Cartridge and printing system

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of capturing liquid scattered from a liquid introduction part in a cartridge.SOLUTION: A liquid cartridge comprises: a liquid storage part; a liquid supply part; an arrangement part that arranges the liquid supply part inside thereof and has a bottom wall facing the tip of the liquid supply part, the bottom wall having an opening through which a liquid introduction part is inserted at a position facing the tip of the liquid supply part; a first liquid absorbing member disposed inside the arrangement part, the first liquid absorbing member partly exposed from the opening; and a second liquid absorbing member disposed inside the arrangement part, the second liquid absorbing member in contact with the first liquid absorbing member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, a technology has been known for ink cartridges in which an absorber that absorbs and retains ink is placed in a recess formed across the outer peripheral portion of the ink supply port and the rear end of the underside of the cartridge body (Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-20015 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional technology, the absorber of the ink cartridge absorbs ink that leaks from the ink supply port in the direction of gravity. However, in conventional technology, when removing the ink cartridge from the printer, there are cases where the absorber is unable to capture the ink that splashes out from the liquid introduction section. In addition, in conventional technology, there are cases where the absorber is too small to hold a sufficient amount of ink. The above problem is not limited to ink cartridges and printers in which ink cartridges are removably installed, but is common to cartridges that contain liquids other than ink and printing devices in which cartridges are removably installed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge that is detachably mounted to a printing device that includes a liquid introduction section. The cartridge includes a liquid storage section that stores liquid, a liquid supply section that is connected to the liquid introduction section and supplies the liquid to the printing device, an arrangement section that arranges the liquid supply section inside and has a bottom wall that faces a tip end of the liquid supply section, the bottom wall having an opening through which the liquid introduction section is inserted at a position facing the tip end, a first liquid absorbing member arranged inside the arrangement section, a part of the first liquid absorbing member being exposed from the opening, and a second liquid absorbing member arranged inside the arrangement section, the second liquid absorbing member being in contact with the first liquid absorbing member.

[0006] (2) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a printing system comprising: a cartridge according to the above aspect; and a printing device having a liquid introduction section connected to the liquid supply section. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [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] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the process of mounting a cartridge into a cartridge mounting portion. [Diagram 3] Figure 2 explains the installation process. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a mounted state in which the mounting of the cartridge to the cartridge mounting portion is completed. [Diagram 5] View of the cartridge mounting section from the +Z side. [Figure 6] Cross-sectional view of FIG. 5 along line 6-6. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the area of ​​FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. [Figure 10] Cross-sectional view of FIG. 9 along line 10-10. [Figure 11] An enlarged view of the area of ​​Figure 10. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] 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.

[0009] The printing system 1 includes a printing device 10 and a cartridge 4 that supplies liquid ink to the printing device 10 .

[0010] 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 the user to operate the operation of the printing device 10.

[0011] The cartridge mounting section 6 has a first device wall 67 located on the +Y direction side. The first device wall 67 has an insertion / removal opening 674 which is an entrance to the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge 4. The cartridge 4 is stored in the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting section 6 and removed from the storage chamber 61 through this insertion / removal opening 674. A plurality of cartridges 4 are detachably 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 stores black ink is also called cartridge 4K, the cartridge 4 that stores yellow ink is also called cartridge 4Y, the cartridge 4 that stores magenta ink is also called cartridge 4M, and the cartridge 4 that stores cyan ink is also called cartridge 4C. In this embodiment, the cartridge 4K is configured to store 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 a second type cartridge 4B.

[0012] 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 on 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 ink liquid level in the cartridge mounting section 6 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. Here, a 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".

[0013] The ejection head 22 is provided with a nozzle 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. In this embodiment, the printing device 10 is a so-called "off-carriage type" printer in which the cartridge mounting unit 6 does not move in conjunction with the movement of the carriage 20. The technology disclosed herein can also be applied to so-called "on-carriage type" printers in which the cartridge mounting unit 6 is provided on the carriage 20 and moves together with the carriage 20.

[0014] 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.

[0015] The drive mechanism 30 reciprocates the carriage 20 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.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] A-2. Cartridge installation process and installation status: Fig. 2 is a first diagram for explaining the process of mounting the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting portion 6. Fig. 3 is a second diagram for explaining the mounting process. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a mounting state in which the mounting of the cartridge 4 to the cartridge mounting portion 6 is completed.

[0019] The mounting process is composed of a terminal connection process and a supply unit connection process executed after the terminal connection process. As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal connection process is a process in which the cartridge 4 is moved in the insertion direction D1, which is the -Y direction, through the insertion / removal opening 674 of the first device wall 67 and inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting unit 6, thereby contacting and electrically connecting the device side terminal of the cartridge mounting unit 6 to the cartridge side terminal of the cartridge 4. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the supply unit connection process is a process in which a liquid introduction part of the cartridge mounting unit 6 to be described later and a liquid supply part of the cartridge 4 to be described later are connected while maintaining the electrical connection between the device side terminal and the cartridge side terminal. Specifically, in the supply unit connection process, the rear surface 47 side of the cartridge 4 is rotated around the rotation fulcrum 698 of the cartridge mounting unit 6 in the connection direction D2 indicated by the arrow, thereby connecting the liquid introduction part and the liquid supply part. In the mounted state shown in FIG. 4, the cartridge 4 is engaged with an engagement formation body 677 provided on the first device wall 67 side of the cartridge mounting portion 6, thereby maintaining the mounted state.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 4, when removing the cartridge 4 from the cartridge mounting portion 6, the user lifts the rear wall 47 side of the cartridge 4, thereby rotating the rear end 47 side about the rotation fulcrum 698 in the connection release direction D3, which is the opposite direction to the connection direction D2. During this rotational movement, the engagement by the engagement formation body 677 is released. After the cartridge 4 is rotated in the connection release direction D3 to reach the state shown in Fig. 3, the cartridge 4 is removed from the cartridge mounting portion 6 by moving the cartridge 4 in the removal direction +Y.

[0021] A-3. Detailed description of cartridge installation status: Fig. 5 is a view of the cartridge mounting portion 6 as seen from the +Z direction side. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Fig. 5. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view of region R7 in Fig. 6. In Fig. 5, the cartridge 4K is mounted in the cartridge mounting portion 6. The mounting state of the cartridge 4 will be described with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. The mounting states of the cartridges 4C, 4M, 4Y, and 4K are the same.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 6, the cartridge mounting section 6 has a support member 610 that forms the bottom wall of the storage chamber 61. The support member 610 supports the cartridge 4 from below. When the cartridge 4 is inserted into the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting section 6, the support member 610 supports the cartridge 4 from the -Z direction side. When the cartridge 4 is mounted in the storage chamber 61 of the cartridge mounting section 6, the liquid supply section 442 of the cartridge 4 and the liquid introduction section 642 of the cartridge mounting section 6 are connected. As a result, the liquid contained in the liquid storage section 450 of the cartridge 4 is supplied to the liquid introduction section 642 via the liquid supply section 442. In this embodiment, while the liquid is supplied from the liquid supply section 442 to the liquid introduction section 642, the air contained in the liquid storage section 699 of the cartridge mounting section 6 becomes air bubbles, which flow through the liquid introduction section 642 and the liquid supply section 442 to the liquid storage section 450. As a result, gas-liquid exchange is performed in the liquid storage section 450. In another embodiment, the cartridge 4 may have an atmosphere communication passage that connects the liquid storage portion 450 with the outside, and gas-liquid exchange may be performed via this atmosphere communication passage. The atmosphere communication passage is disposed at a position different from the liquid supply portion 442, and is formed in a wall that forms the liquid storage portion 450, for example.

[0023] 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.

[0024] 7, 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.

[0025] 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.

[0026] 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.

[0027] 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.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 6, 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.

[0029] 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.

[0030] The cartridge mounting section 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 mounted. The biasing member 625 is a coil spring provided between the support member 610 and the liquid storage section 699, and is in a compressed state when mounted. 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 mounted, the cartridge engaging section 497 of the cartridge 4 engages with the mounting engaging section 697 of the cartridge mounting section 6, thereby maintaining the mounted state. The mounting engaging section 697 is formed on an engagement forming body 677 located on the first device wall 67 side of the cartridge mounting section 6.

[0031] 6, when the support member 610 is pushed down in the connection direction D2 around the rotation fulcrum 698, the liquid supply portion 442 is pushed down and connected to the liquid introduction portion 642. When the support member 610 is pushed up in the connection release direction D3 around the rotation fulcrum 698, the liquid supply portion 442 is pushed up and separated from the liquid introduction portion 642, and the connection between the liquid supply portion 442 and the liquid introduction portion 642 is released.

[0032] A-4. Detailed configuration of Cartridge 4: FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the first type cartridge 4A. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the adapter as the arrangement part. FIG. 10 is a 10-10 cross-sectional view of FIG. 9, showing a cross-section of the first type cartridge 4A including the adapter 402. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the region R11 of FIG. 10. The difference between the first type cartridge 4A and the second type cartridge 4B shown in FIG. 1 is the volume of the liquid storage part 450. Specifically, the width of the liquid storage body 401 described later of the first type cartridge 4A is larger than the width of the liquid storage body 401 of the second type cartridge 4B, so that the volume of the liquid storage part 450 is different. Since the other configurations such as the adapter 402 are the same in the first type cartridge 4A and the second type cartridge 4B, the detailed configuration of the cartridge 4 will be described below using the first type cartridge 4A. In the following, the first type cartridge 4A will also be simply called the cartridge 4. 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 shown in Fig. 3, 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.

[0033] As shown in Fig. 8, the cartridge 4 has an approximately rectangular parallelepiped outer shape. In the cartridge 4, the direction along the -Y direction which is the insertion direction into the cartridge mounting portion 6 is the longitudinal direction, the X direction is the short side direction as the width direction, and the Z direction is the height direction. In the cartridge 4, the longitudinal dimension is the largest and the short side dimension is the smallest.

[0034] The cartridge 4 includes a cartridge body 41 and a circuit board 50 attached to the cartridge body 41. In this embodiment, the cartridge body 41 is composed of two members. In detail, the cartridge body 41 includes a liquid container 401 and an adapter 402 as a placement part attached to the liquid container 401 by fitting. Note that in other embodiments, the cartridge body 41 may be integrated.

[0035] The liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 are each molded by, for example, injection molding a synthetic resin such as polypropylene. The liquid container 401 and the adapter 402 may be made of the same material or different materials.

[0036] The cartridge body 41 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 referred to as 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.

[0037] The front wall 42 is located on the insertion direction side where 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. 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 opening 446 through which the liquid introduction part 642 is inserted. When the cartridge 4 is viewed from the bottom wall 44 side, the opening 446 and the liquid supply part 442 are in a positional relationship where they overlap. In this embodiment, the liquid supply part 442 is disposed so that the central axis CA2 of the liquid supply part 442 passes through the opening 446.

[0038] 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 terminal arrangement portion 90 that is recessed inward. The circuit board 50 is attached to this terminal arrangement portion 90.

[0039] The liquid container 401 has a liquid container section 450 that contains liquid, and a liquid supply section 442. The liquid supply section 442 is a cylindrical member that protrudes from the container bottom wall 431 of the liquid container 401 that faces the upper wall 43. In the attached state, the liquid supply section 442 is connected to the liquid introduction section 642, and supplies the liquid in the liquid container section 450 to the ejection head 22 of the printing device 10 via the liquid introduction section 642. As shown in FIG. 11, the liquid supply section 442 has a supply section tip section 442a as a tip section that forms an opening through which the liquid is led out to the outside.

[0040] 8, cartridge-side elements that cooperate with the respective elements of the cartridge mounting portion 6 are disposed in the adapter 402. Examples of the cartridge-side elements include the circuit board 50, the supply unit positioning portion 448, the cartridge engaging portion 497, and the opening 446.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 9, the adaptor 402 has a bottom wall 44 and a side wall 408 rising from the periphery of the bottom wall 44 toward the liquid container 401. The side wall 408 includes a wall constituting the front wall 42, a wall constituting the rear wall 47, a wall constituting the first side wall 45, and a wall constituting the second side wall 46. As described above, the adaptor 402 has a concave shape with the bottom wall 44 as the bottom. The side of the adaptor 402 facing the bottom wall 44 is open, and the liquid supply part 442 is accommodated and disposed in the recess 830 of the adaptor 402 through this opening. In detail, as shown in FIG. 11, the adaptor 402 has a part including the supply part tip part 442a, which is the tip part of the liquid supply part 442, disposed on the inside. The part of the recess 830 of the adaptor 402 where the liquid supply part 442 is disposed is also referred to as a supply part mounting part 831.

[0042] 11, the bottom wall 44 faces in the Z direction a supply portion tip portion 442a of the liquid supply portion 442. An opening 446 of the bottom wall 44 is formed at a position facing the supply portion tip portion 442a in the Z direction.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 9, the cartridge 4 further includes a first liquid absorbing member 471 and a second liquid absorbing member 472. The first liquid absorbing member 471 and the second liquid absorbing member 472 are members for holding liquid by a predetermined capillary force, and may be, for example, a foaming member such as urethane foam, a porous body formed of polyvinyl alcohol, or a member formed of nonwoven fabric. The first liquid absorbing member 471 is a sheet-like member. The second liquid absorbing member 472 is a block-like member having a larger volume than the first liquid absorbing member 471. In this embodiment, the second liquid absorbing member 472 is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. The volume is determined based on the state in which the cartridge 4 is assembled.

[0044] The first liquid absorbing member 471 is disposed inside the adaptor 402, that is, in the recess 830. In detail, the first liquid absorbing member 471 is disposed across the supply unit arrangement portion 831 and the absorbing member arrangement portion 832, and is located between the supply unit tip portion 442a and the bottom wall 44. The absorbing member arrangement portion 832 is a component of the recess 830 adjacent to the supply unit arrangement portion 831. The first liquid absorbing member 471 is disposed on the inner surface of the bottom wall 44. The first liquid absorbing member 471 has an absorbing member opening 476 through which the liquid introduction portion 642 is inserted when the cartridge 4 is in the mounted state. That is, when the cartridge 4 is viewed from the bottom wall 44 side, the absorbing member opening 476, the opening 446, and the supply unit tip portion 442a are in a positional relationship in which they overlap. Also, as shown in FIG. 8, a part of the first liquid absorbing member 471 is exposed from the opening 446. That is, when the cartridge 4 is viewed from the bottom wall 44 side, a part of the first liquid absorbing member 471 is positioned so as to overlap with the opening 446. The part of the first liquid absorbing member 471 that is exposed from the opening 446 is also referred to as an exposed part 477.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 9, the second liquid absorbing member 472 is disposed inside the adaptor 402, that is, in the absorbing member disposing portion 832 of the recess 830. The second liquid absorbing member 472 is disposed at a position where it is not exposed from the opening 446. As shown in FIG. 11, the second liquid absorbing member 472 is disposed on the first liquid absorbing member 471, thereby coming into contact with the first liquid absorbing member 471. The second liquid absorbing member 472 is sandwiched between the bottom wall 44 and the container bottom wall 431, thereby being disposed in the absorbing member disposing portion 832 in a slightly compressed state. This allows good contact between the first liquid absorbing member 471 and the second liquid absorbing member 472 to be maintained, so that the liquid absorbed by the first liquid absorbing member 471 can be easily moved to the second liquid absorbing member 472.

[0046] The capillary force of the second liquid absorbing member 472 is greater than that of the first liquid absorbing member 471. The capillary force is a force that absorbs liquid, and is generated by capillary action. The magnitude of the capillary force can be adjusted by the material of the first liquid absorbing member 471 and the second liquid absorbing member 472, the size of the holes, and the like. For example, by using a material having a finer mesh than the first liquid absorbing member 471 for the second liquid absorbing member 472, the capillary force of the second liquid absorbing member 472 can be greater than that of the first liquid absorbing member 471. By making the capillary force of the second liquid absorbing member 472 greater than that of the first liquid absorbing member 471, the liquid captured by the first liquid absorbing member 471 can be smoothly moved to the second liquid absorbing member 472 by using the difference in capillary force as a driving force. This makes it possible to prevent the amount of liquid that can be held by the first liquid absorbing member 471 from reaching an upper limit, and therefore to prevent the liquid from leaking out of the first liquid absorbing member 471.

[0047] According to the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the exposed portion 477 of the first liquid absorbing member 471 is exposed from the opening 446, so that even if liquid splashes from the liquid introduction part 642 during the process of removing the cartridge 4 from the printing device 10, the exposed portion 477 of the first liquid absorbing member 471 can capture the liquid. In the printing system 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the liquid supply part 442 is pushed up in the connection release direction D3 having an upward +Z direction component, thereby releasing the connection between the liquid introduction part 642 and the liquid supply part 442. In the process of the liquid supply part 442 being pushed up and released from the liquid introduction part 642, the liquid in the liquid introduction part 642 may be pulled up with the upward pushing action of the liquid supply part 442, and splash upward from the liquid introduction part 642. However, according to the above embodiment, the exposed portion 477 can capture the liquid splashed from the liquid introduction part 642 in a direction other than the gravity direction, for example, upward. 11, since the second liquid absorbing member 472 is in contact with the first liquid absorbing member 471, the liquid captured by the first liquid absorbing member 471 can be moved toward the second liquid absorbing member 472 and held by the second liquid absorbing member 472. That is, according to the embodiment, an amount of liquid that cannot be held by the first liquid absorbing member 471 alone can be held by the second liquid absorbing member.

[0048] 11, the second liquid absorbing member 472 is a block-shaped member and has a larger volume than the first liquid absorbing member 471, which is a sheet-shaped member. This allows the second liquid absorbing member 472 to hold a larger amount of liquid.

[0049] B. Other embodiments: B-1. Alternative embodiment 1: In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 11, the first liquid absorbing member 471 is a sheet-like member, and the second liquid absorbing member 472 is a block-like member, but the shapes of the first liquid absorbing member 471 and the second liquid absorbing member 472 are not limited to this. For example, the first liquid absorbing member 471 may be a block-like member, and the second liquid absorbing member 472 may be a sheet-like member. In the above embodiment, the volume of the second liquid absorbing member 472 is larger than the volume of the first liquid absorbing member 471, but this is not limited to this. For example, the volume of the second liquid absorbing member 472 may be smaller than the volume of the first liquid absorbing member 471. In the above embodiment, the capillary force of the second liquid absorbing member 472 is larger than the capillary force of the first liquid absorbing member 471, but this is not limited to this. For example, the capillary force of the second liquid absorbing member 472 may be the same as or smaller than the capillary force of the first liquid absorbing member 471. Even if done as described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained in that the configuration is similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0050] B-2. Alternative embodiment 2: 2 to 6, in the above embodiment, the connection between the liquid supply unit 442 and the liquid introducing unit 642 and the connection between the liquid supply unit 442 and the liquid introducing unit 642 are established or released by the cartridge 4 rotating about the rotation fulcrum 698, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the connection between the liquid supply unit 442 and the liquid introducing unit 642 and the connection between the liquid supply unit 442 and the liquid introducing unit 642 may be established or released by the cartridge 4 moving along a straight line such as in the Z direction.

[0051] B-3. ​​Alternative embodiment 3: The present disclosure is not limited to inkjet printers and their ink cartridges, but can also be applied to cartridges mounted on any printing device that ejects liquid other than ink. For example, the present disclosure can 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] (1) According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a cartridge that is detachably mounted to a printing device that includes a liquid introduction section. The cartridge includes a liquid storage section that stores liquid, a liquid supply section that is connected to the liquid introduction section and supplies the liquid to the printing device, an arrangement section that arranges the liquid supply section inside and has a bottom wall that faces a tip end of the liquid supply section, the bottom wall having an opening through which the liquid introduction section is inserted at a position facing the tip end, a first liquid absorbing member arranged inside the arrangement section, a part of the first liquid absorbing member being exposed from the opening, and a second liquid absorbing member arranged inside the arrangement section, the second liquid absorbing member being in contact with the first liquid absorbing member. According to this aspect, since the first liquid absorbing member is exposed from the opening, even if liquid splashes from the liquid introduction section during the process of removing the cartridge from the printing device, the first liquid absorbing member can capture the liquid. Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since the second liquid absorbing member is in contact with the first liquid absorbing member, the liquid captured by the first liquid absorbing member can be moved toward the second liquid absorbing member and held by the second liquid absorbing member. That is, according to this embodiment, an amount of liquid that cannot be held by the first liquid absorbing member alone can be held by the second liquid absorbing member.

[0055] (2) In the above embodiment, the capillary force of the second liquid absorbing member may be greater than the capillary force of the first liquid absorbing member. According to this embodiment, the liquid captured by the first liquid absorbing member can be smoothly transferred to the second liquid absorbing member. This makes it possible to prevent the amount of liquid that can be held by the first liquid absorbing member from reaching an upper limit, thereby preventing the liquid from leaking out of the first liquid absorbing member.

[0056] (3) In the above embodiment, the first liquid absorbing member may be a sheet-like member, and the second liquid absorbing member may be a block-like member having a larger volume than the first liquid absorbing member. According to this embodiment, the second liquid absorbing member can hold a larger amount of liquid.

[0057] (4) According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a printing system is provided. This printing system includes the cartridge of the above aspect, and a printing device having a liquid introduction section connected to the liquid supply section. According to this aspect, since the first liquid absorbing member is exposed from the opening, even if liquid splashes from the liquid introduction section when the cartridge is removed from the printing device, the first liquid absorbing member can capture the liquid. Also, according to this aspect, since the second liquid absorbing member is in contact with the first liquid absorbing member, the liquid captured by the first liquid absorbing member can be moved to the second liquid absorbing member side and held by the second liquid absorbing member. That is, according to this aspect, the liquid that cannot be held by the first liquid absorbing member alone can be held by the second liquid absorbing member.

[0058] (5) In the above embodiment, the printing device may further include a support member that supports the cartridge and a rotation fulcrum that rotates the support member, and the support member may be pushed down around the rotation fulcrum, so that the liquid supply unit is pushed down and connected to the liquid introduction unit, and the support member may be pushed up around the rotation fulcrum, so that the liquid supply unit is pushed up and disconnected from the liquid introduction unit. Here, in the process in which the liquid supply unit is pushed up and disconnected from the liquid introduction unit, the liquid in the liquid introduction unit may leak upward as the liquid supply unit pushes up. According to this embodiment, even if liquid leaks upward from the liquid introduction unit, the first liquid absorbing member is exposed from the opening, so that the exposed portion of the first liquid absorbing member can capture the liquid.

[0059] In addition to the above aspects, the present disclosure can be realized in other aspects such as a method for manufacturing a cartridge. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1...printing system, 2...printing paper, 4, 4C, 4M, 4Y, 4K...cartridge, 4A...first type cartridge, 4B...second type cartridge, 6...cartridge mounting section, 8...cap member, 10...printing device, 13...replacement cover, 15...operation button, 20...carriage, 22...ejection head, 24...tube, 30...driving mechanism, 31...control section, 32...timing belt, 34...driving motor, 41...cartridge The 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, 61...accommodation chamber, 67...first device wall, 70...device side terminal portion, 73...retention mechanism, 89...corner portion, 90...terminal arrangement portion, 401...liquid container, 402...adapter, 408...side wall, 431...bottom wall of container, 442...liquid supply portion, 442a...supply portion tip portion, 446...opening, 448...supply portion positioning a cartridge engaging portion, 450...liquid storage portion, 471...first liquid absorbing member, 472...second liquid absorbing member, 476...absorption member opening, 477...exposed portion, 497...cartridge engaging portion, 521...cartridge side terminal, 610...supporting member, 613...main wall, 625...urging member, 642...liquid introducing portion, 642a...base end, 642b...tip, 644...apparatus side supply portion positioning portion, 644a...one end, 644b...other end, 674...insertion / removal opening , 677...engagement formation body, 697...mounting engagement portion, 698...rotation fulcrum, 699...liquid storage portion, 721...device side terminal, 739...connector, 750...terminal holding portion, 780...urging member, 782...mounting member, 830...recess, 831...supply portion arrangement portion, 832...absorption member arrangement portion, CA1...center axis, CA2...center axis, D1...insertion direction, D2...connection direction, D3...disconnection direction, Fa...external force, Ft1...external force, Rp...terminal rotation fulcrum

Claims

[Claim 1] A liquid storage section that stores liquid; A liquid supply section connected to the liquid introduction section and supplying the liquid to the printing device; an arrangement section having a bottom wall facing a tip end of the liquid supply section, the bottom wall having an opening through which the liquid introduction section is inserted at a position facing the tip end; a first liquid absorbing member disposed inside the disposition portion, the first liquid absorbing member being partly exposed from the opening; a cartridge including a second liquid absorbing member disposed inside the disposing portion, the second liquid absorbing member being in contact with the first liquid absorbing member; the printing device having the liquid introduction section connected to the liquid supply section, The printing device further comprises: A support member for supporting the cartridge; a rotation fulcrum for rotating the support member, When the support member is pressed down around the rotation fulcrum, the liquid supply portion is pressed down and connected to the liquid introduction portion, The support member is pushed up around the rotation fulcrum, whereby the liquid supply section is pushed up and released from connection with the liquid introduction section.

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