# US 2017/0282583 A1 · Liquid cartridge provided with deformable member and movable member for detection of remaining amount of liquid > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0282583 A1 - Document ID: US20170282583A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/276,958 - Filed: 2016-09-27 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-31 - Assignees: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Applicants: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha - Inventors: Naoya OKAZAKI; Tetsuro KOBAYASHI; Suguru TOMOGUCHI; Akihito ONO; Kosuke NUKUI; Hiroaki TAKAHASHI - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170282583A1 ## CPC - B41J 2/17566: {Ink level or ink residue control} - B41J 2/17503: {Ink cartridges} - B41J 2/17509: {Whilst mounted in the printer} - B41J 2/17513: {Inner structure} - B41J 2/1752: {Mounting within the printer} - B41J 2/17523: {Ink connection} - B41J 2/17546: {electronically} - B41J 2/17553: {Outer structure} - B41J 29/13: Cases or covers - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A liquid cartridge includes: a casing including a liquid chamber; a liquid supply portion; a deformable member; a movable member; and a support member. The liquid chamber is configured such that an internal pressure of the liquid chamber is reduced as liquid flows out of the liquid chamber. The liquid supply portion allows liquid in the liquid chamber to flow out of the liquid chamber. The deformable member protrudes further upward relative to an upper surface of the casing. The deformable member has an internal space in communication with the liquid chamber. The deformable member is elastically deformable such that a volume of the internal space is reduced as the internal pressure of the liquid chamber is reduced. The movable member includes a detection portion movable in upward and downward directions in accordance with the elastic deformation of the deformable member. The support member supports the movable member. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid cartridge comprising: a casing including a liquid chamber configured to store liquid therein, the liquid chamber being configured such that an internal pressure of the liquid chamber is reduced in accordance with outflow of liquid from the liquid chamber, the casing including a front surface and an upper surface defined based on an attached posture of the liquid cartridge; a liquid supply portion disposed at the front surface and configured to allow liquid in the liquid chamber to flow out of the liquid chamber; a deformable member protruding further upward relative to the upper surface of the casing, the deformable member having an internal space in communication with the liquid chamber, the deformable member being configured to be elastically deformable such that a volume of the internal space is reduced in accordance with the reduction in the internal pressure of the liquid chamber; a movable member including a detection portion configured to move in an upward direction and a downward direction in accordance with the elastic deformation of the deformable member; and a support member supporting the movable member. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the casing includes a wall extending in the upward direction from the upper surface of the casing, and wherein the wall has a front end positioned closer to the support member than the detection portion to the support member. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the support member is positioned further upward relative to the upper surface of the casing, and wherein the wall overlaps the support member as viewed in a rightward direction and a leftward direction, the wall having an upper end positioned further upward relative to the support member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the wall has an upper end positioned further upward relative to the detection portion. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The liquid cartridge according to claim 3, wherein the front end of the wall is positioned further rearward relative to the detection portion, the detection portion being exposed to an exterior of the liquid cartridge. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the movable member is configured to be pivotally movable about the support member. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The liquid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the support member is supported by the wall. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The liquid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the movable member includes a stopper configured to restrict the pivotal movement of the movable member, the stopper being positioned opposite to the detection portion with respect to the support member. ### Claim 9 (depends on 6) The liquid cartridge according to claim 6, wherein the detection portion is configured to move from an upper position where the detection portion is in contact with the deformable member without elastic deformation to a lower position where the detection portion is in contact with the deformable member that has been elastically deformed, and wherein the support member is disposed between the detection portion at the upper position and the detection portion at the lower position in the upward direction and the downward direction. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the deformable member is formed of an elastic material. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the detection portion of the movable member is positioned further upward relative to the deformable member. ### Claim 12 (depends on 2) The liquid cartridge according to claim 2, wherein the wall includes a pair of wall portions, one of the pair of wall portions being disposed leftward of the movable member, the other of the pair of wall portions being disposed rightward of the movable member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the casing further includes: a rear surface opposite to the front surface; a lower surface opposite to the upper surface, the upper surface extending between the front surface and the rear surface; and a film defining a part of the liquid chamber, the film being configured to be deformable in accordance with the outflow of liquid from the liquid chamber such that a volume of the liquid chamber is reduced, and wherein the upper surface of the casing has an opening through which a portion of the deformable member is inserted. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The liquid cartridge according to claim 13, wherein the deformable member has a hardness higher than a hardness of the film. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The liquid cartridge according to claim 1, wherein the casing has a communication channel for allowing an internal space of the deformable member to communicate with the liquid chamber, the communication channel extending in the upward direction and the downward direction.