| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ink cartridge in which the residual quantity of ink can be detected surely regardless of some degree of variation in the positional relation between a detecting part and a reflected light sensor. SOLUTION: Since the ink cartridge 1 is provided, on the inner surface of the sidewall 2a, with protrusions and recesses 63 extending in the direction orthogonal to a plane including the light emitting element 61 and the light receiving element 62 of a sensor 60 for detecting the residual quantity of ink and a detecting partα, a light emitted from the light emitting element 61 is scattered, when it is reflected on the inner surface of the side wall 2a, by the protrusions and recesses 63 on the inner surface thereof in the direction orthogonal thereto. The reflected light travels to the light receiving element 62 side while spreading in the plane including the light emitting element 61, the light receiving element 62 and the detecting partα. The light receiving element 62 can thereby receive the reflected light surely even if the interval between the detecting partαand the sensor 60 varies subtly. COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO |
