Abstract:
A liquid container (50) attachable to/detachable from a liquid consumption device and having at least one section thereof configured using a flexible member comprises: a liquid housing section (52) capable of housing liquid; an operation member (53) positioned on one end section of the liquid housing section (52) and having a grasping surface capable of being grasped; and a liquid supply section (55) having a liquid supply port at one end thereof. The operation member (53) is provided such that the grasping surface is offset relative to the liquid supply port in the axial direction of the liquid supply section (55). The liquid container (50) attachable to/detachable from a liquid consumption device comprises the liquid housing section (52) capable of housing liquid; and the liquid supply section (55) positioned on one end side of the liquid housing section (52) supporting the liquid housing section (52) further on the top side in the gravity direction when connected to the liquid consumption device and capable of being connected to a liquid introduction section of the liquid consumption device by being caused to move in the connection direction including a first direction component being the horizontal direction.
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Notices, Deadlines & Correspondence
4 1 Nishi shinjuku 2 chome Shinjuku ku Tokyo
1630811
Inventors
1. KAWATE Hiroyuki
c/o SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 3 5 Owa 3 chome Suwa shi Nagano
3928502
2. OKUNO Tokujiro
c/o SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 3 5 Owa 3 chome Suwa shi Nagano
3928502
3. TANAKA Yoshiyuki
c/o SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 3 5 Owa 3 chome Suwa shi Nagano
3928502
4. TSUKAHARA Katsutomo
c/o SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION 3 5 Owa 3 chome Suwa shi Nagano
3928502
Specification
Technical Field
[00011
The present invention relates to a technology relating to a liquid
container used for a liquid consuming device.
Background Art
[00021
According to a generally kliown technique, a liquid container body is
contained in a pullout-type cartridge case and is mounted on a liquid
consulning device to supplj~in k contained in the liquid container body to the
liquid consuning device (for example, Patent Literature 1). Patent
Literature 1 discloses a liquid container that includes a liquid containing
bag configured to contain a liquid and a casing collfigured to contain the
liquid containing bag (cartridge case) (for example, Patent Literature I), as
the technique for supplying the liquid to a printer as the liquid consuming
device. In the technique of Patent Literature 1, the cartridge case is
configured to be pulled out relative to the printer. After the liquid
containing bag is mounted on the cartridge case, the liquid container is
inserted into the printer. This connects the liquid container with the
printer and causes ink contained in the liquid containing bag to flo~vto ward
the printer via a liquid s~~ppployr t provided in the liquid containing bag.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[00031
PTL 1: WO 20041037541
Summary
Technical Problem
[00041
The above prior art needs to make the liquid container body
colltailled in the cartridge case when the liquid container body is nlounted
on the liquid consuming device. The user is required to hold the liquid
container body having flexibility. This leads to inconvenience in handling
and nlalres it difficult to mount the liquid co~ltainebr ody to the liquid
consuining device. When the user holds the liquid container body, an
external force is directly applied to the liquid container body and is likely to
damage the liquid container body. Damaging the liquid container body
may cause a problem that the contained liquid lealts outside.
[00051
In the technique of Patent Literature 1, in the process of connecting
the liquid container body with the printel; the liquid containing bag and the
liquid sul~plyp ort are arranged to be arrayed in a horizontal direction.
This may result in expanding the size of a container assembly on the printer
side to contain the liquid container body. This configuration also needs a
cartridge case to support the liquid containing bag in the horizontal
direction. This may result in increasing the manufacturing cost of the
liquid container, This configuration also needs to connect the liquid
container with the printer after the liquid containing bag is mounted on the
cartridge case. This may complicate the procedure (mounting process) to
connect the liquid container with the printer.
[OOOGI
A first object of the invention is to provide a liquid container having
the improved handling property in the process of mounting the liquid
container on a liquid consuming device. A second object of the invention is
to provide a liquid container having the reduced likelihood that the user
directly touches a liquid container body. A third object of the invention is to
provide a liquid container that is readily mountable on the liquid consuming
device. A fourth object of the invention is to reduce the space occul~iedb y a
liquid container. A fifth object is to provide a liquid container that is
readily connectable with the liquid consuining device. Other needs with
regard to the prior art include cost reduction, resource saving, easy
manufacture and improved usability.
Solution to Problem
[00071
In order to solve at least part of the problems described above, the
invention may be implemented by aspects described below.
[OOOSl
(1) According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a
liquid container that is detachably mountable 011 a liquid consunling device.
The liquid container co~nprisesa liquid container body that is at least partly
formed from a material having flexibility and is coilfigured to contain a
liquid; an ol~erationm ember that is located at one end of the liquid
container body and is configured to include a holdable grip surface; and a
liquid supply portion that is configured to have a liquid supply port at one
end. The operation member is configured such that the grip surface is
offset relative to the liquid supply port in an axial direction of the liquid
supply portion. In the liquid container of this aspect, the grip surface is
offset relative to the liquid supply port in the axial direction. This
configuration causes the liquid supply port to be not hidden by the operation
member but to be visually recogilizable when the user holds the grip surface
of the operation member to mount the liquid container on the liquid
consuming device. This configuration facilitates mounting of the liquid
container on the liquid consuming device. The user holds the operation
member and has no need to touch the liquid container body. This reduces
the likelihood that the liquid container body is damaged to cause leakage of
the liquid.
[00091
(2) In the liquid container of the above aspect, the liquid supply
portion may be protruded outward from the operation member in the axial
direction. In the liquid container of this aspect, the liquid supply portion is
protruded outward fiom the operation member in the axial direction. This
configuration causes the liquid supply portion to be visually recognizable
\vhen the user holds the grip surface to niount the liquid container on the
liquid consuming device. This facilitates the user to recognize the
mounting direction of the liquid container and thereby further facilitates
mounting of the liquid container on the liquid consuming device.
[OOlOl
(3) The liquid container of the above aspect may further comprise a
positioning structure that is configured to position the liquid container
relative to the liquid consulning device in mounting the liquid container on
the liquid consuming device. In the liquid container of this aspect, the
positioning structure morks to position the liquid container and thus enables
the liquid container to be adequately mounted on the Liquid consuming
device (in the adequate inounting state).
I00111
(4) In the liquid container of the above aspect, the operation nieinber
niay further include a container-side electrical connection structure that is
configured to be conncctablc with a device-side electrical connection
structure provided on the liquid consuniing device. The container-side
electrical connection structure may be configured to be offset relative to the
grip surface in the axial direction of the liquid supply portion. In the liquid
container of this aspect, the container-side electrical connection structure is
made visible when the user holds the grip surface of the operation meniber
to mount the liquid container on the liquid consuniing device. This
configuration facilitates mounting of the liquid container on the liquid
consuming device.
[00121
(5) In the liquid container of the above aspect, the container-side
electrical connection structure may be protruded fiom the operation member
in a direction substantially parallel to a protruding direction of the liquid
supply portion. In the liquid container of this aspect, the container-side
electrical connection structure and the liquid supply portion are protruded
in the substantially parallel direction. This configuration facilitates the
user to simultaneously recognize the container-side electrical connection
structure and the liquid supply portion when the liquid container is
mounted on the liquid consuming device. This facilitates connection of the
liquid supply portion with the liquid consuming device and electrical
connection of the container-side electrical connection structure with the
device-side electrical connection structure of the liquid consuming device.
[00131
(G) In the liquid container of the above aspect, the container-side
electrical connection structure may be arrayed with the liquid supply
portion in a direction substantially parallel to the grip surface. The
configuration of the liquid container of this aspect further facilitates
electrical connection of the container-side electrical connection structure
with the device-side electrical connection structure and connection of the
liquid supply portion with the liquid consuming device.
[00141
(7) According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a
liquid container that is configured to be connectable with a liquid consuming
device. The liquid container comprises a liquid container body that is
configured to contain a liquid; and a liquid sul~plyp ortion that is located in
one end portion of the liquid container body, that is configured to support
the liquid co~~tainbeorc ly on an upper side of the liquid container body in a
direction of gravity when the liquid container is connected to the liquid
consuming device, and that is moved in a connecting direction including a
component of a first direction that is a horizontal direction to be connectable
with a liquid introducing portion of the liquid consuming device.
In the liquid container of this aspect, in the process of connecting the
liquid container with the liquid consuming device, the liquid sul~plyp ortion
supports the liquid container body to be hung in the direction of gravity.
This configuration eliminates the need to support the liquid container body
in a horizontal direction in the process of connecting the liquid container
with the liquid consuming device and thereby suppresses size expansion of
the liquid consuming device in the horizontal direction. This configuration
also eliminates the need for a casing to support the liquid container body in
the horizontal direction. This reduces the total number of components and
simplifies the configuration. The liquid supply portion is located above the
liquid container body in the direction of gravity. This causes the connecting
part (for example, the liquid supply portion) to be readily visible in the
process of connecting to the liquid consuming device and thereby facilitates
the connecting operation.
[00151
(8) In the liquid container of the above aspect, the connecting
direction may be the first direction.
In the liquid container of this aspect, the connecting direction is one
direction. This further facilitates the connecting operation.
[00161
(9) In the liquid container of the above aspect, the liquid supply
portion may have a liquid supply port at one end to receive the liquid
introducing portion inserted therein. The liquid supply port nlay be open
toward a direction including a component of the first direction.
In the liquid container of this aspect, the liquid container is moved
in the connecting direction, so that the liquid introducing portion of the
liquid consuming device is readily inserted into the liquid supply port.
This further facilitates connection of the liquid container with the liquid
consuming device.
[00171
(10) The liquid container of the above aspect may further comprise a
container-side electrical connection structure that is located on an one end
portion-side of the liquid containel; works in cooperation with the liquid
supply portion to support the liquid container body on the upper side of the
liquid container body in the direction of gravity when the liquid container is
connected to the liquid consuming device, and is moved in the connecting
direction to be connectable with a device-side electrical connection structure
of the liquid consuming device.
In the liquid container of this aspect, in the process of connecting the
liquid container with the liquid consuming device, the liquid supply portion
and the device-side electrical connection structure support the liquid
container body to be hung in the direction of gravity. In other words, the
liquid supply portion and the container-side electrical connection structure
more securely support the liquid container body. The container-side
electrical connection structure is located above the liquid container body in
the direction of gravity. This causes the connecting part (for example, the
container-side electrical connection structure) to be readily visible in the
process of connecting to the liquid consuming device and thereby facilitates
the connecting operation.
[00181
(11) In the liquid container of the above aspect, the liquid supply
portion and the container-side electrical connection structure may be
arranged to be arrayed along a second direction that is orthogonal to the
direction of gravity and the first direction when the liquid container is
connected to the liquid consuming device.
In the liquid container of this aspect, the liquid supply portion and
the container-side electrical connection structure are arrayed along the
second direction. This configuration enables the positions of the liquid
supply portion and the container-side electrical connection structure to be
readily recognizable when the liquid container is moved in the connecting
direction including the coml)onent of the fist direction. This ensures
conllection of the liquid supply portion and tlie container-side electrical
connection structure with the liquid consuming device with high accuracy
[00191
(12) In the liquid colltainer of the above aspect, the one end portion
of the liquid container body may have a first end portion that is one end
portion in the second direction and a second end portion that is the other
end in the second direction. The liquid supply portion and the containerside
electrical connection structure may be arranged at positions closer to a
center of the one end portion in the second direction than the first end
portion and the second end portion.
In the process of connecting the liquid container with the liquid
consuming device, when one of the liquid supply portion and the containerside
electrical connection structure is connected prior to the othel; the liquid
container body is likely to be rotated about the connected one as the point of
sul~port. The configuration of the liquid container of this aspect reduces
the amount of rotation of the liquid container in the case where one of the
liquid supply portion and the container-side electrical connection structure
is connected prior to the other, compared with a configuration that the liquid
supply portion and the container-side electrical connection structure are
arranged at positions closer to the first end portion and the second end
portion than the center of the one end portion.
roo201
(13) The Liquid container of the above aspect may further comprise a
handle member that is provided on the one end portion-side of the liquid
container body to be holdable. The handle member may comprise a first
handle end that is one end in the second direction and a second handle end
that is the other end in the second direction. The liquid supply portion and
the container-side electrical connection structure may be located between
the first handle end and the second handle end in the second direction.
In the liquid container of this aspect, the user can readily position
the liquid supply portion and the container-side electrical connection
structure relative to the liquid consuming device by simply gripping the
handle member. This accordingly facilitates connection of the liquid supply
portion and the container-side electrical connection structure with the liquid
consu~ningd evice. Even in the case where the liquid container is rotated
about the handle nlembel; this configuration reduces the amount of rotation
of the liquid supply portion and the container-side electrical connection
structure. This improves the operability in the process of co~lnectingth e
liquid container with the liquid consuming device.
[00211
(14) In the liquid container of the above aspect, the liquid supply
portion and the container-side electrical connection structure nlay be
arranged at positions across a center of the handle menlber in the second
direction.
In the liquid container of this aspect, the liquid sul)ply portion and
the container-side electrical connection structure further reduces the effect
of rotation even when the liquid contailler is rotated about the handle
member. This configuration improves the operability in the process of
connecting the liquid container with the liquid consuming device and
thereby ensures secure connection of the liquid colltainer with the liquid
consuming device.
LO0221
(15) In the liquid container of the above aspect, in an initial state of
the liquid container that the liquid is contained in the liquid container body
prior to consumption of the liquid by the liquid consuming device, when the
liquid container body is located on a lower side of the liquid supply portion
and the container-side electrical connection structure in the direction of
gravity, the liquid container body may comprise a first chamber that is
connected with the handle member; and a second chamber that is located
below the first chamber in the direction of gravity and has a greater length
than length of the h s t chamber in the first direction.
In the liquid container of this aspect, the first chamber has the
smaller length in the first direction than the second chamnber. This reduces
the likelillood that the first chamber interferes with snlooth connection of
the liquid supply portion and the container-side electrical connection
structure with the liquid consuming device when the liquid container is
moved in the connecting direction including the conlponent of the first
direction to be connected to the liquid consuming device.
LO0231
(16) In the liquid container of the above aspect, in an initial state of
the liquid container that the liquid is contained in the liquid container body
prior to consulnption of the liquid by the liquid consumillg device, the liquid
supply portion and the container-side electrical connection structure may be
arranged at positions in the second direction across a center of gravity of the
liquid colltainer body in a connecting state that connection of the liquid
container to the liquid consuming device is completed.
The configuration of the liquid container of this aspect reduces the
amount of rotation of the liquid container about the liquid sul~plp~orr tion or
the container-side electrical connection structure as the point of support in
the connecting state.
[00241
(17) The liquid container of the above aspect magr f ~ ~ r t lc~oemrp rise a
pressing portion that is configured to be pressed in the connecting direction
when the liquid container is connected to the liquid consuming device.
The liquid container of this aspect is movable in the connecting
direction by the user's press of the pressing portion. This configuration
facilitates connection of the liquid container with the liquid consuming
device.
[00251
(18) In the liquid container of the above aspect, the pressing portion
may be located at a position opposite to the liquid supply portion and the
container-side electrical connection structure.
The configuration of the liquid container of this aspect stabilizes the
motions of the liquid supply portion and the container-side electrical
conilection structure to the motions along the connecting direction when the
user presses the pressing portion to move the liquid container ill thc
connecting direction.
[00261
All the pluralitj~of componetlts included in the aspects of the
invention described above are not essential, but some co~nponentsa mong
tlie plurality of compone~ltsm ay be appropriately changed, omitted or
replaced with other components or part of the limitations may be deleted, in
order to solve part or all of the problems described above or in order to
achieve part or all of the advantageous effects described herein. I11 order to
solve part or all of the problems described above or in order to achieve part
or all of the advantageous effects described herein, part or all of the
technical features included in one aspect of tlie invention described above
may be combined with part or all of the technical features included in
another aspect of the invention described above to provide still another
independent aspect of the invention.
[00271
For example, one aspect of the invention may be iml~lementecal s a
device including one or more components among a plurality of components,
i.e., a liquid container body, an operation member and a liquid sul~ply
portion. More specifically, this device may have or may not have the liquid
container body. This device may have or may not have the operation
member. This device may have or may not have the liquid sul~plyp ortion.
This aspect solves at least one of the various problems, for exaniple,
downsizing of the device, cost reduction, resource saving, easy manufacture
and improvement of the usability. Part or all of the technical features in
each of the aspects of the liquid container body described above may be
applied to this device. The "substantially parallel" state includes not only
completely parallel state but approximately parallel state including a slight
error or a slight deviation. The "substantially parallel" state accordingly
includes the state that is not completely parallel in the range that achieves
the advantageous effects described in the specification hereof. The "plane"
in the specification hereof includes a flat surface, a surface with slight
concavity and convexity and a slightly bent surface.
LOO281
For example, another aspect of the invention may be implemented as
a device including one or more components among a plurality of
components, i.e., a liquid container body and a liquid supply portion. More
specifically, this device may have or may not have the liquid container body.
This device may have or may not have the liquid supply portion. This
aspect solves at least one of the various problems, for example, downsizing
of the device, cost reduction, resource saving, easy manufacture and
improvenient of the usability. Part or all of the technical features in each of
the aspects of the liquid container described above may be applied to this
device.
[00291
The invention may be implemented by any of various aspects other
than the liquid container, for example, a method of nlanufacturing the liquid
container and a liquid consuming system includilig the liquid container and
a liquid consuming device.
Brief Description of Drawings
[00301
Fig. 1 is a first perspective view illustrating the general
configuration of a liquid consuming system;
Fig. 2 is a second perspective view illustrating the general
configuration of the liquid consuming system;
Fig. 3 is a first diagram illustrating a liquid supply device;
Fig. 4 is a second diagranl illustrating the liquid supply device;
Fig. 5 is a first perspective view illustrating a mounting assembly
unit;
Fig. G is a second perspective view illustrating the mounting
assembly unit;
Fig. 7 is a first perspective view illustrating a liquid container;
Fig. 8 is a second perspective view illustrating the liquid container;
Fig. 8A is a front view illustrating the liquid container;
Fig. 8B is a rear view illustrating the liquid container;
Fig. 9 is a first perspective view illustrating part of the liquid
container;
Fig. 10 is a second perspective view illustrating the part of the liquid
container;
Fig. 11 is a third perspective view illustrating the part of the liquid
container;
Fig. 12 is a fourth perspective view illustrating the part of the liquid
container;
Fig. 13 is a front view illustrating the part of the liquid container;
Fig. 14 is a rear view illustrating the part of the liquid container;
Fig. 15 is a top view illustrating the part of the liquid container;
Fig. 16 is a right side view illustrating the part of the liquid
container;
Fig. 1GA is an F13-F13 sectional view of Fig. 13;
Fig. 1GB is a front view illustrating a circuit board;
Fig. 1GC is a view from an arrow FlGB of Fig. 1GB;
Fig. 17A is a first exploded perspective view illustrating an operation
member;
Fig. 17B is a second exploded perspective view illustrating the
operation member;
Fig. 17C is a rear view illustrating the operation member;
Fig. 17D is a front view illustrating the liquid container;
Fig. 17E is an F17Da-F17Da partial sectional view of Fig. 17D;
Fig. 17F is an F17Db-F17Db partial sectional view of Fig. 17D;
Fig. 17G is a left side view illustrating the liquid container;
Fig. 17H is a right side view illustrating t,he liquid container;
Fig. 18 is a diagram illustrating the state that the liquid container is
set in the mounting assembly unit;
Fig. 19 is an F18-F18 partial sectional view of Fig. 18;
Fig. 20 is a diagram illustrating the state that the liquid container is
mounted on the mounting assembly unit; ,
Fig. 21 is an F20-F20 partial sectional view of Fig. 20;
Fig. 22 is a side view illustrating the state that the liquid container
is set in a movable member;
Fig. 23 is a front view illustrating the state that the liquid container
is set in the nlovable member;
Fig. 24 is an F22-F22 sectional view of Fig. 22;
Fig. 25 is an F23-F23 sectional view of Fig. 23;
Fig. 26 is a side view illustrating the state that mounting
(connection) of the liquid container to the mounting assembly unit is
completed;
Fig. 27 is an F26-F26 sectional view of Fig. 26;
Fig. 28A i s a sectional view illustrating the state that connection of
the liquid container to the mounting assembly unit is completed (connecting
state);
Fig. 28B is an F28A-F28A sectional view of Fig. 28A;
Fig. 29 is a first diagram illustrating the state before the liquid
container is set in the mounting assembly unit;
Fig. 30 is a diagram of Fig. 29 viewed from a +Z-axis direction side;
Fig. 31 is a second diagram illustrating the the state before the
liquid container is set in the mounting assembly unit;
Fig. 32 is a diagram of Fig. 31 vie~vedfr om the +Z-axis direction
side;
Fig. 33 is a diagram illustrating the state that the liquid container is
lnounted on the mounting assembly unit;
Fig. 34 is a diagram of Fig. 33 viewed from the +Z-axis direction
side;
Fig. 35 is a diagram further illustrating the liquid container;
Fig. 36 is a diagram illustrating a joint portion; and
Fig. 37 is a diagram illustrating an electrical connectioll body.
Description of Embodiments
[00311
A. Embodiment
A-1. Configuration of Liquid Consuming System
Fig. 1 is a first perspective view illustrating the general
configuration of a liquid consuming system 1000. Fig. 2 is a second
perspective view illustrating the general configuration of the liquid
consuming system 1000. Fig. 3 is a first diagram illustrating a liquid
supply device 20. Fig. 4 is a second diagram illustrating the liquid supply
device 20. Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate the state that liquid containers described
later are demounted. X, P and Z axes orthogonal to one another are shown
in Figs. 1 to 4.
[00321
As shown in Fig. 1, the liquid consuming system 1000 includes a
printer 10 as a liquid consuming device and two liquid supply devices 20.
In the use state of the liquid constuning system 1000, the printer 10 is
placed on a horizontal plane defined by an X-axis direction and a Y-axis
direction. In other words, a Z-axis direction is a vertical direction (topbottom
direction); -Z-axis direction is vertically downward direction and +Zaxis
direction is verticalljr upward direction. The liquid s~ul~pdlyev ices 20
are configured to sul~plyin ks as liquids to the printer 10. Each liquid
container 50 (liquid container unit 50) included in the Liquid supply device
20 is detachably connected (attached) to tlie printer 10.
roo331
The printer 10 is an inkjet printer. The printer 10 includes a
recording mechanism 11, feed trays 16 and an eject tray 17. Aplurality of
the feed trays 16 are provided at different height positions in the vertical
direction. The feed trays 16 are placed on a device first surface (device
front sdrface) 102 of the printer 10. The feed trays 16 contain recording
media (for example, paper sheets) on which images such as characters and
letters are printed (recorded) by the printer 10.
[00341
The recording mechanism 11 includes a record head (not shown)
configured to eject ink. The record head is connected with the liquid supply
devices 20 through flow pipes such as tubes. The record head uses ink
supplied from the liquid supply device 20 and ejects the ink on the recording
medium to perform recording (l)rinting). The recording n~ecliuma fter
recording is discharged to the eject tray 17.
100351
The two liquid supply devices 20 are respectively placed on a device
second surface (also called device first side surface or device first side wall)
104 and a device third surface (also called device second side surface or
device second side wall) 106 arranged to intersect with the device first
surface (also called device front surface or device front ~vall)1 02 of the
printer 10. The device first surface 102 to the device third surface 10G are
surfaces respectively perpendicular to the installation surface of the printer
10 in the use state of the printer 10. The device second surface 104 and the
device third surface 106 are opposed to each other, In the description
hereof, the liquid supply device 20 provided on the device second surface 104
is also called first liquid supply device 20A, and the liquid supply device 20
provided on the device third surface 106 is also called second liquid supply
device 20B. When there is no need to distinguish between the first and the
second liquid supply devices 20A and 20B, the first and the second liquid
supply devices 20A and 20B are simply called liquid supply device 20.
[00361
As shown in Fig. 1, the f i s t liquid supply device 20A includes one
cover member 22, one liquid container 50 and one mounting assembly unit
30 ( s h o ~ vin~ F~ig . 3). As shown in Fig. 2, the second liquid supply device
20B includes one cover member 22, three liquid containers 50 and three
nlounti~lga ssembly units 30 provided corresponding to the respective liquid
containers 50 (sho~vnin Fig. 4). The two cover members 22 are
distinguishable i?om each other by using synlbols "22A" and "22B". The
four liquid containers 50 are distinguishable from one another by using
synlbols "501<", "50CU, "50M" and "50Y". The four mounting assembly units
30 are distinguishable from one another by using sy~nbols"3 0Ii", "30Cn,
"30hl" and "30P". The numbers of the cover members 22, the liquid
containers 50 and the mounting assembly units 30 are not limited to this
example. For example, the number of the liquid containers 50 may be
three or less or may be five or more. The number of the ~nountinga ssembly
units 30 may be determined corresponding to the nu~nbero f the liquid
containers 50. The number of the cover nlelnbers 22 nlay be one or may be
three or more.
[00371
The four liquid containers 50 contain (are filled with) different types
of inks. According to this embodiment, yellow (Y), magenta (MI, cyan (C)
and black (10 inks are contained in the respective different liquid containers
50. The liquid container 50IC has a liquid container body configured to
contain black ink. The liquid container 50C has a liquid container body
configured to contain cyan ink. The liquid container 50M has a liquid
container body configured to contain magenta ink. The liquid container
50Y has a liquid container body configured to contain yellow ink. As shown
in Figs. 3 and 4, the liquid container 50 is contained in a housing space 26
defined by the cover member 22. More specifically, the liquid container
501C is contained in a housing space 2GA (Fig. 31, and the liquid containers
50C, 5011 and 50Y are contained in a housing space 26B (Fig. 4).
[0038]
The mounting assembly units 30 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 serve to
inount the liquid containers 50 in a detachable manner. The mounting
assembly unit 30IC is placed inside of the cover member 22A, and the
mounting assembly units 30C, 30M and 30Y are placed inside of the cover
member 22B. As shown in Fig. 3, the mounting assembly unit 30IC is
provided on the device second surface 104 of the printer 10. As shown in
Fig. 4, the mo~~ntinasgs embly units 30C, 30M and 30Y are provided on the
device third surface 106 of the printer 10. In the state that the liquid
container 50 is mounted on the mounting assembly unit 30, the inlc
contained in the liquid container 50 is supplied to the record head of the
printer 10 by a supply mechanism (not shown) with a pump function
included in the printer 10.
[00391
As shomn in Figs. 3 and 4, the cover member 22 is arranged to be
openable and closable by rotating the other end 24 on the upper side in the
vertical direction about one end 23 on the lower side in the vertical direction
as the support point. After consumption of the ink contained in the liquid
container 50, the user opens the cover member 22 and demounts the
exhausted liquid container 50 from the mounting asselnbly unit 30. The
use then mounts a new liquid container 50 to the mountillg assembly unit
30 and closes the cover member 22.
loo4ol
A-2. Configuration of Mounting Assembly Unit 30
Fig. 5 is a first perspective view illustrating the mounting assembly
unit 30. Fig. G is a second perspective view illustrating the mounting
assembly unit 30. Fig. 5 illustrates a first state (setting state) in which a
movable member 40 is protruded outward relative to a stationary member
35. Fig. G illustrates a second state (mounting state) in which the movable
member 40 is placed in the stationary member 35. The following describes
the configuration of the mounting assembly unit 30C as an example with
reference to Figs. 5 and 6. The other ~nountinga ssembly units 30Ii, 30M
and 301' have the same configuration as that of the mounting assembly unit
30C. As shown in Fig. 5, the mounting assembly unit 30 includes the
stationary member 35 and the movable member 40.
[00411
The liquid container 50 is mounted on the mounting assembly unit
30 by the following two operations. The state that the liquid container 50
is mounted on the mounting assembly unit 30 is also called "mounting state
(connecting state)". The "mounting state (connecting state)" denotes the
state that a liquid supply portion 57 (liquid flow portion 57) of the liquid
container 50 described later is connected with a liquid introducing portion
(liquid introducing needle) 362 of the moutltiug assembly unit 30 and that a
circuit board (container-side electrical connection structure) 582 of the liquid
container 50 is electrically connected with an electrical connection structure
(device-side electrical connection structure) 382 of the mounting assembly
unit 30. In the mounting state, the ink contained in the Liquid container 50
can be flowed to the printer 10. In the description hereof, the containerside
electrical connection structure 582 may be regarded as a contact portion
CP .
* First Operation
The user makes the mounting assembly unit 30 in the first state and
subsequently sets the liquid container 50 in the movable member 40.
* Second Operation
After the first operation, the user presses the movable menlber 40
against the stationary member 35 via the liquid container 50 and thereby
makes the mounting assembly unit 30 in the second state.
LO0421
In the second state of the mounting assembly unit 30, the motion of
the movable member 40 relative to the stationary member 35 in a +I<1-axis
direction is restricted by a lock mechanisnl. In the second state, the lock
mechanisnl is unlocked by pressing the lnovable ~ne~nb4e0r inward (-Iilaxis
direction) relative to the stationary member 35. The movable member
40 may be then moved to be protruded outward (+Z-axis direction) relative
to the stationary member 35, so that the state of the mounting assembly
unit 30 may be changed from the first state to the second state.
roo431
The stationary member 35 is fixed to the surface 104 or 106 of the
printer 10 (Figs. 3 and 4) by means of a plurality of screws 302 serving as
fixation elements. More specifically, the mounting assembly unit 30Ii (Fig.
3) is fixed to the second surface 104 by means of a plurality of screws 302,
and the mounting assembly units 30C, 30M and 3OY (Fig. 4) are fixed to the
tlird surface 106 by means of a plurality of screws 302.
[00441
The stationary member 35 has a liquid introducing mechanism 36
and a contact mechanism 38. The liquid introducing mechanism 36
includes the liquid introducing portion 362. A liquid supply assembly of
the liquid container 50 described later is connected with the liquid
introducing portion 362, so that the inlr contained in the liquid container 50
is flowed. The liquid introducing portion 362 communicates with the
record head of the printer 10.
[00451
The liquid introducing portion 362 is formed in a needle-like shape
to have an inner cavity for ink flow. The liquid introducing portion 362 is
extended along a center axis CL. A direction along this center axis CL
(direction in which the liquid introducing portion 362 is extended) is
specified as Iil-axis direction. The Iil-axis direction is orthogonal to the Zaxis
direction. A direction orthogonal to both the Iil-axis direction and the
Z-axis direction is specified as Ii2-axis direction. Aplane defined by the
Iil-axis direction and the Ii2-axis direction is parallel to the plane defined
by the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction shown in Fig. 1. M7ith
respect to the ICl-axis direction, the outward direction of the printer 10 is
+Ile (connect) the first member
53A~vithth e second member 53B. The three engagement elements 511A,
511B and 511C are arrayed along the I(2-axis direction (direction in xvhich
the positioning structure 56 and the circuit board holding portion 59 are
arrayed). The number of the engagement elements 511A, 511B and 511C
may be decreased to t\vo or less or may be increased to four or more. IVhen
there is no need to distinguish among the three engagement elements 511A,
51113 and 511C, the engagement elenlents are expressed by synlbol "511".
[01071
The engagenlent eletnents 511 are provided on the base portion 548
on the second side 53fb of the Erst member 53A. The engagement ele~nent
511 is formed in an al~proxitnatelyre ctangular parallelepiped shape. More
specificallj: the outer shal)e of the engagenlent element 511 is an
approximately rectangular shape to surround a direction along the IC1-axis
direction (along the center axis CT direction of the liquid flow portion 57)
(i.e., K1-axis direction). The engagelllent element 511 is a convex
protruded from the base portion 548 toward the second member 53B (+IClaxis
direction).
[01081
As shown in Fig. 17B, the first member 53A also has eight member
engaging elements 588 (only seven are illustrated) provided on the second
side 53fb to engage with the third member (pressing member) 53C and
thereby couple (connect) the f i s t member 53A with the third member 53C.
The member engaging elements 588 are formed in concave shape.
[01091
As shown in Figs. 17A and 17B, the liquid supply portion 57 is
connected with the second member 53B by integral molding. The mounting
portion (joint portion) 549 is also coupled (connected) with the second
member 53 by integral molding.
[OllOl
The second member 53B also has three engagement elements 513A,
513B and 513C provided to engage with the engagement elements 511 and
thereby mount the first inember 53A to the second member 53B. When
there is no need to distinguish among the three engagement elements 513A,
513B and 513C, the engagement elements are expressed by symbol "513".
The nulnber of the engagement elements 513 may be two or less or may be
four or more.
[Ollll
The three engage~nenet le~nents5 13A, 513B and 513C are provided
corresponding to the three engagement elements 513A, 513B and 513C of
the first member 53A. The engagement element 513 is a through hole that
passes through in the IC1-axis direction. The engagement element 513 is
formed in an outer shape that allows the engagement elenlent 511 to be fit
in. The outer shape of the engagement element 513 is an approximately
rectangular shape to surround a direction along the IC1-axis direction (along
the center axis CT direction of the liquid flow portion 57) (i.e., IC1-axis
direction).
[01121
As shown in Fig. 17C, the engagenlent elements 511A, 511B and
511C as the convexes are fit in the corresponding engagement elements
513A, 513B and 513C as the through holes, so that the second member 53B
is mounted to the first member 53A. Accordingly, a portion 517 provided
with the engagement elements 513 is also called "protruded portion 517"
that is protruded from the joint portion 549 to outside of the liquid container
body 52 (shown in Fig. 7). The engagement elements 511 of the coupling
member 53A are engaged with the engagement elements 513 of the
protruded portion 517, so that the coupling member 53A is coupled with the
joint portion 549.
[01131
The three engagement elements 511A, 511B and 511C of the handle
member 53A are engaged with the second member 53B to which the liquid
container boy 52 is mounted and thereby have the follo\ving functions.
When the user grips the handle member 53A to hold the liquid container 50,
the three engage~nenet lements 511A, 511B and 511C serve as portions that
receive a load produced by the dead weight of the liquid container body 52.
Accordingly the three engagement elements 511A, 511B and 511C are also
called support elements 511A, 511B and 511C.
[01141
The handle niember 53A is assembled to the second member 53B
and is thereby connected with the liquid sullply portion 57. Herein the
term "connect" includes not only a configuration that the handle member
53A and the liquid supply portion 57 are connected directly with each other
but a configuration that the handle member 53A and the liquid supply
portion 57 are connected indirectly via another member.
[01151
Engage~ne~olft t he engagement element 511B with the engagement
element 513R restricts the niotion of the second ~nember5 3B relative to the
coupling member 53A in the Ii2-axis direction and in the Z-axis direction.
Engagement of the engagement element 511A with the engagement element
513A and engage~nenotf the engagement element 511C with the
engagement element 513C restrict the motion of the second member 53B
relative to the coupling member 53A in the Z-axis direction. In other
words, the engagement elenlents 511 and the engagenlent elements 513
respectively have the outer shapes that surround the direction along the
center axis CT direction (Iil-axis direction) (i.e., Iil-axis direction), so as to
suppress the positional misalignment between the coupling member 53A
and the second member 53B in a planar direction orthogonal to the center
axis CT direction (i.e., planar direction defined by the Z-axis direction and
the R2-axis direction).
[01161
As shown in Fig. 17B, the coupling member 53A additionally has
engaging claws 511Da and 511Db in convex shape. The engaging claws
511Da and 511Db are provided on the second side 53fi of the coupling
portion 548. The second member 53B has through holes 513Da and 513Db
at positions corresponding to the engaging claws 511Da and 511Db in
convex shape.
[01171
As shown in Figs. 17E and 17F, the engaging claws 511Da and
511Db are engaged with the member that forms the through holes 513Da
and 513Db. This restricts the motion of the second member 53B relative to
the coupling member 53Ain the +I