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Description
Title of Invention: LIQUID CONSUMPTION APPARATUS AND
LIQUID CONSUMPTION SYSTEM
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a liquid consumption apparatus
that consumes liquid
stored in a cartridge.
Background Art
[0002] For example, each of Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos.
2008-238792 and
2008-230162 discloses an inkjet recording apparatus including a cartridge that
stores
ink, an attachment section to which the cartridge is detachably attached, a
subsidiary
tank that stores ink supplied from the cartridge attached to the attachment
section due
to a water head difference, and a recording section that records an image on a
recording medium by ejecting ink stored in the subsidiary tank.
Citation List
Patent Literature
[0003] [PTL11 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-238792
[PTL21 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2008-230162
Summary of Invention
Technical Problem
[0004] In the inkjet recording apparatuses described in the above-described
publications,
image recording can be continuously performed by using ink stored in the
subsidiary
tank during a period from when ink stored in the cartridge runs out
(hereinafter,
referred to as "cartridge empty") to when the cartridge is replaced with a new
one.
However, if the capacity of the subsidiary tank is increased in order to
extend the
period during which image recording can be performed after cartridge empty,
the
amount of ink that is to be transferred from a cartridge to the subsidiary
tank when the
cartridge is newly attached to the attachment section will also increase.
[0005] That is, if the capacity of the subsidiary tank is simply increased,
it will take a longer
period of time from when the cartridge is newly attached to the attachment
section and
until transfer of the ink from the cartridge to the subsidiary tank is
completed, that is,
until liquid surfaces of ink in the subsidiary tank and in the cartridge
become equal to
each other in their heights. Users will have such impression that a large
amount of ink
from a cartridge is consumed when the cartridge is newly attached to the
attachment
section.
[0006] It is desirable that a plurality of types of cartridges having
different ink storage
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amounts are selectable in accordance with recent diversification of
utilization of the
inkjet recording apparatus. Further, the different types of cartridges
desirably have
different outer shapes so as to allow users to easily recognize differences in
the amount
of stored ink.
[0007] However, there exist components that should be disposed at the same
position among
all cartridges, such as an ink supply portion for supplying ink and an engaged
part
configured to be engaged with the attachment section to lock the cartridge
relative to
the attachment section. Thus, the outer shape of the cartridge cannot freely
be changed
in accordance with a change in the volume inside the cartridge. For example,
in order
to enlarge the size of the outer shape of the cartridge described in each of
the above-
described publications, the length of the cartridge in the insertion direction
with respect
to the attachment section needs to be increased. However, in order to attach
the
cartridge elongated in the insertion direction to the attachment section, then
the size of
the inkjet recording apparatus in the depth direction needs to be increased.
Solution to Problem
[0008] In view of the above-described problems, an object of the disclosure
is to provide a
liquid consumption apparatus capable of continuously consuming liquid even
after the
cartridge has become empty and also capable of suppressing the amount of
liquid to
flow out from the cartridge at the time of attachment.
[0009] Another object of the disclosure is to provide a liquid consumption
apparatus capable
of being attached with a plurality of types of cartridges having different ink
storage
amounts, without involving an increase in the size of the liquid consumption
apparatus.
[0010] (1) According to one aspect, a liquid consumption apparatus
includes: a cartridge; a
cartridge attachment section; and a consuming device. The cartridge includes:
a first
storage chamber; a first air communication portion; and a supply portion. The
first
storage chamber stores a liquid. The first air communication portion allows
the first
storage chamber to communicate with an atmosphere. The supply portion is
configured
to supply the liquid stored in the first storage chamber. The cartridge
attachment
section includes: a connecting portion; and a tank. The connecting portion is
configured to be connected with and disconnected from the supply portion. The
tank
includes: a liquid flow-in port; a second storage chamber; a liquid flow-out
port; and a
second air communication portion. The liquid flow-in port allows the liquid,
which has
been supplied from the first storage chamber through the supply portion and
the
connecting portion connected with the supply portion, to pass though the
liquid flow-in
port. The second storage chamber is configured to store the liquid that has
flown
through the liquid flow-in port. The liquid flow-out port is disposed at a
position below
the liquid flow-in port and configured to allow the liquid stored in the
second storage
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chamber to flow out of the second storage chamber. The second air
communication
portion allows the second storage chamber to communicate with the atmosphere.
The
consuming device is configured to consume the liquid flown from the second
storage
chamber through the liquid flow-out port. The cartridge further includes a
wall
defining a first base part and a first protruding part. The first storage
chamber extends
over insides of both of the first base part and the first protruding part. The
tank further
includes a wall defining a second base part and a second protruding part. The
second
storage chamber extends over insides of both of the second base part and the
second
protruding part. In a used posture of the liquid consumption apparatus, the
first
protruding part protrudes in a horizontal direction from an upper portion of
the first
base part that is defined in a vertical direction, and the second protruding
part
protrudes in the horizontal direction from a lower portion of the second base
part that
is defined in the vertical direction. In a state where the supply portion is
connected to
the connecting portion, the first base part and the first protruding part have
the
following positional relationship with the second base part and the second
protruding
part:
as viewed in the horizontal direction, the first base part is overlapped with
both of the
second base part and the second protruding part;
as viewed in the vertical direction, the first base part is not overlapped
with the second
base part, and is not overlapped with the second protruding part;
as viewed in the horizontal direction, the first protruding part is overlapped
with the
second base part, but is not overlapped with the second protruding part; and
as viewed in the vertical direction, the first protruding part is overlapped
with the
second protruding part, but is not overlapped with the second base part.
[0011] According to the above-described configuration, the first protruding
part of the
cartridge is disposed in the space obtained by recessing the cartridge
attachment
section, and the second protruding part is disposed in the space obtained by
recessing
the cartridge. Thus, the cartridge and cartridge attachment section can be
adequately
laid out without involving an increase in the size of the liquid consumption
apparatus.
Further, the first protruding part is provided at the upper part of the
cartridge in the
vertical direction, and the second protruding part is provided at the lower
part of the
cartridge attachment section in the vertical direction. Accordingly,
consumption of
liquid can be continued even after cartridge empty, and also the amount of
liquid that
will flow out of the cartridge at the time of attachment of the cartridge to
the cartridge
attachment section can be suppressed.
[0012] First, the horizontal cross sectional area of a part of the second
storage chamber at
the lower portion of the cartridge attachment section where the second
protruding part
is formed, can be made greater than the horizontal cross sectional area of a
part of the
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second storage chamber that is disposed above the second protruding part. That
is, the
capacity of the lower part of the second storage chamber where residual liquid
is
supposed to remain until liquid is completely consumed can be made relatively
larger,
so that the length of time during which consumption of liquid can be
continuously
performed after cartridge empty can be prolonged.
[0013] Further, the capacity of an upper part of the second storage chamber
can be made
relatively small. This can shorten the length of time that is required after a
cartridge is
newly attached to the cartridge attachment section and until the liquid
surfaces of
liquid in the first and second storage chambers become the same with each
other in
their heights. Thus, the amount of liquid that is to flow out of the cartridge
to the
second storage chamber when the cartridge is newly attached to the cartridge
at-
tachment section can be reduced. Further, the horizontal cross sectional area
of the first
storage chamber disposed in the upper portion of the cartridge, where the
first
protruding part is formed, can be made larger than the horizontal cross
sectional areas
of a part of the first storage chamber disposed below the first protruding
part. Thus, the
cartridge having the first protruding part can suppress the amount, by which
the level
of the liquid surface of liquid in the cartridge lowers when the cartridge is
newly
attached to the cartridge attachment section, as compared to such a cartridge
having no
first protruding part.
[0014] (2) It is preferable that the supply portion and the connecting
portion are connected
together in a case where the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge
attachment section
in an inserting direction that is parallel to the horizontal direction, that
the supply
portion and the connecting portion are separated from each other in a case
where the
cartridge is detached from the cartridge attachment section in a detaching
direction that
is opposite to the inserting direction, that the first protruding part has a
surface facing
in the inserting direction, the supply portion being provided at the surface
of the first
base part at a position below a lower end of the first protruding part, and
that the
second protruding part has a surface facing in the detaching direction, the
connecting
portion being provided at the surface of the second protruding part.
[0015] With this configuration, the amount of liquid that does not flow out
of the supply
portion and remains in the first storage chamber can be reduced. Because the
supply
portion is provided at the first base part, a plurality of types of
cartridges, whose con-
stituent first protruding parts have different protruding amounts and whose
constituent
first storage chambers have different capacities, can be obtained so as to be
selectively
attached to the cartridge attachment section.
[0016] (3) For example, the first protruding part may have a tip end in the
inserting direction
that is positioned downstream of the supply portion in the inserting
direction.
[0017] (4) It is preferable that the cartridge further includes a partition
wall partitioning the
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first storage chamber into an upper storage chamber and a lower storage
chamber such
that the upper storage chamber and the lower storage chamber are arranged
adjacent to
each other in the vertical direction with the partition wall being interposed
therebetween, that the partition wall has a communication passage disposed at
a
position upstream of the first protruding part in the inserting direction and
allowing
communication between the upper storage chamber and the lower storage chamber,
and that the supply portion is communicated with the lower storage chamber.
[0018] (5) It is preferable that the upper storage chamber has an internal
volume greater than
that of the lower storage chamber.
[0019] This configuration reduces the amount of liquid that flows out of
the supply portion
when the cartridge is oriented so that a tip end of the supply portion faces
downward.
Thus, even when the cartridge is erroneously inclined by a user, for example,
the
amount of liquid to leak from the cartridge can be reduced.
[0020] (6) For example, the second storage chamber may have a partial
internal volume
defined below an upper end of the second protruding part, the partial internal
volume
being greater than the internal volume of the lower storage chamber.
[0021] (7) For example, the supply portion and the connecting portion may
be connected
together in a case where the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge
attachment section
in an inserting direction that is parallel to the horizontal direction,
wherein the supply
portion and the connecting portion are separated from each other in a case
where the
cartridge is detached from the cartridge attachment section in a detaching
direction that
is opposite to the inserting direction, wherein the supply portion comprises a
first
cylindrical portion extending in the inserting direction and being opened at a
downstream tip end in the inserting direction, and wherein the connecting
portion
comprises a second cylindrical portion extending in the detaching direction
and being
opened at a downstream tip end in the detaching direction, the supply portion
being
connected to the connecting portion by inserting one of the first cylindrical
portion and
the second cylindrical portion into remaining one of the first cylindrical
portion and the
second cylindrical portion.
[0022] (8) It is preferable that the supply portion and the connecting
portion are connected
together in a case where the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge
attachment section
in an inserting direction that is parallel to the horizontal direction, that
the supply
portion and the connecting portion are separated from each other in a case
where the
cartridge is detached from the cartridge attachment section in a detaching
direction that
is opposite to the inserting direction, that the wall of the cartridge has a
surface facing
in the inserting direction, that the first air communication portion includes:
an air
passage; and a valve selectively providing a first state closing the air
passage and an
open state opening the air passage, the air passage having one end opened on
the
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surface of the wall at a position above an upper end of the first protruding
part to
thereby define an opening of the air passage, the air passage having another
end in
communication with the first storage chamber, and that the cartridge
attachment
section further includes a rod configured to enter into the opening of the air
passage to
change the state of the valve from the first state to the second state when
the supply
portion is connected to the connecting portion.
[0023] Because the opening of the first air communication portion, in which
the rod enters,
is provided above the first protruding part, a plurality of types of
cartridges, whose
constituent first protruding parts have different protruding amounts and whose
con-
stituent first storage chambers have different capacities, can be obtained so
as to be se-
lectively attached to the cartridge attachment section.
[0024] (9) For example, the first protruding part may have a tip end that
is positioned
downstream of the opening of the air passage in the inserting direction.
[0025] (10) It is preferable that the cartridge attachment section further
includes a detector
configured to detect an amount of liquid stored in the second storage chamber.
[0026] Because the cartridge attachment section has the detector for
detecting the residual
amount of liquid, the configuration of the cartridge can be made simple. As a
result, a
degree of freedom in design of the outer shape of the cartridge is increased.
[0027] (11) It is preferable that the detector includes: a detected portion
disposed in the
second storage chamber and configured to move to a position corresponding to
an
amount of the liquid stored in the second storage chamber; and a sensor
configured to
detect, on a basis of a position of the detected portion, whether a level of
the liquid is
higher than a boundary position that is defined below an upper end of the
second
protruding part and above the liquid flow-out port.
[0028] Because the detected portion is disposed inside the second storage
chamber, the con-
figuration of the cartridge can be made simple. As a result, a degree of
freedom in
design of the outer shape of the cartridge is increased. It is possible to
adequately
detect whether the liquid residual amount in the second storage chamber has
become
small by detecting whether the liquid surface of liquid in the second storage
chamber
has become higher than a boundary position that is below the upper end of the
second
protruding part and above the liquid flow-out port.
[0029] (12) It is preferable that in the state where the supply portion is
connected with the
connecting portion, part of the first storage chamber disposed inside the
first
protruding part is overlapped with part of the second storage chamber disposed
inside
the second protruding part as viewed in the vertical direction.
[0030] This configuration can increase the sizes of the first and second
storage chambers,
without increasing the size of the liquid consumption apparatus.
[0031] (13) It is preferable that the cartridge further includes an
information holding portion
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disposed at the first base part and holding information indicative of a type
of the
cartridge; and that the cartridge attachment section further includes a
reading device
configured to read the information held in the information holding portion.
[0032] (14) It is preferable that the cartridge attachment section further
includes a locking
portion configured to switch the cartridge between a locked state, in which
connection
of the supply portion with the connecting portion is maintained, and a
released state, in
which the cartridge is movable relative to the cartridge attachment section,
and that the
locking portion brings the cartridge into the locked state when the first base
part of the
cartridge abuts against the locking portion, and the locking portion brings
the cartridge
into the released state when the first base part of the cartridge becomes
separated away
from the locking portion.
[0033] (15) It is preferable that the first air communication portion
inclues: a first air
passage providing communication between an inside of the first storage chamber
and
an outside of the cartridge; and a semipermeable membrane provided in the
first air
passage.
[0034] (16) It is preferable that the second air communication portion
includes: a second air
passage providing communication between an inside of the second storage
chamber
and an outside of the tank; and a semipermeable membrane provided in the
second air
passage.
[0035] (17) It is preferable that the liquid stored in the first storage
chamber is an ink; and
that the consuming device includes a recording head having a nozzle configured
to
eject the ink flowing into the second storage chamber from the first storage
chamber to
form an image on an image recording medium.
[0036] (18) According to another aspect, a liquid consumption system
includes: a cartridge;
and a liquid consumption apparatus. The cartridge includes: a first storage
chamber; a
first air communication portion; and a supply portion. The first storage
chamber stores
a liquid. The first air communication portion allows the first storage chamber
to com-
municate with an atmosphere. The supply portion is configured to supply the
liquid
stored in the first storage chamber. The liquid consumption apparatus is
configured to
consume the liquid supplied from the supply portion of the cartridge. The
liquid con-
sumption apparatus includes: a cartridge attachment section; and a consuming
section.
The cartridge attachment section includes: a connecting portion; and a tank.
The
connecting portion is configured to be connected with and disconnected from
the
supply portion. The tank includes: a liquid flow-in port; a second storage
chamber; a
liquid flow-out port; and a second air communication portion. The liquid flow-
in port
allows the liquid, which has been supplied from the first storage chamber
through the
supply portion and the connecting portion connected with the supply portion,
to pass
though the liquid flow-in port. The second storage chamber is configured to
store the
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liquid that has flown through the liquid flow-in port. The liquid flow-out
port is
disposed at a position below the liquid flow-in port and configured to allow
the liquid
stored in the second storage chamber to flow out of the second storage
chamber. The
second air communication portion allows the second storage chamber to
communicate
with the atmosphere. The consuming section is configured to consume the liquid
flown
from the second storage chamber through the liquid flow-out port. The
cartridge
further includes a wall defining a first base part and a first protruding
part. The first
storage chamber extends over insides of both of the first base part and the
first
protruding part. The tank further includes a wall defining a second base part
and a
second protruding part. The second storage chamber extends over insides of
both of the
second base part and the second protruding part. In a used posture of the
liquid con-
sumption apparatus, the first protruding part protrudes in a horizontal
direction from an
upper portion of the first base part that is defined in a vertical direction,
and the second
protruding part protrudes in the horizontal direction from a lower portion of
the second
base part that is defined in the vertical direction. In a state where the
supply portion is
connected to the connecting portion, the first base part and the first
protruding part
have the following positional relationship with the second base part and the
second
protruding part:
as viewed in the horizontal direction, the first base part is overlapped with
both of the
second base part and the second protruding part;
as viewed in the vertical direction, the first base part is not overlapped
with the second
base part, and is not overlapped with the second protruding part;
as viewed in the horizontal direction, the first protruding part is overlapped
with the
second base part, but is not overlapped with the second protruding part; and
as viewed in the vertical direction, the first protruding part is overlapped
with the
second protruding part, but is not overlapped with the second base part.
[0037] (19) According to still another aspect, a liquid consumption
apparatus includes: a
first cartridge; a second cartridge; a cartridge attachment section; and a
consuming
device. Each of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is a cartridge
which
includes: a first storage chamber; and a supply portion. The first storage
chamber
stores a liquid. The supply portion is configured to supply the liquid stored
in the first
storage chamber. The cartridge attachment section includes: a connecting
portion; and
a tank. The connecting portion is configured to be connected with and
disconnected
from the supply portion of a selected one of the first cartridge and the
second cartridge.
The tank has a second storage chamber configured to store the liquid supplied
from the
first storage chamber through the supply portion and the connecting portion
connected
with the supply portion. The consuming device is configured to consume the
liquid
stored in the second storage chamber. The supply portion of a cartridge and
the
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connecting portion are connected together in a case where the cartridge is
inserted into
the cartridge attachment section in an inserting direction that is parallel to
a first
direction. The supply portion of the cartridge and the connecting portion are
separated
from each other in a case where the cartridge is detached from the cartridge
attachment
section in a detaching direction that is opposite to the inserting direction.
The first
cartridge includes a wall defining both of a first base part and a first
protruding part.
The first protruding part protrudes in the inserting direction from part of
the first base
part that is defined in a second direction perpendicular to the first
direction. The first
storage chamber of the first cartridge extends over insides of both of the
first base part
and the first protruding part. The second cartridge includes a wall defining
at least the
first base part. The first storage chamber of the second cartridge is provided
in an
inside of the at least the first base part. In a case where the wall of the
second cartridge
defines both of the first base part and the first protruding part, the first
protruding part
of the second cartridge has a protruding amount smaller than that of the first
protruding
part of the first cartridge. The first storage chamber of the second cartridge
has an
internal volume smaller than that of the first storage chamber of the first
cartridge. The
tank includes a wall defining a second base part and a second protruding part.
The
second protruding part protrudes in the detaching direction from part of the
second
base part that is defined in the second direction. In a state where the supply
portion of
either one of the first cartridge and the second cartridge is connected to the
connecting
portion,:
as viewed in the first direction, the first base part is overlapped with both
of the second
base part and the second protruding part; and
as viewed in the second direction, the first base part is not overlapped with
the second
base part, and is not overlapped with the second protruding part. In a state
where the
supply portion of the first cartridge is connected to the connecting portion,:
as viewed in the first direction, the first protruding part is overlapped with
the second
base part, but is not overlapped with the second protruding part; and
as viewed in the second direction, the first protruding part is overlapped
with the
second protruding part, but is not overlapped with the second base part.
[0038] According to the above-described configuration, by increasing or
reducing the
protruding amount of the first protruding part and changing the capacity of
the part of
the first storage chamber that is disposed inside the first protruding part,
the first and
second cartridges having different capacities and different outer shapes can
be obtained
so as to be selectively attached to the cartridge attachment section, without
increasing
the size of the liquid consumption apparatus in the first direction.
[0039] (20) It is preferable that each of the first cartridge and the
second cartridge has a
length in a third direction perpendicular to both of the first direction and
the second
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direction, the length in the third direction of the first cartridge being
equal to a length
of the second cartridge in the third direction, and that the cartridge
attachment section
includes a plurality of connecting portions that are arrayed in the third
direction with
predetermined intervals between neighboring connecting portions.
[0040] According to the above-described configuration, a desired one of the
first and second
cartridges can be selectively connected to a corresponding connecting portion
provided
in such a cartridge attachment section that is configured to receive a
plurality of
cartridges at the same time.
[0041] (21) It is preferable that the first base part has a surface facing
in the inserting
direction, the supply portion being provided at the surface of the first base
part at a
position that is different from the first protruding part in the second
direction, and that
the second protruding part has a surface facing in the detaching direction,
the
connecting portion being provided at the surface of the second protruding
part.
[0042] Because the supply portion is disposed at the first base part, the
plurality of types of
cartridges, whose constituent first protruding parts have different protruding
amounts,
can be obtained so as to be selectively attached to the cartridge attachment
section.
[0043] (22) It is preferable that the second direction is a vertical
direction, that the supply
portion is provided at the first base part at a position below the first
protruding part,
that the cartridge further includes a first air communication portion allowing
the first
storage chamber to communicate with an atmosphere, and that the tank further
includes a second air communication portion allowing the second storage
chamber to
communicate with the atmosphere.
[0044] In the liquid consumption apparatus of a type, in which liquid is
supplied from the
first storage chamber to the second storage chamber due to the water head
difference,
most of the liquid stored in the first storage chamber can be supplied to the
second
storage chamber because the cartridge has the supply portion at a position
below the
first protruding part.
[0045] (23) It is preferable that the first air communication portion
includes: an air passage
providing communication between the first storage chamber and an outside of
the
cartridge; and a semipermeable membrane provided in the first air passage at
such a
position that in a state where the supply portion is connected to the
connecting portion,
the semipermeable membrane is positioned above the liquid stored in the first
storage
chamber.
[0046] This configuration eliminates the need to have a component (for
example, the rod)
constituting the cartridge attachment section abut against the cartridge to
open the first
air communication portion at a position above the liquid surface of liquid
stored in the
cartridge. As a result, a degree of freedom in design of the outer shapes of
the
cartridges is increased.
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[0047] (24) It is preferable that the cartridge further includes an
information holding portion
provided at the first base part and holding information indicative of a type
of the
cartridge, and that the cartridge attachment section further includes a
reading device
disposed at a position downstream of the second protruding part in the
detaching
direction and configured to read the information held in the information
holding
portion.
[0048] (25) It is preferable that the liquid consumption apparatus further
includes an urging
member configured to urge the cartridge in the detaching direction in the
state where
the supply portion is connected with the connecting portion, that the
cartridge at-
tachment section further includes a locking portion configured to switch the
cartridge
between a locked state in which connection of the supply portion with the
connecting
portion is maintained against the urging force of the urging member, and a
released
state in which the cartridge is movable relative to the cartridge attachment
section in
the detaching direction, and that the locking portion brings the cartridge
into the locked
state when a surface of the first base part that faces in the detaching
direction abuts
against the locking portion, and the locking portion brings the cartridge into
the
released state when the surface of the first base part becomes separated away
from the
locking portion.
[0049] Because the information holding portion or a surface that is to be
abutted against the
locking portion is disposed at the first base part, the plurality of types of
cartridges,
whose constituent first protruding parts have different protruding amounts,
can be se-
lectively attached to the cartridge attachment section.
[0050] (26) It is preferable that the cartridge attachment section further
includes a detector
configured to detect an amount of liquid stored in the second storage chamber.
[0051] Because the cartridge attachment section has the detector for
detecting the residual
amount of liquid, the configuration of the cartridge can be made simple. As a
result, a
degree of freedom in design of the outer shape of the cartridge is increased.
[0052] (27) It is preferable that the detector includes: a detected portion
disposed in the
second storage chamber and configured to move to a position corresponding to
an
amount of the liquid stored in the second storage chamber; and a sensor
configured to
detect whether the detected portion is positioned at a detection position in
the second
storage chamber.
[0053] Because the detected portion is disposed inside the second storage
chamber, the con-
figuration of the cartridge can be made simple. As a result, a degree of
freedom in
design of the outer shape of the cartridge is increased.
[0054] (28) For example, the liquid stored in the first storage chamber and
the second
storage chamber is an ink, and the consuming device is configured to eject the
ink
stored in the second storage chamber to form an image on an image recording
medium.
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[0055] (29) It is preferable that the second storage chamber extends over
insides of both of
the second base part and the second protruding part, and that in a state where
the
supply portion of the first cartridge is connected with the connecting
portion, part of
the first storage chamber disposed inside the first protruding part of the
first cartridge
and part of the second storage chamber disposed inside the second protruding
part are
overlapped with each other as viewed in the second direction.
[0056] This configuration can increase the sizes of the first and second
storage chambers,
without increasing the size of the liquid consumption apparatus.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0057] According to each of the inventions (1) and (18), by providing the
first protruding
part at the upper part of the cartridge in the vertical direction and
providing the second
protruding part at the lower part of the cartridge attachment section in the
vertical
direction, consumption of liquid can be continued even after cartridge empty,
and also
the amount of liquid that will flow out of the cartridge at the time of
attachment of the
cartridge to the cartridge attachment section can be suppressed.
[0058] According to the invention (19), by increasing or reducing the
protruding amount of
the first protruding part and changing the capacity of the part of the first
storage
chamber that is disposed inside the first protruding part, the first and
second cartridges
having different capacities and different outer shapes can be obtained so as
to be se-
lectively attached to the cartridge attachment section, without increasing the
size of the
liquid consumption apparatus in the first direction.
Brief Description of Drawings
[0059] The particular features and advantages of the disclosure will become
apparent from
the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,
in
which:
[fig.1A1Figs. lA and 1B are perspective views showing external appearances of
a mul-
tifunction peripheral 10 according to an embodiment, in which Fig. lA shows a
state
where a cover 87 of the multifunction peripheral is closed;
[fig.1B1Fig. 1B is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the
multi-
function peripheral 10, in which Fig. 1B shows a state where the cover 87 is
open;
[fig.21Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an
internal con-
figuration of a printer section 11 provided in the multifunction peripheral 10
shown in
Figs. lA and 1B;
[fig.31Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a
cartridge at-
tachment section 110 of the multifunction peripheral 10 viewed from a side of
the
cartridge attachment section 110 on which an opening 112 is provided;
[fig.41Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of the
cartridge at-
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tachment section 110 viewed from a side of the cartridge attachment section
110 on
which tanks 103 are provided;
[fig.51Fig. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge attachment
section 110;
[fig.61Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an ink cartridge 30 viewed from a rear
side
thereof;
[fig.71Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the ink cartridge 30 viewed from a
front side
thereof;
[fig.81Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the ink cartridge 30;
[fig.91Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge attachment
section 110,
in which the ink cartridge 30 is attached;
[fig.10]Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the cartridge attachment
section
110, in which another ink cartridge 60 is attached;
[fig.11A]Figs. 11A, 11B, and 11C illustrate other various examples of the
positional
relationship between a first base part and a first protruding part of an ink
cartridge and
a second base part and a second protruding part of a tank, wherein Fig. 11A
illustrates
the positional relationship between the first base part 48 and the first
protruding part 49
of an ink cartridge 30A and the second base part 118 and the second protruding
part
119 of a tank 103A;
[fig.11B]Fig. 11B illustrates the positional relationship between the first
base part 48
and the first protruding part 49 of another ink cartridge 30B and the second
base part
118 and second protruding parts 119A and 119B of another tank 103B, and
[fig.11C]Fig. 11C illustrates the positional relationship between the first
base part 48
and first protruding parts 49A and 49B of still another ink cartridge 30C and
the
second base part 118 and the second protruding part 119 of still another tank
103C.
Description of Embodiments
[0060] A multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment will be
described while
referring to the accompanying drawings wherein like parts and components are
designated by the same reference numerals to avoid duplicating description.
[0061] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described. An up-down direction 7
is defined
with reference to the posture (posture illustrated in FIGS. lA and 1B, which
is referred
to also as "used posture") of a multifunction peripheral 10 installed on a
horizontal
plane in a usable state. A surface of the multifunction peripheral 10, in
which an
opening 13 is provided, is defined as a front surface of the multifunction
peripheral 10,
and a front-rear direction 8 is defined relative to the front surface of the
multifunction
peripheral 10. A left-right direction 9 is defined as viewed from the front
side of the
multifunction peripheral 10. In the present embodiment, in the used posture,
the up-
down direction 7 corresponds to the vertical direction, and front-rear
direction 8 and
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left-right direction 9 correspond to the horizontal direction. The front-rear
direction 8
and left-right direction 9 are perpendicular to each other.
[0062] <Entire Configuration of Multifunction peripheral 10>
[0063] As illustrated in FIGS. lA and 1B, the multifunction peripheral 10
has, at its lower
portion, a printer part 11 that records an image on a paper sheet 12 (see FIG.
2) using
an inkjet recording system. The multifunction peripheral 10 may have various
functions such as a facsimile function, a scan function, and a copy function.
The multi-
function peripheral 10 is an example of a liquid consumption apparatus. The
printer
part 11 has a housing 14 of substantially a rectangular parallelepiped shape.
As il-
lustrated in FIG. 2, inside the housing 14, there are provided a feed tray 15,
a discharge
tray 16, a feed roller 23, a conveying roller pair 25, a discharge roller pair
27, a
recording part 24, and a platen 26.
[0064] <Feed Tray 15, Discharge Tray 16, Feed Roller 23>
[0065] As illustrated in FIGS. lA and 1B, the opening 13 is formed in a
front surface 14A of
the housing 14 at substantially the center of the housing 14 in the left-right
direction 9.
The feed tray 15 can be inserted into and removed from the housing 14 in the
front-rear
direction 8 through the opening 13. The feed tray 15 supports a plurality of
stacked
paper sheets 12. The discharge tray 16 is disposed above the feed tray 15. The
discharge tray 16 supports a paper sheet 12 which has been discharged by the
discharge roller pair 27 from between the recording part 24 and the platen 26.
The feed
roller 23 is driven by an unillustrated motor to feed the paper sheet 12
supported by the
feed tray 15 to a conveying path 17.
[0066] <Conveying Path 17>
[0067] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the conveying path 17 is a space defined
by guide members
18 and 19, the recording part 24, the platen 26, and the like. Inside the
printer part 11,
the guide members 18 and 19 are opposed to each other, with a predetermined
interval
being formed therebetween, and the recording part 24 and platen 26 are opposed
to
each other, with a predetermined interval being formed therebetween. The
conveying
path 17 extends upward from the rear end portion of the feed tray 15 while
making a
U-turn, passes through a position facing the recording part 24, and reaches
the
discharge tray 16. The direction of sheet conveyance is denoted by an arrow
indicated
by one dot chain line in FIG. 2.
[0068] <Conveying Roller Pair 25>
[0069] The conveying roller pair 25 is disposed upstream of the recording
part 24 in the
conveying direction. The conveying roller pair 25 includes a conveying roller
25A and
a pinch roller 25B which are opposed to each other. The conveying roller 25A
is driven
by the unillustrated motor. The pinch roller 25B is rotated following the
rotation of the
conveying roller 25A. The paper sheet 12 is held between the conveying roller
25A
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and the pinch roller 25B, while the conveying roller 25A is rotated in a
normal
direction by a normal-rotation drive force transmitted from the motor, thereby
to be
conveyed in the conveying direction.
[0070] <Discharge Roller Pair 27>
[0071] The discharge roller pair 27 is disposed downstream of the recording
part 24 in the
conveying direction. The discharge roller pair 27 includes a discharge roller
27A and a
spur 27B which are opposed to each other. The discharge roller 27A is driven
by the
unillustrated motor. The spur 27B is rotated following the rotation of the
discharge
roller 27A. The paper sheet 12 is held between the discharge roller 27A and
the spur
27B, while the discharge roller 27A is rotated in the normal direction by a
normal-
rotation drive force transmitted from the motor, thereby to be conveyed in the
conveying direction.
[0072] <Recording part 24, Platen 26>
[0073] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the recording part 24 and platen 26 are
disposed at a location
between the conveying roller pair 25 and the discharge roller pair 27 in the
conveying
direction. More specifically, the recording part 24 and platen 26 are disposed
downstream of the conveying roller pair 25 and upstream of the discharge
roller pair
27 in the conveying direction. Further, the recording part 24 and platen 26
are disposed
opposite to each other in the up-down direction 7.
[0074] The recording part 24 includes a carriage 22 and a recording head 21
mounted on the
carriage 22. The carriage 22 receives drive force from the unillustrated motor
to re-
ciprocally move in the left-right direction 9. A plurality of nozzles 29 are
formed in the
lower surface of the recording head 21. The recording head 21 oscillates
oscillation
elements such as piezoelectric elements to eject ink droplets from the nozzles
29. In
the process of movement of the carriage, the recording head 21 selectively
ejects ink
droplets toward the paper sheet 12 supported by the platen 26 to thereby
record an
image on the paper sheet 12.
[0075] The carriage 22 is connected with ink tubes and a flexible flat
cable. The ink tubes
connect a cartridge attachment section 110 (see FIG. 1B) to be described later
and the
recording head 21. More specifically, each ink tube supplies ink stored in
each of ink
cartridges 30 (an example of a cartridge) attached to the cartridge attachment
section
110 to the recording head 21. The ink tubes are a bundle of four tubes through
which
inks of respective colors (black, magenta, cyan, and yellow) flow. The
flexible flat
cable electrically connects the recording head 21 with a control board for
controlling
the operation of the multifunction peripheral 10.
[0076] <Cover 87>
[0077] An opening 85 is formed in the front surface 14A of the housing 14
at the right end
portion thereof in the left-right direction 9. The housing 14 has a cover 87
that can be
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pivotally moved between a closed position (position illustrated in FIG. 1A),
at which
the cover 87 closes the opening 85, and an open position (position illustrated
in FIG.
1B), at which the cover 87 opens the opening 85. The cover 87 is supported by
the
housing 14 at a position near to the lower end of the housing 14 in the up-
down
direction 7 so as to be pivotally movable about a pivot axis extending in the
left-right
direction 9. A housing space 86 is formed inside the housing 14 so as to
extend from
the opening 85 toward the rear side of the housing 14. The cartridge
attachment section
110 is disposed in the housing space 86.
[0078] <Cartridge attachment section 110>
[0079] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 5, the cartridge attachment section 110
includes: a
cartridge-housing case 101; a plurality of sets of contacts 106; a plurality
of rods 125; a
plurality of attachment sensors 113; a locking part 129; a plurality of tanks
103; and a
plurality of liquid surface sensors 55 (examples of a sensor). In this
embodiment, four
ink cartridges 30 for cyan, magenta, yellow, and black colors can be housed in
the
cartridge attachment section 110. Accordingly, four sets of contacts 106, four
rods 125,
four attachment sensors 113, four tanks 103, and four liquid surface sensors
55 are
provided corresponding to the respective four ink cartridges 30. It is noted,
however,
that the number of the ink cartridges 30 that can be attached to the cartridge
attachment
section 110 is not limited to four (4).
[0080] <Cartridge-housing case 101>
[0081] The cartridge-housing case 101 forms a casing of the cartridge
attachment section
110. The cartridge-housing case 101 has a box shape having an inner space for
housing
the ink cartridges 30 therein. The cartridge-housing case 101 has: a top wall
141
defining the upper end of the inner space of the cartridge-housing case 101; a
bottom
wall 142 defining the lower end of the inner space of the cartridge-housing
case 101; a
rear wall 143 defining the rear end of the inner space of the cartridge-
housing case 101
in the front-rear direction 8; and a pair of side walls 144 and 145 defining a
pair of
opposite ends of the inner space of the cartridge-housing case 101 in the left-
right
direction 9. On the other hand, the front end of the cartridge-housing case
101 that is
opposed to the rear wall 143 in the front-rear direction 8 has an opening 112
through
which the inner space of the cartridge-housing case 101 is exposed. The
opening 112 is
exposed outside the multifunction peripheral 10 through the opening 85 of the
housing
14 when the cover 87 is at the open position.
[0082] Each ink cartridge 30 is inserted into the cartridge attachment
section 110 in the
rearward direction (an example of an inserting direction) along the front-rear
direction
8 through the opening 85 of the housing 14 and opening 112 of the cartridge at-
tachment section 110, and is removed from the cartridge attachment section 110
in the
forward direction (an example of a detaching direction) along the front-rear
direction
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8. The bottom end portion of each ink cartridge 30 is inserted into a
corresponding one
of guide grooves 109, which are provided on the bottom wall 142 at respective
positions that are apart from one another in the left-right direction 9,
whereby the ink
cartridge 30 is guided in the front-rear direction 8. Three plates 104 are
provided in the
cartridge-housing case 101 for partitioning the inner space into four spaces
adjacent to
each other in the left-right direction 9. Four ink cartridges 30 storing inks
of re-
spectively different colors are housed in their corresponding spaces
partitioned by the
plates 104.
[0083] <Contacts 106>
[0084] As illustrated in FIG. 5, each set of contacts 106 is disposed on
the top wall 141 of
the cartridge-housing case 101. Each set of contacts 106 has a plurality of
contacts 106.
The contacts 106 in each set protrude from the top wall 141 downward toward
the
inner space of the cartridge-housing case 101. The contacts 106 in each set
are
disposed at positions such that the contacts 106 will contact electrodes 65
(to be
described later) of an ink cartridge 30 when the ink cartridge 30 is attached
to the
cartridge attachment section 110. Each contact 106 is made of a member having
con-
ductivity and elasticity and is capable of being deformed upward. The contacts
106 in
each set are electrically connected to the control board through an electric
circuit.
When the contacts 106 in each set and the electrodes 65 of an ink cartridge 30
are
brought into contact with each other and are electrically conducted with each
other, a
voltage Vc is applied to one of the electrodes 65 and another electrode 65 is
elec-
trically grounded, as a result of which power is supplied to an IC substrate
64 of the
ink cartridge 30 to be described later. The contacts 106 are an example of a
reading
device that reads out information held by the IC substrate 64.
[0085] <Rod 125>
[0086] As illustrated in FIG. 5, each rod 125 protrudes forwardly from the
rear wall 143 of
the cartridge-housing case 101. On the rear wall 143 of the cartridge-housing
case 101,
the rod 125 is disposed above a connection part 107 to be described later. In
a state
where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment section
110, the rod
125 enters an air valve chamber 36 of the ink cartridge 30 through an air
commu-
nication port 96 of the ink cartridge 30 to be described later.
[0087] <Attachment Sensor 113>
[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 5, each attachment sensor 113 is provided on
the top wall 141
of the cartridge-housing case 101. Each attachment sensor 113 detects whether
or not a
corresponding ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment section
110.
Each attachment sensor 113 is disposed forward of a corresponding rod 125 and
rearward of the corresponding set of contacts 106. Each attachment sensor 113
according to the present embodiment includes a light emitting part and a light
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receiving part disposed apart from each other in the left-right direction 9. A
light
shielding plate 67 (to be described later) of the ink cartridge 30 attached to
the
cartridge attachment section 110 is disposed between the light emitting part
and the
light receiving part. In other words, the light emitting part and light
receiving part are
disposed as opposed to each other across the light shielding plate 67 of the
ink
cartridge 30 attached to the cartridge attachment section 110.
[0089] The attachment sensor 113 outputs different detection signals
according to whether
or not light emitted from the light emitting part in the left-right direction
9 is received
by the light receiving part. For example, the attachment sensor 113 outputs a
low level
signal to the control board when the light outputted from the light emitting
part is not
received by the light receiving part (that is, intensity of a received light
is smaller than
a predetermined level). On the other hand, the attachment sensor 113 outputs a
high
level signal to the control board when the light outputted from the light
emitting part is
received by the light receiving part (that is, intensity of a received light
is larger than or
equal to the predetermined level). The attachment sensor 113 is an example of
a
reading device that reads out information held by the light shielding plate
67.
[0090] <Locking part 129>
[0091] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the locking part 129 extends in the left-
right direction 9 of
the cartridge-housing case 101 near to both of the top wall 141 and the
opening 112.
The locking part 129 is a rod-like member extending in the left-right
direction 9. For
example, the locking part 129 is a column made of metal. Both of opposite ends
of the
locking part 129 in the left-right direction are fixed to the side walls 144
and 145 of the
cartridge-housing case 101, respectively. The locking part 129 extends in the
left-right
direction 9 over the four spaces corresponding respectively to the four ink
cartridges
30.
[0092] The locking part 129 holds each ink cartridge 30 attached to the
cartridge attachment
section 110 at the attachment position illustrated in FIG. 9. The ink
cartridge 30 is
engaged with the locking part 129 in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is
attached to
the cartridge attachment section 110. As a result, the locking part 129 holds
the ink
cartridge 30 in the cartridge attachment section 110 against the urging force
of coil
springs 78, 98, and 115 that urge the ink cartridge 30 forward.
[0093] <Tanks 103>
[0094] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the tanks 103 are provided rearward of the
rear wall 143 of
the cartridge-housing case 101. The tanks 103 are constituted by an upper wall
151, a
front wall 152, a lower wall 153, a rear wall 154, and the pair of side walls
144 and
145. Of the above-mentioned walls constituting the tanks 103, at least parts
of the
walls that face liquid surface sensors 55 to be described later have
translucency
allowing transmission of light outputted from the liquid surface sensors 55.
At least a
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part of the rear wall 154 may be formed of a film welded to the end faces of
the re-
spective upper wall 151, lower wall 153, and side walls 144 and 145. Further,
in the
above description, the side walls 144 and 145 serve as side walls of both of
the
cartridge-housing case 101 and the tanks 103. However, the side walls of the
tanks 103
may be provided separately from the side walls 144 and 145 of the cartridge-
housing
case 101. Further, the four tanks 103 that are arranged adjacent to one
another in the
left-right direction 9 are partitioned by unillustrated partition walls. The
four tanks 103
have substantially the same configuration with one another.
[0095] The upper wall 151 is composed of a first upper wall 151A and a
second upper wall
151B. The first upper wall 151A is positioned rearward of the second upper
wall 151B
in the front-rear direction 8 and above the second upper wall 151B in the up-
down
direction 7. The front wall 152 is composed of a first front wall 152A and a
second
front wall 152B. The first front wall 152A is positioned rearward of the
second front
wall 152B in the front-rear direction 8 and above the second front wall 152B
in the up-
down direction 7. The first front wall 152A is connected to both of the front
end of the
first upper wall 151A and the rear end of the second upper wall 151B. The
upper end
of the second front wall 152B is connected to the front end of the second
upper wall
151B. A connection part 107 is provided on the second front wall 152B. A first
com-
munication port 120 (an example of a liquid flow-in port) is formed through
the second
front wall 152B to communicate the connection part 107 with a storage chamber
121
of the tank 103 to be described later.
[0096] The first upper wall 151A may be composed of a greater number of
walls. The same
can be applied to each of the second upper wall 151B, first front wall 152A,
and
second front wall 152B. (The same can be applied also to each of a first upper
wall
39A, a second upper wall 39B, a first rear wall 40A, a second rear wall 40B, a
third
rear wall 40C, a first lower wall 42A, and a second lower wall 42B of the ink
cartridge
30 to be described later).
[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 5, each tank 103 is divided into a second
base part 118 and a
second protruding part 119. The second base part 118 is, for example, a part
of the tank
103 that is surrounded by: the first front wall 152A; first upper wall 151A;
rear wall
154; and a rear part of the lower wall 153. The second protruding part 119 is,
for
example, a part of the tank 103 that is surrounded by: the second upper wall
151B;
second front wall 152B; and a front part of the lower wall 153. In other
words, the
second protruding part 119 protrudes forward from a part of the second base
part 118
defined in the up-down direction 7. More specifically, the second protruding
part 119
protrudes forward from the lower portion of the second base part 118 defined
in the
up-down direction 7. The boundary between the second base part 118 and the
second
protruding part 119 in the front-rear direction 8 may be, for example, the
extension line
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of the first front wall 152A. The second protruding part 119 is disposed at a
position
rearward of the contacts 106 and the attachment sensor 113 in the front-rear
direction
8.
[0098] The tank 103 has a box shape, and has a storage chamber 121 and a
buffer chamber
122 therein. The storage chamber 121 and buffer chamber 122 are arranged in
the up-
down direction 7 with the buffer chamber 122 positioned above the storage
chamber
121. The storage chamber 121 and buffer chamber 122 communicate with each
other
through a flow path 123 extending in the up-down direction 7. The storage
chamber
121, buffer chamber 122, and flow path 123 are an example of a second storage
chamber. The storage chamber 121 is formed to extend over the insides of both
of the
second base part 118 and the second protruding part 119. Accordingly, the
horizontal
cross sectional area of a part of the storage chamber 121 that is positioned
below the
second upper wall 151B is larger than the horizontal cross sectional areas of:
a part of
the storage chamber 121 that is positioned above the second upper wall 151B;
the
buffer chamber 122; and flow path 123.
[0099] The storage chamber 121 communicates with the connection part 107
through the
first communication port 120 (an example of a liquid flow-in port), and
communicates
with an ink flow path 126 (Fig. 4) through a second communication port 128 (an
example of a liquid flow-out port). The second communication port 128 is
formed in
the lower wall 153 defining the lower end of the storage chamber 121. The
second
communication port 128 is positioned below the first communication port 120 in
the
up-down direction 7. As shown in Fig. 4, the ink flow path 126 extends upward
from
the second communication port 128 and communicates with a corresponding ink
flow-
out port 127. The ink flow-out port 127 is connected with the corresponding
ink tube.
Thus, ink stored in the storage chambers 121 flows out from the second commu-
nication port 128 so as to be supplied to the recording head 21 through the
ink flow
path 126 and ink tube.
[0100] The buffer chamber 122 is in communication with an air communication
port 124 (an
example of a second air communication portion) provided at the upper portion
of the
tank 103. More specifically, an air flow path is provided between the buffer
chamber
122 and the air communication port 124 to establish communication between the
buffer chamber 122 and the air communication port 124. As shown in Fig. 5, a
semipermeable membrane 130 is provided in the air flow path between the buffer
chamber 122 and the air communication port 124. With this configuration, the
storage
chamber 121, buffer chamber 122, and flow path 123 communicate with the at-
mosphere through the air communication port 124. The air communication port
124
may be opened and closed under the control by the control board. Further, an
unil-
lustrated labyrinth passage may be provided in place of the semipermeable
membrane
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130 in the air flow path between the buffer chamber 122 and the air
communication
port 124. However, the semipermeable membrane 130 or the labyrinth passage may
not be provided in the air flow path between the buffer chamber 122 and the
air com-
munication port 124.
[0101] <Connection Part 107>
[0102] The connection part 107 includes: a tubular-shaped ink needle 102
(an example of a
second cylindrical part) made of resin; and a guide part 105. The ink needle
102
protrudes forward from the second front wall 152B. An opening 116 is formed in
the
protruding end (tip end) of the ink needle 102. The inner space of the ink
needle 102
communicates with the inside of the storage chamber 121 through the first
commu-
nication port 120. The ink needle 102 is disposed at a position corresponding
to an ink
supply part 34 (an example of a supply portion) of the ink cartridge 30
mounted in the
cartridge attachment section 110.
[0103] The guide part 105 is a cylindrical member disposed around the ink
needle 102. The
guide part 105 protrudes forward from the second front wall 152B. An opening
is
formed in the protruding end (tip end) of the guide part 105. The ink needle
102 is
disposed to extend along the central axis of the cylindrical guide part 105.
When the
ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment section 110, the ink
supply part
34 enters the inside of the guide part 105.
[0104] A valve 114 and a coil spring 115 are housed in the inner space of
the ink needle
102. The valve 114 is configured to move in the front-rear direction 8 between
a closed
position, at which the valve 114 closes the opening 116, and an open position,
at which
the valve 114 opens the opening 116. The coil spring 115 biases the valve 114
in the
forward direction to move the valve 114 to the closed position. The front end
of the
valve 114 at the closed position protrudes further forward from the opening
116 of the
ink needle 102.
[0105] <Pivot member 50>
[0106] As illustrated in FIG. 5, a pivot member 50 is disposed inside the
storage chamber
121. The pivot member 50 is supported by an unillustrated support member
disposed
inside the storage chamber 121 in a manner that the pivot member 50 is
pivotally
movable in directions denoted by the arrows 58 and 59. The pivot member 50 can
pivotally move between the position denoted by the solid line in FIG. 5 and
the
position denoted by the dashed line. Further, the pivot member 50 is
restricted by an
unillustrated restricting member from moving pivotally in the direction of the
arrow 58
further from the position indicated by the solid line. The pivot member 50
includes a
float 51, shafts 52, an arm 53, and a detected part 54 (an example of a
detected
portion).
[0107] The pivot member 50 has the float 51 at its lower portion. The float
51 is formed of a
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material having a specific gravity smaller than that of ink stored in the
storage chamber
121. The shafts 52 protrude from the right and left surfaces of the float 51
outwardly in
the left-right direction 9. The shafts 52 are inserted into holes formed in
the support
member. With this configuration, the pivot member 50 is supported by the
support
member so as to be pivotally movable about the shafts 52. The arm 53 protrudes
sub-
stantially upward from the float 51. The detected part 54 is formed at the
protruding
end (tip end) of the arm 53. The detected part 54 is formed into a plate shape
extending
in both of the up-down direction 7 and front-rear direction 8. The detected
part 54 is
formed of a material that shields light outputted from the light emitting part
of a liquid
surface sensor 55 to be described later.
[0108] When the liquid surface of ink is higher than a boundary position
Pl, the pivot
member 50 pivotally moves in the direction of the arrow 58 due to buoyancy and
is
maintained at a position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 5 by the
restricting member.
The position of the detected part 54 of the pivot member 50 denoted by the
solid line in
FIG. 5 is an example of a detection position. On the other hand, when the
level of the
liquid surface of ink is lower than or equal to the boundary position Pl, the
pivot
member 50 pivotally moves in the direction of the arrow 59 due to
gravitational force
which increases in association with the lowering of the level of the liquid
surface. As a
result, the detected part 54 moves to a position that is shifted from the
detection
position. That is, the detected part 54 moves to a position corresponding to
the amount
of ink stored in the storage chamber 121.
[0109] The boundary position P1 according to the present embodiment is a
position defined
in the up-down direction 7 at the same height with both of: the axial center
of the ink
needle 102; and the center of an ink supply port 71 of the ink cartridge 30 to
be
described later. However, the boundary position P1 is not limited to the above-
described position as long as the boundary position P1 is positioned above the
second
communication port 128 in the up-down direction 7. Alternatively, the boundary
position P1 may be set at the same height with: the upper or lower end of the
internal
space of the ink needle 102; or the upper or lower end of the ink supply port
71. The
boundary position P1 is desirably below the second upper wall 151B.
[0110] <Liquid Surface Sensor 55>
[0111] Each liquid surface sensor 55 is configured to detect whether or not
the detected part
54 of the pivot member 50 provided in the corresponding tank 103 is located at
the
detection position. The liquid surface sensor 55 according to the present
embodiment
includes a light emitting part and a light receiving part disposed apart from
each other
in the left-right direction 9. The liquid surface sensor 55 outputs different
detection
signals according to whether or not light emitted from the light emitting part
is
received by the light receiving part. That is, the concrete configuration of
the liquid
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surface sensor 55 may be the same as that of the attachment sensor 113.
[0112] When the liquid surface of ink stored in the storage chamber 121 is
higher than the
boundary position Pl, light outputted from the light emitting part is shielded
by the
detected part 54 and is thus not received by the light receiving part. Thus,
in this case,
the liquid surface sensor 55 outputs a low level signal to the control board.
On the
other hand, when the liquid surface of ink stored in the storage chamber 121
is lower
than or equal to the boundary position Pl, light outputted from the light
emitting part is
received by the light receiving part. Thus, in this case, the liquid surface
sensor 55
outputs a high level signal to the control board. That is, the liquid surface
sensor 55
detects whether or not the liquid surface of ink stored in the storage chamber
121 is
higher than the boundary position P1 according to the position of the detected
part 54.
A combination of the liquid surface sensor 55 and the detected part 54 is an
example of
a detector.
[0113] <Ink Cartridge 30>
[0114] The ink cartridge 30 is a container, in which ink is stored. As
illustrated in FIGS. 6 to
8, the ink cartridge 30 has a casing 31 of a substantially rectangular
parallelepiped
shape. The casing 31 has a flat shape such that dimensions of the casing 31 in
the up-
down direction 7 and front-rear direction 8 are larger than the dimension of
the casing
31 in the left-right direction 9. The outer shapes of the ink cartridges 30
storing inks of
respectively different colors may be the same with or different from one
another. The
casing 31 is constituted by a rear wall 40, a front wall 41, an upper wall 39,
a lower
wall 42, and side walls 37 and 38. Of the walls constituting the casing 31, at
least the
front wall 41 has translucency allowing the liquid surface of ink stored in an
upper
storage chamber 32 and a lower storage chamber 33 (to be described later) to
be visible
from outside.
[0115] The rear wall 40 is composed of a first rear wall 40A, a second rear
wall 40B, and a
third rear wall 40C. The first rear wall 40A is positioned forward of the
second rear
wall 40B in the front-rear direction 8 and upward of the second rear wall 40B
in the
up-down direction 7. The second rear wall 40B is positioned rearward of the
third rear
wall 40C in the front-rear direction 8 and upward of the third rear wall 40C
in the up-
down direction 7. The third rear wall 40C is positioned forward of the first
rear wall
40A in the front-rear direction 8 and downward of the first rear wall 40A in
the up-
down direction 7. An air communication port 96 is formed at the first rear
wall 40A,
and the ink supply part 34 is provided at the third rear wall 40C.
[0116] The upper wall 39 is composed of a first upper wall 39A and a second
upper wall
39B. The first upper wall 39A is positioned forward of the second upper wall
39B in
the front-rear direction 8 and upward of the second upper wall 39B in the up-
down
direction 7. The rear end of the first upper wall 39A is connected to the
upper end of
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the first rear wall 40A. The front end of the first upper wall 39A is
connected to the
upper end of the front wall 41. Further, the second upper wall 39B is
connected to both
of the lower end of the first rear wall 40A and the upper end of the second
rear wall
40B. On the first upper wall 39A, a convex part 43, an operation part 90, the
light
shielding plate 67, and the IC substrate 64 are provided.
[0117] The lower wall 42 is composed of a first lower wall 42A and a second
lower wall
42B. The first lower wall 42A is positioned rearward of the second lower wall
42B in
the front-rear direction 8 and upward of the second lower wall 42B in the up-
down
direction 7. The first lower wall 42A is connected to both of the lower end of
the
second rear wall 40B and the upper end of the third rear wall 40C. The second
lower
wall 42B is connected to the lower ends of both of the third rear wall 40C and
the front
wall 41.
[0118] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the casing 31 of the ink cartridge 30 is
divided into a first
base part 48 and a first protruding part 49. The first base part 48 is, for
example, a part
of the casing 31 that is surrounded by: a front part of the first upper wall
39A; the front
wall 41; the second lower wall 42B; the third rear wall 40C; a front part of
the side
wall 37; and a front part of the side wall 38. The first protruding part 49
is, for
example, a part of the casing 31 that is surrounded by: a rear part of the
first upper wall
39A; the first rear wall 40A; the second upper wall 39B; the second rear wall
40B; the
first lower wall 42A; a rear part of the side wall 37; and a rear part of the
side wall 38.
[0119] That is, the first protruding part 49 protrudes rearward from a part
of the first base
part 48 defined in the up-down direction 7. More specifically, the first
protruding part
49 protrudes rearward from the upper portion of the first base part 48 defined
in the up-
down direction 7. The boundary between the first base part 48 and the first
protruding
part 49 in the front-rear direction 8 may be: the extension line of the first
rear wall
40A; the extension line of the third rear wall 40C; or a virtual line
connecting the lower
end of the first rear wall 40A and the upper end of the third rear wall 40C.
[0120] The convex part 43 protrudes upward from the outer surface of the
first upper wall
39A and extends in the front-rear direction 8. More specifically, the convex
part 43 is
desirably provided at the first base part 48. A surface of the convex part 43
that faces
forward is defined as a lock surface 62. The lock surface 62 is positioned
above the
first upper wall 39A. In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the
cartridge
attachment section 110, the lock surface 62 is in abutment with the locking
part 129.
The abutment between the lock surface 62 and the locking part 129 maintains
the ink
cartridge 30 to be held at the attachment position against the biasing force
of the coil
springs 78, 98, and 115.
[0121] An inclined surface 63 is formed on the convex part 43 at an
opposite side of the lock
surface 62 in the front-rear direction 8. In the process of attachment of the
ink cartridge
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30 to the cartridge attachment section 110, the locking part 129 is guided
along the
inclined surface 63. As a result, the locking part 129 is guided to a
position, at which
the locking part 129 abuts against the lock surface 62. The state where the
lock surface
62 is in abutment with the locking part 129 is an example of a locked state
where
connection of the ink supply part 34 to the connection part 107 is maintained
against
the biasing force of the coil springs 78, 98, and 115.
[0122] The operation part 90 is provided on the outer surface of the first
upper wall 39A at a
position forward of the lock surface 62. When an operation surface 92 of the
operation
part 90 is pushed downward in a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached
to the
cartridge attachment section 110, the ink cartridge 30 is pivotally moved to
shift the
lock surface 62 to a position below the locking part 129. This allows the ink
cartridge
30 to be removed from the cartridge attachment section 110. The state where
the lock
surface 62 is separated away from the locking part 129 is an example of a
released
state, at which the ink cartridge 30 can be moved forward.
[0123] The light shielding plate 67 is provided on the outer surface of the
first upper wall
39A at a position rearward of the convex part 43. The light shielding plate 67
protrudes
upward from the outer surface of the first upper wall 39A and extends in the
front-rear
direction 8. More specifically, the light shielding plate 67 is desirably
provided at the
first base part 48 of the casing 31. The light shielding plate 67 shields
light outputted
from the light emitting part of the attachment sensor 113. One or more cutouts
66 is
formed in the light shielding plate 67. Each cutout 66 is a space recessed
downward
from the upper end of the light shielding plate 67 and extends in the front-
rear
direction 8. When a cutout 66 of the light shielding plate 67 is disposed in
the optical
path of the light outputted from the attachment sensor 113, the light is not
shielded by
the light shielding plate 67, but reaches the light receiving part.
[0124] That is, in the process of attachment of the ink cartridge 30 to the
cartridge at-
tachment section 110, a high level signal of a pattern corresponding to the
positions,
sizes, and the number of the cutouts 66 formed in the light shielding plate 67
is
outputted to the control board. Accordingly, the control board can identify
the type of
the ink cartridge 30 (ink color, initial storage amount, and the like) based
on the pattern
of the signal outputted from the attachment sensor 113. The light shielding
plate 67 is
an example of an information holding portion that retains information
indicating the
type of the ink cartridge 30.
[0125] The IC substrate 64 is provided on the outer surface of the first
upper wall 39A at a
position between the light shielding plate 67 and the convex part 43 in the
front-rear
direction 8. More specifically, the IC substrate 64 is desirably provided at
the first base
part 48 of the casing 31. The IC substrate 64 has an IC (not illustrated) and
electrodes
65. The IC stores information concerning the ink cartridge 30, such as a lot
number, a
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manufacturing date, an ink color, and the like in such a manner that the
information is
readable from the IC. Each electrode 65 is electrically connected to the IC.
The
electrodes 65 are exposed on the upper surface of the IC substrate 64 so as to
be elec-
trically accessible.
[0126] In a state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge
attachment section
110, each electrode 65 is electrically conducted to the corresponding contact
106. This
allows the control board to access data stored in the IC through the contacts
106. The
IC substrate 64 is an example of an information holding portion that holds
information
indicating the type of the ink cartridge 30.
[0127] As illustrated in FIG. 8, in the inner space of the casing 31, there
are formed the
upper storage chamber 32, the lower storage chamber 33, an ink valve chamber
35, and
an air valve chamber 36. The upper storage chamber 32, lower storage chamber
33,
and ink valve chamber 35 store ink. The upper storage chamber 32 and lower
storage
chamber 33 are an example of a first storage chamber. The air valve chamber 36
com-
municates air between the upper storage chamber 32 and the outside of the
casing 31.
[0128] The upper storage chamber 32 and the lower storage chamber 33 are
disposed
adjacent to each other in the up-down direction 7, with a partition wall 45
partitioning
the inner space of the casing 31 being interposed between the upper storage
chamber
32 and the lower storage chamber 33. Further, the upper storage chamber 32 and
lower
storage chamber 33 communicate with each other through an unillustrated
through-
hole 47 (an example of a communication passage) formed in the partition wall
45. The
through-hole 47 is desirably formed at a position forward of the third rear
wall 40C in
the front-rear direction 8. The capacity of the upper storage chamber 32 is
greater than
the capacity of the lower storage chamber 33. The capacity of the upper
storage
chamber 32 is greater than the total capacity of the lower storage chamber 33
and ink
valve chamber 35. The upper storage chamber 32 extends over the insides of
both of
the first base part 48 and the first protruding part 49 of the casing 31.
Accordingly, the
horizontal cross sectional area of a part of the upper storage chamber 32 that
is
disposed above the first lower wall 42A is larger than the horizontal cross
sectional
areas of: a part of the upper storage chamber 32 that is disposed below the
first lower
wall 42A; the lower storage chamber 33; and the ink valve chamber 35.
[0129] The upper storage chamber 32 and the air valve chamber 36 are
disposed adjacent to
each other in the up-down direction 7, with a partition wall 44 partitioning
the inner
space of the casing 31 being interposed between the upper storage chamber 32
and the
air valve chamber 36. Further, the upper storage chamber 32 and air valve
chamber 36
communicate with each other through a through-hole 46 formed in the partition
wall
44. The lower storage chamber 33 is positioned forward of the ink valve
chamber 35 in
the front-rear direction 8. The lower storage chamber 33 and ink valve chamber
35
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communicate with each other through a through-hole 99. The capacity of the
lower
storage chamber 33 is smaller than the capacity of the storage chamber 121 of
the tank
103. The total capacity of the lower storage chamber 33 and ink valve chamber
35 is
smaller than the capacity of the storage chamber 121 of the tank 103.
[0130] The air valve chamber 36 is an air flow path provided above the
upper storage
chamber 32. More specifically, the air valve chamber 36 is desirably provided
above
the upper end of the first protruding part 49. Further, the second rear wall
40B is
desirably positioned rearward of the air communication port 96 that is formed
in the
first rear wall 40A to communicate the inside of the air valve chamber 36 with
the
outside of the casing 31. As shown in Fig. 8, a semipermeable membrane 95 is
provided in the air valve chamber 36. An unillustrated labyrinth passage 97
may be
provided in place of the semipermeable membrane 95 in the air valve chamber
36.
However, the semipermeable membrane 95 or the unillustrated labyrinth passage
97
may not be provided in the air valve chamber 36. A valve 97 and the coil
spring 98 are
housed in the air valve chamber 36. The valve 97 is movable between a closed
position
(an example of a first state), at which the valve 97 closes the air
communication port
96, and an open position (an example of a second state), at which the valve 97
opens
the air communication port 96. The coil spring 98 biases the valve 97 in the
backward
direction to move the valve 97 to the closed position.
[0131] In the process of attachment of the ink cartridge 30 to the
cartridge attachment
section 110, the rod 125 enters the air valve chamber 36 through the air commu-
nication port 96. The rod 125 having entered the air valve chamber 36 moves
the valve
97 at the closed position in a forward direction against the biasing force of
the coil
spring 98. When the valve 97 is moved to the open position, the upper storage
chamber
32 is opened to the atmosphere. The configuration for opening the air
communication
port 96 is not limited to the above-described example. For example, a
configuration
may be adopted in which a film sealing the air communication port 96 is broken
by the
rod 125.
[0132] The ink supply part 34 protrudes rearward from the third rear wall
40C. More
specifically, the ink supply part 34 is desirably provided on a surface of the
first base
part 48 that faces backward and at a position below the lower end of the first
protruding part 49. The ink supply part 34 is a cylindrical member (an example
of a
first cylindrical part). The inner space of the ink supply part 34 serves as
the ink valve
chamber 35. The protruding end (tip end) of the ink supply part 34 is opened
to the
outside of the ink cartridge 30. The second rear wall 40B is positioned
rearward of the
protruding end (tip end) of the ink supply part 34. In the ink valve chamber
35, a seal
member 76, a valve 77, and a coil spring 78 are housed.
[0133] The seal member 76 is a disk-shaped member in which a through-hole
is formed at
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the center thereof. The seal member 76 is formed of an elastic material such
as rubber
or elastomer. An ink supply port 71 is formed at the center of the seal member
76 so as
to penetrate therethrough in the front-rear direction 8. The inner diameter of
the ink
supply port 71 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the ink needle
102. In the
ink valve chamber 35, the valve 77 is configured to move in the front-rear
direction 8
between a closed position, at which the valve 77 abuts against the seal member
76 to
close the ink supply port 71, and an open position, at which the valve 77 is
apart from
the seal member 76 to open the ink supply port 71. The coil spring 78 biases
the valve
77 in the rearward direction to move the valve 77 to the closed position.
[0134] In the process of insertion of the ink cartridge 30 to the cartridge
attachment section
110, the ink needle 102 enters the ink valve chamber 35 through the ink supply
port
71. At this time, the ink needle 102 liquid-tightly contacts the inner
peripheral surface
of the seal member 76 that defines the ink supply port 71, while elastically
deforming
the seal member 76. When the ink cartridge 30 is inserted further into the
cartridge at-
tachment section 110, the ink needle 102 moves the valve 77 to its open
position
against the biasing force of the coil spring 78. Simultaneously, the valve 77
moves the
valve 114, which is protruding from the opening 116 of the ink needle 102, to
its open
position against the biasing force of the coil spring 115.
[0135] As a result, as illustrated in FIG. 9, both of the ink supply port
71 and the opening
116 are opened to allow ink to flow between the inner space of the ink valve
chamber
35 of the ink supply part 34 and the inner space of the ink needle 102. This
state is an
example of a state where the ink supply part 34 and the connection part 107
are
connected to each other. As a result, due to the water head difference, ink
flows out of
the upper storage chamber 32 and lower storage chamber 33 to the storage
chamber
121 of the tank 103 through the ink supply part 34 and connection part 107
that are
connected with each other.
[0136] As illustrated in FIG. 9, in the state where the ink cartridge 30 is
attached to the
cartridge attachment section 110, that is, in the state where the ink supply
part 34 is
connected to the connection part 107, the first base part 48 and first
protruding part 49
of the ink cartridge 30 and the second base part 118 and second protruding
part 119 of
the tank 103 have the following positional relationship:
[0137] As viewed in the front-rear direction 8, the first base part 48 is
overlapped with both
of the second base part 118 and the second protruding part 119. As viewed in
the up-
down direction 7, the first base part 48 is not overlapped with the second
base part 118,
and is not overlapped with the second protruding part 119. In other words, as
viewed in
the up-down direction 7, neither the second base part 118 nor the second
protruding
part 119 is overlapped with the first base part 48. More specifically, in the
state where
the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment section 110, the
third rear
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wall 40C is disposed forward of the second front wall 152B.
[0138] In addition, as viewed in the front-rear direction 8, the first
protruding part 49 is
overlapped with the second base part 118, but is not overlapped with the
second
protruding part 119. In other words, in the state where the ink cartridge 30
is attached
to the cartridge attachment section 110, the second upper wall 39B is disposed
below
the first upper wall 151A, and the first lower wall 42A is disposed above the
second
upper wall 151B.
[0139] Further, as viewed in the up-down direction 7, the first protruding
part 49 is not
overlapped with the second base part 118, but is overlapped with the second
protruding
part 119. In other words, in the state where the ink cartridge 30 is attached
to the
cartridge attachment section 110, the second rear wall 40B is disposed
rearward of the
second front wall 152B. More specifically, in the state where the ink
cartridge 30 is
attached to the cartridge attachment section 110, part of the upper storage
chamber 32
disposed inside the first protruding part 49 and part of the storage chamber
121
disposed inside the second protruding part 119 are desirably overlapped with
each
other as viewed in the up-down direction 7.
[0140] In the present specification, the expression "the first protruding
part 49 is overlapped
with the second protruding part 119" is intended to mean that at least a part
of the first
protruding part 49 and at least a part of the second protruding part 119 are
overlapped
with each other. That is, the expression "the first protruding part 49 is
overlapped with
the second protruding part 119" includes: a state where the entire first
protruding part
49 and entire second protruding part 119 are overlapped with each other; a
state where
the entire first protruding part 49 and a part of the second protruding part
119 are
overlapped with each other; a state where a part of the first protruding part
49 and the
entire second protruding part 119 are overlapped with each other; and a state
where a
part of the first protruding part 49 and a part of the second protruding part
119 are
overlapped with each other. The same can be applied to the expressions "the
first
protruding part 49 is overlapped with the second base part 118", "the first
base part 48
is overlapped with the second base part 118", and "the first base part 48 is
overlapped
with the second protruding part 119".
[0141] According to the above-described embodiment, the first protruding
part 49 of the ink
cartridge 30 is disposed in the space obtained by recessing the cartridge
attachment
section 110 (that is, the space surrounded by the first front wall 152A and
second upper
wall 151B), and the second protruding part 119 of the tank 103 is disposed in
the space
obtained by recessing the ink cartridge 30 (that is, the space surrounded by
the first
lower wall 42 and third rear wall 40C). Thus, the ink cartridge 30 and
cartridge at-
tachment section 110 can be adequately laid out without involving an increase
in the
size of the multifunction peripheral 10. In particular, arranging a part of
the upper
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storage chamber 32 that is disposed in the first protruding part 49 and a part
of the
storage chamber 121 that is disposed in the second protruding part 119 at such
positions that the part of the upper storage chamber 32 and the part of the
storage
chamber 121 are overlapped with each other as viewed in the up-down direction
7,
allows the sizes of the upper storage chamber 32 and storage chamber 121 to be
increased without increasing the size of the multifunction peripheral 10.
[0142] Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the first
protruding part 49 is
provided at the upper part of the ink cartridge 30 in the up-down direction 7,
and the
second protruding part 119 is provided at the lower part of the cartridge
attachment
section 110 in the up-down direction 7. Accordingly, as described below, image
recording can be continued even after cartridge empty, and also the amount of
ink that
will flow out of the ink cartridge 30 at the time of attachment of the ink
cartridge 30 to
the cartridge attachment section 110 can be suppressed.
[0143] First, the horizontal cross sectional area of a part of the storage
chamber 121 at the
lower portion of the cartridge attachment section 110 where the second
protruding part
119 is formed, can be made greater than the horizontal cross sectional areas
of: a part
of the storage chamber 121 that is disposed above the second protruding part
119; the
buffer chamber 122; and the flow path 123. That is, the capacity of the lower
part of
the storage chamber 121 where residual ink is supposed to remain until ink is
completely consumed can be made relatively larger, so that a time period
during which
image recording can be continuously performed after cartridge empty can be
prolonged.
[0144] Among: the part of the storage chamber 121 disposed above the second
protruding
part 119; buffer chamber 122; and flow path 123, only a part of the tank 103
in which
ink can enter at the use posture of the multifunction peripheral 10, may have
a
horizontal cross sectional area smaller than that of a part of the storage
chamber 121
disposed below the upper end of the second protruding part 119. In other
words, such
part of the tank 103 in which ink cannot enter (the upper region of the buffer
chamber
122, for example) may have a horizontal cross sectional area greater than the
horizontal cross sectional area of a part of the storage chamber 121 that is
disposed
below the upper end of the second protruding part 119. The "part of the tank
103 in
which ink can enter" refers to, for example, a part of the tank 103 that is
positioned
below the liquid surface of ink of a maximum amount that is stored in an ink
cartridge
30 at a timing immediately after the ink cartridge 30 is newly attached to the
cartridge
attachment section 110 and before ink starts flowing out of the ink cartridge
30 to the
tank 103.
[0145] Further, the capacities of: a part of the storage chamber 121
disposed above the
second protruding part 119; the buffer chamber 122; and the flow path 123 can
be
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made relatively small. This can shorten the length of time required after an
ink
cartridge 30 is newly attached to the cartridge attachment section 110 and
until the
liquid surfaces of ink in the upper storage chamber 32 and in the tank 103
(storage
chamber 121, buffer chamber 122, and flow path 123) become equal to each other
in
their heights. Thus, the amount of ink that is to flow from the ink cartridge
30 to the
tank 103 when the ink cartridge 30 is newly attached to the cartridge
attachment
section 110 can be reduced. Further, the horizontal cross sectional area of a
part of the
upper storage chamber 32 that is disposed at the upper portion of the ink
cartridge 30,
where the first protruding part 49 is provided, can be made larger than the
horizontal
cross sectional areas of: a part of the upper storage chamber 32 disposed
below the first
protruding part 49; the lower storage chamber 33; and ink valve chamber 35.
Thus, the
ink cartridge 30 having the first protruding part 49 can suppress the amount,
by which
the level of the liquid surface of ink in the ink cartridge 30 lowers when the
ink
cartridge 30 is newly attached to the cartridge attachment section 110, as
compared to
such an ink cartridge having no first protruding part 49.
[0146] Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the ink supply
part 34 is
provided below the first protruding part 49. Accordingly, the amount of ink
that does
not flow out of the ink supply part 34 and remains in the lower storage
chamber 33 and
ink valve chamber 35 can be reduced. Further, the through-hole 47, through
which the
upper storage chamber 32 is communicated with the lower storage chamber 33, is
provided at a position on the front part of the partition wall 45. This
reduces the
amount of ink that flows out of the ink supply part 34 when the ink cartridge
30 is
oriented so that the ink supply port 71 faces downward. Thus, for example,
even when
the ink cartridge 30 is erroneously inclined by a user, the amount of ink to
leak from
the ink cartridge 30 can be reduced.
[0147] Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the ink supply
part 34 is
provided at the first base part 48, and the air communication port 96, in
which the rod
125 enters, is provided above the first protruding part 49. Accordingly, a
plurality of
types of ink cartridges 30, which are different in the protruding amounts of
the first
protruding parts 49 and therefore which are different in the capacities of the
upper
storage chambers 32, can be selectively attached to the cartridge attachment
section
110.
[0148] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the pivot member 50 for
detecting the
residual amount of ink is disposed inside the storage chamber 121, so that the
con-
figuration of the ink cartridge 30 can be made simple. As a result, a degree
of freedom
in design of the outer shape of the ink cartridge 30 is increased. Further,
when the
liquid surface of ink in the storage chamber 121 lowers to a position below
the
boundary position Pl, the detection signal outputted from the liquid surface
sensor 55
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changes. This boundary position P1 is set below the upper end of the second
protruding part 119 and above the second communication port 128. Accordingly,
the
liquid surface sensor 55 can adequately detect whether the ink residual amount
in the
storage chamber 121 has become small. However, the pivot member 50 may be
disposed inside the ink cartridge 30.
[0149] As illustrated in FIG. 10, an ink cartridge 60 can be attached to
the cartridge at-
tachment section 110 in place of the above-described ink cartridge 30. That
is, the ink
supply parts 34 of the ink cartridges 30 and 60 that store the ink of the same
color can
be detachably connected with the connection part 107. The ink cartridges 30
and 60
have the same lengths in each of the up-down direction 7 and left-right
direction 9.
Further, in the ink cartridges 30 and 60, the distances between the lock
surface 62 and
other components (for example, ink supply port 71, air communication port 96,
IC
substrate 64, and light shielding plate 67) in the up-down direction 7 and
front-rear
direction 8 are the same. The ink cartridge 30 is an example of a first ink
cartridge, and
the ink cartridge 60 is an example of a second ink cartridge.
[0150] As compared to the ink cartridge 30, the ink cartridge 60 is smaller
in the protruding
amount of the first protruding part 49. That is, in a state where the ink
cartridge 60 is
attached to the cartridge attachment section 110, the first protruding part 49
of the ink
cartridge 60 may be disposed at such a position that the first protruding part
49 of the
ink cartridge 60 is not overlapped with the second protruding part 119 as
viewed in the
up-down direction 7. Further, as compared to the ink cartridge 30, the ink
cartridge 60
is smaller in the capacity of the upper storage chamber 32. More specifically,
in the ink
cartridge 60 illustrated in FIG. 10, the second upper wall 39B is omitted, and
the first
rear wall 40A and second rear wall 40B are in flush with each other. In the
ink
cartridge 60, the protruding amount of the first protruding part 49 may be
zero (0).
That is, the ink cartridge 60 may not have the first protruding part 49, but
may have the
first base part 48 only. In other words, the first lower wall 42A may be
omitted, and the
first rear wall 40A, the second rear wall 40B and third rear wall 40C may be
in flush
with each other.
[0151] According to the above-described embodiment, by increasing or
reducing the
protruding amount of the first protruding part 49 and changing the capacity of
the part
of the upper storage chamber 32 disposed inside the first protruding part 49,
the ink
cartridges 30 and 60 having different capacities and different outer shapes
can se-
lectively be attached to the cartridge attachment section 110 without
increasing the size
of the multifunction peripheral 10 in the front-rear direction. In particular,
by disposing
the part of the upper storage chamber 32 inside the first protruding part 49
and the part
of the storage chamber 121 inside the second protruding part 119 so as to be
overlapped with each other as viewed in the up-down direction 7, the sizes of
the upper
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storage chamber 32 and lower storage chamber 121 can be increased without
involving
an increase in the size of the multifunction peripheral 10.
[0152] Further, according to the above-described embodiment, by setting the
sizes of the ink
cartridges 30 and 60 to be the same with each other in each of the up-down
direction 7
and left-right direction 9, a desired one of the ink cartridges 30 and 60 that
store ink of
the same color can be selectively connected to a corresponding connection part
107
provided in the cartridge attachment section 110 that is configured to receive
four ink
cartridges 30 for four different colors at the same time.
[0153] Further, according to the above-described embodiment, those
components (for
example, ink supply part 34, convex part 43, IC substrate 64, light shielding
plate 67,
operation part 90, and air communication port 96), each of which should be
disposed at
the same position among all the ink cartridges 30 and 60, are disposed at the
first base
part 48. This allows the plurality of types of the ink cartridges 30 and 60
having the
first protruding parts 49 with different protruding amounts to be selectively
attached to
the cartridge attachment section 110.
[0154] Further, according to the above-described embodiment, the ink supply
part 34 is
disposed below the first protruding part 49. Thus, in such a type of
multifunction pe-
ripheral 10, in which ink is supplied from the ink cartridge 30 to the tank
103 due to
the water head difference, most of the ink stored in the ink cartridge 30 can
be supplied
to the storage chamber 121 so as to be consumed by the recording head 21.
[0155] In the above-described embodiment, the air communication port 96 is
opened and
closed by the valve 97; however, the concrete configuration for communicating
the
inside of the upper storage chamber 32 of the ink cartridge 30 or 60 with the
at-
mosphere is not limited to the above-described configuration. For example, the
valve
97 and coil spring 98 may be omitted from the air valve chamber 36 so that the
semipermeable membrane 95 provided in the air valve chamber 36 always com-
municates the inside of the air valve chamber 36 with the atmosphere. This con-
figuration eliminates the need to have a component (for example, the rod 125)
of the
cartridge attachment section 110 abut against the ink cartridge 30 or 60 to
open the air
communication port 96 at a position above the liquid surface of ink stored in
the ink
cartridge 30 or 60. As a result, a degree of freedom in design of the outer
shapes of the
respective ink cartridges 30 and 60 is increased.
[0156] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the ink cartridge 30 or
60 is inserted
into and removed from the cartridge attachment section 110 in the front-rear
direction
8. However, the insertion/removal direction of the ink cartridge 30 or 60 is
not limited
to the front-rear direction 8, but may be the up-down direction 7 or left-
right direction
9. Further, ink may be supplied from the ink cartridge 30 or 60 to the tank
103 not only
due to the water head difference, but also by using a pump.
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[0157] The positional relationship between: the first base part 48 and the
first protruding part
49 of each of the ink cartridges 30 and 60; and the second base part 118 and
the second
protruding part 119 of the tank 103 is not limited to the above-described
example.
With reference to FIGS. 11A - 11C, next will be described other various
examples of
the layout of the first base part 48, first protruding part 49, second base
part 118,
second protruding part 119, ink supply part 34, and connection part 107 in a
state
where the ink cartridge 30 is attached to the cartridge attachment section
110.
[0158] It is noted that in all of these examples shown in Figs. 11A - 11C,
whether the first
base part 48 and first protruding part 49 are overlapped with the second base
part 118
and the second protruding part 119 as viewed in the up-down direction 7 and
front-rear
direction 8 is the same as that in the above-described embodiment. In FIGS.
11A to
11C, the positional relationship among the first base part 48, first
protruding part 49,
second base part 118, second protruding part 119, ink supply part 34, and
connection
part 107 is mainly illustrated, and illustrations of other components are
omitted.
[0159] As a first example, an ink cartridge 30A illustrated in FIG. 11A has
the first base part
48 and the first protruding part 49 protruding rearward from the lower portion
of the
first base part 48. The ink supply part 34 protrudes from a surface of the
first
protruding part 49 that faces rearward. A tank 103A illustrated in FIG. 11A
has the
second base part 118 and the second protruding part 119 protruding forward
from the
upper portion of the second base part 118. The connection part 107 protrudes
from a
surface of the second base part 118 that faces forward. By reducing the
protruding
amount of a part of the first protruding part 49 that is positioned above the
ink supply
part 34, a second cartridge that can be attached to the cartridge attachment
section 110
in place of the ink cartridge 30A (an example of a first cartridge) can be
obtained.
[0160] As another example, an ink cartridge 30B illustrated in FIG. 11B has
the first base
part 48 and the first protruding part 49 protruding rearward from the center
portion of
the first base part 48 in the up-down direction 7. The ink supply part 34 is
disposed
below the first protruding part 49 and protrudes from a surface of the first
base part 48
that faces rearward. A tank 103B illustrated in FIG. 11B has the second base
part 118
and second protruding parts 119A and 119B that protrude forward from two
portions
(upper and lower portions) of the second base part 118. The connection part
107
protrudes from a surface of the lower-side second protruding part 119B that
faces
forward.
[0161] As yet another example, an ink cartridge 30C illustrated in FIG. 11C
has the first
base part 48 and first protruding parts 49A and 49B that protrude rearward
from the
two portions (upper and lower portions) of the first base part 48. The ink
supply part
34 protrudes from a surface of the lower-side first protruding part 49B that
faces
rearward. A tank 103C illustrated in FIG. 11C has the second base part 118 and
the
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second protruding part 119 protruding forward from the center portion of the
second
base part 118 in the up-down direction 7. The connection part 107 is disposed
below
the second protruding part 119 and protrudes from a surface of the second base
part
118 that faces forward. By reducing the protruding amount of the upper-side
first
protruding part 49A, a second cartridge that can be attached to the cartridge
attachment
section 110 in place of the ink cartridge 30C (an example of the first
cartridge) can be
obtained.
[0162] The liquid stored in the ink cartridges 30 and 60 and tank 103 is
not limited to ink.
For example, pretreatment liquid, which is for being ejected onto a recording
sheet
before ink is ejected onto the recording sheet to print images, or water for
cleaning the
recording head 21 may be stored in the ink cartridges 30 and 60 and tank 103.
[0163] While the description has been made in detail with reference to
specific embodiment
thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes
and modi-
fications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of
the above
described aspects.
Reference Signs List
[0164] 10: multifunction peripheral
21: recording head
30: ink cartridge
32: upper storage chamber
33: lower storage chamber
48: first base part
49: first protruding part
60: ink cartridge
103: tank
107: connection part
110: cartridge attachment section
118: second base part
119: second protruding part
120: first communication port
121: storage chamber
122: buffer chamber
123: flow path
124: air communication port
128: second communication port
