Container, printing system and printing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a technology capable of suppressing the positional deviation of a liquid supply part and a liquid introduction part and a container terminal and a device-side terminal when a container is installed in a printing device. The container comprises: a container-side terminal electrically connected to the device-side terminal; a liquid supply part connected to the liquid introduction part so that liquid flows to the liquid introduction part; a terminal positioning part for positioning by limiting the movement of the container-side terminal relative to the device-side terminal by receiving the device-side terminal positioning part; and a supply part positioning part for positioning by limiting the movement of the liquid supply part relative to the liquid introduction part by receiving the device-side supply part positioning part, wherein a first direction in which the terminal positioning part extends is a direction intersecting with a second direction in which the supply part positioning part extends.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology related to a container, a printing system and a printing device. Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a technology including a liquid supply unit and a container terminal is known regarding a container (Patent Document 1).

[0003] [Prior art literature]

[0004] [Patent Document]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-129175

[0006] Here, the liquid supply unit is connected to the liquid introduction unit of the printing device, and the container terminal is electrically connected by contacting with the device-side terminal of the printing device. However, when the container is mounted on the printing device, the positions of the liquid supply unit and the liquid introduction unit and the positions of the container terminal and the device-side terminal may be offset. Summary of the invention

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a container is provided, which can be detachably mounted on a container mounting portion of a printing device, and the container mounting portion of the printing device has: a liquid introduction portion for receiving liquid; a device-side terminal; a device-side terminal positioning portion; and a device-side supply portion positioning portion. The container has: a container-side terminal electrically connected to the device-side terminal; a liquid supply portion connected to the liquid introduction portion to allow liquid to flow to the liquid introduction portion; a terminal positioning portion that restricts movement of the container-side terminal relative to the device-side terminal by receiving the device-side terminal positioning portion, thereby positioning; and a supply portion positioning portion that restricts movement of the liquid supply portion relative to the liquid introduction portion by receiving the device-side supply portion positioning portion, thereby positioning, and a first direction in which the terminal positioning portion extends is a direction intersecting with a second direction in which the supply portion positioning portion extends.

[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing system comprising: a printing device having a container mounting portion; and the container of the above aspect.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a printing device is provided, which is equipped with a container having a container-side terminal, a liquid supply unit, a terminal positioning unit, and a supply unit positioning unit. The printing device is provided with a container mounting unit, which forms a storage chamber for accommodating the container, and has a supporting member for supporting the container, wherein the container mounting unit has: a liquid introduction unit connected to the liquid supply unit; a device-side terminal electrically connected to the container-side terminal; a device-side terminal positioning unit, which is received by the terminal positioning unit to restrict the movement of the container-side terminal relative to the device-side terminal, thereby positioning; and a device-side supply unit positioning unit, which is received by the supply unit positioning unit to restrict the movement of the liquid supply unit relative to the liquid introduction unit, thereby positioning, and a device first direction, which is the direction in which the device-side terminal positioning unit extends, is a direction intersecting with a device second direction, which is the direction in which the device-side supply unit positioning unit extends. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the structure of a printing system as an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 2 This is a diagram of the container mounting portion as viewed from the +Z direction side.

[0012] Figure 3 is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of line 3-3.

[0013] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 An enlarged view of region R4.

[0014] Figure 5 This is a diagram of the container mounting portion as viewed from the +Y direction side.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a container installed in a container installation portion.

[0016] Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the container mounting portion.

[0017] Figure 8 This is a diagram of the container mounting portion as viewed from the +Z direction side.

[0018] Fig. 9 This is a partial enlarged view of the container installation part.

[0019] Fig.10 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the terminal portion on the device side.

[0020] Fig.11 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the first type of container.

[0021] Fig.12It is an exploded perspective view of the first type of container.

[0022] Fig.13 This is a first diagram showing a portion of a first container.

[0023] Fig.14 The second diagram shows a portion of the first container.

[0024] Fig.15 is a first side view of the first container.

[0025] Fig.16 It is a second side view of the first container 4A.

[0026] Fig.17 This is the main view of the first container.

[0027] Fig.18 This is a rear view of the first type of container.

[0028] Fig.19 This is a top view of the first type of container.

[0029] Fig. 20 It is a three-dimensional diagram of the second container.

[0030] Fig.21 This is the main view of the second container.

[0031] Fig. 22 This is a rear view of the second container.

[0032] Fig.23 is the first diagram illustrating the installation process.

[0033] Fig.24 is the second figure illustrating the installation process.

[0034] Fig.25 yes Fig.24 sectional view of .

[0035] Fig.26 The third figure illustrates the installation process.

[0036] Fig. 27 yes Fig.26 sectional view of .

[0037] [Description of symbols]

[0038] 1: printing system; 2: printing paper; 4, 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K: container; 4A: first type of container; 4B: second type of container; 6: container mounting portion; 8: cover member; 10: printing device; 13: replacement cover; 15: operation button; 20: bracket; 22: ejection head; 24: pipe; 30: drive mechanism; 31: control unit; 32: timing belt; 34: drive motor; 41: main body; 42: front wall; 43: upper wall; 44: bottom wall; 45: first side wall; 46: second side wall; 47: rear wall; 50: circuit board; 50fa: surface; 61: storage chamber; 61C, 61M, 61Y, 61K: slot; 62: second device wall; 63: device upper wall; 64: device bottom wall; 65: printing system; 66: printing system; 67: printing system; 68: printing system; 69: printing system; 70: printing system; 71: printing system; 72: printing system; 73: printing system; 74: printing system; 75: printing system; 76: printing system; 77: printing system; 78: printing system; 79: printing system; 80: printing system; 81: printing system; 82: printing system; 83: printing system; 84: printing system; 85: printing system; 86: printing system; 87: printing system; 88: printing system; 89: printing system; 90: printing system; 91: printing system; 92: printing system; 93: printing system; 94: printing system; 95: printing system; 96: printing system; 97: printing system; 98: printing system; 99: printing system; 100: printing system; 110: printing system 5: first device side wall; 66: second device side wall; 67: first device wall; 70: device side terminal portion; 73: holding mechanism; 89: corner portion; 90: recessed portion; 401, 401B: liquid container; 402: adapter; 402e: end portion; 430: container side identification component; 431: container bottom wall; 442: liquid supply portion; 446: insertion opening; 447: container guide portion; 447a: first container guide portion; 447b: second container guide portion; 448: supply portion positioning portion; 449: internal flow path; 450: liquid container portion; 461: supply portion configuration chamber; 497: container engaging portion; 521: container side terminal; 525: storage device; 602: device guide portion; 602 a: first device guide; 602b: second device guide; 610: support member; 611: first support side wall; 612: second support side wall; 613: main wall; 614: opening; 625: device force member; 630: device side identification member; 642: liquid introduction part; 642a: base end; 642b: tip end; 644: device side supply unit positioning part; 644a: one end; 644b: the other end; 674: plug-in opening; 677: snap-fit ​​forming body; 697: mounting snap-fitting part; 698: rotation fulcrum; 699: liquid storage part; 721: device side terminal; 722: terminal contact; 739: connector; 750: terminal holding part; 750fa: holding part surface ;750ft: first holding portion side wall;750fw: second holding portion side wall;756: device side terminal positioning portion;756t: first device side terminal positioning portion;756w: second device side terminal positioning portion;780: force member;782: mounting member;902: recess side wall;902t: first recess side wall;902w: second recess side wall;906: terminal positioning portion;906t: first terminal positioning portion;906w: second terminal positioning portion;916: end wall;982: recess front wall;988: recess bottom wall;442e1: tip opening;442e2: supply base end;CA1, CA2: center axis;D1: insertion direction;D2: connection direction;D3: connection release direction;Fa: external force; Ft1: external force; MP: central part; Rp: terminal rotation fulcrum; RY: external force; CD1: first direction; CD2: second direction; DD1: first direction of device; DD2: second direction of device; HT, HS: height. ; DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] A. Implementation method:

[0040] A-1. Structure of printing system:

[0041] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the structure of a printing system 1 as an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 The X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are depicted as three mutually orthogonal spatial axes. The directions of the arrows of the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis respectively indicate the positive directions along the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis. The positive directions along the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are respectively set as +X direction, +Y direction and +Z direction. The directions opposite to the directions of the arrows of the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are respectively set as negative directions along the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis. The negative directions along the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are respectively set as -X direction, -Y direction and -Z direction. The directions along the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis are respectively referred to as X direction, Y direction and Z direction regardless of positive or negative. The same applies to the figures and descriptions shown later.

[0042] The printing system 1 includes a printing device 10 and a container 4 for supplying ink as liquid to the printing device 10 .

[0043] The printing device 10 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that ejects ink from an ejection head 22. The printing device 10 is a large-scale printer that prints on large-format paper (A2 to A0, etc.) such as posters. The printing device 10 includes a container mounting portion 6, a control portion 31, a carriage 20, an ejection head 22, and a drive mechanism 30. In addition, the printing device 10 includes an operation button 15 for a user to operate the operation of the printing device 10.

[0044] The plurality of containers 4 are detachably mounted on the container mounting portion 6. In the present embodiment, four containers 4, one each corresponding to the four colors of ink, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, are mounted on the container mounting portion 6. The container 4 for accommodating black ink is also referred to as a container 4K, the container 4 for accommodating yellow ink is also referred to as a container 4Y, the container 4 for accommodating magenta ink is also referred to as a container 4M, and the container 4 for accommodating cyan ink is also referred to as a container 4C. In the present embodiment, the container 4K is configured to accommodate more liquid than the containers 4C, 4M, and 4Y. Therefore, the container 4K is also referred to as the first type of container 4A, and the containers 4C, 4M, and 4Y are also referred to as the second type of container 4B.

[0045] The printing device 10 has a replacement cap 13 at the front of the +Y direction side. When the +Z direction side of the replacement cap 13 is tilted toward the near front side as the +Y direction side, the opening of the container mounting portion 6 appears and the container 4 can be loaded and unloaded. When the container 4 is mounted on the container mounting portion 6, ink can be supplied to the ejection head 22 provided on the bracket 20 via the tube 24 as a liquid circulation tube. In the present embodiment, for example, ink is supplied to the ejection head 22 by the difference between the liquid level of the ink in the liquid storage portion 699 and the water level of the ejection head 22. In addition, in other embodiments, ink can be supplied to the ejection head 22 by the difference between the liquid level in the container 4 and the water level of the ejection head 22, or the ink in the container 4 can be sucked by a pump mechanism (not shown) of the printing device 10 to supply ink to the ejection head 22. In addition, the tube 24 is provided corresponding to each type of ink. In addition, the state in which the container 4 is mounted on the container mounting portion 6 and the ink as liquid can be supplied to the printing device 10 is also referred to as the "mounted state".

[0046] The ejection head 22 is provided with nozzles corresponding to each type of ink. The ejection head 22 ejects ink from the nozzles toward the printing paper 2 to print data such as text or images. In addition, the state where the container 4 is mounted on the container mounting portion 6 and the detailed structures of the container 4 and the container mounting portion 6 are described later. In addition, in the present embodiment, the printing device 10 is a so-called "non-carriage loading type" printer in which the container mounting portion 6 is not linked to the movement of the bracket 20. The present invention can also be applied to a so-called "carriage loading type" printer in which the container mounting portion 6 is provided on the bracket 20 and the container mounting portion 6 moves together with the bracket 20.

[0047] The control unit 31 controls each unit of the printing device 10 and transmits and receives signals to and from the container 4. The carriage 20 moves the ejection head 22 relative to the printing paper 2.

[0048] The drive mechanism 30 reciprocates the carriage according to a control signal from the control unit 31. The drive mechanism 30 includes a timing belt 32 and a drive motor 34. The power of the drive motor 34 is transmitted to the carriage 20 via the timing belt 32, so that the carriage 20 reciprocates in the main scanning direction, which is a direction along the X direction. In addition, the printing device 10 includes a conveying mechanism for moving the printing paper 2 in the sub-scanning direction, which is the +Y direction. When printing, the printing paper 2 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the conveying mechanism, and the printing paper 2 after printing is output on the front cover 11.

[0049] In addition, an area called the initial position is provided at a position outside the printing area where the carriage 20 moves in the main scanning direction, and a maintenance mechanism is mounted at the initial position, which performs maintenance for normal execution of printing. The maintenance mechanism is composed of a cover member 8, a lifting mechanism (not shown), and a suction pump (not shown), etc. The cover member 8 is pressed against a surface on the bottom side of the ejection head 22 where a nozzle is formed, and a closed space is formed in a manner of surrounding the nozzle. The lifting mechanism lifts the cover member 8 to press against the nozzle surface of the ejection head 22, and the suction pump introduces negative pressure into the closed space formed by the cover member 8 pressing against the nozzle surface of the ejection head 22.

[0050] In the present embodiment, in the use state of the printing system 1, the axis along the sub-scanning direction for conveying the printing paper 2 is set as the Y axis, the axis along the gravity direction is set as the Z axis, and the axis along the moving direction of the carriage 20 is set as the X axis. Here, the "use state of the printing system 1" refers to the state in which the printing system 1 is set on a horizontal surface. In addition, in the present embodiment, the sub-scanning direction is set as the +Y direction, the opposite direction thereof is set as the -Y direction, the gravity direction is set as the -Z direction, and the anti-gravity direction is set as the +Z direction. The X direction and the Y direction are directions along the horizontal direction. In addition, when the printing system 1 is viewed from the front side, the direction from the right side to the left side is set as the +X direction, and the opposite direction thereof is set as the -X direction. In addition, in the present embodiment, the insertion direction D1 of inserting the container 4 into the container mounting portion 6 for mounting is the -Y direction, and the direction of removing the container 4 from the container mounting portion 6 is the +Y direction. Therefore, the -Y direction side in the container mounting portion 6 is also called the back side, and the +Y direction side is also called the near front side. In addition, in the present embodiment, the arrangement direction of the plurality of containers 4 is the X direction.

[0051] A-2. Schematic structure of the installation state of the container 4:

[0052] Figure 2 This is a diagram of the container mounting portion 6 as viewed from the +Z direction side. Figure 3 is along Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of line 3-3. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A magnified view of region R4. Figure 2 In the embodiment, the container 4K is installed in the container installation part 6. Figure 2 to Figure 4 The following describes the schematic configuration of the installation process and the installation state of the container 4. The installation process and the installation state are the same for the containers 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K.

[0053] like Figure 3As shown, the container 4 is inserted along the insertion direction D1, and is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the container mounting portion 6 through the insertion and extraction opening portion 674 provided in the first device wall 67 of the container mounting portion 6. Thus, the storage chamber 61 accommodates the container 4. The insertion and extraction opening portion 674 is the entrance and exit of the container 4 to the storage chamber 61. In the state where the container 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the container mounting portion 6, the container 4 is supported from the -Z direction side by the support member 610 of the container mounting portion 6. In addition, in the mounted state where the container 4 is mounted in the storage chamber 61 of the container mounting portion 6, the liquid supply portion 442 of the container 4 is connected to the liquid introduction portion 642 of the container mounting portion 6. Thus, the ink contained in the liquid storage portion 450 of the container 4 is supplied to the liquid introduction portion 642 via the liquid supply portion 442. In addition, in the present embodiment, ink is supplied from the liquid supply section 442 to the liquid introduction section 642, and on the other hand, the air contained in the liquid storage section 699 becomes bubbles and circulates in the liquid introduction section 642 and the liquid supply section 442 and circulates to the liquid containing section 450. Thus, gas-liquid exchange is performed in the liquid containing section 450. In addition, in other embodiments, the container 4 may also have an atmosphere communication path that connects the liquid containing section 450 to the outside, and gas-liquid exchange is performed via the atmosphere communication path. The atmosphere communication path is arranged at a position different from the liquid supply section 442, for example, formed in a wall forming the liquid containing section 450.

[0054] The liquid inlet portion 642 receives the liquid supplied from the container 4. The liquid inlet portion 642 is a cylindrical component having an internal flow path for circulating the liquid. The liquid inlet portion 642 has a base end portion 642a and a tip end portion 642b. An opening communicating with the internal flow path is formed at the tip end portion 642b, and the ink of the liquid supply portion 442 circulates into the internal flow path through the opening. The base end portion 642a is connected to the liquid storage portion 699 so that the ink circulating in the internal flow path flows into the liquid storage portion 699. The liquid storage portion 699 is located on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The liquid storage portion 699 is connected to the storage chamber 61 via the base end portion 642a. Figure 1 The tube 24 shown is connected to the ejection head 22. As described above, the liquid introduction portion 642 is connected to the ejection head 22 via the liquid storage portion 699 and the tube 24. The central axis CA1 of the liquid introduction portion 642 is parallel to the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply portion 442 in the installed state, and is inclined relative to the Z direction. That is, the direction along the central axis CA1, which is the direction in which the liquid introduction portion 642 extends, intersects with the insertion direction D1. The central axis CA2 of the liquid supply portion 442 is the direction along the direction in which the liquid supply portion 442 extends.

[0055] like Figure 4As shown, in the mounted state of the container 4, the circuit substrate 50 of the container 4 is in contact with the device-side terminal portion 70 of the container mounting portion 6 to be electrically connected. The device-side terminal portion 70 is held by a holding mechanism 73. The device-side terminal portion 70 has a plurality of device-side terminals 721, a terminal holding portion 750, and a connector 739.

[0056] In the present embodiment, nine device-side terminals 721 are provided. Each of the device-side terminals 721 is a conductive metal plate member. The device-side terminal 721 has a terminal rotation fulcrum Rp, and a portion of the device-side terminal 521 of the circuit substrate 50 as an end portion that is in contact with the terminal rotation fulcrum Rp as a fulcrum can be elastically deformed. The direction of the elastic deformation is along the Y direction and the Z direction. The terminal holding portion 750 holds the plurality of device-side terminals 721. The connector 739 is electrically connected to the plurality of device-side terminals 721. In addition, the connector 739 is electrically connected to the control unit 31 of the printing device 10 through wiring not shown. Thus, the circuit substrate 50 and the control unit 31 can perform data communication.

[0057] The holding mechanism 73 includes a biasing member 780 and a mounting member 782. The biasing member 780 is formed of a coil spring. The biasing member 780 is arranged inside the mounting member 782. In addition, the device-side terminal portion 70 is mounted on the mounting member 782. The biasing member 780 is compressed in a state where the insertion of the container 4 into the container mounting portion 6 is completed. Thus, the biasing member 780 applies an external force Fa in a direction toward the removal direction side of the container 4, which is the first device wall 67 side, to the device-side terminal portion 70 via the mounting member 782. The device-side terminal portion 70 is pressed against the circuit substrate 50 by the external force Fa, so that the contact between the device-side terminal 721 and the container-side terminal 521 is maintained well.

[0058] As described above, the holding mechanism 73 holds the device-side terminal portion 70 so as to be displaceable in the direction along the insertion direction D1 of the container 4. In addition, one end portion of the device-side terminal portion 70 side of the urging member 780 is configured to be slightly movable in the X direction and the Z direction intersecting the insertion direction D1. Thus, the device-side terminal portion 70 is held by the holding mechanism 73 so as to be slightly movable in the X direction and the Z direction intersecting the insertion direction D1.

[0059] The installation process of the container 4 to the container mounting portion 6 is composed of a terminal connection process and a supply portion connection process performed after the terminal connection process. The terminal connection process is a process in which the container 4 is moved in the -Y direction through the insertion and extraction opening 674 of the first device wall 67 and inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the container mounting portion 6, so that the device-side terminal 721 and the container-side terminal 521 are in contact and electrically connected. Figure 3As shown in FIG. 1 , the supply unit connection process is a process in which the rear surface 47 of the container 4 is rotated and moved in the connection direction D2 indicated by the arrow, with the rotation fulcrum 698 as a displacement mechanism of the support member 610 being used as a fulcrum, while maintaining the electrical connection between the device-side terminal 721 and the container-side terminal 521, thereby connecting the liquid introduction portion 642 and the liquid supply portion 442. The rotation fulcrum 698 is provided on the second device wall 62 side of the container mounting portion 6.

[0060] During the connection of the supply unit, the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 as a protrusion of the container mounting portion 6 enters the concave supply unit positioning portion 448 of the container 4, thereby restricting the movement of the liquid supply unit 442 intersecting the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply unit 442. In this way, the liquid supply unit 442 is positioned relative to the liquid introduction portion 642. The device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is roughly rectangular. The device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 has one end 644a as a base end and the other end 644b as a tip end. The one end 644a is located on the liquid storage portion 699 side. The one end 644a is located closer to the storage chamber 61 than the other end 644b.

[0061] In the mounted state of the container 4, the main wall 613 forming the bottom of the support member 610 is inclined relative to the Y direction. Specifically, the main wall 613 of the support member 610 is inclined so as to be located at the -Z direction side as being the lower side as it goes toward the +Y axis direction. In the initial configuration state of the container mounting portion 6 without the container 4 mounted thereon, the main wall 613 is parallel to the Y direction.

[0062] The container mounting portion 6 has a device force member 625, and in the mounted state of the container 4, the device force member 625 applies an external force Ft1 to the supporting member 610 in order to return the supporting member 610 to the position of the initial configuration state. The device force member 625 is a coil spring provided between the supporting member 610 and the liquid storage portion 699, and is in a compressed state in the mounted state. In the compressed state, an external force Ft1 having a +Z direction component is applied to the supporting member 610. On the other hand, in the mounted state of the container 4, the container engaging portion 497 of the container 4 is engaged with the mounting engaging portion 697 of the container mounting portion 6, thereby maintaining the mounted state. The mounting engaging portion 697 is formed in the engaging forming body 677 of the container mounting portion 6.

[0063] A-3. Detailed structure of the container mounting portion 6:

[0064] Figure 5 This is a diagram of the container mounting portion 6 as viewed from the +Y direction side. Figure 6 This is a diagram showing a container 4 mounted on the container mounting portion 6 . Figure 7 It is a perspective view of the container mounting portion 6. Figure 8This is a diagram of the container mounting portion 6 as viewed from the +Z direction side. Fig. 9 It is a partial enlarged view of the container mounting portion 6. Fig.10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device-side terminal portion 70. Figure 6 to Figure 10 In order to facilitate understanding, the illustration of a part of the structure of the container mounting portion 6 is omitted. With respect to the container mounting portion 6, the X direction is also referred to as the width direction, the Y direction is referred to as the depth direction, and the Z direction is referred to as the height direction. In the following, unless there is a special description of the state, the container mounting portion 6 in the initial configuration state where the container 4 is not mounted on the container mounting portion 6 is assumed to describe each element.

[0065] like Figure 5 to Figure 7 As shown, the container mounting portion 6 forms a storage chamber 61 for storing the container 4. The storage chamber 61 is roughly rectangular. In the storage chamber 61, slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K, which are parts for storing the containers 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K, roughly correspond to the appearance of the containers 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K. In this embodiment, in order to increase the amount of liquid stored, the container 4K has a larger dimension in the X direction than the other containers 4C, 4M, and 4Y. Therefore, in this embodiment, the width of the slot 61K is larger than the width of the other slots 61C, 61M, and 61Y.

[0066] like Figure 7 As shown, the container mounting portion 6 has six device walls 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67 that form the storage chamber 61. In the present invention, the "wall" is a concept that includes a wall composed of multiple walls in addition to a single wall. The second device wall 62 forms a wall on the -Y direction side of the storage chamber 61. The second device wall 62 is a substantially vertical wall when the printing device 10 is in use.

[0067] The first device wall 67 is opposed to the second device wall 62 in the Y direction. The first device wall 67 forms an insertion and removal opening 674 through which the container 4 passes when being inserted into or removed from the storage chamber 61.

[0068] The device upper wall 63 forms a wall on the +Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The device bottom wall 64 is opposite to the device upper wall 63 in the Z direction and forms a wall on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The device bottom wall 64 is formed by a supporting member 610. The device bottom wall 64 has a plurality of openings 614. In the present embodiment, four openings 614 are formed corresponding to the slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K. The device upper wall 63 and the device bottom wall 64 intersect with the second device wall 62 and the first device wall 67. In the present invention, "intersecting" and "intersecting" refer to one of the following states: (i) a state in which two elements intersect each other and actually intersect, (ii) a state in which an element on one side intersects with an element on the other side when the element on one side is extended, and (iii) a state in which the elements intersect each other when the elements are extended separately.

[0069] The first device side wall 65 forms a wall on the +X direction side of the storage chamber 61. The second device side wall 66 is opposed to the first device side wall 65 in the X direction, and forms a wall on the -X direction side of the storage chamber 61. The first device side wall 65 and the second device side wall 66 intersect with the second device wall 62, the first device wall 67, the device top wall 63, and the device bottom wall 64.

[0070] like Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the container mounting portion 6 also includes a supporting member 610, a liquid introduction portion 642, a supply portion positioning portion 644, a device guide portion 602, and a snap-fit ​​forming body 677. A plurality of supporting members 610 are provided in accordance with the number of containers 4 installed. In the present embodiment, four supporting members 610 are provided. The supporting member 610 forms the device bottom wall 64 on the gravity direction side of the storage chamber 61. The supporting member 610 supports the container 4 from the -Z direction side which is the gravity direction side. The supporting member 610 is a member extending along the Y direction. The supporting member 610 is concave. The supporting member 610 includes a main wall 613, a first supporting side wall 611, and a second supporting side wall 612 which form the device bottom wall 64.

[0071] The main wall 613 has a concave bottom located on the gravity direction side. An opening 614 is formed at the end of the main wall 613 on the first device wall 67 side. The opening 614 penetrates the main wall 613 in the thickness direction of the main wall 613.

[0072] like Figure 7 As shown, the first supporting side wall 611 stands from the +X direction side end of the main wall 613 toward the +Z direction, which is the anti-gravity direction. The second supporting side wall 612 stands from the -X axis direction side end of the main wall 613 toward the +Z direction. The first supporting side wall 611 and the second supporting side wall 612 are opposite to each other in the X direction.

[0073] The device guide 602 guides the container 4 in the insertion direction D1 and the removal direction. The device guide 602 is provided corresponding to each support member 610. The device guide 602 is provided on the first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612, respectively. The device guide 602 is a protrusion provided on the first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612. Figure 8 As shown, the first device guide portion 602a provided on the first supporting side wall 611 is a protrusion protruding from the first supporting side wall 611 toward the second supporting side wall 612. The first device guide portion 602a extends along the Y direction. In addition, a plurality of first device guide portions 602a are arranged at intervals in the Y direction. The second device guide portion 602b provided on the second supporting side wall 612 is a protrusion protruding from the second supporting side wall 612 toward the first supporting side wall 611. The second device guide portion 602b extends along the Y direction. In addition, a plurality of second device guide portions 602b are arranged at intervals in the Y direction.

[0074] like Figure 7 as well as Figure 8 As shown, the liquid introduction part 642 receives the liquid in the container 4. In the initial configuration state of the container mounting part 6, the liquid introduction part 642 is not located in the storage chamber 61, but is located on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. That is, the liquid introduction part 642 is located on the opposite side of the storage chamber 61 across the support member 610. Thus, when the container 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the container mounting part 6, it is possible to prevent the container 4 from colliding with the liquid introduction part 642. As described above, Figure 3 As shown, the support member 610 is rotated and moved in the connection direction D2 around the rotation fulcrum 698 to press down the opening 614, so that the tip 642b of the liquid introduction part 642 is arranged in the storage chamber 61. That is, the rotation fulcrum 698 as the displacement mechanism rotates the support member 610 to displace the opening 614 in the gravity direction, so that the tip 642b of the liquid introduction part 642 and the other end 644b of the device-side supply part positioning part 644 are arranged in the storage chamber 61 through the opening 614.

[0075] Figure 7The device side supply unit positioning portion 644 shown is received by the supply unit positioning portion 448, thereby limiting the movement of the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642. Thus, the liquid supply unit 442 is positioned. In the initial configuration state of the container mounting portion 6, the device side supply unit positioning portion 644 is not located in the storage chamber 61, but is located on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. That is, the device side supply unit positioning portion 644 is located on the opposite side to the storage chamber 61 across the support member 610. Thus, when the container 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the container mounting portion 6, it is possible to prevent the container 4 from colliding with the device side supply unit positioning portion 644. By rotating the support member 610 in the connection direction D2 with the rotation fulcrum 698 as the center and pressing down the opening portion 614, the other end portion 644b of the device side supply unit positioning portion 644 is configured in the storage chamber 61. That is, the rotation fulcrum 698 displaces the opening 614 by rotating the support member 610, so that the other end 644b of the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is arranged in the storage chamber 61 through the opening 614. The device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is a columnar member that stands upright from the upper wall of the liquid storage portion 699. The device second direction DD2, which is the direction in which the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 extends, has a Z-direction component and a Y-direction component. In the present embodiment, the device second direction DD2 is inclined so that it forms an angle with the Z direction in a range greater than 0° and less than or equal to 15°.

[0076] like Figure 8 As shown, the container mounting portion 6 also has a device-side terminal portion 70 and a device-side identification component 630. Fig. 9 As shown, the terminal holding portion 750 of the device-side terminal portion 70 includes: a holding portion surface 750fa on which the device-side terminal 721 is exposed, a first holding portion side wall 750ft, and a second holding portion side wall 750fw. The first holding portion side wall 750ft forms a side wall on the -X direction side of the terminal holding portion 750. The second holding portion side wall 750fw forms a side wall on the +X direction side of the terminal holding portion 750.

[0077] like Figure 8 as well as Fig. 9 As shown, the device-side identification component 630 is used to identify whether the correct type of container 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K is inserted into each slot 61C, 61M, 61Y, 61K of the storage chamber 61. The device-side identification component 630 forms different patterns according to the color of the liquid contained in the container 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K. Figure 8 In the embodiment, the device-side identification member 630 in each of the slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K is provided with the same pattern shape for convenience, but actually has different pattern shapes. The device-side identification member 630 is provided on the main wall 613 of the support member 610 .

[0078] like Fig. 9 As shown, the device side identification component 630 is formed by at least one rib. The pattern shape is determined by the number and position of the ribs. A container side identification component formed by ribs is also provided on the container 4. The container side identification component forms a different pattern shape according to the type of the container 4, that is, the color of the liquid contained. Moreover, when the correct type of container 4 is inserted into the corresponding slot 61C~61K, the device side identification component 630 and the container side identification component are engaged without collision. On the other hand, when the wrong type of container 4 is inserted into the slot 61C~61K, the device side identification component 630 collides with the container side identification component, thereby hindering the insertion of further containers 4. As a result, the possibility of the wrong type of container 4 being installed in each slot 61C~61K of the container mounting portion 6 can be reduced.

[0079] like Fig. 9 As shown, the device-side terminal portion 70 has a device-side terminal positioning portion 756 in addition to the above-mentioned plurality of device-side terminals 721, the terminal holding portion 750, and the connector 739. During the insertion of the container 4 into the storage chamber 61, the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 is received by the terminal positioning portion of the container 4, thereby restricting the movement in the X direction and the Y direction, which are directions intersecting the insertion direction D1. Thus, the device-side terminal 721 and the container-side terminal 521 are positioned in a direction intersecting the insertion direction D1.

[0080] Two device-side terminal positioning parts 756 are provided corresponding to each slot 61C to 61K. One of the two device-side terminal positioning parts 756 is also referred to as a first device-side terminal positioning part 756t, and the other is also referred to as a second device-side terminal positioning part 756w. The first device-side terminal positioning part 756t and the second device-side terminal positioning part 756w are columnar parts extending in the first device direction DD1, respectively. In the present embodiment, the first device direction DD1 is the Y direction, which is a direction along the insertion direction D1 of the container. The first device direction DD1 is a direction intersecting the second device direction DD2. The first device-side terminal positioning part 756t is provided on the first retaining part side wall 750ft. The second device-side terminal positioning part 756w is provided on the second retaining part side wall 750fw.

[0081] like Fig.10As shown, the holding portion surface 750fa of the terminal holding portion 750 is inclined relative to the Y direction and the Z direction toward the direction including the +Y direction component and the +Z direction component. The terminal contact 722 in the device-side terminal 721 that contacts the circuit substrate 50 protrudes from the holding portion surface 750fa. The terminal contact 722 is in a state of being elastically deformable in the direction of the arrow YR1. The +Y direction side end of the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 is located on the +Y direction side compared to the terminal contact 722.

[0082] like Fig. 9 As shown, the device-side terminal portion 70 and the device-side identification member 630 are respectively provided on the support member 610. In the Y direction, which is the direction in which the support member 610 extends, the device-side terminal portion 70 and the device-side identification member 630 are located on the opposite side of the first device wall 67 across the liquid introduction portion 642 and the opening portion 614. Specifically, the device-side terminal portion 70 and the device-side identification member 630 are provided near the second device wall 62. In addition, the device-side terminal portion 70 is located on the second device wall 62 side, which is the -Y direction side, compared with the device-side identification member 630. Thus, during the insertion process of the container 4, after the engagement of the container-side identification member and the device-side identification member 630 begins, the contact between the device-side terminal 721 and the container-side terminal 521 begins. Thus, it is possible to prevent the container-side terminal 521 of the wrong type of container 4 from contacting the device-side terminal 721, and prevent the storage device of the circuit substrate 50 and the control unit 31 from being electrically connected in the state where the wrong type of container 4 is installed.

[0083] like Figure 7 As shown, the engagement forming body 677 is formed on the +Y direction side of the support member 610. In addition, the engagement forming body 677 is located on the -Z direction side of the insertion and extraction opening 674. Four Figure 3 The mounting snap fit 697 is shown.

[0084] A-4. Detailed structure of container 4:

[0085] Fig.11 It is a perspective view of the first type of container 4A. Fig.12 It is an exploded perspective view of the first type of container 4A. Fig.13 This is a first diagram showing a portion of a first type container 4A. Fig.14 The second diagram shows a portion of the first type container 4A. Fig.15 It is a first side view of the first container 4A. Fig.16 It is a second side view of the first container 4A. Fig.17 It is a front view of the first container 4A. Fig.18 It is a rear view of the first container 4A. Fig.19It is a top view of the first type of container 4A. With respect to the container 4, the Y direction is the depth direction, the Z direction is the height direction, and the X direction is the width direction. The container 4 holds a large volume of liquid and is a container with a relatively large appearance. With respect to the appearance of the container 4, the dimension in the Y direction is the largest, and decreases in the order of the dimension in the Z direction and the dimension in the X direction. With respect to the figure showing the container 4, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are based on the end state of the terminal connection process, which is the state in which the insertion of the container 4 into the container mounting portion 6 is completed. That is, with respect to the figure showing the container 4, the X direction, the Y direction, and the Z direction are based on the state before the supply portion connection process in which the support member 610 is rotated and moved.

[0086] like Fig.11 As shown, the first container 4A includes a liquid container 401 forming an upper wall 43 and an adapter 402 forming a bottom wall 44. The adapter 402 is mounted by being fitted with the liquid container 401. The liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 are formed of synthetic resin. The liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 may be formed of the same material or different materials. In addition, the component forming the liquid container 401 may be lighter than the component forming the adapter 402. In this way, the operability of the container 4 is improved.

[0087] The outer shape of the first container 4A is a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first container 4A includes a main body 41 forming a shell and a circuit substrate 50 mounted on the main body 41. The main body 41 is formed by the above-mentioned liquid container 401 and the adapter 402. The main body 41 of the first container 4A has a front wall 42, a rear wall 47, an upper wall 43, a bottom wall 44, a first side wall 45, a second side wall 46 and a corner 89. Each wall 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47 is also referred to as each surface 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47. The front wall 42 and the rear wall 47 are opposite to each other in the Y direction along the insertion direction D1. The upper wall 43 and the bottom wall 44 are opposite to each other in the Z direction. The Z direction is parallel to the central axis CA2 along the extension direction of the liquid supply part 442. The first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46 are opposite to each other in the X direction. The X direction is a direction orthogonal to the Y direction and the Z direction. Here, the Y direction is also referred to as a first opposing direction, and the Z direction is also referred to as a second opposing direction.

[0088] like Fig.15 As shown, the front wall 42 is located on the insertion direction D1 side of the container 4 into the container mounting portion 6. That is, the front wall 42 forms an insertion tip end surface on the -Y direction side as the insertion direction D1 side. The rear wall 47 forms a surface on the +Y direction side as the removal direction. The upper wall 43 is located on the +Z direction side and intersects with the front wall 42 and the rear wall 47. Fig.11 As shown, the bottom wall 44 is located on the -Z direction side, which is the gravity direction side, in the installed state, forming Figure 3The bottom wall 44 is a connection front end face in the connection direction D2 shown. That is, the bottom wall 44 is located on the connection direction D2 side. The bottom wall 44 intersects with the front wall 42 and the rear wall 47. An insertion opening 446 is formed on the bottom wall 44. A liquid supply portion 442 is arranged in the insertion opening 446. The liquid supply portion 442 is arranged in such a way that the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply portion 442 passes through the insertion opening 446. During the installation process of the container 4, the liquid introduction portion 642 of the container installation portion 6 is inserted and passes through the insertion opening 446. In the insertion direction D1, the insertion opening 446 and the liquid supply portion 442 are located in the area RY between the central portion MP of the container 4 and the end portion on the rear wall 47 side.

[0089] like Fig.17 As shown, the first side wall 45 is located on the -X direction side, and the second side wall 46 is located on the +X direction side. The first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46 intersect the front wall 42, the rear wall 47, the upper wall 43, and the bottom wall 44, respectively. The corner 89 is provided at the corner portion where the front wall 42 and the bottom wall 44 intersect, and the circuit substrate 50 having the container terminal 521 is arranged. The corner 89 has a recessed portion 90 recessed inward.

[0090] The first container 4A also has: Fig.11 The liquid storage unit 450 for storing liquid, the liquid supply unit 442, the container side identification member 430, the supply unit positioning unit 448, the circuit board 50, the container guide unit 447, and Fig.18 The container snap-fit ​​portion 497 is shown.

[0091] Fig.12 The liquid supply portion 442 shown is connected to the liquid container 450 and has a central axis CA2. The direction along the central axis CA2 is the Z direction. The direction along the central axis CA, which is the extension direction of the liquid supply portion 442, intersects with the -Y direction, which is the insertion direction D1. That is, the liquid supply portion 442 extends in the direction intersecting with the insertion direction D1, in the Z direction in this embodiment. The liquid supply portion 442 is a tubular member protruding from the container bottom wall 431, which is the bottom wall of the liquid container 401, toward the adapter 402 side. The liquid supply portion 442 is arranged in the concave supply portion arrangement chamber 461 of the adapter 402. At the bottom of the concave shape of the supply portion arrangement chamber 461, a Fig.11 Insertion opening 446 is shown.

[0092] The liquid supply part 442 has an internal flow path 449, which allows the liquid in the liquid container 450 to flow to the liquid introduction part 642 as the outside. The supply base end 442e2 as the base end of the liquid supply part 442 is connected to the container bottom wall 431 as the bottom wall of the liquid container 401. The tip opening 442e1 as the tip end of the liquid supply part 442 opens to the outside. A valve mechanism (not shown) for opening and closing the internal flow path 449 is arranged in the internal flow path 449 of the liquid supply part 442. The valve mechanism has a valve seat, a valve core, and a force member in order from the tip opening 442e1 side. The valve seat is a ring-shaped member formed of rubber or synthetic rubber. The valve core is a columnar member that blocks the valve hole formed in the valve seat. The force member is a coil spring that forces the valve core toward the valve seat side. When the container 4 is installed, the liquid introduction part 642 presses the valve core in the direction of separation from the valve seat, so that the valve mechanism opens the valve.

[0093] Fig.11 The container side identification member 430 shown is used to identify whether the container 4 is inserted into the correct slot 61C, 61M, 61Y, 61K of the container mounting portion 6. The container side identification member 430 is a rib disposed on one side of the bottom wall 44 close to the front wall 42, and in this embodiment, adjacent to the corner 89. The container side identification member 430 forms different patterns according to the color of the liquid contained in the container 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K. The pattern shape is determined by the number and position of the ribs.

[0094] The supply unit positioning portion 448 restricts the movement of the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction unit 642 by the supply unit positioning portion 644 on the receiving device side, thereby positioning. Specifically, during the supply unit connection process, the supply unit positioning portion 448 restricts the movement of the supply unit positioning portion 448 in the direction intersecting the connection direction D2 by the supply unit positioning portion 644 on the receiving device side, thereby positioning the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction unit 642. The supply unit positioning portion 448 is formed on the bottom wall 44 and is a recessed portion recessed from the outer surface of the bottom wall 44. The cross section of the supply unit positioning portion 448 is rectangular. In addition, in other embodiments, the supply unit positioning portion 448 may also be a recessed portion that passes through the bottom wall 44. The second direction CD2, which is the direction in which the supply unit positioning portion 448 extends, is the Z direction. In this embodiment, the supply unit positioning portion 448 extends in the +Z direction from the bottom wall 44 toward the upper wall 43. The second direction CD2 of this embodiment is parallel to the second opposing direction. The supply unit positioning portion 448 extends in a direction along the receiving liquid introduction portion 642. In the insertion direction D1, the supply unit positioning portion 448 is located in a region RY between the center portion MP of the container 4 and the end portion on the rear wall 47 side.

[0095] The supply unit positioning portion 448 is a recessed portion having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. With respect to the supply unit positioning portion 448, the opening area of ​​the inlet portion formed on the outer surface side of the bottom wall 44 is larger than the opening area of ​​the bottom side of the recessed portion that is closer to the inner side than the inlet portion. Thus, during the supply unit connection process, the supply unit positioning portion 448 can easily receive the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644. In the insertion direction D1, the supply unit positioning portion 448 is located on the opposite side of the container-side terminal 521 of the circuit substrate 50 across the liquid supply unit 442 and the insertion opening 446. In the present embodiment, the supply unit positioning portion 448 is formed in the bottom wall 44 near the rear wall 47.

[0096] like Fig.18 As shown, the container engaging portion 497 is provided on the rear wall 47. The container engaging portion 497 is a recessed portion recessed from the outer surface of the rear wall 47.

[0097] like Fig.13 As shown, the circuit substrate 50 is arranged at the corner 89. The circuit substrate 50 has a plurality of container-side terminals 521 arranged on the surface 50fa and a storage device 525 arranged on the inner surface. The plurality of container-side terminals 521 that can be electrically connected by contacting with the device-side terminals 721 are electrically connected to the storage device 525 via wiring. In the present embodiment, nine of the plurality of container-side terminals 521 are provided. In the insertion direction D1, the circuit substrate 50 having the plurality of container terminals 521 is located on the insertion direction D1 side of the liquid supply portion 442. The surface 50fa on which the plurality of container-side terminals 521 are arranged is inclined relative to the insertion direction D1. Specifically, the surface 50fa is inclined relative to the insertion direction D1 toward a direction including a -Z direction component and a -Y direction component. In the storage device 525, information related to the container 4, such as the manufacturing year, month, and date or the remaining amount of liquid, is stored. In the installed state, the plurality of container-side terminals 521 are electrically connected by contacting with the corresponding device-side terminals 721. As a result, the control unit 31 of the printing device 10 and the storage device 525 are electrically connected to each other, and data communication is possible.

[0098] like Fig.14 As shown, the circuit substrate 50 is disposed in the recessed portion 90 of the corner portion 89. Fig.11 As shown, the recess 90 is provided throughout the front wall 42 and the bottom wall 44. Fig.14 As shown, the recess 90 has: a recess front wall 982 forming an inlet opening located on the front wall 42 side; a recess bottom wall 988 forming the bottom of the recess 90; and a pair of recess side walls 902t and 902w.

[0099] The recess bottom wall 988 has a portion inclined with respect to the Y direction. In the present embodiment, the inclined portion is inclined in the Y direction so as to be located on the +Z direction side as it moves toward the recess front wall 982. The circuit board 50 is arranged on the inclined portion.

[0100] A pair of recess side walls 902t and 902w are walls connected to the recess bottom wall 988. A pair of recess side walls 902t and 902w are opposite to each other in the X direction. The first recess side wall 902t is connected to the -X direction side end of the recess bottom wall 988. The second recess side wall 902w is connected to the +X direction side end of the recess bottom wall 988. In the case where the first recess side wall 902t and the second recess side wall 902w are used without distinguishing between them, they are referred to as recess side walls 902. The entrance opening portion, which is an opening formed in the recess front wall 982, becomes an entrance when the device-side terminal portion 70 is inserted into the recess 90.

[0101] A pair of terminal positioning parts 906t and 906w are respectively provided on a pair of recess side walls 902t and 902w. A pair of terminal positioning parts 906t and 906w are arranged facing each other in the X-axis direction. In the case of distinguishing the use of a pair of terminal positioning parts 906t and 906w, it is also called a first terminal positioning part 906t and a second terminal positioning part 906w. In the case of not distinguishing the use, it is also called a terminal positioning part 906. The terminal positioning part 906 is a groove formed in the recess side wall 902. The first terminal positioning part 906t is a groove with a shape recessed from the surface of the first recess side wall 902t. The second terminal positioning part 906w is a groove with a shape recessed from the surface of the second recess side wall 902w. In addition, the shape of the terminal positioning part 906 can be any shape that can receive the device-side terminal positioning part 756, and is not limited to a groove. For example, in other embodiments, the terminal positioning part 906 can also be composed of two convex parts arranged with a gap in the Z direction. The device-side terminal positioning portion 756 is received between the two protrusions.

[0102] The first direction CD1 in which the terminal positioning portion 906 extends is the Y direction along the insertion direction D1. Fig.14 As shown, the terminal positioning portion 906 extends in the +Y direction from the recessed front wall 982 toward the rear wall 47 side. The Y direction as the first direction CD1 intersects with the Z direction as the second direction CD2 extending from the supply unit positioning portion 448, and is orthogonal in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the first direction CD1 is parallel to the first opposing direction. The direction in which the terminal positioning portion 906 extends is a direction along the direction of the receiving device side terminal positioning portion 756.

[0103] The first terminal positioning portion 906t receives the terminal during the terminal connection process. Fig. 9 The first device side terminal positioning portion 756t is shown. That is, the first device side terminal positioning portion 756t is inserted into the first terminal positioning portion 906t. The second terminal positioning portion 906w receives the first terminal positioning portion 756t during the terminal connection process. Fig. 9The second device-side terminal positioning portion 756w is shown. That is, the second device-side terminal positioning portion 756w is inserted into the second terminal positioning portion 906t. The insertion of the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 into the terminal positioning portion 906 is performed after the engagement of the container-side identification component 430 and the device-side identification component 630 begins. In addition, the insertion of the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 into the terminal positioning portion 906 begins before the contact between the device-side terminal 721 and the container-side terminal 521 begins.

[0104] The device-side terminal positioning portion 756 is received by the terminal positioning portion 906, so that the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 contacts the terminal positioning portion 906. As a result, the movement in the Z direction and the X direction, which are directions intersecting the insertion direction D1 of the container-side terminal 521 relative to the device-side terminal 721, is restricted. That is, the device-side positioning portion 906 restricts the relative movement of the container-side terminal 521 and the device-side terminal 721 in the direction intersecting the first direction CD1, which is the direction along the insertion direction D1, by receiving the device-side terminal positioning portion 756. By restricting the movement, the positioning in the Z direction and the X direction, which are directions intersecting the insertion direction D1 of the container-side terminal 521 relative to the device-side terminal 721, is performed. The terminal positioning portion 906 has an end wall 916 on the +Y direction side. From the abutment position where the tip end of the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 contacts the end wall 916, the container 4 is further pushed toward the insertion direction D1 side, so that the terminal connection process ends. By further pushing the container 4 from the contact position toward the insertion direction D1, the holding mechanism 73 is pressed into the insertion direction D1. As a result, the device-side terminal portion 70 moves toward the insertion direction D1 following the movement of the container 4. When the terminal connection process is completed, Figure 4 The state of the biasing member 780 being compressed is shown. In addition, in the state where the terminal connection process is completed, the device-side terminal 721 is in contact with the container-side terminal 521.

[0105] like Fig.11 as well as Fig.19 As shown, the container guide 447 extends along the -Y direction as the insertion direction D1. The container guide 447 is guided in the insertion direction D1 by the device guide 602 of the container mounting portion 6. The container guide 447 is formed on the first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46, respectively. Fig.11In the figure, a single hatching is marked on the container guide 447 formed on the first side wall 45. The container guide 447 is formed on the first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46 respectively by steps. That is, with respect to the width of the container 4, the width of a portion including the bottom wall 44 is smaller than the width of other portions located away from the bottom wall 44 compared to the bottom wall side portion. Thus, a step forming the container guide 447 is formed. The container guide 447 is a surface facing the -Z direction. The container guide 447 formed on the first side wall 45 is also referred to as a first container guide 447a, and the container guide 447 formed on the second side wall 46 is also referred to as a second container guide 447b.

[0106] When the container 4 is inserted into the container mounting portion 6, the surface on the +Z direction side of the device guide 602 contacts the container guide 447, thereby guiding the movement of the container 4 in the insertion direction D1 while maintaining the posture of the container 4. The surface on the +Z direction side of the first device guide 602a contacts the first container guide 447a, and the surface on the +Z direction side of the second device guide 602b contacts the second container guide 447b.

[0107] like Fig.11 as well as Fig.12 As shown, the adapter 402 has: a corner portion 89 having a terminal positioning portion 906 and a container-side terminal 521; a container-side identification component 430; an insertion opening 446; a supply portion positioning portion 448; a container guide portion 447; and a supply portion configuration chamber 461.

[0108] Fig. 20 It is a perspective view of the second type of container 4B. Fig.21 It is a front view of the second container 4B. Fig. 22 4B is a rear view of the second type container 4B. The difference between the second type container 4B and the first type container 4A is that the width of the liquid container 401B is Fig.11 The width of the liquid container 401 shown is small. Therefore, the amount of liquid that can be contained in the liquid container 450 formed in the liquid container 401B is smaller than the amount of liquid that can be contained in the liquid container 450 formed in the liquid container 401. Since the other structures of the second type container 4B are the same as those of the first type container 4A, the same reference numerals are given to the same structures and the description thereof is omitted.

[0109] The adapter 402 of the second type container 4B and the adapter 402 of the first type container 4A have the same structure except for the pattern shape formed by the container-side identification member 430. Thus, the adapter 402 can be used in common for the containers 4A and 4B having different capacities.

[0110] A-5. Installation process of the container to the container installation unit:

[0111] Fig.23 is the first diagram illustrating the installation process. Fig.24 is the second figure illustrating the installation process. Fig.25 yes Fig.24 The cross-sectional view is equivalent to the Figure 2 Figure 3-3 of the cross section of line. Fig.26 The third figure illustrates the installation process. Fig. 27 yes Fig.26 The cross-sectional view is equivalent to the Figure 2 Figure 3-3 of the cross section of line. Figure 23 to Figure 25 Indicates the terminal connection process. Fig.26 , Fig. 27 Indicates the supply unit connection process.

[0112] like Fig.23 As shown, when installing the container 4 to the container mounting portion 6, first insert the container 4 into the storage chamber 61 from the insertion opening 674 of the container mounting portion 6. The insertion direction D1 of the container 4 to the container mounting portion 6 is the -Y direction, which is parallel to the direction in which the container guide portion 447 extends.

[0113] When from Fig.23 When the container 4 is further pushed in the insertion direction D1, as shown in FIG. Fig.24 The terminal connection process is complete. Fig.24 In the terminal connection process shown in FIG. 1 , the end 402e of the adapter 402 on the +Y direction side is located on the insertion direction D1 side relative to the engagement forming body 677. Fig.25 As shown, at the end of the terminal connection process, the container-side terminal 521 is in contact with the device-side terminal 721. In addition, at the end of the terminal connection process, the force applying member 780 is compressed, and the device-side terminal portion 70 receives an external force Fa from the force applying member 780. The user presses the container 4 toward the insertion direction D1 side, and rotates the container 4 in the connection direction D2 with the rotation fulcrum 698 as a fulcrum, thereby executing the supply portion connection process.

[0114] When the container 4 rotates and moves in the connection direction D2, before the connection between the liquid introduction part 642 and the liquid supply part 442 begins, the reception of the device-side supply part positioning part 644 by the supply part positioning part 448 begins, and then the positioning of the liquid supply part 442 relative to the liquid introduction part 642 begins. That is, the movement of the liquid supply part 442 that intersects with the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 is restricted. During the supply part connection process, when the device-side supply part positioning part 644 is inserted into the liquid introduction part 642, the container 4 may move slightly in the Y direction. In this case, the device-side terminal part 70 moves in a manner that follows the movement of the container-side terminal 521 by the extension and contraction of the force applying member 780. As a result, the contact between the container-side terminal 521 and the device-side terminal 721 can be well maintained.

[0115] like Fig. 27 As shown, in the mounted state of the container 4 where the supply unit connection process is completed, the container side terminal 521 of the circuit substrate 50 contacts the device side terminal 721 of the device side terminal portion 70, and the liquid supply unit 442 is connected to the liquid introduction unit 642. In the mounted state, the insertion direction D1 of the container 4 intersects with the direction in which the liquid supply unit 442 extends. In addition, in the mounted state, the container 4 is mounted on the container mounting portion 6 in such a manner that the direction in which the liquid supply unit 442 extends becomes a direction including a component in the direction of gravity. Thus, the liquid in the liquid supply unit 442 can flow smoothly. Therefore, the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage unit 450 without being consumed can be reduced. In this embodiment, in the mounted state, the liquid supply unit 442 is inclined relative to the gravity direction in such a manner that the direction in which the liquid supply unit 442 extends forms an angle with the gravity direction in a range greater than 0° and less than or equal to 15°. In the mounted state, the tip opening 442e1 is arranged at a position lower than the container terminal 521. That is, the height HS of the tip opening 442e1 is lower than the height HT of the container terminal 521 relative to the reference position, for example, the installation surface of the printing device 10. Thus, even when liquid leaks from the tip opening 442e1 of the liquid supply unit 442, the possibility of the leaked liquid adhering to the container-side terminal 521 can be reduced. Thus, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a short circuit of the container-side terminal 521 and a poor connection between the container-side terminal 521 and the device-side terminal 721. In addition, a plurality of container terminals 521 are arranged, and the terminal used as the reference is the container terminal 521 located at the lowest position.

[0116] In addition, in the mounted state, the mounting engaging portion 697 is engaged with the container engaging portion 497, thereby maintaining the mounted state of the container 4. The user lifts the rear wall 47 side of the container 4, thereby rotating it in the connection release direction D3, which is the direction opposite to the connection direction D2, with the rotation fulcrum 698 as a fulcrum. As a result, the mounting engaging portion 697 is displaced by being pressed by the main body of the container 4, and the engagement between the mounting engaging portion 697 and the container engaging portion 497 is released.

[0117] According to the above-described embodiment, the container-side terminal 521 and the device-side terminal 721 can be positioned by the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 and the terminal positioning portion 906, and the liquid supply portion 442 and the liquid introduction portion 642 can be positioned by the device-side supply portion positioning portion 644 and the supply portion positioning portion 448. In addition, since the first direction CD1 intersects with the second direction CD2, it is not necessary to provide the liquid supply portion 442 and the container-side terminal 521 on the same wall of the container 4, and thus the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the liquid supply portion 442 and the container terminal 521 is improved. For example, as in the present embodiment, the liquid supply portion 442 can be provided on the bottom wall 44, and the container-side terminal 521 can be provided on the concave portion 90 constituting a wall different from the bottom wall 44. In addition, with respect to the printing device 10, the device first direction DD1, which is the direction in which the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 extends, and the device second direction DD2, which is the direction in which the device-side supply portion positioning portion 644 extends, intersect. Thus, it is not necessary to provide the liquid introduction portion 642 and the device-side terminal 721 on the same wall of the container mounting portion 6, so the degree of freedom of configuration is improved. In addition, the first direction CD1 and the second direction CD2 intersect and are not parallel, so that the limiting direction of the movement of the liquid supply portion 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642 and the limiting direction of the movement of the container-side terminal 521 relative to the device-side terminal 721 have different directional components. That is, during the installation process, the components of the limiting direction of the movement of the container-side terminal 521 relative to the device-side terminal 721 are the X-direction component and the Z-direction component orthogonal to the Y-direction. On the other hand, during the installation process, the limiting direction of the movement of the liquid supply portion 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642 includes at least the X-direction component and the Y-direction component.

[0118] In addition, according to the above embodiment, Fig.12 as well as Fig.13 The terminal positioning portion 906 is a groove formed in the corner portion 89, as shown in FIG. Fig. 20 The supply portion positioning portion 448 shown is a recessed portion formed in the bottom wall 44. Thus, since the terminal positioning portion 906 and the supply portion positioning portion 448 are simple structures, they can be easily formed.

[0119] In addition, according to the above embodiment, Fig. 20As shown in FIG. 1 , in the −Y direction as the insertion direction D1, the supply unit positioning portion 448 is located on the opposite side of the container side terminal 521 of the circuit board 50 across the liquid supply unit 442. Fig.25 As shown, the rotation fulcrum 698 is arranged on the side where the container terminal 521 is located. Therefore, when the container 4 is rotated and moved around the rotation fulcrum 698 as the center to connect the liquid supply part 442 and the liquid introduction part 642, the distance between the rotation fulcrum 698 and the supply part positioning part 448 can be increased. Regarding the movement trajectory of the supply part positioning part 448 when the container 4 is rotated and moved, by increasing the distance between the rotation fulcrum 698 and the supply part positioning part 448, the bending, that is, the curvature can be reduced. That is, the movement trajectory of the supply part positioning part 448 can be made closer to a straight line. Therefore, the supply part positioning part 448 can easily receive the device side terminal positioning part 642. In addition, even if the protruding length of the device side supply part positioning part 642 is further increased, it can be smoothly received by the supply part positioning part 448. Therefore, since the protruding length of the device side supply part positioning part 642 can be increased, the device side supply part positioning part 642 is received by the supply part positioning part 448 at an early stage of the supply part connection process. This allows the liquid supply portion 442 and the liquid introduction portion 642 to be positioned with greater accuracy.

[0120] In addition, according to the above embodiment, Fig.11 As shown, in the insertion direction D1, the container terminal 521 is located on the insertion direction D1 side relative to the liquid supply part 442. That is, it can be easily designed that the connection between the liquid supply part 442 and the liquid introduction part 642 is performed after the container terminal 521 contacts and electrically connects with the device-side terminal 721. In addition, when a wrong type of container 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61, even if the container-side identification member 430 does not collide with the device-side identification member 630, the electrical connection between the container terminal 521 and the device-side terminal 721 is performed before the connection between the liquid supply part 442 and the liquid introduction part 642. Thus, by exchanging data between the control unit 31 and the storage device 525 of the circuit substrate 50, the control unit 31 can determine that a wrong type of container 4 has been inserted. In this case, the control unit 31 displays the error insertion information indicating that the wrong type of container 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 on the display unit (not shown) of the printing device 10 or the display unit of an external device such as a personal computer connected to the printing device 10 for data communication, so that the user can stop the execution of the supply unit connection process. Therefore, the possibility that the wrong type of liquid is supplied from the liquid supply unit 442 to the liquid introduction unit 642 can be reduced.

[0121] According to the above embodiment, Fig. 27As shown, the container 4 is provided with a liquid supply portion 442 on the bottom wall 44 intersecting the front wall 42 on the insertion direction D1 side. As a result, the bottom wall 44 is located on the gravity direction side in the installed state, so that the liquid in the liquid containing portion 450 can flow smoothly to the liquid supply portion 442. As a result, the amount of the liquid containing portion 450 that is not consumed and remains can be reduced. In addition, as Fig.23 As shown, the insertion direction D1 of the container 4 and the removal direction which is the opposite direction to the insertion direction D1 are the Y direction, and are directions along the horizontal direction. Thus, when the container 4 is inserted or removed relative to the container mounting portion 6, it is sufficient to move the container 4 in the horizontal direction, thereby improving the operability of the container 4. In particular, as described in the present embodiment, a container 4 with a large outer shape that accommodates a large volume of liquid can be inserted or removed in the horizontal direction relative to the container mounting portion 6, thereby further improving the operability of the container 4. As described above, in the mounted state of the container 4, the insertion direction D1 of the container 4 intersects with the direction in which the liquid supply portion 442 extends, thereby making it possible to set the insertion direction D1 to the horizontal direction, and to set the extension direction to a direction including a vertical direction component, thereby improving the operability of the container 4, and reducing the amount of liquid in the liquid holding portion 450 that is not consumed and remains.

[0122] In addition, according to the above embodiment, Fig.11 as well as Fig.19 As shown in FIG. 1 , the container 4 is provided with a container guide 447, so that it can be smoothly moved in the insertion direction D1. In particular, in this embodiment, the outer shape of the container 4 is the largest in the insertion direction D1. Thus, the container 4 is provided with a container guide 447 that is guided in the insertion direction D1, so that the container 4 can be moved more smoothly in the insertion direction D1. In addition, as shown in FIG. Fig.19 As shown, the container guide 447 includes a first container guide 447a formed on the first side wall 45 and a second container guide 447b formed on the second side wall 46 corresponding to the first side wall 45. Thus, since the container guides 447 can be provided on both sides in the width direction of the container 4, when the container 4 is moved in the insertion direction D1 relative to the container mounting portion 6, the insertion posture of the container 4 can be stabilized.

[0123] In addition, according to the above embodiment, Fig.11 As shown in FIG. 1 , the circuit board 50 having the container-side terminal 521 is arranged at the corner 89 where the front wall 42 and the bottom wall 44 intersect. Thus, by moving the container 4 in the insertion direction D1 relative to the storage chamber 61 of the container mounting portion 6, the container-side terminal 521 and the device-side terminal 721 can be easily brought into contact. In particular, in the present embodiment, as Fig.14As shown, the container 4 has a terminal positioning portion 906 at the corner 89, so that during the installation process, the container side terminal 521 and the device side terminal 721 can be reliably contacted.

[0124] In addition, according to the above embodiment, Fig.12 As shown, the container 4 includes the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402, so the degree of freedom of design can be improved. For example, a common adapter 402 can be used for a plurality of liquid containers 401 and 401B having different capacities in the liquid container 450. In addition, since the container 4 includes the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402, after the liquid is consumed, the liquid container 401 can be removed from the adapter 402, and a new liquid container 401 can be installed in the adapter 402. Thus, the recyclability of the container 4 is improved.

[0125] In addition, in this embodiment, the adapter 402 that can be commonly used for different types of liquid containers 401 and 401B is provided with the terminal positioning portion 906, the supply portion positioning portion 448, the container side identification member 430, and the container engaging portion 497 as elements that cooperate with the container mounting portion 6. Thus, even if the types of liquid containers 401 are different, the same type of adapter 402 can be used, so that the manufacturing cost of the container 4 can be reduced. In addition, this can simplify the structure of the liquid containers 401 and 401B.

[0126] In addition, according to the above embodiment, Figure 24 to Figure 27 As shown, after the container 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 through the insertion and extraction opening 674, the opening 614 is displaced in the gravity direction so that the tip 642b of the liquid introduction part 642 and the other end 644b of the device-side supply part positioning part 644 are arranged in the storage chamber 61, thereby connecting the liquid introduction part 642 and the liquid supply part 442. As a result, during the process of inserting the container 4 into the storage chamber 61, the collision of the container 4 with the liquid introduction part 642 and the device-side supply part positioning part 644 can be prevented.

[0127] B. Other implementations:

[0128] B-1. Other implementation methods 1:

[0129] In the above embodiment, if Fig.23As shown, the insertion direction D1 is parallel to the horizontal direction, but it is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the insertion direction D1 may be inclined relative to the insertion direction D1 as long as it has a horizontal component. For example, the insertion direction D1 may also be inclined relative to the horizontal direction within a range greater than 0° and less than or equal to 15°. In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, in the installed state of the container 4, the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 is inclined relative to the gravity direction, but it may also be along the gravity direction.

[0130] B-2. Other implementation methods 2:

[0131] In the above embodiment, if Figure 25 to Figure 27 As shown, the liquid supply part 442 and the liquid introduction part 642 are connected by rotating the container 4 around the rotation fulcrum 698 in the connection direction D2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the support member 610 may be moved in the -Z direction as a whole to move the container 4 in the -Z direction, thereby connecting the liquid supply part 442 and the liquid introduction part 642. That is, the terminal connection process may also be performed by moving the support member 610 in the -Z direction as the gravity direction, thereby displacing the opening 614 in the -Z direction as the gravity direction, so that the tip 642b of the liquid introduction part 642 is arranged in the storage chamber 61 via the opening 614. In addition, the position of the support member 610 may be fixed, and the liquid introduction part 642 may be moved to connect with the liquid supply part 442.

[0132] B-3. ​​Other implementation methods 3:

[0133] In the above embodiment, if Fig.12 As shown, the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 are separate bodies, but they can also be integrated.

[0134] B-4. Other implementation methods 4:

[0135] The present invention is not limited to inkjet printers and ink containers thereof, but can also be applied to any printing device and container thereof that ejects liquids other than ink. For example, the present invention can be applied to the following various printing devices and containers thereof.

[0136] (1) Image recording devices such as fax machines;

[0137] (2) A printing device for spraying color materials used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays;

[0138] (3) A printing device for spraying electrode materials used in forming electrodes for organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, field emission displays (FED), etc.

[0139] (4) A printing device for ejecting liquid containing biological organic matter used in the manufacture of biochips;

[0140] (5) A sample printing device as a precision pipette;

[0141] (6) Lubricating oil printing device;

[0142] (7) a printing device for resin liquid;

[0143] (8) Printing devices that accurately spray lubricating oil onto precision machinery such as clocks and cameras;

[0144] (9) A printing device for spraying a transparent resin liquid such as an ultraviolet curable resin liquid onto a substrate in order to form a microscopic hemispherical lens (optical lens) used in an optical communication element or the like;

[0145] (10) A printing device for spraying an acidic or alkaline etching solution for etching a substrate, etc.;

[0146] (11) Another printing device including a liquid ejecting head for ejecting liquid droplets of an arbitrarily small amount.

[0147] In addition, "droplets" refer to the state of liquid ejected from a printing device, including granular, tear-shaped, and tailing filamentous states. In addition, the "liquid" mentioned here refers to any material that can be ejected by the printing device. For example, "liquid" refers to any material in a liquid phase, and high-viscosity or low-viscosity liquid materials, as well as liquid materials such as sols, gels, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals are also included in the "liquid". In addition, it is not limited to liquids as a state of matter, and substances formed by dissolving, dispersing or mixing particles of functional materials formed by solid objects such as pigments or metal particles in a solvent are also included in the "liquid". In addition, as representative examples of liquids, inks or liquid crystals described in the above embodiments are listed. Here, inks include general aqueous inks, oily inks, and various liquid compositions such as gel inks and hot melt inks.

[0148] C.Other methods:

[0149] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be implemented in various ways without departing from the scope of the main purpose. For example, in order to solve part or all of the above-mentioned problems, or to achieve part or all of the above-mentioned effects, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in the various modes described below can be appropriately replaced or combined. In addition, as long as the technical features are not described as necessary in this specification, they can be appropriately deleted.

[0150] (1) According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container that can be detachably mounted on a container mounting portion of a printing device, the container mounting portion of the printing device having: a liquid introduction portion for receiving liquid; a device-side terminal; a device-side terminal positioning portion; and a device-side supply portion positioning portion. The container comprises: a container-side terminal electrically connected to the device-side terminal; a liquid supply portion connected to the liquid introduction portion to allow liquid to flow to the liquid introduction portion; a terminal positioning portion that restricts movement of the container-side terminal relative to the device-side terminal by receiving the device-side terminal positioning portion, thereby positioning; and a supply portion positioning portion that restricts movement of the liquid supply portion relative to the liquid introduction portion by receiving the device-side supply portion positioning portion, thereby positioning, wherein a first direction in which the terminal positioning portion extends is a direction intersecting a second direction in which the supply portion positioning portion extends. According to this aspect, the container-side terminal and the device-side terminal can be positioned by the terminal positioning portion, and the liquid supply portion and the liquid introduction portion can be positioned by the supply portion positioning portion. As a result, the possibility of displacement between the positions of the container terminal and the device-side terminal and between the liquid supply portion and the liquid introduction portion can be reduced. Furthermore, since the first direction intersects the second direction, it is not necessary to provide the liquid supply unit and the container-side terminal on the same wall of the container, and thus the degree of freedom in arranging the liquid supply unit and the container-side terminal is improved.

[0151] (2) In the above-mentioned aspect, the container may further include: a front wall located on the insertion direction side of the container into the container mounting portion; a rear wall opposed to the front wall in a first opposing direction along the insertion direction; a bottom wall on which the liquid supply portion is arranged; an upper wall opposed to the bottom wall in a second opposing direction intersecting the first opposing direction; and a corner portion which is a corner portion where the front wall and the bottom wall intersect and on which the container-side terminal is arranged, the first direction being parallel to the first opposing direction, and the second direction being parallel to the second opposing direction. According to this aspect, the container-side terminal and the device-side terminal can be positioned by the terminal positioning portion extending in the first direction parallel to the first opposing direction, and the liquid supply portion and the liquid introduction portion can be positioned by the supply portion positioning portion extending in the second direction parallel to the second opposing direction.

[0152] (3) In the above aspect, the terminal positioning portion may be a groove formed in the corner portion, and the supply portion positioning portion may be a recessed portion formed in the bottom wall. According to this aspect, the terminal positioning portion and the supply portion positioning portion can be easily formed.

[0153] (4) In the above-mentioned method, the supply unit positioning part may be located on the opposite side of the container side terminal across the liquid supply unit in the insertion direction. According to this method, when the liquid supply unit and the liquid introduction unit are connected by rotating the container with the container side terminal as a rotation fulcrum, the distance between the rotation fulcrum and the supply unit positioning part can be increased. With respect to the movement trajectory of the supply unit positioning part when the container is rotated, the curvature can be reduced by increasing the distance between the rotation fulcrum and the supply unit positioning part. As a result, the supply unit positioning part can easily receive the device side terminal positioning part.

[0154] (5) In the above aspect, the container may further include a container guide portion extending along an insertion direction of the container into the container mounting portion and guided by the container mounting portion in the insertion direction. According to this aspect, the container guide portion enables the container to be smoothly moved in the insertion direction.

[0155] (6) In the above-mentioned aspect, when the container is mounted on the container mounting portion, the tip opening of the liquid supply portion may be arranged at a position lower than the container-side terminal. According to this aspect, even if liquid leaks from the tip opening of the liquid supply portion, the possibility of the leaked liquid adhering to the container-side terminal can be reduced.

[0156] (7) In the above aspect, the container side terminal may be located closer to the insertion direction than the liquid supply portion in the insertion direction of the container into the container mounting portion. According to this aspect, it is easy to design that the liquid supply portion and the liquid introduction portion are connected after the container side terminal and the device side terminal are electrically connected.

[0157] (8) According to a second aspect of the present invention, a printing system is provided. The printing system comprises: a printing device having a container mounting portion; and a container of the above aspect. According to this aspect, the container-side terminal and the device-side terminal can be positioned by the terminal positioning portion, and the liquid supply portion and the liquid introduction portion can be positioned by the supply portion positioning portion. As a result, the possibility of misalignment between the positions of the container terminal and the device-side terminal and between the liquid supply portion and the liquid introduction portion can be reduced. In addition, since the first direction intersects with the second direction, it is not necessary to provide the liquid supply portion and the container-side terminal on the same wall of the container, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the configuration of the liquid supply portion and the container-side terminal.

[0158] (9) According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing device, which is provided with a container having a container-side terminal, a liquid supply unit, a terminal positioning unit, and a supply unit positioning unit. The printing device includes a container mounting unit, which forms a storage chamber for storing the container and has a supporting member for supporting the container, wherein the container mounting unit includes: a liquid introduction unit connected to the liquid supply unit; a device-side terminal electrically connected to the container-side terminal; a device-side terminal positioning unit, which is received by the terminal positioning unit to restrict the movement of the container-side terminal relative to the device-side terminal, thereby performing positioning; and a device-side supply unit positioning unit, which is received by the supply unit positioning unit to restrict the movement of the liquid supply unit relative to the liquid introduction unit, thereby performing positioning, wherein a device first direction, which is a direction in which the device-side terminal positioning unit extends, is a direction intersecting with a device second direction, which is a direction in which the device-side supply unit positioning unit extends. According to this aspect, the container-side terminal and the device-side terminal can be positioned by the device-side terminal positioning unit, and the liquid supply unit and the liquid introduction unit can be positioned by the device-side supply unit positioning unit. Thus, the possibility of the position of the container terminal and the device-side terminal and the position of the liquid supply portion and the liquid introduction portion being offset can be reduced. In addition, since the first device direction and the second device direction intersect, it is not necessary to provide the liquid introduction portion and the device-side terminal on the same wall of the container mounting portion, thereby increasing the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the liquid introduction portion and the device-side terminal.

[0159] (10) In the above-mentioned method, the liquid introduction part and the supply part positioning part may be located on the opposite side of the storage chamber across the support member, and the printing device may further include: a first device wall having an insertion and extraction opening as an entrance and exit of the storage chamber; a device bottom wall formed by the support member and having an opening, and the device bottom wall intersects with the first device wall; and a displacement mechanism that displaces the opening in the direction of gravity by moving the support member, thereby disposing the leading end of the liquid introduction part and the leading end of the device-side supply part positioning part into the storage chamber via the opening. According to this method, since the device-side terminal positioning part and the device-side supply part positioning part are located on the opposite side of the storage chamber across the support member, it is possible to prevent the liquid introduction part and the device-side supply part positioning part from colliding with the container when the container is inserted into the storage chamber.

[0160] The present invention can be implemented in other aspects than the above-mentioned aspects in aspects such as a method for manufacturing a container and a mechanism for mounting a container to a container mounting portion.

Claims

1. A container that can be detachably mounted on a container mounting portion of a printing device, the container mounting portion of the printing device comprising: a liquid introduction portion for receiving liquid; a device-side terminal; a device-side terminal positioning portion; a device-side supply portion positioning portion; and a support member that supports the container, The container mounting portion of the printing device forms a storage chamber for storing the container. The printing device also has: A first device wall having an insertion and extraction opening portion serving as an entrance and exit of the accommodation chamber; a device bottom wall formed by the supporting member and having an opening, and intersecting the first device wall; as well as a displacement mechanism that displaces the opening toward the gravity direction by moving the support member, thereby arranging the leading end of the liquid introduction portion and the leading end of the positioning portion of the device-side supply portion into the storage chamber via the opening, The container has: a container-side terminal electrically connected to the device-side terminal; a liquid supply portion connected to the liquid introduction portion to allow liquid to flow to the liquid introduction portion; a terminal positioning portion, which restricts the movement of the container-side terminal relative to the device-side terminal by receiving the device-side terminal positioning portion, thereby positioning the container-side terminal; as well as a supply unit positioning unit that receives the device-side supply unit positioning unit to restrict movement of the liquid supply unit relative to the liquid introduction unit, thereby performing positioning, The first direction, which is the direction in which the terminal positioning portion extends, is a direction intersecting with the second direction, which is the direction in which the supply portion positioning portion extends.

2. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that The container also has: a front wall located on an insertion direction side of the container into the container mounting portion; a rear wall that is opposite to the front wall in a first opposite direction along the insertion direction; a bottom wall, which is provided with the liquid supply portion; an upper wall opposed to the bottom wall in a second opposing direction intersecting the first opposing direction; as well as a corner portion, which is a corner portion where the front wall and the bottom wall intersect and is provided with the container-side terminal, The first direction is parallel to the first opposing direction, The second direction is parallel to the second opposing direction.

3. The container according to claim 2, characterized in that The terminal positioning portion is a groove formed at the corner portion, The supply portion positioning portion is a recessed portion formed in the bottom wall.

4. The container according to claim 3, characterized in that The supply portion positioning portion is located on the opposite side to the container-side terminal across the liquid supply portion in the insertion direction.

5. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The container further includes a container guide portion extending along an insertion direction of the container into the container mounting portion and guided by the container mounting portion in the insertion direction.

6. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: In a mounted state in which the container is mounted on the container mounting portion, the leading end opening of the liquid supply portion is arranged at a position lower than the container-side terminal.

7. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: In an insertion direction of inserting the container into the container mounting portion, the container-side terminal is located closer to the insertion direction side than the liquid supply portion.

8. A printing system comprising: A printing device having a container mounting portion; and The container according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A printing device, comprising a container having a container-side terminal, a liquid supply unit, a terminal positioning unit, and a supply unit positioning unit, The printing device comprises: a container mounting portion, which forms a storage chamber for accommodating the container and has a supporting member for supporting the container; a first device wall, which has an insertion and extraction opening as an entrance and exit of the storage chamber; a device bottom wall, which is formed by the supporting member and has an opening, and the device bottom wall intersects with the first device wall; and a displacement mechanism, The container mounting portion has: a liquid introduction part connected to the liquid supply part; a device-side terminal electrically connected to the container-side terminal; a device-side terminal positioning portion for limiting movement of the container-side terminal relative to the device-side terminal by being received by the terminal positioning portion, thereby performing positioning; and a device-side supply unit positioning unit, which is received by the supply unit positioning unit to restrict the movement of the liquid supply unit relative to the liquid introduction unit, thereby performing positioning, The displacement mechanism displaces the opening toward the gravity direction by moving the support member, so that the tip of the liquid introduction portion and the tip of the positioning portion of the device-side supply portion are arranged in the storage chamber through the opening. The device first direction, which is the direction in which the device-side terminal positioning portion extends, is a direction intersecting with the device second direction, which is the direction in which the device-side supply portion positioning portion extends.

10. The printing device according to claim 9, characterized in that The liquid introduction portion and the device-side supply portion positioning portion are located on the opposite side of the storage chamber with the support member interposed therebetween.

Images