the state where the first
locking position 810L is located on the positive Z-axis side of the second locking
position 620L.
[0097] A-3. Detailed Structure of Cartridge
Fig. 7 is a perspective view illustrating the structure of the cartridge 20. Fig. 8 is a
25
front view illustrating the structure of the cartridge 20. Fig. 9 is a rear view illustrating
the structure of the cartridge 20. Fig. 10 is a left side view illustrating the structure of
the cartridge 20. Fig. 11 is a bottom view illustrating the structure of the cartridge 20.
[0098] In the description of the cartridge 20, the X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis with
respect to the cartridge 20 attached to the holder 600 are regarded as the axes on the
cartridge 20. According to this embodiment, in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to
the holder 600, the positive X-axis side forms the front face of the cartridge 20. A
plane CX shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 11 is a plane that passes through the central axis C
and is parallel to the Z axis and the X axis. A plane Yc shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 11 is a
plane that passes through the center of the width or the Y-axis direction length of the
cartridge 20 and is parallel to the Z axis and the X axis.
[0099] As shown in Figs. 7 to 11, the cartridge 20 has six planes defining the profile of approximate
rectangular prism, first face 201, second face 202, third face 203, fourth face
204, fifth face 205 and sixth face 206. According to this embodiment, the cartridge 20
also has a seventh face 207 and an eighth face 208 provided between the first face 201
and the third face 203, in addition to the first to the sixth faces 201 to 206 corresponding
to the six planes of the approximate rectangular prism profile. The space
defined by the first to the eighth faces 201 to 208 serves as the ink chamber 290.
[0100] The first to the eighth faces 201 to 208 are provided as substantial planes, which may
not be perfectly flat over the whole surface but may have partial irregularity.
According to this embodiment, the first to the eighth faces 201 to 208 form the outer
surfaces of the assembly of the plurality of members. According to this embodiment,
the first to the eighth faces 201 to 208 are made of plate-like members. According to
other embodiments, part of the first to the eighth faces 201 to 208 may be made of a
film (thin film) member. The first to the eighth faces 201 to 208 are made of a resin
material and more specifically made of a resin material having the higher rigidity than
polypropylene (PP) (e.g., polyacetal (POM)) in this embodiment.
[0101] According to this embodiment, the cartridge 20 has the length (X-axis direction
length), the width (Y-axis direction length) and the height (Z-axis direction length),
wherein the length, the height and the width descend in this order. The magnitude
relation of the length, the width and the height of the cartridge 20 is, however, not
Umited to this order but may be determined arbitrarily; for example, the height, the
length and the width may descend in this order or the height, the length and the width
may be equal to one another.
[0102] The first face 201 and the second face 202 of the cartridge 20 are the faces parallel to
the X axis and the Y axis and are located to be opposed to each other in the Z-axis
direction. The first face 201 is located on the negative Z-axis side, and the second face
202 is located on the positive Z-axis side. The first face 201 and the second face 202
26
are located to intersect the third face 203, the fourth face 204, the fifth face 205 and the
sixth face 206. In the description herein, the expression that "two faces intersect or
cross each other" means one of the state that two faces actually cross each other, the
state that an extension of one face intersects the other face, and the state that extensions
of two faces cross each other. According to this embodiment, in the attached state of
the cartridge 20 to the holder 600, the first face 201 forms the bottom face of the
cartridge 20, and the second face 202 forms the top face of the cartridge 20.
[0103] The ink supply port 280 is formed in the first face 201. The ink supply port 280 is
protruded in the negative Z-axis direction from the first face 201 and has an open
surface 288 at its negative Z-axis end with an opening in a plane parallel to the X axis
and the Y axis. According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11, the resin foam 284
is provided inside the ink supply port 280 at the position on the positive Z-axis side of
the open surface 288. According to this embodiment, before shipment of the cartridge
20, the open surface 288 of the ink supply port 280 is sealed with a sealing member
(not shown), such as a cap or a film. For attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder
600, the sealing member (not shown) to seal the open surface 288 is removed from the
cartridge 20. As can be seen in Fig. 5A, ink supply port 280 need not protrude from the
first face 201. Rather, in one embodiment, it can be flush or substantially flush with the
first face 201. In such an embodiment, ink supply tube 640 is raised so as to be
proximate to the first face when the cartridge 20 is mounted. As used herein,
"proximate" can mean "close to," "near" or "on."
[0104] According to this embodiment, the ink supply port 280 is protruded in the negative
Z-axis direction with the center on the central axis C of the ink supply tube 640.
According to another embodiment, the center of the ink supply port 280 may be
deviated from the central axis C of the ink supply tube 640. According to this embodiment,
the open surface 288 of the ink supply port 280 viewed from the negative Z-
- axis direction toward the positive Z-axis direction is line-symmetric with respect to
axes parallel to the X axis and the Y axis. According to another embodiment, the open
surface 288 of the ink supply port 280 may be asymmetric. The open surface 288
viewed from the Z-axis direction is in the rounded rectangular shape according to this
embodiment but may be in any other suitable shape, e.g., precise circle, ellipse, oval,
square or rectangle according to other embodiments.
[0105] The third face 203 and the fourth face 204 of the cartridge 20 are the faces parallel to
the Y axis and the Z axis and are located to be opposed to each other in the X-axis
direction. The third face 203 is located on the positive X-axis side, and the fourth face
204 is located on the negative X-axis side. The third face 203 and the fourth face 204
are located to intersect the first face 201, the second face 202, the fifth face 205 and the
sixth face 206. According to this embodiment, in the attached state of the cartridge 20
27
to the holder 600, the third face 203 forms the front face of the cartridge 20, and the
fourth face 204 forms the rear face of the cartridge 20.
[0106] The fkst cartridge-side locking element 210 is provided on the third face 203 and is
located on the positive Z-axis side and on the positive X-axis side of the ink supply
port 280 and the circuit board 400. The first cartridge-side locking element 210 has a
first locking surface 211 facing in the positive Z-axis direction. Turning the lever 800
causes the first device-side locking element 810 to engage with the first locking
surface 211 at the first locking position 810L and thereby restrict the motion of the
cartridge 20 in the positive Z-axis direction.
[0107] According to this embodiment, the first cartridge-side locking element 210 is
provided as a projection protruded in the positive X-axis direction from the third face
203. The furst cartridge-side locking element 210 is thus readily formed on the third
face 203 and is readily checked by the user in the course of attachment of the cartridge
20.
[0108] According to this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 7, 8 and 10, the first cartridge-side
locking element 210 is protruded from the third face 203 to be formed as the L-shaped
projection with two sides respectively parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis. A wall in a
triangular shape (viewed from the Y-axis direction) is formed on the negative Z-axis
side from the approximate center of the Y-axis parallel portion of the L-shaped
projection to be extended from the positive X-axis end of the L-shaped projection to
the thkd face 203.
[0109] According to this embodiment, the first cartridge-side locking element 210 has a
third locking surface 213 facing in the positive X-axis direction, in addition to the first
locking surface 211 facing in the positive Z-axis direction. Turning the lever 800
causes the first device-side locking element 810 to engage with the first locking
surface 211 and the third locking surface 213 at the first locking position 810L and
thereby restrict the motion of the cartridge 20 in the positive Z-axis direction and in the
positive X-axis direction. This enables the cartridge 20 to be more stably held at the
designed attachment position.
[0110] According to this embodiment, the first locking surface 211 of the first cartridge-side
locking element 210 is provided as a plane facing in the positive Z-axis direction,
which forms the Y-axis parallel portion of the L-shaped projection. In other words, the
fii'St locking surface 211 is the plane parallel to the X axis and the Y axis. According to
this embodiment, the third locking surface 213 of the first cartridge-side locking
element 210 is provided as a plane facing in the positive X-axis direction, which forms
the Y-axis parallel portion of the L-shaped projection. In other words, the third locking
surface 213 is the plane parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis.
[0111] According to this embodiment, the first cartridge-side locking element 210 has a
28
m
sloped surface 216 inclined in the negative Z-axis direction and in the positive X-axis
direction. The positive Z-axis side of the sloped surface 216 is adjacent to the negative
Z-axis side of the third locking surface 213 adjoining to the positive X-axis side of the
first locking surface 211. The negative Z-axis side of the sloped surface 216 is adjacent
to the position where the third face 203 adjoins to the eighth face 208. This structure
enables the first device-side locking element 810 to be smoothly guided to the first
locking surface 211 for attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600. According to
this embodiment, the sloped surface 216 of the first cartridge-side locking element 210
is formed as a plane on the positive X-axis side of the triangular-shaped wall formed
on the negative Z-axis side of the L-shaped projection.
[0112] According to this embodiment, the first cartridge-side locking element 210 also has
an extended surface 218 formed by extending in the positive Z-axis direction part of
the third locking surface 213 adjoining to the positive X-axis side of the first locking
surface 211. In the course of attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600, this
structure prevents the lever 800 from running on the positive Z-axis side of the first
i
locking surface 211. According to this embodiment, the extended surface 218 of the
first cartridge-side locking element 210 is formed as a plane facing in the positive Xaxis
direction, which forms the Z-axis parallel portion of the L-shaped projection. In
other words, the extended surface 218 is the plane parallel to the Y axis and the Z axis.
[0113] According to this embodiment, the third face 203 has a projection 260. The
projection 260 has a shape extended from the second face 202 in the positive X-axis
direction and is protruded in the positive X-axis direction from the third face 203. The
projection 260 formed on the cartridge 20 enables the user to readily hft up the
cartridge 20 in the positive Z-axis direction about the second cartridge-side locking
element 220 as the pivot point of rotation for detachment of the cartridge 20 from the
holder 500 by simply placing the user's finger on the projection 260 after pressing the
— • - operating member 830 of the lever 800 in the negative X-axis direction. According to
other embodiments, the third face 203 may be designed without the projection 260.
[0114] The second cartridge-side locking element 220 is provided on the fourth face 204 and
is located on the positive Z-axis side and on the negative X-axis side of the ink supply
port 280 and the circuit board 400. The second cartridge-side locking element 220 has
a second locking surface 222 facing in the positive Z-axis direction. Engaging the
second locking surface 222 with the second device-side locking element 620 restricts
the motion of the cartridge 20 in the positive Z-axis direction.
[0115] According to this embodiment, for attachment and detachment of the cartridge 20 to
and from the holder 600, the second cartridge-side locking element 220 engages with
the second device-side locking element 620 and serves as the pivot point of rotation of
the cartridge 20 relative to the holder 600. This structure ensures easy attachment and
29
detachment of the cartridge 20 to and from the holder 600.
[0116] According to this embodiment, the second cartridge-side locking element 220 is
provided as a projection protruded in the negative X-axis direction from the fourth face
204. The second cartridge-side locking element 220 is thus readily formed on the
fourth face 204 and is readily checked by the user in the course of attachment of the
cartridge 20.
[0117] According to this embodiment, the second locking surface 222 of the second
cartridge-side locking element 220 is provided as a plane facing in the positive Z-axis
direction, which forms the projection protruded in the negative X-axis direction from
the fourth face 204. In other words, the second locking surface 222 is the plane parallel
to the X axis and the Y axis.
[0118] According to this embodiment, the second cartridge-side locking element 220 has a
sloped surface 224 provided adjacent to the negative X-axis side of the second locking
surface 222 and incUned in the positive Z-axis direction and in the negative X-axis
direction. This structure enables the second locking surface 222 to be smoothly guided
to the second device-side locking element 620 for attachment of the cartridge 20 to the
holder 600. According to other embodiments, the second cartridge-side locking
element 220 may be designed without the sloped surface 224.
[0119] As shown in Fig. 10, the first locking surface 211 of the first cartridge-side locking
element 210 is provided on the negative Z-axis side, i.e., on the side closer to the first
face 201, by the distance Dz from the second locking surface 222 of the second
cartridge-side locking element 220. In other words, the second locking surface 222 is
located on the positive Z-axis side, i.e., on the side closer to the second face 202, by
the distance Dz from the first locking surface 211. This structure enhances the engagement
between the first cartridge-side locking element 210 and the first device-side
locking element 810 in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600 as
described above with reference to Fig. 6. -~-
[0120] According to this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 11, the first locking
surface 211 of the first cartridge-side locking element 210 and the second locking
surface 222 of the second cartridge-side locking element 220 are provided at the
positions intersecting the plane Yc passing through the center of the width or the Yaxis
direction length of the cartridge 20. This structure advantageously prevents the
pressing forces Ps and Pt applied from the holder 600 to the cartridge 20 from acting to
tilt the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction.
[0121] According to this embodiment, as shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 11, the first locking
surface 211 of the first cartridge-side locking element 210 and die second locking
surface 222 of the second cartridge-side locking element 220 are provided at the
positions intersecting the plane CX passing through the central axis C. This structure
30
effectively prevents the pressing force Ps applied from the holder 600 to the cartridge
20 from acting to tilt the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction.
[0122] According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 10, a distance Dxl on the X axis
between the central axis C and the third face 203 is greater than a distance Dx2 on the
X axis between the central axis C and the fourth face 204. In other words, the distance
on the X axis from the second locking surface 222 of the second cartridge-side locking
element 220 to the ink supply port 280 is less than the distance on the X-axis from the
first locking surface 211 of the first cartridge-side locking element 210 to the ink
supply port 280. The ink supply port 280 is provided at the position closer to the
second locking surface 222, which is positioned relative to the holder 600 prior to the
- first locking surface 211, so that the cartridge 20 can readily be positioned relative to
the holder 600.
[0123] According to this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 11, the Y-axis direction length of the
first cartridge-side locking element 210 is less than the Y-axis direction length of the
second cartridge-side locking element 220. According to this embodiment, the Y-axis
direction length of the first cartridge-side locking element 210 is less than the Y-axis
direction length of the circuit board 400. According to this embodiment, the Y-axis
direction length of the second cartridge-side locking element 220 is substantially equal
to the Y-axis direction length of the circuit board 400.
[0124] The fifth face 205 and the sixth face 206 of the cartridge 20 are the faces parallel to
the Z axis and the X axis and are located to be opposed to each other in the Y-axis
direction. The fifth face 205 is located on the positive Y-axis side, and the sixth face
206 is located on the negative Y-axis side. The fifth face 205 and the sixth face 206 are
located to intersect the first face 201, the second face 202, the third face 203 and the
fourth face 204. According to this embodiment, in the attached state of the cartridge 20
to the holder 600, the fifth face 205 forms the left side face of the cartridge 20, and the
sixth face 206 forms the right side face of the cartridge 20. - ... -
[0125] The seventh face 207 of the cartridge 20 is provided at the comer connecting the first
face 201 with the third face 203 and is extended in the positive Z-axis direction from
the first face 201. The seventh face 207 is linked with the eighth face 208 on its
positive Z-axis side and with the first face 201 on its negative Z-axis side. According
to this embodiment, the seventh face 207 is the face parallel to the Y axis and the Z
axis and is located to be opposed to the fourth face 204.
[0126] The eighth face 208 of the cartridge 20 is provided at the comer connecting the first
face 201 with the third face 203 and is provided on the positive Z-axis side of the
seventh face 207. The eighth face 208 is Hnked with the third face 203 on its positive
Z-axis side and with the seventh face 207 on its negative Z-axis side. According to this
embodiment, the eighth face 208 is inclined in the negative Z-axis direction and in the
31
«
positive X-axis direction as shown in Figs. 7 and 10.
[0127] The circuit board 400 is provided on the eighth face 208 according to this embodiment.
As shown in Fig. 10, the circuit board 400 mounted on the eighth face 208
has a sloped surface (also called "cartridge-side sloped surface") 408 inclined in the
negative Z-axis direction and in the positive X-axis direction. In the attached state of
the cartridge 20 to the holder 600, the cartridge-side terminals provided on the
cartridge-side sloped surface 408 of the circuit board 400 of the cartridge 20 are in
contact with the device-side terminals provided on the terminal base 700 in the holder
600.
[0128] As shown in Fig. 9A, plane BP is a plane formed by the mounting direction leading
edge of the open surface 288 of mk supply port 280. Distance A is the distance
between plane BP and the first locking surface 211 of the first cartridge-side locking
element 210. Distance B is the distance between plane BP and an engagement portion
of the second cartridge-side locking element 220. Distance C is the distance between
plane BP and the lever 800's pivot point around axis 800C. As can be seen in Figure
9A, the distance between plane BP and an engagement portion of the second cartridgeside
locking element 220 is greater than the distance between plane BP and the first
locking surface 211 of the first restriction portion 210 when measured in an orthogonal
direction to the plane BP. The distance between plane BP and the first locking surface
211 of the first restriction portion 210 is less than the distance between plane BP and
the lever 800's pivot point around axis 800C when measured in an orthogonal direction
to the plane BP. Additionally as can be seen in Fig. 9A, plane TP is the plane formed
by the cartridge-side sloped surface 408, which in this embodiment is parallel to the
cartridge-side sloped surface 408 itself, and so for simphcity sake, cartridge-side
sloped surface 408 may be used to refer to the plane TP. Plane TP is neither parallel
nor perpendicular to plane BP. The sloped cartridge-side sloped surface 408 has
cartridge-side terminals 400, which are in contactwith the device-side terminals of the
contact mechanism (Fig. 2).
[0129] The angle phi of inclination of the cartridge-side sloped surface 408 to the plane
parallel to the X axis and the Y axis (i.e., the open surface 288 of the ink supply port
280) is preferably in a range of 25 to 40 degrees. Setting the angle of inclination of the
cartridge-side sloped surface 408 to be not less than 25 degrees ensures a sufficient
amount of wiping. The term "wiping" herein means that the cartridge-side terminals
provided on the cartridge-side sloped surface 408 are rubbed by the device-side
terminals provided on the terminal base 700 in the course of attachment of the
cartridge 20 to the holder 600. The "amount of wiping" means the length of the
cartridge-side terminals that can be rubbed by the device-side terminals. Such wiping
removes dust and foreign particles adhering to the top of the cartridge-side terminals
32
ft
and reduces the potential connection failure between the cartridge-side terminals and
the device-side terminals. Setting the angle of incUnation of the cartridge-side sloped
surface 408 to be not greater than 40 degrees enables the pressing force R apphed
from the device-side terminals provided on the terminal base 700 to the circuit board
400 to include a sufficient magnitude of the positive Z-axis component.
[0130] Figs. 43A and 43B shows the relation of a wiping amount of the terminal on the
circuit board 400 by an apparatus-side terminal with respect to an inclination angle phi
of the circuit board 400. The inclination angle phi of the circuit board 400 represents
an angle between the plane 1 lOp extended from the mounting direction leading edge of
the ink supply port 280 and a plane in which the terminals of the circuit board 400 are
arranged. The plane defined by the terminals is neither perpendicular nor parallel to the
plane 1 lOp. The inclination angle phi is generally an acute angle (less than 90 degrees).
In this embodiment, the plane 11 Op extended from the mounting direction leading edge
is parallel to the bottom face 201 of the cartridge 20. Also, the plane in which the
terminals are arranged is parallel to the board surface of the circuit board 400. Accordingly,
in this embodiment, the inchnation angle phi is equal to the angle between
the bottom face 201 of the cartridge 20 and the board surface of the circuit board 400.
Also, for simplicity sake, the cartridge-side sloped surface 408 may be used interchangeably
with "plane defined by the terminals" or "terminal plane". When contact
portions 431-439 are referenced in connection with the cartridge-side sloped surface
408 the term "plane defined by the contact portions" or "contact portion plane" can be
used interchangeably well. In the course of attachment or mounting of the cartridge 20,
as shown in Figs. 24-27, the front face 203 (the first surface) of the cartridge 20 goes
down with sUght pivotal rotation on the rear face 204 (the second surface) of the
cartridge 20. In this process, the circuit board 400 sUghtly rotates and comes into
contact with the apparatus-side contact forming members 731-739 on the terminal base
700, so that the respective contact portions 431-439 are wiped by the apparatus-side
contact forming members 731-739. The wiping of the terminal on the circuit board 400
by the corresponding apparatus-side terminal properly removes the dust or oxide
coating on the surface of the terminal on the circuit board 400 to enhance the electric
conductivity (electrical connection).
[0131] The plot of Fig. 43 A shows the wiping length (wiping amount) of the terminal on the
i
circuit board 400 by the corresponding apparatus-side contact forming members as
ordinate, and the board incUnation angle phi as abscissa. The calculation is on the assumption
that distance LO in the X direction from die second surface (rear face) 204 of
the cartridge 20 to the contact portion of the ground terminal 437 that comes into
contact with die corresponding apparatus-side ground terminal 737 is 63 mm. In
general, the greater board inclination angle phi causes the board surfjace to be closer to
33
the vertical plane and increases the wiping amount. In order to sufficiently remove the
dust or oxide coating on the surface of the terminal on the circuit board 400, the wiping
amount is preferably not less than 1 mm. According to the graph of Fig. 43 A, the board
inclination angle phi is preferably not less than 25 degrees to ensure the wiping amount
of not less than 1 mm.
[0132] Fig. 44A shows the relation of upward force F by the apparatus-side ground terminal
737 to the board inclination angle phi in consideration of preventing half insertion of
the cartridge. The calculation of Fig. 44A is also on the assumption that the distance
LO is equal to 63 mm, like the calculation of Fig. 43 A. The weight of the cartridge
(including the weight of ink) is assumed to be 30 grams. This value is the standard
weight of the cartridge for Inkjet printing apparatuses for household use. The "half
insertion of the cartridge" denotes the state where the first device-side locking element
810 of the lever 800 is located just beside the elastic member 682 as shown in Fig. 25,
i.e., the state immediately before the complete engagement. This state of half insertion
is also called "half engagement". In this state of half engagement, only the apparatusside
ground terminal 737 among the plurality of apparatus-side contact forming
members 731-739 applies the upward force to the circuit board 400. It should be noted
that in the printing apparatus shown in Fig. 1, the holder 60 does not have a cover.
When the user releases the hand in this state of half engagement, the cartridge 20 may
be kept in this state of half engagement. The plot of Fig. 44A shows the calculation
result of the upward force by the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 to prevent such
half insertion of the cartridge 20. Fig. 44B shows the relation of the upward force F to
the board inclination angle phi.
[0133] The upward force by the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 is a +Z-direction vector
component (vertically upward vector component in this embodiment) of the force
applied from the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 to the circuit board 400 (and the
cartridge 20) in the state of half engagement of Fig.-21. When the ground terminal 437
of the circuit board 400 is pressed against the apparatus-side ground terminal 737, a
pressing force in a direction perpendicular to the board surface of the circuit board 400
is applied to the ground terminal 437 by the elastic force of the apparatus-side ground
terminal 737. The calculation of the upward force of Fig. 44A is on the assumption that
pressing force FO of the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 is 0.2 N in the direction
perpendicular to the board surface. Since the upward force F (=FOxcos phi) is the
+Z-direction vector component of the pressing force FO, F =F0 =0.2 N holds at the
board inclination angle phi =0 degree as shown by the broken hne in Fig. Fig. 44B.
The upward force F varies according to the curve F =FOxcos phi with a variation in
board inclination angle phi. The curve of Fig. 44A is the curve F =FOxcos phi. With an
increase in board inclination angle phi (phi approaching 90 degrees), the board surface
34
approaches the XZ plane and reduces the upward force F. An upward force FB
balancmg with die cartridge 20 having the distance LO of 63 mm and the weight of 30
grams is approximately 0.15 N (the position of thick horizontal Une in Fig. 44A). This
means that the upward force of not less than 0.15 N enables the cartridge 20 to be
pressed vertically upward by the apparatus-side ground terminal 737. In order to
ensure the upward force of not less than 0.15 N, the board inclination angle phi is
preferably not greater than 40 degrees, as clearly understood from Fig. 44A.
[0134] When the user releases the hand in the state of half engagement of Fig. 25, the
cartridge 20 may be kept in the state of half engagement. If the board inclination angle
phi is set to be not greater than 40 degrees as shown in Fig. 44A, however, when the
user releases the hand in the state of half engagement, the apparatus-side ground
terminal 737 presses the front face 203 of the cartridge 20 in the +Z direction (upward
direction). This clearly disengages the cartridge from the apparatus- and facilitates the
user to find the failed attachment. From this point of view, it is preferable to set the
board inclination angle phi to be not greater than 40 degrees.
[0135] Figs. 45 and 46 show the characteristics of a cartridge having a greater dimension in
the X direction than the dimension of the cartridge in Figs. 46 and 44A. Whereas the
cartridge is assumed to have the distance LO =63 mm in Figs. 46 and 44A, it is
assumed to have the distance LO =80 mm in Figs. 45 and 46. The calculation of the
upward force of Fig. 42 is on the assumption that FO =0.2 N and the weight of the
cartridge (including the weight of ink) is 30 g, like the calculation of Fig. 44A. As
clearly understood from the result of Fig. 45, like the result of Fig. 43A, in order to
ensure the wiping amount of not less than 1 mm, the board inclination angle phi is
j preferably not less than 25 degrees. Although the distance LO is 80 mm in the cal-
I culation of Fig. 46 relative to 63 mm in the calculation of Fig. 44A, the upward force
FB balancing with the cartridge 20 having the weight of 30 grams is almost equal to
that of Fig. 44A and is approximately 0.15 N (the position of thick horizontal line in
Fig. 46). As clearly understood from the result of Fig. 46, like the result of Fig. 44A, in
I order to prevent half engagement of the cartridge, the board inclination angle phi is
I preferably not greater than 40 degrees.
[0136] By taking into account the characteristics of Figs. 43 through 46, discussed above, it
is preferable to set the board inclination angle phi to be not less than 25 degrees and
not greater than 40 degrees.
[0137] The increased pressing force of the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 ensures the
sufficient upward force even at the greater board inclination angle phi. In this case, it is
preferable to set the pressing force of the apparatus-side ground terminal 737 and the
board inclination angle phi to such values that enable the cartridge 20 to be pressed
upward and changed from the state of half engagement to the disengagement state by
35
the pressing force of the apparatus-side ground terminal 737, when the user release the
hand from the cartridge 20 in the state of half engagement.
[0138] According to this embodiment, a pair of first engagement surfaces 230, a pair of
second engagement surfaces 240 and a pair of projections 250 are provided around the
circuit board 400 on the cartridge 20, in order to prevent positional misalignment of the
cartridge-side terminals provided on the circuit board 400 relative to the device-side
terminals provided on the terminal base 700 in the course of attachment of the
cartridge 20 to the holder 600.
[0139] The pair of first engagement surfaces 230 provided at the positions close to the
circuit board 400 on the fifth face 205 and the sixth face 206 of the cartridge 20 are the
pair of faces parallel to the Z axis and the X axis and are formed on both sides of the
circuit board 400 along the Y-axis direction. The pair of first engagement surfaces 230
are configured to engage with first engagement members 632 provided in the holder
600 (Figs. 13 to 15). This structure effectively prevents the positional misalignment of
the circuit board 400 relative to the holder 600 in the Y-axis direction and enables the
cartridge-side terminals to be in contact with the device-side terminals at the appropriate
position.
[0140] According to this embodiment, the pair of first engagement surfaces 230 includes an
engagement surface formed on the fifth face 205 and an engagement surface formed on
the sixth face 206. The engagement surface on the fifth face 205 is formed by lowering
part of the fifth face 205 in the negative Y-axis direction over an area within a preset
distance from the boundary of the eighth face 208 to the corresponding projection 250.
The engagement surface on the sixth face 206 is formed by lowering part of the sixth
face 206 in the positive Y-axis direction over an area within the preset distance from
the boundary of the eighth face 208 to the corresponding projection 250. The distance
between the pair of first engagement surfaces 230 along the Y-axis direction is less
than the width or the Y-axis direction length of the cartridge 20, i.e., the distance
between the fifth face 205 and the sixth face 206 and is greater than the width or the Yaxis
direction length of the circuit board 400.
[0141] The pair of second engagement surfaces 240 provided at the positions close to the
circuit board 400 on the fifdi face 205 and the sixth face 206 of the cartridge 20 are the
pair of faces parallel to the Z axis and the X axis and are formed on both sides of the
circuit board 400 along the Y-axis direction. The pair of second engagement surfaces
240 are configured to engage with second engagement members 634 provided in the
holder 600 (Figs. 13 to 15). This structure effectively prevents the positional misahgnment
of the circuit board 400 relative to the holder 600 in the Y-axis direction and
enables the cartridge-side terminals to be in contact with the device-side terminals at
the appropriate position.
36
M
[0142] According to this embodiment, the pair of second engagement surfaces 240 includes
an engagement surface formed on the fifth face 205 and an engagement surface formed
on the sixth face 206. The engagement surface on the fifth face 205 is formed by
further lowering part of the first engagement surface 230 adjacent to the eighth face
208 in the negative Y-axis direction. The engagement surface on the sixth face 206 is
formed by further lowering part of the first engagement surface 230 adjacent to the
eighth face 208 in the positive Y-axis direction. The distance between the pair of
second engagement surfaces 204 along the Y-axis direction is less than the width or the
Y-axis direction length of the cartridge 20, i.e., the distance between the fifth -face 205
and the sixth face 206 and is substantially equal to the width or the Y-axis direction of
the circuit board 400.
[0143] The pair of projections 250 of the cartridge 20 are provided on the positive Y-axis
side and on the negative Y-axis side of the seventh face 207 to be protruded in the
positive X-axis direction. The pair of projections 250 face each other along the Y axis
on the negative Z-axis side of the circuit board 400. The pair of projections 250 are
configured to engage with a fitting member 636 provided in the holder 600 (Figs. 13 to
15). This structure effectively prevents the positional misalignment of the circuit board
400 relative to the holder 600 in the Y-axis direction and enables the cartridge-side
terminals to be in contact with the device-side terminals at the appropriate position.
[0144] Figs. 12A and 12B illustrate the detailed structure of the circuit board 400 of the
cartridge 20. Fig. 12A shows the structure on the surface (cartridge-side sloped
surface) 408 of the circuit board 400 viewed from the direction of arrow F12A in Fig.
10. Fig. 12B shows the structure of the side face of the circuit board 400 viewed from
the direction of arrow F12B (positive Y-axis direction) in Fig. 12A.
[0145] As shown in Fig. 12A, the circuit board 400 has a boss groove 401 at its positive Zaxis
end and a boss hole 402 at its negative Z-axis end. The circuit board 400 is fixed
'-"•"•• •' to the eighth face 208 of the cartridge 20 by means of the boss groove 401-and thei)oss
hole 402. According to this embodiment, the boss groove 401 and the boss hole 402
are provided at the positions intersecting the plane Yc passing through the center of the
width or Y-axis direction length of the cartridge 20. According to another embodiment,
at least one of the boss groove 401 and the boss hole 402 may be omitted from the
circuit board 400, and the circuit board 400 may be fixed to the eighth face 208 by an
adhesive or by an engagement click (not shown) provided on the eighth face 208.
[0146] According to this embodiment, nine cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439 are provided
on the cartridge-side sloped surface 408 of the circuit board 400 as shown in Fig. 12A,
while a memory unit 420 is provided on the rear face as shown in Fig. 12B. The
cartridge side terminals are electrically conductive and can be coupled to an electrical
device As used herein, electrical device can refer to a resistor, sensor, memory device
-
•
37
or other device that produces or is powered by electricity as can be appreciated by one
of ordinary skill in the art. According to this embodiment, information regarding ink
contained in the cartridge 20 (e.g., ink level or ink color) is stored in the memory unit
420 of the circuit board 400.
[0147] The number of cartridge-side terminals on the circuit board 400 is not limited to nine
but may be changed to any arbitrary number, i.e., less than nine or greater than nine.
The cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439 preferably have substantially the same height
from the cartridge-side sloped surface 408 of the circuit board 400.
[0148] Each of the cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439 of the circuit board 400 has a contact
portion "cp" that is in contact with the corresponding device-side terminal provided on
the terminal base 700 of the holder 600. Among the cartridge-side terminals 431 to
439, four cartridge-side terminals 431 to 434 are arrayed along a terminal line Rl that
is parallel to the Y axis and is located on the positive Z-axis side, while five cartridgeside
terminals 435 to 439 are arrayed along a terminal Une R2 that is parallel to the Y
axis and is located on the negative Z-axis side of the terminal Une Rl. The contact
portions "cp" of the cartridge-side terminals 431 to 434 arrayed along the terminal line
Rl are aligned on the terminal line Rl, whilst the contact portions "cp" of the
cartridge-side terminals 435 to 439 arrayed along the terminal line R2 are aligned on
the terminal line R2.
[0149] In order to prevent the cartridge-side terminals 431 to 434 on the terminal line Rl
from overlapping the cartridge-side terminals 435 to 439 on the terminal hne R2
viewed from the direction along the Y axis, the cartridge-side terminals 431 to 434 on
the terminal line Rl are located on the positive Z-axis side of the cartridge-side
terminals 435 to 439 on the terminal line R2. In order to prevent the cartridge-side
terminals 431 to 434 on the terminal line Rl from overlapping the cartridge-side
terminals 435 to 439 on the terminal line R2 viewed from the direction along the Z
axis, the cartridge-side terminals 431 to 434 on the terminal line Rl and the cartridgeside
terminals 435 to 439 on the terminal line R2 are arranged alternately or in zigzag.
[0150] The five cartridge-side terminals 432, 433, 436, 437 and 438 are electrically
connected with the memory unit 420. The cartridge-side terminal 432 serves as "reset
terminal" to receive supply of a reset signal RST to the memory unit 420. The
cartridge-side terminals 433 serves as "clock terminal" to receive supply of a clock
signal SCK to the memory unit 420. The cartridge-side terminal 436 serves as "power
terminal" to receive supply of power voltage VDD (e.g., rated voltage of 3.3 V) to the
memory unit 420. The cartridge-side terminal 437 serves as "ground terminal" or
"cartridge-side ground terminal" to receive supply of ground voltage VSS (0 V) to the
memory unit 420. The cartridge-side terminal 438 serves as "data terminal" to receive
supply of a data signal SDA to the memory unit 420.
38
#
[0151] The four cartridge-side terminals 431,434,437 and 439 serve as "attachment
detection terminals" used by the holder 600 to check whether the cartridge 20 is
properly attached to the holder 600. The contact portions "cp" of the five cartridge-side
terminals 432, 433,436, 437 and 438 are placed in a quadrilateral area defined by the
contact portions "cp" of the odier four cartridge-side terminals 431, 434, 437 and 439
as four apexes. According to this embodiment, the four cartridge-side terminals 431,
434, 437 and 439 are interconnected electrically inside the ckcuit board 400 and are
electrically connected to a ground hne (not shown) of the printer 50 through the
cartridge-side terminal 437 serving as the ground terminal, in the attached state of the
cartridge 20 to the holder 600.
[0152] According to this embodiment, in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder
600, the nine cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439 of the circuit board 400 are electrically
connected to the controller 510 of the printer 50 via the device-side terminals
provided on the terminal base 700 of the holder 600. Such connection enables the
controller 510 to detect attachment of the cartridge 20 and to read and write information
from and into the memory unit 420 of the circuit board 400.
[0153] According to this embodiment, the cartridge-side terminal 437 serving as the ground
terminal is provided at the position intersecting the plane Yc passing through the center
of the width or the Y-axis direction length of the cartridge 20. The cartridge-side
terminal 437 is configured to be in contact with the corresponding device-side terminal
737 (Fig. 17), before the other cartridge-side terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439 are in
contact with the corresponding device-side terminals 731 to 736, 738 and 739 (Fig.
17), in the course of attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600. The pressing
force Pt first applied from the holder 600 to the circuit board 400 is thus generated on
the substantial center of the width or the Y-axis direction length of the cartridge 20.
This prevents the pressing force Pt applied to the cartridge-side sloped surface 408
from acting to tilt the cartridge 20 in the Y-axis direction and thereby ensures attachment
of the cartridge 20 in the stable attitude to the holder 600. Such contact of the
cartridge-side terminal 437 serving as the ground terminal with the corresponding
device-side terminal prior to the other cartridge-side temninals 431 to 436, 438 and 439
advantageously prevents or reduces the high voltage-induced trouble or failure by the
grounding function of the cartridge-side terminal 437, even when an unexpected high
voltage is applied to the cartridge 20.
[0154] According to this embodiment, the cartridge-side terminal 437 serving as the ground
terminal is formed longer along the Z-axis direction than the other cartridge-side
terminals 431 to 436, 438 and 439. This ensures the earUer contact of the cartridge-side
terminal 437 serving as the ground terminal with the corresponding device-side
terminal 737 provided on the terminal base 700 of the holder 600 (Fig. 17) than the
39
contact of the other cartridge-side terminals 431 to 436,438 and 439 with the corresponding
device-side terminals 731 to 736, 738 and 739. According to another embodiment,
all the cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439 may be formed in the same size.
[0155] A-4. Detailed Structure of Holder
Figs. 13 and 14 are perspective views illustrating the structure of the holder 600. Fig.
15 is a top view illustrating the structure of the holder 600. Fig. 16 is a sectional view,
taken on an arrowed line F16-F16 in Fig. 15.
[0156] The holder 600 of the printer 50 has five wall members 601, 603, 604, 605 and 606
assembled to form a container with the space to receive the cartridges 20 attached to
the holder 600. According to this embodiment, the five wall members 601, 603, 604,
605 and 606 are plate members and are made of a resin material having the higher
rigidity than polypropylene (PP), e.g., modified polyphenylene ether (m-PPE).
[0157] The wall member 601 of the holder 600 forms the bottom face of the container in the
use attitude of the printer 50. The wall member 603 of the holder 600 is erected on the
positive X-axis side of the wall member 601 and forms the front face of the container
in the use attitude of the printer 50. The wall member 604 of the holder 600 is erected
on the negative X-axis side of the wall member 601 and forms the rear face of the
container in the use attimde of the printer 50. The wall member 605 of the holder 600
is erected on the negative Y-axis side of the wall member 601 and forms the right side
face of the container in the use attitude of the printer 50. The wall member 606 of the
holder 600 is erected on the positive Y-axis side of the wall member 601 and forms the
left side face of the container in the use attitude of the printer 50. The wall member 603
and the wall member 604 are located to be opposed to each other, whilst the wall
member 605 and the wall member 606 are located to be opposed to each other.
[0158] The ink supply tube 640 is provided on the wall member 601 of the holder 600, and a
porous filter 644 is provided at a peripheral end 642 of the ink supply tube 640.
According to this embodiment, the ink supply tube 640is located on the side closer to
the wall member 604 (i.e., closer to the negative X-axis side). According to other embodiments,
the ink supply tube 640 may be located on the side closer to the wall
member 603 (i.e., closer to the positive X-axis side) or may be located in the middle
between the wall member 604 and the wall member 603.
[0159] An elastic member 648 is provided around the ink supply tube 640 on the wall
member 601. The elastic member 648 serves to seal the ink supply port 280 of the
cartiidge 20 and prevent leakage of ink from the ink supply port 280 to the periphery in
the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600. The elastic member 648
generates the pressing force Ps in the direction of pressing back the ink supply port 280
of the cartridge 20 (in the positive Z-axis direction) in the attached state of the
cartridge 20 to the holder 600.
40
[0160] According to this embodiment, a pair of elevation surfaces 660 are erected on the
positive Y-axis side and on the negative Y-axis side of each ink supply tube 640 on the
wall member 601. The pair of elevation surfaces 660 are formed as wall surfaces
parallel to the Z axis and the X axis and are configured such that the cartridge 20 is
received and fit between the pair of elevation surfaces 660 in the course of attachment
of the cartridge 20 to die holder 600. This effectively prevents the positional misalignment
of the ink supply port 280 relative to the ink supply tube 640.
[0161] The terminal base 700 is provided at the position where the wall member 601 adjoins
to the wall member 603 and is located on the side closer to the wall member 603 than
the ink supply tube 640 (i.e., on the positive X-axis side of the ink supply tube 640).
As shown in Fig. 16, the terminal base 700 mounted on the wall member 601 has a
device-side sloped surface 708 inclined in the positive Z-axis direction and in the
negative X-axis direction. In the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600, the
device-side terminals provided on the device-side sloped surface 708 of the terminal
base 700 in the holder 600 are in contact with the circuit board 400 of the cartridge 20.
The device-side terminals provided on the terminal base 700 are in contact with a
substrate 790 placed on an opposite sloped surface to the device-side sloped surface
708 and fastened to die holder 600, and are electrically connected with the controller
510 via terminals and wiring on the substrate 790.
[0162] The angle of inclination of the device-side sloped surface 708 of the terminal base
700 to the plane parallel to the X axis and the Y axis (wall member 601) is equal to the
angle phi of inclination of the cartridge-side sloped surface 408 of the cartridge 20 to
the open surface 288 of the ink supply port 280. In the attached state of the cartiidge 20
to the holder 600, the device-side sloped surface 708 of the terminal base 700 is accordingly
parallel to the cartridge-side sloped surface 408 of the circuit board 400.
[0163] According to this embodiment, nine device-side terminals 731 to 739 are provided on
the device-side sloped surface 708 of the terminal base 700 corresponding to the nine
cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439 provided on the circuit board 400 of the cartridge
20. The number of device-side terminals is not limited to nine but may be changed to
any arbitrary number, i.e., less than nine or greater than nine.
[0164] Fig. 17 is a perspective view illustrating the detailed structure of the terminal base
700 detached from the holder 600. The nine device-side terminals 731 to 739 on the
terminal base 700 are provided at the positions corresponding to the nine cartridge-side
terminals 431 to 439 on the circuit board 400 of the cartridge 20. The five device-side
terminals 735 to 739 afe arrayed along the Y axis on the negative Z-axis side of die
device-side sloped surface 708 of the terminal base 700. The four device-side terminals
731 to 734 are arrayed along the Y axis on the positive Z-axis side of these five deviceside
terminals 735 to 739.
41
#
[0165] The device-side terminals 731 to 739 are made of an elastic material with electrical
conductivity. The device-side terminals 731 to 739 are protruded from the device-side
sloped surface 708 and generate the pressing force Pt in the direction of pressing back
the cartridge-side sloped surface 408 of the cartridge 20 (i.e., in the positive Z-axis
direction) in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600.
[0166] According to this embodiment, the device-side terminal 737 located on the center in
the Y-axis direction among the nine device-side terminals 731 to 739 is electrically
connected to a ground line (not shown) and serves as "ground terminal" or "device-side
ground terminal". The device-side terminal 737 serving as the device-side ground
terminal is in contact with the cartridge-side terminal 437 serving as the cartridge-side
ground terminal (Fig. 12) in the attached state of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600.
[0167] According to this embodiment, the height of the device-side terminal 737 protruded
from the device-side sloped surface 708 is greater than the height of the other deviceside
terminals 731 to 736, 738 and 739. The device-side terminal 737 is accordingly in
contact with the cartridge-side temainal 437 serving as the cartridge-side ground
terminal (Fig. 12), prior to the other device-side terminals 731 to 736, 738 and 739
with the corresponding cartridge-side terminals.
[0168] Fig. 39 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the detailed structure of the
terminal base 700. The terminal base 700 includes a base member 710 and the deviceside
terminals 731 to 739.
[0169] The base member 710 has a plurality of slits 712 provided to individually hold the
device-side terminals 731 to 739 in an elasticaUy deformable manner. According to
this embodiment, the base member 710 is in the shape of an approximate rectangular
parallelepiped having the device-side sloped surface 708 as one of its faces. The base
member 710 is made of, for example, an elastically insulating resin.
[0170] The device-side terminals 731 to 739 are members having electrical conductivity and
~ elasticity and are, for example, metal plate members.-According to this embodiment,
each of the device-side terminals 731 to 739 includes a joint element 752, a fixation
element 754, a first beam element 756, a second beam element 758, a device-side
contact portion 760, and a contact portion 770. The first beam element 756, the
fixation element 754 and the second beam element 758 are arranged in parallel to one
another in this order and are interconnected by the joint element 752. The fixation
element 754 is shorter than the first beam element 756 and the second beam element
758. Each of the device-side terminals 731 to 739 is fixed to the base member 710 via
the fixation element 754.
[0171] The first beam element 756 has one end supported on the joint element 752 and the
other end with the device-side contact portion 760 configured to be in contact with corresponding
one of the cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439. According to this em42
•
bodiment, the device-side contact portion 760 is formed as a triangular apex. In
response to a force applied to the device-side contact portion 760, the first beam
element 756 elastically deforms about a joint position 750c between the first beam
element 756 and the joint element 752 as the pivotal center. According to this embodiment,
the first beam element 756 is longer than the second beam element 758. This
allows for a moving distance of the device-side contact portion 760 during elastic deformation
of the first beam 756.
[0172] The second beam element 758 has one end supported on the joint element 752 and
the other end with the contact portion 770 configured to be in contact with a terminal
on the substrate 790 fastened to the holder 600. According to this embodiment, the
contact portion 770 is formed as a triangular apex. In response to a force applied to the
contact portion 770, the second beam element 758 elastically deforms about a joint
position between the second beam element 758 and the joint element 752.
[0173] Fig. 40 illustrates the device-side terminals 731 to 739 coming into contact with the
circuit board 400 in the course of attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600. Fig.
41 illustrates the complete attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600.
[0174] As described in detail later, for attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600, the
cartridge 20 is turned clockwise, viewed from the positive Y-axis direction, about the
second locking position 620L as the pivot point of rotation. As the cartridge 20 is
turned about the second locking position 620L as the pivot point of rotation, the
device-side contact portion 760 of each of the device-side terminals 731 to 739 comes
into contact with a cartridge-side contact portion 460 of corresponding one of the
cartiidge-side terminals 431 to 439 at a contact point Pfc shown in Fig. 40. The deviceside
contact portions 760 of the device-side terminals 731 to 734 are located on the
positive Z-axis side and on the positive X-axis side of the device-side contact portions
760 of the device-side terminals 735 to 739. The cartridge-side contact portions 460 of
" the cartridge-side terminals 431 to 434 are located on the positive Z-axis side and on
the positive X-axis side of the cartridge-side contact portions 460 of the cartridge-side
terminals 435 to 439.
[0175] As shown in Fig. 40, the device-side contact portions 760 of the device-side
terminals 731 to 734 are located on the negative Z-axis side by a distance Dfcl from
I the second locking position 620L. The cartridge-side contact portions 460 of the corresponding
cartiidge-side teraiinals 431 to 434 are thus located on the negative Z-axis
side by the distance Dfcl from the second locking position 620L.
[0176] As shown in Fig. 40, the device-side contact portions 760 of the device-side
terminals 735 to 739 are located on the negative Z-axis side by a distance Dfc2 from
the second locking position 620L. The cartridge-side contact portions 460 of the corresponding
cartridge-side terminals 435 to 439 are thus located on the negative Z-axis
43
side by the distance Dfc2 from the second locking position 620L.
[0177] As the cartridge 20 is further turned about the second locking position 620L as the
pivot point of rotation from the state of Fig. 40, each of the device-side terminals 731
to 739 elastically deforms about the joint position 750c as the pivotal center, which is
located on the positive Z-axis side and on the positive X-axis side of its device-side
contact portion 760. When the first cartridge-side locking element 210 engages with
the first device-side locking element 810, the device-side contact portion 760 of each
of the device-side terminals 731 to 739 is kept in contact with the cartridge-side
contact portion 460 of corresponding one of the cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439 at a
contact point Psc shown in Fig. 41.
[0178] As shown in Fig. 41, the device-side contact portions 760 of the device-side
terminals 731 to 734 are located on the negative Z-axis side by a distance Dscl from
the second locking position 620L. The cartridge-side contact portions 460 of the corresponding
cartridge-side terminals 431 to 434 are thus located on the negative Z-axis
side by the distance Dscl from the second locking position 620L.
[0179] As shown in Fig. 41, the device-side contact portions 760 of the device-side
terminals 735 to 739 are located on the negative Z-axis side by a distance Dsc2 from
the second locking position 620L. The cartridge-side contact portions 460 of the corresponding
cartridge-side terminals 435 to 439 are thus located on the negative Z-axis
side by the distance Dsc2 from the second locking position 620L.
[0180] Figs. 42A and 42B illustrate wiping between the cartridge-side contact portion 460
and the device-side contact portion 760. Fig. 42A shows wiping in the state that the
contact point Pfc where the cartridge-side contact portion 460 comes into contact with
the device-side contact portion 760 is located on the negative Z-axis side of the second
locking position 620L. Fig. 42B shows wiping in the state that the contact point Pfc
where the cartridge-side contact portion 460 comes into contact with the device-side
- - contact portion 760 is located on the positive Z-axis side of the second-locking position
620L.
[0181] Figs. 42A and 42B schematically illustrate the positional relationships of the second
locking position 620L, the contact point Pfc and the joint position 750c on the X axis
and on the Z axis. The only difference between the positional relationships of Figs.
42A and 42B is the second locking position 620L on the Z axis. An arc RT3 shown in
Figs. 42A and 42B represents the rotation locus of the contact point Pfc about the joint
position 750c. An RT4 shown in Figs. 42A and 42B represents the rotation locus of the
contact point Pfc about the second locking position 620L.
[0182] As shown in Figs. 42A and 42B, when the contact point Pfc is located on the
negative Z-axis side and on the negative X-axis side of the joint position 750c, as the
cartridge 20 is turned for attachment from the state of Fig. 40 to the state of Fig. 41, the
44
device-side contact portion 760 moves in the positive X-axis direction. A distance Lh
represents the moving distance of the device-side contact portion 760 on the X axis.
[0183] As shown in Fig. 42A, when the contact pomt Pfc is located on the negative Z-axis
side and on the positive X-axis side of the second locking position 620L, as the
cartridge 20 is turned for attachment from the state of Fig. 40 to the state of Fig. 41, the
cartridge-side contact portion 460 moves in the negative X-axis direction. A distance
Lcl represents the moving distance of the cartridge-side contact portion 460 on the X
axis.
[0184] As shown in Fig. 42B, when the contact point Pfc is located on the positive Z-axis
side and on the positive X-axis side of the second locking position 620L, as the
cartridge 20 is turned for attachment from the state of Fig. 40 to the state of Fig. 41, the
cartridge-side contact portion 460 moves in the positive X-axis direction. A distance
Lc2 represents the moving distance of the cartridge-side contact portion 460 on the X
axis.
[0185] The amount of wiping between the cartridge-side contact portion 460 and the deviceside
contact portion 760 is determined as the projected distance on the cartridge-side
sloped surface 408 by projecting the difference between the moving distance of the
cartridge-side contact portion 460 on the X axis and the moving distance of the deviceside
contact portion 760 on the X axis. The amount of wiping accordingly increases
with, an increase in difference between the moving distance of the cartridge-side
contact portion 460 on the X axis and the moving distance of the device-side contact
portion 760 on the X axis.
[0186] In the state of Fig. 42A, the cartridge-side contact portion 460 and the device-side
contact portion 760 move in the different directions on the X axis, so that the
difference between the moving distance of the cartridge-side contact portion 460 on the
X axis and the moving distance of the device-side contact portion 760 on the X axis is
equal to-"Lh+Lcl". In the state of Fig. 42B, on the other hand, the cartridge-sidecontact
portion 460 and the device-side contact portion 760 move in the same direction
on the X axis, so that the difference between the moving distance of the cartridge-side
contact portion 460 on the X axis and the moving distance of the device-side contact
portion 760 on the X axis is equal to "Lh-Lc2". The state of Fig. 42A where the contact
point Pfc is located on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking position 620L
thus significantly increases the amount of wiping, compared with the state of Fig. 42B
where the contact point Pfc is located on the positive Z-axis side of the second locking
position 620L. In other words, the state of Fig. 42A where the cartridge-side contact
portion 460 is located on the negative Z-axis side of the second locking position 620L
thus significantly increases the amount of wiping, compared with the state of Fig. 42B
where the cartridge-side contact portion 460 is located on the positive Z-axis side of
45
#
the second locking position 620L.
[0187] Referring back to Figs. 13 to 16, according to this embodiment, the pair of fost engagement
members 632 are provided on the positive Y-axis side and on the negative
Y-axis side of the terminal base 700. The pair of first engagement members 632 respectively
have surfaces parallel to the Z axis and the X axis and are configured to
engage with the pair of first engagement surfaces 230 of the cartridge 20 in the course
of attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600. Such engagement effectively
prevents the positional misalignment of the circuit board 400 relative to the terminal
base 700 and thereby the positional misalignment of the cartridge-side terminals 431 to
439 relative to the device-side terminals 731 to 739.
[0188] According to this embodiment, the pair of second engagement members 634 are
provided on the positive Y-axis side and on the negative Y-axis side of the terminal
base 700 and inside the pair of first engagement members 632. The pair of second engagement
members 634 respectively have surfaces parallel to the Z axis and the X axis
and are configured to engage with the pair of second engagement surfaces 240 of the
cartridge 20 in the course of attachment of the cartridge 20 to the holder 600. Such engagement
effectively prevents the positional misalignment of the circuit board 400
relative to the terminal base 700 and thereby the positional misalignment of the
cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439 relative to the device-side terminals 731 to 739.
[0189] According to this embodiment, the fitting member 636 is provided adjacent to the
negative Z-axis side of the terminal base 700 and is configured to be fit between the
pair of projections 250 of the cartridge 20 in the course of attachment of the cartridge
20 to the holder 600. Such engagement effectively prevents the positional misaligimient
of the circuit board 400 relative to the terminal base 700 and thereby the positional
misalignment of the cartridge-side terminals 431 to 439 relative to the deviceside
terminals 731 to 739.
[0190} The lever 800 is provided in a pivotally rotatable manner on the wall member 603 of "- '
the holder 600. According to this embodiment, the lever 800 is provided as a separate
member from the five wall members 601, 603, 604, 605 and 606 of the holder 600 and
is made of a resin material with the. higher rigidity than polypropylene (PP), e.g.,
polyacetal (POM).
[0191] As shown in Fig. 16, the lever 800 has the pivotal center 800c on the positive Z-axis
side and on the positive X-axis side of the device-side terminals 731 to 739. The lever
800 has the operating member 830 and the first device-side locking element 810. The
operating member 830 is located on the positive Z-axis side of the pivotal center 800c,
whilst the first device-side locking element 810 is located on the negative Z-axis side
of the pivotal center 800c.
[0192] The operating member 830 is provided on the positive Z-axis end of the lever 800.
46
*
The operating member 830 is configured to receive the user's operating force Pr
applied in the negative X-axis direction from the side of the wall member 603 (positive
X-axis side). The user's operating force Pr applied to the operating member 830 turns
the lever 800 counterclockwise, viewed from the positive Y-axis direction, around the
pivotal center 800c.
[0193] The first device-side locking element 810 is provided on the negative Z-axis end of
the lever 800. The first device-side locking element 810 is configured to lock the first
cartridge-side locking element 210 at the first locking position 810L located on the
negative Z-axis side and on the negative X-axis side of the pivotal center 800c.
According to this embodiment, the first device-side locking element 810 has a first
device-side locking surface 811 and a second device-side locking surface 813. The first
device-side locking surface 811 is a plane facing in the negative Z-axis direction at the
first locking position 810L and is configured to engage with the first locking surface
211 of the first cartridge-side locking element 210. The second device-side locking
surface 813 is a plane facing in the negative X-axis direction at the first locking
position 810L and is configured to engage with the third locking surface 213 of the
first cartridge-side locking element 210.
[0194] According to this embodiment, the lever 800 is configured such that the first deviceside
locking element 810 is located at the first locking position 810L in the state of no
attachment of the cartridge 20. According to other embodiments, the standby position
of the lever 800 may be the position where the first device-side locking element 810 is
located on the negative X-axis side of the first locking position 8 lOL or may be the
position where the first device-side locking element 810 is located on the positive Xaxis
side of the first locking position 810L.
[0195] According to this embodiment, an elastic member 682 is provided on the negative Zaxis
side and on the positive X-axis side of the pivotal center 800c of the lever 800.
The elastic member^82 abuts the-lever 800 and is elastically deformed to press the " -^ " -—
lever 800 in the direction of pressing back the

Claims
[Claim 1] An ink cartridge for mounting on an ink jet printing apparatus, the ink
jet printing apparatus comprising a plurality of apparatus-side contact
forming members constructed and arranged to apply elastic force to the
ink cartridge when the ink cartridge is pressed against said apparatusside
contact forming members, the ink jet printing apparatus also
comprising a lever having an engagement portion, the ink cartridge,
comprising:
a cartridge body including a plurality of external surfaces and an ink
chamber for storing ink;
an electrical device;
an ink supply structure adapted and configured to supply ink from the
ink chamber to the Inkjet printing apparatus, the ink supply structure
defining a mounting direction leading edge, the mounting direction
leading edge defining a leading edge plane of the ink cartridge;
a terminal bearing structure located at an external portion of the
cartridge body, the terminal bearing structure having a plurality of electrically
conductive terminals coupled to the electrical device, the
terminals adapted and arranged on the terminal bearing structure to
make contact with and receive elastic force from the contact forming
members when the ink cartridge is mounted on the printing apparatus,
the terminals arranged substantially in a terminal plane which is neither
parallel nor perpendicular to the leading edge plane;
a first restriction portion including a first engagement portion having a
first locking surface facing a direction opposite the mounting direction,
adapted and positioned to engage with the engagement portion of the
lever, so as to restrict movement of the ink cartridge in a direction
opposite the mounting direction, the first engagement portion located
adjacent the terminal bearing structure; and
a second restriction portion on an opposite location of the ink cartridge
than the first restriction portion and including a second engagement
portion having a second locking surface facing a du-ection opposite the
mounting direction, adapted and positioned to engage with a respective
portion of the printing apparatus, the second engagement portion
located farther from the leading edge plane than the terminals when the
distances are measured in a direction orthogonal to the leading edge
plane.
92
[Claim 2] The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the terminal plane is at an angle
of between about 25 and 40 degrees to the leading edge plane.
[Claim 3] The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein a first surface of the cartridge
body has the terminal bearing structure proximate thereto and when the
first surface of the cartridge body is viewed with the ink supply
structure facing down, the first engagement portion is located to the left
of a right edge of a rightmost terminal of the plurality of terminals and
to the right of a left edge of a leftmost terminal of the plurality of
terminals.
[Claim 4] The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the distance between the second
engagement portion and the leading edge plane is greater than the
distance between the first engagement portion and the leading edge
plane, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to
the leading edge plane.
[Claim 5] The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the distance from the first locking
surface to the leading edge plane is less than the distance from the
second locking surface to the leading edge plane, when the distances
are measured in an orthogonal direction to the leading edge plane.
[Claim 6] The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first engagement portion and
the second engagement portion are positioned on the cartridge body
such that a plane can simultaneously intersect the ink supply structure,
the first engagement portion, the second engagement portion and the
widthwise center of the cartridge body.
[Claim 7] The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the first engagement portion
includes a third locking surface to engage with a respective portion of
the printing apparatus and the third locking surface faces a direction orthogonal
to the mounting direction and the first locking surface faces a
direction orthogonal to the third locking surface.
[Claim 8] The ink cartridge of claim 7, wherein the first locking surface and the
third locking surface form the shape of a letter "L".
[Claim 9] The ink cartridge of claim 7, wherein the first locking surface and the
third locking surface form the shape of a letter "T".
[Claim 10] The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the ink supply structure is closer
to the first engagement portion than to the second engagement portion.
[Claim 11] The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the second engagement portion is
farther from the leading edge plane than the terminal bearing structure
is from the leading edge plane when the distances are measured orthogonally
from the leading edge plane.
93
#
[Claim 12] The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein when viewing the ink cartridge
from the side with the first engagement portion to the right and the ink
supply structure facing down, the distance between the first engagement
portion and the leading edge plane is less than the distance
between a pivot point of die lever and the leading edge plane, when the
distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the leading edge
plane.
[Claim 13] The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein when viewing the ink cartridge
from the side with the first engagement portion to the right and the ink
supply structure facing down, the first engagement portion is to the left
of a pivot point of the lever when the cartridge is mounted.
[Claim 14] The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein a first surface of the cartridge
body has the terminal bearing structure proximate thereto and when the
first surface is viewed with the ink supply structure facing down, at
least a portion of the first engagement portion is located substantially at
the widthwise center of the ink cartridge when the cartridge is mounted.
[Claim 15] The ink cartridge of claim 1, wherein the leading edge plane is substantially
flush with a bottom surface of the cartridge body.
[Claim 16] A combination of an ink cartridge and a portion of an ink jet printing
apparatus, the combination comprising:
an ink cartridge; and
a portion of an Inkjet printing apparatus, the portion comprising:
a plurality of apparatus-side contact forming members applying an
elastic force to the ink cartridge; and
a lever having an engagement portion;
the ink cartridge comprising:
a cartridge body including a plurality of surfaces and an ink chamber
for storing ink within the cartridge body;
an electrical device;
an ink supply structure adapted and configured to supply ink from the
ink chamber to the Inkjet printing apparatus, the ink supply structure
defining a mounting direction leading edge, the mounting direction
leading edge defining a leading edge plane of the ink cartridge;
a terminal bearing structure having a plurality of electrically conductive
terminals coupled to the electrical device, the terminals on the termiaal
bearing structure contacting with and receiving elastic force from the
contact forming members, the terminals arranged substantially in a
terminal plane which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the leading
94
#
edge plane;
a first restriction portion including a first engagement portion having a
first locking surface facing a direction opposite the mounting direction
and engaged with the engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict
movement of the ink cartridge in a direction opposite the mounting
direction, the first engagement portion located adjacent the terminal
bearing structure; and
a second restriction portion on an opposite location of the ink cartridge
than the first restriction portion and including a second engagement
portion having a second locking surface facing a direction opposite the
mounting direction engage with a respective portion of the printing
apparatus, the second engagement portion located farther from the
leading edge plane than the terminals when the distances are measured
in a direction orthogonal to the leading edge plane.
[Claim 17] The combination of claim 16, wherein the terminal plane is at an angle
of from about 25 to 40 degrees to the leading edge plane.
[Claim 18] The combination of claim 16, wherein a first surface of the cartridge
body has the terminal bearing structure proximate thereto and when the
first surface of the cartridge body is viewed with the ink supply
structure facing down, the first engagement portion is located to the left
of a right edge of a rightmost terminal of the plurality of terminals and
to the right of a left edge of a leftmost terminal of the pluraHty of
terminals.
[Claim 19] The combination of claim 16, wherein the distance between the second
engagement portion and the leading edge plane is more than the
distance between the first engagement portion and the leading edge
- plane, when the distances are measured in^an-orthogonal direction to
the leading edge plane.
[Claim 20] The combination of claim 16, wherein the distance from the first
locking surface to the leading edge plane is less than the distance from
the second locking surface to the leading edge plane, when the
distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to the leading edge
plane.
[Claim 21] The combination of claim 16, wherein the first engagement portion and
the second engagement portion are positioned on the cartridge body
such that a plane can simultaneously intersect the ink supply structure,
the first engagement portion, the second engagement portion and the
widthwise center of the cartridge body.
95
[Claim 22] The combination of claim 16, wherein the first engagement portion
includes a third locking surface to engage with a respective portion of
the printing apparatus and the third locking surface faces a direction orthogonal
to the mounting direction and the first locking surface faces a
direction orthogonal to the third locking surface.
[Claim 23] The combination of claim 22, wherein the first locking surface and
third locking surface form the shape of a letter "L".
[Claim 24] The combination of claim 22, wherein the first locking surface and
third locking surface are in the shape of a letter "T".
[Claim 25] The combination of claim 16, wherein the ink supply structure is closer
to the first engagement portion than to the second engagement portion.
[Claim 26] The combination of claim 16, wherein the second engagement portion
is farther from the leading edge plane than the terminal bearing
structure is from the leading edge plane when the distances are
measured orthogonally from the leading edge plane.
[Claim 27] The combination of claim 16, wherein the lever has two ends and a
pivot point intermediate the two ends and wherein when viewing the
ink cartridge from the side with the first engagement portion to the
right and the ink supply stmctui;e facing down, the distance between the
first engagement portion and the leading edge plane is less than the
distance between the pivot point of the lever and the leading edge
plane, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to
the leading edge plane.
[Claim 28] The combination of claim 16, wherein the lever has two ends and a
pivot point intermediate the two ends and wherein when viewing the
ink cartridge from the side with the first engagement portion to the
right and the ink supply structure facing down, the first engagement
portion is to the left of the pivot point of the lever.
[Claim 29] The combination of claim 16 wherein a first surface of the cartridge
body has the terminal bearing structure proximate thereto and when the
first surface is viewed with the ink supply structure facing down, at
least a portion of the first engagement portion is located substantially at
the widthwise center of the ink cartridge.
[Claim 30] The combination of claim 16, wherein the leading edge plane is substantially
flush with a bottom surface of the cartridge body.
[Claim 31] An ink supply system for supplying ink to an ink jet printing apparatus,
the Inkjet printing apparatus comprising a plurality of apparatus-side
contact forming members, the ink jet printing apparatus also
96
#
comprising a lever having an engagement portion, the ink supply
system comprising:
an electrical device;
an ink chamber for storing ink;
an ink supply structure adapted and configured to supply ink from the
ink chamber to the ink jet printing apparatus, the ink supply structure
defining a mounting direction leading edge, the mounting direction
leading edge defining a leading edge plane;
a terminal bearing structure having a plurality of electrically conductive
terminals coupled to the electrical device, the terminals adapted and
arranged on the terminal bearing structure to make contact with and
receive elastic force from the contact forming members when the ink
supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus;
a first restriction portion proximate to the terminal bearing structure
and including a first engagement portion having a first locking surface
facing a direction opposite the mounting direction, adapted and positioned
to engage with the engagement portion of the lever so as to
restrict movement of the terminal bearing structure in a direction
opposite the mounting direction; and
a second restriction portion on an opposite location of the ink cartridge
than the first restriction portion and including a second engagement
portion having a second locking surface facing a direction opposite the
mounting direction, adapted and positioned to engage with a respective
portion of the printing apparatus when the ink supply system supplies
ink to the printing apparatus.
wherein the terminals are arranged substantially in a terminal plane
•'- which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the leading edge plane -
and the second engagement portion is positioned farther from the
leading edge plane than the terminals when the distances are measured
in a direction orthogonal to the leading edge plane.
[Claim 32] The ink supply system of claim 31, wherein the terminal plane is at an
angle of from about 25 to 40 degrees to the leading edge plane.
[Claim 33] The ink supply system of claim 31, wherein when the ink supply
system is assembled to supply ink to the printing apparatus, the first engagement
portion is located to die left of a right edge of a rightmost
terminal of the plurality of terminals and to the right of a left edge of a
leftmost terminal of the plurality of terminals.
[Claim 34] The ink supply system of claim 31, wherein the distance between the
97
#
second engagement portion and the leading edge plane is greater than
the distance between the first engagement portion and the leading edge
plane, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to
the leading edge plane.
[Claim 35] The ink supply system of claim 31, wherein the first engagement
portion includes a third locking surface to engage with a respective
portion of the printing apparatus and the third locking surface faces a
direction orthogonal to the mounting direction and the first locking
surface faces a direction orthogonal to the third locking surface.
[Claim 36] The ink supply system of claim 35, wherein the first locking surface
and the third locking surface form the shape of a letter "L".
[Claim 37] The ink supply system of claim 35, wherein the first locking surface
and the third locking surface form the shape of a letter "T".
[Claim 38] The ink supply system of claim 31, wherein the ink supply structure is
closer to the first engagement portion than to the second engagement
portion.
[Claim 39] The ink supply system of claim 31, wherein the lever has a pivot point
and the distance between the first engagement portion and the leading
edge plane is less than the distance between the pivot point of the lever
and the leading edge plane when the ink supply system is assembled to
supply ink to the printing apparatus, when the distances are measured
in an orthogonal direction to the leading edge plane.
[Claim 40] The ink supply system of claim 31, wherein the lever has a pivot point
and when the ink supply system is assembled to supply ink to the
printing apparatus, the first engagement portion is on the right and the
ink supply structure is facing down, the first engagement portion is to
the left of the pivot point of the lever.
[Claim 41] The ink supply system of claim 31, wherein at least a portion of the
first engagement portion is located substantially at the widthwise center
of the terminal bearing structure.
[Claim 42] The ink supply system of claim 31, comprising an adapter, wherein the
ink supply structure, the terminal bearing structure and the first restriction
portion are positioned on the adapter and the ink chamber is
adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter.
[Claim 43] The ink supply system of claim 31, comprising an adapter, wherein the
terminal beaiing structure and the first restriction portion are positioned
on the adapter, the ink supply structure is positioned on the ink
chamber and the ink chamber is adapted and configured to be mated
98
#
with the adapter.
[Claun 44] The ink supply system of claim 31, comprising an adapter, an ink tank
external from the Inkjet printing apparatus, a tube and an auxiliary
adapter, wherein the ink supply structure is positioned on the auxiliary
adapter, the terminal bearing structure and the first restriction portion
are positioned on the adapter and the tube suppUes ink from the
external tank to the auxihary adapter when the ink supply system is
assembled to supply ink to the printing apparatus.
[Claim 45] The ink supply system of claim 31, wherein the leading edge plane is
substantially flush with a bottom surface of the system.
[Claim 46] An ink supply system for supplying ink to a portion of an ink jet
printing apparatus, the system comprising:
a portion of an Inkjet printing apparatus, the portion comprising:
a plurality of apparatus-side contact forming members; and
a lever having an engagement portion;
an electrical device;
an ink chamber for storing ink;
an ink supply structure adapted and configured to supply ink from the
ink chamber to the Inkjet printing apparatus, the ink supply structure
defining a mounting direction leading edge, the mounting direction
leading edge defining a leading edge plane;
a terminal bearing structure having a plurality of electrically conductive
terminals coupled to the electrical device, the terminals contacting and
receiving elastic force from the contact forming members when the ink
supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus; and
a first restriction portion proximate to the terminal bearing structure
and including a first engagement portion having a first locking surface
facing a direction opposite the mounting direction and engaged with the
engagement portion of the lever so as to restrict movement of the
terminal bearing structure in a direction opposite the mounting
direction; and
a second restriction portion on an opposite location of the ink cartridge
than the first restriction poition and including a second engagement
portion having a second locking surface facing a direction opposite the
mounting direction, engaged with a respective portion of the printing
apparatus,.
wherein the terminals are arranged substantially in a terminal plane
which is neither parallel nor perpendicular to the leading edge plane
99
#
and the second engagement portion is positioned farther from the
leading edge plane than the terminals when the distances are measured
in a direction orthogonal to the leading edge plane.
[Claim 47] The ink supply system of claim 46, wherein the terminal plane is at an
angle from about 25 to 40 degrees to the leading edge plane.
[Claim 48] The ink supply system of claim 46, wherein when the ink supply
system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, the first engagement
portion is located to the left of a right edge of a rightmost terminal of
the plurality of terminals and to the right of a left edge of a leftmost
terminal of the pluraUty of terminals.
[Claim 49] The ink supply system of claim 46, wherein the distance between the
second engagement portion and the leading edge plane is more than the
distance between the fkst engagement portion and the leading edge
plane, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction to
the leading edge plane.
[Claim 50] The ink supply system of claim 46, wherein the first engagement
portion includes a third locking surface engaged with a respective
portion of the printing apparatus and the third locking surface faces a
direction orthogonal to the mounting direction and the first locking
surface faces a direction orthogonal to the third locking surface.
[Claim 51] The ink supply system of claim 50, wherein the first locking surface
and the third locking surface form the shape of a letter "L".
[Claim 52] The ink supply system of claim 50, wherein the first locking surface
and the third locking surface form the shape of a letter "T".
[Claim 53] The ink supply system of claim 46, wherein the ink supply structure is
closer to the first engagement portion than to the second engagement
portion.
[Claim 54] The ink supply system of claim 46, wherein the lever has two ends and
a pivot point intermediate the two ends and wherein the distance
between the first engagement portion and the leading edge plane is less
than the distance between the pivot point of the lever and the leading
edge plane when the ink supply system supplies ink to the printing
apparatus, when the distances are measured in an orthogonal direction
to the leading edge plane.
[Claim 55] The ink supply system of claim 46, wherein the lever has two ends and
a pivot point intermediate the two ends and wherein when the ink
supply system supplies ink to the printing apparatus, the first engagement
portion is on the right and the ink supply structure is facing
100
down, the first engagement portion is to the left of the pivot point of the
lever.
[Claim 56] The ink supply system of claim 46, wherein at least a portion of the
first engagement portion is located substantially at the widthwise center
of the terminal bearing structure.
[Claim 57] The ink supply system of claim 46, comprising an adapter, wherein the
ink supply structure, the terminal bearing structure and the first restriction
portion are positioned on the adapter and the ink chamber is
adapted and configured to be mated with the adapter.
[Claim 58] The ink supply system of claim 46, comprising an adapter, wherein the
terminal bearing structure and the first restriction portion are positioned
on the adapter, the ink supply structure is positioned on the ink
chamber and the ink chamber is adapted and configured to be mated
with the adapter.
[Claim 59] The ink supply system of claim 46, comprising an adapter, an ink tank
external from the ink jet printing apparatus, a tube and an auxiliary
adapter, wherein the ink supply structure is positioned on the auxiliary
adapter, the terminal bearing structure and the first restriction portion
are positioned on the adapter and the tube suppUes ink from the
external tank to the auxiliary adapter when the ink supply system
suppUes ink to the printing apparatus.
[Claim 60] The ink supply system of claim 46, wherein the leading edge plane is
substantially flush with a bottom surface of the system.
[Claim 61] A cartridge configured to be removably attached to a cartridge
mounting structure of a printing device, wherein
the cartridge mounting structure is configured to receive a plurality of
the cartridges attached thereto and to have a printing material supply
tube, a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element
and a second device-side locking element provided for each of the
cartridges, and
the printing material supply tube has a peripheral end to be connected
with the cartridge, wherein
a Z axis represents an axis parallel to a central axis C of the printing
material supply tube, an X axis represents an axis, along which the
printing material supply tube.and the device-side terminal are arrayed
and which is orthogonal to the Z axis, and a Y axis represents an axis
orthogonal to both the Z axis and the X axis, wherein a positive Z-axis
direction represents a direction along the Z axis going from a base end
101
«
to the peripheral end of the printing material supply tube, a negative Zaxis
direction represents a reverse direction to the positive Z-axis
direction, a positive X-axis direction represents a direction along the X
axis going from the printing material supply tube to the device-side
terminal, and a negative X-axis direction represents a reverse direction
to the positive X-axis direction, wherein
the device-side terminal that has a device-side contact portion
configured to be in contact with the cartridge, and is configured to be
elastically deformed about a pivotal center on a positive Z-axis side and
on a positive X-axis side of the device-side contact portion and to be in
contact with the cartridge while applying a pressing force including a
positive Z-axis component to the cartridge, so as to be electrically connectable
with the cartridge,
the first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever to
lock the cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and on a
positive X-axis side of the device-side terminal,
the second device-side locking element is configured to lock the
cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and on a negative Xaxis
side of the printing material supply tube, and
the lever is configured to turn about a pivotal center on a positive Zaxis
side and on a positive X-axis side of a locking position where the
first device-side locking element locks the cartridge, so as to move the
first device-side locking element from the locking position in the
positive X-axis direction and thereby allow the first device-side locking
element to lock and unlock the cartridge, wherein
in an attached state of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure,
' the X axis, the Y axis and the Z axis relative to the cartridge correspond
to an X axis, a Y axis and a Z axis on the cartridge,
the cartridge comprising:
a first face located on a negative Z-axis side and a second face located
on a positive Z-axis side, as two faces opposed to each other in the Zaxis
direction;
a third face located on a positive X-axis side and a fourth face located
on a negative X-axis side, as two faces opposed to each other in the Xaxis
direction and intersecting the first face and the second face;
a fifth face located on a positive Y-axis side and a sixth face located on
a negative Y-axis side, as two faces opposed to each other in the Y-axis
direction and intersecting the first, second, third and fourth faces;
102
#
a sloped surface provided in a comer section arranged to connect the
first face with the third face and inclined in the negative Z-axis
direction and in the positive X-axis direction;
a printing material supply port provided on the first face and configured
to be connectable with the printing material supply tube;
a cartridge-side terminal provided on the sloped surface and configured
to be in contact with the device-side terminal while receiving the
pressing force including the positive Z-axis component from the
device-side terminal, so as to be electrically connected with the deviceside
terminal, in the attached state of the cartridge to the cartridge
mounting structure;
a first cartridge-side locking element provided on the third face; and
a second cartridge-side locking element provided on the fourth face,
wherein
the first cartridge-side locking element has a first locking surface that
faces in the positive Z-^is direction, the first locking surface
configured to engage with the first device-side locking element in the
attached state of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure,
the second cartridge-side locking element has a second locking surface
that faces in the positive Z-axis direction, the second locking surface
configured to engage with the second device-side locking element in
the attached state of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure,
the cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion
configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal in the attached
state of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure, and
the cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis
side of the second locking surface.
[Claim 62] The cartridge according to claims 61, wherein the second cartridge-side
locking element is configured to engage with the second device-side
locking element in the course of attachment and detachment of the
cartridge to and from the cartridge mounting structure and thereby
serve as a pivot point of rotation of the cartridge relative to the
cartridge mounting structure.
[Claun 63] The cartridge according to either one of claims 61 and 62, wherein the
first locking surface is located on a negative Z-axis side of the second
locking surface.
[Claim 64] The cartridge according to any one of claims 61 to 63, wherein the first
locking surface and the second locking surface are provided at
103
#
positions intersecting a plane that goes through center of a width or Yaxis
direction length of the cartridge and is parallel to the Z axis and the
Xaxis.
[Claim 65] The cartridge according to any one of claims 61 to 64„ wherein the first
cartridge-side locking element also has a third locking surface that
faces in the positive X-axis direction, the third locking surface
configured to engage with the first device-side locking element in the
attached state of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting structure.
[Claim 66] The cartridge according to any one of claims 61 to 65, wherein the
printing material supply port is provided at a position closer to the
fourth face than the third face.
[Claim 67] The cartridge according to any one of claims 61 to 66, wherein the fifth
face and the sixth face are configured to be engageable with the
cartridge mounting structure.
[Claim 68] The cartridge according to any one of claims 61 to 67, further
comprising:
a seventh face provided between the first face and the third face and
formed to be extended from the first face in the positive Z-axis
direction; and
an eighth face provided between the first face and the third face and
arranged to connect with the seventh face and with the third face,
wherein the sloped surface is provided on the eighth face.
[Claim 69] The cartridge according to claim 68, further comprising: a pair of projections
protruded on a positive Y-axis side and on a negative Y-axis
side of the seventh face to be opposed to each other in the Y-axis
direction, wherein the pair of projections are configured to be engageable
with a fitting member provided in the cartridge mounting
structure.
[Claim 70] The cartridge according to any one of claims 61 to 69, wherein
a plurality of the cartridge-side terminals are configured to be arranged
corresponding to a plurality of the device-side terminals, and
each of the plurality of cartridge-side terminals is located on the
negative Z-axis side of the second locking surface.
[Claim 71] The cartridge according to claim 70, wherein
one of the plurality of cartridge-side terminals is a cartridge-side
ground terminal configured to be electrically connectable with a
device-side ground terminal among the plurality of device-side
terminals, which is connected to a ground line, and
104
#
the cartridge-side ground terminal is provided on center of a width or
Y-axis direction length of the cartridge and is configured to be in
contact with the device-side ground terminal before another cartridgeside
terminal of the plurality of cartridge-side terminals is in contact
with a corresponding one of the plurality of device-side terminals, in
the course of attachment of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting
structure.
[Claim 72] A printing material supply system comprising:
a printing device having a cartridge mounting structure; and
a cartridge according to any one of claims 61 to 71, removably attached
to the cartridge mounting structure, wherein
the cartridge mounting structure is configured to receive a purality of
the cartridges attached thereto and to have a printing material supply
tube, a device-side terminal, a lever, a first device-side locking element
and a second device-side locking element provided for each of the
cartridges, and
the printing material supply tube has a peripheral end to be connected
with the cartridge, wherein
a Z axis represents an axis parallel to a central axis C of the printing
material supply tube, an X axis represents an axis, along which the
printing material supply tube and the device-side terminal are arrayed
and which is orthogonal to the Z axis, and a Y axis represents an axis
orthogonal to both the Z axis and the X axis, wherein a positive Z-axis
direction represents a direction along the Z axis going from a base end
to the peripheral end of the printing material supply tube, a negative Zaxis
direction represents a reverse direction to the positive Z-axis
direction, a positive X-axis direction represents a direction along the X
axis going from the printing material supply tube to the device-side
terminal, and a negative X-axis direction represents a reverse direction
to the positive X-axis direction, wherein
the device-side terminal that has a device-side contact portion
configured to be in contact with the cartridge, and is configured to be
elastically deformed about a pivotal center on a positive Z-axis side and
on a positive X-axis side of the device-side contact portion and to be in
contact with the cartridge while applying a pressing force including a
positive Z-axis component to the cartridge, so as to be electrically connectable
with the cartridge,
the first device-side locking element is configured as part of the lever to
105
lock the cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and on a
positive X-axis side of the device-side tenninal,
the second device-side locking element is configured to lock the
cartridge at a position on a positive Z-axis side and on a negative Xaxis
side of the printing material supply tube, and
the lever is configured to turn about a pivotal center on a positive Zaxis
side and on a positive X-axis side of a locking position where the
first device-side locking element locks the cartridge, so as to move the
first device-side locking element from the locking position in the
positive X-axis direction and thereby allow the first device-side locking
element to lock and unlock the cartridge.
[Claim 73] A cartridge removably attached to a cartridge mounting structure of a
printing device, comprising:
a printing material supply port provided to have an open surface with
an opening formed on a protruded end and configured to supply
.printing material to the printing device via the open surface;
a cartridge-side terminal configured to be electrically connected with a
device-side terminal provided on the cartridge mounting structure;
a first cartridge-side locking element configured to engage with a first
device-side locking element provided in a pivotally rotatable manner on
the cartridge mounting structure; and
a second cartridge-side locking element provided at a position opposite
to the first cartridge-side locking element across the printing material
supply port and configured to engage with a second device-side locking
element provided in the cartridge mounting structure, wherein
an X axis represents an axis that goes from the printing material supply
port to the first cartridge-side locking element and is parallel to the
open surface, a Y axis represents an axis parallel to the open surface
and orthogonal to the X axis, a Z axis represents an axis orthogonal to
both the X axis and the Y axis, a negative Z-axis direction represents a
protruding direction of the printing material supply port, and a positive
Z-axis direction represents a reverse direction to the negative Z-axis
direction, wherein
the first cartridge-side locking element and the second cartridge-side
locking element are provided on a positive Z-axis side of the open
surface of the printing material supply port,
the first cartridge-side locking element has a first locking surface that
faces in the positive Z-axis direction and engages with the first device106
- v . side locking element to restrict motion of-the cartridge in the positive
Z-axis direction,
the second cartridge-side locking element has a second locking surface
that faces in the positive Z-axis direction and engages with the second
' device-side locking element to restrict motion of the cartridge in the
positive Z-axis direction,
the cartridge-side terminal has a cartridge-side contact portion
configured to be in contact with the device-side terminal, and
the cartridge-side contact portion is provided on the negative Z-axis
side of the second locking surface.