Cartridge, printing device, and printing system

Abstract

To provide a technique which can open a device side valve body of a liquid introduction part by a cartridge valve body.SOLUTION: A cartridge includes a liquid storage part, and a liquid supply part having a supply part valve mechanism, in which the cartridge side valve mechanism has a cartridge side valve seat formed with a cartridge side valve hole, a cartridge side valve body that blocks the cartridge side valve hole and has a tip surface positioned on the side of a supply opening, and a cartridge side energization member for energizing the cartridge side valve body toward a direction toward the cartridge side valve seat, and the cartridge side valve body has a projection that projects from the tip surface and pushes and opens the device side valve body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to techniques relating to a cartridge, a printing device, and a printing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a technology for an ink cartridge mounted in a printing device that has an ink supply valve capable of opening and closing an ink supply flow path that supplies ink (Patent Document 1). The ink supply valve includes a valve seat, a valve body, and a biasing portion that biases the valve body toward the valve seat. When an ink supply tube of a printing device is inserted into the ink supply flow path of the ink cartridge, the valve body is pushed up against the biasing force by the ink supply tube, and the valve body is separated from the valve seat. This opens the ink supply valve. The valve body also has a breaking portion that protrudes toward the ink chamber side of the ink cartridge. When the valve body is pushed up, the breaking portion breaks a thin film portion that blocks the ink supply flow path. This allows ink to be supplied from the ink cartridge to the printer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-254734 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional technology, the ink supply valve opens and closes the supply flow path on the ink cartridge side, but no consideration is given to opening and closing the ink supply tube that receives the ink on the printing device side. This issue is not limited to ink cartridges, but is common to all cartridges that contain liquid and are detachably attached to printing devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge that is detachably mounted to a cartridge mounting section of a printing device having a liquid introduction section that receives a liquid and an apparatus-side valve body that opens and closes an introduction section flow path that is a flow path of the liquid introduction section. The cartridge includes a liquid storage section that stores the liquid, and a liquid supply section that has a supply opening at a tip, communicates with the liquid storage section, and is connected to the liquid introduction section, and has a cartridge-side valve mechanism that opens and closes a supply section flow path that is the flow path of the liquid supply section, the cartridge-side valve mechanism having a cartridge-side valve seat in which a cartridge-side valve hole is formed, a cartridge-side valve body that closes the cartridge-side valve hole, the cartridge-side valve body having a tip surface located on the supply opening side, and a cartridge-side biasing member that biases the cartridge-side valve body in a direction toward the cartridge-side valve seat, the cartridge-side valve body having a convex portion that protrudes from the tip surface and presses the apparatus-side valve body to open the valve.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing device in which a cartridge is mounted. The cartridge includes a liquid supply unit and a cartridge-side valve body for opening and closing a supply unit flow path, which is a flow path of the liquid supply unit, and the cartridge-side valve body has a protruding portion protruding from a tip surface. The printing device also includes an ejection head for ejecting liquid, and a cartridge mounting section in which the cartridge is mounted, the cartridge mounting section being connected to the liquid supply unit and having a liquid introduction section for receiving the liquid, the liquid introduction section having an introduction section opening formed at a tip, an introduction section flow path, which is a flow path, and an apparatus-side valve body for opening and closing the introduction section flow path, and the apparatus-side valve body is disposed at a position where it is pushed by the protruding portion to open the valve.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing system comprising the cartridge of the above aspect and the printing device of the above aspect, wherein the liquid introduction section and the liquid supply section are connected by the cartridge moving downward, and the device-side valve body opens before the cartridge-side valve body during a supply section connection process in which the liquid introduction section and the liquid supply section are connected. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a printing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] View of the cartridge mounting section from the +Z side. [Diagram 3] Cross-sectional view of 3-3 in Figure 2. [Figure 4] An enlarged view of region R4 in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a partly cut-away region including a liquid supply portion and a liquid introduction portion. [Figure 6] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a region including the liquid supply portion and the liquid introduction portion at the end of the terminal connecting process. FIG. [Figure 7] 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a region including the liquid supply portion and the liquid introduction portion at the end of a supply process. FIG. [Figure 8] View of the cartridge mounting section from the +Y side. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cartridge mounted in the cartridge mounting portion. [Figure 10] FIG. [Figure 11] View of the cartridge mounting section from the +Z side. [Figure 12] FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 1 shows a part of a first type cartridge. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 shows a part of the first type cartridge. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a first side view of the first type cartridge. [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a second side view of the first type cartridge. [Figure 20] FIG. [Figure 21] Rear view of the first type cartridge. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a top view of a first type cartridge. [Figure 23] FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. [Diagram 25] Rear view of the second type cartridge. [Figure 26] Figure 1 explaining the installation process. [Figure 27] Figure 2 explains the installation process. [Figure 28] Cross-sectional view of Figure 27. [Figure 29] Figure 3 explaining the installation process. [Diagram 30] Cross-sectional view of Figure 29. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] A. Embodiment: A-1. Printing system configuration: FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a printing system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 1, XYZ axes, which are three spatial axes perpendicular to each other, are depicted. The directions in which the arrows of the X, Y, and Z axes point indicate the positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. The positive directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are respectively the +X direction, +Y direction, and +Z direction. The directions opposite to the directions in which the arrows of the X, Y, and Z axes point are respectively the negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes. The negative directions along the X, Y, and Z axes are respectively the -X direction, -Y direction, and -Z direction. The directions along the X, Y, and Z axes, regardless of whether they are positive or negative, are respectively called the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction. The same applies to the figures and explanations shown below.

[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 as a liquid from an ejection head 22. The 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 an operation button 15 that allows a user to operate the operation of the printing device 10.

[0012] A plurality of cartridges 4 are removably mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6. In this embodiment, four types of cartridges 4 are mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6, one for each of the four colors of ink, black, yellow, magenta, and cyan, that is, a total of four cartridges 4. The cartridge 4 that contains black ink is also called cartridge 4K, the cartridge 4 that contains yellow ink is also called cartridge 4Y, the cartridge 4 that contains magenta ink is also called cartridge 4M, and the cartridge 4 that contains cyan ink is also called 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 called a first type cartridge 4A, and the cartridges 4C, 4M, and 4Y are also called 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 front side in the +Y direction, an opening of the cartridge mounting section 6 appears, and the cartridge 4 can be attached and detached. When the cartridge 4 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6, ink can be supplied to the ejection head 22 provided in the carriage 20 through a tube 24 as a liquid circulation pipe. In this embodiment, ink is supplied from the cartridge 4 to the ejection head 22 by utilizing a head difference. Specifically, ink is supplied to the ejection head 22 by a head difference between the liquid level of the ink in the liquid storage section 699 and the ejection head 22. In another embodiment, ink may be supplied to the ejection head 22 by sucking ink in the cartridge 4 using a pump mechanism (not shown) of the printing device 10. The tube 24 is provided for each type of ink. The state in which the cartridge 4 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6 and ink as a liquid can be supplied to the printing device 10 is also called an "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 toward the printing paper 2 to print data such as characters and images. The manner in which the cartridge 4 is attached to the cartridge mounting section 6 and the detailed configuration of the cartridge 4 and the cartridge mounting section 6 will be described later. In this embodiment, the printing device 10 is a printer called an "off-carriage type" in which the cartridge mounting section 6 does not move in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 20. The present disclosure can also be applied to printers called an "on-carriage type" in which the cartridge mounting section 6 is provided on the carriage 20 and moves together with the carriage 20.

[0015] The control unit 31 controls each part of the printing device 10 and sends and receives signals to and from 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 a control signal from the control unit 31. The drive mechanism 30 includes a timing belt 32 and a drive motor 34. The power of the drive motor 34 is transmitted to the carriage 20 via the timing belt 32, causing the carriage 20 to reciprocate in the main scanning direction, which is the direction 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 completed 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 in 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 elevation 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, in the use state of the printing system 1, the axis along the sub-scanning direction in which the print paper 2 is transported is the Y axis, the axis along the gravity direction is the Z axis, and the axis along the movement direction of the carriage 20 is the X axis. Here, the "use 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 the +Y direction, the opposite direction is the -Y direction, the gravity direction is the -Z direction, and the antigravity direction is the +Z direction. The X and Y directions are directions along the horizontal direction. In addition, when the printing system 1 is viewed from the front side, the direction from the right side to the left side is the +X direction, and the opposite direction is the -X direction. In this embodiment, the insertion direction in which the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion 6 for mounting is the -Y direction, and the direction in which the cartridge 4 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6 is the +Y direction. Therefore, the -Y direction side of the cartridge mounting portion 6 is also called the back side, and the +Y direction side is also called the front side. In this embodiment, the arrangement direction of the multiple cartridges 4 is the X direction.

[0019] A-2. Outline 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, a cartridge 4K is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6. A schematic configuration of the mounting process and mounted state of the cartridge 4 will be described with reference to 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 to 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. Also, 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, the ink stored in the liquid storage portion 450 of the cartridge 4 is supplied to the liquid introduction portion 642 through the liquid supply portion 442. In this embodiment, while ink is supplied from the liquid supply unit 442 to the liquid introduction unit 642, air contained in the liquid storage unit 699 becomes air bubbles and flows through the liquid introduction unit 642 and the liquid supply unit 442 to the liquid storage unit 450. This causes air-liquid exchange in the liquid storage unit 450. Note that in other embodiments, the cartridge 4 may have an atmosphere communication passage that connects the liquid storage unit 450 to the outside, and air-liquid exchange may occur via this atmosphere communication passage. The atmosphere communication passage is disposed at a position different from the liquid supply unit 442, and is formed in, for example, a wall that forms the liquid storage unit 450.

[0021] The liquid introduction section 642 receives the liquid supplied from the cartridge 4. The liquid introduction section 642 is a cylindrical member, and has an internal flow path that distributes the liquid inside. The liquid introduction section 642 has a base end 642a and a tip 642b. An opening that communicates with the introduction section flow path, which is an internal flow path, is formed in the tip 642b, and the ink of the liquid supply section 442 flows to the introduction section flow path through this opening. The base end 642a is connected to the liquid storage section 699, and causes the ink that has flowed through the introduction section flow path to flow to the liquid storage section 699. The liquid storage section 699 is located on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The liquid storage section 699 communicates with the ejection head 22 via the tube 24 shown in FIG. 1. As described above, the liquid introduction section 642 communicates with the ejection head 22 via the liquid storage section 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 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 metal plate member having electrical conductivity. The device-side terminal 721 has a terminal rotation fulcrum Rp, and a portion of the device-side terminal 721 that contacts the cartridge-side terminal 521 of the circuit board 50, which is an end of the device-side terminal 721, can be elastically deformed with the terminal rotation fulcrum Rp as a fulcrum. The direction of elastic deformation is along the Y direction and the Z direction. The terminal holding unit 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. The device-side terminal portion 70 is attached to the attachment member 782. The biasing member 780 is compressed when the insertion of the cartridge 4 into the cartridge mounting portion 6 is complete. 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 removal direction of the cartridge 4, which is the first device wall 67 side. The device-side terminal portion 70 is pressed against the circuit board 50 by the external force Fa, so that good contact between the device-side terminal 721 and the cartridge-side terminal 521 is maintained.

[0025] As described above, the holding mechanism 73 holds the device-side terminal portion 70 so as to be displaceable in the direction along the insertion direction 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 direction and Z direction intersecting the insertion direction. As a result, the device-side terminal portion 70 is held by the holding mechanism 73 so as to be slightly movable in the X direction and Z direction intersecting the insertion direction.

[0026] The process of mounting the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting section 6 is composed of a terminal connection process and a supply section connection process executed after the terminal connection process. The terminal connection process is a process of moving the cartridge 4 in the -Y direction through the insertion / removal opening 674 of the first device wall 67 shown in FIG. 3 to insert the cartridge 4 into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting section 6, thereby contacting and electrically connecting the device side terminal 721 and the cartridge side terminal 521. The supply section connection process is a process of connecting the liquid introduction section 642 and the liquid supply section 442 by rotating and moving the rear surface 47 side of the cartridge 4 in the connection direction D2 indicated by the arrow, with a rotation fulcrum 698 as a displacement mechanism of the support member 610 as a fulcrum. The rotation fulcrum 698 is provided on the second device wall 62 side of the cartridge mounting section 6.

[0027] In the supply unit connection process, the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644, which is a protrusion of the cartridge mounting portion 6, fits into the concave supply unit positioning portion 448 of the cartridge 4, thereby restricting the 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, a 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 on the -Z direction side as it approaches the +Y axis direction. This main wall 613 is parallel to the Y direction in the initial arrangement state of the cartridge mounting portion 6 where the cartridge 4 is not attached.

[0029] The cartridge mounting portion 6 has a biasing member 625 that applies an external force Ft1 to the support member 610 in order to return the support member 610 to the position of the initial arrangement state when the cartridge 4 is in the mounted state. The 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 in the mounted state. In the compressed state, an external force Ft1 having a +Z direction component is applied to the support member 610. On the other hand, when the cartridge 4 is in the mounted state, the cartridge engaging portion 497 of the cartridge 4 engages with the mounting engaging portion 697 of the cartridge mounting portion 6, thereby maintaining the mounted state. The mounting engaging portion 697 is formed in the engagement formation body 677 of the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0030] A-3.Detailed configuration of the liquid supply unit and liquid introduction unit: Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram with a part broken away of a region including liquid supply unit 442 and liquid introduction unit 642 in an attached state. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a region including liquid supply unit 442 and liquid introduction unit 642 at the end of a terminal connecting process. Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a region including liquid supply unit 442 and liquid introduction unit 642 at the end of a supply unit connecting process.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid supply unit 442 is connected to the liquid introduction unit 642 and distributes the liquid in the liquid storage unit 450 to the liquid introduction unit 642, which is the outside. The liquid supply unit 442 communicates with the liquid storage unit 450. As shown in FIG. 6, the liquid supply unit 442 has a central axis CA2. At the completion of the terminal connection process in which the cartridge 4 is inserted into the cartridge mounting unit 6, 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 -Y direction, which is the insertion direction D1. The liquid supply unit 442 has a supply opening 442e1 formed at the tip and a supply base end 442e2 forming the base end. The supply base end 442e2 is located inside the liquid storage unit 450. The supply opening 442e1 opens toward the outside.

[0032] The liquid supply unit 442 includes a flow path main body 480 and a cartridge-side valve mechanism 481. The flow path main body 480 is inserted through an inflow opening 432 formed in a container bottom wall 431, which is the bottom wall of the liquid storage unit 450. A supply unit flow path 482 is formed inside the flow path main body 480. As shown in FIG. 5, a plurality of slits 441 are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction in the side wall of the flow path main body 480, in a portion located between the inflow opening 432 in the liquid storage unit 450 and the supply base end 442e2 side. The liquid in the liquid storage unit 450 flows into the supply unit flow path 482 through the slits 441. Note that a portion of the side wall of the flow path main body 480 located between the inflow opening 432 and the supply opening 442e1 does not have a slit and forms a cylindrical member.

[0033] 6, the cartridge-side valve mechanism 481 is disposed in the supply section flow path 482 and opens and closes the supply section flow path 482. The cartridge-side valve mechanism 481 has a cartridge-side valve seat 487, a cartridge-side valve body 485, and a cartridge-side biasing member 483. In the direction along the central axis CA2, the cartridge-side valve seat 487, the cartridge-side valve body 485, and the cartridge-side biasing member 483 are disposed in this order from the side closer to the supply opening 442e1.

[0034] The cartridge side valve seat 487 is disposed in the vicinity of the supply opening 442e1. The cartridge side valve seat 487 is an annular member. The cartridge side valve seat 487 is formed of an elastic member such as synthetic rubber or elastomer. The outer peripheral surface of the cartridge side valve seat 487 is airtightly attached to the inner peripheral surface of the flow path main body 480. The cartridge side valve seat 487 is formed with a cartridge side valve hole 489 penetrating in a direction along the central axis CA2.

[0035] When the liquid introduction portion 642 is not connected to the liquid supply portion 442, the tip portion of the cartridge side valve element 485 abuts against the cartridge side valve seat 487 to close the cartridge side valve hole 489. On the other hand, when the cartridge 4 is in an attached state in which the liquid introduction portion 642 is connected to the liquid supply portion 442, the cartridge side valve element 485 opens by moving away from the cartridge side valve seat 487. In other words, the cartridge side valve element 485 opens and closes the supply portion flow path 482 by displacing in a direction along the central axis CA2. The cartridge side valve element 485 is a rod-shaped member extending in a direction along the central axis CA2.

[0036] The cartridge-side valve body 485 has a tip surface 486 located on the supply opening 442e1 side. The tip surface 486 faces the supply opening 442e1. The cartridge-side valve body 485 also has a convex portion 488 that protrudes from the tip surface 486 toward the supply opening 442e1 side. The convex portion 488 is cylindrical. In other embodiments, the convex portion 488 may be a prismatic column having a cross section formed in a polygonal shape such as a square or pentagon. The convex portion 488 is disposed at a position passing through the central axis CA2. When the cartridge-side valve mechanism 481 is in a closed state, the convex portion 488 is disposed within a cartridge-side valve hole 489 of the cartridge-side valve seat 487. As shown in FIG. 7, the convex portion 488 of the cartridge-side valve body 485 pushes the device-side valve body 685 disposed within the liquid introduction portion 642 to open the valve during the supply portion connection process.

[0037] 6, the cartridge-side biasing member 483 biases the cartridge-side valve body 485 in a direction toward the cartridge-side valve seat 487. The cartridge-side biasing member 483 is, for example, a compression coil spring. One end of the cartridge-side biasing member 483 abuts against the cartridge-side valve body 485, and the other end abuts against the flow path main body 480. In a pre-connection state before the connection between the liquid introduction portion 642 and the liquid supply portion 442 is started, that is, when the cartridge-side valve mechanism 481 is in a closed state, the biasing force of the cartridge-side biasing member 483 against the cartridge-side valve body 485 is a first biasing force Fs1.

[0038] When the cartridge 4 is in an attached state, the liquid introduction part 642 is connected to the liquid supply part 442 and receives the liquid from the liquid supply part 442. The liquid introduction part 642 has an introduction part flow path 682 through which the liquid supplied from the liquid supply part 442 flows. The liquid introduction part 642 also has a central axis CA1. The central axis CA1 is inclined with respect to the direction of gravity. In this embodiment, the central axis CA1 is inclined at 5° with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0039] The liquid introduction part 642 includes an introduction part main body 680 having a circular cross-sectional shape, and an apparatus-side valve mechanism 681. An introduction part flow path 682 is formed inside the introduction part main body 680. The introduction part main body 680 forms a tip 642b of the liquid introduction part 642. The tip 642b forms the upstream end of the introduction part flow path 682 in the flow direction of the liquid from the liquid supply part 442 to the liquid introduction part 642. The tip 642b has an introduction part opening 645 that forms the upstream end of the introduction part flow path 682.

[0040] 6, the device-side valve mechanism 681 is disposed in the inlet flow path 682 and opens and closes the inlet flow path 682. The device-side valve mechanism 681 has an device-side valve seat 687 formed by the inlet main body 680, a device-side valve body 685, and an device-side biasing member 683.

[0041] The device side valve seat 687 is a portion of the introduction part main body 680 that is inclined with respect to the central axis CA1. In this embodiment, the device side valve seat 687 is a portion of the introduction part main body 680 whose inner diameter increases from the tip end 642b side toward the base end 642a side. The device side valve seat 687 has a device side valve hole 689 that is a part of the introduction part flow path 682. Note that other embodiments are not limited to the above, and the introduction part main body 680 may have an expanded diameter portion that expands in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA1, and the device side valve seat 687 may be formed by this expanded diameter portion.

[0042] The device-side valve 685 is a rod-shaped member extending in a direction along the central axis CA1. The device-side valve 685 is located in the introduction passage 682 and opens and closes the introduction passage 682. The device-side valve 685 is disposed at a position where it is pushed by the convex portion 488 of the cartridge-side valve 485 to open the valve. Specifically, the tip 685b of the device-side valve 685 pushed by the convex portion 488 is located on the trajectory along which the convex portion 488 moves in the supply portion connection process. In this embodiment, the tip 685b is disposed at a position passing through the central axis CA1. In this way, the device-side valve 685 is disposed at a position where it is pushed by the convex portion 488 to open the valve, so that the device-side valve 685 can be easily opened using the convex portion 488.

[0043] Regardless of whether the device-side valve 685 is in an open state or a closed state, the device-side valve 685 is located in the introduction flow path 682 without protruding from the introduction opening 645. In this embodiment, the tip 685b of the device-side valve 685 is located at the same height as the introduction opening 645 in the closed state. Also, the tip 685b of the device-side valve 685 is located on the base end 642a side, which is the back side of the introduction opening 645, in the open state. This reduces the possibility that the liquid attached to the device-side valve 685 will leak out to the outside. Also, since the tip 685b of the device-side valve 685 does not protrude from the introduction opening 645, the possibility that the device-side valve 685 will suddenly open when the cartridge 4 is not attached, for example, due to collision of another object with the device-side valve 685, can be reduced. Furthermore, since the tip 685b of the device-side valve 685 does not protrude from the introduction opening 645, the possibility of collision with parts of the cartridge 4 other than the device-side valve 685 during the process of mounting the cartridge 4 can be reduced.

[0044] The device-side valve body 685 has an arrangement portion 686 and a seal member 688 which is an annular elastic member. The arrangement portion 686 is a portion of the main body of the device-side valve body 685 which is larger in size in a direction perpendicular to the central axis CA1 than other portions. The arrangement portion 686 faces the device-side valve seat 687. The seal member 688 is formed of elastomer or rubber. The seal member 688 is attached to the arrangement portion 686 of the device-side valve body 685 and is linked to the main body of the device-side valve body 685. In a state where the liquid introduction portion 642 and the liquid supply portion 442 are not connected, the seal member 688 abuts airtightly against the device-side valve seat 687, so that the device-side valve body 685 closes the device-side valve hole 689 of the device-side valve seat 687. As a result, the device-side valve body 685 is in a closed state. On the other hand, in the mounted state of the cartridge 4 in which the liquid introduction portion 642 is connected to the liquid supply portion 442, the device-side valve element 685 opens by moving away from the device-side valve seat 687 of the introduction portion main body 680. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7, the device-side valve element 685 opens by being pushed by the convex portion 488 of the cartridge-side valve element 485 and displaced in a direction away from the device-side valve seat 687. In other words, the device-side valve element 685 opens and closes the introduction portion flow path 682 by displacing in a direction along the central axis CA1.

[0045] The device-side biasing member 683 biases the device-side valve body 685 in a direction toward the device-side valve seat 687. The device-side biasing member 683 is, for example, a compression coil spring. One end of the device-side biasing member 683 abuts against the arrangement portion 686, and the other end abuts against the base 684. The base 684 is a member that forms the base end 642a of the liquid introduction portion 642, and is attached to the introduction portion main body 680. In a pre-connection state before the connection between the liquid introduction portion 642 and the liquid supply portion 442 is started, that is, when the device-side valve mechanism 681 is in a closed state, the biasing force of the device-side biasing member 683 against the device-side valve body 685 is a second biasing force Fs2.

[0046] From the state in which the terminal connection process shown in FIG. 6 is completed, the rear surface 47 side of the cartridge 4 is rotated and moved in the connection direction D2 as shown in FIG. 3, so that the rear surface 47 side of the cartridge 4 moves downward. As a result, the liquid supply unit 442 moves downward along a rotation trajectory centered on the rotation fulcrum 698, so that the liquid introduction unit 642 and the liquid supply unit 442 are connected as shown in FIG. 7. In the supply unit connection process from the state in which the terminal connection process shown in FIG. 6 is completed to the state in which the connection between the liquid supply unit 442 and the liquid introduction unit 642 is completed as shown in FIG. 7, the cartridge side valve mechanism 481 and the device side valve mechanism 681 have the following first opening and closing relationship. That is, in the supply unit connection process in which the liquid introduction unit 642 and the liquid supply unit 442 are connected, the device side valve body 685 opens before the cartridge side valve body 485 opens. In this embodiment, the first biasing force Fs1 is set to be larger than the second biasing force Fs2, so that the above-mentioned first opening and closing relationship is obtained. The magnitude of the urging force can be set by the material of the compression coil spring, the degree of compression, etc. In this embodiment, the wire diameter of the cartridge side urging member 483 which is a compression coil spring is larger than the wire diameter of the device side urging member 683 which is a compression coil spring, so that the first urging force Fs1 is set larger than the second urging force Fs2.

[0047] By setting the magnitude relationship between the first biasing force Fs1 and the second biasing force Fs2 as described above, it is possible to easily set the device-side valve body 685 to open before the cartridge-side valve body 485.

[0048] In the supply unit connection process, the convex portion 488 of the cartridge-side valve body 485 comes into contact with the tip 685b of the device-side valve body 685. Furthermore, the cartridge 4 rotates in the connection direction D2, so that the liquid supply unit 442 moves downward along the rotation trajectory. As a result, the convex portion 488 pushes the device-side valve body 685 toward the base end 642a, which is a direction away from the device-side valve seat 687, against the biasing force of the device-side biasing member 683. As the device-side valve body 685 is pushed in, the seal member 688 of the device-side valve body 685 moves away from the device-side valve seat 687, so that the device-side valve body 685 opens. As the device-side valve body 685 opens, the introduction section flow path 682 becomes capable of flowing. As the supply unit connecting process progresses and the cartridge 4 further rotates in the connecting direction D2, the cartridge-side valve body 485 is pushed in by the reaction force from the device-side valve body 685 against the biasing force of the cartridge-side biasing member 483. This causes the cartridge-side valve body 485 to move away from the cartridge-side valve seat 487, thereby opening the cartridge-side valve body 485. As the cartridge-side valve body 485 opens, the supply unit flow path 482 becomes capable of flowing.

[0049] As described above, in the supply unit connecting process, the device side valve 685 of the liquid introduction unit 642 can be easily opened by the convex portion 488 of the cartridge side valve body 485. In addition, since the convex portion 488 is cylindrical or prismatic, the convex portion 488 can be formed in a simple shape. In addition, even if liquid adheres to the convex portion 488, the convex portion 488 can move the adhered liquid to the device side valve body 685 side by contacting the tip 685b of the device side valve body 685. This reduces the possibility that the liquid will leak out from the liquid supply unit 442 after the cartridge 4 is removed from the cartridge mounting unit 6. In addition, in the supply unit connecting process, the device side valve body 685 opens before the cartridge side valve body 485, so that the introduction unit flow path 682 becomes in a state where it can flow, thereby reducing the possibility that air will remain between the device side valve body 685 and the cartridge side valve body 485. This makes it possible to prevent the trapped air from being compressed during the supply unit connection process, and therefore to prevent an excessively large external force from being applied to the cartridge 4 in order to connect the liquid supply unit 442 and the liquid introduction unit 642. This allows the user to smoothly mount the cartridge 4 in the cartridge mounting unit 6.

[0050] 3, the rear wall 47 side of the cartridge 4 is lifted, and the cartridge 4 is rotated in a disconnection direction D3, which is the opposite direction to the connection direction D2. As a result, the liquid supply part 442 is separated from the liquid introduction part 642 and the connection is released. In the release process, the cartridge-side valve mechanism 481 and the device-side valve mechanism 681 have the following second opening and closing relationship. That is, in the release process, the cartridge-side valve body 485 closes before the device-side valve body 685 closes. That is, in the release process, as the liquid supply part 442 of the cartridge 4 is separated from the liquid introduction part 642, the cartridge-side valve body 485 moves in a direction approaching the cartridge-side valve seat 487, and the cartridge-side valve body 485 comes into contact with the cartridge-side valve seat 487. On the other hand, until the cartridge-side valve body 485 comes into contact with the cartridge-side valve seat 487, the device-side valve body 685 is separated from the device-side valve seat 687 without coming into contact with the device-side valve seat 687. As the release process progresses further, the device-side valve body 685 moves in a direction approaching the device-side valve seat 687, and the device-side valve body 685 comes into contact with the device-side valve seat 687.

[0051] As described above, in the release process, the cartridge-side valve 485 closes before the device-side valve 685, so that the liquid remaining in the liquid supply portion 442 can flow to the liquid introduction portion 642 where the device-side valve 685 is open. This reduces the possibility that the liquid will leak out from the liquid supply portion 442 to the outside in the release process.

[0052] A-4. Detailed configuration of cartridge mounting section 6: FIG. 8 is a view of the cartridge mounting portion 6 as viewed from the +Y direction side. FIG. 9 is a view of the cartridge mounting portion 6 with the cartridge 4 mounted therein. FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the cartridge mounting portion 6. FIG. 11 is a view of the cartridge mounting portion 6 as viewed from the +Z direction side. FIG. 12 is a partially enlarged view of the cartridge mounting portion 6. FIG. 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the device-side terminal portion 70. In FIGS. 9 to 13, illustration of a part of the configuration of the cartridge mounting portion 6 is omitted for ease of understanding. With respect to the cartridge mounting portion 6, the X direction is also called the width direction, the Y direction is also called the depth direction, and the Z direction is also called the height direction. In the following, unless otherwise specified, each element will be described on the assumption 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.

[0053] As shown in Figs. 8 to 10, the cartridge mounting section 6 forms a storage chamber 61 in which the cartridge 4 is stored. The storage chamber 61 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. In the storage chamber 61, the slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K, which are portions for storing 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.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 10, the cartridge mounting section 6 has six device walls 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, and 67 that form the storage chamber 61. In this disclosure, the term "wall" is a concept that includes not only a single wall, but also a wall formed 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.

[0055] 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 it is inserted into or removed from the accommodation chamber 61.

[0056] The upper wall 63 of the device forms a wall on the +Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The bottom wall 64 of the device faces the upper wall 63 of the device in the Z direction and forms a wall on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. The bottom wall 64 of the device is formed by a support member 610. The bottom wall 64 of the device has a plurality of openings 614. In this embodiment, four openings 614 are formed according to the slots 61C, 61M, 61Y, and 61K. The upper wall 63 of the device and the bottom wall 64 of the device intersect with the second device wall 62 and the first device wall 67. In this disclosure, "intersect" and "intersect" mean any one of the following states: (i) a state in which two elements intersect each other and actually intersect, (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.

[0057] 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.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the cartridge mounting section 6 further includes a support member 610, a liquid introduction section 642, a supply section positioning section 644, a device 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 device 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 extending along the Y direction. The support members 610 have a concave shape. The support members 610 include a main wall 613 forming the device bottom wall 64, a first support side wall 611, and a second support side wall 612.

[0059] The main wall 613 forms a concave bottom located on the gravity direction side. An opening 614 is formed in the end of the main wall 613 on the first device wall 67 side. The opening 614 penetrates the main wall 613 in the thickness direction of the main wall 613.

[0060] 10, the first supporting side wall 611 rises in the +Z direction, which is the antigravity direction, from the +X direction end of the main wall 613. The second supporting side wall 612 rises in the +Z direction from the -X axis direction end of the main wall 613. The first supporting side wall 611 and the second supporting side wall 612 face each other in the X direction.

[0061] The device guide 602 guides the cartridge 4 in the insertion direction and removal direction. The device guide 602 is provided for each support member 610. The 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. 11, the first device guide 602a provided on the first support side wall 611 is a protrusion protruding from the first support side wall 611 toward the second support side wall 612. The first device guide 602a extends along the Y direction. In addition, a plurality of the 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 protruding 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 disposed at intervals in the Y direction.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the liquid introduction part 642 receives the liquid of the cartridge 4. In the initial arrangement state of the cartridge mounting part 6, the liquid introduction part 642 is not located in the storage chamber 61, but is located on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. That is, the liquid introduction part 642 is located on the opposite side of the storage chamber 61 with respect to the support member 610. This makes it possible to prevent the cartridge 4 from colliding with the liquid introduction part 642 when the cartridge 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting part 6. As described above, as shown in FIG. 3, the tip 642b of the liquid introduction part 642 is disposed in the storage chamber 61 by rotating and moving the support member 610 in the connection direction D2 about the rotation fulcrum 698 to push down the opening 614. That is, the rotation fulcrum 698 as a displacement mechanism rotates and moves the support member 610 to displace the opening 614 toward the gravity direction, thereby disposing the tip 642b of the liquid introduction part 642 in the storage chamber 61 via the opening 614.

[0063] The device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 shown in FIG. 10 is received by the supply unit positioning portion 448 to restrict the movement of the liquid supply unit 442 relative to the liquid introduction portion 642. This allows the liquid supply unit 442 to be positioned. In the initial arrangement state of the cartridge mounting portion 6, the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is not located in the storage chamber 61, but is located on the -Z direction side of the storage chamber 61. In other words, the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is located on the opposite side of the storage chamber 61 with respect to the support member 610. This makes it possible to prevent the cartridge 4 from colliding with the device-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 device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 is positioned in the storage chamber 61 by rotating the support member 610 in the connection direction D2 around the rotation fulcrum 698 to push down the opening 614. In other words, the rotation fulcrum 698 rotates the support member 610 to displace the opening 614 , thereby disposing the other end 644 b of the apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion 644 in the accommodation chamber 61 via the opening 614 .

[0064] As shown in Fig. 11, the cartridge mounting section 6 further includes an apparatus-side terminal section 70 and an apparatus-side identification member 630. As shown in Fig. 12, the terminal holding section 750 of the apparatus-side terminal section 70 includes a holding section surface 750fa on which the apparatus-side terminals 721 are exposed, a first holding section side wall 750ft, and a second holding section side wall 750fw. The first holding section side wall 750ft forms a side wall on the +X direction side of the terminal holding section 750. The second holding section side wall 750fw forms a side wall on the -X direction side of the terminal holding section 750.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 11 and Fig. 12, the device-side identification member 630 is used to identify whether the correct type of cartridge 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K is inserted into each slot 61C, 61M, 61Y, 61K of the storage chamber 61. The device-side identification member 630 forms different pattern shapes depending on the color of the liquid contained in the cartridge 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K. In Fig. 11, the device-side identification member 630 in each slot 61C, 61M, 61Y, 61K has the same pattern shape for convenience, but in reality, the pattern shapes are different. The device-side identification member 630 is provided on the main wall 613 of the support member 610.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 12, the device-side identification member 630 is formed by at least one or more ribs. The pattern shape is determined by the number and positions of the ribs. The cartridge 4 is also provided with a cartridge-side identification member formed by ribs. The cartridge-side identification member forms a different pattern shape according to the type of cartridge 4, that is, the color of the liquid contained therein. When a 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 colliding. On the other hand, when an incorrect 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 with each other, preventing further insertion of the cartridge 4. This reduces the possibility that an incorrect type of cartridge 4 is mounted in each of the slots 61C to 61K of the cartridge mounting section 6.

[0067] 12, the device-side terminal section 70 has an device-side terminal positioning section 756 in addition to the above-mentioned multiple device-side terminals 721, terminal holding section 750, and connector 739. The device-side terminal positioning section 756 is received by the terminal positioning section 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 intersecting the insertion direction is restricted. This allows the device-side terminals 721 and the cartridge-side terminals 521 to be positioned in the directions intersecting the insertion direction.

[0068] Two device side terminal positioning portions 756 are provided for each of the slots 61C to 61K. Of the two device side terminal positioning portions 756, one 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.

[0069] 13, a holding portion surface 750fa of the terminal holding portion 750 is inclined with respect to the Y direction and the Z direction in a direction including a +Y direction component and a +Z direction component. A terminal contact 722 of the device-side terminal 721 that comes into contact with the circuit board 50 protrudes from the holding portion surface 750fa. The terminal contact 722 is in a state in which it can elastically deform in the direction of the arrow YR1. The +Y direction end of the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 is located on the +Y direction side with respect to the terminal contact 722.

[0070] As shown in FIG. 12, 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 to the first apparatus wall 67 across the liquid introduction portion 642 and the opening 614. Specifically, the apparatus-side terminal portion 70 and the apparatus-side identification member 630 are provided in the vicinity of the second apparatus wall 62. The apparatus-side terminal portion 70 is located on the second apparatus wall 62 side, which is the -Y direction side, compared 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 be fitted together, the apparatus-side terminal 721 starts to come into contact with the cartridge-side terminal 521. This prevents the cartridge side terminals 521 of the incorrect 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 incorrect type of cartridge 4 is attached.

[0071] 10, the engagement formation body 677 is formed on the +Y direction side of the support member 610. Moreover, the engagement formation body 677 is located on the -Z direction side of the insertion / removal opening 674. The engagement formation body 677 has four mounting engagement portions 697 shown in FIG. 3 arranged corresponding to the slots 61C to 61K.

[0072] A-5. Detailed configuration of Cartridge 4: FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 16 is a first view showing a part of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 17 is a second view showing a part of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 18 is a first side view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 19 is a second side view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 20 is a front view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 21 is a rear view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 22 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 connecting 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 prior to the supply unit connecting process in which the support member 610 is rotationally moved.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 14, the first type cartridge 4A includes a liquid container 401 that forms the upper wall 43, and an adaptor 402 that forms the bottom wall 44. The adaptor 402 is attached to the liquid container 401 by fitting. The liquid container 401 and the adaptor 402 are made of synthetic resin. The liquid container 401 and the adaptor 402 may be made of the same material, or may be made of different materials. In addition, the member that forms the liquid container 401 may be lighter than the member that forms the adaptor 402. This improves the operability of the cartridge 4.

[0074] The outer shape of the first type cartridge 4A is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The first type cartridge 4A includes a main body 41 forming an outer shell, and a circuit board 50 attached to the main body 41. The main body 41 is formed by the above-mentioned liquid container 401 and the adapter 402. The main body 41 of the first type cartridge 4A has a front wall 42, a rear wall 47, an upper wall 43, a bottom wall 44, a first side wall 45, a second side wall 46, and a corner portion 89. The walls 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47 are also called the faces 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, and 47. The front wall 42 and the rear wall 47 face each other in the Y direction along 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 the central axis CA2 along the extension direction of the liquid supply part 442. The first side wall 45 and the second side wall 46 face each other in the X direction. The X direction is a direction perpendicular to the Y direction and the Z direction.

[0075] As shown in FIG. 18, 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 upper 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. 14, 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. The bottom wall 44 has an insertion opening 446 formed therein. The liquid supply part 442 is disposed within the insertion opening 446. The liquid supply part 442 is disposed so that the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 passes through the insertion opening 446. In 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 an area RY between the center portion MP of the cartridge 4 and the end portion on the rear wall 47 side in the insertion direction.

[0076] 20, 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 a corner portion where the front wall 42 and the bottom wall 44 intersect. The corner portion 89 has a recess 90 recessed inward.

[0077] The first type cartridge 4A further includes a liquid storage section 450 that stores 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. 21, as shown in FIG.

[0078] The liquid supply part 442 is a cylindrical member that protrudes from the container bottom wall 431, which is the bottom wall of the liquid container 401, towards the adaptor 402. The liquid supply part 442 is disposed in a concave supply part mounting chamber 461 of the adaptor 402. An insertion opening 446 shown in FIG. 14 is formed in the concave bottom of the supply part mounting chamber 461. The above-mentioned cartridge-side valve mechanism 481 is disposed within the liquid supply part 442.

[0079] The cartridge-side identification member 430 shown in Fig. 14 is used to identify whether the cartridge 4 is inserted into the correct slot 61C, 61M, 61Y, 61K of the cartridge mounting portion 6. The cartridge-side identification member 430 is a rib arranged on the side of the bottom wall 44 closer to the front wall 42, which is adjacent to the corner portion 89 in this embodiment. The cartridge-side identification member 430 forms different pattern shapes depending on the color of the liquid contained in the cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K. The pattern shape is determined by the number and positions of the ribs.

[0080] The supply unit positioning portion 448 receives the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 and performs positioning of the liquid supply unit 442 with respect to the liquid introduction portion 642. Specifically, in the supply unit connection process, the supply unit positioning portion 448 receives the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644 and restricts the movement of the supply unit positioning portion 448 in a direction intersecting the connection direction D2, thereby performing positioning of the liquid supply unit 442 with respect 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 another embodiment, the supply unit positioning portion 448 may be a hole penetrating the bottom wall 44. The supply unit positioning portion 448 is a recess having 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. As a result, in the supply unit connection process, the supply unit positioning portion 448 can easily receive the device-side supply unit positioning portion 644. In the insertion direction, the supply unit positioning portion 448 is located on the opposite side to the cartridge side terminals 521 of the circuit board 50, across the liquid supply unit 442 and the insertion opening 446. In the present embodiment, the supply unit positioning portion 448 is formed in the bottom wall 44 near the rear wall 47.

[0081] 21, 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.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 16, the circuit board 50 is disposed at the corner portion 89. The circuit board 50 has a plurality of cartridge side terminals 521 disposed on the front surface 50fa and a storage device 525 disposed on the rear surface. The plurality of cartridge side terminals 521, which can be electrically connected by contacting with 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 front surface 50fa on which the plurality of cartridge side terminals 521 are disposed is inclined with respect to the insertion direction. Specifically, the front surface 50fa faces 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 date of manufacture and the remaining amount of liquid. In the mounted state, the plurality of cartridge side terminals 521 are electrically connected by contacting with the corresponding device side terminals 721. As a result, the control unit 31 of the printing device 10 and the storage device 525 are electrically connected, and data communication is possible.

[0083] As shown in Fig. 17, the circuit board 50 is disposed in a recess 90 in the corner portion 89. As shown in Fig. 14, the recess 90 is provided across the front wall 42 and the bottom wall 44. As shown in Fig. 17, the recess 90 has a recess front wall 982 forming an entrance opening located on the front wall 42 side, a recess bottom wall 988 forming the bottom of the recess 90, and a pair of recess side walls 902t, 902w.

[0084] 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 located on 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.

[0085] 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 side end of the recess bottom wall 988. The second recess side wall 902w is connected to the +X direction side end of the recess bottom wall 988. When the first recess side wall 902t and the second recess side wall 902w are used without distinction, they are called recess side walls 902. The entrance opening, which is an opening formed in the recess front wall 982, serves as an entrance when the device side terminal part 70 is inserted into the recess 90.

[0086] 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 to distinguish between them, they are also called a first terminal positioning portion 906t and a second terminal positioning portion 906w, and when they are not used to distinguish between them, they are also called a terminal positioning portion 906. The terminal positioning portion 906 is a groove formed on 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.

[0087] The first terminal positioning portion 906t receives the first device side terminal positioning portion 756t shown in FIG. 12 during the terminal connection process. That is, the first device side terminal positioning portion 756t is inserted into the first terminal positioning portion 906t. The second terminal positioning portion 906w receives the second device side terminal positioning portion 756w shown in FIG. 12 during the terminal connection process. That is, the second device side terminal positioning portion 756w is inserted into the second terminal positioning portion 906t. The device side terminal positioning portion 756 is inserted into the terminal positioning portion 906 after the cartridge side identification member 430 and the device side identification member 630 start to be fitted together. The device side terminal positioning portion 756 is inserted into the terminal positioning portion 906 before the device side terminal 721 and the cartridge side terminal 521 start to contact each other.

[0088] The device-side terminal positioning portion 756 is received by the terminal positioning portion 906, whereby the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 and the terminal positioning portion 906 come into contact with each other. This restricts the movement of the cartridge-side terminal 521 in the Z direction and the X direction, which are directions intersecting the insertion direction of the cartridge-side terminal 521 into the device-side terminal 721. By restricting the movement, the cartridge-side terminal 521 is positioned in the Z direction and the X direction, which are directions intersecting the insertion direction of the cartridge-side terminal 521 into the device-side terminal 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 contact position where the tip of the device-side terminal positioning portion 756 contacts the end wall 916, thereby completing the terminal connection process. The cartridge 4 is further pushed in the insertion direction from the contact position, whereby 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 completed, the biasing member 780 shown in Fig. 7 is in a compressed state. Furthermore, when the terminal connecting process is completed, the device-side terminals 721 and the cartridge-side terminals 521 come into contact with each other.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 22, 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. 14, 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. That is, regarding the width of the cartridge 4, a portion including the bottom wall 44 is smaller than another portion located at a portion farther from the bottom wall 44 than the bottom wall side portion. This forms a 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.

[0090] 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 attitude 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.

[0091] As shown in Figures 14 and 15, 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 section positioning portion 448, a cartridge guide portion 447, and a supply section placement chamber 461.

[0092] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the second type cartridge 4B. FIG. 24 is a front view of the second type cartridge 4B. FIG. 25 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. 14. As a result, the amount of liquid that can be contained in the liquid container 450 formed in the liquid container 401B is smaller than the amount of liquid that can be contained in the liquid container 450 formed in the liquid container 401. The other configurations of the second type cartridge 4B are similar to those of the first type cartridge 4A, so the same reference numerals are used for the similar configurations and the description will be omitted.

[0093] 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.

[0094] A-6. Cartridge installation process: Fig. 26 is a first diagram for explaining the mounting process. Fig. 27 is a second diagram for explaining the mounting process. Fig. 28 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 27, which corresponds to the cross-section taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Fig. 29 is a third diagram for explaining the mounting process. Fig. 30 is a cross-sectional view of Fig. 29, which corresponds to the cross-section taken along line 3-3 in Fig. 2. Figs. 26 to 28 show the terminal connecting process, and Figs. 29 and 30 show the supply unit connecting process.

[0095] 26, when mounting the cartridge 4 in the cartridge mounting portion 6, first, the cartridge 4 is inserted into the accommodation 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 and is parallel to the extension direction of the cartridge guide portion 447.

[0096] When the cartridge 4 is further pushed in the insertion direction D1 from the state shown in FIG. 26, the terminal connection process is completed as shown in FIG. 27. In the completed state of the terminal connection process shown in FIG. 27, the end 402e on the +Y direction side of the adapter 402 is located on the insertion direction side of the engagement formation body 677. Also, as shown in FIG. 28, in the completed state of the terminal connection process, the cartridge side terminal 521 and the device side terminal 721 are in contact with each other. Also, 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 executes the supply unit connection process by rotating the cartridge 4 in the connection direction D2 around the rotation fulcrum 698 while pushing the cartridge 4 toward the insertion direction.

[0097] When the cartridge 4 rotates in the connection direction D2, the supply part positioning part 448 starts to receive the device-side supply part positioning part 644 before the connection between the liquid introduction part 642 and the liquid supply part 442 starts, and then the positioning of the liquid supply part 442 relative to the liquid introduction part 642 starts. That is, the movement of the liquid supply part 442 intersecting with the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 by the liquid supply part 442 is restricted. In the supply part connection process, when the device-side supply part positioning part 644 is inserted into the liquid introduction part 642, the cartridge 4 may move slightly in the Y direction. In this case, the biasing member 780 expands and contracts, and the device-side terminal part 70 moves so as to follow the movement of the cartridge-side terminal 521. This allows good contact between the cartridge-side terminal 521 and the device-side terminal 721 to be maintained.

[0098] As shown in FIG. 30, 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 come into contact with 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. Also, in the mounted state, the cartridge 4 is mounted in the cartridge mounting section 6 so that the direction in which the liquid supply unit 442 extends includes a component in the direction of gravity. This allows the liquid in the liquid supply unit 442 to circulate smoothly. Therefore, the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage section 450 without being consumed can be reduced.

[0099] In the mounted state, the mounting engagement portion 697 engages with the cartridge engagement portion 497 to maintain the mounted state of the cartridge 4. In the process of disconnecting the liquid introduction portion 642 from the liquid supply portion 442, the user lifts the rear wall 47 side of the cartridge 4 to rotate it about the rotation fulcrum 698 in the connection disconnection direction D3, which is the opposite direction to the connection direction D2. As a result, the mounting engagement portion 697 is displaced by being pushed by the main body of the cartridge 4, and the engagement between the mounting engagement portion 697 and the cartridge engagement portion 497 is released.

[0100] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 30, the cartridge 4 has the liquid supply section 442 disposed on the bottom wall 44 intersecting with the front wall 42 located on the insertion direction side. As a result, since the bottom wall 44 is located on the gravity direction side in the mounted state, the liquid in the liquid storage section 450 can be smoothly circulated to the liquid supply section 442. As a result, the amount of the liquid storage section 450 remaining without being consumed can be reduced. Also, as shown in FIG. 26, 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 direction along the horizontal direction. As a result, when inserting or removing the cartridge 4 into or from the cartridge mounting section 6, it is sufficient to move the cartridge 4 in the horizontal direction, and therefore the operability of the cartridge 4 can be improved. In particular, as in this embodiment, the cartridge 4 having a large outer shape that stores a large volume of liquid can be inserted into or removed from the cartridge mounting section 6 along the horizontal direction, and therefore the operability of the cartridge 4 can be further improved. 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 can be set to a direction that includes a gravity direction component. This improves the operability of the cartridge 4 while reducing the amount of liquid remaining in the liquid storage section 450 without being consumed.

[0101] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 22, the cartridge 4 includes the cartridge guide portion 447, so that the cartridge 4 can be moved smoothly 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, the cartridge 4 includes the cartridge guide portion 447 guided in the insertion direction, so that the cartridge 4 can be moved smoothly in the insertion direction D1. As shown in FIG. 22, 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, so that the insertion posture of the cartridge 4 can be stabilized when the cartridge 4 is moved in the insertion direction relative to the cartridge mounting portion 6.

[0102] According to the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 14, 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 and the device-side terminals 721 to easily come into contact with each other 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. 17, 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 come into contact with each other during the mounting process.

[0103] 15, the cartridge 4 has the liquid container 401 and the adaptor 402, which allows for greater freedom in design. For example, a common adaptor 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 has the liquid container 401 and the adaptor 402, after the liquid has been consumed, the liquid container 401 can be removed from the adaptor 402 and a new liquid container 401 can be attached to the adaptor 402. This improves the recyclability of the cartridge 4.

[0104] 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.

[0105] 27 to 30, after the cartridge 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 via the insertion / removal opening 674, the opening 614 is displaced around the rotation fulcrum 698 toward the gravity direction to place 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.

[0106] B. Other embodiments: B-1. Alternative embodiment 1: In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, 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 in a direction along the direction of gravity.

[0107] B-2. Alternative embodiment 2: In the above embodiment, as shown in Figs. 28 to 30, the cartridge 4 rotates around the rotation fulcrum 698 in the connection direction D2 to connect the liquid supply part 442 and the liquid introduction part 642, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the liquid supply part 442 and the liquid introduction part 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 642b of the liquid introduction part 642 may be disposed in the storage chamber 61 through the opening 614. Alternatively, the position of the support member 610 may be fixed, and the liquid introduction part 642 may move to connect to the liquid supply part 442.

[0108] B-3. ​​Alternative embodiment 3: In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 15, the liquid container 401 and the adaptor 402 are separate bodies, but they may be integrated together.

[0109] B-4. Alternative embodiment 4: The present disclosure is not limited to inkjet printers and their ink cartridges, but may also be applied to any printing device that ejects liquid other than ink and its cartridge. For example, the present disclosure may be applied to various printing devices and their cartridges, such as the following: (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, field emission displays (FEDs), etc. (4) A printing device that sprays liquid containing biological organic matter used in biochip production. (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 with pinpoint accuracy. (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.

[0110] The term "droplet" refers to the state of liquid ejected from a printing device, and includes granular, teardrop, and thread-like tails. The term "liquid" here refers to any material that can be ejected by a printing device. For example, the term "liquid" refers to any material in a liquid phase, and includes materials in a liquid state with high or low viscosity, and materials in a liquid state such as sol, gel water, other inorganic solvents, organic solvents, solutions, liquid resins, and liquid metals. In addition to liquids as one state of matter, particles of functional materials made of solids such as pigments and metal particles dissolved, dispersed, or mixed in a solvent are also included in the term "liquid." Representative examples of liquids include inks and liquid crystals as described in the above embodiment. Here, ink includes various liquid compositions such as general water-based inks and oil-based inks, as well as gel inks and hot melt inks.

[0111] C. Other forms: The present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, the technical features of the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each form described below can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted.

[0112] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge that is detachably mounted to a cartridge mounting section of a printing device having a liquid introduction section that receives a liquid and an apparatus-side valve body that opens and closes an introduction section flow path that is a flow path of the liquid introduction section. The cartridge includes a liquid storage section that stores the liquid, a liquid supply section that has a supply opening at a tip, communicates with the liquid storage section, and is connected to the liquid introduction section, and has a cartridge-side valve mechanism that opens and closes a supply section flow path that is the flow path of the liquid supply section, the cartridge-side valve mechanism having a cartridge-side valve seat in which a cartridge-side valve hole is formed, a cartridge-side valve body that closes the cartridge-side valve hole, the cartridge-side valve body having a tip surface located on the supply opening side, and a cartridge-side biasing member that biases the cartridge-side valve body in a direction toward the cartridge-side valve seat, the cartridge-side valve body having a convex portion that protrudes from the tip surface and pushes the apparatus-side valve body to open the valve. According to this aspect, the apparatus-side valve body of the liquid introduction section can be easily opened by the convex portion of the cartridge-side valve body.

[0113] (2) In the above embodiment, the protrusion may have a cylindrical shape or a prismatic shape. According to this embodiment, the protrusion can be formed in a simple shape.

[0114] (3) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing device in which a cartridge is mounted. The cartridge includes a liquid supply unit and a cartridge-side valve body for opening and closing a supply unit flow path, which is a flow path of the liquid supply unit, and the cartridge-side valve body has a protrusion protruding from a tip surface. The printing device also includes an ejection head for ejecting liquid, and a cartridge mounting section in which the cartridge is mounted, the cartridge mounting section having a liquid introduction section connected to the liquid supply unit and receiving the liquid, the liquid introduction section having an introduction section opening formed at a tip, an introduction section flow path, which is a flow path, and an apparatus-side valve body for opening and closing the introduction section flow path, the apparatus-side valve body being disposed at a position where it is pushed by the protrusion to open the valve. According to this aspect, the apparatus-side valve body can be easily opened by using the protrusion.

[0115] (4) In the above embodiment, the device-side valve body may be located within the inlet flow path without protruding from the inlet opening. According to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility that liquid adhering to the device-side valve body will leak to the outside.

[0116] (5) According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a printing system is provided. This printing system includes the cartridge of the above aspect and the printing device of the above aspect, and the cartridge moves downward to connect the liquid introduction section and the liquid supply section, and in a supply section connecting process in which the liquid introduction section and the liquid supply section are connected, the device side valve body opens before the cartridge side valve body. According to this aspect, in the supply section connecting process, the device side valve body opens before the cartridge side valve body, thereby reducing the possibility of air being trapped between the device side valve body and the cartridge side valve body. This makes it possible to prevent the trapped air from being compressed in the supply section connecting process, and therefore to prevent the external force applied to the cartridge to connect the liquid supply section and the liquid introduction section from becoming excessively large.

[0117] (6) In the above embodiment, the liquid introduction portion further includes an apparatus-side valve seat located in the introduction portion flow path and having an apparatus-side valve hole, and an apparatus-side biasing member located in the introduction portion flow path and biasing the apparatus-side valve body in a direction toward the apparatus-side valve seat, and in a pre-connection state before the connection between the liquid introduction portion and the liquid supply portion is started, a first biasing force that is a biasing force of the cartridge-side biasing member against the cartridge-side valve body is set to be greater than a second biasing force that is a biasing force of the apparatus-side biasing member against the apparatus-side valve body, so that the apparatus-side valve body opens before the cartridge-side valve body in the process of connecting the liquid introduction portion and the liquid supply portion. According to this embodiment, by setting the magnitude relationship between the first biasing force and the second biasing force, it can be easily set so that the apparatus-side valve body opens before the cartridge-side valve body.

[0118] (7) In the above embodiment, the cartridge-side valve body may close before the apparatus-side valve body during a release process in which the connection between the liquid introduction portion and the liquid supply portion is released. According to this embodiment, when the cartridge-side valve body is open during the release process, the liquid in the liquid supply portion can be circulated to the liquid introduction portion. This reduces the possibility of liquid leaking out from the liquid supply portion during the release process.

[0119] In addition to the above aspects, the present disclosure can be realized in the form of a cartridge manufacturing method, a cartridge-side valve mechanism, an apparatus-side valve mechanism, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1...printing system, 2...printing paper, 4, 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K...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...driving mechanism, 31...control section, 32...timing belt, 34...driving 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...accommodating chamber, 61C, 61M, 61Y, 61K...slot, 62...second device wall, 63 ...apparatus upper wall, 64...apparatus bottom wall, 65...first apparatus side wall, 66...second apparatus side wall, 67...first apparatus wall, 70...apparatus side terminal portion, 73...retention mechanism, 89...corner portion, 90...recess, 401, 401B...liquid container, 402...adapter, 402e...end portion, 430...cartridge side identification member, 431...container bottom wall, 432...inlet opening, 441...slit, 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, 450...liquid container, 461... Supply section arrangement chamber, 480...flow path main body, 481...cartridge side valve mechanism, 482...supply section flow path, 483...cartridge side biasing member, 485...cartridge side valve body, 486...tip surface, 487...cartridge side valve seat, 488...projection, 489...cartridge side valve hole, 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...biasing member, 630...device side Identification member, 642...liquid introduction portion, 642a...base end, 642b...tip, 644...apparatus side supply portion positioning portion, 644a...one end, 644b...other end, 645...introduction portion opening, 674...insertion / removal opening, 677...engagement formation body, 680...introduction portion main body, 681...apparatus side valve mechanism, 682...introduction portion flow path, 683...apparatus side biasing member, 684...base, 685...apparatus side valve body, 685b...tip, 686...arrangement portion, 687...apparatus side valve seat, 688...sealing member, 689...apparatus side valve hole, 697...mounting engagement portion, 698...rotation fulcrum, 699...liquid storage portion, 721...apparatus 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...urging 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 opening, 442e2...supply base end portion, CA1...center axis, CA2...center axis, D1...insertion direction, D2...connection direction, D3...disconnection direction, Fa...external force, Fs1...first biasing force, Fs2...second biasing force, Ft1...external force, MP...center portion, Rp...terminal rotation fulcrum,

Claims

1. A cartridge that is detachably mounted in a cartridge mounting section of a printing device, the cartridge having a liquid introduction section that receives liquid and an apparatus-side valve body that opens and closes an introduction section flow path that is a flow path of the liquid introduction section, a liquid storage portion that stores the liquid; a liquid supply part having a supply opening at a tip, communicating with the liquid storage part and connected to the liquid introduction part, the liquid supply part having a cartridge-side valve mechanism for opening and closing a supply part flow path which is the flow path of the liquid supply part; a supply unit positioning portion having a concave shape, into which an apparatus-side supply unit positioning portion which is a protrusion of the cartridge mounting portion is inserted to regulate a movement of the liquid supply unit intersecting with a central axis of the liquid supply unit, The cartridge side valve mechanism includes: a cartridge-side valve seat having a cartridge-side valve hole; a cartridge-side valve body that closes the cartridge-side valve hole and has a tip surface located on the supply opening side; a cartridge-side biasing member that biases the cartridge-side valve body in a direction toward the cartridge-side valve seat, the cartridge-side valve body has a protrusion protruding from the tip surface and pushing the device-side valve body to open the valve, A cartridge, wherein the liquid supply section has a flow path main body inserted into an inlet opening formed in a bottom wall of a container which is the bottom wall of the liquid storage section, the supply section flow path is formed inside the flow path main body, and a slit is formed in a side wall of the flow path main body through which the liquid in the liquid storage section flows into the supply section flow path.

2. 2. The cartridge of claim 1, The cartridge, wherein the protrusion has either a cylindrical shape or a prismatic shape.

3. 1. A printing system comprising: A cartridge according to claim 1 or 2; a printing device into which the cartridge is mounted, The printing device includes: A discharge head that discharges liquid; a cartridge mounting section in which the cartridge is mounted, the cartridge mounting section having a liquid introduction section connected to the liquid supply section and adapted to receive the liquid; a device-side supply unit positioning portion which is a protrusion and which fits into a concave-shaped supply unit positioning portion of the cartridge to regulate movement of the liquid supply unit intersecting with a central axis of the liquid supply unit, the liquid introduction part has an introduction part opening formed at a tip end, an introduction part flow path which is a flow path, and an apparatus side valve body which opens and closes the introduction part flow path, the device-side valve body is disposed at a position where it is pushed by the protrusion to open the valve, The cartridge moves downward to connect the liquid introduction portion and the liquid supply portion, A printing system, wherein the apparatus-side valve element opens before the cartridge-side valve element in a supply unit connecting process in which the liquid introduction unit and the liquid supply unit are connected.

4. 4. The printing system according to claim 3, The liquid introduction section further includes: an apparatus-side valve seat located in the inlet flow path and having an apparatus-side valve hole; an apparatus-side biasing member that is located in the inlet flow path and biases the apparatus-side valve body in a direction toward the apparatus-side valve seat, A printing system in which, in a pre-connection state before the connection between the liquid introduction portion and the liquid supply portion is initiated, a first biasing force, which is the biasing force of the cartridge side biasing member against the cartridge side valve body, is set to be greater than a second biasing force, which is the biasing force of the device side biasing member against the device side valve body, so that, in the process of connecting the liquid introduction portion and the liquid supply portion, the device side valve body opens before the cartridge side valve body.

5. 5. The printing system according to claim 3, further comprising: A printing system, wherein the cartridge-side valve body closes before the apparatus-side valve body in a process of disconnecting the liquid introduction portion from the liquid supply portion.

Images