Liquid dispensing device

Abstract

To maintain reliability of a liquid discharge device.SOLUTION: A liquid discharge device includes a first liquid storage container and a second liquid storage container for storing a liquid supplied to a recording head which discharges the liquid from a discharge port to a recorded medium and performs recording; a first terminal member which has a first end inside the first liquid storage container and a second end on an outside surface side of the liquid storage container; a second terminal member having a third end inside the second liquid storage container and a fourth end on an outside surface side of the liquid storage container; and a circuit board connected to the first terminal member and the second terminal member, wherein the circuit board is fit into a first engagement part provided on the first liquid storage container on the base side fitting part, and is freely fit into a second engagement part provided on the second liquid storage container on the substrate side engagement part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a liquid ejection device including an ink tank capable of storing ink supplied to a liquid ejection head for ejecting ink has been known. In such a liquid ejection device, there is one in which the ink tank has an electrode and the amount of ink stored inside the ink tank is detected by the electrode. The electrode is connected to a circuit outside the ink tank, and the device applies a current to the electrode via the circuit. Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which electrode pins provided on each ink tank are connected to a single circuit unit provided in common on the upper surfaces of a plurality of ink tanks.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, when the ink tank moves due to an impact from outside the device, it is considered that the circuit unit connected to the ink tank also moves following it. At this time, even if the circuit unit follows the movement of one ink tank among a plurality of ink tanks, it is not always possible to follow the movement of the other ink tanks in the same way. Therefore, there is a concern about the connection between the ink tank that cannot follow and the moving circuit unit, which may impair the reliability of the liquid ejection device.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a highly reliable liquid ejection device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention comprises a first liquid container and a second liquid container for containing liquid supplied to a recording head that discharges liquid from a discharge port onto a recording medium for recording; a first terminal member having a first end inside the first liquid container and a second end on the outer surface side of the liquid container; a second terminal member having a third end inside the second liquid container and a fourth end on the outer surface side of the liquid container; and a circuit board connected to the first terminal member and the second terminal member, wherein the circuit board is mated with a first engaging portion provided in the first liquid container and a substrate-side mating portion, and is further loosely fitted with a second engaging portion provided in the second liquid container and a substrate-side engaging portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the reliability of a highly reliable liquid dispensing device can be maintained. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the liquid dispensing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view of the ink tank unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a view of the ink tank unit in the first embodiment, seen from the -Y direction. [Figure 4] This is a schematic block diagram of the electrical configuration in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a YZ cross-sectional view of the ink tank unit in the first embodiment, cut along the DD line. [Figure 6] This is an enlarged schematic diagram of the circuit board as it is held in each ink tank in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] This is a plan view of the circuit board in the first embodiment. [Figure 8]This is a YZ cross-sectional view of the ink tank unit in another embodiment, cut along the DD line. [Figure 9] This is a view of the ink tank unit in another embodiment, seen from the -Y direction. [Figure 10] This is a YZ cross-sectional view of the ink tank unit in another embodiment, cut along the EE line. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (First Embodiment) First, we will describe the outline of an inkjet recording apparatus as an example of a liquid ejection apparatus according to the present invention. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the inkjet recording apparatus according to this embodiment.

[0010] The inkjet recording device 50 (hereinafter referred to as the recording device 50) is equipped with a paper feed roller (not shown), and the recording media loaded in the paper feed tray A are fed one by one by the paper feed roller. The fed recording media are placed between the transport roller 1 and the pinch roller 2 and transported in the +Y direction in the figure. The back surface of the transported recording media is supported by the platen 3, and the distance between the nozzle (not shown) provided on the ejection surface of the recording head 4, which is a liquid ejection head, and the recording media, which is the liquid ejection medium, is maintained at a constant or predetermined distance. In this state, ink, which is a liquid containing a colorant, is ejected from the nozzle of the recording head 4 to the recording media, thereby recording to the recording media.

[0011] The recording head 4 has a nozzle, which is an ejection port for liquid ink, and is mounted on a carriage 7. The carriage 7 moves back and forth in the X direction along the carriage rail 6 by a drive means such as a motor. The recording head 4 moves with the carriage 7 in the main scanning direction, ejecting ink droplets and recording one band of image onto the recording medium on the platen 3. Once one band of image is recorded, the recording medium is transported by the transport roller 1 by a predetermined amount in the transport direction (intermittent transport operation). By repeating this one-band recording operation and intermittent transport operation, an image is recorded on the recording medium based on the image data. The recording medium, after recording by the recording head 4 is complete, is fed between a paper output roller (not shown) and a spur and ejected into the paper output tray 9.

[0012] The recording head 4 is equipped with means (e.g., a heat-generating resistive element) that generates energy used for ink ejection, particularly in inkjet recording systems. Note that the method is not limited to thermal energy; vibrational energy may also be used.

[0013] The recording device 50 is also equipped with several independent liquid storage containers, ink tanks 8C, 8M, 8Y, and 8K (C: cyan, M: magenta, Y: yellow, K: black), which correspond to the colors of ink ejected from the recording head 4. Hereafter, the color designations for ink tanks 8C, 8M, 8Y, and 8K may be omitted, and they will simply be referred to as ink tank 8. The ink tanks 8C, 8M, 8Y, and 8K are connected to the recording head 4 via joints (not shown) and tubes 10 corresponding to the respective ink colors. This makes it possible to individually supply the ink of each color contained in each ink tank 8 to the nozzles of the recording head 4 corresponding to each ink color. An ink inlet (not shown) is opened at the top of each ink tank 8, and a stopper member 22 is attached so as to be openable and closable.

[0014] Within the reciprocating movement range of the recording head 4 and outside the passing range of the recording medium P during conveyance of the recording medium P, a recovery unit 11 is disposed in a non-recording area. The recovery unit 11 is disposed so as to face the ejection surface on which the nozzles of the recording head 4 are formed. The recovery unit 11 includes a cap portion (not shown) that covers the ejection surface of the recording head 4, a suction mechanism (not shown) that sucks ink from the recording head 4 via the cap portion, and a cleaning blade (not shown) that wipes off dirt adhering to the ejection surface, and the like.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an outline of the electrical configuration in the recording apparatus 50. The recording apparatus 50 includes a microcomputer 60, and the operation of the recording apparatus 50 is controlled by the microcomputer 60. The microcomputer 60 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 62 and is controlled by the CPU 62. Further, a read-only memory (ROM) 64 that stores programs and various data executed by the CPU 62 to control each part of the recording apparatus via a bus is connected to the CPU 62. Similarly, a random access memory (RAM) 66 having a storage area used as a working area of the CPU 62 and the like is also connected.

[0016] Also, a user interface 68 and an input / output interface 70 are connected to the CPU 62. The user interface 68 is an interface including keys (not shown) for user operation and a display panel (not shown) that displays various information. The input / output interface 70 is an interface that connects to various devices outside the microcomputer 60. A sensor 80 and a counter 82 are connected to the microcomputer 60 via the I / O 70.

[0017] Next, description will be made with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 5.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the ink tank unit, and FIG. 3 is a view of the ink tank unit shown in FIG. 2 as seen from the -Y direction. FIG. 5 is a YZ cross-sectional view showing a cross-section when the ink tank unit is cut in a direction perpendicular to the Y-axis through line D-D in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 shows the ink tank unit on the right side in FIG. 1. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, in this embodiment, the ink tank unit includes a plug member 22, ink tanks 8 of various colors, and a circuit board 30. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, each ink tank 8 includes an ink storage portion 23 and can store ink up to a height of H1. Also, electrode pins 40 and 42 as terminal members penetrate the ink tank 8 and are press-fitted and fixed. Both electrode pins 40 and 42 have one end exposed inside the ink storage portion 23 and the other end exposed on the outer surface side (-Y side) at the back in the Y direction of the ink tank 8. The electrode pins 40 and 42 are disposed at least one of them at a predetermined height H2 above the bottom surface 23a of the ink storage portion 23. Here, H2 is closer to the bottom surface 23a of the ink storage portion 23 than H1, and the height relationship in the Z direction in FIGS. 2 and 5 is H2 < H1. Note that there is also an ink tank unit provided with an ink tank 8K on the left side of the front of the device shown in FIG. 1, and it has the same configuration as the ink tank provided with the above-described ink tanks 8C, 8M, 8Y except that there is one tank.

[0019] Note that both electrode pins 40 and 42 may be disposed at positions where the height from the bottom surface is H2, or either one of them may be disposed at a position lower than H2. Also, the electrode pins are not limited to the configuration of two, and three or more electrode pins may be disposed. As shown in FIG. 5, the electrode pins 40 and 42 are electrically connected to the circuit board 30 by a compression spring 41.

[0020] The electrical configuration of the recording device 50 will be further explained with reference to Figure 4. The circuit board 30 is connected to a power supply (not shown) by a cable (not shown) connected to a connector 31, and a voltage is applied to electrode pins 40 and 42 via the power supply under the control of the CPU 62. The aforementioned sensor 80 detects whether or not there is continuity between the electrode pins by detecting the value of the resistance generated between the electrode pins based on the voltage applied to the electrode pins 40 and 42 from the power supply. When it is detected that there is no continuity between the electrode pins, the sensor 80 outputs the detection result to the microcomputer 60.

[0021] I / O 70 is connected to a counter 82 that counts the number of times ink is ejected from the recording head 4 for each ink cartridge. ROM 64 stores the amount of ink ejected per ejection by the recording head 4, and the microcomputer 60 calculates the ink consumption by adding the amount of ink ejected per ejection to the count value from counter 82. By calculating ink consumption using counter 82 in this way, it becomes possible to count the ink consumption from the point when the conductivity between the electrode pins is lost. The remaining ink amount information in the ink storage unit 23, obtained based on the ink consumption amount calculated by the microcomputer 60, is written to ROM 64 at a predetermined timing, such as after the recording operation of the recording device 50 is completed. This makes it possible to manage the remaining ink amount in detail after the conductivity between the electrode pins is lost.

[0022] Next, the configuration for holding the circuit board to the main tank in this embodiment will be described. In this description, ink tank 8C will be described as an example, but ink tanks 8Y and 8M have a similar configuration. As shown in Figure 5, one end of electrode pins 40 and 42, which are press-fitted into ink tank 8C, is exposed inside the ink storage section 23, and the other end is exposed outside the ink storage section 23. The electrode pins 40 and 42 and the connection portion 601 (not shown) of the circuit board 30 are electrically connected by compression and press in the Y direction in the figure by a compression spring 41, which is an elastic conductive member. Here, the biasing direction of the compression spring 41 is the Y direction in the figure. The circuit board 30 is pressed in the -Y direction in the figure by the reaction force of the compression spring 41, but its position in the -Y direction is restricted by contact with hooks 81, 82, and 83 provided on the ink tank 8C. At this time, a gap S1 is provided between the circuit board 30 and the inner outer surface 801C of the ink tank 8C by the reaction force of the compression spring 41. Similarly, a gap S1 is provided between the rear outer surface of the ink tanks 8Y and 8M and the circuit board 30. In addition, on the rear side surface of each ink tank 8 in the Y direction, bosses 85Y, 85M, 85C and ribs 84Y, 84M, 84C corresponding to each ink tank 8 are formed, as shown in Figure 3. As will be described in more detail later, the circuit board 30 is held in a predetermined position by the engagement of the bosses 85 and ribs 84 with the holes 304 and grooves 307 provided in the circuit board 30.

[0023] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the fitting and loose-fitting of the circuit board 30 held in each ink tank 8, and the configuration of the circuit board 30 will be explained. Figure 6 is an enlarged view of the area within the dotted line frame in Figure 3. Figure 7 shows a plan view of the circuit board 30. The circuit board 30 has engaging portions 303, 301, and 304 that engage with bosses 85Y, 85M, and 85C provided on the ink tanks 8Y, 8M, and 8C. The circuit board 30 also has grooves 306, 305, and 307 that engage with ribs 84C, 84M, and 84Y provided on the ink tanks 8Y, 8M, and 8C.

[0024] Figure 6 illustrates the relationship between ink tanks 8Y and 8M and the circuit board 30, but the relationship between ink tank 8C and the circuit board 30 is the same as the relationship between ink tank 8M and the circuit board 30. In this embodiment, the boss 85M of ink tank 8M fits into the hole 301 which serves as the substrate-side mating portion, and the groove 305 which serves as the substrate-side mating portion engages with the rib 84M in the X direction, thereby positioning the circuit board 30 in the ZX direction. In contrast, the circuit board 30 is not positioned in the X and Z directions relative to ink tanks 8Y and 8C.

[0025] The bosses 85C and 85Y of ink tanks 8Y and 8C are loosely fitted to the holes 303 and 304, which serve as engagement parts on the substrate side, with gaps S2 and S3 in the Z and X directions, respectively. S2 and S3 indicate two gaps, and the widths of the two gaps in each case may be equal or different. The ribs 84C and 84M of ink tanks 8Y and 8C are loosely fitted to the grooves 306 and 307, which serve as engagement parts on the substrate side, with gaps S4 and S5 in the Z and X directions, respectively. The size of the gaps S2 to S5 can be appropriately set based on the dimensions of the bosses 85C and 85M and the ribs 84C and 84M, as well as the dimensions of the circuit board 30, etc., but can be approximately 1.0 mm, for example.

[0026] The ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y are held in a predetermined position and orientation adjacent to each other by the main frame, which is a frame member (not shown) that constitutes the housing of the recording device 50. However, when the recording device 50 is transported or moved, if force is applied from outside the device or if it is subjected to an impact, the relative positions of the ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y may be displaced. Since the circuit board 30 is connected to multiple ink tanks 8, if it is fixed in position relative to each of the ink tanks 8, it may not be able to absorb the displacement of the relative positions of the ink tanks 8, and this could put a load on the circuit board 30.

[0027] In this embodiment, as described with reference to Figure 5 above, the circuit board 30 and each ink tank 8 are spaced apart from the inner outer surface in the insertion direction, and a gap S1 is provided. The gap S1 is formed when the circuit board 30 is pressed in the -Y direction by the compression spring 41. Therefore, if the relative position between the ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y is displaced in the Y direction, the gap S1 and the compression spring 41 can absorb the displacement in the Y direction.

[0028] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the position of the circuit board 30 in the ZX direction is determined by the engagement of the boss 85M and rib 84M of the ink tank 8M, which is centrally located among the ink tanks 8, with the holes 301 and grooves 305 of the circuit board 30. On the other hand, as mentioned above, the bosses and ribs of the ink tanks 8Y and 8C are loosely fitted with the holes and grooves of the circuit board 30. Therefore, even if the relative positions of the ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y are displaced in the X or Z direction, the displacement can be absorbed by the loose fitting.

[0029] In this embodiment, the circuit board 30 is positioned in the ZX direction by bosses and ribs provided on the centrally located ink tank 8M among the multiple ink tanks 8. However, positioning may be performed using other ink tanks. For example, the circuit board 30 may be positioned using bosses and ribs on ink tanks 8C and 8Y in this embodiment. Furthermore, the number of ink tanks 8 is not limited to three; any configuration that positions the circuit board 30 in the ZX direction using one of the multiple ink tanks 8, while holding the circuit board 30 with some clearance in the ZX direction relative to the other ink tanks 8, is acceptable.

[0030] With the above configuration, even if the relative positions of the multiple ink tanks 8 are displaced, the circuit board 30 is held in a manner that can absorb the displacement in the X, Y, and Z directions. Therefore, even if force is applied from outside the recording device 50 or if the ink tanks 8 move relative to each other due to impact, the load on the circuit board 30 held by the ink tanks 8 can be suppressed. This allows the recording device 50 to be used stably and continuously.

[0031] (Other embodiments) Other embodiments will be described below, but configurations similar to those of the first embodiment will not be described.

[0032] Figure 8 is a YZ cross-sectional view of the ink tank unit in this embodiment, cut along the DD line in Figure 3. In this embodiment, the circuit board 30 and the electrode pins 40 are connected by a leaf spring 141. The circuit board 30 is pressed in the -Y direction by the leaf spring 141, which is an elastic conductive material, and a gap S1 is provided between the circuit board 30 and the inner side surface in the Y direction of each ink tank 8. In addition to the leaf spring, the circuit board 30 and the electrode pins 40 may also be connected by a wire spring made by bending a metal wire into a U shape. By using a leaf spring or wire spring in this way, the configuration can be simplified and miniaturized compared to when a compression spring is used for connection.

[0033] Figure 9 is a view of the ink tank unit in this embodiment from the -Y direction, and Figure 10 is a YZ cross-sectional view of the ink tank unit cut along the EE line in Figure 8. In this embodiment, a screw 200, which serves as a restricting member, is attached to a pilot hole 90, which serves as a restricting member receiving portion, in the ink tank 8M, at a position where it abuts against abutment portion 90a. The tip of the abutment portion 90a is configured to be in approximately the same position in the Y direction as the abutment surface 81a of the hook 81 provided in the ink tank 8M, and passes through the screw mounting hole 801 in Figure 8. That is, the position where the contact surface 81a of the hook 81 and the circuit board 30 come into contact, and the position where the screw 200 comes into contact with the circuit board 30 are in approximately the same position in the Y direction, which is the biasing direction of the leaf spring 141.

[0034] In this way, the circuit board 30 is positioned in the Y direction by contacting the screw 200, which is attached to the pilot hole 90 via the screw mounting hole 801, and the abutment surface 81a of the hook 81. The circuit board 30 is constantly subjected to a pressing force in the -Y direction by the leaf spring 141, but this force is restricted by the abutment surface 81a and the screw 200, thereby suppressing deformation of the circuit board 30 itself and creep deformation of the hooks 81, 82, and 83.

[0035] The mounting position of the screw 200 is preferably near the spring's pressing position in order to suppress deformation of the circuit board 30. Furthermore, by mounting the screw 200 near the pressing position of the leaf spring 141 not only for the ink tank 8M but also for the ink tanks 8C and 8Y, deformation of the circuit board 30 and the hooks 81, 82, and 83 can be further suppressed. The distance between the screw mounting position and the spring's pressing position can be appropriately determined considering the dimensions and rigidity of the circuit board 30, but it can be, for example, about 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm.

[0036] In this embodiment as well, a gap S1 is provided between the rear side surface 801M of the ink tank 8M in the Y direction and the circuit board 30. Similarly, a gap S1 is also provided between the rear side surface 801M of the ink tanks 8Y and 8C in the Y direction and the circuit board 30. Therefore, even if the ink tanks 8 move relative to each other, the displacement can be absorbed. Also, as in the first embodiment, the circuit board 30 is mounted so as to be loosely fitted to the ink tanks 8Y and 8C in the ZX direction. Therefore, even if the ink tanks 8 move relative to each other in the X or Z direction, the displacement can be absorbed.

[0037] In this embodiment, the ink tank 8M is provided with a fixing hook 123, which is an attachment part to the main frame. Similarly, the ink tanks 8C and 8Y are also provided with fixing hooks 123. When the ink tank 8 is installed in the recording device 50, the fixing hook 123 is inserted into the mounting hole 150a of the mounting rib 150 provided on the main frame. In this embodiment, the ink tank 8 is installed in a predetermined position by moving from above to below in the Z direction relative to the main frame. When the ink tank 8 is installed, the restricting portion 123b of the fixing hook 123 comes into contact with the main frame as the ink tank 8 is installed, and moves downward in a deformed state as it is pressed in the +Y direction in the figure. When the restricting portion 123b reaches the mounting hole 150a, the deformation is released and the restricting portion 123b is inserted into the mounting hole 150a.

[0038] The fixing hook 123 is curved from the base portion 123a to the lower part of the fixing hook arm portion 123c, forming a V shape. It is configured to connect to the restricting portion 123b. It may also be curved to form a U shape. Here, if the heights of the base portion 123a and the restricting portion 123b are significantly different in the Z direction upward, the restricting portion 123b, which is pressed by the main frame when the ink tank 8 is installed, will deform so that it rotates in the YZ plane around the base portion 123a. For example, if the restricting portion 123b deforms in a counterclockwise direction around the base portion 123a as shown in the figure, the restricting portion 123b will be positioned higher in the Z direction compared to when it is not deformed. Therefore, in order for the restricting portion 123b to be inserted into the mounting hole 150a, the mounting hole 150a must be provided taking into account the position of the deformed restricting portion 123b, and once insertion is complete and the deformation of the restricting portion 123b is released, a gap in the Z direction will be created between the mounting hole 150a and the restricting portion 123b.

[0039] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the base portion 123a and the restricting portion 123b of the fixing hook 123 are configured to be at approximately the same height in the Z direction. Therefore, when the ink tank 8 is installed, if 123b is pressed from the main frame in the +Y direction, the curvature of the fixing hook arm portion 123c shortens and the restricting portion 123b deforms by moving approximately parallel to the +Y direction. As a result, when the ink tank 8 is installed, the restricting portion 123b does not deform by moving upward, so the mounting hole 150a can be provided without considering the deformation in the Z direction as described above. This suppresses the occurrence of a gap in the Z direction between the mounting hole 150a and the restricting portion 123b when the insertion of the restricting portion 123b into the mounting hole 150a is completed and the deformation of the restricting portion 123b is released.

[0040] As a result, when the restricting part 123b is inserted into the mounting hole 150a, even if the ink tank 8 tries to move relative to the main frame, its movement is restricted by the mounting hole 150a, thus reducing the amount of movement. Therefore, the amount of displacement when each of the ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y moves relative to each other can also be reduced. The height difference in the Z direction between the restricting part 123b and the base part 123a can be appropriately determined considering the dimensions and rigidity of the fixing hook 123, but it can be, for example, about 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm.

[0041] With the above configuration, even when the ink tanks 8 move relative to each other, the circuit board 30 is held in place to absorb the amount of displacement, thus preventing damage to the circuit board 30. Furthermore, since each of the ink tanks 8C, 8M, and 8Y is provided with a fixing hook that is inserted into the main body frame, the amount of displacement during relative movement between the ink tanks 8 can be reduced, further preventing damage to the circuit board 30.

[0042] In other embodiments, the electrode pins 40 and the circuit board 30 are connected by a leaf spring, but the same effect can be achieved even if they are connected by a compression spring, as in the first embodiment.

[0043] Furthermore, this configuration can also be implemented in the following ways.

[0044] (1) A liquid dispensing device comprising a first liquid container and a second liquid container for dispensing liquid into a dispensing medium, wherein the device dispenses liquid into a medium to be dispensed, and contains the liquid used for dispensing, A first terminal member having a first end inside the first liquid container and a second end on the outer surface side of the first liquid container, A second terminal member having a third end inside the second liquid container and a fourth end on the outer surface side of the second liquid container, The device comprises a circuit board connected to the first terminal member and the second terminal member, The configuration of the liquid dispensing device is characterized in that the circuit board is engaged with a first engaging portion provided on the first liquid container and a substrate-side engaging portion provided on the circuit board, and further loosely engaged with a second engaging portion provided on the second liquid container and a substrate-side engaging portion provided on the circuit board.

[0045] (2) The configuration of the liquid dispensing device according to (1), characterized in that the first terminal member, the second terminal member, and the circuit board are connected by an elastic conductive member.

[0046] (3) The configuration of the liquid dispensing device according to (2), characterized in that the elastic conductive member biases the circuit board in a direction away from the outer surface of the liquid container, and the circuit board and the outer surface of the first liquid container and the outer surface of the second liquid container are separated from each other by the elastic conductive member.

[0047] (4) The configuration of the liquid dispensing device according to (3), characterized in that the first liquid container and the second liquid container each have a first restricting portion that restricts the position of the circuit board biased by the elastic conductive member.

[0048] (5) The configuration of the liquid dispensing device according to any one of (2) to (4), characterized in that the elastic conductive member biases the connection portion to which the circuit board and the elastic conductive member are connected, and the position of the circuit board is restricted in the vicinity of the connection portion by a second restricting portion provided in the first liquid container.

[0049] (6) The configuration of the liquid dispensing device according to (4) and (5), characterized in that the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion restrict the circuit board at substantially the same position in the direction of biasing the elastic conductive member, against the biasing force of the elastic conductive member.

[0050] (7) The configuration of the liquid dispensing device according to (5) or (6), characterized in that the second regulating portion is configured by inserting a regulating member into a regulating member receiving portion provided in the first liquid containment container.

[0051] (8) The configuration of the liquid dispensing device according to any one of (1) to (7), characterized in that the first liquid container and the second liquid container are held in predetermined positions inside the liquid dispensing device by a frame member constituting the housing of the liquid dispensing device, and are adjacent to the first liquid container and the second liquid container.

[0052] (9) The configuration of the liquid dispensing device according to (8), characterized in that the first liquid container and the second liquid container each have mounting portions for attaching the first liquid container and the second liquid container at predetermined positions on the frame member.

[0053] (10) The mounting portion comprises a restricting portion inserted into a mounting hole provided in the frame member, a base portion connected to the first liquid container and the second liquid container, and a curved arm portion connecting the restricting portion and the base portion, wherein the base portion and the restricting portion are located at substantially the same height when the first liquid container and the second liquid container are held relative to the frame member, characterized in that the configuration of the liquid dispensing device according to (9).

[0054] (11) The configuration of a liquid dispensing device according to any one of (1) to (10), further comprising a liquid dispensing head for dispensing liquid into a dispensing medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 4 Recording head 8 ink tanks 14 Compression spring 30 Circuit boards 40 electrode pins 84 Ribs 85 Boss 301 Hole 305 Groove 141 Leaf spring

Claims

1. A liquid dispensing device comprising a first liquid container and a second liquid container for dispensing liquid into a dispensing medium, wherein the device dispenses liquid into a medium to be dispensed, and contains the liquid used for dispensing, A first terminal member having a first end inside the first liquid container and a second end on the outer surface side of the first liquid container, A second terminal member having a third end inside the second liquid container and a fourth end on the outer surface side of the second liquid container, The device comprises a circuit board connected to the first terminal member and the second terminal member, A liquid dispensing device characterized in that the circuit board is engaged with a first engaging portion provided on the first liquid container and a substrate-side engaging portion provided on the circuit board, and further loosely engaged with a second engaging portion provided on the second liquid container and a substrate-side engaging portion provided on the circuit board.

2. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first terminal member, the second terminal member, and the circuit board are connected by an elastic conductive member.

3. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 2, characterized in that the elastic conductive member biases the circuit board in a direction away from the outer surface of the liquid container, and the circuit board and the outer surface of the first liquid container and the outer surface of the second liquid container are separated from each other by the elastic conductive member.

4. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the first liquid container and the second liquid container each have a first restricting portion that restricts the position of the circuit board biased by the elastic conductive member.

5. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 4, characterized in that the elastic conductive member biases the connection portion to which the circuit board and the elastic conductive member are connected, and the position of the circuit board is restricted in the vicinity of the connection portion by a second restricting portion provided in the first liquid container.

6. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first restricting portion and the second restricting portion restrict the circuit board at substantially the same position in the biasing direction of the elastic conductive member.

7. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 6, characterized in that the second regulating portion is configured by inserting a regulating member into a regulating member receiving portion provided in the first liquid container.

8. The liquid dispensing device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first liquid container and the second liquid container are held in predetermined positions inside the liquid dispensing device by a frame member constituting the housing of the liquid dispensing device, and are adjacent to the first liquid container and the second liquid container.

9. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 8, characterized in that the first liquid container and the second liquid container each have mounting portions for attaching the first liquid container and the second liquid container at predetermined positions on the frame member.

10. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 9, wherein the mounting portion has a restricting portion that is inserted into a mounting hole provided in the frame member, a base portion that connects to the first liquid container and the second liquid container, and a curved arm portion that connects the restricting portion and the base portion, and the base portion and the restricting portion are located at substantially the same height when the first liquid container and the second liquid container are held relative to the frame member.

11. The liquid dispensing device according to claim 1, further comprising a liquid dispensing head for dispensing liquid into a dispensing medium.

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