Ink container and recording apparatus

Abstract

An ink container and a recording apparatus capable of further developing the prior art. An ink container attachable / detachable to / from an apparatus main body of a recording apparatus includes: an ink storage portion capable of storing ink; an ink supply portion capable of supplying ink to the apparatus main body by being connected with an ink inlet portion of the apparatus main body; and an electrical connection portion that is functionally connectable with an electrical contact of the device body. The electrical connection portion is arranged such that, when it is projected on a plane orthogonal to a mounting direction in which the ink container is mounted on the apparatus main body, a long side of a projected portion thereof intersects a gravity direction at less than 90 degrees when the ink container is in a mounting position by being mounted on the apparatus main body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ink tank and a recording apparatus. Background Art

[0002] An ink tank containing liquid (particularly ink) to be supplied to a recording device (eg, an inkjet printer) may sometimes include an electrical connection portion for electrical connection with the recording device.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-151894 discloses a liquid container including a memory device substrate and an electrical connection portion arranged at two positions so as to sandwich a liquid supply port between them, each memory device substrate storing information related to the amount of liquid contained in the liquid container. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-065374 discloses a liquid container having a liquid outlet port and a container-side electrical connection portion, into which a liquid inlet portion of a recording device is inserted, and the container-side electrical connection portion is to be connected to the electrical connection portion of the recording device. In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-151894 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-065374, the electrical connection portion is arranged to be inclined relative to the insertion direction of the liquid container into the recording device. In particular, it is introduced that the electrical connection portion provided on the upper surface side of the liquid container (the liquid container is in the mounting position by being mounted on the recording device) is positioned to be inclined relative to the insertion direction, so that it is easy to check whether the liquid container is properly arranged relative to the recording device. Summary of the invention

[0004] The ink tank according to some embodiments is configured to be attachable to and detachable from a device body of a recording device, and includes: an ink storage portion configured to be able to store ink therein; an ink supply portion configured to be able to supply ink to the device body by connecting to an ink inlet portion of the device body; and an electrical connection portion configured to be functionally connectable to an electrical contact of the device body. The electrical connection portion is arranged such that when the electrical connection portion is projected on a plane orthogonal to a mounting direction in which the ink tank is mounted on the device body, when the ink tank is in a mounting position by being mounted on the device body, a long side of a projected portion of the electrical connection portion intersects the direction of gravity at an angle less than 90 degrees.

[0005] Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of example embodiments with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ink tank.

[0007] Figure 2It is a plan view of the ink tank when viewed from the positive T direction.

[0008] Figure 3 is a perspective view of an ink supply member.

[0009] Figures 4A-4E Includes plan views of the ink supply member when viewed from multiple directions.

[0010] Figure 5A and 5B The included views all show a state where the flow path is blocked in a case where the ridge portion is not provided.

[0011] Fig. 6A and 6B The included views each represent a state where obstruction of the flow path is suppressed due to the ridge portion.

[0012] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the ink tank when viewed from the negative W direction.

[0013] Figures 8A-8G The included views show variations in the cross-sectional shape of the spine portion.

[0014] Figures 9A-9G The included views show the shape of the spine portion in plan view.

[0015] Fig.10 is a view showing a sealing portion of the ink tank.

[0016] Fig.11A and 11B A perspective view including an ink inlet member and an ink outlet member.

[0017] Fig. 12A and 12B A plan view including an ink inlet member and an ink outlet member.

[0018] Figures 13A-13F Included are plan views of the ink inlet member when viewed from multiple directions.

[0019] Figures 14A-14J Included are views showing the configuration of an ink inlet member.

[0020] Figures 15A-15E Included are plan views of the ink outlet member when viewed from multiple directions.

[0021] Fig.16 is an enlarged view of the first protruding portion.

[0022] Fig.17A and 17B Includes an enlarged view of the second protruding portion.

[0023] Fig.18: is a perspective view showing the peripheral configuration of the end portion of the ink outlet member in the negative D direction.

[0024] Fig.19 is an exploded perspective view of the ink outlet member.

[0025] Figures 20A-20F Included are views showing the arrangement of pad electrodes.

[0026] Fig.21A and 21B is a view showing the arrangement of a liquid supply portion and an electrical connection portion.

[0027] Figures 22A-22F Included are views showing arrangements of memory device substrates at inner surfaces of a memory device substrate receiving portion.

[0028] Fig.23 It is a perspective view of the system.

[0029] Fig.24A and 24B Includes a front view of the system and a view showing the internal structure of the system.

[0030] Fig.25 It is a partially exploded perspective view of the liquid supply device.

[0031] Fig.26 is a perspective view of an ink tank and a supporting unit.

[0032] Fig. 27 is an enlarged perspective view of the supporting structure.

[0033] Figures 28A-28C Included are views showing the manner in which the ink tank is arranged on the supporting unit.

[0034] Figures 29A-29D Included are views showing the manner in which a supporting unit having an ink tank arranged thereon is mounted in a slot. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The following will describe in detail an ink container (ink bag, ink cartridge) and a recording device according to multiple embodiments, features and aspects of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the following embodiments are example embodiments of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to these configurations. In addition, the contents described in the embodiments may be partially combined.

[0036] ( ) Ink Tank

[0037] Figure 1is a perspective view of an ink container according to the present embodiment. The ink container of the present disclosure includes: an ink storage portion 1, which is flexible and is configured to store ink therein; and an ink supply member 2, which supplies the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the outside. It should be noted that in this specification, the term "ink" includes any liquid that can be used to form an image on a recording medium or process a recording medium by being applied to the recording medium. Therefore, the "ink" in this specification is a concept that includes all liquids that can be used for recording. In addition, the concept of recording is not particularly limited, and it can be applied to industrial applications, etc. For example, it can be used in applications such as biochip production, printing of electronic circuits, and production of semiconductor substrates.

[0038] In order to introduce the present disclosure, directions are first defined. The direction of gravity when the ink container is placed at rest will be referred to as the positive W direction. The surface of the ink container facing downward when the ink container is placed at rest is the same as the surface of the ink container facing downward when the ink container is mounted on a recording device. The horizontal direction when the ink container is placed at rest will be referred to as the positive T direction. The direction opposite to the positive W direction will be referred to as the negative W direction, and the direction opposite to the positive T direction will be referred to as the negative T direction. In addition, the direction perpendicular to both the positive W direction and the positive T direction and from one end of the ink container where the ink supply member is provided to the other end portion of the ink container will be referred to as the positive D direction. Therefore, the direction in which the ink container is connected to the recording device when the ink container is mounted on the recording device is the negative D direction. In other words, the negative D direction is the direction in which the accommodating unit (to be described later) for accommodating the ink container is pushed into the recording device, and the positive D direction is the direction in which the accommodating unit is pulled out from the inside of the recording device to a position where the ink container can be attached and detached. Figure 2 : is a view showing the ink tank according to the present embodiment when viewed from the positive T direction.

[0039] (1) Ink storage part

[0040] In the present disclosure, the ink storage portion 1 has flexibility and is configured to be able to store ink therein. Any known structure or shape may be adopted as long as the ink storage portion 1 can store ink.

[0041] In this embodiment, the ink storage portion has at least (1) a first surface (P), and (2) a second surface (Q) opposite to the first surface. A side shared by the first surface and the second surface will be referred to as (3) a first side (R), and an ink supply member 2 for supplying the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the outside is provided at the first side. Figure 3 is a perspective view of an ink supply member according to the present embodiment. The ink supply member includes a first end portion facing the inside of the ink storage portion and a second end portion facing outward from the ink storage portion and opposite to the first end portion. FIG. 4A to FIG. 4E It indicated Figure 3 The ink supply component shown in . Figure 4A is the view when viewed from the negative D direction. Figure 4B is the view when viewed from the negative W direction. Figure 4C is the view when viewed from the positive W direction. Figure 4D is the view when viewed from the positive T direction. Figure 4E is the view when viewed from the negative T direction.

[0042] In this embodiment, in addition to the first side, the first surface and the second surface share a second side (S). The second side is a side opposite to the first side, and the first surface and the second surface are sandwiched between the first side and the second side. The second side is a side formed by sealing the first surface and the second surface together. However, the first surface and the second surface may be connected to each other, for example, by a gusset surface.

[0043] The ink storage portion according to the present embodiment also has (3) a first gusset surface (U) arranged along the positive T direction and (4) a second gusset surface (V) arranged along the negative T direction, such that these gusset surfaces connect the first surface and the second surface to each other. In other words, the first gusset surface and the second gusset surface are surfaces that are opposite to each other, and the first surface and the second surface are sandwiched between these gusset surfaces. It should be noted that instead of connecting the first surface and the second surface to each other through the gusset surfaces, the first surface and the second surface may be directly connected to each other by sealing the first surface and the second surface together.

[0044] In the present embodiment, the ink storage portion has a substantially rectangular shape, the longitudinal direction of which corresponds to the D direction, and the transverse direction of which corresponds to the T direction. However, the ink storage portion may have another quadrilateral shape, such as a trapezoidal shape or a square shape, or may have a polygonal shape, such as a triangular shape or a pentagonal shape. The ink storage portion may have a shape in which, for example, the corner portions are rounded.

[0045] As a method of manufacturing the ink storage portion having such a shape, a known method can be adopted. More specifically, the ink storage portion may have a pillow shape formed by stacking two films and connecting their peripheral portions together, or it may have a gusset shape.

[0046] In the present disclosure, the ink storage portion is flexible. In the present disclosure, the phrase "is flexible" means flexible and foldable.

[0047] As the material of the ink storage part, any known material can be used as long as the ink storage part can store ink therein and has flexibility. Specific examples of the material include resin films made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), etc. A film having a multilayer structure can also be used, in which these resin films are laminated together. Alternatively, a coating film or a vapor deposition film obtained by imparting gas barrier properties or moisture barrier properties to these resin films can be used. Alternatively, a film formed by laminating a sheet or aluminum foil on a resin film can also be used. In order to store ink, a material that can suppress the evaporation of moisture contained in the ink can be used. In particular, aluminum foil can be used. The thickness of the film used to form the ink storage part can be greater than 100 μm and less than 220 μm.

[0048] The ink storage portion may have a bag size suitable for its capacity. For example, in the case where the ink storage portion has a capacity of 1.5 L, the long sides of the ink storage portion are approximately 374 mm, and the short sides of the ink storage portion are approximately 180 mm. The gusset portions arranged at the side surfaces of the ink storage portion along the longitudinal direction of the ink storage portion each have a width of approximately 46 mm. In the case where the ink storage portion has a capacity of 3.0 L, the long sides of the ink storage portion are approximately 374 mm, and the short sides of the ink storage portion are approximately 240 mm. The gusset portions arranged at the side surfaces of the ink storage portion along the longitudinal direction each have a width of approximately 80 mm.

[0049] In the present disclosure, the ridge portion 3 may be provided at the surface of the ink storage portion. The ridge portion may be formed by deforming the first surface of the ink storage portion using a compressed air method, a pressing method, a vacuum method, or the like. In the present disclosure, although the ink supply member is provided at the end portion of the ink storage portion, for example, in the absence of a liquid outlet pipe or a spacing member (such as described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2021-014091, etc.), since the ink storage portion is deformed when the ink stored in the ink storage portion is consumed, a problem of clogging of the passage (flow path) through which the ink flows to the ink supply member may occur. Figure 5A and 5B Both show the state where the flow path is blocked without the ridge portion in this embodiment. Figure 5B In order to suppress the blockage of the flow path and realize the exhaustion of all the ink stored in the ink storage portion, it is advantageous to ensure the flow path of the ink by providing a ridge portion at the surface of the ink storage portion ( Fig. 6A and 6B). The ridge portion may be provided at a first surface of the ink storage portion, which is an upper surface when the ink storage portion is mounted on a recording device. Alternatively, the ridge portion may be provided at the first surface and the second surface. Although the ridge portion may be provided at any position on the surface of the ink storage portion to achieve its effect, it may be provided to intersect with an imaginary line obtained by extending the central axis of the ink supply member. Figure 7 is a perspective view of the ink tank according to the present embodiment when viewed from the negative W direction. Figure 7 A dotted line W shown in φ corresponds to an imaginary line obtained by extending the central axis of the ink supply member.

[0050] exist Figure 7 In FIG. 1 , the ridge portion 3 is indicated by a dotted line.

[0051] In this case, when the distance from the first end portion of the ink supply member to the intersection of the ridge portion and the imaginary line is represented by D1 [mm] and the thickness of the first end portion of the ink supply member is represented by T1 [mm], the ratio D1 / T1 may be 5 / 8 or more and 40 / 8 or less. Figure 7 In FIG. 1 , it is shown that the thickness T1 of the first end portion of the ink supply member is Figure 4D In the present embodiment, when the capacity of the ink storage portion is 1.5 L (its respective long sides are approximately 374 mm, its respective short sides are approximately 180 mm, and the width of each gusset portion is approximately 46 mm), D1 [mm] of the spine portion is 20 mm, and T1 [mm] is 8 mm. When the capacity of the ink storage portion is 3.0 L (its respective long sides are approximately 374 mm, its respective short sides are approximately 240 mm, and the width of each gusset portion is approximately 80 mm), D1 [mm] of the spine portion is 20 mm, and T1 [mm] is 8 mm.

[0052] In the case where the ink storage portion has (3) a first gusset surface and (4) a second gusset surface arranged in the positive T direction and the negative T direction, respectively, so that the first surface and the second surface are connected to each other (as in the present embodiment), the first gusset surface and the second gusset surface each include a folded portion that is arranged to be folded toward the inside of the ink storage portion, and the shortest distance from the vertex of the folded portion to both ends of the ridge portion can be 25 mm or less. Figure 7 , the vertices of the folded portion of the gusset portion in this embodiment are indicated by dotted lines Y1 and Y2. In this embodiment, the distance from the vertices of the folded portion of the first gusset surface to the corresponding end of the spine portion and the distance from the vertices of the folded portion of the second gusset surface to the corresponding end of the spine portion are both 0 mm.

[0053] The length of the ridge portion may be 80 mm or more. Forming the ridge portion longer helps to use up the ink present at the end portion of the ink storage portion in the positive T direction and the negative T direction.

[0054] In addition, the width of the ridge portion may be 2 mm or more, preferably 8 mm or less. The height of the ridge portion may be 0.5 mm or more, preferably 4.0 mm or less. By setting the width and height of the ridge portion within the above ranges, the misalignment between the first surface (upper surface) and the second surface (lower surface) of the ink storage portion can be reduced, and the welding of the welding portion can be improved.

[0055] The cross-sectional shape of the ridge portion may be any shape as long as the ink Fig. 8A and 8B In particular, if Fig. 8A As shown, the cross-sectional shape of the ridge portion may be a semi-elliptical shape.

[0056] The shape of the ridge portion in a plan view may be any shape as long as the effects of the present disclosure can be obtained, such as Figures 9A-9G For example, multiple ridge portions can be arranged to be substantially parallel to each other ( Fig.9D ), or the ridge portion can be locally widened ( Fig.9E In the case where a plurality of ridge portions are provided, one of the ridge portions may be provided on the first side and another ridge portion may be provided on the second side ( Figure 9G ).

[0057] In the present embodiment, as described above, a structure is adopted in which an ink outlet is arranged near the end portion of the flexible ink storage portion. However, if the ink container falls with the ink supply member facing downward, there may be a problem that the ink supply member may be deformed due to the impact generated by the ink container falling, causing it to sink into the ink storage portion. In order to solve this problem, for example, a method of increasing the sealing width of the sealing portion (the sealing portion is arranged at the end portion of the ink storage portion (the sealing portion between the first surface and the second surface)) on the entire side of the ink storage portion on which the ink supply member is provided can be considered. This method suppresses the above-mentioned deformation. However, the amount of ink that can be stored is reduced, which is disadvantageous. Therefore, a method of providing a portion with a larger sealing width only near the ink supply member is considered. However, it has been found that when the portion with a larger sealing width has a rectangular shape, easy sealing can be ensured, but stress may be concentrated at the corner portion and thus sometimes rupture may occur starting from the corner portion. In view of the above, the inventors of the present disclosure further studied the shape and arrangement of the portion with a larger sealing width. As a result, it was found that, as Fig.10As shown, the sealing portion between the first surface and the second surface may have a first sealing portion 6 and a second sealing portion 7, the first sealing portion 6 having a rectangular shape parallel to the first side, and the second sealing portion 7 being arranged between the first sealing portion and the ink supply member and being continuously formed with the first sealing portion in a direction parallel to the first side, and having a mountain-like shape toward the inside of the ink storage portion. The sealing portion may be provided on the opposite side of the first side of the ink storage portion so that the ink supply portion is sandwiched between the sealing portions.

[0058] When the maximum width of the mountain-like shape is represented by W1 [mm], the vertex 8 of the mountain-like shape of the second sealing portion may be positioned so that the distance W2 [mm] from the ink supply member in the direction parallel to the first side is less than W1 / 2. In addition, when the height of the vertex of the mountain-like shape from the first side is represented by H1 [mm], the ratio of H1 to W2 (H1 / W2) may be 1.5 or more, preferably 1.8 or more and 2.2 or less. When H1 becomes larger relative to W2, the effect of suppressing the ink supply member from sinking when falling increases.

[0059] In addition, when the height of the first sealing portion from the first side is represented by H2 [mm], 0.83≤(H1−H2) / H2≤1.5 may be satisfied.

[0060] Although the shape of the sealing portion may be a mountain-like shape, in particular, a curved portion may be included from the vertex of the mountain-like shape to the outer edge of the second sealing portion of the ink supply member, and the curvature radius R of the curved portion is 10 mm or more. It is preferred to include a curved portion having a curvature radius R of 10 mm or more and 15 mm or less. By providing the curved portion, the stress generated when falling is further dispersed.

[0061] In addition, an outer edge of the second sealing portion from the apex of the mountain-like shape to a connection portion where the first sealing portion and the second sealing portion are connected to each other may include a linear portion.

[0062] As described above, the sealing portion may be provided on both sides of the ink supply member at the first side of the ink storage portion so that the ink supply member is sandwiched between the sealing portions. In this case, the distance between the vertices of the mountain-like shape of the sealing portion provided on the opposite sides of the ink supply member may be 70 mm or more and 90 mm or less, preferably 75 mm or more and 85 mm or less. In addition, the distance between the ends of the mountain-like shape (each end being closest to the ink supply portion) may be 40 mm or more and 70 mm or less, preferably 45 mm or more and 60 mm or less.

[0063] (2) Ink supply component

[0064] In the present disclosure, the ink supply member may have any structure or shape as long as it is configured to supply the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the outside. In the present disclosure, as described above, the ink supply member is disposed at the first side of the ink storage portion for reducing the amount of plastic used in the ink container. Figure 3 : is a perspective view of the ink supply member according to the present embodiment. In the present embodiment, the ink supply member is divided into two members, which are the ink inlet member 4 (also referred to as the filter housing) on ​​the first end side and the ink outlet member 5 on the second end side. Although the ink inlet member 4 and the ink outlet member 5 are attachable and detachable to each other, they may be formed integrally. Fig.11A and 11B including a perspective view showing a state where the ink supply member is divided into two members (the two members are the ink inlet member 4 and the ink outlet member 5), Fig. 12A and 12B The present invention includes a plan view showing a case where the ink supply member is divided into two members (the two members are the ink inlet member 4 and the ink outlet member 5). In particular, Fig. 12A is the plan view when viewed from the negative W direction (top view in the use position), Fig. 12B It is a plan view when viewed from the positive W direction (bottom view in the use position).

[0065] (2-1) Ink inlet component, filter housing

[0066] The ink inlet member (the ink inlet member serving as a member of the ink supply member) may be provided at least so that the ink stored in the ink storage portion is introduced thereinto, and may have at least an inlet port 9 . FIG. 13A to FIG. 13F The ink inlet member 4 is shown. Fig.13A is the view when viewed from the negative D direction. Fig. 13B It is the view when viewed from the positive D direction. Fig. 13C is the view when viewed from the negative W direction. Fig.13D is the view when viewed from the positive W direction. Fig.13E is the view when viewed from the positive T direction. Fig.13F is the view when viewed from the negative T direction.

[0067] In particular, in the case where the ink container remains as it is, the density of the ink in the ink storage portion may become uneven. In this case, if ink having a high density is supplied to the recording device, there is a possibility that a problem (such as reduced discharge stability) may occur, and therefore, it can be considered that the increase in the ink density near the ink inlet member is suppressed. For example, it can be considered to provide a mechanism for agitating the inside of the ink container. However, in this case, the container becomes complicated, which is disadvantageous. Figures 14A-14J A variation of the ink inlet member in this embodiment will be described.

[0068] It should be noted that Fig.14A , 14C , 14E, 14G and 14I are schematic plan views of the ink inlet member when viewed from the negative W direction, Fig. 14B , 14D , 14F, 14H and 14J are schematic perspective views of the ink inlet member when viewed from the positive T direction.

[0069] First, if Fig.14A and 14B As shown, the ink inlet member may have a first wall 10, which is located above the inlet port in the direction of gravity (negative W direction) and protrudes in the positive D direction. The ink inlet member may also have a side wall 11, which is arranged so that some parts of the side wall 11 sandwich the first wall from the positive T direction and the negative T direction. In addition, the ink supply member may have a second wall 12, which is arranged at a position opposite to the inlet port, such as Fig. 14C and 14D In this case, the gap 13 is formed between the first wall and the second wall in the positive D direction, and therefore, ink can be ejected through the gap.

[0070] like Fig.14E and 14F or Figure 14G and 14H As shown, the end portion of the second wall along the positive W direction and / or the end portion of the second wall along the negative W direction may have a cutout 14. By providing the cutout, even when the ink storage portion is deformed due to the consumption of the ink stored in the ink storage portion and then the upper surface (first surface) and the lower surface (second surface) of the ink storage portion are in close contact with each other, it is possible to ensure a flow path for the ink to flow between the ink inlet member and the ink storage portion. In this case, the area of ​​the cutout formed at the end portion along the positive W direction may be larger than the area of ​​the cutout formed at the end portion along the negative W direction. When the ink container is left standing, sometimes the density of the ink may be higher along the positive W direction as the direction of gravity than along the negative W direction. In this case, the ink with a higher density becomes more viscous, making it more difficult to be sucked. Therefore, by increasing the size of the cutout along the positive W direction (where the ink is less likely to be sucked), the ink can be sucked in at a ratio close to 1:1 through the cutout along the positive W direction and the cutout along the negative W direction.

[0071] In addition, if Fig.14I and 14J As shown, the third wall 15 may be arranged to protrude from the second wall in the negative D direction. In this case, a gap may be formed between the first wall and the third wall in the positive W direction. In addition, the third wall may be arranged at a position offset relative to the first wall in the positive W direction. Moreover, in this case, a configuration may be adopted in which an end portion of the second wall in the positive W direction and / or an end portion of the second wall in the negative W direction may have a cutout. It should be noted that Fig.14I and 14J It indicates schematically Figures 13A-13F View of the illustrated embodiment.

[0072] Although it is obvious that the ink inside the ink storage part is processed to prevent foreign matter (such as dust) from mixing with it, the ink storage part can have the function of serving as a filter so as to prevent foreign matter that is accidentally mixed during the manufacturing process from moving to the recording device. As described above, by narrowing the gap between the walls, the ink storage part can have the function of serving as a filter. Alternatively, a mesh filter or the like can be attached as an actual filter. More specifically, a filter can be provided so that the second wall and the wall with the inlet port are connected to each other. Although the filter can be provided on only one side, by providing the filter in both the positive W direction and the negative W direction, the mixing of foreign matter can be more effectively suppressed.

[0073] In the direction perpendicular to the first side of the ink storage portion, the end portion of the ink inlet member (the first end portion of the ink supply member) may be located within 60 mm of the first side, preferably within 52 mm of the first side, and more preferably more than 40 mm from the first side. In addition, when the distance from the first side of the ink storage portion to the first end portion of the ink supply member is represented by T2 [mm] and the distance from the first side to the second side is represented by T3 [mm], the ratio T2 / T3 may be 1 / 10 or more and 3 / 10 or less.

[0074] (2-2) Ink outlet member

[0075] FIG. 15A to FIG. 15E An ink outlet member 5 is shown. Fig.15A is the view when viewed from the negative D direction. Fig. 15B is the view when viewed from the negative W direction. Fig. 15C is the view when viewed from the positive W direction. Fig.15D is the view when viewed from the positive T direction. Fig.15E is the view when viewed from the negative T direction.

[0076] The ink outlet member may include a plurality of first protruding portions 16, one of which protrudes in the positive T direction, another of which protrudes in the negative T direction, and each of which may be provided at an end portion of the ink outlet member in the negative W direction (an end portion located on the upper side when the ink container is placed still, an end portion on the first surface side of the ink storage portion). By providing the first protruding portions, each of the first protruding portions may be used as a handle when the user holds the ink container. In particular, such a simple mechanism may enable the user to hold the ink container, thereby reducing the amount of plastic used in the ink container. From such a perspective, the width (protruding width, protruding amount) of each first protruding portion in the T direction may be 3.0 mm or less. In addition, the width (thickness) of each first protruding portion in the W direction may be 3.0 mm or less. From the perspective of the strength of the gripping portion, each of these lower limits may be 1.0 mm or more. Fig.16 1 is an enlarged plan view of one of the first protruding portions 16 when viewed from the negative D direction. Fig.16 , the width of the first protruding portion along the T direction (protruding width, protruding amount) is represented by L3, and the width of the first protruding portion along the W direction (thickness) is represented by T3.

[0077] The ink supply member may further include a plurality of second protruding portions 17, one of which protrudes in the positive T direction, another of which protrudes in the negative T direction, and each of which may be provided at an end portion of the ink supply member in the positive W direction (an end portion located on the lower side when the ink container is placed still, an end portion on the second surface side of the ink storage portion). By providing the second protruding portions, when the ink container is mounted on the recording device, the positioning of the ink container relative to the recording device becomes easier. The width (protruding width, protruding amount) of each second protruding portion in the T direction may be greater than 3.0 mm and less than 10.0 mm, preferably greater than 5.0 mm and less than 9.0 mm. In addition, the width (thickness) of each second protruding portion in the W direction may be greater than 3.0 mm and less than 20.0 mm, preferably greater than 5.0 mm and less than 16.0 mm. Furthermore, the width of each second protruding portion in the D direction may be 3.0 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less, and preferably 5.0 mm or more and 10.0 mm or less. Fig.17A FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the second protruding portions 17. Fig.17A In FIG. 1 , the width (protrusion width, protrusion amount) of the second protruding portion along the T direction is represented by L4. The width (thickness) of the second protruding portion along the W direction is represented by T4. The width of the second protruding portion along the D direction is represented by W4. Fig. 17Bis an enlarged plan view (top view in the use position) of one of the first protruding portions 16 and one of the second protruding portions 17 when viewed from the negative W direction. In Fig. 17B the width of the first protruding portion in the D direction is represented by W3.

[0078] In particular, the protruding amount of each second protruding portion in the positive T direction (and negative T direction) can be greater than the protruding amount of each first protruding portion in the positive T direction (and negative T direction), that is, L3 < L4 can be satisfied. Using this relationship, when the user installs the ink container on the recording device, the user can visually check the end of the second protruding portion for positioning from above when holding the first protruding portion, so the installation process becomes easier (the visibility during installation is improved). In addition, in the positive D direction, the width W3 of each first protruding portion can be greater than the width W4 of each second protruding portion, that is, W4 < W3 can be satisfied, so that when the ink container is installed on the recording device, the user can easily hold the ink container.

[0079] The ratio (L3 / L4) of the protruding amount L3 of each first protruding portion in the T direction to the protruding amount L4 of each second protruding portion in the T direction can be 1 / 10 or more and less than 1, preferably 1 / 10 or more and 1 / 3 or less.

[0080] The ratio (W4 / W3) of the width W4 of each second protruding portion in the D direction to the width W3 of each first protruding portion in the D direction can be 3 / 22 or more and less than 1, preferably 5 / 22 or more and 10 / 22 or less.

[0081] In addition, in the W direction, the ratio (T3 / T4) of the width (thickness) T3 of each first protruding portion to the width (thickness) T4 of each second protruding portion can be 1 / 16 or more and 3 / 5 or less.

[0082] Although both the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion can have any shape when viewed from the negative W direction, when viewed from the negative W direction, the shape of each first protruding portion can be a shape that tapers gradually toward the positive D direction, as Fig. 17B shown. When viewed from the negative W direction, the shape of each second protruding portion can be a shape without a corner portion.

[0083] In addition, when viewed from the negative D direction, the shape of each first protruding portion can be a shape that tapers gradually toward the negative W direction (the direction toward the upper surface in the use position), as Fig.16 shown. This is to make it easier for the user's fingers to hold them when approaching from the negative W direction.

[0084] Liquid supply part, electrical connection part

[0085] such as Fig.18 As shown, the ink outlet member includes a liquid supply portion (ink supply portion) 18, which is arranged to be able to supply liquid when it is connected to a liquid inlet portion 1005 included in the device body (described later). The liquid supply portion can be provided at an end portion of the ink outlet member along the negative D direction, that is, at an end portion of the ink container along the negative D direction.

[0086] The liquid supply portion may have any configuration as long as it has an opening 19 and can supply liquid due to the liquid inlet portion of the device body being inserted into the opening. Although the opening may have any shape, it may have a circular shape (including an elliptical shape).

[0087] In a state where the liquid inlet portion of the apparatus body is not inserted (for example, a state before the ink container is used), the liquid supply portion may be provided with a sealing portion, a valve portion, etc., so as to prevent ink from leaking to the outside. The sealing portion and the valve portion may have any known structure, and examples thereof include a valve spring structure and a slit valve. Fig.19 2 is an exploded perspective view of an ink outlet member, which in this embodiment includes a valve mechanism 23 that opens and closes in response to the ink outlet member being mounted on the apparatus body. More specifically, the valve 26 is pressed against the elastic sealing member 24 by using an urging member 25 (e.g., a spring), thereby providing an opening / closing mechanism.

[0088] Alternatively, a mechanism may be adopted in which the opening is covered with a film 27 or the like before the user uses the opening, wherein the film is torn due to the insertion of the liquid inlet portion of the device body into the opening, thereby establishing fluid communication between the device body and the inside of the ink storage portion. With this mechanism, it is possible to effectively suppress ink from leaking to the outside before use.

[0089] like Fig.18As shown, the ink outlet member includes an electrical connection portion 20, which is arranged to be functionally connected to an electrical contact 1010, which is included in the device body and will be described later. More specifically, the electrical connection portion is a memory device substrate accommodating portion 22 that accommodates a memory device substrate 21. The memory device substrate is a chip-shaped substrate, which has a memory device (memory element) that stores information about the color of ink, information about the remaining amount of ink, etc. The memory device substrate is provided with a plurality of pad electrodes 28, each of which contacts the electrical contact of the device body so as to be electrically connected to the electrical contact. It should be noted that the pad electrode and the memory device substrate may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other, and in this case, they may be electrically connected to each other by wiring, etc. In practice, the electrical contact of the device body is directly connected to the pad electrode. Therefore, the electrical contact of the device body is inserted into the memory device substrate accommodating portion and contacts the pad electrode so as to be electrically connected. Although four pad electrodes are provided in the present embodiment, the number of pad electrodes is not limited to four, and a desired number of pad electrodes may be provided. In addition, any known configuration can be used for the arrangement of the plurality of pad electrodes and the shape of each pad electrode. Figures 20A-20F Schematically shows an example of the arrangement of the plurality of pad electrodes when the pad electrodes are viewed from a direction perpendicular to the substrate. Fig. 20B and 20C As shown, the arrangement of the plurality of pad electrodes may be bilaterally asymmetric. Fig.20D As shown in , the pad electrodes can be arranged in two rows vertically, for example. Fig.20E and 20F As shown in , each pad electrode may have a shape different from a rectangular shape. Fig. 20B As shown in , the plurality of pad electrodes may be arranged such that the center of gravity of the pad electrodes as a whole does not coincide with the center of gravity of the memory device substrate.

[0090] The electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate and the memory device substrate accommodating portion may be provided at an end portion of the ink outlet member in the negative D direction, that is, at an end portion of the ink container in the negative D direction. Although the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion may have any shape, it may have a quadrilateral shape, and in particular, it may have a rectangular shape having long sides and short sides. The memory device substrate may be at least provided to be accommodated in the memory device substrate accommodating portion, and may have a quadrilateral shape, similar to the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion. The memory device substrate may have a rectangular shape or a square shape.

[0091] In this case, the electrical connection portion is arranged so that when the electrical connection portion is projected on a plane orthogonal to the mounting direction (negative D direction) of the ink tank, the long side of the projected portion of the electrical connection portion crosses the gravity direction (negative W direction) at an angle of less than 90 degrees when the ink tank is in the mounting position by being mounted on the apparatus main body. In addition, the memory device substrate accommodating portion is arranged so that when the ink tank is in the mounting position by being mounted on the apparatus main body, the long side of the memory device substrate accommodating portion at the end surface of the ink outlet member (the end surface facing the negative D direction) crosses the gravity direction (negative W direction) at an angle of less than 90 degrees.

[0092] In other words, when viewed from the mounting direction (negative D direction) of the ink tank, the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion is arranged obliquely (hereinafter also referred to as "oblique arrangement"). In the ink tank of the prior art, such as the ink tank disclosed in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2020-151894 and Patent Laid-Open No. 2018-065374, such an oblique arrangement is not adopted (hereinafter, such an arrangement of the prior art will also be referred to as "horizontal arrangement"), and the long side of the projection portion of the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion does not intersect with the gravity direction (negative W direction) or intersect with the gravity direction at 90 degrees in the mounting position. The oblique arrangement makes it less likely that ink will flow into the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate even when ink leaks from the liquid supply portion. In addition, by obliquely arranging the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion, the size of the ink outlet member can be reduced, which is advantageous from the viewpoint of reducing the amount of plastic. More specifically, in the case of the horizontal arrangement of the prior art, when the size of the memory device substrate used becomes larger, the size of the ink outlet member needs to become larger. However, by adopting the inclined arrangement, it can be arranged while the size of the ink outlet member remains unchanged.

[0093] like Fig.21A and 21B As shown schematically in FIG. 1 , when viewed from the mounting direction of the ink tank (negative D direction), as a positional relationship in the direction of gravity (negative W direction), the liquid supply portion may be arranged to be offset in the positive W direction relative to the electrical connection portion or relative to the memory device substrate and the memory device substrate accommodating portion. Here, the phrase "arranged to be offset" may refer to a positional relationship in which the center of gravity 29 of the liquid supply portion (the center of the circle in the case where the opening is circular) is positioned more toward the positive W direction than the center of gravity 30 of the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion (the intersection of the diagonal lines in the case where the memory device substrate accommodating portion is rectangular). With this arrangement relationship, even when ink leaks from the liquid supply portion, the ink is less likely to flow into the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate.

[0094] In addition, although the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion is arranged obliquely as described above, there are two possible modes of oblique arrangement relative to the liquid supply portion in the case where the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion is rectangular. The first mode is an oblique arrangement in which one long side of the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion is closer to the liquid supply portion, such as Fig.21A The second mode is an inclined arrangement in which one short side of the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion is closer to the liquid supply portion, such as Fig. 21B as shown. According to research conducted by the inventors of the present disclosure, sufficient effects can be obtained using any of these inclined arrangements. However, the first inclined arrangement can be adopted. In other words, the electrical connection portion and the liquid supply portion can be arranged obliquely so that the distance between the long side of the projection portion of the electrical connection portion and the liquid supply portion is shorter than the distance between the short side of the projection portion of the electrical connection portion and the liquid supply portion. This is because, in this case, the lower end of the long side of the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate accommodating portion along the negative W direction is positioned in a manner spaced apart from the liquid supply portion, and therefore, the above-mentioned effect of making it less likely that ink will flow into the electrical connection portion or the memory device substrate can be obtained at a higher level.

[0095] like Fig.19 As shown, the memory device substrate accommodating portion 22 may have an opening formed at the end portion of the ink outlet member along the negative D direction, and may be a space having a rectangular prism shape (including a cube shape) extending along the positive D direction (the direction opposite to the installation direction). The opening at the end portion along the negative D direction is an opening into which the electrical contacts of the device body are inserted. The memory device substrate is arranged on the inner surface of the memory device substrate accommodating portion, which is a space having a rectangular prism shape. In this case, the space having a rectangular prism shape has five inner surfaces, which are a bottom surface facing the opening and four side surfaces surrounding the bottom surface. As shown Figures 22A-22F As shown, the memory device substrate can be arranged on any of these five surfaces. Figures 22A to 22D As shown, the memory device substrate can be arranged on any of the four side surfaces. In particular, as Fig.22A As shown, the memory device substrate may be arranged on the side surface farthest from the liquid supply portion 18 .

[0096] The memory device substrate may be directly bonded to one inner surface of the memory device substrate accommodating portion, or may be disposed on the inner surface via another member (the other member being interposed therebetween). An example of the other member may be a memory device substrate holder 31 (memory device substrate supporting member), such as Fig.22FAs shown. In other words, the memory device substrate is arranged on the memory device substrate holder, and the memory device substrate holder is arranged on the memory device substrate accommodating portion. In this case, the memory device substrate holder can be attached to be able to move in the memory device substrate accommodating portion. With this configuration, when the electrical contacts of the device body (the member provided with the electrical contacts) are inserted into the memory device substrate accommodating portion, the memory device substrate holder moves to a suitable position along the member of the device body, so that the electrical connection between the memory device substrate and the electrical contacts can be achieved with higher certainty. On the other hand, in the absence of such a configuration, the electrical contacts of the device body (the member provided with the electrical contacts) may be damaged or the memory device substrate may be scratched, depending on how the user inserts it. With this configuration, it is also possible to accommodate the manufacturing tolerances of the components of the device body, the memory device substrate accommodating portion, etc. In addition, the memory device substrate holder can be pushed in a specific direction by an elastic member (such as a spring). In this case, the direction in which the memory device substrate holder is pushed can be the direction in which the memory device substrate is pressed against the electrical contacts of the device body in the state where the electrical contacts are inserted.

[0097] ( ) Recording equipment

[0098] As described above, the ink container according to the present disclosure is configured to be used by being accommodated in a recording device. The recording device may be a commonly used inkjet printer (inkjet recording device), a commercial recording device, or an industrial recording device. In the case where the ink container is an ink pack, its ink capacity can be flexibly adjusted. For commercial or industrial recording devices for large-volume printing or large-volume recording, it is advantageous to use an ink pack with a larger ink capacity.

[0099] Fig.23 is a perspective view of a system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, Fig.24A is a front view of the system 100. Fig.23 and Fig.24A , when the system 100 is arranged on a horizontal surface, the left and right directions will be referred to as the X direction. The forward and backward directions will be referred to as the Y direction, and the upward and downward directions will be referred to as the Z direction. When the system 100 is viewed from the front, the right-hand side corresponds to the positive X direction. The left-hand side corresponds to the negative X direction. The front side corresponds to the positive Y direction. The rear side corresponds to the negative Y direction. The lower side (the lower side in the direction of gravity) corresponds to the positive Z direction. The upper side corresponds to the negative Z direction. It should be noted that the positive X direction corresponds to the above-mentioned negative T direction. The positive Y direction corresponds to the above-mentioned positive D direction. The positive Z direction corresponds to the above-mentioned positive W direction.

[0100] The system 100 according to this embodiment includes a liquid supply device 1001 and a recording device (liquid discharge device) 101, and is a recording system that records an image on a recording medium (eg, a sheet) by discharging ink. In the case of this embodiment, two liquid supply devices 1001 are provided in a manner connected to each other.

[0101] The liquid supplied from each liquid supply device 1001 to the liquid discharge device 101 is ink, and the liquid discharge device 101 is a recording device that discharges ink onto a recording medium. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a recording system, and can also be applied to various liquid discharge systems intended to discharge liquid onto a medium.

[0102] It should be noted that the term "recording" includes not only forming meaningful information such as characters and graphics, but also forming images, designs, patterns, etc. on a recording medium and processing of the medium (regardless of whether it is meaningful or meaningless). It is not important whether the information is realized in a human-perceivable manner. In addition, in the present embodiment, although it is assumed that the "recording medium" is a sheet of paper, it may be a piece of cloth, a plastic film, etc.

[0103] Liquid discharge equipment

[0104] Next, the liquid discharge apparatus 101 will be described. Fig. 24B 1 is a view showing the internal structure of the liquid discharge device 101. In the liquid discharge device 101, a main body 103 is supported by left and right brackets 102. Each bracket 102 is provided with a caster 102a, so that the liquid discharge device 101 can be moved on the floor relatively easily. A feeding unit 104 and a winding unit 105 are arranged below the main body 103. In the case of the present embodiment, the recording medium M is roll paper, and the feeding unit 104 has an axis around which the recording medium M is wound. The winding unit 105 has an axis around which the recording medium M is wound. In the case of the present embodiment, although the recording medium M is roll paper as an example, the recording medium M may also be cut paper.

[0105] The main body 103 includes a conveying unit 106. The conveying unit 106 includes a driving roller and a driven roller, and the recording medium M fed by the feeding unit 104 is clamped at a clamping portion defined between these rollers. Due to the rotation of the driving roller, the recording medium M is conveyed to the platen 107. The discharge head 108 is arranged to face the platen 107. The discharge head 108 is a recording head that discharges ink to form an image. Ink is discharged from the discharge head 108 onto the recording medium M that has been conveyed to the platen 107, so that an image is recorded on the recording medium M.

[0106] The discharge head 108 includes, for example, a discharge energy generating element, such as an electrothermal transducer element (heater) or a piezoelectric element, and discharges ink from a discharge port. In the case of an electrothermal transducer element, the ink is bubbled by the heat generated by the electrothermal transducer element, and the ink can be discharged from the discharge port by using the bubble energy. The recording method of the discharge head 108 may be a serial scanning method or a full-line method (page width method). In the case of the serial scanning method, the discharge head 108 is mounted on a carriage and reciprocates in the X direction. The discharge head 108 discharges ink while moving in the X direction, which will be referred to as a scanning and recording operation. By alternately performing the conveyance of the recording medium M and the scanning and recording operations performed by the discharge head 108, an image is recorded on the recording medium M. In the case of the present embodiment, it is assumed that a serial scanning method is adopted. In the case of the full-line method, a discharge head 108 extending in the X direction is used, and an image is recorded while the recording medium M is continuously conveyed.

[0107] The recording medium M on which the image has been recorded is wound by the winding unit 105. The recording medium M on which the image has been recorded is cut by a user using scissors or the like, or is automatically cut by a cutter (not shown).

[0108] The recovery unit 109 is provided at the main body 103. The recovery unit 109 is arranged outside the recording area (outside the discharge area) of the discharge head 108, and performs processing related to recovery and maintenance of the discharge performance of the discharge head 108. Examples of these processes include processing such as preliminary discharge or suction of residual ink from the discharge port of the discharge head 108. When the recovery process is utilized, as Fig.24A As shown, the discharge head 108 moves to a position above the recovery unit 109 .

[0109] In the case of the present embodiment, the bracket 102 is arranged at a position slightly outside the width of the recording medium M in the positive and negative X directions so as to support the heavier feeding unit 104 and winding unit 105 in addition to the main body 103. The main body 103 protrudes so that the first part of the main body 103 including the built-in recovery unit 109 is located outside one of the brackets 102 in the positive X direction. The main body 103 also protrudes so that the second part of the main body 103 on the opposite side is located outside the other bracket 102 in the negative X direction. A mechanism or the like that moves a carriage (not shown) is built in the second part of the main body 103, and the discharge head 108 is mounted on the carriage.

[0110] The operation panel 110 is provided at the front surface of the main body 103. The operation panel 110 is, for example, a touch panel, and can receive input of various settings related to recording, display the status of recording work, and perform other operations.

[0111] The liquid discharge device 101 further includes a waste liquid box 111. The waste liquid box 111 is arranged below the end portion of the main body 103 on the side (negative X side) opposite to the side on which the liquid supply device 1001 is arranged. By positioning the waste liquid box 111 below the portion of the main body 103 that protrudes toward the negative X side, the installation area of ​​the liquid discharge device 101 can be reduced.

[0112] Waste liquid (waste ink, etc.) sucked by the recovery unit 109 flows into the waste liquid box 111 and is collected by the waste liquid box 111. The waste liquid box 111 may be arranged near the recovery unit 109. However, in the case of the present embodiment, the waste liquid box 111 is arranged in the vacant space below the end portion of the main body 103, so the installation area of ​​the liquid discharge device 101 is reduced.

[0113] Liquid supply equipment

[0114] Each liquid supply device 1001 is a device that supplies ink discharged from the discharge head 108 to the liquid discharge device 101. Each liquid supply device includes a box-shaped main body 1002 that defines a plurality of slots 1003. Casters 1002a are provided on the bottom surface of the main body 1002 so that the liquid supply device 1001 can be relatively easily moved on the floor. The plurality of slots 1003 are arranged at the front surface of the main body 1002 along the Z direction. The support unit 1004 is inserted into the slot 1003 so that it can be attached to and detached from the slot 1003 along the Y direction. Each support unit 1004 supports an ink container 200.

[0115] Each slot 1003 is provided with a tube that connects a corresponding one of the ink tanks 200 and the liquid discharge device 101 to each other. The tubes are connected to the liquid discharge device 101 through a single hose 121 surrounding all the tubes. The ink contained in each ink tank 200 is supplied to the discharge head 108 through the corresponding tube.

[0116] The height of each liquid supply device 1001 is set lower than the lower surface of the end portion of the main body 103 of the liquid discharge device 101, which end portion protrudes to the positive X side. Fig.24A As shown, the liquid supply device 1001 can be arranged below the main body 103. The liquid supply device 1001 can be close to a position where they contact one of the brackets 102 along the negative X direction. Fig.24A As shown, the liquid supply device 1001 may be fixed to the one bracket 102 by using a connecting member 120. In the case where the system 100 is moved, the entire system 100 can be moved integrally as a single unit.

[0117] Since the system 100 of the present embodiment includes two liquid supply devices 1001, a greater number of ink containers 200 can be used. In the case of increasing the number of ink colors for the purpose of higher image quality, or in the case of increasing the number of ink colors of the same color for the purpose of higher productivity, it is advantageous to provide a plurality of liquid supply devices 1001, as in the present embodiment. In this case, as in the present embodiment, by adopting a layout in which the liquid supply device 1001 partially or completely overlaps the liquid discharge device 101 in the X direction, the installation area of ​​the system 100 can be reduced. It should be noted that in the case of the present embodiment, one of the two liquid supply devices 1001 is completely contained in the size of the liquid discharge device 101 in the X direction. Their size relationship is such that when there are two or more liquid supply devices 1001, they slightly protrude from the system 100 in the positive X direction.

[0118] Ink tank and support unit

[0119] Fig.25 It is a partially exploded perspective view of the liquid supply device 1001 and shows a state in which one supporting unit 1004 is removed from the corresponding slot 1003. Fig.25 Also shown is a state in which some of the side walls among the outer walls of the liquid supply device 1001 are removed to expose the internal mechanism.

[0120] Fig.26 100 is a perspective view of an ink container 200 and a corresponding support unit 1004. Figures 28A-28C and Figures 29A-29D As shown, in this embodiment, each ink tank 200 is arranged on a corresponding support unit 1004 (in Fig.28A , Fig.28B and Fig.28C The supporting unit 1004 on which the ink container 200 is arranged is installed in a corresponding one of the slots 1003 (in the order of Fig.29A , Fig.29B , Fig.29C and Fig.29D 1001), so that the ink container 200 is accommodated in a corresponding one of the liquid supply devices 1001. Then, as described above, the ink is supplied from the liquid supply device 1001 to the liquid discharge device 101, so that an image can be recorded. The method of supplying ink from the ink container to the liquid discharge device is not limited to the method described in this embodiment, and for example, a system in which the ink container is directly mounted on the liquid discharge device (without using a support unit, etc.) can be adopted.

[0121] In each slot 1003 of the main body 1002, a needle-type liquid inlet portion 1005 is provided, which is inserted into the liquid supply portion 18 of a corresponding one of the ink tanks 200, and an electrical contact 1010 is provided so as to be connectable by being inserted into the electrical connection portion 20 of the corresponding ink tank 200. The needle-type liquid inlet portion 1005 and the electrical contact 1010 are provided at the rear side of the slot 1003. Fig. 27 1 is a view showing a part of the support member 50, in which the liquid inlet portion 1005 and the electric contact 1010 are arranged. When the liquid inlet portion 1005 is inserted into the liquid supply portion 18 so as to be in a connected state, the valve mechanism 23 enters an open state due to the insertion of the liquid inlet portion 1005. The liquid inlet portion 1005 is supported by the support member 50 having a block shape, and is connected to the tube 51. The liquid inlet portion 1005 forms a flow path through which the liquid stored in the ink storage portion 1 flows out to the liquid discharge device 101 as a supply destination, and the liquid flowing out to the liquid inlet portion 1005 is supplied to the liquid discharge device 101 through the tube 51. The electric flow path valve 52 is provided at the middle portion of the tube 51. The opening and closing of the flow path valve 52 makes it possible to block and unblock the tube 51. The liquid supply portion 18 may be provided with a pump, a pressure control mechanism, etc., so as to supply the ink contained in the ink container 200 toward the discharge head 108 through the tube 51.

[0122] Each support unit 1004 includes a support portion 40 that supports a corresponding one of the ink containers 200, and when viewed as a whole, the support unit 1004 is in the form of a tray on which the ink containers 200 in a horizontal position are arranged. Each support unit 1004 can move approximately along the Y direction between a retracted position, in which the corresponding ink container 200 is accommodated in a corresponding one of the main bodies 1002, and a removal position, in which the ink container 200 is exposed to the outside of the main body 1002. Fig.25 , one support unit 1004 is located at the removal position, and the other support units 1004 are located at the retracted position. Each ink container 200 can be replaced at the removal position, and the liquid contained in each ink container 200 can be supplied to the liquid discharge device 101 at the retracted position. In the present embodiment, each support unit 1004 is separated from the narrow groove 1003 at the removal position. However, the removal position may be a position where the end portion of the support unit 1004 is held in the corresponding narrow groove 1003, and may be at least a position where the replacement of each ink container 200 can be performed relative to the corresponding support unit 1004. In addition, each narrow groove 1003 may be provided with a plurality of pairs of linear guides formed by one or two or more convex shapes or concave shapes extending in the Y direction so as to guide the movement of the corresponding support unit 1004. Figures 29A-29D1003 is a view showing a state in which one supporting unit 1004 (on which the corresponding ink tank 200 is arranged) moves from the removal position to the retracted position along a guide rail provided inside the corresponding slot 1003 .

[0123] In each supporting unit 1004, the supporting portion 40 has an arrangement surface 41 on which the corresponding ink container 200 is arranged, and four sides of the arrangement surface 41 are defined by left and right side plates 44, a front end portion 42, and a rear end portion 43. A groove portion 44a is formed in each side plate 44. The rear end portion 43 has a recess 43a in which the outlet member 201 is arranged. The supporting portion 40 may include a positioning member that is arranged to be engageable with a positioning portion included in the ink outlet member 5 of the ink container 200. More specifically, it has a concave shape that can be engaged with the second protruding portion of the ink supply member of the ink container, as described above. Fig.28A and 28B 4 is a view showing the engagement of the second convex portion of the ink outlet member 5 with the concave portion of the support portion 40 .

[0124] Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.

Claims

1. An ink tank configured to be attachable to and detachable from a device main body of a recording device, the ink tank comprising: an ink storage portion configured to be able to store ink therein; an ink supply portion configured to be able to supply ink to the apparatus main body by being connected to an ink inlet portion of the apparatus main body; as well as an electrical connection portion, the electrical connection portion being arranged to be functionally connectable to an electrical contact of a device body, In which the electrical connection part is arranged such that when the electrical connection part is projected on a plane orthogonal to the installation direction of installing the ink container on the device body, the long side of the projected part of the electrical connection part intersects the direction of gravity at an angle less than 90 degrees when the ink container is in the installation position by being installed on the device body.

2. The ink container according to claim 1, in, The ink supply portion and the electrical connection portion are provided at an end portion of the ink tank in a mounting direction.

3. The ink container according to claim 1, in, When viewed from the mounting direction, the ink supply portion is arranged so as to be offset relative to the electrical connection portion in the direction of gravity.

4. The ink container according to claim 1, in, The electrical connection portion and the ink supply portion are arranged such that a distance between a long side of a projection portion of the electrical connection portion and the ink supply portion is shorter than a distance between a short side of a projection portion of the electrical connection portion and the ink supply portion.

5. The ink tank according to claim 1, in, The electrical connection portion includes a memory device substrate for connection with the electrical contacts and a memory device substrate receiving portion receiving the memory device substrate.

6. The ink container according to claim 5, in, The memory device substrate includes a plurality of pad electrodes, each of which is configured to be electrically connectable to an electrical contact.

7. The ink container according to claim 6, in, The center of gravity of the plurality of pad electrodes as a whole does not coincide with the center of gravity of the memory device substrate.

8. The ink container according to claim 6, in, The plurality of pad electrodes are arranged in a bilaterally asymmetric manner when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the memory device substrate.

9. The ink container according to claim 5, in, The memory device substrate accommodating portion has a rectangular prism-shaped space extending in a direction opposite to the mounting direction, and the memory device substrate is arranged on one of the inner surfaces of the rectangular prism, the one inner surface being farthest from the ink supply portion.

10. The ink tank according to claim 5, in, The memory device substrate accommodating portion includes a memory device substrate holder provided to be movable in the memory device substrate accommodating portion, and the memory device substrate is accommodated in the memory device substrate holder.

11. An ink tank configured to be attachable to and detachable from a device main body of a recording device, the ink tank comprising: an ink storage portion configured to be able to store ink therein; an ink supply portion configured to be able to supply ink to the apparatus main body by being connected to the ink inlet portion of the apparatus main body; as well as a memory device substrate accommodating portion that accommodates a memory device substrate that is arranged to be functionally connectable to an electrical contact of the apparatus main body, Among them, the memory device substrate accommodating portion is arranged such that when the memory device substrate accommodating portion is projected on a plane orthogonal to the installation direction of installing the ink container on the device body, the long side of the projected portion of the memory device substrate accommodating portion intersects the gravity direction at an angle less than 90 degrees when the ink container is in the installation position by being installed on the device body.

12. An ink container, comprising: an ink storage portion configured to be able to store ink therein; as well as an ink supply member that supplies the ink stored in the ink storage portion to the outside, Wherein, the ink supply component comprises: a first end portion facing the interior of the ink storage portion; and a second end portion, the second end portion facing outward from the ink storage portion and opposite to the first end portion, wherein the second end portion of the ink supply member is provided with an opening and an electrical connection portion, the opening serving as an ink supply portion for supplying ink to the outside, the electrical connection portion including a plurality of pad electrodes, and The electrical connection part is arranged such that when the electrical connection part is projected on a plane orthogonal to the direction from the second end part toward the first end part, the long side of the projected part of the electrical connection part intersects the direction of gravity at an angle less than 90 degrees when the ink container is in the use position.

13. A recording device comprising: Equipment body; as well as an ink tank configured to be attachable to and detachable from an apparatus main body, The device body includes an ink inlet portion and electrical contacts. The ink container includes: an ink storage portion configured to be able to store ink therein, an ink supply portion configured to be able to supply ink to the apparatus main body by being connected to the ink inlet portion, and an electrical connection portion, the electrical connection portion being arranged to be functionally connectable to the electrical contact, and In which the electrical connection part is arranged such that when the electrical connection part is projected on a plane orthogonal to the installation direction of installing the ink container on the device body, the long side of the projected part of the electrical connection part intersects the direction of gravity at an angle less than 90 degrees when the ink container is in the installation position by being installed on the device body.

Images