cartridge

Abstract

To reduce the amount of residual liquid that is not consumed inside a cartridge.SOLUTION: The cartridge comprises: a liquid accommodation section that accommodates a liquid; a front wall positioned on the side of an insertion direction in which the cartridge is inserted into a cartridge mounting unit; and a bottom wall that intersects the front wall, and where a liquid supply unit connected to a liquid introduction unit is positioned.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to techniques relating to cartridges, printing systems, and printing devices. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, for a cartridge that is detachably mounted in a printing device, a technique is known in which a liquid supply unit is disposed on the front wall that is positioned on the side in the insertion direction of the cartridge that is inserted into the printing device (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2013 / 105504 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional technology, because the liquid supply unit is located on the front wall, there are cases where the liquid contained in the cartridge cannot be smoothly supplied to the printing device via the liquid supply unit, which can result in an increase in the amount of liquid remaining in the cartridge without being consumed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge to be mounted in a cartridge mounting section of a printing device having a liquid introduction section for receiving a liquid, the cartridge including a liquid storage section for storing the liquid, a front wall positioned on the side of the cartridge insertion direction in which the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting section, and a bottom wall intersecting the front wall and including a liquid supply section connected to the liquid introduction section.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing system comprising: a printing device having a cartridge mounting portion into which a cartridge is mounted; and the cartridge according to the above aspect.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing device including a cartridge mounting section into which the cartridge of the above aspect is mounted, the cartridge mounting section having a housing chamber into which the cartridge is inserted along an insertion direction and which houses the cartridge, and a liquid introduction section extending in a direction intersecting the insertion direction and connected to a liquid supply section of the cartridge. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] A view of the cartridge mounting section from the +Z direction. [Figure 3] Cross-sectional view of 3-3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4] An enlarged view of region R4 in Figure 3. [Figure 5] A view of the cartridge mounting section from the +Y direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting section. [Figure 7] FIG. [Figure 8] A view of the cartridge mounting section from the +Z direction. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the device-side terminal portion. [Figure 11] FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 1 shows a part of a first-class cartridge. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 shows a part of a first-class cartridge. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a first side view of the first type cartridge. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a second side view of the first type cartridge 4A. [Figure 17]FIG. 2 is a front view of a first-type cartridge. [Figure 18] Rear view of the first type cartridge. [Figure 19] FIG. 1 is a top view of a first-type cartridge. [Figure 20] FIG. [Figure 21] FIG. 10 is a front view of a second-type cartridge. [Figure 22] Rear view of the second type cartridge. [Figure 23] Figure 1 explains the installation process. [Figure 24] Figure 2 explains the installation process. [Figure 25] Cross-sectional view of Figure 24. [Figure 26] Figure 3 explains the installation process. [Figure 27] Cross-sectional view of Figure 26. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] A. Implementation: A-1. Printing system configuration: FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 depicts three mutually orthogonal spatial axes, the X, Y, and Z axes. The directions of the X, Y, and Z arrows indicate the positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. The positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are referred to as the +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction, respectively. The directions opposite to the directions of the X, Y, and Z arrows are the negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. The negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are referred to as the -X direction, -Y direction, and -Z direction, respectively. The directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, are referred to as the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction, respectively. This also applies to the following figures and descriptions.

[0010] The printing system 1 includes a printing device 10 and a cartridge 4 that supplies liquid ink to the printing device 10 .

[0011] The printing device 10 of this embodiment is an inkjet printer that ejects ink from an ejection head 22. This printing device 10 is a large printer that prints on large-sized paper (A2 to A0, etc.) such as posters. The printing device 10 includes a cartridge mounting unit 6, a control unit 31, a carriage 20, an ejection head 22, and a drive mechanism 30. The printing device 10 also includes operation buttons 15 that allow the user to operate the operation of the printing device 10.

[0012] A plurality of cartridges 4 are removably mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6. In this embodiment, four types of cartridges 4, one for each of the four colors of ink (black, yellow, magenta, and cyan), are mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6, i.e., a total of four cartridges 4. The cartridge 4 containing black ink is also referred to as cartridge 4K, the cartridge 4 containing yellow ink is also referred to as cartridge 4Y, the cartridge 4 containing magenta ink is also referred to as cartridge 4M, and the cartridge 4 containing cyan ink is also referred to as cartridge 4C. In this embodiment, the cartridge 4K is configured to be able to contain more liquid than the cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y. Therefore, the cartridge 4K is also referred to as a first-type cartridge 4A, and the cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y are also referred to as second-type cartridges 4B.

[0013] The printing device 10 has a replacement cover 13 on the front side in the +Y direction. When the +Z direction side of the replacement cover 13 is tilted toward the user in the +Y direction, an opening of the cartridge mounting portion 6 appears, allowing the cartridge 4 to be attached or detached. When the cartridge 4 is attached to the cartridge mounting portion 6, ink can be supplied to the ejection head 22 provided on the carriage 20 via a tube 24 serving as a liquid distribution pipe. In this embodiment, ink is supplied from the cartridge 4 to the ejection head 22 using a hydraulic head difference. Specifically, ink is supplied to the ejection head 22 by the hydraulic head difference between the ink level in the liquid storage portion 699 and the ejection head 22. In other embodiments, ink may be supplied to the ejection head 22 by a pump mechanism (not shown) of the printing device 10 sucking ink from the cartridge 4. A separate tube 24 is provided for each type of ink. The state in which the cartridge 4 is attached to the cartridge mounting portion 6 and ink as a liquid can be supplied to the printing device 10 is also referred to as the "attached state."

[0014] The ejection head 22 is provided with nozzles for each type of ink. The ejection head 22 ejects ink from the nozzles onto the printing paper 2 to print data such as characters and images. The manner in which the cartridge 4 is attached to the cartridge attachment unit 6 and the detailed configuration of the cartridge 4 and cartridge attachment unit 6 will be described later. In this embodiment, the printing device 10 is a so-called "off-carriage type" printer, in which the cartridge attachment unit 6 does not move in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 20. The present disclosure can also be applied to so-called "on-carriage type" printers, in which the cartridge attachment unit 6 is provided on the carriage 20 and moves together with the carriage 20.

[0015] The control unit 31 controls each unit of the printing device 10 and exchanges signals with the cartridge 4. The carriage 20 moves the ejection head 22 relative to the printing paper 2.

[0016] The drive mechanism 30 reciprocates the carriage based on control signals from the control unit 31. The drive mechanism 30 includes a timing belt 32 and a drive motor 34. By transmitting power from the drive motor 34 to the carriage 20 via the timing belt 32, the carriage 20 moves back and forth in the main scanning direction, which is along the X direction. The printing device 10 also includes a transport mechanism for moving the print paper 2 in the sub-scanning direction, which is the +Y direction. When printing is performed, the print paper 2 is moved in the sub-scanning direction by the transport mechanism, and the print paper 2 after printing is output onto the front cover 11.

[0017] Furthermore, an area called a home position is provided outside the printing area when the carriage 20 is moved in the main scanning direction, and a maintenance mechanism is mounted at the home position to perform maintenance to ensure normal printing. The maintenance mechanism is made up of a cap member 8 that is pressed against the surface on the bottom side of the ejection head 22 on which the nozzles are formed to form a closed space surrounding the nozzles, an elevating mechanism (not shown) that raises and lowers the cap member 8 to press it against the nozzle surface of the ejection head 22, and a suction pump (not shown) that introduces negative pressure into the closed space formed by pressing the cap member 8 against the nozzle surface of the ejection head 22.

[0018] In this embodiment, when the printing system 1 is in use, the axis along the sub-scanning direction in which the print paper 2 is transported is defined as the Y axis, the axis along the direction of gravity is defined as the Z axis, and the axis along the movement direction of the carriage 20 is defined as the X axis. Here, the "usage state of the printing system 1" refers to a state in which the printing system 1 is installed on a horizontal surface. In this embodiment, the sub-scanning direction is defined as the +Y direction, the opposite direction is defined as the -Y direction, the direction of gravity is defined as the -Z direction, and the direction opposite to gravity is defined as the +Z direction. The X and Y directions are horizontal. When viewing the printing system 1 from the front, the direction from right to left is defined as the +X direction, and the opposite direction is defined as the -X direction. In this embodiment, the insertion direction of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6 for installation is defined as the -Y direction, and the direction in which the cartridge 4 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6 is defined as the +Y direction. Therefore, the -Y side of the cartridge mounting portion 6 is also referred to as the rear side, and the +Y side is also referred to as the front side. In this embodiment, the arrangement direction of the multiple cartridges 4 is defined as the X direction.

[0019] A-2. General configuration of cartridge 4 when installed: FIG. 2 is a view of the cartridge mounting portion 6 as seen from the +Z direction side. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of region R4 in FIG. 3. In FIG. 2, cartridge 4K is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6. The mounting process and the mounted state of cartridge 4 will be described using FIGS. 2 to 4. The mounting process and mounted state are the same for cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3 , the cartridge 4 is inserted along the insertion direction and inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting portion 6 through the insertion / removal opening 674 of the first device wall 67 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. As a result, the storage chamber 61 stores the cartridge 4. The insertion / removal opening 674 is an entrance / exit for the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge 4. When the cartridge 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting portion 6, the cartridge 4 is supported from the -Z direction side by the support member 610 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. Furthermore, when the cartridge 4 is mounted in the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting portion 6, the liquid supply portion 442 of the cartridge 4 and the liquid introduction portion 642 of the cartridge mounting portion 6 are connected. As a result, ink stored in the liquid storage portion 450 of the cartridge 4 is supplied to the liquid introduction portion 642 via the liquid supply portion 442. Furthermore, in this embodiment, while ink is supplied from the liquid supply portion 442 to the liquid introduction portion 642, air contained in the liquid storage portion 699 becomes bubbles and flows through the liquid introduction portion 642 and the liquid supply portion 442 to the liquid storage portion 450. This allows gas-liquid exchange in the liquid storage portion 450. Note that in other embodiments, the cartridge 4 may have an atmosphere communication passage that connects the liquid storage portion 450 to the outside, and gas-liquid exchange may occur via this atmosphere communication passage. The atmosphere communication passage is located at a position different from the liquid supply portion 442, and is formed in, for example, a wall that forms the liquid storage portion 450.

[0021] The liquid introduction portion 642 receives the liquid supplied from the cartridge 4. The liquid introduction portion 642 is a cylindrical member and has an internal flow path through which the liquid flows. The liquid introduction portion 642 has a base end portion 642a and a tip end portion 642b. An opening that communicates with the internal flow path is formed in the tip end portion 642b, and ink from the liquid supply portion 442 flows into the internal flow path through this opening. The base end portion 642a is connected to a liquid storage portion 699, and allows ink that has flowed through the internal flow path to flow 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 communicates with the ejection head 22 via the tube 24 shown in FIG. 1. As described above, the liquid introduction portion 642 communicates with the ejection head 22 via the liquid storage portion 699 and the tube 24. The central axis CA1 of the liquid introduction part 642 is parallel to the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 in the attached state and is inclined with respect to the Z direction. In other words, the direction along the central axis CA1, which is the direction in which the liquid introduction part 642 extends, intersects with the insertion direction of the cartridge 4. The central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 is the direction along which the liquid supply part 442 extends.

[0022] 4, when the cartridge 4 is attached, the circuit board 50 of the cartridge 4 and the device-side terminal section 70 of the cartridge attachment section 6 come into contact with each other and are thereby electrically connected. The device-side terminal section 70 is held by a holding mechanism 73. The device-side terminal section 70 has a plurality of device-side terminals 721, a terminal holding section 750, and a connector 739.

[0023] In this 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 the portion of the device-side terminal 721 that contacts the cartridge-side terminal 521 of the circuit board 50, which is the end portion, can elastically deform around the terminal rotation fulcrum Rp. The elastic deformation occurs in the Y and Z directions. The terminal holder 750 holds the device-side terminals 721. The connector 739 is electrically connected to the device-side terminals 721. The connector 739 is also electrically connected to the control unit 31 of the printing device 10 by wiring (not shown). This enables data communication between the circuit board 50 and the control unit 31.

[0024] The holding mechanism 73 has a biasing member 780 and an attachment member 782. The biasing member 780 is configured by a coil spring. The attachment member 782 has the biasing member 780 disposed inside it. The device-side terminal portion 70 is attached to the attachment member 782. The biasing member 780 is compressed when the cartridge 4 has been completely inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6. As a result, the biasing member 780 applies an external force Fa to the device-side terminal portion 70 via the attachment member 782 in a direction toward the first device wall 67, that is, the removal direction of the cartridge 4. The external force Fa presses the device-side terminal portion 70 against the circuit board 50, thereby maintaining good contact between the device-side terminals 721 and the cartridge-side terminals 521.

[0025] As described above, the holding mechanism 73 holds the device-side terminal portion 70 so that it can be displaced in the direction along the insertion direction of the cartridge 4. Furthermore, one end of the urging member 780 on the device-side terminal portion 70 side is configured to be slightly movable in the X and Z directions that intersect with the insertion direction. As a result, the device-side terminal portion 70 is held by the holding mechanism 73 so that it can be slightly movable in the X and Z directions that intersect with the insertion direction.

[0026] The process of mounting the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting unit 6 consists of a terminal connection process and a supply unit connection process, which is executed after the terminal connection process. In the terminal connection process, the cartridge 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting unit 6 by moving the cartridge 4 in the -Y direction through the insertion / removal opening 674 of the first device wall 67, thereby bringing the device-side terminals 721 and the cartridge-side terminals 521 into contact with each other to establish an electrical connection. In the supply unit connection process, as shown in FIG. 3 , the rear surface 47 of the cartridge 4 is rotated in the connection direction D2 indicated by the arrow around a rotation fulcrum 698, which serves as a displacement mechanism of the support member 610, while maintaining the electrical connection between the device-side terminals 721 and the cartridge-side terminals 521. The rotation fulcrum 698 is located on the second device wall 62 side of the cartridge mounting unit 6.

[0027] During the supply unit connection process, the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644, which is a protrusion on the cartridge mounting portion 6, fits into the recessed supply unit positioning portion 448 of the cartridge 4, thereby restricting movement of the liquid supply unit 442 that intersects with the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply unit 442. This positions the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642. The device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 has one end 644a and the other end 644b. 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.

[0028] When the cartridge 4 is attached, the main wall 613 forming the bottom of the support member 610 is inclined with respect to the Y direction. Specifically, the main wall 613 of the support member 610 is inclined so as to be positioned lower in the -Z direction as it moves toward the +Y axis direction. This main wall 613 is parallel to the Y direction in the initial arrangement state of the cartridge attachment portion 6 when the cartridge 4 is not attached.

[0029] The cartridge mounting portion 6 has an apparatus biasing member 625 that applies an external force Ft1 to the support member 610 to return the support member 610 to its initial position when the cartridge 4 is mounted. The apparatus biasing member 625 is a coil spring provided between the support member 610 and the liquid storage portion 699, and is in a compressed state when the cartridge is mounted. When compressed, the apparatus biasing member 625 applies an external force Ft1 having a +Z direction component to the support member 610. Meanwhile, when the cartridge 4 is mounted, the cartridge engaging portion 497 of the cartridge 4 engages with a mounting engaging portion 697 of the cartridge mounting portion 6, thereby maintaining the mounted state. The mounting engaging portion 697 is formed on an engaging formation 677 of the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0030] A-3. Detailed configuration of cartridge mounting section 6: FIG. 5 is a view of the cartridge mounting portion 6 as viewed from the +Y direction. FIG. 6 is a view of the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the cartridge 4 mounted therein. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the cartridge mounting portion 6. FIG. 8 is a view of the cartridge mounting portion 6 as viewed from the +Z direction. FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of the cartridge mounting portion 6. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device-side terminal portion 70. In FIGS. 6 to 10, some components of the cartridge mounting portion 6 are omitted for ease of understanding. With regard to the cartridge mounting portion 6, the X direction is also referred to as the width direction, the Y direction is the depth direction, and the Z direction is the height direction. In the following, unless otherwise specified, each element will be described assuming that the cartridge mounting portion 6 is in an initial arrangement state in which the cartridge 4 is not mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0031] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the cartridge mounting portion 6 forms a storage chamber 61 in which the cartridge 4 is stored. The storage chamber 61 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. Within the storage chamber 61, slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K, which are portions that store the cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K, generally correspond to the external shapes of the cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K. In this embodiment, the cartridge 4K has a larger dimension in the Y direction than the other cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y in order to store a larger amount of liquid. Therefore, in this embodiment, the width of the slot 61K is larger than the widths of the other slots 61C, 61M, and 61Y.

[0032] As shown in Figure 7, the cartridge mounting unit 6 has six device walls 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67 that form the storage chamber 61. In this disclosure, the term "wall" refers to a single wall as well as a wall made up of multiple walls. The second device wall 62 forms the wall on the -Y direction side of the storage chamber 61. The second device wall 62 is a generally vertical wall when the printing device 10 is in use.

[0033] The first device wall 67 faces the second device wall 62 in the Y direction. The first device wall 67 forms an insertion / removal opening 674 through which the cartridge 4 passes when being inserted into or removed from the accommodation chamber 61.

[0034] The upper wall 63 forms the wall on the +Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The bottom wall 64 faces the upper wall 63 in the Z direction and forms the wall on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The bottom wall 64 is formed by a support member 610. The bottom wall 64 has a plurality of openings 614. In this embodiment, four openings 614 are formed corresponding to the slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K. The upper wall 63 and the bottom wall 64 intersect with the second wall 62 and the first wall 67. In this disclosure, "intersect" or "intersect" refers to any one of the following states: (i) a state in which two elements actually intersect with each other, (ii) a state in which one element intersects with the other element when extended, and (iii) a state in which the elements intersect with each other when extended.

[0035] 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 faces 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.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the cartridge mounting section 6 further includes a support member 610, a liquid introduction section 642, a supply section positioning section 644, an apparatus guide section 602, and an engagement formation body 677. A plurality of support members 610 are provided according to the number of cartridges 4 to be mounted. In this embodiment, four support members 610 are provided. The support members 610 form the apparatus bottom wall 64 on the gravity direction side of the storage chamber 61. The support members 610 support the cartridges 4 from the -Z direction side, which is the gravity direction side. The support members 610 are members that extend along the Y direction. The support member 610 has a concave shape. The support member 610 includes a main wall 613 that forms the apparatus bottom wall 64, a first support side wall 611, and a second support side wall 612.

[0037] The main wall 613 forms a concave bottom portion located on the gravity direction side. An opening 614 is formed in the end portion 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.

[0038] 7, the first support side wall 611 rises in the +Z direction, which is the anti-gravity direction, from the +X direction end of the main wall 613. The second support side wall 612 rises in the +Z direction from the -X axis direction end of the main wall 613. The first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612 face each other in the X direction.

[0039] The device guide 602 guides the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction and removal direction. A device guide 602 is provided for each support member 610. A device guide 602 is provided on each of the first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612. The device guide 602 is a protrusion provided on the first support side wall 611 and the second support side wall 612. As shown in FIG. 8 , the first device guide 602a provided on the first support side wall 611 is a protrusion that protrudes from the first support side wall 611 toward the second support side wall 612. The first device guide 602a extends along the Y direction. A plurality of first device guides 602a are arranged at intervals in the Y direction. The second device guide 602b provided on the second support side wall 612 is a protrusion that protrudes from the second support side wall 612 toward the first support side wall 611. The second device guide portion 602b extends along the Y direction. A plurality of second device guide portions 602b are arranged at intervals in the Y direction.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the liquid introduction portion 642 receives the liquid in the cartridge 4. In the initial arrangement state of the cartridge mounting portion 6, the liquid introduction portion 642 is not located within the storage chamber 61 but is located on the −Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. In other words, the liquid introduction portion 642 is located on the opposite side of the support member 610 across the storage chamber 61. This prevents the cartridge 4 from colliding with the liquid introduction portion 642 when the cartridge 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. As described above, as shown in FIG. 3 , the tip portion 642b of the liquid introduction portion 642 is positioned within the storage chamber 61 by rotating the support member 610 about the rotation fulcrum 698 in the connection direction D2 to press down the opening 614. In other words, the rotation fulcrum 698, which serves as a displacement mechanism, rotates the support member 610 to displace the opening 614 toward the gravity direction, thereby positioning the tip portion 642b of the liquid introduction portion 642 within the storage chamber 61 via the opening 614.

[0041] 7, the apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is received in the supply unit positioning portion 448, thereby restricting movement of the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642. This positions the liquid supply unit 442. In the initial arrangement state of the cartridge mounting portion 6, the apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is not located within the storage chamber 61, but is located on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. In other words, the apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is located on the opposite side of the storage chamber 61 with respect to the support member 610, sandwiching the storage chamber 61 therebetween. This prevents the cartridge 4 from colliding with the apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion 644 when the cartridge 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. The other end 644b of the apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is positioned within the storage chamber 61 by rotating the support member 610 about the rotation fulcrum 698 in the connection direction D2 to press down the opening 614. That is, the rotation fulcrum 698 rotates the support member 610 to displace the opening 614 , thereby positioning the other end 644 b of the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 within the storage chamber 61 via the opening 614 .

[0042] As shown in Fig. 8, the cartridge mounting section 6 further includes an apparatus-side terminal portion 70 and an apparatus-side identification member 630. As shown in Fig. 9, the terminal holding portion 750 of the apparatus-side terminal portion 70 includes a holding portion surface 750fa on which the apparatus-side terminals 721 are exposed, a first holding portion sidewall 750ft, and a second holding portion sidewall 750fw. The first holding portion sidewall 750ft forms the sidewall on the +X direction side of the terminal holding portion 750. The second holding portion sidewall 750fw forms the sidewall on the -X direction side of the terminal holding portion 750.

[0043] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the apparatus-side identification member 630 is used to identify whether the correct type of cartridge 4C, 4M, 4Y, or 4K has been inserted into each slot 61C, 61M, 61Y, or 61K of the storage chamber 61. The apparatus-side identification member 630 forms a different pattern shape depending on the color of the liquid contained in the cartridge 4C, 4M, 4Y, or 4K. In Figure 8, the apparatus-side identification member 630 in each slot 61C, 61M, 61Y, or 61K has the same pattern shape for convenience, but in reality, the pattern shapes will be different. The apparatus-side identification member 630 is provided on the main wall 613 of the support member 610.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 9 , the device-side identification member 630 is formed by at least one rib. The pattern shape is determined by the number and position of the ribs. The cartridge 4 is also provided with a cartridge-side identification member formed by ribs. The cartridge-side identification member has a different pattern shape depending on the type of cartridge 4, i.e., the color of the liquid contained therein. When the correct type of cartridge 4 is inserted into the corresponding slot 61C to 61K, the device-side identification member 630 and the cartridge-side identification member fit together without collision. On the other hand, when the wrong type of cartridge 4 is inserted into the slot 61C to 61K, the device-side identification member 630 and the cartridge-side identification member collide, preventing further insertion of the cartridge 4. This reduces the possibility that the wrong type of cartridge 4 will be installed in each of the slots 61C to 61K of the cartridge mounting unit 6.

[0045] 9, the device-side terminal portion 70 has an device-side terminal positioning portion 756 in addition to the above-mentioned multiple device-side terminals 721, terminal holding portion 750, and connector 739. The device-side terminal positioning portion 756 is received by the terminal positioning portion of the cartridge 4 during the process of inserting the cartridge 4 into the accommodation chamber 61, and movement in the X and Y directions that intersect with the insertion direction is restricted. This positions the device-side terminals 721 and the cartridge-side terminals 521 in the directions that intersect with the insertion direction.

[0046] Two device-side terminal positioning portions 756 are provided for each of the slots 61C to 61K. One of the two device-side terminal positioning portions 756 is also referred to as a first device-side terminal positioning portion 756t, and the other is also referred to as a second device-side terminal positioning portion 756w. The first device-side terminal positioning portion 756t and the second device-side terminal positioning portion 756w are each a columnar member extending along the Y direction. The first device-side terminal positioning portion 756t is provided on the first holding portion side wall 750ft. The second device-side terminal positioning portion 756w is provided on the second holding portion side wall 750fw.

[0047] 10, the holding portion surface 750fa of the terminal holding portion 750 is inclined relative to the Y and Z directions, facing a direction including a +Y direction component and a +Z direction component. Of the device-side terminals 721, terminal contacts 722 that come into contact with the circuit board 50 protrude from the holding portion surface 750fa. The terminal contacts 722 are capable of elastic deformation in the direction of arrow YR1. The +Y direction end of the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 is positioned closer to the +Y direction than the terminal contacts 722.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 9 , the apparatus-side terminal portion 70 and the apparatus-side identification member 630 are provided on the support member 610. In the Y direction, which is the direction in which the support member 610 extends, the apparatus-side terminal portion 70 and the apparatus-side identification member 630 are located on the opposite side of the first apparatus wall 67 with the liquid introduction portion 642 and the opening 614 sandwiched between them. Specifically, the apparatus-side terminal portion 70 and the apparatus-side identification member 630 are provided near the second apparatus wall 62. The apparatus-side terminal portion 70 is located on the second apparatus wall 62 side, which is on the -Y direction side, relative to the apparatus-side identification member 630. As a result, during the insertion process of the cartridge 4, after the cartridge-side identification member and the apparatus-side identification member 630 start to fit together, the apparatus-side terminals 721 start to come into contact with the cartridge-side terminals 521. This prevents the cartridge side terminals 521 of the wrong type of cartridge 4 from coming into contact with the device side terminals 721, thereby preventing the memory device of the circuit board 50 from being electrically connected to the control unit 31 when the wrong type of cartridge 4 is attached.

[0049] 7, engagement formation body 677 is formed on the +Y direction side of support member 610. Furthermore, engagement formation body 677 is located on the -Z direction side of insertion / removal opening 674. Four mounting engagement portions 697 shown in FIG. 3 are arranged on engagement formation body 677, corresponding to each of slots 61C to 61K.

[0050] A-4. Detailed configuration of Cartridge 4: FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 13 is a first view showing a portion of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 14 is a second view showing a portion of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 15 is a first side view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 16 is a second side view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 17 is a front view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 18 is a rear view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 19 is a top view of the first type cartridge 4A. With respect to the cartridge 4, the Y direction is the depth direction, the Z direction is the height direction, and the X direction is the width direction. The cartridge 4 is a cartridge that contains a large volume of liquid and has a large outer shape. With respect to the outer shape of the cartridge 4, the dimension in the Y direction is the largest, followed by the dimensions in the Z direction and the X direction. In the drawings showing the cartridge 4, the X, Y, and Z directions are based on the state at the completion of the terminal connection process, which is the state at which the insertion of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6 is completed. In other words, in the drawings showing the cartridge 4, the X, Y, and Z directions are based on the state before the supply unit connection process in which the support member 610 is rotationally moved.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 11 , the first-type cartridge 4A includes a liquid container 401 that forms the top wall 43, and an adapter 402 that forms the bottom wall 44. The adapter 402 is attached to the liquid container 401 by fitting. The liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 are made of synthetic resin. The liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 may be made of the same material, or may be made of different materials. Furthermore, the member that forms the liquid container 401 may be lighter than the member that forms the adapter 402. This improves the operability of the cartridge 4.

[0052] The first-type cartridge 4A has a generally rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. The first-type cartridge 4A includes a main body 41 that forms an outer shell and a circuit board 50 attached to the main body 41. The main body 41 is formed by the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402. The main body 41 of the first-type cartridge 4A includes 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 portion 89. The walls 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 are also referred to as surfaces 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47. The front wall 42 and the rear wall 47 face each other in the Y direction, which is the insertion direction. The upper wall 43 and the bottom wall 44 face each other in the Z direction. The Z direction is parallel to a central axis CA2 that extends in the direction in which the liquid supply unit 442 extends. The first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46 face each other in the X direction, which is a direction perpendicular to the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 15 , the front wall 42 is located on the insertion direction side in which the cartridge 4 is inserted into the mounting portion 6. That is, the front wall 42 forms an insertion tip surface on the −Y direction side, which is the insertion direction side. The rear wall 47 forms a surface on the +Y direction side, which is the removal direction side. The top wall 43 is located on the +Z direction side and intersects with the front wall 42 and the rear wall 47. As shown in FIG. 11 , the bottom wall 44 is located on the −Z direction side, which is the gravity direction side, in the mounted state, and forms a connection tip surface in the connection direction D2 shown in FIG. 3. 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 in the bottom wall 44. A liquid supply unit 442 is disposed within the insertion opening 446. The liquid supply unit 442 is disposed so that the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply unit 442 passes through the insertion opening 446. During the process of mounting the cartridge 4, the liquid introduction portion 642 of the cartridge mounting portion 6 is inserted into the insertion opening 446. The insertion opening 446 and the liquid supply portion 442 are located in the region RY between the center portion MP of the cartridge 4 and the end portion on the rear wall 47 side in the insertion direction.

[0054] 17, 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 with the front wall 42, the rear wall 47, the top wall 43, and the bottom wall 44, respectively. The corner portion 89 is provided at the corner where the front wall 42 and the bottom wall 44 intersect. The corner portion 89 has a recess 90 that is recessed inward.

[0055] The first type cartridge 4A further includes a liquid storage section 450 for storing liquid, a liquid supply section 442, a cartridge side identification member 430, a supply section positioning section 448, a circuit board 50, a cartridge guide section 447, and a cartridge engagement section 497 shown in FIG. 18, as shown in FIG.

[0056] The liquid supply unit 442 shown in FIG. 12 is in communication with 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 unit 442, intersects with the insertion direction, which is the -Y direction. In other words, the liquid supply unit 442 extends in a direction intersecting the insertion direction, which in this embodiment is the Z direction. The liquid supply unit 442 is a cylindrical member that protrudes from the container bottom wall 431, which is the bottom wall of the liquid container 401, toward the adapter 402. The liquid supply unit 442 is arranged in a concave-shaped supply unit arrangement chamber 461 of the adapter 402. An insertion opening 446 shown in FIG. 11 is formed in the concave bottom of the supply unit arrangement chamber 461.

[0057] The liquid supply unit 442 has an internal flow path 449, and circulates the liquid in the liquid storage unit 450 to the liquid introduction unit 642, which is located outside. A supply base end 442e2, which is the base end of the liquid supply unit 442, is connected to the storage body bottom wall 431, which is the bottom wall of the liquid storage body 401. A supply tip end 442e1, which is the tip end of the liquid supply unit 442, opens toward the outside. A valve mechanism (not shown) that opens and closes the internal flow path 449 is disposed in the internal flow path 449 of the liquid supply unit 442. The valve mechanism has, in order from the supply tip end 442e1 side, a valve seat, a valve body, and a biasing member. The valve seat is an annular member made of rubber or elastomer. The valve body is a columnar member that closes a valve hole formed in the valve seat. The biasing member is a coil spring that biases the valve body toward the valve seat. When the cartridge 4 is attached, the liquid introduction part 642 pushes the valve body in a direction away from the valve seat, thereby opening the valve mechanism.

[0058] The cartridge-side identification member 430 shown in FIG. 11 is used to identify whether the cartridge 4 is inserted into the correct slot 61C, 61M, 61Y, or 61K of the cartridge mounting portion 6. The cartridge-side identification member 430 is a rib that is disposed on the side of the bottom wall 44 that is closer to the front wall 42, and in this embodiment, at a position adjacent to the corner portion 89. The cartridge-side identification member 430 forms a different pattern shape depending on the color of the liquid contained in the cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, or 4K. The pattern shape is determined by the number and position of the ribs.

[0059] The supply unit positioning portion 448 receives the apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion 644 and positions the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642. Specifically, during the supply unit connection process, the supply unit positioning portion 448 receives the apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion 644 and restricts movement of the supply unit positioning portion 448 in a direction intersecting the connection direction D2, thereby positioning the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642. The supply unit positioning portion 448 is a recess formed in the bottom wall 44 and recessed from the outer surface of the bottom wall 44. Note that in other embodiments, the supply unit positioning portion 448 may be a hole penetrating the bottom wall 44. The supply unit positioning portion 448 is a recess with a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and 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 recess, which is located further back than the inlet portion. This allows the supply unit positioning portion 448 to easily receive the apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion 644 during the supply unit connection process. In the insertion direction, the supply unit positioning portion 448 is located on the opposite side of the liquid supply unit 442 and the insertion opening 446 from the cartridge-side terminals 521 of the circuit board 50. In this embodiment, the supply unit positioning portion 448 is formed in the bottom wall 44 near the rear wall 47.

[0060] 18, the cartridge engaging portion 497 is provided on the rear wall 47. The cartridge engaging portion 497 is a recess recessed from the outer surface of the rear wall 47.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 13 , the circuit board 50 is disposed in the corner portion 89. The circuit board 50 has a plurality of cartridge-side terminals 521 disposed on a surface 50fa and a storage device 525 disposed on a back surface. The cartridge-side terminals 521, which can be electrically connected by contacting the device-side terminals, are electrically connected to the storage device 525 via wiring. In this embodiment, nine cartridge-side terminals 521 are provided. The surface 50fa on which the cartridge-side terminals 521 are disposed is inclined with respect to the insertion direction. Specifically, the surface 50fa faces in a direction including a -Z direction component and a -Y direction component and is inclined with respect to the insertion direction. The storage device 525 stores information about the cartridge 4, such as the manufacturing date and the remaining liquid amount. In the installed state, the cartridge-side terminals 521 contact the corresponding device-side terminals 721 to establish an electrical connection. This electrically connects the control unit 31 of the printing device 10 and the storage device 525, enabling data communication.

[0062] As shown in Fig. 14, the circuit board 50 is disposed in a recess 90 in the corner portion 89. As shown in Fig. 11, the recess 90 is provided across the front wall 42 and the bottom wall 44. As shown in Fig. 14, the recess 90 has a recess front wall 982 that forms an entrance opening located on the front wall 42 side, a recess bottom wall 988 that forms the bottom of the recess 90, and a pair of recess side walls 902t, 902w.

[0063] The recess bottom wall 988 has a portion that is inclined with respect to the Y direction. In this embodiment, the inclined portion is inclined so as to be positioned toward the +Z direction side as it approaches the recess front wall 982 in the Y direction. The circuit board 50 is placed on this inclined portion.

[0064] The pair of recess side walls 902t, 902w are walls connected to the recess bottom wall 988. The pair of recess side walls 902t, 902w face each other in the X direction. The first recess side wall 902t is connected to the -X direction end of the recess bottom wall 988. The second recess side wall 902w is connected to the +X direction end of the recess bottom wall 988. When the first recess side wall 902t and the second recess side wall 902w are used without distinction, they are referred to as recess side walls 902. An entrance opening, which is an opening formed in the recess front wall 982, serves as an entrance when the device-side terminal unit 70 is inserted into the recess 90.

[0065] A pair of terminal positioning portions 906t, 906w are provided on the pair of recess side walls 902t, 902w, respectively. The pair of terminal positioning portions 906t, 906w are provided to face each other in the X-axis direction. When the pair of terminal positioning portions 906t, 906w are used separately, they are also referred to as a first terminal positioning portion 906t and a second terminal positioning portion 906w, and when they are not used separately, they are also referred to as a terminal positioning portion 906. The terminal positioning portion 906 is a groove formed in the recess side wall 902. The first terminal positioning portion 906t is a groove recessed from the surface of the first recess side wall 902t. The second terminal positioning portion 906w is a groove recessed from the surface of the second recess side wall 902w.

[0066] During the terminal connection process, the first terminal positioning portion 906t receives the first device-side terminal positioning portion 756t shown in FIG. 9. That is, the first device-side terminal positioning portion 756t is inserted into the first terminal positioning portion 906t. During the terminal connection process, the second terminal positioning portion 906w receives the second device-side terminal positioning portion 756w shown in FIG. 9. 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 cartridge-side identification member 430 and the device-side identification member 630 have started to fit together. Furthermore, the insertion of the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 into the terminal positioning portion 906 is started before the device-side terminals 721 and the cartridge-side terminals 521 start to contact each other.

[0067] The device-side terminal positioning portion 756 is received by the terminal positioning portion 906, bringing the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 and the terminal positioning portion 906 into contact with each other. This restricts movement of the cartridge-side terminals 521 in the Z and X directions, which are directions intersecting the insertion direction of the cartridge-side terminals 521 relative to the device-side terminals 721. This restriction positions the cartridge-side terminals 521 in the Z and X directions, which are directions intersecting the insertion direction of the cartridge-side terminals 521 relative to the device-side terminals 721. The terminal positioning portion 906 has an end wall 916 on the +Y direction side. The cartridge 4 is further pushed in the insertion direction from the abutment position where the tip of the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 abuts against this end wall 916, thereby completing the terminal connection process. As the cartridge 4 is further pushed in the insertion direction from the abutment position, the holding mechanism 73 is pushed in the insertion direction. As a result, the device-side terminal portion 70 moves in the insertion direction following the movement of the cartridge 4. When the terminal connecting process is complete, the biasing member 780 shown in Fig. 4 is in a compressed state. Furthermore, when the terminal connecting process is complete, the device-side terminals 721 and the cartridge-side terminals 521 come into contact with each other.

[0068] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 19, the cartridge guide portion 447 extends along the -Y direction, which is the insertion direction. The cartridge guide portion 447 is guided in the insertion direction by the device guide portion 602 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. The cartridge guide portion 447 is formed on each of the first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46. In FIG. 11, the cartridge guide portion 447 formed on the first side wall 45 is single-hatched. The cartridge guide portion 447 is formed on each of the first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46 by a step. In other words, the width of the cartridge 4 is smaller in a portion including the bottom wall 44 than in another portion located farther from the bottom wall 44 than in the bottom wall portion. This forms the step that forms the cartridge guide portion 447. The cartridge guide portion 447 is a surface facing the -Z direction. The cartridge guide portion 447 formed on the first side wall 45 is also referred to as a first cartridge guide portion 447a, and the cartridge guide portion 447 formed on the second side wall 46 is also referred to as a second cartridge guide portion 447b.

[0069] When the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6, the +Z direction surface of the device guide portion 602 comes into contact with the cartridge guide portion 447, thereby guiding the movement of the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction while maintaining the orientation of the cartridge 4. The +Z direction surface of the first device guide portion 602a comes into contact with the first cartridge guide portion 447a, and the +Z direction surface of the second device guide portion 602b comes into contact with the second cartridge guide portion 447b.

[0070] As shown in Figures 11 and 12, the adapter 402 has a corner portion 89 having a terminal positioning portion 906 and a cartridge side terminal 521, a cartridge side identification member 430, an insertion opening 446, a supply unit positioning portion 448, a cartridge guide portion 447, and a supply unit placement chamber 461.

[0071] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the second-type cartridge 4B. FIG. 21 is a front view of the second-type cartridge 4B. FIG. 22 is a rear view of the second-type cartridge 4B. The second-type cartridge 4B differs from the first-type cartridge 4A in that the width of the liquid container 401B is smaller than the width of the liquid container 401 shown in FIG. 11. As a result, the amount of liquid that can be contained in the liquid container portion 450 formed in the liquid container 401B is smaller than the amount of liquid that can be contained in the liquid container portion 450 formed in the liquid container 401. The other configuration of the second-type cartridge 4B is similar to that of the first-type cartridge 4A, and therefore the same reference numerals are used for similar configurations and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0072] The adapter 402 of the second-type cartridge 4B has the same configuration as the adapter 402 of the first-type cartridge 4A, except for the pattern shape formed by the cartridge-side identification member 430. This allows the adapter 402 to be commonly used for the cartridges 4A and 4B, which have different capacities.

[0073] A-5. Cartridge installation process: Fig. 23 is a first diagram illustrating the mounting process. Fig. 24 is a second diagram illustrating the mounting process. Fig. 25 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 24, corresponding to the cross-section 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 26 is a third diagram illustrating the mounting process. Fig. 27 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 26, corresponding to the cross-section 3-3 of Fig. 2. Figs. 23 to 25 show the terminal connecting process, and Figs. 26 and 27 show the supply unit connecting process.

[0074] 23, when mounting the cartridge 4 in the cartridge mounting portion 6, the cartridge 4 is first inserted into the storage chamber 61 through the insertion / removal opening 674 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. The insertion direction D1 of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6 is the -Y direction, which is parallel to the direction in which the cartridge guide portion 447 extends.

[0075] When the cartridge 4 is further pushed in the insertion direction D1 from the state shown in FIG. 23, the terminal connection process is completed as shown in FIG. 24. In the completed state of the terminal connection process shown in FIG. 24, the end 402e of the adapter 402 on the +Y direction side is positioned closer to the insertion direction than the engagement formation body 677. Also, in the completed state of the terminal connection process, the cartridge-side terminals 521 and the device-side terminals 721 are in contact as shown in FIG. 25. In addition, in the completed state of the terminal connection process, the biasing member 780 is compressed, and the device-side terminal portion 70 receives an external force Fa from the biasing member 780. The user performs the supply unit connection process by pushing the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction and rotating the cartridge 4 in the connection direction D2 around the rotation fulcrum 698.

[0076] When the cartridge 4 rotates in the connection direction D2, the supply unit positioning portion 448 begins to receive the apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion 644 before the liquid introduction portion 642 and the liquid supply unit 442 begin to connect, and then positioning of the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642 begins. In other words, movement of the liquid supply unit 442 that intersects with the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply unit 442 is restricted. During the supply unit connection process, when the apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is inserted into the liquid introduction portion 642, the cartridge 4 may move slightly in the Y direction. In this case, the biasing member 780 expands and contracts, causing the apparatus-side terminal portion 70 to move so as to follow the movement of the cartridge-side terminals 521. This allows good contact to be maintained between the cartridge-side terminals 521 and the apparatus-side terminals 721.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 27 , in the mounted state of the cartridge 4 after the supply unit connecting process is completed, the cartridge-side terminals 521 of the circuit board 50 contact the device-side terminals 721 of the device-side terminal section 70, and the liquid supply unit 442 and the liquid introduction section 642 are connected. In the mounted state, the insertion direction D1 of the cartridge 4 intersects with the direction in which the liquid supply unit 442 extends. Furthermore, in the mounted state, the cartridge 4 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6 so that the extension direction of the liquid supply unit 442 includes a component in the direction of gravity. This allows the liquid in the liquid supply unit 442 to circulate smoothly. This reduces the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage section 450 without being consumed. In this embodiment, in the mounted state, the liquid supply unit 442 is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity so that the extension direction of the liquid supply unit 442 and the direction of gravity form an angle in the range of greater than 0° and not more than 15°.

[0078] In addition, in the attached state, the attachment engagement portion 697 engages with the cartridge engagement portion 497, thereby maintaining the attached state of the cartridge 4. The user lifts the rear wall 47 side of the cartridge 4, thereby rotating it about the rotation fulcrum 698 in the connection release direction D3, which is the opposite direction to the connection direction D2. As a result, the attachment engagement portion 697 is displaced by being pushed by the main body of the cartridge 4, and the engagement between the attachment engagement portion 697 and the cartridge engagement portion 497 is released.

[0079] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27 , the cartridge 4 has a liquid supply portion 442 disposed on the bottom wall 44 that intersects with the front wall 42 located on the insertion direction side. This positions the bottom wall 44 on the gravity direction side in the mounted state, allowing the liquid in the liquid storage portion 450 to smoothly flow to the liquid supply portion 442. This reduces the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage portion 450 without being consumed. Also, as shown in FIG. 23 , the insertion direction D1 of the cartridge 4 and the removal direction, which is the opposite direction to the insertion direction D1, are the Y direction, which is a horizontal direction. This improves the operability of the cartridge 4 because the cartridge 4 can be inserted into or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6 by simply moving the cartridge 4 horizontally. In particular, as in this embodiment, a large-sized cartridge 4 that stores a large amount of liquid can be inserted into or removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6 in the horizontal direction, further improving the operability of the cartridge 4. As described above, when the cartridge 4 is attached, the insertion direction D1 of the cartridge 4 and the extension direction of the liquid supply section 442 intersect, so that the insertion direction D1 can be set to a horizontal direction and the extension direction to a direction that includes a vertical component, thereby improving the operability of the cartridge 4 while reducing the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage section 450 without being consumed.

[0080] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 19, the cartridge 4 includes a cartridge guide portion 447, which allows the cartridge 4 to be smoothly moved in the insertion direction D1. In particular, in this embodiment, the outer shape of the cartridge 4 is largest in the insertion direction D1. Therefore, by providing the cartridge 4 with the cartridge guide portion 447 that is guided in the insertion direction, the cartridge 4 can be smoothly moved in the insertion direction D1. As shown in FIG. 19, the cartridge guide portion 447 includes a first cartridge guide portion 447a formed on the first side wall 45 and a second cartridge guide portion 447b formed on the second side wall 46 corresponding to the first side wall 45. This allows the cartridge guide portions 447 to be provided on both sides of the cartridge 4 in the width direction, thereby stabilizing the insertion posture of the cartridge 4 when the cartridge 4 is moved in the insertion direction relative to the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0081] 11, the circuit board 50 having the cartridge-side terminals 521 is disposed at a corner portion 89 where the front wall 42 and the bottom wall 44 intersect. This allows the cartridge-side terminals 521 to easily contact the device-side terminals 721 by moving the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction relative to the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting portion 6. In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the cartridge 4 has a terminal positioning portion 906 at the corner portion 89, which ensures that the cartridge-side terminals 521 and the device-side terminals 721 contact each other reliably during the mounting process.

[0082] 12, the cartridge 4 includes the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402, thereby improving design flexibility. For example, a common adapter 402 can be used for a plurality of liquid containers 401, 401B having liquid storage portions 450 with different capacities. Furthermore, since the cartridge 4 includes the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402, after the liquid has been consumed, the liquid container 401 can be removed from the adapter 402 and a new liquid container 401 can be attached to the adapter 402. This improves the recyclability of the cartridge 4.

[0083] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the adapter 402, which can be commonly used for different types of liquid containers 401, 401B, is provided with elements that cooperate with the cartridge mounting portion 6, such as the terminal positioning portion 906, the supply portion positioning portion 448, the cartridge side identification member 430, the cartridge engaging portion 497, and the cartridge guide portion 447. This allows the same type of adapter 402 to be used even if the type of liquid container 401 is different, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the cartridge 4. This also simplifies the structure of the liquid containers 401, 401B.

[0084] 24 to 27, after inserting the cartridge 4 into the storage chamber 61 through the insertion / removal opening 674, the opening 614 is displaced in the direction of gravity around the rotation fulcrum 698 to position the tip 642b of the liquid introduction part 642 inside the storage chamber 61, thereby connecting the liquid introduction part 642 and the liquid supply part 442. This makes it possible to prevent the cartridge 4 from colliding with the liquid introduction part 642 formed in a direction intersecting the insertion direction D1 during the process of inserting the cartridge 4 horizontally into the storage chamber 61.

[0085] B. Other Embodiments: B-1. Alternative embodiment 1: In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 23, the insertion direction D1 is parallel to the horizontal direction, but is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the insertion direction D1 may be inclined with respect to the insertion direction as long as it has a horizontal component. For example, the insertion direction D1 may be inclined with respect to the horizontal direction within a range of more than 0° and not more than 15°. Also, in the above embodiment, when the cartridge 4 is attached, the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity, but it may be oriented along the direction of gravity.

[0086] B-2. Alternative embodiment 2: In the above embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 25 to 27 , the cartridge 4 rotates about the rotation fulcrum 698 in the connection direction D2 to connect the liquid supply unit 442 and the liquid introduction unit 642, but this is not limited to this. For example, the liquid supply unit 442 and the liquid introduction unit 642 may be connected by moving the entire support member 610 in the −Z direction to move the cartridge 4 in the −Z direction. That is, in the terminal connection process, the support member 610 may move in the −Z direction, which is the direction of gravity, to displace the opening 614 in the −Z direction, which is the direction of gravity, and the tip end 642b of the liquid introduction unit 642 may be positioned within the storage chamber 61 via the opening 614. Alternatively, the position of the support member 610 may be fixed, and the liquid introduction unit 642 may move to connect to the liquid supply unit 442.

[0087] B-3. ​​Alternative embodiment 3: In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 12, the liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 are separate bodies, but they may be integrated.

[0088] B-4. Alternative embodiment 4: The present disclosure is not limited to inkjet printers and ink cartridges, but can also be applied to any printing device that ejects liquid other than ink and its cartridge, such as the following types of printing devices and their cartridges: (1) Image recording devices such as facsimile machines (2) A printing device that sprays color materials used in the manufacture of color filters for image display devices such as liquid crystal displays. (3) A printing device that sprays electrode materials used to form electrodes in organic EL (Electro Luminescence) displays, surface-emitting displays (Field Emission Displays, FEDs), etc. (4) A printing device that sprays liquid containing bioorganic substances used in biochip manufacturing. (5) Sample printing device as a precision pipette (6) Lubricant printing device (7) Resin liquid printing device (8) A printing device that injects lubricating oil into precision machinery such as watches and cameras. (9) A printing device that sprays transparent resin liquid, such as ultraviolet curing resin liquid, onto a substrate to form minute hemispherical lenses (optical lenses) used in optical communication elements, etc. (10) A printing device that sprays acidic or alkaline etching liquid to etch substrates, etc. (11) A printing device equipped with a liquid ejection head that ejects any other minute amount of liquid droplets

[0089] The term "droplet" refers to the state of liquid ejected from a printing device, including droplets, tears, and string-like droplets. The term "liquid" as used herein refers to any material that can be ejected by a printing device. For example, "liquid" refers to any material in its liquid phase, including materials with high or low viscosity, as well as liquid materials such as sols, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals. The term "liquid" also includes not only liquids as a single state of matter, but also particles of functional materials composed of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent. Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals, as described in the above embodiments. Here, "ink" encompasses various liquid compositions, such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot-melt inks.

[0090] C. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described below can be appropriately replaced or combined to solve some or all of the above-described problems or achieve some or all of the above-described effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0091] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge to be mounted in a cartridge mounting portion of a printing device having a liquid introduction portion that receives liquid. The cartridge includes a liquid storage portion that stores the liquid, a front wall positioned on the insertion direction side toward which the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion, and a bottom wall that intersects with the front wall and has a liquid supply portion disposed thereon that connects to the liquid introduction portion. According to this aspect, because the liquid supply portion is disposed on the bottom wall that intersects with the front wall positioned on the insertion direction side, the liquid in the liquid storage portion can be smoothly circulated to the liquid supply portion. This reduces the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage portion without being consumed.

[0092] (2) In the above aspect, the liquid supply portion may extend in a direction intersecting the insertion direction. According to this aspect, by mounting the cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion so that the direction in which the liquid supply portion extends includes a component in the direction of gravity, the liquid in the liquid supply portion can be smoothly circulated. This reduces the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage portion without being consumed.

[0093] (3) In the above embodiment, the cartridge guide portion may further extend along the insertion direction and be guided in the insertion direction by the cartridge mounting portion. According to this embodiment, the cartridge guide portion allows the cartridge to be smoothly moved in the insertion direction.

[0094] (4) In the above aspect, the cartridge guide may further include a first side wall intersecting the front wall and the bottom wall, and a second side wall intersecting the front wall and the bottom wall and facing the first side wall, and the cartridge guide portion may include a first cartridge guide portion formed on the first side wall and a second cartridge guide portion formed on the second side wall. According to this aspect, the first cartridge guide portion is formed on the first side wall, and the second cartridge guide portion is formed on the second side wall corresponding to the first side wall, thereby stabilizing the insertion posture of the cartridge when moving the cartridge in the insertion direction.

[0095] (5) In the above embodiment, the cartridge may further include a corner where the front wall and the bottom wall intersect, and a cartridge-side terminal disposed at the corner and electrically connectable to an apparatus-side terminal of the cartridge mounting portion. This embodiment provides a cartridge having a cartridge-side terminal electrically connectable to an apparatus-side terminal.

[0096] (6) The above-described embodiment may further include a liquid container having the liquid storage portion and the liquid supply portion, and an adapter attached to the liquid container and forming the bottom wall, the adapter having a supply portion placement chamber in which the liquid supply portion is placed and an insertion opening through which the liquid introduction portion is inserted. According to this embodiment, the inclusion of the liquid container and the adapter increases design freedom. For example, a common adapter can be used for multiple liquid containers having different liquid storage portion capacities.

[0097] (7) In the above aspect, the adapter may have the corner portion on which the cartridge-side terminal is arranged. According to this aspect, the adapter has the corner portion, so that the cartridge-side terminal can be arranged on the adapter.

[0098] (8) In the above aspect, the adapter may have the cartridge guide portion. According to this aspect, the cartridge guide portion can be disposed on the adapter.

[0099] (9) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a printing system is provided. This printing system includes a printing device having a cartridge mounting section into which the cartridge is mounted and a liquid introduction section that receives liquid, and the cartridge of the above aspect. According to this aspect, the liquid supply section of the cartridge is located on the bottom wall that intersects with the front wall located on the insertion direction side, allowing the liquid in the liquid storage section to smoothly circulate to the liquid supply section. This reduces the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage section without being consumed.

[0100] (10) In the above aspect, the insertion direction in which the cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion may intersect with the direction in which the liquid supply portion of the cartridge extends. According to this aspect, the insertion direction intersects with the direction in which the liquid supply portion extends, thereby improving the operability of the cartridge and reducing the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage portion without being consumed.

[0101] (11) According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a printing device is provided. This printing device includes a cartridge mounting section into which the cartridge of the above aspect is mounted. The cartridge mounting section has a storage chamber into which the cartridge is inserted along an insertion direction and which houses the cartridge, and a liquid introduction section extending in a direction intersecting the insertion direction and connected to a liquid supply section of the cartridge. According to this aspect, by mounting a cartridge in which the liquid supply section is disposed on a bottom wall intersecting with a front wall located on the insertion direction side of the cartridge mounting section, the liquid in the liquid storage section can be smoothly circulated to the cartridge mounting section side via the liquid supply section. This reduces the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage section without being consumed.

[0102] (12) In the above embodiment, the cartridge mounting section may further include a support member that forms a first device wall having an insertion / removal opening that serves as an entrance / exit for the storage chamber, a second device wall facing the first device wall, and a device bottom wall having an opening, and that supports the cartridge, the device bottom wall intersecting the first device wall and the second device wall. The liquid introduction section is located on the opposite side of the storage chamber from the support member, and the cartridge mounting section may further include a displacement mechanism that moves the support member to displace the opening toward gravity, thereby positioning the tip of the liquid introduction section within the storage chamber via the opening. According to this embodiment, after inserting the cartridge into the storage chamber via the insertion / removal opening, the opening can be displaced to position the tip of the liquid introduction section within the storage chamber, thereby connecting the liquid introduction section and the liquid supply section. This improves operability when mounting the cartridge in the cartridge mounting section.

[0103] In addition to the above aspects, the present disclosure can be realized in other aspects such as a method for manufacturing a cartridge and a mechanism for mounting a cartridge to a cartridge mounting portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1...printing system, 2...printing paper, 4, 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K...cartridge, 4A...first type cartridge, 4B...second type cartridge, 6...cartridge mounting section, 8...cap member, 10...printing device, 13...replacement cover, 15...operation button, 20...carriage, 22...ejection head, 24...tube, 30...drive mechanism, 31...control section, 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...accommodation chamber, 61C, 61M, 61Y, 61K...slot, 62...second device wall, 63...device upper wall, 64...device bottom wall, 65...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...recess, 401,401B...liquid container, 402...adapter, 402e...end, 430...cartridge-side identification member, 431...bottom wall of container, 442...liquid supply portion, 446...insertion opening, 447...cartridge guide portion, 447a...first cartridge guide portion, 447b...second cartridge guide portion, 448...supply portion positioning portion, 449...internal flow path, 450...liquid container, 461...supply portion arrangement chamber, 497...cartridge engagement portion, 521...cartridge side Terminal, 525...storage device, 602...device guide portion, 602a...first device guide portion, 602b...second device guide portion, 610...support member, 611...first support side wall, 612...second support side wall, 613...main wall, 614...opening, 625...device biasing member, 630...device side identification member, 642...liquid introduction portion, 642a...base end portion, 642b...tip portion, 644...device side supply portion positioning portion, 644a...one end portion, 644b...other end portion, 674...insertion / removal opening, 677 ...Engagement formation body, 697...Mounting engagement portion, 698...Rotation fulcrum, 699...Liquid storage portion, 721...Device side terminal, 722...Terminal contact, 739...Connector, 750...Terminal holding portion, 750fa...Holding portion 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...Using 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...supply tip portion, 442e2...supply base end portion, CA1, CA2...center axis, D1...insertion direction, D2...connection direction, D3...disconnection direction, Fa...external force, Ft1...external force, MP...center portion, Rp...terminal rotation fulcrum, RY...external force,

Claims

1. A cartridge to be mounted in a cartridge mounting section of a printing device having a liquid introduction section for receiving liquid and a device-side terminal, a liquid storage portion that stores the liquid; a front wall located on the side of the cartridge mounting portion in the insertion direction; a rear wall opposite the front wall; a bottom wall on which a liquid supply portion is disposed, the bottom wall intersecting the front wall and connected to the liquid introduction portion; an upper wall facing the bottom wall; a corner portion where the front wall and the bottom wall intersect; a cartridge-side terminal disposed at the corner portion, the cartridge-side terminal being electrically connectable to the device-side terminal of the cartridge mounting portion; a terminal positioning portion disposed at the corner portion, the terminal positioning portion receiving an apparatus-side terminal positioning portion of the cartridge mounting portion and positioning the cartridge-side terminal relative to the apparatus-side terminal; a supply unit positioning section that receives an apparatus-side supply unit positioning section of the cartridge mounting section and positions the liquid supply unit relative to the liquid introducing section, the liquid supply unit is located between a center portion of the cartridge and the rear wall in the insertion direction; The supply unit positioning portion is located between the liquid supply unit and the rear wall in the insertion direction.

2. A cartridge according to claim 1, The supply unit positioning portion is located on the opposite side of the liquid supply unit from the cartridge-side terminals in the insertion direction.

3. A cartridge as described in claim 1, the supply unit positioning portion is either a recess recessed from the outer surface of the bottom wall or a hole penetrating the bottom wall, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape; The supply unit positioning portion receives the apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion, which is a protrusion, and restricts movement of the supply unit positioning portion in a direction intersecting a direction in which the liquid supply unit is connected to the liquid introduction portion.

4. A cartridge according to claim 1, the supply unit positioning portion is either a recess recessed from the outer surface of the bottom wall or a hole penetrating the bottom wall, In the supply unit positioning portion, an opening area of ​​an inlet portion formed on the outer surface side of the bottom wall is larger than an opening area on a side further back than the inlet portion.

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