DESCRIPTION

INK CARTRIDGE AND METHOD FOR REPLACING INK RESERVOI INK CARTRIDGE Technical Field The present invention relates to an ink cartridge, specifically, it relates t that can prevent the possibility of recording in the state in which the ink re not housed inside the case Background Art

As disclosed in Unexamined Patent Application Publication 2005-2974 which the ink bag for storing ink is replaceable is well known With this ink is housed inside the outer casing The outer casing compπses a main body covers the top surface of this main body and opens and closes centered respect to the main body Cutout parts are formed in the mam body and the bag is fastened as fitting members of the ink bag are latched to these cutout when the ink in the ink bag is depleted, the cover is opened and a new ink b the ink tank in which this new ink bag is housed is installed in the inkjet reco

Moreover, an inkjet recording device that detects whether or not the i installed with certainty using a switch and can record to recording paper i this switch that the ink tank has been installed has long been known Thi device can prevent recording in the state in which the tank is not installed installation of the ink tank using a switch Disclosure of the Invention

However, when it is detected by this switch whether or not the ink tank h a limit switch that makes contact with the outer surface of the outer casing optical sensor in which light paths are blocked as a result of the installation o is used, but because both, limit switches and transmissive optical sensors,

its purpose is to provide an ink cartridge that can prevent the possibility o state in which the ink reservoir element is not housed inside the case

The object is solved by an ink cartridge according to claim 1 and replacing an ink reservoir element according to claim 13 Further developm in the dependent claims

The ink cartridge according to the invention allows reliably preventing by enabling detection whether an ink reservoir element is housed in the case

The method for replacing an ink reservoir element according to the i advantages that an ink reservoir element can be replaced and at the sa defects can be prevented by placing the irradiated part of the ink reservoi readily be detected by an optical sensor of a recording apparatus

When the ink supply part and the irradiated part are both arranged at comfortable handling and a space saving design of the ink cartridge can be a

The plurality of case members may be a pair of case members that f space that houses the ink reservoir element on the inside by connecting to o first fitting part that projects in the direction of a second case member, whi of the paired case members, may be formed on a first case member, whi other of the paired case members, and a second fitting part that engages wi part of the first case member may be formed on the second case member The opening may comprise a first through-hole through which at least a ^* supply part is exposed to the outside of the case and a second through-hole least a portion of the irradiated part is exposed to the outside of the case, th case members may be equipped with a plate-shaped part that forms a constitutes the largest area of the case formed in a roughly rectangul orientation, a vertical wall part that is established roughly perpendicularly fr of the plate-shaped part and forms a surface that serves as the one end surfac

translucent and the irradiated part is formed such that it projects from o reservoir element and has an inner space that communicates with the reserv the ink of the ink reservoir element is stored At least a portion of a displace changes positions depending on the amount of remaining ink in the reser arranged in the inner space of the irradiated part, and, in this case, at leas displacement member arranged in this inner space is configured such that it

The second through-hole may have a size such that the light emitting receiving part of the transmissive optical sensor can pass through, and irradiated part is arranged on the inside of the one end surface of the case i the ink reservoir element is housed inside the case

The ink reservoir element may comprise a hard part where the ink su irradiated part are formed as a unit and a bag element that is connected to forms the reservoir space in which the ink is stored

The hard part can be such that the ink supply part and the irradiated pa unit out of a resin mateπal, and the irradiated part can be configured such tha

An ink cartridge is equipped with an ink reservoir element that stores i houses this ink reservoir element on the inside, and an ink supply part for s mkjet recording device and an irradiated part that is positioned between the l and the light receiving part of a transmissive optical sensor are formed on o reservoir element The case comprises a plurality of connected case mem opening through which at least a portion of the ink supply part and at l irradiated part are exposed to the outside of the case is formed on one plurality of case members is configured such that they can be connected and ink reservoir element can be replaced In the state in which the ink reservoir inside the case, at least a portion of the irradiated part is exposed to the o through the opening, and this irradiated part is irradiated with emitted lig

from recording in the state in which the ink reservoir element is not ho prevent the occurrence of recording defects

Moreover, the housing space that houses the ink reservoir element on formed by connecting a pair of case members. If a first fitting part is form member, which constitutes one of the paired case members, and a seco formed on a second case member, which constitutes the other of the pair then the connection between the first case member and the second case me engaging the first fitting part with the second fitting part In other words connect and disconnect the first case member and the second case member disengaging the first fitting part and the second fitting part Therefore, closing operation of the case is performed by engaging and disengaging th and the second fitting part, so there is the effect that the ink reservoir ele operation becomes easy and the operating efficiency is improved

The first and second case members may be equipped with a plate-shape first surface that constitutes the largest area of the case formed in a ro parallelepiped orientation, a vertical wall part that is established roughly per the outer edge of the plate-shaped part and forms a surface that serves as th of the case, and first and second cutout parts that are formed on the top o part for the purpose of forming first and second through-holes, and the through which at least a portion of the ink supply part is exposed to the o and the second through-hole through which at least a portion of the irradiat to the outside of the case are formed by the first and second cutout parts the first case member and the second case member If the first and second form the first and second through-holes are formed with roughly the same first case member and the second case member are formed with dies, it is p least a portion of the dies into the same shape Therefore, there is the effect

amount of remaining ink can be detected by the transmissive optical displacement member changes positions depending on the amount o Therefore, when an ink cartridge in which an ink reservoir element filled wi installed, it is possible to enable recording with the InkJet recording devic effect that it is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of recording defec

If the second through-hole has a size such that the light emitting p receiving part of the transmissive optical sensor can pass through, and the arranged on the inside of the one end surface of the case in a state in whic element is housed inside the case, then it is possible to reduce the likelihoo that is scattered when the ink cartridge is installed will adhere to the irradiate emitting part and the light receiving part As a result, there is the effect th suppress the occurrence of misdetection of the transmissive optical sensor

If the ink reservoir element comprises a hard part where the ink su irradiated part are formed as a unit and a bag element that is connected to and forms the reservoir space in which the ink is stored, then there is th possible to reduce the ink reservoir element manufacturing cost in compari which ink reservoir element is molded with a complicated structure The i also be configured such that it blocks light, so when an ink cartridge in whic element comprising a hard part and a bag element is housed is installed, ther it is possible to detect whether or not the ink reservoir element has been case Brief Description of Drawings

Further features and advantages will arise from the followin embodiments when taken m conjunction with the enclosed drawings, of whic FIG 1 is an angled diagram showing the external appearance of the multif the present invention

is an angled diagram showing the details of the color ink cartridge IS a diagram showing the protector, where (a) is a top-surface diagra in Figure 8 as seen from the IXa perspective, and (b) is a cross-sec the protector in Figure 9(a) along the IXb-IXb line is an angled diagram showing the external appearance of the black i is an angled diagram showing the details of the black ink cartridge IS an angled diagram showing the external appearance of the large c cartridge is an angled diagram showing the details of the large capacity black IS a diagram showing the ink reservoir element, where (a) is a fron reservoir element and (b) is a side view of the ink reservoir element IS a diagram showing the supply path formation part, where (a) is a d summary of the supply path formation part (a side view of the fra cross-sectional diagram showing the supply path formation part in F the XVb-XVb line, (c) is a diagram showing the state m which the a been reduced, and (d) is a diagram showing the completion of the ink IS a diagram showing the ambient air path formation part, where diagram showing a summary of the ambient air path formation part, showing the ambient air path formation part in Figure 16(a) along perspective, and (c) is a diagram showing the ambient air path format

16(a) along the arrow XVIc perspective IS a diagram showing the injection path formation part, where showing a summary of the injection path formation part, and (b) is diagram of the injection path formation part in Figure 17(a) along t line IS a diagram showing the detection part vicinity, where (a) is a di

is a diagram showing one part of the ink reservoir element, wher showing the side of the ink reservoir element, (b) is a diagram showi front of the ink reservoir element, and (c) is a cross-sectional diagra along the XXc-XXc line is a diagram showing the details of the ink reservoir element is an exploded diagram of the ink supply mechanism and the a mechanism, where (a) is an exploded diagram of the ink supply mec an exploded diagram of the ambient air intake mechanism is a diagram showing the supply cap, where (a) is a diagram showi supply cap, (b) is a diagram showing the side surface of the supply c along the arrow XXIIIb perspective, (c) is a diagram showing the pl supply cap, (d) is a diagram showing the bottom surface of the suppl cross-sectional diagram of the supply cap in Figure 23(c) along t line is a diagram showing the supply joint, where (a) is a diagram show supply joint, (b) is a diagram showing the planar surface of the su diagram showing the bottom surface of the supply joint, and (d) is diagram of the supply joint in Figure 24(b) along the XXIVd-XXIVd is a diagram showing the supply valve, where (a) is a diagram sh the supply valve, (b) is a diagram showing the side of the supply val along the arrow XXVb perspective, (c) is a diagram showing the pla supply valve, (d) is a diagram showing the bottom surface of the sup is a cross-sectional diagram of the supply valve in Figure 25(c) along line is a diagram showing the first supply spring, where (a) is a diagram of the first supply spring, (b) is a diagram showing the planar s

the supply slider, (d) is a diagram showing the bottom surface of the (e) is a cross-sectional diagram of the supply slider in Figure XXVIIe-XXVIIe line is a diagram showing the valve seat, where (a) is a diagram showi valve seat, (b) is a diagram showing the planar surface of the va diagram showing the bottom surface of the valve seat, and (d) is diagram of the valve seat in Figure 28(b) along the XXVIIId-XXVIII is a diagram showing the check valve, where (a) is a diagram showi check valve, (b) is a diagram showing the planar surface of the che diagram showing the bottom surface of the check valve, and (c) is diagram of the check valve in Figure 29(a) along the XXIXd-XXIXd is a diagram showing the cover, where (a) is a diagram showing the (b) is a diagram showing the planar surface of the cover, (c) is a dia bottom surface of the cover, and (d) is a cross-sectional diagram of t 30(b) along the XXXd-XXXd line IS a diagram showing the ambient air cap, where (a) is a diagram sh the ambient air cap, (b) is a diagram showing the side of the ambient

31 (a) along the arrow XXXIb perspective, (c) is a diagram showing t of the ambient air cap, (d) is a diagram showing the bottom surface cap, and (e) is a cross-sectional diagram of the ambient air cap in F the XXXIe-XXXIe line is a diagram showing the ambient air joint, where (a) is a diagram of the ambient air joint, (b) is a diagram showing the planar surface joint, (c) is a diagram showing the bottom surface of the ambient air cross-sectional diagram of the ambient air joint in Figure

XXXIId-XXXIId line

is a diagram showing the manufacturing processes prior to welding is a diagram showing the welding processes for the film, where showing the welding surface of the film onto the frame part, and showing the welding process to weld the film onto the frame part is a diagram showing the manufacturing processes that are perfor welding, where (a) is a diagram showing the attachment process supply mechanism and the ambient air intake mechanism onto the fr diagram showing the pressure reducing process, and (c) is a diagra injection process is a diagram showing the attachment process for the case, where showing the process to sandwich the frame part by the case, and showing the welding process to weld the case is a diagram showing the manufacturing processes that are pe shipment of the ink cartridge, where (a) is a diagram showing the pro protective cap, and (b) is a diagram showing the process to package using the packaging unit is a diagram showing the method of attaching the ink cartridge to device is a diagram showing the state in which the ink cartridge has bee multifunction device is a diagram showing the operation of the sensor arm corresponding ink remaimng withm the ink reservoir chamber, where (a) shows t there is ink remaining, and (b) shows the state in which there is no in is a diagram showing the operation theory of the sensor arm diagra is a cross-sectional diagram showing the state in which the ink c attached to the multifunction device 1 in the wrong oπentation

the ink cartridge has been removed from the refill unit, (b) is a diag surface on which the detection part is formed on the ink cartridge, an view of the ink cartridge

FiG 48 is a diagram showing the front of the case, where (a) is a front vie can store either the large capacity blank ink cartridge or the black ink color ink cartridge, and (b) is a front view of the case that can st cartridge and the color ink cartridge

FlG 49 is a cross-sectional diagram showing a summary of the cross sec where (a) is a cross-sectional diagram showing a summary of the cas along the XXXXIXa-XXXXIXa line, and (b) is a cross-sectional di summary of the case in Figure 48(b) along the XXXXIXb-XXXXIXb FIG 50 is a cross-sectional diagram showing the state in which each ink c attached within the case

FIG 51 is a diagram showing the combination of the case members diagra FIG 52 is a diagram showing the ink cartridge and refill unit accordin example of embodiment, where (a) is a diagram showing the side of according to the second example of embodiment, and (b) is a diag cross-section of the state in which the ink cartridge has been attache unit FIG 53 is an angled diagram showing the external appearance of the ink ca to the third and fourth examples of embodiment, where (a) is an showing the external appearance of the mk cartridge according to the embodiment, and (b) is an angled diagram showing the external appe cartridge according to the fourth example of embodiment IG 54 IS an angled diagram showing the ink cartridge according to the embodiment

FiG 58 is a flowchart showing the ink cartridge attachment detection proce by the CPU

FiG 59 is an angled diagram showing the external appearance of the ink cart the seventh and eighth examples of embodiment, where (a) is a showing the external appearance of the ink cartridge according to the of embodiment, and (b) is an angled diagram showing the external ink cartridge according to the eighth example of embodiment

FiG 60 is a diagram showing the ink cartridge and refill unit according to t of embodiment FIG 61 is an angled diagram showing the external appearance of the ink ca to the tenth example of embodiment FIG 62 is an exploded perspective diagram showing the ink cartridge acco example of embodiment

FIG 63 is a diagram showing the interchange procedure for the ink reservo FIG 64 is a diagram showing the ink reservoir unit according to the ele embodiment

FIG 65 is a diagram showing a modified example of the combination of th FIG 66 is a diagram showing a modified example of the combination of th FIG 67 is a diagram showing a modified example of the combination of the Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Preferable embodiments of the present invention will be describe reference to the attached drawings Figure 1 is an oblique view showing t multifunction device 1 in which ink cartridge 14 of the present invention is i

Printer part 11 is provided on the lower part of multifunction device 1, an is provided on the upper part of this printer part 11 Multifunction device 1 i

Function Device) in which printer part 11 and scanner part 12 are provide

figure) such that it records image data outputted from the digital camera to Moreover, by using receiver 2, multifunction device 1 can communicate another party and send image data to the device of the other party Furtherm device 1 is equipped with slot part 23, which is described below, and by loa of recording media such as memory cards into this slot part 23, the devic such as image data recorded on the recording medium to recording paper

In multifunction device 1, printer part 11 is configured as an inkjet reco refill unit 13, which stores ink that is supplied to a recording head (not figure) that discharges ink drops in advance, is equipped at the base of th multifunction device 1 Refill unit 13 has a compact design and is configu cartridge 14 can be easily replaced, and this will be described in detail below

Scanner part 12 is equipped with document bed 15, which functions as Scanner), and document cover 16, which is provided on the upper part of t 15 (top of figure 1) Document cover 16 is equipped with automatic docum Auto Document Feeder, called "ADF" hereafter) 17, and it is attached to document bed 15 (back side of Figure 1) using a hinge such that it can be f closed Therefore, document cover 16 is opened and closed by rotating i arrow A with respect to document bed 15 In this embodiment, document be portion of the housing of multifunction device 1, and document cover 16 co of the top surface of multifunction device 1

Document bed 15 is equipped with a contact glass sheet (not illustrat between the document bed and document cover 16, and it is equipped with unit (not illustrated in the figure) on the inside A document is placed b cover 16 and the contact glass sheet, and the image reading unit reads document by moving along the contact glass sheet from the bottom of the co

Document cover 16 is equipped with ADF 17, and this ADF 17 is confi

(not illustrated in the figure), and this is configured as an lnkjet recording d 11 is equipped with refill unit 13 on the front side of multifunction devic Figure 1) and on the bottom side of multifunction device 1 (bottom side of words, refill unit 13 is built in to the front surface Ia side and the bottom multifunction device 1 In this embodiment, refill unit 13 is configured suc and hold four ink cartridges 14, and black, yellow, magenta, and cyan color each of these ink cartridges 14 The ink of each color stored in ink cartridge the recording head through ink tube 53 (see Figure 5)

Moreover, opening/closing cover 20 that opens and closes opening 21 of front surface Ia (end of the front right side in Figure 1) is provided on th refill unit 13 (front of Figure 1) Opening/closing cover 20 is configured s freely rotated between a position in which it exposes refill unit 13 through position in which it closes opening 21 and houses refill unit 13 by folding it (front direction in Figure 1) Opening 22 is formed in the center of front surface Ia of multifunctio paper feed tray (not illustrated in the figure) is positioned inside this openin the state m which the paper feed tray is disengaged is illustrated) After th that is sent from the paper feed tray is sent to the back side, it is sent to the t to the front side, and images are recorded onto the recording paper while th is fed The recording paper is then discharged to a paper ejection tray (not figure) that is provided on the upper part of the paper feed tray inside openin

Operation panel 30 is attached to the top surface of the front surface side device 1 (upper part of the front surface m Figure 1) This operation panel 3 part for the purpose of performing the operations of printer part 11 and scan is equipped with various operation keys 31-34 and liquid crystal display par operation keys 31-34 arranged on operation panel 30 are connected to a co

from this personal computer in addition to the instructions from operation pa

Slot part 23 through which recording media such as various small me loaded is equipped on the bottom of operation panel 30 (bottom of Figure stored on the small memory card, and the image data (or information relat that is read out from the small memory card is displayed on liquid crystal di device is configured such that arbitrary images displayed on liquid crystal di be recorded to recording paper by the operation of operation panel 30

Next, refill unit 13 will be described with reference to Figures 2-6 Figu view of refill unit 13 Figure 3 is a side view of the state in which door 41 o been opened Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of refill unit 13 through line and the state in which ink cartridges 14 are installed is illustrated Figure 5 is view of refill unit 13 through line V-V of Figure 2, and the state in which ink installed is illustrated Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of door 41 Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the state in which needle forming member 48 is re As illustrated in Figure 2, refill unit 13 is primarily equipped with case cartridges 14 are inserted and removed, and door 41, which is connected to t 40 is formed into a roughly rectangular parallelepiped on the whole, and Figure 4, accommodating chambers 50 (housing parts) that house and hold are partitioned and formed on the inside. In this embodiment, ca accommodating chambers 50, and four ink cartridges 14 are inserted into a each accommodating chamber 50 The inner wall surface shape of eac chamber 50 is formed such that it demarcates space corresponding to the ou cartridge 14, and when each ink cartridge 14 is installed in case 40, it is he without rattling As illustrated in Figure 2, case 40 is equipped with bottom plate part 4

43 that are provided on the left and right sides of this bottom plate part 42 (

As illustrated in Figure 4, partition walls 47 are formed in a rib shape prov and bottom of bottom plate part 42 and ceiling plate part 44 Further, partit do not need to completely partition each accommodating chamber 50, so th shape as long as the shape protrudes to the inside from at least one of botto ceiling plate part 44 and divides the space between adjacent accommodating

Moreover, as illustrated in Figure 2, cutout part 40a (opening part) t formed on the back side of case 40 (back right side of Figure 2), and needle 48 is fitted into this cutout part 40a Needle 49 (extraction member) that inside ink cartridges 14 is formed on needle forming member 48 based on t cartridges 14 housed in accommodating chambers 50 of case 40

As illustrated in Figure 5, needle 49 extends along the direction of open and in a roughly horizontal direction (ink cartridge installation direction) in t needle forming member 48 is engaged with cutout part 40a When an in installed in an accommodating chamber 50, this needle 49 is inserted into in (see Figure 8) of ink cartridge 14, and an ink supply path is formed as supp Figure 22) of ink supply mechanism 500 (see Figure 22) is pressed Needle with ink extraction opening 52 that projects upward on the back side of case Figure 5), and ink tube 53 is connected to this ink extraction opening 5 connected to an inkjet recording head (not illustrated in the figure), and it is ink inside ink cartridges 14 to the inkjet recording head

Passage 54, which introduces ambient air into ink cartridges 14, is forme of case 40, which forms the top of needle 49 (top of Figure 5) When t cartridges 14 is extracted through needle 49, ambient air corresponding to passes through passage 54 and is supplied into ink cartridges 14 Further, protrusion 55 that projects to the ink cartridge 14 side (left sid formed on the top of passage 54 This protrusion 55 is a guide protrusion

of the ink liquid level (remaining ink) inside ink cartridge 14, is provided b and passage 54 This remaining ink detection sensor 57 is a transmissive has light emitting part 57a and light receiving part 57b, and it is provided number of ink cartridges 14 housed in accommodating chambers 50 Remai sensor 57 is provided in a position corresponding to detection part 140 (se cartridge 14 in the state in which ink cartridge 14 is housed inside accom 50, and it is arranged in a position in which light emitting part 57a and li 57b can sandwich both sides of detection part 140 of ink cartridge 1 accommodating chamber 50 (See Figure 18(b)) Remaining ink detect connected to a control device, and the amount of remaining ink stored in eac is constantly monitored by this control device

Rib 44a is provided on ceiling plate part 44, and this improves the ri Further, ceiling plate part 44 is equipped with swing arm mechanism 44b attached between swing arm mechanism 44b and ceiling plate part 44, mechanism 44b is always elastically biased in the direction of door 41 ( Figure 2, left side of Figures 3-5) Swing arm mechanism 44b is configured that project into case 40 (accommodating chamber 50) engage with latch pa (see Figure 8) of ink cartridge 14, for example, in the state in which it is el is therefore possible to reliably hold ink cartridge 14 that is installed in case Opening 45 is provided on the front surface of case 40 (insertion hole t cartridge 14 is installed) This opening 45 is provided on each of the chambers 50 In other words, each accommodating chamber 50 is succ inside case 40 on each opening 45, and the four ink cartridges 14 are respecti and removed from each accommodating chamber 50 through openings 45 Door 41 opens and closes opening 45, and is provided on each opening of door 41 switches between a position in which it closes opemng 45 (blo

Here, the structure of door 41 will be described in detail with reference 41 is equipped with door main body 60, pressing retaining member 61 that i door main body 60, door lock member 62 (lock bar) that fastens (locks) do and lock release lever 63 that releases door 41 from the fastened state Do pressing retaining member 61, door lock member 62, and lock release l molded using resins

As illustrated in Figure 6, door main body 60 is roughly formed into a s of a long and thin rectangle The external shape of door main body 60 is for the shape of opemng 45 of case 40 Rotating shaft part 64, which is suppo part of the front surface of case 40, is formed on the bottom end of do (bottom side end in Figure 6) Specifically, bearing part 42a is formed on bottom plate part 42 of case 40 (see Figures 2, 3, and 4), and rotating shaf into this bearing part 42a such that it can rotate freely As a result, door close opening 45 by standing up or open opening 45 by folding over Pullout member 65, which is formed as a unit with door mam body 60, i bottom end of door main body 60 This pullout member 65 is roughly forme and it has extension part 65a and curved part 65b Extension part 65a is succ on the bottom end of door mam body 60 (rotating shaft part 64), and c successively provided forming an approximately 90° angle with extension pa When door 41 is in the blocked position (state illustrated in Figure 4), part 65b projects even further upwards than installation surface 51 of chamber 50 (bottom surface inside accommodating chamber 50 that makes bottom surface of ink cartridge 14, see Figure 4) Door main body 60 rotate shaft part 64 as a rotational center, and as a result, pullout member 65 tha L-shape also rotates around rotating shaft part 64 as a rotational center changes to the open position (state illustrated in Figure 3), curved part 65b o

Outer wall surface 65c functions as a guide surface that guides ink installation surface 51 inside accommodating chamber 50 in the state in w the open position As a result, pullout member 65 functions not only as a m ink cartridge 14 out of accommodating chamber 50, but also as a guidi inserting ink cartridge 14 into accommodating chamber 50

In this embodiment, two pullout members 65 are provided on each door other words, pullout members 65 are configured such that they are positi width direction of door main body 60 and support ink cartridge 14 by san width direction Moreover, in this embodiment, the spacing between ea members 65 is set to be smaller than the width direction of ink cartridge 14

Claw 61a is provided on both sides of pressing retaining member 61 suc to the outside from the side surface, and claw accommodating part 60a, in housed, is provided on door mam body 60 Claw accommodating part 60a is a groove that extends in a direction that is roughly perpendicular to the long of door main body 60 (vertical direction in Figure 6) Claw 61a is accommodating part 60a such that it can slide freely, so pressing retaini supported such that it can advance and retreat in a direction that is per longitudinal direction of door main body 60 In other words, pressing reta can change positions between a projected position in which it is raised from of door main body 60 (state illustrated in Figure 3) and a retreated positio retreated from the projected position to the side of door main body 60 (s Figure 4) Moreover, coil spring 66 is placed between pressing retaimng me main body 60 Therefore, pressing retaining member 61 is elastically bias always in the projected position When door 41 is in the blocked position, pressing retaimng member with the side surface of ink cartridge 14 and is displaced to the retreated po

while wall surface 61b of this pressing retaining member 61 (surface that the side surface of ink cartridge 14 when door 41 is in the blocked position flat surface, and a pair of projecting strips 61c is formed on this wall surfa when door 41 is in the blocked position, these strips 61c make contact with the side surface of ink cartridge 14

Moreover, pressing retaining member 61 is configured such that, wh position, it presses slightly downward from the center position in the vertic cartridge 14 (vertical direction in Figure 4) In other words, pressing retain provided in a position in which it makes contact and presses downward position in the vertical direction of ink cartridge 14 This is for the purpose operationality in the case in which the user operates door 41 For exampl retaining member 61 is positioned at or above the center position in the ve ink cartridge 14, the user operates door 41 by holding it in the vicinity of loc so the distance between the part that is operated by the user and the member 61 becomes small Therefore, the force induced by coil sprin retaimng member 61 becomes large, and a force that is large enough to therefore becomes necessary On the other hand, when pressing retaini positioned below the center position in the vertical direction of ink cartridg between the part that is operated by the user and pressing retaining member user is able to operate door 41 with a small amount of force Moreove retaining member 61 is positioned too far downward in the vertical directio 14, it presses against the end of ink cartridge 14, so ink cartridge 14 someti accommodating chamber 50, making it unable to hold ink cartridge 14 corre this embodiment, pressing retaining member 61 is positioned slightly position in the vertical direction of ink cartridge 14, so ink cartridge 14 c held correctly and can be installed smoothly with a small amount of force

with ink supply part 120 and ambient air intake part 130 on the side surface surface that makes contact with pressing retaimng member 61, and this in and ambient air intake part 130 are equipped with valve mechanisms havin In other words, they have a biasing force (first and second supply springs first and second ambient air springs 730 and 750) that presses the valves ( and ambient air valve 720) outward such that they block communication be and exterior or ink cartridge 14 Therefore, in order to reliably enable comm ink cartridge 14 and the exterior, the elastic force of pressing retaining m embodiment is set such that it is larger than the elastic force of the valve m supply part 120 and ambient air intake part 130 As a result, when ink cartri inside accommodating chamber 50, the ink inside ink cartridge 14 is relia ambient air can be reliably introduced into ink cartridge 14 Moreover, ink s on the bottom end and ambient air intake part 130 is on the top part in the ink cartridge 14 is installed in accommodating chamber 50, so pressing reta presses against a position that is relatively close to the center position in the of ink cartridge 14 Therefore, in compaπson to the case in which it presses top or bottom end of ink cartridge 14, the direction in which the momentum ink cartridge 14 can be stabilized and held

Door lock member 62 is attached to the top end of door main unit 60 (e in Figure 6) Door lock member 62 has mam shaft part 62a, key part 62b th direction of the inside of case 40 continuing from the upper end of main sha side of Figure 6), and seat part 62c (contact part) that projects in the directio case 40 continuing from the lower end of main shaft part 62a (lower side of F

Door lock member 62 is supported such that it can advance and retre direction with respect to door main body 60 (vertical direction in Figure extends in the vertical direction on the top end of door main body 60 Slide g

is configured from a groove that extends to exactly a prescribed lengt direction Therefore, when door lock member 62 slides upward or downwar contact with the inside wall surface of claw accommodating part 60c, and t lock member 62 in the vertical direction is thus restricted The sliding range of door lock member 62 is defined as a result of the se of the groove that constitutes claw accommodating part 60c to a prescribed door lock member 62 slides upward with respect to door main body 60 an contact with the top edge of the inside wall surface of claw accommodati lock member 62 is in the position in which it projects upward from the u main body 60 When door lock member 62 slides downward with respect t 60 and claw 62e makes contact with the bottom edge of the inside wall accommodating part 60c, door lock member 62 is in the position in which inside of door main body 60 In this specification, the position at which doo makes contact with the top edge of the inside wall surface of claw accommo defined as the "projected position", and the position at which door lock contact with the bottom edge of claw accommodating part 60c is defined position"

Coil spring 67 (elastic member) is placed between door lock member body 60 Therefore, door lock member 62 is elastically biased such that i upward from door main body 60 - in other words, in the direction in which the projection position

The top surface of key part 62b of door lock member 62 is a sloped s downward Therefore, when door 41 changes from the open position to the the top surface of door lock member 62 makes contact with the top edge of o 40, and when door 41 is rotated towards the blocked position, door lock me the inside of door main body 60 as it is relatively pressed against the top ed

from door main body 60 due to coil spring 67, so it is pressed inside lock m 46, but the position of door lock member 62 is an intermediate position su slightly more to the retreated position side than the projecting side Door l always elastically pressed against lock member fitting part 46 when it is i position, so door lock member 62 never easily deviates from lock member fit

Lock release lever 63 is formed into the shape of a rectangular plate, an the top of the outside of door main body 60 in a state in which it is fastened main body 60 is equipped with accommodating part 6Od, which houses lock This accommodating part 6Od consists of a concave part that is provided o 60 This will be described below, and when lock release lever 63 chang release lever 63 is fitted into accommodating part 6Od

Supporting pin 63a is provided on the bottom end of lock release lever time, pin support hole 6Oe, into which supporting pin 63a is fitted, is provi body 60 Because supporting pin 63a is fitted into this pin support hole 6Oe, 63 is configured such that it can rotate freely around the rotational center 63a Specifically, lock release lever 63 is configured such that it can be f displaced between a position that is roughly parallel to the outer surface of d a position in which it is inclined at approximately 45° (degrees) (state of doo of Figure 2), and a position in which it is folded over roughly horizontall door 41 from the right side of Figure 2) by moving the lever In this specific of lock release lever 63 when it is housed inside accommodating part 6Od "housed position", and the position of lock release lever 63 when lock re inclined at approximately 45° is defined as the "neutral position", while th release lever 63 when it is folded over roughly horizontally is define position"

The bottom end of lock release lever 63 is interlocking cam 63b, and inte

the state in which door lock member 62 makes contact with lock member case 40, lock release lever 63 can be freely displaced between the house neutral position At this time, the central position of lock release lever 63 always moves to the neutral position due to its own weight Because loc arrives in the neutral position due to its own weight, it is possible operationahty into the folded position

Here, the outline of the operation of lock release lever 63 will be descr cam 63b of lock release lever 63 makes contact with seat part 62c of door lo the state in which door 41 is closed (state illustrated in Figure 4), lock attempts to further rotate door lock member 62 through interlocking cam pressing downward However, door lock member 62 is always elastically coil spnng 67, so door lock member 62 is not displaced by the action of t release lever 63 alone, and door lock member 62 is maintained in the interm

However, when lock release lever 63 is forcibly rotated - for examp which a user attempting to replace ink cartridge 14 operates and rotates lock lock release lever 63 is rotated and displaced to the folded position When 63 is displaced to the folded position, interlocking cam 63b rotates and ch centered on supporting pin 63 a and presses seat part 62c of door lock mem As a result, door lock member 62 moves downward in opposition to the el spring 67 and is displaced to the retreated position When door lock member the retreated position, the lock of door 41 is released, and this door 41 blocked position to the open position

Door lock member 62 constantly receives the elastic force of coil sp rotational force that acts upon lock release lever 63 disappears - in other releases his or her hand from lock release lever 63 - door lock membe position in which it projects most from door main body 60, and lock re

pressing retaining member 61 also operate as guides when housing ink c accommodating chamber 50 in cooperation with a guide part between cur other words, when ink cartridge 14 is to be inserted into accommodating part load the bottom surface of ink cartridge 14 onto strips 61c, place the tip pa 14 between curved parts 65b, and then press ink cartridge 14 in accommodating chamber 50 Further, when ink cartridge 14 is to b accommodating chamber 50, the user should remove it until the botto cartridge 14 reaches the top of strips 61c from between curved parts 65b

When multifunction device 1 is in normal use, door 41 of refill unit 13 i release lever 63 is placed in the neutral position Therefore, as illustrated i opening/closing cover 20 is opened when replacing ink cartridge 14, lock slopes to the front surface side As a result, there is the advantage that th operate lock release lever 63 Incidentally, as illustrated in Figure 1, refill u front surface Ia of multifunction device 1, so if lock release lever 63 is pla position (if it slopes to the front surface side), then it is necessary for a s enough to accommodate refill unit 13 to be secured inside multifunction de it is necessary for refill umt 13 to be placed further back from the πm of ope in the risk that the external dimensions of multifunction device 1 will becom in this embodiment, lock release lever 63 can rotate freely between the ne the housed position when door 41 is in the blocked position with respect to umt 13 can be placed in the vicinity of the πm of opening 21 This is beca umt 13 placed on the rim of opening 21, the inside wall surface of opening makes contact with lock release lever 63 when opening/closing cover 20 is opening/closing cover 20 is completely closed, lock release lever 63 is housed position as it is pressed by opening/closing cover 20 Therefore, in th compact design for multifunction device 1 can be realized

quantities and because black ink consists of pigmented inks, while colore dyed inks, so when black ink is mixed with colored ink, large quantities of be expended for the recovery process Therefore, the external shape of the bl into a large shape such that colored ink and black ink can be visually conf the structures of ink cartridges 14 that store colored inks are all formed into t

First, colored ink cartridges 14 for storing colored ink will be described Figures 7 to 9 Figure 7 is an oblique view showing the external appearanc cartridge 14 Figure 8 is an exploded oblique view of the colored ink cartrid a diagram showing protector 300, and (a) is a top surface view of protec perspective of IXa in Figure 8, while (b) is a cross-sectional view of prote line IXb-IXb in Figure 9(a) In the following description, the X-direct longitudinal direction of ink cartridge 14 (case 200, ink reservoir el Y-direction indicates the height direction of ink cartridge 14 (case 200, ink 100), which is orthogonal to the X-direction, and the Z-direction indicates t (thickness direction) of ink cartridge 14 (case 200, ink reservoir elemen orthogonal to the X-direction and the Y-direction Arrow B illustrated in Fig the X-direction, which indicates the longitudinal direction of ink cartridge 1 the direction in which ink cartridge 14 is installed into refill unit 13

As illustrated in Figure 7, colored ink cartridge 14 is equipped with covers roughly the entire body of ink reservoir element 100 that stores ink (s protector 300, which is attached to this case 200 and protects ink reservoir e ink cartridge 14 is fed As is clear from Figure 7, case 200 is formed i parallelepiped that contains a pair of largest surfaces 210a and 220a that op (cases 1200 and 2200 explained below are the same) In this embodime element 100, case 200, protector 300, and all of the members contained in described below are formed from resin materials and do not contain metal

introduces ambient air into frame part 110, detection part 140 (irradiate provided in order to detect the amount of remaining ink stored inside fra dispensing part 150, which dispenses ink into frame part 110, and film 160, to both sides of frame part 110 (both top and bottom surfaces in Figure 8) in ink reservoir chamber on frame part 110 Descriptions of frame part 110, in ambient air intake part 130, detection part 140, ink dispensing part 150, and manufacturing process for ink reservoir element 100 will be given below

Case 200 comprises two case elements 210 and 220 that sandwich ink 100 from above and below (top and bottom of Figure 8, Z-direction) First is a member that covers the bottom side surface of ink reservoir element 10 second case element 220 is a member that covers the top side surface of ink 100 in Figure 8 First and second case members 210 and 220 are made of re are manufactured using injection molding The depths of first and second c and 220 (lengths in the upward direction of Figure 8 (lengths in the, Z-direc such that they are roughly equivalent, and they are formed such that the sum roughly equivalent to the thickness of ink reservoir element 100 As a re between ink reservoir element 100 and the inside surface of case 200 becom becomes narrow), so even if pressure were applied inward from the outside amount of deformation of case 200 would become small, so it would be poss damage of case 200

First case member 210 comprises a plate-shaped part that forms largest vertical wall parts 210b-210e that are provided in roughly orthogonal di directions and Z-direction in Figure 8) from the outer edge portions of the plate-shaped part. Regarding vertical wall parts 210d-210e, the vertical w protector 300 side of first case member 210 is 210b, the vertical wall that i this vertical wall part 210b is 210c, and the vertical walls that are respecti

side of Figure 8 is a cutout corresponding to ink supply part 120, while cas on the left back side of Figure 8 is a cutout corresponding to ambient ai Rectangular case cutout part 213, which is cut out into a rectangular shape, i case cutout part 211 and case cutout part 212, and this is a cutout for inserti detection sensor 57 (see Figure 5) to the position at which it sandwiches d Contact groove 211a, which makes contact with ink supply part 120, is for surface connecting to case cutout part 211 of first case member 210, and con which makes contact with ambient air intake part 130, is formed on t connecting to case cutout part 212 of first case member 210 Because thes 212a and 212b are provided, the alignment of ink reservoir element 10 member 210 becomes easy

Moreover, two case projecting parts 214a and 214b, which project in protector 300 (left front direction and X-direction in Figure 8) from the surfa cutout parts 211-213 are formed (vertical wall part 210b), are formed on 210 Case projecting parts 214a and 214b are formed on both sides of first in the Y-direction (right front side end and left back side end of Figure sandwich case cutout parts 211 to 213, and the ink supply part 120 side (r Figure 8) is case projecting part 214a, while the ambient air intake part 13 side of Figure 8) is case projecting part 214b Case projecting part 214a ha 214a2, which slopes in the direction of case cutout parts 211 to 213 (directio first case member 210) towards the edge from the portion that connects to t of vertical wall part 21Od of the case member 210 (protector 300 direction, l in Figure 8) When ink cartridge 14 is to be installed into multifunction dev 1), it is installed such that case projecting part 214a is on the bottom side case in which ink cartridge 14 is installed, when sloping surface 214a2 m bottom wall part 41 of refill unit 13, ink cartridge 14 is smoothly led t

prevent the natural desorption of protector 300 in the state in which protect to case 200, and protruding parts 330al and 330bl of protector 300, which below, are fitted into these parts (see Figure 9)

Further, case fitting groove 214b2, which is used as a fitting part into wh fitting part 320 of protector 300 (see Figure 9) described below, is formed o part 214b. This case fitting groove 214b2 is formed across a portion of verti from the edge of case projecting part 214b (edge of the protector 300 side)

Moreover, rod member 215a, which protrudes in the direction of second (Z-direction) in the vicinity of vertical wall part 21Od on the ink supply pa front side of Figure 8) and determines the position of ink reservoir element case 200, and rod members 215b and 215c, which protrude in the directio member 220 (Z-direction) in the vicinity of vertical wall part 21Oe on the a part 130 side (left back side of Figure 8) and determine the position of ink sealed inside case 200, are formed on first case member 210 The positio element 100 is determined by the three locations of these rod members 215 can prevent the attachment of ink reservoir element 100 in mistaken directio

Second case member 220 comprises a plate-shaped part that forms lar and vertical wall parts 220b to 22Oe that are provided in roughly orth (vertical directions and Z-direction in Figure 8) from the outer edge portions of this plate-shaped part Regarding vertical wall parts 220b to 22Oe, the forms the protector 300 side of second case member 220 is 220b, the ver placed opposite this vertical wall part 220b is 220c, and the vertical walls tha connected to vertical wall parts 220c and 220b are vertical wall parts 22Od a side of Figure 8 is vertical wall part 22Od, and the left side of Figure 8 is 22Od)

Second case member 220 has a symmetrical structure that is roughly sy

case projecting parts 224a and 224b are formed on both sides of case cutout and case projecting part 224a has sloping surface 224a2 that slopes in the cutout parts 221 to 223 towards the edge from the portion that connects to t of vertical wall part 21Od of second case member 220 Case projecting cuto illustrated in the figure) is formed on case projecting part 224a, and case part 224b 1 and case fitting groove 224b2 are formed on case projecting p portion of vertical wall part 22Oe from the edge of case projecting part 224 member 220, fitting hole parts 225a to 225c (not illustrated in the figure) which rod members 215a-215c fit after passing through in the direction of 210 (Z-direction) corresponding to the positions at which rod members 215 case member 210 are formed

As described above, first case member 210 and second case ember 22 formed into roughly the same shapes, and when they are in the state in wh reservoir element 100, roughly circular through-holes that expose a portion 120 to the outside are formed by case cutout parts 211 and 221, while through-holes that expose a portion of ambient air intake part 130 to the outsi case cutout parts 212 and 222 Through-holes into which remaining ink de (see Figure 5) can be inserted are formed on both sides of detection part 140 bottom sides in Figure 8, both sides in the Z-direction) by case cutout holes the side wall of detection part 140 Further, a protrusion ("first projecting projecting part") that contributes to the prevention of ink contamination of prevention of the installation of the cartridge into refill unit 13 in the wrong prevention of the damage of ink supply part 120 and ambient air intake part case projecting part 214a and case projecting part 224a, and a protrusion (" part", or "one projecting part") that contributes to the prevention of the installation in the wrong position together with the protrusion that is f

300 (see Figure 9) is loosely inserted is formed by case projecting cutout 224al, and a through-hole into which projecting part 330bl of protector 30 loosely inserted is formed by case projecting cutout parts 214bl and 224b groove in the shape of a roughly rectangular parallelepiped into which firs part 320 of protector 300 (see Figure 9) is fitted is formed by case fitting g 224b2.

As is clear from the above explanations, first case member 210 and sec 220 do not only have the same overall external appearance, but they are details such as case projecting parts 214a, 214b, 224a, and 224b and case c 213 and 221 to 223 also have the same shapes Therefore, when first case second case member 220 are resin-molded, their die shapes are similar, so with die design can be reduced

Next, the external shape of case 200 will be described On first and seco 210 and 220, vertical wall parts 21Od, 21Oe, 22Od, and 22Oe (side surfaces directions (Y-direction) that are orthogonal to longitudinal direction connecting the right back side of Figure 8 and the left front side of Figu Figure 8) are formed into concave shapes, and steps are formed with r surfaces 210a and 220a (surfaces) of first and second case members 210 a second case members 210 and 220 are welded to these step portions, a element 110 is fastened to case 200 Regarding these step portions, the ste side of ink supply part 120 (right front side of Figure 8) are first case weld 226, and the step portions on the side of ambient air intake part 130 (left ba 8) are second case welded parts 217 and 227

In the following explanation, longitudinal direction B of first and seco 210 and 220 (direction parallel to the X-direction) refers to the longitudina cartridge 14, the longitudinal direction or ink reservoir element 100, and

removed from refill unit 13 (see Figure 1) Concave part 226a is a regio oscillating range when pullout member 65 rotates Case welded part 227 ha which is formed into a concave shape in roughly intermediate positio direction B of second case member 220, and this latch part 227a is a part swing arm mechanism 44b (see Figure 2) in the state in which it is installed i

Although a detailed description will be omitted here, concave part 216a the figure), engagement part 216b (not illustrated in the figure), and latc illustrated in the figure), which are formed with roughly the same shapes as engagement part 226b, and latch part 227a of second case member 220, ar first case member 210

Next, protector 300 will be described with reference to Figures 8 and diagram that shows protector 300, and Figure 9(a) is a top view of protec perspective of IXa in Figure 8, while Figure 9(b) is a cross-sectional view through line IXb-IXb in Figure 9(a) Protector 300 is a member for protecti 120 and ambient air intake part 130, in particular, of ink reservoir eleme cartridge 14 is shipped Protector 300 is made from a resin material and is m injection molding

As illustrated in Figure 8, protector through-hole 310 is formed on p location corresponding to the side of ambient air intake part 130 (left back on the bottom surface This is because valve open part 721a for operating 720 (see Figure 33) projects outward from ambient air intake part 13 through-hole 310 is formed in order to protect this valve open part 721a

As illustrated in the top view of Figure 9(a), first protector fitting part 32 into the fitting groove formed by case fitting grooves 214b2 and 224b2 ( formed in the vicinity of the end of the side of protector through-hole 310 (left side in Figure 9(a)) Second protector fitting part 330a, which i

Moreover, protector loose insertion parts 340a and 340b, which are lig the through-holes formed by case cutout parts 213 and 223 and the side wal 140 (see Figure 8), are formed in roughly intermediate positions in longitudi protector 300 (Y-direction in Figures 8 and 9) Protector loose insertion par are connected to both side walls formed parallel to longitudinal direction side walls in Figure 9(a)), and they are formed such that they project upwar the front side of the page in Figure 9(a) and on the side of ink reservoir ele 8) Multiple ribs are formed from the bottom surface of protector 300, and t the strength of protector 300 First protector fitting part 320 is positioned such that it extends in a dire direction orthogonal to longitudinal direction C of protector 300 (vertical d 9(a), X-direction), and consists of protector vertical wall 321 provided fro of protector 300 and two protector vertical walls 322 that are connected to th opposite side as protector through-hole 310 from protector vertical wall Figure 9(a)) As illustrated in Figure 9(b), each protector vertical wall 322 part formed parallel to protector vertical wall 321 from the top end of firs part 320 (top side end in Figure 9(b)) and a bottom part connected to the side 300 from a roughly intermediate position in the projecting direction of firs part 320 (upward in Figure 9(b), X-direction), and they have steps As a result, when fitted into the fitting groove formed by case fitting gr

224b2 (see Figure 8), protector vertical wall 321 and the top of protector ver inserted into the fitting groove When first protector fitting part 320 is insert groove, it is inserted as it is restricted by both ends of protector vertical extends in the Z-direction orthogonal to longitudinal direction C (Y-directio protector vertical wall 322 in longitudinal direction C Here, if first protect is formed with roughly the same shape as the fitting groove formed by ca

improved, and mistaken installation can be prevented

As illustrated m Figure 9(b), protruding parts 330al and 330bl, whi from one another, are formed on the edges of second protector fitting parts the direction in which second protector fitting parts 330a and 330b mutuall on the top side of Figure 9(b)), and shaft parts 330a2 and 330b2, which roughly cylindrical shapes, are formed in the direction of the bottom surfac from these edges (downward in Figure 9(b)) Shaft parts 330a2 and 330 because protector 300 is formed from a resin material, and protector 30 removed as second protector fitting parts 330a and 330b are elastically defor

Here, black ink cartridge 14 will be described with reference to Figures 10 is an oblique view that shows the external appearance of black ink cartri is an exploded oblique view of black ink cartridge 14

As illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, black ink cartridge 14 is configu external profile is larger (the thickness (length in the Z-direction) is lar colored ink cartridges 14 Specifically, second case member 220, which cons is identical to second case member 220 for colored ink, and first case me constitutes case 1200, is formed such that it is thicker (the length in the Z- than first case member 210 for colored ink Ink reservoir element 100 has s to store black ink, so it is configured with the same shape as colored ink rese and uses the same parts Moreover, protector 1300 is formed corresponding it is formed such that it is thicker in the vertical direction (Z-direction) th Therefore, black ink cartridge 14 will be described with regard to first case descriptions of second case member 220, ink reservoir element 100, and pr be omitted here Only the depth of first case member 1210 (the thickness of (length of Z-direction) in Figure 11) the differs from that of first case me

1210b, the vertical wall that is placed opposite this vertical wall part 1210b vertical walls that are respectively connected to vertical wall parts 1210 vertical wall parts 121Od and 121Oe (the right side of Figure 11 is vertical and the left side of Figure 11 is vertical wall part 121Od) Black ink cartri such that the vertical wall heights of vertical wall parts 1210b to 121Oe are vertical wall heights of vertical wall parts 210b to 21Oe of first case memb ink, and the thickness of ink cartridge 14 is accordingly increased

As with first case member 210, case cutout parts 1211 and 1212, whic roughly semicircular shapes on vertical wall part 1210b, are formed on 1210 m order to expose ink supply part 120 and ambient air intake part 130 case 200, and case cutout part 1213, which is cut out into a rectangular between case cutout part 1211 and case cutout part 1212. Two case projectin 1214b are formed on both sides of first case member 1210, and case projecti sloping surface 1214a2 Rod members 1215a, 1215b and 1215c, which deter of ink reservoir element 100, are formed on first case member 1210

Further, nb 1218 is formed on roughly the entire inside surface of first c (roughly the entire largest surface 1210a) This rib 1218 projects in the Z- the side of ink reservoir element 100 to the degree that the external pro member 1210 is enlarged with respect to first case member 210 (differe vertical wall parts 210b to 21Oe of first case member 210 and vertical wa 121Oe of first case member 1210) Because this rib 1218 is provided, the sp between ink reservoir element 100 and first case 1210 can be filled It is the maintain the strength of case 1200 against pressure from the outside

Moreover, by making the external profile of black ink cartridge 14 la colored ink cartridge 14, it is possible to differentiate between black ink other ink cartridges 14 Black is a darker color than other colors, so it is not p

member 220 in the vertical direction (Z-direction) differ, so ink supply part supply part 130, and detection part 140 are positioned in positions shifte position in the vertical direction (biased position)

Next, large-capacity black ink cartridge 14 will be descnbed with refere and 13 Figure 12 is an oblique view that shows the external appearance black ink cartridge 14 Figure 13 is an exploded oblique view of large-c cartridge 14

As illustrated in Figures 12 and 13, the external profile of large-ca cartridge 14 is configured such that it is larger (longer in the Z-direction) black ink cartridges 14 Specifically, the vertical wall heights of vertical w

222Oe of second case member 2220 are formed such that they are roughly wall heights of vertical wall parts 220b to 22Oe of second case member 220, member 2220, which constitutes case 2200, is simply made thicker than sec 220 for colored and black ink Moreover, in first case member 2210, whic 2200, rib 1218 of first case member 1210 for black ink is simply remo reservoir element 2100 is simply thickened such that the capacity increase colored and black ink reservoir element 100 Therefore, detailed descriptions black ink cartridge 14 will be omitted here For the reference nume large-capacity black ink cartridge 14, the reference numeral 2000 is added numerals attached to colored ink cartridge 14 The thicknesses of first case second case member 2220 in the vertical direction (Z-direction) are roughly supply part 2120, ambient air supply part 2130, and detection part 2140 are center position in the vertical direction

Corresponding to ink cartridges with the three types of sizes descri desirable for refill unit 13 of multifunction device 1 to be configured such t with multiple accommodating chambers 50 that house cored ink cartridges

accommodating chamber 50 that houses black ink cartridge 14 may be prov infrequently use text printing This will be described once again below

Next, ink reservoir element 100 will be described with reference to Figu a diagram that shows ink reservoir element 100, and Figure 14(a) is a reservoir element 100, while Figure 14(b) is a back view of ink reservoir state of ink reservoir element 100 illustrated in Figure 14 is the position in w 14 is installed in multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1) As illustrated in F position in which the longitudinal direction (X-direction) and the width dire of ink cartridge 14 (ink reservoir element 100) are horizontal directions, a which ink supply part 120, ambient air intake part 130, and detection part 1 on the side surface, ink supply part 120 is positioned on the bottom part sid intake part 130 is positioned on the ceiling side Ink reservoir element 210 reservoir element 100 only with regard to its thickness (length in the X detailed description will be omitted here As described above, ink reservoir element 100 is primarily equipped wit ink supply part 120, ambient air intake part 130, detection part 140, ink dis and film 160 Moreover, ink reservoir element 100 is configured roughly as The pair of surfaces that constitute the largest area of this hexahedron is the and the back surface side of ink reservoir element 100 illustrated m Fig configured with approximately six surfaces with the side surfaces (side w four directions that connect this front surface side and the back surface surfaces that constitute the largest area of ink reservoir element 100 are par largest surfaces 210a and 220a of case 200 when loaded into case 200 Mor welded to both the front surface side and the back surface side of frame thickness of ink reservoir element 100 (length in the Z-direction), which is shape, can be reduced in comparison to the case in which both sides are

remaining ink in ink reservoir element 100

As illustrated in Figure 14(a), outer circumference welded part 400a, 160 to the vicinity of the outer edge part, and multiple inner circumference to 417a, which are provided on the inside of this outer circumference weld formed on the front surface side of frame part 110 Outer circumference wel vertical wall that demarcates the inner space of frame part 100 (space on chamber Ilia of ink reservoir chamber 111) Moreover, the blackened edg inner circumference welded parts (ribs or first ribs) 411a to 417a illustrate are welded surface parts (rib fixed parts or first πb fixed parts), and the front (blackened portion) of outer circumference welded part 400a is the welded s part) on the periphery of first opening 112a Film 160 is welded to this weld ultrasomc welding

As illustrated in Figure 14(b), outer circumference welded part 400b, 160 to the vicinity of the outer edge part, and multiple inner circumference to 417b, which are provided on the inside of this outer circumference weld formed on the back surface side of frame part 110 Outer circumference wel wall demarcating the interior space of frame 100 Outer circumference weld vertical wall that demarcates the inner space of frame part 100 (space on t chamber 111b of ink reservoir chamber 111) Moreover, the blackened edge circumference welded parts (ribs or second ribs) illustrated in Figure 14(b) a parts (rib fixed parts or second rib fixed parts) 411b to 417b, and the back (blackened portion) of the outer circumference welded part 400b is the we (fixed part) on the periphery of the opening Film 160 is welded to this ultrasonic welding The inside of outer circumference welded parts 400a and 400b constit chamber 111 in which ink is stored The region on the front surface side ill

14(b)), which communicates with ink supply part 120 and supplies ink reservoir chamber 111 to the outside, ambient air communicating passage (see Figure 14(a)), which communicates with ambient air intake part 13 ambient air into ink reservoir chamber 111, plate-shaped link forming part 14(a) and 14(b)), which is formed in roughly the center of frame part 110 chamber 111) and connects the vicinity of ambient air intake part 130 to t dispensing part 150, and dispensing passage forming part 450 (see Figu communicates with ink dispensing part 150 and dispenses ink into ink reser Here, link forming part 440 partitions first chamber I lia and second cha reservoir chamber 111 in a state in which they communicate with one an linking plate that is between virtual plane R (not illustrated in the figure), i that is welded to outer circumference welded part 400a extends, and vir illustrated in the figure), in which film 160 that is welded to outer circumfer 400b extends, and extends in a plane parallel to these virtual planes This 440 will be descπbed in detail in a later process Ambient air passage for formed such that it is positioned only on the front surface side of frame part chamber Ilia of ink reservoir chamber 111), and it is roughly partitioned which extends parallel to these planes between a portion of outer circumfer 400a and inner circumference welded part 412a and virtual planes R and S communicating passage forming part 430 will be described in detail in a lat embodiment, ink reservoir chamber 111 inside frame part 110 (inner space) i region contaimng supply path forming part 420, ambient air communicating part 430, link forming part 440, and dispensing passage forming part 450 communicating passage forming part 430 is an ambient air passage for int air into ink reservoir chamber 111, so it may alternatively be provided as a ink reservoir chamber 111 of frame part 110 (inner space) This means that t

Figure 8) of first case member 210 described above are inserted, are protruding parts

First, inner circumference welded parts 411a to 417a will be described Figure 14(a) Inner circumference welded parts 411a to 417a consist of in welded part 411a, which is provided on supply path forming part 420, in welded part 412a, which is provided on ambient air communicating passage and inner circumference welded parts 413a to 417a, which are provided on 440 Moreover, the welded surface parts of inner circumference welded parts positioned on the same virtual plane as the welded surface part of outer circ part 400a, and film 160 can be welded on the same plane (virtual plane R)

Inner circumference welded part 411a is provided on supply path formin consists of a downward-sloping vertical wall that slopes in a direction th longitudinal direction B of frame part 110 (see Figure 8, left/right direction Inner circumference welded part 412a forms one side wall (vertical wall connection passage 433, which will be described below, in ambient ai passage forming part 430, and it consists of a downward-sloping vertical wa direction that intersects with longitudinal direction B of frame part 110 (X circumference welded part 413a is provided in the vicinity of ambient air int it consists of a downward-sloping vertical wall that slopes in a direction th longitudinal direction B of frame part 110, and a vertical wall that extends wall in a direction that is roughly orthogonal to longitudinal direction B o (vertical direction in Figure 14(a)), which are arranged such that they are r Inner circumference welded part 414a is roughly formed into a leftward- shape, and it consists of a vertical wall that is parallel to longitudinal directio 110, a vertical wall that extends from this vertical wall in a direction orthogonal to longitudinal direction B of frame part 110, and a downwar

circumference welded part 416a is provided in the vicinity of ink dispensin consists of a downward-sloping vertical wall that slopes in a direction th longitudinal direction B of frame part 110 Inner circumference welded part in the vicinity of ink dispensing part 150, and it consists of a vertical wall direction that is roughly orthogonal to longitudinal direction B of frame downward-sloping vertical wall that slopes from this vertical wall in a directi with longitudinal direction B of frame part 110

In other words, at least a portion of the vertical walls of inner circumfere

411a to 417a extends in a direction that slopes downward or is rough longitudinal direction B of frame part 110 (in other words, the bottom reservoir chamber 111 in the position in which ink cartridge 14 is installed this bottom part side (bottom part side in Figure 14(a)) is a free end As a r multiple inner circumference welded parts 411a to 417a are provided on th circumference welded part 400a in order to suppress the slackening of fil 160 is to be welded to frame part 110, these multiple inner circumference to 417a do not significantly inhibit the flow of ink facing ink supply part 120 circumference welded parts 411a to 417a are spread around the inside of out welded part 400a (scattered in multiple units), so they efficiently prevent t slack in film 160 and avoid inhibiting the flow of ink As illustrated in Figure 14(b), regarding inner circumference welded pa inner circumference welded part 411b and inner circumference welded parts formed with roughly the same shapes as inner circumference welded part circumference welded parts 413a to 417a described above and in positions those of inner circumference welded part 411a and inner circumference wel 417a, and only inner circumference welded part 412b is formed with a differe different position than those of inner circumference welded part 412a More

and inner circumference welded part 412b2, which likewise consists of a extends from outer circumference welded part 400b in a direction that is r to longitudinal direction B [of frame part 110] Inner circumference welde inner circumference welded part 412b2 are provided from plate part 438, ambient air communicating passage forming part 430 This is bec communicating passage forming part 430 is formed only on the front surf part 110, and inner circumference welded part 412bl and inner circumfer 412b2 are provided in order to suppress the generation of slack in film 1 corresponding to the back surface side of this ambient air communicating part 430 Moreover, as with the front surface side, inner circumference wel 417b become free ends and are spread around on the back surface side of well (scattered in multiple units), so they efficiently reduce the inhibition suppressing the generation of slack in film 160

Because inner circumference welded parts 411a to 417a and 411b to 417 a spread-out oπentation (scattered in multiple units), in the case in which c from a flexible resm material, it is possible to restrict case deform circumference welded parts 411a to 417a and 411b to 417b even if the cas side of ink reservoir element 100 As a result, it is possible to prevent the d and the damage of film 160 Further, outer circumference welded parts 40 inner circumference welded parts 411a to 417a and 411b to 417b are for walls that are provided on the front surface side or the back surface si complex dies are not required when frame part 110 is to be injection-mold possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of ink cartridge 14

Next, supply path forming part 420 will be described with reference to 15 is a diagram that shows supply path forming part 420 Figure 15(a) is a di the outline of supply path forming part 420 (diagram of the back surface s

partition wall 422, which is formed into a roughly triangular frame when direction perpendicular to the page in Figure 15(a) such that it encloses communicating hole 421, plate part 427, which covers the region on the partition wall 422 and extends parallel to virtual planes R and S between t supply communicating hole 423, which is formed as a portion of supply pa cut out, supply concave part 424, which is formed by making a portion of t ink reservoir chamber 111 (bottom part of Figure 15(a), portion of wall part forms the bottom part of ink reservoir chamber 111 m outer circumference into a concave shape (stepped shape), plate part 428, which extends from ou welded part 400b and supply partition wall 422 and extends parallel to virtu between the planes, arm sandwiching part 425, which is provided on the free 428 and has sensor arm 470 ("displacement member", see Figure 19) tha rotating member (described below), and inner circumference welded par provided in the direction of detection part 140 (see Figure 14(b)) from this part 425 Moreover, film 160 is welded to supply partition wall 422, and i part is positioned on the same virtual plane as the welded surface part of ou welded part 400b (virtual plane S) The space enclosed by supply partition part 427 is ink supply chamber 426, which temporarily stores the ink that i supply part 120, and the space formed by supply concave part 424 and concave part space 424a As illustrated in Figure 14(b), this concave part sp than part 400bl that forms the bottom part of ink reservoir chamber 111 (i height direction (Y-direction) of cartridge 14, and it constitutes the portio positioned on the bottommost side (lowest side) of ink reservoir chamber 111 Figure 15(a), first supply communicating hole 421 is formed above bottom height as the top end of recessed space 424a), and second supply communic formed below bottom part 400bl In other words, second supply communic

part 428

As illustrated in Figure 15(b), supply partition wall 422 is formed suc 160 is to be welded, it separates the inside of frame part 110 (ink reservoir first supply communicating hole 421 In other words, ink supply chamber 42 by supply partition wall 422 communicates with the inside of frame part second supply communicating hole 423 As a result, ink that is stored inside supplied into ink supply chamber 426 from second supply communicating p is then supplied to ink supply part 120 from first supply communicatin illustrated by arrow D in Figure 15(c) (ink flow path)) Next, ink flow path D, through which ink inside frame part 110 is supp part 120, will be described with reference to Figures 15(c) and 15(d) As ill 15(c), when liquid surface I of ink that is stored inside frame 110 is hi concave part 424, the ink is supplied to ink supply part 120 through t indicated by arrow D in Figure 15(c) In this case, recessed space 424a is the inside of ink supply chamber 426 that is enclosed by supply partition filled with ink In other words, in the state illustrated in Figure 15(c), ink fill supply chamber 426, so even if liquid surface I of the ink drops be communicating hole 421, the ink can be supplied to ink supply part 12 supply communicating hole 423 In this embodiment, ink supply part cylindπcally shaped, as illustrated in Figure 8, and, as described below, supply mechanism 500 and check valve 670 are housed inside ink supply el shaft part 672 of check valve 670 (see Figure 29) is inserted into first suppl hole 421 Therefore, taking into consideration the space occupied by ink s 500 and check valve 670, there is a limit to the formation of first supply co 421 on the bottom side of ink reservoir chamber 111 (frame part 110) In which supply partition wall 422 is not provided, when liquid surface I of th

When ink is further supplied from the state illustrated in Figure 15(c) an of the ink drops below the upper end of supply concave part 424 and be second supply communicating hole 423, ambient air flows into ink sup enclosed by supply partition wall 422 through second supply communicatin a result, additional ink can no longer be supplied (state illustrated in Figure 1

As illustrated in Figure 15(d), a difference of distance tl is provided be that forms the bottom part of ink reservoir chamber 111 in outer circumfer 400b and the lower end of second supply communicating hole 423 Here, communicating hole 423 is above part 400bl that forms the bottom part chamber 111, additional ink cannot be supplied after liquid surface I of the i supply communicating hole 423, so the full use of the ink becomes poor concave part 424 is provided, and it is configured such that second communi positioned lower than part 400bl that forms the bottom part of ink reservoi distance tl As a result, as illustrated in Figure 15(d), in the state in which has been completed, only a slight amount of ink remains in the vicinity of t supply concave part 424 (part below second supply communicating hole 423 of ink that cannot be supplied can be markedly reduced Moreover, supply co formed on the bottommost part of ink reservoir chamber 111 (see Figure 14), reservoir chamber 111 flows into supply concave part 424 and accumulates i part 424 when the amount of ink becomes small Therefore, by establishin part 424, it is possible to facilitate the full use of the ink inside ink reservoir c

Debris E remains inside the ink remaining inside supply concave part 42 the difference of distance t2 is provided between second supply communicat the bottom part side wall of supply concave part 424 (side wall on the low 15(d)) As described above, when liquid surface I of the ink drops belo communicating hole 423, additional ink cannot be supplied, so the ink that i

E is supplied to ink supply part 120 and supplied to multifunction device there is a possibility that ink clogging will occur, making accurate pri However, as described above, because distance t2 is provided betwee communicating hole 423 and the bottom part side wall of supply concave remains inside supply concave part 424, so the occurrence of ink clogging ca

Next, ambient air communicating passage forming part 430 will b reference to Figure 16 Figure 16 is a diagram that shows ambient air comm forming part 430 Figure 16(a) is an oblique view that shows the outlin communicating passage forming part 430, Figure 16(b) is a diagram that s communicating passage forming part 430 from the perspective of arrow XVI and Figure 16(c) is a diagram that shows ambient air communicating pass

430 from the perspective of arrow XVIc in Figure 16(a)

As illustrated in Figure 16(a), ambient air communicating passage for primarily equipped with first ambient air communicating chamber 431 , whic roughly rectangular parallelepiped that communicates with ambient air second ambient air communicating chamber 432, which is formed into a ro parallelepiped that communicates with ink reservoir chamber 111, and ambi passage 433, which communicates with first ambient air communicating second ambient air communicating chamber 432 on the side of first surfac film 160 is welded (left front side of Figure 16, first surface 437a is a surface in virtual plane R) The chambers and passage of first ambient air commu

431 and second ambient air communicating chamber 432 and ambient air co 433 are formed as film 160 is welded on the front side of Figure 16(a)

First ambient air commumcating hole 434, which communicates with a part 130, is formed on the side of second surface 437b that opposes first sur ambient air communicating chamber 431 (second surface 437b is the surface

of ambient air intake part 130 (left back side in Figure 16), and communicat is formed on side wall surface 432a of second ambient air communicating ch side of first ambient air communicating chamber 431 (left back side i described above, one of the side walls of ambient air connection passage 433 lower side in Figure 16(a)) is inner circumference welded part 412a

In ambient air connection passage 433, communicating openings 433a communicate with first ambient air communicating chamber 431 and se communicating chamber 432, respectively, are formed on the side of first these communicating openings 433a and 433b have opemng areas that smaller than the side wall areas of first ambient air communicating chambe ambient air communicating chamber 432 (side wall surfaces 431a and communicating openings 433a and 433b are formed) Because a part havi introduces ambient air with extremely small cross-sectional area (ambie passage 433) is provided (so-called labyrinth), the resistance of the flow p air passes through becomes large As a result, it is possible to reduce the ev ink than necessary through ambient air connection passage 433

As is clear from Figure 14(a), ambient air connection passage 433 slopes direction of second ambient air communicating chamber 432 from communicating chamber 431 Because ambient air connection passage 433 s the device is in the position in which ink cartridge 14 is installed in multifunction device 1, ink that has penetrated into ambient air connection p naturally returned to ink reservoir chamber 111 due to gravity Moreo cross-sectional area of ambient air connection passage 433 is made small, t ink stored inside ink reservoir chamber 111 into ambient air connection pa reduced Here, when ink penetrates into ambient air connection passage 4 formed, and it is sometimes impossible to introduce ambient air normall

forms, the meniscus can be easily broken due to the bending and deformatio so ambient air can be introduced normally A portion of the surface of se communicating hole 435 is also formed by film 160, so the formation second ambient air communicating hole 435 can be substantially prevented Third ambient air communicating hole 436 is formed on the uppermo ambient air communicating chamber 432 in the position in which ink cartri in multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1) (state illustrated in Figure 16(a)) cases in which an amount of ink is stored such that a meniscus is formed o air communicating hole 435 and second ambient air communicating hole ambient air can be reliably introduced into ink reservoir chamber 111 thro air communicating hole 436

Next, the mechanism that prevents the leakage of ink from ambient ai passage forming part 430 will be described with reference to Figures 16( described above, case 200 of ink cartridge 14 is formed into a cubic shape co largest surfaces that oppose one another, so when this is loaded onto a flat be assume one of two loading positions in which one of largest surfaces 210a a lower surface (bottom surface) At this time, ambient air intake part 130 is side surface of case 200, but, as described below, it is difficult for ink to leak communicating passage forming part 430 in either of the positions Figures 16(b) and 16(c) show the positions of ambient air commu forming part 430 corresponding to each of the two loading positions Figure case in which ink cartridge 14 is placed such that ambient air connectio positioned on the lower side (the side of first chamber I lia of frame part 110 and first surface 437a is the lower side), and Figure 16(c) shows the c cartridge 14 is placed such that ambient air connection passage 433 is positi side (the side of second chamber 111b of frame part 110 is the lower side a

connection passage 433 communicates through communicating opening markedly smaller area than the side surface of second ambient air commu 432, so there are cases in which the ink inside ink reservoir chamber 111 do pass through ambient air communicating chamber 433 and penetrate into communicating chamber 431 In the state illustrated in Figure 16(b), liquid s has not reached the position of the opening of first ambient air communic even if ink cartridge 14 is placed such that ambient air connection passage on the lower side, the efflux of ink from ambient air intake part 130 to t prevented As illustrated in Figure 16(c), when ink cartridge 14 is placed such connection passage 433 is positioned on the upper side during the feeding o the ink stored mside ink reservoir chamber 111 flows into second ambient a chamber 432, but liquid surface I of the ink does not reach the ope communicating opening 433b of ambient air connection passage 433 As a r not flow into ambient air connection passage 433 from communicating ope ink does not flow into first ambient air communicating chamber 431 Ther cartridge 14 is placed such that ambient air connection passage 433 is positi side, the efflux of ink from ambient air intake part 130 to the outside can be

As described above, by configuring first ambient air communicating cha ambient air communicating chamber 432, and ambient air connection described above and establishing the opemng position of first ambient air co 434 and the opening position of communicating opening 433b in p symmetrical to ambient air connection passage 433, it is possible to prevent t from ambient air intake part 130 Further, by making the cross-sectional ar connection part 433 small, it is possible to reduce the evaporation of ink a flow of ink into first ambient air communicating chamber 431

opening 112a and the side of second opening 112b are in roughly the sam (divider plate that divides first chamber Ilia and second chamber 111b chamber 111 in the state in which they communicate with one another)

Link forming part 440 consists of ambient air side linking part 441, whi the side of ambient air intake part 130 (left side in Figure 14(a) or right sid using inner circumference welded parts 415a and 415b as boundaries, an linking part 442, which is provided on the side of ink dispensing part 150 (ri 14(a) or left side in Figure 14(b)) On ambient air side linking part 441, in welded parts 413a, 413b, 414a, and 414b are respectively provided on the second openings 112a and 112b (front side and back side when viewed perpendicular to the page in Figure 14(a) and the front side and the back sid the direction perpendicular to the page in Figure 14(b), here, the direction pe page is parallel to the Z-direction) from this ambient air side linking part upper end of the height direction (Y-direction) of ambient air side l communicates with inner circumference welded part 412a of ambient ai passage forming part 430 Moreover, on dispensing side connecting circumference welded parts 416a, 416b, 417a, and 417b are respectively pro of first and second openings 112a and 112b (front side and back side wh direction perpendicular to the page in Figure 14(a) and the front side and th viewed in the direction perpendicular to the page in Figure 14(b), he perpendicular to the page is parallel to the Z-direction) from this dispensing 442

First linking communicating hole 443, which communicates between fi and second chamber 111b, is formed on ambient air side linking part 441, an fourth linking communicating holes 444-446, which connect first chamber chamber 111b, are formed on dispensing side linking part 442

forming linking communicating holes 443-446 such they are spread across 440, it is possible to make the amounts of ink in first chamber Ilia and seco equivalent and to supply ink smoothly (or accurately)

The part enclosed by ambient air side linking part 441, dispensing side and ambient air communicating passage forming part 430 is first reservoir opening 113, which communicates between first chamber I l ia and second c the part enclosed by ambient air side linking part 441, dispensing side link supply path forming part 420 is second reservoir internal opemng 114, whi between first chamber Il ia and second chamber 111b In other words, the p ambient air into ink reservoir chamber 111 and the part that supplies ink reservoir chamber 111 to the outside communicate in the absence of link for without the division of first chamber I lia and second chamber 111b introduction of ambient air and the supply of ink can be performed in a stabl

Linking rib 418a, which connects multiple inner circumference welded provided on the side of first opening 112a from link forming part 440, and which connects inner circumference welded part 412b to 417b provided on t opening 112b from link forming part 440, are formed on link forming part 4 ribs 418a and 418b are not illustrated in the figure, but they are formed shapes with vertical walls that are lower than inner circumference welded par inner circumference welded parts 412b to 417b Further, most of these linki 418b are formed on the edge of link forming part 440 As a result, linking ri connect inner circumference welded parts 412a to 417a and 412b to 41 formed on the edge of link forming part 440, so they can maintain the strengt part 440 Moreover, linking ribs 418a and 418b are formed into thin- walled are formed with vertical walls that are lower than inner circumference welde and 412b-417b, so it becomes difficult to inhibit the flow of ink

flows downward in the direction of ink supply part 120 and ambient air intak

As illustrated in the figure, dispensing passage forming part 450 is p with dispensing cylinder part 451, which is formed into a roughly cylin which ink dispensing plug 520 (see Figure 21), which will be described belo dispensing communicating hole 452, which communicates between this di part 451 and the inside of ink reservoir chamber 111, roughly U-shaped di wall 453, which is provided from the outer surface of dispensing cylinder the provided edge forms the forms the welded surface part on which film 1 partitions first dispensing communicating hole 452 with respect to ink reser and second dispensing communicating hole 454, which forms the opening partition wall 453 The opened part of dispensing cylinder part 451 is openi formed on the outside end surface of frame part 110, and the surface that opp 451a is bottom part 451b of dispensing cylinder part 451 The regio dispensing partition wall 453 and film 160 is dispensing partition wall flow p Dispensing partition wall 453 forms the inner circumference welded p

160 is welded, and dispensing partition wall flow path 453a and se communicating hole 454 are formed in the state in which film 160 is wel welded end part of the other inner circumference welded parts 411b to 417 part of dispensing partition wall 453 is positioned on the same virtual plane part of outer circumference welded part 400b

A detailed description will be given below, but when ink is dispensed i chamber 111, ink is dispensed in a state in which second dispensing commu is positioned on top and first dispensing communicating hole 452 is posit (position in which the Y-direction is the horizontal direction in Figure 17(a sequentially passes through dispensing cylinder part 451 , first dispensing co 452, dispensing partition wall flow path 453a and second dispensing commu

cartridge 14 is placed If film 160 is damaged, the ink leaks, and if film volume mside ink reservoir chamber 111 changes, making it impossible to Therefore, in order to prevent the damage and deformation of film 160, ink i the degree that the inside of ink reservoir chamber 111 becomes full In this embodiment, the air pressure inside ink reservoir chamber dispensed is lower than the ambient pressure Therefore, a subsequent deco in which the pressure is reduced by aspirating the ambient air inside ink r 111 from dispensing passage forming part 450 is sometimes performed Th order to reduce the amount of ambient air inside ink reservoir chamber 11 degree of deaeration of the ink and to reduce the generation of air bubbles i deaeration of the ink is for the purpose of maintaining the viscosity of the constant level, and this is because, regarding the generation of air bubbl when air bubbles are supplied to multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1), the to discharge the ink is not transmitted to the discharge opening (not illustra so the ink cannot be correctly discharged

In the case in which a subsequent decompression process is performed, air inside ink reservoir chamber 111 is aspirated from dispensing passage the resulting amount of ink is not correct, regardless of whether or not an ap of ink was dispensed If the amount of ink is reduced, this causes losses t cartridge 14, which is not preferable Therefore, when first dispensing co 452 is enclosed by roughly U-shaped dispensing partition wall 453 and s communicating hole 454 is placed above (upper side in Figure 17(a)) liqui ink (or first dispensing communicating hole 452), there is an amount of liquid surface I of the ink and second dispensing communicating hole 454, of ink reservoir chamber 111 is decompressed, so it is possible to substan escape of the ink inside ink reservoir chamber 111 to the outside through di

XVIIIc-XVIIIc in Figure 18(a)

As illustrated in Figure 18(a), detection part 140 projects outward fro (right side in Figure 18(a)) Detection part 140 is equipped with enclosure encloses the end of sensor arm 470 (see Figure 19) (shielding arm part 473c it with a pair of wall surfaces and forms a passage through which sensor displaced Enclosure part 141 is formed into a roughly box-shaped pass surface, which is formed by bottom wall 141a inside enclosure part 141 (lo 18(a)), a pair of side surfaces, which are formed by both side walls 141b tha both sides from bottom wall 141a, an inner side surface, which is formed b 141c that is provided from bottom wall 141a and connects to both side ceiling surface, which is formed by ceiling wall 141d that connects to the t side walls 141b and the top edge of inner side wall 141c and is positioned wall 141a Detection part 140 is also equipped with arm supporting pa provided such that it projects upward from the bottom surface formed by and supports sensor arm 470 from below, and vertical wall 143, which is p inside wall of frame part 110 (outer circumference welded part 400b) such t arm supporting part 142 and extends in the direction of supply path for provided in the vicinity of detection part 140 As is clear from Figure 18(b part 142 is formed in the center of the width direction of the passage inside d and it is arranged such that the end of sensor arm 470 (shielding arm p positioned in the center of the passage inside detection part 140 The details below, but sensor arm 470 rotates according to the amount of ink inside ink r 111, and it is a member that is used to detect that ink cartridge 14 has accommodating chamber 50 of refill unit 13 of multifunction device 1 (see the amount of remaining ink has become low by detecting the position of s 473c with remaimng ink detection sensor 57 (see Figure 5) provided on mul

light receiving part 57b and detect the presence or absence of remaining ink the positions of light emitting part 57a and light receiving part 57b of remai sensor 57 when ink cartridge 14 is housed inside accommodating multifunction device 1 are illustrated, but, as illustrated in the figure, light and light receiving part 57b are positioned in the vicinity of detection part 14

As illustrated in Figure 18(b), the thickness of arm supporting part 142 is second gap t4 between the inside walls of enclosure part 141 (pair of wal surfaces of both side walls 141b) and the outside wall of arm supporting pa than first gap t3 between the inside walls of enclosure 141 (pair of wal surfaces of both side walls 141b) and the outside of sensor arm 470 He inside detection part 140 is reduced, and when liquid surface I of the ink d this reduction of ink and liquid surface I of the ink falls below detection inside detection part 140 is depleted, but because first gap t3 between se enclosure 141 is minute, ink remains inside detection part 140 due to the s the ink, and sensor arm 470 sometimes does not rotate normally due to this the ink Incidentally, the reason that first gap t3 is provided with minute spa this spacing is made wide, the spacing between light emitting part 57a and li 57b also widens, and the detection sensitivity of remaining ink detectio deteriorates Therefore, by forming arm supporting part 142 such that first gap t4, it is ensured that the ink surface tension that is generated between ar 142 and enclosure part 141 is greater than the ink surface tension that is g sensor arm 470 and enclosure part 141 As a result, the ink that remains insi 141 is drawn between arm supporting part 142 and enclosure part 141, so substantially prevent ink from remaining between sensor arm 470 and enclo to suppress the inhibition of the behavior of sensor arm 470 Sensor ar behaves normally, so the amount of remaining ink can be accurately detected

bottom wall 141a of enclosure 141 and arm supporting part 142 is formed cross-sectional perspective (roughly a right angle), so the capillary force of of enclosure part 141 and arm supporting part 142 becomes strong, and this is conducive to guiding ink to the side of ink reservoir chamber 111 (or su part 420) In other words, the junction part of enclosure part 141 and arm su forms a fluid guiding path (guide) for guiding the ink As a result, it is poss make the ink remaining inside enclosure part 141 flow downward

As illustrated in Figure 18(a), vertical wall 143 that connects to arm sup formed on sloping surface 143 a, which slopes downward in the directio forming part 420 from arm supporting part 141 Sloping surface 143a consti the mside wall of frame part 110 (outer circumference welded part 4 illustrated in the cross-sectional view in Figure 18(c), the junction part of and the inside wall of frame part 110 is formed angularly from a cross-sec (roughly a right angle), and it is formed such that its thickness is roughly eq arm supporting part 141 Therefore, vertical wall 143 slopes downward i supply path forming part 420, and the junction part with the inside wall of formed into a roughly right angle, so ink can be efficiently guided in the di path forming part 420 by this slope and the capillary force In other words, t vertical wall 143 and the inside wall of frame part 110 forms a fluid guidin guiding the ink Because the thicknesses of arm supporting part 142 and ver formed such that they are roughly equivalent, vertical wall 143 is formed in arm supporting part 142 As a result, there is no resistance against the guidin path forming part 420, and ink can therefore by efficiently guided

In the case in which sensor arm 470 is rotated upward, sensor arm 470 m the ceiling surface formed by ceiling wall 141b, which opposes bottom wall part 140, and the rotation of sensor arm 470 is thus restricted It is ther

inside ink reservoir chamber 111 Sensor arm 470 is manufactured by injecti a resin material (polypropylene, for example), and it has light-blocking pro is formed to be opaque

Sensor arm 470 is a rotating member that rotates according to the amo ink inside ink reservoir chamber 111, and a portion is detected by remain sensor 57 (see Figure 5), which detects the amount of remaining ink reservoir chamber 111 Sensor arm 470 is primarily equipped with balance formed from a material with a lower specific gravity than that of the ink, att which is attached to frame part 110 such that it can oscillate, and arm part 4 from this attachment part 472 in a direction that is roughly orthogonal to (upward in Figure 19(a)), further extends sloping upward, and blocks the detection of remaimng ink detection sensor 57 Attachment part 472 is a connects balance part 471 and arm part 473

Roughly cylindrical attachment shaft 472a, which is attached to arm sand (see Figure 14) of frame part 110, is formed on attachment part 472 This 472a is formed with a diameter that is smaller than the inside diameter of part 425 and is larger than the length of the opening of arm sandwiching part when sensor arm 470 is rotated, it can be operated with little resistance, an sensor arm 470 from arm sandwiching part 425 can be prevented Arm part 473 consists of vertical arm part 473 a, which extends in a roughly perpendicular to balance part 471 (upward in Figure 19(a)), slopin which slopes upward from this vertical arm part 473a, and shielding arm pa used as a light-blocking part that blocks the range of possible detection detection sensor 57 As illustrated in Figure 19(b), arm part 473 is formed such that it is sub than balance part 471 and attachment part 472 This is because, when arm p

properties becomes necessary Therefore, arm part 473 is formed with a thin prevent increases in the scale of ink cartridge 14 and to detect the ac remaining ink Ribs 473d are formed on vertical arm part 473a and sloping a the strength is maintained by these πbs Roughly semispheπcal arm protruding parts 473 el and 473 e2 are for arm part 473c in two locations on the top and bottom of the part housed ins 140 (upper side end and lower side end in Figure 19(a)), and these arm protr and 473 e2 reduce the likelihood of shielding arm part 473c adhering to t detection part 140 due to the surface tension of the ink and becoming unable words, because arm protruding parts 473 el and 473 e2 are formed into sem the only part that makes contact with the inside wall of detection part 140 protruding parts 473 el and 473 e2, so the effects of the surface tension of the

Balance part 471 is made of a resin material with a specific gravity that of the ink, so when liquid surface I of the ink drops in step with decreases remaining ink, balance part 471 moves in the direction of the bottom part (direction of the bottom part of ink reservoir chamber 111, downward in 14(b)) in step with this drop in the liquid surface I of the ink When balance the direction of the bottom part, and arm part 473 moves in the direction of attachment part 472 as a rotational axis, shielding arm part 473 c deviates f possible detection of remaining ink detection sensor 57 and thereby the stat depleted can be detected

With a conventional balance part, the inside of the balance part was hol make the balance part float on liquid surface I of the ink, but with this c working (or molding) of the balance part becomes difficult In contras embodiment, the materials of sensor arm 470 consist of materials with spec are less than that of the ink, so a working process is not required, and it is

through line XXc-XXc in Figure 20(a)

As illustrated in Figures 20(a) and 20(b), ink supply part 120, ambient ai and detection part 140 are provided on one of the side surfaces of frame surface, the side surface in the front direction of installation when in installed) As described above, the position illustrated in Figures 20(a) position in which ink cartridge 14 is installed inside accommodating chamb 13 (see Figure 1) Therefore, in the state in which ink cartridge 14 is installe 13, ambient air intake part 130, detection part 140, and ink supply part 12 aligned from top (top of Figure 20(a)) to bottom (bottom of Figure 20(a)) I elements are aligned in the height direction (Y-direction) of ink cartridge 14

As illustrated in Figure 20(a), width t5 of detection part 140 is form shorter than diameter t6 of the opemng of ink supply part 120 (opening 60 600 described below (see Figure 34)) Further, as illustrated in Figure 20( 140 is formed such that it is concave in the direction of frame part 11 withdrawn to the side of ink reservoir chamber 111) with respect to ink su ambient air intake part 130

As described above, arm part 473 of sensor arm 470 is positioned detection part 140 As will be described below, the light path of remaim sensor 57 (see Figure 5) is opened from the light-blocking state due to the ro 473, and the amount of remaining ink can be detected as a result On remai sensor 57, light receiving part 57b and light emitting part 57a are positioned detection part 140 (both left and right sides in Figure 20(a)), so both side sur part 140 (surfaces on the left and right sides in Figure 20(a), front and bac Figure 20(b)) form detection surfaces 140a and 140b As is clear from Fi detection surfaces 140a and 140b are parallel to the height direction (Y- cartridge 14 when in the position in which ink cartridge 14 is installed in r

120 at this time and adheres to detection pat 140 Moreover, when ink temporarily removed from refill unit 13, ink that adheres to needle 49 of mu 1 is likely to adhere to the vicinity of the opening of ink supply part 1 removed, the ink that adheres to the vicinity of the opening of ink supply pa adheres to detection part 140 depending on the position in which the cartridge 14 When ink cartridge 14 is once again installed in refill unit which ink has adhered to detection part 140, because ink detection pa surfaces 140a and 140b) and light receiving part 57b and light emitting part ink detection sensor 57 are in close proximity in the installed state, as descr is a risk that the ink that has adhered to detection part 140 will transfer to li 57b and light emitting part 57a of remaining ink detection sensor 57 In t adheres to remaimng ink detection sensor 57 blocks light and therefore sensitivity of remaining ink detection sensor 57 This deterioration of sensiti prominent in black cartridges that use pigmented ink In this embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 20(b), detection part 140 position withdrawn to the side of ink reservoir chamber 111 with respect t 120, so it is possible to make it difficult for ink to adhere to detection part drips from ink supply part 120 In other words, when the user maintains ink position in which ink supply part 120 is higher than detection part 140 and t ink supply part 120 (end surface on which opening 600a of supply cap vertical, ink that has adhered to the vicinity of the opening of ink supply susceptible to the effects of gravity and likely to drop, but because dete withdrawn to the side of ink reservoir chamber 111 with respect to ink sup ink that drops does not head towards detection part 140, so it does not adher 140

Because detection surfaces 140a and 140b are vertical when in the posi

Further, as illustrated in Figure 20(c), side walls that form detection wal from the side surface of frame part 110 are formed on detection part 140 Th 140c where the side surface of frame part 110 and detection surfaces 140a a is formed at a roughly perpendicular angle When ink adheres to the vicinity capillary force of edge 140c acts upon the ink because edge 140c is for perpendicular angle, and the ink is likely to flow to the side of ink supply edge 140c It is therefore possible to reduce the adherence of ink to detecti and 140b

Next, the configuration of the parts of ink reservoir element 100 will reference to Figure 21 Figure 21 is an exploded front view of ink reservoir el

As illustrated in Figure 21, ink reservoir element 100 is primarily broke elements The four parts are frame part 110, ink supply mechanism 500, whi supply part 120, ambient air intake mechanism 510, which constitutes ambi 130, and ink dispensing plug 520, which is pressed into dispensing cylinde dispensing part 150 (see Figure 17) Ink dispensing plug 520 is made of a such as Pulci rubber, and once it is pressed into dispensing cylinder part easily removed, and even if the needle is removed or inserted, it is configu route of the needle is blocked

Ink supply element 116, which is formed in a roughly cylindrical sh portion of ink supply mechanism 500 is inserted, and ambient air intake elem formed in a roughly cylindrical shape in which a portion of ambient air intak is inserted, are formed as a unit on frame part 110 Further, protruding part (protruding part 116b is not illustrated in the figure), which protrude in th outer circumference of ink supply element 116 in order to fasten ink supply are symmetrically arranged on ink supply element 116 centered on the ax supply element 115 (arranged on the front and back sides in directions per

on the side of ink reservoir chamber 111 protrudes in a direction that is pe outer circumferential surface of ink supply element 116 or the outer circumf ambient air intake element 117 (Z-direction), and they slope from this pro towards the outer circumferential surface of ink supply element 1 circumference part of ambient air intake element 117 In other words, mechanism 500 and ambient air intake mechanism 510 are attached to ink s and ambient air intake element 117, the easy desorption of ink supply me ambient air intake mechanism 510 can be prevented

Next, the components of ink supply mechanism 500 and ambient air i 510 will be described with reference to Figures 22 through 33 Figure 22 is of ink supply mechanism 500 and ambient air intake mechanism 510 F exploded view of ink supply mechanism 500, and Figure 22(b) is an e ambient air intake mechanism 510

As illustrated in Figure 22(a), ink supply mechanism 500 is equipped wit which is installed on ink supply element 116, supply joint 610, which is resin material such as rubber into which needle 49 (see Figure 2) of multi (see Figure 1) is inserted, supply valve 620, which blocks the flow path supply joint 610 and the bottom wall make contact, first supply spring 630, inside this supply valve 620 and is made of a resinous elastic material, s which covers the open surface of supply valve 620 and can be operated in a which is the movement direction of supply valve 620 that is pressed into ne of arrow Ol in Figure 22(a), hereafter called the "axial direction Ol of ink s 500", regarding this direction, as is clear from Figure 14, ink supply mecha parallel to the X-direction when ink cartridge 14 is loaded), second supply s is housed inside this supply slider 640 and is formed with the same material shape as those of first supply spring 630, valve seat 660, which makes

is made of an elastic resin material such as rubber, ambient air valve 720, flow path of ink when this ambient air joint 710 and the bottom wall make c contact with back side 56 of multifunction device 1 (see Figure 5) and op (passage) of ambient air when ink cartridge 14 is installed in multifunctio unit 13, see Figure 1), first ambient air spring 730, which is housed insid valve 720 and is made of a resinous elastic material, ambient air slider 740, open surface of ambient air valve 720 and can be operated in a uniaxial direc movement direction of ambient air valve 720 that is pressed (direction of ar 22(b), hereafter called the "axial direction 02 of ambient air supply mech clear from Figure 14, ambient air supply 510 becomes parallel to the X-di cartridge 14 is loaded), and second ambient air spring 750, which is h ambient air slider 740 and is formed with the same matenal and into the sa of first ambient air spring 730 Ambient air valve 720, first ambient air spr air slider 740, and second ambient air spring 750 constitute ambient air valv that actually operates

Below, supply cap 600, supply joint 610, supply valve 620, first an springs 630 and 650, supply slider 640, valve seat 660, check valve 670, co air cap 700, ambient air joint 710, ambient air valve 720, first and second a 730 and 750, and ambient air slider 740 will be described with referen through 33

Figure 23 is a diagram that shows supply cap 600 Figure 23 (a) is a diag side view of supply cap 600, Figure 23 (b) is a diagram that shows a side vi 600 from the perspective of arrow XXIIIb in Figure 23 (a), Figure 23 (c) i shows a plan view of supply cap 600, Figure 23 (d) is a diagram that shows supply cap 600, and Figure 23 (e) is a cross-sectional view of supply cap XXIIIe-XXIIIe in Figure 23(c)

Engagement holes 603a and 603b (see Figure 23 (b) for engagement hole formed from the linking part of ink storage part 602 to the part in the v

(vicinity of the upper side end in Figure 23 (a)) and engage with protrudi

116b (see Figure 21) of ink supply element 116 when supply cap 600 is sec element 116 (see Figure 21), are formed on supply securing part 601

As illustrated in Figure 23 (b), a pair of supply cap cutout parts 604a and 23 (c) for supply cap cutout part 604b), which are formed in a straight li orthogonal to the straight line that connects engagement holes 603a an moved approximately 90° with respect to axial center Ol of ink supply me are cut out facing the direction of ink storage part 602 from the top surface part 601 (upper end surface in Figure 23 (b)), are formed on supply securing

As illustrated in the front view in Figure 23 (c) and in the bottom vie insertion hole 605, into which needle 49 (see Figure 2) is inserted (des formed in roughly the center position of ink storage part 602 of supply cap in Figure 23(c), the region from the circle that forms insertion hole 605 to t outward is first upper wall 606a, which forms the upper end surface of ink and the region from the circle of the outer side that forms first upper wall one step outward is sloping wall 606b, which forms a sloping surface that sl the direction of the bottom surface of ink storage part 602 The region fro outer side that forms this sloping wall 606b to the circle one step outward is which forms the lower end surface of ink storage part 602, and the region the outer side that forms lower wall 606c to the circle one step outward is s 606d, which forms the lower end surface of supply securing part 601 and fo surface of ink storage part 602 The part that connects lower wall 606c and s 606d is outer circumferential wall 606e, which forms the outer circumferen storage part 602 Sloping wall 606b forms the cylindrical part inside ink stor

opening 600a, which forms the final exit of the ink As a result, the inn surface on the side of axial center Ol of sloping wall 606b becomes the i which needle 49 (see Figure 2) is inserted The space of range t7 illustrate and 23 (c) (in other words, the space formed by sloping wall 606b, lower wa circumferential wall 606e) forms ink storing part 607, in which in (accumulated)

When supply cap 600 is attached to ink supply element 116 (see Figur parts 116a and 116b of ink supply element 116 protrude in the outer circumf so supply cap 600 is attached as it increases in diameter in the outer circumf Because supply cap cutout parts 604a and 604b are formed, the diameter o increases in the direction in which engagement parts 603a and 603b mov another Therefore, when supply cap 600 is to be attached, it can be attached strong pressure, so it is possible to improve the installation efficiency while to supply cap 600 Figure 24 is a diagram that shows supply joint 610 Figure 24(a) is a dia side view of supply joint 610, Figure 24(b) is a diagram that shows a plan vi

610, Figure 24(c) is a diagram that shows a bottom view of supply joint 610, is a cross-sectional view of supply joint 610 through line XXIVd-XXIVd in

As illustrated in Figure 24(a), supply joint 610 is formed in three steps perspective (perspective of the direction perpendicular to the page in Figur illustrated in the bottommost step (lower side in Figure 24(a)) is joint outer c

611, which is the part that makes contact with second upper wall 606d of in of supply cap 600 (see Figure 23) and the inner circumferential surface o part 601 and forms the outer circumference part of supply joint 610 circumference part 611 is the part that is sandwiched between second up supply cap 600 and the outside end surface of ink supply element 116 wh

(see Figure 25) Supply joint 610 is made of an elastic material such as a resi

As illustrated in Figure 24(b), the axial center of supply joint 610 is p center Ol of ink supply mechanism 500, and joint contact part 613, joint in part 612, and joint outer circumference part are sequentially formed t circumferential direction from this axial center Ol

As illustrated in Figure 24(d), joint contact part 613 projects from to joint inner circumference part 612 (surface on the side that makes contact 620) Joint contact part 613 is formed such that it narrows toward tip 613a ( Figure 24(d)), and this tip 613a makes contact with the bottom surface of and blocks the flow path of the ink Further, joint protruding part 614, whi the inner circumferential surface toward axial center 01, opemng 612c, insertion opening of needle 49 (see Figure 2) formed on bottom surface 6 circumference part 612 (lower side in Figure 24(d)), and stepped inserti which is formed between opening 612c and joint protruding part 614, are inner circumference part 612 As illustrated in Figure 24(c), the portion of 612d that is formed m a stepped shape is formed with roughly equivalent s center Ol in the outer circumferential direction Inner circumferential surf protruding part 614 is provided parallel to the direction of axial center mechanism 500, and stepped surface 614b is provided in a direction that is direction of axial center 01

As illustrated in Figure 24(d), ink flow path 615, which passes thro surface 612b of joint inner circumference part 612 to tip 613a of joint conta the upper side to the lower side in Figure 24(d)), is formed on supply joint 6 path 615 consists of opening 612c, which is formed on bottom surface 61 path 615a, which is demarcated by stepped insertion passage 612d connecte protruding part flow path 615b, which is demarcated by inner circumferenti

towards protruding part flow path 615b Moreover, step part flow path 61 stepped shape such that the diameter gradually decreases from opening contact surface with inner circumferential surface 614a of joint protrudi lower part of step part flow path 615a is formed in a stepped shape, so eve Figure 2) is removed and a minute quantity of ink flows through ink flow p held by the capillary force due to the angular part of this step part, so it is p ink from dripping to the outside of supply joint 610 When needle 49 is rem of ink can be likewise prevented, even if ink drips into ink flow path 61 needle 49 In this embodiment, supply cap 600 is equipped with ink storag portion of the lower half of step part flow path 615a that is formed in a st alternatively be formed in a tapered shape

Protruding part flow path 615b is the flow path with the smallest diamete 615, and it is formed into a roughly hollow cylindrical shape The inside protruding part flow path 615b is formed such that it is slightly smaller tha needle 49 (see Figure 2) Contact part flow path 615c is formed into cylindrical shape having an inside diameter that is larger than that of protrud 615b, and this inside diameter is sufficiently larger than the diameter of ne stepped surface 614b is formed on the border of protruding part flow path part flow path 615c, the inside diameter in the direction of axial center Ol part flow path 615b to contact part flow path 615c drastically changes illustrated in Figure 24(d), joint contact part 613 assumes a structure that countersunk shape by its inner circumferential surface 613b and stepped sur 613a of joint contact part 613 is positioned in the periphery of this cutout par

Needle 49, which is inserted from opening 612c, is guided to the upper p flow path 615a that is formed in a tapered shape and is inserted into protrudi 615b At this time, because the inside diameter of protruding part flow pat

multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1) becomes large, and smooth installati impossible However, in this embodiment, a configuration that establishes part 614 and makes contact with needle 49 only on the inner circumferential used, so it is possible to reduce the surface of contact with needle 49 and t the cartridge in multifunction device 1 Moreover, needle 49 is inserted into i so the flow path through which ink actually flows becomes the inside of n because contact part flow path 615c is formed into a countersunk shape, th supply joint 610 in the direction of axial center Ol when needle 49 is inserte Figure 25 is a diagram that shows supply valve 620 Figure 25(a) is a di a side view of supply valve 620, Figure 25(b) is a diagram that shows a sid valve 620 from the perspective of arrow XXVb in Figure 25(a), Figure 25(c) shows a plan view of supply valve 620, Figure 25(d) is a diagram that shows supply valve 620, and Figure 25(e) is a cross-sectional view of supply valve XXVe-XXVe in Figure 25(c) As illustrated in Figure 25(a), supply valve 620 is equipped with valve which forms the bottom surface of supply valve 620 (lower side surface in F valve outer circumferential wall 622, which is provided along the direction o of ink supply mechanism 500 (see Figure 22) from this valve bottom wall 62

A pair of valve guide grooves 623, into which slider loose insertion p slider 640 (see Figure 27) is loosely inserted, is formed on valve outer cir 622 As illustrated in Figure 25(c), the pair of valve guide grooves 623 formed with respect to axial center Ol of ink supply mechanism 500 Moreo in Figure 25 (c), valve projecting wall 624, which projects in the opposite bottom wall 621 from the top of valve outer circumferential wall 622 in the center 01, is formed on valve outer circumferential wall 622, and valve guid formed across the vicinity of the bottom of valve outer circumferential wall

valve hook part 626, which projects towards axial center Ol from its tip (tip portion in Figure 25(a)) and engages with supply slider 640

Further, four valve protruding parts 622a, which protrude in semicirc outer circumferential direction and are formed from the top to the botto circumferential wall 622, are formed on valve outer circumferential wal spacing along valve outer circumferential wall 622 These valve protrudi provided in order to smoothly perform the operations of supply valve 620 620 is inserted into ink supply element 116 (see Figure 21) When th protruding parts 622a, the inner circumferential surface of ink supply elem outer circumferential surface 622 sometimes make contact, so the contact supply element 116 becomes large, and the resistance at the time of operat large Therefore, because valve protruding parts 622a formed in semici provided, only valve protruding parts 622a make contact with the inne surface of ink supply element 116, and the operations of supply valve 620 element 116 become smooth

Valve constraining parts 625 and valve projecting wall are formed such upward from valve outer circumferential wall 622 As a result, the misali slider 640 in the direction orthogonal to the direction of axial center Ol Further, the operation of supply slider 640 in the direction of axial center valve constraining part 625, so first supply spring 630 can be reliably hou

As illustrated in Figure 25(c), four ink flow paths 627, which communic direction of valve bottom wall 621 (direction perpendicular to the page in formed on valve bottom wall 621 in positions corresponding to valve guid constraining part 625 in the direction of axial center Ol of ink supply (direction perpendicular to the page in Figure 25(c)) Valve bottom wall 621 from its bottom surface and is equipped with valve bearing part 628, which

space inside valve outer circumferential wall 622 This is because, if first s makes contact with valve bottom wall 621, the ink flow path is blocked a flows Therefore, valve bearing part 628 is provided in order to secure the i the part is acceptable as long as first supply spring 630 does not make c bottom wall 621, so it is formed to the minimum required height, and this p in the scale of the size in the direction of axial center Ol of ink supply mech

Valve inner circumferential wall 629, which is formed in a roughly circul the outer circumferential surface of spring top part 632 of first supply spring on the outside of valve bearing part 628 and on the inside of ink flow pat inner circumferential wall 629 is provided in order to restπct the moveme spring 630 in a direction that is orthogonal to axial center 01, and first sup accurately bent in the direction of axial center Ol by restricting the moveme spring 630 in a direction that is orthogonal to axial center Ol

Figure 26 is a diagram that shows first supply spnng 630 Figure 26(a) shows a side view of first supply spring 630, Figure 26(b) is a diagram that s of first supply spring 630, Figure 26(c) is a diagram that shows a bottom vi spring 630, and Figure 26(d) is a cross-sectional view of first supply spring XXVId-XXVId in Figure 26(b)

First supply spring 630 is formed in a roughly reversed bowl shape (or cone), and it is primarily equipped with ring-shaped spring bottom part 631, bottom surface of first supply spring 630 (end of the side with the ring-shaped spring top part 632, which is formed with a diameter that is diameter of this spring bottom part 631 and forms the top part of the uppe supply spring 630 (end of the side with the smaller diameter), and spring which is connected between this spring top part 632 and spring bottom pa and deforms when a load is applied in the direction of axial center O

spring plastic part 633 is elastically deformed

As illustrated in Figure 26(d), ink flow path 634, which communicate spring top part 632 (right end surface in Figure 26(d)) to the bottom surface part 631 (left end surface in Figure 26(d)), is formed on first supply spring 6 path 634 consists of top part flow path 634a, which is demarcated by the inn surface of spring top part 632, plastic part flow path 634b, which is demarc circumferential surface of spring plastic part 633, and bottom part flow pa demarcated by the inner circumferential surface of spring bottom part 631 Figure 26(d), the area of the opening of this ink flow path 634 gradually incr of spring top part 632 towards the bottom surface of spring bottom part 6 illustrated in Figures 26(b) and 26(c), top part flow path 634a of spring top p in a circular shape from the perspective of the direction perpendicular to spπng plastic part 633 is curved and formed into a roughly reversed bowl sh on the side moving away from axial center 01, spring plastic part 633 ca deformed than in the case in which spring plastic part 633 is a roughly conic

The cross-sectional shape of top part flow path 634a of spring top part formed into a roughly quadrilateral shape When the opening of top flow pat into a roughly quadrilateral shape, the effects of air bubbles contained i reduced Here, the air bubbles contained in the ink are spherical, so when blocked by air bubbles that grow larger than the inside diameter of top par the ink flow path (passage) is eliminated, and it is not possible to send ink device 1 (see Figure 1) normally As a result, the quality of pπnting by multi decreases However, when the opening of top part flow path 634a i quadrilateral shape, the four corners are not blocked even if air bubbles that the opening surface of top part flow path 634a accumulate, so it is p decreases in printing quality by preventing the ink flow path from being blo

cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction of axial center Ol (b first supply spring 630) is uniform Similarly, spring bottom part 631 is a relatively thick cylindrical shape that extends in the direction of axial ce formed such that the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the direction of uniform

As illustrated in Figure 26(d), spring plastic part 633 is formed into a bowl shape (or roughly conical shape) that curves (or slopes) at a prescr direction of axial center Ol As a result, the strength with respect to loading axial center Ol become weak in comparison to spring bottom part 631 and s Furthermore, spring plastic part 633 is formed such that it has a thinner p bottom part 631 and spring top part 632, so this also reduces the strength first supply spring 630 elastically deforms, spring plastic 633 plastically defo

Second supply spring 650 is formed with the same shape as that of first s and the composition of second supply spnng 650 consists of spring botto top part 652, spring plastic part 653, and ink flow path 654 (top part flow part flow path 654b, and bottom part flow path 654c) Further, first ambient second supply spring 750 are also formed with the same shape as that of 630, and they respectively consist of spring bottom parts 731 and 751, sp and 752, spring plastic parts 733 and 753, ink flow paths 734 and 754 (to 734a and 754a, plastic part flow paths 734b and 754b, and bottom part flo 754c)

Figure 27 is a diagram that shows supply slider 640 Figure 27(a) is a di a side view of supply slider 640, Figure 27(b) is a diagram that shows a si slider 640 from the perspective of arrow XXVIIb in Figure 27(a), Figure 2 that shows a plan view of supply slider 640, Figure 27(d) is a diagram tha view of supply slider 640, and Figure 27(e) is a cross-sectional view of

mechanism 500, a pair of slider loose insertion parts 643, which extend circumferential wall 641 to the upper tip of slider projecting wall 642a ( Figure 27(a)) and are loosely inserted into valve guide grooves 623 of supp Figure 25), slider platform part 644, either side on which first and second s and 650 are arranged, which is formed on the inside of slider outer circum and makes contact with spring bottom parts 631 and 651 of first and secon 650, and slider through-hole 645, which is formed in the center position part 644 and connects the top and bottom of slider platform part 644 As is 27(c), slider projecting walls 642a and 642b are positioned [symmetricall sandwich axial center 01, and the pair of slider loose insertion parts 643 [symmetrically] such that they sandwich axial center Ol

The inside diameter of slider outer circumferential wall 641 is form roughly equivalent to the outside diameter spring lower parts 631 and 651 o supply springs 630 and 650, and slider projecting walls 642a and 642b are they project from this slider outer circumferential wall 641 in the direction o so when first and second supply springs 630 and 650 are arranged, the mov second springs 630 and 650 in the direction orthogonal to axial center Ol result, first and second springs 630 and 650 are elastically deformed in the center Ol Slider loose insertion parts 643 are formed such that they extend in the center Ol of supply slider 640 (formed across slider outer circumferential w protruding part 642), so when they are loosely inserted into valve guide Figure 25), they are moved smoothly in the direction of axial center Ol of and misalignment in the direction orthogonal to the direction of axial c prevented

Figure 28 is a diagram that shows valve seat 660 Figure 28(a) is a diag

top surface of this valve seat bottom part 661 (upper side in Figure 28(a)) bearing part 662 is equipped with valve seat sloping surface 662a, which sl it approaches the center of valve seat 660, and check valve 670, which below, is received by this valve seat sloping surface 662a As illustrated in Figure 28(b), six valve seat bearing parts 662 are forme spacing in the circumferential direction of valve seat 660 First valve seat th which pass through the front and back of valve seat 660, are formed on thre seat bearing parts These first valve seat through-holes 662b are formed o than valve seat sloping surface 662a of valve seat bearing part 662 (hori valve seat bearing part 662) Therefore, because first valve seat throug formed on a portion that differs from the portion that receives check valve of the ink flow path can be prevented

Moreover, second valve seat through-holes 663, which pass through part 661, are formed between valve seat bearing parts 662 of valve seat second valve seat through-holes 663 are formed with left-right symmetry b line (center line Q illustrated in Figure 28) that passes through axial center mechanism 500 (see Figure 22) in Figure 28(b) This second valve seat t form an ink flow path through which ink flows

As illustrated in Figure 28(c), concave valve seat communicating gro connect each of the second valve seat through-holes 663, are formed on the valve seat bottom part 661 These valve seat communicating grooves 66 valve seat through-holes 663 to one another in a roughly linear manner on t of valve seat bottom part 661 Therefore, three valve seat communicating gr intersect at axial center 01, are formed Moreover, a pair of valve projecting project from this bottom surface, is formed on the bottom surface of valve 661 Spring top part 652 of second supply spring is housed in each of

the flow path of the ink is secured Moreover, even if the end surface of spri second supply spring 650 makes contact with the bottom surfaces of s through-holes 663, second valve seat through-holes 663 are positioned to t virtual circumference of valve seat projecting part 664 (virtual line R in Fig flow path of the ink is secured by valve seat communicating grooves communicating grooves 664 connect all of the second valve seat through-hol there are second valve seat through-holes 663 that are enclosed by valve se 665, the ink flow path can be reliably secured

Figure 29 is a figure that shows check valve 670 Figure 29(a) is a diag side view of check valve 670, Figure 29(b) is a diagram that shows a plan vi 670, Figure 29(c) is a diagram that shows a bottom view of check valve 670, is a cross-sectional view of check valve 670 through line XXIXd-XXIXd in

Check valve 670 is roughly formed into an umbrella shape from a side (perspective in the direction perpendicular to the page in Figure 29(a)), umbrella part 671 and shaft part 672 Umbrella part 671 blocks the flow p making contact with cover 680 (see Figure 30), and, as illustrated in Figures it is equipped with linking part 671, which is connected to shaft part 672, an which extends roughly uniformly in the outer circumferential direction fro 671a and is formed with a thin profile As a result, when it makes contact wing part 671b, which is formed with a thin profile, adheres to cover 680 deformed, so it is possible to reliably block the ink flow path communicati 680 and check valve 670

As illustrated in Figure 29(a), the bottom surface of umbrella part 67 curved shape and is supported by valve seat bearing parts 662 of valve sea 28), so the flow path of the ink is opened in the state in which umbrella part by valve seat bearings 662 of valve seat 660, while the flow path of the ink

670 from falling off once it is attached to cover 680 As a result, it is possi loss of check valve 670 when manufacturing ink cartridge 14, and operationa

Figure 30 is a diagram that shows cover 680 Figure 30(a) is a diagram view of cover 680, Figure 30(b) is a diagram that shows a plan view of c 30(c) is a diagram that shows a bottom view of cover 680, and Fi cross-sectional view of cover 680 through line XXXd-XXXd in Figure 30(b)

Cover 680 is formed into a roughly cylindrical shape in which the bo (side of valve seat 660 (see Figure 28)) is opened Cover 680 is equipped circumferential wall 681, which forms the outer periphery, and cover top forms the top surface of cover 680 (upper side in Figure 30(a)), and it is for bottom surface side is opened Valve seat 660 is fitted into the opening of t of cover 680 (lower side in Figure 30(a)), and check valve 670 is housed b 660 and cover 680 In other words, the space that houses check valve 670 is 680 and valve seat 660 As illustrated in Figures 30(b) and 30(c), six first cover through-holes through the front and back of cover 680, are formed in the circumferenti respect to axial center Ol These first cover through-holes 683 form a fl which ink flows, and when umbrella part 671 of check valve 670 (see F contact with cover top part 682, first cover through-holes 683 are blocked, path is thus also blocked

Moreover, second cover through-hole 684, into which shaft part 672 of c inserted, is formed in the center of cover top part 682 (position passing thr Ol of ink supply mechanism 500) Shaft part 672 of check valve 670 is second cover through-hole 684, and check valve 670 is thereby attached Ev which check valve 670 is inserted into second cover through-hole 684, the ink is formed on a portion of this inner circumferential surface. However, w

diagram that shows a plan view of ambient air cap 700, Figure 31(d) is a dia bottom view of ambient air cap 700, and Figure 31(e) is a cross-sectional vi cap 700 through line XXXIe-XXXIe in Figure 31(c)

As illustrated in Figure 31 (a), ambient air cap 700 is equipped with ro ambient air securing part 701, which forms the side wall of this ambient a fastened to ambient air intake element 117 (see Figure 21), and ambient air 702, which forms the bottom wall of ambient air cap 700 Engagement hol (see Figure 31(b) for engagement hole 703b), which are formed from th ambient air securing part 701 (lower side in Figure 31 (a)) to the vicinit (vicinity of the end of the upper side in Figure 31 (a)) and are engaged wit 117a and 117b of ambient air intake element 117 described above when ambi fastened to ambient air intake element 117, are formed on ambient air securi

As illustrated in Figure 3 l(b), ambient air cap cutout parts 704a and 704 cutout part 704b is not illustrated in the figure), which are formed in approximately 90° with respect to axial center 02 from the positions in w holes 703a and 703b are formed and are cut out from the top end of ambient 701 to the vicinity of the bottom part, are formed on ambient air secunng par

Moreover, as illustrated in the plan view in Figure 31(c) and in the botto 31(d), ambient air cap insertion hole 705, into which joint skirt part 714 ( ambient air joint 710, which will be described below, and valve open part 33) of ambient air valve 720 are inserted, is formed in a roughly central po air cap bottom wall 702 Ambient air joint 710 (see Figure 32) is housed s contact with the inside surface of ambient air cap bottom wall 70 circumferential surface of ambient air securing part 701 When ambient air cap 700 is attached to ambient air intake element 117,

117a and 117b of ambient air intake element 117 protrude in the oute

of ambient air joint 710, Figure 32(c) is a diagram that shows a bottom vi joint 710, and Figure 32(d) is a cross-sectional view of ambient air joint XXXIId-XXXIId in Figure 32(b)

As illustrated in Figure 32(a), ambient air joint 710 is formed in four view perspective (perspective of the direction perpendicular to the page in F part illustrated in the second step from the bottom (lower side in Figure 32 circumference part 711, which is the part that makes contact with the inn surface of ambient air securing part 701 (see Figure 31) of ambient air cap air cap bottom wall 702 and forms the outer circumference part of ambient part illustrated at the top step of this joint outer circumference part 7 circumference part 712, which is provided on the inside of ambient air in (see Figure 21) and forms the inner circumference part of ambient air joint part of joint inner circumference part 712 is illustrated in Figure 32(a) illustrated at the top step of joint inner circumference part 712 is contact makes contact with ambient air valve 720 The part illustrated at the bottom skirt part 714 formed with a thin profile, which is a member that covers the valve open part 721a (see Figure 33) of ambient air valve 720 and exposes from ambient air cap 700

As illustrated in Figure 32(b), the axial center of joint outer circumferen inner circumference part 712, joint contact part 713, and joint skirt part 714 the same axial center as in the direction of axial center 02 of ambient air i 510 Moreover, ambient air joint 710 is made of an elastic material such as when ink cartridge 14 is installed in multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1), jo which is formed with a thin profile, makes contact with the end surface device 1 and is elastically deformed

As illustrated in Figure 32(d), joint contact part 713 projects from top

ambient air joint 710, and valve open part 721a of ambient air valve 720 is joint passage 715

Figure 33 is a diagram that shows ambient air valve 720 Figure 33 (a) shows a side view of ambient air valve 720, and Figure 33(b) is a diagr bottom view of ambient air valve 720 Ambient air valve 720 has a confi valve open part 721a, which projects from the bottom surface of valve bott opens the ambient air intake path by making contact with the side of multi (see Figure 1), is added to supply valve 620 Therefore, detailed description wall 721, valve outer circumferential wall 722, valve protruding part 7 groove 723, valve projecting wall 724, valve constraining part 725, valv ambient air intake path 727 (part corresponding to ink flow path 627), valve and valve inner circumferential wall 729 will be omitted here Illustrations o be visually confirmed in the side view (Figure 33 (a)) and bottom view ( ambient air valve 720 will also be omitted here Ambient air valve 720 is equipped with valve open part 721a, which bottom surface of valve bottom wall 721 Valve open part 721a is positione 02 of ambient air intake mechanism 510 and is roughly formed into a ro semicircular convex part 721b, which projects from the bottom part (low Figure 22) to valve bottom wall 721 in the outer circumferential direction, outer circumferential surface of valve open part 721a This valve open part joint passage 715 (see Figure 32) of ambient air joint 710 described above, a is exposed to the outside of ambient air cap 700 (see Figure 31) When in installed in multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1), valve open part 721a m the end surface of multifunction device 1, and the contact with joint cont 713a) of ambient air joint 710 is broken, thus forming an ambient air intake p

When ink cartridge 14 is installed in multifunction device 1 and valv

open part 721a It is therefore possible to prevent the ambient air intake blocked and ensure that ambient air is introduced into ink reservoir chambe 14)

Next, the state in which ink supply mechanism 500 and ambient air intak are installed into ink supply element 116 and ambient air intake element 117 with reference to Figure 34 Figure 34 is a partial cross-sectional view that which ink supply mechanism 500 and ambient air intake mechanism 510 are supply element 116 and ambient air intake element 117

As illustrated in Figure 34, ink supply mechanism 500 is inserted int inner circumferential surface 800 of ink supply element 116, and a mechanism 510 is inserted into and attached to inner circumferential surfac air intake element 117

First, ink supply mechanism 500, which is attached to ink supply ele described On inner circumferential surface 800 of ink supply element 11 801, which projects in the direction of the inside of inner circumferential w on the side of first supply communicating hole 421 of supply path forming projecting wall 801 is formed into a stepped shape that can house cover 6 inserted such that it makes contact with stepped surface 801a of this proj which is formed into a stepped shape, and the position on the side communicating hole 421 of ink supply mechanism 500 is thus determined

Shaft part 672 of check valve 670 is inserted into second cover through- 680, and valve seat 660 is arranged such that it houses this check valve 670 Second supply spring 650 is arranged on the bottom surface side of this va side in Figure 34), and supply slider 640 is arranged such that it houses th spring 650 First supply spring 630 is housed by supply slider 640 on the second supply spring 650, and first supply spring 630 is arranged between

determined by supply cap 600 and stepped surface 801a of inner circumfer of ink supply element 116

The inside diameter of inner circumferential surface 800 of ink suppl formed such that it is slightly larger than the outside diameter of supply va configured such that the operation of supply valve 620 in the direction of a be performed smoothly inside ink supply element 116 As descπbed a protruding parts 622a are formed on the outer circumferential surface of s and it is configured such that the contact surface with inner circumferenti small Therefore, even if supply valve 620 operates in a diagonal directio axial center Ol and makes contact with inner circumferential surface 800 prevent the state in which supply valve 620 cannot be operated Moreover between supply valve 620 and inner circumferential surface 800, so an i passes through the inside of ink supply mechanism 500 and an ink flo through the outside of supply valve 620 are formed As a result, inner circu 800 of ink supply element 116 is the space that forms the ink flow path cham

As described above, slider platform part 644 is in a state in which it i spring bottom part 631 of first supply spring 630 and spring bottom part 6 spring member 650 On the contact side of spring platform part 644 with s 631 of second supply, spring 650, it is engaged by two valve hook parts 62 620, and movement in the direction of axial center Ol is thus restricted between supply valve 620 and supply slider 640 is shorter than the lengt spring 630 in the direction of axial center 01, so first supply spring 630 is a deformed in the position in which it is attached to ink supply element 116

Next, ambient air intake mechanism 510, which is attached to ambient 117, will be described On inner circumferential surface 810 of ambient air i protruding part 811, which protrudes in the direction of ambient air intake

air communicating hole 434 is determined as a result of second ambie making contact with protruding part 811

As with the ink supply mechanism 500 side, ambient air slider 740 is arr air intake mechanism 510 such that it houses second ambient air spnng 750, air spring 730 is housed by ambient air slider 740 on the opposite side of s spring 750, while first ambient air spring 730 is arranged between ambient ambient air valve 720 Moreover, ambient air joint 710 is arranged such tha with the bottom surface of ambient air valve 720, and ambient air cap 700 outside of ambient air intake element 17 such that it makes contact with the the outer circumferential side from joint skirt part 714 of this ambient air jo air cap 700 is fastened as it engages with protruding parts 117a and 117b of element 117, so the position on the outside of ambient air intake m determined Therefore, the position of the direction of axial center 02 of a mechanism 510 is determined by ambient air cap 700 and protruding p circumferential surface 810 of ambient air intake element 117

Moreover, the space formed between ambient air valve 720 and ambien shorter than the length of first ambient air spring 730 in the direction of axial with ink supply mechanism 500, first ambient air spring 730 is already plasti the position in which it is attached to ambient air intake element 117 Next, the manufacturing process of ink cartridge 14 will be described

Figures 35 through 39 Figure 35 is a diagram that explains the manufacturi film 160 is welded Figure 36 is a diagram that explains the welding pro Figure 36(a) is a diagram that explains the welding surface of frame part 11 160 is welded, and Figure 36(b) is a diagram that explains the welding proc 160 is welded to frame part 110 Figure 37 is a diagram that explains t process performed after film 160 is welded Figure 37(a) is a diagram

diagram that explains the manufacturing process performed before ink cartri Figure 39(a) is a diagram that explains the process in which protector 30 Figure 39(b) is a diagram that explains the process in which ink cartridge packaging bag 930 As illustrated m Figure 35, in the manufacture of ink cartridge 14, sens attached to frame part 110 Frame part 110 and sensor arm 470 are ea injection molding in a preliminary process (molding process) In othe respectively molded in a first molding process (preparatory process) in whi is injection-molded and in a second molding process (preparatory process arm 470 is injection-molded

In sensor arm 470, attachment shaft 472a, which is provided on attach sensor arm 470 is attached to arm sandwiching part 425, which is provided supply path forming part 420 of frame part 110 (sensor arm 470 att preparatory process) Arm sandwiching part 425 opens on the opposite side supply element 116 (top of Figure 35) In other words, the opening of arm 425 opens on the side of second reservoir chamber opening 114 As a resul can be attached in the range in which first chamber I l ia and secon communicate, so sensor arm 470 can be efficiently attached with little interf shielding arm part 473c of arm part 473 is attached such that it is housed detection part 140 (inside enclosure part 141) When sensor arm 470 is sandwiching part 425, the vertical and horizontal range of movement of s 473 c is restricted by each wall 141a to 141d of enclosure part 141 of dete other words, once the attachment of sensor arm 470 is complete, sensor ar easily detached, so it is possible to prevent the manufacturing process of ink becoming complicated and to prevent sensor arm 470 from detaching from when the ink cartridge is transported As a result, when ink cartridge 1

on the side of sensor arm 470 may also be used, and a configuration in whi and frame part 110 are attached using a hinge junction would also be ac words, as long as sensor arm 470 is attached such that it can rotate with res 110, its attachment structure may take any form When the attachment of sensor arm 470 is complete, ink dispensing pressed inside dispensing cylinder part 451 of ink dispensing part 150 (in 520 pressing process, preparatory process) Ink dispensing plug 520 is outside end surface 520a of ink dispensing plug 520 is in roughly the s outside surface of frame part 110, and it is not pressed to a position such tha with bottom part 451b of dispensing cylinder part 451. This is because, as first dispensing communicating hole 452 of dispensing passage forming part the side surface of dispensing cylinder part 451, and when ink dispensing pl to the back of dispensing cylinder part 451, first dispensing communicating block, making it impossible to dispense ink Moreover, ink dispensing attached before sensor arm 470 is attached

As illustrated in Figure 36(a), when the attachment of sensor arm 470 a plug 520 is complete, film 160 is then welded (film 160 securing process) Fi to frame part 110 such that it covers both the openings of first opening opening 112b In other words, film 160 is welded to both sides of frame securing processes - a first securing process in which film 160 is welded to f (preparatory process), and a second securing process in which film 160 is opening 112b

As illustrated in Figure 36(b), film 160 is cut such that it is larger than th of frame part 110 and it covers frame part 110 At this time, film 160 is opening 112a and second opening 112b without wrinkles by aspirating aspirator (not illustrated in the figure) from the side of frame part 110 U

On frame part 110, multiple inner circumference welded parts 411a to 417b are dispersed on the inner circumferential side of outer circumference and 400b, so if ultrasonic welding is performed with respect to all of the structure of ultrasound welded surface 900 becomes complex, and the m therefore increases However, in this embodiment, ultrasound welded su ultrasonic welding device is configured such that it covers all of the we circumference welded parts and inner circumference welded parts), so it is increases in the manufacturing cost of the welding process of film 160

Moreover, film 160 is made of a double-layered film compnsing a polyethylene film (called "nylon polyethylene" hereafter), and the side th with frame part 110 is the polyethylene film layer This nylon polyethylene c liquids, but it is relatively gas permeable, so a small amount of gas circu between ink reservoir chamber 111, which is roughly sealed by film 160, a 930 (see Figure 39(b)), which will be described below As a result, gas tha ink inside ink reservoir chamber 111 can gradually pass through film 160 a space formed between enclosure element 930 and case 200, so the generati inside the ink can be prevented Accordingly, the occurrence decreases in pr to air bubbles inside the ink can be prevented Moreover, as long as it can and is relatively gas permeable, film 160 may be made of any type of substa a film in which a nylon film and a polypropylene film are formed into tw formed by mixing nylon and polyethylene or nylon and polypropylene could

Frame part 110 is formed from a polyethylene resin, and it is made of substance as the film of film 160 on the side of frame part 110 Because fil part 110 are formed from the same material, both film 160 and the welded p and welded reliably at the time of ultrasonic welding In this embodimen double-layer structure Nylon films are superior to polyethylene films from t

welded parts, and the strength of the film in the vicinity of the welded maintained

As illustrated in Figure 37(a), when the welding of film 160 is com mechanism 500 and ambient air intake mechanism 510 are attached to fra supply mechanism 500 is attached to ink supply element 116 (ink supply attachment process, preparatory process), and ambient air intake mechanis to ambient air intake element 117 (ambient air intake mechanism [500] att preparatory process) In the attachment of ink supply mechanism 500 (attac component in which cover 680, check valve 670, and valve seat 660 are fo inserted inside ink supply element 116 (position that makes contact with 801a) At this time, the tip of check valve 670 is inserted into first supply co 421 (see Figure 34), and it is attached such that it projects into the space en partition wall 422 A component in which supply joint 610, supply valve spring 630, supply slider 640, and second supply spπng 650 are formed as a cap 600 is inserted inside inner circumferential surface 800 of ink supply supply cap 600 is secured to the outer circumferential surface of ink supply this time, supply cap 600 is pushed in the direction of ink supply e engagement holes 603a and 603b of supply cap 600 are engaged with prot and 116b of ink supply element 116 In supply joint 610, joint inner circumf pressed inside inner circumferential surface 800 of ink supply element 11 circumference part 611 is sandwiched between ink supply element 116 and When the attachment of supply cap 600 to ink supply element 116 is complet of ink supply mechanism 500 is complete, and ink supply part 120 is constru

As with the attachment of ink supply mechanism 500 to ink supply attachment of ambient air intake mechanism 510 to ambient air inta (attachment process) is performed in a process in which a component in

of ambient air intake element 117 In ambient air joint 710, joint inner circu is pressed inside inner circumferential surface 810 of ambient air intake joint outer circumference part 711 is sandwiched between ambient air intak ambient air cap 700 When the attachment of ambient air cap 700 to a element 117 is complete, the attachment of ambient air intake mechanism and ambient air intake part 130 is completed

As illustrated in Figure 37(b), when the attachment of ink supply me ambient air intake mechanism 510 to supply element 116 and ambient air i (each attachment process) is complete, a decompression process in which t part 110 (ink reservoir chamber 111) is decompressed is performed In this decompression of the inside of frame part 110 is performed from the side 120 In the decompression of the inside of frame part 110, suction tube reducing device 910 is first inserted into supply joint 610 of ink supply m supply valve 620 is pressed by suction tube 911, thus opening the ink fl pump (Pl) 912 is then activated and the ambient air inside frame part 110 ambient air inside frame part 110 is aspirated by pressure reducing device reaches a prescribed pressure (pressure that is at least lower than the a suction pump 912 is stopped, and suction tube 911 is removed from ink When suction tube 911 is removed from ink supply part 120, supply valve 6 with joint contact part 613 of supply joint 610 due to the elastic force of supply springs 630 and 650, and the flow path of the ink is thus blocked, so state is maintained

As illustrated in Figure 37(c), when the decompression inside frame par after the decompression process, ink dispensing needle 920 is inserted in plug 520, and ink is dispensed into frame part 110 (ink reservoir chamber 11 process) The inside of ink reservoir chamber 111 is depressuπzed, so t

as illustrated in Figure 37(c) Therefore, when ink is dispensed, the penet ambient air connection passage 433 can be avoided The purpose for not dis ink reservoir chamber 111 until no vacant space is left inside ink reservoir as described above, prevent the damage or deformation of film 160 Mor below liquid surface I of the ink illustrated in Figure 37(c) is the ink space w and the space above liquid surface I of the ink and the space contai communicating passage forming part 430 is the ambient air com (decompressed space), but the ink space and the ambient air communicatin shape and size depending on the state in which ink cartridge 14 is placed a remaining ink

Ink is dispensed in the state in which the inside of ink reservoir decompressed by pressure reducing device 910, so even after the disp complete, the air pressure inside ink reservoir chamber 111 is in the decom pressure pi) Therefore, there are cases in which a subsequent decompressi required after the ink dispensing process If a subsequent decompression performed, the manufacturing process could be simplified However, the inside ink reservoir chamber 111 after the ink is dispensed is not nec prescribed range, so in this embodiment, a subsequent decompression proces order to adjust the air pressure to a level within the prescribed range (in ord the air pressure is within the prescribed range)

Here, although it is not illustrated in the figures, the subsequent deco that is performed after the ink is dispensed will be described The subseque process is performed using ink dispensing needle 920, which was inserted in plug 520 In other words, a supply device that supplies ink (not illustrated in pressure reducing device that reduces the pressure by aspirating the ambien part 110 (not illustrated in the figure) are connected to ink dispensing need

printing quality due to air bubbles can be avoided Moreover, the ink that fl of the ink dispensing process collides with the inside surface inside ink reser so air bubbles are more likely to generate, but the air bubbles generated at removed Further, the device may also be configured such that a decompre illustrated in the figure) for performing subsequent decompression is pr from ink dispensing needle 920, and decompression is performed decompression needle after removing ink dispensing needle 920

As illustrated in Figure 17, in dispensing passage forming part 450, the o dispensing communicating hole 454 is positioned above liquid surface I o Figure 17(a)), so even if subsequent decompression is performed with a device, the ink is never aspirated to the outside through the dispensing pat amount of ink that is dispensed never changes due to subsequent decom possible to reliably dispense a prescribed amount of ink

Although it is not illustrated in the figures, when the dispensing (or deco ink is complete, in dispensing plug 520 is pressed until it makes contact 451b of dispensing cylinder part 451 (end surface on the side of ink reserv Therefore, after ink dispensing plug 520 is pressed to bottom part 451b of di part 451, first dispensing communicating hole 452 is blocked by the oute surface of ink dispensing plug 520, so even if the dispensing needle is mi once again, the ink is not dispensed In other words, in the manufacturin cartridge 14, it is possible to prevent the dispensing process from being per to prevent the occurrence of defective products

As illustrated in Figure 38(a), when the dispensing (or decompressio complete, the manufacture of ink reservoir element 110 is complete, so the assembled (case 200 assembly process) Case 200 (first and second case 220) is molded by injection-molding, and it is manufactured in advanc

respectively engaged with case cutout parts 211 and 212, and the outer wall 120 (outer circumferential surface of supply cap 600) and the outer wall of element 130 (outer circumferential surface of ambient air cap 700) make co grooves 211a and 212a Second case member 220 is then attached such tha parts 225a to 225c (not illustrated in the figure) of second case member 22 members 215a to 215c of first case member 210 At this time, ink supply pa 600) and ambient air intake part 130 (ambient air cap 700) are respectively e cutout parts 221 and 222 of second case member 220, and the outer wall 120 (outer circumferential surface of supply cap 600) and the outer wall of element 130 (outer circumference of ambient air cap 700) make contact wit 221a and 222a

As illustrated in Figure 38(b), when the assembly of first and second c (assembly process) is complete, first and second case members 210 and 220 another (case 200 welding process) In the welding process of first and seco 210 and 220, first case welded part 216 of first case member 210 and first 226 of second case member 220 are welded together, and second case welde case member 210 and second case welded part 227 of second case membe together (the portions indicated by the diagonal lines in Figure 38(b) are embodiment, the entire first and second welded parts 226 and 227 are welde welding process, but several spots may be partially welded instead In other the parts are welded such that case 200 does not peel during transportation a peel due to human actions, any welding range or welding method may be use

In this embodiment, first and second case members 210 and 220 are as ink is dispensed into ink reservoir element 100, and first and second case 220 are then welded, so the vibration due to ultrasonic welding is abso Therefore, it is possible to reduce situations in which the welded parts of f

part 214b is not illustrated in the figure) project outward from ink sup ambient air intake part 130 Therefore, when ink cartridge 14 is to be i recording device 1, even if ink cartridge 14 is dropped, case projecting parts and 224b make impact with the ground, so the damage of ink supply part 12 intake part 130 can be prevented Further, the opening of the ambient air inta supply path can also be prevented, so the leakage of ink can be prevented

As illustrated in Figure 39(a), when the welding process of case 200 is co 300 is attached to case 200 (protector 300 attachment process) This protecto when ink cartridge 14 is attached to multifunction device 1 (see Figure 1), s such that it can be freely attached and detached As described above, protru and 330bl of protector 300 engage with through-holes formed by case proje 214a and 224a (see Figure 8) of first and second case members 21 through-holes formed by case projecting cutout parts 214b and 224b of first members 210 and 220, and protector 300 is thus attached to case 200 protector fitting parts 330a and 330b of protector 300 elastically deform in away from one another, protector 300 can be easily attached and detached

As illustrated in Figure 39(b), when the attachment of protector 300 (att is complete, ink cartridge 14 is housed inside packaging bag 930 in order to 14 (housing process) The inside of packaging bag 930 is then decompre reducing device 940 (packaging bag 930 packaging space decompression pro bag 930 is a bag element with one open end (end of the right front side of F in the packaging process, all of the other opened portions excluding ultrasonically welded in a state in which ink cartridge 14 is enclosed Suc pressure reducing device 940 is inserted through this opening 931 , and the a of packaging bag 930 is aspirated and reduced by activating suction pump ( pressure of packaging bag 930 due to this decompression is at a level lower

Because the air pressure inside packaging bag 930 is made lower tha inside ink reservoir chamber 111 as a result of the packaging space deco film 160 of ink cartridge 14 can be plastically deformed on the side of p (side of case 200) If the air pressure mside packaging bag 930 is higher tha inside ink reservoir chamber 111, film 160 sometimes hardens and loses damaged in the state in which the inside of ink reservoir chamber 111 is de ink cartridge 14 is left without being used for a long period of time Wh flexibility, the shape of ink reservoir chamber 111 do not change, and becomes nonuniform, so ink cannot be accurately supplied Moreover, damaged, the ink inside ink reservoir chamber 111 flows to the outside of However, in this embodiment, the inside of packaging bag 930 is decompre air pressure is lower than the air pressure inside ink reservoir chamber 111, be deformed on the side of packaging bag 930 (revertible) Therefore, even it is not used for long periods of time, it is possible to reduce situations in impossible to accurately supply ink due to the solidification of film 160, an prevent the damage of film 160

Because the air pressure inside of packaging bag 930 is made lower tha inside ink reservoir chamber 111, gas that remains inside ink reservoir cham slight amount of gas that remains due to the subsequent decompression pro previously) can be gradually moved outside ink reservoir chamber 111 T described above, film 160 is formed from nylon polyethylene, which permeable, so the air pressure of the space inside ink reservoir chamber pressure of the space inside packaging bag 930 and outside ink reservoir cha to transition to the equilibrium state, and the gas therefore moves to the ou ink reservoir chamber 111 Accordingly, the deaeration of the ink stored chamber 111 is promoted, and it becomes more difficult for air bubbles to

operates and the ambient air intake path is sometimes opened If the ambien opened, the ink inside ink reservoir chamber 111 leaks out Moreover, ambi 130 and ink supply part 120 are sometimes damaged in step with th packaging bag 930 However, in this embodiment, protector 300 is attache the damage of ambient air intake part 130 and ink supply part 120 can be p opening of the ambient air intake path can be prevented

As described above, ink cartridge 14 is manufactured in a process in welded over ink reservoir element 100 after ink is dispensed inside ink reser of frame part 110 With some conventional ink cartridges, ink was dispense case after the ink reservoir element was covered with the case (after the as cartridge is completely finished) With such a conventional ink cartridge, it prepare a frame and a case according to the amount of ink stored and the However, in this embodiment, case 200 is covered after ink is dispensed i chamber 111 of ink reservoir element 100, so common parts can be used element 100 In other words, even if the shape of the case differs, ink reser can be commonly used As a result, the manufacturing cost of ink cartridge 1

Moreover, in ink cartridge 14, ink dispensing part 150 (ink dispens completely concealed by case 200 such that it cannot be seen from the outsid which ink spills outside as a result of the user accidentally removing ink dis can be prevented

Next, the installation method of ink cartridge 14 into multifunction described with reference to Figure 40 Figure 40 is a diagram that shows the ink cartridge 14 is installed into multifunction device 1

When ink cartridge 14 is to be attached to multifunction device 1, pack first broken, and ink cartridge 14 is removed from the inside of packagin protector 300 is removed from case 200 The direction in which each ink

40(c), this installation direction F is parallel to the longitudinal direction ( B, X-direction) of ink cartridge 14, which is installed into refill unit 1 detection sensor 57 is provided above needle 49 Remaining ink detect roughly formed into a left-facing horseshoe shape, and the open end of the h light emitting part 57a, which emits light, while the other end is light recei illustrated in the figure), which receives light This light emitting part 57a a part 57b are respectively inserted into through-holes formed by case cutout and detection part 140, and are attached such that they project from Remaining ink detection sensor 57 is configured such that it does not out signal to a control unit provided on multifunction device 1 when light r receives light that is emitted from light emitting part 57a and outputs (or d signal to the control device when light that is emitted from light emitting p and is not received by light receiving part 57b

As illustrated in Figure 40(a), when ink cartridge 14 (in the state in whic removed) is to be installed in multifunction device 1, ink cartridge 14 is insta supply part 120 is located below ambient air intake part 130 This sta installation position (or first position) of ink cartridge 14

Moreover, in the state in which ink cartridge 14 is installed in multifunc supply part 120, detection part 140, and ambient air intake part 130 are seq from bottom to top, and ink supply part 120, detection part 140, and ambie 130 are formed on a single end surface As is clear from Figure 40(b), this s is the one side surface of case 200 positioned in the front in installation dire cartridge 14 is in the regular installation position Therefore, because ink detection part 140, and ambient air intake part 130 are provided such that (located close to each other) on a single end surface, remaining ink det needle 49, and passage 54, which are required on the side of multifunction

these were provided, being diversified (located relatively far away from eac in this embodiment, these parts are consolidated (located close to each othe multifunction device 1 can be reduced

Ink supply part 120 and detection part 140 are sequentially provided surface from top to bottom, and by usingsensor arm 470 for detecting remai use of the ink can be improved This is due to the following reasons

When the amount of remaining ink is detected by irradiating a portion o (corresponding to detection part 140 in this embodiment) using (corresponding to remaining ink detection sensor 57 in this embodiment) which the presence of ink is detected directly (method for detecting the amo ink based on whether or not ink is present in the light path of the photodet the ink could not be fully used with a configuration in which the ink (corresponding to ink supply part 120 in this embodiment) and the irrad irradiated by photodetector (detection part 140) are both provided on a singl in this embodiment In other words, with a configuration in which the positioned below the ink supply opening, the position of the ink supply relatively high, so ink that is stored below the ink supply opening is l consumption efficiency thus diminishes With a configuration in which the positioned above the ink supply opemng, the position of the irradiated part b high, so a significant quantity of ink is left over when the photodetector dete ink, and when the user is notified of the absence of ink based on the detect photodetector, the amount of ink that is left over becomes large However, in sensor arm 470 is used, so even if the irradiated part is provided in a relativ the absence of ink can be detected in step with the timing in which the remaining ink becomes low, and the ink supply opening is provided in a low is little leftover ink (The description is given out of place, but a remaini

this embodiment can both the reduction of the scale of multifunction improvement of the full use of ink be realized

As described in Figure 40(a), ink cartridge 14 is installed in a proce protruding parts 214a and 224a (first case welded parts 216 and 226) of cas to slide on door main body 60, and the back surface of ink cartridge installation direction F until most of ink cartridge 14 is inserted into refill u as described above, sloping surfaces 214a2 and 224a2 are formed on cas 214a and 224a, so ink cartridge 14 can be smoothly inserted due to these 214a2 and 224a2 As illustrated in Figure 40(a), a portion of the back surfac 14 is push part 200a, and this is a part that is pushed such that it makes cont retaining member 61

As illustrated in Figure 40(b), when ink cartridge 14 is in the state in inside refill unit 13 in installation direction F, protrusion 55 is fitted into a case protruding grooves 214b2 and 224b2 Further, the tip of needle 49 is supply cap 600 of ink supply part 120 The movement of ink cartridge 14 direction (direction toward the back from the front side of Figure 40(b) protrusion 55 and protruding grooves 214b2 and 224b2, and the moveme direction is restricted by bottom plate part 42 and ceiling plate part 44 of refi possible to prevent ink cartridge 14 from being inserted diagonally and prev detection sensor 57 and needle 49 from being damaged

When the door member 60 is rotated from the state of Figure 40 (b) in th arrow illustrated in Figure 40 (b), the pushing retaining member 61 of the contacts the push part 200a forming a portion of the back surface of the pushing the ink cartridge 14 in the installation direction F As the door me further, the door lock member 62 of the door member 60 fits into the lock m 46 of the refill unit 13, completing the installation of the ink cartridge 14 (t

state of Figure 40 (c) is reached, the tip of the swing arm mechanism 44b parts 217a and 227a and retains the ink cartridge 14

Once installation of the ink cartridge 14 is completed, the needle 49 is in supply part 120 and ink supply is enabled, the valve opening part 721a o intake part 130 contacts the back surface 56 of the case 40, enabling intake o the remaining ink detection sensor 57 is inserted through the through-hole f cutout parts 213 and 223 and the detection part 140, enabling detection quantity of ink The details of this will be described later

Furthermore, since the remaining ink sensor 57 is inserted through formed by the case cutout parts 213 and 223 and the detection part 140 whe 14 is installed in the refill unit 13, the light emitting part 57a and the light r of the remaining ink detection sensor 57 become positioned inside the c becomes possible to prevent damage to the remaining ink detection sens preventing misdetection due to dirt, dust or the like adhering to the light emi light receiving part 57b

Furthermore, since the pushing retaining member 61 is impelled by the described above, it can stably retain the ink cartridge 14 When the ink cart installed (or is being installed) in the refill unit 13, the elastic force of the spr 650, 730 and 750 of the ink supply mechanism 500 and the ambient air intak act in the direction away from the side on which needle 49 is arranged (left in the direction opposite to the installation direction) As described ab retaining member 61 is configured to have a greater elastic force than generated by the spring members 630, 650, 730 and 750, and is thus able t ink cartridge 14 once it has been installed. Furthermore, the push part 200a by the pushing retaining member 61 is located substantially in the middle supply part 120 and the ambient air intake part 130, allowing a substantiall

cartridge 14 to be retained stably Furthermore, since the elastic force of the member 61 is used to retain the ink cartridge 14, the load on the surface of 14 decreases as compared to the case of a mechanical structure where the i secured by engagement with its surface Thus, it becomes possible to preve ink cartridge 14 through excessive loads being applied thereto

Furthermore, since the pushing retaining member 61 pushes below th (midpoint p) in the height direction of the ink cartridge 14, a large force operate the door member 60, making it possible to stably retain the ink prescribed position The pivot of rotation of the door member 60 is located of the case 40, and the user performs the operation of opening and closing by manipulating the edge part of the door member 60 Thus, if the push part at the upper part of the back surface of the ink cartridge 14, the point of ac pushing retaining member 61 pushes the ink cartridge 14 will be at a distan of rotation of the door member 60, thus requiring a large force for the user member On the other hand, if the push part 200a is arranged at the extreme back surface, for instance below the ink supply part 120, the user will be door member with minimum force, but since a point at the lower part of the i pushed, the ink cartridge 14 may sometimes rotate and be pushed in tilted, may not be inserted accurately into the ink supply part 120 However, accord embodiment, since the push part 200a is arranged below the middle po cartridge 14 in the height direction and above the position corresponding t part 120, a large force is not required to operate the door member, making it install the ink cartridge at the prescribed location

Here, referring to Figure 41, the operation of the ink supply mechan ambient air intake mechanism 510 when the ink cartridge 14 is installed in device 1 will be described Figure 41 is a drawing illustrating the state with

(not illustrated) of the remaining ink detection sensor 57 are arran sandwiching the detection part 140 The detection part 140 consists transparent resin material, allowing the light emitted from the light emitti remaining ink detection sensor 57 to pass through the detection part 140 a the light receiving part 57b Since the shielding arm part 473c of the s arranged in the enclosure part 141 of the detection part 140, as described abo ink quantity can be detected by the operation of this sensor arm 470 The sensor arm will be descπbed later

With regard to the ink supply mechanism 500, when the ink cartridge 14 multifunction device 1 , the needle 49 is inserted through the space surround wall 606d of the supply cap 600, the insertion hole 605 of the supply cap 60 path 615 of the supply joint 600 in that order, and the tip of the needle 49 bottom wall 621 of the supply valve 620, depressing the supply valve 620 supply valve 620 moves away from the joint contact part 613 of the supply j an ink flow path The needle 49 communicates with a discharge opening ( the multifunction device 1 via ink extraction opening 52 and ink tube 53 F tip of the needle 49, a cutout 49a is formed for securing an ink flow path, s path is secured by the cutout 49a even if the tip of the needle 49 contacts wall 621 of the supply valve 620 Here, the operation of the ink supply mechanism 500 when the sup depressed by the needle 49 will be described The first supply spring 630 supply valve 620 (and supply slider 640), as described above, has a slig flexible part 633 On the other hand, there is no flexing in the spring flexib second supply spring 650 arranged on the opposite side of the supply slider supply spring 630 This serves to determine the flexing order of the first a springs 630 and 650 In other words, the first supply spring 630 with the flex

supply slider 640 is brought into contact with the valve hook part 626 of t 610, at least the error in the dimensions of the first supply spring 630 be Thus, dimensional error of the ink supply mechanism 500 is reduced an operation of the ink supply mechanism 500 becomes more stable Furthermore, the inside diameter of the valve outer circumferential wall valve 620 and the outside diameter of the slider outer circumferential wall slider 640 are formed to be substantially equal Thus, it becomes possib occurrence of misalignment in the direction of displacement when the s operates in the direction of axis Ol of the ink supply mechanism 500 Furth diameter of the slider outer circumferential wall 641 and the outside diam bottom parts 631 and 651 of the first and second supply springs 630 and 650 substantially equal Thus, it becomes possible to reduce misalignment orthogonal to axis Ol (the up-down direction in Figure 41) when the first a members 630 and 650 are arranged on the slider pedestal part 644 of the s Furthermore, while the external shape of the valve outer circumferential supply valve 620 is formed slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the i 116, since the valve protruding part 622a is formed outward from circumferential wall 622 of the supply valve 620, it becomes possible to prev in the direction of displacement when the supply valve 620 operates in the Ol Therefore, telescoping operation in the direction of axis Ol becomes mo

Furthermore, when the valve bottom wall 621 of the supply valve 620 is needle 49 and moves in the direction of valve seat 660 (nghtward accompanying this movement, the first supply spring 630 is flexibly de become compressed, whereupon the supply slider 640 moves in the direct 660 (the direction opposite to the impelling direction of the first supply sprin supply spring 650), and the second supply spring undergoes flexible deforma

684) of cover 680, first valve seat through-hole 662b and second valve seat of valve seat 660, valve seat communicating groove 664 of valve seat 660, of second supply spring 650, slider through-hole 645 of supply slider 640, i of first supply spring member 630, first spring member 930 and valve bearin a flow path which leads successively through the ink flow path 627 of s cutout 49a of needle 49 and the inside of needle 49 The space betwee circumferential wall 622 of the supply valve 620 and the inner circumferen ink supply member 116 is also an ink flow path

Here, the operation of the supply joint 610 when the needle 49 is i supply joint 610 will be described When the needle 49 is press-fitted into t flow path 615b through the step part flow path 615a, the joint protruding par the needle 49 due to the friction between its own inner circumferential sur outer circumferential surface of the needle 49 and is displaced in the directi the right in Figure 41) of the needle 49 (displaced into the contact part flow the joint contact part 613 has a structure cut out into a countersunk shape, so of the joint protruding part 614 in the direction of insertion of the needle 49 directly to the tip 613a of the joint contact part 613 In other words, the tip contact part 613 is hardly displaced in the direction of insertion, but is sligh direction away from the needle 49 Thus, the shape change of the accompanying insertion of the needle 49 is such that the joint contact parts away from each other Assuming the joint contact part 613 had a shape wit surface going from the inner circumferential surface 614a of the joint protr the tip 613a of the joint contact part 613, as the needle 49 was inserted, th part 614 would deform so as to be displaced in the direction of insertion of deformation of the joint protruding part 614 would be directly transmitted t part 613, and the joint contact part 613 would be displaced in the dire

contact part 613 is displaced in a direction substantially orthogonal to insertion of the needle 49, the stroke for forming an ink flow path does not long Thus, it becomes possible to reduce contact of the needle 49 wit reducing damage as well as reducing the size increase of the ink supply mec When the ink cartridge 14 is removed form the multifunction device 1 withdrawn, whereupon the valve bottom wall 621 of the supply valve 620 contact part 613, obstructing the ink flow path K Here, the second s becomes fully stretched, while the first supply string 630 returns to a slightl state When the ink cartridge 14 is removed form the multifunction device 1, a withdrawn, the ink present in the vicinity of the ink flow path 615 of the sup contact part flow path 615c and the protruding part flow path 615b) flows t 600 (leftward in Figure 41) and flows out into the step part flow path 615 the quantity of ink which flows out into the step part flow path 615a is retained by the capillary force of the step part of the step part flow path outflow to the outside of the ink cartridge 14 can be reduced Furthermore, e from the step part flow path 615a, since the opening part of the ink storag supply cap 600 is wider than the opening 612c of the step part flow path 615 out flows into the ink storing part 607 of the ink supply cap 600 Ther possible to reliably prevent ink from flowing out of the ink cartridge 14

Next, the ambient air intake mechanism 510 side will be described I intake mechanism 510, when the ink cartridge 14 is installed in the multif the valve opening part 721a of the ambient air valve 720 contacts the back case 40, depressing the ambient air valve 720 As a result, the ambient air va away from the joint contact part 713 of the ambient air joint 710, formin intake path L as illustrated by arrow L in the drawings. Furthermore, when t

into the ink reservoir chamber 111 via this passage 54

The operation of the ambient air intake mechanism 510 when the ambie depressed will be described The first ambient air spring 730 housed insid valve 720 (and the ambient air slider 740), as described above, has a slig flexible part 733, while there is no flexing in the spring flexible part 7 ambient air spring 750 Thus, the flexing order is determined for the first an air springs 730 and 750 as well

Furthermore, the inside diameter of the valve outer circumferential ambient air valve 720 and the inside diameter of the slider outer circumfer the ambient air valve 720 are formed to be substantially equal Thus, t misalignment in the direction of displacement when the ambient air slider 7 direction of axis 02 of the ambient air intake mechanism 510 can be preven the inside diameter of the slider outer circumferential wall 741 and the out the spring bottom parts 731 and 751 of the first and second ambient air spr and 750 are formed to be substantially equal Thus, it becomes pos misalignment in the direction orthogonal to axis 02 (the up-down directi when the first and second ambient air springs 730 and 750 are arranged on t part 744 of the ambient air slider 740

Furthermore, while the outside shape of the valve outer circumferentia ambient air valve 720 is formed slightly smaller than the inside diameter o intake element 117, since valve protruding part 722a is formed outward fro circumferential wall 722 of the ambient air valve 720, misalignment in displacement when the ambient air valve 720 operates in the direction o prevented Therefore, telescoping operation in the direction of axis 02 o intake mechanism 510 is stabilized

Furthermore, when the ambient air valve 720 is depressed by the valve

and second ambient air springs 730 and 750 also undergo elastic deform ambient air intake path L illustrated by arrow L The ambient air intake pat passing successively through the path formed between the joint passage 715 joint 710, the ink flow path 727 of the ambient air valve 720, the first ambi and the valve bearing part 728, the path formed between the ink flow pat ambient air spring 730, the slider through-hole 745 of the ambient air slider path 754 of the second ambient air spring 750, the spring top part 752 of th air spring 750 and the protruding part 811, and the first ambient air commu This flow path is the main flow path through which the majority of the a Furthermore, the space between the valve outer circumferential wall 722 o valve 720 and the inner circumferential surface 810 of the ambient air intake forms part of the ambient air intake path Subsequently, as illustrated in Figu passes through the first ambient air communicating chamber 431, commu 433a, ambient air connection passage 433, communicating opening 433b, se communicating chamber 432, second ambient air communicating hole 435 air communicating hole 436, and is admitted inside the ink reservoir chamb ambient air intake path L is opened, air is taken in such that the inside of chamber 111 is brought to ambient air pressure

As described above, the ink flow path K and the ambient air intake p when the ink cartridge 14 is installed in the multifunction device 1 operation of the ink supply mechanism 500 and the ambient air intake mech that they operate smoothly and without misalignment relative to the axes installation of the ink cartridge 14 is made easier, while allowing the supp intake of ambient air to be carried out reliably Next, referring to Figure 42 and Figure 43, the method of detecting th remaining in the ink reservoir chamber 111 will be described Figure

part 473c) and the left side (on the side of the balance part 471) Ho simplify the explanation, the description will now be made assuming that which are exerted on the sensor arm 470, act on the balance part 471 description, the buoyancies and the gravities, which act on the portions of t other than the balance part 471, are neglected Instead, it is considered th and the gravities, which are received by the entire sensor arm 470, act on the On this assumption, the rotation of the sensor arm 470 is determined by the gravity acting on the balance part 471 As illustrated in Figure 42 (a), in large amount of ink is stored in the ink reservoir chamber 111 (in the st stored is at least above the level of the lower ends of the inner circumfere 415a, 415b, 416a and 416b), since the balance part 471 of the sensor arm 4 resin material with lower specific gravity than the specific gravity of the i generated on the balance part 471 increases, and the balance part 471 floats the balance part 471 is inside the ink, as illustrated in Figure 42 (a), the com gravity and buoyancy generated on the balance part 471 cause a rotating fo in the clockwise direction (the direction of arrow Gl in Figure 43), but the s 473c comes into contact with the arm supporting part 143 which πses fro 141a of the detection part 140 (enclosure part 141) and is thus placed in a the optical path between the light emitting part 57a and the light receivin remaining ink detection sensor 57 This is the state when ink is pres controller (not illustrated) of the multifunction device 1 discriminates the pre

As the ink inside the ink reservoir chamber 111 passes through the ink decreases in quantity, the liquid surface I of the ink drops As the liquid su drops, the blocking arm part 473 c emerges on the liquid surface I of the ink, the balance part 471 also emerges on the liquid surface I of the ink When 471 emerges on the liquid surface I of the ink, the buoyancy generated o

causes the shielding arm part 473 c to move upward away from the arm su and an optical path is created between the light emitting part 57a and light re the remaining ink detection sensor 57 This state is the out-of-ink state, in w (not illustrated) of the multifunction device 1 discriminates that the ink cartri In the foregoing description, as illustrated in Figure 42 (b), the bal positioned near the bottom part 400bl (see Figure 15) of the ink reservoir c almost no ink remains Thus, when the quantity of ink remaining in the ink r 111 has become low, an out-of-ink discrimination can be correctly made

As illustrated in Figure 42 (b), in the out-of-ink state, there is still some ink reservoir chamber 111 The ink surface I at this time is slightly higher th forming the bottom of the ink reservoir chamber 111 Furthermore, as disc ink reservoir chamber 111 and the ink supply part 120 communicate vi chamber 426 (see Figure 15) delimited by the supply partition wall 422, and chamber 111 and the ink supply chamber 426 communicate via the communicating hole 423 positioned below the bottom part 400bl provid partition wall 422 When the liquid surface I of the ink becomes lower than t communicating hole 423, ambient air enters the area inside the supply p making it impossible to supply ink Thus, in the present embodiment, to immediately before ink supply becomes impossible as "ink empty", the s designed to rotate so that the out-of-ink state is detected when the liquid surf above the second supply communicating hole 423 In this way, positioning t communicating hole 423 below the part 400bl forming the bottom part of chamber 111, it becomes possible to reliably prevent ink from running out be detected Furthermore, when an out-of-ink state is discriminated, there is h the bottom part 400bl of the ink reservoir chamber 111, with ink remainin concave part space 424a, which is a relatively narrow space formed at a lo

additionally employing a software counter which hypothetically determines out of ink

As illustrated in Figure 42 (a) and Figure 42 (b), the attachment position shaft 472a of the sensor arm 470 and of the arm sandwiching part 425 of th i e the position of the center (pivot) about which the sensor arm 470 ro below the detection part 140 and above the ink supply part 120, and is posi (to the left in Figure 42 (a) and Figure 42 (b)) of the supply path formin direction of installation of the ink cartridge 14 In the present embodiment, t 120, ambient air intake part 130 and detection part 140 are arranged tog surface of the ink cartridge 14 This allows the various mechanisms (ink s ambient air intake mechanism and remaining ink detection mechanism together on the refill unit 13 of the multifunction device 1, preventing the unit 13 from becoming complicated, and also reducing its size Furthermor part 120, being a part which supplies ink by causing it to flow out to the mu 1, is preferably arranged at the lower side of the ink cartridge 14 so as to complete utilization of the ink, while the ambient air intake part 130, being in ambient air into the ink cartridge 14, is preferably arranged at the upp cartridge 14 Thus, from the standpoint of space efficiency, the detec preferably arranged between the ink supply part 120 and the ambient air i the ink cartridge 14 of the present embodiment configured in this manner, the center of rotation of the sensor arm 470 is arranged above (or at the sam detection part 140, the length of the space between the balance part 417 a part 472 will become greater and the sensor arm 470 will become larger, quantity of ink will decline accordingly On the other hand, if the positio rotation of the sensor arm 470 is arranged below the ink supply part 120, t of the balance part 471 will become extremely small, making detection of in

arranged in the vicinity of the supply partition wall 422, the balance part 47 second supply communicating hole 423 and the vibration caused by operati part 471 will be transmitted to the ink, interfering with ink flow In partic surface I of the ink becomes wavy, ambient air may enter inside the supply through the second supply communicating hole 423, hindering the supply o placing the balance part 471 extremely far from the supply partition wall 4 arm part 473 larger, so the balance part 471 will also have to become buoyancy of the balance part 471 Consequently, the amount of ink, which c ink reservoir chamber 111, will decrease Thus, in the present embodiment, t center of rotation of the sensor arm 470 is placed in the vicinity of the sup 422 and the balance part 471 is positioned at the middle of the ink reservoi the Y direction, avoiding the aforementioned enlargement of the sensor effects on ink flow

When the sensor arm 470 is attached to the arm sandwiching part 425 available, as illustrated in Figure 42 (a), the top end surface of the shieldi (the upper end surface in Figure 42) is positioned substantially parallel to the the ink In this state, when the liquid surface of the ink drops and reaches the the top end surface of the shielding arm 473c, the surface tension of the ink retain the shielding arm 473 If the force by which the surface tension of t shielding arm 473c is greater than the buoyancy of the balance part 473a, th will not operate properly.

Thus, in the present embodiment, the top end surface forming the outsid part 140 of the shielding arm 473 c is given an angle so as to slope downw portion of the shielding arm 473c that is substantially parallel to the liquid s Thus, the force exerted by the surface tension of the ink on the shielding reduced, allowing the sensor arm 470 to operate normally

with the top and bottom reversed from the proper installation orientation, t 120 will be located above the ambient air intake part 130, resulting in an inc (or a second orientation) with respect to the proper installation orientation

As illustrated in Figure 44, the total projection distance t9 includi distance of the protrusion 55 from the back surface 56 of the case 40 a distance of the case protruding parts 214a and 224a from the case 200 i projection distance t8 of the needle 49 from the needle forming member difference between projection distance t8 and projection distance t9 prevent the tip of the valve opening part 721a projecting outward from the ambient a and the tip of the needle 49 The needle 49 is a member for extracting the cartridge 14 and supplying the ink to the ink jet recording head (not illustrat cases where needle 49 is damaged or deformed, ink is not accurately sup is not performed accurately Thus, it is not desirable for the needle 49 t deformed by collision of the needle 49 and the valve opening part 72 providing a difference between projection distance t8 and projection distanc above, collision between the needle 49 and the valve opening part 721a can making it possible to prevent damage or deformation of the needle 49 and al be reliably supplied

Furthermore, the position of the through-hole (detection window) forme part 140 and the case cutouts 213 and 223 in the vertical direction (the up- Figure 44) is displaced slightly from the center, so that when the ink cartrid upside-down from the proper installation orientation, the remaining ink de may collide with the outer wall of the case 200, which may damage t detection sensor 57 However, since a difference is provided between proj and projection distance t9, it becomes possible to prevent damage to t detection sensor 57 due to collision with the outer wall of the case 200, ma

in Figure 45 (a)) (rotated in the direction of the arrow in Figure 45 (a)) As when the lock release lever 63 is rotated, the engagement between the door and the lock member fitting part 46 is disengaged, and as a result, the door forward A portion of the curved part 65b of the pullout member 65 of the do inside the concave parts 216a and 226a (concave part 226a is to the rear in is thus not illustrated) of case 200, so when rotated by the lock release lever curved part 65b of the pullout member 65 of door 41 contacts the latch par (latch part 226b is to the rear in Figure 45 (b) and is thus not illustrated) of state of Figure 45 (b)) When the door 41 is rotated further forward (in th arrow in Figure 45 (b)) from the state of Figure 45 (b), the latch parts 216 case 200 are pulled out by the curved part 65b of the pullout member 65, an ink cartridge 14 projects from mside the case 40 as a result (the state of Fig this state, the user can easily remove the ink cartridge 14 Thus, the oper cartridge 14 replacement operation is improved

Here, referring to Figure 46, the mechanism for preventing dripping of cartridge 14 is removed from the multifunction device 1 will be describe drawing showing the state of removing the ink cartridge 14 from the multi and a front view of the ink cartridge 14 Figure 46 (a) and Figure 46 illustrating the state change when the ink cartridge 14 is removed, and Figu front view of the ink cartridge 14

As discussed above, when the ink cartridge 14 is installed in the multif the needle 49 is inserted inside the ink supply part 120 The ink supply includes a valve mechanism impelled by a first supply spring 630 and a sec 650, so when removing the ink cartridge 14 from the multifunction devic from the state of Figure 46 (a) to the state of Figure 46 (b)), ink may adhere

Consequently, when the ink cartridge 14 is removed, the ink adhering to the 49 may drip down in the form of ink drops, or ink may flow down from th 120

However, in the present embodiment, as illustrated in Figure 46 (b), sin (first protruding part) consisting of the case projecting parts 214a and 224 outward (πghtward in Figure 46 (b)) than the projecting tip of the ink supply the ink adhering to the tip of the needle 49 drips down in the form of ink dro down from the ink supply part 120, the dripped ink can be made to adhere part 120 side surface of the case projecting parts 214a and 224a Furthermo projecting parts 214a and 224a and the ink supply part 120 are positioned r each other, it is easy to make the ink dripping from the ink supply part 120 a proj ecting parts 214a and 224a

As illustrated in Figure 46 (c), the insertion hole 605 of the supply c supply opening into which the needle 49 is inserted and through which ink f thickness til in the widthwise direction (the left-right direction of Figu direction) of ink cartridge 14 of the case projecting parts 214a and 224a is the diameter tlO of the insertion hole 605 (The diameter of needle 49 is for narrower than the diameter tlO of the through-hole 605.) Furthermore, (form the Y direction), the insertion hole 605 is accommodated entirely occupied by the case projecting parts 214a and 224a Thus, when the in removed, even if ink adhering to the tip of the needle 49 drips down or i from the insertion hole 605, the dripped ink can be caught by the case proj and 224a Furthermore, since the case projecting parts 214a and 224a projec the left-right direction of Figure 46 (a) and (b)) in the installation orientatio 14, and the surface on the ink supply part 120 side is formed to be substant adhering to the case projecting parts 214a and 224a can be prevented from

configuration is not limited thereto, so long as, as illustrated in Figure projecting parts 214a and 224a are at least partially located over the line p center of communicating hole 605 (line p in Figure 46 (c), the line passing t of the opening 600a of the supply cap 600) m the vertical direction of ink up-down direction in Figure 46 (c)) This is because much of the ink drippi ink supply part 120 and needle 49 will be able to take a downward p Therefore, even if the length of the case projecting parts 214a and 224a direction of the ink cartridge 14 is made shorter than the length tlO m the wi of the insertion hole 605, a configuration of this sort can contribute to dirtying of the refill unit 13 In this case, the ink retaining force of the cas 214a and 224a is weakened, so it can be assumed that ink which has been c projecting parts 214a and 224a may drip down into the refill unit 13 cartridge 14 to be replaced is hardly ever left for a long time inside the refill with the tip of the needle 49 having been withdrawn from the ink suppl rather removed quickly from the refill unit 13, so such a problem is u Incidentally, even when the case projecting parts 214a and 224a are forme the ink cartridge 14 is installed in the wrong orientation, it will collide w protrusion 55, preventing incorrect installation Furthermore, even if the cas 214a and 224a are not accurately positioned on line p, so long as they are below the ink supply part 120, they will be able to catch the ink dripping d supply part 120 to some extent, making it possible to prevent dirtying of the i unit 13 to a greater extent than if the case projecting parts 214a and 224a wer

Next, referring to Figure 47, the structure, which reduces the adhesi detection surfaces 140a and 140b of the detection unit 140 of the ink cart described Figure 47 is a drawing illustrating the structure, which reduces th to the detection surfaces 140a and 140b of the detection unit 140 of the

As illustrated in Figure 47 (a), when the ink cartridge 14 is installed in the refill unit 13, ink may spatter from the projecting tip of the ink suppl projecting tip of the needle 49 This is due to the fact that the ink supply the ink supply part 120 opens and closes with the help of the elastic forc second supply springs 630 and 650, and thus the pressure of the ink cha installation and removal of the ink cartridge 14, causing the ink held insi mechanism 500 to fly out forcefully, and the fact that when the needle 49 is to the outside from the state of being positioned inside the ink supply part 1 where the ink cartridge 14 is installed), the ink may flow back and spatter N of ink does not occur every time the ink cartridge 14 is installed or remove time no ink may spatter

Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 47 (a), when the ink cartridge 14 is orientation, the detection part 140 is positioned at a position corresponding ink detection sensor 57, so the detection part 140 is positioned above the in (or needle 49) The majority of the ink spattering from the needle 49 and in spatters downward (opposite to the direction of detection part 140) under it the adhesion of ink to the detection part 140 can be reduced simply by arran part 140 above the ink supply part 120 Furthermore, the detection surfaces 1 formed in a plane parallel to the line jointing the center of the detection par insertion hole 605 (see Figure 47 (b)) The majority of the ink spatteri insertion hole 605 spatters in substantially linear fashion, so even if ink sh the cap insertion hole 605, not much ink will adhere to the detection surface making it possible to reduce the adhesion of ink to the detection surfaces 140

Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 47 (b), if the ink cartridge 14 is re and placed such that the positional relationship of the ink supply part 120 intake part 130 is upside down relative to the installation orientation of the

part 130 and above the ink supply part 120 (the state of Figure 47 (b)), the 140a and 140b of the detection part 140 will be arranged vertically (the u with reference to the direction of the symbol in Figure 47 (b)), so the in detection surfaces 140a and 140b will drip down to the ambient air intake p its own weight Furthermore, since the surface of the detection surfaces formed out of a resin material into a smooth plane, adhering ink can flow d it becomes possible to reduce the adhesion of ink to the side surface of d Furthermore, when the ink cartridge 14 is installed, the ink supply part 12 lower part and the ambient air intake part 130 is located at the upper part ( Figure 47 (a)), so even if there is ink adhering to the detection part 140 dur removal of the ink cartridge 14, the ink will flow to the ink supply part 12 possible to reduce the adhesion of ink to the detection surfaces 140a and 1 discussed above, the edge part 40 of the detection surfaces 140a and 140b an 100a of the frame part 110 is formed substantially as a right angle, so in detection surfaces 140a and 140b can more easily flow downward due to capillary force of the edge part 140c Therefore, adhesion of ink to the detect and 140b can be reduced

Furthermore, as illustrated in Figure 47 (c), the detection part 140 is ar case 200 and a space into which the light emitting part 57a and light receivi remaining ink detection sensor 57 enter is formed on both sides of the detect and 140b by the case cutouts 213 and 223 Thus, the detection part 140 is co 200, so even if ink should spatter, adhesion of the spattered ink to the detect and 140b can be reduced Moreover, since a portion of the ink supply outward from the case 200, in the installation orientation of ink cartridge Figure 47 (a)), the distance to the detection part 140 becomes farther Thus, t spattered ink does not reach the detection part 140, making it possible to re

prevented from contacting the surface, which the ink cartridge 14 is drop possible to reduce outflow of ink from the ink supply part 120 due to the sh a result, the adhesion of the ink to the detection surfaces 140a and 140b can

Next, referring to Figure 48 and Figure 49, the case 40 (see Figure 2) o will be described Figure 48 is a drawing showing the front view of the case is a front view of case 40, which can accommodate large capacity blac cartridges 14 and color ink cartridges 14, and Figure 48 (b) is a front vi which can accommodate black ink cartridges 14 and color ink cartridges 1 embodiment, case 40 is arranged in the multifunction device 1, but it is provide a multifunction device 1 wherein case 2040 is arranged instead of c is a cross-sectional view showing the simplified cross-section of cases 40 an

Figure 49 (a) is a simplified cross-sectional view of case XXXXIXa-XXXXIXa of Figure 48 (a), and Figure 49 (b) is a simplified cro of case 2040 along line XXXXIXb-XXXXIXb of Figure 48 (b) Fig cross-section of needle forming member 48 and ink cartridge 14, with th making up the cases 40 and 2040 being omitted from the illustration Furthe 48 to 50, a color ink cartridge is illustrated as ink cartridge 14c, a black ink as ink cartridge 14kl, and a large capacity black ink cartridge is illustrate 14k2 As illustrated in Figure 48 (a), case 40 is configured to accommodate f so that they are aligned in case 40 Regarding the arrangement of the four in color ink cartridges 14c are arranged side by side, and a large capacity bl 14k2 or a black ink cartridge 14kl is arranged adjacent thereto In other capacity black ink cartridge 14k2 or the black ink cartridge 14kl is selectivel at an end position in the direction of alignment of the ink cartridges (the left- Figure 48 (a)) The case 40 illustrated in Figure 48 (a) accommodates a lar

Since case 40 allows both a large capacity black ink cartridge 14k2 cartridge 14kl to be installed, it is formed to accommodate the thickness of black ink cartridge 14k2 Thus, the lateral width tl4 (the width in the direc of the ink cartridges 14c and 14k2, the left-right direction in Figure 48 ( longer than the lateral width tl5 (the width in the direction of alignment of 14c and 14kl, the left-right direction in Figure 48 (b)) The difference be width tl4 of case 40 and the lateral width tl5 of case 2040 corresponds between the height of the vertical wall parts 220b to 22Oe of the second c illustrated in Figure 11 and the height of the vertical wall parts 2220b to 22 case member 2220 illustrated in Figure 13

Furthermore, case 40 allows a black ink cartridge 14kl pr a large c cartridge 14k2 to be installed selectively, while case 2040 only allows install cartridge 14kl This implies providing users with two types of multifunct already discussed above, since users whose frequency of text printing is lo large capacity black ink cartridge 14k2, it is preferable to provide such use multifunction device 1 that does not allow installation of a large capacity bl 14k2 Furthermore, since case 2040 for installing black ink cartridges 14kl installing large capacity black ink cartridge 14k2 differ only slightly in ex majority of the die used can be shared between the two, providing for a cost r As illustrated in Figure 49 (a), when the ink cartridges 14c and 14k2 are case 40, a needle 49 penetrates into the ink supply mechanism 500 of cartridges 14c and 14k2 The gaps tl6 between the needles 49 penetrati cartridges 14c are equal, while the gap tl7 between the needle 49 penetrati capacity black ink cartridge 14k2 and the needle 49 penetrating the ad cartridge 14c is formed to have a longer distance than gap tl6 The differe tl6 and gap tl7 corresponds to the difference between the height of the v

14kl and the needle 49 penetrating into the adjacent color ink cartridge 14 length as gaps tl6 and tl7 of case 40 This is because the state o (accommodation oπentation) of the black ink cartridge 14kl in case 2040 i the first case member 1210 of the black ink cartridge 14kl on the color ink c thereby making the distance between the needle 49 penetrating into the bl 14kl and the needle 49 penetrating into the adjacent color ink cartridge 14 distance between the needle 49 penetrating into the large capacity black ink case 40 and the needle 49 penetrating into the adjacent color ink cartridge 14 this is because the position of the ink supply part 120 of the ink cartrid position of the ink supply part 120 of ink cartridge 14k2 are the same relati of the ink supply part 120 of the ink cartridge 14c As a result, identica members 48 can be provided in case 40 and case 2040 even through the late tl5 of cases 40 and 2040 may differ, making the needle forming memb component and making it possible to reduce costs when fabricating two ca case 2040

Furthermore, as discussed above, the ink supply mechanism 500 is a impelled by the first supply spring 630 and second supply spring 650, cartridge 14 is removed from the multifunction device 1, ink may flow supply part 120 or, in the worst case, ink may spatter around The needle continuously, without any partition plates being provided between the needle spatters from the ink supply part 120, the spattered ink ends up adherin needles 49 The needles 49 are parts, which supply ink to the multifunction a different ink color is mixed into a needle 49, color change will occur du printing quality will decline In the present embodiment, the black ink is a while the color inks consist of dye type inks This is because black ink is u text printing, and is thus made from a pigment type ink with low permeabi

has been confirmed, generally, recovery processing (purging) involving forc ink is carried out, but since ink is wasted for the recovery processing, t efficiency drops Moreover, since black ink is a pigment type ink, it has compared to dye type ink, so it cannot be easily removed even if recov carried out However, in the present embodiment, the ink cartridges 14kl black ink are arranged at the end in the direction of arrangement in the cas supply part 120 (and needle 49) are shifted away from the color ink cartridg black ink should spatter, the spattered ink would be unlikely to adhere to th 49. Therefore, decline in printing quality can be suppressed, as can the amounts of ink for recovery processing

Next, referring to Figure 50, the state of installation of the large c cartridge 14k2 or black ink cartridge 14kl and color ink cartridges 14c i described. Figure 50 is a simplified cross-section illustrating in simplified f installation of ink cartridges 14c, 14kl and 14k2 inside case 40 Figure 50 state of ink cartridges 14kl and 14c installed in case 40 and Figure 50 (b) il of ink cartridges 14k2 and 14c installed in case 40

As illustrated in Figure 50 (a), in the bottom plate part 42 and ceiling pl refill unit 13 (case 40), there are formed accommodating grooves 42c 1 to 44c4 capable respectively of accommodating the case welded parts 216, 226 case welded parts 217, 227 and 1217 of case 200 or case 1200 Accommodat to 42c4 and 44c 1 to 44c4 are all formed to the same shape

Furthermore, the space between accommodating grooves 42c 1 and 42 between accommodating grooves 42c2 and 42c3 provide a separation dista space between accommodating grooves 42c3 and 42c4 provides a separa longer than distance tl2 This is because, as discussed above, the black ink formed with a larger outer shape than the other color ink cartridges 14c, so t

first case member 210 illustrated in Figure 8 and the height of vertical w 221Oe of the first case member 2210 illustrated in Figure 13, or the di vertical wall parts 210b to 21Oe of the first case member 210 illustrated in vertical wall parts 1210b to 121Oe of the first case member 1210 illustrated i Furthermore, a prescribed space X is formed between the outer surface o

220 of the black ink cartridge 14kl and the inner surface of the side pl prescribed space X is formed to allow for the large capacity black ink cartrid as illustrated in Figure 50 (b), it serves to allow the refill unit 13 to be used ink cartridge 14kl and the large capacity black ink cartridge 14k2 As illustrated in Figure 50 (b), when a large capacity black ink cartridge in the refill unit 13, the space that would be formed when a black ink installed becomes occupied Furthermore, the positions of the ink supp ambient air intake part 130 are the same when ink cartridge 14kl is install cartridge 14k2 is installed Thus, the same case 40 can be used with black in and 14k2, making it possible to reduce fabrication costs

Next, referring to Figure 51, the combination of components making up and 2200 will be described Figure 51 is a schematic drawing, which schem the combination of case members 210, 220, 1210, 2210 and 2220

Figure 51 (a) is a schematic drawing of case 200 According to the pres case 200 comprises first and second case members 210 and 220, with the t first and second case members 210 and 220 (the height of vertical wall parts 220b to 22Oe of the first and second case members 210 and 220, the left- Figure 51 (a)) being respectively tl8

Figure 51 (b) is a schematic drawing of case 2200 Case 2200 comprise case members 2210 and 2220, with the thicknesses of the first and second ca and 2220 (the height of vertical wall parts 2210b to 221Oe and 2220b to 222

first case member 1210 and tl8 for the second case member 220

Thus, according to the present embodiment, three types of cases - 200, with different sizes of the outer shape (different inside volumes) are form case members of different thickness and two second case members of diffe the present embodiment, the thicknesses of the first and second case mem forming case 200 are equal, and the thicknesses of the first and second ca and 2220 forming case 2200 are also equal, but making the thicknesses equal not an indispensable condition for forming three types of cases - 200, 12 different outer shape sizes Namely, so long as the thickness of one side (the first case member 2 members making up the largest first ink cartridge (case 2200) is greater tha one side (the first case member 210) of the case members making up the cartridge (case 200), and the thickness of the other side (the second case me case members making up the largest first ink cartridge is greater than the other side (the second case member 220) of the case members making up the cartridge, three types of cases with different outer shape sizes can be fabricat members The conditions described above will be referred to as the first cond further conditions to these first conditions, four types of cases can be fab case members This will be described in detail later Cases 200, 1200 and 2200 consist of resin material and are manufact molding Thus, a die corresponding to each case 200, 1200 and 2200 is ne types of dies being necessary if dies are fabricated for all the cases Namely, 1200 and 2200 have a space inside them, at least two members are necessary of them, for instance, a vessel main body open on one surface and a lid mem that opening Thus, with three cases 200, 1200 and 2200 of different si members are necessary

member 1210 used for black has the same shape as the tip side of the vertic to 21Oe of the first case member 210 used for color Therefore, the first ca and 210 can be manufactured by using a common die for the main portio members 1201 and 210, and changing between a member corresponding member 210 and a member corresponding to the first case member 1210 reduced as compared to when two types of molds are fabricated Furtherm case member 2210 for large capacity black has the same shape as the first c for black but without the rib 1218, a common die can be used for the main p case members 210, 1201 and 2210 In this way, even when there are mul cartridges 144c, 14kl and 14k2, a cost reduction can be achieved by using much as possible

Furthermore, in cases 200, 1200 and 2200 of different size from e through-holes that allow the ink supply part 120 and ambient air intake part the outside are made the same shape, and substantially semi-circular case 212, 221, 222, 1211, 1212, 2211, 2212, 2221 and 2222 corresponding to through-holes are formed in the same substantially semi-circular shape member 210, second case member 220, first case member 1210 for black, 2210 for large capacity black and second case member 2220 for large partially common structure can be used for each of the dies, reducing the c the dies

In the present embodiment, case 1200 was made from the second cas case 200 and a first case member 1210 formed to substantially the same shap member of case 2200 However, as illustrated in Figure 51 (d), it is also pos case 1200α from the first case member 210 of case 200 and a second ca formed to substantially the same shape as the second case member of cas vertical wall parts 210b to 21Oe and 220b to 22Oe of case members 210 and

the combination of case members allows three cases to be created - a smal large case for lager capacity black and a medium sized case for blac combination may be used

Next, referring to Figure 52, a second embodiment will be describe drawing illustrating the ink cartridge 3014 and refill unit 3013 of the sec Figure 52 (a) is a drawing illustrating the side surface of the ink cartridge 3 embodiment, and Figure 52 (b) shows the cross-section in the state with 3014 installed in refill unit 3013

As illustrated in Figure 52 (a), the ink cartridge 3014 of the secon configured with a different location of the ambient air intake part 130 as co cartridge 14 of the first embodiment In the ink cartridge 3014 of the sec ambient air is taken into the ink cartridge 3014 through an ambient air int formed in a labyrinth shape going from a through-hole 3130 formed on the case 3200 As illustrated in Figure 52 (b), the refill unit 3013 of the secon configured with the position of the pushing retaimng member 3061 provid being lower than the position of the pushing retaining member 61 provided the first embodiment This is because there is no air intake part on the side the pushing retaining member 3061 of the ink cartridge 3014 of the second thus the elastic force acting when the ink cartridge 3014 is installed in the re elastic force due to the first supply spring 630 and second supply spring 650 lower part of the ink cartridge 3014 Thus, in order to stably install the i inside the refill unit 3013, the pushing retaining member 3061 and the ink s configured to be substantially on the same line in the horizontal directi direction in Figure 52 (b)) Being positioned substantially on the same line which the elastic force acts is also substantially on the same line, reducing

outward appearance of ink cartridge 4014 of the third embodiment, and F perspective view illustrating the outward appearance of ink cartridge 50 embodiment

As illustrated in Figure 53 (a), the ink cartridge 4014 of the third e through-hole 4130 for admitting ambient air into the ink cartridge 4014 form its top surface (the top surface in Figure 53 (a)) The air admitted through 4130 passes through a labyrinth shaped air intake passage 4131 (a relativ with a small inside diameter) and is admitted inside the ink cartridge 4014 4132 is glued to the ink cartridge 4014 to prevent deaeration and outflow of ink cartridge 4014 before use To use the ink cartridge 4014, the seal memb off, and then the cartridge is installed in the multifunction device 1

The detection part 4140 (irradiated part) is formed projecting outwa surface extending substantially in the vertical direction of the ink cartridge 4 direction in Figure 53 (a)), and below that is formed the ink supply part 412 opening 4121 into which needle 49 is inserted is formed on the projecti supply part 4120 The ink cartridge 4014 of the third embodiment does not corresponding to ink reservoir element 100, and stores the ink directly inside

On the right side of Figure 53 (a), there is a cross-sectional diagram of t line within the figure As illustrated in this figure, within the ink supply par joint 4122 that forms the insertion part into which the needle 49 is insert which fills the opening of the joint 4122 and which is arranged in the direc side of the ink cartridge 4014 of this joint 4122, and a spring component 4 this valve 4123 in the direction of joint 4122. As a result, the valve mechanis closed the ink supply port 4121 is formed Also, the partition wall 4125 that side of the ink cartridge 4014 and the ink supply part 4120 is formed as a si

embodiment, and therefore, the detailed explanation of this will be omitted

The detection part 4140 of the third and fourth examples of embodime sensor arm 470 inside it, as in the first example of embodiment If it contai 470, then in the state where the ink cartridges 4014 and 5014 have bee multifunction device 1 , it is possible to accurately detect the amount of ink in the third and fourth examples of embodiment, the protrusion (first protru from the case protruding parts 214a and 224b and the protrusion (first protru from the case protruding parts 214b and 224b have been omitted, but it include these

Next, the fifth example of embodiment will be described while referring 55 Figure 54 is an angled view of the case 200 of the ink cartridge 14 in th embodiment, and Figure 55 is a cross-sectional diagram showing the state cartridge 14 of the fifth example of embodiment has been attached within The case 200 of the fifth example of embodiment is constructed such that it be different in relation to the case protruding parts 214a and 224a of the embodiment Therefore, the structure other than the edge part of the case 214a and 224a of the fifth example of embodiment is the same as that of th of the first example of embodiment, and using the same references for t identical to the first example of embodiment, the explanation of these will be

The case 200 of the fifth example of embodiment forms the second protr and 224a3 which protrude in the direction of the case protruding parts 214b direction in Figure 54) towards the case protruding parts 214a and 214b second protruding parts 214a3 and 224a3, the case protruding parts 214a an the truncated L (or V or U) shaped step 214a4 and 224a4 (concave part) as s view (in relation to the first case component 210, when seen from the top of

the ink cartridge 14 upside down, because the protrusion 55 will correctl 214a4 and 224a4, for instance, it is possible to consistently prevent probl protrusion 55 passes the case protruding parts 214a and 224a and goes to the case 200 in Figure 55 or to the lower side of the case protruding parts 214a a 55, and thus the ink cartridge 14 is further inserted toward the back side right side in Figure 55) Therefore, it is possible to consistently prevent t striking the needle 49 and thus prevent destruction or deformation of the remaining ink detection sensor 57

The steps 214a4 and 224a4 of the fifth example of embodiment are for (or V or U-shape) as seen from the side, but it is also acceptable to form th to the edge shape of the protrusion 55 In other words, it is acceptable for i desired as long as it is a shape that will not come loose when attaching orientation and the edge of the protrusion is fitted into the steps 214a4 and 2

Next, the sixth example of embodiment will be described while referring Figure 56 is a cross-sectional diagram showing the state in which the ink c sixth example of embodiment has been inserted into the refill unit 13 Fig diagram showing a summary of the electrical structure of the multifunctio sixth example of embodiment Figure 58 is a flow chart showing the ink car detection process that is executed by the CPU 971 The sixth example of e additional ink cartridge attachment detection sensor 960 in relation to t device 1 of the first example of embodiment Therefore, the structure ot cartridge attachment detection sensor 960 of the sixth example of embodim in the first example of embodiment, and therefore, using the same referen items as in the first example of embodiment, the explanation of these will be As illustrated in Figure 56, in the multifunction device 1 of the s embodiment, there is an ink cartridge attachment detection sensor 960 Whe

calculation means, a ROM 972 which is the memory that cannot be over stores the control program and the fixed value data, a RAM 973 which is the be overwritten and which is used as the work memory, the EEPROM non-volatile memory that can be overwritten and which stores data even source is turned off, the PC interface 975 which performs electrical connect external PC 980 and the control board 970, the inkjet printer 976 which per discharging ink as instructed by the CPU 971, the liquid crystal displa performs each type of display, the remaining ink detection sensor 57 which d of ink remaining in the ink cartridge 14, and ink cartridge attachment dete that detects whether the ink cartridge 14 has been attached or not, and the int that performs input and output of each type of signal While it is not illustr there are also various counters and timers included, the updating of the co timer values will be performed according to the processing performed within

Within the EEPROM 974, there is an ink cartridge attachment flag cartridge attachment flag 974 will not only go on when the ink cartridge 14 h attached, it is a flag that will go off when the ink cartridge 14 has been remov the ink cartridge attachment flag 974a has been turned on, it will remain in t is turned off by the ink cartridge attachment detection sensor 960

The ink cartridge attachment detection process illustrated in Figure 58 i process that is executed at the specific intervals (for instance, every 4 ms) af the initial set-up process (not illustrated in the figure) after the power sourc on for the multifunction device 1 In the following explanation, the ink cart detection sensor 960 will go on when the protruding piece of the ink cart sensor is pressed, and it will go off when the protruding piece is not p remaining ink detection sensor 57 will go on when the amount of light rece receiving part 57b is below a certain level (when the light path between the l

attached to the multifunction device 1, so setting the value of the ink cartrid 974a to be 0 (S 102), the ink cartridge will display onto the liquid crystal di the ink cartridge 14 has not been attached (S 103), and this process will end new multifunction device 1 is being used for the first time after shipping value of the ink cartridge attachment flag 974a has been set to 0

As the result of confirmation by the SlOl process, if the ink cart detection sensor 960 is on (SlOl Yes), it means that the ink cartridge 14 and then this process will confirm whether the value of the ink cartridg 974a is 1 or not (S 104) In the event that the ink cartridge 14 is attached fro being attached, the value of the ink cartridge attachment flag 974a should and then this process will confirm whether the remaining ink detection s not based on the timing in which the ink cartridge 14 is attached (S 105) If detection sensor 57 is off (S 105 No), it means that the ink cartridge 14 wh where the shielding arm part 473c has been removed from between the light and the light receiving part 57b has been attached, or in other words, the i little ink remaining has been attached Therefore, ink empty display will b liquid crystal display part 35 (S 112), and this process will end

On the other hand, within the S 105 process, if the remaining ink detecti (S 105 Yes), then this process will confirm whether the remaining ink detect been on or not for longer than the specific time (for instance, greater than 1 remaining ink detection sensor 57 has been on for longer than the specific ti means that the remaining ink detection sensor 57 has been already on fo specific time at the timing where the ink cartridge 14 is attached, so it is con are impurities attached to the surface of the light emitting part 57a and the li 57b of the remaining ink detection sensor 57, where these impurities are ob path between these surfaces, or it is considered that the sensor 960 malfun

to be performed in the event that the ink cartridge 14 is attached from the attached, and so if the ink cartridge attachment detection sensor 960 has al longer than the specific time, there may be damage in the ink cartridge att sensor 960 Therefore, if the ink cartridge attachment detection sensor 96 longer than the specific time (S 108 Yes), then an ink cartridge attachmen abnormality will be displayed on the liquid crystal display part 35 (S 109),

Within the S 108 process, unless the ink cartridge attachment detection se longer than the specific time (S 108 No), when because this means that th has been correctly attached, the value of the ink cartridge attachment flag 97 (SI lO), and this process will end In other words, the ink cartridge atta sensor 960 and the remaining ink detection sensor 57 will change in appro timing, and when the value of the ink cartridge attachment flag 974a is set attachment of the ink cartridge 14, it will be set to the state in which it is using the multifunction device 1

Within the SIlO processing, when the ink cartridge attachment flag 974a processing after that, the process of S 104 will go to Yes, and the proc remaining ink within the ink cartridge 14 will be performed In other words process, whether or not the remaining ink detection sensor 57 has become confirmed, and if the remaining ink detection sensor 57 is on (Sill Yes), within the ink cartridge 14, and this process will end as is, and if the remai sensor 57 is off (S 111 No), then an ink empty display will be displayed on display 35 (S 112), and this process will end

When the value of the ink cartridge attachment flag 974a is 1 , in other has been detected, the multifunction device 1 will allow execution of the pri illustrated in the figure), and therefore, it is possible to avoid execution of th

is also possible to detect any abnormalities in each sensor Also, when cartridge 14, as the ink cartridge attachment detection sensor 960 will be tur of the ink cartridge attachment flag 974a will be set to 0, and therefore, it is accurately detect whether the ink cartridge 14 is attached or whether the in when removing the ink cartridge 14, when ink is adhered to the light emitti light receiving part 57b of the remaining ink detection sensor 57, it is poss detect any abnormalities of the remaining ink detection sensor 57 when cartridge 14 Also, when removing the ink cartridge 14, if the ink cart detection sensor 960 is already broken, an ink empty display will be displ the ink cartridge 14 is not attached Therefore, it is possible for the user to re has been some sort of abnormal occurrence If an abnormal deletion operat then because the value of the ink cartridge attachment flag 974a is set to 0, i ink cartridge 14 is attached next, then it is possible to display the abnor cartridge attachment detection sensor 960, making it possible for this to be m user

As in the first example of embodiment, if there is no ink cartridge atta sensor 960, it is possible for the remaining ink detection sensor 57 to detec lack of any remaimng ink It is also possible for the remaining ink detec detect that the ink cartridge 14 is attached (or more correctly, that an ink enough amount of remaining ink has been attached), if the remaining ink de changed from off to on It is acceptable to allow the execution of printing pr remaining ink detection sensor 57 detects that the ink cartridge 14 is attached

Next, referring to Figure 59, the seventh and eighth examples of em described Figure 59 is an angled view showing the external appearance of 6014 and 7014 of the seventh and eighth examples of embodiment, Figure 5 view showing the external appearance of the ink cartridge 6014 in the se

5120 of the seventh and eighth examples of embodiment are formed is th cartridges 4014 and 5014 of the third and fourth examples of embodiment, same references for the parts that are the same as in the third and fo embodiment will be used, and the explanation of these is omitted As illustrated in Figure 59(a), there is a concave part 6100 formed abo part 4120 (above the ink supply part 4120 in the attached state of the ink c state in Figure 59(a)) There is a detection part 6140 formed in the centra concave part 6100 Therefore, on both sides of the detection part 6140, there in which the light emitting part 57a and the light receiving part 57b of t detection sensor 57 can be inserted

As illustrated in Figure 59(b), there is a concave part 7100 formed abo part 5120 (above the attached state of the ink cartridge 5120 (the state m Fig is a detection part 7140 formed in the central position of this concave part 71 both sides of the detection part 7140, there is a space formed in which the l 57a and the light receiving part 57b of the remaimng ink detection sensor 57

Also, the detection parts 6140 and 7140 of the ink cartridges 6014 and 70 and eighth examples of embodiment are arranged within the concave part formed on the side surfaces, so it is possible to reduce any adherence of i from the ink supply parts 4120 and 5120 onto the detection parts 6140 and 71 It is acceptable to construct the surface of the concave parts 6100 and supply parts 4120 and 5120 side as a sloped surface that is sloped in the di supply parts 4120 and 5120 By using this structure, if any ink is adhered o parts 6140 and 7140, the ink will not accumulate within the concave parts making it possible to reduce any adherence of ink onto the detection parts 61 The detection parts 6140 and 7140 of the seventh and eighth examples of also contain sensor arms inside as in the first example of embodiment By u

member 65 of the door main body 60 in the ninth example of embodiment i in the first example of embodiment, the explanation of this will be omitted

As illustrated in Figure 60, the ink cartridge 8014 of the ninth example o a pushing part 8200a that is configured to contact the pressing retaining door main body 60 and that protrudes towards the outside from the side su cartridge 8014 In other words, the pushing part 200a of the first example of one part of a specific range of the side surface 1 of the case 200, but the pr of the ninth example of embodiment has the structure where there is a contacts the pressing retaining member 61 In the ninth example of embodi of the pushing part 8200a is such that it protrudes from the side surface, but form it in the opposite concave shape In this case, the pressing retaining constructed such that it protrudes from the door main body 61

Next, referring to Figures 61-63, the tenth example of embodiment Figure 61 is an angled diagram showing the external appearance of the ink the tenth example of embodiment Figure 62 is an exploded perspective vie cartridge 9014 of the tenth example of embodiment Figure 63 is a diagra procedure for replacing the ink reservoir element The ink cartridge 14 of th embodiment had a structure in which the ink reservoir element 100 wa because it was welded into the first and second case members 210 and 22 this ink cartridge 9014 of the tenth example of embodiment is constructed reservoir element 100 is replaceable

Further, the ink cartridge 9014 of the tenth example of embodiment has structure as the ink cartridge 14 of the first example of embodiment, and t structure that is different in relation to the ink cartridge 14 of the first examp will be described, and using the same references for the same parts as in th

edge surface on which the ink supply part 120, the ambient air intake detection part 140 are located) The seal 9100 not only has the model of the i listed on it, but it also has impπnted on it the color corresponding to the ink is possible to visually recognize the color of the ink that is stored within 9014 Therefore, by attaching this seal 9100, it is possible for the use to visu ink color, making it possible to prevent storage of the ink cartridge 91 accommodating chamber 50 within the case 40

As illustrated in Figure 62, within the vertical wall part 210b of the first there are engagement parts 9200a and 9200b formed which protrude in th second case member 220 (in the Z direction, or in the upwards direction in F other hand, within the vertical wall part 220b of the second case memb engagement holes 9201a and 9201b formed which engage with the edges o parts 9200a and 9200b respectively

Therefore, when manufacturing the ink cartridge 9014, first, the ink rese is placed within the first case member 210, and fitting the engagement parts of the first case member 210 with the engagement holes 9201a and 9201b o member 920, the first case member 210 and the second case member 220 are seal 9100 is adhered along the maximum surface 210a and the vertical wal first case member 210 and the maximum surface 220a and the vertical wall second case member 220 Then, by attaching the protector 300, the ink manufactured

The ink cartridge 9014 of the tenth example of embodiment has underg the first case member 210 and the second case member 220, the adhesion onto the first and second case members 210 and 220, and the fitting of the 9200a and 9200b with the engagement holes 9201a and 9201b , Therefore union of the engagement parts 9200a and 9200b with the engagement holes

Also, as illustrated in Figure 63, because one edge surface of the first members 210 and 220 are connected via the seal 9100, it is possible to per closing operations using the edge of the vertical wall parts 210c and 22 opemng and closing operation in the arrow direction in Figure 63, or in th other words, the seal part 9100 is a connecting member to connect the firs members 210 and 220, and it serves as a hinge material, which can open and second case members 210 and 220 Therefore, the replacement of element 100 is performed by undoing the connection between the engage and 9200b and the engagement holes 9201a and 9201b, and when the sec 220 is open with respect to the first case member 210, the new ink reservo inserted, and then, the first and second case members 210 and 220 are present tenth example of embodiment, while the ink reservoir element 100 new one, it is also acceptable to use a product in which ink has been re-inj reservoir element 100 As described above, the ink cartridge 9014 of the tenth example of embo undergo the replacement of the ink reservoir element 100 Also, in embodiment, because detection of the remaining ink (combined with attach the ink cartridge) is performed by the remaining ink detection sensor 57 that sides of the detection part 140 of the ink reservoir element 100, if an ink ca no ink reservoir element 100 contained is attached, then the determination there is no remaining ink (or that there is no ink cartridge attached) There be no printing process performed by the multifunction device 1 in the stat cartridge 9014 with no ink reservoir element 100 contained has been attache reduce the possibility of generating printing problems Next, referring to Figure 64, the eleventh example of embodiment

Figure 64 is a diagram showing the ink reservoir element 9300 of the ele

space to store the ink inside, and which is connected to the hard part 9301 T has a detection part (irradiation part) 9303 that is to be placed between the l 57a and the light receiving part 57b of the remaining ink detection sens supply part including the ink supply mechanism 500 and the supply c example of embodiment

Therefore, the ink reservoir element 9300 of the eleventh example manufactured using the hard part 9301 and the bag part 9302, and therefor have a simplified structure in comparison to the case where the entirety o element is formed through a molding using a resin material Therefore, improve the yield when manufacturing the ink reservoir element 9300, ma achieve a reduction in manufacturing costs

The ink reservoir element 9300 of the eleventh example of embodimen the bag part 9302 which forms the reservoir space to store the ink, and so w the bag part 9302 is reduced, the bag part 9302 will shrink according to t when the ink is depleted, the reservoir space will be mostly depleted as we not possible to place a sensor arm (rotating member) to detect the amount within the bag part 9302

However, the hard part 9301 in the ink reservoir element 9300 is for barrier properties, and because it is placed between the light emitting part receiving part 57b of the remaining ink detection sensor 57, it will always light that is emitted from the light emitting part 57a Therefore, while it detect the amount of ink remaining within the bag part 9302, it is possible there is an ink reservoir element 9300 contained within the first and seco and therefore, it is possible to prevent any printing processes from being multifunction device 1 while the ink reservoir element 9300 is not contain and second case members

Now, referring to Figures 65 to 67, the modified examples of the combin members will be decsribed Figures 65 to 67 are diagrams to explain the of the combinations of the case members As described above, in the pr embodiment, the three types of cases 200, 1200 (or 1200α) and 2200 differing sizes for the outer shapes using the two types of first case mem case members 1210 and 2210 with different thicknesses, and the two typ members 220 and second case member 2220 with different thicknesses In combination of the case members in this modified example can be formed cases with differing sizes of outer shape from four case members (where the is different) First, an explanation will be made while referring to Figure in Figure 65(a), case Cl is formed of a case member 120 and a case thickness of the case member 120 is t20 and the thickness of the case m which is thicker than the thickness t20 As illustrated in Figure 65(b), case C case member 121 and the case member r22 The thickness of the case mem the thickness of the case member r22 is t 22, which is thicker than the thick the difference between the thickness t22 of the case member r22 and the thi case member r21 is different than the difference between the thickness t21 of 121 and the thickness t20 of the case member 120

By changing the combination of the case members 121 and r22 which and the case members 120 and r21 which form the case Cl, the case C3 as ill 65(c) and the case C4 as illustrated in Figure 65(d) are formed More speci formed of the case member 120 and the case member r22, and case C4 is f member 121 and the case member r21

Therefore, using the four case members 120 and r21 which form the cas members 121 and r22 which form the case C2, the small scale case Cl, the la and the two types of mid-sized cases C3 and C4 are formed Also, the size

the case member (case member r22) which forms the largest first ink cartri the thickness t21 of one side of the case member (case member r21) that f third ink cartridge (Cl) must be different than the difference (t21-t20) bet t21 of the other side of the case member (case member 121) that forms th cartridge and the thickness t20 of the other side of the case member (case forms the smallest third ink cartridge For instance, if the first condition second condition was not, then the thicknesses would be t20=10 mm, t21=2 mm (t22 - 121=15 mm, t21 - 120=15 mm), and the thicknesses of each of t Cl=35 mm, C2=65 mm, C3=50 mm, and C4=50 mm, meaning only cases sizes could be manufactured, and if both the first and second condition thicknesses would be t20=10 mm, t21=20 mm, and t22=40 mm (t22 - t t20=10 mm), and the thicknesses of each of the cases would be C 1=30

C3=50 mm, and C4=40 mm, making it possible to manufacture cases with fo

Next, an explanation will be made while referring to Figure 66 As illustr the case C5 is formed of the case member 120 and the case member r20 T the case members 120 and r20 are formed of t20 The case C2 illustrated in F same as the case C2 in Figure 65(b), and so the explanation of this will be o

By changing the combination of the case members 120 and r20 which and the case members 121 and r22 which form the case C2, the case C3 ill 66(c) and the case C6 illustrated in Figure 66(d) are formed More specifical formed of the case member 120 and the case member r22, and the case C6 case member 121 and the case member r20 Further, the difference between of the case member r20 and the thickness t22 of the case member r22 is difference between the thickness t21 of the case member 121 and the thickne member 120, fulfilling both the first and second conditions described above

Therefore, using the four case members 120 and r20 which form the cas

Figure 67(a) is the same as the case Cl illustrated in Figure 65, the explanat omitted here As illustrated in Figure 67 (b), the case C7 is formed of the ca the case member r22 The thicknesses of the case members 122 and r22 are f

By changing the combination of the case members 120 and r21 which and the case members 122 and r22 which form the case C7, the case C3 ill 67(c) and the case C8 illustrated in Figure 67(d) are formed More specifica formed of the case member 120 and the case member r22, and the case C8 case member 122 and the case member r21 Further, the difference between of the case member r22 and the thickness t21 of the case member r21 is difference between the thickness t22 of the case member 122 and the thickne member 120, fulfilling both the first and second conditions described above

Therefore, using the four case members 120 and r21 which form the cas members 122 and r22 which form the case C7, the small scale case Cl, the la and the two types of mid-sized cases C3 and C8 are formed Also, the size outer shape of cases Cl, C3, C7, and C8 are all different, with C1<C3<C8<C7 Therefore, it is possible to form four cases with differ according to the amount of ink to be stored using the four case members 120,

As described above, within the case members that form each case, whe the case members that are placed on one side are different than the thickn members that are placed on the other side, it is possible to form four cases w sizes (different internal capacities) from the four case members

Next, another modified example of the present example of embodiment In the above example of embodiment, by using the elasticity of the first a springs 630 and 650 and the first and second ambient air springs 730 an valve 620 and the ambient air valve 720 are urged in the direction of the sup the ambient air joint 710 to block the ink flow path K and the ambient

ambient air slider 740, it is acceptable to construct the first supply spring 6 supply spring 650 and the first ambient air spring 730 and the second ambi such that they are directly adjacent to each other, and further, to simplify t that the supply valve and ambient air intake valve are on the bottom plane of structure, it is possible to simplify the ink supply mechanism and the a mechanism, making it possible to achieve a reduction in manufacturing c also acceptable to have a structure in which the first supply (ambient ai second supply (ambient air) spring are connected as one unit Also, with hook 626 and 726 in the supply valve 620 and the ambient air valve 720, i connect the supply (ambient air) slider 640 (740) and the first and second su springs 630 and 650 (730 and 750) as one unit, and to have a construct unified supply (ambient air) slider and the first and second supply (ambien move freely

Also, while the check valve 670 was constructed of the umbrella part part 672, it is acceptable to construct it of only the umbrella part 671 The c used to prevent backflow of the ink, and therefore, it is acceptable to constr can block the connection of the first cover through-hole 683 and t through-hole 684 of the cover 680 Also, it is acceptable to construct the c the second cover through-hole 684 Also, in the above example of embodiment, while the space between th part 614 and the joint contact part 613 of the supply joint 610 was formed form, it is also acceptable to form a groove around the periphery of the joi the supply joint Because any displacement of the joint protruding part wil this groove, it is possible to reduce displacement in the insertion direction o part as the needle 49 is inserted Further, by increasing the inner diameter o part in relation to the inner diameter of the joint protruding part, it is possi

film 160 on the side wall of the ambient air connection passage 433, mak reduce the formation of a meniscus on the ambient air connection passage case of closing the second opening 112b with the side wall, that side w support substrate, and as this will provide the strength of the frame part, i have a construction in which the connection formation part (partition connected within the ink reservoir chamber, is not used In this case, it is a an internal weld part only from one surface side of the support substrate

Also, in the above example of embodiment, the film 160 that is welded o was constructed of a nylon layer on the frame part 110 side, but it is also acc water-resistant coating onto this nylon layer By using this type of construct to prevent the formation of a meniscus on the ambient air connection passage

Also, in the above example of embodiment, the ambient air comm forming part 430 was constructed such that it sloped downwards towards th air communicating chamber 432 from the first ambient air communicating because one surface of the ambient air communicating passage 433 is con 160, it is possible to prevent the formation of a meniscus within communicating passage 433 Therefore, it is acceptable to have a construc ambient air communicating passage forming part 430 does not necessarily s and it is acceptable to have a construction in which it is horizontal in the s cartridge 14 is attached

Also, in the above example of embodiment, while all of the weldin performed using ultrasonic welding, in the case that it is possible to perform an adhesive, it is acceptable to make all attachments using an adhesiv acceptable to use a different welding method for welding For instance, th case 200 can be substituted with attachment using an adhesive as it is only i that the first and second case members 210 and 220 do not separate