Patent ID: 8016376
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A liquid cartridge comprising: a liquid accommodating chamber accommodating liquid therein; a float member movably disposed in the liquid accommodating chamber to be movable in accordance with a change in a liquid surface of the liquid accommodated in the liquid accommodating chamber, mass per unit volume of the float member being smaller than mass per unit volume of the liquid; a detection member that moves in conjunction with the float member, the detection member being subject to be detected by an external light detector for determining remaining amounts of the liquid accommodated in the liquid accommodating chamber; and a restricting portion that restricts movements of the float member and the detection member to be movable along a predetermined path, wherein the detection member includes a light transmission section that transmits light, and first and second light blocking sections that block light transmission, the light transmission section being disposed between the first and second light blocking sections, and the detection member is configured to move past a predetermined detection position when moving the predetermined path; wherein the liquid accommodating chamber includes a pair of wall sections that interpose the detection position therebetween, and each of the pair of wall sections has at least a portion with light transmissive characteristics so that light from the external light detector can exit outside via the detection position; and wherein the detection member moves, in conjunction with the float member, from a first position where the first light blocking section is in coincidence with the detection position, to a second position where the light transmission section is in coincidence with the detection position, and finally to a third position where the second light blocking section is in coincidence with the detection position.