EP2505363B1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: EP2505363B1
Application number: EP11160393.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hiroaki Yazawa
Original assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Current assignee: Brother Industries Ltd
Priority date: 2011-03-30
Filing date: 2011-03-30
Publication date: 2015-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2031-03-30
Also published as: EP2952354A2; EP2952353B1; EP2952353A3; EP2952354B1; EP2952353A2; EP2505363A2; EP2505363A3; EP2952354A3

Description

The present invention relates to an ink cartridge loadable on an image forming device provided with a biasing member for biasing the ink cartridge in a predetermined direction opposite to an installation direction defined as a direction in which the ink cartridge moves during an installation process.
An image forming device that forms an inked image on a sheet is known. Such the image forming device includes a recording head having nozzles through each of which an ink droplet is selectively ejected onto the sheet. The ink droplets adhered on the sheet forms a desired image. The image forming device has a cartridge installation portion, and uses an ink cartridge storing therein an ink to be supplied into the recording head. The ink cartridge is installable in and removable from the cartridge installation portion.
When the ink cartridge is removed from the cartridge loading portion since the ink in the ink cartridge runs down, the ink in the ink cartridge or an ink in an ink needle drops on an inner perimeter of the cartridge installation portion. Then a new ink cartridge is installed in the cartridge installation portion. The ink is then adhered to an outer perimeter of the new ink cartridge that is installed in the cartridge installation portion. The cartridge installation portion has a locking mechanism for positioning the ink cartridge and for retaining the ink cartridge in an installed state in the cartridge installation portion. Further, a biasing member is provided to bias the ink cartridge, which has been installed in the cartridge installation portion and engaged with the locking mechanism, in a removal direction in which the ink cartridge is removed from the cartridge installation portion. For removing the ink cartridge from the cartridge installation portion, the locking mechanism is operated to release (unlock) the ink cartridge, such that the ink cartridge is moved toward an opening of the cartridge installation portion by a biasing force of the biasing member. Thus, the ink cartridge is easily removed from the cartridge installation portion.
Further, when the ink cartridge is released, the ink cartridge could move vigorously, and the ink cartridge may be thrown out of the cartridge installation portion through the opening of the cartridge installation portion. As a result, the ink cartridge is thrown away (popped up) from the cartridge installation portion and impacts on the floor, thereby imparting impact on the ink cartridge to splash the ink out of the ink cartridge. Further, when the ink cartridge impacts onto a floor, the ink cartridge may be damaged. In order to avoid such accidental pop-up, a pop-up restraint mechanism is proposed in Laid-out Japanese Patent Application Publication No.2005-288866.
According to the disclosed pop-up restraint (locking) mechanism, a resiliently deformable hooking pawl is provided at a cartridge installation portion, and an ink cartridge is formed with an engagement recess to be engageable with the pawl to avoid the pop-up when the ink cartridge is released from the biasing force of the biasing member.
When a user replaces the ink cartridge repeatedly, for example, due to mis-installation of the ink cartridge, the hooking pawl may be plastically deformed. Therefore, the resiliency of the pawl may be impaired, or the pawl may be broken. As a result, the ink cartridge cannot be prevented from being popped up from the cartridge installation portion. In this case, the cartridge installation portion including the pawl must be replaced by a new cartridge installation portion. Incidentally, the replacement is also required in case of breakdown or mechanical fatigue of the locking mechanism. Thus, the user has to buy a new image forming device due to decline in function of the pawl and the locking mechanism.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an ink cartridge capable of easily retaining a fully installed state of an ink cartridge in a cartridge installation portion.
In order to attain the above and other objects, the present invention provides an ink cartridge according to independent claim 1 and dependent claims 2 to 9.Claim 10 is related to a recording apparatus with such 2a cartridge.
In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view schematically illustrating an internal structure of a printer, including an ink supply device, according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of an ink cartridge according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 4 is vertical cross-sectional view illustrating an internal configuration of a cartridge installation portion according to the first embodiment of the invention;
Fig. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an external configuration of the cartridge installation portion according to the first embodiment;
Fig. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configurations of the ink cartridge and the cartridge installation portion according to the first embodiment, and illustrating a fully installed state of the ink cartridge into the cartridge installation portion;
Fig. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configurations of the ink cartridge and the cartridge loading portion according to the first embodiment, and illustrating an initial installing state of the ink cartridge into the cartridge installation portion;
Fig. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the internal configurations of the ink cartridge and the cartridge installation portion according to the first embodiment, and illustrating an installing state of the ink cartridge into the cartridge installation portion after the state ofFig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating an ink cartridge according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and illustrating an installed state of the ink cartridge into the cartridge installation portion;
Fig. 10 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating an ink cartridge according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and illustrating an installed state of the ink cartridge into the cartridge installation portion;
Fig. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating an ink cartridge according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and the cartridge installation portion, and illustrating a fully installed state of the ink cartridge into the cartridge installation portion;
Fig. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the ink cartridge according to the fourth embodiment and the cartridge installation portion, and illustrating a half-installed state of the ink cartridge into the cartridge installation portion;
Fig. 13 is an enlarged horizontal cross-sectional view illustrating an engagement between an ink cartridge according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention and the cartridge installation portion;
Fig. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating an ink cartridge according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention and the cartridge installation portion, and illustrating an installed state of the ink cartridge into the cartridge installation portion;
Fig. 15 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating an ink cartridge according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention and the cartridge installation portion, and illustrating an installed state of the ink cartridge into the cartridge installation portion; and
Fig. 16 is a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating the ink cartridge according to the first embodiment and a cartridge installation portion according to a fourth modification of the present invention (different from that ofFigs. 2 through 15), and illustrating an installed state of the ink cartridge into the cartridge installation portion.

Anink cartridge 30 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFigs. 1 through 8.
First, aprinter 10 in which theink cartridge 30 is accommodated will be described with reference toFig. 1. The terms "upward", "downward", "upper", "lower", "above", "below", "beneath", "right", "left", "front", "rear" and the like will be used throughout the description assuming that theprinter 10 is disposed in an orientation in which it is intended to be used.
Theprinter 10 is configured to form an image by ejecting ink droplets onto a sheet in accordance with an ink jet recording system. As shown inFig. 1, theprinter 10 includes anink supply device 100 provided with acartridge installation portion 110 in which theink cartridge 30 detachably installable. Thecartridge installation portion 110 has one side formed with anopening 112 exposed to an atmosphere. Theink cartridge 30 is detachably installable in thecartridge installation portion 110 through theopening 112. That is, theink cartridge 30 can be inserted into thecartridge installation portion 110, and removed therefrom through theopening 112. Theopening 112 is normally covered by a cover member (not shown) provided at a frame of theprinter 10. The cover is opened for installation of theink cartridge 30.
Theink cartridge 30 stores therein an ink to be used in theprinter 10. Theprinter 10 includes arecording head 21 connected to theink cartridge 30 via anink tube 20 when theink cartridge 30 is installed in thecartridge installation portion 110. Therecording head 21 has asub tank 28 in which the ink supplied through theink tube 20 is temporarily stored. Therecording head 21 also includes a plurality ofnozzles 29 through which ink supplied from thesub tank 28 is selectively ejected in accordance with a recording image.
Theprinter 10 also includes asheet supply tray 15, asheet supply roller 23, asheet passage 24, a pair oftransfer rollers 25, aplaten 26, a pair ofdischarge rollers 22, and adischarge tray 16 arranged in this order in a sheet feeding direction. The sheet supplied from thesheet supply tray 15 to thesheet passage 24 by thesheet supply roller 23 is conveyed to theplaten 26 by the pair oftransfer rollers 25. Then, the ink is selectively ejected from therecording head 21 onto the sheet passing through theplaten 26 to form an image on the sheet. The sheet is then discharged onto thedischarge tray 16 by the pair ofdischarge rollers 22.
Next, theink cartridge 30 will be described. As shown inFigs. 2 and3, theink cartridge 30 defines therein anink chamber 36 in which the ink is stored. Theink cartridge 30 has e.g., acartridge body 31 defining an outer perimeter of theink cartridge 30. Theink chamber 36 may be defined inside thecartridge body 31, or may be defined by a member separate from thecartridge body 31 but inside thecartridge body 31.
Thecartridge body 31 has a generally flat rectangular shape having small width (in a direction indicated by anarrow 51 which will be referred to as a widthwise direction or a horizontal direction), height (in a direction indicated by anarrow 52 which will be referred to as a vertical direction that is perpendicular to the widthwise direction) and depth (in a direction indicated by anarrow 53 which will be referred to as a depthwise direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the widthwise direction) those greater than the width.
Theink cartridge 30 is installed in or removed from thecartridge installation portion 110 with respect to twodirections 50 indicated by a two-way arrow 50 shown inFig. 2 which are parallel to thedepthwise direction 53. More specifically, as show inFig. 3, theink cartridge 30 is installed in thecartridge installation portion 110 in aninsertion direction 56 and removed from thecartridge installation portion 110 in aremoval direction 55 while retaining an upstanding state shown inFigs. 2 and3.
Thecartridge body 31 has afront wall 40, arear wall 42, a pair ofside walls 83, 84, atop wall 39, and abottom wall 41. Thefront wall 40 and therear wall 42 are located on a leading side and on a trailing side, respectively, when installing theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, and are spaced away from each other in thedepthwise direction 53. The pair ofside walls 83, 84 extends in thedepthwise direction 53 and are connected to thefront wall 40 and therear wall 42. Thetop wall 39 extends in thedepthwise direction 53 for connecting upper ends of thefront wall 40,rear wall 42, and the pair ofside walls 83, 84. Thebottom wall 41 extends in thedepthwise direction 53 for connecting lower ends of thefront wall 40,rear wall 42, and the pair ofside walls 83, 84.
Adetection portion 33 protrudes frontward (in the depthwise direction 53) from thefront wall 40 at an approximately intermediate position in thevertical direction 52. Further, aprotrusion 46 also protrudes frontward from a lower end portion of thefront wall 40. Theprotrusion 46 protrudes farther forward than thedetection portion 33 in thedepthwise direction 53. That is, the detectingportion 33 has a protruding length smaller than that of theprotrusion 46. Thedetection portion 33 has a box shape with an opening for allowing thedetection portion 33 to be in fluid communication with an interior of theink chamber 36. Further, thedetection portion 33 has a pair of side walls (left and right walls) made from a translucent resin material and connected to thefront wall 40. The side walls allow light emitted from an optical sensor 114 (Fig. 4) to pass therethrough. Each side wall extends in thevertical direction 52 or can be slanted relative to thevertical direction 52. Theoptical sensor 114 is provided at thecartridge installation portion 110.
As shown inFig. 3, thedetection portion 33 provides therein a hollow box space. Asensor arm 60 is movably provided in theink chamber 36. Thesensor arm 60 includes anarm body 61 and ashaft 64. Thearm body 61 is plate shaped, and is pivotally movably supported to theshaft 64. Theshaft 64 extends in thewidthwise direction 51 and supported by a wall (not shown) extending from the interior of theink cartridge 30. Thearm body 61 includes anindicator 62 and afloat 63, respectively positioned at opposite ends of thearm body 61. Theindicator 62 is movably positioned in the hollow box space of thedetection portion 33, i.e., between the pair of left and right walls of thedetection portion 33 in thewidthwise direction 51. With this structure, thesensor arm 60 is adapted to shift its pivoting posture in accordance with an amount of the ink in theink chamber 36 between a lower position as shown by a solid line inFig. 3 in which theindicator 62 approaches a lower wall of thedetection portion 33 and an upper position as shown by a broken line inFig. 3 in which theindicator 62 approaches an upper wall of thedetection portion 33.
In the installed state of theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, thedetection portion 33 is changeable between a light-transmissive state and a non-light-transmissive state. In the light-transmissive state, not less than a predetermined amount of infrared light can be transmitted through thedetection portion 33, and in the non-light-transmissive state, less than the predetermined amount of infrared light is transmitted therethrough (the light is blocked, deflected or attenuated, or the light may be shut off, attenuated by a prism or reflected by a mirror to alter a path of the light). More specifically, the light-transmissive state and non-light-transmissive state are provided when theindicator 62 is at its upper position and lower position, respectively. In accordance with the light transmission state at thedetection portion 33, whether the amount of ink in theink chamber 36 is less than a predetermined amount of ink can be detected.
As described later, theoptical sensor 114 includes alight emitting element 118 and alight receiving element 119 in opposition to each other in the widthwise direction 51 (Fig. 5). Light emitted from the light-emittingelement 114 is received by thelight receiving element 119. Thesensor arm 60 may not be provided within thedetection portion 33. The interior of thedetection portion 33 is in fluid communication with the interior of theink chamber 36 as described above. Therefore, infrared light emitted from thelight emitting element 118 will be blocked, deflected or attenuated if ink is in thedetection portion 33, while the infrared light will be transmitted through thedetection portion 33 if ink is absent or insufficient in thedetection portion 33. Alternatively, the infrared light emitted from thelight emitting element 118 can be reflected to avoid incidence into thelight receiving element 119 if ink is in thedetection portion 33, and the infrared light emitted from thelight emitting element 118 can be reflected to be falling on thelight receiving element 119 if ink is absent or insufficient in thedetection portion 33.
As shown inFigs. 2 and3, a through-hole 34 is formed in thefront wall 40 at a position above thedetection portion 33. Further, asegment 32 formed with anair communication passage 32a in alignment with the through-hole 34 is provided at a rear surface of thefront wall 40 for permitting an air layer in theink chamber 36 to be communicated with the atmosphere. Theair communication passage 32a is sealed with a film (not shown) in an unused state before installation of anew ink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, for example, prior to shipment. Therefore, if theink chamber 36 is decompressed, the decompression can be maintained. Upon installing theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, a rod 124 (described later) provided at thecartridge installation portion 110 breaks the sealing film to open theair communication passage 32a, so that theink chamber 36 becomes atmospheric pressure.
Theair communication passage 32a can be communicated with or shut off from the atmosphere by a valve (not shown). Upon opening the valve, negative pressure in theink chamber 36 becomes the atmospheric pressure. Incidentally, theair communication passage 32a can be positioned at a position other than thefront wall 40 as long as the interior of theink chamber 36 is communicated with the atmosphere. In particular, adhesion of ink to a circuit substrate of theoptical sensor 114 can be avoided if theair communication passage 32a is positioned lower than thedetection portion 33 or positioned at therear wall 42. Further, theair communication passage 32a is not necessarily required if theink cartridge 30 is used with maintaining negative pressure.
As shown inFigs. 2 and3, anink supply portion 37 is provided at thefront wall 40 at a position below thedetection portion 33. More specifically, theink supply portion 37 is positioned below an imaginaryhorizontal line 54 extending in thedepthwise direction 53 inFig. 3, the imaginaryhorizontal line 54 being positioned at a vertically intermediate height of thecartridge body 31 and passing through a center point between upper and lower ends of thefront wall 40 and another center point between upper and lower ends of therear wall 42.
Theink supply portion 37 has a cylindrical configuration protruding from thefront wall 40 frontward in the installation direction 56 (in a direction away from the ink chamber 36). Anink passage 38 extending in theinstallation direction 56 is formed in theink supply portion 37. Theink passage 38 has an outer end functioning as anink supply outlet 71 which is opened or closed by an ink supply valve (not shown). Theink supply outlet 71 is in fluid communication with theink chamber 36 through theink passage 38. Thecartridge installation portion 110 is provided with an ink needle 122 (Fig. 4). Upon installing theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, theink needle 122 is inserted into theink supply outlet 71 to open the ink supply valve, whereupon ink is flowed out of theink chamber 36 into theink needle 122 through theink passage 38.
Instead of the ink supply valve, a film covering theink supply outlet 71 is available. In the latter case, upon installation of theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, theink needle 122 breaks the film to open theink supply outlet 71.
As shown inFigs. 2 and3, theprotrusion 46 is provided at the lower end portion of thefront wall 40, i.e., theprotrusion 46 is positioned lower than theink supply portion 37 on thefront wall 40.
Theprotrusion 46 has a width approximately the same as that of thefront wall 40 in thewidthwise direction 51. Theprotrusion 46 protrudes from a lower end of thefront wall 40 in a direction away from the rear wall 42 (frontward in the installation direction 56). Theprotrusion 46 has atip end 75 positioned farther frontward than theink supply outlet 71 in theinstallation direction 56. The protruding length of theprotrusion 46 is altered depending on a type of theink cartridge 30, such as ink color, ink constituent, and amount of ink to be initially stored in theink chamber 36. Theprotrusion 46 corresponds to a particular interface. Theprotrusion 46 may be biased by a biasingmember 139, 839 in adirection 55 opposite to theinstallation direction 56. Moreover, theprotrusion 46 may protrude from an upper end of thefront wall 40 in theinstallation direction 56.
As shown inFig. 2, thecartridge body 31 further includes aguide portion 35 protruding upward from thetop wall 39 and extending in thedepthwise direction 53. A rib or projecting segment is available as theguide portion 35. Further, theguide portion 35 has a width smaller than that of thecartridge body 31.
Anotherguide portion 44 protrudes downward from thebottom wall 41 and extends in thedepthwise direction 53. A rib or projecting segment is available as theguide portion 44. Further, theguide portion 44 has a width smaller than that of thecartridge body 31. Thecartridge installation portion 110 has guide grooves 109 (Fig. 5) so as to guide theguide portions 35 and 44 therealong.
As described earlier, theprinter 10 includes theink supply device 100 configured to supply ink to therecording head 21. Theink supply device 100 has thecartridge installation portion 110 in which theink cartridge 30 can be detachably installed.Fig. 1 shows an installed state of theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110.
Thecartridge installation portion 110 will be described next in detail. As shown inFigs. 4 and5, thecartridge installation portion 110 is defined by acasing 101 that is a hollow box shaped member formed with theopening 112 at a front side of theprinter 10. An internal space of thecasing 101 is defined by atop wall 111 formed with theguide grooves 109, abottom wall 107 also formed with theguide grooves 109, aterminal end wall 104, and a pair ofside walls 115, 116 extending in theinstallation direction 56 and connecting thetop wall 111 to thebottom wall 107. Theink cartridge 30 is installed in and removed from thecasing 101 through theopening 112. At this time, theguide portion 35 is inserted into one of theguide grooves 109 at thetop wall 111, and theguide portion 44 is inserted into corresponding one of theguide grooves 109 at thebottom wall 107. As a result, movement of theink cartridge 30 in theinstallation direction 56 and theremoval direction 55 can be guided by theguide grooves 109. Fourink cartridges 30 of cyan, magenta, yellow and black are loaded into thecasing 101.
As shown inFig. 5, threeplates 102 extend in thevertical direction 52 are arrayed in thewidthwise direction 51 so as to partition the internal space of thecasing 101 into four vertically elongated spaces. Thus, fourink cartridges 30 are respectively installed in the four spaces. Theseplates 102 are positioned offset from theopening 112 but are positioned adjacent to or at theterminal end wall 104 of thecasing 101.
Thebottom wall 107 hasengagement holes 108, each positioned in eachguide groove 109. In other words,respective engagement holes 108 are positioned near theplates 102. Theengagement hole 108 permits the ink leaked from theink supply portion 37 to escape to the outside of thecartridge installation portion 110, for example. To this effect, an ink tray (not shown) is disposed at a position below the engagement holes 108 in order to absorb the leaked ink by capillary force. In this embodiment, thebottom wall 41 of thecartridge installation portion 110 has fourengagement holes 108, eachengagement hole 108 being formed as a through-hole of thebottom wall 41 of the cartridge installation portion110 (also seeFigs. 6 through 8). Theengagement hole 108 corresponds to a locking section of thecartridge installation portion 110.
As shown inFig. 4, a connectingportion 103 is provided at theterminal end wall 104 of thecasing 101. The position of the connectingportion 103 is aligned with theink supply portion 37 when theink cartridge 30 is installed in thecasing 101. In the first embodiment, four connectingportions 103 are provided corresponding to fourink cartridges 30 installable in thecasing 101.
The connectingportion 103 includes theink needle 122 and a holdingportion 121. Theink needle 122 is tubular shaped and is formed of a resin. Theink needle 122 is connected to theink tube 20. Eachink tube 20 connected to eachink needle 122 extends upward along an outer surface of theterminal end wall 104, and extends to the recording head 21 (SeeFig. 1).
The holdingportion 121 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and theink needle 122 coaxially extends in the holdingportion 121. As shown inFig. 6, upon installing theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, theink supply portion 37 is hermetically inserted, by a predetermined depth, into an inner peripheral surface of the holdingportion 121. As a result of the insertion of theink supply portion 37 into the holdingportion 121, theink needle 122 is inserted into theink supply outlet 71. Thus, the ink stored in theink chamber 36 can be flowed into theink needle 122 from theink chamber 36.
As shown inFig. 4, therod 124 extends from an upper portion of theterminal end wall 104 of thecasing 101 in theremoval direction 55. Upon loading theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, therod 124 is inserted in theair communication passage 32a as shown inFig. 6, thereby breaking the sealing film to allow theink chamber 36 to communicate with the atmosphere.
As shown inFigs. 4 through 6, a sensor unit is provided at theterminal end wall 104 at a position above the connectingportion 103. The sensor unit includes the circuit substrate (not shown) and theoptical sensor 114 assembled on the circuit substrate. The sensor unit contains fouroptical sensors 114 corresponding to fourink cartridges 30 insertable in thecasing 101. Eachoptical sensor 114 is positioned within each of the four spaces of the casing 101 (between the neighboringplates 102 or between one of theplates 102 and one of theside walls 115, 116). Theseoptical sensors 114 are arrayed in line in thewidthwise direction 51.
Eachoptical sensor 114 includes thelight emitting element 118 such as LED, and thelight receiving element 119 such as a photo-transistor. Thelight emitting element 118 and thelight receiving element 119 are surrounded by a U-shaped housing, and an outer shape of theoptical sensor 114 is U-shaped. Thelight emitting element 118 is adapted to emit light in one direction from the housing. Thelight receiving element 119 is adapted to receive the light. Thelight emitting element 118 and thelight receiving element 119 are facing each other with a predetermined distance in the U-shaped housing. Thedetection portion 33 of theink cartridge 30 can be entered into a space between the light emittingelement 118 and thelight receiving element 119, such that theoptical sensor 114 may or may not detect receive the predetermined amount of light through thedetection portion 33.
As shown inFig. 5, covers 105, 106 for covering thelight emitting element 118 andlight receiving element 119, respectively are provided at thecasing 101. Four pairs ofcovers 105, 106 are provided for fouroptical sensors 114.
As shown inFigs. 4 and6, achamber 130 is provided at a lower end portion of theterminal end wall 104, and aslide member 135 is movably retained in thechamber 130. In the present embodiment, fourslide members 135 are positioned to correspond to fourink cartridges 30 which thecasing 101 can accommodate therein. Here, a number ofslide members 135 may not necessarily be limited to four. Thechamber 130 is in fluid communication with the internal space of thecartridge installation portion 110. Theslide member 135 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped external shape. Arib 136 extends upward from theslide member 135 and is positioned in alignment with theprotrusion 46 in theinstallation direction 56, so that thetip end 75 of theprotrusion 46 is abuttable on therib 136. In other words, theslide member 135 is positioned in an insertion path of theprotrusion 46 of theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge loading section 110 and contacts thetip end 75 of theprotrusion 46 during the installation process of theink cartridge 30.
Acoil spring 139 is disposed in thechamber 130 for biasing theslide member 135 toward theopening 112, i.e., for biasing theink cartridge 30 in theremoval direction 55. Thecoil spring 139 is interposed between theslide member 135 and aterminal wall 131 defining an inner terminal end of thechamber 130. Theslide member 135 is positioned at a predetermined position on a side closer to theopening 112 when thecoil spring 139 has a natural length, i.e., when theslide member 135 is not applied with an external force, as shown inFig. 4. In the process of the installation of theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, theprotrusion 46 is brought into contact with theslide member 135, and theslide member 135 is pressed and slidingly moved toward theterminal wall 131 of thechamber 130 against the biasing force of thecoil spring 139. Thereby, thecoil spring 139 is contracted, and theslide member 135 slides to a position on another side of thechamber 130 closer to theterminal wall 131 as shownFig. 6. Consequently, thecompressed coil spring 139 biases theink cartridge 30 in theremoval direction 55 via theslide member 135. In other words, theprotrusion 46 of theink cartridge 30 is subjected to the biasing force from theslide member 135 and thecoil spring 139. Theslide member 135 and thecoil spring 139 correspond to a biasing member.
As shown inFig. 4, thecasing 101 includes acartridge holding mechanism 144. Theholding mechanism 144 includes alever portion 145, asupport shaft 147, and acoil spring 148. Thelever portion 145 serves to retain theink cartridge 30 installed in thecartridge installation portion 110 at an installed position against the biasing force of thecoil spring 139. Thelever portion 145 is provided at an upper end of theopening 112 of thecasing 101. In the first embodiment, fourlevers 145 are provided in correspondence with fourink cartridges 30 installable in thecasing 101.
Thelever portion 145 has a substantially arm shape. Thelever portion 145 has a center portion through which thesupport shaft 147 extends. Thesupport shaft 147 is supported to thecasing 101. Thus, thelever portion 145 is pivotally movable about thesupport shaft 147 at the upper portion of theopening 112.
Thelever portion 145 has one side serving as anoperation portion 149 and another side serving as apressing portion 146. Theoperation portion 149 extends outward from theopening 112 for user's manually pivotally moving thelever portion 145.
Thepressing portion 146 extends into thecasing 101. Thepressing portion 146 has atip end portion 146A. The coil spring 148 (as an example of biasing members) is interposed between thecasing 101 and thelever portion 145 to bias thepressing portion 146 downward (to pivotally move thepressing portion 146 in the clockwise direction inFig. 4). Thepressing portion 146 is adapted to abut on theguide portion 35 of theink cartridge 30 and presses theink cartridge 30 downward during loading of theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110 due to the biasing force of thecoil spring 148.
As shown inFig. 3, thebottom wall 41 of theink cartridge 30 has a front side portion that is formed with arecess 94 whose open end is at a lower surface of thecartridge body 31. As shown inFig. 6, thebottom wall 41 is in direct confrontation with thebottom wall 107 of thecartridge installation portion 110. Therecess 94 has a width equal to that of thebottom wall 41, and therecess 94 also extends through theguide portion 44. As a modification, the width of therecess 94 can be smaller than that of thebottom wall 41.
Aleaf spring 90 is provided at thebottom wall 41 at a position adjacent to therecess 94. Theleaf spring 90 has a width substantially equal to or smaller than that of therecess 94, so that theleaf spring 90 can be received in therecess 94 during installation or removal process. Theleaf spring 90 serves as an engagement portion in the present embodiment. The leaf spring 90 (engagement portion) engages the engagement hole 108 (corresponding to the locking member) of thecartridge installation portion 110, as will be described next.
In the first embodiment, the position of therecess 94 and theleaf spring 90 in thedepthwise direction 53 is coincident with the position of theengagement hole 108 when theink cartridge 30 is in the installed state in thecartridge installation portion 110. The position of therecess 94 and theleaf spring 90 is not limited to the above position. For example, if thecartridge installation portion 110 is formed with additional recess or opening other than theengagement hole 108, therecess 94 andleaf spring 90 can be positioned to be in coincidence with the additional recess or opening.
Theleaf spring 90 has afirst part 91, asecond part 92 and athird part 93. These parts of theleaf spring 90 are flat shape in which lengths in thedepthwise direction 53 and widthwisedirections 51 are greater than a length (thickness) in thevertical direction 52. Further, these threeparts 91, 92, 93 have flat surfaces. The first throughthird parts 91, 92, 93 are arranged in this order and integral in thedepthwise direction 53, and theleaf spring 90 is made from a resilient material such as a metal.
Thethird part 93 is fixed to one of theguide portion 44 and the bottom wall 41 (Fig. 3 shows thethird part 93 fixed to the guide portion 44). Thethird part 93 extends in thedepthwise direction 53, i.e., horizontally.
Thesecond part 92 has one end (at therear wall 42 side) integrally connected to thethird part 93 and another end (at thefront wall 40 side) integrally connected to thefirst part 91. The one end is positioned higher than the other end. In other words, thesecond part 92 is inclined such that the other end (at thefront wall 40 side) is positioned farther from abottom surface 97 of therecess 94 than the one end (at therear wall 42 side) from thebottom surface 97.
Thefirst part 91 has one end (at therear wall 42 side) integrally connected to the other end of thesecond part 92, and has another free end (at thefront wall 40 side). Further, the one end of thefirst part 91 is positioned lower than the other end of thefirst part 91. In other words, thefirst part 91 is inclined such that the one end (at therear wall 42 side) of thefirst part 91 is positioned farther from thebottom surface 97 of therecess 94 than the other end (at thefront wall 40 side) from thebottom surface 97.
Since one end (at therear wall 42 side) of theleaf spring 90 is fixed whereas the other end (at thefront wall 40 side) of theleaf spring 90 is a free end, and since theleaf spring 90 is made from the resilient material, theleaf spring 90 is resiliently deformed in acounterclockwise direction 96 inFig. 3 when pressed from below. In other words, thefirst part 91 andsecond part 92 are pivotally moved about aboundary 95 between thesecond part 92 and thethird part 93, so that thefirst part 91 andsecond part 92 are received in therecess 94.
As shown inFig. 3, a first angle θ₁ is defined as an intersection angle between a broken line extending along the lower surface of thebottom wall 41 and upper or lower surface of thefirst part 91, and a second angle θ₂ is defined as an intersection angle between the broken line and upper or lower surface of thesecond part 92. Here, the second angle θ₂ is greater than the first angle θ₁. In other words, thesecond part 92 is steeper than thefirst part 91 relative to the broken line.
Apparently, the combination of thefirst part 91 and thesecond part 92 provides a V-shape whose bent corner is positioned lower than the remaining portion. In other words, the combined shape of the first andsecond regions 91, 92 protrudes from thebottom wall 41 toward thebottom wall 107 of thecartridge installation portion 110. The lower surface of thefirst part 91 corresponds to a first guide surface and the lower surface of thesecond part 92 corresponds to a second guide surface.
In the above described embodiment, the engagement portion (leaf spring 90) has a flat upper and lower segmental surfaces. However, an arcuate or spherical surface is also available. Further, in the depicted embodiment, theleaf spring 90 and therecess 94 are provided at thebottom wall 41. However, these can be provided at one of thetop wall 39 and theside walls 83, 84.
Thecartridge body 31 of theink cartridge 30 may have a printed marking that specifies nipping regions for user's access to theink cartridge 30. Alternatively, an anti-slipping member is provided to thecartridge body 31, or an anti-slipping shape is partly formed at an outer perimeter of thecartridge body 31 for facilitating nipping of thecartridge body 31 by user's fingers. For example, a projection 74 shown by a broken line inFig. 6 can be provided for a finger gripped portion. The projection 74 protrudes from therear wall 42 in theremoval direction 55. Further, the projection 74 is at a vertical position between the imaginaryhorizontal line 54 and the upper end of thecartridge body 31. Installation and removal of theink cartridge 30 into and from thecartridge installation portion 110 can be easily performed by nipping the projection 74 with user's fingers.
A process of installation operation of theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110 will be described with reference toFigs. 6 through 8.
As shown inFig. 7, theink cartridge 30 is aligned with theopening 112 after opening the cover member (not shown) that normally covers theopening 112, such that thefront wall 40 is at a leading side in theinstallation direction 56. For the installation of theink cartridge 30, a user holds by his fingers a portion of thecartridge body 31, the portion being close to therear wall 42. The finger-held portion of thecartridge body 31 is not definite. However, according to an envisioned or assumed loading manner, the insertion of theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110 is accompanied by user's looking down theopening 112 of thecartridge installation portion 110 provided that theprinter 10 is often installed on a user's desk. Therefore, the user may often nip with his fingers a portion located in a region spanning between the vertical center portion and the upper end portion of thecartridge body 31.
In the initial stage of insertion of theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, a tip end (a leading end portion) of theguide portion 35 comes into contact with thelever portion 145. When theink cartridge 30 is further inserted into thecartridge installation portion 110, thepressing portion 146 of thelever portion 145 rides over theguide portion 35. Thus, thelever portion 145 is pivotally moved in the counterclockwise direction inFig. 8. Since thelever portion 145 is biased to be pivotally moved in the clockwise direction by the biasing force of thecoil spring 148, theink cartridge 30 is pushed downward by theholding mechanism 144. Consequently, theleaf spring 90 is brought into contact with an upper surface of thebottom wall 107 of thecasing 101. Accordingly, as shown inFig. 8, thefirst part 91 andsecond part 92 of theleaf spring 90 are resiliently deformed by the upper surface, so that these parts are received in therecess 94.
When theink cartridge 30 is further inserted into thecartridge installation portion 110, thetip end 75 of the protrusion 46 (the particular interface) is brought into abutment with theslide member 135 biased toward theopening 112 by thecoil spring 139. Then, theink cartridge 30 is further inserted into thecartridge installation portion 110 against the biasing force of thecoil spring 139. That is, the user is required to push therear wall 42 of theink cartridge 30 further frontward in theinstallation direction 56. The installation velocity is thus reduced (moderated) by the biasing force of thecoil spring 139.
When theink cartridge 30 is further inserted into thecartridge installation portion 110, therecess 94 of theink cartridge 30 is brought into alignment with theengagement hole 108 of thecartridge installation portion 110 as shown inFig. 6. Therefore, no pressing force is exerted on theleaf spring 90 from thebottom wall 107. As a result, theleaf spring 90 having been received in therecess 94 is then received in theengagement hole 108 to restore original posture shown inFig. 3. As a result, thesecond part 92 comes into engagement with a boundary edge of thebottom wall 107 which constitutes theengagement hole 108.
In a state shown inFig. 6, theink cartridge 30 is biased in theremoval direction 55 by the biasing force of thecoil spring 139 via theprotrusion 46. Therefore, if the user released his fingers from theink cartridge 30, theink cartridge 30 is pushed in theremoval direction 55 by thecoil spring 139. However, displacement of theink cartridge 30 in theremoval direction 55 can be restrained since thesecond part 92 is in contact with the boundary edge of theengagement hole 108, thereby retaining the installed state shown inFig. 6. In other words, the engagement of theleaf spring 90 with theengagement hole 108 retains the installed state of theink cartridge 30 as shown inFig. 6 against the biasing force of thecoil spring 139.
When the user nips therear wall 42 of theink cartridge 30 with his fingers and pulls out the fully installedink cartridge 30 in theremoval direction 55, thesecond part 92 is pushed by the boundary edge of theengagement hole 108, so that theleaf spring 90 is resiliently deformed to be pivotally moved in the direction indicated by thearrow 96 inFig. 3. Thus, theleaf spring 90 is disengaged from the boundary edge of theengagement hole 108 and is received in therecess 94. At this time, as shown inFig. 8, at least a part of theleaf spring 90 is positioned in therecess 94.
As a result of reception of theleaf spring 90 into therecess 94, the user can pull theink cartridge 30 in theremoval direction 55. Theink cartridge 30 is then pulled out of thecartridge installation portion 110 through theopening 112 by the user to provide a state shown inFig. 7.
Theleaf spring 90 is provided at theink cartridge 30 for retaining the installed state of theink cartridge 30. Therefore, no additional component or part is required in the cartridge installation,portion 110 for retaining the installed state. Theleaf spring 90 is attached to thebottom wall 41 of theink cartridge 30 in this embodiment, but, can be integrally molded with the ink cartridge 30 (for example, with the bottom wall 41).
In the above-described embodiment, theholding mechanism 144 does not lock theink cartridge 30 at the fully installed position, but presses theink cartridge 30 downward. In other words, no locking structure is provided between the holdingmechanism 144 and theink cartridge 30. Therefore, loading and unloading of theink cartridge 30 into and from thecartridge installation portion 110 can be performed even if theholding mechanism 144 is damaged or broken.
Further, if the biasing force of thecoil spring 148 in theholding mechanism 144 is sufficiently large to move theink cartridge 30 downward such that thebottom wall 41 is brought into contact with thebottom wall 107 of thecasing 101, a resultant frictional force between thebottom wall 41 of theink cartridge 30 and thebottom wall 107 of thecasing 101 in theinstallation direction 56 can become greater than the biasing force of thecoil spring 139 acting in theremoval direction 55. As a result, the installed state of thecartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110 can be retained.
Further, when theink cartridge 30 is initially inserted into thecartridge installation portion 110, thefirst part 91 is pushed by the upper surface of thebottom wall 107, whereupon a frictional force is generated between thesecond part 92 of theleaf spring 90 and the upper surface. By selecting the resiliency of theleaf spring 90 or a frictional force of a material that is attached on thesecond part 92 of theleaf spring 90, the frictional force between thesecond part 92 of theleaf spring 90 and the upper surface of the bottom wall 107 (a frictional coefficient generated by the second region 92) can be greater than the biasing force of thecoil spring 139. As a result, theink cartridge 30 can be held at the installed position in thecartridge installation portion 110.
Further, as shown inFig. 3, the second angle θ₂ is greater than the first angle θ₁. Generally, resilient deformation of theleaf spring 90 can easily occur if these angles are smaller when theleaf spring 90 is pressed by thebottom wall 107 of thecartridge installation portion 110. Therefore, the installation process of theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110 attributed to the pressed deformation of thefirst part 91 by thebottom wall 107 can be performed with a force smaller than a force required in removal of theink cartridge 30 from thecartridge installation portion 110 attributed to the pressed deformation of thesecond part 92 by thebottom wall 107.
Hereinafter, other embodiments of the present invention will be described with accompanying drawings wherein like parts and components are designated by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment to avoid duplicating description.
Anink cartridge 30A according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown inFig. 9. Acartridge body 31A has aguide portion 35A formed with a latchingportion 43 engageable with thetip end portion 146A of theholding mechanism 144. The latchingportion 43 includes a vertical engaging surface having a height and a width. Thepressing portion 146 of theholding mechanism 144 rides on a top surface of theguide portion 35A when theink cartridge 30A is initially inserted into thecartridge installation portion 110. When the engaging surface of the latchingportion 43 is aligned with thetip end portion 146A as a result of movement of theink cartridge 30A in theinstallation direction 56, theholding mechanism 144 is pivotally moved in the clockwise direction inFig. 9 by the biasing force of thecoil spring 148, so that thetip end portion 146A is engaged with the engaging surface of the latchingportion 43. Therefore, the installed position can also be locked by theholding mechanism 144. This is in contrast to the first embodiment where theholding mechanism 144 does not lock theink cartridge 30 at the installed position, but merely presses theink cartridge 30 downward.
More specifically, thelever portion 145 can provide a lockable pivot position as shown inFig. 4 by the biasing force of thecoil spring 148 where thetip end portion 146A is engageable with the latchingportion 43, and can provide an unlocked pivot position as shown inFig. 6 where theengagement portion 146A cannot be engaged with the latchingportion 43.
If theoperation portion 149 is manually pressed downward, theholding mechanism 144 is pivotally moved from the lockable position to the unlocked position. Theholding mechanism 144 also functions as a locking mechanism in the second embodiment, in addition to as the cartridge holding mechanism. Instead of the vertical engaging surface of the latchingportion 43, a sloped engaging surface 43' as shown by a broken line inFig. 9 is also available. Still alternatively, the engaging surface of the latchingportion 43 may be provided by a plate member extending in theinstallation direction 56 and thewidthwise direction 51.
Fig. 10 shows anink cartridge 30B according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In theink cartridge 30B, acartridge body 31B has a height lower than that of the foregoing embodiments. More specifically, the lowermost portion of the lever portion 145 (i.e., a lower surface of theengagement portion 146A) at its lockable position is out of contact from the uppermost surface of thecartridge body 31B (i.e., a top surface of aguide portion 35B) when theink cartridge 30B is installed in thecartridge installation portion 110. Therefore, theholding mechanism 144 does not act on theink cartridge 30B at any phase during the installation and removal process of theink cartridge 30B. Still however, theink cartridge 30B can be remained at the installed position because of the engagement of theleaf spring 90 with the boundary edge of theengagement hole 108 against the biasing force of the biasingmember 139.
Anink cartridge 30C according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFigs. 11 and12. In the fourth embodiment, acartridge body 31C is formed with aprotrusion 125, as the engagement portion, on the lower surface of thebottom wall 41.
More specifically, theprotrusion 125 has a segmental spherical surface and is disposed at the outer surface of thebottom wall 41 of theink cartridge 30C, that is, a lower surface of thecartridge body 31C. Theprotrusion 125 is provided at a position in confrontation with theengagement hole 108 when theink cartridge 30C is inserted in thecartridge installation portion 110. Theink cartridge 30C is installed into or removed from thecartridge installation portion 110, as shown inFig. 12, while being slightly lifted up. When theink cartridge 30C is installed in thecartridge installation portion 110, theprotrusion 125 is in engagement with theengagement hole 108.
Theprotrusion 125 is disposed at thebottom wall 41 in the fourth embodiment, but, can be disposed at thetop wall 39, or at theside walls 83, 84.
The engagement portion may be disposed at one of surfaces (outer surface of thetop wall 39, thebottom wall 41, thefront wall 40 or theside walls 83, 84) in confrontation with a through-hole or an opening (theengagement hole 108 in the fourth embodiment), a recess (not shown), or a projection (not shown) formed in the inner perimeter of the cartridge installation portion 110 (i.e., thetop wall 111, thebottom wall 107, the pair ofside walls 115, 116, or the terminal end wall 104). The surface at which the engagement portion is disposed (outer surface of thetop wall 39, thebottom wall 41, thefront wall 40 or theside walls 83, 84) corresponds to the first surface. The engagement portion is formed in a shape engageable with the through-hole (opening), the recess, or the projection. Still further, the engagement portion may be disposed at the first surface so as to be engageable with the neighboringplate 102 partitioning the inner space of thecartridge installation portion 110.
In the installed state of theink cartridge 30C in thecartridge installation portion 110, theink cartridge 30C is biased by theslide member 135 and thecoil spring 139 in theremoval direction 55. However, in the fourth embodiment, theink cartridge 30C can resist the biasing force of theslide member 135 and thecoil spring 139 by engagement of the protrusion 125 (or can be a through-hole, opening, protrusion, or recess) of theink cartridge 30C with the engagement hole 108 (or a protrusion, recess, opening or projection in accordance with the shape of the corresponding engagement portion) of thecartridge installation portion 110. As a result, theink cartridge 30C can be retained at the installed position.
If thecartridge installation portion 110 is formed with a recess or an opening other than theengagement hole 108, therecess 94 and theleaf spring 90 can be provided (instead of the protrusion 125) at a position in confrontation with the recess or the opening.
When a projection is provided on at least one of thetop wall 111, thebottom wall 107, theterminal end wall 104, the pair ofside walls 115, 116, and theplate 102 of thecartridge installation portion 110, the engagement portion of theink cartridge 30C can be a recess having a shape engageable with the projection and provided on the at least one of the outer surfaces of thetop wall 39, thebottom wall 41, thefront wall 40 and theside walls 83, 84 of thecartridge body 31 so as to be in confrontation with the projection.
An ink cartridge 30D according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference toFig. 13. In the fifth embodiment, aguide portion 44D has a shape different from theguide portion 44 of the forgoing embodiments and serves as the engagement portion. Theguide portion 35 remains unchanged and is also available on the ink cartridge 30D.
Theguide portion 44D protrudes downward from thebottom wall 41. As shown inFig. 13, theguide portion 44D has a pair of side surfaces 77, 78 extending in thevertical direction 52 and in thedepthwise direction 53 and facing each other in thewidthwise direction 51. Thecartridge installation portion 110 is formed with theguide groove 109 having a pair ofside walls 76A, 76B extending in theinstallation direction 56. Theside surface 77 confronts theside wall 76A while theside surface 78 confronts theside wall 76B. The pair of side surfaces 77, 78 are positioned between theside walls 76A, 76B of theguide grooves 109 in thewidthwise direction 51. That is, theguide portion 44D has a width smaller than that of theguide groove 109. Theside surface 77 extends diagonally frontward in theinstallation direction 56 and outward in thewidthwise direction 51, such that theside surface 77 gradually approaches theside wall 76A in theinstallation direction 56. Theside surface 78 extends diagonally frontward in theinstallation direction 56 and outward in thewidthwise direction 51, such that theside wall 76B gradually approaches theside surface 78 in theinstallation direction 56. In other words, the width of theguide portion 44D is gradually increased toward thefront wall 40 ininstallation direction 56. Theside surface 77 has aportion 77A adjacent to thefront wall 40, and theportion 77A is in brought into contact with theside wall 76A. Theside surface 78 has aportion 78A adjacent to thefront wall 40, and theportion 78A is brought into contact with theside surface 76B. Theportions 77A, 78A of the side surfaces 77, 78 have sufficient square measure to restrain thecartridge body 31 installed in thecartridge installation portion 110 from moving in theremoval direction 55 against the biasing force biasing thecartridge body 31.
In this embodiment, the side surfaces 77, 78 have a flat plane (surface), but a step-like surface is also applicable as theside surface 77, 78.
When the ink cartridge 30D is being installed into or removed from thecartridge installation portion 110, theportions 77A, 78A of the side surfaces 77, 78 are brought into contact with theside walls 76A, 76B, respectively. As a result, a frictional force applying a load against the biasing force of theslide member 135 and thecoil spring 139 is generated. Hence, the ink cartridge 30D can be retained at the installed position. Theguide groove 109 that is engageable with theguide portion 44D (engagement portion) corresponds to the locking section in the fifth embodiment.
Either theguide portion 44D or theguide portion 35 can be formed as described above. Alternatively, both of theguide portion 44D and theguide portion 35 can be formed as described above. Further, theguide groove 109 can be formed on at least one of the side walls 115,116, and theplate 102 of thecartridge installation portion 110, and theguide portion 44D can be provided on at least one of theside walls 83, 84 of thecartridge body 31D.
Anink cartridge 30E according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention is shown inFig. 14. As shown inFig. 14, alatch lever 151 is also available as the engagement portion. Thelatch lever 151 can be disposed at one of thetop wall 39, thebottom wall 41 and theside walls 83, 84 of theink cartridge 30E. InFig. 14, thelatch lever 15 is disposed at therecess 94 formed in thebottom wall 41.
Thelatch lever 151 is formed in a plate shape. Thelatch lever 151 has a rear-side end portion formed with a through-hole 152. The through-hole 152 allows a shaft (not shown) to penetrate therethrough in thewidthwise direction 51. Each widthwise end of the shaft is rotatably supported by aprotrusions 45 protruding from a rear wall of therecess 94. Thelatch lever 151 is pivotally movable about the shaft in directions indicated byarrows 153, 154 inFig. 14.
Pivotal movement of thelatch lever 151 in thedirection 153 brings thelatch lever 151 into contact with the rear wall of therecess 94. Hence, the pivotal movement of thelatch lever 151 in thedirection 153 is stopped at a position indicated by a solid line inFig. 14 (hereinafter referred to as "first position" or "lock position"). Further, pivotal movement of thelatch lever 151 in thedirection 154 brings thelatch lever 151 into contact with abottom wall 97 of therecess 94. Hence, the pivotal movement of thelatch lever 151 in thedirection 154 is stopped at a position indicated by a broken line inFig. 14 (hereinafter referred to as "second position" or "release position"). Thelatch lever 151 is thus movable between the first position and the second position.
Further, thelatch lever 151 is urged in thedirection 153 by an urging member (not shown). A torsion spring is employed as the urging member, for example. The torsion spring includes a coil portion and two arm portions extending from each end of the coil portion. The coil portion is provided to the pivot shaft. The two arm portions are connected to thelatch lever 151 so as to define an angle for biasing thelatch lever 151 in thedirection 153.
When theink cartridge 30E is not installed in thecartridge installation portion 110, thelatch lever 151 is in the first position. When theink cartridge 30E is being inserted into thecartridge installation portion 110, thelatch lever 151 is pushed by thebottom wall 107 of thecartridge installation portion 110, thereby changing its position from the first position to the second position. When theink cartridge 30E is further inserted into thecartridge installation portion 110 so that therecess 94 of theink cartridge 30 confronts theengagement hole 108 of thecartridge installation portion 110, thelatch lever 151 again changes its position from the second position to the first position. As a result, theink cartridge 30E can be retained at the installed position. Therecess 94 that is engageable with the latch lever 151 (engagement portion) corresponds to the locking section in the sixth embodiment.
When theink cartridge 30E is removed from thecartridge installation portion 110, theink cartridge 30E is pulled out in theremoval direction 55 while being slightly lifted upward by the user. That is, in the sixth embodiment, in the same manner asFig. 10, theink cartridge 30E has a height smaller than that of theink cartridge 30 shown inFig. 3.
In the sixth embodiment, thelatch lever 151 is provided on theink cartridge 30E. However, thelatch lever 151 can be provided on the cartridge installation portion 110 (for example, on the engagement hole 108).
Anink cartridge 30F according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention is shown inFig. 15. As shown inFig 15, a resilientlydeformable latch lever 151F extends in thedepthwise direction 53 and has a base end that is resiliently supported on at least a front portion of thebottom wall 41 of theink cartridge 30F. Thelatch lever 151F includes a latchingknob 155 provided at a free end opposite to the base end, and aprotrusion 156 functioning as a latching claw. In this embodiment, the latchingclaw 156 serves as the engagement portion. In the installed state of theink cartridge 30F in thecartridge installation portion 110, the latchingknob 155 protrudes from theopening 112 of thecartridge installation portion 110. Further, in the installed state of theink cartridge 30F in thecartridge installation portion 110, one surface of the latchingclaw 156 faces the boundary edge of thebottom wall 107 which constitutes theengagement hole 108, and the latchingclaw 156 is in engagement with theengagement hole 108. Theengagement hole 108 that is engageable with the latching claw 156 (engagement portion) corresponds to the locking section in the seventh embodiment.
When theink cartridge 30F is unloaded from thecartridge installation portion 110, the user holds thetop wall 39 and the latchingknob 155 and pulls up thecartridge body 31F upward so as to disengage the latchingclaw 156 from the boundary edge of theengagement hole 108. If the user releases the latchingknob 155, the latchingknob 155 is resiliently moved downward to engage the latchingclaw 156 with the boundary edge of theengagement hole 108. In the seventh embodiment, in the same manner asFigs. 10 and14, theink cartridge 30F has a height smaller than that of theink cartridge 30 shown inFig. 3. Hence, upward pivotal movement of the latchingknob 155 enables the latchingclaw 156 to disengage from the boundary edge of theengagement hole 108. Further, since theslide member 135 presses theprotrusion 46, theink cartridge 30F is pushed out of thecartridge installation portion 110 in theremoval direction 55. Thus, thelatch lever 151F helps user's removal of theink cartridge 30F from thecartridge installation portion 110.
Thelatch lever 151F is disposed at thebottom wall 41 in the seventh embodiment, but can be disposed at one of thetop wall 39, thefront wall 40 and theside walls 83, 84 of theink cartridge 30F. In either case, thelatch lever 151F may be engaged with a part of thecartridge installation portion 110, such as theplates 102, theguide grooves 109, and therod 124.
Various modifications are conceivable.
<First modification>
In the process of inserting the ink cartridge into thecartridge installation portion 110 or removing the ink cartridge from thecartridge installation portion 110, frictional contact of the engagement portion with an inner perimeter of the cartridge installation portion 110 (thetop wall 111, thebottom wall 107, thefront wall 40, the pair ofside walls 115, 116) can generate a frictional force that is greater than the biasing force of thecoil spring 139 and that applies a resistive load against the biasing force. As long as such frictional force can be generated, the engagement portion is not limited to theleaf spring 90.
For example, an elastic member, such as rubber, is available as the engagement portion. The elastic member can be provided at a portion where the engagement portion comes into contact with the inner perimeter of thecartridge installation portion 110 when the ink cartridge is installed in or removed from thecartridge installation portion 110. The elastic member is provided on at least one of outer surfaces of thetop wall 39, thebottom wall 41, thefront wall 40, theside walls 83, 84, theguide portion 35, and theguide portion 44 so as to be stretched therealong. Here, the outer surface is a surface in direct confrontation with the inner perimeter of thecartridge installation portion 110 when the ink cartridge is loaded into or unloaded from thecartridge installation portion 110. As described above, the portion where the engagement portion comes into contact with the inner perimeter of thecartridge installation portion 110 is at least one of the surfaces of thetop wall 39, thebottom wall 41, thefront wall 40 and theside walls 83, 84. When the ink cartridge is installed in thecartridge installation portion 110, the elastic member provided on the outer surface of the ink cartridge is brought into close contact with the inner perimeter of thecartridge installation portion 110, thereby generating a frictional force.
However, the elastic member can be dispensed with. Without the elastic member provided at the outer surface, the frictional force can be generated by direct contact of the outer surface of the ink cartridge with the inner perimeter of thecartridge installation portion 110.
Further, the elastic member can be provided at the outer peripheral surface of theink supply portion 37. As shown inFig. 6, upon installation of theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, theink supply portion 37 is inserted into thecylindrical holding portion 121. As a result, the elastic member provided at the outer peripheral surface of theink supply portion 37 is brought into close contact with the inner peripheral surface of the holdingportion 121, thereby generating a frictional force.
Further, the elastic member can be provided at an inner peripheral surface of theair communication passage 32a. As shown inFig. 6, upon insertion of theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, therod 124 is inserted into theair communication passage 32a. As a result, the elastic member provided at the inner peripheral surface of theair communication passage 32a is brought into close contact with the outer peripheral surface of therod 124, thereby generating a frictional force. The elastic member is provided not at all the inner peripheral surface of theair communication passage 32a but at a part of the inner peripheral surface of theair communication passage 32a for permitting the air in theink chamber 36 to be communicated with the atmosphere when theink cartridge 30 is installed in thecartridge installation portion 110.
Further, in case that theair communication passage 32a is provided at one of the outer surfaces of the ink cartridge other than thefront wall 40, the elastic member may be provided at thefront wall 40. Specifically, thefront wall 40 may be formed with a hole, an opening or a recess at which the elastic member is disposed. A portion of the cartridge installation portion 110 (for example, the rod 124) is engageable with the hole, an opening or a recess formed on thefront wall 40.
Further, the elastic member can be provided at the pair ofside walls 85, 86 of the detection portion 33 (shown inFig. 2). In the installed state of theink cartridge 30 in thecartridge installation portion 110, theside walls 85, 86 are in direct confrontation with thecovers 105, 106 (shown inFig. 5), respectively. Therefore, the elastic member provided at the pair ofside walls 85, 86 are brought into close contact with thecovers 105, 106, thereby generating a frictional force. In order not to impair the inherent function of the detection portion 33 (the function for transmitting light emitted from the optical sensor 114), the elastic member is provided at a part of theside walls 85, 86 of the detection portion 33 (a portion except for an area irradiated with the light emitted from the optical sensor 114).
Further, theleaf spring 90 of the first embodiment is applicable to the elastic member. As described while referring toFig. 8, when theink cartridge 30 is being inserted into thecartridge installation portion 110, thefirst guide part 91 of theleaf spring 90 is pressed against thebottom wall 107 of thecartridge installation portion 110 so as to be resiliently deformed. As a result of resilient deformation, thefirst guide part 91 is accommodated within therecess 94. At this time, thefirst guide part 91 is in pressure contact with thebottom wall 107, thereby generating the frictional force.
In the first modification described above, the frictional contact of the engagement portion with the inner perimeter of thecartridge installation portion 110 can generate the frictional force in theinstallation direction 56 that is greater than the biasing force generated by thecoil spring 139. As a result, the frictional force can prevent the ink cartridge from being moved in theremoval direction 55 against the biasing force of thecoil spring 139.
<Second modification>
As the engagement portion, a member having a frictional force acting upon installation of the ink cartridge into thecartridge installation portion 110 that is smaller than a frictional force acting upon unloading of the ink cartridge from thecartridge installation portion 110 is also available.
For example, as the engagement portion, a member having high-frictional properties (or an anti-slippage member) is also available. The high-frictional member includes a plurality of protrusions formed in a predetermined area of a portion where the engagement portion comes into contact with thecartridge installation portion 110 when the ink cartridge is installed into or removed from thecartridge installation portion 110.
Here, the portion where the engagement portion is brought into contact with thecartridge installation portion 110 is at least one of the outer surfaces of thetop wall 39, thebottom wall 41, thefront wall 40 and theside walls 83, 84, in the same manner as the first modification.
Each of the protrusions of the high-frictional member has a first slant surface and a second slant surface extending from the first slant surface. The first slant surface is oriented in theremoval direction 55 and extends diagonally downward in theinstallation direction 56. The second slant surface is oriented in theinstallation direction 56 and extends diagonally downward toward therear wall 42.
A third angle defined between the first slant surface and the outer surface is greater than a fourth angle defmed between the second slant surface and the outer surface. That is, the first slant surface is steeper than the second slant surface relative to the outer surface.
Consequently, a frictional force generated by the first slant surface when the ink cartridge is removed from thecartridge installation portion 110 is greater than a frictional force generated by the second slant surface when the ink cartridge is installed into thecartridge installation portion 110. Hence, the process of inserting the ink cartridge into thecartridge installation portion 110 can be easier than the process of removing the ink cartridge from thecartridge installation portion 110.
<Third modification>
The ink cartridge can be retained at the installed position by a pair of stoppers 126 (shown inFig. 5) provided in theguide groove 109 on the inner surface of thebottom wall 107 of thecartridge installation portion 110. The pair ofstoppers 126 protrudes inward in thewidthwise direction 51 from the pair ofside walls 76A, 76B (shown inFig. 14), respectively. The pair ofstoppers 126 is in alignment with each other in theinstallation direction 56, that is, each of thestoppers 126 is disposed at a rear end portion of theguide groove 109. Each of thestoppers 126 has a height substantially the same as that of theside walls 76A, 76B. Thestopper 126 is formed of an elastically deformable material such as a rubber.
When theink cartridge 30 is being inserted into thecartridge installation portion 110, the pair of side surfaces of the guide portion 44 (corresponding to the side surfaces 77, 78 shown inFig. 14 of theguide portion 44D of the ink cartridge 30D) is brought into contact with the pair ofstoppers 126. At this time, the user may have a click-like tactile impression in inserting theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110. However, if the user further inserts theink cartridge 30 into thecartridge installation portion 110, the pair ofstoppers 126 is elastically deformed so as to be oriented outward of theguide grooves 109 in thewidthwise direction 51, that is, toward the pair ofside walls 76A, 76B. Thus, theguide portion 44 can move past the pair of thestoppers 126 while theguide portion 44 is in contact with the pair ofstoppers 126, and theink cartridge 30 is installed in thecartridge installation portion 110.
When theink cartridge 30 is installed in thecartridge installation portion 110, the rear end portion of theguide portion 44 comes into contact with the pair ofstoppers 126 and is tightly nipped thereby. Accordingly, theink cartridge 30 can be retained at the installed position against the biasing force of thecoil spring 139. In other words, theink cartridge 30 can be engaged with thecartridge installation portion 110 by thestoppers 126. In the third modification, the guide portion 44 (more specifically, the rear end portion of the guide portion 44) corresponds to the first surface.
Theink cartridge 30 can be pulled out of thecartridge installation portion 110 by the user. At this time, because theguide portion 44 is in contact with the pair ofstoppers 126, the user finds slight resistance in removing theink cartridge 30 from thecartridge installation portion 110. However, if the user further pulls theink cartridge 30 out of thecartridge installation portion 110, the pair ofstoppers 126 is elastically deformed so as to be oriented outward of theguide grooves 109 in thewidthwise direction 51, that is, toward the pair ofside walls 76A, 76B. Therefore, theguide portion 44 can pass between the pair of thestoppers 126 while theguide portion 44 is in contact with the pair ofstoppers 126, and theink cartridge 30 is removed from thecartridge installation portion 110.
<Fourth modification>
As shown inFig. 16, acartridge installation portion 110A may not be provided with theholding mechanism 144. Still however, theink cartridge 30 can be held at the installed position because of the provision of the leaf spring 90 (engagement portion).
While the invention has been described in detail with reference to the embodiments thereof, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed.

Claims

An ink cartridge (30, 30A, 30B, 30E) for installing in a cartridge mounting portion of a recording apparatus, comprising:
a body (31, 31 A, 31B, 31E) having a front side at which an ink supply portion (37, 37G) is located for supplying ink stored in an ink chamber (36) to an exterior of the ink chamber (36), and a rear side located opposite the front side;
a particular interface (46) positioned substantially adjacent to the ink supply portion (37) at the front side, wherein the particular interface (46) is configured to be biased by a biasing member (139) in a specific direction (55); characterized is that it comprises also
an engagement portion (90, 151) configured to be engaged with a locking section (108) of a cartridge installation portion (110) for retaining the body (31, 31A, 31B; 31E) in an installed state,
the cartridge further comprising a bottom surface extending from the front side to the real side.
wherein the bottom surface (41) is formed with a recess (94) in which the engagement portion (90, 151) is received during installation until the recess (94) is aligned with the locking section (108).
The ink cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the body (31, 31A, 31B, 31E).
includes an upper surface (39) and the bottom surface (41) opposite to the upper surface (39), the upper surface (39) extending from a front surface (40) of the body positioned at the front side of the body to a rear surface (42) of the body positioned at the rear side of the body, and wherein the bottom surface (41) is provided with the engagement portion (90, 151) configured to be engaged with the locking section (108) for restraining the body (31, 31A, 31B, 31E) in the installed state from moving in the specific direction (55) against a biasing force of the biasing member (139).
The ink cartridge according claim 2, wherein the particular interface (46) is projecting from a lower end of the front surface (40), and the engagement portion (90, 151) is positioned adjacent to the particular interface (46).
The ink cartridge of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the specific direction (55) is a direction opposite to an installation direction defined as a direction in which the ink cartridge (30, 30A, 30B, 30E) moves during installation.
The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the engagement portion (90) comprises a first guide surface (91) and a second guide surface (92), and wherein the first guide surface (91) and the bottom surface (41) define a first angle (θ₁) therebewteen and the second guide surface (92) and the bottom surface (41) define a second angle (θ₂) therebetween greater than the first angle (θ₁).
The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the engagement portion (90) comprises a first guide surface (91) and a second guide surface (92), and wherein the second guide surface (92) has a frictional coefficient to restrain the body (31, 31A, 31B) in the installed state from moving in the specific direction (55).
The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the body (31, 31 A, 31 B, 31 E) is further formed with an opening (34) at the front side for drawing an air from the exterior of the ink chamber (36) into an interior of the ink chamber (36), and wherein the opening (34) is configured to engage an outer peripheral surface of a rod (124) of the cartridge installation portion (110).
The ink cartridge according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the engagement portion (151) comprises a latch lever (151) and an urging member, the latch lever (151) being configured to move between a first position in which the latch lever (151) is in engagement with the locking section (108) and a second position in which the latch lever (151) is disengaged from the locking section (108) and received in the recess (94), and the urging member being configured to urge the latch lever (151) to the first position.
The ink cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the second guide surface (92) is connected to the first guide surface (91) and positioned closer to the rear surface (42) than the first guide surface (91) to the rear surface (42), the first guide surface (91) having a leading end in the installation direction (56) and a trailing end in the installation direction (56) and connected to the second guide surface (92), and the second guide surface (92) having a leading end in the installation direction (56) and connected to the trailing end of the first guide surface (91) and a trailing end in the installation direction (56), the first guide surface (91) being slanted with respect to the installation direction (56) such that the trailing end of the first guide surface (91) is positioned farther from the bottom surface (41) than the leading end of the first guide surface (91) from the bottom surface (41), and the second guide surface (92) being slanted with respect to the installation direction (56) such that the leading end of the second guide surface (92) is positioned farther from the bottom surface (41) than the trailing end of the second guide surface (92) from the bottom surface (41).
A recording apparatus (10) comprising:
a cartridge installation portion (110) in which the ink cartridge (30, 30A) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is installable; and
a pressing mechanism (144) provided at an upper portion of the cartridge installation portion (110),
wherein the pressing mechanism (144) includes;
a biasing member (148); and
a lever portion (145),
wherein the biasing member (148) is configured to bias the lever portion (145), and the lever portion (145) is configured to press the upper surface (39) of the ink cartridge (31, 31A) downward such that the engagement portion frictionally engages the locking section (108).